-
What Elements Make A Relationship? A Malcolm & Marie Film Review
Malcolm & Marie is a black and white romantic drama film that’s written, produced, and directed by Sam Levinson, and had its Netflix debut on February 5th, 2021. The screen invites us into the life of a filmmaker — Malcolm, played by John David Washington, who’s at the top of his Hollywood career thanks to the life story of his girlfriend Marie (played by Zendaya). The story recognizes Marie’s past as a drug addict and her eventual mental downfall. Both parties have hit a wall within their relationship, as their repressed emotions come to light. It’s this confrontation that begins to illuminate their fate and final breaking point. Overall, I…
-
What Makes “Clean Beauty” Clean? An Interview with The Big Carrot’s Resident Makeup Expert
Beauty should be good for you, right? But what really goes into the makeup we use? The truth is that most products contain a laundry list of ingredients that we can’t even pronounce, let alone make sense of. It’s estimated that around 80% of the ingredients in makeup have never been tested for health and safety standards — and yes, to my great chagrin, this is still totally legal. While we would like to think that the beauty companies we know and love always have our best interest at heart, the truth seems a little less clear. And since the average person uses twelve different beauty products every single day,…
-
Watching Marvel Through WandaVision
For the first time since 2009, Marvel Studios had not released anything for an entire year. Coming off of such a huge success with Avengers: Endgame, everyone was excited for the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They’ve planned the release of Black Widow — postponed until 2021 — which was meant to be a prequel to their current storyline. However, Marvel, which is owned by Disney, was able to get a bit more creative with their storytelling thanks to the steady expansion of Disney+ and started their first television series, WandaVision. Much like a lot of things Marvel brings to the forefront, the series started as a…
-
What’s in a Routine? The Emotional, Mental, and Physical Benefits of Skin Care
Not knowing what to do tomorrow is scary. No matter how boring, or how mundane a routine is, it’s better to have one than nothing at all. A routine keeps you grounded, and it keeps you in control. You feel like you have control over the circumstances of your life, and even the tiniest amount of control can make you feel strong and empowered. But when the lockdown was officially active, I lost my routine. I lost my feeling of control; I lost myself. I didn’t know what to do next. When I had my routine, I always knew what would happen next, or the next thing to do. I…
-
What Your Zodiac Sign Should do for a Stay-At-Home Valentine’s Day
This year, it’s safe to say Valentine’s Day is going to look a little bit different. But that doesn’t have to mean bad different. There are so many ways you can enjoy this tacky but fabulous holiday from the comfort of your own home, no matter your relationship status—or zodiac sign. There’s something for everyone from Aries to Pisces, and every sign in between. So, before you think you’ll have to pass on the festive fun this year, think again. Here are 12 stay-at-home Valentine’s Day activities curated for your star sign. Enjoy! Fire Aries (March 21 – April 20) As the natural leader of the signs, you enjoy a…
-
In Honour of Saul Korman: The Shining “Duke of the Danforth”
Dubbed the “Duke of the Danforth,” Saul Korman was more than just a businessman; he was a pillar in the Danforth community, and a beacon of light for all of Toronto. He passed away on Sunday, January 31st at the age of 86, and that light he cast over Toronto? It dimmed, noticeably so. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Saul, his honorary title of “Duke of the Danforth” given to him by former Toronto Mayor, Mel Lastman, is no exaggeration. In the ‘50s, Saul opened Korry’s Clothiers to Gentlemen, one of the first businesses to grace the Danforth apart from service businesses and various used car…
-
A Look into the Bridgerton World: 4 Adaptations for Screen
Hello, my beloved readers, it’s series review season. The news going around is that the Bridgertons are getting quite a crowd of admirers. Reporting to you is not Lady Whistledown (unfortunately), but a spectator who is very much an admirer of 19th century London’s most loved gossip writer. Shall we dive into today’s adventure? Released on December 25, 2020, Bridgerton is a new addition to Netflix’s big catalogue of success. Produced by Shondaland, and based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton takes place in the high society of London in 1813, where the best thing that could happen to a woman is to be wed to a…
-
6 Winter Books for the Seasonal Reader’s Soul
Winter is always the perfect time of year to cozy up next to the fireplace with a hot mug of cocoa and a good book. This past year has required more warmth and comfort than ever before, and not just because of the cold. Due to the continuous spike in COVID-19 cases, many of us have stayed indoors for our health and safety and have picked up new hobbies (or rekindled our love for old ones). Many of us have also found more time to spend with our families. While this may have strengthened bonds, it’s made us lose any time we may have previously had to ourselves. But there…
-
Pandemic Cravings: A search for comfort
During the pandemic, I’ve happily enjoyed eating my mother’s delicious home-cooked meals while working from home. Though I treated myself with the occasional bubble tea and local takeout, I discovered a desire to indulge my taste buds by trying something new. Over the years, I had always been able to try new foods and explore different cuisines at food festivals held in Markham and Toronto. However, the pandemic changed this, and I began to experiment with food in my own kitchen. In the past, I considered myself an expert at whipping up breakfast and baking cookies, but I had always avoided experimenting with new recipes after an unsuccessful attempt at…
-
Self-Care Tips for Coping with Anxiety During Uncertain Times
The arrival of the pandemic came as a surprise. The world changed overnight. People were suddenly becoming fatally ill due to a virus that no one had ever heard of. One day we’re living our normal daily lives, and the next, we’re locked away at home. It’s hard enough going through isolation, but it’s even harder when you’re dealing with mental health issues. The Kaiser Family Foundation Tracking Poll conducted a study in the middle of June, that showed in the US alone, 53% of adults reported their mental health has suffered due to stress toward the coronavirus. Now imagine the number when we think about the whole world. Dealing…