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V-day in Toronto

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The moment New Years Eve activity wraps up, retail stores are suddenly decked out in pink and red hearts and boxes of chocolates wrapped in delicate bows.  Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be the cheesy and cliche roses and fancy dinner.  Make it fun this year with your significant other or your girl friends with a unique experience! Sweet Tooth Duo What’s more thoughtful than buying your sweetheart a box of chocolates? Making them together! Toronto offers some fun courses on making your favorite confectionaries from chocoalte to french macarons.  In fact, this would be a perfect girls night out option too for the single ladies. Purdy’s Truffle Making Class Le Dolci’s Cupcake making or Parisian Macaron class Artistic Couples This is a great opportunity to get creative with paint cafes! They offer classes or free style options. Just purchase a canvas, and you have access to all the paint and tools needed to create your masterpiece. They usually have a cafe or bar in the lounge as well, so you can sip on your …

7 Fun Things to do in February [Toronto]

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DJ Skate Nights Injecting your ice skating experience with some live music! Jam out to your favorite tunes on ice. Jan 2 – Feb 20 at the Harbourfront Skating Rink Admission – Free Check out who’s playing Dragon Ball Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Yee Hong fundraising Gala. Feb 6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Reserve your table Try something new for Valentine’s Day! Tired of the same old roses and fancy dinner with your significant other? Does Feb 14 make you cringe? Regardless if you are single or in a relatonship, take the opportunity to do something unique this year. Keep an eye out for my Valentine’s Day post coming up! Winterlicious Between Jan 29 – Feb 11, enjoy a 3 course meal for a fixed price. This is a great chance to try out the plethora of dining options in Toronto. Check out my personal favorites on my previous post here. La Poutine Week A poutine lover’s dream. Not that you need an excuse to get a Poutine… but now you really need …

Road to Hana

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Driving to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. It is a one day mission as there is only one route that will take you to Hana. The bar was set pretty high as everyone we spoke to raved about the amazing scenery and beautiful waterfalls and bamboo forests to behold.  Along the way you will see very lush rainforest-like terrains, scattered fruit stands and hiking paths. One’uli is a black sand beach which is a pretty interesting stop if you have never seen one before Some food stands to serve hungry drivers about halfway to Hana. Arguably the most interesting thing on the drive is Kipahulu National Park where you can hike to see the ‘Ohe’O Gulch and the grand finale which is taking the Pipiwai trail to see the 400 foot Waimoku waterfall.   The hike to Waimoku is a fairly easy 2.5mile trip one way.  You will see a lot of interesting landmarks along the way including some pineapple trees and this one tree that has trees growing …

Exploring Maui underwater

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If water sports are your thing, Maui is the place to do it.  Unlike the Big Island, Maui is a lot more remote and quiet – perfect to reconnect with nature and take in all the beautiful sights the island has to offer. Snorkeling We snorkeled with Four Winds II and it was an incredible experience. Originally we were supposed to sail to the beautiful crescent shapped Molokini Crater to snorkel, but conditions became rough and we had to head towards another part of the island. Which actually was not a disappointment at all because we saw a TON of tropical fish and even a few turtles! It was amazing how close we got to them… and all the beautiful coral that lived under the ocean. Its another world beneath the surface. Four Winds provided all the equipment, served breakfast and lunch and an open bar. Paddleboard/Surfing This was my first time paddle boarding and it was a lot harder than I thought! It’s easy to get knocked off balance by the waves and because we were …

Sunrise on top of Haleakala

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At every destination you will be a told a list of “must-do” things. Sometimes those turn out to be tourist traps, other times you walk away with a glorious memory. Sunrise at Haleakala was definitely the latter. This is a trip that is not for the faint of heart. There is a price to pay and I’m not talking about the $15 entrance fee into the summit. Be prepared to wake up at 3am dressed in insanely un-Hawaiian winter clothes and drive up a windy road up to the summit in a half asleep daze. Be prepared to stand up to some of the windiest conditions 10,000 feet above ground that will leave your face and hands stiff from waiting in anticipation for the sun to peek above the horizon. All of this sounds pretty awful for a trip that promised nothing but bikinis and short shorts 24/7, but let me tell you… Haleakala is a breath taking experience and you will regret nothing. When we reached the top, it was still very early and …

Paradise Island, Maui

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Maui is the all encompassing definition of island life – pristine beaches, tropical palm trees and glorious sunsets. Although K & I planned a good handful of fun activities like surfing and snorkeling, we were determined to slip right into the chill lifestyle of Mauians for the duration of our one week excape.  Maui is known for a few must-eat food items: Macadamia nuts, tropical fruits, and Kona coffee.  On our first day, we had a delicious hearty breakfast made with local ingredients at Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop.  I had their Banana Pancakes which was like eating the best banana bread in breakfast form.  K had their house Frittata and a side of Coconut French Toast drizzled in condensed milk.  Two thumbs up for this place! After breakfast we set off to explore the island by driving along the highway that hugs that parameter of Maui. Almost every strip of the drive was filled with views of the dazzling ocean and mighty mountains in the background. There are plenty of spots for scenic views. …

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 …