Feature Friday: Wooly Maple

Happy Friday London! We've made it through another week.  As promised, I wrote that I had something fun to offer you for Friday's blog, and here it is!  Every Friday I will be featuring a local business that I love, and want to share with all of you - from baby goods, to baked goods, you'll find a description of the business here, and hopefully you'll go check it out sometime for yourself!

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/woolymaple

Our first feature business is a great Canadian, London-based company called "Wooly Maple," owned and operated by Ashley Burt.  This little gem specializes in gorgeous hand-crafted (mainly crocheted) items, like toques, infinity scarves, mitts and those super popular bun-hats. Ashley makes these all herself, so each piece is unique and original for each customer. Every piece is tagged with her own hand-stamped logo.  I've seen these in person myself and they are gorgeous.  Not only that, but they have a distinctly "Canadian" feel, which makes me want to buy them even more (who doesn't want a red and black plaid toque?).

Ashley's products can be found in boutiques across London.  Namely, LoveLeigh Boutique (located downtown on Richmond row) and For You Clothing Co.  (Old East Village).  You can also catch her online on her Wooly Maple facebook page and message her if you have a custom order or any questions about the products. 

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/woolymaple

Ashley is also expanding her line by offering her patterns to customers that want to give crocheting a go themselves, using the signature "Wooly Maple" style.  Not only will she offer patterns, but also a crochet class too! Awesome :)

For more details and to check out all of Ashley's products, please go to the Wooly Maple facebook page, and go to the retailers that sell her product line to pick up a toque or two.  You'll be so glad you did! (Ps. isn't that business name just oh-so Canadian-ly awesome?)

Have a great day, London.

Hot burger in the city....

A friend of mine and her sweet little family is coming to visit us this weekend.  She is a Western alumna, so knows her way around the city.  We have a little debate going on though that I'd like to try and clarify here, and get a poll going on my facebook page. 
So, between the two families, we have four kids all ranging from 4 months to 6 years old.  We want to go out for a nice, juicy burger because, frankly, I don't feel like making my own at home this weekend! My friend LOVES J Dees Market Grill, downtown on King and Talbot across from the Covent Garden Market.  I love Prince Albert's Diner on Richmond Street (think classic 50s diner here).  What do YOU think, London? Where's a great place to go and feed three hungry kiddos, plus four burger-loving adults? Actually, two are on a carb-free kick right now... so taking into account "specialty diets" too. While pondering these two places, I've also decided to make a list of other great burger joints in the area.  I'm probably not going to list a place on here today if the word "Entrée" or "Three course" is on the menu. Sorry guys! Love to love these places, but right now, I'm thinking fast, kid-friendly and local (I'd like to stay away from chains for today, although I need to send a shout out to Montana's Steak House - my older kiddo's FAVE place to go).  Check out this list I've compiled of the burger joints I am familiar with.  As always, feel free to add your faves below :)

J Dees Market Grill

A place to go if you are feeling like a homemade, juicy, almost gourmet burger.  The cream cheese topping seems to be a favourite with a lot of folks, me included.  I like the atmosphere - large airy space, close to lots of downtown fun (especially if you want to catch a Knight's game on Friday) but I'd book ahead, as seating can get filled up fast. Check out their facebook page on the title link.

Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.ca

Prince Albert's Diner

 This place has been around forever.  It even made the show "You Gotta Eat Here" where host, John Catucci ate their famous peanut butter burger.  I personally LOVE going for their shakes.  Their milkshakes are classic and SO delicious.  The place is small though, so if you're looking to go with a larger family or friends, make sure to go on off times, if at all possible. But if you end up waiting, you usually don't wait long and it is VERY worth it. 

Norma Jeans

Although this place is known for it's great bands and rock gigs, they also offer some fantastic food, namely in burgers.  Now, I haven't actually been here yet (shame on me) but I am taking this advice from friends that DO go.  You can find them on Huron Street (North East London).  Choose earlier times with the kiddos to go (like, 5ish?) if possible.

Photo courtesy of www.facebook/globallylocal

Globally Local Restaurant

If you've read my blog posts, you'll know I'm a HUGE fan of this business and the people that run it. Check out my blog post on them here.  For years, they have been known around town as an all-vegan organic food delivery service plus organic food grocer, but now they have opened their own (the very first in Canada.. what?!) all - VEGAN restaurant AND food truck (be still my heart)! The restaurant can be found on Dundas Street right across from the Public Library.  They offer the infamous McInnes Burger (think Big Mac but vegan) and so much more! Go check them out - you'll be glad you did, even if you're not vegan.

The Early Bird Café

Ok, so I'm breaking my own rule (a teeny tiny bit) and mentioning this fab place.  You want an amazing sandwich COME HERE. So it's technically not a juicy burger place (but they do have burgers!). This place is known more for their amazing breakfasts and great service.  All around a good place to go if you're in the mood for an egg on your sandwich (you know the kind... that fried one that oozes down your fingers when you bite into the bread).  It was also featured on "You Gotta Eat Here." John Catucci ate the turducken sandwich, which is a must-try if you feel like having Christmas in one bite.  YOU GOTTA EAT HERE. Sorry, had to.

The Little Beaver

If you are from London, chances are you know about or have been to the Little Beaver out in Komoka.  A great, classic diner that is run by an awesome local family, this place offers yummy, classic diner food.  The burgers are no exception.  Great burgers, great fries and a great family atmosphere.  When I lived in Byron, my family used to go so often that the serving staff knew my little girl (she was 8 months at the time) by name and what she liked to eat, and would give her free ice cream to boot.  The best thing going for this place, other than the fantastic down-home cooking, is the friendly atmosphere. Come here for family food and fun. Love you, Little Beaver!

There are SO many more places that I could mention - little jewels peppered all around the city.  This is where you come in: Comment below with the local burger joints that you know and love.  Now go out and treat yourself and your family to some good old fashioned burgers!

Have a great day, London.

Off the beaten path... atypical fun in London town

I find that I am always looking for some interesting things to do in London that are maybe not part of my family's "expected" ideas for fun in the city. Not that there's anything wrong with doing things that are part of the majority of family fun (heck, we go to the movies and chill at the park just as much as any other family!) but I thought I would scrounge up a few things to do in London that, maybe, some of us hadn't thought of doing with our kiddos, or feel like trying out with our kiddos that might turn into a fun time for all.  That being said, I might not cover all things, and maybe it won't be appropriate for the age group of your children, but keep an open mind, and give some of these a try!

Let's start with arts and crafts (since this is something that my kids and I really enjoy doing).

4Cats Art Studio:

Located in Byron (Southwest London), 4Cats art studio offers a lot of great classes for adults and kids alike.  They also have family nights for those that want to bring their kiddos, grandkiddos, nephews, nieces or  neighbour kids, along for some arts and crafts fun.  They specialize in painting, sculpting and pottery and offer themed classes for, what I consider to be, a reasonable price.  I am trying out a class next month with a friend and our daughters, so I will let you know how it goes.  They also offer private family sessions, where you can go and create a piece of art that you can do with your whole family.  A friend of mine recently did this with her two little ones and husband, and they created a very cool painting that now hangs in her home as a feature piece. These classes can also make a great gift for someone who is artistically inclined.  Lots of fun all around!

Paint Night:

This is a cool option for those that would like to try out painting with canvas, and have a little fun while doing it. There are many of these vendors that offer this service, but the one that I have heard quite a bit about is "Jesse Robertson's Keep it Colourful Paint Night" - find her facebook link here. Jesse offers a fun, relaxed environment that comes with lots of options (munchies, even dinner if you like!) and she is mobile, which means that you can pick the venue with her or attend one of her popular paint sessions at various locations around London. 

Museum London: Imagination Station

Did you know that two Sundays a month, Museum London (located at the forks of the Thames River downtown) offers a couple of hours of fun for you  and your little one for FREE? Its a great opportunity for families to go and looks at some of the art exhibits or displays that the gallery has to offer, plus create a little something yourself to take home.  How great is that? Check out more info here.

Sports/Adventure:

Boler Mountain:

If you're from around here, chances are you have been to "the bump" at least once in your life.  But this local London ski hill isn't just for skiing.  You can go tubing there too!  Lots of family fun to be had here, and then grab a bite to eat in their chalet.  Check out more info here.

London Escape Rooms:

I have not personally done this activity, but I've seen and heard a lot about it, and so far have only heard good things.  If you're looking for some puzzling adventures with your kiddos, head here to solve a mystery and escape out of one of the rooms in record time! Check out their facebook page here.

London Walks:

Do you enjoy going for walks with your family? Feel like meeting up with others? Check out these Saturday Morning Walks in Fox Hollow, Springbank park, Kiwanis park or other areas - meet up with other fellow hikers and grab some fresh air and a chat - they meet up regularly throughout the year, and it's free for all.  Check out more info here. (this link will take you to the Fox Hollow info page, but the click on the brochure found at the link for all available walks).

Music/Entertainment:

Jazz for the People:

Like Jazz? Want to introduce your kids to it?  Check out these FREE Jazz concerts available through the London Public Library system, running for the next few months! Click here for more info.


Original Kids Theatre:

Want to go see a play with your littles, but don't feel like going all the way to Stratford or waiting for something to come to Budweiser Gardens? Check out our local, youthful talent with the Original Kids Company - they have plays that our own youth from London practice and put on for the general public to enjoy.  A great way to introduce your family to some theatre, and maybe even get them involved in it!  Check out the link to the Original Kids Spring 2017 season  here.

Family Movie day:

Skip the big lines and new movie frenzy, and go to the Saturday morning Family Movie at Westmount Cineplex for only $2.99!! A family-friendly movie is chosen and you get to go experience the big screen for a fraction of what it would normally cost to see a feature flick. More details  here.


I could do a write up on so many more events and things to do around London that are out of the ordinary but I will stop (for now) as these few things can offer plenty of fun for you as a family! If you know of a regular event that happens around the city that's "off the beaten path" and fun, feel free to leave a comment below. I love reader input :)  Now get out there and have some fun, London families!

Have a great day, London

I see your views, and I raise you one blog post...

Hello London,

So, it's been a while, eh?

Aside from the crazy summer, and then an even busier fall, which dutifully slid into the chaos of Christmas, I have no excuse about not blogging for so long.  So, I will apologize to my loyal readers, and hope you will continue to be loyal, as I will be blogging on a more regular basis (yep, you guessed it, my New Year Resolution for 2017, and by golly, I plan to stick to it! Let's not dwell on the fact that it is almost the end of January...what?!).

So, let's get down to some Locally Urban Mom business - what's new for 2017? "What will future blogs bring - I wonder?" (Shout out to The Sound of Music, our fave family movie over the holidays).  Well, I plan on sticking to my "daily life" blogs, but I have really enjoyed writing about local businesses, people and places that deserve some praise and recognition for being awesome Londoners, so there will be more blogging in this area as well.  I also plan on giving you updates of scheduled events in and around the London area that might be of interest to our London families. There was lots of positive feedback about this feature, so I plan on posting about this regularly. Look out for the "Fun Friday" blog! And you, loyal readers, do you have any ideas that you'd like to see me write, review, rant or rave about? Please feel free to leave your ideas in the comment section below and I'd love to take them into account/consideration!

2017 promises another year ahead of excitement, perhaps sadness, maybe even tragedy, but definitely a year of events.  Small ones, big ones, all of them comprise our life story and make us into the humans we are at present, or will become in the future.  Take heart, London, and enjoy the ride of 2017.  I can promise you it will be eventful. 

So, here's to starting anew.  Giving my blog posts more meaning to my fellow Londoners.  Hearing what you all have to say, and putting our little local treasures on the map for all Londoners to enjoy and appreciate. 

See you tomorrow, I promise ;)

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Have a great day, London.