Your hashtags are hilarious and your Instagram feed inspires international envy. But seven little letters still elude you: HTML & CSS.

Never fear. Founded in June 2011, Ladies Learning Code puts on workshops targeted at women looking to learn a suite of basic technology skills from HTML and CSS coding to Photoshop, Wordpress and InDesign. Led by a team of dedicated volunteers, the workshops are the perfect balance between challenging and fun, and boast an impressive four-to-one mentor-student ratio. Expect to come away with enhanced skills and confidence and maybe some new contacts too.

Just as cool? The Ladies Learning Code gang is running a mini tech camp over the March Break for 11-14 year old girls who want to change the world. Talk about internationally inspiring. —Julie Whelan

www.ladieslearningcode.com

Photo credit: Jon Lim

When R&R is not an option, parents with small sprockets look for diversions on the weekend. Plot a season’s worth of activities for the whole family at Seasons Family Centre.

Spearheaded by Nikki Goldman Stroh and Kimberly Davies, classes at this lovely new centre range from pilates to puppetry to jewellery making and cater to all ages from freshly hatched to fully grown. Dad can groom his green thumb while his preschooler paints and teenager shimmies to De la Soul.

As for mom, she’ll be home eating bonbons and catching up on some R&R. —Athena Tsavliris

Seasons Family Centre, 655 Davenport Rd. Toronto, 416-488-6550
, www.seasonsfamilycentre.com

We always thought “no swinging” was the number one rule of weight training. Then we tried Kettlebell.

Founded in Russia and centuries old, Kettlebell is all about the swing. The instructor makes it look easy as she guides you through familiar moves (lunges and presses) and brand new ones like the “snatch” and “clean” (no joke) with small cannonball-esque weights in 10, 15 or 17.5lb denominations. At first, we felt awkward, a bit like Jennifer Coolidge trying to “bend and snap” in Legally Blonde, but gradually we got into the flow. Kettlebell worked our glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. The key is balance and control so don’t fret about keeping up with the regulars and do plant yourself in the first row by the instructor. 

Classes at Energia Athletics are 45 sweaty minutes long and get booked quickly in advance ($18/class).

Energia Athletics, 
164 Danforth Ave., Toronto, 
416-406-6664
, www.energiaathletics.com

June equals weddings and weddings equal bachelorettes, but when our go-to party dress wouldn’t quite zip up, we admitted we had let things slide.

Kick-start your summer fitness regime with the Circuit 60 class at Track Fitness. The unique, total body workout alternates intense treadmill and weight training in five- and ten-minute intervals so there’s no time to get complacent. Before you can complain about the sprints, it’s time to hit the floor for push-ups or squats. While the class is designed for varying abilities—walkers, joggers and runners—everyone is pushed to their limit for a full sixty minutes.

Incidentally, the same duration as the hot bath we took when class was over.  

$25 per class (first class is free). Track Fitness,  417 Spadina Rd., Toronto, 416-481-7872, www.trackfitness.com

Fancy yourself the next Shepard Fairey?

Aspiring silk-screeners should check out Julian Finkel’s twice-monthly Kensington Market workshops ($175, includes 2 T-shirts and supplies).

Held in the basement of his eclectic boutique, Finkel teaches students how to stretch, coat, and shoot a full sized professional silkscreen. From illustrators to left-handed accountants from Whitby, all types of burgeoning artists are welcome.

Next up: MoMA.

At Model Citizen, 279 Augusta Ave., Toronto. Contact Finkel at 416-553-6632 for details.

If you haven’t indulged your creative side since that life drawing class in university, we have the perfect way to revive your inner Rodin. 

The Gardiner Museum runs drop-in clay classes twice a week for students of all levels. Book one of its nine throwing wheels or hand-sculpt your work of art (we attempted a set of retro eggcups). The vibe is relaxed, materials are provided and a professional is on-hand to answer any questions. In the Friday evening crowd, we spotted stylish hipsters, seasoned experts and cute couples on what looked to be first dates. 

Our tip? Start small. The two hours are through before you know it. Then head upstairs for a glass of wine at Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner. We just love his work.

Tickets on sale 30 minutes before each session. First come, first served. $10 public, $8 members, seniors, students, $5 firing fee per piece. The Gardiner: Drop-in Clay Class, Fridays 6-8 pm, Sundays 1-3 pm. 111 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8080, www.gardinermuseum.on.ca

Tired of being the girl who resorts to the running man on the dance floor? Take a cue from Shakira and shake up your routine with belly dancing classes.

Undulate, shimmy and shake your way to a better body under the tutelage of veteran belly dancer and fitness trainer Sue Zarik, owner of Hip Kik.

If you’re concerned about excess jiggle in your shimmy, hop into a Get Fit Fast Class. The combination of pilates and strength training will have you toned and taut quicker than you can click your zils.

Walk like an Egyptian? Nah, we’d rather dance like one.

Hip Kik, 3070 Dundas St.W., Toronto, 416-760-772. For more info and prices e-mail Zarik at hipkik@rogers.com

So you have a closet full of Value Village finds that would be true It-girl one of a kinds if it weren't for that one pesky detail.

Why rack up the bill at the alterationist when you can make the changes yourself?

The Sewing Studio isn't your average sewing school. The inspiring atelier will make you feel more like a Parsons grad than a master of Home Ec. With a number of experienced, passionate instructors on hand you can rework, design and take-in to your hearts content. Featured workshops include everything from making doggy jackets to baby duds to home decor.

They even have sewing classes for men, kids and sewing boot camp for those who just can't wait to say, "Oh, I made it," the next time the girlfriends ask where they got their threads.

www.lovesewing.com

Are you harbouring a baby Basquiat just waiting for someone to "understand" his finger painting?

My First Masterpiece kids workshops run by a professional artist, might be just the thing to, ahem, draw out his genius.

Using real canvases and artist–grade paints and brushes, kids create a take–home masterpiece complete with fancy frame.

Now you just need to secure the wall space at the Tate Modern.

For prices, photos and locations visit www.myfirstmasterpiece.ca

Who needs adventure travel when you can get your adrenalin rush right here in town?

Head to the Toronto School of Circus Arts on Friday nights and join daredevils, frequent flyers and wusses like us getting strapped in to fly the trapeze.

Ignore the 10-year-old show-offs telling you that somersaulting is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Just listen to the pros and you’ll be soaring like a seagull in no time.

Look, it’s not rope swinging across the Shotover Canyon, but it will still get your heart hopping just enough to give you something to brag about at post-circus cocktails.

Go on—take a leap.

Friday drop-in classes ($25 for non-students) start at 6 p.m. Toronto School of Circus Arts, 25 Wellington St. W., Toronto, 416-935-0037, www.torontocircus.com.