Why Michelina loves to cheer: Ottawa Race Weekend

Michelina Teti (Twitter) recently graduated journalism and gender studies at Carleton University. Originally from Brampton, Ont, she’s a huge fan of a great yin yoga class, horrible television and hanging out with a pile of magazines in the traditional print form. She’s also Starbucks and agenda obsessed.

Not only do I love running and racing, I love cheering at races. I might even love it a tad more. Especially at Ottawa Race Weekend. 

The organizers of this event deserve a huge round of applause because the event continues to run like a well oiled machine. As one of the first Boston qualifying events, it draws in huge crowds of elite runners. Who wouldn’t want to run the canal anyways? The routes are beautiful. 

There is no better way (other than running) to experience Race Weekend than from the side line.

The cheer stations and the fans do one mighty important job. The runners are pure athletes and they deserve all the praise in the world. Whether its the 42.195 km race or their first 5K run ever, it’s no easy feat. While you are pushing through that final K mark, or hitting a wall in the middle, one good sign or a crowd of applause is often all you need to get by. 

The excitement and energy while runners run past is palpable, it gets me more and more excited for my training. This is how the seduction of races begin. You start by cheering and soon you’ll be on the course yourself.

I’ll be running my first half-marathon in August, and I look forward to those on the sidelines pushing me through. 

Thanks for sharing your photos and story Michelina – and good luck on your half-marathon!

Fashion on Display goes out on a stylish note

Michelina Teti (Twitter) is a fourth-year journalism and gender studies student at Carleton University. Originally from Brampton, Ont, she’s a huge fan of a great yin yoga class, horrible television and hanging out with a pile of magazines in the traditional print form. She’s also Starbucks and agenda obsessed.

The window displays on Dalhousie Street have been returned to their usual form.

It’s true, Fashion on Display is over in Ottawa. I first wrote about the collaboration between eco-friendly boutiques and local artists in my original post a few weeks ago.

One of the Fashion of Display storefronts

In a nutshell, here’s what the two-week-long fashion tour was about:

The tour matches locally owned eco-fashion boutiques, vintage shops and thrift stores with a local artist who then creates a window display for the shop that spreads a message. The cause behind the event is to promote conscientious consumption. 

The event was a great success and ended Thursday night with the Wrap-Up Bash at Cube Gallery.

Here are a couple photos to remember the night!

Maureen Dickson (centre) and Malorie Bertrand (right) with a Wrap-Up Bash guest

The Wrap-Up Bash was held at Cube Gallery

A big Local Tourist Ottawa congratulations to Malorie Bertrand and Maureen Dickson for such a successful event! We’ll window shop under your guidance any time!

Did you get the chance to see the creative shop windows presented thanks to Fashion on Display? Think Ottawa needs more collaboration between businesses and artists? Let us know! Thanks for the pictures, Michelina.

Shopping for a cause: Exploring Ottawa’s sustainable fashion scene

Michelina Teti (Twitter) is a fourth-year journalism and gender studies student at Carleton University. Originally from Brampton, Ont, she’s a huge fan of a great yin yoga class, horrible television and hanging out with a pile of magazines in the traditional print form. She’s also Starbucks and agenda obsessed.

It’s the perfect weather for window-shopping.

Maureen Dickson and Malorie Bertrand

Maureen Dickson, a sustainability consultant and co-founder of Slow Fashion Forward, and EF Magazine editor-in-chief, Malorie Bertrand, joined together recently to create Fashion on Display, Ottawa’s first-ever boutique tour. The event has been going on since October 6, but doesn’t end until the 20^th, so don’t worry, there is still plenty of time to peruse the streets of Ottawa!

The tour matches locally owned eco-fashion boutiques, vintage shops and thrift stores with a local artist who then creates a window display for the shop that spreads a message. The cause behind the event is to promote conscientious consumption. 

During the tour, locals are invited to visit each location, admire the displays and learn about the shop’s sustainable brands. 

Both Dickson and Bertrand are hoping the event sparks some debate in Ottawa about the eco-fashion options in the city. The tour also promotes the great local shops that do provide sustainable choices for customers. 

It was only a few years ago that Dickson used to shop just like the rest, tempted by the latest fashion trends and cheap retail prices. She’d buy at stores like H&M and Zara, and she’d shop a lot. 

Dickson gained new perspective and shopping habits during her time in Sweden, where she graduated with a master’s degree in strategic sustainability.

Now, when it comes to her clothes, Dickson is eco-conscious.

For those interested in sustainable fashion, the girls recommend shopping at second-hand stores and consignment shops. They also suggest having a clothing trade with your friends.

It’s when you need a piece of clothing that will last a lifetime that you should buy new and high quality, Dickson says.

Bertrand says her best finds are from thrift shops.

Her latest highlight? She recently went thrift shopping in the states and bought 20 things for $12! She boasts that she always gets compliments on those types of steals.

“At the end of the day we are all individuals and we all want our own sense of style as well. I find this so much more rewarding and satisfying,” Dickson says. “I’ve always loved rummaging for things and finding things that are unique that nobody else has.” 

As for me, my shopping trip down Dalhousie was a complete success. I found three new shops, all local and unique, and even bought a pair of earrings!

Here’s a sneak peak for you: I’m not going to tell you where the photos shown below are from – it’s your job to check the shops out for yourself. All I will say is these three shops were very close to each other, and visiting them could be a great little walk-and-talk kind of coffee date with a girlfriend.

Visit your Ottawa locals, shop at some great boutiques and learn a little bit at the same time.

Enjoy!

Sounds like a great way to combine shopping AND design (two of our favourite things). Well, Michelina has presented a challenge: do you recognize any of the window displays in the pictures above? Let us know – we’re curious too!