I recently came across this fabulous billboard advertising a new home development in Toronto’s east end.  I thought it was a wonderful departure from the typical billboard for new home developments showing an artist’s impression of lovely homes, mature trees and blue skies.  Nice enough, very typical but not head turning.  Or the classic billboard of a future development showing a happy couple in a big embrace with huge smiles on their face making me think that possibly this to be an advertisement for teeth whitening!  The Lilly Factory Towns sales centre billboard is a colourful and unique display of creative, outside-the-box thinking.  Sixty four colourful cups are lined up in the shape of a huge cup on a glossy black background.  Some of the lettering is also in bright pink.  Very fun and catchy; made my head turn.  The Lilly Factory Towns development has been named in tribute to the Lily-Tulip Cup Corporation factory that had stood on the property for many years.  The famous Lily paper cup was manufactured at the factory that became a well-known community landmark because of its huge two-story white cup marking the entrance into the building.  A definite head turner.  As a child whenever I saw this building I imagined it to be a place where cups of pop were handed out to anybody who knocked on the big white cup door!  Just as the huge white cup was distinctive so is the new billboard.  Which now makes me wonder, “Does each of the colourful cups hold a cold drink in them too?” 

            Image via Modmissy

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending time in Hudson, Quebec.  Truly a story book town; quaint, charming and picturesque.   I felt I had stepped back in time and was strolling through a Dickens novel.  Located along Main Street which ran parallel to the river was the town hall, churches with bell towers, the barristers’ office, bakeries (with the most amazing goodies), ladies attire shops, the village playhouse, farmers’ market, the newspaper office, a school and many beautiful homes built of stone or brick that were well over 100 years old.  And gardens! Everyone took such pride in their gardens.  The gardens around the shops, churches, businesses and homes were spectacular.  Many homes had tall cedar hedges instead of fences which made the town feel very green.  Colourful flowers were abundant.  But stepping back into the 21^st century Main Street also had the conveniences of today; a grocery store, realty offices, pizza takeout, video shop, car dealer, salon and spas and many restaurants all housed in period-looking buildings.  As a banner hanging on Main Street identified exactly what I felt, “Hudson, A way of Live/Un style de vie!”  I knew I could live in this idyllic town forever and be quite happy.

                  Images via Modmissy

Summer is always the time to get away, travel the countryside and to see what is happening in other parts of your world.  This summer if you have the opportunity to visit the city of Sudbury located in northeastern Ontario you will be pleasantly surprised.  Sudbury’s history began in the late 1800’s with the development of the Canadian Pacific railway.  Initially planned as only a temporary work camp for the railway workers, Sudbury has grown into a diversified regional urban centre with strengths in technology, education, health and government.  The focus of Sudbury in the last many years has been its ‘transformation’ with land reclamation and municipal amalgamation.  But Sudbury’s present ‘transformation’ is about focusing on its people.  With a population of more than 160,000, the city of Sudbury is ‘tapping’ into the power of local institutions, businesses, community groups and citizens.  One of the items that the people spoke about and were heard was new bike racks along the downtown streets.  And I must say these are the coolest bike racks I have ever seen.  They are bike-shaped bike racks!  I am loving them.  Truly the ‘transformation’ of the utilitarian into art!  Bravo Sudbury.

         Image via Jenny Jelen

I thought in the aftermath of the (Lord) Stanley Cup playoffs I would write about the location I found myself at for the final championship game.  Yes, I was a ‘jump on the bandwagon’ kind of fan but hey, I was there supporting the team.  Ah….but which team??!!  I spent the evening in a ‘Man Cave’!!  My friend has outfitted his garage into a sports-central, man cave zone complete with all the necessary furniture and accessories; décor very befitting of a man cave.  It is a double garage so the dimensions are good.  The focal point is the built-in bookcases storage units with a LCD television mounted above it.  There is an under counter stainless steel wine beer fridge and lovely amusing artwork hanging on the walls.  There is the required punching bag necessary for venting at half time.  There are numerous bicycles, shovels and power sprayers for hits of colour.  There are lots of comfortable seating made of durable, heard-wearing nylon fabric complete with beverage holders.  The chairs are foldable so they can serve multiple uses.  The window coverings are vintage terrycloth towels.  The lighting is by the glow of the television and the stars in the sky.  Not to mention the beautiful full moon that was out last night.  I enjoyed the evening very much as there were lots of friends and neighbours to share this momentous occasion with, not to mention that the setting and ambiance were perfect.  My friend has definitely achieved what he set out to create; a fabulously designed ‘Man Cave’.  Well done!!