Small Talk | Spring 2024

SmallTalk

One of the things I love most about living in Kamloops is the seasons. More accurately, I love the changing of the seasons. While the first snowfall of winter is enchanting, it’s easy to grow tired of the cold. Similarly, those first scorching days of summer seem to melt away any problem before the heat becomes unbearable and my thighs can’t bear one more sticky car seat or scalding bench This time of year, the first new buds of spring melt my cold frozen heart while I choose to ignore the mess from melting snow and the incoming allergy season!

After being buttoned up all winter, this is the time to freshen up our home. It’s amazing what a few hours of fresh air streaming through an open window can do to revitalize a stale room Meanwhile, a bouquet of fresh flowers on the dining table or a floral candle burning away in the entryway brightens any space.

Whether you ’ re itching to breathe some freshness into your home, take those first steps to prepare for a summer garden, get together with friends and family, or embrace the season and a fresh start, this Spring Edition of Small Talk Magazine is for you We’ve pulled together our favourite trends, seasonal inspiration, easy DIYs, and tips and tricks to make the most of spring and all that it offers.

If anything, I’m sure we could all use more joy and celebration in our everyday lives. The arrival of spring may appear to simply be a sign of the passage of time, yet it can also be a reason to celebrate if we let it We have survived the cold harshness of winter We made it Congratulations!

FROM THE DESK OF CALLI Calli Duncan

SPRING PLAYLIST

Skip through meadows, prep a spring feast, or just enjoy the sunshine with this soundtrack.

SPRING TRENDS

Don’t miss our 2024 trend predictions! Catch up on our favourite motifs, colourways, patterns, and more for 2024 on the blog.

IN WITH THE NEW OUT WITH THE OLD

01

Colours

Now it is time to switch out dark, muted colours for bright and colourful ones! Whether it’s a pop of bold colour, or airy pastels, welcome spring with colour!

02

Textures

Swap out heavy materials like wool, knits, or velvet, for lighter, flowy, and delicate textures This is a great time of year to swap out bedding, cushions, and throws.

03

Scents

Spring brings in scents of citrus, florals, and earthy notes. Scents can also extend to the cleaner that you use, diffuser oils, and room sprays. For more on spring scents, read our full candle guide (page 9).

04

Florals

Florals for prefer the artwork o form on th subtle flo transform blooming kick off, floral art p and bright fresh flowe

05

06

Lighting

A big piec lighting F and layered and bright

07

Greenery

This is ou when the plants! A n can breath

Patterns

Candle Guide

TRANSITION YOUR CANDLES TO SPRING SCENTS

Scents are powerful; they can influence our mood, create an atmosphere, and even transport us to different places or moments in time. As we enter spring, now is a great time to transition away from the heavier, richer scents of winter in favour of lighter, brighter, and fresher options.

We love tying home fragrance to the season to truly embrace the passage of time.

For spring, opt for lighter scents with bright hints of citrus, vetiver, romantic florals, airy sea salt, or ozone in your candles and room sprays

Instead of a scented candle, try the clean-burning and unscented Everlasting Candle. It’s perfect for layering light and adding ambiance without fragrance.

Here’s a roundup of our favourite spring candles!

SHOP FAR + WIDE’S

CANDLES

BOTANICA LADYBIRD

This candle has notes of sweet agave, punchy prickly pear fruits, and lime blossom for an incredibly unique fragrance. It has a sweet, floral base with a twist of native fruits and fresh succulents.

STANDING SPRUCE MIDSOMMAR

Woodsy roses and warm oranges meld with herbaceous tones of blue sage, lavender, and basil This combination makes the perfect solstice candle to celebrate the evening and the new light of spring.

FIELD KIT FLORIST

It smells like opening the doors to a florist shop and inhaling the sweet smell of fresh flowers It has notes of apple blossom, lilac, rose, jasmine, and grass.

SHY WOLF EMPRESS

Smells like the essence of creation, romance, art, and new beginnings. A soft blend of fresh lavender and rich coconut milk to help you lean into the embrace of your softer side.

Tips For Styling Your Shelves

Different Heights

Start Fresh

The most effective approach when you start decorating is to clear your shelves completely. Gather all the items you have and start experimenting with different combinations Remember, not everything has to fit on your shelves, sometimes less is more.

Add visual appeal to your shelves, by creating variation in the heights of the objects displayed. Achieve this by incorporating tall items like vases or frames, stacking objects on books, or layering a trailing plant on a shelf.

Textures and Shapes

Now it’s time to make sure your shelves have depth and intrigue. This comes from the mixture of textures and shapes that you use. Balance hard edges with round objects, or pair woven textures with smooth surfaces for a harmonious display

farandwidekamloops.com

SPRING ‘24 IN STORE

MARCH 29TH - APRIL 1ST

Sales and a fun Adult Easter Egg Hunt

MARCH 27TH -APRIL 1ST

Pot up your new plants in store

MAY 9TH - 12TH

A weekend of deals with late-night shopping events and a local vendor market!

APRIL 23RD

Get ready for summer reading, swap books, and DIY a fun bookmark

MAY 12TH

Secure that perfect gift for Mom - and don’t forget the card!

JUNE 7TH

Help us celebrate with sales and a birthday party event!

Keep your eye out for more details!

JUNE 8TH

Little Blue Barn is in store! Come and make your own bouquet.

Cozy

Bush Berry

Blume

Poppy and Pout

Lip Scrub

Midnight Paloma 12oz Bath Soaks

Pink Coconut 4-in-1 Later Bar

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT BOUQUET FOR MOTHERS DAY

Easy Steps To Make The Perfect Bouquet

Pick Your Flowers

It’s important to pick a colour palette and flowers that complement each other! Different sizes, colours, and even textures can add depth and richness to your bouquet

Arrange Them In Bunches

Remove leaves and thorns and then start arranging bunches. It is helpful to pick a flower that will be the focal point for the bouquet and then add flowers around it.

Add A Flouish

Once you are almost done, you can see if you want to add any more smaller flowers or greenery to the bouquet. Finish it off by adding ribbon, paper, or a card to make the perfect gift!

Make a bouquet with the Little Blue Barn in the shop on June 8th!

Baggu

THE MANSION GIRLS

THE MANSION GIRLS

Janet Hill is a Canadian artist and author. Her original oil paintings are transferred to print where you can still see the original brushstrokes. The Mansion Girls are her latest collection of double-sided prints.

Clara’s Era $16.50

I Spy a Velvet Eye $14.50

Redcoat’s Shadow $16.50

She was better at Night $14.50

Brideshead $16.50

Licentious Lilac $16.50

HOST A

GARDEN PARTY

02

PARTY PLAN THE

While it’s not necessary, why not have a theme? It sure adds a sprinkle of fun to your shindig!

This is the part that sets the scene for the party! Decide where you would like to host the party. Will it be a lush backyard, a tranquil park, or maybe a stunning patio?

06

Whip up a menu that's as simple or bougie as you fancy. Check out page 32 for a sneak peek at our menu inspiration!

This is where you get to be creative! Whether you craft your own decorations, hit up thrift stores, or splurge on fancy pieces, the sky's the limit!

There’s no better way to commemorate the event than with photos. We recommend taking them with a film or disposable camera for that vintage touch!

An activity can be an enjoyable way to break the ice or centre the evening around. Get creative with candle painting, craft a floral crown, or dive into some board game fun!

DETAILS IT’S IN THE

Small details can elevate a party and make it memorable for your guests. Consider these simple additions to transform your garden party into a special occasion:

Fold napkins into bows

Decorate with vases of flowers

Use mismatched tea cups

Create elegant name cards

Illuminate with plenty of candles

Add flowered ice cubes to drinks

Tie bows on glass stems

Use vintage glassware

Tie florals to napkins

Serve food on themed plates

Decorate desserts with pressed flowers

FLORAL ICE CUBES

Gather all of the flowers that you would like such as lavender, chamomile, fresh rosemary, peppermint leaves, or roses and lay in ice cube trays. Simply fill up with water, freeze, and serve to make gorgeous drinks.

Garden PartyMenu

Lavender Lemonade

Add lavender syrup to homemade lemonade and garnish with floral ice cubes

Chocolate Covered Fruit

Set out an array of fruit and berries with both dark and milk chocolate to dip

Finger Sandwiches

Cut up cucumber and spread some cream cheese and dill on a sandwich for the perfect garden dish

Strawberry Shortcake

Layer your vanilla cakes with whipped cream and add plenty of freshly cut strawberries Serve with a cup of tea!

PERFECT CUP OF TEA TIPS TO MAKE THE

01 Pick Your Tea

There are endless teas to choose from depending on your mood, be it floral, fruity, earthy, nutty, or a spicy blend.

02 Select Your Tea Cup

One fascinating thing about tea - it’s supposed to be enjoyed from a porcelain cup for optimal flavour. Looks like it’s time to unpack that china from grandma (or hit up the thrift store!)

03 Get The Temperature Right

This part may seem high-maintenance, but water temperature can make all the difference when crafting the perfect cup of tea! Most black teas need around 96°C, and green teas around 70°C. You can use a thermometer to test the water.

04 Check How Long It Should Steep

Each type of tea has a specific amount of time that it should steep, so make sure to check the package. Don’t forget to take the tea bag out before you drink!

05 Add A Flourish

Whether you like milk in your black tea or you want to impress your friends by adding flower petals to the cup, this is the time. Now sit back and enjoy your perfect cuppa!

The Bella V-Neck Dress $54.95

The Floral Mesh Sleveless Dress $58.95

The Textured Pocket Cardigan $58.95

The Floral Boxy Cardigan $79.95

The Embroidered Floral Maxi Dress $108.95

The Button Down Cardigan Jacket $78.95

The Chiffon Hair Bows $12.50

Gold Vintage Angel Locket $24.00

Star Statement Ring $48.00

Gingham Picnic Socks $12.50

Cece Twist Hoops $32.00

Retro Hair Pins $11.00

Gardening

MORE THAN A HOBBY

Gardening has grown in popularity over the last few years, transforming from a pastime, mainly associated with our grandparents, to a cool and mainstream activity Cultivating produce, herbs, and flowers offers a wonderful outdoor escape from desk jobs and doomscrolling. Gardening not only provides healthy food for cooking but also fresh flowers for brightening up our living spaces.

Whether you've got a yard, a community garden plot, or a cute balcony, there's a green thumb in all of us just waiting to sprout!

Turn the page for some top tips on planting and nurturing those green babies!

GARDENING HelpfulTipsFor

01 Know What To Plant Together

Did you know that planting certain combinations of plants is very beneficial? Look up the plants that complement each other to optimize your gardening and produce a healthier crop. Some successful pairings include cucumber and lettuce, tomatoes and carrots, and strawberries and spinach.

02 Attract Pollinators

There are a few ways to attract the bees, birds, and butterflies to your garden! It’s important to plant native plants from the area (especially ones with a source of nectar and pollen), plant flowers in clumps with various colours and shapes, and avoid using pesticides.

03 Put Your Compost To Use

Your compost is full of so many nutrients that plants love. Try mixing compost into your garden beds or planters prior to planting. Once the season is in full swing, you can sprinkle crushed eggshells, dried coffee grounds, banana peels, and other organic matter around the base of plants. It’s sustainable and helps your crops!

farandwidekamloops.com

SPRING

PLANTING GUIDE

FEB 1ST - 15TH

FEB 16TH - 28TH

MAR 1ST - 15TH

APR 1ST - 15TH

APR 16TH - 30TH

MAY 1ST - 15TH

ONIONS, LETTUCE, LEEKS

BROCCOLI, CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER, CELERY, CHARD

EGGPLANT, PEPPER, TOMATO

CORN, MELON

CUCUMBER, PUMPKIN, SQUASH

BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CHICORY, OKRA

JAN 1ST - 30TH

FEB 1ST - 15TH

FEB 16TH - 28TH

MAR 1ST - 15TH

ROSEMARY

BASIL, CATNIP, LAVENDER, FENNEL, MINT, PARSLEY

SAGE, THYME

CHAMOMILE, CORIANDER, DILL, OREGANO, TARRAGON

*The above is intended as a guide only

Check the timing for your specific growing region

Don’t be afraid to get your plants started a little late, they’ll catch up in the heat of summer!

Paul Robeson Tomato Seed Packet

$10.50

German Chamomille Seed Packet

$10.50

Peppermint Seed Packet

$10.50

Blueberries Cherry Tomato Seed packet

$10.50

Purple Opal Basil Seed packet

$10.50

Love Lies Bleeding Hearts Seed Packet $10.50

Meet Emily

THIS OR THAT: A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

JEWELRY:

SHOPPING:

GO-TO OUTFIT:

DRINK:

FOOD:

WEEKEND NIGHT:

EARRINGS NECKLACE

BOUTIQUE MALL

JEANS LEGGINGS

TEA COFFEE

EAT OUT HOMECOOKED

STAY IN GO OUT

MY FAVORITE THINGS AT F+W

BEAUTY:

CLOTHES:

PANTRY:

PLANT: BOOK:

KITCHEN:

Moira gel eyeliner, East Coast perfume, and BKind nail polish

E v e r y t h i n g v i n t a g e - e s p e c i a l l y a n y t h i n g v e l v e t !

B l u m e b l e n d s ! T h e o a t m i l k c h a i i s t h e b o m b d o t c o m

P o t h o s - s o c l a s s i c a n d e a s y T h e w a y t h e y d r a p e i s s o r o m a n t i c !

T h e P a r t - t i m e A d u l t P l a n n e r i s a m a z i n g

A l l t h e g l a s s w a r e !

MY FAVOURITE SHOW + BOOK:

S u c c e s s i o n a n d e v e r y t h i n g w r i t t e n b y S a r a h J M a a s

WHAT I’M DOING WHEN NOT AT WORK:

T h r i f t i n g , b a k i n g , n a p p i n g , a n d w a l k i n g m y d o g !

TOP LOCAL SPOTS TO VISIT:

P a r a m o u n t t h e a t r e , D o r i a n G r e e k H o u s e , a n d R e d C o l l a r