A Note from Jane

When we started Wish five years ago, it was our plan to bring you the very best of fashion, beauty, home and food – because busy, stylish women, like you and me, want to put our best foot forward every day. The editors and experts at Wish worked overtime to find the solutions, deals, shortcuts and options to help make life easier – I can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed every step of the way.

Our loyal readers also pushed us to give more. It’s hard to imagine our 20-Minute Supper feature without wine pairings, but it was Jane from Ottawa who first suggested it four years ago: “I just received the second issue of Wish in the mail and read it from cover to cover. Then I went back to the website. We just had the Pesto Chicken Pasta – it was great! Next time, could we have a wine recommendation with the recipe?” Since November 2004, every Wish 20-Minute Supper has been paired with a complementary beverage suggestion.

Which brings to mind all the reader recipes we’ve printed. More than 1,000 entries to our 20-Minute Supper contests have helped raise the bar at dinnertime for hundreds of thousands of Canadian households. And you can still join the club! To find a fresh recipe for every night of the week or to track down one of your favourites, check out wish.ca/20minute – we’re still going strong.

In our last issue of Wish, editors and experts have identified many easy ways and insider ideas to build more wellness into your routine. I don’t think it has to mean giving up our favourite treats, just finding a balance. So, as we suggest in the pages of our last issue: Feel great. Look great. Eat well. Sleep well. Exercise (even when you’re pressed for time). Never get sick. Whistle while you work. Smile at strangers. Laugh – just because! It’s time to kick-start the best year of your life.

Experts have told us this is the beginning of the end of many of our favourite things. The current economic climate has made it impossible for us to continue delivering all you’ve come to expect from us here at Wish. It is with sadness – and many fond memories – that I say goodbye on behalf of every Wish staffer, supporter and contributor. It has been our pleasure.

- Jane Francisco, Editor in Chief

Hello McSteamy

The healthiest, quickest and easiest method of cooking just got even simpler with these Zip ’n Steam bags made for the microwave. No cooking oils or excess water needed. Just add some of your favourite mixed veggies, seafood, or even poultry to the bag, seal well and microwave according to instructions. We tested these wonder steamers ourselves on green beans and cauliflower, seasoned with salt and pepper, and were pleasantly surprised with the locked-in flavour and tenderness. Oh, and no pots to wash! Perk: Recipe ideas inside!
- Hannah Bank, Assistant Home & Food Editor

Ziploc Zip ’n Steam bags, $3 (pack of 10), available at mass retailers and grocery stores.

Sofa So Good

When those in the know in Toronto need their fine upholstery cleaned and cared for, they call a wonderful man named Don Davis. His company, Victoria & Co.: The Upholstery Cleaning Specialists, has been going strong for over twenty years and he’s definitely a well-respected expert in the field. Recently, Don went green, but he wasn’t happy with the products available on the market. So he developed his own. He often left them behind as a gift of appreciation for his clients, and they’ve been such a hit that he’s started to sell them online. Spot cleaners, odour neutralizers, cleaning super sponges, essential upkeep mists – all of his trade secrets are available in refreshing, natural scents and cute, old-fashioned-style packaging designed by his daughter, Francheska Davis. Our style director Catherine Franklin is a fan of the English lavender scent, my top pick is citrus peel. I use it on my sofa and bed linens – they’ve never been fresher or less wrinkled!
– Andrea Mills, Senior Editor, Home

Victoria & Co. Purifying Odour Neutralizer in citrus peel, $12 (240 ml), victoriacoproducts.com.

Sweet Scents for Sweet Dreams

I envy those who are out cold seconds after their head hits the pillow. I’m the type that tosses and turns and battles it out with my duvet before finally drifting off – not exactly a formula for restful sleep. I’ll admit to being a bit skeptical when I was first introduced to the aromatherapy sleep collections at Bath & Body Works, but the scents were so comforting, I figured it couldn’t hurt to give them a try. After careful consideration, I settled on the Lavender Vanilla pillow mist – a sweet, soothing blend that melts away stress and tension. Call it placebo effect, but after two weeks of nightly use, I now feel calmer as I tuck in, and consistently wake up the next day feeling refreshed – quite an achievement for someone who abhors mornings. For those who prefer a more subtle scent, try the cinnamon-and-clove infused Warm Milk & Honey pillow mist – available for a limited time only. Sleep tight!
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Aromatherapy Pillow Mist in Warm Milk & Honey and Lavender Vanilla, both $10, Bath & Body Works, bathandbodyworks.com.

Sensual Citrus

For those who want to keep aging at bay, I’ve got a big secret in a small package: Tangerine Aromatic Care from Darphin. Oil is a very effective moisturizing agent, and this elixir – with both carrot and orange essential oils – melts onto the skin’s surface, keeping it quenched all night long. Apply after cleansing and it plumps up fine lines and gives skin a radiant glow, even the next morning. The bottle may be small (15 ml), but at only a couple of drops per application, it lasts and lasts. If the lovely scent (courtesy of tangerine extract) isn’t enough to keep this anti-aging weapon in your skincare arsenal, your new flawless face will be.
- Janice Koon, Online Intern

Tangerine Aromatic Care, $102, Darphin, darphin.com; Holt Renfrew.

Devise a Master Plan

Here in the home department, we all agree that you can easily create your own inspiration binder. But for renovation novices, it helps to have a little guidance. This three-ring book is jam-packed with folders, graph paper, charts for you to fill out and, most handily, tips and checklists for hiring architects, contractors and designers, and for planning your budget. The book is American, so a lot of the listed websites and phone numbers for information aren’t relevant, but it’s a useful starting point. You can always take out the sections you don’t need and add in your own tears and printouts. There are plenty of pages for notes and a monthly view calendar.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

The Home Renovation Workbook: A step-by-step planner for creating the home of your dreams by Jain Lemos (Chronicle Books, 2001), $30, chroniclebooks.com.

Cosmetic Keeper

Until recently, packing consisted of cramming all my must-have beautifying products into a couple of Ziploc bags (even when I wasn’t boarding a plane). Why Ziplocs you ask? Well, it’s an ingrained fear of mid-travel explosions based on past experiences. For me, they seem to be inevitable. Body wash, lotion or toothpaste somehow manages to explode in my overnight bag, putting my clothes at risk. Recently, I came across these super-stylish cosmetic bags from Kate Spade and I started to rethink my whole packing method. These jewel-toned bags (fashioned after Monet’s gardens) come complete with wipeable liners in the event of a bottle mishap. My weekend jaunts to the cottage just got a whole lot more stylish.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Kate Spade Cosmetic Bags in Giverny Large Manuela, $138, and Giverny Medium Heddy, $70, Gee Beauty, geebeauty.com.

Getting Hooked Up

Recently, our Deputy Editor Doug Wallace asked me where he could get a cordless TV to mount on his wall. I was confused and replied that you can mount almost any television on the wall with the right brackets. He answered, “Well, how am I supposed to do that and what do I do with all the wires?” They were excellent questions and ones that Future Shop obviously hears a lot. In response, they’ve recently launched a new service called ConnectPro – perfect for anyone without a contractor, designer or skilled handy man on their speed-dial. A free, in-home consultation will help you map out where you should put your home theatre system, even if you didn’t make the purchase at Future Shop. Then, for a fee, they will install it, hook it up and make sure it works. I think Doug is prepared to wait for a cordless TV he can hang anywhere, but if your needs are more immediate, this is a great solution. Bonus: The pros help with computers and car audio systems too!
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

ConnectPro Installation Services, future.ca/connectpro. Sony 32” Widescreen LCD HDTV, $800, Future Shop, futureshop.ca.

The Secret to Happy Feet

Summer sandals can take a toll on our feet – especially until we’ve had a chance to break in that fabulous new pair of strappy gladiators! Instead of blistered and bandaged battle scars, choose cushiony comfort in the form of stick-anywhere invisible gel pads from Tana. With shapes designed for every shoe style, these reusable cushions come to the rescue of too-tight straps, sole slipping and painful heels. My fav is the just-launched, between-the-toes version that protects tender toes from thong sandals. Strap on your beloved pair and pound the pavement in pain-free style.
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

In-Between-the-Toe Invisible Gel Cushion, $6, Tana Smiling Feet, tana.ca.

Paint with a Conscience

What’s not to love? The colours are stunning, the quality is superior, and it’s all environmentally friendly! Boomerang water-based paints (latex, stains and alkyds) are made from unused portions of recovered domestic paint and stain, and contain a low amount of VOC (a hazardous compound, regulated in paint by Environment Canada). Plus, it’s half the cost of a regular can! But don’t take my word for it, try it on your walls, deck or home exterior and see for yourself. Although the paint is currently only sold in Quebec, it will soon be available to eco-conscious shoppers nationwide.
Cool Fact: In 2006, manufacturer Laurentide Inc. collected 2,400,000 litres of paint that was recycled under the Boomerang brand.
- Hannah Bank, Assistant Home & Food Editor

Boomerang, about $15 (3.78-l can), boomerangpaint.com. Available at The Home Depot, homedepot.ca.

Petite Palette

To be honest, packing is not my forte. I have a tendency to take way too much and only use about half. So you can understand my excitement when Pop Beauty revealed its compact makeup kit with everything you need to look great this summer. With three cheek shades, nine eyeshadows, three eye pencils and a duo brush (for blending and lining), travelling just became a whole lot lighter. Bonus: The kit comes with application tips for two completely different looks: London Bright Lights and California Smouldering Glow.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Pop Beauty Tan Popper, $42, Sephora, sephora.com.

Bartending Beauty

Make life easier when backyard bartending. Serve a signature drink in one type of glass and have multi-purpose tools on hand. This jigger compresses the six most common liquid measurements into one nifty-looking gadget.
-Tory Healy, Associate Food Editor

Aluminum Cube Jigger, $30, Kikkerland, kikkerland.com. Read more »

Spin Your Heels

This small-space storage solution is so ingenious, I’m surprised it didn’t cross our desks sooner! Dreamed up by designer Danilo Torro during his years spent living in cramped quarters, The Shoe Wheel organizes your footwear collection and lets you flaunt it with style. There are 20 adjustable, expandable pockets built into this sturdy frame, which can secure up to 30 pairs of stilettos, flats or sneakers. The wheel is mounted on casters, so you can easily tuck the whole thing away in your closet. When you’re dashing out the door, just spin for the pair you want to wear.
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Rakku Shoe Wheel, $60, rakkudesigns.com. Available at Home Outfitters, homeoutfitters.com.

Blot Away

We welcome the sweltering heat of summer, but shiver at the idea of a midday shine. For some it’s the forehead and for others it’s the chin, but for me it’s the creases just around my nose. What’s my secret to calm, fresh skin all day? Powder-free blotting papers that suck up excess oil without messing up my makeup. For best results, pat, don’t rub. Bonus: These little guys are small enough to fit in your clutch.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Tweezerman Blotting Paper, $12, tweezerman.com.

Espresso To Go

As a diehard Starbucks fan, how could I possibly resist this iced to-go cup look-alike? I’m notorious for waltzing into the Wish office with an iced grande latte in hand – yes, even in the dead of winter – and the waste from my daily fix piles up pretty quickly. Following on the eco-conscious heels of its logoed tumbler for hot drinks, Starbucks has created this new 16 oz. clear cup for summer sipping. Drippy condensation will be a thing of the past, thanks to double-walled insulation, which also keeps your beverage chilled longer. A screw-on lid prevents spills and even holds a reusable, signature green straw in place. It claims to be dishwasher safe, but with all the recent brouhaha surrounding plastics, I’d stick to mild dish detergent and a rinse under cool tap water. Bonus: Get 10 cents off your Starbucks order every time you bring your own mug!
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Starbucks Iced To-Go Tumbler, $15, at select Starbucks retail stores nationwide.

Light Weight

When you’re in need of some impromptu guest seating (indoors or out), these fun-coloured and super-sturdy stools are a lifesaver. Believe it or not, they can hold up to 225 pounds but only weigh just over a pound! They also fold up neatly and have a convenient handle for easy transport. If you happen to venture into the wilderness this summer, they’re easy to clip onto a backpack and make for comfortable seating around a cozy campfire (your log-perched friends will be green with envy). But let’s be honest, what we like most about them is that in black, yellow, red and blue – they’re so great looking!
- Hannah Bank, Assistant Home & Food Editor

Folding stool, $13 (plus about $18 for shipping), The Spoon Sisters, 800-716-4199.

Rinse Aid

A morning run, a spinning session, perfecting the plank – coming up with ways to break a sweat is easy; keeping my exercise wear smelling fresh however, is another story! But with the help of this detergent, dirty, dingy, workout wear will be a thing of the past. No Sweat’s active ingredient, Bio-Blast, removes odours caused by bacteria and oil trapped in activewear. Effective in cold water, the highly concentrated formula left my gear with a light citrusy scent, and best of all, managed to salvage my favourite white workout tee from its (embarrassing!) pit-stained predicament. This little bottle has earned a permanent place on my laundry-room shelf.
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

No Sweat activewear detergent, from $6, nosweatlaundry.com.

It's Easy Being Tall

As much as I've tried to deny it, every time I go shopping for pants, there's no way around the truth. At five foot eleven – okay fine, six feet – I'm tall, and the generic 32-inch inseam that most stores carry will just never do. The solution for my too-tall shopping woes? Long Legs boutique in Toronto. The store carries everything from fun weekend wear and denim to stylish office attire and yoga garb, with generous 38-inch inseams all around. And we're not just talking pants – tall gals will also find fitted shirts, jackets, skirts, dresses and more, all designed to fit the long and lean. The best news of all – you can also shop from the comfort of home at longlegs.ca.
- Sarah Rogers, Online Editor

On the Ball

When famed inventor and entrepreneur James Dyson developed a canister version of the vacuum of all vacuums, I was pretty excited at the prospect of storing it in my apartment’s small front closet. However, it takes up a whole lot of ground space, the long hose is a pain and it must weigh at least 200 pounds. I vacuum everyday, so it is a tiring production. But I’m happy to report I’ve finally found the right Dyson for me – the new Dyson Ball DC24. It’s light (just over 11 pounds) and easy to manoeuvre because it spins on, you guessed it, a ball. Another handy feature for both usage and storage is the narrower-than-usual head, which is only 28 cm wide. It’s all the power of a Dyson, but in a mini. And I can take it out or put it away in five seconds flat. There’s no doubt they’re pricey, but whichever Dyson you choose might just be the last vacuum you ever buy.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Dyson Ball DC24, $500, at major retailers, 877-397-6622, dysoncanada.ca.

More Talk, Less Rock

As a runner, I can’t rave enough about my Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. Only problem is, if I’m running with a buddy, the iPod set-up isn’t so handy. Come on, who wants to listen to music when you can hear all about your best friend’s dating adventures? Well, the smart folks at Nike realized this, and have launched the Nike+ SportBand – a sleek looking bracelet that uses Nike+ technology to track your distance, pace and calories burned – without the need for an iPod. It’s even got a hidden USB plug so you can upload your runs to the Nike+ website. It also tells time, but with only 14 hours of battery life per “charge,” it’s not meant to be used as a watch.
- Laurie Jennings, Managing Editor

Nike+ SportBand, $80, nikeplus.nike.com.

Go Go Gadget

Now that the first long weekend of the year has passed, it’s officially summer. If that means camping season to you, this is the gadget to get. Winner of the coveted IWA and Outdoor Classics Exhibition “knife of the year” award, Swiss Army’s new Rescue Tool is sure to get you out of a bind. It’s easy to find in the dark and includes a locking blade, two screwdrivers, crate opener, wire stripper, the list goes on. I’m not sure how necessary the window breaker and seatbelt cutter are in most cases, but there is a (really creepy!) video on Youtube where you can see them in action. In my books, the biggest bonus when you’re in the middle of the woods? The bottle opener, the toothpick and the tweezers.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Rescue Tool, $100, Victorinox Swiss Army, 800-665-4095, swissarmy.com.

Suede Skimmers

Create space in your suitcase by packing a pair of neutral flats. When it comes summer travel, I’m all about packing light. The only problem? I always end up sacrificing precious suitcase space to a mountain of shoe options (I like to cover my bases!). These perfectly neutral flats, though, may be the solution to my packing woes. Soft and bendable enough to be stuffed into an overnight bag, the recycled rubber soles will keep my feet happy on long days spent sightseeing in the big city or on leisurely strolls at the cottage. And come nighttime, these Mary-Janes will look great paired with a swingy summer dress. Now all that's left for me to do is book some travel plans!
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

Timberland Sulima Mary-Janes, $120, at specialty retail stores across Canada, 1-866-943-7335.

Cling On

A while back at the National Home Show, I stopped by a booth showing kitchen and bathroom accessories made by Griipa for Umbra. The suction cup hooks that are the basis of the collection were what impressed me the most (I can’t believe I didn’t know about them before!). They are basically a rubber suction that you press to the wall – each one can hold up to 15 pounds, so if you need to hold more weight just add as many hooks as necessary. Because there is no adhesive backing, they don’t leave marks and never lose their holding power. They will stick to any glossy, flat surface, making them great for hanging artwork without banging up your walls. And they last for pretty much forever.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Cling single hook, $5, Umbra, umbra.com.