For many of us, our backyards have become an extension of our homes. They serve as a retreat, a playground, and an entertainment area for ourselves and the many guests we invite to our homes throughout the year. It has essentially become an outdoor room. Since you spend so many warm afternoons and breezy evenings entertaining guests in the backyard, you want to make sure it provides an inviting and comfortable setting so that you and your guests can relax and enjoy the surroundings. This can ...
outdoor
Outdoor Eco-Friendly Lighting For Evening Entertaining
Although I am not someone who believes that there should be a ton of outdoor lighting that remains on —because I don't like the light pollution of it all—I do like the idea of choice lighting for special occasions. When choosing outdoor lighting, why wouldn't you choose something that is eco-friendly? Solar lighting is great for places that get enough sun (unlike Vancouver, most of the year) during the day, so that the lighting can shine at night. I like the look of these mushroom-y looking ...
Enhance your Outdoor Space for Patio Season
With the relatively short patio season we have in Canada, as soon as the snow melts and temperatures are a little higher than they've been in winter, we're ready to be in our outdoor space! To make the most of patio season, enhance your outdoor space so that it's inviting, relaxing, and full of the amenities you need for entertaining. Lowe's Canada sent me some ideas and inspiration so that I can share my thoughts with you. I have been compensated for this post, but all opinions are my ...
Cheap or Free Winter Activities: Creative Ideas to Get you through the Cold Season
Sometimes, the only thing that you can muster up the energy to do on a cold winter's day is to pretend you're a bear hibernating under your bed covers. On other days, when you feel more like doing instead of being, this list of cheap or free winter activities will help you get the most out of the season. Inside: ...
Ideal Deck Designs for Backyard Fun!
What good is having a backyard if you can't enjoy it? A backyard with grass, grass, and more grass are annoying to maintain, not to mention only somewhat useful. Putting a patio set on uneven grass makes little sense. Since I'm not ready to stop enjoying meals outside when I'm at my mom's house, I've been looking at decking materials to put together a deck in the backyard. Of the decking materials I saw on the Royal Building Products website, I like the Zuri Premium Decking the most. Gorgeous ...
Kayak Adventures in Canada {Guest Post}
Canada offers the kayaking enthusiast limitless opportunities for exploration and adventure. In fact, this vast land has a more extensive lake and river system than any other country in the world. Whatever type of kayaking holiday you are seeking, make sure that you are getting the best deal and an adventure package that suits your particular needs. And be sure to use the best kayak carts when transporting your kayak. Here's a great guide that will help you choose the best one for your needs ...
Enjoying Summer and Extending Your Indoor Space with a Balcony
Non-rainy weather doesn't make up very much of the year here in Vancouver, Canada. When it isn't —and sometimes even when it is—Vancouverites like to use their balconies for entertaining. Even though balconies are small, just that little bit of extra space really extends the living space. With tiny apartments the norm here, every bit counts! ...
Canada Day Party Ideas
On July 1st us Canadians will be celebrating Canada Day. People do 1 of 2 things to celebrate the holiday—get drunk and go to outdoor concerts/celebrations, or have backyard BBQs with their family and friends. I've gone to those big celebrations in parks or city hall a few times and never really enjoyed myself. I definitely prefer a more quiet get-together. ...
Creating an Outdoor Oasis #Vancouver & #Calgary #SummerwithSears Plus a $25 Sears #Giveaway US only 07/27
After a long winter, and knowing that our summers are short here, Canadians want to get outside as soon as possible—and enjoy their backyards. Backyards are really an extension of the home for many families. I know that many of my friends growing up spent most of the summer outside in their backyards, and that carried on to when they had their own houses, too. Dreams ...
Backyard Landscape Inspiration
Nicer weather and the grass turning green makes me want to sit outside on a balcony or in the backyard. The funny thing about Calgary, though, is that people don't tend to make use of their backyards—I know the 'nice' season doesn't last very long here, but if I had the space to sit outside and relax, I'd certainly be making use of what space I had. I've always dreamt of having a little pond and a bridge in my backyard, like this one below: Source: houzz.com via Stacy on Pinterest ...