I know many people are stressing the importance of shopping local this holiday season, and I’m eager, too, to share news of some of my favourite gift shops in the Waterloo region. (I’m sharing a few outside the region’s boundaries, too, because I want to.) So here we go…
Home
In the home category, I suggest the following shops:
UpMarket – a new shop with beautiful textiles (blankets, pillows, scarves), pottery, wood cutting/serving boards, Belmont Village
The Art of Home – a lovely selection of homewares, womenswear, kidswear, Cambridge
Words Worth Books – independent bookseller with knowledgeable staff, Waterloo
Langdon Hall – my favourite, book a stay over winter to enjoy the fireplaces, Cambridge
Walper Hotel – unique boutique hotel in a prime location, Kitchener
local restaurants – consider supporting places like White Rabbit (Waterloo) in Waterloo and Grand Trunk Saloon (southern comfort food) in Kitchener
distilleries – Some distilleries like Kinsip offer more than just the usual stock of spirits. This year (like previous years), I’ve ordered several bottles of this delicious maple syrup
A few weeks ago, I wondered how much was too much to spend on chic candles? Now I’m curious to know what you think of these costly hand soaps. Do you spend the money? Why or why not?
Has anyone’s book collection grown over the past six months? I placed several book orders since March since the library was closed, so now I have books piled in all sorts of places. Now that I need to get my office back-to-school ready, it’s time to get my books organized, too. All this to say, today’s post is all about pretty bookends!
Distanced backyard and porch gatherings and road trips seem to be the way of life this summer for many of us who want to stay in touch with friends and explore our surroundings while respecting the safety guidelines in the COVID-19 era. As such, I’ve observed the effectiveness of travel mugs more than ever before. People can travel with their own tumblers so as to minimize the contact between people and the necessity of constantly sanitizing dinnerware.
If you’re looking to add to your travel tumbler collection for hot or cold drinks, here’s a selection that might suit your interests. Many of these options come in many colours, too, so each member of your family can have their own cup on the go!
In the COVID-19 era, I haven’t been hosting dinner parties as I have in the pre-COVID-19 era. I have, however, been visiting with family and friends in my backyard for very low-key social time. I serve a few drinks and snacks (always trying to minimize shared items) alongside an endless supply of Lysol wipes. The outdoor entertaining has made me consider investing in a melamine dinnerware set. I haven’t found a set that I absolutely love, but these are contenders.
All white is so clean, but is it also so boring for summer?Amazon, $53.02CAD
I like the classic patterns on this set from Amazon ($62.08CAD).
I really like the graphic pattern on these plates from Crate & Barrel (dinner plate, $10.95CAD).
I like the slightly irregular shapes of these CB2 dinner plates (set of 4 dinner plates, $33.95CAD).
I like this graphic set from Wayfair, too ($85.99CAD for service for 4)!
Once stock gets replenished in stores like HomeSense, I’ll have a look at options there, too. I would prefer to see the quality of the dinnerware set in person before I purchase it.
What do you think? Do you dine outside with outdoor-friendly dinnerware or do you use your everyday dishes?
I have always liked Valentine’s Day. As a child or as an adult, whether I’ve been single or in a relationships, I’ve liked February 14th. Why not take a day to spread love as far as you can? Why not take a break from the dreary February weather to eat a chocolate (or several)? Seems like a good idea to me!
When my mom had her flower shop, I used to work with her on February 14th, and I packed countless boxes of roses and flowers over the years. We heard all sorts of stories of love. We saw teenagers come in to buy a single stem for their sweethearts, we helped husbands pick out bouquets of flowers for their wives, and we chatted with little kids who wanted to pick out a special treat for their moms. Love was all around! And I always got flowers of my own at the end of the day!
So this week, let’s spread some love! Stay tuned to a full week of Valentine’s posts!
After seeing this beehive milk glass pendant, I went down a milk glass rabbit hole. Luckily, I found so many pretty milk glass lighting options to share with you this morning!
About a month ago, I received the CHI steam iron. You might recognize the CHI name from the CHI ceramic flat irons. It’s the same company and the same technology for both the steam irons (for clothing) and flat irons (for hair). Interesting, right? You could imagine how excited I was to test out this iron!
While I know ironing is on the “most hated chore” list of many readers, it’s not in my house. I don’t mind ironing, and I am satisfied when I see wrinkles disappear. I also find the chore quite meditative.
As many of you know, I wear many “must-iron” clothes. Between my white shirts and my dresses, my ironing pile each week is quite high. Add a tablecloth or two, and the pile grows even more quickly! Considering this, I need a powerful and efficient iron. After a month of using the CHI steam iron, I can say that this machine lives up to my expectations.
Here are some things that I really like about the CHI steam iron.
1.It’s fast. Watch the short video below to see how quickly wrinkles disappeared from my white shirt.
2. The control button. At the press of a button, I can change the setting from linen to cotton to synthetic (and more). It’s so handy to have this button at the top of the handle, so I don’t have to put down the iron if I need to switch things up. The off button is also handy.
3. Here are the specs that make the iron work efficiently: titanium-infused ceramic soleplate, electronic controls, over 300 steam holes, and 1700 watts.
4. The CHI steam iron heats up fast. It also beeps once the setting is ready for use. I definitely appreciate this precision.
5. It’s gold. I know I shouldn’t base a machine on its colour, but I do. If I’m going to spend an hour (or more!) ironing each week, I’d like to use a machine that is aesthetically pleasing. This one fits my expectations.
Every few months, I seem to get on a starry kick. Last January, for example, I wrote this post featuring a ton of star-printed items that caught my attention. I’m seeing stars again in the marketplace now, and I’m loving them.
I recently bought these Aerie leggings and tights because I couldn’t resist the stars
Last week, Daniela shared an amazing all-Canadian gift guide with us. She’s back this week with a collection of thoughtful gifts under $30 (Canadian).
***
Hi White Cabana readers! Today I’m bringing you a list of items that are under $30. These gifts are great for family, friends, colleagues, teachers, kids, and secret Santas!
As we enter the last few weeks of the holiday season, I hope this gift guide will help you to cross more gifts off your list.
I know blogger gift guides can get overwhelming and repetitive, but I promise you that this gift guide that Daniela put together for us is inspiring! Truly! Daniela was guided by the theme of “shop local” so the list includes only items that are Canadian. There’s a gift for everyone on your list.
***
Hello White Cabana readers!
I hope you are enjoying the many celebrations that surround us during the holiday season. And of course that you’re taking some time to pause and reflect in front of a Christmas tree with a cup of warm cocoa.
I am taking a bit of a turn with my gift guides this year and wanted to challenge our Canadian readers to support local shops this year or at the very least to learn about some amazing Canadian companies.
Many of the companies I have featured here manufacture, design, and produce their items all in Canada (and, yes, a few do outsource some of the steps). You will see the return of some of my favorite brands and some new ones I have stumbled upon this past year. Happy holidays and happy shopping!
Quebec-based La Grande Gourmandise offers beautiful gift baskets most of which are curated products from Quebec or elsewhere in Canada. With the purchase of any of their gift boxes/baskets a portion is redirected to a fundraising initiative called Youth Fund for School Perseverance. I am featuring La Grande Gourmandise’s Big Hug box mostly because I like the name, but all their baskets are beautiful, so any item will be perfect for your recipients! The company ships anywhere in Canada and the USA.
This next company carries everything from beds to wooden toys, teepees, baby and toddler toys and so much more. I stumbled upon Coco Village when I was looking for a low-to-the-floor bed when my first child was transitioning to a big girl bed. I love all of their designs and products, but my favorite bed is the teepee bed white top. If anyone has a child who is about to transition to a big kid bed, why not give it to him or her for Christmas? I highly recommend this one!
Have you ever thought of giving “labels” to someone for Christmas? Mabel’s Labels is a Canadian company that distributes labels. I know labels may be an unusual gift item, but if you have anyone on your list that goes to elementary school or daycare/nursery school or is active in sports/extra curricular activities, you can pick out some fun labels for them. Mabel’s Labels also has great personalized gifts, which are perfect for grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Although most of Roots‘s products are now manufactured outside of Canada their leather line is exclusively handcrafted in Toronto. The quality of their handbags, leather accessories weekenders, etc. is exceptional. New to their leather handbag collection is the Victoria tote, which is available in a number of colors.
Love Powered littles, femme, and teen box sets provide daily affirmations that keep you focused on positivity. These boxes are great gifts for anyone in your life. Parents can start the little affirmations as early as birth and keep them going throughout their children’s lives. A positive daily affirmation will create the right energy and the right attitude as you encounter life’s challenges.
I absolutely love Arc’teryx‘s Osanna coat in Morganite. It is a perfect everyday winter coat for our cold winters. Arc’teryx’s line is made in British Columbia, and so many products are worth your look. I have put a few of my favourite items below.
Canadian based Mytagalongs has amazing travel accessories and tons of other stuff mainly geared towards woman. I love this mini backpack and the chargeable ear buds case. This would make a great gift for the teen on your list
Smash Tess has expanded its romper collection to include even more styles and colour options. The rompers feel soft and silky going on, and you never want to take them off! With matching romper options for kids, you can twin with your mini me
Next up is another favorite brand of mine. It’s Vancouver-based Brunette the Label. The quality of this sweatshirt line is unbelievable, and I assure you will last for a long time. Have someone on your list who likes a more laid back New Year’s Eve? Then why not gift them this sweatshirt that has a little bling?
Rocky Mountain Barber has some great gift sets for men. Whether men are sporting the very trendy beard or just need an amazing Canadian product for everyday shaving, Rocky Mountain Barber has a perfect gift set for them.
Drake General Store is a great all around Canadian store where you are sure to find a gift at your ideal price point. Many products are made by Canadian artists. Here is a T-shirt great for a true patriot.
Lastly I am featuring Canadian jewellery company Birks that definitely has a number of perfect gift items for someone you love. This white gold heart necklace is so pretty!
You did it once again, Daniela! You introduced me to more Canadian brands like Mytagalongs, and you’ve reminded me of some of your favourites like Rocky Mountain Barber and Smash + Tess! Thank you for sharing this guide with us today!
Snowy weather, the Christmas season, and minimal sunlight makes for the ideal time to bring out the candles.
Wills and Prior generously offered this candle holder from Easy City Candles as a gift with purchase during a holiday shopping event, and I have since added a red taper candle to it. It’s a lovely design.
East City Candles makes beautiful beeswax and soy candles as well as sleek tapers. A scattering of these pinecone candles would make for a beautiful table centrepiece.
Do you have your Christmas tree up already? I’m hoping to get mine this weekend, and every year, unpacking all of my ornaments is one of my favourite times of the Christmas season. My tree is full of ornaments from all of my travels, so each piece brings back happy memories of my adventures abroad. (See a glimpse of it at #WhiteCabanaChristmas.)
If you’re looking to add to your ornament collection or pick up a perfect gift for a friend, read on! I have gathered ornaments around five themes.
Animal ornaments: tiger, $22.99USD (on sale); cockatoo, $11.95CAD; alpaca (set of 3), $16.05USD; giraffe, $24USD; sheep (set of 3), $14.04USD
It’s less than a month until Christmas (and almost December 1st), which means I can start writing about it on White Cabana. Right? I have been in the Christmas mood since I went to Christmas in Bayfield recently, then saw the Christmas market in Stratford last weekend. The Waterloo Park Festival of Lights opens this weekend, and next week is Christkindl in Kitchener.
I’ve noticed a few people wearing Christmas earrings already, so I thought I’d have a look around online to see what is available if holiday earrings are on your shopping list.
Do you ever find yourself scrolling through 1stDibs and drooling over all the incredible, innovative, unique designs of years past? Yes? Great! I’m not alone. Recently, I was scrolling through the chairs, and I rounded up nine beautiful pieces. These are pricey, let me warn you. But they’re also not any chairs you’ll be finding at Ikea or CB2. These are investment pieces and works of art.
What do you think of these nine chairs? Is there one that you’d buy if money wasn’t an issue? I’d take the Alvar Aalto (bottom right) without hesitation!
The Monday after a time change can be a little tough, so I thought we could start Monday off on a luxe note by looking at some vintage Chanel handbags. Great idea, yes?
Daniela was here recently sharing a list of sweet, pink gifts for children. She’s back today with a beautiful collection of items for you and your home (or gifts for others, of course).
***
Hello White Cabana readers! Here is my second pink shopping guide for #WhiteCabanaWearsPink. This post is full of fun items that you can use to decorate your home, to wear, to treat yourself, or to buy for someone else.
Have fun shopping!
Have you seen the variety of small appliances by SMEG that have popped up in the marketplace recently? I love all the colours and the retro vibe of SMEG’s collection. If someone you know loves pink, how about treating them to a nice SMEG Toaster as a house warming/Christmas/birthday gift?
Do you know someone who has just been diagnosed with or been treated for breast cancer? Or maybe because you know that 1 in 4 Canadian woman are at risk for breast cancer makes you want to wear an awareness pin like this one. Either way, this is a great pin and product that helps raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
By now you must have seen a Sentaler coat online or in stores. Many Toronto socialites and British royalty have been seen wearing this Canadian brand. This coat has been nicknamed the “Kate” as Duchess Kate has worn it. This coat can be dressed up or down as it is a timeless design in a beautiful shade of pink.
With the unpredictable Canadian fall weather we experience, this packable jacket is a great in-between-season jacket because it can fit into your purse, it is cute, and it keeps you warm up to -5.
There’s nothing like a perfect fit Greta Constantine dress in a beautiful magenta to get you holiday-ready! This dress is also great for weddings or a New Year’s Eve party!
I hope you enjoyed my pink gift guides in honour of breast cancer awareness month.
Until next time, happy shopping!
***
I love that Daniela included the Dansk casserole dish. It’s a classic style from Dansk and the lid is also used as a trivet. I have a larger version that’s great for making pasta and pasta sauce!
If you have read White Cabana for a while, then you know I’m a super fan of Alessi. I adore the products from this Italian brand, and my personal collection makes me so happy. My pieces are on display in my curio cabinet, but I use them regularly, and each piece is special to me because of when I bought it or who gave it to me.
I have written about Alessi several times over the years, but I haven’t in while, so today is the day to showcase some of the pieces that are holding my attention.
I’m thrilled that Daniela has come to White Cabana today to share sweet items for kids – all in pink – for this post in my #WhiteCabanaWearsPink column. Daniela is a huge supporter and fundraiser for the Princess Margaret Foundation in Toronto. She regularly hosts events – bowling tournaments, poker nights, a gala – to raise funds! In fact, I’m heading to an event next month, and I have no doubt that it will be a success! Beyond her dedication to fundraising, Daniela is a two-time cancer survivor, and her strength and determination to fight this disease is absolutely remarkable. Most importantly, though, Daniela is a mom of two sweet little girls and she knows just how to spoil them – and many of the kids in her life – with the sweetest little things!
***
Hello White Cabana readers! I am back in honor of breast cancer awareness month with some super adorable pink gifts for the little ones in your life.
This baggy comfy empire dress in blush is a must have staple – now if only they made it in adult sizes!
Have a wee one and not sure what to wear on Halloween? There’s nothing cuter than a pink Dino! The best part is that this costume can be used all fall to keep your little one cozy!
This pink cardigan will keep your little one cozy for fall. It has a slight shimmer to make her shine! It’s from Hatley, which is a great Canadian company.
I have written about coffee quite a bit over the years of White Cabana’s history. I love coffee. The taste. The ritual. The variety. Love it all! I have been on a drip coffee kick for at least 6 months now, and my Cuisinart is working well! But I still like looking out for other interesting coffee making concepts, prototypes, and products.
Here’s a round-up of most of the books I’ve read or listened to in the last little while. If you have any questions, let me know
1.The Men in My Country by Marilyn Abildskov. This one was recommended by a friend who thought I could relate to the story. It is a story of a 30-year old woman who packs up and heads to Japan for a fresh start (yes, I can relate). She falls in love with the country (yes, I can relate). While there, she dates a trio of men (yes, I can relate). That’s a very simple explanation of the story. The book is beautifully written.
2. The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami. Yes, I’m still making my way through this Japanese author’s book list. The Strange Library is a short story. I normally don’t like short stories, but the beauty of them is that they’re quick to read. Murakami’s stories are fantastical and sometimes hard to explain. That said, they’re unlike other books I’ve read, and I enjoy his storytelling, so I keep getting drawn into his stories. If you’ve read them, you’ll know what I mean.
3. Maid by Stephanie Land. After seeing this on so many reading lists, I picked it up at the library when I was in Florida. It was a touching story of a woman’s determination for a better life. She becomes a maid, then starts her own business, meeting kind people along the way and pushing herself through school. Her determination was impressive. I’m sure many similar stories go untold.
4. Start Over, Finish Rich by David Bach. This book was published in 2010, but I think the principles of saving smart and spending wisely remain the same today. I flipped through this pretty quickly and skipped all the sections that were US-focused (hello 401K). There were a few good tips that I have adopted since reading the book.
5. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. This book has been on several reading lists, and although I found it a bit hard to get into, I really enjoyed this book. It follows the story of four children over five decades. In their adolescence, they visit a psychic who tells them about their deaths. I liked the characters, their interactions, and their bond throughout the book.
6. Lush Life by Richard Price. This isn’t a book that I would normally be drawn to, but, again, I think it was on a recommended reading list, so I listened to it. It is set in New York City, so I liked that the audiobook version had readers who spoke like New Yorkers. The story depicts the rough, gritty, and violent side of city living.
7. Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo. I loved this story of Yejide and Akin, their marriage, their challenges with fertility, and the sacrifices they make. The book is set in Nigeria, so we get a glimpse into life and customs there. It was an easy book to get into and read.
8. Hum if You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais. I have just started this book, but I am enjoying it so far. One of the reasons is that it is set in Apartheid-era South Africa, so it’s interesting to learn a bit about what was going on then. Family is a theme in this story (like it seems to be in other books on this round-up list).
In other book news, did you hear that Elene Ferrante (of the My Brilliant Friend series) is releasing a new novel in November? I’m going to pick it up forsure.
If you’re looking for more book recommendations, search books on my site.
In Italian, the evil eye – or il malocchio – is a superstition of bad luck caused by envy. If one brags too much, then others would become jealous of the person’s happiness and cause destruction in their life. To prevent the evil eye, avoid making people jealous, or carry an charm like a horn (as many Italians do).
In the fashion and design worlds, the evil eye constantly makes an appearance in jewelry, accessory, and clothing collections as well as in trinkets and knick knacks. Here are two that recently caught my eye (wink!).
I love wearing my panama hat in the summer. It provides a good amount of shade on my face, and it makes lazy outfits look chic. I bought mine in New Orleans nearly a decade ago, so it comes with fun memories, too.
If you don’t have one, but you want one, here are some in a range of prices that might interest you.
I love these porcelain pieces; they’re like none I’ve seen elsewhere. I’m drawn to the evil eye and lion pieces especially. And the star print box with the hand handle.
Here are two chandeliers that are similar but different. The Vertigo (top) would be perfect in a chic home in the city, and the Veva (bottom) would be perfect in a beach house or cottage.
In my travels online, I’ve come across some interesting products – or concepts for products – that have caught my attention. The designers of these items have so much talent. I tried to include their websites whenever possible, so you can click through and see what other designs they’ve dreamed up.
Are you a fan of gingham? I have a couple of pieces, but I’m always on the lookout for more. I have a pair of gingham pants that I bought years ago and still love, but I feel like their time has ended, so I’m on the hunt for another light pair for summer. Last year, I went full-on gingham style when I paired the pants with a gingham shirt. The outfit got mixed reviews online and in real life.
If you’re like me, and you’re looking to add some gingham to your summer wardrobe, I’ve pulled together a few pieces that I think would be great pieces for summer.
I’m due for a few upgrades in my own BBQ tools. I’m consulting lists like this and this for advice, but if you have some go-to recommendations, please let me know!
When the warmer weather arrives and the sun stays out for longer than an hour, I make the switch from my black sneakers to white ones. I wear sneakers all summer long as they’re comfortable for walking to work, doing errands, and traveling. I have two pairs in rotation at the moment – a pair of Converse and a pair of People. I find the Converse aren’t so comfortable, so I tend to wear my People sneakers more often. Do you wear sneakers in the spring and summer? Are you on the lookout for a new pair? If so, what do you think of these nine pairs?
School is nearly out for the summer in Canada, which means many people will have more free time to play. Here are some outdoor games that are great for your next party, BBQ, or ordinary afternoon.
I was in Banana Republic over the weekend, and there were so many pretty dresses in the current collection. I was only at the mall for a quick stop, so I didn’t have time to try anything on, but I’ll be going back to see what I might like the best this season. Just look at this collection of summer whites. Pretty, yes?
Although the weather isn’t a great indication, we are nearing the end of the school year. When I was an elementary school teacher, I was definitely tired and done by the time June rolled around. I was itching to enjoy lazy days of summer and finally take a vacation. The work that teachers do is admirable. And I am happy to shine the spotlight on them today. Daniela’s gift guide is well-researched and perfectly varied. If you’re looking for a teacher’s gift, read on!
***
Hi everyone!
Many of us are trying to find that perfect gift for our children’s teachers this month. Since I struggle with what to buy my daughter’s preschool teachers, I took to the streets and asked a number of teachers both in elementary and high school environments about favourite gifts they have received. I have to tell you I was hoping for creative answers from them, but I got a whole lot of “I’d appreciate a gift card” responses.
The number one gift request by all of my teacher friends and acquaintances is a gift card. Most of them had these stores as their most coveted: LCBO (and, yes, they prefer a gift card to a bottle of wine), Starbucks, Dollarama, Indigo, and The Keg.
Because I really love buying and receiving tangible gifts, I pushed my teacher friends to give me some things they would like, and I have listed them below.
Consider a personalized item. People love having something with their initial or name on it. For this, I recommend Minted. Independent artists design all products purchased from Minted.
Nice pens are another great idea for teachers. After all, they do a lot of marking and writing! Having a nice pen to do that with is always welcome by teachers!
There was a big divide on teachers who absolutely hate getting a mug or insulated water bottle – and those that love this gift! Insulated bottles not only keep teachers’ water or cold drink cold, but they can also keep a tea or coffee hot for hours. If you’ve read my other gift guides, then you’ve seen this next brand already. I am once again recommending my favourite Canadian insulated water bottle company Green’s Your Colour.
Almost all the teachers I spoke with mentioned the best part of a gift is if it comes with a personal message in a card. These meaningful cards written by students is the best part of the gift, so make sure whatever you decide to do with regards to a teacher gift, write a thoughtful note in the card! It’s a must!
Father’s Day is around the corner (ahem…Sunday, June 16th), which is a nice reminder for us to get prepared. My own dad is pretty easy to shop for – a bottle of wine – something he likely wouldn’t buy for himself, preferably with the letter B on it somewhere (for his name). And if I can’t find such a unique bottle of wine, I just buy him something that I think he would like, and he seems pretty happy. If you’d like to spoil a dad in your life with more than a bottle of wine, read on! Daniela has yet another excellent gift guide for us all!
***
Dads are hard to buy for, so I hope this gift guide takes some of the stress off as you shop for the father in your life.
Whether dad is king of the grill or of the kitchen this awesome apron will be a sure hit. What makes this apron unique is it functions as a knife roll when folded. Also, by purchasing this Sorichetti apron, you are supporting a father daughter duo that designs and manufactures their products in Toronto, Canada! How cool is that? Read more about Sorichetti.
These sneakers are sleek, go with almost anything, and are made in Italy. And as we all know, the best shoes are made in Italy! Best dads deserve the best shoes
Available at a registered Stihl dealer, this next gift is perfect for the dad who has a lot of trees on their property, or if you just want to make outdoor work easier for dad, then this gift is one to get! The Stihl backpack leaf blower is the best leaf blower on the market. I know my husband would love to receive one of these one day.
Practical dads who always pack their lunch will think of you everyday when using this useful gift. This is an insulated lunch bag that’s easy to use and hand washable from one of my favourite Canadian companies – So Young.
And with that, I have reached the end of my gift guide. I hope you have a fantastic Father’s Day!
Happy Shopping!
***
Don’t you think Daniela has a talent for gift giving? Her gift guides are so well curated, and I’m thankful she spends time creating them for us all! I see, too, that she’s included some of her favourite Canadian brands like The Well.ca, So Young, and Birks. This guide has sparked a few ideas for my own shopping…maybe I should expand on my traditional wine gift for my dad this Father’s Day!
June is Pride month, which means all the colourful rainbows are in full force in cities, communities, and homes around the world. Rainbows are one of the most recognizable symbols of gay pride. You might see them on pedestrian crossings, flags, and on every piece of clothing item. Today, I’m sharing two more minimalist rainbows to raise awareness for the rights of all citizens.
