5 must-buys for the obsessive organizer

From clothes to clutter, simple organized solutions can make our lives easier and more streamlined—and spark a little joy along the way

1.) This year’s cult-favourite book Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up revolutionizes the way we look at our stuff. It’s all about loving fewer but better things—and the underappreciated art of being neat.$18.99, penguinrandomhouse.com          2.) The Pannier Convertible Backpack in graphite by Vancouver-based Two Wheel Gear transitions from bike bag to backpack for on-the-go, stylish storage. $129, twowheelgear.com           3.) Mark to-do lists, containers, and bottom-shelf bins with the Sherpa, a pen shell that holds a variety of disposable pens and markers including a Sharpie, ballpoints, and highlighters. From $41.95, charals.com     4.) Make room in your drawer for reimagined basics: the new patterned Hybridge Lite Vest classic is feather-light, breathable, and folds up into the size of a tennis ball for easy folding and suitcase packing. $345, canadagoose.ca          5.) Mondays aren’t so blue with these days-of-the-week file folders, which promise to bring orderly, colourful zen to the office. $5.99. homesense.ca          

Exotic Imports

While the practice of scouring the world over for precious ingredients used to be the purview of only a few luxury brands, rare and unusual inputs are rapidly becoming the new norm for less expensive brands as well. The Face Shop’s Hwansaenggo Escargot Golden Firming line imports an ancient South Korean ritual that uses snail mucus for its purported healing and skin-smoothing properties. Laneige’s Bright Renew Capsule Sleeping Mask trades on truffle yeast extracts for an even skin tone, while The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth features Edelweiss from the alpine regions of Italy—all in the service of everlasting beauty.1.) Hwansaenggo Escargot Gel Eye Mask, $6. thefaceshop.ca       2.) Drops of Youth Essence-Lotion, $22. bodyshop.ca          3.) Laneige Bright Renew Capsule Sleeping Mask, $36. sephora.ca