Canadian Brand We Love: Roots

Most fashion brands are just that: fashion brands. Roots, on the other hand, has managed to become an integral part of Canada’s DNA, going far beyond just shoes and super comfy sweatshirts. I revisit the beloved homegrown store in my article this week for iVillage.ca for a look at why, after over 40 years, we still can’t get enough of Roots...

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With Glowing Hearts

Does it get more Canadian than Degrassi? Sarah Fisher of Degrassi gets her pom pom on for the Roots Summer '13 Lookbook. Photo courtesy Roots.

Sometimes, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. I've travelled quite a bit, even lived in Europe for a year, but as much as I love to explore other countries, I always really miss Canada when I'm not here. I'm not sure if it's the super friendly people or the beautiful change of seasons or the Timbits (probably the Timbits), but you must admit, being a Canadian rocks. We are gloriously free to think, to do, to be whatever we want. And since this is a fashion blog, let's not forget how lucky we are to be able to dress however we want, too. 

This July 1st, why not show Canada some sartorial love? If you're a loud and proud patriot, wear your flag emblazoned boldly on your sleeve with the chic Canadiana at Roots or hop on over to Hudson's Bay for the country's oldest, most iconic print - the HBC stripe. You'll break out these pieces year after year so you can totally justify. Consider yourself a more low-key Canadienne? Get in the spirit by wearing Canada's colours, of course...

Read the full story and get your free Canada Day-ready iTunes compilation from Roots here 

Love, Actually

Girl holding balloons - photo by Jodi Miller Photography

Love might make the world go 'round but it also has the tendency to drive us mad.  In highschool, I remember crushing on a guy so intensely that I cried myself to sleep for the better part of 2 years because I 'loved' him so much.  When we finally went on our first date, he ate with his mouth wide open, bragged incessantly about his massive biceps and called me 'babe'. Crush turned to crushed, and that epic one-sided love story exploded in a fiery crash.  Then there was my first real boyfriend, who was a genuinely great guy but at 21, his Greek family was way more intense than I could handle. 'You marry my son, go to Greek school, make lots of babies. Done!'  Um, next?

I'm finally married to an incredible guy with two heartbreaking beauties and have experienced more love than I could imagine in the past few years.  And while I do love the odd OTT romantic gesture (see below for the ultimate), I've had a bit of a grown-up epiphany.  Love isn't all Tiffany boîtes and butterflies, and it isn't even about Ryan Gosling-style makeout sessions in the rain. Tiffany boxes mean we can't go out for dinner for the next 2 months, and kissing in the rain? I've tried it - bit of a mojo-kill when the kids are staring at you, pounding on the windows from the confines of their carseats.  Love is a rollercoaster of open bathroom doors and unwashed dishes punctuated by the occasional fizzy champagne pop on a Wednesday night.  It's about little Post-its left on the kitchen counter with those 3 little words.  And really, in the end, trite as it may sound, it's about loving yourself because once you can do that, everything else somehow falls into place.  

This little gift guide is all about treating you, with perfectly lovable presents you can buy yourself or oh-so-subtly suggest to your +1 (click on the thumbnails below for where to buy deets) Happy Valentines y'all! Whether you're single, hitched or somewhere in between, hope you're feeling the L-O-V-E x

Originally posted in The CLOSET

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Wishing and Hoping

Source: OldSamovar.tumblr.com

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Just when you think you have your shopping list all figured out, it hits you. "Waaaait a sec," you ponder, "there's the teacher and the secretary and my mother-in-law and...who do I have for that gift exchange again?" And then a few days later, as you smugly sit, mentally patting yourself on the back for how super organized you are, your daughter tells you that she really doesn't like Barbie anymore (at all!) and she's totally back to Disney Princesses. "But you already sent your note to Santa, honey," you reason. "Santa can work it out, mom." Hmm.

And don't even get me started on hostess gifts. You're on your way out the door for a holiday party and somehow all your wine is gone (not sure how that happened..) so you rush around and try to find something to re-gift and, for lack of time, end up grabbing an ornament off your tree. True story.

This gift guide should help you in your quest for the perfect present for everyone on your list, whether you've just started to think about tackling it, or are one of those super women who only have a few loose ends to tie up.

Good luck out there, my fearless shoppers. Hope you're enjoying every little minute of this crazy season x

1. 2. Travel by Land Cassis Scented Candle, $12.95, Roots; 3. Tupelo Honey, $21.95, Teavana; 4. Waring Pro Wine Aerator, $29.99, Future Shop; 5. Marrakech Tea Tins, $11.95 each, Teavana; 6. Birdseed Covered Birdhouse, $13.99 each, Green Earth; 7. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, $20, Coles 

1. Disney Pixar BRAVE, $26.99, HMV; 2. LeapFrog LeapPad 2 Explorer Learning Tablet, $109.99, Future Shop; 3. Ski-Doo Spark Snow Moto Snow Machine, $79.99, Sears; 4. Skylanders Giants Portal Owners Pack for XBOX 360, $54.95, Future Shop; 5. Melissa and Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse, $39.99, Sears; 6. Nakamura Juvy Kids Bike, $169.99, SportChek; 7. Softec Tri-Grip Ice Skates, $89.99, SportChek 

1. Gretzky Duffle in Tribe Leather, $388, Roots; 2. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Shades, $149.95, Sunglass Hut; 3. Titleist NXT Tour 12-Pack Golf Balls, $34.99, SportChek; 4. AE Hooded Down-Filled Puffer, $99.37, American Eagle Outfitters; 5. Nike Classic Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie, $39.99, Champs Sports; 6. Nixon The Banks Watch, $449.99, Boathouse; 7. Jawbone Jambox Speaker, $159.99 (reg. $199.99), The Source; 8. Propel R/C Stinger Indoor Helicopter, $24.99, The Source

1. Baked to Last Blush, $18, The Body Shop; 2. AE Hooded Toggle Duffle Coat, $99.41, American Eagle Outfitters; 3. Studded Cuff, $18, ALDO; 4. Photobooks, starting at $8.99, Black's; 5. Diamond Tennis Bracelet, $199, Peoples Jewellers;  6. Roll Over Boot in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots; 7. Face and Body Brush, $26, The Body Shop; 8. Kobo Glo Touchscreen eReader with Wi-Fi, $129.99, Future Shop; 9. Breville One Touch Tea Maker, $249.95, Teavana 

1. Ginger Sparkle Body Polish, $19, The Body Shop; 2. Striped Sequin Heart Graphic Tee, Aeropostale; 3. Minnetonka Suede Brown Mukluks, $149.99, Soft Moc; 4. Element Garcia Shovel 8.0, $180, West 49; 5. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray, $75, Sears; 6. Jordan SC-2 Hi-Top, $79.99, Champs Sports; 7. Taylor Swift 'Red', $12.99, HMV; 8. Nintendo Wii U Gaming System, $299.99, The Source

Let it Snow

With last year’s rather weak excuse for a winter, many of us are gearing up to make a true Canadian go of it this time around. Romantic as that may sound, we all know that cold, wet feet can quickly dampen even the most optimistic of spirits. Be prepared with these 10 covetable winter boots, ready to take on literally anything Mother Nature whips your way for seasons (and seasons) to come. Bring on the snow!