What I've Been Up To Lately - Spring 2025

Winter hit hard this season, as I found myself digging out from a few major snowfalls. That meant plenty of cozy nights at home, but not before stopping by Chantecler for their incredible French onion soup and indulging in Porzia’s famous lasagna.

I did manage to escape the cold of Toronto for a few days to watch the Leafs play in Seattle and Vancouver. While there, we caught up with family and enjoyed some of the best dim sum I’ve ever had. To top it off, all my sisters came downtown for a family dinner together – it doesn’t get much better! 

What I Ate

It was cozy season so I was eating all of my favourite cozy meals with some of my favourite people.

• Few things bring me more joy than friends on mat leave who can join me for lunch during the week. It’s the highlight of my week—every. single. time. I know that it can be a challenge as a new mom to leave the house, so I'm always grateful when my friends take the time to see me. This time we hit up Doc's Green Door Lounge for a sandwich and a salad.

• I finally tried Gracie’s Pizza, which is doing a semi-permanent pop-up at The GetWell Bar. I went for the Hot Tropic, topped with pickled jalapeño, red onion, panna, black pepper, pineapple, basil, and chunky capicola—perfection.

• Before heading to a Marlies game, I stopped at Shake Shack at Union Station. My favorite part? They have unsweetened iced tea, which I used to only find in the U.S., but now I can get it at home sweet home.

• Between showings, I love stopping for some of my East End faves—a perk of having lived there for many years. Recently, I went to Lazy Daisy’s Cafe, where I skipped the weekend crowds and grabbed a quick seat at the window bar. My pro move? The Standard Breakfast with an upgrade to their legendary buttermilk biscuit and jam.

• Another go-to takeout spot is Wok & Roast, where you can get BBQ with rice and broccoli for just over $10. Don’t forget the ginger scallion sauce—it’s the perfect car meal.

• When the massive snowstorm hit Toronto, the only thing I wanted to make was cinnamon buns with fluffy cream cheese frosting—and lots of them.

• I’ve been going to The Yard Yoga, conveniently across the street from General Public. Pro tip: Grab your girlfriends, go to yoga, and hang out after with dippy eggs and a latte.

• Winter is the season for foods I love but don’t want to make myself, and for me, that’s French onion soup and lasagna. Chantecler and Porzia have me covered.

• When my sisters visited, we ended up at Morton’s for top-notch steak, salad, and cocktails—a classic.

• If you plan on visiting Vancouver any time soon - may I recommend stopping at Fishermans Terrace Dim Sum in Richmond B.C. It's conveniently located just 10 minutes from the Vancouver airport, and it's the perfect stop for breakfast or a late lunch. We actually ate there both when we landed and right before we left - it's that good!

  
  

It’s been a very delicious couple of months.

What I Did

We took a quick trip to Seattle and Vancouver to watch the Leafs play, and it was an absolute whirlwind—packed with good food, family time, and the chance to check out new hockey rinks. There were way more Leafs fans than we expected at both games, and we even got a friendship bracelet and made some new friends at a restaurant across from Climate Pledge Arena. I only wish I had more time in Seattle—it’s definitely on my list to visit again!

For Christmas, we gave our hockey-loving niece and nephews tickets to a Toronto Marlies game, and they were SO excited to take the train into the city and watch with us. It’s a great, budget-friendly option for families looking for a fun activity, and since this game was at Scotiabank Arena, it really felt like a Leafs game!

I also spent a ridiculous amount of time digging my car out of snow this year. Ooof—I definitely burned some serious calories, and I am beyond ready for a nice, long, snow-free summer.

One of my highlights this month was visiting my niece in London to see her school play. She played a librarian in a story about generosity (a lesson both kids and adults can use a refresher on), and I knew I had to be there in person. I’m so glad I went—she absolutely nailed her lines and the songs! #ProudAunt

And lastly—two of my clients closed on their homes this month! One purchased last year, while the other had to compete with 16 (!!) other offers to secure their dream home. The $1M price point is ultra-competitive, but a strong pricing strategy worked in our favor, and I couldn’t be happier for them!

What I Read

Toronto Life - Small Space, Big Ambition - This article dives into how small-space living is becoming an art form in the city. From clever space-saving hacks to multifunctional furniture, Torontonians are proving that you don’t need a ton of square footage to live large. Think Murphy beds, hidden storage, and ultra-chic tiny homes—it’s all about getting creative with what you’ve got!

National Post - How Canada can unlock its economic superpower potential - With tariffs and Trump it's getting Canadians to start looking at our future differently. Canada has the potential to be an economic superpower, but policy roadblocks are holding it back. The article highlights key solutions, including removing internal trade barriers, simplifying taxes, improving infrastructure, tackling the housing crisis, and attracting skilled immigrants.

Storey's - How Long Does It Take New Market-Rate Housing To Become Affordable? "Filtering"—the idea that new homes gradually become affordable over 25-30 years as they age. The key takeaway? Building a balanced mix of low-, mid-, and high-cost housing is the most effective strategy to enhance overall affordability and prevent low-income families from being priced out of their communities.

That's it for this month! 👋