Display Comb 4

How to make a difference with your holiday shopping

December 13, 2013
Nick Lee
charity, shopping
Comments Off on How to make a difference with your holiday shopping

It’s one more weekend closer to Christmas and for many people it’s time to go holiday shopping. Here’s a few gift ideas for the philanthropically-inclined, most of which don’t even require you to leave your home and fight crowds for the latest trendy must-haves.

WWF Canada’s Adopt-a-Pet

I recommended this last year but it doesn’t get old because it’s still a meaningful gift that doesn’t go out of style: symbolically adopt a species at risk from WWF Canada with proceeds supporting conservation work. You’ll receive an adoption kit that includes a plush animal version of the adoptee (many choices including giant pandas). For those of us in the city, put your order in by December 17th for delivery before Dec. 25th. Click here for the WWF scoop.

Fred Perry 12 days of giveaways

Since many of you will be out and about shopping anyway, why not shop for a chance to win prizes and have the opportunity to give back at the same time? We’re in the midst of Fred Perry’s 12 days of giveaways. Visit the Fred Perry flagship store on 965 Queen West and bring food donations for your chance to win prizes until December 20th. Visit their Facebook page for more details. Each day a winner will be drawn from the names submitted that day. There’s many great prizes to be won including a $500 Fred Perry gift card! Proceeds go to support the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Entries are as follows:
Donate to the Daily Bread Food Bank = 2 entries
Make a purchase at the store = 1 entry
Donate & make a purchase = 3 entries

Air Miles Charities
Racking up lots of Air Miles with your shopping? Well you can donate your points to charities of your choice including the WWF, motionball for the Special Olympics, Canadian Red Cross and more. Click here for details on the Air Miles website.

SickKids Foundation’s gift giving guide
Check out the many ways you can help the SickKids FoundationSick Kids holiday gift giving guide for all the ways you can help from eating at restaurants such as Destingo and Bangkok Garden to making donations at the LCBO to their Get Better Gifts for kids.

Mount Sinai Hospital’s 2013 Constellation of Distinction

You can join the 2013 Constellation of Distinction to support high priority needs at Mount Sinai Hospital. Last year, members made a direct impact by raising funds for infant ventilators for our tiniest patients and ground-breaking cancer research that could save the life of someone you love. Click here for info on how to donate with an eligible tax receipt.

The City of Toronto’s guide to helping Toronto’s Homeless
The City of Toronto also has a long list of how to help the homeless this holiday season categorized by region. Click here to visit the toronto.ca page How to help Toronto’s homeless this holiday season.

SEE ALSO
Win VIP tickets to Kardinal Offishall’s Christmas Party with Nelly Furtado in support of Free the Children

The new Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon takes country to the city

A Spurlesque girl riding the mechanical bull

December 12, 2013
Nick Lee
food, launch, Restaurant, venue
Comments Off on The new Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon takes country to the city

Taking over the old London Tap House on 250 Adelaide St. West, the new country bar Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon opened on December 4th in the downtown core. The country themed details go deep, from the mechanical bull all the way down to the bar stools with full-sized saddles.

The launch party was packed featuring the Spurlesque dance group, door prizes, cupcakes, great food, giant margaritas and their signature drink, The Bulldog, which was a lime margarita with an upside-down Corona bottle. Definitely a fun treat. It boasts one of Toronto’s only mechanical bull.

Guests in attendance included country stars Gord Bamford, Michelle Wright, Kira Isabella, radio host Paul McGuire, Rachel David (Rogers TV) and a few Toronto Argonaut players.

The menu features corn dogs, chilli, BBQ entrees and the venue has plenty of screens for watching sports.
“We pride ourselves on producing excellent pub fare with country home inspirations. Paying homage to seasonality and availability, you’re sure to find comfort here at the Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon”, says Executive Chef Mark Crofton.

Thursdays feature live music and weekend nights are about parties. See their website for more details about the schedule of events including their New Years party.

Spurlesque dancers

Rock n Horse Saloon’s signature drink “The Bulldog “

Natalie Deane, Rachel David

Bar stools with full-sized saddles

For more info visit their website here or their Facebook page here

Curiously on that very same night Toronto was treated to another country bar opening also with a mechanical bull called Boots n Bourbon by Matt Dean Petit of Rock Lobster fame. Boy, that guy sure is busy.

More photos by Nick Lee

: Bar stools with full-sized saddles

: Corn Dawg with Spiced Mustard, Chili Ketchup

: Jalapeño Corn Bread with cole slaw

: A Spurlesque girl riding the mechanical bull

: A Spurlesque girl riding the mechanical bull

: Giant mango margaritas

: Spurlesque dancers

: Spurlesque dancers

: Spurlesque dancers

: Rock n Horse Saloon’s signature drink “The Bulldog “

: Spurlesque dancers

: Spurlesque dancers

: Deb Lewis, Nadia, Olesia Stefurak, Sari Colt

: Natalie Deane, Rachel David

: Cowboy Steak 10 oz Bone-in Rib Eye, Mustard Jus, Polenta Fries, Cowboy Beans

Party photos from Saddle Towne

SEE ALSO
Party photos from Saddle Towne

The 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Award Nominees with Gord Bamford

The Lucian Matis Home pop up shop opens for the holidays

December 11, 2013
Nick Lee
retail, shopping
Comments Off on The Lucian Matis Home pop up shop opens for the holidays

UPDATE: Due to popular demand, the Lucian Matis Home pop up shop has been extended until February 2, 2014 and includes new inventory! Here are some photos of the new additions.

Lucian Matis Home faux fur throw

Lucian Matis Home candles

Lucian Matis Home Ikat pillow collection

Now you can bring the runway home this holiday season. One of Canada’s leading fashion designers, Lucian Matis, brings his home décor collection, Lucian Matis Home, to the Shops of Don Mills at 32 Karl Fraser Road. And it’s open from now until January 5, 2014.

The Lucian Matis Home Collection includes decorative pillows, throws, beddin , storage solutions, rugs, table linens and candles. There are discounts of up to 50% off.

“Designed with an industrial feel, all the items in the Lucian Matis Home collection work well together, are gender neutral and mix and match to enhance any décor,” says Lucian Matis.

The hand-crafted pillows add a touch of elegance with unique designs including exotic woven patterns, patchwork, solids, geometric and animal print.

“We’re excited to have the Lucian Matis Home Pop-Up Shop at Shops at Don Mills for the holiday season,” says Lauren Genz, Marketing Manager, Shops at Don Mills. “The store features many unique décor items that are the perfect addition to any home or if you are looking for the prefect party outfit, Lucian Matis’ collections are sophisticated and sensual with the perfect blend of glamour, guaranteed to make a statement and turn heads.”

Holiday Hours for Lucian Matis Home at Shops at Don Mills:
Regular Pop-up Shop hours
Monday to Friday 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturdays 9:30am – 9:00pm
Sundays 11:00am – 7:00pm

Special holiday Hours
Tuesday, December 24 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, December 25 CLOSED
Thursday, December 26 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, December 27 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday, December 28 9:30am – 9:00pm
Sunday, December 29 11:00am – 7:00pm
Monday, December 30 10:00am – 9:00pm
Tuesday, December 31 9:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, January 1 CLOSED
Thursday, January 2 Return to Regular Hours until January 5th

For more info and product offerings visit www.lucianmatishome.com

Win tickets to Kardinal Offishall’s Christmas party with Nelly Furtado

December 10, 2013
Nick Lee
charity, concerts, Contests
Comments Off on Win tickets to Kardinal Offishall’s Christmas party with Nelly Furtado

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congrats to our lucky winner: MELISSA DOUGLAS!

Announcing another contest! We’re giving away a pair of VIP tickets to KARDINAL OFFISHALL‘s 15th annual Christmas party with NELLY FURTADO. This exceptional holiday bash with surprise celebrity appearances takes place on Thursday, December 19th at Muzik!

To enter, like us on Facebook here to be taken to the quick entry form.

And then for a BONUS entry on Twitter, tweet
@BestofTorontoTV I want to win tickets to Kardinal Offishall’s party with Nelly Furtado http://bit.ly/1gmMIaM

Proceeds from the event will go to support the Free the Children charity.

No cash value. No transportation provided. Best for GTA. 19+

Also, check out our photos from last year’s Kardinal Offishall Christmas party with Estella

Kardinal Offishall’s 14th annual Christmas event for Sick Kids

Photos from Bloor Street Entertains in support of CANFAR

December 9, 2013
Nick Lee
charity, gala, lifestyle, luxury, Past Events, venue
Comments Off on Photos from Bloor Street Entertains in support of CANFAR

On the evening of Wednesday, November 27th, the ROM was taken over once again by one of Toronto’s most unique and upscale gala experiences called Bloor Street Entertains. Sponsored by Sun Life Financial, BSE is an annual event with proceeds of the evening going to support life-saving research via CANFAR.

It starts with a cocktail reception called TWILIGHT at the Royal Ontario Museum with hors d’oeuvres, top-notch silent auction items and tons of great entertainment. Then after TWILIGHT, it’s time for THE DINNERS where guests disperse to 20 venues in Yorkville for their seated dinner. These extravagant and unique dinner venues include luxury shops such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Mulberry, Nespresso, Strellson, Burberry, and a private residence among others.

I was lucky to be able to visit 11 of the 20 venues with some help (thanks, Amanda!). Highlights included Tiffany & Co, Burberry and the private residence.

Following dinner, guests returned back to the ROM for desserts and to dance the night away.

Bloor Street Entertains is a night to remember in pursuit of an AIDS free future.

For more info visit www.bloorstreetentertains.ca

ABOUT CANFAR
Founded in 1987, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) raises awareness to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV and AIDS. CANFAR is the only organization in Canada that operates for the sole purpose of privately funding HIV and AIDS research, and finances AIDS researchers throughout Canada. To date, CANFAR has funded more than 450 HIV and AIDS research projects.
For more info visit www.canfar.com