Celebrating Women

I had a wonderful weekend of Celebrating Women, Celebrating Successes and Celebrating Hope. On Saturday, I was able to attend the National Women's Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Marliese and I used to go to this event every year when we were a bit younger, but it had been a few years since we'd been.

So we rounded the troupes: Marliese and I, my sis, mom, and two aunts and headed downtown for a day filled of laughs, samples and bonding. It's dubbed the Ultimate Girls' Day out, and boy, it certainly was.

When we got to MTCC at 9:45 a.m., there were probably 1,00,000,000 women in line. It was definitely EstrogenFest 2010. And inside, it was just as crazy - lines galore - and everyone looking for the greatest deal or the best freebie in the joint.

Of course, we stocked up on some obligatory jewellery from some of the vendors, and had a few yogurt and chip samples along the way. What's still amazing to me, is how so many women want to change themselves. Between the botox treatment, the lipo offers, the face creams, the diet pills, the anti-aging supplements, the hair straighteners, it's a wonder you can still sift through and find the bootcamps and the natural healing and the health food stores. Luckily, there does seem to be a push towards the organic/holistic products, and there was a lot of that at the show. I also came across two bootcamps that I'm most interested in trying: FitChicks and BootyCampFitness. Both offer classes nearby. Perhaps a New Year's Resolution???

Saturday night, I was fortunate to head to the Leafs Game. It was also the evening that celebrates the newest inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This year, and for the first time ever, two women were inducted: Angela James and Cammie Granato. Women have been playing hockey for years, and it's about time they were recognized to the same degree as their male counterparts. The Leafs lost in a heartbreaker against the Buffalo Sabres, ah well.

Canadian Flag floats through the crowd at the ACC

Sunday was another fabulous day for me. I was honoured to be involved in the 22nd annual Celebration of Hope Luncheon in partnership with the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. More than 1,000 people attended the affair, which was hosted by CHFI's Erin Davis and MSH's own Allan Bell. This year, all the proceeds from the event went directly to the Markham Stouffville Hospital's Breast Health Centre and the new Cancer Centre.

I was also honoured, this year, to wear a dress by Canadian designer, Franco Mirabelli. It was a simple black dress, with some cutouts in the back. I was pleasantly surprised that his clothes actually fit my frame! He and his wife are two of the nicest people and I can't wait to wear some of his designs again.

Julia