Rainbow Brights

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on June 15, 2012 · 60 Comments

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about the A.D.F.M. store, but I could resist treating you to another post after browsing through their summer collection. For those not in the know (yet), A.D.F.M. stands for Art, Design, Fashion & Music – the four tenets of this Vancouver-based shop’s urban-flavoured indie stock. I thought it’d be fun to jump into the saturated colours that are livening up the store’s virtual shelves, so today I present you with a few colourful gift choices.

DÜLLER LONG MEMO PADS – $4.99 each
Jot down phone messages, take notes at work, and write down a phone number to pass to an acquaintance the old-fashioned (non-cell phone) way with one of these cheery notepads. Available in five sorbet shades and two styles (long and skinny or short and stout), these make a great end-of-year gift to your kids’ favourite teachers, or a sweet congratulations present for a friend’s promotion at work.

COLADA BRASCO WATCH & CORNICHE CRONO WATCH – $105 each
Nothing quite marks a momentous occasion – like say, a birth, graduation, or anniversary – than a watch to note the passing of time. Instead of going for a fusty jewellery store option, inject a little summery colour into your giftee’s wardrobe with one of these punchy watches from Triwa. With Miami-inspired shades of lemon yellow, bright aqua, peppermint pink, and sunny peach, you won’t be able to resist smiling every time you look down.

BKR GLASS BOTTLE W/ SILICONE SLEEVE – $28
One of the things that stood out to me when reading up on these bottles was the idea you wouldn’t drink a fine wine out of metal or plastic, right? So why drink anything else out of ’em. These glass beverage bottles by BKR dishwasher safe, don’t leach chemicals into your drink of choice, and come with a colourful silicone sleeve to both protect your bottle, and keep your sip cooler for longer. Since most of us are pounding the pavement, going on road trips, or heading to the beach over the next few months, a good water bottle is essential – anyone you’d like to gift with a bon voyage or happy beach body pressie will definitely get a kick out of these lovely flacons.

NATIVE SHOES JERICHO & JEFFERSON SHOES – $55 each
Canadian brand Native Shoes has a strong showing on ADFM’s store, thanks to their uber-comfortable craftsmanship and street-smart style appeal. The ladies’ Jericho and men’s Jefferson models come in the most eye-popping shades of tropical brights like juicy watermelon, electric blue, and tangy mango, but for the more demure on your gift list, they also offer classic white and navy options. Buy a pair for your spouse’s birthday so they can slip into something that’s truly a little more comfortable after work.

DESIGN BOOKS – $10.99+
In the circles I travel in, these books would go over extremely well – and I’ll bet if you looked at your own friends and family, you’d find someone in your midst that would simply love to get lost in a world of colour, pattern, and beautiful design. ADFM has dozens of designer-oriented books, so whether you’re buying for someone in the profession, a niece or nephew about to start art school, or as a farewell gift to a favourite coworker, look no further for some inspiration.

Now’s your chance to get colourful – I’m giving away a $75 GC to A.D.F.M. to one lucky reader. All you gotta do to enter is:

1) Leave a comment below by June 27th with a link back to the item on A.D.F.M. you’d most like to gift (or get) with the help of your big win.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around June 28th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Go on and follow the A.D.F.M. folks on Twitter. Drop your handle in the comments and you’ll earn yourself a bonus entry.