The Fish Store

I REALLY REALLY hate posting a picture of myself after a title like that, but.......



photo by Taylor



blouse: H&M
trousers: Zara
belt: Aritzia
sandals: Gucci (from Milano, not Toronto)
ring: Le Chateau....only 18 bucks!  It makes me want a piece of toffee real bad.........



Im really lucky in my relationship......the stars aligned & I found a man who is as much of a food slut as I am.  Seriously, watching us on a date is like watching 2 hogs at the feeding trough.  Hes been introducing me to all kinds of little culinary gems around the city.  On our first date, he rolled out the red carpet and took me to a 5-star restaurant; the bill was $400+.  Then we slept together and now he takes me to places like "The Fish Store";  a tiny little "mom & pop" shop that specializes in serving......wait for it.......fish.

The Fish Store: exterior

The Fish Store: Interior.......id ballpark it about 300-350 sq. feet


We both got the soup & sandwich combo; I chose Boston Chowder & a grilled shrimp sandwich, he chose the Manhattan Clam Chowder & an arctic char sandwich.  We did half-sies on the sandwiches:

Boston Chowder

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Left: Grilled Shrimp
Right: Arctic Char

Let me tell you, IT WAS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST SANDWICHES I HAVE EVER TASTED.  Wait, wait, wait, lets start with the soups: The Boston Chowder was good, I really loved that the clam & other seafood in it was cooked to perfection & wasnt "rubbery" at all.  The broth was a bit bland & needed pepper; it also wasnt as creamy as I would have liked.  As with most things from New York, the Manhattan Chowder was WAYYYYY better.  Tomato-y, savoury & chocked full of flavour.....the seafood bits in it were also perfectly cooked.

The sandwiches were absolutely to die for; both the shrimp & char were grilled to perfection.  Combined with fresh, ripe slices of avocado (a $1extra but an absolute must) and a delicious bakery fresh roll.....it was heavenly.  I smothered it in hot sauce (not because it needed flavour, just because I like spice) and devoured every last morcel of my meal.  After we were done, the owner completely forgot we hadnt paid for our food yet......normally I would have taken advantage & bolted, but it was SO DELICIOUS that I reminded him & shelled out the cash.  Snacks I Have Known rule: you dont scam a "mom & pop"......save that for the big corporations.

This is a definite SNACKS I HAVE KNOWN reccomendation.  Both combos came to about $15 each (cash only), but considering how fresh & "real" the ingredients are.....it was well worth the money.


Now all they need to do is work on that name.......




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

What A Girl Wants


Casual friday, no big deal:

courtesy of Kanga

boots: Little Burgundy
leggings: TNA
sweater: Wilfred
tank: Forever 21

I was chatting with a 22 year old today about what kind of boys shes attracted to.  What I got from her lengthy answer was an "Abercrombie & Fitch" looking guy who would be willing to change his facebook status to "In A Relationship" and could do a keg stand.  Its interesting how what we as women consider "attractive qualities" in men change as we get older.  At 29, even tho I am nowhere near ready for marriage and/or children, I find that I cannot feel a deep sexual attraction to a man until I know the answers to questions like these:
"Would he make a good husband?"
"Would he be a good provider?"
"Would he make a great father?"
"Will he let me be the female in the relationship?"
"Is he a true gentleman?"



I guess at the end of the day, what women really want is........

"She wana shop with Jay, play box wit Jay
She wana pillow fight in the middle of the night
She wana drive my benz with 5 of her friends
She wana creep past the block, spyin' again
She wana roll wit Jay, chase skeeos away
She wana fight wit lame chicks, blow my day
She wana inspect the rest, kick me to the curb
if she find one strand of hair longer than hers
She want love in the jaccuzi, rub up in the movie
Access to the old crib, keys to the newbie
She wana answer my phone, tattoo her arm
Thats when I gotta send her back to her moms
She call me Heartbreaker, when we apart it makes her
grab a piece of paper, scribble down I HATE CHA
But she know she love Jay because
She love everything Jay says Jay does..........."




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Too Fatty for St. Patty

Ive made the executive decision to go to the gym tonite instead of drinking my face off for St. Patricks Day.....pause for reaction.  Ive been hitting the gym really really hard this week, and the last thing I need is to make all my hard work moot by filling up on green beer & pub food.

photo by Kanga

cardi: Ebay
tank: H&M
high-waisted paperbag trousers: Aritzia
flats: Costa Blanca
necklace: Ardene
watch : Guess


Dont worry about me, my little hams.  It breaks my heart to miss out on free beer & food, but Ill be alright.  I dont need St. Patricks Day as an excuse to go out and get shit-faced.....I can do that whenever I want!



FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

The Burger's Priest

It doesnt get any more fiercewithahighwaist than these pants:



photo by kanga

 tank: Urban Outfitters
cardi: Aritzia
trousers: Zara
belt: Aritzia
cut-out brogues: Urban Outfitters
earrings: Ardene
watch: Guess

I finally got a chance to check out "The Burger's Priest", a new burger joint on Queen West.  Their slogan is "Redeeming the Burger One At A Time"......Im pretty sure they are owned by hardcore Christians; check out their website, you'll see what I mean.  Anywhoo, I decided not to hold that against them and pay a visit to see what all the commotion was about.  I found a tiny little take-out place that was RAMMED with people....no bother to me, as I love mom & pop greasy spoons....but just a warning that sitting down to eat is pretty much impossible. 


Their menu was very short & sweet; burgers with a veggie option brilliantly titled, "The Option."  I decided to order "The Priest": a cheeseburger with "The Option" in it.  It was superyum; the beef was obviously fresh and not overseasoned, and I discovered "The Option" is a portobello mushroom stuffed with gooey cheese, breaded & deep fried.  I, of course, teamed it with a side of fries & ketchup:

While I enjoyed the burger...I wasnt blown away by it.  "The Option" added a nice crunch & texture, but the gooey cheese filling combined with the cheese on top of the burger was a little much for me.  I liked the fact that there was more filling (burger patty, battered portobello) than bun.  Their fries were mediocre....I honestly expected more because they are fresh-cut and made on the premises.  Through my experience as a self-described french fry savant, Ive learned that NOBODY can match McDonalds fries......

The porker I was with ordered the chili cheese fries......I decided to pass because I was all cheesed-out from my meal.......

THE VERDICT:  yummy & a little bit different.  Its not something I would go out of my way to get again or crave when Im PMSing.....but I definitely suggest you try it.  Get ready to shell out some dough though; each person's order will come to about $20 with fries & a drink.  Not exactly cheap for a burger joint, but it is fresh and as with most things in life: you get what you pay for.

Can I get an "Amen"??




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Spring Forward

Daylight Saving Time is supposed to be a sure-fire sign of spring, but after seeing this bullshit on the weekend, its hard to stay hopeful of warmer days:

Still, I really need to stop complaining about Toronto's weather.  I was horrified by the images of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami, and its plenty reassuring to know our city is pretty much a natural disaster free zone.  Also, I LOVE the fact that it only starts getting dark around 7:15ish now.  After being cooped up at work all day, its nice to see daylight on my walk home; not feel like Nosferatu emerging from the crypt.





photo by Kanga

 sweater: Winners
skirt: Urban Outfitters
leggings: H&M
booties: Aldo
watch: Shoppers Drug Mart




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

B.F.A. (Big Fat Ass)

I dont care what anyone says......I LOVE my mom jeans.....or any other article of clothing that makes my ass & thighs look juicier than a georgia peach......



photo by Kanga

 cropped sweater: H&M
high-waisted mom jeans: Urban Outfitters
belt: Aritzia
boots: Miss Sixty
watch: Garage
hoops: Ardene


Im told on a daily basis that I have a "big fat ass."  While Ive always thought of and taken this as a compliment, Im not sure the individual who says this to me means it as such.  Some women think having no curves (translation: 12 year old boy bodies) is sexier....and they are completely entitled to their own opinon......Kate Moss is built like this and I think she is a stunner.  But I definitely do not fall under this category.  My B.F.A. has ALWAYS been my favourite body part.  In my opinion, the most beautiful women in the world have some serious B.F.A.s (my J.Lo, Beyonce, Shakira, to name a few).....and pretty much every man I have ever come in contact with has agreed with me.......even tho Im sure they were probably just trying to sleep with me.


I think Sir Mix-A-Lot summed it up best: "L.A. Face with an Oakland booty."  Check this out to hear an homage to all the B.F.A.'s of the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY84MRnxVzo.  SIDE NOTE: the girl in the tight yellow dress at the beginning pretty much has my dream physique.





FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

I Dot You, Babe......

Is there anything that screams "Im A Girl" more than polka dots???



photo by Kanga

 secretary blouse: H&M
high-waist trousers: Bebe
skinny belt: Club Monaco
shoes: BCBG
watch: Garage
hoops: Ardene

I found the polka-dot secretary blouse a little too "sweet", so I sexed it up a bit with some hardcore accessories:

Nothing says "bad-ass" like a pair of snakeskin stripper heels and a crucifix tattoo........




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

80's Bay-Bay

I was born in 1981, so even tho I was too young to really remember the 80's, the decade will always have a special place in my heart and be a source of fashion fascination. 

Here are 2 examples of 80's inspired looks I have rocked (or should I say "synthesized") this week:


Today we call it the "boyfriend blazer", but the oversized structured jacket is a nod to the women's powersuits that were huge in the 80's.  I always like to roll-up the sleeves; it gives that casual, fresh, no-tie-required, Hall & Oates meets Wham! kinda look:



photo by Kanga

 

boyfriend blazer: H&M
blouse: Urban Outfitters
belt: Aritzia
trousers: Aritzia
booties: Aldo
watch: Guess


As for my second look, nothing says "1982" like a pair of high-waisted leather shorts:



photo by Kanga

 cardigan: Urban Outfitters
bandeau top: Aritzia
belt: Aritzia
leather shorts: Aritzia
leggings: Zara
vintage boots: Ebay
watch: Fossil

Now all I need is a few spritzes of Hi-Karate and Im good to go......




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

All-Star Love

Ive decided to dump my boyfriend and start dating my new Limited Edition black-sparkle Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars full time.......



photo by Kanga

 tank: Wilfred
zippered bandeau: TNA
vintage Christian Dior cardigan: Ebay
jeans: Garage
sneakers: Converse
watch: Fossil



........and take my new vintage Christian Dior cardigan as a mistress.

AINT LOVE GRAND???






FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

fatwithahighwaist

photo by Kanga

blouse: Costa Blanca
skirt: Urban Outfitters
leggings: Costco
necklace: Ardene
booties: Aldo


It all started about 3 days ago.  Actually thats a lie....it all started about 4 months ago when I pretty much stopped working out.  But 3 days ago I was PMS-ing something awful, and my lovely BF - bless is heart - decided to try and cheer me up by buying me a gift.

2 QUICK SIDE NOTES TO ALL THE STRAIGHT MEN OUT THERE:

1) Women love gifts.  Buy us lots and lots of presents.
2) You are public enemy #1 when your girlfriend has PMS.

He bought me a beautiful summer dress that I had been eyeing on one of the mannequins in Aritzia's store window.  Actually, less eyeing in the window, more emailing him the link to the dress on Aritzia's website with the subject line reading, "I WANT THIS IN SIZE 4."  So I tried it on immediately and.....much to my shock and dismay......it didnt fit.  The last two inches of the zipper wouldnt budge.  I proceeded to have a meltdown of epic proportions.

Maybe it didnt fit because of my pre-period bloat. Maybe its the weekly Oreo McFlurry Ive been indulging in lately.  Maybe it was the cut of the dress.  Maybe it was the fact that Im 29 and my body's changing.  Maybe its my recent lack of motivation to excercize.  Maybe its a combination of all these reasons.

I realize some ladies may read this and say, "stop complaning about not fitting into a size 4."  But really, its not about the number; replace the number with your own size.  My point is that, no matter which female I talk to: size 2 or 12, curvy or skinny; we ALL think...or more specifically STRESS about our weight/body image.  I look back at photos of myself when I was a size 0 and remembered feeling fat when the photo was taken.  I talk to my rail-thin girlfriends and they complain about how they wish they were curvier.  I talk to my volumptuous girlfriends and they complain about being too jiggly.  I talk to my curly haired girls who fight a battle with their straighteners every morning.  I talk to my straight-haired ladies who wake up an hour early everyday to wrestle with their curling irons.  However you slice it (great, now I want pizza), I dont know a single woman who does not think about something she would like to change about the way she looks ON A DAILY BASIS.  Its exhausting, right girls?



Thats why I like Oprah even more when shes chubby......even a woman with unlimited finances & resources fights the battle of the bulge.  Its nice to know there are still some things money cant buy.

Hmmmm.....I wonder how much gastric-bypass surgery costs nowadays??



FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Current Obsessions

First things first:

photo by Kanga

shirt: Costa Blanca
belt: Aritzia
skirt: Garage
tights: Spanx
booties: Aldo
watch: Guess


Here are a few things Im totally obsessed with right now.  Some are new discoveries, some are old flames, but either way, I want to open-mouth-french-kiss each and every one of them.......


1. Chain Belts - I say this on behald of all my ladies out there with dangerous curves: god bless the belted silhouette!  Im kind of over the huge waist cinchers, and the chain belt offers a fresh take on the look.  Do yourself a favour and check out the vintage Chanel ones on Ebay...the muthafuckin' definition of OPULENCE.

Since the Chanel ones were a little (translation: completely) out of my price range.....I settled for this gold vintage one instead:

courtesy of seller mrsbalance1 on ebay.com

2. Coconut Water: delicious & refreshing; there are 2 kinds: sugar added and sugar free.  The brands with added sugar taste AMAZING with Malibu coconut rum, and the sugar free brands are a smart cure for the next day hangover; each serving packs more natural electrolytes & potassium than a bottle of Gatorade.

courtesy of http://www.coconut-water-products.com/

3. http://www.simons.com/ - I received the Yoga Comfort Robe as a gift and loved it so much I immediatly googled the company. This old school Quebec-based department store has really stepped their game up.  For us Toronto gals, the website is a breeze to use.  I would personally sell my first born child for the Geometric Flower Romper (http://www.simons.ca/eng/product/geometric_flower_romper/6471-220)
and my second born for the Billabong-Tribal Jacquard Bandeau Mini Dress (http://www.simons.ca/eng/product/billabong_tribal_jacquard_bandeau_mini_dress/4174-11231).


4. Charlie Sheen.  Ive always loved his work (Hot Shots, Major League, Platoon)......but the fact that hes balls to the wall crazy is so effing entertaining.  He makes Lindsay Lohan's antics look like a bible study class.  If this was the 80's, Id be teasing my bangs & doing a rail with him in a nightclub bathroom.

courtesy of http://www.uproxx.com/

5. Mini Pogos.  A mini hot dog weiner deep fried in a corn based batter that you eat off a stick. NEED I SAY MORE??

courtesy of http://www.foodpages.ca/

FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST