Wish I Was There

Our favourite flower child channels Kerouac for the glam-gal's guide to...

The Great American Road Trip

A Checklist

Photographs and text by the inimitable Miss Haley Cullingham

Smoke cigarettes under the stars behind a gas station in New Mexico.

Drink tall cans of beer in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Take a nap on the seawall under the Bay Bridge in San Francisco.

Read Kerouac out loud while driving east.

Find all the crazy Nevada towns that pop like neon circuses out of the desert.

Wake up in the Redwood trees.

See a Chicago sunset, and a Michigan sunrise.

Stay awake til 4 am in Brooklyn.

Hear how music sounds in California.

Buy hand-tooled leather purses in Oregon.

Make up new constellations and find maps in the sky.

Point west, find adventure.

Night Owls

When drifting off seems to be all-together too daunting a task, and the big hand is slowly creeping into the wee hours, it's time to pound the pavement.  Round up a gang of fellow insomniacs, and seek out a vista.

Some notable nighttime walks include:

The Brickworks

(pictured above, photography by Chris Taylor)

Just east of the DVP, and north of the Danforth, this is a sight to be seen day or night.  You'll want to have an idea of where you're going before you head out (or not...) and make sure you have plenty of time to rest your feet the next day.

The Lakeshore

Though we live in a bustling metropolis, we are in fact situated quite near one of the largest lakes in the world (Lake Ontario).  Head off down Yonge Street and keep walking, you'll end up at the lake.  Just don't get too carried away and do something completely irrational like going in the water.

Casa Loma

Yes it's true.  There is a castle, a real-live castle, in Toronto.  It's at St Clair and Bathurst.  Don't forget your tiara!

What To Wear

No matter where you're headed, there are a few things to keep in mind for a nighttime trek.

1. Dress warmly.  You will regret it if you don't.  Whether you're layering an extra sweater, wrapping yourself up in a long pashmina, or tucking your locks into a soft, warm cap, make sure you'll be able to handle winter's worst for more than a few hours.
2. Wear sensible footwear.  This point is not often made, so heed this advice now if ever.  Long walks are not the appropriate environment for high heels, and anything with an open toe, or open at all, is completely unacceptable in the dead of winter.
3. Wear socks!  If you think you're going to get your feet wet, bring extras.  Cold, wet feet are every walker's worst enemy.
4. Bring a camera!  Nothing like a few nice shots of you comrades out and about wreaking havoc.  Just be mindful while wreaking that you don't do anything illegal.  It's nighttime, you're not invisible.
5. Bring a little change for a warm drink on the way home.  Bring some bills if you're feeling generous.  (And you should feel generous often, it's contagious!)

Have fun out there.

They Do It Better In The Maritimes

With the fall term behind her and nothing but time on her hands this Exam Break, Romance Correspondent Maddie Webber takes to the skies for a sisterly visit to the East Coast.  Take a look at her photographs and travel tips.

All photographs by Madeline F Webber, taking a break from the black-and-white norm, since these colours are too good to resist.

Tip # 1

If you're a little timid to fly by yourself, don't be.  That is simply the only way to put it.  There are to-ooons of people who are more than happy to help you find your way, or answer your questions- that's what they're there for!

Tip # 2

Don't bring packaged foods onto the plane.  This is the mistake I made.  I figured that I'd be really hungry during the two-hour plane ride, so I bought a bag of SmartFood, unbeknownst to me that the air pressure changes as altitude changes.  So since the smart food wasn't vacuum-packed, it almost burst by the time I pulled it out of my bag.  Luckily, I had a marker to pop the bag open.  Unluckily, it sounded like a gun shot... on a plane.

Tip # 3

Bring your camera!  You don't have to be a good photographer to take a good picture on a plane.  The skies are so beautiful and the views are surreal.

Tip # 4

Pack more than you need.  Although this may contradict everything everybody else has said about packing light, I think it's more important to have more than you need.  Especially if you have an unexpected flight cancellation.

How To Brave The Subway, With Grace and Elegance

Though it is always preferable to take a taxi or have a driver pick you up, it is often not within the young lady's budget to do so, especially after a day at the shops. With this in mind, one should always be equipped with the means and knowledge to take public transport.

1. Carry tokens. Much easier (and often slightly less pricey) than buying a single fare over and over and over again.
2. Purchase a Day Pass when necessary. For all you Torontonians, this means upwards of four trips. Metro cards are great, though not always 100% practical for infrequent subway-goers.
3. Be aware of when the subway closes. Either this, or carry enough funding for a taxi if you simply must stay out late.
4. When actually in the car, be aware of other passengers. It is common courtesy to offer your seat to those who need it more than you. As a young person, this means everyone else. In particularity: pregnant women or mothers with their children, the elderly, injured parties, people with large shopping bags, etc.
5. While on the topic of shopping bags, try not to bring these onto the subway/streetcar/bus in abundance. They are a hassle to you, a nuisance to those around you, and do not qualify for a seat of their own.
6. If you find yourself having to stand, do not grumble about it. Place your feet squarely apart, at about shoulder-width, hold a railing for support, and be aware of the car's movement- you'll get the hang of it much more quickly than you'd think!
7. You don't have to make lasting bonds with everyone on the car, but you most certainly do not need to make mortal enemies either. Smile politely, respond to queries should they arise, and treat other passengers kindly.
8. If you see someone you know on the car, do not shout. Try to catch their eye, or make your way over to them if traffic allows. Now is not the time for a large commotion, so save the blubbering and carrying on for your high school reunion.
9. If you're riding with someone, keep your conversation to a low volume, and as always, appropriate. No one wants to hear about your wild night out, your life's biggest mistakes, or your (gasp!) bathroom activities. Keep private conversations just that- private.
10. Use up the space alloted to you, and no more. If seated, keep one ankle tucked behind the other, hand on lap, shopping bags neatly stowed beneath your seat. If standing, do not slump over, keep your arms, hands, legs, feet and wits about you and be conscious of others. Along these lines is scent, believe it or not. Perfume is an essential part of every lady's morning ritual, but be mindful of the power and intensity of this perfume. Try not to smother passengers with your lingering odour, even if it is pleasant.

And lastly, mind the gap!

We're Going To The Country

Off to a weekend jaunt to ye olde countryside? Perhaps a sojourn at the ski hill? Make sure you know what to pack, and how to pack it well. Packing a suitcase is a delicate art. The first and most important rule to remember is to be minimal in your approach. Don't skimp by any means, but don't weigh down the bellboy- especially if there won't be a bellboy.

A Few Quick Tips and Tricks

1. Choose your case carefully. A hockey bag may be appropriate for camp, but it's not a great idea for a trip to the Plaza. Stick to classic colours- black luggage is always a good call, but if you can pinch a few pennies, the ultimate trousseau has two special letters written all over it- L and V.
2. Line the bottom of your suitcase with your heaviest items- shoes, bulky sweaters, pants. Be sure to wrap your shoes up in ziplocks to keep your other items spic and span.
3. Layer clothing from heaviest to lightest, being careful to use as few folds as possible in order to keep clothing fresh-looking. Try to have an iron lined up at the other end of your travels, but if not, keep it in mind that your clothing choices shouldn't wrinkle too much along the way.
4. Be careful to wrap anything that might leak onto your clothing, especially if you're flying. Air pressure can pop those bottles, and that's bad news for your modest amount of clothing and accessories.
5. On that note, accessories are a girl's best friend when on-the-go. Stick to a few colours for clothing (black and cream, black and cream!) that you can mix and match, accessories will transport your outfits from it's-all-I-had to it's-all-too-fab.
   

Lastly, keep your destination in mind when making clothing choices, bring along a hostess gift (fresh blooms, pastries, something seasonal, something local, etc) and have a lovely weekend!

More on guest etiquette to come!

New York City Dreamin'

For all you Big Apple-hopefuls wishing away the wintry hours.

Everyday Eloise

Brand new contributor and seasoned city girl Amanda Michal (pictured below in Paris) brings us a taste of the Suite Life.

There's something rather fabulous about the concept of calling a hotel your home.

I repeat, the concept is rather fabulous.

For the better part of December my family and I set up base in a lovely hotel in Toronto.  And as any city girl knows, there is method to metropolitan madness.  Therefore, here are a few suggestions for anyone planning a hotel invasion:

1. My first mistake was over-packing.  I mean, really in what possible situation could one person need an entire suitcase devoted to heels when all I ever wanted to wear was flats?
2. The second oversight is to ever take a cab.  It wasn't until almost the last week that I discovered "The Path" - Toronto's underground world.  I was so impressed that I could go anywhere without a coat or ruining my hair.
3. Be sure of your purchases.  Don't buy that certain something right away- it's practically guaranteed that you will find something amazing an hour after you've spent your last dime.
4. Never anger the maids.  This is possibly the most important lesson.  Keeping an untidy room is unwise.  They have a key and will use it as early as they please.

All things considered, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  It really was an impossibly fun and totally unique experience.  Although, that said, there is something nice and familiar about a real home and your own pillow.

There's No Place Like Home

It's good to be back.

Wish You Were Here...

Wherever you go, send a postcard.

It's only polite.

To Market, To Market, To Buy A Fat Pig

One must eat in order to live, so you might as well do it right.  A trip to the market, no matter the season, is your best bet for the freshest produce and the most colourful characters.  Always keep in mind when visiting your local market to treat everyone extremely kindly, smile quite a lot, and make pleasant conversation- you never know which vendor will a) become your lifelong butcher/baker/candlestick maker or b) cut you a bargain on that head of lettuce.

The "I'm-off-to-market" Playlist

1. Beirut Elephant Gun
2. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
3. Simon and Garfunkel America
4. Stars Elevator Love Letter
5. Bob Dylan Wigwam
6. Unit 2 + 4 Concrete and Clay
7. Zoot Sims Blinuet

Stay tuned for Tips, Tricks and What to Wear for a Successful Market Trip

La Belle Vie

To all those with the travel bug but no means of hitting that open road, best wishes for a frugal second semester.  Tune in later for travel tips, tricks and etiquette.

Step One: Know Your Whereabouts