Veronica's Sweets

Veronica's Sweets.
Sharlene started Veronica's Sweets after several years of experience in the food industry, specifically creating delicious flavour combinations. Her spiked jams are made in small batches, from fresh ingredients to capture the flavour.  Carefully chosen liquors are then added to create this distinctive product.  Great for your pantry, your cheese plate, or as a gift.

Check out the many flavours on Veronica's Sweets 100 Mile Finds store.  Perfect accent flavours to add for your holiday entertaining.

2 different shopping experiences

Talked to my sister on Saturday afternoon. After trying to find a parking spot for 35 minutes at the mall, she went home. Apparently her family will be getting presents from the convenience store this Christmas (and 100 Mile Finds of course....)
I on the other hand spent the weekend frequenting the many Craft Shows on the 100 Mile Finds Show and Sale page. While we love the idea of customers buying directly from us through the site, we want to see more unique gifts purchased overall, any way that works for you.
I headed downtown (hardly any traffic going that way, btw) to 401 Richmond. Beautiful brick and wood space with crafters interspersed between unique pottery, music and bookstores. Look for the incredible work by Mary Kroetsch - she stitches over antique, computer manipulated photographs, really beautiful.
Kensington Market was a cinch.  Just parked right on College and walked down Augusta.  Blue Banana Market supports both local and imported. Our stockings are now full. Project 165, near the south end of Kensington, is a unique pop-up store with crafted items displayed as a 'life size diorama' - Pabrika pillows are there.

I have seen Yvonne from Torched Studio and pined over the silver ring with the round blue bead three times over the last 2 weeks. I am not convinced that she is not doing some experimental cloning in that jewellery lab of hers. 
Anyway, this last weekend try finishing up your shopping a little differently.  If it isn't on-line and local, visit some of our independent retailers or pop into a craft show.  Did I mention many of them have bake sales too (a ginger cupcake keeps you fortified between places).

Handsome & Lace

Keira Morgan is the creator at Handsome and Lace. Keira brings years of design and sewing experience to her amazing hairbands and accessories. A self described 'crafty' person, Keira sometimes dreams new creations, waking up to sketch or sew in the middle of the night. Keira doesn't "believe in ‘fashion’, as much as (she) believes in the clothing, accessories and personal articles that represents you as an individual".

Vintage inspired designs with a balance of feminine and masculine. For example, the Bow Tie Hairband and the Dickens Tie. Both formal and fun and beautiful crafted.

Teachers gifts? What to get....

Jinja Ninja is a designer customer cookie company! Gotta love that! Beverly has invented the "mookie" aka message cookie.
A mookie is Jinja Ninja’s special creation for your special occasion. It’s a cookie with a message, and there’s a special piece for everyone. Celebrating a special someone, a festive day or a corporate milestone? Treat them to mookie!
They come in ginger and sugar cookies and can be made in ANY design with ANY message and ANY size. You can save 15% on all orders you make on or before December 10th (that's today!)
The mookies range from $3 to $55 and you can pick them up at Dovercourt and Dupont or have them delivered for a fee! Perfect gift for the teachers in your life!
Just in, they are at the Artisan Craft Show this Saturday at 20 Stanley Ave. in Toronto

Spa sisters is a luxury line of oh-so-pretty bath & body products. Talk about someone in your life who deserves some pampering!!  All you have to do is volunteer for one morning in the classroom and you realize that it ain't an easy job!! White Chocolate Mint Tub Truffles! Vanilla Fudge Scrub! Mini Bath Bombs in flavors like Bubble Gum & Key Lime, sure to make their holiday a little bit more relaxing.


Chocolates make another great gift for a teacher. Here are some of our favorites.

Delight  is dedicated to offering our customers an exclusive treat. Our style combines whimsy and decadence along with a creative attention to detail, not to mention a flair for the finest tastes and textures. Our fabulous chocolate is coupled with the decision to support a sustainable form of agriculture as well as the farmers who manage it; yum yum! They are in Junction and also have a second store on Queen W.

SOMA chocolatemaker makes truffles, baicoli, tozetti, baci d'alassio and so much more. Soma has a permanent collection of bars, and also make microbatch bars. They have a fabulous selection of 'elixirs'. There is the collection of chocolate tumbled nuts, fruits, seeds & beans... They are in the Distillery District, why not stop by while you enjoy the Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market?!

What about a gift certificate? Have you thought of organizing a bunch of families together and giving one big gift? I think if you make the suggestion, someone else should step up and organize it, don't you?! A book store, gift store or restaurant are some nice options.

Giveaway - Fascinator by KC's Hats

They are all the rage! Everybody wants one, YOU can have one! We are giving away a Fascinator created by the fabulously talented David Dunkley of KC's Hats. This ain't no regular Fascinator ladies, it's top of the line.

David graduated from the George Brown College Millinery program and then headed off to England to study with Ms. Rose Cory the previous Milliner to Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother.




You can enter the give away by doing the following. (Please make sure you leave EACH as a separate comment so that you qualify for all the entries that you are entitled)

• "Like" us on our Facebook Page (remember to leave a comment below, on the blog, telling us that you've done it)
• Follow us on Twitter (don't forget to leave a comment, on the blog, telling us you've done so)
• Subscribe to our newsletter (you guessed it, leave a comment here, on the blog, so we know you've done it) 
• Share us on Facebook or Retweet us (seriously, you don't know what to do?)
• If you have done all this already forward the link to your friends! Let us know you've done it by leaving a comment.

THE GORY DETAILS

1. Entrants MUST be 18 years or older.
2. Contest entrants must live within 100 miles of Toronto. Click here and scroll down to find out if you are in the area.
3. Delivery of prize is limited to shipping within the 100 mile radius as described above.
4. No purchase is necessary - A purchase will not increase your chances of winning.
5. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, a random number generating website.
6. Upon determining the winner, we will notify the winner by email. The winner has 72 hours to respond. If we do not hear from the winner at that time, a new winner's name will be drawn.

Entries may be posted between December 9th to December 24th  at noon EDT. The number will correspond to the comment entry and the winner will be notified via email.

Good Luck!

Theatre Aquarius A CHRISTMAS CAROL-The musical

It's sort of a family tradition, every year my family, my sister's family and my Mom & Dad get together before Christmas to celebrate the early December birthdays and we see whatever Theatre Aquarius is showing.
I must say, this year I wasn't looking all that forward to it. My Dad passed away this summer and Christmas has lost some of its sparkle for me. But you know what, he started this tradition, and Christmas is a time to celebrate those that are still here and remember those who are gone. Life is to be lived, and live it I will!

I've got to say it was the perfect afternoon. I had my Mom on one side of me and my husband on the other side. The kids were all together in another section, and the play was fantastic! I highly recommend it. We all enjoyed it, ages almost 10 through to 72 years old. It was beautifully acted, the singing was fantastic, the dancing and choreography out of this world and the staging and costumes amazing!
The story was told in such a positive and understanding way. The finale is fantastic too! If you are in Hamilton, it is a must see for the family. If you're farther a field, I would make the effort this year. You will be happy that you did!
It runs until January 2nd.

Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market

Great local gifts for the guys!

When I started writing the December 3, 2010 newsletter I thought there was going to have to be a lot of fluff. Susan and I have been so busy working on the various newsletters, trying to get some PR and thinking of crafty ways to get more people to the site I didn't realize how many more amazing vendors we've got on board. Here are a few more cool ideas that you can buy locally.

Here are some more great t-shirt companies that just happen to be local!

Anti-Matter Quasi Science Apparel: Danielle D.  is the "ultimate square girl"  who came up with this ever so cool, yet slightly geeky idea! They offer a basic T, long sleeve, Hoodie and Organic T. They have a great selection brainiac t's for your guy, the coolest as far as I'm concerned is the Binary T! You figure out a phrase and they print the binary code! FYI, and I had to look this up, the binary code is a group of ones and zeros that translate into words by the computer. Just imagine what you could write!!  They also have women's and kiddie sizes.

Ransack the Universe: My husband has the beaver crossing T. He LOVES it! Michelle and the crew opened a store at 1207 Bloor St. W. in the spring. They have their full line of t-shirts, and they carry a whole bunch of other local artists too! Well worth the trip to Bloordale Village.

Coy Clothes: Silk-screened retro advertising art with cheeky text  creating distinctly fun clothing. I have  "He sounds just like Jesus"  It is so much fun to wear! "We drink because we have to!" and "Oh! I do wish he's shut up!" are personal favorites of mine!


More cuff links you say?! 

Danielle Crampsie Designs has some amazing options for the best dressed music lover in your life.
These are her sound wave lapel pin and cuff links.

Not to be outdone by her 'music staff 1' pendant and cuff link combo. Danielle has a fantastic collection of rings, pendants cuff links, bracelets... Her line of music themed pieces is modern with clean lines. She also does custom work, her website is definitely worth taking a look at!




Tamara and Kathryn from Studio 1098 have a great selection of cuff links too! Here's a taste...

Here are the two examples of the wine racks from Urban Tree Salvage. How cool is this?! On their own they each make a great gift, depending on your budget you could add a couple of bottles of your favorite local wine too!

I could go on and on, but I won't, (I already have, haven't I?)! If you are still at a lose as to what to get that special someone on your list, give us a shout! Susan and I pride ourselves on being able to solve any gift giving dilemma, and we can do it locally too! Just drop us a line at info@100milefinds.com

Seraphims

Shannon Conway is the owner and creator of Seraphims. Shannon's crafting skills have turned to quilt making lately. Particularly beautiful quilts for the youngest fans of 100 Mile Finds. 

These cozy blankets are perfect for the car seat or stroller as the weather cools down.  The materials are natural and the designs delightful.
A perfect shower gift, or hey, isn't there another gift giving occasion in December?  Make baby's first Christmas special with a beautiful quilt that can be kept for a lifetime