Wednesday, February 29, 2012

2girls Photo Shoot Teaser

Yesterday 2girls had our photos taken by our fabulous friend Rachel Hlinko of Love As A Verb.  We will be posting more of the pics soon, but we wanted to share a teaser with you today because we just couldn't wait.  What do you think of our spring colours?



Happy Leap Day!

It's February 29th - and that only happens every 4 years!  What are you going to do with this extra day on the calendar?  Whether you spend it at work or play, we hope you make it special.



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brunch Bits & Bites: Lola's Commissary

Brunch is perhaps the best part of any weekend in Toronto.  Whenever I talk to my friends from Atlanta, they seem to marvel at how often we do brunch up here.  But it's true, Toronto has an amazing brunch culture and unbelievable brunch spots throughout the city.


Yesterday, I popped by one of my absolute favourite brunch spots - Lola's Commissary (also called Lola's Kitchen) located on Church Street between Hayden and Charles.  




Ok, so y'all probably think I enjoy it purely on it's proximity to my house, which while an awesome bonus, I really just love everything about Lola's brunch.  I wish I could comment on the different food options which all look so scrumptious, but because I'm a creature of habit I can really comment only on the eggs bennies...which are UNBELIEVABLE.


What's so deeeelish about the bennies are that they're made with toasted organic whole wheat biscuits.  That's right, I said biscuits!  YUM.  Being from the South, I crave biscuits like crazy and it's so hard to find any restaurant up here that serves biscuits, let alone makes them well.  But Lola's manages to make them so good, that I'll even venture to say they can rival a southern brunch spot.  I got the 'Shroom Benny for the first time yesterday, which was made with mushrooms and caramelized onions.  Unreal.


I highly recommend Lola's if you are looking for a delightful little brunch spot.  But, be warned, make a reservation because it gets pizzity packed!  Here are some other scenes from brunch.



Hope you have a happy Sunday!  Anyone try any great brunch places today?

-Mel  

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bangles and Earrings Galore!

Like my dear friend, Melissa, I too have a thing for accessories. My weakness is bangles and earrings. I absolutely love them and can't stop buying or wearing them.

My love for bangles started when I was introduced to Bollywood several years back. The gorgeous outfits accompanied by beautiful bangles...how could I not love them?? They are a perfect addition to any outfit...whether casual or dressy. Not only do my friends fuel my accessory obsession by buying me more and more bangles, but I even went so far as to borrow (aka never give back) some of my sister's wedding bangles. I mean, she doesn't need them anymore right?

Here are a few photos to bring my bangle obsession to life.  I don't have that many!

 



I love earrings as much as I love bangles. I always say the bigger the better too! When Melissa and I went to Chicago in November we both bought around 15 pairs of earrings...and we both have awesome taste, since we mainly picked out the same ones. Like bangles, earrings can jazz up an outfit, so obviously you can never have enough earrings. I have so many now, that I had to purchase the very cool, Little Black Dress accessory holder from Umbra. I still have a few empty slots though...guess that means I can go shopping!


xo,
Noor

Friday, February 24, 2012

#TGIF

YAYAYAYAYAY!  The weekend is HEEEERE!



What are you doing this weekend?  Any tips on weekend activities in Toronto?


-Mel

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Accessorize, y'all!

A few posts ago I disclosed my weakness: my dress obsession.   Although I do profess that whenever I go shopping, my eyes are immediately drawn to any frilly, fabulous, flirty and foxy dress on any rack, I have found myself straying to the shiny and sparkly world of accessories!


In Montreal a couple of weekends ago, my friend Steph and I were shopping the boutiques up and down Saint Laurent, and I found myself drawn to a purse that was basically bedazzled with skulls. Yes, you read right...skulls!  After picking it up and putting it down a few times, we actually left the store...shopped a little more and grabbed a crepe...but then happened back upon the store.  Obviously, it was fate's way of saying that I had to purchase the purse.  Afterall, who else would be rawking a skull purse?






I actually was a lot more compelled to get the purse because of this little bling that I recently acquired from a store in Yorkville.




Today was another fabulous accessory day because I finally received my Blackberry Shake from helloberry inc.  I love, love, love this bracelet and am also pumped that the bracelets are made by a local Toronto designer.  I even got a few more mini shakes for good measure!


So, how are y'all accessorizing lately?  Any baubles you've purchased that you just want to share?  Tell us about your finds.


-Mel

A Brimful of Asha...a story of generational divide


Last week, my sister surprised me with tickets to the Tarragon Theatre play, A Brimful of Asha.  Ever since I read about it in the 2011/12 season handbook, I knew I wanted to see this play, but when I went to look for tickets, they were all sold out.  I was so bummed that I was going to miss the chance to see Asha, but when I got the call from my big sis, I was more than excited!!



Before the play started, we were greeted by the stars of the play, real-life mother and son, Asha and Ravi Jain.  We were welcomed into their home, chatted with them and even had a tasty samosa to start.  The atmosphere in the theatre was alive with energy; and this set the tone for what turned out to be an incredible night filled with fun and more laughter than I ever imagined.   

Asha and Ravi asked the audience to help solve a dispute...and who doesn't want to be a problem solver?!  So, with an intent audience, we were taken back to 2007.  Ravi had decided to take a trip to India for some acting workshops and to explore the country...a great opportunity to do what he loves; act.  Knowing that he was taking this trip, his mother saw this as an opportunity to introduce her son to some potential brides...and this is where the story of generational and cultural differences within one family begins.    



Throughout the play, Ravi and Asha explained the not-so-unfamiliar terms of a bio-data (think resume...but for the purpose of marriage) and the steps one takes to have an arranged marriage.  Asha put it best when she said, 'marriage is not just between the two people getting married, but marriage is a union of two families,' and as the words were coming out of her mouth, I could just picture my own mother sitting at that kitchen table, saying the same thing to me. I mean, it makes sense right?  Your child goes back to the motherland, so obviously that means your parents need to look for a suitable partner, right?  Um...WRONG.  But this is why the play worked so well, it showcases a cultural divide that so many of us deal with.  

My parents grew up in Iraq but I was raised in Canada and have a COMPLETELY different view on marriage and how I want to go about meeting someone.  There were so many parts of the play that reminded me of my own struggles with my family.  In fact, I could have easily pictured my own mom sitting in Asha's seat the entire time.  Everything she said; the logic behind why she wants her 32 year old son to settle down and get married and the way she wants to go about it...I swear it was like they were telling my story.

As the night went on, Asha and Ravi told both sides of the story and at the end of the play, the audience had a decision to make.  Team Asha or Team Ravi.  Clearly, I was team Ravi all the way, but my own sister (someone who was also raised in Canada by the way) was team Asha.  She agreed with her logic and is pushing me to get married...perhaps not to the extreme of going to Iraq to meet someone, but still.  I mean, I had to remind her that she is in a 'love marriage' and not an arranged one, so she was not allowed to be on Team Asha.  By the way, I feel strange using the term 'love marriage,' I mean the 'love' part should go without saying...but with arranged marriages, I've been told that will come later.      

Seeing the cultural divide and generational differences between this mother and son reminded me of my own family and I'm sure many more felt the same way.  I was so unbelievably happy to see this play...I only wish my mother came along with us...it would have been like looking in a mirror for her.  

I discovered the Tarragon Theatre last year and have been lucky enough to go see several plays now and I have to say, A Brimful of Asha has been my favourite.  If you saw A Brimful of Asha, I would love to hear what you thought of it!

xo,
Noor  



2girls moves to Blogger!


Hi from 2girls!

So we've been blogging for about a year now, and have decided to make some formatting changes that have brought us over from our old blog URL to Blogger.  We will still continue to do our usual Tuesday Tunes and posts from both of our perspectives, but hopefully this format will give us a more dynamic way to share what's been going on with us both.

Chat soon!
Mel