If you were downtown Toronto last weekend you probably noticed some colourful characters performing some amazing and fantastical feats in the middle of Yonge Street. It was the annual Scotiabank BuskerFest, a fabulous event that draws hundreds of street performers from around the world to downtown Toronto to show amazing feats of strength, agility, and talent for a chance to tip their hat and ask for donations.
BuskerFest is one of my favourite festivals in Toronto. It was established in 1999 by Epilepsy Toronto as a "way to partner entertainment, business, and charity" and has become Epilepsy Toronto's largest fundraiser. In 2013, BuskerFest was moved from the St. Lawrence Market area to the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood and is now the largest Epilepsy Event in the world and North America's largest street performer festival.
Tips on Planning a Niagara Falls Trip & Bachelorlette Party
Last month was my sister's Bachelorette party. Since I'm her Maid of Honour, I had the distinct (dis)pleasure of planning and organizing the event (just joking Sange!) My sister, who lives in Thunder Bay, wanted to go to Niagara Falls on an overnight trip, so I had to plan the whole day and night's activities for 4 ladies, who live across the province. After a lot of planning and researching, the weekend went off without a hitch and it wasn't that expensive. I bought discounted tickets online and booked events ahead of time which made the weekend a lot less stressful.
If you are planning a weekend visit to Niagara Falls, for an event or just to get away, I have some tips for you that will make the weekend more enjoyable and cost a lot less.
Back in June, I shopped till I dropped at Lou Lou Magazine's Shops Series at the Toronto Eaton Centre. After getting some great deals and having lots of fun, I received a deluxe Swag Bag from Guest Services. Among some great beauty products and coupons, the swag bag contained a pair of Tweezerman Slant Tweezers. I always heard such good press about Tweezerman Tweezers, so I was excited to try them out.
Like most women, I have tried and tested out many tweezers and eyebrow tools since I was a teen. I got my first beauty manicure set from my Mom back in high school that not only contained the tools to help shape my eyebrows and nails, but some strange metal shaped contraptions, that to this day I still don't know what they're used for.
In case you haven't heard, Target just released their lookbook for their newest designer collaboration and it's fabulous! Target has partnered with Joseph Altuzarra, 2014 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year, to create a 50-piece collection that ranges in price from $18 - $90.
Available September 14, 2014, the collection includes many work appropriate pieces that can easily transition into cocktails at night. There are also some stunning dresses that will look fabulous on a red carpet! The collection focuses on deep colours and interesting patterns like green snakeskin and black jacquard, with some great pieces that will incorporate into your wardrobe well. There are so some amazing accessories and footwear items, as well as a satin cami set complete with lace face mask.
Last week I visited the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, downtown Toronto, to take in the Museum and their latest exhibitCamp Fires: The Queer Baroque, a World Pride themed ceramic art exhibition. I have never been to the Gardiner Museum, as ceramic art brings to mind Royal Doulton figurines, but I was mildly surprised at its collection of very interesting ceramic art and of course the bold Camp Fires exhibit.
The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art opened in 1984 by George and Helen Gardiner to house their ceramic art collection. It was managed by The Royal Ontario Museum but after 1996, it gained its independence. Today it boasts three levels of ceramic art galleries, both permanent collections and special exhibitions, a cafe and bistro, and offers a variety of clay classes for all ages and experience levels.
Heya! Even though the summer season started several weeks ago, I feel like the summer weather has finally arrived in Toronto! There have been some really gloomy days this season, but recently several days have been quite sunny and hot! Hopefully the heat wave continues (knock on wood), that's why this fabulous summer shift dress, I saw at Old Navy is perfect for this year's summer! Its bright paisley pattern is a perfect mood elevator on those grey days, and its thin material is perfect to keep me cool and fashionable on the hot days.
I styled this bright psychedelic dress with my favourite heels from Forever 21, but I can dress it up or down with flats or sandals, for a great day or casual look. Also if the day is cooler, revisit the 1970's fashion era and wear it with a pair of tight boots and a cute fitted cardigan in a bright colour.
Heya! Over the weekend I enjoyed the sunshine at Toronto's waterfront and visited the Museum of Inuit Art (MIA) for the very first time, located in the historic Queen's Quay Terminal Building. I have walked by the small museum for years and always enjoyed the Inuit sculptures peeking out through the windows, but finally decided to pay the $5 admission price and go in. And I was not disappointed.
Since 2007, this charming museum is the only museum south of the Arctic, devoted exclusively to the display of all types of Inuit art from across Canada. MIA is quite small: it only has 4 small galleries and a few corridors that display the amazing art pieces. But what it lacks in space, MIA makes up in charm and unique and original art.
A few weeks ago I was invited to an Almay Picnic event and workshop, with several other bloggers, at the beautiful Sky Yard at The Drake Hotel in Toronto. The event was led by Almay Canada's National Product Trainer Jacquie Hutchinson, who introduced us to several of Almay's products and how to incorporate them into and easy and pretty beauty routine. Perfect for those rushed mornings!
All attendees were given a cute Keep Leaf lunch bag full of personalized makeup and beauty items that will help pull together a polished and pretty look, very quickly. Jacquie instructed us through the different steps to achieve the look, which includes the beloved smoky eye, with great tips and helpful advice. I'm going to share these with you and a chance for you to win all the Almay products I tried, customized for you, so you can try this look at home!
One of my fashion loves (and vices) is sunglasses! I love them! Not only can they complete an outfit perfectly, but they are functional as well. I have extremely sensitive eyes and have to wear sunglasses practically every time I'm outside, which is why in most of My Style posts, I'm wearing sunglasses. And they also protect my eyes from the sun and are a fabulous solution to covering up tired looking eyes, making me look and feel more awake.
Heya! Two weeks ago I visited the Koffler Gallery at Artscape Youngplace to enjoy a most unusual and unique art installation called Vanitas by Toronto based Canadian artist Penelope Stewart. Created from over 2500 pounds of beeswax, Vanitas is a must see!
.JPG "Scotiabank BuskerFest downtown Toronto 2014")
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.JPG "Tweezerman Slant Tweezers")
.png "Altuzarra For Target Collection: Dress in Purple Orchid Print, Over The Knee Boots")
.JPG "Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto and Untitled sculpture by Jun Kaneko")
.JPG "Old Navy Summer High Neck Shift Dress, Forever 21 Booties, Shop For Jayu Necklace + Bracelet, Joseph Nogucci Elephant Memory Bracelets, Vintage Clutch")
.JPG "Museum of Inuit Art")
.JPG "Some of Melanie.Ps's Favourite Sunglasses!")
.JPG "Vanitas Beeswax Art Installation by Penelope Stewart. at Koffler Gallery in Artscape Youngplace, Toronto")
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