Monthly Faves: Cuisine & Cosmetics

It was a good month in my sex life but I don’t have too much new stuff to report vis-à-vis sex toys, fantasies, or femme stuff, so… in lieu of a typical Monthly Faves, here’s a straight-up list of things I liked this month, in any category.

• I just moved from a big apartment in the west end of Toronto to a smaller apartment downtown, with a much more respectful roommate, and I’m already feeling so much better about my living situation. My room has a huge window, and I live with two excellent cats and a sweet femme – ideal.

• The Southside remains my favorite summertime cocktail, and I had a bunch of good ones this month. It’s truly the most refreshing boozy drink imaginable.

• Staying at the NoMad Hotel with my partner was a dream. Our room had a deep bathtub, beautiful art on the walls, a giant white bed, and a big-screen TV which we used to watch The L Word while high and giggly (best). Their in-house restaurant is one of the fanciest places I’ve ever been, and their Library Bar makes me feel like a Gryffindor on an illicit night off.

• The other culinary highlight of my month was doing the tasting menu at Eleven Madison Park with my beloved. My meal included caviar, asparagus salad, lobster, glazed duck, two fancy chocolate desserts, and some perfect cocktails. I mean. How much better can you get?!

• My favorite book of the month was Night Film by Marisha Pessl, a fast-paced murder-mystery featuring elements of investigative journalism, New York City chaos, and the occult. I was gripped from start to finish.

• It was fun taking a friend on their first makeup shopping trip after they came out as non-binary this month. We settled on a Marc Jacobs eyeliner (this shit STAYS PUT), MAC Brave lipstick, and a MAC 212 brush for smudging the aforementioned eyeliner as needed (although, I will say, it’s not very smudgy). My pal went on to buy Glossier’s Cloud Paint blush and Boy Brow pomade; together, I think these 5 products make a great starter kit for new makeup enthusiasts.

• Watching John Oliver videos has been a favorite diversion of mine lately. He’s funny and cute and smart and I like him.

• I dropped by Folsom East and it was great: we perused leather bondage goods, watched a fireplay scene, saw some effervescent drag performers, and basked in all the kinky queerness. Ideal.

What were your fave things this month?