We took an scent census around the office and came up with six lovely pairs of perfumes for him and her. Herewith, our staff picks.

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor, English edition
Couples who spray together, stay together. When we’re not stealing spritzs of our man’s woody Grey Vetivert by Tom Ford ($100), he’s dipping into our bottle of Private Blend Italian Cypress (from $210). Both at Holt Renfrew.

Tara Parker Tait, Publisher
Opposites attract with Parisian cult favourite Annick Goutal's Petite  Chérie (finally, she divulges her secret scent!) for her ($110 at the Bay) and the luxe Hermès Poivre Samarcande ($250 at Hermès) for him.

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
For a date night, spritz  Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb ($120 at Holt Renfrew), a bouquet of sweet, fruity florals. If the boy shows up smelling of John Varvatos’ Artisan ($70 at Sephora), this relationship may have serious potentional.

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
French girl meets American boy: YSL’s Parisienne ($65) is a match with the masculine John Varvatos Classic ($78). Both at Sephora.

Tonya Albulet, Western Sales Manager
Lalique's Amethyst ($110), with top notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, comes in a bold purple bottle worthy of your nightstand. If your BF wears Lacoste Pour Homme Grey ($75), it's meant to be. Both at Holt Renfrew.

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition
A spritz for you, a dab for him. A summery scent that is fresh and classic, Vétiver by Guerlain is made for a man, but also smells lovely on a lady. $95 at Holt Renfrew.

Toronto has tortillerias, tratorias, tavernas and tapas. And now, an authentic izakaya finally joins the mix.

Izakayas are Japanese watering holes where the after-work crowd goes to nibble on small bites and knock-back sake before heading home to dinner. Guu Izakaya is the first Toronto outpost of the popular Vancouver-based group of restaurants.

It’s loud and lively and bursting with character. Cozy up at one of the four communal tables and dig into kakimayo (giant oysters with garlic mayo, spinach and cheese, $6.80), gindara (miso-flavoured cod, $9.50), and okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes, $6.50). Wash it all down with a mug of Sapporo.

Lineups are snaking out the door, so we suggest bringing a bag of turtle shell senbei for the wait.

Guu Izakaya, 398 Church St, Toronto, 416-977-0999, www.guu-izakaya.com

So you’re not quite as swift with the Singer as your mom once was.

Thank goodness there’s another mother who’ll whip up a gorgeous handmade dress for your budding fashionista. With au courant details like 1920s drop waists and Liberty of London fabrics, the modern frocks by Vancouver line Mette will have her standing apart from the crowd.

And not because she’s wearing a bright orange polyester shift—that was you at age 4.

Dresses from $40, www.mette.ca

Last week UK supermarket chain Tesco banned “nightwear” in their stores in response to mothers doing their shopping in pajamas after dropping off the kids at school.

Clearly they weren’t wearing Bamjamz. The new Canadian line of women's snooze-wear is chic enough to pass most dress codes. Made from an ultra-soft bamboo blend, the jammies are as comfortable as your ten-year old flannels, just better looking.

Now, if Julian Schnabel walked into Tesco would a manager turn him away?

At Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-922-2333, www.holtrenfrew.com

Who doesn’t love snooping around other people’s homes – especially ones filled with bold lighting, artwork and unusual curiosities.

At Alex Jowett’s place you can snoop all you like, and if you fancy something, hey, why not buy it? Most of the contents is for sale at Atelier 668, and unlike a typical design store, buyers get to experience the pieces within a real home environment.

Several pieces at this studio-gallery-store are up-cycled, such as the vintage kayak chandelier and birdcage lanterns. There’s a 12-foot maple dining table by Brad Denton (the designer behind The Harbord Room, Le Petit Castor and Czehoski), a Brothers Dressler bench, spiral nest chandeliers by Zak Ridgely and work by OCAD photographer Darren Rigo.

There are a few things Jowett (a photographer, writer, surfer) won’t part with, like his vintage cameras, and a Michael Greenwood Walnut table. “I think I’d like to buy that for myself,” he says.

Atelier 688, 688 Richmond St. W, #201, Toronto, 416-671-2537, http://atelier688.tumblr.com

Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment.