Lifestyle, Travel

Things to do in Toronto this Summer

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I’m back! It’s been a while since my last travel blog post and I’m so excited to share what I’ve been up to. Summer is finally here in Canada and what better time to start planning some vacations or staycations! For those of us in Ontario we have an added incentive of the Ontario Staycation tax credit. I although I’m based in Ottawa I always try to get at least one trip to Toronto in each Summer. It’s definitely Ontario’s largest and most popular city with so many sights to see and things to do, there’s something for everyone.

I visited Toronto a few weeks ago and had such a fabulous time thanks to Destination Toronto and their ideas on just about everything you could possibly need to know about planning a trip to Toronto.

Travel + Accommodation

As I live in Ottawa I could have chosen to fly, drive or take the train to Toronto but I really wanted to maximize my time in the city so Sashien and I chose to fly. We flew Porter Airlines directly  to Billy Bishop Airport which is conveniently located in the heart of the city. Transportation out of the airport is quick and easy and you can either take the ferry, a taxi or Uber. We chose to Uber and used it to get around to most places during our weekend stay.

In terms of accommodation options Toronto has endless possibilities based on your needs and price point. On this occasion we were hosted by the Ritz-Carlton and we thoroughly enjoyed everything the hotel had to offer. This place is definitely worth the splurge! From the personalized guest key cards to the friendly and accommodating staff the Ritz-Carlton exudes five star service. We also had the chance to check out their onsite spa My Blend by Clarins. This spa was exquisite and offers so many high end services exclusive to Clarins, we both had the rebalancing massage and left feeling relaxed and ready to take on the weekend!

Sights + Attractions

Toronto has so much to see and do it’s impossible to see everything in one weekend but we did visit some really unique and interesting places on our trip. Of course there’s the traditional CN tower visit and the trip to Ripley’s Aquarium, which are great family friendly activities but as we had both seen them in the past we wanted to check out something different. One of our first stops was Little Canada which is an exhibit featuring animated miniatures of various cities and vistas around Canada. The exhibit is a work in progress as they build different parts of Canada. We enjoyed visit miniature versions of Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. This is a great family friendly exhibit!

If you know me in person then you’re quite aware of my shoe addiction, so this shoe-a-holic definitely couldn’t pass up a chance to visit the Bata Shoe Museum. This museum covers the history of shoes and features notable footwear from various centuries. At the moment there’s a brand new exhibit called Future Now which explores over fifty futuristic footwear designs from the auto-lacing Nike MAG to the virtual RTFKT x Staple Meta-Pigeon.  My favourite item at the museum were the Christian Louboutin shoes for Barbie, how cute!!

If you’re looking for something more on the relaxing side then you must check out Hoame Meditation Studio. They offer a number of different meditation classes and experiences. We took a breath work meditation class at Hoame, I must admit I struggled with this one as I’m quite the chatterbox and we had to stay quiet. But if  zen is your thing then you should definitely check it out.

Theatre + Shows

We arrived in Toronto on June 10th just in time for the National Ballet of Canada‘s opening night of Swan Lake. I’ve always enjoyed Tchaikovsky’s pieces so I was thrilled to get to see Swan Lake. The ballet runs until June 26th at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. If ballet is not your thing you can also check out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which is playing throughout the Summer and into the Fall. If you’re in to musical theatre there’s also many other shows scheduled for the Summer a full list can be found here. I would highly recommend Singin’ in the Rain which plays this Fall. In addition to these there’s also concerts and other shows to check out.

Restaurants + Nightlife

We checked out a lot of great restaurants during our trip and Toronto definitely has so many choices to offer. On day 1 we had lunch at Oretta located on King St. West. I loved the decor and ambiance in this traditional yet modern Italian restaurant. They also have another location in midtown. This is a lovely spot for a casual drink and some gelato.

As we were staying at the Ritz-Carlton we got to check out some of the restaurants at the hotel, my favourite was Epoch which features indoor and outdoor dining spaces. This newly renovated restaurant features signature drinks a brand new menu and a patio with a great view of the CN Tower. I really enjoyed grabbing a cocktail outside, I would recommend the Lychee Queen cocktail. We also had breakfast at Toca which is located inside the hotel, Toca stands for Toronto Canada and the main attraction in this restaurant is their Cheese cave. It’s definitely a unique feature and a must see if you’re at the hotel.

Yorkville is one of my favourite areas of Toronto featuring high-end shops and unique restaurants. We stopped in for lunch at Bar Reyna which was totally worth the hype! We loved the mediterranean spin on traditional brunch dishes. I also really liked the ambiance and the decor on their patio. For drinks I’d recommend 7 am in Ibiza it’s a great take on an espresso martini!

One of the highlights of our trip was our dinner and evening at Lula bar. This was such a fun experience. Lula Bar is a latin resto-bar that features live bands and salsa dancing on the weekends. We enjoyed a three course meal, there is a set menu to choose from; followed by a salsa class and live music. I would highly recommend checking them out if you’re spending a weekend in Toronto.

On our last morning in Toronto we had breakfeast at OEB Breakfast Co. This restaurant is a great family friendly place that offers gourmet style meals at an affordable price. If you do go be sure to check out the Canadian Lobster and Shrimp Crepe. It’s such a fancy first meal!

Of course there are so many dining and entertainment options in Toronto and you can learn more about them on the Destination Toronto website.

Other fun stuff

One thing I didn’t cover yet was shopping! Toronto has so many malls it can be overwhelming but my favourite is definitely Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Not only does it offer an assortment of stores and designer boutiques it also houses my favourite Macaron shoppe Ladurée. I’ve visited in the past and wrote about my high tea experience there, you can read all about it here.

If you’re looking for the city that has something for everyone then Toronto is definitely for you! We had such a wonderful time on our weekend stay, a huge thank you to Destination Toronto for helping us plan our trip. We’re already planning another trip back this Summer. Don’t forget to check out Destination Toronto to help you plan the ultimate Toronto vacation and see Toronto now!

 

 

Beauty

Why I wax with Parissa

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Can you believe Summer is finally here?! It’s time to break out the sundresses, shorts, rompers and bathing suits. This means it’s also time to have those legs, underarms and bikini lines ready for all that fun in the sun! It’s been a while since my last skincare blog post so I’m excited to share one of my summer ready secrets, Parissa wax. Waxing is a great way to get rid of unwanted body hair and can be done safely in the privacy of your own home.

The Parissa Story

Parissa is a brand I’ve always been familiar with when it comes to at-home waxing but what I didn’t know about this brand is that it’s Canadian and female owned. Founded by Azar Moayeri, a chemical engineer by profession the Parissa story is a true immigrant success story. Azar was a pioneer in a male dominated field and the first female chemical engineer to graduate from the University of New Edinburgh. She later moved back to her native Iran where she worked as a Project Manager. She moved to Canada in 1981 with her husband and children, that’s when she noticed a need for clean, safe and naturally based hair removal products. At the time all hair removal products were chemically based creams or bleaches and of course she saw this as an opportunity to create something remarkable for women!

Azar created Canada’s first all-natural hair removal products right from her kitchen and to this day Parissa remains a family affair. One of the things I love about Parissa is that the ingredients are 100% natural and ethically sourced. They’re also safe for my sensitive skin.

I’ve had bad experiences with skincare products in the past which has resulted in hyperpigmentation and breakouts, with Parissa I don’t have to worry about this.

I recently tried three products from Parissa and I’ve been loving the results I’ve seen.

Bow Waxing Pen

The first product I tried was the Brow Waxing Pen This product is great for keeping your brows on fleek all year round. It’ll also save you a bi-weekly or monthly trip to the salon. Having threaded my brows in the past I wanted to change up how I was styling my brows and this was a great alternative. I love the precision you get with this product and the fact that it’s vegan and fragrance free. It allows you to target specific areas of your eyebrow and is great for short and coarse hair as well. If you’re looking for a broader range of coverage for your brows or are new to at-home waxing then you can also try the Brow Wax Strips.

Face and Body Sugar Wax

For more gentle areas and the sensitive skin on my face I tried Parissa’s Face and Body Sugar Wax. This formula is the gentlest hair removal product and doesn’t irritate my skin. I also like the fact that it washes off and is easy to use. If you’re short on time this product is great since you can just warm it up in the microwave and you’re good to go. It’s safe for hair removal on your upper lip, underarms, legs and bikini line.

Roll-on Organic Sugar Wax

The third product I tried was the roll-on organic sugar wax. I found this products worked well for my legs and I really liked the convenience of the roll-on applicator, which comes in both wide and narrow sizes. This sugar wax is also microwaveable and washes off, a great time saver. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin on my legs but for those of you who do you’ll be happy to know that this wax is vegan and fragrance free. This product can also be used on your upper lip, underarms and bikini line.

Why wax at home?

One of the biggest reasons I chose to wax at home is convenience. I don’t have to worry about booking my appointments in advance or adjusting my schedule accordingly. Most salons also charge you a fee for missed or in some cases cancelled appointments, so you don’t have to think about this with at-home waxing.  There’s also the added privacy and safety of doing this yourself in your own home, especially for more discreet or sensitive areas.

And finally at-home waxing is a lot more economical than waxing at a salon. With the cost of just about everything increasing lately I’m more than happy to save some money with waxing at home. If you’ve never tried waxing at home you can find some tips and tricks here, including all the details about the international day of waxing.

Have you tried Parissa wax products before? Which one is your favourite?

Lifestyle, Travel

Trip to Los Cabos, Mexico

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It’s been a minute since my last post but I am so excited to be back! I recently went on an amazing trip to Mexico and I can’t wait to share all the fun stuff I got to do and try.

The whole travel experience was seamless thanks to Sunwing Airlines and their amazing team here in Canada and on the ground in Los Cabos. Sashien and I flew from Ottawa to Los Cabos via Toronto. Sunwing airlines flies to Los Cabos every Thursday from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

When we arrived in Mexico we were greeted by the Sunwing rep and whisked away to our private transfer which took us to our first resort. We stayed at two resorts during our 7 day trip.

Secrets Puerto Los Cabos

The first resort we stayed at was Secrets Puerto Los Cabos. This adult only resort is the epitome of luxury. Featuring swim out rooms and suites the accommodations at this resort really are fantastic. We stayed in the Master Suite Swim Out room with an ocean view. This spacious suite opened up in to a terrace and pool. It was truly magical taking in the sunrise from our own private pool.

The resort features two different classes of rooms, regular and Preferred Club rooms. The Preferred Club rooms offer  a private check-in/out area, upgraded amenities, butler service and access to the Preferred Club Lounge which also serves breakfast, hors d’oevures and features premium bottles of liquor.

Preferred Club (PC) guests at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos can also take advantage of an exclusive pool, the preferred pool which is ideal for a quiet day by the water. PC guests can also have their breakfast at Oceana Restaurant which overlooks the preferred pool and the ocean.

Aside from Oceana there’s lots of dining options to choose from at Secrets. We checked out Himitsu the Japanese restaurant and attended a Tapanyaki show, it was so much fun and the food was amazing. We were also treated to a romantic dinner in the wine cellar at Portofino the resort’s Italian restaurant. Another great restaurant at the hotel was El Patio which featured Mexican cuisine. In addition to the restaurants Secrets also offers a wide selection of bars from Manatees Swim Up Bar, to Barefoot Grill and Barrcuda bar. There are so many options to choose from. A full list of bars can be found here 

Besides the pools and restaurants there’s also many onsite activities to explore. We enjoyed the Sip & Paint experience and created our own painting to take home with us. We also liked the tequila tasting.

This resort was truly luxurious and magical! We loved the superior accommodations, dining options and most of all the service. A special thank you to our butler Leonardo for making our stay so rememberable.

Dreams Los Cabos

For the second part of our trip we stayed at Dreams Los Cabos. This family friendly resort is about 30 minutes away from Secrets and located closer to the more tourist area of Los Cabos. Dreams is a vibrant and lively resort with many of the same amenities as Secrets. As both resorts are owned by the same company AM Resorts there are many similarities between the two properties.

We stayed in a spacious ocean view Preferred Club level suite at Dreams which featured a furnished balcony overlooking the gardens and sea.  The views from the balcony were stunning and we enjoyed having breakfast alfresco. Although Dreams is a family resort it does feature an adult only pool in addition to the main pool which has a special kids area. An added benefit of the PC level rooms is the private beach reserved for Preferred Club guests.

Dreams also has many great dining options such as Bordeaux restaurant which features French cuisine. We were treated to a lovely dinner at this restaurant, a special thank you to our server Dennis who made this such a fun experience.  Another option for dining is the romantic dinner on the beach experience. This is something that you can arrange through the hotel when you arrive. We had an amazing dinner at sunset on the beach with all the fixings. A huge thank you to our server Manny who made this such a magical evening.

Aside from the many dining options, pools and special services the highlight of our stay at Dreams was the Bali bed experience. These luxury cabanas on the beach feature wifi, a big screen TV and amenities including wait service. The Bali beds can be reserved upon your arrival at the resort by contacting the concierge. There are three different packages for booking these cabanas and each offers different services and amenities.

If you’re staying at Dreams Los Cabos be sure to take an excursion out to visit the Arch of Los Cabos. You can take a short taxi or Uber ride to Plaza Paradiso mall where you can board a glass bottom boat to take you to the arch. There’s many different tour packages that you can book but if you’re in the area I’d highly recommend venturing out to see this notable tourist attraction. We had such a great time on our boat tour and it was one of the most enjoyable activities we did. You can book excursions directly via Sunwing or the hotel concierge.

This was easily one of the most memorable vacations I have been on. Thank you Sunwing Airlines and AMResorts for sponsoring this trip.

Home Decor, Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day Bar Cart

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I’m back with more Valentine’s Day content and this time I have a home decor idea. If you’re like me and love decorating your home for any occasion then you’ll love this Valentine’s Day Bar Cart idea. It’s a fun and cute way to add some colour and joy to your home 🙂

Start with a bar cart you already have and if you don’t have one you can use a plant stand, book rack or any other stand. I got my bar cart 2 years ago from Linen Chest and I’ve linked it and all the items I used at the bottom of this post.

A bar cart typically has two levels so I decided to add some champagne glasses and a bottle of rose sparkling wine for the top layer. I added some cupcake topper harts to my champagne glasses for some extra Valentine’s Day flare. I also added some red roses, flowers are always a nice touch. If you don’t like red you can always go with white or pink roses or any other flower of your choice.

For the bottom level of my cart I added some heart shaped dishes I picked up and filled them with some Valentine’s Day chocolates. Heart shaped chocolates and candies can be found almost anywhere this time of year and they’re a cute treat for your guests or significant other. You can also try adding some cinnamon hearts.

I found some Valentine’s day decorations like a light up love sign and some heart garlands at a party store but you can find these on amazon or at your local dollar store. I’ve linked my bar cart and decorations below. I’ve also got more Valentine’s Day decor ideas and items on my Amazon Store.

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Are you decorating your home for Valentine’s Day?

Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: For Him

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Can you believe we are almost at the middle of January?! This year is going by so fast! With Valentine’s Day a month away I thought it would be helpful to come up with some Valentine’s Day gift ideas for men. I know we ladies often put together our own wish list but in recent years I’ve really struggled with finding items for men.

I’ve put together a few items for guys; Sashien has some of these items and he gets a lot of use out of them.

Herschel Duffle Bag – This duffle bag is great for a trip or the gym. It comes with double handles and a strap for easy carrying. There’s also an interior compartment to protect contents. This is a great gift idea that’s under $100.

Jack Black Skincare Set – If the man in your life is into skincare or even if he needs a little nudge in the right direction the skin saviours set by Jack Black is a great gift. This set includes a cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliating scrub and lip balm. At under $60 it’s a steal!

Valet Tray – Staying organized is easy with this functional yet masculine valet tray. It’s perfect to sit on top of a dresser or side table and comes in many different colours. This gift is under $50!

Cassis Noir Candle – This limited edition candle by Brooklyn Candle is a great gift to add to your gift bag. It’s a nice addition to pair with something else. It has a masculine scent that isn’t overpowering and can also double as a home decor item.

Canada Goose Vest – Water-resistant and perfect for a harsh Winter this vest is definitely a splurge piece! If you feel like spoiling him this Valentine’s Day then this is a great gift idea.

Secrid Wallet – Can he keep a secrid? Well now he can with this functional and chic walled from Secrid. Sashien has used these wallets for years and they’re so convenient. They come in many different styles and colours and are a great gift under $100.

Y Eau de Parfum – If you’re feeling scentimental why not treat him to a luxurious cologne. This particular one by Yves St Laurent offers a bold woody fragrance but you can really choose one that best suits his preference.

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Personal

2022 Refresh!

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Happy New Year! Can you believe we are almost a week in to 2022 already? Last year flew by and I’m sure this year will be no different.

2021 was a tough year but a good one as well with many milestones. I won’t go in to all the details in this post but if you follow me on Instagram you’d know that I purchased a home last year and moved in last Summer. I’m still adjusting and moving things around so I haven’t done a house tour yet.

2022 started on a rather negative note for us here in Canada with many restrictions coming in to effect soon after the new year dawned. We are once again in a state of semi-lockdown with indoor dining and gyms being closed; in case you’re wondering we’re also in the height of winter so outdoor dining is rather difficult. However as always it’s all about attitude and approach. The restrictions and prevailing pandemic haven’t altered my plans for 2022 in the least.

In short 2022 is going to be my year of “NO”, I don’t mean that in a negative context. I just mean that I’ll be focusing more on things that bring me joy and fulfillment and saying no to the things that I don’t enjoy. I’ve always been a very motivated and driven person so I tend to overcommit myself as a result. Towards the end of 2021 I was totally stressed out and spread way too thin, so it was time for a change; a refresh!

This year I’ll be focussing less on corporate and professional initiatives and spending more time on my hobbies like blogging, baking and fashion! I’ve got some very exciting things on the horizon and I can’t wait to share them with you. I’ll also be making health and fitness more of a priority, home workouts aren’t really my thing but they will have to suffice for now.

I’ve linked some of the tools and products that have helped me refocus and refresh for 2022.

 

What are your plans for 2022?

 

Fashion

Canadian Brands to Support This Christmas

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It’s been a while since my last post but I’ve been very active on Instagram! Can you believe it’s already the middle of December? Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I have lots of fun holiday content coming up for you. I always make it a point to support local and shop Canadian when I’m doing my Christmas shopping so I thought I’d share a few of my favourite Canadian brands to support this Christmas.

Suzy Shier

I’ve been a loyal Suzy Shier customer for years, long before I ever even thought about starting a fashion blog. I love their stylish workwear, casual wear and party dresses. This longstanding Canadian retailer never disappoints when it comes to affordable and fashionable clothing for women. I have so many Suzy Shier pieces in my wardrobe! They also have a great loyalty program called the Prestige Card. It costs $25 to purchase on an annual basis and saves you 10% on any purchase, regardless of sale price. Not a prestige member? No problem! Whether you’re a loyalty member or not you can save 10% off you any regular priced items with my discount code 10WKENDFASHION

Toboggan Canada

If you live in Canada, you’re no stranger to the fact that a Winter jacket is an essential item! Toboggan Canada offers an expansive range of Fall and Winter jackets for men and women. The Eva B Long II Parka is my go-to jacket for Winter. It keeps me warm and fashionable! I get so many compliments and questions every time I wear it.  If long jackets aren’t your style you can also check out their collection of puffers and cropped jackets. The Chloe jacket is a great alternative for a more sporty look. Don’t forget to check out their vast collection of men’s jackets as well. See something you like one? I’ve got you covered, use the code: Weekend20 to save 20% off your purchase!

Rebecca Rowe

If you’ve been following my blogging journey you know that I recently collaborated with Ottawa based designer Rebecca Rowe on a capsule collection. It has been wonderful working with Rebecca and in addition to our capsule she offers a wide range of stylish and comfortable activewear items. Click SHOP to check out all her collections.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my recommendations for Canadian brands to check out this holiday season! Stay tuned for more exciting Christmas content. Happy Shopping!

Lifestyle, Travel

The SoHo Hotel Toronto

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I’m back with another hotel stay review! Sashien and I were so excited when we got the opportunity to check out the SoHo Hotel and Residences in Toronto. Having stayed at the SoHo Residences in Ottawa, I knew I was in for some great hospitality. Toronto is one of our favourite cities so we were more than happy to make the trip down.

The SoHo Hotel Toronto

Located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district the SoHo Hotel Toronto is a 89 room boutique hotel. The property also features residences for long stay guests (over 14 days) and is divided into two parts; the hotel and the residences. We stayed at the hotel.

The Room 

The SoHo Hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation which included many upgrades to the property and guest rooms. The renovation resulted in 89 rooms by Gluckstein design. Post renovation all rooms include: 80 sq ft dressing areas featuring Canadian maple millwork, Italian Frette linens, a 55-inch LG TV, spacious Sahara Marble bathrooms with heated floors, a deep soaker tub, bedside controls for drapes and sconces and floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light.

The room was very spacious and had enough space for luggage and accessories. The his and hers dressing area was great with more than enough closet space.

I’m very particular about bathrooms, especially when I travel and this one did not disappoint. The bathroom featured imported marble and well equipped with a bathtub and separate shower. Molton Brown amenities imported from the UK, were on hand as well but the stand out feature for me were the heated floors. It was great stepping on to a warm marble floor just before a morning shower.

In addition to a spacious bedroom all suites include a sitting area and coffee/tea station. My room had an added bonus of an outdoor patio area. We really enjoyed this outdoor space in the middle of the city. The hotel also has a common courtyard area accessible to all guests.

Although we were in the hotel portion of the building it wouldn’t be fair to leave out one of the largest and most luxurious spaces at the SoHo Hotel Toronto. Located on the residence side the three story Presidential Penthouse is a hidden gem at the SoHo. The penthouse is comprised of two separate one-bedroom suites spanning over 4000 sp ft.

Photos supplied by hotel

This updated space includes a hot tub on a large rooftop terrace with views of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. It is a favourite of celebrities and has been home to A-listers such as Will Smith! This space is great for a posh luxurious stay, a special occasion or even product launches.

The Amenities

The hotel features many added amenities which include a luxurious saltwater pool and steam room. In addition the hotel also houses a state-of-the-art gym designed and managed by  two-time heavyweight champion and trainer, Dalton Brown. Gym and pool access is managed via a sign up process to respect Covid-19 protocols.

Photos supplied by hotel

The hotel  also offers many new COVID-safe features, including touch-less check-in, room service and special requests via direct message using the new SoHo Hotel app.

Dining

The hotel offers two dining options for breakfast and dinner. Located on either side of the hotel lobby Moretti Cafe and Moretti Restaurant are great ways to start and end your day. We enjoyed a gourmet breakfast at Moretti Cafe. I loved the decor in the cafe which had a European flair to it. Moretti Cafe is a lovely place to meet for breakfast or to just work out of during the day. Less hectic than other Toronto cafes it has a both a street and hotel entrance. Stepping inside Moretti Cafe truly feels like an escape.

On the other side of the lobby is Moretti Restaurant a great spot for dinner or a late night cocktail. We stopped by for after dinner drinks and the ambiance was great. The decor was very classy and we really enjoyed our time there. The cocktails were delicious too!

The Verdict

The Soho Hotel is a great choice for luxurious accommodation in the heart of Toronto. Conveniently located on Wellington Street the hotel is close toToronto’s beautiful waterfront, Billy Bishop Airport, the Rogers Centre, the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. King Street and Queen Street are just a short walk away and guests are close to numerous shops, pubs and restaurants.

We really enjoyed our stay at the SoHo Hotel Toronto. The rooms were spacious, the outdoor patio area was a great added feature and the heated bathroom floors were heavenly! The best part about a stay at the SoHo Hotel is the service! The hotel staff were welcoming and always ready to help. We even enjoyed a tour of the hotel lead by General Manager, David Kelley. Service is so important in the hospitality industry and the SoHo Hotel Toronto certainly doesn’t fall short! I would definitely visit this hotel again and recommend it to anyone. A big thank you to Mr. Kelley and the staff at the SoHo Hotel Toronto for hosting us and making our stay so memorable.

Thinking of booking a room at the SoHo Hotel Toronto? Use the code SOHOSOCIAL to save 12% off your stay!

 

 

Fashion

Capsule Collection with Rebecca Rowe

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I have some very exciting news to share! I’m launching a workwear capsule collection!! I’m so excited to be able to finally share this news with all of you. I’ve collaborated with Ottawa based designer Rebecca Rowe (known for her capsule collections) to create a collection of feminine women’s workwear.

Rebecca and I have been working on this collection for over a year and dealt with many challenges along the way but we are so happy to finally launch our project.

Background

I first met Rebecca in March of 2020 when I was invited to attend her popup shop at Bayshore Shopping Centre. I had been following Rebecca on Instagram for a while and I was familiar with her work. What really caught my attention was how her clothing was tailored to fit many different body types and could be customized to suit your personal style.

A few months past and I approached to ask if she’d be interested in collaborating on a capsule collection. I wanted to focus on workwear as I had always struggled to find professional clothing that was also feminine and fit well. After a few discussions about style and fashion icons The Weekend Fashionista collection was born.

This collection is inspired by one of my favourite classic fashionistas Audrey Hepburn.

Here’s a look at our pieces:

Tiffany Dress

Do you believe in overdressing? Audrey Hepburn sure did. This boat neck black and white dress is perfect for the boardroom or after work cocktails. Inspired by Audrey’s Hubert De Givenchy gown from Breakfast at Tiffany’s this LBD is fitted yet comfortable and effortlessly chic.

Ann Blouse

Finally a crop top you can wear to work! This cropped printed blouse was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s wardrobe in Roman Holiday. Easy to wear and pair with the Gabrielle skirt or Anya trousers this versatile piece is a great addition to your workwear wardrobe! Pair it with high waisted jeans for a causal chic weekend look too.

Anya Trouser

High waisted but also high fashion! These trousers mean business (or pleasure). Inspired by Audrey’s style in Roman Holiday when she goes incognito as Anya and famously dons more casual attire to hide the fact that she’s royalty. These trousers are perfect for a chic yet playful workwear look. Pair it with the Ann cropped blouse or your top of choice.

Gabrielle Skirt

What workwear wardrobe is complete without a quintessential pencil skirt. You’ll be skirting around town in style in this fitted skirt with front ruching inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s character Gabrielle Simpson in Paris When It Sizzles.  It can be paired with the Ann cropped blouse or your a top from your existing wardrobe.

You can shop the collection here: The Weekend Fashionista Capsule

Although this collection is inspired by Audrey Hepburn we understand that not everyone has the same body type. All pieces in the collection can be customized to fit and flatter you! Rebecca also has some tips on what to do if you love someone’s style but have a different body type:

Fashion

What I Wore in California

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It’s been a while since I did a fashion post and I’m super excited to share my outfits from our recent trip to California! It was so great to finally get to travel, albeit just across the border to the USA. As Sashien and are both fully vaccinated we were able to fly to the US and back without any difficulty (I’ll pop up an Instagram story for any of your travel related questions).

As with any trip we always like to plan our itinerary beforehand and have everything organized, which means all the flights, activities and restaurant reservations are booked well in advance. This also helps with packing and outfit planning. We had a flight every other day so I needed to be organized and know what I wanted to wear to each outing.

Here’s what I wore in California:

Leopard Print Top & High Waisted Pants

I wore this look to what I thought would be brunch at the London West Hollywood. Instead Sashien had planned a surprise for me and took me to the rooftop at the Peninsula Hotel. This wasn’t my original outfit choice (I had planned to wear a pistachio green slip dress) but Sashien insisted I should dress up a bit more, and boy am I glad I did.

My top is from Shein and I love the print and cut away neckline. This top is so light and airy as well. I paired it with the Heidi wide leg pant from Dynamite. These pants come in many different colours and the high waisted look went well with the top. You can also wear this top with shorts or a skirt. To finish off this look I added a hat that I also picked up from Dynamite, because you just can’t go to Beverly Hills and not wear a hat. If you’re looking for a place where it’s okay to be extra then BH is it! To tone down the look and blend in the colours I wore nude sandals.

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Ruffle Detail Halter Dress

This dress was such a great find to wear during a hot summer in California. It’s also from Shein and it’s so comfortable and chic! I love that this is a one-piece outfit. This dress traveled well and needed minimal ironing which was great. I added a pair of snake print Tory Burch flip flops to give some contrast to the dress. For some extra flair I accessorized with some long earrings. This photo was taken at the historic Hotel De Anza in San Jose. We had no idea this hotel had such a rich and storied history when we booked it online but we loved the art deco elements mixed in with modern touches at this hotel.

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One Shoulder Ruched Dress

I wanted something a little more fun and out there for dinner in San Jose so I wore this hot pink one shoulder dress. It also traveled so well, I didn’t need to iron it at all! The ruching was really flattering and forgiving ( we had been eating out for the last few days so I was a little worse for ware). I felt like a Barbie doll in this dress and I just love the colour! I went for a more simple look with this and added some sparkle with a gold metallic purse.

We went to dinner at Pedro’s in San Jose as we wanted to try some tex mex food and this restaurant didn’t disappoint. First of all, how gorgeous is the outside! It’s built to resemble a classic Spanish villa and the inside of the restaurant is just as nostalgic. The food was great and we really enjoyed the cocktails too. This restaurant was huge and we felt really safe inside with plenty of social distancing.

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Floral Print Cami Dress

Our travels from took us from San Jose to San Francisco, and since we had both been there before we decided to spend a day in Palo Alto. For our day out in Palo Alto I wanted a dress that could go from day to night without being overly dark in colour. This floral print cami dress was an easy choice. It worked perfectly for shopping and walking around during the day and transitioned well for dinner at Nobu Palo Alto in the evening. This dress was also travel friendly although the material was a little bit warmer than some of my other choices. Since the weather in Palo Alto wasn’t overly hot I was comfortable in this dress. I wanted a very easy carefree look so I paired this dress with nude sandals and a straw bag with pompom details.

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I hope you enjoyed my California vacation looks! Don’t forget to look out for my story sticker where you can send me all your travel questions!