Pyrrha and FIG

I'm a HUGE fan of shopping locally and even more so of purchasing/supporting a truly Canadian product!

I was downtown Guelph with some gal pals a while back and we walked into a shop called POD Designs. It is SUCH a funky shop, with amazing selection and variety of products...I didn't know where to start!

The two main items that caught my eye were the Pyrrha Jewelery and the FIG Clothing.

Here is  the bio on the designers and creators of Pyrrha Jewelery:

DESIGNER BIO

From their Vancouver studio, jewelry designers Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore handcraft the heraldic talismans cast from 18th and 19th century wax seals that have become the Pyrrha signature. “Jewelers traditionally try to make everything look perfect, say Danielle and Wade, “but we like to show the maker’s hand. We celebrate the original cracks in the waxes.”

The pair designed the Pyrrha Talisman collection after they came across a box of 19th century wax seals. “Making jewelry out of them was inspired by a desire to give the fragile waxes new life and permanence.” say Danielle and Wade. The handcrafted, thoughtful pieces are a striking contrast to the glut of overseas factory made, mass produced jewelry that is so common in their industry. Wade and Danielle explain, “everything seems to be cranked out at a staggering pace and then left for dead. Because we live in such a throwaway society, it’s necessary to create some things that can be kept."

The story behind this jewelry is incredible! Each piece is so unique and inspiring, I am still having difficulty choosing which one I would like for myself! 

This is one of their new pieces that I am really leaning towards....

Follow Your Dreams Talisman Necklace

This handcrafted talisman necklace features an eagle with wings spread, which is symbolic of the freedom obtained by following your dreams. The rose signifies the passion that is ignited by doing what you were meant for.

The other great find I came across was FIG Clothing!

From their website:

"FIG Clothing is a Canadian sportswear brand for active, urban and elegant women who love to travel. The collection is inspired by adventure and practicality. It is designed for those in need of versatility. Each mini-collection is made of its own unique fabric to provide maximum freedom of movement. FIG is essential for travelling in comfort!"

This is their Fall 2013 Safari Collection.

The Guelph and Elora POD stores are holding a contest today (Friday) that if you go in and try on a FIG item, you could win $150!

I have a few pieces of their clothing already and I LOVE them for their comfort, style and durability! They are my new 'go-to' for outdoor wear, travel and sports gear!

Pyrrha is based in Vancouver and FIG is based in Montreal, so they truly do encompass both coasts of this country and it is so good to see amazing products being produced right here at home!!

If you have a chance this weekend...get out and explore your town/city and see what other Canadian businesses you can support and let more people know about!

 SPREAD THE CANADIAN LOVE! SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

RR

Re-focus...

 

I love my career and give it my all. Sometimes however, I put too much of myself into it and forget to focus on other things...

 

I love this quote to help me re-focus:

 

 

 

For those of us that are lucky enough to do what we love for a living....I think we can tend to lose ourselves in our career and begin to lose that passion if we aren't good to ourselves.

 

 

 

 

Join me this year in re-focusing our efforts to ensure balance between our career, our passions and the rest of our lives! Continue to keep reminding ourselves, we work to live, we do not live to work!

 

 

 

 

What are some of your strategies to ensure you are successful in keeping balance in your life? One of my strategies is to resolve to leave the laptop at work more often...keep work at the office. Balance is a huge key to success...it keeps you fresh and encourages you to keep growing & learning.

 

 

 

I wish you only success this year in your career of choice and that you too have the chance to live and work within your passions every single day!

 

RR