The day before MFS and I met up I had been reading about TOAST in my morning Toronto Star newspaper. Then MFS and I went downtown and I decided to take a different route to where we were going and we were fortunate enough to stumble across some of TOAST's work:
What is TOAST? In a nutshell a secret team of volunteers and artists who take back the cities adverting columns for the people. Personally I think finding unexpected art from Moscow and New York is a million times better than being sold shaving products every five seconds.
Hand stenciled and painted as you can see clearly from this close-up, adding to the visceral beauty of this guerrilla-art movement.
Screw traffic, art appreciation takes precedent.
The much maligned OCAD building; I think we've all heard the 'Rubiks cube on knitting needles' joke by now. It doesn't do it for me either but it's something different right?
I really loved the colours and wood block effect of the nearby mural.
Mammoth portions with a little price,pink pleather booths and the most attentive service I have had in years, make Ajisen Ramen a no-fail choice in a over whelming sea of China Town Restaurants. Go north on Spadina, past Queen and look for the Anime girl outside.
Nothing like taking pics of shoes you can't afford. I'm sure I'll be banned feom Brown's someday soon. Above MFS models the now ubiquitous, 'Unicorn' shoe by Jeffrey Campbell and below futuristic platform also by Jeffrey Campbell. Perhaps robotic strippers will were something similar in the future? They're ridiculous but I love them and would gladly hobble around in them for vanity's sake. Well, maybe just for a few hours before changing into my City Slips.
When MFS was here briefly after her semester in Paris we hung out in downtown Toronto,
here are some pics
I've always been fascinated by the beautiful colours in the neon sign and simultaneously appalled by it's inappropriate name.I've never had an 'Apache' burger so I can't comment on their food but the place is always packed so they must be doing something right.
The rooftop of a nearby butcher shop. I found this faux pastoral scene to be both cute and ironic as the little butcher shop was trapped in a sea of highrises.
A psychic at the corner of King and Bathurst. I have this thing about taking pictures of psychic's signs and advertisements (maybe I'll post some older ones I've taken). I find that the same colours are used, purple is a popular one, and I just love the kitschy graphics, that again seem to be used over and over. This particular Psychic had a board outside advertising a $5 special and a guarantee that they 'know' you will be satisfied with your reading.
The second location of The Drake General Store (Bathurst). As you can see i really love neon signs and the colour purple.
I don't know what you've heard about Toronto but Torontonians love to party. Posters like these can be seen plastered all over the city. Sometimes I want to peel them off and take them home to put in a scrap book or something but I guess that would require me to carry around a little craft knife which would be kind of weird.
MFS and I went to the Beckermans sample sale at Walnut Studios on the beautiful Walnut street (seriously the houses are amazing). There was a nice mix of the Beckermans label and some hard to find vintage pieces. MFS is holding a pair of clear PVC boots that I almost bought. I should have just bought them. I think possibly me needing a toilet desperately clouded my judgment or something!
The Beckermans are like if Cyndi Lauper had triplets. I think that's the best way to describe them but you really must check out the links above to their blog and website.
This is Reggie's (King West Near Bathurst). A no fuss Sandwich bar with a very extensive sandwich board and lightning fast service. My pulled pork sandwich and fries were delicious
and I really liked that you can choose your coke from either the fountain, a fridge full of cans or a fridge full of bottles. I chose the classic glass bottle becuase everything tastes better when it comes out of a glass bottle. Nice touch.
Healthy sandwiches and sides are also on the menu so there really is no excuse not to give Reggie's a go.
********************Stay tuned for PART TWO of this post*************************
