Tamara Lee Beauty: Where wellness meets beauty

Written by: Samantha Campanale

Kaspace Cafe in Leslieville

When people talk of beauty, certain things come to mind - makeup, hair colour, or designer outfits - limiting the concept of beauty to something superficial. Nadia Lam, the founder and head esthetician at Tamara Lee Beauty, however, disagrees with that notion by saying that “It’s not about the outer beauty that counts, but how beautiful you are on the inside that makes your true beauty shine.”

I had the honour of sitting down with Nadia at Kaspace in Leslieville to uncover her story about how she has become one of the best beauty clinics in the East end in just two years. Located on Pape Ave in Riverdale, Tamara Lee Beauty, previously known at Nadia Tamara Lee Cosmetics, built her 5 star reputation and large client base purely off of repeat and referrals. 

Nadia Lam: founder of Tamara Lee Beauty

HER STORY

It was hard to tell whether it was the floor to ceiling windows in the cafe or her intense passion when she spoke combined with her flawlessly glowing skin that was making Nadia beam with light. Whatever it was, I spent over an hour absolutely captivated by her knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the skin and her excitement to educate me on all that she knows. With over 19 years of experience in the industry, it would be nearly impossible for me to take it all in... but I listened closely, transfixed.

In the early stages of her career working as a makeup artist for high-end brands like MAC cosmetics and Lise Watier, Lam quickly discovered that healing impurities from the inside rather than covering them up on the outside is what resonated with her most. Lam’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to open up her own business at Bloor and Avenue renting a room in a medical clinic. After her clientele began to grow, she decided to move to a larger location in the East End so that she could expand her business and do more for people.

“Your skin is your biggest organ and it acts as a messenger. Whatever is going on inside, shows up on your skin last,” Lam explains as we sip on Kaspace’s delicious signature lychee cactus pear juice. Whether it be acne, rashes, dryness or oily skin, your body is trying to tell you something. 

THE TREATMENTS

With a background in ayurvedic medicine, Lam’s holistic beauty boutique has based its philosophy around healing naturally for every individual mind, body and soul. Each tailored treatment plan is created based on an understanding of their diet, lifestyle, ethnicity and skin type, ‘Dosha’ body constitutions, habits, stress levels, and more. During every session, Lam and her team incorporate massage, facial yoga, and meditation to relax and open up the skin to allow oxygen to enter and toxins to release for optimal results. 

“Just like how you exercise, massage, and practice yoga for your body, it’s important to not forget about your face. Movement and massage impart a lot of oxygen into your skin, drains your lymph nodes, and tones the muscles, which in turn, helps with aging and combating other unwanted impurities” says Lam. With a full team of specialists at her clinic, they are able to provide a tailor-fit solution to each individual’s needs, reaping far superior results than regular regimens. After every session with a client, it is mandatory that they conclude with a quick overview of their progress and any recommendations moving forward. Educating her clients so they go home with a better understanding of their skin is essential to the success of the treatment.

THE PRODUCTS + SERVICES

At Tamara Lee Beauty, Lam’s mission is to remove the narrative that taking care of your skin is a luxury. “Your skin is your biggest organ,” she laughs. “People of any age, any gender, any race, need to take care of their skin.”

Lam has constructed her business through an all natural and holistic approach. Every single ingredient she uses on her clients has been carefully considered and serves a purpose.  Venturing into creating her own skincare line, Lam has developed her own scrubs, toners, serums, treatment oils, and lip balm and sells them in-store or online. Each and every one has been tested on herself first and then put through an extensive case study with people of all different skin types. Her products help with hyperpigmentation, fine lines, acne, scarring and more. 

If you check out her website you will find all natural makeup, isotonix supplements and a wide variety of services ranging from skincare treatments and masterclasses to cosmetic maintenance and wellness practices. She has it all! 

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Working on opening up a second location on Kingston Road, Lam’s plans for the future sounds exactly like what this world needs… a one-stop shop for holistic healing, education, relaxation, and organic groceries. Think, St.Anne’s spa meets a fitness facility for your mind, body and soul. 

As we take our last bites of our mouthwatering brunch, Lam leaves me with one last profound statement, “My goal is to bring out total health awareness, and harmony… to not only my clients but myself and my staff, as well. Because everything starts with you and ripples outwards.”

COVID-19 Update:
With her physical clinic at Pape + Danforth temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Tamara Lee Beauty is offering online wellness consultations and a plethora of amazing beauty, skincare + wellness products, now 20% off online until April 15th. ⁠Shop Tamara Lee Beauty online here.

Madame Levant: The matriarch of the Levant

Written by: Samantha Campanale

A perfect representation of a modern-day superwoman. Someone who inspires and brings positive light and change to the world. Himi Hunaidi, the owner of Madame Levant on Gerrard St. in Riverdale, is a strong Jordanian woman who grabs life by the horns, even when it tries to throw her off.

Hunaidi started cooking up a long list of accomplishments at a young age when she attended business school in her home country of Jordan. Her passion and love for food drove her to the South of France where she graduated from a cooking school and eventually moved back home to work behind the scenes producing shows in her field. After a short stint in Dubai creating brands for food, she moved to Los Angeles where she founded a ‘Farm-to-Stroller’ cooking class. Having a baby of her own, she wanted to help mothers meet new people, build new skills, all while being able to bring home dinner for the family. If that’s not enough to impress you, then maybe her year of traveling to India for yoga teacher training, will. Are you convinced she wears a cape? Me too. 

Now residing in Riverdale, Hunaidi and her family are so thankful to call Canada home. “We have been extremely welcomed here and have benefited from this amazing system and so I feel like it is my responsibility to give back,” says Hunaidi. Crafting a tight-knit community in less than a year of being open, Madame Levant recreates the experience of sharing food with your neighbours while enjoying the traditional flavours of The Levant.

Each ingredient on the menu has been locally sourced and boasts the best of farm-to-table cuisine. Hunaidi’s holistic approach is demonstrated by being a zero waste restaurant and serving smaller portions in hopes that each plate is finished.

“I was married to being on Gerrard,” Hunaidi tells me as she sips on her loose leaf sage tea. Living near Simpson and Logan, it was essential to be close to home for her kids. “It’s hard to be a working mother,” She sympathizes, “But my mission is to set an example for my daughters and to show others that with some out-of-the-box thinking, there is a way to have it all.” Hunaidi’s restaurant hours are Mondays, Wednesday to Sunday (with Tuesdays being closed) from 8:30AM - 2:30PM. A perfect example of her determination to do all that she loves without burning out of steam.

As soon as you walk into the space you are embraced with the powerful personality of Madame Levant. “She is someone who I made up when I was younger,” Hunaidi says with a look of enthusiasm. “She's a strong Arab woman who makes amazing food for her whole family and everyone in the neighbourhood. A woman of authority whose sons would always obey and her daughter in-laws don’t like,” she laughs. Decorated with a chic ambiance of The Levant, her entire restaurant, except the dazzling tile floors, was built with the help of her family. Hunaidi reminisces with joy as she tells me how the restaurant opened on her father's birthday and everyone flew in from Australia and Jordan to be there for it. It’s easy to see the gratitude and honour she has for being able to construct a place that embodies every piece of her. 

With the help of her trusted staff member, Simon, Hunaidi invites you to come visit her in the open concept kitchen while she cooks you an authentic taste of Levantine food. The fresh Jordanian olive oil extracted from her family's farm is an absolute must try! And if you’re just as much of a foodie as Hunaidi, check out her passion project cooking classes online and explore how you can make some staple Levantine meals for yourself at home!

“Madame Levant is here to create joy, tell you a thing or two about the Levant’s shared heart and yet, different spirits.” 

*Catering services are also available upon request

Start your spice trail in Riverdale. The latest addition in the 'hood!

Article and Photos by: Fleur Boomsma

Meet proud Owner and Head Chef of Herby, Javad Zehdifar. // FLEUR BOOMSMA

From Northwestern Iranian inspired artwork to handmade local potteries, Herby invites you to dive into Iran’s homey culture full of organic and fresh homemade dishes.

Think of Herby as a big family offering you a seat at their table. You will witness the vibrant culture being expressed through the spices, food and atmosphere allowing friends and family to get together to socialize over food and reminisce over the memories made back home. Owner Javad Zehdifar expresses his generosity and shows his big heart through his customer service and desire in wanting to share his love for food with others.

The family-run business is named after Herbi, a village known for their rose-filled fields located near Zehdifar’s hometown in Tabriz. Of course, as some of you may know, the term herby is defined as a food or drink having lots of taste and smell of herbs. It resembles the perfect representation of the Iranian kitchen cuisine.   

Zehdifar has developed his love and passion for cooking at a very early age and was always aspired to open his own restaurant. Prior to opening up Herby, he owned a small take-out spot for nearly a decade. Now, years later he turned his dreams into reality and opened his door to the Riverdale and Danforth community by offering delicious dishes made with recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother.

“The food is not just for the business,” Zehdifar says. “The food is part of our culture, it’s art. That’s why I made this a cultural and artistic space.”

The place is decorated with items and art pieces that remind him of Tabriz. It also includes photographs taken by his son-in-law, handmade pottery imported from Tabriz and a large seven-piece artwork based on an Iranian poem called “The Conference of the Birds”.

If you observe the artwork closely, you’ll find a breathtaking photograph of his niece picking roses at a farm in Herbi.

The Food

Herby does serve your all-time favourite Persian kebabs, but they are particularly known for their unique Azerbaijani style menu, which includes meals like piti and tava kebab – all well worth a try! Note that each Iranian province uses different herbs, spices and vegetables to season their dishes.

Piti is a very rich meal as it contains lamb and chickpea that is served in a traditional piti pot (handmade and imported from Tabriz), and it requires a bit of mashing using a mallet.

The serving of their tea could personally be my favourite thing on the menu as they boil the (imported) organic tea the traditional way for several hours and serve it in the traditional Persian tea pot along with its tiny teacups and Iranian sweets.

Tava kebab is made very differently than the kebab you may purchase at your Persian take-out restaurant. Instead, it’s made in a tava (a pan) – along with its vegetables and rice or tahdig (also known as rice that has a thin crust of slightly browned rice that’s produced on the bottom of the cooking pot). 

Zehdifar enjoys cooking so much that he considers all the dishes on the menu to be his kids, especially because they originate from his hometown, a place very close to his heart.

You’re in for a treat!

Herby Restaurant
397 Danforth Ave
Catering services are also available upon request.

Open House: The Broadview Hotel brings your wedding to life

Article Written by: Samantha Campanale

Courtesy of: @byfrancescaxoweddings

The Broadview Hotel, a 127 year-old historic landmark with a rich and storied past, hosted their first Wedding Open House on January 26th, 2020. Located at Broadview Avenue and Queen Street E, the boutique hotel showcased their luxurious guest suites, the most sought after vendors, and their unique and extravagant venues that would take any wedding day to the next level. Speaking of levels, the open house left no door unopened, as it was presented on three separate floors to allow for each spectator to experience all the hotel has to offer. 

Courtesy of: @princejohn.media, @liightphotograpgy

As soon as they walked off the elevator, the newly engaged couples and their companions were immediately greeted with a sparkling glass of prosecco to accompany them on an intimate tour through Lincoln Hall, The Rooftop and The Broadview Hotel’s hidden gem, The Tower. A complimentary blend of contemporary and historic charm, each room you entered had a perfectly placed vendor to help paint the picture of the real day. From The Nail and Champagne Bar - a mobile beauty bar offering mini manis and hair touch-ups, to real-life models walking around in Sash & Bustle wedding gowns or Gotstyles’s made to measure suits - no potential wedding day detail was overlooked.

The panoramic views of the newly renovated 7th floor made for a heavenly backdrop to Francesca’s event space design and grandiose flower arrangements by her company called By Francesca xo Weddings. The live band, St. Royal Entertainment, sang everyone into a dancing mood, which presented the perfect opportunity to try out the prop filled photobooth by Snapshot Photobooth company. You could either place them in the event guest book or use them as a perfect take-home item. Not one for a photobooth? No problem. Award-winning Mango Studios, the professionals at Liight Photography and Ryan Bolton have you covered for all your photography needs.

Every detail of a dream wedding day was considered at this open house, from the delicious fluffy cupcakes by Bobbette & Belle to the bridal hair ornaments by Iliaika; this event was a brilliant way for couples to seek out exactly what it was they were looking for… And all the things they didn't know they needed.

“The wine was flowing; the food was delicious; the vibe was great and the excitement was high. Just as we promised, our first Wedding Open House came together wonderfully,” stated The Broadview Hotel’s Instagram post when featuring the after-movie of the event. Whether the couples were after an Instagram worthy wedding or a chic DIY, the wedding open house at the luxurious Broadview Hotel was exactly where you needed to start. There was simply no better way to see the latest wedding trends, compare the best wedding services and get all the inspiration you needed to start planning the wedding of your dreams. 

Video by: @princejohn.media