Flotation therapy: good for body and soul #isospa

A long hike in the forest. A good laugh with a friend. A fresh mani-pedi. All things you might enjoy from time to time that are good for the soul. Today I want to introduce another soul-lifting treat: flotation therapy. Last week my friend Sophie and I met up at Ottawa’s ISÖ Spa for a complimentary hour in two of the spa’s four float tanks. You strip down to your birthday suit and step into a space-agey pod filled with 1,000 litres of body-temperature salt water. (Warning: there may be naked pictures of Sophie in this next section.) 

Behind the brand: Mellow Bath and Body + A giveaway

“When you know better, you do better.”– Maya Angelou • The more we learn about the harmful effects of the ingredients in many of the mainstream products we use every day, the more we look for healthier, greener alternatives. And when it comes to bath and body products, the choices available seem to be growing exponentially. New to the market is Newmarket, Ontario’s Mellow Bath and Body. The company recently sent me two of its all-natural products to try, including this wonderful handmade body scrub (oh if you could smell it!) made with freshly ground, organic and fair trade coffee, organic raw cane sugar and shea butter, and a pepperminty soap made with activated charcoal, and I was curious to learn more about the maker behind it. Here’s my chat with Melody Rattanavong, Mellow Bath and Body’s creator and maker. 

Be your own Valentine: small gift ideas for your big heart + A giveaway ❤️

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at a posh restaurant with a tall drink of water or at home with your cats and a tall bottle of red, there’s no better day to treat yourself to your heart’s desire. Even if it’s just a little something to say to yourself, “Self, you are loved.” Here are some of my favourite little sumthin’ sumthins for Valentine’s Day — all treats you can pick up last minute or order online for a delightful delivery later in the week. Love is all around but some of the Valentine-themed gifts won’t be around forever. 

A gift guide for girlfriends. (Also me. I love everything here too.)

For Christmas I like to treat my girlfriends to a little luxury — not necessarily something expensive, but something they wouldn’t buy themselves. With that in mind, here’s my gift guide for girlfriends. (And also me: I love everything here for me!) The gifts range from $8 to $105 and are all available online. 

Five things + A giveaway!

I’ve been trying to keep my face to the sun this week but it hasn’t been easy. Jamesy’s been so sick and I’m stressed to the hilt. (It’s been two weeks since his autoimmune disease flared up and it’ll likely be another two before he’s feeling better.) But I’ve got a tonne of things I want to share with you right up until Christmas, so I’m going to try my best to stay in touch. Here’s Benny this afternoon in the blanket of leaves that is our backyard, plus four things we’ve tried this week. 

Getting Groovy: essie Winter 2016

Fall may be the best season for fashion, but winter is definitely IT for beauty. Primping for their debut near you are these party ready polishes from essie‘s Getting Groovy winter collection. London’s swinging ’60s are the inspiration for the six far-out shades. Let’s go-go take a closer look at four (two are so outta sight, I couldn’t get my hands on them yet). 

Discover The Taste Box + A discount & giveaway!

The Taste Box is the latest entry into the Canadian food subscription box market. Yes, another subscription box to discover! How much do we love?! Each month Toronto couple Matt and Jenni curate a unique package of food and drink products around a theme and ship it to your door. The first box shipped this month with an assortment of goodies perfect for celebrating yesterday’s World Pasta Day. Here’s a closer look at the Pasta Is Love box (sent to me to try free of charge) and a couple of notes about what’s coming up next.

What to get the hostess with the mostest + A giveaway

My mom is a social butterfly who loves to entertain, whether that’s having a handful of friends over to play Bridge or the entire cast and crew of the latest play she’s stage-managed or produced. There’s always cheese and olives in the fridge and crackers in the cupboard for impromptu guests and extra pillows and blankets if you want to crash on the pull-out couch. (It’ll break your back, but you’re welcome to it.) I stayed with her this weekend when I was in Toronto for a conference and wanted to give her a little something to thank her for having me. What do you give the hostess with the mostest? I knew just the thing! Maybe it’ll be just your thing too.

Five things + A giveaway!

Some of the small things I’ve been trying lately (including these jumbo bottles of Eva NYC shampoo and conditioner) and a chance to try one along with me. 

I’m obsessed with these balls + A giveaway!

Some things can’t be rushed: A good stew. A moonlit walk. A Sunday trip to the farmer’s market. Especially when the farmer’s market is next to a fantastic park and all kinds of shops like ours at Lansdowne. And since I know when we go we’ll be out for a while, I like to carry a few snacks in my bag to ward off the hangry. 

Thursday Plantation essential oils + A giveaway!

Like kindness, blush and hot sauce, a little essential oil goes a long way. Do you swear by essential oils? I only started using them a few weeks ago when Thursday Plantation sent me three to try. Oil bet you can guess which ones, but did you know there are hundreds of ways to use them? 

Add some shine to your Summer wardrobe with Foxy Originals + A giveaway!

In happier times when Target was in Canada, one of the first places I’d stop after picking up a basket (which I’d inevitably have to swap for a cart) was the jewellery section to look at the Foxy Originals collection. I’d seen a few of their pretty, playful pieces here and there at a couple of small boutiques around town (it’s designed and made in Toronto), but Target had the largest selection by far. Delicate earrings, bracelets and necklaces in trendy shapes and styles, priced to be affordable without looking cheap. And then just as quickly as it came, Target was gone. *sigh* But the silver (and gold) lining: Foxy Originals is still here and going strong! You can find it in boutiques across Canada and the US and order the entire collection online. If you want to add a little shine to your summer wardrobe without breaking the bank, Foxy Originals might have just what you’re looking for. The company sent me two pretty pieces from their Tropical Treasures collection to share with you here. Do you love?