#twoshells in the 6ix

This is our first time together in Toronto. It was very special for us to be able to unite in our homeland. Situated in the intersection of queen and spadina, the heart of Toronto and the city's fashion district we engaged ourselves to a mini photo shoot. Chilly as a December afternoon could be in downtown Toronto, Nicola managed to pull off her 3 inch black booties with her trendy half and half houndstooth patterned/ black skinnys that she made back in bella Sicilia, and to keep the look stylish instead of wearing an oversized jacket that may cover her intended look, Nicola decided to layer sweaters together keeping her overall outfit intact. 

Toronto is a very creative and imaginative city, we as Torontonians embrace our muliti cultural and innovative artists. Therefore, we decided to walk around the back alleys of queen and spadina showing you the beautiful art display our city has to offer. Bold colours and interesting creatures are portrayed on the walls making us wonder the stories behind them. Stephanie kept her look cool, by throwing a pair of dark denim adding a black dress shirt and combining it with a navy laced top, putting her favourite leather jacket, to finish it off she accessorized by adding a circle faux fur scarf to block out the harsh winds.

Although, we didn't have enough time together we surely enjoyed our day spent in our city. The next time we're back in Toronto, we hope that it will be much warmer so we can display our amazing outfits and really show our amazing city. 

xo Nicola & Stephanie 

#twoshells

Queen West

Toronto is a city where you can find every type of food from around the world, hear a million different languages just by walking down the street, and are able to try a new coffee shop, restaurant, or bar every day of the week. Every step or turn you take allows you a glimpse of the iconic symbols and landmarks that define this city and bring a smile to your face, because you know you’re home. And since I was home I took advantage of everything the city had to offer, especially the fashion district. I went at least once a week to Queen Street, even in rush hour (and if you have ever been in Toronto you know that it is like going through hell, being stuck on the DVP with no end in sight), but I made it through all this in the name of love for fashion.

 My little sister always came with me, since she loves the city almost as much as I do and was on summer holiday. We would start by getting our Starbuck’s coffee, or if we were feeling ambitious, go to Dark Horse Coffee and Espresso Bar, which I would rate as almost as good, if not better, but don’t hold that against me! Then we would peruse the vintage clothing stores and walk into every fabric store, which can be very overwhelming, since they are usually filled from floor to ceiling with colourful bales of cloth of every type. But I somehow let inspiration come to me and decided to purchase fabric with a hound’s-tooth and checkered motif for my fall and winter designs. I found some beautiful Italian silks, which shockingly and not rightfully were less expensive than they would have been in Italy, if you can fathom that! Then my sister would try on clothes at American Apparel and I would chat with my vivacious friend Corona who works there. After that we would head to lunch, visiting my favourite joint in Toronto called The Grilled Cheese in Kensington. My gosh their food is delicious and grilled cheese is my favourite thing to eat. They do an amazing job of grilling the most decadent of cheeses: I had the caramelized onion apple cheddar and avocado grilled gooeyness and I savored every bite! On these days I decided to go for an urban, more casual look, opting for long skirts with slits, pairing one with a checkered bustier from the 50s and scarf wrapped on my upper arm (very Carrie Bradshaw inspired) or layering a lovely evening gown with a cropped loose tee, taking night to day, using my closet in a very versatile way. These are my favourite type of days: being downtown, surrounded by a creative urban vibe and enjoying everything this amazing city has to offer.

More Toronto to come....

xo Nicola 

There Is Something To Be Said For The Pure Joy Of Dressing Up And Going Out, Of Being Young And Alive In The City

Oh Canada, how I have missed you! It was so good to be home: “you really don’t know what you got till its gone” and that’s what I realized more and more as the time passed when I was gone. I made a long list of places, food and experiences I wanted to go to, taste, smell and see. I had the overpowering desire to jut stand in the middle of the beautiful city, the place where I found my back bone, Toronto and just look up: where all you see is a glimpse of sky and skyscrapers around just hugging you. I wanted to go to Starbucks and stand in line to order my non-fat caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso and have them miss spell my name on that iconic cup. I wanted to wake up and sit at the breakfast table with my family. I wanted to sit on the patio and girl talk with my friends. Or have sing along musicals with my best friend Trevor. Or taste the foods of the world that are only a dial away. These are all things and more that you realize you are so used to but will miss so much, when they are no longer available to you.  So trust me: I made sure upon setting foot in Canada to get going on conquering this list of things to do.

First things first: a Starbucks coffee… and why not get dressed up for your errands. I never miss an opportunity of creating a cute new outfit to wear. Like this one here: just high-waisted jeans, cable knit crop top sweater with nautical accessories to make it more summery.

        

I also had to go downtown right away for brunch since Italians believe that one espresso or three is a good enough breakfast for anyone, when they don’t know what they’re missing: an amazing breakfast lunch special that will start any day  off with a smile. So I took my sister to Insomnia on Bloor, where they have the best homefries around and did I mention the French toast, which is to “die for”, where you will find heaven in just one bite Then we proceeded to walk the shops of Bloor and Yorkville to parooze the vintage shops and buy those delicious macaroons from Morocco! And what better way to celebrate a girls’ day out on he town with a fun patterned pair of pants (which I sewed myself) with big accessories to match.

 I also took the time to catch up with my oldest and  “bestest” friends and my family, whom I had missed so much. I took every opportunity there was, when I wasn’t busy cooking, helping around the house, or exercising at hot yoga to spend a nice lunch or dinner with them. Here you can see some fun pictures from a pool party with Bbq that I hosted at my parents’ house.  I made my own guacamole, salsa, mango chutney, quinoa burgers and hamburgers for everyone to enjoy! It just tastes better when it’s homemade.

I then met my friend Jenn for lunch at Gusto, where we got to catch up and take her adorable little Morkie Monty for a walk. Where I took the opportunity to wear a wrap dress I had sewn many years ago but still great for a nice lunch pairing it with nice earrings or just to throw it on to go to the beach.

  

         

But best of all was the patio at el Catrin (in the Distillery District), which is amazing (the best in the city), I have to say, not to mention the Mexican food and pitcher of Mojitos and Kathleen’s company: all in all a fabulous experience! But to top it off, just before I left for Cuba I spent a night with Jenn and Trevor and Kathleen at a Spice Girl cover band concert. You can’t go wrong with that! It was soo much fun dancing to all the classics as Trevor twirled me threw me around the dance floor. I had such a good time! …and of course I had to wear my self -made jeans with leather details to this event, because what else could be better to wear on a night out dancing on the town.

Well, that pretty much concludes the first part of my Canadian adventure! 

Now I’m headed to Cuba ….Ciao till then! 

xo Nicola 

PS. All pants and dress were created and designed by me #shameless