Monthly Archives: April 2012

04/30/12

Spray Tan Fail

First, welcome back from the weekend. Second, congrats Roopa — you’ve won the tickets to the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival in Banff! Please shoot us an email at toquegirls@toquegirls.com with your full name and we’ll let you know the details. (*Breaking news: Roopa can’t make it, so….RITA! Please drop us an email. You’re the new winner!)  Third, I’m the worst spray tan-goer.

In my defence, I go so rarely — possibly once a year — that I forget all the tips and tricks to ensure a flawless finish. Example: last year, I went to Las Vegas with an orange palm (just one — how’d I do that?). It was so bad that a doorman called me out as I was showing him my ID. This year, the soles of my feet were the victims.

I owe the pedicurist who saw me the next day and scrubbed those puppies clean. I think I’ll try the Mystic Tan again sometime soon, just so I can perfect the art of it. It’s like a challenge now.

~Michelle

04/27/12

Things We Like Fridays

Yippee! Chris leaves for London today. She’s very excited to see one of her closest friends get married, and catch up with others that she hasn’t seen in 10 years. Michelle will be kickin’ around town, catching up with friends, working out and writing. She was in Los Angeles last weekend but wishes she could tag along for her co-Toque’s European adventure!

Onto things that make us happy this week:

  •  Holt Renfrew is holding its Spring Bloom event this weekend. It’s a good one! You’ll receive a gift card worth 25% of your clothing and accessories purchases card and 15% of your cosmetics and fragrances purchases.
  • While in L.A., Michelle was introduced to the heavenly Intermix store. She escaped without spending too much, only to find you can shop online. Eeks. This could get pricey.
  • We like Victoria Beckham dresses so we’ll probably like the VB-designed car, too.
  • How did we forget to talk about this?? The next Bond girl is Greek. Well done, Bond.
  • We have talked about Chris’ love for The Voice before. Her addiction builds weekly. Check out one of her faves, Juliet Simms. She does incredible versions of Oh, Darling, Roxanne and Cryin’.
  • Michelle’s latest love isn’t nearly as exciting as The Voice — it’s a veggie dish. This Brussels sprouts recipe with shallots and wild mushrooms is ridiculous! Could be all the butter. Whatever. They’re still veggies.

 

~The Toque Girls

04/26/12

Like Wine? We Have a Giveaway!

That’s right, friends. We have a pair of tickets to the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival — that’s RMWFF for those who like super catchy acronyms — to give away.

The tickets are good for the afternoon session on Saturday, May 5, from 2 to 5 p.m., in the Grand Tasting Hall at the Banff Springs Hotel. They grant you access to the event but no tasting coupons. Other things to consider: it’s an adult-only event (so no kids allowed) and the tickets can’t be used for any other RMWFF session.

We’d be there if we could but Chris will be on vacation in Europe and I’ll be busy envying Chris. Actually, I have some work to do that weekend. But if I could join you party people at the RMWFF, I tell you what I’d do: sip some wine, go for a great dinner and then head to the Dancing Sasquatch afterwards. Here’s a shot with DJ Cain — who plays the best dance music! — from not too long ago. Oh, how I love Banff…and that dance club.

If you’re 18 and older and you dig vino, leave us a comment on this blog post by Sunday night. We’ll announce the winner on Monday. Good luck!

~Michelle

 

 

04/25/12

Traveling Light

We’re flying easyJet from London to Edinburgh next week. Have you ever flown easyJet? It’s a low-cost, no-frills airline — which means you get where you need to go, but you’ve got to pack light, very light! They charge £40 for a 20-kg suitcase, and an additional £10 for every kilo.

In other words, I’m narrowing down my packing list or we’re going broke.

The weather won’t help us out. The forecast calls for mostly rain, some sun, cool days and cold nights. I’m thinking lots of layers, neutral colours and pieces that can do double-duty wandering around in the rain and sipping pints in a pub.

So far, here’s what’s made the cut: a white button-down, comfy jeans, Converse shoes and a pair of boots, a scarf, a wrap cardigan, a draped T-shirt, my old Banana Republic classic trench and a hat (which is as key as an umbrella when it comes to curly hair and rainy days).

 

 

~Chris

Clockwise from top left, photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here
04/24/12

You’re invited to the Wings of Hope lunch

I’m excited to share the news that Wendy Mesley, Canadian broadcaster and breast cancer survivor, will be the guest speaker at our Wings of Hope lunch on Friday, October 26. I’m also excited to extend the invite to you Toque Girls followers and I’m hoping that some of you can make it! It’s a fantastic, fun event, complete with an insipiring talk, a delicious lunch at the Hyatt and jewelry sales to support the cause. This year, we’ll be selling jewelry by Bhawana Clark, a Calgary-based jeweler who’s designed special pieces for Wings of Hope. They’re stunning.

As a volunteer on the Wings of Hope board of directors, I’m lucky to be a part of the decision-making regarding how the organization spends the funds raised through generous community support. Through two programs, we’re able to give money to breast cancer patients for day-to-day living expenses, like groceries, rent and medication. And we support other amazing programs designed to help patients recover, heal and rebuild their lives.

So, I encourage you to check out the Wings of Hope site, to snag some tickets to our fundraising lunch with Wendy Mesley or even to donate directly!

And if you live in Calgary and are a breast cancer patient in need (or you know someone who is) please check out this information.

Hope to see you at the lunch.

~Michelle