Last weekend I finished painting the staircase risers and stringers after years of contemplation. I had been thinking about painting the risers white for so long because our staircase looked heavy and dark. In my eyes, the stairs seemed visually distracting as you walked into the house and looked overwhelming. Since we were still in a state of lockdown in Toronto and hopes of more relaxed measures in the spring, I decided to use the spare time while at home towards painting the staircase.

So what stopped me from doing this home project before?

Sometimes we pause and delay home renovation or update projects either because they’re costly or time-consuming…

When I saw pastel colors on fashion influencers this year, I cannot help but feel nostalgic and remember my childhood growing up in the 80s. Oddly, the sight of pastel clothes creates in me a feeling of lightness, warmth, and calmness. I relive a past growing up in a far land where summer starts in March and Easter is celebrated in the soft shades of pastels. Flashbacks from the 80s pop culture resurface, reminding me of the pastel suits of Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice, the pink dresses of Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls. …

Ever since Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month, the event has picked up momentum across the country and is becoming a nationwide tradition. This year, we celebrate and acknowledge the impressive work Black Canadians are achieving on multiple levels, from culture, business to politics.

To honor Black History Month, I wanted to present the experiences black female entrepreneurs’ go through when they set up a business. …

I miss celebrating Valentine’s Day at a fancy restaurant and the opera. As a couple and parents, we always include our only child when planning something for V Day because he’s the product of our love. This year is not an exception, even though the pandemic is wearing us down. We want to have some fun in an intimate indoor picnic fun instead of going out.

Why an indoor picnic

We live in Canada, and February is one of the coldest months of the year. It’s unlikely that we can enjoy a picnic when the windchill can make it uncomfortable to be outside. And…

Though none of the lines rhyme, for a working mom, it is the absolute poetry of daily life during the pandemic lockdown. And while some corporate and business experts paint an idyllic portrait of working-from-home, most working moms are fed up with this present form of enslavement. We are waking up earlier and sleeping later only to make more time for the compounding errands. Women no longer spend “working hours” juggling corporate or business responsibilities. Oh no, they have to take it a step further. With everyone at home, family members want you to do something for them.

There’s an…

How often do you buy or replace your sunglasses? While you might be in the habit of donning sunnies as trendy accessories, it’s more important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Researchers say that if you have been wearing the same set of glasses for a while, the UV protection may be fading. Consequently, frequent exposures to UVA and UVB rays can cause discomfort, light sensitivity, and deformity.

“Your eyes are windows to your soul but make sure they are UV protected.”

Elle Muse

Protecting your eyesight is far from being an act of vanity. If you over 40…

I am a compulsive hiker! For over 11 years, not a week passes without taking the opportunity to venture into the woods regardless of how hot or cold it is — as long as it’s not raining. At least twice a week, you’ll find me on the trailers climbing hills and traversing short streams. And the best seasons to do so in Canada are fall and winter. However, unlike fall, hiking in winter can be challenging and requires preparation.

Until we moved into our suburban house, which backs onto a conservation area, I thought hiking was for hippies. It wasn’t…

Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces.

Rumi

Valentine’s Day will be different this year, notably for people who like celebrating outside their homes. Those who fancy a romantic date at a restaurant, theatre, or even a vacation destination might wonder how to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home in 2021. Although we are limited to where we can go out, we learned in 2020 how to create fun ideas to enjoy festivities while staying at home.

To set the mood, I’m going all out with the home ambiance and treats. Just like Christmas, I plan to bring some…