By Sophie Kaftal & Bobby Zielinski Excerpted from Kitten and the Bear, Inc. Copyright © 2024 Kitten and the Bear, Inc. Photography by Johanna Martin. Published by Penguin, an imprint of Penguin Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.  At Kitten and the Bear, we handcraft traditional fruit preserves and buttermilk scones using time-honoured methods. Our years spent learning the art of preserving has given us a great appreciation for tradition, heritage, and the power of the human touch. Kitten and the ..read more

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) has released the sales figures for March. Despite more buyers having adjusted to the new interest rate environment, the 6,560 home sales reported represent a 4.5% decrease in transactions when compared to the previous year.  Prospective buyers were afforded a greater selection of property than they were a year earlier. The13,120 new homes listed for sale represent a 15.1% increase over last March, with active listings rising 23.1% to 12,459. Inventory now sits at 1.9-months as the spring market gets underway.  Increased competition among ..read more

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flies, and this year has been no different. With Q1 already in the rear-view mirror, market watchers will now have their sights fixed firmly on the second quarter of 2024 and the always anticipated spring market.  With sales volume on the rise (Q1 sales were up 11% from 2023), lending rates for 5-year fixed mortgages nearing 5%, and predictions that the Bank of Canada will be lowering the key lending rate this summer, the market is witnessing a notable uptick in activity. Certainly, at Harvey Kalles Real Estate, our agent open houses are attrac ..read more

Our Top 6 Toronto Arts & Culture Events for Spring This spring, discover Toronto’s vibrant arts scene with our Top 6 events supporting local institutions and programs. From gallery exhibitions to outdoor art installations, immerse yourself in creativity and culture. Join us in celebrating the talent and diversity of Toronto’s artistic community while contributing to its growth and sustainability. NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL TIFF Next Wave film festival returns for its 13th edition to champion new and emerging storytellers. Programmed for youth and by youth, this festival offers free Of ..read more

The Six Design Secrets of Weaving Warmth & Elegance into Modern Living Spaces By Alyssa Moscovitch-Young, Harper Gray Design In the vibrant world of interior design, creating spaces that feel both welcoming and luxurious is a hallmark of Harper Gray Design. At the heart of our work lies the dedication to create environments that are not only visually striking, but also inherently comforting and inviting—a home that resonates with the vibrancy of family life. Here we’ll walk through a recent full home renovation where we’ll unfold the six foundational elements that are instrumental in sculp ..read more

There’s a sea of green on the TTC, scores of Guinness ads covering Yonge/Dundas Square, and the raucous sounds of Torontonians raising trouble in the streets. It can only mean one thing: It’s St. Paddy’s Day in the Six. If you’re like most adults, you want to capture the freewheeling spirit of the day without all the messiness, tacky green beads and outdated leprechaun caricatures. The best way to do that is by hosting an upscale celebration – one that honours the true meaning of the Irish holiday as an occasion for togetherness and cultural celebration (and maybe a smidgen of mischief!). In t ..read more

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s annual Limitless conference in Las Vegas. This year’s conference had over 1300 attendees, including a record 70 Canadians, with representatives coming from as far afield as New Zealand.  For those unfamiliar with the organization, LeadingRE is a global association, made up of the very best independent real estate brokerages in the world. As a group, we exceed 550 members, spanning 75 countries, and representing more than 130,000 sales associates.  In 2022, our U.S. members alone accounted for over ..read more

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) has published the sales figures for February. With 5,607 home sales reported, transactions were up 17.9% from last year as population growth and a resilient economy continue to support the demand for housing.   Housing supply increased in February with the rate of new listings exceeding that of sales. The 11,396 new homes listed for sale represent a 33.5% year-over-year increase, with active listings rising 15.1% to 11,102. As we entered the month of March, inventory now sits at 1.98-months.  Sales prices were up on both a year-over ..read more

Making Plants the Star of the Plate By Julian Bentivegna, Ten Restaurant Plant-focused diets have emerged over the last couple of years as a noticeable food movement. Some might say that this is just another trend that will soon fade away. However, I believe that this shift in our eating habits is part of the blueprint to the future of dining, and a behaviour that will be instrumental in combating climate change. The current farming practices for meat production place a significant strain on resources and the environment when compared to growing fruits and vegetables. Ontario grows some of the ..read more

By Mike Friskney Ice sculptures are both beautiful and breathtaking. It’s hard not to marvel at the artistry and skill needed to create them, or be intrigued by what it must take to transform a 300-pound block of ice into a stunning, glistening masterpiece. Well, you are in luck…you’re about to find out. First, a little background Credit for the first ice sculpture goes to the farmers and fishermen of Northern China back in the 16th century. They would freeze buckets of water, carve out the centre and then place a candle inside to make lanterns. These lanterns grew in popularity, and soon peop ..read more