The Film Festival Issue

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Hello friend,

Do you know that feeling when you’re happy and sad at the same time? That’s the sentiment I have as I share some news with you today. After joining me on this adventure that is Genuinely Stellar for the past year and a half, my dear friend, Co-Founder, and partner in crime, Tonia Wilson, is moving on to return to her roots in the food industry. She is cooking up something incredible, and we will be the first to let you know about it when she’s ready to launch. In the meantime, she will pop in now and again with a recipe or wine reco, just for you. So, I’m sad to be missing our daily conversations about brands we love and the stories we want to share, but over the moon for her as she pursues a new dream! After all, celebrating women entrepreneurs is what Genuinely Stellar is all about! Best of luck to you Tonia!

As for this week in the newsletter, the Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing and we thought it would be fun to pretend to be an A-lister for a week. We’ve curated some women-owned brands to help us live like a celebrity. We share the Montreal fashion designer with the most stylish red carpet-ready looks; we introduce you to a beauty expert who has the tip that will take years off your look; we recommend a small woman-owned restaurant that has big celebrity watching potential this week; we revisit a spa in TIFF territory that is the perfect escape from the bustle of film fest life; and we highlight three TIFF films from Canadian women directors.

Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring the newsletter this week. Now grab a coffee. Scratch that. Pour yourself a Mimosa (or crack one open from one of our favourite woman-owned brands), it is TIFF week, after all, and dive into our stories. Tell us what you think in the poll below. And have a happy Sunday!

Enjoy! 

Do you ever imagine what your red carpet moment would look like? You enter the step and repeat, strike a pose, the media calls your name asking, “who are you wearing?” And you say…. 

 What is the most underrated beauty tip, whether you’re walking the red carpet or going to the grocery store? It literally reshapes your face and makes you look years younger. This woman entrepreneur has the answer.

If the celebrities in Toronto have a hankering for a taste of the islands (and many of them have in the past), we can recommend a spot with two enterprising women behind it.

In the heart of film festival territory is an escape from the papparazzi and party scene. We can’t help but think it would be the perfect place to unwind for celebs looking for respite from the spotlight.

Three Canadian women filmmakers are presenting at TIFF this year. Learn about them and the movies they are debuting here at home.

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Watch this space for five quick things to make your life a little richer.

There’s nothing like a country drive to take in the fall colours. We found a list of the most beautiful spots in Ontario to get your fall colour fix.

Did you know there is a museum in Cobourg, Ontario dedicated to Canadian Women in Film? It’s in the actual home where Canadian actress and Academy Award winner Marie Dressler was born. She was one of only a handful of Canadian women to win the best actress award.

What are you cooking this weekend? We found a stick to your bones recipe we can’t wait to try, with a skillet cake for dessert that bursts with flavours of fall.

Did your kids stumble on the video of conservative Charlie Kirk’s death this week? You’re not alone. Experts explain why so many people, including children, were served up the horrifying video on social media and how there’s little we can do to protect our children from violent content.

Miss an issue? We’ve got you! Find quick links to recent issues right here.

Last week’s issue was inspired by beautiful September days. We tapped some women entrepreneurs in the “Feel Good” business to match the way we feel at this time of the year. Get the Feel Good Issue here.

Find out what you have to look forward to next Sunday in Genuinely Stellar!

We recently met the most delightful founder who left a career in medical research to pursue her passion for fashion. Her product is as enticing as her story. Be sure to read next week’s newsletter to find the coat to add to your closet this fall.