Posts tagged ‘Toronto International Film Festival’

October 6, 2012

Here’s a Bombshell, Bombshell!

by Annette Szczepan

I’ve been so terribly busy since TIFF that I have found little time to even sleep.

Between Toronto’s Fashion’s Night Out, Toronto International Film Festival and @AnetkaStarrPR, I’ve had no time to myself since the beginning of September.

However, since it is Thanksgiving, I have managed to find time to share something special with you. I have much to give thanks for, unlike many others.

In such times, I like to be able to give back. Holidays such as Thanksgiving make me realize how much I have and how much I can give.

With student loans, car loans and other expenses, I can’t donate like @Oprah donates and I’m sure most of you can’t either. This is why I am so blessed and thankful to have been introduced to a jewelry company that allows women in Cambodia to create jewellery from materials they find no other use for. Sounds strange? Well, listen up – it’s awesome!

The company is called Shopanthropic and offers jewellery that allows for social change while being ethically-made, eco-friendly and fair trade! The best part? It’s affordable!

I am a proud owner of the Black Cord and Recycled Bomb Shell bracelet.

 

The bracelet is made by a woman in Cambodia who was blinded by an acid attack over a decade ago.This woman braids the bracelets and home-based producers create the middle piece out of a recycled bombshell. Yes, a real bombshell from a war-strikken Cambodia.

Blinded and not knowing what to do, Shopanthropic provides this woman, and other artisans, with an opportunity to live a normal life being able to work and support a family. The company also takes useless materials, such as bombshells, and reuses them to make fashionable accessories.

To add to the greatness of this company, Shopanthropic follows fair trade practices. Through this, it is ensured that the artisans have regular employment, their children have access to education, wages are fair and they have sustain themselves in the future.

I gave my sister a Bomb Shell Bracelet too and she absolutely loves it. We wear our bracelets almost every day. They are good for both casual and business attire.

To shop the bombshell collection, click here.

Also, don’t forget to like Shopanthropic on Facebook and follow @EnableChange on Twitter.

If you have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, pay it forward. It’s fashionable, affordable and, most importantly, it helps!

September 5, 2012

Exclusive TIFF Party

by Annette Szczepan

September 18, 2011

Albert Nobbs

by Annette Szczepan

I finally got to see my first TIFF film last night during my volunteer shift.

It was Albert Nobbs and starred Glenn Close as Albert. Yes, Glenn Close played a man in the film.

The film follows a man, rather a woman dressed as a man, named Albert Nobbs who is a butler at a posh hotel. Albert saves all his money and dreams of buying retail space and opening a tobacco shop.

Throughout the film, Albert is discovered by someone to be a woman. Coincidently, this person is also a woman disguised as a man. This encounter encourages Albert to find a wife, get married and run a tobacco shop as a family.

The film is dramatic and a little bit sad. I felt terrible for Albert that he had to live a lie for most of his life. Even though the film takes place way back when Ireland, it is very much relevant today. Albert, as Glenn said herself, is just trying to cope and survive just as people today are trying to cope and survive. However, there are a few funny moments in the film where the theatre did burst into laughter.

As for Glenn Close, she, of course, was amazing. Sometimes I forgot that her character was actually a woman. I even managed to look at Albert as Albert and not as the psycho from Fatal Attraction dressed as a man.

Although I did enjoy the film, I am glad that I saw it during TIFF. This genre is not the type that I am usually attracted to and would have probably avoided it in theatres. I give this film a 4 on the Cadillac People’s Choice Award scale.

September 16, 2011

YouTube Crazies

by Annette Szczepan

Just wanted to share two YouTube videos with you all. I’ve been so busy with this first week of school as well as the Toronto International Film Festival that I have had little time to blog. I hope this will keep you entertained until I find some time to write!

First video is on @ChrisSikora‘s channel MrCrazeFashionisto. All I can say about the video is that I am embarrassed to be featured in it but it’s so funny that I have to post it. Future Bollywood stars? You betcha!

Next video is by my sister @ElaSzczepan on our channel HungryBlogStarr. She won a @BabyPhat Twitter contest for sharing her best style secrets and shows off her awesome prize in this video.

Lastly is a video I discovered a couple nights ago when I couldn’t sleep. Funny seniors are my favourite. The man in this video is definitely my favourite. What a character! This video has appeared on many YouTube channels but I grabbed it from minder213. I’m not sure if it’s the original but it has over 4 million views.

Make sure you like the videos, subscribe to the channel and share with your friends! Enjoy!

September 12, 2011

Our Idiot Brother

by Annette Szczepan

Went and saw Our Idiot Brother with @loewenn and @nicoleisbister tonight. Cute and funny. And how can you not love Paul Rudd and @therealzooeyd?

Lincoln and I wore our Keek shirts today that we got from this guy at our university’s Frosh Week vendor fair. We got some weird looks. I guess we deserved them. What kind of people walk around wearing matching lime green shirts? The best kind of people. You should make a Keek account and follow me. You won’t regret it. Promise.

I’m heading to Toronto tomorrow with @ElaSzczepan for some more TIFF fun. Not working this time, just enjoying the excitement and the commotion. This is the first time I am experiencing/working the festival and I am in love. I’m already excited for next year’s festival and this one has yet to end!

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