In honour of National Pizza Month, we asked our team of pizza fanatics to share their favourite places to get a slice in Edmonton. There is no shortage of pizza places in Edmonton, but here are a few to help satisfy those cravings: 

Sepp’s

As one of the more recent additions to the pizza scene in Edmonton, Sepp’s has taken over the University area by storm. If you’re looking for the perfect New York-style pizza pie, look no further. They don’t do in-person dining but are experts in take out and delivery. Plus, their pizzas make delicious leftovers, so order that second pizza. Our recommendations are the Apulo (if you haven’t had honey on your pizza before, you’ll be converted after this!) and the Funghi.

Campio

Gracing downtown Edmonton with deep-dish pizzas since 2018, Campio take’s the lead for creative pies. The PB&J (pineapple, bacon, and jalapeños), and the Big MacDavid (a Big Mac inspired pizza named after a local legend) are fan favorites. If you’re dining in, take advantage of their brewed in-house beers.

Rosso’s Pizzeria

Centered in one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, Rosso’s serves pizza made with organic, locally sourced, and fresh ingredients. Some of our go-to’s are the Soppressata, the Dolce Emma, and the Kale Saltati.

Blaze

With no additives, chemicals, or frozen dough, Blaze gives the city customizable pizzas in eco-friendly packaging. With their assembly line, you can decide what to put on your pizza. 180 seconds in the fast-fired’d pizza oven and then you’re good to go! Great for if you’re in a rush or want something with all your favourite toppings on one crust. 

Bianco

Great pizza tastes even better when you feel like you’re eating it at your family’s home. Authentic ingredients, passionate people, and a lot of love make these pizzas at the top of our list. We recommend the Burrata pizza or the La Famiglia. 

Whatever pizza cravings you might have, there’s a pizza place in Edmonton for that. And we can confidently say our TruHome agents have tried them all!

Our favourite season is finally here! Though we’re very fortunate to have several outdoor rinks and toboggan hills during our winter months and are only a quick drive away to the mountains, summer in Edmonton is like nothing else. And because our summers tend to be short, we have to enjoy every second of it. And what’s more enjoyable than ice cream? Here are some of our favourite spots around the city:

Central Edmonton Ice Cream

La Carraia Gelateria Cafe

Located Downtown on 109th street, La Carraia Gelateria Cafe carries delicious, traditional gelato crafted with one-of-a-kind recipes, served with an experience as unique as its flavours. Each flavour tastes of authentic Florentine gelato, served in every scoop, bowl and cone. 

Kind

If you’re an Edmontonian, chances are you’ve heard of Kind. But have you tasted it yet? Kind is a small-batch handcrafted ice cream shop located in the quaint neighbourhood of Ritchie and The Highlands. It’s the perfect trio: women lead, chef driven and Edmonton made. Kind uses the best local ingredients, such as Alberta milk, cream and eggs for their ice cream!

Yelo’d

A Mom and Pop shoppe founded and run by Jason and Ailynn, Yelo’d is a filipino and Asian-inspired soft-serve ice cream shop. With over 10 years experience in running their own businesses (one being Edmonton’s first custom cake shop), Yelo’d features unique flavors such as Ube (purple yam) and Buko Pandan (coconut pandan). Fun fact: Yelo’d is the Filipino word for “iced”!

Made by Marcus

With locations in our sister city, Calgary, Made by Marcus took Edmonton by storm in 2019 when they decided to set up shop in our dear city. Though the location is tucked quietly away in a Whyte Ave back alley courtyard, there are often lineups around the corner to taste Marcus’ new creations. The lineup is worth the wait with this one!

North Edmonton Ice Cream

Pinocchio Ice Cream

This unique gelato shop was founded by a man named Tom Ursino, who learned how to make old fashioned gelato from his dad who made gelato using natural ingredients in Italy. In 1980, Tom brought his learnings to Edmonton to found Pinocchio Ice Cream! All of the gelato is gluten free, and every sorbet is vegan friendly. It doesn’t get more family than that.

Mish Mash Parfait

A spin off from Scoon N Roll (we’ll cover that one later), Mish Mash Parfait is an ice cream food truck that you can find parked in the Kingsway Mall parking lot during the warmer months! Mish Mash Parfait sells the most beautiful looking ice cream treats that you can find. Don’t believe us? The link above takes you to its Instagram. *drool*

Big Bite Detroit Pizza and Gelato

It’s the best of both worlds—pizza AND gelato! This well-loved pizza joint also has a delicious assortment of fresh, unique flavoured gelato. Just take a look at one of their recent Facebook posts. Learn More about Big Bite Detroit Pizza & Gelato. 

East Edmonton Ice Cream

Foothills Creamery Ltd

Even though Edmonton doesn’t really have an East side, there is still one ice cream shop worth visiting in that small part of town. Foothills Creamery is a Canadian-based hard ice cream brand, featuring its iconic hard ice cream. They sell an array of flavours ranging from butter pecan and cream soda float to cherry custard and black licorice. 

West Edmonton Ice Cream

Pa Peterson’s Ice Cream

So unique that you can’t even find a website for it, Pa Peterson’s Ice Cream is located at 16320 95 Ave NW and is a staple in the community of Glenwood. Also serving burgers and fries, you can find the perfect scoop of hard ice cream and this family-owned shop.

Scoop N Roll

You’ve been waiting for this one. Scoop N Roll is the unique ice cream food truck that you tend to see all over Edmonton. With six different locations in all areas of the city, there’s bound to be one close to you. Fun fact: the art of scoop n roll ice cream originated in Thailand!

South Edmonton Ice Cream

Little Bear Gelato

Found primarily at the Bountiful Market, Little Bear Gelato is bound to be a crowd pleaser. This local ice cream brand will always bring you fresh, locally-made artisan gelato and sorbet that is locally sourced and made with fresh ingredients. There are no preservations, additives, or other things that you wouldn’t want. It’s tasty AND ethical!

Blasters Ice Cream & Cakes

Originated in Manitoba, you can find Blasters Ice Cream & Cakes in Millwoods. Even if you’re not from the area, it’s worth the drive because Blasters offers a large selection of soft or hard ice cream, as well as pastries. Additionally, they serve a variety of hot and cold beverages which you can customize by printing any image of your choice on top. Perfect for the kiddos!

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Are there any local ice cream shops in your neighbourhood that you think we should highlight? Send us a note and we’ll add it to the list!

It’s summer! We’ve been cooped up for far too long and we’re finally able to travel with some considerations in mind. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or maybe a week-long trip, we have some vacation areas in mind to bring our own families—so we thought we’d share them with you, too!

In Alberta

Alberta Beach

Driving time: 60 minutes

If you’re a born and raised Edmontonian, you’ve likely visited Alberta Beach once or twice. But just because you’ve been there before, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t visit again! Located less than 60 kilometers west of Edmonton on beautiful Lac Ste Anne lies the Village of Alberta Beach—a sandy beach and warm shallow water provide fun for all ages. The best part: you can make it a day trip! If you want more than a day trip – talk to us about our lake specialist team in this area. 

Gull Lake

Driving time: 90 minutes

Located less than 60 kilometers west of Edmonton on beautiful Lac Ste Anne lies the Village of Gull Lake—a sandy beach and warm shallow water provide fun for all ages. Enjoy the beautiful, relaxing beach, go sport fishing or go windsurfing during the summer months! And if you love it enough to return in the winter, Gull Lake is also a great spot for ice fishing.

Jasper National Park

Driving time: 3.5 hours

Another classic spot for Albertans to visit is Jasper National Park. The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park has activities that suit people of all ages. With breathtaking views, hikes, biking, paddling, shopping, camping, eating and drinking, Jasper is bound to make for a beautiful weekend away.

Drumheller

Driving time: 3.5 hours

A perfect vacation if you have some little ones to bring along with you (or not!). Drumheller has a ton of things to keep you busy, such as amusement parks, dinosaur adventures, museums, historic sites, natural attractions, performing arts, sports, recreation and more. With so many things to do, there’s definitely something for everyone. For more details about what to do and to grab some accommodations, visit the Drumheller website.

Sikome Lake

Driving time: 3 hours

Stay in Calgary soaking up our sister city’s downtown vibes, then take a day trip to Sikome Lake to get a vacation from your vacation. This man-made lake is located in the Southern quadrant of the city, and it gets up to 20,000 visitors a day in the busy season! 

Ghost Lake

Driving time: 3.5 hours

Though the shoreline is more driftwood and rocks than soft, silky sand, Ghost Lake might be right up your alley if you’re looking for peace, quiet and lots of sunshine. What’s more—when you’re done floating on the water for the day, head on over to the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary as it is a very short drive away. There, you can go for a beautiful sanctuary walk or a visit with the wolfdogs—if you’re lucky, you may even get to give the dogs a treat!

Beyond Alberta

Kelowna

Driving time: 10.5 hours

Though the driving time is a bit long for a Kelowna day trip, it’s definitely worth it to go enjoy the views for the week. For the childless folks looking for a fun time, Kelowna is filled with wine tours, boozy boat rides and lots of good cocktails spots. And if you’re looking for a family-friendly time, there’s plenty of large beaches, stunning hikes, mini golf, animal encounters, small clothing boutiques and playgrounds in this small city, too! Did we mention, the food and restaurant scene in Kelowna is incredible?

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Driving time: 6.5 hours

Have you ever wandered east of our border? If you haven’t, now’s your time to explore. And if you’re a fan of the outdoors, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park might be the perfect close-to-home vacation. Only a 6-hour drive away, you and your vacation crew can enjoy the daytime backcountry Grasslands National park, and during the night, because of the crystal clear skies, you can stargaze for hours upon hours.

Little Manitou Lake

Driving time: 6.5 hours

Another Saskatchewan gem is Little Manitou Lake—the soothing vacation spot where the salty lake water possesses natural skin and body care properties, kind of like the Dead Sea in Israel! This beach is perfect for parents who want to relax, float and enjoy their free spa day, while the children are enjoying the sandy beach and splashing in the water!

Grand Beach Provincial Park

Driving time: 14 hours

It’s true that many Albertans haven’t yet travelled further east to provinces like Manitoba, and that needs to change. Manitoba is filled with many beautiful attractions, with Grand Beach Provincial Park being no exception! Only one hour from Winnipeg, this beautiful beach is a well-known and well-visited beach throughout the summer months. Take a day trip from Winnipeg or set up camp in one of the various sites!

We hope this sparks some inspiration for you and your family! Get out, enjoy the summer and spend time with those you love—in Edmonton or beyond. You deserve it.

After over a year and a half of living through a global pandemic, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though it’ll be a while before we’re able to live our lives carefree, we should still be able to enjoy and celebrate Edmonton’s summer this year! Here are some ways our team will be celebrating Edmonton’s beautiful summer, and hopefully we’ll inspire you to do the same.

Park hangouts (with beer or wine!)

Last summer was filled with many socially distanced picnics, and we definitely plan to continue doing it this summer as well. But this year it’ll look a bit different because we can now enjoy alcoholic beverages while we’re soaking up the sun in select public parks! In Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Whitemud, William Hawrelak, Government House, Victoria, Gold Bar, and Rundle Park, you can enjoy alcohol legally between the hours of 11 AM and 9 PM daily. Learn more.

Grab some takeout from Edmonton’s incredible food scene, pack some booze, grab a blanket and a good book, and soak up the sun all summer long.

Electric scooter around the city

eScootering will never get old. There’s just something about cruising around the city with a few friends—whether it’s travelling from A to B or just going for a joy ride.

This summer, another eScooter threw itself into the ring: Spin. Alongside its competitors Lime and Bird, Spin is offering free 30-minute Spin rides to essential workers in need of safe and socially distanced transportation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic!

Workout outside

The past year has been challenging to those who let loose by getting their sweat on. With gyms, group fitness classes and private training on again and off again, the Edmonton fitness scene has had to get creative.

XTherapy is taking things to the roof! Literally. While the COVID closures were on and off, XTherapy decided to rent out the rooftop of a nearby parkade and take their spin classes outside. Pandemic or not, this is a unique way to get a sweat in. If we’re lucky, these classes will come back!

Hive HIIT in the park is another way to get a high intensity workout in! With gathering locations in multiple areas of the city, Hive HIIT in the park might be right up your alley. Just sign up online, bring your yoga mat and water bottle, and let their incredible instructors do the rest.

The University of Alberta also provides an interesting way to get your sweat on. Though it’s new to us, the U of A provides a free outdoor gym all year long. The space outside represents a joint initiative between our Healthy Campus Unit, Campus & Community Recreation, and Facilities and Operations.

The last and probably most common way to get a workout in is by going for river valley runs and doing stairs. On any given day, you’ll find dozens of Edmontonians sitting in Ezio Faraone Park getting their workouts in!

Visit The Backyard 

New to downtown Edmonton, The Backyard is a place to unwind, connect and discover all things local. This space is a one-of-a-kind gathering place that can be transformed to accommodate all types of events. From yoga classes to concerts to private events, The Backyard’s programming brings energy & creativity to our downtown! Be sure to keep up to date on this initiative by giving them a follow on Instagram.

Stop by the Whyte Avenue Art Walk

Isn’t it great to see some normalcy returning to our city? A summer staple, the Whyte Ave Art Walk is back again between June 4th and August 1st. The only difference is that this year, the well-known event is moving indoors to the former Army & Navy building. 

Fun fact: the Art Walk was started in 1995 when a group of Edmontonians thought Whyte Avenue should have artists outside painting like they have on the Left Bank in Paris. It started with 35 and has grown to over 400 artists and more than 40,000 visitors. 

Enjoy the summer festivals

Edmonton is a beautiful city to live in for many reasons, but at the top of most everybody’s list is the summer festivals—and it’s looking like this year will be filled with them! Though most of us are probably already aware of Edmonton’s annual summer festivals, here is when we can expect them to happen:

The Works Art & Design Festival – June 24 – July 6, 2021

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival – July 9 – July 18, 2021

Taste of Edmonton – July 22 – August 1, 2021

K-Days – July 23 – August 1, 2021

Edmonton Heritage Festival – July 31 – August 2, 2021

Edmonton Fringe Festival – August 12 – August 22, 2021

Take a stroll through the Botanical Garden

An underrated Edmonton experience is the University of Alberta’s Botanic Garden. In this stunning forest garden, you’ll discover how nature ignites your “happy hormones” while you experience a peaceful, beautiful natural environment. Explore cultural gardens, northern climate-hardy plant collections and extensive natural areas, all on 240 acres.

There you have it! We hope you continue to stay safe this summer season. If you have any tips on things to do in Edmonton this summer 2021, give us a shout – we would love to hear from you! 

Is your dad hard to buy for? Ours are too. But just because they always tell us that “no gift is needed for Father’s Day” year after year, doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve to feel special and loved!

We at TruHome put our heads together to compile a list of gifts that we know your dad (or father figure) will love. And as always—most of these ideas help support local Edmonton or Canadian businesses. Keep on reading to get some ideas!

Purchase a Glass Bookshop autobiography

Picture this: your dad asleep on the couch at 7 PM with a good book in hand. That’s pretty likely to happen, right? The Glass Bookshop is a new space in Edmonton, Alberta, that focuses on Canadian writing with special attention paid to queer and racialized writers, as well as the independent publishers who help to produce their work. This shop is sure to sell a piece of writing that your dad will enjoy—oddly enough, all of ours prefer to read autobiographies!

Cook him a grand meal from Cheap & Chunky

It’s no secret that most of our dad’s are simple when it comes to food. Meat and potatoes? Sounds like a plan. By using Edmonton-based blogger’s blog Cheap & Chunky, you’ll be sure to find a recipe that your dad will adore. The recipes are just as it sounds: cheap, delicious and crowd-pleasing. We recommend making the Homemade KFC Chicken Bowl or the White Mac & Cheese. Thanks Alli & Nathan for all the yummy ideas.

Commission a family portrait

Dad’s are softies for anything family-related, so why not get a unique illustration commissioned for him? A local artist named Julia Jantje creates beautiful, unique, cost-friendly portraits that anybody is sure to love. All you need to do is send her a DM to get started!

Buy him restaurant gift cards

Is your dad stuck in his ways? Ours are too—and sometimes they need a push to try out new things! That’s why an assortment of local restaurant gift cards is a perfect Father’s Day gift for your father figure. Not only does it help out the restaurants that are being impacted by the restrictions and closures, but it allows your dad to try out the incredible food that Edmonton has to offer. Here’s a list of some of our favourite restaurants and bakeries!

Stock his liquor cabinet

If your dad is like 90% of other dads, he probably likes to kick back with a cold one every once in a while. There are a lot of local liquor stores to support in our city, but one of our favourites is Sherbrooke Liquor. Located Central-North, this liquor store is family-owned and sells some of the most unique beer, wine and liquor options that you can find. In non-COVID times, you can even fill up your growler there!

Commission something from Lucky Bear

Though this Calgary-based artist’s website focuses mostly on jewelry, Lucky Bear sells a lot of unique trinkets that your dad is sure to love. You can also commission anything you want, such as rugs, wall art, mirrors, coasters or whatever you can dream up! Get something for yourself while you’re at it.

Buy him a MetalBird

You’re probably thinking, “what is a metal bird?” And we wondered the same thing, too. If your dad is an avid outdoorsy person, he likely has a soft spot for birds. Just as it sounds, MetalBirds is a metal bird silhouette that can be used for backyard decor. With the simple tap of a hammer, this beautifully crafted, iconic, life-like bird silhouette will transform your dad’s backyard, garden or environment into a work of art and put smiles on faces for years to come. They are produced in North American and built out of premium 11-Gauge Corten Steel!

Commission a painting of your family home

If you have a family home that you grew up in with your dad, it’s likely a sentimental place—whether you still live in it or not. So, commission a painting of it for your dad this Father’s Day! An incredible Edmonton-based artist, Nancy Nickleson, is the perfect person to do that for you. Not only does she do portraits of homes, but she also does pets!

Get him a handmade leather wallet

Wallet’s don’t get nicer than this. Clo’s General Co is an Edmonton-based leather goods company that you will love supporting—whether for your dad or for yourself. Get him a beautiful, long-lasting wallet, bag, belt, gloves, beer cozy… you name it! 

…And now for a few non-local things that your dad might die for.

Purchase him a corner measurement tool

Have you folks seen these on infomercials like we have? Designed for winding pipes, circular frames, ducts, etc. Ideal for fitting tiles, laminate, carpet, checking dimensions, moulding, the corner measurement tool is the perfect addition to any “Mr. Fix It” dad’s tool box.

Make him a Father’s Day Love Book

Want to make your dad cry of happiness this Father’s Day? Here’s your way to do it. Using LoveBook, you can create custom, sentimental books describing why your dad is special to you. Use its template books or customize it completely—it’s up to you. Bring the tissues and watch his eyes light up as he reads through his custom book!

Get him a custom bobblehead

If you’re not about making your dad cry from happiness, maybe you can make him cry from laughter instead. Handmade from polymer clay, a custom bobblehead might be the perfect gift for your dad this Father’s Day. You can even customize his clothing and pose! 

Buy him an Apple AirTag

“Where are my keys?” Said every dad, every single time they went for a drive. With Apple’s new bluetooth AirTag tracker, you’ll never have to hear that sentence again! And not only are these gadgets great to attach to keys, but you can also attach it to bags, put it in your car, or even add it to your pet’s collar!

Purchase him pretty much anything from Cuddle Clones

Is your dad obsessed with his dog (or cat)? Then he will adore this present! Cuddle Clones allows you to turn your favorite buddy into anything you can think of, such as a mug, a blanket, a golf towel… you name it. And as an added bonus, Cuddle Clones donates a portion of every purchase to an individual pet in need, a shelter or an animal welfare organization.

We hope we sparked some inspiration for your dad’s gift this year! We hope you have a safe, healthy and happy Father’s Day 2021.

Listen, we know that condo or apartment living has so many perks. There’s just something about having additional security, condensed living, and having your condo board handle the dirty work (like parkade cleaning, fire inspections, maintenance… you name it). But let’s get real—a lot of the time, when living in a condominium, we sacrifice having an outdoor area to call our own. Sure, you may have a small balcony for your sunbathing and people-watching pleasure, but there’s not much else you can do out there… like grow your own vegetable garden. Luckily, there’s a fix for that. Edmonton is home to over 90 community gardens. You heard that right—NINETY. And we’re here to tell you all about what they are and how you can get involved.

What is a community garden?

First things first, we recognize that some of you may not even know what a community garden is. In a nutshell, a community garden is a public vegetable garden in a neighbourhood, led by a large group of people in a community. Just like its name, community gardens are operated by community members. Meaning, you usually have to be an active member of your neighbourhood and its community league in order to get access. Not only are community gardens useful for those who don’t have a space to grow their own greens at home, but it also promotes local, organically grown food, a healthy lifestyle, recreation for all ages and community building! The best part? A lot of the time, others from the neighbourhood can enjoy the beautiful garden themselves. But don’t worry, the vegetables you don’t have to share your greens— the vegetables you grow yourself are yours to keep. There’s often a small fee associated with getting your own plot in a community garden. At Oliver Community Garden, it’s only $40/year for a plot + the annual Community League membership. As a side note, we definitely recommend becoming a community league member in your area, because it often comes with awesome perks, like discounts, magazine deliveries, free admission to events, and more.

Where can I find a community garden in my area?

There are several ways you can get started, but let us name a few: 

1. You likely already know what neighbourhood you live in. Simply Google it and see if your community league has a community garden!
2.   The next step is to check out the City of Edmonton Community Garden Map. The City already has everything covered with an up-to-date map filled with website and contact information.
3. Once you find a community garden in your area, you’ll likely need to reach out to its Community League to see if there’s any available plots in their garden. At the very least, you can usually sign up to get on the waiting list!
4.  And if you can’t find anything in your area, don’t fret. There’s often pop-up community gardens in Edmonton! In 2019, there were 29 pop-up gardens in our city.
5. If you still can’t find any community gardens in your proximity, that’s when it’s time to contact the City of Edmonton.

Get involved with Edmonton community gardens

Start your own community garden

Our city wants you to go green. So if you have any questions at all, you can easily contact the Community Greening Coordinator by emailing communitygardens@edmonton.ca or by calling 311 to ask anything you need in regards to starting a garden project in Edmonton. And what’s more—the City of Edmonton even has grants that you can submit if you’re wanting to start a community garden of your own.

Support in other ways

We get it. Not all of us have a green thumb. And that’s okay—many people get involved by providing land, seeds, plants or tools, or even by volunteering to help build the gardens. If that’s something that seems up your alley, be sure to send an email to the Community Greening Coordinator to see how to get involved, or contact your local community league directly.

You can also support by donation, too. Donate here! You can donate on behalf of yourself, a family member, or someone who has passed.

We all know that Edmonton has an incredible food scene. No matter which part of the city you’re visiting, there’s likely a highly-rated, local restaurant, cafe or bakery in close vicinity. We at TruHome are true foodies, so we thought we’d share some of our favourite bakeries in Edmonton!

Shan Shan Bakery

Located in Chinatown, Shan Shan Bakery is a Chinese and Western take on baked goods. Operating for over 7 years, Shan Shan Bakery produces over 100 different treats—all baked out of their kitchen! The bakery also makes custom cakes for parties and events. If you’re visiting this bakery, be sure to try their red bean mooncakes or their classic egg tarts!

La Boule Patisserie & Bakery

If you haven’t visited this bakery yet, now’s your time. Located in Strathcona, La Boule is a shop specializing in French pastries, viennoiserie, breads and confectionery. And if that’s not enticing enough, the owner—Jennifer Stang—is a born and raised Edmontonian, who was taught the art of baking from her grandmother. We highly recommend tasting their Wild Blueberry and Cream Cheese Danish, or their Pistachio Éclairs for yourself! 

Art of Cake

Tucked snugly behind Oliver Square, the Art of Cake should be your first stop if you are a sugar fanatic. With its large selection of sweet treats, there will definitely be something for you. What’s more—if you have any dietary restrictions, they still have options for you. Some of our favourite treats from Art of Cake are their Puffed Wheat Squares and Vanilla with Lemon Curd & Raspberry Buttercream cake. Really though, everything is good (especially to pop in for a quick cupcake).

Milk & Cookies

Located on Calgary Trail, Milk & Cookies Bake Shop is a freshly-made bakeshop that donates $2 from each sale to mental health organizations. But what happens when there’s leftover treats at the end of the day? Well, they pack up all of the day-old items into Surprise Bags and Surprise Boxes that are sold at a sweet discount. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to try their Dippy Dos (animal-shaped sugar cookies with fudge or vanilla funfetti frosting dip) or their cookie sandwiches.

Galen on 118 Filipino Bakeshop

Last but definitely not least, Galen on 118 Filipino Bakeshop is a bakery located on 39th Street and 118 Avenue that focuses on—you guessed it—delicious and authentic Filipino treats. You’re bound to like everything on their menu, but if you’re looking for recommendations, we highly suggest trying the Bacon & Egg Bun, BBQ Pork Bun or the Purple Yam Bun!

Love an Edmonton bakeshop not listed here – be sure to share your top Edmonton favourites.

Picture this: you’ve been saving up for years to purchase your first Edmonton home, and you finally found a house that checks all the boxes. You put an offer on it, and after some negotiations, it gets accepted—score! You complete all the paperwork and you get possession in four weeks. Wait… hold up! You now have the dream house, but what about the furniture that goes inside of it? It can often take months, even years, to fully furnish your home to completion! Good quality furniture and decor is not only expensive, but it’s hard to come by. But… it doesn’t have to be. Here in Edmonton, we have a lot of second-hand furniture stores that have one-of-a-kind pieces that will fit in your budget. Here they are:

More Than A Fad

This thrift store carries everything, from clothing to furniture to wall art to jewelry. This shop carries everything—from clothing to children’s toys to decor to kitchen supplies. And of course, a lot of furniture! Not only is this thrift shop good for your wallet, but it’s also good for Edmonton’s economy, as all profits directly support the Adeara Recovery Centre—an addiction recovery centre for women and their children in Edmonton. More Than A Fad has two locations: one in Argyll and another near Kingsway Mall!

Find

Another store that positively impacts the Edmonton economy is Find. Find has two goals: to provide essential furnishings free of charge to individuals and families who are moving out of homelessness, and to supply low-cost, quality furniture and housewares for sale to the public.

Old Strathcona Antique Mall 

Owned by a mother-daughter duo, the Old Strathcona Antique Mall is filled with unique pieces of furniture and decor that you won’t find anywhere else in Edmonton. This shop has over 300 booths of unique vintage & antique treasures, and is Western Canada’s largest antique mall!

Habitat ReStore

Yet another Edmonton thrift store that is helpful for our community! Owned by Habitat for Humanity, the Habitat ReStore sells new and gently-used items like appliances and furniture—all at incredible prices. All the profits help Habitat Edmonton provide affordable home ownership to families in our community. The Habitat ReStore has 5 locations total: South Edmonton, North Edmonton, West Edmonton, Sherwood Park and Grand Prairie.

The second-hand furniture stores definitely don’t stop there, but the ones mentioned above always have a lot of stock and a lot of selection. They’re staples in Edmonton, and we’re proud that they chose our city to operate in. We hope this is helpful!

Featured Guest Blogger:

Alli Harrison is an Edmonton-based marketing & communications professional with extensive experience working with small businesses. Learn all about her by visiting her Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn.

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Some Fun Ways To Celebrate In 2021 Mother’s Day In YEG

For most of us, mothers are the backbone of our lives—and because last year’s Mother’s Day was less than ideal due to the early stages of the pandemic, it’s time to go all out for Mother’s Day 2021. Though we still need to celebrate safely, we thought we’d put together a list of ways you can treat your mom (or mother figure!) this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend.

Plan A Staycation

Fairmont Mother’s Day Bed & Brunch

It’s been a weird year, so we’re sure both you and your mom could use a 24 hour getaway—and we’ve got the perfect thing just for you. The Fairmont is offering a weekend with luxury accommodations and a Sunday Brunch! Should dine-in restrictions continue in Alberta, brunch will be replaced with contactless in-room dining.

Grab Some Food

Mother’s Day High Tea at The Butternut Tree

The Butternut Tree is a staple in Edmonton, with a unique focus on replacing global sources of familiar flavour with unique ingredients from our home and native land. Though you can’t go wrong with eating off its main menu, the restaurant is also offering a Mother’s Day High Tea—and if dine-in isn’t permitted, the reservation will be offered as pick-up.

Ohana Donuts

It’s no secret that Ohana Donuts sells some of the best donuts in our city! Not only does Ohana Donuts have specialty donuts for every occasion, they also offer letter donuts and individually packaged donuts to promote safe social distancing. If you ask us, the classic cinnamon covered Malasadas with a custard filling is always a win.

The Workshop Eatery’s HenHouse

Is your mom a meat lover? Then HenHouse located in Summerside might be perfect for your Mother’s Day dinner! Depending on the restrictions, the HenHouse might only be available for takeout. But if the weather permits, the patio might also be an option! Be sure to check out its delicious menu and order in advance.

The Moth Cafe

On the flip side, if your mom is the opposite of a meat lover (AKA a vegetarian or vegan), there are still a lot of food options available. Located Downtown, The Moth Cafe was founded by a mother and her two daughters that provide healthy and nutritious food and drinks. What’s more—when restrictions permit, it’s also a place that houses community events such as plant swaps, craft workshops, vinyl brunches and poetry nights!

Send Her Flowers

Best Buds

Located in downtown Edmonton, Best Buds is offering a $25 flower arrangement for Mother’s Day that includes a personalized message and the option to add on a crocheted stuffed animal. And if you’re unable to pick them up, they offer a flat $15 delivery in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park!

Bunches Flower Co

With an array of options available, Bunches Flower Co is an obvious choice when choosing flowers for your mother to enjoy. Of course, they also offer local deliver for $14—and offer a number of different ways to customize your bouquet!

Gift Her Something Local

The Maker’s Keep

A local shop founded by Edmontonians, The Maker’s Keep features a large assortment of local goodies that your mom will love. The Maker’s Keep has three locations in our city, and sells everything from clothing, jewelry, home decor, crafts and DIYs, health and wellness, bath and body… you name it!

Meuwly’s Secret Meat Club

Available for delivery for pick-up, Muewly’s Secret (shhh!) Meat Club allows you to give a gift that just keeps on giving. The Secret Meat Club is a monthly subscription package featuring a variety of gourmet meat products, pickles, condiments, and preserves. Subscribe your mom up for as little or as long as you want, and spend as little as $20 per month or as much as $65 per month—you choose!

Biera Box

A different box each month, the Biera Box features a selection of treats from Biera and Blind Enthusiasm. There’s a limited number of boxes per month, so be sure to order yours early to ensure you get one in time for Mother’s Day! What’s more—each Biera Box allows you to add on additional goodies from local vendors, including speciality cocktails from Above Average Drinks. Yum!

The Artworks

Founded in 1982, this local boutique shop features high-end products that your mom will be sure to appreciate. The Artworks sells beautiful flower bouquets, as well as jewelry, fine pens, home decor and much, much more. Grab something fun for your mother figure, or make a day out of it and bring her to the area to shop! Be sure to grab a coffee and a treat from Rosewood Foods while you’re there.

Give Her An Experience 

Prairie Gardens

With COVID screening and sanitation protocols in process, the Prairie Gardens is ready for your visit! Say hello to the animals, get a farm tour, partake in succulent planting workshops, and purchase goodies from the shop—all while creating lasting memories with your mom.

Miller Crossing Mothers Day Market

Located inside the Kingsway Royal Canadian Legion, the Miller Crossing Mother’s Day Market will be open from 12-5 PM on Saturday, May 8, 2021. This market will be selling a variety of different things, including homemade food & baking plus fish, meat, eggs, honey, pickled goods, coffee, jewelry and crafts.

Downtown Farmer’s Market

Take a walk Downtown and visit the Downtown Farmer’s Market while you’re there! Though this market is active every Saturday and Sunday, it’s a perfect pitstop to grab some fresh, local food and take it back home for a safe visit. We suggest grabbing some fresh pasta and sauce from Pasta Delight—we promise you will never go back to dried pasta again.

True North Picnic

True North Picnic is a boutique catering company specializing in one-of-a-kind picnic experiences in Edmonton public parks. Pick a time and a place, and True North Picnic does the heavy lifting (like styling, coordinating and food) for you. Though this experience is available starting May 15th, you can save this experience for a later date. We know your mom will absolutely love this!

We’d love to hear what you get up to this Mother’s Day 2021—feel free to send us a message if there’s anything we should be adding to our list. We hope you have a safe and memorable Mother’s Day this year! 

No home is perfect the moment you purchase it—that is, unless you built and designed it yourself. Home design trends change so quickly, so chances are that your new Edmonton home can stand for a few upgrades. Renovating your home can not only be costly, but it can be time consuming. And if you just purchased your home, it’s likely that it’ll take some time to save up for your larger home renovations, or even some new appliances. But don’t fret—there are plenty of ways that you can jazz your Edmonton home up quickly & easily!

Upgrade Your Lighting

Though it’s not often that you’ll be staring at your ceiling, proper lighting can really light up your room (literally). Swap out your dated track lighting for pot lights. And that circular lamp that you just can’t stand? Purchase a modern looking chandelier to replace it with! Of course, lighting can be expensive, but thrift stores like More Than A Fad or the ReStore have an overstock of new or lightly-used pieces that will definitely amp up your space.

Swap Out The Hardware

Sure, your kitchen may need some new counters and cabinets. Most kitchens do! But we all know that kitchen renos can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. So, in the meantime, replace your cabinet’s hardware! Trust us—replacing handles goes a long way, and this goes for bathroom and closet hardware, too.

Paint Your Walls 

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but there’s a lot of unique ways to jazz up your home by using a $50 can of paint. Instead of painting your walls all one colour, consider painting a single bright accent wall, or paint arches to accentuate a piece of furniture. And even if you already like the colour of your non-feature walls, giving it a coat of fresh paint is bound to brighten and clean up the space.

Add A Textured Feature Wall

We’ve seen this done first-hand, and adding some texting to your walls certainly elevates the area. Take this for an example! The best part of doing a project like this is that all you need is some polyurethane adhesive and a small step ladder, and you’ll be finished in no time.

Create A Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are in—and they’re here to stay. Though art can often be costly, there are many ways to get your dream gallery wall for cheap. Firstly, check out your local thrift stores—there will be tons of beautiful frames just waiting to be scooped up! If you’re lucky, you might even like the art that’s already inside it. If not, go garage sale hunting, support local artists or find downloadable art on Etsy.

Leverage Stick-On Tile

Another way to spice up your kitchen or bathroom on a budget is to purchase stick-on tile. Not only do you not have to purchase expensive ceramic tile, but you also won’t have to hire anyone to do it for you! Peel-and-stick tile is incredibly easy to install—no tile cutters required.

Purchase Some Area Rugs

You probably know this already, but flooring is expensive. But even if your home’s current floors aren’t up to par, there are still ways to camouflage it in the meantime. Area rugs draw your attention away from any flooring imperfections. And what’s more—placing an area rug overtop of carpet is the easiest way to add some punch to your home without spending hundreds of dollars replacing carpet!

Plants. Lots Of Plants

Though purchasing plants isn’t necessarily a home “fix”, adding some greenery to your living area is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to spruce up your home. Houseplants are proven to improve moods, reduce fatigue, lower stress and improve air quality. So, when in doubt, purchase a plant or two (or ten). Or better yet, ask your friend for a clipping of their plant—that way, it’s free!

We hope our suggestions above help you renovate your space on a budget. And if you have any other ideas, we’d love to hear them!