1. SULTRY STYLE
Spruce up your current style. IC Companys brings forth a selection of fashion-forward brands to cherish. www.iccompanys.com

2. BLUSH PLUSH
Lipstick-red, and oh-so-cuddly, the perfect pillow from Pier 1 cushions your head after a long day. www.pier1.com

3. SECRET GARDEN
Inspired by crystal tear catchers from 19th century Europe, this richly scented floral garden scent will have your pulse points blooming. www.anthropologie.com

4. SOFA, SO GOOD
Kick back and relax in this old-fashioned couch with modern details. Add colouful pillows for a staple look in your living room. www.pier1.com

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5. BOOK SMART
This emotional tale by Andrew Smith takes you through a young woman’s passionate story of hardship and love during Liverpool’s blitz of World War II. The drama ensues when her Italian neighbours are deported to Canada after Benito Mussolini declares war on Britain. www.edithswar.com

6. HIGH FASHION
Spring is just around the corner and you know what that means – time to wear adorable open-toe shoes once again! www.hm.com

7. BIRD’S EYE VIEW
Display this gladiator bird atop brass vintage binoculars in any room to make an artistic statement. www.anthropologie.com

8. LAY IT DOWN
Let this be the year to modernize your domain with unique designs and a mixture of intriguing colours and styles. www.pier1.com

9. LIGHT IT UP
Illuminate your work or reading space with this unique table lamp, fitted with black lacquered steel and an oak centre. www.avenue-road.com

10. GRILLED TO PERFECTION
Calling on all food lovers: Feast your eyes (and your stomach) on this stainless steel masterpiece. Enjoy the spacious cooking area for your spring soiree. www.weber.com

11. VERSATILE STYLE
As a winner of the World Combined Hairstyling Championship and the 2011 Contessa Ontario Hair Stylist of the Year, Gianpaolo Colombo provides clients with unique, award-winning styles in a warm, upscale atmosphere. www.hairafter.ca

12. ROSEBUD
Let spring flourish in your own home with this unique floral vase. www.pier1.com

13. GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
Pop in a romantic comedy this Friday night with the girls and toast the night away with Colio Estates wine. www.girlsnightoutwines.com

14. BRIT’S NEW HIT
With her new single causing all the rage among fans for its unique sound, be sure to grab a copy of her latest album, expected to be out this March. www.britneyspears.com

15. STEP ON IT
This well-known label prides itself on its authentic tennis gear. Whether or not you play tennis, you will enjoy the feel of this comfortably stylish shoe. www.lacoste.com

16. IT SUITS YOU
For work or for play, H&M has got you covered. Tailored suits to trendy pieces, H&M aims to satisfy every personality. www.hm.com

17. ALPHA MALE
IC Companys provides classic pieces with a modern twist for the contemporary man. www.iccompanys.com

18. REFINED RECLINE
Haven’t exactly gotten over the winter blues just yet? No problem. Sit back and relax in this comfortable leather recliner. www.pier1.com

19. SLICED RIGHT
Give your taste buds something to smile about. Try Pingue Prosciutto’s authentic Italian meat delicacies. www.pingueprosciutto.com

20. ONE FINE FAUCET
Moen Canada is proud to present the future of safe, convenient, and esthetically pleasing kitchen faucets.
The revolutionary new ShowHouse Modern Pot Filler is the sleekest kitchen product on the market today. The double-jointed extendable arm has 24 inches of flexibility and sleeps serenely against the wall when not in use. www.moen.ca

21. SPARKLING FLAVOUR
By introducing novelty European items in Canadian bakeries and gourmet shops, Molisana Imports ensures true European flavour with every taste. www.molisana.com

Wasabi Peanuts Give your nuts a kick and turn to World of Flavours Wasabi Peanuts, created by President’s Choice. www.presidentschoice.ca

Demaria Available at Cupido, DEMARIA blends tradition and fashion, creating an innovative collection. www.cupidodesigns.com

Guitar Cufflink Rock out in style and add a finishing touch to any outfit with this bold and adjustable guitar cuff. www.etsy.com

Hugo Boss Business meets pleasure as you embody sophistication and elegance in a suit from Hugo Boss’s spring/summer 2010 collection. www.hugoboss.com

FRANCIS! FRANCIS Designed by an Italian architect, this machine gives you a trendy looking kitchen while making one mean espresso. www.illy.com

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Ralph Lauren Travel in style with the convenience of a duffle bag and the sophistication and class of the Ralph Lauren design. www.ralphlauren.com

Chocolate Pecan Cookie Sandwich The new President’s Choice chocolate pecan cookies make for a delicious snack when turned into ice cream sandwiches. At only 220 calories, these delectable treats taste good and are easy on the waistline. www.presidentschoice.ca

Fiorio Located in Vaughan Mills, Fiorio will revamp your look and give you stylish, manageable hair that suits your personality. www.fiorio.com

American Apparel This laid-back American Apparel T-shirt with over 100 printed animal names will be your next stylish and reliable conversation starter. www.etsy.com

Hugo Boss Mixing masculinity and freshness, BOSS bottled is the new fragrance to leave men feeling desirable. www.boss-fragrances.com

Kristen’s Custom Creations A perfect gift to let Dad know he’s special – this keychain is hand-stamped, antiqued, and one of a kind. www.klacustomcreations.etsy.com

Stagticket.com The party leader in colour-printed pre-wedding invitations. Tickets are ideal for stag parties, Jack and Jill’s or fundraisers. Visit our website to view an online ticket gallery with over 90 professionally designed templates. www.stagticket.com 905.850.5022

Pottery Barn Desk set: The multiple drawers and shelved cubby holes of Pottery Barn’s Aris large home office desk set will help create a place that will keep you organized and get your mind flowing. www.potterybarn.com

Pier 1: Next time you’re cooking up something special, try sporting a chic, floral printed apron from Pier 1 Imports to protect yourself from food splatters in the kitchen.  www.pier1.ca

Dell Computers: Stay tech-savvy and connected with Dell’s Studio 15 laptops. They come in five vibrant colours and over 200 entrancing designs to personalize the look of your laptop. The Studio 15 also lets you enjoy an at-home entertainment system with its surround sound, a subwoofer and Blu-ray Disc drive. www.dell.ca

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Anthropologie: Strut around with style this spring in this sweet lift-off jacket, sundress and pair of foil-wrapped heels from Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

Strawberry Lane: This elegant chandelier from Strawberry Lane fuses the look of old lantern tops with flowers and round, hanging beads. Its featured bright hues of red, white and gold are sure to stand out and make heads gaze upwards at it hangs in any room. www.strawberrylane.ca

Pottery Barn Colanders: Make freshly washed fruit a healthy snack in your home as well as a centrepiece on the table with Pottery Barn’s ceramic colanders. www.potterybarn.com

Kind Notes: Get the chance to give someone a few kind, special words to start off their day with little messages in a jar. Kind Notes lets you pick ready-made designs or you can customize your own jar of messages by choosing your own everything, right down to the envelope design and container. www.kindnotes.com

Anthropologie: After a long day of work or play, plunge into Anthropologie’s canopy bed to feel like you’re resting in a luxury hotel room. www.anthropologie.com

Studio B: Studio B was founded in 1999 by David Beaton and now has four showrooms at its King St. E. location and three satellite showrooms in and around the GTA. This white wooden desk will give any room – indoors or out – an antique touch of class. www.studiobhome.com

Muti: Add a touch of comfort, decoration and liveliness to your oh-so-plain-looking couches and seats with beautifully detailed pillows from Muti. Muti is based in Woodbridge, Ont. and provides decorative household accessories and items. They aim to provide “fresh, trendy and affordable products”, that are perfect for redecorating during any new season. www.emuti.com

Take stem cell research, for example. Technology and modern science have made it possible to remove stem cells from a human embryo, and transform them into useful cells and organ tissue. This means scientists could be able to achieve incredible new advances, such as repairing a liver, instead of replacing it. The problem is, creating stem cells means destroying an embryo, which pro-life groups view as a violation of human life.

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So how would this new technology affect pro-life and religious groups? “Contrary to what many people may have heard,” says Neil MacCarthy, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto, “the Catholic Church is not against stem cell research. We support stem cell research taken from umbilical cords and adult stem cells. We do not support embryonic stem cell research, due to our long-standing belief that human life is sacred from the moment of conception.” Regardless of why a person might need stem cells, the technology raises a number of issues that need to be considered.»»

Another area in technological change is the use of cell phones by children and teenagers. From its development in the 1970s, the cell phone was originally a luxury held in the hands of major Wall Street executives. As convenient size and affordability made the technology more widespread, it became a common tool to have in case of an emergency. And then, somewhere along the line, something happened that caused 3.3 billion people, or half the world’s population, to own a cell phone. Today, every 12 year-old and their dog likely have one. Now that can’t be bad, can it?

If you ask Jacquie Ream, author of K.I.S.S. – Keep it Short and Simple, you might find cause for concern. “We have a whole generation being raised without communication skills,” she says. “Feelings aren’t communicated in words when you’re texting; kids are typing shorthand jargon that isn’t even a complete thought.” The habitual slang developing with cell phones isn’t just a trend, but the beginning of a generation that can’t express itself. “If we let these kids get caught up in technology,” says Ream, “we will loose out on great words, thoughts and novels that will never be written.” And that’s probably the worst of it – you would hope.

The reality is, teenaged children are doing much more than texting jargon. With standardized built-in cameras, it’s not uncommon to have a teenager who, for whatever reason, is persuaded into sending semi-nude photos to a friend or admirer. Then again, a picture might be taken unsuspectingly, such as in a school change room. The photographer can then send it anywhere, to any audience. So the obvious solution would be to limit or restrict cell phones.

Except last year, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg actually looked at the possibility of rewarding students with cell phones and free minutes. Suggested by a Harvard economist, the idea aimed at giving children incentives for studying and doing well on standardized tests. It opened up a whole new set of doors, including issues of safety and security when it comes to cell phone technology.
Of course, technology comes in many forms. Looking at the Internet, we find a system of interconnected computer networks, spanning across the globe. Like any form of technology, it’s a tool, with many purposes. And just like cell phones, kids use the Internet as another way to communicate.

One of the most recent issues is the topic of cyber-bullying – sending cruel or harmful messages using the Internet or other digital communication devices. It’s emerging as one of the most challenging problems facing educators and parents, since it can be done from anywhere, at any time. According to Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Robyn MacEachern, a youth issues coordinator of the Crime Prevention Section, “To insult someone I don’t have to immediately fear the other person’s reaction, so it can be easier when hiding behind a keyboard.”

The new form of bullying is alarming, because it doesn’t end on the playground. Children and teenagers no longer have the comfort of a home or safe haven away from school. “In cyber-bullying,” says MacEachern, “the limits of how technology is used are endless – everything from sending insulting e-mails, spreading rumors, creating sites to make fun of someone, sending embarrassing
photos – the list of possibilities goes on and grows as technology gives us even greater ways to connect.”

As the Internet continues to expand, new possibilities call for new solutions. “Most kids won’t tell when things go wrong online, because they’re afraid their parents will shut them off the Internet, and shutting down is only a band aid,” says MacEachern. Instead, other options are available, including education for parents, placing the computer in an open area, monitoring chats through tracking software, and most importantly, discussing bullying and online etiquette. By speaking in advance, parents and children can come to a consensus about what should happen if a problem arises.
With the rapid advancements taking place in technology, there’s one thing we can be sure of – it’s here to stay. And while we might not know the direction it’s heading, being vigilant is probably the best course of action. After all, technology can’t be looked at as either good or bad, but as another tool humankind uses everyday. Like any device, it can be used for positive or negative results.

But for as many negative purposes technology might have, there are an equal amount of positive ones. New developments in stem cell research are taking us into a world where diseases like Parkinson’s might be gone for good. With cell phones and web cameras, families can stay connected because parents who work overseas can see and kiss their children. And if your child is suddenly in a car accident, a cell phone might mean the difference between life and death. When it comes to the Internet, the possibilities for good are endless, from sharing educational ideas, to organizing charitable causes. With any form of technology, it’s not so much the use that matters – it’s the user.