GSUS at World MasterCard Fashion Week

I had the pleasure of attending the GSUS Industries show at fashion week tonight. The show featured gorgeous looks and even a live musical performance. Here are a few of the shots. 

A special thank you to my friend Natasha for inviting us as her guests for the show! 

- JS

The most spontaneous thing I've ever done

I'm not a spontaneous or risky person. I live a very routine and planned life and I like to keep it that way. Really exciting right?

You can find me here in less than two weeks!

I'm not saying I don't like to have fun and go out and do things, but I really don't enjoy spur of the moment plans or changes.

Yesterday, a friend and I, decided we would book a vacation. CCPR is over in less than two weeks and we thought we deserved a little getaway. Next thing you know we're debating which bikinis to bring.

At first it was a little terrifying. It meant getting up and leaving Toronto for a week, leaving my job and apartment. Each week I go to school Monday - Thursday and work Friday - Sunday. That is my routine, it happens every single week. As nice as the opportunity was to get away and lay on a beach for a week, I was a little scared to throw caution with the wind and get on a plane to Cuba.

However, I of course decided to go on the trip and we're leaving in 11 days. As soon as it was booked I couldn't be more excited for a well-deserved break.

Maybe this will teach me to let me hair down and live a little every once and awhile.

- JS

The Best Apps Around

The app store is an endless abyss, where you can find apps on everything from doodling pads to workout challenges and everything in between. When I first got my iPhone a few months ago (I know, I know I was a little late on the bandwagon) I had no clue what apps to start downloading first. After becoming completely addicted to my iPhone over the last four months, I have narrowed down the five apps I can not live without.

1. Next Issue. This app is literally a dream come true. I love a good magazine but having them pile up in a room that's already crammed for space doesn't work out very well. For $9.99 a month, you have access to over 100 magazines. Like many great apps, this will probably seriously hurt your productivity. If you're not sure about it, they offer a free 30 day trial before you hand over your money.

2. Rocket Man. So you may not all live in Toronto. However, for those that do, this app alone is a good enough reason to buy an iPhone. Not only does it count down for you when the next bus or streetcar is coming, but you can also set reminders to alert you when your mode of transit is arriving in the next 5, 10 or 15 minutes.

3. Hailo. Sorry again for those who don't live in Toronto or Montreal. This app lets you hail a taxi, track how far away they are and pay for your ride all from your phone. Not having to struggle for cash on the cab ride home late at night is a miracle.

4. Starbucks App. I know this is no new revelation but I had to include it on my list. The app is also adding a new feature within the next few days which allows you to tip your barista using the app after your finished the transaction. Let's show some love to those cheerful baristas!

5. AfterLight. There are so many great apps for editing photos but AfterLight is my go-to. It costs a measly $1.99 but is worth it for how great it makes your photos (cough, you) look.

Did I miss an amazing app? Let me know in the comments below!

- JS

When life hands you a snowstorm...

I was so EXCITED to go home to Halifax this Saturday night. I only get to see my family two or three times a year, so when I do get to go home, it's a pretty big deal.

Looking out my window during the storm, no flying for me!

Now let me give you a little background. Toronto has not had a speck of snow so far this winter. However, Saturday was the day. Toronto got a huge snowstorm and my precious flight was cancelled. To make matters worse, the storm was hitting Halifax the next day so I can't fly out till Monday morning.

That sucks. Really sucks. But what can you do? There was a point in my life where if things didn't go as I planned it turned into a major meltdown. As much as it would be great if things always went as we planned, they very rarely do. After having to deal with some things I never ever expected, I quickly learned there were two choices when you're handed crap you don't want to deal with.

Get upset or angry and waste your energy on those emotions, OR my personal favourite, accept what has gone on, and try, no matter how horrible it is, to make the best out of it and turn it into a positive experience.

Since I'm stuck in Toronto for another two days, I've gone to the gym and organized my life here. That way, when I get back to Toronto, I'll be ready to jump back into things. As much as I wish I was with my family now, I'll get there eventually. For now, I'm going to try and appreciate another day to get ready for my Christmas vacation.

I wish you all the best during the holidays and if life hands you a snowstorm, make...a snowman?

- JS

Phony Party: My One True Love

I have been seriously slacking when it comes to my blog. Between my event, school and work I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I thought I should probably let you know how the event went, especially for those who weren't in Toronto and couldn't make it.

Let's start from the beginning.

One of my Phony Party teammates! 

We spent the entire day at our venue, LoftRaum, getting ready for the event. We fill swag bags, set up prizes, organized the layout of the room and ran around picking up everything from ice to henna for tattoos.

We were preparing until the second before people started arriving. Dressed in our "Phony Party" t-shirts, we were ready to host the event we had put our blood, sweat and tears into.

We stuck with a blue theme for our decor, since blue is Kids Help Phone's colour. Our signature cocktails were blue, as well as the lighting all around the event space.

LoftRaum is a "raw event space" so we literally built the event from the ground up. We rented tables, glassware and created the bar. Even though this was a challenge, it makes me that much more proud of what we pulled together.

We filled the space with a tarot card reader, henna tattoo artist, caricaturist and a "Phony" photo booth with lots of props. Guests also bid on tons of silent auction items and tried their luck in our raffle.

When we were first told we had to plan a charity event with NO budget, my stomach dropped. How were we going to pull off an amazing event with zero dollars?!

The Phony Party team with our event management teacher and program co-ordinator!

We were so lucky to get some amazing sponsors like Iceberg Vodka, Wellington Brewery, Quiksilver, Goodlife and many more. Their generosity means the world to us.

The event exceeded my expectations and we were the ones who planned it! Standing in the room filled with our family, friends and classmates who were there to support us was surreal. Even with all the stress and pressure, I would do it ten times over.

- JS

Life lessons from my mother #1

Remember when you were growing up and you'd roll your eyes every time your parents would start lecturing you or giving you advice? As much as my bratty teenage self thought I didn't have time to listen to what my mom had to say, as I go through life I realize more and more how right she was.

As some of you have probably seen all over my Facebook, I am working my butt off to plan a charity event with some of my classmates as one of our assignments. I don't know if it should be called an assignment, it is worth 60% of our grade. More like a major project.

When we were first told we had to throw a charity event with ... wait for it... ZERO dollars. I panicked. However, the choice is to sink or swim, I decided, along with my group, to swim for my life and turn this into something great.

Sneak peek at our event space,
thanks to the amazing Craig at LoftRaum.

Ever since we started the planning process, I have spent countless hours calling and emailing everyone I can think of to ask for sponsorship. I have to sell our party like it is a great investment for them and they should want to get onboard as a great business move.

The problem with me is I might commit too much. I now think about this event pretty much from the time I wake up till the time I go to sleep. If you know me, you know I don't even think about my relationships nearly that much. It isn't even the grade that pushes me, it is the fact that our school's name, as well as our charity's name, will be associated with this event and I want to do them both proud.

Back to my mother. The way I treat this event, reminds me of something that was always drilled into my head growing up.

"If you are going to do something, you do it properly. If you're not going to do it properly, don't do it at all." 

These words capture how I live my life and I think it's important to remind yourself of this on a daily basis. If you are going to half-ass something, save yourself the time and trouble and just don't do it at all. If you are going to do it, do it the best you can.

Our event, which we are holding on Nov. 18, for anyone in the Toronto area (sorry I had to!) will be amazing if it's the last thing I do. Even if I have to get down on my hands and knees and beg people to sponsor us and believe in our cause.

If you would like to come support me and Kids Help Phone, you can buy tickets at https://phonyparty.eventbrite.ca/.

- JS

How did we get here?

Well... we need to start from the beginning. I was born and raised on the east coast. Halifax, N.S. to be precise. I always knew deep down that I would eventually leave the nest and venture out. A few weeks after I turned 18, I was on a flight straight to Ottawa with two suitcases in tow. I spent four years in Ottawa studying Communications at Carleton University. Four years flew by and I met some of the greatest people.

This brings us up to four weeks ago when I packed my life into a U-Haul (with lots of help of course... I'm only little) and moved to Toronto. Toronto was always in the plan. It was only a matter of time. Since four years of school apparently wasn't enough, I'm doing a post-grad program in corporate communications and public relations at Centennial college. If this sounds like complaining, it's not. The program is such a good fit and my classmates are one hell of a group of people.

Look at them! This was our Centennial corn roast, I know you're jealous your school didn't do this for your first week.

This blog is partly a school assignment and partly my own personal contributions. I think we'll just see how it turns out.

- JS