Hello North Star

06/03/2026

Meet the lovely Michelle - a brave, colourful soul who aspired to upping sticks and leaving behind the city's noise and her life in Hamilton, Ontario.

Our gears set to 'new life', we charted a path to find Michelle (and her 20 year old kitty!) a new home. With one choice Colin's and one choice Justin's, and a third house, a wild card, a home that Michelle had spotted on line, we set to work.

So, will our new gal pal with the pink hair find the home of her dreams? And, if so, will it be Mr M's pick, or Mr R's pick. Or perhaps that cooky lil' third choice which had been lingering on line...

Three great homes, each billed at a THIRD of the price points in Hamilton. And no city issues, convenient access to the ocean and SO much more...

Find out tonight (at 8/7 central) when Small Town Escapes with Colin and Justin airs on HGTV Rogers Citytv

C+J xx

06/02/2026

SUMMER COVER REVEAL!

And, just like that, the summer edition of Kabin: Escape with Colin and Justin has gone to the printers. Each and every ad' space is occupied: our gratitude to all advertisers (new and recurring) who invested in, and trust, the Kabin message.

Thanks also to our publishing partners Amanda and Geoff for their tireless efforts, and gratitude to Deanne and Christian whose creativity helps bring this publication to life. Props, also, to our editorial team, and to YOU, our loyal readers.

The jam packed issue will be available wherever you pick up your magazines in the next two weeks, and for those beyond our areas of distribution, you can scope all issues, past and present, via the title's digital companion - www.kabinmagazine.ca

Additionally, if you'd like to have Kabin mailed directly to your door, the website tells you exactly how to make that happen. Subscriptions are indeed LIVE!

Gratefully,

Colin and Justin xx

05/27/2026

Wait... what... episode 4? ALREADY?

Tonight on 'Small Town Escapes with Colin and Justin' - meet Pete and Shelby who're DETERMINED to move to Cape Breton.
Pete dreams of having a garage, their son Maverick wants a pool, and Shelby aspires to a home with a big Christmas tree window. Can we tick all their boxes? Hmm?

Colin’s Pick - a new build in Mira Gut
Justin’s Pick - a bungaloid in Westmount
Our Combo Pick - a split level bungaloid in Dominion

In our meet the neighbours segments we do a spot of heavy petting at Two Rivers Wildlife Park, and we hit the Dominion Boardwalk to build stone sculptures. But wait: Maverick is nervous cos he is TERRIFIED of fellyjish...

And we go bumper to bumper with The North Side Boys (an antique car club) where Shelby breaks down in tears cos she's overwhelmed by how 'on the money' this all is for her hubby. Bring your Kleenex, Barbara. The whole feckin' box.

The attached pic explains where to catch our show. If you're in Cape Breton you can watch on Rogers Seaside HGTV Ch 298
HAUD. WUR. HEELS.

Feel free to share the lurve across the interwebs...

C+J xx

P dot S - you can catch up on previously aired eps, streaming on Citytv+

05/23/2026

In less than 2 weeks, North Star will reopen for summer/fall 2026!

From June 6th, BOTH our restaurants (Coast for brekky, lunch, all day snacks, desserts and coffee) and The Bothy (for dinner) will up and running.

In previous years, we opened restaurant reservations at the same time, but this year, we're taking reservations from TODAY! To book a spot, or reserve your favourite table, call Mrs M on 902 733 2080 or email [email protected]

When we post our 2026 menus, you'll see most of your favourite dishes return, plus a selection of new options to sate your hungry palettes. Here's to 2026 - we'll see you at North Star. Cheers!

Visit our website: www.hellonorthstar.ca

05/20/2026

Having 'been there, done that and bought the T shirt' (and, lol, the hotel - North Star) we're well versed when it comes to small town living. That's why it made ALL the sense to take tonight's home searchers to Louisbourg and show them the ropes. Hey - we had SO much fun we pitched a tent. Literally.

Tune in to tonight's search (Rogers HGTV 8pm ET/PT or stream it on Citytv) to see us 'camper' than ever...

https://www.facebook.com/reel/946998101671139

05/13/2026

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!

It's week 2 of our MEGA contest in tandem with IKEA We have TWO gift cards worth $1,500 each to win, so THREE THOUSAND BUCKS of prizing in total!

Here's how to enter: watch tonight's ep' of 'Small Town Escapes with Colin and Justin' (8pm ET/PT 9pm in The Maritimes on HGTV Rogers Citytv) and tell us which home our buyers Matt and Michael select. Is it A: Justin's Pick? B: Colin's Pick? Or C: the wild card suggested by Matt's brother.

Then (if you don't already) follow this page, tag and share the contest with a pal, and leave your answer in the comments stream below. SIMPLES!

We'll combine all entrants from both weeks and TWO winners will be chosen by random selection.

For clarity - here's an example of how your posted answer should look: "Matt and Michael chose; ###'s Pick".

You can enter AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE (across Instagram and Facebook) to up your chances!

GOOD LUCK!

05/09/2026

Get 'em before they're gone!

05/08/2026

WE ARE LIVE!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/north-star-summer-2026-opening-gala-evening-at-the-bothy-tickets-1989114108845?lid=9bm1123ptcvy&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=ebml&utm_campaign=clpo_ceex_lcm_fad_mec_mc_mum_0_0_eventpublished&utm_term=Variant+1_EventPublishedSubPaid_HeroSummary_other+feature+usage&utm_content=d83bc845-0544-4274-a9dd-e152eac1a1f7__69fe38496464dd18837fe70eabc71259__d9331cef-7c6c-4b09-a2dc-9bbb8baf82e5&fbclid=IwY2xjawRrGyJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwRUlEdWtJdXVZY0c5VjNCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjRSyrUlstV2Zm7p4B2c5RiYRgIFQJF312nHAqj2IhOpVhUqvvhP3MS3b_Ei_aem__p-6rrZIaoQi5mPD1KVVdw

05/08/2026

https://viewthevibe.com/colin-and-justin-small-town-escapes-slower-way-of-life-hgtv-series-interview/

Ahead of the premiere of Small Town Escapes, the beloved designer duo open up about burnout, balance, community, and why more people are rethinking life beyond the city.

02/02/2026

And now for something COMPLETELY different - not least the faux fur coats and Toronto Maple Leafs garb...

Inspired by the wondrous DiTrani Chalet in Thornbury, and a healthy dose of
Heated Rivalry (Crave) we composed a room set for today's The Good Stuff with Mary Berg Cue winter chalets, and multiple cosy layers.

All furniture, floor lights and ceiling fixtures from Casalife
Rugs from IKEA
Fireplace and 'fake it till you make it' chimney from Canadian Tire
Vintage ski wear and shadow box artwork courtesy of the DiTrani archive...
'Makey do' - vases, all from Value Village Deftly lavished with white paint...

Today's caveats... actually no - we can't be bothered. We're sure those key tappers will have a field day...

Design Duo, Colin & Justin, share their savvy tips on how to create a cozy ski-chalet vibe in your living room including how to personalize your space and bu...