#ffinds

With the iconic Coachella kick-starting festival season, summertime is officially just around the corner.

While some lucky Canadians ventured south to Cali for two back-to-back weekends of music, palm trees and undercover celeb watching, there are a ton of accessible music festivals available for us to enjoy right here in Canada.

Although comfort is key for long days spent at festivals, looking good is just as important. Guaranteed to make you the shining festival style star, we've rounded up seven fashionable festival must-haves for the summer of 2014.

Fanny pack: Van-based company Herschel Supply Co. have us loving these practical hip packs that prove fanny packs are not just made for your mom.

Seventeen Hip Pack, $24.99, Herschel Supply Co.

Kendall & Kylie Jenner. Photo source: hollywoodlife.com (FameFlyNet)

Floral headpieces: A festival favourite for both celebs and us regular folks. We love this piece by Toronto gal Headmistress.

Sunny Flourish Floral Crown, $34, loveheadmistress.com 

Bella Thorne (right) & friend. Photo Source: WENN.com

Ray-Bans: The epitome of cool; a classic pair of shades that will never go out of style.

Printed Wayfarer sunnies, $200 USD, ray-ban.com

Ashley Greene & boyfriend Paul Khoury rocking Ray-Bans. Photo source: WENN.com

Motorcycle vest: One of our fav brands born out of Vancouver is Fidelity denim - airy and light denim that won’t weigh you down in the summer heat but will keep you warmer once the sun sets.

Slash vest in Chrome Wipeout, $188, shopfidelitydenim.com 

Maxi dress: The most versatile piece in any wardrobe, maxis can be dressed up or down depending on how you accessorize. Paired with a moto vest, it’s a match made in festival heaven.

ALEXXIS maxi dress, $425 CAD, Ted Baker London

Aaron Paul & his wife Lauren dance together at Coachella. Photo source: WENN.com

Layered jewellery: One of our favourite Toronto-based designers, Jenny Bird has rad jewelry that screams summer fling.

Endless Summer Necklace, $65 USD, jenny-bird.com

Sophia Bush knows how to wear a statement necklace. Photo source: Getty/John Sciulli 

Giant celebrity heads: What better way to make sure your friends can find you in the crowd then a giant celebrity head to pinpoint your location? Outkast, Oprah Winfrey and Zach Galifianakis were among some homemade Coachella creations. 

Photo source: Koury Angelo, Rolling Stone

Here are some Canadian music festivals that have our inner flower-child channeling Woodstock vibes:

Osheaga

Squamish Valley Music Festival

Shambhala

North by Northeast

Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF)

At the end of each week, we showcase an extra special lifestyle find hand-picked by our team of culture vultures. Sourced everywhere from local Toronto workshops to glamorous European boutiques, be sure to check in each week for our staff-selected #FridayFavourite.

There is one elementary thing that we simply couldn't live without, the elixir of life - a classic cup of Joe. It'll always be a mystery to us why coffee isn't number one on the super foods lists. A fresh brew is always a reliable companion; it has the ability to bring people together, warm our hearts and awaken our mind. The only time coffee can inspire negative emotions is when the pot is empty. Needless to say it’s a hot commodity here at the #FHQ.

While some swear their blood type is Starbucks, we've stumbled upon a new spot that has managed to make our coffee experience that much better. Impossible?  We thought the same until Sam James Coffee Bar opened their fourth location at the corner of Queen and Ossington. This unique and chic shop houses a beautiful wall paste by Jeremy Jansen that’s almost as stunning as the art that resides in our cup.

So whether you’re looking for a place to loaf on a lazy Sunday morning or a quick afternoon pick-me-up, Sam James will be your saving grace with a cup full of happiness. - Natasha

In the fast-paced world of public relations, it’s important to always be prepared — even when traveling to fabulous and exotic destinations.

Get an insider's peek at our vacation must-haves — finds that will keep you fresh and business-ready, because you never know who you'll meet on the beach.

Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes – For a fresh face at a moment’s notice, these wipes are perfect for a refresh on the plane or wipe down post-beach. They melt away layers of excess oil, sunscreen, waterproof make-up, and even environmental pollutants. 

Cell Phone Back-Up Battery – As PR pros always on-the-go, we operate around the clock. Never leave home without your favourite travel companion — an extra phone battery to keep your envy-inducing Instagrams coming all day long.

Oversized Sunnies – Protect yourself from the sun, or better yet, hide those tired eyes showing one-too-many of last night's mojitos. This season, we recommend a mod shape in a pastel hue for a pop of pretty. Our latest purchase is a pair of Illestevas from our friends at Queen West's ZANE.

Ted Baker London Scarf – In need of a bathing suit cover-up? Having a frizzy hair day? Use a tropical scarf as a wrap for a practical yet fun multi-use beach companion.

Tight'n'tiny Card Holder – Keep your room key and business cards at the tips of your fingers with a minimal APC card wallet.

essence cosmetics bronzer – Take your tan to the next level with a highlighting bronzer. Your sun-kissed cheekbones will be glowing, instantly.

AZURE Magazine – Who doesn't love good reading material? Stay up-to-date on the world of design and architecture's latest with this Canadian-made source for all things contemporary.

Brimmed Hat – Beat the heat in style with a versatile hat, perfect for a casual afternoon stroll.

Ted Baker London iPad case – Ideal for protecting your tablet from the sandy interior of your beach tote (we love this colour-blocked carry all from Marni!), so you can connect online whenever, wherever.  

Attracting artists and entrepreneurs, The Junction is one of the hottest neighbourhoods in Toronto. It features rich history, an abundance of culture and a booming real estate market, igniting buzz-worthy bidding wars. Whether you want to shop for hand-crafted finds, relax with a novel and delicious cappuccino or mix-and-mingle over mimosas, we found the top 5 neighbourhood hot spots for you to enjoy.

Mjölk

Representing artists and artisans from Scandinavia and Japan, Mjölk (Milk) is a must-see design and lifestyle shop in one of the Junction’s white Victorian buildings. Owners John Baker and Juli Daoust hand select every product, from minimalistic furniture pieces to tea sets made by famous ceramicists. At Faulhaber, we particularly love the work of Japanese designer, Naoto Fukasawa. Pieces like his Hiroshima lounge chair are available at the shop. Next time you’re in The Junction, stop in for some design inspiration at 2959 Dundas Street West.

Junction Farmers Market

Who doesn’t love local, fresh food? The Junction Farmers Market is a Faulhaber favourite, providing neighbourhood residents with a welcoming atmosphere and an abundance of healthy food choices from May to November. The space aims to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable farming and build relationships between the community and local farmers. Whether you’re looking for organic poultry, vibrant vegetables or to pick a warm loaf of artisan bread, the Junction Farmers Market is your go-to spot.

DUKE Condos

If you really want to immerse into Junction life, stop by the DUKE Condos sales centre, designed by Junction-based interior design firm, Mason Studio. Slated for occupancy in November 2015, award-winning developer, TAS, welcomes an eco-chic mid-rise condo complex boasting with the same sense of community as your local corner café. If you want a home with a modern sensibility in a retro neighbourhood, DUKE is for you. With a green roof and terraces lined with harvest planters, this condo combines beautiful design with environmental sustainability.

The Good Neighbour

Curl up with a good book, catch up with old friends or submerge into some creative writing at The Good Neighbour espresso bar. From the exposed brick, to the soft music, to the delicious specialty coffees – this café is definitely one of Faulhaber’s favourites. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., it’s located at 238 Annette Street.

Farmhouse Tavern

Toronto Life dubbed Farmhouse Tavern one of Toronto’s best brunch spots, and we couldn’t agree more. With a rustic, casual atmosphere, farmhouse hospitality and mouthwatering dishes, Sunday-morning reservations are almost always filled. Unconventional brunch dishes include the Ploughwan’s Platter (pictured below), Smoked Chicken Crepe, Barnyard Burger and more. Farmhouse Tavern is a Junction neighbourhood staple that won’t disappoint!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we couldn’t resist a little romance of a winter wedding. Whether it’s on Pinterest, Instagram or the pages of the latest issue of ELLE, we love to be in-the-know when it comes to what's trending for the latest wedding dresses, colour schemes, venues and decor.

While fewer brides-to-be choose to get married in the “off-season”, aka winter, there is something magical about the season and more and more couples are starting to take the plunge in the less popular months of December, January and February. And to that we say, why not!?

1) Venue  The perfect setting creates the right mood for your wedding; you can have a wonderfully cozy and intimate celebration with the ones you love the most or a more lavish affair depending on the venue.

While a country cabin at Blue Mountain Resort would be an ideal venue for a winter wedding, you don’t need to travel that far! Here are three cozy winter wedding venues conveniently situated right here in Toronto:

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada's design museum Design Exchange is the perfect venue for you and your guests to celebrate your winter nuptials.

Take your winter wedding to Greece. "The Cove" at Trinity Taverna is a beautiful high-ceilinged, open-concept room, while the Lounge is an exclusive area on the second floor with seating for up to 80 guests, a dedicated bar, sound system, private rooftop patio and wine cellar.

This stylish contemporary canvas known as the Andrew Richards Designs Building houses two multifunctional event venues, The Atrium and The Loft. Both spaces serve as an ideal venue for your winter wedding!

Every now and then, a designer collaboration comes along that gets us really excited; we'd have to file this #tabiTOMS pair up under this category.

Known for her carefree, playful designs, renowned footwear designer and stylist Tabitha Simmons makes a natural choice for TOMS' to partner up with, accenting the brand's own laidback, no-fuss approach to style.

The joint collection for women and kids features Simmons' signature designs, including prints and stripes, and is nothing short of whimsical and lighthearted. To make you feel even better about this highly covetable collab, for each pair sold TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need via their inspiring One for One program.

It's that time of year — pile on the war paint and transform yourself into whoever you want to be! Fake blood, temporary hair colour, copious amounts of blue eyeshadow...whatever your perfect costume elements, we want to make sure you're fresh-faced the following day with no trace of leftover gunk stuck to your hair or skin.

Thanks to Dermalogica PreCleanse, you'll be good to go. As for one too many mini chocolate bars, we can't help you there.

1. Red hairspray, glitter gel, Dracula hair paste? Having a bad hair day post-Halloween? Try PreCleanse on your hair to remove all the devilish product build-up. Simply apply to dry hair, emulsify, rinse and shampoo as normal. 

2. Having a hard time removing your mile-long false lashes? PreCleanse is excellent for removing stubborn eyelash glue without damaging your skin or existing lashes. 

3. Was Kat Von D your inspiration for body art? PreCleanse removes even the most stubborn stick-on tattoos. 

4. The beautiful Cleopatra was known for her sultry cat-like eyeliner, but dark circles are not fun the day after. PreCleanse will help you say goodbye to those nasty raccoon eyes!  5. Ghoulish white paste all over your face (or your children’s) – don’t go to bed looking like a ghost. Try a double cleanse. Use PreCleanse before washing your face to give a safe, gentle cleanse. 

6. Fake blood dripping down your cheeks was great for October 31st, but nobody wants red-stained skin the day after. Remove stubborn fake blood with a few drops of PreCleanse!