Leather Boots - C. Phaisalakani

How To Save Your Damaged Soles

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Here’s a great place in Vancouver to resurrect your downtrodden footwear.

Leanter BootsDARE TO REPAIR | Wellies are the footwear of choice in Vancouver, but I also like luscious leather boots—fashion forward over a pair of skinny jeans or under a sexy skirt. I thought I was safe taking mine on a trip to NYC, but after a sudden downpour found myself wading through giant lakes that formed at the clogged storm drains at every intersection.

Undone and unglued, my beautiful leather boots were unwearable. A curmudgeonly cobbler on the West Side (who shall remain nameless) chided me for splashing around in puddles in my “cheap boots” and advised me to throw them in the bin. Undeterred, I hobbled over to Both Feet on Main Street. The hip young man there took them in hand, and, $15 and one week later, they were good as new. Read more

Gravel Garden Path - R. Rule

Garden Lover’s Ground Cover: Pea Gravel

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The beauty of this inexpensive ground cover is that it complements whatever style of garden you have.

Gravel Garden Path - R. Rule

 

CHEAP + FABULOUS | Hardscape is pretty much everything in the garden that isn’t plants or water. It is the palette of materials a designer uses to create pathways and patios, arbors and decks; it is woodwork and metalwork and masonry. Hardscape elements are always best when they are linked together by a stylistic theme that is made better still when it is tied into the architecture of the residence.

One of my favorite hardscape materials is gravel. Read more

Netflix Logo 2

Is It Smart To Sign Up For Netflix Or Not?

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Streaming free movies for a month is good thing, but what about paying for the service after that?

Netflix Logo 2SPEND SMART | Last Wednesday Bob Kronbauer over at Vancouver Is Awesome (a great website about everything that makes Vancouver the wonderful place it is) told me that Netflix had just launched in Canada and that anyone could instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their computers for free the first month and then just $7.99 a month after that. I was pretty jazzed. “That feels like a Frugalbits story,” I told him. “I thought you might like to know,” he replied.

So I signed up immediately. And then straight away stopped to think. I know lots of teens and twentysomethings who think nothing of watching movies on their computers, but I stare a computer screen all day anyway, and even if I didn’t I wouldn’t want to watch movies on one when I have a decent-size television in my family room. Read more

Dijon style mustards

One Of These Mustards Is Not Like The Others

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Which of these Dijons cuts the mustard with chef Glenys Morgan: French’s, President’s Choice or Western Family?

Dijon style mustards Read more

Robert Belcham, Executive Chef, Refuel Restuarant, Vancouver, B.C.

Chef Robert Belcham Dines, Shops, Splashes

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Dine out, walk, shop and splash with uber chef Robert Belcham of the illustrious Campagnolo and refuel restaurants.

Robert Belcham, Executive Chef, Refuel Restuarant, Vancouver, B.C.Spending the frigid Saturday afternoons of his childhood in Edmonton and Peace River eating fresh-from-the-oven cookies and watching PBS cooking programs, chef Robert Belcham was interested in cooking from a young age.

Starting out as a line cook at Rebar, an innovative vegetarian restaurant in Victoria, followed by as stint at The Aerie Resort on Vancouver Island, Robert eventually received a call from star chef Thomas Keller, offering him a chef de partie position at his famous Yountville restaurant, The French Laundry. He then became a private chef in the Silicon Valley, where, he says, “I became much more aware of what the guests feel, what they want and what they need. I know I’m a better chef because of it.” Read more

Marathon Walking - iStock

There’s More Than One Way To Do A Marathon

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There’s more than one way to do a marathon—and every kind of victory is sweet.

Marathon Walking - iStock

 

JUST DO IT | Marathon walking is a pretty big deal right now, and it’s getting bigger because fitness fanatics who’ve been jogging their shins off are finding that while finishing a 42-km race may be an accomplishment, it isn’t necessarily the best thing for the body. Read more

The Museum Of Vancouver Administrative Team

Truck & Moo With MOV’s Culture Crew

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Where to bike, truck, cheep and moo—from the Museum of Vancouver’s innovative culture crew.

The Museum Of Vancouver Administrative TeamThe most vibrant and exciting cultural institution in our city right now is one that’s old as the hills: the Museum of Vancouver, a.k.a. MOV, which has been around since 1894. Over the past few years, the team pictured here has transformed MOV into a local light by celebrating what is original about our town, with exhibitions covering everything from our very own rock stars of footwear to barbecue duels fought local Iron Chef style. This year, MOV’s innovation led to a Canadian Museums Association award for  “Re-Envisioning.”

Nancy Noble, CEO (pictured right), is a longtime museum professional and the driving force behind the recent changes at MOV. Joan Seidl, Director of Collections and Exhibitions (pictured left), has worked in museums since she was 14 years old and has curated dozens of exhibits. Amanda Gibbs, Director of Audience Engagement (pictured in the middle), is a specialist in branding, community engagement and new forms of storytelling.

Nancy, Amanda and Joan’s 5 free, cheap or worth it things to see, do or buy in Vancouver (and beyond). Read more
Ikea Nutid Counter-Depth Refrigerator

IKEA’s Nutid Fridge Wins The Cold War

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Two stylish counter-depth refrigerators are practically identical, but one {IKEA’s Nutid S23} is $1,000 cheaper.

Ikea Nutid Counter-Depth RefrigeratorSPEND SMART | Whenever you see a drop dead gorgeous kitchen in a decorating magazine, there is a 99.9 percent chance it will feature a counter-depth refrigerator. “CD” fridges, as they are referred to, are the coveted look, even if they don’t always pack the cubic capacity punch of traditional freestanding models, which can extend eight inches beyond the depth of standard kitchen cabinets. Read more

Safety Razor - George Giannakos

Just Say No To The Multi-Blade Shave

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Talk about spending dumb—gentlemen, stop the insanity by saying no to the multiple-blade shave.

Safety Razor - George GiannakosSPEND SMART | George Giannakos is 24 years old and has been shaving with a safety razor for almost five years. He learned how to shave using a multiple-blade system, but when his dad brought home a steel safety razor with a single, double-edge blade, the very one pictured here, and began using it routinely, it wasn’t long before George and two of his three brothers slipped into the groove. Now, five years on, two of the initial three and their father continue to shave with safety razors and see no advantage in returning to a multi-blade world gone mad. Read more

Reese and the blush/lipstick ratio

Blush Buyers Guide + Our Top Product Picks

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What you need to know about buying and wearing blush, plus Allison Emery’s top blush picks.

Reese and the blush/lipstick ratioBlush is an essential part of a balanced make-up. In fact, the more make-up you wear, the more important it becomes, though blush also completes the colour story of even the simplest looks. It can be neutral, natural or glamorous. It gives life and health to any complexion, making us look well-rested and ready for the day ahead. Read more