Joe Affordable

It’s time to start updating your fall/winter wardrobe. Fall/winter trends this season are fun, fabulous and can be hard on the wallet, but Joe Fresh can help make it easier. My trip to check out their new merchandise was a much more exciting experience this time than last (see Joe Disappointed).
The first thing that caught my eye were the patent leather flats in lipstick red, royal blue, black and gray for a very affordable $16 a pair! For those who prefer their shoes not to shine so much, there are gray reptile print flats or matte metallic flats in silver or bronze for $19.
Waist skimming swing coats or jackets with bracelet length sleeves are a big trend for the season and Joe has them in black or gray wool blend for $49 and green brocade for $39. The same brocade is also available in a silver-gray A-line coat for $59. The short, swing style has also been applied to a burgundy sweater for a reasonable $29.
Feminine silk blouses in black or cream are priced at $29 and look great with the new pencil skirts or dressed down with a pair of dark-wash jeans (Joe jeans are only $29!). And as always, they have lots of long sleeved t-shirts in super soft jersey knit. I highly recomend visiting one of their larger stores near you to get the best selection of sizes and colours.

Tealish

This isn’t your average quaint, cozy little tea shop. On the contrary, Tealish is rather modern looking and the interior would be considered well laid out and functional. Using the word modern to describe a tea shop may turn off/scare away some people, but don’t let it.
Tealish sells loose tea, tea accessories and freshly brewed tea. The large, square tins of loose tea, adorned with colourful labels indicating the teas name and ingredients, line the three rows of long shelves behind the counter. The staff is more than happy to open a tin or two so you can smell the wonderful aroma of a certain blend, and can tell you about that type of tea. Tea selections include orthodox black, rooibos, herbal & fruit, special teas (such as Yerba mate and blooming tea) and orthodox green. Tea can be purchased in amounts of 50g for $5-$7, 100g $10-$14 and 250g $23-$28. May I suggestion the Canadian Breakfast Blend, Patisserie and the dessert of teas Toasty Almond.
They have many different styles of tea strainers to choose from - my favourite being the plastic flower-shaped ‘Audrey’ from Koziol. A Bodum travel press for $26.50 is a great gift for the tea drinker on the run. Those who are always on the look-out for cute cups/saucers and teapots to add to their collection will be charmed by the ones from CoroCoro decorated with lady bugs. For the girl who likes a little ‘bling’ with her tea, there are the mirrored metallic ‘Alice’ tea cups and saucers from Torre & Tagus.
Make sure to order yourself a tea from their menu of hot, cold, smoothie or latte style tea drinks while you’re taking a look around.
located at 198 Walnut Ave (next door to Burst Flowers)

La Boutique ParPar

If you’re a girly girl La Boutique ParPar is for you - the pink exterior is kind of a giveaway. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to look through this store as it is filled with many little (and big) delights. Where to start? Just inside the door you will find Elle lunch bags for $25 with moc-croc trim in blue, green or red as well as hand knit hat and scarf sets for $35. Their stationary section has file folders, accordion folders and clipboards with a feminine touch. You will also find cards for all occasions and my favourite, pop-up gift cards.
They have a small lingerie section, but a really large section with pajama tops and bottoms in cotton, flannel and waffle-weave fabrics. Lots of girly prints and colours to choose from. You can top off your pj’s with a super soft, cuddly bathrobe available in two different lengths and a variety of pastel colours (don’t forget to also pick up a pair of slippers). For your delicates, there are linen wash bags with cute images of stockings, undies or bras embroidered on the outside.
The children’s section has onesies, bibs, growth charts, blankets, car seat covers, night lights, china tea sets and more.
Sparkling chandeliers, beaded jewellery, serving platters, dessert plates and Cake Beauty products can also be found in this delightful shop.
(A word of advice: the St Clair streetcars are not running at this time, but don’t bother waiting for the bus as the walk from St Clair West subway station is under five minutes)
649 St Clair Ave West