About Us

Shedoesthecity is a site for witty, smart and stylish women. It's somewhere to go when you are completely bored, a place to find inspiration, and of course a guide for planning your week full of fun nightlife, cool art happenings, great films, sex to try or fashion to find.

We tear up Toronto, finding cool stuff that we think you'll enjoy. Click around and have fun!

Jen McNeely – El Presidente

There is nothing I would rather do than wear a costume and parade around to loud music.

The costume timeline

Hi. I was born at Woman’s College Hospital in 1979.   In my junior years, I excelled at storytelling, gym class and playing several types of xylophones. My most ambitious project in elementary school was in Grade 3; I did a presentation on Mesopotamia and the Babylonians. I created a timeline of historical stages that required the entire class to hold.

In 1991, my parents sent me to an all girls school, in the hopes that I would concentrate more. Highlights there included: winning a Geo Whiz award, triumphing with friends in a Halloween contest when dressed as OJ Simpson trial characters, struggling as a second violinist, receiving countless pink slips for sassy uniform infractions, and achieving 90% on my Finite Mathematics ISP - an in-depth probability experiment on the various outfits that Barbie could wear on each day of the week.

In 1998 I headed to Concordia University  to do a degree in Communication Studies.  My years in la Belle Province were spent drinking and smoking…and smoking and drinking. Frequently, I’d end up at the Casino at 6AM.

I’ve worked at the Toronto International Film Festival, MuchMusic, Odeon Films, Alliance Atlantis and, most recently, at CBC Television.  My weekends have been spent  attending BLOW UP (this night is sadly now extinct), going to see bands at the Horseshoe, hosting ridiculous theme parties and Shaking a Tail at Stone’s Place. I also love backyard get-togethers with close friends and copious amounts of red wine.
I’m excited to begin my next adventure with She Does the City.    I think Toronto is a cool city: I want to live each day here with more curiosity, wonder and magic…and I want to share that with you. 

Enjoy,  XO Jen

Meet The Writers

Sam Banack

"Sam Banack likes to refer to herself in the third person. She has an endless capacity for retaining useless information, but can't remember anything she learned in high school... She has been getting her hair cut by the same guy (Greg at Flip Salon in Yorkville) for over a decade. This is the longest relationship she has ever had, and the most rewarding.... If she knows you, or has seen you, she's most likely had a laugh at your expense, and expects you to return the favour, as she is constantly doing things that are unintentionally funny, she's just that spazzy, so are you, accept it, it's funny... She's learned that honesty IS REALLY always the best policy, and therefore tends to have kind of a big mouth....Sometimes she likes her ice cream to be just plain vanilla, and never puts it in a bowl, she is definitely a girl who eats straight from the carton....

She loves to run around town collecting tidbits and trivia, movies and bars being two of her favourite things, the third is telling people what to do. So she is thrilled to have this opportunity to combine them in one rock 'em sock'em website,

kick ass, take names, ask questions later"

Kirsty Mckenzie

Gimme excitement and a whole lotta flash!
Drag queen's saucy bat of a fake lash...
Colours, feathers and a glitter splash
I'll whip you up somethin' snazzy if you got the cash!

Passion fo Japanese fashion and peeps who go "all-the-way"
Gimme a funky beat and i can break it down to ya all day!
Kitty cat scratchin', dancin' til you break a SWEAT
I can eat a lotta food, give some 'tude and I aint done yet!

www.myspace.com/kirstyisthirsty

Sass Zucket

Sass need only be known by a single referrent, much like many a fabulous and successful diva before her time (Cleopatra, Madonna... Prince). The homonymic adjective being the single-most descriptive of her identity.

When Sass is neither babe hunting nor hard partying in more fashionable attire, with better looking people, at more interesting events than you are presently, she writes on blogs. But only the exceedingly elite ones like She Does The City and her own.

Please note that Sass has no concept of acceptable realities and at times, well most, is very much delusional.

To eavesdrop more on Sass' oft so-awesome-it's-almost-fictitious lifestyle, please read http://zucket.com Hollatchagirl via sass@zucket.com

Lizzie McNeely

Since I was born my older sister Jen has roped me into various escapades: the Dick Tracy Club located in a cardboard box in our backyard, Whitney Houston lip synchs, and a film promotion where we had to dress up as tennis playing zombies.  It was inevitable, then, that she would recruit me to write for shedoesthecity.  Plus, I am a bona fide expert of Toronto.  Yep, I was a tour guide on the Hippo, that enormous yellow bus boat that trundles about downtown Toronto.  A newspaper review of the tour described me as, “Brady Bunch perky.”  I’ve yet to decide if I was mildly flattered or mildly offended.  Nowadays, I prefer to venture about on my trusty blue bicycle discovering urban treasures and eccentrics.  

Rachel Miadovnik

Brit Pop always tickles my fancy. In a dream world I'd marry Craig David, own Lily Allen's wardrobe and sing like Amy Winehouse. Electro, however, brings out my A.D.D.ish tendencies like no other and is hellafun to party to. With a party dress on, and lots of bronzer I'm perfectly happy- but a gin and soda wouldn't hurt for an even more pleasurable evening. Colorful and tacky is my mantra, and if I
can't have that…I'll settle for a warm slice of quiche.

Robyn Sprott

Sometimes she bathes. Sometimes she doesn't 

Often literate, from time to time stylish; every now and then even simultaneously. 

Somewhat nuts, chronically cheeky, persistently entitled, diligently audacious, more often than not inclined to forget, tirelessly infatuated with obnoxious lip tattoos. Nonetheless curiously charming… An emblematic Ginger 

A Television prude but a music whore. 

Peanuts are her only nemesis.

Lora Whyte

Lora Whyte acts, listens to music, watches movies, writes things and sings songs from the film Cabaret in her bedroom. All of this in the fine city of Toronto.

Laura Quinn

I like fashion themes and naming articles of clothing. My Fall '06 was themed "Desiging Women" and Summer '07 was inspired by "Me Circa When I was 17". I think fall '08 is going to be "Petit Trianon Trampy". My raincoat is called "My Franche Tranche" and I have some expensive tight pants known as "Stand Up Jeans". If I could be a muse, I would like to catch the eye of John Gallianno. If I could be sponsored exclusively by a fashion house, it would be Lanvin. I break into cold sweats at suburban thrift shops, have rekindled a tenuous appreciation for the mall and fall madly in love with independent Canadian designers.

Olga Barsky

Olga is a recent university graduate with a useless degree trying to find her place in the world. It’s not easy to find a regular job when you’re a superhero. Olga spends her days lurking around the GTA, from shopping malls to reference libraries, snickering at badly dressed folks and pretending to be on a televised make-over show. By night, Olga turns on all but one light in her apartment, and puts on a Barry Manilow record, that’s how she rolls. She then proceeds to separate a large bucket of nuts into their types – peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts respectively. Upon completion, Olga disappears into the night, dressed in a tailored black ensemble with stilettos, and hand feeds all the squirrels in the downtown core their favorite nuts. You know how it is.

Rina Grosman

So, I have schizophrenia. On some days I’m a young visual arts university graduate and on others an 80 year old grandmother who teaches sewing classes (once you make a quilt you can’t go back). This craft column is just one small step in my evil plan of taking over the world. Basically I’m going to transform the young people of today into mindless sewing and crafting drones. Think the Borge from Star Trek meets Martha Stewart. Who needs lawyers, doctors, politicians, etc. when we can all sit in a circle, sing songs and crochet? They will spend all of their money on supplies and all of their time on projects that they won’t even know what’s happening. And I will instruct you all muahahaha. Koolaide anyone?

Radcliffe U. Hall

A freelance film student who fell into her current profession after an accident to her ear prevented her from pursuing her dream job as a pilot for Air Canada. She enjoys art history, wineries and the Canadian movie industry. She currently lives in Kensington. You can contact her at radcliffeuhall@gmail.com

Laura Serra

I’m the girl with two first names, Laura Serra. Yes, I’m that girl. I like to read and I like to write: that’s why I do book reviews. I maxed out every penny I’ve ever earned and will ever earn on traveling, I’m mean when I play board games, and I have a weird obsession with Virgina Woolf. I like making lists, crossing things off lists, collecting old picture frames, and telling people that I’m haunted by the number thirteen. I enjoy taking days off to watch movies, I prefer antiques to new, and every morning I have a deep and intimate affair with The New York Times. I enjoy making a mess when I cook, I live for the moment after I press snooze, and I wish Annie Leibovitz was my neighbour. I am right-handed but like doing things with my left so people think I'm left-handed, I hate myself for not going to piano lessons when I was a kid, and I love Oscar Wilde for making a good excuse for my bad habits: “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."

Lindsie Canton

Lindsie is a gallery haunter. You will never see her, but if you are ever in a gallery and hear the floorboards creaking by the power of some mysterious force, it is she. Known to haunt painting studios, sushi bars, used bookstores, theatres, cinemas, and concert halls far and wide, it is rumoured she leaves traces of paint and wasabi wherever she goes.

Sarah Nicole

Sarah Nicole is always in love, usually right, rarely dressed for the weather and never one to take her own advice. She was born in 1985, but it might as well be yesterday.

Sarah also writes for Torontoist and herself.

Daniela Syrovy

Born in Bratislava, Daniela Syrovy escaped Communist Slovakia at age three to master the English language and discover Niagara Falls. She’s a wicked little girl and Jill-of-all trades. Once a burger queen owning a fast food diner called Big Burger in the west end of the city Daniela re-invented herself as a PR gal about town—working the film fest and helping local boutiques, events and projects get their word out. Her company is called ClutchPR -- www.clutchpr.com
Daniela is moments away from being a new mom and dedicated to maintaining her milfness well into her eighties.

Michelle Kuran

You Sea, I am a small-town fish swimming (thank-Triton not floating) in the big-city.

Hometown: Peace River, Alberta (five hours north of Edmonton; A River Runs Through It, some (I) call it Pitt River)

Population: 8000 people, pets

…There the Northern Lights often swallow my sleep, keeping me a wide-eye-wonder well past midnight. Emerald shimmers, simmers to lime squeezing-out the prettiest, palest, Sickest green. These curvy columns of color skip and sashay like a Double-Dutch-Duchess, flickering and fading like frequencies of sound, a stereo in the sky.

The only Cure for my In Between Days is Mint Car. On that *Note, I have ran through enough red lights and over enough orange pylons in my moms ’92 Blueberry Oldsmobile for the both of us, plus a guest, a passenger if you will. When behind the wheel I am not the Sharpest Tune in the Songbook.

Feathers, mans-best-Friend and Fedoras – when wearing I have gotten Pete Doherty (Pepsi, not ‘Coke’ for me please) and Boy George  (Big-Ouch)- are my three-charming Favorites.

My Family and Friends are my Fins.

Karen Cleveland

11:30 PM, scrawling on a napkin:

Dear readers,

Please - if you have a moment, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ms. Karen Cleveland and I am the resident etiquette columnist at SDTC. I treat others the way I like to be treated, always open doors, never bud lines, chew politely on my filet mignon and never ever lose control to a point of embarrassment.

My house is tidy, always welcoming and smelling of vanilla. I regularly host fancy tea parties and wear box-pleated garments and sensible shoes.

I am here to help make this city a more polite and consequently civilized place to dwell. I graciously welcome your feedback and comments to the column and hope you find the content useful and engaging.

Sincerely,
Karen

Friend interrupts:
“Karen, you’ve spilled wine all over your shirt”

She fiercely responds:
”MOTHER F*CKER, GOD DAMNIT, NOT AGAIN - MERDE!!”

Little Miss X-Rated

After years of serious long-term relationships, I decided on my 24th Birthday to give it up and test out the single life. It's been almost a year of casual dating, one night stands, and making out with strangers. I'm finally at the point where I could be ready to settle down again, but my search for Mr.Right is leaving a trail of sexy stories. I've been recording all the juicy details in my Boy Diary, and hope you'll sneak-a-peek each week.

Lauren Valentine

Lauren Valentine is a twenty-one-year-old writer/assistant at a documentary company/babysitter/compulsive cookie dough eater (but mainly writer, she promises). She grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and, despite the Chemical Valley fumes, doesn't think she turned out half bad. Lauren was raised in a Catholic household and the only time she has ever been grounded was when mom found her birth control pills hidden under the bed (now that was an awkward week-and-a-half). Previous writing experiences include winning a Young Writers award for her self-illustrated book Zazena and the Pirates in grade one, penning most of her friends essay's throughout high school, and bartering her test notes for Snicker's bars during college. She is currently working on her first novel, a memoir entitled Tales From On Top of My So-Called Soul Mate. For more juicy and inappropriate details check out Lauren's website, www.iamdelicious.com

Denise Dias

The shoes: Chanel. The lipstick: Dior. The haircut: Tautou-inspired. So how is this girl not French?

Bred to live, breathe and love all things French, Denise began to adore French fineries at an early age while watching her chic seamstress mother tweak the ensembles of the rich and fabulous at a busy Chanel boutique. After spending childhood summers in Europe, she decided in University that it was time for the real deal: an authentic tour of France, complete with warm fresh baguettes and buttery pastries, copious amounts of the finest red wine, a red-light exploration of Montmartre, and enough shopping on the Champs-Élysées to replicate Laetitia Casta's wardrobe.

She knew from the first moment she set high-heeled foot in La Ville-lumière that she wanted to live comme les Français. Lazy Sunday mornings on a balcony enjoying un cafe au lait, shopping trips with girlfriends at Yves Saint Laurent, and adventures in mastering the French language. She writes for She Does the City to share her insider tips with you on how to truly live la vie en rose.

Lauren Solski

She doesn't even know who she is. Is she the girl walking down the street who has a smile on her face? Most likely. Is she the girl in the sunshine wearing heels and over sized sunglasses? She wants to be. Is she the girl who has the most stable, amazing relationship in the world? She wishes.

Her name is Lauren, and right now, she's a journalism student at Ryerson University. Although she loves her hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut, Lauren enjoys the "big city" life of Toronto and wouldn't trade it for the BIGGEST chocolate cake in the world....well, maybe she would.

Aside from fantasizing about large desserts, Lauren loves to act and dance.Someday, Lauren will become a famous journalist, inspiring young women to follow their dreams and to love themselves as they are.

In the meantime, Lauren writes for us.

Reta Robinson

Aspiring Pioneer/History nerd

I spent my childhood wishing I was Laura Ingalls and bossing every friend of mine into role playing Little House on the Prairie, circa On the Banks of Plum Creek, just after Mary's sight succumbed to the perils of scarlet fever. I always got to be Laura.

I even begged my mum to send me to live with a Mennonite family in St Jacob's, partly to fulfill my dream of being a pioneer, and partly so that I could eat ridiculous quantities of maple sugar candy. Instead, I got sent to pioneer camp at the Ontario Agricultural Museum where I insisted on wearing a pinafore and made strawberry-rhubarb jam from scratch.

I've since ditched the glasses for contacts but the pioneer spirit still lives in me.

Rosanna Carlucci

  LOVE. It’s all about the love. Rosanna loves to laugh, loves her family and friends. She loves to watch movies during the day and occasionally she will allow herself to rock out! She believes that truth, being kind and belief in oneself are what matter most, but if you can be glamorous while doing it- it doesn’t hurt. Self-confessed Glam-a-holic, she secretly wishes it was 1955 and she was a Hollywood starlet/pin up/burlesque dancer/showgirl. Is it too much? Never.

She loves vintage fashion, red lipstick and Marilyn Monroe. Collects vintage jewellery, pin up posters and magazines. She is forever obsessed with anything red or covered with crystals, because life is just better when it’s shiny… 
 

Jen Houston

Jen Houston lives in a house that she loves in the west end of Toronto. She can most often be seen blending in with the Bay St. crowd, but secretly sheds her officewear for tie-dye and ripped jeans at night. She makes fun of other people almost as much as she makes fun of herself, and marvels at how her black cats are just mini-panthers who would eat her if they could. Her goal is to see as much of the world as possible, but she’d go back to The Beverly Hills Hotel over and over. The Wizard of OZ is her favourite movie, and as a child she insisted on wearing toy ruby slippers every day. A total escapist, she watches it - while listening to her favourite album, Dark Side of the Moon - a few times a year, and is still terrified of the witch. She loves to swim, and usually wears a bathing suit under her clothes in the summer, just in case. 

Carys Mills

I was persuaded to move from England to Canada at age 11.  There was only one question that needed answering, whether I’d be able to go skating everyday. After confirming that I would, in fact, be able to go skating almost everyday during the winter months I realized I was destined to be a talented figure skater and make it to the Olympics. I laced up my first pair of figure skates, they were from Canadian Tire, for a 6 a.m. practice with a small town synchronized skating team. Lacking grace and the ability to wake up at 5 a.m. every morning I concluded that perhaps the Olympics wasn’t for me. Canada hasn’t been quite the same since, but after moving from middleofnowhere Ontario to Toronto things have been looking up!