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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I'm a big fan of shopping local, supporting small businesses, and giving my money to companies that give back to the community and do good. I also have spent my time in quarantine doing a lot of online shopping and needed something to help me justify all my purchases. And so I bring you Monthly Mains, a series where I’ll highlight three things that have made my life better (and will probably make yours better, too).
Last month I talked about pandemic fatigue, the world burning (literally and figuratively) and a few issues that needed some more attention. And this month, the fatigue remains, the world is still burning and there are a lot of things going on that we need to be talking about.
I realize these are heavy topics to kick off a blog post that's supposed to be light-hearted and fun. But I can't ignore what's going on in the world, and I think the only way to bring positive change and find solutions is to educate ourselves (and one another) about different issues - no matter how heavy or uncomfortable they make us feel.
So, just like last month, before I share the three fantastic finds made by incredible local creators, here are two things that deserve more of our attention:
1. Ten years of war in Syria: March 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 shutting down Canada and much of the western world. It also marks 10 years of war in Syria. There are some estimates that the war has cost more than half a million lives, and UNICEF says almost 12,000 children have been killed or injured in the last decade (that's one estimate - others believe the death toll for children is much higher). Despite the ongoing conflict, deteriorating economy, millions of people displaced and hundreds of thousands of lives lost, we rarely hear about the conflict anymore. That needs to change. Here are some resources to learn more about the situation in Syria and how you can help:
- Syria’s war at 10: Does anyone care?
- Syria's war is 10 years old. It's the only life its children know
- Why has the Syrian war lasted 10 years?
- Syria's civil war started a decade ago. Here's where it stands.
- How does Toronto compare to Aleppo?
- Syria crisis and refugee crisis
- 15 ways you can step up to help Syrian refugees now
- Syrian refugee crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
- UNHCR - Syria emergency
2. Violence against women: Women have been subject to violence for centuries. But this March, the month in which we celebrate International Women's Day and which is known as Women's History Month, we saw (once again) stories of this violence and the struggles and inequity women experience daily.
Whether it was news about Sarah Everard following all the precautions but still not being safe walking alone at night, women being hit the hardest during the pandemic, college women's basketball players having a vastly different weight room than their male colleagues, a lack of justice for Breaonna Taylor one year after her murder, or hearing the murders of six women (the majority of whom were Asian) being written off as the murderer "having a bad day", it was a harsh reminder that despite how far we've come, there is still so much further to go when it comes to women's rights.
Here is more background on each of the stories mentioned above, as well as resources to help women:
- Sarah Everard case prompts outpouring from women sharing stories of abuse and harassment
- The murder Of Sarah Everard hits home for All women. Here’s why
- Breonna Taylor: What happened on the night of her death?
- Breonna Taylor and the struggle for meaningful police reform
- Women are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, health unit numbers show
- Pandemic will ‘Take our women 10 years back’ in the workplace
- 'I assumed they were treating us fairly:' Why can't NCAA get women's basketball right?
- 8 dead in Atlanta spa shootings, with fears of anti-Asian bias
- Officer who cited spa shooting suspect’s ‘bad day’ has history of anti-Asian posts
- 7 tips for men who want to support equality
- How women can support other women at work
- Canadian Women's Foundation - Support Services
Now that you're slightly more informed about two (of many) important things going on in the world, here are three things that made my March better:
I've admitted to having a candle problem (but I'm not highlighting any candles this month so I think that counts as growth) but it's not the only problem I have. I also really, really like necklaces, and own quite a few. (Not nearly as many necklaces as candles though, so is it really a problem?). Technically they're all my favourite, but this necklace from Calgary-based Tish Jewelry was on high rotation this past month.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I've admitted to having a candle problem (but I'm not highlighting any candles this month so I think that counts as growth) but it's not the only problem I have. I also really, really like necklaces, and own quite a few. (Not nearly as many necklaces as candles though, so is it really a problem?). Technically they're all my favourite, but this necklace from Calgary-based Tish Jewelry was on high rotation this past month.
I actually had my eye on this piece for a few months, and was super concerned it would sell out before I was able to grab one. I even reached out to the shop owner, Lateisha, who, along with being super speedy at responding and very kind, assured me there would be one for me when I was done my month and a bit of no spending.
She was right, and I am so glad. The gold chain carries a gold crown, and inside the crown is a small jewel. It's a super cute, delicate piece that's easy to wear on its own or layer with other pieces. At the moment, this piece is no longer available, but Tish offers a variety of versatile pieces. Visit the website to see all the pieces up for grabs.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki Inspired by Kiran Rai |
The farmers' protests (you can find more information and resources on this in my last post) continue in India and internationally. Since they began in November 2020, 302 protestors have lost their lives (as of March 16, 2021).
I was looking for a way to support the cause, and Calgary artist KRAI (formed from her name, Kiran Rai), provided one. Kiran used her talent to increase awareness on the issue. She created multiple designs depicting the protestors - some based on images from international protests - and put them on hoodies with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards Khalsa Aid. Buying one not only supported farmers, but also a local, South Asian artist - making it a very easy purchase for me.
There were a number of different options to choose from, and after narrowing my selections down to two, I finally ended up choosing this one (which is based on this photo) in black and white. The hoodie is high-quality, warm, and very soft. The print on the back not only looks good, but it's also good quality (I know because I've washed the hoodie a few times and it still looks good as new).
Kiran did two rounds of sales, raising a total of $1715.00 for the cause. But that wasn't the only way her art made an impact. One of her designs was also projected on a building in downtown Calgary during Chinook Blast, an outdoor winter art festival that ran for a few weekends in February.
These hoodies are currently not available, but Kiran could decide to do another round, so make sure to follow her on Instagram for updates, as well as to support a talented artist. To learn more about the farmers' protests and how to support farmers, visit the Kissan Ekta Collective's website.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
What's better than the first cup of coffee in the morning? Well, a cup of chai, preferably made by my mom, but you get what I mean. That first hit of caffeine is a great way to kick off the day (and let's be real for some of us it's basically a necessity to make it through the day). There is one thing that makes that first cup better, and that's the cup itself. At least, it is for me when I use one of my swear mugs from Wheelhouse Studio.
Yes, "one of" does mean that I have multiple mugs from this shop. Four, to be exact. Considering the fact that there are dozens of sassy/passive-aggressive/honest/hilarious options to choose from, I feel four is not that extreme. If I had more room in my cupboards, I would fill the space with more of these mugs. That's how much I love them.
The witty hand stamped sayings, while a major sell for me, are not the only thing that make these mugs so great. The porcelain, handmade mugs are HUGE. As in, two and a half cups of coffee with room for milk huge. They're also microwave safe, so when I don't manage to finish that two and a half cups of coffee plus milk mix before it gets cold, I can warm it up without fear of ruining the vessel it's in. And if I'm not feeling hot coffee (or chai), these mugs are great for cold drinks too (hello versatility!).
The swear mugs are one of a few different designs and sizes available to choose from. All of the mugs from Wheelhouse Studio are made to order, so they take a little longer to get to you. Trust me though, the wait is worth it. Pre-orders are currently closed, but you can follow Wheelhouse Studio on Instagram for updates on order dates and to see a full catalogue of the mugs available.
PS - Not that anyone asked, but the four I have say:
- Speak moistly to me;
- Speak moistly to me;
- What in the actual fuck;
- Are you fucking kidding me?; and,
- I pretend coffee helps but I'm still a bitch
Seriously. You may not need four, but you need at least one of these mugs in your life.
Side dishes
Podcast:Quote:
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corner of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
– Unknown