Scenes from the past 2 weeks. BOOM!

Since I was delinquent in my blogging, I missed out on posting pics and updates from the past couple of weeks including my vacay in DC to visit my friend Jen , going to see the Jays vs. Yankees and a surprise bachelorette party for my friend Haley.  Instead of doing a separate (and very late) post about each of those things, I thought I'd just post some pics from each of those events so you could get a sneak peek of the overall funtimes that were had.  It would only make you feel jealous, and that would be rude!

When I went to visit Jen in DC, there were only a few things on our agenda: Newseum, Navy football game, shopping & eating.  We accomplished all of those things VERY well.  Take a look:

Cynthia and Noor also decided we should see a Jays game before the end of the season.  Luckily, it was a game against a really good team - the Yankees - so we got to see Derek Jeter and ARod play, however it was Brett Lawrie that I was super excited to see. Swoon!  Here are some pics:

AND finally, Haley is getting married in Hawaii later this month so we decided to celebrate with a pre-party at Chantelle's house complete with penis decos!  Of course, I brought the party favours like glow in the dark bracelets, candy necklaces, tiaras and crazy glasses.  We went to dinner to catch up with KDiddy who was in town from London and then hit the streets of Nuit Blanche with the bachelorette party.  We did a shot crawl at a few bars along King and Queen Streets.  Overall, super fun times!

Phew. Tons of activities -- you can see why I was so delinquent. Lol, hope you enjoyed my shenanigans!

2 sleeps til...Jen & Melissa Adventures 2K12

SOOOOOOOOO excited to visit one of my besties from waaaaaaaaaaaay back!  Jen & I became friends at Georgia, and have had awesome and hilarious adventures ever since.  I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to catching up and spending time with her.  We will be sure to take 238473987 pics over the 4 days that I'll be in DC, but for now I wanted to share some pics from the history of Jen & Melissa adventures.  WOOOOOOOOOO!

Clockwise from top left: On the TTC in Toronto; in Athens post-football game with the nodules; in Atlanta; and at Tryst in Toronto

Don't Stop the Party

I appreciate a good photo opp, no matter where it is!

I love September in Toronto.  It's as if the city gets injected with glam, glitz and excitement when the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) comes to town.  Automatically, there are more people out and about on the streets, dying to have celeb spottings.  Our theatres from Ryerson all the way to the Bell Lightbox are lined with people waiting to catch movie screenings and gathering around red carpets and step & repeats.  Not to mention, the nightlife has an undeniable dynamic energy that's all of a sudden renewed from the sleepy patio-party summers, as bars and clubs throw parties for revelers to rock until 4 AM.  Ok, so basically what I'm saying is, all of a sudden the city seems alive and vibrant again, and I thoroughly enjoy how excited people everywhere become -- from Yorkville to King Street and everywhere in between.

Noor & I at Nikki Beach 2011

Last year Noor and I were able to attend a TIFF Nikki Beach party for a Seth Rogen film at the Bell Lightbox, where we danced and rubbed elbows and star gazed.  Mostly we took photos and posed in front of step & repeats, and met some crazy Toronto 'influencers' -- but overall, had the best time.

This year, we got the chance to hit another TIFF-related party, though not quite as crazy step & repeat-laden as the one from last year, but still one in an interesting venue (studio on Nelson, a model condo studio) with fun people.  We were treated to champs (not Noor of course), and randomly, Pop Chips and danced the night away.  We literally took photos in every room -- yes, EVERY ROOM including the model bathrooms -- and made friends with randoms.  Take a look at some of the pics from the party.  Enjoy!

Sharing my sweet, sweet dance moves with Reggie

No step & repeats, but still fun photos

Good times!

#FNO Toronto

For the first time in the true north, Fashion's Night Out (FNO) hit Toronto! Originally created in New York City in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry's economy during the recession, FNO is now a global initiative which made its official debut in Toronto tonight. Stores along Bloor Street as well as various retailers in malls like Yorkdale and Eaton Centre participated in thelate night shopping event running from 6 - 11 PM with stores featuring in-store DJs, beverages and other fun freebies.  Legendary Holt Refrew also shut down Bloor Street from Bay to Yonge for a street party to celebrate its 175th anniversary to coincide with FNO.

Confetti lining Bloor Street

Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street Block Party

Lauren & Jodi checking out H&M

I met up with some friends to check out the scene on Bloor, and it was definitely a fashion paradise. Music was blaring and fashionistas from far and wide walked up and down Bloor to see and be seen, partaking of specially branded Diet Coke and hot pink popcorn in celebration of Holts. Crowds rushed in and out of Holts and other stores along the way to check out the action and shop, shop, shop.

Special hot pink caramel corn from Holt Renfrew

While I did see quite a few people leave with some great finds, at times it felt more like clubbing and less like shopping instead of a store. But there were definitely lots of people out and about, so for the first year, I think FNO did a good job of getting people to browse stores and check out what was going on – people seemed to be enjoying themselves and dancing in the streets. Looking forward to seeing how FNO grows and improves next year. Until next year #FNO!