The Haul: Shoe Designer John Fluevog’s Favourite Things

John Fluevog may spend most of his days dreaming up wild and wonderful shoes for other people to buy (this year, Fluevog Shoes celebrates 55 years in business), but his latest, greatest purchases go far beyond the footwear realm. Here are a few of the iconoclastic footwear designer’s favourite things.

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1. Comandante Coffee Grinder

It’s a beautiful little gadget. I love the process. I grind away and count the number of turns: I do 75 turns each morning. It’s pleasant, I enjoy doing it. $375, cafune.ca

2. Anian Modern Melton Wool Shirt

It’s not really a shirt; it’s more like a jacket-shirt. Truth be told, it’s a bit straight-up for me—I normally like more interesting or funky things—but it’s the jacket I put on a lot because I’m going out to grab lunch and it’s practical. $215, anianmfg.com

3. Pedersen Bike

It’s a bike first built in 1893, and then they got made in the U.K., and then they got bought by a company in Christiania, Denmark, and these hippie people started rebuilding them and they’re super cool. I sit up quite straight on it. I was tired of leaning over. Vintage

4. SodaStream Terra

I’m trying to drink more water in my old age. And this is the only way I’ll drink the appropriate amount. I mix it with unsweetened cranberry juice, disgusting things like that. $65, bestbuy.ca

5. StriVectin Cream

I’ve been using this for a few years. I’m 76 years old and people tell me I look pretty good, so I’m just going to keep doing it. $65, shoppersdrugmart.ca

6. WaterRower Classic Walnut S4 Rowing Machine

Most exercise equipment is all metal and steel. But this is all natural looking. You pull on it, it goes swish, swish… it somehow feels more natural. I’m going to say I do it three times a week. $1,999, bestbuy.ca

7. Fluevog Rigby  Crossbody Belt Bag

My keys, my phone and my wallet are in my crossbody bag at all times. I’ve been known to lose things, but now I can just roll in, roll out, and I don’t lose anything. $339, fluevog.com

8. Husqvarna 415X Self-Install Automower

I travel quite a bit and could never have a lawn without this little automated lawnmower. I call him Harold. Harold’s marvelous. I tell Harold what to do, and he does it. It can be pouring rain, a blizzard, whatever. He just goes out, even at 10 at night. He’s rolling around, scaring the dogs. I love him. $1,500, canadiantire.ca

9. Kubota 2T Mini Excavator

I take any excuse to just get on and dig with my little excavator. You know how they give little kids diggers at the playground? Same thing. $21,550, capitalautoequipment.com

More ‘The Haul’: Comedian Julie Kim’s Recent Purchases