TIFF Day One

Did you know Canada.. Click here to read the articles leading up to the TIFF experience from blogger Trina Stewart. She's there and has some fun news to share already, here's how her first day went down..

The Toronto Film Festival is a yearly event at our home.  This year was no exception.  Day 1 proved to be a slightly frustrating, yet profitable day in celebrity sightings.

Bono, from the music group U2, has proven to be the best celebrity ever.

First, I have to admit that I’m not a red carpet fan as I prefer the intimate chance encounters of meeting a celebrity.

Friday morning was quiet on Yorkville as Bono stepped out of the Hazelton Hotel to step into his awaiting Cadillac.

What Bono did was nothing short of astounding for this 4 year TIFF attendee.  Upon his exit from the hotel, he made a B-line to his awaiting fans.  Not only did he sign autographs, but he took the time to shake their hands.  When Bono arrived at my daughter, they were beckoning him to leave, he took her hand, rubbed it on his face and said “I’ll be back, no worries.”

As ridiculous as it sounds, even a person like Bono “gets it”.  We, his fans, put him in that luxurious hotel and fancy Cadillac.  We, his fans, has allotted him the honor, as many other celebrities, to experience a life that we only dream of.

I think if I pass him again today, I think I’m going to just put it out there and ask if I can sing with him too.  Stick out your neck, take a risk, and have fun while doing it.

More stories to follow from this chick on the streets of Toronto.

Gerard Butler is Hands Down The Sweetest Thing at TIFF 2011

My daughter and her friends caught up with him and he graciously snapped a shot.  I only arrived at the tail end as he was crossing the road.

He looked back, he smiled at me, and wave.

Ah…..I was breathless at the brief encounter.

PS. I Love You

3D Deco Lights

Did you know Canada.. we received the coolest product for my boys room - a 3D Deco Light of a soccer ball! It comes with this really cool sticker of cracks that goes around the ball so it looks like the ball was smashed into the wall. My boys think that is just CRAZY!

Check it out:

Here's a picture of our ball in my boys room:

And the best part?? This was created by a Canadian father!! Tom Wegrzyn, Canadian Father, Artist and Entrepreneur, took to the drawing board and conceptualized the first 3D Deco Light after not being able to find an adequate nightlight for his own son. Tom has also been an illustrator for Marvel Comics in New York! He worked on over 50 titles, that included; Hulk, X-Men, X-Caliber and many more - how cool is that!

One of my favourite parts of the light is that there are no cords and doesn't require a plug - the light just runs on batteries. This is perfect for babies rooms as we know and gets rid of the unsightly cord for big boy rooms as well. The theme is perfect, my boys just finished their soccer season a few weeks ago and loves to show it off to everyone that comes over. They like pretending it was them that "smashed" it into the wall as well. :-)

The lights are available at select Walmarts across Canada and online at www.3DLightFX.com. We highly recommend for ANY little ones room (there's pink too!!) - would also make a fun addition to a basement or family room.


Disclosure: We were sent a light for review - my opinions are my own.

TIFF

Did you know Canada.. TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) has been around since 1976 when it was first known as The Festival of Festivals.

In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues. In the last few years, total attendance at TIFF has exceeded 260,000!!



We are so lucky to have our friend, Trina Stewart, from Life's a Blog, as blogger on the spot! She's going to share her posts and news with us at Did you know Canada. Be sure to follow Trina on Twitter for all her latest news.

Here's the latest news from Trina so far..

Feeling the Magic of The Toronto Film Festival (TIFF 2011)

Between movie screenings, star gazing, and a few chance meetings with fellow Tweeps, this weekend is going to be busy and exhilarating. Going on a pauper’s budget this year is going to be difficult. We have to ensure that we are ready for any event that comes our way.


This year, I have been fortunate. I have won tickets to The Descendants, starring George Clooney (Humina Humina), from Diet Coke. As well, I have won tickets to Hick, starring Blake Lively. I have also been invited to the Diet Coke Gala, which appears to be an anticipated event by many. So who’s going?

I can’t wait to write about my favorite time of year. To share the goodness in life with others is truly a gift. We spend so much time dwelling over the mundane every day hurdles, that the good stuff needs to be focused on even more so.
Here’s to party rocking the weekend! CHEERS!

The celebs can party where they may. but Trina and TIFF are here to stay.


TODAY is the Day, Toronto Film Festival, Here WE Come

For me, it’s always Christmas in September.  This year is even a bigger challenge.  TIFF on a budget.  As most of you know, my dog was sick and we had to put her down.  So the $1,200 saved to enjoy this event went to a great cause (in my heart anyway)

How will you catch us?  Follow @christinauntold (my partner in crime and my lovely daughter) and@trina_stewart.  I’ll be giving a minute by minute recap of where we are, who and what we are seeing.  This is one blog where it won’t be all about me because I have nothing to promote and nothing to lose.  The only thing I won’t do is announce where i am when I take pics because I had a whole lot of people pissed off at me for doing that (even though they didn’t know it was me!)

I will be hashtagging my tweets, #CelebsinTO!

Tomorrow, we’ll be catching the movies Hick and The Descendants.  (Thanks Diet Coke and Blackberry!) I am very excited to review a movie this year because I thoroughly enjoyed doing so in 2008.  It was an amazing experience!

I was on Twitter last night and was so appreciative of the online movie reviews.  However, one thing that REALLY pissed me off is that when I asked a question about something, few responded.  It was like the narcissistic became extremely secretive to hone their acceptance into the celebrity world!  So what do I say?  We’re all celebrities in our own right.  So thanks A**holes, I can figure it out myself.

So those who are following this country hick and her little mice, enjoy it.  If you want to throw out questions, be my guest.  I’m not only at TIFF for my yearly M&D weekend, but I’m also here so you can feel the excitement too!!

2nd Starbucks sighting with Jason Reitman.

Now, I just have to figure out how to juggle all of these electronic devices and be online and ready.  (Not Red Carpet Ready)

Giveaway! McSweeney Photography

Winner: Congratulations to our winner: Rebecca! Can't wait to hear what photo you select!

Update: Thank you so much for commenting everyone, the giveaway is now closed and the winner is being contacted.

Did you know Canada.. I got two of the most beautiful photos of Algonquin Park from Canadian company McSweeney Photography.

Josh McSweeney delivers gorgeous fine art photos of parks, rural scenes, interiors and close ups. He also has stunning photos from his travels all over the world. After receiving my 2 photos I've already been back to shop for more. Just placing an order for this photo today!  I can't even tell you how excited I am about these beautiful photos, Algonquin Park and the Muskoka area is such a special place to my family and to be able to display such beautiful photographs will be a great talking piece in our home.  Something to look at and remember really great family times in the past and think about more to come.

With such a large range of sizes and finishes it's easy to get the perfect photo in the perfect style for your home. These would also make beautiful gifts (I know some folks have already started Christmas shopping!).

We are very excited to let you know one reader will win a 13 x 19 photo on a 16 x 20 matte!! This would be a beautiful addition to your home or a fantastic gift to a love one.

Giveaway

As we mentioned we are very excited to not only share McSweeney Photography with our readers but also host a giveaway where one of you will win a 13 x 19 photo on a 16 x 20 matte - this is just awesome, I'm so excited, this is truly something I'd like to win myself! :-)

Mandatory Entry - one mandatory entry per person
Visit McSweeney Photography's website, comment on a photo you love and then let us know about it in the comment section here. You can comment on as many photos as you like on McSweeney Photography but please only add one mandatory entry comment here.

Optional Entries - 1 comment per each optional entry
- Like McSweeney Photography on Facebook
- Follow Did you know Canada on GFC
- Follow @diduknowcanada on Twitter
- Like Did you know Canada on Facebook
- Tweet this giveaway (link to your tweet in comment, can be done 2x a day during giveaway)
Example Tweet..

#Canada enter to win a 13x19 photo from McSweeneyPhotography-beautiful piece for home or gift!Ends09/22 @diduknowcanada http://bit.ly/nFNAHB

Giveaway open to our Canadian readers, closing September 22th at 9:00pm EST. You must leave an email address so I have a way to contact you in the event that you win. Winners must respond within 72 hours or another winner will be chosen in their place.

Disclosure: We were sent 2 photos, already purchasing another photo on my own today - my opinions are my own.

Sidney Crosby

Did you know Canada.. as we mentioned on Twitter and Facebook earlier today we are expecting to hear from Sidney Crosby today at 12:30 EST. He is to be updating everyone on his condition.

Just to remind you, Sidney Crosby sustained two hits to the head within a week of each other 8 months ago and it's said he still suffers from the effects of the concussions.

He'll also be announcing today whether he is attend training camp on Sept. 16, or his teams first game on Oct. 6 against Vancouver.

We'll keep our fingers crossed for good news and update this article when we learn more.

Update
Sidney Crosby will not be ready for training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins as he continues to recover from the effects of a concussion. He says he's at 90% recovery but needs to be at 100% before returning to the game.

There is no timeline for his return.

Little Passports

Did you know Canada.. we found a really fun subscription service for kids available to Canadians - Little Passports!

Little Passports take your children around the world with their mail service that delivers a new adventure to your children every month! They follow characters Sofia and Sam as they travel to places like Japan, Mexico, England and more - check out their product page to see all the locations.

We received the first months Explorer Kit which includes..

* Fun travel suitcase with an introductory letter from Sofia and Sam (the suitcase is perfect for pretend play)
* World wall map (this is huge and just fantastic!!)
* Travel passport (which can lead to so many fun pretend games)
* Fun stickers
* Activity sheet
* Access to online games and activities with our boarding pass

My boys loved it!! They have been carrying the suitcase around since we got it, filling it up with play clothes, toys and snacks. They pretend to stamp the passport for each other and pick places on the map they are going to travel to. This leads to pretend airplane rides, dressing up and they love it when I read the special letter to them.

During the following months your child will receive packages from Sam and Sofia that include fun souvenirs, an activity sheet, a photo from the country, a passport stamp, a map marker, a suitcase sticker and more. Allowing your children to decorate their suitcase, fill in their passport and find the new country on their big wall map. Something to look forward to every month!

Mail is getting to be a lost art form which it too bad as my guys LOVE to get things in the mail. This is perfect for a huge age range - those that get excited over the small souvenirs and pretend play, those that can follow along with the story, geography and great for everyone (even Mom and Dad!) to learn about all these world wide locations.

I think this would make a really special gift for any kiddo in your life and a monthly surprise the entire family can partake in.

Be sure to check out Little Passports to learn more!

Disclosure: I was sent the first months Explorer Kit to review - my opinions are my own.

ShesConnected Conference

Did you know Canada.. Not only am I a work-from-home Mom, a contributor to Buy Canadian First , a contributor to REAL - The Canadian Kids Magazine, as well as an avid Tweeter and Facebooker, I've also been invited to the ShesConnected Conference happening at the end of this month in Toronto.

Click here to read more..

HMCS Charlottetown

Did you know Canada..  we wrote an article back in March about the HMCS Charlottetown who was on her way to Libya to take part in Canadian and international evacuation operations.  During the mission the HMCS Charlottetown was fired on at least twice though thankfully with no casualties to the crew.

Well - good news, our Canadian warship has returned home from the Libyan mission!

Friends and family gathered in Halifax today to welcome home the crew of the HMCS Charlottetown.

Welcome home!!

Panty By Post

Did you know Canada.. I have found such a fun service available to Canadians - Panty By Post. Now don't go anywhere, you have to hear about this. Every month ladies will get this reeeeally cute package in the mail:

It will be a pair of very cute panties - how cool is that!!! I know I've mentioned before that I think with our Internet world and ordering so much online that packaging is key.  Do you want to receive something that looks like it's been thrown in the box or something that has been sent with care.  This has very obviously been sent with care and a real treat to open.  You know most women (ESPECIALLY Moms) never spend money on themselves, how awesome would it be to get something just for you in the mail every month.

The panties are great quality and comfortable (yes, really!), well worth the cost and would be A LOT of fun to get every month!

If you are looking for a gift for a special woman in your life this would be so fun. They also have a beautiful bridal line - you would be a hit with a gift like this!

We are very excited to let our readers know they can save 20% by using code DUKC20 on the Panty By Post website.

Disclosure: I was sent one pair of panties to see how the service works - my opinions are my own.

Watch your speed

Did you know Canada.. I found a really interesting (and maybe surprising) fact today: According to the National Motorists Association Windsor ON has the second highest number of speed traps in North America!!

#1 place goes to Livonia, MI in the States. Hamilton ON is #15 and Toronto #17.

With the Labour Day Weekend coming up watch your speed as you head down the 401, for both your safety and the safety of others!!