FineLifestyles Saskatoon Spring 2013

SPRING 2013 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1

SASKATOON

AN INTERVIEW WITH SASKATOON WRITERS

YANN MARTEL & ALICE KUIPERS

LIGHTS, CAMERAS, FASHION: SASKATOON FASHION & DESIGN FESTIVAL UNBRIDLED: YOUR 2013 GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENTS, DRESSES & WEDDINGS

MARKETING SASKATOON’S FINEST PROPERTIES

Dan Bader 306.371.7760

Ron Baliski 306.221.0421

Reagan Baliski 306.290.7377

Clark Dziadyk 306.227.2036

dannybader@remax.net

ronbaliskirealty@sasktel.net

reagan.baliski@sasktel.net

clarkdziadyk@shaw.ca

www.SaskatoonAssociates.com #1 TEAM RE/MAX SASKATOON RON BALISKI REALTY INC. #250-1820 8th Street East 306.242.6000

A Unique Shopping Experience in the Heart of Downtown

123 2ND AVENUE SOUTH - SASKATOON www.scotiacentre.com HOURS Monday to Saturday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm | Open until 9:00 pm Thursday

Convenient Underground Parking Available 306.665.6120

CASWELL’S - THE STORE FOR MEN | DR. JOHN S. MACPHERSON - DENTIST | ETHOS SALON SPA | GENTRIES | KLASSIQUE DESIGNS | LA PREP LONG TALL SALLY | MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | POINT OPTICAL | SASKTEL | 2ND AVE GRILL | SHEILA’S STATE OF THE ART FLOWERS

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

WITH FINE LIFESTYLES EDITOR ERIN LEGG

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pring is finally here, Saskatoon. Underneath all of that snow emerges our beautiful city. Although Saskatoon never slows down, everything feels more vibrant and fresh.

Spring 2013

Saskatoon-based writers Yann Martel and Alice Kuipers were kind enough to invite Fine Lifestyles into their home. How did the Oscar success of Martel’s novel, Life of Pi, change their lives?

Read on to find out more about these two Canadian artists.

Associate Editor

We also introduce you to the creative people behind Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival. Find out more about the group that aims to promote our fashion and beauty industry with various events, photo shoots, fashion shows and campaigns.

Did you spend your winter dreaming of the lush green grass of your favourite golf course? Well, it’s time to tee up again. We offer a few tips on getting back into your game this season.

Are you getting married? Check out our special wedding spread for ideas to inspire your special day. We’ve included advice on what to consider when you’re planning your wedding, including venue selection, how a wedding planner can help, and colour trends. For ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out our three featured real weddings. Stunning!

As always, we showcase some of the city’s most interesting businesses and people in our magazine. Enjoy the pages of our spring issue, and may you discover something new about the city we love. finemags

@finemags

Advertising Consultants

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 www.finelifestyles.ca

Erin Legg

erinl@finelifestyles.ca

Graphic Design Danielle Austin DeAnne Bell

Elisa Malfitana Lisa Redden

Staff Writers Brook Thalgott Julie Mushynsky Nykea Marie Behiel Paul Sinkewicz

Tobie Hainstock Trina Annand Rebecca Schneidereit

Cover Photography Heather Fritz

www.heatherfritz.com

Photography Lisa Landrie Heather Fritz Aimee Lauren Leslie Brittany Bellamy CARAS Celestial Photography Cindy Moleski Photography Colleen Niska Danielle Larson Danielle Stasiuk En Vogue Photography FOX Media

Haley Sharp/Sharp Pho.tog.raphy ILW Photography Images by Gillies Karin Melberg Schwier Liam Richards Mercedes-Benz and Audi of Canada Nadine Peppler Nicole Romanoff SFDF White Linen Photography

Contributing Writers Aviva Zack Candace Fox Cathie Watson

Devin Pacholik Karin Melberg Schwier

Lori Pollock Rebecca King Sherry Lee

Subscriptions wayne@finelifestyles.ca Cathie Watson, manager 306.612.2390 cathie@finelifestyles.ca

Crystal Reich 306.222.7102 crystal@finelifestyles.ca

Deborah Paul 306.221.4945 debbiep@finelifestyles.ca

Jason Booker 306.290.8487 jason@finelifestyles.ca

Fine Lifestyles Saskatoon is published four times a year by Fine Lifestyles Regina Ltd. All contents of Fine Lifestyles publications are copyrighted 2013 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles, where copyright resides with the author.

No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Lifestyles or the companies it represents. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

Canada Post Publication Agreement #41818060 Return undeliverables to: 3440 Balsam Grove; Regina, Saskatchewan; S4V 1H1

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What’sInside

8 90 31 FEATURE STORIES

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Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival

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Entrepreneurial Success

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COVER: Yann Martel & Alice Kuipers

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Advice from Shell Busey

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Junos 2013

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Your Summer of RVing

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Calling All Golfers

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You’re Engaged… Now What?

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Saskatchewan also has a fairly narrow season. Depending on weather, we can expect between 150 and 180 days of golf.

This is a good reason not to waste any more time—get your equipment and your game ready for another great season on the greens.

Cardiovascular exercise should be part of any golfers fitness routine. By increasing your stamina with various activities— think running, walking, cycling or even weight training—you are giving yourself the opportunity to play longer and better.

Assess Your Game

Assess Your Equipment Bring your equipment out of hibernation with a simple once-over.

First, examine your spikes. Avid golfers may change their spikes a few times per season, while more casual golfers replace them once a year. Spikes give you increased footing and control, resulting in better quality shots. If your spikes need to be updated, do it now before the season starts.

The state of your grips has an impact on the quality of your strokes.

Examine them to see if they need to be changed. Depending on how often you golf, if your grips are more than a year old consider having them replaced. If they are still in good shape, good old hot water and a spring-cleaning is all you need to revive them after winter storage.

Over winter, your short game may have hit the road, finding refuge in some warm exotic fantasy. With early season practice you can quickly regain your putting skills and get better control of your distance judgments. Vary the length and speed of your practice putts until you feel your game falling back into place.

Improve your long game by focusing on your backswing and downswing. Turning both your hips and shoulders builds up the maximum potential energy in your backswing. Following through with your downswing—turning respectively your hips, shoulders, arms and club—adds distance to your tee off.

Of course, taking your game to the next level can be reached easily by taking lessons. A golf pro can assess your current game and work with you on reaching your golf goals for the year.

Make sure you schedule time to practice, following up on the pro’s tips. After all, we’ve all heard the mantra, “practice makes perfect.” FLS

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The grooves of your wedges and irons should be examined for wear. Worn grooves result in decreasing the spin of your shot by about half, thus making the ball less stoppable on approaches.

If it’s time to update your equipment visit a sporting store or local pro shop to test some demo clubs. Perhaps your golf game can be improved by using new equipment designed with the latest technology.

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Your swing is dependent on your flexibility, and your flexibility is dependent on your strength. Hopefully you were able to maintain some sort of fitness regime over the winter months to keep your body limber. If not, it’s not too late to shape up. Give your body a chance to get back into the “swing” of things. Simple stretches can revitalize your back and shoulders, giving you a greater range of motion when you swing. Slow and steady practice swings lead way to full speed and full length swings.

70 HIT THE ROAD: YOUR OF RVing 8 SUMMER Style DEPARTMENTS 36 48 70 77

BY CATHIE WATSON

Health and Wellness options might exist to make your future iscovering the beauty that a road travels more comfortable, enjoyable Saskatchewan summer presents Dining, Entertainment and Arts and memorable. can be as easy as getting in, buckling up and letting the adventure Sports, ThereTravel are several things to keep in mind begin. Well,Recreation it can be under theand when you consider what type of RV right circumstances. would be appropriate for your needs.

Business Now, I am not referring to cramming But before you get to choosing, there are

D

everyone in the family four-door sedan, where legs can not be stretched out for fear of tipping over the cooler (usually found crammed in between the back and front seats . ith the kids fighting one another for leg and elbow room and the poor dog panting and whimpering, your trip can become a chore, not a pleasure,

90 106 115 179

House, Homes and Properties Wheels Weddings Retail and Services Directory

some questions to ask yourself: How many people do you need to accommodate?

How many drivers will be sharing that duty and what equipment do they feel comfortable operating?

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Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival

LIGHTS CAMERAS FASHION

BY CANDACE M. FOX PHOTOS NICOLE ROMANOFF AND SFDF TEAM

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he Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival (SFDF) continues to bring unique and exciting fashion events to the city—creating and acting as a hub for designers, local artists, photographers, models and agencies to come together to build a strong and lucrative industry in Saskatchewan’s most fashion-forward city. Promoting the province’s local talent and creating a venue for industry leaders to collaborate on fashion and beauty events, photo shoots, campaigns, fashion shows and so much more, SFDF takes pride in highlighting the talents and skills of so many artisans.

SFDF Group Mission statement: Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival is committed to presenting the style, innovation and design culture of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan in order to develop and grow our fashion community.

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Saskatoon’s resident and selfproclaimed fashion-obsessed (it’s true) group is comprised of creative minded individuals with a clear vision: elevate the Saskatoon-based fashion industry and legitimize its force within Saskatchewan and Canada. The SFDF team takes on the planning, organizing and promoting of various fashion events including model calls, photo shoots, multi-day festivals, pop-up shops, designer shows, fashion fundraisers and clothing swaps.

With an emphasis on “back to basics” and focusing on the designers and their creations, the SFDF group is proud to highlight local talent within Saskatoon and Saskatchewan first and foremost.

Jacqueline Conway, Executive Director: Leader of the pack and fashion connoisseur number one would be SFDF’s Executive Director. Jacqueline is also the Marketing & Promotions

Director for the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, a freelance graphic designer for Trend Blazer Marketing and dance instructor/choreographer extraordinaire at Studio One. Aside from her time management and organization skills, Jacqueline’s passion and dedication is greatly appreciated by the rest of her team. Her creativity to events and fashion shoots is an asset and have helped elevate the role SFDF plays in the fashion community. She was recently featured in FASHION magazine as “Saskatoon’s IT Girl” and is honoured to be in the glossy pages of Canada’s top fashion magazine.

Mandy Pravda, Production Director: Giving the Energizer Bunny some major competition, SFDF’s Production Director Mandy Pravda is a co-ordinating machine. Owner of Mane Productions, an up-and-coming event planning

boutique in Saskatoon, Mandy has more than ten years of industry experience starting with her first position restructuring the Odeon Events Centre. Mandy also manages the Two Twenty Den, Village Guitar and Amp’s White Room, is acting Executive Director of Park(ing) Day, sits on the Board of Director’s for Pride 2013 and has just launched a series of networking events called FreeFlow Thursdays. Aside from her “straight shooter” disposition, Mandy has a creative touch and an elegant planning style that is undeniable.

Candace Fox, Media Rep: Master word manipulator, high heel obsessed, coffee addicted and fashion aficionado Candace Fox certainly knows what she likes. As a local entrepreneur, freelance writer and fashion blogger, she has had the pleasure of working and collaborating with some of Saskatoon’s most successful business owners. Consulting clients on how to improve their marketing and PR activities and many press releases later, she has been in every industry from fashion to construction. As a freelance writer for Fine Lifestyles Saskatoon, Fine Homes Saskatoon, copy writer for Living Social and occasional contributor to the SFDF website/blog, she has a love for the written (or typed) word. In her spare time, Candace hangs out and helps organize events as one of the five founders of The Little Red Dress Club, peruses the fashion circuit online and on the streets, and is either writing about the trends or putting her credit card to good use.

Jennifer Machnee, Online Contributor & Social Media Rep: The lovely Miss Jennifer Machnee is in her first year with SFDF and the team is certainly happy to have her. Known for her love of vintage, Jennifer appreciates the fashion references of the past and sports a few when she can (hello classic red lipstick). Having lived in Saskatoon all her life, she loves the city more each passing year and is excited to be a part of building and reporting on the local fashion community.

SFDF would also like to recognize all those who volunteer their time and energy to help put on local fashion events. Although there are too many to name, the consistent designers, agencies, photographers, make-up artists and stylists are truly all a part of the SFDF team as all efforts are a showcase of collaboration and co-operation. An extra big thanks to Saskatoon based designer, Laurie Brown, for her contribution to SFDF events, meetings and model calls.

Fashion Features The SFDF team is working hard at bringing Saskatoon unique and lively events that will not only showcase the local talent but will keep residents and visitors on their fashion toes. Here is the 2013 SFDF fashion event lineup:

SFDF with Midtown Plaza presents… In Fashion: The Definitive Guide to Spring/Summer 2013 (Thursday, May 30: weekend event kick-off) Also known as fashion insiders heaven, In Fashion is an up close and personal workshop with a Midtown Plaza approved stylist and make-up artist to guide you through, step by step, the must-have trends for spring and summer 2013. With lunch hour and after work sessions, guests are sure to catch at least one workshop for style tips you absolutely cannot miss!

SFDF presents… A Fashion Retrospective (Friday, May 31) To know where you’re going sometimes we need to remind ourselves where we’ve been. SFDF is presenting a collection of historical

fashion ranging from some of the past eras’ most memorable and fashionable decades. A look back at the evolution of trends, and how today’s most fashionable looks came to be. The evening will also include a wine and cheese celebration for all fashion lovers and beyond. Keeping our pretty red lips sealed, check out our facebook page closer to the date for more details.

SFDF Runway at Mercedes-Benz (Saturday, June 1) Catching a glimpse of Saskatchewan’s top designer talent in the chic atmosphere of the Mercedes-Benz dealership’s SFDF runway. This event will feature five of Saskatchewan’s best showcasing their latest work accompanied by dance and musical entertainment. In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz of Saskatoon, Bacardi, FASHION Magazine and Fresh Living, this event will be nothing short of extraordinary.

SFDF Pose at River Landing (Sunday, June 2) SFDF Pose at River Landing is when the community joins together to support our emerging designer talent. In the serene setting of the River Landing Amphitheatre, this event will provide you with an all around perspective of upcoming Saskatchewan designers with the opportunity to buy the designs you see immediately following the show at the outdoor SFDF shop.

Complete event details and ticketing information is coming soon!

Out and about…

The SFDF team loves to check out local style around the city and can’t wait for spring and summer to make its way to Saskatoon. Expect to see SFDF members covering local events, festivals and random happenings—making sure to put a fashion twist on things. Fans can keep up to date with the local fashion scene, designers and SFDF activities online. We invite those involved with the industry, fans or individuals wanting to get involved to check out our website www.saskfashion. com. Participant/designer applications, event schedules, fashion news and coverage for those interested can be found on SFDF’s various social media sites. Find/follow/like them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. FLS Contact & media inquiries: Candace M. Fox 306.291.2589 General inquiries or information: info@saskfashion.com facebook.com/SFDFfanpage saskfashion.tumblr.com www.saskfashion.com SFDF’s “Bienvenue au cirque” photo shoot credits: Models: Tasha Lukenchuk (pony rider), Katryna Lonsdale (ringleader), Alexandria Pavelich (clown) and Sheena McInnes (clown) Conceptual development: Jacqueline Conway Photographer: Shannon Brunner of SBrunner Photography Videographer: Sica Films Make-up artist: Lisa Hallam Hair stylist: Tina Monz Stylists: Nicole Romanoff and Jennifer Machnee Designers: Laurie Brown, Rebecca King, Dean Renwick, Sova Design and Melissa Squire Footwear: Durand’s Boutiques: Era Style Loft, Frakas, Tonic, La Vie Lente, Alchemy, and Back Then & Again Jewellery Boutique

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Salon Studio Inc.

www.capellisalonstudio.com

306.374.2884 110 1824 McOrmond Drive, Sakatoon

Models courtesy of Masala Modeling and Talent and School of Personal Development

DRESS FOR WHO YOU DESERVE TO BE

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

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niversity Heights in Saskatoon’s northeast is undergoing some significant urban development including residential expansion. With more people moving in, more commercial ventures are necessary and Nicole Bolen, owner of Argyle Boutique quickly recognized the need to open a clothing store in the area. “University Heights and surrounding areas are growing and we needed somewhere to shop right here, with lots of free parking, rather than always having to go downtown to buy clothes,” explains Nicole.

Nicole grew up working for her parents, both small business owners themselves, in construction and the restaurant industry. Her entrepreneurial spirit is second nature. “I love small businesses

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and everything about them. I love buying local and knowing that the owners are using their earnings to pay for things like their children’s music lessons or dance class,” Nicole explains. Learning the ins and outs of business from her parents and by attending college for small business and entrepreneurship, Nicole was well equipped to take the step to open Argyle in November 2012.

The name Argyle comes from Nicole’s love of the classic pattern. “It’s a pattern that never goes out of style and stays classic while still mixing with trends— just like the fashions we offer,” she says.

Nicole aims to provide career wear and fashion forward pieces that focus on taking women through their busy day.

“We have something that can take you

to work and then take you to all your activities after work. You don’t have to change,” says Nicole.

Argyle caters to women 30 and up with those classic tastes. They offer several popular brands in sizes two to 18. Some brands include Mexx, Yest, Spanner, Simon Chang, and Numph. A result of attending a recent buying show, Nicole will now be offering Dear John Denim and Point Zero. Nicole also offers a range of accessories like earrings, belts, hand bags, scarves and bracelets.

Nicole and her staff strive to provide exceptional customer service in a comfortable atmosphere. You don’t just shop at Argyle. The staff are like-minded ladies who can advise and help you

lay-out options. Argyle also has private change rooms and mirrors in the back of the store. Nicole explains that she wants women to feel comfortable trying items on without other guests in the showroom seeing bits and pieces.

Argyle also provides tailoring and hemming services.

Nicole offers private shopping parties.

These parties enable groups of women to get together after hours in the shop, have some appetizers, try on clothes and gain fashion advice. They also offer great host incentives.

Argyle is easy to access with plenty of free parking. Visit their Facebook page to view items in the shop or come down and see for yourself. FLS

Argyle Boutique Nicole Bolen 122-1820 McOrmond Drive Saskatoon 306.380.5390 argyleboutique@gmail.com

RIGHT Nicole Bolen, owner

ABOVE Arlene Wicinski, owner and her clients

SASKATOON’S PREMIERE MEN’S ONLY HAIR SALON

BY JULIE MUSHYNKSY PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

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rlene Wicinski, owner of Off Side Hair Zone, is bringing the beauty industry to the boys.

A journeyperson stylist from Big River, Saskatchewan, Arlene worked in several salons over the past 20 years. Since 1991 she has always noticed one thing: men never seemed very comfortable in regular salons.

Over the years, Arlene also completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and moved from job to job working in addictions and corrections. Although satisfying, there was nothing permanent

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for Arlene. Then the beauty industry came looking for her offering her a job in wholesale management. Fate led Arlene to owning her own salon. “I was in the right place at the right time,” explains Arlene. “I had just sold my house, and the mall was looking to sublease a space. It was the perfect spot. I met with the mall owners on a Tuesday and signed the lease on a Thursday.”

Arlene was always interested in cutting men’s hair and has had a large male clientele base over the years.

Remembering what she observed at regular salons, Arlene opened Off Side Hair Zone on November 30, 2012 and made it a men’s only salon. “Men are grooming themselves more and this is a place they can feel comfortable and be treated to the highest quality grooming experience.”

Off Side is described as a sports-themed salon for the modern day man. The waiting area is equipped with sports memorabilia, comfortable arm chairs and a 50 inch television, set to the HD sports channel.

Each hair station has a television, and the salon serves complimentary

snacks, and hot and cold beverages.

When the Saskatchewan liquor laws change, Arlene will be applying for her license and serving alcoholic beverages at her salon.

So what is a men’s grooming experience?

Envision being treated like you were part of the Rat Pack. Before getting a haircut, clients change into an Off Side Hair Zone t-shirt followed by a pre-cut shampoo.

Clients then sit down for their haircut, remote control in hand. After the posthaircut shampoo, scalp massage and hot towel facial clients then change back into their clothes and get their hair styled. “Lots of men want a style, not just a cut. Here, they look through men’s magazines and select styles they want,” says Arlene. She also provides colours, facial hair trimming, and hot towel, straight razor shaves. Arlene has undergone specialized training including advanced barbering classes and can offer barbering services, but Off Side is a salon, not a barbershop. “Once we expand, we will start offering things like manicures, pedicures and body waxing.”

Arlene also looks to give back to the community, with a male focus of course.

“We collect and raise money at the salon for prostate cancer and are working with a local radio station on Caged for the Cure.”

Call Arlene today to book your appointment.

FLS Off Side Hair Zone Arlene Wicinski 104B-3929 8th Street Saskatoon 306.974.8170 offsidehairzone@shaw.ca www.offsidehairzone.ca

ABOVE Tracy Buller, owner

CALLING ALL FASHIONISTAS

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS BRITTANY BELLAMY

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ince 2010, Tracy Buller has been bringing the women of Saskatoon stylish, trendy clothing and accessories. But her love of fashion started long before that. “I have always loved clothes,” says Tracy. “And one day, I had the opportunity to turn my addiction into my livelihood.” Babette’s, Tracy’s 1,700 square foot boutique on 33rd Street East, is full of clothes— from dresses to jeans and everything in between—and shoes, accessories, handbags and jewellery, for today’s fashion-forward woman. And Tracy

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“We have so many great things coming in every day,” says Tracy. “We’ve got chic career wear from Adam Jacobs and Piccadilly, and classy suits and dresses from Miko. And all of it is made right here in Canada.”

Liverpool Jeans, straight from the UK. This denim collection is a special one.

Besides traditional denim washes, the company also makes jeans in trendy colours and patterns. French Dressing jeans are also featured in-store, and with a slightly higher waist, they are not only chic but also prevent the dreaded ‘muffin-top.’

Babette’s is more than just for work.

Tracy knows how hard it can be to find a great pair of smart, well-fitting jeans.

Tracy is pleased to bring to Saskatoon

And with spring around the corner and summer not far behind, Babette’s is ready to rejuvenate your wardrobe with bright colours and fun prints.

is brimming with excitement about the fashions she has for 2013.

The store is brimming with capri pants, skirts, and sandals. “We’re all about capri pants,” says Tracy. “We got every colour and pattern for every shape and size

by Kollantai.”

Tracy is especially proud of her collection of summer dresses by Gitane.

The dresses have been flying off the rack for the winter holiday season, and Tracy has made sure she’s got plenty in stock for the summer. There’s also a great dress collection in-store,

by Tango Mango. And with spring comes the beginning of wedding season, and Tracy has an outfit for any wedding you’re attending this year.

No outfit is complete without the right pair of shoes, bag and accessories.

Babette’s has established itself as a premier destination for unique handbags, footwear and fascinators.

For this year’s high school grads, Babette’s has fabulous shoes and accessories to make any grad’s look extra special—right down to pairs of gorgeous rhinestone heeled sandals.

“We’ve got everything in here, from the sophisticated to the fun and daring,” says Tracy. “If you’re looking for work wear, something for the weekend, or the right outfit for a special occasion, come and see what we’ve got. I know we can find something stunning for you.”

Babette’s is open six days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with extended hours to 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays. And, you can see Babette’s at the Total Woman Trade and Fashion Show on April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon. FLS

Babette’s 96A–33rd Street East Saskatoon 306.244.0233 babettes2009@hotmail.com MODEL Holly Stewart courtesy of SHE Modelling PHOTOS Danielle Larson

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CHECK OUR OUR WEBSITE AT UECLOTHING.COM

Spring Trend Report This spring we are excited about our spring collections.

There’s colour, new and interesting detailing and innovative fabric mixing that gives clothing a great combination of fit and fashion. So drop down to visit us and add a special piece or two to spice up your warm weather wardrobe.

Here are five trends we think are important:

#1: Colour Blocking Many designers are ingeniously combining block and bands of colour in fresh combinations and interesting placement on the garments.

#2: Artsy and Abstract Graphics Many collections are trending towards abstract and art-influence graphics. Less skulls and wings and more sophisticated, toned-down artwork.

#3: Burst of Colour Bright, Mediterranean-influenced colours are prevalent as trims or thread colours, as well as on the buttons of shirts and blouses.

#4: Trim and Cut Clothing is continuing to have a form-fitting shape and hi-tech feel to the fabric. The British influence is strong with double vents on jackets, plaids, Prince of Wales checks and hounds tooth patterns continue to lead the way.

#5 Black Light Show Neon colours of lime apple green, royal blue and electric orange are back in a neo-90s resurgence.

306.664.6640 | www.ueclothing.com | 204 3rd Avenue South Across from the Senator Hotel

TO SET A MAN APART

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Hugo Boss, Paul and Shark, Toscano, Casa Moda, Signum, Braga, Cladio Campone and Lipson. Designed for those who appreciate the excitement of fashion and the unexpected.

Celebrating Fifty-Five Wonderful Years TO SET A MAN APART

BOSS HUGO BOSS WARREN K. COOK CLAUDIO CAMPIONE THOMAS DEAN ARNOLD BRANT SAMUELSOHN ALLEN EDMONDS VALENZA JACK LIPSON BRAGA VIYELLA Ted Baker is a world famous British designer who is IKE BEHAR renowned for creating modern contemporary fashions SIGNUM CADAaMODA with a British twist. Ted Baker introduces new suit TED BAKER

silhouette with natural shoulders, shorter jacket and narrow lapels, yet with all the superb qualities of world class custom tailored clothing. Its classic cut flatters a wide range of athletic types and is available in a wide range of superb Italian fabrics. The “Ted” Baker is a suit that gets you in the door and on the radar, whether at a meeting, a job interview, a wedding or networking Fifty- over cocktails - thoroughly modern, eminently versatile.

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Fifth

ANNIVERSARY AVENUE BUILDING • SASKATOON

AVENUE BUILDING • SASKATOON

PAMPER YOURSELF AT SALON ICON

BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK PHOTOS NADINE PEPPLER

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et’s face it: we all love to be pampered! At Salon Icon you might walk in feeling down but you will leave feeling like the true gem you are. As a Redken Concept Salon, you know that your hair will be spoiled by the best of Redken’s hair care and styling products. As a Certified Redken Specialist and soon-to-be Certified Colour Specialist, Salon Icon owner, Giselle Thomas, knows the value of premiere quality hair products. “I’ve used a lot of products during my 17 years as a stylist and I fully stand by Redken products,” states Thomas.

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According to Thomas, Redken’s quality standards are built on three major points: fashion, science and inspiration. “As a team, we try to live up to what Redken stands for,” she comments. Thomas points out that the training and tools received from Redken prove invaluable when it comes to keeping their guests’ hair healthy, shiny and beautiful. Redken products are perfect for any hair type whether colour treated, curly, fine, aging or anything in between. “Redken products surpass anything that’s on the market right now,” says Thomas, “and it’s very popular; some items sell out so quickly that we have trouble keeping it stocked.”

The Redken colour line is also a top quality product. “There is a brand new colour line that’s just been launched that not only colours but also fortifies and strengthens your hair,” adds Thomas.

“It’s about keeping the integrity of the hair.” This colour line has no ammonia and no odour and still has great grey coverage. Thomas raves about the rich brilliant reds and coppers that last longer and look stunning.

It was through this affiliation one of Salon Icon’s very own will be attending World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto, which is a thrilling experience

and honour. “What is learned at these events will be carried over to the rest of the team and then passed on to our salon guests. This allows us to keep up with all the latest trends,” states Thomas. “It is very exciting!”

Located in the University Heights area, Salon Icon offers a variety of other services that will make you feel like the diva you know you want to be. Come in after a long day and enjoy some relaxing massage therapy. Book in for gel nails or a manicure featuring Artistic Colour Gloss, which is a long wearing soak off gel polish. Looking for something different?

Why not book a couples pedicure?

When that special day arrives, look your absolute best by booking your bridal party in for hair and makeup. Pump up the volume of your hair or eyelashes with extensions. Need some facial and body waxing? Salon Icon will have you feeling and looking great in no time.

If you have a special birthday party, graduation party or other event coming up, call Salon Icon and book you and your BFFs for some fun and pampering.

For more information about Redken products and salon services call 306975-0019 or visit www.salonicon.ca.

Like and share Salon Icon on Facebook and once they reach 600 likes you could win an extreme make over. FLS

Salon Icon 2-421 Ludlow Street Saskatoon 306.975.0019 www.salonicon.ca

STAFF L–R Ashley, junior stylist; Adell, senior stylist; Shannon, RMT; Giselle Thomas, owner and senior stylist; Britany, esthetician; Chantelle, senior stylist; Kristy, junior stylist

UNIQUE CORSETS FOR EVERY BODY

BY NYKEA MARIE BEHIEL PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

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askatoon is lucky to have the only shop in Saskatchewan that sells steel-boned corsets. Lori Affleck opened Sexy N Sassy Boutique in Saskatoon’s downtown core several months ago, and has been greeted with open arms. Saskatoon residents are ready for a specialty store and classy lingerie boutique.

“What we do is about creating beauty in every woman, empowering them.

We are all about boosting people and adding to their confidence,” says Lori.

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For corsets there is both the over bust and under bust model, providing two very different looks and styles.

The amiable staff work hard to find the perfect corset fit for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for a corset, bra or lingerie, the staff are trained to fit every unique body. By getting a perfect fit, you are assured comfort far beyond that of a generic undergarment. Of course, the right fit will also enhance the way you look, even though the pieces are often working from underneath your clothes.

While corsets are beautiful and sexy on their own, Lori stocks styles that can be professional and alluring. An elderly woman at the Taboo . . . Naughty but Nice Show bought several corsets, though she confessed to Lori that she never anticipated she would wear one.

“She bought those corsets because we demonstrated that you could wear the beautiful piece in a classy way,” explains Lori. Worn over a collared shirt, the decorative corsets can look dressy while making you feel good about your shape.

Sexy N Sassy carries a huge variety of lines and styles to ensure a fit for everyone in both the steel-boned and soft-boned models. “People come in all shapes, sizes and dimensions—we have something for everyone,” ensures Lori.

Lori and her staff see the beauty in every body, and work hard to make sure the women feel it too. “It’s so fulfilling to me to see women who don’t always feel sexy leaving the shop so happy that they’re dancing,” says Lori. Her dedication goes far beyond unique products and specialty items.

Aside from their breadth of unique products, Lori used to be a bridal seamstress and still does alterations from the Sexy N Sassy location. They also offer venue bookings and private parties, getting a liquor permit when necessary. “It’s a fun way to kick off the night,” says Lori. Sipping on a glass of wine while being surrounded by

feminine lingerie and corsets is an ideal starter to a bachelorette party, birthday celebration or any special occasion.

Whether you’re looking for lingerie, a unique alternative to business casual or a dramatic wedding night corset, Sexy N Sassy will get you outfitted in your perfect fit. “I love having the satisfaction of someone walking away happy,” says Lori. She emanates kindness and will go above and beyond to ensure every woman leaves the store in high spirits. FLS Sexy N Sassy Boutique 167 C 2nd Avenue South Saskatoon 306.244.4411 sexynsassyboutique@gmail.com ABOVE LEFT Lori Affleck, owner RIGHT Models Kami Faulkner and Lindsay Dallyn courtesy of Masala Model & Talent and School of Personal Development

AN EASTERN INSPIRED OASIS to Rejuvenate the Mind, Body & Soul

BY CANDACE M. FOX PHOTOS NADINE PEPPLER

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tep out of the stresses of everyday life and escape into the exotic sanctuary that is Koi Esthetics.

When Jeremy Constant and Janna Wong decided to open their own hair salon and esthetics spa, they traveled all over Eastern Asia to gather inspiration.

The result is a beautiful Eastern Asia influenced atmosphere designed to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.

Full Service Salon Offering clients a full checklist of services, men, women and children can experience the personalized treatments at Koi Esthetics. As part owner and lead esthetician, Janna always knew she wanted to open her own hair and esthetics studio. “I wanted to offer people a level of service above and beyond what they usually experience in Saskatoon.

We really strive to exceed expectations by providing amazing services in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.”

The spa has two facial and massage rooms which can also be conjoined

Janna Wong

for couples’ relaxation massages, hot stone massages and aromatherapy or reflexology services. Entering through large cherry wood shoji doors, clients can enjoy a shiatsu massage while soaking their feet in therapeutic waters and relaxing to the smell of aromatic lotions and custom sugar scrubs—a great escape for private parties.

Creating fun, unique, and sometimes intricate custom nail art is something Koi is becoming known for. Clients can bring in their own ideas or let the creative estheticians take control. Waxing and threading services are also available, done with an organic soy-based wax— great for sensitive skin.

Koi Esthetics has a colour bar equipped to satisfy every blonde, brunette and redhead, not to mention those with a more flavourful palette. You can even combine your hair service with a relaxing hand exfoliation or massage.

Thoughtful Products The spa uses products that are all natural, organic and cruelty-free. They are proud to offer only the best in hair and skin care with lines such as Eufora, SpaRitual, Thann, and Dermalogica.

Koi’s hair, bath bar and styling area is filled with Eufora products: aloe vera gel based, completely sulfate-free and full of pure essential oils. All colours and hair dye used at the studio are from

the Schwarzkopf product line, ensuring customers receive vibrant and longlasting colour.

Pedicure services are carried out using products from SpaRitual, a vegan, organic line containing only natural ingredients. Use scents such as “Close Your Eyes” Geranium or “Instinctual” Ginger to personalize each pedicure.

Jeremy and Janna first discovered Thann, an all-natural skin care product line, during their travels in Thailand. The only spa in Saskatchewan to carry it, Koi praises the brand for its three essential aromas. The scents and oils in each promote different aspects of wellbeing and are an option for you to enjoy with a relaxation massage.

Facials and skin treatments at Koi Esthetics are all personalized depending on skin type. A thorough consultation using Dermalogica’s unique face mapping system (as seen on Dr. Oz) prior to any treatment indicates which product will be most beneficial.

Jeremy and Janna thank their family, friends, and customers for their support of Koi Esthetics. Come in and treat your body and mind to an exceptionally relaxing and revitalizing experience. FLS Koi Esthetics 214-B Stonebridge Blvd.

Saskatoon, SK 306.249.4633 www.koiesthetics.ca

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ABOVE Trish Hoffart, artist/owner; RIGHT her daughter, Amber

EXQUISITE JEWELRY for Every Woman and Every Occasion

BY NYKEA MARIE BEHIEL PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

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anadian artist, Trish Hoffart has been making one-of-a-kind jewelry for 28 years, and is never short on inspiration. Originally from Vancouver Island, Trish and her family have made Saskatoon their home.

With her love for nature and the arts, Trish acquired her passion for jewelry from her mother. “She always told me that if you do something, do it with all of your heart.” It is clear Trish puts this philosophy into her creations.

“I’m so happy in all aspects now,” says Trish. “I absolutely love doing what I do.”

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“I strive for this place to be an experience for women,” explains Trish. In her second floor nook, Trish has created a beautiful, modern and glamorous space. The luminous and unique jewelry stands out on the soft, neutral backdrop. “It’s just so welcoming, warm and inviting.

You immediately feel like you belong,” explains Sarah, a long time customer.

Trish has many loyal customers who come back frequently to see her alwaysevolving displays and just to visit.

“I never lose my appreciation for my customers. I care very much about them—the store has become a bit

of a gathering place for women,” explains Trish. It’s easy to see why women gravitate to the space—gorgeous jewelry, a serene atmosphere and Trish’s kindness create a beautiful ambiance.

Options by Trish has a marvellous selection of stunning jewelry for all occasions. From gorgeous, simple bridal jewelry, to vintage Hollywood glam, to brilliant gemstones, Trish really does have something for everyone. Mother of the bride or groom, unique gifts for your girlfriends or a gift to mark any occasion—Trish has the market cornered on affordable luxury.

This season, much of Trish’s handcrafted line consists of creams, robin’s egg blue and corals—an homage to Vancouver Island. When making her own jewelry, Trish uses only the best crystals, gemstones and materials. “I never look around at other jewelry—I do in my heart what I feel.” Not only does Trish sell her own artisan line, but she also sells jewelry she has handpicked from artists around the globe. Each quality piece is a unique and meaningful treasure to pass down through the generations.

Stop in to Trish’s store Thursday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to find a brilliant piece of jewelry.

No two pieces are ever the same.

Whether you’re looking for a statement piece to add to your own collection or a gift for a special woman in your life, Options by Trish has something for every occasion. Trish’s thoughtfulness and knowledge of jewelry will put you at ease as soon as you walk through the door.

“I am so blessed to be able to use the gifts that God gave me.” FLS

Trish is so excited to now have her daughter Amber working alongside her.

“She is such an inspiration to me. I really love her sense of style. We inspire each other,” says Trish. “She’s a very special young woman with a huge heart and a great talent for design.” The duo mother-daughter team loves working and creating together.

Options by Trish 207-3521 8th Street East 306.933.2030 Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:30am-5pm www.optionsbytrishjewelry.com

HELPING LIFT AND SEPARATE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

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eneath It All Lingerie has been supplying the women of Saskatoon with beautiful and functional lingerie for 13 years. Owner Pam Klette has been with the store since it opened, and became the owner a decade ago.

“Our goal is to make every woman that comes into our store feel great about her body,” says Pam. “That starts with a properly fitted bra. It’s believed that about 80 per cent of women are wearing the wrong-sized bra, and Pam and her staff are helping remedy the problem one woman at a time.

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The boutique features lingerie made by the best European designers, including Empriente, Chantelle, Prima Donna, Freya and Fantasy. “Europeans are so much better at making lingerie,” says Pam. “The bras we carry are really designed for every shape and size.”

Beneath It All can fit women from an A-cup to a double J, with band sizes from 30 to 44. No matter your body type, from small and boyish to tall and curvy, Pam can fit you into something that will support and flatter which is exactly what a bra should do.

The starting point to getting the best bra for your body is a fitting from a properly trained expert. Everyone on staff at Beneath It All can guide you to the bras that would best suit your frame. Pam and her staff start by seeing what you’re currently wearing and assess your body type, and then it’s time to try on the bras to find your perfect fit. “It takes 30 to 45 minutes for a fitting,” says Pam. “There’s no need for an appointment we do fittings all day long.” No matter your shape or size, the Beneath It All team can find the perfect bra to flatter and fit your bust.

In addition to traditionally styled underwire bras, the shop also carries specialty lingerie such as strapless bras and shape-wear for brides and grads looking for something to flatter and support on their special day. There’s also nursing bras for new mothers in regular and hard-to-find sizes, and sports bras for support while you exercise and for the health of your breasts.

Once you’re fitted, Beneath It All will keep your measurements and preferences on file for your next visit. “We keep a record for you, so you don’t have to,” says Pam. “And if you’ve got a special someone in your life, they can come in and buy something for you and get the right size. Trust me; it’s a service many a husband appreciates.” The boutique offers gift cards and gift wrapping, and with Mother’s Day coming they have beautiful and comfortable sleepwear for moms of all ages to enjoy.

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday to Saturday with last fittings at 5:00 p.m., Beneath It All is waiting to get you and your body feeling and looking great from the inside out. FLS Beneath It All Lingerie 100-234 1st Avenue South Saskatoon 306.934.0833 MODEL Laurel Wallace courtesy of Masala Model & Talent and School of Personal Development BELOW Pam Klette, owner

photography

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I

t was a 2003 writer-in-residence position at the Saskatoon Public Library that brought writer Yann Martel and his partner, fellow author Alice Kuipers, to the city. It has been their home ever since.

Martel has reached international recognition for his work, namely his 2001 novel Life of Pi. In 2012, Life of Pi was released as a film. With director Ang Lee behind the project, the movie earned 11 Oscar nominations—including best picture—for the 85th Academy Awards. At the end of the night, the film adapted from Martel’s novel took home four awards: best director, original score, cinematography and visual effects.

Other work by Martel includes Beatrice and Virgil, Self and What Is Stephen Harper Reading?: Yann Martel's Recommended Reading for a Prime Minister and Book Lovers of All Stripes. Currently, Martel is working on his next novel, a tale set in Portugal about three interconnected adventure stories that span a century.

Born in London, England, Alice Kuipers is the award-winning author of Life on the Refrigerator Door, Lost For Words (The Worst Thing She Ever Did), and 40 Things I Want To Tell You. Both Martel and Kuipers were kind enough to speak to me about the art of writing.

Devin Pacholik: Beatrice and Virgil opens with the writer character, Henry, recalling his career. We’re made to believe you are Henry. He mentions that “writers seldom become public figures.” Do you see yourself as a public figure?

The Art of Writing: An Interview with

YANN MARTEL & ALICE KUIPERS

BY DEVIN PACHOLIK PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ AND FOX MEDIA

Yann Martel: No I don’t. That’s the awkward thing when you make art as a public figure. It’s not only writers, it’s the same for rock stars and film stars; one thing that’s inherent in art, and sometimes people forget it, is that artists don’t represent anyone but themselves. Their creation is strictly a reflection of his or her experience of life. Artists are accountable to no one, which is a positive thing.

Artists are free elements that can shed an unusual light on a society or problem. They are highly individual, but they resonate in a universal way. You can’t tether art or artists to a particular political purpose. In contrast to that, when an artist speaks, he or she has no right to speak for anyone but for themselves.

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No one elects artists. So, for example, Life of Pi has done incredibly well, and now there’s this movie out. But, people chose the book, they didn’t choose me. They may say, ‘I really like the Life of Pi,’ but what Martel has to say about this or that issue is not their concern.

DP: What is it about metaphor that is so important in a book like Life of Pi? YM: Metaphor is an incredibly concise way to capture a very complex reality. A metaphor brings us closer to something that is far away. Metaphor is a light way to carry a heavy message. Even overused expressions, like ‘sticking out like a sore thumb,’ or ‘lock, stock and barrel’—these phrases are a quick way for the writer to let the reader know what we are talking about.

Metaphor helps make things stick out, and they capture very complicated realities in a simple way. They can also distort the reality.

DP: That said, transcribing your words into a film, when talking about Life of Pi, you told me at the movie premier that, ‘adaptation took over in a way.’ What changed in the Life of Pi movie?

YM: Words are good at conveying emotion and action—such as, ‘he or she saw’ or ‘he or she said’—those phrases capture what has happened. What words aren’t good at is describing the visual. It is laborious, and in many ways it is ineffectual.

For example, in Life of Pi, there is a description of a solar still. Most people haven’t a clue what a solar still is. Trying to describe this device—that captures seawater and evaporates it so that the water doesn’t hold sodium and is therefore sweet water—is difficult. But someone who watches the movie, they know instantly what it is.

We also tend to believe what we see. In the book, I spend dozens of pages building the credibility of a tiger being on a lifeboat. I have to explain that he is seasick, territorial—all kinds of devices to suspend the readers’ disbelief. An image makes us believe the tiger on the lifeboat because that is what we’re looking at. Images are useful because they [give credibility] to things that are unbelievable; they are concise. They take many pages from a book and make them understandable in an instant.

Conversely, images are not good at conveying subtle thoughts, unless you LEFT MIDDLE Director, Ang Lee

have a character looking at the camera and speaking paragraphs. So, the discussions about religion in Life of Pi, which take place over many pages, would take hours to convey in the movie, and that would bore the viewer. A movie imposes itself upon you. When you go to a cinema you are a prisoner for two hours. You cannot pause the movie to think, whereas the book you can pause and go back.

The movie also sets characters a certain way. You have no choice but to see Pi as the actor, Suraj Sharma. In the book, the words leave what Pi looks like up to your imagination. When you are reading, you are creating, and that, in a way, makes it more engaging. This is the loss in a movie. Reading is an act of co-creation.

In a sense, the movie flattens us; but, since [movies] are so dazzling, it adds something else. We are visual animals, and film offers another kind of aesthetic experience that books don’t.

I liked watching the Life of Pi movie. It was a neat experience, seeing that tiger in the Pacific.

DP: What was your Oscars experience like?

YM: I went to a viewing party in L.A. It was a big party organized by the studio for everyone involved with the film who couldn’t make it to the ceremony. I went to that, and it was great to have Ang Lee thank me. It was a thrill. It’s not my movie, but it’s based on my book, so it was still a thrill. The whole Hollywood thing was a lot of fun.

I’m glad the movie has done so well. The Oscars it won were rightly deserved. It was a nice surprise at the end that Ang Lee won for best director. It was all very lavish, but now my life is moving on.

DP: You are living a rare life as a successful working writer. Can you tell me about that?

YM: No one writes to put their work in a drawer. We all want that drawer to be opened, so other people will read our stories. When you create art, you do it to communicate with someone, whether they are in the present or future. An artist should do what he or she believes they have to do.

The perfect example is what I did after I wrote Life of Pi. I wrote Beatrice and Virgil, a novel on the Holocaust. This is not the way to follow up a huge commercial success; [but] I had to do it. The danger in being an

artist is you get an appetite for success. I am eternally delighted for the success of Life of Pi, in part because it made money and I don’t have to worry about feeding myself, but mostly because it gave me some wonderful experiences. As far as the movie goes, it is a secondary product. To me, the book is what I made.

I suppose in some quarters, the success of the book has led to the dismissal of it, as if people think ‘it is successful, and therefore it cannot be good,’ or ‘it’s middlebrow.’

They forget that the book about a religious boy was written at a time when people drip with irony when they write about religion. It also celebrates the zoo, and some people cannot stand the idea of jails for animals. It doesn’t have the unity of time or place either: parts of it are in the zoo, the Pacific, Canada, Mexico—so it’s scattered all over the place.

Yet Life of Pi is an odd, original novel that holds together even though it breaks all kinds of rules. In my experience, big success leads to the perception that [Life of Pi] was made as a commodity. But it started with a spark and led to four years of writing.

DP: What excites you about the writing landscape in Saskatchewan and Canada?

YM: Canada is a diverse place. It is welcoming of different voices. I remember when I was a finalist for the [Man Booker Prize], half of the list were Canadians. One journalist pointed out that three of the Canadians on the list, including myself, were not in fact born in Canada, but I think that is typically Canadian. Canadian novelists speak the voices of different countries.

Other than that, in the practical dayto-day way, I’m just one writer who is from Saskatchewan. I love the physical landscape. I’ve had good reviews and terrible reviews, but I just keep on doing my thing.

DP: Your partner, Alice Kuipers, is also a best-selling author. Do you speak about your individual work together?

YM: We don’t edit together, but we do speak about our work. Right now I’m stuck at a part in my next novel, and we talk about things like that. We come from different approaches. She is a young adult writer, so it helps that we’re not playing the same instrument.

DP: You’re not from Saskatchewan, Alice.

Alice Kuipers: I’ve been pleased to be embraced by Saskatchewan. The books I’ve written since coming to Saskatoon have done well, and that’s partly because I think Saskatchewan has such a supportive writing community, and partly because I’d already been writing for a number of years.

If you believe in the “10,000 hours” rule, where you have to put in 10,000 hours of practice to become good at something, I think that just started to happen to me before moving here.

DP: What got you started on your 10,000 hours journey? Why do you write?

AK: I’ve been writing since I was really young. I’ve always liked telling stories. My children are the same—even my daughter, who is only 20-months old, and my son are interested in narrative. Story telling is a familiar thing. It comes from inside.

I’ve read a lot. I’ve always enjoyed books and stories on the page. I read four, five, six books a week. Reading is what made it possible for me to go on and become a writer.

DP: Writing is a kind of therapy in your novels. I think of the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky in which 15-year-old Charlie is told to write as a form of therapy. Sophie, in Lost for Word, does the same thing. Why is writing therapeutic?

AK: It gives you a space to consider what is going on in your head. It may be writing for some, or cooking, music, painting, dancing or photography for others, but I think all of us need something to help us fit into the larger world. That happens through being creative.

For example, there is a show on at the British Museum right now that features art from the Ice Age. It is about our beginnings, our first known forms of creativity from 40,000 years ago. Even 40,000 years ago, people used paint and clay to make forms and figures. That need to create, to make things, is intimately imbedded into who we are.

We may find [being artistically creative] to be frivolous: that we’re too busy or have other important things to do, so we put our creative selves to the side. But, I think, as a form of therapy, being creative makes us

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go back to something we need. It makes us feel more fulfilled.

That’s why I teach creative writing; not because I think everyone needs to get published. I think people need to make time to write, to express themselves. I’m happy helping people make time to do that. Creativity is essential, not frivolous.

DP: Quoting 40 Things I Want to Tell You, Amy, who deals with some very difficult relationship problems with her family and friends, says, “The world felt full of grown up problems bursting at the seams, the things I didn’t want to deal with.” Do you think this quote is emblematic of young adult fiction?

AK: One of the really interesting things about young adult fiction is that the characters go through these “first-time happens.” They realize they’re becoming grownups. Grownup things are being thrown at these teens, and they need to deal with them now because other people consider them adults; yet [these teens] still want to act like kids.

Young people are torn between two big parts of life: you’re letting go of being a child, and you’re becoming the adult you’re going to be. Authors of young adult fiction show us how someone’s decisions might change them for the rest of their life.

DP: What is it about young adult readers that makes them fall in love with certain books?

AK: Like the rest of us, they are looking for a story to help them understand their world.

Young adult books are plot driven; they focus on characters who are being tested.

They move very fast through new worlds.

It’s a mystery why certain stories catch people’s attention, but I do think young adult readers have more of an appetite for reading than some might give them credit for.

DP: What is it like living with another creative person like Yann Martel?

AK: It’s great. We have two children, and we try to fit in looking after them and working. We talk about writing and reading lots. We do crosswords together.

We just bought Kobos, which is interesting for us. We’ve been talking lots about what these gadgets mean, from the perspective of authors. They are career-changing pieces of technology. It’s LEFT Devin Pacholik with author, Yann Martel, at the premier of the movie Life of Pi

a terrific way to read. Yann is enamoured with the fact that [e-readers] don’t present anything other than the text. You don’t have the covers and quotes on the back, like you do with a paper book.

One thing that struck both of us is when we were reading Death on the Nile. On the back of the paper version, it says, “Simon Doyle is found dead…” Yann was reading the novel without the cover on his Kobo, and [Simon Doyle] doesn’t die until a third into the book. And so, when we were talking about it, I asked what he thought about the story, and [Yann] said, “Great! I don’t know who’s going to die.” So, we’re interested in that intimacy: there’s nothing to distract the reader [with an e-reader].

That doesn’t mean we both don’t love paper books and book stores. The e-reader has a long way to go to be equivalent to the experience of a book store and browsing. I just recently had the experience of doing an online search for a particular celebrity book. Now, my Kobo is avalanching me with celebrity teen books. That doesn’t happen in the book store. You don’t walk in and get offered the latest by Avril Lavigne based on your search history.

DP: How is life since the Oscars for you and your family?

AK: We had a good time. [The movie Life of Pi], as Yann says, isn’t his project. It is very much Ang Lee’s project. Yann is very pleased that he was thanked by Ang Lee at the Oscars, and it’s great that it has done so well. The movie is very distant, and yet strangely intimate. Everyone has been very pleased for Yann that the movie has done well at the Oscars and internationally.

Yann gets lots of letters from school children, and he answers every single one.

Some of these children say things about the movie like, “I saw your movie; I liked this bit, but not that.” And, of course, he didn’t write the movie; he wrote the book.

That blurring is kind of funny; but really, how could we not be pleased?

Other than that, we’ve been focussing on the baby due [soon], Yann’s trying to finish his novel, and I’m trying to finish an edit.

The movie experience was thrilling. We left the children home, and so that was interesting because we’d never left them before. But, that’s over now, and we’re getting organized for this baby, which could come at any time. FLS

Balancing Elements Health Clinic At Balancing Elements Health Clinic, we are committed to providing the care and support you need for your journey to health and well-being. We offer a variety of services that cater to each individual’s precise needs, while offering support and educating clients on how to best care for their body & mind. Our focus is on you and ensuring that you leave feeling refreshed, vibrant and full of life.

Focusing on the balance of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual bodies, a sought after treatment at BE is the Herbal Consultation. This treatment combines Reflexology & Iridology, practices renowned for their influence on the nervous system and unveiling of internal processes (by applying pressure to the feet and viewing the eyes), and Herbology, using ancient herbal wisdom and practices to encourage the body’s function.

Balancing Elements not only specializes in health consulting, but also in therapeutic treatments that effectively relieve emotional, mental, and physical stress by gently working with the body to relieve tension without invasive treatment. A favourite at BE is our specialty relaxation Raindrop Therapy Massage & Hot Stone Massage.

RTM uses essential oils and unique massage techniques to detoxify the body and soothe the central nervous system, while HSM uses basalt stones to warm muscles and relieve aches without the pain of deep tissue pressure.

At BE gentle services such as Reiki are also enjoyed.

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OUTDOOR FITNESS FUN

BY FLS STAFF

G

etting fit is not just about toning your body and increasing your strength and stamina, but about having fun.

Yes, it’s true: exercise is enjoyable. It’s also a necessity for a healthy life. Regular fitness improves our cardiovascular health, allows us to control excess body fat, increases our muscle power and stamina, and improves our overall wellbeing.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started with your outdoor routine this spring: 1. Walking: With a good pair of running shoes, let your feet take you all over the place! Walking is a simple, yet effective fitness activity. Getting

outside for some fresh air this spring will increase your overall health.

2. Running: Your heart and lungs will appreciate this aerobic exercise.

Running is an efficient way to build muscles, improve your energy, and— believe it or not—banish stress.

3. Bootcamp: Leave the gym walls behind! Combining cooperation and competitiveness, boot camps offer participants a high-paced opportunity to improve strength, endurance and flexibility. Hosted in your local park, ask around for a class best suited for your needs.

4. Cycling: Cycling is a good fat and calorie burner. If you’re new to cycling, visit your local sports store and get

assessed for the right bike for you.

There are different cycling groups you can join for the company or to learn different riding tips.

5. Rowing: Rowing is one of the best body-sculpting activities you can do.

Once you find your groove, watch out!

Recreational rowing opportunities are available through the Saskatoon Rowing Club, as association offering training opportunities for beginner rowers to those more experienced.

Outdoor Exercise Tips: • • • • •

Be sure to stay hydrated!

Wear sunscreen.

Dress appropriately.

Mix up routine so you are never bored.

Be mindful of others when enjoying public spaces. FLS

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L–R Robert Land, owner; Yasmin Callele

LIVE IT: CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER

BY NYKEA MARIE BEHIEL PHOTOS NADINE PEPPLER

O

pening its doors in January, Believe Fit in the Lawson Heights Mall is a boutique fitness store that provides exclusive products and knowledge for a healthy lifestyle. Owner Robert Land wants to help people change their lives for the better, and recognizes that each person’s physical journey needs to be designed for their way of life.

Experiencing some health problems, Robert used fitness to turn his life around.

Now, he only sells brands that echo his sentiments. “Lorna Jane’s motto is ‘move, nourish, believe.’ We’ve adopted those principles and that philosophy, making

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it a good fit for our store,” explains Robert.

Some of the shirts and tanks sport these motivational words, as well as a variety of others, including “run like a girl.”

Designed for women by women, Lorna Jane active wear has been promoting healthy lifestyles and positive outlooks since 1990. Originating out of Australia, Lorna Jane is a staple for Aussie women living a motivated, active life. Believe Fit in Saskatoon is one of the few places this inspirational brand can be found in Canada. Combining the need to look and feel good, Lorna Jane creates high quality clothing that integrates their core philosophies. “They were one of the

first companies to stitch together lycra and spandex,” says Robert. Using their patented LJExcel™ fabric, Lorna Jane constructs high quality clothing that proves itself sweat after sweat, wash after wash.

Functional and fashionable, you can look good during your morning walk, an intense workout, gentle yoga or any type of movement. Since Lorna Jane is constantly updating its style and creating new garments every 15 days or so, your style is guaranteed to stay fresh and distinctive. This progressive company believes your workout wear should express your unique style

at the same time as providing a full range of motion and comfort.

As a former U of S athlete, assistant manager Yasmin Callele can help you achieve the right fit for your activity.

Aside from the phenomenal active wear, Believe Fit carries everything encompassing an active lifestyle.

With education in kinesiology and biochemistry, Robert is able to stock his store with effective and trusted products. “We simplify the choices for people,” explains Yasmin. “We do the research for our customers.”

Their exclusive supplements cannot be found anywhere else in Saskatchewan.

Robert and Yasmin have the knowledge to guide you through your journey, whether that is to lose weight, build muscle or just stay active.

The spacious store is conveniently located in the Lawson Heights Mall.

Offering a great selection of clothing,

supplements, G-Shock watches and Saxx underwear, Believe Fit has everything to outfit you for an active-oriented lifestyle. Their walls are filled with stylish active wear and reputable supplements.

The kind and knowledgeable employees are approachable and lead by example.

At Believe Fit, there is no need to feel intimidated—this gracious staff helps without judgement. “Everyone has struggles, and we can relate,” says Robert.

Visit them to make your workout wear functional and fashionable. The team at Believe Fit can help you get more effective results from your workout, whatever it is you’re looking for. FLS

Believe Fit 15-134 Primrose Dr Lawson Heights Mall 306.249.5255 robertj@ibelievefit.com

It’s Not Just About a Great Smile

College of Dentistry University of Saskatchewan 1.877.DMD.SASK (373.7275)

Why Orthodontic Treatment?

The goal of orthodontic treatment is a good bite—meaning straight top and bottom teeth that fit well together. Your ability to bite, chew and speak rely on, and improve with, a good bite. Wellaligned teeth are much easier to keep clean, reducing the amount of plaque which can enhance both your dental and overall health. Straight teeth make it easier to have healthy gums and reduce the chances of losing teeth as a result of gum disease caused by a misaligned bite or crooked teeth. Research has shown a relationship between dental plaque and diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Good oral health improves whole body health. Orthodontic treatment is a smart investment in your dental, physical and emotional well-being.

What exactly is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who limit their practice to only orthodontic

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treatment and are dedicated to helping your teeth and jaws work in union so you can speak, bite and chew comfortably and effectively. Teeth and jaws that fit correctly work well and tend to look good, too.

It takes an average of 8 to 12 years of university education to become an orthodontist. Orthodontists must first graduate from dental school and then complete another two or three years of specialized education in an accredited orthodontic program.

Only those who have completed the extra training and have successfully passed the required examinations may call themselves “orthodontists” and can be members of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists. Patients receiving or who are contemplating orthodontic treatment have the right to ask any dental professional who may provide orthodontic care about their credentials.

teeth is the same for adults, children and teenagers.

Adult orthodontic treatment can fit your lifestyle. You can do almost anything during orthodontic treatment. New techniques, materials and a wider range of treatment options today have made orthodontic treatment more comfortable than ever before.

Adult patient numbers are growing and in many orthodontic offices one in five patients is an adult.

Is it necessary to pull teeth for orthodontic treatment?

Adults can enjoy great results from orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists strive to avoid permanent tooth removal. While patients are still growing, treatment may help make room for crowded teeth. However in some cases, it may be necessary to remove teeth to improve the alignment of the teeth and jaws to allow for a properly fitting bite and improved esthetics. There are times when an orthodontist may reshape certain teeth to create an improved final bite.

Each patient’s arrangement of teeth and skeletal structure is unique and should be thoroughly examined in order to develop an appropriate orthodontic treatment plan.

A healthy bite is as beneficial at age 60 as it is at age 16. Age is not a consideration for orthodontic treatment.

Healthy teeth can be moved at any age as the physiologic process of moving

Orthodontic treatment is not simply helping to create a great smile, it is about helping to develop whole body health.

Contact your local orthodontist or dental health care provider for more details. FLS

Can adults have orthodontic treatment?

Absolutely!

Board Certified Specialists Board Certified Specialists Board Certified Specialists Board Certified Specialists

C ACALL L L 306.249.5300 249-5300 CA A LLREFERRAL L 2 24 49 9 --NEEDED 53 30 00 0 NO C L 5 NO REFERRAL NEEDED NO REFERRAL NEEDED C A L L 2 4 9 -NEEDED 5300 NO REFERRAL NO REFERRAL NEEDED

Dr. Ryan Lacoursière #150 - 1820 McOrmond Drive Dr. Michael Wagner Dr. Ryan Lacoursière Saskatoon CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN ORTHODONTICS Dr. Ryan Lacoursière Dr. Michael Wagner 306.249.5300 Dr. Wagner CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN ORTHODONTICS Dr. Ryan Lacoursière FaxMichael 306.249.5305 NO REFERRAL NEEDED

CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN ORTHODONTICS

Dr. Michael Wagner

NO REFERRAL NEEDED CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN ORTHODONTICS NO REFERRAL NEEDED

#150 - 1820 McOrmond Drive Dr. Ryan Saskatoon SKLacoursière S7S 0A6 #150 - 1820 McOrmond Drive Dr.-Michael Wagner #150 1820 PHONE 306-249-5300 Saskatoon SKMcOrmond S7S 0A6 Drive CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN0A6 ORTHODONTICS Saskatoon SK S7S FAX 306-249-5305 #150 - 1820 McOrmond Drive PHONE 306-249-5300 PHONE 306-249-5300 Saskatoon SK S7S 0A6 FAX 306-249-5305

306-249-5300 www.imageorthodontics.ca 306-249-5305 NO REFERRAL wNEEDED w w. i m a www.imageorthodontics.ca georthodontics.ca www.imageorthodontics.ca FAX PHONE FAX

306-249-5305

HOW I CHANGED MY LIFE AND WENT FROM TIRED TO HEALTHY & HAPPY

A

t my heaviest, I was 321 pounds. I was sluggish, it was hard to move, and getting motivation was really difficult. My back hurt, my knees hurt, my ankles hurt—I was very uncomfortable all the time. My self-esteem was really low. I always felt like people were staring at me, talking about me, making fun of me. I was afraid to eat in front of people, and many wouldn’t give me the time of day.

Now, not only do I feel completely different, but people treat me differently.

I’m down to 205 pounds; I look great and I feel great. I have tons of energy, and every day is like a new experience.

Weight Loss Forever has been amazing. Even going for surgery was a terrific experience. The facilities are phenomenal; the clinic is clean and the staff is kind. When I got there, they were waiting on the stairs to welcome me. I’ve been through many surgeries, and this was by far the best encounter.

I have so much faith in the staff, I’m going to go back there for follow-up plastic surgery because I trust them and the facilities more than I do my health care here at home.

Now, I don’t miss any support group—I look forward to them. I can call my facilitator any time, text any time. Whenever I have a question, she has the answers for me. If she doesn’t have the answers, she finds them for me.

“I feel great!”

Brian, After losing 116lbs

Having seen me go through this process, watching me get happier and healthier, my brother is following in my footsteps. He’s in line to get the surgery too.

That’s the best endorsement I can give.

Change. Your. Life.

Call today: 306.665.8891 or Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 15-901 1st Avenue Nort , Saskatoon SK

www.weightlossforever.ca

FROM NURSE PRACTITIONER TO NATIONAL FIGURE COMPETITOR I never thought of myself as someone who would be interested in breast augmentation, but after I turned 40, I noticed things were starting to look different. Over the course of losing weight, getting older and competing in body and figure competitions, my breasts changed. I just wasn’t satisfied with that part of myself any more.

Weight Loss Forever sponsored a figure competition I took part in, which is how I became aware that that they did plastic surgery as well. I began doing some research and talking to surgeons. The more I considered my options, the more I leaned toward WLF. I liked everybody at the office; they just gave me a good feeling. As a nurse practitioner and through my work in health care, I had no qualms about travelling for surgery. Having a fair bit of experience in plastic surgery, I felt very comfortable with the standards. Not only was the decision to go with WLF easy, but it was financially the best option as well.

I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I was so impressed with everything—the organization, the clinic, the staff, the accommodationseverybody was so kind and informative.

I’m currently training for the Canadian National figure competition. It’s my third show and I’ve won the other two. I look fantastic and I am so thrilled with the way things turned out. I let the surgeon guide me with size and he nailed it on the head. He was so knowledgeable and experienced, I was able to put my trust in him completely, and he did an amazing job.

What sets Weight Loss Forever apart is that they go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy and their work is top notch. They’re absolutely fantastic.

Pompa was recognized as a World Leader Bariatric Surgery by Newsweek Magazine

Their hospital and medical staff are held to rigorous standards and unannounced, independent inspections. WLF’s patients include doctors, specialists, government officials, lawyers, teachers, mechanics, farmers. Obesity is the #1 preventable cause of death in Canada. WLF’s award winning support program gives patients the tools they need to achieve long-term success – surgery is just one part of the solution.

Andrea Clinton, BA RN(NP) BSN MN

“I couldn’t be happier!”

Nurse and Athlete Andrea Clinton, BA RN(NP) BSN MN Over the last four years, over 800 after Breast Augmentation with WLF Cosmetic

patients received surgery and support through WLF’s program. There are offices in Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Lethbridge and Fredericton, NB, with specialists throughout the country.

Take a video tour of the hospital here.

Take a tour of the hospital here

Weight Loss Forever

C an e. our. e.

Call today 306.665.8891 or Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 15-901 1st Avenue Nort , Saskatoon SK

www.weightlossforever.ca

Cosmetic Photo Heather Fritz

LETHBRIDGE NURSE TAKES BACK

H E R H E A LT H

Cindy’s life before surgery was a constant struggle. Food was the enemy, exercise was hard, and every day tasks became a challenge. I’d done every diet, tried every “as seen on TV” exercise tool, but even if I lost the weight, it would come back plus a few pounds.

This cycle made me constantly discouraged and depressed, always self-conscious. While I was a naturally cheerful and social person on the outside, inside I was hurting and very sad.

Cindy, before losing 87 lbs with WLF

As a nurse, I knew a Center of Excellence was important for my safety and I was opposed to adding something to my body or rerouting anything. I met some of the Weight Loss Forever staff at a tradeshow and expressed my concerns. They told me about the “sleeve”, which just removes the stretched out part of your stomach, which seemed like common sense to me. After a lot of thought and research, I decided to do it. I didn’t care what other people thought about me—it came down to how I felt about myself. It is the best decision I’ve ever made.

Weight Loss Forever was fantastic.

My facilitator was supporting me the whole time, answering questions and providing guidance. The support from WLF makes the experience so much easier.

Cindy, After losing Over 87lbs!

www.weightlossforever.ca

“My only regret is not doing it sooner.”

Cindy Haskins, L.P.N. Health & Wellness Educator

After the surgery, the weight started falling off. I started having more energy, and I decided to start toning up. Exercising was actually fun because it wasn’t such a struggle. I spent time learning about nutrition, and I even adapted my role at work to focus more on preventative medicine. It has really changed my whole world. I’ve never been in this great of shape in my life!

When I look at the before and after photos, I realize how overweight I was. I never saw myself as that big, and I can identify with myself better now. I have better self-image, and I live a far healthier lifestyle. Life is supposed to be fun!Take Though I had reservations a video tour and emotional highs and lows, I would not change it for anything. I recommend it to everybody—you don’t need to struggle with your weight. It really is life changing.

Call today! 306.665.8891 306. or Toll Free 1.877.306.8891; 15-901 1st Avenue N, Saskatoon, SK

A SINGLE MOM’S PERSONAL TRIUMPH We y b u r n M o t h e r C h o o s e s L i f e f o r h e r D a u g h t e r R a e -A n n e ’ s Story I wasn’t overweight until I hit my teenage years. I developed polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), making losing weight difficult. Growing up overweight is hard—I had low self-esteem and little energy.

After seeing a friend achieve success through Weight Loss Forever and the way it changed her life, I decided to get healthier. wantedwith to doWLF it Cindy, before losingI 80lbs for my daughter. At 300 pounds, I always felt like I was holding her back. I couldn’t do fun things with her. I knew that by being overweight I was shortening my time with her, and I wanted to be there for her. As a single parent, I needed to get healthy for her.

Rae-Anne Davis, from Weyburn, SK Winning the “Personal Triumph Award” with CEO & Patient, Melanie Wildman and Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, PhD, AFACS at the Weight Loss Forever Patient Awards Gala

While most patients that get surgery experience no side effects, I was one of the few (less than 1%) who did. I had a lot of nausea, I wound up in the hospital and it took a few months to feel better.

Even with all the obstacles, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I feel amazing! It has given me a better life, a longer life, and a healthier life. My PCOS has even corrected itself because of the surgery!

The staff have always been there for me and because of the support groups, I never feel alone. My facilitator keeps in constant contact, and she is an amazing resource for me. You can also blog about your progress on their site, which is a source of inspiration.

With the support of the facilitators as well as other patients, I am always surrounded with people who understand my journey.

A few people accuse me of taking the easy way out, but my journey hasn’t been easy. I think taking the easy way out would have been to do nothing. I did a lot of soul searching and research before deciding to change my life, and I am so happy I did.

Weight Loss Forever’s motto is “choose life,” and it’s 100% true. I Take a video chose life. Other than having my daughter, it’stour the best decision I’ve ever made for myself.

Call today! 306.665.8891 or Toll Free 1.877.306.8891; 15-901 1st Avenue N, Saskatoon, SK

www.weightlossforever.ca

2012

Newsweek 15 LEADERS SHOWCASE

BARIATRIC SURGERY

Dr. Pompa was recognized as a World Leader in Bariatric Surgery in Newsweek Magazine TM

ONE OF THE TOP 10 BARIATRIC HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD A Canadian First, Weight Loss Forever Achieves Center of Excellence designation

By Karin Melberg Schwier

By Karin Melberg Schwier

A

fter a grueling two-year review by the American Surgical Review Corporation, Weight Loss Forever (WLF)’s hospital was designated as an International Bariatric Center of Excellence, one of only 18 in the world . WLF met and exceeded stringent requirements and was awarded in three areas: the hospital, the surgeon, and the bariatric program.

Melanie Wildman, President & CEO of WLF, says, “We’re a world-renowned bariatric hospital with exceedingly high standards, excellent patient care and compassionate support. What is at stake is our patients’ health and well being, and our license. It’s our dedication to our patients that make us one of the top 10 bariatric hospitals in the world,” she adds.

WLF’s Chief Bariatric Surgeon is Mayo Clinic-trained Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, Ph.D, AFACS. She is board-certified in the United States and is the first female in the world to be awarded “Surgeon of Excellence” and was recently recognized in Newsweek Magazine as a leader in bariatric surgery.

WLF encourages people to do careful research and has developed the guide How to Research Your Surgeon. Patient safety is the primary consideration.

Their state-of-the-art hospital and medical staff are held to rigorous standards and unannounced, independent inspections, which is the only way for patients to know if their surgeon or hospital is legitimate and safe.

Obesity is the #1 preventable cause of death in Canada. According to the Canadian Medical Association, diet and exercize have not proven to be effective in the treatment of severe obesity. Research shows weight loss surgery is the only permanent and effective treatment of obesity. WLF’s award winning program gives patients the the tools they need to achieve long-term success - a safe surgery is just one part of a life-long solution.

“The risks of bariatric surgery are lower when performed in specialized high-volume centres of excellence” Dr. Mehran Anvari, President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons Postmedia News, November 11, 2012

Call 1-877-306-8891

www.weightlossforever.ca facebook.com/WLForever

Dr. Damara Rayner Dr. Shaun Brakstad Dr. Meghan Goodman

Dr. Jocelyne Hodgson Dr. Shawn Mamer Dr. Tom Carlson

www.kenderdine-dental.ca

306.978.6588

Bay 1–50 Kenderdine Road (adjacent to Extra Foods) Hours Mon–Thurs 8:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

SASKATOON SPRING ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

APRIL-JUNE 2013

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April 14 Credit Union Centre An Evening with Oprah Winfrey

May 3 Credit Union Centre Investors Group Stars on Ice

May 26 Saskatoon South Saskatchewan River Saskatchewan Marathon

April 17-May 5 Persephone Theatre Sexy Laundry

May 5 TCU Place Imagination Movers

June 2-6 Kiwanis Park South PotashCorp Saskatchewan Children’s Festival

April 19 Odeon Events Centre Classified

May 9 Credit Union Centre Bob Seger

June 3-6 TCU Place University of Saskatchewan Spring Convocation

April 25-28 TCU Place Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards

May 14 Credit Union Centre Fleetwood Mac

June 10-16 various Saskatoon venues The Great Plains Comedy Festival

April 26-28 Prairieland Park The Man Show

May 16-26 Credit Union Centre 2013 Mastercard Memorial Cup

June 21-July 1 various Saskatoon venues SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

May 2 Credit Union Centre Motley Crue

May 18-20 Broadway Avenue Bikes on Broadway road race

June 22 Broadway district Broadway ArtFest

May 2-12 The Refinery The Frenzy of Queen Maeve

by Trap Door Theatre

May 24 Marquis Downs Thoroughbred racing begins

June 30 Pike Lake & Meewasin Trails Subaru Western Triathlon Series

SASKATOON

Catering Your Special Event

Charlie’s Seafood can help the couple make a big impact with our selection of tasty platters. We have shrimp and sushi platters available as appetizers for the mix and mingle time before the dance or to add a “wow” factor to the buffet line.

Brett Richards Owner & Operator Charlie’s Seafood Market 210B 3929 8th Street East College Park Shopping Centre Saskatoon, SK 306.955.7127 www.charliesseafood.ca

P

lanning what treats to serve at a wedding event—be it the shower, rehearsal or reception—doesn’t need to be stressful. With so many other moving parts to worry about, canny couples can take one big worry off their wedding day worries by involving an experienced caterer. What you get by involving a professional is expertise in how much food to order, and how to provide a pleasing variety for your guests.

Two big trends in weddings for 2013 are simple, low-key weddings with a smaller guest list of just close friends, and afternoon weddings with a variety of appetizers instead of a seated meal.

Another modern take on the wedding is the reception lounge. This great idea offers a place away from the thumping music and tottering uncles of the dance floor where guests can eat, drink and mingle in a relaxed setting.

Many wedding planners don’t think further than going to one of the frozen meat shops for their snacks, but it’s a great idea to change up the standard offerings.

One of our most popular items is the Tempura Dynamite Rolls. We also make Steamed Dynamite Rolls for those counting calories. There are more than 30 kinds of sushi and nigiri on our menu; finding a unique and tasty selection to serve your guests is easy. Have you always wondered what caviar tastes like? We offer the world’s finest sturgeon caviars available the next day if orders are placed by 2 p.m.

Charlie’s does a lot of special events and can give our customers plenty of choices, including a variety of vegetarian

sushi options. We have five different sizes of sushi platters, and six different sizes of shrimp cocktail platters, in all different price ranges to suit everyone’s budget. Our platters commonly serve anywhere from seven to 20 people, but we can also do custom platters in larger quantities. We also offer free delivery on catering orders.

Charlie’s Seafood Market has been in business in Saskatoon since 1986, and is committed to freshness and high quality. We fly in our seafood four times a week get freshest product possible.

The freshness and wide selection offered by our store are two of the biggest differences our customers notice. When you have an expert staff, trained how to handle fresh and frozen seafood properly, it shows in the quality of the product.

Charlie’s offers sushi made fresh daily at our lunch counter. People can pick and choose what they want. Visiting our store also gives people the chance to see our selection of grocery items, like soups, marinades and spices.

For home entertaining, visit our website for a selection of great seafood recipes.

Stop into Charlie’s Seafood Market to try our delicious products—and maybe get some ideas for your special day! FLS

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EXPERTAdvice Beer Glasses: Don’t Drink Beer from the Bottle!

M

ost beer in the bottle is highly carbonated. One bottle can hold almost a litre of CO2 gas in solution. When you pour beer into a glass, much of that CO2 is transferred to the head formation. If you drink directly from the bottle that CO2 comes out of solution in your stomach, making you feel bloated, or worse… burp….

There are three main principles in choosing glass styles, with each particular glass providing the best profile to a certain type of beer. What element of the beer is being showcased: the malts or hops or complex fruity notes from the yeast? The right glass will help develop the right profile.

Many British ales, for example, feature malts and caramel malts notes. These aromas are snuffed out with even a quarter inch of foam. So British ale glassware has a wide brim to spread out the foam, and as the beer itself is typically lower in carbonation, it makes less foam to begin with.

Steve Cavan Owner and Brewmaster Paddock Wood Brewing Company B1 116 103rd Street, Saskatoon 306.477.5632 www.paddockwood.com www.woodsalehouse.com | For further information, please contact: Rob Kapronczai Brewery Representative rob@paddockwood.com

TOP ale glass MIDDLE lager or pilsner glass BOTTOM Belgian ale glass.

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European lagers have hop aromatics that one wants to bring out. In this case you want foam, and lots of it. The hop flavour oils are electrostatically opposed to water, so they crawl over the bubbles of foam to escape the beer. A good pilsner should have two fingers of foam, and actually, if poured very slowly, should float a coin. For a strong layer of foam the glass needs to be tall and narrow.

This shape concentrates the foam into a small area. When you bring the glass to your lips, the hop oils will be right at your nose.

Lastly, some beers feature complex fruity characters from the yeast. Belgian ales are a prime example. These are typically served in a chalice-style glass that is very broad but also allows these aromas to group. Belgian ales are also very highly carbonated with as much as 1.5 litres of CO2 per bottle. These beers need space for the foam to spread out. A Belgian ale in a pilsner glass is just pure foam.

The next time you drink your favourite style of craft beer, consider using the proper glass so that you can fully appreciate the style and the craft beer experience. FLS

PADDOCK WOOD’S 606 PALE ALE CHEESE FONDUE Ingredients

Preparation

50 g butter 50 g flour 1 bottle Paddock Wood’s 606 Pale Ale 500 ml whole milk (2% will work) 150 g white or orange cheddar 200 g Swiss cheese 100 g grated parmesan cheese 30 g blue cheese (save a bit to crumble on top as garnish) pinch ground cayenne pepper 50 ml garlic powder pinch tumeric 30 ml dried oregano leaves, not ground salt and white pepper to taste (finely ground black pepper will also work)

1. In a small pot, heat butter over medium heat until melted.

2. Add the flour to the pot, stirring gently to prevent it from scorching. Cook for about five minutes until you can smell the flour start to cook.

3. Slowly add three-quarters of Paddock Wood’s 606 Pale Ale (the rest is for drinking) to the flour, whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Once all the beer is mixed in and your sauce is smooth, add the milk, continuing to stir to prevent lumps.

4. Once all the milk is mixed into the sauce, slowly start to add the cheese, grated or cut into small pieces to help it melt smoother. Add the cheese a little bit at a time, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning on the bottom.

If the sauce does start to burn, transfer it to a new pot and continue.

5. Once all the cheese is melted, season with cayenne pepper, tumeric, garlic powder and oregano. Allow to cook for another five to 10 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

6. Season with salt and white pepper. If you don’t have white pepper on hand, you can substitute finely ground black pepper.

7. Garnish with remaining crumbled blue cheese. Serve warm with breads, crackers, meats or vegetables.

This cheese fondue can be cooled down and saved for up to four days if necessary. When reheating, just add a little bit more milk and stir constantly to ensure a smooth final product.

You can try this tasty cheese fondue at The Woods Alehouse.

FineLifestyles

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51

ABOVE Tracy Dodman, owner and founder

BECOME THE DA VINCI OF DESSERT

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS DANIELLE LARSON

F

or a long time, Pure Frozen Yogurt Bar is the place dessert lovers only dreamed of. And then in 2011, dreams became reality when owner and founder Tracy Dodman threw open the doors of Pure Frozen Yogurt’s first location in Saskatoon’s University Heights Square. The fresh and fun shop has a simple concept—self-serve frozen yogurt—that’s turning customers into artists every time they visit. “We offer eight different flavours of soft-serve frozen yogurt every day,” says Tracy.

“The art comes in when you select your toppings. We have over fifty toppings

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to choose from, so there’s an endless number of yogurt creations to be made.”

With flavours like red velvet cake, New York cheesecake, and peanut butter, the surprisingly healthy frozen yogurt is a treat all on its own. Adding the toppings is where the art begins, when you select from any number of freshly cut fruits plus nuts, cereals, candies, and sauces to make your dessert your very own custom creation. Those with special dietary needs are not left out in the array of offerings at Pure. On tap every day are both no sugar added and no dairy

options, and nearly every frozen yogurt flavour is gluten-free. Once you’ve filled your cup with your designer creation, you simply pay by weight, and enjoy. And because once is never enough at Pure, the shop offers rewards to its growing number of very loyal repeat customers.

Pure Frozen Yogurt Bar and its delicious concept was no happy accident: hours of trials and testing went into finding the perfect frozen yogurt for the shop.

“I’d seen and sampled many frozen yogurts from shops in the warmer US states, like California and Arizona, a few

years ago,” says Tracy. “I knew that I had stumbled across something really special that I could bring back to Saskatoon.”

Months of research soon followed, and then sampling endless amounts of yogurt to find the perfect recipe.

“We set up a soft-serve machine in our basement and tried yogurt for four months straight to find the perfect product for our shop,” says Tracy. “Our premium frozen yogurt is the best blend of taste, cultures and probiotics.

We have something really special here.”

Saskatoon has embraced Pure Frozen Yogurt Bar since it began two years ago in University Heights. Pure found

somuch love that Tracy opened another location in Briarwood in October 2012, and a third opens on 8th Street in May. “Pure Frozen Yogurt Bar is the place where you can create your own masterpiece every time you come in,” says Tracy. “Just grab a cup and get going. It’s delicious frozen yogurt, any way you like it.” FLS Pure Frozen Yogurt Bar University Heights Square: 1824 McOrmond Drive Lakewood Common: 411 Herold Court opening soon: 8th Street Saskatoon

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IT’S GONNA GET

: D LOU

JUNOS 2013

BY SHERRY LEE PHOTOS AND LOGOS COURTESY OF CARAS (CANADIAN ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS AND SCIENCES)

F

rom April 15th to 21st, “it’s gonna get loud” in Regina and Moose Jaw. For the second time since the JUNOs started taking their awards show across Canada, Saskatchewan is playing host—this time in the south.

A local host committee has been preparing for a few years with CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) to ensure the 42nd annual JUNO awards are a memorable week of music, activities and pure fun.

Chair of the local host committee, Michael MacNaughton, says these events takes a long time to come to fruition. Committee members attended the last two JUNOS awards shows to familiarize themselves with the awards week and CARAS representatives. As President of SaskMusic, MacNaughton is an experienced organizer and no stranger to the Canadian music industry.

Along with 10 chairs and 600 volunteers, MacNaughton will assist CARAS with their major events, and offer even more value for music fans. The mandate of the host committee, is “to augment the event on behalf of the province and Regina, and to shine the light on southern Saskatchewan and the entire province,” says MacNaughton. Holding the awards

Mike Bublé

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here provides a great opportunity for Saskatchewan entertainers to get access to the music elite of Canada, says MacNaughton. “The entire Canadian music industry is coming to Regina and Moose Jaw.” MacNaughton feels they have done a good job of involving and profiling Saskatchewan musicians in the JUNO week festivities. “Half of the JUNOfest entertainers are Saskatchewan-based,” says MacNaughton. “We’re very proud of our Saskatchewan entertainers.” Fans can visit the Gonna Get Loud Facebook page and follow Twitter@#getloud for updates on events and activities.

Hype has been building since Michael Bublé was announced as the host of this year’s awards show. A multi-JUNO and GRAMMY® Award-winner, Bublé is about to release his fifth studio album, and will perform one of the singles during the JUNO awards show. Bublé’s trademark style has elevated him to international stardom since the release of his debut album in 2003.

Melanie Berry, president & CEO of CARAS/The JUNO Awards, is excited about Bublé hosting the awards show.

“Michael will be a great host. He’s

CLOCKWISE Tom Cochrane; k.d. lang; Melanie Berry, president & CEO of CARAS; Mike MacNaughton, chair of local host committee

charming, charismatic and will add so much to the show. He’s funny, creative and knows all the artists,” Berry says.

“Michael is a huge JUNO supporter and really believes in them. He’s an 11-time JUNO winner and has performed four times on the broadcast. In 2004, he won New Artist of the Year. He knows us.”

Berry has been at the helm of CARAS for more than a decade. A not-forprofit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards, CARAS explores and develops opportunities to promote and showcase Canadian artists and music on a year-round basis. The JUNOS are one of these showcases. “I can’t believe this will be my 11th show,” says Berry.

“Saskatchewan really embraced us in 2007; I remember my shuttle bus driver dropped me right at my door! I’m looking forward to being back.”

Events like the JUNO Cup, which pits musicians against former NHL greats, and the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle, also help Canadian children get access to musical education. Proceeds from these two events, as well as the proceeds from the JUNO Awards 2013 Nominee

Compilation, go to MusicCounts: Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS. Since 1997, more than $6 million has impacted thousands of students across the country.

The JUNO Songwriters’ Circle, often referred to as “the jewel of the weekend”, will be hosted this year by Tom Cochrane.

“It’s very unique,” says Berry. “It allows fans to get up close and personal with the entertainers, who tell their stories and play their songs.” Regina’s own Colin James will be participating.

Another highlight is JUNOfest, the annual musical festival that showcases some of the best Canadian artists. This two-night music marathon will feature more than 100 bands, playing in 15 venues across Regina and Moose Jaw. A wristband gets fans into all venues to enjoy a variety of music genres. JUNO Fan Fare provides an opportunity for fans to meet musicians and get autographs.

An exciting field of performers have been nominated this year: a total of 178 with more than 90 as first-time nominees.

Saskatchewan nominees include The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon; Kevin Churko, originally from Moose Jaw; Donny Parenteau, from Prince Albert;

and Colin James, originally of Regina.

The awards show will be another notto-be-missed “concert”; nominees Carly Rae Jepsen, Billy Talent, Marianas Trench, Hannah Georgas, Serena Ryder and Michael Bublé are some of the performers on the line-up.

Tom Cochrane will receive the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, Larry LeBlanc will be honoured with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, and k.d.lang will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by Canadian icon, Anne Murray. A special treat for the audience: k.d. lang will also perform.

Berry emphasizes that “it takes everybody to make this event happen.

There are so many parties involved and working together, from venues, rooms, florists, transportation rentals, printers… it’s a collaborative effort for sure.” Berry says “There is something for everyone, an incredible experience. Find out what’s going on and really experience it. Celebrate and be proud of our great Canadian artists—they are second to none.” For more information, visit www.JUNOawards.ca. FLS

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FROM JEANS TO SUITS: Fresh and Innovative Food for All

BY NYKEA MARIE BEHIEL PHOTOS DANIELLE LARSON

W

ith its reputation for being a casual yet upscale dining experience, the new Rock Creek Tap and Grill in Blairmore opened its doors to an excited crowd for their opening reception in early February. After serving customers from their location in University Heights, Rock Creek is thrilled to open a second location in the city.

The elegant exterior is mirrored on the inside, though the interior is a fusion of luxury and funk. Unique light fixtures accent the brick walls, while soft

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and intimate lighting set the mood for anything from a drink after work to a fancy supper. Cosy booths and quaint tables fill the room, offering many seating options. The modern and elegant dĂŠcor includes the use of natural stone, wood and glass. The open-concept kitchen lets you catch a peek of a skilled chef preparing your meal. Some of the walls are painted with graffiti, creating a fun and exciting ambiance.

The simple flow from restaurant to lounge is conducive for accommodation of any kind of group. The restaurant

side has a classy and laid-back feeling, while the lounge side is upbeat and friendly. The staff is often seen laughing and talking with customers, creating a personable ambiance. The lounge side also includes televisions so you can watch the game while you’re catching up with a friend. The bar is set in front of a graffiti background, merging fun and creative with functionality. This unique design is mirrored in their flavourful dishes.

Energetic and knowledgeable servers come around with a smile and samples

of unique menu items. Firecrackers— a halved jalapeno pepper filled with cream cheese, stuffed with a jumbo shrimp and wrapped with crispy bacon—are one of Rock Creek’s much loved creations. The ponzu tuna poke, adobo prawn mushroom stuffs and a variety of their flatbread pizzas are also a big draw during the reception.

The wildberry brownie explosion is the perfect end to a tasty evening; a warm brownie topped with wildberry reduction and soft whipped cream. There is no shortage of innovative menu options and wine or beer pairings. Rock Creek is sure to please every palette.

“We have a very unique flavour profile, which is a fun challenge for me,” explains executive chef David Humble. He’s been cooking and creating at Rock Creek for nearly two years, and is now working in the new location. “We make almost all of our sauces from scratch, which is a great source of pride for us. Our casual atmosphere and great flavours ensure everyone can enjoy our food.”

Offering great food that is a harmonization of comfort food and unique flavours, the new Rock Creek Tap and Grill in Blairmore juxtaposes an innovative menu and elegant atmosphere. Whether you are looking for lunch, supper or a few drinks, Rock Creek Tap and Grill has it all. FLS Rock Creek Tap and Grill #160–220 Betts Avenue Blairmore, Saskatoon 306.974.7392 RockCreekSaskatoon@hotmail.ca rockcreekgrill.com

CHOOSE HIGH QUALITY, GET GREAT SERVICE

BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

A

s we look forward to another season of barbecuing and backyard fun, it’s evident that it’s time to shop for a new barbecue. With so many hardware and big box stores out there, how do you know where to go? What’s a good deal? Does what you’re buying fit with what you need?

Just thinking about barbecue shopping can give you a headache before you even leave the house.

At The Weber BBQ Shop, you are greeted with a friendly smile and a warm “hello.”

You can look as you wish and get the help you need in finding the right barbecue to fit your lifestyle. “One of the first things we ask is ‘what’s your menu?’” says owner, Laural Webster. He explains that there are a lot of different grilling styles and getting the right grill will affect how satisfied you are with your barbecue. At The Weber

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BBQ Shop, Laural and his staff will take the time to walk through the selection process with you. It’s just the way they do business. When you shop with them, you don’t just get a sales person pushing a product at you, you also get selection, service and advice.

While there are many types of barbecues out there at many different retailers, Laural warns against getting lured into buying a cheaper unit. Remember, with anything you buy, the quality of the item will be reflected in the price. “The old saying ‘you get what you pay’ for holds true,” Laural advises. “Generally, the cheaper models will give you about two years of use because the quality isn’t as high.” Laural reminds shoppers that the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the low price has been forgotten.

When looking at different grills, Laural advises that customers check the manuals. “Don’t be afraid to open them up and look at the warranty that’s being offered,” he says. “Know what you’re entitled to as an owner.”

When you purchase a barbecue at The Weber BBQ Shop, you get service as well as quality. “All of our grills are assembled, pre-serviced and delivered at no extra cost.” Laural adds that they also offer free backyard service calls on anything defective for the first year after you buy your grill, after that, a nominal, basic fee of $39.95 is charged.

The staff at The Weber BBQ Shop are experienced customer service professionals who can answer your questions. Whether you are looking for a part, have questions about cleaning

and maintenance or looking for mouthwatering recipes and grilling tips, the friendly people are pleased to help you.

“Don’t be afraid to ask anything; we are happy to assist in any way we can,” adds Laural. Remember, there are no dumb questions. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed to ask for help: it could save you money in the end.

For more information about Weber and Broil King products, drop by The Weber BBQ Shop at 1905 Quebec Avenue or call 306.655.0800. You can also check them out online at www.weberbbqshop.com. FLS

The Weber BBQ Shop 1905 Quebec Avenue 306.655.0800 1.888.665.0800 www.weberbbqshop.com

TOP RIGHT The Weber BBQ Shop staff

L–R Stacey Sereda and Angela Friggstad, owners; Karley Simpson

QUALITY & TASTE MADE EASY

BY PAUL SINKEWICZ PHOTOS AIMEE LAUREN LESLIE

I

t didn’t take much to convince two busy mothers that Clancy’s Meat Co. would succeed in Saskatoon.

Angela Friggstad and Stacey Sereda knew what it’s like to work and manage a busy home life. The idea of opening a prepared food franchise resonated with the sisters.

“It was a concept we really liked because we both have small children and busy households, and Clancy’s provides food that is partially prepped,” says Friggstad.

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The partners first saw a Clancy’s Meat Co. store in Regina in January 2012. They visited the new outlet, tried the food, and met with the president of company as potential franchisees.

After being approved to open the first Saskatoon store, Friggstad and Sereda travelled to B.C. to train, working in an local store. They saw how the food was prepared and learned how the business works.

The Saskatoon store opened at its McOrmond Drive location in December,

2012. “It’s been really good,” says Friggstad. “There are a lot of things happening out here, there is good traffic and lots of people living out here. We have Willowgrove and Arbour Creek nearby, and now the new Evergreen neighbourhood is growing.”

The business has quickly earned regular customers, despite only being open for a few months. “They like the convenience of stopping off on their way home from work and being able to grab something and get home and immediately be cooking. And we’ve had a lot

of positive feedback about the taste and the quality of everything.”

Friggstad gives the example of the chicken, which is all-natural, free-run chicken. “It has no added water or salt, so we get lots of comments from people that it tastes better than the chicken they’re used to buying. It doesn’t shrink and end up in a pool of water.”

Clancy’s Meat Co. began in Langley, B.C. in 1997, quickly growing to eight stores.

In 2008 the company decided to combine fresh and frozen prepared meals and has since expanded at a rapid pace.

The convenience of Clancy’s is not only a boon for families, but is a great for busy singles and couples who have little time for food preparation. The fresh and frozen meals come in single or multiple-serving sizes. Aside from prepared entrees, there are a wide variety of seasoned meats, side dishes and desserts.

The mission statement of Clancy’s is to offer healthy, delicious and unique meal options to consumers. The company touts its menu as inspired by the West Coast, and says it is continuing to craft recipes that reflect a passion for providing a memorable dining experience.

With consumers becoming more health conscious, the goal is to constantly develop its selection of organic and preservative-free products.

Friggstad and Sereda are excited about the new products that are coming out soon, including a $3 tri-tip steak.

“We’re looking forward to spring and barbecue season, and of course our grand opening celebration.” FLS

Clancy’s Meat Co. 130-1844 McOrmond Drive 306.974.6328 Saskatoon@clancys.ca www.clancysmeatco.com

OPEN yourself

ARTS-

to the

Billeting a unique, intimate way to support performers and cultural community

By Karin Melberg Schwier

T

he late veteran television writer Madelyn Davis (I Love Lucy), my husband’s ex-mother-in-law, used to offer some blunt advice to celebrity gawkers. “They’re stars. Leave those poor people alone.”

As a writer, even a famous one, she generally went about her business without paparazzi flashbulbs or demands for autographs in the grocery store.

She sympathized with the chronically recognizable in “the industry.”

When cast and crew are off the job in a strange city, ordinary life can be difficult. Most performers want to feel a part of the local community, even for a short run, and Saskatoon has an enviable reputation in theatre circles as an accessible, friendly place to work.

Performers need a place to rest and recharge. When the curtains close, where does the talent lay its head at night?

A unique opportunity awaits. If you abide by a few common courtesies, perhaps you can put an actor, an artist, a writer, a producer, maybe even a standup comic from England in your spare bedroom.

Vancouver actor/musician Zachary Stevenson spent six weeks in Saskatoon for Persephone Theatre’s musical Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave.

Having a “home away from home” made for a stress-free stay and let him focus on his work.

“Accommodations are really important,” Zach says. “It’s crucial to have a comfortable refuge to recharge and an invitation from someone to share their home is really a special privilege.

Your health is key to a good performance.

Having the amenities you need and understanding from the people you’re staying with is key to a performer.”

British soul singer Alice Russell couldn’t agree more. When touring Canadian jazz festivals in 2009, she enjoyed Saskatoon

LEFT Zachary Stevenson in Persephone’s 2011-21 production Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave. Photo by Liam Richards.

hospitality and some “normal time.” The Jazz Festival puts performers up at the Bessborough, but Alice and her band spent an afternoon following sound check at the home of her Saskatoonborn keyboard player’s family. Just off a grueling European tour, she was happy to talk about homey comforts. Those rare opportunities to be in someone’s home even for a meal or to do some laundry, offer a brief respite.

“You feel normal even if just for an afternoon,” Alice told Fine Lifestyles.

“In Saskatoon, it was like exhaling to sit in a beautiful flower garden and enjoy home cooking,” she recalls. “Mainly tours are the tour bus bunk-backstagerestaurant dinners and maybe hotel rooms. These have their own charms, but when it’s every day for weeks, it can get very Groundhog Day minus the lovely Bill Murray,” Alice laughs.

An authentic local experience is important for some performers in a more practical vein. English stand up comic Paul Thorne, based in London, worked Saskatoon for more than one Fringe Festival and was a repeat billet with the same family.

“For someone like me who likes to integrate a little bit of local references into my material, you feel more in the thick of things,” he says. “And the more hospitable the host the more likely you are to experience things like the intricacies of the suburban yard sale or the sheer skill involved in the Bruno Cherry Pit Spitting Competition.” Paul was treated to both during his last stay.

Persephone’s Artistic Director Del Surjik says there’s another very practical reason for finding billets.

“Our ticket prices are the lowest of any regional theatre in the country and that’s deliberate,” he says. “We really believe that your economic status shouldn’t be an obstacle to having theatre as part of the fabric of your life. People will remember last season’s The 39 Steps.

You’d pay three times what we charge to see that caliber of show elsewhere.”

If performers had to stay in hotels, even if rooms were available, it would knock ticket prices out of reach.

Persephone’s audiences remember actor David Playfair in the comedy musical Urinetown. He, too, was able to have a Saskatoon “home away from home” with a billeter. He bought a bike on Kijiji, rode to the theatre on the Meewasin Trail and “fell in love with the city and the Nutana neighbourhood.” As Assistant Professor of Voice in the School of Music at Brandon University, David echoes Zachary and Alice’s yearning for a comfortable place to recharge.

“Simple things, like making tea or coffee and the homey feeling of having a comfortable chair to curl up in with that first cup in the morning makes a big difference,” he says. “You’re in a strange city when the stresses of strange coworkers—I mean that every way you can take it—and strange work with every show and role different and unknown, can really create a feeling of isolation and loneliness,” he says.

Performers are grateful for the opportunity to share someone’s home, but unless it’s handled well, it can be awkward. “When people are giving you something above and beyond, like their home and family,” says Zachary, “it can be hard to say no if the person asks you to meet some of their friends.” It’s a blurring of boundaries; an actor or musician’s very job is what others consider entertainment.

“The most important time of understanding is post-show,” says Zachary. “Certain shows can be physically and emotionally taxing, and so sometimes, you just want to go home, get a plate of nachos and watch an episode of Dexter. You want to be entertained after you’ve put out a lot of energy to entertain others.” Zachary is quick to point out how an invitation to join in for a meal or a drink on the deck is a welcome opportunity. It’s all in the timing.

Joan Adair has billeted performers since 2009, 18 from five different

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theatre companies. This season, she welcomed back actor Matthew Edison who plays ‘Algernon’ in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Persephone’s first show. Joan says sometimes actors have a “difficult lifestyle.”

“Although my book club and my family have enjoyed some special moments with guests, the guests feel free to attend or not attend such gatherings,” she explains. “When lines are being learned or when sleeping in is required after a long night at the theatre, silence rules. However, when the work is done, I might be surprised with a song and dance routine in my own kitchen!

This fall I will host an actor for the third time, and look forward with delight to theatre family coming home.”

What began as a one-off response to an emergency need from Persephone has grown into “a most enjoyable way to make a contribution to theatre,” she says.

That ‘difficult lifestyle’ is more demanding than most people realize.

Del Surjik makes no bones about the challenges. The public sees the ultimate goal—“effortless theatre”—but for actors and crew, there’s no illusion in eight-hour days, six-days-a-week, then 12-hours-a-day gigs when technical

rehearsals begin. Add to that the need for homework; going over scripts, scenes, director demands. When the show starts, so do the night shifts.

For most artists, the body and voice are the tools of the trade.

To keep those at peak performance, eating and sleeping well, and exercise are not only enjoyable but also necessary.

“A lot of performers are relatively health conscious because it has a big impact on your performance if you’re eating well,” says Zachary.

“If you can’t, you grab something fast and you’re not inspired to make good home-cooked meals if you don’t have the supplies and equipment. Even a cheese grater or a good knife is a big deal,” he says.

To have access to a kitchen, some basic supplies and the blessing to cook for himself is a big part of feeling welcome.

David agrees. “Coming home at the end of the day and being able to sit down in a relaxing atmosphere, having the opportunity to cook the kind of food I like and want, being able to make lunches to bring to work, really helped me to stay focused on my work and the roles I was playing,” he says.

To have a break and go to someone’s home “is a treasure indeed and just the tonic, allowing you to reconnect with the normal,” Alice Russell says. “I find it a welcome grounding pleasure to go to someone’s home for a night, for a supper or just for a cup of tea to recharge my road-weary batteries.”

Theatre companies have staff in charge of cast services who seek out, screen and match billeters with visiting cast and crew. Carol Affleck at Persephone not only finds accommodations, but handles all care and feeding duties, from finding loaner bicycles and cars, to recommending cafes, grocery stores, even getting an actor to a pharmacy for cold meds if need be.

When Persephone was located on Rusholme Road, a valuable bank of billeters grew over the years. Now located in the heart of the city, artists can partake in the vibrancy of a growing downtown, but a new billet catalogue relatively close by where artists can stay has to be developed.

“Directors are usually in town for a shorter period than the actors; designers are here for shorter periods than the directors, so we look for billets from two weeks all the way up to six or seven,” Carol explains. “We have a strong inventory of about a half dozen who are my go-tos. But when we did The Full Monty, we had a dozen billets for that show alone because it was a big cast.

The first half of the 2012-2013 season is going to require at least that many again.” Carol looks for short and longterm possibilities close to the theatre, preferably walking or biking distance.

It’s not a moneymaker and people need to understand the need for comfort and privacy.

Paul Thorne, for one, is grateful for people like Carol who do thorough screenings, site visits and appropriate matches between billet and billeter.

“Putting up performers can attract some strange types and there are a thousand legendary tales of hippies in Vancouver

who insist on re-using the bathwater, people who expect you to become a fully fledged family member/ babysitter/cleaner/dog walker, and performers being evicted because their Fringe show contained profanities,” Paul laughs. “My own experience in Edmonton of arriving at my billet to find a very large bloke with food in his beard surrounded by dirty plates is a prime, but thankfully, not common example. The kind of man who would spend all night watching you sleep.” Paul quickly found other accommodations.

“We screen very carefully,” Carol grins.

“And both billeters and performers know they can come to me with any issues that might arise. But it’s very rare any do.”

Del Surjik says Saskatoon is a favourite among performers. “So many actors comment on the warmth of the audiences here and they’re struck by the fact that people are so friendly and supportive, and that people they strike up conversations with at the coffee shop know what’s going on in the theatre.”

The billet connection can produce a glimpse into the world of entertainment in a way most people never get.

Comedian Paul Thorne says lasting friendships often grow.

“Performers are all different and a bit eccentric but they have some interesting tales and are, by and large, hugely grateful that someone has opened their home to them,” he insists. “Lots of performers I know have become friends with billeters and often stay with the same people every year. I did that in Saskatoon. I even

have a key to their house.” He pauses.

“Not sure they know about that though.”

Opening your home to a performer is a fun ‘feel good’ gesture and practical contribution to support your local arts community. It’s an opportunity to meet, quite literally, a changing cast of characters. By embracing the arts in such an intimate way, you just might find yourself literally embracing an artist or a rock star. Just do it discreetly. When you’re all at the dinner table, don’t make them sing for their supper . . . and try not to stare.

For billeting with Persephone, audition with: Carol Affleck, Admin Coordinator/ Cast Services, 306.384.2126, ext. 224 email: admin@persephonetheatre.org.

For next year’s Fringe Festival, Twenty Fifth Street Theatre, 306.664.2239, w w w. 2 5 t h s t re e t t h e a t re . o r g . Fo r possibilities with other theatre companies, check the web or phone book. FLS

ABOVE Persephone’s Carol Affleck and Del Surjik. “In the 2012-13 season with large shows in the lineup, there will be 64 visiting artists, including actors, designers and directors,” says Surjik. Photo by Karin Melberg Shwier.

OPPOSITE TOP “I fell in love with the city and the Nutana neighborhood,” says David Playfair, who starred in the musical comedy Urinetown. Photo by Liam Richards.

OPPOSITE MIDDLE L-R Roomies Jim Schwier and Zachary Stevenson.

Photo by Karin Melberg Shwier.

BOTTOM LEFT English Stand-up comic Paul Thorne was truly “outstanding in his field” when his billet family gave him a tour of the prairie countryside in between his Fringe performances. Photo by Karin Melberg Shwier.

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UNFORGETTABLE FINE CUISINE IN A UNIQUE SETTING

BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

W

hen it comes to fine dining John’s Victorian Steak and eafood ouse sets a precedence that s difficult to meet. e are all about great food, great service and great atmosphere, says eri ynn alton of ohn s ictorian teak and eafood ouse. erfect for that special occasion, date night or ust to get away, ohn s ictorian offers a full menu of mouth watering dishes in a relaxed and intimate setting. n oy a crisp, fresh salad followed by an entree you will never forget like the prime rib prepared to your specifications.

If seafood is more to your liking try the ictorian seafood platter featuring shrimp, scallops and giant ew ealand mussels served in a delicious black bean and ginger sauce. ho can resist the ever popular steak and lobster ooked to perfection, this classic dish will melt in your mouth and leave you begging for more. If you can t decide, treat yourself to hef ehro ahmani s feature of the month, a tantali ing entree created by the chef himself. ou won t be disappointed

L–R Nick Makohon; Jeri-Lynn Walton, owner

et s hope you left room for dessert. n oy the smooth fullness of a delightful cheesecake or the decadence of a piece of rich chocolate cake. he butter tart amb is another very popular treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth. our favourite wine, cocktail or other beverage will be the perfect accent to your dining experience. ith service that is second to none, you can set your cares aside as you unwind in the romantic atmosphere. ccording to alton, restaurant manager ick akohon and his experienced staff will treat you right all evening long. any of our servers have dedicated their career to providing excellent service in the restaurant industry, adds alton. hen you dine at ohn s ictorian teak and eafood ouse you can expect to be pampered. n oy your dinner in the comfort of the dining room or relax in the newly redesigned lounge. If booking an event or special occasion, ohn s ictorian teak and eafood ouse offers private rooms that can seat to people. ohn s ictorian is pleased to host your business dinner, anniversary, birthday, rehearsal dinner or any other special event worth celebrating. e always take reservations, says alton. he private rooms book up fast so be sure to book your reservations well in advance to avoid being disappointed. ohn s ictorian teak and eafood ouse is located at venue orth and is open onday to aturday at p.m. and closed on unday. Find them on Facebook or call . . to book your reservations today. F John’s Victorian Steak and Seafood House 2033 Avenue B North Saskatoon 306.664.2313

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COME FOR THE FOOD, STAY FOR THE AMBIANCE

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

L

ocated 11 kilometres south of Saskatoon, nestled on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, sits the Berry Barn; a unique, family-run retreat from the big city known for its tranquillity and peacefulness.

Husband and wife Grant and Natalie Erlandson took ownership of the Berry Barn in 1997 in order to support something truly Saskatchewan. “The venue was always a Saskatchewan icon where people could pick Saskatoon berries and we wanted to make sure it was here to stay,” explains Grant. Opening April 1st, once you drive in, expect to receive the official Berry Barn greeting from Shilo and Echo, the Barn’s two friendly Bernese mountain dog greeters.

Since the Erlandsons took over the business, they have introduced new

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ways to enjoy the Berry Barn. What was once a u-pick berry orchard and small cafe has turned into a 27-acre orchard with a 180-seat eatery, gift shop and greenhouse. The Berry Barn dining room offers panoramic views of the river while you enjoy home-cooked, comfort food prepared from scratch. The Berry Barn is famous for its thick, fluffy, Belgian waffles with berry topping. Other wholesome dishes include signature soups—like mushroom cheddar chowder in a bread bowl—homemade farmer’s sausage, perogies, and of course many Saskatoon berry dessert choices.

For more local fare, stop by the Berry Barn’s gift shop for items you just can’t get anywhere else. Items like Saskatoon berry jam, jelly, tea and vinaigrette, and habanero honey mustard, all made on site. Visit the Berry Barn greenhouse

to purchase bedding plants, herbs, perennials, geraniums, planters and flowers all grown and planted at the Berry Barn. Staying true to their beginnings, the Berry Barn’s Saskatoon berry orchard offers fresh berries for purchase and a u-pick area open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in July.

The property lends itself to some gorgeous views and for some, these views are the main attractions. A relaxing stroll along the river bank and some exploration through the gardens enables visitors to relax in the warmth of the Saskatchewan summer. “The water has a real calming effect. It’s just a beautiful place,” says Grant.

The gardens are also a wonderful location to celebrate special events.

Known as the Berry Patch, this cozy

nook is a landscaped area tucked away in the orchard. The Berry Patch features a lattice, chapel-style gazebo, canopied sitting and dining areas, a large deck overlooking the landscaped stream, a fire pit, volleyball court and a horseshoe pitch. It’s a perfect setting for weddings (ideal for wedding photos), family reunions, and corporate events.

Natalie and Grant would like to extend a personal invitation to all to come visit them at the Berry Barn; they’d love to see you. Call or check out their website for business hours.

Photo courtesy of The Berry Barn

You can also get your Berry Barn items year round. Just visit their kiosk in The Centre Mall. FLS

The Berry Barn 830 Valley Road Saskatoon 306.978.9797 theberrybarn@live.ca www.berrybarn.ca

BOTTOM RIGHT owners Grant and Natalie Erlandson with Shilo and Echo

Photo courtesy of The Berry Barn

Photo courtesy of The Berry Barn

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ith more than 250 courses provincewide, Saskatchewan has more courses per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Family-friendly nine-holes, destination retreats, and courses for champions; this province has one for everybody.

CALLING ALL

GOLFERS

BY ERIN LEGG

Saskatchewan also has a fairly narrow season. Depending on weather, we can expect between 150 and 180 days of golf.

This is a good reason not to waste any more time—get your equipment and your game ready for another great season on the greens.

Assess Your Equipment Bring your equipment out of hibernation with a simple once-over.

First, examine your spikes. Avid golfers may change their spikes a few times per season, while more casual golfers replace them once a year. Spikes give you increased footing and control, resulting in better quality shots. If your spikes need to be updated, do it now before the season starts.

The state of your grips has an impact on the quality of your strokes.

Examine them to see if they need to be changed. Depending on how often you golf, if your grips are more than a year old consider having them replaced. If they are still in good shape, good old hot water and a spring-cleaning is all you need to revive them after winter storage.

The grooves of your wedges and irons should be examined for wear. Worn grooves result in decreasing the spin of your shot by about half, thus making the ball less stoppable on approaches.

If it’s time to update your equipment visit a sporting store or local pro shop to test some demo clubs. Perhaps your golf game can be improved by using new equipment designed with the latest technology.

Assess Your Body Your swing is dependent on your flexibility, and your flexibility is dependent on your strength. Hopefully you were able to maintain some sort of fitness regime over the winter months to keep your body limber. If not, it’s not too late to shape up. Give your body a chance to get back into the “swing” of things. Simple stretches can revitalize your back and shoulders, giving you a greater range of motion when you swing. Slow and steady practice swings lead way to full speed and full length swings.

Cardiovascular exercise should be part of any golfers fitness routine. By increasing your stamina with various activities— think running, walking, cycling or even weight training—you are giving yourself the opportunity to play longer and better.

Assess Your Game Over winter, your short game may have hit the road, finding refuge in some warm exotic fantasy. With early season practice you can quickly regain your putting skills and get better control of your distance judgments. Vary the length and speed of your practice putts until you feel your game falling back into place.

Improve your long game by focusing on your backswing and downswing. Turning both your hips and shoulders builds up the maximum potential energy in your backswing. Following through with your downswing—turning respectively your hips, shoulders, arms and club—adds distance to your tee off.

Of course, taking your game to the next level can be reached easily by taking lessons. A golf pro can assess your current game and work with you on reaching your golf goals for the year.

Make sure you schedule time to practice, following up on the pro’s tips. After all, we’ve all heard the mantra, “practice makes perfect.” FLS

Best is yet to come for Dakota Dunes Golf Links:

UNIQUE COURSE CONTINUES TO EARN PRAISE

BY PAUL SINKEWICZ

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Dakota Dunes Golf Links has earned notice as one of the premier golf destinations in Canada in just nine years of operation.

General Manager McLaren Taylor says what makes Dakota Dunes a great course is the layout and the quality of the course conditions. “It’s an extremely natural golf course and a unique piece of land,” says McLaren. “It’s kind of a rolling, sandy piece of land. ‘Old-world style’ is the term we use sometimes, and certainly a natural links layout.”

Golf Digest ranked it 15th on the list of the Top 30 Courses in Canada in its February 2013 issue. The honour follows similar accolades from GolfWeek and SCOREGolf in 2011, and Golf Digest named it Best New Canadian Course in 2005 after its inaugural season.

Links is a term that gets used liberally in the golf world, but is true in the case of Dakota Dunes. With sandy, rolling hills and few trees, it evokes comparisons to the wind-blown courses of seaside Scotland. “We have rolling fairways set in amongst the dunes, a mix of natural

ne of the best golf courses in Canada is open to the public, affordable to play and just 20 minutes south of Saskatoon.

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pot bunkers, and regular man-made sand traps. And the overall conditions here are second to none.” McLaren says golfers really enjoy the layout and the fact that every hole is unique.

The Dunes plays host to one of only eight stops on the PGA Tour Canada.

Now in its sixth year, the Dakota Dunes Open goes July 1 to 7, 2013, and offers a purse of $150,000 that attracts many of the best up-and-coming pros.

But McLaren is quick to assuage any concerns about the level of skill needed to enjoy an outing on the Dunes.

“Sometimes people think that our golf

RIGHT GM McLaren Taylor reviewing plans for the new clubhouse with architect. PHOTO Lisa Landrie

course is too difficult for them. But we are a public golf course and we welcome golfers of all calibers. We have five tee decks, so whatever your game, you’ll find the yardage to suit it.”

The planned 7,000-square-foot clubhouse will be a long-awaited addition, with a plan to be open for the course’s 10th anniversary in the spring of 2014.

He said the first time around the links there are few blind shots and an element of the unknown to overcome, but once golfers have been around it a few times they find the fairways are very generous and the greens are big. “Certainly the professional players that come through here each year love it. They love the conditions and they score well here,” says McLaren. “But when the wind blows it can be a completely different course.”

Another boon to the course will be the $30-million, 160-room hotel that begins breaking ground between the casino and golf course this summer. It is set to open in 2015.

Exciting times are ahead for the prairie gem.

Construction will begin in the fall on a new clubhouse, which will be designed to provide pro shop services, locker rooms, meeting space, and restaurant/ catering facilities for tournaments and special events. The current clubhouse is a cozy affair, so the club uses the banquet facilities at the Dakota Dunes Casino next door when hosting large events.

Green fees for all 18 holes at the course vary between $47 and $64. Value packs/ corporate passes can be had in 10-, 50- and 100-pass packages. The club also has a modest base of members.

“I would say for the calibre of this golf course and for the awards it has won, the membership rates are extremely reasonable,” says McLaren. FLS Dakota Dunes Golf Links South of Saskatoon on Highway 219 306.664.4653 www.dakotadunes.ca

A REAL GAME SAVER

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or over 15 years, GolfTEC has been helping golfers of all skill levels play better and enjoy the game more. Whether you are a complete beginner or an accomplished golfer, GolfTEC’s comprehensive approach to improvement can help you reach your personal goals.

At GolfTEC, we specialize in golf lessons. We utilize advanced motion measurement technology so our clients get an experience that is far superior to traditional golf instruction. We use an easy to understand, fact-based and comprehensive approach that focuses on all elements of your game. Only GolfTEC has all five factors needed for maximum improvement and lasting results.

1. Fact-based Diagnosis: An objective analysis using video, motion measurement and a proprietary database of over 150 PGA and LPGA Tour players. Our coaches use our state-of-the-art g-SWING technology to measure your swing at 24 different data points (i.e. shoulder turn and hip rotation) and then compare those measurements against the data of over 150 PGA and LPGA Tour pros to see where your swing needs work.

Our g-SWING system provides immediate and interactive feedback, auditory signals that help encourage bio-response and detailed impact analysis through our Foresight launch monitors. It’s all broken down through an easy to understand RED-YELLOWGREEN indicator system. GREEN is good, YELLOW is not too bad and RED needs some work.

2. Sequential Lessons: GolfTEC’s Personal Certified Coaches give easy to understand golf lessons that build repeatable skills and lasting results.

Our coaches are certified by the PGA of Canada and GolfTEC University in Denver. With so many interconnected elements in the golf swing, your Personal Certified Coach will use a ground-up, start-to-finish sequence that builds one ideal motion on top of another. GolfTEC also provides comprehensive outdoor playing lessons and short game instruction through our partner golf course facilities.

3. Advanced Retention Tools: GolfTEC’s online Player Performance Center

GRAND OPENING: Saturday May 11th Join us Saturday May 11th for our GolfTEC grand opening, in Saskatoon, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We will be giving tours of our GolfTEC facility and if you swing by before May 9th you can enter a team in our Fantasy Players Championship pool for a chance to win some great prizes from GolfTEC and some of our partner golf courses, as well as a Memorial Cup ticket package. On now, as a Grand Opening special, we are offering introductory swing evaluations for $99 (valid through May 11th 2013).

provides access to golf lesson history, past swing videos, coach’s comments and practice drills that reinforce elements that clients need to work on.

All of this information is posted online through private web lessons that clients can access 24/7.

5. Precision Club Fitting: GolfTEC’s club fitting process filters through more than 1,000 clubs to find the ideal match to each client’s swing. During a GolfTEC Personal Club Fitting, your coach analyzes swing and ball flight data using the best video systems and our Foresight launch monitors.

4. Video-based Practice: Learning rates are dramatically accelerated with visual feedback that positively reinforces new swing habits. All of GolfTEC’s g-SWING bays are equipped with interactive video and motion measurement feedback that clients can use when practicing.

The first step in the GolfTEC experience is a SWING EVALUATION. The swing evaluation is 1.5-hours with a GolfTEC Personal Certified Coach. Through the evaluation, our coaches are able to show clients what areas of their golf swing they need to work on and then help them determine an improvement plan that is

right for them. GolfTEC is proud to be in the River City and our center manager, Clinton Schmaltz, is excited to bring the fact-based learning that GolfTEC provides to golfers in the Saskatoon area.

GolfTEC will give all golfers interested in improving their game the tools and technology to play better and enjoy the game more. FLS

University Heights Square #150-1844 McOrmond Drive Saskatoon 306.974.2293 www.golftec.com

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EXPERTAdvice roblems and olutions for Investment Income arned Inside a Corporation earned in a corporation and flowed out to an individual as a dividend will have an additional tax cost of . per cent, resulting in an effective tax rate of . per cent.

It s the same with capital gains, but all the numbers are cut in half. he top personal tax rate is per cent. Flowed through a corporation, there s an additional cost of . per cent, for an effective rate of rate of . per cent.

Dividends – the “Prepayment Problem”

Shannon and Byron Briske Senior Financial Advisors

Assante Financial Management Ltd. 500 Spadina Crescent East, Suite 301 Saskatoon 306.665.3244 bbriske@assante.com sbriske@assante.com thebrisketeam.com he reduction of corporate tax rates has increased the advantages of leaving cash inside a corporation. nfortunately, investment income earned through a corporation is taxed in less efficient ways than personal income.

Fortunately, careful structuring of a corporate investment portfolio can help.

Income and Capital Gains: The “Integration Problem” resently, an individual living in askatchewan earning interest income at the highest marginal tax rate will pay per cent in tax. Interest income

hat about dividends from the investment portfolio In askatchewan, an individual in the highest tax bracket will pay . per cent in tax on portfolio dividends. hen a portfolio dividend is earned inside a corporation, the corporation pays a per cent tax that is refunded, but only when taxable dividends are paid out to the shareholder. his prevents any tax deferral. It s usually best to take the taxable dividends, since the per cent tax is recovered and the shareholder pays only . per cent. owever, if you don t need the cash, why pay . per cent in tax

Solution: Tax-Advantaged Investment Portfolio It s possible to structure investment holdings to turn the additional tax cost into a tax deferral, which may lead to absolute tax savings.

Deferring and Reducing Tax on Investment Income he integration problem and the prepayment problem are mitigated if

taxable distributions from your corporate portfolio can be largely deferred. nited Financial and I rivate Investment ounsel s orporate lass achieves this.

Furthermore, when you need a stream of retirement income, orporate lass makes it possible to tax the income at lower capital gains rates.

The Power of a Tax Deferral chieving a tax deferral can help you grow your investments faster because you can achieve compounding returns on that deferral. ax deferred investing may result in larger capital gains once the investments are sold; however, capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than other sources of income. hat, combined with the compounding you can achieve on the tax deferral, means that you should end up with considerably more in your pocket at the end of the day.

If you are looking for an investment vehicle with tax efficiency, per cent li uidity, and stable returns for your corporate dollars, we should talk ssante is holding a business luncheon seminar series titled ou are uccessful, ow hat hey have been hosting it in the oom at us estaurant. his series focuses on many aspects of business but especially business ownership and the potential challenges and opportunities that are present in today s marketplace. F

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ENSEMBLE Makes A Fashionable Impression As

DRESS FOR SUCCESS LAUNCHES IN SASKATOON

BY CANDACE M. FOX PHOTOS HALEY SHARP OF SHARP PHO.TOG.RAPHY

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t was a different runway at Kreos Aviation capturing all the attention March 7th. The event, dubbed ENSEMBLE, was a collaborative effort to gain awareness for the international not-for-profit organization Dress For Success that opened its Saskatoon doors in August 2012. With 200 ticket purchasers gathering together to celebrate the launch, ENSEMBLE’s highlight was the European-style fashion show with local designers, retailers and stylists showcasing this year’s hottest looks for spring and summer. However, nothing could overshadow the evening’s two beautiful honourees and Dress For Success Champions: Shannon Ford and Sarenia Rathje, both of whom shared their touching experiences and how the organization changed their lives.

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Setting the Scene Transforming a space from aviation hangar to chic fashion boutique and runway is no easy task. With a little blood, sweat and tears—not to mention five luxury Mercedes-Benz models, martini flowing ice sculptures, posh lounge areas, sleek pop-up retail shops, crisp white linens, fresh flower arrangements and rows of stylish seating, each adorned with a stuffed swag bag—the room captured the ambiance set out by the ENSEMBLE organizing committee.

As ticket holders flowed into the luxurious space, they were welcomed with gourmet food prepared by The Hollows, Duck Duck Goose, Sushiro and Chef Jenni. To refresh the palette, beverages were available via Great Western Brewing Company, Select Wines & Spirits and LB Distillers

Saskatoon. Tantalizing the ear drums while people socialized and took in the space, were two of Saskatoon’s top DJs, Chris Kleiter and Michael Wyant, both of whom tracked the music throughout the fashion show and dance entertainment.

A Fashionable Feature Rows of chic white garden chairs filled as the evening’s featured entertainment and fashion show was set to begin. With the beautiful Cynthia Block hitting the runway as emcee, the show unfolded with heightened excitement. The fashion show opened with a choreographed dance performance by Saskatoon’s own The Dance Project. The group comprised of Ashley Berrns, Braiden Stevenson, Andrea Fontaine and Kelly Woodley took to the runway, performing a beautiful contemporary dance, setting the tone for an already unique experience.

ovation and closed the show in line with the models, hand-in-hand. Sharing their stories to an attentive audience, the two received flowers and thanked members of Dress For Success Saskatoon sitting in the crowd. It was an unforgettable moment for both ladies, humbled by the attention, as well as a great spotlight on Dress For Success and what they can achieve with the community’s support.

Making It Possible The evening’s two main organizers were Cameco’s Jonathan Huntington and Kinetic’s Lori Leach who were brought together by the Dress For Success board of directors to create a unique and memorable launch party.

“The event could not have happened without volunteers or our committee,” insists Huntington. With an organizing committee comprised of Jacqueline Conway, Leane Durand, Mandy Pravda, Jarrett Goettler, John Green, Justin Holmes, Candice Keays, Karen Lendzyk, Trina Sikora, Carol Tebay, Claire Underhill and Wanda Underhill, the evening was an absolute success. The models’ hair and makeup was courtesy of some notable industry leaders in Saskatoon, including Alicia Austin’s team from Capelli Salon Studio (hair), Holly Decker of Holly Decker Makeup Artistry (makeup) and Sabrina Frederick, freelance makeup artist (makeup).

ABOVE LEFT Dress For Success honorees Shannon Ford and Sarenia Rathje

The show’s opening designer was one of Saskatoon’s brightest and talented artisans: Laurie Brown. Showing her spring/summer 2013 collection, the crowd watched as colourful printed dresses and skirts swept the runway followed by bright trendy skull-printed tees anchored by male inspired pants.

Teaming up with Sova Design, models wore fedoras from Sherri Hrycay’s male hat line—the combination was undeniably genius.

Next on the fashion show roster was retailer Ultimo Euromoda. Models showcased the store’s men and women spring/summer 2013 collection.

Offering a variety of looks from casual to professional, the audience got a sneak peak at what to expect when visiting Ultimo’s downtown location this spring.

An interlude dance performance by The Dance Project entertained the crowd before Rack & Ruin’s Shallon Dahl gave the audience a taste of summer.

Models wore short denim jeans, bright flowing tanks, and an adorable strapless, sweetheart neckline dress—floral in print and bustling out at the waist. Shoes matched outfits perfectly as models wore selections from Durand’s.

The Dance Project hit the runway one last time before Era Style Loft closed the show.

The retailer wowed the audience with some amazing dresses, including a gold sequinned dress by BCBG Max Azaria.

The two models garnering the most attention, dressed by Era Style Loft, were the evening’s Dress For Success Champions, Shannon Ford and Sarenia Rathje. Both hit the catwalk to a standing

Ensuring focus was on one thing only, no sponsors, committee members or event participants spoke or gave presentations for a reason. “We didn’t want to lose site of the charity,” states Lori. As a collaborative effort, both Jonathan and Lori agreed the evening flowed perfectly and everyone came together seamlessly to give Dress For Success the attention and event it deserves, raising an impressive $40,000. With talks of ENSEMBLE becoming an annual event focused on the not-for-profit organization, both Lori and Jonathan agree, “It’s really up to Dress For Success.”

To learn more about Dress For Success, how to volunteer and all other pertinent information, please visit their website www.dressforsuccess.org/saskatoon.

Dress For Success Saskatoon 306.343.7337 saskatoon@dressforsuccess.org

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Right advisoR key to financial success

by Paul Sinkewicz photos HeatHer Fritz

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inancial advisor Joe LaPointe knows how to succeed in the very competitive field of financial services.

he important thing if you want to remain in business is to make sure you provide your clientele with a level of service that s second to none.

That philosophy has guided LaPointe since he began selling personal insurance in 1968, and has driven him to build what he believes is the most client-driven financial services company in askatoon.

LaPointe started his career with New ork ife a company noted for an exceptional training program that turned out exceptional advisors. ut it was an era with fewer choices.

Advisors had to sell only the products their company offered, which were not necessarily the right price or fit for a client. a ointe chafed at the limitation and started looking at other companies to give his clients a value added service. I was dealing with farmers and schoolteachers, blue collar workers and businesspeople all with different insurance needs. hat was missing were the options to meet those individual needs.

LaPointe decided he wanted to be an insurance broker in more than just name, so in 1979 he struck out on his own and ll ask Financial was born.

By giving choices to his clients, LaPointe was bla ing a trail in the industry. I was considered a rebel back then because I was working on my own, he says. ut All-Sask Financial Team FACING PAGE L–R Joe and Marc LaPointe.

Photo provided by All-Sask Financial

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to it. I now get to apply my knowledge and expertise to serve my clients. It is a very satisfying and rewarding career. a ointe also keeps busy with a variety of philanthropic endeavours. In the past he has served on the board of the t. aul s Hospital Foundation, worked on many fundraising initiatives, and continues to be dedicated to his weekly visits to the hospital to chat with patients, some in the palliative care ward. hey need to know there are people out there that care about them, he says.

He is currently spearheading an exceptional event vening nder the tars, featuring eans n lassics music of ueen with the askatoon ymphony rchestra to be held at the hitecap akota First ation sports grounds.

The outdoor concert event is planned for ugust , to correspond with a full moon. et proceeds go to fund the electron microscope through the t. aul s ospital Foundation.

I wasn t worried, because I knew what I could do. hat he had struck upon was a new model for offering insurance in askatchewan clients could peruse a menu of options from different companies, and LaPointe would match a policy to their particular needs. a ointe is also a sage advisor on all manner of investments and financial services.

His client-driven philosophy has served him well for almost years. e s built a track record of integrity of which he s extremely proud.

“Our business isn’t just about insurance and investments, says a ointe. ur business is all about building relationships long term. I m not interested in you doing business with me for two or three years.

I m interested in you doing business with me until one of us passes away. ne huge key to the success of the approach LaPointe takes is the personali ed service he offers. he global financial crisis is a case in point. hen other financial advisors were popping antacid tablets and ignoring their ringing cellphones, he was reaching

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out to his clients, providing peace of mind and reassurance, calming frayed nerves. verything we do is predicated on trust, says a ointe. e talk about trust; we talk about integrity; we talk about service.

If you can t offer those things to your clients, you should not be in the business. hat is the bottom line. a ointe benefits from a wealth of knowledge that comes from being a general practitioner, staying on top of market trends and serving a diverse clientele.

hile a ointe has continued to serve his clients as an insurance and financial advisor, the company has also grown and evolved into a managing general agency. he , ll ask Financial, acts as an intermediary between the advisory team and a number of insurance companies in anada. It offers a full complement of services including financial planning, tax preparation, notary and an in-house mortgage broker. oe a ointe and his team at ll ask Financial welcome the opportunity to provide clients with the financial advice they deserve. F

He makes sure he has all the products he needs to serve his clients.

“Our industry is changing so dramatically, it s unbelievable, says a ointe. hen I get up every day I m probably more excited than when I started and that s over years ago. on arc a ointe oined the business two years ago upon completion of his achelor of ommerce degree. e brings with him expertise in alternative investments called xempt arket roducts. e is licensed to offer his clients options like land development, energy and notes. I m really en oying it, says arc. f course, I ve really always been in the industry. I grew up listening

Joe LaPointe All-Sask Financial 150-1810 8th Street East Saskatoon 306.244.2424 www.all-sask.com

The Value of Attending Conferences

Laura Small, CEO Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. 108-502 Cope Way, Saskatoon 306.477.7173 100-1919 Rose Street, Regina 306.359.9732 info@womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca www.womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca

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professional career. They provide the opportunity to expand your business knowledge and network.

Some of the reasons to attend conferences: 1. You have the chance to learn, not just about business itself, but how others have endured the process of becoming an entrepreneur, ultimately furthering your business.

omen Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan is holding its Annual Business Conference, “Business Solutions for Success,” on May 9 and 10, 2013 in Saskatoon at TCU Place. This annual conference is designed to bring together business and professional women from across Saskatchewan to help make connections, build relationships, create opportunities and leave motivated.

Along with gaining tremendous insight from featured speakers, participants have the opportunity to increase business knowledge and motivation by being engaged in two days of networking and learning.

2. You have the chance to share and give back to the business community.

Everyone has something to share, and at conferences you have the opportunity to disseminate your knowledge and expertise to other delegates.

Attending conferences is extremely important, no matter where you are at in your entrepreneurial journey or

5. Conferences open you up to new possibilities, new ideas and new projects that could potentially impact your business.

3. Keynote presentations. These speeches are particularly important and a way to get advice and useful tips from some of the leaders in the field—tips that you can share with the team back at the office.

4. Ever feel like you are alone and isolated at work? That no one else really understands what you do? Not at a conference. This is one of the few opportunities to be around people who genuinely understand what you do. It’s inspiring!

6. Abundant networking opportunities.

Meeting people at a conference expands your network and your circle of influence.

You may find a prospective client or an ideal employee in the process.

7. You will leave feeling energized, invigorated and inspired. You will be jumping at the opportunity to get back to work.

The Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan present the following topics at the Annual Business Conference—May 9 and 10: • Balancing Life With Humor: We are All Jugglers and the First Ball to Drop is Usually Our Own • What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business • How to Increase Sales • Choosing the Right Growth Strategy • Maximizing the Profit Potential of Any Business • Banking for the Entrepreneur • Panel Discussion on First Impressions, Communication Skills and Confidence For more details, a conference schedule and to register, visit www. womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca.

Registration closes May 3, 2013. FLS

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TALES OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS

BY ERIN LEGG

Barr’s Jady Babys took home the top prize for the 2013 MOMpreneur® Award of Excellence, a cross-Canada celebration of mothers/entrepreneurs and innovative businesses.

“People say, ‘How do you find the time?’ I say, ‘My house is a mess and I don’t sleep!’”

In May 2010, Barr created the Facebook page, Jady Babys, and the rest is history.

“The fans just started coming in. My following is very active—they have a lot invested in my business. It just happened way faster than I can imagine.”

For her, it was a way to make money while staying at home with her kids. Barr admits, “I have no business or marketing background. I didn’t go to college. I am one person. I do my own shipping. I do my website. I do all my designing, marketing, social media – everything. I do all my manufacturing.”

Each pair of Jady Babys boots is made

by Barr to-order, with custom fabric and sizing. Jady Babys’ customers come from around the world, including England, Australia, Africa and Denmark. “Most people find me on Facebook,” she says.

She laughs, when I asked her where she finds the time to create her beautiful products amongst her time as a full-time mother. “I was sewing during nap time, but now that I have two [kids], I get up at 4 a.m. Sometimes I stay up until midnight.

I am backed up to September right now. I have almost 200 orders to complete at the moment! It takes a lot of time: each pair is very intricate and detailed.”

Jade Barr, Owner of Jady Babys

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t 23 years old, no money, and with donated fabric, expectant mother Jade Barr started sewing.

“I made boots around little plastic feet that I had gotten with a pair of socks from my mom. I’ve been sewing since I was 11, and I’ve always had a thing for design. It was a fun and unique product to make.”

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After posting a photo of the boots to Facebook, someone commented that she wanted to buy a pair of Barr’s creation for her own child. “I thought, ‘Hmmmm…’”

Barr laughs. “I started using money from orders to buy more fabric, and I’ve never actually put a dime into my business! It just kind of grew itself. It’s literally grown from nothing into MOMpreneur® of the year.”

If Barr was to give advice to another entrepreneur, what would it be? “I say, do whatever you think is best for your business and your family. I guess that would be following your gut. Some people are just natural at what they do, and I think running a business is probably one of those things: either you’re good at it or you’re not.”

Barr has big things planned for the future of Jady Babys. “This is what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m definitely waiting for the next big thing to happen.”

She has pitched to the Dragons on the television show Dragon’s Den, and is currently planning how to expand her business further. For more information on Jady Babys, like the Facebook page: Jady Babys – soft soled boots.

laugh, he notes, “You’re not just selling your product, but you’re selling yourself.”

So what kind of marketing or business experience does it take? Do successful entrepreneurs need a commerce degree? An apprenticeship under an industry leader?

“I have no business and marketing experience. That is one of the things that I’m trying to learn!” he laughs. Well-known artist, Glen Scrimshaw, has coached Hastings with marketing tips after meeting at an art show. Hastings also stresses the power of Facebook. “I have found Facebook has been fantastic. Most of my sales have been through Facebook. With a website, you have to drive people there. With Facebook, you post and people see it.”

Soon on Hastings’ horizon is a big move. His family purchased an old church in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan and is renovating the back two thirds to be living space and the front third to be his gallery and art studio.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he says.

“The downside about having my studio in the living room [right now] is there are a lot of distractions. I’m really looking forward to having my set-aside studio.”

Hastings has also partnered with Saskatchewan author, Wes Funk, for an exciting collaboration with Funk’s previously released novel, Dead Rock Stars. Hastings is in the midst of creating drawings to accompany each of the chapters in the novel. “Every chapter is a title of a different song,” he explains. “So I’m doing a picture for each one—26 chapters.”

Kevin Hastings, Owner of Art by Kevin Hastings

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eet Saskatoon-based graphite and charcoal artist Kevin Hastings. “I’ve always been drawing, since as long as I can remember,” he laughs. On being an artist, Hastings says, “The artist or person making the picture tells half the story. The other person looking at it, something resonates inside of them, and they’re telling the other half of the story. If you don’t have some sort of emotional connection to it, then you’re not going to produce art, you’re just going to produce a picture.

Hastings credits his drive and his success to his family. “I was working at a job I enjoyed, but as time went on, the less I enjoyed it. My wife [Loretta] had been encouraging me for years: ‘Why don’t you do art? You’ve always wanted to do this.’ And other people kept telling me, ‘You’re really good.’ With my wife’s encouragement I thought why not try for something that I really enjoy?” He pauses and adds with a smile: “Loretta’s my harshest and best critic.”

It is not difficult to fall in love with Hastings and his work. With his signature

Hastings pauses and offers advice to anyone else thinking about going into business for themselves: “Do it! Chase your dreams with all you have. There are far too many people out there quietly passing through life without ever having lived. We are meant to follow our passions – that is why we have them. The success is secondary to the feeling of accomplishment at following your own path. Seek out and accept good guidance when it doesn’t require a compromise of what you know you are meant to do. Stay true to your own calling and everything else will come as it is supposed to.”

For more information on Kevin Hastings and his work, like his Facebook page: Art

by Kevin Hastings. FLS

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2013 SASKATCHEWAN

OIL & GAS

SHOW

ATTENDANCE IS FREE

56

JUNE

EXHIBITOR SPACE IS SOLD OUT

&

EXHIBITION GROUNDS, WEYBURN

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE ONLINE AT WWW.OILSHOW.CA WEYBURN OIL SHOW BOARD Tanya Hulbert, Administrator P.O. Box 1450, Weyburn, SK Phone: 306.842.3232 | Fax: 306.842.3265 skoilshow

EXPERTAdvice Keeping the Family Cottage in the Family

means that the transfer of the cottage to the children may not be exempt from tax.

Over the years many cottages and other vacation properties have increased significantly in value and are now worth substantially more than their purchase price. At death, 50 per cent of this increase in value is subject to taxation.

This could trigger a significant capital gains tax liability for your estate.

Leeann Chesky, Financial Advisor Manulife Securities Incorporated 600–350 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon Branch: 306.933.2410 Direct Line: 306.955.2004 leeann.chesky@manulifesecurities.ca

If your estate does not have sufficient assets, it may be forced to sell the cottage to pay the tax, which means the cottage would not stay in the family.

It’s a tax time bomb that many people are simply unaware of.

Example Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian investor Protection Fund.

F

or many individuals it is important that the cottage stays in the family so that their children (and grandchildren) can continue to enjoy it.

When you die, assets can be transferred to your spouse tax-free, but a transfer to your children may trigger a capital gains tax that must be paid before the children (or their heirs) can enjoy the property.

While a principal residence can be sold tax-free, this usually applies to the family home and not the cottage, which

Sara, a 65 year old widow, owns the family cottage and wants to make sure that it passes to her children. She is concerned about the impact of the potential tax liability at death.

If Sara were to sell the cottage today she would trigger tax payable of $90,000, which could be reduced to $18,000 per year if spread out over five years. The mortgage payments could be used to pay the tax for the first five years and then to fund her retirement.

Original Cost

FMV Today

Conversely, if Sara transferred the cottage 20 years from now at death, it would result in a tax liability of $338,303.

If her estate has insufficient assets to pay the tax it may be forced to sell the cottage instead of transferring it to her children as she had intended.

So, paying some tax now could save Sara’s estate a lot of taxes at her death—a fact that may decide whether the cottage stay in the family.

Ideal Candidates Individuals with a home and a cottage: • who want to pass the cottage on to the next generation • who would like to cap their tax liability on the cottage • who could use some extra retirement income

Take Action If this strategy is right for you, you should: • set the sale price at least equal to the FMV of your cottage • take back a mortgage from your children with payments structured over at least five years • consider forgiving the mortgage in your will so that your kids will receive the cottage free of any debt FLS

Capital Tax Payable Furture Value in 20 Years Gain Today Today (on Death)

$100,000 $500,000 $400,000

$90,000

$1,603,568

Capital Gain in 20 years

Tax Payable in 20 years

$1,503,568

$338,303

(on Death)

FineLifestyles

(on Death)

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STATE-OF-THE-ART NETWORK SOLUTIONS

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS BY IMAGES BY GILLES AND NADINE PEPPLER

E

stablished in 1994 by Aaron Grohn as a division of Industrial Electric (Weyburn) Ltd., Comtech has offices in Weyburn, Saskatoon, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Nisku, Vancouver and Chicago, with customers across North America.

Specializing in industrial communication technologies and integration, Comtech provides engineering, implementation, construction and maintenance services, while ensuring exceptional quality for high performance systems and networks.

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Comtech offers Wireless Network Field Service, including system integration and maintenance of wireless networks ranging from 150 MHz to high frequency microwave systems. Their technicians and technologists are specifically trained to meet the needs of their customers’ networks.

Comtech is an industry leader in automation/SCADA system implementation and support, wireless carrier public infrastructure construction

programs, large scale enterprise communication turn-key solutions and enterprise solutions for Corporate Wide Area Networking. All Comtech technicians and technologists are experienced tower riggers.

The company’s professional services can offer your company system engineering and design, RF network design, project management, construction management, network troubleshooting and maintenance and communications

consulting—all with an experienced telecom CAD team.

Network management is also available with the Comtech Network Operations Center in Calgary, where customer networks are monitored 24/7.

The Comtech staff—more than 120 people companywide–are supported by a cultured and proficient sales team that can tailor a designed solution that meets or exceeds the desired application. With the available resources of the sales team and sales engineering support, a positive customer experience is guaranteed from project start to finish. The company works with all the major cellular carriers in Canada and the US. Their experienced team of professionals keeps customer downtime to a minimum, and they are fully committed to corporate safety.

Comtech is a COR-certified organization and committed to the industry’s highest safety standards. The company has implemented a Leadership for Safety Excellence level of proficiency for

management and supervisors, and all employees are fully safety certified.

To learn more about Comtech and what they can do for your company, visit their website at comtech.ca. FLS

Comtech Ltd. 14-3111 Millar Ave Saskatoon 306.249.2300 Fax 306.249.2323 1120 East Avenue Weyburn 306.842.3066 www.comtech.ca

TOP LEFT Comtech Saskatoon Training Center, Calvin Foltz TOP RIGHT L-R Comtech Weyburn office staff, Melissa Hoffman, Aaron Grohn, Richard Henning, Denise Mohr, Melanie Bennett, Taylor Mallory MIDDLE L-R Comtech Saskatoon, Calvin Foltz and Greg Cowell

SELECTING AND BUYING PAINT OR STAIN

BY SHELL BUSEY

T

he Government of Canada introduced regulations aimed at protecting the environment and the health of Canadians from the effects of air pollution. These regulations reduced the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were allowable in alkyd paints, varnishes and wood stains. As of September 2012, paint retailers are no longer able to sell items that do not comply with the new regulations. Most manufactures have been able to create water-based products of a similar or better quality to replace the previously sold alkyd oilbased products.

Step 1: Choose the Gloss Gloss is the amount of “shine� the paint has when it dries, ranging from flat (no gloss) to high gloss.

Flat-to-low gloss finishes are the most popular paints and stains for siding and fences. Gloss paints are popular for doors, railings and trim and on areas exposed to high traffic or abrasion. Gloss and semi-gloss finishes are tough and durable and are characterized by a sheen that results in a cool, crisp finish that reflects light.

Step 2: Choose the Paint Type Paints are designed to be used on certain surfaces and to perform well under different conditions.

Latex (water-based): Easy to apply and clean up, low odour, quick drying, durable, it can be applied to partially moist surfaces; it resists peeling and chalking and is flexible. Second coats can be applied within two to four hours of the first coat. Available in many glosses and sheens, it is ideal for siding, fences, stucco and masonry.

Enamel: A glossy finish that is tough, durable, smooth and impact resistant.

Enamel finishes are available for a wide variety of surfaces including surfaces such as metal and pipes.

Wood Stains: Paints cover the surface, but stains soak in and allow the natural texture of wood to show. Stains are popular for textured wood surfaces.

They are ideal for wood siding, shingles, shakes and fences.

Solid Colour Stains: Penetrate and cover the natural grain of wood, but allow the natural texture of the wood to show. Use on new wood or previously-stained surfaces.

Semi-transparent Stains: Penetrates the surface of the wood to protect and colour, while letting the natural grain and texture show. They are ideal for new wood or over previous semi-transparent stained surfaces.

Specialty Paints: For decks, driveways, machinery, masonry and rusty surfaces.

Be sure to choose the right type of paint.

Step 3: Choose Primers Primers seal the surface and help form a tight bond between the topcoat and

underlying surface material. Primers should be applied to surfaces that have never been painted and areas that are bare or have been patched. There are products that are considered “twoin-one,” serving the purpose of both a primer and paint.

The two key factors in primer selection are adhesion to the surface and compatibility with the topcoat. The paint you choose will usually identify a recommended type of primer on the label.

Step 4: Finalize and Select Your Colours Step 5: Buy Your Tools and Materials Make sure you buy the best quality tools that you can afford. Top quality tools will save application time and achieve better results. Most jobs can be done with a few quality tools including one or two premium brushes, a sturdy paint tray that can be attached to a ladder, and one or two good rollers. Check with your paint store to see what tools they recommend for use with the products you have purchased.

Shell Busey

For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s AskShell webcast, go to www.AskShell.com. FLS

Helps Bring Aura to Your Home

BY ERIN LEGG PHOTOS AIMEE LAUREN LESLIE

A

nyone shopping for paint recently has probably noticed the label ‘no-VOC.’ Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are pollutants in paint that cause off-gassing. Lowor no-VOC paints are considered a much safer choice for you, your family, and the environment. Current government standards require paint that is labelled low-VOC to have 50 grams per litre or less.

For more than 20 years, Ken Zurowski has owned and operated Eastside Paint and Wallpaper, Saskatoon’s signature Benjamin Moore dealer. With a staff whose experience totals more than 100 years in the industry, they know a thing or two about what they’re talking about.

I decided to ask Zurowski what the best choice is for a low-VOC paint.

“Benjamin Moore’s Aura line is our premium interior and exterior low-VOC paint,” he notes.

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Aura uses Benjamin Moore’s exclusive Colour Lock technology. “What you get are truer, richer colours,” says Zurowski.

“Low-VOC paint has been available for a few years, as long as you only wanted white. Benjamin Moore is the only company that has no-VOC colourants.

The Aura line comes out at 50 grams or less in any colour you want.”

Benjamin Moore’s Colour Lock technology also allows the paint to be washable and more durable than other brands. “You will have a scrubbable surface in any finish: flat, eggshell, satin or semi,” notes Zurowski.

“This increases the lifespan of your paint greatly.”

The benefits of Aura paint make this line a wise choice for your next painting project. Discuss your plans with the staff at either Eastside Paint and Wallpaper location. FHS

L-R Trevor Zurowski and Ken Zurowski (owner)

Eastside Paint and Wallpaper 1201A Walpole Ave, Saskatoon 306.477.5555 1-406 Ludlow Street (Erindale) Saskatoon 306.374.8888 www.eastsidepaintandwallpaper.com

EXPERTAdvice How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster

W

ith some small tweaks to how you pay your mortgage, you can take years off your amortization and reduce the amount of interest you pay. Almost every lender will offer you a choice for prepayment options and allow you to change the frequency in which you make your payments. Manipulating these will help you to maximize spending less money on your mortgage and keeping more money in your pocket.

Frequency of payments Most mortgages give you the choice of which payment frequency suits you best. The automatic choice is monthly.

Changing to a biweekly accelerated payment or a weekly accelerated payment will take years off of your amortization.

Deb Murdoch, amp Mortgage Broker TMG The Mortgage Group P: 306.933.0053 C: 306.222.7900 dmurdoch@mortgagegrp.com www.debmurdoch.ca Broker #315800 Brokerage #315872

Options that are available are: 1. Semi-monthly: Payments are half of the monthly amount and are paid twice a month. This option saves you very little money. You are paying the same amount annually, just a little bit quicker.

2. Bi-weekly Accelerated: Payments are exactly half of the amount of a monthly payment and are paid every two weeks.

3. Weekly Accelerated: Payments are a quarter of your monthly payment and are paid every week.

Prepayment Options Prepayment options allow you to pay off your mortgage at a faster rate than the original payment schedule outlined by the lender. Most lending institutions will give prepayment options of increasing your payment amount by 10 per cent and your lump sum payment by 10 per cent, or up to 20 per cent or 25 per cent respectively.

1. Increasing your payment amount: Lending institutions set the guidelines on how much and how often you can increase your payment. Sometimes you are allowed to increase once per year and other lenders might be once per term. It is lender specific.

2. Paying extra: Lenders that allow you to pay a minimum of $100 on each pay date up to the maximum allowed gives you the most flexibility in customizing your prepayment options. Some lenders will only allow payments to be made twice a year. Other lenders will allow extra payments on anniversary dates.

At Renewal Date Shorten Your Amortization If you have been using your prepayment options and changed your frequency to at least biweekly accelerated, you have already taken off years on your amortization. When you come up for renewal and assuming that interest rates are about the same, decrease your remaining amortization. This will result in your mortgage being paid off sooner.

Example As shown in the example table, if you were to change your frequency from monthly to biweekly accelerated, increase your payment by 12.9 per cent ($96.36) and make an annual lump sum payment of $2,000, you could take seven years off your mortgage and have the balance of your mortgage be $32,632 less at the end of your term.

If you would like me to help you pay your mortgage off faster, give me a call. I would be most happy to review for your current mortgage for you. FLS

Example Prepayment Options 20/20

The Mortgage Group Prairies Inc.

Scenario 1 5 year term mortgage of $315,000; 25 years AM; rate 2.99%; monthly payment Scenario 2 5 year term mortgage of $315,000; 25 years AM; rate 2.99%; biweekly accelerated Scenario 3 5 year term mortgage of $315,000; 25 years AM; rate 2.99%; biweekly accelerated; increased payment by 12.9% Scenario 4 Same as scenario 3; $2000 annual lump sum payment Scenario

Mortgage Interest Amount Rate

1

$315,000 2.99%

2

$315,000 2.99%

3

$315,000 2.99%

4

$315,000 2.99%

Payment Frequency

Payment

monthly

$1,518.89

$43,539

$269,193

$744.55

$42,899

$261,107

$840.91

$41,929

$247,611

$840.91

$40,880

$236,561

biweekly accelerated biweekly accelerated biweekly accelerated

Interest Paid Balance at Amortization Over Term End of Term

FineLifestyles

25 years 22 years 2.8 months 18 years 9.7 months 18 years

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PERHAPS EVEN MORE fab fa ulous THAN THE DRAPES IS NOT HAVING TO HOIST 20 POUNDS OF SAMPLE BOOKS YOURSELF.

CTICAL R HOME The best in custom blinds & window coverings

Service is always in style SCHEDULE A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION 1- 888 -98 - BUDGET | BudgetBlinds.com We're all for empowerment and a can-do spirit, but choosing, measuring and installing window coverings is something that’s best left to the pros.

Precisely why you’ll love working with the design consultants at Budget Blinds. We’ll bring samples, swatches and styles to you, so you can see how they look in your home.

KIM LANG

Budget Blinds Saskatoon

Sure beats running from store to store or taking your chances online. We’ll measure your windows, do the ordering, inspect your window coverings on delivery, bring them to your home, install them perfectly and empower you with our "No Questions Asked Warranty"†! It’s never been easier to get exactly what you want. Let’s get started on your new window coverings, together!

102–2834 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon | SASKATOON: 306.242.5706 | BATTLEFORD: 306.445.4689 PRINCE ALBERT: 306.953.0047 | Fax: 306.242.5707 | www.budgetblinds.com

EXPERTAdvice Preparing Your Home to Make a Lasting Impression

Jacquie and Derrick Chilliak CENTURY 21 Fusion Jacquie Chilliak 306.222.7211 Derrick Chilliak 306.230.6919 saskatoonrealtor@aol.com www.chilliakhomes.com

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any potential home sellers often ask me why some homes sell quicker than others. There are many reasons that impact how quickly a home sells—price, condition, time of year, personal motivation and location. Often though, it deals specifically with what type of impression your home has left with a prospective buyer. Because we are heading into the spring market and the time of year that most potential sellers consider as the time to sell, we are going to share some helpful hints that will set your home apart from others.

1. Determine when you want to actually have your home ready for the market prior to the time you would like to have that “For Sale” sign installed.

This is important. Preparing your

home can take time, and delays can impact the number of homes you may be competing against.

b. Oil and grease door hinges and locks to ensure REALTORS® have fight free access when showing.

2. Have a professional REALTOR® come into your home and give you some advice on what upgrades may be required and should be done to give you good return per dollar invested. This will assist with modernizing your home and allow you to set a realistic asking price.

c. Make the bathrooms and kitchen sparkle: wash grimy kitchen cabinets and shine up bathroom fixtures and mirrors.

3. Make your home shine from the outside in—spring-clean the exterior.

Maximizing street appeal is important to the initial first impression. a. Wash your windows. b. Dispose of any pet excrement that may have been missed over the winter. c. Power rake and thoroughly water your lawn. d. Sweep and rinse away any winter salt and gravel from driveway and garage. e. Take down Christmas lights. f. Rake out any old debris from flowerbeds, turn the beds over and plant some colourful flowers. g. Ensure your eaves and down spouts are clean and in good repair.

4. Once you have the outside shining, move inside. a. De-clutter your home and remove excess personal photographs and items of value.

d. Fix leaky faucets, replace burnt out or low-light bulbs with regular light bulbs for maximum luminance. e. Empty out full storage spaces.

closets

and

f. Make sure furniture placement allows for an open, bright feel and easy flow between rooms. g. Wash the windows, blinds and light fixtures. h. Pet lovers, put pet food in airtight containers, empty litter boxes daily and ensure pet blankets, baskets and kennels are cleaned regularly.

5. List your home with a REALTOR® on MLS®. They are trained to deal with buyer objections and provide advice to buyers. emember, the first impression of your home is often the lasting impression and if a buyer’s agent is impressed, their clients will be, resulting in a quicker sale and a higher price for your home.

For more information on what your home might need or for a professional market evaluation, please call or email us. We have over 40 years of experience and would be happy to help. FLS

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BEAUTIFY YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY

SPECIALIZING IN COMPLETE YARD CONSTRUCTION Landscape Construction

306.280.6609 | luke@city-gardens.ca | www.city-gardens.ca

FineLifestyles

LETTERS to the

EDITOR

Fine Homes takes pride in showcasing individuals, businesses and organizations within your community.

Like what you read? Have feedback on content?

Share your opinions with us at erinl@finelifestyles.ca All submissions may be edited or condensed for style, length, clarity, and legal reasons. Please include the issue for which you are providing feedback, as well as your full name and telephone number for verification.

I Will Sell Your House for 100% of Market Value or I Will Pay the Difference* “We are very pleased with The Gustus Group. They listed and sold our property in one day for the full asking price.

I would definitely use Jessica and The Gustus Group again and look forward to recommending them to my friends and family” — Bob and Lorraine

Important information you need to get the most money possible for your home…

“In today’s market, an informed seller has the advantage.”

Visit our website, www.gustusgroup.com, filled with FREE INFORMATION you need to know. You will find helpful tips and useful resources that will help to ensure you get the highest price for your home and that it sells in the shortest amount of time possible, plus ways to avoid common mistakes people make, local market trends & more…. It’s all there for free and no obligation. It is such a fantastic resource, even other local agents are using it for information when working with their clients.

* some

conditions apply

www.gustusgroup.com 306.668.1800 #1110-3530 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon

Mike Gustus, Broker

CREATING YOUR LANDSCAPE DREAMS

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS JANET WANNER

B

eautiful, lush yards and gardens don’t have to be just the domain of home design magazines and television shows. With the proper design, you can transform a backyard into a picturesque green space, with as much or as little maintenance as you like.

The starting point for any great garden is in the design.

Janet Wanner, owner of Gentle Earth Design Studio, is the person that can get you started on the path to an attractive yard, big or small. A design for the garden of your dreams takes into consideration many factors, including the size of the space, the amount of sunlight, the existing vegetation, and the amount of maintenance the

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homeowner wants to do. “The key to creating a great space is thinking about what you want, what the space can accommodate, and planning accordingly,” says Janet. “You can have a beautiful yard with good planning.”

A well-executed landscape design allows you to enjoy the outdoors, increasing the usable square footage of your home with an engaging play area, a garden space or a retreat in your own backyard for entertaining and relaxation. It is an excellent investment in your home with the value of your property increasing by as much as 20 per cent.

Janet has a diploma of horticulture from the University of Guelph and has been a

Master Gardener with the University of Saskatchewan for 20 years. “Gardening has been my passion my whole life,” says Janet. “My grandmothers, both green thumbs, instilled a love of plants and nature from a young age and it’s never left me.” She has been beautifying yards and gardens in Saskatoon for 21 years.

Whether you’re looking to start from scratch in a brand-new home, or recreating your existing space into something new, Janet can provide a scale drawing to make your yard into a functional and unique space for outdoor living.

It all starts with a consultation at your home to view the space, take measurements, and discuss what you’re

looking for. “We’ll talk about you, the yard, and what you needs and wants are,” says Janet. “After that, I go back and create a landscape design that I think will suit the space and the client.”

Janet will meet with you again to discuss her design, and make any changes that are needed. A completed drawing is finished, presented and from there, it’s time to get building and installing—and Janet can help you source the labour that can make your design a reality. A shorter consultation can provide design solutions for the DIY homeowner who needs inspiration in their yard.

With spring just around the corner, the time is now to start thinking about your landscape design. As a professional landscape designer, Janet offers a wide range of planning and design services suited to the customer’s needs. To speak with Janet about what she can do for you and your landscape, call her at 306.343.8594 or visit www.gentleearthdesigns.com. FLS Gentle Earth Design Studio 2314 Cairns Avenue Saskatoon 306.343.8594 www.gentleearthdesigns.com GentleEarthDesigns@shaw.ca ABOVE Janet Wanner, owner PHOTO BY Lisa Landrie

L–R Alana Baier, Dave Price, Tarra Unterschute

THE YOUNG, FUN ADVANTAGE

OF THE DAVE PRICE TEAM

BY PAUL SINKEWICZ PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

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hat sets the Dave Price Team apart from other real estate teams is attitude.

Call it the ‘young and fun’ advantage.

“The biggest thing for my team is we want to make sure that everyone has a great experience when it comes time for buying or selling,” says Price.

“I like to have fun in whatever I do.”

Price brings that ‘joie de vivre’ philosophy with him everyday when he goes to work with Alana Baier and Tarra Unterschute as CENTURY 21 Fusion agents. “If it’s

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not fun, it’s not really worth doing. And Alana and Tarra have the same mindset on that,” says Price.

He believes approachability and humour are big keys to making the buying or selling of a house more relaxing and enjoyable. It’s all part of the process of going above and beyond for his team’s clients—like offering free use of his sixfoot by 12-foot moving trailer. “Our team really is different from other real estate teams,” says Price. “We’re all young, we all have families and we all like to enjoy life.”

That is especially beneficial when working with younger people who may have questions about the real estate process, or helping new families find the right neighbourhood in which to raise children. “They trust us and are comfortable with us, and I take a lot of pride in that. It’s good to know that we’re helping out with one of the biggest decisions of their life. We are also going to make sure they get the best deal they can on their transaction.”

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Price has nine years of experience in real estate.

In 2008 he won his first Centurion Award as a top agent with CENTURY 21, and in 2009 he was ranked 76th in all of Canada with the firm. Two years later he teamed up with Baier, who had almost four years of her own experience in the industry.

A Team Centurion Award followed in 2011, and in 2012 Unterschute brought her sales and marketing background to complete the team.

“On my own it was pretty good, but with the team we’re able to help each other out a little bit more,” says Price. “It helps me take care of my clients with everyone being well looked after, and also frees up some quality family time too.”

Last summer the Dave Price Team joined forces with K.W. Homes, a locally owned and operated company that builds custom new homes. K.W. Homes boasts a variety of home designs, which can be custom tailored to suit specific needs.

“For a real estate agent [K.W. Homes is] a dream come true because the quality of their product is absolutely topnotch, their customer service is second to none, and they price their houses to be very affordable. They are a good group of guys,” says Price. “That makes life easy, and life should be fun. It all comes down to attitude.” FLS

The Dave Price Team CENTURY 21 Fusion 210-310 Wellman Lane 306.653.8222 thedavepriceteam@century21.ca Dave Price 306.260.1983 Tarra Unterschute 306.291.7061 Alana Baier 306.227.7313

Saskatoon’s Wiseguys Mattresses

LIVES BY THE GOLDEN RULE

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

“I

treat people the way I would like to be treated,” explains the owner of Wiseguys Mattresses, Mark Stevens. During his 11 years in the industry, Mark learned that the golden rule is not only for children, and he applied it to his own business in May of 2007.

Mark had been an entrepreneur for a number of years before getting into the industry. “I used to own a series of hotel gift shops, and one day saw an ad for a commissioned salesperson at a furniture store,” says Mark. Hired as a salesperson, Mark worked his way up to general sales

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manager. His experience as a manager inspired him to break out and start running a business his way. And that’s when Wiseguys Mattresses was born.

The business name stems from his days as a manager. Mark used to dress up in a zoot suit and often got customers just because they wanted to talk to him about his suit. He was told he looked like a “wiseguy.” Using the name, Mark played on the mobster persona to create an easygoing, comfortable atmosphere with lines like “prices you can’t refuse” and “feel like one of the family.” “I still have the suits

hanging up in the office,” says Mark.

Wiseguys Mattresses is simple: They offer a range of quality product and excellent customer service, all provided

by Mark. “I’m the owner, the sales guy and the delivery guy,” he explains. Mark handpicks the mattresses he sells and only sells the brands he knows and trusts.

Mark is an honest man and there will never be any surprises when shopping at Wiseguys. He takes the art of customer service to a new level and attributes that to what he learned as a salesperson and manager.

“Too many times employees tell customers they are bound by corporate rules and never have any authority. I hate that. I take care of everything.� Mark makes sure he sells people products that are right for them, even if that means selling them a less expensive mattress. Mark asserts that mattresses are only good if they are comfortable and has really nothing to do with price, coil count or material.

Mark has recently moved locations, just four blocks east to make room for his new bedroom centre. Along with great mattresses, Mark offers bedroom furniture for everyone from students to those in a penthouse. He will also be looking to display and sell art work from local artists.

On top of manufacturer warrantees, Mark also offers a 60-day sleep satisfaction guarantee to his customers.

He explains that if you sleep on your mattress for 60 days and it still doesn’t feel right, customers can come back in and reselect.

If you are looking for the best advice and service, give the godfather of mattresses a call or visit him at the new shop. Local artists are also encouraged to call. FLS Wiseguys Mattresses Mark Stevens 6-805 Circle Drive Saskatoon 306.652.1212 mstevens67@msn.com LEFT Mark Stevens, owner

FIND YOURSELF AT HOME

BY BROOK THALGOTT

L–R Randy Singler REALTOR‰; Heather Kehoe REALTOR‰; Chandra Classen, REALTOR‰; Myra Kirk, office administrator

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he team at Singler Real Estate Group is committed to educating, supporting and guiding you through your real estate experience.

Whether it’s a new home or an existing home, an investment or relocation, they have the knowledge, expertise and commitment to find you the perfect property for your lifestyle and budget.

REALTORS® with Realty Executives Saskatoon, Randy Singler, Heather Kehoe and Chandra Classen each bring their own skills and experience to the table when they work with clients. “We have diverse backgrounds,” says Randy. “In my former career, I was a home inspector and company owner. Heather Kehoe has experience in new home sales and marketing, while Chandra Classen holds a real estate staging advising certificate and has a background in technology. And our office administrator, Myra Kirk has a

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marketing and technology background plus real estate administration skills.”

Together, the team leverages this diverse set of skills to make every client’s experience with the Singler Real Estate Group a good one.

“Our philosophy is ‘above and beyond,’” says Heather. “By working together, we can bring more to the table than a single agent. When you work with us, you get the whole team.” This team approach starts at the client’s initial contact. Randy says, “We will guide you through the whole process and discuss what needs to be done to get your home market ready.” The Singler Real Estate Group wants to make sure every client is informed every step of the way, from calculating the value of the home to closing costs, to outlining the plans for marketing the home. “We work hard to make sure there are no surprises,” says

Heather. “We know selling a home is an emotional experience, so we keep you informed about what is going on through the whole process.”

“Our team is not just about selling homes. It’s about finding you the perfect home or investment property, whether it’s in a brand-new development or an established neighbourhood,” says Chandra. If you are a long-time Saskatoon resident or relocating to Saskatoon and surrounding area, the Singler Real Estate Group can help match you to the house, investment property, condo or townhome you have always wanted. “A home is often the single largest financial transaction you make in your life,” says Randy. “We recognize this, and as a team we’re there to get you through it all from finding the perfect home to making the offer and getting you moved.” And, for those new to Saskatoon, or even

Saskatchewan, the Singler Real Estate Group offers a stand-out program for assisting those relocating to the city.

“We pride ourselves on welcoming new residents to our community,” says Randy.

“We’re proud to serve Saskatoon and the surrounding area, and we want everyone to feel at home in their new residence and their new community.” The Singler Real Estate Group’s commitment to their community also goes above and beyond. “One of the most rewarding things a REALTOR® can do is to help families find the perfect home.

We want to take that a step further and help families prosper,” says Randy. “We have each chosen an organization that we have a personal affinity to. Every quarter, we donate $100 per transaction to one of these organizations.”

The Singler Real Estate Group is ready to help you with your home buying or selling experience. To learn more about what the Singler team will do for you, call them at 306.222.6622 or visit saskatoonproperties.com. FLS

Singler Real Estate Group Realty Executives Saskatoon 105–120 Sonnenschein Way Saskatoon 306.222.6622 www.saskatoonproperties.com

HIT THE ROAD: YOUR SUMMER OF RVing

BY CATHIE WATSON

D

iscovering the beauty that a Saskatchewan summer presents can be as easy as getting in, buckling up and letting the adventure begin. Well, it can be under the right circumstances.

Now, I am not referring to cramming everyone in the family four-door sedan, where legs can not be stretched out for fear of tipping over the cooler (usually found crammed in between the back and front seats . ith the kids fighting one another for leg and elbow room and the poor dog panting and whimpering, your trip can become a chore, not a pleasure, and rob you of the calm environment conducive to enjoying the scenery. Right?

Sound familiar? Remind you of other trips you have taken? Then maybe it is time to head to an RV dealer and check out what

options might exist to make your future road travels more comfortable, enjoyable and memorable.

There are several things to keep in mind when you consider what type of RV would be appropriate for your needs.

But before you get to choosing, there are some questions to ask yourself: How many people do you need to accommodate?

How many drivers will be sharing that duty and what equipment do they feel comfortable operating?

Will you primarily be making long or short trips (or a combo)? Or are you a “destination” vacationer with the desire for some sightseeing along the way?

How much storage room, especially refrigerated, do you require?

Will you be doing the majority of cooking inside the RV or on the outdoor barbecue?

What types of activities do you enjoy, and what equipment do you need to bring with you?

How will you keep the kids entertained during the trip and after you reach your destination?

In the event of poor weather, do you want to have entertainment in the RV (for example, a video game system, satellite TV or internet)?

What is the towing capacity of your vehicle?

What is your budget?

Having considered your needs and wants, remember that there are two broad categories of RVs: towable and motorized. Each have distinct features, advantages and benefits.

Towable RVs are designed to be unhitched when you arrive at a campsite, which allows you use of your vehicle while on site. This option is great if you need to

head into the closest town to pick up any necessities you either forgot or have run out of, or when you just want the freedom to explore locally at your own pace. Keep in mind the rated towing capacity of your vehicle—or be prepared to rent a suitable one if your unit is not sufficient.

Motorized RVs combine transportation and living quarters, and offer the added benefit of allowing towing of your personal vehicle, boat, or trailer, but are less maneuverable in some areas and some operators may find them more difficult to handle. ne important thing to consider when going with a motorized model is how you plan get around when you arrive at your destination.

A motorized RV may not be what you want to drive in remote areas or across poor roads.

Once you consider what will meet your needs and what you are prepared to spend, then grab the family, cram them in the car and hit the local RV dealer. This time, however, you can promise them it could be the last time they need to travel this way. FLS

THE ULTIMATE IN SASKATOON DRIVING

BY LORI POLLOCK PHOTOS BY MERCEDES-BENZ & AUDI CANADA

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avigating the roads of askatoon is not for the faint of heart. hether you re traversing streets that are slippery and rutted, or venturing further afield on gravel and mud this spring and summer, you need a vehicle that combines superior performance with unrivalled safety ideally one that has all wheel drive. ll wheel drive systems are designed to increase traction in slippery conditions. he idea behind them is simple enough they re engineered to transfer power from front to back and side to side as needed. It should be noted that while there are significant benefits to certain systems, they do not reduce braking distances and therefore should not be considered a replacement for winter tires. o determine which vehicles truly offer the definitive driving experience for askatoon s challenging road conditions, it makes sense to pay attention to the evidence.

AWD Systems ased on comparison between lass, , , , eries and models.

Mercedes 4MATIC Fixed tor ue split inimal fuel efficiency impact

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Audi Quattro Fixed tor ue split ptional tor ue vectoring for enhanced handling on select models BMW xDrive ariable tor ue split igher fuel consumption he fixed tor ue split in ercedes en s I and udi s uattro systems prevents angular accelerations and results in automatic and almost immediate changes in traction, thereby lessening driver distraction. raction is also improved because distribution of tor ue takes place before dangerous

wheel spin can occur. In contrast, the variable tor ue split featured on s x rive engages the system only when the vehicle senses itself slipping. hile s x rive may offer excellent handling in dry conditions, its reactive, rear based is not optimi ed for winter driving stability. In snowy conditions, the x rive more readily understeers in corners, forcing drivers to reduce speed to maintain control.

In contrast, the I and uattro technologies apply tor ue to the front tires more uickly, enabling drivers to straighten out the vehicle without changing speed. he ercedes and udi

systems receive ongoing, permanent power to all four wheels, which makes their vehicles safer than s x rive in less than ideal road conditions. In other words, they are designed for real world driving, not the racetrack. ercedes and udi engineer their vehicles to dynamically deliver improved traction on virtually all surfaces, resulting in high levels of safety and control, two powerful advantages which give drivers greater conďŹ dence behind the wheel. hese vehicles also continuously and automatically ad ust their suspensions based on road surfaces and driver actions. he results are sharper handling and reduced vibration. ranslation

nappy and responsive handling when you need to navigate around someone who s locked up the brakes in front of you and when you re not in an emergency situation a smoother, more forgiving ride. his is especially noticeable when travelling over ice encrusted snow ruts, broken pavement or uneven surfaces. his might be worth remembering the next time your teeth rattle as you drive over a pothole, or when your current the one you were led to believe is the deďŹ nitive driving machine bottoms out on snow rutted roads. hat you thought was a fantastic vehicle may not, in fact, be ideal for the conditions in

which most of us here in askatchewan actually drive.

It stands to reason that ercedes en and udi have gotten it right, because the I and uattro systems are backed by over years of research and development. ercedes en and udi pioneered the use of all wheel drive in luxury vehicles and offer a range of models with outstanding traction, precise handling and sleek style. hese vehicles deliver a superior all weather driving experience that s speciďŹ cally responsive to the ever changing but always challenging conditions of askatoon s roads. F

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PASSIONATE PEOPLE Creating that Matchless Experience

BY JULIE MUSHYNKSY PHOTOS CINDY MOLESKI PHOTOGRAPHY

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he Auto Clearing Motor Speedway is the result of a group of dedicated people who had a dream and achieved it. Initially this was a group of racing enthusiasts in the 50s called the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Club who developed a stock car racing program out of the 8th Street Racing Oval in 1962. As the City of Saskatoon continued to grow, the now Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association (SSCRA) found themselves in search of a new location. Over the years, the SSCRA moved their home two more times, once to Prairieland Exhibition in 1970 and then

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the Bridge City Speedway in Sutherland in 1971. Members of the SSCRA went to the bank and offered their homes as security to obtain the finances needed to build the track in 1971. This land was annexed by the city causing the SSCRA to organize the Track Relocation Committee. In 2004, the committee purchased land north of Saskatoon.

After purchasing the land, committee members Ron Kelly and Lewis Nugent approached business developer, Herm Hordal. From Wynyard, Herm played professional hockey for a number

of years, which turned into a career in business and marketing for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. He had a reputation for innovative business and marketing ideas and was able to assist the SSCRA in finding a way to finance a track, creating the Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in 2006. “One of the best parts is that the venue is nonprofit. No public money or grants were used in the construction. Since the 50s, this has been a project with dedicated, passionate people working together to survive and prosper,� explains Herm. The venue was made possible

by volunteers, dedicated drivers and crews, corporate sponsors and racing supporters. People like Paul and Henry Savoie at Auto Clearing Saskatoon and Cecilia Zerr and Dale Smith at Affinity Credit Union were instrumental in making things possible.

The Auto Clearing Motor Speedway is host to six classes of stock car racing from Mini Stock to Super Late Model racing, with races most weekends from May to September. It also offers orientation programs for new racers and a Junior Racing program. Praised for being one of the best paved ovals in Canada, the track events draw fans and racers as young as 12-years-old from across North America. The season kicksoff in May with the Mother’s Day opener and the most popular event each year is the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series— the Velocity Prairie Thunder—sponsored

by Bayer CropScience, in mid July.

The speedway is now a multi-purpose venue, hosting events like the Canada Remembers International Air Show in July, concerts, auto-auctions, social and corporate events. It has become a family and group entertainment facility accommodating up to 6,000 people.

For a unique and unforgettable experience as a racer or spectator or to book an event, contact Auto Clearing Motor Speedway by phone or via their website. FLS

Auto Clearing Motor Speedway 231-510 Cynthia Street Saskatoon S7L 7K7 306.956.3225 www.autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca TOP RIGHT Herm Hordal

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EXPERTAdvice Where the Rubber Meets the Road

André Lemieux Kal Tire www.kaltire.com Kal Tire (new location in Stonebridge) Melville Street 306.665.5080 Kal Tire 2907 Faithfull Avenue 306.931.7133 Kal Tire 1821, 8th Street East 306.374.2425 Kal Tire 111 Idylwyld Dr. North 306.242.5050

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ith the summer driving season around the corner, now is the time to get your car ready for road trips to the beach, the cabin or destinations far and wide.

Maintaining your tires well will help keep you on the road this summer.

Maintain proper air pressure. The most common way of damaging tires is improper inflation. Use the inflation pressure guide as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find this information in your owner’s manual, on your vehicle’s door jamb or on the inside of the glove-box door. If you have changed size or load index, ask for what your new air pressure should be. Vehicles now come equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems or TPMS. Check inflation. At least once a month and before traveling, check your ties using an accurate tire pressure gauge.

It’s best to check your tires when they are cold and make sure to check your spare tire while you’re at it.

Rotate your tires. Every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres it’s time to rotate. Each tire

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supports different amounts of weight, and your driving patterns will usually wear out one tire faster than the others. To ensure even wear, rotate your tires regularly.

Maintain proper alignment. Tires wear unevenly if the vehicle’s suspension system is out of alignment. If you notice uneven front or rear tire wear, or changes to the vehicle’s handling such as pulling to one side, have your alignment checked.

Balance your tires. Tires that aren’t balanced properly wear out more quickly and cause a vibration in the vehicle. This can lead to driver fatigue, premature or uneven tire wear and damage to your vehicle’s suspension.

Tires should be balanced when they are first mounted on wheels, when they are remounted, and at the first sign of vibration. Unfortunately, sometimes vibrations can also mean a bent wheel or wheels. This can sometimes be repaired, but most often the wheel needs to be replaced.

Tires help you get where you need to go, and taking care of your tires is one step in keeping your car in good repair all year-round. FLS

FineWeddings SASKATOON

You’re engaged… noW What? an up-Close look at three real saskatoon Weddings the Meaning of floWers Wedding goWns: top 5 trends for 2013

E

. . . d e g a ng e r ’ u o Y

NOW WHAT?

BY AVIVA ZACK

e’s gotten down on one knee and popped the big question. You’ve excitedly answered “Yes!” Once the euphoria of your new engagement has subsided, the reality of all the work that goes into planning a wedding begins to set in. Rather than be riddled with panic attacks for the upcoming months, here are some tips to help you get organized as you start to plan your big event.

The first thing to do is make a draft guest list to determine the approximate size of your wedding.

This will help you with your next important task: putting together a budget. In Canada, the average budget for a wedding is between $25,000 and $27,000, according to Wedding Planners Magazine.

Whether a bigger or smaller budget, discuss what you are comfortable spending. Do you need time to save? Will there be relatives helping subsidize the cost? Knowing what you are willing and able to spend may force you to pare down your guest list if it isn’t in line with the size of your wallet.

Armed with a budget and guest count, the search for a venue can begin. It is important to find a venue for both ceremony and reception that not only accommodates your numbers, but also the feel you want for your celebration. Approaching venues with an approximate time of year rather than a single date will make it much easier to find a venue. The popularity of Friday and Sunday weddings has increased quite a bit over the past few years, especially for those planning in a shorter time frame, since many venues are booked a year or more in advance.

Peak times of year for weddings in this area are no longer just spring and summer. More and more couples are opting for a fall wedding during September or October, when harvest is done and the leaves are in vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange.

With the date booked and venue secured, the planning can begin in earnest. The first vendor to consider is a photographer. Although there are a great many options in Nova Scotia, all with varying levels of experience and many different packages,

the photos are what will last long after the last dance is danced, so it is important to find a good one. Since your photographer will be spending most of your wedding day by your side, having a conversation to ensure your personalities and visions mesh is a good idea before putting down a deposit. Many local photographers book up a year in advance on popular weekends.

Other vendors you may then start searching for include a band, DJ, florist, officiant, baker, caterer, videographer, transportation company, stationer, ceremony musicians, a bridal salon, tux rentals and hair salon.

If the thought of all this seems daunting, there is help. There are wedding planners in Nova Scotia that can help guide you by finding available venues and reputable vendors that suit your needs. Wedding planners can also assist putting the many details together on your wedding day, running the show from behind the scenes so you can enjoy your celebration.

Another task wedding planners can help with is wedding décor. While some couples—who are we kidding: brides—are avid do-it-yourselfers, some don’t have the time nor the aptitude to put together elements that will ultimately create the desired ambiance for a wedding reception.

Popular for wedding décor in parts of Canada the past two wedding seasons has been purple, in shades ranging from eggplant to lavender. Paired with burlap for a rustic feel or with satin linens for a regal wedding, purple is a very versatile wedding hue that also matches well with many other colours.

According to websites like Pinterest, the up and coming colours in weddings are predicted to be greens in shades like mint and emerald.

Colours are not the only thing trendy when it comes to wedding décor. Themes are also making a comeback, including the Roarin’ 20s complete with feathers and flapper dresses; rustic with barn board and moss and the ceremony taking place in a barn; and vintage with lace and meaningful heirlooms incorporated into the décor.

No matter the trends, a wedding should be a personalized celebration, tailor-made to each couple in everything from location to the vendors you choose to your colours and style. Allowing your personalities to shine through and adding details big or small that speak to who you are as a couple will ensure that your wedding is your perfect celebration. FLS

WEDDING FEATURE

COME DRESS YOURSELF IN LOVE

BY BROOK THALGOTT PHOTOS DANIELLE LARSON

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ynn Ganyo and Amy Grant, a mother and daughter duo, found their way into the wedding business several years ago. Amy studied entrepreneurship after managing two local clothing stores in Saskatoon, and completed her course with a business plan for a wedding boutique. With Amy’s business plan and Lynn’s flair for fashion and design, they searched for the perfect business venture together. They fell into an opportunity to buy the Wedding & Party Boutique just over three years ago. In December 2009, Amy and Lynn purchased the long-time Saskatoon business, and set about making the boutique their very own. Today, Wedding & Party is Saskatoon’s destination for

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fashion-forward wedding gowns and bridal party dresses, not to mention wedding décor and party supplies.

“We’ve worked hard to bring Saskatoon’s brides some of the most interesting and beautiful wedding gowns,” says Amy. “We’re home to dresses by Casablanca, Jasmine, Alyce, Sophia Tolli, Jai, Moonlight, Mia Solano, and Venus, to name a few.” The boutique prides itself on carrying gowns that are just a bit different. It’s here you’ll find dresses that are more than just traditional white ball gowns; blush and champagne are popular colours in 2013, with accents like straps, lace and see-through bodices.

Wedding & Party also keeps the whole

bridal party looking fashionable, with many stylish bridesmaids and motherof-the-bride dresses for every shape and size. Wedding & Party is Saskatoon’s hidden treasure-trove of stunning gowns.

While the boutique features elegant, top-drawer bridal dresses in regular and plus-sizes, the shop’s atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The dresses are displayed in full view so every bride can get up close while choosing the gown for their big day. “You won’t find a bag over any of our dresses,” says Amy. “We want our brides to get a good look at every one when they are choosing dresses to try on.” There’s no need for an appointment, however, the boutique offers private

bookings for bridal parties. For $75, a bride and her attendants can browse after hours and enjoy champagne and cupcakes while trying on dresses.

And, Wedding & Party is also the place to find wedding décor in addition to your gown and bridal party dresses. There’s a full line of wedding rentals available, from backdrops to glassware to arches, and your rental can include set-up and take-down. The boutique can get you the perfect invitation, and help you take care of every detail right down to the guest book. Tracey, the boutique’s décor specialist, along with Stephanie, Heather, Cheryl and Shelby are ready to help with all your wedding décor needs.

Wedding & Party hasn’t forgotten the high school graduates either.

The boutique offers a large selection of beautiful designer gowns for graduation. “We carry top designers like Terani, Tony Bowls and Alyce,” says Amy. “Plus, we will soon be carrying shoes including dye-able shoes that can be customized to any dress.”

No matter what your need, Wedding & Party is there to make your day special.

“Since taking over the boutique, we’ve worked hard to make our own mark and there are more changes in store for us,” says Amy. “We want to be the destination for Saskatoon’s fashionconscious brides. The best way to see what we’ve been doing is to come in and see for yourself.” FLS

Wedding & Party Boutique 107-3521 8th Street East Saskatoon 306.477.2022 theweddingandparty.com MODELS Kayla Madder and Kami Faulkner courtesy of Masala Model & Talent and School of Personal Development RIGHT L–R Amy Grant and Lynn Ganyo, owners

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WEDDING FEATURE

Amy Stewart-Nunn, owner

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON THE ‘I DO’ NOT THE ‘TO-DO’

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS AIMEE LAUREN LESLIE AND EN VOGUE PHOTOGRAPHY

A

-List Event Design, a Saskatoonbased event management company, prides itself on creating memorable experiences for guests while helping take the stress off of their clients.

Owner Amy Stewart-Nunn has been creating beautiful events for seven years in both a professional and volunteer capacity. Her spark for event planning was first born when she started her career as a non profit campaign coordinator.

Since then she’s been able to expand her skills by planning weddings, corporate parties, fundraisers and volunteering as the Chair of Saskatoon’s Festival of Trees Gala Evening for the past two years. Amy

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decided to take her passion and turn it into a business by opening A-List Event Design last year.

appreciate working with an expert and Amy’s clients are always grateful for being able to enjoy their event, stress-free.

Hiring an event planner is no longer a luxury, as clients and brides soon realize that investing in a professional planner saves you time and money. Rather than spending endless hours researching options, A-List event planners can provide you with creative ideas within any budget. They can advise you on reputable vendors, negotiate rates on your behalf and help you avoid overspending. Available to plan events across the province, clients and vendors

One of A-List’s specialties is wedding planning. “Weddings are really your one big chance to throw an amazing party for your family and friends and it s definitely worth it to have some professional help to ensure everything falls into place the way you want it to,” says Amy. Whether you need her to plan your wedding from start to finish, you only want help with certain elements like the decor or invitations, or you just need her on your wedding day to decorate the venue and

be on site to ensure the flowers, cake and caterers arrive on time, Amy and her team are happy to be your “go-to-gals.”

Organized, professional and easy-going, Amy says she wants her brides to feel like she’s a girlfriend helping to bring their vision to life. By keeping up with the latest wedding trends like vintage this season as well as more classic wedding styles, Amy is always sure to incorporate the couples’ personality into the wedding. “I just love what I do. It doesn’t feel like work to me,” she adds.

Some of A-List Event Design’s services include venue scouting and selection, menu and bar planning, décor and staging, bridal party styling, lighting and special effects, entertainment and music, sending invitations and managing RSVPs, orchestrating the ceremony and reception . . . the list goes on.

If you’re interested in learning more about how A-List can help you plan your dream wedding or event, give Amy a call for a free no-obligation consultation, or visit their website and Facebook page for more information. FLS A-List Event Design Amy Stewart-Nunn 306.717.5308 Saskatoon amy@alisteventdesign.com www.alisteventdesign.com AListEventDesign

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WEDDING FEATURE

A PERFECT FIT

BY CANDACE M. FOX PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE MAKEUP HOLLY DECKER

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t is that all important celebration, monumental occasion or once-in-alifetime moment. The second most important part from the actual event is the gown worn. Whether it is a grad dress, evening wear or bridal gown, the fit and feel makes the occasion that much more enjoyable and stress free.

Feeling and looking beautiful all rests in how the dress fits: the structure, cut and finishing touches make all the difference. With so many varying body sizes and shapes, a standard size and cut cannot possibly accommodate every female. The need for alterations is almost always necessary as 75 per cent of gowns need to be coutured to ensure

every curve and angle of the body is beautifully emphasized.

Caroline Fay O’Sullivan is an Ireland import with more than 25 years experience in the fashion and design world. Studying at the London College of Fashion and then obtaining a threeyear interior design degree, Caroline’s creative mind and schooling have lent her well. Working under some very notable designers, Caroline realized her specialty was in gown design and alterations. While she loved her time in London, she left the bustling streets for a more serene environment and moved with her husband back to Ireland to

raise their family. Looking for a major adventure and a lifestyle change, in July of 2011 Caroline and her family moved to Saskatoon to begin an exciting new life in Canada.

Feeling like Saskatoon needed an alterations expert who was well versed in the art of assembling and disassembling gowns—especially bridal wear—Caroline opened up Caroline Fay O’Sullivan Design in 2012. Couturing dresses to fit her customers’ individual frames is something she takes great pride in. “It takes a very specific type of experience to carry out alterations on gowns and bridal wear,” explains Caroline. “I know

the make-up, structure and bones of the dress—every nip and tuck to ensure it fits and hugs the body perfectly and accentuates the waistline.” Caroline stresses the most important aspects of wearing a gown for all women include looking amazing, being comfortable and eliminating malfunctions.

Everyone wants to feel beautiful on their special occasion. Caroline ensures every stitch, seam and dart is properly placed and focus is on how beautiful the lady wearing the dress looks. Comfort is just as important. Who wants to continually pull up or down their dress, or wait with anticipation for the evening to end just to take off an uncomfortable garment?

Eliminating malfunctions is another stress reliever Caroline can promise her clients. “No hems will be tripped on or bustles falling,” insists Caroline, who notes unexpected dress happenings can be a bride’s worst nightmare.

The alterations expert also consults clients during fittings on the perfect underwear for that special dress, stating: “A good underwire bra is worth its weight in gold but not always needed in all dresses.” Caroline also gives detailed instructions on how to get in and out of a zip- or lace-up dress and the importance of having the dress at the right level, ensuring the best fit, and so it stays in place throughout the time the gown is worn.

Caroline Fay O’Sullivan Design is welcoming new clients for gown and dress alterations or for custom gown design and construction. For more information or to call for a consultation contact Caroline Fay O’Sullivan. FLS Caroline Fay O’Sullivan Design 306.203.3559 carolinefayosullivan@gmail.com

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EXPERTAdvice Time to get Bright-Eyed and Chic

motion. Pumping the applicator can trap air, breed bacteria and damage the brush.

Eyeliners: Toss after three months. Like mascara liquid liners can harbor bacteria after months of exposure and pencils will dry over time. Always sharpen your liner prior to use.

Tammy Mclean Angles SalonSpa 201 1st Avenue South (main door Midtown Plaza) Saskatoon 306.653.4247 www.anglessalonspa.com Angles SalonSpa Saskatoon

*If you have experienced an eye infection always replace your mascara and eye liner.* Lip Color/Blush/Shadow & Foundations: On average liquids have a 12-month lifespan and powders can last up to two years. Pigments may oxidize or deteriorate over time, so you may find you are having to use more product for the same coverage, leaving a more caked-on appearance and feel. This is a clear signal it’s time for a replacement.

Make-Up Brushes: Every make-up bag should carry some essential brushes.

Wash your brushes weekly using a mild shampoo, then lay them flat to dry. This will prevent breakouts.

Refresh your Make-Up Bag

M

ost make-up has a maximum one year shelf life, but some items need to be tossed before that. Here are a few tips and tricks for going through your make-up bag.

Mascara: Toss after three months.

Mascara tends to dry and get clumpy.

To keep it feeling moist and fresh always pull the wand straight out in a single

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1. Foundation Brush: More gentle on your skin causing less wrinkles over time. You will use less product being more cost-effective.

2. Powder Brush: You will use less product than a puff and it will give you a more even finish.

3. Contour Brush: Define your cheekbones.

4. Fan Brush: It can be hard to apply eye shadow and mascara without

having bits of powder and shadow drop to your cheeks. One solution is the fan brush: used with a light hand can brush those flakes off without smearing them.

5. Eye Shadow Blending Brush: This is the ultimate blending brush for eyes as it can really get into the crease and define your lid with precision.

Once you go through your old make-up you will see what you really need. Meet with your favorite make-up artist; he or she can show you what the new looks are and try out the new colours.

Always stock the basics: foundation, powder, concealer, highlighter and mascara, and add in a couple seasonal trends. This spring the trends are both cute and colourful. Multiple colors and patterns in clothing means taming the tones in your hairstyle. More natureinspired hues allow you to carry off the brighter colours for make-up. Wear rich colour on your eyes, peach, lavender, or pink on your lips. Minimal liner is right on trend, but leave your nails bold and bright.

This spring at Angles you can book a complementary mini make-up trend application, and when you mention this article you will receive 20 per cent off any Belavance make-up or brush item. FLS

Ex erience

A TRUE DIFFERENCE

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BRIDES & BRIDESMAIDS/MOTHER OF THE BRIDE We can accommodate large wedding parties, specializing in creative up-dos, gel nails, pedicures & special event make-up.

JOURNEY FOR TWO You share in each other’s stresses, so why not indulge in a room created for you “two.” Each with your own therapist, customize a package that is right for you.

BRIDE-TO-BE PACKAGE: • diamond scrub • steam shower • royal spa pedicure

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201 1st Avenue South (main doors Midtown Plaza) 306.653. HAIR (4246) Angles SalonSpa Saskatoon

www.anglessalonspa.com

Mon.–Tues.

Wed.–Fri. Saturday Sunday Holidays

9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

*enquire about our extended hours for wedding parties

SASKATOON REAL WEDDINGS

JENNIFER & BRYCE:

CLASSY VINTAGE

BY AVIVA ZACK PHOTOS DANIELLE STASIUK PHOTOGRAPHY

The Challenge: Planning a wedding in Saskatoon while living in Red Deer.

Wedding Scheme: Jen wanted a romantic and classy evening ceremony and reception using muted colours.

The Details: Leading the way to the ceremony on the Persephone Theatre’s Main Stage was a pattern of pastel rose petals. More flowers and candles created the perfect romantic backdrop for their ceremony.

Immediately after the ceremony, guests were greeted in the theatre’s foyer with champagne and customized Jones Soda. Jen and Bryce had a sweetheart table for two with DIY signs hanging on silver chivari chairs. Candles and flowers placed in silver and pink mercury glass throughout the reception added to the classy vintage ambiance.

The Celebration: There was also a huge element of fun at Jen and Bryce’s wedding reception. A personalized thumbprint tree was used as their guest book. A candy buffet got guests on a sugar high and in the mood to ham it up in their photo booth, complete with fun props.

A bucket of dancing shoes placed out once the music got pumping, ensured guests were comfortable dancing into the wee hours of the night. FLS

. . . .

ex tra or di naire adjective: outstanding or remarkable in a particular capacity

.

.

weddingplanners@sasktel.net (306)280-7797 www.blissweddingdesign.com

WEDDING FEATURE

GLOWING REVIEWS

BY BROOK THALGOTT AND ERIN LEGG PHOTOS WHITE LINEN PHOTOGRAPHY

A

dmit it: you love the sun-kissed look. Golden, glowing skin makes you feel radiant and enhances your natural beauty. What you don’t love: dangerous UV rays and skin damage including sun spots, age spots and premature wrinkling associated with sunbathing or tanning beds.

Believe it or not, it is possible to have a safe, year-round, natural glow to your skin.

Lindsay Brotzel is the star of Organic Tan, Saskatoon’s exclusive all-natural

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airbrush tanning service. An Organic Tan allows for a beautiful, customized, bronzed appearance without damaging the health of your skin. “I wanted to bring this idea to Saskatoon,” Lindsay explains, “and allow people to enjoy a safe, natural looking tan.”

Completely organic, paraben-free and fragrance-free, the colour-boosting airbrush tan boasts yummy, skinfriendly ingredients like aloe vera, green tea and sugar cane—a nourishing treat for your skin. Each tan lasts from seven to 10 days, and is custom-blended

to match your specific skin tone.

“An Organic Tan does in 20 minutes what takes three months to achieve in a tanning bed,” says Lindsay. “And, unlike a spray tan booth, an Organic Tan is applied using an airbrushing technique so you get a streak-free, evenly-applied tan every time.”

Katherine Regnier had her first Organic Tan this past New Year’s to complement her skin tone as a bridesmaid for a wedding. “I experienced that ‘orange look’ with previous spray tans,” Katherine explains of her initial hesitancy, “but I’m

so grateful I changed my mind. I was shocked at how natural [my Organic Tan] looked, even as a redhead! I highly recommend this service!” Lindsay beams and adds: “No matter your shape or size, an Organic Tan has a flawless finish with no odours, streaks or fake orange look.”

With wedding season approaching, now is the time to book your airbrush tanning appointment for your big day. “Organic Tan ensures brides get beautiful, flawless glowing skin for their wedding day photos,” says Lindsay.

“We accommodate entire bridal parties, so everyone can look sun-kissed no matter what time of year it is.”

While many brides and their bridal parties opt for an Organic Tan for the big day, Lindsay notes that her exclusive service is available for people for any occasion: “Sometimes you just want to enjoy that ‘just back from vacation’ radiance.”

Andrea Gusta agrees. As an expectant mother, Andrea says, “I was looking for a safe alternative for a healthy glow without UV rays or harmful chemicals and ingredients. Lindsay answered all my questions and concerns, and I ended up with the most gorgeous customized tan I could imagine! I absolutely loved it!”

Organic Tan makes it easy. You can visit the studio for a discounted rate, or have Organic Tan come to you. “No matter where you have your tan, I pride myself in making you feel comfortable and relaxed during the service.”

And when it comes to maintaining your Organic Tan, it’s easy using their full line of natural skin care products by SunnaTan. “Come see what an Organic Tan can do for your skin!” encourages Lindsay. With the glowing reviews for her business, why not give Organic Tan a call and book your appointment?

Admit it: you deserve it. FLS

Organic Tan 306.260.4977 Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week www.organictan.ca

TM

LEFT Lindsay Brotzel, owner PHOTO BY Heather Fritz

OFFERING EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP TO FACULTY, ALUMNI AND STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN The University Club is the ideal venue for daily dining, a business meeting, or an elegant dinner and it is the perfect spot for the family to come together to celebrate your beautiful wedding.

Are you a University of Saskatchewan alumnus, faculty member or employee? Join today, book your wedding and begin your own new traditions, at a cost that will surprise you.

Contact us for more membership and wedding information.

(formerly Faculty Club)

Still Creating New Traditions After 50 Years 101 Administration Place | 306.966.7775 | www.usask.ca/uclub

{

Come Relax with Us

What better way to celebrate one of the most important days of your life than with the most important people in your life? At Elemental Spa, we cater to bachelorette celebrations leading up to your special day. Bring in your girlfriends for a relaxing, pampering massage, or indulge in one of our specialized treatments by our talented estheticians.

Experience our exclusive line of custom, hand-made bath and body products, available in 120 unique scents. These products make the perfect “thank you” gifts for those who help make your wedding day as special as it can be.

}

registered massage therapy hot stone treatments and Aquamassage manicures, pedicures and shellac lash tinting and extensions threading and waxing facials

306.974.0409 126–1820 McOrmond Drive | Saskatoon

WEDDING FEATURE

flowers

MEANING OF

F

lowers set off a lot of emotions by their colours and appearance but also by their smells. There are endless varieties but a few favourites have proved timeless.

Roses Different coloured roses have their own meaning. For example, red are linked with very strong emotions such as love, passion and romance. White, which is traditionally a bridal rose, is a symbol of purity and innocence. Pink means perfect happiness and admiration, and yellow is joy, friendship and the promise of a new beginning. Coral roses mean desire, and lavender stands for love at first sight and pure enchantment.

Orchids They have a certain majestic beauty and an exotic quality to them. They signify beauty, luxury, strength and love.

Carnations The meanings of carnations include distinction and love.

Messages can be expressed with different colour variations.

Light red carnations are used to convey admiration, whereas the dark red version expresses deeper sentiments of love and affection. White carnations are associated with purity and pink carnations mean gratitude. In the early part of the 20th century, carnations became the official flower of Mother’s Day.

Calla Lily These popular wedding flowers stand for purity and magnificent beauty.

Peony Peonies are known as the flower of riches and honour. They are said to bring good fortune and symbolize a happy marriage.

Chrysanthemum These flowers mean long life, joy and happiness. They are considered a noble flower in Asian culture. The red chrysanthemum means love, and the white flower means truth and loyal love. FLS

WEDDING FEATURE

Brides find oasis at Changes salon & spa

By Paul Sinkewicz photos nadine PePPler

W

hen a bride-to-be walks through the door at Changes Salon & Spa, it sends a shiver of excitement through the building.

Members of the Changes Salon & Spa team can’t help but smile, because they know something very special is about to happen—they will have the privilege of sharing in a love story.

Let the pampering begin!

Taking care of wedding parties is a special joy for owner Carolyn Schwab and the dedicated staff at Changes.

Whether it is for skin or hair treatments in the weeks leading up to the event, a celebration with bridesmaids in the spa, or last-minute preparations on the big day, Changes Salon & Spa is where the “happily ever after” part of the story really gets going.

“Bridal parties are so much fun,” says Schwab. “They might come in with their photographer, lots of times they’ll bring champagne and orange juice and a fruit tray on the day of the wedding, or whatever they want to do. Everyone just has a really enjoyable time.”

A trip to Changes Salon & Spa is a common wedding or shower gift for brides, and since there are so many services and packages available, it’s a one-stop destination that is suitable for everyone.

Schwab thinks it’s very important for brides to take some time for themselves

Carolyn Schwab, owner

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wedding, and then on the big day we know exactly what to do.”

She also recommends that brides and grooms think about their skin well in advance. Acne and dry skin are common issues, but by starting a treatment regimen early, the couple can be ready.

“We recommend a facial once a month.

If they have some issues they should plan three or four months in advance of the wedding so they can get their skin in shape.”

The salon also has a laser skin tightening procedure available that uses infrared light to penetrate the skin and plump up the collagen.

Visiting Changes Salon & Spa is appropriate for both sexes.

Schwab says getting a base tan four to six weeks ahead of a trip to a sunny destination can prevent uncomfortable sunburns and make the couple look great for their pictures.

The couple might also enjoy a chance to connect and relax at the spa before the wedding. There is a couples pedicure room and a couples treatment room where the bride and groom can have hot stones, body wraps or body scrubs. They can also relax their bodies with the hot tub or sauna.

during what can be a stressful period.

“They get so wrapped up in the day-today planning of it, they forget to take some time to just relax. They need to indulge and just take care of themselves.”

Many brides enjoy bringing their wedding party to the spa to celebrate together, or to thank them. “They have so much fun.

They are laughing and giggling and they have a great outing. It’s just a wonderful time to relax and get pampered.”

Schwab says there’s even a special package for the flower girl. e have a Cotton Candy Manicure and Pedicure that girls just love. We use pink nail polish and pink lotion and they get a little juice box and a gift basket and some cotton candy.” he salon can host up to five people in a party, and the staff will make special

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arrangements to suit their guests. “They listen to what customers want, they love what they do and are passionate about it,” says Schwab.

One of the most important services Changes Salon & Spa can offer brides is a consultation long before the wedding.

The trained experts at Changes Salon & Spa talk to the bride and groom about the preparatory things they can do, such as facials, skin tightening, laser hair removal and pre-tanning to get ready for a trip.

Deciding how to style the hair might involve choosing to colour, adding highlights or lowlights, trying a new cut or getting a pre-do. It is extremely helpful to get the makeup done ahead of time.

“That way, you don’t have any stress the day of the wedding,” says Schwab.

“We do it up a week or two before the

“Our spa is traditional. It’s for everyone,” says Schwab. “We cater to every age, male and female. You walk in there and you feel relaxed immediately. We designed it to project a feeling of warmth and comfort. It’s a place to escape the stresses of life, even for an hour.”

Established in 1994, the award-winning Changes Salon & Spa has been a trailblazer in bringing new options for health and beauty to Saskatoon.

Innovations have included permanent makeup, eyelash extensions and perming, tooth gems, tooth whitening, and artificial nails. he , s uare foot salon is open until p.m., seven days a week, 363 days of the year. FLS

Changes Salon & Spa 110-3501 8th Street East Saskatoon 306.477.6245 www.changeshair.com

WEDDING FEATURE

A WELL-DRESSED GROOM: Best Accessory For Any Bride

BY PAUL SINKEWICZ

A

ll eyes are on the bride on her wedding day, as it should be—it is her big day. The job of the groom is to say “I do” and to look good while saying it.

Anthony Graham-Cutts and his team at Anthonys Fashion for Men in Saskatoon have years of experience with formal wear for weddings, graduations and other special occasions.

“We’re here to help you choose the proper style, fit and color options so you don’t have to worry about a thing,” says GrahamCutts. “You want to look your best on the day of the big event, and we will do everything to ensure that happens.”

Anthonys offers tuxedos and suits for rental or purchase. “Our rental packages include shirts, ties, pocket squares, vests and shoes, giving you a full range of options.”

For destination weddings in warm climates, Anthonys offers white, ivory, sand, and beige coloured suits.

If a groom wants to buy a suit or tuxedo instead of renting, Anthonys offers accessories for the groom and groomsmen to coordinate, such as vests, ties and pocket squares.

When renting, detailed measurements are taken in-store and sent to Collins Formal Wear, their tuxedo specialists. When the outfits arrive in Saskatoon, they are checked, prepared and steamed. The groom and his groomsmen then come back in for a final fitting, prior to the wedding, to make sure everything is perfect. A key part of this service is to educate the wedding party as to how to assemble the outfits; that suspenders are adjusted and tie lengths are correct.

“We make sure everything fits the way that it should on the big day.”

Then the attention can shift to where it should be, to the beautiful woman wearing the gown. FLS

Anthonys Fashion for Men 600 – 234 First Avenue South Saskatoon 306.665.0181

WEDDING FEATURE

Wedding Gowns: TOP 5 TRENDS FOR 2013

BY REBECCA KING

Colour Likely the most shocking trend of 2013 is the coloured wedding dress. As is often the case with all things matrimonial, this particular trend began with celebrities— such as Gwen Stefani—back in 2002, and has been carried forward to this past wedding season by Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel.

Designer Vera Wang has embraced this trend along with countless others.

Wang’s most recent collection showed her new gowns in red and deep wine, which happened to be the colour of choice for wedding dresses last season.

For many designers, the colour of the current season is gold. Of course, dresses can always be purchased in white as well.

Lace, Lace, Lace No list of top wedding gown trends would be complete without this beautiful and timeless fabric. This season, however, lace is being used in some new and notable ways. One trend is something called “tattoo lace,” a sheer fabric with intricate details and beading; sitting tight to the bride’s skin, the embellishments appear as if it is tattooed onto her skin.

Another popular use of lace is full-length sleeves. This royally-inspired cover-up look was popularized by Kate Middleton two years ago and is still going strong.

Silhouettes

New Necklines

Custom Cutouts

The peplum silhouette came on the scene last year in both the worlds of high fashion and wedding gowns. This season the trend is continuing, however slightly more subtle and restrained than in the previous. The peplum shape is a great way to whittle the waist and give curve appeal to a boyish figure.

Another great trend helping brides stand out is by using less common necklines.

While I do agree that strapless is beautiful and flattering to many women, after many years of being the go-to neckline, brides are starting to shake things up and look for something different. However, when dress shopping it can be difficult to find anything else.

Details on the back of the wedding dress—most importantly the keyhole cutout—are in almost every designer’s line this season. It would be easier to list the designers who did not include this than the ones that did. I featured a keyhole cutout on a gown custom designed for a bride. Custom designed dresses like these hint at the driving force behind the trends in wedding gowns.

Another great silhouette that narrows the waist is the ball gown dress, which happens to be the shape I chose for myself. If you have an hourglass figure, the mermaid gown is also a wise and popular choice.

Something that I have come across in my line of work is women adding to a dress to change the neckline. This season, a popular way to do this is to add sheer overlays, which creates a beautiful double-layered look to the dress and ties in anything else you might add to the top of the neckline.

As we all know, every bride just wants to feel special and one-of-a-kind on her wedding day. FLS Rebecca King, Fashion Designer rebeccakingdesigns@gmail.com www.rebeccaking.ca

Left page: dress by Rebecca King, photo by En Vogue Photography. This page from top left clockwise: dress by Rebecca King, photo by Flash On Photography; dress by Roseann King, photo by Flash On Photography; dress by Rebecca King, photo by Jordan Kirtley Byington; dress by Rebecca King, photo by En Vogue Photography

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WEDDING FEATURE

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Spa manager Brianna Barrett suggests getting facial and body treatments for softer, moisturized skin. “Facials are best done every four to six weeks and no later than the week before the wedding.

It is always good to have a few leading up to the wedding day to prepare your skin,” she says.

Manicures and pedicures are perfect for brides and bridesmaids to have wedding ready fingers and toes. “Overall we recommend having manicures and pedicures every four to six weeks throughout the year leading up to your wedding day to maintain cuticles and calluses. But definitely come in a few months prior to the day so you can grow your nails to the length and shape you desire.” Brianna recommends coming a day or two before the wedding for your final manicure and pedicure so your polish looks fresh.

Waxing is also important to consider.

Removing unwanted facial and body hair can help achieve that finished look.

A simple brow wax from CHEL can shape the face and open the eyes. Brianna recommends waxing a week before the wedding, not the day before.

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Having your make-up done professionally is important for a completed look.

“Brides should have a little bit more make-up than normal every day wear as it turns out lighter in natural lighting and photography. Trials are essential so you and your make-up artist can work on a comfortable look. We recommend having your trial about a month before the wedding,” says Brianna.

What to Expect The team at CHEL have worked together to create a spring/summer collection featuring haircuts, colours, styling and make-up artistry, combining all the latest looks for the season. And while their spa has always offered exceptional treatments, CHEL has recently renovated their spa to create a more open, serene and inviting feeling. They’ve made it even more enjoyable with new heated, reclining, and massaging pedicure chairs. “We also now have the ability to accommodate groups of four to receive pedicures at the same time,” says Kim. The CHEL salonspa has a friendly, welcoming environment that anyone can be comfortable in. “We respect and

support each other here in the salon and treat our guests the same way.

We want guests to feel good about being themselves from the moment they walk in, celebrating who they are and making them feel and look their best with topquality products and services,” says Mishel Peace, Aveda colour educator.

“In celebration of our guests, rather than having photos of models from big companies, we hang photos of our guests on our walls,” Kim says.

For a personal and unforgettable experience, give CHEL salonspa a call. Book your appointments early to receive the best treatment for you and your wedding party. You can also visit their Facebook page or website for more information. FLS

CHEL salonspa 3110 8th Street East Saskatoon 306.477.6200 www.chelsalonspa.com

WEDDING DATES STILL AVAILABLE

306-717-0399 OR GRAB A CUP OF TEA & VISIT www.LisaLandrie.com

WEDDING FEATURE

FINDING THE PERFECT DRESS, LESS THE STRESS

BY NYKEA MARIE BEHIEL PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

H

aving grown up in the industry, Khanh Nguyen spent many years developing his eye for bridal fashion. As the new store in town, Exquisite Fashions & Bridal has garnered plenty of attention for their remarkable gowns, amazing service and attention to detail.

Exquisite is full of gorgeous gowns for brides and graduates—everything from chic and simple to lacy and luxurious. The spacious rows of dresses are separated by designer, many of which are exclusive to Exquisite. The well-appointed fitting room has plenty of space, and is equipped with subtle lighting so you can see what your dress will look like the day of your wedding, not just under fluorescent lights. The amiable staff at Exquisite leaves nothing to chance.

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“We have a great range of staff here.

It’s like family in this store,” explains Khanh. Seeing each staff member as an extension of himself, he works hard to hire knowledgeable people who love to help brides discover their dress. While they have ample store hours, several hours each day are reserved for appointments. During appointments, your party is often the only one in the store, meaning you receive full attention and the luxury of the beautiful space.

“We want to create an atmosphere where brides are as stress-free as possible,” explains Khanh. He and his team work hard to eliminate pressure brides may feel trying to find “the dress.”

With many years of experience under his belt, Khanh has some advice to offer.

“Give yourself enough time,” he says.

Allotting adequate time is essential.

While looking online for ideas is great for inspiration, Khanh has heard enough horror stories to know that purchasing your wedding dress online is never the best option. Aside from an inferior product, clicking through a website and entering your credit card online does not offer the same experience as being with friends and family in a store full of beautiful gowns. Exquisite has plenty of space for you to bring in as many or as few friends and family as you like. “While you may have a style in mind, come into the store open-minded,” Khanh offers another worthy piece of advice.

Khanh and his team also offer a selection of dresses for curvy girls. Exquisite knows how important it is for every bride to have

the opportunity to shop for their dream gown. Whatever your body type, whatever your style, Exquisite has a dress for you.

“You have to be you. We’ll definitely try our best to help you find the one.”

A key sign to finding your dress is comfortability; “if you feel good in it, you will look even better,” effuses Khanh. “We love being a part of the bride’s special day. It is a privilege and an honour. We really care about the girls.” FLS

Exquisite Fashions and Bridal 1202B 33rd Street and Quebec Avenue Saskatoon 306.979.5447 info@exquisitefashions.ca exquisitefashions.ca

MAIN PICTURE Designers Lis Simon and Maggie Sottero; Models Holly Stewart and Cecily Smith, courtesy of SHE Modelling MIDDLE RIGHT L–R Danae, Tracy, Shawna, Christine MISSING: Jill, Jenna, Molly, Kim, Marisza BOTTOM RIGHT Khanh Nguyen, general manager

WEDDING FEATURE

e l y t S

RIDING in�

The ring. The date. The dress. The venue. The party.

THEN THERE’S THE RIDE

Y

ou’ve worked carefully on all the details for your wedding day, so don’t overlook your ride. Arrive in style! Leave as husband and wife. Your choice of transportation is the perfect way to add flair or inject your personal style on your special day.

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Limousines are by far the most popular choice. Roomy and comfortable, your limousine can seamlessly transport you and your bridal party around for the day. From ensuring you get to the ceremony on time, to delivering you to the photographer, to presenting the bride

and groom to their waiting guests at the reception, it’s no wonder why limousines are so popular. En route between locations, you have the opportunity to toast the day and sip chilled champagne with your brand-new spouse or your wedding party.

If you want to go that extra mile, try a luxury vehicle: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, any sort of vintage car, or even an eye-catching convertible are all great options for riding in style on your big day. If you prefer a private ride with your new spouse, be certain to secure transportation for your bridal parties so they can also enjoy stress-free trips to and from each location. Many brides and grooms ensure parents and grandparents receive VIP transportation services on the big day, too.

For brides who have always dreamed of a Cinderella-esque wedding, allow yourself to be greeted by your Prince Charming in a horse drawn carriage. This classy and elegant option will be a memorable part of your unforgettable day.

Getting married on the water? What better way to make your appearance than by row boat? Have an experienced rower glide you across the water to your waiting guests, and make a grand entrance no one will forget.

Are you an adventurous couple? Some daring couples have opted for his and her motorcycles to make their getaway into the night and pull away from the reception as husband and wife. If motorcycles are not your thing, a pair of vintage bicycles will do the trick. Adorn quaint wicker baskets with the familiar “Just Married� signage and pedal off to begin your lives together. Of course, many brides who opt for a motorcycle or bicycle ride do change from their wedding gown into clothing better suited for these modes of transportation. FLS

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WEDDING FEATURE

L–R Carrianne Bartzen-McGinnis, Terry Wasylow, Ervin Kormos, Michelle Korven, Andrea Conquergood

KEEP YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY With Boutique BeYouTeFul Laser Clinic

BY CANDACE M. FOX PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

I

t is a fact we all have to accept: aging is a part of life. Various circumstances, genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental factors all affect how we age, and how our skin and body’s look through that process. It is never too soon or too late to start treating and investing in your skin—the largest organ of the body.

Using all natural products on the skin that the body can process is important for long term health. For aging or aged skin, cold laser treatments that are non invasive can rejuvenate the skin and repair damage— leaving a youthful complexion.

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Boutique BeYouTeFul specializes in offering a wide range of laser treatments.

With clients looking years younger and feeling their most confident, owner Terry Wasylow insists it is an affordable beauty secret that women and men of all ages can take advantage of. With over 30 years in the health and beauty industry, Terry offers her clients proven solutions with the latest technology from around the world.

Options for services include skin rejuvenation treatments which combine

the skin refreshing technique of microdermabrasion with the soothing process of cold lasers to bring your skin to a new level of radiance while renewing skin cells. This treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to naturally lift and firm the skin from the inside out. Cold laser treatments are an advanced technology tool used to rejuvenate the complexion, firm and tone the skin and progressively remove unwanted hair. Cold lasers are safe to use on all skin types and hair colours with no side effects. Developed in Switzerland and

used in Europe for the past 30 years, cold lasers are new to Canada but have been used across the world with proven results.

The Poly Skin and Digi-Light are break through body treatment attachments.

The Poly-Skin delivers superior body exfoliation and can be used to maximize lymphatic drainage. The Digi-Light technology gives balanced and regular electrical impulses to the cells, which increases positive cell activity like the production of collagen and elastin—in addition the electrical pathways of the body are repaired and revitalized. This technology combined, using both the Poly-Skin and Digi-Light stimulates the cells through light, polished sapphire crystals and are energized with electrical currents. The combination allows for the cells to be massaged to optimum function—toning the skin, reducing cellulite and promoting full body wellness by balancing the body’s chemical and electrical systems within the cells.

Other specialized services and equipment offered at Boutique BeYouTeFul include: osteopathy, salsa & Latin dancing, infrared saunas, sonic vibration therapy, vitamin D therapy bed, red light bed therapy, oxygen bar, intelligent massage chair, Ion cleanses and “White Hot Smile” teeth whitening.

The health spa also offers traditional beauty and spa services but only uses all natural products with ingredients the body can process naturally—ensuring their customers not only look good, but feel amazing and gain the health benefits of those products.

Terry Wasylow would like to thank her clients for their continued support and for their contribution in making her a SABEX Award nominee for 2013. For more information about Boutique BeYouTeFul Cold Laser Clinic & Health Spa visit their website boutiquebeyouteful.com. FLS Boutique BeYouTeFul 154, 2nd Avenue South 306.373.0129

WEDDING FEATURE

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As a DJ service, Celebrated Sound offers clients a large data base complete with music from all genres and time periods.

If you’re looking for something particular for a father/daughter dance or to relive a special moment, Celebrated Sound will accommodate your wishes. “We’ve been collecting music for 33 years and we are constantly updating our library,” states Sick, “if we don’t have the song you’re looking for, we’ll know where to get it.”

Sick is thrilled to work full time in an industry that she loves. She comments that it’s great to meet different people and celebrate their special occasion with them and doing it as long as she has, many clients have become repeat customers. “We’ve almost become like a family tradition for some clients,” she explains. “We’ve played at the wedding, the anniversaries, the birthday parties and the retirement parties. Now, after 33 years, the kids are grown up and we are doing their weddings.”

Sick also acknowledges the expertise of all the DJs at Celebrated Sound.

They are just as comfortable at a high school dance of 2,000 people as they are at a corporate function of 200 guests. “A company is only as good as its people,” she says. “All our DJs are highly professional music experts who have strong stage presence and fantastic people skills.”

When you trust your event to Celebrated Sound, you can rest easy knowing your dance will be a great success and that everything will run like clockwork.

Planning a special event? Want to create an evening to remember?

Call Celebrated Sound Music Services . . . Great entertainment and lasting memories. FLS

Celebrated Sound Music Services Inc. 306.242.2211 800.461.2221 info@celebratedsound.com www.celebratedsound.com

Koi Esthetics…

Your Exotic Sanctuary for Rejuvenation of the Body, Mind and Soul.

Koi Esthetics offers private spa packages, perfect for you and your bridal party.

Carrying only the highest quality product lines, including all natural, organic, and cruelty free options, Koi Esthetics is proud to offer the best in hair and skin care with Eufora, SpaRitual, Thann, and Dermalogica.

Personalized revitalization services available, including: • couples relaxation massage, hot stone therapy and reflexology treatments • custom nail art, manicures and

pedicures • waxing and threading • hair styling and colouring • facials

214–B Stonebridge Boulevard, Saskatoon | 306.249.4633 | www.koiesthetics.ca

designs that include a waterfall. The team at Saskatoon Outdoor Living will help you plan your backyard to accommodate your lifestyle and optimize your new products.

With their attention and details to customer service, Chuck and Heather Walker have created a desirable business model. “I enjoy working here because I can provide a stress-free solution for customers,” begins Heather. “Who can then have more time for their family,” finishes Chuck. One of the most rewarding things for them has been having customers come back to see them. “People often tell me that they should have bought a spa years ago,” Chuck adds. “They’ve never spent more time with their kids.”

“What sets us apart is that we really focus on customer service and offer the best quality products available,” says Chuck. “Come see us if you are looking 51 St for the most comfortable spa with the clearest water, or any other way we can help to make your backyard an oasis.” FHS 50 St E

Trans-Canada Hwy Idylwyld Drive N

46 St Et

47 St E

Faithfull Ave

Northridge Drive

Louis Riel Trail

After the Big Day

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After the big day is over, nothing will ensure the romance of the wedding night lasts forever . . . except for a Sundance Spa. Book your bridal group to a unique and fun stagette/stag experience with our climate controlled, indoor, ultimate golf experience simulator. Play Pebble Beach, improve your game and relax in our comfortable golf lounge. Contact us as 306.668.1801 to reserve your bridal group now.

2401 Faithfull Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.668.1801 www.saskatoonoutdoorliving.com

Saskatoon Outdoor Living 2401 Faithfull Avenue 306.668.801 chuck@saskspas.com

45a St Et

WEDDING FEATURE

S

omething Old, omething New

T

BY ERIN LEGG

here is still a Victorian-era tradition that continues to carry through to today’s brides and her wedding party:

Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

This saying symbolizes good luck for the bride. If all of the requirements are met on the wedding day, the marriage will be full of happiness and joy. Typically involving the mother of the bride, female relatives and close friends, items are given or lent to the bride that can be worn or used during the wedding ceremony.

Something old: The idea of giving the bride something old is to represent continuity from her family into her new one. The “old” item is something usually given by the bride’s mother, and it can be anything symbolic to the family. For example, some brides are given a grandparent’s lace handkerchief to tuck into her bouquet. Others are gifted with antique earrings or a necklace to wear for the special occasion.

Something new: This is to wish optimism and hope to the bride as she embarks on her new life with her soon-to-be husband. Ideas for “new” items include a locket with the couple’s photo inside, a stunning headpiece or hair clip or even heels for the bride.

Something borrowed: A happily-married woman will pass along something borrowed to the bride on her wedding day with the intention of lending good fortune to the beginning of the marriage. This item is returned after the ceremony; otherwise, the good fortune will be broken. The bride is typically lent a piece of jewellery, or even the wedding gown itself.

Something blue: The colour blue is said to represent fidelity, loyalty, purity and love. The blue item given to the bride is typically hidden, such as a small ribbon to tuck inside her bouquet, a blue garter or lingerie.

Some friends of the bride will even paint her toenails a shade of blue to keep with this tradition.

And a silver sixpence in her shoe: This custom involves the bride tucking away a coin in her shoe to represent wealth and prosperity for the marriage. It doesn’t have to be a silver sixpence; why not hide your father’s lucky penny under your sole for good luck? FLS

Sexy N Sassy

Sexy N Sassy Boutique provides authentic corsetry, lingerie, intimates and swimwear to Saskatoon and surrounding areas.

Services offered:

tailored bra fittings

tailored corset fittings

venue rental for events such as bridal/bachelorette parties

Sexy N Sassy Boutique

s

Size

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167 C 2nd Avenue South, Saskatoon | 306.244.4411 |

Boudoir photography is the celebration of being the women you are today: strong, beautiful and fearless. Lush Boudoir offers the experience of being styled by hair and make-up professionals and photographed by an experienced boudoir photographer.

Lush Boudoir | 306.717.2439

Are They Really Just Looking At Your Wedding Dress?

Your wedding party is cordially invited to a personalized fitting for all your intimate apparel.

• specialized custom alterations and sizing to perfectly fit your wedding dress • corsets, bustiers, strapless backless convertible bras from 28As to 50Fs • unique wedding day and night apparel, peignoir, baby dolls or beautiful silk chemises • garters and stockings featuring Italian hosiery • body shapers and shape wear • XS to 6XL • men’s intimate apparel

Bodacious Bustlines 520 Central Street, Warman | 306.249.6239 www.bodaciousbustlines.ca |

over 20,000

personal profiles registered.

Join our growing membership today.

SASKATOON REAL WEDDINGS

JENNA & KYLE:

BURLAP AND LACE

BY AVIVA ZACK PHOTOS COLLEEN NISKA PHOTOGRAPHY

Colours: Jenna chose fall shades of purple and orange as her primary wedding colours.

having to spend the day driving around from location to location. Everything that day was perfect: the venue, ceremony, decorations and dance.”

Inspiration: The bride’s love of vintage details inspired the scheme. Family heirlooms such as antique teacups, an old suitcase belonging to her grandmother and lace doilies were all incorporated, lending a personal feel to their wedding reception’s decor.

She says: “My favourite moment of the day hands down, was hearing Kyle’s vows for the first time. We decided to write our own vows to make the ceremony a little more personal and romantic. I will never forget what Kyle read to me that day.” FLS

Jenna is also a huge fan of leopard prints, so bits of her favourite pattern were subtly included in her shoes, dessert buffet, and buttons on the mason jar centerpieces.

Unique Details: A DIY burlap aisle runner for their ceremony tied in perfectly to their scheme. Corks were glued together in another DIY project, and used as stands for Jenna and Kyle’s programs.

As a nod to their farming family, wheat was added to their bouquets and centerpieces.

He says: “It was nice to see all of the important people in our lives together at The Willows. Everybody enjoyed the evening wedding ceremony and not

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Transform your Lashes Add length and fullness, enhancing your natural beauty.

Our team has a passion for making people feel good about themselves and is dedicated to meeting every client's needs in a warm, relaxing environment. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Salon Icon . . . modern beauty starts here.

2-421 Ludlow Street, Saskatoon 306.975.0019

www.salonicon.ca

A Delicious Taste of Heaven…

A L M O S T H E AV E N W E DD I N G C A K E S

F R E E CO NSU LTAT I O NS A N D C A K E TA ST I N G • W E D D I N G C A K E S A N D C U P C A K E S • D E L I CI O U S A N D A F FO R D A B L E

306.933.0113 | inezsanche@hotmail.com | www.almostheavenweddingcakes.ca |

Say

“I Do”

and Stay for the View owners Grant and Natalie Erlandson

The Berry Barn’s private, picturesque Berry Patch is the ideal venue to say “I do.”

Tucked along the banks of the South Saskatchewan river, you will enjoy more than an acre of stunning gardens, a landscaped stream, canopied lounging and dining areas, and, of course, our lattice, chapel-style gazebo. The breathtaking scenery provides the perfect romantic backdrop for your wedding photos, helping you preserve the moments of your memorable day. Special catering is available. Call for more details.

The Berry Barn 830 Valley Road | Saskatoon | 306.978.9797 | www.berrybarn.ca |

ME RLE NORMAN .COM

MAKEUP Book your personalized consultation today.

Only Merle Norman Store in Saskatoon Individually Owned and Operated 123–2nd Avenue South | Scotia Centre | 306.653.4696 Mon–Sat: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Thurs: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 pm

Christopher Barr Photography 2012 © 2012 Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc.

The perfect guy.

The perfect gown.

Now the perfect makeup.

Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931.

Before the kiss,

LOCAL LOUNGE

SPOTLIGHT

TOP–BOTTOM Jordan Zakoor, Mussels Portugaise, Pickled Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

YOUR NEW FAVOURITE PLACE IN SASKATOON

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS BRITTANY BELLAMY

T

uck into the Rook & Raven, the newest up-scale pub in Saskatoon’s Downtown. With open concept pub-style seating, the Rook & Raven is a funky place for lunch, dinner or drinks with friends. Lunches are full, fast-paced and efficient, while dinner is a more cozy, laid-back atmosphere suited for those who come to spend some time relaxing and enjoying one of the delicious menu items. The goal is to provide high-quality, indulgent food at reasonable prices while maintaining a fun and down to earth experience. The menu is innovative offering items like Pickled Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, Mussels Portugaise and Guinness Root Stew. All items are prepared in-house and made from scratch. Service is quick and courteous.

Service staff are always prepared to answer any questions and are able to provide excellent recommendations.

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You can easily spend an evening selecting and sampling from an impressive drink menu. Their drink selection features 18 different draught beers, 50 types of scotch (receive your scotch passport to help keep track of the ones you’ve tried), and over 25 Bourbons and Irish and Canadian whiskies. They also offer a complete Van Gogh Vodka line.

LICHI-LI MON CHÉRI 1 oz Lucky Bastard Vodka 1 oz Lichi-Li Liqueur Dash of Triple Sec Fresh squeezed limes Topped with sour cherries

DARJEELING DARLING

You may want to take part in some of Rook & Raven’s weekly events. Each Tuesday is wine and cheese night. Starting at 5pm, receive a complimentary cheese platter with the purchase of any bottle of wine.

1 oz Lucky Bastard Chai Vodka 1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka Dash of Butter Ripple Schnapps Shaken on ice and strained into a martini glass. Garnished with a cinnamon stick. FLS

Every other Sunday is trivia night with manager Jordan Zakoor and assistant manager Lindsay Adams. Starting at 8:30 p.m., there are plenty of prizes throughout the evening and winners receive a $50 gift certificate.

Rook & Raven 154–2nd Avenue South Saskatoon 306.665.2220

on

WEDDING FEATURE

L–R Bev Parker and Michelle Naidu

FINDING THE PERFECT BRA DESERVES A PARTY

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE

O

wned by mother and daughter team Michelle Naidu and Bev Parker, Change Lingerie has been a dream come true for many Saskatoon women.

Change Lingerie is named after the brand it carries and offers the widest selection

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of bras, underwear and bathing suits. The Change brand also provides excellent value for customers. “We offer a range of sizes from 28 to 44 band size and A to K cups. No other brand can give you such high quality at affordable prices. These bras will last and won’t stretch on you,” explains Michelle.

When women come into the shop they are immediately fitted properly and guided in finding the perfect bra, no appointment required. If you think you are difficult to fit, or think you won’t find something that makes you look and feel good, think again. Change Lingerie will find your size and have attractive, luxurious choices no

Models Laurel and Anna courtesy of Masala Model & Talent and School of Personal Development

matter what your style or size is. The shop can also keep your history and size on file so if someone wants to come in a buy you a gift, they will leave with something that fits you.

Perfect for stagette parties or for those who want to shop for bras privately, Change Lingerie now offers the opportunity for groups to come in and shop after hours.

Parties can be booked Saturday through Tuesday, starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. Open only to the group, the shop can host parties for a minimum of eight people and will cater to the party with food and beverages. The parties are come-and-go style and can last until the wee hours of the night, depending on what the group wants and needs. “It’s a great way to come in and socialize, get people fitted and try

on as much or as little as they want,” says Michelle.

can make. Visit the shop once and you will become a customer for life.

Lingerie is a popular gift for brides and with wedding season on the way, these private parties are a great way to ensure that your gift will fit and the bride will like it. It’s also great for women who find it difficult to make time for themselves and go bra shopping. “Sometimes the only time you can get away from the kids and go out with friends is on a Tuesday night. We can help arrange that,” says Michelle. Simply call the shop to organize your lingerie party.

Change Lingerie also offers their Club Change program. The loyalty program is free to customers and offers plenty of advantages including 10 per cent off your purchases. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for photos of their product line. FLS

Customers have described their shopping experience at Change Lingerie as the best they’ve ever had. The staff look after you and many people can’t believe the difference a proper fitting bra

Change Lingerie Michelle Naidu The Mall at Lawson Heights Unit 57-134 Primrose Drive, Saskatoon 306.664.4164 LawsonHeights@change.com www.change.com ChangeSaskatoon

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KELLY & JERET:

MODERN ELEGANCE

BY AVIVA ZACK PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ PHOTOGRAPHY

The Vision: Something simple and classy with “wow” factor.

Reception Design: White and pewter, with bits of black and bright green kept the look both modern and elegant. The reception at TCU Place had a huge impact with dramatic ceiling draping by the head table as well as behind Kelly and Jeret’s showstopping cake. Beautiful pewter linens and chair covers with bling buckles added to the room’s elegant ambiance.

Lighting: The mood was further set by ensuring the room’s lighting was just right. From up above, pin lighting from the high ceiling, and from down below, candles in mercury glass votive cups and floating candles on the tables. On the walls, gobo patterned lighting added even more drama to Kelly and Jeret’s wedding celebration.

Decorating Tip: Kelly loved the look of a tall centerpiece with an abundance of orchids, but the cost was prohibitive for a large reception. To get the look she wanted at a more reasonable rate, three variations of centerpiece were alternated throughout the reception, which is a recent wedding trend. A few tall dramatic orchid centerpieces were spaced between two other smaller variations of floral centerpiece. FLS

Just Say Yes to a Beautiful Diamond

Canny Yeung Owner South China Jewelry Midtown Plaza Saskatoon 306.931.3328 southchinajewelry.com

W

hen the time comes to asking the biggest question of your life, it’s usually accompanied with a ring. Not just any ring—a diamond ring. An engagement ring is not only a symbol of love and commitment, it’s also an investment.

When it’s time to pick a ring, there are few things to consider before making your purchase.

Know your budget Before you start your search, know how much you can spend on the ring.

The idea that you need to spend two or three months’ salary on a ring was originally an ad campaign by DeBeers— it’s not really a law.

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Size doesn’t always matter Remember the 4Cs of diamonds. The biggest diamond is not always the best diamond, and you can always upgrade a stone in the future.

Cut: Cutting a diamond is an art. The world’s best cutters can balance weight retention with maximizing brilliance to bring a diamond to life.

carat weight diamond is equal to one gram, and a 1.00 carat weight diamond weights 0.20 grams.

Decide what you like Think about the aesthetics of the ring.

A ring is more than just the stone. Think of the cut, setting and band. This ring is meant to last a lifetime, so timelessness should come before trendiness.

Colour: The body colour of the diamond affects its cost. The most vivid colours are the most rare: red and green, followed by purple, violet, orange, blue, pink, colourless, yellow, grey, brown and black.

Get up close and personal

Clarity: All diamonds are graded using a 10x power lens. Grades range from flawless and internal flawless, all the way to slightly included and included.

Make your commitment

Carat: Diamonds are very precisely measured in metric weight. A 5.00

A diamond can’t be bought online. It needs to be seen in person, so you can examine it closely. Let it sparkle, and look for flaws.

Take a good look. Study the design, the sparkle, and think about the four Cs. Once you know, you know. Make the purchase, ask the question and celebrate your commitment. FLS

Make-Up Artistry at its Best We are a full-service aesthetics and make-up artistry salon and spa.

When it comes to make-up, we know you want to look like you, just more beautiful, more radiant. Our make-up artists are experts in daytime, formal and photographic make-up.

the make-up studio

Services include:

432 21st Street East | 306.244.4554 www.themakeupstudio.ca

• full spa • facials

• shellac nails • threading, sugaring

Ask about our bridal specials—a perfect gift for the bride from your wedding party!

A Fun, Creative Idea for Your Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party: U-Design Spa Products!

Made by Body Butter Cafe, Designed by YOU Wedding Favours: Choose from soap, lip glosses, bath bombs, body butters, aroma sprays, and more. Designed with your wedding colours in mind, custom scents ranging from neutral to aromatic, and ingredients reflecting the sweetest aspects of your relationship, we will create original, personal wedding favours which tell your story. Your guests will never forget these gifts from you.

Made by YOU, Designed by YOU: (Do it Yourself) DIY Spa Party for your bridal party, stagette, or rehearsal dinner. In this fun two-hour session, you will create a variety of natural, beautiful spa products to use at the spa event and take home.

Give the groom and groomsman an extra special gift of Paddock Wood Beer Soaps in a Six-Pack which can include an assortment of Loki, 606, London Porter, Red Hammer and more.

Anniversary Gift Package: Let us also enhance your special day with our anniversary gift subscription package. Every year we will send the bride, the groom, the parents and the wedding party a homemade, natural custom soap created just for you.

Homemade, natural products also available for Mother’s and Father’s Day. We also provide fun birthday parties for children! Bags for all attendees to take creations home in, and a birthday gift provided!

Please call or e-mail for details.

306.715.9775 info@bodybuttercafe.com www.bodybuttercafe.com

WEDDING FEATURE

SASKATOON CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE Gives Back to the Community

BY JULIE MUSHYNSKY PHOTOS ILW PHOTOGRAPHY

“T

his store has taught me so much and made me a better person,” explains Leanne Thompson-Hill, owner of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and the Prince Charming Dude.

Getting her entrepreneurial spirit from her father Leanne also owns a second business in Saskatoon. Her other business is Leanne’s livelihood, Bibbidi is her passion.

Bibbidi has been a necessary shop for Saskatoon since March 2005 and one of the few children’s clothing stores left in the city. It is a completely non-profit business in that all the money Leanne

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makes goes to charity. This decision came from an unexpected customer base. “At first I wanted to give little girls at the princess stage a place to become one. I found that I was also getting customers coming in to buy clothing for their children who have passed away. This inspired me to work with the Children’s Hospital and Make a Wish Foundation here in Saskatchewan,” says Leanne. Part of the business includes sending several Disney princesses to visit children in the hospital and help make their wishes come true. “Our princesses really interact with the kids,”

explains Leanne and many kids confess that the Bibbidi princesses top the ones you find down south.

One of the first little girls the princesses put on a tea party for was a particularly important little girl named Rayna.

Unfortunately Rayna passed away on May 2, 2011, but Bibbidi and Rayna’s mother help her legacy live on through Rayna’s Day of Play. The event is held every year on the last Sunday of August on Central Avenue in Sutherland. Kids can play games and fly kites, something Rayna loved to do.

As for Leanne’s store front, she offers a massive selection of children’s clothing for boys and girls including flower girl and junior bridesmaid attire, communion, party, christening and baptismal gowns, shoes and toys. If she doesn’t have it in store, she will find it for you. But Leanne does not see her shop as a “store” and indeed people don’t just shop there.

Bibbidi organizes birthday parties at the shop, their princesses go out to attend birthday parties, and they have a playroom for public use complete with play structure, roller coaster and stage.

It’s a fun atmosphere and people are amazed when they walk into the shop.

Leanne likes to bring in new stock all the time and give people more choice. She carries brands like Isobella and Chloe and will carry the Etnies brand this spring. She can easily compete with big box stores and encourages people to think local when deciding on where to shop. People are catching on to Bibbidi, especially kids who recognize Leanne as “The Bibbidi Lady” when out in the city.

Come by the shop and see what’s new at Bibbidi or just bring the kids out to play. FLS Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and the Prince Charming Dude 11-705 Central Avenue Saskatoon 306.384.4791 bbbprincess@sasktel.net www.bibbidi.ca

MODELS Eric and Breanna

Rayna’s Day of Play August 25, 12 to 4.

Right on Central Ave in Sutherland You are invited to enjoy an interactive family event, complete with food, entertainment, crafts and more. All money raised during Rayna’s Day of Play will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Rayna’s Day of Play is an annual event held to celebrate Rayna and her strength and courage during her battle with leukemia. For more information, please visit www.raynasdayofplay.com.

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Enjoy Your Escape Nothing will make your special day more perfect than a customized and personalized spa service at Edgewater Spa. Treat yourself and your bridal group to our relaxation and rejuvenation services.

Book your bridal group prior to the big day to ensure you look and feel your best, or afterwards to revitalize and relieve stress. Ladies, men’s and mixed packages available.

101 – 611 University Drive | 306.978.4111 | edgewaterspa@shaw.ca | www.edgewaterspa.ca

PICKNIC'S CATERING •

WEDDING CATERING SPECIALISTS

Here comes the Bride!

PickNic’s is your one-stop shop for all your food and beverage wedding event needs. For taste that delivers, serve your guests our fresh meals made from scratch and our tasty, beautiful wedding cakes.

Nicola Lawson, owner

C a ll u s f or an a p p o in t ment. W e c re a t e p erfect p can la m e a ls a tters, nd d eve r y t a e s s e r t s fo r ste for y ou eve n t , f u n c t io n r or m e e t in g .

PickNic’s Catering • The Vibrant Blue Building • 210 33rd Street West, Saskatoon ph 306.34.FRESH (343.7374) • catering@34FRESH.com • www.34FRESH.com

Be “naturally bronzed”…

Kerrie Gavin, owner

Specializing in bridal parties, Bronze “1” Tanning Salon ensures your skin and complexion looks as fantastic as the dress you are wearing! Our quality tanning service assists with the reduction of common skin ailments, such as facial or body acne and psoriasis. Come experience our Red Light Therapy, a skin rejuvenation treatment that enhances your natural beauty!

Bronze “1” offers four unique levels of tanning available for the beginner, intermediate or advanced tanner. The products we carry—including the brands Designer Skin, Miami Ink and Millennium—are specially designed to enhance each level of your tan, year round.

We have a variety of unlimited tanning packages available, as well as minute packages. Call us today to book your next session!

Bronze “1” TA N N I N G S A L O N 306.955.6363 4-1945 McKercher Drive www.bronze1tanning.ca |

Now Awarding Aeroplan Miles With Every New Membership!

Buy Sooner. Buy Smarter. Buy Better.

Unless you are already a member of DirectBuy of Saskatoon, you probably made the mistake of paying full retail value for the engagement ring, invitations and luggage for the honeymoon.

As you start your new life together, imagine what the power of an exclusive DirectBuy membership could mean for you. Over its lifetime, it will not only save you thousands, and in many cases, tens of thousands of dollars on many of the purchases and renovations you make everyday, but it also provides you access to many of the top brands, styles, and products that are not available in traditional brick and mortar stores. Your consumer “honeymoon” could last forever, and you will never make the mistake of paying hidden retail markup ever again!

As parents of a happy couple just starting their life together, the wedding gift of an exclusive DirectBuy membership may be the greatest gift they receive and empower them as a consumer like never before—a gift that may last a lifetime.

Your dream gift registry and all the things you hope and dream of for your new life together awaits you at DirectBuy of Saskatoon.

Scan Here:

Call 1 877 683 3940 or visit www.directbuysaskatoon.ca SASKATOON

#1 UNITE SALON IN C ANADA SPECIALIZES IN ON-LOC ATION WEDDING SERVICES Awarded the title of “Top Salon in Canada for Service and Marketing” by UNITE Global Sessions in San Diego, October 2012, owner and operator of Passions Beauty Salon, Chelsey Kara is proud to be expanding and doubling in size after only four years!

As a full-service salon and spa, Passions has taken the traditional spa treatment to the next level with our apothecary bar, where a customization of inhouse blends of herbs and essential oils are used in our services. We will prepare your skin, hands and nails in advance of your wedding day.

Our journeyman stylists and make-up artists will travel to complete your look for your big day!

CALL TODAY TO ASK ABOUT OUR ON-LOCATION WEDDING PARTY PACKAGES. BOOK EARLY!

PASSIONS BEAUTY SALON 106 Central Street East, Warman | 306.382.9707 | passionsbeautystudio.com

Progressive French Cuisine in Downtown Saskatoon Now accommodating private wedding and engagement parties. Looking for an intimate and elegant location to host your wedding? Call today to ask about our custom reception packages.

Family owned and operated. Help us celebrate our 10th year!

Lee Helman, owner

“Best food in the land. One of Canada’s best restaurants. A coast-to-coast odyssey.”

—National Post, October 2006 Business hours: Lunch Dinner Brunch Brunch

11:30–3:00 5:00–close 10:00–2:30 10:00–2:00

Monday–Friday Monday–Saturday Saturday Sunday

Truffles

Bistro & Patisserie

230-21st Street East, Saskatoon 306.373.7779 | www.trufflesbistro.ca

Summer Edition Coming this July

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Put the World in Your Hands

The Sky’s the Limit

Thomas Cook Travel 402-21st Street East, Saskatoon 306.652.1272 | saskatoon@thomascook.ca

Mitchinson Flying Service Hangar 8, Thayer Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.244.6714 mitchinsonflyingservice.com | mitchinson@sasktel.net |

Full-Service Land Company

Αυθεντικά Ελληνικό . . . Authentic Greek

Watson Land Services Suite 200-2100 Airport Drive, Saskatoon | 306.978.0778 surfaceland@watsonlandservices.com | www.watsonlandservices.com

Blacktop Diner | The Olive Tree 30 minutes North on Hwy 12, Saskatoon www.olivetreerestaurant.ca | 306.945.5551 | 306.945.4766

A Lifestyle Company

The Culture of Total Beauty

Believe Fit 15-134 Primrose Drive, Lawson Heights Mall | 306.249.5255 www.ibelievefit.com |

Angles SalonSpa 201 1st Avenue South (main door Midtown Plaza), Saskatoon 306.653.4247 | www.anglessalonspa.com |

Thomas Cook, local travel experts, create personalized vacations and tours. Specializing in river cruises, adventure tours, weddings, family cruises and business travel.

Watson Land Services offers mineral and surface, crown and freehold land services to the oil and utility industries.

Saskatoon’s exclusive distributor of Lorna Jane athletic wear.

Retailer for the highest quality supplements and accessories for anyone living a healthy, active lifestyle.

Give the gift of endless potential. Discovery Flights with Mitchinson Flying Service let you realize anything is possible.

The Olive Tree and Blacktop Diner: your destination dining experience. Catering available. Real. Authentic. Greek. Reservations recommended.

This spring book a complementary mini make-up trend application.

Mention this ad to receive 20 per cent off any Belavance make-up or brush item.

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Come and Relax with Us

European Delicacies in Saskatoon

Elemental Spa 126 1820 McOrmond Drive, Saskatoon | 306.974.0409 www.theelementalspa.com

Emco Finer Foods 2228 Avenue C North | 306.242.8877 | www.emcofinerfoods.com 116-3501 8th Street East | 306.343.8877

Neon Buddha: Nirvana for Your Body & Soul

Window Coverings to Bring Your Home to Life

Fashion Chronicle Centre Mall, 3310 8th Street East, Saskatoon 306.668.9946

4 Twenty Windows 306.717.1092 4twentywindows.com | fourtwentywindows@yahoo.com

Best in Automobile Maintenance 2012

Creating Balance Inside and Out

Great Canadian Oil Change 519 Nelson Rd Road, Saskatoon Saskatoon | 306.665.3331 | 306.665.3331 www.saskatoonnelsonrdgcocltd.com |

Inside Out Therapies 1112 Morgan Ave, Saskatoon | 306.974.1004 www.insideout-therapies.com

Full service day spa featuring registered massage therapists, comprehensive esthetical services and an exclusive line of custom bath and body products. Treat yourself to a little spring indulgence.

Inspired clothing that reflects the love of travel and sense of global citizenship. Manufactured in Thailand by a team of more than 500 women.

Consumer choice recipient. Warranty approved. Serviced over 45,000 vehicles. Check out our new website for coming the latest Oct 1 rebates, for the promotions latest rebates, andpromotions specials. and specials.

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Specializing in European deli & grocery products. Catering for all occasions. Fresh meats & smoked sausage. Check out our online menu.

Creative solutions to complement the unique look of your home.

Shop 4 Twenty’s diverse and affordable selection to make your windows stand out.

Ann Marie Humble, Biofeedback | Patricia Cruz, Myofascial Release Dana Clay, BodyTalk | Sharon Baldock, Reiki | Brooke Bulloch, Registered Dietitian | ZoĂŤ Stiglitz, Deep Tissue Laser |

More than Just Shoes

Mad Soles has something for everyone from all the top brands including the biggest and best selection of Sanuks. Smile. . . pass it on!

Spring Cleanup Special

Power raking damages your lawn. Spring cleanup package includes: manual raking, power blowing & spike aeration. Regular lots and corner lots. Free estimates for larger lots.

Mad Soles Centre Mall, 390-3310 8th Street East | 306.373.7653 |

Saskatoon Lawn Services 306.281.6808

At Pink Tree We Care

Food, Drink, Fun . . . Kicked Up

Pink Tree 1-701 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon | 306.665.6544 www.pinktree.ca | pinktree@sasktel.net

Rock Creek Tap and Grill 102-1820 McOrmond Drive | 160 - 220 Betts Avenue 306.979.7337 | www.rockcreekgrill.com |

Say “Cheese . . .”

The Clothes You Love, The Clothes You Wear

Twelve Grill at Greenbryre Golf Course Greenbryre Golf Course (five minutes from 8th St.) | 306.373.7600 www.twelvegrill.com | events@greenbryre.com |

The Sandbox in the City Broadway and 9th Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.955.6600 www.sandboxinthecity.com |

Mastectomy Supplies - Bra Fitting - Compression, Support, Braces - Swim Suits - Wigs - Turbans, Scarves, Hats - Sun Protective Clothing - Breastfeeding Supplies

Contact our events team to organize your corporate event or private party. Everything from wine & cheese evenings to fourcourse dining. Twelve Grill . . . Saskatoon’s best kept secret.

Casual appetizers, incredible entrées with a contemporary décor.

For a kicked-up casual dining experience join us at Rock Creek.

Sunday Brunch | Live Music Wednesdays.

Beautiful, versatile clothing for work, play, day and evening.

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Your Vision is a Piece of Cake

Dress for Who You Deserve to Be

Cakes by Jen 332 20th Street West, Saskatoon | 306.978.CAKE (2253) www.cakesbyjensaskatoon.com | cakesbyjensaskatoon@yahoo.ca

Argyle Boutique 122-1820 McOrmond Drive, Saskatoon | 306.380.5390 argyleboutique@gmail.com |

Saskatoon’s Hidden Gem

Turning Everyday Objects Into Art

Charter House Interiors 331–1st Avenue North, Saskatoon | 306.653.4634 www.charterhouseinteriors.com

Spell It Photo Art 306.222.5504 leane@spellitphotoart.ca | spellitphotoart.ca |

Vintage Jewellery Boutique

Rescuing Rooms and Saving Dollars

Back Then & Again Jewellery Boutique 115 - 3rd Avenue S, The Drinkle Mall , Saskatoon 306.665.7568 | hsneufeld@sasktel.net |

Realistic Redesign 306.229.1982 | barbara@realisticredesign.com www.realisticredesign.com | |

Any occasion . . . or even for no occasion. Made from scratch using only the freshest of ingredients. Saskatoon’s largest source of cake decorating supplies.

11,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor furniture, lighting, rugs, art and more housed in the Tees and Persse building, one of the few heritage buildings open to the public.

Stunning vintage pieces from every era, including costume jewellery, unique quality gold and precious stone items. Appraisals and special closed parties available by appointment.

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Argyle Boutique provides career wear and fashion-forward pieces that focus on taking women through their busy day.

Celebrate your next special occasion with a unique piece of photo art. Perfect for Mother’s Day, weddings, baby showers, or grad.

Realistic Redesign works with your existing furniture and decor to make the most of your space. Don’t reinvent . . . build upon your personal style.

Feel Empowered, Be Beautiful

Be Discovered

Sexy N Sassy Boutique Boutique 167 C 2nd Avenue South, S | 306.244.4411 Saskatoon | 306.244.4411 sexynsassyboutique@gmail.com ||

Masala Model & Talent and School of Personal Development 808-601 Spadina Crescent East (Delta Bessborough Hotel Towers) 306.653.3830 | masalatalent@sasktel.net | | |

Quality Menswear, Reasonable Prices

Where Classy Meets Country

Lino Boutique 154 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon | 306.652.5466 linoboutique@sasktel.net |

Creekside Country Home Decor and Antiques Corner of Avenue P and 29th Street W, Saskatoon | 306.934.2580 217 1st Street West, Delisle | 306.493.3299 |

Create Your Own Yogurt Masterpiece

A New You Awaits . . .

Pure Frozen Yogurt 126-1824 McOrmond Drive (University Heights) Unit 1-411 Herold Court (Rosewood) | 306.683.0968 |

Paramount DaySpa & Salon 702 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon | 306.242.0017 www.paramountdayspa.com |

It’s not your size that makes you sexy. sexy! It’s not your shape that makes you sassy! sassy. It’s YOU feeling empowered. empowered! Every Every woman woman deserves it! it. Sizes XS-6X.

The Lino Boutique has everything a man needs for all occasions, from business to casual.

A self-serve frozen yogurt bar with 8 soft serve flavors and 40+ toppings. It’s fun, healthy, and PUREly delicious!

Rosewood location NOW OPEN!

Full service agency providing professional models, actors & talent for fashion, TV, film, media, promotional events & more. Courses available. Photography by Andrea Bruns and Renata Kaveh.

Creekside Country Home Decor and Antiques. Vast selection of unique primitive, country and vintage home decor and gift items.

Come see our newly expanded Delisle location.

Paramount DaySpa & Salon is the perfect place to refresh and renew. Visit our Spa Suite for a pedi party with your girlfriends.

Perfect for bridal parties!

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You . . . Only Better

For the Toys You’ve Always Wanted

Change Lingerie Lawson Heights Mall - 134 Pinehouse Drive 306.664.4164 Drive, |Saskatoon www.change.com/en-ca 306.664.4164 | www.change.com/en-ca

The Giggle Factory Inc. 150-1824 McOrmond Drive, Saskatoon | 306.975.9630 gigglefactory@sasktel.net | www.gigglefactory.ca

Put the Funk back in Funk-tional

Satisfy Your Couture Cravings

Beautifully designed lingerie, sleepwear and swimwear in a wide range of styles and sizes to fit your unique curves. Embrace change and discover you, only better.

Saskatoon’s best optical 6 years running. Stand apart from the crowd, whether subtly or by having glasses that scream for attention.

Find something for everyone with a huge selection of awardwinning toys, games, puzzles and more. Come have fun at the new University Heights location.

Jules and Lace–for the covetable, trendy and classic look at affordable prices.

Optika Eclectic Eyeware 702B Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.664.4412 www.optika-eyeware.com

Jules and Lace 118-1844 McOrmond Drive, Saskatoon | 306.649.2570 www.julesandlace.com | |

Find Your Fashion at Anthonys

Inspire | Design | Create

Anthonys Fashion for Men 600-234 1st Avenue South, Saskatoon | 306.665.0181 anthonysfashionformen@shaw.ca |

Beyond Measure Design 306.974.3955 | krista.martens@beyondmeasuredesign.ca | www.beyondmeasuredesign.ca |

We cater to fashion conscious men of all ages. We offer a broad selection of contemporary menswear from formal to casual and all points in between.

Fashionat atAnthonys anthonys Fashion

ionconscious conscious menofofall allages. ages.We Weoffer offeraabroad broad on men 184 FineLifestyles mporary menswear from formal to casual and all SASKATOON

With each project we follow this simple credo . . . Inspire, Design, Create. We want your home to be a source of daily inspiration for you.

Era Style Loft - Women’s Boutique

Offering timeless pieces with a modern style to fit the needs of every lifestyle. Era brings a fresh approach to fashion - drawing on the needs of stylish women.

Era Style Loft 234 21st Street East Saskatoon | 306.652.2770 info@erastyleloft.com | www.erastyleloft.com |

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Sensational for Women Womenand & Men Sensational Hats for Men

HATS & THAT:

Fabulous jewelleryand andaccessories accessoriesfor toevery suit every Fabulousselection selection of hats, jewellery occasion, occasion formal to fun.

Our arethe trained tofit find the formal tofrom fun. Our friendly staff arefriendly trainedstaff to find perfect and style forfityou. in for a unique experience. perfect andCome style for you.

Come shopping in for a unique shopping experience.

HATS, JEWELLERY, Hats and ThatAND ACCESSORIES

Hats and That Avenue,

By Nykea Marie Behiel Photos Stephanie Zhang 636 Broadway Saskatoon | 306.933.1898 636 Broadway Avenue | 306.933.1898 www.hatsandthat.ca | been hrough the ages hats have always people across Canada. The store is a treasured a classic way to showcase your unique and unique find to all the fashion conscious. www.hatsandthat.ca | Hats and That sense of fashion. This year, hats are back Debbie offers casual pieces, through to formal

T

in a huge way.

wear and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Debbie Taylor opened Hats & That on Broadway in 2003. After 25 years in healthcare, Debbie was able to realize her dream of running her own business. With plenty of support from family and friends, her passion became her livelihood.

The only fashion hat retailer in Saskatoon, Hats & That offers selection unrivalled by anyone in the business. Debbie and her staff will help you find a hat that fits you well and suits your lifestyle. If you think you’re not a hat person, you just haven’t found the right style.

Since then, she and her expert staff have been keeping fashion on the minds, and heads, of

Arthur Rose Means Fine Dry Cleaning

For almost a century, “Arthur Rose” has meant fine dry-cleaning in Saskatoon

For almost a century, the name “Arthur Rose” has been synonymus with fine dry-cleaning in Saskatoon, and it is a tradition that continues today.

F

Fresh Flowers – Organic Design – Lifestyles Beautiful fresh cut flowers and organic design. Now featuring furniture by Dwell Studio, 18 Karat and Designers Guild. Furniture and accessories for your home.

BY DERRYL MURPHY

or almost a century, the name “Arthur Rose” has been synonymous with fine dry-cleaning in Saskatoon, and it’s a tradition that continues to this day.

Founded by Arthur Rose in 1913, the business was family owned for about 65 years. Three employees then purchased it, and for the last 15 years it’s been owned by Ron LeFrancois, who himself has more than a quarter of a century of dry-cleaning experience: he’s owned Custom Cleaners, which he merged with Arthur Rose six years ago, for 26 years.

Originally located on Second Avenue North, today Arthur Rose Fine Drycleaning is at 321-Fourth Ave. N., downtown between 24th and 25th Streets.

Arthur Rose Fine Drycleaning 321-4th Ave North 306.652.3344

Blossoms Living 111-1526 8th Street, Saskatoon | 306.955.3355 www.blossomsliving.ca | blossoms@sasktel.net |

Spring 2010

Fun Fashion for You

Make Their Day Special, Your Way

Babette’s 96a 33rd Street East, Saskatoon | 306.244.0233 babettes2009@hotmail.com |

Creative ComplimentsTM 109-3rd Ave. N, Saskatoon | 306.664.3618 | toll free 888.593.6483 www.creativecompliments.com | ellie@creativecompliments.com

From fascinators and hats, jewellery and shoes, lingerie and cruise wear, come shop a wide variety of name brands, including Liverpool Jeans.

Express your best wishes for Mother’s Day, graduation, weddings and Father’s Day with a themed gift basket, fresh cut flowers, an arrangement or bouquet, ideal for that special day.

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Shoes for All Walks of Life

Create. Beauty. Enjoyment.

Foster’s Shoes 818 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.653.1155 www.fosters-shoes.com

Gentle Earth Design Studios Ltd. 2314 Cairns Ave, Saskatoon | 306.343.8594 gentleearthdesigns@shaw.ca | www.gentleearthdesigns.com

A Creative Way to Share Your Memories

Distilling in the City

J & S Picture Frame Warehouse 121 Jessop Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.373.1171 www.jandspicture.com | jandspicture@shaw.ca

LB Distillers 1925 Avenue B North, Saskatoon | 306.979.7280 lucky@luckybastard.ca | www.luckybastard.ca |

Authentic Southern Cuisine

Interior Design Products & Services

Mardi Gras Grill 239 Idylwyld Drive South, Saskatoon 306.382.1795

Metric Design Centre 160-2nd Avenue North | 306.974.0190 service@metricdesign.ca | www.metricdesign.ca |

Let our trained and caring staff help you find the right pair of shoes for your feet.

Experienced staff, skilled craftsmanship, and creativity. Visit J & S Picture Frame Warehouse to turn your memories into works of art.

Mardi Gras Grill has all the fixings for a night of Cajun fun. Comfort food for your Southern palette.

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Interior landscape design with tropicals. A complete range of tropical indoor plants. Contemporary Lechuza planters. Revitalize your commercial space. Add colour to your home.

Discover Saskatoon’s newest treasure. Distilling premium spirits and liqueurs. Providing tours, tastings and fine giftware.

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Innovation and possibility in one inspiring showroom. Displaying fashionable kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, furniture & decor with the professionals and trades for your renovation.

Something for Everyone

Salon for the Modern Day Man

Mulberry’s Bakery Café and Pub 124 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon | 306.664.4911 www.mulberrys.ca

Off Side Hair Zone 104B-3929 8th Street, Saskatoon | 306.974.8170 offsidehairzone@shaw.ca | www.offsidehairzone.ca

Stunning Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Same Crew, New Cabana

Options by Trish 207-3521 8th Street East | 306.933.2030 www.optionsbytrishjewelry.com

Vacations Away Inc. 40-214 Stonebridge Blvd, Saskatoon | 306.477.7460 | 800.477.7460 vacationsaway@sasktel.net | www.vacationsaway.ca |

Your Exotic Sanctuary

Healthy, Delicious Meal Options

Koi Esthetics 214–B Stonebridge Blvd., Saskatoon 306.249.4633 | www.koiesthetics.ca

Clancy’s Meat Co. 130-1844 McOrmond Drive | 306.974.6328 saskatoon@clancys.ca | www.clancysmeatco.com

From breakfast to late night eating, a bakery and steak nights in between, Mulberry’s is the place for you. Catering available for your special occasions.

A marvellous selection of jewelry for all occasions. From gorgeous, simple bridal jewelry, to vintage Hollywood glam, to brilliant gemstones, Trish has something for everyone.

Men and women, revitalize your body, mind and soul. Full service salon and spa for relaxation and pampering. Personalized services using natural and organic quality products.

Treat yourself like a member of the Rat Pack. Find your style at Saskatoon’s sports-themed salon for the modern day man.

Time to vacation with the experts. Our new cabana is complete— stop by our new location. Corporate travel, destination weddings, group excursions, cruises and more.

Inspired menu offers convenient meal choices for today’s busy families. Marinated meats, casseroles and more. Single or multiple serving sizes available.

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Let the Pampering Begin

Discover Your Dress

Full service salon and spa the perfect escape for relaxation and beauty. Hair design, body treatments, and a variety of spa services for the deserving you.

Gorgeous gowns for brides and graduates—everything from chic and simple to lacy and luxurious. Designer dressess for every body type, every style.

Changes Salon & Spa 110-3501 8th Street East, Saskatoon | 306.477.6245 changeshair@sasktel.net | www.changeshair.com

Exquisite Fashions and Bridal 1202B 33rd Street and Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.979.5447 exquisitefashions.ca | info@exquisitefashions.ca

Beneath it All, There’s You

For Your Fine Dining

Lingerie boutique features European designs, specialty lingerie and shape-wear, nursing and sports bras to flatter your body type.

Personalized fittings by knowledgeable staff.

Perfect for that special occasion, date night or just to get away, enjoy our full menu of mouth-watering dishes in a relaxed and intimate setting.

Beneath It All Lingerie 100-234 1st Avenue South, Saskatoon 306.934.0833

John’s Victorian Steak and Seafood House 2033 Avenue B North, Saskatoon 306.664.2313

Professional Detailing for Foryour YourCar Car

Pack Away Your Snowshoes

Kristy Kleen Kleen Bay 2 825 48th Street, Saskatoon ||306.229.2432 306.229.2432 kristykleen@gmail.com || www.kristykleen.ca kristykleen@gmail.com www.kristykleen.ca

Traxx Footwear 23-2105 8th Street East, Grosvenor Park Mall 306.956.2272 | www.traxxfootwear.com

Let Kristy Kleen come to you with a unique, mobile car cleaning service. From cars to trucks, RVs to boats, see your vehicle shine.

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Treat yourself to the latest styles & brands for 2013. New fashions arriving daily. Ask about booking your personalized VIP shoe event for your group or bridal party.

Head to Toe Full Service Salon and Spa

Authentic and Flavourful Homemade Food

Drop Dead Gorgeous Day Spa & Essentials Hair Bay E, 2410 Richardson Road | www.dropdeadgorgeousdayspa.com Spa: Bailey, 306.244.2534 | Salon: Crystal, 306.955.0003

Two Gun Quiche House 135 20th Street West (Between Avenues A and B), Saskatoon 306.380.5209 | |

For the Fighter in You

Find Your Independence

Way of the Dragon Martial Arts & Fitness 126 20th Street West, Saskatoon | 306.261.8534 www.wayofthedragon.ca |

Golden Mobility 2202 Hanselman Avenue | 306.242.9060 www.goldenmobility.ca | goldenmobility@shaw.ca |

Upscale & Character Upscale Ambience Ambience and Character West coast inspired food and beverages. Items include locally

Escape to the Outdoors

The Ivy Dining & Lounge The Ivy Dining & Lounge 301 Ontario Avenue | 306.384.4444 301 Ontario Avenue | 306.384.4444 www.theivysaskatoon.com | | www.theivysaskatoon.com | |

Escape Sports 110 19th Street West, Saskatoon | 306.244.7433 www.escapesports.ca

Be pampered in our tropical oasis and feel renewed. Our newly expanded full service salon and spa offers highlights to lowlights, microdermabrasion/cold laser, esthetics to tanning.

Whether your focus is to fight or get in better shape, Way of the Dragon Martial Arts & Fitness ensures the best teachers and techniques in the industry.

West coast inspired food and beverages. Items include locally grown ingredients—a commitment to Saskatoon and grown ingredients—a commitment to Saskatoon and surrounding communities. surrounding communities.

With meals made from scratch using the freshest, highest quality ingredients and local produce, Two Gun Quiche House serves food with personality.

Wheelchair accessible van rentals available for the day, weekend or month.

Stop in to enjoy the world of alternative sports. Equipment, footwear and clothing for all ages and experience levels.

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Rural Restaurant Defines Urban Chic

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

The Hole in the Wall Restaurant Shields townsite | 306.492.4804 www.holeinthewallrestaurant.ca |

Hillcrest Memorial Gardens 1st right one block east of Briargate Road, Saskatoon | 306.477.2236 www.hillcrestmemorial.ca

Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Golf Pass Packages Available

Spa Ahava 720 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.978.8111 www.spaahava.com | spaahava@shaw.ca

Dakota Dunes Golf Links 202 Dakota Dunes Way, Whitecap | 306.664.4653 1.877.414.4653 | www.dakotadunes.ca | gm@dakotadunes.ca

Improve the Quality of your our Life Life

Resolve to Pamper Yourself More Often in 2013

Hearing Satisfaction Hearing Drive, Saskatoon Saskatoon || 306.979.4543 306.979.4543 16-1945 McKercher Mckercher Drive, gmarcoux@msn.com ||www.satisfactionhearing.com www.satisfactionhearing.com

Edgewater Spa 101 – 611 University Drive | 306 978.4111 edgewaterspa@shaw.ca | www.edgewaterspa.ca

Continental cuisine with Latin American overtones.

25 minutes south of Saskatoon in the resort village of Shields.

By reservation only.

Shed your winter skin and return your body to its natural glow with our body scrubs and body wraps.

Don’t let hearing loss affect your life. Come for your comprehensive hearing testing and needs assessment.

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At the end of it all, where we end up may not mean anything to us, but to our loved ones it means everything.

Save up to 25% off regular green fees with golf pass packages.

Passes are transferrable, and suitable for corporate or personal bookings. Great for businesses, as gifts, or a group of friends.

Massage your stress away with a registered hot stone massage using basalt lava.

A Home Cooked Meal at your Office

Get Your Grill On

Auntie B’s Bake Shop 111-2750 Faithful Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.244.2867 bwr@sasktel.net | www.auntiebs.ca

The Weber BBQ Shop 1905 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.665.0800 | 1.888.665.0800 www.weberbbqshop.com | weberbbqshop@quadrant.net

Live Well, Eat Right, See the Doc

Beautiful & Contemporary Lighting Fixtures

Doc Hollandaise 6-705 Central Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.651.5115 103 Stonebridge Blvd, Saskatoon | 306.978.2515 | dochollandaise.com

Richardson Lighting 402 47th Street East, Saskatoon | 306.933.4777 www.richardsonlighting.com

It’s Your Style and All About You

Ready to Discuss your Real Estate Needs?

Pic-Man Tattoo & SOMA Studio 226 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon | 306.384.7887 picman.tattoo@sasktel.net | www.picmantattoo.ca |

Century 21 Fusion 210-310 Wellman Lane, Saskatoon | www.century21.ca/jennifer.allen kmathesonc21@hotmail.com | jenniferallenc21@hotmail.com

Everyone deserves a delicious meal! Can’t make it out for lunch?

Let Auntie B’s deliver a home cooked meal just for you. Specializing in worksite and office catering.

For Saskatoon’s best ribs, unique menu items, and traditional favorites, it’s time you and your family visit the Doc. New Stonebridge location. Special event catering available.

Express yourself with a statement that will last a lifetime. Tattoos and piercings are the most personal ways to make a statement.

The Weber BBQ Shop has what you need to enjoy the great taste of BBQ in every season. Open six days a week.

A diverse selection to suit any lifestyle, find what you need to flatter your home. Indoor and outdoor lighting, accents and home decor.

Call Kimberlee or Jennifer.

Kimberlee (306) 717.1663 Jennifer (306) 241.2229

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Restyle Your Jewelry at Factory Prices

Saskatchewan’s Leading Music Service

South China Jewelry Lower Level Midtown Plaza | 306.931.3328 southchina@sasktel.net | www.southchinajewelry.com

Celebrated Sound Music Services Inc. 306.242.2211 | 800.461.2221 info@celebratedsound.com | www.celebratedsound.com |

Thousands of designs and hundreds of ring settings in stock ready for restyling seven days a week.

Treasured Oasis Awaits

Professional DJs providing the music you love for your wedding, anniversary, reunion, birthday party, retirement, corporate event and more. Great entertainment & lasting memories.

Revival Starts Here

Family-run retreat offers picturesque views, homemade meals and gardens aplenty. Shop authentic Saskatchewan specialties in our gift shop or our kiosk in The Centre Mall.

Visit the fully stocked showroom today for ideas. For your new build or renovation project, book your complimentary in-home consultation by our professional staff.

The Berry Barn 830 Valley Road, Saskatoon | 306.978.9797 www.berrybarn.ca |

Budget Blinds 102-2834 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.242.5706 www.budgetblinds.com | kqlang@budgetblinds.com

Signature Benjamin Moore Dealer

Sleep Expert

Eastside Paint and Wallpaper 1201A Walpole Ave | 306.477.5555 | 1-406 Ludlow Street | 306.374.8888 www.eastsidepaintandwallpaper.com

Wiseguys Mattresses Mattresses 6-405 Circle Drive East East, |Saskatoon 306.652.1212 306.652.1212 | wiseguysmattresses

Locally owned and operated Eastside Paint & Wallpaper carries all the Benjamin Moore products you need for your decorating & renovation projects.

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A good night’s sleep is just a mattress away. Ask Mark how you can sleep easy with a wise choice. Wiseguys Mattresses is a proud member proud member of TrustedSaskatoon.com. of TrustedSaskatoon.com.

The Dress. The Invitations. The Décor.

Bra Recycle Program

Wedding & Party Boutique 107-3521 8th Street East, Saskatoon | 306.477.2022 theweddingandparty.com | |

Bodacious Bustlines 520 Central Street, Warman | 306.249.6239 www.bodaciousbustlines.ca |

Freshen the Feel of your Office with Flowers

Thorough & Trustworthy Cleaning Services

Jane’s Floral Dreams 4-402 Ludlow St. (Co-Op Marketplace), Saskatoon | 306.955.2833 janesflowers@sasktel.net | www.janesfloraldreams.com |

Shana’s Cleaning Services www.saskhomeservice.com | 306.262.3262 shana@saskhomeservice.com

From designer wedding gowns to dresses for any occasion, we have what you need to make your special day perfect. Find your dream wedding décor here. We can’t wait to create your vision.

Show appreciation for your staff, inspire the mood and energy of your business setting, and, most importantly, send a warm and inviting message to your clients.

Donate your old worn out bras and receive 10 per cent off your new regular priced bra. Gently used bras sent to missions in Mexico and overly loved ones harvested for parts.

Let the professionals clean your home, giving you more opportunity to spend time on yourself, with family or with friends.

You deserve it.

Interested in having your photography in Fine Lifestyles magazine?

Contact the editor at erinl@finelifestyles.ca

For a Matchless Experience

Looking for a unique and unforgettable entertainment experience?

Come us help us kick-off our 2013 season: Saturday, May 11th at 2pm. Season tickets still available.

Auto Clearing Motor Speedway 231-510 Cynthia Street, Saskatoon | 306.956.3225 www.autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca FineLifestyles

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EXPERTAdvice Starting From Scratch

Chantelle Butterfield Funktional Space 306.227.3008 chantelle@funktionalspace.com www.funktionalspace.com |

B

uilding a new house is an exciting and rewarding process—new rooms, new yard, new neighbourhood.

Sometime, though, it can be an overwhelming process. Starting a home from scratch means creating a functional home for you and your family, and decorating and furnishing to suit your lifestyle. From the exterior finishes, to the flooring, to the paint on the walls, the decisions may seem endless. This is why accessing the expertise of a decorator can ease the stress.

Daria and Greg Malin recently built a new home and were very excited about it. Daria recognized from the beginning that it was going to be a big task. “When I had to choose the flooring, the wall colours, the cabinetry—everything from start to finish—I knew what I liked, what feeling I wanted to achieve in each room, but I didn’t know how to put it all together.”

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Daria and I met every few months to keep the planning process on track.

Sometimes we would sit down and go through the choices they had to make, and other times we would go out to the various retailers and choose the products that would complete each area of the house. “Often I would show Chantelle a picture from a magazine of something I was trying to reflect, and she would help pull the pieces and the colours together for me,” explains Daria.

Homeowners have a great sense of what they need and want, but sometimes it helps to have an outsider’s knowledge and experience complement the vision.

For example, of the Malins’ new kitchen, Daria remarks that I “helped with the function.” Daria and Greg had a good layout in mind for the cabinets according to their workflow and storage needs, but were extremely pleased with the few tweaks I applied to improve the space and make it even more workable and useable.

I’m all about making things more functional, now and in the future. For example, the Malins have children. As children grow, so do their requirements for space and furniture. Daria laughs,

“Chantelle was mindful of the fact that we have kids and everything she recommended can grow with the family.

She helped me design a playhouse, but it looks like a classy shed so that as the kids grow out of it, it doesn’t have to be taken down; it can stay and be fitting as just a shed. Even furniture for the toy room—she made sure it’s not something we have to get rid of in five years when they’re too big for all their toys.”

Creating a new home is truly a collaborative process between you, your builder and your decorator. “It’s nice to have someone say, ‘This is what you need,’” smiles Daria. “I just can’t always get there on my own. Like my living room: I told Chantelle I wanted a certain white.

There’s a million whites out there, but she got it! When it went on the walls it was the exact white I wanted.”

I love creating beautiful, livable spaces for people: it is such a rewarding experience.

“What I admired about Chantelle was not only her talent, but her confidence in our decisions. It was overwhelming, even as someone who knew what I wanted!” Daria laughs. “But she made it so easy.” FLS

Colour Your Summer Locally owned and operated family business Floral Acres is a gardener’s paradise. We are a third generation greenhouse, operating since 1936. With our state-of-the-art greenhouse and five acres of automated production, Floral Acres offers a wide variety of top quality annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and herbs, producing over 4 million plants a year. Our trees and shrubs are competitively priced.

Watch for our Toonie Tuesday specials in May and June. Stop in to choose from thousands of hanging baskets and planters for Mother’s Day. Check out our website and Facebook page for our weekly specials.

Floral Acres has available thousands of poinsettias for your fundraising campaign.

Extended Hours May & June,

Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Directions

Take Circle Drive South which turns to Valley Road, 7 km past 11St West

310 Valley Road, Saskatoon 306.382.7352 | info@floralacres.ca

Professional Agents.

Sophisticated Service.

KINDRA SOWDEN REALTOR速 306.221.5757 kindrasowden@shaw.ca

LACY WATSON REALTOR速 306.227.9479 lacywatson@sasktel.net

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