Vox TO

Think of Vox TO as your OFF THE GRID guide, without the polyester shirt and ill-fitting pants. We’re curating the best of the blogs on any and every topic and sharing the weird and wonderful, the reviews and ratings (from lipstick to restaurants and hip hop and everything in between). Find the ones we think are stimulating, remarkable and curious, all in one place.

FROM • THE CURATOR

Spring has Sprung!

March 20 was the first official day of Spring but I was still wearing my parka three weeks ago. What is that proverb “In like a Lion…”

It seems these years that Spring gets shorter and shorter. It’s like a direct jump from Feather filled parkas to Flop flops. So in order to make the most of this short lived season, here are a few of our favourite Spring posts:

Trends in Europe for Spring 2013:

Spring into exercise, workout outside:

Fresh faced for Spring with new Revlon products:

Spring Resolutions for a fresh start:

Spring Clean Your Diet:

Spring One of a Kind Show:

Spring Patio Prep:

Spring Showers bring May flowers so they say. I wonder when I will stop complaining about the rain and start complaining about how hot it is…..
FROM • THE CURATOR

Sparks from the unlikeliest places

Ever heard of Joshua Davis? He’s a New York artist, in town next week with a new collection of hand-drawn compositions based on algorithmic patterns and digital illustrations. What does that mean exactly? He describes it as “analog randomness on top of computer randomness”. Artist statements are art, too.

An inspiration to countless designers, programmers and developers, Davis’art opening April 19 at Hotel Ocho marks the start of FITC. It stands for ‘Future. Innovation. Technology. Creativity’. It’s all about is super smart people sharing really cool stuff.

In the spirit of what we can do when we use our imagination, here are four blogs that sparked something for me:

Canadian pride
We’re delighted to welcome Joshua Davis to Toronto, but Canada is no slouch when it comes to talent. Hello Artbomb. Like ebay for Canadian art and artists, it’s a curated, online auction site and it’s growing. Buy what you love indeed. This is awesome.

Gussied up booze
You know you’re an artist when you can serve up jello shots and feel good about it. These aren’t just any old jello shots. These are ooh-la-la GOURMET French martini jello shots. Now that’s inspired.

Wearable toys
Oh hai, Lego Chanel handbag. I bet Karl fanned himself pretty vigorously after making this dream accessory happen.

Body pride
Inspired by the confidence of a friendly saleswoman, this blogger has the courage to share a part of her body she isn’t particularly proud of or happy with, but she did anyway. RIGHT ON Tabitha!
FROM • THE CURATOR

Five Fun Blogs

When I need a little kick-starter inspiration for this post, I look up the date it’ll be published on (every Friday!) to see if anything jumps out at me. To save you the hassle, in the annals of history, April 5 doesn’t have a heck of a lot going on. No interesting births, deaths or events.

Meh.

But the idea of this date being boring got me thinking about what’s NOT boring. Our bloggers and their antics, that’s what. Take a look:

The Backseat Stylers share these Charlotte Olympia shoes inspired by the signs of the zodiac, in a rainbow of colours. Fun for your feet and for your celestial influences.

That Sweet Burn goes on a bibulous adventure when he samples Vov, an Italian egg liqueur made from white marsala, egg yolks and all the sugar in the whole wide world. Apparently it tastes like expired egg nog spiked with bathtub moonshine or like spewy bull semen, depending on who you ask. Gross, but definitely not tedious.

Jessica Alba and Rebecca Keenan get real, comparing daily routines. For a celebrity mama, Jessica’s home life reads a little vanilla but I’ll tell you something for nothing – Rebecca’s days are filled with drama, laughter, tears, and sometimes even a little poop. In the bed. Mhmm. Anything but snoozeville, I assure you.

Churros! Squirty-outy Spanish donuts! I think you can see this excitement-on-a-plate for yourself.

The I’d Tap That girls fire it up at a Crush Party complete with costumes, boob-bouncing dance moves and more in the nudge-nudge, wink-wink vein. Body pride at its finest. And not a ho-hum in sight.

Photo source for header image: Becca Lemire
FROM • THE CURATOR

Toronto: A day in the life

Get up!

Wakey, wakey with some get up and go music like GRMLN

or perhaps something a little funkier like Suuns.

Get dressed!

What to wear? Decisions decisions. TOshopoholic has lots of ideas, no matter what the occasion.

And don’t forget your face! ShopPretty suggests this daily moisturizer with all-important SPF

Get going

If it’s a work day, perhaps a lovely, leisurely commute by bike? Sorry TTC but bikes are the better way, in nice weather anyway.

Not in a rush? Stop and snap some pics of street-level art.

Get lunch!

So many options to eat out in this city. East end? Head to Guu.

West end? Go Cuban at Delux (and follow FoodieYu as she eats her way through town!)

Get fit!

Pack your bag for the gym with great suggestions from UrbaneBloc

Then work off that lunch with a little help from MattToronto

and motivation from FitCheerleader

Get out on the town!

Pre-dinner cocktails are in order

Then something delicioso for dinner – like burgers!

Then onto what? A gig? There’s always something happening.

And there are always more blogs to check out. Don’t miss a thing. Nighty night.
FROM • THE CURATOR

Festivals, Fashion & French Confectionary: Top 15 Picks

March Madness in Toronto means more than basketball. It’s spring (yeah, right). It’s Fashion Week. It’s Canadian Music Week. It’s Taste of Iceland. It’s Macaron Day (March 20), World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), International Women’s Day (March 8). And for every single event and occasion, there are people working hard to make sure whatever it is you’re doing, seeing, eating and discovering is unique and inspiring. Canadian designers ruling the runways. Toronto bands bringing down the house. Local chefs serving up something different. And it’s not just this month. There is always something going on. Man, I love this city. And so do our bloggers. Here’s my Top 15 for this week:

Fashion Week

Pink Tartan from UrbaneBloc

I’m a sucker for geometric patterned fabrics. Jean-Pierre Branzaga from Styleblog

Also from StyleBlog - DUY. Just look at that hair!

COMRAGS & Jean-Pierre Branzaga at The shOws, from SidewalkHustle

MIZ by Izzy Camilleri, from HeyDoYou

Canadian Music Week

Look how beautifully The Dakota Tavern is lit up. I bet Jeremy Fisher and Trent Severn sounded even better because of that ambiance.

PeteHatesMusic at The Rivoli for Illitry

JP Maurice at Annex Live, from GrayOwlPoint

Lucky, lucky PanicManual took in Chvrches at The Mod Club.

Chromewaves caught Mount Moriah at The Drake Underground

Miss out on Macaron Day Toronto? NBD. You can always score some of these tasty treats no matter where you are in the city.

Andrew Walshe shares his picks for the best macarons in T.dot.

Feeling adventurous? Make your own macarons. ABakedCreation shares a festive recipe here

Chocolate Basil macarons with recipe from EatLiveTravelWrite

Need more help? Here’s a video!
FROM • THE CURATOR

Caesar said “Creating is the essence of life”. I say it’s booze.

Today is March 15, the Ides of March. What’s an Ide, you ask? Before I get to that, let me tell you, it’s impossible to type the word “ides” without first typing the word “ideas” automatically. I’ve done it about five times just writing this intro.

After consulting Wikipedia, I discovered three interesting points:

1. In the original Roman calendar, days were counted from three fixed points in the month: the Nones (the 3rd or 5th), the Ides (the 13th or the 15th) and the Kalends (the 1st of the following month). Got that?
2. It’s most commonly known as the day Julius Caesar was assassinated.
3. Canadians celebrate this date by drinking Caesars.

Cool.

Wait. What?

So when we enjoy a Caesar, we commemorate the murder of a man in 44 BC with the uniquely Canuck blend of vodka, celery salt, clam and tomato juice? Or, we should drink Caesars on March 15 to toast the fallen leader? This Wiki entry might require an edit. #justsayin

In any case, to honour Julius Caesar on this anniversary of his death, here is a Kimchi Caesar recipe courtesy of KristinaGroeger.

For a bacon-y twist on this Canadian classic, head to Queen & Bay for the Bannock Caesar made with vodka, Imperial Canadian Sherry, Clamato, salsa and maple bacon (because, as evidenced by the number of posts in Food & Drink, everyone in Toronto goes apeshit for bacon).

More into hops than Mott’s? You might be interested in checking out ShakesBeer, an evening of local brews for lovers of the bard. There are four shows, two nights only: Saturday March 16 & Saturday March 23, 6:30PM and 9:00PM. Get thee to Artscape Wychwood Barns.

If a night of Billy isn’t your bag, but beer and food is, you might be keen on a cooking class, complete with beer pairings at Aphrodite Cooks in the west end.

Rather just get straight to the drinking? Say no more. There’s a new brew in town. It’s called Left Field. And the launch party is April 5 at 3030 Dundas St. West in the Junction.

If I can close with a few choice words from Shakespeare “Come, ladies and gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness”.
FROM • THE CURATOR

Irish overload

If you’re going to go the whole “Kiss me, I’m Irish” route this coming St. Patrick’s Day, you may as well do it right. Hit all the right spots, drink all the right drinks and wear just the right shade of green (Pantone 17-5641).

Where to go

Toronto just passed Chicago as the fourth most populated city in North America. Kind of a big deal. In a town this size, you have options. You want to celebrate of the life and times of a man who chased the snakes out of Ireland 2000 years ago? No problem. East side or west side? ViewTheVibe and ValTorontoGal share their thoughts on the most authentically Irish pubs, taverns and events available on March 17. Sláinte!

If you prefer to avoid the insanity of line ups, shamrock hats and the desecration of Guinness à la green beer, stay home and stir up this Irish-inspired cocktail with four simple ingredients (and no food colouring in sight) from FoodWithLegs writer David Ort.

What to wear

Office spirit squads tend to encourage the wearing of green on St. Paddy’s Day. Luckily, 2013 is the year of emerald. So don’t just dredge up any old tee shirt to wear because you feel you have to. Put on something sassy. LoveofAwesome and JamieLeighTO have scoured the web and found some really great picks – from accessories to clothes and household items.

If that’s still too much green to handle, you can go even more subtle. A hint of eyeshadow, eyeliner or just a bold, bright nail polish – suggestions from BeautyCrazed. If the idea of putting green on to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is too much, just think of it as a invitation to spring.
FROM • THE CURATOR

Are you superstitious?

It’s March 1. Did you say “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” this morning? It’s supposed to bring good luck. While I don’t, as a rule, utter those words every month, I can admit to touching wood, throwing salt over my shoulder if I knock over a shaker, and never, ever buying a bouquet of just red and white flowers. My family also has a weird elephants-are-bad-luck belief that no one else in the world shares – and I can’t help but take it to heart.

But on the whole, it seems like Toronto bloggers aren’t a superstitious bunch. I haven’t seen a post with Maneki-neko waving out at me, and a search for Horseshoe brings up gig reviews from music bloggers. Nothing comes up for clover, four leaf or otherwise. Charm offers pretty much all the posts from ValTorontoGal and broken mirror is a bust. Here’s what I did find:

In the spirit of today’s incantation, I looked for a rabbit’s foot and found a rabbit’s shoulder. Bad luck, bunny. Incidentally, the rear, left leg is the one considered good luck for charms or keychains.

To counterpoint the grimness of rabbit body parts, let’s enjoy this sweet rabbit sweater.

After a little more searching, I found a band called Modern Superstitions, which begs the question: what IS a modern superstition? Aren’t they all from ye olden tymes?

Here’s an interesting post on the bad luck of potluck or what happens when you’re not dictatorial when you invite guests over for dinner.

Apparently lots of restaurants omit 13 when numbering their tables. This strikes me as a little funny since, as a customer, I have no knowledge of the floor layout. I’d rather avoid the table by the door (especially in winter, amirite?) or by the washrooms. IMHO, that’s an unlucky spot.

Photo source for rabbit foot keychain: Etsy
FROM • THE CURATOR

Sisters, doin’ it for themselves

Women Create. Share. Blog. Design. Make. Lead. Support. Do.

Talk about multi-taskers. International Women’s Day is March 8. It’s a day to celebrate women and their achievements. Let’s start early – and locally!

More than half our bloggers are women. Detailing all aspects of Toronto lives, these ladies are on the go, talking straight when it comes to sex, reviewing bands, restaurants and the latest trends, helping each other get fit, tackling feminist issues, managing social media and so much more. And they’re all doing a fab job!

These women are not only building up their online audience, but they support the endeavors of other bloggers. They’re friends in real life, they feature each other on their blogs, they give shout outs on twitter and share invites to events. Women helping women. Beautiful.

Top row, left to right: StyleBlog, SarahOhm, ValTorontoGal, UrbanNativeGirl

Middle row, left to right: Teepoo, BackseatStylers, Summerxskin, MartaTryshak

Bottom row, left to right: StephanieFusco, Foodieyu, Maria Aguilar, TurnTheRecordOver

This is just a small sampling of the ladies on OFF THE GRID. Check out their sites and so many more in Food & Drink, Style, Music, City and Body.

Have fun, do good.

So what better way to celebrate the power of women than a night out with your besties. Get your tix for the Women Strut for Women night happening March 7 at the Berkeley Church. Admission includes complimentary Strut wine, a fashion show featuring clothes from 69 Vintage, tasty nibblies, a $25 gift card from NineWest and good, girly, fun times.

All proceeds go to Fred Victor organization helping homeless and low-income women to find and keep permanent housing, to get crisis counseling, healthy food, and necessities such as personal care and hygiene products.
FROM • THE CURATOR

Chocolate hangover?

Singles and couples alike made it past another February 14. Based on the tweets and posts yesterday, there was mostly a whole lotta love shared around, along with recipes, great tunes, a little inspiration and #feministvalentine wishes to make your day.

The fine ladies who host SoulvationTO at the Garrison (on the 4th Saturday of every month) shared some soul music, and that sounds good any time of year.

Not content with plain old bubbly as a celebratory bevy, Dobbernation and ThatSweetBurn whipped up a couple of new and retro cocktails for our (and their) drinking pleasure. Never thought of cold tea as a mixer? I hadn’t either but it sounds like a less heart-palpitatingly alternative to Red Bull.

If you just weren’t feeling the passion, maybe you need to step up your smooching game. This book reco from Ladylike looks way more interesting than I imagine Kissing for Dummies might read.

There were some delicious-looking meals posted but surprising few sweet treats for a day that honours the cocoa bean. The Other Big O blogger shared a gluten-free, flourless, eggless, no butter, no refined sugar peanut butter brownie recipe. Welcome to 2013 peeps! And indulge, I guess?

If you ate treats like that brownie, you’ll be feeling good about yourself today. But if you went the old school, pure sugar, real chocolate route, here’s a heart healthy workout from MomOnTheRun to sweat Valentine’s right out of your system.