Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the Toronto edition of the National Women’s Show at the Metro Convention Centre, covering the event as one of their bloggers. For those of you who follow me on social media, you might have seen many of the pictures! While many of the exhibitors at the event were very well known to the public (and need no introduction), without the real need to report back, there were also plenty lesser-known brands. One of the favourites I found there was Miik, a clothing line producing classic, wearable pieces in bamboo, mirco modal and other, super-comfortable materials.
Blue blazer from Miik
This clothing line includes blazers, both standard length and cropped, as well as dresses, cardigans, tunics and more, ranging from office-friendly to “après-ski” and even cocktail-friendly pieces. Most of the pieces are solids and come in several different colours, some seasonal, while others are part of the regular line (black, for example). The great thing about the blazers (which I purchased), is the lack of shoulder pads. I hate them. I don’t find them comfortable. I scour shops just to find ones that are structured, yet shoulder pad free, so it’s great that one can find something that doesn’t have them! Another piece I was considering was a four way dress, where one can wear forwards or backwards, inside out and outside in. Maybe next time!
Another exhibitor came from Rolling Meadow Dairy (above), a brand of grass-fed milk, now available in supermarkets like Whole Foods and Longo’s (“full” stores only and not Longo’s Market, according to the website). I had tried the milk before, when a representative was at my nearest Whole Foods giving out samples. The milk definitely has a richer, creamier taste, and I guess it’s what milk was like many years ago when ALL cows ate only grass (I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t around back in those days). According to the exhibitor I spoke with, the entire line, which includes whole, 2% as well as 1% and skim is now available at select grocery chains. The cows fed mostly grass (rather than fed corn or soy), with very small amounts of starch and minerals (according to their FAQ) and graze the fields half the year. In the colder months, they are fed grass collected during the warmer parts of the year (yeah, I know, it’s not perfect, but we live in Ontario. We have winter). Currently, Rolling Meadow Dairy sells only milk, with yogourt and butter coming soon.
Flavour-infused oils and vinegars from Oliv
Finally, I’d like to highlight the infused oils and vinegars that I found at the event. I think I’m beginning to be obsessed with them. Remember, I purchased three bottles – an oil and two vinegars – from the Olive That! at the Delicious Food Show last month. This time, it’s Oliv Tasting Room, a competitor. Again, I tried several oils, first just the oils, and then mixed with vinegar, including an apple flavoured vinegar, which I ended up purchasing. This would be perfect to use as a marinade for roast chicken, turkey or pork! I purchased it along with a shallot-infused olive oil, which, by the way, tasted like a delicious apple cider when mixed with the apple vinegar!
Did I have a good time at the event? Of course! But even though it was 11 AM on a Friday, it was definitely CROWDED! In fact, I was fairly surprised, since similar events tend not to be that busy earlier in the day!
NOTE: This was meant to be posted on November 11, but I felt that due to #fashionunfold being scheduled that same day, my “Why I don’t Wear Statement Pieces” post was more appropriate, as I would be able to link it to participants!
