Some people say that clothes make the man. We wouldn't go that far, but taking a little interest in your personal style can certainly have an impact on how others see you and boost your self confidence. It can be difficult to know where to start, so Timbercreek Communities has put together a style guide for men. Try it on for size!

Streamline

Most people have a tendency to hang on to old clothing items “just in case” they'll need them later. You won’t. If you haven’t worn it during the past year, chances are you won’t wear it this year either. Do some late season spring closet cleaning and throw out or give away anything you haven’t worn in over a year. It will de-clutter your closet and free up space for the new or old items that you actually wear.

Step Into Some Colour

Fact: there are more shoe colours than brown and black. So go ahead guys, have a little fun with colour! If you are uncertain about what colour shoes to wear with what colour pants, this handy reference chart takes the guess work and memorization out of the equation.

Gym Shoes Are For The Gym

Speaking of shoes, remember this: gym shoes are for the gym. Sure they’re more comfortable but nothing dresses you down more quickly than trudging around town in gym shoes. Invest in a comfortable walking shoe. Your feet and your fashion sense will thank you.

Scope Out A Fashion Show

If you’re looking for some guidance to step up your style, you don’t need to fly to New York, Paris or Milan to attend a fashion show. Flip through a slideshow of images from a men’s fashion show online, or browse some street style photos. You might just be inspired by the latest trends.

Clean Your Wallet Out Regularly

A big, bulky wallet is bad for your back, uncomfortable to sit on, and cumbersome to carry around. It can can also throw off the lines of your clothing. Just as you do with your closet, make sure you clean out your wallet regularly and lose anything you don’t use. You’ll feel a little a lighter and more streamlined.

Timbercreek hopes this style guide for men helps you look and feel your best. To help find your home with Timbercreek Communities, please visit our website.

The term business casual is hard to define. From dress shirts and chinos to t-shirts and jeans, there are many interpretations of the term. For employees of companies that still require that men wear weekday suits to the office, business casual may mean no-jacket Fridays. Many businesses today have flexible dress codes, while some have no dress codes at all. If you’re unsure of what your version of casual men’s attire looks like, Timbercreek has some questions and considerations that will help you out.

Is It Business?  Or Is It Casual?

Many feel it's a faux pas to assume any outfit with a blazer qualifies as business casual.  As Restart Your Style points out, business casual is still a dress code for business.  As such, dressing up a casual outfit isn't the goal: making semi-formal business attire more casual and comfortable is. Check out more here.

Jeans Don't Count

John Mayer popularized the blazer-over-hoodie-with-jeans look in the mid-2000s. While the ‘put a blazer on it’ mentality certainly upsells some looks, for many, it just doesn’t cut it as business casual. While jeans are great, and many office environments today promote them, if you're going to wear them to work it’s best to stick to a high quality pair. Opt for new, dark, unripped jeans, and leave the hoodie at home -- unless you skateboard for a living.

Programmer Chic

In the tech industry, home and "remote" work are on the rise. If you work remotely, and rarely meet with clients and colleagues, there’s no need for a closet full of office attire. For the rare times you do have to venture out, it’s good to have some clothing to wear that matches the style of your colleagues or clients,whether that be dress pants or jeans depends on them.

Google Grade

While Google isn't the only company doing it (Twitter, Facebook, and Apple for example), they set the bar for the ping-pong office. With foosball, video games, yoga, DJing, and scheduled play among many strategies to improve performance and promote employee culture, dress codes have followed suit. In fact, one of Google’s philosophies is that 'you can be serious without a suit.' Learn more here.

No Single Answer

One traditional definition suggests "business casual for men means wearing a pair of smart pants [i.e. slacks, chinos, or dress pants], a collared shirt, a sweater or blazer, and relaxed but elegant shoes." “Another author wrote in the Financial Times that ‘ordinarily business casual for guys seems fairly clear. It is a pair of chinos, a blazer and a good shirt, no tie.’" But the reality is, every industry is different. The traditional approach may apply to careers in finance and government, but in software development, advertising, design, and any kind of freelance work, the rules have changed. One key point to remember however: when interviewing, meeting a client, attending a performance review, or otherwise making an impression, it never hurts to dress up. Read more here and here.

Timbercreek hopes this list helps you understand casual men’s attire. For more information about Timbercreek Communities in your city, please visit our website.

Keeping up with the latest trends in fashion can be draining, especially when you have a crazy work life and an even crazier home life. Luckily most workplaces are beginning to embrace business casual and are becoming more open to diversity and personal style. This means you can pull together an impressive wardrobe with flexible outfits that you can wear at work and out to dinner. Check out Timbercreek Communities’ 8 style essentials for busy women that will help keep your closet chic and functional.

Accessorize

Why invest time and money in a closet full of new outfits when you can add one item that makes it look like yesterday's skirt and sweater is an entirely new ensemble? Don't underestimate the power of accessories! A new purse, flats instead of boots, a scarf over a well-loved sweater: all are easy ways to reinvent a go-to outfit. Check out more here.

The Capsule Wardrobe

Sometimes less is so much more. Embrace timeless fashion and minimalism with a capsule wardrobe comprised of a small number of staple pieces and the flexibility to throw in a few seasonal new purchases from time to time. It will leave you looking sharp, effortlessly. Learn how to create a capsule wardrobe here.

Loose or fitted? Why not both?

Instead of reaching for complete outfits or showcasing individual garments, dress yourself with shape in mind. Try loose bottoms with fitted tops, and vice versa, for a balanced look. A bit of form with a lot of function is always a good thing when you’re on the go. Learn how here.

Monochrome

When in doubt, go monochrome. To achieve the monochrome aesthetic, dress yourself in black and white or varying tones of a single color. This approach will help you look put together with ease. Combinations of black and white are not only bold and modern, they’re trending in 2017. Check out some amazing monochrome looks here.

Be aware of the season

A few simple additions that reflect current seasonal trends can go a long way to upgrade an otherwise everyday outfit. Read more here.

Jewellery

Another easy addition during the morning dash is a bit of jewellery.  2017's bling trend is going "big", which can help offset and upsell an otherwise recycled ensemble. Learn how to make a statement with jewellery here.

Hats, hats, hats

For 2017, wide brimmed styles, floppies, fedoras, beanies, pom poms, fur hats, and baseball caps are getting attention.  Adding a new hat to a routine ensemble is all you need for a fresh look. Read more here.

There's an app for that!

From Stylebook to Polyvore, The Hunt, and more, there are many amazing fashion apps available to help you with nearly every aspect of your style. Discover amazing fashion apps here.

Fashion doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. We hope these 8 style essentials for busy women will help you feel chic and simplify your life.

For more information on Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Mothers are amazing. We wouldn’t exist without them! Mother’s Day gives us pause to be thankful for our parent and to reflect on our childhood. While we may occasionally argue, nitpick, obsess, or regress, it’s our mothers who understand us, know us, and love us the best. Mother’s Day is just around the corner, on Sunday May 14, 2017. To celebrate, Timbercreek Communities has created this Top 10 Mother’s Day Gift Guide to help you celebrate your mom.

Flowers

Simple, classic, fragrant and loveable -- flowers really do say it all. From roses to a simple grocery store bouquet, flowers show your love and give your Mom a splash of color and fragrance that will brighten her whole week.

A Bottle of Wine or a gift card

Wine is almost always a great gift. Best of all it can be cheap yet thoughtful. If you don’t trust your own taste in wine, ask for help at your local wine store or the LCBO or skip the guesswork with a gift card like this.

Massage or Reflexology

While upping the price point to between $50 and $120, a massage or reflexology session is a solid Mother’s Day gift option. If full body massage is too intense, the more minimal but no less effective foot reflexology can be a great alternative. Look for businesses like Massage Addict which only employ well trained Registered Massage Therapists.

A book or gift card

If your mom is a reader, she will love a new book or an Indigo or Amazon gift card. You might need to drop some subtle hints to tease out a title that she wants without spoiling the surprise, but whether hard copy or gift card, it’s an inexpensive gift that goes a long way. 

Fitbit

The Fitbit is a solid gift idea for fit moms. Though it’s a slightly pricier option, the Fitbit is a thoughtful gift that simply and effectively encourages fitness by measuring steps per day. Get more info here.

Chocolate

One word for this one: Toblerone. Or maybe two words: Ferrero Rocher.

Scandinave Spa Day

An offshoot of our massage and reflexology idea, Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain, Ontario is a full body, full day, pampering experience. From hot pools to saunas, steam bath and massage, Scandinave is a spa day Mom will love. Check the Scandinave website here.

Beauty Products

From bubble bath to soaps and moisturizers, it’s pretty easy to hit a Mother’s Day home run with a few bath and/or beauty products. The Body Shop is a great place to grab pre-made gift packs. Learn more here.

A Card

Last but not least is a simple card. From handmade to Hallmark, a card can accompany every gift, or be a gift in itself for Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day from Timbercreek Communities!

To learn more about Timbercreek Rental Communities in Canada, please visit our website.

Make a fashion statement at your next holiday party! Discover the hottest trends of the season in today’s post from the fashion and lifestyle experts at Timbercreek Communities.

Add a little sparkle

Sparkles just scream holiday. Make any outfit pop with a sequin piece (a top, or skirt, or jacket). Not comfortable wearing a sparkly piece of clothing? Accessories, such as a purse or headband, will do wonders for your look without being overwhelming.

Embrace the LBD

The Little Black Dress, affectionately known as the LBD, is truly timeless and the perfect go-to for your next holiday party. Add that sequined headband you found on Etsy and your outfit is complete.

Day-to-night leather

You’ll thank yourself for choosing leather as you rush from the office to your holiday party. Leather leggings are especially easy to dress down or dress up, depending on where you’re headed. Now all you need is a pair of high heeled shoes that you can comfortably run from one event to the next in.

Pretty in tweed

Tweed is never out of style, especially during the winter. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate it into this season’s wardrobe lineup, check out this adorable sparkled tweed coat, perfect for the holidays—and looking pretty.

Blazers and jeans

A business casual dress code can be the worst. What does it mean?! Before you demolish your closet looking for the perfect (not too formal, not too corporate) look, consider blazers and jeans. This pairing is always in style and an excellent option for men and women alike. Ladies, check out this warm and classy look complete with a camel blazer and seasonally-appropriate plaid scarf.

Killer suits with lace-up shoes

Men, this one’s for you: The ultimate way to look your best this holiday season is to find that killer suit that compliments your body. It might be easier than you think. GQ has created a breakdown of what you should wear depending on your height, weight and body structure. 

We hope these style tips help you look amazing at your holiday parties this season! If you’re on the hunt for an amazing apartment to match, start with Timbercreek Communities. Our rental communities are located in five provinces and over two dozen cities. For more information, visit our website today. 

Get into the spring cleaning spirit this month at your apartment in Lower Sackville. Once your appliances have been scrubbed and your floors have been vacuumed, it’s time to tackle closet clutter and make room for your summer essentials. Today’s blog post from Timbercreek Communities will help you get started with your bedroom closet.

Clothing clearout

Begin by removing all the clothing from your closet, then only put back items that fit well and that you’ve worn in the last year. You’ll be surprised at how many items you can’t actually remember wearing. Throw away any pieces that are stained or ripped, and throw the rest in the washing machine to get them ready to donate. This step is especially easy for residents of Quinella Condos (38 Quinella Court) and Touchstone Court (30 Touchstone Court), as each suite comes equipped with a washer and dryer.

Swap your clothes

Get more for your hand-me-downs at a clothing swap, where friends come together to trade clothes that they no longer wear. You can plan your own using these tips from Real Simple or reach out to the neighbourhood for a larger swap. Get inspired by this 2015 clothing swap that took place at the Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre (1545 Beaver Bank Road).

Do some good

Give your clothes some new life by donating them to an organization that will use them for good. The BFM Thrift Store (31 Temple Terrace) and Salvation Army Thrift Store (463 Sackville Drive) both accept donations almost every day at their Lower Sackville Locations. If you’d prefer to donate your clothes to an organization that will pass them on directly, head into Halifax and drop by the Clothing Bank at the Brunswick Street Mission (2107 Brunswick Street).

Clearing out space in your closet is an easy way to speed up your mornings and make your entire apartment in Lower Sackville feel more organized.

Prepare for Family Day fun to remember. For today’s post, the blog team at Timbercreek Communities has put together some ideas for how to have a fantastic Family Day near our Brampton apartments with the people who matter most.

Get ready to get moving

Neighbourhood community centres all throughout Brampton are hosting special activities in honour of Family Day on February 15th. At Cassie Campbell Community Centre (1050 Sandalwood Parkway West), for example, participate in a three-on-three basketball tournament, swimming, ice skating or a badminton tournament. The fun kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and continues until badminton ends at 5:30 p.m. This community centre is just over a 10-minute drive from Rambler Towers Apartments (25 Rambler Drive).

Stories for all ages

Visit the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (9 Wellington Street East), or PAMA, on Family Day. There will be free workshops, activities and exhibitions designed with your family in mind. Stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to experience storytelling, music and art at this local venue, a five-minute drive from Rambler Towers Apartments.

Kids Fest Toronto

One of the biggest celebrations happening nearby is Kids Fest Toronto (6900 Airport Road). For high-energy fun the kids will love, attend this weekend-long festival in Mississauga. Activities include more than 30 themed inflatables, indoor mini golf, kid-friendly science experiments, exotic animals and crafts. Rambler Towers Apartments are a 15-minute drive from this Greater Toronto Area Family Day option.

Glen Eden

Take advantage of the long weekend to spend time at Glen Eden Resort (5234 Kelso Road), just over a 20-minute drive from Rambler Towers Apartments. Enjoy slipping and sliding down the slopes at this popular nearby ski, snowboarding and tubing destination.

Did you know that IKEA Ottawa (2685 Iris Street) is just a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from 838 Pinewood Crescent Apartments? The blog team at Timbercreek Communities wants to help you put this nearby resource to good use. For today’s post, find a list of must-try IKEA hacks guaranteed to make your apartment a more efficient, welcoming space.

Functional and decorative

Start with a project that’s easy to make and even easier to put to good use. Transform an IKEA magnet board into a map board that doubles as a decorative hanging in your workspace or living room.

One-of-a-kind furniture

Love the shape of your new IKEA table or dresser, but want to add a personalized touch? Use stencils to redecorate and incorporate your sense of style and personality into your IKEA furniture. You can find any arts and crafts supply you need at Michael’s (2685 Iris Street), located next to IKEA, a five-minute drive from 838 Pinewood Crescent Apartments.

Pick your paint

A basic IKEA rug is not only affordable, it is the perfect canvas to add whatever colour and design your 838 Pinewood Crescent Apartment craves. This DIY project requires only three basic arts and craft supplies, including Latex paint, painter’s tape and a brush. 

Slipcovers

If a DIY project sounds like more than you have time to commit to, a slipcover is an extremely easy way to give any IKEA pillow, couch or chair a new look.

A world of ideas

Want to continue exploring IKEA hacks online? Check out Ikea Hackers, an entire website devoted to modifying and repurposing your IKEA finds.

At your home just a few short minutes from IKEA Ottawa, the Timbercreek Communities blog team is certain you will have a blast transforming your IKEA purchases into extraordinary, one-of-a-kind centerpieces for your living space. For more information about 838 Pinewood Crescent Apartments, visit our website today.

With Halloween just around the corner, Timbercreek Communities has put together our top selections for spooky local events and activities in the Greater Montreal Area. Our Downtown Montreal apartments are located in the best areas of the city including minutes from McGill University, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the historic Old Port of Montreal.

Fright Fest

Fright Fest is back for another terrifying year of thrills, chills and excitement. La Ronde Amusement Park will be transformed into a Halloween haven with haunted houses, spooky live creatures and a Little Pumpkin Patch for smaller kids. Every weekend from October 3^rd until November 1^st, La Ronde will be hosting its terrifying Fright Fest. Fright Fest is a family-friendly event that everyone will enjoy. La Ronde is a ten-minute drive (or 40-minute transit ride) from Timbercreek’s 450 Rue Sherbrooke apartments.

Montreal Halloween Club Crawl

For adults looking to have some Halloween fun, be sure to check out the annual Montreal Halloween Club Crawl. This event is one of the city’s biggest and best Halloween parties that hosts thousands of people from across both Montreal and Canada. This event is geared towards students (19+) and provides access to four of the city’s best Halloween parties at various bars and clubs around the downtown Montreal core. The Montreal Halloween Club Crawl starts at Gerts at McGill, which is only a 15-minute walk from Timbercreek’s 105 Rue Milton apartments.

Zombie Walk

The Montreal Zombie Walk is back for another year of post-apocalyptic zombie fun. This event started as a grassroots flash mob featuring a handful of people dressed as zombies walking the streets of Montreal and is now a huge annual event. On October 31^st be sure to join the Montreal Zombie Walk by showing up at the Place des Festivals in your best zombie attire and makeup.

The Great Pumpkin Ball

Every year, Esmerelda the friendly Witch appears at the Montreal Botanical Gardens for the city’s largest pumpkin decorating competition and friendly costume contest. There will be kid-friendly activities running at the Montreal Botanical Gardens from October 2^nd until November 1^st, the day of the Great Pumpkin Ball.

Get ready for your Thanksgiving dinner this year with the following fun, easy-to-make and inexpensive centrepiece ideas and inspiration. Timbercreek’s London communities are located throughout the city, in some of the best and brightest locations.

Thanksgiving Roses Centrepiece

This Thanksgiving why not try making your very own DIY centrepiece? This Thanksgiving Roses Centrepiece is essentially a floral centrepiece placed into a festive pumpkin. Simply select the flowers and colours of plants you are after, then hollow out a pumpkin (or two) of your choosing and use as a practical vase for your flowers. It’s simple, affordable and can be done in under 30 minutes.

Fall Table Centrepiece

Our next fall-inspired centrepiece can be easily done in under an hour and on your table ready for your guests to arrive. For this tutorial you will need a selection of little pumpkins or gourds, mason jars, candles and materials to create a wood box if desired. If creating your own wooden box is too time consuming or a little too advanced, you can repurpose an old one or purchase one new from your local hardware store.

Pumpkin Candle Holders

Add a little glamour to your autumn decorations with these Fancy Pumpkin Candle Holders. These candle holders take regular pumpkins and turn them into glitzy ones with the addition of Mod Podge and glitter. Our tip is to line ten to 15 of these up in a row for a stunning Thanksgiving centrepiece. Michael’s Craft Store is only a 35-minute transit ride from Timbercreek’s 650 Waterloo Street Community in London.

Twig Votives

Another easy and seasonally inspired Thanksgiving centrepiece idea is to create these Twig Votives. These candle holders/jars are easy to create and will add a rustic, autumn feeling to any table. They are also incredibly affordable and fun to make. All you need for this tutorial are some branches from the yard or park, hot glue and a clear vase. This project can be easily made for under $5.

You’ll have your home and your table looking Thanksgiving ready in no time with these easy Thanksgiving centrepiece ideas and DIY projects.