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.

Pets enrich our lives. A well trained, well behaved dog makes life better. Teaching your dog simple tricks also teaches them how to obey commands, gives opportunities for positive reinforcement and teaches your pet discipline. Who knew tricks could be the key to having a well behaved and happy dog?! Here are 5 fun tricks to teach your best friend, from your friends at Timbercreek Communities.

Kiss

It’s pretty easy to get a dog to lick your face. The trick is to get them to give you a gentle kiss that doesn’t require toweling off after. Hold a treat by your face as you say the command and offer your cheek. Wait until he touches your cheek with his nose and pull away and give him the treat before he can lick you. Eventually he will learn that is all that is required. If you have a big or overly excitable dog, don’t let your kids perform this trick until your dog has it down.

Shake Paws

You’ll need a little patience to teach your dog to shake a paw. If you can spare the time, it's ideal to practice for about 5 minutes a day. To keep you both from getting tired or frustrated. Show your dog the treat in your hand. If your pet lifts its paw, or bats at the treat in your closed hand, reward your pooch with the treat and a little praise. Your other hand should remain out flat to shake. When your pup lifts his or her paw you can grab it while he/she takes the treat.

Fetch

It may seem like a dog would naturally fetch without training but the truth is, most don’t. Most dogs will simply stare and possibly wonder why you are throwing their toy away. Follow these 6 steps to teach your dog to fetch, from the dog whisperer himself, Cesar Millan.

Bark on Command

Teaching your dog to speak or is an easy trick and can fix a barking problem, as he will learn to bark only when commanded. If your dog has a barking trigger, like a knock at the door, try knocking on the door. When he barks say “speak” and give him a treat and/or click your clicker. Repeat this several times, then give the “speak” command without knocking. If he obeys and barks, give him treats and praise.

Spin

Teaching your dog to spin is not only cute, it also keeps your pet limber. Place a treat on his/her nose but don’t let your dog eat it. Slowly move your hand in the direction you want your pet to spin. Stick with one direction at first. Once your pet completes a full circle, click, use your marker word and give him/her a treat.

We hope you give these fun tricks to teach your dog a try! To find your home with Timbercreek Communities, please visit our website.

It’s grilling season and nothing tastes better on the grill than a juicy and delicious burger. If your burger game is getting a little played out, we have some suggestions for how to step it up. Here are 5 seriously tasty burgers you’ve got to try this weekend!

The Perfect Burger

When something is called The Perfect Burger, you’ve simply got to try it and see for yourself. You only need eight basic ingredients to form the patties: egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper and medium ground beef. Then you can customize the recipe to make your perfect burger with suggested “stir-ins” like caesar dressing, curry powder or hoisin sauce.

Umami Burger with Port and Stilton

Umami is known as the “fifth taste”, it falls right after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. It is a deeply satisfying, savoury taste. Resist the urge to pile on any of the usual toppings on this Umami Burger. The only toppings you need are Port wine and Stilton cheese.

Quinoa-veggie Burger

Burgers don't need meat to taste delicious. If you’re avoiding meat you can still have a satisfying burger this summer. This super-nutritious Quinoa-veggie burger is sandwiched between two grilled portobello mushrooms for a protein-packed, low-carb twist on a classic.

Guacamole Turkey Burger

Not into red meat? These Guacamole Turkey Burgers are topped with a delicious dollop of guacamole. Dark-meat turkey makes the patties juicy and the chili powder, lime zest, and cilantro lends a Southwestern flavour.

Butter Chicken Burger

These amazing Butter Chicken Burgers are a rich and perfectly spiced twist on two classic dishes. Serve them with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a little plain Greek yogurt for an international taste sensation!

You really can’t go wrong with any of these amazing burgers. We hope they help you take a big bite of summer!

To find your home with Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

We spend roughly 1.5 years in the bathroom in our lifetime. While it may seem like a chore to most men, personalizing your bathroom can go a long way. From hardware to software, it doesn’t take much to make your bathroom both more civilized and more masculine. To help you get started, Timbercreek has a few ways to create a more masculine bathroom.

Dark Tones: Navy, Grey, Taupe.

Try incorporating a dark-toned colour palette into the space (think navy, grey, olive and taupe) through standard bathroom items like new towels, a shower curtain, a bath mat, etc. These small changes can make a big impact and totally revamp the look of the space.

Incorporate Metals Into Finishes: Chrome, Pewter, Copper, Brushed Steel

Nothing says masculine like a little metal. Whether you are renovating or renting, incorporating metal finishes and accents can make any bathroom more masculine. Easy bathroom features to swap out include towel racks, toilet paper holders, garbage cans, and soap dishes and dispensers.

Better Towels

Ditch your stack of ratty, musty, thin, washed-too-many-times towels and invest in some new plush, high quality towels.  Nice towels make bathroom time more enjoyable. To keep the look masculine stick to dark tones or white.

Non-Traditional Objects: Repurposed Items

If you’re on a budget, thinking beyond the bathroom aisle never hurts. Try a tin pail for a garbage can or a pencil holder for toothbrushes. Use a small area rug instead of a bathmat -- the sky’s the limit! While Bed Bath and Beyond would have us believe otherwise, bath furnishings can come from anywhere.

Add Personal Touches:

Photos from trips or special interests are always nice accents.  Race cars, beach tanning, travel pics, even a 50s era pinup poster can add warmth and personality to a bathroom space. 

Have Fun With Shower Curtains

If you don’t care about quality, shower curtains can be really inexpensive. They come in a myriad of colours, shapes, textures and opacity and are easy to replace when you get bored. There may be no easier, faster, or cheaper way to give your bathroom a macho makeover than a new masculine shower curtain. Stick to dark colours, simple patterns, or no pattern at all.

Aftershave

A bottle of your favourite aftershave, or even classic Old Spice or Aqua Velva, will make your bathroom smell more masculine. While it’s easy to overdo cologne, a nice traditional aftershave (applied sparingly) will give you and your bathroom a masculine scent that’s not overpowering.

Well Placed Magazines

Bathroom reading is a thing for a reason. There’s nothing more manly than a selection of fishing, hunting, or video game magazines to help pass the time.  A dash of Scientific American or The Economist can help up the class factor and keep you informed. 

Air Freshener

A good air freshener can make a big impact.  Be careful to choose a good quality brand and a relatively subtle scent. Cheap air fresheners are semi toxic and stick to nasal passages, while good quality air fresheners cover odors but aren’t harmful.

A Good Stock of TP

It’s safe to say most men usually keep the bare minimum of toilet paper on hand. Having a fresh well stocked supply of toilet paper is nice for guests and will ensure you are prepared for anything that comes your way.

Timbercreek hopes this list helps make your bathroom more masculine.  For more information about Timbercreek Communities in your city, please visit our website.

Let’s face it, dads are hard to buy for. With Father’s Day just around the corner, Timbercreek has put together a list of common and not-so-common Father’s Day gift ideas for your Dad this year.

A New Tie

Ties have been a go-to Father’s Day present since the tie was invented. If your Dad wears ties, they still make a great gift and can be purchased on just about any budget. Be sure to look through your dad’s closet to see what he likes before grabbing one at the store.

Gift Card

Never underestimate the gift card. While it may sound a little impersonal, a targeted gift card can hit a homer -- especially now that everyone from Shoppers Drug Mart to Indigo to gas stations sells them. Dinners, movies and popcorn, alcohol/LCBO, iTunes, books, prepaid VISA cards, restaurant chains - there’s not a lot you can’t get anymore. Consider one from your dad’s favourite store.

Golf Lesson

For the dads who love to golf, this one’ll take the cake. For beginners and seasoned players alike, Dad will love some focused swing analysis on the local driving range. If a lesson is too specific or pricey (they can get into the triple digits per hour depending on the club), get him some range time, or buy him a 9 or 18-hole round.

Craft Beer Pack

With the craft beer explosion of the past 3-5 years, types and styles of beer have gone through the roof.  Whether your Father is a lager man or an IPA lover, a 6-pack of tasty brew will be sure to please.

Netflix For A Month (Or A Year)

Netflix has revolutionized not only what we watch, but how we watch it. It’s even become a verb. From movies to tv, there’s little you can’t get.  And as their monthly rates are cheaper than two Starbucks coffees, you might consider 6 months to a year of a membership for dear old Dad this Father’s Day.

Slippers

While perhaps not #1 on the must-get Father’s Day gift list, slippers are one of those things you never buy yourself, but love once you have them. And though dollar stores sell them for cheap, a quality, cushy, puffy pair will make your Dad’s morning coffees better than ever. If you check outdoor stores too, you can find those insulated ones that make cool hardwood floors feel warm and plush.

Car Detailing

No one likes to clean their car. Well, some do. But for most, cars function as equal parts transport device and garbage can. While picking up the coffee cups and gum wrappers counts as “cleaning”, vacuuming the seats tends to be that elusive “thing I have do”.  With Dads who drive a lot and are short on time, a detailing gift can be just the thing they need.

Lawn Mowing Service

Though on the surface this one might not sound exciting, having someone else mow the lawn will prove satisfying, especially on a beautiful Saturday morning. Even if your lawn is small, having a professional service manicure your Father’s outdoor space will give him a break and maybe even make the place look decent for once. Cost might be a factor if you intend to cover an entire summer, in which case, you can offer to do it yourself.

Coffee Mug

Perhaps #2 on the all-time Father’s Day gift list, coffee mugs are equally underestimated. For Dads who like coffee, you can’t have enough of them. Planes, trains, automobiles, music notes, hand crafted, bedazzled; as long as you know your Dad’s tastes this one can’t be overdone.  Just make sure it has a good, big handle.

Tickets To A Local Sporting Event

Baseball, football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, MMA -- you can see nearly every sporting type known to man shy of Monster Truck Racing these days so long as you’re within driving distance of a city center. While it might take some planning, and various sports differ in price, you can usually find some nosebleed seats somewhere that won’t break the bank and will provide a fun and memorable way to celebrate Dad.

Timbercreek hopes these great gift ideas help you find the perfect present for Dad this Father’s Day. For more information about Timbercreek Communities in your city, 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.

Bold Magenta

Lipstick, hairstyles, even Benjamin Moore is on top of Bold Magenta this year. Check out more here.

White and Woods

The combination of white and wood-based tones are gaining popularity this year, both in architecture, jewelry, and fashion design. See examples here.

Aqua

From the Trend Council to People magazine, aqua is on deck to be a popular 2017 colour, both in fashion and interior design style. Get the skinny here.

Take advantage of these colour trends this Spring! Incorporate these hues into your wardrobe and home decor for a fresh look.

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

WE LOVE PETS! They provide companionship, affection and improve our quality of life -- if they are well behaved. To teach your pets to behave properly you need to be able to get and hold their attention. When you can get their attention, then you can give them commands and control their behavior. It’s straightforward, but it’s not always easy. To help you take control, Timbercreek Communities wants to share these 4 steps for getting your pet’s attention.

Eye Contact is Key

Your pet, especially a dog, is thinking about what it is looking at. If they are not making eye contact with you, chances are they are not thinking about you or what you want them to do. Eye contact is key. The first step in training your pet is to teach them to stare at you, without stopping. After several sessions getting your dog familiar with eye contact, you won’t need to tug on their collar to get their attention.

The Name Game

Getting your dog familiar with eye contact is crucial, but how do you get them to stare at you on command? Teach them their own name. A pet’s name can be used to get their attention, so that you can then tell them what you want them to do next, like “come” for example. It’s important that you only say your pet’s name once. If you repeat the name over and over, they may dismiss it. If you don’t get their attention after saying their name, follow it with attention-getting noises. You can pat your leg or make high pitched noises, then reward them when they look at you.

Praise

Your pet will respond to praise. Positive reinforcement works. The reward of praise makes them likely to repeat the behavior they were praised for. Timing is key -- you need to give them the praise immediately or they will not associate it with the correct action. If you tell your dog to “sit” and then say “good boy” when they stand back up, they will think they are being praised for standing up.

Reward

Besides praise, the other reward that is important to your pet is treats. When you say their name and they stare at you, reward them with a treat immediately. Keep your commands short. Single words are best. Everyone in the family should use the same commands and reward good behaviour right away. Consistency is key. The treat should be small, not something they need to take time to chew. Accompany these treat rewards with praise and you will be able to get your pet’s attention and have them follow your simple commands.

Timbercreek Communities hopes these tips for getting your pet’s attention help to transform your pet into a happy a well behaved member of the family.

To learn about pet friendly Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Some of the best design trends come from Scandinavia. 2016 was the year of Hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”) a Danish concept which had us hanging string lights and embracing firelight, knit slippers and hot drinks, dip dyed tassels and gold garlands all in the name of feeling cosy. Hygge is really more of a mood than an actual style motif, and it’s easy to love and make your own. While we think hygge is wonderful, as we roll into 2017 this comfort-seeking style is being replaced by another trend known as Lagom. Similarly tongue-twisting (the la is pronounced “bar”, and gom sounds like “prom”), Lagom is all about monochrome and minimalism. The look involves stark contrast, an abundance of white, and elegant simplicity. Already taking over Pinterest and instagram, you’ve probably encountered examples of Lagom online. To help you get on trend, Timbercreek Communities presents Lagom, the philosophy of stylish simplicity taking the design world by storm.

IKEA’s Live Lagom Collection

A simple Swedish philosophy for everyday life, Lagom means ‘just the right amount’. According to IKEA, “It’s based on the idea that we can strike a healthy balance with the world around us without having to make extreme changes, and without denying ourselves anything. With LAGOM in mind, we think you can live a more sustainable, healthy and cost-conscious life at home, without any dramatic upheaval.” More than an effort to sell, IKEA’s Live LAGOM project is an active community aiming to help save energy and water, reduce waste and promote a healthy lifestyle. Check out more here.

Lagom Magazine

A style mag founded in 2014 by Bristol-based husband-and-wife team Elliot and Samantha Stocks, Lagom “is a celebration of innovation and creativity — a lifestyle magazine showcasing those who achieve a sense of balance between work and play.” Exhibiting the Lagom philosophy, the magazine prides itself on a grounded, humble aesthetic, showcasing three distinct areas: Spaces & Places, Craft & Create, and Escape & Recharge. Check out Lagom magazine’s website for more info on Lagom and style inspiration.

Lagom and Minimalism

According to Wikipedia, Lagom, “is said to describe the basis of the Swedish national psyche, one of consensus and equality (where) it is still widely considered ideal to be modest and avoid extremes.” Lagom is embodied by the value of "just enough".  It can be compared to the "less is more" western idiom, and stands in contrast to the value of "more is better". It is viewed favorably as a sustainable alternative to the hoarding extremes of consumerism.” If you enjoy the concept and want to bring it into your life and home, minimalism is a good place to start. To create a Lagom inspired space, look for well designed and functional pieces and keep your rooms sparse -- do not overcrowd them with furniture and knick knacks. Less is infinitely more.

Read more on Hygge here, and Lagom here.

We could all benefit from embracing a philosophy like Lagom. We hope this guide to Lagom inspires you to redefine your space and embrace simplicity.

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

Lunch is over and the end of the day seems very far away, you’ve hit the dreaded midday slump. You can reach for sugary snacks or caffeine to push through, but they can make the crash even worse and aren’t great solutions to the problem. To help you power through your busy day, Timbercreek Communities has 10 natural ways to get over the midday slump.

Stretch

These quick and simple stretches, that you can do at your desk, will help you fight fatigue. They will send some oxygen to your brain, relieve stressed muscles and give you bit of a boost when you need it.

Power Up with Protein

Instead of stuffing yourself with carbs when you hit the midday slump, power up with protein snacks. Keep some raw nuts, trail-mix or beef jerky nearby to power through the afternoon.

Lighten Up

Getting exposure to natural light is crucial for maintaining our energy levels. If you can’t work by a window, try heading to a coffee shop or talking a short stroll outside.

Make a Splash

Go into the bathroom and splash some cold water on your face if you need to wake yourself up fast.

Stand and Deliver

Rather than sending an email to your coworker, try walking over and talking to them. It will give you the chance to stretch your legs and take a much needed screen break.

Screen Breaks

Staring at a screen all day can cause eye strain and fatigue. Every 20 minutes, take a break at stare at something 20 feet away while blinking your eyes for 20 seconds.

Walking and Talk

Instead of taking that one on one meeting sitting down, take it to the streets and walk as you talk.

Catnap

Sometimes, nothing but a nap will do. It’s not slacking off, a 10-20 minute power nap can leave you feeling more alert and actually boost your productivity.

Fuel Up

Eating a healthy breakfast can help you avoid a 2pm crash, especially when you combine that with a smaller, less carb-heavy lunch.

Meditate at Your Desk

Just a few minutes of meditation can boost your energy and reduce your stress levels. Give it a try and see how you feel.

Don’t let exhaustion steal your day! Timbercreek Communities hopes that these 10 natural ways to get over the midday slump energize your afternoon.

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