Year: 2015

Gifts for the Foodie

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Last installment of the “Last Minute Holiday Gift” series.  Everyone knows a few foodies, here are some great ideas on presents that will impress their palette. McEwans For: The gourmet food lover who appreciates beautiful packaging Where: Shops on Don Mills, 66 Wellington (The Path) McEwan’s is like a Whole Foods but arguably even nicer with a fine selection of food packaged up so beautiful you may not want to even open it. They carry products like Sullivan & Bleeker Squish Candy For: The one with the massive sweet tooth Where: 176 Yonge St. (Inside The Bay, concourse level) With its whimsical packaging and wide selection of candied treats, it’s like walking into an upscale Willy Wonka store. You’ll probably find some excellent stocking stuffers and gifts that practically don’t even need wrapping thanks to their adorable packaging. Green Beanery For: The caffeine addict Where: This huge coffee store boats an impressive selection of all things coffee including responsibly sourced beans, grinders, French presses and more! The gadgets you can find in this store will probably impress …

Gifts for Him: Unique Stores for Last Minute Shoppers

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Your holiday shopping guide for men.  Last minute hustling doesn’t have to mean boring cookie-cutter gifts that he will never use.  I’ve uncovered a few Toronto based stores that offer a little something special for every man. Frank & Oak For: The man that appreciates the art of dressing well without breaking the bank. Where: 735 Queen Street West Sale? YES! Frank & Oak offers a solid selection of dress shirts, blazers, and men’s accessories. There’s even a coffee shop right inside this store if you need a pump of caffeine to get the shopping started!  They really do offer some great items for very reasonable prices. GOTSTYLE For: Those who want to splurge for that special someone. Where: 62 Bathurst Street Sale? YES! GOTSTYLE doesn’t mess around when it comes to dressing men impeccably. I remember walking in there with my boyfriend to try on some suits and I was very impressed by how knowledgable the staff were about fabrics and clothing production. They have an excellent selection and even a salon inside. Uncle Otis For: The stylish …

Gifts for Her: Unique Stores for Last Minute Shoppers

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The holidays are in full swing and between the office parties and potlucks with friends, it can be hard to allocate solid time for gift shopping!  If you are still looking for a special something for a special someone, I’ve got just the stores for you.   Jonathan + Olivia For: The high fashion gal who loves her sleek all black outfits with badass ankle boots and structured leather bags Where: 49 Ossington Aveunue On Sales? YES! If your girl is into high fashion, this is the place to be.  Think of this store as a condensed Holt Renfrew (focusing on black and leather pieces) with a healthy variety of designers like Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Isabel Marant. COS For: The minimalist girl who rocks the shapeless look and loves solids and structured pieces Where: 85 Bloor Street West A Swedish clothing label that has recently planted a flagship in the heart of Yorkville amongst a sea of other high fashion and trendy retail stores.  I first encountered COS in Berlin and fell in …

What’s in my Beauty Travel Bag

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I’m probably not alone when I say that choosing and packing toiletries and make up is one of the more time consuming parts of packing especially if you have to keep your liquids within 100ml. I have my beauty bag narrowed down to the essentials and I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years on maximizing luggage space. Make up The key is to bring multi-purpose products and avoiding things that spill or require brushes to apply. Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer – You probably will not need or want a full face of make up when you are traveling. This compact concealer is the perfect tool to address the bare essentials – hiding dark circles and redness/blemishes. It’s super pigmented and blends very easily with your fingers. It’s also small enough to fit in your purse or clutch for touch ups throughout the day. Dollywink Eyeliner and Fairydrops Mascara – Opt for waterproof options as they have longer staying power and stays put if you are going to a beach or waterpark. For a night …

7 Christmas Gift ideas for Travel Lovers

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Christmas is just around the corner  – it’s a joyous time of the year, but it can also get quite stressful!  Do you know friends or family who love to travel?  Here are some gift ideas for the jet setter in your life. 1) Laptop/Electronics Organizer You don’t have to be a frequent flyer to understand the frustration of tangled up earphones or cords. Thisisground has an amazing Mod Laptop leather sleeve that has a compartment for basically all your electronics and important documents. This is a perfect gift for business travelers or designers who are always on the go. 2) Toiletry Bag Perhaps not the most glamorous gift, but I can guarantee it will be one of those extremely practical items that he or she will thank you when it comes time for packing. Hotel counter space is usually limited, so this foldable toiletry bag that comes with a hook is perfect to maximize space without compromising your grooming routine.   3) DIY Polaroid on Clothesline Add a creative and personal touch to your gift by …

Cheap and Cheerful – Ideas for getting out of the City during the Holidays

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Everyone can appreciate a breather from the daily grind during the Holidays when stress levels can run high.  If booking expensive flights and hotels during the holidays is not your cup of tea, here are some ideas for having fun in and around Toronto without breaking the bank. Montreal City A 6 hour drive East of 6ix, Montreal is a Toronto road trip favorite and there’s plenty of reason why you should consider crossing over to Quebec to join in some winter favorites. Enjoy a culinary experience at the Nordic Terrace under a yurt! Let the Foodlab grace your senses with a eclectic blend of digital and nomadic traditions. Sample smoked fish, grog, hot wine, cheese and more!  December-February : Tuesday to Friday – 5pm to 10pm Ready to get your party on?  Buckle up and join one of the biggest winter music sensations – Igloofest!  This outdoor festival runs from January 16 – Feb 8, 2015.  Get your tickets here. Montreal has a great selection of bars.  Check out favorites like Loïc, Datcha and Chez Dallaire  …

10 Fun Things to do in November [Toronto]

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Now that I am back in Toronto, it’s hit me that there are an overwhelming amount of events, concerts, and activities to do in the city. I looked into what was happening in the month of November and thought I’d share some interesting ones with my readers. Concerts/Shows/Exhibits The Weeknd Scarborough born multi-platinum selling artist returns home with The Madness Fall Tour. Nov 3 – 5 at the Air Canada Center Buy Tickets Sleeping Beauty on Ice Watch elegant skaters dance to the classic fairytale on ice Nov 20 – 21 at the Sony Center for the Performing Arts Buy Tickets Calvacade of Lights Bundle up and head outside to watch fireworks, the lighting of the Christmas Tree and free performances Nov 28 at Nathan Philips Square More Info Andy Warhol Revisited A Toronto Warhol exhibition of iconic paintings and prints opening Canada Day.  The exhibition includes over 120 works from Revolver Gallery. Tues – Sun 10am – 8pm Buy Tickets Getting into the Spirit Santa Clause Parade Gather in the heart of Toronto to watch the …

Canadian Rockies: The Ultimate Road Trip [Part 2]

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Part 2 of Kittie and Samiha’s Rockies experience in Canada!  Here’s Part 1 in case you missed it. Rockies Heli Canada We also made a stop and did a helicopter ride over the mountains with Rockies Heli Canada! It was a 20-minute ride called the “6 Glaciers Tour” and was simply breathtaking. The views were incredible and it feels completely different when you’re up at over 9,000 ft! We flew over 6 different glaciers and through the valleys, but also over the Cline River. The road you see below there is the David Thompson Hwy, which is another incredible drive that takes you to Edmonton, instead of Banff. Off the David Thompson Hwy and along the Cline River, we stopped near the Kootenay Plains and had a little picnic. It was the perfect spot and gave us a moment to sit, relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Banff Banff is home to the famous Lake Louise, but rarely do people talk about Moraine Lake, which is just a few minutes drive away. Both are beautiful …

Canadian Rockies: The Ultimate Road Trip [Part 1]

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Today I have a special guest post from fellow Excapers Kittie and Samiha!  If you enjoyed my previous post on my Yosemite trip, you’ll love what these two travelers have in store for you on their Rockies experience! Living in Canada, we’ve all heard about the Rockies, but few of us rarely get the chance to see them in person. Until you’re there, you wouldn’t believe the grandeur of it all. You feel like a tiny speck in the universe against the backdrops of these gorgeous and majestic mountains. We took the ultimate road trip through the towering mountains of British Columbia and Alberta, accumulating in: +2,500 km (+32 hrs) of driving, 8 cup noodles, 1 heli-tour, 0 grizzly bears, 10 lakes and probably over 100 mountains. Squamish & Whistler Our first stop was driving up through the popular Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish and Whistler, BC to visit the Sea-to-Sky Gondola and Whistler Village’s PEAK 2 PEAK gondola. It was a test of acrophobia (fear of heights) that day, but the views were definitely worth every bit! …

5 Tips for a Comfortable Airport Experience

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We’ve all been there, hustling line ups at the airport, unpleasant surprises with flight delays and getting cramped and dehydrated 50,000 feet in the air. In the last 6 months, I’ve hopped on and off more airplanes than I can count with my fingers.  With all the traveling, I’ve narrowed down 5 essential tips for a smooth and painless airport experience. 1)Always have an Airport App My favorite is FlightView.  It’s a free App that basically allows you to track any flight.  Just pop in the airline number and the date you’re flying and it will automatically look up the flight and push any updates to your phone.  This is extremely useful and will give you piece of mind knowing that your phone will notify you in of any delays in real time.  You can download it here: iOS // Android 2)Carry-on over Checked There are so many reasons to skip the baggage check.  Not only are you saving money, but you’ll fly comfortably knowing your belongings are with you throughout the entire duration on your trip.  If you must …