The Hot Docs start in Toronto this Thursday April 26th til May 6th and is North America’s largest documentary festival. Presenting 189 documentaries from Canada and around the world, covering subjects from art, addiction, capitalism, to science technology, music, and everything in between.

Though the Hot Docs might not be as glamorous or as sexy as the star-studded TIFF festival in the summer, I find the doc’s season far more rewarding and FAR more inclusive.

(more…)

Throwboy has a grip on my tastes – they just know how to do plush right. When I received note in the mail (wow, that sentence seems to almost allude to the fact that I have a rotary phone. I don’t), I knew it was instantly bloggable.

Mr. Jobs, you are missed. I’m in the midst of reading the Jobs bio – this might make for good company. Would you buy it for $60 big ones?

Have you heard? It’s fashion week this week in Toronto – and we’re so excited at the bloc to bring you some snaps courtesy of Olympus Canada. We’ve kindly been outfitted with three stellar devices:

XZ-1 Digital Camera

They say it’s the quality of a digital SLR packed into the beauty of something point and shoot ready. Perfect for video and stills (HD, HD, HD), this good is ready to go on the road.

 

See you in the tents!

Wicked cool USBs from an even cooler friend – Chris Tsang of mindzai.com (Mindzai Creative Shop on Facebook) is bringing the freshest and most fun gadgets to the bloc. Love these animated Mimobot Hello Kitty USBs. And hopefully you’ll love some too.

Get 10% off any purchase with the promo code URBANEBLOC until May 31. Go, go!

I recently underwent some changes in my product assortment and day to day arsenal (I’m not about to call them beauty products. Though that’s pretty much what they are – it’s just no fun to say). While in Vegas I ditched the Conair dryer that I purchased while in Vancouver a year plus ago for the Olympics (that Sears dryer did me good), and by the time I got home I nearly finished all of my favourite John Frieda Volumizing Shampoo. My consolation? The fact that Conair and John Frieda have joined forces to create something sort of brilliant – the first ever styling tools from John Frieda.

Paddle brushes, and John Frieda loose CURLS curling iron (1 1/2 barrel) are the starter items that John Frieda has created in partnership with Conair. I was near delirious when I saw it all bundled together. Having been a volume fiend, I couldn’t help but get overtly excited about this new offering.

Unfortunately I missed the launch because I was away on vacation – realizing that it was at the Shops on Don Mills had me even more antsy (love that place, I’m quite certain I have dreams about it), and seeing the product in person pushed me over the top (when I was already teetering).

Keep your eyes and hairs peeled (actually, skip the hairs – no split ends on my clock) for these products in stores now. Smile!

* Thanks so much to Conair and Rock It Promo for sending them over for review. I distinctly remember a cottage visit where my galpals and I had so much fun testing it all out. You make me experiment..and in turn, more feminine (phew).

 

Here’s Something EXCITING. – Updated, February 19, 2012

So now that you’ve seen the post and you might just be loving some of these tools, I’m giving you a chance to win this incredible device.

What do you have to do?

1. Comment on this post and tell us what your morning hair routine is.
2. LIKE us on Facebook.com/urbanebloc. Trust us, good karma will come your way.

That’s it! Simple. Bingo Bango. Open only to Canadian residents. Entries until March 31 are welcome!

Save on more hair care appliances with Sears promotional codes.