By: Rosalia Sestito Indoor hammocks are a great way to create a sense of vacation and relax in your home. They can be hung to the ceiling, wall or even have its own base of wood or metal that allows you to move it according to your space and needs. Your kids will love it, as well as your guests who will compete for a seat on those lazy evenings amongst friends. Choosing the place to position your hammock depends on the space you have available, but also from the use you want to make of it. If your goal is to create a private corner where you can meditate, read, listen to music, then the ideal space is a separate room, perhaps with some plants, a beautiful carpet and for those fortunate owners a stunning view to admire. However, if your goal is to create a more fun and convivial ambiance then choose a space in the living area where you will find yourself with family and friends. There are many different styles and sizes of hammocks including the most renown traditional fabric one. Other designs inspired by this great outdoor classic include the suspended chair and benches often used in semi outdoor living spaces. There are also hammocks designed specifically for children’s room and others that are used for those who practice a special kind of yoga and in addition to supporting specific exercises they are also an ideal choice for those who want to retreat and relax.

Ever wanted to create an experience for a buyer when staging your home? Michelle Finnamore, from Advantage Staging, discusses how you can use hardwood flooring to give you an edge with prospective buyers, when listing your home.

Ever had trouble selecting flooring when staging your home? Michelle Finnamore, from Advantage Staging, discusses the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring.

By: Rosalia Sestito Hotels need to create beautiful spaces with a luxurious feel so that we will be happy to pay to stay there and more importantly want to return! Why not benefit from their inspirational design and create equally enticing bedrooms in our very own homes. Hotel concepts generally offer neutral color schemes typically white and grey for cool sophistication or shades of brown, taupe and Ivory for a warm timeless elegance. These are great combinations with solid wood furniture being neutral tones that won’t contrast with your choice of finishes. Throws, pillows, and luxurious quilts and bedding are a great way to add texture and most importantly comfort. However, to maintain the hotel-chic look I suggest using a single accent color as it is important to keep it simple! Minimal walls, blinds and curtains will help achieve a sophisticated look. A textured wool throw or feather pillow will add a certain WOW factor to your scheme. Luxury accessories help complete the look. Elegant table lamps styled alongside a marble and brass tic-tac-toe game by your bedside will help you achieve a personalized look. Don’t forget interesting artwork or a decorative mirror in an exotic finish is always a great way to add interest and character to your room. All you need now is Room Service!

BY: ENZA TARTAGLIA As maintaining and upgrading is essential to any home so is ensuring our health is in order as well. Nutrition is the most essential component of disease prevention. It is also effective in correcting many common health problems. To stay healthy and prevent illnesses, the body has four important metabolic needs: building or toning, feeding cells, cleansing or detoxification and protecting or maintaining. Maintenance is the main function but occasionally or seasonally the body requires a detoxification cycle where it eliminates previous buildup. In the building or toning cycle, it is imperative to get essential protein for cell functioning. In the feeding cycle, the body requires specific nutrition to maintain energy, strengthen organs and attain overall well-being. Finally, the body’s immune system requires extra protector nutrients to prevent disease formation. To achieve wellness, we need to consume more nutrient-rich natural foods with occasional periods of cleansing or detoxification. Firstly, make sure you follow a wellness program suitable to your needs and lifestyle. Your checklist to staying healthy should include the following: Diet: 50% of foods should be consumed raw, include a variety of foods that are natural, reduce consumption of white flour & sugar, have adequate protein, avoid allergic foods and consume omega fats daily. Pure water: our bodies are at least 60% water. It is the primary component of all bodily fluids—blood, lymph, digestive juices, urine, stools, tears and sweat. Without it we would not survive. 1-2 L of water daily is necessary for health. Exercise: releases stress, strengthens the circulatory system to reduce risk of diseases, increases alertness and energy, burns fat and increases metabolism. 3 times per week for 30 minutes is a super start. Stress Management & Deep Breathing: Stress is known as the “Silent Killer.” The nutrient needs of a body under stress goes up tremendously! Yoga, reflexology and massage are part of reducing stress and symptoms. Adequate rest: the body requires ample rest to repair and rebuild cells. Detoxification: Periodically, cleanse your body and organs of accumulated toxins in the cells. Liver is the most important organ to cleanse yearly in the spring. Supplements: Choose natural, unaltered food concentrates as your main source. Toxin-Free Cleaners: the concentration of toxins is higher in the home than outside the home. Toxic chemicals can enter the brain and have devastating effects, particularly with children and learning disabilities. Take responsibility for your own well-being. Feeding yourself well, naturally and in balance will bring optimum health at all stages of life.

By: Rosalia Sestito Bring comfort and functionality to your outdoor living with beautiful furniture. Transform a simple stone patio with a generous sized table and comfortable chairs into an outdoor oasis that pleases all of your senses. Decorate a corner of your garden or patio with a stylish couch and inviting lounge chair loaded with cushions and before you know it you will have an irresistible outdoor family room for those gorgeous summer days and evenings. Think outside of the box and consider all of the outdoor-living opportunities including those on balconies and those nestled in large gardens. When complemented with the right patio furniture, these sweet garden living spaces with become your favourite space in your home. Check out the following tips for choosing the best patio furniture for your space. Careful planning will guarantee that your outdoor living space will be perfect for many seasons. 1. Choose Comfort When shopping for furniture make sure to test the comfort just like you would for any piece for your home. If it’s not comfortable you won’t enjoy your space! 2. Invest in Quality Shop with care and remember you get what you pay for. Working with an interior designer is great way to knowing what the best options are however if you choose to go on your own remember to research consumer reviews and remember that quality often dictates comfort. The two go hand in a hand. 3. Easy Care You don’t want to have to invest hours each year reviving your outdoor furniture. Be mindful and consider finishes that are more resistant to mother nature such as metal, teak, cedar, and some quality resins pieces and not the inexpensive plastic furniture that will look dirty and old after just one season. 4. Storage is a Plus Add years to the life of your patio furniture by storing it in a protected location. Even the most resistant finishes such as teak or a wrought-iron, will last longer if it is placed in storage in the off season.  If you have limited storage space look for patio furniture that stores easily or consider the investment in all season coverings. 5. Colour Trends Today there is an endless amount of textures and finishes for outdoor furniture, you’re not limited to just natural wood or wicker or basic the black, white and beige metal finishes. For stylish longevity I do suggest sticking to natural tones for the overall and accenting only with bold colours with cushions or smaller coordinating pieces. Pinterest Gallery of Great outdoors   http://pin.it/p4cDxtv  

BY: ENZA TARTAGLIA 1. Water is essential to our survival. One cannot live more than a week without water but it is possible to live without food for 30 to 40 days. Your thirst mechanism should not be relied upon as that already signals a stage of dehydration. 2. Water is the KEY to weight loss. Believe it! Fat cells require oxygen to burn and water contains that oxygen. Water increases metabolism and regulates appetite. The body will increase hunger in the absence of hydration. Drink a glass of water when you are craving a treat. It will help to curb the munchies. 3. Water increases your energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration. Oxygen is needed for energy and water is a great source. 4. Water will balance blood sugar levels when high! The kidneys need lots of water for excess sugars to leave. If this is not being drunk, then dehydration occurs and the feeling of being intoxicated sets in. 5. Drinking water will significantly reduce joint and/or back pain. In fact, the #1 reason for back pain, headaches, joint pain, angina pain and heartburn is lack of water. Why not use the natural medicine of drinking water than resorting to medications for these aches and pains. Toxins can harbor in your joints and muscles. 6. Water flushes out wastes and bacteria that cause disease. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, including colon, bladder and breast cancer. 7. Water naturally moisturizes skin, hair and nails and ensures proper cellular formation of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance and it prevents wrinkles!! 8. Water aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Constipation is due to lack of water and fiber. 9. Water is the primary medium to transport and absorb all nutrients throughout the body. 10. Research shows that mild dehydration (even 1 percent) can negatively affect your mood and ability to think. Your brain is made of 85% water and requires it for proper nerve transmission. Happy Drinking!

By Enza Tartaglia It’s that time of year when patio furniture is put back out, outside water gets turned on and plucking of weeds and cleaning up the yard to prepare for summer occurs. It’s also a time to refresh the inside of your home and put the winter clothes away and make room for the spring and summer collections. For many it means cleaning chandeliers, cupboards, and dusting rooms for that fresh spring clean. Well, as we consider those outside cleaning schedules we need to be mindful to spring clean our internal organs. YOUR LIVER FIGHTS TOXINS SO KEEP IT HEALTHY! We cannot survive without a healthy liver. It is the largest internal organ of the body, involved in over 500 functions. It is the only internal organ that will regenerate itself if damaged. Simply put, it is the primary organ of nutrient assimilation, production of biochemicals essential for health & detoxification.  Most of everything that is consumed (nourishing or toxic) ends up in the liver. As the blood filter of the body, the liver receives about 1.5 litres of blood every minute! Unfortunately, our modern environment & lifestyle have created a hostile atmosphere for this organ. Each year more than 500 billion pounds of industrial toxic wastes are produced in North America. Many of these end up in the food we eat and the water we drink. Ultimately, we have more toxins entering our body right now than at any other time in the entire history of civilization and many end up in the liver. The liver cannot function optimally while being inundated by substances that are trying to damage it. Without a healthy liver, digestion would be impossible and the conversion of food into living cells and energy nonexistent. THE LIVER’S FUNCTION (only a few important ones listed below) It is the Blood Filter of the Body: If it becomes sluggish, we can experience poisoned cells, moodiness, weakened kidneys, inadequate bile which is essential for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients & gallstones. It directs Metabolism and regulates the Thyroid: If it becomes sluggish you can experience body temperature irregularities such as cold hands and feet and you can gain weight easily because the body’s ability to burn calories is reduced.  Also, inadequate conversion of thyroid hormones leads to hypo/hyperthyroidism. It manufactures Glucosamine: Glucosamine helps the body repair & regenerate new cartilage. A sluggish liver leads to osteoarthritis. It manufactures & balances Hormones: A sluggish liver leads to a variety of hormonal problems & imbalances. It manufactures Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF): GTF acts with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. A sluggish liver leads to hypoglycemia & diabetes. It is involved in Protein Metabolism: A damaged liver leads to muscle wasting. (Remember the heart, veins, arteries, capillaries, intestines and kidneys are all muscular tissue.) It is involved in Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Regulation: A degenerated liver leads to high blood pressure, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and high cholesterol levels. To keep up with even a minimal load of toxins, the liver must replace its 300 billion cells every six months. Eventually, the reproduction of cells is drastically reduced creating a high risk of toxicity. A few symptoms of toxicity include; physical weakness, tiredness, digestive problems, muscle or joint pain, depression or moodiness, headaches and frequent tension in the shoulders and neck. SPRING IS THE BEST TIME TO CLEANSE THE LIVER. There are many ways to detoxify and almost everyone will benefit from a cleansing program.  A simplistic detox program for a period of 3-5 days is to eliminate from your diet, acid forming foods such as meats, milk products, breads, baked goods, refined sugars, and carbohydrate products. A deeper level of a detox program is one consisting exclusively of fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly in their raw state. Including herbs such as garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and dandelion root not only aids in cleansing the liver, but also promotes rebuilding and rejuvenation of cells. Following a liver cleanse one can attain high energy levels, feeling cleansed and rejuvenated, elimination of aches and pains, increased strength and vitality, and overall wellness. It can make you feel 10 years younger. The detox recommendations are not intended as a substitute for the advice and treatment of a physician or other health care professionals. It is recommended to seek the advice of a qualified professional to learn the type of program best suited to your needs. Enza Tartaglia is a Registered Nutrition Consulting Practitioner and Homeopath www.healthy4lifecentre.com

By: Rosalia Sestito We all dream of having the perfect home and that includes having more and more space. However, more space means a bigger investment. Today our market is pushing young families and single professionals to settle into smaller living quarters mostly condo’s and lofts. As a designer I refuse to compromise on quality and functional design. There are many great ways to save space and still have a gorgeous look in your home. One of many solutions is to invest in functional furnishings that convert from home offices to bedrooms. Although these gorgeous and incredible functional systems are a bit more exclusive they truly make life more comfortable. Consider design that can grow with your family, much like this design below that functions as a study-bedroom for a child, tween or simply a sleek modern home office that can easily accommodate that occasional guest. All images belong to Tumidei italia.@ copyrights 2017 Remember design and beauty should never be compromised by space. There is always the perfect solution.

By: Hercules Faga, Barrister and Solicitor Most people are under the misapprehension or misunderstanding that doing your Last Will and Testament is something you do when your old? After all you have to sort out who gets your property when you die and that won’t be for a long, long time! Most have heard about a Power of Attorneys, but that’s really for someone else? Right? The answer is an unequivocal NO! Things happen in life and if you’re not prepared then the people you love around you are the ones who will suffer the most! Let me explain. The Last Will and Testament is a document that actually governs or takes effect the moment you die. You can designate someone immediately to manage your affairs, someone you trust that will do the right thing by you. It specifically details who gets your property and assets and there are alternates you can name if something happens to the primary person or persons you name. You can name guardians to care the the most precious people in your life, you minor children. The beauty of this document is that is doesn’t expire! But you can change it anytime as things in your life change. Don’t you want to ensure that the people you trust most in your life will be taking care of your property and assets and that it goes to the persons you want them to go to,? Then absolutely you need to have a Last Will and Testament! What about a Power of Attorney? What is it? The document names someone you trust most to act on your behalf and in most cases in situations where you are mentally incapacitated. For example, let’s say you’re were in a car accident and you were in a coma. You are mentally incapacitated and here’s the difficult concept to grasp…NO ONE has legal authority under the law to make decisions for you! NO ONE…means no one, not your wife, husband, sibling, mother, father, commom-law-spouse…no one. The downside is if you are mentally incapacitated you can’t decide things for yourself. If you need treatment or a procedure at the hospital, they want you to consent to any procedure! You can’t do it. If you’re there at the hospital on behalf of someone, they don’t ask you if you are the wife, husband, spouse, mother or father, they ask you if you are the patient’s named Attorney under a Power of Attorney. The hospital cannot touch you without your permission, it’s illegal, they can be sued and worse, charged under the Criminal Code with Assault! Imagine something happens and you are a common-law spouse whose partner is not divorced yet and the ex-spouse tries to assert authority in that situation. Now that’s just dealing medical treatment issues. Your property is another matter. With your home, you can’t sell it, mortgage it or deal with it. You can’t even renew the mortgage! You can’t deal with bill’s that are in the name of the person who is incapacitated because no one has authority to sign on their behalf. Bills are a problem also because of privacy legislation. You can’t call for example, a mobile cell company to get information about an amount owing because you’re not on the account and you can’t cancel the service for someone who may be in a coma because you are not authorized to do so. It can get very bad. So bottom line, when and who should get their Wills and Power of Attorneys. The answer is very simple. If you are single person with virtually no assets, you should have it done. If you are married or in a relationship, you should have it done. If you have children, you should have it done. If you have property, you should have it done. Basically If you over the age of Majority… you should have it. Only minors cannot do a Will and Power of Attorney. So basically everyone! Protect yourself and your loved one by getting your Will and Power of Attorney. Have it prepared with a lawyer so you know it will be done right. I had clients who prepared them with so called “Will Kits” and they were not done properly. You are securing and protecting the future of your spouse, children and loved ones. Take the time it will be worth it!

By: Enza Tartaglia You hear so much about decluttering your home or space to feel better but alongside that we should consider detoxifying our bodies as well. The ability to detoxify is one of the critical factors for good health. Not only will overall physical health improve but our mental health will benefit as well. Detoxification allows your organs to expel excess toxins and residues from the millions of toxins that exist in the world. There are approximately 10 million tons (over 21 billion pounds) of toxic chemicals released into our environment by industries each year. Of these, over 2 million tons (over 4.5 billion pounds) are deemed carcinogenic. These numbers do not include pesticides, food additives, drugs and other chemicals such as lead and mercury. By detoxifying at specific times of the year and concentrating on your detoxification organs, you will reduce the load of toxins within your body. Many express how their arthritic pain has reduced or diminished or how much more energy is felt or sleep is better than ever. Mentally, many feel more clarity and less brain fog and improved memory. These are some of the many benefits of detoxification. Here are simple ways to start “decluttering” your body and increase vitality. 1. Water Water is the most valuable tool for detoxifying and purifying your body. It is the simplest and most effective way to flush unwanted toxins out of the body and it should be 1.5L of filtered water. If the taste of water is boring, add lemon or cucumber slices to spruce it up. It will improve oxygen flow and rid the many toxins within our bodies. 2. Choosing the right foods Detoxing involves eating foods that aid in the process and the top foods include garlic, lemon, broccoli, mung beans and raw or lightly steamed vegetables. 3. Breathe cleaner Purifying the air you breathe in your home is another way to help declutter toxins out of the body. Indoor air can have five times as many pollutants as outdoor air and the flu and cold viruses can live in the air for several hours. 4. Clear your mind Make some time to relax and spend time listening to music or go for a walk in nature and admire the beauty and listen to the sounds as it will reduce stress and provide a more positive outlook. 5. Rest Try your best to get as much sleep as you can in the days you detoxify to support the organs. Always consult a health practitioner when deciding to begin a detoxification program. courtesy www.healthy4lifecentre.com

By Myra Cortez, Broker, Sutton Group – Security Real Estate Buying a home is one of the most exciting events in a person’s life, whether it’s the first home or the fifth one; however, it can also be one of the most stressful. Purchasing a home should be regret-free and anxiety-free. ​ Learning to avoid these 7 most common mistakes when buying a home can help lower your stress and help you focus more easily on possibly the single largest purchase of your lifetime. Mistake #1   Not Being Prepared When you consider the scope of the purchase, it’s surprising how many people haven’t done sufficient research. Research your buying power – It’s easy to get a cursory idea of what you can afford through some of the realtor websites. Many have calculators that allow you to input your salary and debts. Better yet, sit down with a professional before you go house-hunting. You can find out exactly what you can afford in less than an hour with a qualified mortgage consultant. When it comes to making an offer on a home, sellers are far more interested in offers that come from pre-qualified buyers. They know that the sale will in all likelihood go through and that there won’t be any unforeseen problems at the last minute. Mistake #2  Thinking Too Long Term There is danger in buying a home that’s not right for you because you are planning too far in advance. Your life can change pretty dramatically in the space of a few short years. You may experience a change in health, family or financial status for example. While you can’t plan for everything, you do need to consider that you may have to sell the home unexpectedly in the not-so distant future, and the house must have some resale value. ​ Mistake #3   Waiting Too Long It’s a big decision and only a foolish person would enter into it lightly. But it’s just as easy to let caution get the better of you. The real estate market isn’t fixed, it can change dramatically.  Today’s markets is very tight, with few homes available – a tight market probably won’t get better in the next year. Toronto Real Estate Board estimates that the appreciation rate in most markets will be at least 4 to 6 percent Last years statistics show a shocking appreciation of 16.5%. Looking at everything before making a decision, it’s tempting to think that the grass is always greener somewhere else, but you may find that the first home is the best home for you.  If you wait, that home may not be available later. Don’t rush into a decision, but if a house feels right, contact Your Condo Life  to help you make an appropriate offer. Mistake #4   Focusing on a Single Feature If you develop microscopic vision when looking at a house, it’s possible to overlook far greater potential problems.  Interior Decorating – Don’t get caught up in decorating features. These are all easy features to change. However, the layout and floor plan of the home isn’t easy to change.   Exterior – It’s important to have a home with nice curb appeal, but again, you can change that later. It’s far easier to change landscaping than it is to rip out walls or add-on to a home to try and make it livable. Price – Don’t focus completely on the price. Most buyers go out with an idea that they will only spend a fixed amount. A budgeted amount is often the first criteria when it comes time to evaluating homes.​ Mistake #5     Overlooking New Construction Condos Many buyers focus on existing homes, and don’t consider newly constructed homes and Condos, with all the new developments and plans for new construction in Vaughan’s new downtown. It’s hard to see the final vision of a planned home community, especially when touring through a development that is merely empty lot. However, these homes have great appreciation value, especially when you get in during the initial phases of the development, before the model homes have been built and the developer has invested a lot of money in marketing the community. Mistake #6          Working without an Agent Many people start looking at homes by driving by a home for sale and getting the number off the sign, or visiting an open house.  While that’s a great way to get a feel for the market, it’s also easy to make a commitment to buying a home that doesn’t necessarily reflect your best interests. Working with a real estate agent can actually save you time and money. Mistake #7          Rushing the Process Let’s say you found your dream home and put in an offer. What happens next? If your sale follows most standard sales, the home is inspected and appraised, the information is shared with the buyer (via the agent) and the mortgage company. The mortgage company processes the loan agreement, the buyer and seller sign off and the home is yours! However, in this highly competitive market, some buyers waive the home inspection so that the loan can go through more quickly.​ So what’s the problem? If there are defects that the home buyers discover later, they have no recourse – the house is theirs, warts and all. In a nutshell, be patient. It’s at this stage, when people try to rush the process, that some of the biggest and most costly mistakes can take place. 

Designer Rosalia Sestito, from www.rosaliasestitointeriors.com, discusses functional mirrored medicine cabineting. Photos courtesy of Marazzi, Bliss and Obbo.

Designer Rosalia Sestito, from www.rosaliasestitointeriors.com, gives tips on how to free up space in your bathroom. Photos courtesy of Kallista.

Designer Rosalia Sestito, from www.rosaliasestitointeriors.com, discusses the best ways to streamline your shower. Photos courtesy of Fleurco.

Designer Rosalia Sestito, from www.rosaliasestitointeriors.com, talks about vanities and sink options for condos. Photos courtesy of Marazzi, Bliss and Obbo.

Designer Rosalia Sestito, from www.rosaliasestitointeriors.com, tells us why sticking with solid colors is best for smaller condo spaces. Photos courtesy of Marazzi.

Michelle Finnamor, from Advantage Staging, give us tips on how to choose the right tile and backsplash for staging and flipping a property.

Don’t have enough money to re-paint your home for staging. No worries, Michelle Finnamore, from Advantage Staging, give us tips on how to create mood lighting for each room in your home.

Michelle Finnamor, from Advantage Staging, give us tips on how to choose the right flooring for staging and flipping a property.