The 5 Best Purchases Our Editors Made In February

Scoria Cork Yoga Mat, $115

“While I've been practicing yoga for almost 20 years, I never really cared what kind of mat I used until last October when I decided to get serious about this part of my life and signed up for teacher training. Spending that much consecutive time on a mat will make you picky. I wanted something that was plush enough to feel relaxing in savasana and substantial enough to feel like insurance against planting my face into the floor when trying a new arm balance—but still light enough to cart around. I also wanted it not to be made of plastic, and have enough grip so I wouldn’t need to use a towel layer during a sweatier, faster-paced practice. This mat from Canadian brand Scoria ticks off all the boxes: a double-layer mat with a cork overset that feels soft, has excellent grip and is widely available at a number of retailers, from Walmart to Costco.” —Chantal Braganza, deputy editor, food  

Bluboho Pear Aquamarine Mood Birthstone Charm, $148

“On a grey, snowy Toronto day, I popped into Bluboho, a cozy jewellery store with cases of rings, pendants and earrings all designed in Toronto. I was looking for an aquamarine charm to mark my upcoming March birthday. I love simple jewellery, and this pear-shaped birthstone pendant set in recycled yellow gold immediately caught my eye. Being a birthstone collection, the line features twelve charms (one for each month of the year) that can be stacked or worn alone.” —Aimee Nishitoba, art director

Nova Scotia Fisherman Deck Hands Hand Cream, $22 for 100 mL

“I've been trying to gradually switch all my beauty products to items that are made in Canada, so I was happy to find this excellent and well-priced hand cream. Made in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley by a family-run company, this rich cream has been helping with my dry winter hands. I also love that it's made with all-natural ingredients, including sea kelp that's hand-harvested by off-season or retired Nova Scotia fisherfolk. Plus, it smells excellent, without being fake or overpowering. (I've also tried the even richer Body Balm, which is great for overnight.)” —Gillian Grace, deputy editor, digital

Otto Studio Harvest Moon Wallpaper in Cotton Candy, from $75 per panel

“I recently updated my back porch, and I wanted to pick up on the indigo blue and light pink vibes of my adjacent kitchen. (What can I say, I like colour!) With a little paint, a new hanging planter and this gorgeous peel-and-stick wallpaper from Vancouver-based, women-owned Otto Studio, it's now my favourite nook in the house.” —Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 Sneakers, $190

“On a recent trip to Vietnam, I put these sneakers to the test—I walked over 40,000 steps across city streets, countryside roads and rice fields. And I was genuinely surprised by how comfortable they were.

The breathable upper mesh handled the heat beautifully, yet the shoes still felt great in cooler temperatures. While I expected the typical firm feel of a supportive trail shoe, these felt bouncy and cushioned, which made long days spent walking a breeze. Plus, the grippy sole came in handy when navigating the uneven terrain of Sapa’s rice fields. 

Need more convincing? I packed another pair of walking shoes and only wore them twice during my 21-day trip.” —Sun Ngo, creative director