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A Salute To Mom – Mother’s Day Gift Guide

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Mothers Day Gift Guide

For those of us who have lost track of time, it may come as a shock that Mother’s Day is just around the corner (Sunday, May 9th, folks). And like last year, things look a wee bit different for Mom. While you may be celebrating curbside, or virtually, or right at home, there are still many ways to show you care (and mom certainly deserves it). 

Several businesses in Oakville and Burlington are offering tasty treats and unique gifts through delivery and curbside pick-up. You may even be able to score a spot on a patio for a Mother’s Day meal. Here is our list of thoughtful, practical gifts for Mother’s Day during these strange times.

Decorate with Bubbles & Blush, Burlington

Bubbles & Blush is a local Burlington event planner who specializes in styling your event and bringing your vision to life. Recently, they have focused on Event Boxes which include everything you need to decorate your table for any special event. These boxes always include other local vendors to help support other small businesses.

This Mother’s Day you can spoil your mom by getting her a box that will help celebrate her day. Included in the box you’ll find plates, napkins, cutlery, candles, confetti, 10% off any future orders at Trattoria Timone (fine dining Italian restaurant in Oakville), a bottle of Sparkling Rose from Vineland Estates, cupcakes from Sinful and Sweet Desserts, and more. As an addition, you can add photos of you and your mom in the box as well as a breakfast tray to give an extra special gift.

Breakfast in Bed with Cozy Jammies

What a time to be alive when loungewear is TRENDING. PJ Salvage is a California contemporary brand specializing in luxury essentials and the pursuit of a comfy, casual lifestyle. They’re known for incredibly soft fabrics, gorgeous prints, meticulous attention to detail, and effortless, modern silhouettes, assorted over a beautiful collection of contemporary sleepwear and loungewear collections. You can pick up PJ Salvage at Joelle’s on Brant Street in Downtown Burlington, Linea Intima on Lakeshore Road in Downtown Oakville, and Good Night Good Morning in Bronte. 

Give Mom a Spa Day

This gift idea is perfect for the mom of toddlers – or even teens. At the end of a long day of balancing work, home, and family life – there’s nothing like sliding into a warm bath for a little pampering. Whether it’s bath salts, body scrubs, or essential oils, Maison Apothecare has everything you need to bring the spa home. Draw mom a bath, light her a candle, and give her the gift of peace (even if it’s just for five minutes). You can also grab some sugar scrubs, massage oils, or vegan bath soaks by Pink Posh Fox from The Handmade House. And if you want to help your mom relax, Bodega Wellness has a relaxing CBD Spray that’s perfect to use before bed (or, you can check out their CBD bathbombs).

DIY Gifts from the Kids

Paint mom a mug, jewellery tray, or flower pot with Crackpot Studio in Oakville. You can either paint in the studio or take home one of their popular at-home pottery kits. Each kit includes your pieces, paints, a sponge, painting instructions, two brushes per piece, and a wooden skewer for decorating! Or, pick-up a craft kit from Chickadee Kid’s Co. in Burlington. Mother’s Day craft kits come with everything you need to create simple crafts that mom and grandma will swoon over – a perfect way for little hands to say “I love you” to mom.

Grab Unique Gifts from Local Maker Shops 

Your mom is unique and deserves a one-of-a-kind gift that reflects her true charm. Thanks to our local makers and artisan shops, there are endless options to find that perfect gift. The Handmade House has cards, clothing, and accessories, especially for mom. While The Artisanville and
The Little Pop Up Shoppe in Burlington and Maker’s Mojo and Dove+Arrow in Oakville have carefully crafted, artisanal products ranging from décor, clothing, food, and more. Everything is available for either curbside pick-up – or delivery straight to mom.

Give Mom the Night Off

Whether it’s breakfast in bed, a late brunch, or mom’s favourite meal, many local restaurants are offering take-out, curbside pick-up, and even patio and in-person dining (and many will have Mother’s Day specials as well)! 

There you have it – from jammies to pampering and everything in between. A little local love will make mom feel ALL the love this Mother’s Day.

by Anneliese Lawton 

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Calling All Food lovers, Taste of Oakville is Back!

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We are happy to announce that Taste of Oakville will be returning this year with a new twist! From February 15 to March 6, 2021, participating restaurants in Bronte Village, Kerr Village, Downtown Oakville and across Oakville will be hosting prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus available for takeout and delivery.

In the past, Taste of Oakville has solely been an in-room dining experience, but this year you will be able to enjoy a two- or three-course meal from the comfort of your own home.

Throughout last year, Oakville’s restaurants have adapted to the ever-changing circumstances by maintaining proper COVID-19 protocols, and will maintain their high safety standards during our Taste of Oakville event.

Keep your eyes peeled on Visit Oakville’s Instagram, as you could have a chance to win a gift card to a participating restaurant during our special prize giveaways leading up to and during the event.

Taste of Oakville is the perfect opportunity to explore some of Oakville’s wonderful restaurants and help support local businesses. Please visit our website atasteofoakville.com to see all participating restaurants and to find out more about our Taste of Oakville event.

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Arts & Events

Downtown Oakville’s Hometown Holiday Experience

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Oakville, ON – It’s official. Downtown Oakville’s vibrant core is bustling once again. And there’s not better time than now to explore all the enhancements of its recent construction project. With travel halted due to COVID-19, many are spending the holidays right here at home – in Oakville. This holiday season, take advantage of being home and become a tourist in Oakville’s downtown. Rediscover its historic charm and explore the revitalized core featuring new installments and classic charm. 

To celebrate the 2020 holiday season, Downtown Oakville has created a heightened holiday experience, offering new sights and wonder. 

Introducing Downtown Oakville’s Hometown Holiday. From new dazzling décor to holiday happy hours and virtual gift guides, the Downtown Oakville BIA has pulled out all the stops to bring this season to life. 

On display from now until January 10th, 2021, there’s a must-see 30-foot Ribbon Tree of Lights and #DTOakville sign located in Towne Square. Centennial Square comes to life with a 3D illuminated ornament, matching archway, and beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Throughout the district, you’ll find spectacular lighting and décor, perfect for an evening stroll with family and photo-op. 

Don’t miss out on the this week’s special offers from participating stores and restaurants during Holiday Happy Hour from 6 pm to 7 pm (Dec 17,18 from 6-7 p.m.) and you can also support local by shopping our Virtual Gift Guide featuring over 100 unique items from Downtown Oakville businesses – all of which can be purchased with the click of a button. 

Lastly, everyone loves to give during the holidays. So, Downtown Oakville is giving you the chance to WIN (1) of (3) $500 gift cards to a Downtown Oakville business of your choice – truly a gift of shopping local. The contest ends Sunday December 20th, 2020 and you can enter here. 

Parking is FREE on weekends (until Dec 31st, 2020), weekdays after 6 p.m. and on holidays. Learn more about the parking program here. 

For updates on shopping experiences, visit and Instagram (@oakvilledowntown), Facebook (@downtownoakville) and Twitter (@oakvilledwntown). 

Click here for a full list of Downtown Oakville businesses. 

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Happier Together – Celebrating The International Day of Happiness

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International Day of Happiness

Behavioural scientists have spent a lot of time studying what makes us happy (and what doesn’t). While our culture and society have marketed material things (and money) as the key to happiness, scientists have found happier people have similar things in common: strong, close relationships, making time to have fun, and spending time with friends are just a few of the things that contribute to a happier, more fulfilling life.  

Brenda Jasmin, a certified positive psychologist and life coach in Oakville, says there’s a formula for happiness. We all begin life with a baseline of happiness – a genetic predisposition which roughly accounts for half of our overall happiness. While some of us win the genetic lottery and have a high predisposition to happiness, some of us fall a little lower on the scale. However, the good news is that we’re in complete control of the other fifty-percent. Our external circumstances, such as job, money, the car we drive and the house we live in, all account for only 10% of our total happiness – proving that material things don’t truly make us happy.  The remaining 40% of our happiness is based on our internal state of mind, such as our attitude and optimism.  

Therefore, happiness comes from within. It isn’t just something that happens to you, it’s something you have to work towards. 

In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized happiness as a “fundamental human goal.” And in 2012, the first-ever UN Conference on Happiness took place and the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of Happiness would be observed every year on March 20. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013, and all 193 United Nations Member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority. 

This campaign is a global celebration, co-ordinated by Action for Happiness, a non-profit movement of people from over 160 countries and supported by like-minded organizations. 

The Art of Living is one of those organizations. Founded by Sri Sri Ravishankar, the goal of The Art of Living is to help people create a stress-free society with a trauma-free mind through a 3-day workshop called The Happiness Program. The Happiness Program, which runs globally with upcoming workshops in Oakville and Burlington, was developed to help people live a happier, more stable life through the practice of yoga and rhythmic breathing, providing the skills to remain calm and mindful, even in the middle of a challenge. 

So, what can you do to be happier? Brenda Jasmin says, “One simple yet effective tool to boost your happiness is an exercise called “Three Good Things”, developed by Dr. Martin Seligman, the founding father of Positive Psychology. You can practice this tool each evening by recalling three  things that went well that day. For each thing that went well, take some time to journal or reflect on why that good event happened.” Research shows that implementing this simple technique for just one week can increase your happiness and decrease symptoms of depression for several months afterward. The effects can be even longer-lasting if this becomes a daily practice, which it does for many because once they start doing it, they see the advantages of remembering good events and not taking them for granted.

Other strategies include “intentional acts of kindness” – performing 5 to 7 acts of kindness in one day. You could also attend one of Brenda’s popular “Positivi-Tea Talks”. At these workshops, she teaches tools and strategies based on Positive Psychology that help people to live happier and more meaningful lives. Topics include everything from relationships, resilience, mindfulness, gratitude, purpose, strengths and managing mindset. 

Even local schools see the benefit of teaching happiness. Amanda Bartucci, communications officer for the Halton Catholic District School Board said some principals will be working with Child and Youth Counsellors to develop activities during the month of March in celebration of International Day of Happiness. 

This year’s theme on the International Day of Happiness is Happier Together, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. Everyone wants to be happy – and life is happier when we’re together. So, let’s celebrate our common humanity. Join the community and be part of this special day. 

by Anneliese Lawton

Local Links

Brenda Jasmin
Brendajasmin.com

The Art of Living
Theartofliving.org

International Day of Happiness
Dayofhappiness.net

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Meet the Maker – Blue Skies Custom Woodwork

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…
Meet Designer Steve Culumovic of Blue Skies Custom Woodwork

How did you get started?

30 years ago, a friend and I started a business rough framing homes in Oakville. From there, I became interested in the finer aspects of furniture and cabinet making and began to make that transition.

Can you tell us about your approach to woodworking?

 My approach is to make everything the best way I can, not the cheapest. I’m conscientious about design and my use of materials. It’s important to me not to make a disposable product.

What types of wood do you typically work with?

Mainly local domestics; walnut, cherry and lately a lot of ash, utilizing trees affected by the Emerald ash borer. I recently finished a commission for Appleby College, building a 7’x24’ boardroom table out of ash which had to be removed from their campus.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I love being in my shop and I’m always happy building things. Combine that with customers bringing me their ideas, sketches or photos of what they want, and I’m inspired.

What else do you build?

Kitchens, built-ins and millwork. I design and build my kitchens by hand, using durable joinery, brushed-on finishes that can be repainted, hand-turned knobs… not the kind of kitchen that gets torn out and tossed when trends change.

Blue Skies Custom Woodwork

Individually Crafted Furniture, Kitchens and Cabinetry
905.332.8289
blueskiescustomwoodwork.com

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Your Local Pub Crawl

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Local Pub Crawl

Pub, a word conveniently shortened from the British term public house, is defined as an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic drinks. But for many, it has the deeper meaning of a meeting place or a place of social gathering. In many places around the world, especially in small English villages, the pub is the focal part of the community. Samuel Pepys, a British Member of Parliament and famed diary keeper, described the pub in the 17th century as being the “heart of England”. The Red Lion is the most common name for a pub in Britain where there are reportedly 656 establishments with this name.

Pubs date back to Roman times, when inns or taverns started popping up along the Roman road networks where travelers could obtain refreshments. When looking for the difference between a bar and a pub, reference is often made to Britain when referring to a pub, and the word has connotations of being a place to socialize, and not just to drink alcohol. A bar is often differentiated by having loud music and a dance floor.

Oakville and Burlington have many quaint and charming pubs where patrons can get a pint of English beer and meet up with friends. Nowadays, pubs have a huge range of beverages, from craft beers, fine wines and cocktails to gourmet food offerings, but there still seems to be a leaning toward a more British way. Items such as bangers and mash, and beef and ale pie appear frequently on menus as well as the quintessential British meal, fish and chips.

The King’s Arms (kingsarmsoakville.com) in downtown Oakville is one of the oldest pubs in the area. It was first opened in the mid-70s under the name “The Duke of Bedford” and changed its name to The King’s Arms in the ‘90s. The pub specializes in craft beer with an extensive range of products and offers traditional British food  such as steak and Guinness pie, as well as more trendy fusion items such as truffle brisket mac and cheese. 

The Abbey Arms (abbeyarmspub.ca) located in Glen Abbey, Oakville, has a specialty brunch menu on weekends for earlier diners, and also caters to vegetarians with its house-made chickpea and cauliflower curry.

The Queens Head (thequeensheadoakville.com) in downtown Oakville offers an authentic pub atmosphere and is reputed to serve the best fish and chips in the area.  Be prepared to wait for a table on a Friday night.

Not to be outdone, The Queen’s Head (the queenshead.ca) in downtown Burlington opened its doors in the 1990s and specializes in house pub pies. It also features traditional pub fare such as beef liver with bacon and onions. It hosts events throughout the year, including celebrating St Patrick’s Day.

The Pipes and Taps Pub (thepipesandtapspub.com) in Oak Park, Oakville also varies its food offerings from a trendy warm tandoori spiced Atlantic salmon salad to classic bangers and mash.

With 17 beers on tap, The Stout Monk (thestoutmonk.com)
at Neyagawa and Dundas in Oakville, is certainly a beer destination but also offers game-day breakfasts and screens anything from the Leafs game to premier league soccer. They offer traditional fare like bison shepherd’s pie and also signature items such as Monk wings or Monk nachos.

In downtown Burlington, you’ll find Burlington’s oldest English Pub and Alehouse – The Poacher (thepoacher.ca). Also downtown is The Dickens Pub (thedickens.ca), where you can bite into half-price wings on Tuesday or sip $5 Caesars on Saturday before 6 p.m.

With St Patrick’s Day approaching, it is worth scouting out your nearest pub to make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun – and all the green beer. Throw on your most festive Irish gear and be prepared for everything from St. Patty’s inspired dinner specials, Irish dancers, and simply, a bangers and mash good time. 

by Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright

Other Pubs to Try:

Emma’s Back Porch, Burlington
Emmasbackporch.ca

Oakville Pump and Patio, Oakville
Oakvillepump.com

Studebaker Pub & Diner, Burlington
studebakerburlington.com

3 Brewers Microbrewery, Oakville
Les3brasseurs.ca

The Firehall, Bronte
Thefirehall.ca

The Judge and Jury, Burlington
Thejudgeandjury.ca

Bru, Oakville
brurestaurant.ca

Beertown, Oakville + Burlington
Beertown.ca

Tin Cup, Oakville + Burlington
Tincupsportsgrill.ca

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A Monumental March Break – Fun Within A Short Drive

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March Break

There’s no need to pack up and head to Florida to have fun over March Break. In and around the GTA, there are countless museums, camps, and activities the whole family will love. We’ve pulled together a list within an hour’s drive – pack some car snacks and hit the road!

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (Toronto)

Ripleyaquariums.com/canada
Practice your best fishy face! In the heart of downtown Toronto is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Experience life under the sea as you ride through the Dangerous Lagoon on the moving carpet, where sharks swim right over your head. There’s an indoor playground for the kids, Planet Jellies, interactive exhibits, and equally as much excitement for the kids-at-heart.
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada at 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

CN Tower (Toronto)

Cntower.ca
Enjoy the beauty of the city from the highest point – the top of the CN Tower. A quick elevator ride will bring you over 500-metres up in the sky with 360-degree views of the city, a glass floor, and a restaurant. A unique way to see the City that all should experience.
The CN Tower is located at 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto

iFly Toronto (Oakville)

Iflytoronto.com
Ready for lift-off. Come defy the law of gravity at iFLY Toronto. Enjoy indoor skydiving in a safe environment. Fly solo, with a group, or with your family and friends.
Visit iFly Toronto’s Oakville location at 2007 Winston Park Drive, Oakville

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark (Niagara Falls)

Fallsviewwaterpark.com
Three acres of fun-filled water activities located in the heart of Niagara Falls! Fallsview Indoor Waterpark has 16 waterslides, a wave pool, and the Beach House Rain Fortress with a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket. While perfect for the kids, there are adult-friendly activities, including adult-only jacuzzi tubs and indoor connections to hotels and casinos.
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is located at 5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls

Royal Ontario Museum  (Toronto)

Rom.on.ca
Go back to a time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and learn about historic artifacts at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). In the museum’s permanent galleries, take photos with dinosaur sculptures, enjoy the beauty of precious metals and gems, and look through historic artifacts from around the world. During this March Break, the ROM will also be hosting Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, which will feature original artifacts from the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Visit the Royal Ontario Museum at 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto

Oakville Museum  (Oakville)

Oakville.ca/museum
Explore, discover, and create at the Oakville Museum this Mark Break! Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is offering a March Break camp from March 16-20 for ages 6 to 10. Take inspiration from the historical collection at the Oakville Museum as we explore wild watercolours, thrilling 3-D crafts, awesome abstract art and more. Challenge yourself to create a masterpiece! Register online to secure your spot.
The Oakville museum is located at 8 Navy Street, Oakville

Joseph Brant Museum  (Burlington)

Museumsofburlington.ca › joseph-brant Museum
Re-opening after renovations in September 2019, Joseph Brant Museum offers more exhibitions and family fun. During March Break, the museum is offering a “sense”ational camp for kids to explore their five senses through a variety of activities, alongside a special exhibit running from February 1 to May 10, “Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures”.
Joseph Brant Museum is located at 1240 North Shore Blvd East, Burlington

Royal Botanical Gardens  (Burlington)

Rbg.ca
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada. Its enchanting property showcases the natural beauty of Burlington’s trails and gardens while their extensive programming offers seasonal education and camps. Over March Break, visit the winter exhibit: “Wildlife Rescue” to learn all about endangered animals.
Royal Botanical Gardens is located at 680 Plains Road West, Burlington

Hiking trails (Wherever your heart takes you)

Conservationhalton.ca/hiking
Grab your hiking boots and bundle-up. Even in winter, you can enjoy many of our beautiful trails. Picturesque hiking trails can be found at popular locations such as Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area (7200 Appleby Line), Crawford Lake Conservation Area (3115 Conservation Road), and Hilton Falls (4985 Campbellville Road). Most parks have a selection of trails ranging from beginner to intermediate, although not all trails are maintained in winter months.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Cambridgebutterfly.com 
Be in the centre of hundreds of butterflies as they fly around you at Cambridge’s Butterfly Conservatory. The Conservatory has more than 1,000 different species of butterflies from all over the world and more than 100 varieties of tropical plants, waterfalls, Chinese painted quails, red-eared slider turtles, and more. The Conservatory also has the Chrysalis Café, perfect for a lunch stop without leaving the beauty of the facility.
The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is located at 2500 Kossuth Road,  Cambridge

by Allie Murray

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A Cut Above – Spring Tree Pruning Guide

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Spring Tree Pruning Tips

As homeowners know, spring is often the busiest season. The snow thaws and our gardens are exposed, glaringly in need of cleaning, trimming, and rejuvenation. 

The winter can be hard on our trees as well. Knowing when and how to prune them is an essential part of their health, ensuring that they flourish and thrive. So, why is it one of the most neglected aspects of yard work? While many of us carefully trim our perennials and shrubs, the thought of overcutting and accidentally damaging a beautiful, hearty tree can feel intimidating. However, when armed with a few tips, tree pruning can be easily done and the results are worth it! 

Why prune in late winter and early spring?

According to Mitchell Watt, plant supervisor at Sheridan Nurseries in Oakville, early spring is a great time to refresh overgrown shrubs and trees to help promote healthy new growth. “Pruning before the buds break leads to something we call ‘optimum wound closure’,” he says, “It allows the trees to heal from being cut before warmer weather sets in.”  

Another important reason to trim in early spring is that it allows pruners to assess the tree structure before the new buds emerge. That way you can clearly see where it is overgrown and in need of refreshing. It is also easier to identify any branches that may have sustained damage or disease over the long winter months.

Flowering and deciduous trees

Flowering fruit trees and deciduous trees are best pruned in late winter and early spring before buds, leaves, or blossoms appear. Since trees store their energy in their root system, pruning in late winter or early spring (while the tree is considered “dormant”), encourages vigorous growth to the branches that are left once spring arrives. For fruit trees, this means better quality fruit and bountiful yield. Also, don’t be afraid to trim aggressively! The harder the cutting, the greater the response to new growth will be. 

If your tree is too large and you want to curb its growth, pruning after it has blossomed will help slow growth down and enable you to keep the tree to a more manageable size. 

There is a small group of trees and shrubs that should not be trimmed in spring, including forsythia, lilac, magnolia, and hydrangeas. These types of plants develop their buds prior to spring and also grow buds on old wood. Trim these trees in the autumn. 

Evergreens

Evergreen pruning differs slightly from other trees. Watt recommends pruning all evergreens — except pine — in early spring before any new growth starts. This means following the natural branching pattern of the tree to cut away any winter damage, as well as trimming dead foliage. This will help preserve the original shape of the tree. 

With broadleaf evergreens like cedar and boxwood a process known as “selective pruning”, or trimming one branch at a time, will give better long-term results than over trimming. Aesthetically, regular shearing will give evergreens a fuller, denser look over time. 

When to DIY and when to leave it to professionals 

With the correct tools, pruning and reshaping a tree is a simple DIY project. But, when should we call in professionals?

Jessica, from TERRA Greenhouses in Burlington, says that pruning for cosmetic reasons is almost always a do-it-yourself task. Another time to wield the shears is when small or medium trees begin to develop suckers at their base. Since suckers are closest to the root system where the tree stores its energy, they divert it from the main plant and focus it on themselves. “Over time, you’ll start to lose the beauty of the original tree that you carefully chose and invested in,” Jessica says. 

The arborists at Davey Tree Experts in Burlington have a rule of thumb — if you have to work from any great height, call in a professional! They caution that the consequences of unskilled pruning aren’t just aesthetic. The structural integrity of the tree can be compromised and turn it into a danger during storms, leaving it susceptible to lost branches or even uprooting.

Another reason to call in help is if the tree is showing signs of real sickness or disease that needs to be treated. An arborist can also help if it has been many years since your tree was pruned. They can give it a good reshaping and, with their guidance, homeowners can maintain it afterward.  

by Kristen Psihogios

Local Links

Terra Green Houses
Terragreenhouses.com

Sheridan Nurseries
Sheridannurseries.com

Davey Tree
Daveytree.ca/burlington

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