In the online world faces always help.  So who am I?

I am a life long Lake Muskoka cottager who has been extending what’s known as ‘cottage season’ since I had my drivers license! Always the business lady, even when I had a job where I had to go to an office downtown, one could find me on Hwy 400 in the wee hours of the night commuting back and forth to max out my beloved ‘dock time.’  When I had the opportunity to create my own schedule it came as no surprise that my “summer office” was actually my family cottage.  You can read all about my professional background here but the minute I flew my parental nest at 18 years old, to go live in Switzerland none the less, Muskoka officially became the place I called home and in the 22 years since,  it’s never felt more like my home and I’m so excited to finally be able to officially say it is.  I’m not even sure all my friends have figured out I crossed the divide from “cottager” to “resident” this summer but I know they won’t be surprised to hear the news; thus far the reaction has been predominately “you should have done that 10 years ago!”

Gorgeous right?!   For those who were lucky enough to grow up everyday in such a great and majestic place and those who have gone before me in making this transition, I know I’m late to the party.  Yet, at the same time I feel like I’m early on the train. Whether it’s the lack of traffic nuisance, major updates to both technology and transit in the area, a healthy change in lifestyle or escaping the ever mounting cost of real estate to the South,  I truly believe more and more people in a similar boat to me (ie not retirees) will follow in the years to come.

Why do I bring these factors up?  Because I’m so excited to share all the incredible things that go on up here 3-6-5.  The ship of Muskoka being a summer-only place to be has sailed, especially if you’re not a retiree.   I’ve now been an official resident for 5 months and I can’t tell you how many amazing things are going on and people I’m meeting; I’m truly BLOWN away.   Follow me on Instagram here and here (and yes both feeds are different) and see for yourself first hand.

While the cottagers will check out for the 2016 season this weekend, I’m checking in – as both a cottager and a resident.   I’ve never been so engaged, so inspired or so over-programmed in my life.  This blog is my way of sharing all that coolness with you.  You’re bound to meet people you should absolutely know.  You will also be looped in on real estate related topics like the Muskoka market and property makeovers of one kind or another, as well as furniture and decor, because it’s what I actually do.  However, I want to be very clear that the sole reason that I’m forcing myself to blog regularly ( which I HATE doing in the first place) is to document my journey and show everyone what a wonderful place Muskoka is for the young and old, all year around. While National Geographic ranked Muskoka as one of the 20 best trips in the world in 2012, I think it’s one of the top 20 places to live in the world whether the deciding factor is for work, family or lifestyle.

• If you have no idea where Muskoka is, I look forward to changing that.

• If you are a cottager who just can’t be here all year long, I look forward to being the source that connects you constantly.

• If you are coming to Muskoka and are looking for cool things to do, my sense of adventure drives my husband a bit nuts so I’m sure you’ll find a whole lot to do in no time!

• If you have no idea you could exist outside of a city, or “the” city, I look forward to proving you wrong.

• If you too are looking for a new place to call home, now or in the future, I look forward to welcoming you to the party.

My intention is to communicate regularly but you know how life goes.  Next time though, I’ll definitely share my first Muskoka quandary,  which was what Muskoka town to call home.

More soon …

~ Kelly