Calgary
November 30th, 2012
editor alexandra's picks: my favourite things
This weekend, we opened our team's purses, closets and cupboards and had them reveal the everyday items they love. Catch up on the entire series here, here and here.
Being pregnant and chasing an 18-month-old doesn’t leave me with much time to get dressed, let alone choose accessories. My Alden Rae is my “arm party” staple. I wear two, linked, and wrapped around my wrist eight times. $49 each, at Shut Up I Love This.
Children Inspire makes the cutest wall hangings, which are available in a multitude of languages. We just bought my son the Swedish alphabet poster ($30) and French farm animal wall cards ($22.) www.childreninspiredesign.com
We love and use the entire Weleda baby range, and their Calendula Weather Protection Cream is amazing for kid’s face and lips in the cold weather, especially when the skin around their nose gets all dry from being wiped all the time. I’ll be stealing some for cold winter walks and ski season. $15.99 at select markets.
My drink of choice is San Pellegrino’s Sparkling Fruit Beverages, basically adult fizzy pops. I hoard them in my storage room, and when guests are lucky, I’ll serve them. The Limonata is my favourite. San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages available at most grocery stores.
How can I not use this opportunity to self-promote, and tell people about my favourite nightwear? This holiday season my husband, family, and I will all be sleeping well in The Sleep Shirt, my nightwear project. Simple, comfortable, and roomy, it’s the best way to sleep. $195-$210, www.thesleepshirt.com November 27th, 2012
Publisher Tara's Picks: My Favourite Things
This week, our team is opening their purses, closets and cupboards to reveal their favour things. Today, our stylish publisher, Tara Parker Tait.
I don't know how we ever survived before these versatile and chic Muuto Restore storage baskets came into our lives. We have them in every room for everything from blankets, magazines and the Sunday New York Times to my son's books and blocks. They hold their shape and are the perfect size for a million applications. We love the grey but they also come in an array of fun colours like indigo blue and army green. $129 in-store or order by phone from Vancouver's Livingspace, 604-683-1116, www.livingspace.com
I got turned on to these ultra-soft V Room hoodies at a great little West Coast boutique called 11th Moon in Laguna Beach, California. They are the requisite layering item for OC gals under leather jackets or over T by Alexander Wang tees. Mine are so worn through they need new zippers and I have to ration how often I wear them for fear of losing them for good. $275 at at Lost and Found, www.lostandfoundshop.com; find Toronto and Montreal stockists here.
It's a fight to the finish to see who gets to sleep with our newest Wings and Horns heather grey blanket. It's got the same incredibly comfortable feel of the brands must-have hoodies, is machine washable (huge bonus with my toddler dragging it to and fro!) and makes a great roof for our pillow fort. $148 at www.wingsandhorns.com
A close friend from New Zealand gifted me Antipodes body oil and I am completely in love. I have a very hard time with normal fragrance and super sensitive skin so I tend to cringe when people give me beauty products, but Antipodes has zero artificial ingredients or overpowering scents. A nice subtle mix of lavender, ylang ylang and jasmine, drop a bit in the bath or rub on post for a light, calming scent. $43 at www.spaboutique.ca
I discovered the perfect Thymes Frasier Fir Candle candle while shopping at Mandula in Gastown as owner Hajnulka has them burning year-round in her avant-garde boutique. I give them as girlfriend gifts for the holidays and keep my house stocked with them at all times. From $25 at Indigo.ca
The informative folks at Betty Hemmings Luggage got me hooked on this Knox backpack from Tumi's Alpha Bravo Collection. It's the best way to travel with kids (or without) as your hands are free, there's a million amazing compartments for your documents and it looks cool to boot. $350 at Betting Hemmings Leathergoods (Vancouver and Toronto), www.bettyhemmings.comNovember 26th, 2012
Editors' Picks: My Favourite Things
Get to know our our cross-country team of editors, who have opened their purses, cupboards and closets to reveal their most essential everyday items. Today, our charming lifestyle editor Kelsey Dundon shares her favourite things.
Season three of Downton Abbey is about to hit the airwaves this side of the pond. To answer Lady Grantham’s question “What is a weekend?” Why, it’s for catching up on the first two seasons, of course. $36.99 at Amazon.ca
There’s a lot of sugar and spice in the air these days. Thankfully Diptyque’s Philosykos eau de parfum smells like neither of those things. In fact, its lightness is reminiscent of a dewy spring morning. $140 at http://www.diptyqueparis.com
Dark nights call for warm lights. This Delta table lamp from The Cross Design would set my living room aglow. $195 at http://thecrossdesign.com
I live my life by the motto “Warm feet are happy feet” and Padraig’s knit-in-Canada slippers ensure delightfully toasty tootsies. $76 at www.padraigcottage.com
Roll out the rolling pin. Anthropologie’s Toile Full Apron keeps my clothes spic and span during my semi-annual baking sessions. Cookie, anyone? $32 at www.anthropologie.comNovember 26th, 2012
Editors' Picks: My Favourite Things
Get to know our our cross-country team of editors, who have opened their purses, cupboards and closets to reveal their most essential everyday items. Today, our charming lifestyle editor Kelsey Dundon shares her favourite things.
Season three of Downton Abbey is about to hit the airwaves this side of the pond. To answer Lady Grantham’s question “What is a weekend?” Why, it’s for catching up on the first two seasons, of course. $36.99 at Amazon.ca
There’s a lot of sugar and spice in the air these days. Thankfully Diptyque’s Philosykos eau de parfum smells like neither of those things. In fact, its lightness is reminiscent of a dewy spring morning. $140 at http://www.diptyqueparis.com
Dark nights call for warm lights. This Delta table lamp from The Cross Design would set my living room aglow. $195 at http://thecrossdesign.com
I live my life by the motto “Warm feet are happy feet” and Padraig’s knit-in-Canada slippers ensure delightfully toasty tootsies. $76 at www.padraigcottage.com
Roll out the rolling pin. Anthropologie’s Toile Full Apron keeps my clothes spic and span during my semi-annual baking sessions. Cookie, anyone? $32 at www.anthropologie.com
November 14th, 2012
Editors' Picks: Favourite Online Shops
If there is one thing our editors know, it's online shopping. Herewith, our favourite places to browse on the world wide web.
Whenever I'm in New York (which is sadly not that often), my first shopping stop is Maryam Nassir Zadeh, the cool girl's Lower East Side secret. Thankfully, they keep their online store fully stocked with hard-to-find pieces. I'm currently coveting Carven's sweet little Foal Bag ($660). www.mnzstore.com —Anya Georgijevic, Beauty Editor
"Earthquake kit” has been on my to-do list forever, but recent natural disasters were all the motivation I needed. Instead of trawling hardware stores for supplies, I bought my car and home 72-hour emergency kits off Beesafe.ca. Expect a four week wait for orders: New York, New Jersey, and Guatemala are getting first dibs.(Editor’s Tip: Add a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, toilet paper, diapers, bleach (for disinfecting water), money, and vodka to personalize your kit.) www.beesafe.ca —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Fashion Editor
When I need a bit of inspiration and my credit card is burning a hole in my purse, my one-stop online shop destination is Leif Shop. Overflowing with an abundance of beautifully designed accessories for the home and you, Leif is known for their stunning curation of colourful and on-trend items. I am obsessing over Striped Taper Candles ($24, pictured) for my New Years Eve party. http://www.leifshop.com —Kait Kucy, Calgary EditorThe drawers on my Fifties writing desk are stuffed full of beautiful papers, cards, ribbons and tapes. I’m a paper geek. Just look at the wrapping paper, notes and gift tags over at Happy Home – it’s pure whimsy. http://happyhome.bigcartel.com —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto Editor
My latest purchases all come from Toronto’s eLuxe.ca. Free shipping on orders over $25, free returns (!), labels ranging from Splendid to Smythe, stylists on hand for live chat styling sessions… its URL might as well be heaven.ca. www.eLuxe.ca —Christine Laroche, Montreal, Editor November 13th, 2012
Apartment Therapy
If you love bold and historical statement pieces in your home, Uniquities will help you flesh out your design ideas with its exceptional selection of antiques and architectural elements salvaged from heritage buildings all over the world.
Handpicked by the three owners, each piece has a story, allowing you to relish in the one-of-a-kind conversation starter you’ve acquired. Wandering around the shop will find you stumbling upon one treasure after another. Chock-full of large farmhouse pieces, you could easily outfit your loft space or open plan office with one piece. —Kait KucyUniquities Architectural Antiques & Salvage, 2501 Alyth Road SE, Calgary, 403-228-9221, www.uniquities.ca
October 26th, 2012
Neon Harvest
Touches of neon are showing up all over interior design showcases.
Möbius Projects creates hand-fabricated design objects in their Calgary-based workshop. All built from solid wood, its collection of sturdy and design-savvy furniture pieces range from heavenly harvest tables to beautiful sideboards and benches. We are dying to take home the Natural Edge Dining Table with powder-coated steel legs in, get this, any colour you want! Loving the neon vibe but the simplistic and graphic black also looks great with the smooth black walnut top. Worthy of a high design office, but made for your dining room. —Kait KucyMobius Projects, Site 24 Comp 19 RR 8, Calgary, 403-615-1435, www.mobiusprojects.com
October 3rd, 2012
Lounge, Mid-Century Style
Local textiles designer, Natalie Gerber draws inspiration from classic mid-century design and prints as she launches her new home décor line of throw pillows.
Each individually hand-screened by Gerber on organic linen or cotton, these handcrafted pillows ($112 -$140) easily make a bold statement in any living space and can automatically take a boring couch and elevate it to a new stylish level. Our favourite thing about Gerber’s line is that each one is absolutely unique thanks to her silkscreen techniques ensuring that your pillow is one of a kind. With pillows in all of the fab on-trend colours like citron, dark turquoise and pale orange it is hard not to find space in at least one of your rooms for these comfy cushions. —Kait Kucy
August 29th, 2012
Packing for Palm Springs
Our Editor-in-Chief moves some of her favourite things to her new Palm Springs getaway.
The Elephant in the RoomFor my girls’ shared bunkroom, this Elephant is the perfect mid-century kids décor. Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for their own family in plywood, it’s now reissued in glossy plastic. $320 at EQ3, www.eQ3.com
Glad-iatorsOther than my Nexus card, these made-in-Italy Roots sandals ($168) were the life-saver of my last trip. Breezy enough for the weather, yet sturdy enough to traipse through succulent nurseries. www.roots.com
Block Party
Designer Trina Turk owns a home in Palm Springs, and has recently expanded her store there to include a swim boutique. I especially love the Palm Springs Block Towel ($58) in orange, inspired by the decorative “brise soleil” walls you see everywhere.
Modern LoveMost of our décor is coming from the amazing consignment shops in and around Palm Springs, but this stunning poster for my friends’ architecture documentary, Coast Modern, will take pride of place in the Master. $150 at www.coastmodernfilm.com
Keep Calm and Carry OnWhen the reno stress gets to me, I’ll simply spray on my Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist, which also hydrates and reduces redness from heat, sunburn, waxing, or, I hope, concrete dust. $45, www.dermalogica.ca
—Sarah Bancroft
August 28th, 2012
It's a Small World After All
Local terrarium creators, Plant Online are introducing their tiny worlds to those born without a green thumb.
The relatively easy to care for (first step is to neglect it!) plants liven up any area of the home or office. Adding a touch of daydream to the space thanks to their miniature stature, you can take your terrarium to the next level with tiny park benches, street lights and even people. All created using found materials from across Alberta and combined with tropical and succulent plants, rocks and mosses, you are truly bringing a microscopic element of nature into your home. —Kait Kucy
The UnCommons, 1425A 9th Ave. SE., Calgary, www.theuncommons.ca, www.plant-online.net



