CB2 is Now Open at Queen and Bathurst

It’s been just over a year since I first told you about some of the American retail stores that were/are coming to Canada.  And now CB2, the more urbanversion of Crate + Barrel has finally opened at Queen and Bathurst.  Torontoist ran a really cool photo series last week, showing off the gorgeously restored building, and the new shop inside.  I am so excited that this is just a streetcar ride away.  Hide the credit cards!

Can’t make it to the downtown location?  You can shop online in Canadian dollars, without fear of getting nailed with duty fees.

[photos by Corbin Smith c/o Torontoist]

iPhone Alarm Dock

When I travel, I often use my iPhone as a bedside clock.  I have a white noise app with a sleep mode, where it displays the time.  Much easier than remembering to pack a travel clock.

I was amused when I saw these iPhone alarm docks (get it? “alarm dock” instead of “alarm clock”?) from Uncommon Goods.  They’re really pretty – the wood is lovely.  And you can charge your phone while placing it on the dock.  If my current at-home alarm clock* ever dies, I think I’ll replace it with this one.

*I’ve had the same alarm clock since I was 9 years old. It’s called the P’Jammer and it’s pink and purple. It’s so old and goofy looking, but it’s a really good clock, so I’m keeping it around!

Hide the Credit Cards: Shopcastr

Now this is dangerous.  Shopcastr is a new Toronto website that features products from local businesses, arranged in an easy-to-see format like Pinterest.  Select your neighbourhood (I picked Leslieville, of course), and see some great items for sale from local vendors. Nathalie-Roze & Co, Timmie Doggie Outfitters, Little Peeps, Baby on the Hip, Atomic Toybot, Empire, Studio WE!, Doll Factory by Damzels, The Bone House, Pied-A-Terre, Telegramme Prints, Arts Market… they’re all on there.  Drool.

Crafternoon Tea

Another great event happening in the ‘hood next week – Crafternoon Tea!  Go check it out next Saturday, November 26, from 11am – 5pm.

It’s a “curated crafty/fashion market & charity tea-party” hosted by Nathalie-Roze (of Nathalie-Roze & Co).  But it’s not at her shop – it’s at the church down the street,Queen Street East Presbyterian Church (947 Queen St. East at Carlaw).

Some confirmed vendors include Knotted Nest, Clay Girl, and The Happy Seamstress (whose Beard Knitting Kit, above, is genius!)

See the Crafternoon Tea Facebook page, or follow Nathalie-Roze on Twitter for the latest information.

 

Leslieville Wanderlust


Mark your calendars… Leslieville Wanderlust is next Thursday, January November 24.  Local businesses stay open late (6-10pm), and offer treats and special deals.35 businesses are participating this year.

You can follow the Wanderlust Gnome on Twitter for the latest info (and prizes!) or check out the Leslieville Wanderlust Facebook page.

We’ll be out for sure – we want to get a photo of Clara and Isabel with Santa at Timmie Doggie Outfitters.

Pinhole Press is shipping to Canada!

I follow the Cup of Jo blog pretty regularly, and have been very impressed with the products featured from Pinhole Press.  Photo calendars, photo books, stationery, party invitations, cards, labels… all very clean and attractive.

I’ve been wanting to order from them for a while, but they didn’t ship to Canada.  Until now!  I just spoke with a customer service rep at Pinhole Press, and they said they are indeed accepting orders from Canada.  There’s just a little blip in the checkout process – for now, they don’t have it programmed to accept Canadian addresses and postal codes.  So here’s what you do:

1. Enter your entire address in the 2 address lines (ie – your street info on line 1, and then your town, province, and postal code on line 2).

2. In the Zip Code field, just enter 00000

3. Pick any US State you want for the State field – they’ll know it’s bogus

Then do the credit card stuff, and they’ll ship to you, at the same rates as they ship to American addresses.  That’s a deal!

I’m going over to Pinhole Press right now to start making things!