Caban, the popular lifestyle spinoff of Club Monaco announced today that it will be closing its doors. According to the Globe and Mail, that the major reason for the closure is because its landlords have decided to use their prime real estate for their own home and lifestyle brand.

Currently, three of Caban's main stores are being housed within the Loblaws megastores. Loblaws recently launched a lifestyle clothing line, Joe Fresh Style and is in the process of expanding this concept to homewares. In an ironic twist, this whole concept being launched by Loblaws is being headed up by Joe Mimram, the original mastermind of Club Monaco and Caban.

According to a spokesperson of Ralph Lauren (who bought the brand in 2000), it will be focusing on "core apparel and accessories business." The Caban stores will be closing by August 31st.

Picture courtesy of Caban.

I don't know about you but I've been seeing some pretty cool retro vehicles in the city lately. My favourite is still a vintage vespa. I have romanticized views about riding one a la Roman Holiday . In my research about these scooters, I came across this nifty designer Badgemaker Deluxe. Moira Parker Roe, the head designer of Badgemaker Deluxe custom designs badges or emblems for both automobiles and scooters. What a great way to make your mode of transportation truly yours! I had to ask her some questions -

Why Badgemaker Deluxe?

I played around with a lot of different names and when it came down to it, literally, making badges is what I do and "deluxe" because they are special with added touches and features. Deluxe also speaks of Kustom Kulture.

Father's Day weekend is fast approaching and if your dad is as hard to buy for as mine, you're still looking for that special gift. Here comes Lileo to the rescue. Lileo is having a "Father & Sun" shopping sale that starts today and continues all weekend. Like the last sale, you can save up to 50% on Adidas, Rag & Bone, True Religion, Diesel, Replay, Nike, Seal Kay, Hugo Boss, Penguin and more. And it's not just men's clothing that's for sale, selected women's and kid's clothing will be as well.

As for that elusive gift? Lileo staff recommends "The Book of Cool" that includes 3 DVDs for only $52 or "Surfing Photographs from the 70's" taken by Jeff Devine.

The Distillery District - 55 Mill St, Building 35, Thursday, June 1 - Sunday, June 18, Thurs. to Sat. 10am - 8pm, Sun. 11am - 6pm

This past weekend I had a childhood friend visit from Asia who is here for work. The hotel that she was put in was in the middle of Nowheresville, the industrial part of Mississauga-Brampton. As I picked her up, I assured her that Toronto is nothing like what she'd seen so far.

The dilemma for me was that I only had two days to show her my Toronto. Believe it or not, deciding on where to go was harder than even I thought it would be.

I decided to concentrate on the various neighbourhoods in the city. I wanted her to see that despite it being a big city, there were pockets of places that made you feel like you were part of a small community. I wanted her to get a sense of where and how we Torontonians live.

This is where we went - St. Lawrence Market & Front Street, The Distillery District, Danforth Avenue, West Queen West, Cabbagetown and Riverdale Farm, the Beaches (yes, I know it's supposed to be called "The Beach") and Chinatown. There were so many other places that I would have loved to explore but I think she was reeling from sensory overload anyway.

Where would you take a friend if you only had two days?

A Highland Cow lounging at the High Park Zoo.

Everyone always talks about the perfect "little black dress" and the quest to find one.

I must admit that despite my love for colour, there is something so sophisticated and alluring about that perfect black dress. But what is the perfect black dress? Some of my girlfriends swear on a simple black sheath, others on the sexy slip dress and for me, it's usually a vintage piece.

That's where the Little Black Dress Shop comes in. Inspired by such other one product stores in London and New York, the store only carries black dresses. Yes, you got it. ONLY black. Ms. Barrigar, the owner and designer of in store label, Quip is often inundated with queries such as, "What about a pink dress?"