I was lucky enough to be sent to the 2018 WedLuxe show taking place at The Carlu in downtown Toronto over the weekend. I chose one of my great friends Breanne to come along with me, as she’s getting hitched this year too.
Admittedly, I’m not too wedding crazy and prefer to keep things chic and very simple. I have a tiny venue booked downtown that will hold 28 of our nearest and dearest friends and family. I ordered my dress online from the UK without trying it on first (GASP) and it’s not even entirely white (DOUBLE GASP), instead of the usual 3 course salad, chicken or steak and chocolate lava cake dessert we’re opting for a taco bar catered from Grand Electric (TRIPLE GA-, ok, you get it). There are some things I could really care less about. I still have to buy my wedding shoes and to be honest; it feels like I’m having teeth pulled. Breanne is the opposite, her wedding is about triple the size of mine and she’s booked a simply beautiful venue on a property in Hamilton. If my memory serves me right there is even a small waterfall on site. She’s not really into cake and has decided to ditch the idea entirely for her reception and stick to the usual desserts that follow dinner and maybe even a poutine bar, which I think is pretty bad ass. So, seeing as we are two pretty different brides, could we both find were looking for at the show? This year’s theme was ‘Reverie’, Celebration of Dreams and had over 100 exhibitors brides to be could mix and mingle with. When the elevators opened to the 7th floor of the Carlu and it certainly did look like a dream- flowers and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, a giant floral unicorn stood to greet you and we were passed a pink welcome drink garnished with cotton candy. We were off to a good start.
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Ok, so as promised here is part two of what else you can do in Niagara on the Lake that was an additional cost to what was provided in the Travel Zoo deal (see last post).
I love weekend getaways, I love travelling anywhere at any time, but sometimes my bank account doesn’t. I always try to find the best deals, track flight prices or look for promotions to ease my travel itch!
This is why one of my very favourite sites is TravelZoo.ca. I’ve signed up for their newsletter that I receive every Wednesday and I always really look forward to it. I’ve gotten a little more into wine recently and a Niagara on the Lake stay deal caught my eye. It was at the Pillar and Post Inn which is owned by Vintage Hotels. If you’re a frequent reader, you saw a few posts back that I had high tea at the Prince of Wales hotel which is also owned by Vintage Hotels, so I knew the quality would be great. I booked the deal for a Saturday night ($289, and you pay a resort fee of $15 per night at checkout. If you stay on a weeknight its $219). The nightly rate seems like a deal enough but this package included a 3 course meal for two at the CAA 4 diamond award winner Cannery restaurant attached to the Inn, winery passes and chocolate tasting at Reif Estate, two passes for an ice wine tasting at The Ice House winery, and some culinary samplings and product discounts at the NEOB lavender farm. Wow, right? Toronto is pretty magical this time of year. As someone who isn’t usually too thrilled with the snow and cold, light displays, holiday windows and decorated trees slowly win me over.
It seems like the list of Christmas markets downtown gets bigger every year. I checked out four of them so you don’t have to … Nestled away in Liberty Village, sits the beer shop/tap room of Big Rock Brewery attached to Liberty Commons (42 Liberty St). I was lucky enough to win a ‘Big Night Out’ with Big Rock for myself and 5 friends. It included some samples of small batch beer a mysterious man named Dan creates in the basement of the tap room (we’re talking 600 litres!), a private brewery tour and dinner! Fuzzy Peach Ale caught our attention, and my girlfriends and I all ordered a round waiting for the other members of our party to show up.
I was so lucky to score an invite to Dave Lackie’s Starbucks at Home event on Friday on top of the Hudson’s Bay in the Arcadian Court. I was offered a crème brulee latte at the door and sipped it as I overlooked the skating rink at Nathan Philips Square and watched all the commuters below scramble onto the streetcar to work. Some ladies were sitting down in a makeup chair getting a complimentary touch up from Estee Lauder. I’m always nervous about doing this for some reason, but really enjoyed watching a few girlfriends get a mini makeover. A popular eye palette, pure colour envy in Fiery Saffron was used quite a bit and was really beautiful. I was thrilled to see it in my gift bag when I got home!
If you don’t follow Dave Lackie on social media, you’re doing yourself a major disservice. He has his finger on the pulse of all things beauty and fashion. He knows the hot lip colours to wear to holiday parties or paint your nails with. He has thousands of followers from all around the world. The Starbucks event was live on periscope and we could see little dots light up all over the map of where fashion fanatics and coffee lovers were tuning in to join us. How does a velvety milk stout with a juicy raspberry kick sound? Pretty good, right? Well, that’s exactly what Muskoka Brewery is bringing to the table this year with the Raspbeery Coco Lait, a Moonlight Kettle graduate! My fiancé and I were lucky enough to attend a VIP food pairing event with Muskoka at The Craft Brassiere in Liberty Village where the winter beer was the star of the show.
“We pour more beer in Canada than anybody else!” Carolyn Kerr said, leaning across the table so we could hear her over the DJ. “Is that true? Because I’m going to write about it!” I said, sipping my Rainhard Armed N Citra. “Oh, it’s totally true!” Carolyn Kerr is the day manager for the newest Craft Beer Market to pop up in Canada. This time it was on the east coast, near the financial district in downtown Toronto. “We have two locations in Calgary, one in Ottawa, Vancouver, and Edmonton…” she went on. Carolyn even picked up everything and moved from the Calgary location to run the Toronto restaurant/brew pub. “We’ve been training since July, feels good to finally be open”.
We thought the same. My friend Marc and I were thrilled to get an invite to check out Craft Beer Market before it officially opens to the public next week. Upon arrival we were told they have over 160 beers on tap (A manager at the door told me 75% of them are from local Ontario breweries, bonus points). The largest selection to choose from was on the main floor, pipes shot down from the ceiling into the large circular bar below, multiple bartenders buzzing away, filling pints and giving out recommendations. Bread and beer are definitely on my top 5 favourite things list. I do love my carbs. If you can relate, Muskoka Brewery, Ace Breads and Loblaws teaming up for a baking with beer class might make your mouth water. The classes are taking place in Loblaws all over the GTA, with more dates being added in 2018. RECIPE AT THE END!Bachelorette parties. My friend Breanne and I are both getting married in the spring and have yet to plan ours. I get so many causal comments saying we should hire a stripper or go to a strip club to celebrate my last night of being a single lady, but the idea has always made me cringe. Isn’t it awkward? I mean, I don’t think I’m one of those ladies in the Magic Mike crowds screaming with a 5 dollar bill in my hand, what if one of them makes eye contact with me? And what if (my biggest fear) happens where the buff dancer tries to lift me up into some crazy position on stage and audibly groans at the weight of me?
My girlfriends and I discussed this over some much needed drinks before the show. We were all nervous, not knowing what to expect. We reminisced on times where ex-partners tried to put on some not-so graceful shows for us, or when I was at a birthday party where we had a stripper cop show up for the birthday girl and it ended up being really raunchy. H.I.M wouldn’t be gross like that right? I mean, they’re professionals! Three cocktails later we headed out into the street for a short walk to the venue. “It’s happening, you guys” “I’m going to need another drink when I get there!” We giggled like school girls. |
SarahHey! I'm Sarah! A 30 something living in downtown Toronto with a great guy and an OK dog. I love seeing what my city has to offer and try to hit up as many fun events or attractions as I can! I haven't slept since 2004.
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