Topshop Gingham Rain Mc: There’s something about raincoats that makes us want them to be as cliche as possible, like the days when we used to wear rubber boots and plastic coats to kindergarten. We may be way beyond those days, but the style still holds up in 2013 and is made even sweeter with this red gingham version. It’s ideal for the days when it’s pouring rain but also humid, so you can throw it over your skirt and go for a short skirt and loooooooong jacket look. Topshop, $90.

Gap Knit Unstructured Blazer: Blazers are key for turning summer dresses into office appropriate looks (or so we’d like to imagine) and this striped version is super on trend for spring. Everyone will be all, “Where did you get that blazer?” Trust.
Gap, $70.

Zara Jacquard Pattern Cardigan: Leather detailing, a boxy silhouette, and stripes make this jacket absolutely perfect for summer conditions. It’s kind of like a riff on Proenza Schouler, which we have absolutely no problem with because we can’t afford the real stuff. This is our top summer jacket pick. Zara, $119.

Talula Rodeo Drive Jacket: We’re all for channelling our inner-Ryan Goslings in this jacket that makes us think about Drive. Although it may not be as badass as the Gos’s, it’s still pretty sharp with the quilting and slight crop.
Aritzia, $98.

Addison Rivington Jacket: The brightest pick of the bunch comes with a whole lot of holes—or perforations, as they say in the fashion world. With a slouchy mullet cut, this jacket is a colourful and light take on a fall favourite: the moto jacket.
Shopbop, $212.

ASOS Premium Parka With Leather Hood: As Hannah Montana once sang, “you get the best of both worlds.” And that rings true for this delightful half leather/half heavy-cotton coat.
ASOS, $193.

H&M Jacket: No buttons, no zippers? No problem! Or at least that’s what this coat would say if it could talk. Simple and cropped, it will be what you’re reaching for on your coatrack all summer long when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate. H&M, $60.

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Taking place at 6pm at 2 Pardee Ave., this free event features four speakers who will talk about their experiences with starting a new life in Canada (some who did so without any support). With backing from the Canadian Council for Refugees, this evening talk is bound to be interesting and inspiring. 

For the last two years, F-You has completed numerous workshops and discussions surrounding the idea of forgiveness. With an impressive track record of 28 workshops and over 2,500 attendees, F-You events feature high-profile speakers who share their stories of crossing the line from victim to victor. Previous topics have included STDs, gun violence, abortion, bullying, abuse, heartbreak, and betrayal. Each discussion is uplifting, and the upcoming one on June 2 will surely be no exception.

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She runs fast, snores loud, and downs her supper like a kid downs Halloween candy. Although I think she’s perfect, her parents don’t quite agree and wish that MyPuppy.ca had been around to help them out with much needed puppy parenting pointers.

Rocky: What are your favourite pastimes/hobbies?

Roxy: I’m reeeally into sleeping. Most mornings, it’s quite difficult for my mom to rouse me from bed.

Rocky: Do you have a favourite toy?

Roxy: Does my little, nest-like doggie bed count? I love it. Any time we travel, my bed comes along and it makes me feel at home pretty much anywhere. Have I mentioned that sleep + me = happy Beagle?

Rocky: Roxy, what are some things that you excel at?

Roxy: Sniffing around for stuff, gosh. I’m a Beagle. My nose is my strong suit. When my dad silently opens a new package of cookies, even when I’m way upstairs, I’m by his feet in a flash. I’ve also been known to sniff out microscopic crumbs that have accidently been swept under the fridge or stove, resulting in heavy appliances being wedged out of place to satisfy my curious snout.

Rocky: We have all flaws, what thing do you maybe need to work on?

Roxy: My possessiveness. When I get a bone in my mouth, you’d better a) keep clear, and b) expect that it will be buried in the yard for safe keeping, which also means I’ll be covered in dirt.

Rocky: Do you think MyPuppy.CA would have helped you when you were young and just starting to learn things like training, manners and how to be social?

Roxy: Most definitely. I’m quite sure that my Beagle-with-bone-Tasmanian-Devilism could have been curbed early on. Plus, with my crazy appetite, it’s good to know that there are a number of foods that might harm me like chocolate, grapes, and raisins, just to name a few.

Rocky: Do you think other puppies could benefit?

Roxy: Of course! There’s lots of mischief-making that seems pretty darn cute when doggies are just wee pups but quickly become not-so-cute when dogs are grown. I think puppy parents could learn a lot of helpful stuff from the site.

Rocky: What’s the best thing about being a dog?

Roxy: Living without a care in the world. Oh, and settling in for my morning nap just as mom and dad tear off to a busy day at the office. Ha ha ha. Suckers!

Rocky: Final words to other dogs in Toronto?

Roxy: That fire hydrant out front is mine. I repeat, mine.

I’ve really loved interviewing so many cool dogs this past month. Mom, can I have another assignment? Puleazzze?? Or a cookie? Oh, and for goodness’ sake, check out MyPuppy.Ca!! Woof-woof-woof!!

XO Rocky

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Are you interested in getting a lesson from Mr. Black? Want to learn how to reinvent yourself? Curious about how a very humbling experience can change you for the better? Dying to know what it’s like to shake hands with a Lord? Wondering if there’s a way to become a media mogul without landing yourself in jail? Apparently, so do a lot of other people.

The “acclaimed writer and historian” (their words) and infamous newspaper giant (our words) who is perhaps most known (ahem) for starting the National Post will be discussing his new history of the United States, Flight of the Eagle, which spans from the New World up to the 2012 presidential election. There will be a reception with cocktails and canapes (oooooOOOOOoO!) at 6pm and a discussion with TVO’s Steve Paiken at 7pm (Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St.). The event is sold-out, but a number of rush tickets will be available at the door starting at 6pm the night of the event. It is recommended to line up early!

What exactly are you going to learn at this event? We dunno. Will it be juicy? Oh, yes.

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Mini Putt: Polson Pier
At $9 a game (or $8 on weekdays), mini putt is a cheap and fun date option. The activity offers ample occasions to check out your partner’s booty. And as an added bonus, it’s also rife with opportunity for making hilariously inappropriate jokes about holes and balls.

AGO Free Wednesday Nights
Find obscure pieces of modern art and share your interpretations of them, Rorschach-style, to get an inside look at your partner’s personality—and deepest, darkest fears. The AGO’s longstanding free Wednesday nights from 6pm-8:30pm are the perfect event for this, but agoraphobes or partners of: be warned. It’s popular, so expect a sizeable crowd.

Secret Planetarium
Find out what the stars have in store for you and your date, or at least watch them mechanically align at the U of T’s inflatable geodome theatre. The planetarium is on the small side, seating about 25 people per viewing—but at $5 a pop, it’s a cheap date that costs less than your laundry money for the week. See when the next show is here.

Picnic in the Park
Elbow out some room for the two of you to enjoy a picnic at your local park. Pack some picnic-friendly snacks or pick up premade items at your local grocery store. Stay until after sundown and see if you can spot any of the stars you scoped out at the planetarium. You probably won’t, but it’ll be fun to try (and a good excuse to get him or her in a vulnerable position).

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I know we’re all taught how to call 911 when we’re kids, but I could definitely use a refresher.

Here is what the Toronto Police site says about it:

Remain calm and speak clearly. Identify which emergency service you require (police, fire, or ambulance) and be prepared to provide the following information:

• A description of what is happening
• The location
• Your name, address and telephone number

Remain on the line to provide additional information if requested to do so by the call taker.  Do not hang up until the call taker tells you to do so. Remember, it is important to have your house numbers visible from the street. This will assist emergency personnel in finding you as quickly as possible.

I’ve also found, in my (thankfully) limited experience with emergencies, that it’s sometimes difficult to know when to call 911. Is the situation serious enough? Would it be a waste of their time? Is it even an emergency? People often stand around asking each other, unsure about placing the call.

The Toronto police say to call 9-1-1 “during any emergency where people or property are at risk.” Think: fire, crime, medical emergency happening now (there is another number in your city for reporting crimes after the fact). But if you’re unsure, it’s best to just call. The call taker will help decide if emergency units should be sent to your location. If you do call, and have second thoughts about it, don’t hang up! The call taker will try to call you back, assuming there is an emergency. Stay on the line and explain that the call was unnecessary or unintentional. For the same reason, it is important to keep your information up-to-date as the operator will use your most recently updated home address if you are unable to speak.

Hopefully none of us will have to place a 9-1-1 call in our lives, but if we do, it’s best to be prepared. Keep calm, observe the situation, trust your instincts and get help.

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Oscar Mendoza

The fashion show was not simply an exhibit of local talents, but a call for action. Behind the glamorous outfits, the dramatic lights and the hip music,  event founder Adama Ndiaye was engaging the audience in a serious conversation about the lack of representation of non-white designers and models in the fashion industry. In an effort to break the silence and create a venue for multi-racial designers and models to participate in the fashion world, Ndiaye of Adama Paris launched International Black Fashion in Prague in 2011. This year she hosted Black Fashion Week in Montreal and Brazil, and in 2014 Ndiaye will expand to the U.S.

But just to be clear, Ndiaye says Black Fashion Week is not about “colour, but culture.” To Ndaiye, Black refers to marginalized individuals who remain relegated to the periphery of the fashion industry. However, Black Fashion Week is not exclusive to those that have been systemically racially marginalized, as there were a few white models and white participants. The point of the event was to create an inclusive space. The concept for the show came from Ndiaye’s frustration with international fashion shows; she felt underrepresented and wanted to build opportunities for diverse voices and talents. For Ndiaye, this show is a platform to have a conversation about diversity or rather the lack of diversity in fashion.

L: Créations Youd, R: Elie Kuame

Although within the fashion industry there have been pioneering efforts to transgress gender boundaries and designers have used alternative spaces to inspire collections, these efforts must be expanded in order to broaden the scope of mainstream fashion production. While there have been attempts to racially diversify the industry, there are only a few celebrated individuals that have made it to its top echelons. While iconic figures like Grace Mahary, Iman, André Leon Talley have paved the way for change, the fact remains that there are still many challenges that we must overcome in order to transform the current landscape. Through a radical transformation, diversity can be a mainstay and not merely an alternative option. This transformation is necessary if we want to see a positive change in the future: a future with racially diverse models and designers, a future where new cities will be hubs for fashion, but more importantly a future where difference is celebrated without exoticizing the individuals and spaces they come from. I, like the producers and participants of Montreal Black Fashion Week, believe that there is room for change and diversity in the mainstream fashion industry. The future will hopefully create an equal playing field for the diverse actors that long to participate in the fashion world.

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L.I.F.E For Health has projects in the Philippines and Rwanda, targeting solutions to the issues that can effect social determinants of health. All of L.I.F.E. for Health’s profits go to their work, which focuses on development, not charity. You can help them support small-scale, high-impact projects by joining them for a Champagne & Strawberries Social on Tuesday, June 11th. From 7-9:30 pm, supporters will gather at Camera at the Stephen Bulger Gallery. (1028 Queen St. W.) Tickets are $45, and guests will enjoy sparkling wine, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and other treats. To purchase tickets, email info@lifeforhealth.org 

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Unpasteurized Raw and Organic Almond Milk Recipe

1/2 cup plus a few extra raw organic almonds
1 cup of cold water

Throw everything into your blender, Vitamix, Magic Bullet or food processor.  Blend until it reaches a creamy/milk-like texture.  By adding less water you can make a great cream for coffee. Add more water to create milk for shakes, smoothies, baking and to drink.  Strain the liquid, with your metal colander, nut bag or cheese cloth.  Use the leftover bits for baking or in your oatmeal.  What you are left with is delicious raw almond milk that will last in the fridge up to 4 days.  You may need to re-blend it after a few days because it tends to separate.

Optional: Keep straining until desired texture, or add fresh vanilla (or extract), cinnamon to add a nice flavour. You can also soak almonds overnight in water, then gently remove skins the next day, for a different texture. 

This recipe is also great with cashews! Mmmm, cashew cream!

Rachel A. Bies, CNP is the on-site nutritionist for McEwan Foods and Fit Factory Fitness Gym. She believes that food should always be delicious, fun, and healthy, and will be sharing her foodie nutritionist tips, recipes and lifestyle suggestions with SDTC readers! We love her approach to clean living and think you’ll find her easy tricks helpful and inspiring.

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