Servestock Backyard Jam Contest

Are you ready for Servestock 2012?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 13 because this exclusive backyard jam is back and better than ever! For one magical night each year, Servestock brings together an incredible mix of rock musicians to raise funds for at-risk youth.

Who's going to be there?

En route from NYC before jetting across the pond to Europe, Canadian rock group, The Sheepdogs will stop to headline at Servestock with Colin Mochrie, TSN's James Cybulski, Debra MacGrath from Little Mosque on the Prairie and CP24 Breakfast's Steve Anthony. So get ready to be amazed, wowed and tickled through humour and music!

Tickets are on sale now for $250 and can be purchased HERE.

We're Here To Serve!

Serve works with inner city at-risk youth ages 13-24 to help them overcome obstacles and build positive and healthy networks. At HUG, we believe in showing our support when it comes to benefiting the Toronto community so we are here to Serve and giveaway a pair of tickets to this incredible event.

Wanna Win Tickets?

All you have to do is spread the word and Tweet "This is not your parents' backyard jam! I'll be rocking my support for @ServeToronto and @hipurbangirl http://bit.ly/K6Mkd6 #Servestock"

One winner will be selected by random at 9pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012. Good luck!

Contest! Fans With Benefits

A sponsored hip + urban girl post.

If you’ve been following along over the past few months, you would have noticed that we have been sharing our American Express Ambassador experiences - checking out the cool perks of being an Amex Cardmember and reporting it all back to you from the frontlines. Well, it's about time that you join in the fun!

We are thrilled to announce that American Express Canada is giving away 50 pairs of tickets to see the Dave Matthews Band next month as part of their ‘Fans With Benefits’ giveaway.

When: Saturday, June 2 at 7:00 pm 
Where: Molson Amphitheatre 
Why: Amex loves making you feel special through unique experiences! This contest is thanking Amex fans for being part of their awesome community. 

And now the big question: How Do I Win?!?!
Head over to the American Express Canada Facebook page to enter the contest and you will soon be rocking it out with us to Crash Into Me! Winners will get to use Front Of The Line entrance at the Amphitheatre, plus they will attend the pre-event reception where dinner and drinks will be served. Amex sure knows how to make its community feel special!

From taking Winterlude by storm in Ottawa to getting a sneak peek at the acclaimed play War Horse, see what else we have been up to as Amex Ambassadors.

Enter now! www.amexfanswithbenefits.ca Contest ends Friday, May 11th at 11:59 AM.

The Dorset Manor Spa + WIN A Day Spa Getaway!

We are such big fans of Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario that when the same owners invited us to visit their newest sister spa, The Dorset Manor - we jumped at the opportunity to visit them in Port Hope. Newly re-opened in May 2011 after over $100,000 in renovations, the rustic inn is warm, comfortable and full of charm. It's the perfect little place for a romantic getaway or to recharge out of the city on a girlfriends getaway. Yes, the bed was actually so high that it required a step stool (above).

My first treatment upon arrival was The Botanical Resurfacing Facial ($120/60 mins) which included cleansing, exfoliation, a hydrating masque, a face and arm massage along with a foot scrub. I felt very relaxed, especially with no painful extractions this time around.

My spacious guest room for the weekend

The view from our suite at the top of the hill overlooked four wooded acres and Lake Ontario. I felt nestled in nature inside a gorgeous Victorian mansion. The inn features only nine rooms, so it was easy to find peace and quiet. We had our own little balcony with Muskoka chairs to relax and drink our coffee in. The building is not licensed, however guests are encouraged to bring along their own wine and beer. I actually chose not to drink that weekend, so my body could fully detox.

The best way to relax after the drive-in from Toronto was with Afternoon Tea served in a sun-filled dining room. I felt instantly energized after some veggies & dip, herbal tea, fruit skewers, mini-sandwiches and sweets. The chef also accommodates gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian diets.

Weekend Brunch @ The Drake Hotel, Toronto

Photo Credit - Wil Lau

I recently moved across the street from The Drake Hotel in Toronto and find myself meeting people here all the time for coffee, drinks or brunch. It's an easy spot with reliable food, a laid-back vibe and cool decor. Here's the latest from our recent visit for brunch....

The Warm Scone Share Plate ($7.95) is named the best in the city by The Toronto Star. I love that they are bursting with berries and begging to be smothered in cream and jam. Yes, they are the best blueberry scones in Toronto - but #1 scone in the city still goes to The King Edward Hotel because the Queen Mum is never wrong. If you're starving, I recommend ordering these to get you started with a hot cup of dark coffee.

I rarely order anything besides The Southern Fried Chicken + Waffles ($14.75).  It's soul food with a little bit of sweet and salty and a whole lot of crunch. The Drake Hotel version is a herbed waffle with three pieces of crispy fried chicken, a pat of melted butter and sweet Niagara cherry jam - all smothered in maple syrup. If breakfast could be like this everyday, I would be a 400-pound woman. I'm not sure what they do to the chicken here, but the skin is practically curling over because it's so crispy. The meat is still moist on the inside. Drake Hotel Chicken + Waffles beats any other I've had in the city AND it beats Roscoe's Chicken + Waffles in LA.

Best way to cure a hangover? More alcohol! Ok, I don't know if this is true, but the cocktails were too hard to resist, even after I made a long-winded speech about how I need to cut down on drinking. The Apricot Fizz ($9) was calling my name. Made with apricot brandy, lemon + lime juice, sugar and soda - it packs a stronger punch than your typical mimosa. Love Caesars? The Drake's Gin + Cucumber Caesar ($13) is my absolute favourite and a refreshing twist to your typical Clamato juice.

WIN Tickets to The One of A Kind Show - Spring 2012

The One of A Kind Show is back for a quickie weekend this spring, so you can stock up on your favourites and do your shopping for Easter and Mother's Day. 

Look for us on Saturday March 31st @ 1 PM on the Mainstage where Lisa will be sharing her Spring Picks!

Want to go to the show for FREE?

We're giving away FIVE pairs of tickets away on our Facebook page. Just comment on the One of A Kind thread telling us your favourite thing about spring. We'll be picking five winners at random on Monday March 19th. Good luck!

Contest: What Does Nokia And Fashion Week Have In Common?

During Toronto Fashion Week, PAVONI will be showcasing their Fall 2012 Collection. If you haven't checked them out already, they are an exciting new luxury fashion house that caters to woman with an inspired sense of taste and appreciation for superior fabrics and design.

Meanwhile the Nokia Lumia 800, lets you stand out in the crowd!

Nokia's latest smartphone is stunningly social with these key features:

• Head-turning unibody design in vivid colours: cyan, magenta, black
• Integrated social networking experience through Windows Phone 7.5
• Best Internet browsing experience with Internet Explorer 9
• Up to 9 hours of 3G talktime
• Access to thousands of apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace
• 8MP camera and high definition 720p video recording

So what do these two things have in common?

Well if you are going to be sitting in the VIP section at the Pavoni Show, you'll need to be seen Tweeting, Blogging and Texting in style! And we are going to give you all that!

WIN a pair of front-row tickets to the Pavoni Show (Monday at 9pm) and the Nokia Lumia 800 smartphone!

To enter this contest, these two steps must be completed:

1. What's your favourite fashion/style post on HUG? Share it with your friends on your Facebook page.
2. Tweet "I want the Nokia Lumia 800 so I can be stunningly social with @hipurbangirl @nokiacanada for #WMCFW!"

One winner will be chosen Saturday at noon EST. Good Luck!

The Cake Beauty Giveaway!

We are big fans of this homegrown Canadian-based beauty line, which is 100% paraben-free and made with high quality natural ingredients. Our friends at Cake have put together a kick-ass prize pack to help you slough off all that flaky winter skin and get you in the mood for spring.

The Cake Beauty Prize Pack includes:

* it’s a slice smoothing brown sugar scrub

* it’s a slice supreme body mousse

OPI Holland Collection Giveaway!

***CONTEST is Now Closed*** We're already over the bleh of winter and the -20 weather. Looking ahead, hot nail shades for Spring 2012 include bright pinks, muted blues and bold purples. Bring it on, we say...

The Holland Collection by OPI offers 12 shades with a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented bright hues. Of course, you can't miss the funny names like Thanks a WindMillion, A Roll in the Hague and Vampsterdam. OPI nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. The above shades will be available February 8, 2012, at Professional Salons and Spas ($10.95 each).

OR

You can WIN this ENTIRE collection here from The Hip + Urban Girl's Guide! Just follow these two easy steps:

1) SUBSCRIBE to our bi-weekly newsletter, so you can get all the latest hug updates.

2) COMMENT below with your full name & let us know you've completed the above!

Already subscribed? Just skip to step two and leave your FULL NAME in the comments so we can find you and get in touch. Good luck! Open to Canadian residents only.

Win Tickets to the Wedding Co. Show 2012

He popped the question or maybe you did... now let the wedding planning fun begin! 

We'd love to send you to The Wedding Co. Show next weekend so tell us about the proposal in our comments section below and you could win a pair of tickets! 
(Contest closes Sunday, January 8 at 11:59pm)

Date: January 13 - 15 
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street 
Tickets: $20 each

The Wedding Co. Show features a collection of 125 hand-selected and trusted wedding professionals, all at one illustrious, easily accessible location for 3 full days. Vendors will include the Four Seasons Hotel, Cake Opera Co., White Toronto and, new this year, Mimosa Flower Studio, Tell Me A Love Story and Au Lit Fine Linen. 

While browsing past the gorgeous gowns, scrumptious dessert options and a myriad of decor ideas, guests will have a chance to ask etiquette questions at the first-ever The Wedding Co. Show’s Etiquette Booth, hosted by expert Stephanie Wright. Wright will guide guests through modern-day etiquette questions to help make any bride’s day more enjoyable and calm. 

Guests will also be invited to have their names beautifully handwritten on personalized envelopes by calligrapher Rajiv Surendra.

Enter To WIN A $1300 HP Envy Laptop!

You still have until THIS Friday December 16th to enter to win this *sexy* HP Envy 14 Laptop ($1300 value). This BEATS edition ENVY lets you hear the difference with superb playback that minimizes background noise and separates the crisp highs, distinct lows, and subtle in-betweens. Turn up the volume without muddying the sound, thanks to Beats Audio software that maintains fidelity as the energy goes up.

Features Include:

*Windows 7

*Intel Core 2nd Generation i5 Processor, 2.4 GHZ

*6 GB 133 MHz SDRAM

*830 GB Hard Drive

*Full-size Backlit Keyboard with Black Aluminum Finish

*Up to 5.5 Hours of Battery Life

Remember! We are judging the winner based on the funniest, creative or most original comment. Have a little fun, we love reading them....good luck!

Full contest details and MORE on how to enter/comment HERE

WIN A Samsung Galaxy S II Smart Phone!

We’re working with our friends at Samsung Canada to giveaway a very stylish smart phone... the new Galaxy SII in white. With a sleek look, ultra thin design and powerful AMOLED touch screen, this Android phone is perfect for the hip + urban girl or guy who cares for both technology and style.

Retail value - $599.95 
Service provider - Bell Canada

Features:

- Vivid 4.3” AMOLED Plus Screen
- Super  fast  1.2GHz Dual Core Application Processor
- 8.49mm Slim Design
- 16 GB Internal Memory
- Android 2.3 Operating System
- 8 MP Camera with Flash
- Full HD (1080P) Video Recording and Playback

More details & specifications can be found on the Bell Canada website. Service is not included and contest is only open to residents of Canada.

How To Enter:

1) Like Us on Facebook
2) Comment under the Samsung contest string ON FACEBOOK and tell us what kind of articles/topics you want to read more of here on The Hip + Urban Girl's Guide
3) We choose a winner at random on December 19th

Good luck!

HP Envy Me Contest

When I retired from my office job earlier this year to work on HUG and start my own advertising company, Adfluent Media Inc., I had to return my very corporate Lenova Thinkpad and find a laptop that was going to be suitable for my "new lifestyle".

This baby was going to be an extension of me and go where I go... South America, Western Europe and the US (it was in for a real adventure)! Since my laptop is also my money making machine I needed powerful hardware that was fast and reliable with an enhanced Windows 7 experience. And of course, I love my tunes so streaming music/videos and sound quality are all important to me.

So here I am in the Sacred Valley, Peru with my HP ENVY 14. At 1.1" thin and less than 6 pounds, this laptop travels extremely light for the jet-setter and business woman on the go. I have everything I need to run an efficient office away from home including managing my e-banking, day trading, shopping online, blogging and keeping in touch with family and friends. Thanks to the Beats Audio Console, I'm rocking it out like a superstar and totally looking like one with HP's show-stopping design, brush aluminum finishes and backlit keyboard!

Are you Envious yet?

Well you don't have to be because we'll love to share our HP experience with you by giving away this HP ENVY 14 Beats Edition laptop to one lucky hip + urban girl or guy.

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, ALL 3 STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 11:59 PM ON DECEMBER 16, 2011.

1. Tweet: Don't be envious, enter the #HPEnvyMe contest and win a laptop @hipurbangirl http://bit.ly/vErfnT
2. Share: this post on your Facebook Wall http://www.hipurbangirl.com/2011/12/hp-envy-me-contest.html
3. Comment: tell us below why you want to be the envy of your friends and win this laptop! (Don't forget to include your email or Twitter so we know who you are.)

(Winner will be selected upon completing the above steps and having the most original, funny and/or best comment! This contest is open to Canadian residents only.)

A Million Reasons To Enter

A sponsored hip + urban girl post.

Ever imagine what it would be like if someone gave you a shopping cart and you were allowed to fill it up with anything from your favourite store? Well in my opinion this is just as good! If you haven't heard through the grapevine yet (or Twitterverse), American Express Canada is giving away One Million Membership Rewards Points.

So check out the Rewards Catalogue and see what your Points will get you... there is something for everyone, no matter what type of hip + urban girl or guy you are!

Geek Girls, unplug for a moment and check out...
The Bose noise cancelling head phones, cameras, the Kobo and other popular tech toys, like the Apple iPad and MacBook Air. Just another attractive redemption option to make traveling and being on-the-go a breeze.

For the Fashionista who loves Michael Kors, Coach or Holt Renfrew...
Did you know you can get gift cards and accessories to top retailers with your Membership Rewards Points? So here's your chance to shop till you drop without feeling guilty!

Dear Domestic Divas, ready to cook up a storm with...
The Cusinart 10-piece cookware set, how about making personal pies and paninis the quick and easy way with Breville? Membership Rewards Points give card members the chance to get all the coolest gadgets so you can build up your dream kitchen.

Hey Foodies, tempt your tastebuds with...
Into the Kitchen Tasting Menu For Two: an unforgettable experience where Chef Massimo Capra will take you shopping at St. Lawrence Market and then cook you a world-class meal.

Alright put the daydreaming on pause, hop onto Facebook and enter this contest! Hurry because entries are accepted until midnight December 11, 2011.

Now back to what you would do if you won the grand prize of 

a Million Rewards Points...??

To enter the contest and see the full terms and conditions, CLICK HERE!

We Meet Survivorman Les Stroud

A sponsored hip + urban girl post.

A few months ago, we partnered up with American Express to help promote their Room For Thought (RFT) contest. We asked our Travel & Adventure readers what their space would look like if they could fill it with anything of their imagination. Well yesterday, we finally got a chance to see the winning room brought to life at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts.

We got to hang out with Les Stroud in Nepal!
At least it looked like Nepal minus the frosty wind chill! Les is witty, intelligent, charming and well, a super hip Survivorman. We got up close and personal and talked to him about everything from surviving the Apocalypse to tribal Ayahuasca experiences to his mentorship role with American Express.

1) What made you decide to be a mentor for RFT?

I've always believed in mentorship programs. I think it is important to take the valuable experiences you have and be able to share them with people. When American Express approached me with the RFT concept, I liked it because it wasn't a "get rich quick scheme" but something that had integrity, credibility and made a difference socially.

2) Your Beyond Survival Show is absolutely amazing! Many of the places you traveled to are completely remote and barely documented on a map so how do you come up with such ideas?

I wanted to create a show with a survival theme but that was different from Survivorman so I did a lot of research and talked to many anthropologists to find out about remote indigenous cultures, earth-oriented people who lived close to the ground and still made their own weapons and medicines.

3) If you were in the middle of the Gobi Desert and was allowed to charge ONE item to your American Express card (to be dropped off), what would it be?

It would cost a lot of money but I would want a water truck with an endless supply of water. (Hmmm Les, that is almost like saying you wish you had another million wishes but we'll let it go this time *winks*!)

Food and Wine Expo Hits Toronto THIS Weekend

Not sure what kind of wine to serve your peeps over the holidays? We suggest a thorough tasting of as many wines as possible, so you can get things exactly right.

Start by getting your drink on at The Food and Wine Expo 2011. It's back in Toronto THIS weekend at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

We have FIVE pairs of sweet passes to the VIP opening night on Thursday November 17th from 6-10 pm. It's the best night to go because you can get in before the big crowds hit on the weekend and when tickets usually sell out. The passes are worth $40 each.

Comment below and tell us:

1) Your email address, so we can contact easily if you win

2) Name your favourite wine label

Good luck!  We choose our winners at random on Tuesday. Gourmet Food and Wine Expo Toronto 2011 Coupon PROMO Code: SAVE - get $3 off!

Win 1 of 10 Passes to My Week With Marilyn

Rumours are that Michelle Williams is killing it as the iconic Marilyn Monroe in her latest film My Week with Marilyn. It tells the story of a young set assistant named Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) who meets Marilyn Monroe on the set of her film The Prince and the Showgirl. 

Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn – this is the story of that week.  

The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide is giving away 10 pairs of tickets to the exclusive VIP advanced screening on November 17th @ 7 pm inside the cushy Varsity Theatre. Like us over on Facebook and name your favourite movie or TV show with Michelle Williams. We'll pick 10 winners at random. Good luck!

The One of A Kind Show is Back for Christmas

The One of a Kind Show is back in Toronto for the holidays from November 24 to December 4 at The Direct Energy Centre. 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors/students and includes re-admission.

It's one of our favourite places to find unique Christmas gifts and edible gourmet goodies. I recommend coat checking it and showing up hungry, because there are samples galore from cookies, chocolate, dumplings, shortbread, jams, spreads, dips, bread pudding, fruit cake and more. You'll leave with bag fulls of stuff for yourself.

Want to go for FREE?  The first 10 people to comment on this post with their email address and names ONE vendor from the show will win a pair of tickets!

Ready? Set? GO!

Need a 60-Minute Massage?

We are giving away a 60-minute RMT massage and a 15-minute Aveda blue oil scalp treatment from our friends at Sitamaa Spa. This very special treatment is being offered during Beautylicious, a spa week from some of best spas, salons and wellness centres in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood. The treatment is discounted to $75 from October 27 - November 6, but we want to give one our lucky readers a chance to experience it for FREE.

Want to win this massage? 

Follow us over @hipurbangirl and tweet: "I wanna win a 60 minute massage from @Sitamaa and @Hipurbangirl #hugTO". 

I had this massage at Sitamaa Spa and practically melted. My therapist was able to work out a lot of the shoulder kinks I have from stress and working on a computer all day. The treatment room and spa is a clean and modern white. The lack of clutter and colour really helps to clear you head and zone out. The central location inside the Manulife Centre was also easy to get to.

We will pick a winner at random on Friday October 21st. Good luck!

Can't wait to win? Make sure you check out the discounted treatments from Sitamaa Spa and Beautylicious - it starts NEXT Thursday and appointments are booking up fast.

Kardashian Kolors Giveaway

As if it isn't hard enough already to keep up with the Kardashian's... among the endless drama and sibling rivalry, Kim's $10 million dollar wedding to Kris Humphries and all the boob jobs, the Kardashian/Jenner Family managed to pull it all together to partner up with our favourite nail polish brand, Nicole by OPI to create these 14 Kaptivating nail lacquers. We love the fashion forward shades and cheeky cleaver names of the kolors - ranging from high shine bolds to neutral taupes to sparkly holiday hues.

Love the Kardashians? Love the Kolors? Well we would love to give you this set! Leave a comment below about Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall or Kris (can be something funny, juicy gossip you heard or about their show) and we'll select one lucky winner on Wednesday, October 19.

Kardashian Kolors will be available this holiday for $11 each but you can get them first with The Hip and Urban Girl's Guide!

It's All About the Glam - Shimmering-white glitz for the glamorous gal!

Kim-pletely in Love - Finally! The pink of her dreams has arrived.

All Kendall-ed Up - Powder your nose and get some pink on those toes!

Wear Something Spar-Kylie - Glitter-ly the prettiest pink ever!

Sealed with a Kris - Handle with care: This klassy red is top-of-the-line!

Rainbow in the S-Kylie - Girls just wanna have…glitter in every color!

Disco Dolls - Glittery gold glam gone wild!

Kendall on the Katwalk - A head-turning blue-green with a “sparkling” personality!

Listen to your Momager! - If you don’t, you’ll never see this fabulous blue again!

Follow Me on Glitter - A glittery deep gray that always has something to say!

My Empire...My Rules - This take-charge taupe is always on-trend.

Khloé Had a Little Lam-Lam - A deep dark emerald worth falling for.

Hard Kourt Fashionista - This delicious deep brown is the chicest hue in town!

Kourt is Red-y for a Pedi - And this captivating coral looks “fab” on everyone!

Contest: Social Media Fast Track

So you are tweeting, liking, linking and have made a social media footprint for yourself, now what?

We'll tell you how at this Social Media Fast Track Workshop taught by Business Women for Business Women like you! Donna Marie Antoniadis and her awesome team at ShesConnected has developed a 3 hour fast track workshop of everything you’ll need to know about how social media can help you grow your business - whether you are a beginner lost in the Twitterverse or a Digital Maven ready to take it to the next level.

Oh and if you don't already know, Donna is ranked one of the 20 best branded women on Twitter by Forbes and is the Co-Founder of ShesConnected so she definitely knows what she's talking about!

You can register now for this Workshop or win a pass by Tweeting "I'm a Business Woman and want to attend the Social Media Fast Track Workshop #SMBW with @hipurbangirl!"

Date: Wednesday, October 19
Time: 9am - 12pm OR 1pm - 4pm
Venue: Hyatt Regency Toronto (370 King Street West)

Contest closes Monday, October 10 at noon. We will select one winner by random draw. Good Luck!