Vaughan Film Festival
December 13, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Web Exclusives
Toronto, Cannes, Vaughan! The magic of the movies hit Vaughan this year when the city announced its first Vaughan Film Festival. Established by local filmmakers Antonio Ienco and Mark Pagliaroli, the VFF will celebrate local and international artists by selecting 20 to 30 short films to screen and crowning the Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director with Golden Reel Awards.
Turn, Turn, Turn – Must read books
December 5, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under General Interest, Special Features
This is Paris by Miroslav Sasek
In the tradition of Miroslav Sasek’s This is children’s series, This is Paris paints a playful picture of the city for little world travellers. With colourful images depicting favourite corners of Paris accompanied by charming, informative text, This is Paris will ignite a passion for travel — and for the City of Love — in young readers.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Warm up your holiday season with Mitch Albom’s beloved tale of life, death and the meaning of both. Through the character of Eddie, a Second World War veteran now working at an amusement park, Albom flies readers to the heavens for an enriching glimpse of the afterlife.
Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear
Inspired by the friendship of author Virginia Woolf and her sister, painter Vanessa Bell, Virginia Wolf takes little readers by the hand and paints them a whimsical, magic-filled adventure that will open their minds and kindle their imaginations.
Read more
Naughty or Nice
December 3, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Fashion
HOLIDAY WISHES FOR HER
1. SIGN ME UP
Sweet, rustic touches like this ‘Noel’ sign will make your home merry and bright this season.
www.potterybarn.com
2.DANGLING DAZZLES
Don these white coral Angelica earrings for an alluring look.
www.vivre.com
3.SWEET & SWANKY
This platter of luxury chocolates with Swarovski Elements will bewitch your guests.
www.godiva.com
4. BOLD BAUBLES
Cast a spell with these bold and unexpected accessories from Anthropologie.
www.anthropolgie.com
5. HAND CANDY
Find your fancy flair with this baroque-inspired Kotur box clutch.
www.net-a-porter.com
Read more
It’s a Vaughanderful Life
December 3, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Special Features
There’s no need to hibernate — oodles of winter activities are calling your name, and they’re all just around the bend.
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Step back in time and discover the rustic simplicity of a pioneer Christmas. Black Creek Pioneer Village invites you to celebrate with traditional candlelit dinners, Victorian-style ballroom dances, taffy pulls and more.
www.blackcreek.ca
Uplands Ski Centre
Hit the Alps — without leaving town! Uplands Ski Centre, Vaughan’s hidden winter wonderland, gives families a safe environment to make a day of dashing through the snow.
www.uplandsgolfandski.com
Supervised Outdoor Skating Rinks
It’s like a scene from The Bishop’s Wife: skates laced, scarf wrapped and hands clasped to your significant other’s. Give your holiday a playful spin by hitting the ice at Nathan Phillips Square or Woodbridge’s Chancellor Park.
www.toronto.ca
Read more
The Florences and the Machine
October 2, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Success Story
Learning that your child suffers from cerebral palsy (CP) is a powerful blow, weighty enough that most families barely have the strength to weather it. Now imagine being told that all three of your children will struggle with this condition for the rest of their lives; the very thought causes any parent strain.
But for Dana and Jared Florence, the parents of darling four-year-old triplets Taylor, Brody and Cole, the heartbreaking reality of CP in their family opened the door to an opportunity that has impacted countless families struggling with the same circumstance.
“I don’t want to sit here and pretend it wasn’t difficult,” Dana recalls of the dizzying day when their triplets were diagnosed. “There were a lot of tears and a lot of anger and a lot of really difficult emotions. But Read more
On the Home Front
September 28, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Special Features
1. Kleinburg Crown Estates
Nestled in the culture-rich town of Kleinburg, these luxury estate homes complement their spacious properties and grandiose floor plans with comfort and warmth. Tailored to perfection by five master builders, explore all that Kleinburg Crown Estates has to offer.
www.kleinburgcrown.com
2. Bridle Path of Thornhill
Thornhill’s luxe Bridle Path development will not disappoint. Surrounded by a lush natural forest, these lavish homes will provide the perfect setting for the distinguished buyer. www.foresthillhomes.ca/bridlepath Read more
Turning the World Gold
September 28, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Special Features
Three years ago, Vaughan native Sabrina Cannella stumbled across the Twitter page of a teenage cancer patient in Nashville, Tennessee. Struck by the strength and liveliness of young Taylor Filorimo, Sabrina felt compelled to reach out. What began as a few simple emails soon blossomed into an extraordinary friendship that defies the boundaries of distance, hardship, and even death.
Taylor was 13 when doctors discovered a softball-sized tumour on her kidney and diagnosed her with renal cell carcinoma, a rare cancer typically found in adults. Over the next three years, she would develop 23 more tumours in her lungs, one on her spine and another behind her heart.
“She always said, ‘I will not let the fear of cancer strike me out,’” says Read more
City Vibe
September 28, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Special Features
Find your cool from this list of hot destinations and must-haves.
1. HAVE A BALL Bowl, dine and celebrate at The Ballroom, Toronto’s entertaining social hub. www.theballroom.ca
2. PETITE ITALY Primo & Secondo brings a zap of art, culture and superb cuisine to Montreal’s Little Italy. www.primoesecondo.ca
3. PUMPED-UP KICKS Add a splash of colour to your step with these brilliant Converse sneakers. www.shopcaster.com
4. A PEEK IN THE PAST This Baroque-style mirror adds a touch of rustic charm to any décor scheme. www.shopcaster.com
5. TIME TRAVEL Add some funk to your morning wake-up call with Read more
Hit the Books
September 28, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Special Features
These gripping hardcovers will keep you under the covers with anticipation.
I Siciliani by Lou Quattro
Lou Quattro’s time in Tuscany thrust him into the passionate, powerful environment of the Sicilian; an experience that inspired him to write this novel on the cognizant culture. www.friesenpress.com
Paris a Love Story by Kati Marton
In Kati Marton’s enchanting memoir, Paris plays the poetic backdrop to a life tangled with romance, shattered hearts and fresh beginnings. www.simonandschuster.ca
1982 by Jian Ghomeshi
Exploring the soundtrack of his life, Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC’s Q, Read more
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
September 27, 2012 by Amanda Storey
Filed under Fashion
Bursting with fresh colours, bold patterns and striking attitude, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York rocked the runways and wowed fashion lovers. Vera Wang, Carlos Miele and Naeem Khan brought a flush of culture and colour with Indian-inspired masterpieces; fairy tale couture is making a comeback thanks to designers Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera; and a barrel of hot trends can be chalked up to Betsey Johnson, the queen of fun. The coming months will see a rush of brilliant colours, and fashionistas will play a little truth-or-dare with the upcoming leather and cut-out trends. This trend report promises a season stuffed with fun ways to twist the classics and add personal touches. Here is your chance to glimpse your year’s shopping list! Read more
