Dan Griff

As some of you may know it has been a pretty rough week, so I surprised even myself by mustering the energy to haul my butt down to the Dakota Tavern to see Dan Griffin Thursday night. I'd been waiting for this show for ages and I am so happy I went and that Caroline came and helped prop my tired self up. The only thing that would have made the show more epic-ly awesome is if our other friends had been able to be there.

I was so happy when Dan played his song "East Coast" and then I was sooo sad, I had to actively stop myself from crying openly over my gin and tonic.

Some songs will always have memories attached to them. When we embarked on our crazy adventure to Halifax I remember making the playlist for our two day journey. The first song was Two Hours Traffic- "Sure Can Start," naturally. The next song was Dan Griffin's "East Coast" and the rest of the CD was Joel Plaskett.

I was piled into the back seat of a tiny ford focus with Styne half sitting on my lap. The car was jam-packed; garbage bags stuffed full of clothes, two keyboards, a guitar, a fiddle... not to mention four girls. The rest of our worldly possessions were on a greyhound bus somewhere between Kingston, ON and the maritimes.

Though we were more than cramped, we had good tunes, clear skies and good company. I really can't think of a happier or more exciting two days.

So it made me really sad that the girls couldn't be with me at the Dakota Tavern jamming out to "East Coast" in the front row.

But the silver lining is that everyday Styne is doing better and better, she hasn't lost her sense of humour and is still cracking jokes and making the nurses laugh. She is rocking the physical therapy so far, and specifically requested that we play "Eye of the Tiger" for her. I know that soon she'll be able to stand again, and then walk, and then it will be no time before she is up to her usual antics and getting into all kinds of shenanigans. So keep sending out your good vibes for her, cause it is working!

Styne and I- cuddled in the backseat

Me and Court after a few too many hours together

Claire was a pro navigator

Captain Courtney

lol

We strapped Styne to the roof when we felt too cramped... just kidding

Is there anything more exciting than open highway?

Old Soul

After some introspection, I have realized that I have the soul of a 75 year old retired man. I Base this conclusion on the activities I like to do such as; drink gin, complain about how people dress, glare at noisy children on the subway, listen to oldies, go on walking tours, and attend public lectures on local history.

For those of you who share my love of old stuff, I thought I'd provide a reading list, or as I'd prefer to call it, a Gateway to Discovering Toronto's History! In addition to these blogs, you can also go on FREE walking tours of Toronto with the ROM, and also Heritage Toronto. Plus, don't forget to visit your local museums!

Photo from Toronto Before

http://torontodreamsproject.blogspot.ca/

http://torontoist.com/tag/historicist/

http://vintagetoronto.wordpress.com/

http://torontobefore.blogspot.ca/

http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/walk

ROM Walks

In Miss Bennets news...

Courtney stayed with us in Toronto for a good long stint in June. Of course, that meant lots of wine and music. It seemed that every night we were either going out to shows or making music at home. Happily, Apple finally fixed a software glitch that had prevented us from doing any recording for many months. We ended up recording the fruits of one jam session- a traditional Celtic tune. We originally had guitar and mandolin on the recording but we took them out and replaced them with violin. You can hear it on our Band Page, but I'm happy to e-mail the Mp3 to anyone who wants it. Cheers!

https://www.facebook.com/TheMissBennets?v=app_178091127385&app_data=eyJjb250ZW50LnRyYWNrIjoiOTg2MTA5MDkxODU4MzkxMDQifQ%3D%3D

Put a lid on it

I like hats. Some of you may even remember the time I wrote a song "Red Beret" about my favourite hat, a red woolen beret my mother purchased in London in the 1960s. In high school I used to wear a vintage grey wool fedora I stole from my father. Sadly, some cruel person (with great taste) stole my hat from a pimps and hos party and I have never seen it since.

It was only recently, however, that my grandmother casually mentioned that her grandmother used to work at a milliner shop and created hats for the Queen Mother. I just about died when I was told this. And it was the final push I needed to splurge on the summer hat I'd been ogling at Goorin Bros. http://www.goorin.com/shop-hats/cloche/toots

The Toronto location just opened this summer at Queen and Spadina. Stepping into their shop is like taking a step back in time, it is so rad! I am a firm believer that there is the right hat out there for everyone, so if you're shopping make sure to try on every shape and style. The staff at Goorin Bros. were really helpful. I actually visited three times before I purchased and tried on almost every hat in the store.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mum- possibly wearing one of my Great- Great Grandmother's creations?

hat + dress + g&t? must be summer!

Mad Hatter

Shakespeare in the Park

It has been a resolution of mine to attend the theatre more often. And really, I have no excuse not to when there is a most delightful Shakespearean production happening all summer long just a stone's throw from my home!

 I won't pretend to know enough about theatre to write a review of the show, other than to say I LOVED it. The setting is perfect, the cast was amazing, I laughed from start to finish, and did I mention you can bring your own picnic?

Here is a more thorough review from the globe: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/theatre-reviews/a-midsummer-nights-dream-even-the-queen-can-approve-of/article4380897/

and for more information on the show click here !

Baked Goods

My dear friend Caroline was kind enough to bring me back several souvenirs from her sojourn in London, one of which was a box of apple tea from Fortnum and Mason. Since it is horrendously hot in Toronto I decided to make a great big pot of iced tea, along with a batch of yogurt and blueberry muffins. Naturally, I got the muffin recipe from Caroline's amazing cooking blog, and they were delectable!

http://scrambledeggsetc.blogspot.ca/2012/03/blueberry-yogurt-muffins.html

Tea and muffins cooling

Caroline is a much better food stylist than I am, these photos don't do the deliciousness justice!

Cheap Beauty

A few weeks ago Ally invited the girls over for a spa night. Ally is a genius at finding home recipes and affordable all-natural alternatives to the overpriced drugstore cleansers/moisturizers/exfoliaters etc. One of my favourite things we did as a jojoba oil and sugar scrub. There's only two ingredients, it is so easy to do. I bought a bottle of jojoba oil from a health supply store near my apartment, it was $13.99 for 118mL.

Just combine the jojoba oil and sugar in a bowl, scrub your face with it. Ta- da! The oil has a mild smell and you can add a couple drops of essential oil such as lavender if you'd like a more fragrant scrub. Use the scrub before bed for optimal results. It's best not to put on make-up right after using this as your make-up won't stay.

July DJ

First, let me apologize for my absenteeism. I've been a very bad blogger since summer began! I've been very busy as I'm sure you have been as well. The unfortunate irony in doing a ton of fun blog-worthy things around Toronto, is that I've had no time to write about them. So I hope to hammer out a few posts today for you, starting with my July playlist.

Summertime always seems to bring out my vintage side. Retro dresses, hats, sunglasses and of course, music. Perhaps it's because my signature dance move is the twist (it used to be the pointy finger dance but that was retired several years ago after a regrettable eye- injury incident) but 60's pop and soul and rock 'n' roll seem to be the only thing I listen to once the temperatures top 30.

So here's what I've been listening to- happy twisting!