11 Tricks, Tips & Ideas We're Loving This Winter

Dynamic Duo

Make some room in your closet—Ann Taylor and LOFT have officially returned to Canada for the first time since 2020. Now you can pick up Ann Taylor’s polished workwear and modern suiting and LOFT’s fun, feminine fashion in select Hudson’s Bay locations across the country and online 24/7. We’re obsessed!

Loft Fair Isle Collared Split Neck The Bay, $99
 

Cheers!

Break out the bubbly and raise a glass to 2025 with these chic flutes. Salut!

Champagne Flutes with Assorted Stem Tints, Linen Chest, $8 each

Gut Check

Experiencing bloating after enjoying a bowl of ice cream? How about rushing to the bathroom after dig- ging into a plate of fries? Affecting an estimated 18 percent of Canadians, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, gas and trouble with bowel patterns. One dietary intervention for those with IBS is a low FODMAP diet, which limits the amount of short-chain carbs that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine. Enter Fody, a gut-friendly food com- pany known for easily digestible eats that are delicious enough to be enjoyed by the whole family. We’re loving the line of low FODMAP pasta sauces, including Tomato Basil and Marinara, that are easy on the tummy and a treat for the taste buds.
 

Marinara Sensitive Pasta Sauce, Fody Foods, $10

Plant Power

When it comes to harnessing the beauty benefits of botanicals, French beauty company Yves Rocher has mastered the art. That’s why we’re thrilled the brand has partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart so Canadians can get their favourite products in 70 of Shoppers’ brick-and-mortar stores. We’re crazy for the new Lift Pro-Collagène range, which is dedicated to the smoothing and lifting benefits of the super adaptable ice plant.

YVES ROCHER Lift Pro Collagène Double Action Concentrate, Shoppers Drug Mart, $65

YVES ROCHER Lift Pro Collagène Anti-Wrinkle Plumping Day Cream, Shoppers Drug Mart, $55

YVES ROCHER Lift Pro Collagène Anti-Wrinkle De-Puffing Eye Care, Shoppers Drug Mart, $50

Pet Project

Our fur babies are members of the family, and that means nothing but the best will do! Now you can pamper your pups and stay on budget with Walmart’s new One Paw line of functional gear and adorable accessories for your furry friend.

Silicone Dog Leash in Red, Walmart, $15

Rainbow Cake Plush Toy with Squeakers and Crinkle Paper, Walmart, $10

Wood & Metal Dog Dinner Bowls, Walmart, $40

Dog Harness in Black, Walmart, $20 (similar)

Full Steam Ahead

Pulling your favourite dress out of your closet or luggage and finding it full of unsightly wrinkles can be a serious fashion emergency. Say goodbye to creased clothing at home and on the go with a super portable foldable steamer that can easily slip into your suitcase and take wrinkles to task. This one heats up in less than a minute and comes with a fabric brush attachment to penetrate deep into thick fabrics for a smooth look every time.

Black + Decker Easy Store Pro Foldable Steamer, Canadian Tire, $70

UNBE-LEAF-ABLE BENEFITS

Plant this on your calendar: January 10 is Houseplant Appreciation Day. Studies have shown that having plants in your home can have a powerful effect on well-being. Adding a few pots of your favourite flower or foliage can boost happiness and life satisfaction, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and increase productivity and focus. If that’s not enough, houseplants can help us breathe easier by improving air quality and reducing pollutants. 

SAVE/sPLURGE: Powder Highlighter

Get a lit-from-within glow, whatever your budget.

Save: Made with micro-fine pearl powders and baked on Italian terracotta tiles, this highlighter blends like a dream for buildable luminosity.
 

Milani Cosmetics Baked Highlighter in Dolce Perla, Milani Cosmetics, $18

Splurge: This powder captures, diffuses and softens surrounding light for a natural radiance, thanks to its photoluminescent technology.
 

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Incandescent, Hourglass Cosmetics, $62

Time Out

It’s time to treat yourself to a bit
of R&R and turn to the Rest, Relax & Be Well Seasonal Recovery Kit from Saje Natural Wellness. This trio of Immune, Unwind and Sleep roll-ons is curated to help us find moments
of well-being, no matter how busy life gets. Plus, a cute travel case makes it easy to take it anywhere.

Rest, Relax & Be Well Seasonal Recovery Essential Oil Roll-Ons, Saje, $45 (similar)

Let there be light

For some of us, the dark days of winter can cause low energy, brain fog and poor mood. If the lack of sun is getting you down, you may benefit from using a lamp that mimics sunlight to help ease the winter blues. Talk to your doctor to make sure light therapy is right for you, then follow these tips to get the most of out of your new lamp.

1. Choose a lamp that provides 10,000 lux of light, and filters UV light.

2. Place the lamp within two feet of your face, but no closer than 6 inches.

3. Position the light at a 45-degree angle from your eyes, rather than directly in front of your face.

4. Switch on the light every morning within the first hour of waking up.

5. Most light therapy lamps offer different brightness levels and exposure times; experiment to find the right “dose” for you.

Verilux Happy Light, Amazon, $53

Take a brow

Eyebrows frame our faces and enhance our features, helping us look and feel polished. If your brows are in need of a shape-up, we have you covered. We consulted Jessie Frampton, co-founder of Fuzz Wax Bar, a Canadian gender-neutral salon chain, for her pro predictions of 2025’s two hottest brow trends so you can stay ahead of the curve.

Thin & Elongated

Thinner brows are making
a return this year, but don’t fret—they won’t resemble the pencil-thin styles that were all the rage in the ’90s! Keep an eye out for straighter shapes with elongated tails that lift and open the eyes and offer a fresh appearance, Frampton says.

Natural Lamination 

In 2025, brow lamination will embrace a more subtle aesthetic, Frampton says. We’ll see a move away from high arches and rigid shapes toward softer, more natural looks that align with the brow’s natural growth. Brushed up tails and less defined arches will lend an effortlessly clean vibe to your look.