Imagine a Temple...

Where coils of incense hang from the rafters, the air hazy from sweet smoke.  Where worshippers come and light a coil in deference to their ancestors and the Gods of both war and literature.

Photo credit:  Ben Ward/flickr

I only know about Man Mo Temple because a customer noticed me with an incense coil and had recently been to China where she visited the Temple herself.  I am grateful to her for sharing her experience with me.  Incense is used for many reasons in Chinese culture, but it is the religious

Buckyballs

For those of you not yet in the know, that was not a curse.  It is a toy.  Or is it "they" are a toy? 

 

Rolling Stone magazine calls them "Toy of the Year".  Maxim calls them "Modern Art".  But its Entertainment's take on them that makes me smile..."Payment for addiction therapy not included".

Buckyballs are 216 rare earth magnetic balls (in a set) which you will not be able to put down after you pick them up.  They stick together and snap apart.  String them, shape them, squash them together like a stress ball, pull them apart or try to make one of the myriad of Buckyball thingies from a YouTube instructional video.  These magnets aren't just for sticking stuff to your fridge!

We have a demo set open in the store and many a customer has whiled away more than a few minutes playing with them (as have I).  From now until this Saturday we will be offering a 10% discount on in store purchases (sorry this offer's not available on the webstore)...  Come in and play awhile!

Pssst...

Hey!  It's me!

 

I'm never sure how to begin after a long time away from the blog.  I've found myself, in past, yammering excuses and apologies and trying to segue into a topic from there.  This time... I'll just say it...  I've been lazy and distracted.  There.

 

Now that that's out of the way....

 

<p>Winter to spring animation from Koos Dekker on Vimeo.</p>

 

Spring has finally arrived and we're loving it!  The streets of the Exchange are busy again with winter weary people seeking fresh air and sunshine.  More new businesses have opened including a small grocer and the Free Press Cafe (and I heard the food is terrific).  I finally got a chance to grab dinner at Deseo and it was out of this world amazing!  Stock is rolling in from our last visit to the International gift show in New York.  There is plenty to be excited about - both in the happenings in the Exchange and in the boxes we're breaking open!

 

 

 

Mmmm, Noodles.

There's a delicious little corner in the Exchange which is home to a restaurant called The Line Up.  They serve a number of different yummy things, but my favourite is Noodles by the Box.  Scrumptious stir fry with a variety of tempting selections to choose from, it is all prepped fresh when ordered and served up in a sweet little takeout box.  I can't say for sure if it will make the noodles taste any better, but if you 'eat with your eyes' chances are good that the Canadian designed and manufactured Ramen Noodle Bowl will enhance the experience!

If you're going to be in the neighbourhood I'd recommend coming with an appetite and giving The Line Up a try.  I'm not playing favourites, as there are many great places to nosh in the area, I'm just sharing them as I discover them!