Happy International Women’s Day!

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate, learn together and #BreakTheBias! We are fortunate to have such a wonderful community of inspiring and empowered women in our Muskoka Bear Wear community and we wanted to shout some of them out! Want to shout out a woman in your life that has inspired you? Send us a DM on Facebook & Instagram!

 

“My mom is my inspiration as she’s been such an incredible support to me throughout my life. She’s my best friend. I’ve always looked up to her as she’s such a hard worker, family orientated and such an amazing mom, nana & friend.”

- Melissa who nominated her Mom

“I don’t know what I’d do without my sister Kresson, she’s always been by number one supporter and best friend. She is the strongest, smartest most creative woman I know and wether she realizes it or not I feel like I can do anything with her by my side. I’ve always looked up to her and always will. Love you Kress.”

- Dawson who nominated his sister Kresson

“My biggest inspiration is my mom! Aside from being my mother, she has always been my biggest supporter, role model & best friend. She has taught me life lessons that I will forever be thankful for and we have made memories together that will last a lifetime!”

- Emily who nominated her Mom

“Toritse is one of those people who inspire by leading. She seeks out challenges to grow, she’s always pushing forward to try new things whether that be launching her business, pursuing an international Master’s program, travelling the world, and meeting new people. She really becomes a sister and friend to every one she meets because of how caring and kind she is. She’s forever changed my life and taught me what it means to be there for someone and support them unconditionally”.

- Em who nominated Toritse

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we raise them. May we be them.”

A mom is holding her daughter wearing MBW
Woman standing in sand wearing MBW
Woman standing in cottage wearing orange MBW hoody and grey MBW sweatpants
My Muskoka Story – Ashley

My Muskoka Story – Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley

My name is Ashley Hughes-Hailstone. My husband Evan and I have 3 children; Emerson, Laughlin and Alaina!

Selfie photo of Ashley in MBW

“We were first introduced to MBW while visiting my best friends’ cottage in Bracebridge Ontario. Her and her children all had the most adorable sweaters, and we were soon hooked as well”!

Muskoka Bear Wear coffee cup beside the fire
Toddler wearing a Muskoka Bear Wear hoody and some sunglasses while driving a play car
Toddler sitting in a wagon with two bowls of strawberries wearing a red Muskoka Bear Wear cap
What are you and your family’s favourite things to do outdoors?

My family has a seasonal trailer in Marmora, ON. We love to spend our days at the beach, and our nights around the campfire cozy in our Muskoka Bear Wear gear.

Photo of a dad and son walking in the winter forest. Dad is wearing a black muskoka bear wear hoodie
Where are some of your favourite spots to visit up north?

The kids and I love to visit my friend’s family cottage in Bracebridge, and now in Gravenhurst. The kids especially enjoy going to Santa’s Village!

What is your favourite Muskoka Bear wear item?

It is so hard to pick our favourite item, but it has to be the cozy hoodies, as everyone in the family has 3 or more, including my husband. The boys love their Cottage Comfy Pants, and Alaina loves her Paw Shorts as well.

What is your favourite photo of you or your famjam in Muskoka Bear Wear?

My favourite photo of my family in MBW is the one where we all ended up in sweaters at school one day, not even planned!

My Muskoka Story – Jess Fraser

My Muskoka Story – Jess Fraser

Hello! My name is Jess, I am an avid line dancer, aspiring artist, nature lover and adventure seeker. I was born in the busy city but raised up north, so it’s safe to say my roots have grown deep within Muskoka!

Where are some of your favourite places to visit in Muskoka?

Our gorgeous provincial parks have always been my favourite places to visit in Muskoka. I love visiting the small towns as well but there is no better place than when I’m out discovering what the surrounding landscapes have to offer.

Canadian Woman standing in front of Banff mountains and lake wearing a black MBW quarter-zip sweater and white jeans

“There are many things to do while outdoors, but what really makes me happy, relaxed and truly feel grounded is when I’m out camping, kayaking and hiking. There’s something therapeutic about breathing in fresh northern air and getting lost in nature.”

Canadian man and woman sitting on a dock wearing Muskoka Bear Wear posing with their dog
Canadian Couple sitting on rock in front of a waterfall wearing a Muskoka Bear Wear quarter zip sweaters

You like to travel a lot – where is the furthest place you’ve been in your Muskoka Bear Wear?

I’ve taken Bear Wear with me from the great Canadian Rockies to the vast Everglades of Florida. I once even wore my classic black quarter-zip while taking a photo with the one and only, Johnny Cash, in Nashville Tennessee. I want to be comfortable when I travel, that’s why Bear Wear always travels with me.

Canadian woman sitting on a rock wearing jeans and a red quarter zip sweater from Muskoka Bear wear. She is sitting in front of a lake with trees and mountain in the background
Canadian girl wearing a heather grey quarter zip Muskoka Bear Wear sweater listening to something with headphones

What’s on your adventure bucket list?

My future adventure bucket list would include the exploration of Iceland, Italy and Australia. A closer destination that I hope to cross off the list sooner would be Yellowstone National Park. I would love to wake up early in the morning, throw on my favourite Muskoka Bear Wear sweater and venture out on a tour to witness a pack of wolves run across the plains of Lumar Valley.

Selfie of a Canadian woman wearing a red quarter zip sweater from Muskoka Bear Wear
MBW ShoutOuts – Week 7 Round-Up

MBW ShoutOuts – Week 7 Round-Up

In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community.

We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.


Featured this week…

Well Fed Inc., Gravenhurst
Website: www.wellfedinc.com

“Homemade goodness on the go; it’s a labour of love.”

From a 100-year-old stable to comfort food on your table, Well Fed is one of Gravenhurst’s best food stops, offering a wide variety of authentic Muskoka fare. Owned & Operated by Annette Gillan, Annette’s recipes are from a 4-generation-old family cookbook that is ever expanding. Ready to heat or ready to eat, Well Fed offers food you can take home to pop in the oven, or food that is hot and ready to pop on the table.

COVID-19 has certainly affected us all and Well Fed is no different as they quickly adapted their services to remain, as they call it, ‘slightly open’ for curbside pick-up and local home delivery. Annette has even gone one step further as to allow her patrons to order wholesale from her suppliers to ensure locals have consistent access to the supplies they need to survive comfortably at home.

We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the hard work and energy that Annette and her family have poured into operating and adapting to these tough times and say THANK YOU for all that they continue to do to serve our wonderful community.

If you are in Gravenhurst, be sure to follow Well Fed on Facebook as she often posts what fresh foods and family feasts are available in the days to follow. Keep up the great work Annette!  

Visit The Well Fed Facebook Page


Christmas Tyme, Huntsville
Website: www.christmastyme.ca

“Your Christmas store and so much more!”

Christmas Tyme is a unique, year-round Christmas store located in historic downtown Huntsville. They carry personalized Christmas ornaments, Jim Shore figurines, s’mores, movie & tv memorabilia, nativities, home décor and much more.

And though these tough times have forced Christmas Tyme to close their physical store, they continue to offer their heart-warming, happiness-inducing line of products online for curbside pick-up. Most recently, they offered a wide range of beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day and committed to ensuring locals were able to spoil Mom.

We think it is amazing what they have continued to do and want to give them this special shout out to thank them for all they do to serve community. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for regular product updates and to visit their website to see what is available from their online store.

Keep up the great work guys! 

Visit the Christmas Tyme Facebook Page


Bala Falls Pub, Bala
Website: www.balafallspub.com

“Your friends are already here.”

The building next to the Kee has been many things; from the original “Eldorado”, the “Bob Inn”, “Latern Loft” to the “Kee Café”. And now, in its current iteration, established in 2002, the Bala Falls Pub has been welcoming locals, cottagers and visitors alike to its relaxing family atmosphere for classic homemade pub fare and refreshing beverages.

Through these tough times, Bala Falls Pub, owned and operated by David Fisher & Jacinta Cowan, have risen to the challenge and remain open 7 days a week. They are currently offering take out and through a collaboration up with Bala Taxi, also offer home delivery Monday to Saturday. In addition to ensuring the Bala community has access to delicious pub fare, they also host Virtual Trivia every Sunday at 3:00 PM. To get involved, simply e-mail balafallspubinfo@gmail.com and they will send you log-in information and details on how to participate.

Today we salute David, Jacinta and the entire Bala Falls Pub team for their hard work and dedication to community. It is wonderful see local businesses that are stepping up to support others and helping everyone get through these tough times. Way to go guys!!   

Visit the Bala Falls Pub Facebook Page


If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.

• And Remember • #StayHome #StayHealthy #StayComfy

MBW ShoutOuts – Week 6 Round-Up

MBW ShoutOuts – Week 6 Round-Up


In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community.

We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.


Featured this week…

The Pedicure Room, Bracebridge
Website:
www.thepedicureroom.ca

“Relax. Refresh. Rejuvenate.”

Perfectly situated in the heart of downtown Bracebridge, The Pedicure Room has been helping their patrons relax, refresh and rejuvenate since 2015. Owned and operated by Jennifer Oakes, the Pedicure Room offers a wide range of spa services that include manicures, pedicures, massages, sugaring, waxing, tinting, facials, microdermabrasion and more.

And like all spas, salons and hands-on services, The Pedicure Room has had to adapt to the ongoing pandemic and modify their services as to continue to reach and support their clientele. Specifically, this has involved them offering gift certificates and their spa products on-line through their website as well as offering both curbside pick-up and home delivery.

While the at-home products are certainly no replacement for the exceptional customer service and rejuvenating experience of going to the Pedicure Room in-person, it is a perfect example of how much Jennifer and her team care about the community. We want to acknowledge that hard work and thank Jennifer and her team for their dedication to supporting community. Thank you for all you do!

Visit The Pedicure Room Facebook Page


Canada Post Postal Office, Bracebridge
Website:
www.canadapost.ca

“Driven by innovation in the marketplace, excellence in customer service, and integrity and respect in our actions.”

We want to take this chance to give a HUGE, and we mean HUUUUUGE, Bear Wear Shout Out to Janet and her incredible team at the Canada Post Postal Office in downtown Bracebridge. Not only are they fantastic to work with on a regular basis year-round, but during the extra stressful COVID-19 pandemic, they have been stepping up to manage the influx of on-line orders and shipping with grace and poise.

Many businesses have turned to on-line sales through the pandemic and without the dedication put in by our local Canada Post – and those working across the country – we would not be able to continue sending out our comfy, cozy Bear Wear line to families nation-wide.

Thank you to Janet and her team for all they do to support our community. We are extremely grateful. Please join us in saluting Canada Post in today’s #MBWShoutOut.

Visit the Canada Post Facebook Page


The Nutty Chocolatier, Huntsville
Website: www.thenuttychocolatier.com

“Home of chocolate dreams and jelly beans!”

Those familiar with the expression “Like being a kid in a candy store” must have been talking about The Nutty Chocolatier in Huntsville because for anyone who has visited their store, you understand the true meaning of BLISS. The Nutty Chocolatier is one of Ontario’s finest retailers of hand-crafted chocolates, sugar-free chocolates, novelties, candy, fudge, imported and domestic candy, gift baskets, corporate gift items, and so much more.

Despite these challenging times, The Nutty Chocolatier has continued to inspire joy and delight throughout the community, by offering curbside pick-up, local delivery and shipping. So whether you just needed a quick fix of that special something, or you were putting together a large basket to spoil mom for Mother’s Day, or you’re stocking up the pantry for your munchy fix, The Nutty Chocolatier has always got you covered. We are proud to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to the community and hope you’ll show them some love the next time your sweet tooth is calling.

Visit the Nutty Chocolatier Facebook Page


Be sure to check out our Muskoka Dogs Blog that also just went up today!


If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.

• Remember • #StayHome #StayHealthy #StayComfy !