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Paper People Perfect!

Samantha here, back for week 2 of our Made-in-Canada fashion series! If you missed last week's post, check it out here.

The art of creating a garment is a tricky task involving creative and intricate hands-on knowledge. The Canadian label Paper People Clothing takes this one step further each season, by creating clothing from clothing. When we don't want old clothes, we try to recycle, donate and pass it on in hopes of clearing our wardrobe and our conscience. We thoughtfully deliver unwanted items to second hand stores, charity events, clothing swaps and fabric recycling programs however much of will end up in a landfill. With waste reduction and the environment at the forefront, Paper People Clothing designs by only using reclaimed clothing and environmentally conscious textiles.

Paper People Clothing is based in Toronto, ON and was founded in 2001 by designer Jennifer Fukushima. The line launched by creating handmade handbags and accessories from reclaimed material; however the vision of Fukushima progressed to a full clothing brand. During her studies in fashion design at Ryerson University, Jenn enhanced her portfolio from handbags to designing clothing. After learning about sustainable design practices and textiles, Fukushima decided to fully incorporate them into her brilliant designs. It is amazing the way these responsible designs fit your body and make you look! They are truly "feel good" clothing!

Today Paper People Clothing is sold at over 30 locations across North America. With this wide audience, the number of dedicated followers of the brand continues to increase. This week they launched their online shop and now fans around the world can get their hands on these one-of-a-kind Canadian gems!

The Paper People Clothing Fall 2012 Collection is bright-coloured business wear with durability and style that is also perfect for any fall weekend event. All of the items designed by Jenn carry versatility in their structure complimented by understated details. Canadian designers know that you are making an investment in their designs, so the garments have been thought through for the highest wearability. Not only does the Maude Blazer  match your career wear, it can get you through the trails when it is paired with your favourite leggings, scarf and hiking boots! To read more on the Paper People Fall 2012 Collection visit Samantha Stylish and to dive deeper into the world of Paper People Clothing (and SHOP!!) visit PaperPeopleClothing

Exciting News! Enter to win these beautiful winter accessories from Paper People! Click here for information!

Images courtesy of Samantha Stylish

Our tomatoes are lush and gorgeous in my backyard in Manitoba . The plants that I put into the ground have turned into meter high shrubs, heavy and sagging with fruit. They mock me, the tomatoes; they are all green with a small flush of pink. I am afraid I will have a mountain of ripe tomatoes all of a sudden. If that happens, I am in big trouble. I need to prepare. There are oodles of ways to enjoy the fruit (and vegetables) of your labour all year round.

 

One of the easiest ways to preserve is a root cellar. Once a common sight across Canada, they are slowly making a comeback. This is evident in news stories  as well as this great web site called root cellars rock,  that focus on food preservation and historic cellars. Items such as potatoes, apples, onions, squash and carrots can all be stored there. Even without a root cellar in your home you can still create one in your garden by burying a large bucket or steel trash bin in the ground, ensuring that you have good drainage away from the container and a good, tight fitting lid. Once the bin is full, seal and then cover it with a bail of hay to insulate the bin during the Winter. Of course, this project may not always be in the cards so Buy Canadian First member Springwater Woodcraft have a beautiful potato bin  that would grace any kitchen or cold room.

 

The freezer is an awesome and easy way to preserve your harvest. Items such as berries, grapes, tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis and carrots can be taken from fresh to frozen with little preparation. Berries can be washed and frozen on baking sheets to later be used in yogurt, smoothies, pancakes or just as is. I usually cut the top off my tomatoes and freeze them in large freezer bags whole. The best part is that when you are ready to use them, just immerse in hot water and the skins will come right off. Blanching and freezing is also easy. Vegetables like beans, corn, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and even dark, leafy greens such as kale and spinach can all be processed in this way. Each vegetable has it's own processing time and later can be used in any of your recipes. Buy Canadian First member Paderno and their stainless steel cookware  can help with the process for many harvest seasons to come.

 

What I adore about these preserving techniques is that the food remains as close to its natural state as it can. With that said, some days nothing compares to a delicious jam on your peanut butter sandwich or pickles, with my favourite being bread and butter pickles. In jams and other conserves, sugar is used to preserve the fruit. While pickled items such as cucumbers, onions, asparagus, peppers, carrots and radishes use acid and salt with seasoning. This will extend the shelf life of your precious harvest in the tastiest of ways. Of course if that is just too much work, Buy Canadian First member Crofter's Organic  has a scrumptious variety of jams for you.

Wish me luck with my endeavours with my tomato harvest! I will soon be hard at work making salsa and sauce to enjoy the year through!

How do you preserve your harvest?

image credits: Buy Canadian First members;  Springwater Woodcraft, Paderno and Crofter's Organics

Being that I'm a Canadian sign maker by trade, I appreciate a cool looking sign. However, why waste the look outdoors if you can bring it inside your own home, too?

 

I personally design and cut my own decals that I use as stencils, however, you can easily use an exsisting stencil for a similar look. Place your stencil or decal where you desire and paint.

Tip: I choose my lettering to sit off center to emulate that the table was imperfectly cut from an old existing sign.

Here's another tip ... these words actually have meaning to me. Think in terms of a favorite vacation spot, your favorite town, whatever you desire. Instant memory maker!

After allowing the paint to fully dry and cure, distress the lettering with a palm sander to age things up. The look really transforms a standard table into something extra special, for very little cost!

Have you tried "signing up" any of your indoor furniture? What would you like something to say?

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. The original sign table top tutorial has even more photos if desired.

I really enjoyed this month's book, "Life of Pi"!  It was a big change from my usual kind of books; I don't often read novels with spiritual tones. You can read my review of this book in last week's Good Shopper Blog. I also have a book winner to announce at the end of this post!

You'll remember I mentioned last week that Yann was born in Spain to French Canadian parents. His father was posted as a diplomat for the Canadian government at the time.   Yann obtained a degree in Philosophy from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, then worked as a tree planter, dishwasher and security guard before taking up writing full-time at the age of twenty seven.

His first book, "The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios", was published in 1993 and is a collection of short stories. The topics range from such themes as illness, storytelling and the history of the twentieth century, music, war and the anguish of youth, to how we die, grief, loss and the reasons we are attached to material objects.

This was followed by his first novel, "Self", published in 1996, which is the story of a traveling writer who wakes up one morning to discover that he has become a woman.  In 2002, when Yann's second novel, "Life of Pi" won the Man Booker Prize, he became world famous.  Don't forget, the film adaptation of "Life of Pi" will premiere at the Festival this September 28.

Time to get ready for our next book, "A Trick of the Light". I've heard great things about Canadian author Louise Penny and her novels focusing on the work of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec.



"Hearts are broken,” Lillian Dyson carefully underlined in a book. “Sweet relationships are dead.” But now Lillian herself is dead. Found among the bleeding hearts and lilacs of Clara Morrow's garden in Three Pines, shattering the celebrations of Clara's solo show at the famed Musée in Montreal. Chief Inspector Gamache, the head of homicide at the Sûreté du Québec, is called to the tiny Quebec village and there he finds the art world gathered, and with it a world of shading and nuance, a world of shadow and light.  Where nothing is as it seems.  Behind every smile there lurks a sneer. Inside every sweet relationship there hides a broken heart.  And even when facts are slowly exposed, it is no longer clear to Gamache and his team if what they've found is the truth, or simply a trick of the light.

I love a good mystery! For now, congratulations to "Life of Pi" winner, Sophia Chum! You will be receiving a copy of the novel "Life of Pi". Let us know what you think! I would love to discuss it with you and find out how you think the people in your life would react.

To win a copy of our next book, "A Trick of the Light", please answer the question at the end of our review, which will be published on Monday, September 17, 2012. The winner will be announced the following week. Good luck and thanks so much to everyone for participating! Don't forget to Like us at the Buy Canadian First Book Club on Facebook and share us with your friends!

:: Images courtesy of Chapters-Indigo and Wikipedia.

Not only are children back to school, but I am too! I am excited that it will be my final year of college, but a not too keen to add homework again to an already busy schedule. I am also anticipating that my middle child will be bringing home some school work, too. So what is a mom to do to save time and money (and maybe even her marbles) during back to school and beyond?

 

Laundry is one of my biggest struggles any time of year, as not only do I have two young children, but I also work with young children.  As much as I would not like to think of it, Winter in Manitoba is on the way, and with that comes dry, scratchy skin and complaints. So to go easy on our clothes, skin and the environment I am going to get Buy Canadian First member Nature Clean's 3X concentrate laundry liquid detergent . Because it is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, phosphates, chlorine, optical brighteners, formaldehyde and preservatives and it is available practically everywhere makes this purchase a 'no-brainer'!

 

The Winter also leaves me no choice but to use a clothes dryer, despite the static and the wear and tear it puts on my clothes.  But I've discovered Buy Canadian First member BaaLLS. They produce handmade wool dryer balls that reduce your drying time by 40%, reduce static cling, soften clothes and even take out wrinkles! They also help the longevity of your clothes.  Awesome! I am excited to buy a set because soft, scent-free clean clothes, in my house, equal happy children who get dressed easily and even, on occasion, happily in the morning. 

 

One thing that I would adore getting away from is disposable packaging. We "brown bag" our lunch everyday for health and budget reasons. I still find that despite our reusable lunch bags, drink bottles, plastic containers and cutlery, we are still creating waste with plastic snack bags and plastic wrap. So I looked in our product categories and found what may be the answer to this quandary: the snack bag trio from Buy Canadian First member Eco- Handbags, I can fill these small snack bags with healthy homemade cookies or trail mix or whatever the kids want! It is exactly what I have been looking for, though it may be wise for me to purchase an extra set or two in case some get lost.

It's funny, but the laundry and lunch tips that I focused on today, are truly some of our biggest daycare concerns. Children who arrive in uncomfortable clothing or soil their clothing during the day are sad and irritable the whole daylong, so make a note to pack your children an extra set of clean clothes. This holds true for your preschooler and school-ager too, because you never know when they may need it. Packing a healthy, filling lunch as well as snacks is, by far, the most important thing to a child's day. Whole grains, healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables keep their moods even and their motors running all day long. It also gives them the foundation for a bright and successful day! 

What back to school tips work for you?

Images: Buy Canadian First members Nature Clean, BaaLLS and Eco-Handbags 

Hi Everyone,

Let me introduce myself: my name is Samantha and I run a fun website dedicated to Made in Canada fashion called Samantha Stylish. Visit daily to see a Canadian outfit of the day.  Every Friday I will be writing an original review of my featured week here on the Buy Canadian First Blog.  Enjoy!   

Whether you like it or not, Fall fashion is here! Mandala Design is a Toronto based apparel line founded in 1991 by clothing designer Mandy Armstrong. Initially Mandy worked on her line part time, while gaining crucial experience working in the Canadian fashion industry. After working long hours at her industry job Mandy would sew till the wee hours and spend her extra time selling her designs at the One of a Kind Show! It wasn't until 2005 when Mandy was able to take on her business full time and many of us customers, praise this day!

Today, Mandala Design is sold at eight retail locations from Toronto to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She has a very dedicated following of Canadian women who scoop up her collection each season. The key to Mandy Armstrong's success is her experience in the Canadian fashion industry. 20 years of knowledge translates through her line in excellent fit, classic styling and impeccable quality.

 

Today we explore her gorgeous Fall 2012 Collection that is filled with lace, polka dots, fashionable fall prints and more! Lovely lace is everywhere in this collection, and we love it! It is truly remarkable the way Mandy is able to take something associated with formal or lingerie wear and create it into office attire for the modern woman. Available in a variety of colors the lace dress, top and skirt are all pieces that will easily fit into your existing wardrobe, sprucing up your fall style!

Mandala Design collections each season are made in Toronto with-in the studio as well as by family-run contractors ensuring Canadian made quality! Designer Mandy is able to bring brilliant comfort to her collections never compromising the design! Take these pants for example, they look like your average dress pants however, there is no zipper and they are made in a heavy jersey knit! The Jane pants are paired with the Opal Dotty tie top and they have you looking sleek while you feel like you're strutting around the office in sweats!

The Fall 2012 collection from Mandala Design retails from $78-$198 visit Samantha Stylish  for more information on this week's designer review!

As well as visit Mandala Design's website to dive deeper into the world of Mandala Design!

Images courtesy of Samantha Stylish

Welcome to the August edition of the Buy Canadian First Book Club! Don't forget to "Like" the Buy Canadian First Book Club on Facebook, where we discuss the books and authors and choose what we will read next. You can also find out who won today's giveaway, next Monday, when we learn more about this week's author, Yann Martel!

I'm almost positive that you've already heard of "Life of Pi", as this 2002 Man Booker Prize Winner has been hugely popular for ten years.  The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced last week that the adaptation of "Life of Pi" will premiere at the Festival on September 28.  After premiering at the Festival, "Life of Pi" is due in theaters November twenty-first.

"Life of Pi" follows the story of Piscine Molitor Patel, otherwise known as Pi.  His lives in India with his brother and parents and his father runs a zoo.  We learn of Pi's struggles to find his way with religion during his childhood, while learning about the zoo animals from his father.  Eventually his family decides that they must immigrate to Canada due to political strife in India.  After selling many of the animals in the zoo they travel with the remainder to Canada by boat.  There is an explosion on the boat, it sinks and Pi find himself on a life raft in the middle of the ocean with a few of the animals.

What happens here on after you must read for your self, but let me tell you, it's not only a life changing experience for Pi, it may be one for you as well.  The unbelievable struggles he encounters and his take on the whole situation will have you looking into your own life.  It's a symbolic journey through Pi's soul, and he also teaches the reader some amazing details about animals, survival skills and life.  I think you will be mulling over this one for quite a while once you finish and for that alone, I really enjoyed it.  I love books that leave you with a lot to think about and "Life of Pi" does just that.

Contest Giveaway:

Here's a chance to win your own copy of Yann Martel's book, "Life of Pi" and read along with us! The winner will be announced here when we learn more about Yann Martel , next week. Just answer the following question in the comment section below to qualify. Be sure to share the contest with your friends and family as well. Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away! Good luck!

What animals would you prefer to share a lifeboat with? 

Image courtesy of Chapters-Indigo.

Of all you fellow Canadians, who can strum me a tune? Sadly, it is not in my abilities, in fact I have no musical bones in my body. My children may be the only ones that enjoy my singing, at least the youngest two; I am pretty certain the eldest lost the desire to listen to me years ago. But wait! We aren't here to talk about my paltry singing abilities; we are discussing Canadian-made guitars!

Let's go to Eastern Canada so that I can introduce you to Buy Canadian first member, Godin Guitars. Robert Godin founded Godin Guitars over twenty years ago in LaPatrie, Quebec, which is located two hundred kilometers East of Montreal. Robert still designs most of the guitars but the instruments are fabricated in several locations within a thousand kilometers of each other. Godin Guitars has several brands of Canadian-made electric and/or acoustic guitars. La Patrie, Seagull, Norman  as well as Simon & Patrick, are all brands of Godin Guitars that are made in LaPatrie, Quebec. Each of these brands, like the others, is focused on detail and quality. This can be seen in the details provided for the Simon and Patrick Elements collection or the Seagull story on how the guitars are crafted. Follow Godin Guitars on Facebook for updates and news. 

 

The Richmond brand of guitars  are made in Richmond, Quebec and are described as "sleek, sexy and full of sizzling tone and a whole lot of space age vibe, too"! You can see the specs here on the Richmond site. 

 

Art & Lutherie Guitars  are made with 95% Canadian wood that is found already fallen in the forests of Eastern Canada. Made with Wild Cherry, Silver Leaf Maple, as well as Spruce and Cedar and the utmost care and attention to details, this brand has several shapes and styles to suit any guitar enthusiast.

 

Now we will head West to Sparrow Guitars. While working in a furniture factory, founder Billy Bones made guitars. Once the factory closed, he spent a month learning how to make guitars one on one. Making guitars from scratch was possible but it made the guitars difficult to afford, so Billy Bones devised a way to keep the instruments affordable and the quality and craftsmanship above par. Sparrow Guitars have five models (Big Daddy, Primitive, Rat Rod , Twangmaster and Streetlight series ) and this is because quality trumps quantity. All Sparrow guitars are hand-painted, from pin stripes to flames, but of course they would be, because Sparrow Guitars are hand-painted rock n roll! Keep up with Billy and the happenings at Sparrow Guitars on Facebook.

 

 

Who knew that so many beautiful guitars are made right here in Canada?! Do you play the guitar? 

image credit: Buy Canadian First members Godin Guitars and Sparrow Guitars 

I realize our fabulous Canadian Summer is still upon us and we don’t want to rush into Fall. However after this tip, it’s my bet you’ll be eyeing up your nearest hydrangea in a real hurry!


1. Leave the hydrangea blooms on the bush until the end of the season. When the petals JUST begin to turn slightly dry on the tips, pick them ASAP.

2. Set the blooms upright in water and leave them until the petals are fully dried. The water keeps the petals from shriveling.

Tips: It's best to dry them in the container they’ll be staying in if possible, because the petals are very fragile once dried. 



Try drying at different times for different coloured hues. The above was from a blue hydrangea bush in late fall. Pretty amazing how they changed, isn't it?

Happy hydrangea hunting this Fall to you!

 What kinds of fresh flowers do you like to dry?

Photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. You can find the full tutorial HERE.

For all of Donna's DIYs on Buy Canadian First , click HERE.

Visiting friends and family is always great. But if you're like me, we're usually in need of a quick hostess or thank-you gift, sometimes for those hard-to-shop-for people like a fussy aunt. What a great time to share a Canadian-made gift!

 

It's always nice when visiting to bring a treat for the little ones, as it makes them feel very important and special. An item we love is the DIY Kit from Buy Canadian First member, Kiss Naturals. With the kits from this Canadian company, the kids (or your hostess!) can make their own Lip Balm, Perfume and our favourite, Bath Fizzies.  True to their name, award winning Kiss Natural Kits are all natural and don't add fillers, additives, dyes or synthetics to any of their products. Did you see them in Canadian Living magazine?

 

Buy Canadian First member, Sammy G's, creates unique, personalized items that would make beautiful and memorable gifts for any occasion. I absolutely love these personalized throws, the perfect gift to celebrate a major milestone, or to give to a family member that you have not seen for many years. It's something to cherish for ever.

The One Stop Wood Shop has wooden pieces that would be wonderful additions to any home and could be a wedding gift, anniversary, milestone birthday, hostess gift or anything!  Isn't this Maple Bowl absolutely gorgeous?  I love their mission statement: "Creation with Less Destruction." Where ever possible, they choose not to use any harmful chemical products in the creation of their pieces and will ensure that even the smallest piece of wood in the shop is put to good use, therefore cutting down on waste.

These shops, and many more, offer beautiful and uniquely Canadian gifts  and can be found in our catalogue of Buy Canadian First members! (Find out how to get your Canadian-made products in our convenient catalogue, too!).

What gift-giving events are happening for you this summer? 

Images courtesy of Stacey Kazmir, and Buy Canadian First members Sammy G's and One Stop Wood Shop.

Soaperie Main de Nature came to light when Nicole Poitras of Quebec began formulating a detergent-free soap. After four years of trial and error, with her co-workers as her testers and evaluators, Nicole came up with an all-natural formula using fresh vegetables and fruit, gentle enough for everyone to use, including her dogs and horses. Join their facebook page for updates and the activities of the Soaperie.

 

Do you buy skin care products made locally?

Image credits: Buy Canadian First members Whistler Naturals, Organically Hatched, Natural Plantation, Pure Anada, Vidoma Naturals, Soaperie Main de Nature,  The Great Canadian Soap Co. 

I have really been enjoying the Olympics, have you? Between the excitement of the Swimming and Diving events, the Rowing and Canada's medals, and then Track this past weekend, it's been great! Another thing that I love about the Olympics is how colourful it all is, with each nation providing so many outfits for their athletes, including the clothing that they wear during the opening and their race attire. I really love the outfits that they wear when receiving a medal,too. It's all beautiful! It also has me wondering where all of if this clothing is made; what do you think?

  

Roots  - made in Canada! 

  

 Louis Garneau - made in Canada!

Check out Buy Canadian First members, Roots, Louis Garneau and Strong & Free, for a made-in-Canada way to show your Olympic pride! Louis Garneau makes cycling gear that would style the best professionals. Roots makes fantastic Canadian-branded items for the whole family, including the kiddos.

Strong & Free has a great Canadian-pride, replica hockey jersey, perfect for cheering on your team! For more great made-in-Canada gear, check out our Member's catalogue.

Are you surprised to know about the Olympic clothing controversy?  Would you still be interested in purchasing the official Canadian Olympic replica wear, knowing that it's imported?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Roots, Strong & Free and Louis Garneau.

 

Just a bit of potting soil is all it takes. I also like to hide the soil with Spanish Moss. It fills in some gaps as well making potted plants look full and lush.

To me, the true spirit of the Olympic Games combines friendship, competition, excellence, pushing the boundaries of the human body and celebrating national pride. And of course, there's the small issue of Big Business...;-) In celebration of the 2012 London Summer Games, and especially the athletes that make up Team Canada, we are pleased to launch our "Go Canada Go" Giveaway! We have gathered products from across the country that remind us of the fun and spirit of the Games, and all we have to be proud of as Canadians. Here goes!

 1) I love this quote from Gabi at Crofters Foods about their Superfruit spreads: "The fruit are sourced from around the world and come together in a line of high antioxidant superfruit spreads. Sort of uniting fruit from all over the world, like they unite athletes from around the world in the Olympics." Isn't that great?! You will love their line of organic fruit spreads, conserves and jellies, made in Ontario. (Assortment valued at: $50.00)

2) If just WATCHING the coverage makes your muscles ache, here's a selection of hot/cold packs that is sure to sooth them! Made in Quebec by Cryopak, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Flexible Ice Blanket is particularly nifty, as it easily takes the shape of the injured area, even when frozen solid. Clever! (Assortment valued at: $25)

3) If you're a runner (or a walker, like me) what better way to carry your iPod, phone, keys, etc., than this awesome arm-bag? Made in Quebec for Eco-Handbags from recycled store banners, each is unique and can be worn either on the arm or on the leg. I love the fact that they are made by a social insertion organization. (value: $45.99)

4) One of my favourite parts of the Olympic Games is seeing all the countries' flags flying together. I always think the Canadian flag looks the best. But then again, I'm sure everyone feels that way about their own flag! So, as you're taking the kids to the park, to the beach or just for a stroll, show off your Canadian colours with this great wagon with a removable maple leaf canopy. Made in Ontario by Millside Industries, it's sturdy enough to carry up to 300 lbs! (value: $179.99)

5) Based in Ontario, Nuvocare is famous for their line of natural supplements for weight-loss, anti-aging and sleep restoration. New to their SlimCentials line-up is Razpberi-K which, despite being sold as a weight-loss product, is actually favoured by many athletes to increase endurance. Why not try it for yourself? (value: $50)

6) London is my favourite city (after Montreal, of course!). I spent years there as a young adult and watching all the coverage of the Games on TV makes me want to visit it again! Maybe next year... Meanwhile, I love the fact that Dylan Ribkoff has named one of his designer boxers after London, the British capital! There's also another design called Whistler, to remind us of the last Games. Made in Quebec, these boxers are known for their comfort, quality and originality. (value: $59)

7) For all of you out there who continue their fitness regimens in the heat of summer, what better way to cool down after a workout than with the quintessential Canadian Mr. Freeze, made in Ontario by Kisko products? In recent years, Kisko has added  "healthier" options such as their great tasting Mott's Fruitsations ice bars with no sugar added. Yummy!!!! (value: $50)

8) Earth's Own makes a variety of wholesome foods that offer the best of Nature's goodness and flavours. All of their great tasting products are made from simple, wholesome, organic ingredients, "Because what you feed your body and your mind changes the way you feel." Love that quote! So true for everyone, but especially for athletes. Sample their line of non-dairy beverages made in B.C. including  So Good, So Nice, Almond Fresh and Ryza. (value: $75)

9) Being physically active means eating a well-balanced diet so that the body will be able to perform at its best.  It's simple but not always easy. Taking a multi-vitamin or vitamin supplement everyday is often recommended. What best way to do that than with  Life Science Nutritionals’ Gummies? Made in Ontario, they are easy to take, great tasting and available for  adults and  children . (value: $100)

(value: approx $ 650!)

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

1. Leave us one comment below telling us what your favourite Olympic event is. (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!).
2. Follow us on Twitter  and tweet the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves #madeincanada. I entered their Go Canada Go! #giveaway here: http://bit.ly/O6kMpX
3. 'Like' us on Facebook .

The giveaway ends on Sunday, August 12th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced the following day.

Good luck, Canada!

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members.