Do The Daniel -

September 20, 2023September 22, 2023

Bringing a whole new meaning to booking that flight

For those of you who follow along with me on social media, you’ll know that 2023 has been a busy year full of new adventures, new experiences, and new destinations. I’ve loved where the year has brought me as I celebrate ten years of blogging, and inch towards my 40th birthday in October. I know that for many of you out there it’s also simultaneously been a busy and amid year, and for many of us, we haven’t made the time to take care of ourselves in the ways we probably should. Inspired by a recent trip, I think this is the sign you need to book that flight you’ve been thinking about – but with a twist.

September 8, 2023September 15, 2023

“You’ll never regret romanticizing your life”

That trending audio on social media is one that felt like it spoke to my soul the first time I heard it. I would click on the audio and watch as people around the world found beauty in sometimes the smallest and most simple things. It made me realize that amid the insanely busy pace I have been running this year, I am very grateful for the romantic lens through which I see my own life and accomplishments. For years I was deemed “sensitive” or a “hopeless romantic” and more often than not, it was used against me as an attack instead of the compliment I thought it was. But I love the fact that getting on a bike and chasing a summer sunset feeds an inner desire to live life more beautifully. Click here to see what I mean.

September 6, 2023September 7, 2023

It’s not TIFF without a visit to the NKPR IT House

The Toronto International Film Festival is officially upon us for 2023 and amid screenings, and red carpets, and hugs in passing running in between events, I am lucky enough to be invited to some of the most exclusive events of the season. I’ve said it for ten years, but it’s just not TIFF without a visit to see the fabulous NKPR gifting lounge!

September 5, 2023September 7, 2023

Living life to the fullest during TIFF 2023

While it feels like the summer came and went in the blink of an eye, with the upcoming autumn season comes one of my favourite times of year. Yes, The Toronto International Film Festival season is upon us and with the excitement comes epic events, screenings, and a celebration of some of the best films in the world. Not to mention that ten years since starting this blog I get invited to some pretty incredible opportunities that I love to bring you along to. Let’s talk about one of those!

August 9, 2023August 23, 2023

Beyond what you see on the highway

I am the kind of person who has lost count of the amount of times I’ve driven along the 401 between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and beyond. Don’t get me wrong, I love to drive, but at a certain point you stop seeing the landmarks and the signs on the side of the road. When you think about it, there’s a whole world to explore at the next off ramp or destination, and for the longest time that’s what Bay of Quinte was to me. A sign on the side of the highway. All these years later I’ve come to appreciate that the region is so much more, and if I’m being honest, it’s become one of my favourite places in Ontario.

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023

It’s time for a reality check

July 17th feels like a good day to sit down and catch up with you all out there.

It feels as though it’s been ages since I wrote for the sake of writing. Of course as my proverbial star is on the rise, I have worked very hard to have the successful year that 2023 has turned out to be. That being said, I don’t ever want to forget that my humanity is just as important to discuss as my career. While I am my own biggest cheerleader when I have wins, I also have had a lot of pretty monumental hurdles that I have had to quietly overcome at the same time. All too often our social media accounts are a representation of what we want people to see, and it’s time I remember than ten years of success was built on the foundation of honesty and vulnerability.

So, let’s talk about the really hard things I’ve been struggling with personally this year while also having the best year of my professional life. Because those things aren’t mutually exclusive and often times exist simultaneously for many of us.

July 11, 2023July 12, 2023

Vitamix is celebrating Prime Day with huge sales

We all know that I am a Vitamix gurl through and through. Over the years I’ve watched as some of my favourite creators work with them to create beautiful dishes and recipes. I was also lucky enough to get in their good graces and always look forward to receive new models to test out and review. BUT that’s not why we’re here today – today it’s all about EPIC #PrimeDay sales and how you can get your hands on that Vitamix you’ve been eyeing for an amazing deal!

July 10, 2023July 12, 2023

5 ways I’m making the most of my summer

With the warm weather finally here, it’s time for me to start thinking about how I plan to make the most of the sunshine and summer months. For ten years I’ve sat down to write blog posts about my summer plans and to connect with all of you out there – both long time readers and first time visitors – and this year is no different. While those of you who follow along with me on social media have seen, I am ramping up for my biggest summer yet and I thought I would share my 5 ways I plan to make the most of it all.

June 27, 2023July 12, 2023

Even more reasons to love your kitchen

Over the last five years (pandemic inclusive thinking) I have oscillated between always being in the kitchen, to not being in it for weeks at a time while traveling for work. It’s always been a telltale sign of my happiness and feeling mentally centered. By that I mean, that I am evidently happy and feeling like myself most when cooking. Some of you out there will understand exactly what I mean by that, and to those of you, I wanted to share a few more reasons why I love my kitchen this year.

June 21, 2023June 24, 2023

The 2023 Levis Pride Collection

I guess the best way to start off this blog post is to define the term allyship and it’s importance to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Why? Because amid a very busy Pride month I have born witness to a lot of performative allyship / marketing, extreme levels of hate towards our community, and have even had brand partners ask me to “tone it down” to avoid controversary. And this year I even received death threats in the comments section on multiple social media posts.

In 2023.

So yeah, I think it’s important that we talk about this a little more.

June 20, 2023June 23, 2023

3 artists that should be on your radar this Pride Month

I reached a few big milestones in my career this year and have been so proud of all my hard work to get here, and of course have shared my gratitude for the people who helped along the way. It’s one of the reasons why I started The Hand That Helped. It’s also why I continue to believe that offering creators, performers, and artists just starting in their career my platform is so important, because that would have meant the world to me when I first started.

So as we go into a busy Pride month, I thought I would celebrate Pride Month with the Queer artists making waves in the First Up with RBCxMusic program.

June 3, 2023June 20, 2023

My tips on making a patio makeover easier

For those of you who didn’t know, a few years ago my husband embarked on helping to find a multi-generational home with his mom and brother. Living in Toronto, it took some time, but with the help of an amazing real estate agent, they found a condo in the Jane & Eglinton area. While the building was quite ordinary from the outside, the interior has been renovated to perfection and it was a fit!

A few years later, during a visit to the city, we sat in the living room chatting and I looked out onto a 12 x 12 balcony that had been mostly unused. That’s when I decided it was time to transform the space into the outdoor oasis the family deserved, and today I wanted to share exactly how I did that!

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023

Let’s Kick Off Pride Month With Something Huge!

*Please note that this is a sponsored post with redtag.ca – my disclosure can always be found by clicking here.

We all know that I am a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and that I aim to create content that not only helps my community to be seen and accepted. In a world that can sometimes be a lot for those of you reading, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there’s an extra layer for those of us who are watching laws be passed and our existence be banned.

I am not here to preach ideology, but I always want to share safe destinations, experiences and memories because my fellow community deserves the joy that travel brings into our lives just as much as everyone else.

May 10, 2023May 25, 2023

Everything you need to know about what’s coming from google

If you haven’t noticed, I like to stay in the know when it comes to the hottest trends. I buy Julio & I the best items to make our lives easier, and when it comes to mobile and home devices, I’ve loved our ongoing love affair with all things Google over the last few years. Having recently joined the #GoogleIO excitement online, I wanted to share some of the things you need to know about the items coming to Canada and why I am so excited for them!

May 9, 2023May 20, 2023

Your Toronto Summer Oasis is Much Closer Than You Realize

With the summer months just around the corner, I am already dreaming of days in the sun and the ways which I will be able to relax amid a busy schedule. Of course there’s spa treatments, movie dates and nights out at the best restaurants – but, what about an oasis getaway that’s much closer than you realize right in the heart of Toronto? Yes. I’ve got the inside scoop of where and how you can unwind in the best way possible this Pride month and all summer long!

May 5, 2023May 13, 2023

Here’s Why You Need to Get To The Canadian Rockies in 2023

It’s absolutely not a shock for me to sit down to write a blog post in the form of a love letter to the Canadian Rockies. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to travel to Alberta and British Columbia on several occasions, and each time was life changing. Most recently on a getaway with Rebecca to Banff, I truly felt a sense of stillness again, which for those of you who follow me will know is something I crave amid the fabulous non-stop life I lead. There are destinations and experiences in this world that hold what I can only describe as magic, and I’m about to venture off to yet another one with Julio.

The best part? He’s never been and is about to see why I love this part of Canada so much.

May 3, 2023May 11, 2023

Everything You Need To Know About The 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards

Did you know that one of the biggest and most exciting awards show in Canada happens every year in Ottawa? Yes we all know about those music ones that I’ve attended and loved forever, but I’m talking about The 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards which takes place at The National Arts Centre and brings together artists of all walks of life, and art lovers too! Yes. This event is taking place of May 27th in Ottawa and I’ve got all the details on how you can buy tickets to join us in the celebration, red carpet and gala in today’s blog post!

May 1, 2023May 11, 2023

Here’s What We’re Doing for Julio’s Birthday in Los Angeles

For those of you who follow along with us on social media, you’ll have seen that this week I finally shared the surprise birthday plans I’ve been secretly organizing for Julio’s upcoming birthday. When I asked him this year if he wanted a gift or an experience, he opted for the second and that meant I wanted to do something extra special for him.

You can of course watch his reaction to the surprise by clicking here – but I thought ahead of us getting on the plane to head to Los Angeles, I’d share what we have planned and how #DiscoverLA is definitely a destination you need to experience for yourself this year!

April 15, 2023April 25, 2023

The Only Spring Wine Guide You’ll Need

I don’t often like to make bold overarching statements using words like favourite, best, always (or the such) because in almost every case it diminishes someone else. I guess in that way I am very much a Libra and people pleaser, not looking to rock the proverbial boat. That being said, after ten years I think I’m a little tired of corporate entities or governing organizations pushing out guides that are ultimately pay for play and have nothing to do with the hard work or incredible wine being produced in Canada. Those with marketing dollars looking to get seen and be noticed on a shelf, in a magazine, or via an article too often outshine the real stars of the Canadian wine world.

Not here, and certainly not with me. I’m about a genuine support local energy and that is why I gathered together my ultimate wine list for the spring, and I can assure you that I didn’t charge anyone to be on this list. Instead I’m sharing them because they are creating some of my absolute favourite bottles right now and if you’re a wine lover too, this is a great way to explore what Canada has to offer.

April 6, 2023April 24, 2023

Maybe It’s Time For A Refresh This Spring

With Spring cleaning, purging our closets to do consignment here in Ottawa in an effort to put a bit of money in our pocket, donating items that could use a good new home, I’m all about making the right changes to my mindset and my home. Of course Spring also usually brings the launch of some of my favourite brands with the latest model – and this year Vitamix definitely has me browsing which model I could see on my counter.

April 4, 2023April 19, 2023

Just When I Started To Think I Couldn’t Be Impressed…

Having a few months in 2023 behind me, I am feeling very much in a good groove when it comes to content, partnerships, events, travel and the such. I laughed when I recently took my mom on a press trip with me for the first time (in ten years – and yes, #MamaSue was a hit with my friends in the media) and she got to see how much work goes into what I do on a daily basis.

Not that I need the validation, because it’s become second nature to go at this pace, but it can sometimes take a lot for me to be impressed. I am always inspired, but impressed takes a special kind of topic or experience. I guess that’s why I was so pleasantly surprised during an event in Toronto as Rebecca’s plus one where a brand truly left me impressed with an initiative they have been spearheading in Canada for years.

March 25, 2023April 14, 2023

How To Make The Most of a Weekend in Montréal

As many of you who follow along with us on social media would have seen, Julio and I recently decided to take a weekend away in Montréal along with Canela after a busy start to 2023. Now that we live in Ottawa, it’s so much closer than it was before as a destination and I’ve made the decision that this year we are going to take advantage of that, because we never know where the future will take us. So, in an effort to help inspire a weekend in my home city like no other, no matter where you’re coming from, I thought I’d tell you about one of our absolute favourite hotels and how you can enjoy a much needed getaway as well at Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Autograph Collection – Montreal’s First Smart Vertical Community.

March 18, 2023March 28, 2023

You Heard It Here First – There’s TWO new Siempre Products Coming To Canada

Yes, you read that correctly. My favourite tequila is launching two new products into the Canadian markets and I’m here to break the story in a full circle moment since being the first media outlet to write about their launch in 2015.

Over the last eight years I’ve watched as the team being the scenes worked to establish an empire that continues to grow and thrive – and on their own terms. As someone that identifies with that narrative, it only made sense that I got the first scoop.

March 10, 2023March 14, 2023

Here’s How To Enter To Win $10,000 This Month

If you’ve been following along in 2023, I started off my ten year celebration of DoTheDaniel.com by launching a giveaway worth over $10,000. Yes – you read that right.

One lucky winner will win this EPIC giveaway and I’ve been sharing different ways to enter on the 10th of each months, for ten months. March is all about the blog and how you can add to your entries or enter for the first time!

March 8, 2023March 28, 2023

Travel Experiences You Have To See For Yourself

I’m sitting at my laptop today looking through photos of travel experiences from around the world and realizing that my wandering spirit needs a new experience, and soon. I’ve loved exploring more of Canada over the last few years and recently I was introduced to several destinations that have become favourites, alongside a few experiences I can’t wait to book for the first time!

March 1, 2023March 11, 2023

Here Is Everything You Need To Know About This Year’s Fire & Ice Winter Festival

As you would have noticed over the last few years since moving to Ottawa, I have made a concerted effort to showcase the city in a refreshing way. I think for a long time there was a stigma associated with the nation’s capital – one I can admit I didn’t help to stop in my youth – that it has no culture and nothing to get excited for.

Since moving here I think I’ve helped you realize that that isn’t the case. 2023 is off to an exciting start and we have yet another festival to look forward to on bank street starting on March 17th that you’re not going to want to miss!

February 18, 2023February 27, 2023

Who Are You Most Excited To See At RBC Bluesfest?

It’s so strange to me to think that last year was the first time I ever went to RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa. While Toronto was home for over ten years before moving to Ottawa to save for adoption with Julio, I lived in the city for a long time before that and I can’t wrap my head around the fact that as a music lover I never attended. That or maybe at 39 years old, I just can’t remember if I did….

Either way, the 2023 lineup was recently announced that there’s a reason why everyone is loosing their minds over the line up. Let’s talk about it!

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023

Ottawa Just Got a Lot More Delicious

Today’s the day Ottawa – yes, this blog post is dedicated to you as a city and something fabulous that just arrived that is for you to enjoy before most Canadian cities. That’s right, the famous Tim Hortons Flatbread Pizza which took Mississauga by storm in 2022 has arrived, and you can now enjoy it at 12 locations around the city. I had the pleasure of trying them today and all I can say is YUM!

February 1, 2023February 13, 2023

Your Ultimate Valentine’s Day Wine Guide

Valentine’s Day seems to be one of those holidays that you either love to love, or love to hate. Either way, I know that I know Spring is around the corner-ish every February 14th and that’s reason enough to enjoy a beautiful glass of wine. I am actually astonished to have found out that Julio got me a gift this year while I haven’t gotten around to thinking about or buying one for him. Thankfully I’m a fabulous gift giver & experience curator. And of course when in doubt, a beautiful bottle of wine and some romance are the perfect option. For those of you in the same place, I thought I would do the hard work and curate the ultimate wine list for Valentine’s Day 2023 for your BFF, special someone, or for that solo soak in the tub.

January 9, 2023January 19, 2023

So Zellers is Coming Back… What’s The First Thing You’re Buying?

While many Canadians are kicking off 2023 with being back in the office and trying to keep up with resolutions, we’ve all just gotten a gift we didn’t know we needed in our lives. At least that’s how I’m feeling now that news has broken that iconic Canadian retailer Zellers is coming back and not just in one location, but across the country! So in anticipation of walking through the doors and hopefully giving Zeddy a big hug to welcome them back, I thought I’d share my #Zellers memories and what I am most excited for.

December 31, 2022January 4, 2023

The Five Things I Learned About Myself From The Park Hyatt Toronto

I know that we have been travelling a LOT as of late, and amid a whirlwind schedule leading into the holidays we recently had the opportunity to attend Bloor Street Entertains in the city of Toronto. The largest charity event of the calendar year, in support of CANFAR, I proudly attended as Julio’s plus one. While I am proud to Co-Chair the Legacy 2.0 Chapter of CANFAR in Ottawa, he is a National Ambassador and I happily was the proud husband and plus one for the evening and weekend. But for an elevated experience, I knew I had to find an elevated hotel in the city that could match that fabulous energy. Thankfully for us, Park Hyatt Toronto was able to show us why it is one of the best hotels in the country.

December 26, 2022December 26, 2022

Run, Don’t Walk, To Take Advantage of The Deals!

If you’re like me, you love giving gifts over the holidays to those you love. But, over the years I have come to realize how much I love Boxing Day for me. The deals are just better than ever this year! You all know how much I love Vitamix Canada, so when the team at Vitamix USA reached out to tell me about their boxing dale sales that we too can take advantage of, I simply HAD to tell you all before it was too late!

December 3, 2022December 12, 2022

The Six Things You’ll Need To Make The Holidays Better

While the holidays are a time to be with family and friends, I can often find myself torn in between the ones I love and preparing delicious food and drink. That’s why when I find products and items that can alleviate some of that stress and let me focus on what matters, I get excited to share that with you all. Launching just in time for the holidays, La Presserie cold press cocktail mixers are my secret weapon this year to ensure I throw the best holiday parties possible!

December 2, 2022December 12, 2022

So… Who Wants to Come to Cuba With Julio & I?

While we are all in full swing during the holiday season, I know that after a busy year I could use a perfect getaway to relax and unwind – To Chill Out even. That’s why I am so excited to share that in February 2023 Julio & I will be partnering with Air Canada Vacations to celebrate Pride with some fun under the Cuban sun!

Yes, that’s right – Air Canada Vacations’ Chill Out Event is back and now is the perfect time to book your tickets to join all your favourite fabulous people in the sun for an experience like no other!