Ali Matthews

Photos courtesy of the National Arts Centre For over a year Ottawa has been been engulfed in a sea of scaffolding, pylons and tarp. From West Block to the Alexandria Bridge, new monuments are being built, historic buildings restored and streetscapes redesigned. As the city, and the country, prepare [...]

Photos by Ali Matthews There is no doubt that, in the upcoming months leading up to Canada’s 150th Celebration, that many Ottawa restaurants will attempt to rift on “Canadian” cuisine. However, I doubt as many will do it as successfully as Executive Chef Stephen La Salle and the [...]

Photos by Ali Matthews Snow was still on the ground when I met Carla Carbajal at the Art House Café on Somerset Street West. I was attending one of her workshops where three brides-to-be, and their mothers, were learning all about how to create their own hand-tied wedding bouquets. Owner [...]

This year, all eyes are on Ottawa for Canada’s historic 150th birthday to celebrate everything that makes Canada, this city and our people, unique. For Angie Sakla-Seymour, owner of Angie’s Models & Talent International (AMTI), everyone is already late to the party. Angie has been [...]

Photos by Ali Matthews Edwin is no ordinary duck. Browsing through a collection of latest tech-toys, you may just think he was mislabeled, but don’t be fooled by his humble rubber duck appearance – just one touch of his heart and he comes to life. First and foremost, Edwin is a “smart [...]

A smile can do many things: Make a friend, give hope, and light up a room. For the team behind the 2017 Sparkle Dental Charity Ball, their mission is to give families in need the opportunity to unlock the power of a sparkling smile. The importance of choosing an expert in family & cosmetic dentistry [...]

Tara Shannon’s new album is called Unfinished. For the award winning singer songwriter from Russell, Ontario, that title has many meanings. For one, this is Tara Shannon’s first album. For the last 20 years she has had great success in Nashville as a songwriter but despite being offered [...]

Photos by Ali Matthews Brunch is a sacred space. Anyone can share a meal, but brunching is uniquely indulgent. The food is rich and comforting and the conversation is thoughtful and relaxed. While Ottawa has an established brunch scene from the casual Art-Is-In Bakery, the familiar Stone Face Dolly’s, [...]

Photos by Ali Matthews When it comes to professional attire, Ottawa is known for its conservative leanings. Walk down Sparks Street any given Wednesday and you will undoubtedly see more suits and ties than slacks and trainers. The scene at the Metropolitain Brasserie this past Wednesday was a perfect [...]

This is a tough time of year. The holidays are done, we have eaten our Valentine’s Day chocolate, Winterlude is over, and even the snow, now slush, has lost its sparkle. Luckily, the magic of Disney is now in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre to wash away the winter blues! From February [...]