People around the GTA will be dimming their lights Saturday night to join millions around the world in observing Earth Hour.

Organized annually by the World Wildlife Fund, the global events asks people to dim their lights and cut back on their energy usage for an hour on Saturday, March 29 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This year, WWF-Canada is asking people to use the occasion to reflect on their environmental choices by using the hash tag, #momentofdarkness on social media.

So far the campaign has garnered contributions from high-profile Canadians such as Jason Priestley, William Shatner, Chris Hadfield, Roberta Bondar and Jill Barber, with the celebrities offering their own reflections in video messages posted to a dedicated website.

Those venturing out Saturday night can still participate, with a number of events taking place around the city to mark the global event.

A free outdoor concert hosted by WWF-Canada, the Riverside BIA and Ralph Thornton Centre will be held at Queen Street East and Saulter Street at 7:45 p.m. It will feature performances by the GLO Show Choir and the Lucas Stagg Band. Free hot chocolate will be provided for those who bring a reusable mug.

Mill St. Brewery is also holding “Lights Out for Mill Street,” a series of candle-lit concerts taking place at over 60 venues around the city. The events will feature live acoustic entertainment, with 50 cents from every pint of Mill Street going to Earth Day Canada.

Firefighters urge caution

As always, officials are urging people to use caution when turning out the lights for Earth Hour.

Toronto Fire Services is recommending that people not use candles during Earth Hour as there has been an increase in the number of candle fires seen in recent years. Instead, firefighters advise using battery-powered flashlights.

If candles must be used however, firefighters recommend doing the following to stay safe:

• Always stay in the room where candles are lit

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room

• Avoid using candles in bedrooms

• Keep candles at least one metre away from anything that can burn

• Keep candles, matches and lighters hidden and out of the reach of children

• Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip or burn and consider using a candle holder that encloses the flame in a glass shade or chimney

• Extinguish candles when they burn to within five centimetres (two inches) of their holder

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home

• Prepare and practise your home fire escape plan.

Not a natural optimist? Use these simple exercises to train your brain to more easily pick out the positive.

You know how when you play Tetris for awhile, even after you stop, you can still see those little falling blocks in your mind's eye?

The persistence of Tetris isn't simply an annoying effect of a cleverly designed game, according to scientists. Instead it's a reflection of something deeply positive about our brains--their plasticity.

That's a according to a recent post by iDoneThis founder Walter Chen on productivity blog buffer. He cites studies on Tetris (yes, there is such a thing, and yes, this is going somewhere helpful to non-video game addicted entrepreneurs), which found that playing the game for a few hours a week over a period of months, actually changed the brains of players.

"Every time you reactivate a circuit, synaptic efficiency increases, and connections become more durable and easier to reactivate," Chen writes, before summarizing the importance of the findings: "Whenever you do specific tasks over and over again, they take up less of your brain power over time."

Learning Positivity

That's probably not a shock to anyone who has learned to play the piano, speak a foreign language or even hit a tennis ball roughly where you want it to go. So what's the big deal? This same brain plasticity allows you to master simple skills or sports, also allows you to train yourself to be more positive.

Chen quotes Shawn Achor, the author of The Happiness Advantage who has previously spoken about his work on the brain and happiness to Inc. Just like we can train our brains to more easily recognize the patterns of Tetris, “we can retrain the brain to scan for the good things in life—to help us see more possibility, to feel more energy, and to succeed at higher levels,” Achor says, dubbing this ability "the positive Tetris effect."

Happiness Homework

So how do you do this?  Chen offers four very simple interventions that can, over time, actually rewire your brain to see things more positively:

• Scan for the 3 daily positives. At the end of each day, make a list of three specific good things that happened that day and reflect on what caused them to happen. The good things could be anything — bumping into an old friend, a positive remark from someone at work, a pretty sunset. Celebrating small wins also has a proven effect of powering motivation and igniting joy. As you record your good things daily, the better you will get and feel.
• Give one shout-out to someone (daily). I love this technique. Take the positive things you’re getting better at recognizing and let people know you’ve noticed. Take a minute to say thanks or recognize someone for their efforts, from friends and family to people at work. A great way to go about this is by sending 1 daily email to someone. It can be your old school teacher, whose advice you are now appreciating every day. A co-worker or someone you’ve only met. Show courage and say thanks.
• Do something nice. Acts of kindness boost happiness levels. Something as small and simple as making someone smile works. Pausing to do something thoughtful has the power to get you out of that negativity loop. Do something nice that is small and concrete like buying someone a coffee.
• Mind your mind.  Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Opening our awareness beyond the narrowness of negativity can help bring back more balance and positivity into the picture.

Real estate agent David Fleming recently rushed a client off to see a unit in the Vinegar Lofts on River Street.

The 38-unit building is a sought-after hard loft conversion, so Mr. Fleming knew the unit would be popular even with a $700,000 asking price.

Still, when the client decided to make an offer the same day, Mr. Fleming was surprised to find that another buyer had already beaten him to it.

“Man, who would have thought a few months ago that we would be back to that,” he says of the quick pace in the condo market.

In another recent example, Mr. Fleming helped a young buyer compete with two others to purchase a cool starter condo in the King West neighbourhood. The client paid $305,000 for a unit listed at $299,000.

“It was perfect for a first-time buyer. We made an offer the next day and the agent said there were two other offers.”

He adds that he’s never had this many active condo buyers before. He also notices that twentysomethings are finishing school, working for a year and diligently saving their for a downpayment. “They’re saying: ‘I’ve got my 5 per cent – I’m ready. My condo buyers are getting younger and younger.”

He figures that the younger generation wants to get out from under their parents’ roof.

In the market for single-family houses, meanwhile, Mr. Fleming was disappointed this week to see that the rush of new listings that agents were expecting after March break hasn’t really materialized yet. “You’re at the mercy of the new listings.”

Bidding contests are still common in downtown neighbourhoods in particular.

“This is the hottest market I’ve ever worked in for single-family homes,” he says of the past two months.

Mr. Fleming recently listed a property that consisted of two semi-detached houses set on a busy street between a gas station and a corner store. “In other words, it was a very, very difficult sell.”

The property had been listed and relisted 11 times by other agents over a six-month period in 2013. Mr. Fleming took on the listing and set an asking price of $599,000. Three buyers stepped up and it sold for $625,000.

In some cases, the eye-popping amounts that some home buyers are flinging around in order to win bidding wars in Toronto these days lead to an inevitable question.

“I wonder what it will get appraised for,” speculate the real estate agents who keep an eye on the action.

In other words, a bidder who pays $150,000 above an asking price of, say, $700,000 or $800,000 better hope that an appraiser won’t balk at the selling price if the buyer hopes to have a mortgage and mortgage insurance.

Mr. Fleming says bidders who are tempted to overpay in their desperation to obtain a house can run into difficulty if the property appraiser estimates that the house is worth far less. He says deals don’t often fall through but buyers should be aware of the pitfalls. “I think it very rarely happens. But if you don’t have the minimum required, you end up having to go to the bank of mom and dad.”

It’s a particular worry for people who need a high-ratio mortgage, says Mr. Fleming. Such buyers require mortgage insurance. If they make a deal at $750,000, for example, and the appraised value is $700,000, the buyer has to make up the difference in order to get their financing approved.

Mr. Fleming recommends that buyers check with a mortgage broker before they get caught up in making a bid that may end up above market value. A mortgage broker will be able to check with lenders and insurers ahead of time. “This is something that not a lot of buyers know about.”

Joe Sammut, a broker with Mortgage Architects, says he sometimes runs through a “mock offer” to see how the numbers work out. He will also recommend that buyers hire their own appraiser before they go in firm with a bid. “If a buyer has only 5 per cent, it’s too risky to just do desk appraisals.”

Mr. Sammut also urges potential buyers to work with an agent who will stop them from paying too much. He stresses that buyers must be sure they don’t caught up in the stress of a bidding war and go beyond their budget.

“You can’t. You need to go in there with a system and a strategy. It cannot be emotional.”

Consumers facing record housing prices are probably increasingly tempted to go with a floating rate mortgage and all the risks that come with an interest rate linked to prime.

The lure is right in your face on every mortgage rate comparison site. The five-year fixed-rate mortgage has dropped as low as 3.09% with discounters and the major banks aren’t too far off that rate, most of them offering special deals. All this comes as yields in the bond market have dropped, sending fixed rates down.

Floating rate mortgages are as low as 2.35% with the discount off the prime lending rate 65 basis points. Better yet, it has never been easier to get a variable rate mortgage since the government changed the rules in April 2010 so anyone applying for a variable rate can qualify based on the five-year posted rate.

The qualifying rate is based on an average of the six big banks’ posted rate for a five-year closed mortgage. Declining bond yields have lowered that qualifying rate to 4.99%.

The decline may not sound like much but Rob McLister, editor of Canadian Mortgage Trends, says it means a consumer with a $300,000 home and 5% down needs 2% less income than they did just a few months ago.

Ottawa changed the rules about four years ago to tilt the playing field in favour of locking in your mortgage. When you lock in your mortgage for a term of five years or longer, you are able to use the rate on your contract for determining how much you can borrow. Go variable and you must use qualifying rate which is still almost 50% higher.

“There has been talk of changing it, speculation that the [Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions] will mandate the banks use the qualifying rate for five years terms and longer,” said Mr. McLister, noting nothing has happened yet.

The federal government tends to like the idea of consumers locking in their mortgages because it offers protection from a sudden jolt in the prime rate — even as the Bank of Canada looks poised to go a record five years without moving its overnight lending rate.

Consumers are probably lured more by deals than anything else and the past year saw well-advertised rate wars over five-year fixed rate mortgages with the rate dropping to 2.99% for the term.

The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals said in a recent study that 82% of purchasers in 2013 went with a fixed rate product. The tide clearly turned last year because CAAMP says 67% of  consumers with a mortgage are in fixed. The percentages are climbing for locking in.

Mr. McLister says the general rule is when the gap between the five-year fixed and variables reaches 100 basis points or one percentage point, people start to shift to a floating rate.

We don’t know what a good interest rate is anymore, we really don’t

“You’re talking about somebody who lent money at 21%,” said Laura Parsons, a Calgary-based mortgage specialist with Bank of Montreal, about the difference in rates. “We don’t know what a good interest rate is anymore, we really don’t.”

Ms. Parsons says fixed remains as popular as ever because the rate is still very low by historical perspectives. She suggests if you do pick a variable mortgage, take the savings compared to fixed rate and apply it to the principle.

“You set your payment higher in case the interest rate does change,” says Ms. Parsons.

There is a fair bit of money to be saved, as long as the variable rate is at 2.35%. Consider a $500,000 mortgage with a 25-year amortization.

Based on monthly payments, you pay $54,333.66 in interest over the five years of your mortgage at 2.35%. Raise that rate to 3.09% and the interest comes to $71,472.09. That savings could be pumped back into your mortgage, lowering the principle owed and further reducing interest costs.

Jim Murphy, chief executive of CAAMP, says the easier qualification and low rate might push a few people back into variable but a fixed rate of 3% is tempting to lock down.

“You look at the news and it just seems the Bank of Canada is unlikely to raise rates,” said Mr. Murphy, who doesn’t think overnight rates will go up this year or possibly next year.

“That’s a year where you can have these rates,” he says, referring to savings from a variable rate product.

With house prices still at all-time highs, it’s easy to see why consumers would be tempted by the savings.

A new year means a fresh start, and what better way to kick off 2014 than by updating the look of your home. All it takes are a few simple changes to breathe life into familiar spaces. This year’s interior design trends are all about creating dramatic impact from simplicity, because the looks are simultaneously more bold and more accessible than ever before. We’ve carefully chosen 10 of the most prominent trends for you to try. Not cheesy, not overdone, these trends are sophisticated enough to stick around for a long time to come.

1. Saturated colors
Leave gray, beige and greige in the rearview mirror in favor of deeply-saturated hues like navy and plum. In fact, navy is considered a new neutral for its ability to blend with other colors and styles. If a darker shade on the wall seems too scary, start with a piece of furniture like a sofa or sectional as your focal point and work from there.

2. Rich fabrics
Leave behind simple cottons and linens and embrace the luxurious velvet, earthy suede and even textured corduroy. These fabrics are sophisticated yet durable, and can hold up to the darker color schemes popular for 2014.

3. Modern takes on classic patterns
Floral patterns are in and always will be—just not your grandma’s florals. House Beautiful suggests taking a bold approach, mixing patterns to modernize the overall look. Shop for funky takes on classic chintz and toile to keep things fresh.

4. High style at low prices
Haute design trends have never been more affordable, thanks to retail innovations including collaborations with famous designers. Stores like Target have upped the ante by providing affordable trends to the masses while they’re still “au courant”. Now, even non-designers are totally in the know.

5. Goodbye matchy-matchy
Armed with more availability and knowledge of design trends than ever before, 2014 consumers can take bigger risks. We all know that harmonious colors don’t have to match, and the same goes for pattern finishes. Don’t be afraid to bring different colors, textures and finishes into your space. You’ll be surprised at how far you can push the boundaries and still create a cohesive look.

6. Think outside the style box
The confidence to try bold trends and mix finishes means a broader interpretation of design styles. There is no longer a need to place styles in fixed categories like “traditional”, “rustic”, “industrial” or “country.” Homes in 2014 will represent an eclectic array of stylistic influences. Picking items that speak to you individually will keep you from conforming to a rigid or overdone look.

7. Meaningful accessories
Less is more when it comes to decorative objects around the house. 2014 will leave behind kitschy, purposeless accessories. Choose objects, artwork and photos with personal significance to keep your decorative collection from getting out of hand.

8. Sculptural artwork
Branch out beyond framed prints and make your 2014 art collection stand out. Sculptural pieces add dimensionality to your walls. A range of materials and textures like felt, horn, ceramic and even macramé create unique focal points and conversation topics.

9. Natural elements
Natural materials are incorporated not just into wall art, but fabrics and furnishings, too. Cowhide is making a big appearance in the textile realm in a variety of colors and applications.

10. Light-toned wood
For many years, dark tones like mahogany and cherry dominated the wood furniture market. This year caramel and honey tones will take the spotlight. The softer look blends with any design style and keeps furnishings from feeling heavy or fussy.

In this edition of The Weekender, a midnight market, a vintage clothing fair and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.

Midnight Mrkt
For the one-year anniversary of this pop-up night market, visitors can groove to live music, sip on cocktails and browse cool items from local vendors like Crywolf Clothing, Coven and Shop Wanderlust. Bring cash for any purchases. Mar. 21. Tickets $5. 2nd Floor Events, 461 King St. W., facebook.com

Canadian Film Festival 
This celebration of Canadian film features screenings of shorts and features by homegrown talent. In addition to plenty of movies and a closing gala, there will be discussion panels for eager movie buffs. Mar. 20–Mar. 22. Tickets $12.50. The Royal Theatre, 608 College St. W., canfilmfest.ca

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show
Independent vintage sellers from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto will gather this weekend to hock one-of-a-kind pieces and retro clothing and accessories. Mar. 23. Tickets $10. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front St. W., torontovintageclothingshow.ca

The Art of Dr. Seuss
In honour of the legendary storybook author’s birthday in March, Casa Loma is displaying over 30 paintings, drawings and sculptures inspired by Dr. Seuss. The works will be for sale, too, with proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House. Until Mar. 30. Included with $24 admission. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, casaloma.org

Onegin
For five days only, catch choreographer John Cranko’s interpretation of the life of jaded aristocrat Eugene Onegin, based on the poem by Alexander Pushkin. Set to music by Tchaikovsky, it will be a fresh take on an old favourite. Mar. 19–Mar. 23. Tickets from $25. The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., national.ballet.ca

CORRECTION: This post originally gave incorrect price information for “The Art of Dr. Seuss.” The event is included with general admission to Casa Loma; it isn’t free.

Well Appointed Executive Home In One Of Markham's Most Desirable Communities. Fabulous Finished Basement In-Law Suite Complete With Granite Kitchen Counters And Stainless Steel Appliances. 4 Spacious Bedrooms With New Hardwood Floors. Huge Principal Rooms On Main Floor. Large Premium Lot. Perfect For Large/Extended Families.

Stunning One Of A Kind Smart Home Offered For The First Time. Tastefully Upgraded With The Finest Materials. Bright And Spacious Rooms. Pride Of Ownership Evident From Your Drive Up And Through Each Room. Hand Scrapped, Hard Maple Floors, Oak Stairs With "Wrought" Iron Spindles. Spa Like Ensuite Features A Jaccuzzi Tub. Speakers Throughout Home. Attention To The Finest Details.

Extras: Stainless Steel Fridge, S/S Stove, S/S Dishwasher, Washer/Dryer, Cvac With Extra Outlets, Smart Wired And Ready For Home Automation Control System, California Shutters, Garage Door Opener And Remotes, Roller Shades, All Light Fixtures.

FOR SALE: $759,000

• BASEMENT: Full and Unfinished

• PROPERTY TYPE: Free Detached

• EXTERIOR: Brick

• GARAGE: Built-In (2.0 spaces)

• HEAT TYPE: Gas Forced Air

• LOT DIMENSIONS: 12.54m x 32.66m

• FRONTING ON: S

Spacious Semi In Markham's Desirable Cornell Community. Great Layout. Bright With Ample Room For A Large Family. Home Theatre Room Differs A Great Space To Entertain On Lower Level. Main Level Has A Large Family Room Plus Separate Formal Living And Dining Space. Good Sized Bedrooms On Upper Level.

Extras: Fridge, Stove, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, All Light Fixtures, All Window Coverings

FOR SALE:  $509,000 

• BASEMENT: Full and Sep Entrance

• PROPERTY TYPE: Free Semi-Detached

• EXTERIOR: Brick

• GARAGE: Attached (1.0 spaces)

• HEAT TYPE: Gas Forced Air

• LOT DIMENSIONS: 22.75ft x 82.0ft

KEEP YOUR STYLE FRESH FOR YEARS TO COME

No matter what year it is, less is always more. The less you have crowding your shelves and tables, the better your home will look -- and the less you'll have to dust! The same goes for the layout of each room. Stick with furniture that's proportional to the room so the space doesn't look crowded.

Trendy colors change year to year and season to season, but a room always needs a bit of color to really pop. Rather than investing in an orange couch or painting the living room aquamarine, choose accessories such as throw pillows, vases and even art in bold accent shades. These are easy to swap out every season or the next year.

As chic as that angular chair with a bucket seat looks in the magazine, don't buy something on which you can't comfortably sit. The same goes for glass coffee tables (too much potential for breakage) and shelves with no space. Buy home decor items that are meant to be used, not just admired from afar.

Like function, comfort is an important factor when buying furniture. It's not timeless if you have to replace your couch because you just can never relax on it. Buy something that looks good and also feels good.

Just because you have shelves doesn't mean they all need to be overflowing, and just because you have walls doesn't mean every square inch should be covered with a painting or photo. Choose art and accessories wisely: Shop less often for unique and high-quality items instead of over-buying just for the sake of putting something (anything) on your walls.

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If you need to buy window coverings, choose window treatments that let in the most light. Where there is minimal natural light, invest in high-quality lighting options that give your space a natural-looking glow.

When it comes to home decor, it's often better to splurge on something that will stand the test of time rather than something trendy, yet poorly made. You'll end up spending the same amount on several low-cost, low-quality items versus one well-made piece. Again, shop wisely.

Shades like caramel, plum and ochre are all timeless because they warm up your space. Whether you paint a room in a warm tone or stock up on accents in those shades, your home will look chic and cozy, regardless of the latest trends.

In fashion and in home decor, gray is a shade that isn't going away. From softer tones to slate to gray with hints of blue, this timeless color looks good anywhere -- including on counter tops, walls and accessories.

An organized house is a happy house. Having smart storage solutions never goes out of style and will ensure your home is always in order. From wrought iron hooks to classic bookshelves, you can easily make storage part of your design aesthetic.

Easy updates for any home

Not every piece within your home must fall within the "timeless" category. In fact, following the latest trends will keep your decor fresh and fun. To have your cake -- and eat it too -- go trendy with items that can easily be exchanged from season to season. Feature the latest fabric prints on throw pillows, or highlight the hottest color palette by painting an accent wall. As the trends come and go, you can easily update these items without requiring a complete makeover.