Glamorous Bachelorette Weekend in Toronto

Okay, so it's been a bit since my bachelorette staycation.  I know, I know! There was a lot going on and I did need a few days before I was fully functioning (lol). It was THAT fun. I felt like I was 19 again. Jumping on beds, running around town with my girlfriends, staying up until 5 AM. Ah.. the good old days! The only difference is that we had a gorgeous hotel suite to ourselves and didn't have to worry about waking up our parents! My girlfriends really made me feel soo unbelievably special and honored to be in their lives. Our weekend consisted of some of my favorite things-- champagne, guacamole from Baro (one of my fave restaurants in Toronto), sparkly dresses, photoshoots and more! We even had tarot cards readings and in-room yoga!

I'm going to break down all the goods, and dive into exactly what you need to have the ultimate glamorous bachelorette staycation in Toronto. 

WHERE TO STAY: Since we weren't going too far and we didn't have to worry about flights and transfers, we picked a luxurious hotel where we could truly feel like princesses! The St. Regis Toronto was the epitome of luxury and glamour! From the moment I pulled up the staff was waiting for me with a glass of prosecco in hand, and ready to accommodate my needs. I felt like a true celeb! It was so swanky and I loved it. Who wouldn't? And seriously, just the smell of the hotel is so breathtaking. You walk in an immediately you feel at ease, refreshed and like a true star.

The bed was fluffy and oh, so comfy and the staff were actually divine. They came to pull out our sofa bed every night, and put it back together the next morning. They brought us chocolate dipped macarons, and even a chocolate tower molded to the shape of the hotel! They were so accommodating and even brought us up buckets of ice to chill our bubbly! How soon can I get back here?!

PARTY VIBE: The girls were already upstairs and were setting up the room.  So I headed on up, glass in hand to our deluxe suite on the twenty-fifth floor, overlooking the gorgeous Toronto skyline. There were balloons, photo props, and pink party accessories! Night one got started. We had snacks delivered from my favourite healthy foodies, the girls from The Fix + Co. put together a veggie tray, and fruit tray with coconut bites and more. It was delish! You need room snacks, especially when the drinks come out. Popcorn, veggies and dip, fruit and protein bites were all essentials!

GAMES TO PLAY: The girls put together some really cute games for my arrival. Number one-- guess who brought the lingerie. The coffee table was adorned with undergarments which each of the girls had brought. I had to guess who brought one depending on their styles. If I got it wrong-- drink! (well, we drank if I got it right, too!). The next game was my favourite. They had asked Brandon a series of questions regarding our love story before. Think-- what's your favourite quality in Gab, where was your favourite vacation spent together, what was your first impression of Gab, etc. I had to guess his answers. It was really so sweet to hear his answers and to have his direct quotes read out to me. I could hear his answers in my head and having them read out exactly as he wrote them was hilarious.

"LOW-KEY" NIGHT: Our first night was supposed to be low key. That's a big LOL. They had made reservations at Baro Toronto-- one of my absolute favourite resturants. I loved that the girls picked Baro because this meant we did not have to switch places for after dinner dancing. We ended dinner at 11 PM and headed right upstairs to Escobar. You need a password to get in, but the hostess brought us up where we stayed for drinks and dancing.

DAY ACTIVITY: Day two consisted of brunch at LOUIX LOUIS. It's the restaurant at the St.Regis. The decor is stunning, just so luxurious and alluring. The ceiling looks like pink marble, the room is grand and the bar is massive. We had our breakie and headed back down to the room for in-room yoga and tarot card readings put on by One Love Tarot. We had a restorative yoga session, where we got to basically nap (lol) and then we hung out altogether before refreshing.

FANCY NIGHT: You need to have one fancy night for your bachelorette (even if it just is one night). For us, this meant we all got decked out in sequins. As soon as the girls decided on sequins, I visited my ladies at The Fitzroy for a dress rental. This piece was the most perfect bachelorette piece, ever! Just enough booty! We got ready and I had my favourite photographer, Laura Clarke, come over to take some fun shots of all of us in the room. Then we put on our outfits and basically had a hell of a time running around the city in our sequins while Laura took pictures. Having these moments captured meant so much to me! Especially I'm such a lover of capturing the moments. So many little giggles and laughs that cannot be captured by a selfie. We went back to our suite and the girls told me we were going to A Toi, which is the hidden restaurant/bar behind the coffee shop, Coffee Oysters Champagne. The decor, the menu, the drinks and the staff-- it's all an experiential vibe that makes you feel like you're walking into a scene from The Great Gatsby. It was sooo swanky, such Paris vibes. I was obsessed! You walk into a hidden champagne room and a secret door transports you back in time. You can't even leave back through the front door! My superstitious girlfriend was freaking! Such a good time if you're looking for a totally unique experience!

The next day we woke up and made our way back to the real world. It was such a dream to live such a luxe life for two nights! I'm seriously still in awe from the weekend and how amazing my girlfriends are! It felt so good to spend the whole weekend with them. Best part is we didn't have to far at all! Having a glamorous hotel suite to ourselves for two days was so perfect-- no flight necessary! We got to laugh, dance, cry and pop bubbly. Now that it's over it's basically all steam ahead to the wedding! Oh, baby, are we every getting close!

P.S. You can check out my Instagram highlights reel for the behind the scenes x-rated moments ;) (click GB WEB)

AND make SURE you watch the VLOG here:

*Thank you to The St. Regis Toronto for partnering with me on this occasion, and to The Fix + Co. for satisfying all cravings!

*All of these glorious photos were taken by the most talented Laura Clarke Photography.

Easy & Effortless Holiday Entertaining + GIVEAWAY

Holiday hosting... it really is one of my favourite things to do. This year I found myself straying away from the endless planning and all the little details. I love it but it gets so exhausting sometimes. Especially when the days just seem to sneak up on you. You end up running yourself ragged before the event has even started. I didn't want to let that happen this year for my annual girls Christmas party. I wanted to focus on the minimal, and let the conversation, feelings and true meaning of the night speak for itself.

Holiday hosting doesn't have to be intimidating. This year I wanted to show how I cut the frills and fancy and focused on the simple and easy, while not comprising on style and taste! Just a few steps and you can do the same. In turn, you'll have tons more time for your loved ones and enjoy the moments leading up the get-together.

Here's how I made the night hosting easy and effortless in 4 steps:

3 Wellness Tips from The Fix + Co

I'm back with my favourite health gurus, Adrianna and Tamara of The Fix + Co., my go-to juice/health food/all things nutritious spot, to give you some insight on how to focus on your wellness this winter. I love working with these ladies because they not only appreciate a positive, healthy lifestyle, but they also know the importance of balance and giving your body exactly what it needs. Last time we whipped up a serious Superfood Smoothie Bowl, and then they gave me a taste of their newest menu addition-- the platters, but now we are focusing on what you can do to be the best version of yourself. Three simple tips to start incorporating into your daily life and it doesn't take much! These ladies know how busy we all are, even after the holidays, so the tips are easy and manageable. Here's what the ladies had to say on re-gain yourself and your wellness this new year.

1. Get ample rest and relaxation. After a busy holiday season, getting in some quality rest and relaxation is important to keep our immunity levels up during this time of year. Even though there may be moments you may feel like you're MIA, forcing yourself to stay in on the weekend could do you some good. You can use that time to catch up on some great Netflix series, organize your closet, or just be a blob. Whatever your body is calling for, do it. Just do you.

2. Eat better, eat less, eat slower. Getting into the habit of being more conscious of your eating habits can only benefit you. Eating better quality foods will make you feel better and will keep you healthy, while eating less will help with reducing indigestion, bloating, and weight gain. We aren't saying that you should under eat, but the majority of the time we over eat. Being conscious of portion sizes is just a way of us figuring out how much food we really need in a day. Also, eating slower and taking the time to eat with the family, friends and co-workers help with your digestion, helps to bond with others and decrease stress levels, and allows you the time to really enjoy your meals. No more eating while standing, while finishing a deadline, or while driving.

3. Focus on yourself. At least once a day, try to do something only for yourself that will better yourself. Often times, we lose focus on our own well-being because we are so busy with looking after other things. Make 2017 the year to be the best version of yourself. You deserve to be happy and healthy, so make room for you. Read self-improvement books, take a new fitness class, learn more about meditation or deep breathing. A healthier and happier you means better relationships and better experiences because you have set yourself up for success and have provided yourself with the tools to cope when things get tough.

If you're looking for more The Fix + Co. is now offering a warm cleanse for winter! Great if you can't think of drinking cold juices right now, or if you're like me and need to have actual food! It's full of hot soups, elixirs, and even a warm bowl for only $56/ day! Such a great way to jump back on track after the holidays. They also started a new run club! Check out their Instagram or website for details.

A huge thanks to Adrianna and Tamara for providing these wellness tips! Let us know if you will try any out and incorporate any into your daily routine!

Juice Cleanse Experience with The Fix + Co
Superfood Smoothie Bowl

Superfood Smoothie Bowl Vlog

After spending a bit of time with Adrianna and Tamara at their shop, The Fix & Co., I knew I just had to get in the kitchen with them to whip up an exclusive recipe. Smoothie bowls are my weekend ritual. During the week I make batches of chia puddings or overnight oats to grab on my rush out the door, but weekends are a different story. I love getting all crafty with my smoothies and take my time to top them with all the superfood goodness I can. I actually pour them out of the magic bullet container (I know- more dishes!), layer them up and take my time eating then devour them instantly. In all seriousness, they have become something I look forward to!

The girls and I put together a wicked recipe to share, and since I was the taste tester I can assure you this blend of dates, blueberries, banana, and a variety of superfoods is sure to elevate your morning or snack (or dinner- no judgment here, we've all been there!). It's refreshing, energizing, so nutritious and will leave you full for hours (not to mention vegan and gluten free). The blend of dates and raw cacao with the matcha powder gives the creamy smoothie a subtly sweet taste that is so delicious. I had so much fun putting together this recipe vlog and I'm so eager to hear you thoughts! The recipe is also posted below, along with a few more questions from our Q&A. 

Superfood Smoothie Bowl

makes 2 servings 

Smoothie Ingredients: 

3 pitted dates

1 frozen banana (frozen is preferred as it makes for a thick consistency)

1 tsp of matcha (we used Matcha Ninja, it's organic and blends well)

1 tbsp raw cacao 

1/2 cup of frozen blueberries 

1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or any dairy free alternative)

1/2 cup of coconut yogurt (or any dairy free alternative) 

Smoothie Toppings: 

1/2 cup of granola (gluten free) to layer

fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates

shredded coconut

sliced almonds 

Directions: 

Blend all smoothie ingredients together.

Pour granola into two bowls and top bowls with smoothie.

Top smoothie with desired toppings.

Did you catch my interview/cleanse experience? Tamara and Adrianna are just killing the juice scene in Toronto. They truly love what they do and love promoting a healthy, wholesome lifestyle. There passion is evident in their words, products and demure. I asked a few business related questions to see what it's like being an ambition juicery in Toronto and here's what they had to say. 

Q: What sets you apart from the other juice retailers in the city? 

A: We believe the main thing that sets us apart is that we produce our cold pressed juice on site, which means we can customize all of our juices and packages. We use organic and work with local farmers, like many other juiceries do, but where we stand out is that we produce everything ourselves in smaller batches. This ensures that the quality of juice is high. We never water down anything and our customers get what they pay for. We are also one of the first fresh bars in the west end (Etobicoke). We wanted to bring downtown concepts and the downtown feel to the west end. There are a lot of people who want juices, salad bowls, smoothies, and smoothie bowls without having to drive downtown to find it. We also deliver juice/cleanse packages and cater to offices or for small events. We may have started as a juicery, but now we are more than that. Being nutritionists, we decided to do everything we could to get our products out there while spreading the word of whole food eating, which means we do a lot of community and outreach events, but also run educational workshops in our store. 

Q: What key business advice would you give to young entrepreneurs? 

A: I think that we can both agree that the key business advice for young entrepreneurs is to be authentic and to do what you truly love. Finding a way to make your passions a career makes it so much more meaningful and enjoyable. Let things progress naturally, but take charge of your life and don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. We never thought a year ago that we would have our own shop and come this far after 6 months, but if you believe in your goals and it feels natural to you, then you are on the right path. There will be mistakes and bumps along the way, but they are all just experiences to propel you forward and move you in the right direction. Failure is not an option unless you allow it to be. 

Q: What's next for The Fix & Co?

A: We would really like to take our business to the next level by setting up our on-line store, having our products available at other retail locations and hopefully open up another small location. We don't know where that location will be, but we do know that having another spot is somewhere in the future. We are just going to keep hustling and keep doing what we are doing, because it's been working. We would definitely like to see some expansion in the next 6 months or so.

I can't wait to see what's next for The Fix & Co. Check them out online, visit the shop, or have your goods delivered. If there is anything I can leave you with, it's that your health really is an investment in your future. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for taking the utmost care of it and nourishing it in the best way possible. At least go make yourself this crazy good smoothie bowl.

Thanks so much, ladies!


Check out part 1 of our Q&A and my Body Reset cleanse experience here.