I know it’s been a while since I’ve last written a blog post. Forgive me?

To get back into the swing of things (no pun intended), I attended a fun Rogers Cup event today at the Aviva Centre. It was the perfect event for me, seeing as I’ve been a loyal tennis fan since 1990!!

Here I am on Centre Court which is definitely not an everyday experience for me!!

I found out that 19 out of the top 20 seeds will be playing at this years tournament which takes place from Aug 6 – 12th at Aviva Centre, York University.

One of those top seeds is Milos Raonic who was practicing on Centre Court. (squeal).  Of course I hung around to take a few photos and watch this talented player for a few minutes.

The event included:

-a tennis clinic

-a delicious lunch

-an informative presentation with Nanci Guest who is a Registered Dietician,  about sports nutrition and how we can incorporate Danone products into a healthy lifestyle

-a chance to hang out in the Players Lounge

Not to mention there was an incredible charcuterie board from Cheese Boutique.

OK back to the Rogers Cup!! Please note that there’s a 407 ETR Free Community Weekend, which runs August 4 & 5 at Aviva Centre and is FREE and FUN for the whole family. Many years ago, I use to take advantage of this free weekend and take my kids so they too could learn from an early age about this incredible tournament.

The event ended with some cool swag. Now all I need is to get back on the court!!

Would like to give a huge thank you to @RogersCup and @DanoneCanada for inviting me to this event. I was all too happy to take a day off work to attend!

For more information about this years tournament:

Website: www.RogersCup.com

Twitte and Instagram: @RogersCup

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RogersCup

 

I wanted to take advantage of the long weekend so I booked a quick trip to New York City. I was originally going to drive and then went on Travelocity and decided to fly. It felt like a smart move till our flight got delayed for a few hours. Ouch.

Sadly this meant that our lovely afternoon on the Go NY Tours –  Hop On and Off Double Decker  Bus Tour was reduced to two hours. However we were so glad we went regardless. We had a great overview of the city while enjoying the double decker bus. I can’t imagine not doing these tours. I really do think they offer tremendous value.

For dinner, it was recommended that we go to a Kosher Certified and Vegan restaurant called By Chloe.  (185 Bleeker St).  I was SO glad we went. The restaurant was hopping but scored a cute table outside to enjoy this super tasty kale salad.

After dinner, I was able to nip into Murrays Cheese  (284 Bleeker St) where I quickly bought three items: Vermont Butter (which I havent found for years), some unique crackers and this beer that had me buzzed in no time at all. (can you say, 13% alcohol). Sadly no time to even look at the cheese counter. ARGHHH.

Rushed back to the Residence Inn NY Manhattan/Central Park for a wonderful nights sleep in our beautiful corner suite that had an incredible view! (Blog post to foll0w).

On Saturday, my day included two critical elements of any visit to NYC – Shopping and Eating. (not in that order).

I started my day off at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. (90 Kent St) What a great decision. It was my 3rd time visiting this fabulous outdoor food market since it started in 2011 and it keeps getting better and better. What I like best is the opportunity to see so many creative food vendors.

I saw a few of my favourite vendors from my previous visits: Bon Chovie (which I get on each and every visit) and Kelvin Slushie plus the Ramen Burger vendor.

 

I was in foodie heaven.

Late afternoon on Saturday included a walk thru Central Park where we stumbled upon a huge gathering of people and then figured it out: POKEMON GO!!

We also did some shopping on 5th Avenue and did some damage at the insanely huge UNIQLO (89,000 sqf).  Pretty grateful that there were no line ups at the cashier but as you can see from this photo. ..they are prepared.

Can’t wait for UNIQLO to open in Yorkdale Shopping Centre sometime in the fall. Seriously.

On Sunday morning, I scrambled to the US Open. I was only there from 1030 to 1230 but it was worth it. I’ve been watching the US Open for decades on TV and it was great to experience being there even though I wasn’t there to watch a match.

Just like that – it was time to head to Newark to catch our flight. I wish we had time to visit MOMA or the Whitney Museum or Washington Square or Chelsea Market but it just means I will have to go back, right?

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too.

For more information:

Go NY Tours Website: https://www.gonytours.nyc/double-decker-tours

Address: 2 E 42nd St, New York, NY, Phone: 1 212-664-0300

Website:  Residence Inn NY Manhattan/Central Park

Address: 1717 Broadway, New York, NY Phone: +1 212-324-3774

 

 

 

 

I become a bit of a loner five times a year. I seem to watch an insane amount of tennis during the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Rogers Cup, and the US Open. In between those tennis events – I have a life.  However, during those tennis events – I become a bit of a junkie. I will PVR the matches and then watch them in the evening, while fast forwarding thru commercials, interviews and commentary.

This means that 6 hours of tennis becomes 3 hours!! It’s quite a brilliant strategy.

Today I actually WENT to the Rogers Cup at York University and couldn’t seem to leave the back courts. I absolutely LOVE this opportunity to watch the tennis players practice. It’s incredible to watch the ball being played with such power and to be that close to the players.

I saw:

Attending the Rogers Cup is truly an event I havent missed for years. When the kids were little, I took them to Family Day (which is usually the first Saturday and Sunday and is FREE)…so that my kids could learn more about watching the game with the intention that they would watch it with me one day. (I’m a smart mom – sometimes!). My strategy worked – my kids know the top players and will watch the occasional game with me.

I will most likely be going a total of three times to watch the Rogers Cup this week. I can’t help myself…..I love this watching this sport.

Anyone else agree?