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. 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!
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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! 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. Day 20 Living Abroad: Becoming a Sweat and Tonic Baddie and Navigating Toronto's Dating Scene8/20/2024 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. Stay tuned for more adventures! Day 19 Living Abroad: Booty Class at Sweat and Tonic, SkinLab Korean MedSpa, and Gel X Nails8/19/2024 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. 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. 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. Stay tuned for more! I needed a change of scenery, so I decided to get some work done at the Virtue Cafe, which is nestled on the bottom level of the Hilton Canopy. This spot is a cozy little gem with the perfect vibe for getting into a productive zone. So, I grabbed my laptop, ordered a latte, and set up shop for the morning. But let me tell you about this latte—I went in for the usual, but my eye caught something on the menu called a “butterfly” matcha latte. Naturally, my curiosity got the best of me, so I had to try it. Y’all, it was this stunning blue color, thanks to butterfly pea flower, and the flavor was just as gorgeous. It had a subtle hint of vanilla that balanced out the matcha perfectly—definitely not overpowering.
As I was sipping my latte and getting into my work, I figured it was a good time to shoot some content. Even in 2024, it amazes me how people react when they see someone creating content in public. It’s like they can’t decide whether to be annoyed or impressed. But either way, I’m focused. I’ve been asked how I manage to get over the awkwardness of shooting content in public, and here’s the thing: I treat it like any other job. It’s my job, and I’m going to do it well. So, whether people are staring, side-eyeing, or even coming up to ask what I’m doing, I stay in my lane and get it done. That’s how you keep it professional and keep it moving. Once I wrapped up my work, my mind wandered to this time I was in Toronto, and a guy asked me out to lunch. Now, this wasn’t just any lunch—this man didn’t even eat. He sat across from me and told me his job had given him food earlier, so he wasn’t hungry. Oh, and he didn’t offer to pay for my meal either. I was left wondering how someone could ask you out to lunch and then not even participate in it—whew, the memories. After finishing up at Virtue, I decided to take advantage of the hotel’s location. The Hilton Canopy is perfectly situated near all the high-end designer stores you could dream of. I decided to take a stroll down to Alexander Wang to see if they had these shoes I’d been eyeing. Of course, I got distracted by all the fabulous clothes—how could I not? I tried on a few pieces, but nothing screamed “take me home,” so I left empty-handed. Not to be deterred, I popped into “Winners,” which is the Canadian version of TJMAXX. I’ve been on my workout grind since I arrived, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to pick up some new workout gear. And I’m so proud of myself for staying consistent! With my new gear in tow, I made my way back to the Canopy. The rest of the day was spent finishing up work and planning for the upcoming week. A productive day indeed. Stay tuned for more. If you’re new here, I did some influencer work for Orangetheory back in the States and absolutely loved the workout. So naturally, while staying at the Hilton Canopy in Toronto, I hoped to collaborate with the Orangetheory studio nearby. Unfortunately, nothing came of it, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from getting my sweat on.
I signed up for a class and headed over to the studio. The setup was slightly different from my home studio— for starters, the staff checks you in manually, which was a bit of a change for me. Also, no phones are allowed in the studio, which, as someone who vlogs their life, was disappointing. I love sharing my workouts with my audience, but I totally get the reasoning behind the rule. I did manage to film my pre-workout routine and capture a few moments of me walking in and out of the studio, so there’s still something to share with you all. The workout itself was intense. I pushed myself harder than I had in a while and hit some new targets and goals, which felt amazing. I took a 9:30 class, but I made the rookie mistake of not eating beforehand. I was feeling great post-workout, drinking my water, and walking to Starbucks for a quick bite. But as I got closer, I started feeling really nauseous. My stomach was not happy with me. I ordered an egg white wrap, thinking it would help settle my stomach, but just my luck, the wrap fell out of the wrapper and hit the ground. There went my breakfast. To make matters worse, I had to stop by the pharmacy on the way back to the hotel to get some Claritin D for my sinuses. Of course, they didn’t have the decongestant version here in Toronto, so I had to ask the pharmacist for a recommendation. Fingers crossed that whatever she suggested helps dry up my sinus drainage so I can start hearing better again. By this point, my stomach was in full-on rebellion. I’ll spare you the details, but I was basically stuck in my room for the rest of the day until about 4 p.m. when I finally started feeling better and was able to eat something. Lesson learned—never work out on an empty stomach. And I know better! Because of my stomach issues, I had to reschedule a massage collaboration, which was a bummer, but honestly, I was in no shape to lay on anyone’s table. I did manage to get some work done while I was holed up in my room, so that’s a win. And, hey, staying in kept me from spending money out and about in the city, so there’s that too. Here’s to a better and more productive Wednesday! Stay tuned for more adventures. |
AuthorMorgan Angelique Owens is the author of "Finding My Sparkle" and Founder & CEO of the MAO Brand, Professional Pretty, and Curvy Cardio, LLC. Archives
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