REAL LIFE MADE SIMPLE
1 WONDER WEAVE
Turkish towels, also known as pesh-temals, feel incredible and actually get better over time. Defying all laws of logic, the unique Turkish weave becomes softer and more absorbent with every wash, making these towels well worth the investment. Our current obsession is the collection from House of Jude—a Canadian brand that ethically produces all their towels, throws, scarves and robes in Turkey.
2 Pampered Peds
It’s time to take care of the tootsies that have walked us to work, propelled us through lakes and pools and allowed us to play in the park this summer. Take a cue from the Lanna spa at Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle Resort and fill a basin with warm water, then add some fresh flowers and soak away the stresses of the day.
Lanna resort SPA, anantara.com.
3 Did you know?
You’re never more than 16 kilometres away from the water on Prince Edward Island. This small jewel measures between six and 64 kilometres wide with plenty of bays, estuaries and rivers to be found along the picturesque coastline.
4 All tress’d up
Barrettes, scrunchies and scarves oh my! Hair accessories will remain trendy in the fall but sometimes the look can feel juvenile. For a grownup aesthetic, choose versions with luxe textures or prints.
5 we tested THE FLAVOURS OF ITALY
Mutti brand tomatoes are recognized for their exceptional quality and outstanding taste. They can be used in a variety of bright, flavourful dishes, such as this easy-to-prepare, aromatic puttanesca spread.
1. Place a strainer over a bowl and add the contents of a 398 ml can of Mutti Finely Chopped Tomatoes (Polpa).
2. Let the tomatoes drain, extracting the maximum amount of juice (store the liquid for a later use).
3. In a medium bowl, mix the tomato pulp with 2 tbsp each of capers and pitted black olives, rinsed, drained and chopped, 3 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of chopped fresh basil. Sprinkle with sea salt; serve on grilled bread.
6 You’ve got meal
Are you a meal-kit novice or a monthly regular? One of Canada’s most popular meal-prep kits, Goodfood, has a new breakfast program to start your mornings off in a healthy and helpful way. Since buying a smoothie every morning can be costly, and few have time to chop fresh fruits and veggies first thing, Goodfood’s ready-to-mix smoothies only require 30 seconds, a blender and beverage of your choice to make any of their 12 flavours.
Visit makegoodfood.ca to shop meal kit options.
7 Kilty Pleasures
You don't need to visit the land of the Loch Ness monster to feel some Scottish inspiration. Top-notch nail polish brand OPI has done the work for you by creating Scottish Collection, a line of unique shades that call to the country's lush landscape, trademark tartans, legendary creatures and undeniably cool culture.
8 Tropic Punch
Lattice isn’t just for fences anymore. Case in point: The lovely ways open framework screens like these are being used to create pattern and shadowy effects everywhere from windows (these ones at Bangkok’s 137 Pillars Resort & Suites) to wall treatments.
9 Curb your home enthusiasm
Whether you’re selling your home or undergoing a renovation, don’t neglect the exterior. First impressions count and a little TLC goes a long way when it comes to curb appeal. Here are three easy updates that have a huge impact.
1 Lighting Regularly swap out dull bulbs and clean out bugs, cobwebs and debris. Consider updating your sconces for more modern fixtures if yours are outdated.
2 Paint A pop of colour can add visual interest to a home, and make it memorable. Visitors and potential buyers alike will fondly remember your home as the one with the ruby red door, for example.
3 Greenery Landscaping is so often an afterthought for homeowners but a well-groomed garden adds an inviting feel and increases property value. Don’t have a green thumb? Planters on your front porch and by the walkway are an easy, low-maintenance option.
10 REDUCE, REUSE, RESCUE
In addition to supporting crueltyfree makeup brands, you can help small animals by donating your old mascara wands. The tiny brushes are used in shelters to clean and remove fly eggs and larva from rescued baby birds, bunnies, ducklings and squirrels. After Telus employee Kim Vey heard about the cause, she corralled makeup tools from friends and colleagues to send to rescue organizations across the country and now you can do the same.
11 Trendy yogi
High fashion meets high performance with these pretty, durable and ecofriendly yoga mats from Montreal-based Sugarmat. The enchanting prints will surely inspire your workout and make it easy to hold both your pose and your gaze.
12 STORAGE SECRETS
When mounted on the inside of a lower cabinet door, a magazine rack is the perfect spot to store cutting boards!
13 Live and Let Learn
International Literacy Day is celebrated on September 8th, and 2019’s focus on multilingualism is especially relevant to Canadians because it’s also the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Today, along with reading, writing and numeracy, literacy also includes social communication skills in the areas of family, finances, workplace and health. 750 million adults around the world cannot read or write, and about two-thirds of those are women. You can help to improve literacy rates by supporting organizations such as ABC Life Literacy Canada or by participating in events across Canada.
14 NEW TECH IN TOWN
Google Nest Hub is a personal assistant, handy person, DJ, dispute settler, recipe finder and photo album organizer all in one. Paired with your smartphone and any other compatible devices, it’s the ultimate command centre for your home. Say good morning to your device and you can get weather updates, schedule reminders, headlines and even start your coffee maker.
Or, keep it in the kitchen for hands-free help like streaming how-to tutorials and recipe videos. Available in four sleek muted shades, the Nest Hub will be right at home (and look great!) wherever you decide to park it.