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6 Things to Consider When Hanging Art

Just splurged on your first original work of art at a gallery or market. Or you’ve brought home a stunning new piece to add to your growing collection.  Now, you are wondering “where is the ideal place for hanging your art?”

Perhaps you have moved and as you are unpacking the boxes you realize that your art will look different in the new home. The colours of the walls are different. The windows face east rather than south. You’ve purchased some new furniture. The whole look of this home is unlike anywhere you have lived before. Continue reading 6 Things to Consider When Hanging Art

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How to Staycation in Toronto in 2020

When planning a vacation you are probably thinking: location, location, location!

Then suddenly a pandemic hits and you’re being told to stay “home”. And in Melbourne (AU) as a stage 4 lock-down is underway, you are are restricted from traveling more than 5 km from your  home. This Interactive: See where your 5km lockdown limit ends will help you to see just how far you can go.

But after staying home with the kids for 4 months, you desperately need a break…

You may not be able to visit Melbourne or many other cities in the world at the moment but you can take a staycation in your own city and open your eyes to the wonders around you – just as a tourist would.

If you live in a city, you can create a staycation that is made up of day trips in and near the city  – or you can include accommodation and feel like you really are a traveler. Continue reading How to Staycation in Toronto in 2020

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How Hostels Are Surviving COVID-19

quote: "it's not the jouney but who you travel with"

“Hostels are built on the idea of community and sharing. Travellers never know from one day to the next who’ll they meet or where they might end up.”” These are the words of Alexandre E. Petri. But based on own experience, I couldn’t have said it better. And that’s why I love staying in them when I travel. But now I wonder – will it ever be the same post-COVID19? Continue reading How Hostels Are Surviving COVID-19

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3 Things You Should Never Cycle Without

cycling on toronto island

You probably thought I was going to list cycling essential tools like a pump or tire irons to change a flat, or maybe gloves to prevent blisters

While those are nice to have, and I have occasionally gone on a long trip with all of them – they are not the three things that I never leave home without. Continue reading 3 Things You Should Never Cycle Without

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An Excess of Clothing and COVID-19

How much is in your closet? Why are we addicted to “fast fashion”? How much do you really need? What should you do with the excess that you no longer need or want?

All of these questions dance around in my head as I contemplate a spring closet clean out during my COVID-19 self-isolation. And I certainly am guilty as charged of having “too much” – just like everybody else. Continue reading An Excess of Clothing and COVID-19

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Seriously? Swedish Death Cleaning?

I had been planning to do it for a long time now. And I had already been doing it– sort of, unintentionally, and very slowly. COVID-19, however, gave me concentrated periods of time at home – something we rarely find ourselves with. And so I decided to tackle my “Swedish Death Cleaning” – seriously.

Thanks to this unexpected Coronavirus lock-down, I was self-isolating at home: not going to work (temporarily laid off); not attending art and dance classes (cancelled); not seeing the grandkids several  times a week (social-distancing); not planning our Europe trip or my sister’s visit to Toronto (too risky). Within a few days our universe had turned upside down as governments all over the world, including Canada, declared a “state of emergency”. ‘Time on my hands’ became an opportunity to take my “Swedish Death Cleaning” seriously. Continue reading Seriously? Swedish Death Cleaning?

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Innovative Ways to Reduce Plastics

Plastics offer “convenience” in packaging of foods. But they are also harming birds, fish, animals – and most likely humans in the long term. Scientists have found evidence of microplastics  in almost all levels of the food chain. It’s time we found sustainable alternatives!

And it is possible. Continue reading Innovative Ways to Reduce Plastics

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Garbage!

The sun glinted on its shiny surface and caught my attention on the rocks as I walked on the lakeshore path this morning. It was a clear-plastic Starbucks-type cup half-filled with a rose-coloured liquid. Maybe an iced tea? But the problem was the drinker was nowhere to be seen. It was garbage left behind.

Last week, it was four Tim Horton coffee cups strewn across the parking lot. And a few days before it was an empty bottle from “spring water” left on the walking path. Continue reading Garbage!

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The Joys of Spring Cleaning

As the snow melts – dribbling down the snow banks like an ice-cream dripping down the cone on a hot sunny day – spring cleaning is on my mind.

And as I think of sunny days, I realize that I will be spending more of my time outdoors – in the garden and playing with the children on the trampoline. So whatever doesn’t get cleaned and sorted by May will probably wait another six months. Continue reading The Joys of Spring Cleaning

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Advanced Skin Anti-Wrinkle Serum – Free Trial is Not Free

Skin Balance Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream

The free sample of Advanced Skin Anti-Wrinkle Serum is NOT FREE.

It was a mistake. I clicked on a Facebook ad offering FREE samples of anti-wrinkle cream. I then gave my mailing information and supplied my credit card details to pay for the postage. A few days later my “fountain-of-youth” product arrived. So did my credit card bill. Continue reading Advanced Skin Anti-Wrinkle Serum – Free Trial is Not Free