“Strategist Brain” is a series where staffers share the stores they’ve stopped into, stuff they’ve spotted, and extra tidbits from stories they’ve worked on. You’ll hear from a different writer every week.
Last month, my partner and I moved from Minnesota to Toronto. I’ve never lived in Canada, even though I’m a dual citizen — I was born in the Midwest and raised by two Canadians. While I know I’m on the same continent, our move to another country has been quite the adventure. I’m adjusting to life in a bustling city again. I’ve switched to a new currency. I’m reading food labels in French at the grocery store and picking up all the ketchup-flavored chips I want. And, of course, I’m learning more about what it means to be a Torontonian — and how to shop like one. As an obsessive shopper, I see my new neighborhood as fresh ground for uncovering brands and small businesses that I might not have stumbled upon before the move. Here, I’ve listed a few Toronto-based stores that I think you should know about (and that ship to the U.S.) and what I’m eyeing at each.
Located in the west end of Toronto, Armed has a treasure trove of stackable, tarnish-free jewelry. I could seriously spend hours looking through each piece. A friend of mine scooped up a necklace with these nostalgic block-spaced letters, and I think it’s just a matter of time before I follow suit.
Another shop that’s got my attention is Province of Canada. It’s one of the only brands that manufactures all its products in Canada, which I think is very cool. Here’s a festive rugby shirt that’s sturdy and structured, but still made of soft cotton. This bright Kindercore-esque one is also nice.
[Note: Province of Canada lists prices in Canadian dollars, so the price shown here is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
Suede has been everywhere this fall, and I have my eye on these crimson ballet flats from women-led brand Maguire. All its shoes and accessories are designed at the flagship in Montréal, though the brand has a store in Toronto (and for New Yorkers, there’s one in Nolita).
Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
Lake Ontario is only a stone’s throw away from our home, and the waterfront trail has become my favorite place to run and walk. Running near one of the Great Lakes sometimes feels more like you’re peering out at the ocean. When I’m on a run, I’ll listen to music by using these — the latest wireless bone-conduction headphones from Shokz. They deliver super clear sound, but the open-ear feature still lets me hear what’s going on around me. I’m also the type of runner who prefers to hear my breathing and my shoes hitting the pavement, so the OpenRun Pro 2 is exactly what I’ve been looking for in terms of Bluetooth running headphones.
I make a lot of pasta salad — and, as I’ve mentioned before, dill pickles are the secret ingredient. I almost always use farfalle pasta, so this wax candle really speaks to me.
I’m usually testing body-care formulas, but this Osea “lip booster” caught my eye this month. It arrived with the brand’s body wash, and now that I’ve finally gotten around to trying it, I must say it’s my new favorite. It gives my lips a burst of hydration but never feels sticky or overly thick. I also love the doe-foot applicator, which reminds me of Dior’s Lip Glow Oil.
As I write this, I’m staring directly at a nine-week-old basset hound puppy. My partner got the puppy itch, and in a matter of days, I’ve become a full-fledged dog mom. No complaints! I’ve been seeing purse charms everywhere, and I’m quite taken with these fall-themed collar charms. The maple leaf is special, and the squirrel is very endearing.
Now that I have puppy brain, I’ve been on the lookout for new and interesting dog brands. I discovered the nice-looking carrier bags from Ugo (as in “you go”), which are designed to accommodate dachshunds and longer breeds — perfect, I think, for a basset hound. According to the brand, the carrier was inspired by an everyday shopping bag and has a rigid base with a cushy pillow top to support longer dogs.
[Note: Ugo lists prices in euros, so the price shown here is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
I already own these clogs in the merino-wool blend, but this bouclé version looks perfect for the colder months. They’re so comfortable and require zero break-in period. I also appreciate that my feet never overheat, even when I wear mine with thick, slouchy socks.
Can you tell I adore fall footwear yet? I ordered these square-toed boots from Australian brand Tony Bianco and was incredibly impressed with how comfortable the heel height and footbed felt right out of the box. Now, I’ve walked over a mile in them without any trouble (no Charley horses here). The thicker heel really makes it easier to walk on uneven city sidewalks. I own this “Chocolate Nappa” color that pairs nicely with fancier dresses and skirts and more casual wide-leg jeans, and I fear I might have to grab another pair in the black shade.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
