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
Stop by #McDonalds on #McHappyDay to Support Families Across Canada
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.
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!
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:
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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 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!
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!
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.
This Weekend in #Toronto
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
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
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
The New #AngryWhopper is Here!
You know what’s better than a juicy whopper? A juicy whopper with LOADS of spice. Hot sauce, jalapenos, anything with a little kick,sign me up!
When I heard about the new Angry Whopper, I knew I would immediately fall in love. It’s a furiously delicious sandwich atop a fiery red bun, baked with hot sauce. The Angriest WHOPPER® sandwich packs a punch in every infuriating bite with crispy angry onion petals, spicy angry sauce and zesty jalapenos piled high atop flame-grilled beef and layered with crispy bacon, melted cheese, iceberg lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mayonnaise between the red-hot bun. Is your mouth watering yet??
The man behind the meal? BURGER KING® brand invited volcano specialist, and co-creator and host of “Angry Planet” George Kourounis, to guide four of the biggest ANGRY WHOPPER® sandwich enthusiasts from around the world on the adventure of a lifetime — the opportunity to flame grill the brand’s signature 100% beef patties over the angriest fire of all: fire retrieved from the depths of the raging Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala. That’s him in that photo above – now THAT’s a selfie right? You can view the full video of their adventure on their Facebook Page.
Are you going to try it? If you do – let me know how it is or tweet me photos @ShesInfluential
Samsung Canada Introduces the Galaxy Tab E Lite and Galaxy Tab A 7
One of the biggest tech companies in the game, Samsung, is dropping some incredibly new products! The new Galaxy Tab E Lite and Galaxy Tab A 7 arrived in Canada on March 23rd.
I’ve always been a big fan of Samsung products because they really think of the user. They may not be as pretty as iPhones, but their performance makes it SO worth it! Especially the memory – the new Galaxy offers 32 GB of MicroSD storage! They’re wonderful products for travelling too (something I do WAY too much of!) Instead of bringing my larger laptop everywhere, the Galaxy tablet enables me to do alllll my work, without carrying everything around! And I can download movies and watch them on my long-haul planes.
The best part? The Galaxy phone has a no-slip back, for those of you who are prone to dropping your phone!
Here are some other great features of the new Galaxys
- Versatile device options for the entire family: The Multi User Mode enables families to create up to eight unique user profiles with their own music, games, apps and photos. While sharing one device, everyone can keep everything organized and ensure personal information stays personal.
- Multi-tasking ease: Maximize time and productivity by working on two apps at the same time.Effortlessly watch movies, check email, shop online and chat with friends on a single screen.
- Safer and more secure Kids Mode: Enabling Kids Mode allows for up to six kids’ profiles, blocks unsuitable apps, sets time limits and provides a wide range of fun and educational content giving kids access to a safer and more appropriate world of colour and fun.
- Ultimate value and affordability: Available for under $200, these high-performance multi-purpose tablets can be used for working, storing and viewing content.
Designed to offer the ultimate family-sharing experience, both tablets offer a child-friendly interface, endless entertainment options and multi-tasking functionality, maximizing productivity while keeping everyone in the family connected to what matters most.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab E Lite and the Galaxy Tab A 7 will be available as of March 23rd at Samsung Experience Stores and retailers across the country. The 7-inch Galaxy Tab E Lite will be available in white and will retail for $149.99 (MSRP). The 7-inch Galaxy Tab A will be offered in black and white and retail for$199.99 (MSRP). You can check out availabilities here
Here are all the specs from the brand new products!
|
Galaxy Tab E Lite |
Galaxy Tab A 7 |
|
|
MSRP |
$149.99 |
$199.99 |
|
Colour |
White |
Black/White |
|
UPC Code SKU |
White Colour |
Black Colour White Colour |
|
Dimension |
193.2 x 116.5 x 9.7mm (310 g) |
108.6 x 186.9 x 8.7mm (280 g) |
|
Display |
7.0″ TFT |
7.0″ TFT |
|
WSVGA (1024×600) |
WXGA (1280×800) |
|
|
Memory |
1.0GB + 8GB (micro SD up to 32GB) |
1.5GB + 8GB (micro SD up to 200GB) |
|
Camera |
2.0MP |
5.0MP AF + 2.0MP |
|
Battery |
3,600 mAh (up to 9Hrs of Internet Usage time) |
4,000 mAh (up to 11Hrs of Internet Usage time) |
|
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
|
BT v4.0, micro USB 2.0 |
BT 4.1, micro USB 2.0 |
|
|
OS |
Android 4.4 (KitKat) |
Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
|
Processor |
1.3GHz Quad-Core |
1.3GHz Quad-Core |
|
Unite Box Size |
197.9 x 122.4 x 45.9 mm (421.8 g) |
200 x 118 x 48.5 mm (451 g) |
What do you guys think? Should I convert? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @shesinfluential
IKEA is partnering with the hottest fashion designers for new 2016 collections
How much do you love IKEA? I first fell in love with IKEA when I was decorating my very first apartment. I loved the student-friendly prices! But the design? It didn’t look like student-priced pieces!
That’s why I got so excited when I found out about IKEA’s new collaboration with three European designers. I love going to IKEA – they always have the perfect additions to my home from picture frames to throw pillows.
This year, IKEA is collaborating with some groundbreaking designers from across the globe. Menswear designer Katie Eary, fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck, and textiles designer Martin Bergstrom. This is the first time the retailer giant has merged high-fashion with IKEA’s minimalist interior design.
Lucy Frechette, PR Manager for IKEA Canada says “The Limited Edition Collections allow us to explore the unknown, try new things with fashion experts bringing excitement to homes across Canada”.
Giltig is Katie Eary’s collection. The London streetwear designers is bringing soft furnishings and dinnerware with fish, cat, and eyeball prints. I think Katie Eary is my favorite – I love the watercolored fish plates. They would be such a wonderful addition to a summer tabletop.
Glodande is a collab with Walter Van Beirendonck plays with fabrics and ceramics. It’s adorable illustrations imprinted on ceramics and throws. High-voltage colours and robot design are some of my favorite – it’s so whimsical.
Svartan is the collab with Martin Bergstrom, merges modern Indan and Swedish design. I love the monochrome nature of the collection – it’s very arthouse. I’m definitely going to pick up the paint-drip and marbled pillows. How adorable are the hand-crafted ceramic bowls?
“We can learn a lot from how fashion designers work with colours, prints, patterns and shapes. They constantly have to re-invent themselves and what they do – and are used to working in the forefront of pattern and colour development,” says Henrik Most, Creative Leader, IKEA of Sweden.
GILTIG will be on sale in all IKEA stores across Canada in April, with GLÖDANDE following in June and SVÄRTAN in September.
