Uncommon is it that I proclaim the need for a scheduled hair appointment. The mere snipping procedure is deemed pricey by many, and I am no exception.
I sought out Salon de Elephant initially, for I was intrigued by their combined cafe and cut services. As luck would have it, their first slot was already taken when I attempted to book four days in advance. Prices for junior stylists weren't budget-friendly either.
Miss Rushka had mentioned NC Salon for her pink-purple dye job, so I contacted their North York location. Equally steep prices and unavailabilities for the Saturday morning appointment prevented me from booking yet again.
SORA in Koreatown had provided a satisfying experience previously, so I opted to take my business there, even though it was kilometres further from my original choice of location.
I sought out Salon de Elephant initially, for I was intrigued by their combined cafe and cut services. As luck would have it, their first slot was already taken when I attempted to book four days in advance. Prices for junior stylists weren't budget-friendly either.
Miss Rushka had mentioned NC Salon for her pink-purple dye job, so I contacted their North York location. Equally steep prices and unavailabilities for the Saturday morning appointment prevented me from booking yet again.
SORA in Koreatown had provided a satisfying experience previously, so I opted to take my business there, even though it was kilometres further from my original choice of location.
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The stylist that my friend had recommended had been taken for the morning, but there was an option for whichever employee happened to be unoccupied at that time. I took it with wariness.
Seven minutes early for my scheduled slot, I popped into Put A Cone On It for cookies and a cozy pick-me-up. A tasty Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie and Rosetta-topped latte eased the effects of sleep deprivation slowly.
I was ushered immediately to a salon chair upon arrival; the stylist wore a blank, listless expression and a medium-long bob (a "lob") of copper. She seemed extremely eager to wrap up the process, directing my belongings to be stashed away in a deep cupboard and preparing the plastic apron before even bothering to take my outerwear.
Seven minutes early for my scheduled slot, I popped into Put A Cone On It for cookies and a cozy pick-me-up. A tasty Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie and Rosetta-topped latte eased the effects of sleep deprivation slowly.
I was ushered immediately to a salon chair upon arrival; the stylist wore a blank, listless expression and a medium-long bob (a "lob") of copper. She seemed extremely eager to wrap up the process, directing my belongings to be stashed away in a deep cupboard and preparing the plastic apron before even bothering to take my outerwear.
Trimming split ends and evening out odd strands isn't tremendously challenging, but she seemed confused at my request to straighten the layers, even furrowing her brows in judgment. Few words were exchanged as she snipped away the centimetres.
I was taken to the hairwashing station mid-cut, then taken back when she confidently sliced away fragments of soaking wet hair. She didn't inquire whether I wanted the cut styled at the end, nor did she bother with heat protectant until I inquired so. In under forty minutes, I had received a decent cut, but an incomplete blowdry job and unnecessarily rushed appointment.
While my head is now free of scraggly bits and split ends, I wish the matter was carried out in a more enjoyable fashion.
I was taken to the hairwashing station mid-cut, then taken back when she confidently sliced away fragments of soaking wet hair. She didn't inquire whether I wanted the cut styled at the end, nor did she bother with heat protectant until I inquired so. In under forty minutes, I had received a decent cut, but an incomplete blowdry job and unnecessarily rushed appointment.
While my head is now free of scraggly bits and split ends, I wish the matter was carried out in a more enjoyable fashion.
A little over an hour remained until I had plans to show my face at Anime North.
The coveted Juniper coaster from hanji (finally) made its way into my bag. Sarah and Tom's was browsed. Parking was found.
The coveted Juniper coaster from hanji (finally) made its way into my bag. Sarah and Tom's was browsed. Parking was found.
Apiecalypse Now was a spot I had been eyeing for some time now, so it only made sense to test out the vegan pizza joint with an excuse for lunch. Alas, its operating hours did not align with our schedule, and we were regrettably left to fend for our stomachs at other eateries along Bloor, many of which had committed DineSafe infractions.
As the final decision lay with me, I chose Big Tuna. Instead of their trademark poke bowls though, I pointed towards a smaller item on their menu: the Musubi Bowl. Three pieces of pan-seared Spam found their way on top of zucchini noodles (for their white rice hadn't been ready yet) seasoned with ponzu sauce and wasabi cream.
The girl behind the cashier, who bore a strangely similar appearance to Emily the Strange (without bangs) for her pin straight black locks and pale complexion, was outwardly apologetic that many of the ingredient weren't available yet. She was gushingly friendly, and even offered to top the bowl with taro chips in addition to crispy seaweed bits and wasabi peas.
The girl behind the cashier, who bore a strangely similar appearance to Emily the Strange (without bangs) for her pin straight black locks and pale complexion, was outwardly apologetic that many of the ingredient weren't available yet. She was gushingly friendly, and even offered to top the bowl with taro chips in addition to crispy seaweed bits and wasabi peas.
The bowl was honestly more filling than it appeared, which meant that surviving till 5 PM shouldn't have been an issue.
Anime North was already a bustling neighbourhood of colour, armour, and swords. For reasons beyond me, a substantial section of the TCC parking lot had been reserved for members attending an event led by the Conservative Party of Canada, further complicating the pre-existing parking mayhem.
Finding myself amidst a crowd of eager cosplayers and enthusiastic photographers, I was overcome with the realization that the scene no longer retained the same appeal as when I had first landed on its heat-stricken grounds four years ago. I haven't laid eyes on anime in a long time, neither can I guarantee that I will in the near future. Impending adulthood means greater responsibilities and lengthier time commitments to non-leisure activities. The K-Pop fangirl within me is already suffering from lack of sleep and attention, let alone the interests of lesser priority.
One can view my condensed album of this year's Anime North HERE (once updated). It remains in the air whether I'll still make the strenuous efforts to attend next year though.
The day ended in reiterated gratification and apologies towards my chauffeur, and a trip to CoCo.
One can view my condensed album of this year's Anime North HERE (once updated). It remains in the air whether I'll still make the strenuous efforts to attend next year though.
The day ended in reiterated gratification and apologies towards my chauffeur, and a trip to CoCo.
May's monthly specials of Sago Milk Tea and Black Tea Macchiato weren't really my cup of tea (no pun intended), so Mango Green Tea and 3 Guys were chosen instead.
Hopefully June will introduce a better selection.
Hopefully June will introduce a better selection.
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