Lifestyle Magazine - July/August 2023

Canadian Made Furniture & Decor

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SEPTEMBER OCTOBER ISSUE!

“Most (students) will be $26,000 in debt after university,”

JOHN FINAN, BOOK LAUNCH EVENT FOR TRADE UP – WHY BUY A JOB WHEN YOU CAN START A CAREER ?

John Finan is a name many Londoners will recognize from his company, Finan Home Service. And Lisa Brandt is well known from her days in radio, but she’s now a published author with several books to her credit, as well as a podcaster and a freelance voice artist.

These two local luminaries combined forces to write a book about Ontario’s need for tradespeople. This is no surprise. I remember doing a story about it back in my days at the London Free Press (20 years ago) and interviewing Lois Langdon, who was the CEO of the London Home Builders’ Association at the time.

We have a story on page 35 about great options for summer reading. While this isn’t the usual frothy beach book, its fresh approach makes it an entertaining read, summer or winter. Whereas others may approach this with hard numbers, citing its effect on the economy, Trade Up is a work of fiction. I’m guessing the protagonist, Bill Turpin, was modeled on Finan. Turpin also owns an electrical contracting company. He’s concerned about the future of his own and his colleagues’ businesses due to the lack of apprentices. It follows the journey of three high school students looking toward their futures, who try various types of apprenticeships.

Brandt’s approach is refreshing. One of the students is a high-achieving female and one is the son of recent immigrants. Both must explain to their parents why college or university

isn’t their choice. The book’s quest is clearly to destigmatize going into the trades, and it’s done with entertaining but realistic dialogue and narrative.

While Lifestyle Magazine’s readership isn’t likely currently seeking career choices, we can guide our children and grandchildren as they contemplate whether graduating from post-secondary with double- and triple-digit debt is preferable to immediately making money and with the likelihood of outstripping college and university grads’ earning potential in a few years.

According to EnergyNow.ca, 700,000 tradespeople in Canada are set to retire during this decade. This statistic paints a pretty grim picture for the home building and remodeling industries, but – good news – the situation is salvageable. Finan and Brandt have thrown a spotlight on it with their book, so now it’s up to the rest of us to take the information offered and use it to rectify the situation.

Put Trade Up on your must-read list this summer when you head to the beach, cottage or campground and spread the word. As the young people around you weigh options, ask them “Why buy a job when you can start a career?”

Jill Ellis-Worthington lifestyle.editor@writedoton.com

PUBLI S HER

Lana L. Breier EDITOR

Jill Ellis-Worthington

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Ellen Ashton-Haiste

WRITERS

Ellen Ashton-Haiste

Clare Dear

Jill Ellis-Worthington

Kathy Rumleski

Janis Wallace

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Annette Gent 519-200-0283 annettegent537@gmail.com

Lorraine Lukings 519-520-7676 lorrainelukings@hotmail.com

Jan McGrath 519-243-2932 jm@lambtonshores.com

EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN

Wendy Reid

AD DESIGN

Nancy Greenfield

Bill McGrath

PRODUCTION

Nancy Greenfield

PHOTOGRAPHY

BAIN IMAGES

Richard Bain / Jesse Bellringer

WEB ARCHITECTURE

Redding Design Inc. www.reddingdesigns.com

Wortley Village WOMEN IN BUSINESS

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

There’s a vibrancy and unmatched supportive spirit in Wortley Village. All the ‘women of Wortley’, agree and often cite this fact as one of the reasons each decided to be part of this tightly knit community. Wortley Village has become a shop, dine-and-play destination for Londoners and

surrounding areas. While events like Gathering on the Green, Jazz and Blues Fest, Halloween and Christmas in the Village are big annual draws, it’s also nice to visit on any sunny afternoon, stroll through the many boutiques and enjoy some excellent cuisine.

Wortley Village has become a shop, dine-and-play destination for Londoners and surrounding areas.

ANA ARSENIS

Karpos Mediterranean

Style Dried Nuts and Fruits

Ana Arsenis, says, “There’s always something delicious in the fridge,” From her Greek roots, she cooks all the hot foods herself, offering a wide range of freshly made favourites (spanakopita, moussaka, soups etc.) on Tuesdays and Fridays. Pick up dinner on your way home after 3 p.m. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Arsenis works with her grown children in the store, which is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They roast all the nuts onsite and have pistachios from all over the world, along with cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts and many others. She also stocks “the best imported virgin olive oil at the best price.”

• www.karposdrynutsandfruits.ca

CLEOPATRA CAMARA

Sweet Onion Bistro

A career social worker, a breast cancer survivor, a dragon boater and an ambitious businesswoman – all describe Cleopatra Camara. She combines all these titles while running two restaurants. The Sweet Onion Grill has been part of Wortley Village for 15 years, owned the last five by Camara. She was the first server hired by the original owners, working on evenings and weekends to supplement her income as a full-time social worker.

Camara opened a second Sweet Onion location in Byron in 2021. Both locations offer Greek favourites (Camara is originally from Athens) and feature live music two nights a week during patio season.

An enthusiastic member of the award-winning Robust dragon boating team, Camara organizes fundraisers at both restaurant locations.

• www.sweetonionbistro.ca

KATHERINE AND TRACEY CAMBRIDGE

Impressions 148

A long-standing clothing shop at 148 Wortley Road has been under new ownership for the past three years and has been rebranded as Impressions 148.

The mother/daughter team of Tracey and Katherine Cambridge are updating the clothing lines offered and are always on hand to ensure that customers find what they need and want. “It’s understanding who the client is, offering your expertise and your ability to show them things that are going to work for them,” says Tracey. The duo splits the day, with one of them always staffing the store.

Tracey has enjoyed a long career in fashion retail and daughter Katherine “grew up in the business.” They have always lived in Old South and appreciate that the village has a “nostalgic feel without being kitschy,” explains Tracey.

• www.impressions148.com

ANDREA DEKAY Flux Pottery

A newcomer to the Village, Andrea DeKay has made a dramatic career choice. She left her job as a partner in a law firm to start her own pottery business and “loves the village vibe.”

DeKay’s studio and store are located next to the library and are presently being renovated. She expects to be able to open mid- to late fall of this year.

“It’s a big leap,” she says of her dramatic career change. DeKay started taking pottery lessons 20 years ago to “take my brain away from the law” and decided to make it a full-time career in 2017.

She describes the store’s offerings as a wide variety of “functional dishware and kitchenware with clean lines in neutral tones.”

• www.fluxpottery.ca

JOCELYN KING Curiosities

Calling it the “best career change I’ve ever made,” Jocelyn King is happy to have owned this long-time village store for nearly eight years, having previously been a happy customer.

Curiosities celebrates slow fashion, handmade and everything Canadian by carrying clothing, jewellery, bags, baby and home décor items principally designed and made in this country. Offerings from designers and manufacturers from coast to coast, King takes great pleasure in sourcing items not found elsewhere.

She is pleased to be part of such a dynamic retail landscape: “I know many of the other business owners in the Village, and it’s easy to collaborate, celebrate successes and commiserate when we are presented with problems. I’m happy and feel very fortunate to own a business in Wortley Village.”

• www.curiositiesgiftshop.com

CINDY MACKINLAY

MacKinlay Mercantile

For long-time Old South residents Cindy MacKinlay and her husband buying a building in the Village and later renovating it to become MacKinlay Mercantile in 2018 was a natural move.

She had been a bartender and manager at the Wortley Roadhouse for a long time and this new opportunity to be part of the vibrancy of the Village excited her.

The store carries a bit of everything, with home décor and gift items, but a newer focus is gourmet delicacies and kitchen gadgets.

Since MacKinlay loves Christmas it’s not a surprise that the merchandise reflects this and other holidays at different times of the year.

“The Village is becoming a shopping destination, like Bayfield or Stratford,” she says.

• www.mackinlaymercantile.com

DIANE GORDON London Living Real Estate

One of Wortley Village’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders, Diane Gordon’s business has been based there for nearly all of her 45-year career in real estate. She and her husband/business partner Ainsley Gordon have always lived in the area and raised their sons there.

Gordon is grateful for the support of the village throughout her years in business and gives back by being an active community member. Last year she chaired Christmas in the Village and loved making it a grand success by exceeding fundraising expectations. “The merchants were all very generous,” Gordon adds.

She’s pleased that the real estate market is levelling out. “It’s a good balanced market now.” She adds that Wortley Village and Old South are somewhat protected from market fluctuations because of the area’s desirability.

• www.londonlivingrealestate.com

JENNIFER LOFTHOUSE Lofthouse Living

Describing her shop, Lofthouse Living, as a lifestyle store, Jennifer Lofthouse is pleased to be one of the newest features in the Village. “We carry clothing and housewares, giftware, as well as jewellery and candles,” she explains.

The unifying factor: all merchandise comes in calming tones. “We have a beige and white neutral palette.” She adds, “we say we’re ‘beige but never boring.’”

Living in Old South and working nearby is perfect for this busy parent with two young sons. The store is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., and occasionally on Fridays. She is enthusiastic about the Village. “It’s buzzing with a lot of people walking around.”

• www.lofthouse-living.com

SHARINNE SNELLEN Sha Choix

This eclectic boutique on the corner shows off owner Sharinne Snellen’s tastes and talents. “My friends call me Sha and Choix means choice,” she explains. Her choices range from glittery to glamourous, with jewellery by local artisans, including her own, as well as tiaras and other glistening head toppers.

Snellen imports beautiful items – scarves, purses, fascinators and hats – from Europe, where she takes buying trips as often as possible. “I go to visit my daughter in Amsterdam and always stop at the fashion centre there to see what’s new.”

A fixture in the Village for nine years, Sharinne loves its “European feeling.”

“I live in Wortley as well and am proud to be one of its strong women.”

• www.instagram.com/sha.choix

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TRADITIONAL

keep it cool

style summer

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

When temperatures rise, so do hemlines while necklines plunge. We definitely show more skin in warmer weather and there are many ways to look our sexy best while keeping comfortable.

Whether you’re heading outdoors or to the office, area retailers have great options to help you keep cool while looking cool.

From soft and flowy to straight and structured, summer fashions run the gamut. Check out these offerings from Studio Style and Hangar9. The latter recently received national recognition as eBay’s E-Commerce Business of the Year.

and sandals from Dorothee Schumacher. (2,3,4 all items available at Hangar9)

2 A

Herskind Mister vest and Mercy blazer are worn with Frame Le Palazzo jeans for a fun, fresh casual Fridays look, with lemon-tone accessories: Victoria Beckham Debbie loafers and a Gavazzeni Vitto small Nappa handbag.

4 The Derek Lam 10 Crosby Kaia faux double-breasted blazer tops QL2 Melody bootleg pants and a crop top from the same designer, accented by a lovely lavender handbag

5 Available from Studio Style, this wrap-style figure flattering halter dress from Tommy Bahama is the picture of flexibility, easily going from beach to cocktail party.

6 With a change of shoes, handbag and jewellery, the Breezy Blooms Island Gauze Midi dress will take you anywhere this summer. From Tommy Bahama and available at Studio Style.

7 8 9 Available at Hangar9, from Arteana come colourful sandals ideal for beach or boardroom.

10 11 12 The perfect totes to take to Europe or to the beach from America & Beyond are available at Hangar9.

13 Light as spun sugar, this cotton/ silk blend billowing rosy blouse from Tommy Bahama can top trousers for a casual Friday at the office or a skirt for a weekend brunch on the patio. Available at Studio Style.

Open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm 215 Main Street, Port Stanley 519-782-7467 www.studiostyle.ca

We have hundreds of beautiful designs to choose from for engagements, anniversaries, and general expressions of love.

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1 Tommy Bahama brings us this Breezy Blooms blouse to add a tropical taste to the closet. It’s washable, 100 per cent cotton and available at Studio Style.

Birgitte

3 Sara Roka’s printed cotton canvas jacket and pants are perfect with a Gavazzeni Edimburgo braided leather belt and Dorothee Schumacher rattan chic handbag.

ON SAFARI

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

A female lion and her son rest in a tree in the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta.

Londoner Richard Rastin feels that there are many reasons to love Botswana. As part of the Commonwealth, Canadians don’t need a Visa to visit; English is commonly spoken and no inoculations (other than proof of COVID vaccines) are required. But the thing he enjoyed most about his visit there in March of 2022 was being able to get up close with the wildlife on walking safaris.

“Botswana is the home of walking safaris,” says Rastin, a travel agent with Travel Genuine. He adds that the key to having an excellent walking safari experience is getting a great guide. “In Botswana, the guides are trained and licensed, which is a long process. They are the most sought-after. They can track the animals, so you see more of them.” Being very specific about the types of animals you want to see is also important when planning your trip.

Rastin’s group of travel agents landed in Zimbabwe and took in the famous Victoria Falls as their first stop; then they journeyed to various sites in Botswana.

There they were the guests of Ker and Downey and Imvelo Safari Lodges. He describes the accommodations as a cross between “a small boutique hotel experience and being at the cottage.” Framed canvas-roofed buildings provide luxurious surroundings in the wild. There are indoor washrooms and showers, excellent cuisine, outdoor seating areas and some have swimming pools. Regarding the latter, Rastin recounts a tale of waking up very early one morning to the sight of an elephant drinking out of the pool adjacent to his room. Most have six or 10 units, accommodating about 20 people at a time, he says.

The group experienced walking and driving safaris in the national parks of the Kalahari Desert where they saw black-maned lions – and the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta where a plenitude of water attracts a wide variety of wildlife. This allowed them to see an assortment of local fauna, including endangered spotted dogs, rhinos, hippos, lions, antelope and oryx. While observing at the delta, the group was stunned to watch a cheetah hunt, capture and drag 

ABOVE Sunrise at Kubu Island, Botswana.

Highly trained guides in Botswana know the topography and habits of the wildlife. “They can track the animals, so you see more of them.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT An oryx in the Kalahari Dessert. • A black-maned lion in the Okovango Delta. • Botswana is known as the Land of the Elephants. • A bushbuck is a type of antelope. Photos by Richard Rastin.

~ Continued from page 25

away a newborn impala. This kind of close-up experience is the real benefit of doing a walking safari, Rastin elaborates.

“The tour guides are excellent. Ours tracked a pride of lionesses, and I was able to sit and take pictures without a crowd of people around. They (the guides) have an understanding of the topography and animal behaviour and know how to respect both,” says Rastin. “In South Africa (where he’s previously visited), a lion crossing the road causes a traffic jam.”

He adds that “this is not a zoo; you have to respect the animals. You’re a guest and it’s their playground.”

Botswana is known as the Land of the Elephants and Rastin’s group saw many of them.

Rastin says a typical day starts early with one’s choice of morning beverage brought to his/her room then on to the dining area for a “beautiful, luscious breakfast. They take allergies and other dietary needs into account.” A drive to one of the area watering holes where the animals are starting their day with a drink of water is the next highlight. After watching the wildlife and their morning ablutions, the group heads back to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon safari may take visitors to a different area to see more animals. After an afternoon rest, those who choose to can experience one of Africa’s famous sunsets over the plains during the last safari of that day. This experience often includes a picnic of cocktails and appetizers. During and after dinner, Rastin says guests share their experiences of the day and then turn in early since they’ll be up early the following morning for another safari.

During evening downtime, Rastin had opportunities to chat with some of the staff members who were weaving goods to sell at markets and learn more about their culture and way of life. “They were as interested in talking about my life in London, Ontario as I was in theirs.”

Though he was near many wild animals, Rastin says he never felt unsafe because of the skill and knowledge of the guides. 

Photography: Larry Arnal Design: Sarah St Amand

DON’T DESPAIR FOR YOUR HAIR

New technology offers painless solution

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

At 33, Jared Page is happy that he’s found a solution to his thinning hair. “I’ve always been considered a good-looking guy, and I don’t want to have to shave it all off,” he says. The paramedic noticed “significant thinning in the crown and hairline areas” of his head, and his beard is patchy. Page says that he started losing hair in his 20s and feels he has “male pattern baldness.”

Happily, he discovered TED, not a person but a treatment at Artistic Esthetic Spa that is both painless

and productive. TED stands for Trans Epidermal Delivery and it’s a machine that delivers stimulation and nutrients to the scalp through sound waves and air pressure. According to Charlene Jones, spa co-owner, the treatments each take about 30 minutes and start with the technician prepping a small 2” x 3” area of the scalp. They usually treat up to four or five areas, usually the hairline, crown and area between. The technician does this with the hand control of the TED machine, which gently

ABOVE CENTRE In these pictures, supplied by the TED machine’s manufacturer Alma, improved hair regrowth is shown.

The images on the left were taken during their assessment sessions, while those on the right were taken one month after the

last treatment. The woman in the top pictures received three treatments; the man in the lower pictures received one.

massages each area to prepare for the treatment. Afterward, the intensity levels of the machine are raised, and a syringe of growth serum is added to the delivery wand. The machine’s motion “penetrates the scalp and plants the serum into the follicles,” says Jones.

Jones says this “stimulates hair growth to produce stronger, healthier, thicker hair.” Since he dislikes the stigma attached to going bald, Page is pleased to see “more hair on the top of my head. I see a lot less scalp,” he chuckles. So far, he has had two treatments as of writing, with a third one upcoming.

Jones says that best results are achieved with three treatments done one month apart but results can be seen a couple of weeks after the first treatment. “The results are ongoing,” says Jones, “because they will continue to see hair growth for six months or more afterward.”

Page wears a beard, but it is sparse in places, so the treatments were done to it as well, and he’s also seen good results on his face. Jones says that annual follow-up treatments are recommended to ensure that hair continues to grow.

Paul (not his real name), a 46-year-old medical professional, has received three treatments and has scheduled his fourth one because he’s happy with the results. Having tried different types of treatments for his receding hairline and thinning crown, including painful ones like PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections, Paul has noticed less shedding. “I’m not seeing hair in the shower or on the pillow anymore; it has dramatically decreased.” Along with making his scalp healthier so he loses less hair, he’s also noticed it is thicker with new growth around his hairline. “I can’t see the crown but my barber, who has cut my hair for 24 years, noticed a difference on the crown with more growth and thicker hair.”

Paul is insecure about his hair loss and didn’t want his name used for this story, but he feels that this is giving him a solution with which he’s comfortable.

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“The PRP treatments can cause trauma to the scalp. With TED there was no trauma (to the scalp) or soreness or swelling afterwards,” he adds.

Women also experience thinning hair, notes Jones, and can also benefit from TED treatments. “During and after menopause many women notice hair loss or thinning,” she explains. “Also, their eyebrows can thin or become patchy. It can be especially bad for people who heavily tweezed their eyebrows in earlier years.” She says that TED can be used to treat this as well. “Many will appreciate that they don’t have to do tattooing or microblading to have nice eyebrows.”

Good candidates for treatment –male or female – are those with thinning hair but not complete baldness. “If the follicles are ‘dead’ – they aren’t functioning with no small hairs visible in that area – TED may not help them.” She says that clients experiencing hair loss from cancer treatments or hormonal hair loss due to pregnancy aren’t good candidates “because their hair will grow back naturally. These are temporary conditions.”

In London, TED treatments are presently only available at Artistic Esthetic Spa. They’ve been treating people since the beginning of 2023.

TEA TIME

Enjoy a royal treat

By Janis Wallace

If you were inspired by the recent coronation to include more time for tea, follow the tradition at Isadora’s Tea Parlour in Grand Bend. Owner

Angela Schuller was inspired to open the tea room by a trip to England she took with her granddaughter.

She says Isadora, who was 5 at the time, enjoyed tea with her mother and grandmother in their hotel by Buckingham Palace and still believes the queen was there. Schuller promised Isadora she would open a tea parlour when she semi-retired – and she kept that promise, naming it after her granddaughter.

Morning and afternoon teas, as well as light lunches, are served. Schuller says the menu has an international flair. A traditional three-tiered platter includes finger sandwiches; scones with cream and jam; pastries and cakes, and less usual offerings of pumpkin fritters and bread pudding, with jam and whipped cream.

Another option is enjoying a ‘cream’ tea. This mini meal blends old and new by offering traditional favourites – like scones with cream and jam – and trendier treats: yogurt parfait, toast with avocado and feta, and pumpkin fritters.

For all the princesses (of any age), the princess tea platter is an array of mini sandwiches, fruit and a sweet treat. Hot

chocolate, milk or juice is available for the younger set.

Lunches continue the mix with soup or salad of the day, quiche, berry salad, Greek salad, tomato and cucumber salad and grilled cheese.

If your sweet tooth needs attention, desserts range from cheesecakes, mini cakes, muffins, and scones, to croissants, dates with cream cheese, cannoli, squares and brownies.

Specialty teas are available decaffein ated. For those who still prefer coffee, a variety of coffees and lattes are on the menu, as well as smoothies.

The Victorian setting is ideal to recharge with a taste of old-fashioned treats.

Grand Bend is known for its beaches and sunsets. It may become known for a bit of England where Isadora’s Tea Parlour provides a place in between the waves and nightlife. 

TOP AND INSET You'll enjoy tea time in a proper English setting in lovely bone china at Isadora's Tea Parlour. BOTTOM Barista Jennifer (left) makes and serves your choice of teas, while baker Jean is busy in the kitchen creating wonderful treats.

The New Canadian Curling Club

RELAX AND READ

Five to put on your list

By Kathy Rumleski

AHH. BIG SIGH. It’s summertime and you’re at that special spot you love, where you can pull out a book and read the day away. Books and summer go hand in hand, summoning an emotional response that allows the body to relax. It probably goes back to idyllic childhood days when we sat under a tree or perhaps in a treehouse and read for hours. Carefree reading has now become a rite of summer.

So, let’s pull out our broad-brimmed hats, flip-flops, sunglasses and dig into some delicious reads.

LEBRON

by Jeff Benedict

Benedict has published 17 nonfiction books, including the bestselling Tiger Woods, which is impeccably researched and written. Like Woods, LeBron is a sports icon who transcends worlds. Benedict is not afraid of exhaustive research and conducts hundreds of interviews to make sure his books present honest and accurate pictures of his subjects. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, Benedict’s books offer fascinating looks at multi-layered personalities with their flaws and redeeming characteristics. LeBron had long odds of making anything of his life, let alone becoming a superstar. He now transforms others’ lives with his activism and philanthropy.

OLD BABES IN THE WOOD

by Margaret Atwood

One can never go wrong in picking up a book by fiction superstar Atwood. In this collection of 15 short stories of different genres, the Canadian writer, with her ingenious insight, looks at relationships, loss, communication or lack thereof. Science fiction and fantasy are found in the pages, along with history and reflection on current affairs with a twist. Readers will always uncover a unique sense of humour. Short stories are also perfect for summer reading and relaxing.

BOWLED OVER AMERICANO: A Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery: Book 1

by Carolyn Arnold

Local author Arnold, who has penned more than 50 books, is beginning a new mystery series with this work about a double murder. The protagonists are detectives working on one case as part of their day jobs and another one on the side. “Sara and Sean go off the books and flirt around to figure out who the … killer is,” says Arnold. “It’s lighter (for the beach) but still complex enough that there is intrigue.” Add in romance, humour and unlikely turns and you probably won’t put this book down until you’ve finished it.

BLOOD OF THE VIRGIN

by Sammy Harkham

This graphic novel will quickly rise to number one, Brahm Wiseman, owner of Heroes Comics on Dundas Street predicts. Despite its daunting title, Wiseman says it’s ultimately a love story. Set in Los Angeles in the 1970s movie-making heyday, Blood of the Virgin has mature subject matter, but readers will not find it degrading or offensive. It’s not a comic book to leave around for the kids to pick up. Harkham is described as a master comics artist and a thorough, convincing writer.

RELISH IN THE TREAD

self-published by Steven Keith Hunter

Hunter’s work is about a love affair, with the road. The writer, who is based in Sarnia, takes his experience of being a pilgrim in Europe to create a fictional piece about the minimalistic life of a backpack traveller. In taking the trip with Hunter’s character, who doesn’t really know where he belongs, readers will learn about local cultures, food and the struggles that come from living life in travelling boots. Hunter has backpacked extensively in other parts of the world and also draws on those experiences to write a compelling read.

These books are also available online for e-readers and by audio.

COLOUR IS HOT THIS SUMMER

Cora Couture mirrors European trends

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

Everything is coming up roses – plus bright greens, hot pinks, royal blues and a host of other vibrant colours – at Cora Couture fashion boutiques this summer.

“It’s a fresher, crisper look for summer,” says Kathleen Roth, who works out of the Collingwood store, one of three locations in southern Ontario.

She says the infusion of colour is “a slightly different approach” for the fashion retailer, known for its foundational black-and-white palette. It’s following a European trend identified by owners Elizabeth Buczek and Alicia Kokot during a recent visit to Paris and Milan. European fashion is the specialty for the business launched by the partners 18 years ago, with its flagship store in Toronto’s Bloor West neighbourhood and two additional locations in Collingwood and Stratford.

This season’s palette is hitting the best of two worlds, Roth says. “We’ve got a juxtaposition of fun, bright, colourful pieces and dramatic, moody pieces with the black and white.” There’s also a metallic element, she adds, citing foil jackets and silver highlights. “So, you can wear white linen and throw on a silvery metallic T-shirt and look fantastic.”

In the European tradition, Cora Couture’s clothing lines feature natural fabrics, including cotton, silk and linen. The latter is particularly popular for summer because it’s so breathable. This season some fun materials have been added, such as taffeta, tulle and crinkle parachute; it doesn’t wrinkle, making this fabric easy to wear and ideal for travel. Also new to the collection is a techno cotton that Roth describes as “stretchy and very flattering on the female form.”

In the European tradition, Cora Couture’s clothing lines feature natural fabrics, including cotton, silk and linen.

No outfit is complete without matching accessories, and there’s plenty to choose from in the summer collection. “We have really dynamic footwear and what I like to call jaunty jewels, plus astonishing handbags and some fun sunglasses as the final touch,” Roth says. In all of the shops, these accessories are combined with apparel pieces to show the complete look. “Something we’re known for is our styling ability.”

The Cora Couture collections are designed for women of all ages and sizes to empower them to feel beautiful and confident, according to Roth – a goal she’s sure this summer’s offerings will fulfill. 

Cora Couture features fashions in bright colours this summer, like this one from Spain’s Lurdes Bergada.

BEYOND BLUE SKIES

New phase for Vranic Homes

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

As Ilderton’s Clear Skies community launches its third building phase, John Vranic is “ready to rock and roll.” Vranic Homes, a featured builder in the development from the beginning, has 15 lots in this phase, with frontages from 36 to 40 feet and one larger pie-shaped lot backing onto a wooded area.

There are 15 floor plans offering buyers choices ranging from 1,600 to 2,500 square feet of living space and priced starting at $849,900. The starter model is The Knell, a two-storey home on a 36-foot lot. It’s named for Vranic’s real estate broker Kevin Knell. This continues a tradition the builder initiated in Phase 2, naming the homes in recognition of his team members and contractors. “We’re focused on appreciating the people who make these homes possible,” Vranic says, citing other examples, such as the Salliss model named for Salliss Plumbing owner Marty Salliss, The Fenlon for Golden Windows’ Nathan Fenlon and The Anicet, honouring site supervisor Aniceto Pereira.

The Knell features Vranic’s trademark openconcept layout on the main level. The second floor is comprised of three bedrooms – the primary suite and ensuite bath and two others linked by an adjoining bathroom.

Vranic-built homes include hard surface countertops and high-end finishes, as well as double-car garages. For the third phase, some new upgrades have been added, such as garage door openers, Moen plumbing fixtures and increases to cabinetry and lighting allowances. They also come with a $7,500 package for window coverings (London’s Made In The Shade Blinds &

More). “It’s something a bit different,” Vranic says, noting that buyers welcome the opportunity to pre-order their blinds, shutters and curtains with confidence that they’ll be installed before move-in. A model home in Phase 2 is available for viewing. The community’s third phase will consist of 57 custom detached homes. It’s being promoted as family-friendly living in rural Ilderton, which is attracting potential residents with its homey, small-town charm and plentiful business, service and recreational amenities. Nearby nature is also a magnet, with access to trail systems and natural spaces at the Clear Skies’ doorstep. Convenience is also key, as it’s a 10-minute drive from North London with its myriad retail, entertainment and healthcare amenities. 

ABOVE

John Vranic is “ready to rock and roll.” Vranic Homes, a featured builder in the development from the beginning, has 15 lots in this phase.

Nearby Ilderton, a family-friendly community with natural and recreational amenities, hosts Clear Skies, where John Vranic is constructing 15 of 57 homes in Phase 3 of the development.

BUILDING A BACKYARD OASIS

Copp’s Buildall measures up

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

Apandemic-fueled inclination for homeowners to enhance their outdoor living spaces is proving a boon for Copp’s Buildall’s burgeoning deck design and installation division. “It’s been a huge trend for people to invest in creating their ideal backyard retreat,” says Toni Rubini, contractor sales and decking specialist. “We’re definitely growing and expanding further as a local source for homeowners and contractors.”

Services offered range from deck design and installation – both new builds and restorations – to pergolas and fencing. This division is branching out as customers request structures such as sheds and pool houses. Rubini notes there is a growing interest in porches as people seek to engage more with their communities.

Decking and fencing was prominently showcased by Copp’s this year at London’s Lifestyle Home Show. “There are so many options available,” Rubini says. “It was great to engage with people and show them what we’re offering. It definitely brought traffic into the store.”

The in-store display - at the Dundas Street East location, where the decking division is based - has also been revamped, highlighting some of the newer products emerging in the marketplace. One option that’s capturing attention is frameless glass railings, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. Copp’s carries a line of these by the Ontario-based manufacturer InvisiRail.

A trend towards low-maintenance and longer-lasting materials is also on the rise. Rubini says composite is outpacing natural wood as homeowners tire of upkeep, like regular staining. Interest in steel framing is growing because it provides better

stability with less material. Today’s products are attractive and available in a variety of colours, she says. “We’re definitely seeing the market move toward materials that will last longer without wearing and require less upkeep.”

This mindset also impacts fencing, with the use of steel posts, and the construction of structures, such as pergolas and sheds. It’s partly driven by an awareness of the need for weather appropriate materials as the climate changes, something to which manufacturers are paying close attention, she adds.

Rubini is on hand to consult with customers and steer them to styles and materials that fit both their vision and their budget. 

ABOVE With displays available at their Dundas Street East location, customers are able to get great ideas about creating their outdoor living space. From design to implementation, a range of services and materials are available for those who take a handsoff approach and for DIYers.

THERE FOR EVERY STEP

For over 100 years, the Sifton family has been building communities and lasting relationships. Whether you rent, lease, build or retire in a Sifton property, you are part of our extended family.

Now it’s time to celebrate 100 steps forward .com