- The Peking Lounge
- The Paper Garden
- The SX Difference
- CelticFest Vancouver
- US National Umbrella Month
- BCPWA's 25th
- Rejuvenation Shopping
- Planck Precision Tailoring
- Livable, Shopable Vancouver
- Vancouver Sailing
- Shopping Snacks
- Customer Sleuths
- Mental Treasures Shopping Treasures
- Wood Artist
- What is High End?
- Sparkle Bright, Sparkle Right
- Eye of the Street
- Shopping Just is Good for the Brain
May 19,2011
Star Cream
Photo source: Fiona Old
What do Vitamin C Serum,Intensive Eye Crème, and Mayan Magic Lip Balm all have in common? If they were labelled LaVigne Organic Skincare products http:www.lavigneorganics.com then they were in the Nominees' Gift Bags at the 2011 Oscars ( Annette Benning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Jeff Bridges etc.).
Founder of LaVigne Organic Skincare, Linda Zaurrini (née LaVigne) researched the healing secrets of the Mayans when she lived in Mexico in 2002. Many ingredients go into her products and I'll just present some of them here.
After extensive research in Mexico, Canada and the UK, tepezcohuite, one of LaVigne's ingredients, is now used in hair and skin products for rejuvenating skin. Tepezcohuite is a tree which grows in the south in Brazil and as far north as Mexico and Bahia. The tree has fern like branches with leaves like mimosa. The Mexican Mayans have used tepezcohuite bark to aid skin conditions for over 1,000 years. In Nov. 1984 there were 5,000 victims from a series of liquid petroleum gas explosions at a big facility in San Juan Ixhuatepec near Mexico City. Tepezcohuite was used as a vital treatment. A year later it was used again to treat earthquake victims.
Tepezcohuite has many properties http://books.google.com Chemistry, biological, pharmacological properties of medicinal plants from the Americas. It is associated with protection,stimulation and generation of collagen and elastin. The bark contains large amounts of tannins which act as astringent, which stops bleeding and protects the body from infection. It also is said to have properties which are antiflammatory and which contain antioxidant flavanoids.
The LaVigne Organic Skincare products are available Canada wide. You can find a store locator on their website.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
May 12, 2011
Nature Soothes
Photo Source: Jennifer Kostuik Gallery
We hear more study results now supporting what we already instinctually know about our proclivity to relax in nature and to surround ourselves with natural things.
CBC recently featured a program in which Dr. Roberta Walker described how natural settings balance neurological systems. When we move to the cities we get smarter, and are highly stimulated. We learn more. This is hard work for the brain. The CEO of the brain, the pre-frontal cortex, has to navigate more information in order to process noise, visual stimuli, keep safe in traffic, and resist many temptations to buy etc. Chronic stress leads to increased cortisol, higher blood pressure, and lowered immune response.
Mark Berman of the University of Michigan found that in a controlled study where one group walked in a park, the other on a city street, the park walkers came through with better short and long term memory, better attention, and improved mood.
Harvard biologist E.O.Wilson explains that we get a shot of endorphins when we look at a beautiful view. We can restore our frazzled nervous systems just staring at a splash of greenery. On a shopping tour in Vancouver, a visit to the Jennifer Kostuik Gallery www.jenniferkostuik.com could procure you a Sasha Rogers painting such as Motion and Stillness above. Since the brain loves fractals for restfulness (the complex geometrical shapes with the property of self-similarity at different scales ) her seashore transition of sand grains, reeds or maybe seaweed should prevent a lot of binge shopping ... except of course for the painting itself! Well then, you might find a walk in the Sun Yat-Sen Gardens delightful for continued recovery!
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
April,19,2011
The Peking Lounge
Photo Source: Fiona Old
The Peking Lounge http://www.pekinglounge.com has experience furnishing hotels with high quality Chinese antique pieces. The business started when owners Michael Bennett and Daniel Poulin purchased a two piece, carved bamboo paintbrush holder from the Qing Dynasty, from a woman who owned a store across the street from the five star Kempinski Hotel in Beijing.
On their website the Peking Lounge explains that before the Song Dynasty 960-1279, Chinese furniture was low to the ground because this was where social and business matters were conducted. The emperors of the capital, Beijing, led the way and the heights of furniture rose with the customs.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties commerce increased in China and the quality of furniture improved. Tropical hardwares such as Zitan and Huali were imported into China from Indo China and unique joinery techniques evolved.
A new shipment is arriving at the Peking Lounge this April. There are "incredible decorative finds" to be had whether you want something with which to punctuate your dinner party settings, some unique room items for the boutique hotel you design for, or some precious oriental treasure for your upscale Boston or NYC pad.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
April 8,2011
The Paper Garden
Photo Source:Fiona Old
Mary Granville Pendarves Delany (1700-1788) took to her scissors late in life and reigned supreme over them with such extreme delicacy, such that her paper flower collages are now on display in the British Museum www.britishmuseum.org.
Molly Peacock, author of The Paper Garden www.mcclelland.com about Mrs. Delany, her work, and historic doings in Georgian England, fell in love with these flower mosaics in 1986 when she saw them on exhibit at the Morgan Library in New York City. She then went on to write the book, which I think would be a lovely Canadian present to buy showing cross cultural appreciation by a Canadian author and publishers of English and Irish talent.
The term "collage" derives from the French "coller" meaning "to glue". The word was coined by Picasso and Braque and likely first used at the time of the invention of paper in China around 200 BC. In the 10th century calligraphers in Japan began to apply glued paper using texts on surfaces. In the 19th century collage methods were used as applications to photo albums and books. Le Corbusier and other architects used techniques similar to collage, but it really took on life after publication of Collage City (1987) by Colin Rowe and Fred Koetter.
In any event, Mrs. Delany created an amazing 985 botanically correct, exquisite cut-paper flowers which are stored in the Study Room of the Prints and Drawings Department of the British Museum, and are referred to as the Flora Delancia.
The book itself is a rich, glossily presented blend of biography and history and a "fascinating meditation on late-life creativity". And yes there are illustrations, and no, I am not equipped to adequately describe them because you need to buy the book so they can speak to you visually for themselves.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
The SX Difference
Photo Source: Fiona Old
Soccer Express is helping Vancouver Whitecaps players and fans alike look good and ready this MLS season. Established in Coquitlam,BC http://www.soccerx.ca/ over 25 years ago, the soccer equipment store offers up to date and innovative products that they refer to as making the "SX difference".
Soccer Express is the Vancouver Whitecaps FC store. Apart from team uniforms and track suits it carries many products including the exciting new IGOAL: a portable goal which fits into almost any car and inflates with a pump. The IGOAL was developed with partners in engineering and quality control over a 2 year period by designers experienced in international manufacturing and distribution.
Some important Whitecaps FC news http://www.whitecapsfc.com/ : the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency are preparing for their 4th straight appearance in the U-19 Super Group of the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup next month. Important dates for the looking good Vancouver Whitecaps MLS team at Empire Stadium, Vancouver,BC are:
Saturday April 2;Wednesday April 6;Saturday April 16; and Saturday April 23
Look great! Play well!
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
CelticFest Vancouver
Photo Source: CelticFest Vancouver
Have you got a fiddle? Yes or no, not to worry, you can play, dance, or listen from March 16-20,2011 at the 7th annual CelticFest Vancouver,BC. www.celticfestvancouver.com Over 50 free and ticketed events, including 8 free concerts, will occur in downtown Vancouver celebrating with music,dance,stories and all things Celtic. Half of the events are for kids and family. Note the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday March 20th at 11am starting at Howe and Drake.
Who is represented at the festival? There are 7 nations in the Celtic world: The Isle of Man; Spain (Galicia and Arturias); Brittany;Ireland; Scotland; Wales and Cornwall. This group of nations offers a festival that is a great opportunity for Celts, and honorary Celts, which is everyone else, to participate in exciting artistic events.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade honours Patrick who was born in Roman Britain but in around 432-460 he travelled from Auxerre in France to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick 'Christianized' the Celtic Pagan festivals.
To prepare yourself, if need be, pick up some musical instruments at Tom Lee Music www.tomleemusic.ca and then choose your pleasure from a long list of events including the following highlights:-
the St. Patrick's Day Céilîdh; the AfroCeltic Dance Party;Spirit of the West at the Vogue; Brewmaster's Dinner; A Whiskey Kiss-5th Annual Scotch-Tasting:The Great Big Session at Tom Lee Music;CelticFilm;Six Free Music Workshops;2 Special Presentations;2 Outdoor Music Stages;7th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
March 8,2011
US National Umbrella Month
Photo Source: Possum Umbrella
March is National Umbrella Month in the US so where in the world would Possum Umbrella http://www.possumumbrella.com go to find the wettest place on earth? Finding this place might be a great hub spot for selling umbrellas, or for filming them being put to good use!
If measured by the greatest average rainfall in the world the following are the wettest: Mount Wai-'ale-'ale, Kauai; Mount Tutenendo,Columbia; Llora,Columbia; Cherrapunji,north-eastern India;and Mansynram,India. The US National Climatic Data Center, The Weather Network and The Guiness Book of Records contributed to these conclusions.
Possum Umbrella is a gorgeous contemporary answer to our rain gear needs, even if we are not in Cherrapunji!The bright, bold designs are screen-printed by hand,ethically manufactured,the umbrellas are held in multi-purpose pouches which fold into bags, and they are designed in Canada.
A long time before Possum Umbrella was born, umbrellas could be seen in paintings and the artisanal works of China, Assyria, Greece and Ethiopia. The Chinese were the first to wax and lacquer their parasols to make them rain resistant. Now we can purchase Possum's strong, beautiful and environmentally friendly umbrellas in gift stores such as MOMA NYC and all across North America and Asia.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
March 1,2011
BCPWA's 25th
Photo Source:BCPWA
I found another little boutique in Vancouver,BC. It is called Polli and Esther's Closet at 1107 Seymour Street.
I recently attended the BCPWA Red Ribbon Circle Tour at the society office on Seymour Street in Vancouver,BC. A welcoming team of dignified and articulate men and women showed a group of us guests around the premises. The search engines of democracy run slowly in this group because every voice counts, and thoroughness takes time.
BCPWA is a self-empowering society supporting individuals with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It was founded in 1986. It is run by and for persons living with HIV disease and AIDS. http://www.bcpwa.org Make no mistake,this registered charity is a smoothly run organization in great demand.
On our tour a BCPWA member from each department enthusiastically showed us around their office and carefully explained the purpose of each operation and the need it serves. As I moved from one room to another, from the Media Room to the Internet Café, from the Health Clinic to the Advocacy and Prison Outreach Department, from the Boardroom to the Hair Salon, a sense of family pride emerged. Gay Pride. Family Pride. Spic and span walls,floors and table tops spoke of caring for one another and sharing. Many many pictures brighten the walls, and systematic filing of books and papers speak of careful tending. Pressing need and heavy traffic has only motivated the members to self supportive teamwork and pride of place.
The BCPWA services are regularly accessed by many of the 13,000 to 15,000 HIV+ individuals in BC. This disease touches us all. BCPWA is the only resource for some people with the disease. There are some sufferers who leave the prison system, for example, with little more than the clothes on their back.
So Polli and Esther's Closet offers needed clothing and household items to those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Donations, high end or not, of unwanted items for men and women are much appreciated. A Wish List of more general items needed is available. Financial donations are always wanted to keep the programs going. "Polli and Esther" want you to see that gifts are honoured, and used with ultimate care, to keep dignity alive and well in the AIDS community. This is their 25th Anniversary after all. We should take in some presents!
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
January 26,2011
Rejuvenation Shopping
Whether we are in favour of science extending our life spans to 500 years, or just increasing our quality of life while we are here, are concepts difficult to separate from the medical point of view. Jonathan Weiner http:www.jonathanweiner.com in his recent book "Long For This World: The Strange Science Of Immortality" points out that humans have gained 30 years of life expectancy in the 20th century.
Meantime there is lots of shopping that can be done to help us to keep looking fresh at every age. Not only can we touch up our hair roots, but there are enzymes to be bought to help keep our telomere caps long on our DNA strands!! This means we can touch up our precious stem cells also! Tanaka massage helps tone our facial muscles. Laser multi tasks away to reverse skin issues, and there are many great clinics and spas all over the city.
One such facility is SpruceTM Body Lab http://sprucebodylab.com in the heart of Yaletown. Spruce Body Lab offers skin and body care. The staff includes Registered Massage Therapists and skin care specialists, a medical doctor and a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. Canadian products are used such as Pro-Derm http://pro-derm.com that contain no dyes, parabens, or artificial fragrance. This is a good place to go to achieve physical changes or improvements and to relax along the way to rejuvenation.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
January 21,2011
Planck Precision Tailoring
Photo Source: Samson Wardrobes
The Planck telescope's objective, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/planck is to show us stuff that goes into making stars, lots of dust and gas. By collecting light from the Cosmic Microwave Background, we get to see behind the scenes, as it were!
Steve Samson the tailor, http://www.samsonwardrobes.com is busy cutting and shaping behind the scenes to make his customers look dressed as well as stars. Steve knows how to cut to make a suit with lasting good looks. He learned how to cut using the body to position and balance the cloth, making the suit look better made and ensuring it's longevity. He says his work is "Really a short conversation on sleeve lengths, wrinkle free suits, and crisp collars." He claims that if one doesn't know one's own individual tailoring needs,one leaves oneself open to wrinkled clothes.
Steve believes the art of bespoke tailoring, such as is found on Saville Row, is dying. He believes that keeping these master skills alive would help our collective economies, and putting into practice what he preaches he offers classed in cutting and seminars on tailoring-design.
I've inspected Mr. Samson's seams myself and though not through the glass of a Planck telescope, I can't say I've seen much better. Says Steve,"If it's what's inside that counts, then turn the inside...out." It's true the suits are so well made it might not even matter.
Fiona
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
January 11, 2011
Livable, Shopable Vancouver
Photo Source: Fiona Old
Almost 9 million people visit Greater Vancouver every year. Vancouver is a destination city in every season, and ranks highly as one of the world's most livable cities. It is a gateway to Asia and has a large Asian population. It is multicultural.
People come to Vancouver for different reasons: to vacation, for business and conferences, to settle permanently, to study,to engage in winter and summer sports. The city has hosted many international conferences including the 1954 Commonwealth Games up to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Vancouver is on the International Film Festival circuit. It is referred to as Hollywood North.
In its 2010 Competitive Alternatives report, KPHG LLP ( Canada ) has ranked Vancouver as the most competitive jurisdiction for business taxes. 100 cities across 10 European and North American countries were examined. 26 components that contribute to business costs were tracked. Vancouver was found to be the most tax competitive city over other Canadian cities, the US, Mexico and 7 other countries. Business taxation was analyzed in 41 major cities with populations of over 2 million. http://www.competitivealternatives.com/
Landcor Data Corp. http://www.landcor.com tells us property markets are lively with 21,000 new real estate millionaires in the Lower Mainland. There was a 40% increase in the number of homes worth $1 million and up compared to 1 year ago.
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment tours aid the newcomer, business people or vacationers, to familarize themselves with the city's high end resources. To take a shopping tour is an exciting way to entertain visitors; a romantic style of present giving; and a practical way of settling in the city when building a nest.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
January 7, 2011
Vancouver Sailing
Photo Source: Fiona Old Not only is Vancouver a port but it is a mecca for sailors of all levels. Vancouver is a cruise centre, a resource for procuring sailing necessities, and a perfect place to learn to sail such as in and around English Bay, to the west of Granville Island which is featured in the photo.
Once upon a time under the Burrard Street Bridge, there existed a little sailing school called The Jib Set. I went there to take lessons. The owner was a retired sea captain. He told us the tale of a young couple who had come to him and said, "We want to sail around the world. Will you teach us how to sail in one week?" The captain replied,"Well, I won't be teaching you to sail in a week, but I can tell you that if you can sail around the north west coast of Vancouver Island you can sail anywhere in the world."
So Vancouver takes its sailing seriously. There are lots of schools, many charter boat companies, moorings for mega yachts, supply stores for sailing, and for the likes of our young couple: many wise teachers! Ah yes, and in the summer you can dance late into the night on one of the salsa dance cruises.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
January 5, 2011
Shopping Snacks
Photo Source: Fiona Old
Here is a fabulous luscious tarte aux poires. Who made it?
Before or after a bout of shopping with Vancouver Shopping By Appointment it is pleasant for people to refuel with a tasty bite at some sweet little Vancouver bistro. Here is a small selection of especially pleasing places.
There's Medina Café www.medinacafe.com owned and run by the Schuermans. Nico trained at the London Savoy and can cook for multitudes. Unpretentious and award winning, the cafe provides breakfast and lunch solutions with a difference. A taste there will persuade you to return to their restaurant Chambar, next door, for dinner. The tarte was not made there!
Brioche www.brioche.ca on Cordova Street has flavours straight from Italy and France. Eduardo Bilardello, head chef and owner started his culinary career in Sicily. Brioche is frequented by wise gourmands from the professional, commercial neighbourhood who don't settle for less than French/Italian pastry nirvana. The tarte, however, did not come from there!
Commercial Drive has many cafes serving excellent quality coffee. Cafe Roma (no website) is a Euro-style lunch bar serving great authentic Italian coffee. It is popular with seniors, good for TV sports games, and casual. The tarte though would not have been found there!
Meinhardt Café, next to Meindhart on South Granville, guarantees a warm snack and a good choice of "grown in BC" produce. The deli and kitchen provide ready-to-go meals made from scratch. The artisanal cheeses are from around the world. You could find a slice by the tarte!
The tarte aux poires was made by my friend Bill Bert in his kitchen. He fed me a slice. Yum, yum! He does have French/Italian ancestors who must have made tartes!
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
December 9, 2010
Customer Sleuths
Photo Source: William Gibson Books
It's not that I think that William Gibson http://www.williamgibsonbooks.com/ was planning on offering high end shopping tours in Vancouver when he said that information is the currency. This theme he threads through his books, for example, Pattern Recognition 2003 on to the current Zero History 2010, like a limo rolling from one native art gallery to another.
I do think that he anticipated in a way the present trends in cultural shopping, personal shopping and various kinds of shopping tours. In offering a custom designed shopping service one wants to engage the instincts of the customer sleuth. Vancouver, home to Mr Gibson, can be a maze for the visiting tourist bent on adventure, desirous of the best the city has to offer, and overwhelmed by the inundation of advertising by word slicking marketers.
The customer, however, can become a market researcher in their own way by using the available shopping tools as a research instrument, and as part of the investment strategy for serious collectors. Hopefully Vancouver Shopping By Appointment is one such tool for finding quality and the authentic in our destination city of Vancouver.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
DECEMBER 2010
Mental Treasures Shopping Treasures
Attitude, Focus, Persistence and Action are keywords used by John Assaraf http://www.johnassaraf.com to help us access the power of our 100 billion brain cells, and improve our lives.
On Assaraf's website a person named Poonam says about Assaraf's teachings:"I feel like I have stumbled on the most valuable treasures on Earth." I love Vancouver Shopping By Appointment customers to feel something like this after discovering a trove of fine Vancouver treasures!
Assaraf's teachings involve understanding the power of the subconscious mind and he encourages us with cutting edge neuroscientific research about ourselves.
Surely then on a day of shopping we can achieve scintillating success. Imagine a team Persistently Focusing on putting Positive Attitude into Action. There now could be not just 100 billion brain cells but several 100s of billions of brain cells involved in making this shopping experience successful:those of the enquiring shopper;artists and manufacturers;boutique owners;limo staff; maybe a body guard; and the staff of Vancouver Shopping By Appointment.
How could the best of treasures not be unEarthed!
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
DECEMBER, 2010
Wood Artist
Photo Source: Fiona Old Opening December 2010 at Lumen Gallery, Vancouver www.lumengallery.org is the exhibition of the sculptures and paintings of Antony Rolland, www.antonyrolland.com. His current exhibition is called "Dialogues-from wood to oil".
Antony's work has been exhibited both in his native France, City Hall in Paris for example, and here in BC, the land of his heart. He was first inspired by nature in the French countryside. Just before leaving France for Canada in 1999 he literally ran across the countryside to get a last lingering look at a favourite art piece: an isolated wooden cross.
Antony describes his works as containing "reflections of Renaissance masters". He likes what Henri David Thoreau said:"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." Antony likes to create his life with as much awareness as possible, to carve it out, rather than reacting passively to circumstances. His philosophy of staying alive in the present moment shines forth from his personality and light and joy is present in his work.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
November 27, 2010
What Is High End?
Photo Source: Little Bambino
The definition of “high end shopping” evolves with the culture. “High end” may mean different things to different people. One example can be found in the work of Lindsey Marston and Alisa Smith of www.littlebambino.ca who are offering luxury quality baby clothes at great prices.
Little Bambino, they explain, creates hip, functional, high quality baby clothes made from eco-friendly bamboo and organic cotton. Their materials, such as low-impact dyes, are chosen for their sustainable and environmentally conscious qualities. Featured here is the Bambino Zip- “the practical back zipper makes it easy for parents to put on and tough for toddlers to take off”.
So bamboo and organic cotton are the fabrics of choice. Bamboo, being as strong as steel, is used to construct whole houses from floors, to woven ceilings, to furniture. It is also used by Lindsey and Alisa to softly, dryly, hippily, and comfortably cover the precious skin of little babies.
Such versatility in nature! Such resourcefulness in clothing manufacturing! Such quality which I define here as high end! Quality is not always expensive.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
November 23, 2010
Sparkle Bright, Sparkle Right
Photo Source: Fiona Old Jewelry demand represents 80 percent of global gold production. Tiffany, Zales and 30 other jewelers representing $6 billion in annual sales all told, have made a pledge to not buy gold from Alaska's proposed Pebble Mine which threatens the Bristol Bay watershed. This information is reported to us by the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC.
Bristol Bay hosts the world's largest sockeye salmon runs and supports eagles, whales, bears and other wildlife. The 10 billion tons of mining waste which would ensue from the mine would devastate the ecosystem of the area.
If the jewelers of the world oppose the purchase of gold from the mine, then the mining companies may find that this is bad for business as well. Hopefully solutions can be sought that will affect a win all around situation for Bristol Bay and it's creature inhabitants, for the jewelers and mining companies of the world, and for the consumers of gold.
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
NOVEMBER 21, 2010
The Eye Of The Street
Photo Source: Fiona Old The haute couturiers tell us they sometimes reach to the street for inspiration. And so they should! The creative spirit remains alive in even the youngest,coldest,hungriest,most abused and desperate among us.
Covenant House in Vancouver, Canada is a refuge in the storm for many street kids, more than 1,000 of whom pass through their doors in 1 year. CH has several programs ranging from provision of basic food,clothing, warmth and shelter through to support for the kids to become employed and living independently.
The kids can choose from the varied selection of kind donations. Sometimes they need suits for job interviews. Mostly they need "warm" and "waterproof".
One young boy needed just that. He came shivering in to get something to wear and made his survey. He badly needed weather protection, but some inner voice: The Need for Belonging; The Muse of Design, told him to choose carefully. "I know what I'm looking for,"he said. The kids dress themselves according to different camps of self-expression. From the street to the fashion houses and back again there is an exchange of energy. The arrows of inspiration travel in both directions.
Even cold and hunger can't always annihilate in the most downtrodden of us, the creative spirit: the desire for colour,shape,texture and form. Maslow's basic needs may come first, but for sure we are all contributing to our culture, sometimes to copy and often to create. Thank you, Street Kids, and I wish you a Warm,Dry,Cool Holiday Season!
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
NOVEMBER 20, 2010
Shopping Just is Good for the Brain
Photo Source: Fiona Old You might imagine my glee when shortly after starting my luxury shopping tours by limo business, I discovered the “novelty-numinosum-neurogenesis effect" (NNNE). Could this be a scientifically supported justification for shopping, I wondered?
Ernest Rossi, Ph. D in his book The Psychobiology of Gene Expression talks about how quickly genes may be activated by memories, feelings and thought, - some genes in under two seconds! Unpredictability and novelty can engage us and our genes when we see fantastic art, architecture or drama. Maybe exquisite carpets? Haute couture? In this way novelty is a crucial part of learning.
So when my friend on certain days of stress says that she is in dire need of “retail therapy” who knew that she is actually talking about her need for heightened expectancy, pleasure and surprise which work to turn on the NNNE? Now it’s true that shopping addiction can be a serious problem requiring a different kind of therapy, but shopping as a way of improving one’s mood does not necessarily lead to impulsive or inadvisable purchases. Hopefully my friend can get the shoes, plus the added bonus of healing in the form of brain growth, new memory (unforgettable shoes) and learning. This occurs for children as well as adults apparently.
In future then, when combing through the stunning dresses of Italian silk at J C Studio on 6th in Vancouver, do I have to ask not only, “Will this fit?” but also: ”Which pattern, cut, design will be best for promoting self-renewing stem cells in my cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus (of which Fuchs and Segre 2000 speak)? !!!
Fiona Old
Vancouver Shopping By Appointment
