Just Doro x Vivian Lynn: 3 Summer Skincare Essentials
Summer is a fleeting moment in time (I will stop sounding like a Nicholas Sparks novel): frequently far too short as I try to squeeze 10 days of activities into 6 days and wonder why I’m so gassed afterwards. The sun soaks up my energy, yet the perfect summer Saturday is a day at the beach with portable charcuterie, fresh fruit, multiple Sapsuckers, and my Kobo. But I love it so much.
As we dive into patio season and spend more time outdoors, it’s also a great time to switch up your skincare routine. I’ve swapped out thick moisturizers in favour of lighter lotions, brightening masks instead of hydration masks, and find myself reaching for water-based serums, rather than oil-based serums.
I have the absolute honour of collaborating with my dear friend, Vivian Lynn, on today’s blogpost, and we’d love to tell you about 3 summer skincare essentials for guys, gals, and non-binary pals. Read on for Vivian’s curated list!
Doro Dines: O’SOMAE
I am your very typical millennial: slightly overworked, usually juggling 1-2 side projects, and extremely fond of brunch. During my trip to Toronto in April 2022, I had the opportunity to try a new brunch spot in East Chinatown with 3 amazing friends!
O’SOMAE is located at Gerrard St E and Broadview Ave, located in Toronto’s East Chinatown. Broadview is the closest TTC station (17 min walk or 7 min bus). They serve your typical western brunch fare with poutines, burgers, waffles, bennies, and traditional American breakfasts. O’SOMAE also offers beautiful brunch picnic boxes (takeout only) that appeared to be all the rage during Toronto’s lockdowns last year.
I ordered the chicken and waffles and a duck poutine to share. Allow me to walk you through it!
Vancouver: Top 5 Boutique Fitness Studios
Movement has been a part of my life since I was 5, but we had a complicated relationship growing up together.
I danced for 8 years when I was younger: ballet, jazz, musical theater, and modern. However, I stopped dancing in 2008 because I prioritized my high school studies and didn’t feel like I belonged in that environment as my physical appearance/ build changed once puberty hit. It took me a while - 4 years, actually - to feel comfortable in a studio again.
I took my first group fitness class in 2018 and was completely hooked. I loved the energy and community that came with a group ride in a dark room, the collective burn on the Megaformer, and the collective exhale in a yoga class.
My favourite boutique fitness studios in Vancouver are Jaybird, Lagree West, Spin Society, The Bar Method, and Core Community: read on to find out why!
Doro’s Day Off: Recovery (Massage, Cruffin, & Shabu Shabu)
Last week, I poured 150% of myself into showing up for others and I forgot to show up for myself. Between my dad’s birthday dinner, sitting on a virtual panel, dinner with a friend, a day-long branding workshop, and having contractors at my apartment for 3 days straight, I was completely spent. Even my backup tank was empty.
I realized that I needed some self-love and quality solo-time this weekend, so I booked a body oil massage, treated myself to a cruffin, and indulged in some shabu shabu as a tried and true comfort food for a rainy Vancouver day.
Doro Dines: Canffle
Pastries are my love language. My Instagram algorithm is fully aware this love and while casually scrolling through my Explore page one day, I froze in my tracks. I watched someone place an adorable mini croissant in a wafflemaker and witnessed the holy matrimony between a croissant and waffle. The birth of a croffle. I began to salivate… my tastebuds needed to try it.
When a friend told me that a neighbourhood joint serving croffles and breakfast opened up, I knew I had to go.
Introducing Canffle, a bright, compact cafe in Vancouver serving waffle-based plates with a range of unique, sweet, and savoury toppings. They offer croffles and let me tell you, it was everything I imagined and so much more.
Doro Dines: Osteria Savio Volpe
Savio Volpe is one of my favourite restaurants. It’s classic and homey, the vibes are unpretentious, and the service is impeccable.
Whenever I go to Savio Volpe, I struggle to order because my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach. Everything on the menu sounds delectable, from the beet salad to burrata to roasted chicken. A classic Cantonese saying is, “Eyes wide, stomach narrow,” which applies to every facet of my being.
I asked my server for suggestions on what to order and settled on a burrata to start, a ricotta tortelli as my main, and a scoop of pistachio gelato for dessert.
Every bite was perfection.
Vancouver: 3 Solo Date Ideas
Even the most extroverted of extroverts need some introvert time. I love a loud party with a 5 course meal, dancing, and getting dolled up with 50 other people, but also adore a day on my own at a coffee shop with a macaron, decaf oat milk flat white, and a novel.
What makes me happy? What do I like? How do I want to spend my free time?
These were things I asked myself in mid-2020, when I suddenly found myself with an influx of free time on my hands due to excessive vacation days that needed to be used up (thx COVID-19) and the conclusion of a long-term relationship. All of these activities that I would normally do with my ex-partner, like try a new restaurant, attend an event, or even binge watch a show on the couch, I now had to do either alone or with other friends.
Introducing: the solo date.
Read on for my solo date criteria and 3 solo date ideas that may inspire you as you plan your own date.
Doro’s Day Off: Solo Date (Pilates, Facial, & Coffee)
Summer is the perfect time for a solo date. You’re in great spirits, the sun is shining, your clients are out of office, and nothing can ruin your day. During the summer, my firm gives us an extra day off for each summer public holiday, which extends 3 day weekends into 4 day weekends.
I kicked off my BC Day weekend with a much-needed solo date featuring Lagree West, a laser facial at Plain Jane Skin Bar, coffee at Aperture Coffee Bar, and a bonus stop at Burgoo.
Toronto: Ice Cream Guide
Creamy, full-bodied, custardy goodness. Dairy or non-dairy. It can be as simple as you want it to be or you can inject flavour bombs through and through. Ice cream is for everyone.
If you grew up in Canada, you probably have fond memories of summers with gigantic spoonfuls of No Name’s vanilla ice cream in the classic yellow 4L tubs. My childhood ice cream palate consisted of that and Breyer’s mint chocolate chip (in its bright green goodness).
Thankfully, I’ve broadened my horizons and now consider myself a bit of an ice cream snob. Depth of flavour, temperature, and consistency are what I look for.
During my latest trip to Toronto, I visited 6 ice cream shops and was not disappointed. Let’s talk about it.
Spark Joy: 10 Things Worth Splurging On As A Young Professional
As your typical twenty-something year old, I struggle between saving and spending. On one hand, I would love to own property in Vancouver one day. On the other hand, the soft opening for a new fusion restaurant is this weekend (ahem Land and Sea) and last minute bookings just opened up…
Some friends have asked me for recommendations on things that are worth the splurge and I’ve created a list of my favourite things that have sparked great joy for me as a young professional.
The Dyson Airwrap. Loungewear. Noise cancelling headphones. Cozy socks. A sit-stand desk. Read on to find out what else is on my list!