[bc_video video_id="6261402263001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] When the seasons change, what our skin needs changes too. The heat, humidity and harsh sunshine means it’s time to adjust our skin care routines for the summer, so beauty expert Bahar has an effective routine that will help prevent breakouts and minimize sun damage even during the hottest days of the year. Skin Care is the new makeup BUT take 'er easy. Whether you are a beginner, or you're well versed in the lingo and trends, this is NOT a race, you don't have to one-up your friend on their skin care regime. STEP ONE: CLEAN YOUR SKIN This is the beginning of it all! If you're not cleansing in the morning and at night, you're doing it wrong. In the morning, a cream or milk cleanser is a great and gentle option. At night, you can also try a double cleanse with an oil and cream cleanser to take the entire day off your face properly. Product: Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser Laneige Moisturizing Cream Cleanser Laneige Multi Deep-Clean Cleanser Tip: If you wear an SPF, a double cleanse is always a good idea to ensure you're removing all traces of product, oil, dirt, and grime from your face.   STEP TWO: EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN Removing that dead skin from the top layer is an important step in your routine. The 2 types to choose from: chemical and physical. Chemical one's you'll find are acids like an AHA, BHA or PHA. They do the work to eat away the dead skin. Physical one's you'll find with granules, sugars and ingredients that literally scrub the dead stuff away. Bahar's only rules here are GO EASY! You don't have to use aggressive products or rub very hard. A toner option is a great place to start to ease into this. They can sometimes be gentler since you're not manually scrubbing something on your face. Product: REN Clean Skincare Ready Set Glow AHA Tonic Tip: You don't have to use a cotton pad to apply this – you can also place drops in your hand and push the product into your skin. From there, move directly onto your next skin care steps. STEP THREE: TREAT YOUR SKIN A serum is a great option since they are formulations with higher concentrations of active ingredients that can deliver results at home! Vitamin C is a wonderful and accessible serum to pop into a routine. It can help thanks to its antioxidant power! You can benefit from using this both day and night. Product: The Body Shop Drops of Light Brightening Serum Tip: Finding a serum that has multiple benefits could help to minimize the number of products in your routine, helping you get back a few precious minutes of your day!   STEP FOUR: MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN The summer can be super humid and hot. Therefore, Bahar promotes an oil-free option for when it comes to moisturizer. Lightening things up in the summer is always good to add hydration and help the skins barrier but without the feeling of a heavy, rich cream. At night Bahar suggests to switch up your routine a bit before using your oil. She suggests instead to use a moisturizer first and then apply a few drops of oil on top for added benefit. Product: Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly Tip: Using gel moisturizers is great in the summertime, as your skin can sweat and produce oil when it's too hot outside - but it still needs moisture and hydration from an oil-free source!   STEP FIVE: PROTECT YOUR SKIN In many cases moisturizers can be combined with SPF. In some cases though it can be better to try using two separate products for each concern instead. Bahar recommends a clear option which can also be used on top of makeup and on your body which makes it ideal for reapplication! Product: Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 Tip: Solid sunscreens are a great option for throwing in your bag to have them on hand. Reapplication is very important!  

[bc_video video_id="6261403342001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] We’ve spent several months now perfecting out own styles, colours, and home cuts but summer’s here, and soon, salons are going to be ready to bring their clients back. It’s time to get inspired again, here's how to get your hair summer ready. When you get back into the salon, I want talk about the single most important thing that needs to be done before your visit and that’s a consultation with your stylist or colourist. Now I’m sure your stylist will want to have one anyway but in case they are overwhelmed with how busy they are going to be, they won’t mind if you ask them to have a quick conversation about your plan going forward. Talk about the game plan. What should you focus on during the consultation? Go with:

• your Wishlist, it may have changed during the pandemic
• your face shape and what works best for it. (Rounder face with pronounce cheekbones go for a refreshing fringe!)
• a colour plan because your needs may have changed, some colours require a lot of maintenance!
• you texture and how you wish to wear it day to day

Recommendations for curly hair during the summer? First, we need to understand what kind of curly hair is? Are they spirals or loose waves? Is it afro-textured hair or not? Is it frizzy? With curly textured hair you want to make sure that keep it hydrated through the summer.  So, what that look like is if your used to using a gel or mousse in the winter months, perhaps your using leave in conditioners and hydrating creams in the summer. Hottest summer haircut? For hair trends this summer I think will see variations of the shag coming back, now I’m a big fan of these types of looks because of how versatile they are and easy to style. A layered looks also works on all textures of hair so anyone can try it, it's very maintainable. I also think the curtain bang is still sticking around, it’s such a nice option to keep hair off your face while framing it at the same time. Source: The Trend Spotter Colour Trends  I’m already seeing a lot of its the Bronde colour trend.  That is when you have a warm brown golden base with some natural highlights or balayage peeking through.  This look is great for summer months is because of how nicely it will fade through the warm months, it will grow out seamless without seeing very much roots growing in. Source: Allure

[bc_video video_id="6260995230001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Do you ever see a pair of adorable kids leggings or a cute kid sized summer dress and think, I wish they made that for adults! Aside from the very cute factor of adult pieces in child sizes, there is something sweet and bonding about dressing like your child. The matching look shows a clear reflection of their love for their parent.  In my case, my daughter has never wanted to dress like me – its very funny but I know I’m well loved and respected, it’s just not her style or personality Look #1:  Our first mommy and mini are such a cute duo! Penelope is 6 and very excited to dress like her mom, Merissa. But you’ll notice the dresses are fitting for each age. Old Navy has done very well by creating pieces from the same fabrics but allows the unique piece to be more reflective of the age. Meaning the adult isn’t wearing the overly ruffled piece that is more appropriate of someone Penelope’s age. Matching also doesn’t mean to be the exact same. I picked the same shoe but in different colours as always accessories can make the outfit sing with individuality. Children really love to do this but the slight tweak makes it flattering for all! Old Navy dresses, sandals Ai Seoul, accessories Look #2: Or maybe it’s that you want to dress like her! Here we have Debbie (mom) and Natasha (adult daughter) who has likes in their fashion but they style their pieces completely unique to each of them. I know for a fact that one piece of clothing goes back and forth between their two houses – these lovely ladies are my neighbours!  But when I see them in their pieces they are perfectly styled to their own styles. I picked the ever-popular jumpsuit that has been the hero piece during quarantine style.  Then I embraced and enhanced their own personalities with what else we paired these jumpsuits with. Natasha is a busy mom with multiple businesses on the go! She wants to be chic but comfortable as she runs through her day. Super fun casual shoes with a pop of colour fit this requirement. A light fluid jacket gives the edge fitting for business meetings.  A casual bright bag keeps everything in one place and her hands free! A scarf on the handle adds colour and print! While Debbie’s going to be most comfortable in an elegant ensemble.  Accessories elevate the jumpsuit so I’ve layered up gold necklaces – no little grabbing hands to worry about.  A block heel sandal in a punchy colour fits perfectly. Ai Seoul, Accessories Look #3: Not just for Moms and Daughters! My son Conall is dressed in shorts and a white linen button down – the same pieces I’m wearing but we both still look like us! There are many pieces out there that are gender neutral. In fact, we both look completely comfortable and unique with similarities. We both look great – in my humble opinion – yet, it works for each of us. The same pieces styled differently is how this becomes a success. Our tan shorts and white linen shirt ground the matching looks but I’ve wrapped my linen shirt and Conall’s is fittingly disheveled. He wears the ever present white sneaker and I’m appropriately "Janice” in some heels. Another perfect topper for both of us – a straw fedora! Kind of twinning. Ai Seoul, Accessories 

[bc_video video_id="6260997547001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] We’ve covered everything from the hottest real estate markets of 2021, tips for first-time homebuyers to what you need to know when selling & when buying a cottage. Now it’s time to talk Downsizing! With the aging population, some seniors are making the move to cash in and sell their forever homes for big bucks to downsize and buy perhaps smaller homes where they can live the rest of their lives with ease & comfort…Our Real Estate Expert Monique is here to tell us more. According to the Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation, over nine million seniors, age 65 and over, own their homes across this nation.Some of these folks are on the verge of retirement, have raised their families for decades in their family homes, and now, their nests now empty. Combine that with physical challenges that come with aging … some feel their family home no longer meet their needs.For example, there may be too many stairs to climb, the house may be too large & expensive to upkeep on retiree income, or there are too many empty unused rooms. Some are choosing to make the move to downsize, while others opt to age in place and perhaps retrofit their homes to live there for the rest of their lives. Regardless, downsizing can be a grueling and emotionally taxing process because of the sheer volume of hard work it takes to pull it off smoothly. Many of us who have parents or relatives in this age group will have to go through this eventually with our loved ones. We must be prepared and not underestimate the process. Where do you start when it comes to downsizing? So, what’s first on the list to start… #1:  Hire a trusted realtor  We are in a seller’s market in many parts of the country, so securing your home in a sea of competition will be more challenging than to actually sell your home in this market. Your realtor should be thinking ahead … and facilitating the process to get your home ready while looking for your next one. #2: Get Your Home Ready  If someone has lived in the same home for 5, 10, 15, 20+ years, I can guarantee one thing you’ve accumulated stuff and a lot of it! Downsizing means you’re moving into a smaller home, so that means the stuff you have in your three to five-bedroom house, is not going to fit into your new condo, quaint bungalow or smaller home. Often, people are deeply tied emotionally to their belongings and hold significant sentimental value. It’s important to get rid of things old kitchenware, collections, unused-large furniture that won’t fit into your next home; old electronics like VCR & appliances; clothing you haven’t worn in years; those numerous boxes in the basement storing your now adult kid’s childhood books & toys. #3: Get Support Your realtor should align you with professional help to get organized and decluttered. Hire professional declutterers or organiser who will assist you. They have tried systems that work! Decluttering experts will work with you closely to systematically sort through years of stuff & they’ll do so with empathy, patience & be mindful of your feelings. #4: Set A Timeline One month to two months is typical for an average family-sized 4bedroom home to be decluttered if you’re tackling a little every day. Tackle one room at a time and understand that it’s easy to cross into the feeling of overwhelm. #5 Enhance Your Property Next, your realtor will advise what areas may need some cosmetic work to elevate the presentation & condition of your property, so you get top dollar for your sale. #6: Pack for the Move Then we have the packing for the move. While in the decluttering phase when you have the manpower assistance, use that time wisely and have your support team pack your non-essentials or items you’re taking to the next home you won’t need access to when your home is listed. Strategically packing for your move as you declutter, will further reduce the burden of having to do this when it’s actually time to move. Packed boxes can be stored in the basement, garage or at a storage facility until the home is sold. Renting a disposal bin is a cost-efficient way to discard items. Donating your items to families in need; or Habitat for Humanity is a way of giving back & receive tax write offs; or sell your items to help pay for moving expenses. Hire reputable professional movers to get you from point A to B. How can Seniors further be empowered going through this process? Seniors can be empowered by knowing they took control of their own life, while they still could and physically able to. By taking control now, your family won’t be forced to make decisions for you, if something happens to you down the road. If downsizing is something you truly want to do you must be fully invested and feel positive about it. Accept this is going to be a challenging process and you may panic due to resistance to it. You may even experience grief or sadness, as you start to see your belongings slowly disappear from your living spaces. Let’s remember you’ve spent a good chunk of your life in this home raising your family. There’s going to be an impact of these drastic changes. Invite loved ones over to assist & support you through this process. You’re going to need it. Where are these seniors are relocating too with all of their riches Monique?  Seniors are moving to affordable areas compared to major city centres and suburbs. We’ve seen seniors move out to Atlantic Canada where they enjoy reasonable seaside, small-town living, and thrive in retiree communities. In Ontario, places like the Niagara region, Kingston & Wasaga Beach are popular destinations too. In the Midwest, Sylvan Lake, and Lake Winnipeg. Out west they go to Okanagan, Kelowna, and other spots in British Columbia.

[bc_video video_id="6260890850001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] This is my signature pride cocktail…now I know it’s not a traditional pride rainbow colour cocktailed but that’s not my style. Not that I don’t love a good rainbow – I just prefer an amazing cocktail that tastes great and isn’t simply vodka with food colouring. Not that there is anything wrong with that…