5 reasons to bring your teen to The Office Experience
5 reasons to bring your teen to The Office Experience by Angelyn Kwek In the immortal words of Michael Scott: “Oh my God, it's happening! Everybody, stay calm. Stay f**king calm!” That’s right, The Office Experience has landed in Toronto. Following its successful staging in Chicago and Washington D.C, the widely-acclaimed sitcom brings its immersive fan experience to our shores where you can make like a Dunder Mifflin employee and re-live your favourite moments from the show. Between its iconic one-liners and pride of place in pop culture, everyone from Boomers to Gen Z can certainly relate despite the series having ended its run over a decade ago. In fact, the enduring hilarity of the show is such that we couldn’t resist a visit ourselves. So we moseyed on down to Yorkdale mall, dutifully scrawled our names on our complementary staff badges, and became employees for the day at Scranton’s most renowned paper company. It’s from personal experience when we say you’ll want to bring your teen (and other assorted household members) to The Office Experience to level up family sitcom night. We give you five reasons why you ought to go ASAP as possible: The Memory Lane You start off reminiscing the finest displays of tomfoolery this century has ever seen, courtesy of Jim Halpert. See the original props and costumes right after stepping foot into Scranton Business Park, from the infamous ‘Stapler in Jello’ to a display case dedicated to achievement certifications—Creed’s fancy plaque declaring him a genuine survivor of the 1960s, anyone?—and the all-important Dundie Awards. Facilities Review Take a minute (or ten) at Dwight’s Caffeine Corner before entering the Dunder Mifflin office where the entire set has been recreated, right down to the industrial grey carpeting. Try your hand at being a receptionist at Pam’s desk, or gun straight for branch manager by claiming Michael’s seat so you can issue orders while waving around your ‘World’s Best Boss’ mug. And if you’re invested in WUPHF.com, be sure to pop into Ryan’s closet. Picture Day There are photo ops aplenty, with a handful of designated spots where you can commemorate iconic scenes with your picture taken by the pros. You’ll be given a card with a handy QR code to capture your re-imagining of Kevin’s Chili Spill, the Office Olympics, and even your dance moves as you shimmy down the aisle at Jim and Pam’s wedding ceremony. After which you can revisit your antics whenever you like and download them
5 Egg-cellent Ideas to Celebrate Easter with the Family
5 Egg-cellent Ideas for this Long Easter Weekend By Rachel Naud Want to have an egg-cellent Easter? Whether you’re hosting family and friends or just hanging with the fam, we have some ideas you and yours will surely want to hop to! Choco-licious Easter Treats Easter just isn't Easter without a chocolate bunny! Who doesn't love starting their day with a sweet treat? Lindt's chocolates are the perfect way to make your Easter celebrations even more magical and fun. Lindt's GOLD BUNNY is a must-have for any Easter basket or as a prize for the ultimate egg hunt champion. This charming chocolate bunny is sure to put a smile on the faces of everyone in your family. You can also use chocolate as décor for your Easter Brunch place settings and the Floral Edition of the Lindt GOLD BUNNY look stunning adorned with colourful flowers and accented with a red ribbon and gold bell! And, for an extra special touch, you can even visit select Lindt Chocolate Shops to customize your Lindt GOLD BUNNY’s with a name or special Easter greeting. Visit a Lindt Chocolate shop near you or shop online at lindt.ca for all of your Easter chocolate needs! Hoppy Treats for Everyone Who says bunnies have to have all the fun at Easter? This year, let's throw some hippos into the mix with Healthy Hippo candy! This candy is not only delicious but it's also sweetened with Monk Fruit, making it a healthier choice for you and your family. This candy also won't stick to your mouth, so you can enjoy every bite without any funky aftertaste. Plus, Healthy Hippo candy doesn't contain sugar alcohol or stevia, which can sometimes upset your stomach. There’s also a flavour for everyone’s taste whether you like sweet, sour or even fizzy! Check them out at healthyhippo.ca Easter Gift Hunt Made Easy When it's time to hop into Easter gift shopping for the little ones in your family, the Toys R Us Easter Shop is where it's at! They've got all the fun gift ideas you need, from basket builders to outdoor toys that will keep them entertained all long weekend. Get ready for some outdoor fun in the sun with the Unicorn Horns Sidewalk Chalk or The Primo Foldable Scooter, complete with colourful LED light-up wheels. And for some indoor excitement, the Smashers Mega Light Up Surprise Egg by ZURU has over 25 surprises, including slime and fizz volcano explosions! Don't miss out on the
5 ways to make your Easter weekend more colourful
5 ways to make your Easter weekend more colourful This Easter weekend, planning for a fun and festive holiday is surely on the agenda for many a parent. While coming up with a new twist to Easter classics like the requisite egg hunt can be challenging—especially if you have a brood that looks forward to something different and/or exciting each year—going the route of ‘big and bold’ isn’t the only option when it comes to the day’s activities. Here, we present five creative and budget-friendly ideas that’ll help you pull off a fun-filled Easter weekend chock-full of colour your loved ones will appreciate. Colourful Egg Hunt Upgrade your basic egg hunt by giving the colours extra meaning. Assign one colour to one team and make sure to do the colouring well before the start of the race so that your teams can bond once they’ve been designated their shade. When the competition starts, sit back and watch how colourful the team-based competition can be! Sweet Treats Add some sweets that taste as good as they look. With HopScotch the Bunny Cake from Baskin-Robbins, you can be sure your guests will smile when you call them to the table. The adorable bunny-shaped cake will be a fan favourite for family and friends of all ages with its charming design and customizable flavours. Paint Night Tap into your artistic side with a paint night (or day) for the kids. Invite an artist via video or call in a favour from the artsy one among your friends who can offer you step-by-step instructions to create your own canvas. A fun and colourful activity, you’ll have the added bonus of sending everyone home with their own work of art. Aspiring adults looking to channel their inner van Gogh are equally welcomed to paint alongside their mini-mes. Family YES Day A family ‘YES day’ is key to blending quality time and limitless fun. Whether it’s an activity, meal request, or a trip outside, spend the day giving each family member one request to which all must say “yes”. Add to this the caveat that the request must include colour, be it an activity outdoors, food or clothing, and the creative and crazy ideas will be rolling in! Rainbow of Fun Play around with food colouring and turn simple meals and snacks into a rainbow of fun! From pancakes to muffins and colourful pasta, adding a little colour to jazz up the menu will go a
Snacks, smart tech, and sneaks: 3 springtime essentials for the warmer weather
Snacks, smart tech, and sneaks: 3 springtime essentials for the warmer weather With spring officially upon us, you’ll want to prep for the season with these must-haves to get you in gear for the coming months Spring has sprung, and that means venturing outdoors at long last to take in your daily dose of sunshine and the revival of assorted flora and fauna. It also means anticipating more quality time with friends, family, and family pets as we eventually shake off the cold to usher in the group gatherings. To mark the change of season, we’re sharing our top three essentials when it comes to swapping out your winter paraphernalia for something more suited to spring’s milder temperatures. From snacks to smart tech and sneaks, here’s how we’re getting kitted out for springtime. Picnic treats to pack Just in time for spring, Loacker—the Italian heritage brand known for its delicious wafer biscuits—has released a new line of peanut butter snacks. What with 90 percent of Canadians noting that they love PB, this is a welcome treat for families. The Peanut Butter Classic Wafer and Quadratini are the ultimate upgrade to peanut butter on toast, featuring an irresistible combination of crispy wafers and scrumptious peanut butter cream filling. Whenever you need your fix of PB, these are the perfect snack for lunches, on the go and more. Bonus: The Tortina is the ideal sweet treat to make your (or someone else’s) day. Two round wafers are filled with delicious peanut cream and dipped in chocolate to create a taste to savour again and again. Say bye-bye to backyard bugs We may all be looking forward to seeing longer days of sunlight, but one thing nobody looks forward to is mosquito season. It’s coming, whether we like it or not, but with a Thermacell E55 mosquito repeller creating a zone of protection for you and your family, it’s easy to get back to enjoying the great outdoors without constantly stressing over mozzie bites. This is the perfect accessory to keep those insects away while you lounge in your backyard, picnic at the park, or set up camp in the woods. The compact and portable E55 makes repelling mosquitoes as easy as the touch of a button without any messy sprays or scented products. Step into a springtime hike Warmer weather means exploring the great outdoors, aka a great opportunity to get moving outside! Fitness walking is more popular than ever and the benefits to
Fruitz Dating App: Say Goodbye to Boring Swipes
Fruitz Dating App: Say Goodbye to Boring Swipes by Arianne Granada Ready to dip your toes back into the dating pool? Looking to date as a single parent can be tough, but Fruitz offers a fun and playful approach to online dating. With Fruitz, you can let go of the pressure and enjoy the journey of finding your perfect match with a light-hearted and enjoyable experience. Gone are the days of swiping endlessly through dating apps, trying to decode vague bios and cheesy pickup lines. Fruitz has revolutionized the online dating game with its fruit-inspired approach. No, seriously—instead of the typical "looking for something serious" or those overused "just here for a good time" opening lines, you can choose a fruit to represent what you're looking for in a relationship. We had the opportunity to sit down with the creators of Fruitz to provide single parents with insights into today's online dating habits. What is Fruitz? Fruitz is a fun and fruit-inspired dating app with a clear goal: release inhibitions and clichés by giving users the freedom to express what they are looking for and save time. Fruitz CEO Julian Kabab explained, "The idea for Fruitz came from my very first experience with dating apps, which was a disaster. Empowering people to be honest with their intentions was our first mission. To do this, we created fruit metaphors to give people a playful way to communicate what they want, removing the fear of judgment for both men and women. At Fruitz, we believe in healthy relationships - whether they are forever or just one night." What makes Fruitz different from other dating apps is that users select a fruit to represent what they're looking for in a relationship: Cherry: To find your other half #TieTheKnot Grape: To share a glass of wine and maybe dine #NoOneNightStand Watermelon: To find fruits with benefits #NoSeedsAttached Peach: To dance in your sheets tonight #GoBananas It's a fun and playful way to communicate intentions and make dating life more straightforward. How do I find my match? The user experience on Fruitz reflects its concept of being simple and effective. When people register, they pick the fruit that represents what they are looking for. Once two users swipe each other to the right, they form a match (or in Fruitz language–a smoothie!). Before the conversation starts, one of the two must choose an icebreaker: soft or spicy–the choice is up to the user. Once both have completed
10 celebs and their puppies totally giving us the warm and fuzzies
10 celebs and their puppies totally giving us the warm and fuzzies by Angelyn Kwek Whoever domesticated dogs way back when had the right idea. Not only are they loyal companions for life, these fuzzy babies bring smiles and joy to all—in addition to being that all-important learning journey prior to becoming parents to human babies. Plus, there’re not many things that can beat coming home after a long day to the enthusiastic welcome of your precious canine pal and. That said, Hollywood’s luminaries are not immune to puppy power either (it’s those giant, soulful eyes). On the occasion of National Puppy Day, here are 10 celebs sharing precious snaps of themselves with their furry counterparts. Cameron Mathison and Red The Canadian-American actor with his Doberman aka the fifth member of the family. Emilia Clarke and Ted Going everywhere his mama goes, Ted the dachshund just had to smize for the camera as well on the set of Clarke’s Clinique shoot. Zendaya and Noon That’s the smile of a proud dog mum when her baby takes his first step into the pool all on his own. Chris Evans and Jinx “In my house, every day is #internationaldogday.” Aye aye, Captain America! Nicole Kidman and Julian Can you believe this is the Aussie actress’s first ever puppy? She had, quote, “been waiting her whole life for this!”, unquote. Selena Gomez and Winnie and Daisy Just a chill day for Gomez, lounging on the couch and sharing doggy kisses with her gals. Scott Eastwood and Josey We cannot confirm or deny if man and puppy were intentionally posing just so, but Eastwood and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel certainly make a pretty picture together. Lana Condor and Timmy Aww, the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before star cuddling her mini Bernedoodle will make any dog lover’s day. Kaia Gerber and Milo An adorable rescue adopted by Gerber, Milo is inseparable from the model and now lives the doggy dream, complete with a custom Celine dog bag. Chrissy Teigen (and John Legend) and Pearl One from a brood of six— Puey, Penny, Pearl, Pebbles, Petey, and Pepper—this cutie of a basset hound is an adoptee who has a soft spot for husband John Legend.
Karen Khunkhun: Lessons on Motherhood, Communication, and Following Your Dreams
Karen Khunkhun: Lessons on Motherhood, Communication, and Following Your Dreams by Arianne Granada March is Women's History Month, and what better way to celebrate than by shining a light on a trailblazing woman in the media industry? For over 20 years, Karen Khunkhun has been a beloved fixture of Vancouver's morning radio scene. From her humble beginnings in the promotions department at CFOX to her current role as a co-host of one of the city's most popular morning shows, Khunkhun has become a trusted voice for thousands of listeners across the region. Early Career and Finding Her Calling Khunkhun's broadcasting journey began at Vancouver's Co-OP Radio while she was still a university student. From there, she moved to the promotions department at CFOX but it wasn't until she joined the famous Larry & Willy morning show as a traffic reporter that she found her true calling. Despite her initial nerves, Khunkhun quickly adapted to the fast-paced world of morning radio and became a beloved part of the team. She adds, "I used to listen to the CFOX morning show, and they were my favourite morning wake-up show. And I was so nervous because I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t work with Larry or Willy like this. It’s too much!’ Once I got over all the nervousness and just being so scared, I started and that was kind of my way in and I’ve been there ever since." Her infectious energy and quick wit soon landed her other exciting opportunities, including stints at CityTV's Morning Breakfast Show and CTV News as a weekend weathercaster. While she may love both fields, she admits there's something special about each one. Radio provides a comfortable and safe space for her to research and prepare, while TV offers the thrill of being on the spot and performing. Each separate industry has taught me so much and it brought a lot of joy to my life like I sometimes even at this stage, I just kind of feel like “Wow.” Adapting to Change As the pandemic swept across the world, Khunkhun had to leave the familiar studio environment behind and work from home. At first, the prospect of being separated from her colleagues was daunting. But as Khunkhun settled into her new routine, she began to appreciate the silver linings of this unexpected change. I always think I'm such an extroverted person. I love being social, I love going out and about, but honestly, it all
5 Products to Help You Beat the Winter Blues
5 Products to Help You Beat the Winter Blues By Rachel Naud This time of year can give you a serious case of the blahs. The fun holidays are over and the warm days of spring are still a ways away. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can do to beat those winter blues! Stay Fresh and Odour-Free For starters, why not switch up your personal care routine this winter and check out these natural deodorants from Hello? They smell amazing, coming in scents like Sparkling Peach and Lavender + Vanilla, but more importantly, they offer 24-hour odour protection without using aluminum, baking soda or parabens. You can easily pick them up at Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, or Amazon. Start Your Day Right And if you're trying to reduce your sugar intake and want to shake up your breakfast routine, you should definitely check out the Darbo brand of fruit spreads. They've just launched a spread with 80% fruit, which is one of the highest fruit contents you’ll find in the supermarket, meaning up to 50% less sugar than other jams. You can really taste the fruit, and it’s a great way to beat the winter blues because fruits are synonymous with sunshine and summer. You can easily pick it up at most independent grocers. Get Your Game On For families beating the winter blues by going away this March Break, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model is the perfect game system to take on the go. It has a 7-inch screen and is designed to go wherever you do, transforming from home console to portable system in a snap. Once you arrive at your destination, you can easily connect your Nintendo Switch to a TV and enjoy a wide variety of amazing games to play together with family and friends. And with March 10th known as “MAR10 Day,” a whole day dedicated to celebrating everyone’s favourite mustachioed hero, Mario, Nintendo is offering some great promotions starting this week, including a Nintendo Switch bundle that includes a system and your choice of a free Mario game download for $399 (a $79 saving!) and so many more great promotions on select games featuring Mario! You can learn more about all the promotions on Nintendo.ca. Relax and Recharge Of course, there’s nothing better than a little self-care to beat those winter blues. For all things pampering, you can always trust Dr. Teals. Their Lavender Epsom Salt and Foaming Bath set
5 Ways to Spend Family Day if You Have the Day Off
5 Ways to Spend Family Day if You Have the Day Off With the first—and often most challenging—month of the year now behind us, many of us now turn our heads toward a much-valued recess from our winter routine, Family Day. Indeed, Family Day (read: three-day weekend!), usually requires some creative ideas to keep the younger ones entertained over the long weekend. Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, it can be challenging to find activities that kids of all ages and interests will enjoy together. In this endeavour, it helps to share some ideas. So here are five ways you could consider spending Family Day. 1. A museum for activities and exhibitions that cater to all ages If you reside in the GTA, for example, the ROM is planning a lineup of activities inspired by its current exhibition, Canadian Modern, and invites visitors to participate in design-focused activities that will educate on the ways we can reduce our impact on urban wildlife. For the older ones, a museum ticket will allow them to visit the permanent Natural History and Art & Culture collections including Ancient Egypt or Reptiles & Amphibians. 2. Ice cream tasting, ranking your favourite flavours If the family’s interests lie mostly in the food and snacks department, consider visiting a Baskin-Robbins location and choose the most appealing flavours to taste, and rank them from favourite to least. With 31 flavours to choose from in the dipping cabinets, including the must-try and fan-favourite for multiple years, Love Potion #31, it’s going to be quite the challenge! When you’ve selected the best ones, bring them home in a pre-pack to continue the enjoyment at home. 3. Outdoor activities to re-energize the whole family Whether you prefer tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating — Canada has countless outdoor activities to choose from. Family-friendly activities like these make a great excuse to rest and relax, then treat yourself to a creamy hot chocolate. 4. Weekend getaway No need to go too far — Family Day Weekend is the perfect occasion to visit your own province. Consider taking a day trip to a nearby town you've never been to before, where you can check out a new restaurant, coffee shop, or museum. You can tailor your itinerary to the family’s interests. 5. Film festival, movie marathon If the weather isn’t in your favour during the Family Day weekend and you choose to stay home, consider curating a lineup of your family’s favourite flicks to
3 Laser Treatments to Help You Glow Up This Year
3 Laser Treatments to Help You Glow Up This Year By Rachel Naud Aging is weird. Sometimes, how we feel on the inside doesn't reflect back to us when we look in the mirror. While inside, I felt like a vibrant, youthful woman full of life and vigour, when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was tired-looking dull skin. As a woman in my 40s, I don't expect to look the same as I did when I was 23. But I also want to look ¸— and feel — the best I can at any age. It was perfect timing when I was invited to a media event at MC Beauty in Toronto to learn about the MOXI laser. Marie, the owner of the clinic, walked me and other writers through the process and showed us inspiring before-and-after images, while also displaying the fast and effective procedure on a live model. (Check out my full MOXI journey belowor click here). The MOXI laser was the second laser treatment by Sciton that I have tried and I wouldn't hesitate to go for a third. The results you get from laser treatments are unparalleled. Thanks to the MOXI treatment, my skin is brighter, smoother and rejuvenated. If you want to put your best face forward in 2023, you may want to check out these treatments for yourself. BBL HERO Laser Treatment Looking for a way to rejuvenate your skin and treat various skin conditions? You might want to consider Sciton's BBL HERO treatment. Sciton's BBL HERO uses BroadBand Light (BBL) technology to improve the appearance of the skin and treat various skin conditions. BBL HERO is considered the gold standard of light therapy. It's also known for being the most robust and powerful broadband light available. BBL HERO is suitable for anyone looking to improve the appearance of their skin and can treat a range of conditions including acne (active and associated discoloration), sun and age spots, freckles, cherry angiomas, rosacea, telangiectasia, uneven skin tone, general redness, and lax skin. It only requires minimal downtime. After treatment, you can simply put on a little tinted sunscreen to hide the redness and go about your day. BBL HERO is also a fast treatment, with the ability to treat an entire face in just four minutes. It is generally only necessary to undergo one or two treatments to see results, making it a convenient and effective option for improving the appearance