Be Your Valentine

Hello friend,

Will you be your Valentine? Think about it. You’ve probably spent every Valentine’s Day doing things to make the day special for other people in your life. If you have children, you’ve sat patiently while they signed dozens of Valentine’s cards to hand out to their classmates. You’ve probably cooked a special dinner to mark the occasion for your loved ones. Why not make this Valentine’s Day for you?

This week in the newsletter, we feature a lingerie brand that is all about celebrating your body image through phases of change. We meet a woman who sells the gourmet chocolates her husband makes, combining French artistry and Nova Scotia ingredients. We feature the clean beauty brand that marked the start of the founder’s road to healthy living. And a health clinic run by women for women from childbirth to menopause. Last but not least, learn about the bookstore in Toronto that only sells romance novels. Talk about the perfect thing to get into the Valentine’s spirit!

Thank you for being here each week. If you like reading about women-owned brands, chances are your friends will too. I would be so grateful if you would send this issue of Genuinely Stellar to five friends today and encourage them to subscribe.

Thank you for your support!

 For the times in your life when you don’t feel yourself, there’s a lingerie brand that meets you where you are. It started with the ultimate no-clip, nursing-friendly bra and evolved to include garments that meet your needs in menopause.

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a box of chocolates. This box is infused with love: the love of chocolate making; the love between founders; and the love of Nova Scotia’s bounty of natural ingredients. Want to know how this love story ends?

You will love this simple, but nourishing beauty routine that includes just four products. They’re backed with natural ingredients that read like skin care and will give you a radiant glow.

If you do nothing else for yourself this Valentine’s Day, take a step towards bolstering your longevity. This one-of-a-kind health clinic is designed specifically for women, run by women physicians and practitioners. Their goal is to create a path to longevity by addressing your specific healthcare needs.

If you love a trashy romance novel, no need to be shy. There’s a growing community of women just like you who are proud romance lovers. Two sisters are nurturing the community with a new bookstore dedicated to their favourite genre.

Watch this space for five quick things to make your life a little richer.

Catherine O’Hara was a Canadian treasure. Her death this week came as a terrible shock. This profile on her life as an actor and more recently, a fashion icon, is a testament to a life well lived.

If the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games are your Milan Fashion Week, you’ll want to read this story about the most fashionable team uniforms making their debut at the Milano-Cortina games.

These pretty little purple cheesecake bars are the perfect Valentine’s indulgence. The key ingredient that gives them the violet hue may surprise you.

Are you in a workout rut? Shake up your fitness routine with the top fitness and wellness trends for 2026.

If your home is full of grey tones you may want to skip this story. According to tastemakers in home design and decor, brown is the new black in 2026.

Last week we introduced you to Toronto Interior Designer Jaime Zimmerman and she shared some of her favourite woman-owned brands. Get her recos here.

In the coming weeks, we will feature some women shop owners who are shaking up retail with beautifully curated assortments, inviting spaces, and innovative retail concepts. Stay tuned!