THROWING shade

Gardens bursting with vividly hued flowers. Baskets at the farmers’ market brimming with a rainbow of ripe produce. Azure skies and watercolour sunsets beautifying the landscape. Is it just me or does the world seem to come alive in June? Taking our cue from Mother Nature, we at Canadian Living have filled this issue with as many colours as possible because we know certain shades have the power to uplift mood, whether they’re displayed on a sundress or as a room’s coat of paint.

For me, colour has always been an easy way to brighten any day. I know that a nail polish switch can instantly make me feel more in tune with the season and that my favourite coral dress gives me a confidence boost when I have a big meeting to attend. Yet, what I like most of all is that colour is so simple to add, and most mishaps are a cinch to remedy. (My husband and I once decided to paint our bedroom a particular shade of pink that left us feeling like we were living in a bottle of Pepto-bismol. Needless to say, we repainted a few weeks later!)

Seeing how my children respond to colour is also a source of inspiration for me. They love to experiment with different combinations in almost everything they do, from their dinner plates to their outfits to their colouring books (and sometimes with their crayons on our walls—see the note about mishaps above!). That genuine curiosity and willingness to explore the rainbow has motivated me to be more playful with my palettes, too.

So go ahead and dare to live brightly: Splash on a tone you’ve never tried and dive into a vibrant new dish bursting with freshness. Colours can energize or soothe, and best of all, our ideas for incorporating them will continue to brighten your life long after summer is over.

I hope to visit some of the beautiful parks on Vancouver Island. I got my free [Discovery Pass] for this year. Get yours free from Parks Canada because it’s Canada’s 150th anniversary. — Marj Sutherland

If by “camping,” you mean a park model trailer, then yes, I, my friend and our dogs will be “glamping.” — Laurie Kane-paquette

If you have time to range farther afield, here are three other cool spots to see in the province.