Winterlicious 2012

 

Winterlicious is back! It's the Toronto event's 10th anniversary, celebrating with 175 restaurants involved.

It begins January 27th and runs through until February 9th 2012.

To celebrate another year of this fabulous city-wide event, AMEX is providing card holders with the opportunity to enter their card HERE for a chance to win $2,000 in gift cards and a surprise VIP concert experience this summer in Toronto at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre for you and seven friends!

There is no need to stay at home with your winter blues. Dine with Amex and celebrate Winterlicious' 10th anniversary!

 

 

For a complete list of Winterlicious restaurants, click HERE

Roots and ThinkFirst Join Forces!

From left to right: Canadian sprint kayaker, Adam Van Koeverden, Denyse Green, World Champion figure skater, Patrick Chan and Roots Co-Founder, Don Green

Roots recently teamed up with ThinkFirst Pensez d'Abord Canada to promote brain and spinal cord safety. The event was held January 24, 2012 at the Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto, Canada.

 

Mike Bullard was the event MC for the evening, which included appearances by several members of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Don Jackson, Olympic medalist figure skater; Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam, Junior National Champions; Cynthia Phaneuf, Canadian National Champion; Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Canadian National figure skaters and Patrick Chan, World Champion figure skater. Also in attendance, was Dr. Charles Tator, founder of ThinkFirst and long-time friend of Roots Co-Founders Don Green and Michael Budman.

 

Researchers estimate that 90 per cent of all injuries are predictable and preventable. Wearing a helmet when biking, skiing or snowboarding can drastically reduce the chances of causing irrepairable damage to your brain.

 

Check out more pictures from the event after the jump.

 

As Seen In: January 16 - 20, 2012

Flare.com featured the Roots Oxfords in Vintage Tribe Leather, $158. These stylish flats were chosen for their list of 44 Spring must have shoes!

 

 

 

Beaver Canoe Sweatshirts, $76

 

Facebook follower, Karla Capili shared this photo with us, and we love the matching Beaver Canoe Hoodies!

 

"Wanted to share a photo of my friends' and i Kris Kringle dinner that just passed this holiday season. We were all decked out in our favourite sweaters!"

 

 

 

Sweetspot.ca gives us their "Top 5: Canadian Winter Fashion", and lo and behold, our Roots Sorority Jacket is on the list!

 

 

Roots Sorority Jacket, $358

Relive your high-school days in this trendy wool-and-Italian-leather varsity jacket. Don’t let the “Italian” part throw you; this jacket is fully handcrafted and manufactured in right here in Canada.

 

 

 

What I Wore x Roots by David Gillespie

 

Gracie Carroll is photographed above wearing her Roots Deeva Vest, $448 & Classic Full Zip Hoody, $76 as a date night outfit option:

"Since it was an early-in-the-week restaurant date, I wanted my outfit to be laid back, stylish (obviously), a bit sexy and also warm because it was fa-fa-fa-reezing that night! So I slipped into a skin tight long-sleeve black maxi dress and paired it with a sleeveless leather vest. I am a sucker for the motorcycle style, and Roots’ Deeva vest has the most amazing cut, made from incredibly supple  Italian leather. Style and warmth, I love it."

 

Wearing Roots Original Sweatpant, $64
 

 

Singer, songwriter and musician, Jamie Grace tweets us:

Rockin my @RootsCanada sweats. they're keepin me warm while on tour in Iowa! http://instagr.am/p/ir86Z/

 

 

 

Roots Canada + Ottawa Tourism Event

 

The Bloor Street Roots location opened their doors last week to the Ottawa Tourism team for an evening of mingling with wine, cheese and scrmptious appetizers.

 

 

The event was hosted to kick off the 'Let's Go Outside' Ottawa Tourism giveway that was launched last week. We welcomed guests from Ottawa and media from around Ontario to soak in all that Roots Canada and Ottawa Tourism had to offer, including a cheese table provided by The Savvy Company, VQA wine and Ottawa born Kichesippi beer as well as Beau's beer.

 

Keep reading after the jump.

 

5 Resolutions that never go out of "Roots Style"

We can't help but make resolutions every time we hit the New Year. However, sticking to them is not always as easy as we think it may be. 

 

Here are the top five resolutions that are not only good for you, but will never go out of style.

 

Get fit and have fun doing it!

 

 

 

As most of you can probably agree, it's nearly impossible to make it through the holidays without packing on a few pounds. Not only is there a rut associated with the holidays and post-holidays, but you're surrounded by goodies 24/7! Turkey, chocolate, mashed potatoes, oh my!

 

After the holidays, our minds tell us to get in shape and get back on that treadmill, but often, this is easier said than done. Keeping fit is not always as simple as a trip to the gym and quickly lifting of some weights, but rather it should be a state of mind. Incorporating any form of fitness in your day can leave you feeling energized and fresh. Not a gym junkie? No problem, there are plenty ways to get in shape that doesn’t involve you pumpin’ that iron. Whether it is learning a new dance or even taking a walk to the store instead of driving, the pounds will melt off with simply making daily changes to your routine!

 

 

Spend more time with the ones you love

 

 

We all know that sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day. But, if you put down that smartphone, leave your work at the office and just take a bit of extra time to spend with friends and family to talk and soak in that oh-so-good feeling, we can assure you that you will be on your way to a happier 2012, full of love and support from the people surrounding you.

 

 

 Get rid of that debt

 

 

We know it isn’t easy, but getting on the right track is half the battle! Here are some tips to kick that debt goodbye for good:

• Track your spending
• Create a budget
• Make a list of all debt that needs to be paid off and a schedule of what must be paid first
• Cut back to one credit card (we know, its difficult)
• Always spend less than your paycheque
• Cut back on frivolous shopping
• Last but most importantly, don’t beat yourself up for the debt, just concentrate on moving forward and staying positive


 

Try something new!

 

 

Now, we aren’t telling you to go skydiving (unless you’re a daredevil) but whether its trying a new food from around the world, trying a new fashion trend out of your comfort zone, or even a new career path. The object here is to just GO FOR IT. By opening yourself up to the possibilities, you may just fall in love with that new thing. Don’t let it be 2013 without taking that step. It’s a new year, so get to know that new experimental you.

 

 

Be a happier & healthier "you"

 

 

Here are some steps to take in 2012 that will get you on the right track to a healthier you!

1. Get knowledgeable! Learn as much as you can about the importance of good foods and healthier options. 75% of the time we eat what we know, and we prevent ourselves from choices that can taste just as good but make us feel energized and restored.
2. Opt for healthier options when preparing foods at home and take a look at health food stores for healthier foods and ingredients for making meals for you and your family.
3. When dining out, choose healthier options from the menu. Most restaurant menus have a healthy option menu that can keep you healthy but still feeling satisfied.
4. Moderation is key. You may eat healthy, but sticking to reasonable serving sizes can keep you from over eating and thus, keeping you on the right track. Remember, it is not always what you eat, but also how you eat.
5. Eat Breakfast! We know, we know, you hear it all the time, but since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it is extremely important to get your day started right and your metabolism up.

It's all in the details

 

 

Amy Verner, of the Globe & Mail wrote about, "après-ski style that goes beyond the slopes" in this past Saturday's edition (Jan. 7, 2012). The article focused on the many retail stores that have been heavily influenced by this type of lifestyle. Roots, being one of the stores Amy mentions, has been styling après-ski style on mannequins and in the stores' visuals this season in particular, but it's also a concept that's intrinsic to the Roots brand. Amy believes that this season, retail companies everywhere are taking notice of this "right off the slopes" styling.

 

Lodge-worthy looks are nothing new at Roots. But co-founder Michael Budman says the brand has made a more concerted effort this season to bridge the great outdoors with indoor classics.

“When you’re breathing in that fresh air and you’re out in nature, you feel like you’re on top of the world,” he says, adding that he wanted to capture that optimistic spirit with apparel that “[gives] you a warm, fuzzy feeling.”

 

Roots Celebrates The Year of the Dragon

 

It's the year of the Dragon and here at Roots, we are celebrating the Chinese New Year with exclusive special displays and products at many of our stores to help bring in the new year!

Roots is celebrating this holiday by dedicating a collection to this New Year occasion. The bags, which are made of the most durable and chic leather, come in a vibrant red colour that flatters the gold hardware and dragon design that symbolizes the culture's traditional colours and theme.

The design for the collection represents the Chinese zodiac sign; the dragon which is the symbol for 2012.

The Roots locations that will have the Chinese New Year collection available are

EATON CENTRE
BLOOR STREET
ROBSON STREET
ROOTS CENTREVILLE
YORKDALE MALL
ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE
BAYVIEW VILLAGE
BCE PLACE
SHERWAY GARDENS
MASONVILLE
METROPOLIS @ METROTOWN
QUEEN STREET
PARK ROYAL
MARKET MALL CALGARY
PICKERING TOWN CENTRE

If this limited edition bag is not in any locations in your area, then head into your local store and ask for Roots Delivers!

Have a safe and happy Chinese New Year!

New Year - New You!

 



The holiday season is officially over and while we are stuck with resolutions floating in our minds, we need to take this opportunity to start this year off right! This year, its all about YOU! Whether you’re seeking to make your goals a reality this time around for 2012 or you want to make some serious and big changes for yourself this year, the main focus is to make 2012 the year of YOU. Do what makes you happy and make this year one you will remember.

 

But before you head out there and conquer the world, check out these New Arrivals at roots.com that will have you beginning 2012 with the most fashionable, yet comfortable, foot forward.

 

WOMEN:

 

 

The Everyday Tank

 

Perfect for those "get fit" resolutions and an ideal item that will carry you throughout all of 2012.

 

The Northland Fur-Lined Hoody

 

For style and comfort in the new year.

 

 

The Trouser Fit Sweatpant

 

For that comfortable, yet stylish look at the office.

 

 

The Cable Lace Scarf

 

Dressed up or dressed down to compliment any look.



 

MEN:

 

The Cooper Leaf Tee

 

Represent the maple leaf solo or under a Roots plaid button-up.



The Big Roots French Terry Track Jacket

 

A stylish yet sporty look for any outfit in 2012.



The Roots Heritage Sweatpant

 

You may just want to spend 99% of 2012 in these, and you won't regret it.



The Tristan Sloppy Toque

 

No bad hair days for 2012!

  

 

All the best in 2012!

 

 

 

John K. Samson Debuts Solo Album, Provincial

It goes without saying that I was excited to hear that John K. Samson was putting out his debut solo album, Provincial. It's hard to put my feelings for his full-time gig, The Weakerthans into words. Yes, they are one of my very favourite bands ever. It's true that they paint both a beautiful and truthful portrait of the wonderful country I live in. And I will most certainly always love how particular memories in my past are soundtracked by their songs. But they are more than all of that combined. It's difficult to describe.

However, I was also a bit worried. As my sister said, "the guitar riffs between the lyrics are as equally important as the lyrics! What will happen when the rest of the band isn't there to fill in the spaces?" I also wasn't crazy about the album The Weakerthans did with Jim Bryson in 2010, which increased my worry.

 

The answer to my sister's question - it doesn't matter! It may be a bit quieter, a little slower paced, but it's all still there. I was reassured that it would be all I was looking for after the first four minutes of the album. It's not a Weakerthans album, but it's definitely the next best thing. The first four minutes feature fantastic melodic and catchy riffs, a list of many, of the Canadian provinces and Samson's wonderful lyrics and voice. What more could I want?

 

The album continues with lots of classic Canadian imagery, hockey references, Manitoba stories and plenty that I can only imagine comes directly from Samson's life experiences.

 

Some standout favourites are Heart of the Continent, When I Write my Master's Thesis and Longitudinal Centre.

 

Provincial is out on January 24, 2012 on Epitaph and Anti-Records. You won't want to miss this one.

 

You can stream the album at exclaim.ca.

 

And take a look at his tour dates here.

Demetri Martin Visits Roots Robson Store!

Demetri Martin and friend, Levi MacDougall visit the Roots Robson store in Vancouver.

 

The comedians look comfy and stylish, joking around and flexing some muscles while being photographed wearing the Men's York Down Filled Jacket & Alberta Soft Shell Jacket

 

The jackets are available in select stores!