Posts in Culture
TORONTO HOT SPOT OF THE WEEK - DINEEN COFFEE CO.
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Imagine stepping off the King St. car on your way to catch the Yonge line north to your meeting/job/appointment. You’ve got a few extra minutes to grab a coffee and snack before you get on the Yonge line. This is the situation that led me to wonderful Dineen Coffee Co. in Commerce Court at Bay St. and King.

The otherwise austere facade of the financial district might lead one to feel this cafe’s location would be stuffy or cramped but quite the opposite is true. It’s set just so beyond the King entrance in a beautiful lobby with lots of comfortable seating around and at the bar and is run by some really great cashiers and baristas!

For this experience, I tried one of my favourite coffees for the morning; a brevé cappuccino (all cream/no milk). It’s kind of like my test coffee to see how good the baristas are; if done wrong, it’s usually very foamy or overly hot and makes for a kind of weak coffee with too much hot cream. But when done correctly (as it was here), it’s a beautifully rich and less sweet alternative to a regular cappuccino. I paired mine with a nicely buttery jalapeño and cheddar scone; delicious!

Next time you’re close to King and Yonge, do yourself a favour and check out this great coffee spot. You won’t be disappointed!

There are currently 3 locations for Dineen. See the map below for the one closest to you!

Here's where Dineen Coffee Co. is in Toronto


TORONTO TOP SPLASH AND SPRAY PADS

It’s one of those mid-summer, sticky Toronto days and you’ve got 2, or 3 or 4 very hot and very energetic kids that NEED to get out of the house for at least an hour. Where to go? Luckily Toronto has some of the most and best splash pads around. From the inventive and unexpected to the more traditional wading pools, we run down a list of 10 that should be accessible with a short walk, drive or hop on transit; okay, you need to take a ferry for Centre Island but... Much thanks to BlogTo and ChatterBlock for help with this list!

For a full list of splash and spray pads available in the City of Toronto, go here

This amazingly modern and stylish park is great without the splash pad, but whoa! What a splash pad it has! The East side park boasts a rubberized field with automated sprinklers set on timers, promising unsuspecting wee ones a wet surprise while y…

This amazingly modern and stylish park is great without the splash pad, but whoa! What a splash pad it has! The East side park boasts a rubberized field with automated sprinklers set on timers, promising unsuspecting wee ones a wet surprise while you watch from the rocky sidelines.


THE PAUL QUARRINGTON SPLASH PAD AT SHERBOURNE COMMON

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An ice rink in the winter and splash pad in the summer, this huge space allows for some serious frolicking in the water. There's also a washroom and changing facility on site and pockets of shade and seating around the perimeter.

SUGAR BEACH PARK

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On the other side of the Corus Quay building from Sherbourne Common, Toronto's faux beach features a massive granite maple leaf emblem stuffed with 27 sequencing jets and plenty of seating courtesy of the Muskoka style loungers. Against the Grain is steps away for a post splash pad meal or snack.

HENDON PARK

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Soaker style palm trees squirt water from above at this tropical pad near Yonge and Finch. It's home to two splash pads, with one set positioned a little shorter for the lil' tykes.

CHRISTIE PITS

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This photo doesn’t do it justice but the maze theme of this splash pad adds another dimension of fun for the kids. The older ones will dig the onsite pool and waterslides.

HIGH PARK

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Boasting a pool and a splash pad, this gem of a park is a great place to spend the entire day. The splash pad is its most recent addition, with a canopy of umbrellas and multiple misters to cool your kid off.


CENTRE ISLAND

Franklin reigns supreme at this frog themed water feature on Centre Island. Gentle mists and heavier flows rain down on kids - a great way of washing away all the sand from the nearby beach.


GLENDORA SPLASH PAD

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The renovated splash pad at Glendora Park near Yonge and Sheppard is a wide open space of sprinklers with a playground right across for drying off.


JUNE ROWLANDS PARK

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Midtowners celebrate the music of Sharon Lois & Bram via this micro-park tucked inside June Rowlands Park. The well appointed water area is aptly named the Splish Splash splash pad.


DUFFERIN GROVE PARK

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Dufferin Park is a great option for the younger kids, they will enjoy the spacious wading pools surrounded by a layer of beautiful trees further protecting the fun-seekers from the scorching sun. It's also equipped with a large playground complete with a vast sandpit great for the explorative minds of the young ones! If you are lucky to visit during the weekly farmers' market, you will enjoy great deals and fresh produce.

TORONTO TOP 5 FLOWER SHOPS

It’s hard to tell given the almost freezing temperatures but it’s actually spring in Toronto!

If you’re finding it as hard as we are to relinquish the grey winter weather, why not add some colour and texture to your surroundings with flowers from one of our Toronto Top 5 flower shops? We’ve picked these shops based on personal experience. If you’ve got some great florists to share, we’d love to hear about them! Put a comment below or send us an email

CROWN FLORA

Photo courtesy of style democracy @styledemocracy

Photo courtesy of style democracy @styledemocracy

Crown Flora in Parkdale is hard to miss. I’d say it’s one of the most Instagramed flower shops in the city if for no other reason than it’s pretty pink exterior. But that’s just a great reason to check out Adam and Davis’ amazing collection of seasonal shrubbery. Always in style, Crown Flora expertly chooses plants and flowers that are both on, or ahead of the trends and still stylish and functional.

 

SWEETPEA’S

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BLOGTO

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BLOGTO

We could come up with some great praise for this West-end staple florist or take a note from their own website. After all, when you’re regarded by almost every Toronto publication as being the best flower shop in the city, how much more can we say? Do note their commitment to eco-friendly and socially responsible flowers; that seems a business decision ahead of it’s time…

Sweetpea's is dedicated to quality, design and service. We offer some of the most unique, custom floral creations in the city.  

Focusing on eco and socially responsible floral design isn't always easy, but something we feel is the responsibility of an industry based in nature and used to express emotion and caring of others.   

Sweetpea's offers same-day fresh flower delivery throughout Toronto & the GTA.   Our retail boutique is filled with beautiful gifts and cards, perfect for that special someone in your life.  

 

CORIANDER GIRL

PHOTO COURTESY OF @make_Something

PHOTO COURTESY OF @make_Something

We first became aware of Coriander Girl after a friend recommended them for Mother’s Day (how fortuitous!). What struck me about their arrangements was the inclusion of more a subdued, dustier palette of colours and floral styles. If you’re looking for something a little different, we highly recommend this one-of-a-kind shop in Toronto’s West-end.

YANG’S FLOWER MARKET

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BLOGTO

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BLOGTO

What this store doesn’t have in modern branding, it more than makes up for in selection and service. I’ve never had a better experience buying flowers than at Yang’s. Located at Avenue and Davenport, Yang’s offers up a huge selection of beautiful blooms.

SUMMERHILL FLORAL BOUTIQUE

PHOTO COURTESY OF @summerhill_FLORAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF @summerhill_FLORAL

Located directly across from famed Summerhill Market, Summerhill Floral Boutique offers arrangements and accoutrements for the whole home!

Whether you’re looking to do some last minute staging, get greater curb appeal or just adding some more colour to your home’s palette, we’ve got you covered!