Burnt Noses & Dehydration Headaches: A Heatwave PSA
Okay Saskatoon, the heatwave is officially here and we earned it! No spontaneous snow storms on the horizon- it’s time to celebrate! Before we do, let’s remember two important items: hydration and sunscreen….
Here’s a reality many Canadians often don’t realize:
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Canada, and melanoma rates continue to rise. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that over 10,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year alone.
Melanoma Canada reports that sunscreen use over the long term may reduce skin cancer risk by 50–75%, but many Canadians still aren’t applying enough sunscreen or reapplying properly.
And despite decades of “wear sunscreen” messaging, researchers are actually seeing Canadians spending more time in the sun while using less protection — especially younger adults and tweens studying the weather network app daily to find the UV index for the best tan… this is a real thing, happening in my house.
Most sunscreens feel sticky, smell overwhelming, stain everything you own, and somehow still leave your shoulders looking like a boiled lobster after one afternoon at the lake. Which is exactly why finding one you actually want to use matters.
Allow me to introduce: TANIT Mineral Sunscreen.
TANIT’s sun protection is designed to feel lightweight and wearable enough for everyday life — whether you’re chasing toddlers around a soccer field or just trying to prevent future wrinkles while drinking an overpriced iced latte on a patio.
TANIT, another thoughtfully created Canadian brand we love — co-founded by a woman and designed with both people and the planet in mind. Reef safe with biodegradable packaging (the tubes are 100% biodegradable and compostable as they are made from wheat straw rather than traditional plastic) subtle, pleasant scent and zero white casting!
No choking cloud of spray sunscreen drifting across the parking lot.
No mystery ingredients you can’t pronounce while quietly wondering if you should be putting this on your child’s entire body, or your own, every single day.
No thick, ghostly white layer that makes everyone look vaguely Victorian and deeply unhappy.
Just a mineral sunscreen that feels more like skincare than punishment.
TANIT uses non-nano zinc oxide as their key ingredient for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, which sits on the skin to help reflect the sun’s rays rather than relying on chemical filters. Their formulas are also reef-friendly and designed without a lot of the harsh ingredients many parents are trying to avoid.
For the skincare girlies reading this — yes, we need to talk about that too.
Because somewhere around your late twenties, you catch yourself squinting at your forehead in natural light and you suddenly understand why everyone online is obsessed with SPF.
Sunscreen works best when you actually want to wear it.
Which is why texture matters.
Smell matters.
How it feels on your skin matters.
Whether your child immediately runs away crying matters.
TANIT’s mineral sunscreen has built a loyal following largely because customers say it doesn’t feel like traditional sunscreen. Many reviewers describe it as lightweight, moisturizing, and wearable enough for daily use — which is half the battle.
While we are talking about protecting ourselves, we also have to remember hydration.
You spend one afternoon sitting at a tournament in 29-degree heat and suddenly everyone’s:
cranky
exhausted
headachey
dizzy
Meanwhile nobody has had actual water since 10:00 AM.
Health Canada warns that dehydration can happen quickly in hot weather, especially during outdoor activity and sports.
Which is why electrolyte support matters — especially when you’re sweating for hours outside.
Cue: CIRA Hydration Sticks
And listen… I know electrolyte packets sound aggressively “wellness influencer driven,” but these genuinely became one of those products I keep throwing into every bag I own.
CIRA hydration sticks are individually packaged, easy to dump into a water bottle, and make drinking water feel way more enjoyable. They’re formulated with electrolytes to help support hydration and are especially helpful during hot weather, sports, travel, or long days outside.
At this point in life, I’m not trying to become a perfect “crunchy mom.”
I’m just trying to survive summer with:
fewer sunburns
fewer dehydration headaches
fewer screaming sunscreen battles
and maybe slightly less chaos overall
So this is your gentle reminder from one tired mom to another:
Buy the good sunscreen.
Bring the electrolytes.
Drink more water.
Protect your skin.
Protect your kids.
And then go enjoy this gorgeous weather before winter returns to Saskatchewan before we know it.
A Fresh Start At Home - The Ritual of Cleansing Your Space
It’s been a minute since I’ve sat down to write here — and maybe that’s fitting. Life has been full. Loud. Lived in.
At 45, with seven people under one roof (plus four dogs and two cats), I can confidently say that keeping a home neat and tidy is not a perfectly curated, Instagram-worthy affair. It is real. It is messy. It is toast crumbs — approximately seventeen slices worth — scattered across the counter by hungry teens.
And yet.
I care deeply about how our home feels.
Not perfect. Not pristine. But calm. Warm. Clean. Intentional.
Beyond the Mop & Bucket
When I talk about cleansing your space, I don’t just mean mopping the floors and calling it a day. I mean deep, soulful resetting. The kind where you minimize clutter and chaos so your nervous system can exhale.
There is something sacred about fresh sheet day — especially now that we’re washing everything in Guests on Earth Laundry Detergent and the entire house smells like a spa. Is there anything better than slipping into cool, freshly laundered sheets at the end of a long day? I truly don’t think so.
But cleansing your space is also in the small rituals:
Beds made.
Stovetop wiped clean of boiled over pots, sauce and whatever the heck that strange crusty thing is near the back.
Buttery soft, throw blankets draped intentionally across the couch ends or rolled neatly in a basket.
Cushions fluffed and chopped.
Dog bowls rinsed daily so they don’t wear a crust of hard water and drool.
Fridge handles wiped.
A streaky dishwasher front that whispers, “I’ve just been cleaned.”
These tiny actions make a big difference in how I move through our home. They change my energy. They soften the noise.
A Home That Works With Your Life
Twice a year, I empty every drawer. Yes — even the one with bracelet beads and Hot Wheels in the knife drawer. If it has a little corner and a sense of belonging, that’s okay. We vacuum, wipe down, and return only what we use and love. If it hasn’t been touched in six months, it’s time to let it go.
I steam clean the couch cushions.
I swap cushion covers for a subtle refresh.
I oil the woods.
I style faux foliage in a vase (bend the stems, add water for realism — beauty without the upkeep)
You don’t need to be a professional designer to style what you already own with intention. You simply need to decide that your environment matters.
Purposeful organization helps enormously. Basket trays. Storage baskets. Drawer organizers etc. A beautiful catch-all tray for keys, rings for the things you don’t have the energy to put away properly. Everything having a place — even if it’s not its permanent home — changes the way a space feels.
It’s not about rigid perfection.
It’s about rhythm.
The 5 + 5 Rule - this is important
Keeping up with cleaning makes it less overwhelming. Five minutes in the morning before work or school drop-off. Five minutes after dinner.
Fold the throws.
Wipe the counters and sinks.
Sweep up the toast crumbs.
Toss stray Lego pieces into a pretty basket, tuck it in a corner and let it leave your mind. If you have the energy and time for a quick vacuum onceover of the main floor this will be amazing when you wake up and don’t feel grit under your toes.
That’s it.
Ten intentional minutes a day can save your mental health.
You feel accomplished.
You feel organized.
You’re not stepping on Lego pieces as you stumble to bed.
And when someone walks into your home, they feel it too. The calm. The care. The softness in the air.
More importantly, the souls who roam its halls — the ones who live there — feel safe and grounded.
This Spring, Let’s Begin Again
Spring has a way of inviting renewal. Not in grand, exhausting overhauls — but in small, consistent commitments.
This season, let’s make small, intentional changes.
Commit to five minutes at the start of your day.
Commit to five minutes after dinner.
Commit to choosing calm over chaos — one folded blanket at a time.
Our homes don’t need to be perfect.
They just need to feel like peace.
And sometimes, peace smells like fresh sheets, looks like a styled basket tray where remotes go unseen next to a beautiful vase with faux seasonal stems, and feels like a deep, full-bodied exhale.
58 Days ‘Till Christmas and The Joy of Shopping Early
There are two kinds of holiday shoppers in this world: those who wait until December 23rd in a mall parking lot with a lukewarm coffee and a thousand-yard stare… and those who start early, smugly sipping tea under twinkle lights while everyone else panics. At Wren, we’re here for the early birds and the late fliers but we encourage you hop on the shopping train a little sooner and join the eager crowd — the ones who know that the best part of the holidays isn’t the rush, it’s the quiet joy of getting ahead of it all.
There’s something magical about this in-between season — when the sky gets dark a little earlier, the air feels crisp with anticipation, and the city starts to sparkle long before the first snowflake lands. The shops hum softly with holiday music, candles flicker in windows, and everywhere you go feels just a little more… enchanted.And when you shop early, you get to enjoy it all in peace. No lineups. No “sold out” signs. Just you, a warm drink, and displays of freshly stocked holiday treasures waiting to be discovered.
At Wren, we’ve already started putting out our holiday stock (with much more to come), so if you’re feeling the festive itch — come scratch it. Think lush, real-touch garlands that bring nature inside. Bath soaks for cozy nights in. Soft bedding, natural home fragrance, and that deeply satisfying crackle of a wood wick candle or the sparkle of a beautiful new piece of jewelry. Add a few books, a bottle of perfume, maybe a little something for yourself (we won’t tell) — and suddenly, you’ve found everything you need in one beautiful stop.
So this year, skip the chaos. Shop early, shop slow, and let yourself fall into the glow of the season. Because while the rest of the world is elbow-deep in gift wrap and traffic jams… you’ll be home, blissfully done, basking in your own brilliance — and the warm light of a Wren candle.
A Simple Refresh: the Transformative Power of Decorative Cushion Covers
There’s something about decorative throw cushions that instantly transforms a space. They’re small details with big impact — adding warmth, texture, and personality without requiring a full room overhaul. Whether you’re styling a living room, bedroom, or reading nook, cushions are one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your home.
An Easy Seasonal Switch-Up
Changing your cushion covers with the seasons is one of the simplest ways to keep your home feeling fresh. Lighter linen or cotton in soft neutrals and earthy hues can bring a calm, airy feel in the warmer months, while richer tones and heavier textures add cozy warmth through fall and winter. A quick cover change, and suddenly your space feels completely new. We have a variety of fabrics, colours and patterns to choose from AND we sell the inserts if you need new ones (available in down feather or gel synthetic alternative).
Style That Invites
Cushions don’t just look good — they make a room feel lived in and inviting. A sofa layered with soft, inviting cushions draws people in, inviting them to sit down and stay a while. There’s a subtle comfort that comes from a well-styled couch or bed — one that looks effortless but feels thoughtful.
Mix, Don’t Match
Gone are the days of perfectly matching sets. The latest trend celebrates mixing — pairing complementary patterns, textures, and colours that work together naturally rather than identically. Think washed linens next to chunky cottons, subtle stripes with organic florals, or warm taupes against a muted clay. It’s about balance and personality — not perfection.
Never Too Many
There can never really be too many cushions. Layering them adds dimension and depth, creating a sense of comfort and abundance. Play with size, shape, and material to find the perfect combination that feels like home to you.
The Wren Touch
At Wren, we believe your home should feel soft, grounded, and welcoming. Decorative cushion covers are the perfect way to bring that feeling into any space — one simple swap at a time