Re-Vamp Your Workout Routine and Shake Those Hips!

This summer and fall, one of my main resolutions is to get more into shape. But c’mon, life’s short, so of course I still want to have fun! There’s only so much weight lifting, running, or squats I can do. The best way to keep your exercise routine fun and effective, I think, is to mix it up! So maybe one day you’re doing Zumba, the next day you go on a run, then maybe you break out your workout DVDs. A little bit of everything keeps both the fitness nuts and newbies happy!

We want to give your routine that extra little boost so we’ve teamed up with Chemagne Dance to hook you’re a fabulous deal! They specialize in one of my fav workouts- Belly Dancing. It’s loads of fun, is a great self-esteem booster, and is of course a hardcore abs workout! And at this great price why not get a little more adventurous and try something new!

Here are the deets:

6 Week Introductory to belly dance designed especially for new students to belly dance

-       Get Belly Dance CD ($20 Value Belly Dance Fact Sheet & $10 Off Next Purchase    Of Class Card)

-       $150.00 +HST

This class is designed for everyone, including those with no previous belly dance training. In this class students will be introduced to the fundamentals of bellydance movement and technique. Students will learn posture and alignment, muscle awareness, hip work, isolation of upper-body movements, and balance awareness. Specific techniques include hip circles, figure eights, undulations, hand gestures, arm placement, and traveling steps. Each class will conclude with a fun choreography or set of dance combinations, putting into action what we learned that session.

Mondays

7:15 - 8:15pm  6 Weeks Introductory To Belly Dance - New Students (Nov. 7 - Dec. 12)    

Thursdays

7:15 - 8:15pm  6 Weeks Introductory To Belly Dance - New Students  (Nov. 3 - Dec. 8)

for more info visit chemagnedance.com

So ladies, grab your belly dancing skirts, get ready to do some shakin’ and whip those abs into shape!

To redeem the deal just email chemagnedance@yahoo.com, call or visit in person.

Chemagne Dance is located at: 899 Bloor St. West

Toronto, ON

TIFF 2011: Gerard is Back in Action!

By this point you probably all know that TIFF has been in town for the last week and a half. Celebs on every corner, autograph hounds chasing down our fav Canadian heartthrob Ryan Gosling, and even a little (and totally false) Madonna vs. TIFF volunteers controversy.

Our own founder Janet Lewis was lucky enough to get in on a little of the TIFF action. She went to see “Machine Gun Preacher”, starring none other then Gerard Butler. After the last movie I saw with him, the dud otherwise known as “The Bounty Hunter,” I was a little skeptical. I really do wish I could get those 2 hours of my life back. But I thought I’d give Gerard the benefit of the doubt and give MGP a chance.

Here’a a little inside scoop from Janet

“It was honestly an amazing story. The director and all the cast were there on stage and Sam – who the story is about was sporting, jeans, short sleeve shirt and leather Harley jacket. He mentioned that people tried to get him to dress up for the event but he felt that wasn’t really him and this was as good as it gets.

The movie itself was sad at times as it showed what was happening in northern Uganda and Sudan but it also showcased the strength of one man’s passion to follow his dream to try to help save as many children as he could.  His own life was difficult and he made so many sacrifices to stay committed to saving these children. A definite must see and an inspiration to everyone to do what they can to help those who might need a little extra support. I can see this one winning some major awards.  At the end of the video they showed some real life footage of Sam there – which was a great add to the entire experience. It reminded the audience that the film was more then just a film – it’s the true story of a man’s struggle. Very moving and it received a standing ovation at the end of the movie... which I had never seen before so very exciting. Sex symbol Gerard Butler was amazing in this role – he definitely did justice to Sam as a man and the trials and tribulations that he went through. “

After hearing her glowing review of it, I decided I needed to do a little extra research.

IMBD’s description of the film is: “The story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers.”

While TIFF is a week full of celebrity, champagne and fancy parties, it’s amazing when a film like this asks us to look at how much we have in our own lives. I’ll admit as I looked at some of the TIFF images being posted on Twitter, I couldn’t help but lament all the fancy dresses and cars I don’t have. But you know what I do have…a computer, a house, a pretty good cardigan collection, food on the table every day, amazing friends, freedom, and goodness I could go on for hours. Life is pretty darn good and I really don’t have much to complain about.

So thank you Gerard Butler & co for reminding me of that! And encouraging me to look for ways to help those who might be going through a rough time and maybe can’t help themselves. Sure, I might not be able to do what Sam did in the film, but every little change does make a difference. Every movement starts with something seemingly small.

Here’s the trailer for all of you who are interested. It’s got a rad cast, a talented director, and an inspiring story….recipe for success? I think so! Looks like I’ll have to add this to my list of films to watch after following TIFF. So far I want to see:

-   The Oranges

-   The Ides of March

-   The Machine Gun Preacher

-   The Descendants - here's a really fun and interesting interview with Shailene Woodley  that got me intrigued 

 Any other TIFF films you guys would recommend? 

First Day of School Jitters!

If Twitter’s trending topics are any indication, then it must be the first day of school this week! So get out your fresh notebooks, pens, perfectly sharpened pencils, and new backpacks and hop on the big yellow school bus.

Whether you’re a child heading to middle school for the first time, a university student moving into your new dorm, or a mature adult heading back, the first day of school evokes a kind of unique excitement. Sure you’re terrified of making new friends, impressing your teachers, and making sure your hair looks the best it can. But you’re also running on first day adrenaline, the rush of a fresh start keeping you pumping energy like an energizer bunny. Nothing can stop you!

For me, my favorite part of September was back-to-school shopping, and no, I’m not just talking about getting new clothes (though I loved that too!). I’m one of those odd people who just love the feeling of walking into Staples. It’s like my nerdy wonderland. Sure a new shirt is fun, but what about new post-its! In fun colours and shapes! And don’t even get me started on notebooks…

But for those normal people who still get excited about clothes here are some of my fav back-to-school outfit ideas for elementary school, high school, and university. The key to choosing an outfit for the first day (or week) is to look put together without looking like your mother picked your outfit for you…you don’t want to look like you’re trying to hard. What not to do: here’s me my first day of kindergarten. Mom, I love you…but no. It’s a wonder I didn’t get any pudding thrown at me!

So a good mix of casual and nicer pieces is the perfect way to go. Is it sad that the high school outfit is pretty much my outfit today…

First Day of Elementary School

I'm kind of in love with that orange backpack. Add one of our famous MOGO charm bracelets to this and you've got the outfit I wish I was wearing above.

First Day of High School

Is it sad that I'm literally wearing almost this exact outfit today, except with a killer Steve Madden bag.

First Day of University

Also, make sure to check out our splash sale today! These cute little crayon holders are perfectly for craft time with your little one.

And for us grownups, who have graduated from the school world to the wonderful world of full time employment, check out these crystal lanyards. You wear your ID card every day, and that boring old black lanyard is just killing your outfit. But these lanyards are totally blinged out. They’re covered with crystals so now even your ID cards can looks stylish (who knew!) Find them here.

Do you have any favorite back to school memories? Post your back to school outfits!