Sveta's Blog

WIW: my mini vacation in Toronto

January 5, 2015

We live 2 hours from Toronto. My hubby and I used to go there from time to time: visit friends, for a specific event (like visiting an art exhibit or Aquarium), for YLF gatherings (OK, that would be myself only :-) )...However we suddenly realized that after living that close to Toronto for 16 years we do not know it as a city at all! It is really weird but it looks like we did not plan to explore it because it is so close and we can drive there for one day we did not really consider it as a vacation spot. Over the years we saw more of Chicago, Washington, Boston and Montreal than we ever saw of Toronto. Heck, it appears I know Paris and Lisbon much better than this great city which is almost in our backyard!
So when I learned that our son ( who moved to Toronto last fall) is going for a week to New York I decided that we can stay in his downtown apartment for a couple of days and do some  exploring this Christmas holiday season - and so we did! 
We had a blast and those 48 hours we spent in Toronto felt like much longer time to us. The weather really cooperated too  - it was above freezing, no snow and no rain - more that Canadians can hope for in the end of December!

 This is what we did and what I wore :-) :
 pic 1 - Friday afternoon
This outfit was worn on the drive from London to Toronto, then a sushi lunch with our son before he had to go to an airport and then on the walk through the waterfront and downtown area. My purple London Fog trench was worn over this outfit and was warm enough for that mild December afternoon.
pic 2 - Friday night
In the evening we had a lovely dinner with my former co-worker in a  nice Thai restaurant and then took a Go train (another new to us Toronto experience) to meet our other friends and went to a salsa dance club together. I wore my black man coat from Danier as it was much colder during the night.
pic 3 - Saturday morning and afternoon
This outfit was worn for 7 hour exploration walking tour.  It took us through downtown to the beautiful University of Toronto and then to the Bata Shoe museum. We liked it very much and spent about 2 hours there. I love shoes but I have never thought how important role they played in human history. The last exhibit we saw there was "Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century" which was really fascinating. Then we had a lovely lunch in the Annex and walked all way back to our old downtown apartment through a Kensigton Market and Chinatown.
pic 4 - Saturday night
In the evening we went to see a play in the Entertainment District - "The Heart of Robin Hood". It was quite fun and we had a good time. I wore my black wool coat on top of this outfit as the night was quite cold.
pic 5 - Sunday morning
On our last 0.5 day in Toronto we explored an old downtown, antique  market  at St Lawrence and the restored Distillery district which has brick paved streets, cool art galleries, shops and restaurants. It was a colder day so I wore my black wool coat again. We had a nice lunch at the Mexican restaurant in the Distillery district and then hot chocolate in the cafe there (mmm... hot chocolate with chili pepper - warms you up in a cinch on a cold winter day!) I wore this down vest instead of the coat on the drive home, It appeared to be a very useful addition to my wardrobe so far!

I think it was my first vacation trip when I packed so much variety in clothing for only 2 days and also the first one where I did not agonize over this selection when packing.

My hubby and I enjoyed our short vacation very much and decided that it was only first of our Toronto vacations - there definitely will be more to come! :-)
Thank you for looking and sharing my experience in Toronto - recapping it here is almost like experiencing it all over again!

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

30 Comments

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Sveta, you are stunning x 5 in these outfits! The white jacket (leather?) is so gorgeous on you, dressed up and down with the dress and the white jeans. Love the J. Crew "framed tee" on you--I thought it was a sweater. It looks great over the white shirt.
    I really enjoyed your description of your trip. What a fun-packed couple of days. Isn't it funny how you can overlook the gems right in your own area? Glad you got a chance to explore Toronto from the comfort of an apartment--how nice!

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I like your black and white packing concept Sveta. Sounds like a great getaway. I have only been in Toronto in the summer - which is for the best. It is wonderful in the summer.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Sounds like you had a great mini vacation. All of your outfits look perfect for your trip, and that Maggie London dress looks beautifully styled with the white jacket and necklace. The down vest in #5 is a good color for you - I find those vests to be very versatile, great for car rides as they keep your arms free.

    That shoe museum sounds really interesting! 

  • Lucy replied 9 years ago

    Entirely perfect holiday looks! You look amazing. I love them all, especially #4, but really you rock them all :)

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Firecracker, the white jacket is leather and is from Danier - 2 year old now. I don't know why JCrew calls this cashmere sweater "tee" - it is a real cashmere sweater to my eye!
    Shevia, I did not even think about "black and white" but you are right! The t-neck in the last picture is ink though, not black but I did have a majority of white and black items paired with a sprinkle of other colors.
    Karie, I also find that this vest is very useful for a long car ride - and I adore this "orchid" color!
    Lucy - thank you!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    So glad you had a good break in the city, even though we could not see each other. (sobbing) But I am glad to hear you plan to make this a more regular thing! 

    Fabulous outfits every one -- I am surprised at how well the leather jacket works over that gorgeous dress! Very clever of you to focus on two core neutrals with pops of colour or other neutrals. 

  • Windchime replied 9 years ago

    Your mini vacation sounds wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it as I'm housebound on day seven of flu recovery! I love seeing how you put familiar pieces into new outfits with such fab results. Where is the short black vest from?

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    Wow, great write up and fab outfits. I can't pick a favorite!! Sounds like you had a really nice time. Reminds me there's plenty to see in my own town, too :)

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    What a great idea!  Toronto has a ton to offer, I hope you can take more of these.  Your clothing choices look perfect, as usual :)  Very cohesive.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    A killer black/white/ tan capsule, Sveta. WOW. I can't pick a fave, but am glad you had a great 2 days with hubs in the city. 

    HAH. You're rocking that plaid shirt. You brought a little of Seattle with you. xo

  • kellygirl replied 9 years ago

    Whoa, what a treat. I can't believe what a cohesive style you have. Each photo is better than the next. Love all of your outfits but especially 3 and 4. YLF!

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    What a great post to read Sveta - love your outfits for your vacation -  not sure if I could pick a favorite but I really like the white jeans on you so I'll say #1.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    What a fab sounding mini-vacation! Isn't it funny that sometimes we barely know the city we either live in or close to? I'm totally guilty of that.....

    Your travel capsule is outstanding. Wow! I love all outfits. That long sleeved dress is versatile and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. As usual you are so creative and inspirational.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Now, this is a   really dressy travelling capsule with all those whites, wow-it's very different and stylish! YLF Sveta in all of the outfits here! So glad you had the opportunity to explore Toronto, your trip sounds so enterteining!

  • Krissy replied 9 years ago

    So glad you had fun in Toronto! It's where I grew up. :) 

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    LOVE these layered looks!  #3 is my favorite.  I am having so much trouble finding a tunic-length white buttondown!

  • MsMaven replied 9 years ago

    What a great way to use color to tie together your travel wardrobe. I love all the looks, especially 3 & 4. 

  • Jennifer replied 9 years ago

    Sveta - just wanted to say you look so gorgeous and elegant!  I wish I could look half as put together as you!

  • Ornella replied 9 years ago

    Another Sveta Lookbook! You have really found your style groove and it is so wonderful to enjoy the visuals, all consistently beautiful, creative, fun and with the inevitable dose of Sveta-glamour.

    Your mini-vacation sounds wonderful, you had made the most of the time you've had. Isn't it funny how we take the places (close to) where we live for granted and think we should explore elsewhere first??

    All amazing outfits. Special mention to the polkadot vest only because I have not seen it before - it is adorable.

     

  • Michelle replied 9 years ago

    WAAAA!! You were in my town and I had no idea! :( But I'm delighted that your experience this time was enough to lure you back so maybe I can see you next time. What Thai restaurant did you hit up?

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Thank you ladies!
    Suz, I am sobbing too! Let's hope we can do it soon!
    Windchime, the black vest is from a consignment store. I hope you recover from your flu soon!
    Angie, this plaid shirt is PERFECT for winter travel :-)
    texstyle, my first thought was that white jeans are out for the travel...but then I thought: why not? Surely I can wear them twice on the trip and I also have Tide-to-Go in my purse. They do not look practical but they are sure brightening a greay winter day! :-)
    Ornella, I had an inkling that you would like my polka dot vest!
    Michelle, it was Mengrai Thai restaurant on Ontario St. There was really no time to fit any meetings into these 48 hours as we were already meeting friends and my former co-worker. But there will be a next time and then you are on!

  • harmonica replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic style! Your name is written over all the outfits. Glad you had a good time in Toronto. So nice to explore the "neighborhood" :-)

  • retailgirl replied 9 years ago

    You look great! And why not overpack when you're driving? I have a soft spot for Toronto because I saw the Beatles there in 1965 at Maple Leaf Gardens! Plus I used to listen to Toronto radio ( at night) in those pre FM radio days. ( I lived in NW Pennsylvania.). Many TV shows and movies are filmed in Toronto; I can usually tell.

  • Michelle replied 9 years ago

    Sveta, I know Mengrai. It's walking distance from my office. Did the owner break out his slideshow of all the famous people who've eaten there? :p
    Your reply

  • Hilary replied 9 years ago

    What a fantastic and chic capsule.  Especially liking looks 4 & 5.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    I love that you didn't have to agonize over packing.  That is the beauty of a limited color palette.  Extremely impressed that #3 survived 7 hours on foot.  What shoes were you wearing?

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    What a fabulous trip capsule.  There is such a lovely consistency to your wardrobe Sveta and it seems to work well across all activities.

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Thank you ladies.
    Denise, those were UGG booties which I have in my finds. They are comfortable and have sheepskin inserts which is a bonus in December! :-)

  • trekkiegirl replied 9 years ago

    What a great mini vaca :)

    The dress in 2 has an amazing pattern, it's gorgeous.

    But I have to say my favorite outfit is #4 - it's so classic and timeless, but you made it unique and distinctly your own.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    You have made a gorgeous travel capsule, Sveta!  It may not be minimalist, but it's clear that you had many mix/match options, which is always best when you've got lots of activities in a short period of time.  Your silhouettes and proportions are masterful.

    Glad you found time to get away!

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