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Expressing Gratitude for a Good Cause

30 Nov

 

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 

Barbie Never Goes Out of Fashion

29 Oct

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.

Nuit Blanche Scavenger Hunt

1 Oct

 

photos courtesy of The City of Toronto

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!

 

  • have your text or tweet projected onto the south-facing wall of the AGO
  • spot a $10 Monopoly bill 
  • find a Torontoist pin
  • spot a projected image of an airplane
  • spot a sign upside down
  • witness a cyclist and driver dispute
  • dance along to a dance troupe’s choreographed routine
  • spot someone doing a chalk drawing
  • have your make-up touched up at Clarins Skin Spa in Yorkville (87 Yorkville Ave.) all evening
  • find garbage bags used in someone’s art display
  • spot someone using a sewing machine
  • find someone doing acrobatics
  • get your photograph taken at a photobooth
  • order one of the 32 beers on tap at Sin and Redemption – 136 McCaul St. by OCAD and the AGO
  • spot a black chandelier
  • find someone holding a stereo and hum along to the music they are playing
  • spot a zombie
  • get your limited edition artwork by Guy Maddin at the The Drake’s General Store
  • spot someone Twittering
  • find someone dressed up as a bear, cat or dog and give them a high five
  • spot a parade float along Bloor or Queen St.
  • find someone doing a tarot card reading and perhaps have your fortune read to you
  • drink a Hot Toddy @ THE BEAVER – 1192 Queen St. W and listen to some disco tunes from 11:00 pm onwards
  • spot someone holding a photograph
  • give change to a busker or homeless person

Plan your route and get more information at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

Brave New(s) World: Future of Journalism Summit

29 May

 

At the one of the breakout sessions entitled The New Journalism Toolbox

At the one of the breakout sessions entitled The New Journalism Toolbox

Out of the many lessons I learned at the Brave New(s) World Summit on the future of journalism held at Centennial College on May 28, the most important take away from the day could be that the newspaper is not dying, it is evolving. 

An elite group of news reporters, journalism professors, students and other media gathered for the day long summit to discuss concerns over the changing print journalism industry and how the web is shaking up the traditional business model.

It seems these days, anyone can be a citizen journalist and can spread messages instantly from their mobile device but does that water down the message and even though we may get our news faster, is it accurate and which source should we trust? How can we make money from putting news online? All these questions were answered, or at least discussed at the summit, with keynote speaker and successful publisher, professor Jeff Jarvis, author of the best-selling book, What Would Google Do?

 

Our discussion notes from a breakout session.

Our discussion notes from a breakout session.

 

As we enter the unknown territory of Web 3.0, it’s important to discuss the impact the web is going to have on jobs. That’s why I think some of the most important decision makers, critical thinkers and influencers didn’t hesitate to participate in the Summit. Representatives from every local and national media outlet  participated in the breakout sessions including: Mathew Ingram, Communities Editor for the Globe and Mail, Amber MacArthur, new media specialist for commandN.tv and CTV/CP24, Kris Reyes, Citytv News reporter.

 

Some of the participants from the Brave New(s) World Summit

Some of the participants from the Brave New(s) World Summit

 

So where do we go from here? Well it was said that people thought the radio was going to make kids deaf and the television was going to make us dumb, and the internet? Will it kill the print publication? No, there is room for both. We just need to adapt by being “small, agile and lethal.”

 

For a summary report of the conference, keep checking back in the next few days as people upload and add information to the blog. http://bravenewsworld.wordpress.com and http://www.centennialcollege.ca/thecentre/summit

SpinTO: A Party for a Good Cause

19 May

 

photo taken by Martin Ringehahn

photo taken by Martin Ringehahn

 

Raising $15,000 to date for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, SpinTO was a helluva party that brought together the cycling, tech and gay communities of Toronto to celebrate the Friends for Life Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal. 

 

In spite of it being the Victoria Day long weekend, people came out in droves to buy raffle tickets, bid on the silent auction items, dance, watch some burlesque performances, dress in drag and have their picture taken in Rannie Turingan‘s photobooth. 

 

Congrats to the organizers on a successful event!

 

 

Kelowna and I in the photobooth at SpinTO

Kelowna and I in the photobooth at SpinTO - photo taken by Martin Ringehahn

Blow Dry Bars are Blowing Up

18 Feb

When I first heard about an all blow dry bar in Vancouver, I wanted to move there just because I was so excited about this idea. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, a blow dry or blow out as some salons call it is a way of styling hair. There are four steps to a blow out: 

  1. Wash the hair.
  2. Blow dry the hair.
  3. Style the hair (hair curlers, up-dos optional).
  4. Go! Now you’re ready for a night on the town.

For a busy 20 something on a budget, I love the idea of not having to pay $40-$65 at a salon that is already busy with other clients who have booked two hour appointments. The blow dry can take only 30 minutes and does not need to cost a lot of money. Some smart people have realized that there is a market for people on the go, who don’t have time to call every salon to see if they are available for a blow out on a moment’s notice. 

 

twestivalto-pic-blog

At TwestivalTO after I had been to Blown.

 

I’ve discovered three good blow dry bars in Toronto so far. There is Blown, which I visited for the first time last week. The service was great! My hair stylist was efficient and recommended a style for my hair type. Ritual2 is the second place I know that offers a Blow & Go service. They promise to have you out of the salon in 45 minutes or less and have you looking red carpet glamorous for only $30! The third place I know of is Blowdry Lounge near St. Clair and Yonge. They are a bit pricier but offer extensive blow dry services including up-dos. 

I really love the idea of occasionally not having to rely on myself to style my hair, especially when I have to attend an important event or meeting. 

If you know of any other blow dry bars in the city, leave me a comment.

blow-out-comparison-chart1

Why It’s Important to Work for a Socially Responsible Company – Expert Advice From Tim Sanders

24 Nov

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Why is it so important for a company to be socially responsible these days? Watch this video to find out what Tim Sanders, the former Chief Solutions Officer for Yahoo! had to say about the green revolution and what it means for job seekers.

 

A Talk Is Cheap Recap

13 Nov

Talk_Is_Cheap_1

Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers and participants who made Talk Is Cheap 2.0 so great. The event was once again very well organized and well attended. 

Which sessions did I attend? I heard Eden Spodek, Brenna Flynn and Keith McArthur talk about Influencing the Influencers and enjoyed listening to Dave Fleet and Michael O’Connor Clarke talk about social media ethics.

 

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See you next year!

The End of an Election Means the End of Hilarious Campaign Spoofs

3 Nov

On the eve of the most important election in recent history, Saturday Night Live has decided to air a special two-hour show with all the hilarious elections skits leading up to the vote tomorrow.

In this television special we’ll get to watch Tina Fey in all her glory, pulling off the best Sarah Palin impersonation I’ve seen. Don’t forget the real Sarah Palin stopped by the show to prove she is a good sport and doesn’t mind the mockery.

 

There were the debates between McCain and Obama, the crazy lady from the Republican Convention, the campaign ad spoofs and more. Catch all the hilariousness, Monday, Oct. 3 on NBC starting at 9:00 p.m.

A PodCamp Montreal Report

21 Sep

I love PodCamp Montréal 2008

It’s day two here in beautiful Montreal. A little chillier than yesterday but that doesn’t matter, because we’re having such a good time here absorbing the newest in social media information and making new friends.

Yesterday David Usher and Mitch Joel spoke about the state of the music industry and how they have learned to adapt to changing times. Loved the part when David told everyone that he is inspired to write music at any moment, even when on the toilet. Hope that’s not when he is posting new music or tweeting.

Day two promises to be as good as day one so looking forward to what the speakers have to say.

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