#markham home salon

[martinnecas]

Quick Guide | Carolina Hurricanes: Meet The Team - Opening Night 2019-20

New season means a new quick guide to the roster 

2018-19 season

This took me a couple of days to put together so please appreciate it

Want to know how to pronounce a players name? 

Click this link!

*All gifs made by me* 

Forwards: 

☞ Sebastian Aho™️ #20

Yes there is another “Sebastian Aho” from Sweden but he’s usually in the AHL (Bridgeport/Islanders)

Born: July 26, 1997 (22 years old/Leo) from Rauma, Finland

6′0, Centre, 35th overall CAR 2015

Nicknames: Fishy, Seabass, Sepe, Sebu

He’s the face of this franchise and the only player on this team that the Canadian media knows about

Is being held against his will in Raleigh because he wants to play for Montreal if you don’t know the actual story MTL sent him an offer sheet that he signed because he wanted the money and knew Carolina could pay it, but you know how Habs twitter can be.

Possibly the messiest Hurricane 

Who’s my daddy?! 

Spirit animal is a lion, hear him roar

Avid coffee drinker

Baby face

Painted a picture of his cat one time

☞ Ryan Dzingel #18 

Born: March 9, 1992 (27 years old/Pisces) from Wheaton, Illinois

6′0, Centre, 204th overall OTT 2011

Nicknames: Zinger, Dizzy, Dzingel Bells, D-pingel

Played with the Ohio State Buckeyes for 3 seasons, recorded the first hat trick in Big Ten history against Xichigan

Traded to CBJ Feb ‘19, signed with CAR as a free agent summer ‘19 

Might need glasses, he squints like that ^ a lot 

Golfs... A L O T 

Wants to produce for the team so he can stay here in Raleigh and make it his home ♥︎

Jeep guy 

Looks uncomfortably similar to Tripp Tracy 

UNC fan 

☞ Warren Foegele #13

Born: April 1, 1996 (23 years old/Aries) from Markham, Ontario 

6′2, Left Wing, 67th overall CAR 2014

Nicknames: Foegs, Foegdaddy 

Best friends with Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton

Duke fan 

Accidentally broke Osh*e’s collarbone but TJ and C*p fans will claim he tried to murder him

Spirit animal is a tiger, also hear him roar

Very easily scared 

Duke fan

☞ Erik Haula #56

Born: March 23, 1991(28 years old/Aries) from Pori, Finland

6′0, Left Wing, 181st overall 2009 MIN

Nicknames: Hauls, Haulsy  

Moved to Minnesota in 2008 to play hockey in boarding school

Played for the University Of Minnesota Gophers for 3 seasons

Signed with MIN in 2013, was picked up by the VGK in 2017 as a free agent in the Expansion Draft, then traded to CAR summer of 2019 (for Nic Roy & draft pick)

Suffered a pretty bad knee injury in the 2018-19 season 

CAKE 

Got married this past summer ♥︎

Currently living in Calvin de Haan’s old house 

☞ Jordan Martinook (A) #48

Born: July 25, 1992 (27 years old/Leo) from Brandon, Manitoba

6′0, Left Wing, 58th overall 2012 PHX

Nicknames: Marty, Marty Man, Marty Party 

Signed with PHX/ARI in 2012, traded to CAR in 2018 (for Krüger)

Raw chaotic dad energy 

Doesn’t like corndogs and has a very high pitched scream

His wife gave birth to their first son last season before he got his downstairs fixed in the offseason

LETS GO SVECH

Spirit animal is a dolphin because he has a great impression 

There is so much more I want to put on here but you should really just follow his Twitter 

☞ Brock McGinn #23

Born: February 2, 1994 (25 years old/Aquarius) from Fergus, Ontario

6′0, Left Wing, 47th overall 2012 CAR

Nicknames: Ginner, Brock McWinn, McPing, the new Mr. Game Seven (that one is kind of a joke though), Big Cock Brock 

Single handedly defeated evil not only once but twice on April 24th, 2019, earning him the nicknames “Brock McWinn” and the new “Mr. Game Seven”

Has two brothers who also play professionally; Jamie (NHL) and Tye (AHL) McGinn

Co Owner of the Roanoke Rail Road Dawgs with his brothers and father

His daddy is Bob

Has a high probability of burning his whole house down 

Used to be a fighter, but he didn’t fight anyone last season 

Thor

Was 3rd in the league with most MsS Post (10) in the 2017-18 season earning him the nickname Brock McPing 

☞ Martin Nečas #88

Born: January 15, 1999 (20 years old/Capricorn) from Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Rebublic

6′2, 12th overall 2017 CAR, “He plays, like, Centre”

Nicknames: Neči, Marty, Nacho, Marto 

Your 2019-20 ****** ****** winner 

He’s here to fix out PP units, quote me on that

Little hockey stick chain ^ 

Is known for falling while scoring 

Is it avocado or avocaydo?

Hidden talent: Belly dancing 

Almost killed the entire team with a golf club last season  

Don’t mess with him

Just won the Calder Cup with the Checkers :) 

☞ Nino Niederreiter #21

Born: September 8, 1992 (27 years old/Virgo) from Chur, Switzerland

6′0, Right Wing, 5th overall 2010 NYI

Nicknames: El Nino

Was the highest drafted Swizz born player until Hischer in 2017 

Signed to the Islanders in 2010, traded to Minnesota in 2013, then traded to Carolina in January 2019 (for Rask)

Was about to take a nap when he was traded

Just when canes fans almost lost hope, Nino showed up and saved our season

When he came to Carolina, someone gave him sweet tea and he really liked it

Was voted best dressed by a couple teammates

Loves the surge

Supports women’s hockey

☞ Jordan Staal (C) #11

Born: September 10, 1988 (31 years ago/Virgo) from Thunder Bay, Ontario

6′4, Centre, 2nd overall 2006 PIT

Nicknames: Stallsy, Jordad, Gronk

Arrested at his brother’s bachelor party

Won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009 

Jordan is the youngest out of the other brothers (Eric, Marc) in the league (NHL) 3rd brother is the youngest and is now a coach 

Signed with PIT in 2006, traded to CAR in 2012 (for 8th overall pick, Brandon Sutter and Brian Dumoulin)

Named Captain in the 2017-18 season, became Alternative Captain in 2018-19, is now Captain again in 2019-20 

Great at dad jokes 

☞ Andrei Svechnikov #37

Born: March 26, 2000 (19 years old/Aries) from Barnaul, Russia

6′2, Right Wing, 2nd overall 2018 CAR

Nicknames: Svech, Mother Russia 

Svech is ready

“Just win every game” 

Wears #37 because that’s what his brother, Evgeny Svechnikov (DET), wears

Russia = Cold, Raleigh = Hot

Apparently his biggest talent outside of hockey is… magic? 

Best friends with Warren Foegele and Dougie Hamilton

Likes to shovel the ice during practice 

Me?

Terrible at golf..

.. I mean like really bad  

☞ Teuvo Teräväinen #86

Born: September 11, 1994 (25 years old/Virgo) from Helsinki, Finland

5′11, Left Wing, 18th overall 2012 CHI 

Nicknames: Turbo, Teukka

Shortest Hurricane 

Began with CHI in 2014, traded to CAR in 2016 (along with Bickell for 2nd round pick)

Won the cup with CHI in 2015 (Along with van Riemsdyk)

Has the worst sense of smell ever

I mean come on.. pumpkin? toothpaste? 

I could keep going with this I don't know what’s wrong with his nose

Most likely the messiest Hurricane 

Would dump Sebastian on the side of the road after 100km 

Gets scared REALLY easily

His sisters plays hockey over in Finland (and is pretty good at it too) 

☞ Lucas Wallmark #71

Born: September 5, 1995 (24 years old/Virgo) from Umea, Sweden

6′0, Centre, 97th overall 2014 CAR

Nicknames: Wally

My daddy!?

His spirit animal is… a horse? 

^ He enjoys watching horse racing

*Straight face* “Snacks!? Candy!?” 

Deal with it

Showed up to a U12 and U18 team practice to work on skills with kids 

Owns a pug named Lovis

Defense 

☞ Joel Edmundson #6

Born: June 28, 1993 (26 years old/Cancer) Brandon, Manitoba

6′4, 46th overall 2011 STL

Nicknames: Crop Top King, Eddy

Won the cup in 2019 with STL and partied in a crop top 

True Canadian, ate poutine out of the cup

Traded in September 2019 to CAR (along with Bokk for Faulk and draft pick)

Going to strengthen our PK I promise 

Finally, an enforcer 

Forgot to take his skate guards off during his CAR preseason debut in front of 18,000 people 

Is a barbie girl, living in a barbie world 

☞ Haydn Fleury #4

Born: July 8, 1996 (23 years old/Cancer) from Carlyle, Saskatchewan 

6′3, 7th overall 2014 CAR

Nicknames: Fleurs 

Beat his little brother Cale (MTL) during his NHL debut 

Best friends with Trevor van Riemsdyk

Has the cutest dog named Kobe

Won the Calder Cup along with Nečas :)

If you want to giggle watch this 

Has the worst witch cackle you will ever hear 

Apparently the best golfer on the team

Big Duke fan

☞ Jake Gardiner #51

Born: July 4, 1990 (29 years old/Cancer) from Minnetonka, Minnesota 

6′2, 17th overall 2008 ANA

Nicknames: Gards 

Played for the University of Wisconsin for 3 seasons 

Traded to TOR in 2011, signed as a free agent to CAR in summer 2019

Has the cutest baby 

Denied several offers from other teams mtl to play with us instead 

Hands down had the best Halloween costume two years ago

☞ Dougie Hamilton #19

Born: June 17, 1993 (26 years old/Gemini) from Toronto, Ontario

6′6, 9th overall 2011 BOS

Nicknames: D-Ham, Doug the Thug, well his real name is Douglas so I guess Dougie is technically a nickname

Tallest Hurricane 

Both of his parents are Olympians, brother also plays professional hockey 

Started with BOS in 2012, traded to CGY in 2015, then traded to CAR in 2018 (Last remaining player from the huge Hamilton, Ferland & Fox for Lindholm and Hanifin trade)

Best friends with Andrei Svechnikov and Warren Foegele 

Porche guy 

Grew out a mullet because his hair salon couldn’t take him as a walk in

Jack Edwards complained that he was wearing a number retired from the Whalers so he taped a 6 over the 1 in 19 to make 69

Goes to children's hospitals dressed as woman characters 

Lowkey shootout king

Floss

Another Duke fan

Wears the same blazer to every road game

☞ Brett Pesce #22

Born: November 15, 1994 (24 years old/Scorpio) from Tarrytown, New York

6′3, 66th overall 2013 CAR

Nicknames: Pesh 

“I play defense bro”

Played for the University of New Hampshire for 3 seasons (2 of those seasons with van Riemsdyk)

Pretty ^

Wears 22 for his dad 

He’ll break your ankles

Fortnite squad

Brought his wonderful brother on the mentors trip

Allergic to cats

☞ Jaccob Slavin (A) #74

Born: May 1, 1994 (25 years old/Taurus) from Denver, Colorado

6′3, 120th overall 2012 CAR

Nicknames: Slav-o

The second ‘c’ stands for captain

Faith and family

Played for Colorado College for two seasons 

Adopted a beautiful baby girl with his beautiful wife

Has an instagram for his two dogs

His daddy is “Robert” 

Not afraid of snakes at all 

☞ Trevor van Riemsdyk #57

Born: July 24, 1991 (28 years old/Leo) from Middletown, New Jersey

6′2, Undrafted 

Nicknames: TVR, Riems

Agreed to terms with CHI in 2014 

Won the cup with CHI in 2015 (along with Teräväinen)

Was picked up by the VGK in the 2017 expansion draft 

The next day traded to CAR (for 2nd round pick)

James van Riemsdyk (PHI) is his older brother 

Played with the University of New Hampshire for 3 seasons (2 of those seasons with Pesce) 

He’s too tired to be scared 

March Madness

Best friends with Haydn Fleury 

Pride representative for the team 

Goalies 

☞ Petr Mrázek #34

Born: February 14, 1992 (27 years old/Aquarius) from Ostrava, Czech Republic

6′1, 141st overall 2010 DET

Nicknames: Mrazzle Dazzle, St. Petr

Moved to Ottawa at age 17 

Signed with DET in 2014

Was HUGE for them during the 2015 playoff run

Traded to PHI in Feb ‘18, signed as a free agent with CAR in July ‘18

Stylish 

He had custom hats made for every player on the team

Always has Peter Griffin in his helmet design 

Signature move: Poke Check  

☞ James Reimer #47

Born: March 15, 1988 (31 years old/Pisces) from Morweena, Manitoba

6′2, 99th overall 2006 TOR

Nicknames: Optimus Reim, The Statue, Reims

Debuted with TOR in 2010, traded to SJS Feb ‘16

Signed with FLA as a free agent summer ‘16, traded to CAR summer ‘19 (for Darling and a 2020 6th round pick)

Has two kids 

Really good swimmer

You may recognize this famous goalie meme, that’s right, that's him

Optimus Reim helmet art

He looks so much like Weston from Love Island USA 

Honorable Mention

☞ Julien Gauthier #44

I’m including him because everyone expected him to make the team as he did phenomenal in the preseason (playing all 6 games) but due to cap space (and our horrid pp units), he was sent back down.

Born: October 15, 1997 (turning 22/Libra) from Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec

6′4, Right Wing, 21st overall 2016 CAR

Nicknames: Goat, Gauths, Jules

Big boy

Bilingual (French/English)

Cute accent

His uncle played 554 games in the NHL (Denis Gauthier) 

Both his father and grandfather were professional bodybuilders

That explains his muscles

The best thighs in the league (not up for debate) 

Also won the Calder Cup this past season with Haydn Fleury and Martin Nečas

Head Coach

☞ Rod Brind’Amour #17

Roderick Jean Brind’Amour

Born: August 9, 1970 (age 49 years/Leo) from Ottawa, Canada

6′1, Centre, 9th overall 1988 STL

Nicknames: Rod the Bod, RBA 

Played with Michigan State for one season

Started with STL in the playoffs of ‘88, traded to PHI in ‘91, traded to CAR in 2000

Captain of the 2006 CAR Stanley Cup winning team

Played 20 seasons, 1,484(GP) 452(G) 732(A) 1,184(P)

Became head coach for the 2018-19 season

First year as HC broke the team’s 9 year playoff drought and brought them all the way to the ECF

Is known for his extreme workouts

Still in better shape than 98% of the league

Could very well still lace up and play better than 80% of the league 

Lives rent free in W*lson’s and Reirden’s heads

Gives the best post-game speeches

President & General Manager

☞ Don Waddell

I really just wanted an excuse to put this gif in here 

Coached the 1998 DET Stanley Cup winning team 

Named Pres. & GM of CAR in May ‘18

Owner

☞ Tom Dundon 

Lives rent free is Habs fans minds

Estimated net worth is $1.1 billion?

Majority owner of TopGolf (55%)

Chairman of the Alliance of American Football

Purchased 52% of CAR in January 2018 for $420million

Likes to hang around team/fan events 

Stays in the same hotel as me lol

[fyhairspa]

Your Favourite Netflix Characters And Their Hair

Your Favourite Netflix Characters And Their Hair

It’s been a fun time the past few weeks analyzing the amazing hairstyles of celebrities on the red carpet. So for this week, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of Netflix’s hottest shows but to look at the main character’s hair. So get your glass of wine ready, and put the binge-watching on hold because we’re about to take a look at some really great hairstyles that can influence…

[manzieblog]

Back to purple hair! Washing hair in cold water during the winter is a whole new level of commitment... Remind me never to do this again in the winter 🤣🤣 It was also my first time going to a home salon and it was great! The process took 8 hours but I got to watch Love Hard on Netflix as well as like 20 episodes of New Girl. Also got to pet cats (even though I'm allergic). 🐱 Thank you so much @sarahfiorinihair for taking me in after my hairstylist left the country! ♥️ #purple #hairstyles #purplehair #pinkhair #pictureoftheday #photooftheday #fashion #ootd #hair #torontolife #blogger #pink #haircut #haircolor #haircolour #colour #haircare (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCWA3drCno/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tmbacorbett]

Book Tour & Giveaway: Written in the Stars by T. Birmingham

Written in the Stars

Fallen Eagles MC Series Book 2

by T. Birmingham

Genre: MC Romantic Suspense 

In the small town of Golden Trail, PA, the Fallen Eagles MC isn't just any group of veterans. They're patrons of the community, the protectors of veterans and townsfolk alike, and a motley group of world military-trained men and women. And their small town isn't afraid to call on the varied skills of this rough and ready crew to help out on a case or two.

Summer brought us blackmail.

Winter will bring us murder.

With a Philly-based serial murderer on the loose, and the most recent victim a member of their small town, the Fallen Eagles MC will deal with one of the hardest cases they've ever encountered.

Davis “Eagle” Landon has given a lot for his country—an eye, a leg, time with his kids. He’s retired now and as the owner of several small businesses and the founder and President of the Fallen Eagles MC, this former Texan has his roots firmly planted. He’s ready to settle down again, and only one woman will do.

Winter is different. A bit of a loner. Quiet. Sarcastic. She’s also the owner of the one and only full-service salon in Golden Trail and has an amazingly supportive family and a close-knit group of friends who love her for the odd woman she’s molded herself into. She still feels like there’s something missing, though. As the youngest Markham, she’s seen the many struggles her older sisters have endured, and as much as the prospect scares her, she wants a love that is all her own. The problem? Nosy sisters, a murderer killing women who fit her description, and the guy she loves is a good twelve years older and way out of her league.

Eagle and Winter have a tough road ahead, but what these two are about to realize is that not even death can separate two souls who are f**cking written in the stars.

*Full-length novel

Trigger Warning: This book contains scenes of violence/sexual violence/gore that may be difficult for some readers.

Goodreads * Amazon

A Terrible Beauty

Fallen Eagles MC Series Book 1

In the small town of Golden Trail, PA, the Fallen Eagles MC isn't just any group of veterans. They're patrons of the community, the protectors of veterans and townsfolk alike, and a motley group of world military-trained men and women. And their small town isn't afraid to call on the varied skills of this rough and ready crew to help out on a case or two.

Ten years ago, Kit Markham left her high school sweetheart, Lee Devereaux, behind to serve her country. The woman who returns is just a shadow of her former self. She might be the kickass Second of the Fallen Eagles MC, but she's also damaged—and it's an unbearable struggle at times, just to make it through the day. The only things that help are her veteran MC, the Fallen Eagles, her family, and long, quiet rides on the back of Lee's bike.

Lee has his own share of war wounds, but none worse than the burden he’s taken on to see that the Kit he once knew finds herself again.

It’s been over two years since she returned home, and Lee still can’t find the girl he once loved in the woman who’s become so lost. He’s had it with being kept in the dark. He’s demanding answers—but he’s not the only one who’s interested in Kit’s past.

When local soldiers, veterans, and their families start getting threats from a team of blackmailers, Kit’s shocking history is revealed. A twist that has Lee reeling and wondering if what they once had is even salvageable.

*Novella Length: 31,000 words

Trigger Warning: This book contains situations of sexual abuse/assault/war violence that may be difficult for some readers.

Goodreads * Amazon

T. Birmingham believes words are our greatest form of magic. And making magic is what she loves best. But when it's time to put the words aside, T. enjoys drinking whiskey with her tribe, eating pretzels with Nutella, watching and reading as many stories as she can, especially romances, and traveling wherever the wind takes her-sometimes all at once. She also loves a sturdy (but cute) pair of cowgirl boots, is hoping to one day build a log cabin with her Man Bear, and she writes mystery and suspense in the Paranormal, Contemporary, and MC Romance genres.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

GUEST POST:

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors? (not in any particular order)

I have so many favorites but when I think back to those I’ve read time and again, the ones I never get tired of, these are it. The thing about great literature is that a book may not be for everyone, but it offers new lessons to the person it touches. Each time, that reader gains something new. They grow. They experience. They become a better version of themselves.

1. Soaring by Kristen Ashley

2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

4. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

6. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

7. Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts

8. Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

9. Persuasion by Jane Austen

10. The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands

My name is T. I started writing when in my single digits, and while this turned to poetry and songwriting in high school, in college I went back to my roots, and even added some bits. Since then, I’ve melded my love of poetry, of music, of fantasy and romance, of storytelling and relationships, of life and love and the pursuit of both, and I’ve created newer tales. I feel that my Fallen Eagles Series is the culmination of my journey so far, and although it’s only a couple books in, I’m excited to share these stories with you.

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

source https://www.tmbacorbett.com/2019/06/book-tour-giveaway-written-in-stars-by.html

[maidenariana]

Ari Beats the Gatekeepers Part 1 or.. Ari Knew She Was Right So She Went Around Those In Her Way

Unfortunately, due to the lack of clear guidelines and training in all levels of government regarding policy on transgender name and gender changes.. transgender people need to be prepared, they need to know more than 'the supervisor,' they need to be polite, but confident and assertive, and maybe someday, the gate-keeping will stop for all of us. Well, we can dream!

Today was a difficult day filled with aggravation and disappointment.. however, today was also a wonderful day topped off with a victory over red tape and a would be gatekeeper.

If you have been following my story long enough, you may remember I legally changed my name and updated my driver's license and social security card information in May of 2016. Well, I was also in the midst of my divorce during that time. I wanted to apply for a passport since I never had one before. I filled out the paperwork over the summer and set it aside. I wanted to be able to apply with the divorce date filled in so the records were accurate. I decided, "no rush, I can wait until my divorce is final." I did not anticipate it taking 11 months for my divorce to be final. It was not contentious.. my ex and I handled ourselves in the best manner possible in my opinion. Still, due to all of the built-in delays (30 days to respond here, 30 days to respond there) and some rather inept lawyer-ing from her representation.. it took 11 months! 

Guess when it was finally final? The irony.. it was Inauguration Day! That's right, I waited to send out my passport application due to that one little box not being able to show that I was legally divorced and in doing so, I am one of the transgender people now holding my breath to see if I sent it in time. In time for what, you ask? In time to be treated like a human being rather than be treated like a criminal by the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is now the white house.

Anyhow, one of my loved ones had to be admitted to the hospital on the 19th, just one day before my divorce was final.. this threw a new wrinkle in things as I took the needed time to care for my loved one. She had to be top priority. My passport application waited another two weeks for me. (My loved one is due to be released tomorrow - yay!!!)

Finally, yesterday I went into my local post office which is also an acceptance facility for passport applications. I asked the woman working the passport desk to take a new photo for me because the Walgreens employee made me look like a grandma in my first attempt at getting an acceptable picture. This woman had kind eyes and she was also very knowledgeable and patient. She went through all of the paperwork I brought... my physician's statement, my legal name change court order, my photocopy of my id.. then she paused.. 

"Is this the only birth certificate you have?" she asked. I said, "Yes, Why??" (as my heart began to sink)

"I'm sorry, but you need the long form and this is the short form. They will reject it immediately if your parent's names are not on the copy."

My heart sank as she told me I could get a copy the same day if I went to one of the Cook County Vital Records locations. I thanked her and decided I would just take the next day off (Friday) and take care of it. I double-checked the website when I got home and confirmed that the nice woman at the post office was correct. She had not given me bad information. I just missed that detail in my research. 

I started Friday morning at the dentist getting my newly prepared crown put in place of the temporary crown I got 3 weeks ago. Once that was complete, I was off to the Vital Statistics room of the Bridgeview Illinois Court House. Of course this involves going through a TSA like security (only not as invasive). They had the lines split for men and women. I of course went through the women's line. They were nice enough and there were no issues. I found the right room, took a number and waited. I got called up to a station and told the woman that I needed a long form birth certificate. I showed her the short form one that I had (with my original birth name), my court order for my name change, and my current license. She started punching things into the computer then went to get a supervisor. Of course, I could already tell this was not going smoothly, but I hoped the supervisor knew the drill and knew that everything I brought was more than sufficient to prove who I was. NOPE! She told me that there was no way they could issue me MY birth certificate since my driver's license now stated a different name. She said that I could be anybody. I had given her a stamped and sealed COURT ORDER for the name change and she told me she could not help me. 

I was so dumbfounded by the inept logic that I did not have the words to argue as she handed me a form to fill out and ship to Springfield Illinois so that I could have my birth certificate updated (a process that takes 4 to 6 weeks) BEFORE they could help me. Of course, as you can tell from the title of this post, I knew this supervisor was wrong. I decided then and there that I would visit each of the 5 other Cook County locations that day until I found a supervisor that knew the actual guidelines. Of course, because of the extended conversation about my gender and my name change with many people behind me waiting for their turn.. I had about 12 pairs of eyes looking quizzically at me when I turned around to leave. That's okay though, because I smiled at them all, knowing I was right and that this was not a true road block. I imagine I had a rather determined look on my face..

It turns out, I only had to visit one more location! That's right, after another twenty minutes of driving, the helpful people at the nearby Markham, IL location sorted me out in a matter of minutes (well, after I waited in line for about 25 minutes). The clerk did ask for a supervisor, but she returned just to tell me that I should make sure to also send the right form to Springfield, IL so that my birth certificate would match my ID in the future. I promised her that I would. I paid for two copies of my birth certificate and thanked the woman.

I glided out of there, feeling like I had just won a major victory. I knew I had enough time to get to the post office and still get my passport application out that very same day. I drove straight there (an hour drive back by that point). It was the same woman who had to turn me away the day before. I said cheerfully, "Hello again! I have the correct long form birth certificate, although I had to go to two different locations to get it!" I explained what had happened to her and she basically shook her head and lamented that it was sad I had to go through all that. She carefully went through all of my documents and told me that everything looked good and that I was all set. I paid for expedited processing and my passport application is now on an airplane.

I went home, filled out the form I was given to change my birth certificate and went back to the post office to get that sent out along with another physician's letter and legal name change court order. This should not impact my passport application, because with expedited processing it should be finished by the time they get to my birth certificate change in Springfield (a slower process by all accounts). If my passport gets rejected because the birth certificate I sent has my old name and the system gets updated and shows my birth certificate has changed.. then resubmitting will be fine and less complicated because my birth certificate will show the correct gender and they will have no reason to question it or to deny it. What a tangled web.

By this point it was late in the afternoon and I was elated to have all of that done, but I also had several stress knots in my neck. I looked across the street and saw one of the salons that I frequent. I decided to get a blow out (they also give you complimentary neck and shoulder massages). The girl doing my hair did a great job and had some suggestions for a cut as well. I plan to go back on Wednesday for a cut, but went with just the blowout for today.

The point of writing all of this out is that I hope it is helpful for anyone else dealing with this. Even if you have only one county court house you can visit, perhaps going on a different day and getting a different clerk will get you different results. It is unfortunately a toss of the dice every time we as transgender people have to deal with changes to identification documents. Be in the know, do your research, know more than the supervisors, be prepared to politely but assertively stand up for what you know to be the correct process. You could also even suggest that they call another location to ask how they handle it if they are unsure. 

I titled this post with "part 1," because I am fully aware, that there is a strong chance that either my passport application or birth certificate update request will be denied. As long as one of them comes back as expected, then I know the next attempt should be the last to get this all finalized. Of course, Mr. Drumpf could sign an executive order on Monday that calls all of this into question and both of my requests could be halted. If that happens I will immediately contact the lawyer who represented me for my divorce (she is also a transgender woman) and together we will take on the U.S. Government if we have to. 

I will keep standing up for myself and keep going to any lengths to make sure I am not denied. You should do the same 😉

-Ari

My goal in sharing my transition is to represent transgender people in the positive light that we all deserve. Re-blogs are always okay if they are for this purpose, but if you are a fetish blog or fetish website then I want nothing to do with you and you do not have my permission to use my images.

[jenniferfaye34]

#Giveaway + Excerpt ~ Delicious Disasters by Isabella Louise Anderson... #books #RomanticComedy #ContemporaryRomance #readers

This is my stop during the blog tour for Delicious Disasters by Isabella Louise Anderson. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 7 till 20 October. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-delicious-disasters-by-isabella-louise-anderson

Delicious Disasters

By Isabella Louise Anderson

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Comedy

Age category: Adult

Release Date: 7 August, 2019

 Blurb:

When Tessa Markham’s bookstore gets bought out, she is forced to face an uncertain future. After her best friend challenges her to start baking, she accepts—even if the last time she baked wasn’t what she would call a delicious success.

 After a small kitchen fire, Tessa’s life begins to change. She finds encouragement from a sexy fireman, agrees to a questionable ruse to help another business owner with a complicated situation, and needs to be there for her best friend now more than ever.

 Can a delicious disaster lead to a new future and a successful baking career?

 You can buy Delicious Disasters here:

Kindle | Books2Read

EXCERPT: “I cannot believe I picked chocolate mix,” said C.C., sounding astonished as they entered Tessa’s home, each of them carrying a handful of grocery bags. Tessa laughed, setting the bags on her kitchen counter. “Believe me, you’ll be surprised at all the changes your taste buds will have when you start baking.” “Really?” C.C. scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” “Trust me—even wine tastes better,” Tessa replied, chuckling. She turned away from C.C., adding, “Maybe it’ll calm down your need for some action,” and very slowly, Tessa caught C.C. try to hide a smile. “Maybe it will,” C.C. admitted as boisterous laughter echoed from each of them. Shaking her head, C.C. looked at Tessa. “What have I created? I mean, I never really thought you’d go through with it when I suggested that you start baking, but now, it’s like you’ve made something of yourself, and I’m extremely proud of you.” “Thanks, Chelly! I’ve learned a lot, mainly about myself in the meantime, but it’s been quite a journey,” Tessa replied as she reached for the oven knob to preheat the oven. “Now, it’s time to get to work, and as always, let’s try not to set off the fire alarm.” This caused them to burst with more laughter before they each downed a bottle of water, then they dove into baking mode, with C.C. following Tessa’s instructions. After having each made a cake, which were in the oven, Tessa and C.C. sat down outside on Tessa’s backyard patio swing. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what really is your relationship with Javier?” Tessa asked, diving right into it. “Because from the way you talked about him, it seemed like much more than a political candidate.” From out of the corner of her eye, she saw C.C. grin. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry—I’ve watched Scandal, so I don’t want to create drama if there isn’t any . . . but—” “We’re in love, Tessa,” C.C. whispered as she let out a breath like she’d been holding in a deep dark secret. They’re in love? Very slowly, like trying to coax a kitten, she stayed quiet, not wanting C.C. to hold anything back. As Tessa looked at C.C., she stared ahead of her. “It all started when he came into the salon, security was with him, of course. Well, come to find out, his regular hairdresser was on maternity leave, and he had an event that night. Just my luck, I was the only one between clients, so within minutes, I had a smock around him and was sprucing him up—not that he needed it by any means.” C.C. ran her hands through her hair, bashfully adding, “After I spun him around and took off his smock, he asked me to be his date and accompany him to an event that evening. Now, at first, I thought he was joking, but it wasn’t until one of his security guards handed me a phone number and instructed me to call it at seven o’clock that night with my address that I realized he was serious.” C.C. let out a small chuckle before she added, “I know, very American President, right?” Her comment about the mid-90s movie made Tessa let out a small giggle. “Anyway, since that night, he’s been sweeping me off my feet.” C.C. looked down at her unmanicured nails and began to pick at a cuticle. “There’s only one, I mean, two bad things about this whole thing.” “What are they?” Tessa asked after C.C.’s long pause. “Well, from that first night we caused quite a stir in the political world. I don’t think Javier thought about the repercussions, that having me as his date would cause such trouble for his campaign. This means that we can’t be seen together—not yet anyway. You see, he’s going through a high-profile divorce, and with the campaign, his closest adviser thinks it would do more harm than good and that being seen with a younger woman would look bad. Apparently, unless we’re engaged, it could cause a scandal or something.” She wiped the corner of her eyes and looked at Tessa. “Right now, the situation sucks, but when that day comes and we can finally be together—probably after the campaign—I’ll be shouting from the rooftops how much I love him.” A long moment passed, then Tessa quietly asked, “What’s the other thing?” “I’ve not been able to share any of this with my best friend,” C.C. replied as tears began falling from her eyes, and Tessa pulled her in for a tight hug.

About the Author:

Isabella Louise Anderson grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day, nothing has changed. Aside from writing, she focuses her time on featuring other authors and their books on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with sharing book reviews. Isabella Louise is also a member of the Romance Writers of America.

 She lives in Dallas with her husband and their two cats, enjoys spicy Indian and Mexican food, margaritas, and red, white, and rosé wines. She loves spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Texas Rangers. 

Isabella Louise Anderson is currently working on her next release. 

You can find and contact Isabella Louise Anderson here:

- Website: http://www.isabellalouiseanderson.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsabellaLouiseAnderson/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ILA121209

- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7382151.Isabella_Louise_Anderson

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Isabella-Louise-Anderson/e/B00IWCNQFO/

- Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isabella-louise-anderson

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ila121209/

- Newsletter: https://us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=688c3155e99d5480da090ae99&id=5c1031415c

 Social Media links Chick Lit Goddess:

- Website: https://chicklitgoddess.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicklitgoddess/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChickLitGoddess

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chick_lit_goddess/

  Giveaway

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Delicious Disasters. One winner will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[biofunmy]

Overlooked No More: Mihri Rassim, Feminist Artist in the Ottoman Empire

Overlooked is a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.

Mihri Rassim was one of the most intriguing Turkish artists of her day — but she was known more for her eccentric lifestyle than for her art.

She shunned her royal upbringing by running away from home to pursue an arts education, and to secure the freedoms that the Ottoman Empire didn’t provide to women in the early 1900s.

She was a pioneer, opening the first art college for women in Turkey, and encouraged artists for decades. And she was a cunning marketer who sometimes bent the truth about her artwork as a way to support herself when the going got rough.

“She was an avant-garde artist whose most avant-garde work was her own life,” said the art historian Ozlem Gulin Dagoglu, who is writing a monograph on her.

Rassim was representative of an era toward the end of the Ottoman Empire when the daughters of the elite were encouraged to learn about art, literature and music but then limited to becoming art teachers, if they were fortunate to have careers at all. Historians are now trying to piece together the stories of their lives; an exhibition of Rassim’s work was held this year at the SALT Galata, an art institution in Istanbul.

Rassim was born on Dec. 13, 1885, in Istanbul. She used variations of her name throughout her life. Her father, Ahmed Rasim Pasha, was a military doctor; her mother, Fatma Nesedil Hanim, was an Abkhazian princess. Mihri began painting when she was young, taking lessons from Fausto Zonaro, the Italian court painter for the ruling sultan, Abdul Hamid II.

At the time, there were no college-level art schools for women in the Ottoman Empire, so Rassim left her family in about 1906 to study at the Académie de France in Rome and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Recognized for her skill in portraiture, she went on to paint many powerful men.

While in Europe, she worked with John Singer Sargent, Léon Bonnat, Albert Besnard, Arthur Kampf, Rudolf Bacher and other painters, and she met and married Musfik Selami Bey, a Sorbonne student who later became a diplomat of the new Turkish republic.

The couple moved back to Istanbul in 1912. It was a good time to return. Most forms of Western art had been banned there for centuries, but the winds of change that had helped nation-states sprout across Europe were transforming Turkey as well.

Rassim saw an opportunity to propose that an art school be established for women. “Ideas of freedom, equality, justice, comradeship have arrived in our country,” she was quoted as saying in addressing the minister of education in 1914, “but why is it only men that are benefiting from them?”

The School of Fine Arts for Women opened the next year, with Rassim at the helm, alongside the painter Omer Adil Bey.

“Under her tutelage, Muslim women were able to paint landscapes en plein air, and draw from nude female models as well as antique statues,” Dagoglu, the art historian, said.

While Rassim helped start the careers of artists like Fahrelnissa Zeid, who became known for her large-scale abstract paintings, she still yearned to be recognized for her own artwork. It was a sentiment she expressed in 1919, when she organized a show of paintings in her home and was interviewed by the journalist Mehmed Zekeriya Sertel for Buyuk Mecmua magazine.

She criticized the limitations that her conservative society had imposed on women, preventing them from becoming better painters. It was frowned upon, for instance, for women to paint in public.

“This is why women mostly painted friends and acquaintances in interiors,” Dagoglu said.

Rassim brushed off her portraiture as “worthless” and insinuated in the interview that she wished she had better work to show. “I am ashamed to call this my oeuvre,” she was quoted as saying.

“I make most of these paintings you see here for commerce,” she added.

Later in 1919, when the Allied powers occupied Istanbul in the wake of World War I, Rassim went back to Rome, divorced her husband and mingled with the fascist cultural elite under the fast-rising Benito Mussolini. She became friendly with the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio and the sculptor Renato Brozzi, and through their connections she painted a portrait of Mussolini himself.

She also tried to open an art academy for Turkish students in Rome and painted a portrait of the new Turkish president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to convince him of her abilities and perhaps to charm him. Unable to gain his favor, though, she left Europe in 1927 for the United States to pursue her artistic ambitions there. She found work as a high school art teacher in Connecticut.

“I did not come to the United States as a famished immigrant to make money,” she wrote in 1935 in a letter to Hamilton Holt, the dean of Rollins College, near Orlando, Fla., “but had an ideal in mind: to be considered among the talented people.”

Rollins had offered her a teaching job, but she wasn’t able to accept it because of her immigration status.

“As an immigrant woman artist, the post-Depression era was especially hard for Rassim,” Dagoglu said, “but she was a resilient and resourceful artist with a knack for marketing.”

As she sought to build a career, she moved to New York, where she highlighted her Turkish nobility, calling herself Princess Alciba, her Abkhazian family name. She held salons at her Manhattan home and participated in group and solo exhibitions in galleries.

In April 1932, for the poet Edwin Markham’s 80th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall, she presented him with his portrait as a gift in front of 2,000 people.

But despite her moderate success, she struggled to support herself. In September 1932, to pay her debtors, the New York City marshal auctioned off her portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt for $40 ($688 in today’s dollars). She had valued the painting at $2,000 (about $37,500 today).

Dagoglu said that after Thomas Edison died in 1931, Rassim tried to sell a portrait of him to his family, saying in a letter that he had posed for her. But Dagoglu found that she had actually based the painting on a photograph.

That portrait, showing Edison deep in thought in his lab, was rediscovered in 2011 and is now at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College.

In 1931, she married Salvatore Virzi, a singer at the Metropolitan Opera. She became an American citizen in 1943.

Rassim died in 1954. She was about 69. She was believed to have been buried in a potter’s field in or near New York, but Dagoglu was unable to find any records of any of the names that Rassim might have used.

Many of the paintings she made in the United States are considered missing — she was a poor record keeper and newspaper accounts say that her studio was once robbed — but, like the Edison painting, they are slowly being found.

One of her later portraits, of Rezzan Yalman, the wife of the prominent Turkish journalist Ahmed Emin Yalman, whom Rassim befriended in the early 1940s in New York, was recently discovered in a private family collection. It was included in the SALT Galata exhibition in Istanbul.

Berna Gencalp, a filmmaker who had helped put together that exhibit, is working on a documentary about Rassim, titled “Kim Mihri” (“Who Is Mihri?”), which is expected to be released next year.

“We don’t know if she achieved all her goals,” Gencalp said in an interview, “but she definitely came ‘to be considered among the talented.’”

Sahred From Source link Arts

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[oselatra]

Natives Guide: Hillcrest

The people's republic.

It used to be said of the state of Arkansas that you could build a wall around it and the state would do just fine. This was not a Trumpian vision of keeping people out, but a bit of bragging about how Arkansas had everything people can't do without: the Delta for crops, the woods for timber, oil, diamonds.

That's kind of how folks who live in Hillcrest think about the neighborhood. You start the wall somewhere west of the state Capitol, run it along Interstate 630 and over to H Street. Allsopp Park takes care of the north edge. It's the second oldest neighborhood in Little Rock, its age reflected in the style of architecture, including some grand homes, many built by Little Rock's wealthy Jewish community just after the turn of the 20th century. The housing stock has not fallen victim to tear-downs as it has in the Heights (though some are on auto-tear-down, owners will confess); some say that's because it's too far a golf cart ride from the Country Club of Little Rock to Midland Street. Its politics are liberal, its children are above average, and every house has at least one dog. Some have dogs and cats. Some have dogs, cats and chickens.

Kavanaugh Boulevard, that paved and sinuous river of commerce that winds through Hillcrest and up into the Heights, is lined with fine dining, coffee shops, schools. A neighborhood bar. Antique stores. Pizza. Art galleries. Salons, salons and more salons — there is not one good reason for anyone in Hillcrest not to have good hair, and that includes the dogs. Two parks, one hospital, two Catholic schools, two public schools. The People's Republic of Hillcrest could build a wall, but folks there are the welcoming type, reassuring folks that old houses, though they may have squirrels in the attic, also have their charms.

A resident we interviewed described how she might spend a Saturday in the neighborhood:

The first thing I do in the morning, after I shoo the squirrels out of my attic and into my neighbors', is head to The Meteor (1001 Kavanaugh Blvd.) for coffee and to purchase a bike bell. It's that kind of place — a bakery/cafe that sells bicycles and gear out of an old paint and wallpaper store. Next, I zip over to Stifft Station Gifts (3009 W. Markham St.), right next door to the beloved institution The Oyster Bar, and buy a ceramic cactus, among other things. Then it's off to the Farmers Market in front of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church (2200 Kavanaugh). En route I pass the neighborhood children enjoying the Pulaski Heights Elementary School playground that hugs Colonial Court and the P.H. Middle School on Lee Avenue, the successor to a four-room school built at 1909 on the very spot, and then sneak up the alley between Cedar and Elm streets to peek at the painting studio that architect Max Mayer designed and artist Adrian Brewer built, a vine-covered part of the history of the Arkansas Arts League. It's that kind of neighborhood.

My farmers market browse over — I really go to pet the dogs — it's time to head to Rosalia's Family Bakery (2701 Kavanaugh) for gossip, advice and a pick-me-up Brazilian pastry. Then it's off to Box Turtle (2616 Kavanaugh), the general consensus being that if I want a small piece of jewelry by a local artisan that's where I should go. Oooh, a Morse Code necklace! Thus decorated, I spend a refreshing moment in Allsopp Park, listening for winter wrens, making friends with several more dogs and feeling sentimental about the Hillcrest Girls Softball League that's at bat every spring.

After a little hike, I feel the need for more cultivated nature and hightail it to Hocott's Garden Center (3612 Kavanaugh, est. 1939) for winter pansies for the pots and Velvet Elvis for the beds. I must have burned off at least 50 calories in the park and wandering around Hocott's courtyard, so I deserve a chocolate Kouign Amman! Only Mylo Coffee Co. (2715 Kavanaugh) has that. I love taking pen and paper into Mylo and writing letters there to mystify the millennials mesmerized by their laptops. Then I trot down to Rhea Drug (2801 Kavanaugh) to buy a funny birthday card from the student who works at the venerable Mount St. Mary Academy (3224 Kavanaugh), stop in at District Fare (2807 Kavanaugh) and consider whether I should get the duck breast for Christmas dinner, or should it be a whole rabbit? The idea of long ears on the carving board gives me pause; I go with the osso buco instead.

Back to the birthday chore: I could go to the Full Moon (3625 Kavanaugh) and snatch up a piece of McCartys pottery, because where else can you get the venerable ceramics from Merigold, Miss.? I could go to Gallery 26 (2601 Kavanaugh) for a work by Renee Williams, but if I go in there I'll buy earrings, too tempting by half.

Lunch — Leo's Greek Castle (2925 Kavanaugh) for hummus, Kemuri (2601 Kavanaugh) for tempura, Canon Grill (2811 Kavanaugh Blvd.) for fajitas? I feel like oysters on the half shell. Back to The Oyster Bar (3003 W. Markham).

Thus refreshed, I think a walk into Knoop Park (20 Ozark Point) to view the city skyline would be a nice break. I once saw two people who'd hauled in a table, chairs, white tablecloth and candles to have a romantic dinner there. It's that kind of neighborhood.

Now, to wrap up my errands, I might browse through the antiques at Kahler Payne Vintage Antiques Gifts (700 N. Van Buren) or maybe Hillcrest Interiors (2907 Kavanaugh), where I bought the cutest espresso cups one time. I will still need to pick up the "Yet, She Persisted" poster I had framed at Hillcrest Gallery (2807 Kavanaugh), grab the pizza menus from Damgoode Pies (2701 Kavanaugh) and U.S. Pizza (2710 Kavanaugh), buy flowers at Kroger at Kavanaugh and Beechwood and check out Dr. William Carbary's sign in front of his chiropractic office (615 Beechwood) for its pun of the day.

I count eight cats and I drive down Ridgeway to deliver all my goods and then it's time for dinner. I can't wait to head over to the Pantry Crest (722 N. Palm St.) for a hot date — and I mean that literally, a hot date wrapped in bacon. And the house-made ricotta on toast. (I'm afraid my Mylo's detour made it unwise for me to order the bratwurst and potatoes.)

I'm walking it all off, so I pass the Hillcrest Fountain (2809 Kavanaugh), looking forward to the day when its back deck is built and the ban on smoking is in place, and Ciao Baci (605 Beechwood), grateful the bungalow has a side deck where the old folks can slurp up some mulled wine and hide from the young singles who dominate the place.

All in all, I've accomplished so much, traveling no more than 1.9 miles from stem to stern.

It's that kind of neighborhood.

Natives Guide: Hillcrest

[fyhairspa]

Reviewing The Best Emmy Red Carpet Looks

Reviewing The Best Emmy Red Carpet Looks

As a professional hair and make-up artist in Markham, you know I live for the Emmy’s! A night to celebrate the shows we find oh-soentertaining, and really how we connect with one another. But you know I was looking out for more than just golden statues on Sunday night. It was the year where celebrities really brought us their best looks on the red carpet, and some of them are so inspiring and I…

[touristguidebuzz]

10 Things No One Tells You About… Toronto

After years of playing sleepy second fiddle to sexier Montreal, Toronto’s become hot on its own. Food, culture, sights and history now rival those of any world metropolis, and an overlay of Canadian friendliness makes this city exceptionally welcoming to visitors. Here are 10 insider tips to help you make the most of North America’s fourth-largest city.

1. A Train Gets You Downtown From the Airport in About 25 Minutes

Traveling to the city’s vibrant downtown from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), 18 miles west, used to mean a miserable bus experience or exorbitant taxi ride. Cue the heavenly choir: The new Union Pearson Express gets you to central Union Station in 25 minutes on tastefully decorated, Wi-Fi-equipped trains. The staff’s friendly, and the ride’s usually seamless. If you’re transiting through TO, UP Express also means you can zoom into the city for a few hours of action before catching your connecting flight. Bonus: Toronto’s terrific Balzac Coffee Roasters operates a trackside bar at Union Station.

Image courtesy of the Union Pearson Express via Facebook.

2. …Or You Can Just Land Downtown

A pedestrian tunnel links downtown Toronto to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which means you can fly here, get your bags, take a six-minute stroll and surface near Bathurst Street. Porter, the nifty all-premium airline, was Billy Bishop’s sole commercial tenant for years — its US routes now include Washington D.C., Orlando, and Chicago — but Air Canada now flies here from Montreal and service keeps expanding. Because the airport’s relatively tiny, it’s infinitely more civilized than other hubs. Rumor has it Billy Bishop’s also in line to get a US Customs pre-clearance setup in 2017, which will make it even more desirable as a routing point. Bonus tip: A ferry still runs from Billy Bishop to the mainland and the 20-second ride offers jaw-dropping skyline views that make it worth the detour.

Image courtesy of Rick Madonik via Getty Images.

3. There’s a Beach Downtown

That bouquet of giant pink beach umbrellas at the foot of Jarvis Street isn’t a mirage. It’s part of Sugar Beach, a genius two-acre park that transforms a derelict part of downtown into a white-sand beach during the summer and a surreal, snowy landscape in winter. And since it’s on Toronto’s waterfront, you can also watch boats drift across Lake Ontario. Look for maple-leaf motifs everywhere in the beautifully landscaped promenades.

Image courtesy of Chris Tyler via Flickr.

4. Toronto’s a Great Place to Get High

It makes sense that this aggressively vertical city conceals some of Canada’s best rooftop terraces. The coolest might be Sky Yard, an indoor/outdoor patio at the forever hip Drake Hotel; it’s aglow with art installations and throbbing with scenesters. On nearby King Street West, Lavelle plops a lively French eatery atop one of Toronto’s ubiquitous condos; the 16,000-square-foot space also boasts a lounge, outdoor pool and 360-degree views. Across the street, the Thompson Toronto’s roof deck competes with equally eye-popping views and sleek furnishings; mind the obnoxious door staff.

Image courtesy of the Thompson Toronto.

5. You Can Taste the Entire World Here

Name an ethnic food, no matter how obscure. Chances are you’ll track it down in Toronto, one of the world’s most exuberantly diverse cities. Downtown, there are hotspots like Lamesa for Filipino cuisine, Owl of Minerva for round-the-clock Korean food and Caplansky’s for a serious Jewish deli. But true taste adventures await in the suburbs just outside downtown — think Tamil dishes at Ceylon Flavor in Markham, Hakka Indian/Chinese food at Lotus Garden in Scarborough, Georgian specialties at Aragvi in Vaughan and Ghanaian specialties at Panafest in North York, just for starters.

Image of a smoked meat sandwich courtesy of Caplansky’s Deli via Facebook.

6. Toronto’s a City of Neighborhoods

Some visitors stick to the touristy downtown core, which means they’re missing out on the tang and texture of Toronto’s neighborhoods. The city’s ubiquitous streetcars make it easy to explore. College Street takes you through the University of Toronto west to Kensington Market and Little Italy. Ride the Queen Street line westbound all the way from Cabbagetown through up-and-coming Moss Park to hipster haven Parkdale to Roncesvalles, a longtime Polish enclave now Brooklyn-precious with boutiques and cafes. Spadina Ave. runs north from the harborfront through Chinatown into the boho Annex.

Image of Toronto’s Chinatown neighborhood courtesy of Roberto Machado Noa via Getty Images.

7. Speaking of Streetcars, Toronto’s Got the Largest Network in North America

Streetcars in Toronto aren’t mere tourist attractions a la San Francisco — they’re an integral part of the transit system. You’ll find them along main east-west streets, along with north-south avenues like Spadina and Bathurst. You can now board streetcars from any open door, as long as you have proof of payment. One-time cash fare is $3.25 Canadian (~$2.41), or for $12.50 Canadian (~$9.28), you can buy a Toronto Transit Commission day pass and hop on and off streetcars, buses and the subway as much as you like.

Image courtesy of Tourism Toronto.

8. The Amazing Museums Here Are Free… If You Know When to Visit

Toronto’s museums rival arts institutions anywhere else in the world — and so do some of their admission charges. But if you can time your visit just right, you’ll sail in without lightening your wallet. The must-see Art Gallery of Ontario, pictured below, with its unmissable Frank Gehry profile, offers free admission Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm; the smart Bata Shoe Museum goes pay-what-you-want on Thursday nights from 5:00pm to 8:00pm; in nearby North York, the superb Aga Khan Museum, dedicated to Muslim civilization, is free Wednesday nights from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. And the Power Plant, one of Canada’s leading public-art institutions, never charges admission, even when it’s exhibiting supernova work like Christian Marclay’s prize-winning piece, The Clock.

Image courtesy of Roberto Machado Noa via Getty Images.

9. It’s Home to the Largest Underground Pedestrian System in North America

Beneath the downtown core, Toronto’s PATH system connects 1,200 stores and restaurants, 50 office towers, 20 parking garages, six subway stations and a railway terminal over its 19-mile length. Though much of it’s schlock, you’ll find some celebrated dining like Tundra in the Toronto Hilton, valuable resources like tailors and nail salons and even a shop dispensing fresh kefir. And when it’s bone-chillingly cold or brutally humid above ground, the PATH makes for a soothing retreat.

Image courtesy of Colin McConnell via Getty Images.

10. There’s a Secret Skyline View From a Tiny Coffee Shop

Superb espresso drinks made with locally roasted Pilot coffee beans are just part of the reason to schlep to Rooster Coffee east of downtown. Locals know this mellow hangout offers breathtaking views of downtown Toronto, and — since it faces west — incredible sunsets. It’s just an easy cab ride or leisurely trip by subway and bus from the downtown core and totally worth the effort. The coffee’s pretty good, too.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Toronto? Tell us about them, below.

Featured image courtesy of Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images.

[friendssalonnspa-blog]

Mesotherapy for Cellulite: An Effective Treatment to Get Back in Shape

Before getting into the details, we all have to understand the actual meaning of the term ‘Cellulite’. Cellulite, also known as gynoid lipodystrophy, is a cluster of hypodermic fats. It is an increase in thickness of dermo-hypodermic panniculus combined with an increase in thickness of the hypodermis, and a local thickening of the superficial adipose tissue. There are mainly three indications to characterize the cellulite: water retention, adipose and fibrosis. Various treatments are available for cellulite including LED treatments, skincare, injection lypolisis, lymphatic drainage and electrotherapy. But for a successful treatment to manage cellulite, Mesotherapy is a better way. We have to choose suitable medicines if we have to target cellulite by using Mesotherapy.

History and Classification of Cellulite

• Stage 0: When standing or when pinched there will be a smooth appearance on skin.

• Stage 1: There is a smooth appearance on the skin but there will be an orange peel effect when lying or standing.

• Stage 2: Smooth appearance on skin on lying but padded appearance on standing position.

• Stage 3: There will be a padded appearance in all positions.

In 1978, there was a classification based on the appearance on skin. The adipose tissueen closed in a chamber like structures in case of female patients. But in case of men patients, they had a network of criss crossing, connective tissue architecture that formed smaller polygonal units allowing fats to expand internally and laterally. These were proposed through biopsies. In 1979, cellulite was explained through video capillaroscopy. In the year 2000, there was a new proposal on the type of cellulites called R-FAT: water retention, adipose tissue and fibrosis based on high frequency ultrasound.

Mesotherapy Method

There are some questions to be considered by the practioners while using the method of mesotherapy for cellulite:

What Are the Drugs?

This is the most important question that should be answered. The most appropriate drugs should be chosen by looking at the properties of each drug. Mesotherapy can get rid of cellulite on the legs and buttocks, by breaking down the orange peel and creating a smooth appearance. In 10 to 25 sessions, the average patients can eliminate visible cellulites. Severe cellulite patients may require additional treatments. Twenty four hours prior to treatment, all patients need to be allergy tested. Each session will take about 45 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-monthly.

Side Effect of Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a cosmetic procedure administered through several injections that include a mixture of minerals, vitamins and medicines. The main treatment areas are thighs, buttocks, upper arms and abdomen. This treatment aims to give a fresh and youthful appearance to a person. The mild side effects of this method are as follows:

• Burning and pain: The injection can cause some irritation to the skin. There will be a mild burning sensation in the skin. And soreness usually disappears in 2 to 3 days.

• Bruising and swelling: This is the most frequent reaction at the injection site but usually disappears in 2 days.

It is strongly advisable to consult a professional therapist and enjoy your youthfulness again. If you’re looking for the most effective mesotherapy for cellulite in Markham, Canada, then Friends Salon N Spa is certainly worth considering. It has conducted many successful treatments through highly experienced therapists. This wellness center is also a top destination for laser hair removal, oxygen facials, laser skin rejuvenation, Vascu-Lyse, electrolysis, and so on. Their website FriendsSalonNSpa.ca is also home to a wide range of weight loss products and herbal supplements online.

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