Sweets for your Sweet

So, remember a little while ago when I told you about the wonderful SOMA Chocolatemaker? Obviously I couldn't stay away and I thought it best to visit with the Little Prince just before Valentine's Day to see what special, limited edition offerings they had.

Inspired by Rodin, no doubt

The first thing I see when I walk amongst their shelves (and shelves) of chocolate is this gorgeous heart sculpture, nestled artistically on a bed of foliage.  Upon closer inspection, I realize the sculpture is made entirely out of dark chocolate and I'm so delighted that I have to take a moment to compose myself.  How could you eat something this beautiful? Oh, I'm sure I could, but I would definitely contemplate it for a few hours prior.

 Naturally heart-shaped Japanese walnuts

I had to get a closer pic of this gem

Now it's on to the showcase, where these adorable little treats immediately catch my eye.  "What are those nuts?", I wonder aloud and am immediately informed by the friendly staff that it is, in fact, a walnut but a special breed from Japan.  Imagine getting handed a little box of those? Not only do you get to hold someone's heart, you get 6 tasty little Japanese ones, too!

After all the chocolate cruising, I was feeling like I needed to indulge.  Given my past history of molten chocolate love, I ended the evening with a shot of salted molten dark chocolate (complements of the Little Prince, I might add. See? Chivalry does live on!).  Although the chocolate is always top quality at SOMA, this treat may have been a little too rich and I made a note to stick with the much loved Hot Chocolate at my future visits, which is diluted with almond milk.

Liquid love

I hope you all enjoy your special day with the one you love, whether it's a partner or yourself. <3

Wishing you lots of love and chocolate!

A Lovely Day to Study....

I had the most amazing morning; M made me a spinach mushroom omelete (I eat eggs now!), I'm wearing my favorite shirt and I'm studying at my favorite cafe.

That colour! The eggs are from an organic, free-range farm just east of the city

I discovered Mylk Uncookies last summer.  What lured me was their fresh made daily almond mylk (I still do not do dairy) and I ended up falling in love with their tea lattes (Earl Grey and Vanilla, Chai etc.)

Today, I ordered their Walnut Green Tea Latte with almond mylk and I'm planning on drinking many lattes throughout the day as I work away.  Have a look at how lovely this cafe is and soon you'll be lured down here too!

 Just like their almond mylk, it's all made fresh daily!

Retro feel, with a colour scheme inspired by Tiffany's

The raw treats! 

Enjoy your day!

Type Bookstore On Queen West

There is a little row of shops on Queen West, right across from Trinity Bellwoods park in Toronto.  They are all so charming and homegrown that I would often think up excuses to go hang out there on lazy Sunday afternoons in the summer.

How delighted was I to discover this artistic video about Type, the bookstore?  Watch it and feel the charm of this place ooze over you.

Have a creative and inspiring day!

Give me SOMA that: SOMA Chocolatemaker Rocks!

In Denmark, there is a special word to describe nearly everything cozy.  Hygge (pronounced "hoogga", if we try saying it while forming our mouth to say "ee" instead of "oo") originally meant "well-being" but it has since been used to describe anything comfortable and warm, from something literal like physically sitting by the fire to something more abstract, like a state of mind.  As you know, J was recently in Denmark and she taught me this lovely word when she was describing her new, oversized wool coat:

Very hygge, no?  

Keeping with the hygge theme, on Friday evening M took me somewhere special.  It started out as a little walk around the block but we got closer and closer to King Street West and soon we were peering into the most adorable little chocolate shop I've ever encountered.  SOMA Chocolatemaker just opened their King West location, and I couldn't be more thrilled!  We sat for hours on the bench, letting the glorious smell of fresh chocolate waft over us as we sipped our Mayan Hot Chocolates and shared silly secrets in hushed tones.  Totally hygge!

Mayan Hot Chocolate (veganize by asking for soymilk)

The hot chocolate here is the real deal, being made from a shot of molten dark chocolate that is then mixed with the milk and fresh spices (powder? puh-leez!).  Honestly the best hot chocolate I have had in my life (and I grew up in the mountains where hot chocolate is something of a staple).

But aren't they also a chocolate maker, you ask? SOMA has the most interesting flavour combinations I had ever heard of (8 year old balsamic vinegar, douglas fir, 'Pop rocks'--to name a few) but I have to go all Johnny Depp in Chocolat and claim that I'll take the hot chocolate any day.  

 Les chocolats

Close up of the various gems.  Quit drooling all over your keyboard.

Whether you go alone or with someone special, SOMA Chocolatemaker is a fantastically cozy place that you want to visit at least once, in the name of hygge.

SOMA Chocolatemaker

443 King Street West

Toronto, Ontario

(416) 599-7662