'It's her lifelong dream': Cape Breton woman is 'princess for hire' in Halifax
At 23 years old, Miranda Pike is the owner of Little Princess Parties Halifax. (COURTESY: LITTLE PRINCESS PARTIES NS)
It looks less like work and more like play, but being a real-life princess is Miranda Pike's job.
"(We are) a company that wants to bring fairy tale magic to life," Miranda told CTV Atlantic.
At 23 years old, Miranda is the owner of Little Princess Parties Halifax.
Her company has roughly 60 costumed characters, covering all Disney princesses, along with superheroes and other crowd-pleasers.
Originally from Whitney Pier, N.S., Miranda says it all started when she made her very first princess dress eight years ago, using bed-sheets found at a thrift shop.
"I went to show my grandmother at the hospital. She was in hospice, at the (Cape Breton) Regional there (in Sydney)," Miranda said. "After I was done visiting her, I went to see the kids on the kids unit. I read them stories. Sang little songs and just brightened their day."
Miranda's mother, Michelle Pike, says it wasn't long ago Miranda was a little girl herself. She says it makes her proud to see her daughter making a living by bringing a sense of wonder to others.
"She is quite the entrepreneur. I'm so, so, so proud of her," Michelle said. "Every time that I see her in action at a party, or even sewing in her sewing room, she just makes me so happy, because it's her lifelong dream to do this."
Miranda not only makes the costumes herself, she also plans the whole princess experience.
"I sew all the dresses. I style all the hair. I write my own music for our songs," she said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miranda says they were booked for in-person parties every weekend. They've since had to get creative, with things like doorstep visits and Zoom parties.
Through her unique career path, Miranda says she has discovered some of her own princess powers.
"I've always been a little on the shy side, I guess. A little introverted. But this job kind of pushed me to literally perform," Miranda said.
Miranda says her plans post-pandemic are to resume the regular party routine and grow her business further.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Hurts like hell': What goes into the price of gas in Canada
With the price of gas rising above $2 per litre and setting new records in Canada this year, CTVNews.ca looks at what goes into the price per litre of gasoline and where the situation could go from here.
'This is an unusual situation': Feds monitoring monkeypox cases in Canada
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the federal government is monitoring monkeypox cases and their chains of transmission after two cases were confirmed in this country.
Russia claims to have taken full control of Mariupol
Russia claimed to have captured Mariupol on Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, following a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin, with over 20,000 civilians feared dead.
'Fight for a stronger Alberta': Kenney comments for first time since announcing resignation
Premier Jason Kenney spoke publicly Friday for the first time since dropping the bombshell announcement that he plans to step down as UCP leader and premier of Alberta.
Ontario woman says daughter was discriminated against over face mask
An Ontario woman believes her daughter was discriminated against after she was allegedly kicked out of a local activity centre over her choice to wear a face mask.
WHO calls emergency meeting as monkeypox cases cross 100 in Europe
The World Health Organization was due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the recent outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, after more than 100 cases were confirmed or suspected in Europe.
Decision to ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G wasn't easy, PM Trudeau says
On the heels of news that Canada is banning Huawei Technologies and ZTE from participating in the country’s 5G wireless networks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the decision wasn't easy to make. The prime minister also defended the timing of the decision, saying that while it will be years before all use of products from these Chinese companies will be outlawed, it's happening before the country is even more interconnected by the next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.
Quebec City Halloween attacker found guilty of first-degree murder
A man who used a sword to kill and maim victims in Quebec City's historic district on Halloween night 2020 has been found guilty of murder.
Rising temperatures from climate change could reduce sleep: study
Rising global temperatures could reduce the amount of sleep people get every year, according to a new study.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman says daughter was discriminated against over face mask
An Ontario woman believes her daughter was discriminated against after she was allegedly kicked out of a local activity centre over her choice to wear a face mask.
-
TABLE TALK
TABLE TALK | Ice cream with a twist on tradition is returning to Toronto
Ice cream was a vehicle for confectioner Ed Wong to explore his identity as the son of Chinese immigrants. After a brief hiatus, his East and Southeast Asian flavours are returning to the city.
-
More consumers reaching for alcohol-free beer, wines and spirits
Various studies over the past two years have shown that there was a worldwide increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. But now, sales statistics show an increase in the popularity of alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits.
Calgary
-
Man charged in sexual assault of 14-year-old Calgary girl
Police say the victim, a 14-year-old girl, was walking to school at the time.
-
Alberta Mounties catch man with the golden gun
A Strathmore, Alta. man is facing several charges after police say he broke into a gun club and store and stole several firearms, including a gold-coloured handgun.
-
Matthew Tkachuk sends support to Edmonton Oilers mega-fan Ben Stelter
Matthew Tkachuk says all of the Flames are behind Oilers fan Ben Stelter.
Montreal
-
After week of questions over Bill 96 and health, official answers still lack detail
Quebec's College of Physicians and some top lawyers say there's lots of grey area in how Bill 96 will play out in health care -- even after multiple requests to the province to clear up confusion.
-
Montreal police searching for man reported missing in St. Lawrence River
Montreal police officers are among search and rescue teams patrolling a stretch of the St. Lawrence river following reports that a man may have fallen in.
-
Canadian government eyeing vaccines after monkeypox outbreak in Quebec
The federal government said it is exploring the possibility of using its limited stockpile of smallpox vaccines to protect Quebecers from the recent outbreak of the disease's cousin, monkeypox.
Edmonton
-
'Really bad place': People in Edmonton's Chinatown sad, scared after deaths
Terry Dell has been living on the streets of central Edmonton for a few months now, and he's scared.
-
Things to do in Edmonton on May long weekend
You have three days off and don't know what to do? You've come to the right place. CTV News Edmonton has compiled a list of events around the city this weekend.
-
Bird flu found in Alberta skunks for first time: experts
Alberta is the latest Canadian province to have found avian influenza, or bird flu, in another species.
Northern Ontario
-
Police remind boaters about rules and regulations ahead of long weekend
With the May long weekend finally here, the Ontario Provincial Police and boating safety advocates are reminding boaters to follow safety rules, especially with so many other boaters out there.
-
Much of northeast under severe thunderstorm watch, hail possible
Severe thunderstorms could develop Friday afternoon in communities across northeastern Ontario, Environment Canada said.
-
Dozens of Northern cats need forever homes
Dozens of cats arrived in Barrie from Northern Ontario, hoping to be adopted by their forever families.
London
-
OPP promote road safety ahead of long weekend
The OPP is reminding drivers to put safety first when they head out for long weekend road trips.
-
Pump pain may keep some boaters out of the water
Dave Willacy was out early Friday to get his boat in the water and tuned up.
-
London police seize multiple firearms and ammunition during investigation
A 60-year-old London man is facing multiple charges after police seized several shotguns, ammunition, and brass knuckles during a search.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg man fined for driving past flood barricade, getting stranded in water
Manitoba RCMP are reminding all drivers to respect road barricades that are blocking people from driving in flooded areas.
-
Manitoba changing eligibility for fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose
Manitoba's top doctor says health officials are changing the eligibility for a second COVID-19 booster vaccine.
-
Missing man's vehicle was found abandoned in water-filled field: RCMP
RCMP are asking for help to find a missing man whose vehicle was found abandoned in a water-filled field in Southern Manitoba.
Ottawa
-
Long weekend kicks off in Ottawa
Ottawa has plenty of events for Victoria Day which not only could be popular with the hometown crowd, but for tourists as well.
-
Ottawa gas prices drop, but not for long
Your long weekend road trip will be a little cheaper today, as gas prices drop below $2 a litre at Ottawa stations.
-
Brett Kissel concert at TD Place postponed at the last minute
Country star Brett Kissel has postponed his concert at Ottawa's Arena at TD Place tonight due to an issue with his voice.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police investigating after reports of shots fired, man found dead behind apartment building
Saskatoon police are investigating after reports of two men being injured, shots fired and one person found dead.
-
Saskatoon mom pushing for in-person doctor visits after her daughter went two years with undiagnosed respiratory issues
A Saskatoon mother is sharing the importance of in-person doctor’s appointments after it took two years to figure out why her daughter was experiencing reoccurring respiratory issues.
-
Charleston Hughes returns to the Roughriders highly motivated
Charleston Hughes is back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after spending last season with the Toronto Argonauts.
Vancouver
-
COVID-19 map: The number of patients in B.C. hospitals declined this week, but not everywhere
The number of COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals reached its lowest point in weeks on Thursday, and regional data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows the decline was driven by hospitals in the Lower Mainland.
-
Discovery of missing man's body near YVR not considered suspicious, RCMP say
A body found in a ditch near Vancouver International Airport on Thursday is that of a man reported missing earlier this month, Richmond RCMP confirmed Friday.
-
B.C. man brought toddler along while robbing gas station, RCMP say
A father allegedly brought his young child along while robbing a gas station in B.C.'s Southern Interior this week, a crime authorities described as "deeply disturbing."
Regina
-
'No one is surprised': Sask. gets snow to start long weekend
While the May long weekend is known as the unofficial start of summer, oftentimes in Saskatchewan, the holiday weekend comes with cold weather.
-
SHA leasing 110K square feet of College Ave. office building
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has leased more than 110,000 sq. ft. of the former Co-operators building on College Avenue, with plans to move hundreds of employees into the space.
-
Regina police dog seriously injured during arrest
A Regina police dog was seriously injured during an arrest of a man charged with sexual assault, on Thursday morning.
Vancouver Island
-
2 people rescued, man still missing after boat capsizes on Vancouver Island
Two people were rescued and one man is still missing after a fishing boat capsized Thursday night in a remote region of Vancouver Island.
-
Funeral services held for decorated 100-year-old Canadian fighter ace
Funeral services were held Friday morning for Second World War fighter ace James "Stocky" Edwards in Courtenay, B.C.
-
Crackdown on youth gatherings downtown to continue this weekend: Victoria police
Victoria police say patrol officers will once again be out in force this weekend amid a rise in reports of youth vandalism and violence in the downtown core.