POEM: Love Letter

My dear beloved, 

We are far away from each other, 

But my thoughts are always with you. 

My heart is always beating for you. 

The distance between us is all so painful, 

And I am waiting impatiently for the happy day when we can see each other again. 

I dream about you every night. 

The dreams are so vivid that they make me feel that you are next to me, 

That I can touch you. 

And then I wake up in the morning in cold disappointment that it was just a dream, 

That what I was touching was just the pillow on the other side of the bed, 

And I am bound to spend yet another day without you by my side. 

I wish I could find the magic to transport myself into the dream world where I can always be with you,

Where nothing can stand between us. 

But one day soon we will be together again, 

And nothing indeed will stand between us. 

My treacherous dreams will turn into a happy reality. 

And when I wake up in the morning, 

You will be truly there next to me, 

Kissing me, 

Hugging me, 

Loving me. 

My heart belongs to you, 

And I will never stop loving you. 

~~~~~~~~~~ 

From my book "Sunset in Toronto", page 18.

Happy Father's Day!

My dear friends and readers, I hope you are having a wonderful day today celebrating the great dads in your life -- fathers, grandfathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, and everyone in your family and among your friends who are fathers. Family is the most important thing in our life, our anchor, our strength, our resilience.

Happy Father's Day!

POEM: The Floral Dress

My dear friends and readers, 

Today I am starting a new series on my blog where I would like to share some of my selected poems. The Floral Dress is the opening poem in my book Sunset in Toronto, published in 2021. 

I hope you enjoy it! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Floral Dress 

Summer of 1999. 

The previous century. 

My friend insists I go to a party with her. 

Come on, I want you to meet my new friends. 

I’m not in the mood to go out. 

It’s been months since I left a painful breakup behind, 

And I still feel like nurturing my wounds. 

But my friend won’t let me say pass. 

You have to come with me. 

You have to get out of your rut. 

I finally agree. 

I put on a floral dress. 

It’s the newest dress in my wardrobe, 

I just bought it yesterday. 

Well, at least here’s a new opportunity to wear my new dress. 

Long, flowy, silky. 

Big flowers print. 

I go to the party with my friend, 

And I meet her new friends. 

I also meet you. 

I fall in love with you, 

And you fall in love with me. 

On our third date, you confess you loved my dress on the night when you met me. 

You loved the way it made me look. 

Beautiful. Desirable.

One year later – our first anniversary together. 

My gift to you is a framed photograph of me wearing the floral dress. 

Your favorite. 

The dawn of the Millennium is pre-digital, 

And we are still taking photographs on film. 

I love taking photos in doubles – one for you, one for me. 

I want you to remember me as beautiful as I am today. 

If we ever drift apart, 

I want to stay in your photo albums the same as when we were happy together. 

Your favorite floral dress is in many photographs. 

A marriage, a child, and twenty years later, we are still together. 

And I still wear the floral dress. 

Your favorite. 

It still looks great, and I love it. 

You love it. 

We grew mature together, 

And the dress grew vintage in my wardrobe. 

I could never part with it. 

I now wear it at least once a summertime. 

A reminiscence of the summer when I fell in love with you.

2001

Produse terminate – Empties, 2023

Astazi este randul urmatorului articol din seria Produse terminate – Empties, caci ultima oara am scris despre Empties acum doi ani. Asadar, in articolul de astazi voi scrie despre produsele cosmetice si de frumusete pe care le-am consumat in ultimii doi ani – produse pentru ingrijirea parului, ingrijirea corpului, ingrijirea tenului, machiaj, parfumuri, si alte produse, carora o sa le fac cate un mini-review, asa cum v-am obisnuit déjà cu aceasta serie de articole in anii trecuti. Pe de alta parte, produsele cosmetice si de frumusete despre care voi scrie astazi nu sunt toate cosmeticele pe care le-am folosit in ultimii doi ani, unele din ambalaje le-am mai aruncat.

Sa incepem cu produsele pentru ingrijirea parului.

SAMPOANE 

Voi incepe cu sampoanele. Folosesc si balsamuri de par in mod constant, si in decursul ultimilor doi ani am folosit multe balsamuri din aceleasi game ca sampoanele respective; dar sticlele de la balsamuri nu s-au pastrat, si nu le am la indemana pentru scopul articolului de astazi, asa ca doar le voi mentiona, dar nu le voi descrie la fel de detaliat ca si sampoanele.

Sampon Dove, 750 ml – un sampon de buna calitate. De obicei apreciez produsele pentru ingrijirea parului Dove, si acesta a fost ok. 

Sampon TRESemmé, 828 ml – un alt sampon de buna calitate, TRESemmé fiind o alta gama de produse pentru ingrijirea parului pe care o apreciez si o folosesc des. 

Sampon Daily Defence cu ulei de argan de Maroc, 473 ml, fabricat in Canada (5 sticle, un brand independent), un alt preferat de-al meu. Mi-a placut atat de mult incat l-a cumparat de 5 ori. Prima oara l-am descoperit in 2018, si de-atunci am folosit atat samponul, cat si balsamul din aceeasi gama, in mai multe ocazii. Sticlele de la balsam din pacate nu le mai am ca sa le includ in articolul de astazi, le-am aruncat intre timp. Imi plac sampoanele si produsele pentru ingrijirea parului cu uleiuri naturale, cum ar fi ulei de argan, ulei de cocos, ulei de macadamia, ulei de masline. Atunci cand am cumparat acest sampon pentru prima oara in vara lui 2018, eram curioasa sa folosesc sampoane noi, din care nu mai folosisem niciodata, caci Dove si L'Oréal si Pantene si Garnier si TRESemmé din supermarketuri tot folosisem pana atunci. Acest sampon cu ulei de argan mi-a atras atentia pe raft la o tura de shopping, l-am luat, mi-a placut, a devenit un preferat de-al meu. 

Sampon Agree Pro cu ulei de argan de Maroc, 369 ml, fabricat in Canada (un brand independent). Un alt sampon cu ulei de argan care mi-a placut. Si pentru ca e in sticla mai mica, am putut sa-l iau cu mine si in calatorii. 

Sampon L’Oréal Paris, 385 ml (2 sticle) – produsele L’Oréal pentru par sunt absolut grozave! Acest sampon este un alt preferat de-al meu pe care l-am folosit de multe ori in trecut. 

ALTE PRODUSE PENTRU INGRIJIREA PARULUI

Sampon uscat Batiste, 200 ml, fabricat in Anglia (varianta Oriental) – il stiti fara indoiala, are o reputatie foarte buna, este probabil cel mai bun sampon uscat de pe piata massmarket. Folosesc samponul uscat de foarte multi ani. De multe ori imi placea varianta XXL Volume, datorita eficientei si volumului grozav pe care il confera parului, dar de data aceasta am vrut sa fac o schimbare si am cumparat aceasta varianta noua pentru mine, Oriental. Am fost multumita de acest produs. 

Sampon uscat Monat Studio One, 108 ml, fabricat in SUA – l-am primit la un eveniment monden din Toronto. A fost destul de bun, mi-a placut. 

Masca de par cu ulei de cocos, 100 ml, fabricat in Brazilia (brand independent) – dupa cum mentionam mai sus, apreciez foarte mult produsele pentru ingrijirea parului cu diferite uleiuri naturale, cum ar fi ulei de cocos, si aceasta masca de par cu ulei de cocos nu a fost o exceptie. Parul meu a fost multumit cu acest produs. 

Continuu cu produsele pentru ingrijirea corpului.

GELURI DE DUS

Gel de dus cu nuca de cocos Glam Garden, 946 ml, fabricat in Canada (brand independent, 2 sticle). Cred ca déjà ati observat ca produsele de frumusete si ingrijire personala cu nuca de cocos sunt frecvente in baia mea, motiv pentru care am cumparat acest gel de dus de doua ori. Miroase delicios a vara, si cand il foloseam la dus, ma facea sa-mi aduc aminte de vacantele mele tropicale si ma transporta cu gandul si cu simturile in Cuba care este una din destinatiile mele de vacanta preferate.

Spuma hidratanta de baie Purpose cu floare de cires, 591 ml, fabricata in Canada. Este un alt brand independent de produse pentru baie. De multe ori imi place sa testez produse noi, ca sa mai diversific de la produsele traditionale care se gasesc pe rafturile din supermarketuri, si asa a fost cazul cu aceasta spuma de baie. Acum cand scriu acest articol si am sticla goala langa mine, inca i se mai simte aroma delicata si atragatoare, desi au trecut luni de zile de cand am terminat acest produs! 😊 

Gel de dus cu ceai, 325 ml. Life este brandul in-house al unei retele de farmacii din Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart. In general imi plac foarte mult produsele de frumusete si ingrijire pe baza de ceai, cum ar fi geluri de dus si geluri de spalat pentru fata, pentru efectul lor calmant asupra pielii tenului si corpului. 

Gel de dus Lush cu portocala Blood Orange, 100 ml, fabricat in Canada – un produs absolut minunat! Oh si ce bine miroase a portocala! 😊 Dintotdeauna mi-au placut produsele Lush, fie ca e vorba de bombele lor de baie, sau sapunuri solide naturale, sau geluri de dus. Ultima oara am fost la cumparaturi la Lush anul trecut in noiembrie, si am cumparat mai multe produse, printre care acest gel de dus, 3 bombe de baie, o bomba de dus, un sapun solid natural la vrac. 

Continuu cu alte produse pentru ingrijrea corpului.

Crema cu spirulina pentru corp Viorica Cosmetics, 300 ml, fabricate in Moldova (am primit-o). A fost o crema foarte faina, si fiind atat de mare, m-a tinut mult timp. Contine colagen, ulei de cocos, extract de castravete; hidrateaza si regenereaza pielea; restabileste tonusul, elasticitatea si structura pielii; are efect de piele mai neteda si mai ferma. 

3 deodorante Lady Speedstick Invisible, varianta 70 g si 45 g. Lady Speedstick este un brand de deodorante solide confortabil pentru mine, pe care il cumpar rapid atunci cand am nevoie de un deodorant nou, nu trebuie sa petrec mult timp in fata raftului la supermarket sa aleg, ca e un produs pe care il cunosc deja bine, astfel incat in general il folosesc destul de des. 

3 deodorante Degree, varianta 45 g – au fost ok, comparabile cu Lady Speedstick. 

2 deodorante Secret, 14 g – varianta travel, a fost ok si acesta, de asemenea comparabil cu Lady Speedstick. 

Continuu cu produse pentru ingrijirea tenului si produse de machiaj.

GELURI DE SPALAT PENTRU FATA

Gel de spalat pentru fata antiacneic Clean and Clear de la Johnson and Johnson, 240 ml, fabricat in SUA (3 sticle). Chiar si la varsta pe care o am acum, imi mai iese cate un cos pe fata din cand in cand, asa ca folosesc produse anti-acneice aproape constant, ca de exemplu geluri de spalat pentru fata si creme anti-acneice cu aplicare locala. 

Gel de spalat pentru fata cu Retinol, efect anti-aging, 168 ml, fabricat in SUA. L-am cumparat de la Winners. Are efect de iluminare si imbunatateste aspectul tenului. 

ALTE PRODUSE PENTRU INGRIJIREA TENULUI

Servetele demachiante umede hidratante Faciqué, 60 bucati (brand independent) – cu unt de shea si ulei de cocos. Au fost bunicele. De obicei le foloseam seara. Pentru o curatare si demachiere mai eficienta, inmuiam servetelul in apa (sub jetul de apa calduta la robinet), curata mai bine daca era combinat cu apa. 

Lotiune tonica Nivea cu alge marine, pentru ten mixt si gras, 200 ml. Este un produs bun, se potriveste foarte bine tenului meu, si l-am folosit de multe ori in trecut, este repeat purchase. 

Demachiant pentru ochi Nivea, 100 ml, fabricat in Germania – un alt produs Nivea de buna calitate care mi-a placut. 

Crema de fata Indigena, 15 ml (brand canadian) – am primit-o la un eveniment monden din Toronto. Imi place si borcanelul de sticla de la aceasta crema, pe care am sa-l pastrez dupa ce scriu acest articol, ca sa il refolosesc ca recipient pentru produse travel-size atunci cand calatoresc de exemplu. 

Ser pentru ten AmorePacific, mostra, 5 ml – fabricat in Korea de Sud. Fiind de marime mostra, am apucat sa-l aplic de doua-trei ori pe ten (dupa aplicarea lotiunii tonice si inainte de crema de fata), si n-a fost suficient sa-mi fac o parere definitiva despre acest produs, dar la prima impresie a fost ok. 

Serum pentru ten Elizabeth Arden, mostra, 7 capsule – fabricat in Italia. L-am folosit in acelasi fel ca si serul AmorePacific despre care spuneam mai sus, adica dimineata si seara cate o capsula, dupa toner si inainte de crema de fata (de zi sau de noapte). Si la fel ca si in cazul altor mostre, fiind o cantitate mica, n-a fost suficient sa-mi fac o parere definitiva despre acest produs, dar la prima impresie mi-a placut. 

Masca de ochi Cleo (o pereche), cu efect de calmare. Am primit-o la un eveniment monden, a fost ok. 

Banda de curatare cu carbon pentru nas. Se aplica pe nas dupa curatarea tenului, se lasa 10 minute, dupa care se scoate. Curata punctele negre si deschide porii. 

Urmeaza produsele de machiaj.

Oja de unghii China Glaze, 14 ml, fabricata in SUA – absolut grozava, un brand de oje care imi place foarte mult. O perioada am fost abonata la o cutie lunara de frumusete, si am primit aceasta oja in acea cutie lunara de produse cosmetice si de frumusete. Cel mai mult mi-a placut la aceasta oja efectul mat al aplicarii, compozitia cu argila si hardeners o facea sa fie foarte rezistenta, cu o textura argiloasa neteda, incat nu mai avea nevoie de lac transparent de unghii de asupra ojei asa cum procedez cu alte oje. China Glaze este unul din brandurile mele preferate de oje. 

Ruj Wet n Wild, nuanta coral (3.6 g). Este un ruj de calitate medie, nu este neaparat rezistent la transfer, dar este usor de aplicat, lipstick and go, o calitate pe care o apreciez la rujuri. 

Pudra pulbere Made by Nature, 2 g, fabricata in Australia. Am primit-o in acea cutie lunara de frumusete despre care va spuneam mai sus. Am folosit-o pentru un rastimp, dar nu mi-a placut, ca prea se imprastia peste tot in baie, fiind de tip pulbere. Nu sunt amatoare de pudre pulbere (nu sunt eficiente pentru mine si nu-mi place cum se aplica, se imprasite peste tot), de obicei prefer pudrele compacte. Asa ca n-am terminat-o. Am aruncat restul continutului si am pastrat ambalajul gol pentru acest articol, si in present folosesc pudra compacta. Singurul motiv de ce am avut aceasta pudra in trusa mea de cosmetice este ca am primit-o in acea cutie lunara de frumusete, dar altfel n-as fi cumparat o pudra pulbere. 

Continuu cu parfumuri si alte produse aromate.

PARFUMURI

Parfumul Coral Negro (apa de parfum), 100 ml – din Cuba. L-am cumparat in Cuba intr-o vacanta precedenta. Dupa cum va dati seama, Coral Negro in limba spaniola inseamna “coralul negru”. Acest parfum are o aroma seducatoare care te trasporta inapoi pe plajele fierbinti cu nisip alb din Cuba. Ma incanta sticla sa mata neagra atat de eleganta, dar dincolo de ambalaj am fost sedusa de aroma sa marina care ma duce cu gandul la nopti tropicale si fierbinti de pe malul oceanului. Este un parfum care imi evoca nisip, plaja, apa sarata a oceanului, petreceri cu muzica tare noaptea tarziu pe plaja, dans pe plaja, par despletit in vant, energie si atractie sexuala, un parfum cu o aroma intensa estivala, unul din preferatele mele pe care le-am avut in ultimii ani. 

Cand am scris cartea de poezii Sunset in Toronto publicata in 2021, una din poeziile din carte a fost inspirata de Cuba si de acest parfum (pagina 190).

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The Perfume 

When I traveled to Cuba, 

I bought a bottle of perfume in the gift shop at the hotel. 

It’s called Coral Negro – “The Black Coral”. 

I brought the perfume back to Canada, 

And with it, a piece of Cuba in my luggage. 

Every time I wear it, 

It transports me back to Cuba. 

I love its elegant opaque black bottle. 

I am seduced by its marine fragrance that makes me think of tropical days by the ocean. 

The shore of the Atlantic. 

The scorching sun. 

The hot sand. 

The turquoise water. 

The salty taste on my lips. 

The breeze in my hair. 

The corals on the ocean floor. 

The shells on the white sandy beach. 

The parties with loud music late at night. 

The crazy dancing on the beach. 

The sexual energy. 

The magnetic attraction. 

 All in a bottle of perfume. 

Autentica Cuba in a perfume.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parfumul Chic Estilo (apa de toaleta, 100 ml), cel in ambalaj roz, este tot din Cuba, l-am adus din aceeasi vacanta ca parfumul Coral Negro. Am sticla goala aici langa mine in timp ce scriu articolul, si inca ii mai simt aroma tropicala, un pic mai flamboyanta decat aroma Coral Negro. Este o aroma care ma duce cu gandul la soarele tropical, la bronz, la vacantele din tropice, dar mai mult ma duce cu gandul la zilele fierbinti din Caraibe cand stai pe plaja, te bronzezi si imbratisezi soarele cat e ziua de lunga, decat noptile tropicale si pline de energie sexuala cu petreceri nocturne pe plaja. 

Parfumul Black Opium de la Yves Saint Laurent (apa de parfum, 90 ml), fabricat in Franta. Trec de la vacantele tropicale din Cuba la eleganta pariziana. Este un parfum pe care l-am primit de ziua mea de la sotul meu John acum 2 ani. 

Urmatorul parfum – Dior J’Adore (apa de parfum), 100 ml, fabricat in Franta. Poate ca il stiti si voi, este un parfum destul de popular, déjà clasic. L-am primit de Craciun de la sotul meu John acum 2 ani. 

Si nu in ultimul rand – White Musk de la The Body Shop, apa de parfum, 30 ml, fabricat in Polonia. Cand am mers la The Body Shop ultima oara vara trecuta, intentionam sa-mi cumpar parfumul Black Musk care a fost lansat prin 2016, va mai aduceti aminte de acel parfum? A facut furori la vremea respectiva, l-am avut de doua ori. Si iata ca vara trecuta am vrut sa mi-l cumpar din nou. Si cand am mers la The Body Shop la mall, am constatat ca nu mai au Black Musk, se pare ca l-au terminat, dar in schimb aveau White Musk, si l-am cumparat. Mi-a placut si acesta, dar cred ca Black Musk cel din 2016 mi-a placut mai mult. 

ALTE PRODUSE PARFUMATE

De altfel, imi plac parfumurile si produsele parfumate cu mosc, atat mosc alb cat si negru, asa ca in afara de parfumul White Musk de la The Body Shop, am folosit de curand si acest body mist cu mosk alb din gama Body Fantasies, 236 ml, fabricat in SUA (l-am luat de la Walmart), pe care am putut sa-l folosesc mai casual, in fiecare zi, pentru iesiri de zi, sau dupa dus. 

2 spray-uri pentru perne, cu levantica, 118 ml fiecare, ambele fabricate in SUA. Efect calmant. Unul este cu levantica si sage, altul cu levantica si vanilie, le-am luat de la Winners. Imi placea sa le pulverizez pe perna inainte de somn, ma facea sa adorm mai usor si sa am un somn mai odihnitor.

Si inchei cu 3 uleiuri esentiale de parfum (le-am luat de la Winners). Imi place sa folosesc uleiuri esentiale de parfum atunci cand nu pot folosi un parfum, sau atunci cand parfumul Chanel pe care il am pe masuta vanity nu e chiar un parfum de zi cu zi. Imi mai plac uleiurile esentiale si pentru ca sunt mai discrete decat parfumurile expresive, pentru situatiile cand am nevoie de o aroma mai discreta. In prezent lucrez de acasa, dar cand lucram in birou inainte de pandemie, am avut cativa colegi care erau sensibili la parfumuri, si in zilele cand stiam ca voi lucra cu acesti colegi, purtam la birou un ulei esential in loc de parfum, uleiul esential fiind mai discret si nu ii deranja pe acesti colegi. 

Atat pentru azi dragele mele prietene, sper ca v-au placut articolul si prezentarea produselor, ne vedem data viitoare. 

Sa aveti un weekend minunat!

Photo credit: Victoria West

Bask-It-Style Event for TIFF 2022 Hosts the Twelfth Annual Media Day at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto

~~~ Stars and media alike are welcomed to kick off TIFF at the Fairmont Royal York at this non-traditional gifting suite ~~~ 

Toronto International Film Festival is back, as well as many other fashion events on the social scene in Toronto, after two years of the pandemic. This year, just like in the old days, up until 2019 to be more precise, Torontonians are experiencing 11 days of TIFF – cinema, celebrities, and glamour. And parties of course. The film festival just kicked off this Thursday, September 8th, and will conclude next Sunday, September 18th. Among celebrities attending Toronto International Film Festival this year are Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Hudson, Daniel Craig, Sara and Tegan Quin, Chelsea and Hilary Clinton, Nicholas Cage, Taylor Swift, Viola Davis, Daniel Radcliffe, and many others. 

One of the most glamorous parties dedicated to TIFF this year is the annual Bask-It-Style gift lounge hosted by Toronto-based public relations firm GLO Communications. Back for its 12th year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bask-It-Style hosted its annual media day on Wednesday, September 7th, at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto (located at 100 Front Street West, right across the iconic CN Tower). The event was held in Manitoba Room at the hotel, and I had the pleasure to attend it. It was great seeing everyone after three years since I last attended Bask-It-Style in September 2019 (I started attending this annual event in 2012). For the first time since 2019, the media were invited to preview and experience celebrity VIP treatment from this year’s eleven sponsors. Taking place during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Bask-It-Style hand delivers VIP gift bags to celebs on the go with a survival kit of goodies to enjoy while navigating TIFF. From beauty and health to style, tech and food, Bask-It-Style has everything for a star on a busy TIFF schedule. In the past celebrities gifted by Bask-It-Style lounge have included: Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Colin Farrell, John Legend, Sir Elton John, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Blake Lively, Olivia Wilde, Tom Wilkinson, Rachel Weisz, Iggy Pop, Princess Charlotte of Monaco, Elle Fanning, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman and many more. 

This is not the first time when Bask-It-Style annual event is held at Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto, it was hosted at Fairmont in 2014 as well. Other fashionable venues for Bask-In-Style in the previous years had been Shangri-La hotel and Thompson hotel, but also Pinnacle Centre condos, all located in the very heart of the city of Toronto. 

“After a two-year hiatus it’s amazing to have Bask-It-Style make its return”, says Jessica Glover, Principal of Public Relations firm GLO Communications. “Fairmont Royal York’s historic relationship with Toronto’s film industry makes it the perfect venue to showcase some of the year’s most exciting brands.” 

On Wednesday, September 7th, the media were invited (by appointment only) from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM to receive the star treatment at Fairmont Royal York hotel, Toronto’s most distinguished landmark hotel. Since debuting renovations in 2019, Fairmont Royal York features new dining experiences for Library Bar, Clockwork Champagne and Cocktails, and Reign Restaurant, Bar and Bakery, as well as the new luxury hotel-within-a-hotel, Fairmont Gold, with an exclusive lounge for guests. Fairmont Royal York was chosen as the venue for the fourth annual Toronto International Film Festival’s Tribute Awards Gala (the hotel’s legacy in hosting performances such as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington during its famed supper club era). The hotel is also one of the most filmed locations in the city and has served as the backdrop in popular films such as Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game. Fairmont Royal York’s prestige and history with the film industry make it an essential Toronto experience and the perfect venue for Bask-It-Style to make its return. Manitoba room, where the event took place earlier this week, showcases the modern refresh of the hotel’s meeting and event spaces and features original murals that depict the Canadian landscape and heritage of Fairmont Royal York. 

This year, celebrities will receive a variety of sense-provoking goodies in vegan bags designed by MATT & NAT. 

The goodies included in the gift bag are courtesy of the following sponsors: 

Browns Shoes, media bag sponsor; 

DAVIDsTEA: 

Black holographic mini favorite tumbler 

Wild grown rooibos 

Organic Cream of Earl Grey 

Perfect spoon 

Filter pack 

Classic Faves sachet tea wheel 

Matcha On-The-Go kit; 

Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto, venue partner; 

Kit & Ace, a clothing brand: Brushed French Terry pieces; 

L’Oreal: 

Elnett Hairspray 

Voluminous Noir Balm mascara 

Colour Riche Reds of Worth lipstick; 

MATT & NAT, celebrity gift bag sponsor; 

Pascoe, a health products brand from Germany: 

Vitapas B complex 

Beauty pouch 

Pascoflair; 

REN Vodka, REN Ultra Premium vodka;

SodaStream, SodaStream Art Sparkling Water maker; 

Soo’AE, a beauty and skincare brand:

Hyaluronic Acid hydrating serum 

Hyaluronic Acid hydrating moisturizer 

Hyaluronic Acid hydrating cleanser 

Supreme Gold hydrogel mask 

Cactus & Aloe soothing hydrogel mask 

Revitalizing Rose Petal hydrogel mask 

My Collagen hydrogel lip patch 

My Collagen hydrogel eye patch; 

Toronto Popcorn Company: Grab a bag in garlic parmesan or bacon & cheddar. 

A few more words about the celebrity gift bag sponsor, MATT & NAT 

This year’s celebrities will receive all of their goodies in one of two vegan bags designed by MATT & NAT. The MYRON vegan backpack (retail value $185.00) features adjustable streams, two handles, a main compartment with top zipper closure, two large front pockets with asymmetrical flaps, and an exterior back zipper pocket. 

The HYDE vegan tote bag (retail value: $180.00) features a self-bonded interior finish, a removable zipped interior compartment, and an interior smartphone pocket. 

The outer body and lining of both bags are made from recycled materials, and the interior linings are made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. 

I was surprised though that no authors or professionals from the publishing industry were present at this year’s Bask-It-Style event. In the past, writers like Adrienne Kress and publishing houses like DK Publishing had been frequent sponsors of Bask-It-Style. This year, however, the reading corner was missing at the event. 

Refreshment area

~~~Rethink water with SodaStream and return to luxury with REN Premium Vodka~~~ 

Are you a fan of sparkling water drinks and passionate about staying healthy and protecting the environment? SodaStream was on site on the media day this past Wednesday showcasing three SodaStream models, including the new SodaStream Art sparkling water maker (retail value: $169.99). The new model has a sleek, sophisticated design, that will blend into any kitchen and make it easy and fun to make fresh sparkling drinks on demand. Guests had the opportunity to learn how to use the sparkling water makers, to sample a variety of SodaStream flavors, and take home a SodaStream On-The-Go Bottle to bring your sparkling water wherever you go. 

For those craving something a little bolder, REN Vodka has just the drink for you! Vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world and for good reason. Available at the LCBO, REN Ultra Premium Vodka (retail value: $51.95) is an ultra-premium spirit established in Toronto with delicate aromas and flavors of citrus, sweet corn, and grain. REN was also on-site with its own sampling bar, where attendees had the opportunity to create their very own REN cocktails with an assortment of fun garnishes. 

Fashion area 

~~~Get comfortable and functional in style with Kit and Ace~~~ 

Canadian brand Kit and Ace create pieces that are fashionable, functional, and, most importantly, comfortable. The Vancouver-based company chooses high-quality fabrics that are lab and real-life wear-tested to ensure they can be washed and worn over and over again through the changing seasons. At this year’s event, Kit and Ace were on-site giving attendees the chance to get their hands on their softest fabrics and most popular styles from this year’s fall collection, including Brushed French Terry pieces (retail value: $79 to $158) and a sneak peek of Kit and Ace’s brand-new Vegan Outerwear line launching this coming Fall/Winter 2022 season. 

Beauty area 

~~~Skincare and natural healthcare solutions with Soo’AE and Pascoe~~~ 

Everyone attending TIFF wants to look their best, and Soo’AE representatives were also on-site at the Bask-It-Style media event to make sure all your skincare needs are covered. They showcased the newly launched Soo’AE Hyaluronic Acid collection, which is available at Walmart Canada. This includes Hyaluronic Acid hydrating serum (retail value: $23.00), Hyaluronic Acid hydrating moisturizer (retail value: $20.50), and Hyaluronic Acid hydrating cleanser (retail value: $19.50). This collection penetrates quickly into the skin to boost, bounce and lock in moisture with a non-greasy and fresh finish. Guests also had the opportunity to learn about the Supreme Gold hydrogel mask (retail value: $4.50), Cactus & Aloe soothing hydrogel mask (retail value: $4.50), Revitalizing Rose Petal hydrogel mask (retail value: $4.50), My Collagen hydrogel lip Patch (retail value: $4.50), and My Collagen hydrogel eye patch (retail value: $4.50). 

While you look your best, it’s important to feel your best too. Pascoe were on-site making sure you feel as good as you look! For 125 years the German family-run business has been dedicated to creating, researching, and developing top-of-the-line natural healthcare products. Vitapas B complex (retail value: $34.95) is a multi-vitamin supplement with eight essential B vitamins to help promote a healthy immune system; and Pascoflair (retail value: $13.95) is a herbal medicine designed to help relieve restlessness and nervous to help you wind down quickly and wake up feeling refreshed. To hold all of your skincare and wellness goodies, with extra room for more, the German family-run business has the Beauty Pouch (retail value: $9.95), made from 100 percent organic cotton. 

Some other exciting items in the bag 

The gift bags will also include some exciting products from various beauty, food, and lifestyle brands.

Toronto Popcorn company treats us to their gourmet popcorn in the yummy flavors of garlic parmesan and bacon & cheddar (retail value $5.99), need we say more? 

While you’re snacking on some delicious popcorn, why not have a drink as well? DAVIDsTEA is including their Black Holographic mini favorite tumbler (retail value $26.00), wild grown rooibos loose leaf tea (retail value $8.00), organic Cream of Earl Grey loose leaf tea (retail value $9.00), Perfect spoon (retail value $9.00), and DAVIDsTEA filter pack (retail value $12.00) to make sure you’re refreshed all media day! 

L’Oreal is including its Elnett hairspray (retail value $11.99), Voluminous Noir Balm mascara (retail value $16.99), and Colour Riche Reds of Worth lipstick (retail value $12.99) to make sure you look your best at TIFF! 

Follow Bask-It-Style and its sponsors on Twitter: 

#BaskItStyle 

@Jessica_Glover 

@GLO_Comm 

@MATT_AND_NAT 

@BrownsShoes 

@TOPopcornCo 

@SodaStream_CA 

@LOrealParisCanada 

@KitandAce 

@FairmontRYH 

@DAVIDsTEA 

@SooAEBeauty

 @PascoeCanada 

@VictoriaWest99 

Follow Bask-It-Style and its sponsors on Instagram: 

@JessicaGlover99 

@GLO_Comm 

@MattandNat 

@BrownsShoes 

@TOPopcornCo 

@SodaStreamCanada 

@LOrealParis 

@RenPremiumVodka 

@KitandAce 

@FairmontRoyalYork 

@DavidsTea 

@SooAECanada 

@PascoeCanada 

@Victoria_West_and_Books 

@Victoria.West.Toronto 

GLO Communications 

GLO Communications is a boutique PR firm based in Toronto creating dynamic publicity campaigns for clients in the lifestyle industry including publishing, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. They specialize in media relations, PR strategy development, marketing communications, product launches, event management, media training, product seeding and evaluation and measurement. 

Bask-It-Style sponsors 

Browns Shoes 

Browns Shoes, a family-owned business established in Montreal in 1940, is synonymous with top international designer collections, luxurious leather goods, and exclusive street savvy fashion for ladies, men and children. Browns is one of the few companies that donates 10% of its pre-tax profits to charities. Mr. Morton Brownstein, Chairman, was recognized for his extraordinary fundraising work when he was appointed to the Order of Canada in July 2004. 

DAVIDsTEA 

DAVIDsTEA offers a specialty branded selection of high-quality loose-leaf teas, pre-packaged teas, tea sachets, tea-related accessories and gifts through its e-commerce platform at DavidsTea.com, the Amazon Marketplace, its wholesale customers which include over 3,500 grocery stores and pharmacies, and 18 company-owned stores across Canada. It offers primarily proprietary tea blends that are exclusive to the company, as well as traditional single-origin teas and herbs. The team’s passion for and knowledge of tea permeates the company’s culture and is rooted in an excitement to explore the taste, health and lifestyle elements of tea. With a focus on innovative flavors, wellness-driven ingredients and organic tea, David’s Tea launches seasonally driven “collections” with a mission of making tea fun and accessible to all. The company is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. 

Soo’AE 

Soo’AE is the leading high-performance, plant-based skincare brand. Focusing on developing unique, innovative formulas for various skin concerns, Soo’AE is dedicated to providing a full range of clean skincare products at affordable prices. In an effort to provide each consumer with high-quality skincare products, they actively search for the best ingredients, and implement the latest technologies. 

Fairmont Royal York hotel 

Timeless and iconic for over 90 years, Fairmont Royal York hotel is the essential Toronto experience. Welcoming guests to the grand Art Deco lobby bar Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails, through to the distinguished Reign bar and dining room, the hotel unveils the return of the legendary Library Bar, the city’s renowned cocktail den. Crowned with charisma, Fairmont Gold is a luxury boutique hotel set within the upper 13th–18th floors and features the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge. Refined and captivating, the Grand Dame of Front Street takes centre stage as the city’s destination for ethereal wedding celebrations and inspiring conferences and events – embracing a legacy that is famous for generations. Fairmont Gold allows you to step into a new level of luxury at Fairmont Royal York hotel. Fairmont Gold is unlike anything Toronto has seen before. With expansive new suites, a brilliant new 18th floor lounge, and thoughtfully designed grand spaces, this is a rare experience of boutique luxury – an entirely new hotel, at the heart of the city’s most essential landmark. It gleams high above our downtown streets, with a bright metropolitan character. 

Kit and Ace 

Kit and Ace is a Canadian apparel company with Vancouver roots, driven by a mission to amplify optimism, and 100% committed to creating clothing that’s smart (technical and functional), easy to love (big on comfort and style), and made to last (timeless quality vs. fast and trendy). They are known for comfort-first pieces that inspire the joy of movement, with a product focus on unparalleled comfort, function, and pops of optimism. Their collection of versatile elevated essentials is inspired by the belief that comfort unlocks boundless potential. 

L’Oréal Paris 

L’Oréal Paris, the world’s no.1 beauty brand, is dedicated to empowering women and men by offering the most luxurious and innovative products and services available in the mass market. For most, the name L’Oréal is immediately evocative of the brand’s signature phrase, “Because I’m Worth It.” – the tagline behind the legendary advertising campaign for the Superior Preference® hair colour launch in 1973. Today, it represents the essence of the L’Oréal Paris brand as a whole, a spirit which is about helping every woman – and man – embrace their unique beauty while reinforcing their inner sense of self-worth. For more than 100 years, L’Oréal Paris has held an unparalleled commitment to advancement in technology, innovation, and research, providing ground-breaking, high-quality products for women, men, and children of all ages and ethnicities in five major beauty categories: cosmetics, skincare, hair colour, hair care, and men’s grooming. 

MATT & NAT 

Founded in 1995, in Montreal, Canada, MATT & NAT stands for MAT(T)ERIAL and NATURE. They live by a simple motto, “Live beautifully”. Living beautifully means appreciating the humanity, creativity and positivity found in all of us. The brand is inspired by the textures and hues of nature and, to better protect it, they aim to constantly better their ways, and are forever committed to not using leather or any other animal-based materials in their designs. MATT & NAT continues to explore new innovative ways to remain sustainable and eco-friendly. Over the years, they have been experimenting with different recycled materials such as nylons, cardboard, rubber, cork, and even windshield resins. 

Pascoe 

For over 125 years, Pascoe has been dedicated to creating quality complex homeopathic remedies, drinkable ampoules, botanical remedies, alkalizing tablets and drainage creams. The diversity of the product selection reflects and works to reach the complex and diverse needs for health products. Pascoe products are made from locally sourced raw materials that undergo standardized quality control and are manufactured under the strictest Good Manufacturing Practice guideline. 

REN Vodka 

REN is vodka in its purest form. The name means “to be reborn”, and REN is just that – a rebirth and reimagining of one of the world’s oldest spirits. Crafted to perfection, this is more than an ultra-premium vodka – it’s an ultra-premium experience. Made from sweet corn in a copper kettle culminating in a smooth and clean finish, REN is a result of the most time-honoured recipes, finest ingredients, and unparalleled passion for what every vodka should aspire to be. 

SodaStream 

SodaStream, part of PepsiCo, is the world’s leading sparkling water-maker brand and Canada’s leading sparkling water brand by volume. SodaStream enables consumers to enjoy endless good bubbles at home, without hassle, and help save the planet. SodaStream bubbles are better for the consumer – healthy, easy to make, light to carry; and better for the planet – replacing up to thousands of single-use plastic bottles with one reusable SodaStream bottle. To learn more about SodaStream, please visit Corp.SodaStream.com and follow SodaStream on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Toronto Popcorn Company 

Founded in 2013, TOPopcornCo. has since established itself as the city’s go-to gourmet popcorn company. Toronto Popcorn Co. is a small-batch production popcorn company that specializes in creating popcorn — from old-time favorites to very decadent ones – that makes use of only premium ingredients. Always fresh and made with love, TOPopcornCo’s quality-over-quantity approach has made quite a cult following. Starting out as a hole-in-the-wall retail concept in Kensington Market, Toronto Popcorn can now be found in retail stores all over the city, and can be enjoyed Canada-wide by ordering from its website. Toronto Popcorn – it’s not just your random popcorn! 

Press release provided by GLO Communications.

Photo credit: Kennedy Pollard Photography

Instagram: @kennedypollard_

My Book "Bits of Fashion" Is Now Available at Whitby Public Library

My dear friends and readers, I hope your weekend is going well so far. Today I would like to share some of my recent news – my first book Bits of Fashion, published in 2013 (a collection of fashion essays and interviews) became available at Whitby Public Library this summer, as part of Durham Indie Collection – a collection of books authored by local independent writers. 

Please check it out on the library website: 

"Bits of Fashion" by Victoria West, Whitby Public Library

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

My Book of Poetry "Sunset in Toronto" in the News – the Latest Updates

My dear friends and readers, I hope you had a wonderful long weekend. Today I would like to share my latest news – recently I had two interviews with media personalities, Charles Madison from NexxLegacy Radio and Christie Taylor from The Christie Taylor Show. 

The interview with Charles Madison was recorded on April 3rd 2022, it was aired on NexxLegaxy Radio on April 5th, and today it was published on different podcasts across the media. Charles and I talked about my new book of poetry Sunset in Toronto, but also about my first book Bits of Fashion, as well as my journey as a writer, and about fashion in Toronto. 

The interview is available wherever you listen to your podcasts, and I would like to share a few links here – NexxLegacy Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Radio Public, Castbox FM Radio. 

Victoria West, interview with Charles Madison from NexxLegaxy Radio, available on NexxLegacy Radio 

Victoria West, interview with Charles Madison from NexxLegaxy Radio, available on Apple Podcasts  

Victoria West, interview with Charles Madison from NexxLegaxy Radio, available on Spotify 

Victoria West, interview with Charles Madison from NexxLegaxy Radio, available on Radio Public 

Victoria West, interview with Charles Madison from NexxLegaxy Radio, available on Castbox FM Radio

***** 

The other interview that I had with Christie Taylor from The Christie Taylor Show was published on April 8th and can be watched on Instagram. Christie and I had a lovely conversation about fashion, about writing, and about my two books – Sunset in Toronto (poetry) and Bits of Fashion (a collection of fashion essays and interviews). Here's the link: 

Instagram – The Christie Taylor Show, interview with Victoria West, April 8th 2022 

*****

My book of poetry Sunset in Toronto was recently featured on Canadian Multicultural News – CMNNews.ca. 

LINK to the story: 

Autor Victoria West Released "Sunset in Toronto" Poems

*****

And finally, I would like to share some updates about new places where my book of poetry Sunset in Toronto can be purchased. Besides Amazon, Sunset in Toronto is also available on various online book outlets around the world. I already shared some of them in one of my previous articles here, and today I would like to share a few more online outlets where my book has become available more recently.

WOB.com – US and UK 

Books.com in Taiwan 

Takealot.com in South Africa

Photo credit: Victoria West

Have a great week ahead everyone!