1. Hear the sweet sounds of folk/country musicians Sarah Slean, Buck 65 and Royal Wood at the Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre tonight.

2. Enter the world of Jane Austen at the Pride & Prejudice Ball – get a makeover, learn the dance and become Elizabeth Bennett at the Barnabas Anglican Church Hall Saturday night.

3. BC rocker Matthew Good takes over at Massey Hall Saturday and Sunday night.

4. Poetic verse that promotes the revolution – the International Festival of Poetry of Resistance on Sunday at Ellington’s Music and Cafe.

5. Check out the City Field North Shore exhibit featuring Peter Rotter, Joe Sampson, Dave Grieve and Stewart Jones at Lennox Contemporary this weekend.

Good looking distinct luggage will always make me smile. When I spotted a Halsea bag while travelling I was intrigued and found that the collection is designed by Sally Bartz, a designer who used to work for Roxy, Volcom and Paul Frank.

Her surf-inspired patterns are straight out of her California roots, and Bartz’s collections are happily influenced by the ocean, beach and and casual-style of the 1970s.

Offering travel essentials for cool women who wanted laid-back luxury, Halsea features unique patterns China Cove, Crescent Bay, Little Harbor and Canyon in luggage, bags, sunglass cases and accessories such as tennis racket, Kindle and surfboard covers. 

The China Cove pattern is based on seashells, and comes from Bartz’s collection as a child. I love this roller bag in salt water blue, with its laminated canvas and leather adornments. This 22″ bag easily fits in the overhead section of a plane and will be coveted by fellow travellers where ever you go.

For more information: Halsea

Rolling out into stores this month, Reitman’s first resort collection contains simple and affordable pieces that can easily make the transition from winter’s clutches into sunshine style for your favourite southern or island destination.

Reitmans’ Nathalie Lesage explained the ideas behind the collection and some tips for travellers heading to the sun this winter:

Why did Reitmans create a resort collection?

There is an increasing demand for warm weather fashions in winter months from customers who are headed to sunny destinations on a winter getaway. It also linked to our philosophy Designed for Rea Lifel…it is real to run away to get some sun!

What does the resort collection include?

Lightweight, wrinkle-free blouses, camis, capris, shorts, dresses, and skirts designed in colours and patterns to mix and match. The collection was conceived not only for this winter’s getaway but features essentials also suitable for the upcoming summer season as well.

What colour palette was chosen for the collection?

Classic black and white, vivid coral, orange, pink, and blue as well as neutral chino beige and grey.

Which textiles were chosen?

Lightweight, breathable cotton blends and wrinkle-free fabrics.

What must-haves should women include from the collection?

Our advice for travelling women…pack light and pack right!

Our collection features fashionable warm weather pieces designed to mix and match. The pieces coordinate with one another and take the guesswork out of outfit planning. As a result you’ll know exactly what to pack and won’t overload your luggage!

Here is Reitmans top 5 travel-ready pieces:

Capri: The warm weather substitute for the classic pant, “go-anywhere” Capri pants can take you from the beach to a romantic dinner. The right top and accessories will help transition Capri pants from day into evening.

Bohemian Blouse: a billowy top works well with casual shorts as it does with dressy skirts. Its versatility will increase your wardrobe possibilities and lighten your suitcase. Why pack a top that goes with one item when you can bring one blouse that goes with everything?

 Open cardigan: an absolute must-have, this cardigan will keep you warm on cooler evenings, or in overly air-conditioned areas (especially on the plane!).

 Printed Sundress: this versatile and easy-to-wear classic dress in comfortable, wrinkle-free fabric is perfectly packable and wearable. It can be worn casually on its own and can be dressed-up with a shawl and jewellery for a special night out.

Sandals: multiple shoes can weigh down your suitcase, which is why you need to pack one pair of fabulous sandals to wear with everything and everywhere! Our embellished sandals are as affordable as they are chic, can be worn with everything from sporty shorts to a stylish dress.

For more information: Reitmans 

1. The Pacific Ocean – great to look at and even more fun to be in!

2. The soft creamy sand between your toes. (and everywhere else)

3. Surfers.

4. Sunset on the Beach – outdoor movies screened at Waikiki Beach.

5. Surfers. (oh did I mention that twice???)

Residing in the heart of Waikiki Beach, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach is a serene environment, with its open air lobby beckoning a new arrival to head to the pool area before the brief respite of checking-in.

Rooms are spacious and designed to appeal to both men and women. Men will like the dark wood and deep brown granite counters as well as the earth tones used for textiles, while women will appreciate the chaise-style couch and the elegant desk, as well as the separation of the washroom and sink area and the coconut bath products.

Complimentary amenities include high-speed wireless, long distance calls to the mainland and access to Starbucks for the caffeine-addicted. Although this hotel is part of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts group, the use of Hawaiian details throughout the room’s design make this a unique abode, with a definite pride in its local heritage.

Stroll through the main level pool area – comfy lounge chairs and a jacuzzi beckon, or head through the shopping area to be lured to purchase a new sun dress or a stylish Hawaiian shirt from Kuloko Arts of Hawaii, Malana Trading Co. or Ku’ai Market.

In less than five minutes your toes will get to sink into the softness of Waikiki Beach and you can spend time gazing out at the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re a swimmer or sun worshipper, Waikiki beach is the perfect spot to while away the hours. For those seeking some adventure, surfing and stand up paddle rentals/lessons are available, or get out onto the ocean with a snorkeling trip with Outrigger Catamaran.

Once you know you’ve had enough sun, soothe yourself with an appointment at the Serenity Spa Hawaii, with its variety of treatments using Aveda products. Consider the Island Body therapy wrap to hydrate skin and calm the mind, before watching the sunset over the ocean from the hotel balcony.

Its a few steps to the Waikiki Beach Walk, a recently revamped shopping area with all the lures of Coach, Fendi and Louis Vuitton, as well as local souvenir fave ABC Stores and numerous spots for drinks or a meal. Take time to stop at the International Marketplace for some fun arts and crafts.

The hotel’s Kani Ka Pila Grille  is a torch-lit casual dining area and hosts Hawaiian musicians each night, a lovely way to end a day in paradise.

For more information: Outrigger Reef on the Beach

Sun, wind, travel – not friendly to the tresses. Hair can look stringy and greasy or flyaway and dehydrated. How to solve it on the road?

Gentle products that will restore the balance of natural oils and help protect hair against the changing environment of being on the road.

Moroccanoil comes to the rescue with its travel kit – featuring its shampoo, conditioner, restorative treatment and the original Moroccanoil treatment, all in perfectly portable sizes and contained in a lovely kit that can be brought on-board for the quick weekend getaway.

Use the products and know that they will prevent frizz, hydrate your hair and are free of sulphates, phosphates and parabens. So forget bad hair days on the road….

For more information: Moroccanoil

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Mark Twain

1. The Constantines, Attack in Black and the Weakerthans rock Lee’s Palace tonight and Saturday night.

2. Meet your fave French authors at the annual Salon du Livre at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, this weeekend.

3. Ballet Creole & Harbourfront NextSteps present Soulful Messiah, an Afro-Caribbean interpretation of Handel’s oratorio at Fleck Dance Theatre.

4. Hear the sweet strains of songwriters Andy Kim, Paul Quarrington, Emm Gryner and Dan Hill at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s monthly series, Bluebird North, this Saturday night.

5. The Holiday Marketplace is open at 401 Richmond and this Saturday director William Huffman will lead an art adventure tour through the building, starting at 12:30pm.

We all have a list of places we’d like to see one day. For me its Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the US southwest and Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe. I keep adding to my list thanks to magazine articles and blog posts.

Kickstart your imagination and add to your list with the 1,000 Places To See Before You Die page a day calendar 2010, inspired by the bestselling book by Patricia Schultz.

Every day a new place will inspire you to consider a tropical paradise, architectural site, natural wonder, or archeological ruins.

The calendar also includes quizzes, quotes, trivia and festivals, to inspire the jetsetter or the armchair traveller.

For more information: Workman Publishing

We all have our favourites – that boutique hotel, that restaurant on the beach or that bike trail near the cottage. But many times, I forget to write them down. So then I scramble through pieces of paper or online through websites looking for the information on how to get back there.

Sasquatch Books, Seattle-based publishers of the Best Places series of guidebooks, created its Travel Journal for those moments. An easy to carry notebook featuring five sections: Places to Check Out, Best Places to Eat, Best Places to Stay, Best Places to Shop, and More Best Places.

The creators made the journal even more user-friendly by including a rating system – one to four stars for restaurants and lodging, one to four $ for price range and four icons to remember places that are family-friendly, good value, romantic and places you especially love.

Perfect for the backpack, the glove compartment or that elegant on-board bag, Best Places Travel Journal becomes your own personal bible for the best places you know are worth a return visit and a recommendation to a friend.

For more information: Sasquatch Books