Our #HTSummerStoryWin is almost over! There’s only a week to go until we announce our winner who will receive a $2,500 travel gift card to spend on the vacay of her dreams AND a feature on the site! Get those entries in before it’s too late!
Astoria Luzzi from Toronto
SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?
A: I am currently working in the archives and records management field and will be finishing up my Masters of Information Science degree this school year. In my spare time I can be found trying out new recipes, drinking sangria on patios with my friends or devouring sci-fi novels. I`m also on a trivia team that competes weekly!
SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?
A: The possibilities are endless! I’m all about the dry heat so I think my destination of choice would be a resort in Arizona with horseback riding and canyon hikes. The Petrified Forest National Park is the main reason I’d love to go to there. As a lover of all that is old, being able to walk through the forests of petrified wood would be a trip that bridges my love for history with that of travel! As much as I enjoy relaxing while on vacation, I have the most fun being active and exploring new and exciting places!
SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?
A: Definitely at the Toronto Islands, lying on the beach with some friends. We usually pack a picnic and some magazines and (safely) soak up the sun. It’s the best beach getaway for us downtown folk who want a quick escape from the city.
SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…
A: Spray-on sunscreen is my ultimate summer beauty essential! I love that it’s easy to apply, goes on evenly, and dries instantly so I don`t have sand sticking to me. I also don’t have to worry about it exploding all over my beach bag!
SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?
A: Summer is hands down my favourite season. As soon as the thermometer hits 20 degrees I’ll be rocking crop tops, high-waisted shorts, printed rompers, and a summery lipstick!
Melissa Faulkner from Calgary
SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?
M: Normally I work as an emergency nurse in a level 1 trauma centre in Calgary My passion lies in high altitude medicine so I would love to work on exploratory expeditions as well. When I got home from working as a nurse in Africa 2.5 years ago I gradually developed a debilitating disease that is proving hard to diagnose. So my current state is battling for a diagnosis in a medical system that cannot find one. But normally for fun, before I lost my ability to do many things, I would mountaineer, rock and ice climb and go on long canoe trips. I also really enjoyed backpacking with my brother and pack dog, painting and baking. I am not giving up and I fight daily to live as fully as I can where I am instead of just surviving.
SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?
M: It’s hard to choose as I know I will get my life back, and when I do the possibilities are so much bigger than I ever imagined. I would love to take my family somewhere as they have been and are supporting me through this ordeal. I’d love to take them to New Zealand as we love outdoor adventuring.
SDTC: What is your favorite way to spend a scorching summer day?
M: I immediately start thinking of high adrenaline adventures of the past and hopefully, the future. But if I’m honest, I love the idea of a multi-day canoe trip with my brother and dog. Splashing each other with the paddles helps stay cool, as well as jumping in the water.
SDTC: One summer beauty essential you cannot live without is…
M: Honestly I’m a bit of a hippie in that I feel the most beautiful when I’ve had a long day in the sun doing activities I love. In a nutshell, I would have to say lots of sunscreen!
SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?
M: I often come off as someone who doesn’t like girly things but I do love to wear light cotton dresses with dainty flip flops.
Amy Stubbs from Toronto
SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?
A: My 9-5 is as an editor for a non-profit environmental education magazine. On the side I am an online health and wellness coach. When I’m not working I can either be found out wandering around with my dog’s leash in one hand and my camera in the other, on my mat for a workout, or spending precious time in the company of my favourite people.
SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?
A: Once I recovered from the shock (and shaking) of winning the grand prize, I would immediately start planning crossing off the number one place on my bucket list – Iceland! I would love to explore the beautiful scenery with a camera in hand to document every step of the way and enjoy some R&R in the infamous hot springs. Just thinking about it has me daydreaming about booking it.
SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?
A: I love to take a break on a hot summer day and sit out at my cottage in the Kawarthas surrounded by family and friends or lay down by the dock with a book from my summer reading list.
SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…
A: Sunscreen! I’m all about enjoying that sunshine while also protecting myself from any damage. Sunburns aren’t cute.
SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?
A: I love the wood sunglasses trend! I picked up a pair at an arts market this spring and have been rocking them ever since.
Tara Fillion from Winnipeg
SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?
T: I work in the Pediatric Cardiology Unit at the Children’s Hospital here as a Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Technologist, that means I do all the heart tests like echocardiograms, Holters, EKGs and monitoring in the cardiac catheterization lab.
I love working as part of the team helping all the tiny babies and their families, all the way up till they are 18 years old!
For fun, I love spending time outdoors, doing photography, playing slo-pitch, wake-boarding, hanging out with my two amazing cats in our backyard, spending quality time with friends and family for nice dinners out or backyard BBQs!
I have always and still love motorcycles, curling, hockey (Go Jets Go!), saving money by couponing (in order to travel more!) and travelling anywhere I can with my best friend in life, my husband!
SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?
T: Wow, if I won the grand prize I would really like to go to Tofino, BC for my wedding anniversary in September! Vancouver Island is so spectacular (all of Canada is, really!) and I love just being on the island, exploring and adventuring! As a prairie girl, I would LOVE to try surfing and see how I would do!!
SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?
T: Out at the family cabin, either on the beach, wake-boarding or taking awesome action-shots of others on the lake!
SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…
T: Definitely my Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face Lotion with SPF 30. I use it almost every day because it protects my face during the day, and it’s non-greasy and waterproof!
SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?
T: I plan on rocking the headwear trend this year! I picked up a wicked new raffia hat last week, and I have a couple cool floppy wide-brim hats already… now I need to find a smokin’ bucket hat I will be ready to go for all occasions!
Haven’t entered yet? Get on it, girl, THERE’S ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT!!! All you gotta do is share your summer plans with us on Twitter by posting a pic and tagging @Shedoesthecity and @HTropic_CA with hashtag #HTSummerStoryWin. GOOD LUCK!
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