Interview with | Nataal Colalillo

June's interview is with Nataal Colalillo of Nataal Colalillo Photography & Design. I know Nataal through my sister-in-law (there are a couple of those on here!) and like the others, Nataal is an amazing, super-talented woman. She is gifted in the art of photography and graphic design and two years ago she chased my family around taking photos for our first family portrait with Mila. I remember thinking it was a bit of a gong show with the kids. Mila was showing her true colours and never sat still and Leo was running around signing and throwing stones. We got the photo proofs and I was pleased to see how calm we all looked. How did she get these shots in all the craziness?

We're going to be setting up some time for another shoot with her this year and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.

Read more about Nataal below.

---

Tell me about Nataal Colalillo. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

An artist at heart. A wife and mom to the cutest five and a half year old little dude. He's my muse, my greatest project yet. I work from home as a graphic designer and a lifestyle family photographer. Design was my first love, photography is my passion. My focus for family love and capturing these precious moments is so important to me, more so now than ever. Last October I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, you know the good cancer. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride to say the least. I am done my treatments this month and everything has been very successful. I am lucky. I am truly blessed.

I love to cook. It relaxes me.

I love yoga and getting to the gym. Working from home can sometimes make you a little squirely. So getting out of the house is a necessity for your body and mind!

I love spending time with friends, eating out, cozy evenings with the hubby watching movies. Playing with my son.

What I hate to do? Clean, keep a house. I warned my husband before we married I was not domestic. Thankfully I charmed him with my cooking skills.

I wish to travel more, to take our son and see the world. Wander cities. Explore.

I wish I had the gift to gab.

Tell me about your business. Why and when did you choose to start your own business? What came first? Photography or graphic design?

I decided to start my business after having my son. I love what I do, I wanted a flexibility to be there for my son.

Design came first. I studied at Sheridan for graphic design. Yet, I've always had a camera in my hand. My mom bought me my first Canon for my 16th birthday. I just loved looking through that lens and creating. It was magical. Friends and family we always asking me to takes photos of their families and even got asked to photograph a few weddings. But for some reason never pursued photography until recently. It was always a side hobby.

My photography business focuses on family love, the emotional connections between parents and  their children, kids and maternity.

What are your favourite photos to take?

Ones I would love to see hanging on my walls. Giggles and cuddles, loving and smooching! Natural connections with a dollop of fun. Perfectly imperfect.

What projects do you like to work on best?

Lately it's been assembling my son's 3rd, 4th and 5th year photo albums. I hope to provide more custom boutique items to my clients like this.

What are your passions outside of your business?

Interior design, more recently gardening.

What do you love about where you live? 

Oh gosh, there is so much! Stratford is insanely beautiful, most days I can't believe I live in such an lovely place. It has a small town feel with edge. We have AH-mazing restaurants and shops. The Avon river is a gem, take a walk around that any day and you'll decompress and feel at peace. And of course the Stratford Festival, a celebration of theatre. We've landed in a nice little hood with great friends. There are days I do miss Ancaster, our friends and family, but thankfully we are not too far for visits.

Favourite snack? 

Today? Baba ghanuosh and pita.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? 

Back to Florence.


Thanks so much Nataal! For more information about Nataal, please see her websites below!

LIFESTYLE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY:

http://ncphotodesign.com

www.facebook.com/nataalcphotography

DESIGN:: https://www.behance.net/ncpdesign

---

Check out my other interviews here!

Interview with Krista Hare of Essential Whole Health

My interview this month is a special one for me (not that the other ones weren't special!!): It's with my cousin Krista! Krista and I go way back to when she was one year old and I was born and when we were kids we were inseparable. I have fond memories of playing with Krista and our sisters in their back yard or having sleep overs on the floor in the living room. Krista and I grew a bit apart over the years but in the past few years we've gotten to know each other once again and realized we still have so much in common. I wanted to interview Krista because she has gone through some major life-changing events over the past 10 years which have led her to her current passion: alternative healing & health. I'll let her share more with you in the interview below.

---

Tell me about Krista Hare. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

I love to spend time with my son. He’s a compassionate kid and his sense of humour is getting wittier every day. He’s in the double-digits now, and I realize how quickly time flies. It seems like yesterday that he blessed my life and started me on this amazing journey of motherhood! Now, he’s almost as tall as me!

Next to that, I love being outside…by the water, in the woods, camping…any thing that brings me outside with Mother Nature.

What do I hate to do? House clean. I’d rather be outside - or doing ANYTHING other than house cleaning. I try to like it…but I don’t. On a positive note… since I’ve started using Young Living’s line of all-natural Thieves cleaners, now at least my nose enjoys cleaning. ;)

I wish I could travel more. I have so many amazing destinations on my bucket list - places that I want to experience with my son. I’m from a small town and am fascinated by the cultures in different parts of the world. It’s my dream to see various parts of the world, learn their culture, taste their food, breathe their air and see their sights.

How did you become interested in essential oils and whole health in general?

Being a mom was something that I always dreamt about. I loved kids and knew that I was going to love being a mom. When I was diagnosed with postpartum depression after my son was born, it didn’t seem possible. I was put on anti-depressants and experienced a bizarre balance between the darkest days that I’ve ever seen and the incredible feeling of falling love with my new baby. I knew there needed to be a way that I could alter my emotional health without the use of drugs, so I dove into the field of alternative healing with the goal of removing the medication from my healing regimen.

I overhauled my diet, learned meditation, practiced mindfulness, learned yoga and stopped watching the news (it’s way too disturbing). I made a decision to surround myself with books, music and people that would raise me up. When I started to “see the light at the end of the tunnel”, I went on a yoga retreat, where I practiced yoga twice a day and learned about Ayurveda.

As part of the Ayurveda course at the ashram, I started to learn about essential oils. When I got home, I started looking for a company that creates essential oils that don’t have chemicals and additives. When I found Young Living Essential Oils and learned about the company and the integrity that they stand upon, I knew it was something that I needed to share. Young Living has a Seed to Seal guarantee and the only thing in the bottle is what comes from the plant.

The more I learn about essential oils and the many ways they can be used for health and wellness, the more I want to share them with everyone I know.

How has it changed your life for the better?

I’m not the same person that I was 10 years ago. I have a different perspective on life and believe in the importance of having a well-rounded approach to health. I’m raising my son to be aware of his health and how it affects his body, mind and spirit. Using essential oils in our daily health regime has allowed us to remove even more toxins from our medicine cabinet (deodorant, burn cream, cough syrup, cleaning supplies, bug repellent and sun screen).

I’ve heard wonderful testimonials about the experiences that people have had once they’ve started using Young Living Essential Oils and the improvements in their wellness have been incredible. I love the feeling that I am able to provide tools for people to help them improve their wellness and the wellness of their families. The fact that I’m getting paid to do it is a bonus…I love this work!

Tell me about your business Essential Whole Health. What do you provide for people outside of offering essential oils?

I chose the name Essential Whole Health because it reflects my belief that our optimal health is comprised of our environment, the friends we have, the conversations we have, the thoughts we think and what we put in - and on - our bodies. At the moment, my business is based primarily around the oils. I teach classes about essential oils, sell the oils and offer Raindrop Technique with the oils.

Raindrop Therapy includes specific techniques, energy work, and aromatherapy. Using a sequence of antimicrobial and therapeutic grade essential oils (made from parts of flowers, herbs, shrubs) designed to reduce inflammation and eliminate viral/bacterial toxins; they are dropped directly onto the spine like raindrops. Then, they are lightly worked into the vertabrae. It’s ideal for improving circulation and immune function and enhancing overall physical balance and emotional health. Mind, body and spirit are enhanced by this procedure and the immune system is elevated. It leaves people feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

What is your vision for this business?

I’m studying to become an Ayurvedic Practitioner and my vision is to turn Essential Whole Health into an online space for wellness information, as well as an avenue to purchase Young Living Essential Oils, learn about how Ayurveda can improve their health and book online or in-person consultations to improve health and wellness.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. The experiences that I have had with my health have given me the drive to help others achieve their best self naturally.

Favourite oil?

I have three. My favourite first-aid oil is Lavender. It was the first essential oil that I had personal experience with. At first, all I knew of lavender was its benefits for relaxation, but as I grew to become familiar with therapeutic-grade essential oils and the broader range of benefits, I realized how versatile Lavender is. I’ve used it on burns (only therapeutic-grade essential oils - as others can make the burn worse), rashes, bug bites, tense shoulders and in the bath. It’s my go-to for a lot of different things!

My second faves are Clary Sage and Ylang Ylang. These are always in my purse and I wear them as a perfume. Clary Sage has phytoestrogen and is reported as being helpful with feminine hormonal support (can’t we all use a little balance in our lives?). Ylang Ylang has a light, flowery scent that is calming, relaxing and offers support with emotional balancing.

What are you passionate about?

Life. My journey has been about focusing on how to push through tough stuff and find ways to make every day brighter. Life is too short to do anything but try to make the best of every moment.

Favourite thing to eat?

My favourite thing to eat is not something I should eat very often…so I’ll give you two favourites: Cheesecake. Cheesecake is the one thing that I would eat everyday if its health benefits were as wonderful as its taste. But…unfortunately that is not the case. So…my favourite body-does-me-good food is a giant bowl of baby spinach with hemp oil, pureed garlic, salt, pepper and lemon essential oil. I could eat it three meals a day.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

That’s a tough one. There are so many places I’d like to travel and yet some of my happiest moments are by the St. Lawrence River or on a hiking trail near my house.

In terms of destinations, I’d pick Hawaii, but there are many places I’d like to see. My reason for building a business is to have the freedom (and money) to take my son on volunteer vacations. I want to show him the world, while letting him experience the side of life that doesn’t show up in a travel brochure. One of the first volunteer vacations we will do is a place where he can teach underprivileged kids how to play one of his favourite sports - hockey or soccer. We’ll go wherever there is a need and an opportunity.

Thanks Krista! For more information on Krista visit her website here and Facebook page here.

Interview with Adriane Duckworth artist and owner of THE WILD

My next interview is with Adriane Duckworth, artist and owner of THE WILD, Modern Apparel for Hip Kids. I first began following Adriane years ago not only because of her beautiful artwork but because she's from Hamilton (my husband's hometown yay!). When she wrote about starting THE WILD I knew I wanted to interview her because I loved her new business concept. Read more about Adriane below.

---

Tell me about Adriane Duckworth. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Oh my goodness, where to begin! Well, I'm a mom, a wife, an artist, and a chocolate addict. I love to spend time with my family, to draw, to paint, to read, anything creative really. I hate it when I am really in the zone working on something and then I realize that it's 1 a.m., considering I have to little boys who never let me sleep past 6 a.m. I wish I could travel, but I hope that will happen in time more.

How did you become an artist? Was it something you always wanted to do?

I've always wanted to be an artist, since I was a kid. My parents raised me to be creative and to try different things. I have been drawing, painting and designing my entire life really.

When I read that you had started your new company, THE WILD, I was super excited for you. Tell me about the process you had to go through and how you came up with the idea (and the name) for your company.

It all began after my son Benjamin was born a few years ago. I started creating these little characters for fun, and they translated really well to artwork for kids rooms. I knew I wanted to do more with this little pile of characters, but I needed time to plan it all out. After my second son, Sawyer, was born, I went through a small business program to help me get started. It was the best thing I could have done to motivate me and to create a really comprehensive business plan. The name comes from where I envision all of these characters living, out in the wild, and it also represents the big picture of what I want to do with this story.

You mainly use black and white in your work. What is the attraction to these colours?

I love simplicity. I'm a total minimalist, which is tough with small kids, but I try very hard to keep things simple. When I walk into kids shops in the mall, it's like a colour explosion. I wanted to offer something different.

What is your favourite form of art?

I love to draw, but I think painting is my absolute fav.

What are you passionate about outside of your work?

My biggest passion is definitely my family of course. I also love to read, I love interior design, and I'm a bit of a Pinterest addict.

Summer or winter?

Where I live we get to enjoy all four beautiful seasons, but if I had to pick, I'd go with winter.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

It's tempting to say Paris, and one day I'll get there, but even more I think I would like to explore Canada. This is such a beautiful country, I want to see it all.

Thanks so much Adriane! If you want to learn more about THE WILD visit the website here or shop right away here!

Gumption: The Practical Woman's Guide to Living an Adventuresome Life + An interview with the author

A while back I got an email about a book called Gumption: The The Practical Woman's Guide to Living an Adventuresome Life by Shelagh Meagher and it instantly caught my eye. As I mentioned in my post about Camp Wanakita, I'm trying to do more things outside of my comfort zone. If someone asks me to do something, I'm trying to say yes (within reason). And this year, I want to do things I want to do instead of just thinking or talking about doing them.

If you have something you want to do, or have always wanted to do, and don't know where to start (or you've talked yourself out of it time and again), Gumption is the perfect book for you.

Welcome to the start of a more exciting life

That's how the book begins. Wouldn't you be captivated? The thing about this book is that, as the title mentions, it's a practical guide on how to get stuff done. There are no grand statements with no back-up. No high expectations you must put on yourself to do this thing you've always wanted to do.

Meagher offers a simple, six-step practical program focused on teaching women how they can do the things they’ve always wanted to but haven’t yet dared. Planning is key here. Many times we think about an adventure only to get too overwhelmed about the possibilities or we feel we lack resources to get it done. Meagher walks readers through each step starting with a simple question: What do I want? She wants you to write this stuff down and think about what it's going to take to get off the couch and Get on with it (a saying she refers to quite often in the book).

I loved the book. I love step-by-step guides on how to make things happen. There are real-women stories of adventure successes along with a Gumption Workbook to help readers through the challenges that are keeping them back from succeeding.

As a little treat, I asked Meagher some questions about the book and she was so kind to respond and send a few photos of her own personal adventures. Read more below.

1// In the windowless window of an old ruin of a villa we bought in Italy and spent years renovating before finally giving up on it. The story is told in the blog godzillavilla.com

2// Ocean kayaking: I had always been terrified about being stuck in the plastic skirt thingy and not being able to escape should it turn over. This was my first time ever. You'll notice the water is flat as a pancake!

3// With my guide during a trip to Mongolia

4// Trying to learn how to milk a yak

What inspired you to write Gumption? What have you learned from writing it?

Gumption started as a conversation with my daughter in an airport. We were talking about what makes some people more adventuresome than others, and whether it was only an inherent trait or if it could be learned. I though it would be very cool if it were a learnable skill. The idea really caught my interest, so I started interviewing women about daring things they'd done and how they managed to do so. Not big-name women, just regular wives and moms and such. It quickly became apparent that there were a lot of common tools and approaches, regardless of the nature of their adventure. So I knew there was something useful I could create.

Personally, I thought when I started that I was a really adventuresome person. But I quickly realized that there were big areas of my life in which I was a total wuss, and the creation of the Gumption program therefore became quite a personal journey. I was my own best lab rat for every exercise in the book! In particular I became much more daring about putting myself out there. Singing lead vocals in a rock band, for example - that was a huge step for me and something I'd been too scared to try before I started writing Gumption.

What do you hope readers gain from reading it?

I have a fervent belief in the benefits of personal expansion - the way accomplishing something outside our comfort zone makes us feel alive and brave and filled with possibilities for our lives. I hope that readers will dare to do something they didn't think they could pull off before. Any little thing will do, because when they do that one thing they'll have the tools and the proof to do more. And that means they'll be living an expanded, enriched life. Yay.

What is the first step women should take toward realizing their dream/adventure?

Allow themselves to want something. Women tend to put everyone else's desires before their own. We think that wanting something just for us is selfish. So they need to get their heads around the idea that their personal expansion is a gift they give not only to themselves, but to everyone around them.

Planning is a big part of your book. Why do you think it’s important for women to plan their adventures?

If you're trying to do something that doesn't take much in the way of logistics, such as taking up belly dancing, for instance, the planning effort is naturally going to be a lot less than for, say, sailing solo across the Atlantic. But regardless of the scope, the planning process - thinking through the possible pitfalls and how you're going to deal with them - helps us get to action with confidence. If your dream is just a vague, unplanned thing, the danger is that you get to the point of departure and freeze, because you haven't a clue what might be coming. Planning avoids that problem.

Why do you think it’s so difficult for women to be adventurous?

Women juggle a lot of diverse obligations and responsibilities, and we live in perpetual fear that they're all going to come tumbling down in a great mess we don't personally keep them up. So we tend to avoid trying anything that might rock the boat. The most oft-stated reason for not doing the thing they dream about (based on research I fielded last year) wasn't fear or lack or money, or lack of capability. It was time. We devote our hours to work, children, spouses, aging parents, friends, etc - but not to ourselves.

I loved your phrase “Get on with it!” Can you tell our readers more about where this phrase came from and why it’s so important?

My mother used to say this all the time, whenever somebody was being a wimp or procrastinating on something scary. "For heaven's sake, why don't they just get on with it?" was her universal response. If we had a family crest, that'd be the motto. My mom came from pioneering stock, so she had a lot of gumption and she instilled it in us (I'm one of four sisters). I guess I'm channeling her when exhorting my readers to get on with it!

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Favourite adventure? Besides the horse jumping adventure you mention in the book, what adventure would you never do again?

Craziest, hmmm that's difficult because I'm actually quite practical about my adventures, as the book title suggests. I guess I wouldn't buy another Italian ruin - a girl can only handle that kind of financial loss once in her life! And I wouldn't skydive, now that I know my body just doesn't bend the way it needs to for good airflow - glad I found that out in an air tube rather than while hurtling through the sky from 2500 feet up.

My favourite adventure was absolutely the trek across the Mongolian steppes. I waited four decades to make that sucker happen and it exceeded my wildest dreams about what it would be like. At one point I was standing at the top of a small mountain there, staring all around at this incredible landscape, and the feeling of having actually made that dream come true, having carried it around since I was 12 years old, was overwhelming.

What is still on your bucket list? What is the next adventure for you?

Here's the surprising thing: I don't have a bucket list. The Mongolian trek was one of the few things I'd wanted to do for ages. Usually, I just get ideas in my head and if they stick around for long enough, I see if I can figure out how to do them. The biggie that's been lingering for a while now involves living in other people's houses for a year...I'd like to house-sit in a variety of countries for 6-10 weeks at a pop, just long enough to get an idea of what life is like in that situation, without having anything planned out except the first one. The next would be whatever came up in the right time frame. It's kind of a colossal experiment in the meaning of 'home'. But there are a lot of logistics to plan for, even without an itinerary, so it'll take some time to pull that one off.

---

So what do you think? What's something you've always wanted to do and what's holding you back? Start with some Gumption and let the adventure begin.

Interview with Kim Adams of Willow Salon

This Month's interview is with Kim Adams, owner of Willow Salon in Dundas, Ontario. I've known Kim for years through my husband's family and loved her style so much that I used to travel the hour to Dundas just to get my hair done in her salon. (She even came to Italy with us as a guest and to do my hair and make-up for my wedding!) She's celebrating 10 years this year with Willow so I thought it would the perfect time to interview her this month. PS she's celebrating a pretty big birthday this week too (29 right Kim?).

---

Tell me about Kim Adams.

Introvert posing as an extrovert.
Motivated, but there are days when I can't get off the couch.
Dreamer, loyal, sensitive, empathetic, intuitive.
I've been referred to as intriguing, mysterious, industrious.

What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

I love making people feel better, being generous, surprising those that I love.
I love wandering around a city with no agenda, staying in hotel rooms where I can escape my 'to do' list for a few hours.
I hate being told what to do, I'm uncomfortable with attention.
I wish I could disconnect. I wish I could cook.

How did you get into the hair styling industry? Was it always your passion?

Hairstyling has been a passion since I was very young, I had no interest in playing house with my Barbies, it was more about dressing them in different outfits and trying different braids and ponytails.  That morphed into cutting, braiding and styling my friends' hair as I grew older. I started talking about wanting to be a hairstylist, but a couple of people responded with: 'You can't do that, there's no money in it' or 'There's no future in that.' My thought was that if you love something, you will be successful at it.

Against my better judgement, I went to Mohawk for Business Administration because I excelled in those courses in high school.  I hated the formality of college and came home every day in tears, I dropped out barely finishing my first semester (always trust your gut).  After a couple of years of traveling and working random jobs, feeling a little lost, I finally said: 'Fuck this - I'm going to hair school.'

How and why did you open your own salon and how did you settle on Dundas, Ontario?

I had been in the industry for about eight or nine years, but was growing unhappy going to work everyday, but loved my trade. After a heart-to-heart with my brother who said: 'When are you just going to open your own salon', I realized I needed to be responsible for my own working environment.  I chose Dundas because I wanted Willow to be a part of a community and close to the client-base that I had built at the salon I was leaving.

How does your business stand out from the rest?

My team and I pride ourselves on maintaining an environment that is welcoming to all.  We are extremely supportive of each other and a team in the truest sense of the word.  We love what we do and love making our guests' visit the best it can be.

You’re celebrating 10 years with Willow? Do you have plans to expand?

I flirt with the idea of a second location, but there's something to be said for the Steamwhistle slogan: 'Do one thing really, really well.'  That said, I am working with a marketing team to tighten up and refresh the Willow brand and designers to keep the interior current. You have to constantly evaluate, look for areas that can be improved and updated in terms of your trade, business model and aesthetic. I'm not comfortable coasting.

Favourite type of client?

All of them - they make us who we are as stylists.  From the one-year-old getting his first hair cut to the 80-year-old who looks forward to her weekly visit with us.  Every guest and every visit is different.

What are you passionate about outside of your business?

I love music and seeing it live. Listening to playlists on songza and learning of new artists or revisiting '80s classics.  I have two nephews whom I adore and an amazing group of friends and family and spending time with them is a priority.

Favourite drink?

Depends which night of the week it is ;).

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Back to London, but with an unlimited budget.  I have a strong English family background - London is inspiring, full of energy and history.

Thanks Kim! To find out more about Kim and her team at Willow Salon visit the website here.

Interview with: Jennifer Kirk of Jennifer Kirk Photography

I first met Jenn about 10 years ago through my sister-in-law Lisa and immediately loved her personality and giant smile (she's smiling and laughing all the time by the way). She was just getting into the photography business and travelled with us to Martha's Vineyard to be a guest and to shoot Lisa's wedding. She was so much fun to have around that when it came time to decide a photographer for our wedding we asked her. Here's the kicker... we got married in Italy and she agreed to travel with us! It was amazing having her along for the trip and she did such a fantastic job. She lives in BC now and has taken the west by storm with her business Jennifer Kirk Photography. Read more about this fantastic gal below.

---

Tell me about Jennifer Kirk. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

I love camping, hitting my reset button beside a quiet mountain lake. I love trying new things and new foods. I love fancy dinners. I hate waking up to an alarm. I wish mortgages didn’t exist so I could spend more time travelling!

How did you get into the photography business?

I didn’t know I would end up loving weddings so much. I attended a wedding show with a friend who had asked me to shoot her wedding, it would be my first. I met someone who was looking for an assistant, so I did that for a while to gain experience. I shot my first wedding in film on the island of Martha’s Vineyard that summer, which makes this August my tenth anniversary in the wedding industry!

Why did you start your own company?

I strive for a balance in my life – making my own hours has always appealed to me. Being self-employed is more work in a lot of ways, but the cliché is right, do what you love and it doesn’t seem like work. I thrive under pressure and revel in providing my clients with something that will last a lifetime. Working for myself is a natural fit.

What do you think is missing from the photography industry and how do you want to change it?

Tough question! This industry changes every year. I think there are things both missing and in abundance but I try to focus on what I am doing, and on pleasing my hard-earned customers. I don’t want to change anything so long as my business model is producing happy clients!

What types of photos do you love to take?

The kind that show personality, and realness. Somebody once told me “use what is great about you to show others what is great about them” and a few years ago, a groom saw himself in all his bear-hug, teary-eyed glory in my photos and realized what everyone loves about him, that he loves BIG. That moment summed it all up for me.

What are you passionate about outside of photography?

Fitness… if I’m not taking or working on photos I’m probably at the gym. I’m also a certified fitness trainer and I love helping people find their love for health and fitness. It’s something that works nicely with my business and in fact enhances it, I no longer feel like I’ve been hit by a bus after shooting a wedding! It’s just another day, and I’m usually spending some of it at the gym.

Favourite food to eat?

Do I really have to pick just one? I can’t. It’s a toss up between bacon, those little white donuts, crab legs and pasta.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Africa. A safari is definitely on my bucket list, along with a scuba diving experience off Matagascar with the whale sharks.

Thanks so much Jenn! See more of Jenn's work on her website here.

Interview with: Tanya Mykytiuk of Ptashka

Welcome to my first Interview with post of 2015! I'm super excited to be interviewing a newfound friend and neighbour Tanya Mykytiuk of Ptashka. Tanya lives in my neighbourhood and I met her through my friend Tara Russel of Russel Events and I immediately loved her personality. Tanya is outgoing and she has a love for style that I can relate to. She also runs a pretty cool graphic design business and Etsy shop: PtashkaArts where she specializes in Ukrainian design so I wanted to interview her to get to know her a bit better. And this is perfect timing because Ukrainian New Year celebrations start this week! Here we go!

---

Tell me about Tanya Mykytiuk. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Love: Spending time with my kids, preferably at the cottage or on a beach somewhere! I caught the travel bug early in life so travelling is something I absolutely love to do, especially with my family. With kids, it’s even more interesting to watch how they experience different cultures and places in their innocent and curious ways. I also love to read, paint, and create… but wish I had more time for leisure activities!

Hate: Doing dishes, ironing, shoveling snow, ugh!

Wish I could: Take a trip every weekend, with no budgetary restraints!

How did you get into the graphic design business?

I suppose I was a “graphic-designer-in-denial” for a long time before I took the plunge into my own business. I actually still find it hard to call myself a graphic designer. I feel like what I do is more graphic communications – not just design, but more of a holistic approach to delivering my clients’ needs strategically – with a lot of thought into their message and the best means to communicate it both verbally and graphically.

My professional background started in print production: layout, retouching, pre-press and production coordination. From there, I moved into marketing at a media company and that’s where I really started to spread my design wings. My role incorporated so many different facets of design: logos, marketing communications, branding, presentations, promotional goods, sales materials, copywriting, proposals and website graphics. My hands-on technical and business management experience, combined with my creative side made it easy and fun for me and it worked both right and left sides of my brain simultaneously.

Why and when did you start Ptashka?

I started working as an independent graphic communications specialist after my second maternity leave came to an end in 2013. With only one kid, it was still easy to balance a corporate life with his and my family’s needs, but with two kids it was much harder to juggle everyone’s schedules and keep up a 9 to 5 job happily. Working independently gives me the opportunity to balance family priorities, and a chance to continue my professional development. It also opened up a whole new world of small-business ownership to me; an exciting, scary and incredibly gratifying experience! I love a challenge, and I relished the idea of jumping into something new and completely my own.

Then, in December 2013, I started PtashkaArts on Etsy as more of a hobby. I’m Ukrainian-Canadian and have always been involved in Toronto’s Ukrainian community in one way or another. Something that I always wanted to do was bring modern printed design to Ukrainians in Canada and abroad. Things like greeting cards, artwork and printed matter - unique, artisanal quality stationery and gift items. I’ve been an Etsy shopper for many years and love connecting with international artisans and customers. The global reach that Etsy gives me is amazing. Ptashka just celebrated its first “Bird-Day” (ptashka means “bird” in Ukrainian) and it’s been an incredibly successful year in a niche industry. Way beyond my expectations.

How do you balance your business with your family?

It’s not easy, that’s for sure.  I thought my time would be more flexible, but the reality is that I actually have more time restraints and distractions at home than I expected, so I often end up working late at night when everyone is sleeping. It’s the only time there is peace and quiet in the house! I learned quickly that I would need to really discipline myself and set aside dedicated hours during the week where I only focus on business, and ignore the laundry, house-cleaning and cooking.

What is your favourite thing to design/work on?

I’ve been lucky to work with really interesting clients in a variety of industries who come to me with unique needs and ideas. It’s so satisfying to sink my teeth into a project that requires innovative, out-of-the-box thinking; something out of the norm that stretches the average design needs, and sees the project through to fruition.

I have so much fun designing my Ukrainian greeting cards. I even launched a line of Ukrainian Valentine’s Day cards last year, something that has never been done before. It is so much fun to come up with cheeky, quirky, and witty ideas that celebrate our unique Ukrainian-Canadian culture.

What are you passionate about outside of graphic design?

My family: my kids, my husband. They keep me grounded, keep me laughing, keep me motivated. Everything is good when I’m with them. I never thought I’d love being a mom so much, but these two little minions are amazing. Everything they say and do, I love it – even when they’re beating each other up (boys will be boys!)!  I’ve known my husband for more than 25 years and he is absolutely the best friend, dance partner, business consultant, travel buddy, creative collaborator and trouble-seeker I could ever dream of.


Chocolate or chips?

CHIPS! But I’m super picky. They have to be plain, lightly-salted, preferably the ones in “the blue bag.” A chip should taste like a potato, dammit. Not a dill pickle or stinky feet.



If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Oh boy… now that is a loaded question. I fell in love with Paris the first time I visited, I was only nine and was mesmerized by the architecture, the people, and intense beauty that surrounds you every step you take within the city. Since then, I’ve visited four times, as well as other major European centres. So, anywhere in Europe, I suppose. I could move there in a heartbeat. Europeans have a different approach to everyday living and an intense appreciation for the simple things in life.

I’m yet to visit Ukraine, believe it or not. Once the kids are a bit older and the political turmoil settles down a bit, we’d like to go for an extended visit and really explore our ancestral land. It will be an emotional trip, for sure… and we’ll want to go for a good chunk of time, we have roots all over the country… and it’s a BIG country!

I’d also be equally happy on a secluded, hot, sandy beach somewhere… anywhere!

Thanks so much Tanya, I really enjoyed this interview! For more information about Tanya, visit her website here and her Etsy shop here.

Interview with: Anthony Westenberg, Spokesperson for Evergreen & Planting an Organic Future

A couple of weeks ago I learned about a new initiative between So Nice, a Canadian brand of organic dairy alternative beverages, and Evergreen, a national not-for-profit, that is setting out to provide Canadian schools with the resources and inspiration to start their very own organic food gardens.

Called Planting an Organic Future, the initiative hopes to engage schools across Canada in organic food gardening as a way to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental champions.

I thought it would be fun to interview Evergreen spokesperson Anthony Westenberg, an expert in sustainability and organic growing, as part of my Interview with series. Read more about the program below.



Tell me about the Planting an Organic Future initiative and how the partnership with So Nice came about.

This initiative, as part of our broader school ground greening program, hopes to engage schools across Canada in organic food gardening as a way to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental champions.

For whatever reason, be it hectic schedules, lack of space, or perceived cost, in three generations since the Victory Gardens our grandparents tended, many of us in cities have lost the art of planting food gardens. But it’s now coming back and especially through community gardening which is a growing movement in Canada’s urban centres.

Schools, where Evergreen works to build outdoor classrooms to bring nature into urban centres, are community hubs; being an organic brand, So Nice shares the same values as Evergreen, so the partnership seemed a natural fit to help re-connect the next generation with the joy of planting (and benefitting from) food gardens.

Why is it important for children to learn about organic gardening?

Nature is the best teacher and children learn from growing things. You hear stories about children being able to identify the French fry, but not the potato.

Research shows that engaging children in gardening has many benefits, including increased likelihood to eat fruits and vegetables, interpersonal relationship skills, ability to work in groups, improved attitudes towards learning, and development of environmental stewardship attitudes.
Children retain more knowledge when they are outdoors and “in the story”.

They learn from participating and interacting and by growing things. Being engaged in each stage of the garden’s growth allows for the child to witness the ever-changing life cycles of nature (prepping, sprouting, planting, stewarding, harvesting). Also, children who are involved in growing food are more likely to engage in healthy eating habits. Providing children with a garden initiates a culture of care and respect through the use of the five senses.

Through gardening, they can touch, smell, see and especially taste the efforts of their work in the garden. It’s healthy, it sparks their curiosity and much of the outdoor curriculum – from math to science, to art and geography - can be taught outdoors.

Finally, children will often be more keen to taste what they helped prepare. It they grow and pull out and then cut the carrot, they’ll be more curious to try it.  

How does the initiative work? Where are the gardens located?

Two showcase gardens located in Toronto at the Evergreen Brick Works Children’s Garden and in Montreal at the Royal Vale School, serve as the first seeds to what So Nice and Evergreen hope will be a ripple effect of organic food school gardens sprouting all over Canada. Here’s a video http://www.sonice.ca/organic-future/

How can families get involved?

Evergreen provides many resources to families that want to get involved in bringing the classroom outdoors, from tips on how to start an outdoor garden to providing grants http://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/resources/.

We encourage them to get in touch with their local schools and community groups to learn about all the gardening activities in their neighbourhood taking place (and how they can get involved), or reach out to Evergreen to learn how to start their own.  Families can also visit http://www.sonice.ca/organic-future/ to learn how to start an organic food garden or make a donation.

Your goal is to raise $35,000, how can people help?

So Nice is generously donating a percentage of their sales to Evergreen to help realize and expand these gardens. People can help by showing that there is an appetite for these kinds of learning opportunities by engaging with their schools on the need for more organic gardens in schoolyards.

What is your favourite vegetable?

I am a soup king, so a leek and potato combination, or carrot and ginger, and I’m pretty happy.

What is your favourite dish to make from farm-farm fresh vegetables?

Something simple, like breaded zucchini is right up there for me. Or a simple cheese and tomato on toast for a picnic.

Anything else you would like to add?

I was born and raised on a farm in Kingston, now raising two girls in the city. As often as I can I encourage them off the sidewalk into the forests and fields to join me in ‘racing sticks downstream’. In our neighbourhood we have many fruit trees and grapevines, so seeing their sense of wonderment at picking cherries, plums, grapes and apples as the season rolls along is very inspiring to me.

Thanks Anthony! For more information on this exciting project visit http://www.sonice.ca/organic-future/

Interview with: Alison Kelly, owner of Cherry Valley Studio Bed & Breakfast and Cool Mama

I first met Alison Kelly when I was her don at Ryerson University. She filled a room to the brim with her energy. She made people laugh, brought up their spirits, drove us crazy (in a good way Alison I swear!) and was super sweet. Fast forward 16 years (yikes!) and she's a wife, proud mama of two, and most recently, a bed and breakfast owner in Prince Edward County.

I wanted to interview Alison because she's made a few on-the-fly decisions in her life that have changed her perspective in more ways than one. She went with her gut and took some risks and I admire that. Read more about Alison below. All photos care of Alison Kelly

Tell me about Alison Kelly. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Alison Kelly, the lady with two first names. The lady who jokes how she took her husband's last name knowing her brother has now won the ultimate sibling war (my brother's name is Kelly). Let's see, I love ice cream and singing along very loudly to More Than Words the rare times I hear it being played. I love Kill Bill vol. 1 and get overly-excited when Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood kicks in during The Bride and O-Ren Ishii sword fight. Olives are my nemesis, I am not a fan of the band Rush and I hate my dry feet. My ultimate wish is to discover my passion.

You recently moved to Prince Edward County from Toronto and bought a house you’ve turned into a bed and breakfast – tell me about it. What motivated you to make this move?

We decided to move to Prince Edward County on a whim. After visiting family in their remote home, I told my husband that I too wished to move away from the big city and be neighbourless in 5-10 years. A week later I was perusing mls after someone mentioned Cherry Valley and saw this house.

After passing through many obstacles that should have prevented us from picking up and leaving Toronto, we found ourselves selling our house and buying the one we are in now within 12 hours.

Once we got settled into our new home and made the decision that our baby-to-be would be rooming with our son in the warmest/coolest room in the house, we started talking about how we didn't make use of one side of the house. And just like that, we decided to open our house to country visitors.

What do you love most about your new surroundings? What do you miss about city life?

The sense of relief. Everything moves at a slower pace here and time really does seem to stand still.

You know that feeling when you arrive at your vacation destination and you can finally sigh? That's what it's like living here. Open roads, farmers markets, secret beaches, historic buildings, neighbours growing wine grapes, the fresh air. After a visit to a farmers market, my husband said to me "You fit in here. You belong in the County".

Some downsides to County living is the lack of delivery food (ethnic food in general), lack of ethnic diversity, and of course missing our family and friends in Toronto. Being a seasonal community, stores close on sundays and mondays (some are only open three days a week) and we're still trying to get use to this. My husband Jeremy misses the city more than me mostly for the music scene. We also miss TekSavvy very much.

What have you learned since moving?

The biggest thing is that I'm actually a pretty decent breakfast cook. Did you know cooking on high does not equal a quicker/quality meal? Ha!! It's also very expensive to heat a 3,600-square-foot house with oil. Sweet bananas!! We're still learning about rural living in a 150-year-old home and will likely need 30+ years to figure it out. By that time, the kids will be long gone and it will be time to downsize to a quaint waterfront oasis.

Favourite drink?

My beer of the summer is Sacred Mule Sparkling Ale by Barley Days Brewery, and my daily fix is coffee. I really love coffee. I recommend you try the local roasted beans from The Bean Counter in Picton. Fabulously delicious.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would go back to Iceland without an agenda and spend two weeks discovering and soaking in the viking magic. I blame Iceland for our spontaneous move to Prince Edward County.

Thank you Stephanie for reaching out to me with an interest in our spontaneous life change. I encourage more people to jump the big city ship and come visit the County. I promise, you will leave your heart here.

---

Thank you Alison! We will definitely stop by the next time we're in the area! If you want to learn more about Alison and her bed and breakfast you can follow her here:

Blog: mrskellygreen.blogspot.com
Bed and Breakfast: cherryvalleystudio.ca / www.facebook.com/CherryValleyStudioBB

Read past interviews here.

Interview with: Christine Tremblay-Sloan, inspiring teacher and art gallery owner

Do you remember being in high-school and there being that one teacher who just jived with you? He or she was cool, seemed to understand you, cared about you and others around you and helped you excel. I envision Christine Tremblay-Sloan to be this type of teacher.

Christine was a couple of grades behind me in high school and although I didn't know her super well then, I started to get to know her spirit and personality through Facebook all these years later. I know, I know. You're thinking that's just Facebook, who knows what's going on behind the screen. But Christine has been really open about her life, successes and challenges over the years. She makes you feel like you're in her inner circle. You're part of her crew. 

She's super inspiring: she's an art teacher, she's done triathlons, she's co-organized runs and walkathons for a best friend she lost in the Haiti earthquake, and most recently, she opened up an art gallery Galop Gallery where she showcases local talent and teaches art. I wanted to interview her because I think she's a fantastic role model to her students and people around her. Find out more about Christine below.

Tell me about Christine Tremblay-Sloan. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Love: Love love love to play sports, cycle, and be artistic (paint, sculpt, photography).

Hate: Hate hate hate to clean (my husband can attest to this), oh and I also dislike driving at night, especially in the rain.

Wish: If I could do anything it would be a full-time artist who travels with her kids and hubby around the world.

How long have you been a teacher? How has it changed your life? What do you love most about it?

I have been teaching for 10 years all at the same highschool I attended (which is kind of neat) and it has changed me by allowing me to balance my life with a young family and as an active member of my community. I love teaching and sharing artistic experiences with my students. It is always an adventure and I always have a smile on my face.

What are you passionate about outside of being a teacher?

Just to inspire people and to promote the arts for all ages. Expressing yourself artistically is such a lovely way of finding an inner peace, everyone can find some way of expressing themselves in a creative way.

Tell me about your new venture as an art gallery owner. Why did you choose to open the gallery?

What a dream come true for me. We moved to Cardinal, Ontario over a year ago and right from the get-go I was so inspired to create (I'm thinking my view of the beautiful St. Lawrence River every morning when I wake up has something to do with it). I discussed the possibility of doing something creative for the community and my friends Tammy and Karie were sort of thinking along the same lines, but more on the artisan/crafters side of things. So we decided to come together and create a creative space that would act as an art gallery, artisan market and creative meeting spot. I get to follow my dream of selling and displaying my own art, and that of the creative people in this community, as well as bringing artists from all over to educate and inspire.

What is your favourite form of art?

I enjoy so much, but currently I'm playing with watercolour and ink mixes non-stop. They work well together and I enjoy seeing what I can create. But if I had the time, I would play with clay non-stop.

What has been your biggest challenge in your life?

Having a hysterectomy and being sent into early menopause because of tumours I had at the age of 31 was quite a bumpy road. My children were 2 and 4 and I could not have gone through this without the love and support of my husband, my family and friends. The healing after surgery was a big challenge, but it was the anxiety and the depression that came with it that was the most challenging. I am so thankful for the support; I could not have gone through this without them. Three months after my surgery I raced in a triathlon for "fun" and it was the most amazing feeling ever. Art, sports and adventures with my boys are what keep me grounded and I am so thankful for the three of them every day.

Favourite fruit?

Bananas, strawberries and kiwi....together or separately!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Hmmm...well next on our list of places to visit are The Czech, Austria and Eastern Europe. Then New Zealand and Faroe Islands...maybe not in that order, but definitely on my list of must sees.

Thank you so much Christine! For more information on Galop Gallery visit its Facebook page here.

Interview with: Carrie Duncan from Four Bees Photography

I'm excited to share my next interview with you today: Carrie Duncan from Four Bees Photography. Carrie is an awesome mother of two sweet children and I first met her when she took a mini photo shoot of my family two Christmases ago. Since then, we have frequented the same mom group in our neighbourhood and most recently she started up a new Facebook group for entrepreneurial mamas & women in west Toronto.

I wanted to interview and include her here because I love her photos which focus on the true beauty of birth and families. Find out more about Carrie below.

Photo via Carrie Duncan

Tell me about Carrie Duncan. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Love: snuggling with my kids in that moment right before they fall asleep. It’s like magic watching them drift off.

Hate: laundry and taxes.

Wish: I could be more organized. It’s like I’m genetically predisposed to disorder.

How did you get into the photography business? 

In my former life, I was a journalist. I think photography is very similar. It’s still telling stories, just visually instead of verbally.

Why did you start your own company? 

Truth be told, I never considered myself an “entrepreneur”– making that leap was really scary. However, I feel like capturing women in motherhood artfully is part of my path. My kids have changed me, changed my life. I wanted to be more for them. I wanted them to see they could be whatever they wanted to be.

Where does your company name come from? How did you come up with it?

When I was carving out my niche in the photography world, I wanted to specialize in genres that made my heart sing. Those were: Bellies, Babies, Birth and Breastfeeding— the four “B”s or “Bees” because I thought that would be more visually appealing.

What do you think is missing from the photography industry and how do you want to change it? 

Love. Self-love. Women are the largest consumers of photography and yet we are often the ones that enjoy the process the least. How ironic. If I could figure out a way to make women love the process, and love themselves (minus photoshop) then I’ll be a very wealthy photographer (I’m still working on that bit).

What types of photos do you love to take? 

My goal in any session is to take photos that truly capture my subject’s essence. I know that sounds corny. But you know when you see a new mom and she’s just SO in love with that new baby that it just oozes from her pores. That joy that radiates from her— that’s what I love to photograph.

What are you passionate about outside of photography? 

Food. I actually took chef training classes at George Brown College. I only stopped when the chef uniform stopped fitting me near the end of my first pregnancy.

Favourite vegetable?

Today, I’ll say kale. It’s so versatile and hearty. Soups, salads, stews… it goes wherever you need a boost of greens :).

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The south of France. And by “go” I mean "live there forever.” The food is amazing, it’s virtually tropical with its palm trees and the Mediterranean Sea and the pace of life is slower.

Thanks so much Carrie! Please visit Four Bees Photography for more information and photos.

---

Previous interview: Tara Russel of Russel Events

Interview with: Tara Russel of Russel Events

I'm really excited to share something new with you - a Q&A with my friend (and client!) Tara Russel. Tara is owner of Russel Events and was the one who put together the beautiful dessert table for Mila's first birthday party. I thought it would be fun to have her on the blog and share her thoughts about event planning and her business.

Photo via Who Do You Love Photography

Tell me about Tara Russel. What do you love to do, hate to do, wish you could do?

Love: Anything to do with my husband and kids. I love my friends, movies, parties, books, food, cake and wine....and all of those things at the same time!

Hate: Housework and parking in downtown Toronto.

Wish: Hire a full-time, live-in housekeeper to chauffeur me around!

How did you get into event planning?

It's always been there. I've always done it, no matter what my job, I have always incorporated event planning into it. In terms of becoming an event planner professionally, it all started with a 5km run with a very good friend during a dragon boat practice. I was incredibly unfulfilled with my job. Long story short, we both decided to do an event management certification at night and on weekends to explore something creative and to see where it would lead us. I don't really know how to describe it...have you ever just known that you had to do something?

In the meantime, I was planning big and small events either through work or on my own for charity and friends. I loved it. I love it so much that I really would have continued doing it for free, but with baby #2 on the way I had to make a change. If I was going to leave my beautiful children for X number of hours every day it had to be to do something I loved.

Why did you start your own company?

I’ve worked in business for much longer than most people my age. I was 19 years old when I started managing high-volume retail stores. I have a lot of experience and I have a passion not only for event planning, but for business development. It was time for me to put all the pieces together and build something that suits the needs of my family. Plus, I'm a total control freak ;).

What do you think is missing from the event planning industry and how do you want to change it?

Great question. I think there is still a perception in the corporate world that an event is a fluffy, ‘nice-to-have’ for employees. In reality, events should be a part of a company's marketing plan along with its rewards and recognition programs. Business leaders are slowly coming around to the idea that the events industry needs to be part of their long-term business planning and, as such, need to be handled by an expert...not simply handed off to an over-worked assistant. My job is to educate, and raise the bar.

The other thing I would say is that it can be tough to break into this business. Unless of course, you like working for free. My father-in-law has a saying that I love: If you pay people peanuts, you get monkeys. My mission for this business is to create an environment of shared values, continuing education and provide the ultimate customer experience. It’s about attracting the right people... both clients and employees’.

What types of events do you love to produce?

I love events that introduce me to some new creative world that I haven't experienced before.

Favourite colours to work with? 

Anything big and bold.

Favourite wine? 

My favourite question! It depends on the time of year and what I'm eating. It changes all the time, but my favourite ‘house’ white is Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Italy. The Italians have a way of appreciating art that we don't possess here. I love their ability to completely hand themselves over to the pleasure of food and wine.

Thanks so much Tara! For more information on Tara or Russel Events, visit her site here.