Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

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GTA: Love Local

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I was recently chatting with a friend in the Maritimes, and she asked me to share some cool things about living in Toronto. Well, besides the harmonious multicultural setting, the unreal shopping opportunities and a selection of some of the finest restaurants in Canada, it’s events such as Love Local that have me oh-so-happy to live in the midst of all the action.

(Technically, since I now live in Mississauga, I’m a bit more suburbanized than the average city dweller – but nevertheless, I am a TO girl at heart.)

Created by the talents behind Foxy Originals, Jennifer Ger and Suzie Chemel, Love Local is an unprecedented, one-day, outdoor retail showcase featuring fashion, beauty, art and crafts made and/or designed in Toronto. Love Local takes everything you love about the old-school craft show and transforms it into a cultural boutique event where Torontonians can shop, explore and mingle with local artisans.

Best of all: Admission is FREE!

Some of the artisans I’m excited to visit:

Foxy Originals (of course!)
Cate & Levi
Domistyle
This is J
Babywrappers

… and more! Click here for a full list of vendors.

Love Local will take place at the newly re-designed Evergreen Brick Works on Saturday, June 4th. The Holcim Gallery, with its open-air walls, sunny atmosphere, all within a tree-lined green setting, is the perfect backdrop for this special shopping experience!

See you there!

Love It: Jen’s Creative Corner

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Ever wish you could turn back time? I do – so my little guy would be able to rock his “Oh Canada” winter toque for a little longer! Not that I’m knocking the arrival of spring (bring on the warmer temps!), but still, there’s just something about wee ones all bundled up that is so enduring. And thanks to Jen, the multi-talented mama and designer behind Jen’s Creative Corner, Ryder had the warmest ears on the block this past winter!

Jen is an Interior Designer turned stay-at-home mom/photographer. Originally from Iowa, she married a Canadian hockey player (we have a few of those, eh?) and after some shuffling, her family is currently stationed in Alabama. With two daughters and a little boy on the way, Jen has her hands full – but still finds time to indulge in her creative side. And she happens to create incredibly warm and adorable hats!

Check out her Etsy Shop, Jen’s Creative Corner, where you’ll find helmet hats, berets, toques, and my personal favourite – Canadian/hockey items that will showcase your country and team pride. (Click to enlarge images below.)

Jen generously sent Ryder an “Oh Canada – Blue” toque pictured above, and to quote my husband: “It’s the nicest hat I’ve ever seen.” Now if you know my husband, you’ll know he’s picky about his fashion choices – and in turn Ryder’s – so that’s a pretty sweet compliment! I love that the toque can be tied under to secure on extra-cold days, or worn with the braided sides hanging loose for a more casual look and feel. The quality is superb, and I’m a huge fan of one-of-a-kind vs. mass market!

I must admit I’m also loving this “Puffy Hat” for moi – it’s the perfect beret for spring, and at only $15 USD, I can order it in just about any colour to match my wardrobe. Jen loves a challenge and rarely makes the same thing twice, so don’t hesitate to contact her for custom orders. Visit her online shop and you’ll notice she also creates gorgeous hair accessories and items for the home. And, if you “Like” Jen’s Creative Corner on Facebook, you’ll be entered into a draw for a FREE gift!

With NHL playoffs beginning in just under a month, why not order a team toque for your favourite little fan?

Click here to visit Jen’s Creative Corner.

By the way, here’s Ryder enjoying his Oh Canada toque – it’s the one hat that he doesn’t immediately try to take off! He must love the twirly braids ;)

Lena Loves… Lush Cosmetics

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There are many reasons why I love Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. After pondering these points, I realized that my own list almost identically matches Lush’s core beliefs. Not one to create extra work for myself, I thought I’d share them with you:

– We believe in making effective products from fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.

– We invent our own products and fragrances. We make them fresh by hand using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when they were made.

– We believe in buying ingredients only from companies that do not commission tests on animals and in testing our products on humans.

– We believe in happy people making happy soap, putting our faces on our products and making our mums proud.

– We believe in long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, filling the world with perfume and in the right to make mistakes, lose everything and start again.

– We believe our products are good value, that we should make a profit and that the customer is always right.

Yep, hard not to love a company like that.

I was first introduced to Lush Cosmetics waaaay back in my university days. A little fling gave me an ominous ball that vaguely resembled an oversized Jawbreaker; I later learned that it was a “Bath Bomb.” The Bath Bomb was pioneered by Lush – it was their signature item, their raison d’être, if you please. The fling didn’t last, but my love for the fizzy, fragrant effervescent bombs did.

14 years later, Lush’s Bath Bomb is just another quality addition to their already stacked roster of bath, skin, haircare and fragrance items. Personally, I’m a huge fan of their Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter, Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, Mint Julip Lip Balm and Smitten Hand Cream. De-Lush!

Another reason to love Lush? They’re constantly coming out with new, innovative products that are 100% vegetarian (and over 70% vegan!). These goodies for bath, hair and body are loaded with fresh, natural ingredients and minimal preservatives.

Did I mention they’re all handmade? You bet –

“Every week we make products in small batches, by hand. Rather than relying on mass-produced, machine-made formulations and then warehousing excess stock, LUSH makes products as needed to ensure that everything delivered to your local shop or front door is as freshly made as possible. You may be purchasing product that is only days, or even hours, old.”

You can shop online or find a store near you.

Time for a Lush-ous giveaway!

One Listen to Lena! reader will win a Lush Legends Gift Set (value $199.95!)

The ultimate in LUSH luxury, LUSH Legends is the most impressive gift we’ve got. If you’ve a LUSH lover in your life and really want to make them squeal with delight and be eternally grateful to you, present them with this gold, sparkly hat box. Inside are 23 of our legendary bath, shower, hair and body products. There are two massage bars inside, so you may even get a back massage as thanks.

To enter, visit Lush’s website and then leave a comment here on Listen to Lena! telling us:

What your favourite Lush product is and why
-or-

Which product you’d like to try and why!

Blog followers: treat yourself to an extra entry! Remember, you must leave a separate comment announcing your follower status. I’ll draw for a winner at the end of September. Good luck everybody!

Toronto: One of A Kind Art Show

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It’s my favourite time of year. The weather is getting warmer, the birds are singing, and it’s once again time for the Spring One of a Kind Art Show!

I’ve been faithfully attending both the Spring and Christmas shows for years now – it’s just so me. Handmade items, Canadian artisans, unique (ahem, “one of a kind”) pieces and tons of exciting vendors and products. I don’t believe I’ve ever left a show empty handed – on the contrary, I usually have both arms full of goodies (and a very populated Visa statement).

This year, Catherine from Sailorgirl Jewelry graciously sent me a couple of tickets for admission, so I had even more reason to look forward to the event! The show started yesterday and you can bet I was there as soon as the doors opened :)

One of my first stops, naturally, was Sailorgirl Jewelry. I’ve featured Catherine’s pieces on my blog before (I discovered her for the first time at the 2006 show) but quickly realized once again, you really have to see her work in person to appreciate the vibrancy and ingenuity.


I couldn’t resist grabbing the Grass and Sky Sputnik Pendant for myself – the colours just popped out at me and I LOVE the way it so perfectly compliments my persona!

“Can you believe it used to be a faux pas to wear blue and green together? Look how fabulous these colours are! This super cute pendant will make everyone smile just looking at it, you’ll laugh all day long with this on.

My hands made these beads. There is no paint on any of my beads, just glass upon glass upon glass. I use Moretti (Effetre) glass, a little CIM and occasionally Vetrofond. All my beads are kiln annealed, thoroughly cleaned and inspected.”

Next, it was on to The Monster Factory, where I’ve been collecting monsters since 2004. At first, I fell in love with their ugly cuteness, and then I reasoned that one day my children would play with them. I was right – Ryder absolutely loves all his monsters (I think he’s up to 14 – spoiled lil’ kiddo)! So to keep with tradition, we picked up a new one (Mr. Creeps) as an Easter present for him. Now this monster is so new he isn’t on their website yet, so I’ll have to provide his description for you:

“Don’t let Mr. Creep’s self-confidence fool you. He is NOT always right.”

At between $35-$55 a pop, they’re not cheap. But I can assure you that Ryder has bitten, pulled, jumped on and kicked the daylights out of his monsters, and they look as good as new. The quality is impeccable – ALL the Monster Factory plush toys are sewn by hand and reinforced for durability and longevity.

Since Mike is on a curry kick, we also stopped by Himalaya Gourmet and picked up three new sauces: Tikka, Butter and Hot Bengal. I love cheating with Himalaya Gourmet sauces – the flavours are authentic, the ingredients are all natural, and they don’t taste “Canadianized” – something that your average PC and VH sauces tend to do. They’re so close to the real thing, you’ll think you’re at your favourite Indian restaurant.


Of course, we stopped by many other exhibitors and scored a lot of other wonderful handmade products… but in keeping with tradition and not completely revealing my shopaholic ways (my mom will be calling me up in about 2 minutes to ask me what else I bought…) I’ll just end my shopping summary here. However, I will share a few of my favourite artisans to visit:

All Things Jill
BabyWrappers
Bamboo Lily
Bruce County Nut & Fudge Co.
Domistyle Inc.
Foxy Originals
Mally Designs Ltd.
The Bean Ladies
Tracy’s Wine Jellies

The show runs until Sunday, April 4th (open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday). If you’re looking for something to do this long weekend, why not check out the show? You’ll LOVE it!

Click here for more information on the One of A Kind Art Show.

*Update* Fab reader Jennifer found a coupon for $3 off admission to the OOAK show on the Monster Factory website! Thanks for sharing Jennifer – and two days left to enjoy the show!

Click here for coupon.