Celebrity Homes

When MTV Cribs launched, every was fascinated by celebrities' homes, but, it was a bit over-saturated with the little punch lines, cars, and drinks.  The show didn't really promote an appreciation of design or decor, it was more to show you people's lifestyle.  Here are a few homes that I found (via Architectural Digest) where you can really see the reflection of character in the home:

Pinkett-Smith's

Diane Von Furstenburg:

Ellen Degeneres & Portia DiRossi

Will Ferrell

Giorgio Armani (New York and Italy homes)

Pharrell Williams Designing Prefab Homes

Pharrell Williams has always been one of my favourite producers and musicians, but now I have an even higher respect for him.  He's collaborating with Pritzker prize winning architect Zaha Hadid, and will be working on some prefab homes with her.  Here's an excerpt from his new book “Pharrell: Places and Spaces I’ve Been”:

Pharrell Williams:: With my next project, after my next chair, I would love to do a prefab house, have you ever done a prefab?

Zaha Hadid: No, but I’ve done temporary structures. So I think the prefab could be interesting.

PW: The average single-bedroom trailer or mobile home is somewhere between $40,000 to $70,000, and two bedrooms range to about $99,000. They say that we are bouncing back from the recession, but in a lot of areas, especially the housing sector—

ZH: It’s not coming back…

PW: …at all. So I felt that if we would make something that was about $75,000 to $100,000 that we would could do something really fun and really next-level that could change the game, you know?

ZH: No, of course.

PW: So if you’ll be into it I’d love to talk to you about doing prefab houses together.

ZH: That would be very exciting.

PW: First of all, I’m super excited. I’m not going to jump up and down and run out of breath. Then we won’t finish the interview. But when we finish I will do that…Because I’m a big kid!

ZH: [Laughs]

via: http://freshome.com/2013/01/10/an-architecture-collaboration-between-pharrell-williams-and-zaha-hadid/#sthash.jDIZgegz.dpuf


He's also designs furniture, here are chairs he designed:

via www.dazeddigital.com

Random Acts Of Kindness

Unfortunately, it's rare to open the paper and find good news these days.  We see horrific crimes, political turmoil, and economic debates.  Then, I read a simple, but amazing article.  A woman in Kansas accidentally dropped her engagement ring in a homeless man's panhandling cup.  He kept the ring, knowing she would return for it.  Her fiance was so touched by the gesture, he set up an online donation for him which raised more than $145,000.

My favorite part of this story is the humility, and knowing that sometimes we're wrong to make judgements and expect certain things from certain people.  I think the fiance was truly humbled by this man's honesty, and I think he was humbled because he didn't expect it.  What would you expect?  Most people look at homeless people on the street and feel that they cannot trust them.  We put our hands in your pockets, or hold our purses a little tighter when we walk by.  We conclude that just because someone is downtrodden, their experiences have tainted away their integrity.  Then you have the kindness of the fiance.  He didn't have to set up a donation fund, but he wanted to help.
 
My assistant called me the other day with a beautiful story.  She loves to go thrifting - she finds posters, gadgets, trinkets and nice little items with a lot of character.  So, she was in a thrift store a few days ago, and a man next to her picked up a coat.  Attached to the coat was a $5 bill with a note that said "Today is your lucky day, remind someone that you love them".  Simple.  This person didn't want any recognition, they just had the satisfaction of knowing that they made someone's day.

Another friend was telling me a story about a time that he was in the Tim Horton's drive thru.  When he got up to the window, the woman told him that the person in front of him in line paid for his coffee and said to have a nice day, and pass it along.  So, he did.  One morning he paid for the person's coffee behind him and gave the same message.  Hopefully, this circulates.  Imagine getting your morning coffee, and having that message start your day?

We often underestimate the impact we can have on others.  A small act of kindness can change someone's day, and maybe even snowball into changing other people's day.

Newest Addition To Kensington Market

I am a HUGE fan of Kensington Market, and have been for years.  There have been some definite changes within the past 10-15 years.  Kensington Market has always prided itself on being non-conformist and unique.  It's a community that supports small businesses, and has a plethora of products that you can only find in Kensington.

But, as shabby became chic, and different and unique became the norm, we started to see some changes in our beloved market.  The European Quality Meats and Sausages - a place that sold certain meats that you couldn't find anywhere else in the city - sold, after over 50 years of business.  The Blue Banana opened up, which is a bit over-saturated in capitalizing on pseudo-unique products.  You used to be able to go to kensington market and buy an authentically cool vintage t-shirt for under $10.  Now, if you mistakenly buy it from the wrong place, you'll be paying $30 for a vintage looking t-shirt with a Fruit of the Loom tag on it.  There are nightclubs and bars that are "places to be"

One thing that has always remained the same in the market are the residents.  Partially because it's rare that property becomes available in Kensington, and partially because there's an underlying camaraderie between residents.  Things may have changed in Kensington, but you will never see a Starbucks on Augusta, or a McDonalds on Nassau.  This is because the tight knit community has always fought together against large corporations infecting their beloved market.  

So I wasn't surprised at the newest Kensington Market stunt.  This morning, I read in the paper that a vacancy has opened up in a Kensington store front.  This is very hard to come by, but the landlords have taken the their community and to the public in trying to find a suitable tenant.  They've asked that people provide their feedback, and have hung a sign in the entrance "What would you like to see in this space".   They're going to charge the same amount in rent whether it were leased out by a Starbucks, or a free trade coffee shop, but they want the opinion of their neighbours and friends before deciding who will be the newest addition to the market.

If you'd like to let them know what you'd like to see, email them at 225augusta@gmail.com 

Romantic Toronto

Toronto may not be romantically famous like Florence, or Paris, but there are a lot of places in the TDot that are still romantic and great date spots all year round.

Casa Loma

By far the most romantic historic building in Toronto

Kensington Market
I know it's not obviously romantic, but there's something nice about strolling around Kensington on a date.  It's got more character than any neighbourhood in Toronto, and you're guaranteed to stay entertained by even just looking in the different stores.

Pickering Beach
Pickering has a beach??  That's exactly why I put this on the list.  It's a hidden gem.  It's quiet, and almost a secret amongst it's visitors.  Great for just sitting and looking out on the water.

Scarborough Bluffs

The scenery at the Bluffs is wonderful, and the trail is nice for strolling in all year round.

Downtown Oakville

The older style buildings in downtown Oakville date back to the 1800's, and you can walk down the street and just choose a quaint little restaurant or bistro to sit in.

Harbourfront

The Toronto Harbourfront gives you the best of both worlds - there's always an event, or you can find a quiet place to just admire the city.

Mississauga Waterfront

St. Lawrence Market

What's romantic about fresh meat and vegetables?  It's not so much the market, but the ambiance of the market that makes it romantic.  This is like a 5th date place - pick up some fresh ingredients and go home and cook together.

High Park

Edwards Gardens

Toronto Planetarium

Definitely a unique date place, but if you've never been, it's something you need to experience.  The city lights block our view of the stars, sitting back and admiring them here is a fun place to take someone.