All is not lost, however, as I have found some new favourites.  They include:

Trudy Ann’s Chai and Spices:  Exactly what they are!  Delicious teas such as vanilla and apple pie (no artificial ingredients!) and spices for Indian/Indian-inspired cooking (butter chicken, chana masala, tandoori, etc…).

Chocolat de Kat: Delicious, bite sized chocolate bon bons in a variety of different flavours including vanilla, latte and Earl Grey tea.  They also sell larger “seasonal” pieces such as bunnies in the spring.

Attilo’s Fine Foods:  I’m not sure if I can consider these guys a “new” as I first met them at a farmer’s market last summer.  However, I had only tried their oils and vinegars – and they make more than that!  While I had seen their olives and pasta sauces, I had not tried or seen their risotto mixes.  The online store (both on their own site and at the show website itself) presents a three different flavours (arrabbiata, sun dried tomato and porcini mushrooms), but you can get additional flavours at the show.

La Parelle:  A line of reversible bags – colour on one side and black on the other.  They come in a variety of sizes and styles and YES, you can put your entire “life” (i.e. wallet, phone, keys and lipstick (if you wear that) in it.  They’re also very light – I’ve found that many bags use extremely heavy leather (I’m not always looking for a workout and I’m sure most people feel this way!).

Crooked Tree Fine Foods: Gluten-free, dairy-free spreads made from a mix of cashews and almonds in four different flavours.  If you’re into spicy, the chipotle is the one for you (I thought it had more than a bit of a kick, but I can’t handle “true” spicy foods.  I tell people the hottest I can go is “Anglo medium” if you know what I mean.  It’s not too PC, but it sounds better than “white person medium”).  However, if you’re more like me, stick to parsley and chive or lemon and garlic.  Turmeric and lemongrass is very good as well.  In addition to spreads, they also have crackers made from almond pulp and a crunchy topping, perfect for yogurt, salads or desserts!

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DaLish Cosmetics’ skincare products

Dolls from Birds Love Bees

The One of a Kind Show isn’t only about food.  In addition to DaLish (featuring their skincare line in addition to make-up), other skincare brands, such as Crosswind Farms (which, as usual, has two spaces:  one for their skincare and the other for their goat cheese), are back, as well as numerous fashion and gifts.  Some favourites include 3rd Floor Studio (here for the second half) and local handbag designer, Uppdoo – known for their interchangeable inserts.  There are also many cute greeting cards, including a very hipster-esque ones by Flakes Paperie.  And if you’re looking for something for kids, Birds Love Bees, which I highlighted last spring is back.  What I love about them is the fact every single doll is unique, just like people are unique!

The One of a Kind Show runs until Sunday, December 3.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

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Okay, I DON’T dislike having two events on the same week, but definitely not on back-to-back days.  In fact, I am looking forward to mid-November, when I will be attending a dinner on a Monday and then another event that Thursday. Two years ago, however, I’d likely be going to at least two events a week between mid-October and the end of November (including daytime events) as I was covering them for DelectablyChic!.  Shutting down was a very good thing.  And has been for me, stress-wise.  I’m still posting regularly, of course, but it’s more of what I want, rather than what I think people want to read about (and it wasn’t like people really cared as several other Toronto-based sites, ones which have much higher traffic, write about the same topics).  At least I get to write about personal views on ethno-cultural diversity and being a child of immigrants.  Even when certain people (yes, some are Facebook friends) think I’m a little bit too “sensitive” when it comes to how people treat me (especially those from my own ethnic community).  I mean, I’m getting my views out there, even if mainstream media won’t acknowledge that they exist – or diversity “experts.”  But this post isn’t about ethnicity, but the craziness that is fall.

So what else do I have in the books for the next couple of months?  There’s a trip out of town in late October.  Then another opera-related event in early November, a mental health-related fundraiser, and of course, the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo and the One of a Kind Show.  I also plan to attend a ROM lecture next month, but that’s during the day.

I guess I shouldn’t call it “craziness” or being really busy, since these are all things I enjoy.  But sometimes, you just want to be at home.  Writing.

Image courtesy of xtock/Shutterstock

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