Blog
Last night the NKPR office migrated to the Rosewater, where the upstairs floor was abuzz with some impressive young women from almost every industry. The speaker for the night was our very own Natasha Koifman, who spoke to the importance of networking, sustaining relationships, and most of all, staying authentic. The room was filled with an incredible energy, clinking wine glasses, and a collective of women who were there to support each other (and we think that’s pretty amazing!).
Natasha’s advice for young women navigating their way through business networking? At first glance, it may appear that networking is yet another area that’s simply easier for those who are extroverted, that it comes more easily for the hyper-gregarious. But that’s not necessarily true. The key to networking lies in cultivating sincere relationships, creating personalized and intimate events, hand-in-hand with consistent practice and preparation, while still staying true to your own personality. Want to read more? Check out Natasha’s latest Huffington Post piece on just that, or follow last night’s conversation topics on @natashankpr #YoungWOI!
We’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about the new BASIS products, so it was only a matter of time until we had to try them out for ourselves. We quickly got the entire office on board with trying out Strataderm and Stratamark to get rid of any unwanted scars and stretch marks. (Did you know most people over the age of 12 have a scar, and 80% of all women will develop stretch marks in their life-time?!)
With summer around the corner, we’re pretty excited to get confident about our skin in a bathing suit, a caftan, or just about any kind of summer gear (hello, shorts)! We ensured all the willing participants (it didn’t take much convincing) had their own Strataderm, and tried to schedule reminders to apply it religiously. Check out the ‘before’ photos of our BASIS challenge, and stay tuned for the ‘after’ shots, coming soon!
Got your own scar story? Be sure to follow @strataderm and @natashankpr and tweet at #ScarTherapy to share them
At our office, we have a few vices, a lot of which revolve around sweet and savoury! With all the cupcakes, chocolates and delicious treats that show up at our office, it can be a little hard to keep up (but we’re not complaining!). So to offset our spontaneous indulgence, we’ve decided to poll the office on our favourite ways to get in shape that motivate us to keep coming back week after week (read: fun ways to trick your body into getting toned!).
Quad Spin
Nicole: “I’ve been spinning for three years. Quad’s laid-back vibe is inviting and their incredible teachers each bring something unique to every class, which makes it hard to pick a favourite. George Chaker’s classes are among my favourite, because he delivers a butt-kicking ride combined with booty shaking tunes that keep you pumped!”
Yoga Tree
Bunmi: “Nothing like yoga at Yoga Tree. I love their hot yoga classes and all their teachers are brilliant. Whatever my worry, it is left as a pool of sweat on the floor!”
Barreworks
Alice: “I had recently tried this studio out on a test drive for FILA (check it out here!), and loved the fast-pace, the music, and the small class size. Consider me addicted.”
Yoga Space on Ossington
Jess: “I love Hip Hop Yoga with Cassandra. Great yoga, great workout, great music!”
Casa Loma
Kristin: “I love to run through Casa Loma! They have a lot of stairs, which make for a great cardio workout.”
GoodLife
Lauren: “I am a GoodLife loyalist. My favourite classes are 7 A.M. Body Combat and Body Attack. I love my combat teacher, Claudia, who teaches at the Manulife Centre in Toronto. I’ve been going to her class religiously for two years. I credit her for my commitment to early morning workouts!”
What’s your favourite way to stay in shape? Tweet us @natashankpr!
Bringing your lunch to work every day is hard – and even harder when you’re surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the city! From lunch meetings to takeout, here are our favourite spots near the NKPR office!
Buonanotte Toronto
19 Mercer Street
This Entertainment District hotspot brought 20 years of great food, great drinks and a great vibe from their Montreal location to Toronto and we could not be more excited! Buonanotte offers authentic Italian comfort food and a weekly lunch table d’hôte. Open Monday – Friday from 11:30 AM – 3 PM, it is the perfect spot for a client meeting, a quick sit-down respite from the busy office or a laissez-faire lunch on a day off! To make reservations call 416-599-7246 or email toronto@buonanotte.com
NKPR Pick: Agnolotti del Plin con Burro e Salvia (Traditional Piedmontese pasta filled with beef, pork and rabbit with butter, sage and parmigiano)
Khao San Road
326 Adelaide Street West
There’s almost always a line outside of Khao San Road during weekday lunch, but trust us, it’s worth the wait! Not your average Thai restaurant, KSR (as we like to call it), boasts authentic flavours with signature dishes like Street Style Pad Thai and tender braised beef in their signature Khao Soi. Delicious food, friendly staff – did we mention delicious food?
NKPR Pick: Green Curry Chicken – Thai Spicy
Ravi Soups
322 Adelaide Street West
Anyone who says that a bowl of soup isn’t a full meal has clearly never frequented Ravi Soups. Created with a combination of culinary genius and fresh ingredients, Ravi will change the way you feel about a simple bowl of soup. And trust us, a large Beef Miso is enough for lunch AND dinner.
NKPR Pick: Roasted Free Range Chicken Wrap with Porcini Mushroom Soup
Zupa’s Restaurant & Deli
342 Adelaide Street West
NKPR’s local greasy spoon, Zupa’s is everything a good diner should be; simple with a delicious menu and easy on the wallet. Perfect for a freshly made meal on a dime!
NKPR Pick: Soup of the Day and the Grilled Cheese
Banh Mi Boys
392 Queen Street West
Asian fusion at its best! Banh Mi Boys combines Vietnamese flavours with North American-ized banh mi sandwiches and tacos. The line is long but the flavours are unreal. Take it from us – we haven’t met a banh mi we don’t love yet!
NKPR Pick: Grilled Chicken Banh Mi and Kimchi Fries
Le Gourmand
152 Spadina Ave
The best NKPR brainstorms come with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies from Le Gourmand… The French-inspired cafe offers the option to takeout, sit-down as well as a full grocery section with specialty treats!
NKPR Pick: Cobb Salad and Chocolate Chip Cookies
What’s your favourite lunch spot in the city? Tweet us @natashankpr!
What does it take to be Canadian Cool? For the past month, NKPR has been supporting Canadian designers and brands, while raising awareness and funds to support grassroots organizations in Africa who are turning the tide of the AIDS pandemic in their community. And with our Dare To Wear Love Canadian Cool challenge, we need your support to help raise these funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation!
The challenge ends March 7, but in the meantime, who do you think wore Canadian Cool best?
Lauren Michaels in a Mendocino LBD and Simply You accessories. Canadian Cool approved
Leah avoids the Canadian cold by keeping Canadian Cool in a Wilfred scarf and Aldo suede boots
Rebecca is NKPR-approved and Canadian Cool in an all-black outfit with from Artizia and RW&CO.
Alice looks super fresh and Canadian Cool in a blue button down from Joe Fresh
Kristin is Canadian Cool with an RW&CO. oversized sweater and a pop of oxblood from Aldo
Carly helped kick off the Canadian Cool challenge in outerwear staple Mackage
Micah works it – Canadian Cool that is – in a classic Smythe blazer
Lisa shows us the true meaning of head to toe Canadian Cool in Mackage, Wilfred and Joe Fresh
Who wore Canadian Cool best? Tweet us @natashankpr!
And join us at this years Dare To Wear Love Gala “Flower Power” to be held at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto on March 22, 2013 at 9PM. Purchase your Dare To Wear Love ticket today at www.daretowearlove.com and support The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Limited quantities are available so hurry before they are gone!
The fashion at the Oscars did not disappoint last night and the office was buzzing this morning… Here are some of our top picks for award-worthy looks from last night’s show!
Chris – Amy Adams
“Classic Old Hollywood glam and the perfect dress type to flaunt her flawless figure!”
Carly – Jennifer Aniston
“Go bold or go home! Valentino was the designer of the night, and Jennifer looks red hot in this number.”
Leah – Jennifer Aniston
“The colour and shape of the gown was FAB and when doesn’t she look amazing??”
Hayley – Naomi Watts
“She shimmered down the red carpet in a beautiful Armani Prive gown. The stylish and shimmery dress was perfect for the occasion and the fit showed off her incredible body! I also loved the interesting and modern should cut – so chic!”
Micah – George Clooney
“Because it’s George Clooney and normally I’m not a fan of facial hair but I will make an exception this one time, he looked like a total silver fox!”
Ania – Jennifer Garner
“The dress seemed simple at first glance but it had a dramatic ruffle all down the back, the colour was unique and it suited her perfectly.”
Destiny – Quenzhane Wallis
“Being the youngest person at the show, she walked the carpet in confidence and looked adorable in her blue gown. Not trying to be too grown up, pairing off the ensemble with a puppy purse was the icing on the cake.”
Lara – Zoe Saldana
Simply: “Her taste is always impeccable. Always.”
Jessica – Zoe Saldana
“Classy but not too safe.”
Lauren – Jennifer Lawrence
“Loved the simple draped necklace down her back. She didn’t overdo it, but she was gorgeous.”
Kristin – Jessica Chastain
“The colour was perfect for her skin tone and hair! One of the first to walk the carpet and she started the show off on the right note!”
What’s your Valentine’s Day guilty pleasure? Tweet us @natashankpr.
What’s your Valentine’s Day guilty pleasure? Tweet us @natashankpr.
With Chinese New Year this weekend, we couldn’t help but take inspiration from the Year of the Snake! Let’s celebrate the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac in style.
Skin is in. Slinky scales in supernatural power colours are winding their way into seductive wardrobes around the globe. Bring the look to your best accessory – your nails – with essie sleek stickers.
The colour of the 2013 Year of the Snake is Black. Black is described in the Zodiac as the colour of Space, Arctic night, darkness on the Abyss, a colour of deep waters and of course, the colour of the dark smoky eye you can create with Stila’s Stay All Day Wet-to-Set Eye Shadow Trio in Thunder Cloud.
For those who prefer a neutral palette, the Year of the Snake is best celebrated with a statement accessory. RW&CO.’s new shoe collection (coming soon!) has just what you need with a pair of gold-snake print flats.
But let’s be honest, we’re the type to embrace the Snake from head to toe. Helping us out is a matching SYLK blazer and short suit from Mendocino, a bright snake print summer dress from Rachel Rachel Roy and a snake-inspired cardigan from Jones New York!
How are you celebrating the Year of the Snake in style? Tweet us @natashankpr!
