oh my:
[ that' s haute.] April/ May 2016
JANA MITCHELL: Finding Your True Passion; WHEELS FOR THE WISE We are a team of passionate, fashion forw ard Canadian contributors w ho are not afraid to push the envelope. From east to w est our focus is highlighting community trailblazers by putting their business at the forefront of our stories. Live local. Love local. Join the conversation, you know you w ant to.
[ oh my EDITORIAL TEAM DATING & RELATIONSHIPS: TINA HUGHES FASHION & BEAUTY: CHANTAL SARKISIAN HEALTH & FITNESS MADELAINE GARCIA KITCHEN & CUISINE: KIN RONZONI HOUSE & HOME: SUZANNE QUINTAL ARTS & TRAVEL: CRYSTAL BESHARA FEATURES W RITER MELANIE MARTIN
IN THIS ISSUE Dat ing & Relat ionships..... Art s & Ent ert ainment ..... Kit chen & Cuisine..... Healt h & Fit ness..... Fashion & Beaut y..... House & Home..... DesignerDIY...... PHOTO CREDIT: BRI ANDERSON-JACKSON
[ oh my
CONDO LIVING
at its finest. W ritten by: Suzanne Quintal So many people wonder what an interior designer/stylist does anyways? How would it benefit me? What happens? How long does it take? Which one should I hire? These are just a few of the questions that are posed before investing your hard earned money into hiring a pro to help you out. If you're asking these questions you have probably already decided you need help. Admitting the problem is the first step into design recovery. First of all, each client and project is different? second, not every professional is going to suit your needs. Designing and helping someone love their space is not an overnight process. I tell my clients at the initial consultation that that we will essentially be ?dating? for probably at least the next six months or longer. So we better all get along. Therefore one of the most important steps of the design process is the initial consultation. During this time you are going to tell me all your hopes and dreams, what you love what you absolutely hate, and what your budget is. If you are looking for ornate Italian Renaissance then I am not your girl and another awesome professional will better suit your needs. I think every home should reflect the unique personality of the client. Yes, it should look amazing and function seamlessly but without a little bit of soul it will be lost. My interiors are a blend of modern and vintage, organic and sophisticated, neutral bases with pops of colour, and a mix of feminine and masculine. If I had to pick a description of my style I suppose ?modern organic? and ?boho chic? are the most touched upon phrases used by my clients. I think you should enjoy and be excited by the changes that are going to take place. So you swiped right (sorry a little Tinder humour) and we are a good match. The contract is signed and the retainer is paid. It is now time to rock your interior design world. So you can get a better handle on what I do, let?s use my awesome clients as an example. They had seen some of my previous work in a condo project that they were considering purchasing a unit in. Within this condo, I had installed a brick feature wall to warm up the space and give it a little bit of that modern industrial edge
AFTER
BEFORE
DISCOVERING YOUR
TRUE PASSION PHOTO CREDIT: BRI ANDERSON-JACKSON
W hat mot ivat es you? Knowing that what I have created and nurtured has become a success. I make a positive difference in people?s lives. I?m also too stubborn not to succeed! How do you generat e new ideas? By studying others, watching others, and imitating the behaviors that lead to their success. How far are you willing t o go t o succeed? I will sacrifice my own short term, immediate pleasures for the long term goal. Every self made millionaire I know, never travelled or vacationed before the age of 28 and never married before the age of 35. W hat is your great est fear, and how do you overcome t hese t hought s? Failure. I manage this though exercise and keeping fit. For advice and guidance, I surround myself with very smart people. Is your company profit able or what is your profit for last year? Yes. In the last year alone we have experienced significant growth. I am truly grateful for everyday that I can make a difference in so many people's lives. How do you build a successful cust omer base? Be the best at what you do and the customers will always come back. W hat is your favorit e aspect of being an ent repreneur? I can?t be fired. I apply my own creativity. I never need someone elses permission. Most importantly, no one tells me when I can or cannot take a coffee break! W hat do you feel is t he major difference bet ween ent repreneurs and t hose who work for someone else? Entrepreneurs are never off. People that work for someone else check out at 5pm. In one word, charact erize your life as an ent repreneur. Busy. W hat are some of t he biggest mist akes you?ve made? Taking advice from people that do not practice what they preach. _________________________________________________________ There you have it! Up close and personal with Jana Mitchell of Wheels For The Wise.
PARMESAN ROASTED
ASPARAG W ritten by: Kim Ronzoni What better way to celebrate spring than to enjoy this healthy and tasty flowering perennial. Asparagus is high in Vitamin K, B Vitamins and Folate. It is also anti-inflammatory containing Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E, Zinc, Manganese and Selenium. It works as a detoxifier that may protect against certain cancers. Low in calories and sodium. May be eaten raw or cooked.
INGREDIENTS -
Bunches (approx. 60 spears) of fresh asparagus trimmed 1 inch Extra Virgin Olive Oil ½ c. grated Parmesan cheese Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste 1 fresh Meyer lemon (both the peel and juice) as garnish
DIRECTIONS (SERVES 6-8 PEOPLE) -
Preheat oven to 400 F. Place Asparagus loosely in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the top and season with salt and pepper. Roast In oven for 15-20 min. until tender. Remove from oven, Sprinkle with Parmesan and grated lemon peel, Return to oven for 5 min. Arrange spears on a large platter and garnish with lemon juice just before serving.
PARMESAN ROASTED
ASPARAG
Online Dating: It' s All In The Brand HOW DO YOU M EASURE UP? W ritten by: Brandelyn Cameron I've been asked to speak professionally on many topics, but this will be the first time that I prepare a professional presentation on Dating! However, following my previous article, Naughty Naughty Tinder: You Get What You Give, I've apparently sparked some interest within this community. As a part of my career in marketing & advertising, I strategically analyze a corporation's professional online presence from a business perspective through their metrics. Google Analytics is one of my besties, yes, I am a numbers nerd. Some of the areas I take a look at are: -
End User Behaviour Conversion Rate Avg Time Spent Daily Traffic etc.
So what? Why am I telling you this in my article about online dating? Well, the reality is, your online persona (aka your personal brand) is no different than a professional online presence. You have put yourself out there to hopefully find a mate so why not ensure that your sales process (aka your profile) is consistent with your intended results. How do you measure up? In the last 30 days, how
often has your profile been viewed? Of those 'views' how many contacts have you received? IE what is your conversion rate? What time of day/day of the week yields the best results? Is your profile content and accurate depiction of your true self? Many of the comments that I often hear from women regarding online sites elude to the fact that all men online are only after one thing. I beg to differ. First of all, with respect to the generalization, many of the men I have spoken with also feel the same regarding women's intentions. Only they feel the women are looking for inflated pocket books out of the deal rather than meaningless sex. It is imperative that you clarify your intentions from the get go, post appropriate images (no bathroom selfies), provide engaging content and determine a strategic course of action with measurable results. Yes, even your love life needs to be carefully considered in order to yield optimal results. After all, you're in this for the long haul, right? I have created a video series that addresses all of these points from a dating perspective to help you get the most out of your online dating experience. Be sure to sign up to our mailing list to receive a copy of this video series in your inbox.
LIQUID GYM GAVE ME
M Y LIFE BACK!
W ritten By: Angela Sutcliffe Maybe if I don't open my eyes, I won't really have to get up to go to the bathroom...*sigh* apparently I do. Now don't get me wrong, that nightly thought had nothing to do with leaving the comfort of my nice warm bed ... oh no. It was more the sheer agony of getting out of bed and across the hallway that made me think twice. Sit up... let the muscle spasms settle down... swing your legs over the edge of the bed - OMG, my feet like walking on broken glass. Hang on to the table... now grab the door frame for support and - one long step into the hallway until you can reach the next door frame ... now clutch the counter top and take the weight off the knee. Phew, almost there... reverse the process until the objective has been reached - the toilet. Now sit and gather up your courage to do it all over again getting back to bed Wait ... what??? Three short years earlier I had
been running through the woods on a regular basis, my two little dogs madly galloping along with me. Nothing I loved more than spending hours outdoors every day. Suddenly, with a "pop, rip, tear" my world changed. From sitting to standing, in one minute, my knee went one way and I went another - and I was catapulted into a world of never ending pain. After four long, long years of trying everything - deep tissue massage, chiropractic, personal trainers, swimming, I was only marginally more mobile. Running was a dream - heck, walking was quickly becoming a memory. As time passed my world became one narrow window of "getting through the day". "Knee replacement, my girl, that's what you need" said my GP. The pain wore me down and I wound up at the Joint Assessment Clinic. You're too young, the nurse said. Put it off for another 10 years ... yeah, this to a person who has to grab doorframes to walk
W hat the heck is a LIVE
BLOOD ANALYSIS? W ritten by: Darpan Ahluwalia W hat is Live Blood Analysis?
W ill it cost a lot for t he supplement s?
Medical Microscopy or Live Blood Analysis is a cost-effective way to assess the state and/or dysfunction of the body's systems and organs. This unique analysis technique has the capability of offering the doctor a quick and simple way to determine the extent of a disease process. It helps determine whether it is functional or organic, acute or chronic, mild or severe and gives a general idea as to what physiological pathway of the body requires the greatest support. This can include oxidative control, nutritional and enzyme correction and supplementation or immune support.
We do not normally recommend a lot of supplements. Usually, any supplements recommended are for short term use while the body is correcting underlying problems. Our goal is to aid you in returning your body to a normal state of function, and we aim toachievethis through dietary and lifestyle modifications.
How is t he t est done? Three drops of blood are taken by way of a tiny finger-prick, and then placed on two slides.One slide is used for "live" blood analysis, and the other twoused for checking your blood type.. The slideis then placed under a high-powered microscope which is attached to a monitor that allows you to view the blood during the analysis. With one "live" drop of blood from the finger an enormous amount of information is available about the state of the immune system, free radical damage, weaknesses possible vitamin deficiencies, amount of toxicity, pH and mineral imbalance, areas of concern and weakness, parasites, fungus and yeast. A lot of guess work is eliminated. It's unbelievably exciting to see your red and white cells moving about the platelets. It is also rewarding to see responses to nutritional changes, detoxifying and life style changes. This method of blood analysis has been used in Europe for about a century.
How oft en should I have t his t est done? If you follow the recommendations made, it is usually suggested to have a follow-up appointment in 6-8 weeks. At this time, you will have another in-depth analysis, and will actually be able to see the changes which have takenplace at cellular level. How do I prepare for t he consult ? Please do no eat anything at least 2 hours prior to the consult, you are welcome to bring your food along. Once the prick is done , you are able to eat during the consult. A Live blood Consult is safe and is for anybody and everybody , a great tool to see imbalances that night be occurringand supplements and foods you are on, are they the right kinds for your blood type?? Are they getting absorbed etc ??
The use of nutritional and herbal counselling are considered alternative procedures and are not a substitute for western medical care. Modalities or advice offered are not designed to be a diagnosis or treatment of any disease, injury or medical condition.
How long does it t ake? This is a very in-depth analysis which usually takes about thirty to forty-five minutes. During this time the "Total Nutrition Diva" will ask questions relating to diet and lifestyle, current medications or herbal supplements being used etc. Some clients find it very helpful to bring with them, a list of those things they are currently taking.
Accordingly, if you have any medical or health issues, we strongly recommend that you CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN or HEALTH CARE PROVIDER with regard to any medical conditions in addition obtaining any information and/or treatment from us
De Allende was declared a national monument. No intrusive billboards, neon lights or fast food chains are permitted within the city center. There is no shortage of things to do. In between our lessons (and sometimes during), we took the time to enjoy the Mercado de Artesanias filled with fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables, inexpensive ceramics, jewelry and woven art. We shopped at high-end boutiques, took in a house tour, a horse back ride and some witnessed the miracle of the monarch butterfly migration. With near perfect weather, affordable accommodations and great hospitality, you can see why many call San Miguel home. Yet with its beautifully restored
architecture and much of the city remaining Spanish speaking, I still felt as though I was seeing the real Mexico. I couldn?t get enough of it with my first visit and have since ran 6 retreats staying at various casas. San Miguel De Allende has been ranked as one of the top 10 destinations in the world by top travel publications. Why then, when so many go there to rejuvenate, retire or paint is San Miguel still one of the world's best-kept secrets? I think it's because once you've been, you never want to leave and as its growing population of American and Canadian residents suggest, many simply do not.
LADIES WHO LUNCH
W ritten by: Cait O'Malley I have been to three Ladies Who Lunch events now but I never stop being amazed when I walk through the door of a Catherine Landry Masterpiece. Donning a little black dress and toting around a bag of valentines cookies with my business cards attached, I walked into the Shore Club and staggered a bit. The venue is such an elegant, posh room and it is packed with powerhouse business women; talk about intimidating! Perhaps that's why the complimentary champagne was conveniently located right at the entrance. But what else would you expect at a Ladies Who Lunch event, especially one that is celebrating 10,000 members! I'm always a little nervous at these things. I'm still just getting started and I don't know many people well yet. That always disappears quickly though, as there is never a shortage of thoughtful ladies ready to take you under their wing. On this night, the lovely Debra Fett was by my side as I dropped my business card into the bowl and pulled out one of the exclusive martini key tag gifts, that happened to have been made by
Debra. Soon I was in the thick of it with champagne, oysters and ladies chatting eagerly. Coming to these events sort of feels like when you go home at Christmas when you're single. Your mom pulls you around the room introducing you to all the other single friends and neighbours, unabashedly bragging about your great qualities. "Oh have you met Cait? She just launched a wedding planning business and you're a photographer. You two should talk!" Followed by a knowing smile and a sudden need to run off and check on something. Except it's ten times better because you actually want to talk to these people! Then of course come the surprises. First a few gift draws which have become commonplace at these gatherings. Just your standard shopping sprees, fancy nights out on the town and general luxury spoils. Then come the announcements, which are always ground-breaking and heard first at these exclusive events. Two very inspirational women, Gwen Madiba and Julie Beun, took the stage to speak about the Black
SPRING HAS SPRUNG W ritten by: Chantal Sarkisian Imagine an online retailer that has actually taken the time to research, analyze and provide solutions for your specific body type! I'm seriously stoked to be a part of this fashion forward movement. Spring is finally in the air and it has me all gaga over new trends and old styles that are making a comeback. It?s ok, I am a hoarder, and this is when it comes in handy. I kept all my old accessories and now I just need to build up the courage to wear them! My black leather cuff bracelet comes to mind and my collection of leather strap chokers! A few weeks ago, I drove to Toronto to take part in the Smithery?s Spring look book. It was an all day photoshoot, where I played the ?O?shape model. Gorgeous clothes were waiting for me on a rack along with a collections of shoes that somehow were all my size. #dream Smithery is an online fashion boutique based out of Toronto, that specializes in helping women shop their shape. They have categories like X, V, H, A, and O (that?s me!) all representing a different body type. What I love is that they are helping women select clothes that are flattering to their shape, while still offering stylish and on trend selections at a fair price. I was in love with all the looks, even though I swore that I would never wear my bell bottom jeans again!! So what exactly is a STYLESMITH? "Smithery is a new way to shop for clothes online. We're a Canadian e-boutique where the best Go-To's for every body shape are curated, styled, and modeled on real women. As stylesmiths, we're taking the guesswork out of style, size, and fit by supplying the measurements for every model and every item in every size. Our favourite part?Each Smithery box comes with styling tipsfor your new finds." Sign me up. I'm so in.
clubbed feet. First she asks if my boyfriend and I are related? umm no!?! Then proceeds to tell us about brain damage, Spina bifida, multiple surgeries etc. I think our heads were spinning at this point with negative knowledge. Then the discussion of aborting the baby came up. Right then the Sundin brothers story popped into my head. They both had a clubbed foot and were now playing in the bloody NHL. I told the doctor that was not an option. That our son was going to be fine and we would do whatever we had to do to make sure he would be an active normal kid. She didn't seem to agree. She kept on reiterating our "deadline" to terminate the pregnancy. My heart sank. Why is she being so adamant? Is there something we are not being told? I decided to go with my intuition, and with the support of my partner, we decided that keeping our son was the only option. The day came slowly as we anxiously awaited my sons arrival. The negativity, worrying and stressing were all forgotten for a short time as the most amazing thing happened. My son was born, a healthy 8lbs1oz baby. We got to spend a week together learning one another before the treatments started. First came the castings. Doctors told us minimum six weeks in casts. He ended up in them for only three. Then the blasted corrective shoes came into play. Breastfeeding was an experience to say the least. As the months went on and then the years we were constantly told that everything looked good but not to get our hopes up. We were told our son wouldn't crawl until he was one. Wrong, he started at 5 1/2 months. We were told he wouldn?t walk until at least 2, he started walking properly 4 days after his first birthday. He even started walking with the heavy metal bar attached to his corrective shoes around the table much sooner though. The last appointment we attended consisted of the Doctor yet again asking us what foot was clubbed and then basically telling us after a brief look that she didn't believe he even really ever had a true clubbed foot. Hearing that was the best and worst news I had heard in a long time. We had all gone through so much stress over the years and it had all been for nothing. The thought that instantly went through my head was thank god we didn't listen to the doctor who wanted us to abort our perfectly healthy son. The things we would have lost and missed out on because of the misconstrued views of one professional. What I learned most from my experience is to always ask for a second opinion and if something ever just doesn't feel right it probably isn't.
TheEM ERGENCY Coveted KIT: UNZIPPED! W ritten by: Cait O'Malley If you have ever been to a wedding, or any event for that matter, you know how easily things can go wrong. From an upset stomach to a stocking run, a loose hem to an early period, the possibilities are endless. I can't think of a single wedding where I didn't need to dive into the bag for one thing or another. At my most recent wedding I used the double sided tape for some decor items that just wouldn't stay up and to hide dress straps that kept untucking; a hair pin as a make-shift button hook to do up the bride's dress; the fold out mirror for the M.O.B to touch upher make-up; and several items from the sewing kit. After thiswedding the groom told me, "I'm impressed by how prepared you are for every possible situation."
The good news is, if you have hired a certified wedding planner then you are already all set because she/he is guaranteed to be bringing their own version of this trusty kit with them for your rehearsal and wedding day. 1. The Emergency Kit - If you are going to invest in a full emergency kit, you need a good compact bag with lots of different compartments. Mine is from Travelon and holds all of the above items (plus more!) but closes up to a nice little 14.5 X 10.75 X 6.25! 2. Hair brush - Pretty straight forward. Straight hair and windy days do not mix. 3. Hair spray - In addition to being a quick fix for
DesignerDIY Haute Decor Interiors YYC
Five t ips f or maintaining your sanity t hroughout t he mat erial sel ect ion process of your renovat ion. W ritten by: Brandelyn Cameron Let me guess you are standing in the tile aisle at your local building supply store trying to envision your perfectly renovated space and all you can see is a blank space? Or even worse the dated interior that you are desperately trying to revamp keeps haunting your thoughts. Trust me, I get it. We all want a nice space to call home but it's not always easy selecting the materials that will pull it all together. Are you a do-it-yourself enthusiast not quite sure about your material selections? Here are 5 tips to help with your selection process:
5. Unless you are looking to incorporate varied theme rooms like the Disney Cruise ship, I highly recommend choosing one style of interior design and sticking to it throughout your entire home. Though it is possible to combine several styles for an eclectic look and feel, this is a style best left for the professionals to plan.
Sponsored by: JRB Contracting, Inc., Ottawa, ON
4. Less is always more in my opinion. Stick to a maximum of 3 flooring selections throughout your home. For example, the same tile and granite should be present in all wet areas, if you must you can select a different tile for washrooms on different floors, but I personally wouldn't. 3. Don't neglect faucets and fixtures. It's the details that really pull your space together. Door handles, faucets and lighting should be complimentary and of the same look and feel as the rest of the home. 2. Choose your paint colours wisely. It is always tempting to go with the latest trends, however, I recommend limiting these colours for feature walls or accessories to preserve the longevity of your decor. 1. Finally, there should only be one star of the show when it comes to your countertop and backsplash combo. Therefore, if you select a bold countertop, your backsplash should not compete for centre stage.
SUPER M OM SM OOTHIE Chunky Monkey W ritten by: Noelle Oberg Perfect for that chocolate sweet tooth you?re sporting. Naturally sweetened of course. The dark cherries and cocoa are great antioxidants. The banana gives it some sweetness while the almond butter and coconut milk give it the creamy consistency I am sure you are craving. The almond butter also gives it some protein. This one is definitely more of a dessert smoothie to me but it wouldn?t be the worst breakfast either. To me the ?super food? in this smoothie is the Liquid Chlorophyll. It gently detoxes your body and helps with ph balance. A great addition to anything!
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1?2 a Banana 1?2 cup of frozen Dark Cherries (pitted) 1 tablespoon of Almond Butter 1 tablespoon of Cocoa or to taste 1 tablespoon of Liquid Chlorophyll 500ml Unsweetened Coconut Milk For additional sweetness add a tablespoon of Pure Maple Syrup or Honey
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