Time is just flying by here in Toronto, and I can’t believe it’s already been 24 days! My Saturday kicked off with a Booty HIIT class at Sweat and Tonic, one of my favorite spots in the city. This place has become a sanctuary for me; the vibes, the energy, and the results are unmatched. I truly wish we had something like this back in the States because, honey, my body would be at 100000 if we did. After class, I grabbed my usual avocado toast and an S&T recovery smoothie. I almost tried something different today but decided to save that for Sunday.

After my workout, it was time to head back to the hotel for a quick shower, change, and get dressed for the day. I knew I needed to shoot some content, so I took my time doing my hair and makeup. Working out really makes my hair sweat out, but I’m okay with that because my body is my top priority right now. I don’t mind taking the extra time to dry my hair and re-curl it. Priorities, right?

Next on my list was a trip to Holt Renfrew, which is just down the street from the hotel. This place is like Canada’s version of Saks or Neiman Marcus—it’s got all the designers you could dream of and more. I went in with a mission: to pick up a bodysuit from Skims. I’ve been thinking about incorporating more compression wear into my daily routine to keep everything tight and right. I’ve been avoiding Holt Renfrew for most of my stay here because I’m really trying to be more financially responsible. I’m only spending money on things I truly love or that are an investment in myself—and I’ve been doing really well with that!

Now, that doesn’t mean I can’t window shop. There were some Dior slides I was eyeing, and let me tell you, it took all my willpower not to order them. I’m proud of myself for that, but I did allow myself a little bit of browsing. After all, what’s the harm in looking? They even had a cute cafe where the shoe department was so I stopped and got a healthy brunch.

After leaving Holt Renfrew, I decided to walk back to the hotel instead of calling a Lyft—more cardio, of course! On the way, I stopped at Chipotle to grab a chicken bowl because I knew I had a lot of catching up to do on my writing. So, I put myself on a little “punishment” and stayed in my room until I made some significant progress on work.
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I had some plans for the evening, but let’s be real: Auntie was tired, and I ended up going to bed at 9:30 p.m. What a wild Saturday night, right? But you know what? I don’t even mind. Sometimes, the best nights are the ones where you get some extra rest.
Stay tuned for more updates!

What a dream day! I got to shop and get paid for it—honestly, does it get any better than that? Okay, story time! Back in the States, I had a campaign with Simon Malls, and they assigned me to the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis. This was back in early July. It’s about an hour and 45-minute drive from Cincinnati, so I made the trip to shoot my content. Since I was already there, I hit up my friend who’s a photographer to snag some shots at the mall and help me create more content. When you’re there, you might as well maximize the moment, right?


One of the things I love about the Fashion Mall is that they have a Saks Fifth Avenue. We lost our Saks in Cincinnati a few years ago, and I was heartbroken! Growing up, my mom and I would shop there, even before I fully understood just how glorious Saks really is. Later on, I lived downtown, right down the street from Saks, and I used to love window shopping, checking out all the beautiful bags, shoes, and clothes. Unfortunately, our store started to go downhill with fewer and fewer options. And when I heard Chanel was leaving, I knew it was over.


So, after I shot and submitted my content, they came back with some edit requests. By that time, though, I was already preparing to travel for Essence Fest and then to Toronto for five weeks. So I asked if I could shoot at the Toronto Premium Outlet instead (which is still Simon Malls' property). They said yes! Girl, I love that outlet, and the best part is that with my U.S. dollar being worth more here, I felt like I was getting designer deals for even less—hello, girl math!


After spending way too much time at the outlet (no regrets!), I headed back to my hotel to get ready for dinner. Shoutout to Tameika, a Toronto-based publicist who’s been putting me onto all the best things to do here. She connected me with Chambers Steakhouse, who wanted to host us in exchange for a review and content. When it comes to food, you don’t have to ask me twice!


The steakhouse was AMAZING. We didn’t even order off the menu—they gave us a full tasting menu, bringing out dish after dish. Everything from octopus, steak, bread, sides, and desserts was on point. If you’re ever in Toronto, this place is a must! The whole vibe is aesthetically pleasing, perfect for pictures. Whether you’re solo, with your girls, or on a romantic date, Chambers won’t disappoint.


After all that, I was DONE for the day. I went back to the hotel, rubbed my feet together, and called it a night.


Stay tuned for more adventures!

Today was a full-on self-care and maintenance kind of day—your girl needed it! I kicked things off with my usual morning workout at Sweat & Tonic. It’s basically my go-to spot whenever I’m in Toronto. After getting in a good sweat session, I grabbed my favorite post-workout fuel: a smoothie and avocado toast. You already know I’m all about that balance!

Next, it was time to head over to Snatched TO and see my girl Nyat. For those of you who are new here, I’m a firm believer in doing whatever makes you feel good in your skin. I’ve been getting aesthetic treatments for over a decade, and I’m always super transparent about it. Whether it’s Botox or filler, I’ve talked about it, posted about it, and even written about it multiple times. It’s part of my self-care routine, and I’m all for people embracing what works for them.
I found Nyat last year when I was searching for an injector who not only understood my features as a woman of color but also wouldn’t overdo it. That’s SO important when it comes to treatments like this. I love how she really listens to me and gets the subtle enhancements I’m going for. For me, Botox and fillers are all about maintaining what I already have and adding a little extra juiciness where needed. It’s preventative maintenance more than anything. I know this approach isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally fine, but it’s what keeps me feeling like my best self.
Today’s visit was all about a quick lip touch-up. I’ve always had full lips, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed little lip lines creeping in, and I prefer to smooth those out with a bit of filler. Nothing drastic—just enough to keep everything looking fresh and plump.
After my appointment with Nyat, it was time for some real relaxation. I headed over to Mind Body Flow for a Brazilian lymphatic massage. If you haven’t tried one yet, you’re seriously missing out! This type of massage is great for reducing bloating, detoxing the body, and helping to keep everything tight and snatched. The amazing girl who worked on me, Ashley, was super sweet and really knowledgeable. She gave me some great tips on how to keep working toward my stomach goals. I love when my self-care day comes with a little extra advice on how to stay on track!
Once I was fully pampered, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed back to my cozy spot at the Hilton Canopy. I did a little bit of work—just to stay on top of things—but honestly, today was all about me, and I was more than okay with that. Sometimes you just need a day to pour into yourself and get back to feeling 100%.
Self-care days like these remind me that being a baddie is a full-time job, but trust me, it’s one I’m happy to do!
Stay tuned for more, because there’s always something next on the agenda!

Happy Hump Day, y'all! Today was one for the books—busy, productive, and just the right amount of extra. My friends at Easton Group, who I’ve been working with at the Hilton Canopy, reached out and asked if I could do a photoshoot for another stunning property of theirs, the Revery Hotel. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you might remember me mentioning this place during the Girls Night Out post. Naturally, I said yes—because why not lend a helping hand to my Toronto fam?

But first, let’s talk about the workout. I kicked off the morning with another intense Sweat & Tonic session, this time opting for a Lift HIIT class. Let me tell you, these classes are no walk in the park. Don’t let the cute, girly aesthetics of Sweat & Tonic fool you—these workouts mean business. Today’s session focused on HIIT training combined with weightlifting, and whew, it nearly took me out. I swear, I've never sweated this much in my life. But hey, that’s what I’m here for—pushing myself, getting stronger, and proving to myself that I can handle whatever comes my way.

After class, I made sure to thank the instructor, who was a gem, by the way. She helped me out a few times during the workout, and I really appreciated her support (and the ass-kicking). Of course, I couldn’t leave Sweat & Tonic without grabbing my usual smoothie and avocado toast. These have become my post-workout staples, and honestly, they’re life. I had to take them to go, though, because I needed to get back to the hotel and freshen up—hair, makeup, the whole nine yards. My hair was completely sweated out from the workout, so I had to redo everything before heading to the photoshoot.

Now, let’s get into the shoot. I packed my carry-on with everything I thought I’d need for the day. Since this shoot wasn’t planned in advance, I had to work with what I had, but I’m always up for a challenge. If you know me, you know I like to shoot in short increments—quick, efficient, and done. But today was different. This shoot was a full three hours, and let me tell you, it was a test of my stamina. To add to the challenge, I typically don’t eat much before a shoot, so I was running on just my smoothie and a handful of almonds. But you know what? I powered through.

The Revery Hotel is gorgeous, and they had me doing all the things—bathtub shots, bathroom shots, bed shots. It was a full-on content creation marathon, but it was also a reminder that this work, while glamorous on the surface, takes a lot of effort. You have to make sure your body is positioned just right, your facial expressions are on point, and your angles are top-tier. It’s not as easy as it looks, but that’s the beauty of it. When you see the final product, it all feels worth it.
After we wrapped up the shoot, the team treated me to dinner, and I was READY. TO. EAT. I’ve been pretty disciplined with my eating lately, so I made healthy choices for the most part, but when spinach and artichoke dip is on the menu? You already know I’m folding every time. No regrets!
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By the time we finished, it was only 6:30 pm, but y'all, auntie was ready to crawl into bed. I made my way back to the Canopy, and you best believe I went straight to my room, got cozy, and rubbed my feet together under the covers. The perfect end to a hectic day.

Tuesday rolled around, and you know what that means—I’m officially a Sweat and Tonic baddie. This time, I decided to challenge myself with a HOT HIIT Pilates class. Let me tell you, I was about to get a wake-up call like no other. When I signed up, I knew it would be warm, but stepping into that Hot Pilates studio felt like walking into an oven. The heat hit me like a ton of bricks, and I almost turned right back around. But then I thought, “Morgan, this is it. This is the moment to push past your comfort zone, to grow, and to learn.” So, I stayed.

At first, I thought I’d never adjust to the heat. It was intense! But once I found my rhythm, it wasn’t just the temperature that challenged me—the Pilates moves combined with cardio had me reconsidering my life choices. There were moments I wanted to strip off every piece of clothing, but I kept pushing for the plot. And let me tell you, I barely made it through, but I did it. The instructor was a gem, so encouraging and fun. We clicked instantly, and I made sure to tell her I wasn’t messing around with her today! But despite how hard that class was, I know I’ll be back for more. I mean, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

After class, I rewarded myself with another smoothie and avocado toast because, honey, I needed to refuel. This time, I went to a different Sweat and Tonic location, which was conveniently located right across the street from Eaton Centre, a big mall here in Toronto. I decided to pop into H&M because, you know, I needed more workout gear to keep up with my new baddie lifestyle.

It was a quick shopping trip because I had to rush back to the hotel to get ready for the day. I had a Zoom meeting with my PR team and a potential magazine interview lined up, so I couldn’t be late. The rest of the day was spent catching up on work because, you know, the grind never stops.

Now, about my evening—remember when I said I wasn’t going to count Toronto men out just yet? Well, I decided to accept an invitation for drinks at Joey’s, a chill, American-style restaurant located in an outdoor mall I hadn’t visited before. I thought about going early to check out the stores, but after doing a quick online search, I realized there wasn’t much worth getting there early for. Still, the mall itself was super cute, perfect for a little evening stroll.

I arrived at Joey’s before my date, and to be honest, I was a little anxious. I’d only seen a couple of photos of him on Bumble, and the last thing I wanted was to get catfished. But when he showed up, I was pleasantly surprised. Toronto definitely has its share of fine men—even if that’s the best they’ve got going for them.

The vibe was good, but I couldn’t help but notice him eyeing me like a piece of prime rib. Now, I get it—I mean, I’m a whole snack—but where’s the depth, the substance? Of course, he said he wanted to see me again, but we all know how that goes. I’m all about actions over words.

After our drinks, I headed back to the Canopy, thinking to myself, “Do you think I’ll see this man again?” Honestly, who knows? But one thing’s for sure—I’m loving this journey in Toronto, challenges, surprises, and all.
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Stay tuned for more adventures!

Today was finally the day I got to check out and try Sweat and Tonic. If you remember from an earlier blog, the first time I tried to go, it was an epic fail while waiting for a Lyft. But we’re turning this Monday around and trying something new! I left with plenty of time to spare—thank goodness I did because trying to find the entrance to Sweat and Tonic was a whole adventure in itself.

I finally found it and oh my goodness—WOW! The aesthetics were absolutely CRAZY. I mean, I’ve never seen a workout place that looked so beautiful, clean, and super girly. From the moment I walked in, I was surrounded by cute branded merchandise, a smoothie bar, and mirrors everywhere. Not to mention, this location also has a spa, sauna, and so much more! I was overwhelmed in the best way possible.

I signed up for a Booty HIIT class, and not just any class—a Beyoncé-themed one. Y'all know how I feel about Queen B. And a glute-focused class? Yes, please! Gotta keep it tight and right, right? The girlies in there were DRESSED, okay!? Like, I should have put on my good gym outfits because apparently, I missed the fashion show memo. But let me tell you, this class was no joke. The sweat was real, and I loved every minute of it! After class, I treated myself to a smoothie (which was incredible) and avocado toast. I couldn’t resist buying some cute workout clothes—especially since they were on sale! Then, I headed back to the hotel.

But my self-care day was just getting started. Next up was an appointment at a Korean Medspa for a facial. I’ve always wanted to try out a Korean spa, so I checked out SkinLab. Toronto has so many Korean skincare options that we don’t have access to in the U.S., with different procedures and products that I’ve been dying to try. I opted for a skin booster treatment. The doctor told me there were two different ways to apply it, and I chose the less invasive option since I didn’t want to walk around with a red face—I had a nail appointment after this, after all! But next time, I’m definitely going for the full experience. They used a very small micro-needle pen to inject the skin booster into my face. I’m excited to see how my skin reacts to it. The whole procedure only took about 30 minutes, including numbing my face first. I will definitely be back!

After my spa treatment, I headed over to 1997 Nail Bar to try out Gel X nails. I’ve been an acrylic girlie for almost 20 years—WOW! The nail game has definitely changed, and I wanted to see what else is out there. I also heard and read that Gel X nails are better for your natural nails, so I was down to give it a shot. Let me tell you, my nails turned out FIRE! This is definitely my go-to nail place while in Toronto!

After a full day of self-care, I grabbed some food and headed back to the Canopy to just relax. It was a good day if I say so myself. My Monday turned out to be exactly what I needed, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey of self-love and care.

​Stay tuned for more adventures!

Back on track for Sunday! I made it to an Orangetheory workout class, and it felt great to be back in my routine. Not too much excitement for this Sunday, though—just a day to reset and catch up. I spent most of the afternoon working on some content and writing for The Cincinnati Herald’s Beauty section, which I’m always excited about.

Toronto’s weather has been pretty gloomy all weekend, with rain dampening both the city and my mood. I swear, the weather can really dictate how I’m feeling sometimes. But despite the rain, my friend asked me to meet him for drinks and food later that night, so I figured, why not? A little socializing to end the weekend wouldn’t hurt.

We decided to meet up around 8 PM at a cozy Mediterranean spot called Bar Reyna. From the outside, it seemed small, but it was really just narrow and had this moody, quaint vibe going on. I ordered a pineapple mule, and let me tell you, it was delicious! The food, on the other hand, was just okay—nothing to rave about. It was so dark inside that I didn’t even bother trying to snap any pictures of it.

Now, about this friend. He’s the same one who ghosted me over a year ago and then recently apologized. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d see him again after that apology meet-up, so I was a little surprised when he asked me out for drinks again. We had a nice time at Bar Reyna, and then, to my surprise, he suggested grabbing another drink at a different spot. By this time, it was nearly 10 PM! He joked about pushing his luck since he knows how early I like to go to bed these days. I don’t know how I used to hang out so much before, but I do know that working out almost every day has definitely taken a toll on my energy levels.

We ended up at Hemingways, a super chill rooftop bar, where I ordered a cherry cocktail that hit the spot. I also treated myself to a brownie because, well, I’ve been so good with my routine, and a little indulgence felt well-deserved. We ended the night on a good note, said our goodbyes with a hug, and I headed back to the Canopy, ready to snuggle into bed.
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Another Sunday in the books, and I’m feeling pretty good about the week ahead. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Last night really took me out because I didn't make it to my workout class at all. I keep thinking it's Sunday, but it's really Saturday. I’ve been trying to catch up on so much that I’ve just been going non-stop. My body probably needed the rest; I’m not used to going out and staying up until 12, 1 a.m. anymore!

I spent most of the day trying to catch up on work and making sure my hair was rolled and set for later tonight. I was supposed to meet a girlfriend I met in Toronto for dinner, and I had made the reservation a week in advance at a place called Kissa. From their Instagram, it looks like the ultimate vibe, and you know we love to go to dinner with all the vibes!

With reservations set for 7:30 p.m., I started getting ready early. I was so focused on getting everything right that I didn’t even check my messages until I was almost at the restaurant. That’s when I saw a message from my friend saying she had an emergency and had to cancel. She sent it an hour before we were supposed to meet. The restaurant has a reservation and cancellation policy where they charge your card if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance—so you already know I wasn’t about to waste my reservation!

The restaurant itself was super chic and cute. It had this speakeasy vibe when you first walk in, with a curtain hiding the main dining area. The space wasn’t very big, so I could see why they have strict reservation policies. Without a reservation, you probably wouldn’t get in.

I decided to skip the cocktails since I had a little too much fun with drinks the night before. I started with the gyoza, which was absolute fire. For my main, I chose a sushi roll wrapped in quinoa—let me tell you, it was not giving what it was supposed to give. It just wasn’t savory enough for me. But overall, the vibes were definitely there, making it a cute spot for a date night for sure.

By 8:30 p.m., old lady Morgan was already feeling tired. I wrapped up my meal—yes, just those two items because nothing else on the menu was really calling my name. I already knew I’d be hungry later, but I decided to call it a night.

I headed back to the hotel and went straight to bed, knowing that tomorrow would be a new day, hopefully with a little more energy.
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Stay tuned for more!

It’s Friday, and apparently, my body decided it was time to cash in on some much-needed rest because I completely slept through my morning Orangetheory class. But no worries—I managed to snag a later class. I’ve been really proud of myself for sticking to this commitment to bettering myself, especially since my dad passed away. Health and time have become two things I just don’t take for granted anymore. Missing out on opportunities because you’re not feeling your best is a lesson I learned the hard way. Case in point: I was supposed to jet off to Copenhagen for Fashion Week, and a sinus infection completely sidelined those plans. All that work to get invited to shows and events, only to cancel everything—it was a real bummer.

But here I am, feeling better, back in the groove, and so grateful for Orangetheory. It’s been my go-to class since I arrived in Toronto. The workouts are just the right amount of push I need in 50-60 minutes, and I can easily commit that time to myself every day. It feels like a small victory every time I finish a class, especially after how low I felt when I first got sick.

Fast forward to the evening—because you know the weekend’s just getting started. I had plans to hit up Mrs. Robinson’s, which has quickly become my favorite Friday night spot here in Toronto. They serve up some serious old-school R&B jams, and the food is on point. Plus, it’s Black-owned, which makes it even better. There’s something about supporting our own while enjoying a great night out that just hits different.

Now, let me tell you about this date situation. I’d matched with someone on a dating app, and we agreed to meet up at Mrs. Robinson’s. But red flag number one: he was 30 minutes late. You know that feeling when your gut is telling you this might not be it? Yep, I was getting all the signs. By the time he finally rolled in, I was already two cocktails deep. And these weren’t just any cocktails—I’m talking about a dark liquor mix that was dangerously smooth. Normally, I’m not one for dark liquor, but this drink was so good I couldn’t even taste the alcohol.

When he finally arrived, I’ll admit, he looked good. But let me set the scene—it’s August, and this man shows up in a velvet shirt and leather pants. I’m over here thinking, “Aren’t you hot?” He was looking sharp, but maybe save the winter fits for actual winter, right?

The conversation was decent, but it didn’t take long for me to realize we were not a match. I could tell he was into me, but I’m sorry, this man gave off some serious cheap vibes. We did enjoy the rest of the night dancing to some R&B—so I guess that’s a win. At least he danced, which is more than I can say for some of the other Toronto guys I’ve encountered.

But in the end, it’s a no from me. Toronto men, you’re on thin ice.

I was really excited to try out a new workout class at a place in Toronto called Sweat & Tonic. The aesthetics online looked fabulous, and I was particularly drawn to their Booty HIIT class. I even woke up early, feeling motivated and ready to tackle the day. I decided to throw on a little makeup and shoot a "day in the life" vlog about the experience. I headed downstairs, ready to catch my Lyft, but the universe had other plans.

My Lyft was taking FOREVER to arrive. I kept checking the time, and it became clear that there was no way I would make it to class on time. The studio had a policy that first-timers needed to arrive at least 10 minutes early, and given how long the Lyft was taking, I was definitely going to miss the class. Disappointed but undeterred, I canceled my Lyft and decided to pivot. I took myself to breakfast at Dia Restaurant instead, because, hey, when life gives you lemons, you might as well enjoy a good meal!

As I sat down at Dia, I suddenly remembered I had pre-paid for a smoothie at Sweat & Tonic after class. Not wanting to lose out, I called the studio to explain the situation. They were super understanding and asked if it was my first class. When I confirmed that it was, they kindly returned my class credit and refunded my smoothie. I was so relieved that I didn’t have to miss out completely. I rescheduled my class for another day and enjoyed my breakfast without a worry in the world.

Since I missed my morning workout, and I’ve been committed to getting my body together while traveling and living abroad, I decided to make up for it by taking the noon class at Orangetheory, which is conveniently down the street from the Hilton Canopy. I’m seriously proud of myself for sticking to my fitness goals. The instructor at OT? Let’s just say he was more than just motivating—he was FINE too! 😂

After my workout, I took my time showering and re-curling my hair. I had plans to meet a friend later for dinner, but since he didn’t get off work until late, I tried to squeeze in a nap. Of course, the nap didn’t happen. By the time 8 p.m. rolled around and I still hadn’t heard from him, I decided to treat myself to dinner. No one can keep me from enjoying a good meal!

I walked over to the W, which has a gorgeous rooftop skylight restaurant. Naturally, I had to vlog my solo date night, because who says you can’t enjoy your own company? After a delicious dinner, my friend finally got off work and asked me to meet up for a drink. This time, I opted for a Lyft—no way was I walking in heels again!

When I arrived, it was great to see my friend looking exactly the same as when I last saw him over a year ago. While we’re not aligned on a deeper level, it was still nice to catch up. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without some drama. A young man aggressively approached me, trying to hit on me and even questioning whether my friend was my man or a "trick." I had to set him straight, but it was a reminder that I’ve still got it!

Finally, I made my way back to the Canopy, feeling accomplished and ready for a good night’s rest.
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Stay tuned for more!