It’s a cool, rainy-ish Friday in Vancouver… I know, shocking.

I can barely contain my surprise.

Apparently, the winds are supposed to be whipping up, too, although the weather sites are in disagreement about when and if it will happen, and how bad things will get (another not-terribly-shocking Vancouver trademark.)

If they DO whip up, that could mean power outages and downed trees and all manner of hair emergencies.

Also? No internet. And we can’t have that.

So let’s see if a love list can make everything okay again.

This Friday’s love list is all about recommendations. Things you love and want to share with others. Great reviews, fond suggestions, must-haves… the works.

GO!

THINGS I LOVE

Elum Stationery: Gorgeous, gorgeous. I just go there to drool. I love papers and things.

Orange juice NOT FROM CONCENTRATE. I have enough trouble with my OWN concentration.

Weleda Skin Food: Honestly, it smells like freshness and joy incarnate, and gets rid of any dry spots you have ANYWHERE. FACE OR BODY. I know, it seems impossible, but it isn’t.

This American Life: The best radio show/podcast in the land.

Hoop earrings in general.

Gingersnap Lattes: I don’t know why they decided to make it a “Gingersnap” rather than a “Gingerbread” latte this year, but the only real difference is the sprinkly thingies on top. Which I ask them to leave off, along with the whipped cream. Not because I am a puritan or a health freak, mind you (butter keeps the skin moist!), but because I just don’t LIKE it.

Christmas mugs.

Calla lilies.

The Know Your World Game: Like crack, I tell you. Without the strung-out expression and dealer.

Big Dipper Candles: Their Christmas candles in Spice and Mint are FANTASTICO. FAAAAANTASTICO.

Goldfish crackers.

Handel’s Messiah: You know, a lot of people decry the Messiah as a purely religious work, and not just a straight-up fantastic piece of music. I get why… the whole Messiah thing is a large tip-off that the content is scriptural. That said, even if the last time you touched a collection plate was the day you took a fiver for your Sunday lunch, it’s an incredibly moving piece of work. I’ve seen it performed three times, and I cried like a twit in each instance. The Hallelujah Chorus has been used and abused for everything from singing greeting cards to stupid automobile ads, but when it comes as the culmination of the whole thing? Mind. Blowing.

Lemonade Stand on my iPod Touch

Lindt Chili-Cherry Bar: OH. MY. GOSH. IT’S. AWESOME. I’m not even saying anything else. You need to have one.

Emergen-C packets: These are my little envelopes of survival, no joke. Somehow, I managed to dodge my Annual October Illness this year, and I think my packets helped.

My Etsy Favourites: I am the queen of the online window shoppers.

I have to close with a mention of Gradon, by law.

And youuuuu?