Lifestyle Magazine: November - December 2015

LIFESTYLE NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2015

15

ting Celebra

years

Village view

loft living comes to wortley village

Retire in style prepping for life after work

Runway ready www.lifestylemagazineonline.com

award season’s hottest looks

DESIGN • OUTDOOR TOPS • KITCHENS

• VANITIES • WET BARS • TABLE TOPS

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contents november | december 2015

10 15 22 24 28 44 48 56 63 53 54 32 34

24

20 46 51 59

Homestyle A winning combination Two creative minds take design to new heights

Star show LHBA ACE Award winners

Take me home country roads Five acres of natural beauty for sale

Upscale ambiance Manhattan-styled condo in historic Wortley Village

DIY decorating delight Brighten outdoor areas

Bestlife Holiday makeover Chef Collins provides alternatives for a stress-free feast

Time of your life Tips for ramping up to retirement

Yourstyle Be prepared for the paparazzi Dress for success at local awards shows

Keep shining Tips to maintain your healthy smile

Travelstyle Talking turkey Farm fresh on your holiday plate

Alamo City Holiday in sunny San Antonio

Culturelife Winter delights Area events full of holiday cheer

O Canada Thielsen Gallery showcases fine art and sculpture

Bizlife Tailored Living ReDECOR Consignment Tropical Sunrooms Salon Entrenous

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 5

6 Lifestyle November/December 2015

LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER Lana L. Breier ASSIStAnt PUBLISHER/ SALES MAnAgER Wilma Van Vaerenbergh 519-476-5571 lifestylewilma@gmail.com

IT’S ALL IN THE

CRAFTSMANSHIP!

EDItOR Jill Ellis-Worthington WRItERS Ellen Ashton-Haiste Clare Dear Jill Ellis-Worthington Erika Faust Jason Menard John Milner Beth Stewart Heather Toskan ACCOUnt MAnAgERS Lorraine Lukings 519-520-7676 lorrainelukings@hotmail.com Jan McGrath 519-243-2932 jm@lambtonshores.com Marcia McLean 519-525-2631 marcie_r6@hotmail.com Beth Moyer 519-686-0951 bethads@rogers.com Elaine Norris 519-702-5583 lifestyleelaine@hotmail.com

Update Your Home.

Bring it into the 21st century!

EDItORIAL & AD DESIgn Nancy Greenfield Wendy Reid

8

AD DESIgn Bill McGrath

Kitchens Basements Mudrooms Additions Bathrooms Exteriors

PRODUCtIOn Nancy Greenfield PHOtOgRAPHY Richard Bain Kamini Le Capelain John Morse PRIntIng Sportswood Printing WEB ARCHItECtURE Sean Hunt – www.Ecoworks.ca

Lifestyle is published six times a year by 2251632 Ontario Inc. c.o.b. Lifestyle Magazine 108 Tuyll Street, Bayfield N0M 1G0 519-873-0989 lifestylemagazinepublishing@gmail.com Copies are distributed to selected homes, magazine stands and local businesses in London and area.

Canada Post Agreement #41277015 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material.

All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.

Proudly offering high quality, custom renovations, and the building of custom infill homes since 1996.

Supported by…

519.850.7830 www.mcadi.ca millennium@mcadi.ca November/December 2015

Lifestyle 

add a little

Sparkle! to the season

editor’s note “As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded

by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.”

– DonalD E. WEstlakE, crimE fiction WritEr

I

Visit us online at www.livinglighting.com Exeter Rd. Richmond St. at Wellington at Fanshawe Photography

by Kamini Le Capelain of519-667-3022 silent Poetry 519-681-0212 8 Lifestyle November/December 2015

’ve seen the phrase ‘your presence is our present’ on invitations more often of late.

It’s a lovely sentiment reminding us that being together is often the best gift of all. This seems especially true at this often frenetic time of year, as we seek the perfect gift for our special someone.

Experiential gifts allow one to share time rather than promoting accumulation of ‘stuff.’ I love gifting a loved one with a ticket to attend an event, play or musical performance with me, so we get to have a special experience together. Or, though gift certificates are often denigrated as a less thoughtful gift, I think giving one to a young couple so they can have a special dinner out that they might not otherwise be able to afford is a very nice present.

Giving oneself the gift of confidence is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. Wearing something a bit sparkly can make that special night or event even more special. As we head into London’s award show season, you’ll have several opportunities to don those glad rags and strut your stuff.

On page 56, both men and women can get ideas that span a range of levels of formality.

Perhaps your loved one would treasure a trip rather than a gift so you can enjoy a different culture and new

sights together. In Texas, San Antonio showcases that state’s Hispanic culture, while affording a special holiday experience as they light up the River Walk.

See page 54.

The London Home Builders’ ACE awards showcased the best of the best in construction and renovation. On page 15 you can see the winners.

The Lifestyle team congratulates the LHBA’s executive director Lois Langdon and Doug Tarry, of Doug Tarry Homes, as they recently received special recognition from the Ontario Home Builders Association. Lois Langdon was awarded the David Horton Leadership Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the industry, and Doug Tarry was named the OHBA member of the year for 2015.

We wish all of our readers a very merry and bright holiday season!

Jill Ellis-Worthington lifestyle.editor@writedoton.com

Photography by Kamini Le Capelain of silent Poetry

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homestyle

Quantum Verdi design is bringing high style to london homes

For this two-bedroom, two-bath condo in downtown London, Quantum Verdi Design worked with the owners to achieve a high-end look by mixing good design, some high-end finishes and eclectic furniture choices to achieve a luxe look that works for the owners and the space.

AffordAble

by design

by Jason Menard

L

ondon’s design industry is getting a makeover thanks to the combined force that is Quantum Verdi Designs.

In 2000, Joseph Branco founded Quantum, a home lifestyle store with interior design services, with the idea of offering quality Canadian products at prices that were accessible to all.

In 2015, he’s partnered with another London design expert – Adam Mackowiak, who founded creative-based design firm Verdi Design in 1989 – to bring affordable interior design to the masses.

“We’ve worked so well together in the past, we thought, ‘Let’s take this to the next level,’” Branco says. “We’ve opened up a showroom at Quantum to show what we can do.”

Though London is not a large city

10 Lifestyle November/December 2015

on the scale of Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal, Branco says there is a market that’s sustainable for this type of design work.

“I’ve been here 15 years, I can’t say it can’t be done, but you always have to reinvent yourself. I’ve always done design, but not to this scale,” he explains. “If you give someone an individual product – something that’s not cookie cutter – they’re going to value that more.

“You can do it really on any budget.”

And that is the key. When some people hear the words ‘interior design’ they also hear cash registers ringing in their ears. That’s just not the case, Branco says. Design itself isn’t what breaks the bank; it’s the choices and finishes that you select that add up. A one-hour consult runs $135, but with

that you get drawings. When you place an order, the $135 is returned.

“It’s all a matter of what you pick and choose,” he says. “You can do something on a budget, 100 per cent.

Your finishes can be expensive. The design is not what’s going to cost you more. Walnut as opposed to pine, solid wood as opposed to veneer – that’s when things get more expensive.”

A drive through many modern subdivisions can be an exercise in conformity. Many new developments are built with maybe three or four templated house styles. The fact that the exterior is so uniform helps to compel people to express themselves with their interior.

“People crave individuality. The TV is filled with all of these do-it-yourself shows, so it inspires people and it inContinued on page 13

Design itself isn’t what breaks the bank; it’s the choices and finishes that you select that add up.

ABOVE AND BELOW In the open floor plan, walnut was chosen for the kitchen cabinetry and entertainment unit to tie the spaces together. The wood’s colour complements the original maple flooring. The cabinetry was designed and manufactured through Quantum Verdi Design. righT Mixing a large midcentury modern reproduction walnut dining table, with contemporary chairs and a traditional Persian carpet ties the eclectically furnished space together.

LEFT While the public rooms and master suite are primarily decorated with modern and MCM pieces, the guest bedroom uses a more traditional approach.

The bed and headboard were designed by Verdi Quantum Design and manufactured in London by craftsmen that work exclusively with the designers.

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 11

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afforDable Design Continued from page 10

creases the appetite for individuality,” Branco says. “People are more interested with being individuals inside.”

Quantum, located downtown on Richmond Row, has been undergoing renovations for the past couple of years. The latest addition is an 800-foot showroom.

“A lot of people know what they want, but not how to get it,” he says.

“The easiest way is to come in and take a look at the showroom. Even if you don’t like the look we have, we can still work with you to find something you like.”

Quantum Verdi has already renovated three condos, and the process has convinced the team that it’s something that can work long-term.

“Three condos, they came to us.

One came to Adam and I separately,” Branco says. “We just helped each other. It’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off another designer – especially one who is not ego-driven.

If I’m wrong, he’ll tell me. If his vision differs from what I have, we can talk about it.”

Branco says that they can design anything from cigar rooms to wine cellars, from bathrooms to walk-in closets.

“It’s all designed in-house; and it’s all built in London,” Branco says, adding that he takes pride in the fact that their designs use local talent, product and installation. “We never produce the same kitchen twice – we’re not cookie-cutter. But you’re not paying exclusive prices.”

The Quantum location downtown is still primarily retail, but Branco says people can come by and explore the options that are available.

He also recommends some reading for those interested in redesigning their living space.

“Do some homework. Flip through magazines, rip out a half-dozen pages – there will be a common denominator and we can show you what that is,” he says. “What sets us apart is that we offer individually designed product here in town. It’s individually made and you have personal contact between Adam, me and our staff.” n FOR MORE INFORMATION Quantum/Quantum Verdi Designs 487 Richmond Street 519-438-5944 • www.quantumfurnishings.com

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Lifestyle 13

Congratulations Sifton Homeowners.

You made a winning choice in Sifton Properties, London Home Builders’ Association 2015 Builder of the Year for outstanding building design, leadership and industry innovation.

Homes built for life.

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A winning

homestyle

hand

London building leaders are ACEs

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

L

eaders in London’s building and renovation industry reaped rewards for their accomplishments at the annual London Home Builders’ Association’s Awards of Creative Excellence.

More than 30 awards were presented at a gala ceremony in October.

“The program helps the public know the leaders in our industry,” says LHBA executive officer Lois Langdon.

It also allows the LHBA to reward their achievements and inspire all members of the industry.”

speciAL Achievement AwArds 2015 BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Sifton Properties Limited

2015 RENOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Melchers Construction Limited

Sifton Properties

Limited

MOWBRAY SIFTON AWARD

George Kotsifas, City of London SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz Ltd. SUB-TRADE OF THE YEAR

GCW Custom Kitchens and Cabinetry Inc.

HEALTH & SAFETY AWARD

Sifton Properties Limited Isolino Sousa, Evergreen at Warbler ENERQUALITY ENVIROMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Sifton Properties Limited SALES ACHIEVEMENT

Wastell Builders Group Sue Wastell

Lifetime Achievement AwArd Don Crich, Auburn Developments Inc. Eugen Drewlo, Drewlo Holdings Inc. Bernie Zaifman, Z Group Melchers Constru

ction Limited

Continued on page 17 Continued on page 17 November/December 2015

Lifestyle 15

Design. Renovations. Additions

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View our award-winning home designs and new home communities at wastell.ca | or call 519.639.3219 16 Lifestyle November/December 2015

ACE AWARDS Continued from page 15

NEW HOME CATEGORIES BEST NEW KITCHEN IN A HOME UP TO $500,000

Melchers Construction Limited Design Credit to: Pure White Design Inc. BEST NEW KITCHEN IN A HOME OVER $500,000

Oke Woodsmith Building Systems Inc. is the winner in the category: Best New Kitchen in a Home Over $500,000.

Design Credit to Woody’s Custom Cabinetry.

BEST OVERALL NEW HOME DESIGN $701,000 - $1,000,000

Oke Woodsmith Building Systems Inc. Design Credit to: Woody’s Custom Cabinetry

Wastell Homes Design Credit to: Orchard Design Studio

BEST NEW BATHROOM IN A HOME UP TO $500,000

BEST OVERALL NEW HOME DESIGN $1,000,000+

Domus Developments (London) Inc. BEST NEW BATHROOM IN A HOME OVER $500,000

Crown Homes of London Design Credit to: Woody’s Custom Cabinetry BEST NEW EXTERIOR

Harasym Developments Inc. Design Credit to: Dashwood Industries, Ferrell Brick & Stone Division BEST OVERALL NEW HOME DESIGN UP TO $400,000

Wastell Homes Design Credit to: Orchard Design Studio

BEST OVERALL NEW HOME DESIGN $460,000 - $660,000

Sifton Properties Limited Design Credit to: GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry Inc.

Wastell Homes Design Credit to: Orchard Design Studio PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Tricar Group

RENOVATION CATEGORIES BEST RENOVATED KITCHEN UP TO $50,000

Oke Woodsmith Building Systems Inc. Design Credit to: Distinctive Kitchens of London BEST RENOVATED KITCHEN OVER $50,000

BEST RENOVATED BATHROOM OVER $25,000

Melchers Construction Limited BEST RENOVATED EXTERIOR

Melchers Construction Limited Design Credit to: Blueline Inc. BEST RENOVATION UNDER $26,000

Melchers Construction Limited

BEST RENOVATION $45,000 - $100,000

CCR Building & Remodeling Inc. Design Credit to: Dynamic Kitchens

BEST RENOVATION $101,000 - $150,000

Old Castle Renovations Design Credit to: Copp Building Materials Limited BEST RENOVATION $151,000+

CCR Building & Remodeling Inc. Design Credit to: Dynamic Kitchens

DESIGN CATEGORIES

CCR Building & Remodeling Inc. Design Credit to: GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry

BEST OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

BEST RENOVATED BATHROOM UP TO $25,000

Melchers Construction Limited

Harasym Developments Inc. BEST INDOOR LIVING SPACE

Melchers Construction Limited

2015 Ace AwArd wINNer

Best renovation $101,000 to $150,000

KITCHENS BATHROOMS BASEMENTS ADDITIONS CENTURY HOMES ACCESSIBILITY

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519.860.9640 email:info@old-castle.ca November/December 2015

Lifestyle 1

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ACE AWARDS Continued from page 17

BEST KITCHEN CABINETRY

Visionary Kitchens and Custom Cabinetry

BEST BATHROOM CABINETRY

Dynamic Kitchens

MARKETING CATEGORIES BEST PRINT CAMPAIGN

Sifton Properties Limited BEST PROJECT BRANDING

Build with Confidence.

Build with us.

Forest Park Homes Design Credit to: Orchard Design Studio BEST MERCHANDISED MODEL HOME

Wastell Homes

BEST WEB PRESENCE BUILDER OR RENOVATOR

The Tricar Group

BEST WEB PRESENCE SUPPLIER OR SUBTRADE

Dynamic Kitchens

BEST SHOW ROOM OR DESIGN CENTRE

Scherba’s Great Floors Design Credit to: Cambria by Progressive Countertop Systems

FINAlISTS

best new kitchen in a home up to $500k

Proud winner of 7 LHBA ACE Awards in 2015 including… ❖ Lhba RenovatoR of the YeaR ❖ best new kitchen in a home up to $500k ❖ best Renovated exterior ❖ best indoor Living space ❖ best Renovated bathroom over $25k ❖ best Renovated bathroom up to $25k ❖ best Renovation up to $25k

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Bridlewood Homes Casey’s Creative Kitchens CCR Building and Remodeling Coleman-Dias 3 Construction Copp Building Materials Crown Homes of London Domus Developments DUO Building Dynamic Kitchens by JEM DOR Eastforest Homes Forest Park Homes Fusion Homes Gary Field Homes GCW Custom Kitchens and Cabinetry Great Floors with Cambria

by Progressive Countertop Harasym Developments Medway Homes Melchers Construction Oke Woodsmith Building Systems Old Castle Renovations Rockmount Homes Scherba’s Great Floors Sifton Properties Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz The Ironstone Building Company The Tricar Group Visionary Kitchens by Motivo Interiors Wastell Homes Woody’s Custom Cabinetry b

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November/December 2015

Lifestyle 19

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Get organized!

A London company

Cluttered Closets.

ChaotiC kitChen pantries.

Messy MudrooMs. Whatever organizational nightmare is causing headaches, it’s likely Shayne Thournout has a solution.

Thournout is owner of London’s Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage franchise, providing custom designs to organize any space.

In the three years since he launched his business, he’s seen a multitude of organization obstacles, from older homes with few or no closets to the challenges of downsizing into a condo.

“I always come up with something that works,” he says.

While he’s done everything from creating garage man-caves to installing Murphy beds, Thournout says the predominate demand is custom closets. Even in new homes buyers often want to upgrade to wood shelves and drawers or pull-down hanger rods that make life easier.

Using Tailored Living’s proprietary D’Vinci software, he creates a design to fit the space.

has tailor-made solutions

Clients view it in lifelike 3D and can tweak it to meet their needs and desires. The program is a major asset, he says. It also prices the project as he designs it, calculating material costs down to the number of screws and factoring in a standard mark-up, so clients know they’re not being overcharged.

But Thournout’s key asset is his premiere customer service.

“We bend over backwards to make our clients happy, to overwhelm them with good customer service, going above and beyond their expectations.”

This has resulted in numerous word-of-mouth recommendations, a major factor in his success in growing the business.

Another advantage is being a small family business. His partner is his mother, Lisa, who looks after office management, provides a necessary female perspective in the design process and lends an extra pair of hands for the installation work, which Thournout does himself, relying on expertise from a career in construction work.

This economy of size means less overhead and savings that he can pass on to his customers.

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Top Cluttered closets made beautiful.

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Lifestyle 21

outstanding property for sale

A natural beauty Country views near city amenities

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

T

he privacy of the rural countryside combined with the luxury of a home built with attention to detail are just a couple of attractions that Jesse Robinson, real estate broker with ReMax Advantage, sees in a country estate outside Coldstream, northwest of London.

Those are also benefits appreciated by the home’s owners, Barb and Terry Jones. “We like the peaceful, relaxing natural environment,� says Barb.

And, she adds, they are just minutes from Hyde Park and North London amenities.

She also notes the advantages of one-floor living, something the couple designed into the sprawling brick ranch home they built 15 years ago on the 4.62-acre property at 24299 Coldstream Road.

The Joneses have taken a hands-on approach to meticulously landscaping the property, which is intersected by a creek and is now dotted with trees the couple planted.

The interior of the home is open and airy but also exudes a cozy ambiance.

CloCkwise from top left Rural location of this property offers beautiful scenery and privacy minutes away from Hyde Park.

The spacious foyer is open to a front dining room and rear living room, with terrace doors to a rear covered deck and stamped concrete patio. Beyond is a bubbling fountain centrepiece. This outdoor retreat is accessed from both the kitchen and master bedroom. It is a space where Barb admits to spending countless summer hours reading and watching the parade of wildlife.

The focal point of the living room is a floor-to-ceiling double-sided stone fireplace mirrored in the adjacent master retreat.

The master suite also includes a sitting area overlooking the rear lawns, plus a laundry closet and a five-piece ensuite bathroom with glassed-in shower and corner Jacuzzi. Beyond the ensuite is a walk-in closet and small home office.

On the other side of the home are the open-concept kitchen and family room with 12-foot tray ceilings and another floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.

The kitchen is anchored by a central oversized two-tier island. It also features a walk-in pantry, oak

A sprawling brick ranch home with attention to every detail inside and out.

22 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Open-concept kitchen, with ample space that contains a large island, walk-in pantry and wine fridge.

The floor-to-ceiling double-sided fireplace warms both the living room and master suite.

Open to the kitchen, this spacious family room has 12-foot tray ceilings and stone fireplace.

A meticulously landscaped property, which is intersected by a creek and dotted with trees.

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Top Retreat outdoors to the covered back deck and patio. Above The three-bay garage is thought of as icing on the cake, with plenty of natural lighting, radiant heating and industrial exhaust.

cabinets, a wine fridge and granite countertops on the island and perimeter. Skylights admit abundant natural light. An expansive eating area is wrapped in windows overlooking the patio and rear lawns.

This wing of the home also encompasses two additional large guest bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom.

Another pièce de résistance for this home, Robinson says, is the generous three-bay garage with bright windows, radiant gas heating, epoxy flooring and an industrial exhaust system.

“It’s one of the nicest garages you’ll ever see,” he enthuses.

A stairway from the garage leads to the large unfinished basement with abundant storage capability. Heating is forced-air gas but Robinson notes that in-ground infrastructure is in place for geothermal energy.

As a bonus, the property also includes a 35-by-40-foot workshop with two overhead doors. n FOR MORE INFORMATION ReMax Advantage Realty 519-649-6000 • www.jesserobinson.ca

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 23

homestyle

LOFTY living Big city living with a village vibe

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

U

pscale New York-style condo living isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when considering the lifestyle in London’s historic Wortley Village.

But that’s exactly what’s being offered at Village Flats, a new two-unit condominium building at 152 Elmwood Avenue East.

The loft-style units were planned to present a “tailored and sophisticated” ambiance that one might expect to find in mid-town Manhattan, but that is unique in London today, says Carmine Gargarella, president of Bridlewood Homes.

“It’s definitely got a mid-town Manhattan vibe,” he says.

Describing the project as a “yin yang idea – Old South with a modern twist,” Gargarella notes that it’s “respectful of the community while offering a contemporary and stylish lifestyle.”

The exterior of the building, with its reclaimed yellow brick accented by glass and longboard siding that looks like cedar, is designed to blend into the city’s Old South environment. But inside, the open-concept lofts exude modernism at its finest.

The upper unit, currently on the market for $1,095,000, boasts 2,200 square feet of living space on two levels, plus 1,200 square feet of outdoor terraces.

The foyer leads to a dining area and living room with soaring 20-foot ceilings and galley-style kitchen. Exposed heating and cooling ducts add to the loft-style ambiance. 

FROM TOP Modern New York style meets historic Wortley Village with loft living, punctuated by reclaimed brick, faux-cedar and glass accents.

Two levels of open space give this loft a Manhattan ambiance, with sleek design elements in a bright environment.

High ceilings provide extra cupboard space in this impressive galley kitchen with bar seating at the two-tier island.

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c ATI o n o U r n e w lo V IS IT US AT e Park Road 3 - 1560 Hydrk United Church e Pa in the old Hyd

decoratorchoicefabric@gmail.com Jane M. Morphew proprietor

The living room is anchored by a seven-foot horizontal fireplace set in a steel surround. Expansive windows with a garden door overlook a front terrace with south-facing views of the former London Normal School and its adjacent green space.

The kitchen features a two-tier island, the bar-height seating level sporting a black-and-grey toned engineered quartz countertop. Dark oak cabinetry blends with the engineered hardwood flooring. The white lower island engineered quartz counter, white tile backsplash and white lacquer on wall cabinets create contrast and balance.

High-end appliances include a Liebherr refrigerator, AEG cooktop and wall oven and Asko dishwasher, as well as steam washer and dryer.

Continued on page 27

519.641.2916

Celebrate

the Beauty of the Holidays with the very best in

Decorating Elegance

CommerCial & residential Call 519.685.0220

website christmasdecorlondon.ca

A division of CLC Tree serviCes LTd. a business integrity award winner

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 25

where Highest Quality meets Affordability With the third generation of Stephenson’s joining the business, we are expanding into interior renovations as well as continuing exterior improvements.

Are you ready to make a change to your home?

Moving can be costly, so why not put that money into renovating your current home?

There are so many ways to update your home from minor decorating to full remodeling. Whether you would like to increase space with an addition, move a wall or renovate an existing room, we will provide the same quality work that we have been known for since 1959.

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26 Lifestyle November/December 2015

LOFTY LIVING Continued from page 25

new showroom • Kitchens The luxurious master ensuite has hidden features: in-floor heating and a behind-the-mirror television.

• Baths • Wall Units • cigar rooms • Wine cellars • BUilt ins

In the centre of this space, an opentread wood staircase with steel support and glass railing rises to the upper level, which accesses a rooftop patio stretching along the entire west side of the building. A wall of windows with vertical mullions allows abundant natural light to spill into the unit.

The lower level also includes a master suite and guest bedroom plus a den or possible third bedroom, as well as two bathrooms, both with large showers enclosed with tempered glass. The master ensuite bathroom features a behind-the-mirror television above the double-basin vanity and electric infloor heating.

The unit is equipped with multiple “smart home” features, including camera access to the front door and digital entry panel, a mounted iPad to control remote blinds and screens and a Wi-Fi thermostat that may be controlled remotely. There is an audio-visual system with speakers throughout, including the upper exterior terrace.

The building has an elevator that accesses both units as well as the entrance lobby and underground indoor parking.

Outdoor walkways and driveway to the garage are heated for easy snow removal. b

and more Your Design & LifestYLe Centre 4 8 7 ri c h m o nd s t r e e t

| 519.438.5944

Bridlewood Homes 519-652-1455 • www.bridlewoodhomes.ca

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 2

homestyle

Practical

pretty

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

Decorate with DiY outDoor urns Urns can add personality to outdoor spaces or greet holiday visitors with a bit of sparkle this winter Follow the DIY steps from the experts

✦ Step 3

Select your greens, twigs or other large filler items. For a large display, choosing two or three different types and using 15 to 20 cedar, pine, Fraser fir, spruce or balsam branches will give height, depth and texture.

✦ Step 4

Add smaller branches. Sumac, dogwood, willow and hazel can all be sourced from nature, keeping the project’s cost to a minimum.

✦ Step 5

Add colour and sparkle. Twigs can be treated with spray glue and rolled in glitter. Add holiday ornaments or balls on picks, recommends Glover-Timmermans.

Above And top right: Photography supplied by A&M Garden Centre.

✦ Step 1

Select a container. It can be a planter you used in the summer or something else sourced from around the house. Janine Glover-Timmermans, owner of A&M Garden Centre recommends using a three-gallon pot.

“Be creative,” says Kay Habib, owner of SkillDécor, “by using a barrel or a large metal bin.

Spray paint it for a ‘contemporary-with-a-bitof-rustic look.’ That’s a hot look right now.”

✦ Step 2

Fill your container. Glover-Timmermans uses soil to fill the urn, while Habib opts for starting with newspaper wadded in the bottom to add volume and topping with sand, wood chips or recycled rubber chips.

Habib notes that a hurricane lamp with tiny twinkle lights inside is a fun idea.

✦ Step 6

Add texture. Dried hydrangeas saved from your garden, pine cones, seed pods, pieces of driftwood and reeds are all elements that give a natural look.

“Urns that reflect nature are very hot right now,” comments Glover-Timmermans, “and people are adding small, stuffed woodland creatures to their urns.”

✦ Step 7

✦ Step 8

If you filled your urn with soil, top it up with water as the final step. “Initially this will preserve the greens. It freezes solid and keeps the whole thing in place through the winter months,” according to Glover-Timmermans.

Your urn will provide a focal point on your porch through the winter months. n

FOR MORE INFORMATION

tie it all together by adding an appropriate bow or ribbon. If you opt for a red ribbon for the holidays, it can be removed or changed for a different colour later.

A&M Garden Centre 4171 Colonel Talbot Road 519-652-3539 • www.amgardencentre.ca

Lights can also be added at this stage, says Habib.

Twist them around the branches.

SkillDécor 226-926-2792 kay@skilldecor.com • www.skilldecor.com

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 29

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30 Lifestyle November/December 2015

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culturelife

Low temps,

hot events

By Jason Menard

the sparkle of Victoria Park’s illuminated trees provides a lovely backdrop for an evening walk during the holiday season. this year’s Lighting of the Lights happens on november 28. Photo courtesy of Tourism London

Winter fun in the forest City

T

he weather outside may get frightful, but the entertainment options in London are absolutely delightful.

“The holiday season in London is packed with music, arts and culture, with a great balance of family friendly attractions, concerts and theatrical events for every taste,” explains Chris Campbell, Tourism London’s director of culture and entertainment tourism. “With highlights including the Santa Claus Parade, the holiday classic A Christmas Story at the Grand Theatre, and a mix of great music and arts events across venues like Aeolian

32 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Hall, London Music Hall, and London Music Club, there is no shortage of entertainment.”

Late fall and early winter offer a veritable cornucopia of options for your entertainment dollar. And some popular activities – skating on the outdoor rinks and strolling through Victoria Park to marvel at the lights – don’t cost a thing.

“The holidays downtown are always a special time of year. Whether you are at the Lighting of the Lights, skating outside the Covent Garden Market, or seeing a show at The Grand Theatre, the experience is magical,” says Janette MacDonald, the CEO and general manager of Downtown London. “You can always find something special and unique shopping or dining downtown.

“If you’re going to experience the holidays, you’re going to want to experience them here.”

Sports fans are spoiled during this time of year. You can follow the

London Knights and the London Lightning or root for your alma mater with Western Mustangs and Fanshawe Falcons’ athletics. There’s skiing, snowboarding and tubing fun at Boler Mountain, and a variety of trails and paths to enjoy.

The holiday season features the annual London Santa Claus Parade

Grand theatre

on November 14. If you miss the big guy in the red suit that day, you have other opportunities to get up close and personal with him. Fanshawe Pioneer Village hosts A Visit with St. Nicholas December 5, 6, 12 and 13. The annual Lighting of the Lights takes place on November 28 at Victoria Park.

There are also indoor entertain­ ment options. The London Music Hall plays host to acts such as Hey Rosetta, Vanessa Carlton, and Tim Hicks, while on November 18, Darcy Oake steps off the Britain’s Got Talent stage to mystify Londoners at Centennial Hall.

For many, the holidays just aren’t complete without A Christmas Story.

The Grand Theatre hosts this production from November 24 through December 30 – enjoy the show with absolutely no risk of shooting your eye out! Canadian icon Stuart McLean brings his Vinyl Café Christmas to Centennial Hall the week before Christmas and the Jeans ’n Classics Rock Symphony perform their Heart of Christmas show December 19 at the London Convention Centre.

THE

ARMED

MAN

Saturday NOVEMBER 21, 2015

Karl Jenkins’ magnificent mass for peace dedicated to the victims of the 1998 Kosovo Crisis. With orchestral ensemble, soloist Gabriele Heidinger Baerg, and multimedia presentation.

Saturday APRIL 2, 2016

Outstanding music by our many outstanding London and area musicians,with an opportunity to meet them and learn just how they do it - Smallman, Hardy, VanderHoek, Christmas,White

ABBA

DANCING QUEEN

2015-2016 concert season

Two performances: 8 pm,Saturday, MAY 28 3 pm,Sunday, MAY 29 2016

380 million singles and albums can’t be wrong! With our very own ABBA vocal quartet led by Kristin Darsault, pianist Stephen Holowitz and band, the amazing music of ABBA!

Season subscriptions with reserved area seating Adult $54, Senior (65+) $48, Student $20, Child (6-13) free

Subscriptions and tickets from KSS members, at 519.455.8895 or www.kssingers.com

If you’re festived out, the Arts Project and Aeolian Hall have plenty of ex­ hibits and performances to get you through the holidays. Or kick back and enjoy some laughs with The Trials of Robin Hood, which graces the Palace Theatre stage December 3 to 20. b

www.londontourism.ca www.londonison.ca www.downtownlondon.ca www.londonculture.ca

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 33

culturelife

Shift and shimmer Thielsen Gallery celebrates Canadian art

By Beth Stewart Gerald Pedros, “Landscape #1,” acrylic on paper, 12 by 16 inches, 2015.

T

hielsen Gallery, a London institution since 1950, shows Canadian paintings, sculpture, and graphics, with special interest in the Painters Eleven group.

At its helm is Jens Thielsen, who took over the family business from his late father Svend.

Not only does Thielsen represent over 30 artists, he is also an active appraiser of collections for insurance and tax purposes.

Thielsen has seen a number of changes in the Canadian art market

over the years. While there is still a strong interest in historically significant mid 20th century art, he says current tastes run to “colourful semi-abstraction and non-representational contemporary art.”

People of all ages and from all walks of life buy art. Thielsen recently helped a 13-year-old young man purchase his first piece of art. He says, “We try to open up the possibility for more people to buy by allowing them to break up payments at no extra cost.”

Thielsen observes, “People seem

 David Bolduc, “New Grass,” acrylic on canvas, 70 by 63 inches, 1980.

 Gerald Pedros, “Landscape #32,” acrylic on Mylar, 60 by 36 inches, 2015.

34 Lifestyle November/December 2015

more aware and educated about what they are buying.”

Fall is a busy time of year for Thielsen Gallery; it heralds not only a new season, but also new opportunities and artwork. This season is ushered in with “Variations of the Elusive Landscape” an exhibition of work by Londoner Gerald Pedros that runs to November 21.

Pedros, who has enjoyed a 27-year relationship with Thielsen and his gallery, says, “Jens is a really good friend, as well as a really good art dealer.

Christmas Wishes from

He’s dead honest.” Thielsen first viewed Pedros’ “elusive” works six months ago during a studio visit.

He recalls, “I saw minimal landscape compositions, almost bordering on abstraction. I liked them immediately.” Pedros has exhibited and travelled around the world. This body of work is the result of the artist asking himself “what if.” In this case: What if he approached the landscape in different ways?

He came up with the concept while in Costa Rica. There, he had the time and opportunity to “sit and look at the same piece of real estate day after day.”

And what he discovered is that landscape changes every time he turns around. He can never “nail it” at a particular point in time. Says Pedros: “Just when I am about to put brush to canvas, it changes.”

ARTISAN’S ALLEY

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The work in “Variations of the Elusive Landscape” is specific interpretations of the chameleon-like landscape that are, says Pedros, “all about colour.” The acrylic and graphite on Mylar and paper pieces are bold, with lively brush strokes that appear to shift and shimmer - much like a real landscape does. They are a delight to behold. b

Thielsen Gallery 1038 Adelaide Street, North 519-434-7681 • www.thielsengallery.com

421 Ridout Street N. 519-661-0333 museumlondon.ca

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 35

FRESH gift ideas yule love Select from over 60 flavours of oils and balsamics.

Sample the freshest oils from across the globe, paired with savoury white & dark balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy.

Personally bottled to suit your individual taste.

Gift Cards

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A little secret to keeping up with the Joneses... they’ve shop at Jennings for 130 years!

When staying home is the best part of the week!

WelcomeHome by...

Jennings Furniture & Design

432 Talbot St., Downtown St. Thomas • 519-631-0410 Open 7 days a week • www.jenningsfurniture.com

36 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Gifts Galore

Rural roads lead to small town Ontario, with streets lined with boutiques offering items for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Holiday Gift Guide

Goderich

exeter

Port Stanley

lambeth

On November 14 and 15, the IODE Christmas House Tour will show off five unique houses that have been professionally decorated for the season. Tickets are $15 – available at Tourism Goderich – and raise money for causes supported by the IODE.

Kick off the holiday season at Exeter’s Christmas parade on November 21 at 7 p.m. This event highlights the Parade of Lights along Main Street and is just a part of the Exeter Lion’s Club and Exeter BIA’s Christmas Weekend in Exeter that spans November 20 to 22. They invite everyone to come out to shop (some stores have extended hours) and dine along Exeter’s main street.

The annual Dickens Day Parade will be held on Friday, November 27 at 7 p.m. Letters to Santa and canned goods will be collected by young hockey players.

The Lambeth Rotary Christmas Dinner and Auction will be hosted at Greenhills Golf and Country Club on December 4. Tickets for $55 (per person) are available in advance by calling (519) 474 -9817.

The plated dinner includes homemade cream of squash and apple soup, slow-roasted turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, seasoned vegetable, cranberry sauce, followed by chef’s dessert with coffee and tea.

The Festival of Lights begins on November 21, with the lighting of the lights at Courthouse Square Park and the Santa Claus Parade.

Events include breakfast with Santa, free holiday skating, a cookie walk and much more.

To remember children no longer with us, the Angel Tree Lighting Ceremony happens on November 20 at 8 p.m. As part of this event, the MADD tree and Alzheimer’s Society Forget-Me-Not tree will also be illuminated.

The Experience Exeter Coupon Book supports this special holiday weekend and offers savings to holiday shoppers. For $10, you receive $500 worth of savings coupons for products and services at more than 40 local businesses and restaurants.

On November 20, the Exeter Lioness host a tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in MacNaughton Park.

Don’t miss everyone’s favourite, a ride on the Santa Treats Train from St. Thomas to Port Stanley.

Running on the three weekends in December before Christmas, you’ll enjoy a sweet treat and a visit with Santa.

St.thomaS Christmas comes to downtown St. Thomas during the Optimist Santa Claus Parade on November 21 at 6 p.m.

This year it’s themed: bright lights, Christmas delights. Earlier in the day, experience the Winter Gift Shop Sale from noon to 4 p.m. at the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre. Items are made by featured artists and gift wrapping is free!

Stratford Charming Stratford welcomes you to wander its cheerfully decorated downtown and shop during the downtown-wide open house on November 21 and 22.

Top off the day on November 22 with one of the most festive events of the season: Santa’s Parade of Lights. Caroling starts at 4 p.m. at City Hall and the parade follows, winding its way from the Kiwanis Community Centre to City Hall.

On November 28 and December 5, visit with Santa and his reindeer buddy Comet while listening to carolers from noon until 4 p.m. at Memorial Gardens on Ontario Street. This is a free event.

PortStanley FestivalTheatre

6 2S E 01 ASON

EARLY-BIRD SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THIS NOVEMBER

CALL 519.782.4353 portstanleytheatre.ca

Magpie Magpie Shoes & Accessories

Joshua & Company HOME ACCENTS & FURNISHINGS

NEW FALL & FESTIVE ARRIVALS EVERY DAY Quality & Comfort

www.mymagpie.ca 519.782.7727 207 Main Street, Port Stanley, Ontario

Featuring fair trade gifts from around the world!

302 Bridge St., Port Stanley 519-782-7247

Open Year Round 7 Days A Week

Join us for our Christmas Open hOuse | Nov. 13-15th Come Visit Our

194 Main Street, Port Stanley GLASS ART STUDIO

www.joshuaandcompany.com & • GIFT 519-782-5108 SHOPPE Unique Beautiful Pieces & Designs OPEN 7 DAYS ARare,WEEK Taking Christmas 235 Colborne Street, Port Stanley 519-782-7443 orders now forwww.rubyeyes.com ruby@rubyeyes.com 250g & 600g jars.

Try Port’s own Roasted Trail Mix, in Cherry, Cranberry and Blueberry.

FEATURED PRODUCTS AT

Port’s Health Food Store

211 Main Street, Unit 2 Port Stanley 226.658.0122 www.barbsbrickle.com

38 Lifestyle November/December 2015

519-782-7467

215 Main Street, Port Stanley (Beside Kettle Creek Inn)

Open daily 11am-5pm studiostylefashions@gmail.com Come Visit our

Glass Art Studio

Visit Our & Gift Come Shoppe

GLASS Rare, Unique,ART BeautifulSTUDIO Pieces & Designs & GIFT SHOPPE

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OPEN HOUSE

Baskin Fabric Centre

November 13, 14 & 15

Since 1960

www.amgardencentre.ca

A&M

GArdEN CENtrE

4171 Colonel Talbot Rd. Lambeth • 519 652-3539

Fresh Meats b Bulk Foods Bird Seed, Pet Food & so much more!

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR HOLIDAY COOKING & BAKING SUPPLIES!!

1030 Talbot St., St. Thomas, ON 519-633-9691 www.briwoodfarmmarket.com

Quality Window Treatments • Specializing in Custom Blinds, Shades & Drapery Installation • Shop at Home Service

637 TalboT STREET

ST. ThomaS

519-631-3484

Since 1988

The Holiday Season is an engaging time.

Hundreds of beautiful designs to choose from or custom create that special gift idea.

• Canadian Diamonds • Quality Craftsmanship • Superior Service

721 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON

519-631-3692

www.muscatjewellers.com

This season discover all the goodness that our coffee brings to your table and its communities in Nicaragua.

Find our 2015 Christmas Blend at: www.laschicasdelcafe.com or nearest retailer.

Learn all about our charitable efforts at: www.frutosdelcafe.org

FA S H I O N S OPEN HOUSE Nov. 19-22 the

BIGGEST little CHRISTMAS STORE

2445 Main St., Lambeth www.mclennanflowers.com

in London and Area!

519-652-2042 1-800-430-1902

g

tin Celebra

30

Ye ars

• Simon Chang • French Dressing • Keren Hart • Libra • Bernie Mev Footwear

2485 Main St., Lambeth 519-652-3681 November/December 2015

Lifestyle 39

Find giFts galore in

Stratford

• Largest

selection of coffee beans in town

• Gourmet Foods

• Humidor 519-273-6768 buzzstop.com 17 York St Stratford, On

The Artful Badger Classic Shaving Goods and other Gentlemanly Luxuries

96 Downie Street - Stratford (Opposite the Avon Theatre)

(519) 273-7337 artfulbadger.ca

christmas open house Sat . Nov 21 . 2014 | 10 am - 8 pm Live Music & hors d’oeuvres

Unique Gifts for Men 56 Ontario Street | STRATFORD | 519.305.3555 | www.gadsbys.ca 40 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Exeter

Find giFts galore in huron County

Proud to be involved in marketing properties in exeter and area for over 25 years

Something for Everyone!

Pat O’R O’ROuRke SaleS Rep. 519.871.7487 pat@exeterforsale.com

401 Main St., Box 2401, exeter www.exeterforsale.com • 519.235.1449

MLS#569201

355 Main St Exeter 519.235.4004 www.kalidoscopeofquilts.ca • karen@kalidoscopeofquilts.ca

Love in Motion Every Woman Deserves to Shine

Come in for expert paint advice and...

life is short.

to see Benjamin Moore’s 2016 Colour of the Year - Simply White ...

Surrender to the complexity of white

wear shiny things!

Fine Jewellery. Repairs. Gifts. Accessories.

382 Main St. S., Exeter • 519.235.4500

421 Main Street S., Exeter 519.235.2720 www.bakelaarjewellers.com

Partners Paint & Paper

519.235.0181 • 210 Main Street North, Exeter

A uniq rience offeringugeifsthsofpoprienvgeerxypoeccasion!

Nov 6 (9-9) 7 (9-5) Christmas Open House

Nov 19-21 (9am-8pm) Nov 22 (12-4) BIA Christmas in Exeter

137 Thames Rd. E. Exeter • 519.235.0500 Like us on Facebook!

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 41

Find giFts galore in huron County

Quality hand crafted scented candles and more

226.421.2444

Halcyon Candle Co.

81 Hamilton St. Goderich • www.halcyoncandle.ca

Open our door daily

Monday thru Saturday 10 to 5

We’re gift wrapping your Christmas dreams!!

At 383 Main Street South – Exeter

ExEtEr’s Go-to Gals for dEsiGn and dEcor Hunter Douglas BLINDS • Bedding & Accessories

Sandra Rowe

certified decorating consultant 137 Thames Rd. E., Exeter | 519.872.8968 | rowe@quadro.net www.interiorconceptsanddesign.ca

A unique shopping experience offering NEW and NEARLY NEW products and gifts for every occasion! ‘s

tummies, toddlers and teens 59 Hamilton St Goderich www.tumtodteen.ca • 226.421.3016

A S i g n At u r e C o l l e C t i o n FOR THOSE WHO SEEK OUT THE BEST IN DESIGN

Visit this participating dealer for more information about the Alustra® Collection.

42 Lifestyle November/December 2015

INTERIOR CONCEPTS making your house a home

Exeter &Goderich

The AreA's Premier hunTer DouglAs DeAler

415 Main St., Exeter 519.235.2444 • toll free 866.835.2444 www.customcoversontario.ca

Find giFts galore in huron County

Goderich

ThE NEw TrENd IN AppLIANCE CLEANINg

For all of your seasonal culinary preparations and presentation needs.

A unique mobile service that offers handcrafted, deep cleaning quality, delivered by trained professionals without the dangers and toxic fumes of self-cleaning ovens and aerosol cleaners.

OVEN • BBQ • STOVE TOP RANGE HOOD • MICROWAVE

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I had to reschedule Ovenclean’s visit but they still got my oven cleaned in time for my Christmas baking session.

I have self-cleaned before but could never get my oven to look like this, especially the door. Now my Christmas cookies will not taste like Thanksgiving turkey!”

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551 Richmond St. London • 519.850.5477

kitchen shop

kissthecookonline.com November/December 2015

Lifestyle 43

bestlife

Makeover Menu

Time for a new tradition Make over your holiday feast

B

oredom can ensue when you have the same holiday menu year after year: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted squash, cranberry sauce. If this is your family’s year to mix things up, I have the most delicious holiday makeover.

The key to a balanced dinner is to consider the elements of the palate: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami, a pleasant savoury taste. The protein is the centrepiece of the meal and is complemented by a single starch and variety of vegetables.

Makeover Menu: Brussels Sprouts Gratin, Black Pepper and Sea Salt Dinner Rolls, and Prime Rib Roast with Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes.

Preparing some elements of your meal in advance will make the day of the dinner more enjoyable and less stressful, but, in some cases, can actually improve the flavour of the

44 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Brussels Sprouts Gratin, Black Pepper and Sea Salt Dinner Rolls, and Prime Rib Roast with Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes

By Chef Jonathan Collins

food. The Brussels Sprouts Gratin is one such dish. Resting, then cooling and refrigerating brings all the flavours together, maturing the taste.

Another make-ahead dish is the Black Pepper and Sea Salt Dinner Rolls. Baking bread fills the house with the most incredible aroma. After baking, the rolls can be cooled on a rack then wrapped for the next day.

Just make sure you bake enough, because freshly baked bread always runs out quickly!

The Prime Rib Roast should definitely not be overcooked.

Most diners request rare to medium-rare, but whatever your preference the roast will hold extremely well. The key is to remove the roast five degrees before it has reached the desired doneness. As it rests covered with foil on a rack on the counter, it will continue to cook, finishing at the right internal temperature, and will hold for at

least an hour. This will give you time to collect those amazing pan juices and allow the meat to rest.

The Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes will be crispy on the outside and flaky and tender on the inside.

Removing them from the oven and covering them will turn them to mush. They are best held in the oven, which has been turned off.

The successful choreography of a Holiday Makeover can be easy if you follow these common sense suggestions. Remember that less is more in terms of complexity. Keep it simple: use just a few ingredients; prepare some dishes ahead of time; choose recipes that will hold. And don’t forget to have fun! n

Find more photographs, recipes and detailed techniques on Lifestyle Magazine’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lifestylemagazineonline.

This holiday season

shoP elGin

Stay cloSe to home to Shop for giftS and decorationS thiS holiday SeaSon. Shopping locally will save you time and

A culinary gift is a perfect choice for that

restaurants or bakeries that offer

give you the opportunity to purchase

hard to buy for person. Help the chef in

everything from delightfully sweet treats

original, hand-crafted products while

your life spice up their cooking with

to hearty country fare to fine dining

supporting small business in Elgin County.

locally grown herbs or delicious jams,

opportunities – all using local ingredients.

jellies and salad dressings.

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of

The main streets of Elgin County’s towns and villages are the perfect places to pick

For those that prefer to be catered to, try

up gifts that are truly one-of-a-kind and

a gift certificate to one of Elgin’s quality

expertly crafted wine from one of Elgin’s local wineries.

are sure to please everyone on your list.

Natural skin care products, hand-made pottery, homemade fudge, sweet local honey and artisan candles are just a few of the unique products available. Deck the halls with a ceramic art sculpture or stained glass window or choose an expertly framed piece of art from one of Elgin’s many galleries and studios.

For morE ElgiN CouNTY SHoppiNg iDEAS viSiT: www.elgintourist.com

bizlife

Lorean and Sebastian Pritchard are pleased that ReDECOR Consignment allows consignors to have a showcase for upscale furniture and home accents.

Treasure trove

ReDECOR is a treasure-hunter’s haven

By John Milner

“

I’ve got the best customers in the world,” says Lorean Pritchard, owner of ReDECOR. “The customers make your day.”

Pritchard has gotten to know many on a first-name basis since ReDECOR, London’s first consignment store for upscale furniture and home accents, opened a year and a half ago.

“I have regular customers who absolutely love the store,” Pritchard says. Many of her customers will bring in someone else who, in turn, will bring in another customer. “It just dominos and dominos.”

Her regular customers come in on a weekly basis – or even more frequently.

“They can spot the new items in the store in about a three-minute glance,” Pritchard says. “Nobody knows what

they’re going to see when they come here every time.”

As those customers walk around, they’re liable to find anything from fine quality leather sofas and loveseats to glass vases, from dining room suites to floor lamps and end tables. “It’s just a whole variety,” Pritchard says.

Two years ago, Pritchard and her husband were visiting a couple of consignment stores after attending a wedding in Collingwood. Upon leaving, her husband told her that she should open her own consignment store. “I started looking at real estate the very next day,” Pritchard says. On April 28, 2014, ReDECOR opened its doors.

The store is closing in on 500 consignors, meaning there are pieces from 500 different homes, different families

and different lifestyles; there is always something for everyone. “There’s still an awful lot of life left in the pieces,” she says.

For the consignors, ReDECOR offers “a showroom to feature their belongings,” Pritchard explains. The store makes it easy for consignors to access that showcase, with discounts at different dates within their agreement, the ability to follow their inventory online, and pickup and delivery services.

Pritchard receives help from her son Sebastian, best friend Penny Slemko and Bill and Barb Taylor, a retired couple who were consignors. Pritchard says that while the pace of the store keeps them hopping, they have a lot of fun as well.

“We all enjoy our customers,” she says.

“I’ve got to say they are the best part.” n

FOR MORE INFORMATION ReDECOR Consignment 1055 Sarnia Road 226-884-4144 • www.redecorconsign.com

Everything you need for a Joyous Holiday!

1737 Richmond Street North at Fanshawe Park Road 46 Lifestyle November/December 2015

www.shophylandscentre.com

The Manor Village at London Offering Advanced Senior Care in Early 2016

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New to London But over 20 Years of Experience Caring for Seniors 230 Victoria Street, London ~ (519)702-7053 www.themanorvillage.com

bestlife

Ramping up to RetiRement is RewaRding

lifeafter work

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

48 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Planning, preparation, honesty and clarity are important considerations when preparing for life after work.

E

veryone dreams about retirement: having the freedom to do what you want and the time in which to do it. Dreams coming true . . . or not?

When people talk about preparing for retirement they are usually discussing financial planning.

An accredited retirement coach (nonfinancial), Janet Christensen knows that money is an important aspect but not the whole picture.

“Even if you don’t like your job, it provides a sense of routine and structure; it provides a sense of identity and financial regularity; then there’s the socialization aspect,” explains Christensen. Figuring out ways to replace all of these is what planning for life after work is about.

Dr. Marnin Heisel’s research, in a study entitled Enhancing Psychological Resiliency in Men Facing Retirement, brings him in contact with men who are recently retired or contemplating retirement.

A clinical psychologist and an

associate professor and director of research in the department of Psychiatry at Western University, he’s been forming and leading groups, each made up of 10 men who work their way through the process of making the most of their post-work years, since last April.

The secret to a successful transition to life after work is in preparation, according to Christensen. If you start thinking about what you’ll do three to five years ahead of time, you’ll be mentally and practically prepared.

Heisel concurs saying, “Because men tend to centre so much of their lives around work, ramping up relationships and activities outside of work so that they have built up enough steam so that it’s more like stepping from one thing to another rather than coming to a full stop is beneficial.”

If you feel that it will be difficult to suddenly stop working, both of the experts recommend cutting back on the number of days you work each week a few months before your retirement date.

Continued on page 61

“Enhancing Psychological Resiliency in Men Facing Retirement”

“Enhancing Psychological Resiliency in Men Facing Retirement”

Season’s Greetings

We are looking for men over the age of 55, who are concerned about or are struggling with recent or anticipated retirement, to volunteer to take part in a research study on enhancing meaning in life and emotional health and well-being in the face of retirement.

For more information about this research study, or to volunteer to be a research participant, please contact:

from

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Wishing friends, family and customers all the best for a great New Year!

Principal Investigator: Dr. Marnin Heisel at 519-685-8500 Extension 75981 or Dr. Heisel’s Research Assistant at 519-685-8500 Extension 75707 E-mail: Marnin.Heisel@lhsc.on.ca 2014/12/23

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 49

Gracious Retirement Living at Grand Wood Park

Hey Cupcake! where art is a piece of cake If you have a whimsical and clever sense of taste and style, then Hey Cupcake is the place for you!! This small, family run business, brings to you the freshest and finest cookies, cupcakes and custom cakes, made in house, with tender loving care, just for you!

Come and discover a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle at Grand Wood Park. We believe that retirement living is about learning, exploring and having fun.

Visit us online at:

www.heycupcake.ca OR at our bakery located at: 275 Wharncliffe Rd. North, London

519-433-CAKE (2253)

Visit us at: 81 Grand Avenue, London, ON Call for a tour at 519.432.1162 www.grandwoodpark.ca

Store HourS: Mon & Tues: noon - 7 Wed - Fri: 10-7 • Sat 10-5 • Sun 11-4

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bizlife

Sunlit sanctuary

Tropical Sunrooms offers vacation at home

Design consultant Kenn Platt, above, works out of both the Kitchener location and the recently opened Tropical Sunrooms location in Lambeth.

By John Milner

D

ave Sawatzky, owner of Tropical Sunrooms, likes to say that his company has been with the “same owner, the same address, same phone number,” since 1988.

A quarter of a century after opening a showroom in Kitchener, operations at Tropical Sunrooms have become a family affair for Sawatzky, as his wife and two sons are now part of the business. Oldest son Shawn takes care of building permits, drawings and other technical details, David works in sales, and wife Tina is the bookkeeper. “They are wonderful to work with,” Sawatzky says.

Being in business at the same location in Kitchener “brings a lot of strength to the position that we’re in…

People can still come to our location and find us.”

He adds, “When a customer comes to Tropical Sunrooms, they can feel at home and they can feel like part of the family.”

The experience Tropical Sunrooms can offer goes beyond construction.

Tropical Sunrooms uses computer-generated drawings so the customer can see what they are purchasing before they buy.

The team will take care of obtaining the proper permits for each build, ensuring each project meets or exceeds Ontario Building Code regulations.

“We do projects from start to finish,” Sawatzky says. He explains Tropical Sunrooms uses computergenerated drawings so “the customer

can see what they are purchasing before they buy.”

Tropical Sunrooms offers clients a wide range of three- and four-season sunrooms, solariums, tropical sunroom windows and front-entry door systems.

Sunrooms are “a different room than any other room in the house,” Sawatzky says. “They’re creating a lifestyle where (a person) can go back and read a book, sit back and relax.”

He notes that customers describe their sunroom as “giving them that feeling of being on vacation versus being stuck in the house.”

The future for the company “looks very bright…and sunny,” Sawatzky says. Tropical Sunrooms recently expanded to include a location in Lambeth, with design consultant Kenn Platt working out of both locations. n FOR MORE INFORMATION Tropical Sunrooms 1486 Victoria Street North, Kitchener 2490 Main Street, Lambeth 519-266-3111 • www.tropicalsunrooms.com

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 51

Find Gifts Galore in

Grand Bend and area!

52 Lifestyle November/December 2015

travelstyle

Poult to plate

ABOVE A beautiful west coast sunset settles and brings the day to a close at Hayter’s Farm.

RIGHT, BACK ROW Justin Hayter, Tom Hayter, Elaine Hayter, Adam Hayter; FRONT ROW Sean Maguire, Joanne Maguire, Dave Maguire, Lindsay Hayter.

Take a trip to Dashwood to talk turkey

By Erika Faust

A

happy turkey is a tasty turkey.

That’s what Sean Maguire, a third-generation turkey farmer, says is the key to his family farm’s success over the past six decades.

Hayter’s is a turkey-only farm in Dashwood with a full poult to plate process. The farm purchases oneday-old chicks, called poults, from Ontario suppliers like Cuddy Farms in Strathroy. The turkeys are raised to full term at the farm – for females, that’s 12 to 14 weeks; for males, 14 to 16 weeks – and spend their lives roaming freely in spacious, open-sided buildings, carefully tended to by farm employees.

All meat is processed onsite. Hayter’s manufactures an extensive line of turkey goods, from whole birds to ground meat to turkey bacon, sausages and pepperoni.

“A pampered turkey provides a better end product,” Maguire says, which is why the farm takes the utmost care with their birds.

Maguire’s grandfather, Harry Hayter, started raising turkeys in 1948 with his wife, Frieda. They passed their traditions of quality care and attention to the birds on to their children, Tom and Joanne. Today, approximately 75 staff work at the farm, including Joanne’s sons Sean and Dave Maguire, and Tom’s sons Justin and Adam Hayter.

In previous years, this would be Hayter’s busiest season by far, as the demand for turkey meat increases exponentially over the holidays. Recently Maguire has noticed that sales are increasing in the spring and summer as other turkey products gain popularity.

With nutritional content very similar to chicken, turkey can work just about

anywhere its feathered brethren can.

Of course, we’re well into traditional turkey season now, and Maguire says the whole bird is still the star of the holiday feast.

“We like to hit the bird with some high heat (400C to 425C) to begin with for about 45 minutes, until you hear the skin start to crackle and pop. Once you hear that, you turn it down to about 350C,” he advises. “You’ll have a succulent, tasty bird.”

A full list of retailers that carry Hayter’s products is on the farm’s website. The site also features many turkey recipes, so you don’t have to wait until Christmas to gobble up some goodness. b

Hayter’s Farm 37467 Dashwood Road, R.R. 2, Dashwood 519-237-3561 • www.haytersfarm.com

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 53

Light up your life

travelstyle

Celebrate the holidays in san antonio

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

M

ost famous as being the setting for one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history, San Antonio is indeed the home of the Alamo but it is so much more.

The holiday season is a great time to visit this Texas city, located in Hill Country. The River Walk, which is enjoyable to wander at any time of the year, is illuminated with strings of lights from late November to the end of the season.

Sparkling with holiday joy, the River Walk beckons visitors to ride on bargelike water taxis or walk along the wide sidewalks. Sitting at one of the many eateries outdoor patios and sipping a margarita or Texas’ signature beer, Shiner Bock, and enjoying a great meal is perfect on a warm winter Texas night. Boats carrying choral groups singing carols navigate up and down the river nightly in the weeks before Christmas.

Gastronomes will delight the varied fare available. A seat on the balcony of

54 Lifestyle November/December 2015

Top San Antonio’s River Walk, also called Paseo del Rio, invites travelers to enjoy the rich culture of this Hill Country city. Sit and sip a cool libation or enjoy a delicious meal at a café while enjoying the sparkling lights above. MIDDLE During the day, water taxis and tour boats navigate the waters of the San Antonio River. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the River Walk while walking along the sidewalks or aboard one of these crafts. ABOVE Known at The Alamo City, San Antonio’s most famous resident offers free admission.

Learn about the struggle of brave Texian soldiers and frontiersmen as they fought for Texas’ independence from Mexico in 1836.

The Hard Rock Café offers excellent Tex-Mex fare and affords a full view of the San Antonio River or enjoy freshly made pasta and excellent service at Paesanos Riverwalk.

San Antonio’s evening skyline sparkles at this time of year, as the trees are festooned in downtown parks. The San Fernando Cathedral, in Main Plaza, is illuminated by a light show periodically through the evening.

Street performers are often found entertaining crowds with Latin music and dances.

The city’s most famous resident is also not-to-be-missed at night. Though it closes at 5:30 p.m., the Alamo is definitely worth a walk or ride by – in one of the carriages that parade around the downtown. Street performers and vendors entertain under the sweeping branches of live oak trees, one of this state’s most venerated varieties of fauna.

Stop back by during the day to tour this monument to American courage.

It is free to visit and see the main 

building and grounds where an estimated 200 Texian soldiers (white settlers of Mexican-held Texas) and volunteer frontiersman – like Davy Crockett – fought 6,000 troops commanded by Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Nearby is the cenotaph dedicated to those who died at Alamo.

To get a panoramic view of the area, visit the Tower of the Americas. The 750-foot observation tower is located in Hemisfair Park, the site of the 1968 World’s Fair.

A great way to cap off your visit to the Hill Country, try a true taste of Texas. The vintages produced by local wineries are growing in popularity and many offer tours and tastings. The Weimary offers flights so you can taste a variety of wines made from locallygrown grapes.

A trip to Texas for the holidays is sure to be a gift for the whole family. n

Elmira Stove Works 2100 - Unit 41, Oxford St. E. 519-451-2124 elmirastoveworks.on.ca

www.valorfireplaces.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.visitsanantonio.com

Über travelers unite

We Don’t Just Sell Paint

We Sell Ideas!!

BOOK YOUR WORKSHOP NOW! Train with BOBBie & JOHN ROBiNSON Paintology Master Trainers to the trainers for van Gogh

Calling it the “hardest club in the world to get in to,” Rick Shaver founded the first Canadian chapter of the Travelers Century Club in 2010.

Exclusively for people who have visited more than a 100 countries or territories, the eastern Canada club – based in Toronto – meets twice a year to swap travel tips and hear from a speaker.

Based in California, there are chapters all over the U.S. and a few in Europe. The western Canada chapter is based in Calgary.

“We share a passion for travel but aren’t a group of braggarts. Our common trait is a curiosity about the world and finding out more about it,” says Shaver.

Shaver hosts the next club meeting on December 5 in Toronto.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Travelers Century Club Rick Shaver • rshaver@thehiveinc.com www.travelerscenturyclub.org/chapters/eastern-canada

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November/December 2015

Lifestyle 55

yourstyle

LEFT Flowing palazzo pants and a high necked top by Mignon Fashions are available at Juniper Dress Boutique.

ravishing on the red carpet

By Heather Toskan

Glam up for london’s awards season

I

f you’re attending one of London’s upcoming business awards shows or other red carpet events, it can be challenging to dress with just the right degree of style, polish and professional flair.

“If you’re invited to an event but aren’t sure how formal it is or what level of dress is appropriate, scoping out the (event’s) webpage or checking on social media to view what’s been worn by past attendees can help you to gauge what to wear,” says Jen Bibbings, owner of Juniper Dress Boutique.

Cues regarding the event’s formality also appear in dress codes such as business dress, business semiformal, business formal and black tie, which are frequently noted on invitations.

“Men often ask our advice about what to wear to various types of events. A well-fitted custom- made suit elevates your look for any occasion, although a sports jacket is an acceptable bare minimum at casual events,” says David E. White, owner of David E. White Clothier.

Black and grey suits with pinstripes and subtle chalk stripes are on point, while celebrity-inspired cobalt blue suiting strikes a stylish contemporary note.

Suits and dress shirts can be worn with or without ties to semiformal business events; however ties are mandatory if the event is dressy or designated black tie.

BOTTOM righT A floor length emerald green gown

by Mignon Fashions with short sleeves and beaded trim is available at Juniper Dress Boutique

56 Lifestyle November/December 2015

“Tuxedos are no longer a must except for truly formal events, but streamlined styles in modern hues of blue stand out favourably,” says White.

Along with ties, furnishings like pocket squares, cufflinks and tie bars all serve to sharpen one’s sartorial style.

“Wearing a pocket square and a colourful shirt are expressions of personal style for many men. Wearing a tie further enhances one’s professional appearance,” says White.

Women may have a little more latitude when it comes to dressing for red carpet events, as dresses and fancy separates jazzed up with dressy accessories suit all but the most formal occasions.

“A nicely fitted dress layered with a shrug and accessorized with a dressy bag, some glittering jewellery and high heels will stand you in good stead at most red carpet occasions,” says Sharon Lehman, owner of Lifestyles Women’s Wear.

Continued on page 58

tOP left A red dress with panel detailing is topped by a black shrug with faux fur cuffs and worn with heeled booties.

The Joseph Ribkoff outfit is from Life Styles Women’s Wear.

KATHERINE BARCLAY

left A navy tuxedo features peak lapels and a streamlined cut.

The tux is by Van Gils and is available at David E. White Clothier.

Right A grey knit tunic with contrasting blue knit sleeves is paired with coordinating leggings.

The Elisa Cavaletti outfit is from Life Styles Women’s Wear.

Right A single breasted charcoal suit with chalk stripes and notched lapels is custom made

by David E. White Clothier. A gold tie and white pocket square. adds to the look.

fa s h i o n s & ac c e s s o r i e s

148 Wortley Rd.

519.432.0317

Dress to impress for a red carpet walk at these local awards events

• 2015 20 Under 40 Awards, November 19, 2015 at London Music Hall • Pillar Community Innovation Awards, November 25, 2015 at London Convention Centre • 2016 Best of London Golf Awards, January 4, 2016 • 2016 Family Enterprise of the Year, Family Day 2016 (February 15, 2016) • 2016 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, nominations close January 25, 2016, ceremony April 2016 • London Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards, March 23, 2016 • 2016 Venture London Awards, June 2016 • Canadian Country Music Awards, September 11, 2016 at Budweiser Gardens • YMCA Women of Excellence Gala, May 2017



November/December 2015

Lifestyle 5

red carpet fashions Continued from page 56

A cobalt blue, two-button suit with notched lapels and a tailored fit by Van Gils is available at David E. White Clothier.

Fashionably dressy details include high collars, illusion panels, bateau necklines and three-quarter sleeves, along with beaded, metallic and fringed trim.

Black cocktail dresses remain stylish along with fashionable hues like red, burgundy, indigo, plum, emerald, blush and stone.

“Have fun with a cocktail style that shows off your figure but keep the cut tasteful and not overly revealing to maintain a professional presence,” recommends Bibbings.

Other styles that strut stylishly along London’s red carpet include flowing knit jumpsuits and wide-legged palazzo pants.

“For less formal awards ceremonies and other events, dressy sweaters, slim tunics, dusters and blouson jackets paired with coordinating leggings and high-heeled shoes or boots make strong style statements,” says Lehman.

Long dresses retain their position of elegant sophistication for formal events and galas.

“Don’t be afraid to stand out at events of distinction in an elegantly beaded fulllength gown,” says Bibbings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION david e. White clothier 171 Queens Avenue 519 432-3937 • www.davidewhite.com Lifestyles Women’s Wear 615 Richmond Street 519- 663-1143 • www.lifestylesww.ca Juniper dress Boutique 655 Fanshawe Park Road West 519-472-0909 • www.juniperdress.ca

615 Richmond St., London 519.663-1143 58 Lifestyle November/December 2015

www.lifestylesWW.ca Free parking directly behind store

Continued on page 60

bizlife

Far right One of the 32 stylists at Entrenous, Cassidy O’Connor works with Cayla Grbich to create the perfect hair style.

The business of beauty Salon Entrenous shows its roots

By Erika Faust

T

here are hundreds of hair salons to choose from in the city, but one salon knows it is a cut above the rest.

Salon Entrenous has been servicing Londoners’ strands for three decades.

Owner and master stylist Lisa Sallabank grew up in the salon, eventually taking over from her father Peter in October 2013.

She and her team of 32 are devoted to top-notch training for new hairstylists and lifelong learning for experienced ones, according to Mary Jansenberger, communications director for the salon.

New stylists are paired up with senior stylists and undergo years of training before working on their own.

“We were the first people in London to have a (teaching) hub for (hairstylists) – they didn’t have to go to Toronto or Montreal,” says Jansenberger. “That’s always what has separated us.”

Salon Entrenous owner Lisa Sallabank

Entrenous stylists regularly attend seminars and classes by the L'Oréal Academy to keep their techniques sharp.

Their hard work is reflected in clients’ loyalty. Jansenberger says clients come to Salon Entrenous time and time again for the knowledgeable team and inviting environment.

“Our stylists are so good at sussing out what the person needs, what their

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lifestyle needs are, what exactly they’re trying to communicate,” Jansenberger says. “I think that’s why our clients really connect with them.”

One team member in particular shines: senior stylist and artistic director Julie Vriesinga, who has been at the salon for about 12 years.

Vriesinga’s work ranges from high-fashion competition entries – gravity-defying styles in every colour of the rainbow – to gorgeous editorial hairstyles to top-notch cuts, colours and treatments.

“In between winning the 2014 Canadian Hairstylist of the Year and 2015 Ontario Hairstylist of the Year, she gave birth twice. She had two babies! She still manages to do amazing work,” enthuses Jansenberger.

Vriesinga says she loves working at Salon Entrenous. “I love the environment, I love the girls … You just walk around the salon and it’s such a fun environment to be in. You learn stuff every day, and I can’t imagine not being there to gain that knowledge, to keep upping my game.” n FOR MORE INFORMATION Salon Entrenous 579 Richmond Street 519-433-8129 • www.salonentrenous.com

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November/December 2015

Lifestyle 59

We have over

700

FAshions

&

dresses for you to choose from!

Accessories from Canadian & European Designer Collections

red carpet fashions Continued from page 58

Glam on the go J

CATY LESCA

By Erika Faust

ulie Vriesinga, an award-winning hairstylist at Salon Entrenous, says you don’t have to go to great lengths to polish up your hair style for your next evening out. “Fancying things up is such a minor thing, which is wonderful, because it’s something people can do at home,” she says.

PARIS

Cherryhill Village Mall, 301 Oxford St. W. 519.964.1006 sales@sarasohan.com Mon-Fri 9-8pm • Sat 9-6pm • Sun 12-5pm

WINSTON FASHIONS

529 Talbot Street, St. Thomas 631-1837

Short And Sweet Take the short cut to chic – throw on a sparkly headband or sweep your hair to the side and pin it in place with black or silver bobby pins.

Julie’S tip: Slick your hair back for super-trendy style. “For fall and winter, the wet look is back.” She recommends a light holding gel by Kerastase to achieve it.

Chin up A deep side part can completely change up your style.

Available at

Julie’S tip: “For something a little softer, brush your hair off your face; tilt (your head) to the side and let it fall naturally.” If you are after a more dramatic ’do, use a comb to draw a razor-straight side part.

Smoulder At Shoulder-length For a touch of vintage glamour, think romantic retro waves.

Julie’S tip: Using a one-inch curling iron, wrap each section of your hair around the barrel for a few seconds, then let it drop.

“Take a big bristle brush and after (your hair) has cooled down brush through it; you’ll get that really soft ’20s-style wave.” long And luSCiouS From a fishtail braid pushed to the side to a braid pulled into a soft bun to funky crown braids, ’tis the season to plait up your look.

“Pull some pieces out to make it a little bit messy and softer, a little more romantic.”

Julie’S tip: “Step away from the mirror, braid, and go back and check it. When you’re looking in a mirror and braiding your hair, it’s very, very tricky and you can get very confused.” n

429 Talbot Street, St. Thomas Westmount Shopping Centre, London 204 Central Avenue, London

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60 Lifestyle November/December 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION salon entrenous 579 Richmond Street 519-433-8129 • www.salonentrenous.com

Seasons Greetings!

May the holidays bring you joy and long lasting fillings!

630 Richmond St. 519-672-3834

www.dentalstudiolondon.com London north 1080 Adelaide St. n.

519.672.2920

AiLSA CrAig 151 Main St.

519.293.3625

Freshco Plaza

life after work Continued from page 49

Exploring what activities that you may enjoy in the coming years is one of the benefits of having more leisure time. Whether it’s hobbies from your earlier life that you had to drop because of a busy family schedule when kids were young, or pursuits you’ve always dreamed of being able to enjoy, make a list of whatever you would love to fill your life with. Then pare the list down to what’s doable considering your health, physical and financial limitations.

“Perception of age and health are key,” says Christensen. “Some say to themselves: ‘I’m this age now and I’m old.’ Then they sit around and watch television, preparing to die. Age is about attitude!”

Heisel finds this in his work, as well.

“Whether it’s volunteering or mentoring, we need to feel like we’re making a contribution to the next generation.”

He adds that couples often have special considerations as they contemplate retirement. “Couples need

“

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Whether it’s volunteering or mentoring, we need to feel like we’re making a contribution to the next generation.

to talk about what this transition is going to look like and discuss ‘how are we going to get through this intact.’”

Christensen adds that this can be especially true if one of the spouses retires first – often the husband – and is ‘underfoot’ more or the wife has expectations of what he’ll do with his extra time and manufactures a long honey-do list. “It can cause stress if they have not been open and honest as they transition,” she says.

Choosing to continue working is also acceptable. “Retirement is not for everyone. Some well-known people

”

that come to mind are Betty White, Dr. David Suzuki, and Clint Eastwood.

The key is to have a purpose and meaning in life, whether retiring or continuing to work,” says Christensen.

Planning, preparation, honesty and clarity are important considerations when preparing for life after work. n FOR MORE INFORMATION Dr. Marnin Heisel 519-685-8500 Extension 75981 • Marnin.Heisel@lhsc.on.ca Janet Christensen 519-868-2262 • janet@berealsuccess.com

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 61

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62 Lifestyle November/December 2015

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bestlife

Keep smiling

By Jill Ellis-Worthington

Ageing cAn bring speciAl dentAl issues

Salivary gland function often decreases with age and a dry mouth can lead to tooth decay.

J

oint pain, stiff limbs, tiring more easily, forgetfulness – all physical issues related to growing older. In our 40s and 50s, ageing can also exacerbate problems with teeth and gums, so here are some ways to fight back and retain that sparkling smile.

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can negatively impact dental health.

Dr. Mark Fantegrossi, of the Dental Studio, with three offices in London and Ailsa Craig, explains that “A lot of people are on medications (as they age) and these can have a negative affect by drying the mouth.”

Dr. Pennie Thornton, who has had a dental office in Old South for

34 years, adds that salivary gland function often decreases with age and a dry mouth can lead to tooth decay.

Both recommend drinking water, chewing sugarless gum and trying a mouth moisturizing product, like Biotene, all of which can be helpful in combating dry mouth.

Good oral hygiene early in life will prevent many dental issues but if yours hasn’t been stellar there are still ways to combat tooth decay. “Dental hygiene is paramount the older you get.” says Fantegrossi. “At home, you should brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss daily.”

Continued on page 64

November/December 2015

Lifestyle 63

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“With bone loss, because of years of gingivitis and periodontitis, gums start to recede and teeth look longer.

Roots are softer than the crown of teeth and, without proper care, roots can decay.”

Dr. Mark Fantegrossi

Long in the tooth isn’t just an oftenused phrase to describe older adults; it’s rooted in reality. “With bone loss, because of years of gingivitis and periodontitis, gums start to recede and teeth look longer. Roots are softer than the crown of teeth and without proper care, roots can decay. This is a very hard cycle to break,” Fantegrossi explains.

Spaces between teeth also become bigger, Dr. Thornton recommends using a variety of devices available at drug stores to clean between teeth in addition to flossing. Soft-Picks, interproximal brushes (looks like a very small bottle brush), stimudents, sulcabrushes and rubber-tipped stimulators are all low-cost devices used to clean those widening spaces and keep decay to a minimum.

Thornton says that it is important to use toothpastes that are high in  64 Lifestyle November/December 2015

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Dr. Thornton recommends using a variety of devices available at drug stores to clean between teeth in addition to flossing.

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fluoride and fluoride rinses daily or weekly. “Don’t rinse (with water), eat or drink for 30 minutes after,” she adds.

In addition, she says, “See your dentist and hygienist every three to six months for a cleaning, fluoride and oral cancer check.”

The latter, says Dr. Fantegrossi, is a complete visual check of the lips, palate, tongue, oropharynx (back of mouth, leading to throat) for “anything out of the range of normal.”

Farmers or others who have worked outside much of their lives, golfers and other sportsmen, smokers or those who use chewing tobacco are especially vulnerable to cancers on the soft tissues of the mouth, face and throat.

Any abnormality that the dentist observes is referred to a specialist.

“We want to catch it early,” says Dr. Fantegrossi.

Armed with knowledge, some small but important tools and the will to observe excellent oral hygiene, you can keep your smile sparkling as the years go by. n

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