fourONEsixSTYLE

Sandwich Board
Originally uploaded by Lex in the City.

I was in an early morning daze at a Timothy’s recently trying to grab a cup of coffee when a man stormed in ahead of me and asked to speak to the manager. He was annoyed. I was annoyed. It was one of those mornings.

There was no manager on duty so the man pled his case to two staff staring back at him vacantly from behind the counter. It was about the sandwich board stretched out on the sidewalk in front of the coffee shop. The problem, he said, was that these sandwich boards take up too much space and cause unnecessary obstacles for the blind and also elderly people using buggies. It was a valid point, one I’d never previously considered.

These ubiquitous sidewalk signs can often be ugly, pointless and ineffective, especially if they’re constantly blowing over. Though sometimes there’ll be a chalkboard sign with a funny little phrase meant to grab our attention and make us smile, or they’ll tell us about a new thing on a restaurant menu that can make our mouth water in anticipation. For stores yearning for more exposure a sidewalk sign is a good way to get passersby to stop and notice or allow them to look down the block to see what’s coming up.

There is a better option though, especially on crowded sidewalks where stores are just trying to get some more brand exposure. In the distillery district most signs are mounted overhead so to be within a good sight line and also out of the way. The overhead signs add charm to the historic neighborhood and don’t intrude on public space.

In the case of the man and the Timothy’s sign, the man was pissed at the employees’ lack of response and tore off to move the sign himself. A couple of days later the sign was back in the same spot, dominantly claiming half the sidewalk and not really having much to say.

See what people think about Sign Design at blogTO

According to Anita Clark’s website I want - I got, and mass emails quickly circulating around the city, Lululemon is having another huge warehouse sale. You can expect massive line-ups but also bargain prices for otherwise pricey yoga gear. I know the image of Lululemon-clad girls running about town has become a bit cliche, so if you’d rather avoid the stereotype Roots, Fila, and Old Navy offer yoga lines too.

Since I’m back on the yoga track, hitting Bikram classes a few times a week, I feel like I spend most of my extra time doing laundry. That’s one good reason to for me to pick up some more gear. Most of Lululemon’s yoga tops and bottoms are made with material that wicks away moisture too so it’ll be easier to handle the heat when my Bikram’s instructor jacks the thermostat to 40C+. You wouldn’t catch me dropping $50 for a bra top or $75 on stretchy pants so I think I’ll hit the sale like everyone else does to find some bargains.

See what people are saying about it on blogTO

Location: 473 Adelaide Street West.
Sale starts today and runs until Sunday
Everyday 10AM-7PM

For those who get totally stressed-out Christmas shopping I have one piece of advice - go local and stay out of the malls. Over the course of two rainy days I’ve found nearly everything I need in Bloor West, Parkdale and West Queen West, granted I’ve been buying for people who love design as much as I do and it’s always easier to find unique gifts away from the dreaded mall.

Relatively new to the block is blue igloo in Parkdale, a small shop with a bit of everything for the home. Every time I go in I leave with something for my flat, but this time the silver teardrop lamp I picked up had someone else’s name on it. At Jolanta Interiors on Bloor every kitchen accessory you could dream up is somewhere on its shelves. Smallish brandy glasses were a nightmare to find anywhere else - they were out, too pricey or not the right shape - but they were a quick find at this established shop in the village. Wish I’d bought the ramekins for creme brulee for $1.50 a piece at Jolanta’s instead of at Williams Sonoma at $11 a pop, though WS did wrap them up extra pretty.

Of all the places I’d been Studio Brillantine at Dovercourt and Queen is my fav. Whenever I’m lost for gift ideas SB is where I end up. I spent an hour looking at every piece in the store - Stelton’s stainless steel coffee set by Arne Jacobsen, Shiseido candies from Ginza, Toyko and minimal digital watches by Philippe Stark. It’s the kind of stuff that wins design awards and gets noticed - conversation pieces - the kind of pieces people usually don’t buy for themselves but would love to own and probably don’t already have. I left with a great bag of goodies, easily finding something for the home-office guy, the entertainer and the traveler too all in one simple spot.

Studio Brillantine @ 1082 Queen Street West. Ph: 416.536.6521
Jolanta Interiors @ 2368 Bloor St. W. Ph: 416.762.9638
Blue Igloo - now online only.

Caban announced recently that it would be closing its doors, and have now begun huge clearance sales at all of their Canadian stores. Though I was hoping to one day toast a US expansion - instead it’s time to say goodbye to the 6-year-old franchise.

Shoppers are scooping up sales already, and though the sale is good, it’s not “closing sale good”. Caban’s got some quality brands and that seems to be enough to get shoppers in for the bargains. In the food section you’ll find 20% off deals on products by Dean and Deluca, Bodum, Stelton and Nigella Lawson. You can pick up books, like Susur Lee’s A Culinary Life, for 30%, and if you’re looking for big ticket furniture items which are 20% off you’re going to have to get there fast before there’s a sold sign on that Philippe Stark stool you wanted.

I’ll have to mourn the slick lifestyle brand’s demise in true Caban fashion, with a spill of bubbly on the hardwood floor (bought new champagne glasses) while I throw on a Buddha Bar CD and whip something up from Balthazar’s cookbook.

One of the first things Toronto blog 416style shared with its readers was news about the Apple store opening in Yorkdale Mall near the 401. This writer was none too pleased that the new store wasn’t positioned as a downtown Apple landmark location. Less than a year later, we’ll get our Apple in the core, at Toronto’s famous Eaton Centre. The Grand Opening takes place this Saturday May 6th at 9:30am.

Coffee & Mouse…
Originally uploaded by Fanis.

Are you a coffee freak like me living in Toronto? If you are I want to share a terrific little secret with you. You can have super fresh roasted coffee delivered to your home or office door within 24 hours by Dark City. Even your favourite coffee shops won’t have it this fresh. If you buy your blends at the supermarket this might be too much for you…it’s a whole new world of coffee out there.

Having fresh flavourful coffee come to my door feels like a priviledge, but I’m not paying any more for it than I would at any specialty store. As a birthday or holiay treat I have it sent to my friends’ homes. They love it.

My friend at Dark City Coffee roasts his fair trade and organic coffee on his premises. After having just watched the documentary Black Coffee on TVOntario I realized the importance of sharing this with you. We should all be aware of where in this world this commodity is coming from. Fairly traded coffee should be supported by everyone. Dark City offers coffee from around the world and you can live better knowing that everyone in the process of growing and trading is getting their fair share.

If you live in the West End of Toronto you’ll find a little coffee shop on Roncesvalles called Cherry Bomb that serves a taste of Dark City Coffee. Alternative Grounds, also on Ronces, is a great place for fair trade and organic beans too.

If you want to know more about Dark City coffee check out CBC’s recent review on Metro Morning