Tag Archive for lifestyle

| February 5, 2013
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The Devil Can’t Afford Prada

Five Handy Tips for Finding Great Garments While Thrift Store Shopping

By Kiley Bell

Photo by Dion

Photo by Dion

1. Inspect Carefully

It’s important to keep in mind that just because an item is cheaper in thrift stores than it normally is elsewhere, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great find. Be sure to inspect each garment carefully, looking closely for broken zippers, stains, discolouration, loose threads, and rips. Loose threads can easily be fixed with a quick stitch, but large tears may not be worth the time or money it takes to repair. Don’t base the quality on a missing button either; often, old shirts can look better with a set of new buttons.

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| January 11, 2013
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Breaking out of the Block

Five Tips to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

By Stella Kim

Creative problem solving is a regular feat often required to navigate today’s complex economy. Especially for those working in creative fields such as marketing, architecture, and the arts, having a steady flow of ideas may make or break your next project.  Dealing with the symptoms of writer’s block may be the last thing you need when worrying about meeting your deadlines. Here are some ideas to help break you out of the creative slump and restart your idea engines.

Photo by Latente

Photo by Latente

  1. Observe and Record. Whatever it is you decide to do for a little break—go on a walk, watch a movie or play, grab a coffee with a friend—it’s all about extending your zone of awareness. Examine your surroundings: what does the building or room look like and what do you like or dislike about the way it is set up? Listen to conversations around you: what are some current issues or age-old problems that people discuss? Be open to things that could grab your attention and spark your interest unexpectedly. Write everything down so you don’t forget! Read more
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| March 22, 2012
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How to Teach Toddlers to Save

house-shaped piggy bank

Introducing money management to young children

by Shana Mongroo

Giving children a weekly allowance has been a much-debated topic among parents today — the amount, the age at which it should start, and whether or not it should be dependent on the completion of chores. Still, most would agree that having an allowance can help a child learn to manage money from an early age. Though this age will vary depending on the child, in the opinion of psychotherapist Lystra Mahabir-Mongroo, children as young as three years old can begin to grasp these concepts.

“For children to truly remain vested in this project, it is important for them to feel that they are in charge, that they own this project and [that] their parent can act as a consultant. The amount the child saves is not as important as the action of saving, so whether it’s a quarter a week or five dollars a week the [most] important [thing] is to learn the value of saving,” explains Mahabir-Mongroo.

Outlined are five guidelines to start this process with your child: 

  1. Encourage Savings: Provide your child a novel way to collect their savings such as engaging in a jar decorating activity to personalize their piggy bank. They can glue images of what they are saving for onto the jar or decorate it in their favourite colours, writing the name of what they want to save for on a removable sticker.
  2. Develop Spending Habits: Allow your child to take out a certain amount once a week to make an inexpensive purchase of their choice. This helps them learn the process of paying for something and getting change. It instils in them the feeling of control because they are paying for something themselves, and helps them better understand the value of the money.
  3. Save For a Larger Purchase: Encourage your child to save up for a larger item, helping them calculate how much they would have to save per week. It’s important to choose something they can realistically purchase. You may also opt to pay for half or to match their savings to further encourage their long-term saving habits.
  4. Motivation and Satisfaction: Another way they can be encouraged to save is by having a gift fund to buy presents or to buy materials to make presents. The satisfaction felt when giving the present will motivate a cycle of saving again to achieve the same feeling. This will enable them to further appreciate the value of managing money.
  5. Broader Values Learned: Learning to save teaches children patience and can translate to understanding when parents do not instantly gratify their needs. They will also learn that saving is an important part of effective money management and self-empowerment, and apply these lessons to setting personal goals and developing self-discipline in other aspects of their lives.
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| March 15, 2012
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Dianne Buckner

Dianne Buckner

Business Reporter by Day, Danforth Resident by Night

by Christelle Agboka

Dianne Buckner, host of Dragon’s Den and longtime Danforth resident

Over the course of 20+ years as a writer, reporter and producer, Danforth-resident Dianne Buckner has become a trusted face in Canadian business journalism. As a young graduate of Ryerson University’s journalism program, Buckner could not have imagined finding her passion as a business news writer, reporter and producer. She also figured she’d work in magazine journalism, saying, “I just sort of fluked into television, really.”

In the early years of her career, Buckner worked as a host for various CTV news programs. In 1991, looking for a change, she applied for a reporter position at Venture, a long-running, award-winning CBC business affairs program. Despite her limited business expertise or focus at that time, Buckner jumped at the opportunity, and, happily, found her niche as a journalist. She would eventually become Venture’s host and executive producer, building on this skill set post-Venture as co-creator, host and producer of Fortune Hunter, a program on entrepreneurs.

At present, Buckner is juggling several roles, including reporting on high-profile business stories as a CBC News’ Business team member; writing a weekly small business column on cbc.ca; appearing as a host on Dragon’s Den, CBC’s successful reality program in which entrepreneurs present business ideas to potential investors; and guest anchoring on other CBC news shows.

To date, Buckner counts her work on Dragon’s Den as a career highlight. It isn’t her first time on a popular show, as Venture and Live It Up! were also well received. However, Dragon’s Den is a show people can (and do) watch with their kids and enjoy as a family. Buckner enthuses, “It’s very nice to be associated with a show that people love. Lots of people absolutely love Dragon’s Den.”

There’s No Place Like Home: Life on the Danforth

Dianne Buckner at a taping of Dragon’s Den

Working as a CBC business reporter over the years has developed both Buckner’s love of business and her taste for travel. With Venture, for instance, she was able to visit Australia, Iceland, the Netherlands and Japan. For this world traveler, however, there is no place like her Danforth home.

Buckner is a long-time Danforth resident, having found an affordable apartment in the Broadview/Danforth area through a journalism school friend in the ‘80s. Buckner loved the neighbourhood so much that when she and her husband were buying a house they decided to stay. Although she grew up in Scarborough, she’s always had a Danforth connection, as her parents attended Danforth Tech, a local high school, and went to dances at St. Barnabus Church.

Buckner appreciates the Danforth for its convenient location, close to downtown and close to a subway. Its proximity to a park and good schools has also made it an appealing area in which to raise her son and daughter, now teenagers. With her hectic schedule, it also helps that the Danforth is “like a little village” and she doesn’t have to drive everywhere.

On the weekends, Buckner loves to frequent Riverdale Perk for a latte, stroll the streets of the Danforth, and have dinner at a Danforth-area restaurant such as the new Pizzeria Libretto. Her family has also taken advantage of the Danforth’s offerings, as her husband plays hockey with friends at the East York arena every Friday and her daughter takes ballet at Pegasus Studios. Furthermore, her son worked as a rink guard at a local arena for several years.

Buckner cites a conversation with relatives from rural Manitoba who asked her how she likes living in the city. At the time she responded, “There’s a baseball field, a soccer field, a playground. You can walk up to the corner store. Everyone knows each other and greets each other. It’s kind of like living in a small town in the big city.”

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| March 8, 2012
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More Than a Book Club

Riverdale Branch

Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club

by Christelle Agboka

Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club, based out of the Riverdale branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL), started in September 2011 but can already boast 20 to 35 attendees per event. Its founder, Susan Pilon, admits to a “selfish motivation on [her] part,” as she wanted to have different programs devoted to the arts at her favourite TPL branch.

Pilon also wanted to encourage the library in the face of cutbacks. “It’s good to have a library . . . when so many things are being cut back,” she says. Starting the club was her way of giving back to a TPL branch she finds to have an especially warm and welcoming environment. “We have a good library system in Toronto but this one is quite unique.” She smiles as she recalls that although she is notoriously bad at remembering names, she knew people’s names at the Riverdale branch within five minutes.

Situated at the juncture of culturally and economically-diverse areas, the Riverdale branch fills an essential role as a hub of community activity. Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club is just one of several free groups sponsored by the library. This club, like the others, is open to the community. Thus when Pilon approached the head librarian and staff about starting this club, she had their full support.

Describing the Arts and Letters Club, Pilon says, “It’s not just a book club. We try to have a variety of programs.” In the immediate future they will continue to have events related to reading and writing, which have so far been well-received. One of their prior events within this category, “Crafting a Personal Memoir” workshop facilitated by Sharon Crawford, editor and writer-in-residence at the Canadian Authors Association drew a crowd of 35, despite torrential storms! The club also hopes to hold a few art shows in the spring, with full programming resuming in the fall.

When asked why people should come out to these events, Pilon is confident. “It’s interesting; it’s free; it’s a chance to meet others in the community and [feel] a part of your community. There’s exposure to different arts and different letters.” In other words, why not come? Can we add a sentence along the lines of “If you are a member of or have attended one of these meetings, share your experience with us in the comments section!”

Upcoming Events for 2012, Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club

  • January 18: BYOB – Bring your own book, or recommend books to discuss
  • February 15: “The Art of Volunteering” with Kadija Barry, Host Volunteer Cordinator, WoodGreen Community Services
  • March 21: Ken Greenberg, city planner and author of Walking Home: The Life and Lessons of a City Builder, discussion and book signing
  • April 18: Book discussion evening
  • May 16: Howard Shrier, Mystery novelist, discussion and book signing of his new Riverdale sleuth book, Boston Cream

All meetings at the Riverdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library, Wednesdays, 6pm

370 Broadview Ave.; 416-393-7720; torontopubliclibrary.ca

 

For more info, contact Susan Pilon: susanp@pathcom.com

Category: Lifestyle | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| March 1, 2012
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Accessory Shopping At Its Best!

Diamond Ring

Add style and pizazz to your look with fashionable eyewear and other accessories while shopping on the Danforth

by Kaylynn Gaspar

Accessories are a great way to compliment your clothing. What better way to add style and class to an outfit? Various looks can be achieved by swapping accessories when alternating outfits. Among my personal favourites are shoes, bags, clutches, scarves, and jewellery. I could spend hours gazing at the treasures behind glass showcases, wishing that the idea of affording them was a reality.

On the Danforth, I have ventured into many boutiques that offer a wide variety of accessories that are unique and elegant. One particular store that I noticed offered many different types of accessories is Felicia’s Fashion Accessories.  This store has a collection of elegant jewellery, exotic semi-precious treasures, stylish evening bags, and basically any kind of accessory you could be looking for. They are located on the Danforth, just west of Pape. They even offer custom beaded work, and lots of silver and crystal pieces which fall right under my price range, as compared to the very expensive jewellery that I self-admittedly fantasize about wearing.

Another fail-safe location to accessorize that is one of my personal favourites is Shoppers’ Drugmart. You really can’t go wrong at Shoppers’. Their collection of accessories is affordable and beautiful. Admittedly, it is a little bit main-stream and your chances of discovering a unique item are lessened; but that does not mean it should be overlooked when looking to accessorize. There are a few Shoppers’ Drugmarts in the neighbourhood, and each one contains a section with decent quality, affordable accessories.

One very effective accessory that adds pizazz to your look and also offers a practical function is eyewear. A great pair of glasses can certainly compliment or add to a person’s appearance by increasing confidence and enhancing their style. One great place to check out in the neighbourhood is Modern Optical on Danforth Ave. Modern Optical has existed in the Danforth neighbourhood since 1968, and I had a chance to speak with Gary Sarantopolous, who has been with the company for about 25 years. It was his father who started the business, and Sarantopolous enjoys helping people choose frames that will help them achieve better confidence and impact their style. Glasses are a great way to add detail to a look, and are a great way for men to accessorize. Sarantopolos often gets asked for his opinion when people are shopping for glasses. The eyewear expert says that “existing customers are generally quite happy with their previous pair of glasses, so they absolutely consult my opinion. New customers, too!”

I find that somebody’s choice of glasses can alter the portrayal of their personality. There are so many different looks with glasses; you have the retro-round style, the heavy rectangular or bolder style of frame… your choice can even lend to your desired “geek” or “chic” look. On the Danforth, there are so many different places to explore for fashion accessories. Each and every place offers unique items, so the possibilities of style are quite far-reaching. Consider a stylish pair of glasses to change-it-up, and draw attention to your dynamic personality. Accessory shopping can be so much fun, and the Danforth is a great area for it.

Category: Lifestyle | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| February 9, 2012
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Taste of the Danforth

Photo provided by Howard Lichtman, media rep for Taste of the Danforth

Overview and highlights of the upcoming 19th annual Danforth street festival

by Christelle Agboka
 

Photo provided by Howard Lichtman, media rep for Taste of the Danforth

With over 1.3 million visitors, including 28% from over 40 kilometres away, from across Ontario, Quebec and even the US, Pilaros Taste of the Danforth is one of Canada’s largest, most renowned and successful street festivals. It is also the largest Greek festival nationwide, highlighting the Danforth’s Greek community, food, and friendly, easygoing atmosphere.

Taste of the Danforth is run by the Greektown Business Improvement Area (BIA), a volunteer board comprised of local restaurateurs and retailers, and chaired by entrepreneur Constantine Voidonicolas. Howard Lichtman, founder of The Lightning Group and a Taste of the Danforth organizer for the past four years, cites the festival’s main purpose as “getting [visitors] to experience the area and enjoy it, and come back every year,” which he believes is accomplished “through warmth and hospitality.”

Annual Events

For summer 2012 visitors can expect many of the Taste of the Danforth’s most beloved events and venues. This year there will again be three major stages — the Greek Stage, paying homage to Greece and Greek culture; the Broadview World stage, featuring music and dance from around the world; and The Celebrity Stage, which has previously presented a range of performers from The Second City to the Toronto Symphony, the Sound of Music cast, and dancers from So You Think You Can Dance.

The festival also has a Kids’ Fun Zone, offering fun kid-centric activities which have previously included Greek dancing lessons, “You Can Try It” circus and a visit from the Toronto Zoo mascot. There will also be a Sports Zone with physical challenges related to various sports from Toronto teams such as the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Argonauts, FC, Rock and Blue Jays.

Photo provided by Howard Lichtman, media rep for Taste of the Danforth

Throughout the festival visitors can sample food from local restaurateurs via kiosks, and enter various contests. Every year they also have a chance to win a trip for two to “Glorious Greece” courtesy of one of the Taste of the Danforth’s media partners. Beyond fun, food and prizes, all festival profits go to support area organizations, including the Toronto East General Hospital, neighbourhood schools and Greek associations, with close to $2 million raised and donated to date.

Lichtman sums up the festival’s great appeal as this: “It’s a great fun excursion for individuals or for families. Other than the food, it’s completely free. You can’t get that calibre of entertainment anywhere for free. And it’s fun. People love it. We get 96% satisfaction scores [on market research surveys].”

For him, a highlight is “seeing a million people walking down the street with big smiles on their faces.”

Seems like Taste of the Danforth is a can’t-miss event! But don’t take our word for it. Come get a “taste” for yourselves!

Photo provided by Howard Lichtman, media rep for Taste of the Danforth

This year’s Taste of the Danforth is still in the planning stages. As more information about final programs, exhibitors and performers becomes available, we will provide updates through our twitter feed.

Category: Lifestyle | Tags: , ,
| February 2, 2012
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Lengthy Commutes

Eric1513 | StockFreeImages.com

Informing commuters of strategies to make the ride to work better

by Kaylynn Gaspar

Lengthy winter commutes can drain your energy, so it is important to plan ahead for the best travel experience. (Eric1513 | StockFreeImages.com)

When traveling to work takes between one to two hours, commuting can be very difficult and tiring, and can also impede on a person’s work performance if they are not committed to a very strict schedule. The most important thing to acknowledge is preparation. Anticipating circumstances and staying prepared with the basics is essential to maintaining a healthy and thriving lifestyle.
There are ways to make the work-week easier for those who commute five days a week. If you follow these simple rules, your responsibilities will become easier to manage and you can prevent any tip in the scales.

Take your shower at night
Showering in the morning can be very time consuming, and it also demands a lot of your attention. By taking a shower at night, you are relieving yourself from drying your hair in the morning. Ladies, blow-dry or towel your hair in the evening, so that you only have to worry about styling it when you wake up. This rule will save you a great deal of time in the morning.

Go to bed early
It seems so simple to say you are going to go to bed early, but sometimes we end up getting distracted and staying up past our bed time. Doing this can have a negative effect on your work performance the next day, and make your eyes feel heavy. If you force yourself to go to bed early, your time during the day will be more rewarding. Commuting requires a wake-up call of around 5:45 am, so treat yourself to the luxury of sleep.

Eat a big and healthy breakfast
Eating first thing in the morning can be difficult sometimes because a lot of people do not feel hungry when they first wake up. If you force yourself to eat, you will be doing your body a great service. Allowing your body the chance to burn calories throughout the entire morning will speed up your metabolism, and make your commute more enjoyable because you will feel nice and full. Eating a big breakfast helps you to stave off the hunger, because you feel full longer.

Leave extra early to avoid large volumes of traffic
Sometimes leaving an hour earlier than you need to can significantly reduce your travel time. Even if doing this means compromising sleep, spending less time behind the wheel is ideal.  Traveling can take up a lot of energy, and reduce your energy level by the time you begin work.

Avoid the traffic by leaving extra early. (Eric1513 | StockFreeImages.com)

Anticipate staying late on campus or at work

If you’d rather battle traffic in the morning, aim to evade it in the evenings! If you finish class or work at 5, there is no point in going to your car and facing gruelling traffic for two hours. Instead, use the extra time to get homework done so that you can relax when you get home. If you’re at work, catch up on emails and get a head start on the next day’s tasks. Your travel time will be cut in half, leaving you with a less tiring commute home. Not to mention, your boss might be impressed at your staying-power and dedication!

Investigate all possible routes for your commute
Sometimes when we are focused on getting to work, we just think to use the hi-ways and major roads that we are most familiar with. These major routes are often filled with large volumes of traffic, and a lot of the time are very slow, because these are the roads that are most used. Sometimes there are better ways to get to your desired destination that are less-used and less known. Take the time to look at maps online, and determine if you can get to your place of work via any other streets. Sometimes one-lane roads are faster, even if you have to stop here and there at a red light.

Always bring sunglasses
When it’s still dark outside and you are cursing the early hours you maintain, the sun isn’t typically on your mind. It can be easy to forget your sunglasses in the wee hours of the morning. Soon enough, it becomes bright and then you wish you hadn’t left them at home. It can be dangerous driving in the morning hours without sunglasses, and annoying for those who have to walk or use public transport with the sun beating down on your face.


Pump up the jams
Traveling for hours can be very boring, so make sure you bring your favourite tunes to bump along to on the way. This will speed up your perception of travel time and also make you feel like you’re having a little party by yourself. Risk factor? Being annoyed when you have a song stuck in your head for hours afterwards.

Have a coffee or an energy drink before you head home
The end of a work day can be tiring as it is, but piling a two-hour commute on top of that can be scary and extremely draining. Make sure that you drink a coffee or an energy drink before you start your journey home, because when your car is stopped in traffic and your eyes are heavy, it can be easy to slip into an unsafe state of drowsiness.
Have a safe and enjoyable commute and always remember that preparation is the key to a responsible lifestyle!

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