Making the Outdoors Outstanding

Summer’s in full swing and if you’re not spending your days lounging in the backyard, making the most of your patio, or enjoying your balcony or deck, you’re missing out. Transform your space, whatever it may be, into the ultimate outdoor oasis and get ready to enjoy.

Cool down

Some of us love to see the mercury rise. Others, not so much. Create a cool waterfront escape with a new inflatable pool or funky sprinkler. Visit Hudson’s Bay and choose from cool patterns and fun prints and then turn any backyard corner into your new poolside paradise. And don’t forget the hose. Fill your new pool with a new hose, water the garden, and give yourself a refreshing spritz, too, just make sure to turn the hose off when you’re done to save water and avoid flooding the yard.

Warm up
Summer isn’t always about figuring out how to beat the heat. Sometimes, it’s about how to heat up a cool night. May we suggest a firepit? Not only is it a chic way to warm up, but it’s a quick and easy way to roast a weenie or toast some marshmallows! A beautiful addition to any backyard, Hudson’s Bay has a ton of great options!

And if a firepit isn’t in the budget, try a few cozy throw blankets and outdoor cushions from QE Home for a pop of colour and warmth as you wind down in the evening.

Play on
Did we mention your backyard is the best place to play? Make your space a fun source of endless entertainment with outdoor games like life-sized Jenga or Connect 4 from Toys R Us and get ready for friendly competition. Or let your little ones show off their sports skills with a new basketball hoop or baseball glove.

And when you need a break from the games, turn your outdoor space into a private movie theatre. Showcase has portable projectors where you can watch your favourites just about anywhere and create movie magic all season long.

Cool down, warm up, and have a blast in your very own backyard, all summer long. 

Tips for Tots This Halloween

Boo! Scared you, didn’t we? With Halloween right around the corner, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks on how to have a fun time with your little ones and create a killer costume quickly.

  • Choose something comfy and practical from Urban Kids
    The odds of a warm and sunny Halloween in Metro Vancouver are more of a trick than a treat. When planning what to dress up as, be sure to factor in the ability to be warm and dry. Consider a costume that can be worn over warmer clothes or choose something that already includes layers or outwear as part of the look.
  • Opt for face paint from Coles over masks
    We’ve spent plenty of time wearing masks recently, but full-face coverings and masks can pose safety risks for little ones. In addition to being hot and sweaty, Halloween masks can make it hard to breathe and see well, especially at night. Avoid the risk of a trip or fall and use face paint instead! Face paints are a great addition to costumes and lets everyone embrace their inner artist. Plus, they wash right off at the end of the night.
  • Use clothing you can easily re-purpose
    Cute, ready-to-go costumes are all over and make for a quick solution to dressing up. But when Halloween is over, what do you do with them? Instead, try using clothing you can re-purpose after Halloween like colourful tees and leggings and add accessories and props to polish off your look.
  • You don’t have to trick-or-treat
    While hitting the neighbourhood and collecting candy is the Halloween tradition, it’s not always as fun as it sounds for the kiddos, especially if it’s cold and rainy. Sore feet? Climbing stairs? Uncomfortable costumes? No thank you. Consider fun family alternatives like visiting a local pumpkin patch or haunted house. Many venues offer a milder, less scary version of their haunted house during the day, perfect for anyone who isn’t into scary thrills. Or spend Halloween with us at Willowbrook! We’re hosting The Great Pumpkin Haunt—a fun scavenger hunt throughout the mall’s common areas, complete with awesome prizes.

Have a fun, safe, and slightly spooky Halloween with just a few tricks and plenty of treats.

Make Yourself At Home

Let’s be honest: camping isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Flimsy tents, bug bites, and all that packing and unpacking. No thank you. But it’s not all bad. S’mores, anyone? Bring the best of camping indoors with some cute décor and enjoy a quiet camp out without the hassle.

Building a campfire isn’t easy. But using a s’mores machine is. Pick yours up from Hudson’s Bay and slow roast your marshmallow to perfection without the hassle of chopping wood so you can enjoy everyone’s favourite camping dessert at home indoors.

Pitching a tent? Pass. Putting together a cute pop-up tent for your little one? Sold. Set up your own private campsite in the playroom, family room, or wherever you feel like camping out comfortably. And as an added bonus, you don’t have to worry about being trapped with a buzzing critter all night. Find affordable and cute options for your little loves at Toys R Us.

Stargazing? Okay, we admit, that’s a pretty great part of camping that we can’t replicate. But in the meantime, we’ll settle for stargazing entertainment at home. Just dim the lights and let unicorns entertain you with a cool handheld projector from Mountain Warehouse. Besides, when was the last time you saw a unicorn when you were camping? Or put your crafting skills to the test and fold your own origami lanterns—a cute camping activity that lets you decorate, too—with a do-it-yourself kit from Toys R Us.

Whether the great outdoors is calling your name or you’re a diehard fan being indoors, we’re sure you can make yourself at home and have fun with the family camping in style, and comfort.

Make It Cozy

We know, we know, Summer left us too soon. But, as the weather changes, the air gets crisp, and the Fall season makes its debut, it’s time for comfy clothes, cozy spaces, all things pumpkin, and deep relaxation. Make your space, and wardrobe Autumn ready in just a few simple steps.

MAKE IT LOOK COZY

Bring on the blankets and cute throw pillows from QE Home. Beyond making your space look more inviting, a few little luxuries will also make it feel more comfortable and much warmer. Consider a few easy-to-style table accents like fake Fall floral arrangements in a simple vase or serving bowl from Hudson’s Bay or use mini pumpkins and seasonal squash to make a festive display. And when the sun starts setting earlier fear not—string up adorable fairy lights from Coles around your window, over a bookshelf, or display them along with another table décor for a twinkly dining experience.

MAKE IT FEEL COZY

If denim isn’t your thing, slip into stretchy, fuzzy, comfy loungewear and put your feet up, it’s sweater weather! And whether you’re all about chunky cable knits, thick oversized hoodies, or matching sweatsuits, we’re sure you’ll find your fall faves at American Eagle Outfitters and we won’t blame you if you refuse to change out of them. Cold feet? Slip into plush fuzzy socks or invest in a nice pair of slippers from Soft Moc that will leave you feeling like you’re walking on air.

MAKE IT SMELL COZY

Apples and cinnamon? Pumpkin pie? Vanilla? How do we choose?! Whatever sweet smell speaks to you, there’s a candle for that, especially at Bath & Body Works. Adding to the cozy vibes with a sweet aroma can make home feel and of course smell that much better. But if candles aren’t your thing, or there are little ones or furry friends who might accidentally get too close, try a scented reed diffuser or a room spray as a fire-free alternative.

With a few little luxuries your home will be fabulous, Fall ready, and a place you won’t want to leave.

Home Sweet Home

Having been at Willowbrook for almost 30 years, the team at QE Home is dedicated to helping you create a space that celebrates your unique take on the world. Whatever your style and however you sleep, their in-house designers and experts will design to your taste using sustainable, fair-trade materials you can feel great about.

As a family-owned business, QE Home has kept accessibility top of mind. By working directly with manufacturers, they’re able to offer the best, most trusted materials, at prices that will help you sleep easy.

And don’t worry, they’ve got something for your furry friends too! QE Home ensures a happy and healthy sleep for your pet, no matter what they get up to (or into) with their MLILY Ergonomic Memory Foam Pet Bed. Be sure to check it out in-store or on their website.

Offering a selection of comfy, cozy bedding, blankets, and home accents, you’re sure to find just what you need to make your space comfortable and uniquely yours.

And, to celebrate Earth Month, QE Home is donating 1% of their eco-friendly luxury sheet sales to One Tree Planted. That means, you will plant at least one tree when you purchase a Bamboo Cotton, Eucalyptus Luxe, or BeechBliss Sheet Set.

Plus, their silky soft, temperature regulating TENCEL™ Modal BeechBliss Sheets are 20% off until April 20th!

Upgrade Your Home Office

We know—the novelty of working from home might be wearing a little thin. Okay, maybe a lot thin. But with many of us still taking our meetings remotely and only dressing up for conference calls, the need for a functional, organized, and uplifting workspace is greater than ever.

So how do you update your space quickly, easily, and without breaking the bank?

Step one: make the most of what you got.

Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated home office. So whether you’re working from a spare room, dining table, or, the couch, it’s key to create a space you can work in. Invest in things like small organizers for pens and pencils from Claire’s or a cute case to keep them contained. Or, a paper organizer that lets you file hardcopy documents for quick reference. Spending a lot of time with a laptop in front of you? Consider a cushy laptop desk from Coles that makes it easier to work if you don’t have a desk or table to use (P.S.-they’re also great for watching Netflix, too).

Step two: organize.

Drowning in paper? Too many tabs open? Is today Wednesday, or Thursday? Working from home can make it even harder to separate work life and home life and the need for calendars is clear. Try a cute at-a-glance desk version or opt for an inspirational agenda. Hudson’s Bay and Icing have some really cute ones! We won’t tell anyone if you doodle in it during your next Zoom call. Want to take it to the next level? Consider a book on organizing tips, tricks, and strategies to help you get your space in order once and for all. Get yourself one from Coles.

Step three: treat yourself.

Working through a global pandemic is no easy feat. Make time to reward yourself for your hard work, too. Step up your coffee game with a chic reusable cup that you’ll want to show off in meetings—online and in person. Pick up a reusable cup at Nutrition House, Starbucks or Tim Hortons! You can even invest in a fitness tracker from Simply Computing and The Source, or a smartwatch from WIRELESSWAVE and TBooth Wireless so you stay connected, never miss an alert, and make sure you get your steps in, even if you are working from the living room.

Whatever system works for you, we’re sure you’ll find the right accessories and set up to make your home workspace productive, pretty, and totally positive.

Custom Craftsmanship At Its Finest

Family-owned and operated, the Willowbrook Art Gallery has called the shopping centre it’s home since 1994. Offering amazing paintings and prints by both local and world-renowned artists such as Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, Bev Doolittle, Pino, Kinkade and Sam Park, the gallery also provides professional custom framing, tailored to every individual client’s needs.

Bringing over two decades worth of craftsmanship and experience, the Willowbrook Art Gallery team uses state of the art framing tools and computerized mat cutters to ensure your piece is perfect and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Work is done on-site so it’s completed quickly, and you don’t have to wait to display your prints and paintings. Have an idea? Come chat with the team, or use the online custom framing tool to mock-up the design and calculate the approximate cost. 

MORE THAN JUST AN ART GALLERY

Aside from limited edition prints, the Art Gallery also has a few original pieces of artwork and carry an extensive selection of posters too! Not only that, you can also find McIntosh Fine Bone China and The Bradford exchange (Disney) pieces in-store! From prints to canvases and sports jerseys to comic books, their experienced, professional framers can create picture frames even the most complex arrangement of items.

They also feature various local artists crafts with a variety of fine collectables for all occasions. Also, don’t forget to check out their new Edge Sculpture collection sculpted in England by Matt Buckley at his studios in Shropshire. The beautiful Edge Sculptures are influenced by style rather than subject.

 

REVISIT MEMORIES WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND ART

Relive some gran memories and take a glimpse at what Fraser Valley looked like in the 1900s and event he ’50s and ’60s. The amazing Brian Croft created these picturesque watercolour prints to provide us with a memory or two and instil the feeling of nostalgia. There are many more such prints available at Willowbrook Art Gallery…be sure to check them out!

 

ROBERT BATEMAN’S 2021 CALENDAR

Robert Bateman’s much-awaited 2021 calendar is now available at Willowbrook Art Gallery and you can get it for FREE with any Robert Bateman purchase!

Visit Willowbrook Art Gallery in-centre or online for shopping services & custom framing options and learn more!