Attention all fashionistas, you weekend of fashion has finally arrived!!  Over the course of 6 seasons, Ottawa Fashion Week (OFW) has become a stage for national and international designers to showcase the newest designs in Canada’s capital.  This is not only an opportunity to showcase wonderful talent, but also unite the art and fashion industry!  Tickets are still available from Ottawa Festival Tickets.  Tickets range in price from a day pass $45-55, to a week pass for $95.  A $10 portion of your ticket price will be donated to UNICEF Canada.  For those who want to sit in the front row, like Anna Wintour, there are just a few spots left!

Elizbourk,  frAsh, DeMOYO and Ella Peru, are just some of the labels you will see represented at this weekend’s Ottawa Fashion Week, held at the Westin Hotel.  The week officially begins today, February 17th, and will run until Sunday, February 19th.

Minto Suite Hotel has received CAA/AAA’s prestigious 4-Diamond for the 18^th year in a row!  This is a feat that very few can accomplish!  The CAA/ AAA ranks lodging and restaurants each year based on rigorous evaluation and impromptu inspections.  The Four Diamond award is given to upscale establishments whose accommodations offer superior quality and style.   The establishments in North and East Ontario that have been chosen for the Four Diamond Award are part of a select group representing the highest ranks in the hospitality industry.

To be eligible for the evaluation, properties must meet Four Diamond requirements during an unannounced inspection of the establishment.  Once an establishment has been designated as CAA/AAA Approved, inspectors must then assign a rating of One to Five Diamonds based on the extensiveness of services, quality of the facilities and amenities.

Minto Suite Hotel is one of only 5 hotels (out of more than 59 hotels within the city) that received the 4-Diamond Award – an incredible accomplishment!  If you have ever been to Minto Suite Hotel you’ll understand why they have been awarded this honor year after year!  Minto Suite Hotel offers guests spacious suites, a convenient location, and of course a wonderful and friendly staff!  The team at Minto truly offers an inspired experience, just as the service vision states: “We create personalized experiences and commit to developing a culture, where we inspire our guests and one another through a genuine passion to show hospitality.” 

It is the perfect little getaway for family, couples, or business travelers, as it has something to offer everyone!   From the indoor pool and fitness centre, bike rental during the summer season, various restaurants and shopping centers that are just steps away and the new business center!  These are just some of the reasons that set Minto apart from other hotels in the area and have earned the status of a 4-Diamond property!

                                                                                                     Winterlude officially kicks off today!!  This three week event offers all ages, something wonderful to enjoy!  The official ceremonies begin tonight at the American Express Winterlude Opening, with activities at Jacques-Cartier Park and the Museum of Civilization, as well as a beautiful display of musical fireworks at 9pm tonight!  This is a light show that cannot be missed!

Here are just a glimpse of the many activities you and your family can take part in!  Head over to Gatineau to take a ride down the giant slide, try to Zumba in the snow or check out the snow maze at Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park.  Or across the bridge in Ottawa, you can find Confederation park turned into Rogers Crystal Garden.  In the Crystal Garden, you will find BlizzArt, Ice-Carving Competitions, and numerous DJs!  And finally, you can always go skating at the Rideau Canal!  Don’t forget to pick up a hot Chocolate and a Beaver Tail!  If you want to check out all the activities being held across the city, check out: Canada’s Capital/ Winterlude

Grab your coat, hat and gloves and get out an enjoy all this city has to offer during this wonderful three week festival!

Attention all hockey fans, the countdown is winding down to days for the 2012 All-Star Weekend!  Ottawa will host the four day festival beginning on January 26th, with the NHL trophies travelling down the Rideau Canal Skateway and ending on the 29th, with the main event, the All-Star game! 

The festival kicks off at 2:30pm on Thursday, with the NHL trophies (including the Stanley Cup), travelling down the Rideau Canal Skateway.  Fans, you can catch a glimpse of these trophies between Waverly St. and Daly Ave.  For the true hockey fan, the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair  will be held from the 26th to the 28th.  This family-friendly event will showcase memorabilia, interactive games and attractions, and special appearances by fan favorites!  Tickets for this event are $15, and can be purchased from Capital Tickets.  On the 27th, fans can take part in the Energizer Night Skate in aid of the Sens Foundation.  This event will take place at the Rideau Canal at 7pm, and the registration fee is $20, but fans are encouraged to reach deep to help the Sens foundation.  All participates will receive an LED headlamp to light up the night!  Saturday, January 28^th, is when fans can see the future (9 am) and current all stars (7pm) show off their skills.   Finally to round out the weekend, the main event!!  Sunday at 4pm, the festival draws to a close with the 59th Annual NHL All-Star game!

All-Star fever is really beginning to heat up with banners and flags being raised on many of the roadways, not to mention on radio and news programs!  For a list of all the events, check out, 2012 All-Star Weekend.

Who says the New Year starts in January? In Ottawa it starts in September

Photo courtesy www.travelandtransistions.com

 or so it feels like it. The students return for the fall semester, the House sits and the city feels alive again! Best part of this time of year is the warm days and cool nights. Fall is definitely my favorite time year (my hair thanks Mother Nature for the drop in humidity!) and Ottawa has so much to offer during this season. A few gems that can be found in O-Town are this weekend’s Grape Stomp and Relay Race in Little Italy hosted by Sakto Corporation with participants raising dough (literally) for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

If you want to be inspired, the Ottawa Police officers and members of various police services will take part in the 6^th annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run, a 460 km relay that travels through Toronto and ends at Parliament Hill this Saturday.

Or if you consider yourself somewhat of a foodie or just want to take part and celebrate women in food, check out Spoon held at The Side Door Restaurant in the market Sept 27^th. It’s Ottawa’s first ever “Gastronomique Showcase of Powerhouse Women in the Food and Wine Industry”. Tix are $55 each and should be well worth it! Bring on the delicacies and the chunky sweaters!! 

Wishing you all a Happy New Fall!

Since Disney began promoting the Lion King in Ottawa I was hooked. The kick off event last year open to all in the tourism industry was nothing short of magical Disney style; serving up mountains of tasty morsels, constant flow of bevvies, and a behind the scenes PR session cemented my decision to check out the musical. Confession: I never saw movie or really wanted to at all but after Disney courted me I was game. Also everyone walked away with a stuffed animal (Pumbaa was my grab), CD and Lion King paraphernalia from the show to call their own.  Totally felt the love that night, nice touch Disney!

So when the offer to see the show was made I pounced at the chance. Let me tell you this – the show did not disappoint! Especially the child actors, what an amazing production. The family friendly performance was absolutely captivating and the costumes even more incredible.  While staying in Ottawa don’t miss out on your chance to see the award-winning musical at the NAC, the Lion King roars out of town on Aug 7^th!

Photo credit Destination360

It’s the last weekend for bluesfest and well that makes me a little bit blue. It’s great to see Ottawa actually let loose a bit and lose some inhibitions…somewhat. It’s amazing to be part of the audience where you get the opportunity to be exposed to a meld of new emerging Canadian talent paired with seasoned international artists. What a rush!

This weekend’s line up promises to deliver with everything from classic Canadian entertainers to alt rock bands and artisits somewhere in-between.  The fest delivers all genres of music and appeals to so many; I wonder why the name hasn’t changed to musicfest?! Some traditions must remain I suppose. Regardless of your taste in lyrical stylings just get out there and enjoy the last weekend of it! See you there!

Photo Credit NCC/CCN

Happy Canada Day…well almost. We’d love to hear what your plans are for the long weekend and Canada Day celebrations. Fireworks? Concert? BBQ? Waterpark? Cottage? Getting together with friends and family? This Canada Day Minto Suite Hotel will be celebrating in true red & white style with patriotic goodies. Stop by and share in the celebration and find out where the best spot is to catch a glimpse of the fireworks!

A little piece of heaven on Bank St!

Photo courtesy Thimble Cakes

Thimble Cakes http://www.thimblecakes.ca/  is my new found afternoon sweet tooth fix go-to spot. Forget that they are nut free, eco-friendly, offer gluten free cakes, egg/dairy free cakes and serve caffeinated bevies…they have MINI CUPCAKES!

For real, bite size, euphoric, marriage of icing-and-gluten-free-cherry-chocolate-goodness -in-my-mouth cupcakes. Alright so I may be a little too excited about flour and sugar but if you find yourself fighting the afternoon sugar crave, why not head to Thimble Cakes for a decadent treat? They’re located at 369 Bank St. Check out the website to see what the flavors of the day are. Enjoy!