Consciously Curated || Gift Guide

If you know me, you know that finding the ~perfect~ gift for my pals is one of my greatest joys.

If you know me, you also know that being a hype-girl for local businesses is one of my ultimate past times.

With the gift-giving season quickly approaching, I wanted to share some of my favourite things. Am I an influencer? Not even close. But I do have some friggin’ talented buds and try my best to spend my money where it counts.

Having the time and capacity to research the folks who are doing the work to have a positive impact in their community and on the environment is a privilege. I’m grateful for that privilege, and hope that this non-exhaustive list of consciously-curated, Canadian businesses helps make your lives a little jollier. I truly just wandered around my sweet little home and wrote down the names of the things I love most.  How lucky am I?

All these dudes are Orion Approved™️ so you know they’re good.

xx
m

INDIGENOUS || Support Indigenous Art

• flourish & grow — Mikaila Stevens is a Mi’kmaq multidisciplinary artist whose creativity is just… so cool.

• Running Fox — Skye Paul is a Toronto-based Dene artist whose beadwork and colour combinations are swoon-worthy in every kind of way.

• Indigenous Fashion Week Market — A multi-platform festival celebrating progressive Indigenous fashion with an online marketplace. The marketplace is open Nov26-29 and will be stocked with incredible wearables by Indigenous artists.

• Ms. Antone’s Beadwork — Janet Antone is an Oneida artist with thoughtful, vibrant, and beautiful beaded earrings.

• From The People — An online marketplace that allows Indigenous artists impacted by COVID-cancelled powwows and markets sell their artwork to buyers of all backgrounds.

• Atlohsa Gifts — Online marketplace selling authentic Indigenous work with all proceeds going to Atlohsa Family Healing Services. A hella worthy cause.

FEEL GOOD || Nice Things For Yer Body

• Niki Carr — Niki showed me what it means to enjoy movement and play through your progress. And her pilates classes will make ‘em hurt in the very best way.

• A Few Fun Moves — Andrea makes movement a real fun time and accessible no matter where your pals are in their fitness journey. They’ve got different levels of Fun to choose from, and can expect plenty of chats about snacks. Added bonus: when you buy a gift subscription, 25% of the purchase will be donated to Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre! Fun fun fun!

• B Yoga Mat — Got a bud who loves a high-impact workout? These all-rubber B MAT mats come in a variety of thicknesses, including a plush 6mm. They’re perfect for that person who insists on doing three minute planks just to prove they can… I have the Jasper Green.

• Junction Climbing Centre — Crushin’ plastic is my favourite form of therapy. Not feelin’ good about indoor spaces? Grab some of that gnarly gear so your buds can daydream about their next easy jug on a breezy overhang. (or the inevitable flapper)

• Steph Hall — If you know me, you know my hair is like... half my look. Wouldn’t trust anyone but Steph with my precious curls. If she can make this mop look good, I can only imagine how fab your friends will look and feel. Gift cards, baby!

• The New New Age — With ingredients foraged from their beauty farm, The New New Age has a collections of dreamy products to make you feel good from the inside out.

SNACKS || Nice Things For Yer Tastebuds

• On The Move Organics — Sustainably sourced, thoughtfully selected groceries ordered from the comfort of your own home? YES PLEASE! Perfect for the pals with a heck of a lot on their plate (but not a ton in their fridge). Want to keeps the gifting going all year long? Their 2021 Seasonal Calendar is a celebration of local food filled with plenty of discounts (and photography from yours truly).

• Rebel Remedy Health Bar — With a menu that somehow delights all your junk-food cravings while nourishing that bod, the Rebel Babes know what’s up. Grab ‘em a gift card or send ‘em a cute little care package. I highly recommend the cake. Because cake.

• Sidetrack Café — Tucked away in sleepy Wortley Village, Sidetrack Café is not one to sleep on. Exceptional offerings and a desire to source all things good, these dudes have all your exquisite coffee + tea paraphernalia (with some great snacks for you too).

• Locomotive Espresso — Got a coffee-connoisseur in your life? Then they probably already know Loco. The perfect spot to be treated to the best espresso in town! If your buds like to ~experience~ their coffee, then this is the place for them. Grab ‘em a gift card and they have two locations to use ‘er up!

• Yaya’s Kitchen — Maryam and Malvin bring the flavours, aromas, and heart of Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region to London. It’s a contemporary way to bring traditional tastes of their home to our community; bridging a gap between the their knowledge and their current home. If you have a friend who loves exploring different cultures and ways of knowing, treating them to a dinner with Yaya’s is sure to satisfy.

• La Noisette Cake Studio — Kate’s macarons feel like they should be flown in from a bakery on the banks of La Seine. But nope. She makes ‘em right here in lil ol’ Londontown. And they’re the best. The perfect gift for your pastry-lovin’ pal.

• Whole Grain Hearth Bakery — If your friend has been taking part in the quarantine-trend of bread baking, you should get them some treats from Whole Grain Hearth. It sounds counter-intuitive, I know, but they will have such an appreciation for the ART that is WGH. The bubbles, the lamination, the crust…. you’ll be introducing them to a new home-grown inspo while they knead their time away.

• Rosewood Estates Winery — Good grapes grown by good dudes with a true passion for shakin’ shit up and having fun while they do it. It makes for a great wine, trust me.

• BakeVibes — Ice cream season is year-round, and thank goodness because Julide makes the best ice cream in town. And don’t even get me started on the cakes! Creative and delicious, with a healthy dose of good vibes. Your pals won’t know what hit their tastebuds.

• Helm Baked — We all have those friends (hi yes hello guilty as charged) that know they shouldn’t be eating gluten… but just can’t get behind GF desserts. Helm Baked is here to change their mind! Susie is a gluten-free goddess, and there is nothing quite as joyful as having your delicious gluten-free cake and eating it too.

CARDS + PRINTS || Nice Things For Yer Walls (or to write love notes in)

• Tania Floral Design — TDM. The “D” stand for dreamy. If you want a holiday card that they’ll want to frame and keep forever, Tania has got the goods. Hand-carved floral prints done up on her S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G Vandercook Proof Press, these cards are truly a work of art.

• Muse Paper — Eve manages to turn everyday objects into dreamy (yes. dreamy again — there’s no better word) symbols of the beauty in our day-to-day. If your loved one loves neutral tones and classic shapes, they’ll absolutely swoon over these feminine beauties.

• Spruce Moose — Need to find that perfect card or illustrated print? Guaranteed that Joel has something up his sleeve. Whether you’re looking for a sweetheart illustration or a punny joke, you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for to write all your special love notes in.

• Jeremy Bruneel — If you don’t know Jeremy, you need to know Jeremy. The brilliant mastermind behind our cherished Punk Rock Flea Markets posters, the King of Concert Art, and an awe-inspiring illustrator, Jeremy’s prints will make your jaw drop. Want to really treat that special someone in your life? He does portrait commissions, and all socks will absolutely be knocked off once you see what he can do.

• Rima Sater — Rima is a dream-a, and photographer with an exceptional eye for shapes and colour. Her work uses an astute understanding of light, shadow, and form to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. If you’ve got an art-lover on your list, consider their gift sorted.

• Group of Seven Billion — Sean and Caitlin are a collage duo based out of Hamilton with an eye for the weird and wonderful. If your pal is into the strange and surreal (with a hit of mysticism) these beauty prints will make the perfect addition to their walls.

WORDS || Nice Things For Yer Mind

• Andrew Knapp — Is there anything better than finding a sweet pup? Andrew Knapp has a series of photo books filled with stunning photography and a hidden Momo on each page. My favourite? The children’s board book. It’s never too early to start lovin’ dogs.

• Huron & Erie Regional Digest — A Forest City quarterly curated by our unofficial mayor of all things local. Packed with written words and visual content by some of London’s finest, this is a quick read that will make your loved ones feel connected to home.

• Misha Bower — If your pals have ever listened to Misha sing her sweet tunes, then they will be sure to find Music for Uninvited Guests to be the absolute treasure that it is. A small collection of short stories, it’s a poetic study on what keeps us together and pulls us apart. Perfect for those sentimental hearts in your life.

• Brown and Dickson — A book lovers dream! Vanessa and Jason have created a hub of cultural curiosity. A community-orientated independent bookstore with a focus on cultural contributions from close to home, there’s no doubt that you will find that perfectly obscure treasure your bud never knew they needed.

• Oxford Book Shop — A new favourite find! Not only does Oxford Book Shop stock an incredible selection of books, but they can order them in for ya too! NO MORE BEZSOS! That’s right pals, kick Amazon to the curb because within two short weeks these fine folks can get you (what seems like) any book you could want.

• Bread and Roses Books — Do better, be better. Are your friends on a journey to learn how to actively participate in building a more juste society? Bread and Roses Books is the spot for them. Specializing in non-fiction, social science, and social justice, Leia and Chris have built a collection of books to create a foundation of understanding to prepare ‘em for the real work.

• Libro.fm — Full disclosure, Libro.fm is based out of Seattle. But this audiobook subscription service still gets a nod because you can choose to support a local bookstore with every audiobook purchase! (I chose Oxford Book Shop). If your buds prefer consuming their literature through their earbuds (or are just constantly on the move) this is the perfect way to still keep things local.

TUNES || Nice Things For Yer Ears

• Odyssey Records — Is there anything better than a hardcore media junkie? Justin has created a world of wonder with Odyssey Records. From classic soul to experimental punk tunes, old-school VHS and cassettes, and everything in between, Justin is the kind of guy you can give an obscure list of interests to, and he’ll find you the perfect vinyl for your pal. Odyssey is also a go-to place for all your local favs, and can often bring in special request items! It’s a one-stop shop for an audio-visual experience with a team that is both passionate and knowledgeable. Heck ya.

  If you’re on a budget, why not curate the perfect playlist for your pals? It’s like that classic mixtape vibe — with a makeover. To spark some inspiration, here are some of my absolute favourite Canadian artists (some of whom I am beyond lucky to call my pals).

• Yessica Woahneil — Jess sings the soundtrack of my life. The Believe album played through countless times on many adventures, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

• Whoop-Szo — Thoughtful, intense, and incredible. Warrior Down takes on the task of storytelling with heavy instrumentals, melodic and feverish vocals, and a power that will blow your mind. Listen - and I mean really listen - to these dudes.

• Misha Bower — Misha’s wit, humour, and thoughtful soul come through in the most magical way in Trying to Have It All. She brings her stories to life with these tunes, and I could listen to her croon all damn day.

• Jenny Berkel — Jenny is the definition of a dreamboat. Her voice will carry ya away in the night with lush, poetic words and an authentic softness you honestly can’t describe.

• Jeremy Deutcher — Oh baby. Jeremy Dutcher is a classically trained operatic tenor who skillfully, artistically, and passionately brings together his traditional Wolastoq art into classical music, while somehow transforming both these historic entities into something new, fresh, and mind-blowingly stunning.

• The Elwins — Clever, curious, and a real good time, Play for Keeps is somehow perfect for a leisurely walk around town or a hilarious, energetic kitchen dance party (pants optional).

• The Weather Station — The self-titled The Weather Station album is earthy, moody, and the soundtrack to many days slingin’ coffee and beer at The Root Cellar.

• Charlotte Cardin — Sometimes, you just need a little sass in your life. Charlotte’s sultry, seismic voice sings life unfiltered. The girl isn’t afraid to lay it all out on the table, and it makes for some very relatable tunes. Et elle est française.

• Andy Shauf — Sometimes it feels like listening to The Neon Skyline is more like listening to a musical short story rather than an album. The story-arch of the album is just as riveting as the rich folk tunes themselves.

• iskwē — Intense, urgent, and exploratory, iskwē weaves together poetic musings and thoughtful observation into disarmingly beautiful music.

GOOD LOOKIN’ || Nice Things For Yer Style

• SoftFlirt — The best kind of flirt is a soft flirt. Made with tenderness by the Forest City’s favourite sweetheart, you’re sure to find the perfect shirt, sweater, pin, banner, or pillow for that softie in your life.

• The COB Shop — Say no to landfills. Cindy is one of the most brilliant minds I know, and has built a business around taking leather destined to be trashed and turning it into the most beautiful, wearable art. From tote bags, wallets, backpacks, and the ever-coveted fannypack, your best buds can carry around their belongings knowing their kick-ass bag has made the world a less trashy place. Commissions are closed for the holidays, but keep an eye out for the Etsy shop drops. Items go FAST, so set those alarms, ya hear?

• Good City Co. — A connected community is a strong community. Good City Co. makes it easy for your friends to find fellow comrades in place-making with fun designs they can wear. Long live the Banana Kingdom.

• Moth & Moon — Jenn is sunshine personified. Her earrings are a reflection of the care and artistry she puts into everything she does, and your buds will have a hard time deciding if they should wear their new earrings, or frame them for display.

• Be More Like Your Dog — If I could be more like Orion, the world would be a better place. These pins by Andrew Knapp are a beautiful reminder for your best pals that their four-legged friends are a shining example of when to work, rest, and love unconditionally (always).

• Slowwavy — Sometimes ya just want to be one of the cool kids. The curated selection of rad finds at Slowwavy (brought together by the hella cool Claire Ouchi and Rachel Rivera) is a sure-fire way to make your pals feel like they did when they had their first swig of Labatt 50. Very cool.

• ANIÁN — Timeless looks with a focus on reducing impact where we can. If your pals are the outdoorsy type, Anián’s natural fibre clothing will help them be one with nature while looking and feeling oh-so-good.

• HoneySuckle Gathering — Have a friend that daydreams about frolicking in a field of wildflowers during golden hour with woodland creatures by their side? Then HoneySuckle Gathering has the clothes for them. Hannah uses recycled, vintage, and deadstock fabrics to craft hand-made, beautiful clothing that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. But like, minus the patriarchy bit. Think floral, hand-painted fabric, and lovely lace finished off with a bell-sleeve.

• HAWKLY — Gillian Johnson creates earthy adornments that are both rustic and refined. This handcrafted jewelry is perfect for the ones that love a touch of glam without the polish.

• Eleventh House — Morgan Dowler marries beautiful metal-work, timeless design, and earthly inspiration to create stunning jewelry for those mystical marvels in your life.

• Filthy Rebena — Nat and Dar are some of the coolest cats around. With the funkiest finds (and a drool-worthy Levis selection), Filthy Rebena Vintage is the perfect place to find that statement piece for your most fashionable friend.

HYGGE || Nice Things For Yer Home 

• Miller + Co. Wood — Everything I write sounds like an innuendo, so instead I’ll just be real honest. Devin makes the most beautiful, handcrafted woodwork I have ever seen. Currently focusing on hand-turned goods, Dev is a master of his craft with a passion for wood that is evident in everything he creates. If you’ve got a pal that loves the finer things in life, you can’t go wrong with one of his creations.

• Miller + Co. Pottery — To help explain how incredible Jen is, I once refused to buy plates until I could have them handmade by this sweet angel. Jen puts so much thought and love into every single piece of pottery, and oh baby does it show. If your bud likes a cozy vibe, then they will love wrapping their hands around one of Jen’s mugs while snuggled up on the couch. Pupper on your feet not required but highly recommended.

• Tania Floral Design — There are pretty flowers, and then there are Tania’s floral arrangements. Holy smoke, y’all. No matter who your friends are or what they love, I can promise you they will S-W-O-O-N over TDM’s works of art. A beautiful hand-tie is bound to bring sunshine on even the cloudiest of days. Want to keep the love long-lasting? Sign your sweetheart up for a floral subscription!

• Woodlot — Thoughtfully curated with intoxicating scents and natural ingredients, Woodlot provides that wonderful mix of nature-inspired scents and skincare. Perfect for the one who stops to smell the pine trees and loves the soft gentleness of a candle-lit glow.

• Forest City Stained Glass — There’s nothing quite like the soft winter light catching the beauty of an exquisitely-made piece of stained glass. If someone on your list loves exploring nature and adores a healthy dose of sunshine, one of Stacie’s stained glass pieces is the perfect pick.

• Candle With Hare — Alejandra is the beauty and brains behind Candle With Hare, and the artist responsible for the sweetest pieces of embroidered art you ever did see. Yet another wonder inspired by nature, she creates handcrafted works of art just for the ones you love.

• Back to the Fuchsia — Mary is so dang cool, and it shows in the selection of incredible finds at Back to the Fuchsia. Whether it’s a light-up burger sign or coveted pastel pink Pyrex bowls, Mary knows what’s up. No matter who you’re shopping for, you’re bound to find something they’ll love at this eclectic gem.

COMM(UNITY) || Nice Great Things To Support
This one is extra special. This year, more than others, the veil has been pulled back on the inequities that exist within our own country and our own communities. These organizations are doing exceptional work in creating space and belonging while advocating for real change. If you’ve got that person in your life who’s impossible to shop for, or who has everything they need, consider a donation to an organization whose values align with theirs. Here are some of the ones I hold near and dear to my heart, and can absolutely say are making our communities a better place to be.

• Urban Roots London* — an urban agriculture initiative aiming to bring equity and access to London’s food system by offering the dignity of access to beautiful, well-grown food, educational programming, and a community space to explore and connect.

• Atlohsa Family Healing Services — providing community members with Indigenous-led programming and services that offer holistic healing, education, shelter and support.

• Anova — providing safe places, shelter, support, counselling, and resources for abused women, their children, and all oppressed individuals to find a new start.

• Unity Project — providing a home-like shelter environment for adults and youth of all genders, aged 16 and over and using community, compassion, and skills programming to end experiences of homelessness.

• Rezonance — aiming to bridge the gap between culture, art, and entrepreneurial skills while providing Indigenous artists and youth support in pursuing economic sovereignty and artistic freedom.

• SafeSpace — providing sex-workers, allies, women-identified, and gender non-conforming folks support while advocating for safe and dignified sex work.

• Black Youth Helpline — provides support and resources aimed to build strong and resilient futures for Black youth.

• Future Ancestors Grant Fund — providing financial relief and opportunity to invest in the business development of Indigenous and Black young professionals as they fight to bring climate justice and equity to the forefront.

*note of disclosure: I sit on the board of directors for Urban Roots London. This is a voluntary position and I will not benefit financially from any donations made to the organization.