Bungee wallet

Since the cut and style of pants are slimmer than in the past, it’s difficult to hold a wallet in a pocket without an unsightly bulge. What to do? Carry a slim wallet.

With a design pedigree coming from BMW, the Bungee wallet is sure to make a slick impression. The pocket-sized carrying case has a translucent acrylic front, an aluminum back, and a molded cap attached by elastic cord.

Even though it’s small, it can hold paper bills, a credit card, ID, keys, and some protection (just in case).

Best of all, it’s available in four colours to match any outfit.

For more information, visit www.umbra.com.

Dayton Boots

These boots are made for walking, and so much more. Dayton Boots, established in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1946, has become the little company that could.

It began as a maker of logging boots, but has since expanded into the realm of Western and Motorcycle for both men and women. Daytons have become known as one of the best brands of Boots the world over.

Each boot is made meticulously by hand and the company even offers a lifetime warranty on them. Some of their most famous and popular designs include the Black Beauty (pictured above) and the Classic Engineer. Because Daytons are easily resoled and reconditioned, it’s no surprise that some pairs last for over a quarter century.

For more information, visit www.daytonboots.com.

Club Monaco eyewear

Club Monaco is known the world over as a retail concept that designs, manufactures and markets its own clothing, accessories, and home collection, and now it's introducing a line of eyewear for today’s urban professional.

The collection is chic and iconic. The collection features modern interpretations of classic styles perfect for someone who wants to make a subtle style statement.


With UVA and UVB protection, all styles retail for $79 to $99 (U.S.), and are available in select Club Monaco stores in the US and Canada.

For more information, visit www.clubmonaco.com.

EQ3

The concept of high style and low prices comes together in Winnipeg-based EQ3’s line of furniture and accessories.

Their spacious Toronto showroom resembles a two-story loft seen in magazines: extra high ceilings, exposed ductwork, natural finishes, and tall windows that fill the place with natural light.

The set up is that of a really laid-back and cool condo. Throughout the store are small room vignettes - a living room over here, a dining room over there, and a bedroom in between. Styles have a modern slant, but transitional in nature. The fabrics are neutral, the finishes dark, and the textures varied.

EQ3 also carries sleek office furniture (the Bensen office chair, inspired by a Herman Miller design, is a steal at $399), a wall of tableware and glassware, linens for the table and bed, and accessories.

Selection is key at EQ3. There are a variety of pieces that can be placed in any home – classic or contemporary. It’s difficult to choose just one thing to take home, so it’s best to come back several times.

For more information, visit 222 King Street West (Toronto, Ontario), or www.eq3.com.

Neighbourknowledge.com

Want to know what’s going on in a neighbourhood before moving in? Now, it’s possible with www.neighbourknowldge.com, a website that allows anyone to get the 411 instead of dialing 911 when already living there.

In other words, this site is an online meeting place for locals to share their knowledge about their communities. Currently based in the Toronto area, the neighbourhoods covered include those from east to west, north to south.

Pages can be added for anything - a business, school, community group, etc. - and conversations can start with ’neighbours’ about the topic at hand.

Additionally, viewers can explore neighbourhoods, homes, know what’s going on, and meet locals (at least, virtually).

Although still in its infancy, neighbourhoodknowledge.com is one of the easiest ways to visit a new place without leaving the comfort of one’s own computer.

For more information, visit www.neighbourknowledge.com.

Toronto Fashion Week

Whether or not you’re interested in fashion, inevitably you face it on a daily basis while glimpsing into the closet to choose something to wear for the day.

Now in its seventh year, L’Oreal Toronto Fashion Week (March 17-22) brings together a coterie of designers, models, hair and makeup people, photographers, media, fashionistas and fabulistias to the city where they’ll watch a week’s worth of runway shows - most being held in the tents of Nathan Phillips Square.

Toronto may not be as well-known as some of the more established capitals of fashion (Paris, Milan, New York), but its youthful spirit allows prevails in the highly-competitive world of design.

It’s not as if there isn’t any established talent exhibiting their collections on the runways. People like David Dixon and Joeffer Caoc have helped put Toronto on the map as a destination of Canadian style. Additionally, there are always new designers trying to make a name for themselves on these runways.

Fortunately, fashion fiends who want to take part in the festivities but fears the exclusive nature of the industry won’t allow them to enter the tents, can take part in the festivities. A single show ticket is available for $20 (while full-day general passes are $50) and allows any style aficionado to see what the cognoscenti will be drooling over.

For more information, visit www.fdcc.com.

Arthur Erickson

Vancouver-born and world-renowned architect, Arthur Erickson, recently took a hit when his 1962 Graham house was demolished in West Vancouver. Modernists raged against the developer who made the decision, saying it was an atrocity to tear down a house that is one of the few remaining pieces of modern, Canadian design.

Apparently, the truth of the matter was that the house had become a Frankenstein-esque home, with features (like an elevator) being added over the years, taking over the magic of the original design. Even so, the site was historic and it begs the question of when private property should be preserved for its heritage.

Erickson’s other houses have sprung up around North America, including New York’s Fire Island House.

To see more of Erickson’s work, check out his website before that, too, gets torn down.

For more information, visit www.arthurerickson.com.