making the move: www.twentysomethingintoronto.com

So after months of debating, I've finally made the switch to WordPress. I will no longer be posting on my blogger site. Tomorrow's Thirsty Thursday will be on the new site. Although all the content has been moved, unfortunately, I can't make this site redirect to my new domain but you can find me www.twentysomethingintoronto.com. For those following me through GFC, please follow me on bloglovin' or on WordPress. 

I hope you'll join me at my new home. 

January 3-5: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend in toronto

It has been super cold here in Toronto the past few days so leaving the house has seemed less and less appealing. However, tomorrow is going to be a balmy -1 and Sunday a nice 0 so maybe there is hope to come out of hibernation this weekend. Here's a few things happening in the city to lure you out of your warm bed/Netflix marathon. 

Do: Saturday nights at Harbourfront Centre is DJ Skate Nights. Starting at 8pm and going until 11pm, tomorrow night, the Brazilian-style Uma Nota crew will be performing with DJ Firecracker and General Eclectic. Best of all, the DJ Skate Nights are free, so lace up your skates and put on your fuzziest winter gear and enjoy a party on the ice. 

See: Until January 12th, The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! is playing at the Panasonic Theatre on Yonge St. Tickets start at $19 for any of their shows. This award-winning, Patron Pick from the 2013 Fringe Festival parodies five classic musicals and is a satirical love-letter to musicals of the 20th century. This show looks perfect to bring out your inner drama geek.  

Eat: Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't eat fresh eat locally. Every Sunday from now until February 23rd, Steam Whistle Brewery will have a Winter Farmer's Market from 10am-2pm. This market will have local fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, maple products, honey and beauty product. It's a great way to support local farmers, plus you can pick up some local brews while you're at it. 

Drink: Every Sunday night is F*ck Mondays at the Farmhouse Tavern. With rotating drink specials beginning at at 6pm, it is a great way to not waste a Sunday night dreading Monday morning. They also have $1 oysters starting at 5pm and any food leftover after 9pm is half-price. And since Sunday is going to be the warmest day, you should probably leave the house.

Have a great weekend everyone!

thirsty thursday: my new years cocktail

Happy new year everyone! I hope you all celebrated the new years with the wonderful people in your life. This year, my friends and I opted for dinner out then going back to a friend's place for some drinks and the countdown, and I have to say, it was perfect. Just the way I want to ring in the new year.

So, I thought I would share with you my favourite drink I used to ring in the new year. It was pretty simple too. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't look super appetizing but I promise it was delicious. It also doesn't really have a name, so I think I'll call it the 2014. 

The 2014:
1 oz Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka
5 oz Soda
Frozen Blueberries (we put a few too many in, but whatever floats your boat)

The 2014

I love blueberry vodka and I would normally prefer my vodka with 7Up but this is a little lighter on the calories. The flavoured vodka and the fruit add just enough sweetness. So, if you're looking for a lighter option (to maybe help with your resolution), this drink without the blueberries is about 70 calories, the rest depend on the amount of blueberries you put in. 
I hope 2014 is getting off to a great start for you! Cheers. 

December 27-29: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

It's Friday, of a weird week. A lot of people are on holidays, and the ice storm may have put more (or less) people out of the office than expected, regardless it is the weekend. Hope you all had a good holiday, despite the craziness that was #darkTO.

Do: Chalkers Pub Billiards Bistro near the Glencairn subways station is hosting a Friday Games Night. There is a ton of games to choose from, new games are available every month. The cover is $5 and the require a minimum 1 drink purchase to support the venue. Could be a great way to meet new people and experience some games you wouldn't have a chance to play otherwise. 

See: Arlene Paculan is playing at the Gladstone Hotel tonight from 9pm-11pm in their Melody Bar. Her voice is absolutely stunning. In her music, you can hear her emotions and passion. Cover is free for this event, so head to the Melody Bar for a relaxing evening with a few drinks and enjoy a great local musician. If you're not able to see her this weekend, check her out on YouTube. 

Eat: There's delicious doughnuts in the city of Toronto but it seems like so many of them are in the west end but not anymore! Von Doughnuts opened this week to bring delicious doughnuts to the Danforth. I haven't had a chance to try them yet but the photos are enough to make you drool. In case you didn't get enough of the sweets this week, definitely check them out.  

Drink: Did you eat and drink too much this week? Probably, I know I sure did. So, if you want to go out but the idea of skinny jeans is just not happening, the Henhouse on Dundas W has you covered. Their Regretro party this weekend welcomes sweatpants. They say they'll be wearing theirs and dare you to wear yours. This is perfect if you want to burn a few calories, have some drinks and dance the night away. (Also, I had to Google Regretro - Urban Dictionary defines it as anything that was cool years ago but when you look back, it's just ridiculous.

thirsty thursday: union

It's Boxing Day in Canada. It's the day after Christmas, which always makes me think, wow, how is Christmas already done? It was a crazy Christmas in Toronto, following the worst ice storm I remember in the city. I hope you all had a great Christmas and for those in Toronto and other places affected by the ice storm, I hope you didn't lose power for long and for those still experiencing the outages, I hope you get your power back soon! And those who have the patience for the Boxing Day shopping, hope you got a great deal. 

After the craziness that has been this week (or may continue to be this week), you may need a drink. This week's pick is  Union, a VQA from the Niagara region. I tried their riesling chardonnay blend at a party a few weeks ago and picked up a bottle of it at the LCBO. It's a nice white wine, I don't drink a lot of wine but I liked this one a lot. This wine is on the sweeter side and does not have the vinegary after-taste that some whites have. The Union site recommends pairing this with seafood salads or spicy tapas. It's $12.95 at the LCBO and has a 12.5% alcohol content. 

Cheers!

this weekend in toronto

With the holidays ramping up, I haven't had time to pull together a list for this weekend. I just want to wish you all a fantastic weekend. Be safe, it is supposed to be very slippery out there. Have fun with whatever you do! I'll be back next week, promise!

thirsty thursday: beaus lug tread

I am a fan of (some) craft beer and love buying 'local'. This week's beer is Beau's Lug Tread. I say 'local' because this one isn't from Toronto but is still from Ontario. This brew is from Vanklee Hill in Western Ontario, according to their website, it's the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario. I've tried it at a number of events in the past few months including the Tasting Fair, the Delicious Food Show and it's on tap at the Loose Moose on Front St.

 If you read my Hogtown review, you know I'm not a huge fan of overly hoppy beers and this brew is a great craft beer that doesn't leave that hoppy aftertaste. This award-winning beer is great when you're like me and want a refreshing beer that can go with just about anything. The Beaus website does provide some food pairings, in case you're looking for some inspiration.

I took a picture but can't find it... sorry!

tafelmusik review and contest

I've been so behind on my blogging, I feel terrible but with school wrapping up, it just wasn't possible. But I'm back, looking forward to the holidays coming up and have a contest for my fabulous readers (in Toronto only though, sorry).

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend Tafelmusik. I mentioned it in a blog post about what was coming up that weekend and mentioned that I had never heard of it but people I work with were familiar with the program. So, my friend and I got dressed up and got to experience another side of Toronto I hadn't seen since going to Roy Thompson Hall in grade five, so please forgive me if my terminology is a little off. 

The show was Mozart's Piano, Kristian Bezuidenhout was the guest director and fortepiano soloist. The music was spectacular. If you closed your eyes, you could honestly mistake it for a CD, that's how crystal clear the sound was. The entire ensemble was flawless. It was hard to believe that you were watching people play these instruments. I was overwhelmed by the sheer talent of this group. They played 5 pieces and I actually recognized some of the music. They played pieces from J.C Bach, C.P.E. Bach and of course Mozart.

My friend and I were invited as part of Tafelscene, the under-35 program run by Tafelmusik, which aims to expose a new generation to this amazing and breathtaking music. If you join now until January 2nd, you have a chance to win an iPod and the complete Tafelmusik Media Collection. They offer discount tickets for people under-35 and their Saturday concerts at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre are all pay-what-you-can. Simply arrive between 6pm-7pm to purchase your tickets. During Tafelscene events, those under-35 are invited to the Tafelscene Lounge during intermission for wine and cheese. My friend and I went, met some of the musicians and got a hilarious pin. 

It was a great night and highly recommend it if you're looking for something unique to do in the city. Thanks to Tafelmusik for providing tickets for my friend and myself to check it out and thanks to them for providing two tickets for their French Baroque - January 11th show, use the rafflecopter to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 13-15: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

Happy Friday the 13th. I hope you're day is lucky. There's so much going on this weekend, hopefully your weekend is great.

Do: Christmas is just around the corner and if you're looking for special Christmas gifts there are a number of local markets to check out to get great gifts. The Toronto Market Crawl is all weekend and mostly in the downtown core, it includes 6 markets, some only available on Saturday. Support your local artists and get some unique gifts at the same time.  

See: Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps dance series presents WinterSong. Shows are tonight at 8pm and tomorrow at 2pm, tickets can be purchased online and range from $22 to $39. The show celebrates the holidays and winter solstice traditions around the world.

Eat: From the people that brought you "Toronto Poutine Fest", Joylister has created a passport to poutine. For $20, you get 6 poutines from Toronto "poutineries". This pass is a great way to try poutines throughout the city and decide once and for all if you are a purest or if you love the extras. Quanties are limited, check the site for details and restrictions. 

Drink: Tonight is 12 Beers of Christmas at the Gladstone Hotel. For $5, wear your ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to sample some delicious local beer. The cheesiest Christmas tunes you know and love will be playing in the Melody Bar from 7pm-10pm tonight. It should be a great night. 

Have a fantastic weekend everyone. Be safe, it's supposed to be slippery!

thirsty thursday: hogtown brewers

I wanted to try to do only holiday themed posts but sadly I did not have time in the last couple days so I'm going to share an awesome local beer I tried recently.

I've seen hogtown brewers at a few festivals in the past, but I finally tried them. I was really happy I did. I love supporting small breweries, particularly ones from Toronto but I always have the problem that most craft beers are too hoppy for my liking. 

This was a great beer. It had a bit of a bite to it but didn't leave that funny after-taste that some beers will do. I was so happy to find this beer at a festival, but it is available at the LCBO. Next time you're looking for a delicious craft beer from Toronto, definitely grab a couple cans of Hogtown Ale. 

December 9-12: what to do/see/eat/drink in toronto this week

As always, there's so much going on in the city. Here's a few ideas for this week!

Do: If watching the Leafs game at home is just too boring for you, try Tall Boys on Bloor St. This Wednesday, they'll be showing the game with full audio as the Leafs take on the Kings. As part of "Hoppy Night in Canada" there will be in-game entertainment, raffle prizes and food. Fun way to experience the game with other fans without paying an arm and a leg for tickets. 

See: The Canadian Opera Company has free concerts in the afternoon throughout the month of December. The majority of them are early afternoon, but on Wednesday there is a show at 5:30pm. There is a number of different types of shows and are from up-and-coming artists as well as established musicians. All shows are at the Four Seasons Centre.

Eat:I tried Famoso this weekend for the first time and it was delicious. I went to the Bloor & Spadina location, there's also one at Yorkdale. The location in the Annex has a pizza and pint for $10 on Thursdays. This special applies to their smaller size pizza, which I found to be more than enough anyways. A delicious way to spend your Thursday.

Drink: If you can't make it to Famoso on Thursday, every week, they have Vino Wednesday. While you enjoy your delicious pizza, you can get a bottle of wine for $15 off. With their prices, it means you can get some of their reserve bottles for less than $25. Definitely a great date night.

December 6-8: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend in toronto

It's the first full-weekend in Toronto, which means there is lots of Christmas activities going on, and as always, lots of non-holiday things as well. Here's a few ideas!

Do: Have you ever wanted to have your picture taken in a giant Ferrero-Rocher? Chances are you haven't considered it but this weekend, Yonge-Dundas Square has made this availlable for that great event you didn't know you needed. From 9am-8pm tonight and 9am-6pm Saturday, you can have you picture taken inside a giant Ferrero Rocher. On Saturday, Sean Jones will perform holiday classics on stage. 

See: I recently learned about Tafelmusik, after speaking to people at work and apparently it's very popular. Tafelmusik is an award-winning period orchestra from Canada. They offer discounts tickets for the under-35 crowd. Tafelscene's goal is to bring the experience to a new generation, with tickets beginning at $15. On Saturdays between 6pm-7pm, there is also the option of Pay-What-You-Can Saturdays. It is a great way to experience something new at a reasonable price.

Eat: It's definitely the Christmas season (somehow, I'm not really sure how we're a week into December) but you're probably looking for delicious holiday treats. For this, I suggest Toronto.com. They have pulled together a list of the best places to get gingerbread, including delicious donuts, houses and cupcakes. 'Tis the season!

Drink: There are two new country bars that opened this week. They apparently both have a mechanical bull. I love country music and can't wait to try both of these places out. Boot N Bourbon is at Queen and Broadview. Opening in the Entertainment District is Rock N Horse Saloon on Adelaide, East of John. Get your boots on, and get down, go to town and do the boot-scoot boogie. 

thirsty thursday: canoe christmas

I want all my Thirsty Thursdays in December to be Christmas or holiday related. Today, I 'invented' a drink to meet this requirements. Necessity is the mother of invention and I present to you, the 'canoe christmas'. 

The only liquor in this comes from the beer so it is not as strong as a typical cocktail. I used the 'light' beer Cracked Canoe. It is brewed by Moosehead, their lighter beer is under 100 calories. I mixed it with President's Choice Cranberry Gingerale. I love just about everything on the PC menu that comes out at the holidays and this is no exception. I used a 16oz cup and filled it about half and half. You could adjust if you'd like. Depending on your mix, you may not taste the beer, just depends how much beer taste you'd like. 

This delicious drink is great, perfect as mentioned if you're looking for something a little lighter and would like a cocktail without the hard liquor. I'd love to hear your beer cocktail ideas! Let me know in the comments.

As we get into the holiday season, remember that there's no excuse for drinking and driving. Have a great time but make sure its a safe time, don't drink and drive. 

December 2-5: what to do/see/eat/drink this week

Somehow it is the first week of December, which means the city will be buzzing with activity, mostly Christmas related. Here's a few options for this week.

Do: The One of a Kind Christmas Show is on until December 8th. Happening at the Direct Energy Centre, its a great place to get unique gifts for people on your Christmas list. There will be over 800 artisans selling a variety of one-of-a-kind items.

See: Trailer Park Boys fans will be happy to know there is a Christmas show just for them. The story follows the story of of Bubbles trying to spread the meaning of Christmas. The show is this Thursday at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at the Ex.

Eat/Drink: I love a place that has some kind of special going on, no matter what day of the week it is. I'm not saying your Friday special has to be as good as your Tuesday special but give me something! The Lakeview is giving you something. They have a beer and liquor special every night of the week, so if you're looking for a place to have a couple of beverages this week, this is your place. They also have an amazing looking menu, including twenty-four hour breakfast. I love a place that doesn't restrict when I can have breakfast food. 

Enjoy your first week of December, friends!

why i love my agenda

I thought of calling this post "why you need an agenda" but I'll let you make your own decisions. I know that my phone and computer can keep my calendar, and can colour-code it as well but I just prefer having a hard copy of it. I can't explain it, but it helps me stay organized and I need it. 

Those who use a paper agenda, they know that the selection of the agenda is a huge deal. You make a commitment to a way of life for a year. A bad agenda can spell disaster. I'm usually weary of buying one online because I like to get a feel for it but I couldn't find one that I liked. I've seen reviews for some pricey agendas online, which I wouldn't mind too much except the shipping was almost just as much and I just couldn't justify that. But regardless, this year, I took the plunge and purchased one online from Etsy. This came from a shop in Lithuania (of all places) and I was really impressed with my first Etsy purchase from The Big Calendar. I purchased it on the 20th and it arrived today and the shipping wasn't too expensive (it was actually cheaper than some of the shops in the states!). The shop I purchased from had a number of covers to choose from. The only thing I would have preferred for the cover is that it was a little more rigid. The agenda was $24 USD and shipping was $8.65 USD. 

I use my agenda for everything- personal, school, blogging, work and money. I also started colour-coding, circling everything in specific colours. I would prefer an agenda with a full month view, it's hard to find so I'm getting used to just the days. I don't need a page for each day I find it a bit much. I also don't need the times, my agenda is mostly for reminders and planning, like parts of an assignment or blog posts. This calendar also had notes on a few days each week, some of them were holidays and some were just funny little notes, like "Vegan Friday". I'm not sure if that is actually a thing but it could be and maybe that Friday, I'll eat vegan. Probably not, but maybe. 

I know that the paper agenda is not for everyone but neither is the electronic calendaring. I know a number of my friends have decided to go to paper in 2014 because I've been fairly successful with mine. People know that I don't commit to any plans without having my book. I love the way I can visualize my tasks and the satisfaction of crossing things out when they're completed with my red pen. I find with the electronic versions, things don't get updated, things go missing, and it's hard to keep track of all my calendars efficiently. If you feel like you've struggled with staying organized and want to make it better in 2014, I would recommend buying a paper agenda. You don't need the most expensive one to figure out what works for you. Even though I will start writing in mine tomorrow, you can wait until they all go on sale in the first week of January. 

Stay organized, my friends. 

November 29-December 1: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

December is this Sunday and that means Christmas events galore in Toronto. Here's what's kicking off the 12th month in the city.

Do: This event could literally fall under any category and fit perfectly. The Toronto Christmas Market starts this weekend, running until December 15th. Go back in time at the distillery district,  with Santa's village, shops, food and licensed areas. Its beautifully decorated, lots of things to do and a great way to get into the holiday season.

See: Cavalcade of Lights is Saturday night at Nathan Philips Square. It is the official lighting of the city's Christmas tree. There will be musical performances, skating and fireworks. Another great event to kick off the season.

Eat: Swine 'n Dine is happening this Sunday, it's an all-you-can-eat hog roast. For $25, you get your swine, potatoes, cabbage and a pint of beer. Be sure to call to reserve your spot, it will likely fill up. 

Drink: Sunday is the Canadian Artisan Tasting Fair. From 11am-4pm at the Wychwood Barns, there will be samples of local cheese, charcuterie and freshly baked goods. The event will feature a number of craft breweries and your $35 ticket includes samples, coupons and take-home environmental products. 

thirsty thursday: rolling rock

It is know that I am a beer lover. Tonight I am going to a kitchen party. For non-newfoundlanders or non-maritimers a kitchen party is basically any gathering of people. When maritimers get together for any type of party, it always ends up in the kitchen. Possibly because that's where the food and beer is, so why would we need to move? Well this evening I'm going to a large-scale kitchen party, the Great Big Sea concert. I've honestly lost count of the number of times I've seen them so when my friend said she had an extra ticket I said yes of course. So this evening's thirsty thursday is rolling rock. Sorry, I know it took me a while to get there but you had to understand kitchen party. 

Rolling Rock is actually an American beer. I first started drinking it when St. Louis had them in a mini-pitcher special. That was a while ago but I still drink it. It's a nice beer that isn't too strong. It also isn't too weak, it's 4.5% so I wouldn't consider it a light beer. I'd consider this beer a people-pleaser. If you're looking for a nice beer that isn't as expensive as a heineken or stella but will be easy to serve at any party. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans, Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating and be safe on Black Friday. 

guest post: december in montreal

This week, Christerline from Montreal will be giving us some ideas on what to do in Montreal this winter. Many people will be traveling throughout December, here's a few ideas if you are planning a quick getaway to Montreal.
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November through January is such a magic moment in Montreal. The snow start to fall , Christmas lights starting to come up. Everybody is  in a great mood and of course there's is plenty to do in town. Here's some easy ideas.

1-Santa Claus Parade : This year will be the 63rd edition of the Destination Centre-Ville's Santa Claus Parade. This parade is a big deal in Montreal for kids and families. You can see Santa Claus and there's about 20 floats of elfs and fairies.  From the Corner of Ste-Catherine Street from Fort to St-Urbain. Come early if you want a good place.  Saturday November 23 at 11am. 

2-The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker is such a classic holiday tradition here in Montreal. I remember going with my parents and sister for almost every year. If you haven't yet you have to go see the ballet from Les Grands Ballets Canadien de Montréal at the Salle Wilfrid Pelletier. December 12 to 30. 
3-Nutcracker Market :  This event is to help you get yourself into the Christmas spirit. You can buy toys, gifts of all kinds like skincare product, jewelries, etc. 10% of all the proceeds will be going to the Nutcracker fund for Children which help underprivileged children. The Nutcracker Market take place at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal and the admission is free. November 28 to December 8. 
4- Place Ville Marie Christmas Tree: It's a Montreal Tradition since 1962 that marks the beginning of the Holiday season. The tree -build in New York - measure 63 feet high and 26 feet in diameter and  is decorated with almost 13 000 lights. This Tree reminds of the one  from the Home Alone movie and the one in reality too of course. At the Place Ville Marie from November 2013 to January 2014. 
5-Telus Fire on Ice : Every Saturday of December, in the Old Montreal at the Bassin Bonsecours the sky lights up to the sound of  movies soundtracks for 15 minutes. The fireworks usually starts at 8pm except for Christmas Eve where it starts at midnight.  You can also ice skating during the fireworks. Rentals are available.    6- While you are in the city and want to get your shopping on, go through the McGill College Avenue with thousand of beautiful lights. There's is hundreds of fantastic stores and also the Ogilvy Department Store which will enchant you with it's Christmas windows. 

Telus on Fire

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About the Blogger: Christerline is a blogger from Montreal writing over at LightsFashionBeauty. She mostly blog about beauty and fashion related things. Helping others by giving them tips and trick. 

planet in focus film festival

I spent the weekend at the Planet in Focus film festival. I saw over ten films this weekend and they were all really well done. I found they all had varying degrees of relation to the environment and their messages were quite varied. I saw a number of films about our food supply, I've never been one to think too much about my food but this weekend really opened my eyes. Other films were about the destruction of wild life and natural resources around the world.

There was one thing I really liked about this film, often times with documentaries, regardless of their topic, you can often feel helpless after watching them. The filmmaker has done an excellent job of explaining the problem but sometimes the answers on the solutions may seem unfathomable. It can seem like we are powerless against the issue but Planet in Focus did a great job of empowering the audience. On their site, each of the film's have their own page, and on this page there are action items. Each one has one or two items you can do to help the problems addressed in the film, it can be signing a petition, or join an organization. It was a great way to engage the audience without everything seeming so hopeless. It is also a great way for you to get involved if you missed the film but are still concerned about the issues addressed.

If you would also like to get involved in the film festival throughout the year, they are offering a membership to their "Salon Verte" screenings that occur every month at the AGO. Memberships start a $50 and help bring environmental film to schools.

I really enjoyed my weekend at the film festival, I would really recommend checking out this amazing program in Toronto.

November 25-28: what to do/see/eat/drink this week

Somehow we're in the last week of November. Here's a few events happening this week in Toronto before we start December!

Do: Cardinal Rule has you covered again this week with another weekly event. Wednesday night is trivia. This is a general trivia so no need to memorize tv and movie quotes. They have drink specials (sometimes the best part of trivia) and prizes so be sure to test your knowledge. As Cardinal Rule says "Its not what you know, its what you learn along the way". Don't forget, they also have a huge selection of gluten-free and vegan options.

See: It's the last week of "David Bowie Is" at the AGO. This exhibit features interactive performances as well as his diary, set lists, stage costumes and instruments. 

Eat: If you love the oysters, the Windsor Arms has you covered every Tuesday night. If you order a dozen or more, your oysters are only $1.25. Great date night? I think so. AGO advises visitors to book their timeslot in advance as it could sell out. 

Drink: Located near Queen and Dufferin, The Beaver has you covered for cheap drinks on a Tuesday night. Every Tuesday night they offer $4 well-drinks between 11pm-2am, so if you're looking for a late-night weeknight bar, here is your option.