Natasha Koifman | NKPR

The IT List: Feb 27

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Kristin

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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NKPR’s Top 10 Favourite Films

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Kristin

Looking forward to the Oscars? So are we! In the spirit of Hollywood’s biggest night, NKPR is counting down our staff’s Top 10 favourite films of all-time!

10) Pretty Woman

Let’s be honest, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts were a match made in early 90s romantic comedy heaven. (Remember Runaway Bride?) And besides who doesn’t enjoy a good rags to riches and romance story?

9) Coming to America

Eddie Murphy stars as an African prince who comes to the United States in hopes of finding a woman he can marry in this hilarious comedy. Murphy and Arsenio Hall (at the height of his career) both play multiple characters without resorting to a fat suit for laughs.

8 ) Elizabethtown

Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst star in this unexpected romance directed by Cameron Crowe. Need we say more?

7) Anchorman

Will Ferrell is hilarious as news anchor Ron Burgundy! We could watch it every day and would laugh every time!

6) Once Upon A Time in America

Got to represent the men in the office! Though some might be put off by its length (229 min of graphic violence), Once Upon a Time in America is also a cinematic masterpiece. The acting, the re-creation of the time period, the cinematography, and the music are all outstanding!

5) Roman Holiday

A classic! One of Audrey Hepburn’s first starring roles as a sheltered princess falling in love in Rome!

4) Gladiator

The perfect movie for a history and movie buff! We love its stirring action and a tough but honourable Russell Crowe!

3) The Departed

Martini Scorsese’s first Oscar win for Best Director! (He’s nominated again this year for Hugo) We love the twists and turns that always keep us guessing. Not to mention Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg all in one film!

2) Clueless

Funny, smart, witty and Paul Rudd at his peak! Besides, what girl wasn’t envious of Cher’s electronic closet?!

1) Love Actually

The only film to truly master the intertwining story format! Love Actually is everything you want from a film, heartwarming, heartbreaking with an incredibly satisfying conclusion! A must-watch during the holidays!

What’s your favourite film of all-time? Tweet us @natashankpr!

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The IT List: Jan 27

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Kristin

Looking for some warm comfort on a cold, snowy day? The new Noble Glass Travel Thermos from DAVIDsTEA features a bamboo lid, tea leaf strainer and double paned glass to keep your favourite tea toasty hot! [Toronto Star]

The hottest makeup trend this spring is a colourful smokey eye! Stila’s Global Director of Artistry, Sarah Lucero shares her expert tips to create this sexy look with a Stila Smudge Crayon in Midnight Blue! [Elle Quebec]

Have you been using the wrong hairbrush for your hair type? Goody offers an amazing selection of brushes so you can achieve the look you want with the proper tool! Don’t forget to follow these tips from Toronto hair stylist Paul Pereira of Solo Bace! [The Kit]

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The IT List: Jan 20

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Kristin

January is always an incredibly busy time in the NKPR office! In order to look our best, we rely on quick beauty fixes that help us look alert, awake and put-together! Here are some of our favourites:

Need to brighten up tired eyes? Stila Jewel Eye Shadows are the perfect blend of shimmer and sparkle to keep your lids shining all day long! [Chatelaine]

Winter weather doing a drying number on your skin? Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a lightweight, readily absorbed elixir that helps hydrate and repair your skin from daily aggressors like the cold! The best part – this amazing product works overnight so you can wake up with beautiful, refreshed skin! [Paperplanes.ca]

Our new favourite quick beauty fix: Goody Double Wear elastics! They look like bracelets but are fully functional as hair elastics! The handy elastic band on your wrist just became a lot more stylish! [Chantel Simmons]

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Tech Talk: Creating a blog for your brand

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Kristin

Wake up!

It’s 2012 and blogging is no longer a mystery medium, but rather an amazing tool for personal and corporate use! Blogs have become a placeholder for news, videos, photos and contesting. Blogging for your brand can allow you to monitor conversations and further promote your products and services successfully.

Generating site traffic

It’s now common to use agencies with digital media services to grow blog audiences by building creative campaigns with long-term management plans. As a result of your blog’s popularity, clicks will drive traffic back to your product page. You can further promote growth by sharing across social networks.

Why it’s beneficial for brands?

A well-managed blog provides a rich user experience when compared to brand corporate sites. The key for building a fan base is providing a well-supported and maintained blog with unique, relevant content. Take We-Vibe for instance, their blog is a great outlet to promote the We-Vibe 3 by sharing content such as their weekly “We-Vibe Position of the Week” post or articles on sexual wellness. This content can then be leveraged by sharing on Twitter and Facebook which drives more traffic to the corporate site. Over time the brand will increase in social media presence, so it’s crucial to use a professional service for ongoing customer retention during, before and after a campaign.

Types of blogs

WordPress
Wordpress is one of the most popular blogging platforms. This free open source platform offers self-hosting and plugins making it a scalable solution. You can also create a free account on wordpress.com.

Blogger
Google’s Blogger is another platform that lets you publish content from Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Windows Live Writer with drag and drop actions. It integrates with your Gmail tools such as the new Google+.

Tumblr
Tumblr is a blogging platform that keeps simplicity in mind. Tumblr gives you the power to share almost anything you want, post text, photos, quotes, links, music and video. You can share media from your phone, desktop and email. NKPR’s Tumblr page provides live shots of events.

SquareSpace
SquareSpace offers custom domain names at a monthly rate. You can build, customize and manage your blog with their built-in controls. There is also an app for the iPhone & iPad for their platform.

Ultimately there are many online platforms to publish your brand’s blog, but keep in mind, the most important factor is how great the content is. Harness the power of sharing information by getting a blog for your brand.

– André Morgan

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New Year, New Colour

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Kristin

Happy New Year!

One of my favourite parts about starting a new year is checking out the emerging trends in fashion and beauty! In December, colour company Pantone named Tangerine Tango, a vibrant reddish orange as their 2012 Colour of the Year. We love this on-trend shade and have started to see the vivacious hue everywhere! Pantone calls the colour “sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive,” and we agree!

Want to add some Tangerine Tango to your life?

RW&CO. Dolman Sleeve Shirt
Stop traffic in this bright, boho chic blouse! Available at RW&CO. stores nationally.

House of Marley Positive Vibrations headphones
Make a statement with House of Marley headphones, offering superior sound and vibrant style! Available at Future Shop and Futureshop.ca

essie polish in Tangerine
They say nails are your best accessory, so treat them to this stylish shade! Available at select salons.

Stila’s Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain
Brighten up your cheeks and pout with this warm hue! Available at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.

Aperol Spritz
This Italian aperitif is gaining popularity in Canada. Perhaps due to its tangerine colouring? Available at LCBO and select liquor stores nationally.

Do you love Tangerine Tango as much as we do? Tell us in the comments, or tweet us @natashankpr!

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The IT List: December 22

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Kristin

Feeling the holiday crunch? This week is all about last minute gift guides and these amazing items are on the top of our list!

With limited edition palettes on shelves, beauty experts everywhere agree the holiday season is the best time to buy! The latest and greatest – Stila’s Dream in Full Colour Palette features 29 eye shadows, seven cheek colours and a waterproof eyeliner. [ Globe and Mail ]

We love the look of Kiehl’s limited edition Jeff Koons Crème de Corps holiday collection. The best part, Kiehl’s will donate $200,000 of the profits to The Koons Family Institute on International Law and Policy, an initative of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Now how’s that for a gift that keeps on giving? [ Front Row Mag ]

Front page worthy gift ideas? House of Marley’s Positive Vibrations Headphones are a bright and vibrant way to enjoy music! [ 24 Hours ] Also in this issue, be sure to pick up a travel pillow for any long flights this holiday season. We love this memory foam option from Obusforme!