Rania: Brunching at Hot House Cafe

Verve Shoot: "Resolutions" Featuring Amber Joliat

It's a brand new year, which means that many people will be making resolutions to keep fit and eat healthy.  Yoga and pilates instructor Amber Joliat of Misfit Studio just may have the prescription to help motivate you.

"I am interested in applying creativity and imagination to the world of yoga and pilates that includes blending the two practises to achieve a full mind body experience, while shifting the boundaries of what people might expect."

"Occasionally I'll play loud rock music, which adds a tougher style to my men-only class called 'Broga'.  For new mothers, I have an excellent class coined "BabyMama", which incorporates babies into the workout."

Amber's goal is to create a warm and welcoming space that personalizes to each of her client's needs at Misfit Studio.

"Keeping in shape is a lifestyle.  I keep strong and active by riding my bike almost year-round, dancing with friends and teaching daily yoga and pilates classes."

"I like the idea of eating something alive or that was once alive.  It feels good to eat clean and fresh and drink plenty of water.  I don't really live life by restrictions.  Indulgences are important and knowing that everything in moderation is fine."

"My style, like most things, has evolved over the years.  I have a true love of old world fashion, which draws me to vintage clothing for personal expression.  I do like experimenting with layers and textures -- finding inspiration from glamour, film noir and gritty rock n' roll.  Often I'll add a layer or a piece to an outfit for that element of charm."

"I have a passion for shopping and Toronto has some great vintage shops and there is nothing like New York, London and San Francisco for digging.  Also, Santa Barbara for amazing ghetto gold!!!

Knowing a garment or pair of shoes is one of a kind and has already lived a life intrigues me."

For more information about Misfit Studio and Amber Joliat's Yoga and Pilates classes, visit her blog.

2010 is a Wrap!!!

It's been a fantastic year and I couldn't think of a better way to commemorate it than to present a video montage of the pictures of you.  
Enjoy and have a safe New Year's Eve!



TorontoVerve 2010 from TorontoVerve on Vimeo.

Jody: Vintage Panache

Recycled fur appears to be the choice of many and Jody is no exception.  She picked up this magnificent coat at Frou Frou Vintage.

Anastasia

Andy Jones' Sense of Fashion

Andy is a fashion student who has an endless drive to make his dreams come true.  Check out his blog, Sense of Fashion, to see how he does it.

Marilyn Wrapped in Herman Sellers-Gough

Marilyn purchased her coat at Herman Sellers-Gough in Hazelton Lanes and boots at Bootwarmers.

Esther Wears Andrew Marc

This Andrew Marc coat fits Esther like a glove.

Merry Christmas!!!

Verve Shoot: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Taryn & Margo

Taryn (left) and Margo (right) are in love and their engagement sounds like a chapter out of a romance novel, but don't take my word for it.  Let them tell you themselves.

Margo: "Taryn and I met in grad school and we've been together for a little over 2 years now.  A year into our relationship, we talked about getting married, but decided to put it off until after we both finished school.  Little did I know that Taryn had plans to propose just days after our last papers -- 2 days before my 27th birthday."

Taryn: "Margo was anticipating a proposal sometime after we finished grad school, but I wanted to truly make it a surprise.  I knew she would never suspect that I would pop the question within days from finishing my thesis.  Margo thought I was only stressed about my approaching thesis deadline, but that was only part of it."

Taryn continues: "In late August 2010, with the help of both our families, Anna Sudac - a talented musician and Ryan Taylor - a gifted jeweler, I devised a sneaky proposal.  Margo thought we were just meeting my family for dinner in Cabbagetown.  On the way, she was chatty as usual and I was trying to stay composed.  We always pass by the Fair Trade Jewellery store, but on this particular day, Margo was surprised to find red rose petals strewn outside the atelier and a sign directing her inside.  

"Margo could barely make it through the door before her eyes started welling up.  I opened the single lit jewellery case where the engagement ring was displayed.  The beautiful Anna Sudac started playing Dawn Landes' Kissing Song at the front of the shop.  That was my cue to tell Margo how much I love her and ask to spend the rest of her life with me.

"Margo said YES!  But that wasn't the end of the surprise.

"Her parents (from the East Coast) and her sister (from the West Coast) had secretly flown to Toronto and were  hiding in the back.  After Margo accepted my proposal, both our families popped out and more happy tears were shed."

Many thanks to the beautiful couple for sharing their inspirational and romantic story.

Taryn's style: modern and structured, mixing masculine and feminine elements.  I like pairing skinny jeans and riding style boots with a structured blazer, but I also love kicking around in Converse and a tee.

Margo's style: I tend to go for styles that are a bit more femme than Taryn, but most days I wear jeans and boots too.  I'm also a big fan of tights with cardigans, chunky jewellery and dark tortoiseshell glasses with everything.

Aila

Verve Shoot: Maddox Takes "the Better Way"

I was relieved when Mayor Rob Ford denied plans to scrap Toronto streetcars in his transit policy. The thought of never seeing another streetcar in the downtown-core would be disheartening.

They're a huge part of Toronto's make up. Just peruse some of my photos and you'll more than likely see one peering in the background.

So now that the Mayor has pardoned the streetcar from its rumoured death, let's celebrate its second life by taking a ride on the Queen Street West Long Branch car with Maddox.

"Etobicoke School of the Arts really broke me out of my shell. I owe many thanks to the characters that walked those halls; THEY shaped me into what I am today. My experience there taught me to never say never and always ask why not?"

"I've also learned fashion isn't defined by its price tag, but rather the story it tells to each audience. Fashion was once known to look tall, thin, Caucasian, and expensive; nowadays its upgraded face encompases everything under the sun from raw stead and caution tape to garbage bags and hooves."

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"Because Fashion in my eyes is Anything and Everything under the sun, it would be true to say I collect fashion everyday from everywhere. Fashion is evolving everyday. "Fashion waits for no one," fashion correspondent Jeanne Beker once said...I'm on board! Are you coming?"

Joanna

Joanna purchased this incredible leather and fur coat at Cabaret Vintage.

City of Craft: "It's All Made Up"

Yesterday Dorothy and I caught the last day of the City of Craft show at The Theatre Centre to check out the amazing handiwork of local artisans.  The talent we discovered was awe-inspiring, and not surprisingly -- so was the style.

                                                                  Davis Khounnoraj

                                                                  Rachelle Wilson

                                                              Reverend Aitor D.D.

                                                                    Petra Cuschieri

Kelly: Warm Layers

Cate

Amil

Amil snatched up this incredible vintage leather coat on eBay.