A New Hotspot Downtown Toronto – Mila’s Fine Footwear on Front Street

Mila’s Fine Footwear is a family owned shoe retailer established in 1932. Recently they announced an exclusive meet-and-greet and trunk show at their new downtown Toronto location (77 Front St. E., Toronto, ON) situated in the middle of the city’s picturesque St. Lawrence neighbourhood.

The shoe boutique would celebrate the launch of their brand new location with a preview on July 20th, with shoe brand representatives on site, ahead of their official grand opening later this summer. Fashion media from Toronto were invited to this event, and they would meet the family and staff behind Mila’s Fine Footwear, as well as brand ambassadors from some of the major shoe brands they carry in-house such as Birkenstock, Finn Comfort, Josef Seibel, Cloud and Gerry Weber, Fly London, Pikolinos and Ara. Ambassadors would be giving guests an exclusive sneak peek at some of the Fall-Spring 2016-2017 styles and trends to expect at Mila’s Fine Footwear in the upcoming seasons. 

“We’re very excited to bring Mila’s Fine Footwear to the vibrant and fashion-forward people of Toronto,” says owner, Vishal Hussain. “We look forward to giving shoppers what they crave most – an intimate, engaging, one-on-one customer service experience catered to their personal footwear needs.”

Bringing their small town charm to the big city, Mila’s Fine Footwear is looking to win the hearts of Torontonians with the legacy that has garnered them over 80 years of success in the footwear industry. Since starting back in 1932, they’ve been best known for their exceptional one-on-one client service by providing a unique shopping experience that’s rarely found in larger chain stores today. The team at Mila’s Fine Footwear believe in empowering their clients with proper shoe size education and product history to ensure that each customer walks away with a pair of shoes that is right for their individual needs, lifestyle and personal taste. They believe in providing clients with shoes that have superior quality and comfort without compromising style, and in order to do so they proudly sell and partner with some of the highest quality brands across North America and Europe. 

“Our inventory is reflective of what we want to achieve in Toronto, which is educating our consumers that you can still lead busy lives with impeccable style,” says Hussain. “Europeans have been able to master style and comfort in an extraordinary way, which is why we stock some of the best European brands in footwear.”

Mila’s Fine Footwear is an independently owned family business that’s been passed along for four generations. From their humble start in Aden, Yemen, the family decided to take their business to Canada in 1967, starting out fresh in the small town of Strathroy, Ontario, in 1989. After 27 years of establishing themselves as a true success and staple in their community, Mila’s Fine Footwear was overdue for an exciting, new challenge. With an incredible offer to move their store in the heart of downtown Toronto, it was an opportunity the family couldn’t pass up. Now hot on the heels in their new store on Front Street, Mila’s Fine Footwear is eager to share their love of comfortable, sophisticated footwear with Toronto. Their legacy dates back to 1932, at a time when the family took pride in offering superior customer service and satisfaction. This stands true today as they proudly open Mila’s Fine Footwear in the heart of Toronto, at 77 Front Street East (MilasonFront.com).

I was invited to the meet and greet and trunk show event on July 20th, so earlier this week I went downtown to see the new Mila’s Fine Footwear store on Front Street and to meet the team who run the business. It was a perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon, and I really enjoyed being present at this event and meet the team from the store. Sure thing, it will become one of my new favorite shopping hotspots when I want a new pair of quality shoes.

#MilasonFront

Guests were gifted with a pair of fine shoes, and this is my gift from Mila's Fine Footwear.

I was wearing a royal blue Ralph Lauren bodycon dress on that day which got me a few compliments at the event, and when I was asked to choose a pair of shoes that I would like to receive as a gift from the store, for the new opening celebration, I was suggested to go for these colored beauties, because they spoke to me. I listened to the advise and chose them out of all available shoes in the store. Besides being so cheerful, perfect to complete a summer outfit, they are also very comfortable. I wore them that very day; the staff in the store encouraged me to walk out of the store wearing them, when I leave the event, I did just that. I put my old shoes in a box, and I wore my new shoes for the remainder of the day. The name of the brand is Florentine, and they are made in Spain. And here's me, with my new shoes, later that day.

Photo credit: Victoria West

The New Katy Perry for CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipsticks

Recently, while browsing this summer’s fashion magazines, I found out that Katy Perry launched a new makeup collection in collaboration with CoverGirl, called Katy Kat – 13 shades of matte lipsticks and two shades of mascara, black and blue.

The matte lipsticks had my attention instantly. I am a woman who is constantly on the go, and I adopt the makeup strategies which are the least time consuming. To that regard, I use my favorite lipstick on a usual basis, which I call my signature lipstick, and which I discovered a few years ago and have used constantly ever since – a particular pink shade from Rimmel London, Kiss 036. I always have this lipstick in my purse, ALWAYS, as my signature lipstick. Obviously, I also have other lipsticks and lipglosses in my makeup bag, for other occasions, or for whenever I feel like using a different lipstick, but this Kiss from Rimmel London lipstick is a product that I use most frequently. I like its color which is just the right amount of intense and color pigment, and I like its texture – very soft on the lips. And it's very easy to apply, which saves me time in the morning. The only downside of this lipstick is that it doesn’t last for long, so I have to apply it every two hours or so, but it doesn’t bother me, and I still appreciate it for its other qualities.

So, here I was, browsing a fashion magazine and reading about this new makeup collection by Katy Perry inspired by cats. Katy Perry is a very kitty girl, isn’t she? Very much like me, as my cat Niles looks exactly like Katy Perry’s cat from this collection’s campaign ad, black with short hair, only my Niles is an adult cat and not a kitty, and he’s got green eyes and not blue. I am a declared cat person.

Katy Perry and kitty

My cat Niles

I loved those matte lipsticks, and I wanted some for me, so I decided to replenish my lipstick collection with a couple of these beauties. Surely I can get a new signature lipstick, besides that Kiss lipstick from Rimmel, can’t I?

Yesterday I had a few appointments downtown Toronto, and while on my way to one of them (a fashion event on Front Street, and I’ll tell you more about it soon), I stopped at a drug store and bought two new lipsticks from Katy Perry’s collection for CoverGirl, Magenta Minx KP03 and Kitty Purry KP07. Then I went to the said fashion event, where I spent about an hour. After that, I had a break of about 30 minutes until my next appointment, so I decided to spend that extra half an hour in a Starbucks coffee shop next door. And I could hardly wait to try on my new Katy Perry matte lipsticks.

I went to Starbucks to have a coffee; my favorite and usual hot drink is black coffee. I always have it the same way – black with one sugar, regardless where I buy it, be it Starbucks or Tim Hortons or any other coffee shop. And I always have coffee for a hot drink. I don’t buy tea, or latte, or cappuccino, or frappucino, or any other …cinos, or any other hot drinks for that matter, and that’s because black coffee is my best way to boost my energy level and to help me keep up through the day. So this time I was in that Starbucks coffee shop on Front Street and I almost bought my usual black coffee with one sugar, but then while waiting in line, I thought what a heck, let’s shake things up a bit, why don’t I try something else instead of my usual coffee. So I went for a latte instead. It feels good to do it differently for a change every now and again, be it a new lipstick or a new hot drink.

My afternoon treat. And look, the barista made me a little heart in the latte, how cute. :)

And of course, my new lipsticks! Time to try them on.

I only tried one of them in fact, the Kitty Purry (the one in the right in the above pics). Then I almost finished my latte, and it was time to go to my next appointment, a couple of blocks away, on Yonge Street. I finished my coffee on the go, but this time I was wearing my new Katy Perry lipstick, the Kitty Purry shade.

Not so matte after all, I'm afraid. :)

Why it doesn’t surprise me? But what can one expect for $12 apiece? An absolutely non-transferrable lipstick is my holy grail which I am yet to find, and surely it won’t be just $12 when I do find it. 

However, I was too quick to judge. I went on about my day, I had the last appointment downtown yesterday afternoon, then I went home. Hours later, the lipstick was still on my lips, and I didn’t have to reapply it every two hours like it happens with my old signature lipstick from Rimmel London. Here’s a selfie of mine from yesterday afternoon in my car, close to 5 PM. My lipstick is still on, and it really lasted for hours.

In the end, I do like my new Katy Perry for CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte new lipsticks. So ok, it’s not an absolutely non-transferrable lipstick like a lipstick holy grail is supposed to be, but it’s still a good lipstick. I haven’t tried the other one yet, the Magenta Minx shade, but I trust it will be as good. Here’s to my new signature lipstick, and maybe to my new favorite hot drink.

Photo credit: Victoria West & Google Images

Home, Sweet Home – Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Locuiesc la Whitby de 5 ani, dar nu v-am aratat niciodata acest mic oras de langa Toronto care m-a facut sa ma indragostesc de el din primele luni de cand m-am mutat aici, si pe care il iubesc datorita linistii si traficului lejer. In toti acesti ani de cand locuiesc aici tot am descoperit diverse curiozitati si comori ascunse la Whitby – magazine deosebite, restaurante cu specialitati delicioase, locuri frumoase pentru vizitat in weekend, etc.

Candva am scris un articol despre Whitby pe Blog Tango, la scurt timp dupa ce m-am instalat in noua mea casa, in care va spuneam despre primele mele impresii despre Whitby. Fotografiile pe care le-am inclus in acel articol au fost cateva poze pe care le-am gasit pe internet, cu unele din obiectivele locale (centrul istoric, muzeul din centru, castelul Trafalgar, biblioteca publica, malul lacului, Farul Alb de pe lac), si nu poze facute de mine. De curand mi-am dat seama ca au trecut aproape 5 ani de cand locuiesc aici, si n-am iesit niciodata in centru sa fac eu cateva poze prin Whitby, desi este un loc frumos care merita fotografiat. Asa ca m-am hotarat sa rezolv aceasta problema, si am iesit in centru acum doua saptamani sa fac exact asta – sa-l fotografiez. Cu ocazia asta am putut sa vad ce mai e nou prin centrul Whitby-ului, dar si sa aflu despre locuri si stabilimente noi, despre care habar nu aveam pana acum, si asta pentru ca niciodata nu m-am obosit sa iau centrul Whitby-ului la pas, in 5 ani de cand locuiesc aici, rusinica mie. Am descoperit magazine foarte faine (magazine de haine, de home decor, etc.), restaurante, cafenele, care merita explorate si o sa tin cont de ele pe viitor. Pana acum aveam impresia ca shoppingul la Whitby nu e mare vrajeala, si mergeam la Toronto pentru shopping. Dar de fapt sunt cateva magazine foarte dragute si in centrul Whitby-ului, si ma bucur foarte mult ca le-am descoperit – nici nu e nevoie sa ma deplasez prea departe de acum inainte, pot sa fac shopping la Whitby, cel putin o perioada, cat sa ma bucur de aceste magazine recent descoperite.

Sa va arat cateva poze din centrul Whitby-lui.

Cladirea alba din aceasta poza, de pe Strada Brock, Maison Blanc Day Spa, este un salon spa (ma rog, ar fi trebuit sa fie Maison Blanche, si nu Maison Blanc, o omitere din partea celor care au dat numele stabilimentului). Habar nu aveam pana acum de acest spa in centrul Whitby-ului. Am intrat sa vad cum este, si e foarte fain. Fata de la receptie a fost draguta si mi-a facut un tur al salonului, mi-a spus despre serviciile prestate la salon, mi-a dat o brosura cu informatii despre serviciile salonului, asa ca m-am hotarat sa vin aici pentru tratamente de frumusete. Locul arata impecabil, totul este alb (dau credit numelui), fara pata, arata ca un salon de lux, desi preturile sunt cat se poate de prietenoase.

Un restaurant japonez pe Strada Brock, la cativa pasi distanta de salonul Maison Blanc(he) Day Spa. Habar nu aveam de existenta acestui restaurant in centru. Eu si familia mea suntem mari amatori de sushi, si pana acum obisnuiam sa mergem la alte trei-patru restaurante japoneze din Whitby pentru sushi, unul dintre care s-a inchis intre timp. Vom veni si aici, cu siguranta. Si e all you can eat! :) Sushi yummy.

Acest magazin de haine La Fontaine se afla chiar in buricul targului, la intersectia principala a orasului, Dundas cu Brock. Stiam de acest magazin si inainte (pe acesta nu l-am omis, avand in vedere ca se afla in zona ultracentrala si trec frcevent pe langa el), dar n-am intrat niciodata sa vad cum este. De data aceasta am intrat, e destul de dragut. Nu m-a convins neaparat sa vin la cumparaturi aici, dar e un magazin fain, cu marfa draguta, cu cateva branduri mai high end, doua dintre care le-am retinut fiind Guess si Kenneth Cole. Si mi-a placut foarte mult cum este decorat magazinul. Un alt lucru care mi-a placut in magazinul La Fontaine de la Dundas cu Brock este cafeneaua din incinta, foarte imbietoare si fain amenajata. Data viitoare cand ma vad cu prietena mea, o sa mergem la cafeneaua La Fontaine.

Biserica Toti Sfintii de pe strada Dundas Street West

Am intrat in acest magazin Penney & CO cu fatada turcoaz de pe strada Brock -- este un magazin de home decor care mi-a placut foarte mult. Pe langa faptul ca are produse foarte faine care ar face orice casa sa arate ca o vila de vacanta de pe malul marii, foarte imbietoare si primitoare, magazinul in sine este foarte bine amenajat, cochet si dragut, incat iti vine sa cumperi totul de pe rafturi. :) In mod clar, proprietarii magazinului se pricep la home decor. De altfel, nu este sigurul magazin Penney & CO din Whitby, exista un altul tot in centru, la cativa pasi mai incolo, pe strada Dundas, l-am vazut si pe acela in ziua respectiva, e la fel de fain si imbietor.

Un alt magazin din Whitby care mi-a placut foarte mult este acesta, Turquoise, tot pe strada Brock. Colectia disponibila in incinta este foarte-foarte draguta si atragatoare, cu rochii si fuste cu imprimeuri vesele si delicioase de vara. Un magazin Turquoise exista si la Bowmnaville, un orasel nu departe de Whitby, ambele magazine apartinand aceluiasi grup de proprietari.

Piata de fructe si legume in centru

Aranjamente florale in centru

Aranjamente florale in centru

Photo credit: Victoria West