#stmSnippet: Walk A Milton Mile

I don’t know what it is about French Canadian women, but they often have an amazing energy. Brigitte Foisy is a spark plug in the Canadian PR world with her various businesses which have all grown and adapted over the years. (She claims she started her second business when she was 15 mounting fashion shows in bars!)

 She has a staff but refuses to say they work for her, informing me instead “we all work together.” She is a team player and encourages them to go after their dreams, to the point where she admits to directing one of her best team members to cut back on their work with her and set aside more time for other interests.

To see more photos, read the full #stmAPPROVED and discover why you need to buy a pair of Miltons before July 31st, click here.

Photos by: Stephen-Thomas Maciejowski

#StmSnippet: Paterson's Cabin Launches

Over on STM I recently stripped down and got a little wet for the latest #stmAPPROVED. Paterson’s Cabin is a new home-grown Canadian line developed and made out near the rockies. Founder Keri-Ann Paterson and her daughter are both part of small group of people who suffer from Celiac disease and are affected by gluten on their skin.  And you thought your skin was sensitive!

Keri-Ann handmade each product’s recipe and tested many times until landing on what she found to be the best formulation for herself and her daughter's needs. She experienced everything along the way. When creating her heritage soap she decided to use locally sourced suet (raw beef fat)... which led to a crockpot with 10lbs of sizzling suet and her entire house smelling less than desirable. It took a few days and a bit of bleach, but eventually Keri-Ann got her house smelling like home again. She soon after discovered bison tallow, with a more appealing scent, hence the bison image on the felted heritage soap I tested.

Check out the full post to learn about the three products I tested and are now #stmAPPROVED and find out just how long it takes to make a bar of soap, what I did with the scrub (hint it involves a spoon!) and how porch flowers are for guys too!

Find the full post by clicking here.

Photos: STM

#stmAPPROVED Holiday 2015 Gift Guide

It’s no secret, guys can be hard to shop for during the holidays. To make the task a little easier this year we have put together four collections of gifts for men in our #stmAPPROVED Holiday 2015 Gift Guide. Take a look below to get inspired and find out where to buy the gifts he will love. Be he a Gentleman, a Creative Director, a Quirky Dude or an Urban Hiker, we have lots of #stmAPPROVED gifts to wrap up and put under the tree for him.

Gifts for the Gentleman:

He takes care of his appearance and wants to make a good impression. He likes to accessorize with a touch of tasteful bling and is not afraid of a double breasted jacket. You’ll find him this holiday toasting the season at fun cocktail parties and sipping drinks in some of the city’s newest lounges.

Ring: Vaurus x Gold ring from Vitaly. Help him stand out with this signet ring placed on his pinky or index finger. $66. Get it here.

Bracelet: Black Beaded Love Bridge Bracelet from Thomas Sabo. Express your feelings to him with a free of charge engraving on the 925 Sterling Silver section of this unisex bracelet. $134. Find a store here.

Wooden Pocket Square: Silver Member from Baffi. Tell him to lose the hanky and be sharp with this Canadian hand-crafted pocket square made from cocoa bean wood featuring silver mylar fill. $50. Get it here.

Shoes: The Navy Earl Chukka from NobleSole. For a more relaxed yet luxurious look featuring navy suede and croc with rose gold accents, help him slip into this sneaker disguised as a chukka boot. Reg. $229, Sale $159 at publishing. Get it here.

Jacket: Glazed Broadcloth Double-Breasted Blazer from Le 31 for men at Simons. Give him a modern look with this 100% italian virgin wool slim fit double breasted blazer is this season’s sophisticated evening out blue. Reg. $275, Sale $199.95 at publishing. Get it here.

Pill Format Face Scrub: Superfood Mask+Scrub from Graydon Clinical Luxury. These pre-portioned single serve capsules keep their enclosed superfoods fresh. He can twist open one capsule and blend contents into any creamy cleanser to create his favourite new facial scrub. 20 capsules $39, other sizes available. Learn more and get it here.

Gift for the Creative Director:

His creative job keeps him at the office way past 5 o’clock but he loves what he does and you have to admit he has some talent. Meeting with clients often he needs some smart looking eyewear and a fashionable coat to illustrate his understanding of design. He’s constantly on his smart-phone and needs to make sure it’s protected at all times.

Eyewear Frames: Hanson Matte Classic from Bohten Eyewear. Made from sapele wood which is re-purposed from discarded furniture and cabinet parts, these frames not only show off his style but that he cares about the environment. To make it better, for each pair sold, a donation is made towards Sightsavers’ global work in developing countries. $Reg. $130, Sale $95 at publishing. Get them here.

Boots: Montbard Chukka from Lacoste. Keep his feet stylish in these ready for the urban outdoor elements Chukka boots. Reg. $275, Sale $199.98 at publishing. Get them here.

Skin and Beard Care: Men’s gift box from Vichy. Includes 1) VICHY HOMME HYDRA MAG C+ a moisturizer for his face and eyes to reduce signs of fatigue, dark circles & puffiness. 2) VICHY HOMME IDÉALIZER 3-DAY+ BEARD WEARER a multi-action moisturizer that hydrates and diminishes signs of aging while soothing his skin and softening beard hairs to facilitate grooming. Suggested retail $42.50. Find it at major drugstores across Canada.

Drink: Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre. He can toast the new year in with this fine drink featuring a complex and masculine taste he is sure to enjoy and his guests will comment on. Suggest he serve it after dinner with ice or as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. $69.95 Get it here.

Privacy Screen Protector from Phantom Glass. Keep his phone screen private and impact and scratch resistant with revolutionary Phantom Glass, the last screen protector he’ll ever need! Available for iPhone and iPad. iPhone 6/6S $49.95. Get it here.

Coat: Long Line Utility Jacket by Sixth June at Le 31 for men at Simons. This military inspired jacket is cut in a longer parka like length to keep him safe from those nasty blasts of northern winds whipping down the street. The metallic zip closures and long gathered seaming in the back will instantly make this jacket his most stylish. $150. Get it here.

Gifts for the Quirky Dude:

He is fun and relaxed and wants to take you up to his family’s cottage next weekend. An admirer of plaid, he loves to boast about the great city he lives in and prefers to make his coffee at home, instead of going out to get it in a “red cup”.

Shoes: Chuck Taylor All Star Street Hiker Woolrich by Converse. He can wear these on that hike he will take you on up at the cottage. Their upper flannel will keep his feet warm while the improved grip outsole provides him traction on the trail. $109.99. Get them here.

Bag: Tribute to Rene Zippered Backpack from Lacoste. He can pack hiking essentials in this sporty vintage backpack or maybe just use it to carry his books to class. $115. Get it online here or find a store here.

Mug: Buffalo Check Ceramic Mug to support Canadian Women’s Foundation. He can feel good sipping his dark roast from this mug knowing that net proceeds went to support Canadian Women’s Foundation. $5.99. Find it at Winners and HomeSense Canada.

Hat: City of Neighbourhoods Unisex YYZ/True North Toque by Tuck Shop Trading Co. for Over the Rainbow. Grab him one of these super limited edition toques and tell him good luck finding the other 29 people with the same hat somewhere on earth. $40. Find it online here or in store.

Skin Care: Face Mask Gift Set from The Face Shop. He wants to stay in Sunday afternoon and do nothing. Perfect time to do face masks together! Nab 15 of your and what you are sure to be his favourite face masks from The Face Shop and customize your own gift box. Make sure to take selfies and tell him how you really feel. $20. Find it online here or find a store here.

Sweater: Nordic Jacquard Sweater from Le 31 for men at Simons. Perfect for cuddling up with Net Flix, this sweater features the silhouette of a boreal forest in a soft faded grey. Reg. $78, Sale $59.95 at publishing. Get it here.

Gifts for the Urban Hiker:

He hangs out with the guys often and they are usually headed to a concert somewhere in the city. His style is dark, moody and urban. Afterwork he likes to meet you at a local micro brewery and sample their latest batch.

Shave: Urban Shave Kit from Inspired Soap Works Limited. Keep his face soft and his shave clean. This hydrating shave soap bar is made of olive oil, shea and cocoa butter and various essential oils. Comes with a travel tin and brush. $18.95. Get it here.

Pendant: Gold Road from Clocks and Colours. He will love the story behind the name of this piece of jewelry. Gold Road was a route that connected the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans by cutting through Panama. Used mostly for transporting gold, ships on this route were often attacked by pirate vessels. Comes hanging on a 25 inch stainless steel chain. $120 in stainless steel or $155 in silver. Get it here.

Boots: Montbard Boot from Lacoste. He’ll be ready to walk all over the city in the winter elements in these rugged boots. Reg. $285, Sale $227.88 at publishing. Get them here.

Sunglasses: Jetter Classic from Bohten Eyewear. He can reflect on the past year in the polarized mirror lenses of these classic sunnies made of recycled rosewook, titanium and ebony. $209.99. Get them here.

Sweater: Vintage Heathered-Knit Cardigan from Le 31 for men at Simons. This ultra soft wool cardigan features an inward-woven heathered knit for an inside-out look with faux leather elbow patches. It will instantly become his go to sweater all winter long. $78. Get it here.

Thanks for checking out the #stmAPPROVED Holiday 2015 Gift Guide.  Happy Holidays!

#stmSnippet: Your Best Travel Companion Is Ebby Rane

As a child I learned from my mother how to over pack, (and I was great at it!)  Now, as an adult I fight the urge to throw my entire closet into my suitcase when going away for any period of time, even a quick jaunt away for the weekend. What do you mean I don’t need my snow boots in August? Then I discovered Ebby Rane.

A year and a half ago or so I had the pleasure of meeting Sonja Salmon. She was stylish, driven and organized when it came to just about everything in her life. When I learned she was the genius behind a new luggage company called Ebby Rane that was both luxurious and organized, I was not surprised. Find out why this luggage is #stmAPPROVED and see more images from the Ebby Rane campaign I appeared in by clicking here.

Read the full #stmAPPROVED by clicking here.

Photos: Donna Santos for Ebby Rane

#stmSnippet: Bench Feeds My Golf Shirt Addiction

So I have a confession. I am addicted to the classic golf shirt. I throw them on all summer and in the winter you will find me layering them under a wool v-neck sweater. They are the perfect in-between of a t-shirt and a casual collared shirt. I own a small pile of them, mostly black or blue, so when Bench offered me up the opportunity to give their golf shirt a test I decided to have some fun with yellow for summer and it instantly became #stmAPPROVED.  Continue reading the full post with more images on STM by clicking here.

Continue reading the full post with more images on STM by clicking here.

Photo by Marcus Kan

#stmSnippet: Phantom Glass provides stylish protection

Everyone with a smart phone knows there is always the risk of cracking or even smashing the screen. No one would think to take a hammer to a phone screen, but that is exactly what Marcus Kan did recently. Click here to read about fashionable Phantom Glass on STM and find out why it is #stmAPPROVED.

Courtesy of Phantom Glass