It was advertised as 'Lipstick Jungle cocktail luncheon' hosted by Lulu from MODWOMEN.com. a popular Toronto ladies networking group who's mission is to provide lifestyle resources, shared mentoring and new trends to help women progress positively in today's world.
CANDACE BUSHNELL (celebrated author of 'Sex In The City') was the guest speaker sharing her thoughts on life in today's fast lane.
Held at the Design Exchange I decided to go with my daily hair and makeup artiste Anastasia Cuccullo.
We arrived in style in the Jaguar and were dressed to the nines! Heels as high as you could walk in and all the women there were defn in the mode of Sex In The City girls.
We were met by Lulu and escorted to the VIP lounge where there was no shortage of fizz and food. Scrumptious canapes and a buzz of excitement as Candace emerged from giving her Press interviews.
We chatted and she was kind enough to have a photo taken with me.
Everyone moved to the large hall area where she addressed everyone and was very captivating and funny.
Loot and grab bags were the best as they were sponsored by Swarovski, La Senza, Burberry and more great designer names.
Everyone enjoyed the 'ladies who do lunch' event and after speaking to Lulu afterwards - she has great hopes of inviting Vivienne Westwood and Trudi Styler to speak in the future.
Afterwards Annastasia and I decided to go to see the film at the cinema - we had the place to ourselves, and then completed the whole experience with supper at Ultra Supper Club in the company of Mike Chalut.
It was my treat for Annastasia as she celebrated her 30th birthday and for me - it was one of the best days off I have ever had. If someone does that for my forthcoming birthday - i will be VERY happy!!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Woofstock, Toronto. June 8
Every dog lover in the city and surrounding areas visited the St Lawrence market area as the annual dog show 'Woofstock' was on all weekend.
Thousands of dogs were in attendance, I should think I saw every breed there is as I walked around the stalls.
Everything you could ever wish to buy for your pooch was there.... from all the dressy outfits, to bandannas, collars, boots, hats, sunglasses, but if you wanted matching leashes, blankets, beds, - it was all there - and more!!
Portrait artists, photo booths, competitions, free gifts, even complimentary water and dog baths were there.
To see 8 golden Labradors and retrievers frolicking in the pool and fountain trying to get cool was a funny sight to see.
Owners definitely took a back seat with the dogs 'having their day'. I have never seen so many people taking photos of other peoples dogs and chatting in a way you never see in the city of Toronto. Most people could go a week without speaking to anyone on the street car, subway, or just out and about. It was the most friendly day! With the temperatures rising all afternoon, a few dogs had problems with the heat and had to use the services of the dog rescue service.
With all the free samples of food and treats, I can imagine it was a bit like taking a child to the fair, I think a few doggies will feel a bit under the weather today. I took Oscar last year to Woofstock and took part in the on-stage competitions - this year without him was the hardest - I think I found every ShihTzu there.
I did buy him a couple of prezzies though.
Great Day - put it in the diary to go again next year
Thousands of dogs were in attendance, I should think I saw every breed there is as I walked around the stalls.
Everything you could ever wish to buy for your pooch was there.... from all the dressy outfits, to bandannas, collars, boots, hats, sunglasses, but if you wanted matching leashes, blankets, beds, - it was all there - and more!!
Portrait artists, photo booths, competitions, free gifts, even complimentary water and dog baths were there.
To see 8 golden Labradors and retrievers frolicking in the pool and fountain trying to get cool was a funny sight to see.
Owners definitely took a back seat with the dogs 'having their day'. I have never seen so many people taking photos of other peoples dogs and chatting in a way you never see in the city of Toronto. Most people could go a week without speaking to anyone on the street car, subway, or just out and about. It was the most friendly day! With the temperatures rising all afternoon, a few dogs had problems with the heat and had to use the services of the dog rescue service.
With all the free samples of food and treats, I can imagine it was a bit like taking a child to the fair, I think a few doggies will feel a bit under the weather today. I took Oscar last year to Woofstock and took part in the on-stage competitions - this year without him was the hardest - I think I found every ShihTzu there.
I did buy him a couple of prezzies though.
Great Day - put it in the diary to go again next year
HRH Prince Edward visits Toronto June 8
The Cathedral Church of St. James welcomed The Earl of Wessex to Choral Mattins at 11.00am today. After the very familiar Royal (our National) Anthem was sung, it was my first opportunity to sing the Canadian National Anthem. I always feel 'at home' in Church, whether here or at home at my beloved Lichfield Cathedral.
The Director of Music Andrew Ager and the resident Choir performed wonderfully, I can imagine the hours of rehearsing they must have done to ensure a fault free, note perfect performance.
To my surprise there were quite a few hats present, more would have been nice, but its more a casual approach these days.
At the end of the service, the Prince walked past all the choir members assembled on the steps of the Cathedral and he took time to speak to most of them thanking them and even turning to the gathered crowds for photo opportunities.
The Dean, The Very Rev'd Douglas Stoute looked magnificient in his robes, and with the sun shining it made for a very uplifting and memorable morning.
For all the Brits:
The Canadian National Anthem
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True Patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
The Director of Music Andrew Ager and the resident Choir performed wonderfully, I can imagine the hours of rehearsing they must have done to ensure a fault free, note perfect performance.
To my surprise there were quite a few hats present, more would have been nice, but its more a casual approach these days.
At the end of the service, the Prince walked past all the choir members assembled on the steps of the Cathedral and he took time to speak to most of them thanking them and even turning to the gathered crowds for photo opportunities.
The Dean, The Very Rev'd Douglas Stoute looked magnificient in his robes, and with the sun shining it made for a very uplifting and memorable morning.
For all the Brits:
The Canadian National Anthem
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True Patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Breakfast TV 22 May 08
I was invited to be on the top breakfast show here in Toronto on May 22nd.
Up at 4am was no easy task, but with the help of Annastacia doing my hair and makeup, and with the timely arrival of my driver (Steve) at 5.45am, we arrived at the Studio in good time to meet with the florist delivering the 3 amazing and very dramatic table centrepiece decorations. The cup cake tower cake was already in position and the classic invitations were placed camera ready.
My publicist from Montreal had flown in to make sure everything was ready and to talk me through the 'current wedding trends' for this year and my wonderful Producer Kim Bondi arrived to 'hold my hand' till I went on air at 8.45am.
I had added in the 'sand ceremony' as an 'extra' and had also brought along a Jacques Vert wedding style hat and fascinator.
Much to my delight - I was interviewed by Dina Pugliese who donned the fascinator and made the 6 minutes fly past in seconds!
It was a great experience, one I hope I can do again in the future.
Up at 4am was no easy task, but with the help of Annastacia doing my hair and makeup, and with the timely arrival of my driver (Steve) at 5.45am, we arrived at the Studio in good time to meet with the florist delivering the 3 amazing and very dramatic table centrepiece decorations. The cup cake tower cake was already in position and the classic invitations were placed camera ready.
My publicist from Montreal had flown in to make sure everything was ready and to talk me through the 'current wedding trends' for this year and my wonderful Producer Kim Bondi arrived to 'hold my hand' till I went on air at 8.45am.
I had added in the 'sand ceremony' as an 'extra' and had also brought along a Jacques Vert wedding style hat and fascinator.
Much to my delight - I was interviewed by Dina Pugliese who donned the fascinator and made the 6 minutes fly past in seconds!
It was a great experience, one I hope I can do again in the future.
Don and Jako Wedding Oshawa 31 May 08
My first gay wedding on the show. I had been on several radio programmes asking for guys to be on Wedding SOS - but to no avail. Imagine my surprise when a Minister recommended them to call (it was the best thing they ever did!)
Don and Jako were an absolute pleasure to work with. They needed my help so badly as they were actually planning to do all the cooking themselves on the day of the wedding BBQ style and then transporting it all to the Legion Club (complete with crockery, cutlery, glassware). For their first wish I organised a caterer to supply everything (and more - including a backdrop for their photographs) and the colour theme was black and white, and they even themed the table linens for them.
The second wish was for them to have outfits to wear, as they had nothing suitable at all. Nothing fitted them, so it was off to GotStyle to have the full works - suits, shirts, ties, even the shoes. They looked so handsome.
A secret wish was asked for by Jako as he wanted to surprise Don by asking him for the first dance. Don is a great dancer and this was always going to be a problem.
After a dance class and an impromptu rehearsal with me in a public space, Jako was ready to 'trip the light fantastic!'
The vows they wrote to each other were real tear jerkers, and the Minister did them proud with the ceremony. I even added my touch - by adding in the 'sand ceremony'.
The Caterers were amazing by adding a flambe crepe station at the end and with the Chef in attendance, it added another dimension to this most unusual event at the Legion Hall.
Even they embraced the couple - and me, by officially presenting us all with Legion 'pins' - it was very unexpected, and very touching.
Topped off with me acting as chauffeur for them with the Jaguar, I had managed to transform this wedding from a backyard BBQ into a very stylish and memorable occasion.
Reading the heartfelt sincere letter of thanks from Don will be a lasting reminder of how I make a difference to weddings - whatever the religion, beliefs, customs or traditions, at the end of the day its all about people and how they want to make a lifetime commitment to each other.
June News
The month of May passed by in a blurr. After arriving back in Toronto (I completed the 2nd and 3rd season at the end of February) I moved to a new apartment in Yorkville. There was no time to get over any jet lag as the first 'meet and greet' was scheduled for me to meet Crystal and Jeremy as their wedding was the following week up in Barrie.
There were a number of changes to the 'team' with a new Exec Producer, new Series Producer, and the whole crew had moved on to other projects. My two new Directors were introduced to me and I hid a wry smile knowing what they had ahead of them......
In addition I had personally gained sponsorship from Jaguar cars UK and Canada, and Harley Davidson for motorbikes to be 'product placed' in the show.
I had also been successful in obtaining sponsorship from Jacques Vert Clothing and Talbots so a whole new clothing style and look was to be for the 4th season.
My hair was now in the very capable hands of the top celebrity hair stylist Marc Anthony and this was all captured in a photo shoot by Denise Grant Photography.
With all this in place, we began shooting.
The new 30ft Winni Trailer was essential for the hair and makeup stylist, wardrobe stylist, PA and me to travel in. My driver was from Season 1 and was no stranger to set with all the demands of a time pressurised day.
Crystal and Jeremys wedding is on Facebook.
There were a number of changes to the 'team' with a new Exec Producer, new Series Producer, and the whole crew had moved on to other projects. My two new Directors were introduced to me and I hid a wry smile knowing what they had ahead of them......
In addition I had personally gained sponsorship from Jaguar cars UK and Canada, and Harley Davidson for motorbikes to be 'product placed' in the show.
I had also been successful in obtaining sponsorship from Jacques Vert Clothing and Talbots so a whole new clothing style and look was to be for the 4th season.
My hair was now in the very capable hands of the top celebrity hair stylist Marc Anthony and this was all captured in a photo shoot by Denise Grant Photography.
With all this in place, we began shooting.
The new 30ft Winni Trailer was essential for the hair and makeup stylist, wardrobe stylist, PA and me to travel in. My driver was from Season 1 and was no stranger to set with all the demands of a time pressurised day.
Crystal and Jeremys wedding is on Facebook.
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