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Your Guide to Professional and DIY Upholstery

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By: Kristen Sanchioni

It’s likely that you have a piece or two of sentimental furniture in your home – maybe it was passed down from family, maybe you picked it up at a flea market. Maybe it’s from your old dorm room and you just can’t let it go. Whatever the case, your vintage couch or armchair has probably seen its day – frayed edges, thin fabric, and even out of style. However, if you have a well-built item or one with special sentimental value, re-upholstering is a worthwhile investment. 

Upholstering furniture is a job that requires skill and patience. Knowing when to tackle the project on your own and when to hire a professional is crucial to ensure you love your finished product. 


Try Your Hand


Maybe you’ve found a lovely piece at a thrift store or perhaps you have an old hand-me-down that needs an upgrade. Refurbishing furniture is a wonderful, environmentally-friendly way to bring new life into worn, faded items, especially when those pieces have quality materials and craftsmanship. Bear in mind that do-it-yourself upholstering requires time, effort, and basic sewing skills. If you want to tackle the project on your own, assess your budget and skill level. 

Some furniture is easier to reupholster than others. If you’re a newbie to the world of upholstery, choose your project carefully! One rule of thumb for beginners is to focus on pieces with straight lines. A simple, hardbacked chair with a removable fabric seat is a good place to start. Similarly, a fabric ottoman, bench, or footstool can be completely transformed in an afternoon without much more than fabric, a screwdriver, and a staple gun. 

With some basic sewing skills, recovering a worn fabric headboard or making a slipcover for a chair can be a weekend project. Avoid thick fabric which can be difficult to fold, sew, and lay flat. Pieces with foam and padding can often disintegrate, breed mold, and lose their shape. It’s worth replacing for comfort and longevity. 

If reupholstering furniture is something you enjoy and want to do more of, consider enrolling in a local upholstery class to expand your skillset.


The Finishing Touch


When is it time to call the professionals? If you’ve inherited a beautiful chair from a family member but the cushions are worn and the fabric is ripped, is it worth reupholstering rather than just buying a new item? It really comes down to quality and memorability. 

Custom reupholstering is a labour-intensive art form that takes years of training and practice. Investing in a professional service to reupholster your furniture is worthwhile if the piece has sentimental value and good bones. A new piece might cost less, but the quality won’t be comparable. 

“The benefit of a professional is, of course, the fact that your finished project looks beautifully and skillfully done,” says Tori Brock from Fairhome Interiors in Burlington. From choosing the types of fabric that will work best with your piece to envisioning the finished product, their team walks clients through the process. “We gently guide you with help choosing a fabric that is appropriate for the piece’s purpose and your lifestyle,” she notes. “We then take your furniture and our upholsterer masterfully and magically transforms your piece to look like new!”

Still think you can tackle Grandpa’s special chair? “A botched DIY project is often how we get new clients!” laughs Tori. “It isn’t as easy as Pinterest makes it look.” She explains that fully reupholstering requires removing old fabric and cushioning if necessary, fixing any flaws, possibly changing the style, restuffing, and applying new textile and decorative features. Professionals have the tools and skills necessary to do this without damaging the piece. Furniture, especially vintage, left in untrained hands can be permanently ruined.

Choosing to DIY on a memorable piece will likely leave you feeling as though you’ve overextended yourself and risks the finished product looking sloppy. Opting to work with a professional will result in a stunning piece, that upholds the quality of the item for years to come.

Local Links

Fairhome Interiors, Burlington

fairhome.ca

Andersons Interiors, Burlington

andersonsinteriors.ca

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Welcome to the Neighbourhood! An Introduction To Some New Businesses

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We’ve officially been living in pandemic pandemonium for a year now. And how things have changed. Washing hands, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance at the grocery store – these have all become second nature to us. While we’ve all been learning how to live in and adapt to a pandemic – some of us have taken this opportunity to dive into a new experience of our own. While we have, unfortunately, seen some local brick and mortar retailers and restaurants close their doors as a direct result of the pandemic, we have also seen others open their doors for the very first time.

Here, we celebrate these local community members, entrepreneurs, and visionaries, and rejoice in the opening of their new establishments.  

Bubbles and Blow Beauty Bar

399 Elizabeth St #5, Burlington

Bubblesandblow.ca

Bubbles and Blow, founded by 27-year-old New Jersey native, Nikki Gray, had its grand opening in November 2020 – eight months into the pandemic. 

Nikki had always loved hair and has worked in salons since the early age of 14. She trained in New Jersey, and in Manhattan, Soho and Tribeca in New York City. Bringing her career with her to Canada was a dream. “I used the pandemic to bring my dreams to life…when else in life would we have this moment where time kind of…stops?”, explains Nikki. 

Though Toronto may have been an obvious choice for city-loving Nikki, there was something special about the smaller city of Burlington – the people. Not long after moving to the area with her husband, Dale, Nikki was introduced to a warm, inviting, loving community – and she knew it was destiny. 

Bubbles and Blow offer extension services, blowouts, bridal, blonding and balayage, and more! Visit them on Instagram @bubblesandblow.burlington

Waves in the Village

415 Elizabeth St Unit 37, Burlington
Shopwaves.ca 

Waves in the Village, which opened in November 2020, was founded by Caitlin McGillivray and her husband Mike Ledgerwood after they fell in love with the atmosphere and community of Downtown Burlington, specifically The Village. “Opening a boutique has always been a goal, it was just the question of where and when,” says Caitlin. So, when she found the perfect retail spot – despite the pandemic – she knew it was time. While owning a retail boutique had been a lifelong dream, Caitlin explains, “It was scary deciding to move forward with a new business in the middle of a pandemic.” 

Through the use of social media, Caitlin created excitement about Waves in the Village before its doors even opened, and in the first few months of business, the boutique has thrived. 

Waves in the Village has trendy clothing, fun accessories, shoes, and even items from local makers such as bath bombs and cards. You can shop Waves in the Village online at shopwaves.ca, and be sure to visit them on Instagram @waves_inthevillage

Stolen Hearts Bridal

37 Main St South, Waterdown

Stolenheartsbridal.com 

Up until last year, Amelia Chiarelli was working full-time in audio post-production in Toronto. “I was commuting 4-hours a day, was constantly stressed and was not living in my best state,” says Amelia. She adds, “One positive thing that came out of this pandemic for me was the opportunity to step back from the routine I was stuck in and really get in touch with what I wanted for myself.” And as a soon-to-be pandemic bride, Amelia decided she wanted to open her own bridal salon, Stolen Hearts Bridal.

As an appointment-only boutique, Amelia can focus on one bride at a time, making it easier to follow guidelines, distance, and keep people safe. 

The grand opening was a live virtual event on March 2nd, allowing people to tune-in to see the space for the first time, view gowns, and win prizes. Stolen Hearts Bridal will be setting up an online store for accessories and will be moving sample sales online as well.

You can shop Stolen Hearts Bridal online at stolenheartsbridal.com and be sure to check them out on Instagram and Facebook @stolenheartsbridal

Maison Apothecare

6 Lakeshore Rd West, Oakville

Maisonapothecare.ca

Born in France and raised on an organic farm in Ontario, Natacha Rey spent her childhood making potions and lotions for her loved ones using the ingredients she collected from nature. As an adult, she pursued this passion and studied homeopathic medicine at the Australian College of Natural Medicine where she earned a Bachelor of Health Science.

Natacha’s early career focused on formulating bespoke skincare products. With the birth of her first child in 2010, her creative energy materialized as Sleepy Owl Baby Care, one of Maison Apothecare’s popular product lines. 

Today, Natacha continues to formulate new products (including Lemon Aide Surface Cleaner) for the whole family as she leads Maison Apothecare along the sometimes-bumpy road of business.

Maison Apothecare took a major hit during the pandemic and Natacha was forced to permanently close two of her three locations — Niagara-on-the-Lake and Bloor West Village. But the company has moved into a new location in Oakville, offering a much larger, brighter space, and allowing Natacha to share her products in an environment that offers better distance, incredible natural light, and more.

Visit Maison Apothecare on Instagram and Facebook @maisonapothecare
or shop Natacha’s incredible line of products online at maisonapothecare.ca.

Seek Studio

131 Lakeshore Rd East, Oakville

Seekstudio.ca

On a sunny afternoon in late November 2020, Marie-Josee Boisvert was sitting on the Paradiso patio in Oakville with some friends, when they noticed a lease available next door. After viewing the space, and experiencing the crowds and energy of Downtown Oakville, Marie-Josee decided to take on a little passion project. She would open an art studio to showcase her friend Bill Boyko’s art and décor for the Christmas season – just to see how it would go. 

Within three days, Seek Studio was painted and ready, officially opening in December 2020. Six days later, the art gallery was closed due to the lockdown. With a creative storefront and eCommerce site, Josee ended up selling pieces both online and through the gallery window. 

While this is her first retail venture, Marie-Josee hasn’t let the pandemic scare her. “We have been welcomed by Downtown Oakville and the BIA with great enthusiasm. It lifts our spirits”. 

Visit Seek Studio for everything interesting; curated consignment art, decor, and cool finds. The New, The Vintage, The Up-Cycled, and the Re-Born. It’s all in the Hunt! You can also check them out on Instagram @seekstudiooakville.

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Taste of Burlington’s Wicked Awesome Server Recognition Program

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There is no doubt that the hospitality industry has been hit hard during this pandemic and our restaurants and their staff have had to make many changes in the way they do business.  This often means more work for the frontline staff, with extra cleaning and protocols in place, to help ensure customer and staff safety.

Taste of Burlington has received comments from several diners on the great service and protocols in place by our restaurants and how they felt safe while dining out or picking up their food. So they felt it was important that the servers, frontline staff and restaurants heard that feedback and were recognized for their efforts during these challenging times.

That’s why Taste of Burlington is launching the Wicked Awesome Server Recognition Program, in partnership with their friends at Nickel Brook Brewing Co and with sponsorship from PV&V Insurance.

They are asking the public and restaurant staff to nominate a server they feel is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond to ensure customer safety while dining. Each week Taste of Burlington will choose a winner from these nominations and they will be presented with a prize pack. Nominations can be sent to info@tourismburlington.com and should include the name of the server, the restaurant where they work and a brief explanation as to why they are deserving. 

Taste of Burlington will post a list of servers who have been recognized on the Taste of Burlington website.  Each server will receive a Wicked Awesome prize pack from Nickel Brook Brewing Co, a gift card for Mapleview Centre thanks to PV&V Insurance and a $25 gift card to the Downtown Burlington business of their choice thanks to that Burlington Downtown Business Association.

Kelly Harris, Marketing Specialist at Tourism Burlington and Coordinator of the Taste of Burlington program shares her excitement about this new initiative: “We are pleased to launch this new reward program and thankful for the partnership with Nickel Brook and PV&V Insurance.  It’s been an extremely hard time for the hospitality industry and we are hopeful that this brings some positivity and smiles to an industry that needs it right now”.

Information and a list of servers who have been awarded will be posted at https://tasteofburlington.ca/nominate-a-wicked-awesome-server-today/

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Outdoor Living for Every Season

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Written By: Kristen Sanchioni

Outdoor entertaining has become a growing trend over the past year—and with good reason! With more time spent with family at home, our patios, backyards, and balconies have become a wonderfully functional extension of our living space. Perfect for socially distanced visits, they are the ideal spot to gather with loved ones, while still conforming with our health guidelines. 

We are almost through the worst of our frigid winter, and spring is just around the corner.  Many of us will be looking forward to venturing outdoors again, and enjoying some limited social interactions with friends or family. By incorporating a few key design elements, you can create a patio or backyard that is both functional and cozy for outdoor entertaining all year round.

Warm and toasty

Perhaps the most important aspect of entertaining in cooler weather is keeping warm. While Canadians are no stranger to bundling up in winter, introducing a heat source to your space invites people to settle in for conversation and a visit. 

Outdoor friendly fireplaces are the quintessential gathering place for cool-weather entertaining. If you don’t have the budget or you dislike the permanence of a built-in fireplace, there are stylish and portable options. Fire pits, chimineas, fire tables, and patio heaters are available in every size, style, and price point. At Oakville Home Leisure, Jeremy Kalapacz notes that this has been their busiest year-to-date. “The demand for fire pits and patio heaters has been incredible this year!” he says. “We are fully stocked for the upcoming season and expect to be just as busy, if not busier this year than last.” 

Wood burning fire pits and chimineas are among the most popular, but there are loads of stylish gas-powered fire tables and pits that are convenient and easy to start.  

Gathering with your friends and family around an open-air fire with a warm drink sounds pretty wonderful if you ask us! 

Under Cover

With the heat source as your centerpiece, it’s still important that people are comfortable enough to stay for a while. Is there anything more bone-chilling than sitting for hours on a cold, hard chair? “The furniture we carry is all high end that can last for many years outdoors,” assures Jeremy. He also notes that a little maintenance goes a long way to preserving the look and longevity of your patio set. “Although you don’t have to tarp or cover your furniture, it is good housekeeping to do so.” Oakville Home Leisure has many options for protective patio coverings that will keep the snow and rain off. 

Padded and weather-resistant furniture is a must, but if you prefer the rustic charm of a Muskoka chair, consider draping a sheepskin throw over the back to provide some stylish cushion and warmth.

Adding or adapting an outdoor structure like a pergola is a relatively small project but can provide protection and shelter from the elements by adding a roof. Retractable roofs, plexiglass, or canvas will keep the snow and rain off and also help keep the fire heat contained. 

Accessorize!

Creating that cozy hygge atmosphere outdoors requires a little ingenious thinking. 

Many plants do well outside in winter, and nurseries like Sheridan have the knowledge to help you choose the right ones. Planters with potted greens such as yew and rosemary, and larger trees like boxwood, cyprus, and evergreens are useful for privacy and blocking a sudden gust of winter wind. 

Even with the glow of a fire, additional lighting will make your space feel magical. Strings of fairy lights or strips of solar lighting wrapped around planters immediately warm up the atmosphere. Finally, remember that this space is an extension of your home. Layer winter-friendly textiles the same as you would indoors: decorative pillows, rugs, and sheepskin throws. Having a pile of thick blankets on hand means that people are warm enough to settle in for a longer visit. Offer a warm drink and some s’mores and they might never leave!

Local Links

Oakville Home Leisure (Oakville): oakvillehomeleisure.ca

Sheridan Nurseries (Mississauga): sheridannurseries.com

Centro Garden (Burlington): Centrogarden.com

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Re-Thinking the Resolution: Achieving Health + Happiness in 2021

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Written By: Anneliese Lawton

The New Year isn’t the only time to make resolutions – but anytime someone says the word resolution, it’s usually followed by something like this: hit the gym, eat more veggies, take chances, reduce stress, live a healthier life – you know the drill. Each and every year we craft a list with the intention to finally start living our best life. And each and every year, without fail, we always seem to fall off the wagon.

I think I speak for many when I say that 2020 was the year that changed everything. For many of us, it put life into perspective. Twenty-twenty forced us out of our comfort zones, into stressful situations, and provided the opportunity to learn what truly matters.

Now, in 2021, we have the chance to take this new perspective and act on it. With help from local experts, we’re providing an alternative approach to the typical resolution…. one that focuses on the mind, the spirit, and the body. We understand fitting into that old pair of jeans is nice – but how we feel on the inside is what truly counts.

Karen Sue-A-Quan, Pediatric Clinical Care Pharmacist at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and Spiritual Life Coach is an Oakville resident and mom. With a special interest in medication that treats anxiety and pain management, Karen has been directly exposed to the mental health implications of COVID-19. As a Clinical Pharmacist and Life Coach, Karen has created a dual role for herself that complements one another – using science and intuition to help others focus on their soul health.

When it comes to setting goals, Karen says setting goals that are in harmony with who we truly are is key. While it sounds easier said than done, Karen says it’s important to think about the conversations we’re having with ourselves and open our awareness to who we are rather than what’s projected on us. “Everything we experience shapes us. COVID-19 is providing less physical noise and more time to reevaluate what we want from life – but the emotional noise from all of this is loud.”

Karen says things like sleep and nutrition are great for our physical well-being. She stresses “it’s important to make time for joy. Put it at the top of your to-do list – whether it’s music, nature, conversations, or dancing.” Learning about new things such as plants, starting a new program, or taking on a new project can also shift our mindset.

Brenda Jasmin, Public Speaker with a B.A. in Psychology is no stranger to changes that a shift in mindset can bring. Through her studies in positive psychology, Brenda has learned that a positive mindset helps with not only mental health but physical health as well. Research has shown that people with a positive attitude are less prone to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. They also have less stress, better coping skills (especially during times of hardship), and a better overall mood.  

Brenda says, “You can experience sadness surrounding COVID-19 and still have a positive outlook for the future. Look for the good (we typically look for what’s negative) and ask yourself what you can be grateful for at this moment.” No commute, more time with family, and time to explore your neighbourhood trails are just some to consider. 

As for a well-rounded resolution, Brenda suggests setting time aside to replenish your energy with gratitude, self-compassion, and time to commiserate with friends and family. Brenda says it’s important to find activities that fill you up rather than drain your energy.

Like Brenda and Karen, yoga instructor and life coach, Renée Walker, is passionate about helping people cultivate self-awareness to help to align their energy level and create more peace in their day. Renée says that now more than ever it’s important to disconnect from external noise and simply “be”. 

“I hesitate to talk about resolutions as I prefer to think of them as daily practices that focus on your ‘being’ instead of your ‘doing’”, says Renée. She recommends finding ways to find peace and being present in the moment. “I love the idea of daily rituals because they are unique for each person. They can include activities such as meditation, journaling, visualization, a walk outside or simply taking a moment to drink your coffee/tea each morning free of distractions.” This provides an opportunity to begin your day with intention instead of moving straight into a more reactive mode which usually involves giving to others.

If you’re not sure how to get started on this new approach to the resolution, one that focuses on the health of your mind and body – our experts know just where to start. 

Karen (karensueaquan.com) runs a class called ‘Soul School’ which helps people connect with their true self – Karen stresses that if we understand who we are, our mind will be more at ease and we’ll be more likely to achieve what’s important to us. 

This January, Brenda (brendajasmin.com) started running an online class called ‘Happiness Habits’, where you can learn how to apply positive psychology tools to your life. Brenda will also be running a corporate program in resilience training. 

As for Renée (reneewalkerwellness.com), she’s running a series of mental wellness courses on her website, covering everything from meditation, finding balance, and teaching you how to be accountable to your goals as you honour and make yourself a priority.  

Resolutions should make your life less stressful – so with guidance from these three ladies, kick-off new goals that truly matter to you! 

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Stir & Splash: the best Ontario wines to pair with risotto

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Riesling is an elegant and light white wine and will pair well with a lighter style of risotto, such a risotto primavera, with fresh spring vegetables or risotto al limone.  Try the Keint-he from Prince Edward County or the Cave Springs riesling from near Beamsville for a slightly off-dry fruity version.

Chardonnay is a variety that does very well in the cool climate of Ontario, along with the soils that are rich in limestone.  Try the Norman Hardie County Chardonnay from near Wellington in Prince Edward County with a classic risotto Milanese or a risotto gamberi made with shrimp, onion and celery.

Gamay Noir is a favourite of those who like a lighter style of red wine.  Because of the wine’s fruity notes, it could go well with a meat based risotto such as bacon or sausage risotto.  Adding a little chilli could round the combination off beautifully.

Pinot Noir has become the jewel in the crown of Ontario reds and is a great food wine, specially with creamy dishes such as risotto.  A mushroom and truffle risotto would pair well here.  Try Cloudsley Cellars or Westcott Vineyards for great examples.

If you prefer a slightly heavier red, have a glass of Cabernet Franc which grows so well in Ontario and produces fragrant wines.  Head for a heavier dish such as osso buco with risotto for this and try it with Tawse Grower’s Blend Cabernet Franc.

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Rice and Shine: Discover Risotto!

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Written By: Jenny Ratcliffe Wright

Risotto, in its simplest form, is a hearty, warming rice dish which takes on the flavour of added ingredients as well as the richness from the broth or stock used. Regardless of the flavouring, it is usually finished with butter and Parmesan cheese.  Risotto is not only popular, it is simple and fun to make.

Rice is, naturally, the star of the dish. It produces starch from the gentle stirring in the cooking process which rubs the starch off the surface of the rice, thereby thickening the cooking liquid. Choosing a rice that doesn’t have enough starch means that the classic creamy texture cannot be achieved. 

People frequently ask which is the perfect rice for risotto? The grain should be short to medium in size with a high amylopectin (starch) content. This will ensure it holds up well to the constant stirring: the final texture should be soft, but with a slight chew or bite. Arborio rice is the easiest to find and therefore most popular, but it can result in a mushy dish if stirred too much.  The real purists use Carnaroli rice, which is called the king or caviar of risotto rice, as it maintains its shape in cooking better than Arborio rice and produces a super creamy texture. When shopping for risotto rice you may see the words: superfino, semifino and fino on the rice packet and this refers to the size of the grain as well as the firmness that the grains maintain on cooking.  Superfino is the recommended size grain for the creamiest risotto.  You should ensure you never rinse the rice before cooking.

The story of risotto began in the 14th century when the Arabs brought rice to Spain and Sicily during their rule.  Italy had an ideal climate to grow short grain rice and there was plenty of available land on which to cultivate it, so rice quickly became part of Italian food culture.  Legend has it that a young apprentice in Milan named Valerius was the father of risotto.  In 1574, he was responsible for making the stained glass window to be fitted in the Duomo, the Milan cathedral, using saffron to create the pigment.  People made fun of his methods and techniques and he became angry, so in retaliation, he added saffron to the rice at his master’s wedding, hoping to ruin the festivities.  But on the contrary, the rice was so delicious it launched risotto to fame.

There are countless flavours of risotto often depending on seasonality or availability of ingredients.  Risotto Milanese, flavoured with saffron, and finished with butter and Parmesan is certainly the most classic style and is traditionally served as an accompaniment to osso buco.  Di Mario’s Trattoria in Burlington serves a delicious osso buco with mushroom risotto. Risotto ai frutti di mare would be served in coastal towns in Italy with mixed seafood, garlic, onion, white wine and fish stock.  Casalinga Restaurant in Mississauga serves a fantastic Risotto Pescatore with shrimp, scallops, calamari and clams doused in a herb tomato sauce and finished with Parmesan, as well as a decadent Risotto ai Funghi with wild mushrooms, smoked Provolone and truffle purée.  Rust Bistro in Burlington offers a risotto with seared scallops, asparagus and mushrooms.  In the fall, risotto ai funghi porcini (Porcini mushroom) or risotto alla zucca (pumpkin) would be popular choices.  In the springtime, Italians would serve risotto primavera (meaning spring) with any seasonal vegetables available like asparagus, spring onion, shallot, peas and broad beans.  Loondocks in Burlington has a particularly exotic risotto with Tiger shrimp, wild boar bacon, asparagus and sweet potato.

From a simple Sunday night supper to a glamourous meal, risotto can be dressed up or down to suit your needs and lifestyle.  The question is – what flavour will you be making?

Local Links:

Restaurants featured in the story:

Di Mario’s Trattoria (Burlington): Dimarios.com

Casalinga Ristorante (Mississauga): Casalingaristorante.com

Loondocks Restaurant (Burlington): Loondocks.ca

Rust Bistrobar (Burlington): Rustbistrobar.ca

Other local Italian restaurants worth exploring:

Ritorno Restaurant (Oakville): Ritorno.ca

Piazza Bistro (Oakville): Piazzabistro.ca

Borgo Antico Cucina Bar (Oakville): Borgoantico.ca

Capra’s Kitchen (Mississauga): Capraskitchen.com

Buca di Bacco Restaurant (Oakville): Bucadibacco.ca

Pasquale’s Trattoria (Oakville): Pasqualestrattoria.ca

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Virtual Birthday Parties You Won’t Want to Miss

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Written By: Anneliese Lawton

Birthdays are special. And when it comes to celebrating a birthday, there isn’t a more monumental way than a birthday party. Over the last year, the traditional birthday has taken a creative twist. From decorated lawns, birthday car parades, and even Zoom parties – there have been plenty of original ideas to share the love with those we love on their big day. However, when it comes to the little ones in our lives, it’s not always easy for them to understand why they’re blowing out their candles in front of a computer rather than in a bowling alley. 

But thanks to some clever and innovative businesses, virtual birthdays can be more fun than ever!  Here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate:

Take-Home Activities from Chickadee Kids Co.

When Nathan turned 6 in January, there was only one thing he wanted – a dino-party – and mom, Lisa, knew just what to do. As the owner of Chickadee Kids Co., Burlington’s family toy store, she had access to a variety of toys and activities to help his dream come to life. Lisa created “birthday bags” for friends and family to pick-up and take home the day of the party. In the bags, she included a dig-it-up dino egg to excavate during the call and all of the ingredients to make dinosaur snot (aka slime). Lisa started the party with dinosaur trivia cards and walked the kids through each step of the party together. “When we excavated the eggs together, the kids got so excited to show each other the dinosaur they had found in their eggs. It was really fun and felt like we were all together.” Chickadee Kids Co. has everything from dolls and spaceships to books and loot bags – and Lisa is there to make recommendations and bring your party to fruition every step of the way.

Get Active with My Gym

My Gym LIVE brings exciting, customized birthday parties to your home, living room, or backyard. Kids will have loads of fun as they dance, play games, party, and make memories together with LIVE entertainment delivered by an energetic My Gym Party Specialist! Depending on the age of your child, your party will feature captivating activities, games, puppets, songs, and more! Perfect for ages 1-10 years.

Lego Themed Birthday with Snapology

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate your child’s birthday, Snapology has a ton of options! This hands-on experience is great for kids who love to tinker and build. Perfect for ages 1 to 14, Snapology engages children using LEGO bricks, K’Nex, and technology. While kids are having fun building and chatting with their friends, Snapology sneaks in learning (shhh, don’t tell them it’s educational). Up to 20 kids can join the party via webcam and their Snapologist will lead a themed group activity of the birthday star’s choosing. Themes range from Hello Kitty and Paw Patrol to Star Wars and Fortnite. The options for fun are endless!

The Great Birthday Bake-Off

At this birthday party, you can have your cake and eat it too! MollyCake sells a variety of ready-to-scoop and bake cookie doughs (AND vanilla swiss buttercream icing)! Before the party, drop-off some pre-packaged cookie dough, icing, and sprinkles to your guests. When the party starts, have everyone bring out their baked cookies and decorate them together. Add some games and activities to make the day extra magical! 

And there you have it! You might be home, but you can still have a memorable celebration.

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#ShopLocal: Treat Yourself to some TLC

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Enjoy an overnight glow-up with this CBD Face Serum that will have you waking up with soft, supple skin! Pair it with Bodega’s Jade Facial Roller & Gua Sha Set to experience a cooling, soothing effect on the skin (Jade Roller) and a firming, lifting effect (Gua Sha).

Bodega Wellness

bodegawellness.com
The CHILL Essentials Kit was created with your favourite self-care rituals in mind. CHILL (Black Lava Salt Soak) will create a relaxing bath experience, while WILD ONE (Restoring Mist Spray) will uplift your mind and spirit throughout the day!

She. Boutique

sheboutique.ca
Treat yourself to the comfort of a warm cup of tea! Plus, with this Stepping BeauTEA Essentials set, you get to try six of Tracie’s luxury brews, including Inner Glow, TLC Time, and Grateful Dreams.

Tea with Tracie

teawithtracie.ca
Make self-care a 2021 priority and treat yourself to these relaxing (all-natural) bath bombs and salts in three different scents, including: Eucalyptus Lavender, Just Breathe and Cashmere. Light a candle, drop them in a tub, relax and enjoy!

Pure Boutique

pureboutique.ca

Available for women and men, these robes and bath towels are made of the softest fabric on the planet – bamboo. Cozy, soft, luxurious, and designed and made by Burlington’s own award-winning Joseph Tassoni.

Joseph Tassoni

josephtassoni.com

Show yourself some self-love with this beautiful mood-enhancing candle + positive affirmation.

The Artisanville

theartisanville.ca

Cozy up together with this luxurious and timeless waffle blanket, lovingly made from Turkish cotton.

A Greener Place

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Oakville Symphony to have 4 guest conductors

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The Oakville Symphony is thrilled to announce the names of the four guest conductors for the main concert series of the 2021-2022 season, to be held at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

Each guest conductor is a short-listed candidate for the position of Oakville Symphony Music Director. ​Maestro Roberto De Clara​ will complete his immensely successful 24-year tenure with the Oakville Symphony in June 2021.

Oakville Symphony musicians and patrons are looking forward to the first concert in November 2021 with even greater than usual anticipation after the cancellations resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Opening with Mozart Piano Concert #25 and Dvorak Symphony #8, the season will continue with works by Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Stamitz and Tchaikovsky.

The Oakville Symphony also looks forward to welcoming guest soloists ​Kara Huber​ (piano), ​Kendra Grittani​ (cello), ​Stephen Sitarski​ (violin) and ​Leslie Ashworth​ (viola).

The new Music Director/Conductor will take up their position with the Oakville Symphony at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Martin MacDonald​:

Martin MacDonald​ will conduct the Oakville Symphony on ​November 6 & 7, 2021​.

Martin MacDonald has served as Resident Conductor and Associate Conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia. He has guest-conducted extensively across Canada, and made recordings for the CBC.

He has been awarded both the Heinz Unger Award and the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award for orchestral conducting.

Martin MacDonald holds a M.Mus. in Orchestral Conducting from McGill University and a B.Mus. in Cello from Memorial University, Newfoundland. ​

www.martinmacdonald.ca

Pratik Gandhi:

Pratik Gandhi​, ​Music Director​ ​of the Rouge River Winds and Resident Conductor of the Toy Piano Composers Ensemble, ​will conduct the orchestra on ​February 5 & 6, 2022​.

Pratik Gandhi served as Assistant Conductor at Symphony on the Bay (now Burlington Symphony Orchestra), and has guest-conducted other orchestras throughout Ontario.

He serves as Vice-Chair of the Concert Band Division at MusicFest Canada, and is a three-time winner of the Ontario Band Association’s Conducting Excellence Award.

Pratik Gandhi ​holds a M.Mus. in Conducting and a B.Mus. in Music Education from Western University, and is pursuing a Doctorate degree at York University.

www.pratikgandhi.ca

Lorenzo Guggenheim:

Lorenzo Guggenheim​, Founder and Music Director of the University of Toronto Campus Philharmonic Orchestra, will conduct on ​April 2 & 3, 2022​.

Lorenzo Guggenheim has experience guest-conducting and assisting performances of symphonic repertoire, opera and new music with orchestras in Canada, the United States, Argentina and Chile.

He is about to complete a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Toronto where he was awarded a full scholarship and teaching position.

Lorenzo Guggenheim holds a M.Mus. in Orchestra Conducting from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a bachelor’s from Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires, both in Orchestral Conducting.​

w​ww.lorenzoguggenheim.com

Geneviève Leclair:

Geneviève Leclair​, Assistant Professor (Conducting) at Berklee College of Music in Boston, will conduct the orchestra on ​May 7 & 8, 2022​.

Her conducting experience includes many years with the Boston Ballet and as a guest with The National Academy Orchestra of Canada, National Ballet of Canada and the Guelph Symphony Orchestra.

Geneviève Leclair was awarded the 2017 American Prize in Conducting (college/university), and received the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Award in Orchestral Conducting in 2010.

She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from Boston University, a M.Mus. and B.Mus. in Flute Performance from Université de Montréal. ​

www.genevieveleclair.com

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