March 29, 2023

About the author  ⁄ Stephanie Florian

Founder and fearless leader Play Outdoors Media Inc. TV and radio host, adventure journalist, surfer chick, Mom I'd like to rip with.

Aug 8, 2019 0
Soaking Up Summer in the Mazda MX5 RF GT

Soaking Up Summer in the Mazda MX5 RF GT

Living in beautiful Vancouver comes with a trade-off … many a soggy day. In fact, our city has been nicknamed Raincouver. Several years ago while living on the west coast, I had a convertible. The leaky soft-top and moldly interior weren’t worth the glam of feeling the wind in my hair on the dry days. As a weather anchor, today I can attest that our coastal forecasts change by the hour. It can go from sunny to wet in a matter of moments. So when it comes to choosing a new car, many Vancouverites would likely put a convertible near the bottom of their wish list. Fast forward to the summer of 2019. Never in a million years did I expect to fall in love with the 2019 Mazda MX5 RF but I did. This compact, two-seater convertible is a dream. If you like attention on the road – you’ll get it. I was stopped at many a traffic light where looky-loos would roll down their windows just to comment... ...

Aug 8, 2019 | No Comments on Soaking Up Summer in the Mazda MX5 RF GT
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May 9, 2019 0
Music Makes Me Wanna…Travel KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Music Makes Me Wanna…Travel KINGSTON, JAMAICA

As the legend Bob Marley sings… “One good thing about music …when it hits you, you feel no pain”. Kingston, Jamaica is a melting pot of music and history and positive vibrations! With so many legends and genres of music born out of Kingston, Jamaica from rock steady, reggae and ska to dance hall…. let’s just say a music lovers vacation here is by far the coolest music history class you will ever take. The safest and easiest way to navigate the epic music scene in Kingston is to hire a driver. I highly recommend JUTA Tours so that you can plan your own agenda and hit up all the sights and sounds at your own irie pace. Take a guided bus tour like the ‘Making of The Music Tour’ or map out your own musical adventure. Since you are heading to the birthplace of reggae, remember that Jamaica is a place for those music lovers with an open mind and an open heart. Interestingly, flocks of Japanese and Europeans... ...

May 9, 2019 | No Comments on Music Makes Me Wanna…Travel KINGSTON, JAMAICA
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Nov 5, 2018 0
Time to Lose the Razor Ladies!

Time to Lose the Razor Ladies!

It’s 2018 and I am thankful that we earth women no longer prance around in loin cloths waiting for our hairy partners to hunt and gather while we tend to our family duties. It’s 2018 and we take pride in our personal grooming.  Duties are now thankfully evenly distributed (mostly) and technology has advanced beyond our wildest dreams. So hear me loud and clear girlfriends. We have surrendered to the hassle of shaving long enough.  Today we can bid farewell to unwanted hair …for good! Goodbye stubborn razor burns and ugly ingrown bikini lines and hello smooth, sexy skin. Now that we are onboard with getting rid of unwanted hair, how do we do it?  Choose a quick, effective, reputable, pain-free technology from a trusted source like Pure Light Laser.  They are masters of skin care. My first Pure Light Laser  hair removal session was soothing, painless and quick… just the opposite of what I envisioned.  Rita Moldovanos at Pure Light Laser uses the Palomar Starlux 500, an advanced laser... ...

Nov 5, 2018 | No Comments on Time to Lose the Razor Ladies!
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Oct 8, 2018 0
Project Backpack: Feeding Hungry Minds

Project Backpack: Feeding Hungry Minds

Nutrition is life. This Thanksgiving let’s together help reduce food insecurity for young people and their families. PC Children’s Charity has created Project Backpack in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada in an effort to tackle hunger by putting the power of food in the hands of Canadian children. Since 2015, PC Children’s Charity has granted more than $1 million dollars to fund Project Backpack, a program designed to help children in households vulnerable to hunger. In order for kids to flourish in school and life they need proper nutrition. Find out how you can donate HERE. Your donation provides participants with a food-filled backpack to bring home with nutritious food that they can easily assemble into healthy meals over the weekend. Thanks for giving this Thanksgiving, Sincerely, Play Outdoors Media ...

Oct 8, 2018 | No Comments on Project Backpack: Feeding Hungry Minds
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Oct 7, 2018 0
Vancity Hustle in the Hyundai Accent

Vancity Hustle in the Hyundai Accent

Getting around Greater Vancouver, AKA Vancity is not always easy or affordable…until now. This vehicle was made to keep up with the Vancity hustle. Introducing the 2018 Hyundai Accent. Managing multiple gigs is a way of life for Vancouverites. The day to day grind can be costly and chaotic if you are driving a gas guzzler or trying to use public transportation. That is why the Vancity go-getter needs a compact, affordable, trustworthy ride like the Hyundai Accent. Whether I’m running around between set, studio, auditions, kids and everything in between, I need a car I can rely on that won’t break the bank in monthly payments, repairs and gas. The Hyundai Accent offers Vancouverites the perfect solution. Starting from only $14,599 you get the choice of two body styles, including the Canada-exclusive 5-door hatchback. A subcompact car that has all the technology you need to get your job(s) and side hustles done and done.  Featuring a 1.6L Direct Injection (GDI) four cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower and 119 lb-ft. of torque, choose manual or automatic transmission. Complete with a 7-inch... ...

Oct 7, 2018 | No Comments on Vancity Hustle in the Hyundai Accent
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Sep 7, 2018 0
Rocky Mountain Road Trip in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Rocky Mountain Road Trip in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Outdoor enthusiasts, the Toyota 4 Runner TRD Pro was made for adventures on and off the road. Rugged and strong, set your sights on owning this ride!  A recent Rocky Mountain road trip to Jasper, Alberta proved that Toyota designed and built the 4Runner like a warrior. Blazing through remote areas in search of Canadian wildlife, we found the 4Runner TRD Pro the ideal transportation and then some. 4 Reasons You’ll Love to Adventure in the 2018 4Runner TRD Pro 1. Sturdy, Strong and Handsome:  Be warned that if you prefer to travel discreetly this may not be the vehicle for you. It is an attention-grabber, especially in the Cavalry Blue!  You will feel like a celebrity behind the wheel of the alluring and impressive 4Runner TRD Pro which IS capable of handling all your wildest off-road adventures.  The One-Touch 4 Wheel Drive ensures you can go from the highway to the backroads with the simplicity of one touch. 2. Bells and Whistles: Nothing beats the functional back window feature which... ...

Sep 7, 2018 | No Comments on Rocky Mountain Road Trip in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
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Sep 8, 2017 0
A Mazda Canada 150 Road Trip!

A Mazda Canada 150 Road Trip!

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Canada 150 than to hit the road in a 2017 Mazda 6 with our kids to explore BC’s bounty. They don’t call our province “beautiful BC” for nothing! The west is the best with much to discover.   Some advice for travellers: Lake Time: No matter where the journey takes you…make sure your road trip includes lake time especially in the heat of summer. It’s so refreshing! Pit Stops: Make spotting Canadian roadside attractions a family affair. Be sure to have your camera on hand   Heritage and History: You can’t road trip right past some of the best heritage sights in BC and not stop and learn a little bit more about our history here in the west.   Find Hidden Gems: You’d be surprised at all the hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Western Canada and we only made a small dent. From natural hot springs to miles of lava beds and waterfalls…Canada rocks! Play Outdoors: No matter where... ...

Sep 8, 2017 | No Comments on A Mazda Canada 150 Road Trip!
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Mar 8, 2017 0
2017 Ford Flex Ltd Edition: The More The Merrier

2017 Ford Flex Ltd Edition: The More The Merrier

Pack em’ in… it’s party time in the 2017 Ford Flex Ltd. Reminiscent of a 1950’s Woody, this extended sedan crossover is so spacious you’ll wonder why they didn’t install a window divider to separate the driver from the action. If you’re looking for a vehicle that offers mega seating options, this is it. Multi sunroofs add to the luxury as do ‘Limited Edition’ features like the Perforated Leather-Trimmed Seats and a Dual Zone Electronic Temperature Control feature to keep the third row toasty too. All the bells and whistles including the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, Rear View Camera and Blind Spot Information System provide the driver and up to seven passengers a safe and stylish ride. The ultimate multi person adventure ride, the SiriusXM Radio and leather-wrapped steering wheel had me grinning ear to ear, from the seawall to the slopes. FYI: the more the merrier in the 2017 Ford Flex Limited Edition, so pack in the tribe. ...

Mar 8, 2017 | No Comments on 2017 Ford Flex Ltd Edition: The More The Merrier
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Winter’s Best Wooly’s: Smartwool

  Heading off to play outdoors only to have to your toes go instantly numb from the       cold is a winter nightmare. In light of the importance of keeping our feet warm we put Smartwool PhD Slopestyle alpine socks to the all-day-ski-test. Made with Indestructrawool Technology ™. Smartwool socks are classic Merino wool magic that generate warm, cozy feet for hours on end whether you’re blazing the slopes or the trails. I know when you think of wool, itchy – scratchy comes to mind. This is not the case with Smartwool. These socks are made for performance activities with zero itch and mucho warmth for endless hours of comfort and durability. As a bonus, the Smartwool socks have zero stink factor. Cold and stinky feet are a thing of the past. A blend of 59% Wool, 39% Nylon, 2% Elastane – we highly recommend you get your feet on the Smartwool trail… your tootsies will thank you. www.smartwool.com ...

Feb 21, 2017 | No Comments on Winter’s Best Wooly’s: Smartwool
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Feb 6, 2017 0
High-Five to the 2017 Ford Fusion!

High-Five to the 2017 Ford Fusion!

We give these 2017 Ford Fusion features a double high-five as this year’s adventure ride because of the many exciting features from which to choose. 1) The rotary dial gearshift is sleek and easy to use, making more room for driving essentials like USB ports and coffee holders. We loved the advanced, edgy design and smooth gear transition for adventures like heading to Whistler up the Sea to Sky corridor. 2) Sensors galore! From assistance with both parallel and perpendicular parking to cruise control and blind spot sensors, you can trust the Ford Fusion 2017 to give you that extra ‘sense’ of security on the road. 3) LED Headlights are top of the line in quality, design and efficiency. You’ll never go back to Halogen once you’ve tried LED. 4) Heated leather seats and steering wheel fire up in seconds, making your post-adventure return home the ultimate in luxury comfort! 5) Eco Boost for fuel efficiency. The 2.7L EcoBoost engine has 325 horsepower and 350 feet of torque translating to... ...

Feb 6, 2017 | No Comments on High-Five to the 2017 Ford Fusion!
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