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. 

Pinterest predicts Sage as the 2018 colour for Cabinets

Image via Pinterest. 

Is 2018 the year you want to Renovate your Kitchen? How do you go from a dream to making a New Kitchen happen? Some of us may be stuck in arguments, in trying to persuade your partner to undertake a Kitchen Reno...and you cannot get beyond the argument stage. How do you move onto the Planning and executing stage of a Kitchen Reno.? Persevere. Choose colours of cabinets, counters, walls and backsplash, and don't forget about Flooring. Price out your Renovation. Then start talking. It's easier to talk when you have estimated dollar costs down on paper.   If you have cabinets that are in good shape, perhaps Oak from 30 years ago, the most economical solution is to paint your Kitchen Cabinets. We sell Cottage Paint - Serenity - here at the Camellia. This is the perfect paint for your cabinets. You clean with our Cottage Paint cleaner, then follow up with 1 coat of paint, then a second coat of paint the next day, and you're done!

A Sage palette draws its inspiration from the green of air plants. 

The colour Sage can be found in succulent plants. 

Most cabinets are repainted with  White, Cottage White ( shown in above photo), Greys , greiges and blacks. Neutrals are always a safe choice for resale value. Do visit us here at The Camellia for help with picking colours for your Kitchen. Click on this link to see a selection of colours in #CottagePaint http://www.cottagepaint.com/50ColoursNC.html

Let's talk about  very Important things first - Cleaning your doors by spraying them with Cottage Paint Furniture Clean 'n Prep. Spray your door with Clean 'n Prep, leave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then wipe with a clean, non-linting rag. Cleaning is extremely important as paint will not stick to a contaminated surface, and Kitchen cupboards take a lot of abuse on a daily basis. Check out the mess on the rag below. 

Here is a gallon of Cottage Paint Serenity. This amount is usually enough for most normal sized Kitchens. It is applied using a microfibre roller and a Cottage Paint brush. 

Here is a Kitchen (Oak) Renovation in progress. This is the stage where the homeowner is trying to decide on what colour to paint the cabinets. On the left is Black, on the right is a Maple door painted Beechwood. Visit The Camellia for help in painting your Kitchen or Bathroom cabinets. Buy Kitchen cabinet paint here http://www.thecamellia.com/painting-kitchen--bathroom-cabinets.html

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

p (807)475-3551

How-to make Home Renovations happen in 2018.

Welcome 2018! It's a New Year, a time when we make plans for things we would like to accomplish in the New Year. Some of these plans may include Home Renos, which are long overdue. And for some of us, the New Year starts with a knock-them-down, full-out fight over Home Renos. Has this ever happened in your Home?

One partner has looked at paint swatches, pinned images on Pinterest, talked to a contractor and maybe has some Contractor estimates ($$$$) , while the other partner says, No! No home renos. are needed, let the next owner change everything! The battle is on, and it's not a pretty sight. The D-word gets thrown around as frustration mounts ( Divorce).

What is a person to do? Getting angry doesn't help. When you are trying to bring someone around to your way of thinking, it always helps to have your facts and figures in hand. Arguing or having a discussion ?.....it just goes better when you can pull out some statistics, price quotes, etc.

Start with each Room ...list what Renos. need to be done. Let's take a Basement, there is a Bar in a corner with mirrored tiles, and this bar dates the entire room! In 2018,  the trend is towards a family room with a central island with storage for games or crafts, maybe a coffee bar, a wine fridge, a TV viewing area, and so on. If it's dark and dingy down in the basement, then lighten up the walls, update lighting, replace the flooring. List all renos for that room, then the next step is sourcing out materials, and the next step is getting price quotes. What is the renovation for the basement going to cost? 

Where do you get ideas? Our favourite TV show is Fixer-Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines of #Magnolia Home. You can check out Joanna's blog for detailed information on past episodes of House remodels. https://magnoliamarket.com/blog/

Other places where we gather ideas from are HGTV, Canadian House & Home, Houzz.com, Scott Mcgillivray, Sarah Ricardson Design, Restoration Hardware, and Rachael Ashwell. 

Remember that the same things that are bugging you about your House, will most likely bug a prospective Buyer.

So go ahead and do this for every room that needs a Reno.

Next step, look at the Comps in your area. What have houses nearby sold for and what features do these Homes have? Most Real estate agents will know how to access this information. 

Look at your estimated Reno costs. Have a Real estate agent look at your Home and give an opinion on what your Home would be worth if you put it on the Market today, as is. Look at the costs of the Renos you want to do, and figure out your Return on Investment ( R.O.I).

Now you are much better equipped to figure out what Home Renos. need doing. You have a Plan, you have estimated costs, and you know whether these proposed Renos will bring you a better price for your Home when you are ready to sell.

If you fail to Plan, you plan to fail. Having a Renovation Plan going into 2018 will ensure that your Renovations will happen, and not stay in the Dream it...stage.

For help in Planning Home and Kitchen Renos. with Cottage Paint, visit The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, Slate River, Ontario.

p (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Holiday hours at The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On

Hello there! You will find us taking a much-needed break, and we will reopen here at The Camellia on Friday, January 12th. 2018. 

In the meantime, stop and smell the Flowers, and we will see you again in January 2018!. 

www.thecamellia.com

p (807)475-3551

December musings from The Camellia, Thunder Bay.

It's December already, and as you turn the page over on your Calendar, you wonder how did it get to be December, where does the time go? December means Christmas, and putting up a Tree, and decorating, and baking, along with entertaining, and let's not forget Gift Buying. This year, we've been contemplating ( dare I say it? ) not putting up a Tree at all. Scaling back to a " Less is more " look, or maybe even a Coastal Caribbean look year-round. Perhaps a twig Birch tree with lights and some seashells and starfish. It all stems from a desire to carve out a sliver of time to just sit, and do nothing.

Then there is the Gift Buying for people who have everything. Flowers and fresh arrangements make a perfect Gift for the whole family. Here is a long lasting vase of fresh magnolia leaves, red huck twig

and faux magnolia blooms. Call us at (8070475-3551 or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444 to order. Don't leave ordering until the last week as it becomes difficult to arrange deliveries. ( everyone is out trying to do their own last-minutes! )

Fresh cedar, magnolia leaves, white tulips, and white amaryllis blooms. 

We have fresh Wreaths made from local Evergreens, these smell wonderful and are long-lasting.

Our favourite long-lasting flower is Star of Bethelem, it's the white spike flower in above photo, and the bloom lasts for a few weeks. 

Stop by and Visit at The Camellia for all your Gift Giving needs, or phone us and we can deliver. Gift certificates are available also. We are Open Wed. through Sunday.

30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On . p 9807)475-3551