Since it’s Doppelgänger Week on Facebook, that gave me the idea to share with you the famous person who I think I look most like. On several occasions I have been told I look like Natalie Portman, which is obviously a flattering comment. Luckily my Doppelgänger is someone who is a credible actress, pursued higher education, is a humanitarian and knows several languages.
I have posted a few comparison photos, so you can decide for yourself.
Combine a remarkable humanitarian, open source technology, a Hollywood producer, Hugh Jackman and millions of volunteers from around the world and you have a project that has the potential to change the world. 1.4 Billion Reasons is a presentation being viewed around the world in person and online. The best part is you don’t have to wait for Hugh Evans, like Al Gore 2.0 to come to your city to understand that extreme poverty is a crucial issue that can be eradicated in our lifetime with the right tools and the willingness of everyday people to want to do something.
Hugh Evans, sort of like the Craig Kielburger of Australia started the movement in his hometown and picked up momentum when Chris Adams, Executive Producer of An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night and Good Luck, Syriana and other Hollywood films wanted to film Hugh and his team as they toured their presentation around the world. Hugh Jackman jumped on board as the celebrity spokesperson and soon you may see, Adams, Evans and Jackman on stage at the Oscar’s accepting an award for best documentary film.
We had the chance to talk with the GPP team when they rolled into town for the Toronto International Film Festival and debuted their presentation to North America at the Danforth Music Hall.
The GPP team are using the power of the web to spread the extreme poverty message to the masses. Through the use of social media, you can share the presentation in your home town, in front of your class, youth group or community by going to www.globalpovertyproject.com and downloading the slides. You can even customize the presentation to the audience you will be speaking to.
Harnessing the power of social media to do some good in this world…to learn more visit www.globalpovertyproject.com
When trying to research why my generation uses Facebook and Twitter to communicate, I came across a very interesting video for the book Socialnomics by Erik Qualman that may explain and convince the most doubtful of people who still belive social media is a fad.
It seems right after the shortbread is eaten, the parties finish, the champagne has been drank from New Years and the relaxing comes to a halt, the reality of the holidays ending hits you in the face with the cold harsh reminder that it’s January in Canada. With warm weather months away it seems kind of depressing, doesn’t it? Unless you have something to look forward to. For me it’s WordCamp Toronto 2010, coming to the Centennial College Student Centre once again. For two days in March (27 & 28), WordPressers unite for an unconference like no other seen before.
Last time we threw a two-day meetup in the traditional sense with speakers, lunch and impromptu get togethers. This time around we are going to try a few new things. For one there will be a networking breakfast, WordPress success stories will be told, a dj will play music in between sessions and a wine and cheese mix and mingle will end the first day, followed by an official after party. One of the greatest challenges from 2008 was getting people to the venue, so this time we are picking you up! Yes, we will have a WordCamp TO bus to pick you up from one of 4 locations in downtown Toronto and Scarborough.
There is just over two months so we need to act fast to ensure this runs smoothly. If you would like to help with this year’s WordCamp, please contact me or visit www.wordcamptoronto.com and fill out the contact form for speaker, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.
Looking forward to planning this year’s WCT with the kick ass Toronto tech community!
I immediately felt sad after our event concluded because I had poured a lot of passion and hard work into something I loved planning. It was a good sadness, a sigh of relief you could say after completing something you felt went off without a hitch and flew by too quickly. The Gratitude Tea, a charity event I planned with my best friends and sister was a huge success and I say that humbly because the positive feedback we received was overwhelming from event attendees and the charity. The money we raised in one afternoon for a good cause made me feel pretty good too.
The idea of a Gratitude Tea is to bring someone you are thankful for having in your life and sharing with everyone (if you wish) why you are grateful for them. Maybe this person has had a major impact on your upbringing or has influenced you positively. Naturally most brought their mothers and other family members but some came just to observe and enjoy a high tea on a lovely Sunday afternoon in downtown Toronto.
The charity we raised money for, Dress for Success Toronto came to support the event and Jessica Roelink, the Executive Director spoke about how the money we raised will directly impact women in the GTA.
Thanks to the guests of the event, we were able to donate 18 bags of gently-used work clothing to Dress for Success as well as raise a couple thousand for the charity.
It was such a pleasure to organize this event with close friends and I look forward to making the event bigger and better next year.
Our site: www.gratitudetea.com
In the spirit of Christmas, giving thanks and getting together on a Sunday afternoon for a high tea, The Gratitude Tea is a charity fundraiser that promises to warm your heart, satisfy your taste buds and inspire the most empowered of women. A cause that is very close to me, the Gratitude Tea was started in 2006 by my classmates at the time who organized the event as part of the school curriculum. My mom was my guest in 2006 and liked it so much that she considered organizing a Gratitude Tea again the following year. Nothing was ever planned, so after her passing in August I decided to bring back the Gratitude Tea with the help of my friends.
Introducing the Gratitude Tea 2.0 featuring food catered by George, in an exlusive setting, the private women’s club Verity with more auction items but with just as many Oprah-like inspirational moments. I’m so excited to be planning an event with close friends that is centred around such a positive message. The idea of a Gratitude Tea is to bring someone you are thankful for having in your life and to share, if you so desire something about them with everyone else in the room.
If you have ever wanted to tell someone how thankful you are for having them in your life, then this is the perfect outlet for you. At the 2006 event I spoke to everyone about how my mom played such a major role in my life and how truly grateful I was for everything she did for my sister and I. I have to say, that was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had and am glad I got to share that with her before she passed.
Also on board is Dress for Success, the Toronto chapter. We chose this charity because of what great things they are doing to help women get back on their feet, land a job and be self-sufficient so they can support themseleves and their families. Dress for Success offers employment assistance as well as professional attire, including: shoes, bags and jewellery so women can look their best for job interviews and the work place. We are also asking guests of The Gratitude Tea to bring in any gently used dress clothing to donate to the cause.
Because the event is so close to Christmas, the theme is a sugarplum affair, so there will plenty of holiday cheer and auction items that will be good for any present or stocking stuffer. Thanks to Blowdry Lounge, Gee Beauty, Flip Video Canada, RIM, the Raptors, Ed’s Real Scoop, the Nail Studio, the Rebel House and others for helping us out.
For info about the event visit www.gratitudetea.com
At some point, most young girls can imagine what it’s like to be Barbie. The flawless skin, the various careers, endless amounts of clothes, cars, houses and friends.
The most popular doll in the world has made a name for herself over the years. Now that she is 50 years of age (and looking as great as she ever did), you know someone was going to immortalize her in a fashion line to celebrate. Mac Cosmetics, Town Shoes and now David Dixon have been inspired by the doll that inspired us. They have each come out with a collection of Barbie-inspired clothing, shoes and make-up.
So bring on the pink, the zebra patterns and the big bouncy hair!
Barbie by David Dixon T.O. Fashion Week Spring Collection – Oct. 20, 2009 from Melissa Feeney on Vimeo.
The lovely electropop quartet graced us with their presence at the Mod Club on Oct. 8, 2009. They even tried out a few of their new songs on the crowd.
Here’s a taste….
photos courtesy of The City of Toronto
Warm clothes, check. Umbrella, check. Camera, Red Bull and Blackberry….check, check, check. Scavenger hunt list?
There are lots of things to do and see this October 3 but if walking around the downtown core checking out art installments doesn’t turn your crank then throw a little fun into the mix. Make the night a pub crawl and challenge your friends to find and do things along the way to make the walk from each Nuit Blanche exhibit a little more interesting.
The Scavenger Hunt Challenge
Here’s how it works:
During the course of the nuit, have your friends try to find/do the objects and activities listed below.
If you accomplish 5 of the listed items, you get to veto an installment you would rather pass by. If there is more than one person who accomplishes five tasks, take turns choosing which exhibits you would like to go to.
Accomplish 10 things and the person gets to choose which bar he/she would like to go to next and the group has to buy him or her a shot.
Accomplish 15 of the items on the list and everyone in the group has to buy that person a shot.
Work in teams or compete as individuals against each other.
BONNE CHANCE!
Plan your route and get more information at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
I feel like I’ve seen this dress before. I was surprised to see a dress that looked incredibly similar to the one I had in my closet. While traveling to Chicago in June, I stopped by the BCBG section of Macy’s, only to discover a dress that looked a lot like the one I had purchased and altered a year before. Actually, the dress was a jumper when I bought it. While scouring the racks of Ex Toggery, a thrift store that can be described as Value Village’s cooler cousin, I found an oversized jumper that if altered could look like an amazing little cocktail party dress. I decided it was worth the $50 to spend and pay another $30 for alterations since no one would have something like it.
First, I took the thick straps off to make it sleeveless, then had the mid section taken in so it would fit my waist.
Even though this dress had some differences, the general design of it is very similar to mine. The bottom may be a dark blue instead of black, but the tapering on the bottom is similar, as well as the shade of green on the top part of the dress, the high waist, the length and the texture. There is one main difference and that is the price. The BCBG dress retails for $200 US and I paid $80. I’m not always this thrifty but sometimes it feels good to save money.
