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How to Next Level Your Christmas Stockings

Are you stockings starting to look a little shabby? No, we’re not talking about the ones on your feet – we’re talking about your family’s Christmas stockings! For lots of families, hanging stockings over the fireplace is a long-standing holiday tradition. But sometimes those traditions need a little sprucing up. If your stockings are looking a little worse for wear after years of use, we can help you upgrade to some truly next level stockings…completely personalized for every member of your family!

Customized Stockings

Our Photolab offers customizable Christmas stockings in a variety of styles. If each member of your family gets a stocking, give them the opportunity to make it their own. Let them choose a photo for their stocking, and they can even add their name or nickname to it. Don’t leave out the family pet either – we can help you make one for them too! You also have the option to have the photo featured on just one side, or on both sides of the stocking. Of course, all of our stockings will come with a small loop so they’re ready to hang!

Customized Stocking Stuffers

While you’re at it, you can take your stocking stuffers to the next level too! It’s always great to have some stocking stuffer fillers in there like candy canes and chocolates, but stockings are also a great place to include some more thoughtful, small gifts as well. We have lots of items you can customize, that will fit perfectly into your family’s Christmas stockings.

Two of our LDExperts’ top picks for personalized stockings stuffers are photo keychains and ornaments. Both are small enough to fit perfectly in your stockings, and are a nice, thoughtful gift they can cherish beyond this holiday season.

Keychains can be customized with your choice of photo, and come in a variety of styles, from a metal heart to a metal square with leatherette backing. We can also include a name or personal message on the photo for added customization. The same can be done with our ornaments.

The ornaments are available in 20 different styles: on metal, pewter, crystal or ceramic. Our metal ornaments can be printed on the font and back, and all of our ornaments come with a pre-drilled hole so you can easily hang from your tree with a small ribbon. We think the personalized ornaments are a great gift to make a yearly tradition! Each Christmas, simply pick a photo that best represents that person’s year – and add the year in text to the ornament so they’ll always remember when that memory was from. It’s a sweet custom that will be so special to look back on, as you collect new ornaments over the years.

Ready to take your Christmas stockings to the next level? Visit our London Drugs Photolab online, in-store or simply download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android to get started!

November Book of the Month: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

If you love to read you’ve likely read books of every genre, and you’ll know that certain books leave a mark on you for various reasons. Some are disturbing, some make you think about the bigger life issues, and some are just so heartwarming that they make you smile every time you think about them. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is one of those books that falls firmly into the heartwarming camp.

On the surface it’s a simple story about Satoru Miyawaki, who is taking his beloved cat Nana on a journey through Japan to visit old friends in search of a new home for his pet. It’s not immediately clear why he has to find a new home for a cat he clearly adores, but as the story gently unfolds, we learn more about Satoru and what brought him to his cross-country journey with Nana.

Satoru adopted Nana from the streets and, despite Nana’s initial resistance to domestication, they become inseparable. Nana is so named because of the kink in his tail that resembles the number seven, and “nana” is also the Japanese word for “seven.” The story is partially told in Nana’s voice and, in fact, many of the more revealing moments about Satoru are told by the astute feline with whom he shares his life.

As Satoru and Nana set off in Satoru’s silver van, always with Nana riding up front so he can admire the changing scenery, the story of Satoru’s often heartbreaking past is slowly revealed. Satoru visits friends he has not seen in a long time, starting with Kosuke from elementary school, then Yoshimine and Sugi and Chikako from high school. As Satoru reunites with his old friends, they reminisce about the past and their shared experiences. Eventually, Satoru and Nana land at the home of his aunt Noriko, who took Satoru in as a child after a tragic era in his life. Through it all, Nana remains a keen observer who is slowly realizing the purpose of the cross-country journey.

If you are an animal lover, this book will certainly appeal to you, but at its heart it’s also a book about love, jealousy, and the relationships we form throughout our lives. The friendship between Satoru and Nana is so endearing and so pure it will restore your faith in humanity. Be warned though, this book will absolutely make you ugly cry. Reading it on your morning transit commute or in any public place is not advised! Reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles is like cuddling up with your favourite pet. It will warm your heart and remind you of all that is good in the world.

Book of the Month

Every month we will be featuring a book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of November.

What is Singles Day and Where Did it Come From?

In Canada, November 11 is Remembrance Day, a day devoted to honouring the memory of those who have served in our nation’s defence. But in China, November 11 is known as the largest online shopping event in the world: Singles Day.

In respect for the sanctity of Remembrance Day, we at London Drugs have chosen to celebrate Pre-Singles Day on November 10, and to explore a little of the new tradition’s background with you.

Where Did Singles Day Come From?

There are several origin stories as to how Singles Day came to be. The most common story attributes its origins to a group of students at Nanjing University in China during the early ’90s. They decided to celebrate being single instead of lamenting it, and chose November 11 as Singles Day simply because “11/11” looks like four single figures. The day launched with a few parties and celebrations that spread throughout the campus, and eventually other universities around the country got involved.

Singles Day truly gained traction in 2009 when the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba commandeered the festivities and set into motion an explosion of purchasing frenzy by a burgeoning consumer class that grew up in the digital age. Alibaba is China’s biggest online commerce company.

Singles Day Celebrity Celebrations

Last year, Nicole Kidman, Pharrell Williams, and Maria Sharapova participated in Singles Day festivities in Shanghai, while David and Victoria Beckham, Daniel Craig, and Kobe Bryant were guest performers in previous celebrations.

Within about ten years, Singles Day, or Double Eleven, as it’s also known, has reshaped the consumer landscape in China and throughout Asia. Drones, bicycles, and cars deliver merchandise throughout the country, often to people in small villages.

Singles Day in North America

In North America, shoppers have caught on to the Singles Day craze, but around here, as mentioned earlier, we celebrate Pre-Singles Day in respect for the sanctity of Remembrance Day on November 11.

The great part: whether or not you’re single, you can now show yourself some love and treat yourself to a great deal this weekend in the days leading up to Singles Day!

Shop amazing Pre-Singles Day deals on beauty and home items and see why Singles Day has become the largest shopping day in the world!

What You Need to Know About Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Sweet, sweet slumber. A good night’s sleep always recharges the mind and body. Unless you snore or have sleep apnea.

Statistics Canada reported that in 2016 and 2017, 6.4 per cent of Canadians (approximately 2.3 million) had been diagnosed by a health care professional with sleep apnea – more than double what was reported in 2009.

While snoring and sleep apnea are not the same thing, they can be related. Most people who have sleep apnea will snore, and snore heavily. However, if you snore – and that’s your only symptom – you don’t necessarily have sleep apnea. Consult with a physician if you’re worried about either condition.

Why Snoring Can be Debilitating

Snoring is actually common and can happen occasionally or regularly. Snoring is caused by the vibrations made when air passing through your mouth and nose is partially blocked. In many ways, it’s like a poorly tuned wind instrument – loud and blustery.

While snoring alone isn’t considered to be of immediate concern, the effects of snoring can be debilitating. Even having just one restless night’s sleep can lead to extreme fatigue – at work, on the road – while ongoing snoring can affect heart health, weight maintenance, oral health and, of course, energy levels. Factor in sleep partners, and the number of affected people doubles.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

There are actually several different classifications of sleep apnea, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common. All forms of sleep apnea affect breathing while you sleep, to the point where you will actually stop breathing intermittently or breathe extremely shallowly. These episodes can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and can occur up to 30 times per hour.

In addition to snoring, other symptoms of sleep apnea include waking up during the night gasping for air, waking up with a dry mouth, morning headaches, inability to focus, insomnia and, of course, extreme daytime sleepiness.

How to Treat Snoring and Sleep Apnea

While you should always consult with a physician if you’re concerned about any of these issues, there are several at-home treatments you can try to help mitigate the symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea.

Maintain a healthy weight range. Excessive weight can lead to more mass in the throat, physically obstructing the airway.
Manage alcohol consumption. Alcohol can cause the throat muscles to relax too much, causing them to become slack and block airflow. Avoid drinking alcohol three to four hours before bedtime.
Avoid sleep aids. This might seem counter-intuitive, especially if your symptoms include insomnia, but like alcohol, over-the-counter sleep aids (or any product with a sedative effect) can result in throat muscles losing their tension, which is necessary for keeping airways open and clear.
Try nasal strips. If you’re a light snorer and if your snoring is caused by blocked nasal passages or a deviated septum, nasal strips could be extremely effective at keeping your nasal passages open wider.
Go see your dentist. Remember that the tongue and jaw are part of your mouth, which is what your dentist specializes in. Dentists can sometimes provide relief for snoring and sleep apnea with a variety of appliances such as mouth guards. Or you can pick one up yourself in store or online.
Prop yourself up. Try using a pillow to keep yourself on your side while sleeping, which can help keep airways clear.
Clear the airways. If you feel your nose is constantly stuffy and you’re always sniffling even when you’re not sick, it’s possible your nasal airways are congested. Give them a clean with a natural nasal irrigation wash, such as a Neti Pot.

Shop our selection of sleep products to help you get a good night’s rest. If you are looking for some more self-care support, you can also talk to an LD Pharmacist.

9 Home Safety and Security Tips for Fall and Winter

As the days get darker and we start to think about hunkering down for winter, it’s a great time to ensure your home is secure. We’ve got a cornucopia of safety and security tips to help you stay safe and sound as we get ready to fall back.

Outdoor Security

Shorter days mean darker nights, and more opportunity for potential break-ins. If you want to increase security around your property, light it up. Motion-activated lighting is the easiest way to keep things secure and conserve energy (and avoid annoying your neighbours with bright lights shining all night).

Install motion-detector lighting in the darkest spots of your yard, and near possible entrances to your house. For the budget-conscious, we suggest the Elgato Eve Wireless Motion Sensor light, which is easy to set up and is powered by long-lasting, replaceable batteries. If you’re looking for an advanced, high-tech option, the Arlo Wireless Smart Security Light is fully customizable and programmable. You can control it from anywhere in the world with your mobile device, and integrate it into the full Arlo home security system.

Speaking of doors and windows, these are the most vulnerable places in your home when it comes to possible intruders. A doorbell camera, like the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell can help you see who’s at your door, whether or not they ring the bell. The iHome Door and Window Sensor works with your existing Wi-Fi network, and will send an alert to your mobile device when windows or doors are opened or closed in your home.

Indoor Safety

We know keeping your family safe is a big priority, so let this be your annual reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We’ll wait. Okay, you’re back? Good. Hold on, don’t throw out those old batteries just yet – you can bring them to London Drugs for recycling!

Are your smoke detectors old enough to be in high school? Then it’s time to replace them. The Nest Protect Smoke/Carbon Alarm is more than just a smoke alarm: you’ll get alerts on your phone when there is a problem or the batteries run low, different alarm sounds for smoke, heat, or CO2, and a motion-activated night light. The best part — instead of waving around a towel and opening all the doors when you burn the popcorn, the alarm can easily be silenced from your mobile device with the touch of a button.

If you like to fly south for the winter, don’t let your home look empty. You can activate the D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug from anywhere in the world with your mobile device to turn on lights or electronics, or program it on a schedule.

Extra piece of mind when it comes to your little ones is always appreciated, and a baby monitor camera is a parent’s best friend. Keep an extra eye on your little darlings with the Netgear Arlo Baby 1080p Smart Monitoring Camera. With features like advanced night vision, high-def video, two-way audio and temperature/humidity monitoring, you can get a good night’s sleep and peace of mind knowing you’ll never miss a moment.

Shop our selection of other smart home safety and security products. For other resources that can help you keep your home and family safe, talk to a tech expert at your local London Drugs.

Expert Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Tricks

The kitchen might be the heart of every home, but it’s the bathroom that’s the true workhorse. So it’s no surprise it gets really dirty, really quickly. It’s a shame bathrooms don’t get the love (or elbow grease) they deserve considering how much we depend on them every single day.

Fact: Nobody likes cleaning a bathroom. But, a truly clean bathroom is a joy and surprisingly easy to maintain once you’ve mastered a few game-changing techniques.

Follow these tips and tricks to help make cleaning your bathroom less of a chore.

Make a Bathroom Cleaning Schedule and Checklist

A clean bathroom is easier to maintain than a dirty one, so make it a regular habit. Facing an entire bathroom and all its moving, scummy parts is daunting, so parcel out the duties so you don’t have to do everything all at once.

For example:

Every day – Wipe down outside of toilet; wipe down inside of shower/bath; wipe down counters/sink; clean drain traps.

Every Sunday – Scrub inside of toilet; empty trash can; wipe mirrors.

First Sunday of every month – Put toothbrush holder in dishwasher, put shower curtain in laundry, deep clean drains.

After a month when you’ve gone through every task on your checklist at least once, you’ll see how much faster and easier maintaining a clean bathroom can be.

Simplify Your Bathroom

De-cluttering your space will not only make your bathroom look tidier, but will also make cleaning it a lot easier.

Who wants to spend 10 minutes taking everything off the counters and another 10 wrestling with half a dozen cleaning bottles under the counter just to spend one minute wiping down the surface?

Most bathrooms are small so everything in them should have a purpose and a home. Do you really need all those individual spay cleaners when once would suffice?

An all-in-one hero product like Nellie’s One Soap can be used as a hand soap, tub/shower cleaner, dish soap, and even on your dog.

Use the Right Cleaning Tools

The flip side to de-cluttering is stocking up on the right tools to get every job done well. If your toilet brush doesn’t get all the right angles, your toilet bowl will never really be clean. And if your glass cleaner leaves streaks and promotes fogging, well, what’s the point?

If you don’t feel that your efforts produce sparkling clean results, you’ll be less motivated to continue cleaning, so you might have to experiment a little to find the right tools. You might need two toilet brushes and you might find some great anti-fogging solutions in the automotive department.

Use Age-appropriate Accessories in Your Bathroom

If you have kids, adapt your bathroom so it stands a better chance of staying clean. Kids are cute, but they’re messy, which means water and dirt are going to get everywhere. Bring in a stool so they can properly reach the sink. And instead of expecting them to use a hand towel, keep a stack of colourful washcloths folded within easy reach.

Better yet, use this as an opportunity to teach them how to use the cloth to wipe up any wet spots on the counter before tossing it into the hamper.

Reward Yourself for a Cleaning Job Well Done

They say the reward itself is in a job well done, but you might need a little extra incentive to get through your checklist. Find something meaningful to reward yourself with each month – a new book, a new coffee machine, etc. – and use that as your carrot as you clean away.

Shop our selection of cleaning supplies for other resources that may help you keep your bathroom spic and span.

Beyond Avocado Toast: 6 Healthy Toast Combos That Will Please Your Palate

Is there a more perfect food than freshly buttered toast? That warm, buttery goodness that melts in your mouth can’t be matched. Or can it? Last year avocado proved it was also a perfect toast topper, making avocado toast one of the biggest food trends of the year. Now, a bevy of other toppings are vying for top spot. Freshen up your toast routine with these palate-pleasing combinations that are both healthy and delicious.

Strawberries and Sunbutter Toast

Photo from Women’s Health

A modern take on the classic PB & J, this toast, topped with strawberries, sunbutter, and a sprinkling of sunflower seeds, is the perfect combo for today’s peanut-sensitive environments. It’s quick to whip up on busy mornings, and makes for a refreshing, healthy, and protein-packed mid-day snack too.
Get the recipe.

Cottage Cheese and Honey

Photo from Eat This Much

Simple. Classic. If you haven’t tried this timeless comfort combo, now’s the time. With just the right balance of savoury and sweet, it will leave your tastebuds singing for more. Get the recipe.

Fig and Ricotta Toast

Photo from Eating Well

In the mood for something a little more exotic on your toast? Try this Mediterranean-inspired combo with fresh figs and ricotta. Hungry yet? Get the recipe.

Tomato and Goat Cheese Toast

Photo from Cookie and Kate

Looking for ways to sneak more veggies into your diet? Look no further than this healthy tomato and goat cheese toast. With a brush of garlic and olive oil, and a quick oven bake (even quicker in a toaster oven), this toast is definitely worthy of serving at brunch or as a hearty side-dish at dinner. Get the recipe.

Poached Eggs and Rainbow Chard Toast

Photo from Brooklyn Supper

Perfect for weekend brunch, or a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this egg-and-chard toast is a light meal that’s dense in nutrients. Get the recipe.

Avocado Pomegranate Toast

Photo from Live, Eat, Learn

Okay, okay, if you’re still enamoured with avocado toast that’s cool. But why not up your avo-toast game with a layer of mozzarella and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. The antioxidant boost alone makes it worth the effort, and the seasonal colour combo makes it a solid choice for a holiday brunch. Get the recipe.

Need to up your toaster game too ? Check out our selection of toasters from brands like T-Fal, Sunbeam, KitchenAid, and more.

How to Next Level Your Christmas Stockings

Customized Stockings

Customized Stocking Stuffers

November Book of the Month: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

Book of the Month

What is Singles Day and Where Did it Come From?

Where Did Singles Day Come From?

Singles Day Celebrity Celebrations

Singles Day in North America

What You Need to Know About Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Why Snoring Can be Debilitating

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

How to Treat Snoring and Sleep Apnea

9 Home Safety and Security Tips for Fall and Winter

Outdoor Security

Indoor Safety

Expert Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Make a Bathroom Cleaning Schedule and Checklist

Simplify Your Bathroom

Use the Right Cleaning Tools

Use Age-appropriate Accessories in Your Bathroom

Reward Yourself for a Cleaning Job Well Done

Beyond Avocado Toast: 6 Healthy Toast Combos That Will Please Your Palate

Strawberries and Sunbutter Toast

Cottage Cheese and Honey

Fig and Ricotta Toast

Tomato and Goat Cheese Toast

Poached Eggs and Rainbow Chard Toast

Avocado Pomegranate Toast

Archive

Categories

Pages

Newsletter

How to Next Level Your Christmas Stockings

Customized Stockings

Customized Stocking Stuffers

November Book of the Month: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

Book of the Month

What is Singles Day and Where Did it Come From?

Where Did Singles Day Come From?

Singles Day Celebrity Celebrations

Singles Day in North America

What You Need to Know About Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Why Snoring Can be Debilitating

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

How to Treat Snoring and Sleep Apnea

9 Home Safety and Security Tips for Fall and Winter

Outdoor Security

Indoor Safety

Expert Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Make a Bathroom Cleaning Schedule and Checklist

Simplify Your Bathroom

Use the Right Cleaning Tools

Use Age-appropriate Accessories in Your Bathroom

Reward Yourself for a Cleaning Job Well Done

Beyond Avocado Toast: 6 Healthy Toast Combos That Will Please Your Palate

Strawberries and Sunbutter Toast

Cottage Cheese and Honey

Fig and Ricotta Toast

Tomato and Goat Cheese Toast

Poached Eggs and Rainbow Chard Toast

Avocado Pomegranate Toast

Archive

Categories

Pages

Newsletter

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