Editor favourites: Our top finds this month

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August was about celebrating the final days of summer and preparing for the back-to-school flow. Shopping and lifestyle editors were busy covering the best backpacks, lunchboxes and grades K to 12 essentials for toddlers through to teens, and highlighting top small appliances for those heading to a dorm.  We did our best to help eradicate your housefly problem and spoke to an expert on how to avoid mosquito and tick bites (these pests stick around well into fall). We hand-tested exciting new products to make the shift to fall seamless, like the smart all-in-one Loftie clock and Casper’s new Hybrid Snow Mattress — because good sleep matters, especially heading into the colder months.

We are constantly searching for the best, most practical or efficient gadgets, tools, beauty products, home goods and services the Canadian marketplace has to offer. After extensive product testing, researching and reviewing, we narrow our list to offer our readers the best of the best. We’re often asked things like, “What’s on your wishlist?” or “What products are you most excited about?” If you’re curious about our favourite products of the moment (and why), read on.

To discover more of our top picks, check out our favourites from July.

The best products editors tested in August

Cozey Aurora Credenza

Why I love it: “Our team has been fans of Cozey since they launched in June 2020 — testing their first sofa in a box, now called the Altus. The love affair continues with the brand’s expansion into storage solutions. The Aurora Credenza is easy to put together, modular, meaning you can add units to fit your space and customizable in finish, both wood veneer and door types. I opted for the rattan doors for a boho look, and configured the modular shelves to hide my toddler’s rock, stick, shell and paint collections.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $385
Where to buy: Cozey

U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum

Why I love it: “I love fragrance. And I’m a frequent scent swapper, preferring to match my perfume to my mood rather than, say, the season. But this summer I’ve found myself reaching again and again for this eau de parfum from U Beauty. The fruity-floral elixir has notes of rose, magnolia, rhubarb and more. But it’s the juicy lychee that really makes this scent really stand out. Consider yourself forewarned: This perfume prompts people to stop you in order to ask, ‘What fragrance are you wearing!?’” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor

Price: $98 for 10 mL | $278 for 50 mL
Where to buy: U Beauty | Holt Renfrew

Sheila Ash Cropped Rash Vest

Why I love it: “This Australian brand has nailed functional and stylish swimwear that can go from the ocean (or pool) to your next yoga class. It’s swimwear meets activewear; I comfortably wore this rashguard to a pilates class and then dove straight into the lake — no changing needed. Sizes range from XS to 2XL and each piece is made with UPF 50+ rated fabrics, many of which are recycled from discarded plastics or fishing nets. I can’t wait to bring this on an upcoming surf trip in October.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $140 USD
Where to buy: Sheila 

Neddie Sourdough Bread Proofing Basket Kit

Why I love it: “Over the past month, I’ve been so immersed in sourdough baking that my Instagram basically turned into a bread account. Sure, you can make a decent loaf with just the basics at home, but this kit makes the whole process so much easier (and way more fun). I usually bake two loaves at once, so it’s the perfect setup. The flour duster is excellent for even sprinkling, and the slicer tool makes scoring easy. Overall, it adds a touch of romance to the whole bread-making process.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator

Price: $26 – $36
Where to buy: Amazon

Canada Goose Kaslo Cropped Jacket

Why I love it: “I don’t love wearing logos, unless they’re obviously Canadian. Whether walking around town in Toronto or travelling abroad, I love sporting Canadian pride, especially when it’s of such high quality and protects me from the elements. The Kaslo Jacket by Canada Goose is lightweight, water repellent and wind-resistant. The hood provides great coverage, so it protects my hair from, in the case pictured above, getting wet. It’s technically a cropped jacket, which is good for people with shorter torsos; however, I’m 5’10” with a long torso, so I sized up to a large. I was happy to have the Kaslo on this chilly and rainy day.” — Randi Mann, Shopping Editor

Price: $695
Where to buy: Canada Goose

Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50

Why I love it: “Sunscreen, moisturizer and primer in one bottle? Yes, please. With chronically dry skin, I’m constantly searching for products that deeply hydrate and it’s difficult to find a sunscreen that acts as skincare. This totally fits the bill and goes on effortlessly —minimal rubbing in needed and no white cast.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $48
Where to buy: Ultra Violette | Sephora

Casper SuperSoft TENCEL Sheet Set 

Why I love it: “When it comes to bedding, I usually prefer cotton or linen fabrications, but Casper’s SuperSoft TENCEL Sheet Set may have converted me. This set is made with 400-thread-count Tencel Lyocell, a man-made fibre derived from wood, so it’s certified for biodegradability and compostability. It’s also lightweight and highly breathable, making it a great choice for sleepers who run hot. A major plus: the fitted sheet has corner elastics to keep it securely in place throughout the night.”  — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor

Price: $249 for queen
Where to buy:Casper

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials

Why I love it: “I found my energy waning after midday, and was looking to find a product that would help me cut back on supplements. IM8 replaced multiple pills and powders and fuels me with 92 nutrient-rich ingredients which help keep me energized throughout the day. It’s all the essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, superfoods and greens, plus pre- pro- and post-biotics and CoQ10 and MSM needed — in one delicious drink, simplifying my morning routine while optimizing my digestive health.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $131 (currently on sale from $165)
Where to buy: IM8

Nintendo Switch Lite

Why I love it: “I’ll be the first to admit that ‘gamer girl’ wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card. But, here we are. I’ve really enjoyed getting back into gaming with the Nintendo Switch Lite. Turns out, a little round of Mario can be a nice stress reducer at the end of the day. This compact game console is easy to pop into your bag when you’re on the go or travelling. It presents a fun way to pass the time while you’re waiting for the bus or at the airport before a flight.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor

Price: $280
Where to buy: Amazon

Fable Large Wool Rug

Why I love it: “Canadian home brand Fable is best known for its dishes and glassware (read our full review here), but it also offers a selection of eco-friendly rugs. I picked up the large size (6’ x 9’) for my living room in the newly-released forest green shade, but it’s also available in small, medium and extra-large sizes to fit any space in your home. My favourite feature is that the rugs are hand-crafted from 100 per cent New Zealand wool and dyed with eco-friendly natural colourants.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor

Price: $690
Where to buy:Fable

Oribe Supershine Discovery Collection

Why I love it: “The name says it all. This set includes a 75ml bottle of Supershine Hydrating Shampoo and 50ml bottles of the Supershine Hydrating Conditioner and Moisturizing Cream. The three products combined gives my naturally wavy, dry hair the hydration it craves, without leaving it greasy. My hair is left shiny, soft and frizz-free.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $61
Where to buy: Oribe | Dermstore | Space NK

Geox Floretia Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Why I love it: “Ballet flats and Mary Jane shoes are everywhere this fall, and this pair from Geox combines comfort and style in one. They are made with soft suede that molds to your feet over time, with a padded, perforated insole for breathability. They do run a little small, so I suggest sizing up at least one from your usual size, or perhaps even two sizes if you have wider feet.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor

Price: $170
Where to buy:Geox

The Jacket Maker Leather Bomber Jacket

Why I love it: “Custom leather jackets are more accessible than you may think — thanks to The Jacket Maker, offering bespoke, made to measure and ready to wear leather jackets in all colours, shapes and sizes, starting at only $350. I modelled my jacket from this bomber, but decided to go the custom route by filling out a form and working with a designer over email. I wanted an oversized look, made famous most recently by Hailey Bieber. The quality of the materials and the speed with which the jacket was made are both impressive.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor

Price: $520
Where to buy: The Jacket Maker

Pandora Essence Rippled Wide Hoop Earrings

Why I love it: “If you’ve been on the lookout for a new pair of go-to earrings, look no further than these wide hoops from Pandora. The 14-karat gold-plated earring style features a cool, rippled texture for added interest on your ear. They’re the perfect addition to my more-is-more earring stack, but would also look ultra chic on their own.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor

Price: $225
Where to buy: Pandora

Merit The Great Skin Trio 

Why I love it: “I don’t wear a ton of makeup in my day-to-day life, but I love experimenting with skincare products that deliver glowing, healthy skin. Lately, I’ve been using this skincare set from Merit, which includes a cleanser, serum and moisturizer for a foolproof three-step routine in the mornings. The two-phase cleanser easily removes sunscreen and makeup at the end of the day, and the serum and moisturizer help lock in hydration for an all-day glow. You can purchase each product separately or buy them together to save 10 per cent.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor

Price: $133
Where to buy:Merit

Mejuri Pearl Half Eternity Ring

Why I love it: “As a pearl lover, this ring instantly became one of my favourite pieces in my collection. It adds an elegant, timeless touch to any stack. I take extra care with it, only wearing it on special occasions and keeping it away from water so the pearls stay pristine. While it’s a little high-maintenance, it’s absolutely worth it. It would also make a stunning, thoughtful gift for someone special.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator

Price: $348
Where to buy: Mejuri

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ltaveroff@postmedia.com

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