Holiday Events

Christmas is not only my favourite time of year, it's always my busiest. Come the end of November, it's really hard to plan anything with us because I always have annual events I like to take the kids to on the weekends.

 

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, I would definitely recommend trying to get out to at least one of these events as a family because they are super fun and your kids will have a blast!!

 

 

York - Durham Heritage Railway- The Santa Train

 

This is a lot of fun for kids. Starting Nov 22 on Saturdays and Sundays you can take the Santa Train that departs from Uxbridge. Santa visits each child at their seat and also gives them a treat. The ride is 1 hour in length and has entertainment on board for children of all ages.

Cost is $20 each for all passengers over 1 years old. Groups of 4 people are $74

 

 

 

 

Toronto Christmas Market

 

I LOVE going to this. I have been 3 years in a row and it just keeps getting better and better. Held at The Historic Distillery District from Nov 28 to Dec 21 and it's open 7 days a week!  They have shopping, music, dance performances, festive treats and more. Santa is also there for pictures. I love walking through the cobble stone streets with a cup of hot chocolate and just enjoy all the Toronto Christmas Market has to offer!

 

Oh and did I mention admission is FREE?!

 

 

 

 

Casa Loma- 100 Years of Christmas

 

Casa Loma is celebrating 100 years of Christmas and is inviting all families to join in the festivities. I haven't been to this event before but I am planning on attending this year.

 

Event runs from 9:30am to 5pm from Nov 27 to Dec 28th. Santa and Christmas Carollers will be there, they will have some crafts for the kids, cookie decorating at an extra cost and more.

 

10 Trees, 10 Decades Christmas Exhibition will be running. 10 Trees will be decorated lavishly by 10 of Canada's top designers.

Admission: Adults- $27, Youth & Seniors $21 and Children $17

 

 

 

Variety Village- World's Greatest Christmas Party

 

 Variety Village is a sports and recreation facility for people with all abilities. They are really more of a community than a facility because they are so close with their members and have great relationships. This is their 17th year hosting this amazing party which all proceeds go to help support Variety Village.

 

I have been to this event 3 years in a row now and it's amazing! My son has a blast and even though we ALWAYS stay until the end he still cries when we have to leave. For $8 they provide you with lunch and an afternoon of activities.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Waterfront BIA - Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront

 

We have gone to this 2 years in a row now and I must say it's pretty awesome! Inside the Queen Quay Terminal they have crafts for the kids and new this year - a Frozen Ice Queen and Ice Princess Show.

Mariposa has a 1 hour Santa Cruise you can do as well which you can catch right outside the terminal. They offer free photos with Santa, crafts, face painting and dancing on the boat.

Winterfest runs Saturday and Sunday on December 13,14,20 and 21. Everything inside the terminal is Free but the boat cruise you do need to pay for.

If you pay in advance for the boat cruise, tickets are $14 or if you wish to purchase the day of on the boat they are $17. Children under 6 are free.

 

Christmas at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Starting November 22, visit Black Creek Pioneer Village for a tour of their historic houses and discover the origins of popular Christmas traditions today as well as traditional Christmas foods. Kids can make their Christmas card and on weekends enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride around the historic Village as well as meet Santa in his cottage!

 

DIY Christmas Bell Ornament for kids

Note: This post is inspired by my preschool craft back in 1986

 

 

 

I am a very sentimental person.  I have about 4 large bins in my basement full of childhood items that my mom put away for me. I will never part with any of it- everything is so special to me and I am so thankful my mom saved so much of my childhood items. Every year when I start pulling out all the Christmas décor, I always find myself peeking in those bins. I just can't help myself as it brings back so many great memories. 

 

This bell ornament I still have from 1986 when I was in preschool. I vaguely remember making it. I think it's so cute and I am so glad that I still have it. I thought it would be really fun to have my son create a similar one for all of his classmates at preschool. (see the sentimental me is coming out again)  

 

 I purchased everything from the dollar store so this craft is very affordable. In total, everything cost me only $8 to make 16 bell ornaments-I know super cheap! Hey, if you don't believe me I can show you my bill.






To decorate the foam cups, I got stickers, pom poms and glitter glue, but you can really use anything you want. Once he decorated each cup, I made a tiny hole at the top to put the wool through. Then I tied a mini bell underneath the cup. That's it- done!

He had so much fun making them. It took him about an hour to make them all. We still have a lot of foam cups left, so I might go back to the dollar store this week and pick up some more bells so he can make a few more for his other friends and cousin.

 

 

 

 

We had a great time putting these bell ornaments together and I will cherish that memory forever. To be honest- I kind of got a bit emotional watching him make them. The one on the left is his, and the one on the right is mine. These pictures are definitely going in his baby book so he will have them to look back on. I will also make sure to save one for his childhood bin and hope he will do the same one day with his child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you up for the challenge?

 

 

 

 

When I found out Nestle Waters Canada was challenging all Canadians to take the Live Healthly. Live Bubbly. 7 Day Challenge I was totally in! All I had to do was trade one sugared beverage with Nestle Pure Life Sparkling Natural Spring Water...easy right? No. Not for me actually.

 

It was pretty hard at first. I love soft drinks. I always had at least 1-2 a day- 1 for lunch and 1 for dinner. I knew it wasn't good for me and water was the better option, but I find water so plain so I don't really like to drink it. As soon as I took on the challenge, I replaced all my soft drinks in the fridge with Nestle Pure Life Sparkling Natural Spring Water. That way when I felt like grabbing a soft drink it wasn't there.

 

I am not going to lie. Half way through the 7 day challenge I really wanted a coke, but when I learned an average soft drink contains 10 teaspoons of sugar it really put things into perspective. World Health Organization suggest an adults daily sugar intake should be 6 teaspoons. I couldn't believe everyday I was doubling that - just with soft drinks!!

 

 

 

 

All 3 flavours taste so refreshing, but my absolute favourite is the Raspberry Lime. It's so good! I even got my husband hooked on them as well.

 

I am so glad I took this challenge. To this date, I haven't had 1 soft drink. I am so proud of myself. I haven't even been craving one either. I don't even stock soft drinks in the house anymore. My guests now have the option of drinking Nestle Pure Life Sparkling Natural Spring Water, regular water or milk.

 

 

 

Ok, now it's your turn! If I can do it, you can too. Click HERE and take the pledge. Once you have finished let me know how you did. I would love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

Since the holidays are around the corner, try one of these recipes at your next gathering. I haven't tried any of them yet myself but if you do, please let me know which one is good! 

 

 

 

 

 **I was not compensated for this post. All options are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

FASHION Magazine Toronto Fashion Week Awards

 

At the end of Fashion Week I attended FASHION Magazine Toronto Fashion Week Awards Party in Toronto. There were only 100 tickets sold to the public and I was lucky enough to get one.  It was a great evening to celebrate the talent behind Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here were the winners:

Sophie Touchet, winner of Best Model



Haley Elsaesser (left), winner of Best Emerging Designer



Mikhael Kale (left), winner of Best Presentation

Thomas Balint, winner of Best Menswear

Grace Lee, winner of Best Makeup for Elan + Castor

 

 

Zeina Esmail, winner of Best Styling for Pink Tartan

 

 

Jorge Joao, winner of Best Hair for Hayley Elsaesser

 

There is 1 vote left which is for Best Collection, and they are leaving it up to you. Visit their People's Choice page and vote for your favourite designer!! The winner will be revealed in FASHION Magazine's February Issue

 

 

Photos courtesy of Ryan Emberley

 

Alexander Wang x at H&M.

On November 6th, 2014 H & M will be launching Alexander Wang X collection in selected stores worldwide and online. He will be the first American designer to collaborate with H & M at only 30 years old! He is also one of the most talked about names in fashion right now. His designs are worn by celebrities such as Rihanna, Katy Perry and Zoë Kravitz.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from his women's collection:



Padded leather jacket $399

 



Perforated pattern dress $149





Figure-fit dress $99



Patterned jeans $99





Jacquard-knit skirt $59.95



Boots $249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some of my favourites from the men's collection:

 

Hooded jacket in scuba fabric $99



Hooded jacket in scuba fabric $69.95





Long-sleeved T-shirt $49.95



T-shirt $34.95

 

To see more items in his collection check out H & M's website here

 

Hope you guys are having a great weekend!