These Tiny Stories

SWAK for Heart

February 7, 2015February 8, 2015Localized8 Comments

Newmarket’s Upper Canada Mall is asking you to pucker up, kiss something, and hashtag it #SWAKForHeart.

The Sealed with a Kiss (SWAK) campaign runs from now until Valentine’s Day, and for every post shared to Twitter or Instagram, Upper Canada will donate $1 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

February is Heart Month. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, heart disease and stroke takes one life every seven minutes and 90 per cent of Canadians have at least one risk factor.

If you’re looking for a fun Valentine’s colour, Upper Canada suggests: Russian Red, Ruby Woo, Lady Danger or Viva Glam by Miley Cyrus — you can find those at your local MAC Cosmetics store.

Personally, my favourites are Lady Danger (a classic, matte, retro orange-red), and Viva Glam by Miley Cyrus (bright, amplified creme, gloss-like pink).

Any other suggestions?

Happy Christmas

December 27, 2014February 8, 2015Little Things12 Comments

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I have been having some technical difficulties with my camera. The ISO keeps automatically changing, even on Manual setting. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I’ve also been having trouble with “banding” on my photos. Both of these issues cause major “grain” in my images. Advice?

Nevertheless, still a great day — despite the camera problems. We had two turkey meals, a great time opening gifts, and some well-deserved time with my cousins.

How was everyone else’s Christmas? I hope Santa was good to you!

Toronto Christmas Market 2014

December 21, 2014December 3, 2016Travel10 Comments

One of the holiday events now on my yearly bucket list is the annual Toronto Christmas Market in the city’s historic Distillery District.

The Toronto Christmas Market generally runs from the end of November until the last weekend before Christmas. This is my second year visiting the “festival.” If you haven’t had a chance to see my post from last year, check it out. I stopped by during the evening — the lights always look the best in the darkness of the night.

I waited until the last day to stop by the Christmas Market, mainly because I’ve been pretty busy. Hundreds (if not thousands) of people packed the area to taste the food (i.e., sausages, baked goods and some artisan cheese), while others snapped photos with Santa, and rode the carousel and ferris wheel.

We had fun, although next year, I think I’ll stick to a quieter time to check out the market. It was overly crowded and I wasn’t able to enjoy the vendors as I originally hoped.

Christmas knick knacks

December 16, 2014Little Things6 Comments

There’s only eight days before Christmas.

Ask my friends, it’s pretty obvious I’m VERY (overly?) excited for the big day. I have completed my holiday shopping, everything has been wrapped, and all my Christmas cards have been mailed. The only thing left to do is wait.

First snowfall of the season

November 17, 2014November 17, 2014Weather7 Comments

What a wonderful surprise to find the ground covered with a fresh coat of snow, this morning. The first snowfall of the season is always great – mainly, because no one is sick of it yet and it’s not too cold to enjoy.

To see the snow in its full glory, I decided to check out the grounds at Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax. The snow is mostly untouched, and the park is framed with tall, grand evergreens. Oh yes, and my mom also joined me. She started a snowball fight. What a rascal!

“There’s a certain magic that comes with the very first snow …” – Frosty the Snowman