Last week we were delighted to win, for the second time, Best Blog in NOW Magazine’s Annual Readers Poll. (Thank you for voting!) Over the years, we’ve probably had about 100 contributors lend their talent, perspective, opinions, humour, stories and style to make Shedoesthecity what it is. We thought we’d use the recent announcement in NOW to properly introduce to you some of the rad women who have all contributed to our success.

We’re more than just a masthead, we’re a gang for life. Get to know our backbone of talent.

Karen Cleveland

Karen has been dishing good etiquette since 2007 in her weekly column, Finishing School. From how to tip your hairdresser to handling awkward moments with a restaurant bill, Karen’s advice is always sensible and delivered with a pinch of humour. Her good manners earned her a ticket to a bullring in Madrid. Whaaat? That shit happens here.

Share a weird Toronto experience you’ve had in less than fifty words:
I once hosted a small dinner party and the following morning, I had to repaint my walls and rent a carpet cleaner.

What has been your favourite adventure with Shedoesthecity thus far? In the fall of 2011, I went to Madrid to cover the Coldplay concert, part of the American Express Unstaged series. It was absolutely surreal. I ran around Madrid for a raucous 72 hours like my hair was on fire, pinching myself.

What is something in Toronto that you think deserves more recognition?
Toronto itself deserves some attention. The city is the gem. I fall in love with Toronto over and over again. I’ve had some flings with other cities over the years, but Toronto and I are getting kind of serious.

What cultural institution do you love most?
The Thompson Collection of model ships at the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of my favourite places in Toronto. It’s so serene.

Where are we most likely to find Karen Cleveland in Toronto?
My office near St. Lawrence Market
Balzacs Caf� (effectively my second office)
Back seat of a cab
Strolling my King West hood
In my kitchen, cooking and pouring for those I adore

Any lasting words of wisdom for a life well lived?
Find a good cause in your city and get involved with it. Everyone has some talent or service that they can offer. There is undoubtedly a worthwhile cause or organization that needs to fill that gap. Bridge that.

Louisa Cohen

Louisa has covered everything from tequila to cigars to more…er…personal experiences for SDTC.

Share a weird Toronto experience you’ve had in less than fifty words
I once had a yard sale with a few girlfriends along Dundas, and Juliette Lewis came by. I jokingly said to her that my dog was up for sale too. She took it literally…and made me an offer. Then it got a bit awkward.

What has been your favorite Shedoesthecity story that you’ve covered? The Journey concert with AMEX, one of the most fun nights I’ve had in the city! (Though my colon hydrotherapy article is a close second.)

Where does Louisa Cohen hang?
Ezra’s Pound
Hoof Cocktail Bar
Tacos El Asador, (690 Bloor St. W.)
Clafouti Bakery (915 Queen St. W.)
Trinity Bellwoods Park

Got a secret gem you want to share?
The Korean Pancake at the Walnut Cake Bakery (Hodo Kwaja) (656 Bloor St. W.) on Bloor St. The cakes are filled with maple syrup, peanuts, and brown sugar. I make it my mission to introduce as many people to them as possible.

You’ve got our attention, what do you want to say?
I’m just so happy to call Toronto my home – everyday I am surprised by how kind, cool, creative and friendly people are. Being a part of Shedoesthecity is like a real life baby-sitters club, street gang, and country club all in one – it’s for life.

Monica Heisey

Comedian extraordinaire Monica Heisey is a Torontonian transplanted to the UK who shares her wisdom with SDTC readers in her weekly Grown Ass Woman’s Guide column.

Describe a perfect Saturday:
Ginger ale for hangovers, some kind of breakfast scramble and these two cool cats I know, one of whom is a human and one of whom is an actual cat. Maybe we’d wander along Ossington to collect various friends on the way to find food somewhere.

Ossington meandering aside, where else would we find you in Toronto?
Comedy Bar
Jet Fuel
Nazareth Ethiopian(969 Bloor St. W.)
Kensington Market
Anywhere burritos are sold.

What has been your favourite SDTC assignment to date?
I will basically love Jen forever for arranging my phone interview with The Donald himself. What a special man he is.

You can trade lives with anyone right now, WHO??
I feel like I could take over Aziz Ansari’s life pretty comfortably and happily. Aziz: my mom’s a great cook and my boyfriend’s real nice. Think about it.

You’ve got our attention, what do you want to say?: If you’re interested in low-grade cat puns and updates on whether or not I’m wearing a bra (spoiler alert: I am), you can follow me on twitter @monicaheisey.

Caitlyn Holroyd

SDTC’s listings editor, Caitlyn is our go-to girl for nightlife and events, scouring the city and bringing you the coolest stuff to do with your nights, days, and weekends. Sometimes she takes us on journeys through rural Texas too.

Share a weird Toronto experience with us in less than fifty words:
Trinity Bellwoods Park: man sitting on a bench with what looks like a pet dog at his feet. I get closer and realize that it’s actually a dead raccoon and the man is sitting on the bench grinning creepily at passersby.

What has been your favourite SDTC assignment or event?
I’ve got two. The first was a road trip to Chi-town two summers ago to cover Lollapalooza with fellow Shedoesthecity-er Haley Cullingham. We danced through a thunderstorm, drank tall cans of Bud exclusively, posed beneath a double rainbow, and ran into Aaron Paul everywhere. All in the name of music.

The second was a round-up of inspiring weddings. I’ve never considered myself a wedding kind of gal but all it took was an afternoon of purusing wedding blogs to convince me otherwise. Now the question is, do I want a Bohemian Forest Wedding, a Carnival Extravaganza Wedding, or a Hot Springs Resort Wedding?

Where does Caitlyn Holroyd hang in Toronto?
For coffee, Dark Horse Espresso Bar (684 Queen St. W.)
For drinks, The Red Light (1185 Dundas St. W.)
For brunch, Saving Grace (907 Dundas St. W.)
For shopping, Philistine (1394 Queen St. W.)
For thrifting, The Junction Flea (now relocating to The Great Hall for winter)

What is a major goal of yours?
See the world! Experiences trump objects and when I’m an old lady, I’d much rather have a book of interesting stories and photographs to share rather than an accumulation of objects.

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
The story of Edie Sedgwick was ultimately a sad one, but I would still love to trade lives with the 1960s It Girl for a month. Imagine calling Andy Warhol, Gerard Malanga, Bob Dylan, and The Velvet Underground company? So. Cool.

Kristy LaPointe

Kristy kicked off her time here by writing an ongoing diary about cooking for tree planters in the Canadian wilderness. Originally from Alberta, she now calls Toronto her home and enjoys writing about cool plays and art happenings.

Tell us about a great Toronto moment you’ve had since moving here:
Meeting George Strombolopolous outside of the TIFF Lightbox before a secret showing of a Jason Reitman film. Doesn’t get much more Toronto-y than that.

What has been your favourite SDTC assignment?
Chronicling my summer cooking in the BC wilderness, because it helped me appreciate city life and modern conveniences more than ever. Also because I had so much support from readers when everything was going wrong and I felt like I was stuck in the last 15 minutes of Into The Wild.

What Toronto venues have you fallen in love with?
Fresh: I am obsessed. This food is the way to my heart. Seriously, please bring me a Holiday wrap and some yam fries.
Iam Yoga: Where I attempt to make up for all of the yam fries.
Bulldog Coffee: I’m not ashamed of my coffee addiction. Some of the best espresso in the city.
Carlton Cinema: A piano in the lobby, Woody Allen films and documentaries and Twilight on smallish screens. This theatre is the cutest.
Jet Fuel Coffee: $2 Soy Lattes, y’all.

Is there something in this city that you think deserves more attention?
The incredible homemade fries at Brown Bag Sandwiches and the brave, modern musicals produced by Angelwalk Theatre.

Anything else, Kristy?
Check out my blog We’re Silently Mocking You.

Becca Lemire

Becca Lemire is SDTC’s photographer extraordinaire, our zany party girl with maximum flava who also pens openly and emotionally about Oprah Winfrey.

What has been your most favourite SDTC experience?
Going to Oprah’s LifeClass, but of course!!! Also meeting Tavi Gevinson at her Halloween party recently was pretty amazing. Sasquatch Music Festival in Washington State needs mentioning too. Can I just say everything, ever?

Becca’s perfect Saturday night includes what?
Costumes.

Where does Becca like to hang in Toronto?
High Park catching some breeze
Rustic Owl cafe
A yard sale
A thrift store
Bacchus Roti (1376 Queen St. W.)
Anywhere an attractive man is passing out free hors d’oeuvres on a piece of reclaimed wood, anywhere my camera takes me!

Who in this city deserves more attention?
Kevin Clarke! And all the talented artists in this city whose work I greatly admire.

What is your favourite Toronto festival or cultural institution?
Alternative Fashion Week FAT

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
Tavi Gevinson, or Amy Winehouse so I could check myself into rehab so I’d still be singing today 🙁

Erin Pehlivan

Erin writes about fashion and anything with any kind of Scandinavian linkage.

Where do you spend most of your time?
On Etsy, looking at vintage dachshund figurines and Nordic paraphernalia.

What has been your most favourite SDTC experience?
The intimate dinner at Gusto with the VP of Gap Accessories, Reina Miucci, where I met some of the loveliest young fashion writers and editors in Toronto from Huffington Post, The Kit, The National Post, and more.

What are your top five destinations in Toronto?
The Mascot
BMV Books at Ryerson University (10 Edward St.)
Pizzeria Libretto
Mjolk
New Ho King

How would you spend a perfect Saturday?
I’d wake up reading in bed followed by a long bike ride, then I’d take a road trip with my lover to a rural farmer’s market followed by a cooking and eating session. I would probably pass out after that.

What in this city do you think needs more attention?
Trees. Large, mature trees. And bike lanes.

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
Patti Smith at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City in the 70s.

Nilou Yekta

Nilou has been writing for SDTC since she was 16. That was two years ago, so she’s still just 18 and has covered everything from prom anxiety to life as a first year uni student.

And guess what? SHE GOT TO MEET THE BOYS OF ONE DIRECTION!! OMG.

What are Nilou’s favourite Toronto places?

Caf� Crepe
Honest Ed’s
The Mod Club
Rotate This
The Black Market

Describe your perfect Saturday:
Waking up at noon and having a HUGE brunch with lots of warm naan bread, tomatoes, basil and cheese and a cup of hot tea. Then I’d just lay around and indulge in some Workaholics or a good read and lurk the world wide web for cool new music (I love you last.fm and soundcloud)

Got a hidden gem that you’d like to share?
Snakes and Lattes

Got a life goal?
Be as awesome as George Stroumboulopoulos and have my own show where I can interview cool individuals and put them in awkward situations, the good kind of awkward situations.

What is your favourite Toronto event?
I just love Nuit Blanche. Every single Toronto citizen, regardless of age, should definitely experience it.

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
Lana Del Rey. She’s a stunner and such a badass lady.

South Godfrey

She grew up in Banff, rides a skateboard around town and has a groovy clothing company called Lilly Lab. We love the fashion mood boards South creates for Shedoesthecity.

What do you spend most of your time in life doing?
Working on my sportswear brand Lilly Lab. (Check it, it’s rad.)

What has been your favourite SDTC experience so far?
 Attending the Common Cloth fashion show at Soho House.

What five venues in Toronto do you frequent most?
Cooper Cole Gallery
USED vintage shop (489 Queen St. W.)
High Park
The Lakeview
Above Ground art supplies
Imma West End Girl.

Describe your perfect Saturday:
Sleeping in late, getting lost in the city skateboarding and then dancing to beats while the sun goes down.

Got a major goal on your mind?
I hope to open a Lilly Lab store in the next year!

What is your favourite cultural scene in Toronto?
Cherry Beach Parties & Nuit Blanche

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
Humberto Leon & Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony in NYC. What they have done for fashion retail is amazing and now designing for KENZO, wow! I want to know how they think.

Check out South’s Lilly Lab clothing here. How much do you want that giant knitted heart sweater?

Molly Grove

Molly Grove is another member of our team who recently moved from Edmonton. Since she arrived in Toronto, she’s been keen to explore everything from fashion to indie music shows and whatever cultural happening catch her eye.

What has been your favourite SDTC experience so far?
I got to cover an event for Dress for Success, which is an inspiring not for profit organization and meet Jeanne Becker! Never thought I would meet such a celebrity on one of my first assignments. I was definitely very nervous!

What five venues have become your new hot spots?
Pamanar Cafe
Riding around on my purple bike
Kula Yoga in the Annex
Robarts Library on Campus
Ronnie’s Pub

What has been your favourite Toronto discovery so far?

High Park is a truly amazing escape within the city. I first went there to see Shakespeare in the park and I fell in love; both with the performance under the stars, and with the park itself. It is a huge expanse of land right on the subway line that offers tons of activities including waterfront views and a zoo!

What is your major life goal right now?
Figure out what I want to do with my life and love whatever that is.

Since your arrival, what cultural happening have you enjoyed most?
Summerlicious, a great opportunity for fantastic food at a prix fix price and fabulous friends.

Got something dear to your heart that you’d like to share with SDTC readers?
Oxfam Canada believes that “ending global poverty begins with women’s rights”. You can support them and other ethical or local groups and artisans by doing your shopping at Oxfam U of T’s Holiday Bazaar complete with music, gifts and Oxfam’s Unwrapped Campaign. Nov.22nd/12-5pm/Trinity College.

Desiree Gamotin

If we need a writer to hit a show at The Horseshoe at 1am, we call Desiree Gamotin.

Where would we be likely to find Des in Toronto?
You will find me most often at these five venues: either typing away at RSquared Cafe on Queen West, going for a run along Harbourfront, watching NFL all Sunday at Football Factory (Fantasy Football will be the end of me), stuffing my face with Greek nachos at Sneaky Dee’s and/or scouring through Kensington Market looking for the next rad-ass steeze (Black and gold 80s Janet Jackson-style blazer? Yes, please).

What has been your favourite SDTC assignment to date?
Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal. Nothing beats booty popping in mud puddles, eating poutine all day and watching fireworks explode during the greatest DJ set ever.

What is your favourite Toronto fest?
North By Northeast! I mean who didn’t love The Flaming Lips? It’s like saying you don’t love confetti and joy.

Can you share with us a life goal?
One major goal of mine is: to start a movement, become a purveyor of something different and exciting, while somehow incorporating music, arts, adventure, travel, writing… or all of the above. To have people go, “Whoa.”

Right now, if you could trade lives with someone for a month, who would it be?
Diplo. Though I rather the question be “If I could live with someone for a month…” Srsly, he’s a brilliant producer, collaborates with the coolest cats, makes the sickest beats, travels the globe to start parties and he’s got so much swag, it hurts.