Toronto
February 4th, 2012
We’ve Seen the Light
Being scared of the dark is no longer an excuse for putting off bedtime.
Meet the Glo Nightlight, a bedside lamp with removable glowing balls that act as portable nightlights. The phosphorescent balls aren’t electronic and don’t get hot, so they are safe to snuggle with when the room goes dark.
The balls’ light will fade 30 minutes after they’ve been removed from the base, and you can select one tone, or have a rotating array of colours. We suggest you choose the colour that will best ward off any monsters lurking in the closet.
Boon Glo Nightlight, $84.99 from Saf & Benjamin, 1081 Marinaside Cres., Vancouver, 778-328-8194 and online at www.safandbenjamin.com —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
February 3rd, 2012
Best Case Scenario
From Jonathan Adler to Marc Jacobs to Rebecca Minkoff, it’s hard to find a designer who hasn’t gone tech. Digital accessories are de rigueur.
Now, Adler’s ‘happy chic’ case was a frontrunner for our prized iPhone 4S, but we just couldn’t resist the sheer variety and creativity over at Society 6. The Aztec-inspired prints ($35) are popular round here and we love this sparkly air balloon ($35).
For something equal parts cool and creepy, check out these cases ($20) and of course, there’s always a great selection over at Toronto’s own GelaSkins (from $14.95) —Athena Tsavliris
Want to update your iPhone case? Follow us on Twitter to find out more.
February 2nd, 2012
Want it, Knead it
Mere weeks into our New Year’s cleanse and we’ve fallen off the no-bread wagon.
One visit to Le Matin bakery and we were cruelly brought down by a sourdough boule. Chef Jean-Pierre Challet’s new Leslieville shop is also sinfully stocked with raspberry clafoutis, lemon tarts, quiches lorraine and pain au chocolat. Dense and delish, the soft-crusted baguettes ($2.75) are made with beer yeast giving them a certain je ne sais quoi. We guiltily slathered ours in butter and red fig jam.
Alas, there’s always next year. —Marianne Wisenthal
Le Matin, 5 Coady Ave., Toronto, 416-778-1509, www.lematinbakery.com
February 1st, 2012
All the Pretty Shoes
What girl doesn’t dream about boxes of Ferragamo wedges, spindly heeled Louboutins and peep-toed Chanels?
Well, this amazing site invites shoe addicts to create their own designer stilts (from $185) customized to the client’s style and specs. You choose the fabric, style and colour, et voilà, your perfect shoe appears.
I’m all about bespoke ballerinas, and if they introduce monogrammed velvet slippers, watch me snap up a pair in every hue. —Athena Tsavliris
January 31st, 2012
Light me up
“Lampshades are like the shoes and handbags of the home,” says doyenne of design, Nina Campbell. “The right shoes can make an outfit – but if you have the wrong shoes, you can feel old-fashioned in the smartest suit.”
This super-cool shade ($315) from Shana Anderson is up there with our favourite pumps and clutches. The local textile designer covers shades in Toronto skylines pulled from archival and current photos of the city.
Hang it the guest loo or above the dining room table. Just don’t let city politics be the only thing you talk about over dinner. —Athena Tsavliris
At Made, 867 Dundas St. W., Toronto, 416-607-6384, www.madedesign.ca
