Lifestyle
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Let’s Get Personal: Mutual Aid on the Danforth
“I’m iffy about billionaire romantic heroes,” says Jackie Olynyk, local romance author. She wants to write characters that she likes, and not someone “that’s a big, capitalist mogul.” Olynyk describes her writing as a mix between “cozy comfort and fierce rebellion,” which represents her evident desire to embrace anti-capitalism not only in her creative writing, but also in her community on the Danforth. Olynyk brings this energy into her volunteer work for local mutual aid organization The Personal Care Bank (TPCB). “I love our community, I love Toronto,” she says. “It’s easy to shut everything else [out] and focus on yourself, [… but] I really want to see us all…
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The Internet Ruined My Love Life
Nothing haunts me more than the idea of online dating. Aside from the fact that dating apps are anything but romantic, internet dating is just a nightmare for someone like me. I am a bibliophile and a romantic who completely loathes the idea of meeting my future husband online because—among other, very valid, reasons—it completely derails the fantasy I have meticulously created for my love life in my head. Despite my pathetic and misguided assumptions that people will eventually revert to dating without apps and websites, I’m afraid I must admit that internet dating is not going anywhere. This leaves me at an impasse, wondering where I can go from…
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5 New and Inexpensive Hobbies to Try This New Year
Each new year brings a period of self-reflection and many of us look to find new hobbies that make us happy and bring passion into our lives. But sometimes, when we want to try something new, the barrier of money can get in the way—especially if we don’t know if we’ll enjoy the new hobby we want to try. This doesn’t have to be the case; below is a list of exciting hobbies that are inexpensive to start and guaranteed to bring a spark back into your life! Bullet Journaling This hobby can be as expensive or complicated as you want it to be. All you need is a notebook…
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My Top Five Must-Have Beauty Products from TikTok
Like many of us during the first quarantine, I—unfortunately for my productivity—discovered TikTok. Like many young people, I tend to have a little shopping addiction and send every TikTok I see of interesting products to my friends, with the comment “I NEED this”. Here are some of my favourite purchases as of late. Fair warning: after reading this, you might think that you need these products too. I don’t disagree with you, they changed my beauty game forever! YSL Beauty Black Opium Eau de Parfum YSL Black Opium is hands down the sexiest and most elegant perfume I own. It has a very mature vanilla scent with hints of red…
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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…
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4 Self-Improvement Books to Help You Through the Pandemic
Life can be stressful, especially during a global pandemic. While many things are out of our control, like what our future will look like, improving our mental state is always within reach. If you find that your worries are holding you back, reading can actually help you take control of your mental health. Since the pandemic started, you’ve probably spent a lot of time at home with your thoughts. It can feel uncomfortable, but it’s a great opportunity to look within. Take your mental temperature and assess your stress levels head-on! If you spend some time with yourself now, you might be surprised with how you handle future situations. If…
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3 Fun Fall Gardening Projects to Keep You Busy at Home
Normally, fall signals the end of the gardening season—not with these fun tips! Instead of waiting with bated breath for next spring, try picking up a fall or winter plant at one of the many garden centres located on Danforth Avenue. . . 1. Plant Alluring Amaryllis Indoors Around late autumn, amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs will start to pop up for purchase in stores. These pretty plants hail from South America. To enjoy their tropical, trumpet-like blossoms, they should be grown indoors so they can enjoy year-round warmth. At my local shop, I found two varieties of amaryllis. “Minerva” features strawberry-red petals, stark white centres, and kiwi-green hearts. But it was…
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Parks of the Danforth
Green spaces are a hot commodity in Toronto from the Rail Deck Park project in downtown Toronto to the Meadoway project spanning from East York to Scarborough. As Toronto continues its urban development, it’s important to preserve and create green spaces because they give people a chance to get outside and connect with nature. If you glance across the Danforth’s skyline, you won’t see high rises or skyscrapers. Instead, walking through the neighbourhood will have you meeting independent businesses, fresh produce, and friendly faces. The Danforth is home to three urban green spaces: Todmorden Mills Park, Withrow Park, and Monarch Park. Each space has something unique to offer the community…
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Eight House Plants That Are Easy to Care for and Safe for Your Pets!
Plants are the absolute best example of design-meets-function and a win-win for interior decorating. They can make a space feel homier, add a pop of colour, and purify the air! However, most plants that we find in trendy home magazines or on lists of ‘toughest house plants to kill’ tend to be toxic or poisonous to our beloved furry friends. If you have pets like me, then you might know how difficult it is to keep them from nibbling on your greenery. Here’s a list of eight house plants that are good for beginners and won’t result in a trip to the animal hospital if your furry friend happens to…
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Everything You Need to Know About the Zodiac Signs
Ever been curious about astrology? Maybe you know what your zodiac sign is, but you’re not entirely sure what it means. Studying astrology and reading horoscopes have been in style for ages, but people often misconstrue what astrology really means. Astrology, in the most basic definition that I can think of, is really just the study of the influence that distant celestial objects (like the stars and planets) have on human lives. It is said that the position of the stars and planets at the time of your birth can shape your personality, your interests, and your affairs, as well as predict your fortunes. Personally, I’m not one to believe…