2.11.07

Press - Cabbagetown Newsletter November 2007

Think Jamie Oliver -- in Cabbagetown
Gabrielle at the Farmers’ Market - Riverdale Farm


We live in an age where all the advantages of the electronic age are supposed to simplify our lives. What they do is make us available 24/7 and turn us into multi-tasking octopi with time being the last thing on their tentacles – er… hands. Enter Gabrielle Osborne of urbanmaven who caters to time-starved professionals who value responsible assistance, good food and a casual elegance.
Two years ago Gabrielle and her husband Peter, packed their children Sam & Isobel off to university. The massive presence and exaggerated energy generated by teenagers had emptied their Beaches home, so they decided to move to the more centrally located Cabbagetown. As Gabrielle explains, “the architecture and community feel of the neighbourhood were a big drawing card for us.”

As a stay-at-home mother and garden designer, Gabrielle was actively involved in shopping, cooking and organizing –catering to the voracious appetites of teenagers and their friends and juggling schedules. Often her friends would call upon her to help them out as well. These friends and family members encouraged Gabrielle to start her own business assisting people, who were too busy with their own lives or unable for reasons of age or infirmity to perform the tasks that Gabrielle did with such ease and flair. And so urbanmaven was born.

“I love to cook with an emphasis on fresh and often organic ingredients,” Gabrielle explains, “I call myself a good bistro cook with an emphasis on lots of fresh herbs. Think Jamie Oliver.”

Gabrielle is a wonderful resource and respite for today’s over-extended families. Her services include personal errands such as shopping for groceries and collecting dry cleaning, or selecting the perfect gift for any occasion. Within the home she can organize that maddeningly cluttered closet, or sort out the dreaded basement. On the lighter side, her love of garden design makes her a perfect choice to design a spectacular garden arrangement for that special visual lift.

A thoughtful and resourceful husband recently surprised his full-time working wife with a gift of Gabrielle’s services. This included a 4-week meal plan for their busy family of five. One of Gabrielle’s favourite autumn meals is a bowl of homemade soup made from seasonal vegetables, a big chuck of artisan bread with a piece of cheese and an arugula salad with fresh vinaigrette, accompanied with a glass of wine.

Gabrielle explains, “I really believe in shopping locally wherever possible, whether it be for produce, a dress, or a piece of furniture. I believe there is a need for this service as time is an ever-decreasing commodity and we all strive to keep our lives in balance.” This is where urbanmaven can help you. Gabrielle can be reached via email: gosborne@urbanmaven.ca or t: 416 554-6943

urbanmaven loves to shop


How can one be good at shopping? It all comes down to having an 'eye' and efficiency of time.

just because I love this 'graffiti'? Notting Hill October 2006


urbanmaven hours


make a great gift :) purchase 2-3-4 hours of urbanmaven's time for a client gift or that special person in your life who is time starved and can use a hand.