6 Shops to Explore in Montreal
6 Shops to Explore in Montreal One of my favourite ways to shop is by looking for items that feel special, thoughtful, and different from what you’ll find at home. Montréal has such an incredible maker community, and the gifts that come out of the city are often artisanal, sustainably produced, and designed to last — which is exactly what I look for when shopping for gifts. From beauty and home to food and accessories, it’s a great place for inspiration when you’re trying to move beyond last-minute, big-box gifts. Many of the local brands ship nationwide, which makes it easy to support Canadian businesses and check everyone off your list without leaving home — especially during the busy holiday season. And for those who value experiences over things, Montréal delivers too — with dining, wellness, and cultural attractions that can be bundled and gifted through Passeport MTL, creating truly memorable moments. Le Cartel For someone who needs fresh, unique pieces to update their wardrobe, Le Cartel is the best place to shop. A diverse selection of talented artists make their art accessible by blending it with fashion, resulting in stylish streetwear.A fashion partner of Osheaga Musical and Arts Festival since 2018, Le Cartel features bold colours and designs in a range of shirts, sweaters, pants, jackets, and accessories — including toques for the chilly Canadian winter months. Everything is silk-screened in Montreal, and the artists are celebrated for their creative work, making a shopping experience that helps the local art community thrive. Les Filles FattoushThe delicious taste of Syria is available in Montreal at Les Filles Fattoush. This women-owned business benefits more than just your tastebuds – it employs refugee Syrian women, offering them a way to transition into Canadian life while maintaining deep ties to their culture. The resulting food is authentic and steeped in history. You can browse the store at the Jean-Talon Market for spreads, spices, sauces, and desserts, or get a recipe book to try your hand at Syrian dishes. Purchase a ready-to-eat meal at the store, or order online to have it delivered to your door. Excellent food makes for great gifting. Domaine des 15 lotsYou can’t get much more Canadian than maple, which is Domaine des 15 lots’ specialty. They have a tasty assortment of maples syrups, but that’s not all: maple butter, maple cream fudge, maple syrup jelly, and pastries (made with maple sugar) is a glimpse into
Last-minute Gifts For This Busy Holiday Season
Last-minute Gifts For This Busy Holiday Season Looking for some amazing last-minute gifts this busy holiday season? We got you covered with these great finds that all your friends and family will LOVE. Quo Beauty Have a self-care enthusiast or hair care lover on your list? Run to your local Shopper's Drug Mart to get these must-have gifts. The Quo Beauty Mini Straightener 4 Piece Kit is the perfect gift for that gal who loves silky smooth hair. This bundle of cheer comes with a mini straightener, a set of sectioning clips, and a hairbrush. Ditch the regular old advent calendar and upgrade to the Quo Beauty 12 Days of Bath! Celebrate everyday by opening bubbles and bath fizzies. Get this gift for your favourite person or treat yourself with a tranquil escape this busy time of the year. Give the gift of hand-care heaven with the Quo Beauty Hand Cream Collection. This ultimate set comes with five different hand creams to keep that special someone’s hands feeling soft and smelling like a million bucks! For the man in your life, give him an upgrade to his daily routine with the Quo Beauty Men’s Grooming Kit. This set comes with everything to keep him looking snazzy this holiday season and everyday after: Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Tweezers, Facial Razor, and Comb. The Quo Beauty Men’s Manicure Set is another great gift that comes with all the essentials for a flawless manicure! At home or on the go, he can use this kit anywhere! Comes with Large Nail Clipper, Medium Nail Clipper, Diagonal Nail Clipper, Scissors, Nail File, Cuticle Trimmer, Nail Cleaner, Tweezers, and Blackhead Remover. Jack Black Suffering from dry lips this cold season? Treat yourself or a friend to the SuperHero Lip Balm Kit. The Moisture Therapy Lip Balm is an emollient balm, enriched with superior skin conditioners and antioxidants that soothes and relieves dry, chapped, irritated lips. It also offers SPF to keep the lips protected! Smell great throughout the year with Pit Boss Deodorant. This is the perfect gift that features long-lasting odor and wetness protection. The gentle antiperspirant and deodorant formula won’t irritate delicate underarm skin. The Black Reserve Body Spray is the one gift on every body spray lover’s list! A body spray with a deep, intriguing, and masculine scent that leaves you smelling like cardamom and red cedarwood; soothing lavender and bergamot; and distinctive coriander and patchouli. Combat that unwanted dry skin this winter with the Black Reserve
4 Ways to Celebrate The Holidays at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto
4 Ways to Celebrate The Holidays at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto Looking for some fun ways to celebrate the holidays this season? The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto has you covered for some cute and cozy activities. Whether you're going with your friends or bringing the whole family along, there is something everyone will be sure to enjoy. Wine & Wreath Workshop Unleash your creativity in this Wine & Wreath workshop at The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto. Led by a florist partner; you will be sure to make some perfect holiday wreaths for your home. Enjoy a complimentary welcome drink while immersing yourself in a two-hour workshop. Receive an additional 20% discount for the Chartroom Bar & Lounge afterwards! Breakfast with Santa Bring the whole family to this jolly breakfast with Santa himself! This joyous occasion is available every Sunday in December leading up to Christmas! Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast in The Mizzen restaurant and let the kids meet with Santa. Fondue Experience This authentic fondue dining experience is in the Chartroom Bar & Lounge throughout the holiday! Come on down and unwind this Christmas break! Chow down on cheese or treat yourself with a sweet treat of chocolate fondue. The perfect way to spend a date night! Come Home for the Holidays at Savoury Run, don't walk to Westin Harbour Castle for your festive meal, at Savoury! Located in an intimate 10-person space, indulge yourself in the customised menus that are tailored to your booking and culinary tastes. Choose from family style or a buffet! Take a break from cooking this year and let Savoury cater the family.
A Teen-Approved Miami Escape: Art, Action and FIFA Thrills
By Rosalind Stefanac If you’re hunting for a getaway that blends sunshine, culture, adrenaline and teen-approved fun, Miami is having its moment. Beyond its vibrant neighbourhoods and iconic beaches, the recently renovated Freedom Tower now houses a new FIFA-themed exhibition just in time for World Cup fever—and a definite score for families with soccer-obsessed kids like mine. And that’s just the beginning! Here are some suggestions for what to do with your teen in Miami, including notable food stops and family-friendly places to stay along the way. Kick off at the Freedom Tower’s FIFA exhibit Soccer fans will find themselves awe-struck by this museum-meets-experience dedicated to the history and impact of the world’s most popular sport. Teens and tweens can trace the sport from its origins to modern-day legends (including Lionel Messi, of course), interact with digital installations, and take in all the jerseys, trophies and artifacts from World Cup history. That the exhibit is housed in the Freedom Tower, which underwent a massive renovation and reopened for its centennial this year, is a big bonus. The Tower has long been a symbol of hope for Cuban refugees and immigrants who passed through its doors during the 1960s and ’70s. Inside, multimedia installations honour this history through moving photographs and audio recordings of Cuban families recounting their often-treacherous journeys to freedom. (Go early to avoid crowds and to give your teen enough time in the interactive zones. You’ll leave energized for a full day of exploring.) Explore Miami’s Most Colourful Neighbourhoods Photo by Miami Culinary Tours Once you’ve kicked things off downtown, head for some of Miami’s most interesting neighbourhoods beyond the beach. Wynwood Wynwood is the ultimate street-art playground—an open-air museum where massive murals by world-renowned graffiti and urban artists tower above indie boutiques, cafés and ice-cream shops. We tucked in for a delicious meal at Dunkaroo Jamaican Kitchen, where everything was made fresh and the vibe felt like we’d made a pit stop in the Caribbean itself. Little Haiti & Little Havana We also enjoyed exploring the vibrant neighbourhoods of Little Haiti and Little Havana. In the latter, we joined a walking tour with Miami Culinary Tours, led by our guide Mirka Roch Harris who wove engaging historical details into every food stop. Along the way, we sampled a delicious lineup of sweet and savoury bites—including an authentic Cuban sandwich I’m still dreaming about. We capped it off at Domino Park, a beloved Little Havana gathering spot where senior locals gather