Five cool things to do this week (November 15 to 21)

1. Fall for Bette Davis

Hard-driving diva, glamour girl, and grande dame are just a few of the words that TIFF has described the leading lady of their upcoming film series, "Films in The Hard Way: The Films of Bette Davis".  Naturally, we have to agree, Bette Davis was definitely all of those things.  This week, pour a warm pot of tea and take a nod from TIFF and curate a list of titles spanning four-decades worth of cinematic history. We plan to do one flick a day!

Films in The Hard Way: The Films of Bette Davis

2. Welcome the holiday season

Whether you're ready for it or not the holiday season is upon us and will be officially toasted this weekend with a series of Santa Claus parades and tree lighting ceremonies. Bundle up the little ones, head to the streets with a thermos full of hot cider and join the celebration. Top picks: Marvel at over 10,000 sparkling LED lights in Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton; be immersed into an animated Winter Wonderland that spans 5km in Niagara Falls; or catch the 109th Toronto Santa Claus parade featuring over two dozen marching bands.

Holiday Light Up, Saturday, November 16, 4:00 to 6:30pm, Edmonton

Winter Festival of Lights, closes January 31, 2014, Niagara Falls

Toronto Santa Claus Parade, Sunday November 16, Toronto

3. Get comfy with food and friends 

Tucked away in Gastown, Vancouver you'll discover a pub that has taken comfort food to the next level. On Sunday and Monday nights at the Irish Heather, a 40-foot long table accommodates their guests as part of their Autumn Long Table Series. In true family dinner form, friends and soon-to-be friends cozy up to one another and enjoy a hearty meal (Sunday's menu features roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.) Got a long table? With the party season upon us, take a page from Irish Heather's book and organize your own "comfortable" food night with friends, and friends of friends! (Be sure to make it a pot-luck with these delicious comfort food recipes!)

The Irish Heather, Vancouver

4. Shop Parisian chic

The fashion savvy will be lining up outside of select H&M stores to experience affordable Parisian chic at it's finest as Isabel Marant for H&M's collection dons in-store clothing racks.  Join the herd and update your wardrobe with a little french flair.

Now Available at select H&M stores

5. See Paramore and Lights

In a sea of scantily clad dressed popstars, Hayley Williams, front-woman for the punk-rock trio Paramore has been a breath of fresh air with her eclectic punk fashions.  Stealing the number one spot on various billboard charts, she's been rocking stages across North America on her first stadium sized tour.  This weekend she'll be grabbing the microphone following beloved Canadian electo-pop artist, Lights to grace Toronto and Montreal fans.  Definitely worth planning a girls (of all ages) night out.

November 18, Bell Centre, Montreal

November 20, ACC, Toronto