As social distancing extends into summer and with no place to go, no place else to be, I’ve been attempting to make my home an oasis of relaxation and comfort. This has included indulging my mind, body and soul with products made by the following small businesses in Canada of which I am proud to support and highly recommend.
Rogers’ Chocolates, based in Victoria, British Columbia, was established by Charles and Leah Rogers in 1885 and quickly became known for their now signature chocolate - the Victoria Cream, available in over twenty-four flavours (my personal favourite is wild cherry). I first tried their confectionary last year during a stop at #YVR and was impressed with the rich flavour and silkiness of their product, as well as their commitment to sustainable business practices and using fair trade-certified cocoa.
Rogers’ Chocolates regularly has a great selection of “sweet deals” listed on their site and offers free shipping on orders over $85.
I don’t smoke and rarely consume alcohol. My main “vice” is my addiction to tea. Of late, I’ve been missing the london fogs and chai lattés that I would pick up daily on my commute to work, a stupid (expensive) consumer ritual that stay-at-home orders are helping me break. Domo Tea, operated from Vancouver, British Columbia, has concocted a decent stone-ground tea that replicates the experience at home.
Domo Tea is available at London Drugs.
I’ve spent a lot of money in an attempt to perfect my skin, most of which was influenced by the beauty industry always telling women they are never good enough. With time, maturity and a greater perspective of my self-worth, I’ve learned that the best results come from what you put inside your body and that expensive products mostly just offer a placebo effect. Having said that, I am impressed with the improvement to clarity, tone and suppleness I observed after trying Youva Skincare. The line is comparable, if not outright superior, to any of the luxury brands I placed hoped in over the years. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Youva is made with naturally-sourced, organic ingredients—no synthetics—to help skin glow. In particular, I love how my combination skin looks and feels after using the glacial clay cleanser and glacial water toner.
Youva Skincare offers free shipping on orders over $50.
Barefoot Venus is a female-led business based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, with a mission to make all of their customers feel like goddesses. They achieve their goal through hand-crafted, cruelty-free products in a variety of heavenly scents. I recently purchased several items from their coconut kiss, lemon freckle and maple blondie line (is there anything more Canadian than smelling like a doughnut?), as well as their highly recommended “All Cracked Up” foot balm. They have definitely helped make shower time feel like a trip to the spa … or Mount Olympus.
Barefoot Venus has monthly offers and ships free on orders of $45 or more.
Fern & Petal is a family-run business based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, that creates handmade, all-natural essential oils and other bath products. Their ylang-ylang essential oil is one of few that don’t make my eyes sting and their coconut-lavender milk bath is the ultimate in self-care pampering. I liked it so much that I ordered more as gifts for friends.
Fern & Petal offers free shipping on orders over $20.
All of this self-isolation has helped me crack into the (literal) piles of books I have sitting around my home, with stories waiting to be heard and pages yearning to be worn. From cookbooks with unmade recipes to being on edge from reading about people living life on the edge, I’ve picked up many interesting works over the years from McNally Robinson. Founded in my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, this is one of my favourite bookstores and has always shown support for local culture and community.
McNally Robinson charges $8 for flat rate shipping on orders over $30.