Melissa Nepton Dazzles Toronto Fashion Week with her Couture Collection

Canadian born Melissa Nepton hit Toronto Fashion week with a bang, with her ready-to-wear couture for chic, urban, career women. The collection reflected both personality and style; she aims at showcasing both femininity and expression.

That is why when I got the chance to see her show I was pleasantly surprised. Surprised to see a new designer, and to find so many things that I would wear everyday. This show was even more memorable to me because it was my first time being able to sit front row at the Toronto Fashion week, which was an honour.

Her chic stylish looks included pieces like high collars, oversized sweaters, and loose and feminine blouses in neutrals, creams, and shades of grey and black. For a country like Canada, it can be difficult to look good in warm sweaters. Melissa successfully created a number of stylish pieces for a couture fall/winter look. I will be sure to look for any retailers who carry her collection next fall when outfitting myself for the winter season.

Celebrate the Luck of the Irish in Toronto

Do you often feel your heart skip a beat when you see a four-leaf clover? Do you get excited when you see the makings of green beer or leprechauns? You my friend have the luck of the Irish, and CityEvents has everything you want to know about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Toronto, for little to no cost! St. Patrick’s Day is a favourite holiday of CityEvents, CEO, Deb Lewis and is often a day off at the company. We are extremely lucky to be living in an explosively fun city like Toronto, where there is so much to do and see every day. That is why, on an occasion like St. Patrick’s Day, there are plenty more fun things to do right in the core of downtown Toronto. Make St. Patty’s Day 2012 memorable, go out, have fun, be green, and meet new Torontonians!

There is no better way than to get into the St. Patty’s Day mood, than by going to the St. Patrick’s Day parade! Sunday March 11^th, the parade will start at noon on Bloor and St. George. Irish dancers will pipe, drum, dance and skip their way east to Yonge, then head south to Queen, and turn back west, ending the parade just past Nathan Phillips Square.  This is the perfect chance to go outdoors, drink, have fun and meet new Torontonians who share your love for St. Patty’s Day.

If you’re feeling the need to give, donate or volunteer this St. Patrick’s Day, then we have something for you too! For all you philanthropists out there, on March 18^th at 10:15 a.m., come and be apart of this year’s 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Run and 5k Walk. Registration costs $50.00, and includes a free t-shirt, and a hot bowl of Irish chili and pint of Steam Whistle beer after the run. After the run, participants are invited to relax while listening to live music and entertainment. It will start and finish at 255 Bremner Boulevard, outside of Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse. All proceeds from the event and donations will go to Achilles Canada; a foundation helping Canadians with disabilities participate in running.

Another volunteer opportunity for this St. Patrick’s Day is The Shamrock at the Amsterdam Brewery, a benefit for the Parkdale Food Bank. On Saturday, March 17^th, from 5pm to 2am, people will be bringing donations or non-perishable food items, while enjoying classic Irish dishes, live Celtic music and green beer.

If like most people you want to spend the night in a pub, but not sure which one, we’ve got one with enough green beer to last you until March 2013! The best time you will have at a pub on St. Patty’s Day will be held on March 17^th, at the Irish Embassy. The evening will include live music, accompanied by Irish dancers throughout the night, and limited time offer food specials to complement your green beer.

If you’re not a pub or bar person, but want a fun St. Patty’s Day with friends, green beer, and live music, then don’t look any further; St. PARTY’s Day is here to save the day. It is an all day event on March 17^th, on 92 Front St., in the St. Lawrence market in the north building. Starting at 11a.m., this all day event will showcase a number of live bands, pots of gold, and all the green beer your Irish heart desires.

Last, but certainly not least, if all else fails, or you don’t like crowds, bring Ireland to you. Stay at home; make yourself a big pot of Irish potato soup, make your own green beer, and work on your Irish accent.

If you do plan to venture out for St. Patty’s Day, to find the pot of gold, make sure you have a safe ride home.

International Women’s Day a Celebration of Women

International Women’s Day is a day to recognize women and their achievements. Celebrated for over 100 years International Women’s Day is an opportunity to access how far we’ve come and where we are going.

Women have achieved many things since the introduction of International Women’s Day including the right to vote. Over the years this day has grown to become a global celebration of women; it is an official holiday in several countries like Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

Celebrate women this International Women’s Day with events around the city; participate in the many offerings Toronto has to recognize and celebrate women.

Fundraise for the Seventh Stage Theatre with 7 Fierce Femmes at the Extension Room, 30 Eastern Ave on March 7. This event includes performances by the City Dance Corps and Erica Peck of We Will Rock You. www.seventhstageproductions.com

On March 8 come out to Celebrate International Women’s Day with Women’s College Hospital and hear from Farrah Khan, counselor at the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic about women as outsiders at Women’s College Hospital. www.womenscollegehospital.ca

On March 8, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen is hosting Kitchen Sister: An Exquisite Dinning Experience to Benefit Sistering where some of this city’s finest female chefs create delicious dishes to raise money for Sistering’s new kitchen. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Avenue,Toronto. For more information, please visit www.sistering.org

Sisterhood Revisted: Local Transcontinental and Global Feminist Struggles is a keynote address from Dr. Jacinta Muteshia about the contradictions of democracy and feminist politics within institutions of governance. The event takes place at Founders Senior Common Room (Founders 305) at York University., Toronto on March 8, 2012. cfr.info.yorku.ca

NYCH celebrates IWD, NYCH celebrates with fun activities including: Henna, Tahitian dancing, manicure, games and yoga. The Event takes place at Lawrence Square Mall 2nd Floor, suite 226 on March 8, 2012. www.nych.ca

Watch “No Woman No Cry”  a free film screening of Christy Turlington’s award winning documentary about maternal health at College and Shaw Public Library on March 15, 2012. www.facebook.com/events/239721572787602/

Have Fun This Valentine’s Day With Special Events Happening Around The City

Valentine’s Day is here again and there are plenty of fun and romantic specials for those interested. There is a diversity of events happening in Toronto for couples, families and, singles this Valentine’s Day, take part with the following events.

Couples

Singles needn’t worry about lack of events to attend on a day geared towards couples; Toronto is filled with opportunities for singles to have fun. No Sweetheart Required, is a festival presented by Cabbagetown Theatre Company from February 9 to the 14, the festival includes performances, music and more.  There is also the humorously named Toronto’s Largest Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day Party hosted by C-Lounge on the February 11.  and our recommended event:  Among the numerable things happening in the city this Valentine’s Day a few stand out among them is Shanny in the City and Gary Wilson’s Eligible Inc. Social Club present Valentine’s Masquerade Event, it is an exclusive and mysterious event happening in downtown Toronto on February 10. The event includes appetizers, drinks and door prizes.

image from freeimageslive.co.uk

8 Tips on Planning and Hosting Winter Events

The days are shorter, the night are longer but don’t let old man winter stop you from hosting your most fabulous event yet! Follow these CityEvents tips to create a Winter Wonderland on any budget

1. Pick a Theme and Stick to it!

For a winter event let the season inspire you and all your décor, theme, activities, and food options. A fun festive tip to try is pick one winter item, anything from a crystal icicle, a snowy forest, or a roaring fire and from that item recreate the feel, smell, taste, touch and sound that object brings you in all your event’s details.

2. Stay Warm!

The temperature may be dropping but your parties are heating up!  Make sure your guests stay warm, and bundle up coming and leaving your event. It can be anything from having a heated area when lining up to enter the venue to as simple as offering extra mittens and scarves to your guests when they leave (bonus points for having your event logo on the accessories!). For smaller parties have your guests brave the cold with a cup of Goodnight Hot Chocolate!

3. Make Outside Inside

Why let the seven feet of snow outside your door limit your options. Make outside inside with different heating setups. Try installing a tent area to take advantage of a larger lawn. Small budgets are no problem, as decorating a yard with fairy lights and having folded blankets on chairs creates a winter wonderland while giving your guests a chance for a breath of frosty fresh air.

4. Safety First

Safety should be a concern for all savvy planners year round but winter presents its own unique challenges. As much as possible check the weather reports for the day of your event and shovel, salt, and snow-blow all walkways! Always do a run-through of your whole floor-plan to make sure there are no slipping and sliding risks. Have enough coat racks (or coat check) as well as mats for wet boots and shoes. As always, for any guests who were feeling the festive winter spirit and consumed have alcohol, insist on a taxi or have alternative transportation on standby. Two numbers for the Toronto area are: Beck 416-751-5555, and City Taxi 416-740-2222

5. Use the Season to Your Advantage

Winter is the best time to match your décor to the season. Ice sculptures, and ice luges (for beverages) are beautiful, reasonably priced, and an impressive visual for your guests. The lower light of the afternoon sets any candles and lighting aglow. Rich colours: crimson, snow white, pine greens pop against the drab background of the urban winter. The crisp air makes savoury smells more noticeable, and any warmth always draws people in off the street. Counterpoint the heat and energy of your party with the frosty outside and all your event choices will be that much more of a standout.

6. Try Something Different

As beautiful as the winter season is there is something to be said with doing the exact opposite! Vacation sales spike in the New Year for a reason – people want an escape! This is the perfect time to juxtapose a wacky or different theme to shake your guests out of their winter hibernation. Who wouldn’t want to try a January Hawaiian Luau or a Murder Mystery Dinner instead of a traditional February Valentine’s day party?  Get creative and try something no one else is doing! It’s sure to be noticed.

7. Timing is Everything

They’re called the “Winter Blahs” for a reason. Holiday season is very busy with Christmas, Chanukah, New Years and reunions. Guests may be worn out by January 1st, but there is a large empty period from Jan – March. This is the perfect time to plan your winter party and give your guests something to look forward to! Half the trick in creating a good buzz is standing out from the competition, and with little else going on even the smallest party will shine.

8. Make it Fun!

This is the most important thing to remember! As planners we can get caught up in the detail and forget to see the big picture. People come to events to have fun, so think critically. Is this something I would have fun at? Spontaneity is the key to fun; why not whip up a snowball fight at midnight? Drop snowflake confetti? Keep your guests guessing and keep it fun! Happy Planning!!

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