New VJ on the block Chloe Wilde paired an I Dream of Jeannie ponytail and metallic dress with these gorgeous gilded nails.

Sharlene Chiu, pictured second from the left with her fellow MTV hosts, paired a patterned tshirt dress with multicoloured detailing on a white base.

Nicole Holness, pictured on the right with SHOWTOWN co-host Sheena, paired sparkly nude nails with an eye-catching white suit. 

The post Cool MMVA Red Carpet Manicures from Sparks Nail Salon appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

My friend and I just looked at each other and kept walking as this dude screamed, indignant that we wouldn’t physically stop and listen to his earphones. We grinned and laughed a bit. Then, when I realized that he was still yelling at us when we were almost a block away, I thought, “Shit, I hope he doesn’t have a gun.”

Afterward, my friend and I began discussing why situations such as this are even possible. It has been my experience that gender and sex are understood and constructed in public spaces to reduce any visibility of women and queer folks, while maintaining a visibility of men and the show of masculinity.

Many males roam the streets at any time of day or night feeling a sense of entitlement to that space and the bodies within it. If a woman were to act in this same way, she’d be “setting herself up for harassment,” because her body, as female, is not entitled to such space or such ownership – and to make it appear as entitled (or appear at all) is to expect backlash. The same goes for “readably” queer folks, who would meet a similar fate of harassment and perhaps even assault. Queer folks are highly invisibilized in public space, save for certain areas of the city where they have both created their own community and have been siphoned off by a culture of heteronormativity.

I am reminded of the actual physical constructions of male and female bodies. Males are sold the ideal of mass muscles, lots of gym time, protein shakes and powders in order to achieve maximum physical muscle mass and fitness. Women are sold yoga to slim down, diets to shed unwanted fat and are generally discouraged from mass muscle building and therefore physically taking up space with their bodies, or having any physical strength to perhaps fight, fight back or defend.

The fact that I instantaneously felt threatened because a dude on Bloor in Toronto couldn’t get over his pride, or his entitlement toward me and my female friend, signals the sad state of our public domains and how they relate to gender and sexuality. Street harassment is something I have faced my entire life and, as both a woman and a queer woman, have had a complicated relationship with. I have enrolled in self-defense classes, carried pocket knives and pepper spray with me, trained to competitively box and avoided areas of the city and times of night all together to “reduce” my “risk” of experiencing street harassment. But of course, this risk reduction is merely an imaginative trope that believes in an ideal world, in which women and queer folks are not harassed, followed home or assault in public spaces.

How do we remedy this, friends? I’m not sure yet. Perhaps constructing spaces wherein we are safe, and safe to explore the world and ourselves are important places of departure for our journey in creating a world free of street harassment. Questioning why our reality is what it is, and where it is what it is, is a pretty damn good place to start.

The post Walking the Streets: Space, Masculinity and Street Harassment appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

The theme of the night was Dangerous Love, and four dances were performed: Summer Pas De Deux (an excerpt from the Four Seasons), Grand Pas de Deux (act III of Don Quixote), Excerpts from Carmen, and our favourite, a piece choreographed by principle dancer Guillaume Cote called Enkeli. After the performances, guests filled the reception area of the Four Seasons Centre for a beautiful cocktail party. Women did their best impression of prima posture in beautiful gowns, and young girls chased ballerinas around suited legs asking for autographs.

It was a truly special evening that made us grateful for the incredible cultural landscape of the city. A standing ovation for the National Ballet!

Watch our latest video of first soloist Stephanie Hutchison dancing to the music of Johnny Cash for the upcoming performance of The Man in Black.

The post Photos! Mad Hot Ballet Dangerous Love raises over $1 million for The National Ballet of Canada appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

SDTC: How did you end up sailing tall ships for a living?

Mariah Kopec-Belliveau: I sailed for the first time when I was 15, on a 33ft wooden boat on the Maine Coast. After five weeks of navigating around islands and sailing to new places I was hooked. I joined my high school’s sailing team the next year, racing 15ft boats. We practiced at Maine Maritime Academy, so when it came time to apply to colleges I was familiar with MMA. They have a unique program called Vessel Operations and Technology, which gives students a 1600ton license and bachelor’s degree after four years of study.  I got to learn all about seamanship, navigation, and engineering during the school year, and then sail on ship and gain practical knowledge and experience during the summer. I have been out of school for a year and have the skills to work almost anywhere in the maritime industry, but sailing tall ships is what I really love to do.

SDTC: What’s the best thing about your workday, and the worst thing?

MKP: The favorite thing my workday is navigating; finding the best course based on wind and current.  I also love a good downwind sail on a sunny day. The worst part for me is probably waking up for night watch, it is really hard to get out of a warm bunk and go up on deck in the cold. That feeling usually only lasts through my first cup of coffee, and then I can appreciate the stars and inherent coolness of sailing at night.

SDTC: What’s one thing sailing has taught you about life?

MKP: Sailing has definitely taught me that sometimes you need to depend on other people and work together as a team to complete tasks, whether its two people furling a sail, or the whole crew tacking the ship.

SDTC: What’s on your bucket list?

MKP: I really want to sail to the South Pacific, or the Mediterranean (I’ve been once, and I really loved it). I want to learn how to weld, own my own sailboat, and also have a farm with goats and grow my own food, someday.

SDTC: Can you break down what a regular work day on the ship looks like? 

MKP: Right now we are on a six on/six off watch schedule, so I get a wake up at 0530, and am on watch at 0600. While on watch, I am in charge of the deckhands and trainees on my watch, who are on the helm and forward lookout, and navigating the ship. We also do hourly bilges and engine room checks. We get off watch at 1200, eat lunch, clean the galley, and then get a five hour nap. We get woken up again at 1715, eat dinner, and then we are on watch again from 1800-0000. Typically the watches are made up of a mate, two deckhands, and two or three trainees.

SDTC: What advice would you give to young women interested in sailing?

MKP: Go for it! Find a boat and a program that sounds interesting to you (sailtraining.org is a great resource) and then work hard and learn all you can once you are on board. Here on Unicorn we do excellent weeklong programs for teenage girls that focus on leadership and confidence building. If you are serious about sailing as a career, take a look at Maine Maritime Academy.  I might be a little biased, but I think it has the best program for aspiring tall ship sailors. Keep working your way up, and eventually someone will start paying you to sail!

The post Mariah Kopec-Belliveau, Second Mate on the STV Unicorn, Tells Us What It’s Like to Sail a Tall Ship for a Living appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

Here at Shedoesthecity, we think exploring the world is the best way you can spend your time and money and Contiki Holidays has some remarkable trips that are fun, safe, vibrant and packed full of amazing sightseeing and unforgettable experiences. We will go as far as saying they are life changing. Right now, they’re offering huge incentives to book early for their Americas Trips that include Canada, USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, The Galapagos Islands, Argentina and Brazil. So, where are you going to go?

Shedoesthecity’s Top 5 Destinations

It was hard to narrow down, but if we had to choose our top 5 Contiki Holidays in their Americas program, here’s where we’d go. 

LA to The Bay 

Awesome beaches and shopping in L.A., a tour of the breathtaking Grand Canyon, partying on the Las Vegas strip, downtime in beautiful Bass Lake, hiking in Yosemite National Park and finishing with vibrant culture in “the city by the bay”, San Francisco. Check the reviews, see the full route and book now!

Brazil and Argentina Adventure

Experience the beaches in Rio de Janiero, venture into wine country, explore the islands of Buzios, fly to the magnificent Iguassu falls and end this amazing trip in the colourful streets of Buenos Aires. Check out these gorgeous photos and get more info.

Costa Rica Unplugged

Jungles, rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, coffee plantations and surf time. This is the perfect way to discover magical Costa Rica with a group that you will quickly befriend. Beautiful days and late nights! How perfect does this sound? BOOK IT!

Ecuador and Galapagos Island Hopper

There is no place on earth like the Galapagos, and these islands are not easy to get to! Join the Contiki tour and experience everything from the heights of the volcanoes to the unexplored waters of Galapagos. Whether you are snorkelling with sea lions & rays, or chillling with the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, this adventure is absolutely unforgettable and a great destination to do with a group. Do something incredible.

Miami New Year!

Woohoo! Book now and have your 2014 NYE plans totally organized. This 4 day tour is jam-packed with shopping, partying, beach time, great food & sightseeing. For NYE, you’ll hit one of Miami’s top clubs for a sweaty, sexy and awesome New Year you won’t forget. Grab your girlfriends and book now!

We think Contiki Holidays are a fabulous and fun way to explore the world.

The post From the Arizona Desert to the Galapagos Islands: Book a Contiki Tour Now and Save BIG! appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

She Does The City: Tell us about the path that led both of you here. How did you decide that yoga was something you wanted to pursue as a career?

Elizabeth Emberly: I have a degree from Concordia University in dance choreography and like most people was drawn to yoga as a technique to further my body’s strength and flexibility.  Yoga came into my life via dance and has since evolved to include understanding the dynamism of relationship to myself but also to my community.  For this reason I feel that yoga is a pursuit with no real end, the career just happens to be a nice part of the bigger picture.

Dawn Mauricio: After finishing university I began working in my field of study, Public Relations. For an entire year, I had a very full schedule, yet a very empty feeling. Soon after, I left my job confused, and the only solace I got was when I was practicing yoga. After several months of regular practice I was hooked and from then on, yoga chose me.

SDTC: Elizabeth, when did you open the studio? What was that process like?

EE: Springtime 2009.  It was very exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.  The process of building the studio was so arduous so it felt really incredible to see our hard work finally be launched to the public.  It is such a reward to build something from scratch and see it evolve into something tangible but also something that develops its own momentum.

SDTC: Any lessons you learned in the experience you want to share?

EE: That taking risks is a big part of running a business and if you trust what you do then the fear that follows risk eventually pays off.  You have to trust moving into places you have never been before and follow your gut instincts.  It doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes but the rewards are far greater than the mistakes.

SDTC. What does yoga give each of your in your individual lives?

EE: It has been a real understanding of play.  Not in the sense of childhood play but in the awareness of possibility.  Yoga reminds me of this when my outlook on life gets too serious.

DM: Strength and flexibility: A balanced yoga practice works the entire body. When a part of the body is stretching, there are other parts that are strengthening, and vice versa. Confidence and playfulness: As I got stronger I became more confident. Additionally, as I got more flexible I became more playful. Trying difficult and sometimes scary poses and variations that resulted in me falling in a room full of strangers, taught me how to laugh things off. Connected and calm: In yoga I practice being acutely aware of my body’s messages in each pose so as to not injure myself. These messages appear as subtle changes in sensation or breath, and this fine observation increases my concentration and connection to both body and breath. Consequently, when I’m feeling connected, I also feel calm as I am often not thinking about anything else in those moments. Intuition and creativity: With increased connection to my body, I became more familiar with my “gut feeling,” which I learned is, in great part, my intuition. Over the years, yoga has also helped me loosen up and I have started creating in my own ways – molding play doh creatures, making collages, colouring mandala stencils, and arranging flowers. Creating in these ways has proved to be meditative and fun.

SDTC: What is the best thing about your jobs? 

EE: Most inspiring has to be watching the affects that yoga has on individuals and to be somewhat involved in that development is the best part of my job.

DM: Meeting new people everyday, and witnessing students evolve in mind and body through their regular practice.   

SDTC: Give us a sense of your workday.

EE: Each day is a workday. Owning a business can swallow up all your time if you don’t take time for yourself. I feel so much gratitude for yoga for this reason.  It’s such a beautiful form of intimacy with oneself.  I wish that each human can discover for themselves, whether it be yoga or another form, a practice that develops this intimate relationship.

DM: I start each day, workday or not, with quiet time – an hour of meditation, some writing, some yoga. Then I check emails (and try not to get swallowed up in them), do a few social media posts for the day. By mid-day I disconnect so I can get some quiet time and start thinking of my upcoming classes, possible themes and poses that we’ll explore. Mid-afternoon until evening I am usually teaching, either a private, in a corporate setting, or at the studio. If I am not teaching, then I treat myself to a studio class.

SDTC: What is the Montreal yoga community like?

EE/DM:The Montreal yoga community is blossoming! In recent years, I’ve witnessed an increase in both the number of certified teachers and studios. There is also a growth in yoga outreach with the start of the Yoga Mala Foundation and other yoga related non-profit organizations like YOCOMO and donation based studio BODHI. Big business yoga events are also on the rise, with Lolë’s White Yoga event that boasts 2000 participants, the Montreal Yoga Festival, and large outdoor Urban Yoga classes by lululemon.

SDTC: What are some ways people can make yoga their livelihood?

EE: Today the possibilities for a career in yoga have never been better and for most North Americans the options are pretty open.  I am really interested in students pursuing their personal interests in yoga and thinking creatively with how to effectively use yoga.  The beauty of yoga is it can benefit anyone and because of this we need to move away from franchising yoga and into diversifying yoga.

DM:Yoga, and running a yoga-related business, encompass so much, there are so many options in making it a career. Owning a studio and teaching – privately, in corporate settings, in a studio – are the most obvious ways to earn a living through yoga. Other options include: organizing retreats, hosting workshops, social media marketing for studios or teachers, writing for online publications or a personal blog, even working as a community connector in yoga apparel stores. As yoga increases in popularity, the possibilities become more and more endless!

The post Elizabeth Emberly and Dawn Mauricio Turned Their Love of Yoga into a Career and a Good Cause with the Yoga Mala Foundation appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

With Love Lingerie designer Carrie will lead the group through three classes, and students will make a pair of French knickers, Brazilian panties, and cupcake frilly bums! The class runs on Wednesdays from 6-9 pm beginning June 19th, for three sessions, and costs $155 plus a $30 materials kit. Sign up here to make all your lingerie dreams come true!

The post Make Your Own…Lingerie??? Take Sew Be It’s Intro to Sewing Lingerie Course appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

WovnBranch is new company that wants to tackle a global health epidemic that kills more than 600,000 people a year, Malaria. WovnBranch has designed the ideal lightweight, high-performance yoga mat, and for every mat purchased they will donate one anti-malaria net to families in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria can be spread by a single mosquito bite, and insecticide-treated bed nets provide families with a simple cost-effective solution to protect against malaria.

WovnBranch is partnered with Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation, who help transport the nets for distribution. Health workers will then educate recipients to ensure the nets are used consistently and correctly. Then, community partners will stick around to ensure the mats are working as intended.

So, when you’re looking for a new mat, why not look to help someone as well? 

Mats available online from Wovnbranch.

The post WovnBranch Yoga Mats Donate Anti-Malaria Nets to Families in Sub-Saharan Africa for Every Mat You Purchase appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

Uniiverse is organizing a free outdoor fitness series called Get Your Fit Together, taking place from Monday, June 17 to Sunday, June 23 in everybody’s favourite downtown Toronto green space (Trinity Bellwoods Park duh).

Get Your Fit Together features a different exercise class, taught by a different local instructor, each day: that means everything from Zumba to yoga to crossfit to bootcamp—and more. Classes are designed for all fitness levels, so don’t freak out if you’re not the Queen of crossfit. No matter what stage you’re at, this is a sweet opp to get some exercise and play around on the grass! Who doesn’t love that?!

For a full list of classes, instructors, and times, go here. Be sure to RSVP!

And seriously, guys, Get Your Fit Together already.

The post Take free exercise classes in Trinity Bellwoods Park with Get Your Fit Together appeared first on Shedoesthecity.

Both Café Sardine and Brooklyn are entering their second summers in business, having opened in February and July 2012, respectively. Both offer unique foodstuffs in quaint spaces, and most importantly, quality espresso.

Brooklyn (71 St-Viateur East) caters predominantly to coffee-breakers and work-lunchers. Well-dressed office folk, along with hip, young things (so, me? I’m just an undisclosed third category, I think) act as the café’s main clientele. The space itself is actually quite small, with only a few counter and window stools. Don’t be fooled by the delightful leather, cushioned and mid-century modern seating area filling half the shop: these are gallery pieces to be purchased, not sat upon with your cappuccino. Colourful and slightly hilarious woven lawn chairs line the sidewalk outside the café, where visitors are encouraged to sit out in the sun.

The menu changes with the season, and presently consists of pretty fabulous sandwiches and salads, featuring smoked trout and aubergine. Artichoke and spinach fondue dip tops the list of menu-things I want to shove in my mouth. Lunches range from $7 to $12, and Brooklyn also has a small breakfast menu with many attractive pastries.  All manner of hot, espresso-based beverage are available, with lattes starting at $3.45. For a quick, delicious lunch and coffee to-go, Brooklyn is your joint.

For conversation and a more intimate vibe, however, we encourage you to try Café Sardine (9 Fairmount). Co-owned by David Schmidt and Peter Popovic – the men behind Sparrow and Magpie, two other Mile End hot-spots – Café Sardine opened as a dinner venue in 2012, but has since transformed into a café, open no later than 7pm on weeknights, and 5pm on weekends.

Deservedly so, Café Sardine has earned a reputation for delicious, fluffy, sugar-coated donuts and cinnamon buns, in addition to muffins and other breakfast pastries made in-house. The dark wood panelling and large windows bestow the small space with a cozy and somewhat rustic ambiance. I happened to stumble into Café Sardine on a very chilly, rainy morning, and sitting by the windows with a warm latte, a cinnamon bun and the company of a good friend really seemed to (‘scuse the zen) nourish my soul.

Café Sardine also serves a refreshing selection of house-made sodas, soups and chowder, grilled fish plates, gourmet hot dogs, warm salads and much more. Bring a book and enjoy!

The post Summer Café-Sitting in Mile End: Brooklyn and Café Sardine appeared first on Shedoesthecity.