C/O @pickwickbooks
Discover a new favourite book with Pickwick Books’ new book boxes
I’ll admit I love Chapters as much as the next person, but it’s also crucial to support local booksellers and used book stores during a time where all local businesses have been disproportionately affected by provincial guidelines and restrictions due to COVID-19. Buying used books is also a more sustainable and cost-effective way of shopping on a student budget. Furthermore, buying locally is a way to give back to the Hamilton community. Located in Waterdown, Pickwick Books’ new book box service makes buying used easier than ever.
Pickwick Books first opened in Waterdown in 1995, though Cheryl Kaufman became the owner of Pickwick’s after the building caught her eye on a drive through Waterdown in 2016. She bought the store when its previous owners were looking to move on from the business and since then, she has run the small used bookstore carrying over 30,000 titles of every genre.
Pickwick Books’ newest feature, used book boxes, came about in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Book boxes are a trend initiated by larger companies including Book of the Month and Raven Reads, now carried on by Pickwick’s for a more sustainable and local take on the trend.
“Being a used bookstore, I just never knew what my inventory was — it was constantly changing. When COVID hit, we had to close down and I was trying to think of online options for people. I thought the best way to do it was to do book boxes where they can choose genres, but then I choose the books for them,” said Kaufman.
The book boxes come in three sizes: two, four or six books in a mix of paperback and hardcover at a discounted rate. Regardless of where you are located within Canada, the boxes ship on a one-time or recurring basis so you can support the local business from a distance.
Though the boxes are curated with a selection of high-quality used books, they can also be personalized to specific genres and preferences.
“[Choosing the books] is the most fun for me. If someone says ‘surprise me’, I try and choose at least a variety of genres. If they tell me they like certain authors, I always select authors that are similar. I select books that I've enjoyed and that I know my customers have recommended. The fun part for me is going through the shop and pulling all the different varieties out for people,” said Kaufman.
“[Choosing the books] is the most fun for me. If someone says ‘surprise me’, I try and choose at least a variety of genres. If they tell me they like certain authors, I always select authors that are similar. I select books that I've enjoyed and that I know my customers have recommended. The fun part for me is going through the shop and pulling all the different varieties out for people.”
Cheryl Kaufman, Owner of Pickwick Books
Though they come as a bit of a mystery, the curated titles are a way to step out of your reading comfort zone with books of every genre and style.
“It's a nice surprise as you try new authors and even try new genres that you wouldn't normally try,” said Kaufman.
Buying used books not only supports the local business, but is also a more sustainable way to shop for books. Book manufacturing is an environmentally taxing process through production of pulp and paper. Old books often tend to be thrown out or recycled rather than reused and passed on for more readers to enjoy, making buying used a great option for extending the life cycle of a book.
On a student budget, stocking your shelves through Pickwick Books is an affordable, sustainable option for finding your new favourite reads. With a unique, custom-curated selection of books in every box, dare to try something new while supporting local.
As Ned Stark said: brace yourselves, back-to-school shopping is coming. Every fall, students are pressured to buy the trendiest, fashion-forward outfits in order to both fit in and stand out (at the same time, effortlessly). This is particularly overwhelming for university students. We are encountering more new people and ideas than ever before, and that is often expressed through changes in personal style. Clothes allow you to experiment with different identities until you find the one that fits you.
While it can be freeing to reinvent yourself through clothes, it can also be financially taxing to buy an entirely new wardrobe every year. But fear not! Here are some tips and tricks for navigating back-to-school shopping that will save your wallet and your sanity.
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If you know and love Queer Eye as much as I do, you’ll know that Tan France, the fashion expert, recommends finding a ‘hero piece’, a statement item to build an outfit around. This hero piece might already be in your closet. When the first week of school comes and you are stumped for outfit ideas, a hero piece can form the foundation of an outfit that you feel comfortable and confident in. Just one item of clothing can transform your whole outfit.
Change up your closet with clothing swaps! Threadwork (a sustainable fashion club on campus) usually has a swap in the McMaster University Student Centre each semester. It’s a quick and easy way to refresh your wardrobe while cleaning out some of the items that you no longer wear for free. There are also clothing swaps in the community; The Pale Blue Dot (240 James Street North) frequently has them, as does the Hearty Hooligan (292 Ottawa Street North).
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Thrift stores are your friend. Places like Out of the Past (308 Ottawa Street North), The Giving Closet (1162 Barton Street East) or Hawk and Sparrow (126 James Street North) will frequently have pieces that are more affordable and of higher quality than what you might find at the mall. If you don’t have the time to go in person, there are even online thrift stores, like thredUP. If you’re looking to free up some space in your closet, try donating your old clothes to avoid throwing them away. If you take them to Plato’s Closet (505 Rymal Road East) or Style Encore (989 Fennell Avenue East), then they will even pay you to donate them. This is a real thing! Check it out!
Rescue your beloved old clothes by taking them to a tailor or cobbler. My life changed when I realized I could get my worn out pants repaired for $20 rather than having to face the horrors of trying on too-small jeans in a dimly-lit dressing room. Not to mention, repairing old shoes means that you don’t have to go through the time and effort of breaking in a new pair. Your ankles will thank you. Thankles?
Not only do these four tips help you save money and live better, they also help to minimize your contributions to ‘fast fashion’ (buying clothes that won’t last and then throwing them away). The fashion industry puts out a huge amount of pollution every year. Clothes that fall apart after a few months are not only damaging to the planet, but they are also a strain on your wallet over time as you keep having to replace them with increasingly expensive options. Buying good quality pieces or repairing the pieces that you have helps to keep clothes out of landfills.
You shouldn’t feel guilty for buying new clothes or following fashion trends if that brings you joy, just keep these sustainable options in mind. Remember, by November we’ll all be wearing sweatpants anyways, so wear whatever makes you happy and comfortable!
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I’ve always struggled to give special and personalized gifts to those I care about without breaking the bank. One of the best ways I’ve learned to navigate this is to find unique creators for holiday shopping. Etsy is a hub for original products that make great gifts and by choosing local stores, you lower your shipping cost and support local creatives. Check out these local Etsy shops that sell great products for under $30 (including shipping!) The best part? You don’t have to trek through the snow.
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If you know someone who likes light-hearted quotes or gold foil, then consider getting them a gift from The Blonde Orphan. The store is owned by Daniela Stajcer, a self-taught graphic designer who calls Hamilton home. She incorporates real gold or copper foil in many of her prints. Her home décor prints are a pretty addition to the wall of a friend likes positive pick-me-ups or quirky quips. She sells instantly downloadable prints for as little as $5. Actual prints start around $13 with $3.35 shipping within Canada.
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The Pendulum Shop sells simple but stunning crystal jewellery. Hamilton-based store owner Lana Burley is a crystal lover who makes the pieces herself. In addition to the unique earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and pendulums that she creates, she also sells a crystal guide that she created with her production partner Cetina Farrugia. Her jewellery makes the perfect gift for those in your life with a simple and refined style. Shipping is $4.50 within Canada. While some of the pieces are above $30, there are cute rings and earrings closer to $20 and cute pieces in the clearance section of the shop.
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Greg Smith is behind Blind Pig Press, which specializes in letterpress and sells various notebooks, posters, prints and books. Blind Pig Press is actually a private press in Grimsby, Ontario that has been around since 1991. The Etsy store provides a place to buy these letterpress products, such as notepads starting just under $7 and posters just over $20 with $4.10 shipping costs. These items would make great gifts for those in your life who are frequently drawing or jotting down things.
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If you know a nature lover, bring nature indoors to them with this Kitchener-based Etsy shop. Shop owner Laur Erickson is a self-taught artist mixing her love of animals and nature with her love of art. She sells watercolour and mixed media prints and cards. Her prints start as low as $12 with free shipping and cards can be picked up for $6 with $3 shipping. She also sells adorable stickers for $3.50 a piece with $3 shipping.
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Flora Hue Naturals is a Hamilton-based Etsy store boasting “love infused offerings inspired by nature.” Store owner, Kristen Taylor, uses all natural ingredients in creating the soaps, candles, face and aromatherapy products that she sells. These items make the perfect gift for those in your life that relish new scents and natural beauty products. Check the “Gifts Under 20” section for affordable gifts. Shipping costs are generally under $12.
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For a truly unique gift for the creatives in your life, check out this Toronto-based Etsy shop that sells cross-stitch kits and patterns. Shop owner Diana Watters is a designer and metal fabricator who loves to cross-stitch in her spare time. She sells original cross-stitch patterns and kits, taking the form of holiday ornaments, keychains, instantly downloadable patterns and more. While there are many affordable kits, be sure to out the sale section. Shipping is generally $6 or less.
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Whether you’re a seasoned cook or simply craving for an opportunity to learn to make something new, nothing beats a warm home cooked meal. This recipe for potato and carrot latkes served with a simple apple sauce was created to complement student life. The ingredients to make these golden and crispy potato pancakes are budget-friendly and many can be found in the McMaster Students Union Food Collective Centre’s monthly Good Food Box. The recipe calls for about half an hour of your time over a mixing bowl and frying pan, making it a fair bargain for a wholesome dish to enjoy over a sit-down meal or on the go.
Wiseman is the creative mind behind Dundurn Market’s prepared meals and helped evolve Green Bar into a full vegan restaurant. The local Hamiltonian has been cooking up hearty meals for 20 years and has a passion for healthy eating, sustainable food practices and recipe creation. Wiseman is currently packing her bags for a trip to Bali, Indonesia where she will be studying raw, vegan cuisine and chocolate.
Grate the potatoes and carrots using a hand grater or a food processor using the largest holes to get thick strands. Place the grated vegetables together with the sliced green onion into a large bowl. Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes. Scoop out handfuls of the mixture and squeeze over a small bowl to remove excess moisture. Transfer to another bowl and repeat with the remaining veggies.
Add the egg, flour, salt and pepper to the veggie mixture. Drain the liquid from the small bowl; you will find a layer of potato starch on the bottom. Add this starch to the veggies as well. Stir everything together.
Heat a large frying pan (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Cover the bottom of the pan with ¼ cm oil. Pack a ¼ cup measuring cup with the veggie mixture and form this into a small cake in your hand; place in the hot oil. Repeat until the pan is full, leaving space around each latke for even cooking. Cook several minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook until done on the second side. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Repeat until all the veggie mixture is cooked.
Roughly dice the apples. Place in a small pot along with the water and sugar. Cook on medium heat with the lid on for 25 to 30 minutes, until the apples are very soft. Remove from heat and blend with a potato masher, food processor or immersion blender.
Serve the latkes with the freshly made apple sauce and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Garnish with more sliced green onions or fresh thyme leaves.
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