I am terrible at doing yard work at this time of year. I almost always wait until spring to do it. I keep telling myself that I need to get outside, cut things back, rake the leaves and put the summer decor items away. This year, I'm trying to motivate myself with a mini front porch update after I've done the stuff I don't enjoy doing. The front of the house always looks so bare at this time of year. Gardens and pots are empty, Halloween decorations away, and it's too early for holiday decor.

I figure if I spend a few hours this weekend doing yard work I can justify spending a few hours shopping! I will admit, most of the sources below are online, but you could find many of these items at local decor stores and the big box retailers in the Stockyards.

This front porch update can take you right to the holiday season. Add some greens, jazz up your wreath with ribbons and you are ready to welcome all of your holiday guests in style. First impressions count, right?

Here are some ideas I have but can't decide which way I should go. I'm leaning towards the first option, funny how it mimics my wardrobe i.e. it's mostly black!

1. Black mailbox 2. .House numbers 3. Front door mat 4. Straw wreath

Another look I like a lot is adding some pops of colour. I really love this modern look on an older home. The contrast is really appealing to me.

1. Silver house numbers 2. Modern Mailbox 3. Fun doormat 4. Planter

The final look that I put together is everywhere right now. From table settings to living room decor this look is having a moment. If you want to feel like you are escaping the city, this might be the one for you.

1.House Numbers DIY 2.Mailbox 3. Door Mat 4. Wreath

Assuming I get the yard work done, I'm really excited about updating the front porch. It's easy to add a bit of extra curb appeal and won't break the bank! Happy fall clean up!

If you are like me, starting high school in the 1990's (okay, okay it was the '80's ;).....you had one choice - you went to the local high school with all your other friends - no options, no discussions. This is SO not the case any longer!Navigating through this process with my grade 8 daughter last year, I couldn't believe the multitude of choices and the confusion that ensued. We travelled from open house to open house in the hopes of finding some clarity, but ended up in a bit of a mom vs. teenager power struggle over which school we each thought was 'the one'. There are A LOT of high school options in the west end of Toronto, depending on where your child's interests lie. This is a great thing, but for the unprepared (me), it can also be a little daunting.This is my attempt to simplify this process a little bit, in the hopes that you have an easier time of this than I did!

Specialty Programs & Key Dates

Bishop Allen Academy (Catholic)

Congregated Advanced Placement Program - an internationally recognized program that fosters success in higher education by encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills at the highest level
application & strong academic performance in grades 7 & 8 required - application due November 24th and notification of acceptance is January 8, 2018

Bloor Collegiate - Open house November 9th at 6:30pm

Talented Offerings in the Programmes of Sciences (TOPS) on Bloor program
application and exam required - application available November 10th, which is to be brought to the exam, held December 1, 2017

Etobicoke School of the Arts - Parent open houses November 15th at 6pm & 7:30pm

arts focus in dance, drama, music & film
applications are due December 1, 2017
acceptance dependent on audition - auditions are being held January 19, 2018

Humberside Collegiate - Open house January 17th at 7pm

extended french & french immersion programs for students coming from feeder schools
students in the english program must live within the school's catchment to attend

Parkdale Collegiate - Open house December 6th at 7pm

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
applications due January 11, 2018 (students with last names A-L) or January 12, 2018 (students with last names M-Z)
IB Entrance Assessment also required

Runnymede Collegiate - Open house November 7th at 7pm

Masters of Math, Science & Technology Program
application and exam required - applications available on-line and should be brought to the exam, held November 25, 2017

Ursula Franklin Academy - Open house November 7th at 7pm

Integrated technology & academics for the real world with a focus on 5 core values: spirit of inquiry, democracy, social justice, community of learners, and connected knowledge
application and admissions assessment required - assessment must be scheduled on-line (link accessible as of November 7th) and held either November 29th at 4pm or December 2nd at 10am (350 spaces available per session)
applications due December 11, 2017
if the number of eligible students exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held on January 19, 2018

Western Technical-Commercial School - Open house November 2nd at 6:30pm

Specialized High Skills Majors (SHSM) in leadership, design studio, engineering robotics & hospitality studies
applications are available on-line and are due by January 12, 2018

Please click here, for a list of open houses at all TDSB schools. Happy open housing and the best of luck to all of you.....high school is a whole other post ;).

Holiday ready front porch update!

Where to Next??

Specialty Programs & Key Dates