Author: shesinfluential

Join the #WowYourBrows Twitter Chat with Benefit Canada May 15 at 1pm ET

Beauty

Join the #WowYourBrows Twitter Chat with Benefit Canada May 15 at 1pm ET

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Put your best brows forward!

Every girl needs a great pair of arches…they’re the fastest way to a magical transformation. Natural or polished, there’s no one brow that fits all!  Don’t worry if you were not born with the perfect brows, Benefit Cosmetics can tame any type of brow problem.

For all you tweeps out there, Benefit is hosting a Twitter Chat on Wednesday May 25, 2016 at 1pm ET with their Brow and Trend Artist Maddox. Get your questions ready! You even have a chance to win a Benefit Brow Book!

 

benefitcanadatwitterparty

 

Tell us about your brows!

Do you love your brows or do your brows need help? My brow are thin and skimpy please comment below to tell us about your brows!

Thin & Skimpy:

  • Are your brow hairs fair, fine or over-tweezed?

Shapeless:

  • Are you brows arch-less, overgrown or un-groomed?

Patchy:

  • Do your brows have bare spots, sparse hairs or scars?

browproblems

Check out great products from Benefit today!

 

 

#MothersDay is Right Around the Corner!

Giving Holidays Shopping

#MothersDay is Right Around the Corner!

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Did you know that Mother’s Day is right around the corner? It’s this Sunday! I almost forget every year – this year I scheduled it into my work calendar so I can plan a special day for my mom well in advance! For those of you who are like me and forget every. year., here are some great ideas on how to treat your mom this Mother’s Day!

Your Mom is a special woman, we don’t need to tell you that (after all, she gave you the gift of life!) So celebrate with treating her to a fun day out, complete with the perfect presents.

Image via Instagram.com/PortlandVariety

Brunch

You really can’t go wrong with a good brunch! Order champagne or a bottle of wine before she swings by. Check out Toronto Life’s list of top restaurants of 2016 for some ideas – I’m taking my mom to Chabrol!

Here are some of my top picks for Toronto Mother’s Day brunches

Kasa Moto

Kasa Moto does a Japanese style brunch every weekend, and they’re amping it up for Mother’s Day! Expect bento breakfast boxes as well as some of the freshest sushi in the city.
Brunch starts promptly at 11 a.m.
Price: Prices vary

Biff’s Bistro

The newly renovated Biff’s Bistro is the perfect spot to bring Mom for Mother’s Day! Is your mother keen on Paris (okay, who isn’t?!?) The Parisian-influenced menu includes Fois Gras, frog’s legs, quiches, frites, and real-deal Parisian desserts.The menu is a-la-carte, and brunch starts promptly at  11 a.m. The resto also hosts a fondue night that evening at 5 p.m.
Price: Prices vary

Cibo Wine Bar
Bring mom out for an Italian brunch on Mother’s Day, and there’s no place in the city that does is better than Cibo Wine Bar. With locations on King West, in Yorkville, and at Yonge and Eglinton Cibo Wine Bar is hosting a special Mother’s Day edition of Italian Bubbles + Brunch, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco.
Price: $35

Portland Variety

This King West outpost has the look of a nouveau French bistro, but the food packs a punch. Espresso bar in the front (complete with freshly baked pasteries,) and restaurant in the back, their brunch continues to be the best in the city. Lemon ricotta pancakes, patatas bravas, I’m drooling already.

Price: $40

Image via HerMajestysPleasure.com

Manicure

I love treating my mother to a little spa day, but most Spa’s can seriously break the bank. Her Majesty’s Pleasure is a full service beauty boutique on Queen West My favourite part? The spa doubles as a full service cocktail bar so you can sip on fruity martinits while getting pampered.

Gift Ideas

I’ve put together a list of gifts that you can pick up that will make your mother swoon! Show your mom how appreciative you are of all the things she’s done for you with a heartfelt gift.

 

 

 

The Bay has a fragrance and beauty sale in honour of Mother’s Day. My mum has always loved Ralph Lauren – walking into a Ralph Lauren store today still smells like I’m walking into her room! This RL gift set has a fragrance, as well as hand creams.

 

Compliment mum’s good looks (after all, she gave you yours!) with stunning jewelry. I’m keen on this small pendant from Sears. You can shop for it here. Many people have very specific taste when it comes to jewelry. Take note of what your mum wears the most frequently. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a staple piece of jewelry like small diamond earrings or a meaningful pendant necklace she can wear on a day to day basis.

Foldover Clutch - Aqua

Aqua Foldover Clutch

Knotted Tote - Ivory

Classic Ivory Tote

Did you know Indigo isn’t just a mecca for books? It also is a one-stop-shop for gifting. From it’s recent jewelry collaboration with Canadian designer Jenny Bird to a wide selection of home goods, look no further than Indigo for all your gifting needs! I’m thinking my mother would love a bag in a pastel spring colour like the one above, 

Is your mother a whiz in the kitchen? Mine sure is. There’s really nothing like coming home for a holiday for one of my mother’s incredible home made meals – flatbread pizza, eggplant parm, I’m drooling already! Canadian Tire is offering in honour of Mother’s Day – like this GORGEOUS copper cooking set. Check out their sale here.

Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6" 16GB Android 5.0 Lollipop Tablet - White

 

The Samsung Galaxy tablet is one of the newest surfaces to hit the market, so it’s decked out with all the greatest features. Your mom can download books, catch up with relatives on Facebook, and view family photos, all with a swipe of her finger! Swing by Best Buy to pick one up.

How are you celebrating this mother’s day? And what gift have you decided on to treat your mother with? Let me know in the comments below or tweet at me @ShesInfluential

 

Stop by #McDonalds on #McHappyDay to Support Families Across Canada

Giving

Stop by #McDonalds on #McHappyDay to Support Families Across Canada

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IMG_3671

On McHappy Day, one dollar from every Big Mac®, Happy Meal® and McCafe® beverage will be donated to Ronald McDonald House locations across Canada. When you donate $5, you will get a fun pair of McHappy Day Hero Socks! Here’s a photo of mine. Why are they called hero socks? Because when you purchase a Big Mac, Happy Meal, or McCafe beverage, you’re helping families in 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada be close to their loved ones as they go through terrifying treatments.

Were you ever sick when you were little? Even today when I get sick – all I want is my mom right there beside me, making me soup and keeping me brave! That’s what Ronald McDonald Houses do – they make sure children can have their loved ones beside them while they get better.

mchappyday1

McHappy Day takes place on Wednesday, May 4 at participating McDonald’s® restaurants across Canada. Every year, McDonald’s gives you a chance to give back to the community by making a difference in the lives of Canadian families and children. By supporting McHappy Day, yyou’re supporting hundreds of local children’s charities. You’re also helping over 20,000 Canadian families that use the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country every year.

When families stay together, kids heal better!

mchappydaybasic

McHappy Day Helps Out Families In Need

McHappy Day is McDonald’s biggest fundraising event every year where $1 from every Big Mac® sandwich, Happy Meal® and McCafé® beverage goes to 14 Ronald McDonald Houses® and various children’s charities.

This year, you also have the option of adding a $1 donation when you use the self-order kiosks when playing your orders. This ensures more families and children in the local communities benefit from McHappy Day.

All donations raised on McHappy Day supports the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada that provide temporary housing for out-of-town families whose children are being treated at a nearby hospital. Your $1 donation helps support over 20,000 families who need the accommodation while their child undergoes treatment.

To find out more about the families and the Ronald McDonald House, watch the video below:

socks

Welcome McHappy Day on May 4th!

It’s easy to participate in #McHappyDay – all you need to do is swing by your local McDonalds and purchase a hot beverage or a Big Mac. One dollar of every purchase goes towards this incredible cause.

What do you think about McHappy Day at McDonald’s? Are you going to donate? Post your comments below or share your ideas and thoughts on Twitter with hashtag #McD_Canada

Favourite New Product: The #EsteeEdit

Beauty

Favourite New Product: The #EsteeEdit

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ed2010

If you’re an avid followers of beauty and fashion bloggers, you’ve probably seen it on Instagram. The products from the new Estee Edit collection by Estee Lauder have been everywhere! When I first saw the social media buzz I was torn – would it live up to the hype or would the collection fall flat?

The Estee Edit was created by beauty giant Estee Lauder in collaboration with Sephora. “Estée Lauder approached Sephora with this concept…to partner to launch a brand created with a whole new approach to the younger, modern consumer,” said Artemis Patrick, senior vice president of merchandising at Sephora. “We worked closely with the Lauder team on all aspects. This is a great brand to target today’s Sephora client and great way for Estée Lauder to introduce a brand to the younger consumer.”

I decided to try out the products for myself!

The pore stick was one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I’ve always had massive pores, so primer and tinted moisturizer have always been a key part of my beauty regime. The Estee Edit pore vanishing stick was a god-send for people like me! It deletes your pores and leaves your skin with a lovely, non-greasy, matte finish. Plus, it’s not silicone based.

Ugh, I was hesitant to write about the lipstick. I’m a dedicated Tom Ford user and always have been! Coming off in eighteen shades from berry to blue, the lipstick glides on like a dream. It stays for HOURS too! After applying it at 9am, it was still looking as bright as ever at 3.

The cover stars for the campaign are Kendall Jenner and Irene Kim. Kendall needs no introduction – she’s one of the youngest of the Kardashian clan and model of the moment. This past season alone she’s walked for brands from Chanel to Gucci to Tommy Hilfiger. Irene Kim is one of the biggest beauty bloggers in the biz.

Irene Kim for Estee Lauder. Photo: Estee Lauder 

The model/beauty addict has blown up the streetstyle world – maybe it’s her penchant for neon-hued locks but the cameras can’t get enough of her!

#TravelTuesday – Muskoka

Travel

#TravelTuesday – Muskoka

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Muskoka

I know, Muskoka isn’t that far away. It’s really just three hours north of my home in Toronto, Ontario! But have you ever really explored Muskoka? I go all the time but when I head up to Muskoka, it’s usually for a calm weekend of tanning on the dock with my friends and family. Last summer, I decided to explore Muskoka. After everything I discovered – I can’t wait to do it again this summer!

Here are my highlights of places I discovered this summer!

Arrowhead

ArrowHead Provincial Park

The provincial park, just outside Huntsville, is host to some of the coolest outdoor acitivites. In the winter, they have a skate track complete with a bonfire that loops through the beautiful wilderness.In the summer, they have miles and miles of magical hiking trails.

BoatWerks

The idea to stop by BoatWerks came by when I was having a bit of an adrenaline rush. My brother and I decided we wanted to do something exciting, and tubing just wasn’t cutting it! So we called up BoatWerks, a white-water kayak school in Minden, Ontario. The next day we drove down, put on a wetsuit, and hopped in the river! It wasn’t as scary as you’d think – there were little boys doing lapped around my kayak! The instructor was awesome – I felt super safe in his well-trained care and I was doing flips in my kayak in no time!

The Farmer’s Daughter

The cottage doesn’t have to be just about junk food anymore. The Farmer’s Daughter brings together some of the tastiest purveyors of food from across the country. Local cheeses, hand made hot foods, and freshly picked veggies are in stock here, as well as prepared foods to fool your family into thinking you made them yourself!

Bigwin Island Golf

Are you a golfer? Then one of the most jaw-dropping courses in the world is right in your backyard! Although the Bigwin Island Golf Club is a private club, you can book your own tee time by just picking up the phone. Located on an island in Lake of Bays (that’s right, it’s only accessible by boat), the course is surrounded by blue waters and evergreen trees. Don’t believe me? Just check out these photos!

 

 

Do you have any suggestions as to what I should discover this summer? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me at @ShesInfluential

My Favorite Pancake Recipe – Lemon Ricotta!

Recipes

My Favorite Pancake Recipe – Lemon Ricotta!

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Happy Sunday!

To celebrate a successful Saturday night out or a slow Sunday, what better way to ring in the end of the weekend with a hearty breakfast? As much as I’ve tried to improve this recipe from Epicurious, it just can’t be done! The combination of lemon and ricotta with fluffy pancakes is just too delicious! With all the fruit in this recipe it feels a little more healthy than regular pancakes – right? Right??? Also my favorite thing on top of these pancakes is real maple syrup – fresh from the farmers market!

Cooking tip: you can get chestnut flour at most food stores!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups ricotta
  • 2 cups mixed fresh berries
  • 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chestnut flour
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • Melted unsalted butter for brushing

PREPARATION

  • Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth; set over a small bowl. Add ricotta to strainer and let drain for 15 minutes; set aside.
  • Gently combine berries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let macerate, tossing occasionally, until sugar dissolves and juices are released, about 15 minutes.
  • Whisk both flours, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until peaks form. Whisk the egg yolks, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and zest in another medium bowl to blend. Whisk in milk. Add the yolk mixture to dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Add half of the egg white mixture; fold just to blend. Fold in ricotta, then remaining egg white mixture.
  • Heat a griddle or large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-low heat; brush with melted butter. Using scant 1/2 cup batter for each pancake and working in batches, ladle batter onto griddle and cook until bottom is golden brown, edges are dry, and bubbles form on top of pancake, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer pancakes to plates. Serve with berries and their juices.

 

Happy #Friyay – Here’s a #CincoDeMayo Cocktail

DIY Holidays Lifestyle Recipes

Happy #Friyay – Here’s a #CincoDeMayo Cocktail

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I love any excuse to get together with friends! So this weekend, it’s time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Cinco de Mayo is held to celebrate Mexican army’s victory over the French army in the Battle of Puebla. Even though we’re a far ways away from the Mexican border, it’s a lovely excuse to sip margaritas, eat tacos, and listen to Mariachi.

No matter what kind of Margarita you’re making, here are some tips courtesy Bon Appetit for how to get the best Margarita EVER!

1. Squeeze it
The single most important ingredient is fresh lime juice. Use any gadget you like–just please don’t twist open a screw cap. For parties, juice the limes ahead and fill a squeeze bottle to keep at the ready.

2. Sweeten up
Notice there’s no triple sec in our recipe? That’s not a typo–and no, you won’t miss it. We prefer light agave syrup for its complementary flavors (and shared origin) with tequila.

3. Go for silver
Always drink tequila made from 100 percent blue agave. It just tastes better. In Margaritas, use only blanco (a.k.a. silver or white) tequilas, which have a peppery, vegetal kick that won’t get buried when mixed. Save your aged reposados for sipping.

4. Take it with a grain of…
Salt brings out the flavor in everything, but too much can be overwhelming. So we only salt halfway around the rim and are careful not to get any in the drink.

Espolon Tequila Blanco

This silver Espolon tequila from the LCBO has always been one of my favorites to make cocktails with. What’s yours? I would love to try some new ones but this is such an old classic I never branch out!

What kind of Margarita are you making? One of my favorite variations on the classic cocktail is to add a little pomegranate juice – it makes it less acidic and more refreshing. For the brave ones – jalapenos! The LCBO stocks some Jalapeno-infused tequila or you could put a pepper in at the end.

How are you celebrating Friday? Let me know how these tips go by commenting below or tweeting to me at @ShesInfluential

This Weekend in #Toronto

Lifestyle

This Weekend in #Toronto

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Friday, April 29th

It’s the day everyone has been waiting for – Views from the 6 is being released! Drake’s newest project has been teased about for months- since he first dropped his ‘Hotline Bling’ track last October, and “Summer 6teen” in February, there’s been no concrete date for his newest albums drop! But this week, the Toronto rapper dropped the album artwork for his cover album which means – it’s time for the actual release! Expect Drake to be blasting EVERYWHERE this weekend!

The Drake Hotel (no relation to the rapper), is hosting a Views from the 6 listening party – and yoga session on May 1st! It’s taking place at the Drake Underground, and is $10 at the door. All proceeds go to the Raptors Kids Foundation

Also on Friday, it’s the annual Friday Night Live at the ROM! This late night event will celebrate tattoos – the culture behind them and some brand new exhibits at the ROM! DJs, delicious pop-up food stands, drinks, and art! What better way to spend a Friday night? You can buy your tickets here

 

Saturday, April 30th

Do you like ice cream cones made out of donuts? Do you like pulled duck tacos? Do you like fresh pasta? The food truck market at the Evergreen Brickworks Market is the place for you! In addition to the year round weekend farmers market, the Brickworks market is now offering FOOD TRUCKS! There’s about six food trucks offering up delicious grub, as well as fresh coffee and fresh lemonade!

The market is accessible by bus or by car (or by a BEAUTIFUL thirty minute hike from Davisville station!)

 

May 5th

Okay, this isn’t technically the weekend, but next Thursday is Cinco de Mayo! The city is celebrating the Day of the Dead with Mexican-themed events across the city.

At the Drake hotel, chef Donnie Masterson will be cooking up Mexican inspired burgers while tequila will be pouring.

King West patio (trust me – it’s the best patio in the city!) El Caballito will be hosting a whole weekend of activities!

On May 1st, they’ll host a Los Arrangos tasting. May 2nd and 3rd will have Margarita specials, May 4th will boast an all day Mexican brunch and May 5th? Tacos!

My Favorite Finds from H&M Festival

Fashion

My Favorite Finds from H&M Festival

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Did you hear that H&M is launching a new e-commerce site in Canada? It’s about time – even though there are H&M’s all over the city, I can’t shop from the comfort of my own home! That’s about to change! There’s no concrete date yet for the launch, but H&M is encouraging all

In honor of this soon-to-be shopping expedition I’m going to embark on, I picked out some of my favorite pieces from H&M to help me ring in the summer!

Even though I didn’t make it to Coachella this year (a girl can dream right?), I love scrolling through the sets of trends from the festival.

One of my favorite trends from the festival – the off-the-shoulder look! From crop tops to long dresses, this look is the perfect way to show a little skin without wearing anything too revealing. I like how Micah pairs it with cropped denim for a weekend casual look.

This little H&M dress is great – it’s a wonderful alternative to a simple sundress.Shop for it here

 

I’ve been looking for a great pair of gladiator sandals for months, but the problem is – what do I do with them when the trend fades? Since they’re not a very wear-em-forever item, I’ve been looking for a pair of gladiator sandals that still has that effortless, laid-back Grecian feel but aren’t too trendy.

What about these sandals?
For a little alternative to a going-out shoe, this crisp black sandals have a sexy little detail with the gladiator lace-up detail! Shop for them here or in stores.

Did you hear that H&M opened up a home section? Now you can get trendy home furnishings at typcial cheap cheap H&M prices. To spruce up my room for summer – how about this tropical bedspread? Even though I’m not headed anywhere warmer than Ontario, at least my dreams can!

Shop for it here

 

And last but not least – a cheeky phone case! What better way to snap a selfie? Shop for it here

What are you craving this summer season? Anything in particular you want to add to you wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below!

 

It’s #TravelTuesday – This Week, I’m Talking About #India

Travel

It’s #TravelTuesday – This Week, I’m Talking About #India

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India

Recently, I was whisked off to India on a whirlwind trip. Although I didn’t get to head down to the coastal region (an excuse to come back, right?) I did get to explore the magical Northern regions. Mainly, I spent my time in Rajasthan – also known as the Land of Kings because how many gorgeous, magical palaces there are.

One of my first stops? Udaipur! It’s called the city of lakes because of all the small lakes that make up the city scape – like Venice of the East! A few years back, Shakira performed on one of the islands in the lake and the entire city gathered on the shores and on boats to watch!

Jaipur was the next stop on our tour. It’s called the pink city, but I didn’t realize how literal that title was until I got there. Every single building in the city was a lovely shade of coral! The entire city was painted this color to welcome the British royals on a visit.

Look how delicate all the detailings on the royal palace in Jaipur is – and all in this sumptuous shade!

After Jaipur, it was off to Jodhpur. Like Jaipur, Jodhpur is painted an entire shade. I think Jodhpur may have been my favorite, but I’m biased – blue is my favorite color! In Jodhpur I made my way through the local street markets, picking up some saffron to bring home (so I can try my hand at cooking Indian dishes), and some incredible silk blankets.

 

I think my favorite part of the entire trip was the food. Even though I’m not the best with spice, everything was so flavourful. Even though I’m always keen on Indian food back in Toronto, there were so many incredibly dishes I’ve never even heard of. Naan, chapati, channa masala and lamb biryani were all part of my daily diet. Sweet paranthas were probably my favorite – they’re thin wheat pancakes with sugar inside.

Here’s a secret – one day I thought I was eating a green pea but it turned out to be a chilli! It wasn’t that fun for me at the time, but everyone got such a good laugh out of watching me squirm!

While I was in the country, I got to celebrate Holi! Holi is a big festival that takes place at the end of March, where everyone throws colored powder (like the ones above!) at each other to rid of us evil spirits. It’s so messy, but SO much fun!

Have you been to India? If so, where did you go? How did you like it? If you haven’t been to India – how amazing does it look? Let me know your thoughts and feedback by commenting below or tweeting me at @ShesInfluential