My dad, Frank Baccari, posing with Jasper the Bear in September 1983. You can’t tell but he has a pretty sweet ‘stache here.

The day after my father passed away, I came across a photograph of him in 1983, then strapping and 21, posing beside Jasper the Bear—a wallet-sized snapshot of a pit stop during his six-week trip cycling home to Toronto after three months of military training in Esquimalt, B.C.

My dad vividly shared the tales of his western trek with my two brothers and me when we were growing up. But none were as urgent as the last time, just weeks earlier, when I pressed him for specific details as his body was quickly shutting down from a three-year battle with multiple myeloma.

That photo was the first thing I packed for my maiden voyage west in March with Rachele, my best friend since high school. Jasper was the final stop in our west coast adventure, for me a necessary pilgrimage to retrace the cross-country narrative I had mythologized as my father’s youth. More specifically, I came here searching for the statue of a cartoon bear.

Click here to read on about Ava’s journey to see Jasper the Bear…

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TORONTO: DOLL FACE
Status: Opened this week
What: Doll-sized versions of Viktor & Rolf’s couture designs will be on display at the Royal Ontario Museum as part of the Luminato festival, opening this weekend.
When: Now until July 1; during regular museum hours.
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum’s Thorsell Spirit House, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: These Victorian porcelain dolls have been stylized in the lifelike designs of the Dutch duo’s runway creations – including hair and makeup.

MONTREAL: PICTURE OF GRACE
Status: Opened this week
What: Trace Grace Kelly’s graceful ascent through Hollywood, fashion and royalty (and her iconic role in each) in the just-opened From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly -  Beyond the Icon exhibit.
When: Now until October 6.
Where: McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal Montreal.
Buzzworthy notes: Based on an exhibition by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, this latest curated collection features clothing, love letters, film clips and accessories from her storied life.

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Canadian fashion personalities have a way of making us look forward to summer – something about the way they make everything brighter, more colourful, and inspire us to do the same. So naturally we wanted to know their summer style secrets. We polled a few of our favourite Canadian fashion personalities -writers, designers, and the overall awesome and stylishly creative – for their top summer must-haves. Here’s what they told us:

Suzanne Timmins, senior vice president, fashion director, Hudson’s Bay Company

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Timmins.

“Every summer I head to the sea! I love the sun, salt and surf. I pack very lightly as I tend to move up and down the Atlantic coast. My summer essentials include the perfect silky slip dress from Horses Atelier (I bought two!), A Christopher Kane sweatshirt for those cool nights and my Huile Prodigieuse by NUXE Paris, an absolute favourite product of mine. You can use it on your hair, face and body, perfect for all day at the beach and an evening glow.”

Click to read more of the summer must-haves of Canadian fashion personalities!

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Dan Chameroy & Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster in Soulpepper’s production of The Barber of Seville. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

TORONTO: A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Status: Closing this week
What: A whimsical serenade of love, jealousy and LOL dueling-dance numbers tells the story of Soulpepper Theatre Company’s production of The Barber of Seville, re-imagined by Michael O’Brien and John Millard from Beaumarchais’s play and the opera by Rossini.
When: On stage Tuesday to Saturday 8PM, with a Saturday matinee performance at 2PM.
Where: Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery Historic District, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Dan Chameroy’s hapless, heartfelt Figaro plotting the union of the strapping Count Almaviva (Gregory Prest) to the elusive Rosina (Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster), while getting tangled in the aristocracy he so charmingly mocks, plus the soulful, ultra-camp power ballads that unravel this beloved tale; tickets $51-68, with $21 rush tickets subject to availability at the door.

TORONTO: ALL-DAY MUSIC FEST
Status: On stage this Saturday
What: Toronto indie artists’ label Arts & Crafts fêtes its 10-year anniversary with the inaugural Field Trip Music & Arts Festival at Fort York & Garrison Common.
When: Saturday June 8, gates open at noon.
Where: Fort York & Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Rd., Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Performances by Canadian indie favourites Broken Social Scene, Timber Timbre, Feist (and more), plus food trucks curated by the Toronto Underground Market, an Etsy marketplace with 10 local retailers and the Norman Wong x Arts & Crafts photography exhibit.

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MONTREAL: FAIR-TRADE FASHION
Status: This Saturday only
What: Spring clean your wardrobe and come home with 10 exciting pieces in their place at the Style Trade MTL Boutique event this weekend.
When: Starts Saturday May 11, 10AM to 3PM.
Where: 5524 Rue Saint-Patrick, suite 325, Door A, Montreal
Buzzworthy notes: Swap your much-loved but rarely worn pieces for must-have essentials this season, plus get advice from a fashion expert; tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

TORONTO: URBAN GARDEN
Status: Blooms this Saturday
What: The Toronto Flower Market sets up floral shop this Saturday with freshly plucked, locally sourced flowers and plants on display each month for the summer.
When: Starts Saturday May 11 (10AM to 3PM) and continues every second Saturday of the month until September.
Where: 99 Sudbury, 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Take home a bouquet of over 80 varieties of fresh-cut flowers and 120 types of potted plants (think tulips, violets and hydrangeas), straight from the over 200 greenhouses in Ontario.

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Photos courtesy of the Stillwater Spa.

As a beauty writer, I’m lucky enough to test out and write about the latest products and treatments like it’s my job (which, funny enough, it is). But one of the most rewarding parts of the gig is getting to share the heap of advice bestowed on me with occasionally inquiring friends and family (because friends don’t let friends go without lip liner). But what’s even better is the chance to share experiences with loved ones, mainly the shameless promoter of all my write-ups: my dear mom.

My mom and I were invited to test out the Bestie & Me treatment at the Stillwater Spa, as part of its Mother’s Day spa packages. Always the obliging source – ask her about the countless times she agreed to be interviewed by my classmates in journalism school, – my mom packed up her bags for a relaxing night together at the luxe Park Hyatt Toronto, followed by side-by-side pedicures the next morning.

Click here to read on about the luxe side-by-side pedicure treatments Stillwater Spa!

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Photo courtesy of The Spa @ Equinox Fitness Club.

TORONTO: SPA CALLING
Status: Opens this week
What: A relaxing sanctuary at the newly opened Equinox Fitness Club in Toronto, The Spa offers a luxe menu featuring 24-carat gold and caviar facials, seaweed wraps and microdermabrasion, with Rodial skin care products.
When: Opens Monday April 29.
Where: 199 Bay St., Commerce Court West, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Head from your body-toning Pilates class to a Sculpt Facial appointment without stepping outside: The Spa @ Equinox offers access to the fitness club on the day of your spa appointment, plus a range of luxe facial and body treatments to indulge in a well-rounded “me”-day.

TORONTO: REEL TIME
Status: Screens this week
What: The official launch party of Toronto recording artist Kirty’s music video, Run River Run.
When: Tuesday April 30; doors open at 9PM, screen to take place at 10PM.
Where: El Mocambo Tavern, 464 Spadina Ave, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Directed by Matthew DeFilippis and Elisia Mirabelli, whose most recent short film, Pretty Thing, will be screening at the Cannes Film Festival as part of Telefilm’s Not Short on Talent program, the underwater-shot music video is the Ryerson grads’ latest cinematic venture.

Click here to read on about more fashionable events taking place this week!

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Photo courtesy of Mini Mioche.

TORONTO: LAW & DISORDER
Status: Now playing
What: David Mamet’s razor-sharp wit and skewering commentary lives on stage with director Daniel Brook’s racially and sexually charged Canadian Stage production of Race.
When: On stage now until May 5.
Where: Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. East, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: Beloved Canuck Jason Priestley serves up his trademark suave as the fast-talking, BS-detecting lawyer forced to defend a man accused of rape – think To Kill A Mockingbird meets, well, Beverly Hills 90210.

TORONTO: STYLISH MINI-MES
Status: Now open
What: The Canadian-made, eco-friendly children’s shop Mini Mioche opens its Toronto flagship in the Distillery Historic District.
When: Open Sunday to Wednesday, 11AM to 6PM; Thursday to Saturday, 11AM to 7PM.
Where: 6 Case Goods Lane, Distillery Historic District, Toronto.
Buzzworthy notes: The 1,705-square foot flagship features the launch of the new em + west line, a small women’s capsule collection made from organic cotton.

Click here to read on for more buzzworthy events taking place this week!

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Photo courtesy of Jonathan+Olivia.

The This is West Queen West S.O.S. clothing drive is probably the best thing to happen to your once-beloved last season designer clothing that’s gently stowed away in your closet for, uh, safekeeping. From Monday April 22 to April 28, Jonathan+Olivia boutique is asking shoppers to bring in their gently used designer duds to benefit CAMH’s Suits Me Fine program, which provides clothing for patients to wear on job interviews. In return for donating your much-loved pieces, Jonathan+Olivia is offering 10 per cent shopping discounts to be used during the week of the drive.

We chatted with Jackie O’Brien, owner of Jonathan+Olivia, about the importance of hosting next week’s drive, and in leading by fashionable example, the fabulous piece she’s donating to the cause.

How did the idea of a shopping event in support of CAMH come about?

“The CAMH foundation initially approached us to donate clothing to the Suits Me Fine Boutique program, due to the brands and collections available at Jonathan+Olivia, and also because we were one of the pioneering stores in the neighbourhood. We sat down, threw some ideas around and came up with the idea of a clothing drive with a distinct type of clothing in mind. The idea then developed into inviting other West Queen West pioneers like Ruth (Fresh), Frank + Jeremy Laing and Richard (Parts and Labour) to host the event with us. With all of our friends and supporters combined, we could really make a difference.”

What’s considered appropriate attire to donate—for both ladies and gents?

“What we don’t want is jersey. We want attire that’s perhaps a little out of fashion or you just don’t wear it any more. We need clothing that will help the patients of CAMH, a great example is clothing for a job interview or a wedding.”

Read on to find out which fab piece Jackie will be donating!

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Photo courtesy of The Fairmont Banff Springs.

The vibe: For what is probably the most naturally regal spa in Canada – nestled alongside the Canadian Rockies with an up-close view you can’t beat – the staff and ultra-luxe spa facilities at Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Banff Springs are unbelievably welcoming. After indulging in our early morning spa treatments, my best friend Rachele and I saunaed, lunched and posed in front of the mountains in our comfy robes all day. You couldn’t get us out of there. When I asked my spa therapist, Kelly, during the Diamond Radiance Facial treatment about what one can do to never leave Banff, she cheerily replied: “You must have a passion to live here!” I found mine, putting in 9-to-5 days at this spa. (Totally counts.)

The treatment: To fête 125 years at The Fairmont Banff Springs, the Willow Stream Spa is lavishing us with the Diamond Radiance Facial. This limited-time facial is 90 minutes and begins with a skin consultation with your spa therapist. Kelly gently wiped a warmed, essential oil-infused towel over my face and gave me a the kind of scalp and shoulder massage that completely takes you away, while a tingling mask penetrates and cleanses skin. With flecks of light-reflecting diamond particles infused in the treatment, my skin was left scrubbed clean and well, shining bright like a diamond for weeks. Kelly then wrote up a skin prescription of B. Kamins skin products, available at the spa, to help keep my new 24-carat glow.

Read on to find out more about the ultra-luxe Diamond Radiance facial!

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