Exploring Southern Ontario With Blogger Friends
I was lucky enough to have Patti from Not Dead Yet Style and Ally from Shy Biker come and visit me last weekend.
It was the second time they visited but this time round rather than staying in Toronto Patti stayed with me and Ally stayed five minutes from my house. It meant far less time stuck in Toronto gridlock.
The first day we headed west of Mississauga to Cambridge and Langdon Hall and the Fashion History Museum.
They had an exhibit on Dior and another one on Canadian fashion throughout the last 150 years for Canada’s recent 150th birthday celebration.
It is a great little museum in a picturesque village. I highly recommend visiting it if you are in southern Ontario.
Then we went to Langdon Hall a summer home (mansion) for Eugene Langdon Wilks in 1898.
We wandered around the gardens for a bit, the weather was perfect, then headed inside for a very quick game of pool and classic high tea.
If you have a keen eye you would recognize this piece of 1940’s vintage from my personal collection.
I had to wear vintage to a vintage fashion museum.
The next day we headed downtown to catch 6 Quick Dick Tricks at the Fringe Festival.
It was a hoot! Both Ally and I were called on stage and participated.
This is where the “Dick” guessed the name of Ally’s dog as a child.
Rover in case you were wondering.
Sadly no one got any photos of my trick.
I was invited on stage for a rather naughty one.
Darn!
Ah well…I’ll leave you guessing. Suffice to say that everyone found it very funny.
We found some very cool street art and stopped to take photos. You can see Ally with this same mural here.
Afterwards we headed out to the Distillery District and ate at a fab Mexican restaurant that I discovered with Shelley and Judith when they were visiting.
Of course we managed to get out and get a little bit of thrifting in, thank you Talize!
We all managed to find a little somethin’ somethin’ to take home. I really wasn’t shopping for myself as I was keen on finding something for Ally and yet I still managed to come home with some treasures.
I really enjoyed the chance to entertain Ally and Patti at my home. I’m like one of those Italian grandmother’s though, always insisting,
“Eat! Eat! Eat!”
I think I over prepared for the visit because I now have a fridge full of leftovers to eat on my own.
BTW…Ally you forgot your six packages of chips!
I never bring chips or nachos into the house because I know they are my kryptonite (that is Ally’s favourite snack) and we didn’t even open them while they were here even though I kept insisting she open them.
There may only be three packages left now.
Will I have enough willpower to hold off on the rest till my husband comes home in a couple of weeks?
Don’t hold your breath.
The highlight of the trip may have been an impromptu photo session where items were chosen from my Vintage by Suzanne Etsy store inventory and then I played photographer.
It required me doing makeup for Ally and cajoling her into wearing what I picked.
Here are some of my favourites…
If you are curious about Ally I wrote a whole blog post about her transgender life journey here.
Ally went home with this 1970s green dress. It was a real battle to get her to try that one on but look at how wonderful she looks!
Proof that you cannot tell by just looking at something if it is going to work for you or not. Especially if you have preconceived ideas about what type of dresses you will or won’t wear.
I knew this might work for her but even then I had no idea just how well. It fit her like a dream and the colour matches her eyes.
Patti is wearing a dress from my shop, a necklace I made her and my booties!
Ha! I LOVE it!
Doesn’t she look fierce?
Some of you keeners might recognize this online estate sale chair from here. I knew it would be brilliant in photos!
We had so much fun this weekend!
I just wish that some of my blogger friends lived close enough to go for coffee regularly (or hot water which is what I drink).
In the meantime I’ll be grateful for the moments I do get to share with them.
My life is so much richer for knowing them.
Have you ever had friends over for a photoshoot? Or is it just us weirdo bloggers?
jodie filogomo says
How incredibly fun to have them pose in your normal places, Suzanne!!
And your words are truth about trying things on. We always think this will or won’t work even before we put it on—how silly!! Ally looks incredible in that green dress–and the red one!!
What fun adventures—but you have to tell us your trick on stage??? You can’t leave us hanging??
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
suzanne carillo says
I didn’t have them pose there! Ha ha! They did that on their own on the sly and then quickly posted it to IG. At one point Zoë even got in on the action apparently.
The trick on stage was rather complicated. I had to flip through a book, stop at a random page and memorize the first word on the page. Then I had to concentrate on each letter while he wrote down the letters on a large pad. He showed what he had written to the audience and they started laughing.
He continued to ask me questions about the word. Was it a verb or noun? How many times a day did I do it? Did I pay for this? Would I do this with him? Would I make him pay? When was the last time I did this? Do I do this with family and friends?
Needless to say my word and his word didn’t match but in the end he did guess my word which was eat.
His word he showed the audience was sex.
I knew it was something like that from the way the audience was laughing.
I had to ask Patti at the end was the word was because I thought it was masterbate. Ha ha!
Shybikef says
Great report on a wonderful visit! Thanks for everything, Suzanne. I’ll be back soon for the chips. 🙂
suzanne carillo says
I’d like to say they’ll be waiting here for you but I don’t think they will be.
Porcelina says
This looks like such fun!! If I lived closer I would have come to the fashion museum with you all. I have a group of friends who include arty people like artists, musicians, writers etc.. so a lot of them have been up for photoshoots despite not being bloggers!! And I think it’s a standing joke that if anyone comes to our house they are forced to try on clothes from our extensive collection… xx
suzanne carillo says
Ha ha! I’m coming over to your house right away : )
Trina says
Well, I for one wish I lived closer so we could go for that (cold water for now) daily drink. As for having friends over for a photo shoot, nope, but I definitely want to come and enjoy your next round. I have no doubt you were the perfect hostess. The entire weekend looked fabulous.
So glad to hear Robert will be home for a visit.
suzanne carillo says
You MUST come out! : )
Yes both Robert and I are excited about his visit. I’m sure it will pass by all too quickly.
Jazzy Jack says
I just adore your makeover for Ally. You made her so sultry!
I agree, the green dress is an unlikely winner. Very soft and feminine.
I had my twin neices over for the day, and we had fun doing a crazy photo shoot. I’m so glad I caught them just before womanhood. http://naturalmedley.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/dress-ups.html
I also made my parents join in a blogpost once, ha! They were good sports. http://naturalmedley.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/big-feet.html
I wish you lived closer too. I could see us going nuts with arty crafty stuff!
Xo Jazzy Jack
Patti says
Thanks for this, Suzanne – what an unforgettable time, in all the best ways. Ally looks utterly gorgeous, as do you, which is your norm : > And thanks for the photos in the black dress, they are among my favorites ever. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Shybiker says
Patti, you really look pretty in this outfit. I’m trying to discover your secret!
suzanne carillo says
I wish we’d had a bit more time to do more dress up photos of you. There are some pieces I would have loved to have seen you model.
Gail says
You did such great things! And super photo shoot with Patti and Ally. I love those shoes/boots on Patti.
suzanne carillo says
Aren’t they great? When I opened up my closet doors and told Patti she had a “couple of choices” she then saw my shoe hoard. We both thought these would be a fun choice.
I’m delighted she was able to wear these for the shoot since her feet are larger than mine.
Shelley@ForestCityFashionista says
I was waiting to see some photos from Patti and Ally’s visit! I’ve never been to that museum but it definitely looks like it’s worth a road trip. It looks like you had a fun, full day and you got some wonderful photos. Ally does look great in the green dress, and I hope Patti took the black one home and she does look fierce and fabulous!
suzanne carillo says
You would love the Fashion History Museum plus it is a bit closer to you! It is small enough that you can really enjoy it. I’d say you need to make a day of it and then do Talize in Kitchener. We did that.
Sadly the dress Patti was wearing she felt was a titch tight. Otherwise I agree, I’d picked that one out for her before she even came up.
Vix says
That looks like so much fun! You’ve got an incredible talent for photography, Patti and Ally look utterly wonderful.
Your 40s dress was just the thing for a fashion exhibition. Isn’t that turquoise dress incredible? I could totally see you rocking the hell out of that.
Fancy two of you being plucked out of the audience by that comic. I’d freeze if it were me.
Our friends inevitably end up dressed in our stock when the come round, sadly it isn’t that often any more as we’re always working weekends. Photographs are banned, we’re usually too drunk!
Step away from those crisps (she says with a bowl of them next to me as I type!) xxx
suzanne carillo says
That turquoise dress made me drool. You would also look incredible in that.
I was petrified for being called on stage. On top of that I was up there for about 8 minutes. Normally I really hate that kind of thing but this time I just let the fear wash over me and then when I didn’t faint or throw up I was fine. Ha ha!
Drunk photos are the best! I’m so very grateful that smart phones and their cameras didn’t exist when I was younger.
I CANNOT WAIT till these damn devil chips are out of my house.
FancyBoy says
I love how you styled them—I saw Ally’s photos already and I LOVE the one of Patti with the fierce look—-powerful!!!
Ann says
It looks like you three girls had a fabulous weekend. You have to tell us your trick, though, and not keep us in suspense! Both Patti and Ally seemed to have enjoyed playing dress up with your fabulous stock. Ally is indeed looking fantastic in that green frock, and I’m especially taken with the jewellery she is wearing with it. xxx
suzanne carillo says
You have a great eye Ann! The bracelets Ally is wearing are some I made for her on her last visit. The necklace is a handmade piece I swapped for when I was exhibiting at a jewellery show with another exhibitor. She got one of my handmade fabric pieces and I took that one. It is wired on and very eclectic.
I wrote more about the naughty joke in my response to Jodie’s comment here. It’s not as funny when I write it out but it was pretty funny at the time.
Shybiker says
That joke on the stage was hilarious! And I love the bracelets.
Andrea@WellnessNotes says
Sounds like a wonderful visit! I remember your post from the last time Patti and Ally visited you, and I love how your friendship is so evident in your posts.
Fabulous photos!
Sheila (of Ephemera) says
So much fun involved – you really covered every base that a fashion blogger could want! I love how much love and care went into the photo shoot for both Patti and Ally. What a lovely gift to give them both, Suzanne!
No Fear of Fashion says
Such a delight seeing you spending time with Ally and Patti. You are right, it would be so great if we all lived in the same area. That green dress for Ally was indeed a great find. She looks very feminine.
And Patti knocks the ball out of the court with that dress and those shoes. I hope she purchased them. Really good outfit.
Greetje
Akaleistar says
Sounds like it was a great time, and the fashion museum looks awesome!
Melanie says
Suzanne, if you don’t stop taking such great photos of friends, they may want to just move in with you! These are ah-mazing photos. Really fantastic. I’m glad you three had such a fun time. I can’t believe you guys didn’t scarf down the chips on the first day! Hahaha.
And you were on stage? That’s awesome. AND you didn’t barf or faint? Well done! I’m looking for an encore. The comedian chose the right two people. The title of the event alone would have got me there. Heh.
Darlene Fadem says
How fun!!! Great job on the styling and makeup!
http://styleforlessvegas.wordpress.com
Elle says
I am crazy about this shot of you against the graffiti wall! LOve the dress, I have never seen Ally look better, loved how you styled her in that olive dress and vintage necklace. I also love the shot of Patti in the blue chair. Skills, major skills!
What fun you all had, that is what comes through too!
Xx, Elle
💕💕
http://www.theellediaries.com/
Hollie says
SO MUCH FUN! SO MUCH FUUUUUUNNNN!!!!
Marilee Gramith says
Wow! The photos in this post are really well done! What a memorable visit for you three! You all look beautiful and I’m very impressed with the green dress on Ally. You three look so happy to be having fun together.
Nancy Baten says
How lovely! First of all that museum looks fantastic! We had a fashion exhibition in the Netherlands too a few years ago, also about the history of fashion. So fascinating. And the picture of Ally in the second dress is so beautiful. BTW, in my Styled By… series Remke, also transgender, told her style story a few months ago. And the photo of Patti in that chair is just stunning!
Charlotte says
Ally sent me here 🙂 So lovely to see her –and meet you!–here on your blog. Also, you have a wonderful eye for fashion and makeup clearly. I absolutely ADORE those purple booties and Ally looks stunning in that green dress. And SO happy! Loved all of these photos and seeing what a great time you had together 🙂
Señora Allnut says
woaaa, that’s a lovely meeting!, and you look so fabulous posing in your cool outfits!, and those last pictures are amazing, so much fabulousness!, I like particularly that hotpink dress Ally is wearing (and the green one too!)!, and Patti looks gorgeous in that black one! and the necklace you made for her is amazing!
besos
Denise says
So glad to know that you had so much fun with Pattie and Ally, especially after that post (some weeks ago) about “losing your – at the time – best friend for decades” (it really touched me 🙁 I now see that you have best friends for life and you definitely have a lot of fun and Ally’s makeup is impeccable, I liked the photo shooting so much! The Museum of Fashion History would be a must for me, I am eager to visit it 🙂 That has to wait a bit, but I really would love to visit it! I hope you go on having this much fun! Hugs and bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
Kezzie says
I am so glad to hear of this wonderful meet up! I really love Ally- one of my favourite bloggers- and Patti is brilliant! What a brilliant write up!x
Elizabeth g. Arthur says
This is a WONDERFUL post, Suzanne, full of stories, gorgeous photos, colour and fun. xx
Shybiker says
I saw a link to this old post on your newest one and had to re-visit it. Wow. What an amazing trip that was, what an amazing report you gave. You have added such joy to my life — serious, deep joy. I can’t begin to express my gratitude. Thank you.