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Manning Fine Jewellery G O L D S M IT H & D IA M O N D M E R C H A N T · Walkways Driveways Interlocking Flagstone Expose Aggregate Pattern Concrete Concrete, Curbs ^ g g jp P i« · Reliable Service masterconcretc.ca Managing Editor: Rod Jerred Phone: 905-337-5559 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: rjerred@haitonsearch.com fr o m a c ro s s N o rth A m e ric a By Liz Campbell S P E C IA L T O T H E B E A V E R When Oakville resident Laura Paladino was getting married, she found she had to drive down the highway to Toronto to find just the right invitations and favours for her wedding. She decided then that she would do something about it. She and her husband Andrew Kicak started with a Web site, www.laurapaladino.com where they featured truly unique invita tions and stationery. This later expanded to beautiful gifts and favours, bomboniere, and more. They knew they had some thing different, but even they were surprised at the response they got. "It has been overwhelming," says Paladino, a trained interior designer with an eye for the unusual. "We get orders from all over North America. Things like the Molly West line of guest books just fly out the door. Even Oprah is in love with them and keeps talking about them." Paladino and Kicak recently Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver opened a boutique in Bronte. In it, they wanted to create a warm, comfortable atmosphere where frazzled brides could relax in overstuffed armchairs over coffee or Perrier, and find exactly the right look for their wedding. "The invitation is the first thing the guests see, and it sets the tone for the wedding," says Paladino. "And every bride wants it to be just right. We offer hundreds of custom options so they can create exactly the look they want." Paladino herself sits down and consults with each bride so she can get a feel for what they are trying to Achieve. With her knowledge arid tasteful approach, she can help them achieve it. These days, she says, couples are moving away from stuffy tra ditional invitations and are look ing for distinctive, trendy lines so they can make a real statement from the outset. Paladino will often custom order items for brides that can't be found anywhere else. One nice additional feature Paladino offers is that a bride can send family or friends who are far away to the Web site to get their opinion about an invitation or guest book or gift. It makes it pos sible to share the experience of shopping even though they may be at a distance. The new store, Laura Paladino Gift Boutique and Invitation Studio, offers more than invita tions. A striking line of gifts, espe cially some exceptional silver favours, are also available in store. Candles, frames, salt and pepper shakers, card holders, can delabra, vases and more can all be found here; most brides love the opportunity to browse and get ideas. The guest books alone make a visit worth the trip. Paladino likes to say it's one-stop shopping, and more importantly, she adds, it's right here in Oakville. Laura Paladino Gift Boutique and Invitation Studio is located at 119 Jones St., 905-469-9520. The boutique is open Wed. to Fri. from 12-8, Sat. 11-6, and Sunday 1 - 5. Or shop online at www.laurapaladino.com. Laura Paladino and her husband Andrew Kicak have opened a new store, Laura Paladino Gift Boutique and Invitation Studio, in Bronte, a shop that offers a striking line of gifts as well as invitations. 4 6 7 SPEERS ROAD T H E T A X A D V IS O R Y Providing Personal And Corporate Incom e Tax Preparation Services To Com panies And Individuals Since 1962 RECIPIENT OF THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 2 0 0 3 READERS' SELECTION AWARDS FIRST PLACE DIAMOND AWARD In The Category Of Tax Preparation Services SECOND PLACE PLATINUM AWARD In The Category Of Accounting Services 905-845-9180 MILLER REAL ESTATE LTD MASTER AWARD WINNERS M a ry O 'Brien MSW, Sales Representative w w w.m aryo.ca maryobrienc21 @cogeco.ca C h eryl K o p k o RN, Sales Representative cherylkopko.realtor.com ckopko@ cogeco.ca FAINFIjIS IIC VALUE IN WEST O A K ¥iilEI ' Great fam ily hom e on quiet crescent. Centre hall plan. M ain floor fam ily room and laundry. 4 spacious bedroom s-3 w ith new hardwood. D ouble garage. M any upgrades including newer roof, w indow s + furnace. Pride of ownership abounds! C all M ary to view . m m m x m m 's © m ig h t ? $ 399,900 . Fabulous M attam y Carlisle. Prem ium ravine-like setting in sought-after G len A bbey. A pprox. 2800 sq. ft. Beautiful large kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths. Finished low er level w ith rec room, office + 2 pc. Pride of ownership abounds! C all M ary to view . C O M M IT T E D TO R E D U C IN G T H E T H A T Y O U PAY IN C O M E T A X E S