What I Did This Summer Part 1: Anna, Amanda, & Chantel

ANNA VON: Took a shit on a roller coaster. Went to FIVE weddings. Ate cup cakes at the PinkMafia bbq. Plowed through a tasty beer sponsorship. Tried to steal a baby in Connecticut. Went to the beach. Went to the pool. Got my nails back (like a baws). Dabbled in weed. Had numerous photoshoots in my house. Went home. Met rappers. Learned that gin makes me blackout (proceeded to drink gin for a week straight). Woke up in new places. Pulled a hat trick. Got my septum pierced. Found a new hidden resto-gem. Pool-hopped. Ate McDonalds after years of abstinence. Said ‘yes’ more than ‘no’. Made new friends. Re-discovered my youth. Got a ballin’ tan. Gained weight. Gain perspective.

Read more to see what our galleries Amanada & Chantel did this summer…

AMANDA:  From YYZ to DTW to LGA to STL to YUL

I have always had a bit of wanderlust and this summer was no different. It’s like I can’t stay put in one place for a very long time. Once I had finished moving in May, I started off my summer traveling schedule in Detroit for the Movement Festival otherwise known as DEMF. I ended up road-tripping with the guys who throw the Cherry Beach Promise parties.  Ended up on 8-Mile going roller skating into the wee hours of the morning.  But most importantly, saw some amazing electronic acts and Coco’s ass (as in Ice T and Coco) live in person.

Next up, I had randomly decided to go to New York City to visit some friends.  Instead of flying like most normal people, I decided to take the train.  While it may be long (11 hours), it is one of the most comfortable and beautiful rides.  NYC was a blast.  I ended up checking out the food trucks in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  Accidentally walked through the projects and got hollered at.  Ended up checking out the new bar co-owned by Johnny Sierra of The Death Set called The Flat where Drop the Lime was spinning a surf / rockabilly set.  Took in an all-you-can-drink brunch drag show at LIPS. Finally, took in the best BBQ ever at Dinosaur BBQ.  There was so much more that my friend Mary & I did that week, as I told her in a drunken state I was moving there.  But I can without a doubt say, this trip made me love NYC way more than before.

After what seemed like a hot minute, I was off to St Louis.  I had a love affair with the Midwest, so I knew what to expect as soon as I got there.  No sightings of Nelly or Ashanti at all.  However, I did get to see many low riders blasting hip hop (which clearly won me over) and ate some delicious food.  I think what a lot of people don’t know is that the St Louis Zoo is free and actually a hell of a lot better than the Toronto Zoo.  But I have to say one of the biggest highlights of this trip for me was getting to go to Busch Stadiums, home of the St Louis Cardinals and stand on the grass.  I’m not a huge baseball fan, but how many people can say that they’ve done that?  Other good places in St Louis: the Botanical Gardens and IMO’s Pizza.

Finally, I went to Osheaga in Montreal which was an amazing festival.  Montreal has kinda been tearing at my heartstring lately making me want to move there.  But that’s another story.  Let’s talk Osgeaga:  I got to hang with some of my Pink Mafia ladies.  I got to see some amazing bands.  I hung out with my girl Shaine where we ended up going to a country and western bar (SPURS) to do karaoke.

Overall, my summer has been pretty amazing.  But it’s not over yet.  These traveling feet won’t stop moving and I’m already planning trips to NYC and Nashville.

CHANTEL: Well, I’m not sure if my peoples know, but, I’m the only one in the crew with a mini-me!! Yeah, yeah, I know. You guys had no clue, but it’s true. So to say the least when you have lil one you don’t have a summer they own your summer. Despite having my monster it’s been a super awesome summer? we’ve been to 398 birthday parties/BBQs, followed by our weekly visits to Woodbine to catch some rays, as well as hitting the fair circuit and just enjoying our lovely city. Don’t feel too bad for me I did squeeze in some adult time!! Most eventful being my Escape with Ford Escape where I totally got a be a speed racer (aka Pylon Queen) and the best part? I  rock climbed and repelled at Rattlesnake Point, did I mention it’s like 100 ft high. Ooh and of course summer wouldn’t be with the cottage retreats? most memorable being in Prince Edward County where my BFF tied the knot. To be honest the best part of summer is just getting to bask in the beautiful city we call home. As always summer was good to me, the thought of if leaving me is?