Style Snap Eat | Toronto Lifestyle Blogger - Jessy

Off the Shoulder Trend (and Coupon Code to Shein)

2017-04-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

What do you guys think of the off-the-shoulder trend? I love seeing it on others (when they can pull it off), but I still don't think works on me. Maybe I just need to find the right top/shape.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

I found some very affordable (and pretty!) off-the-shoulder styles on Shein. For under $20, these are worth a try. So far, I've ordered the grey sweater, but I realize it might be getting a little warm for something like that.

Make sure to use one of their current coupon codes below if you'd like to make an order!

#AllDayBreakfast at McDonald's Canada is Finally Here!

2017-03-04T14:43:00.001-05:00

My favourite meal from McDonald's has always been the Sausage & Egg McMuffin (#2 on the breakfast menu!), but I never had enough of it because of their 11am cut-off time for breakfast. On weekdays, I don't wake up early enough to go to McD's; on weekends, I usually sleep in and take my time getting ready.

On February 21st, they finally launched All Day Breakfast! Since the launch, I've had the Sausage & Egg McMuffin mostly in the evenings and for lunch on weekends. The sausage + cheese + freshly cracked egg combo add up to make the perfect breakfast sandwich. <3

ASOS white baseball cap | 1-01 Babaton Bromova Jacket (via Aritzia) | Anti Social Social Club Mind Games Hoodie | Helmut Lang jeans | Adidas Stan Smith Shoes

I'm just happy I'm able to get my favourite item all day, every day now. : )

Thanks to McDonald's Canada for sponsoring this blog post.

New 'Winter Warmers' Menu Items at Teriyaki Experience

2017-02-13T21:53:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know my favourite comfort food is anything soup-based. Noodle soup, creamy soup, regular soup, and even congee are dishes I can eat for the rest of my life. When I heard that Teriyaki Experience just launched their new soup and ramen bowls, I was excited to try them.

They're currently offering ramen for a limited time only and miso soup (a permanent item) across all Teriyaki Experience locations!

I ordered the ramen noodles with shrimp and spicy broth along with their gyoza and miso soup to try. I was disappointed in how the "spicy broth" was just their mild soup with a spoonful of chilli sauce on top (something I could've done myself!). Other than that, I really like how they use fresh ingredients and make your ramen on the spot.

If you're interested in trying these new items out, click here to get a coupon to receive $1 off any soup, as well as a buy one, get one free ramen coupon!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Teriyaki Experience, but all opinions are my own.

My Travel Itinerary - Tokyo, Japan

2017-01-25T17:00:00.000-05:00

Tokyo Travel Itinerary

This was a rough itinerary for our week-long stay in Tokyo. Feel free to use it and share it with your friends!

Since we stayed in Tokyo the longest, we did a lot compared to the other cities. I'll try and condense this itinerary to a list with comments. Keep in mind we did a lot of exploring and shopping in between activities that aren't included in this post.

Day One (half day)
Tokyo was like another universe compared to the other two cities we stayed in. As soon as we got out of Shibuya Station, we were hit with a TON of people and lots of traffic. What an experience! I didn't know what to look at first because there were signs, people, and stores everywhere!

Went to the famous Shibuya Crossing and visited Hachiko (the dog statue) nearby
Uobei Sushi for dinner - (thanks for the rec, Christina!) A different type of conveyor belt sushi experience. You order on an iPad and the dishes "fly" to you on the belt. A very affordable place and perfect for solo travelers! We went back to this place a couple of times. You can also visit their parent restaurant, Genki Sushi.

Photo by @itswillwong

Ichiran Ramen - We first discovered Ichiran during our visit to Hong Kong in 2014 and have been craving it since. This is definitely our favourite ramen place. Open 24 hours and another great spot for solo travelers because each customer gets their own booth. We went back almost everyday (and sometimes, twice a day)!

Day Two

We planned to go to Sushi Dai (3-star Michelin restaurant) at the Tsukiji Fish Market, but after learning the lineup tends to start around 3am, we nixed the idea. We still went to the market, but ate at Tsukiji Itadori Market. (See my Instagram post.) If you're not into raw seafood, I don't recommend coming to the market at all, to be honest.

Although this is one of the top sights to see in Tokyo, I don't think I'd go back again based on my experience there. People were overlapping with each other, shoving, pushing strollers, and pulling their luggage around in an already tight space. I'm really not into crowds, especially on hot and rainy days. (Though it might've been busy because they announced the market's closure (they're moving) a while back but that has now been delayed.)

Photo by @itswillwong

After the fish market, we went to the artificial island of Odaiba. This was one of our favourite places in Tokyo! Once there, you must visit the iconic Gundam in front of DiverCity (set to be taken down in March 2017). There's also a lot of shopping around, Mega Web Toyota City Showcase (if you're into cars), and an arcade.

Day Three

We had wanted to go to Tsuta, a Michelin-starred ramen place, but again nixed the idea because we refused to wake up so early to line up for tickets. The tickets will let you know when to come back later in the day (neat idea, but that meant we would've had to hang around for a while).
We also planned to visit the Meiji Temple, but by then, we had done enough temple visits so decided to skip it.
Lunch at Ippudo Ramen (my IG post)
Pokemon Centre Mega Tokyo

Photo by @itswillwong

Ringo (above) - BEST apple custard pies!!! Don't be intimidated by the lineup. It actually goes by very fast since everything's made already. People are just lining up to pay and pick up.
Piss Alley / Memory Lane - A narrow alley in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Lots of bars and restaurants. These are likely the types of restaurants you see on TV shows.
Taito Station - Arcade games and claw machines (see my IG post)

Photo by @itswillwong

Explored the Harajuku area (FYI, Takeshita Street (above) is extremely crowded. People were literally shoulder-to-shoulder when we were there in the evening.)

There are a couple of small streets in the area that are full of streetwear brands (Supreme, BAPE, sneakers, etc.) if you're into that.

Day Four

Tokyo DisneySea - Apparently one of the best Disney-themed parks in the world. This was my first time visiting one, but even I could say that the experience was amazing. They sell a two-day pass for both DisneySea and Disneyland, but we only had time to visit one.

Day Five

Honda Welcome Plaza - free admission to check out their cars/motorcycles and view a live demonstration (only a couple of shows per day) of ASIMO by Honda, the world's most advanced humanoid robot
Sometaro Okonomiyaki for dinner - Be prepared to remove your shoes and sit on bamboo mats
Senso-Ji Temple - We walked through the area at night so everything was closed, but it was a nice walk!

Day Six

I forgot to mention above that we went to Hanamaru Udon (outside of Shibuya Station's west entrance) a few times for breakfast. This is probably considered as "fast food" as everything's sort of pre-made, but having a hot bowl of udon noodle soup in the morning is THE best! Prices are great too.
We didn't do anything new during our last day in Tokyo. We just went back to all of the places we loved (including Loft, my FAVE store).

In case you missed it, check out my last blog post for tips to read before travelling to Japan! Other Japan travel itineraries I put together: Osaka and Kyoto.

My Travel Itinerary - Kyoto, Japan

2017-01-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

Kyoto Travel Itinerary

This was a rough itinerary for our short stay in Kyoto. Feel free to use it and share it with your friends! I'll try and condense this to a list with comments. Keep in mind we did a lot of exploring and shopping in between activities that aren't included in this post.

Day One (half day)
Kyoto is only about an hour away from Osaka by bullet train (which we used the JR Pass for), so we had some time to kill before we were allowed to check in to our Airbnb.

I tried raw horse meat (above) for the first time at Musashi Sushi...

Lunch at Musashi Sushi, located inside Kyoto Station. This an affordable conveyor belt sushi restaurant with lots of variety. There was about a 10-15 minute wait when we arrived around lunch time, so keep that in mind if you're planning to go.
Another spot we visited at the station was Hoshino Coffee.
Coffee again at Vermillion Espresso Bar, which is located just outside of the shrine.
The Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's top places to visit and is famous for their rows of torii (traditional Japanese gate). It's best to come here during the day if you want good photos.
Dinner at Kendonya, a handmade udon noodle restaurant. Some of the best udon noodles I've had! (my photo on IG)

Day Two (full day)

Menu from Takinoya at the Kiyomizu Temple

The best season to visit the Kiyomizu Temple is fall when the leaves are changing colours. Unfortunately, we went a little too early and all of the leaves were still green and intact. You should still visit the temple regardless because it is beautiful!

Since it was so humid out, we made a quick stop at Takinoya (located within the temple grounds) for some condensed milk shaved ice.

We visited the Sannenzak Ninenzaka stairs, which is an "attraction" but is really just a set of stairs.
Next stop: Tsujiri Honten for matcha drinks and desserts! We walked through the Gion area to get to this cafe. We were hoping to catch sight of some geishas, but learned they're only around in the evening so we went back later and managed to spot two!
We explored one of Japan's most iconic marketplaces, Nishiki Market. Try the famous tamago (octopus with a quail egg in its head) snack!
For lunch, we went to Gogyo Ramen - famous for their burnt ramen. This is definitely one of the more "fancy" / trendy ramen places in Japan. The atmosphere was dark, decor was on point, music was hip hop (although in English), and the washroom was nice.
I think after this, we went back to the shopping area to explore and visit the Pokemon Centre (the only one where you can find Pokemon dressed in traditional Japanese clothing).

Day Three (last full day)

Photo by @itswillwong

Will found Steak Otsuka, this amazing wagyu beef place online so we decided to go there for for lunch. This spot is only open for three hours a day and only take two reservations to accommodate walk-ins. We were too late to reserve, so we decided to head there an hour early and were the first in line! This was the best steak we ever had.
After lunch, we walked through the Arashiyama Bamboo Groves and visited the Tenryuji Temple.

Photo by @itswillwong

Before heading to the monkey park, we made a stop at % Arabica for coffee. Both of their Kyoto locations have a minimalistic design and totally Insta-worthy.
The Iwatayama Monkey Park was one of my favourite places of the trip. The monkeys are located on a mountain, so it's quite a hike to get up there but definitely worth it for the monkeys and view. (see my pic on IG)
For dinner, we went to the Kyoto Tower area, had dinner at an omurice place (forgot the name), and walked around.

In case you missed it, check out my last blog post for tips to read before travelling to Japan! You can also take a look at my Osaka itinerary if you plan on visiting.

My Travel Itinerary - Osaka, Japan

2017-01-11T19:00:00.000-05:00

Osaka Travel Itinerary

This was our rough itinerary for our short stay in Osaka. Feel free to use it and share it with your friends! Keep in mind we did a lot of exploring and shopping in between activities that aren't included in this post.

Day One (just the evening)
We landed at Narita Airport in the afternoon and had to grab our portable wifi and JR passes (see my Japan travel tips post for more info), so we didn't get to Osaka until late evening. Not to mention the commute from NRT to where we were staying in Osaka was about 4.5 to 5 hours long.

Since it was already late in the evening, we just around Dotonbori (downtown area). Dotonbori was one our favourite areas of Osaka and a must-visit. This area is packed with stores, restaurants, people, and a lot of lights and activity. We went back every night because there was so much to explore.

Photo by @itswillwong

Don't forget to visit the Glico man sign when you're in Dotonbori!

Dinner at Hanamaruken Ramen (my pic on Instagram)

This was our first Japanese ramen experience! Make sure to order at the vending machine outside before going in. See my previous post for how to order from a ramen vending machine in Japan.

Day Two (first full day)

We visited the Osaka Castle, where you can get a beautiful view of the city. You have to pay to get into the castle, but the park is free for you to walk and explore. They have a few food stands there, which was where I picked up this green tea soft serve.
Had lunch at Daisiki Suisan Sushi-Go-Round. We had trouble finding this place, not knowing it was located in an underground passageway. I loved this place! Everything was fresh and the conveyor belt was a great experience. (My photo on Instagram.)

View from the Hep Five ferris wheel

Went to Hep Five which is a large shopping centre. It also has a ferris wheel based out of the 7th floor of the building. (This was also where Will proposed. : ))

You'll stay in the Hep Five area for a while as there are a LOT of stores to browse both in the mall and on the streets.

Went to the Umeda Sky Building, also known as the Floating Garden Observatory. There's an admission fee if you want to go all the way to the top, but you can otherwise visit the lower floors to see the view and buy souvenirs. We recommend going at night for the best view (see my IG post).
We got Cremia soft serve somewhere in the area, but I completely forgot which store it was at. Cremia soft serve is sold at many dessert places, so you can just do a quick Google search for them. It's realllyyyy good, but melts very quickly.

Day Three (last day)

We had planned to visit Universal Studios in Osaka, but decided not to. They have this crazy Attack on Titan stuff that would've been hilarious to see in person, so maybe next time. :(
So we just explored Dotonbori, walked a lot, and did some shopping. First stop: Michelin star restaurant, Ajinoya Okonomiyaki. They opened at 11:30am, but the line started way before then. We actually tried going there on our first night, but they weren't able to accommodate us.
For dessert, we bought half a dozen cheese tarts from Pablo (which, by the way, is coming to Toronto!).

Cats at Neko No Jikan (cat cafe in Osaka)

We pretty much wandered around aimlessly until we came across a small cat cafe called Neko No Jikan. We already own two cats, so cat cafes weren't on our itinerary but since we had time, we took a little break there. Best. decision. ever. There was a great variety of cats and they were all super adorable!

Osaka quickly became one of our favourite cities and we were sad about the short stay. I'd recommend staying at least three to four full days to experience what the city has to offer. Stay tuned for my Tokyo itinerary!

In case you missed it, check out my last blog post for tips to read before travelling to Japan!

Tips and Things I've Learned While Travelling in Japan

2016-12-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

Back in May, my friend Janice sent me a great Japan flight deal on Next Departure and I immediately jumped on it.

Since so many of my friends have been asking me recommendations, I decided to create this Japan blog series. The first post will contain a few things I learned and some tips for you, and the other posts will share the rough itineraries (see below for links) that Will and I followed while we were in Osaka, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Tokyo.

A lot of my notes may be brief, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask me below.

BEFORE GOING TO JAPAN

Use Google's 'My Maps'

It might be a good idea to plot everything you want to do on a My Map. This will give you a good idea of how much travel you have to do and where you should stay. We used our map to figure out where the outliers were and decided whether those places were worth going to or not.

Where to stay

Airbnb (sign up now to get $40 credit) has a great map function you can zoom in/out of to locate which area you want to stay in. We recommend staying within walking distance of a subway station - preferably on the JR line if you plan on getting a JR Pass (below).

Converting currency

Based on a lot of positive reviews online, we did all of our currency exchange at Kantor in Thornhill. A few of our friends also did their exchanges in Japan at bank machines inside 7/11.

I recommend getting an Amazon Rewards Visa card. They don't charge foreign transaction fees and offer competitive exchange rates. I swiped my Visa wherever I was able to (almost everywhere, actually).

JR Passes

JR passes can only be purchased outside of Japan. Depending on your itinerary, not everyone will need a JR pass so it's important to review that first before making the order. If you're going to be doing cross-city travel like us, it might be a good idea to get one. At $600 each, the passes may seem expensive at first, but taking the train between cities can cost about $200 each time. $600 for unlimited travel is a steal. ; ) Keep in mind your info will be printed on the pass and you are not allowed to share them.

Japan travel necessities

Order your pocket wifi, JR pass (if needed), and Passmo or Suica pass in advance. These items, especially the wifi, will make your stay a lot easier. We ordered the entire package via Japan Experience (thanks for the tip, Ste!). Many of the Airbnbs in Japan offer portable wifi, but we wanted a reliable one. We used the Airbnb ones as backup.

If you don't need a JR pass or already have a Passmo/Suica, you can order the pocket wifi directly from Global Advanced Communications (a trusted and popular provider).

Make sure you order everything at least a couple of weeks before you leave your country. They will ship the passes, JR order form, and the portable wifi instructions to your home. The JR pass and portable wifi will be available for pick-up at the airport.

Passmo / Suica Passes

These reloadable smart cards (like the Octopus card in HK or the Presto in Toronto) allow you to tap in/out of public transit with ease. In Japan, you can also use them at convenience stores and vending machines. You can reload these cards at most subway stations and convenience stores.

WHILE IN JAPAN

Using Google Maps

Navigating the streets of Japan can be challenging, but don't panic! As long as you have your wifi and Google Maps app handy, you should be fine. You might see the little dot on your GPS jump around, which can be frustrating, but if we found our way, so can you! :)

Tip: If you still can't find the store / if the GPS keeps jumping, Google how the store looks. This helped us a lot, especially when some of the store names aren't in English. And don't forget to look up at the buildings or go underground! I remember we had trouble looking for this sushi restaurant in Osaka, but it turned out it was in an underground passage.

Public transit in Japan

The subway lines are a little confusing because they have so many in Japan, but you'll probably take some lines more often than others. Hyperdia (thanks for sharing this, Galen!) is a very useful website that shares timetables and the best routes when taking trains or flights within Japan.

While Will found Hyperdia to be very useful, I went with Google Maps. The results are generally similar, but since Hyperdia was made for travel in Japan, they offer more details and options. Just use the site you're most comfortable with.

If you bought the JR pass, I recommend going for the routes that use JR lines so you don't have to pay to get in. Of course if the timing doesn't work out, just go with the best option for your itinerary.

Breakfast Places / Snacks in Japan

There aren't a lot of breakfast-y places in Japan. If you need breakfast or a snack, just visit the local convenience store (7/11, Lawson, Family Mart, Daily Mart, etc.) to grab something. They have cold and warm foods, as well as microwaves and utensils for you to use.

And if you're thirsty, there are vending machines (mainly with drinks, alcohol, and cigarettes) at literally every corner. I made it a mission to try a different drink each day. Absolutely loved the first drink above! It was the first one I bought after landing.

P.S. I had a Häagen-Dazs Crispy Sandwich almost everyday. Please bring this to Canada!!

SHOPPING

Paying in Japanese yen

First off, you should bring a large coin wallet because they give a lot of change in Japan. Some of the coins are hard to read and you don't want to stand at the cashier digging through your wallet, so the following tip from our friend Galen helped tremendously. It's hard for me to explain, but once you get it, you'll pay like a local in no time.

The silver coins are ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, and ¥1. 500 is the biggest coin and 1 is the smallest (and very light) coin. The copper coins are ¥10 and ¥5.

Remember this...
Silver coins: 50 is half of 100 and has a hole in the middle.
Copper coins: 5 is half of 10 and also has a hole in the middle.

Sorry if this sounds confusing, but once you have the coins in your hands, it'll click and you'll think it's the easiest thing ever. : )

Tax-free shopping

Don't forget to keep your passport on you, not only for safety reasons, but foreign visitors can shop tax-free at certain stores if they spend over ¥5000 yen. Some stores have a separate tax-free line you need to pay at, while others require you to pay at a regular cashier first and then bring your receipt(s) to their customer service desk for a reimbursement.

Clothes shopping

When trying on clothes, a lot of stores require you to remove your shoes. If you're wearing makeup, they will give you a mask to put on to prevent stains on their clothing. Instructions on how to use the mask are usually located inside each fitting room.

Stores to check out

Takashimaya - Huge designer department store
Loft - Home goods and stationery (we probably spent hours here on different days combined. favourite store!)
Tokyu Hands - big department store that sells literally everything from clothes to stationery to pet supplies (Thanks for the recommendation, Gina!)
Daiso - Japanese dollar store. Everything is 108 yen

OTHER TIPS

If you have a lot of time to kill before / after an Airbnb or hotel, lockers are available at many subway stations for luggage storage.
How to use a ramen machine: Insert money, select items (there's a timer so decide what you want before inserting money), and grab the tickets (and your change) that will come out of the machine. Don't worry if your tickets/change come out before you're done. Just insert your money again and keep ordering.
Many restaurants provide baskets under your chair for your personal belongings.

Check out my travel itineraries for Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo!

Christmas Decorating Playlist | Sudio Sweden Regent Headphones

2016-12-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

Holiday music has been on full blast at our house lately, but sometimes, it can get irritating when our playlists (see mine below) clash. ; ) Sudio Sweden sent me their newest pair of headphones at the perfect time. The headphones normally look like this, but I ordered the white marble caps* to go along with it. Those who know me know I love marble-patterned things! The minimal design and gold and marble accents make this the perfect accessory for many of my outfits.

* Order my headphones now for 15% off, free shipping, and a FREE pair of the marble caps ($20 value)! Use code 15JESSY at Sudio Sweden until December 18.

The wirelesss capability was extremely convenient for me when I was decorating our Christmas tree. I had no pockets and there were so many things on the ground, so my phone was on the dining room table.

If you're interested in Sudio headphones for yourself or want them as a gift, take advantage of their tax-free purchases and free & fast worldwide delivery now! Like I mentioned above, you can get their Regent headphone caps for free if you order by December 18. Don't forget to use 15JESSY at checkout for an additional 15% off!

Here are a few songs from my Christmas playlist on Spotify:

Wham! - Last Christmas
Michael Bublé - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Christmas
Justin Bieber - Mistletoe
Ariana Grande - Not Just on Christmas
Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas
Other songs: More Bieber and Bublé and the entire The Weeknd's newest album ; )

New Items at Teriyaki Experience!

2016-11-06T20:52:00.000-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to try Teriyaki Experience's new menu items and was quite impressed by their selection. Not only has their food menu changed, but the entire look of the store has to. Their menu boards are much sleeker, staff uniforms now look like chef jackets, and their takeout containers are newly designed.

Rice noodles with hot & spicy sauce, mixed veggies, teriyaki sauce, and shrimp

The new menu items at Teriyaki Experience include:

Organic loose leaf teas flown in from Japan,
Desserts prepared by Bake Code (photo below),
Upgraded meals on their signature menu,
Fresh sushi made daily,
Bento boxes, and
"Design-Your-Own Bowls" - rice and noodle bowls that you can customize to your taste (which is what I did above)

Japanese cheesecake and black sesame roll

I'm a fan of Bake Code, so I was pretty excited to learn about this partnership! The dessert selection is quite limited, but there seems to be something for everyone. The items I got weren't too sweet, which is exactly how I like my desserts.

If you want to try their new menu*, you have a chance to do so for below!

Click here to enter for a chance to win a free meal every week for a year ($800 gift card) at Teriyaki Experience!

* For now, the new Teriyaki Experience menu is only available at CF Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens, and Dorval in Oakville.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Teriyaki Experience, but all opinions are my own.

Blue-Grey Hair

2016-09-07T19:40:00.000-04:00

Featuring Shein Lace-Up Black T-Shirt (c/o)

Leather slit skirt (old) // Alexander Wang Rockie bag // Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged

Even though I've been out of school for many years now, it still feels like summer's "over" after Labour Day. So I hope you all had an amazing summer!

It's no surprise that I'm wearing black on black again. At least this time, I'm adding a bit of dark grey to the mix with my shoes, bag, and even my hair! I dyed my hair blue a few weeks ago (barely took any pics to be honest) and now it's faded to a blue-grey look. Soon, it'll fade more to the silvery-blonde look I had previously.

By the way, for $11.99 (on sale and 40% off $55+ with the code TG40), this top is surprisingly soft and drapes nicely on the body. I've been thinking lately that most of my tees are so plain (solid colours or stripes) and when I saw this plain black tee with the interesting back, I immediately ordered it. As I write this, all of the sizes are still in stock!

Shop the Look

A Walking Tour of Downtown Toronto | Tourism Toronto

2016-08-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

After our weekend getaway in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, Will and I decided to head downtown again. This time, we decided to walk a large chunk of it in order to hit up the spots that were on our list.

Although the walk looks long on Google Maps, it wasn’t tiring because we made stops along the way, including at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Graffiti Alley, and Nathan Phillips Square (right in front of Toronto City Hall).

Ripley’s Aquarium

From touching stingrays to spotting sharks in the “Dangerous Lagoon” (which has the longest moving sidewalk in North America), Will and I soaked up every bit of the experience.

The aquarium is located right below the CN Tower and is very close to the Rogers Centre. They’re both iconic Toronto landmarks, but I highly recommend visiting the CN Tower if you have the chance. You’ll get an amazing view of the whole city from above.

Graffiti Alley

Toronto is full of beautiful street art – whether it’s in the architecture or the alleys, there’s something interesting to see at every corner. Graffiti Alley spans about a kilometre, running west from Spadina Ave. to Portland St. We always try to spot something new when we walk through this alley.

J. Crew dress, Balenciaga Classic City Bag, Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses

Kekou Gelato

By the time we left Graffiti Alley, we were in need of something cool and refreshing. Being only a 3-minute walk away, Kekou Gelato was the perfect spot to cool down at. One of my favourite flavours they offer is Vietnamese coffee. For the adventurous, durian is a good flavour too. ;)

Nathan Phillips Square / Toronto City Hall

There’s always something happening in this area, no matter what time of year it is. During the summer, you’ll find live music, food stands, people sitting by the water enjoying the view, and more people walking around with their cameras in hand.

If you’re here during the holiday season, the Cavalcade of Lights is a must-see. For couples, the experience is especially romantic thanks to the beautiful lights, a fireworks show, music, and a skating rink.

Quick tip: If you’re in Toronto this year, visit the iconic TORONTO sign because we have no idea how long it’ll be around for!

No matter how much time you spend walking in the city, it never feels tiring because there are so many things to see and experience. We were so focused on sightseeing and visiting different stores (many of them not mentioned here since I don’t want to make this post any longer) that we didn’t realize how fast time had gone by that day.

Canada’s largest city and most-visited destination, Toronto is Canada’s downtown. Toronto blends the best of modern Canadian diversity and inclusiveness with big-ticket events, top attractions, restaurants, music, architecture, culture and festivals in one of the world’s most unique and exciting cities.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Tourism Toronto via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Tourism Toronto.

A Weekend Getaway in Toronto | Tourism Toronto

2016-08-08T16:30:00.000-04:00

My boyfriend, Will, and I moved to the Toronto suburb of Markham only two years ago, but we still love heading down to the city (only 20 minutes away) to enjoy everything it has to offer, from the museums and major landmarks to the up-and-coming restaurants.

Toronto is the perfect getaway destination for urban-minded couples like us who love to explore cities. Being such a vibrant and diverse place, Downtown Toronto is where everyone goes to experience the liveliness, explore the streets, and discover new shops.

Will and I recently ventured downtown for a weekend getaway to visit two popular Toronto landmarks – Kensington Market and the Toronto Islands.

Kensington Market

Located beside Chinatown, Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s most diverse neighbourhoods, packed full of vintage shops, restaurants, and indie cafés. Our first stop was FIKA Café, where we grabbed some lemonade and a quick bite.

From the fruit stands to the amazing street art, there’s something different at every corner of Kensington Market. For those who visit during the summer, the last Sunday of each month is known as Pedestrian Sunday, where the streets are blocked from cars and shoppers can browse freely.

Toronto Islands

eBay black baseball cap, Ray-Ban Meteor sunglasses, Aritzia Wilfred Free Libre black t-shirt, Timex Modern Originals Easy Reader Watch (white), Levi’s denim shorts (DIY), Nike Roshe One (black on black)

After Kensington Market, we decided to do something a little more active and hopped on a short ferry ride to Centre Island. We rented a 2-seat quadricycle to explore both Centre Island and Ward’s Island.

There’s something for everyone on the Toronto Islands. You’ll find beaches, an amusement park, swimming areas for kids, tons of greenery, a small farm, and a lot more. Because of the variety of activities, this is the perfect place to visit with your family, friends, or significant other.

Growing up, this water log ride was one of my favourites at Centreville.

On our final stop with the quadricycle, we admired the beautiful Toronto skyline on Ward’s Island. A lot of other cyclists and visitors also stopped by this area (by the ferry dock) to take photos of the view.

This action-packed weekend was perfect for me and Will. We rediscovered a lot of things we grew up with in Toronto and it brought back memories of school trips and family outings for us. If you’re visiting Toronto for the first time, feel free to use our agenda for a weekend you won’t forget. : )

Canada’s largest city and most-visited destination, Toronto is Canada’s downtown. Toronto blends the best of modern Canadian diversity and inclusiveness with big-ticket events, top attractions, restaurants, music, architecture, culture and festivals in one of the world’s most unique and exciting cities.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Tourism Toronto via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Tourism Toronto.

Summer Trend | Off the Shoulder Tops

2016-07-14T22:13:00.000-04:00

I've been noticing a LOT of off-the-shoulder tops and dresses this year! And not just "off" on one side, but tops that completely bare the shoulders. Even though a lot of people have been rockin' it, I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. Some girls look amazing in them, while others look like their shirts are falling down. (I'm probably the latter.)

Here are a few I found that are pretty cute. : )

Light blue off-the-shoulder shift dress

Navy crochet lace-up top

Pink off-the-shoulder ruffle blouse

White mini pompom trim off-the-shoulder top

Black lace off-the-shoulder dress

Currently, you can use the code JN40 to get 40% off orders over $55 at Shein. This means you can get all of the above for under $40!

What do you guys think of this bare shoulder trend?

Outfit | Striped Denim Overalls with a Cropped Tee

2016-06-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

Shein striped denim overalls (c/o)

Silence & Noise Ribbed Wrap Striped Crop Top (via Urban Outfitters)
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top Sneakers
Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield Watch

I tried the Strawberry Lemon Limeade Granita from the new Sunset Menu at Starbucks and found it so refreshing! I don't usually go for strawberry-flavoured drinks, so I don't know what made me order this but I'm glad I did. The drink consists of a scoop of lemonade flavoured finely-shaved ice blended with strawberry slices and is topped with house-made limeade. I actually ordered it half-sweet, so I'm not sure how it normally tastes.. but this was sour, which I really liked. I'm going try their Youthberry® White Tea Granita next!

Shop the Look

Outfit | Leather Shorts

2016-06-23T21:42:00.000-04:00

Shein elastic waist faux leather shorts (c/o)

Birkenstock Gizeh Sandals

Lucca Couture Clean Crossover Tank Top from Urban Outfitters (sold out)

Yes, this is the same crop top from my last outfit post. It's very light and perfect for summer but unfortunately, this was from last summer so it's sold out. Click here if you'd like to check out more items from Lucca Couture.

Shein recently sent me these leather shorts for summer. While the quality isn't quite like real leather, the price can't be beat. And the best part? It has pockets. : )

Outfit | Cropped Top & Ripped Denim

2016-06-07T22:26:00.000-04:00

Photos by @itswillwong

Lucca Couture Clean Crossover Tank Top from Urban Outfitters (sold out)

Zara ripped boyfriend jeans

Daniel Wellington Classic Canterbury Watch (review)

Balenciaga Classic City Bag in black

Birkenstock Gizeh Sandals

Some might say I'm too old for them, but I've been getting into crop tops lately (actually, since last summer). I'm not a fan of showing too much skin around my midriff, but I like to wear longer ones or pair short ones with high-waisted bottoms.

By the way, you can get 15% off any Daniel Wellington watch PLUS get a free strap when you order by June 13! Use the coupon code JESSY15 at checkout.

Outfit | Wearing Boots in the Summer

2016-05-29T17:00:00.000-04:00

Shein red long sleeve plaid dress (c/o)

Zara TRF denim shorts

Balenciaga Classic City Bag

Stuart Weitzman Lowland Over the Knee Boots (black suede)

I finally got these boots from Holt Renfrew after years of thinking about them. The sales associate told me that a lot of the classic Stuart Weitzman shoes will be increasing in price this month, so I decided it was now or never. The Lowland boots in particular are going to increase by about 8%, which is a lot considering the current price.

I'm also loving this top right now. It's actually long enough to be a dress, but I wanted to wear denim shorts that day so I tucked the front in.

Shop the Look

Five Cute Summer Dresses to Get Now!

2016-05-28T16:50:00.000-04:00

Striped spaghetti strap dress // Maxi dress // White lace off-shoulder dress // Black off-the-shoulder dress // Navy "vintage print" dress

While it's not officially summer yet, the weather has been warm enough for all of us to peel off the layers and enjoy the sunshine. The warm weather has got me thinking about flowy dresses that I can wear both casually and for weddings and other events.

Judging from the ones I picked above, I'm definitely leaning towards light colours this summer. The dresses above are all from Shein since I like to wear more trendy "fast fashion" type of clothing during the summer. Since these pieces are on the lower end of the pricing scale, I don't have to worry about sweating/spilling/staining on them!

Outfit | Black Dress and Fedora

2016-05-24T21:14:00.000-04:00

Shein Turtleneck Zip Dress (c/o)

Forever 21 braided trim wool fedora (old)

Call it Spring wedge boots (old)

This dress has amazing reviews online (4.9 stars!) and though the length and fit work on me, I'm not sure if I'm really into the style right now. The dress is shape-less so it makes my body look like a straight line.

With the dark colours (even my lipstick) and the hat, this is more of a fall look to me - which is probably why I'm not really digging it right now. What do you guys think?

P.S. If you're interested in new clothing for the summer, Shein is having a 40% and 45% off sale right now.

Outfit | Wilfred Free Crop Top and T by Alexander Wang Skirt

2016-05-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

Zara patent loafers

Ray-Ban Meteor Sunglasses

Balenciaga Classic City Bag

Artizia Wilfred Free Georgia T-Shirt

T by Alexander Wang marled ruched skirt

Simons Twik long sleeveless ribbed cardigan in Sand

Daniel Wellington Classy St. Mawes Watch 34mm in Rose Gold (c/o)

Get 15% off any Daniel Wellington watch using the code JESSY15 until June 15th! On top this discount, you'll also get a complimentary watch strap with the purchase of any watch until June 13th. This is one of the best combination of deals I've seen on DW's site, so I would make an order NOW before it's too late!

Outfit | Wearing All Zara

2016-04-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

Zara batwing sleeve sweater in Dark Grey // Distressed jeans // Patent flats

Givenchy Mini Antigona bag // Ray-Ban Oversized Clubmaster sunglasses (RB4175)

Daniel Wellington Classy St. Mawes 34mm watch in Rose Gold

Outfit
After putting this outfit on, I realized the majority of is from Zara! If you're interested, this batwing sleeve sweater was a recent find. It also comes in Light Grey and Sand. Size medium was the smallest size they had in stock, but I like how it looks on me! I can wear it as an off-the-shoulder sweater or as a simple wide-neck one.

Red Bean Waffle
The pic at the top is a red bean waffle with mango and green tea ice cream from Red Bean Waffle House. I randomly found this place when my friends and I went to Kobi Korean BBQ just next door (pretty good, by the way). FYI, Red Bean Waffle House also runs the food cart located at Yonge and Finch outside of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Daniel Wellington Watches
If you want to get a Daniel Wellington watch, my coupon code expires in a couple of days (April 30)!! Get 15% your order at DanielWellington.com with the promo code JESSY15. Check out my Daniel Wellington review if you've never tried one on before.

I'm really loving my Classy St Mawes watch. It's my first brown (strapped) watch and to my surprise, it pairs well with most of my outfits! I was iffy about the Swarovski crystal index at first. I'm not used to not having numbers (or Roman numerals) on my watches, so I wasn't sure how I felt about dots. It's very pretty in person though! I'm extremely happy with my brown/rose gold combination.

The Classy St. Mawes is only 2mm smaller than my Classic Sheffield and Classic Canterbury watches, but the difference is noticeable. I'd recommend the 36mm watches to those who want a casual, oversized watch (or those with wider wrists).

New Favourite Cardigan (and a Daniel Wellington Coupon Code!)

2016-04-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Simons Twik long sleeveless ribbed cardigan in Sand

StyleMint Sunset T

Givenchy Mini Antigona bag

J Brand 8870 Dee Zip Photo Ready Skinny Jeans

Vince Camuto Hawn boots

Urban Outfitters Burning Rays Statement Necklace

Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield 36mm watch in Rose Gold

Simons, from Quebec, opened up in the Greater Toronto Area last month at Square One! The store is hugeee with things for men, women, and your home. I read that they're planning to expand to Yorkdale and Scarborough Town Centre soon. Those locations are closer to me so I'm definitely looking forward to them.

As stated in my Instagram post, I don't really spend a lot of time at the mall nowadays. I'm just too busy and don't usually have the patience to navigate through crowds after work or on the weekends. However, I spent a long time inside Simons. There's so much to look at and most of the things from their private label, Twik, are reasonably priced.

I went a little crazy and tried on a LOT of stuff (add me on Snapchat so you don't miss out next time)! This sleeveless cardigan was one of the things I ended up with. I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I saw it online first, but the colour isn't as dull in person.

On another note, I have a Daniel Wellington coupon code for you guys! Get 15% off your order at DanielWellington.com with the code JESSY15 this month only!! I've been a DW watch fan for a while. They recently sent me a new watch and a strap for my Classic Canterbury watch that I can't wait to show you guys! If you're interested in these watches, check out my Daniel Wellington review.

My Beauty Haul | Sephora VIB Rouge First Access

2016-04-08T10:15:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again! Sephora's VIB Rouge shopping event started yesterday, but I've been preparing for over a week. ; ) I knew it was coming so I loaded my cart up last week, giving me time to chat with makeup-loving friends (which can do major damage to your wallet, actually). I fiddled around with the things in my cart for a few days and made my order first thing in the morning yesterday.

Check out my order below:

Some of the items above are refills, but many of them are brand new to me based on friends' recommendations or online reviews. Can't wait to share my favourites with you! Let me know if you've used anything I've ordered. : )

VIB Rouge members can use the coupon code ROUGENOTE online to get 15% off their order until April 13. Happy shopping!

P.S. Add me on Snapchat to view the full unboxing and my commentary when I receive the package!

Shoes for Spring Weather

2016-04-07T13:41:00.000-04:00

Spring is here! Or is it?? There was a LOT of snow here in Toronto last week and I had to whip out my parka and snow boots again...

I wear boots all year long, but snow boots are definitely my least favourite. I own a LOT of different types of boots - combat boots, rain boots, ankle boots, and more. They're so easy to pair with outfits and super comfortable for walking in the city.

A very popular brand for boots is Dr Martens, but surprisingly, I've never owned a pair. Their classic black pair is ubiquitous and more commonly seen during fall and winter, but they actually have a lot of bright, light, and patterned options (not just boots!) that work well during the spring and summer. Check out a few of my favourites below. : )

Left to right:

Dr. Martens Hackney in Bubblegum Canvas • Dr. Martens Emmeline in Grey Burnished Servo Lux

Dr. Martens Leyton in Gold Metallic Nappa • Dr. Martens Pascal in Off-White Skins Tattoo Softy T

Dr. Martens Stratford in Cherry Red Belladonna Fine Canvas • Dr. Martens Stratford in Black Canvas

Dr. Martens Jake Boot in Yellow Smooth • Dr. Martens Hackney in Black & Grey Skull & Roses Print

Dr. Martens 1914 W in Black Polished Wyoming • Dr. Martens Steed in Oxblood Quilon

While some of these aren't really style, I picked them because I thought they'd look adorable on others. Especially Jake the Dog! :D

The pair I'm most interested in getting is the Stratford in Black Canvas. I love the plaid interior because you can fold the flaps down to show it off with different outfits (like the floral pair above). These boots also look amazing when juxtaposed with cute spring dresses. What do you guys think?

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Union Jack Boots, but all opinions are my own.

Outfit | Black Dress with Leather Panels & Pockets

2016-03-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

Featuring Shein Black Dress with Leather Details (c/o)

Shein Black Dress with Leather Details (c/o) // Halogen Marlie Leopard Print Heels (via Nordstrom)

There are SO many things I love about this dress. The fit, the POCKETS, the colour, the leather, and the front drape/flap. Not only is the style and length appropriate for an office, but you can easily wear this on a night out. Super win! (For reference, I'm wearing XS.)