{Color Pop}

In keeping with yesterday's theme of hidden pops of design, I'm loving these contrast color treatments. They're an easy way to refresh already existing decor and they work with any style from retro kitsch to classic contemporary.
 
Photo source: Pinterest

{Shangri-La Toronto Revisited}

Afternoon Tea: Take Two! 

Nothing brings a group of ladies together like afternoon tea. Especially when one of those ladies is an old university friend visiting from out of town. And especially when she's preggers with her first child! So with many reasons to get together and celebrate, our future mama, Helen, chose the Shangri-La as our meeting place. Having been there before I knew to request a seat by the fireplace and I'm happy to report the water was hot enough to properly steep the tea this time!

The hotel was able to accommodate Helen's vegetarian diet requirements and FYI for vegans, they have a menu for you as well! They just need 24-hour notice for both menus.

Shangri-La Hotel

188 University Avenue,

647.788.8294

{Shades of...Viktor & Rolf}

It's been a revolving door of beautiful people at the Viktor & Rolf flagship store in Paris this week. Maybe they were drawn to the chic, noise-reducing, felt fabric interior? (Or maybe it was the free fashion week clothes...) Designed by Architecture & Associés, the whole entire store is furnished in grey felt. Check out Miroslava Duma's video below for a tour...I especially LOVE the grey felt floral arrangement.

{RIP Indian Rice Factory}

Indian Rice Factory on Dupont Street at Howland Avenue is closed. Forever. I made plans to have dinner there and when I arrived, I saw the windows were papered up. After 40 years of business they called it quits and I couldn't be more disappointed. It was the best fine Indian dining in Toronto...not the kind with white table cloths and dusty damask curtains, instead it had a chic nouveau atmosphere with the most delicious menu. I literally dream about their biryani, pan-fried paneer and most of all their curried duck with caramelized onions. It was a sad day for me.

Storefront photo from West Annex News

{Afternoon Tea: Shangri-La Toronto}

The Shangri-La hotel is a very fancy place so of course they would have afternoon tea. Tea is served in their Lobby Lounge so you're kind of sitting out in the open for all passerbys to see. Maybe that's why there were so many hipsters, business people and Asian foodies hanging out there on a Saturday afternoon.

The tea service itself is pretty good. The sandwiches were nothing special (egg salad, chicken, etc.) but they were really tasty. The desserts were visually fun with lots of different shapes, sizes and textures. My favourite was the panna cotta served in mini glass cups. The menu had a short list of recommended teas but if you're in the know you can ask for their tea bible which boasts a list of 68 teas (I don't know if it's actually called a bible but I call it that). The teas in the book range from $15 to the ridiculous. I ordered Kenyan Purple tea which was $15 a pot and I didn't get any extra charges for straying away from the suggested menu.