Community, Fashion, Giving, Lifestyle
Roma Boots is Giving Poverty The Boot
I love my new Roma Boots, perfect for this wet season and best of all, Roma Boots is a sociallyContinue reading
She’s Influential’s FriYay Sipper
It’s Friday! At the end of the week there is nothing better then sitting down and enjoying a nice cocktail with friends. But who has the time or energy to make a complicated cocktail? This is one of my go-to recipes to ring in the weekend. It’s easy, but you can’t taste it!
The White Owl Ginger & Lime Whisky is a clear whisky that tastes light and refreshing. It tastes more along the lines of a Vodka or Rum than it does a Whisky!
She’s Influential’s FriYay Sipper
1.5 oz of White Owl Ginger & Lime Whisky
3 oz Soda Water
A dash of coconut water
Fresh basil and peeled lemon.
Throw it all together for a light, refreshing taste! Pro tip: peel the lemon as garnish.
#CTWickfest #WeAllPlay
Every winter, we would freeze over a patch of land in our backyard, nail together some boards, break out some spotlights and step out onto our very own homemade rink. Figure skating was never really a draw to us – my siblings and cousins and I loved the fast-paced excitement of hockey and the team-work – bonding as a team (sometimes to beat our other siblings) really brought us closer as a family. Any mistakes on the ice were simply healed with a pat on the back and a mug of warm cider.
As someone growing up with a bevvy of brothers and a boatload of male friends, seeing a great event like Wickfest really warms my heart. I’ve played pond hockey my entire life and as much as I can’t really skate circles around the boys (I try my best though!) it’s great to have such a wonderful role model like Hayley Wickenheiser for me, and thousands of other hockey-loving girls, to look up to.
It’s such a male-dominated sport that having such an inspirational female player who is so highly regarded on the world stage to root on is incredibly refreshing! Hayley Wickenheiser has won five Olympic medals over the span of her career. That is only one of the highly impressive milestones in her career – it all started at age 15 when she was chosen for the Canadian Women’s National Team. She’s built up quite the impressive trophy cabinet since then. She has led the team to six gold and one silver medal at the international level, and earned four gold and one silver medal at the Olympic level.
And that’s exactly why Wickenheiser started WickFest! Wickfest is an annual hockey festival set up by Canadian hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser and draws teams from across North America for seminars, workshops and a friendly tournament. The festival brings 1,500 young girls from across the country to celebrate the sport they love. This year, it takes place in Calgary, from November 26th – 29th.
Canadian Tire is the incredible sponsor – for the third year in a row they are supporting female athletes across the country follow their dreams!
Join us for the #WeAllPlay Twitter Party with Hayley and fellow Olympian Meaghan Mikkelson.
Twitter Party Details:
Date: November 25th, 2015
Time: 8:00 p.m. E
Hashtag: #WeAllPlay
Host: @CanadianTire
Guests: @Wick_22 and @Mikkelson12
NO RSVP
Prizing: 10 x $100 @CanadianTire Gift Cards
Meet you at the rink!
#MirrorBall2015
This year’s Mirror Ball is slated to be one of the most glamorous events of the year – the black tie event brings together the biggest names in the Canadian fashion and beauty industries for an event that is not only glamorous, but gives back. The event is sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart, Estee Lauder, Coty, Hudson’s Bay, Johnson & Johnson, Quadrant,Teva, TJX Canada, Hillberg & Berk.
LIVE ON PERISCOPE
Can’t make it to the event? We’re going to be LIVE at Mirror Ball and Mirror Ball After Party! Join us on Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope at @BGBCanada using the hashtag #MirrorBallAfterDark. We’ll be speaking with the most influential people in the fashion & beauty industry. We’ll also be giving viewers an exclusive eye into the coolest party of the year! Miles Raine and the Collective will be playing to keep you dancing all night, and visitors can enjoy booths from Birchbox, Barefoot Wine, Swarovski, and Hudson’s Bay.
How to join:
- Download the free Periscope Apponto your smartphone
- Sign in with your Twitter account or create an account
- Touch the icon on the bottom far right of the screen (the three people icon)
- Touch the search icon, top left of the screen
- Type BeautyGivesBack
- Follow! You’ll get a notification when we’re live or you can check by touching the TV icon on the bottom left of your home screen
Why Support #MirrorBall2015 ?
Mirror Ball is in support of two wonderful foundations – FacingCancer.ca and Look Good Feel Better. For a woman diagnosed with cancer, fear and uncertainty becomes a constant companion. The ravages of cancer treatments are horrifying – it can leave a woman anxious, shocked, and insecure. Beauty Gives Back is a charitable initiative of the Canadian beauty industry. They use the tools of the trade to help women look good and feel better every day, through cosmetic and hair alternative workshops and a strong community.
Look Good Feel Better is a program that creates workshops to teach women and men how to deal with the visual effects of cancer and improving their self-esteem. They offer complimentary group, individual and self-help beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage, and community. They offer a wide selection of virtual guides and tips – from picking the right wig for you to step by step makeup tutorials.
FacingCancer.ca is an online support system for those facing the disease. It’s designer to offer support, provide a cancer information network and cancer support resources and tools to help women and their loved ones manage the social and emotional effects of cancer
By supporting Mirror Ball, you support an incredibly movement and ensure that the Look Good Feel Better and FacingCancer.ca programs continue to be available to women who need them. You also support the creation of vital new avenues of support.
#MirrorBallAfterDark
The celebrations don’t end after Mirror Ball does – this year Mirror Ball is opening it’s doors for #MirrorBallAfterDark. #MirrorBallAfterDark is the most glamorous after party in town. Musical guests The Collective with Miles Raine will have you dancing and you’ll enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, premium bar and gifting suites.
Mirror Ball After Dark is presented by a selection of premium sponsors – including Notable.Ca, Swarovksi, BirchBox, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, FLOW Water, Toronto Life, and Hudson’s Bay.
Liberty Grand | 25 British Columbia Rd, Toronto
Doors Open | 10:00PM
Dress Code | Moonlight Glam
It’s not too late to get tickets! Visit mirror-ball.ca for more information.
Canadian Food Banks – #HungerCount2015
On Tuesday, November 17th, the annual Hunger Counts report was released. HungerCount is the only comprehensive annual national report on hunger and food banks used in Canada.
Celebrating #Campbells85th with #WarholTO
On Monday, November 16th, I had the pleasure of attending an exciting night with Campbell’s Soup and Andy Warhol: Revisited.
We were joined by Ana Dominguez, president of Campbell Company of Canada, who spoke to us about the exciting future of Campbells. Oncoming, the company will be launching a new website that will foster an open, two-way dialogue with it’s consumers. Campbell Canada is looking to expand its community by asking all Canadians to tell them what they think about the food Campbell makes and how they can make it better. President Ana Dominguez shared “Through this platform, we will engage in a meaningful dialogue with our consumers, and provide answers to their most pressing questions. This is a serious commitment. We will be open and honest about what goes in our food, how we make our food and the choices behind the ingredients we use.”
“Campbell’s – the iconic soup company – is a great example of what makes Ontario’s food processing sector so dynamic,” said Arthur Potts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “They have a strong tradition of creating innovative products while maintaining long-lasting relationships with the farming community by sourcing fresh, locally grown product. I’m happy to congratulate Campbell Canada on 85 years of producing quality foods for Ontarian families to enjoy.”
Campbell’s is still located at its original address in Toronto, the company has grown from producing Campbell’s iconic vegetable condensed soup to producing over 225 different products and exporting to countries all over the world including the US, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Ana told me “we’re proud to have been making great tasting, quality soups on Birmingham Street in west-end Toronto since 1930. A huge part of our success is the long standing relationships we have built with the people who grow our ingredients, and that includes generations of farmers in the farming communities surrounding Toronto.”
Campbell Canada is also focused on delivering on its global promise of delivering Real Food that Matters for Life’s Moments – which Dominguez says “represents the single most important cultural change we’ve implemented globally and at Campbell Canada specifically. We have committed to delivering products with no artificial colours and flavours, eliminating the use of high fructose corn syrup and making sure we provide a host of choices for consumers with different dietary needs.”
Did you know that 70% of Campbell’s ingredients come from local farmers within 300km of Toronto? The Healthy Request® line has been reinvented in response to today’s health conscious consumer who wants to know what’s in their food as well as what’s not in their food. Healthy Request boldly promises to never contain preservatives, ever.
In response to changing consumer tastes and demand for innovative new flavours, Campbell’s soups are constantly being revitalized and updated:
- The Healthy Request® line has been reinvented in response to today’s health conscious consumer who wants to know what’s in their food as well as what’s not in their food. Healthy Request boldly promises to never contain preservatives, ever.
- Recently launched Campbell’s® Soup Kits were developed for the adventurous soup lover – the individual who wants homemade soup but doesn’t want to spend hours making it. Campbell’s Soup Kits give them a head start – all they need to do is add a few simple ingredients, and in about an hour, they have a tasty homemade soup with no artificial flavours or colours.
Renowned art expert Robert Wainstein made a keynote address – letting is on the secrets behind Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans and his time working with Warhol at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Did you know Andy Warhol ate soup every day?
If you’re interested in learning more, drop by the exhibit at 77 Bloor St W., and come face to face with some of Warhol’s most iconic works.
LAST CHANCE: Support #PMLotto
It is your last chance to support the phenomenal work at the #PMLotto by purchasing a ticket for the Welcome Home Sweepstakes. Hurry! The draw ends on November 19th! These days, everyone knows someone, or has been personally struck by cancer. It is a horrendous disease, targeting anyone and everyone. The Princess Margaret Welcome Home Sweepstakes is raising support for the phenomenal research done at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
Wednesday, Nov 18th – Final Deadline is Midnight Tomorrow
Thursday, Nov 19 – Final Deadline is Midnight Tonight
It is the Last Chance to win the 4.2 Million Oakville Showhome Designed By Brian Gluckstein
It’s just One Big Prize after Another
50/50 is over 3.3 Million and growing – winner takes half! Think of what you can buy with that!
Cash Calendars available until Midnight Thursday – $25,000 everyday in December with $100,000 Fridays! Cash calendars will be available even after Sweepstakes tickets sell out!
So Why Support the #PMLotto?
Why is not just a question. It’s our quest. At The Princess Margaret, we believe it is the most noble and necessary quest of all — to conquer cancer in our lifetime.Why drives everything we do. From Dr. Tak Mak’s discovery of the “Holy Grail of immunology,” the T-cell receptor, to leading the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine, why drives us every day.Pursuing why requires your support. Help us transform lives with breakthrough cancer research and new therapies.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is one of the top 5 Cancer research centres in the world, and with your help they can continue to pursue ground breaking research
How can you support?
By ordering one of the Princess Margaret Welcome Home Sweepstakes Tickets you are not only supporting cancer research, but you are also entered to win one of many amazing prizes. There’s no time to wait so click here to head over to the site and order your tickets now. With your help, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre will continue to lead the way as one of the top five cancer research centers in the world. They can’t continue to do the invaluable work they do, in this fight against cancer, without your help. Visit their site, order your tickets, and together we will win this fight.
One of the beautiful prizes – A dreamy Kawartha cottage! Check out the rest of the amazing prizes here.
#MirrorBallAfterDark – The Glammest Night of the Year
Mirror Ball is this Saturday and I’ve been dreaming up what I’m going to wear for weeks!
This year’s Mirror Ball is set to be the event of the year – the big names of the fashion and beauty industry will all be in attendance at the glamorous gala, and the after party is stacked with big name sponsors (Swarovski and BirchBox to name a few) to guarantee the funnest after party around.
At the infamous Mirror Ball After Dark, musical guests The Collective with Miles Raine will have you dancing as you enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, premium bar and gifting suites. Find out more about the event here: www.mirror-ball.ca
Not only is this event one of the glammest events around, but it’s supporting a wonderful cause. Mirror Ball is in support of Look Good Feel Better and FacingCancer.ca – two wonderful foundations that help women facing the Cancer Blues to feel the best they can.
Don’t have tickets? Lucky for you I’m giving away TWO TICKETS to this exclusive after party! Swing by my instagram page to enter – all you have to do is follow @Shes_Influential and @BeautyGivesBackCDA and let us know who you’d love to bring!
We acknowledge that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by or associated with Instagram. By entering, you are confirming that you are indeed 18+ years of age, release Instagram from any and all responsibility, and you are adhering to Instagram’s terms of use. Winner will be randomly chosen and announced 48 hours after giveaway ends. Contest open to Toronto-area residents only. Transportation and accommodation are not provided. Void where prohibited by law.
Herby Barley Salad With Butter-Basted Mushroom
As much as my body-loves a kale salad, there is nothing yummier than a hearty, filling grain salad like this herby mushroom version. Gluten free? Just switch out barley for brown rice.
Recipe via Bon Appetite
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 8
- 1 cup hulled, hull-less, or pearl barley
- Kosher salt
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced into rings
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms (such as maitake, chanterelle, and/or oyster), torn or cut into large pieces
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1½ ounces Parmesan, shaved, plus more for serving
Preparation
-
Cook barley in a medium pot of boiling salted water until tender, 50–60 minutes for hulled or hull-less, 20–30 minutes for pearl. Drain; spread out on a baking sheet and let cool.
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Meanwhile, cook shallots in vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling pan occasionally to keep shallots from burning, until golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Let cool. Set shallot cooking oil aside.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until just beginning to smoke. Arrange mushrooms in skillet in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until undersides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper, toss, and continue to cook, tossing often and reducing heat as needed to avoid scorching, until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes longer.
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Reduce heat to medium and add thyme sprigs, garlic, and butter to skillet. Tip skillet toward you so butter pools at edge and use a spoon to baste mushrooms with foaming butter; cook until butter smells nutty. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a small bowl, leaving thyme and garlic behind.
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Toss cooled barley, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, 1½ oz. Parmesan, and 2 Tbsp. reserved shallot oil in a large bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms; toss again to combine.
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Just before serving, top with fried shallots and more shaved Parmesan.Do Ahead: Barley can be cooked 1 day ahead. Let cool; store airtight and chill. Dish can be made 3 hours ahead; store tightly wrapped at room temperature.
Cooking with Campbell’s
As a vegetarian, it always proves a challenge to find something quick and easy to make that isn’t full of meat or unnatural ingredients. Thank goodness for Campbell’s Healthy Request Soups! With not a preservative in site, these are good soups that are good for you. Bonus – each recipe only contains 480 mg of sodium.
I’m a big fan of the Curried Cauliflower Lentil – for those who are gluten intolerant it’s the perfect option for something healthy and delicious.
When I’ve got a little more time to whip up something tasty, this vegetarian couscous is my go-to. Even better – it stores well for midnight snacking or later lunches.
Ingredients
| 1 tbsp (15 mL) | olive oil |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | onion, diced |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | bell pepper (any colour), diced |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | chickpeas, drained and rinsed |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | red kidney beans, drained and rinsed |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | dried fruits and nuts (cranberry, raisins, chopped apricots, cashews, peanuts) |
| 1 tbsp (15 mL) | garlic, chopped |
| 2 tbsp (30 mL) | Greek seasoning |
| 2 cups (500 mL) | couscous |
| 3 cups (750 mL) | CAMPBELL’S® Ready to Use Vegetable Broth |
| 1 cup (250 mL) | cherry tomatoes, cut in half |
| 2 tbsp (30 mL) | fresh parsley, chopped |
Directions
1. Heat oil over medium heat in a sauce pan. Add onions and peppers and sauté for 4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened and browned.
2. Add garlic, chickpeas, red kidney beans, dried fruits & nuts and Greek seasoning to pan and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.
3. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Add couscous, cover and turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork; add cherry tomatoes and parsley then stir to combine.
6. Enjoy!
Twitter Party For #MIRRORBALLAFTERDARK
Back by popular demand, the Mirror Ball After Dark party will be the hottest party in town November 21st!
Featuring a premium bar, you will be able to enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres while dancing the night away to music by The Collective with Miles Raine.
The Mirror Ball After Dark event is being held to raise money for two important cancer support programs. Look Good Feel Better and FacingCancer.ca are programs that provide support and resources to women battling cancer , helping them face the social and emotional challenges that come along with having this traumatizing disease. The charitable initiative Beauty Gives Back was founded to help women through the Cancer Blues by providing them with resources to deal with the emotional fall out of cancer
The event will take place at the stunning Liberty Grand and the dress code is Moonlight Glam. What will be wearing? I’m thinking sequins galore!
A Twitter Party will be held on November 10th at 9:00pm ET. The details are as follows:
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
9:00pm ET
Hosts: @BGBCanada
Guests: @ShesInfluential @LGFBCanada @SparkSessions
NO RSVP
Prizes
Toronto Area Only
This event is going to provide a night of glitz and glam for all who attend. Tickets are going to sell out fast so get yours here and help support a great cause.
