CALL THE SHOTS

Now that temperatures have dropped, bring the games indoors and play whenever you want, with whomever you want, in the comfort of your own home. Made in North America, Olhausen billiard tables offer quality craftsmanship, incomparable durability and great looks. You’ll get to spend quality time with your family and friends too. purewaterpool.com

ON PACE WITH ELEGANCE
Elegant and sleek, the Longines Conquest Classic is both resolutely feminine and boldly contemporary. Designed to set the pace of the modern woman’s day, it will delight those who masterfully weave together the many facets of their lives. monacogroup.ca

BRING ON THE WARMTH
When it’s chilly outdoors, treat yourself to the comfort, convenience and luxury of warm towels and bathrobes. A stylish addition on to any bathroom, pool or laundry room, an Amba heated towel rack will keep towels and bathrobes fresh and dry, reduce dampness, mildew and frequent washing machine loads. In the winter, a heated towel rack can also be used to dry mittens, gloves, jackets and hats. Popular in Europe for decades, heated towel racks are very energy efficient and use much less energy than a standard clothes dryer. Amba makes more than 150 heated towel rack models in both mounted and free-standing profiles, with various finishes including brushed stainless steel, oil rubbed bronze, polished nickel and more. www.ambaproducts.com

HOT READS
Ottawa is full of fascinating stories and talented writers who tell them. These two books, Ottawa Cooks: Signature Recipes from the Finest Chefs of Canada’s Capital Region and Ottawa Rewind: Curios and Mysteries serve up plenty of food for thought. Since award-winning food writer Anne DesBrisay’s Ottawa Cooks book was featured in Caroline Wissing’s Sharing Menu story, why not have a copy of your own to use and enjoy? It’s available at Indigo, via Amazon and through capitaldining.ca. Andrew King has long been acclaimed for his art and cartoons, and if you follow him on Twitter, @twitandrewking, you know he loves a good mystery too. That’s why, since 2013 at ott awarewind.com, he’s been exploring local history and uncovering tales of the past. Now those stories are in book format. Ottawa Rewind: Curios and Mysteries makes a perfect gift. It’s available at bookstores, at ottawapressandpublishing.com and at ottawarewind.com.

EVOLUTION OF TEQUILA
No longer restricted to fruity summer cocktails, premium tequila is the ideal spirit for the winter season. One tequila to try is Siempre Tequila Anejo, a smooth, ultra-premium aged tequila that’s aged up to 24 months in ex-bourbon casks. With its warm amber colour and complex notes of chocolate, toffee, salted caramel, black peppercorn, honey and vanilla, enlivened by hint of spice and underpinned by roasted agave, it’s the winter drink of choice for the tequila connoisseur. Based in Ontario, the award-winning company of Siempre Tequila was co-founded by Monica Sanita and Ottawa-born Alexandre Lacroix. Each bottle of Siempre Tequila Anejo comes with a 18k gold dipped rose and a gift box. Available in LCBO stores throughout Ontario. www.siempretequila.com

PASSION FOR FLORALS
This painting by CTV host Leanne Cusack is one of the local artworks featured at the beautiful 2019 Minto Dream Home. While you’ll have to buy CHEO Dream Of A Lifetime lottery tickets for a chance to own this particular piece, there are other striking works by Leanne that are available for purchase. Her vivid canvases have been described as “joyous” and many are floral landscapes that will add fresh style to any space. leannecusack.com

GET FIT WITH BAOLA
Exercise balls are great for workouts, improving core stability, posture and ab muscles. They’re even popular for active seating, promoting spinal health when used as a chair. They haven’t, however, been known for their beauty. Until now. Created by Swiss entrepreneur Pierre-Emmanuel Boiton and crafted in Europe using artisanal Italian fabrics, the new Baola fitness ball is the result of a collaboration with leading artists. When not in use, each Baola luxury Swiss ball adds a unique design element to any room. The newest editions include designs by Brooklyn-based artist Marleigh Culver, known for her abstract work featuring plant and nature motifs. www.baola.co 

FUNCTIONAL POTTERY
Serve special treats with unmistakable style using distinctive, functional pottery by Jane Snider. With these lovely pieces, it’s easy to imagine presenting crème brûlée or warm, individual molten chocolate cakes as guests sit by the fireplace to enjoy dessert. The colourful ramekins and lovely handled serving tray look as good empty as they do full of treats. The bonus is that the creator is a local resident. Jane works from a home studio in Ottawa and you can find her works at the upcoming Signatures Originals Christmas Craft Sale, slated for December 5 to 15 at the EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive. The uniquely Canadian handmade marketplace will feature the works of over 180 artists, artisans, makers, and designers. signatures.ca/originals