Neighbourhood Living The Beach, Winter 2013, Issue 18 by Neighbourhood Living Magazine

CELEBRATING NEIGHBOURHOOD PEOPLE

Winter 2013 • Issue 18

the beach

CARPET • HARDWOOD • AREA RUGS • VINYL • LAMINATE • REMNANTS

isit our fabulous 10,000sq. ft. showroom for the latest styles and the best selections in the city. Whether you’re resurfacing one room, a set of stairs or an entire house, our passionate team of consultants and installers will ensure professional service that leaves a lasting impression. Regarded as a premier destination for some of your favourite TV personalities, designers and real estate agents.

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meet the nl teAm! Allison Anthony Neighbourhood Promoter/ Contributing Writer/ Photographer A devoted resident of Little Italy and the Annex, Allison Anthony has stuck to her comfortable quadrant for many years. Since joining Neighbourhood Living Magazine, she has travelled east of Yonge Street more than five times and continues to be amazed at just how much Toronto’s east and west end neighbourhoods have to offer. CArolyn tripp Neighbourhood Promoter/ Writer/Photographer/Social Media Manager Carolyn Tripp is an artist, writer and creative consultant living in Toronto’s west end. She has a soft spot for vintage and local fashion and loves showcasing the city’s best boutiques and designers. Her favourite time of year is when she gets to bust open the boxes and revisit all of her favourite seasonal standards–and the accessories she forgot she purchased the year before! pAmelA hiCkey Graphic Designer On Career Day in Grade 5, Pam got up in front of the class and told everyone she was going to be a race car driver. Naturally, she became a graphic designer but still doesn’t own a cool car. She is happy to bring the pages of NL magazine to life and celebrate our vibrant neighbourhoods. trACey CoveArt Editor/Feature Writer/ Photographer A writer, editor, columnist and photographer, Tracey Coveart emerged from the womb with a pen in one hand and a camera in the other and has been fortunate to find a home for her skills in a rich list of publications over the past 30 years. In 2011, upon emigrating from small-town Ontario to the bustling metropolis of Toronto, she landed on the doorstep of Neighbourhood Living Magazine and has made her home within its glorious pages ever since. Tracey has a fierce love of family, chocolate, bubbly things, lightning, a good turn of phrase and orangutans. GreG BArsoski Publisher/Photographer/ Neighbourood Promoter A hammer was the first tool I ever used–putting nails into the kitchen floor–and I have been building ever since: three paper routes as a kid; large businesses for corporate interests; and now a media business building community spirit. I love Toronto, especially its neighbourhoods (great neighbourhoods make a great city!) and I am lucky so many people have allowed me to participate in the life of their neighbourhood by sharing their stories on the pages of this magazine. I have been blessed to make it this far and still retain my sense of humour. My motto is to serve with an open heart.

From the

editor’s Deck It’s winter in the neighbourhood. And sadly, I’m not a winter person. There are stairs to salt, driveways to shovel, car windows to scrape, icy roads to navigate and a dog to walk in subzero temperatures. There are coats and hats and mittens and boots and scarves to clutter my doorway; sweaters and chenille socks and slippers and extra blankets piled beside my bed. There are snowstorms and snow tires and snow days and and snowsuits and snowballs and snow forts and snow angels and snowmen. There are long, dark nights and short, bright brittle days, when nostrils pinch and burn and tree limbs crack under biceps of white or glittering jackets of ice. And it’s freezing. Always freezing. I’m a cold-blooded type; my body adjusts to the temperature around me. Clearly I was meant to live in a place where the mercury never dips below 22 degrees Celsius. Like a snake—a gentle, loving snake like our ball python Taka—I’m a basker, a huddler, a hibernator. But the neighbourhood never sleeps. Not even when the window panes rattle and frost. In fact, it’s a hive of activity. Which is a good thing, because there is no time for hibernating, especially with Christmas just around the corner. Between them, the advertisers that support this magazine will get my winter-weary tuchus through another season of snow and ice, and I’ll barely feel the chill–not just because they’re so close to home, but because they generate a warmth that I haven’t found anywhere else; a familiarity that makes me feel like I’m shopping with friends. Marie at Pegasus, who not only created a wonderful home-away-from home for my daughter Stephie but also started the best little thrift shop in The Beach; Mike Maclaverty, whose iconic Beach calendar will make sure I’m where I’m supposed to be in 2014; Joe at Beadworks, who keeps my wrists looking elegant in black; Fawzi at Velouté, who fed me the most extraordinary beet and goat cheese salad (and I don’t even like beets and goat cheese!); Barb at Pippins, where my daughter Stephie and I go to get our Anne Tainter fix; Werner at Howards Storage World, who recommended our fabulous PopChips so we can make healthy snacks in the microwave; Marg at Kids At Home, from whom Stephie purchases a gift for her ‘daddy who never grew up’ each Father’s Day; and so many more. Visit them. They exist for you and because of you. A neighbourhood is something so remarkable that social scientists have yet to agree on an exact definition. Some say: ‘A specific geographic area in which face-to-face social interactions occur and residents seek to realize common goals and maintain effective social control.’ But it’s like winter. It’s cold. They’re missing the feeling of a neighbourhood. And it’s the feeling that makes a neighbourhood so special. They way it feels when you walk into your corner store and the owner greets you by name, and asks about your mom and dad and their moms and dads. The way it feels when all the dogs rough and tumble in the dog park while their owners toss balls and chat about kids and politics and work and the weather. The way it feels to belong. A neighbourhood is a beautiful, indescribable thing, and we celebrate ours, here, on the pages of this magazine. Happy Holidays. Happy Winter. Happy Neighbourhood Living. www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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To all my wonderful customers I have too many carpets and am over stocked. I need to clear space for beautiful furniture coming in the new year. If you have thought of buying another carpet to complement the ones you have now, or are a first time buyer, come by my store. Now is the time to give me an offer I can’t refuse. Sincerely, Hossein Rafat

Lashar Rugs 744 Danforth Ave • 416-461-0888 • www.lasharrugs.com

Rug Cleaning and Repair Free pickup and delivery. We offer professional cleaning, stain removal, fringework, repair patchwork and more. 4

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NEXT ISSUE: March 2014 Delivered to homes and targeted businesses in The Beach. Editor/Feature Writer: Tracey Coveart Graphic Designer: Pamela Hickey Social Media Administrator: Carolyn Tripp Neighbourhood Promoters: Carolyn Tripp, Greg Baroski, Allison Anothony Printer: Ironstone Media Contributing Photographers: Judy-Ann Cazemier, Tracey Coveart, Heliographics, Carolyn Tripp, Kristina Raimi, Andy Vanderkaay

In the Neighbourhood 6 - Life is a beautiful accident for photographer Mike Maclaverty 11 - Dancing your way to joy in Riverdale 12 - Make it a Happy, Healthy Christmas 14 - Dial up the heat and turn your yoga practice on its head 16 - Journeys by Judy: The Scarborough Bluffs 20 - Upcoming Events

Contributing Writers: Connie Adair, Allison Anthony, Judy-Ann Cazemier, Tracey Coveart, Paula Deresti, Carolyn Tripp

Fashion + Beauty 22 - Fashion forward 23 - Fashion finds in Your Neighbourhood 24 - The hidden gem of the film industry 26 - A head to toe beauty team 28 - Gift Guide 29 - Neighbourhood Source Guide

Publisher: Greg Barsoski

Neighbourhood Living Magazine is now in its 5th exciting year, celebrating the wonderful people and places in our neighbourhood. Do you own a business in the neighbourhood or are you thinking of becoming a local merchant? For ways to increase your cash flow, contact Greg Barsoski at 416-402-4283 or b5@sympatico.ca. 19 Ravina Crescent, Toronto, M4J 3L9

Food + Celebration 32 - A tale of two shortbreads 34 - Danforth bistro is a neighbourhood pioneer 37 - A Christmas Tradition in The Beach

ON OUR COVER:

Home + Garden

Michael (Mike) Maclaverty has taken photographs all over the world, but he is best known and loved for his photography of The Beach and his favourite subject, the iconic Leuty Lifeguard Station. See more from The Accidental Photographer on page 4.

40 - Make short work of kitchen chaos 43 - New kitchen or kitchen makeover? 44 - Grow food, not lawns 46 - Turn the winter blues green with a tabletop garden 47 - Usher in the New Year with a brand new look! All rights reserved info. No article or ad may be duplicated without the consent of the publisher. Neighbourhood Living makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the qualification or accreditation of those whose opinions are expressed herein, or with the respect to the accuracy of completeness of information (medical or otherwise) provided to, or published in, this magazine. The views and opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;like photographyâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;is a beautiful accident for Mike Maclaverty 6

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Many of the best things in the life of Michael (Mike) Maclaverty–The Beaches’ Accidental Photographer–have been accidents. Or at least not entirely intentional. Like his emigration to Canada. At the age of 18, unsure of what he wanted to do in the way of work, the young Scot from Aberdeen was lured across the pond by the call of a loon. “Seriously. Every Sunday at midday there was a half-hour program on the radio hosted by Peter Scott, grandson of the famous naturalist, and the show opened with the cry of

a loon, recorded in Algonquin Park. I figured I had to go and see any country that had a creature capable of making a sound like that,” says Mike. He worked as a labourer on a farm for about a year, eventually getting to the park and hearing his first loon, before making his way to Toronto. Once in the city, “I got into the film business quite by accident,” says Mike. “It was 1967, and the government was throwing money at anyone doing anything to celebrate the country’s Centennial anniversary. A friend of a friend was

making a commemorative documentary and he needed a gopher. He hired me on, and one thing led to another.” Mike never made it back to Scotland. Eventually, he wound up in the editing department, cutting film, and that’s where he stayed for the next 30 years, “sticking little squares of celluloid together for documentaries, movies and television.” It was a good trade—a good career—and Mike was nominated for a Genie for his work on the 1980 feature film The Kidnapping of the President, but computer

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technology was emerging and he decided to quit before his old-school skills, acquired on the job rather than at college or university, became obsolete. “The last thing I worked on was a TV series for CTV called ENG.” Retired at a relatively young age, Mike had to find something to do with his time. He had toyed with a camera before. As a young teenager in the 60s he had a Brownie and later he took the occasional family photograph. “But with film, I couldn’t achieve the kind of results I desired. I didn’t have a darkroom and lab costs were prohibitive.” It wasn’t until he left the workforce that his wife gave him his first digital camera for Christmas “and I could do what I wanted.” Mike joined the Beach Camera Club and thoroughly enjoyed it. Shortly after becoming a member, he entered three photographs into one of the club’s three annual competitions–and won in two categories. “It was a real confidence builder. And things kind of took off from there.” The next year, the club had a show at The Beacher Cafe and Mike sold his first photograph. “After that, I started to hang shows by myself in places like my local Starbucks and other restaurants around The Beach.” Although Mike is best known in these parts for his iconic photographs of The Beach, many of them featuring the Leuty Lifeguard Station, he and his wife have travelled around the world and he has taken extraordinary images throughout

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Europe, South and Central America, Mexico and Alaska. Still, it’s his Beaches photos that sell the best–and not just to people who live in the neighbourhood. Mike has shipped pictures of The Beach to the US, eastern and western Canada, England and Australia and for the past three years he has offered his popular Beach calendar for $18 at Beach retailers including Pippins, Seagull, Book City, Incurable Collector and Art on the Beach. “I love taking pictures of The Beach, especially in the winter, when it’s quiet,” says Mike, who lives steps from the boardwalk. “It’s such an easy subject because it’s constantly changing. I walk there every morning and no two mornings are the same. Similar, but never the same. There is always something surprising happening with the sky or the water.” The Leuty Lifeguard Station, which Mike considers the anchor of The Beach, is his favourite place to point a lens. “I’ve taken thousands of photographs of that building. If they ever get rid of it there will be no reason for the beach to exist. It will just collapse into a big sinkhole! “Morning has broken (see facing pages) is my favourite,” says Mike. “Apart from the actual building itself, you have the sky: the beautiful golden rays of sun that are pushing through the clouds and reaching down toward the water. When people see that photograph they say one of three things: ‘I love your painting.’ ‘If that’s really a photograph what did you do to it?’ Or ‘My friends and I jog by there every morning and I have seen that, I know it’s real!’” Although many of Mike’s photographs look like paintings or drawings, “I don’t do a lot to them,” he says. “I’m not into photoshop and what I call the ‘digital arts.’ All I really do is go in and tidy up the colours and get rid of extraneous stuff to get down to the heart of the subject so the picture can tell a story. What you see is what I saw when I was walking by.” Which is where the accidental part comes in. “I’m not very technical,” Mike admits. “Truthfully, I really don’t know what I’m doing half the time. I go out and shoot hundreds of pictures and I don’t know if I’ve got anything good until I get home and download the images onto my computer.” On a recent cruise around Cape Horn at the bottom of South America, for example, Mike shot more than 2,500 pictures. Of those, he felt 10 were worth printing. People shots, too, are completely fortuitous. “I don’t do formal portraits. I just shoot people on the street if I see them doing something interesting or humorous or bizarre.” Or on one occasion, dangerous. “It was May 10th a few years ago when Greece suddenly realized it was bankrupt. We were in Athens when the riots broke out. There were police coming down the street and the buildings were on fire. My wife was reaching around this kid in a hoodie with a baseball bat who was smashing in the windows of a bank. She was grabbing my shirt

and screaming at me to run but I wanted to get the shot.” Mostly, Mike just wanders The Beach or ancient streets in faraway cities, clicking his shutter as the spirit moves him and trying to keep up with his wife, who pauses with a sigh every once and while, waiting for her Accidental Photographer to catch up. Whether it is a Gothic archway or a painted doorway, flower pots on a window sill, hanging laundry, a street on fire or an old building on a beach, life is a beautiful accident waiting to be photographed. To see Mike Maclaverty’s photography, drop in to Starbucks at the corner of Queen and Hammersmith from now until the end of the year.

Michael Maclaverty TheAccidentalPhotographer.Ca mike@theaccidentalphotographer.ca 416-529-6405 Home gallery visits by appointment only

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Member of Parliament Beaches-East York As you prepare for this holiday time I encourage you to consider shopping, dining and exploring local neighbourhoods. Wishing you and yours all the best as you celebrate the season! Constituency Offic: 155 Main Street

Office Hours Monday: 10-5 | Tuesday: 1-8 | Wednesday: CLOSED to public | Thursday: 10-5 | Friday: 10-4

416.467.0860 matthew.kellway@rl.gc.ca

Michael Prue MPP Beachesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;East York Working for you 1821 Danforth Avenue 416.690.1032 mprue-co@ndp.on.ca www.michaelprue.com 10

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Dancing your way to joy in Riverdale

Connie Adair

In a world where bad news and everyday stresses can weigh you down, it’s nice to know there’s a place you can go to find pure joy. “With so much going on, we don’t consider making a commitment to joy,” says Jennifer Jones, CEO and dean of Joy of Dance College. “We invest in providing that. It’s magical to sit at the front door and see how people look when they come in and how they look when they leave. Three-year-old little ballerinas come in crying and go out twirling.” The studio has the same effect on adults. They may enter stressed or feeling down but they leave with joy in their hearts, she says. “After lyrical classes, they may not be twirling, but they feel like they’ve left it all on the dance floor.” Jennifer fondly recalls the dance lessons she took as a child. “I remember the happiness I felt and I wanted to make it happen here.” A little over a decade ago, Jennifer was ready to leave the corporate world to create a better workplace. All it took was a suggestion from her mother, Joyce Jones, that they join forces and open their own studio. The search for suitable studio space was long and hard – a large space without pillars wasn’t easy to find. As luck would have it, they discovered an 8,000-square-foot space on The Danforth, around the corner from the Broadview subway station and in the middle of a family neighbourhood. A renovation created four bright studios with rich hardwood floors and high ceilings. Jennifer and Joyce opened their doors and

their hearts in 2005 and Joy of Dance College has been a neighbourhood fixture ever since, first starting as a ballroom dance studio. Following requests to open classes to other age groups, it now offers “every type of dance except Flamenco to dancers from three to 93.” The studio offers a scholarship program, an instruction program for dancers who want to become teachers and a recreational program. “Our biggest joy is the teen program, because teen dancers choose to be here,” says Jennifer. “They’re kids who are motivated and who recognize the therapeutic aspects of movement. They need an outlet and there’s nothing better than dance.” Dance is great for “all things that ail us,” regardless of age, she says. Sixty-nineyear-old dancer Ellen Nichols suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. “From her second lesson she said she was profoundly affected by her ability to move, to get past the constraints of the disease.” The mission at Joy of Dance College is, quite simply, to inspire joy through dancing. “Joy is a specific feeling; a confidence, a happiness that enables you to go out and live positively in the world”, Jennifer says. Ask any of the dancers and they’ll tell you, mission accomplished.

There are few shortcuts to joy. Dance is one. Jennifer Jones

Joy of Dance Centre

95 Danforth Ave @ Broadview 416.406.3262 www.joyofdance.ca

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Make it a Happy, Healthy Christmas at Know Your Body Best Since 1992, Constance Rennett and Donna Micallef have been promoting health and wellness in the Riverdale neighbourhood and around the world through their retail business, Know Your Body Best. It was a venture born out of frustration. Constance, a registered massage therapist, was tired of embarking on a treasure hunt every time she needed products or a piece of equipment, so she and business partner Donna opened a massage therapy clinic with a small storefront in the Carrot Common on the Danforth. “Things just grew exponentially from there,”

says Constance. Today, Know Your Body Best is the largest store of its kind in the country. A true Canadian success story, “sometimes we can’t believe it ourselves,” says Donna. “People shop at KYBB 24/7. We have a huge online interactive presence with specials, features, educational videos and even a classified section, but we haven’t eliminated any mode of shopping. Our telephones and fax machines are always ringing.” And the partners encourage people to drop into the store, especially around Christmas time, to shop for stocking stuffers and gifts of

Pain For pain relief and the management of chronic pain, KYBB carries an array of topical analgesics in creams, gels and sprays, including BIOFREEZE, Anti-Flamme, CryoDerm and Red Feather Pain Spray. Most of these have an arnica base, a natural herb with anti-inﬂammatory properties. “And once you decrease inﬂammation,” says Donna, “you decrease pain.” These fast acting products are great for treating arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, knee, shoulder and back ache, disk and joint pain, pulled muscles and rheumatic pain.

quality the good old fashioned way. “This is a very touchy-feely, aromatic business,” says Constance, and with 8,000 square feet of space and more coming in the New Year, KYBB gets loads of foot traffic year round as a destination location. “Our mission is to help people feel good– or at least feel better–every single day,” says Constance, “and we have carefully selected every product at Know Your Body Best to help us fulfill that mission. We want our customers to feel their very best so they can live well and enjoy the quality of life they deserve.”

Red Feather Pain Spray

BIOFREEZE 3oz roll-on or 4 oz tube

(herbal remedy) 4oz

1895

2295

Anti-Flamme 100g tube

CryoDerm 3oz roll-on or 4oz gel

1695

2000

14x14

7995

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14x27 |

9495

For moist heat therapy, Donna recommends Thermophore by Battle Creek–a moist electric heating pad. The outer ﬂannel cover draws and stores moisture from the air. “Unlike dry heat, which is more superﬁcial,” she explains, “moist heat penetrates deeper.” For home use, KYBB carries the One Touch model in two sizes: 14x14 and 14x27, which gives full back coverage. Use the pad to alleviate pain, for muscle relaxation and for comfort.

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Rest and Relaxation

“And make sure you keep a bamboo towel next to the tub,” says Constance. “You’ll want that next to your skin when it comes time to dry off.” Silky, soft and breathable, bamboo is a renewable product that is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal. KYBB has a full line of bamboo sheet sets (Q $94.95, K $106.95), towels and socks ($3.95 to $6.95).

Nothing promotes rest and relaxation like a nice, warm bath. “Learning to relax helps to create balance in the body,” says Constance, who recommends anything by Kneipp from Germany. These highly concentrated aromatherapy herbal bath products come in liquid form or single-use bath salt sachets and target all your systems, including: Lavender for relaxation; Rosemary to wake up your system; Camomile for your skin; Valerian and hops for deep sleep and rejuvenation; Eucalyptus for sinus relief, colds and ﬂu; Juniper for sore, aching muscles. Mix and match to combine properties.

2975

Three-piece towel set 6.8 ﬂuid ounces

2695

2.1oz

individually priced from

$ 95

2895

$ 95

“Set the mood with our vast selection of 100 per cent pure essential oils in 10ml bottles. They make great stocking stuffers,” says Constance.” KYBB sources its own private label brand of superior quality essential oils from around the world. From basil to patchouli to sandalwood to ylang-ylang, “we import oils from their country of origin: South Africa, India, Slovenia, Italy, Mexico, Bulgaria, Italy, Argentina, Egypt, Somalia and China.” Use a candle diffuser and a few drops of the highly concentrated oil to release its aromatherapeutic properties into the air.

10 kilo bag

1995

Sensitive to fragrance but still want the beneﬁts of a good soak? Try some 100 per cent natural epsom sea salts. Use two to four cups in a full bath and soak for 20 minutes, one hour before bed, to detoxify and relax your body. Great for those sore, aching muscles after an evening of show shovelling! Give the gift of relaxation by putting epsom salts in fancy jars and tying with a festive bow.

Once you’re towelled off and into full spa mode, slip into some comfy slippers and a thick white cotton bath robe ($27). Snuggle up with a heating pad, enjoy a massage with a hand-held manual or electric device ($6 to $150) from KYBB. “The Thumper is our best seller for deep but gentle percussive massage,” says Constance. Thumper Sport Massager

14995

Thumper Mini Pro

21095

1295 to $6295

Exercise and Rehabilitation Bring in your copy of Neighbourhood Living Magazine to receive 10% off any of the products featured in this article.

To incorporate exercise into your healthy lifestyle, KYBB stocks a full range of hand held weights (from two to 10 lbs), kettle bells (from three to 10 lbs), medicine balls, ﬁt balls, body balls, foam rollers, yoga matts/straps/blocks, meditation cushions by Zafu and a full range of supporting educational materials: books, CDs, DVDs and walls charts. “There are Thera-Bands and Thera-Balls for people recovering from things like stroke and carpal tunnel surgery,” says Constance, “and balance boards to improve proprioception during rehabilitation from a broken leg, for example, when the body is building new motor pathways back to the brain.” And for registered massage therapists and people really serious about wellness, KYBB also has a full range of massage therapy oils, lotions and gels as well as custom made table linens, bolsters, pillows and everything else you need to create the perfect massage room environment in your home. A great entry point, says Donna, is the Oakworks One Plus Package, which includes the portable table, $ 365 head rest and storage case.

This holiday season and all year round, give the gifts of health and wellness to yourself and those you love. Visit Know Your Body Best, in person or online, to discover hundreds of quality, proven products that will help you to feel better and live better. TC 461 Carlaw Avenue 416-367-3744 knowyourbodybest.com

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Beatrix Montanile dials up the heat and turns yoga practice on its head at The Flying Yogi

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“We are 80 per cent fluid and, just like bodies of water, we need to keep moving to avoid stagnation.” As slaves to gravity, humans find freedom in weightlessness. And there are very real health and fitness benefits associated with moving through space while being safely suspended. “Suspension yoga is an entirely new concept of wellness and working out,” says Beatrix (Trixie) Montanile, owner, instructor and studio director at Canada’s first suspension yoga studio, The Flying Yogi, in Leslieville. “Suspension yoga was designed as a form of spinal therapy–as a way of managing gravity and its adverse effects on the body–and suspended inversions are particularly good for the spine and for managing those affects.” Failing to experience a full range of motion, including inversion, can be debilitating, she says, and the effects manifest themselves in the form of aging. “With more people focused on getting old gracefully, they are turning to suspension and inversion as a way of managing and even reversing the effects of aging.” Studies have shown that when people invert they became happier. The results may be anecdotal but the the science is solid. Inverting promotes the production of neurotransmitters, which distribute hormones, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body, and supplies the brain with the oxygen it needs to function optimally, explains Beatrix. People are taking prescription medications to treat depression and insomnia but these conditions can be managed and even reversed naturally by supported inversions through suspension yoga. As well, she says, there is a correlation between inverting and a calm heart and mind, which has been the foundation of yoga practice for centuries

in positions like downward dog, and the most important yoga posture–the headstand–which is still used to prepare the mind for meditation. There is a lot of emphasis on cardio-vascular activity to improve blood flow, but the fastest way to pump blood to the brain is by inverting. The effects of inversion on the body have actually been measured. According to studies by gravity boots inventor Dr. Robert Martin, our bodies relax 35 per cent more deeply and our brains function 14 per cent more effectively on an inverted plane. And inversion is critical for our overall homeostasis, or sense of balance, says Beatrix. “We are 80 per cent fluid and, just like bodies of water, we need to keep moving to avoid stagnation.” Using the OmGym suspension system at The Flying Yogi is the safest way to enjoy the health and fitness benefits of inversion, says Beatrix. “You don’t have to rely on upper body strength or your hands, neck, shoulders or spine. And in the sling you can achieve full spinal decompression, using gravity to help you to reverse stretch fully. Suspended inversion is one of the very best things you can do for your body and mind.” And it’s good for the whole family. The Flying Yogi is the first studio to include Family Suspension Playshops for parents and kids in its course calendar, and will be the first to offer preand post-natal suspension yoga classes starting in the New Year. Fancy a restorative winter getaway? The Flying Yogi is hosting a tropical suspension yoga/kite surfing retreat at an eco resort in the Dominican Republic in early March 2014. Check the website for details.

Infrared: a deeper, gentler hot yoga New to The Flying Yogi is Infrared Yoga, a practice that uses state-of-the-art technology to improve the hot yoga experience. “Regular hot yoga uses electricity to heat the air,” explains Beatrix, “which can be problematic for people who have respiratory ailments, high or low blood pressure, diabetes and people who are pregnant or intolerant of heat. In addition, it can also lead to dehydration due to excessive sweating.” By contrast, infrared yoga uses long wave light rays that attach themselves to and move with your body, penetrating deep into your tissue in a way that electric heat can’t. “It warms your body the same way the sun warms the earth, making your indoor yoga experience like practicing yoga outside on a hot summer day.” The deep tissue warmth generated by infrared heat helps to detoxify the body, improve flexibility and joint mobility, promote healing, reduce muscle stiffness and pain, decrease soreness and inflammation, increase circulation, improve skin tone, promote weight loss, reduce cellulite, enhance heart function, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, fight viruses and bacteria and speed recovery. And because it works on the cellular level, far below the surface of the skin, it is even used to treat cancer. “Yoga began in India,” says Beatrix. “It was meant to be performed in a warm environment for maximum effectiveness: to stoke the internal fire, burn off toxins and stimulate the metabolism. There are very real benefits to hot yoga,” says Beatrix, “and the infrared technology we use at The Flying Yogi makes this most natural yoga environment accessible to everyone.”

For class information, email info@theflyingyogi.ca or call 647-993-YOGI (9644). The Flying Yogi • 007-245 Carlaw Ave • www.theflyingyogi.ca www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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Jounes   Ju: 

The Scarborough Bluffs by Judy-Ann Cazemier

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Known as the Scarborough Bluffs, the dramatic white sand and clay cliffs that stretch along the shores of Lake Ontario east of Toronto are a stunning geological formation, and if you haven’t been to explore them I highly recommend a visit. The Bluffs—technically an escarpment— reach heights of 90 metres (300 ft) and run 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the foot of Victoria Park Avenue in the west to the mouth of Highland Creek in the east. Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, named the Scarborough Bluffs in 1793 because they reminded her of the limestone cliffs of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. Cathedral Bluffs Park is the highest section of this magnificent topography. There you can see cathedral spire-like formations created by continuous erosion and evidence of five distinct glacial periods. Bluffer’s Park, a private marina and recreational area, is just below at the foot of Brimley Road South. This lakeside green space is a lovely setting in which to relax and enjoy a picnic. On a recent visit to the Scarborough Bluffs, I found the beach obliterated by a mass of seagulls. The cliffs were in shadow in the late afternoon, and I decided to return to take more photographs in the morning light. I’m not a morning person but I got up at the crack of dawn the next day and drove to the beach section of Bluffer’s Park. I was joined by a few intrepid dog walkers. The sky was growing overcast. The cliffs and autumn trees were bathed in a flood of sunlight – but because of the gathering clouds, it was a spot-light effect. From my vantage point, the only obvious building at the top of The Bluffs was a large mansion. Its windows acted like mirrors reflecting beams of white light back to the beach where I was standing. To get a different perspective, I headed up to Cathedral Bluffs Park at the top. A fence prevented me from

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getting to the cliff edge and despite a rather intense temptation to cross the barrier for a better view and a better photo, I heeded the public safety warning signs. As spectacular as the view of the lake is for residents living at the top of The Bluffs, it comes with the very real worry of rapid and dramatic erosion, which has been hastened by the housing boom along the escarpment’s upper lip. Large chunks of The Bluffs have broken away over the years, leaving at least one cottage dangling over the precipice and other homes in peril. Recently, boulder rocks and trees were placed at the base of The Bluffs to combat the ongoing problem. Bluffer’s Park is the perfect place for boats to shelter and there are a number of clubs that make use of the waterfront: Highland Yacht Club, Bluffers Park Yacht Club, Scarborough Bluffs Sailing Club, and Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club. In addition, a small community of people live in unique floating homes moored at Bluffer’s Park Marina. Directly below Brimley Road South and open to the public is Bluffers Restaurant, with its great views of the marina and Lake Ontario. From the top of the Bluffs, at the very east part of Cathedral Bluffs Park, there is a gorgeous vista showing the cliffs to the right and the beach and marinas below in the distance. As I waited for the clouds to part, the Beatles’ tune ‘Here Comes the Sun’ popped into my head. Viewed from above or below, The Bluffs are spectacular. And whether you have a camera in hand or just your memory, they can’t help but make an impression. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Scarborough_Bluffs The Globe and Mail, ‘Taking the helm of a home,’ by Carolyn Ireland, Friday November 1, 2013

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Upcoming Events ■

december 6 & 7

■

Jeff Goodman Glass Studio’s Open Studio Visit one of Canada’s internationally acclaimed glass studios and view one-of-a-kind creations. Meet the creative team and enjoy live blown glass demonstrations while perusing the studio’s ﬁnest blown and cast glass work. Friday, December 6, 2013 10am – 8pm & Saturday, December 7, 2013 10am – 6pm, 51 Cranﬁeld Rd, 416-532-8073, jeffgoodmanstudio.com. ■

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december 7

Pegasus Community Project Holiday Bazaar 10am-4:30pm, Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Road. Gifts that give back! Quality handmade gifts by Pegasus participants, staff and volunteers, from vintage tea towels to snowman soup! Curated items from the famous Pegasus Thrift Store on Kingston Road. Limited edition prints. Homemade chocolates and baked goods. Crafts supplies and beads for jewelry making. Hundreds of gift-worthy items! Info at 416-691-5651, info@pegasustoronto.ca or pegasustoronto.ca ■

december 13

Riverside Antler Breakfast Sponsored by An Sibin Pub, and Culinary Adventure Company, with proceeds going to St John’s The Compassionate Mission. Irish Fry Up w/ Live Music! Friday December 13th, 2 Seatings - 8AM & 10AM, $20 for the Antlers, An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St E, 647- 748-2111, Riverside-TO.com. ■

Against the Grain Theatre Presents: Live Opera Performance with “AtG’s Messiah” Staged by Joel Ivany, choreographed by Jennifer Nichols. Conducted by Christopher Mokrzewski. AtG chorus and orchestra. Singers Jacqueline Woodley, Jacqueline Woodley, Krisztina Szabo, Isaiah Bell. Dec 14th & 15th, Doors 7:30PM, 19+, $40-$60, againstthegraintheatre.com, facebook.com/ AtGTheatre.

december 21

Arts & Crafts Holiday Show & Sale ArtCave is hosting this one of a kind arts and crafts show of handmade & hand picked pieces from local artists. A perfect place to by unique & quality handmade gifts just in time for the holidays. Shop local, and avoid the malls! During this time ArtCave is also hosting a free Holiday photo booth for families to have their family portraits taken for free! Happy Holidays! Dec 21st, 10am-6pm, 416-670-9450, art-cave.ca/news. ■

january 6

Leslieville Zumba Discount Day & Giveaways Join us at Leslieville Zumba and try a free class! January 6th is discount day! Save 10% on 5 or 10 Zumba class cards and enter a draw to win 5 free classes! Zumba is a Latin inspired dance ﬁtness program that is fun and addictive! Jan 6 2014, 7-8pm, St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 65 Curzon St, 416686-9832, leslievillezumba.com. ■

december 14 & 15

december 19

Creative and Fibre Arts Join Cathy Thomson, expert knitter and spinner, in an exploration of the ﬁbre arts. All skill levels welcome. Bring your needles and join with others in fun evenings of knitting and creating with ﬁbre. Free, Dec 19 2013, 5-7pm, S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave, 416-396-3975.

january 12 & february 13

Infant CPR & Baby First Aid Baby CPR training is a must for new parents, grandparents, babysitters and nannies. Learn resuscitation skills from an experienced Toronto EMS Paramedic and Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation resuscitation expert. Space is limited. Jan 12 2014, 1-3:30pm, $45 + HST, 1402 Queen St E, 416-606-0116, torontoyogamamas.com/infant-cpr-training.html. ■

january 20 - march 17

Mosaic Story Telling Festival Mosaic offers multicultural storytelling performances every two weeks. The Open Door East End Arts Collective and St. David’s Anglican Church celebrate the diversity and creativity of our rich East End neighbourhood – and our world – through ﬁve afternoons of storytelling with tellers and tales from all across the globe. Jan 20th to Mar 17th at 3PM, St. David’s Anglican Church, Parish Hall, PWYC suggested $5, 416-466-3142, mosaicstorytelling.ca. ■

february 7

Get Inspired: Washer Pendants Workshop Learn how to re-purpose washers into fantastic pendants. Free. Supplies provided. Feb 7th, 4-5pm, S. Walter Stewart Library, Auditorium, 170 Memorial Park Ave, 416-396-3975, torontopubliclibrary.ca ■

february 13

T.O. Rising: V-Day Dance Celebration One Billion Rising Toronto is part of a global movement to end violence against women founded by author of The Vagina Monologues and activist Eve Ensler. One Billion Rising Toronto joins together with women and those who love them around the world to raise its voice and to dance for an end to violence against women. We will be joyful, expressive, loud, spontaneous, fun, inclusive, accessible, community driven. We will RISE, DANCE and will SHAKE this city together! 7pm-12am, The Opera House, 735 Queen St E., ticketbreak.com/event_details/5725, facebook.com/ events/352503024839456.

A whimsical Santa ornament from Garden’s Path

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photo courtesy of Patagonia

Gifts of Warmth, Fun & Adventure

Swing into savings with our special â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no taxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pricing for all of December Club Threads Members save even more!

950 Kingston Rd. Toronto, ON

416.690.1806

www.threadslifestyle.com

mon-sat 10 - 6 sun 11 - 5

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fashion + beauty

Welcome to Neighbourhood Living’s introduction to fashion, a place for us to feature the designers you know and love, and for you to learn more about the boutiques you’ve always meant to visit. This season we’re pleased to be fashion forward with...

Ziliotto designer and owner, Jennifer Ziliotto Durand, began her career in fashion at the studios of Chanel in Paris, France working along-side Karl Lagerfeld in the accessories department. Upon returning to Toronto, she set out to realize her dream of launching her own label. In 2002, Ziliotto was born. Today, Jennifer has three boutiques in Toronto's Danforth, Queen West and, Bloor West neighbourhoods. She caters to a loyal clientele who praise her for her timeless, comfortable and unique pieces. Her made-in-Canada brand includes organic or bamboo fabrics that are luxurious to the touch. Her clothing is beautifully made; basics that easily take you from day-to-evening andLiving season-to-season. | www.neighbourhoodliving.com 22 | Neighbourhood

You can find Ziliotto designs in three Toronto neighbourhoods and at ziliotto.com 764 Queen W (416) 867-1632 592 Danforth (416) 463-0632 2380 Bloor W (416) 604-1102

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Leslieville’s

WOTEVER INC. The hidden gem of the film industry WOTEVER INC. keeps Toronto’s Hollywood North warm. Our city is the third largest screenbased production centre in North America, with more than 1,300 television, movie and commercial projects filmed here each year. Standing on set all day or night —especially from October to March—can get brutally cold. That’s why stars, directors, producers, crew and extras have been trusting the experts at WOTEVER INC. with all their winter gear needs for the past 10 years. The Leslieville company is the hidden gem of the film industry. “A lot of the film people who come to the city from LA are not used to Canadian winters,” says WOTEVER co-owner Bridget Faroo. But with quintessential winter gear from such brands as Canada Goose, Sherpa Adventure Gear, Nobis, Quartz Nature, Kombi, Woods and Ibex, “we can outfit them from head-to-toe. Electric gloves, merino thermal (and electric) underwear, shells, wool insoles, hats, mitts, snow pants, parkas. If we can’t keep them warm and dry, no one can.” WOTEVER INC. also retails to the general public, and despite being a ‘destination’ store at Dundas and Carlaw, it is frequented by neighbourhood shoppers. “We have all kinds of clients who come to us for cold-weather solutions,” says Bridget. “Police officers—who also work as extras and security on film sets —dog walkers, newspaper carriers, crossing guards and hockey moms and dads are among our regular customers. Basically anyone who has to spend time in the cold.” Bridget, who managed wardrobe departments

for production companies, and her business partner, Anne Dixon, a costume designer for stage, film and television, started WOTEVER INC. (the ‘WOT’ stands for Wardobe and Other Things) as an industry house that specialized in renting and retailing all-weather gear, kits and supplies to costume designers and stylists. “As far as we know, we are the only company in the world that has combined this kind of rental and retail for the industry,” says Bridget, and certainly the only business of its kind to open its doors to the neighbourhood. “Part of our mandate is to promote Canadian companies and businesses with a philanthropic, social or ethical mission,” says Bridget. “Let’s face it, only Canadian companies really understand Canadian winters. Kombi is a Quebec company that has been in business for generations and Canada Goose has been an internationally esteemed name for around 60 years.” Sherpa donates a portion from every item sold to The Paldorje Education Fund for less fortunate Sherpa children, many of whom live in impoverished conditions and are the ones who suffer the most when a Sherpa guide is injured or killed in a climbing accident. Ibex is trying to keep its manufacturing strictly North American. With manufacturers like that on your side, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” Bridget is fond of saying. “The bottom line is, if you buy the right gear that fits correctly, it will keep you warm on the coldest Canadian winter day. If that weren’t true, we’d be out of business!”

WOTEVER INC. • 11 Dickens St. • 416-461-1033 wotever-inc.com • info@wotever-inc.com 24

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DESSY

Belo Fashions B O U T I Q U E

4 2 0

R O N C E S V A L L E S

www.belofashionsboutique.com

A V E N U E

6 4 7 . 3 4 9 . 8 8 2 2

brides@belofashionsboutique.com www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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The ‘head to toe’ beauty by Tracey Coveart

n o s m o h T a e r d An

Growing up in a Campbellford, Ontario, salon with her hairdresser mom, “it took me a while to fall in love with hair,” Andrea Thomson admits. “In fact, for years, I hated everything to do with it.” She wanted a career in the fashion industry, but her parents convinced her that her future was in hair. With hair, you have a trade, they said, and a job, even in a recession. She took their advice and went to hairdressing school—and hated every minute of it. It wasn’t until five years into her career when she started doing hair for photoshoots and fashion that the pendulum finally swung the other way. “When I started to see hair as an art form, I fell in love with it,” says Andrea. It was while she was living and working in a Victoria, BC, salon that she met Jehn Philip. But Andrea wasn’t cut out for island life. She moved back east to Belleville, and eventually made her way to Toronto. Jehn was working at Flaunt by then and introduced Andrea to Ivan. Andrea knew immediately that, “This is where I’m supposed to be. I like making people feel beautiful. And I like to think that I bring them happiness.” The girl who once hated hair is now obsessed. “I just love hair. I love everything about it. I’m always studying trends; looking at photoshoots for inspiration. I owe it to my clients to know what’s hot; to change things up and make sure it never gets boring or old; and to always be at the top of my game. And I’m blessed with clients who trust me to do whatever I want with their hair.” Now 29 and 11 years into her dream career, she doesn’t choose sides. “I love short hair. I love playing with the shape; working with all the cowlicks. I love the challenge. Right now I am really getting into barbering, which is scary, because if you screw up a short hair cut you almost have to shave the head. There’s no room for error.” At the other end of the spectrum, “With long hair you don’t have to worry about cowlicks, but I get my workout, blow drying and styling. My goal is to revolutionize the ponytail. Girls who have long hair totally get it.” Andrea knows there’s a lot of pressure on the person standing behind the chair but she’s okay with that. “As a stylist, you can make or break somebody’s day,” she says, quoting studies that have shown 85 per cent of women who have a bad hair day have a bad day in general. But Andrea flips that statistic around. “I like to think that 85 per cent of women who have a good hair day have a good day in general.” And that’s what makes hair so rewarding. “Every 45 minutes,” she says, “I get to make someone’s day.” Hours: Monday 12-8pm Tuesday 12-9pm Friday 11am-7pm Saturday 9:30am-4pm Sunday 10am-6pm

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team at Flaunt Boutique Jehn Philip used to be a piercer. “Then I decided I wanted to something a little more grownup, without actually growing up.” A career behind a desk was definitely out. “I wanted a job that would be different every day; a job that would allow me to be creative; a job where I could be social and make people happy.” Working with hair seemed like the perfect choice. She trained in Vancouver, lived and worked on the island for a while, then came to Flaunt as a colourist/stylist four and a half years ago. Now 28, “I love it,” she says. Jehn has a particular fondness for colour. “Everybody colours their hair—especially in a neighbourhood like Leslieville, which is full of artists and photographers and filmmakers. They don’t have to conform to professional standards.” But even when you have to maintain a corporate appearance, there are cool things you can do, says Jehn, like hiding a panel of colour underneath your hair so you can look conservative in the office by day and funky when you go out at night. Colouring long hair is especially rewarding. “People with long hair crave change but they don’t want to commit to chopping it off. With a cut, there’s no going back, but with colour you can switch things up without taking the plunge.” As for cutting, “The big change—going from long to short—is very exciting. Donation cuts are the best because these people grow their hair with the intention of cutting it so you know they’re ready. With others, you always wonder what’s going on in their life? Is this a stable decision? As a stylist, I feel it’s my responsibility to try to talk them out of it. If they’re going through a dramatic change—like women who’ve just had a baby—I try to get them to wait a couple of months.” The bottom line, says Jehn, is that “your hair has to fit your lifestyle. There’s no point having gorgeous hair when you leave if you can’t take care of it when you get home. Unless you’re going to be married to your flatiron, a geometric Vidal Sassoon haircut doesn’t make sense. But a busy woman juggling a job and a family can have a great wash-and-go hairstyle if she has the right cut and the right products.” Jehn’s clients depend on her to help them make the right choices. “I’m honoured that people let me take them through the different stages of their life and trust me enough to take chances with new styles and colours. I started cutting their hair before they had partners and kids. Now I know their whole family. I did their hair for their job interview; for their wedding; for their baby’s christening. I get these little glimpses into their lives and it’s really cool to know that I’m a part of it.”

Jehn Philip

Hours: Monday-Friday 1-9pm

Flaunt Boutique 260 Carlaw Ave., Suite 101B • 416-469-4826 • flauntboutique.ca bookings@flauntboutique.ca • info@flauntboutique.ca Like us on Facebook at FlauntBoutique-Toronto. All the cool kids are doing it! www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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gift guide

“Smooth and creamy or dark and dreamy? Either way, I’ll take your breath away.”

The neighbourhood spot for gals on the go, a stylish Danforth salon with a luxe-looking backdrop and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

ACRYLIC SOLAR U . V. G E L BIO GEL BRISA GEL SHELLAC-CND AXXIUM-OPI PINK & WHITE

1 7 9 D A N F O R T H AV E , T O R O N T O , O N M 4 K 1 N 2

416-778-8288

INFO@URBANNAILS.CA W W W. U R B A N N A I L S . C A

complimentary herbal tea or spring water + available private parties Call us at 416.778.8288 or book online at info@UrbanNails.ca

647.922.6991

mthompsonchocolates.com

179 DANFORTH AVENUE

•

www.UrbanNails.ca

BEADWORKS Create your own Accessories Jewellery Making Workshops Custom Jewellery Jewellery Repair Children’s Birthday Parties Party Space For Rent 2154 Queen St. East 416.693.0780 www.beadworksjo.com 28

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NeighbourhoodSource Guide w Dorly Designs

w Parade Clothing Boutique

2138A Queen St E • 647-345-4300 • 4cats.com/thebeaches

1173 Queen St E • 416-778-0009 • dorlydesigns.com

The Best, Most Fun Art Studio Ever!

Indie Boutique for Trendsetters

261 Danforth Ave • 416-461-8833 Parade315@yahoo.ca • Paradeonthedanforth.blogspot.ca

A quality arts education can make a dramatic difference in a child’s life. We use professional artists’ materials to create a variety of projects, including silkscreening, clay, sculpture, drawing, painting and stop motion animation. Messy, informative and fun. Art is good! Classes, parties, workshops and camps for ages 2 to adult.

Jewelry, clothing and eco-friendly accessories designed, created and produced in Toronto. Staff show you how to accessorize, style and complement, for a look that is enviable and unique. Custom orders and design services available.

w 4Cats Art Studio

w El Pipil 267 Danforth Ave • 416-465-9625

w Aroo 320 Danforth Ave, Unit 4 • 416-463-7690

Natural, Fashionable Styles We are a family business providing natural, fashionable clothing for the neighbourhood woman. We support Toronto designers, including May Aruj, Shwing & Animale, and offer personalized service to help clients discover their fashion flair.

A Danforth Fixture For More Than 20 Years El Pipil is a one-stop shop offering everything from accessories for the home, to women’s fashions and jewelry. Great brands, including Tribal clothing, French Dressing Jeans, Espe handbags and Tashi jewelry. Open M-F 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 12pm-5:30pm.

w Everywhere Garment Co. w Beach Business Hub

793 Broadview Ave (north of Danforth Ave) • 416-466-6202

2181 Queen St. E., #301 • 647-748-1311 info@beachbusinesshub.ca • beachbusinesshub.ca

Activewear, Swimwear, and Leisure Clothes

Coworking for entrepreneurs and freelancers. We are the number one neighbourhood resource and networking hub for small business owners east of the Don Valley. Affordable workspace and meeting rooms when you need it, plus networking with other creative small-business owners. Contact Martina for details.

w Birthia 1882 Queen St E • 647-342-7894

Handmade by Local Designers Handcrafted kids’ clothing and accessories and home décor, made with love by 17 GTA designers. We also carry recycled products, including duct tape wallets and purses.

w Boa 2116B Queen St E • 416-694-6867 • theboaroom.com

Stylish, Unique and Affordable If you dread being seen in the same dress or top as someone else, then you will love Boa! Our in-store stylists will help you find the right fit for your body.

w BMA Cleaning Services 647-206-1053

22 Years Experience Cleaning Houses, condos, stores, salons, clinics and help with parties (day or night). Reliable Maria is honest and responsible. References available on request.

w Claire Watson MS, Psychotherapist 1395 Bayview Ave • 416-559-5537 • leasidetherapycentre.com

Parent Child Psychotherapy (birth to four) Attachment-based therapy for parents who have difficulty forming a bond due to depression, marital problems, unresolved grief/trauma or because their infant has medical, adoptive or developmental needs. Loving relationships lead to confident parents and resilient children.

Manufactured on location. 100% Canadian quality. Always new designs. Custom fitting available.

w Flying Yogi 007-245 Carlaw Ave • 647-993-9644 • theflyingyogi.ca

Super fun workout for the entire family The Flying Yogi, offers classes in Suspension Yoga with the revolutionary OmGym Suspension System, combining traditional yoga poses with resistance training and aerobatics.

w Incanto 275 Danforth Ave • 416-778-5978

Fashion Clothes for Women Wanting to Dress Up For women who see clothing as an investment and enjoy looking good. Quality French and Italian clothes and many unique pieces. We also carry Canadian manufacturers. Cartise dresses, tops and pants.

w Jexy & Jax 375 Danforth Ave • 416-465-5557

Unique Apparel Made in Canada Jexy & Jax carries two of its own unique in-house designer labels, and boasts a selection of lifestyle apparel appropriate for casual and formal wear. Our mens’ and ladies’ attire is sourced, designed and manufactured in Canada.

w Mira & Sons 2238 Queen St E • 416-699-4005

One of a Kind Fashion and Consignment Shop Designer names and vintage. Second hand – nearly new. End of the line – new. Custom-made draperies and curtains, alterations. Vintage and new jewelry, fascinators, shoes and designer handbags.

Since 1975 “When you don’t think like everyone, you don’t have to dress like everyone.” From film and advertising execs to teachers, real-estate agents and moms, Parade offers fashions by Susana Monaco, Bailey 44, Alexia Admor, Fine Collection, Michael Kors and more. “Only by supporting local business can we ensure our creative survival.”

w Pert Lingerie 1817 Queen St E • 416-230-8826 • pertlingerie.ca

New Local Lingerie Boutique We want our customers to feel comfortable and fabulous every day. Inside this charming, boudoir-style boutique, you will find a tasteful selection of basic, higher-end lingerie, nightwear, loungewear and hoisery from a variety of European and North American labels.

w Snob 388 Carlaw Ave #202F • 416-778-8778 • snobstuff.com

Unique and Innovative Pieces Owner Denise Zidel returns from her monthly travels to a dozen African countries with authentic African furniture and accessories embellished with ostrich feathers, zebra skins and horns.

w Spiros Custom Tailors 335 Danforth Ave • 416-466-6646

Men’s & Women’s Custom Suits for 35 Years Hand measured, hand fitted, fully customized to the individual in any style that the customer prefers. Up-to-date on the latest fashion trends.

w Tilt Fitness 416-561-1013 • andrew@tiltfitness.net • tiltfitness.net

Group Training Great for friends, family or co-workers with common goals. Workout is drill-based and class size is kept to a maximum of 8 participants for more personal attention. Contact us and start your own group class today!

w The Toronto Tool Library & Makerspace 1803 Danforth Ave, East of Coxwell www.TorontoToolLibrary.com Got projects on the mind? Tools available for home renovation, gardening, store upkeep, including a Kitchen Library, a Seed Exchange, and weekly Wednesday community nights. Come visit!

w Yoka 2115J Queen St E • 416-686-0836 • yokafashions.com

Your Local Beach Fashion Boutique For individuals seeking unique and interesting everyday pieces. Specializing in European brands with a classic twist: men’s and ladies’ clothing, footwear, bags and everything in between. Let our staff dress you from head to toe! Check in store for current promotions or discover us on Facebook.

Neighbourhood Living www.neighbourhoodliving.com 29 Call 416-402-4283 or email: b5@sympatico.ca to find out how to introduce yourself to the neighbourhood! |

You can have it all at Pegasus! Shopping that makes a difference

The Pegasus Thrift Store ... delivering a fun and affordable shopping experience for over 10 years. 100% of profits provide support and programs to adults with disabilities and their families.

Mon to Sat 9:30-5:00

931 Kingston Rd. • 416 913 2544 • www.pegasustoronto.ca Many thanks to Neighbourhood Living for donating the space for this ad!

We sell gently used Medela breast pumps for up to 60% off their retail prices.

Not Just For Kids

Bumbleberry Kids believes that from pregnancy to birth can be done on a budget without having to sacrifice quality. At BBK we sell carefully curated maternity clothing and accessories that expecting parents need to prepare for baby’s arrival including bathing suits and nursing tops; belly bands and pregnancy pillows. We sell diaper bags like Skip-Hop to a statement piece by Kate Spade at a fraction of their original cost. Breast pumps are a necessity for many moms. 30

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We have receiving blankets, swaddles, cloth diapering systems and products of various brands for committed environmentalists. Decorating a nursery on a budget? We can help. Frequently we carry: cribs, bassinets, change tables and gliders; linens; wall hangings, paintings and unique decorative items to complete a look. One of our favorite lines that we love having the opportunity to sell is the Toronto brand Pi’lo.

Bumbleberry Kids can also help you prepare for baby by offering a shower registry. Reserve all the items you would like and we will hold them until your baby shower!

www.neighbourhoodliving.com

Bumbleberry Kids

1584 Queen St. East, 416 691-5556 bumbleberrykids.blogspot.com bumbleberrykids@gmail.com

veloute.ca

Velouté Bistro and Catering is a restaurant encompassing fine, old world French cuisine, infused with a new, innovative style of cooking. The result is a gastronomic experience set against the backdrop of a warm, cozy, well-attended urban bistro. Maintaining a high level of service, you’ll find exquisite culinary dishes in an inviting atmosphere at affordable prices. Chef Fawzi has created his fall and winter menu, which features Braised Lamb Shank, Muscovy Duck Confit, Braised Canadian Short Ribs, slow-cooked in red wine and the chef’s specialty: the Cast-Iron Dry-Aged for 50 Days ‘Entrecote’ Tomahawk Steak (2½ pound bone-in). The last week of every month Chef Fawzi prepares a Wild Game menu, featuring Bison, Foie gras, Venison and Elk.

During the holidays, Velouté will be taking orders for your complete family Christmas Turkey takeout dinner December 24-26, starting at $200. Check the web site for details at www.veloute.ca

Velouté is currently booking for holiday luncheons for groups of eight guests or more. A selection of dinner menus are online, specially created by Chef Fawzi to satisfy your festive needs. For the month of December, Velouté will be open seven nights a week for dinner.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Exotic menu, including seafood, wild game and more! Velouté Bistro will be reducing its corkage fee from $25 to $15 for the holidays.

Gift certificates, a collection of exotic cooking salts and the Chef’s Balsamic are available for purchase as gifts this holiday season. Velouté Bistro is proud to be included in Winterlicious.

Chef Fawzi and Sommelier Alise Matos | Neighbourhood Living www.neighbourhoodliving.com wish you and your family a great holiday season!

food + celebration

A tale of two shortbreads by

As a young girl growing up in Glasgow, Scotland, Mary Macleod learned to bake a patois shortbread with her Scottish mother and French grandmother. When she emigrated to Canada at the age of 22, she brought her family’s secret shortbread recipe with her, opening Mary Macleod’s Shortbread in a tiny shop under the marquee of the Capitol Theatre in Toronto in 1981. Hers was the first business in Canada devoted exclusively to baking hand-made shortbread, and her cookies were an instant hit. But it was her signature Chocolate

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Tracey Coveart

Crunch shorbread that made her famous. “Mary had a friend who was a chocolatier,” explains daughter-in-law Sharon Macleod. Mary, a lifelong chocolate lover, wanted to marry the two flavours. It was something that had never been done before, and something that was considered a bit of a sacrilege in the cloistered world of shortbread, where ‘variety’ refers to shape, not flavour. “The Scottish Society of Canada sent Mary a strongly worded letter stating that she could not put chocolate

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in a cookie and call it shortbread,” laughs Sharon. But Mary was undeterred. “She mailed them a sample and they sent a followup letter apologizing, telling her of course she could call her Chocolate Crunch cookie a shortbread. It was delicious!” In those early, experimental days of the Chocolate Crunch, Mary used her neighbours as guinea pigs: customers, shopkeepers and the police officers who worked at the station around the corner. “The men and women in blue would

the business. I had to bear two grandchildren and celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary before I could be trusted with the family formula!” Sharon started working weekends at Mary Macleod’s, then came on board full time in 2010, heading straight into the test kitchen. After more than two years of research, experimentation and taste testing, she launched her Maple Crunch cookie this September. It may be Sharon’s flavour, but it’s a Mary Macleod’s Shortbread cookie through and through. “I used the same principles Mary does. I started with a clean ingredient deck. All our ingredients are 100 per cent natural and preservative-free, and we source the best products in the world—like the maple—which comes from Quebec. Then I balanced the dough, removing some of the sugar from the traditional recipe as I added the maple sugar.” The result is a melt-in-your mouth butter cookie that is not overly sweet, riddled with crunchy explosions of delicate maple flavour and finished off with a crown of pure maple on top. For Sharon, the choice for her first cookie was an easy one. “Maple is the quintessential Canadian flavour and it ties in perfectly with our company goal: to be the top quality Canadian shortbread.” Right now, the test kitchen at the shop on Queen Street East sits empty. With Christmas just a few weeks away, there is no time for experimentation. All hands are on deck filling festive boxes and tins with Mary Macleod’s Shortbread that will be tucked away under Christmas trees across the city and around the world. But after the holiday rush, Mary and Sharon will put on their aprons and start work on their newest shortbread cookie. It should be ready for release by September of next year. Until then, the mother/daughter-inlaw baking duo will be looking for guinea pigs...

come by to check on her when she was baking at three in the morning and sample her latest trial batch,” says Sharon. There were plenty of disasters as Mary tried to figure out how to keep the chocolate solid. “It melted. It marbled. The shortbread turned brown. The officers were well fed!” The cookie took 18 months to perfect, but when Mary finally released it to the general public, there were lineups outside the store. “Within two hours she’d be sold out and had to close.” Never content to rest on her laurels, Mary has been experimenting and perfecting in the test kitchen ever since, bringing on new flavours like Dutch Cocoa, Hazelnut Chocolate Crunch, Orange Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Espresso Chocolate, Rolled Coconut, Cranberry Almond, Butterscotch Bars and Wholewheat Walnut, in addition to the always popular Traditional. “She

starts with her traditional shortbread recipe, then looks for ingredients that will complement it in a variety of textures and shapes and sizes. Then she goes into the kitchen and “plays,” paying close attention not just to taste but also to smell, texture, visual appeal and shelf life. “We taste test the raw dough for flavour and consistency, then get our friends, family and customers to try the baked product. It’s more a creative process than a scientific one,” says Sharon. “We’re looking for the yum factor. If people like it–if we like it–then we know we’re on the right track.” The newest flavour on offer at Mary Macleod’s Shortbread is Maple Crunch–except the credit for this cookie goes to Mary’s daughter-in-law. “This is the first flavour I’ve ever developed–with Mary’s approval, of course!” says Sharon. Married into the family in 1997, “I’ve been slowly easing into www.neighbourhoodliving.com

Mary Macleod’s Shortbread 639 Queen Street E 416-461-4576 www.marymacleod.ca Open 7 days a week |

Neighbourhood Living

Danforth bistro is a neighbourhood pioneer by

Allison Anthony

Melanie Ferreira and Arul Chettiar may believe in the ‘less is more’ approach to life but the fresh handmade burger on their lunch menu disagrees with them. It arrives on the table stacked high with thick bacon, ripe tomato and oozing with cheese. It’s no wonder the Bistro Burger has become a lunchtime favourite for everyone who orders it. Melanie’s Bistro opened in 2008, a pioneer in an area that continues to grow. “We believe in this neighbourhood,” Melanie says. The couple not only lives and works in The Danforth and East Lynn Park area, but they also shop and play here as well. They take great pride in giving value for money and supporting other local businesses, such as Silly Goose and Plank Road Market. Classical cooking techniques are executed wonderfully during both lunch and dinner service and the Newfoundland Breakfast Special with poached eggs, hollandaise and homemade cod cakes makes for a delicious brunch choice on the weekends. The artfully selected wine list reflects the same care and attention that Chef Arul displays in the kitchen. Great finds like the Certified Angus Beef striploin or the unique ‘free form’ lasagna are popular for dinner but it is the panko crusted crab cakes that their guests are always talking about. And to finish, you can’t beat the the fabulously decadent desserts that are always made in-house. In addition to the great beer and wine selection, Melanie’s Bistro also participates in the Bring Your Own Wine program. Although the regular corkage fee throughout the week is very reasonable, on Wednesday nights the price drops to a mere $10 per bottle. Dining at Melanie’s Bistro is refined, yet unpretentious and offers high quality cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere where families are welcome, returning guests are greeted by name and everyone leaves with a full belly and a smile.

3 course prix fixe Sunday Steak Dinner at $32 3 course prix fixe Dinner $28 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Brunch on Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm

1870 Danforth Avenue • 416-422-1870 www.melaniesbistro.ca

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“Canada’s Best Shortbread” is Leslieville’s best-kept secret! “Crisp on the outside with a meltingly tender heart” Cynthia David - Food and Drink Magazine

As voted by the National Post

Visit the Coach House Shortbread Company Store on Carlaw Ave, where you may purchase our many delicious sweet and savoury Shortbread flavours – baked right on the premises NEW THIS YEAR:

Patty Watteyne Photography

‘Coach House Shortbread Food Artisan Collection’ – the highest quality food artisan products we could find, filled to overflowing in beautiful sisal French Market Bags. A gorgeous gift for the foodie in your life. Order online or at the store for pick up.

Open 10am -5pm Mon-Sat and 11am - 4pm Sundays in December 2013 or by appointment • Check website for 2014 Hours

235 Carlaw Ave. Lower Lobby,Toronto, Ontario, 416-907-8356 info@shortbread.ca • www.shortbread.ca www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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JUMP for JOY !!!

‘Tis the Season for

imals

Show & Sale DEC 1 - JAN 2

For all your party needs!

Mangia & Bevi

Laisy Daisy

260 King St. E.

1515 Gerrard St. E.

Small Works Show (from DEC 15)

Dimensions Custom Framing & Gallery 732 Queen St. E.

1101 Victoria Park and St.Clair • 416-755-9960

stephimals.com

Because Christmas without Mary Macleod’s Shortbread is unthinkable

We deliver sweetness - anywhere! Place orders early. Order online or shop in person.

639 Queen Street East • 416.461.4576 • www.marymacleod.ca 36

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A CHRISTMAS TRADITION IN THE BEACH This festive season, make Pippins tea shop in The Beach your one-stop shopping destination for everyone on your Christmas list. From stocking stuffers to gift baskets to exquisite packages for under the tree, owner Barb Snow DeAngelis is proud to offer an eclectic mix of made in Canada giftware and fine international china perfect for any holiday occasion. Start with the teas, over 150 different Pippins teas, Bewleys, Taylors of Harrogate, Clipper, Yorkshire Teas, Tea Forté. “And of course we have our ever-popular Pippins house blend ‘Christmas’ tea,” laughs Barb. “It’s a running joke with our customers. From January to November the label reads Pippins Winter Blend. In December we turn the jar so the Pippins Special Christmas Blend label faces out. People love it so much they want it all year round!” And Pippins sells everything tea related: tea pots (more than 90), tea cups and saucers, and full tea sets. There is Emma Bridgewater china, Sophie Conran for Portmeirion teapots and dinnerware, La Rochere French glassware, a huge assortment of vintage teacups and saucers, and at least 80 different mugs. “This year we’re going big with Brown Bettys made in Stoke on Trent,” says Barb with a twinkle, and there are commemorative teacups, saucers and mugs for Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee and Coronation and for the birth and baptism of Prince George of Cambridge. There are tea gadgets, tea canisters, teacup puzzles, tea towels and tea cozies, including a Dutch version that looks like a giant handbag with a clasp on the top. “We have beautiful wooden tea chests that are very hard to find,” says Barb, “and we’re carrying a new line of tea party supplies – Talking Tables Tea Party Accessories – that includes tea party crackers, invitations and cards, paper plates, napkins and bunting and more.” For the little ones, Pippins offers the whimsical Maileg Danish Mice in Matchboxes and children’s china tea sets, including Alice and Wonderland. For the sweet tooth,

“we have a whole table of festive foods,” says Barb. Mouthwatering rum and double cream Christmas puddings from England; chocolate dipped orange peel, chocolate dipped Australian ginger, Chocolate Popcorn Sensation, chocolate covered potato chips, and peanut butter and jam chocolate bites; shortbread and cookies in tins shaped like bagpipers and music boxes; Greaves jams and marmalades; and authentic Turkish delight that Barb purchases from a local Turkish lady. There is a whole window of Christmas novelties from festive aprons, tea towels, tablecloths and napkins, to beautiful tree ornaments and holiday Bearington Bears. And then there’s the giftware. Slippers by Hides in Hand. Jewelry made from teacups. Delightful gurgle pots. Soaps and lotions. Travel mugs and infusers. Tongue-in-cheek Anne Taintor wall and engagement calendars, luggage tags, change purses and magnets. Flip and Tumble Tote bags. And a wide selection of Beach memorabilia: hoodies and sweatshirts by Overkill, night lights, magnets, canvas prints, tea towels, totes, calendars, cards and books. Gift packs and baskets – lovingly pre-selected or made-toorder – are a great idea for the busy holiday season, and Barb and her staff will happily ship your special package anywhere in the world, from Oshawa to Australia.

With so much to choose from and so many ways to please, why not make this year a Pippins Christmas?

Pippins Tea Company Inc. • Simply Good Taste • 2098 Queen St. E (at Wineva) • 416-694-7772 • Pippins.ca

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R E S E R V E YO U R C O P Y !

“Insider’s Guide to the Neighbourhood” Contact or visit our advertisers today to reserve your ‘Insider’s Guide to the Neighbourhood’ Neighbourhood Living presents the ‘Insider’s Guide to the Neighbourhood,’ a limited edition, full-colour magazine with tips on shopping, dining out, having fun and enjoying life in the neighbourhood. Guides are available exclusively through our advertisers, and will be ready for pickup by January 2014.

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A Very Big Thank-you to Our Clients When You’re Happy, We’re Happy We’re pleased to announce that Edward Jones has been ranked “Highest in Investor Satisfaction with Full Service Brokerage Firms” according to the J.D. Power 2013 Canadian Full Service Investor Satisfaction StudySM. We’ve always believed our way of doing business made sense for our clients. It seems they agree.

Edward Jones received the highest numerical score among full service brokerage firms in the proprietary J.D. Power 2013 Canadian Full Service Investor Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 5,592 total responses measuring 15 brokerage firms and measures opinions of investors who used full-service investment institutions. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed May – June 2013. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Nadine De Palma Financial Advisor

www.edwardjones.com Member – Canadian investor Protection Fund

2146-B Queen Street East Toronto, ON M4E 1E3 416-686-5470

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home + garden

makes short work of kitchen chaos

The pain-free way to a perfect pantry Looking at the chaos in your cupboard, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe you can create the perfect pantry in just two hours. But Howards Storage World is ready with the advice and the organizational solutions that will break the job down into two simple, 60-minute tasks.

60 MIN

Task 1

Transfer your packaged goods to standardized airtight containers. This not only extends the shelf life of your wares, but also increases your storage space by making products stackable. Be sure to label every container with an easy-to-read best-before date.

Task 2

MIN

Organize your pantry so your storage system is accessible in a way that makes sense for your family. Make sure items that are used most frequently are front and centre. Roll-out baskets are a great way to maximize your bottom-shelf storage, while the top shelf should be reserved for bulky but lightweight items like bags of chips. Consider labelling your shelves to keep everything in its place.

e h t t e G ok! lo 40

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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Aamina Storers 9.6L PLF005 $17.99 Aamina Storers 4.8L PLF004 $12.99 Amalie Narrow Pull Out Organiser PLF009 $10.99 Amalie Wide Pull Out Organiser PLF010 $14.99 Mimi Wide Separator PLF008 $9.99 |

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What you need to get started Baskets with handles – like the Marie Medium Storage Basket (PLF028 $6.99) – are very useful in the pantry and are particularly handy for items that you tend to move in a group, like condiments. When it’s barbecue time, take the whole basket out of the pantry and onto the patio. Use labels to create a simple system to indicate what items go in each basket (jams and jellies, salad dressings, mustards, etc.). This will help your family stick with the system and encourage them to return items to the correct containers.

Storing bottles can be tricky, as they tend to topple over when you try to reach past them. To keep all your bottles in one place and in one piece, use Mimi Wide Separator Baskets (PLF008 $9.99). With their handles for easy lifting in and out, Aamina Easy Access Storers (from $12.99) are perfect for dry goods such as cereal, pasta and ﬂour.

Pot and pan lids piling up? Free up precious cupboard space with the Euro Kitchen Organizer (EIC9979 $13.99). This sturdy metal rack is divided into eight sections, allowing you to organize your serving platters, lids and baking sheets effortlessly and efficiently. And don’t stop there. Try the Euro Kitchen Organizer in your home office, too. With its clean design and modern look, it makes a sleek and stylish desktop organizer that’s perfect for all your business files and folders!

Kat’s cupboard magic Kat the Organized Housewife rarely used mugs and stowed them away in a hard-to-reach lower cupboard – until she discovered the joys of coffee. Now she needs to grab a mug several times a day! Kat installed the simplehuman Cabinet Organizers (SHC0119 from $59.99) and can’t believe how much accessible space she managed to create with a simple organizational tool. (You can follow Kat’s blog at theorganisedhousewife.co.)

Give chaos the chop To keep your chopping boards handy, it makes sense to store them on your kitchen counter. But how to keep them neat and tidy? Look no further than the Index Chopping Board (DAN20190 $99.99) from Joseph Joseph. These chopping boards are colour coded and earmarked according to task to prevent cross contamination and come in their own upright storage container. Clever. Convenient. Conscientious.

TIP: Free up space in seconds by placing your plastic bags in a simplehuman Grocery Bag Holder (SHC1166 $14.99) Brilliant!

2060 Queen Street East • 647-748-5517 • howardscanada.com www.neighbourhoodliving.com

Neighbourhood Living

Yoga For Vitality & Stress Relief Woodbine & Danforth Mondays 7-8:30pm

AETNA

Pest Control Limited

Do You have a Pest Problem?

Compassionate, heart centred, all-levels class that gives you permission to take your yoga practice to the level of challenge that is right for you. This class incorporates breathing exercises, postures, Somatic exercises, relaxation, meditation and more.

Susan Hirst Hatha and Kundalini Yoga Certified Instructor Suescape@hotmail.com 416-778-9074, cell 647-783-0881

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1828 Danforth Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ 416-469-4111 aetnapest.ca â&#x20AC;˘ info@aetnapest.ca

New kitchen or kitchen makeover?

In these days of reduce, reuse, recycle – not to mention ﬁscal restraint – everything old can be new again. If the bones are good, master cabinet maker Kevin Karst is happier to revitalize than reinvent. In the case of this kitchen, the underlying structure was solid and the design was functional. Following a careful assessment, Kevin found that the existing hinges, drawers, slides and boxes were all ﬁne. Instead of starting from scratch, he completely transformed the kitchen with: • new Shaker fronts and pulls, shop sprayed • new Shaker crown • microwave cubby • new dimmable LED under-cabinet lighting • painted gables and trim • new quartz counters, undermount sink porcelain backsplash The result: A stunning makeover on a budget! KK_Design_INC_Card_rev:KK_Design_INC_Card_final

1/7/12

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Kevin Karst Design Inc.

Kevin Karst

P.O. Box 9, 388 Carlaw Avenue, Unit W22 Toronto, ON M4M 2T4

Before

647.206.9002

After

647.722.4165

www.kevinkarst.com

www.neighbourhoodliving.com

647.477.6048

design@kevinkarst.com

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12:

Grow food, not lawns with Truly Local Scott Sneidzins is going to revolutionize the way we eat, one rooftop, yard, garage, basement, living room wall and kitchen cupboard at a time. “We can grow our own fresh produce all year round in Toronto,” says Scott, whose company, Truly Local, is turning city dwellers into urban farmers. From fortified soil to hydroponics to aquaponics, both inside the house and out, Scott and his team are helping people to find the perfect balance between living comfortably in their space and growing their own food. “You can grow 100 plus tomatoes in your sunny window sill and all the leafy greens–arugula, spinach, mesclun mix and romaine lettuce–you can eat on an eight foot by 10 foot vertical wall,” says Scott. “Urban space is limited, so we need to be creative. Think ‘up’ by using sunexposed walls and large windows or introduce grow lighting to transform any vertical space into a green eatable space.” Install a countertop growbed for your wheatgrass or food-growing cabinets on the walls in your hallway to maximize unused space. Do you have a dark little corner somewhere in your basement? Mushrooms and sprouts don’t need light and they’re super easy to grow. Nutrient-dense sprouts–great on sandwiches and in salads–can be harvested within days.

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Outside, add a lean-to greenhouse to the back of your home or a rooftop garden to your garage. Raised garden beds work well in front or back yards, as do all-season hoop houses, and there are a variety of hydroponic systems that are perfect for balconies and decks. If you have grass, consider pulling it up and revitalizing the soil to grow foods, not lawns. “Indoor renovations and structural framing can be done year round,” says Scott, “but it’s not too late to think about the outdoors.” This is the perfect time of year to install your raised beds and start drafting your farm plan so you’re ready to plant as soon as the frost is out of the ground next spring.” Truly Local will be holding classes in successional planning and aquaponics in January and February to get people of all ages growing their own food indoors and out, and kids’ workshops will give the next generation of urban farmers a chance to get their hands dirty and their minds engaged. “A succession plan ensures that you plant in a way that allows you to harvest continuously throughout the year from your spring, summer and fall crops,” explains Scott, “while aquaponics is a sustainable indoor ecosystem in which fish waste creates fertilizer for your plants and your plants create clean water for your fish. And everything is edible!” Scott’s vision is to bring the neighbourhood together over food. “We want people to eat well and to live healthy,” he says. The movement starts with a free on-site consultation with Truly Local. From there, Scott and his team will develop an individualized farm plan that meets your needs and your budget. You decide how much help you need, from the building of your farm, to planting and maintenance, to garden replenishing, to farming supplies, to weekly educational workshops, seminars and free food documentary movie nights. “We want to change the conversation,” says Scott, who makes sure that everything he has learned is available free online. “Instead of people asking, ‘How’s the weather?’ We want them to ask, ‘How’s your farm?’”

Truly Local 245 Carlaw Ave., Unit 4 647-799-0679 farming@trulylocal.ca www.trulylocal.ca

Truly Local offers everything you need to become food independent. Just fill out a farm intake form at trulylocal.ca and find out how you can become an urban farmer.

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Neighbourhood Living

Turn the winter blues green

with a tabletop garden

Your bulbs are planted for next spring, your garden has been cleaned and put to bed with a fresh covering of compost or mulch, and you and all the other avid city gardeners are being forced indoors for the winter. But that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate. Just turn your attention inwards ... and think small. Think tabletop! There are a multitude of containers – purchased and found – that you can use to create a tabletop garden, including wooden boxes, serving trays, oversized ceramic mugs, teacups and saucers, and antique or vintage planters and bowls. Add decorative stones, driftwood, shells, bark, seed pods and other accents to enhance your composition. And get creative with your plants – anything from tender annuals, to miniature roses and African violets, to ferns, grasses, ivy and moss, to exotics such as anthurium, ginger and heliconia, to long-lasting, minimummaintenance cacti and succulents. A variety of mushrooms, sprouts, kale, gourds and other vegetables (growing or harvested) can be employed as an unusual centrepiece for a special dinner party. A stunning Bonsai can be the basis of a reflective tabletop garden. Add stones, miniature ferns or moss to complete the theme. Perhaps the sound of water is your inspiration. Start with a miniature table top water feature and create your garden around it, being careful to match the scale of plants and accents to the size of the aqua feature. Love to cook? Line your sunniest window sill with pots of your favourite culinary herbs. You can even plant them in grandma’s Blue Mountain pottery! Don’t despair now that the cold weather is here. There is so much gardening to be done indoors...

Paula Deresti Landscape Design www.pauladeresti.com | paula@pauladeresti.com 416-270-0534 46

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Usher in the New Year with a brand new look!

Does your home look a little dreary after the holiday decorations come down? Does it seem to cry out for change? Are the kids grumbling about their room and making it clear they want to shake things up a bit? Do your teenagers have a strong desire to paint it black? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you just opened up a whole new can of worms. How involved should your kids be in the decision-making process? After all, it’s your house! And where do you begin the search for design solutions that will make everyone happy? “We hear these questions every day,” says Marg Gillespie, owner of Kids At Home, the popular Queen Street East furniture and accessories boutique. “We have some great suggestions your whole family will love, making the entire process easier and stress free.” The Kids At Home team will come to the house to meet with clients and their kids to better understand what everyone is looking for. “When we see the space and learn about the likes and dislikes of everyone involved, it gives us the opportunity to put lots of options on the table—many of which our customers might not have considered. Mom may love the idea of a hardwood floor but daughter has her heart set on a funky shag rug. A fresh perspective may be all they need to pull the whole thing together and please them both.” Many teenagers want to paint at least one of their walls black, Marg says, something parents feel is dark and depressing. “But when you sit down together, you find out that they don’t necessarily want black. They just want to get as far away as possible from the bright colours their parents chose for their rooms when they were little kids. They want something more ‘grown up.’” To create the best new look for your child’s room —teen or toddler—Marg suggests picking the bedding first and using that as the colour palette around which you build the rest of the room. She and her staff also urge parents to include their kids in the decision-making process. “By making it a joint project,” she says, “you are more likely to come up with a masterpiece you both find irresistible.” For a diverse array of bedding you and your kids will love—graphic, themed or classic colours and patterns—Kids At Home has it all. If your New Year’s resolution is a bedroom makeover, drop in to 2130A Queen Street East and talk to Marg and the Kids At Home Team. They make sure every change is a great change.

2130A Queen St. E 416.698.9726 kidsathome.com kidsathome@bellnet.ca www.neighbourhoodliving.com

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photo: Kristina Raimi

Unique, elegant, decorative pillows and home decor items at affordable prices Pillow Shoppe brand pillows are made in Canada. Markham Head Office and Showroom 10 Canfield Drive Markham, ON L3S 2J1

Toronto 1434 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON M4J 1N3 (just east of Monarch Park)

647 748-8890 danforth@thepillowshoppe.ca

(at 14th Avenue west of Markham Rd.)

Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 10am - 6pm Thursday, Friday 10am - 8pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Monday-Friday 9am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Visit us on facebook

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647-888-3722 info@thepillowshoppe.ca