" People are understanding that fewer things,
exquisitely executed, are better than
many things ordinarily executed"
Bill Mockler quoted in Small Is the New Big by Bert Archer. Toronto Life Magazine January 2009.
Live in Toronto and fortunate enough not to live close to BigBox stores?
Here are my tips for shopping smart and in style. Best of all, you'll never need step foot in a shopping mall again.
Blinds, Drapes & Shutters
Herman Fu of Apple Blinds, Inc. has been in the business for over 20 years and his many skills include matching perfectly 5 year-old shades, along with installing them more efficiently and expertly than the originals. When I was looking for blinds to black-out the freshly installed street light outside my front bedroom window, he came highly recommended as "a true gentleman - courteous, competent, professional with an experienced eye for colour and style".
Best of all, Herman comes to your place, measures everything, brings the samples, installs and cleans up. He didn't even ask for a dustpan. It's slippers and bathrobe shopping to the max. My front blind cost just under $600.CDN for a four foot plus rolldown delivered on the date promised.
Bicycle
Around town, a no-logo canvas carry-all hauls groceries, bread and everyday necessities such as a clip-on LED bike light when you need to be seen as night comes sooner than you expect and a reflective strap that lights up and velcros around your ankle to hold pants from flpping around while on your bike.
A membership to Mountain Equipment Co-op gets you the goods that gets you outside and on your bike for a few more days before winter finally hits and you have to give up the bike till early spring.
O M G Shoes
You've tried the stilettos but can't seem to shrug that comfort thing when it comes to your feet. Get sensible. We live in the city. We pound pavement, hustle up subway stairs, trot the uneven sidewalks. GetOutside offers the classics: Converse, Clarks, Doc Martins, Havaianas. Close by at 365 Queen Street West, CSquared, provides more lady-like options with European alternatives like FLY for edgy mary janes and flat, rubber-soled boots from Camper. Although, I must admit to still looking for the perfect Canadian winter boot. Let me know if you find a pair.
Paper, Pencils, Utility bags, exquisite purses
On my usual visit to this Yorkville stationery shop, I'm picking up FABER CASTELL 2B grip, three-sided pencils. I am trying desperately to banish all other but this german-made pencil from my home.
Pens, office accessories and organizers are packed in with italian and eco-friendly laptop bags that may cost as much as 3,990.00. Laywines is tucked in at 24 Bellair Street, opposite Uncle Otis and the newly renovated Sassrafraz Restaurant. Of course moleskin is there alongside other brands you won't find anywhere in town.
Beautyshop
The Staff is preoccupied at the Bobbi Brown beauty counter at Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor Street West and you can't wait for the day when they have your stats on file but you'll never need to think about makeup or poke around in the aisle at Shoppers Drug Mart again.
Well worth the investment to just walk in during the week, like a Tuesday or book an appointment to site with one of well-trained staff and have your make-up done, a nice sheet to take home to tell you what products were used.
Purchase what you need and keep the sheet so during the year, you can add items to your beauty kit as desire and budget permit.
Built to last
Uncomplicated, impeccable tailoring, unexpected colours in leather, contemporary and weather-aware fabrics. There are no risks here at M0851. Only buttery soft leather, sophisticated basics and the bext utility bags to last a lifetime.
An everyday t-shirt may seem pricey but you'll still be wearing it years after it's competitors have disappeared. An understated leather jacket has clean lines, looks like you've owned it forever and has none of the embellishments that come with most leathers around town.
more to come..
I welcome your comments and feedback.
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