How a simple DIY project becomes all-consuming | Toronto Star

"I can do it for you," my husband offers. "It's easy." My mom pounces. "Well, if I'm going to change the flooring in the guest bedroom, I might as well change it in the rest of the bedrooms too." And just like that, our fates are sealed.

As a non-observer, I find Christmas especially fun | Toronto Star

I don't celebrate Christmas, though I know a lot of Muslims, Hindus and Jews who put up a tree and distribute gifts. Yet every year, right after Halloween (or right after July 1 at Costco) when the twinkly lights go up and everything is covered in red, green and poinsettia, I feel a little glow.

Many options for the halal meat buyer | Toronto Star

So you've decided to buy halal meat. Congratulations! You're part of an exciting meat movement sweeping the GTA - one with a cool ethnic vibe. You might have missed the boat on other hipster ethnic fads such as butter chicken, pho or kale, but not this time.

My vacation revelation in Istanbul: I don't like travelling with my kids | Toronto Star

My favourite monument in Istanbul is the Aya Sofya. The minute we walked into the dim expanse of the church-turned-mosque-turned-secular-tourist-attraction, the atmosphere gripped me. I remember thinking: this place holds the weight of history. One of the walls had Viking graffiti.