EATS: Joey VIP Patio Party 2017

Hello everyone! I was recently invited to the 2nd annual VIP Patio Party at Joey Sherway and this year was even bigger. This time around, Joey had partnered with Hudson’s Bay and Steamwhistle Brewery to celebrate Canada 150. As per last year, they had unlimited signature cocktails (Gin and Tonic Supersonic and Summer Sangria) as well as Steamwhistle beer. I indulged in 1 sangria because I just can’t resist!

#ScoopOfCare at Joey

Hello everyone! On these hot summer days, who doesn’t love indulging in ice cream? If you need another reason, then here it is! For the entire month of August, Joey restaurants across Canada are hosting a philanthropic event called #ScoopOfCare. The ice cream at Joey is amazing! Their flavours are spun daily with liquid nitrogen which gives you fresh and creamy ice cream every time.
“We thought our Spun Daily Ice Cream was a great menu choice for the summer,” said Executive Chef Chris Mills, “we have brought the process of making ice cream in house. We start with liquid nitrogen, which is –321°F, and combine it with the house made ice cream base. When the liquid nitrogen hits the ice cream base, it freezes instantly which produces extremely small ice crystals. This is what makes the creamiest and smoothest ice cream you have ever tasted. We will have one of our rotating flavours featured daily meaning there will be plenty of reason to come back!”
Indulge in one (or all  – you have all month!) of the following flavours:
-Tahitian vanilla (can’t go wrong with a classic)
-Double Chocolate (the texture of this one is like a thick fudgey mousse! DELICIOUS!)
-Strawberry Jam (my personal favourite – fresh and summery!)
-Maple (probably my 2nd favourite because what true Canadian doesn’t love maple?!)
-Salted Caramel (sweet and salty is always a good choice)
$1 from every scoop of ice cream will be donated to a local charity of that location’s choosing. The staff at each Joey restaurant have chosen which organization they are raising money for and there are a variety of fantastic causes. Joey Sherway (at Sherway Gardens mall) is supporting Peel Youth Village which provides housing and help for displaced youth.
Joey Toronto locations include Eaton Centre, Yorkdale (in support of Convenant House), Don Mills (in support of North York Women’s Shelter), and Markville (in support of Yellow Brick House).

For more information about #ScoopOfCare, check out http://www.joeyrestaurants.com and follow them on social media (Twitter and Instagram) at @JOEYrestaurants. For more information about Peel Youth Village, click here! If you cannot have ice cream for whatever reason, you can also donate to the cause at any Joey location.

I will definitely be coming back at least twice this month to show my support (because really – ice cream is always necessary!)

Let me know which location you dine at and which flavour(s) you tried! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Caudalie Express D-Vine Facial

Hello everyone! One of the gifts in the Creator Swag Bag at Generation Beauty was a voucher for a free Express D-Vine Facial at Caudalie (regularly $65 for 30 minutes.) I finally made an appointment and got to indulge in Caudalie products and the ultimate in relaxation.Right now, the Caudalie Boutique in Toronto is only at Sherway Gardens mall (more locations coming) and when you walk by, you wouldn’t know that there’s a treatment room in the back. Everything in the store is decorated and styled with the Caudalie winery heritage in mind and all of their products are rooted in the science and benefits of grapes. With deep cleansing, exfoliating, a mask, and of course a fantastic mini massage, the Express D-Vine Facial is a wonderful and timely way to treat yourself. The only thing I would’ve enjoyed more was if I was told the cleanser was going to be cold (first world problem!) as it was a bit of a shock to the system since I was warm under the sheet and blanket. But really, totally worth the indulgence! I would highly recommend it if you’ve never had a facial and want a great session.

Caudalie Boutique Spa Toronto is located at Sherway Gardens at 25 The West Mall in Etobicoke. You can check out their spa menu here.

What’s your spa of choice? Let me know in the comments as I am always on the lookout for great spots! Thanks so much for stopping by!

THIS JUST IN: Raw Beauty Bar

Hello everyone! A few weeks ago I was leaving my usual cheapie nail salon when I noticed Raw Beauty Bar as I was driving by. I was immediately intrigued by their logo and went into full stalking mode and found them on social media. I contacted Lauren Fernandez (the lovely young #girlboss who owns the shop) and she generously invited me in for a gel manicure and nail art to try Raw.Located on Bloor Street (just north of Six Points Plaza in Etobicoke), Raw Beauty Bar is a fresh and hip addition to an otherwise unassuming strip in the suburbs. The reclaimed wood on the walls and exposed brick give it a really rustic yet modern/urban feel. As soon as you walk in, there is a candy bar that clients can help themselves to while they wait. They also sell fresh pressed juice to help you kick-start the rest of your day (or to help you wind down!)Raw only opened up about 3 weeks ago, and the support has been so overwhelming, they are already looking for more nail artists/estheticians to help meet the demands of their rapidly growing client base.

EATS: Joey Sherway

Hello everyone! Summer is almost officially here, however we have been lucky with getting a sneak peek at the gorgeous weather that is still on the way. What better way to enjoy the sunshine than to have lunch and some delicious cold drinks on a patio?
I was recently invited to the newly opened Joey at Sherway Gardens to try some of their new spring menu items along with some new cocktails. Fortunately, my friend Mark was able to join me on a beautiful, sunny afternoon.From JoeyRestaurants.com: We travel the world to discover bold flavors, then turn them into signature recipes. Our people are masters of their craft, committed to creating a memorable experience for every guest. Our rooms are vibrant and polished, but without a trace of pretension. We live by a simple credo: “Get it right the first time.”

Rinse Beauty Bar

Hello everyone! When Rinse Beauty Bar contacted me and invited me to try their new all-natural facial service, I couldn’t say no. I had only gotten one facial previously which was years ago through a Groupon and I was actually looking into treating myself to some sort of spa day anyway. I arrived for my appointment about 10 minutes early (as recommended when I googled “what to do before your first facial”) and filled out a brief client profile to give the esthetician, Julie, a bit of an intro to my basic skin concerns. I also met and got to chat with the founders/owners, sisters June Jones and Andrea Nehaul. They are very passionate about ensuring the best customer experience and using high quality natural products without an exorbitant price tag.The space is bright, welcoming, and beautiful and they offer blow-dry, manicure, pedicure, and hair removal services. The main thing that distinguishes Rinse from the rest however is the fact that they only use natural beauty products to minimize your exposure to harsh chemicals. When possible, they also utilize products created by local artisans. Their new Mother Earth Facial ($65) is an hour long service which features the use of essential oils and other green facial beauty products. As soon as the lights went down and the relaxation music began, I immediately felt at ease. I was treated to cleansing, exfoliating, extraction (in which no tools are used to eliminate bruising), and moisturizing, along with awesome shoulder, neck, arm, and hand massages. Throughout the service, Julie was always very attentive and told me about each step and what sensations I may feel on my face. I loved the different temperatures and textures and when it was over, I felt totally blissed out. I was instructed to not touch my face (which is a challenge because my skin felt so soft!) and even after a few days, my skin was still glowing. I cannot wait to have a full on spa-day at Rinse Beauty Bar (I definitely want to try their 5-free shellac alternative mani-pedi after my next facial) and would highly recommend it to everyone who is into green beauty and deserves a day of pampering. Really – treat yo’self without breaking the bank and feel good about the products being used on your body!

Rinse Beauty Bar is located at 658 The Queensway in Etobicoke (west Toronto.) You can find them online at rinsebeautybar.com and you can follow them on Twitter and Instagram @rinsebeauty.

Thanks so much for stopping by and let me know which spas you’ve been to or if you’ve been to Rinse!

EATS: Queen Margherita Pizza

Hello everyone! Several people had told me about Queen Margherita Pizza, and I must admit, I really took notice after they followed me on Twitter. I finally went in last week to give them a try, and I was thoroughly impressed! I went to the location in the Baby Point area of Jane and Annette in the west end of Toronto (or Etobicoke if you’re like me and still call it that) for dinner with my friend Laura, and we both indulged in their awesome $29 Prix Fixe Menu. I started with their Caprese Salad and I must say, this was probably the best rendition of this classic dish I’ve ever had. Sliced rainbow heirloom tomatoes were enhanced with basil and bufala mozzarella. Everything on this plate had strong flavour but none of it overpowered the other – it was in perfect harmony.
I went with the Gio Oldschool pizza topped with prosciutto and arugula, which is probably my favourite combination for this type of pizza. Let’s just get this out of the way: yes, QMP is compared with and rivals Pizzeria Libretto and I will say: the only thing that would’ve brought this over the edge is the delicious chili oil that is offered at the latter. I still really enjoyed this pizza, and I love that this is closer to me than PL.  I finished off the meal with their Tiramisu which was served as a very generous portion. This was a fantastic end to a hearty dinner. Perfectly balanced sweetness and texture with the mascarpone and coffee.

I highly recommend checking out Queen Margherita Pizza to get your pizza fix. There are 3 locations across the city: Leslieville (1402 Queen St E), Dundas West (772 Dundas St W), and Baby Point (785 Annette St). You can find them online at http://www.qmpizza.com and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.