A Must-Watch Canadian Series

Hello, queens. The long-awaited Canadian adaptation of RuPaul’s Drag Race is finally here. “We’re nice, but we’re also coming to win; people don’t think that Canadians [can bring it], but these [contestants] do,” says model Stacey McKenzie of her gig as one of the show’s judges. Prepare for the sure-to-be-iconic moments the drag queens will serve when Canada’s Drag Race hits Crave on July 2.

A Virtual Exhibit

What do you do if a major exhibition of your work
gets postponed because of a pandemic? Well, if you’re Canadian photographer Barbara Cole, you move the showcase online. Known for ethereal underwater photography that explores mental health and the transformation of self, Cole transformed the expansive career retrospective into an in-depth show on her site, accompanied by videos and interviews. Take a scroll and dream of one day being able to walk through the exhibit IRL. (barbaracole.com)

A Cleaning Gadget

You are now, perhaps, hyper-aware of the fact that you weren’t disinfecting your phone as much as you should have been. (Ditto.) Enter the CleanPod from Canadian luggage brand Monos. With just the push of a button, the sleek hand-held wand emits a high-energy beam of UVC rays that safely kill 99.9 percent of pathogens on hard surfaces. The device is more sustainable than antibacterial wipes, and it’s portable, which means it’s easy to travel with – whenever we’ll be able to, that is. ($125, monos.com)

A Perfect Quarantine Flick

Sure, we may have missed the campy delight that is Eurovision this year, but Netflix has the next best thing. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga brings the famed musical competition to the small screen, following two aspiring musicians who want to prove that any dream is worth fighting for when they’re selected to represent their country at the annual event. Oh, and it stars Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell and Demi Lovato, so it will be a real treat when it starts streaming on June 26.

One-of-A-Kind Accessories

Quilter Marilyn Armand of Le Point Visible is putting a contemporary twist on this traditional craft for one-of-a-kind blankets and accessories that bring as much joy as they do comfort. Designed in her Quebec workshop, each piece is made of upcycled materials – like the ends of fabric rolls – in collaboration with neighbouring textile businesses to produce as little waste as possible. Whether you go for a custom piece or test your skills with a DIY kit, the finished product is guaranteed to become a cherished heirloom. (From $50, lepointvisible.com)

New Music For Your Playlist

We’re sending thanks to Jessy Lanza – our dance-party-of-one playlist was getting a little sparse before we had new music from the electronic singer-songwriter to add to it. The Hamilton, Ont., native’s upcoming album, All the Time (out on July 24), is full of brooding and playful bops that highlight the critically acclaimed artist’s raw vocals and are sure to get you moving.

Cozy Essentials

Festivities may be going virtual this year, but you can still celebrate Pride at home in your socks – specifically Happy Socks’ latest collaboration with the Phluid Project. Known for its vibrant prints, the Swedish company has teamed up with the gender-neutral brand on a collection of six new designs. With its eye-catching tie-dye pairs studded with rhinestones and rainbow-stripe fringe details, we promise that you won’t lose a sock ever again. (From $23, thephluidproject.com)

An App to Make Shopping Easier

With all the online purchases we’re making these days, Shopify is simplifying the experience even more with the launch of Shop. Think of the app as your new personal shopping assistant. The platform keeps all your orders in one place (that means no more looking through your inbox for receipts), while the local search feature allows you to easily shop local independent businesses. Our favourite aspect? The company offsets the carbon emissions produced by your delivery when you use the Shop Pay feature. (shop.app)

Music To Get You Through Quarantine

Everything changed for The Beths after the release of their acclaimed debut album dropped in 2018. After opening for Pixies and Death Cab For Cutie, the group set to release their second LP, Jump Rope Grazers, this month. This indie-rock band is showing no signs of slowing down.

A Limited-Edition Bag

Pride month may be over, but we’re not done giving back. IKEA has released a limited-edition rainbow version of their iconic reusable bag. The best part? All proceeds from are going to Pflag Canada, a national charitable organization whose mission is supporting LGBTQ2S Canadians and their families in communities from coast to coast to coast. Supplies are limited, so get yours while you still can. ($1.49, ikea.com)

Your New Guilty Pleasure

Have you been wanting to jump into Love Island but find yourself overwhelmed by the time commitment? Now’s your chance. Four specials summing up all the major drama, romances and LOL-worthy moments hit Hayu this month, so you can finally see what all the fuss is about.

A Tradition Gone Virtual

We may have missed the One Of A Kind show earlier this year, but the creatives behind the biannual fest are making up for it. For the first time ever, the artisan event is holding a summer edition – completely online – from July 6 to 31. As always, the show brings together the best makers, designers and creative entrepreneurs, so you are bound to find some special items here. And checking it out is easier than ever – all you have to do is head over to their IG, @ooak_to.

The Podcast You Need Right Now

 

Canadian businesswoman, investor, author and TV personality Arlene Dickinson is diving deep into a timeless topic: Reinvention. Her new podcast series talks overcoming life’s changes and challenges. Each week, Dickinson is joined by public features (like Olympian Tessa Virtue) and highlights their specific journey in reinvention and the lasting impact it has had on their lives.

A BBC Romantic Drama

All caught up on Normal People? CBC Gem has you covered. Acclaimed BBC romantic drama Trigonometry, following a trio as they try to build a relationship together, starts streaming July 3 and is sure to fill your need for forlorn glances between young, hopelessly in love Brits.

Summer Essentials In One Place

Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style has officially launched and we couldn’t be more excited to find curated fashion, beauty and lifestyle essentials in one place. Delivered directly to your home, this luxury subscription box is hand-selected by Zoe and features five must-have summer trend selections. Think staycation, road trip and at-home must-haves.

This article originally appeared in the summer 2020 issue of ELLE Canada.