Support your local makers...and santé!
Nearly everything is closed here except essential services, which in Quebec includes our province-run wine and spirits stores, the Sociétés des alcools du Québec (SAQ) and its affiliate cannabis stores. Locked down and loaded?
François Legault, Quebec's prime minister, urged us to fight cabin fever: "...to reduce the stress you have to do some exercise—so have a walk—but sometimes a glass of wine may help.”
I find a drop of the Canadian whisky and maple syrup liqueur "Sortilege" a treat after a day of awful news, especially when shared with a friend on FaceTime.
Some persons find the continued SAQ access immoral and inconsiderate—but because the SAQ has put safer practices in place in the stores and encourages online ordering, I don't think offering service on a reduced schedule is reprehensible.
I can make a better case for ceasing to sell cigarettes at dépanneurs, given the virus is a serious respiratory illness.
Now, we can't find a barber or hairstylist, and this ought to be interesting; most women would give up the SAQ before the salon. Susan told me her hairdresser has an announcement on her phone: "The salon is closed temporarily and will reopen as soon as possible. DO NOT buy box colour or use scissors!"
Though I'm avoiding comfort-shopping, I want to keep the small local businesses we treasure alive so they can return full-strength, even if that's only a small purchase accompanied by a big "Thank you!"
Here are some of my local heroines; prices are in Canadian dollars.
Left: Jennifer Glasgow Design (at her boutique, Général 54) "Arbus" spring jacket; price $258. Also in navy.
Right, clockwise from top left:
- État de Style stretch jersey knit "au contraire" top, which can be worn with a tee or shirt under as well as on its own; price, $60.
- The exquisite chocolates of Lacavalier Petrone, offered online by the makers only during this exceptional period, here. Box of 24, $51.
- Katrin Leblond Magic Coat in black/grey floral; the details are intriguing and it has extra-deep pockets; price, $CDN 199.
- This Ilk hand-dyed vintage lace Pedulum earrings, in an array of colours; price, $38
What to do about the hair?
Swenn extrafine merino beanie; price, $75. Designed and knitted in Quebec.
François Legault, Quebec's prime minister, urged us to fight cabin fever: "...to reduce the stress you have to do some exercise—so have a walk—but sometimes a glass of wine may help.”I find a drop of the Canadian whisky and maple syrup liqueur "Sortilege" a treat after a day of awful news, especially when shared with a friend on FaceTime.
Some persons find the continued SAQ access immoral and inconsiderate—but because the SAQ has put safer practices in place in the stores and encourages online ordering, I don't think offering service on a reduced schedule is reprehensible.
I can make a better case for ceasing to sell cigarettes at dépanneurs, given the virus is a serious respiratory illness.
Now, we can't find a barber or hairstylist, and this ought to be interesting; most women would give up the SAQ before the salon. Susan told me her hairdresser has an announcement on her phone: "The salon is closed temporarily and will reopen as soon as possible. DO NOT buy box colour or use scissors!"
Though I'm avoiding comfort-shopping, I want to keep the small local businesses we treasure alive so they can return full-strength, even if that's only a small purchase accompanied by a big "Thank you!"
Here are some of my local heroines; prices are in Canadian dollars.
Left: Jennifer Glasgow Design (at her boutique, Général 54) "Arbus" spring jacket; price $258. Also in navy.
Right, clockwise from top left:
- État de Style stretch jersey knit "au contraire" top, which can be worn with a tee or shirt under as well as on its own; price, $60.
- The exquisite chocolates of Lacavalier Petrone, offered online by the makers only during this exceptional period, here. Box of 24, $51.
- Katrin Leblond Magic Coat in black/grey floral; the details are intriguing and it has extra-deep pockets; price, $CDN 199.
- This Ilk hand-dyed vintage lace Pedulum earrings, in an array of colours; price, $38
What to do about the hair?
Swenn extrafine merino beanie; price, $75. Designed and knitted in Quebec.
Comments
As far as the hair is concerned, I've already had the scissors out. My stylist says we cut my hair together. I do this often between cuts when its just needs a trim. I did order colour on line because my growth is considerable but not sure I'll take the plunge. I might just find out what my real colour is.
My shopping list is posted on the fridge for both in person and on line local purchasing as we try to do our bit on supporting our communities. Further to your support of jewelers, we have a 30 year history with Devine, family business with lovely shop in the Chateau Laurier. We have repurposed stones, bought birthday treats and had repairs to the engagement ring that my husband commissioned in 1984!
Dianne
I had made an appointment with my coiffeur and did get out my barber's scissors and cut just a bit to get rid of les fourches (split ends). I do have a useless degree in fine arts, and we must remember that hair styling is sculpture. Three-dimensional, and not always with the best of raw materials. No more than necessary.
Not only gourmands but also public health professionals think it would be a very bad idea to shut down the SAQ. The minority of customers who are actually alcoholics in the medical sense would suffer uncontrolled (cold turkey) withdrawal, which can be fatal, and the majority who just need some comfort and pleasure in such a terrifying time add up to risks of riots, sacking supermarkets and little dépanneurs and other frightening events; moreover the products available at groceries and dépanneurs often contain high levels of residual sugars and other dubious ingredients.
Of course workers at the SAQ, the LCBO and supermarkets deserve heightened protection and sanitation!
Venasque: A Zoom dinner party! Are you all cooking the same thing? Is the colour you order one of those custom-blended ones, or a brand that you just now get online?
Mary: I have short hair too and just got a cut before the order, so I'll see what happens in 5 or so weeks. Kind of like pruning, you can do some things but not others. I expect a run on barber shears!
Dianne: Thank you for commenting, means a great deal to me. An ER going strong (repairs are expected) after 35 years speaks to its workmanship.
spacegeek33: I've known colourists who will mix colour for travellers and this is an extension of that service, and a good way for them to sustain themselves, at least partly. I hope you have one of those neck-mirrors, or someone to help you.
Murphy: You had me at 'cupcakes'. Ahh. a deeply cosseting treat.
lagatta: Time changes our physical palette. Like you, I find grey hair needs attention, such as the de-yellower, deep conditioners and depending on one's hair, sometimes products that add volume or shine. Certain hairdressers just hate a woman going grey because they lose that 3-4 week annuity; others are fully on-board and support the transition. Good for you for changing.
I thought of the small minority of customers who would go through DTs and what could happen if their access were cut off. I am sure the Minister of Health and Social Services is aware too.
Hair - My salon has a warning against colouring yourself. I was a bit dubious about it myself, and have definitely decided against it, but have discovered Bumble and Bumble coloursticks, so I'm giving that a try (it washes out). But the salon is coming up with a way for us to do it ourselves which I assume will have them mixing it up and us retrieving it. Honey will have to do the back. I tried to cut it this morning and COULD NOT make my hand go the way I wanted. That brain can be quite stubborn when it wants.
That "it's" snuck in, can't fix it but mistakes like that make me nuts.
I've also subscribed to a yoga live-streaming membership at a studio I used to attend in my old community, because I know that worthy enterprise will still have to make rent payments, etc. And although my trainer has generously posted many free workouts, I just bought a 30-Day unlimited pass to her Zoom workouts. I'm very fortunate in having a decent pension income and secure shelter -- and I'm actually finding that spending is down while we're home, so supporting those in more precarious work seems a no-brainer. I'm also thinking it's time to finally buy a small painting I've been dithering about for months -- tough time for our artists as well. . .
mardel: Many small businesses and self- employed persons were already depending on one order at a time, building a loyal clientèle. Each of us will count for them.
Venasque: When I coloured my hair, I would go in and out of DIY phases and found the best products were just as good as the salon’s. I went to their supplier so they were the identical box the colourist was mixing in the back. The salon was just not as messy. But my colour was only single process, no lowlights or other more challenging techniques. I never had a stylist castigate my work ( they may have kept their opinions to themselves.)