P.s!: Out With The Old & In With The New!

Celebrating My Birthday with a Personal Confession

My birthday passed two weeks ago without much fanfare. I spent the day with friends, feeling amazing and looking fabulous, which I haven't done in a long time and is exactly how I wanted to spend the day. Maybe because my birthday is so early in the year and happens right before Spring starts, but I've always treated my birthday as my true "New Year". It's a time when I take stock of my life so far, what I've accomplished and what I would still like to do.

Happy Birthday to Me! at Poop Cafe in Toronto

The last year was a terrible one for me, and the rest of the world it seems. Between political disasters, terrorist attacks, refugee crisis, prominent celebrity deaths, and so much more, the world around me seem to reflect how my life was crashing down around me. 

Toronto Artist Spotlight: The Extraordinary Candace Wilson!

Canadian Abstract Painter Candace Wilson Profile

Henri Matisse could've been describing Canadian artist Candace Wilson when he famously said "Creativity takes courage". After spending an unforgettable evening with Wilson at her west-end art studio, I feel like she is one of the most inspirational and courageous female artists I have met in a long time.

Candace Wilson is a Toronto-based abstract artist that has led an extraordinary life. Inspired by what she has seen and learned in her world travels, she paints with a deeper understanding of her spirituality and an openness to what is happening around her, both physically and mentally.

My Style: Active & Fabulous!

Two Activewear Outfits from Winners

Five weeks ago I shocked everyone who knows me (and myself) and quit smoking and joined a gym. I began a Healthy Journey with many steps involved, including exercising and joining a gym. After signing up and paying my gym fees, I left feeling excited and proud of myself. But then just as I was getting on the TTC, it hit me - I needed clothes to workout in.

I've never really owned anything that would be considered 'workout clothes'; I haven't visited a gym in almost 20 years, so I really wasn't sure what I needed. I didn't want to spend a fortune on new clothes and I wanted something I will be comfortable wearing. Thank goodness for Winners!

Health & Wellness: My Healthy Journey Begins!

First 5 Steps to Reach a Healthy Goal!

My New Years Resolution this year (and every year for the past ten years) was to get healthy. I know that's a very broad objective but it actually encompasses five goals that I wanted to accomplish. I'm not getting any younger and I really want to be able to enjoy my life to the fullest extent, so this is the year that I made some positive changes to my life to put me on the healthy path. My healthy journey begins with these first five steps:

Step 1: Quit Smoking!

This was the hardest and biggest step towards my Get Healthy Goal, which it's the first one. I quit smoking several times over the years and it has been a constant struggle for me. With the help from my family, friends, and coworkers, I finally quit for good, 43 days ago and I feel great about it. My body (and mind) are still recovering, but every day I feel a little bit better, which keeps be going. Another big help to say smoke-free my entry in The Canadian Cancer Society's The Driven to Quit Challenge. It's offers advice, encouragement, and prize incentives to quit smoking for the month for March. So fingers crossed!

Exhibit: Infusion of Spanish Food + Design at the Design Exchange!

Food + Design Exhibition Review

Heya! Last week I took the opportunity to visit the Design Exchange's newest cultural exhibit - Tapas: Spanish Design For Food. I would never call myself a 'foodie' and sometimes find myself eating just so I won' faint. But because I have enjoyed the last exhibit at the Design Exchange, This Is Not A Toy, I figured I give the Design Exchange's newest exhibit a try.

Event: Taste of Toronto's Best!

This Saturday is the annual Toronto Taste event, one of the city's top food events that benefits the Second Harvest Food Rescue. Some of the city's top chefs from some of Toronto's best restaurants, including celebrity chef Mark McEwan, will be preparing a variety of food options at over 70 gourmet food and beverage stations.

Lifestyle: Winter Fresh + Steam Whistle Beer!

Heya! Last Sunday I visited The Steam Whistle Brewery. Not just to sample their fabulous beer but to shop at the new Winter Farmer's Market. 

Explore Toronto: Serenity Now!

  
Sometimes I find it hard to get some peace and feel grounded living downtown in North America's fourth largest city. I love Toronto and it is my favourite city in the world, but sometimes a girl has just got to get away! If I don't have the time or the means to leave the city for a weekend, I find myself walking the winding path of The Toronto Public Labyrinth downtown in the heart of Toronto. I walk the pathway towards the centre, just letting my mind empty of all the worries and questions that have been bothering me that week. Once I reach the centre, I just stand there and take deep breaths, feeling myself calm and content. Once I follow the path out and reach the end of the Labyrinth, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, more happy and able to see things with a better perspective.

Lifestyle: City Hall Transforms!

Heya! City Hall transforms into something Fresh and Tasty! Every Wednesday the concrete yard of City Hall turns into a fabulous farmer's market where Ontario grown fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and home made baked goods are being sold to the sold to the beat of live music on stage! And then on Thursdays, food vendors serve up some international cuisine for $7 or less to some international music on stage! Fresh Wednesdays and Tasty Thursdays will run for the rest of the summer until 2pm!