Bask-It-Style Gifting Event for TIFF 2018 at Thompson Toronto

Torontonicity was invited to attend Bask-It-Style’s annual media day on Sept. 5, 2018 at the Thompson Toronto Hotel. Organized by GLO Communications, the event gives media the star treatment as they get to receive a Bask-It-Style VIP gift bag that will be delivered to the hotels where the stars are staying during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Now in its 10th year, Bask-It-Style gift bags have been delivered to Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Garner, Blake Lively, Colin Farrell, Olivia Wilde, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Sir Elton John, Elle Fanning, John Legend, Pierce Brosnan, Rachel Weisz, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston.

Bask-It-Style was held in the Penthouse Suite of the Thompson Toronto. The luxury suite boasts an amazing view of the Toronto skyline and is a favourite of celebrities. Decorated in warm brown suede and metallic velvet, the 2,000 square foot suite features a contemporary dining room, full kitchen, a 60″ flat screen TV and a USB compatible charging and entertainment system and billiards table.

When I arrived for my appointment, I was paired with Mike Holmes Jr. of Holmes on Homes and his lovely wife, Lisa Marie, who also appears on the HGTV program. We were then taken to individual vendor’s booths to learn about the products in the 2018 Bask-It-Style VIP gift bags.

Pilot Cold Brew

Our first stop was Pilot Coffee Roasters to taste their Pilot Cold Brew Original. I’m not a coffee drinker anymore because I want to avoid caffeine, but I was curious to know what cold brewed coffee tasted like so I tried the Pilot Cold Brew Original. This is a strong, full-flavoured coffee. Delicious.

Biossance

You may have seen Biossance in Sephora. This natural skincare brand differs from others in that it contains squalene oil. Squalene is part of our skin’s own natural moisture. It is also found in a variety of plants and in shark liver. The body’s own squalene begins to decline in our 20s, leaving skin rough and dry. Biossance contains squalene oil that is 100% plant based from renewable sugarcane. They have also identified and refuse to use 2,000 toxic ingredients in their brand. We received the Squalane Peptide Eye Gel, Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil and Squalane Phyto-Retinol Serum. I can’t wait to try these products!

House of Hayla

House of Hayla has created a vegan high heeled shoe with a Monochromatic Heel. These shoes come in a variety of bold colours, and feature a 4” heel and wide toe box. The wearer will be pleased to know that they are made from vegan synthetics. Many shoe heels differ in colour from the rest of the shoe. Not this pair…you’ll notice the heel is all one colour and matches the shoe. I tried a pair on for fun, even though a 3” heel is the highest I can wear. I have to admit despite the height, they were fairly comfortable and yes, although the toe is pointed, your toes aren’t scrunched due to the shoe width at the toe.

Astrology by Carole Taylor, published by DK Publishing

What a perfect book for celebrities. Of course stars would want to read about the placement of stars, right? I have been a follower of astrology for many years so I was eager to have a look through this book. This astrology book differs from other astrology books I already have because it goes into more detail about the 12 houses and how the planets in each of these houses affect your personality. So if you want to learn more than just one sun or rising sign you are, this is a book for you.

The Neighbours by Hanna Mary McKinnon, published by MIRA

We got a chance to meet the author, Hanna Mary McKinnon, who gave us a preview of her new book, The Neighbours. The story focuses on an intense domestic drama involving Abby and her husband, Nate. Twenty years earlier, Abby was responsible for a car crash that killed her brother. Nate also harbours a secret related to the car crash. When Abby’s former lover and his family move next door, things start to unravel. I can’t wait to delve into this thriller!

Healthy Snacks for the Stars

The Bask-It-Style gift bags featured a number of healthy snacks for celebrities to enjoy in their hotel rooms after TIFF screenings including Eska Carbonated Natural Spring Water, Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate Bar, Rococoa Organic Dairy Free Shake from Greenhouse Juice Company, Healthy Crunch Trail Mix and Almond Nomz Energy Bites from Nomz.

We also received a $100 credit for Creeds Dry Cleaning, a $50 coupon for Anne-Marie Chagnon Jewelry (I am a big fan of Chagnon’s jewelry…you’ll find her at the One of a Kind Christmas Craft Show in Toronto), and a number of other items. Here is a list of the full contents of the 2018 Bask-It-Style gift bag:

• Anne-Marie Chagnon: one of six jewellery styles
• Biossance: Assortment of skin care products
• Browns Shoes: Media bag sponsor
• Coola: Classic Sport Face SPF 50 White Tea Moisturizer
• Crazy D’s Soda Labs: Crazy D’s Prebiotic Craft Soda in Ginga’ Kick, Rockin’ Rolla’ Cherry Cola or Twisted Citrus
• Creeds: Gift card and bag of CINQUE x Creeds Coffee Bar Custom Roast
• DK Publishing: Astrology by Carole Taylor
• Dr. Bronner’s: Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap
• Eska: Carbonated natural spring water in regular or citrus
• Green & Black’s: Organic Dark Chocolate Bar in Burnt Toffee
• Greenhouse Juice Company: Rococoa Organic, Dairy-free Shake
• Healthy Crunch: Trail Mix in a variety of flavours
• House of Hayla: HOH Monochromatic Heel
• MIRA: The Neighbours by Hannah Mary McKinnon
• Natur-a: Fortified Almond Beverage Minis in original and chocolate flavour
• Nomz: Almond Nomz Energy Bites
• Pilot Coffee Roasters: Pilot Cold Brew Latte
• Ripley Entertainment: A Century of Strange! from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! book series
• Sharp Magazine: Magazine sponsor
• Sully Wong: Celebrity gift bag sponsor, the KYOJIN Bag (Media did not receive this item.)
• Thompson Toronto: Venue partner
• Toronto Popcorn Company: Gourmet Popcorn in Old Fashioned Kettle Corn and Buffalo Kick
• Turo: A credit for Turo services

Turo is a new service, which is like AirBnb for cars. Owners of luxury or other vehicles who want to rent their cars out can list them on the Turo site. If you’re looking to rent a luxury vehicle for an event or just for fun, you’ll find that Turo offers prices that are much more affordable than traditional car leasing companies. To promote their business, Turo had parked a DeLorean on Wellington Street, just outside the Thompson Toronto.

I had such a great time at the Bask-It-Style media event. Thanks to GLO Communications for the invitation!