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How to plant the perfect garden

Embrace the warm summer weather and the bright sunshine by planting your garden. Whether you have space for plant beds in the ground or growing a few herbs in a planter, gardening can be both an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. You’ll never forget the taste of the first vegetable you grew yourself. Here are some tips for making the most of your garden this summer. Start with the florals Picking the right flowers can really set the tone for the exterior of your home. Choose between pre-planted flowers, like the Home Depot Plant of the Year Mega Boom Passion Fruit Dahlia Planter, or arrange your own florals based on sunlight and your favourite blooms. Annuals are a great way to add some colour to your display, but for a low-maintenance garden that comes back every year, look into planting hearty perennials.  You’ll want to also consider how much sunlight your…

Design

This SMASH + TESS x MEC jumpsuit will be your cottage evening essential

Smash + Tess has teamed up with Canada’s go-to outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) to launch a one-of-kind Polartec fleece one-piece jumpsuit available in Green Teal and Dark Slate in sizes 3XS to 4X. Combining MEC’s outdoor heritage and Smash + Tess’s proven record in women’s fit and inclusive sizing, the limited-edition Fresh Air Fleece Jumpsuit is made for warming up after sunrise swims, perfecting your s’mores game, and scanning the night sky for shooting stars. Launching on both retailers’ websites and in MEC stores across Canada, this fleece jumpsuit is the ultimate in elevated camp comfort. The epitome of cozy, the jumpsuit is made from soft, bluesign®-approved Polartec Power Stretch fabric to keep up with the wildest campfire dance moves. It features a zip-up mock neck, long sleeves to ward off cold nights, and jogger legs cinched with an elastic hem. Side pockets and a cargo patch on the…

Ontario

Experience Niagara Falls at the Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station

Expanding on the Niagara Parks Power Station that opened last year,  the Tunnel has opened to the public connecting their innovative landmark to a viewing platform at the base of Niagara Falls. Visitors to the Tunnel will descend 180 feet below the generator hall in a glass-enclosed elevator, observing the many underground floors of the station on their way down to the historic tunnel. For over a century, the power station’s spent waters flowed through this engineering marvel as it made its way back to the Niagara River. The one-of-a-kind experience offers guests a 2,200-foot-long journey through the enormous tunnel that leads to the exit portal where the water exited back into the Niagara River. There, a brand-new viewing platform has been constructed, extending out into the river to provide never-before-seen panoramic views of Niagara Falls and the lower Niagara Gorge. Access to the Tunnel is included with all regular…

Hotels + Resorts

The best hotel in Austin for music lovers

Austin, Texas is best known for its music scene. Almost nightly, you can find a live band playing at clubs, coffeehouses, bars, concert halls, and more, with musicians like Janis Joplin and Willie Nelson who have called this city home.  If you’re looking for the best hotel in Austin to visit to embrace the music scene in the city, look no further than The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection. Conveniently located in the Campus District close to the University of Texas, The Otis Hotel infuses musical touches into every element of this upscale property. This hotel embraces the spirit of the city being named as The Live Music Capital of the World by offering guests the choice of records to borrow in their lobby library to play in their room.  Each guest room has vinyl record players to let guest pick their own soundtrack for their stay and is decorated with local…

Florida

The Underline is transforming Miami’s Metrorail into a linear park

Since its founding, Friends of The Underline has been committed to transforming the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail—from the Miami River to Dadeland South Station—into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and public art destination. Through a partnership with Miami-Dade County, a vibrant and engaged board of directors, public and private donors, and hundreds of volunteers, The Underline is becoming an example for repurposing unused land into a public park and community space and asset. Phase 1 is currently open which includes a 0.5 miles stretch that includes gardens, meditation spaces, and an outdoor gym, The Underline also hosts a wide range of local concerts, educational programs, and volunteering events for locals and visitors alike in its many outdoor gathering spaces. Phase Two is set to be finished by 2023. Once all three phases are completed, the full park will include: 10 miles of dedicated bike and pedestrian paths,…

Food & Drink

Our long weekend barbecue essentials

There’s nothing better on a hot summer evening the spending some time outside. With the long weekend coming up, it’s time to break out the patio furniture, turn on the barbecue and invite some friends over. To help you plan the perfect long weekend BBQ, here are a few of our outdoor party essentials. Spice up your life Whether you’re bringing this as a host gift or looking for some new seasoning to add some flavour to your cooking, the Endless Summer Collection from Kanel looks great and tastes better. This summer-inspired five-packs find ways to spice, smoke, caramelize, and crisp every bite. Stock up your bar Having a range of spirits,  spritzed and wine will ensure that there’s something for everyone.  This summer, we’re loving the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, cinnamon, floral, berry reduction, and toasty aromas, pairing perfectly with a salmon or…

Design

Everything you need to know about the 2023 Mazda CX-50

Whether you’re spending a leisurely weekend at a resort in Muskoka or off-roading to find the perfect campsite in Algonquin, the brand new 2023 Mazda CX-50 is the perfect SUV to make this your best summer yet.  Immerse yourself in the wilds of Ontario nature without compromising on a premium design and outstanding on-road performance.  Being part of the Mazda family, the CX-50 has superior driving dynamics and beautiful design. This SUV has expanded its capabilities to venture further into the outdoors and various terrains, making this a dual option for your daily commute and weekend escapes. The CX-50 sets itself apart with its striking Kodo design with an outdoor capable presence that seamlessly interacts with the surroundings. The sleek, long silhouette and wide stance help give the vehicle dynamic proportions that balance design elements geared toward outdoor ruggedness. View this post on Instagram A post shared by…

Travel News

New Zealand adds a new national public holiday to recognize Māori New Year – Matariki

Matariki – the Māori New Year – celebrated across New Zealand during the winter solstice. Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during mid-winter (June – July) and is a celebratory time for people to connect, feast, reminisce, reflect and look to the future. This year holds great significance, as New Zealand will recognize Matariki as an official public holiday on June 24 – the first to recognize Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview). The occasion is similar to Canada’s own National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Shared below is information surrounding the significance of the celebration, as well as a number of festivals and events happening across New Zealand to mark the occasion. There are also a number of luxury lodges, eco-cabins, and glamping getaways that offer glass walls and skylights to catch a…

Toronto

Say cheers this July at Wine Fest Toronto

For wine lovers, casual sippers and those who love rose all day, Wine Fest Toronto returns for a two-day, all-you-can-taste, outdoor wine festival on Friday, July 8th and Saturday, July 9th.  You’ll want to grab your tickets early to join thousands at this interactive tasting event. If you’ve been missing travelling to vineyards over the last few years, Wine Fest will help you satiate that sense of wanderlust with just one sip. For those looking to try a new variety, Wine Fest Toronto will let guests taste over 100 wines from all over the world from regions like California, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Europe. Set on the colourful and centrally located Rendezviews patio, guests can try some of the best wines in the world. This year, California Wines is one of the presenting sponsor regions bringing 40 different wines to the festivals from some of the most sought-after wineries…

Fashion

Toronto-based athleisure brand launches their biggest collection yet

Toronto-based activewear brand Azur Fit has launched its biggest collection yet, the Daybreak collection. The new colours are inspired by fresh Spring days with versatile matching sets that make the wearer feel effortlessly stylish and ready to take on anything. New colour tones such as Briar, Morning, Cream, and Black Coffee will inspire you to get your day going. From half zips to biker shorts, the Daybreak collection showcases muted essentials – perfect for layering and styling. This new range of spring-inspired colours will have you jumping out of bed in the morning ready to crush a workout or style cute sets for your day on the go! With every launch, Azur Fit continues to focus on inclusivity and diversity, offering sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. Azur Fit’s number one mission is to always ensure all women feel empowered while wearing the brand! Founded by Erin Ward-Williams, formerly a…