Vitamin Daily

With her giant Karen Walker sunnies and neon orange satchel, Katie Merchant is hard to miss. Fresh to Toronto from Hamilton, (via Seoul, South Korea where she was teaching English) Merchant’s blog is a gorgeous mix of food, fashion and art. Here, she shares some of her favourite city haunts

shop
Chasse Gardee has to be my favourite store in Toronto. Karen Walker sunglasses, a rack of A Détacher, and of course, beautiful shoes (my favourites: Dieppa Restrepo loafers and YMC punk sandals).

For vintage I like Philistine (all blouses 2 for $40) and Penny Arcade (1177 Dundas St W).

To buy gifts (or magazines for myself, like Lula, Bad Day and Worn Fashion Journal) I visit Type Books, The Drake General Store or Good Egg in Kensington Market.

For a playful selection of local artists' work (think crocheted cacti and floral headdresses) I love going to Magic Pony on Queen West – they always have the cutest window displays.

eat + drink
Living in Parkdale, Capital Espresso (1349 Queen St. W) is my go-to spot for coffee and freshly-baked muffins (especially the carrot coconut).  For cheap wine, tasty meat, cheese platters and a soft, relaxed atmosphere I often find myself at The Common (1071 College St.).

For brunch I like Saving Grace (907 Dundas St W), especially if they have fig frittatas on special.  Delux wins for my favourite lunch and dinner, though (even more so if the meal finishes with their donuts).

And finally, after spending over a year in South Korea, I needed to find a place that would satisfy my constant craving for kimchi and soon tofu.  Luckily, Buk Chang Dong has done just that, and the price can't be beat.

do
I especially like Show & Tell Gallery which recently hosted Double Rainbow Rainbow, a bright and beautiful group show by artists Maya Hayuk & Jen Stark.  For days that call for a cold theatre, see anything at The TIFF Bell Lightbox —it's a near-perfect movie going experience.
—Athena Tsavliris