Welcome to Our Favourite Things (pretty self-explanatory, no?). The FLEETSTREET team tries a lot of stuff. Here are a few Canadian companies we especially appreciate.
Maple Leaf Forever
“Have you noticed that fitness studios now sell cuter gear than chain sports stores? It’s true! My pick is from a Canadian spot: Spinco has spinning studios from Vancouver to Halifax, with three locations in Toronto alone. (Kelowna-raised, T.O.-based Michelle August shares with FLEETSTREET how she founded Spinco.) This patriotic hoodie is all I dream of in athleisure. The fit is long and slim, and the fleece is the thickest and softest of any I own. And I just love the clean front and the maple leaf–blazoned back.” —Lisa Hannam, Senior Editor
True Colours
“On the list of Canada’s most famous exports, yes, Céline, Drake and maple syrup are the obvs. But beauty ought to rank pretty high, too: M.A.C, Nudestix and Bite Beauty, to namecheck just a few, were all born here. This multi-duty product is a standby in my makeup kit; I reach for it when I’m not in the mood to fuss around. The dusty rose shade is as easy as a neutral, and the texture goes on nicely on lips (opaque but not drying) and on cheeks (cream-to-powder finish). Swipe, blend and go.” —Wing Sze Tang, Editor-in-Chief
Up North
“It doesn’t get more charming than North Standard, a Canadiana-themed clothing and lifestyle store in Parkdale for all your cozy cottaging needs. I’m in love with my most recent purchase, a sweatshirt from their summery Sunnyside Collection that has a subtle San Junipero vibe. It’s also a great spot for gifts—their bear-logo onesies are adorable.” —Katie Sin, Special Projects Lead
Home Grown
“Celine Tadrissi is the long-time spa director at Toronto’s Hammam Spa, where I recently had the most relaxing head-to-toe scrub-down. Launching in July, Céla is her new body-care line, inspired by and made in Canada. Tadrissi made a point of sourcing her ingredients within Canada whenever possible, including her signature blend of botanical extracts (blueberry, elderberry, evening primrose, juniper berry, rosemary, lavender). One of her star products is the Essential Balm, which squeezes out as a solid salve and then melts into a super-hydrating oil on skin.” —Wing Sze Tang, Editor-in-Chief
Chipping In
“I first tried coconut chips from Hungry Buddha when grabbing toppings for a build-your-own-parfait event at work. Turns out the classic and chocolate coconut chips were parfait for parfaits. And while the Sriracha flavour wasn’t breakfast-appropriate, it was the crowd favourite for afternoon snacking. It’s also noteworthy that the Montreal-based company makes a point of giving back through 1% for the Planet, which means 1 percent of their annual sales goes to their favourite eco-causes.” —Katie Sin, Special Projects Lead
Local Hero
“This serum is like the Frank’s Red Hot of skincare—I put that shit on everything. My face feels dehydrated? I use this serum. My eyes puffy? I dab it on. My hands dry? I apply this instead of hand cream. On nails, it’s better than cuticle oil. Dry elbows, you get the idea. This is the most hydrating product I’ve ever tried. I use it to highlight, too: After my makeup is done, I put a few drops of the oil in my hand, pat my cheeks and rub the rest on my neck and hands. Province Apothecary is a line by Toronto holistic aesthetician Julie Clark, with a focus on using certified organic ingredients sourced across Canada. And the recipe for this serum, made from 13 different oils, reads more like the ingredient list for a super-healthy salad than skincare.” —Lisa Hannam, Senior Editor
