seen...the table's set

Gorgeous tulips awaited our arrival.

A great evening with great friends!

seen...Gateau de Viande

In Transit...at Queens Park Station

...waiting for the next northbound.

friday frequencies...L'il Swedie Wonders

Our friend Lori turned us on to these guys a couple of days ago. They're called Dirty Loops, they're from Sweden, and they do this really sick version of Adele's Rolling In The Deep:

But we especially like this take on Britney Spears' Circus:

The dude sounds remarkably like Stevie in his young days. Hopefully as they mature as a band they will start to spread their wings a bit so that not all of their material sounds so much the same. Present lack of variety notwithstanding, these guys obviously have huge talent and we expect to hear a lot more of them in the future.

*******

Have a great weekend!!

Looking up...

...and the sun returned

Looking Up...at the seat of power

The Whitney Block at the Queen's Park complex

friday frequencies...Georgy Porgy smackdown

OK, we don't expect a lot of you to remember the original version of Georgy Porgy. It was released way back in 1978 by Toto, a band that was created by a couple of very good session musicians from LA who decided they needed to get their share of the limelight.

Almost 20 years later (and about 13 years ago now!!) it was covered by Eric Benét with help from Faith Evans. Eric shortly after went on to become Mr. Halle Barry. (But don't let that influence your decision on this challenge!)

Take a listen to both. Consider the time frame and context of the original almost 35 years ago. Think about Mr. Benét putting his spin on it about 13 years ago. Which one do you think should win this little contest?

We'll give the last word to the founders, so here is Eric Benét's version of Georgie Porgy: (BTW- it contains a hint that Halle maybe should have seen coming!)

And here is Toto, the creators of the song, performing Georgie Porgy:

So, what's your verdict?
*******
Enjoy your weekend! (Bet you're hummin' this one till Sunday...you're welcome!)

The Promise of Spring

It's not likely that we will see the smog-free clear blue skies we are currently enjoying for much longer, and then not again till September or October, so we're determined to enjoy them to the fullest. Yesterday we took a stroll to revel in that magical colour combination of planet earth blue and the tender shoot green that early Spring offers. And of course you can't help but smile at the exuberance of new dandelions (before they turn all straggly) and a doorstep arrangement of early bloomers. Time to get outside and soak up all that optimism that Spring shares with us each year!

Enjoy this beautiful day!!

Magnolia Mad

What a strange spring we've had this year. Some of the more mature and sheltered blossom trees were confused and jumped the gun a couple of weeks ago. Then the cooler weather set in, and fortunately for us, they went into a holding pattern, their blossoms preserved far longer than in most years. 

And it seems like some of the younger or more exposed trees bided their time, only deciding it was safe to burst forth in the last few days. Last Saturday we saw some stunning smaller magnolias, their cups still very upright and just beginning to open up. And there were many cherry trees about town that looked like frozen fireworks! Simply beautiful. Still, there were some that were somewhat reticent, like this little Easter Redbud on Dundas St W. (thanks, LR for the correct name!)

We were stopped in our tracks, though, by this stunner. She most decidedly falls into the "early bloomer" camp. It was obvious that many of the blossoms were already on the wane, but she was still offering up a spectacular show.

We love Spring and we're mad for magnolias. Get out and enjoy them for the next few days while you still can!

saturday sounds...ma style is da bomb!

Oops! Too busy yesterday to post a friday frequencies. So here's a rare saturday sounds to power you through those pesky weekend chores!

Now get out there and be da bomb this weekend!!

HardCore Fashion

On a recent trip to our local version of the "Golden Mile"...

photo courtesy s.hajdu

...we could not go by without passing through one of our favourite stores there.

We will save the advertisement of said store to others, but suffice to say that along with a stunning variety of books they also carry a delicious variety of "object particulier" that does, at times, strike our fancy.

What we do love most of all though is their large and eclectic department solely devoted to magazines... a severe weak point for us at the best of times.

 On a recent visit we came across the 10th Anniversary issue of "French" revue de modes.

 Our collective jaws dropped at the shear page volume of  incredible fashion editorial and styling content, as only the french can do!!

 An audacious "Dog Day Afternoon" inspired, multi-page editorial featuring Sharon Stone (!) 

 was what initially drew us to pick up this issue in the first place and it did not disappoint.

 Also included is a great spread with Cindy Crawford, looking as "babe-alious" as ever...

co-starring a variety of monster Mack trucks all being hosed down..

Mon Dieu! (the trucks, not Mlle. Crawford!)

All of the above can also be accessed in video form, though we did prefer the printed version

Though some might find this to be  glorifying a "violent" subject matter and therefore not to their liking,

we chose to award it to artistic license...we are all big boys and girls, n'est pas chérie?

A little more tame is a cute editorial on the equally cute and very "IT" Alexa Chung.

 photos courtesy of  Thierry Le Gouès

This wonderful 10th Anniversary Issue of "French" revue des modes is well worth it for anyone interested in the latest of "la mode" according to our french brothers and sisters

...and as they say: "Chapeau!" to the editorial and styling teams involved.

Looking Up...since well before 1923

Loving this old building at Peter St and Adelaide St W, unnoticed by most due to the appendage of the more modern retail facade. What an elegant roof line. Wonder what it was?

Lunch is Ready- Come and Get It!!

We stopped by a cool new lunch spot the other day. It's on Spadina Av just north of Queen West. And, OK, we admit there is no shortage of sandwich shops in this part of town serving short ribs or pork belly these days, but what's different about this place is that it's a pop-up resto, here today and gone tomorrow. Or maybe this fall. Or next year.

Come and Get It only plans to be around till the demolition man comes calling. The site is slated to become yet another condo building, so owner Jon Polubiec rushed it open to make the most of its limited lifespan. And in the spirit of its short and sweet life expectancy, he kept things decidedly simple- from the decor to the menu.

 photo courtesy of The Grid- link below

The very basic interior has a splash or two of bright paint, fittings made of varnished chip board, and communal picnic tables at the back. The signage out front is by talented local graffiti artist Skam (don't you love that these guys have their own branded web pages these days?!) and is what really gives the place its vibrancy.

You choose from four ingredient combos (chipotle beef short ribs, Hawaiian pork belly, Granny Smith chicken caesar, or herbed crunchy green beans on the day we visited) and have your selection made up in either sandwich, salad, or poutine format. (Really?? Granny Smith chicken caesar dumped on an order of fries? Maybe we're missing something!) 

photo above courtesy Come and get It 416 Facebook page

We stayed pretty traditional and had the short ribs in the sandwich format and we stretched it with the salad and a drink combo option. It was pretty awesome! The rib meat is (understandably!) removed from the bone and bathed in the smoky chipotle sauce- not too hot, but great adobo flavour. It's topped with coleslaw and served on a fantastic ciabatta bun.

The vegetarian offering, herbed crunchy beans, looks pretty darned good, too!

photo above courtesy of The Grid- link below

And just because it's a throw away restaurant doesn't mean that they ignore concerns about waste management. We love that all their packaging is either recyclable (as in drink cans and bottles) or biodegradable. Corn bowls and potato forks!- how fantastic is that?!

photo above courtesy Come and get It 416 Facebook page

We'll be returning, for sure, to try the pork belly or to be tempted by any specials these guys have dreamed up on the day we drop by. Note to selves, though- don't leave it too long, or the only thing we might find is another big hole in the ground! 

*******

Come and Get It!

170 Spadina Avenue

Toronto, On M5T 2C2

(647) 344-3416

Article in The Grid here

Restaurant`s Facebook page here

friday frequencies...who doesn't love a little Doris Day?

We happened to catch "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" last night, one of those silly yet clever movies they used to make back in the early 1960's (this one is from 1960). It stars Doris Day as the glamorous "housewife" of newly- minted theater critic David Niven; if you're a fan of hers you should love this one. And of course, being a witty story about the New York theater scene back in the days when no one mentioned homosexuality despite its ever-presence, there are some great one liners designed to fly just under the radar. 

Our favourite is from a scene where a committee from the local amateur thespian troupe welcomes the McKays (Doris, David and their four boys) to their new country home in Hooten. Amongst the group is a woman of masculine features dressed in gentleman ranchers' attire:

George (one of the sons): "Excuse me, are you a lady or a man?"

Kate (Doris Day): "George!"

Dr. Sprouk (the Vet): "I'm a veterinarian, sonny. It's somewhere in-between."

Ha ha! You can see her entering the scene in at the front door in the photo below:

 photo courtesy Hookedonhouses.net

Enough small talk- this post's supposed to be about music, right? So here's our Ms. Day in a rather lame and completely superfluous musical number, singing the title song "Please Don't Eat the Daisies"

So, fellow thespians and veterinarians, eat well and enjoy the long weekend!

Seen...Signal Changer

Lost message at Adelaide St. W and Portland

So rare we had to share!

Amazing video taken very recently of a Leatherback Turtle laying her eggs at Playa Navio, one of our favourite beaches on Vieques. A rare daytime occurance, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for those lucky few who witnessed it!

In transit- riding the #504 King car

Sun Life Centre, King West and University

Seen...Flying's Better with Levity

OK, the big day was yesterday, but we just stumbled upon a couple of clips from Canadian #2 air carrier WestJet who published these in honour of April Fool's Day. We really appreciate their sense of humour- anything to make flying more enjoyable is a relief!! We'd pay a whole lot more for option #2!!

Happy Flying!!

Earth Hour- How did you enjoy the Lights Out?

Earth Hour last night, chez Bobo: lamb chops with arugula chimichurri (from our favourite butcher, Sanagan's Meat Locker, of course!), butternut squash and celeriac mash, frisée salad. And, naturally, a lovely Côte du Rhone to wash it all down.