The best florists in Toronto are akin to your indispensable best friends. They're there for life's highlights (weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, and birthdays), lowlights (sickness, sympathy, and those times you get to drunk and start pawing your girlfriend's sister) and perhaps most importantly, offer cheap substitutes for jewellery that pack just as much meaning. Yes, the best florists in Toronto know how to ameliorate any event with the right combination of tulips and lilies, and they can usually whip up a unique bouquet for any sort of impromptu celebration or exercise in pandering for forgiveness. Many of the florists on this list have also placed high priority in keeping eco-friendly, either by sourcing local or seasonal blooms, or using biodegradable packaging and green energy in their stores (or all). Here is the list of the best florists in Toronto.

Valentine's Day 2012 is almost upon Toronto, which means a few particular conditions are poised to set in place. Many women, attached or otherwise, are getting their hopes up while watching YouTube videos of proposals on repeat; many men, attached or otherwise, haven't yet realized it's almost Valentine's Day; and singles of all creeds are starting to band together in callous, cliché rebuff of a day they deem "too commercial." Aren't holidays fun!?

It's back. Sort of. And residents didn't have too much time to mourn. After picking up and moving north following a five-year go in Leslieville, this coffee shop is back in a new space on Dundas East. And it's pretty much just how you remember it (but with more flowers).

Read my profile of Red Rock (Logan) in the cafes section.

Leasing a car in Toronto is perhaps the best option for those who can't stand the idea of sticking with the same car for more than four years. You can generally forget about the cost of general maintenance repairs, as most warranties provide coverage for the duration of the lease, though you'll never really own the car outright (unless, of course, you choose to buy the car after the term ends). Leasing can also come with certain restrictions, such as the number of kilometres you can drive each year, though the zero down payment does allow for a certain, lots-of-new-tech-toys-type of freedom in its own right. Here are the steps to finding a lease that works for you:

Back in January, the fate of Glad Day Bookshop didn't look good. As an independent bookstore — a niche one, at that — Glad was plagued with a series of troubles including operating amidst the financial burden of an ongoing battle with the Ontario Film Review Board.

City Council has assembled for a special meeting to quarrel about the future of Toronto transit. The City has $8.4 billion worth of provincial dollars to play with, and naturally, there are conflicting ideas on the best way to spend it. While Ford et al. are, of course, touting subways, TTC chair Karen Stinz and a host of other councillors are backing a compromise solution that includes would bring LRT to streets like Finch currently lacking such infrastructure.

We'll periodically update this post as the meeting continues.