C’est juste une fille et elle est en feu. For those who don’t know how to read French or don’t trust Google Translate, that sentence means, “She’s just a girl and she’s on fire”. Which is taken from Alicia Keys’ song, “Girl on Fire”. Besides being my review on letterboxd (a shameless plug, follow me at _jessilaw), it also best describes why Portrait of a Lady on Fire is one of the best of 2019. Directed and written by Céline Sciamma, the film is set in France in 1760. A young woman, Marianne (Noémie Merlant), is commissioned to paint a

Mick Jenkins is one of those artists that I wish I knew about a long time ago. With a godly mic presence paired with silky smooth flows, Mick Jenkins has proved to be a force on the underground hip-hop scene.  From the Southside of Chicago, Mick has an introspective style that blends vulnerability and cockiness with ease. Its obviously impossible to articulate the skill and musical abilities of an artist like Mick with some words on a page, but to give you an idea of what he is capable of I’m going to briefly analyze two of Mick’s tracks; “P’s

Discover Italian food market, restaurants, dessert, cafe all in one place Eataly 55 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON If you want to try all things italian, you need to check out Eataly! It is a grand building outside of Bloor and Yonge TTC station, it has restaurants, bar, grab-n-go food, desserts, brewery, and marketplace with fresh cheese and meats and more. The best thing that I love about this place is that you can buy the exact sauces, fresh pastas, and the same authentic ingredients from the restaurant directly in the grocery market!! Not only do they sell over 50

Toronto Winter Stations is back in full swing for it’s sixth consecutive year. For those who are not familiar with Winter Stations, it’s an annual event that happens at Woodbine Beach out in the East end of Toronto. Starting in 2014, it’s a public art exhibition that receives hundreds of submissions from all around the world. Open to all individuals worldwide, artists are required to submit applications for proposed designs and installations utilizing the lifeguard stations that are scattered along Woodbine Beach. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Five Senses.” It’s based upon our five senses that we have as

It can be hard to be fashionable in the cold weather that we get in Toronto.  Since winter coats, boots, gloves, and scarves are often essential for most of the school year, it can be really easy to focus more on staying warm rather than worrying about fashion.  For the record, there is absolutely no shame in solely focusing on staying warm, I do this all the time.  Clothes can also be very expensive so the following clothing items are catered to us students who like to be fashionable on a budget.  I always recommend thrift shopping since it is

On the first Sunday of this past reading week, I took a trip to Toronto’s Cinesphere. Located on the grounds of what was formerly Ontario Place, the Cinesphere was the first ever permanent IMAX screen back when it first opened in 1971. The film that I decided to watch was 2010’s Inception, and as the screen dimmed and I anticipated that the movie would be starting, something else began to play. The screen displayed a large brightly lit, Russian music hall that being taken over by terrorists. As the counter-terrorist unit arrives to the scene, you realize that they possess

Sometimes you crave eggs, other times maybe pancakes. Regardless, everyone loves breakfast foods. Here are five places around campus you can check out, that serve all day breakfast. FRANS Who hasn’t heard of Frans Diner? They have two locations right by campus, one on Victoria street, the other on College. Serving breakfast favourites, lunch, and dinner options since it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week! What does that mean? You can grab The Big Breakfast, for $13.99 and even get a strawberry milkshake to wash it down for $6. https://www.fransrestaurant.com/menu/ Hours and Location Both open 24

Looking to channel your inner Harley Quinn with the perfect egg sandwich? There’s no better place to do that than Egg Bae, Kensington’s cute little breakfast sandwich shop. It’s just a short bus ride from the Ryerson campus, and it’s definitely worth the trip. The interior is surprisingly spacious, with a modern design and fun, chicken-themed murals. Egg Bae is a great example of a restaurant that chooses just one thing to focus on, and does that thing extremely well. The menu is short, with a simple offering of five different egg sandwiches, hash browns, and a selection of coffee

On Tuesday, February 25, Ryerson’s RTA-run comedy troupe RiOT hosted a variety show at The Social Capital. A hop, skip and a jump from Ryerson by subway, The Social Capital (a.k.a. The SoCap) is well-known for hosting a variety of comedic events, including stand-up performances, themed improv nights and sketch competitions. As an RTA student, our RiOT troupe is particularly special, as it’s been Ryerson’s official comedy troupe, helmed by RTA, for 69 years (for reference, Ryerson has been a school for 72 years). For a $7 fee, this show promised a hilarious hour-and-a-half romp for half the price of

There are many benefits to reducing or completely eliminating your meat consumption.  Not only does it have positive effects on your body but the environment as well! Some of the biological benefits of omitting meat from your diet include reducing body inflammation, improving overall dermatological health, and lowering the risk of type two diabetes, cancer, and chronic disease.  Thinking about the effects that consuming meat has on the environment makes it easier to put things into perspective: 2000 gallons of water are used to produce just one pound of beef, oceans are estimated to be fishless by the year 2048,

 Well folks, as of December 14th, 2019, we have left Hollerado land. The Ottawa based band first formed in 2007 and called it a day and set off on their Farewell Tour in the fall of 2019. The group consisted of Menno Versteeg (lead vocals, guitar), Nixon Boyd (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dean Baxter (bass, backing vocals) and Jake Boyd (drums, backing vocals).   When I heard Hollderado was officially disbanding, I thought back to when I was first introduced to them. I haven’t been a fan since their debut album in 2009, like others. Instead, I became a fan when

There’s a new fitness club in town! And it’s a mighty 5-minute walk from the Ryerson campus.  Meet Sweat and Tonic.  This new Toronto original fitness and wellness club just opened up this past Fall of 2019. Located on the corner of Yonge and Shuter, it’s conveniently in the heart of downtown. I know what you’re thinking. Another overpriced, high end fitness club that Toronto already has enough of. But let me tell you. This one is definitely not to miss. It’s different, unique, and chic! You can sweat and drink in the same place. That’s right, read that again.

Happy Feb 25th #NationalPancakesDay! Here are some places to hit up for delicious brunch~ Sisters & Co 887 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON This place is absolutely a super super cute brunch hidden gem! They are famous for their light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with rich earl grey mascarpone cream! The pancakes are also served with fresh strawberry slices and sauce which adds another layer of amazing flavour. The citrus waffle we also loved as well~ the fresh citrus mascarpone well contrasted the taste of the house-made blueberry sauce, both paired the thick waffles amazingly. It’s a beautiful brunch

This past weekend I decided to attend TIFF Next Wave because it was free for people under 25 and the films looked interesting. I saw six films at the festival, but I’m going to focus on one film and if you’ve read the title, it is called Sequin in a Blue Room.  The film follows of a 16 year old who uses a hookup app to meet older men for sex, under the alias name, Sequin. He calls himself Sequin, as he wears a sequin shirt with every hookup. Once he’s had sex with the partner he blocks them and

I know it, you know it, and Candadian artist Doris Wai knows it too – we all bottle up our feelings. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident, but more importantly these feelings need to get out at some point. Getting stressed about academics, family, relationships, and just life in general is so common, especially around midterm season. The latest art exhibition at the Urban Gallery by calligrapher Doris Wai is one to visit, to get all those bottled up feelings out, literally.    “Bottled Feelings” is Wai’s first solo exhibit and you have until February 29th to check it out.