Quaintrelle Weekender

My favourite things at the Dollarama

Welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender.

This is a short list of things I am currently loving to make eating, drinking, and hosting easier and a lot more interesting.

I’m a list-maker. The old-fashioned kind with a pen and notebook. I have a notebook beside my computer in my office for perfunctory writing; and one beside my bed, for deeper thoughts and reflections. I also have a sort of third-wave floater that can migrate around my house and be toted in my bag should I need.

I tried for a while to use swanky apps… years ago I downloaded Evergreen (is that still a thing? Ed’s note: apparently it is not. It now seems to be an app for couples looking to reconnect.) I found the app so confounding, it was ultimately way simpler and faster just to write, sometimes boldly in cursive, of all things, to jot down my thoughts. (With the current season of my life I have learned to carpe diem. If I don’t write it down right now, my thoughts will be forever lost to the cosmos …)

I realize pen and paper lists are hopelessly old school. But, I think I was born old school? I’ve always loved old movies, classic novels, proper, live theatre (in the days when it was prohibited to bring in snacks), and a good cocktail before dinner time.

An utterly embarrassing BTS pic of my messy desk.

Maybe this is why I ventured into journalism for my first career. I was besotted with the ideas of Mordecai Richler writing gruff essays for Saturday Night Magazine, and Dorothy Parker drinking hard and marrying often, capturing it all in irresistibly biting stories and poems. And the fact that they could make a really great living doing those things? Well, I am beyond heart broken those days are gone.

Now, you may think that because I am a devotee to the quill and quire, I go for the top shelf stationery. Alas, the Mount Blanc and Smythson have yet to darken my desk. Instead, I’m a Sharpie ball point and spiral bound notebook girl – both found at the Dollarama.

I thought for this edition of the Weekender, it would be fun to take you behind the scenes, to my favourite dollar store finds.

My Sword

Sharpie “S-Gel” Pen, Comfort Grip in Medium Point $4.50 for 2

I’m not a hoarder. I’m so much not a hoarder that I occasionally go on Marie Kondo blitzkriegs getting rid of everything I haven’t touched in the past 12 months. Sometimes that frenzy works against me. However, when I see these pens at the Dollarama, I stock up, which is non-sensical because they’re always in stock and if they were to ever be discontinued, I’m sure they could be easily found elsewhere (like the 48 links that popped up in Google.) Anyway, the clicker kind in black ink is my jam.

My Shield

Studio spiral bound, hard cover notebook (no link available, apologies) $4

This is my favourite notebook. Paper is excellent quality, very favourable spacing between the lines, hard cover, and a strong spiral. The Dollarama ran out of these for a while and I actually panicked. Like, “Security to Aisle 4 for a woman having a nervous breakdown,” panic. Now I buy four-five books at a time. Maybe I am a hoarder, after all.

My Fountain

Espresso Cups (no link, so sorry, apparently Dollarama isn’t focused on online shopping) $1.25 per cup

I was at my sister’s house having an espresso, admiring my little cup. White porcelain with a navy rim, they were cute and stylish. And because I like to tell people when I admire something they have or are, I told my sister so. “Dollarama!” was her one-word response. Enough said. The next day I went out and splurged $2.50 on my own set.

My Ammunition

Betty Crocker Red Spatulas $3

I’m a big fan of a rubber spatula. And these cheapies from Betty Crocker are pretty top notch. I have mini version that I adore beyond all reasonability. It no longer exists, but I always keep my eye out because should I see it again, I’ll definitely get more as back ups. And no one tell me they have them at their local Dollarama, because they don’t. They have a medium-sized mini, not a mini mini and I’m bereft. That being said the regular sized one is pretty great, too. But I only use the red rubber utensils, not the black plastic ones, because... you know.

Honourable Mention

Cue Cards (once again, no link. Just go to Dollarama. They’re in the office section.)

Ok, I might be drumming up sweaty memories for some of us of Grade 4’s speech assignment, but I must talk about cue cards. I use them all the time for quick notes that are necessary but maybe not important enough to be notebook worthy. They also make good book marks.

Not Worth the $1

I hate to harsh the vibe with negativity, but should you find yourself on a shopping spree at the Dollarama, I have found the sticky notes and tabs underwhelming. They just don’t stick. Don’t waste your hard earned dollar.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one (longer than the Dollarama post-its, at least.)

We’ll be back next week with our regular programming, but I thought this would be a fun break from the routine. Let me know if you liked it.

Thank you for reading Quaintrelle.

This newsletter is written by me, Erin Henderson, journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur. I literally drink and throw parties for a living, and every Saturday, I share some of my favourite finds for better weekends.

On Wednesdays, a post with recipes, cocktail inspiration, and wine recommendations goes out to the premium membership. If you would like to upgrade, you can click below.

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