Weekly Bests 2019.8 & 9

Hello hello!

I’m posting another double whammy weekly bests today, because frankly I didn’t feel like writing a blog post last weekend. I’ve been keeping myself to a pretty busy and strict schedule, so my blog was the ball I couldn’t keep in the air. That’s life sometimes :)

Luckily, a lot of what has kept me busy isfun outings with my friends, family, and Azim. No shortage of highlights fromthe past two weeks!

Day out with Daddy

I had a lovely day out with my dad lastweek. We went to the Artful Dodger for bacon and eggs and a pint, andafterwards walked up to Yorkville to check out the ice sculptures and do alittle bit of window shopping.

My parents are both so cool. I lovespending time with them, and always look forward to our “dates”.

The Vintage Show with Jasmine

My cousin and I go to the vintage showtwice a year – it is one of our absolute favourite things to do. She doesn’thave the easiest time booking days off work, but she always bids off for thevintage show!

I call her my good luck charm, because shehas an incredible eye for vintage shopping. She always finds the best pieces,and knows my style well enough to find things I love too.

This time around we both came home withfaaabulous purchases! I bought three suits – two skirt suits and one sweetasspantsuit, a mod dress, and a silver signet ring.

The quality of the pieces is amazing, butthe best part is that the price is always right. The vendors are often open tonegotiation, and we have both become better at asking for a better deal. Nobuyer’s remorse here!

Fried Chicken Sandwich and Ice Cream with Azim

We’ve found our new favourite fried chicken sandwich, and it’s at BFF (Burgers n Fries Forever) :)

Azim and I went tuxedo shopping at Tiger ofSweden, and while we were in the area we decided to stop by BFF and Bang Bangfor some delicious cheat day treats. We both ordered the fried chicken sandwichat the recommendation of one of the shop associates, and OMG I am SO glad wetook her advice. It was unreal. After each bite we kept saying “This is soooogood” and “I don’t want this sandwich to end” :D

We followed it up with some ice cream fromBang Bang – even in February there is STILL a lineup, albeit a short one. Wewent because Azim had never tried it before, and I love their unique flavours.Their birthday cake ice cream is my favourite!

Second City at the Symphony

Colin Mochrie, centre, and members of the Second City comedy troupe perform as Steve Reineke leads the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in The Second City Guide to the Symphony.  (JAG GUNDU) The Star

In keeping with our New Year’s Resolution,my bestie and I chose another great outing for March! Second City at theSymphony was one of the best shows I’ve seen! The music was beautiful (asalways), and I laughed the entire way through from beginning to end.

It was hosted by Colin Mochrie, beloved byall, but especially by Hanan and me. I grew up watching Whose Line Is itAnyway, and was stoked to see Colin do some improv live on stage. The whole castof Second City was incredibly talented as well – not only are they funny butthey can SING. I’m definitely buying tickets for next year, and encourage youto do the same if you like Second City, or the symphony, or just having a goodtime. You won’t be disappointed.

Marie Kondo-ing my drawers

Yes, I have jumped on the Marie Kondobandwagon, and if you know what’s good for you then you will too.

I’ve never had an issue with culling mywardrobe – my mom, cousin, and brother’s girlfriend can all attest to that! Ilike to go through my closet and curate it twice a year, and in the last coupleof years I’ve reached the point where I don’t need to get rid of or add manynew pieces.

I think that comes with age, and developing my style. I think part of it is also being more conscious of how I spend and the sustainability of my wardrobe. Although I still love J.Crew and Zara, I find myself leaning towards investment pieces that I know I’ll have forever. I also love to shop vintage, at thrift stores, and I’ve been exploring sites like Thred Up and The Real Real.

With that being said, my wardrobe is still quite full and a few of my drawers were becoming overly stuffed. I decided to try the Marie Kondo style of folding to give them a bit of a makeover.

Without having to get rid of a single item,I was able to create 30% more room in my drawers. There is EMPTY space wherebefore I could barely open and close them without making a mess. Additionally,I can SEE all my pieces! My creativity to put outfits together has increasedbecause I can better visualize which pieces to put together. Amazing.

I have the best friends

After a particularly long day, I came hometo the sweetest note in the mail. Who doesn’t love getting mail?! My friendJanet had sent me a card, just because. JUST BECAUSE. I mean, come on. I am theluckiest girl in the world.

Work

I try to keep talking about work to aminimum on my blog, but I’m really happy with the way things are going. I wasrecently nominated for an award for the work that I do with the women’scommittee I’m part of. We aim to help women in our company grow professionallyby putting on events, running workshops and classes, and connecting junioremployees with leaders and senior management. Being a part of the committee hasopened up many opportunities for me too, including interviewing our CEO infront of the board of directors, as well as speaking on a panel myself. It’s soimportant to me to work on these initiatives outside of my regular day job, andit’s incredibly validating to know that those efforts are recognized.   

I’m also about to start a three-weekrotational program within our company’s “innovation hub”, and can’t wait tolearn new things that will help me in my current role and in my career.

I’m going to end it here because my brotherjust came home and brought me a donut. Back next week! Thank you for readingxox