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Sunday, April 9

Hottest Wedding Trends

Terry Pous - Buzzfeed

The warmer months are upon us, which means wedding season is just about to get started. Pinterest, aka the online hub of wedding planning, got in on the fun and rounded up its top trending wedding picks.

Here are some of the most creative and exciting ones:

1. Drip cakes.


Unlike the rustic naked cake, ones with lustrous trails of caramel or icing are actually as delicious as they look. According to Pinterest, pins about drip cakes are up by 437% from 2016.
Petra Veikkola Photography petraveikkola.com / Via pinterest.com
Unlike the rustic naked cake, ones with lustrous trails of caramel or icing are actually as delicious as they look. According to Pinterest, pins about drip cakes are up by 437% from 2016.

2. Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses.


Literally every shirt in stores right now is off-the-shoulder, and the trend has trickled down to wedding dresses, too! Luckily, those dresses can look really stunning, even if you're not Samira Wiley.
Jesse Leake jesseleake.com / Via pinterest.com
Literally every shirt in stores right now is off-the-shoulder, and the trend has trickled down to wedding dresses, too! Luckily, those dresses can look really stunning, even if you're not Samira Wiley.

3. Brunch weddings.


Literally who wouldn't want to eat waffles and pancakes at a wedding? Brunch weddings have great food and a casual vibe, so it's a good thing the wedding world at large is finally catching on to them.
The Reason thereasonilove.com / Via pinterest.com
Literally who wouldn't want to eat waffles and pancakes at a wedding? Brunch weddings have great food and a casual vibe, so it's a good thing the wedding world at large is finally catching on to them.

4. Brides rocking their natural hair.


Feeling comfortable, beautiful, and like yourself is key for your wedding day, so yeah, this is a trend that can stick around for a while. Get more inspiration here and here.
From The Hip Photo fromthehipphoto.com / Via pinterest.com
Feeling comfortable, beautiful, and like yourself is key for your wedding day, so yeah, this is a trend that can stick around for a while. Get more inspiration here and here.

5. Simple, elegant greenery details.


No, not that kind of wedding greenery. This kind is fresh, beautiful, and way cheaper than shelling out for over-the-top floral arrangements. Pins about greenery for weddings have increased by 300% since last year!
Stehlik Photography stehlikphotography.com / Via pinterest.com
No, not that kind of wedding greenery. This kind is fresh, beautiful, and way cheaper than shelling out for over-the-top floral arrangements. Pins about greenery for weddings have increased by 300% since last year!

6. Dusty rose in literally every detail.


HEY HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS THING CALLED TUMBLR/MILLENNIAL PINK??? Now Pinterest has too!
Antiquaria antiquariavintage.blogspot.com / Via pinterest.com
HEY HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS THING CALLED TUMBLR/MILLENNIAL PINK??? Now Pinterest has too!

7. Printed bridesmaid dresses.


Like Laura Ashley, but for the 21st century. And the trend is up 50% from last year!
Reformation thereformation.com / Via pinterest.com
Like Laura Ashley, but for the 21st century. And the trend is up 50% from last year!

8. Personalized drink stations.


A DIY drink station made out of reclaimed wood is a hipster couple's literal dream come true.
The Melideos themelideos.com!prettyPhoto[1]/i2.wp.com / Via pinterest.com
A DIY drink station made out of reclaimed wood is a hipster couple's literal dream come true.

9. Tasty, budget-friendly taco bars.


Tacos = romance. Always.
Blaine + Bethany Photography blaineandbethany.com / Via pinterest.com
Tacos = romance. Always.

10. Grooms in dashing blue suits.


Whoever said blue suits were the new black suits was seriously inspired.
Pat Furey Photo patfureyphoto.com / Via pinterest.com
Whoever said blue suits were the new black suits was seriously inspired.

11. Big, high-fashion statement earrings.


It's 2017 and baby, you're alive. Go big or go home.
The Lane thelane.com / Via pinterest.com
It's 2017 and baby, you're alive. Go big or go home.

12. Romantic fall weddings.


The formerly underrated wedding season is now making the big times — fall wedding pins are up by 280% since last year.
Joey Kennedy Photography joeykennedyphotography.com / Via pinterest.com
The formerly underrated wedding season is now making the big times — fall wedding pins are up by 280% since last year.

13. Outdoor weddings in the mountains.


Outdoor weddings are classic; sending them into the mountains takes them to gorgeous new heights.
April O'Hare Photography / Via apriloharephotography.com
Outdoor weddings are classic; sending them into the mountains takes them to gorgeous new heights.

14. Cocktail hours with food and drink pairings.


Sliders and mini beer steins? Oysters and champagne? Yes, please.
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Tuesday, March 28

Five ways to conquer Toronto’s sizzling housing market

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In Toronto’s sizzling housing market, shelling out for a home is one of the scariest life choices people can make. After you’ve saved up enough for a down payment, been pre-approved for a mortgage and endlessly scoured the housing listings in your preferred neighbourhood, you might just get lucky and eek out some feisty couple in a bidding war to score your dream home. Then, of course, you’re saddled with debt, and financially on the hook for everything from a leaky faucet to a faulty furnace.
When every penny matters, it’s important to take full advantage of all possible tax breaks. TurboTax can help you identify savings, whether through a government reduction (like if you’re a first-time buyer) or rental property deduction (landlords can claim a ton of expenses). It even has a totally free service that’s ideal for Torontonians who prefer to do their taxes on their own, but could still use some helpful advice. Here’s a handful of tips on making the most of the biggest purchase of your life.
1. If you’re a first-time buyer, you’re most likely eligible for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit, a non-refundable credit that rewards people for jumping into the market by reducing the overall amount of taxes owed. The total claim amount is up to $750, and is calculated based on a percentage of $5,000. Basically all purchased homes qualify, including any semi-detached house, single-family home, condo, apartment or even mobile home. Even if you buy a property with a few friends, a spouse or family members, you can share the claim with co-owners—but it can’t exceed $5,000.
2. Aside from a few exceptions, new or extensively renovated homes are subject to 13 per cent HST in Toronto. But, thankfully, anyone who buys a new house for under $450,000 (or, more realistically in Toronto, a condo) can claim the HST new housing rebate. The rebate is available if you bought a new home from a builder or did extensive renovations on your primary residence, and is designed to offset any HST you may have to pay (for things like real estate commission or builder fees, for instance). The maximum rebate in Ontario is $24,000, and there are also a few other deductions available for homes built by the owner.
3. Good news for serious retirement savers. To help with the huge financial cost of buying or building your first home, the Home Buyers’ Plan lets you withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP. Simply fill out this form to take out the funds.
4. Those who have to make their home safe and comfortable for seniors or disabled people might be eligible for the home-accessibility tax credit that was introduced federally in 2016. This credit is designed to cover renovation expenses for things like wheelchair ramps, handrails and walk-in tubs. If you’re supporting someone who falls into the senior or disabled category (like a grandmother, for instance), you can claim up to $10,000 in expenses.
5. For those who work from home, buying a house can be significantly easier (as if zero commuting time and working in your PJs wasn’t enough of a draw). There are a number of expenses freelancers or contractors can claim, including heating and electricity bills, home insurance and cleaning materials. Similarly, landlords get a ton of tax breaks. Even if you rent out a portion of your house (like a basement unit), you can claim expenses like advertising for a tenant, insurance and interest on money you borrow to improve the property.

www.teambluesky.ca



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Monday, March 13

LAUNDRY ROOM - make washday easier

Laura Gaskill

Finding a place in the laundry room to actually do your washday tasks isn’t always easy — which is why we’ve been tracking down smart ideas for hanging the wash, ironing and more. Up today: 10 ways to streamline the wash-dry-fold process.
Farmhouse Laundry Room by Alexandra Crafton
Alexandra Crafton
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1. Sort as you go with wall-mounted baskets. Whether you sort by household member or by color, getting the laundry in ready-to-wash order (and up off the floor) is a positive step toward a smoothly functioning laundry space. Metal baskets on wall hooks make an efficient use of space in this laundry room, and they can be easily removed if you need the extra space.

2. Stay organized with washer-top storage. A set of baskets tucked beneath the shelf atop this washer and dryer can keep supplies, hand-washables and dry cleaning neat and out of the way. Use the shelf above to store frequently used items like detergent or to hold a cup for pocket change.
Transitional Laundry Room by Talianko Design Group, LLC
Talianko Design Group, LLC
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3. Store linens nearby for maximum efficiency. You can pull freshly laundered linens from the dryer, fold them and put them away without taking a step when your linen cupboard is integrated with your laundry space. Even in a petite closet laundry like the one shown here, you can put a slender shelving unit to work holding stacks of fresh towels and still leave a shelf or two free for supplies.
GO LOGIC
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4. Provide an easy-access spot for hang-drying. Just because your laundry room is petite doesn’t mean you must make do by hanging your delicates over the dining chairs to dry. Whether you choose a slim folding rack that stashes between your machines or an overhead rack like the one shown here, a thoughtful hang-drying setup is easy and hassle-free.
Sasser Construction L.C.
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5. Give socks a chance to find their mates. A wall hanging with a few clothespins attached takes up almost no space (you can even hang it on the back of the door) but provides an undeniably helpful service. To cut down on the stray sock situation even more, consider investing in a few zippered mesh wash bags to keep socks together on laundry day.
Sealy Design Inc.
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6. Sneak in room to sort and fold. A surface for sorting and folding laundry makes the whole process run more smoothly, so it’s worth finding space for one. In a small laundry room, try fitting a table beside a stacked washer dryer set, or keep the tops of your machines free for folding. A counter over side-by-side machines makes an even nicer folding surface and provides a beautifully finished look.
Alexandra Crafton
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7. Put wall hooks to work. A row of wall hooks in the laundry room can easily adapt to whatever you most need more room for: to hang a tote for collecting dry cleaning, to keep an ironing board handy (but out of the way) or to provide hanging space for freshly laundered shirts.
Traditional Laundry Room by Adams + Beasley Associates
Adams + Beasley Associates
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8. Corral small items in baskets. Stain sticks, dryer sheets and mending supplies can easily become a jumbled mess when lined up on shelves. Stop your stuff from toppling over by storing like with like in small, easy-to-grab bins.
Lopiccolo Construction
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9. Stash a step stool to access top shelves. High shelves and cabinets can help maximize space in a small laundry room — but if you can’t reach what’s stored there, they won’t do you much good. Stow a step stool in the laundry room, and that extra bottle of detergent will never be out of reach again. Choose a foldable one for even more flexibility.
Transitional Laundry Room by Trust the Vision Decor
Trust the Vision Decor
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10. Keep it bright and clean. Whether your laundry is in a closet off the kitchen or down in the basement, making sure the space is clean and well-lit can do wonders when it comes to completing laundry tasks in a positive mood.

www.teambluesky.ca

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