Now that our #HTSummerStoryWin contest is in full swing it’s time to announce our second batch of semi finalists! Congratulations go out to four amazing ladies – Lauren, Eileen, Martha and Kate – who impressed us with their inspiring and ambitious summer plans.

Screen shot 2015-05-27 at 8.08.16 PMLauren Heximer from Niagara Falls

SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?

L: Currently I work at a hair salon as an apprentice and honestly work is my fun. We love doing photo shoots on our days off. Aside from work, now that the weather is warming up, I love to go on hikes in the Niagara Gorge or drive down to scenic Niagara on the Lake to have a bite to eat and sip on a local wine.

SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?

L: If I were to win the gift card I would love to travel our West to British Columbia because in the past I have ventured south to the Caribbean but feel like I’ve been missing out on what my own country has to offer. Whale watching seems like it would be an amazing experience.

SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?

L: Poolside with plenty of SPF, a wide-brimmed hat and bikini, surrounded by my besties.

SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…..

L: Hawaiian tropic lip balm 45. I think many people forget that lips need protection as well and this ensures I an wear my favourite bright and bold lipsticks all summer long.

SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?

L: Floral and fruit prints are my favourite trends right now and light and airy midi skirts are still a staple in my summer wardrobe. A good heel from Nine West or Browns shoes doesn’t hurt either.

CFfvVxQUIAAMyiuEileen Ong from Surrey

SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?

E: I work in sales. I’m into new experiences & trying new things. The last fun event I went to was a food & wine pairing evening where I got to savuor delicious cuisine from restaurants across Canada & wash them down with BC wines. Foodie heaven! And I love to travel so I’m always planning my next trip. This weekend, I’m off to Quebec City…pics of cobblestone streets, poutine & maple syrup to come!

SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?

E: I’d go on my first boat cruise…to Alaska!  I’ve only seen pictures so it’d be amazing to get up close to the brilliant blue glaciers & majestic fjords!  Shore excursions for bear viewing & whale watching would be a great opportunity to try my hand at wildlife photography.  I’d also check out the lush greenery of Tongass National Forest, experience dog-sledding on glaciers & finally check off my bucket list that I’ve witnessed the fascinating beauty of the Northern Lights.  What an incredible adventure that’d be!

SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?

E: I love the smell of the salty ocean air, so you’d find me soaking up the summer rays on the beach with a good book…or if I’m invited onto a friend’s sailboat, I’d be helping with the sails & working on my tan…ummm, I mean my boat knots.

SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…..

E: Tinted moisturizer with SPF. Makeup melts off my face in the summer, so I tend not to wear too much.  Tinted moisturizer gives just enough coverage & sun protection with little fuss.

SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?

E: A tropical print jumpsuit makes it effortless to be stylish. I’d look for one in a cotton fabric to keep cool in the summer heat.

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Martha Segovia from in Toronto

SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?

M: Right now, I’m studying full-time completing my Bachelor of Social Work. My biggest passion is photography, I attend shows as a music correspondent and photographer. I also write live show reviews, which is something I love doing very much!

SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?

M: I would go to Las Vegas to see Britney Spears. As a 90’s kid, she was always my favourite pop star; I would love to see her live and hear all of my favourite songs that I used to dance around to, and love to this day like, Ooops.. I Did It Again! Also, enjoying the summer in a city like Vegas sounds exciting to me for all the activities to explore and the memories to be made!

SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?

M: Going on a walk with my dogs, cruising around on my bike or sitting on a patio with my closest friends sipping on bellinis. I enjoy surrounding myself with positive people, even on a scorching day nothing sounds better than spending it with the ones closest to me!

SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…..

M: A good face moisturizer, one that does it’s job and keeps my face protected from the rays.

SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?

M: I’m on the hunt for a cute pair of short denim overalls, and am looking forward to rocking them throughout the summer, paired with my favourite flats and my Jays hat!

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Kate Smart from Toronto

SDTC: What do you do for work? For fun?

K: I currently work a pretty boring job, at an insurance company downtown. I love listening to music and buying records, working out and reading!

SDTC: If you won the grand prize (a $2,500 travel gift card!!!), where would you go and why?

K: If I won this amazing prize I would go to Newfoundland or Prince Edward Island, somewhere in Canada because i haven’t really had a chance to see my own country! I’m getting married mid August and that’s where we’re planning to honeymoon!

SDTC: What’s your favourite way to spend a scorching summer day?

K: I plan to keep out of the scorching hot summer days! I’m not one for the heat, I’ll most likely be found across the street from my house, in High Park, with an iced tea and a book in the shade or if I’m really lucky, at the beach up north in the water.

SDTC: One summer beauty essential you can’t live without is…..

K: Light sunscreen for my face! I burn bright like a tomato in the summer and without the right moisturizing sunscreen to keep my skin in good condition, I would be toast!

SDTC: What trend are you most looking forward to rocking this summer?

K: The trend I’m most into right now is the return of Culottes! I think they’re amazing.

Haven’t entered yet? Get on it, girl! All you gotta do is share your summer plans with us on Twitter by posting a pic and tagging @Shedoesthecity and @HTropic_CA with hashtag #HTSummerStoryWin.

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