With craft beer only gaining in popularity, it doesn’t look like this trend will be slowing down anytime soon. Customers are simply demanding great local products, and we can’t blame them.
Passionate people create great products, and luckily for us, Torontonians are leading the way. With local favourite like Steam Whistle Brewery putting Toronto brews on the maps, it’s now the freshman’s turn to take the torch with some refreshing new beers.
We love entrepreneurs and appreciate how much work, dedication, and passion it takes to grow any brand. Especially, when they are a local beauty company run by four women of colour, three siblings and one childhood friend, (‘all sisters by any measure’ according to their web site), who are brave enough to go head to head against some of the world’s largest cosmetics brands like, P & G, Johnson & Johnson’s, and L’Oreal, just to name a few.
If you’re in the market for some quality Sunday night entertainment and culinary inspiration that will make you want to bust out the apron, Top Chef Canada: All-Stars premieres tonight.
For the first time in franchise history, Top Chef Canada brings twelve previous top chefs back to battle it out in the kitchen, as they try to impress an elite panel of judges – all staples in the food world.
On Saturday March 4th, the Chinese Cabinet at the SickKids Foundation marked its 4th annual Glitter event in support of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. This year’s theme was ‘Glitter in Shanghai’ that brought back to life the allure and eccentricities of Shanghai of the 1920’s. Guests wore glamorous Chinese qipaos which evolved from traditional garb to modern classical lines. The venue, Arcadian Court was decorated in similar style that hinted at the romanticized period.
Perpetually snapping cellphones, ample air kisses and clinking wine glasses set the scene when some of the city’s finest and most fashionable flocked to Toronto’s historical Waterworks building earlier this month.
Move over, spinning class – it’s all about indoor rowing these days.
No longer something left in the 1980s, rowing is making a major comeback – and it could easily become a mainstay when it comes to group fitness (Oprah even called it “the biggest fitness trend of 2016”).
So you want to try indoor rock climbing – awesome! Not only is it a great, full body workout, joining an indoor climbing gym will open your eyes to a friendly and inclusive community of people from all walks of life and experience levels. And rest assured, you can do it! Doesn’t matter your fitness or strength level, indoor rock climbing should be experienced by everyone. It is guaranteed to be a fun time! Where to go: A gym that will take the time to teach you everything about rock climbing or knots or harnesses. Learned a lot about that, securing yourself, trusting in your equipment and your partner. Not many gyms take walk in appointment for first timers, so book in advance to ensure you have a fun time. Taking a lesson is also key as it offers info on the safety aspects, technique and the culture around climbing. We found Basecamp Climbing gym on Bloor St. West truly rad! It was inspiring being around friendly and dedicated athletes of all levels. As a newbies, we were very comfortable going through the training course and then climbing. What to expect: Climbing is a full body workout. Focus on weighting your legs as much as your hands. Breathing is also very important, so don’t hold your breath! Fear of heights is a real deal when you’re climbing for the first time. You may think you’re ok with heights but just be prepared. What to bring and wear: Climbing is truly a team sport so bring a friend who will be your belayer and visa versa. If you’d like to put your stuff away, a lock for a locker will be handy. However, everyone seems to just leave their things in the main gym area. Wear comfortable shoes and athletic wear. For bottoms, MEC recommends a longer pair of bottoms, loose-fitting shorts that hang around the knee are most recommended to avoid any wedgies 🙂 Climbing etiquette: The walls/climbing paths are color-coded which is straightforward yet when you’re doing it for the first time, doesn’t quite work out that way. Take your time to position your foot and which grip to use next to get up your section of the wall. Be aware of your surroundings. Always look up to make sure no one is climbing above you, if you are starting to climb make sure you are aren’t jumping in ahead of someone else who has been waiting for the same climb. Gear Up! If you’ve never been rock climbing, don’t bother buying anything. It’s your first time so go and get a feel for the sport and the community. You can rent all the gear which includes a climbing shoes (kind of optional) and a harness (NOT optional) at the gym. Once you fall in love with the sport, then MEC has you covered and here’s what Emma Switzer of MEC Toronto recommend: Climbing Shoes: Shopping for climbing shoes will take some time as you’ll need to try a few different styles and find one that fits you best and that you’re most comfortable in. There’s no way to find a ‘good fit’ until you actually try the shoes and Emma suggest finding one that offers a balance between “I could wear these as house slippers” and “are you sure these won’t break my toes?”. You want the shoes to be snug enough that your toes touch the end without any extra space (a little curl in your toes is good) and no extra space around your heal either. When at the gym, bring a pair of flip flops that you can take a break in between climbs. Harness: Once you’re ready to invest in a harness, you’ll be surprised how padded they are in comparison to the rental ones at the gym and they come in XS-XL sizes. Harnesses also come for men and women. The reason behind this is because our bodies are different shapes. This doesn’t mean that you have to buy a harness that’s gender specific or matches your own gender. It has to fit your body properly such that it keeps you safe. A good first harness will run you between $55 and $85. It’s recommended to replace a harness no less than once every seven years yet if you’re a frequent climber, like Emma at MEC, it’s not unusual to replace a harness every three years. Be sure to inspect it frequently! For additional info on harness service life, read this blog post. If you have questions about anything climbing related, we suggest to visit your local MEC store. Anyone working in the climbing area is a real live climber and will assist you in the best way! Note: our lesson was provided by MEC Toronto.
Kicking off this season’s TOM FW and the TOM* inaugurual women’s fashion week TWFW, we were lucky to be invited to the 2nd ever VIP Dinner on the runway at this year’s new hot venue, Waterworks.
Pursuing a creative career path is never easy.
While many of the city’s artists struggle to pay their rent (despite their level of talent), there are a handful of young Canadian artists who have managed to make a name and a lucrative career for themselves – both within Toronto and across the country.
It’s no surprise that the Motionball Toronto Gala is one of our favorite Charity events in the city’s vibrant social scene. There’s a certain sense of grandeur and elegance that the organization has been able to consistently deliver year after year. Old Hollywood glamour was 2017’s theme and with the Historical Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex as the stage, flowing red carpets, and endless flowing libations, it’s difficult for attendees to not feel like a star.
The 2016-2017 season is a very special one for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they commemorate their 100th season. On Sunday, February 12, the MLSE Foundation held an exclusive Centennial Gala that celebrates the franchise’s storied history of passion for the sport. Guests had the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their favorite Maple Leafs: both on the current rosters and those inducted in the hall of fame.
We kicked off both the Year of the Rooster and of Canada’s 150th birthday on Saturday January 28th at the annual Dragon Ball.
And we’re still taking about the evening of sensory overload.
Here’s a look at what to expect this long weekend at Casa Loma. Featuring 9 official costumes worn by the stars, this is the first venue globally to host an exhibit from the new live-action Disney movie in partnership with Disney Canada.
Perfect for a Family Day long weekend visit.
Lambretta Pizzeria is an inviting restaurant which offers Italian dishes with simplicity and flavour in Roncesvalles (Roncy) village. Celina Blanchard, veteran restaurateur for over twenty years, took over the space after purchasing it from Alessandro Settimi (of the now shuttered Mad Italian Gelato).
We’re giving away a shopping spree at Dixie Outlet Mall worth $200!
We caught up with the Mayor of Toronto at last weekend’s Dragon Ball in the city we (thankfully) call home. The annual Dragon Ball is one of the most anticipated Chinese New Year celebrations in Canada, uniting 1,000 guests – including leading politicians, representatives from the business sector and community leaders – in both celebration and support of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation.
Adventure seekers can now rejoice as MEC has opened a large North York store spanning 34,000 sq ft.
One of the best wedding shows in town, the 6th annual WedLuxe Show, is just around the corner and we’re here again to give away tickets!
New features of this year’s Wedluxe wedding show include the following.
Hopscotch offers a healthy eatery among a food court of restaurant chains in Downtown Toronto. Their second location recently opened within the Path near Scotia Plaza earlier this month. Alden & Wyatt Booth are the brothers behind the storefront of innovative salads, bowls, and the smoothies of Hopscotch. Their recipes feature unique combinations of superfoods – like kale, walnuts, and wheat berries – mixed in with a delicious blend of homemade dressings. Some menu items are dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, which cater to a healthier lifestyle.
What better way to kick off 2017 than with good company and good food? Check out these New Year’s dinner, party and brunch events to kick off 2017 in the best way possible.
I’ve attended Bloor Street Entertains for the past few consecutive years but this was the first time dining for the annual illustrious occasion.
Gifts for him, her and anyone else in your life that has everything.
The Gardiner Museum hosted the G Party Gala celebrating the 12 Trees exhibition on December 1, 2016. The exhibition was inspired by the theme “Good for the Earth” curated by internationally-renowned artist and environmentalist, David Buckland. The installations are made from natural, recycled, or sustainable materials which help focus attention to environmental concerns.
In celebration of this year’s annual list of Toronto Life’s Most Influential, an invite only soiree was held at the OMNI King Edward Hotel on November 24th, 2016.
Opening it’s newest location on November 28, 2016, the new Boil Bar is conveniently located near Bloor and Bathurst. The nautical theme of the restaurant, the signature soft-shell crab cocktail, the alcohol infused clam soup, and the new iPad ordering system are just several of the things that sets this seafood joint apart from the rest.
It’s time to fête the season and get your holiday fir on at a quick pop-up event hosted. For just today only, December 6th, 2016 you can get evergreen trees fresh cut on site: apartment size for $10 and taller evergreens for $20.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original series of Star Trek, TIFF endeavored to boldly go where no charity gala has gone before with their massive annual fundraiser: BOOMBOX. On Thursday October 27, we had the pleasure of experiencing TIFF Bell Lightbox’s transformation into a multi-level barrage of Star Trek inspired sci-fi extravaganza.
With a sprouting trend of healthy-eating, Basil Box blossoms as a Toronto fast-casual franchise, with the launch of their third location at the corner of Spadina. The restaurant offers customizable meals with a Thailand and Vietnamese twist using a concept inspired by – Ryerson alumni – owner Peter Chiu’s recent adventures to Southeast Asia, in awe of the daily grind of fresh produce being wheeled around in carts at the street market.
From Oct 21-23rd, participants got together for Capital One Canada’s first ever “Gift the Code” Hackathon which took place at Brainstation on King and Spadina. The event consisted of 141 developers, designers and UI/UX artists taking time out of their own lives to help 6 local charities.
Fête Chinoise was created to bridge the gap between traditional customs and the modern way of celebration. In its second year, Fête Chinoise has already become a prominent event in the wedding and event planning community. According to Jimmy Yu, a committee member, it’s a “museum-like experience showcasing the traditions and celebrations of the overlooked culture of the modern Chinese”. Presented against the luxurious backdrop of the Shangri-La Hotel, Fête Chinoise highlights the rich and vibrant celebrations of the modern Chinese community. A diamond-studded cast of vendors transformed each space into a modern day interpretation of a traditional Chinese celebration. From celebrating the birth of a newborn to a wedding fit for an empress, the detailed event stylings marry traditional motifs with an upscale modern feel.