April 29, 2012

Edelman Toronto at CPRS ACE Gala 2012

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend the CPRS Toronto ACE Awards Gala, honouring the best PR campaigns of the year in the industry. I also attended last year but it was a totally different experience, after having been involved with the awards submissions this year and submitting for a program that I’ve personally worked on and executed. As PR professionals, we do a lot of work throughout the year and often at times it can seem like it’s project after project, without much pause or rest. Having award galas such as the one hosted by CPRS ACE allowed us to step back a bit to relax and unwind with our brilliant colleagues and clients, and take a moment to truly celebrate and share the amazing work that has been done in the past year.

I’m proud to say that Edelman walked away that night with seven awards in hand, including the following:

Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Over $50,000
Silver -

  • Make Your Face a Maynards
  • Breaking News for the Caramilk Key to the Secret
Bronze -
  • Holiday & Mom: The Chief Gift Buyer
  • Arthritis Alliance of Canada National Media Launch
Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Under $50,000
Bronze -
  • Alexander Keith’s Green Initiative “Show Your Plaid”
New Product or Service Launch Campaign of the Year & Best Digital Communications Campaign of the Year
Bronze -
  • Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Launch: #CuteasaButton Moments

Our shiny awards proudly displayed in the lobby

@melissaleg, @kkernahan and @jenniferzed showing off our Silver awards!

The Edelman TO crew celebrating our wins for the evening!

Goes without saying it was an amazing evening! Big thanks to CPRS ACE, to my amazing colleagues at Edelman TO and for our clients for allowing us to create such innovative campaigns!

April 10, 2012

Make it Count

If you haven’t already watched this video, watch it now for a reminder to take life in your own hands and make the most of it!

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WxfZkMm3wcg

Quotes to Live By

“Life is daring adventure or nothing at all” – Helen Keller

“You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough” – Mae West

“Above all, try something” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“I never worry about the future. It comes soon enough” – Albert Einstein

“One who makes no mistakes, makes nothing at all” – Giacomo Casanova

“Do one thing everyday that scares you” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“If I’d followed all the rules, I’d never have gotten anywhere” – Marilyn Monroe

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” – Abraham Lincoln

What an amazing example of how video can capture a story and bring it to life in ways that no other medium can. Storytelling and video content is something that we often talk about at work and something that we’re really trying to push out more and more with our clients in how we share their stories. With the right tools and technology, I’m excited to learn more about how to use more complex video programs to hopefully continue to tell my story as well through my blog; in hopes that one day, I’ll have an amazing story to tell like the 10-day journey around the world by Casey and Max.

April 8, 2012

Perfect Way to Spend Easter Weekend

What amazing weather we’ve been having this long weekend! On Friday, I checked out the ever popular Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (85 Hanna Avenue, Suite 104, Liberty Village). I was welcomed into the modern, urban-chic decor and immediately felt like I was out of Toronto and visiting another city. My brunch date and I went around 1:30pm and luckily there was no wait – as we were starving! Pictured above was the black currant scone and buttermilk biscuit we ordered as apps for 2 for $6 – definite must have! The scone was more on the dry side, but with a sweet aftertaste, and the buttermilk biscuit was amazing with the butter and homemade jam. 

Little Kay’s Favourite Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich – $12

At first, I ate half of the Grilled Cheese sandwich plain, without helping myself to the tomato relish and cornichon provided on the side. I found the sandwich too cheesy and greasy to hold, without enough flavour. Finally decided to add the toppings to my second half of the sandwich and it made a world of a difference! It instantly added the jolt of flavour that I was looking for, and I was extremely satisfied with the added toppings. 

Huevos Monty – $14

Described as “Mildred’s classic black bean refritos & sharp cheddar cheese baked in flour tortillas and topped with eggs sunny, fresh salsa & avocado crème fraîche”, I found this dish also quite tasty. I’m not a big bean person, so if you’re like me, it might not be your cup of tea. But overall, the presentation and anything with a fried egg sunny-style on top is a win in my books!

The decor was absolutely fresh, green and inviting and I would love to be back in better weather to enjoy the outdoor patio. After exploring Liberty Village for a bit, we made our way to The Bazaar pop up shop (580 King Street West), featuring some of Toronto’s best retailers bringing together an eclectic collection of men’s and women’s fashion and accessories, including my fave – vintage items as well.

I had the pleasure of meeting the sweet owner of 69 Vintage, Kealan, who owns a vintage boutique located on 1100 Queen Street West after trying on some of her amazing jewelry pieces. When asked where she finds her pieces, she had responded that she finds inspiration from her travels everywhere and mentioned the flea markets in California. Makes me wish I had taken the time to visit some of them while I was there!

It was also lovely visiting Sally Han, owner and designer of Psalms Accessories, and running into my long time school mate, @grazia87. I’m a huge fan of Sally’s work, and am especially in love with her new Shop for Jayu collection featuring affordable pieces that are all under $60. Pictured above in the bottom left corner image, is an example of one of her pieces (the white/gold chunky bracelet for only $39). If I had a bottomless piggy bank, I know where I would be doing all my shopping! I did, however, end up walking away with a few new pieces to add to my collection :)

The pop up shop event is happening all weekend – and today will be the last day to check it out! See all details below.

Hope you guys are having an amazing long weekend! Thanks for reading!

 [ From Head to Toe ]
Trench | Club Monaco
Sweater |
 Unknown label from San Francisco boutique
Tank & Leggings | Artizia
Flats | Michael Kors
Purse | Longchamp
Accessories | Marc by Marc Jacobs, Joe Fresh, Shop for Jayu
Scarf | H&M floral print