Get Weekend Ready- What's on in Toronto from November 7th to 9th

It's Thursday and we all know what that means, the weekend is right around the corner! Or maybe yours has already begun due to a little string pulling or stellar acting skills by which you managed to get the day off after sniffling in an "I'm sick" phone call. Don't gasp. We've all done it. Really, though, let's focus. Truthfully, no one need miss out on the lineup of events the metropolis of T.O. has to offer us this weekend. Below are just a few of the copious amounts of lively events to check out:


National Women's Show Toronto
Starts: November 7, 2014
Ends: November 9, 2014

Event Time(s):

Friday, November 7, 2014, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Saturday, November 8, 2014, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday, November 9, 2014, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Website: http://www.nationalwomenshow.com/toronto/index.html

Email: info@nationalevent.com

Costs:
Adult: $15
Child: Free
Cost Information: Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15

'Come shop ‘til you drop at the National Women’s Show Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre November 7-9, 2014. With over 450 exhibits offering food, wellness, beauty, travel and entertainment ideas you’ll find everything you need for the ultimate girl’s day out! Bring your friends and be entertained by fashion shows, celebrity guests, free makeovers, and cooking stage demos. Ask the experts for advice about hairstyles, make-up and fitness and see the newest things to hit the market for women. Whether you bring your girlfriend, sister, mother or daughter, you’re guaranteed a fun filled day!'


Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building
222 Bremner Boulevard

Speakeasy! A Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery

Presented by: Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre

Dates: November 7, 2014

Event Time(s):
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

'Now Playing Speakeasy! A Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery. Join us for opening night at East Side Marion's Emerald City Night Club. Where Sam Spade, Al Capone and Mae West go over the rainbow in this Prohibition Era mystery. Shows every Friday and Saturday, with select Thursdays and some Wednesday matinees.'

Location: Mysteriously Yours... Mystery Theatre
2026 Yonge Street

Toronto Dance Theatre presents Triple Bill

Presented by: NextSteps

Dates: November 6th-8th, 2014

Event Time(s):
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Website: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/performances/

Email: info@harbourfrontcentre.com

Cost Information: $20–40

'Toronto Dance Theatre’s amazing dancers return for Triple Bill, a bold mixed program featuring Thomas Hauert’s Dora-nominated Pond Skaters, Christopher House’s 1991 masterwork Early Departures and a dynamic new full-company work by House.'

Location: Harbourfront Centre, Fleck Dance Theatre
207 Queens Quay W
Queens Quay West and Lower Simcoe Street

No Flat City

Presented by: Harbourfront Centre

Dates: Ongoing

Time(s): No Flat City is an outdoor photography exhibition, no set hour

Website: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/visualarts/2014/no-flat-city/

Email: info@harbourfrontcentre.com

Cost information: free

'Toronto's Incomparable Terrain will dispel the myth that the Toronto region is completely flat by focusing on the many unusual and unexpected characteristics of the landscape. Featuring work by Sarah Burtscher, Chloë Ellingson, Brett Gundlock, Brendan George Ko, Darren Rigo and Victoria Vitasek, the exhibition will consist of 72 large-scale photographic images, set alongside Lake Ontario at Harbourfront Centre.'


Location: Harbourfront Centre

"Lest We Forget" Art Exhibition

Presented by: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Dates: Ongoing

Time(s): No set times. Schedule permitting, some 30-minute building tours from Monday to Friday will include a visit to the Lieutenant Governor's Suite.

Website: http://educationportal.ontla.on.ca/en/visit-us/tours/building-tour
Email: tourbookings@ontla.ola.org

''Lest We Forget' is a series of original oil paintings by renowned Ontario artist Charles Pachter in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of World War I. All of the works were painted specifically for this exhibition and will be donated to the Ontario Art Collection at the end of its run. Along with the exhibition is a free booklet of essays by esteemed Canadians including the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Romeo A. Dallaire, Margaret MacMillan and others on the topic of 'What We Have Learned from War.' '

Location: Queen's Park Legislative Building
111 Wellesley Street W
Queen's Park Circle and College Street

Toronto Argonauts vs. Ottawa Redblacks

Dates: November 7, 2014 

Event Time(s): 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Website: www.argonauts.ca

Email: info@argonauts.ca

The Argos welcome back the Ottawa Redblacks in their final home game of the regular season and celebrate fan appreciation night.

Location: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way

Planet In Focus Environmental Film Festival

Produced by: Planet In Focus

Starts: November 6, 2014
Ends: November 9, 2014

Event Time(s):
9:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Website: http://planetinfocus.org/

Email: info@planetinfocus.org

Costs: $10 - $19
Adult: 15
Student: 10
Senior: 10

Loving the planet one film at a time! The 15th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, will showcase more than 40 environmental films from around the world. Meet many filmmakers attending, as well as the 2014 Eco - Heroes Rob Stewart and Tzeporah Berman who are changing our world! Attend the Festival Forum focused on food and environment this year... And a lot more! For box office details, locations and full schedule please visit our website.

Location:
Event takes place in multiple locations, please contact event organizers for more details.

Murder at the ROM Scavenger Hunt
Presented by: Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts

Dates: November 8, 2014

Event Time(s): 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Website: http://www.urbancapers.com/murder-at-the-royal-ontario-museum/

Email: info@urbancapers.com

Costs information: $30 - $39 (Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.urbancapers.com.)

'A curator has been murdered and a trail of clues left behind, connected to secrets in the collections. As you solve clues, you’ll begin to piece together a tale of greed, lust, pride and revenge. There are multiple suspects, one victim and you, the sleuths, must crack a cryptic code left in the curator’s appointment book to solve the mystery. On an Urban Capers Scavenger Hunt, you don't collect items, but rather answers to tricky and humourous questions. Teams of two to six compete over the course of two hours. This hunt is designed for adults, but clever kids as young as 9 enjoy! This event is not associated with the ROM.'


Location: Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park
Bloor Street West and Avenue Road

5th Annual Canadian Beatbox Championship


Dates: November 8, 2014

Event Time(s): 5:30 PM to 2:00 AM

Website: http://www.beatboxcan.com

Email: melcarrey.pr@gmail.com

Cost Information: $15 advance online tickets (until October 20), $25 at the door

'Beatbox Canada is proud to present our nation's Top 16 beatboxers from all across Canada. "Over the years we've witnessed many close battles, lots of beatbox blood has been shed, newcomers have become battle vets, and titles have been handed down," says Beatbox Canada director Gary Goudini. "Beatbox is a true art form that is shared by all artists and friends alike. It's good music, a real universal language." The top 16 beatboxers are flying in from five provinces across Canada, to compete against defending 2013 champion, James "Peterpot" McInnes from Calgary, Alberta. Past champions include Terry "Krnfx" Im and Scott Jackson, both from Toronto.'


Location: Virgin Mobile Mod Club
722 College Street
College Street and Ossington Avenue

The Only Cafe Fall Beer Fest 2014

Date: Tomorrow, November 7, 2014 5:00 pm -
Saturday, November 8, 2014 9:30 pm

Time(s): Starts at 5pm and goes untill the reps run out of beer, or desire. This starts happening at around 9:30ish.

Website

This event happens quarterly, and celebrate the best of each season. Tickets are $1 each. Each ticket gets a 5oz sample, 16oz cup for 4 tickets

Cost: $1.00

LINEUPS? PROBABLY:
But if you're waiting to get outside to the patio action, there couldn't be a better lineup to be in - the one in front of our 25 taps!

Location: The Only Cafe
61 reviews972 Danforth Ave
Toronto, ON M4J 1L9

Veg Heads Autumn Gala

Date: November 8th

Time(s): 7:00 pm

Website: http://www.vegheads.org/

Cost information: $60

'A team of plant focused foodies, supporting a local food culture of sustainable,delicious nutrition.We believe in sharing our secrets to life-long vitality and wholesome living. Our community of Veg Heads knows that at the source of their love affair with life is eating a mostly plant based diet!

At Veg heads we invite innovated food artisans to give us a view into their kitchens and food escapades. We also organize events where everybody can come out to play every once in awhile.'

Location: 5 Brock Ave., Toronto, Ontario.

Kick back, relax, unwind and enjoy your free time!

Happy almost weekend!

Jessica Ashley

Never Have I Ever, by Katie Heaney- A Book Review

I came across the book titled Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date, while scanning the display tables at Chapters Yorkdale and was immediately drawn to the cover. A pattern of rosy hearts splashed across it, and a timid looking woman with head in hands drew my attention. Why? I suppose because this young woman reminded me of the twenty-year-old me; uncomfortable in my own skin, undeniably awkward and shy and unsure of what my future held in store. I also found the title quite humorous and as most know, if you've had a chance to read my novel, and my biography, I am always drawn to reading and writing tales of woe that involve humorous bits.







The book's author Katie Heaney is, in fact, the young woman on the cover. The tale is a forthcoming telling of Heaney's own life events involving relationships and love, or I suppose the lack thereof. I had to have it, even if only to draw comparisons between Heaney's real life trials and my own. Isn't that what engages us all while reading autobiographical accounts? The possibility of finding some similarities between our own hardships and those of people we've never met? Perhaps even to celebrate that ours aren't quite so bad when held up and measured next to those who so willingly pour them out onto paper? Maybe it's just me.

About The Author




Katie Heaney is a 25-year-old writer living in Minneapolis. She earned a BA in political science from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2009 and a master's degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota in May 2012. She has written for BuzzFeed, New York Magazine, The Hairpin, The Awl,Glamour.com, and The Rumpus, among other publications.


The Synopsis

'So begins Katie Heaney's memoir of her years spent looking for love, but never quite finding it. By age 25, equipped with a college degree, a load of friends, and a happy family life, she still has never had a boyfriend ... and she's barely even been on a second date.

Throughout this laugh-out-loud funny book, you will meet Katie's loyal group of girlfriends, including flirtatious and outgoing Rylee, the wild child to Katie's shrinking violet, as well as a whole roster of Katie's ill-fated crushes. And you will get to know Katie herself -- a smart, modern heroine relaying truths about everything from the subtleties of a Facebook message exchange to the fact that "Everybody who works in a coffee shop is at least a little bit hot."

Funny, relatable, and inspiring, this is a memoir for anyone who has ever struggled to find love, but has also had a lot of fun in the process.'







The Review

The book was engaging from the first page to the final word. By the end I truly felt that had I been a couple of years younger, Katie and I could have been the best of friends, telling our stories of love almost gained and lost. The language is clean and effective with wonderful description.

I suppose the only negative comment I have to make is that some portions of Heaney's accounts dragged on a bit and some seemed unnecessary, although it is an autobiography so clearly Heaney found all aspects pertinent enough to add. None of these additions turned me off from continuing to discover more about Heaney's trials and tribulations.

I would recommend this book to YA readers as it truly is something that young women who are beginning to discover the importance of friendship and love and are just setting off to find their way, would identify with(although I suppose we are all finding our way, no matter what age we are). I believe it is most identifiable to the 18-25 age group. That doesn't mean that women in their 30's and 40's wouldn't find enjoyment in it, however.

The Rating

I give this delightful and honest read 4 Stars!


Buy the Book

https://www.goodreads.com/work/compare_prices/23582714?book=17159009


Connect with Katie

Website-http://www.katieheaney.com/

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860774.Katie_Heaney

Twitter- https://twitter.com/KTHeaney


Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley

Beauty Sleep- It's Not a Myth

 To all out there who try to carve an extra hour out of every fleeting day and burn the metaphorical candle at both ends, stop! That candle will soon burn out and you'll be left withered up and puffy-eyed trying to remember what your middle name is.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep. Why do we do this to ourselves? Look how happy the monkeys and the giraffes are and look how well-rested the koalas and the sloths look; not a bag under those eyes to be found. We must take note and adjust the workaholic tendencies that plague our sleepless lifestyles. A beautiful life of balance is key.

Here are the facts about sleep and reasons that our outer appearance becomes impacted when we don't get enough (I'm no scientist, but the physiological and physical impacts a good night's sleep have on a person are enough proof for me to get those much needed z's):

• During sleep, we are not entirely at rest; our body is continuously working to restore, process and strengthen itself after the depletion that may have occurred throughout the course of the day
• Sleep helps to consolidate memories from the completed day. We take in a massive amount of information throughout any given day. This information is processed and substantially stored  mostly while we sleep. For this reason, it is obvious that pulling an all-nighter to cram for an exam or test, is less effective than studying hard the day before and following this with a full night's rest.
• Your skin cells regenerate during sleep thereby giving a renewal to the entire appearance of your complexion, according to author of Forget the Facelift , Doris Day.
• "Lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate, causing dark circles under the eyes." Sonia Bansal, Dermatologist.
• Lack of sleep also causes you to be more stressed and this tension shows in your face.(my own personal experience has been helpful to my knowing this fact).
• Lack of sleep is also linked to more serious physiological effects such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.

Although there are many negatives that coincide with lack of sleep, in regards to complexion, skin recovers quickly so it's not too late to change up your sleep routine and get your body back on track!

Here are a few tips for a better night's sleep and less negative impacts to complexion and appearance while you sleep:

• Get on schedule! You must vow to yourself to go to bed at a certain time each night so that your body gets into a rhythm. Aim for at least 7 continuous hours of sleep a night.
• Lay off the booze before bed. Alcohol is a stimulant and although you may easily pass out after a couple glasses of red, you'll be wide awake in the early morning hours and cursing yourself for consuming any of it, with an inability to doze back off to sleep.
• Skip the afternoon or early evening coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant that will have you bug-eyed for hours.
• Become a back sleeper. Sleeping on your stomach or side increases puffiness to the under-eye area and the pulling on the eyes when pressed against the pillow case leads to fine lines developing. Laying on your back also drains any fluids from under the eyes so that when you awake you look better rested.
• A bedtime routine is paramount when preparing your mind and body to rest. This gives the signal to your brain that the day is done. Cleanse, moisturize, massage the face and crawl under the covers for the rest you undoubtedly deserve.

Sweet dreams!
Jessica Ashley

Spotlight on Mocca - The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art

Toronto is a multitudinous melting pot of integrated culture from all over the world. As a country, Canada has much to offer the world of art and a vast land with fascinating people to inspire the makings of this art. The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art highlights and pays tribute to the incredible contemporary artists that call this wonderful nation home.

MOCCA Roots

MOCCA was originally known as the Art Gallery of North York, yet became MOCCA in 1999. The museum relocated to Queen West in the heart of the design district in downtown Toronto.  Queen West has been hailed by numerous international sources as one of the top ten most dynamic art communities in the world. Vogue, to be a bit more direct, claimed it to be the second 'coolest' neighbourhood in the world. What better place for MOCCA to call home.

'The mandate of the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art is to exhibit, research, collect, and promote innovative art by Canadian and international artists whose works engage and address challenging issues and themes relevant to our times. MOCCA is committed to providing a forum for emerging artists that show particular promise and to established artists whose works are considered to be ground-breaking or influential.'

To achieve the above mandate, MOCCA's grand 5000 square foot space of the Main Room and the additonal 1000 square foot space of the adjacent Project Room allows exhibitions that intrigue, inspire and provoke thought on various relevant and key themes. Although the space is intended as an avenue to introduce Canadian artists, international works have been showcased in the space as well.  MOCCA has also engaged in a local-to-global initiative which has allowed MOCCA to present exhibitions in the U.S., China, Taiwan, Germany, Italy and Spain. This effort is a terrific means to achieving global connectivity in the world of contemporary art.

The Exhibitions

Vera Frankel:

Ways of Telling

November 15th-December 28th, 2014

For more information go to http://www.mocca.ca/exhibition/vera-frenkel/

Douglas Coupland:

Everywhere is Anywhere is Anything is Everything

January 31st-April 19th, 2015

For more information go to http://www.mocca.ca/exhibition/coupland/

Events

Members are invited to join Assistant Curator Su-Ying Lee for a tour of Vera Frankel's Exhibit.on November 18th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. 

For more information about this event go to http://www.mocca.ca/events/

Art is everywhere. 

Jessica Ashley

The Shoe Diaries Fall/Winter

Welcome to my Fall/Winter 2014 installment of The Shoe Diaries. I find that the cooler months often result in a depressingly dark and dreary choice of footwear. Not so this fall and winter season! Designers have toyed with pops of colours and sleek, sexy shapes in their collections for the dreaded winter months. Quirky patterns and chunky heels intermingle and sit side-by-side slender yet equally as playful  heeled creations.  Check out a few of my favourite pieces from what I consider the sexiest and most original Fall/ Winter 2014 collections.

Giannico

http://giannicoshoes.com/

Valentino

http://www.valentino.com/en/home/

Miu Miu

http://www.miumiu.com/en

Dolce and Gabbana 

http://www.dolcegabbana.com/woman/collection/accessories/

Christian Laboutin

http://us.christianlouboutin.com/ca_en

Emilio Pucci

http://www.emiliopucci.com/

Betsey Johnson

http://www.betseyjohnson.com/

Stay Feet Fabulous!

Jessica Ashley

With the first of November comes an unofficial start to the holiday season. This season, which is  about spending time with loved ones and celebrating the completion of another successful year,  is also characterized by selfless giving to those in need. Below are a few of the many Toronto-based charity organizations for you to consider affiliating yourself with this season,

International Development and Relief Foundation

'The IDRF Mission Statement: (International Development and Relief Foundation) is a Canadian, registered charitable organization, dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged people of the world. IDRF provides effective humanitarian aid and sustainable development programs to disadvantaged individuals, without discrimination, based on the Islamic principles of human dignity, self reliance and social justice.'

 Visit the IDRF website to get involved and donate http://idrf.com/

Habitat for Humanity Toronto

'Habitat for Humanity Toronto welcomes all people to join in and build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low-income families, volunteers and donors. With your help, we can permanently break the cycle of poverty.

Habitat for Humanity also offers other means to get involved - through the ReStore. The Toronto ReStores are owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Shelves are stocked with new and gently used renovation supplies donated to by homeowners and businesses. Everything is available at discounted prices.The money raised from the sale of items at the ReStores pays for the administrative and fundraising costs of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Take action. Get involved'

Visit the Habitat for Humanity Toronto website to get involved http://www.torontohabitat.ca/

 Daily Bread Food Bank Toronto

'Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization fighting to end hunger across the Greater Toronto Area GTA.'

Mission: 

Providing food and resources for hungry people.

Mobilizing greater support, involvement and action, 

Creating social change to reduce poverty through research, education and advocacy.

 Visit the Daily Bread Food Bank website to get involved and donate http://www.dailybread.ca/

Shelter Box Canada

'Shelter Box relies on the generosity and support of donors from across the world in order to be able to carry out international humanitarian relief work. Founded in 2001 by a Rotarian Tom Henderson, Shelter Box has grown for over a decade from its roots as a Global Rotary Club Project supported by Rotarians across the world, and is now recognized as one of the most innovative and leading disaster relief agencies in the world.

Shelter Box provides more than just emergency equipment and shelter to a family in need – it provides warmth, security, a renewed sense of hope and promise of a fresh start. We cannot eradicate natural or man made disasters. We can only be prepared to respond to them.'

Visit the Shelter Box Canada website to get involved http://www.shelterboxcanada.org/

The Annual Gift Basket Drive 

'The Annual Gift Basket Drive was pioneered in December 2000  by Shelley Porritt, an Etobicoke-based real estate broker. As a volunteer at local women’s shelters, she found the holidays were an
especially difficult time of year for the ladies in residence. So, armed with nothing but a glimmer of inspiration and her trademark determination, she invited a few friends and family members over to her home, asking them to bring some empty baskets, new cosmetics, bath items and hair care products. The ladies who gathered around the table that evening to wrap up all the packages, unknowingly became a part of the inaugural event that launched the Annual Gift Basket Drive.

In the past decade, the quantity of baskets has grown steadily from those first few dozen to several hundred and now upwards of 2,000. Shelley’s impromptu gesture to a small group of women at a single location, today encompasses dozens of organizations across the GTA.'

To volunteer and/or donate to The Annual Gift Basket Drive visit the charity website http://www.annualbasketdrive.ca/

Toronto SickKids Foundation

'Our mission:We inspire our communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada and around the world.

Healthier Children. A Better World.™
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children.
The Foundation's fundraising is driven by the belief that improving the health and well-being of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society.'

Get involved today: http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/about-us

Because I Am a Girl Toronto

'Because I am a Girl is a global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty.

The Because I am a Girl initiative was founded by Plan International, one of the largest international charities in the world. Founded in 1937, Plan has supported girls and boys in the developing world for more than 75 years through collaboration with children, their families, and their communities.'

To get involved follow the link: http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

There are countless organizations to involve yourself in and there is no better time than now to do your part. 

Happy helping!

Jessica Ashley