Author, comedian, filmmaker and Houseplant owner Seth Rogen may be one of the most recognizable Canadians in Hollywood, but The Long Shot star also knows a thing or two about smart real estate investments. Last month, Seth sold his 1,463-square-foot, single-floor penthouse for $2.6 million, a whopping $400,000 over the list price. The unit includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a walk-in closet and a cozy rooftop patio.

Loft Living in Downtown Vancouver

The building was formerly a heritage warehouse but has now been converted into a five-story luxury loft. With fewer than 40 suites, we’re sure Seth appreciated the peacefulness and privacy of this small, mid-rise building.

Anything But Neutral

Upon entering the open living area, you’re greeted by a striking, vibrant 12-foot blue kitchen and island, ideal for hosting friends and family. The wooden beam ceilings add an industrial touch to the loft, while the gas fireplace ensures warmth and coziness. In Seth’s unit, you’ll find striking exposed red brick walls and expansive windows accented with black trimmings — two highly sought-after hallmarks of hard lofts.

Brighten Up

Natural light is hard to come by in many downtown homes, but not in this loft. Thanks to the strategically placed skylight, even the bathroom feels bright. Every inch of this penthouse is utilized efficiently, including the creative wine storage beneath the staircase leading to the rooftop patio.

Smart Sleep

The primary bedroom’s built-in shelving offers smart lighting solutions and storage, which makes the room feel like a modern boutique hotel.

Be Our Guest

Meanwhile, in the guest room, one standout feature of this unit is the Murphy bed. It’s cleverly concealed within a wall resembling an old library catalogue system. When the bed is stowed away, it transforms into a stylish office space, making it the ideal workspace for creative minds.

Hometown Pride

Seth has always been outspoken about his love for his hometown Vancouver. In an interview with the CBC, Seth explained, “The older I get, the more I realize how rare it is to like where you’re from, and so I even more feel an urge to bolster and associate myself with it.” And what better way to appreciate his hometown than with a rooftop view like this?

Canadians across the nation are experiencing the impact of the increasing cost of living and inflation. With rent, groceries, and everyday products like furniture and home essentials costing more, it is no surprise that Canadian credit card debt is at an all-time high, underscoring the difficulty of making ends meet right now. In response, IKEA Canada recently announced that they are investing over $80 million to reduce prices on over a thousand products.

The Reason Behind the IKEA Canada Price Reduction

“We know that in Canada, the cost of living and affordability is more important than ever as many Canadians face rising living costs and increased inflation. Many are facing an affordability crisis and are struggling with fundamental costs such as housing, fuel, health, and food,”  Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Canada stated in a press release.

“Our products and home furnishing solutions bring joy to people every day and have helped millions to fulfil the dream of a beautiful and affordable home for more than 80 years globally and 47 years in Canada. We remain committed to maintaining our commitment to affordability and value for money that’s so important right now.”

Related: This DIY IKEA Hack is the Perfect Way to Upcycle Your Old TV Stand

The Best IKEA Canada Deals in 2024 

With deals in categories from furniture to accessories and home storage solutions, we’ve rounded up our favourite IKEA Canada deals you can shop for right now.

VITTSJÖ Laptop Stand
Current Price: $30 (50% off from $60)

EKET Wall-Mounted Shelving Unit
Current Price: $35 (24% off from $45)

SVARTPOPPEL Cushion Cover
Current Price: $10 (23% off from $13)

RANARP Work Lamp
Current Price: $40 (20% off from $50)

BILLY Bookcase With Glass Doors
Current Price: $199 (20% off from $249)

SKUBB Box (Set of 6)
Current Price: $10 (16% off from $12)

HILJA Curtain
Current Price: $24 (20% off from $30)

STRANDMON Armchair
Current Price: $349 (12% off from $399)

PAX/GRIMO Wardrobe Combination
Current Price: $585 (12% off from $660)

BRIMNES Daybed Frame
Current Price: $379 (12% off from $429)

IKEA’s FINNALA Sofa Price Controversy

This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that IKEA’s product prices have been in the spotlight. In a December 2023 video that has been viewed over 124,000 times, home décor enthusiast and TikTok user @loljustmark from San Francisco said that he was surprised to see that the FINNALA sofa cost $1,599 USD. Replying to Mark, Los Angeles-based interior designer @jillian.dee created another TikTok where she delved into her collection of IKEA catalogues. She opened the 2019 issue to show a page with the same sofa advertised at $799 USD, which was 50 per cent less than the price in Mark’s video. The FINNALA sofa is currently listed for $1,799 on the IKEA Canada website.

As reported by Business Insider, IKEA explained that their post-pandemic price hikes in 2022 were due to the rising expenses of transportation and raw materials.

Related: Organization Solutions That Help Transform Any Room (Using IKEA Products!)

Luckily, there are still other ways to cut costs while shopping at IKEA. Our advice? Look through the retailer’s online “As-Is Marketplace” to find deals on items that were previously used in displays or are second-hand. Discounts will vary depending on the product and store location.

Images courtesy of IKEA 

If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, staying informed about market trends is crucial. A newly released Zoocasa report, which examined 21 prominent home markets across the country, indicates a three percent national decline in the $760,600 benchmark price for Canadian real estate markets since June 2023.

“Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Winnipeg have seen prices drop since summer. This is partly due to seasonality, with sales activity typically slowing down in the colder months, but is also a result of borrowing costs becoming increasingly high,” the report states.

Research shows that the downward trend slipped below prices from the previous year, suggesting a more widespread decrease in home prices. This implies that the current market conditions favour potential buyers over sellers due to the number of properties available in the market, which gives buyers more room for negotiating.

Where Real Estate Prices Are Dropping in Canada 2024

Out of the 21 home markets analyzed throughout the country, these are the top ten places that are experiencing the most significant decrease in home value. If you’ve been waiting to buy, now might be the best time to do so in these markets:

• Kitchener-Waterloo, ON: 8.9 per cent
• London-St. Thomas, ON: 7.8 per cent
• Greater Toronto, ON: 7.7 per cent
• Hamilton-Burlington, ON: 7.7 per cent
• Cambridge, ON: 6.9 per cent
• Guelph and District, ON: 6.6 per cent
• Niagara Region, ON: 4.4 per cent
• Winnipeg, MB: 4.4 per cent
• Regina, SK: 4.3 per cent
• Fraser Valley, BC: 3.6 per cent

On the flip side, if you’re a seller, there’s a higher likelihood chance that you won’t be able to attain the highest price for your real estate if you intend to sell in the winter. In other words, now’s not the best time to sell.

Ontario, in particular, is leading the market shift. Out of 21 cities analyzed, seven cities with the most significant decrease in home value are within the GTA and surrounding communities.

In fact, the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) year-end data for 2023 reveals only 65,982 transactions within the past year. This is the lowest since 2000 and a 12.1 percent decrease from 2022. As explained in a recent article published in the CBC, this is especially noteworthy since Toronto’s population is almost 25 percent larger than it was in 2000.

Furthermore, three other cities across Winnipeg, Fraser Valley and Regina, have experienced the most substantial price declines outside of Ontario.

Which Canadian Real Estate Markets Are the Most Stable?

Calgary, St. John’s, and Saint John stood out for keeping stable prices despite the nationwide decrease. Calgary’s home prices have gone up by 10.5 percent since November 2022, and there was a benchmark price of $557,400 in November 2023.

Related: The Happiest Places to Live in Canada in 2023

With the start of a fresh new year, it’s time to think about what trends will influence home decor in 2024. Any clues as to what’s currently trending? We’ll save you the suspense and cut to the chase. Get ready for a burst of colour with vibrant furniture and art, and keep an eye out for sustainable furniture options that are not only stylish but eco-friendly, too. The year 2024 is all about being bold while keeping our beloved planet at the forefront of all design choices.

2024 Home Decor Trends: Steel Accent Cabinets

We can all use more storage in our homes, and steel cabinets are taking centre stage in 2024. From tall, skinny lockers reminiscent of school days to colourful office consoles, they bring functionality and style to your living space. The best part of all? Steel is sturdy and can be a treasured piece of furniture for years to come so you don’t have to worry about it ending up in a landfill.

Patterned Quilts

If you’re smitten with the grand millennial and cottage-core aesthetic, get ready to fall head over heels for the 2024 home decor trend featuring patterned bed quilts. These cozy wonders will be your new decor crush, adding charm and comfort to your bedroom or living room sofa.

Gertrude Quilt, Anthropologie, $198. 

Flower Market Prints

Floral art is in bloom and flower market prints will remain a popular home decor trend in 2024. These prints, often featuring the names of various cities, serve as an accessible form of personalized art and can be found in stores like Opposite Wall, Dessenio and Etsy.

Bloemenmarkt Poster, Opposite Wall, $60.

The Quiet Luxury Aesthetic

The quiet luxury aesthetic has been a popular fashion choice over the last year and will transition into interiors in 2024. Joy Chao, the lead designer at JHA, recommends achieving this trend at home by combining items in similar colours but in different textures for a cohesive and layered look. Details like European white oak, Italian limestone, flax linen and alpaca wool are truly timeless and should be incorporated in your home wherever possible.

Alpaca Wool Throw, Silk & Snow, $250. 

Spindle Decor and Furniture

Spindle accents — detailed notches or bulbs on furniture such as chairs and bookshelves — are poised to become a significant home trend in 2024. What was once a Victorian armchair design element is now making a comeback, reflecting an overall growing appreciation for antique furniture in modern pieces.

Jenny Lind Kids Black Wood Spindle Wall Shelf, Crate and Barrel, $279. 

Textured Stone

Are you planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation in 2024? Textured stone will be the more popular choice in the coming months. Opt for more eclectic-looking textured stone and marble finishes with deeply-coloured veins for countertops, backsplashes and even tabletops.

Modular Sofas

Imagine a sofa that’s like building blocks for your living space – that’s what modular sofas are all about. Whether you have a small studio apartment or are looking for spacious seating for the whole family, you can easily switch, swap and rearrange the pieces to fit any room perfectly. As we all try to lower our carbon footprints, the modular sofa trend is both a cost-effective and sustainable choice.

Modular Sofa, Endy, $1,950. 

Blue Everything

If the trendiest home colour palettes of 2024 are any indication, we are moving away from the idea of a completely neutral home. “There will be a growing preference for incorporating richer, bolder tones, even within the neutral palette, in the upcoming years. Blues, in particular, continue to enjoy enduring popularity,” says Jennifer Ertel, the Senior Colour Designer at Brooklinen. So, get ready to be on the lookout for blue accents for your home. And remember, the more textured they are, the better!

Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set (Abyss), Brooklinen, USD $176. 

If you’re a fan of the Twilight franchise, chances are this modern West Vancouver home looks pretty familiar. As Twihards will know, this midcentury-modern-inspired house was used as the Cullen family’s abode for Twilight: New Moon. For $15,000 in rent a month, you can move into this one-of-a-kind property that has a prominent place in recent pop culture history.

See Inside the Cullen’s House From Twilight

Based on the hit book series by Stephanie Meyer, the Twilight movies were arguably one of the biggest cultural phenomenon’s in the 2010s. The franchise earned over 3.3 billion dollars and successfully turned the film’s lead actors Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner into household names. Notably, Canada has a unique tie to the series. Although the first movie was filmed in Washington and Oregon, the subsequent four were shot exclusively in beautiful British Columbia.

Lights, Camera, Action

Thanks to the home’s immense natural light, gorgeous flooring and spacious layout, it’s easy to see why producers chose this 5,100-square-foot house as the Cullen family home.

The Cullen House Is a West Vancouver Gem

One standout aspect of the residence is its generous use of expansive windows. The listing shows that almost every room has breathtaking views of the property’s lush trees and surrounding greenery. In addition to serving as a backdrop to the Twilight series, the West Vancouver home is noteworthy in its own right. The home was originally designed by internationally-renowned architect Arthur Erikson and underwent an additional renovation by Brian Hemingway in 2001, both of whom are known as some of the best residential designers in the province.

Your Own Private Paradise

As stated in the listing, the British Properties’ neighbourhood in West Vancouver is exemplified by its slower-paced ambience. It’s a very quiet area that’s free from the sound of traffic. And with a backyard and pool like the one pictured below, you can truly enjoy the property’s secluded charm.

For more images and information on the home, visit REMAX. The property is listed by Denisse Moran and Casey Archibald from Archibald Real Estate Group.

Photos courtesy of Mida Media 

Nearly 3 million people call this city home, but despite its population size, life feels more lonely in Toronto than anywhere else in Canada.  The Toronto Foundation’s recent study, Vital Signs Report, found that 34 per cent of Torontonians reported feeling lonely at least three days a week. In comparison, here’s the percentage of residents from other cities and regions that feel similar to Toronto:

The Loneliest Cities in Canada

• Toronto: 34 per cent
• Calgary and Edmonton: 28 per cent
• Vancouver: 23 per cent
• Montreal: 17 per cent

The Loneliest Regions in the Country

Why is Toronto the Loneliest City in Canada?

Toronto’s cost of living crisis might be one of the reasons its earned the title of Canada’s loneliest city. As reported in the study, people in Toronto face several financial hardships that exacerbate their struggles. Many have become significantly challenged by their ability to meet basic needs, such as purchasing groceries. According to the Daily Break Food Bank, demand for services increased by 295 per cent since 2019.  Furthermore, 22 per cent of survey participants said they eat less than they should due to financial limitations.

Are you planning a paint project in the new year? Choosing a colour palette is the first important step when decorating a space.

If you want to create your own palette, start with one feature colour. Then add a lighter and darker shade to complement it. Alternatively, you can lean on the professionals. Four of the top paint brands have curated their own colour palettes, which all include their respective Colors of the Year. So go ahead and create a fresh vibe in your home with these design-forward colour palettes for 2024.

Go Bold With Behr

If you’re looking for a bold and moody colour palette, start with Behr’s colour of the year — Cracked Pepper. “With every brushstroke of Cracked Pepper, you can paint a story of utmost confidence. It’s not merely about covering walls… it’s about evoking a renewed spirit for 2024,” says Erika Woelfel, the VP of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company. Woelfel suggests pairing it with a light neutral paint like Even Better Beige for contrast or vibrant colours such as Amber Brew.

Related: The Top Paint Colour Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2024

Vibrant Classics With Benjamin Moore

Tired of white walls and black accents? Sharon Grech, a spokesperson for Benjamin Moore and a regular expert on City Line, notes that in recent years, blue paint colours have been gaining popularity. “Navy blues are great alternatives to simple white or black for those wanting to step out of their colour comfort zones. Blue Nova offers a slightly bolder personality, a little more daring than classic navy but still toned down enough to be approachable and versatile for any upcoming paint project,” she says. Her favourite colour palette for 2024 includes Antique Pewter, with its silvery sage undertone paired with Topaz for a bold, upbeat warmth.

Nordic Cool With Sherwin-Williams

Calling all fans of the Scandinavian pastel aesthetic — this colour palette is right up your alley! Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams, recommends using Upward. This breezy and dreamy shade of blue creates a calming atmosphere and she recommends it as the first colour in your 2024 palette. “With its cool blue undertone and hint of a silver lining, Upward draws inspiration from coastal vibes and Nordic styles to create timeless and inspired spaces,” she explains. Pair it with the delicate hue of Snowbound for warmth in everyday spaces and introduce a touch of mystery and elegance with Tricorn Black.

Related: Apartment Decor Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2024

Bright Blues With Valspar

Let 2024 be the year to stop shying away from colour with this bright blue-inspired palette by Valspar. “Blue is a classic shade that has become the new neutral for today’s home,” says Sue Kim, the Director of Color Marketing at Valspar. “Renew Blue is an incredibly versatile and all-season shade that you can mix and match to fit a variety of design styles and applications.” She suggests pairing it with a soothing beige hue like Perfect Backdrop, to give it balance and tranquility. Complete the palette with Dusk in the Valley, a whimsical pastel purple with a subtle grey undertone.

Read More: The 10 Most Popular Paint Colours in Canada Might Surprise You 

While choosing where to live is a personal decision, there are universal factors we can all agree on. Toronto Life recently conducted a study to determine the best neighbourhoods in the city, based on important universal factors like housing affordability, community, safety rates, shopping proximity, diversity, education, health, employment, entertainment and transit. With this in mind, they teamed up with an analytics firm and rated each neighbourhood on a scale from 0 to 100. Here’s what they found:

Toronto’s Top 10 Neighbourhoods

1. Danforth – 90.6
2. West Queen West – 90.5
3. Runnymede-Bloor West Village – 90.2
4. Avondale – 89.7
5. Wellington Place- 89.3
6. Yonge-Doris – 88.9
7. Cabbagetown-South St.James Town – 88.7
8. Bay-Cloverhill – 88.6
9. Palmerston-little Italy – 88.1
10. Trinity Bellwoods – 87.8

Danforth is Rated Toronto’s Best Neighbourhood

According to the study, Danforth has been awarded as 2023’s top-ranking neighbourhood. “Danforth has been an inroad to the action, not the site of it,” the study details. “These days, the bustling area—and this year’s top-ranking neighbourhood—spoils residents with quality restaurants, bars, shopping and schools, all packed within its boundaries, which stretch from Pape to Woodbine.”

The study also notes: “Beyond the vibrant main drag, families are drawn to the abundance of green space (like nearby Withrow Park, to the south), the peaceful quiet of its leafy inner streets and, in a city of skyrocketing real estate prices, the relative affordability of its housing.”

Additionally, the article explains that Danforth has ranked exceptionally high in education, employment and entertainment. Plus, living in the Danforth comes with the bonus of living in close proximity to grocery stores, pharmacies and Michael Garron Hospital.

Wondering where your neighbourhood ranks on the list? Find out here.

Finding Toronto’s Best Neighbourhoods

Even if relocating to Toronto isn’t on your radar, it’s good to know what markers mattered most in the Toronto Life study if you’re planning a move in the near future.

Housing was the most important consideration and was evaluated based on affordability, average primary real estate value and the rate of home ownership. Of course, “affordability” might not be one of the best words to describe Toronto’s current real estate market.

The community factor of a neighbourhood was also a major marker in the study. It was assessed using voter turnout, access to community spaces like libraries and parks, outward migration and the sense of community belonging. Safety was another major pillar of the study and was evaluated based on the prevalence of various types of criminal activity in each neighbourhood.

Related: The Happiest Places to Live in Canada in 2023

Essentials of a Great Neighbourhood

Meanwhile, shopping was measured based on the proximity to everyday essentials like groceries, markets and pharmacies. Since Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, diversity accounted for factors such as those with mother tongues other than English or French and the first second-generation household population. For Torontonians raising kids, education was evaluated based on the number of schools per 1,000 children and proximity to childcare. Education also considered how many people in the neighbourhood had post-secondary degrees.

The study also factored in health, which was assessed based on the proximity to healthcare services (including medical, mental health and senior care), as well as the physical activity levels among residents. Employment was determined by factors such as unemployment rates, the share of residents below the poverty line and the share of high-income residents. Entertainment accounted for the number of bars and restaurants per capita and the number of residents attending cultural, sports and entertainment events.

Finally, transit was measured by the proximity to subways, streetcars and bus stops, including the average commuting distance and the number of commuters utilizing different modes of transportation.

Read More: These Are the Best Canadian Cities to Raise Kids in 2023

The most wonderful time of year is right around the corner, and we can’t wait to make our homes feel festive and cozy. Thankfully, IKEA has got us covered. Canadians can now shop the IKEA holiday 2023 collection, including lighting (the STRÅLA collection) and holiday accessories (the VINTERFINT collection).

The Best IKEA Christmas Trees

IKEA’s Vinterfint collection includes five artificial Christmas trees. Whether you’re adorning a cozy studio apartment or embellishing the halls of a more spacious adobe, you’ll find the perfect fit for your holiday decor.

IKEA Christmas Decorations

For cost-effective Christmas tree decorations, IKEA provides excellent value for your money. You can purchase packs of ornaments (like these 32 assorted colour bulbs for only $15) and novelty options, like candy cane ornaments or classic gold bells.

Candy Cane Ornaments, IKEA, $12.

How Many Pieces Are in the VINTERFINT Collection?

The VINTERFINT collection by IKEA includes over 200 products, encompassing decorations, holiday textiles, kitchenware, tableware and winter pots and plants. Prices for the VINTERFIT collection start at $1 and go up to $189. The highest-priced product is a seven-foot artificial Christmas tree, which we think is still a great deal.

How Many Pieces Are in the STRÅLA Collection?

The STRALA lighting collection offers a wide range of 93 products, providing many options to create a hygge home when the sun sets early. Prices range from $4 to $50.

Our Favourite IKEA Holiday Options to Shop Now

Christmas Stocking

Adorned with intricate embroidery inspired by traditional Swedish folk art, this modern and timeless black Christmas stocking will look good on any mantle. Check out the matching pillow if you want a cohesive look.

Black Christmas Stocking, IKEA, $13.

Gold Star String Light

Infuse whimsy into your space with this LED light chain adorned with delicate gold stars. Use this affordable decor to illuminate your holiday table or Christmas tree or to hang on your walls.

String Light, IKEA, $15.

Artificial Indoor Wreath

While this sleek indoor wreath is from the VINTERFINT collection, we have a feeling we’ll be hanging this in our home year-round.

Artificial Indoor Wreath, IKEA, $4.

Pine Candelabra

Embracing traditional Scandinavian design, it diffuses a gentle, warm light, creating an inviting and snug ambiance in any space.

Five-Arm Candelabra, IKEA, $45.

Decorative House Lamp

Decorate your home with a contemporary twist on the timeless winter village. You’ll appreciate that this LED lamp is battery-operated, so you won’t have to worry about placing it near an electrical outlet.

Decorative Table Lamp, IKEA, $30.

As more people lean towards spirituality and the power of positive energy, Indigenous peoples’ spiritual practice of smudging has become more mainstream. We sat with Angela DeMontigny, a native Canadian fashion designer of Cree-Métis heritage and the creator of LODGE Soy Candles, to learn more about how to properly participate in smudging and incorporate other Indigenous wellness practices into your home.

What is Smudging? 

The first thing to know about smudging, commonly referred to as the practice of burning sage, is that Indigenous people see the natural world as their pharmacy. “Everything we need for our health is grown on Mother Earth,” Angela explains. “Our knowledge about the healing properties of plants has been passed down from our ancestors for generations.”

As explained in the province of Manitoba’s Smudging Protocol and Guidelines by the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate, smudging is a tradition common to many First Nations that involves burning one or more medicines from the Earth.  “The forms of smudging will vary from nation to nation but are considered by all to be a way of cleansing oneself,” the report states. Indigenous nations use different medicines depending on where they live. Sweetgrass, sage and cedar are some of the most common medicines used in First Nations’ smudge ceremonies.

Angela has always seen smudging as an important spiritual practice. “Smudging is one of the easiest things you can do to change the energy in your space. It removes spirits and negative energies from your home, which can impact your physical and mental health,” she says, adding that it’s been passed down by her ancestors for millennia.

The Healing Properties of Sage in Indigenous Culture 

“Sage is one of the most grounding oil that calms the nervous system and balances your hormones. It activates intuition, wisdom, tranquility, contentment, self-love and sexuality. Sweetgrass also has similar healing properties,” Angela explains.

How to Smudge Your Home in an Ethical Fashion

As reported in the Smudging Protocol and Guidelines, “the act of clearing the air, mind, spirit and emotions may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but, according to First Nations’ practice, a smudge is led by a person who has an understanding of what a smudge is and why it is done.”

If you want to smudge your home, Angela recommends starting at your local Indigenous Canadian community centre. They’ll likely be able to find an elder that can help. In fact, a lot of work goes into proper smudging rituals, which can take several hours when done properly.

“For example, you’re moving into a new home and want to remove negative energy. In that case, you need to smudge in a very systematic way. You must open every space in your home: every drawer, closet door and place where negative energy can hide. Smudging involves moving clockwise, starting from the east of your home.” Although Angela explains that you can use smudging for your physical and mental wellness like if you’re feeling anxious or want to smudge a small room, it’s only seen as temporary.

Similar to any spiritual or cultural practice, smudging must be treated with reverence. However, there’s a different layer to consider when it comes to Canada’s Indigenous history.

Smudging Practices in Canada  

“It’s often forgotten that it was illegal for Indigenous people to perform ceremonies and use our medicines during the Indian Act,” Angela says. The Indian Act gave the Canadian government power over First Nations’ identity, governance and cultural practice from 1876 to 1985. “We would be jailed for something as simple as burning sage or sweetgrass. It’s also why buying something appropriated from Indigenous culture and selling it for profit is hurtful to many communities.”

It’s also essential to ensure that you buy sage from an authentic Indigenous brand or person. “When mainstream retailers sell things like smudging kits for your home, it becomes a commodity sold for profit,” Angela says. “There needs to be recognition of a Native American connection and importance of Indigenous cultural practices.”

Additionally, wild sage doesn’t grow back again when it’s over-picked. Buying sage from a non-ethical source might mean that you’re financially supporting the decontamination of essential medicine for Indigenous communities.

Bringing Indigenous Wellness to Your Home 

Using her knowledge of the healing properties that Mother Nature provides, Angela started making all-natural soy candles using Indigenous medicinal plants. Once the pandemic began, she realized it could help people calm their anxieties during a challenging time, and LODGE Candles was born.

One candle, called CEREMONY, was made to encapsulate the scent of being at a traditional Lodge ceremony when sitting beside a sacred fire. CEREMONY is made to enhance the mind, body and spirit and uses essential oils from cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco.

CEREMONY, LODGE Soy Candles, $72.