Where Do Canadians Buy Clothes?

On my bucket list is visiting Canada, starting with Montreal or Quebec (so two trips) to familiarize myself with retailers where Canadians like to shop for clothes. I'm open to both luxury and affordable markets. It's fun to explore shopping districts away from home, and you never know where you'll find inspiration or a steal.

Below is a roundup of where a few Canadian women say they buy their clothes. Some explained why they favor them. The recommendations are 100% theirs. Perhaps one day I'll step foot in the following --

25 Popular Canadian Apparel Shops: 

Aritzia - Expensive but I have to say that they really hit the sweet spot of the modern trendy look. I would say Wilfred and Babaton are the house brands that make more sense for a 30-something - Talulah and TNA are more sporty, and casual, which reads younger. Also, check out the Sunday Best line.

Frank and Oak For basics - Women's clothes are online only but pretty well made. I avoid most of their poly stuff, but anything cotton, silk, merino, etc. is very nice and they have decent sales every other month or so.

Oak and Fort - For more unique and architectural looks. Their fabrics aren't great and are very rarely natural but they do some really neat outside-of-the-box clothes.

Simons - I mostly shop here for the access to other brands and their frequent sales. I'm not a huge fan of their house lines (Twik, Iconé, and Contemporaine). Pretty good loyalty program and easy shipping.

Gap - I buy here for the neverending sales on basics and the occasional really great deal. Also in the USA.

eBay - Especially doing searches and limiting it to Canada to avoid high shipping fees and duties. I like searching for pre-owned Aritzia brands, Theory, Eileen Fisher, Joie, Isabel Marant, Dusen Dusen, Nic and Zoe, and vintage.

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold Boutique - Trendy and casual style.

Street and Saddle - Quality and fitted garments.

Seek Shelter - Clothes made to improve with wear.

Jeska Grue - Silk and linen fabrics.

Beaton Linen - Linen dresses, jumpers, and fabrics too.

Korinne Vader - Linen dresses, bottoms.

Nordstrom Rack - Also in the USA.

Winners - In the USA known as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods.

Marshalls - Also in the USA. The sister company of T.J. Maxx or T.K. Maxx in UK countries. Canadians named it separately. Don't count the retailers and tell me there are 26 because I didn't count Marshalls twice. It's counted under the Winners corporation. :)

Holt Renfrew - Known for its exclusive designer collaborations and high-end fashion brands.

RW & Co - Classical Canadian clothing.

Reitmans - Good for work clothes.

Ricki's - Trendy and casual clothes

Cleo - Linen pants, blazers, and dresses.

Uniqlo - Also in the USA. Good quality basics and layering pieces that look expensive. 

Dynamite - A mix of dresses, tops, and jeans.

Laura's - Slightly pricy, but for clothes that will last for years. Classic Canadian clothing.

Mark's - Great bargains.

Hudson Bay

Hudson's Bay - Tons of options on their website. My note: The Bay and Hudson's Bay operate under the HBC portfolio. HBC is North America's oldest company, founded in 1670. HBC also acquired Saks Fifth Avenue in 2013. The Bay is like Macy's or Saks in the USA.

Blondie Boutique - Online shopping only except in Calgary, Canada.

Wow, most of these merchants have no stores in the US, so are new to me. How about you?

Click the links of the Canadian retailers to check them out!🇨🇦

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Chef Geoffrey Zakarian's Half Sour Pickles And BBQ Sauce

      

These two recipes from Chef Geoffrey Zakarian are definitely keepers. Pickling cucumbers is too darn easy not to try it. I suggest following the instructions exactly the 1st time out. You can blanch the cucumbers thereafter if you like pickles less raw.

Directions:  

Toss all the ingredients in a canning jar, screw on its lid and store in the refrigerator for at least 5 days before eating.

🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊🍅🥒🍊

I love a scrumptious barbecue sauce. I have 2 recipes for you. For mine click here. The one below is extra special!

The BBQ Sauce for Burgers

The Barbecue Sauce Ingredients

Directions:

Toss all the ingredients (except for the bacon) into a stockpot and simmer on a stovetop for 40 minutes. You can save the bacon to top the burgers. Chef Geoffrey tosses them into his BBQ sauce at the end of the cooking time, but I prefer my sauce to be healthier with fewer calories. {I don't put bacon on burgers either. For me, it's too much of a good thing. I eat crispy bacon with eggs for a weekend breakfast. Moderation is ideal.}

Thank you, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, for sharing your restaurant recipes!

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Lume or Native vs Homemade Body Deodorant

Recent advertisements selling all-over body deodorants have us convinced we all stink. It seems like the main reason to buy them is they work on areas outside of armpits that might be too sensitive for regular deodorant.

Sweating is the body's way of cooling itself therefore it's not good to completely disrupt this essential function. Unlike anti-perspirants which eliminate wetness by clogging sweat glands, deodorants stop odor (not perspirantion) with bacteria-fighting ingredients.

Bacteria naturally live on your skin. Antiperspirant-deodorant combinations can alter your body's ecosystem and actually make you sweat and stink more! The reason is traditional antiperspirant-deodorants also kill good bacteria (named Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium, and Micrococcus) leaving the way for bad bacteria to grow and cause stronger odors, not to mention disrupting your immune system leaving the door open for infections.

Switching from a traditional antiperspirant to a natural deodorant requires a transitional period of 1 to 4 weeks when you may sweat more while your body rebalances itself. Stick it out and you'll sweat less soon enough.

The new body deodorants on the market are much more expensive than most armpit deodorants (including organic varieties), ranging from about $12 - $22. 

I bought Lume deodorant in Lavender Sage to pamper my senior mother. Frankly, I see no difference in its effectiveness compared to what I use daily, Crystal™ Mineral Body Deodorant Stick, which is cheaper and lasts and lasts forever! The Crystal™ stick sometimes lands in the beauty aisles of T.J. Maxx for even less.

You may wonder what makes a deodorant natural? According to Healthline, "3 ingredients are common:

• ingredients with disinfectant or antibacterial properties, such as coconut oil and tea tree oil
• essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, or bergamot to provide a pleasant scent
• naturally, absorbent ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot, or cornstarch to combat moisture"

There are several homemade deodorant recipes on the web. An easy one is:

Photo: Treehugger

Ingredients:

1/3 cup coconut oil (Shea butter can be substituted)

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup arrowroot starch

10 drops of eucalyptus; lavender; or your favorite scented essential oils

Directions:

1) Spoon the coconut oil (or shea butter) in a cup to melt in a microwave or submerged in hot water.

2) Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth and incorporated.

3) Pour into a cleaned recycled deodorant container or a recycled makeup pot container with a lid. Leave the lid off until the mixture solidifies. 

Although this alternative recipe is superb, I never buy beeswax, sunflower oil, or zinc oxide powder. I prefer simple!

Homemade natural deodorant, suitable for armpits and body is many times cheaper than 3 oz of Lume, Native, or their retail competitors. If you make your own deodorant (or buy, my brand, Crystal™, you can sit back and wait for Walmart, Target, or drugstore knockoffs to enter the market at lower prices. $12+ really adds up over time! BTW: My senior mom and I just treat our armpits. We don't need 72-hour entire body protection as we rely on bathing and after-shower baby powder with cornstarch to stay fresh. I suppose it exists if we ever were to need it.

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5 Interior Design Styles Part IV

Vintage Interior Design (click photos to enlarge)

Today we'll conclude our series with 5 final popular interior design styles for a total of 20. What fun it has been learning about them. I'm surprised at how many of the 20 types I find very appealing! So without further ado, the last 5 popular interior design styles we'll cover are ...

16. Vintage - Vintage interior design combines the old and the new. The style was born after World War II (the 1940s - 1950s) when people had to use 2nd hand furniture and accessories to furnish their homes. Vintage is a nostalgia for the elegance of the past. For furniture to be vintage, it must be at least 20 years old but short of 100 years old, which would make it an antique. (BTW, the term retro describes new articles styled to look older.) Vintage style freely combines different colors, patterns, and designs. It could come from the same decade or a mix of decades to complement a spot in your home. Any color is a candidate layered with white, cream, and beige neutrals. Floral patterns are also typical along with birds, butterflies, or stripes. Often patterns are repetitive. Solid and well-made wood is one of the most common materials for floors and furniture in a vintage home. You'll also find leather, natural fabrics, and wool rugs (possibly oriental rugs). Originality and charm are qualities to strive for with this style.

17. Colorful - The rule for interior color design is 60, 30, and 10: Paint 60% of a room with your color of choice. Paint the next 30% of the room a color complementary to the first. The last 10% of the room should be painted a unique color, contrasting the other two. (A color wheel reveals complementary and contrasting colors.) Showing the same hue in different patterns and textures works well. Often ceilings are left white. This is because, without a neutral light shade somewhere, the room could feel too dark or atmospheric. 

18. Minimalism - is a style characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and neutral base tones such as white, cream, beige, or grey with possibly black or an accent color. Open floor plans with plenty of daylight and useful furniture are favored. The look is crisp clean and clutter-free with just a handful of shapes plus the essentials. The feel is calm. You'll usually see natural textiles like cotton, linen, and wool blankets and rugs. In a small living room, a big couch might take the place of 4 chairs. Minimalism is about curating basics and avoiding surplus.  

Another example of minimalism

Over the years I've leaned towards minimalism in styling my small New York City apartment (which has never had any clutter), but it's impossible to achieve 100% because I need the same amount of household items to live and entertain as more fortunate New Yorkers who reside in 3 bedroom co-oops. I'd be happy to go all in with minimalism if I could acquire more space. This girl would also have to get rid of her glam accents.

19. Rustic - Rustic interior design is defined as a natural, rough, aged, and casual style. The category can incorporate other design styles we covered earlier like Coastal, Cottage, and Modern. This design features rugged, natural beauty. Today, most rustic homes are not dark or heavy, but modern, fresh, and light. Weathered raw wood is the most common material used in furniture, as well as, in visible ceiling beams, light fixers, or trims around doors, windows, or fireplaces. A color palette includes whites and light earthy colors to brighten the room. Natural organic textiles such as canvas, burlap, jute, sisal, wool, and linen prevail too. Repurposed metal and industrial hardware bring an old-time feel into the home while stones and faux animal skins sometimes embellish the look.

Modern rustic

Nowadays old-time-inspired rustic decor appears fresh modern, warm, and inviting indeed!

20. Neo-Classicism - Neoclassical design, is based on Greek and Roman classicism. The decor focuses on symmetry, precision, and scale to achieve elegance and sophistication. The colors are mainly soft, gentle, and muted. Base colors are white, cream, and grey with a bolder color used as an accent. The furniture -- in fabrics of damask silk, brocade, linen, and velvet -- is simple and symmetrical and it can also feature exposed wood or metal outlines. Neoclassical furnishings emphasize quality and luxury without excess. Mirrors, paintings, or statues stand out yet are refined and graceful. According to DreamMarker, a remodeling company, "Nothing says neoclassical like an elaborate chandelier" in gold hardware.

Modern and Contemporary Neoclassicism share similar design elements with the latter using slim-lined furniture resulting in a more minimalist look while retaining the elements of luxury, as well as, balance, horizontal and vertical lines, high ceilings, and controlled, aka quiet luxury.

I've linked the other 3 blogs in this series below. Our decor tetralogy began because I was asked to check interior design styles I like ... which got me wondering about them. It turns out I like quite a few! Which are your favorites?

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5 Interior Design Styles Part III

Parisian Interior Design 

I'm enjoying putting this series, a tetralogy, together on interior design styles because I'm learning a lot! I've gone from a know-nothing to at least being able to tell the categories of decor apart. How great it is to learn new things! So let's continue with 5 more styles ...

Click images to enlarge - The interior design names follow the images.

11) Parisian - Parisian interior design came about during the reign of Napoleon III (1852 - 1870) when the French Emperor instructed architect Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann to tear down Paris' medieval buildings and replace them with 19th-century buildings that had architectural features of the time. Many of today's Paris apartments still have these Haussmann Era details, which include elegant wall and ceiling moldings, herringbone floors, marble mantel fireplaces, and gilded mirrors. Parisian interior design features panels of painted wood molding. Walls are usually painted a creamy white. Ceiling molding trimmings have a repeat design of leaves, fruits, and flowers with an ornate plaster rosette or medallion in the center of the ceiling and often with a chandelier or modern light fixture dangling from it. The overall look is a mix of traditional and modern minimalism. Furniture has clean, simple lines and shapes that are speckled with a few unexpected bold or daring pieces.

12) Scandinavian - Scandinavian interior design is known for its simplicity, comfort, and connection to nature. It embraces minimalism and modernism. The furniture is functional and multi-tasking, often with hidden storage, but not ornate or purely decorative. Natural materials are favored such as wood or stone. Light, white and soft colors, and neutral hues are used. Cozy textures like wool and sheepskin are prevalent. Natural light is valued as are plants and greenery to bring nature indoors.

  

13. Coastal - This style gets its inspiration from shoreline nature such as the sea, sand, and sky. Just like a beach in the Hamptons -- where the style began in the early 1900s and later spread throughout the USA -- the look is bright, airy, and relaxing. The base color is white or off-white with layers of beige, gray, teal, turquoise, or light blue. Bleached oak, blond maple, or ash furniture is popular. Accessories are made of wicker and rattan (palm). Jute rugs and linen upholstery are signature textiles of Coastal decor. Coral hues and collected seashells finish the look.

14) 14. Farmhouse - Farmhouse style is practical, incorporating traditional with modern design. Old elements are integrated with new pieces for an overall warm and inviting aesthetic. White or earthy neutrals are the main palette with accent colors associated with farms such as barn reds, sunny yellows, sky blues, and grassy greens. Pops of colors can be muted or bold. You can bring in your own shapes as long as the parts keep the totality clean. There's an emphasis on wood in walls, floors, and countertops accented by steel or iron fixtures. Brick or stone fireplaces are widespread and surrounded by cozy couches and chairs. Photographs, paintings, hangings, and swag add personality. 

15) Industrial - Industrial design embraces open spaces, open floor plans, natural light, and stripped-down architectural details like bare bricks, exposed metal pipes, and natural untreated wood. A neutral color palette uses whites, greys, blacks, and browns. Large windows are preferred to let in the sunshine. Coffee tables on wheels, bookcases, and dining tables made from recycled wood are also characteristic. A group of bare lightbulbs hanging as a chandelier; graphic lines including windowpanes; or iron wheels on a barstool are themes. Black metal, weathered leather, and linen work enhance this look. The feel is cozy, neat, and lived in!

Extra Photos of Parisian (top👆) vs Coastal (bottom👇) interior design. I think the bottom↘ photo sans the wicker table also has the feel of Scandinavian decor.

Have you found your own interior design style yet? I'll end our series with 5 final decor choices on Monday. Stay tuned my awesome readers! Enjoy the weekend!

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