by lisa@lisacanning.ca | Mar 5, 2018 | Mom Coaching
Self-care has been big time on my mind as we have been recovering from moving houses- and I am soaking it in in all forms! As a mom of a bunch of small kids (and pregnant on top of it) I must say I need to sit down at least ten times a day!
In my pursuit of my own self-care I've been thinking a lot about why self-care is important when you're a mom.
I used to struggle with the concept of self-care so much. I felt so bad leaving my kids with someone else, I felt bad "abandoning" them, I felt selfish for doing small things for me. In the past, I basically let the lack of paying attention to my own needs pile up for so long I would snap and then my husband would send me on an imposed time out ????
But here are my two cents and please feel free to disagree with me:
What I have learned in nine years of motherhood of 6 young children, is that for me to be a good mom, I need to pay attention to what feeds my soul and restores my energy.
It doesn't need to be a weekend away, or a full day at the spa or what have you (although these are obviously nice from time to time if logistics allow it!) but small things, like a coffee alone, or a quick mani/pedi while my parents watch the kids for an hour, or 15 minutes on the treadmill, or even just strapping the kids in the car and getting the most decadent coffee possible, these small, regular things are so important. But the key is that there is regularity- not just stockpiled until we crack. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Struggle?
So in the pursuit of making time for self-care more of a priority, I have compiled my list of my favourite spots to relax in Toronto when I am tired and really need a break. Like I said above, if you can budget a full spa day that's amazing. But if you can't, a 30-minute manicure can be really helpful too- it doesn't have to be all or nothing!!!
On to my favourite spots (and please add to them in the comments below!)
1. RH Courtyard Cafe, Yorkdale Mall
RH's new Toronto location just opened a few months ago at Yorkdale Mall and it is a work of art. Not only is the retail store a restorative place to dream big (with big price tags, lol!), attached to the location is an equally breathtaking cafe. I ate the scrambled eggs and avocado with a delicious Americano, to the sound of indoor fountains and basked in natural light. It's also a super fun place to people watch- it attracts all kinds, from high end interior designers hosting meetings with their clients, to older ladies who lunch, to younger ladies with their babies, to the millennial fashion crowd with all their Nordstrom bags. It's a fun treat for all the senses!
2. Her Majesty's Pleasure
In all honesty, in the rare times I do go to get my nails done it is at my local spot with florescent lighting, 30-minute service, adorned with posters of 1980's nail models. But if I really want a treat, I will venture downtown to Her Majesty's Pleasure, another treat for all the senses (sans florescent lighting) with its beautiful design, delicious cocktails and coffee, and ability to get your nails, hair, makeup, whatever will make a mama feel her best, done in one stop. Pair this with a date night downtown, or girls night on King Street for a fun couple of hours sans the kiddos.
3. Sugar Beach
This fairly recent addition to Toronto's waterfront is cute and quaint. Honestly, I come here for the pink umbrellas. This is a nice spot in the summer to bring your Starbucks, and a book, for a quick restorative break.
4. Indigo at Sherway Gardens
I love me any Indigo location, but I REALLY love the Sherway Gardens location, which opened last year, and was designed as an art-gallery inspired "cultural department store." And it really is so much more than a bookstore. It's another spot to just get lost in inspiration, with an entire section dedicated to gifts for her, from gorgeous scarves, to leather handbags, to the most incredible selection of paper products, to all the monogrammed mugs an Instagram mom can dream up. It's just a delightful place to retreat and recharge your inspiration battery.
5. HomeSense
So while it isn't exactly spa-like in its environment, a HomeSense location to me is such a fun place to unwind, not think, and hunt for treasures. I recently talked about the "thrill of the find" concept over on my Instagram stories, and it seems like quite a few of you agree with me- that browsing a HomeSense, looking for fun unique things at great prices is actually RELAXING. I LOVE IT. And while it sometimes requires a bit of physical stamina to make it (I don't know about you but the locations I go to almost always have LONG lines), the thrill of the find and the fun of looking for beautiful things (and saving money all at the same time) is a strangely relaxing ritual for me.
What about you? Where do you like to go in Toronto when you need a little mom break? Let me know in the comments below.
All images from retailers websites, or my own!
by lisa@lisacanning.ca | Dec 7, 2014 | Lifestyle Design
So my entire family is sick… like really sick. Like send us chicken soup but leave it on the porch cause you don't want to come in to this germ pool sick. My husband and I have been hit too so basically, Canning's are down for the count.
But we're not out! When kids are sick I allow a lot more TV time so while kids are occupied I have been online shopping. So I thought it might be helpful to share the BEST gift guides I have found around the web for your shopping pleasure (and maybe it will help you simplify the holiday hustle).
So here we go my lovely readers, get your shop on!
HOME GOODIES
The Everygirl's 2014 Holiday Gift Guide This guide covers a few of the categories below but the home stuff really is fab. The website is the cool girl's guide to life- and their gift guide is a lovely collection of glam items- many under $100.
Oliva Palermo's Home Gift Guide Lots of gold and pretty things from this socialite's website.
TREATS FOR KIDS
Mommy Gearest's 3rd Annual Glorious Gift Guide I met Andrea Traynor at an event last year and she and I became fast friends. Not only is she one gorgeous mama, her website is a treasure box of personally tested products and actual honest feedback. So you know if she suggests it as a gift for the littles in your life, it will be a good one.
Scout and Co Kids You want cool, Scandi-style, toys, clothing and home accessories? This site curated by three London mamas is a great destination for unique uber hip gifts at fairly reasonable prices. Last day for shipments to Canada is tomorrow so check it out.
GIFTS FOR HER
Jillian Harris' Gift Guide For Her A little Valentino, a couple of polka dots, and a ton of bling. Sign me up.
Monika Hibbs' Favourites This is a regular spot on her website and it is loaded with glitzy, girly, gorgeous lifestyle products.
GIFTS FOR HIM
Sharp Magazine's 49 Perfect Gifts for the Man Who Has Everything I could not find a copy online but I promise the effort to go get the hard copy of this magazine is worth it. I have tagged an at home dry cleaning kit, a pretty gorgeous coffee brewer and a fab overnight bag on my wish list for my man.
Indigo's Gifts For Him I have always loved this Canadian retailer and they have only gotten better with time. Find gadgets, personal accessories and of course books for your favourite guy.
If you're still looking for a unique gift idea consider giving the gift of interior design with a 2-hour design consultation with me. Perfect for someone in your life who has moved into their first home, or are about to embark on a renovation, contact me for all the details.
by lisa@lisacanning.ca | Nov 20, 2014 | Interior Design
Remember when it was sunny and warm in Toronto?!?!? We sure do. 
As part of my #canningreno crazy project turning myself into the client I have been visiting my fav retailers to help outfit my space. Earlier when it did not require 700 layers of clothing to go outside my daughter and I visited FLOR in Toronto.
Flor carpet tiles are kind of perfect for someone like me. As in someone with the delightful experience of dealing with SO MANY ACCIDENTS (I shall not articulate what kinds…) But from experience, there was time when we took our living rug to be dry cleaned multiple times a month from the inevitable spills and thrills that happen with small kids (and big kids alike). But it was getting a bit excessive so eventually I would just try to spot clean or take my steamer to it to attempt to disinfect.
What has hooked me on to Flor is the ability to clean with ease. Due to its modular nature (carpets are made up of individual tiles), if you have a spill, you simply remove the ONE TILE and wash it with soap and water in the sink. If it's damaged beyond repair, you simply buy ONE TILE and replace the spot. It is so practical, so functional for families.
Flor carpet tiles also boast some fun design options. Due to the modular nature you can essentially design anything- the staff can help you do this too. I love the thin grey stripe in this carpet above.
And of course Evelyn had fun shopping with mom.
Thanks to Flor for partnering with me on my house and for the Toronto location for having us! Photos by mddphotography.
For more from this series on shopping for items for my #canningreno check out my recent shopping trips here, here and here.
by lisa@lisacanning.ca | Nov 8, 2014 | Interior Design
Renovating a house requires lots of coordination- so any chance I get to streamline the process of purchasing products I take it. And I certainly took at The Home Depot this summer shopping for materials for my #canningreno. While big box stores can be overwhelming to navigate through, you are able to accomplish A LOT within an afternoon. Here are all the goodies I was able to pick up in one shot (with my daughter in tow).
I grabbed all my bathroom tiles at the Home Depot- we went with a beautiful marble mosaic on the tub surround, and a simple 12" x 24" porcelain tile on the floor. The Home Depot organizes coordinating tile together- so you can pick up a suggested combo of tub surround, flooring, and accent, all in one shot. A quick tip- if you aren't shopping with a designer and are stuck for grout colour- the Home Depot even suggests best grout colour and where to pick it up alongside the tiles on the board displays.
For my bathroom vanity, I wanted something with a minimal, European style flat front profile- but I wanted to keep the cost reasonable so I selected a Canadian made vanity by Cutler. I have purchased similar looking vanities in the past for a price point in the thousands- I'm happy I was able to find something in a similar stylish esthetic, but at a price point in the hundreds. Here's a tip- the Home Depot sells tons of product online only. I was able to check out the construction of Cutler vanities in the store, but found a colour and size more appropriate to my space online. You might be surprised what you find online that can then be delivered to your front door.
I have reflected in the past that it has not been as easy as I thought to work on my own house. In fact, there is still a ton to do. So sometimes it is VERY WELCOME when something can show up at your doorstep, like, yesterday. The Home Depot has some rapid delivery laminate flooring options that makes it super easy to stay within your schedule (and help souls like me who sometimes forget to pick certain finishes because they are so busy and fail to realize that floors on schedule for the basement would be important!!!!) So we selected a dark grey flooring for the basement that got delivered 2 days later.
Shopping at a store the size of the Home Depot can be very daunting. Here are some quick tips for making your shopping experience a success:
1) Make a list and write it down. I am notorious for not making a list and having to make multiple trips. Things I always forget when shopping for myself or clients are light bulbs for lights, grout for tiles, batteries, underpads for carpets, etc. etc. etc. Use a list making app on your phone or plain old pen and paper so you don't forget.
2) Measure before you leave the house. Again, from experience for both myself and clients, I have found myself on more than one occasion sadly standing in the window blind section trying to remember how wide my window is. So actually take inventory, record on your phone or write it down, and then go shopping. I promise it will make for a more efficient experience!
3) If you know you will need help, try to go at off peak hours. Middle of the day on a weekday if your schedule allows. And if you can't find someone to help you, you can go to customer service and ask them to page someone to the department you need.
Love to hear your thoughts- what tips do you have for making a big shopping trip a successful one?
Thanks to The Home Depot for partnering with me on my home renovation and for hosting us in the store. Photos by mdd photography.
For more from this series on shopping for items for my #canningreno check out my recent shopping trips here and here.
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