Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market -in the Distillery District

Christmas Markets originated in Germany during the early 1400s and are now becoming a trend worldwide. These markets celebrate the traditional sights, sounds and scents of Christmas in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

In Toronto you can experience the charm of a European Christmas Market, by visiting the Distillery District. Lowe's Toronto Christmas market is a free annual event showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. Below are some photos of our evening out taking in this free event.

The lights are amazing!!! Carolers and choirs .....rides make this a wonderful family event!

Lots of vendor huts ...selling food, beverages and handcrafted goods.

 Imagining what could be inside such a huge gift box!!!!

A merry-go-round brings memories of my childhood Christmas in Europe....

This vendor was selling all things Dutch ... bringing back memories of our trip to The Netherlands in May earlier this year. 

 La Vela Bella Inc. had me at teacup!

Brilliant antique teacups filled with handmade soy wax candles ...

 Perfect gift for all tea loving people on your gift list!!!
You can find La Vela Bella candles here. Visit their website La Vela Bella here. or check them out on FaceBook here. I know these are on my Christmas wish list ...

These handcrafted Santas are amazing - unfortunately you can only get them while they are in the country - here at The Lowe's Christmas Market .

Magical...

Lots of people bundle up to keep warm in dark coats ... I was a beacon of beige in a sea of black...

Coca -Cola was giving out bottles of coke ....

Sipping a cool treat ... but really ready for something warm.

Just in time we came across a Tea House ... they weren't serving tea ... but the selection of teas inside was amazing. As you can see by the line-up it is a popular place to purchase tea for steeping a cup at home.

The shop inside is wonderful ... they have a no photo policy ... but I did get a card to contact the owner and hopefully she will let me feature her shop on an up coming Over a Cup Tea with Celia M. series.  The above photo is of a tea setting on the shop's outside window ledge. In the mean time I will be sharing the tea we purchased on next week's Over a Cup of Tea.

Another great way to keep warm was by sitting around these fire-pits...

Keep hands warm and toasty...

Be sure to make this Christmas Market a part of your week-end! I would suggest bringing your own thermos with hot chocolate as the line ups can be long.

Where and what you need to know:

Friday November 29 to Sunday December 15
Monday to Friday Noon to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm
Website: http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/

Hugs,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Bonjour Brioche ~ A little of France in Toronto

Over the past 7 years whenever I stayed at my city home I rarely ventured out unless it was for a medical appointment or the rare outing with a city living friend. I'm now at a stage in my healing that I'm having a fabulous time getting out rediscovering old favourites and discovering new ones for: eateries, shopping haunts, activities, social outings, fashion and beauty, fitness and wellness and other amazing things the city of Toronto has to offer. I'll be sharing these adventures in a new series Celia in the City.

Today I'm sharing a recent outing to a chic French bakery Bonjour Brioche, which I often frequented especially during the summer (they have a great patio) with friends for breakfast or brunch. Stepping in after so many years ... the atmosphere was everything I remembered. The staff is super friendly and very attentive; patrons wait patiently for a table to open up - knowing the short wait is worth it!

The smell of fresh baking bread envelopes your senses, - smell, sight and when you are seated taste buds. 

Once seated ... Mr. G. chose a Ceylon breakfast tea....

Moi .... a bowl of chocolat chaud...

As I sipped memories of times spent with friends here returned ...

The menu is an orchestra of culinary delights.... so hard to choose ...

I went for an old fav ... Croque Madame accompanied with greens and delicious banquette. Mr. G. went for a sandwich special of bacon, avocado and tomato served with a side of greens.

Another thing that has not changed ... is almost every patron does not leave without purchasing bread or a delicious sweet to enjoy at home later.

The sweets are truly delectable and they call to you visually and by scent. This tray is a small sampling of the goodies offered.  

The lemon tart spoke volumes to me and when it reached my table was accompanied with fresh whip cream (exactly how I remember from my trips to Paris).

Mr. G. commented - no chocolate cake? To which the server quickly presented this flourless chocolate cake. Mr. G.'s mouth was still watering later in the day as he recalled this delight. 

Of course I too did not leave empty handed ...note the small white bag in my right hand...

The next morning ... this was sliced, toasted and enjoyed with butter over a cup of French roast cafe. Note the bread was still soft inside and when toasted filled our kitchen with the same wonderful smell of fresh baked bread!

If you are looking to experience a little piece of France in Toronto, Bonjour Brioche will not disappoint. I believe the bakery has been around for approximately 17 years. The owner is from France. It is a petite place - so there may be a wait for a table especially on week-ends - but trust me it is worth the wait! 

Where it is and what to know:

812 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4M 1H7

Phone 416-406-1250

Hours: Monday Closed, Tuesday to Sunday 8 am to 4 pm No Reservations & Cash Only

website: /http://bonjourbrioche.com/

Hugs,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

What I Wore ~ Walking Dolce & Gabbana

The weather was amazing this past week ... there was even a day where the temps hit a high of 16 degrees C. For early December this is amazing! In the city (unlike at our home in the country where snow already covers the ground) not a trace of snow can be found. Even with the unusual double digit temps, it can still feel crisp when being outside for longer than running from home to car and vice versa.

On our walk by the lake ... I kept comfy in my quilted mauve over coat (had this for almost 8 years); Burberry cap (from two seasons ago); grey silver handcrafted scarf (gifted by a friend); Steven Madden brown wedge boots and brown leather Coach gloves.

Dolce kept warm in his hand-knitted blue and white sweater (from an artisan fair - a couple of years ago) and Gabbana in her purple nylon (outer side) and pink fleece on the inside Waghearted vest (gifted from Yorkie cousins in Vermont - Max and Chanel last year).

Not only did we have an amazing view of the Toronto skyline ...a few feather friends swam up to greet us.

We had a wonderful walk .... Walks in the city sure are different from our walks in the country.

Fabulous view, a great bench for sitting and enjoying a  few tranquil and relaxing minutes in the day.

Hugs,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Sharing this post with: Sunday - Tres Chic Style Bits ~   Still Being Molly:  Funday Monday~ Le chateau des fleurs ~ Not Dead Yet Style:  Visible Mondays ~  Mosaic Monday ~ The Pleated Poppy: what I wore Wednesday ~ What I'm Loving Fridays ~ My Friday's Fancies ~ Friday's Fab ~