A shopping tale....

One of the many blessings here has been that my Vancouverite friend and colleague David has also moved to Toronto. Too add to it, his equally fabulously gay friend Calvin has flown out to Toronto to visit. So I joined them for my first visit to the Kensington Market.

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Word of advice: NEVER shop with gay men.

Not only are they the most convincing judges of potential purchases, they have an unequivocal talent at getting you to buy something.

A large reason for the purchase of my first MuiMuis was due to a gay salesman. This guy managed to compliment just how good the shoes looked, convince me that it was a smart purchase because the shoes were "timeless" and "every girl needs a pair of classy black heels" all the while talking to me as if I was most stupid woman alive for not buying them that instant. It was one of the most impressive guilt trips of my life, complete with 360 degree eye rolls punctuated by disgusted grunts. This guy made me feel so bad about myself that I actually bought the shoes.

Only a gay man (and perhaps the most passive aggressive of divas) can multitask attitudes with such talent.

So, fast-forward to Friday afternoon: I am in Kensington Market with David and Calvin, and Calvin keeps buzzing in my ear, "This is Kensington Market, and we're shopping you have to buy SOMETHING." The comments flood my ear without stop, I'd pick up the smallest of trinkets, and there he would be "...buy SOMETHING", a pair of ridiculous glasses "...buy SOMETHING", a fur jacket "...buy SOMETHING" a lamp, "...buy SOMETHING."

It got to a point where my inner shopaholic (who has been on a shopping diet) just...couldn't...take...it...ANYMORE!! So at last, one fabulous see-through boho blouse later (purchased for a steal! $18 at a vintage store), Calvin finally shut up.

But it was upon getting home that I realized the next gay-shopping truth: their advice is priceless. Not only is that blouse oh-so-wonderful on its own, now a myriad of skirts which were previously matchless now have their prefect lacy-boho mate . Much in the same way my MuiMuis opened a plethora of fashion possibilities, my new blouse opens fashion doors that were previously in-accessible.

In conclusion, while gay men may be toxic to my bank account, it seems that my wardrobe could always use a little of their influence.