When I was a kid, it was the one thing I coveted but alas, Santa never saw fit to toss one under the tree for me.

Now, once-budding fashion designers and current fans of playing dress-up can indulge in a little stylish fun, while getting schooled on the current state of Canadian fashion, thanks to designer and illustrator Danielle Meder.

With 17 paper dolls inspired by 15 designers who showed their Spring 2010 collections in Toronto during October 2009, Danielle's Paper Dolls book is a spectacular showcase of her signature sketching style and a refreshing look at fashion through the eyes of an artist rather than a camera lens.

If you're keen to win the book, why not try your hand at Danielle's design challenge? Just create your own outfit mash-up with a model from one designer and clothing and accessories from at least two other designers.

More of a tactile person? Print off the mini PDF version of the book, pull out your scissors and get to cutting!

Flavour Design's Alder vase is the perfect way to bring a little bit of the West Coast 'back east', without the use of brute force.  The fact that the wood used in the vases is left to age naturally on the forest floor gives it a magically unique quality and is a true showcase of the wonder of nature.

Flavour Design also has a Book Match Vase that can be used with either a tealight candle or to show off your favorite fragrant flower bud.
Check out Flavour's other ingenious housewares, including the udon noodlebowl & the zen-like Buddha Bowl (that I am definitely going to buy very, very soon!), which made Oprah's O List.  If you can't get enough of Flavour Design, you are not alone. I  couldn't resist writing up their equally ingenious (and totally adorable!) notecards – so read the full post HERE.

Photos: courtesy Flavour Design 

The only problem with living in a condo smack dab in the middle of the concrete jungle is sometimes even the call of the great outdoors isn't enough to make me want to sit in traffic for an hour.

At times like that, al I really need is a grab a Molson, pop on 'Bobcaygeon' by The Tragically Hip and get lost in this Muskoka Nights print by Pickering's budanART.

Truthfully, I could easily experience all 4 seasons in artist Mandy Budan's portfolio – from the shifting hues of Poppies to the flourishing Summer Birches; from the brilliant glow of November Sun to the aristocratic One Pine.

The use of color & shape here is simply breathtaking, and really, I would be happy with any of these prints hanging on my wall. 

Photo: courtesy budanART 

In that same episode, Donna borrowed the anagram Steve had learned in his SAT cram course to totally ‘diss Brenda by coaxing everyone to “Scan, Discard, Select, and Move On” when Brenda – the poor, wounded bird – tried to explain.

Even though I’ve had to adopt this method myself when wading through the hundreds of potential directory members as editor of the Indie Collective, one Canadian shop put me in MY place with one little word – STALLION!

The Candi Factory’s cutesy-quaint underpants are undeniably adorable, with their two-toned hues, hand-sewn appliqués and felicitously named designs.  But it is their men’s briefs that got me all hot & bothered.

The equine-emblazoned microfibre Stallion boxer briefs made me hee-haw out loud, and their equally precocious Pirate Ship briefs are a bountiful blessing for all those guys out there who are hard pressed to find cool indie finds specifically geared toward the fashionable man-about-town.

The Candi Factory confectionary is located in Toronto’s King West, a mere stone’s throw from my house, meaning I can pop in, slow down, and spend some time picking out a gift for both myself and my beau at the same time. You’re jealous now, aren’t you?! Don’t hate!

Photos: courtesy The Candi Factory