P.s!: April Sun & May Fun!

April Blog Roundup & May Preview

It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing March's blog roundup, but here I am 30 days later writing another roundup post!

April was such an interesting month. I had some great and not-so great moments. I'm staying on my healthy lifestyle journey and having fun exploring Toronto. I had a death in my extended family, which has made me reevaluate some of my family relationships. I also started to pick up some freelance work as a Social Media Specialist and guest blogger, so my life is getting pretty hectic!

Style Trend: Fringe Benefits!

Summer/Spring Trend Alert: 1970's Fringe Detail

It seems that every season, a new decade is recycled and brought back to the fashionable forefront. This spring it is the 1970's, not disco 70's but bell bottoms and flower power, with a modern twist. Think Coachella and festival style. And one of the hottest style details this spring is fringe - everywhere!

Marchesa RTW Fall 2015 New York Fashion Week

Fringe has been popping up not only along the hems of kimonos, but also coats, jackets, purses, shoes, tops, bottoms, pretty much everywhere!

Exhibit: Exploring the Wild Deep Woods at Harbourfront Centre!

Harbourfront Centre Deep Woods & REWILD Exhibition Reviews

Several weeks ago the weather was way too cold to go for a walk and I was too restless to stay home in my warm apartment. I decided to take a trip down to the Harbourfront Centre and visit the many art exhibits on display collectively called Deep Woods: Visual Arts Exhibitions Winter/Spring 2015.

From REWILD: Architecture Defines a New Landscape

Deep Woods consists of seven different small exhibits exploring the theme of the Canadian natural landscape and the woods. All the exhibits circled around the inside perimeter of the building so it was easy to go from one exhibit to the other.

Skincare Review: Soft Skin Restored with Pure + Simple!

Pure + Simple Pure Essentials Kit & Eye Restoration Mask Review

Last month I had my skin analyzed for moisture levels and was shocked to find out my skin was less than 10% hydrated in spots (normal is about 40%). It was nearing the end of a very cold winter and I just started trying out some new skin care products that were not reacting well with my skin. The mix of the weather and the new products made my skin feel dry and it looked rough and dull. I needed something fast to help replenish and hydrate my skin and get it ready for the warm weather fast approaching. I received the Pure + Simple Pure Essentials Kit at Spark Sessions last November and thought this is the perfect time to try it.

The Pure + Simple Pure Essentials Kit included the Sensitive Cleansing Milk, Hydration Serum, Skin Drink Unscented Lotion and Calming Cucumber Mask. I also received the Restoration Eye Mask, which was not apart of the kit. And thanks to using these products my skin is back in (almost) peak performance.

Exhibit: Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op!

Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op 2015 Exhibition Review

With the weather getting warmer (the last few days are the exception here in Ontario), Torontonians are getting outside more and enjoying the public open spaces (Trinity Bellwoods Park was packed last weekend)! And to celebrate the start to the outdoor season, Gladstone Hotel hosts its third annual Grow Op art and landscape exhibition.

Wild Crate Farm by Deena Delzotto and Rachel Kimel / Bowery Project

This multidisciplinary exhibit examines natural and built environments and encourages an array of dialogue surrounding landscape and place.

My Style: Retro Beach Glam from Filosofia!

Filosofia Swimwear Bikini & Winners Cover-up Outfit

Now that the weather is starting to warm up (well sort of), I'm making a list and checking it twice of all the things I need to buy to get ready for Summer! One of the fashion items at the top of my summer shopping list was a swimsuit, which now has been (wonderfully) crossed off the list.

Several weeks ago I was sent a two piece swimsuit from new swimwear company Filosofia and I can't wait until I hit the beach!

Explore Toronto: Coupland Celebrates Canadian Heroes at Canoe Landing Park!

Toronto's Canoe Landing Park and Public Art Installations Review

A few weeks ago I enjoyed a walking art tour organized by MOCCA and led by Betty Ann Jordan from Art InSite and Ben Mills from Public Art Management. The tour explored various public art installations near the Gardiner expressway that included several installations designed by Douglas Coupland. I have always known that Toronto has alot of public art (I walk by several every day), but I really had no idea of the amount of amazing art by world renowned artists are on display for free, throughout the city.

Bobber Plaza, 2009

Art tours and guided city walks are a great way to learn more about Toronto and all it has to offer. MOCCA's Douglas Coupland Tour packed in so many amazing art installations, that for this post I'm going to focus on one of my favourite outdoor spaces in Toronto from the tour - Canoe Landing Park.

Haircare Review: No More Tears with Tangle Teezer!

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Brush Review

I'm not big fan of hair brushes. I find they do more damage than they should to my thick colour-treated hair. I usually just brush and untangle my hair with my fingers, which causes the least amount of pain. That was until I started using Tangle Teezer!

I was sent The Tangle Teezer Compact Styler several weeks ago to test out. I was a little skeptical at all they hype surrounding this little brush, but after using it for some time now, I actually enjoy brushing my hair! When I was a little girl, I only enjoyed my Grandmother brushing my hair. She used this little yellow brush with soft bristles to gently brush out all the tangles from my mess of thick hair. She was always gentle and patient and it was a rare treat. For many years since, I have always wished I could enjoy brushing my hair like when my Grandmother did, but I could never find a brush that could do the job quickly, until now!

Event: Anything Goes at Fashion Week in Toronto!

World MasterCard Fashion Week Toronto Recap

A few weeks ago one of the last cold weeks in March happened which is a sure sign that Fashion Week has arrived in Toronto. I don't know why but Fashion Week always has terrible weather - either very cold or wet or both. Which is unfortunate for people like myself who can't wait to wear their open-toe strappy heels to one of the best fashion events in Toronto.

My WMCFW at David Pecaut Square

World MasterCard Fashion Week happens in Toronto twice a year, once in March for the Fall Runway shows and in October for Spring.

Toronto Artist Spotlight: The Extraordinary Candace Wilson!

Canadian Abstract Painter Candace Wilson Profile

Henri Matisse could've been describing Canadian artist Candace Wilson when he famously said "Creativity takes courage". After spending an unforgettable evening with Wilson at her west-end art studio, I feel like she is one of the most inspirational and courageous female artists I have met in a long time.

Candace Wilson is a Toronto-based abstract artist that has led an extraordinary life. Inspired by what she has seen and learned in her world travels, she paints with a deeper understanding of her spirituality and an openness to what is happening around her, both physically and mentally.

Beauty: Spring Cleaning!

5 Get-Ready-For-Spring Beauty Tips

Even though it may not feel like it sometimes, Spring is finally here!! It's time to put away the heavy snow boots and mittens and air out the sundresses and sandals that I will be wearing soon (fingers-crossed). And even though I can't wait for the warmer weather, there are few beauty things I need to do to get ready for spring.

During the winter months my skin can get drier than usual and I get lazy with a few grooming habits (which I'm sure we are all guilty of). Here are a few tips that I do to look and feel my best when it's time to shine in the sun!

Exhibit: Women Are Doing it For Themselves!

Gardiner Museum's Women, Art, & Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise Exhibition Review

Art is so powerful. It can give voice to those who cannot speak up and help affect change in society. This power is shown in Gardiner Museum's latest Smithsonian exhibit Women, Art, & Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise.

This exhibit "tells the inspirational story of a group of women in the Deep South who achieved economic independence through making and selling pottery, and by establishing Newcomb Pottery, one of the most iconic arts and crafts brands of the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

Explore Toronto: Finding Magic in Allan Gardens!

Allan Gardens Conservatory and Park Review

There is a place downtown Toronto that is full of magic and wonder. It contains flowers that bloom all year, plants from across the globe, and is home to turtles, fish, and waterfalls. This magical place is called Allan Gardens Conservatory.

The Allan Gardens Conservatory is over 100 years old, making it one of the oldest parks in Toronto. It contains six greenhouses which are open all year long, and is surrounded by a large green space containing a new playground and an off-leash dog area.

P.s!: March Melts & April Showers!

March Blog Roundup & April Preview

I can't believe March is over and April is finally here! This year has been going by so quickly and I, for one am looking forward to Spring and the fun and bright fashions and the new beauty products, that always appear with a new season.

With the change of a season comes a new change to The Purple Scarf. Near the end of each month, starting today, I will be posting a new P.s! featuring a roundup of some of my favourite posts and highlights of the past month just and a preview of some of the new and exciting posts coming up in the new month. For my first P.s Roundup and Preview Post, it was hard to come up just a FEW highlights from March as there were so many, but here are a few that stood out: