Niche Coffee & Tea Company

Rated this place:

626 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1E4

coffee, breakfast and lunch: Niche serves brunch until 3 p.m. on weekends which is great if you're like me and get cravings for French toast midday. During the week try their creamy lattes and stop in for breakfast or lunch. I really like the grilled banana bread with Nutella. They also have sandwiches, salads and soups. If you don't have time to sit, grab one of their delicious muffins (baked fresh) and an espresso to get you through the day.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• coffee & breakfast

Concepts Salon & Spa

Rated this place:

60 Bloor St W, Holt Renfrew Centre, Toronto, ON, M4W 1A1

massages and pedicures: When I first walked by this spa, I thought it was a tiny boutique that sold high-end beauty and hair products (which they do), but once you go beyond the entrance you'll see a spacious salon, treatment rooms and a manicure/pedicure area. I love the convenient location (at Bay and Bloor) and the spa gets my vote for best hot stone massages and pedicures. I'd also recommend Nancy at Concepts, a registered massage therapist. The atmosphere is extremely relaxing, which is surprising considering the spa is located in a busy underground path, in the Holt Renfrew Centre. It's also perfect for clients that work nearby and are able to book an appointment during their lunch hour.

Forever 21

Rated this place:

302 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M5B1R4

Cheap jewelry and fashion: Summertime is the perfect time to stock up on fun (and cheap) fashion jewelry from Forever 21. I'm talking $2.99 earrings and $5.99 necklaces. And you'll love them, because this store always sells imitations of the latest runway looks. The store also sells women's clothing. The quality is not that great -- the clothes tend to last a season, but it's cheap, and the trendy stuff you buy here will likely be out of style in less than a year so it's worth it. I like the fun tops and easy dresses.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheap jewelry

Fresh By Juice For Life

Rated this place:

894 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1G3

smoothies, salads and sweet potato fries: Fresh is known for their smoothies, and I agree that they are very good. My favourite drink is Blue Lagoon -- a combination of blueberries, mango and banana. For lunch I always get the California Classic salad on the menu, with pecans and avocados. It's big, filling and very tasty. Also get the house dressing. The sweet potato fries are also very good -- fresh, salty, perfectly cut and seasoned, and they go well with mayo.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• salad
• sweet potato fries

Centre Island

Rated this place:

Toronto Islands, Toronto, ON, M5J1A1

parks and gardens: A short ferry ride from downtown takes you to the Toronto Islands, where you'll find beaches, plenty of green space and trees, beautiful gardens, recreational activities like biking, canoeing and volleyball, and an amusement park (called Centreville) for kids. It doesn't feel like you're in Toronto at all. Residents live on the island all year round, but the most popular time to visit is definitely the summer. I like coming here in the fall. It's beautiful when the leaves change colour. There's a restaurant by the harbour where you can grab a drink and snack and watch the sailboats go by on the lake. It's a relaxing retreat from the city. Regular adult fare to take the ferry over is $6.50, and it's $3 for kids under 14.

Lush Handmade Cosmetics

Rated this place:

1 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M5G 1Z3

yummy lip balm : Everything smells good enough to eat in this bath and body shop where all the products are handmade using environmentally sound ingredients including organic fruits, vegetables and essential oils. One of my faves is Lush's Chocolate Whipstick Lip Balm. I have already made most of my friends go out and buy it. It smells and tastes soooo good. It's made with chocolate and a hint of orange and lime. The balm keeps lips smooth and kissable. It's almost as good as a gourmet dessert. Who could resist?

American Apparel

Rated this place:

533 College St., Toronto, ON, M6G 1A8

loungewear and T-shirts: If you're looking for cool and comfy clothes to lounge in then American Apparel is a good choice. Logo-free and basic tees come in a variety of different colours for men and women and there's also a good selection of hoodies, tights, yoga pants and tanks. I also love their underwear and bra tops because they fit and wash really well. The store also sells bathing suits, accessories, fashionable tops and dresses -- the look is very retro and 80s, however I question some of the pieces (bodysuits and fluorescent leggings) that remind me of Jane Fonda workout videos!

ZARA

Rated this place:

50 Bloor W, Toronto, ON, M4W3L8

cheap and chic: Zara is a great place for finding trendy and inexpensive women's clothing. Shop for work and dressy casual pieces, as well as younger, streetwear fashions. I find that sizes run smaller too which is great for petite women. A medium actually fits like a North American small, and small fits like extra small. The chain is from Spain, so there's a sunny, whimsical style to these clothes -- lots of billowy tops, bright colours and fun prints. I also love the accessories - beautiful scarves, shoes, belts, sunglasses and leather handbags and clutches. The quality is not bad either for the price. A definite stop on your shopping route to stock up on the season's latest looks.

Hardboiled Inc.

Rated this place:

82 Nassau Street, Toronto, ON, M5T1M5

T-shirt design shop: This local company works with a collection of artists to create fun and interesting T-shirt designs. I have purchased a few of their shirts at The Clothing Show and I love them -- stylish, great fit and ultra comfortable. The store in Kensington carries an even bigger variety. If you're looking for something custom made, like T-shirts for your band, they can do small and large orders. They also sell bamboo T-shirts and also use eco-friendly ink. Styles and sizes for men and women are available, as well as kids and onesies for babies.

SoHo Metropolitan Hotel

Rated this place:

318 Wellington St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V3T4

Luxury Boutique Hotel: Classy and beautiful. I love the modern decor in the guest rooms, the fresh flowers and spacious marble bathrooms (with heated floors). Remote controlled lighting in the room is also a great feature when you need some shut-eye. The cafe downstairs serves delicious morning pastries and makes excellent cappuccinos. A lot of celebrities stay at this hotel. Most recently spotted was famous couple Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson. If you can afford it, there’s a three-storey, 4,000-square-foot penthouse suite that comes with its own private glass elevator. I have also visited Salon Daniel & Spa onsite and recommend booking Hayley for styling and updos.

Trinity Bellwoods Park

Rated this place:

1053 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2

Park in the city: I'm lucky to live down the street for this beautiful, big park (37 acres) with old, tall trees. The ravine (also known as the dog bowl) in the park is a leash-free zone for dogs. A recreation centre, tennis courts, baseball field and kids playground also makes it a great place to take the family on a Saturday afternoon. I love going for a morning jog through the park and then stopping by Fresh By Juice for Life (located beside the park at Queen & Crawford) for a smoothie.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Park in the city

Bang On

Rated this place:

261 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 1Z4

custom T-shirts: Get a custom T-shirt in about 30 minutes at this cool queen west T-shirt shop (an import from Vancouver). You can choose a design from hundreds of pop culture and music flip books, along with the colour and size of your T-shirt, and the numbers or words you want on it. And it's not only tees -- the shop also sells belts and hats you can get personalized. If you can't find the design you're looking for, the staff accepts your own prints, designs and drawings that you bring into the store.

Time for Nails

Rated this place:

641 Bay St., Toronto, ON, M5G 1M7

cheap manis and pedis: Walk ins are welcome at this tiny nail salon located on Bay Street, next to The Atrium. The place is clean and the staff does a great job - very thorough and very fast. If you're in a rush, two nail technicians can do your mani and pedi at the same time and you're in and out in 30 minutes. It's often packed, especially in the summertime but they are quick to accommodate you and the wait is short as there's always at least six people on staff. The salon also does professional waxing. A manicure and pedicure together costs $35. And waxing is 20% off on Tuesdays.

Kiehl's

Rated this place:

407 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 2A5

skin and body care products: I love the facial and body cleansers from Kiehl's because they are very gentle and don't dry out your skin. They are also softly-scented with essential oils. Some of my favourite products are the Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser (which is also great to take camping) and the Ultra Facial Cleanser. There's also men's and baby skincare products. The prices are affordable and I really love the free samples. Every time I buy something from this store I walk out with a handful of product samplers. You might not even have to buy anything to get them -- just ask at the register. The staff is friendly and very helpful at this location.

Aveda Lifestyle Store

Rated this place:

3401 Dufferin St, North York, ON, M6A2T9

care for your hair: I am a fan of Aveda's hair care products. They work really well and are made with natural plant and flower extracts. I have been using the line Shampure, which is a very gentle shampoo that can be used daily. The product contains protein and is infused with a blend of Aveda's signature calming oils. It's aromatherapy in the shower, and a great way to wake yourself up each morning. After you use Aveda products for a while you can see the difference in your hair - it looks and feels healthier. At the lifestyle store customers are offered free green tea to sip while they shop. You'll also find a complete skincare and makeup line from Aveda which is also made from plant-based ingredients. I have also been using the Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque for years and love it. It leaves your skin feeling clean and super soft.

Groovy

Rated this place:

323 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2A4

sneakers and athletic shoes: The first thing you see at Groovy is the wall of shoes, from the ceiling to the floor. There's a really good selection of brands and styles for men and women at this Queen West shop. The store's been around for a while and it looks like the owner knows what his or her customers want because this tiny place is always packed. Luckily there's online shopping available now at groovyshoes.ca. I bought a pair of pink Pumas from this store, but they also sell shoes from New Balance, Converse, Rocket Dog, Adidas, Sugar and other popular brands. Groovy also sells clothing, but it's mostly T-shirts and hoodies and I find a lot of what's there to be overpriced and easy to find elsewhere for cheaper.

C N Tower

Rated this place:

301 Front St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2T6

Toronto landmark: Without a doubt, the CN Tower is the most popular landmark in Toronto and for good reason. It's the tallest freestanding building in North America, it defines the city's skyline, you can always catch sight of it when you're in the city (which I find comforting - don't know why), and it offers the best view of Toronto, whether you're looking down from the observation deck or eating a gourmet meal at tower's revolving restaurant. I get a kick out of taking the glass-floor elevator, which is a 58-second ride to the top. At night the CN Tower lights up and changes colour, which is actually pretty cool.

Crate & Barrel

Rated this place:

3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 2T9

furniture, housewares and home accessories: It’s hard to resist the colourful displays in the windows when you walk by this massive shop at Yorkdale Shopping Centre and really, why resist? Martha Stewart wannabes have so much to love about this modern home and furniture store: the reasonable prices, the well-made furniture, the matching themed table decorations, designer dinnerware and cookware, stylish home accessories -- the list goes on. The store also has a great layout with home décor, kitchen/bath items, dinnerware and linens on the ground level, and furniture upstairs on the top level. Staff and checkouts are also available in every area to help out customers.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• housewares

Ashbridges Bay Park

Rated this place:

30 Ashbridges Bay Park Rd, Toronto, ON, M4L 3W6

tranquil walk along the shore: This is a great park, close enough to the downtown core (just a short streetcar ride away) and the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon. Located on the beach, you'll see volleyball games going on, families having picnics, couples going for walks along the boardwalk, and lots of people soaking up the sun. It really doesn't feel like you're in the city at all. There's a laid-back vibe and the many independently owned restaurants and shops nearby add to the neighbourhood's easygoing charm. Nothing beats walking along the boardwalk on a nice day with a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cone in my hand (You’ll find the ice cream shop at Queen & Waverley).

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Rated this place:

145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5A 1E8

a night at the ballet: Not everyone may be into opera or ballet, but you'll never know unless you try it once. The first time I visited The Four Seasons Centre was to see The Nutcracker and it was excellent of course, beautiful costumes and sets, amazing dancers and unbelievable sound. The ballet is considered a "Toronto tradition" and it was neat to see it at this new and modern building. I enjoyed getting dressed up and having a night out at this elegant spot. The spacious main lobby is surrounded by glass windows and offers awesome views of the city lights. This is one of the most interesting and beautiful buildings in Toronto.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Rated this place:

21 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R2G1

Lap of luxury: The Four Seasons is known around the world for having some of the best accommodations money can buy and this hotel is no exception. From the beautiful flowers, art and sculptures seen throughout the hotel to the well-appointed suites (you have to see to believe) to the hotel's award-winning restaurant Truffles, everything at this hotel is top of the line. You’ll also find both visitors and locals having drinks at the hotel’s Avenue Bar. The bar's decor is ultra chic and the seating by the large windows (overlooking Yorkville Ave.) is a great place to see and be seen.

The Fairmont Royal York

Rated this place:

100 Front St. W., Toronto, ON, M5J1E3

luxury hotel, lobby and decor: The lobby is your first impression of a hotel, and the Fairmont lobby's opulent decor, complete with beautiful flower arrangements, plush seating, marble floors, antique accents and gold trimmings lets you know that this is a place fit for a queen. But it's not only for the rich and famous (even if the queen did stay here). Everyone is treated like royalty. I find it to be the most inviting luxury hotel in the city (compared to some upscale boutique properties). The staff is very friendly and the courteous doorman in uniform is also a nice touch. I love the spiral staircase and clock in the centre of the lobby that takes you to underground shopping, and the second floor's veranda-like balcony that looks down at the beautiful main area.

Bath & Body Works

Rated this place:

3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 3A1

body creams and scented candles: Bath & Body Works sells this brand called True Blue Spa, and it's basically an inexpensive line of spa products containing ingredients like shea butter and walnut shell powder. I haven't tried it all yet, but I really love the hand cream called Look Ma, New Hands! It's the best hand cream I've tried so far. It leaves your hands sooo smooth and not even a bit greasy. Perfect for cold weather when you need to reapply constantly. The secret ingredient is paraffin and is also smells really good. I am also addicted to Bath & Body Works Signature Collection candles. They smell delicious and come in the same scents as their body sprays and lotions.

Bikini Village

Rated this place:

220 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M5B 2H1

bikinis, bathing suits and cover ups: This is a great place to shop when it's not pool weather in Toronto, but you need a suit for a vacation down south. There's a great selection of bathing suits, clothing and accessories for men and women all year round. The store also carries a lot of well-known, high quality brands including Radio Fiji, Seafolly, Gottex, Shan, Body Glove, Billabong, Raisins and Tommy Bahama. Another plus is that there's a Bikini Village in almost every major mall in Toronto and the GTA, so if you can’t find the right size another store may have it. There's plenty of cover ups to choose from as well, and I like that they now have a variety of straw hats and flip flops.

The Body Shop

Rated this place:

100 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 3L3

bath and body products: The Body Shop is my go-to destination for body care. The products are inexpensive, natural and work really well. I love the body butters. A tub lasts you a long time. Favourites include Brazil Nut and Coconut -- great for dry skin and softly scented. Also it feels good knowing none of the products are tested on animals, and the company takes part in fair trade relationships around the world, sourcing many of their natural ingredients from smaller and underdeveloped communities. You can’t go wrong when you use what you find in nature.