Nominated for two JUNOS and riding the early success of her roots album Little Red Boots, the general consensus by critics is that the Toronto-born artist, who has drawn comparisons to Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, is the next big thing in country music.

The March/April issue of Ottawa Life Magazine features Amber Watkins, a local swimsuit designer and her latest SWIM Spring/Summer 2012 collection. I caught up with the busy designer to ask her how she got started, who the collection is for and where we can expect to see Watkins in five years.

Niki Ashton (born September 9, 1982) is currently the New Democratic Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Churchill in Manitoba. She was first elected in the 2008 federal election. Read here for an OLM exclusive interview with NDP candidate Niki Ashton.

Peggy Nash is the NDP MP for the Parkdale-High Park riding in Toronto. Nash became a candidate to replace the late Jack Layton as leader of the federal NDP on October 28, 2011. OLM’s Harvey Chartrand had a chance to interview Nash and get her insights on major issues concerning Canadians.

Paul W. Dewar, 48, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa Centre, is running a spirited campaign for the hotly contested leadership of the NDP in the wake of the untimely death of Jack Layton in August 2011. OLM’s Harvey Chartrand sits down with Dewar to discuss his plans for his candidacy for party leadership and beyond.

Janis Galloway, a blogger from Edmonton, was the winner of The Westin Ottawa hotel’s exclusive Ottawa Fashion Week “Insider” contest. OLM’s Stephanie Vizi asks the young stylist/blogger about her experience in Ottawa and what inspires her fashion savvy!

Sussex Drive is not only home to the Harpers, but also the Schads. In the 1980’s, Andre Schad sold western wear under the moniker Schadillac Ranch. In 1995, when cowboy chic was dying out, Schad and his wife, Chantal Biro-Schad, opted to sell designer denim on Elgin St. Today, the power couple own and manage three boutiques on Sussex.