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- I Tried It & I Love It: Vol 2
I Tried It & I Love It: Vol 2
A Genuinely Stellar stamp of approval for these Canadian Woman-Owned Brands
Hello friend,
A few months ago, I first shared some products I have personally tried and love. Your response was so positive, I vowed to share more. Today, I bring you Volume 2 of I Tried It and I Love It!
From time to time, the brands I curate for the newsletter send me products to try. In some cases, I purchase products after speaking with a Founder, who has captivated me with her story. Here is a roundup of a few products I’ve tried and now love. They come with a Genuinely Stellar seal of approval, if you will. I hope you choose to try them as well and support the incredible women behind each brand.
Thank you to I Hate it Here (love this name, BTW) for sponsoring this week’s newsletter. I am grateful for the support. If you’re reading this on the beach (it’s March Break in many places) or at home with five minutes of “me time,” I hope you find this issue of the newsletter valuable. Let me know what you think in the poll towards the end.
Enjoy!



You know when you find something you want online, and you visit the page over and over again? This alpaca blend cardigan from One Wednesday was an obsession for weeks until I finally pulled the trigger and treated myself. I’m so glad I did! It’s perfectly oversized and cozy and chic with satin pants for a night out, and pulled together with jeans and boots for an easy daytime look. And guess what? It’s now on sale!


Coffee without the jitters? It sounds too good to be true, but Jenna Goodhand, the owner of Cafézia unlocked the key to caffeinated, (yes, this coffee has caffeine to get your motor running in the morning) great tasting coffee that doesn’t cause anxiety, heartburn or crashes. Trust me when I say, it’s also delicious. Find out the secret ingredients that make it a better for you coffee. And if you decide to buy, use code STELLAR to get $10 off your order until the end of March!


When I first connected with Jillian Mariani, not only did she captivate me with the story of how she launched Niyama, she also simplified my supplement routine with her female focussed, plant-based powder supplements that taste great and work like a charm. I have been using her Clean Plant Protein, Goddess Greens and Strong Like a Woman creatine daily for months. I highly recommend! Did I mention that Jillian is also just a great human being?


Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Now imagine you are walking in Canada’s Boreal forest. Breathe in the scents of spruce and balsam fir trees and lose yourself in the nature of the north. This is exactly what Sans Savon soapless soap smells like. That’s not a typo, BTW. I said soapless! Find out why soap without detergents is better for your skin and the planet, and pick up some handwash, body wash or a body bar today. I’ve tried it all, and it is truly divine. Sans Savon is offering a 10% discount to subscribers with code STELLAR10!


I never used to serve a signature cocktail when having guests over. Trying to pour the perfect drink seemed too daunting. That is, until I tried cold-pressed cocktail mixes from La Presserie. These four ingredient mixes are fresh and fabulous! The Paloma is my favourite. The Strawberry Daiquiri is a close second. Both happen to be on sale currently at the LCBO. Whether mixed with sparkling water for a mocktail or your favourite spirit to get the party started, they are good enough to make your guests think you made them from scratch.

Watch this space for five quick things to make your life a little richer.
Easter is coming. Learn how to make beautiful dyed easter eggs the natural way, without waste.
It’s Oscar’s weekend, and if you’re like me, you watch as much for the fashion as you do for the winning films. This look back at 75 years of Oscars fashion statements is a good primer for tonight’s show.
Show of hands: who breaks a day of healthy eating with a not-so-good-for-you snack mid-afternoon? Try one of these high-protein snacks instead to get you through until dinner.
Is it time to burp your home? People in Germany do it routinely, and this simple task can not only freshen the air in your home, but it can also make your home healthier.
Easy? Check. Tasty? Check. Impressive? Check. Definitely trying these Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Waffles for my next dinner party.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.

Did you enjoy this week's newsletter? |

Last week, I shared the stories of brands who handcraft items from scratch and others with founders who started from scratch having built careers doing something else previously. Get the Starting from Scratch issue here.

I can’t wait to share the story of a woman in Vancouver changing the shape of retail with high quality, high fashion clothing and an experiential way of selling it.

