Five Things You May Not Know About Sports Bras

After hitting a few bumps in my golf cart recently, I realized I’d forgotten the most essential piece of my golf wardrobe! Then, a friend confided that she was suffering from sore breasts after going out for a run – even though she was wearing two bras for extra support.

Let’s look at five things you may not know – but need to know – about sports bras:

1. Sports bras are recommended for all sports and warm weather activity, even low impact sports like golf. Some women wear older, worn-out bras for golfing because they don’t want to ruin their best bras, but you deserve better! Sports bras are made from moisture-wicking material that keeps you cool and comfortable.
2. Two regular bras do not equal one sports bra. Sports bras are not just for comfort. They are specially designed to support and protect your breasts. Because there are no muscles in the breast, each and every time you bounce during strenuous physical activity, you cause irreparable damage to your breast tissue.
3. Sports bras can have underwire. For women that need or want more separation between their breasts, underwire is an option. It’s really important to have a professional fitting, and you’ve really got to know your body. Underwire can be your best friend, but if your weight is fluctuating or you’re retaining water, it will be your worst enemy – pinching and pressing you, and even blocking your lymph nodes or milk ducts.
4. Sports bras can double as tops. With today’s new range of colours you can wear many sports bras as tops to change up your wardrobe.
5. Brabary carries sports bras! Because our name has become synonymous with luxury, comfort, and personal service, some people have been surprised to hear that we carry sports bras. We weren’t the first place they thought of for this essential part of their wardrobe.

For more information, see this earlier post about everything you need to know about choosing a sports bra.

New for Spring: Adhesive Prosthetic Kit, Spring Colours, Natural Options

The Amoena Contact Multi is a new innovation for women who want the flexibility of wearing a breast form (prosthesis) directly against the skin, for example if you’re wearing a lower-cut or strapless dress.

With this kit, women can get more use and flexibility out of their breast form, such as the temperature-regulating Natura Cosmetic Breast Form. Instead of inserting the breast form into the pocket of a bra, this adheres to the skin and can then come off and be fitted back into your bra.

This kind of innovation parallels the amazing advances we’ve seen in the medical field, where cancers that were once fatal now have many survivors.

Here are two other changes we can look forward to for spring:

Embracing spring colours

Spring has definitely sprung here at Brabary, where we’re seeing exciting new colour palettes from our wonderful suppliers. Isn’t it great to go beyond black, white and beige into the colours of the season? Come and check out the stunning and vibrant Passion Orange, and the calming and serene Ocean Blue, just to name a few.

Eliminating harmful chemicals

Today more and more people are sensitive to chemicals and looking for healthy options for cleaning products and makeup. Helpful resources include the Queen of Green blog from the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Skin Deep database from the Environmental Working Group.

Already free of any harmful chemicals, we were excited to learn that Forever New will soon be launching an fragrance-free lingerie detergent for those with sensitivities to scent.

Brabary Gives Back to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie

 It’s our 10^th anniversary! To celebrate our awesome customers, for every item purchased during the month of April, Brabary will be donating a new item to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie. It’s our One for One program, which we’re sharing about on social media using the hashtag #brabarygivesback.

This is about women helping women. Women have been the main cause of our success. We’re not only celebrating 10 years of operating a business; we’re celebrating 10 years of working with women of all stages and all ages, and with every body type. We've shared your laughter and your tears, and you ours.

Women may enter our store not feeling very good about themselves. We see them slumped over, with their shoulders forward, trying to hide their bodies. With a professional bra fitting and the right bra, we’ve seen those same women transformed with visible confidence, now standing tall!

Women at the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie may face much different challenges, including violence, marginalization and poverty. We want to do our part to give these women the strength and support to transform their lives.

Our customers inspire us every day. We want to pass on that inspiration to these women, and do our little part to help.

We are grateful for each and every person who has come through our door. Of course that includes our male customers and those who love them. For every pair of men’s SAXX underwear sold in April, we will donate a pair of women’s underwear to the shelter.

About the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie

Founded in 1981, The Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie has been providing shelter and support services to abused women and their children for 30 years. Their mission is to provide a safe refuge and emergency support services for abused women and their children in a commitment to end the cycle of violence.

Visit their website or Facebook page to learn more.

Follow the progress of our #brabarygivesback challenge on Facebook and Twitter.

We’re 10 years old in April!

We’ve seen many changes over these 10 years, including a move seven years ago. We’ve always been thrilled with our current location, with its ample free parking and fantastic neighbours.

Recently we did some renovations to address comments and requests from customers. They liked the size of the store and the amount of stock we can provide, but they (and we) wanted a more intimate setting. One of the things we did was change the lighting to be more welcoming and calming. You can read more of our renovation story in this earlier post.

Our industry has grown and changed a lot over these 10 years, with innovations in technology, research and development by our manufacturers. When we started, a molded cup bra never went above a D cup; now we can get up to an H cup. Even seamless, non-molded bras now go up to a well-fitting G cup. You can even get a really good fitting G or H cup in a strapless bra. It’s tremendous how far they’ve come.

As the industry has changed in what it offers, we’ve expanded our inventory as well. We wanted to get our feet firmly planted before expanding into swimwear and hosiery, and especially before starting to help women with prosthetics, from pre-surgery considerations to getting fitted for prostheses.

In talking to clients about what they wanted in bras and hosiery, we brought in great luxurious Italian brands like Trasparenze and the simple elegance of Phillipe Matignon. This range of mid- to high-end products is unique in Barrie.

Quality is important to us; we don’t do anything halfway. As we’ve expanded our product lines, we’ve taken our time to research the products we feel would be good for our clientele. We continue to listen to our customers and bring in products based on their needs.

This commitment to customer service has been recognized by our community as well. We are honoured to be the recipients of the Bell Business Retail Excellence Award from Barrie Chamber of Commerce in 2008, and the Businesswoman of the Year from Barrie Examiner in 2013.

We support our community in numerous ways, by dedicating time to several charities, as well as donating resources for fundraising. Some of these are listed on our Community page, and others we’ve written about on the blog, like the Barrie Toy Tea, 100 Who Care, and the NSMHPCM Palliative Care Conference.

Our caring staff has grown with us - always eager to learn about new products and finding the perfect fit for you.

Thank you for joining us for this trip down memory lane, and thank you for your continued support. We look forward to the next 10 years with you!

It’s Reading Week

University students across Canada are gearing up for Reading Week. Last year the Dal News (our daughter attends Dalhousie University) put out this list of Top 10 Ways to Spend Reading Week.

Of all those options, we’re glad our daughter will be spending her week at home in Barrie. Here are some of the things we’re thinking about as we prepare for her visit:

Activities

There’s no shortage of things to do in and around Barrie in the wintertime. I would also love to skate or walk along the Ice Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Meals

I know one of the things my daughter is looking forward to is homemade meals. If Thanksgiving and Christmas are any indication, we’d better loosen our belts because we’ll be indulging in all her favourites.

Family dynamics

There is always an adjustment when someone has been away and returns. She’s bound to get more of our attention, and that won’t go unnoticed by our other children.

And as independent as our kids get when they’re living on their own, back at home they tend to jump right back into the habit of letting Mom do everything for them again. It’s only natural, and can happen when we return home no matter how old we are.

Shopping

Our daughter is in residence so she may not need the same type of care package as someone living on their own. Plus there is only so much she can pack into her luggage for the flight home.

Still, I’m sure her wardrobe will need some replenishing (starting with the bras, of course), and let’s think ahead to spring and warmer weather!

Studying

It’s called Reading Week for a reason, and I’m sure my daughter will have assignments and studying to do. It may be hard to remember that our kids have been developing their own independent study skills at university, and we should encourage that rather than swoop in again like when they were in high school.

Friends

We have to accept that we’re not the only ones our daughter wants to spend time with while she’s here. And it’s not just about sharing her time, I’m also going to have to share my car!

Thinking ahead

Reading Week is a prime time to secure a summer job for when the school year ends in April. In fact, a lot of summer jobs like camps have been hiring already and may even have closed their applications by now.

They’ll be a lot of competition on the job trail. Students can start with a basic web search (“My town + jobs”), and then branch out from there.

Brabary and other local stores often hire summer help because their regular staff want to take time off.

For some students, this is also time to confirm accommodations for next year, if they haven’t already.

Do you have a child coming home for Reading Week? What’s it going to be like at your house?

Plan for Success With Your New Year’s Resolution

It’s a new year, is it time for a new you? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you ever wonder why they don’t seem to last? For most people, it’s because we fail to plan for how we’re going to achieve those goals (and sometimes the goals are too lofty to begin with).

Let’s take losing weight, by far the most common New Year’s Resolution. If you make a vague statement like, “I’m going to lose weight this year,” it’s much harder to take yourself seriously.

Instead, set a measurable goal for how much weight you want to lose, and by when. Create small milestones along the way, and reward yourself when you meet them. Make sure each target is realistic and achievable. You may want to capture your progress in photos (e.g., wearing the same outfit) to give yourself that visual encouragement.

Even though you may have an ideal weight in mind, when it comes to self-improvement there is no final destination; there are always opportunities to improve ourselves, and always a chance to try again. So don’t beat yourself up for not reaching some ideal – it’s a constantly ongoing process.

Some people set aside time each day for development – reading, learning a new language, staying current with the news, or improving a skill.

Clearing clutter can be a wonderful way to open up your life to new goals and habits. I just went through my own closet and got rid of anything that didn’t bring me joy. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it in the last season, pass it on. Yes, even if it was a gift. Let someone else enjoy it – you will feel amazing.

Organizing can feel overwhelming, so just start small with one drawer or area, or just tackle your shoe collection. If you’re really feeling stuck, ask a friend to come over and help. The buddy system works wonders for all sorts of goals. If you’re both looking to get fit, you can meet for a walk at the waterfront, work out together at the gym, or take a healthy cooking class.

If you notice that you keep putting off your plans, shake things up and try something different. Not getting to yoga? Choose another class at another time. Not getting enough fruits and veggies? Experiment with new types of produce and browse the web for recipes and ideas.

Another area to look for improvement is your financial health. Are you saving as much as you could be for retirement or your kids’ education? See what small changes you can make – they could really add up in the long run.

Sleep Now and Hold Your Peace

Preparing for the holiday season means there are many things to do and remember. There is one key thing that anyone can do to keep up your energy and keep stress at bay.

What is this secret? Sleep! With enough sleep, you can take on your worst relative, the busiest shopping mall, or the crankiest Santa.

Yet at such a busy time of year, sleep can be hard to find. Here are two of the worst enemies of a good night’s sleep:

Alcohol

With all the parties of the season, more alcohol will likely be flowing your way. Even though drinking can make you feel tired, it actually leaves you less rested.

According to an article at WebMD, alcohol interferes with your REM sleep (the deepest level of sleep), when your body’s systems are restored to face the new day. Depleted of REM sleep, you’ll feel tired, irritable and fog-headed. That’s no way to enjoy the holidays!

Change to routine

No matter what kind of wonderful sleep oasis you’ve created for yourself during the rest of the year, when you get off your routine your sleep quality can go right out the window.

One trick is to create a Plan B and have it ready. Plan B is essentially a shorter, simpler routine that still incorporates some healthy habits.

For example, while you may usually do a 15-minute yoga stretching session before bed, Plan B might be two minutes of deep breathing and one quick stretch.

That way, you’re not throwing out all your good intentions and it will be easier to get back to your full routine the next night.

For more ideas, see our earlier post with tips for better sleep and this post about restful sleepwear ideas.

P.S. Want to take away more holiday stress? Have a few hostess gifts prepped and ready (e.g., a bottle of wine decorated with a tree ornament or a bag of Fraktals chocolates), and consider registering at your favourite store to give your loved ones a hand when buying for you.

Brabary Renovation, Part Two: Execution, Results and Lessons Learned

Our recent four-day renovation at Brabary (read our earlierpost about how we prepared and planned) went very smoothly. We want to highlight a few of the key lessons we learned, and what helped make this project such a success.

The designer and I worked together closely and communicated openly with each other. That was extremely important. Our senses of style were also a good match, so she was able to understand and deliver my vision for the store.

While we could have rented a storage unit, we chose to pack up all of our merchandise and store it in the center of the room, covered in sheets. The tradespeople had to work around it, but it made a huge difference to how quickly we were able to hang things back up on Wednesday morning. Imagine – we arrived at 8:00 a.m., and opened at 10:00 a.m.!

I had a moment of doubt when I saw the state of things on Sunday morning, but the designer quickly reassured me that the workers were starting later in the day and would work into the night. And indeed, we met our goal of a four-day renovation!

That’s where having a designer really paid off. She was so diligent in communicating back and forth between me and the tradespeople, so everything kept moving and I always knew exactly what was going on.

There are always other less expensive options for renovations, but you have to realize that it’s a trade-off. Then it might be you calling tradespeople or vendors, making design decisions, or even assembling furniture or fixtures.

Do what you do best and pay others to do what they do best. It is so important for professionals to understand the best use of their time and skills, and this extends to all areas of your business.

The same valuable lesson applies to household tasks and projects. Some people love being part of the process, others find it stressful and find that it’s well worth paying for help. On the do-it-yourself end you can get free advice on colors at a home improvement store, and on the premium service end you can have a decorator source, select, and even go out and purchase everything for you. And there is a whole range of options in between.

We’re extremely happy with the results and process of our renovation at Brabary. The staff is thrilled and there’s been a noticeable improvement in morale. While some of our returning customers haven’t even noticed (the colour changes were that subtle), we know that we’re creating a better first impression for our new customers.

Brabary Renovation, Part One: Planning and Process

On Wednesday, October 15^th at 10:00 a.m., Brabary opened the doors to its newly renovated interior. I wanted to take you behind the scenes on the process and share some of the things we learned.

Why renovate? The store was looking tired, the walls were getting scuffed, and the panels where we hung garments were worn. The lighting was very industrial and I had always wanted more of a boutique feeling. 

The store just needed a boost – an uplift. We needed to find that balance between functionality and aesthetics.

It was actually our customers who encouraged us to create a focal point at the front of the store to bring the high ceiling down and create a cozier setting. This is an intimate product we’re selling, so that’s the kind of environment we want to welcome our clients into.

I found a designer through connections, and she ended up being the perfect choice. She worked with my wish list to come up with a plan and estimated budget, and then it was up to me to prioritize and pare that list down into “need to haves” and “nice to haves.”

There were some things I just couldn’t resist, like the high-end lighting, even though that brought the final budget to triple what we had originally planned. We joked that we’d have to start charging a “lighting tax” along with our sales tax.

We were already doing all this work, I thought, shouldn’t we just do this, too? When is the next time I will have all these tradespeople here, the store closed, and a designer standing by?

When you’re doing something like this, there’s always a danger of “project creep” so you absolutely must plan for your budget to increase. In some cases, we were able to trim the budget by choosing store-bought (local, whenever possible!) options instead of custom-made.

Another important lesson learned was the importance of planning ahead. Our lights arrived five months after we ordered them. Think about the things that will take longer to customize or ship, and get those decisions made and orders placed as far ahead as possible.

Because we’re a retail store, the other planning challenge was finding a time line that wouldn’t be too disruptive to our clients. So we chose Thanksgiving weekend since we would be closed Monday anyway.

The workers started on Saturday night after we closed. We stayed closed one extra day and re-opened Wednesday. I wasn’t sure we would make it, but by Wednesday we were totally ready. A full renovation in four days. Wow!

Preparing Your Children for University or College

Having recently gone through the process of preparing a child for university out of province, we were reflecting on how much was involved, and what tools were most helpful for getting it all done.

Most universities offer in-depth guidelines for students moving into residence, and their parents who are helping them prepare. They provide things like moving lists, residence room layouts and dimensions, photos and videos. We relied heavily on the Dalhousie Residence site.

We knew it was important to get a hold of as much of the bedding and kitchenware items as we could ahead of time, since the few days at the beginning of school would be such a madhouse in the stores around campus.

We took advantage of stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, who will ship right to a university residence or a local store so items are there when the student arrives.

If your child is travelling a farther distance, you definitely have to be more organized, even thinking as far ahead as the winter months. Do you pack their winter clothes? Ship them later? Will they be home for a visit in between?

Undergarment essentials include lots of socks and underwear (Hanky Panky for the girls, Saxx for the guys) so they don’t have to do as much laundry. Also be sure girls have enough sports bras to stay active and avoid the “freshman 15.”

What are your best tips for having a child away at university or college?

7 Cooling Tips for the Dog Days of August

Now that things are finally warming up here in Barrie, Ontario, we wanted to offer some ideas for when the heat starts to get unbearable.

1. Ceiling fans can be effective at cooling your house, but note that other types of fans may just re-circulate the hot air (learn more in this article at Berkeley Wellness).
2. Closing your blinds during the day and opening your windows at night can be a very efficient way of cooling your house. See more money-saving cooling tips in this article from the Money Mini blog.
3. A cool bath before bed – or anytime – can be a refreshing way to lower your body temperature. For your bedding, special breathable fabrics are available that keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
4. Choose clothing made of similar fabrics that can keep you cool all day long by protecting you from the sun’s rays and wicking away moisture. Speaking of sweat, be sure to wash your bras even more regularly in the summer to help them last longer.
5. To cool your body from the inside out, stay hydrated with water and other non-alcoholic beverages. To make water a little more exciting, try adding fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, lemon, mint and strawberries. These also work to drain your lymphatic system and help with circulation.
6. For a cool, fresh and natural dessert or snack, try frozen fruit. Cut up fruit into bite size pieces and freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet (approximately one hour), then store until it’s time to eat. Try frozen bananas, berries, kiwi, mangos, oranges, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, or grapes.
7. As you’re sitting to work, relax, or enjoy your refreshing drink or snack, place a cool cloth or frozen bag against the back of your neck.

The summer is short, so enjoy it by keeping yourself cool and comfortable.

Lingerie Tips for Bridesmaids and Mothers of the Bride

While bridal dresses may have a built-in corset, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride usually need to take care of that foundation separately.

After all, you’re going to be in many of the wedding photos, and also want to make the best impression in those important mementos. With the investment you’ve already made on the dress, shoes, hair, accessories and more, don’t neglect the essential ingredient of an attractive and comfortable wedding day outfit.

Without proper-fitting lingerie, mothers of the bride and bridesmaids may not feel or look your best, constantly adjusting or pulling at straps or waistlines, instead of focusing on the precious occasion.

Depending on your outfit, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride may need:

• Strapless bra
• Halter bra - if the front of your dress comes down lower, you can try a transferable bra that can either go across the back or be worn like a regular bra
• Control wear for nice smooth lines

Tips for buying lingerie for a special occasion:

• Plan ahead and shop early (some items and sizes may need to be special ordered)
• Bring the dress or a photo of you wearing the dress
• Have a professional fitting - you'll be amazed the difference it makes and once you have a proper fitting bra you'll want to wear it every day

Fun Ideas for Bridal Showers

Are you planning a bridal shower this summer? Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:

Boasting a beautiful waterfront, Barrie would be the perfect place for a bridal shower on the beach (check out these décor ideas). Set up manicure and pedicure stations for the ultimate pampering experience for the bride and her guests.

Match the shower theme to the bride’s interests, whether that means starting with a round of golf or a DIY craft activity. Then move on to refreshments, gifts and party games.

Purse bingo is perfect as an icebreaker for groups where not everyone knows each other. Make up some bingo cards with common (and not so common) items, and call out one at a time. The catch is you have to find someone else who has the item in their purse – it can’t be in your own purse. When you find someone with the item, circle the item on your card, until someone fills up a row and calls “Bingo!”

A lingerie store is a fun and unique setting for a bridal shower. Guests can bring cash instead of gifts, and the bride creates a wish list of lingerie items to spend her gift dollars. All guests can have a personal fitting to see and feel the latest products on the market. If guests do choose to purchase anything, some stores like Brabary apply a portion of that amount towards the bride’s purchase.

Wherever your bridal shower is located, the one-size-fits-all Hanky Panky thongs make a fabulous gift. You can even throw in a pair of Saxx for the groom.

Getting Fitted for a Breast Prostheses

In a previous post, we discussed the importance of breast prostheses, not just for confidence and self-esteem, but for health and comfort to compensate for the missing weight of whatever portion of the breast or breasts was removed.

After recovering for 3-6 weeks in a post-surgical camisole, it will be time to visit a specialty boutique and get fitted for a breast form. At Brabary no appointment is required, but check with your local store to be sure. You want the swelling gone completely from the surgery in order to get a proper fit. It’s also important for all the sutures to be healed and closed to prevent infection when putting on something more tightly fitted like a bra.

Here are a few things to note:

Breast form (prosthesis): One brand, Amoena, includes a silicone additive that helps equalize your body temperature and keep you cooler.

Swimwear: There are special prostheses available for swimwear, with a special cavity so water flows through and doesn’t add any more weight.

Bras: A breast prosthesis requires a good bra. There’s weight to it, and the bra must be able to support it, or it will be uncomfortable and you won’t want to wear it. At Brabary we can customize any bra for a prosthesis by adding a pocket – free of charge; you don’t have to buy a pre-made prosthesis bra.

Government assistance: In Ontario, the government will reimburse you every two years for 50% of the cost of a breast form. If there is a significant size change in your breast form, because of swelling or significant weight loss or gain, the government will reimburse you in between that two-year period. See the Ontario Ministry of Health website for more details and the most current regulations.

At Brabary, we will fill out the reimbursement claim form for you. You should also check with your insurance company to see if they cover the balance. Whatever is not covered by either the government or your insurance, can likely be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return (check with your accountant to be sure).

Also give your accountant all of your mileage records and receipts for gas, meals and parking for all medical appointments and procedures so you can claim those as well. These costs all add up and you’ll find that every little bit helps.

Breast Prostheses – Pre-Surgery Considerations

Many people think breast prostheses are cosmetic, but a breast prosthesis is a medical device, recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Health as part of their Assisted Devices Program.

Prostheses are not just for visual affect, they compensate for the weight that’s taken away when part or all of a breast is removed (there are partial prostheses available for those who have only part of the breast removed). A breast prosthesis is weighted and sized to match your natural breast, which keeps one side of the body balanced with the other. Otherwise, the hips, shoulders and the spine can get out of alignment.

A woman shared that her mother was in her 70s when she had a mastectomy, and never gave thought to a prosthesis. “Who’s going to see it?” she thought. Eleven years later, she underwent extensive spinal surgery because of the imbalance the loss of breast weight had caused.  

Because there will be so much to think about after your surgery, you can reduce some of that stress by planning ahead. One thing to consider is a post-surgical camisole. These garments have many special options – you can step into it and pull it up without straining your arms, and it also has a drainage tube pocket that can be removed later when no longer needed. It also has pockets for a single or double fiber fill.

In a follow-up post, we’ll look at the next steps in being fitted for a prosthesis.

Getting Yourself Ready for Spring

Need a boost to clear away the cold weather doldrums and fully embody the spirit of spring? It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to liven up your life from the inside out.

1. Explore the latest hot spring colours with a brightly-coloured bra or pair of Hanky Panky panties. All day long you can smile to yourself, knowing that you’re wearing spring under your clothes.
2. Spread the love to others by flashing a colourful pair of Falke capri leggings, sunglasses or shoes, or a fun and fashionable scarf. Looking for some unique ways to tie a scarf and get a whole new look? Check out this Nordstrom video.
3. Put on your walking shoes and head outdoors to rejuvenate your senses and experience the joys of nature. Spring isn’t just about getting out and smelling the roses, you can try a new scent yourself from your favourite fragrance store.
4. Wake up from your hibernation by shaking up your routines so you’re forced to pay attention to what’s become automatic. Take a new route to work, brush your teeth with the opposite hand, or set a goal to have conversations with three strangers every day.
5. Instead of plain water, add cucumber, lemon or fruit slices for added colour, flavour, and health benefits.
6. Feeling particularly brave? Ask your hairdresser to surprise you with a new look for spring.

What will you do to boost your spirits and welcome the warm weather? 

Bring Spring into your Home

Tulipe by Shan - available at Brabary

With temperatures rising, you’re likely finding plenty of excuses to get outside – whether it’s tending to the newly thawed lawn, longer walks, or fun group sports outdoors. There are also plenty of things you can do indoors to bring in the feeling of spring. Here are a few ideas:

• Have fun with potted plants that you can eventually move outdoors or plant in the garden. As a bonus, plants also freshen up the air inside your house.
• Tulips are a lovely symbol of spring, as are other fresh cut flowers you can use to adorn the house.
• Brighten up your décor with colourful accessories like throw pillows – choose pillows or fabrics to make your own.
• Fill a vase with lemons or green apples. For more ideas on how to bring spring’s hottest colours into your kitchen, check out these countertop accessory ideas from the Marilyn Denis Show.
• Let spring greet you and your visitors right at the front door. Put together or purchase a spring-themed wreath or go one step further and paint your front door in a nice bright colour.

Don’t forget about Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11^th. A beautiful flowering tree will help Mom bring spring indoors as well, and a Brabary gift certificate will give her the chance to look and feel her best with the help of a professional fitting and consultation. Mothers give so much and put everyone’s needs before their own – let’s give back to Mom!