I can’t believe this weekend is the Victoria Day Weekend! We Canadians generally regard the May long weekend as the unofficial kick-off to summer! Well, at least we’re getting warmer temperatures lately, which I am loving! Many people start planting their gardens on the Victoria Day Weekend and I am one of them! I have already been to the gardening centre a few times and picked up some flowers, vegetable plants and herbs and I will be making another trip there tomorrow! In the meantime, continue reading to find out what I’m crushing on in May 2025. (You may be interested in reading, “Things to Do Victoria Day Weekend in Toronto 2025“.)
Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
I’ve been having a blast reading Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang because it darkly spoofs the influencer industry! I don’t consider myself so much an “influencer” as I do a “content creator”, but I have to admit that I have found myself chuckling at many of the things Zhang’s influencers do and say because they’re familiar to me! The premise of the novel is Julie Chan and Chloe Van Huusen are twins who were separated at birth: Julie lives with her penny-pinching aunt while Chloe was adopted by a white, upper middle class family. While Julie slugs it out working at a supermarket, Chloe has become a successful influencer. Julie comes to New York after receiving a mysterious phone call from Chloe and discovers her dead body in her condo. Julie then makes the questionable decision to impersonate Chloe and is embraced by Chloe’s high-flying influencer friends. When ultra-rich Bella Marie invites “Chloe” and several other influencers to her private island, things get weird fast. I’m very surprised to learn that this is Zhang’s first book as the storyline is well executed with a shocking ending, and the writing is punchy and imaginative! I look forward to reading Zhang’s future books!
ISBN No.: 978-1-6680-7986-7
Published by Simon & Schuster, CAD$24.99
Handcrafted Floral Crochet Top from Charlie B Clothing
Charlie B Clothing sent me several gorgeous pieces for an Instagram collaboration and I am loving them. Pictured above is the Handcrafted Floral Crochet Top, which I have already worn on several occasions. I love the V-neck and 3/4 length sleeves! This top really dresses up my outfit; I wear it over a soft grey tank top with white pants. I know I will continue to wear it throughout the summer and have received many compliments on it. It comes in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. Use my promocode: TORONTONICITY10 to get 10% off regular- and sale-priced Charlie B Collection .
Three Pines on Prime Video
We are big fans of Louise Penny’s books at our house so we’ve been enjoying watching Three Pines on Prime Video. The books focus on the investigations of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sureté du Quebec – most of the action takes place in the titular village. As in the books, the TV series features the regular quirky cast of characters including artists Peter and Clara Morrow, poet Ruth Zardo and her pet duck Rosa, bistro co-owners Olivier and Gabri, and Myrna, the bookstore owner, among others. Gamache is assisted by his (future) son-in-law, Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir, as well as police officer Isabelle Lacoste. The TV series is pretty loyal to the books and has the added bonus of featuring the picturesque landscapes of the Eastern Townships Region of Quebec.
Beaches Toronto Women’s Group
I recently joined the Beaches Toronto Women Listening Group, which I found through another group on Facebook. The goal of this group is to meet every month and discuss personal issues without having judgmental responses. We met for the first time as a larger group last night at a local event venue. Approximately 20 women attended! We broke off into smaller groups to discuss issues such as health, parenting, retiring/starting a new career, and getting rid of toxic relationships. It was great to meet women around my age who are local! We have already created a smaller splinter group and have met for coffee and walks along the boardwalk. One of my goals this year was to expand my network of female friendships so this group is right up my alley!
Well, that’s what I’m crushing on in May 2025. Let me know in the comment section some of your favourite TV series, books, beauty products, fashion items or foods!
Loved reading about your May crushes! It’s always fun to see what others are into — definitely gave me a few things to check out myself!
Thanks Jess! I hope you get to check out the book or TV series! Cheers, Lori
That book sounds good! I’ll have to add it to my list for sure. I also love that crochet top. So pretty!
Hi Amber, Yes, that books was really fun! Thank you; I love my Charlie B crochet top too! Cheers, Lori
What a great round up! I especially appreciate your tv review, I am always looking for non-US produced TV, the quality is always better elsewhere!
Thanks Mitch! I also enjoy watching TV series that have been produced in other countries. There are some great mystery/crime series from Sweden! The Three Pines TV series is set in Quebec so I loved seeing the gorgeous landscapes! Cheers, Lori
That Charlie B crochet top is adorable! I love pieces that are stylish but still comfy enough to wear all summer long.
Thanks Lavanda! The crochet top is very comfortable and it seems crochet clothing pieces are very in style this summer! Cheers, Lori
I’ve never heard of that book or the Netflix series, but I am interested in checking it out. Thanks for sharing these!
Hi Marysa, Louise Penny writes a very popular series of books regarding Inspector Gamache! If you like mysteries, I think you would enjoy them! Cheers, Lori
i recall that i started watching three pines with my dh and i liked it.. but then we shifted to some other program and somehow this got forgotten , now i need to get to it again
Hi Vidya, I loved the Three Pines series! I wish they had been renewed for Season 2! Cheers, Lori
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