What: The Body Shop newly introduced line of natural deodorant DeoDry

Why: Because you want 24-hour dryness and odour protection

The Goods:

• Has natural volcanic mineral for drying power instead of parabens and aluminum salts
• Won’t leave white marks on your clothes
• Contain a blend of essential oils which provide a natural anti-bacterial effect
• Features skin-caring organic Community Trade aloe vera sourced from Guatemala & Community Trade alcohol sourced from Ecuador, created from organic sugar cane juice

The Green: DeoDry Roll-on is available as a refill. This means you can screw on the refill onto the original roll-on applicator, and do your bit to help reduce waste in the environment.

A quick Google search defines Aromachology “as the study of aroma and the effects that fragrance have on humans especially on their psychology and behaviour.” It was this notion that motivated Ashlee Firsten and Kirsten Menkes to offer a service that allows the customer to be the creator of their own personal perfume.

The concept works like this; first you need to identify your scent profile – your base note. Are you Sophisticated & Sensual Floral, a Totally Edible Gourmand, an Exotic Spicy Oriental, a Clean & Fresh or a Bold & Brisk Woodsy? You discover that answer by completing 10 questions. Then the real fun begins when you choose 3 top note scents that are appealing to you. With a choice of 15 that include sensual, empowering, optimistic and creative the choice is not always easy. Once you pin those down, your fragrance is blended and voila, you have a scent that is entirely you.

3.4 ounces Bottle is $160; 5ml travel atomizer and 3.4 Bottle refills are $60.

Available @ www.myaromachology.com and by appointment at their studio in Toronto. Phone: (416) 669-0950

There is no such thing as being too organized especially when it comes to travelling. Having all your pertinent documents in one easy to find place will keep your sanity and move you along quickly with airport staff and customs. So when you are looking for something more stylish than a Ziploc bag, turn to My Tagalongs Identi-fly Travel Document Organizer.

This handy plastic folder has compartments for your passport, boarding pass and any other papers you want close at hand. No more scrounging to find what you need. There’s even a sealable compartment for other essentials.

Now that you have your papers in order, how do organize your medication and vitamins? My Tagalongs also has this covered with their handy Vitamin Pod. This compact container has seven slots that snap tightly shut for all the above mentioned. No more need to carry several bottles of pills and supplements.

Why: Space saving, extra seating, storage

Price: From $29.99

Finishes/Colours/Size: Leather or micro suede. Brown or black. 16" x 16"

Available @: BINZ, Costco, Home Oufitters, The Bay, Zellers

Extras: Also available with hidden tray table

For combinations that work, check out designer Erin Tracy’s well-executed line of jewellery that mixes elements from everyday life with the unexpected. Her creations are a blend of gold and silver, precious and semiprecious stones with concrete, rubber, wood, beach pebbles and acrylic thrown in. The results are dramatic, sleek sculptural art.

Tracy combines materials beautifully, creating pieces to suit lots of styles. Feeling a little zen? Then take a look at her Chanoyu collection inspired by Buddhist philosophies. Need a connection to the Earth? Then Garden Path should get you there. Have a need for the exotic? The timeless pieces from Plume will captivate you. And just when you think you have her style pegged, you discover the luxurious Wedding and Engagement rings.

Now that it’s summertime, you are probably thinking about hitting the beach to cool off from the heat. Dita Florence, a Pilate’s instructor, has a few tips to get that beach body you have always wanted. “There are lots of ways to get bikini-ready,” says the 44-year-old mother of three. “They include a combination of healthy diet, exercise and for people like me, new advancements in technology.”

A registered nurse for many years, she found the job to be draining. She discovered mental and physical balance in Pilates and decided to become an instructor. The more exercise she did, the more she was able to tone and strengthen her body - but her tummy remained a trouble spot. “There is no doubt that a strong, fit body gives you the confidence to feel great in a swimsuit, but for me, my abdominal fat was the final frontier.”

Dita heard about a procedure called LipoSonix which uses high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy to permanently destroy targeted abdominal fat just beneath the skin, without surgery. Recently launched in Canada, she was an appropriate candidate for treatment and, as part of a clinical study, was one of the first Canadians to receive it.

Initially she was attracted to LipoSonix for the simple fact that it is a noninvasive treatment. “There were no IVs, no anesthetic and no down time for me… I tried it and I am very impressed with the results.” She was advised that after the procedure she could have some bruising, redness, discomfort and swelling. Even though she experienced a little tenderness, she was back to work the next day.

Summertime means freedom. Freedom from having your feet closed in a bulky winter boot and the freedom to let your toes breathe in your cherished flip-flops. What most of us don’t realize is that freedom may come with a price. In the past few years numerous studies have come forward with bad news about the beloved footwear. It seems that wearing flip-flops can be unhealthy for you in a number of ways.

Fitflops, which was one of Oprah’s favourite things, offers a better solution. It works like a balance board using “microwobbleboard" technology which engages your legs and foot muscles with each step. These shoes are not flat and they don’t flip and flop like normal flip-flops. The low density mid section of the shoe, which is where the “microwobbleboard" technology resides, creates instability which increases leg activation while keeping the heel and toe stable. The company asserts that this shoe will exercise your legs muscles, help with foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and RLS (restless leg syndrome), engage your core and give you a better posture.

Converse is known for their music collaborations and for Fall 2010 they are paying tribute to two of our favourite Woodstock legends - Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

“The Hendrix Series” takes inspiration from the album covers Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold as Love.


Our favourite from the series is the All Star shoe with gold metallic detailing inspired by the Military Jacket Hendrix wore.

The Chuck Taylor “Janis Joplin” print honours the Rock 'n Roll icon impeccable hippie style.