So, without further ado.
Bianca Osbourne, Toronto
Chef, and cooking show and podcast host
Tell us about yourself! I’m a chef, cooking expert on the Marilyn Denis Show, host of CTV Life’s Combination Plates (coming early 2021!) and host of the podcast On my plate. I cook food and talk about it!
The holidays will be a little different this year, do you have any special plans? This year the holidays look SO different, and while I will miss my mom’s annual 30+ person Xmas party, I am happy to spend time with my small family bubble, relaxing and eating delicious food. Regardless of what this year looks like, delicious food is the constant!
What does “together” mean to you? Togetherness isn’t just a physical manifestation of being in the presence of people, this has been shown all year long as we’ve Zoomed weddings, birthdays, baptisms and more. Being together is about sharing moments with others, and COVID has helped everyone recognize that we can still be together even when we’re apart. While I appreciate all forms of togetherness, I’m very much looking forward to being in rooms full of people, talking closely and hugging.
Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
- I’m ALWAYS on Instagram, it's where I share everything about my projects and life.
- My website is where you’ll get my recipes.
- My podcast is where I talk to interesting people and uncover their life story through the lens of food.
- And my newsletter is for the secret stuff.
Bianca’s pick: the Sonia in Blush
Lisa Tant, Vancouver
Style Expert & Advocate for diversity in fashion
Tell us about yourself! I’m one of Canada’s leading style experts with a background in fashion publishing and luxury retail. I moved back home to Vancouver in the spring where I’m now mentoring start-up fashion entrepreneurs. I’m a happy West Coaster who loves colourful styles, the Canadian outdoors, travel adventures, and my pug Raffi (not necessarily in that order).
Any 2020-style holiday plans? This year, I’ll be celebrating the holidays within my tiny bubble – me, my guy and Raffi. I decorated early to make our place festive and cosy, so we’ll mostly be staying close to home, except for some long walks along the beach. We’ll miss our extended family so much but Zoom and FaceTime will help bring us closer.
What does “together” mean to you? A silver lining to the challenges this year. To me, togetherness means lifting each other up and celebrating our differences. We are breaking down barriers – race, age and gender – and welcoming everyone. We have a long way to go but this change has never moved faster or felt more authentic and hopeful. We’re all focused on the same goal, a safe healthy community, that includes everyone everywhere. No exceptions. We’re ONE – united together for the greater good.
How can we keep up with your work? Keep in touch with me and my new projects on Instagram @lisatant!
Lisa’s pick: the Illusion in Marbled Pink
Michelle Chubb, Winnipeg
Indigenous activist and beadwork artist
Tell us about yourself! My name is Michelle Chubb; I grew up in Winnipeg, MB. I am from a rez called Oxford House but spent my summers in Cross Lake. Currently, I am selling beadwork as a job whilst making TikToks and inspiring others on the side.
The holidays will look a little different this year, do you have any particular plans? This holiday will probably consist of more eating and staying indoors.
What does “together” mean to you? Together means as a whole, helping each other, teamwork. Together is warm.
Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects? Follow me at @indigenousbaddie on TikTok and Instagram
Michelle’s pick: the Area in Leopard
Myles Sexton, Toronto
HIV/AIDS and sobriety advocate, makeup artist and creative director
Tell us about yourself! Fashion nomad, HIV/ AIDS and sobriety advocate, makeup artist, Aries, content curator and creative director based in Toronto, Canada. Currently, I am working on staying as creative as possible through social media. I have recently had to redefine my creativity due to COVID, and work within the limited space around me instead of traveling the world. You might just see me strutting the side streets of my neighbourhood serving a fashion moment. I am also working with CANFAR to develop a platform for youth sexual health education.
Do you have any plans for this year’s unusual holiday season? This year in general has been a year of learning to love myself to the fullest. All my family lives on the east coast of Canada so this will be my first Christmas not home with my family this year. This holiday, I will be focused on the little things that bring my inner child joy and maybe go for a hike or two!
What does “together” mean to you? Together to me is a space that is inclusive, and a feeling of warmth and safety that transcends physical distance.
Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects? Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @mylessexton, or on my blog.
Myles’s pick: the Emerge in Gold
Shayla Oulette Stonechild, Vancouver
Founder of Matriarch Movement, activist, TV host and yoga instructor
Tell us about yourself! Tansi, my name is Shayla Stonechild. My pronouns are she/her. I am a TV host for an APTN series called Red Earth Uncovered, a yoga instructor at CMMN GRND, an Indigenous Influencer and the founder of a non-profit organization called the Matriarch Movement. It’s is an organization that amplifies Indigenous voices. I have currently been partnering with brands – such as Saje Wellness, Lululemon, and The Body Shop. I have two interviews coming up that I am pretty excited about!
Since the holidays will be a little different this year, do you have any special plans? I have never really been big on celebrating Christmas. My family usually doesn’t give gifts, we just have a big dinner and enjoy one another’s company. So that won’t change! I hope to get out into nature somewhere in Vancouver and enjoy the beauty we have around here.
What does “together” mean to you? Unity. Seeing another’s reflection in the eyes of your own.
Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects? You can follow me Instagram at @shayla0h and the @matriarch.movement!
Shayla’s pick: the Romy in Crépuscule
Syed Sohail, Toronto
Founder of Prepster Media, big and tall model and lifestyle blogger
Tell us about yourself! My name is Syed Sohail. By day, I own my own marketing agency, Prepster Media, working for a variety of brand clients, and by night, I am the blogger behind The Prep Guy and a big and tall model. I am currently working on a very exciting launch for a podcast that I started with my sister called The Prepster's Podcast. It is a fun place for us to share real conversations with our audience.
The holidays will be a little different this year, do you have any special plans? This holiday season is certainly very different. I am pretty low-key behind the scenes anyway, so I prefer to enjoy some family time at home with loved ones, watch a classic holiday season movie, and feast!
What does “together” mean to you? For me, together is all about the ability to connect with others. It doesn't matter if we are not physically within the same space with one another. But you still can connect and showcase that you are there for each other through communication, whether it's virtually or in real life.
Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects? You can find me on all social media platforms @ThePrepGuy and check out my blog at tpgstyle.com! Additionally, you can tune in on the Prepster's Podcast on all major streaming platforms.
Syed’s pick: the Kim in Clay
We are so grateful to Bianca, Lisa, Michelle, Myles, Shayla and Syed for their essential work, and for their enthusiastic participation in the Together adventure!
