Virtual office locations allow us to slum in our pajamas while working from home, but still maintain professional appearances. A virtual office location generally provides a business district address (think Yonge or Bay St. instead of Sorauren or Woodycrest), a secure mail box, reception services and, for out of town folk, a 416 phone number. Some even provide discounted or limited access to meeting space, should the need arise.

Here are some of the top virtual office locations in Toronto.

See also:The top 10 shared office space options in Toronto

iQ Office Suites
iQ Office Suites, in the historic Dineen building at Yonge and Temperance, offers a list of virtual services, including a discount on meeting space. To have your mail sent to iQ, it'll cost $59 per month; $99 for phone answering with auto attendant, and $149 for the full package, which includes voicemail, discounts on meeting space, mail, phone with auto attendant, and access to professional admin support.

Regus
Regus has a couple of locations in the city. There are 16 total, but the most convenient one is in the TD Tower (or Brookfield Place) at 161 Bay St., at the mouth of Union Station. Packages start at $139 for your own personal mailbox, and mail services can be combined with a personalized answering service for $349. They do call transferring, too, and five days of physical office access per month.

Workplace One
This one is a good choice for fashion and creative types. At 51 Wolseley, it's near the intersection of Queen and Bathurst. It offers virtual office services for $99 per month, which includes a place to have your mail sent and reception services.

Intelligent Office
Intelligent Office is right at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor, at 2 Bloor St. E. The office is in the middle of many of the city's communications and ad agencies, and it offers everything from virtual assistants to telephone answering and virtual offices services. Packages include the taking of reservations, appointment scheduling, social media management, and a list of other helpful items, but cost depends on an individual's needs, so check in with them to get a quote.

OfficeExec
OfficeExec offers mail service, 416 phone numbers, and three locations: two are downtown on Bay St., and the other is in the northern part of the city at 25 Sheppard Ave. W. Packages start at about $50 per month for mail service. They'll forward your mail for you, too, in case you don't want to have to venture too far away from your couch home office. Phone service is included with mail for $99 per month.

The Professional Centre
The Professional Centre, at 120 Adelaide St. W., offers basic options for mail delivery, all the way to personalized telephone services and packages including transfers to personal lines and cell phones. They provide free tea and coffee, 416 numbers, and transfer of calls for an added fee. They also provide access to a full range of office services, but on a pay-per-use basis. To get a quote, though, you've got to give them a call.

The Beach Business Hub
The Beach Business Hub, at 2181 Queen St. E. near Queen and Lee, can be had as a virtual address for $35 per month, plus a $50 setup fee. The service includes acceptance of mail and small parcels, a personalized mail slot, and pickup opportunities during business hours.

Rostie Group
Rostie Group is located down at the foot of Bay St., at Queen's Quay, at 20 Bay St. Their virtual services include a "live receptionist," mail handling, and meeting room and office space. Plans range from $69 per month, which includes use of the address for mail purposes, fax and courier services, all the way to a more comprehensive package at $199 per month, which includes phone answering, access to the lounge area and meeting rooms, and presentation and office supplies.

401 Bay Centre
Virtual office services at 401 Bay Centre range from basic mail service, at $69 per month, to mail, phone and office space packages for $229 per month. Like many of the others on this list, 401 Bay is in the financial core, at Queen and Bay, and they offer meeting space as well as dedicated 416 phone numbers.

Telsec
Telsec is located in the Toronto Star building at 1 Yonge St. on the Harbourfront. For $75 per month, they provide personalized reception and telephone answering services from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., as well as mail service. Or, you can get just mail service for $30 per month.

Did I miss a good virtual office location in Toronto? Add it to the comments below.

We still don't know where exactly Rob Ford is, but he recently shared some of his thoughts about rehab in the wake of speculation that he never made it into treatment. Speaking to Toronto Sun reporter, Joe Warmington, Ford summarized his rehab experience as follows: "Rehab is amazing. It reminds me of football camp. Kind of like the Washington Redskins camp I went to as a kid... I am working out every day and I am learning about myself, my past and things like that."

As for a possible return date, Ford promised to be back in time for the election. "I will be on the ballot for mayor in October, guaranteed, and I will do well." The big question, of course, is when exactly he will return to the campaign trail. If a leaner and cleaner Ford returns mid-summer, there's still plenty of time for him to spread his anti-gravy train message. Does anyone else think Ford is anything but out of this race?

Now every day is like the One of a Kind Show in Toronto - without the schlep to and from the Ex. The city's biggest craft show packs hundreds of artisans from all over Canada into the Direct Energy Centre every spring and fall; today, they launched an online shop featuring hundreds of handmade items from 300 creators.

Just like the real-life OOAK, you'll find everything from clothing and jewelry to soap and hot sauce. Past vendors from the show have been invited to sell on the site, with some brand-new ones getting on board as well. Once you place an order, it's filled and shipped by the artist; think of the site as a miniature Etsy, but with a selection process that cuts down on any possible Regretsy (RIP) factor.

Among the offerings are a slew of Toronto favourites: relaxed pieces from Skinny Sweats, Crywolf tees, and womenswear by Anu Raina (including that infamous TTC subway scarf). On the home goods side, there's textiles by Avril Loreti (I'm finally gonna spring for one of her giant paint chip table runners).

Now that we've finished gorging on 1 litre milkshakes we're looking to round-out our team with a few key additions. Might you be one of them? Read on to check out the blogTO roles currently up for grabs.

FREELANCE ROLES

Film Writer. You'll be our main writer at the Toronto International Film Festival covering the news on the ground, the buzziest films and the bombs. You're a film buff and hit up local film festivals like Hot Docs and Inside Out. In this role you'll be expected to contribute film posts to the site 2-4 times a month as well as be available full time (10 days) during TIFF for round-the-clock coverage.

Tech writer. You've got your eye on local start-ups and are immersed in the Toronto tech scene. In this role you'll contribute posts 2-4 times a month featuring new consumer-focused Toronto based start-ups and apps, as well as report on any other local tech news of note.

PART/FULL TIME ROLES (3-5 days a week)

Listings Manager . In this role you'll navigate neighbourhoods throughout the GTA writing up short profiles of new stores as well as take on additional list-based posts. You'll also be responsible for maintaining our database of local business listings. The successful candidate will have an expert knowledge of Toronto (you grew up here or have lived here for 10 plus years) be very detail and deadline oriented, possess an undergrad journalism degree and be able to take good quality photos (you own and have experience using a DSLR).

HOW TO APPLY

Interested in applying?

Simply send an email to tim [at] blogto [dotcom]. In your email please include the following:

1. State which role you're applying for (you should choose one).

2. Please explain to us why we should pick you instead of another applicant.

3. Tell us which Toronto neighbourhood you live in and how long you've lived in Toronto.

4. Links to any of your previous writing or photography (if applicable).

5. Please don't send us any attachments, resumes or cover letters. Anything you want to communicate to us should be done via text and hyperlinks in the body of the email.

These are paid positions. Thanks in advance to everyone interested in applying for one of these roles. We aim to respond to all applicants who send us a complete application as per the instructions above.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator swept four of its most promising young designers onto the runway this week as part of the group's annual New Labels competition. Toronto-based Christopher Paunil, Laura Siegel (a Fashion Week veteran), Nomad of the Sun and AliceAzur each showed their best, most carefully-honed pieces before a panel of judges and a room of fashion insiders. The prize: $25,000 in cash, an editorial in FLARE Magazine, and a professionally-produced lookbook.

Who came out on top? That would be AliceAzur's Miriam Baker, a recent Ryerson grad, who was met with a huge hug from her visibly-moved folks at the end of the runway after accepting her prize. (Aww.) But the competition was stiff; prize or no, you'll be seeing more of the runners-up yet.

Here are my picks for the top 10 looks from TFI New Labels 2014.

ABOVE: Nomad Of The Sun's Ashley Boutcher focuses on swimwear tailor-made for lounging glamorously by the poolside. Her geometric suits were often layered under flowing chiffon - in this case, black sheer trousers and a plunging-front swimsuit made for '70s-style glamour.

Part of Baker's winning formula was her ability to dress bustier women; AliceAzur is designed to fit women with a D-cup bust or larger. This flowing, minimal jersey-and-tweed look made all that careful tailoring look effortless.

Laura Siegel's fall/winter 2014 collection slayed at Fashion Week, and her bohemian pieces - rendered in dark, desaturated green and sea blue - were given new life on the TFI runway with some slick styling. Siegel's oversized coat - the perfect armour against a gloomy day in the city - is woven from recycled saris and dyed with cocoa.

When Christopher Paunil's first look - this showstopping black gown - swept onto the runway, more than a few folks in the audience were already envisioning a victory. (Their bridal collection is being carried at the new Kleinfeld store - maybe we'll be seeing a white version in stores?)

She showed some more outlandish looks, including A-line eyelet gowns topped off with feathered chokers - but AliceAzur's cable-knit sweater and floaty organza circle skirt, while relatively understated, was the epitome of ladylike Tippi Hedren chic (killer birds not included).

Boutcher's show took a Bond-girl turn with Nomad of the Sun's red diamond-front bikini and tie-side bottoms.

Christopher Paunil's collection was all about opulence, including the fur pieces contributed by veteran Canadian designer Farley Chatto. Look closely underneath: black leather harnesses topped off several Paunil's gowns for a tougher touch (Zana Bayne-style).

About that tailoring at AliceAzur: The girlishness of this Wednesday Addams-style tweed dress is nicely subverted by the razor-sharp cut. Baker may have just out-Pink-Tartaned Pink Tartan.

Amid the strappy, wrappy, high-waisted suits on the Nomad Of The Sun runway, Boucher sent out a seemingly-demure blocked, panelled one-piece sexed up with mesh side inserts and a tiny cutout. It's flattering and fashion-forward - in short, it could make even your average non-model look fierce come beach season.

Laura Siegel's hand-dyed grid-print silk was a favourite motif of mine in her fall/winter collection; here, it's used to full, graphic effect. Siegel's pieces are made in collaboration with artisans from Asia and South America, but even the most modern of dressers would fall for the sharp print and draped silhouette.

Photos courtesy Toronto Fashion Institute.

The best menswear stores in Toronto are scattered all over the city - whether you're in Yorkville or the Junction, you'll find a supplier of tip-top men's fashion near you. However, the hunt for a specific look requires a little more effort as every shop is curated (to perfection, no less) for a distinctive lifestyle. There may not be a spot on this list for the bargain hunters, but there's one for the dapper chap in Jil Sander suits and, another for someone a little rougher around the edges - whatever your style, you'll leave these stores better-dressed.

Here are the best menswear stores in Toronto.

See also:

The top 10 new menswear stores in Toronto
The best place to buy a suit in Toronto
The best bespoke tailors in Toronto
The best shoe stores in Toronto

Photo by Steven Hoang in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto it's a huge day for visual arts. The first ever Love Art Fair in Canada is opening up at Exhibition, or if you're thinking smaller there's a show on/about matchbooks (yes matchbooks) at Videofag. Angell Gallery on Ossington is baiting Contact with a huge group exhibit called I ♥ Paint, which features Kim Dorland, Bradley Harms, and more, and Narwhal is opening Toeshi Saeki ("Godfather of Japanese Eroticism")'s solo exhibit. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Art: Love Art Fair (Direct Energy Centre)
• Tech: Digifest 2014 (Corus Quay)
• Music/Lit: Teenage Head performance & book launch (CMW) (The Great Hall)
• Film: Germany Laughs (TIFF)
• Games: Comics vs Games 3D VRcade Opening Party (Bento Miso)
• Fashion: Vitaly Friends Pop-Up (1101 Queen St West)
• Music: DIANA Presents Dig Deep/Hit High (CMW) (The Drake Hotel)
• Art: Ku and Videofag present The Last Match (Videofag)
• Art: I love Paint (Angell Gallery)
• Art: Toeshi Saeki Solo Exhibition (Narwhal)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo via Facebook

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• People's Eatery, the new two-storey snack bar from Dustin Gallagher and the team behind 416 Snack Bar, is now open at 307 Spadina Ave. in Chinatown.
• Chococrepe Cafe, Cocktails & Co. (620 Queen St. West) is newly reopened after a renaming and revamping. The now-licensed creperie has pared down its food menu and added a cocktail list.
• Baker and Scone is now open at 693 St. Clair Ave. West, offering freshly baked scones in a wide range of flavours.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• Dutch Dreams
• Smoque N Bones
• Farmer's Daughter

OPENING SOON

• Rock Lobster Food Co. is bringing a taste of the east coast to the east side, with a third outpost set to open at 1192 Queen St. East in June. The new spot will boast the most space in all of Leslieville, with plans for three patios. They'll tailor the menu to the neighbourhood, with a kids' menu and an expanded selection of raw bar offerings.
• Good Son has posted its impending arrival on the windows at 1096 Queen St. West, taking over the address recently vacated by Nyood.
• Bebop is apparently opening at the same site as Pai, the long-awaited new project from Jeff and Nuit Regular (Sabai Sabai, Sukhothai). Bebop will reportedly be a separate concept from Pai, with its own menu.

CLOSING

• Fiore restaurant has hit the deadpool, and paper on the windows of 4 Temperance St. indicates that something called Little Fin is moving in. It'll be owned by the same people as The Chase and I'm told will feature lower priced fare like fish tacos.
• Peter Pan Bistro, the longtime occupant of 373 Queen St. West, is reportedly closed, and the space is in transition. [The Grid]

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

Toronto is smack in the middle of a giant insect orgy and we're powerless to do anything about it, says Ontario Science Centre scientist David Sugarman. Millions of tiny hovering bugs, little chironomids or midges, are performing a shameless mating ritual all over the city, filling our eyes, and mouths, and open drinks with their sex-fuelled bodies.

"When you see them, it's mating season," he says. "The ones that we're seeing, these little black ones, the males have these fuzzy antennae and sometimes they're given the nickname "muffleheads ... they don't bite people, they're just a nuisance."

The hovering masses, which often gather in shafts of sunlight or over distinctive patches of ground, are sexually active females awaiting the arrival of obliging male to share in a brief bout of coitus. Though gross, it's hard to begrudge the little insects their annual moment of passion - they typically only live for a few weeks.

The bugs live and lay eggs close to water (hence the current swarm) and provide important food for fish and other marine life. Last year's wet Fall is to blame for the current insect levels, says Sugarman.

"The reason we get huge clouds of these midges is that you can get, and this is an astounding number, four thousand larvae in a metre square, which means you could get thousands of adults emerging practically at the same time."

The "mating swarms" tend to be worse downtown because the little insects are attracted to light and are easily blown around by an onshore wind. Sugarman says setting up a bright distraction lamp during the "emergence period" (that's now) will help keep the swarm out of the way.

"You can use insecticides but that's just a sucker's game because you're going to have to keep spraying and you don't want to be exposed to those chemicals. And even those electric bug zappers that people hang up to keep mosquitos away, clouds of these things will actually clog those bug zappers, so that's not a good thing either."

The midges are due to buzz off in the next few weeks once they're done doing it, until the weather turns wet again. In all, there could be up to four mating swarms this year.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Ben Roffelsen/blogTO Flickr pool.

The colourful mural on the outside of Lee's Palace has been a Toronto live music scene landmark for so long that it's hard to picture what the Annex would feel like without it. The current version actually the third incarnation of the famous cartoon imagery, but the overall concept and feel of the alternative rock venue has changed remarkably little since opening September 5, 1985.

Like the Danforth Music Hall, Lee's Palace was originally a movie theatre built by the Allen cinema chain. However, before the Allen's Bloor Theatre was built in 1919, the property was originally a shoemaker shop, a role that its sister club The Horseshoe Tavern also once played before becoming an entertainment venue.

Also like the Danforth Music Hall, Allen's Bloor Theatre was also designed by Detroit architecture firm Howard Crane, and was originally much more ornate than what you see today. In 1923, Famous Players bought out the Allen chain, and a few years later in 1928 made the first major renovations to the building by building an orchestra pit. It remained an active movie theatre for decades, eventually closing in 1957.

City records suggest that it remained vacant for almost ten years, until entrepreneur Ed Silverberg bought it for $129 000 and then spent another $250 000 to convert it into a cabaret called the Blue Orchid. Inspired by drag shows in NYC, the Blue Orchid functioned as a dinner theatre and featured burlesque shows and plays, with all-male casts performing both female and male roles. He also turned the upper balcony level into a second floor speakeasy, which survives today as the Dance Cave.

In 1976, the Blue Orchid was replaced by the Oriental Palace, although it's unclear exactly what kind of venue that was. Legend has it that the building was at one point a bank, but no official record of that appears to have survived.

When Mr. Lee took over the bar in 1985, he also built the multi-level tiers that still exist, giving the club much better sightlines than most similar rooms. He also hired artist Al Runt to paint the famous mural. Runt had previously worked at the venue as a waiter before Lee took over, but was hired more because of his relationship with the proto-hipster scene percolating on Queen West at The Cameron House, which Lee was hoping to capitalize on. Runt later re-painted the mural in 1992, and again in 2010, when the main floor burrito shop was added. While all versions had a similar feel, they were all distinct designs from each other, and featured increasing density of detail with each incarnation.

The first bookings at the new alternative club were Handsome Ned and Blue Rodeo, both closely associated with the Queen West scene of the time. That formula of local rock bands and emerging international acts was a hit, and hasn't really changed much since then.

Bookers came and left, but you always knew what to expect when attending a show there, or dancing upstairs at the Dance Cave. The business continued to be owned by Mr Lee until he passed away in 2001, and it is now run by the folks at Collective Concerts (who also run The Horseshoe).

Over the years a huge amount of big names played their Toronto debuts at Lee's Palace, most famously Nirvana's sparsely-attended 1990 gig. Other international bands whose first Toronto appearances were on Lee's stage include Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Verve, Blur and the Magnetic Fields.

Lee's Palace was featured prominently in the Scott Pilgrim movie, but that's not the only Michael Cera connection. The baby-faced actor also briefly played bass on tour with "doom-wop" indie rock supergroup Mister Heavenly, whose name was directly inspired by the venue.

Lee's Palace has never been a particularly fancy place, and that is likely part of the reason for its success: it's casual and comfortable enough to be a low key spot for emerging local bands, but also boasts a powerful sound system and good sight lines to please touring acts, which gives it a credibility and status that benefits the hometown acts looking to showcase their sounds in a spot more prestigious than the average rock 'n' roll dive.

And of course the Dance Cave upstairs keeps a steady stream of new college students coming through and discovering it each year, keeping the crowds fresh.

Follow Ben Boles on Twitter: @benjaminboles

Dundas Square Gardens will soar above the corner of Dundas and Jarvis Street by 2017. The 47-storey main tower will eclipse the rest of the neighbourhood with a glass and white stone façade that will top up on a lantern-type crown. A secondary 18-storey "garden" tower will offer a more modest and private boutique-style option with separate elevators. Yay for scale.

The project's most noteworthy feature is its 16,000 sq.ft. outdoor space scattered across five rooftop patios on the garden tower. Unit-wise, Dundas Square Gardens offers a selection of 66 floor plans with terraces of up to 575 sq.ft -- that is, if you go for the two or three bedroom offerings. The rest are destined for standard balconies. The horror.

SPECS

• Address: 200 Dundas St. East
• Storeys: 47-storey main tower + 18-storey garden tower.
• Number of Units: 968 units
• Types of Units: Studio, 1, 1+den, 2, 2+den, 3 bedrooms.
• Units Sizes: From 305 to 773 sq. ft.
• Walkscore: 95 out of 100
• Price: Starting at $199,998
• Parking: $45,000
• Lockers: $5,000 (free for the first 300 buyers).
• Maintenance Fee: $0.54/Sq.ft. (hydro metered separately).
• Architect: Page+Steele | IBI Group Architects
• Interior Designer: Munge Leung
• Developer: Easton's Group

FEATURES

• 24/7 concierge service
• Underground parking and storage lockers
• 8.5 ft. high ceiling units
• Laminate wood flooring throughout
• Integrated stainless steel appliances and stackable washer/dryer
• European-style bathroom sinks, laminate wood cabinetry and porcelain floor tiles

THE VERDICT

Even though Dundas Square Gardens offers lots of unit-variety in this very demanding market, when it comes to size, you'll have to lower your expectations. Studios start at 305 sq.ft. expanding to two to three bedrooms that stuff into 773 sq.ft. (or less). You better have an IKEA designer's penchant for organization and fancy shelving units. With more than three quarters of the development dedicated to studios and one bedroom units, this will be a "young" building. And, hey, kids are annoying in elevators, always pushing the buttons for each floor.

What sets this development apart is the outdoor integration with its five rooftops gardens. Mind you, calling them "gardens" is a bit of an overstatement, since there's in fact little pure green space. It's tough to argue with the location, though. Hence the mediocrity elsewhere? Hmmm.

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.

Writing by Cathy Esaa

Richmond and Adelaide streets have long be discussed as potential homes for bike lanes in Toronto, and a new proposal coming to the Public Works and Infrastructure committee next week is sure to reignite discussion regarding their suitability and traffic flow in the core of the city. The recommendations before the committee call for a pilot project that would involve the installation of cycle tracks (i.e. separated bike lanes) on Richmond and Adelaide as well as Simcoe Street and a short section of Bathurst. This would, in effect, create a loop that cyclists could use to avoid streets with no cycling infrastructure. Standard lanes are also proposed for Peter Street.

Where you can expect some controversy is in the resulting lane reductions associated with the project. That could prove a significant hurdle given that these recommendations have to make it through both the Public Works committee and a vote at city council. There's already an environmental assessment of bike lanes on these streets underway, so the temporary nature of these recommendations might make them more amendable to so called pro-car councillors. If approved, the lanes could be installed as early as this summer.

The AGO announced today that they're giving Toronto comic books for the holidays: Art Spiegelman's CO-MIX: A Retrospective will run from December 20, 2014 - March 14, 2015. Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the Time's 100 Most Influential People, the Maus cartoonist's work is a thrill to see in person: layers upon layers of drawings go into each panel of a Spiegelman comic, complete with white-out scars and camera-resistant blue pencil sketches - I'm all a flutter just thinking about it.

The AGO exhibit will include rarely seen works from Spiegelman's early career (including his teens); original drawings such as cover art from The New Yorker, 2004's Shadow of No Towers, and Topps Chewing Gum concept sketches, as well as an autobiographical continuous strip called Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@?*!. Art Spiegelman is probably best known for Pulitzer Prize winning Maus, a devastating rendition of Spiegelman's parents' experiences under the Nazis, first in Poland and eventually in Auschwitz.

Art Spiegelman's CO-MIX: A Retrospective will run from December 20, 2014 - March 14, 2015 at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Lead image from Maus

This bakery, newly opened in the Queen Street Market, offers 'fine European' creations (and franchising opportunities, despite opening their first location just weeks ago). Though both the atmosphere and the pastries are picture-perfect, the taste test doesn't quite measure up, and their desired air of high-end authenticity mostly falls flat.

Read my review of BakeryHaus in the bakery section.

The Love Art Fair debuted in Toronto last night at the Direct Energy Centre, where it will run, tucked away in a bit of a corner, until Sunday, May 11. Launched in London in the 90s by Will Ramsay and known in other cities (Amsterdam, New York City, Milan, Mexico City, Seattle, Hong Kong, and more) as The Affordable Art Fair, the Love Art re-brand was necessary in Toronto due to AAF being a trademark of the tragically underwhelming Toronto Art Expo.

The special name suits the vibe of the fair - to quote one gallerist who I'll leave unnamed (I might have been eavesdropping): "Art Toronto is dry, and this one is really fun." Love Art is similar to the Artist Project in its goals of showing and selling fine work under $10,000 (with many works selling for under $1,000 and tagged as such). Unlike the Artist Project, however, galleries are representing artists instead of the artists themselves, meaning booths are curated and the show is much less a haphazard collection of hotel lobby paintings than a fun place to hang out with contemporary artwork.

Galleries from Toronto including Bau-Xi, p|m, Parts, #Hashtag, and even old school gallery Roberts were on site beside galleries from LA, NYC, Beijing, Paris, Montreal, Uganda, and more. The appearance of online-only Toronto galleries Circuit Gallery and EYE BUY ART was notable - fairs like these are a rare chance for galleries without bricks and mortar locations to be visible IRL. On the other side of the spectrum, Manifold Editions had some Damien Hirst polka-dots on hand which got the fair buzzing, if mostly with audible eye rolls.

Eccentric works in China Print Art Gallery (Beijing) were much more enchanting. If I had the petty cash to take home anything from Love art it would have been Feng Ying's Afternoon, a watercolour of a woman leaning over a table in the company of her cat ($3,850), or (as I think most people at the fair would agree) Thou Shalt Die ($1,695) a cozy sweater from Nebraska gallery Darger HQ. There were also some $5,000 Marcel Dzama's on hand - the mark of a good art fair in my unbiased opinion.

If you're not a fair of Hirst polka-dots, wearable sculpture with vaguely Satanic connotations, or contemporary illustration, the fair still more than enough to offer: while the photography selection was limited, there were paintings for landscape and cityscape lovers, contemporary abstract addicts (I will never understand you), and fans of portraiture, pop art, and sparkles - there are always sparkles at these things. The other mark of success was the apparent lack of bacon themed art, though Toronto's Jay Dart veered a little too close with his extreme beard obsession.

Facial hair overdose aside, the Love Art Fair is a success. The one issue is the fair's set up: though considerable in size with over forty galleries in attendance, it still seems hidden away at Heritage Court in the back of huge Direct Energy Centre. Still, once you're in the maze of booths, it's time well spent, especially if you've got at least a meagre budget to put toward your art collection. If not, there's always the eavesdropping.

Love Art is open at Heritage Court, Direct Energy Centre (100 Princes' Blvd, Exhibition Place) Thursday, May 8 11am - 6pm, Friday, May 9 11am - 7pm (with free Friday hours from 5pm - 7pm only), Saturday, May 10 11am - 7pm, and Sunday, May 11 11am - 6pm. Regular admission is $12.

It's time once again to look back and take stock of the last year in Toronto architecture. The annual PUG Awards, now in its 10th year, is the public's chance to cast judgement on the most prominent buildings completed in 2013. This year, a total of 43 developments await our laurels and darts.

These days, the PUG awards are less about heckling the architects of heinous buildings than they are about celebrating strong design and bold, successful architecture. But by allowing the public to vote whether they "love," "like," or "hate" a new development, the awards still provide means for people to reject the dreary, uninspired, or downright ugly.

Here are some nominees for the best and worst of 2013.

BRIDGEPOINT ACTIVE HEALTHCAREThe looming, semi-transparent Bridgepoint Health development dominates the west side of the Don Valley at Gerrard Street. The light-filled addition to what was once the dark and brooding Don Jail involved the demolition of the much-loved "half-round" building and the less popular modern prison wing that faced Broadview. The wider development is still incomplete, but the hospital building with its green roof terrace opened for patients in 2013. Fans laud the airiness of the design, critics say it's too overbearing on its perch overlooking the Don Valley.

RIVER CITY - PHASE 1After the failure of the Ataratiri housing project in 2001, it seemed the West Don Lands would be forever a forlorn post-industrial wasteland. Now, thanks to Waterfront Toronto, life is returning to the mouth of the Don. Toronto Star architecture critic Christopher Hume gave the black aluminium-clad River City condos an "A+" rating, calling it "a work of considerable sophistication," and the comments on the PUG awards site seem to back-up his verdict. The angular blocks look like they could have been honed out of an obsidian cliff. Dramatic and bold.

MARKET WHARFThe fluid white lines of the 33-storey, mixed-use Market Wharf development look like wisps of high cirrus cloud or foamy ocean waves (never mind that Toronto is on a lake.) Down at street level, the brick podium mirrors the neighbouring St. Lawrence Market building despite harbouring a horrendous Shoppers Drug Mart. It's an eclectic mix of old and new materials that seems to be broadly popular. Some people don't seem to like the width of the tower, however.

300 FRONT
The whopping 49-storey 300 Front condominium tower looks set to prop up the bottom of this year's rankings. It's gigantic, graceless, and neither blends in nor stands out from its surroundings. The Minecraft zebra striped addition does a good job of blocking views of the transformer station to the north, but judging by the feedback on the PUG site, that isn't going to be enough to redeem 300 Front. "What a complete disaster," says one commenter. "A cheap and bumbled mess," says another. Oh dear.

FLY CONDOMINIUMSI suspect the naming agency that selected the title for this development were trying to evoke Bette Midler but, unfortunately, ended up with something closer to The Offspring. Fly Condominiums does have some nice touches - the arrangement of the west balconies act like a maze puzzle for the eyes and there's a little interior courtyard - but on balance there's something not quite right here. Perhaps its the needlessly drab horizontal slabs at street level or the forgettable facades that look out over Clarence Square and Front St. Fly Condos will likely score somewhere near the bottom.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: Tom Arban; Ben Rahn, A-Frame Studio/PUG Awards, Wallman Architects

Justin Radam's barbershop at CityPlace hasn't been open for long, but he's already scored Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry as a repeat visitor to his barber's chair. (Justin Bieber, too, on one bizarre occasion.) Not bad for a guy who worked his way up from doing at-home cuts for friends and cousins.

Read my profile of In The Cut in the fashion section.

In the days following former Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel's departure, there's been plenty of talk about the grim state of the retailer's Canadian operations, which reported a nearly $1 billion loss loss in 2013. Some have even gone so far as to speculate that Target will close up shop in Canada altogether, though that seems a bit premature at this point. So what the hell has gone so wrong?

One of the problems that's got a lot of airtime is inventory issues, or rather, lack of inventory. Reports of stores with empty shelves have been widespread since the chain opened, which has frustrated customers. Along with having (typically) less stock than their US counterparts, Canadian Target locations have also been criticized for higher prices than what many anticipated.

These are all significant factors contributing to the slow start, but perhaps the most interesting one from a Toronto perspective is the subject of a recent Reuters article, which suggests that Target's decision to occupy former Zellers locations in "down-market malls rather than up-and-coming retail locations... Target's Canadian woes began with that footprint, while the company's inability to stock the stores with items Canadians want at the prices they expected is what ultimately alienated customers."

It's an interesting theory, and one that's at least anecdotally supported by the warm reviews the new Stockyards location of the chain has received. Zellers died for a reason, and it's tough business when you're thought of as its ghost. Perhaps a few more of these massive downtown locations are just what the retailer needs to help restore its image?

Photo by Greg's Southern Ontario on Flickr

Drinking events and groups for women in Toronto are picking up a strong, robust following. It's been a common tale in recent years: A whiskey or beer aficionada decides to get some like-minded lasses together to taste-test a few drinks, and a couple of social media posts later, she's hit with a wave of overwhelming demand from fellow enthusiasts.

What is it about women-only events that's so appealing? Tellingly, the drinks favoured by these events - beer and whiskey spring to mind - have traditionally been marketed primarily to men. But those connotations are changing, and by creating spaces for women to get together and learn more about their drink of choice, that boys-club context is stripped away even further.

Many of these events also foster a laid-back atmosphere where forging new social connections is as crucial as what's on tap or behind the bar. (After all, if you're making new friends, you may as well find ones who'll go with you to try out whatever's in the casks this week at C'est What.)

Regardless of their reasons for taking part, Toronto's women are sending a clear message: We are here, we are thirsty, and get that Skinnygirl martini the hell out of my face.

We've rounded up the city's best-known tasting events and societies geared toward women - and a number that are led by women or foster an inclusive atmosphere, but invite any gender to take part.

JUST FOR WOMEN

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies
The Society began when Black Oak Brewing's Erica Campbell tried to throw a gathering of female beer fans at her place - and moved it offsite and found sponsors after 100 women pledged to attend. The Society meets on the last Friday of every month, but the location is ever-changing - and often kept a secret. They're also hosting satellite events, including Bevucation, a home-brewing workshop led by Jen Shute of Ltd Supply Kitchen Brewery, this Saturday. To be kept in the loop on where the society will next convene, sign up for their mailing list through their website.

Barley's Angels
On the 15th of every month, the Toronto chapter of this international group assembles for meetups at pubs around the city, with the goal of building a network of like-minded, beer-loving women. The Angels have also teamed up with brewers to create their own limited-run beers and hosted a "beer-lesque" workshop (which is pretty much what it sounds like). Watch their Facebook page to find out about future events.

Women and Whisky at the Caledonian
Donna Wolffe, the proprietor of this Scottish pub in Little Italy, launched this tasting event in the hopes of breaking down the stereotype of whiskey as a "man's drink"; it instantly took off, drawing dozens of women looking to sample Scotland's finest. The next event is set for July 8, and will tackle wood influences in single malts. Follow the pub's Facebook page for updates.

LED BY WOMEN

School House Booze
The two tipsy teachers behind School House Booze, Rachel and Ashley, are here to teach your sorry vodka-soda-swilling self how to navigate a drinks list with supreme confidence. In addition to blogging about the latest happenings in Toronto booze, they also hold workshops and events (past outings include a beer-and-cheese event and a sommelier-led wine tasting/Raptors game). The team has some summer events in the works; follow them on Twitter for news.

Luxy's Beer School at Tequila Bookworm
Local beer expert and writer Crystal Luxmore is launching a monthly class exploring new beer trends and classic brews. Her first class, on May 21, is Sours 101, where you can delve into the world of fermented flavours ranging from the lemony to the petting-zoo-ish; more courses, including Ciders 101 and 'Tis The Saison, are scheduled to take place over the summer. Tickets are $35 or two for $50; check Luxmore's website for news.

Beerology
Mireilla Amato, of beerology.ca, is dedicated to getting people excited about beer, familiarizing them enough with the wide world of suds that they can discover their own likes and dislikes. She regularly hosts tastings and events in Toronto and around eastern Canada, but next week's event is a big one - her new book, also entitled Beerology, will be released next Tuesday (May 13) at C'est What. The tasting portion of the event is full, but you can still grab a pint, pick up your copy, and eavesdrop on some wisdom. She also appears at a number of festivals in the summer months - like her Facebook page to learn about future events.

iYellow Wine Club
iYellow, founded by Angela Aiello (say her name out loud) hosts regular wine tastings in Toronto, letting vinophiles sample wines from around the world while mingling with like-minded drinkers. Their next event: A Stoneleigh tasting on May 14. To learn about more future events, including a slew of summertime tastings, join their mailing list.

CO-ED (but worth checking out)

Beerworking
Held at Project OWL, this series of speed-networking events for young professionals (with beer!) is hosted by experts including Luxmore and our own Ben Johnson. While it's a co-ed event, Luxmore says the environment is welcoming, and roughly 40% of attendees are usually female. Two events are coming up: one featuring Mill Street brews on May 14, and a Lake Of Bays takeover on May 28. Tickets are $25, and include beer and snacks.

OUT OF TOWN

Queen of Craft: Women's Beer Sessions
If a trip to Guelph is in the cards, you'll want to check out this series at Wellington Brewery. So far, the series of talks has covered beer basics and the art of food pairings; the next event, on June 4, will be a roundtable discussion with women in the industry. Tickets are $10; all proceeds from the event go to benefit Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis.

Small Batch Beer & Spirits Tour
Luxmore is taking her show on the road with a bus tour to Niagara on June 21. Interested drinkers can learn about farmhouse brewing at Niagara Oast House Brewers, taste-test the wares of emerging chefs and brewers at Niagara College Teaching Brewery, and sip on some spirits at Dillon's Distillery. Tickets are $130 each or $250 for two.

Did we miss any? Add your drinking events and groups below.