It's not just teenagers with purple hair and nose piercings who are dominating social media as influencers these days; dogs have joined the ranks as well!

Gone are the days of TV shows like Lassie. Now, we have Instagram pages with more viewers than some network television shows. Even tiny Pomeranians with bear-like appearances have become huge stars. Jiffpom, with his adorable face and cute outfits, has amassed an impressive following of 10 million people. Boo, the beloved Pom, was once the most famous, boasting 15 million Facebook fans.

Although Boo has passed away, his images continue to define cuteness for the world.

Talking dogs have also captured the attention of millions. Mishka, the talking husky, became a sensation with her ability to say "I love you." Despite her passing in 2017, her videos still receive significant views on YouTube. Lifestyle dogs have their own dedicated following as well. Take Maddie, the camping dog who canoes and swims, who has 1.3 million Instagram followers.

Even dogs with unusual appearances can make a splash on social media. Tuna, with his serious overbite, has gained a massive following of 2.1 million on Instagram and provides travel tips for fellow dog owners. But don't be fooled, there's big money involved too. Popular dog posts can generate anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per post, highlighting the lucrative nature of this industry. WOOF!

National Friendship Day, August 6. Make a new friend or reconnect with an old one!

Civic Holiday, August 7. Civic Holiday is a public holiday in Canada celebrated on the first Monday in August. Though the first Monday of August is celebrated in most of Canada as a public holiday, it is only officially known as "Civic Holiday" in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, where it is a territorial statutory holiday.

National S'mores Day, August 10. This delicious holiday celebrates a classic summer treat - s'mores.

International Youth Day, August 12. This global observance highlights the importance of young people and their contributions to society.

National Nonprofit Day, August 17. This day recognizes nonprofit organizations’ ongoing efforts to serve the local community.

Slinky Day, August 30. A day set aside to honor a Toy Hall of Fame superstar that captured the imagination of children all around the world.

Ingredients:

1 small watermelon

1 cup Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)

Assorted fresh fruits (such as berries, kiwi, pineapple and mango) Fresh mint leaves

Honey (optional)

Instructions:

• Slice the watermelon into round pizza-like slices, about 1-inch thick.

• Lay the watermelon slices on a serving platter or a large plate.

• Spread Greek yogurt evenly over each watermelon slice, leaving a small border around the edges.

• Wash and prepare the assorted fresh fruits. Cut them into bite-sized pieces or into decorative shapes, as desired.

• Arrange the fresh fruits on top of the yogurt layer, creating a vibrant and colorful display.

• Garnish with fresh mint leaves, scattering them over the fruit toppings.

• Drizzle a small amount of honey over the watermelon pizza, if desired, for added sweetness.

Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing and healthy warm-weather treat!

Imagine the profound impact on your life if self-discipline were practiced universally. Unfortunately, many of us only display discipline in certain areas or sporadically throughout our lives.

Self-discipline, as described by motivational coach Michael Janke, is the ability to govern one's behavior based on principles, persistence, and sound judgment, rather than succumbing to desire or seeking social acceptance. An essential aspect of self-discipline is the capacity to say "no" to oneself, effectively managing our desires and impulses. This can be particularly challenging in a society driven by instant gratification. However, by practicing self-discipline, we can enhance our sense of self-worth and strengthen our character. 

Developing self-discipline requires consistent effort and strategic planning. Simply wishing for it is not enough. It is an ongoing process that demands commitment and dedication. 

Here are some steps to guide you toward achieving increased self-discipline: 

Identify aspects requiring change: Assess your life for areas where you feel
dissatisfaction or a need for improvement. 

Document past hurdles: Note challenges and roadblocks you've faced in previous attempts at changes.  

Outline motivations: Understand and list the “why” factors driving your desired changes, which can serve as a motivational push. 

Contemplate a supportive attitude: Envision the potential benefits and transformative impact of adopting changes with a positive mindset. 

Approaching this journey with a mindset of self-deprivation can make the process more difficult. Psychotherapist Carol Juergensen Sheets emphasizes the importance of cultivating enthusiasm for the positive changes that arise from practicing self-discipline. 

Unleash your potential through self-discipline. Embark on a transformative journey toward personal growth, success, and fulfillment. Start today for a rewarding future.

Canadian retail sales increased 0.2 per cent in May to $66 billion, led by sales of motor vehicles and parts as well as food and beverage. However, excluding volatile items like car sales, retail sales were essentially unchanged month-over-month. In BC, retail sales jumped 2.7 per cent, rising for a third consecutive month and were up 1.9 per compared to 1-year ago.

Although BC retail spending has ticked higher in recent months, overall Canadian retail sales were up just 0.5 per cent compared to this time last year and preliminary estimates for June show flat sales. This could signal that consumer spending is finally slowing down following a year of aggressive tightening by the Bank of Canada. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-retail-sales-may-2023-july-21-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for being here. As a token of my appreciation, I've created a special handout that I think you'll really enjoy. It’s called How To Stay In Love With Your Home – 2023 Edition.

This handout has been carefully designed with three main sections to address many types of home improvements. The first section is "Decorate & Refresh" - you'll find creative ideas on how to breathe new life into your living space. From adding colourful accent pieces to incorporating fun patterns, there are plenty of ideas to help you update your home decor.

If you're looking to lighten your hair naturally, then here is a tip to achieve a sun-kissed look. Many people have tried lemon juice, but have you ever tried tea? Chamomile tea, that is.

Start by brewing a strong cup of chamomile tea, and once it has cooled down, use it as a rinse after shampooing your hair. This will help impart a natural lightening effect. For subtle highlights, you can also apply honey to your hair and leave it on for an hour before rinsing it out. 

Finally, spend time outdoors, because exposure to sunlight can naturally lighten hair. But remember to take care of your hair by keeping it hydrated and protected from damage.

Canadian housing starts rose 41 per cent to 281,373 units in June at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were up 4 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts rose 1 per cent to 55,552 units, while multi-family and others rose 55 per cent to 225,817 (SAAR). 

In British Columbia, starts rose by 61 per cent in June to 65,904 units SAAR in all areas of the province. In areas in the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts rose 2 per cent m/m to 6,402 units while multi-family starts rose 76 per cent to 57,241 units. Starts in the province were 17 per cent above the levels from June 2022. Month over month, starts were up by 19k in Vancouver, 4.3k in Victoria, and 2.6k in Kelowna, while declining by 1.3k in Abbotsford. The 6-month moving average trend rose 2.7 per cent to 51.4k in BC. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-housing-starts-june-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 2.8 per cent on a year-over-year basis in June, down from 3.4 per cent in May. While declines occurred in several categories, the largest contribution was from lower gasoline prices compared to the same month last year (-21.6 per cent). Ignoring gasoline, year-over-year inflation would have been 4 per cent in June. Shelter costs were up 4.8 per cent year over year, driven by much higher mortgage interest costs (up 30.1 per cent from last year) along with higher rents (up 5.8 per cent from June 2022). The homeowner's replacement cost, which tracks home prices, was down 0.7 per cent year over year. Grocery prices were up 9.1 per cent year over year. Month over month, CPI rose 0.1 per cent. In BC, consumer prices rose 3.5 per cent year-over-year.

The CPI continued to cool in June, with year-over-year prices rising at the slowest rate since March 2021, and now within the Bank of Canada's target of 1 to 3 per cent. Much lower gasoline prices compared to the same time last year are doing much of this work, but recovering supply chains also contributed, with furniture and household appliances both on average cheaper than the same time last year. The Bank of Canada's measures of core inflation, which strip out volatile components, are trending downwards and are now mostly below 4 per cent year-over-year. CPI is being pulled down by energy costs, household operations and furnishings, and clothing costs. In the other direction, food, shelter, and mortgage costs are dragging the CPI upwards. Taken together, that this month's headline inflation figure is within the Bank's 1 to 3 per cent target is excellent news and provides support for the Bank to ease off rate tightening going forward. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-inflation-june-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.