MID-SUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Summer is not quite over yet and there are still plenty of picnics to go to, BBQs to throw and pools to hit before fall starts. But for those of us who like to think ahead, we've put together some ideas in Get Dressed for heading Back to Cool. That's right, cool weather threads for mom and dad and essentials for little ones at daycare and preschool. As always, in our Nesting section we feature some must-have items for the home, the backyard and the bookshelf while in Food we share a yummy pistachio-herb pesto topping sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters (and certainly your grown-up guests). And because it's never too late to plan a last-minute Getaway, here we review a delightful villa for rent in Punta Cana, Mexico. And finally, we Test Drive the 2010 Honda Odyssey. Don't forget to sign up for our email newsletter, delivered directly to your Inbox. And to win great prizes every month, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter. VANCOUVER TICKET GIVEAWAY - BARD ON THE BEACH For our Vancouver fans, this month we're giving away a pair of tickets to the August 21st show of Antony and Cleopatra at Bard on the Beach. Just Like us on Facebook and post a comment on our wall with your favorite Shakespeare quote. A winner will be selected when we reach 100 Likes so tell your friends to enter!

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Casa Kalika

Set within the exclusive gated community at Four Seasons Punta Mita in Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Casa Kalika is a sexy and airy private villa that oozes in laid back comfort and sophistication thanks to impeccably designed interiors and a staff that caters to guests’ every whim.

Stress and the outside world melt away the moment I step through the giant wooden doors that lead inside Casa Kalika. Located on the ninth fairway of a Jack Nicklaus golf course, the villa was appropriately named Kalika, which means “golf course” in the owner’s native tongue of Basque. But a typical and stuffy golf club house this is not.

Indeed, Casa Kalika is quite possibly the most exotic yet easy-breezy villa you’ll find this side of the Pacific Ocean. Inspired by the typical architecture of Bali, the 10,000 square foot villa is decorated with artwork and accent pieces acquired by the owners during vacations around the world, including Bali and the Seychelles Islands. Paintings and art by Mexican artists also grace the walls of each bedroom and selected spaces. Some of the most interesting furnishings in the house, however, were custom made using local materials like stone, recycled glass and wood.

But the real focus at the villa is the jaw-dropping views of the tranquil waters of Banderas Bay: you see it from the infinity pool as you gaze past the golf course, as you wake from a siesta in a hammock under a palm tree, and from the five spacious and uniquely decorated bedrooms where walls are completely retractable to let in ocean breezes.

Days at the casa are spent in the shaded daybed on the deck, taking in the sunset from the rooftop terrace or reading a book in a comfy chaise while the tranquil flow of water drips down the stone waterwall. If a stay at Casa Kalika doesn’t get you closer to nirvana, nothing will.

{ Odyssey }

2010 HONDA ODYSSEY

Think a minivan can't be fun to drive? Think again. The Honday Odyssey is nimble, comes loaded with features, can fit your entire family or possee (if you roll seven deep, that is) and has plenty of room left over for cargo. Buyers are attracted to the Odyssey not necessarily for its design--indeed this model doesn't particularly strike any new ground when it comes to styling--but for its practicality. Unlike other recent Honda models that flaunt their chunky front and back, the Odyssey's look has remained relatively conservative. But what this minivan misses on flashy design, it more than makes up for in other areas, particularly in its clever use of interior space.

Interior The cabin comes furnished with everything you'd want to keep the family busy, including a DVD entertainment system and 115-volt power outlet (Gameboy anyone?). It also has three-zone climate control, alloy wheels, power doors and power driver's seat. It's worth splurging for extra features like power doors, rear-seating entertainment and the leather interior (a must for wiping off sticky spills and messes).

What sets the Odyssey apart from other minivans is its firm suspension, high chassis rigidity and precise steering that make for comfortable, smooth ride. The minivan's punch comes courtesy of ample 3.5-liter V-6 and it also features a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation system that shuts off two or three cylinders when they're not needed and thus saves fuel.

There's plenty of room for the kids and if there's only four of you, the third-row seat folds flat into the floor in a 60/40 split to provide more than enough space for the family's camping equipment, a cooler, golf clubs and the pooch.

Safety Active head restraints in the front seats, stability control, ABS with panic assist as well as front side and curtain airbags come standard.

PROS: Integrated window shades. Large sliding doors are great for quick and easy entry and exit, particularly when reaching in to attach a baby into the carseat or helping a toddler into a booster seat. Easy loading thanks to a low and level cargo floor.

CONS: No daytime running lights. Somewhat dated interior. Elevated road noise even at low speeds.