Camping essentials....getting ready for May long weekend in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

It's 11 C today, a veritable heat wave for us here in Thunder Bay. It has been such a looooooong winter here, so being able to go outside without a coat, well, we are doing a happy dance!

We start to dream of the May long weekend which for us in Northwestern Ontario, signals the start of Fishing season and Camping . For those of us who live in Thunder Bay, we are blessed with many nearby Lakes, and we joke about leaving work and being on a Lake( provided our gear and boat are loaded), in an hour. 

Even if you are not a fishing kinda person, it's still wonderful to be out on the Lake with a sunny blue sky, and Nature all around you. 

Boating , fishing and Camping...great activities for #FathersDayweekend, which is coming up on June 17th. 2018. So many of us take our Fathers for granted. What are you planning for this #FathersDayweekend? 

These hand-tied fishing lures would make a great Gift for Dad ( and Mom). Buy here at https://yourperfectcatch.com/collections/fathers-day

So peaceful and tranquil...until you get bitten by a mosquito or blackfly. The redness and itching and swelling....not so great. Our weapon is #RockyMountainsoap #BreakoutBuster. 

Getting out and Hiking is great, however, be aware of our large Tick population, which peaks in the springtime. Follow the usual precautions of no exposed skin, and thorough checks when you go back indoors. It isn't uncommon in Northern Ontario to see a car stop suddenly, and a person exits and starts madly ripping their clothes off. Usually it's not an exhibitionist, but a tick on the person. 

We joke about the weather on long weekends..... it's raining, of course, I should have guessed, it's  a long weekend! The smart camper packs a raincoat, just in case. This one from Ikea  (Knalla Rain poncho) looks big enough to hold Cupcake the dog under it, as well as keeping you dry.  Priced at an affordable $12.99, click for more information: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60283421/

You need a place to pack all of your Camping essentials, like this Ikea Starttid Backpack, it comes in 2 colours, green and black, priced at $39.99. Click here to purchase:  https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20410628/

There is no IKEA store in Thunder Bay, but you can easily shop online, or if you are visiting Winnipeg, there is an Ikea store there.  

Heading out to go Camping...? Click on this link to download a checklist. Most of us get everything ready on Wednesday evening, do grocery shopping on Thursday, so that we can head out right away on Friday. 

https://www.sunset.com/travel/outdoor-adventure/camping-checklist?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=deringhall.com-external&utm_term=pubexchange_module-sunset-dering_hall

I'm swooning over the Ikea Forfina travel bags, a set of 6 for $12.99. Click here to buy https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10328177/

The more organized you are, the easier it is to find your Camping essentials, and the more likely you are to actually be able to enjoy your Camping trip. ( less of ..'do you know where the**** is? ). Photos of Ikea products provided by Ikea. 

Going Camping? Stop by and see us at #TheCamellia for #Mosquitonets, and #Noseeumnets. Pick up some #BreakoutBuster , some Camo leggings, and #Bughats. 

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On

Open Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. and Sunday.

p(807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Thinking about an IKEA Kitchen? Ikea Kitchen Ideas 2018

Are you dreaming of a sleek, modern Kitchen? Then think about getting a Kitchen from IKEA. Spring is a  perfect time to think about refreshing and revamping your space. IKEA kitchens would be completely at home in an Urban loft, a contemporary Condo, or in anyone's home  who has a modern sensibility. Clean, pared down, and timeless. This is the JUTIS frosted glass door from IKEA starting at $50.00 each. Base and high cabinet door front starting at $79.00/linear foot. 

As always when planning a new Kitchen, you must take into account how much cooking will take place in the Kitchen.  Does the Homeowner love to cook, or are they making snacks and heating up take-out? Does the homeowner prefer an open shelving system where everything is in plain sight, or does the homeowner like everything out of sight and organized behind doors? This is the TINGSRYD front door from IKEA starting at $69.00 per linear foot. 

And the big question is: can you do-it-yourself? For help with planning your Ikea Kitchen, go to https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/planning_/?icid=ilp|ca|en_kitchenpg_howtoplan|201707031556585728_3

Measure, Dream & Plan, Order, Install.
This photo shows the VOXTORP ( walnut) high cabinet door front, with the VOXTORP beige island door front starting at $145.00 per linear foot. 

Do I know anyone who has ordered an IKEA Kitchen? Yes. They used the online planning tools, ordered their Ikea cabinets, and arranged for a local qualified Tradesperson to install them. Custom counters were ordered locally, and installed. Some custom adjustments had to be made to make everything blend and look streamlined. They commented that their main objective was to have a very functional Kitchen. Are they happy with their Kitchen? Yes! 

Are there any options if you can't order a new Kitchen at this moment, but still want an updated look? Yes, you can paint your existing cabinets with #SerenityCottagePaint. 

Here are some of the greys in the #SerenitycottagePaint line. There are 63 colours and more in the palette, and various sheen levels in this line.  

Here are Maple sample doors being painted with Cottage Paint (above) and (below) is a custom bathroom vanity painted with Country Manor Cottage Paint, and drawers are finished with satin varnish. 

Think about painting your Kitchen cabinets - yourself. 

Here at The Camellia, we sell Serenity Cottage Paint, a low voc, clay-based Paint that is a DIY product, which you can use for painting your cabinets. Just clean and paint, no need to sand and strip before painting. Cottage Paint has a 30-day cure time. 

Do visit our store The Camellia, at  30, Hacquoil Rd. to see samples, and look at Serenity Cottage Paint. You can also take a Cabinet painting class. 

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

www.paintoldkitchencabinets.com

You can buy Serenity Cottage Paint online at https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/cottage-paint/products/kitchen-cabinet-paint-package

Opinions in this post are my own, photos provided by IKEA. 

Spring flowers just make you SMILE! Send some flowers this Easter, the Camellia, Thunder Bay.

Hello! Easter is just around the corner, and it's time to think about sending Easter Flowers! These are our favourite - Ranunculus blooms. It's always so nice to receive Flowers at Easter, especially in Thunder Bay, there is still snow on the ground here. 

Freesias are another Spring favourite to send for Easter ...they have a wonderful fragrance, especially the white freesias. Maybe you have a special Aunt in Thunder Bay , or a Sister or a Mom who would love some Spring flowers. Call us here at the Camellia, to order Spring Flowers for delivery. The sooner you order, the better. Call us at 807-475-3551 or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444. 

Gerbera daisies are also quite lovely, and come in a variety of colours. 

Ranunculus come in several beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites. Which colour do you love the most? It seems like time is flying by, and Easter will soon be here. Tomorrow, start by making a list of what you would like to get done by Easter weekend, and slowly work through your To-do's.

The Easter Bunny...if you have little ones in your Family, we have fuzzy-wuzzy Bunny Wabbits, and hand-made Rabbits, which are perfect Easter gifts. 

For a no-fuss, low maintenance alternative, send succulents or Air plants. These need minimum care, and are perfect for those on your list who don't have a green thumb.

Happy Easter! We also have beautiful hand-made willow wreaths and crosses for delivery in Thunder Bay. Call 807-475-3551 or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444 to order.
The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On, P7J0E2
www.thecamellia.com

Unique Gifts for Lake/Beachy People in Thunder Bay.

Need a Gift for a couple that lives by the Lake in the Thunder Bay area? A Pottery mug from Mussels 'n More makes a wonderful Gift. Add in a cotton apron, and you're done! You can buy these mugs at The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. in Thunder Bay. 

Mussels and More Pottery comes in 3 colours, Aqua and beige, Navy and Beige, and a sandy Beige. Nautical dinnerware is brought to life in a high fired porcelain clay body. Our nautical dinnerware line includes nautical plates, nautical coffee mugs, starfish bowls and nautical themed pottery bowls. 

Elegant and practical to enhance your coastal decor, yet safe and durable for everyday dinnerware use. Mussels and More Pottery is inspired by life on the seashore, the Seashell Bowls in various sizes and designs are replicas of shells on the beach. 

These individually handmade pottery bowls are as unique as they are in nature. Each piece is adorned with sculpted starfish, barnacles and other sea creatures, and then hand painted with a fade proof palette of brilliant ocean colour. 

This pottery is made for you to enjoy setting your Table...your Guests will hear the surf, smell the salty air of the clear ocean waters, as you serve your finest recipes on this lovely, hand-crafted nautical Tableware. 

A bar of Napa Valley Soap, along with our 1-day-at-the-beach apron, also makes a wonderful Gift for a Lake dweller. You can buy Napa Valley Soap at out store, the Camellia. Napa Valley Soap is an intoxicating blend of Napa Valley grapeseed oil, olive, coconut, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter and a healthy dose of Napa Valley wine. This bar smells wonderful, and is long-lasting. 

Lake towels and cushions add that Beachy feel to a Lakeside retreat. 

Visiting the Lake is a treat in the Summer. What memories do you have of visiting the Lake? What are you planning for the coming Summer? 

Need a guest favour at your upcoming Lake party? What about custom Fishing hooks? Order at www.yourperfectcatch.com. You can pick up Hooks at the Thunder Bay Country Market, or get your order shipped to you. 

The water is so clear...sometimes you can see the roots of these Waterlilies. 

Visit The Camellia at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, for Lake Gifts and Mussels and More Pottery. Or call us at (807) 475-3551, order by phone, and we will deliver your Gift! 

www.thecamellia.com

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca

How to decorate in the new JUNGLE style...The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ontario

It's February in #ThunderBay, and it has been so cold ( as it usually is), so we seek diversion today by talking about a recent trend, Jungle Style. Just the sight of green, tropical foilage makes one feel better. It's so-not-great looking at all that snow outside. Snow is a wonder in December, maybe January, then by February, it's like..enough already! Jungle foilage is showing up in wallpaper, and in fabrics, linens & cushions. 

We have Bird of Paradise blooms which look beautiful in a vase, and these are faux, so they last and last. You can buy these at our shop, the Camellia. 

Here is some colourful, scrapbooking paper. If you've just gone on a Tropical vacay, this would be perfect for your scrapbook. 

    

Faux plants and succulents add a jungle vibe, these ones are especially real-looking, from the Magnolia Home collection ( Target),  however, we also sell them at The Camellia. If you are a fan of Joanna Gaines, you will see her using a lot of silk-like foilage in large, glass vessels. You can easily repurpose bottles and pickle jars to make your own vases. 

Thatched roofs surely speak to us and remind us of the Jungle, as most structures in the jungle have thatched roofs. You can make a fake thatching with raffia strands. This was taken at Viva Wyndham Maya, in Mexico. 

Green plants are an integral part of the Jungle look, head to your local florist to buy some potted plants. If the thought of taking care of a plant makes you want to pull your hair out, then come into our store, the Camellia, and see the latest in faux plants, and order a planter which needs no care. 

If your are heading on a Tropical vacay, make sure to pack #RockyMountainSoap outdoor butter. It's easy to be lulled into thinking there are no bugs, and you don't feel anything biting you. Then you get the itching around the ankles, maybe sandflies biting in the evenings, or ants may have bitten you when you were laying at the beach under the palm trees. Ants love sand, water, and palm trees. Just pack this into your beach bag and apply once in the morning, and again in the evening. We sell #RockyMountainSoap #OutdoorButter at #TheCamellia. 

Don't forget to also pack #RockyMountainSoap's natural sunscreen, with SPF of 31. 

Don't have any green decor items? Repurpose an item with #CottagePaint, maybe a small end table, photo frames, or a vase. There are over 50 colours in #CottagePaint. Shown above are Kiwi, Chive, and Forest shadow. You can buy #CottagePaint at our store, The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. 

www.thecamellia.com

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

p (807)475-3551

How to cope with Winter and dry skin, The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On

Winter - for some of us, the word equates with cold, dry skin, bleeding noses, dry eyes and a whole lotta "I hate Winter!". Especially when the temperature hits  -30 or -40 C. Some of us get so fed-up that we head to the airport and head SOUTH! 

Here we are at Playa del Carmen...a short hop from Thunder Bay on a direct flight with Sunwing. Sun, sand, Beach and moisture.....green living plants, Vitamin Sea, as they say. Our oh-so-dry winter skin started to feel much better as soon as we stepped into all that warmth! and let's not forget, moisture and humidity. 

Lovely view from the Breakfast Room - that is a not a mural, but a real, live Coconut Palm tree outside the window. ( At Viva Wyndham Maya Resort, Mexico). 

What our skin is lacking in the Winter is moisture....the plants in the above photo are getting misted, creating a moist environment in which tropical plants can flourish. It is difficult to get moisture in Winter, indoor heating systems make everything dry, and even with a humidifier on, our skin is always dry. Why do we live in a place where the air hurts your face when you go outside?  Hah...that's a good question.!

Of course it goes without saying that we need to drink lots of water - but don't you find it difficult to chug 8-10 glasses of water per day? You can also drink hot liquids, and you can juice your fav fruits and veggies. #BlissCafe offers classes in Juicing.

Here is one of the delicious juices you can make yourself , this is a Class at Bliss Cafe in Thunder Bay.

Teas made from Mints grown in your Garden are great for sipping during Winter.

Even though it's Winter you should still be going swimming and going to the sauna is a must. There are a few pools in Thunder Bay that use Bromine and not chlorine. Great for those of you who cannot stand the smell and the itching from swimming in chlorine. Click on the following link to get some more ideas on Hydration from Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario.

http://www.steannes.com/blog/dehydration-vs-dryness

Here are our fav Skincare products that get us through a Northwestern Ontario winter! Rocky Mountain Dry skin Butter, Rocky Mountain Foot Butter, No-Crack Hand cream, and Rocky Mountain Breakout Buster. You can buy these Rocky Mountain soap products here at the Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd.

 Watch a short video from Beekman 1802 of soapmaker Deb, of Sharon Springs, N.Y.  https://youtu.be/1lLapEhe5Bo

Our winter skincare Kit makes a great Valentine's Day Gift, something that is appreciated all winter long. We especially are crazy about White Oak's Lavender Deep Muscle Jelly, which smells divine and helps with muscle pain. Beekman 1802 Goat's Milk soap is very hydrating for Winter skin. Call us at 475-3551 to order or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444, we deliver Valentine's Day gifts in Thunder Bay and Slate River. 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Open Wednesday through Sunday.