TORONTO GIRL CHRONICLES

Do Girls Run the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:14:00 +0000

May 20, 2011

According to Beyonce girls run the world. We run this motha! Endless power, she claims. And while I cannot argue that women run the world, every day I come across scenarios that prove that women, in fact, do not rule it. We might have won the right to vote, and we have plenty of choices, but when it comes to power we are still fighting.

Women in North America have the option of acquiring higher education and we can buy real state. Lest we forget, credit card companies and mass market producers are more than encouraging when it comes to spending those hard earned dollars. Women’s make up 47% of the Canadian labour force and 35% of the self-employed workers (Statistics Canada, Women in Canada 2005). Never mind that some statistic claim our male counter parts still take home a bigger pay cheque for the same positions. I guess this inequality is just one of the few kinks we have yet to work out.

Now, if you compare our situation with the struggles of women in developing countries, we have it easy. While we go to school, and have access to food and health care, our fellow girls in developing countries are the last ones to access these necessities. Yet, in both patriarchal developing countries and the so-called First World, women still run the world where it all begins: In our families. By making endless sacrifices, women take care of their families and keep them united.

So women already run the world, but will women ever gain this "endless power"? I don't think we want power, but we do yearn for equality. And by women, I mean ALL women. We have gained “person” status and we have a voice, don’t we? Perhaps the next stage in our fight is to use our voices to demand rights and provide opportunities for women in developing nations.
Please watch the following video, and learn how you can provide said opportunities:

joinFITE.org is run by KIVA, a microfinancing organization.

And to end this post on a musical note (it is Friday after all), I couldn’t resist posting this fabulous song. Makes me want to get up and shake my boo-tay.

*I strongly dislike the term “third world” because it implies that developing nations are isolated from the “first world,” when nothing could be further from the truth.

A Master Piece in Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:05:00 +0000

Did you head outside today? It was beautiful!

I've been absent because I have been working on a really special project. I can not tell you what it is until it's done and ready, but what I can tell you is that it's going to be amazing! In this project I am combining my love of "cooking," my adoration of natural products, and my need to be pampered. It will be good for you and harmless to the planet. Everybody wins and the world is a better place.

I might have said to much already, but please allow me to tease you further with the following images:

Oh! And before I leave - Go see the Sakura Cherry Blossoms at High Park. I believe this is the last weekend that they will be blossoming, so get there this weekend. The soft pink and creme landscape is something to dream about.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:31:00 +0000

May 8, 2011

Mom's are the best! Thank you to the lady that is my 24-hr/7 days a week therapist, kitchen consultant, personal comedian, holistic doctor, accountant & financial advisor, life coach, sibling mediator, cheerleader, comfort food specialist, b&b hostess, farmers markets' expert, secret keeper, tea maker...wow, mom! Is there anything that you can not do?

Le Fou by Wilfred

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:58:00 +0000

April 26, 2011

This past weekend's weather was a reassurance that spring is just around the corner. And with spring in my mind, I am starting to crave soft, silky pieces to go with the light and carefree mood of the season.

Enter Wilfred's line from Spring 2011, Le Fou -- A Victorian-inspired collection that juxtaposes draped silks with carefully structured blazers and lace shifts and blouses. The result is pieces that you can dress up for work and tweak with some accessories for after work fun.

Le Fou can be found at your local Aritzia.

My New Roots Cooking Show & Quinoa

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:56:00 +0000

April 21, 2011

I just wanted to share with you this fun little video on how to cook quinoa, courtesy of My New Roots. Quinoa is this miracle grain (a seed really) from South America that contains all nine essential amino acids (complete protein), as well as tons of fiber. Nothing wrong with that, eh?

It has a mild nutty flavour and it comes in an array of colours. I would even say that it's a great alternative to brown rice, when you want to mix things up a little bit.

A word of advice: don't buy it at the grocery store since it is rather expensive there. Buy it in bulk at Bulk Barn or one of the many health food stores in Kengsinton Market. And experiment with all the colours!

Without further ado...here's how to cook quinoa:

My New Roots - How to Cook Quinoa from My New Roots on Vimeo.

"I Rather Eat Cake"

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:04:00 +0000

April 18, 2011

Sugar causes premature aging.

Sugar suppresses your immune system.

Sugar causes weight gain – because sugar excess in the body converts to fat.

Sugar makes your body more acidic. Did you know that cancer cells grow in an acidic environment?

(I got these facts from registered holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy . You can watch her video on kicking the sugar habit here )

The truth is, I am not a health expert, or a certified health nut, but I do love food and I love to eat. A few years ago I came to the realization that food is a celebration of life, which is why I make an effort to be mindful about what I eat. You might not find the latest fashions in my closet, but my pantry will blow your mind.

As a result of my obsession with the cause-and-effect qualities of food, I am more aware of the impact certain foods have on my overall health. I know that anything with cow milk will give me gas (TMI?), but goat milk products are gentler on my tummy. And I don’t know what it is about Quinoa (other than the fact that it is a complete protein, and a great source of magnesium), but when I eat it I feel light and fantastic. Which brings me to refined sugar: highly addictive, highly dangerous. Aside from the aforementioned side effects of high sugar consumption, I know that sugar can’t be that good for me because when I eat sugar loaded foods I feel lethargic and start getting pimples.

So when a friend said “I rather eat cake than go to the gym,” I thought: “Really? Why?” Because it makes me happy, she said. Does it really? I guess for the moment it does. A sweet treat can bring memories of childhood birthday parties, or joyous Christmas gatherings with friends and family. I get it, I feel the same way from time to time. But I think that as you get older, you need to start making better choices, because, well, you are getting older! Ignorance is bliss, but I am not the first one to write about the negative effects of sugar, so we cannot claim ignorance. This is innate knowledge that we have --I know that I am not the first one to get indigestion after a sweet/fatty meal – it is up to us to pay attention and acknowledge how our body works, and honour it.

What are your thoughts on sugar addiction? do you subscribe to the "everything in moderation" school? do you have any tips on overcoming sugar-holism?

Congratulations Michelle!

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:17:00 +0000

April 15, 2011

A word about Michelle...

I met Michelle while I was working in hell. She's quite the firecracker, brightening up every room she enters.
When I was stood up by a loser, she not only offered to pick me up on the other side of town (in the middle of a storm), but she also lent me her entire SATC collection. True story. That's Michelle -- the kindest, brightest, most beautiful human!
A couple of weeks ago she married her match, the love of her life, for whom she would do anything. They made this hilarious video for their vows. It makes me laugh and glow with happiness (hopeless romantic), and I hope it makes you feel the same way. Love is exhilarating!

Happy Friday!

What I Learned this Week

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:35:00 +0000

April 8, 2011

{I love the way this girl sings!}

- When it comes to money is not about depriving yourself, it’s about asking yourself what your priorities are: “Would I rather have $500 worth of new clothes, or would I rather save that money or use some of that money for a down payment/ a trip/gourmet groceries/ school?”

- Coffee dates are the new dinner dates. Yesterday I had the greatest time with a friend, just grabbing a coffee at a local shop and going for a walk around the hood. I had as much fun, if not more, as I would’ve had at a sit down dinner.

- Raw cocoa powder is bitter! It’s best to throw in some raw honey, or maple syrup.

{Chocolate experiment gone wrong}

- The early bird gets the worm is not just a saying! You truly get more done when you get up early. And at a normal pace.

Urban Farming

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:53:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had a brilliant idea. Of course, like most of my brilliant ideas, this one was inspired by my mom. When we were kids, living in the city (Bogota), my mother had a vegetable garden. Each week we enjoyed fresh produce-- cabbage, lettuce, carrots, onions -- and that was even before organic became a pre-requisite in our grocery baskets. I thought: “what if I could grow my own food? Wouldn’t that be cool?” I have a backyard, my mom is a bit of an expert, and I have time. This way I would be able to have produce that is truly organic, fresh, and I would save a lot of money.

So I started out small. I thought herbs would be the right first step, since they can be started inside.

However, out of the eight (that’s right eight) pods that I planted; only one has started to sprout. And even now it seems to be drying out (after a reckless weekend away). I guess one thing that I will take away from this experiment is patience. Good things take care and time to grow, not to mention a tremendous amount of hope and persistence. Well, I am obsessive compulsive; I guess I could learn patience. In return, I will have veggies that are pesticide free, full of delicious nutrients, and without even thinking about it, I will get lots of outdoor time and reduce my carbon footprint!

{But why can’t they grow NOW? We have a long way to grow (pun intended)}

Even if you don’t have a backyard, or an expert, or patience, you can still access locally grown food. The benefits are endless, and there is nothing like getting to know your farmers and learning about the miracle that food really is.

For a listing of Toronto farmers markets click here.
For an article on urban farming click here.
And to learn about farming in general (and maybe volunteer at a farm) visit the
Everdale Organic Farming and Learning Centre.

LGFW - Fall 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:26:00 +0000

April 5, 2010

The last time I had the pleasure of attending a show was when I first moved to Toronto, many, many years ago. At the time, L’Oreal’s Fashion Week was set up at the Carlu (a Toronto hotel). It was a very small and intimate venue and event.

{Front row fashionistas}

Fast forward to last week: The venue was bigger and the fashionistas more glamorous than I remember. A red carpet guided me to the entrance, where models with elaborate hairstyles greeted me as they handed me “the” ticket. Past the gates, I found what could only be described as eye-candy/fashion heaven. It seems like the order of the night was to be impeccably dressed, with hair perfectly coiffed. Never mind that it was freezing outside, the peep toe heels and sleeveless garments were there, all in every colour imaginable. And these beautifully manicured fashionistas were typing away on their smart phones, taking notes . Fashion week never felt so official.

{Photo c/o George Pimentel}

The Rudsak show was a rock'n'roll winter fantasy. The Fall/Winter collection of outerwear, handbags and accessories had that really cool, tough-biker-chic feel, yet it was sophisticated and timeless. Inspired by the everyday traveller, these versatile pieces were both functional and beautiful.

{Rudsak Finale}

My next show was LINE, the closing show of LGFW, to which I was very lucky to win tickets (thanks HeyDoYou). The LINE show was simply divine, in a 70's kind'a way. Think loose silhouettes and crochet details. The palette was composed of soft peaches, greys, blues, contrasted with deep burgandies, mustards and caramel accessories. And lest we forget about the turban knit hats! Oh, how I desire one! This show made me nostalgic for fall and deep red lipstick.

{Peachy & Grey}

{I love everything about this outfit}

{The End}

OMG, I'm Back Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:15:00 +0000

April 4, 2011

I told you it was a Jay-Z type of retirement!

At the insistence of my lovely friends and family, I am back to blogging and writing.

This time around, my blog will be a little bit more personal. So allow me to re-introduce myself:

My name is Patricia, and I am a lover of literature, a writer-in-the-rough, a food aficionado, a "business, man," among many things. I started this blog last year to tell you about the things that I learned that I wish someone had been kind enough to tell me. It was also my excuse to speak to women that inspire me, and figure out the secret to having the guts to do what they loved. Because finding love (and not necessarily the romantic type), my friends, is the secret to life.

Since then, I have finished my pre-requisites for university and I've been accepted! So an even more exciting
journey is about to begin. In the mean time, I will continue learning about money matters, matters of the heart, food (oh, how I love food!) and, of course, this beautiful city in which I live!

So without further ado...

Oh, hey! follow me on twitter: @patriciaTO or like Toronto Girl Chronicles on facebook.

R.I.P TGC

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:06:00 +0000

Hello Readers,

It is with a bittersweet tone that I write this post.

This blog was my chance to write and experiment with photography, and it was a beautiful experiment!
But now winter is upon us. And so is school. Hence, I have decided to take a break from blogging. Anyways, this might just be a "Jay-Z" type of retirement. Maybe the blogging journey is to be continued...

Until the next time,

Patricia

Toronto Girl: Natalli Reznik

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:34:00 +0000

October 27, 2010

Natalli Reznik loves to dance – that’s easy to see when you are watching her take on a hip hop routine or a breath-taking ballroom number. And although her ambition to master each routine is what drives her, it is her ability to adapt to each genre what has made her a sought-after dancer. So how did this Toronto Girl make it into the big stage? I had the chance to chat with Natalli about her love of dance, what has made her successful and of course, working with Janet Jackson.

Why did you become a dancer?

In my teenage years, I had a hard time finding my voice and dance was a means of expression for me. Every time I danced, it felt right. I felt like I could express myself better in movement than I did verbally, like people would understand me better when I danced. Now I do it because even though I enjoy being on stage, it is the process of getting there that excites me the most. The rehearsals and learning a new routine are more intense than being on stage. Sometimes, after endless hours of rehearsal, I get on stage and think “this is it?”, but I always want to do it again.

Dancing is both physically and mentally demanding, how do you keep yourself going?

I love "the chase" – the whole process of learning the choreography and getting it on point. I feel like I haven’t danced that much, I want to keep on going! I want to keep learning about dance. When I do different styles I try to really understand the cultural background of the dance. When I started dancing salsa I studied the culture, where it’s from, why it is danced the way it’s danced. It’s the same with hip hop and all the other genres that I’ve learnt. I just love going from one genre to the next. One day I will be feeling salsa and then the next I’ll want to dance hip-hop. I just listen to my heart, that’s what keeps me dancing.

What are the skills that have contributed to your success?

Stubbornness, my ability to hustle, and always thinking that I am a beginner. If you go in [to rehearsal or class] with hunger to learn, whatever it is, you have a better chance of actually learning. If you think you know already you’re in trouble because there is always something to learn.

How did living in Toronto contribute to your career? (Natalli currently resides in LA)

Toronto is a great place for dreaming, it is also a great place for training. There’s some great talent in Toronto.

On working with Janet: " She's my idol! It was always a dream of mine to dance with her. I was really excited. Those were the best months of my life. The were tough but it was a joy, I feel so lucky to have been there. "

After my interview with Natalli was finished, I couldn't help but to reflect on the importance of dreaming big and adapting to the different circumstances that our dreams take us through. It might take a lot of "hustling" but in the end, our limits are as high as we set them. Whether life is a smooth waltz or a chaotic krump, you have to keep on dancing.

*photos are courtesy of Natalli Reznik and ctv.ca

LGFW: The Collection that Stole My Heart ~ Sarah Stevenson

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:24:00 +0000

October 21, 2010

Sarah Stevenson is truly a Fashion Artist. She creates her own hand crafted prints with a meticulous attention to detail and sustainability. All her textiles are produced locally and her dyes are eco-friendly.

{Photo c/o Sarah Stevenson Design}

On Thursday afternoon I attended her “Tea Party” Spring 2011 presentation. The simple and clean silhouettes left me yearning for those careless spring days were you can throw on a dress and be ready to go. I can also see this some of the pieces in this collection transitioning well into fall. The dresses are dresses that you buy and love forever.

{I love this dress! I would wear it to work with gladiator sandals

and to happy hour with heals. You can also wear it to weddings, or fancy

parties - really, an investment piece ...and this is how I justify my shopping... }

{Would you care for some tea?}

Congratulations Sarah on your amazing debut collection!

Photos are courtesy of the Toronto Sun

I Love this Song

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:16:00 +0000

October 19, 2010

Chicago - What to Eat and Where To Party (Part 4)

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 23:19:00 +0000

October 8, 2010

WHAT TO EAT IN CHICAGO

My bf coolly said "Don't worry, I read that in Chicago there are restaurants in every corner." Half an hour of walking around, finding nothing, hope was running low and I was getting cranky (not cute, trust me). Lucky for him, we found Heaven on Seven, a restaurant offering the best is cajun cuisine.

{Heaven on Seven is know for its extensive collection of hot sauces, which include:

Hot Bitch At The Beach and its much milder counterpart Hot Buns At The Beach}

I had the Jambalaya and everything was okay with the world again.

{Ingredients: chicken, different sausages, shrimp, basil}

After all that eating, we had to working it out, so we went dancing...

WHERE TO PARTY

Chicago is home of the Two Step, a style of dancing that consists of two steps (get it?) and a series of simple turn patterns. It's very flirtatious and smooth, and I was awestruck when I first witnessed it at Funky Buddha. But that's not all that impressed me. The DJ plays reggae, afro-beat, techno, old school hip hop, soul...and everyone grooves along! The music selection is so unpredictable that you can not get enough.

{The decor is very low key psychodelic meets oriental influences}

{The Place gets packed after 11pm and the crowd dances like no one is watching}

On the opposite end of the spectrum: Y Bar. An upscale martini bar that is, pardon the cliche, a place to see and be seen. Nonetheless, it is fun and glamours, because lets face it, there's nothing wrong with being treated like a VIP. I felt like I was at one of those parties featured in The Hills. They even had scantaly-clad go go dancers on mini stages.

{Can you imagine dancing in those heels all night long?}

{A Night in the life of Chicago's Beautiful and Fabulous}

At the end of the night, it doesn't matter whether you spent a small fortune or spent your night dancing as long as you try a little bit of everything this city has to offer. That is what makes travelling worth-while.

*Funky Buddha Lounge pictures are courtesy of Funky Buddha.

What I Learned from the Fab Find Drama

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:10:00 +0000

October 7, 2010

If you were on Twitter yesterday, you heard about the @FabFindToronto super deal of the day - $10 iPads. Yes, that's 98% off the retail price. People went nuts! Their servers crashed. The sale was supposed to go live at 11am and I don't think it actually happened until 5pm. I gave up hope after lunch, but sat back and watched as the buzz grew and their follower count grew from around 1500 in the morning to 3,584 (at 11pm, last time I checked). Another successful marketing ploy? Well, we are all talking about it.

Was it sustainable? Only time will tell.

As I watched the drama unfold I did learn a few things about dealing with people and difficult situations. I think we can all benefit from these lessons, so here it goes...

1- Plan for the worst, and then some - the servers were tested and prepared, and then they crashed. The results surpassed the expectations. Hey, it happens. They had George ready to fan things out and a twitter guy/gal ready to take the heat.

2 - Always act with class, never with sass - The gal/guy that manned the twitter for Fab Find yesterday got through most of the comments and answered them gracefully and with a sense of humour. Some of the comments were really mean, but if you can be kind to those who are rude to you, you're ahead of the game.

3- Think BIG, even if it sounds crazy (in fact, the crazier the better) - $10 iPads is just insanity. No one would believe it, but look at all the buzz it generated!

4 - Make a negative into a positive - after not being able to purchase an iPad many people started (or suggested) donating to the Canadian Red Cross or the Daily Bread Food Bank. I really can't think of a better use of $10. Brilliant. You're not going to die if you don't have an iPad, but there are people that would die without the help of these organizations.

So like they say, STAY FAB!

Agree or disagree? leave a comment.

Stay Tuned for Part 4 of my Chicago Adventure.

Chicago - Art Lovers' Paradise (Part 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:24:00 +0000

October 6, 2010

MILLENIUM PARK AND CENTRAL LOOP

{The Eye: Chicago - an installation by Tony Tasset is a three story replica of his own eye}

{The Legendary Chicago Picasso}

The one thing that I truly loved about Chicago was their open art spaces. The art itself was very contemporary with an industrial feel, ranging from the Chicago Picasso by Pablo Picasso (duh!) to the random gigantic eyeball The Eye: Chicago by Toni Tassel. Of course, let’s not forget about the infamous Cloud Gate by Anish Kappor (found at the AT&T plaza at millennium park). More commonly known as “the bean,” a stainless steel sculpture that reflects the Chicago skyline and entertains tourist and locals alike, who photograph their reflections.

{Cloud Gate by Anish Kappor}

{Chicago Girls making memories}

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

{That's right! The Art Institute of Chicago has free admission on Thursday evenings}

The Art institute of Chicago, outside of Paris, boasts one of the best collections of Impressionist and Post Impressionist works. If you adore Degas’ ballerinas and love rebellious Van Gogh, you must devote a couple of hours to this place. There's also a big section on American Art and a new site-specific installation by Jitish Kallat titled Public Notice 3 on the stairway going to the second floor.

{ Public Notice 3 connects two important world events - the First World Parliament of Religions

held on September 11, 1893, and the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center

and the Pentagon on that very date, 108 years later}

{ The LED screens display a speech delivered by Swami Vivekananda

in which he talks about the evolution of religious tolerance/ intolerance}

If art spaces are the soul of the city, then Chicago has a lot of soul and you will be inspired at every corner you turn!

Tomorrow: What to Eat & Where to Party (I go off the beaten path)

Chicago PART 2 - Getting Up Close and Personal

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:22:00 +0000

October 4, 2010

{Chicago on a lovely sunny day -

the perfect weather }

I think it’s essential to get the feel of a city and where things are before you set out to really explore it. I can’t think of a better way of getting to know a city than by bicycle. Why bike? It’s faster than walking and more intimate than a Decker bus, and the tour guides will tell you funny stories along the way. For example, did you know what Chicago is know as the Windy City no because of the wind but because its politicians are full of "Hot Air". Ha ha ha.

That and the guides are always really good looking ...

{Bobby's bikes are state of the art hybrids and they even have a front pouch for your water bottle}

{I told you he was cute ;)}

We took the afternoon Front Lake Neighbourhood tour with Bobby's Bike Hike Tours. Mark, our hilarious tour guide started off the tour by taking our group to Streetsville, known for its "Viagra Triangle" (where older gentlemen take their much younger girlfriends out to lunch) and the original Playboy Mansion. Do you see a trend here?

{The Playboy mansion was later on sold to The Art Institute for $1, since Hugh Hefner considered himself an artist and wanted to benefit future artists as well. Years later, The Art Institute sold the mansion for millions to condo developers. Units start at 2.3 millions in case you're interested}

We continued our ride to the beautiful waterfront. On a regular day the waterfront buzzes with hundreds on Chicago peeps, reminiscent of Miami beach. This time around we just happened to catch a few people engaged in a friendly game of volleyball.

{Chicagoans getting their game on}

{it really does feel like you're in Florida, the 32 degree weather we had that day sure helped}

After visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo, we ended things off with an impromptu photo shoot.

{Our lively tour group}

Thanks to the fellas at Bobby's Bike Hike for an unforgettable experience!

Book Review: Last Night at the Chateau Marmont

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:27:00 +0000

October 1, 2010

As soon as the air gets chilly I start a weekend ritual that I'd like to call "Morning in Bed with a Good Book." Well, Sunday morning turned into a whole day thing, because Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (yes, she is the author of The Devil Wears Prada) is definitely a page turner.

Last Night At Chateau Marmont starts Brooke, a sweet, crazy in love woman who works two jobs and makes many sacrifices to support her musician husband, Julian. It all pays off when Julian, after many years of interning at a record label, gets a break. He gets invited to perform at a national TV show, and like they say, the rest is history. A cross country tour, Grammy performances, millions of fans. Was Brooke ready for all of this? Was she ready for the gossip, the glamour and her husband's new found hectic schedule? Most importantly, was she ready to sacrifice some more?

The book is really about a woman who is struggling to be supportive of her partner's dreams while remaining true to her own dreams. I think we can all relate to this at some level. At some point or another, we have put our dreams on hold to support or follow someone else's dreams. It's interesting to read what goes on inside Brooke's head as she's reaching all these conclusions and making decisions for herself. Throw in some good ol' Hollywood glamour and gossip and you've got yourself an entertaining book to cuddle up to for the chilly days to come.

Go Ahead - Touch your Boobs

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:24:00 +0000

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

I remember sitting in a group of four girls discussing everyday life, when someone started to talk about her aunt's diagnose of breast cancer. She went on to say "One out of four women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer, do you know what this means?" she asked, "one of us will get breast cancer." Then there was silence. According to the Canadian Cancer Society the correct statistic is one in nine women.

So who gets breast cancer? Everyone. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among young adults. Although there are more cases where Caucasian women are affected, African-American and minority women have higher fatality rates because of the lack of early detection. In the end, more than ethnicity or age, lifestyle choices are what comes to play when reducing your risk of cancer.

Self-examining is crucial! Here's a how-to diagram.

{picture courtesy of nursingcrib.com}

Other things that experts recommend are: exercising, watching your weight, avoiding hormones and minimizing alcohol. Pretty much common sense healthy stuff you should be doing anyways, right?

The good news it that survival rates are increasing thanks to early detection and regular screenings. So go ahead, touch your boobies daily (although monthly is recommended, but there's no harm in getting familiar).

A Toronto Girl on the Road: Chicago Part 1 (The Highlights)

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:04:00 +0000

September 29, 2010

{GPS - essential for a road trip }

16 hours of driving + 5 cups of coffee + a 100 miles (probably more) later = great adventures in Chicago!

{Chicago Girl cranking some tunes}

Chicago is a fantastic city with an older-and-wiser feel than Toronto. It is the home of 9.6 million habitants that are lucky to enjoy a fantastic waterfront and one of the best art museums that I have been to. I had a great time partying, eating, going to sporting events and even walking a million miles. I can't wait to share it all with you!

For now, I will just tease you with a couple of pics that sum up the perfect road trip.

Here are some highlights:

{Cloud Gate Reflections}

{Downtown at Night}

{Biking around the city with Bobby's Bike Tours, make sure this is on your to-do list!}

{The Navy Pier is the #1 Tourist Attraction in Chicago,

and if I may say so, a very romantic destination}

Stay tuned, part two and three are coming shortly...

Toronto Girl is going on a ROAD TRIP!

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:13:00 +0000

September 20, 2010

{Photo courtesy of stuckincustoms}

I had been dying to get away this summer, but all of a sudden work got crazy busy and then there was the move, minor renovations, endless Ikea trips...and I've you have been to Ikea you know that's enough to drive you crazy!

So my best friend and I made a deal. We would take a couple of days off this week and conquer the open road. We are going to a very special place with incredible architecture,deep dish pizza and the worlds biggest baseball stadium. Am I giving away too much? I hope not because I want to keep you intrigued...
Hey, if you guess what city I'm going to I'll bring you a souvenir! Write your guess in the comment section. You have until Wednesday, September 22, 2010 (midnight).

NOTE - MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY OR CLOSE FRIENDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN (SINCE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHERE I AM GOING). YOU MUST RESIDE IN THE GTA TO WIN.

GUEST POST: Mr. Right and The 30's Life Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:18:00 +0000

September 15, 2010

This is a very insightful piece written by my friend J.Lewis, who never ceases to amaze me with her quirky, yet accurate, views of love and life.

In a conversation not too long ago, a friend and I were once again participating in the female ritual of criticizing men. We ourselves have been sharing everything from the good and the bad, to the sexy and ugly for a number of years. We have had countless conversations over which men we should keep (for the meantime), which to throw to the curb, and which to love till death do us part. But no matter the man, be he the love our life or the jerk that never called us back, we have never been short of things to criticize.

During the most recent confab, I suggested our male counterparts were going through a third-life crisis, which was later revoked for the more accurate 30's-life crisis. Our loveable men, now in their early 30's, have decided it is okay to be a little moody or a little unpredictable (or both). They are taking on new extravagances and indulging themselves in what we consider more youthful hobbies.

Given some time to let the idea percolate, I have come the the decision that there is no such thing as a 30's-life crises. Or quarter- or mid-life crises. Much like our childhood invisible friends, or our daydreams of hot makeout sessions with McDreamy, these so called life crises are figments of our imagination. In the most frustrating moments of our relationships we are forever looking for something to pin our partner's shortcomings on--because obviously WE would never choose to live with a man that did 'this' or 'that'. But this is the genius of humans, we are all allowed to be individuals who can decide what we do, and change our minds at any time. I'm certainly not saying this is always a good thing, but it's not always bad either, and as long as the thing we're complaining about is how our man has taken up paling video games for a couple hours a week, or watches sports 24/7 during the playoffs, I think we can all agree that it could be much worse.

Considering the vast majority of women are often more moody, unpredictable and indulgent than their men, I think that when the boys branch out, we should be a little more understanding. So does this mean that we shouldn't acknowledge our men when they change? Hell no. I will likely continue to call up my girlfriends and whine over a glass (or bottle) of wine, not only because it feels good, but because it is an important part of female bonding. The only difference may be that the next time I go to gossip about his latest quirks, I might be a little less sarcastic with my girls, and a little more understanding when I talk to Mr. Not-so-perfect-but-still-Mr. Right.

THE KIT: Beauty Kit For Party People

noreply@blogger.com (Toronto Girl) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

September 14, 2010

{Clockwise from left to right: Lipstick, Moroccan Oil, Band Aids, Milk Thistle,

Face Wipes, Raw Potatoes, Honey, Fruits and Vegetables}

Six more nights of TIFF and let me tell you, partying is fun... until the morning after. I've yet to hear how delightful a hangover can be or how amazing blisters feel or dark under eye circles look.

These are some after-party beauty tips that have never failed me:

Red Lipstick: It is said that when a female is aroused her lips turn red, which makes her more attractive to the opposite sex. It might or might not be true, but red or cherry lipstick is classic and sexy, so pick your right shade and you can't go wrong.

Moroccan Oil: Also known as hair crack. Use it to prime your hair for heat styling or right after washing your hair for silky frizz-free hair.

Band-aids: Blisters are uncomfortable, plain and simple. They are also inevitable when you're wearing heels. So just put a couple of band-aids in your purse and don't let blisters stop you from dancing.

Milk Thistle: Your poor liver has to work overtime when you drink. A few drops of MT on hot water will help you soothe and restore your liver. Choose organic.

Face Wipes: Going to sleep with your make up on is asking for trouble. If you can not make it to the sink to wash your face, simply wipe the make up off with a refreshing wipe. I love Biore because it contains Salicylic Acid that will exfoliate and remove all those nasty impurities.

Raw Potatoes: Raw potato wedges work wonders on under eye circles. You see, potatoes contain catecholase, an enzyme that is used as a skin lightener in many cosmetics. Leave on for 10 minutes and voila! no one will be able to tell you went to bed at 5am.

Raw Honey: Everyone knows that raw honey will leave your skin feeling softer than silk. If you didn't know, now you do. Apply a thin layer to your face, leave on for 5 minutes or so and rinse off with luke-warm water.

Fruits and Vegetables: This last tip is the most obvious. Not to sound like your mother but... drink lots of water and eat your fruits and veggies. You're going to need all the energy you can muster.

Party on party people! Have a beautiful TIFF.