Take It for Granted
Just because we’re fans of Canadiana—we drink beer, watch hockey, and talk about hosers with the best of them—doesn’t mean we can’t be stylish. Local company Granted Clothing lets us indulge our northern pride while making us look sharp. We love the Cowichan-inspired sweaters with woven palm trees and camels, and the Lumber Vest is perfect for a day among the trees in Stanley Park (no felling necessary). And don’t worry, these hand-knit duds are sustainable, using only 100 per cent pure new wool, merino wool, and possum-blend wool. Available at Twigg & Hottie (3671 Main St.) or Shop Cocoon (3345 Cambie St). Info: grantedclothing.com
—Jennifer Croll

Sweet Dreams
After a frenetic, chilly holiday season, the greatest luxury is to just crawl into a nice, warm, relaxing bed (preferably with company). And Mulberry Sky’s bed linens help you dress for snuggling success. The Vancouver-based company makes super-soft, luxurious 350-thread count linens in bamboo and organic cotton and uses only low-impact, fish- and stream-friendly dyes. The beautiful bedclothes are available in a range of soothing colours including Santorini Blue, Chocolate Chip, and White Magnolia. Order online for quick delivery. Pretty soon, you’ll be the envy of everyone in dreamland. Info: mulberryskys.com
—JC

Brush Up
As the old saying goes, it’s hard to raise a family—especially in the morning. But with yummy Green Apple, Frosty Mint, Zesty Orange, Star Anise, or Cilantro Mint toothpaste waiting for them, they’ll be racing out of bed. These all-natural, fluoride-free flavours are from Green Beaver, a Canadian personal-care company. They’re not only tasty, but contain natural whiteners and abrasives for removing plaque and bacteria. More good news: their all-organic formulas just received ECOCERT’s stamp of approval. And unlike toothpastes containing fluoride, Green Beaver can be safely swallowed by children under six. Available at Choices and Whole Foods. Info: greenbeaver.com
—Joanne Will

Oh, Honey Honey
As Winnie the Pooh will attest to, honey is delicious, though lugging around a sticky, heavy honey pot can be inconvenient (not to mention heffalump-tempting). Now, thanks to the Honibe Honey Drop, a five-gram serving of pure, dried Prince Edward Island honey, you can have your honey fix whenever and wherever you want. With no additives, preservatives, or binding agents, the Honey Drop is a hard, candy-like pastille designed to stir and dissolve in your coffee, tea, or hot water. At just 20 calories, the Honey Drop can double as an all-natural candy that even a bear with very little brains can appreciate. Info: honibe.com
—JW

B-Yu-tiful
Victim of the winter frizzies? Lamenting your limp locks? Get your head down to Yoko’s Haute Coiffure for harried hair help. In business for more than 25 years, Yoko’s is now featuring its B-Yu Signature Head Spa. This luxurious treatment includes a scalp massage, shampoo, and a micro mist treatment from a machine that uses ultrasonic vibrations to emit microscopic water particles into dehydrated locks. Using all natural ingredients, the Head Spa rebuilds, rehydrates, and revitalizes dry, damaged hair—leaving you looking like Goldilocks in no time. Find it at Yoko’s Haute Coiffure/b-yu Head Spa (1352 Marine Dr., West Vancouver). Info: b-yu.com —Erica Gehrke

Knit Wit
Oversized scarves are hot, and now the winter staple is taken to new heights—or should we say lengths—with the locally made “larry.” Stay warm (and look cool) with these handmade scarves of knitted alpaca (80 per cent) and sheep’s wool. Using natural, undyed yarns, these threads champion the natural beauty of the darling alpaca, whose wool is seven times warmer and three times stronger than sheep’s wool. Larry Designs’ Terri Potratz sources her wool from alpacas in B.C. and uses buttons made of salvaged leather. Get super-sized at Two of a Few (354 Water St.). Info: wearelarry.com
—EG

Curtain Call
When we step into the shower, we like to think we’re washing both our grime and our cares away. But get this: as we lather up, more than a hundred chemicals are being released into the air—by our polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtains. Yikes! Thankfully, Dream Designs owner Bei Linda Tang has created a toxin-free alternative. Made of 100 per cent hemp canvas, Linda’s curtains are resistant to fungi and bacteria, dry quickly, are leak-proof, and should last you up to 10 years. That’s what we call a breath of fresh air. Get yours at Dream Designs
(956 Commercial Dr.; 193–1277 Lynn Valley Rd., North Vancouver).
Info: dreamdesigns.ca
—Sondi Bruner