The Rebirth of Toni & Guy in Toronto

By: Sari Colt & The Charming Modernist

I first learned about the hair salon, Toni & Guy during my university career. One day, I was walking along Charles Street in my neighbourhood of Yorkville when I could sense someone looking my way. A trendy girl grinned at me and I had to do a double-take, as the girl that I could not recognize was my housemate, Leslie. Her shoulder length brown hair was transformed to onyx black and cut asymmetrically. "You look like a rock star!" I exclaimed. Leslie said that she had just gotten her hair done at Toni & Guy and raved about her amazing experience at the salon.

A few months later, I visited Toni & Guy and had my hair layered. I was very happy with the results and went back. At that time, the salon was located on Bloor Street West and once it moved and changed its name to Industry, I had moved out of the neighbourhood and found another salon. 

                       MY MOTHER, BETTY COLT (Left) IS A LONG-TIME CLIENT OF TONI & GUY AND HER HAIR ALWAYS LOOKS STYLISH. 

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the salon is back in business in Yorkville. Toni & Guy recently celebrated its grand reopening in high style and we were invited to mark the occasion. Rob and Clarissa Pupo, owners of the Toronto location, were on hand to greet their guests, which included Toni & Guy's international creative director, Zak Mascolo. The salon is stark white and is very spacious and open. The team at Toni & Guy Toronto get along fabulously. Rob and Clarissa are both talented hairstylists. Clarissa has also won multiple awards for makeup artistry. 

Toni & Guy is a ubiquitous brand that has a long and illustrious history in the hair industry. Founded by the Mascolo brothers, Guiseppe, Gaetano, Bruno and Anthony in 1963 in England, Toni & Guy salons are now in 42 countries world-wide. The stylists are all trained in the Toni & Guy methodology, with on-trend haircutting and colouring. Bruno Mascolo and Zak Mascolo (Gaetano's son) are very hands on creatively and plan on further expanding the company. The TIGI line of hair products and cosmetics including their popular 'Bed Head ' line now has a pet line called 'Pet Head' for those who wish to spoil their pooches.

Toni & Guy Toronto is one salon worth paying a visit to for being pampered in style and getting the full cutting edge hair experience. 

To learn more about Toni & Guy, visit: toniguy.com/hair-salons/toronto-on/cumberland-street/

128 Cumberland Street, Toronto, ON M5R 1A6
416-920-7775

National Women's Show Promo Code

Congratulations to Laura R for winning two tickets to the National Women's Show! Thanks to all those who entered the contest.

To my readers who would still like to attend the show, you can buy tickets online using the promo code, CHARMING and get $3 off!

To purchase tickets, visit: https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=1770

Enjoy the show and have a great girl's day out! :) 

Win a Pair of Tickets to the National Women's Show!

Ladies, round up your girlfriends and get ready to attend the National Women's Show, which runs from October 16 - 19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre! Indulge in the ultimate girl's day out by learning about the latest fashion trends, sampling sumptuous snacks and sweets, shopping until your drop and so much more!  

I am giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader. There are many ways to enter (see below). Good luck!

Open to Canadian residents only, 19+. 
Contest ends Wednesday, October 14. Winner will be contacted directly via email and announced on social media. 

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Spiegelworld's Empire - Review

Spiegelworld has erected its world-renowned show, Empire, in Toronto much to the thrill and delight of theatregoers. Empire is not your average theatrical presentation; it's far more entertaining and unique. Much like the shows of Cirque du Soleil, Empire, directed by Terence O’Connell, features performers who contort themselves into pretzels, adds humour throughout the show and presents live music on stage. But, whereas Cirque du Soleil's grand spectacles are larger than life, Empire is intimate and the performances are intense. 

From the moment I set foot inside the small Spiegeltent, the mood was festive. Performers interacted with my guest and me by taking selfies, miming and flouncing about the audience to get to know us better. There's a throwback to a speak-easy style bar and the sultry lighting only heightens the intimacy. 

MCs Oscar and Fanny link the show by introducing us to the cast of wildly outrageous characters. Agile gymnasts showcase superb flexibility and strength by balancing on top of each other while a pair of roller skaters spin exhilaratingly fast. One wrong move and the act could be disastrous, but the performers are consummate professionals and certainly entertained breathless audience members. 

Let's not forget the dynamic duo themselves! Raunchy MCs Oscar and Fanny are a dysfunctional couple, who gives sexually charged performances and thrill an unsuspecting audience member in an unforgettably humorous way. Their comedic timing is on point, as is their ability to improvise. Tessa Alves, a native of Brampton is the sultry chanteuse that propels the show along with her powerhouse vocals and strong stage presence. Even though Empire lacks a cohesive narrative, the show is entertaining and had me guessing what shock and awe inspiring act I could anticipate next. 

Part circus, cabaret, variety, slapstick and burlesque show, Empire encompasses a new kind of theatrical experience for audience members who seem to have seen it all. 

Empire is playing under the Spiegeltent at 318 Queen's Quay West until November 8, 2015. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: spiegelworld.ca.

Photos courtesy of Empire. 

Toronto Food & Wine Festival + Ticket Giveaway!

The upcoming Toronto Food & Wine Festival will be sure to impress every gourmand's palate. Held at Evergreen Brick Works from September 18 - 20, foodies can indulge their cravings for gourmet food and drink at the Grand Tasting Pavilion, which will feature samplings from 130 purveyors of premium products from around the world, including Ontario. 

Celebrity chefs Curtis Stone, Tyler Florence, Gail Simmons, Chuck Hughes, Mark McEwan and many more will participate in live cooking demos, talks and workshops. Sharpen your knife skills, visit the farmers' market onsite, learn to make Japanese soba noodles and take a master class with chefs who are the best in the business. 

The Toronto Food & Wine Festival is the culinary event of the year you don't want to miss. Tickets are available for $36 per adult and $18 per child ages 6-15. To learn more and to purchase tickets online, visit: torontofoodandwine.com. 

Ticket Giveaway!

I am giving away a pair of tickets (valued at $72) to one lucky reader. There are many ways to enter (see below). Good luck and happy wining and dining! 

Open to Canadian residents only, 19+. 
Contest ends Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 12 p.m. Winner will be contacted directly and announced on social media. 

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