The ideology of feminism and the propulsion of female empowerment has, in the last couple years, exploded. Stand silent in the middle of a crowded subway car; walk down a busy street; sit at a sunny patio with more than just bees buzzing around. Listen. Or, as some people might call it, eavesdrop (insert bashful emoji). You might notice how the conversation has shifted. Yes you might also overhear the daily mundane, yet in between those updates and observations are stories with a new type of hero — the empowered female.

As with many things, empowerment starts with awareness, knowledge and conversation. The explosion of modern feminism has lit up so many shared and singular issues, inspiring another statement I’ve come to believe wholeheartedly: Empowerment (female, male or un-gendered) is empathy. As much as we don’t want to admit it sometimes, because it can seem counterintuitive, we need to empower others as much as we need to empower ourselves. It’s how we truly become understood, building a cohesive society that respects and cares for each other.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting my old high school stomping grounds, the Scarborough Town Centre, to check out a pop up celebrating just this. Created by female-driven agencies Kastor & Pollux and August in Bloom, GRL PWR features 15 toronto brands curated specifically for their celebration of this very topic. It was incredible to walk in and immediately be surrounded by both an incredible selection of must-have products as well a like-minded people shopping with a purpose. To be exposed to brands that effortlessly embody this movement is inspiring and motivating — especially since many of them are small, local and still growing.

It was hard to know where to begin, but eventually I was able to hone in on some stand-out pieces. Here are my top ten finds from the GRL PWR pop-up:

1. Ephermal Magazine

2. Orange cantiliever from Make Moves Vintage

3. Gel pens from Paper Plus Cloth

4. Gender Freedom Club merch from NEW FRDM

5. Guschlbauer puffs

6. Love Yo Self tee from Peace Collective

7. Common Goods Studio ceramics

8. Snaffle & Mane’s plant collection

9. Bath salts from Cardea Auset

10. Greenhouse Juice

It’s been 8 months since I wrote my Endy vs. Casper review. 8 months of solid sleeps, necessary naps and a lot of lounging. As a freelancer, I spend a lot of time in bed — more than I even realized once officially partnered with Endy shortly after reviewing its mattress. From sleeping, to watching shows and even writing (case in point…right now!), it’s become my favourite place to relax in my home. This is a key feeling to have when it comes to any bedroom or mattress. Although I do caution being able to do too many things in bed outside of sleeping. As a health advocate, it would be remiss of me not to.

That said, sometimes I live on an island and that island is named Endy.

Over the last few months, I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about my honest opinion about the switch from one bed-in-a-box to another and nothing much has changed. The mattress itself has long surpassed its 100 day night trial, yet I don’t feel the least concerned. The firmness has not changed significantly (or at all). As a very light sleeper, I still sleep soundly — and if I don’t it’s probably because I ate too much chocolate before bed. As for temperature, even in the extreme heat waves we’ve been experiencing this summer, I’ve managed to get a good night’s sleep.

As a freelancer, I spend a lot of time in bed.

When it comes to a large purchase like a mattress — a purchase that can affect your everyday health in huge ways, you want something consistent, comfortable and, of course, quality. Nearly a year in and I haven’t thought of trading in my Endy once. When I had my Casper, that was a recurring thought because, for me, the firmness wasn’t right and I would wake up with a sore back almost every night. In fact, I don’t think about my mattress at all, it’s that perfect for me.

But as I mentioned in my earlier review, one size doesn’t fit all. So what works for me may not work for you. Thankfully, Endy not only has a 100 night trial to ease any doubts you may have, the brand also has showrooms so you can test it out before even committing to that. And now there are both pillows and sheets to ensure the whole package is perfect. Finally, it’s hard to beat a mattress as great at Endy’s for its price. You can get an even better deal with my personal promo code: MEGHAN50. Now that my partnership is coming to a close, it won’t last much longer. Thanks for following along these last few months!

This post has been sponsored by Save on Energy. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Energy is what gets us through the day (and for some, the night), and it affects us in more ways than we could ever have anticipated. The winter can be especially hard on people with its shorter days and lower temperatures. Hibernation isn’t just reserved for the likes of bears and squirrels.

Someone famous once said we should focus on small gains for big returns, and where energy is concerned, I think that’s the perfect statement. You never know when the energy suck will sneak up on you, but a few small changes can help prevent it. By making constructive decisions in our daily lives, we can ensure our energy (physical, emotional, and technical) is spent wisely, and that overall, we’re taking steps to ensure our bodies and our homes are conserving it.

Here are my top five ways to keep your energy up for whatever life might throw at you:

1, Unplug your phone and laptop chargers when not in use to reduce ‘phantom energy’. Did you know that some devices are designed to continue to consume power even when you think they are switched off? Even in the case of chargers that have no devices attached to them? Might as well tidy up these unused cords AND save yourself from phantom energy leaks (aka vampire power, ghost load and, the more technical term, standby power).

2. Nix screen-induced decision fatigue by giving yourself a 10-minute timeframe to find something to stream. If it takes longer than that, click what you’ve landed on, or read instead. Not only is this good to save on energy, it’s good for your mind and your health!

3. Teach yourself how to say no so you can save energy for things you want to say yes to. Sounds simple enough, but we’re a generation plagued by FOMO. It goes hand-in-hand with spreading yourself too thin, which means we’re rarely giving 100% to any one task. That might work for some, but I’d argue everyone eventually burns out. Learning to say no is a habit we all should practice.

4. Kick artificial sugars to the curb and replace them with healthy, energy-boosting food. I’m hoping that most of you know by now that while sugar may provide a brief increase in energy, the crash soon after is often harsher than what you were feeling before. By making conscious choices to reach for better-for-you foods, you can save yourself from that fate.

5. Using heat to dry your hair isn’t always necessary and can remove your hair’s natural
moisture. Try setting aside your hairdryer and let your locks airdry. Embrace their natural wave and invest in a good sea salt spray. Or, consider skipping the wash for a day or two and opt for some great dry shampoo. Not only will you be saving energy, you’ll be saving your hair too!

At first glance, these five tips seem simple enough — and they truly are. But simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Yes, the ideas are there, but can you actually execute them. I suggest tackling them one at a time until they become second nature. And if you already have these habits, or most of them, make sure to visit SaveOnEnergy.ca for more.

One thing everyone needs to know about me is that I adore my sleep. It’s one of the most important relationships in my life. I’ve spent years nurturing it and while there are so many different factors that play into a perfect slumber, a proper bed tops the list for me. I might not a pea-crazy princess, but as an extrememly light sleeper, physical comfort is key.

So when I first heard about the bed-in-a-box phenomenon, I was skeptical. It felt too gimmicky to be good, let alone great. Yet when I got the opportunity to test-sleep Casper, I jumped on the opportunity. Not only was I moving into a new bed-less apartment at the time, I was also extremely intrigued by the whole process. That was nearly two years ago. Although I stand by my original positive review of this mattress, I’ve come to realize a few glaring issues. Especially since recently switching to Endy, the Canadian competitor that has stolen my heart.

…one size doesn’t fit all.

First of all, one size doesn’t fit all. That statement doesn’t just address the title of my Casper article, it also refers to Endy. Everyone is a unique sleeper with their own habits and needs. What I realized over the last year and a bit is that Casper wasn’t the mattress for me. Towards the end of my time using it, I was experiencing a lot of back pain and uneasy sleeps for reasons I believed were everything but the mattress itself.

Then Endy came into my life and I realized it most definitely was the main reason — if not the sole. I’ve sectioned my comparison into four different categories, all of which pertain specifically to my personal checklist when it comes to mattress shopping. Of course, there are more thorough reviews out there that you can read, yet I think this covers the basics.

via Mattress Review

FIRMNESS

The first thing I’m pretty sure we all notice when testing a mattress is the support. For me, firmer is better. So what I noticed right away about both Casper and Endy is how soft they were compared to my more traditional spring mattress. Yet both of their construction provided enough support so I didn’t write them off immediately.

My initial few months sleeping on a Casper was a dream. But it slowly turned into a nightmare and I couldn’t understand why until I was informed that its four foam levels were susceptible to summer heat. I’m not one to use my air conditioning to the max, so the heat of the summer affected the firmness by making it softer.

…Endy delivers better…

Endy, on the other hand, has three different foam layers, the most notable being the top gel layer, that takes this into account. It maintains the same firmness throughout the year in all climates. Considering it’s a Canadian brand that has to battle both frigid winters and humid summers, that is only natural.

HEAT

I’m basically a heat pack when I sleep, but I also love snuggling under the blanket. So I need a surface that stays cool all night long — or else. Although Casper is touted for preventing heat retention, I feel that Endy delivers better on this point with its gel infusion designed to dissipate heat. Granted, I’m currently testing it out in the midst of a brutal winter. I might have to revise this point in the summer. Yet even in the winter, I was uncomfortably hot on my Casper mattress.

OVERALL COMFORT

I’m finally having a solid night’s sleep again. The mattress combined with Endy’s customizable pillows (such a simple yet impactful concept) and well-designed sheets (never forget which corner goes where again!) has created my own personal cloud nine. Although I could use a mattress that’s slightly firmer, my comfort isn’t compromised by this desire in the least — a true testament to the carefully constructed “one size fits all”.

It will be interesting to see how my relationship continues with this mattress, yet I’ve now slept on it for a solid two months without any complaints.

PRICE

Last but not least, what makes this a winner is the fact that it’s priced so damn competitively. Cheaper than the Casper with free shipping, a 10 year warranty and a 100 night’s trial period, you can’t go wrong. Not to mention (again), that it’s a Canadian brand made IN CANADA. Although I read some reviews saying the bed-in-a-box is basically a glorified futon made for college graduates because of this price, I whole-heartedly disagree.

I’ve found my match.

Endy has produced a top-of-the-line mattress that lives online, thus cutting out a lot of the inflation from more traditional storefront companies. Yet if you’re in Toronto, you can book an appointment at its showroom to test it out in person — eliminating any doubts right away.

ENDY VS. CASPER

To sum up, FOR ME, the Endy takes top prize. But I once again have to stress that every person has different sleeping needs. For others, Casper might be the way to go while some might want a traditional mattress. In the end, mattress shopping kind of a like speed-dating. But thankfully I’ve found my match.

The paradox of choice is a real thing. It can be overwhelming to decide what path to take and product to use. Although I don’t mind walking up the aisles of both stores and — more figuratively — life, the brief anxiety I sometimes feel over spending my money wisely on items that really matter can be an issue. So I always appreciate when companies make an effort to help their customers navigate through their products more effectively and efficiently.

Last week I had the pleasure of checking out the Shoppers Top Picks pop up in Sherway Garden; it was unexpectedly fun with all of the interactive features, cheeky displays and, of course, free makeovers. Not to mention that I got to see a few of their top picks in person, which ranged from the kitchen to the bedroom and bathroom.

What were my top picks from Shoppers Drug Mart’s Top Picks? They were so diverse and comprehensive, it was almost hard to choose. But here they are:

1. Kraft Peanut Butter, All Natural with Sea Salt: Because I can’t get enough peanut butter in my life.

2. KT Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape: I’ve been running so much I need all the extra support I can get.

3. Sweetspot Labs Vanilla Blossom Gentle Wash: Because I’m a sucker for packaging.

4. Estée Lauder Pure Color Love Lipstick: I personally fell for the Blasé Buff shade.

5. Clinique All About Shadow Quad Teddy Bear: The perfect palette for fall.

Let me know which products you personally love! The selection really is great to choose from. And I promise you won’t spend hours agonizing over which ones to make!

I might have a lot of hobbies, but if I could single out a true pastime, it would be watching shows…and movies. I’m a sucker for a good story and, let’s face it, there are so many good stories out there easily digestible because they come in the form of television. But television as we know it — especially for cord-cutters such as myself — has drastically changed in a very short time.

With screens surrounding us, it’s easier than ever to access entertainment at the touch of a finger. We know this. Streaming is the new norm (at least amongst millennials) and it’s not going anywhere. Cheap, convenient and full of variety, how could it? Yet streaming as we know it does fall short in some surprising, albeit logical, ways. For instance, the paradox of choice. Just as with great power comes great responsibility, with greater choices come greater confusion.

So why not introduce live TV as a streaming option? That’s exactly what Bell’s Fibe Alt TV does. On an emotional level, Alt TV gives you the option of channel surfing again and the subsequent relief of watching something that just happens to be on. Of course there’s still an element of choice, yet those choices are limited to 30 channels (unless you upgrade to more comprehensive packages). What’s more, you don’t need a cable subscription, receiver or long-term contract to enjoy it. All you need is an easy-to-use app and Fibe Internet, the latter of which is perhaps one of the only catches.

I got to experience a bit of what Alt TV has to offer earlier this week at it’s launch. I scrolled through Apple TV and even browsed on a tablet, two of four ways to watch Bell’s new live TV. (The other two are on a computer and, surprise surprise, a smartphone.) It was quite the party. Headlined by Scott Helman, we ate, drank and played with the technology on the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel. Clearly all signs pointed to yes with Alt TV, especially since it was one of the first days that spring truly felt like it had sprung.

Although it might feel like a big step to change over to a new internet provider in order to enjoy Alt TV, this is a service that addresses a lot of the problems other streaming platforms face. As it’s name suggests, it’s an amazing alternative that I’m sure more than a few will indulge.

Photos by Jess Baumung

Our last meeting — yes, our last! — may have been my favorite — and not even in a bittersweet sort of way. There wasn’t a sense of finality. Instead, it was all fun and friendship as we geared up to do our first Facebook Live meeting. Thank you to everyone who tuned in! For those who haven’t watched it yet, take a short break and tune in below:

The whole purpose was to share our love of reading in order to ignite that same passion in others. Or perhaps simply start a snowball effect in which people just talked more about what they were reading. As I wrote in my very first blog post about The Lit Squad, everyone does it! The responses we received over the year has been incredible. It was really important for us to end on a strong note. The Handmaid’s Tale was definitely strong…and eye-opening…and much too real in spite of its dystopian existence. No wonder it’s been adapted into a television series.

With that said, the last meeting wouldn’t have been what it was if held anywhere but the beautiful home of Sasha Exter. Not only does her pregnancy glow extend into her sanctuary, it’s only here that we would find out the sex of her baby! (If you watch the video above, you can know too!)

Cinema Lightbox Mini, Pineapple Jar, Triple Wick White Citrus & Sake Candle

Decked out in some of the best items offered in Indigo Books‘ summer collection, it’s hard not to want to stay and read all day. This is especially the case since #ReadTheNorth is taking over the next few months. If you’ve never dived into the Canadian literature deep end before, we’re here to help. Stay tuned for a list of our favorite Canadian authors and books.

Herringbone Stripe Picnic Throw

Monogram Mugs

It’s been an imaginative ride from beginning to end. We hope you keep calm and read on. Special shoutout to Indigo Books for believing in this program as well as my Lit Squad. Lauren, Akil, Jake and Sasha, it wouldn’t have been what it was without you all.

Photos by Jess Baumung

For our first meeting of the new year, we wanted to switch things up a bit. So we decided to meet up at one of the guy’s places instead — I don’t think it comes as any surprise that Lauren, Sasha and I have very similar taste. Akil welcomed us into his east end home and I was immediately struck by how minimalist and masculine it was.

Zafu Meditation Pillow, food by Fix and Co

With his prized possession hanging on the wall by the leather couch — a Do The Right Thing poster — and an open space in front of the TV for spontaneous dancing, I loved seeing how Akil decided to spruce his place up for our morning discussion of Designing Your Life.

Faux Fur Throw Grey Fox, Superbleached Denim Pillow, Textured Linen Pillow.

Basically, he went with the theme of comfort. With tons of pillows (including a meditation cushion) and a faux fur throw, his modest decor immediately became cozier, which was ideal for all of us curling up on his couch to talk about life. Of course, he did add a globe to the mix, which I personally think every home should have.

Atmosphere Lighted Globe

Photo by Jess Baumaug

For years, Indigo Books has been my one-stop shop for gifts. The selection has only gotten better over the years, making it perfect for the 11th hour. Offering more than just books, there’s a ton of tasteful home decor, fashion and toys — and even more available exclusively online — that makes it an easy place to get everything done on that Santa list of yours.

Indigo has already curated great picks for her, him and little ones. There’s also a section dedicated to Heather’s top books for the holiday. These are a few of my top picks from the current collection.

FASHION

1. Mini Waffle & Sherpa Reading Socks
2. Plait 3 Reading Shawl
3. Felt Hat
4. Quilted Nylon Backpack
Bonus: Just about anything in the jewelry department, especially Jenny Bird.

HOME

1. Metal Happy Place Bookends
2. Mood Indigo Glass Candle
3. Swan Lake Plaid Faux Mohair Throw
4. Gold Dipped Feather Tray
Bonus: So many chic home accent options.

STOCKING STUFFERS

1. 4 in 1 Tool Pen
2. Metal Back Scratcher
3. Embossed Journal, Humble Hustle
4. Ban.do Get It Together Pencil Pouch
Bonus: There’s a whole section dedicated to novelty gifts

Christmas is just 12 short days away. If anyone’s like me (and I know there is! Cue Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All The Way….), a few of you’ve probably left your shopping to the last minute. Although the holidays might not seem complete without a mad dash to a zoo of a mall for down-to-the-wire-but-still-very-thoughtful gifts, there are options out there to save you some premature grey hairs and wrinkles.

Shopify Holidays. This e-commerce platform has curated a tasteful list made up of its small-batch merchants — all based in Canada. There’s a pick for everyone and these are my Top 5 choices:

1. The Five Minute Journal

I’ve been using this for nearly a year now and it’s drastically changed my perspective on day-to-day life. I’m a big proponent of mental health and I think there are a lot of small, easy ways to promote a happy, healthy mind. The Five Minute Journal is one of those ways. It’s also the perfect gift to begin a new year on a positive note!

2. Give-A-Care package

I was lucky enough to be a part of this project — in a very small way. Shooting the product for its social campaign allowed me to learn just how important it is to understand what a cancer patient is going through. Although it concentrates on women and breast cancer, this is a package that almost anyone can enjoy. It’s packed with candy, chic accessories and the guidelines that inspired the collection. Not to mention that proceeds go back to Rethink Breast Cancer.

3. Palo Santo Package

I’ve known the founder of Woodlot for some time now and am so proud of how her company has grown over the years. She creates quality products that would elevate anyone’s home and mood instantly. This package is no exception.

4. Jack Rudy Tonic Trio

What holiday isn’t complete without some libation? A great go-to for anyone, the Cocktail Emporium‘s stylish mixers especially make for a thoughtful host gift.

5. Baby Kanye Backpack

I instantly fell in love with this backpack as soon as I laid my eyes on it. As an avid cyclist and, truthfully, on-the-go individual, I prefer backpacks over even the cutest purse. Opelle has managed to create a design that’s not only chic and luxurious, but also simple and practical. You can’t go wrong with this choice!

Of course, there are a few more great selects on Shopify Holidays. Make sure you check it out, especially if you’re stuck!