Ali de Bold
Member Since: August 31, 2006Reviews
Earth Bloor West
Earth Bloor West, located at Bloor and Jane in Bloor West Village is the second location for this concept from Restauranteur, Ed Ho. Earth Rosedale is the first location and he also owns Globe Bistro. Earth Bloor West is in a huge space that... +
Earth Bloor West, located at Bloor and Jane in Bloor West Village is the second location for this concept from Restauranteur, Ed Ho. Earth Rosedale is the first location and he also owns Globe Bistro.
Earth Bloor West is in a huge space that includes a bar area, dining room and rooftop patio. It is something that the Bloor West area has needed for some time as there are very few restaurants in the area that truly inspire.
The design is high end style and the menu is "think global, eat local" a concept I really appreciate.
I have only been here once so far and we ordered dinner in the bar area. We started with the heirloom tomato plate, which was delicious. Farm fresh sliced heirloom tomatoes with fresh basil leaves, grilled ciabatta and birch syrup.
An interesting menu item I found amusing was 'Pig Bits'. I don't know what they are, just that I didn't want any.
For main courses, we had the "Canada's Finest Plate", which turned out to be Cornish Hen, on creamy encrusted mashed potatoes with fresh veggies and some sort of heavenly sauce and the local carnivore flatbread.
Our bill, including a glass of wine was around $70, which I think is reasonable for a fresh meal all using local, healthy ingredients. Overall we were quite pleased with the food.
Our service that night was not very good. The server was quite occupied with a friend of hers sitting at the bar and we had to waive her down each time we needed something. Being heavily pregnant, this is additionally frustrating since I'm always ravenous. We were able to score some warm sour milk biscuits to help tide me over but those I found a bit too sour.
Overall, great ambiance, great concept and despite the mediocre service on our first visit, we will be back.
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Cranberry Flirt
I am conflicted. Ever since spotting this cute little nail and blowdry bar I've wanted to try it. I finally did last week - twice, with two very different experiences. The first was a manicure and pedicure. Though the technician didn't... +
I am conflicted. Ever since spotting this cute little nail and blowdry bar I've wanted to try it. I finally did last week - twice, with two very different experiences.
The first was a manicure and pedicure. Though the technician didn't speak much English and I had to remind her of what was included with the pedicure I purchased (a foot scrub), she was detail oriented and did a great job.
The next day I went back for a wax. I had asked the manager the day before how experienced her waxers were as my skin is super sensitive right now being pregnant so waxing hurts more than ever. She assured me they were all great and really gentle. Unfortunately, it was one of the worst bikini waxes I've ever had in my life. Again, the technician didn't speak much English so when I asked her to do things a different way that would hurt less, she didn't understand.
She did not wear gloves, which I found unsanitary and her hands were sweating a little bit. What she would do is take off a strip of wax, then put her ungloved sweaty hand on the raw skin and pull it back for the next strip, sometimes also patting it, which was agony. I asked her to stop doing that. Specifically I said, "please don't put your hand back on the raw skin after you've removed the strip as it really hurts". She continued to do it. Then at one point, she pulled the strip off so slowly that it got stuck and my skin snapped back. That hurt like a M*%$@#$#@$#cker.
Eventually I couldn't bear the pain anymore and asked her to stop. The manager wasn't in, so I told the person at the cash, who charged me full price and said, "Oh. Next time ask for (some other person's name I can't remember). She's much more experienced."
Of course like a dummy I still gave her a tip because I felt bad for her. Really it is up to the owners/management of a salon to make sure that they people they hire really know what they are doing. They should get a bikini wax (and whatever other services they will be employing that person for), before unleashing them on customers.
My wax was 4 days ago and I'm still feeling a bit raw. Also, it doesn't look like I even had a wax.
I would like to try this other waxer who is more experienced, but I'm now afraid to do so. I do plan on bringing this up with the manager (who is super sweet) and I will update if I have a better experience.
For now, I recommend for the nails, but not the waxing!
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Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser
I love this cleanser. I love the fact that it's natural and feel so soft on my skin. I was recently at a Burt's Bees event where they launched this lineup of products designed specifically for sensitive skin. My skin is sensitive. If I use... +
I love this cleanser. I love the fact that it's natural and feel so soft on my skin. I was recently at a Burt's Bees event where they launched this lineup of products designed specifically for sensitive skin. My skin is sensitive. If I use the wrong product, I will get hives or red blotches on my face that fade over time. The lineup is 99% natural, fragrance free, hypo-allergenic and allergy tested. The 4 main ingredients include cotton, rice, aloe and white genepi. Cotton is the only material that does not cause allergic reaction when worn as clothes, so it makes sense to incorporate it as an ingredient for something you are applying directly to the skin.
The cleanser is soap-free and is not intended for use around the eye area, but of course that never stops me as I can't be bothered to use a separate eye makeup remover. Having said that, it is not effective at removing mascara, so this is best used on the rest of your face. It feels absolutely luxurious to use because it is such a soft, milky formula.
I love that this is natural and I would purchase this product though the one I received at the event was complimentary.
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KORRES Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturizing Cream
Siofan attended a press event and came back with a selection of beautifully packaged Korres products. As I've admitted before I'm a sucker for good design because It makes you that much more excited to open it and try the product. The Wild... +
Siofan attended a press event and came back with a selection of beautifully packaged Korres products. As I've admitted before I'm a sucker for good design because It makes you that much more excited to open it and try the product.
The Wild Rose cream is designed to moisturize and brighten skin for 24 hours and contains SPF 6. It is actually intended for normal to dry skin. I lean more towards normal/oily but I wanted to try this anyway because I needed a face cream with SPF.
The first time I used it, my skin was a bit shiny, but keep in mind it is designed for a slightly different skin type. From the second day onward however, it's been fantastic. I've now been using it for about 2 weeks and my skin looks fantastic. The cream quickly soaks into my skin and my face feels well hydrated for the rest of the day. I think this is an ideal formula for spring, fall or winter because it's a bit thicker. We'll see how it is for the hot muggy days of summer. I expect I might need something a bit lighter.
It does have a scent and it's hard to describe. It doesn't last long, which is good because I prefer not to have scent on my face, however it doesn't irritate my skin at all.
The formula has 85.1% natural content, no sulfates, phthalates, retinoal, ahas, parabens... the list goes on. I really appreciate more natural ingredients in my skincare vs. petrochemicals and unnatural preservatives.
It is $44, which is on the steep side, but you need so little of this cream, it will last awhile. As I mentioned, I did receive mine free but would repurchase this product.
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Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Weeks Indicator
This is the best at home pregnancy test on the market in my opinion. Yes it's expensive but it tells you beyond a doubt if you are pregnant or not and how far along you are. I used many tests prior to getting pregnant, most of which were the... +
This is the best at home pregnancy test on the market in my opinion.
Yes it's expensive but it tells you beyond a doubt if you are pregnant or not and how far along you are. I used many tests prior to getting pregnant, most of which were the cheapy non-digital ones with the one or two lines. Those can be a bit hard to read if you get a very faint second line. Those tests told me I wasn't pregnant 1-2 days before my Clearblue test told me I was. Even the Doctor, after doing blood tests and an initial ultrasound told me my hormones weren't very high, which of course made me worry.
However, like another reviewer said, you can chart your progress with this, taking new tests as your pregnancy progresses over the next couple of weeks since you hormones continue going up. The results max out at week 3 but by then you know you are on your way. I loved having something so specific. Doctors measure your pregnancy from the date of your last period, but this test tells you exactly how far along you really are.
I bought the double packs of these since they are expensive and I did end up using more than one. This would be my first choice if I ever suspect I'm pregnant again.
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Brownes Bistro
I have only been here once (this afternoon), but I completely fell in love with my bowl of pasta. For $15, I had the tagliatelle with scallions, roasted garlic, julienne of vegetables and kalamata olives, done in a sun-dried tomato pesto. The... +
I have only been here once (this afternoon), but I completely fell in love with my bowl of pasta. For $15, I had the tagliatelle with scallions, roasted garlic, julienne of vegetables and kalamata olives, done in a sun-dried tomato pesto. The julienne of vegetables included perfectly done asparagus with just the right amount of crispiness. There wasn't any sauce but everything was evenly coated and so delicious. I had mine topped with fresh cracked pepper and Parmesan cheese.
I recommend swapping the tagliatelle for penne if you prefer not to have pasta slapping at your chin on the way into your mouth.
The ambiance was quite nice as well. They were playing Frank Sinatra when I came in and the tables are cozy. I'd definitely go back here.
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Metagenics Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy
These prenatal vitamins are freakin' expensive. Packaged in a jumbo jar with individually wrapped servings of daily vitamins for one month, it will cost you around $80 CAD. I started taking these on recommendation of a friend who got them from... +
These prenatal vitamins are freakin' expensive. Packaged in a jumbo jar with individually wrapped servings of daily vitamins for one month, it will cost you around $80 CAD. I started taking these on recommendation of a friend who got them from her Naturopath. There are 8 pills in each package that you are supposed to take every day. I split mine in half so it lasts 2 months. Partly because of the price but also because I found there was just too much in each serving. I'm not convinced all body sizes and metabolisms should have the same amount of vitamins and supplements. I was a buck 15 before getting pregnant and I don't see how someone 30lbs heavier should have the same dose.
In my case I knew it was too much because (sorry if TMI), it was causing florescent urine and I could taste the vitamins with every burp all day long. Gross! Cutting the dose in half made a huge difference and I've found that I've been very healthy throughout my pregnancy since I started taking these. I feel really great and have so far managed to avoid getting sick, which I think is largely thanks to getting all of my vitamins and supplements.
It is by no means a substitution for eating healthy, which I also do but I feel better knowing I'm getting an extra boost for my baby.
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Still Alice by Lisa Genova
I bought this book when my Grandfather was struggling with strokes that brought about premature signs of dementia. I thought it might shed some insight into what it felt like to be him and how it would affect others in the family. I shared it with... +
I bought this book when my Grandfather was struggling with strokes that brought about premature signs of dementia. I thought it might shed some insight into what it felt like to be him and how it would affect others in the family. I shared it with other family members too.
I highly recommend this book. Not only is it a touching story but it will help you understand what you're dealing with if you find a loved one or yourself in this situation.
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Inside Job
This was extremely compelling... and infuriating! I can't believe all of these bankers have gotten away with the crime of the century and not only that, they get jobs at the White House as reward. I always joke about putting money under the... +
This was extremely compelling... and infuriating! I can't believe all of these bankers have gotten away with the crime of the century and not only that, they get jobs at the White House as reward. I always joke about putting money under the mattress as the best investment strategy but I'm starting to think that is true.
If you enjoy documentaries and have any interest in the financial markets - or the crash of the worldwide economy in '08-'09 you will want to see this!
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L-Eat Express
Fresh, healthy, reasonably priced food and a friendly welcoming staff. What more would you want for lunch? This recently opened eatery is located on Adelaide near Spadina, which I'm thrilled about since it's mere steps from my office... +
Fresh, healthy, reasonably priced food and a friendly welcoming staff. What more would you want for lunch? This recently opened eatery is located on Adelaide near Spadina, which I'm thrilled about since it's mere steps from my office. For the same price as you'd pay for a combo at Subway you can enjoy a plateful of assorted salads, hot daily specials or combine both together. Today I had eggplant parmigiana with a side of roasted potatoes and a chickpea sundried tomato salad. It was delicious and I paid around $9 tax for it. Alex ordered the veal special topped with mushrooms, which was $11 and included roasted zucchini with goat cheese and eggplant parmigiana.
I didn't get a chance to sample the desserts but Alex did yesterday and was raving about the cookies (the name of which, he conveniently forgot).
The ambiance is fresh and airy with large garage style doors that are open in good weather. We'll be back. In fact, I think we'll be there often.
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