Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Interview with Barbara - U.S. Television show highlighting "shopping gems"

Barbara recently hosted a group of visitors from U.S. television in Toronto and showed them in just one short walking tour hour how to find unique gifts, fabulous avant-garde fashions, and some amazing deals. Watch this short interview with her. If you've only got a short time to discover the city, why not ask a local for the insider scoop - Insider Shopping Toronto. www.insidershoppingtoronto.com

Film crew from Beijing - China Television


Film crew from China TV - Beijing visiting Toronto with Barbara:
Here in Toronto to film what's special about this city for viewers of Chinese travel channel, 350 million of them! As guests of Tourism Toronto they were here to discover Toronto's shopping gems. Now there are so many direct flights from Beijing to Toronto, we were asked to show what we have to offer vsitors. But in China one can find almost everything, right? Well, we impressed them too. Canadian art, glass and ceramics by local artists, top quality shopping areas, Canadian designer clothing, and to their delight - efficient, un-crowded shopping areas, not to mention the choice of 7,000 restaurants. Our city wowed them too.



Who's smiling now?

Who's smiling now?


These local Toronto business people on a chauffeur-driven excursion in November. "How do you find these places, Barbara? We really thought we knew the city, but you've wow-ed us. Great value, style and all insider tips. "Why spend on costly cosmetic surgery when you can feel 10 years younger by up-dating your clothing? And don't forget to ask me about a good (great) tailor for your previous season's treasures. My secret weapon. Shop your won closet and let's do something feel-good good for you, your wallet... and the environment!


What's.... Insider Shopping Toronto Ltd?


What's.... Insider Shopping Toronto Ltd.?
It's all about YOU!

-Specializing in small, fun, unique, shopping excursions - for visitors to Toronto, and locals who don't have time to explore their changing city. Since the fall of 2007, Barbara Captijn, your black-belt-in-shopping personal guide, has been putting smiles on shopper's faces. Insider Shopping Toronto customizes small shopping excursions for you. It really is all about YOU. Tastes, lifestyles, agendas, and especially budgets differ. Each excursion is custom-made for the client.
-Want to find that perfect workhorse suit for the season, or separates you can invest in and wear when all else fails, looking for a trendy up-date for casual items yo already have, or a way to beat the winter blues with a stylish wear-anywhere coat? Clothing is pre-selected for you at various shops, saves you time and energy, and you don't buy unless you absolutely love something. I don't work on commission. You tell me about your lifestyle and clothing needs, and I design a quick and efficient way to find what you're looking for. Or if you just want to look and relax over a lunch or tea, learn about the city and do a bit of sight-seeing in the comfort of a chauffeured limousine, fine, no obligation to buy anything, anywhere. Each guest of the shopping excursion gets a "diamond" key-ring on which to put the business card of all the shops (gems!) we visit. So for you lone wolves out there, you can always go back on your own and mull things over.



"Shopping for frugal-istas"

"Shopping for frugal-istas"

- Barbara's speech to a medical convention at the Sheraton Center in Toronto in December 2008. Everyone's looking to do more with less this season during turbulent economic times. What better way than to listen to a shopping pro talk about the best buys and original gifts. One big tip - search for a connection with the person you're buying for, personalize your gift through for example, wrapping with fresh greenery as trim or with a special hand-written note. The staying power of that type of attention just keeps on giving all year round. Check out the fabulous gift of sleep comfort products at the Bath and Beauty Works new shops in Toronto, a small, creative gift, which says I care and am thinking about you. A book with a meaningful dedication, a gift certificate for a relaxing massage, a cooking course for friends.Time to put the accent on original and meaningful. Attendees went away inspired... and a few dollars less stressed! Remember as someone once told me "stressed is just desserts spelled backwards."

Have a fashionable... and healthy '09.