This week’s IT List is all about spring! Things we’ve missed from the warm weather months? Colour, running outdoors, relaxing summer tunes and of course, our favourite patio beverages!
Jelly bean tea? Sign me up! DAVIDsTEA’s spring collection is perfect for an after-dinner drink or a morning pick-me-up! [Hello! Magazine]
Tupperware parties may not be our cup of tea, but we love how lia sophia’s home jewellery parties can empower women and allow them to run their own business! Not to mention, their Zingara collection is incredibly stylish and affordable! [Vitamin Daily]
Bouncy dresses and bright colours were abundant at the RACHEL Rachel Roy spring/summer preview! Now if we could only have a bit more of that warm summer weather from mid-March… [Vitamin Daily]
The NKPR office has started training for the Sporting Life 10K in support of Camp Ooch on May 13th! Our running shoe of choice is the Hi-TecV-Lite Infinity HPi Ws! Light and comfy! [Sweetspot]
Looking to rock neons on your nails this summer? Essie’s latest collection, Poppy Razzi, offers four stand out brights! Be sure to coat your nails in white first to make the colour pop! [Sweetspot]
Nothing beats listening to jammin’ tunes by Bob Marley on a warm weather day! House of Marley’s line of earth-friendly headphones are the perfect accessory! [Virgin Radio]
Pink, bubbly and perfect for patio season… We can’t wait to sip on a SKYY VodkaSpring Fling cocktail! [Metro]
Interns are an integral part of the team at NKPR – we’re always grateful for a few extra sets of hands especially during a busy season of spring previews!
Next up in our spring Meet the NKPR Interns series? Valerie Burnatowski!
Valerie came across NKPR online, was impressed with our client list and the rest is history! Valerie has had the opportunity to work closely on an exciting spring initiative (Stay Tuned!) as well as spring fashion previews!
Think you’re up to the challenge? Get in touch to learn more about our internship opportunities.
What are you studying and where? I graduated from the University of Toronto in June 2011. Most recently I completeled PR Management courses at McGill University.
Why PR? Because its people oriented, creative and constantly evolving.
Salty or sweet? Both- I can’t take a side. I like em’ all.
What’s the most exciting/bizarre thing that’s happened to you at NKPR? On the second day of my internship I got to my desk to find a We Vibe vibrator, what a bizarre surprise.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How about now? I wanted to be an author and a talk show host. I’d still love to be a talk show host- a hybrid of Chelsea Handler and Oprah. As for my aspirations to be an author I do plan on coming out with a comedy style memoir- I’m already 500 words in.
Facebook or Twitter? Twitter, with only 140 characters people have no choice but to get to the point.
What company, brand or product would you love to work on? I would love to work on the alcohol brands, like Wild Turkey. And of course I would love to work on TIFF.
Favourite song-of-the-moment? The entire Pistol Annies CD “Hell on Heels”.
What’s your idea of happiness? Happiness to me is being with my family, we’re loud and always laughing.
TV Guilty Pleasure? Celebrity Apprentice – because, well, it’s ridiculous but also it’s for charity. And I like keeping tabs on the Donald’s hair.
This week marked the first day of Spring, and we’re having some record-breaking sunshine in Toronto. Changing seasons definitely make me think about changes I want to make in my life. And with all this spring fever, I’m also thinking about my spring wardrobe!! Fashion-wise, it’s a tough season for me because everything seems to be either neon or pastel and a challenge to my all-black “uniform!”
On Tuesday, I checked out the new RACHEL Rachel Roy collection. (Available at The Bay) I surprised myself slightly by gravitating towards the “love lock” pattern tank.
As I’m sure you’ve figured out, I’m a romantic at heart and the story behind this design won me over. The designer was inspired by the “love locks” on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris where couples write their names on a padlock and lock it to the bridge. They then throw the key into the river as a symbol of their undying love. And (okay, okay!) it doesn’t hurt that pattern is grounded on a solid black background…and did I mention that Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world and one of the most romantic??
I always love to wear clothes and jewelry that are reminders of a favourite place and time, or a secret little message of affirmation. Even the names of products sometimes call out to me (make-up colours too! – don’t you sometimes make a final lipstick choice JUST based on the name!?) This week, I took that a step further and arranged to get my second tattoo. I love cursive font tattoos and this will be a simple script on my left arm saying “Be Brave” – a daily reminder for me!
This will be my second affirmation tattoo. I also have “Gratitude 26” on my right arm, meaning “gratitude to the power of 26.” The number 26 holds special meaning for me as it seems to recur for me around special days (including the birth of my son!) I love the idea that these tattoos are little talismans, guiding me though my days and often secretly hidden beneath my clothes. They really do make me feel brave, empowered and grateful.
Speaking of those traits… I had the pleasure this week of meeting some really remarkable women – the ladies behind the jewelry company lia sophia. Of course, I love my accessories, but what really spoke to me from this gathering was how this business empowers women to become entrepreneurs.
Lia Sophia’s direct sales model enables women of any age, in any region of Canada to cultivate a passion for jewelry and grow a successful business, all while finding that elusive work-life balance – don’t we all crave it!? I always thought work-life balance was about sacrificing something, but I’m starting to realize it doesn’t have to be like that. My own personal picks included “Ilaria” ring and the “camlo” necklace – I wore both all night long!
Over the course of the evening we listened to women who wrestle with that very modern conflict of work versus family. Their days were ruled by guilt – guilt when they were home that they weren’t working and guilt when they were working that they weren’t with their family. Many made the brave decision to “quit the cubicle” and have worked hard to find a way to still have a career but without the same family sacrifices.
We’re often told we can “have it all”. And this a liberating idea, but sometimes it creates pressure for women to DO everything and BE everything to everybody. I can definitely identify with the struggle to reconcile all of that without feeling like you’ve given up too much and have so much admiration for these women for finding their balance – beautiful baubles, savvy business and happy family life – WIN!
I found it interesting that a gathering about jewelry really became a conversation about BALANCE. For women, life is definitely not neatly compartmentalized!! I feel very fortunate that my job lets me do what I love… BUT even more that the people and stories behind those businesses constantly inspire me.
So, tell me – what’s on your wishlist for Spring style? Do you wear any jewelry or have body-art with a secret message of affirmation? And how do you manage to find that elusive work-life balance!? Tweet me @natashankpr!
Toronto’s World MasterCard Fashion Week kicked off last week showcasing fashion and beauty looks for Fall/Winter. It was such an amazing week in fashion! From attending shows, hosting a fashion week pop-up and spending time with a beauty icon, the NKPR team did it all!
We were incredibly excited to meet beauty icon and essie cosmetics founder, Essie Weingarten for the second time! In town for Fashion Week, we hosted a meet & greet at our office where she shared her amazing nail tips, as well as some of the upcoming essie collections! She has such an amazing presence and the best nail advice! (Check out her tips for newsprint nails via The Huffington Post Canada)
In celebration of Fashion Week, essie held a pop-up nail bar in the NKPR office. (Talk about convenience!) Guests received a free express essie manicure by Tips Nail Bar and were treated to some of the new collections including Wedding and Poppy-Razzi neons! Beverages were provided by DAVIDsTEA. We love their refreshing and delicious spring collection!
Essie nails were all the rage on the runway, showcasing nail trends at Lucian Matis, Soia & Kyo, Pink Tartan, Ezra Constantine, Rad Hourani and Travis Taddeo! Gothic glamour at Chloe Comme Paris was complemented by essie nails in Wicked with a lace design on top!
The Spoke Club hosted their own Fashion Week shows featuring Missoni, Chanel, Celine and Alexander McQueen! Beauty looks were created by Stila Cosmetics, Ardell Lashes and essie polish. Guests at the shows were gifted with these beauty must-haves and Ardell created a pop-up lash bar treating all of the attending ladies to luscious lashes for the night!
Kicking off the evening, SKYY Vodka cocktails were served to guests at The Spoke Club including the Ardell “Wink” cocktail and the Stila “Sweetart” cocktail!
Meanwhile during Toronto’s Fashion Week, fine jeweller Classic Creations was off to another iconic fashion event in Switzerland. Baselworld is the largest international watch and jewellery show in the industry. Highlights included the yet-to-be released news on the new ladies Ebel line! (We can’t wait to hear!) A classic favourite, Chanel also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first Chanel watch by unveiling this gorgeous Première Flying Tourbillon!
What was your favourite moment at Fashion Week? Tweet it to @natashankpr
Interns are an integral part of the team at NKPR – we’re always grateful for a few extra sets of hands especially during a busy season of spring previews!
First up in our spring Meet the NKPR Interns series? Melissa Myrie!
While Googling PR agencies in Toronto, Melissa spotted NKPR and it was love at first sight! Part of the team for over 2 months now, Melissa has had the oppprtunity to learn the ins and outs of fashion public relations, assisting the team with media desksides, spring previews and launch events!
Think you’re up to the challenge? Get in touch to learn more about our internship opportunities.
What’s your background education?
“I studied Public Relations at Humber College.”
Why PR?
“I love the broadness of PR, and I enjoy a fast-paced, high-energy environment.”
Salty or sweet?
“Sweet! I’m a candy junky.”
Daily must-read:
“I’m addicted to blogs, and Flare Magazine.”
What’s the most exciting/bizarre thing that’s happened to you at NKPR?
“Valentine’s day was exciting; we shared love stories while eating candy and chocolates.”
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How about now?
“I wanted to be a singer until I realized I only sound amazing in the shower. I’ve put my singing dream aside to become a successful public relations professional.”
Facebook or Twitter?
“Twitter. It’s a constant conversation.”
What company, brand or product would you love to work on?
“I would love to work on TIFF.”
Favourite song-of-the-moment? “Janet Jackson – Anytime, Anyplace. I have a habit of falling in love with old songs all over again.”
What’s your idea of happiness? “Good health, an enjoyable career, and loving friends and family.”
TV Guilty Pleasure? “Teen Mom. I have never missed an episode.”
This week’s IT List is all about spring! Not only are we enjoying the early sun, but we are also incredibly excited for everything that comes with the season: new fashion, beauty and Toronto’s World MasterCard Fashion Week!
Refresh your wardrobe with a classic work staple from Jones New York. This iconic white shirt is sure to empower your style in and out of the office! [Women of Influence]
Pyjama chic? We love these slouchy printed Mendocino pants for spring, perfect to pair with your favourite fitted tee! [Flare]
Looking to turn heads this spring? Make a statement with this turquoise laguna necklace from Lia Sophia! [Toronto Sun]
We are incredibly excited that beauty icon Essie Weingarten, the founder and president of essie cosmetics, is in town for Toronto’s Fashion Week! Read all about essie’s 30th anniversary in the first ever issue of [Style Empire]
One of the earliest signs of aging is hyper-pigmentation. The non-invasive solution according to dermatologist Dr. Adam Geyer? Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution packed full of Vitamin C, white birch and peony extract! Don’t forget sunscreen as a preventative measure! We like Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50! [Chatelaine]
One of my favourite parts about working in PR is the opportunity to share stories and create conversation about amazing brands and causes that I love!
Recently, I was incredibly humbled and excited to be asked to join the Huffington Post Canada’s talented team of bloggers! Sharing my own personal story isn’t something I am quite as familiar with and although it can be a bit scary and nerve-wracking, change is something I have learned to embrace! (Through lots of experience… trust me!)
I’ll be posting twice a week. On “Talk to me Tuesdays”, we’ll be exploring life, love, sex, relationships – it can’t get too juicy! On Fridays, I want to celebrate all things ‘fabulous’ by talking about something near and dear to my heart: fashion — home fashion or personal style!
My first blog is all about the life plans we tend to make and how they can change unexpectedly. Read it in full on huffingtonpost.ca
I really look forward to going on this journey together. My hope for this blog is that it can really be a two-way dialogue! As you can see, my life plans haven’t always worked out like I thought they would… which isn’t always a bad thing! So tell me: How important do you think it is to make a life plan? And if so, how do you embrace change when life doesn’t go as planned?
From spring fashion previews, to the launch of a new concept nightclub, and an outdoor winter wonderland, the NKPR team was incredibly busy with a variety of events this past week!
Last Thursday, our office was transformed into a chic showroom for a media sneak peek of the Jones New York Spring/Summer 2012 collections! Iconic looks displayed on mannequins reflected the modern yet classic aesthetic of the brand.
We fell in love with this colour-blocked dress on display! Media took home an iconic Jones New York white shirt –a work staple, and were encouraged to interact with the “Little Black Book of Career Advice”, a digital community of women that share career advice and inspiration. Guests enjoyed an assortment of sweets and champagne at the preview. Cheers to fashion!
Photo by Sarjoun Faour
Thursday night, our staff quickly switched gears (and outfits) for the launch of Cube, a new concept nightclub in Toronto! The latest from INK Entertainment – Cube is located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district. With an iconic, vintage décor and state-of-the-art-sound system, Cube is set to transform Toronto’s current club scene! Guests at Cube’s launch were gifted with stylish Goody Double Wear elastics (also sported by the serving staff) and Ardell Self-Adhesive lashes. Cube is set to play host to international talent with Dubfire ringing in the second night… We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Photo by Trent Hughes
Flash forward to the weekend and our team put on our parkas for a chilly day atBloor-Yorkville’s 7th Annual Icefest! This year’s theme “Winter Wilderness” boasted a variety of stunning ice sculptures including an ice log cabin, Muskoka chair and jack rabbit! On Saturday, the 12th annual Sassafraz Ice Carving Competition showed off the city’s ice carving talent with Fred Marquina taking the prize for his snowboarding sculpture.
Kids of all ages were excited to see one of their favouriteGogo’s Crazy Bones characters “Mosh” at Icefest! Ice Kiddie Cubes were distributed to all children who cracked them open for a Gogo’s prize inside.
The makers of our favourite macaroons, Baker Street, also made an appearance at Icefest selling their tasty treats to some very eager customers. After a warm winter in Toronto, we had an amazing albeit chilly day at Bloor-Yorkville’s Icefest!
What a crazy week! What was your busiest week ever? Tweet us @natashankpr
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IT Events: Jones New York Preview, Cube Launch & Icefest
From spring fashion previews, to the launch of a new concept nightclub, and an outdoor winter wonderland, the NKPR team was incredibly busy with a variety of events this past week!
Last Thursday, our office was transformed into a chic showroom for a media sneak peek of the Jones New York Spring/Summer 2012 collections! Iconic looks displayed on mannequins reflected the modern yet classic aesthetic of the brand.
We fell in love with this colour-blocked dress on display! Media took home an iconic Jones New York white shirt –a work staple, and were encouraged to interact with the “Little Black Book of Career Advice”, a digital community of women that share career advice and inspiration. Guests enjoyed an assortment of sweets and champagne at the preview. Cheers to fashion!
Photo by Sarjoun Faour
Thursday night, our staff quickly switched gears (and outfits) for the launch of Cube, a new concept nightclub in Toronto! The latest from INK Entertainment – Cube is located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district. With an iconic, vintage décor and state-of-the-art-sound system, Cube is set to transform Toronto’s current club scene! Guests at Cube’s launch were gifted with stylish Goody Double Wear elastics (also sported by the serving staff) and Ardell Self-Adhesive lashes. Cube is set to play host to international talent with Dubfire ringing in the second night… We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Photo by Trent Hughes
Flash forward to the weekend and our team put on our parkas for a chilly day atBloor-Yorkville’s 7th Annual Icefest! This year’s theme “Winter Wilderness” boasted a variety of stunning ice sculptures including an ice log cabin, Muskoka chair and jack rabbit! On Saturday, the 12th annual Sassafraz Ice Carving Competition showed off the city’s ice carving talent with Fred Marquina taking the prize for his snowboarding sculpture.
Kids of all ages were excited to see one of their favouriteGogo’s Crazy Bones characters “Mosh” at Icefest! Ice Kiddie Cubes were distributed to all children who cracked them open for a Gogo’s prize inside.
The makers of our favourite macaroons, Baker Street, also made an appearance at Icefest selling their tasty treats to some very eager customers. After a warm winter in Toronto, we had an amazing albeit chilly day at Bloor-Yorkville’s Icefest!
What a crazy week! What was your busiest week ever? Tweet us @natashankpr
INK Entertainment launches new concept nightclub Cube in the centre of Toronto’s entertainment district! With a state-of-the-art sound system and cool retro-infused décor, we have no doubt that Cube will reinvigorate Toronto’s “square” club scene! [The Grid]
Yum! Jennifer Valentyne visits the Baker Street bakery on Breakfast Television… Looks like we share a love of Baker Street’s delicious Red Velvet! [Breakfast Television]
Starting to train for a summer run? Be sure to check out this list of top gym essentials! Our must-have item? Goody Slide Proof Elastics to keep hair in place! [Sweetspot]
Brighten your skin tone with Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution! Clinically proven to rapidly reduce the look of dark spots, this amazing product is one of our new favourite beauty fixes! [Fashion Magazine]
We loved checking out all the upcoming beauty and fashion trends at New York Fashion Week! Essie nails dominated the shows featuring fresh, polished looks for fall! [Broken Heel Diaries]
Bold prints and vintage looks are on-trend this season at M for Mendocino! The Toronto-based retailer just opened their first location in the GTA and we love how they recreate styles from the runway for less! [Richmond Hill Post]
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Over the course of the evening we listened to women who wrestle with that very modern conflict of work versus family. Their days were ruled by guilt – guilt when they were home that they weren’t working and guilt when they were working that they weren’t with their family. Many made the brave decision to “quit the cubicle” and have worked hard to find a way to still have a career but without the same family sacrifices.
