my beauty pick: sephora lip stain

I am very bad at finding lipsticks that stay on and that I actually like. These stains are a little heavy but not too bad. I'm sure if you were used to wearing lipstick on a daily basis they wouldn't feel so heavy. I like the darker colour for fall and winter and like the lighter one for the spring and summer. I love these because they don't come off very easily. I find that if I eat or drink for a few hours, I have to reapply to the centre of my lips, otherwise, it stays on there no problem. You do need a make up remover to take it off because it is really on there. 

I also hate paying a lot of money for cosmetics. There are somethings I'll "splurge" on, but even then it usually means like than $35. I like the price tag on these most of them are $15. 

10 - Everlasting Burgandy & 03 Strawberry Kissed

I like the 'everlasting burgandy' for the cooler times of year and the 'strawberry kissed' for spring and summer. They have a total of 10 shades, some are a bit too adventurous for me, although I think purple is in for the fall. Check them out, let me know what you think or if you have any other make up favourites!

well they said it would be hot

I tried hot yoga for the first time today, it was definitely an experience. We were met with a warm welcome (no pun intended)  we registered and picked our spots. It was so hot. It was already 40 degrees and I'm sure the floors were heated. It was a 90 minute class, I think a 60 minute class would have been less overwhelming. We were just about to finish the warm up and I was already feeling ill. They tell you to try your hardest to stay in the room, even if you aren't doing anything. I found it even difficult to lie on the floor because it was heated. At about the 50 minute mark I started to feel short of breath. I went to sit on the bench outside. The person in reception talked me into going back in, that it'll be a litte easier every time if I just stay in. So I went back in. I found it difficult to do a lot of the poses, not really because of the heat, more because I was absolutely doing with sweat, sexy I know. I kept slipping out of position.

I'm pretty sure by the end it was around 47 degrees. It was crazy. Everyone who is into it says I need to go back. Luckily I signed up with a friend,  I don't know if I could survive this trial month alone. 

buytopia - quickly becoming my favourite deal site

There are so many out there right now. They all have their pros and cons and are all a little different. I recently discovered Buytopia through Ebates (maybe you can tell, I really like Ebates). What originally caught my eye was the fact they gave 12% cash back. It is a promotion, normally it is 6% but they are double what their closest competitor is giving. So far, in the two weeks I've been checking them, I've bought a hair cut, a home cleaning and tickets to the delicious food show in October. I like the site a lot because there isn't too many deals. I know that sounds ridiculous, but some sites have so many its hard to navigate through all of them. The deals on Buytopia don't seem to last that long (probably to get you to purchase) and they always have something I'm interested in even if I don't purchase that time. Some sites I check on a regular basis but have never bought anything from them, either the products don't interest me or I don't find it to be a "good" enough deal. If you're someone who checks the deal sites on a regular basis, I would suggest adding Buytopia to your rotation. 

back to school

It's that time of year. Time to start saying "I don't know where the summer has gone" and "I can't believe its September already". That means it is back to school time, and for many post-secondary students that means buying lots of really expensive textbooks. I recently found an Ebates partner, BookMob that sells new and used discounted books. Being an Ebates partnere means that you get cash back for all of your books, which will be a nice bonus during the next payout time. You also have the option of renting books. Plus, once you're done, you can sell the textbooks back to them. I received my books quickly and when I bought the wrong one for one class they had no problem taking the return. Another bonus, they're Canadian so you don't have to worry about crazy shipping or duty charges. Also, some American buyback places won't except Canadian books. I would highly recommend them for the upcoming year. Happy studying!


Side note: I've also had good results selling my textbooks back to TextbookRental but they are not an Ebates partner. 

habitat for humanity - women's build

Ready to unleash your inner superhero?

I'm doing something I've never done before. On September 18th, I'll be joining a group of women in building a home for someone in our community. Habitat for Humanity helps low income families build and buy their own home. The idea is that these families will then require less social assistance and break the cycle of poverty. You can help this great cause by clicking on the link and donating any amount to Habitat for Humanity. You'll be helping make a difference to families in need in our own community. 

You can help by sponsoring me in the build, my page is here: My Personal Page
Any amount will help make a difference!

To find out more: Habitat for Humanity Toronto 

thompson hotel on a saturday night

Last night was my first experience at the Thompson Hotel. I'd obviously heard lots about it over the years so I was excited to check it out. I'll start off by saying, I didn't make it to the patio but did have access to downstairs.

We started our evening in the lounge area on the main floor. The music was pretty good. It was a bit house mixed with top 40, really the only way I can stand house. Drinks were about the price I would expect for this type of place, about $8 for bar rail vodka. One of the best aspects of this hotel is the people watching. It is an interesting mix of people. Some people who are staying at the hotel, people dressed very fancy and some dressed down more than I expected.

We then headed downstairs, when we first arrived it wasn't too busy but it definitely picked up. The music down there was much more suited to dancing and the dance floor was busy. The DJ was doing a pretty good job. The crowd was about mid-twenties to mid-thirties, of course with a few people out of the bracket but this was definitely a more grown up place than something in the entertainment district. 

We wrapped up our night at the Thompson with plans to head to another bar but got lured in by the Thompson Diner. And boy, am I glad we did. It was about 1:40am at this point, they were still serving food in the diner. It is nice that there  is a 24-hour food place attached to the hotel that isn't expensive. The diner has an old school feel, with large booths were perfect for our group of 5. The place only got busier the later it got, presumably as people sought out drunk eats after last call. I had the mac and cheese with bacon. I got the side portion, at 2am, it was more than enough food. My friends at the table also got milkshakes, I'm not really sure where they put it all. 4 people at my table got the mac and cheese, one person got sweet potato fries but ended up eating half of my mac and cheese (which wasn't too upsetting because it was way more than enough). I would highly recommend this place late at night, or really any other time that you're in the neighbourhood.

My "side" order of mac and cheese - $7.50 at the Thompson Diner

scotiabank buskerfest

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, you should check out Scotiabank's Buskerfest. They've moved to a new location on Yonge St, at Yonge-Dundas Square because they've outgrown their old location at the St. Lawrence Market. The acts are truly remarkable; while on a patio yesterday, we saw a man hanging upside down from billboards, removing a straight jacket. There's jugglers, fire eaters, magicians and a lot of people on stilts. The event is in support of Epilepsy Toronto. So, head down to YDS on this beautiful weekend, take in the entertainment and support a great cause.

amsterdam brewhouse

Summer is winding down but we should have a few more beautiful days to enjoy the city. If you have not yet checked it out, you should head down to the Amsterdam Brewhouse. They have a large indoor restaurant with large windows overlooking the lake and large patio including comfortable couches and muskoka chairs. Also, once you've picked your favourite one (or two), you can pick up some to take home from their store.

It took us a little while to get a server but once we did we had a great time. The view is absolutely perfect. They're aren't many places to take in that view and a local brew, at the same time. We were only there for drinks but they do have a nice food menu. They have a large selection of beers, all locally prepared. They also have a seasonal selection which is great to keep the customers coming back. They also have "flight passes" which are sets of 4 sample glasses. I got the variety of light beers:

blonde (my favourite on and off the patio), the 416, the orange weisse and the raspberry wheat

I loved the patio, and the indoor space was also very nice. I would highly recommend trying to make a trip down there while the weather is still nice. 

trade secrets' awesome promotion

Do you have a hair straightner/curling iron/hair dryer that you don't use anymore? Are you looking for a new hair styling tool? Then Trade Secrets has the perfect promotion for you. From now until September 27th, you can take any gently used hair appliance and get 50% off a new one. They will then donate your old product to women living in local women's shelters. Their "Give & Take" promotion is a great way to update your current product and help out women in your local community. Check out their blog for more details. Happy styling!

volunteer opportunity - canadian cancer society

Are you looking for a fun evening of helping a great cause?

The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for volunteers for the ElectroDash run at Canada's Wonderland on September 6th. The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for volunteers from 6pm-11:30pm. This 5k run is actually more of a 5k dance party, with neon lights and a DJ. They need volunteers to sell merchandise, man the water stations and maintain course safety. The only requirement is you must be over 16 years old. Use the link below to sign up, should be a fun night!

Registration
About Electro Dash

via cibo wine bar

Finally checked out this restaurant at york mills and leslie. I really enjoyed it because I'm a huge fan of carbs. I had the linguine pomodoro with meatballs. They were really delcious. My friend had the prosciutto (that was grilled) which were different but good. It is a casual restaurant but with a liquor license. Its a neat place to check out if you're looking for well-priced italian in a casual atmosphere.

If you're in the north end, check it out - via cibo

summer days, drifting away

Are you looking for a refreshing beverage to close out the summer? Betty's vodka icec tea is absolutely wonderful. Its lightly carbonated and not overly sweet.  It comes in peach and raspberry. I'm personally not a peach fan, but they're pretty good.  I love the raspberry ones. They make a great cottage/backyard/dock drink. And unlike the blackberry somersby, you can actually find it.

The countdown is on for yhe end of summer, u hope you can enjoy them before fall hits!

new mall in the gta

I checked out the new premium outlets in the halton region. It was a beautiful day so perfect for the outdoor mall. It probably won't be as great in december. I had heard that parking is brutal but we got pretty lucky, we were able to find a spot in minutes. The selection of brand name stores and regular stores was pretty great. The worst part about the mall was the food selection. There was only 5 restaurants in the food pavillion and no room to expand. There was also a limited number of indoor seating. That's not really an issue in the summer because there is lots of outdoor space, again won't be great in the winter. If you're going to check it out, have fun and good luck with parking!

jobs: the movie

I checked out the steve jobs movie tonight in what appeared to be a sold out theatre.

Ashton Kutcher did a good job of playing the infamous jobs. There was some continuity issues with jobs' mannerism but it was still well done. The story focused more on the development of the company than jobs' life. I found the ending lacked an ending. The soundtrack was absolutely fantastic, it really made the movie. It was an interesting story, and interesting to see Ashton Kutcher in a more serious role.

why you need the hailo app

I started using the hailo app a couple of months ago and absolutely love it. It is currently available for iphone and android users and would highly recommend it if you ever take a taxi in Toronto (or one of the other cities they operate in).

There are so many features to love about this app. I love that you can track the cab as it is coming to you. You know exactly how long it will be until your cab arrives. I also absolutely love that you can use your credit card, with no hassles. We've all been in a cab in Toronto where the cab driver says their machine doesn't work, and yet magically works when you insist that you don't have any cash. It can be extremely frustrating. With the hailo app, you can store multiple credit cards, so you can keep business and personal expenses separate. You also set the tip before you get out of the cab. Once you arrive at your destination, there is nothing more for you to do. You get out of the cab and they send you an email copy of the receipt. 

The only downside to the app is if you're in a busier area, it may be difficult to determine which cab is yours. They do provide you with the cab number but it can get a little confusing.

Get the app: Hailo

a day in pickering

I spent a lovely day in Pickering. We went to petticoat creek, at the bottom of whites road. The weather was perfect. It cost $6.50 a person to get in and we got a few picnic tables and bbqed in the park. We also went to the pool which is renovated since the last time I was there. It had cooled off too much for me to get in. It cost another $4.75 per person to get into the pool area. It was pretty costly to go the the park but it is well maintained.

I also went to the works for the first time after hearing about it for months. I got the sk8r, which had jack cheese, peanut butter and bacon on the burger. It was absolutely fabulous. I would definitely recommend it. I also had a small vanilla milkshake,  which was also great. I would recommend it if you're looking for something a little different. 

the roundhouse craft beer festival

I'm pretty disappointed that I won't be able to attend The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival this year. I went to this last year, I saw a few tweets about it beforehand but didn't know what it was. I was at the Jays game one day so we decided to go after the game. All of the advanced tickets are sold out for this year. This is a much smaller festival than the Toronto Festival of Beers that many beer lovers enjoy but it is still a nice, smaller festival. There are plenty of local beer choices and a number of food trucks, which is great for anyone who is excited about the food truck revolution, beer and buying local. Tickets are $15 at the gate, so this festival is a little easier on the wallet. I hope lots of people are able to make it out to this because it is a great way to try beers you may not have heard of or may have been reluctant to buy an entire 6-pack of because you weren't familiar with the brand or beer.

Just remember, the most of the subway is closed this weekend so give yourself lots of time to get down there and enjoy the festival! As for myself, I'll be planning next year's trip.

what i loved at taste of the danforth

It's the 20th anniversary of the city staple, Taste of the Danforth. This annual festival along the Danforth has been a huge hit for years. I went on opening night, and here is what I loved.

I loved that it brought out so many different people to support local businesses. There were lots of freebies if you were willing to wait in line. I had delicious soulvlaki at detroit eatery.

The only downside was the crowds. Everywhere had a crazy line up. Its great for businesses, a little exhausting for visitors.

volunteering in toronto

I'm a huge fan of volunteering. I love planning, executing and being apart of events, that's how I choose to volunteer my time. I'd call it my expertise. I do however sometimes find it hard to find volunteer opportunities. I think when I first started volunteering, I expected that non-profits would be so excited for volunteers that there would be tons of opportunities. The reality is, coordinators working at non-profits are extremely busy and don't always have the time to find the perfect fit. I'll start to feature opportunities I hear of, or may be participating in. Hopefully this will encourage others to help make a difference and make Toronto the best city it can be.

paid to shop online?

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it isn't. Technically. 

Ebates gives you cash back for shopping online. I was pretty skeptical when I first heard about it, but I just had to give it a try. I'd say the average percentage back is 1-5%. I tend to use it for sites like Groupon, TeamBuy, Expedia, as well as other deal and travel sites but there is a great selection. If you do absolutely any shopping online, you should check to see if the site is there. They have a huge selection of stores, everything from Sephora, to Walmart, to Gilt and so many more.

I also recently used it to buy textbooks (because I'm a student-lifer) from BookMob. I received my books within two days and received 3.5% back. BookMob also buys back textbooks (so does Textbook Rental), which is great since trying to sell them back to the school is usually unbelievably complicated. 

I know that Toronto is a pricey city, and every little bit helps. Hopefully everyone can find something to get their cash back on. Happy Shopping!

For my American friends, use this link: Ebates USA

we're the millers

A mildly offensive comedy about a fake family smuggling drugs from Mexico to the USA.

The film was a bit predictable but that can be expected with most comedies. This is the first film I've seen Jason Sudeikis star in so I wasn't too sure going in how he would fair as a leading man, and he did a pretty good job. I've been an SNL fan for years so it was nice to see him taking the next step. I like Jennifer Aniston and really enjoyed her in this role.  Will Poulter was really funny as the awkward Kenny Rossmore. The fake daughter played by Emma Roberts was also entertaining.

The minor characters in this movie were cast absolutely perfectly. Ed Helms plays the perfect evil drug lord, Kathryn Hahn is a hilarious as the stereotypical mom and Nick Offerman, is well, Nick Offerman and requires no explanation. I think these minor characters really made the movie better.They supported the story perfectly. 

If you're looking for a funny, uncomplicated movie, I would suggest "We're the Millers". It won't be on the shortlist for the Oscars but it will make you laugh for an hour and a half. 

orange is the new black

So tonight, after a wonderful long weekend, I decided to check out this "orange is the new black" that people have been talking about. I had heard about it from friends, on the internet and even in a radio interview. It was made specifically for Netflix and I was skeptical but must say, it is impressive.

I settled in to bed, to watch the first episode, figured that would be enough seeing as it is almost an hour long and it was getting late. In the first scenes, I was captivated. I wasn't familiar with this actress, but from the opening scenes, she was amazing. The only actors I recognized was Jason Biggs and Laura Prepon. Both of the stars got their starts in very light comedies so it was very interesting to see them in these darker roles. In the first episode, I laughed, I cried and I really cared about what happened to the characters. I got sucked in to a second episode and my love for this show has only grown. I wish it wasn't so late or I would continue to watch this show. There is only 13 episodes, so chances are, I will finish it this week, even if that means missing out on sleep. I also need to finish it quickly because I don't want to accidentally find a spoiler online like I did with "the wire". Only being two episodes in, assuming it continues with this same level of excellence, I would say this show could easily rival an HBO show. I hope this show is successful enough to continue to another season and to have Netflix create other awesome programs. 

summer in toronto

It's already August 2nd. That's got some people in Toronto thinking summer is over, and the cooler weather isn't really helping. I thought I'd remind everyone what is great about summer and the summer rules of Toronto girls.

1. Toronto girls know it is key to know someone with a cottage - you don't necessarily want to be that person but nothing spells Toronto in the Summer like sitting in traffic on the 400 or the 401 to try to get out of the city.
2. Toronto girls know that you can't wear heels (even wedges) to a jays game if you're sitting in the 500 level - that ramp is long and steep.
3. Toronto girls also know that the difference between the 500 level and 200 level is at least two beers (or 5 at the steamwhistle roundhouse).
4. Toronto girls know the temperature is irrelevant, we only care about the humidex.
5. Toronto girls know the only place to eat in the summer must have a patio. There is no eating indoors from May-September.
6. Toronto girls know the need for this city to get on with food trucks!
7. Toronto girls can spot the difference between a real summerlicious menu and a ripoff menu.
8. Toronto girls know that you must eat something ridiculous at the Ex and you must post to Instragram.We also know the Ex means the end of summer. 
9. Toronto girls base how good a festival is based on the free stuff they get.
10. And finally, Toronto girls know that September isn't too bad. There's a great chance to meet your movie star husband in September.