A Lifestyle Guide To The Magic Years
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SOCIAL COMMON O-6 Y Volume 03
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well hello. Volume 03 of Binky Magazine has been our most exciting yet‌ our little lifestyle magazine for the magic years is starting to develop its own style and we are so grateful that you have stopped by to be part of the journey. You will see some changes and some new features we hope you love them all. Thanks for stopping by!
Give Away: Pg. 84 Check out our fabulous give away promotion for your chance to win some amazing prizes
Artist: Pg. 62 Our featured artist, Michaela Nessim, stopped by the studio with her gorgeous girls 4 BINKY
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On the Cover: Natalie and Catherine of Social Common chilling at The Spoke Club while Natalie is 8 months pregnant. Clothes and accessories, furnished by Ani+Wren. Hair and Makeup by Civello Salon and Spa, Queen Street location.
01. Letter from the Editors Reset the clock and start fresh pg. 09
07. Travel Help has arrived! Take a trip with Trufflepig pg. 56
02. Health Energize Your Bump pg.10
08. Local Meet Artist Michaela Nessim pg.62
03. Feature Story Meet the founders of Canada’s most popular social event club for Moms: Natalie & Catherine of Social Common pg.16 04. Trends Fall trends from a stylish mommy pg.22 05. Je T’aime What makes Heidi Sopinka & Claudia Dey, founders of Horses Atelieir, smile. pg.26 06. Editorial Falling For You pg.28
09. Kids Corner Introducing Octavian pg.72 10. Editor’s Picks Back to School essentials for the 0-6 set pg.74 11. Ask the Experts How to help transition your kids back to school pg.78 12. Binky Give Away 8 fabulous prizes to be given to the winners of our Binky Magazine Give Away contest on Instagram pg.84 www.binkymagazine.com
volume 03.
Editorial: Pg. 28 check out our latests trends for fall for the 0-6 set
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BI N K Y Volume 03
Editors Lara Teoli Melissa Picken Contributors Joy McCarthy Jill Belobaba Colleen McGoey Photography Modern Baby Photo Editor Courtney Middleton Makeup Civello Salon and Spa Graphic Design & Layout Courtney Middleton
Get in touch. We’d love to hear from you! www.binkymagazine.com hello@binkymagazine.com
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Contributors J oy McCarthy Joy McCarthy is a certified holistic nutritionist (CNP, RNCP), and the founder of the popular healthy living blog JoyousHealth.com and wellness clinic Joyous Health. Joy is the author of the bestselling book “JOYOUS HEALTH: Eat & Live Well without Dieting,” and a faculty member at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. Joy is an international speaker, and a featured nutrition expert on Global TV’s “The Morning Show” and CBC’s “Steven & Chris”.The co-founder of Eat Well Feel Well, Toronto’s first integrated nutrition and yoga program. Joy lives in Toronto with her two adorable kitties and husband Walker. www.joyoushealth.ca
Jill Belobab a Jill Belobaba is a life coach, blogger, and co-founder of a chain of health and wellness clinics. Her true passion is fashion – she loves all things stylish and pretty. Jill was born in Ireland, raised in Vancouver, and now lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and their two awesome little boys, Ronan and William. @jill_belobaba
Colleen McGoey Colleen McGoey owns Trust Child Care Centre in Summerhill along with her husband Jordan. Her background is in early childhood education and she taught primary school at Branksome Hall for several years before becoming an entrepreneur. Colleen and Jordan have the philosophy that when children have a sense of ownership over the course of their learning, they become lifelong learners. Colleen has a 3 year old daughter Adele who comes to work with mommy every day! www.trustkids.net www.binkymagazine.com
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akidbrand.com
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Letter from the Editors Back to School marks a fresh start for all students... but Fall has always seemed like the start of a “new year” for both of us, even as adults. New routines, new goals, and new clothes! Shake off the cobwebs of a lazy summer and give this next year all you’ve got. With this comes some pressure to get it right. Choosing extra-curricular activities, getting organized, prepping your children for school. We are hoping that this magazine provides a break in that action and some tools to ease the transition into this new year. We chatted with the two mothers who started the wildly successful social events club for moms in Canada: Social Common. Their philosophy of creating a community of Moms in your life is deceptively simple but really important. Our article from the founders of Truffelpig provide some great tips on how to take a family vacation with an exotic twist and if travel is not on the horizon, you can gaze at the art of Michaela Nessim to change the scenery and get your dose of beauty. We’ve got some wonderful tips on healthy eating especially during pregnancy, with Joy McCarthy and Colleen McGoey of Trust Childcare Centres provides some extremely practical tips on navigating “firsts”- be it the first day of school or a new activity with your child. We also have curated a list of Editor’s Picks for your little one this fall, as well as a fabulous give away at the end of the magazine to provide a little dose of pampering which we find goes a long way... Last but not least - fashion! Check out the Editorial for some eye candy, as well as our Je T’Aime piece featuring the inspiring founders of Horses Atelier. Above all, we hope that this issue of Binky gives you a chance to have a cup of tea, put your feet up, enjoy the beauty of the photos and let your mind reboot, even just for a moment. Happy New (school) Year!
XO
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“Nature is a vitamin. I call in vitamin G, G being for greenspace.�
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Energize Your Bump By: Joy McCarthy
W hat are some tips on getting more energy during
pregnancy and post pregnancy, especially while nursing? Ditch the late night eating This can lead to sluggish energy the next day because you won’t have a deep sleep which negatively impacts digestion. If you are really hungry at night, eat something easy to digest like your favourite smoothie. The “clean beauty” smoothie in my book which is pineapple, spinach, mint and apple would be a great choice and add your favourite plant-based protein powder for a boost.
Eat nourishing, nutrient-dense foods with little to no processing Some of my favourite energy boosting foods include: eggs (the “whole” egg), sweet potatoes, kale, apples, avocados, hemp seeds, oats, chia seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, black beans, lentils, dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. www.binkymagazine.com
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Avoid the following enery zappers
Get outside for a quick power walk every day, rain or shine
Store-bought baked goods. Unless you make it yourself with good quality ingredients, avoid baked goods. All the baked goods in JOYOUS HEALTH are wonderful during pregnancy and breastfeeding (excluding those with raw cacao as it can be too stimulating for mom and baby). Try the carrot cake balls or the lemon poppyseed loaf with coconut icing.
Even just 15-20 minutes of fresh air and walking can do wonders for your energy! Nature boosts our mood hormones and can light up areas of the brain associated with love, empathy and pleasure. Nature is a vitamin! I call it Vitamin G, G being for greenspace.
Just as important as eating nourishing and nutrient-dense foods is the avoidance of certain foods that can drain the body of Anything with refined sugar, high energy and deplete key nutrients that feed fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, cane the cells to create cellular energy. juice, glucose, sucrose (basically, anything that ends in “ose” is a sugar).
Stay hydrated
Refined wheat products such as bagels, A mere 1% drop in water can lead to fatigue crackers, cookies, white bread, white pastas. and headaches. Drink at least 2 litres of water per day, especially during breastGluten-free refined products such as feeding. Remember that fruits, vegetables, those made with white rice flour or white rice soups and herbal teas are all very hydrating. milk which are just as refined and stripped of nutrients as their glutenous counterparts. Fried foods, junk foods and anything that falls under the “processed foods” category www.joyoushealth.ca are energy zappers because they have a long list of unpronounceable ingredients including preservative and additives. www.binkymagazine.com
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Distillery District Location 6 Case Goods Lane
Queen West Location 795 Queen Street West
TORONTO, CANADA www.minimioche.com www.binkymagazine.com
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Social Common Social Common Social Common Social Common Social Common Social Common 16 BINKY
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e had so much fun getting to know Natalie (can you believe that she is 8 months pregnant in these photos?) and Catherine while preparing this article. Together they parent 6 children and run the wildly successful social event club for moms - Social Common.
Tell us a bit about Social Common Social Common is a moms club where women come together after baby bedtime with great food and wine and without children. This allows us to discuss, learn, share and connect with other moms and experts who inspire us. Whether it be a Dine & Discuss, Speaker & Social, Cocktails & Convo or Special Something. www.binkymagazine.com
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What type of Mom would be Tell us about your decision drawn to Social Common? to essentially co-parent your families. Social Common attracts a mom who wants it all! The moms who become members or attend Social Common events are interested in motherhood and parenting but also maintaining and nurturing the real woman she is and will still become.Our guests are interested in making connections with other fabulous women and pushing themselves to be the best mom, employee, boss, partner, sister, friend, daughter and woman!
Take us through a typical day in the life of your families - if there is such a thing? Both of us parent on a schedule, it is the only way we can manage parenting, marriage,school, extracarricular, and running Social Common. After dropping all kids at school, we have 2.5 hours to race to meetings before we have to be back for pick up. During naptime we work, plan, and do calls before it’s pickup time again. Our kids play like siblings so most of the time they know how to work together but we also endure the fights and some serious monkey buisiness... The kids go to bed at 7pm when we call in hubbys, grandmas and sitters to watch the sleeping children while we host and attend events. Most days play out like this, but OBVIOUSLY some days we need to be places and have to juggle but if we can help each other we are not afraid to ask each other to help. 18 BINKY
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We met in high school and although we didn’t see each other in our 20s, motherhood brought us back together. We each spent/endured the first few months of motherhood mostly alone. We were NOT attracted to the typical mommy groups in Toronto and didn’t have many friends who had babies yet. The days caring for a baby were….long and lonely. We slowly started having play dates, which turned into day long play dates which included meals together at alternating houses. Once we got into a regular pattern and schedule, and our kids had developed a sibling-like relationship, we decided to have another baby each! Nine months later Max and Tucker were born! So it was the 2 of us, 5 kids and a dog. So...it just happened and we think it is GENIUS!
How do your spouses feel about your joint parenting do they ever feel left out? Oh those guys?? Mark and Marc?? They are our gems, we scored big time marrying those two (as did they with us). They work hard and long, and we support them growing their careers. For them, knowing that the two of us have the support of each other can put them as ease that less falls on them during the days (and nights) when they are so busy.
Welcome Baby TJ “It took us a while to realize but nothing is more important than joining a community of moms.”
Natalie dropped by the Modern Baby Studio for TJ’s close up 2 weeks after he was born.
You have a new one arriving soon Natalie. How do you think this will change things for you both? EEEk. Only days left until we throw a little baby into this puzzle! Hmm with no plans to slow down with Social Common, but also still no planned hired help this will be an interesting one. We know things will change but we also are hoping this little guy, like the last two, will just fit into our current perfect situation.
We are “working stay at home moms” and we wouldn’t change it for the world. So many working moms have to apologize for having kids while also, apologizing to their kids for working. We feel very lucky that working and staying at home is what we are being celebrated for. Catherine is such a source support I take a lot of comfort in knowing she is there for me. I always wanted to have 4 kids, and it worked out... so I’m going to make it work..no matter what...I guess I really have no choice at this point! WISH US LUCK!! www.binkymagazine.com
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#keepingitreal#keepin How do you “do it all”? Simply, we don’t! Its one thing that we really want moms to know. Social Media can be really inspiring but also really “filtered”. We NEVER look this glamourous (thank you Civello Salons and Binky Magazine for creating our glamour selves) and a lot of people don’t see us behind the scenes. What works for us may not work for others, we never want moms to feel like they aren’t doing enough or are “only stay at home moms”. We think that each mom is on their own journey and it’s not for anyone else to judge- work, don’t work, get a nanny, go to day care, breastfeed, bottle feed, our motto is happy mom happy kids. Being a mom is TOUGH work, sometimes we feel crazy, sometimes we feel our kids are crazy and sometimes we just look at each other in disbelief at the situations we get into. But honestly, having each other to share the load and help each other out is invaluable.
Is this what you expected when you started Social Common? Honestly, this is a crazy one. Had you told us we would be doing what we are doing now, tv, magazines, we’re not sure we would have believed you. We are both “all in” kind of people and are really enjoying this journey. That being said we work HARD and have ups
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ngitreal#keepingitreal and downs just as anyone else starting their own business. The companies we have partnered with (Polysporin Canada, Civello Salon & Spas amongst others) have embraced and celebrated that we are working stay at home moms. We have also been fortunate to have a few really strong women mentors (who are also moms) who have helped us and guided us. Ashleigh Frankle spent a ton of hours coaching us and reigning  us in as we started this journey. Union Wines, took a huge chance on us in the very beginning basically allowing us to create the events we wanted (without kids and with wine) and Cathy Peidra Mackinze has been one of our strongest supporters. We are so appreciative of all the encouragement and support we get from the mom community, it’s really such an incredible community to be a part of.Â
What nugget of advice would you give to Moms, whether they are newbies or veterans?
#behindthescenes This is how the ladies roll in real life. No hair or make-up, a newborn, and drop off and pick ups galore.
It took us a while to realize but nothing is more important than joining a community of moms. Motherhood can be a long and lonely journey and sharing your experience with other moms will make you feel so comforted knowing we are all in this together. We cannot go to school and get our masters in motherhood, so we need to learn from each other and support each other. www.socialcommon.ca
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Jill’s Picks
Fall Trends From A Stylish Mom
Hair and Makeup by Civello Salon and Spa, Rosedale location. Levis vintage high waisted jeans (Drake hardware store Toronto)Rag and bone tshirt (TnT Toronto) IRO white blazer (Barneys New York) Clogs – Swedish Hasbeen clogs (order online)
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JEWELERY: Jennifer Meyer p
I love gold jewelry. Recently my girlfriend introduced me to a collection by Jennifer Meyer. The whole collection is really cool and fun. My husband bought me the leaf necklace for mother’s day this year. I love it and it looks amazing layered with other necklaces. ARGAN OIL: Leaves Of Trees p
I discovered Argan Oil at my new favourite store, Love Husk. It is literally a miracle oil that I use on my face, on my hair, on my boys for scrapes - everywhere.
LIPSTICK: Nars p
Nars Dragon Girl - I have been wearinglipstick daily since I was a child. You could say I am a little obsessed. (True story - I re-applied during labour!) I love every colour but RED is my all-time favourite. I must own two hundred reds…from pricey Tom Ford to affordable Maybeline. But my absolute favourite for the past few years is Nars Dragon Girl. It’s the perfect mix of sexy and casual. LOVE!!!
SKIN CARE: Nars u
Nars has a great tinted moisturizer. I am at the age where a heavy foundation canmake me look like an absolute cougar on the loose, taking away any trace of a youthful “natural” look. This tinted moisturizer gives me enough coverage without making me look overdone. I love it for day or night.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: Oversized Twill Blazer p
I think a blazer is the perfect way to sharpen any look. It allows you to take your jeans and t-shirt from casual to a cool evening out. There are so many different styles to choose from. I tend to gravitate towards a boho looking blazer, but when I want to feel like a grown up I will throw on a fitted blazer. I have ordered this beauty for the fall! www.binkymagazine.com
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&
Claudia Dey Heidi Sopinka
Horses Atelier Former playwright, novelist, helicopter pilot, star of an indie horror film, bush cooks, journalists, and with five children between them, Claudia Dey and Heidi Sopinka founded Horses Atelier in 2012. Parisian chic meets 1970s jet-set meets Japanese Classicism, the feeling is artful and easy. Emphasis is placed on iconic styling, custom prints, purity of line and an old-world attention to detail. The feminization of work wear. Collaborations with the costumiers and dyers of our National Ballet, and illustrator, Jason Logan. Worn by Feist and profiled in Vogue. Called Horses for a love of every association: beauty, velocity, wildness, utility, freedom and, the queen of punk, Patti Smith. Made and designed in Toronto, Canada. Part of the revolution against the mass-produced. Every piece has a hand-sewn element. www.horsesatelier.com 26 BINKY
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1. Lying on our backs in the Guggenheim watching James Turrell’s light art. 2. Sitting at the bar of Freeman’s Tavern being artfully served by Frank. 3. Taking the elevator up to the Vogue offices with our racing hearts. 4. Dancing to Hydra (while they wear our slipdresses and worksuits) with our children in our arms. 5. Diner breakfast at the Drake. 6. James Salter’s sentences in “Light Years.” 7. Mapplethorpe’s portraits of Patti Smith. 8. When we see our muse, Elissa Mielke, wearing one of our pieces for the first time. 9. Locking ourselves in our studio and collecting our points of inspiration for the next season. 10. Watching our children run together in a posse across a field.
11. Swimming in fresh water and how it is medicinal. 12. Our silver horse rings (part of Gerard Tully’s “Deyrolle” collection). We got them to celebrate Horses Atelier turning two.
Photos: Lia Crowe, Mark Peckmezian, Emma McIntyre, and Arden Wray.
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FALLING for you
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Josiah is wearing Bobo Choses Birds T-Shirt & a flower crown from Crown Flora.
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Josiah is wearing GapKids 1969 straight jeans & 1969 denim jacket, a Bookhou for Mini Mioche scarf and AKID Knight shoes.
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Josiah is wearing GapKids 1969 straight jeans & 1969 denim jacket, a Bookhou for Mini Mioche scarf and AKID Knight shoes.
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Zoe is in a Jacadi cardigan, GapKids 1969 super skinny jeans, a baggy empire top from the Mini Mioche collection. Josiah is in a Bookhou for Mini Mioche scarf, GapKids 1969 denim jeans and jacket featuring a Pendleton Parfleche Saddle blanket available at Roots Canada.
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Zoe is wearing a Jacadi cardigan, a GapKids wide brim fedora & 1969 super skinny jeans, a baggy emprie top from the Mini Mioche collection & Aigle Woody pop rainboots from Mini Mioche.
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Zoe is in a Mini Rodini Zebra dress available at Kol Kid.
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Josiah is in a GapKids White Utlity shirt, Peppercorn Kids tapestry printed scarf, Bobo Choses Bird patch trousers - both available at Kol Kid & Minnetonka double fringe side zip moccasins available at Mini Mioche.
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Left: Zoe is ready for Fall showers in her GapKids Rain Mac Jacket Right: Flower crown from Crown Flora and a baggy empire top from the Mini Mioche collection.
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Left: Sierra is wearing an H&M shirt wih Bookhou for Mini Mioche harem pants, Right: Josiah is rocking a Bobo Choses Birds T-shirt, harem pants & Converse kicks from Mini Mioche.
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Josiah is wearing a Bobo Choses Birds T-shirt, harem pants & Converse kicks both from Mini Mioche.
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Left: Lauren is wearing a GapKids red floral shirt dress, Right: Zoe is wearing her Mini Mioche collection overalls. Both girls have Zara wooden-sole sandals.
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Lauren is adorable in Mini Rodini wool helmet hat and Siaomimi square neck shirt - available at Kol Kid , GapKids 1969 denim skirt, and Jacadi boots. 48 BINKY
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The Parkdale Teepee Company small teepee & flower crowns by Crown Flora.
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Zoe is wearing a TEA collection pop stripe purity tee available at Kol Kid, Mini Mioche collection overalls & Zara sandals. 50 BINKY
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Zoe is playing with a Hansa Collection fawn available at PFR Design Inspired Living.
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Zoe is wrapped in a Pendleton Parfleche Saddle blanket available at Roots Canada as well as AKID Liv shoes.
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Zoe is wearing Bode Bo Duffi Coat available at Kol Kid, H&M Jodhpur leggings & AKID Liv shoes.
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“I think we got lucky and
nailed the timing, because soon after our launch the internet exploded with travel information and people quickly went from feeling empowered to overwhelmed.
�
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Adventures with Trufflepig Tell us a little bit about yourselves? What is Trufflepig all about and what need are you filling in the travel marketplace? Like so many creative business ideas, Trufflepig was born out of frustration. Working as professional guides and researchers, trained in the art of looking and finding, we kept unearthing quirky characters, unique properties and unusual excursions that truly defined a destination yet would never fit neatly into a packaged group tour. We began collecting these trip “ingredients”, with the intention of providing access to a membershipbased community. It quickly morphed into a custom trip planning business instead.
I think we got lucky and nailed the timing, because soon after our launch the internet exploded with travel information and people quickly went from feeling empowered to overwhelmed. We’ve since grown from 3 guys working on a park bench to 13 staff based in 5 countries, peddling high-touch service, honesty, expertise and playfulness.
We like to get under the skin of a place, distill the overwhelming sea of options, and then get to know our clients so we can really nail the fit. We fill a void in the competitive marketplace by delivering more service than the internet, more authority than a travel agent and more customization than a tour operator. www.binkymagazine.com
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All photos furnished by Trufflepig.
Do you plan a lot of trips for families with young children? If so - is there a “typical” type of trip they prefer?
When is the ideal age to take kids with you on a more active vacation more than just staying put in a resort?
Yes, and oh the lessons we’ve learned! Both through our clients and now our own family travels. Typically we find parents thrive on adventure and exploration and want to share this love with their children, exposing them to more than a Kids Club at a resort. We end up planning a lot of family trips to South Africa, Costa Rica, The Galapagos, France, Vietnam - places where there are plenty of activity options to engage young children while providing solid infrastructure so you can always find a bathroom or a meal when you suddenly need one!
You can do it when your kids are really little they can sleep in an Ergo or other carrier while you hike - but you will want to have one base of operations so feeding, bathing and sleeping schedules are kept simple and consistent. A farmhouse in Provence or The Cotswolds is perfect for this kind of thing. For multi-destination trips with a learning element, I would say ages 5 and up are best, so your kids can really engage, ask questions, and process all that they are seeing and doing. These trips are an investment, so ideally they are something both parents and kids will never forget.
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When does it make sense to engage a company such as yours? Family travel gone wrong can really dial up the stress levels, so clients use us like an insurance policy of sorts. When travelling just with adults, and things don’t quite workout, its pretty easy to turn lemons into lemonade. Not so with kids. Trufflepig is a premium service, but when you have far to fall a little insurance goes a long way.
How did you come up with the amazing name for your company and for your magazine - The Sounder?
Long before we had the business model, we had the name. To Trufflepig is to look, to dig, to unearth, to obsess. This animal perfectly encapsulated our work, our sensibility, and our company. We keep our noses to the ground, driven by curiosity and the promise of finding those hard-won travel gems that are hidden away just out of sight. As for the What are your Top Tips for travelling Sounder, well it seemed like a great play on with children 6 and under? words - it is the collective noun for a pack Because family travel often falls over school holi- of wild swine, and the medium by which we days when rates are high and availability is scarce, share all the cool stuff we find on the road. it is best to come to us early. Keep it simple, with www.trufflepig.com fewer moving parts, and always carry snacks! www.binkymagazine.com
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www.trustkids.net
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The Artist Let the Light 62 BINKY
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Shine In Michaela Nessim www.binkymagazine.com
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Tell us about yourself Born in Sweden with a Swedish father and Jamaican mother, we moved when I was very young and I grew up in England. I always loved art and felt influenced by colour inspiration from the Caribbean and influenced by the power of the light in the north where I spent all my summers. I started painting with my mother when I was young. She used to paint on clothes and sell them in the 80’s. I thought they were fabulous. There are also a lot of artists on my fathers side. I was always shy and found that practicing art helped me come out of my shell. My first thesis was about how colour affects mood.
I always lived in Europe between London and Paris where I worked and studied, I love big cities and worked in PR at London fashion week, among other events, and spent time at Elle magazine after my Masters degree, I tried to always work in a creative industry so I could be myself! After I met my husband we decided to begin our life together in Toronto. To help me deal with the climate and long winter months, homesickness and missing my friends and family, I began painting full time in 2008. That’s what I’ve done ever since. The colours lift my spirits in winter and help me feel at home no matter where I am. www.binkymagazine.com
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How do you find inspiration for your art? I am like Mary in the book ‘The Secret Garden’ when she is tending to her garden and watching the roses grow, she becomes healthier and happy... that is how it is for me with art. I am drawn to the magic of the unexpected end result and how happy it makes me. It is the process that inspires me as well as the result.
What do you hope to convey with your art? Each finished canvas should convey a positive feeling of upliftment (that’s maybe not really a word but I love it). The message that I wrote that goes along with my paintings is ‘Healing art designed to uplift’.
How has being a mom changed you as an artist? It has changed me in two ways. First, it has reinforced my belief that daily or almost daily art practice helps maintain my inner balance and therefore helps keep me calm during moments of chaos... of which there are many in my house ;) I find it also helps my daughters as they are very emotional and its the best way I know how to teach them to channel their emotions into something positive. Second, it has also changed my actual practice. I have had to let go of my perfectionistic tendencies as I allow the girls to get involved since we are almost always together when I paint. www.michaelanessim.com 68 BINKY
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I am drawn to the magic of the unexpected end result and how happy it makes me.
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Octavian is wearing his favourite GapKids 1969 Jeans and a Bobo Choses tree tee. Wall art provided by Urban Walls.
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Octavian What is your name?
Octavian Fick How old are you?
ehhhh..... I am 4 What are you most excited about going to school?
In September? The kids What’s your favourite thing about mommy?
You? making muffins What’s your favourite treat?
Cupcakes What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be 5 What makes you happy?
You! (points to mom) What is your favourite song?
Nanananananaa... (a song he made up!)
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Editor’s Picks
For Back to School For the 0-6 Set
a. Honest Co. Beauty Care We are so impressed by the entire Honest Co. line so it is hard to narrow down to one pick. But these products make bathtime even more fun with their clean scent and gentle feel. www.honest. com
b. Total Cleanse Mini Juices Lunchtime for kids in school can be such a challenge. We love including one of the TC mini juices in our little ones lunches.They taste incredible, are made fresh, and contain ingredients such as kale, beet and carrot. It’s a great way to avoid all that sugar in most kids drinks. If you don’t have time to drop by one of their stores, they will deliver the juice right to your door. www.tcmini.ca
c. Baby Brain Organics We can’t say enough about Baby Brain Organics. It is a supplement for your little one’s smoothies, or meals that ensure that your tot is getting essential nutrients to keep them healthy. Pardon the pun, but this is a no brainer for your pantry this fall. Available online or select retailers. www.babybrainorganics.com
d. Ollie Jones Leggings Super stylish and comfortable leggings to make your baby stand out from the crowd. Your babe will be so comfortable but also so hip, and on trend. www.olliejones.bigcartel.com
e. SoYoung Mother Lunchboxes We adore these lunchboxes from SoYoung Mother which are sure to get your kids excited about lunchtime. We found these lunch boxes at Mini Mioche.
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Back To
School By: Colleen McGoey
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ummer: long weekends, family vacations and ice cream around every corner. We let loose and do away with structure and routine. As parents we try to recreate the carefree summer days remembered from our childhoods. Bedtimes get later and later, naps are missed and popsicles become an acceptable morning snack. We let our children run barefoot, putter to their hearts delight – we consciously break from routine. It’s good for us, it’s good for them; it’s just soooo good. But before we know it, the second week of August is breathing down our necks and with it comes that familiar feeling – the end of summer blues. We tell ourselves to enjoy it while it lasts, to live in the moment and take it all in, but as the summer clock winds down, we are slowly and ever so hesitantly pulled back to reality. That insidiously building awareness of what is coming is our brain’s way
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of helping us gradually process change. As adults we’ve had years of practice with change: we’ve changed jobs, had first days and last days, started vacations and ended vacations, been away from those we love and seen them again. We have learned how we best cope with change, how to prepare ourselves, how to manage the uncomfortable feelings associated with change. You may not see yourself this way but you are well equipped to deal with change. Our children on the other hand have limited coping skills to deal with change. Change for them is uncomfortable in a big way. Their feelings about change manifest themselves in tantrums, sudden onset separation anxiety, worry, anger and even temporary changes in personality. Watching this unfold breaks our hearts and sends parents into Savior Mode. We feel guilty; we want to make it better, we want to make it go away. Not knowing what to do we intervene – we interrupt the process. As parents it’s our job to protect, so what else can you do?
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Switch modes Instead of Savior Mode try Teacher Mode. If your goal is to raise a resilient and welladjusted kidlet who grows into a resilient and well-adjusted adult, you need to teach them how to cope. Educators are taught to scaffold: to move students towards the end goal of independence with successively decreasing levels of temporary support. Support is essential, but of equal importance is gradually removing those supports. In the classroom this is done when the teacher begins to see confidence developing. Responsibility is gradually shifted from the teacher to the student. So as the summer draws to a close perhaps there is change on your 80 BINKY
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horizon. Whether that be returning to day care, staring preschool, or starting primary school, take some time to think about how you will structure for success and how you will scaffold this change for your little one.
Ask questions
Find out as much as you can from teachers/ administrators about the routine of those first days/ weeks. How does drop off work? What time is snack/lunch/recess? Can we come early? Share information with your child and talk to them every day. Share as much as you feel they can process.
Share information with teachers/administrators. If you think your child may have a hard time find out what the protocol is for challenging transitions. Share your previous experiences and make a game plan together. United fronts are always better.Get the answers to your ‘what if’ questions. What if my child cries all day? What if he/she wants to go home? What if I’d like to call and check in? Map it out: how is that first day going to go? Set the standard of routine and stick to it. Children thrive on routine especially in the face of change. What time will you leave? How will you get there? How will you say goodbye? What will you do if your child gloms onto your leg and begs you not to leave? Be prepared to confidently stick to your drop off plan. If your child sees a flicker of doubt in your eyes it could all be over.
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Remember, this too shall pass and soon enough our children will be happily settled into their new routines.
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Mentally prepare yourself Prepare for the worst but expect the best. Avoid guilt – there’s enough going on for everyone involved; “When you are sad it makes me sad too so don’t be sad please” adding guilt trips into the mix will not help. Be a dormant volcano – first days are huge in the milestone department, never mind your personal river of emotional lava simmering beneath that’s pushing to get out. Maintain your usual exterior and erupt after you leave.
It’s okay for your child to be sad when you leave. Children need to express their emotions to learn how to be comforted by others and to self regulate. Talk to your child about this if they are old enough to understand. Remember, this too shall pass and soon enough our children will be happily settled into their new routines and we will be looking at new challenges, like how to make getting dressed in snowsuits easier.
www.trustkids.net
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Give Aways!
01. Hansa Fawn What better stuffie to keep your little one company this fall, provided by PFR Design Inspired Living.
02. Erickson Beamon Statement Ring “Erickson Beamon doesn’t make jewelry, they make fashion.”- New York Times This stunning ring by New York designer Erickson Beamson is a statement piece that will elevate any outfit this fall. Provided by MeStyle. 03. Love Husk Gift box feauturing replenishing baby lotion, protective diaper butter and calm baby massage oil by Shoosha Baby, as well as an assortment of Earth Mama Angel Baby products. 04. Baby Brain Organics A three month supply of specially blended seeds designed for healthy brain and body which can be added to your baby or child’s meals and smoothies. 05. Mini Mioche Start your fall shopping off right with a $100 giftcard for your online purchases from the super stylish boutique Mini Mioche. 06. Ani+Wren Gift box from the beautiful Rosedale maternity boutique Ani+Wren containing Indulgence bath oil, Anti-stretch mark cream and revitilising leg + foot spray by Bloom and Blossom. 07. Tutu A beautiful tutu from New Zealand designer, Flash Harry, sure to make your little princess sparkle. Provided by Enchanted Party. 08. Jacadi A beautiful Jacadi gift feauturing an infant snowsuit, teddy, and red jumper.
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