My Ex Closet

My Ex Closet

myexcloset.com

A splendid website where one persons junk is another persons treasure. Truly.

Yoga Santosha

Although I'm not usually the type to commit to anything in the physical activity spectrum (unused gym memberships and promises to run everyday....yeah right) Yoga Santosha has managed to capture my heart. Maybe it's the friendly people, the caring teachers, the calming environment, or all the different varieties of yoga (Ashtanga, Moksha Flow, Hot, Kripalu). Whatever it is, I have managed to commit to this work out regime. I've even started volunteering there on Monday nights! Trust me, a year ago I had noooo idea what yoga was or how it could affect me in all areas of my life. Stop by for a visit and see for yourself!

www.yogasantosha.ca

Yoga Santosha on Facebook

My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe

Late night Sunday...I am craving some Cookies & Cream Ice Cream. Where can I get a traditional scoop of goodness at 8:00 on a Sunday night? In March?

My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe is conveniently open, and in the twenty years I've been going there it really hasn't changed. Located in Garrison Woods (Mardaloop), it's bright neon sign and giant mural on the side of the building is hard to miss. Inside are a bunch of odds and ends (various disney character figures, pop bottles, and a giant papermache cow). Of course, there is also Ice Cream, Sorbet, Sherbet, and Gelato. Surely something for everyone!

Taste

Taste is the perfect place if you are in the mood for simple. Its minimalist approach to food is so perfect; you don't have to gorge yourself with oversized plates and starter slices of unnecessary bread & butter. The relaxed setting and open kitchen gives it a super relaxed vibe.

The menu is brilliantly divided into three sections; fives, tens, and twenties.

(As in $5, $10 & $20)

Other features include the ever changing Taste Boards & Taste Test Tuesdays.

I recommend the pretzel bites (above) as well as the Gnocci with Wild Mushroom & Truffle, the Beef Short Ribs, and lastly the Mussels (also seen above).

Yum!

TASTE- 1210 1st St S.W

Inglewood

Beautiful Inglewood. One of my favorite past times is strolling up and down the old brick buildings finding unique shops and eateries. I was sooooo disappointed when I went down this past tuesday and A LOT of the stores were gone; closing sales, lease signs and boarded up windows. I wasn't entirely disappointed, there were definitely some great and gorgeous stores along the way. Epsy is a newer store that looks like it should belong in the streets of Montreal. Instead, its wedged between out of date antique stores that were closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Inside I found a ton or gorgeous makeup (made by Epsy) as well as local designer garments, jewelry and bags (mens apparel as well). Some other honorable mentions from my afternoon in Inglewood: Recordland, Nectar, Olivers Candy Store, The Costume Shoppe, The Wildernest Diner, Spolumbo's, Arts on Atlantic & what appeared to be a vintage store in the making called KIT.

Bird Dog Video

Spring is creeping up, and yes, we should probably be spending more time outside. My excuse it that there's still a bit of a chill in the air, so why not go rent a movie? Bird Dog Video is small but has an overabundance of great new releases and documentaries (a lot more selection than Casablanca). I was pleased to find those independent & underground films put center stage instead of being buried beneath the latest blockbuster bullshit (2012). The movies I've been longing to see are accessible, and after half an hour of me making lists of future movies I want to see and eventually becoming overwhelmed, I decided on 500 Days of Summer.

Support your local businesses Calgary!

The list of future movies; Coco avant Chanel, Precious, Taking Woodstock, Lying (with Chloe Sevigny and Jena Malone), Valentino; the Last Emperor, The Age of Stupid, The September Issue (documentary on Vogues editor Anna Wintour)

The First Review-Red's Diner on 4th

The best thing to do on a saturday morning is to go for a nice, big well-deserved brunch to start the weekend off right. The part I can't stomach is how potbellied I feel after a 600 calorie grease soaked bacony dish that you can essentially see your reflection in. I know, I know. There are plenty of healthy choices on your standard breakfast menus; the fruit cup or the granola & yogurt. I can whip that shit up at home no problem, so why would I waste my money? Thankfully, recently opened Red's Diner on 4th st & 15th ave doesn't have your typical menu. They have a yummy selection of Rise and Shine egg dishes (think Eggs Bene & gooey omelettes), Oatmeal Brulee, and Buttermilk Buckwheat pancakes. What also makes Red's so special? The selection of vegetarian and vegan options that are so hard to come by (Vegan Tofu Scramble, Vegetarian Omelette & Red Quinoa). This place is definitely worth the wait.

P.s

If they ask you what kind of bread you'd like, get the Sour Dough Cheese toast...Seriously.

Birds of a Feather

WARPAINT

My new favorite people/band, Warpaint. The kind of music you can just listen to from beginning to end at any time of day; perfect amount of chill & darkness. A slight hint of Chan Marshall & Au Revior Simone but still unique. The former drummer and founding band member is the lovely and talented Shannyn Sossamon (Rules of Attraction). Unfortunately she left to have a baby which she also unfortunately named Audio Science. Poor child. Good news is her younger sister remains in the band. Favorite songs so far are Stars & Billie Holiday. But like any new band I've come across, I uncover new songs as I go along. I'm sure these ladies will not disappoint.

My New Ride

Isn't she beautiful?

Parkshow Spring 2010

PARKSHOW 2010 was a fabulous showcase of Calgary talent! SO stoked on what I saw and the makeup was equally as amazing. Some of the designers included PEEKO APPAREL, BROKEN GHOST, COCOKIPP, MADAME WOLF & SPLIT PEA VINTAGE.♥

beginning after the end

So here I go, finally taking the step to create a blog. The pressure is on for my first post. I suppose I could begin with a purpose, which is to create some kind of documentation of my day to day life in the city of Calgary. Living downtown, there are so many influences around me it can sometimes be overwhelming. Contrary to widespread belief, culture DOES exist in Calgary. The cliched and stale term cowtown definitely needs to be overlooked. Have you ever actually seen someone wear a cowboy hat during nonstampede season? Although I know there are many cities around the world that are known for their artistic citizens, famous streets and stylish atmospheres, I've walked the streets of Calgary (when it's not bloody FREEZING) and noticed that individuality does exist. Seriously! 17th ave, Kensington, Inglewood, Chinatown, Art Central, Fashion Central, Stephen Ave are just to name a few popular spots. Not only this, but Calgary has a surplus of trendy eaterys and chillspots that need to be recognized. So I guess you could say this documentation will be a mixture of a lot of things or perhaps a guide to get out there and experience the city. It will feature influence from stylish calgarians, current events, places to go, and mayyyybbeeee some personal opinions and insights on the side. Forget the mainstream bars, forget Ed Hardy, forget $500 jeans. Let's get real and explore individuality.