Relieve the magic that was the Beatles with Day Tripper: The Beatles Experience on Thursday night.

DAY TRIPPER: THE BEATLES EXPERIENCE
Though it’s been almost 45 years since The Beatles last played together publicly on a London rooftop, you’ll feel as though it was only “Yesterday” as you behold The Beatles Experience. Four accomplished Montreal musicians take the stage as John, Paul, George, and Ringo, reviving the nuances, mannerisms, and musicianship of the band that forever changed the world. From Beatlemania to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to Abbey Road, this concert will have you twisting and shouting for more. $51. Thursday, April 4, 8 p.m. Salle Odysée, 855 boule. de la Gappe., Gatineau, www.beatlesexperience.com.

EXTRAORDINARY ARCTIC FESTIVAL
As the weather (hopefully) warms up in the city, things are cooling off at the Canadian Museum of Nature. The Extraordinary Arctic Festival kicks off this weekend, featuring films, storytelling, performing arts, games, and activities. Coinciding with the 100^th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition (a scientific expedition in the Arctic Circle), the Festival’s feature exhibit, Flora of the Canadian Arctic, contrasts flora specimens from 1912 and 2012. Get out and discover the remarkable heritage of Canada’s far north! $12, students and seniors $10, children $8, children three and under free. Thursday, April 4, to Sunday, April 28, Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., www.nature.ca.

ORIGINALS: THE SPRING CRAFT SALE
Could your home, garden, or wardrobe use some updating? A bit of pizazz? A trip to Originals should help to liven things up. A wide selection of fine handmade work from 180 artists, artisans, and designers make it easy to shop for Mother’s Day (or treat yourself!), plus brides-to-be should check out Saturday’s bridal “party” day, featuring dress designers and celebrity wedding planner Stacey Price. $7 (weekend pass), youth (13-17) and seniors $4, children 12 and under free. Thursday, April 4, to Sunday, April 7. See website for show hours. Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr., www.originalsshow.ca.

OTTAWA ANTIQUE SHOW
If you’ve been keeping an eye out for a timeless treasure, you may find a little piece of the past to call your own at the Ottawa Antique Show. This year’s show hosts over 50 vendors offering accessories, artwork, and furnishings for sale. With a variety of items and a wide range of price points, there’s a hidden gem here for everyone. $10 (weekend pass), 18 and under free. Friday, April 5, to Sunday, April 7. See website for show hours. Carleton University Fieldhouse, Bronson Avenue at Sunnyside Avenue, www.ottawaantiqueshow.ca.

ART THROB @ JUNXION
Get out of the house and get into house music at JunXion! This night of festivities benefits Ottawa arts programs by raising money for youth scholarships at the Ottawa School of Art (OSA), and the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO). Your heart will be racing on the dance floor as local musicians Zoo Legacy, NDMA, and Silkken Laumann spin an eclectic mix of house, hip-hop, electro, indie, and rock all night long. From $10. Friday, April 5, 9 p.m. The JunXion Public House, 15 George St., www.artthrob.eventbrite.com.

MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S
Jealousy rears its ugly head at The Howard Johnson Motor Inn as members of a love triangle collide and murderous plots begin to take form. Three scenes deliver three failed murder scenarios, as different members of the triangle side with one another to assassinate the third party. The Phoenix Players deliver a riotous dark comedy will have you in stitches! $18, students and seniors $15. Until April 13. See website for show times. The Gladstone, 910 Gladstone Ave., www.phoenixplayers.ca.

YOGA ZONE FUNDRAISER
The Adi Shesha Yoga Studio offers more than just yoga to make you feel good. This Saturday afternoon, spend your time and money at the Grand Fundraising Bazaar to raise funds for a life-saving kidney transplant needed by a 17-year-old Nepalese boy. Food, drink, entertainment, and yoga giveaways set the scene as you browse a wide variety of items on sale, generously donated by local businesses, artisans, and restaurants. Donations welcomed. Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Adi Shesha Yoga Studio, 1338 ½ Wellington St. W., www.adishesha.com.

INSIDE THE MUSIC: OTTAWA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (FREE!)
Ever wondered how an orchestra comes together so beautifully? Bring the family and get a behind the scenes look with OrKidstra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. As the OSO prepares for Monday night’s concert A Russian Celebration, kids can watch and listen as David Currie directs and perfects the sound of the symphony. Kids will partake in activities led by OrKidstra musicians, and will even have the opportunity to conduct a small ensemble themselves. Light refreshments will follow the fun. Sunday, April 7, 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. NAC, Southam Hall, 53 Elgin St., www.ottawasymphony.com.

The post WEEKENDER: The Beatles Experience, a cool art party, and an orchestra outing for families are on the bill this April weekend appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Jonathan sports a blue pinstripe suit, bought in New York, with a floral Nodus shirt from Paris. On his feet, MoxyMaüs socks and Ansarina shoes. He’s also wearing Anne et Valentin glasses, a Knox Tom ‘n’ Jerry fedora, and a bow tie handmade by an artist from Medicine Hat. Photography by Jonathan Hobin.

Interview by Erica Eades

How does your work as a cultural planner for the city’s art collection affect your style? It gives me freedom to have a more artistic sense of style and to be able to push boundaries in a corporate setting. It allows me to have a bit more play involved in what I wear.

How do you describe your personal style? It’s partially vintage, and there’s a lot of colour.

What do you think of men’s fashion today? Generally, it is very conservative. If you go into a corporate environment, it’s blue and black suits. Women have a lot more variety in fashion in the sense of choices and colours. So, for men, it’s trying to find unique pieces that add a little more interest, whether that’s in a standard corporate setting or whether it’s just in your personal life.

Your ever-changing moustache [which currently resembles the barely there “cropped Dalí” style] has become an integral part of your look. What inspired this? Initially, it was just going on a holiday and not shaving for a while. Then I went to New York City and saw a Salvador Dalí exhibition and thought of the idea of using moustache wax to change my facial hair to something a little bit different. After I added that moustache, I found a Salvador Dalí artwork at an estate sale. The new joke is that maybe I should get a white wig and I’ll discover an Andy Warhol.

What do you consider when suggesting what pieces of city-owned art a corporate client may want to rent to decorate their office space? It all depends on the client and the space. The first step is having a dialogue with the client so that I understand what they really want — what sort of tone or mood. Then, of course, there are the physical limitations of the size or safety of certain artworks. Working with clients who are really arts-friendly allows me to play with artworks that are more challenging.

Who have you worked with? Oh, it’s all over the map. Everyone from the mayor to heads of paramedic services to the people who deal with parking permits. We have artworks in about 150 municipal buildings, and some of those buildings have space to exhibit hundreds of artworks.

The post MY LOOK: Jonathan Browns, a cultural planner for the city’s art collection, chats about his eye-catching personal style appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

Choker with amber pendant, Renée Lévesque, $159. Ann dress, $238, from BCBGMaxazria, Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St., www.bcbg.com.

Over the holidays, we noticed the tell-tale paper covering the windows at the Renée Lévesque store on Wellington. The shop, the jeweller’s second location, only opened a few years ago, could it be she was pulling the plug already? Upon further investigation, we learnt that her downtown store had also closed; only her Montreal boutique remained.

We have adored her elaborate accessories for years, enjoyed her careful eye for clothing (she began selling cute, affordable dresses and shoes in 2009), and always appreciated her fun, helpful staff. And we lauded her as one of Ottawa’s best jewellery designers in a fashion feature less than a year ago. We began to fear that another independent retailer had given up on little Ottawa.

We put out our feelers and found out that, far from giving up the ghost, RL has big plans in the works. This spring she will open a larger store in the ByWard Market, one that will include a studio and a larger storeroom. Plus, she’s expanding to offer not only clothing and shoes but also home decor items — and jewellery making classes. “The new boutique will be bigger and better and feature a new shopping experience,” she wrote in an email.

(While Lévesque insists she loves the Wellington strip, she admits it wasn’t a good fit. Her customers are tourists and destination shoppers, people looking to enjoy quality clothing, museums, and art  — a day on the town. Wellington is for errands, albeit fashionable ones, but maybe that’s just our opinion.)

The new RL store will sell gift-able things, offer tea and mags, and aim to be a “lifestyle store.” She envisions a space akin to Anthropologie.

The lifestyle store trend is not new (not even to Ottawa). We wrote about Young Jane’s and Shepherd’s taking a similar tack last year. But we did appreciate hearing some solid thinking on this trend.

“There will be a sofa, you can come and chat and make some earrings,” Lévesque said in an interview. “One thing we won’t have is racks and racks of clothing. Online shopping is doing away with this.”

Lévesque would not commit to clothing lines — though she does love COCO & Tashi. She insists that dresses will stay under the $150 mark, and she’s planning on adding local designers to the mix.

“I think that shopping should be a fun experience, you should have a feeling of happiness. And you should always find something new and exciting.”

The post THE INSIDER: Renée Lévesque closes two Ottawa locations in advance of new, larger lifestyle boutique appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Let’s be honest: Canadian winters could use a little colour. So we’re highlighting five fabulous pieces that are as functional as they are funky. Embrace the season with the latest gear that will keep you safe and stylin’ in the great outdoors By Vanessa Ortynsky

The post LET IT SNOW: Five fab gift ideas for those who love skiing, snowboarding, and — well — playing outside appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

“Much like the little ones it caters to, Fab Baby Gear is always growing,” wrote Elizabeth Balsom in Ottawa Magazine’s 2012-13 Shopping annual. And anyone who has stepped inside the store’s new West Wellington location will know the truth in that statement. It’s huge!

And while fans of Danish furniture might miss the cluttered-but-creative chaos that was previously in the 8,500 square-foot commercial space, stroller mamas love the wide aisles and soft lighting.

Photo by Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio

Fab, which is run by husband-and-wife team Ying Lui and Ching Lau, offers everything from skin care products to cribs, maternity wear to those irresistible little onesies. The larger store allows Lui and Lau to showcase their wide range of nursery furniture via four showrooms — perfect for nursing moms needing a break from their West Wellie latte tour!

The Look: Chic and bright; sensible products, as well as cute baby shower gifts.

Perfect for: Getting prepared for an upcoming arrival; presents for new parents babies.

USP: Seminars for new parents and other caregivers are held regularly in the store; infant and child CPR classes, taught by a representative from the Ottawa Paramedic Service, focus on choking and other emergencies.

 Fab Baby Gear, 1244 Wellington St. W., 613-729-8838 ext. 2.  

Get the full story — complete with more photos and quotes the owners — in the 2012/2013 edition of Shopping, available at Chapters locations, Brittons magazine stores, and other newsstands around town. Or order your copy online by clicking here.

The post GAINING GROUND: Checking out Fab Baby Gear’s flash new digs appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Urban Hippie by Jen Lahey is published every second Tuesday at OttawaMagazine.com. Follow Jen on Twitter ‏@Jen_Lahey.

‘Tis the season, and green is an ever-so-popular hue this time of year, don’t you think? Here’s a few UH-approved gifties to shower upon those you love (that could include you) to make everything that much merrier — and greener.

Canadian company Totem makes adorable yet handy bags, laptop sleeves and ipad sleeves using upcycled materials. Ditched promotional banners, inners tubes, tarps and seatbelts are the playthings of Totem’s designers, who fashion them into different handy bag designs. The Urban Hippie on your list will be delighted to receive one to haul his lunch about town, or to impress her coworkers by stylishly shlepping her afternoon memos to and fro. $34-160. terra20, 2685 Iris St., 1-855-terra20.

Also from terra 20, beautiful ‘bark’ bowls and trays from Shiraleah are made from reclaimed and recycled metal and would worked equally well filled sparkly baubles as a holiday centerpiece, or filled with something green and fresh like a spinach and citrus salad at lunch or dinner. $60-$82. terra20, 2685 Irish St., 1-855-terra20.

For the bookworms and big thinkers on your list, a copy of Mike Berners-Lee’s ‘How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything’ is a nice choice. The book examines the impact of scores of things, from daily living and sundry items, all the way up to events like the Olympics and football games, and all manner of things in between. Rather than make every trip to the grocery store or ball game a guilt trip, we like to think it will get discussions going and get people thinking about how daily choices affect the bigger picture. $16 online. Chapters.

Grandma and Grandma, take note: this sturdy, well-built riding dump truck by Moover Danish Design Toys is designed for tikes aged 8 to 48 months, and can be driven and steered at the same time (and when they get older, kids can take it apart and put it back together—cool!). Non-toxic soy paint makes this a great choice for mini-UHs who are prone to, you know, licking things. $124. Peek-A-Boo Natural toys and Accessories, 992 Wellington St. West, 613-421-2329.

Anticipating feeling a wee bit tense due to the impending descent of relatives upon you? Treat yourself (or a particularly special relative) to a Prana ECO Yoga mat and stretch away the crankies. This nifty mat is made from hermoplatic elastomer, a recyclable plastic that doesn’t produce harmful toxins during manufacture. Added happy feature for those who like to work extra hard at their yoga sessions: it doesn’t absorb sweat (read: doesn’t get as stinky over time—bonus!). MEC, 366 Richmond Rd., 613-729-2700.

The post URBAN HIPPIE: Seeing Green! Check out these stylin’ eco-friendly Christmas gifts appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

This story appears in the Winter edition of Ottawa Magazine. Buy the magazine on newsstands or order your online edition.

Josh Fine can find no definitive list of Canada’s icons — those things that we, as Canadians, can agree are “definitely Canadian.” He and his father, Ray, have set out to rectify the situation, launching the website Canadianicons.ca as an online exhibit that rejoices in, and tells the stories of, Canada’s national treasures. And — bonus — if browsers like what they see, they can purchase a bit of that Canadian cool. By Matt Harrison

Josh Fine and his dad Ray (not shown) created a website for all things "Canadian." Photo by Dwayne Brown.

How did the idea for this online exhibit come about?
For the past 10 years, I’ve been marketing and distributing Canadian items abroad. I realized that people weren’t buying these items just because they’re exceptionally made. They were also buying them because of their history.

You call your website “an online curated exhibit.” What are the criteria you use to determine Canadian icons?
While we seek to represent different geographies and cultures in Canada, there’s nothing definitive. We see it as a kind of living exhibit that we can continue to add to as people approach us with items and a desire to share their stories.

Were there any items that you had difficulty deciding whether to include?
At the start, we had lists of hundreds of items. There were iconic things like the hockey stick, which was not included because it isn’t a Canadian invention although it’s become a symbol of Canada.

What is the most significant icon?
I wouldn’t say any one icon is more or less significant, but I’m personally connected to mukluks, the parka, and the culture of Aboriginal people of Canada. When we speak about defining “what is Canadian,” we’ve got to go back thousands of years before Confederation.

Are there not already places where people can go to see collections of Canadian icons?
There are various lists online, but there was no one site that presented a collection of Canadian icons and rare Canadiana from east to west, north to south.

That’s surprising, since one would expect to find this sort of collection included in, and online at, many of our national museums.
A lot of organizations offer collections, but they often present Canadiana within specific categories. We wanted to promote a diverse mix of icons and give people the opportunity to purchase them.

Unlike most museum shops, however, Canadianicons.ca has a $380,000 Emily Carr painting and a $22,000 Walter Walker canoe for sale. Even the most ardent of Canadiana buffs might not be able to cough up that kind of money.
That’s why, in addition to providing an opportunity for people to purchase rarer Canadiana, we have more affordable icons for sale. Items such as Canada Goose parkas or Manitobah Mukluks.

Has anyone expressed an interest in purchasing the most expensive icons?
Not yet.

Why has the private collector of the Emily Carr painting Metchosin (1935) chosen to sell it through you and not through an auction house, where they’re more likely to obtain a higher price?
The collectors aren’t just out to sell a painting. They wanted to share Carr’s story, and they liked the idea of celebrating her as an icon. The focus is as much on sharing their stories as it is about selling the items.

How often will new items be added?
We add items as we go. Since the launch, we’ve had a few collectors approach us with Canadiana. For example, someone has a collection of historical photographs that we’re considering.

What’s your favourite Canadian story that hasn’t really been told?
I think it’s the stories of the moccasin and the mukluk. When people put on a pair of mukluks, they don’t often appreciate that 1,000 years’ worth of innovation has produced this footwear.

The post SO CANADIAN: New website sells collectors on the accomplishments and eccentricities of the Great White North appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Ottawa Magazine art director Jane Corbett offers her holiday finds, along with gift ideas to impress even the pickiest hosts and hostesses

Photography by Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio

Host and hostess gifts (shown in the suitcase above):

For the armchair hunter: This cast-iron elk can be put to good use as a doorstop or paperweight. $29.99. Domus, 85 Murray St., 613-241-6410.

For the artsy diarist: This lined journal from Paperblanks features a silver filigree cover. $29.95. Paper Papier, 18 Clarence St., 613-241-1212.

For the dog that rules the household: A regal crown-shaped pet bowl with a removable, washable dish is just the thing for the royal canine. $27. Marie Antoinette & Co., 1096 Somerset St. W., 613-680-7557.

For those who want to live longer: Chartreuse, “the elixir of long life,” is made by Carthusian monks from 130 herbs, plants, and flowers found in the French Alps. $31.35/375 mL. Available at the LCBO.

For those who long for summer: Fragoli Wild Strawberry Liqueur with whole strawberries at the top of the bottle is the perfect addition to a fruit salad or ice cream. $23.50/500 mL. LCBO.

For the fairy-tale-obsessed decorator: These glass plates by Lori Siebert showcase birds and animals in period clothing. $18 each. Tinseltown Christmas Emporium, 1096 Somerset St. W., 613-680-7557.

For the holiday-music lover with eclectic taste: Luther Vandross’ classic Christmas songs (including my personal favourite, “This Is Christmas”) on one CD. $14.99. And Tinsel and Lights, a new release from Tracey Thorn, one-half of the British duo Everything But the Girl. It also features songs written by Canadians Joni Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith, and Randy Newman. $24.99. Both available by order from CD Warehouse.

Ornaments: Vintage-look glass ball and tinsel wreath. $5. Tinseltown. Wooden laser-cut ornaments are available in many colours and shapes (mittens shown). $3.95 each. The Papery, 850 Bank St., 613-230-1313.

I’m one of those annoying people who starts playing Christmas music on November 1 and finishes my shopping by December 1. All the more time to spend baking, making my own cards and tags, wrapping gifts, and deciding on a theme for my Christmas decor. No limit to how many decorations one woman can have, right?

1. For my friend who thinks a real tree is too much bother. IKEA to the rescue with cotton fabric printed with a two-metre-high spruce tree. Attach it to a frame, and decorate with pennants made from gift wrap and cord. Cleanup will be a breeze, and it won’t take up valuable floor space. $7.99/metre. IKEA, 2685 Iris St., 888-866-4532.

2. For my sister who lives in the windy hills of Wilno. She still hangs her laundry out on the line, so she’ll appreciate these Italian-made stainless-steel clothespins. They have an extra-strong spring mechanism and are guaranteed for life. $14.50 for a package of 20. Lee Valley, 900 Morrison Dr., 613-596-9202.

3. For my coffee-obsessed teacher friend who drinks Tim Hortons. I’d like to break him of his morning drive-through habit with the beautiful design of this French coffee press. It has the classic stoneware exterior that Le Creuset is famous for and a stainless-steel plunger and mesh press inside. $79.95. Linen Chest, 2685 Iris St., 613-721-9991.

4. For my manly-man brother. His two favourite food groups are bacon and ketchup, so I know he’ll appreciate finding a bacon candy cane sticking out of his stocking. At just over 10 inches long, there’s enough to share with the whole family. $5.99. Order on-line at www.retrofestive.ca. (While you’re there, check out the reproduction leg lamp made famous in A Christmas Story and the ugly Christmas sweaters.)

5. For my great-niece who is due to arrive any day. This classic Fisher Price Two Tune TV was first introduced in 1966. It was re-released this year, so a whole new generation can drive their parents crazy. $39.99. Mrs. Tiggy Winkles, 809 Bank St. and four other locations. 613-234-3836.

6. For me, because I want to keep the art of beautiful handwriting alive. This writing set from J. Herbin includes a beautiful spiral glass pen and six tiny bottles of ink. There’s no telling what award-winning prose I’ll be able to write — if I can decide on an ink colour! $64.95. Paper Papier, 18 Clarence St., 613-241-1212.

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Christmas gift ideas from the editors of Ottawa Magazine

This year, Ottawa Magazine‘s editors got together to share their Christmas gift ideas with each other—and with readers. These highly discerning picks deliver 50 Christmas gift ideas from around Ottawa and across the internet. Here, you can find something for everyone on your list: hosts and hostesses, nieces and nephews, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, boys and girls.

See the lists of 50 top Christmas gift ideas from the editors of Ottawa Magazine »

• SARAH BROWN, editor-in-chief: in her list of Christmas gift ideas, find great presents for germaphobes, glampers, childhood friends and tea fetishists

• MISA KOBAYASHI, acting senior editor: from a candy gift box to a modern turntable, these great Christmas gift ideas will impress even the pickiest hosts and hostesses

• JANE CORBETT, art director: recommendations for amazing Christmas decorations and accouterment, as well as amazing gifts for family members

The post Christmas Gift Ideas: 50 Items Our Editors Love appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.

Ottawa Magazine‘s acting senior editor offers her holiday finds, along with gift ideas to impress even the pickiest hosts and hostesses

Photography by Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio

Host and hostess gifts (shown in the suitcase above):

For the think-outside-the-box cook: Salad for Dinner by Jeanne Kelley ($35) and Put ‘Em Up!, a guide to drying, freezing, canning, and pickling by Sherri Brooks Vinton ($24.95) are cookbooks for the chef who wants to try something new. The Great Glebe Emporium, 724 Bank St., 613-233-3474.

For the Ottawa expat who’s feeling nostalgic: VersaTile travertine coasters are handcrafted by a husband-and-wife team in Almonte and feature vintage-style maps of various neighbourhood streets. $34.95 for four. The Village Quire, 312 Richmond Rd., 613-695-2287.

For the game-night-obsessed family: The card game Spot It! can be played multiple ways, meaning it never gets old. Comes in four versions — regular, NHL, animals, and travel. $11.99-$15.99. Mrs. Tiggy Winkles, 809 Bank St., 613-234-3836.

For the 40-something sugar fiend: Fill a customizable gift box with retro candy or something more gourmet — or a bit of both. Three sizes, starts around $25 and can be customized to taste or theme. The Candy Store, 350 Richmond Rd., 613-728-7500.

For the romantic girly girl: Triple-milled Gianna Rose lovebird soaps and soap dish from France are très adorable. $33.99. The Cuckoo’s Nest, 291 Richmond Rd., 613-729-6378.

Ornaments: Swirl lollipops. $6.50-$10. Tinseltown Christmas Emporium, 1096 Somerset St. W., 613-680-7557. Painted ball,$8; filigree snowflake, $15; and decorative snowflake, $10. All from Ten Thousand Villages, 371 Richmond Rd., 613-759-4701, and 1174 Bank St., 613-736-0401.

Photo by Dwayne Brown

When you’re a kid, all you really care about is what presents under the tree have your name on them. But as you get older, you learn it really is more enjoyable to shop for others. Though I had to slip one item onto this list for myself, I also love thinking about what would make someone else’s life a little more fun, funky, or fashionable.

1. For me, the newlywed. My husband and I want to stave off “the newlywed nine.” To do that, I’ll need to lug my workout gear from work to the gym. Making it easier? The stylish Daily Om Duffel from Lululemon, with an exterior zipper pocket for shoes and a removable pouch for sweaty clothes. $128. Lululemon, Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St., 613-230-6633, and 340 Richmond Rd., 613-761-1839.

2. For my stylish BFF. She once spray-painted her sneakers gold so that they would match the gold low-rider bike she rode around town, so I know she’ll get a kick out of these sparkly flats that are akin to what a modern-day Dorothy would wear. $16. Available at select Joe Fresh stores.

3. For my hard-working mom. Mom will adore Bare Love Beauty, a new line of all-natural skin-care products from local entrepreneur Rebecca Cook. With body, face, and hair treatments that boast yummy ingredients like coconut and passion flower oils, she’ll be glowing head to toe. $38-$78. Queen Mother Maternity, 877 Bank St., 613-695-4727.

4. For my music-loving dad. Dad’s old record player has been relegated to a box in the basement, so I think the Crosley Archiver USB Turntable would be a great replacement. This nifty device lets you rip and edit your vinyl to digital audio format, plus you can spin records, play cassettes, and listen to radio. $249.99. At select Sears stores and online.

5. For my brother’s girlfriend, the young professional. She needs a stylish timepiece that makes a statement. This rose gold Michael Kors watch straddles the line between masculine and feminine and has just the right amount of bling. $270. Watch It!, St. Laurent Centre, 1200 St. Laurent Blvd., 613-741-4144.

6. For my law-student brother. As a lawyer, he’ll have many opportunities to sport a tie — and this paisley affair by Tino Cosma is the perfect combination of business and pleasure ($125). Plus, when work calls for travel, he can carry his ties in this posh leather case with silk interlining ($185). E.R. Fisher, 199 Richmond Rd., 613-829-8313.

The post SUPER SHOPPER: From a candy gift box to a modern turntable, acting senior editor Misa Kobayashi shares her holiday finds appeared first on Ottawa Magazine.