Blossoms, Spring & Physical Distancing in Vancouver

If I were asked what my favourite season would be, I would struggle to pick between spring and summer. I love the hot summer days that stretch well into the evening. With summer comes lots of outdoor adventures and travelling as well as festivities. However, living in Vancouver means we get to experience one of the most beautiful Springs. Outside of Japan, I swear Vancouver has the second-best cherry blossom season. 

March is a beautiful time of the year in Vancouver because the cold grey winter days turn into sunny spring days. Vancouver streets are dotted with fluffy pink cherry blossom trees of all varieties and need I say more? The days start getting longer and warmer and all the pink cherry blossoms make me happy and smile. 

Spring is also the time that we start seeing florists receiving fresh peonies and other beautiful spring blooms like anemones and ranunculus. Vancouver has lots of fruit and vegetable farms. The berries should be coming into season soon which means trips to Krause Berry Farms for all the hot berry waffles!!! 

Pretentious and Pink aka COPS Miniature Doughnuts Toronto

Off one of the main roads in Downtown Toronto is a mini doughnut shop that is literally head to toe pink! COPS Doughnuts is a tiny hole in the wall establishment that I would have completely walked past if not for their dusty rose painted brick exterior with the massive text "HOT DOUGHNUTS" painted in bright fuchsia pink. Inside, COPS continues with its love of their signature "blush pink" from the walls, to the benches to the order desk and even the coffee machine. Oh, and of course, the packaging is more of their COPS shade of pink! The only exception is the repeating slogan "The Golden Days Are Now" which has been expertly hand-painted with what I can only say is liquid gold paint. 

COPS boasts a bold menu that truly comes off as a little too try-hard millennial bordering on pretentious. Their daily offerings include plain mini doughnuts, cinnamon-sugar dusted and a flavour of the day. Their beverage offerings are further limited to solely drip-coffee, so basically screams millennial hipster again! 

I Accidentally Crashed a Colgate PR Event in Toronto

Spot the Colgate by the phones!

When I attend PR/media events it is because I have been sent an invitation to do so or joined as a plus one to someone who has been invited. In anticipation of my trip to Toronto, I made a list of boutiques, cafes and restaurants that I need to visit. Majesty's Pleasure was at the very top of my must-visit places in Toronto. 

Majesty's Pleasure combines spa services with cocktails. They have two locations which are both ornately decorated including a full cocktail bar. The couple behind Majesty's Pleasure wanted to create a space where you can indulge in self-care because they strongly believe releases endorphins which make you happy! Majesty's Pleasure is primarily known for their nail treatments, so I planned to sit back and relax with a cocktail while getting my toes painted. 

After enjoying an early lunch at Oretta, my cousin and I ventured down the street to Majesty's Pleasure's King Street location only to find a sign on the door stating they were closed for a private event. This was my last day in Toronto, so as if I was going to leave without popping my head in. Like I always say, "You will never know unless you try." 

Indulging in Pasta and Art Deco at Toronto's Oretta

I love getting out of Vancouver and going to a different city because the food scene is new and exciting to me. Vancouver is starting to feel a bit boring to me because I have tried most places and many of the new restaurants to be similar in style and cuisine. So in Toronto, I have yet to still discover many of the restaurants, cafes and boutiques! On this trip, I was only able to tick off a couple from my list, one of which was Oretta. Prior to flying out east, I asked a couple of bloggers which restaurants they recommend and Oretta was on the top of everyone's list. 

Situated in Toronto's King West area, Oretta, simply put is beautiful. The dramatic arched ceiling to the gorgeous gold-gilded pink art deco accent walls and a massive horseshoe-shaped bar with with a pink and gold marble countertop. It is hard not to find yourself in awe of Oretta's interior because pictures cannot do the grandeur yet effortless class justice.