Why Local Matters: Small Shops, Big Impact

Why Shopping Local Matters More Than Ever

In a world that often feels like it’s spinning too fast—with rising costs, shifting economies, and the quiet weight of emotional and mental strain pressing on our neighbours—shopping local isn’t just a feel-good slogan. It’s a powerful act of community care.

Here in Canada, we are incredibly lucky to have a rich landscape of talented makers, artists, and small business owners who pour their hearts into creating thoughtful, beautiful, and lasting products. These aren’t mass-produced, trend-chasing items. They’re carefully crafted, soul-infused goods—pieces of someone’s passion, their late nights, their “what if I tried this” moments.

One of those makers is Leanne, the incredibly talented creator behind Isla Rae Jewelry, handcrafted in Vibank, Saskatchewan. Her pieces are not only stunning—they carry weight in the best possible way. Leanne is a wife, a mother, and a survivor. Through her work, she shares beauty while also giving back: donating both her time and a portion of her sales to mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Her jewelry tells stories of resilience and hope, and we are honoured to share her creations with our customers.

Supporting makers like Leanne means more than just admiring the craftsmanship—it means supporting the values behind the work. It means investing in someone’s dream, someone’s healing, someone’s purpose. This is the power of shopping local: every purchase becomes personal.

At Wren, we love sharing the stories behind the products we carry—because when you shop small, you're not just picking something off a shelf. You're connecting to the hands, the hearts, and the purpose behind each item.

Another Canadian brand that holds a special place in our shop (and our hearts) is Barefoot Venus, from beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia. If you follow Jillian Harris, chances are you've already been introduced to this magical brand. But if not—allow us the pleasure.

Barefoot Venus is one of the brands that helped inspire and shape what Wren would become. Their iconic mustard bath is a cold-season (and self-care) essential. Made with a powerful blend of wintergreen, eucalyptus, and spearmint, it acts as a natural decongestant, pulling toxins from the body and soothing sore muscles with magnesium. It’s a reset button in a jar—and a staple for so many of our customers.

This is the kind of quality and care we look for when curating our shop. These are the brands that form the soul of Wren—Canadian companies led by passionate women, men and families who truly believe in what they do.

By shopping local, you help ensure these stories continue. You give power to good people doing good work. You bring comfort, beauty, and wellness into your home while helping your neighbours build something sustainable, even in uncertain times.

We’re proud to stock a thoughtfully curated collection of Canadian brands that prioritize quality, sustainability, and wellness, some such brands include:

• Bath Poetry – Elegant, poetic bath and body rituals crafted in Lumsden Saskatchewan

• Soy Harvest Candles – Clean-burning soy candles that fill your space with warmth and calm.

• Bathorium – Canadian-made bath soaks and elixirs that turn your tub into a spa.

• SOJA & Co. – Plant-based, earth-friendly self-care made with intention in Montréal.

• Rug & Weave – Textiles and decor that bring grounded beauty and natural warmth to your home.

• SOCCO Designs – Ethically made home goods blending Canadian design with Moroccan craftsmanship.

• Blume – Superfood lattes and wellness blends that support your body and mind, caffeine-free or boosted.

• Bloom Boost – Nutrition made easy with this Saskatoon-made power blend source of fibre, iron and omega 3s.

• Lake & Oak – Wellness teas and adaptogenic blends that soothe, energize, and restore.

• Three Ships – Skincare that’s clean, affordable, and transparently Canadian.

• Roma & Lou – Jump on the Tallow trend and treat your skin to a locally-made luxury skincare product.

• Ruby Reid – Fine fragrance rooted in a minimalist prairie aesthetic.

• Epic Blends – Everyday bath and body staples, reimagined with nourishing natural ingredients.

• See You Sundae – Fun, effective sunless tanner that makes everyday indulgence easy and joyful.

• TANIT – Sustainable SPF face + body care with packaging that’s kind to the planet.

These brands represent everything Wren stands for: care, creativity, integrity, and a deep love for home and self.

When you choose to shop local, you’re not just supporting a store—you’re helping someone keep creating. You’re giving life to ideas and businesses built around wellness, design, and sustainability. You’re ensuring that your dollars go back into your own community, where they matter most.

Our shop—tucked just off Broadway in Saskatoon—is more than just a retail space. It’s a lovingly curated collection of Canadian magic. It’s your brick-and-mortar subscription box of favourites, discoveries, and meaningful little luxuries.

So whether you're shopping for a gift, replenishing your self-care essentials, or simply wandering in to find something beautiful, come discover Wren.
Gifting made effortless. Self-care made thoughtfully. Home elevated—one Canadian-made treasure at a time.

Bee-ware, Why Beeswax Could Be Making Your Lips Worse

The Truth About Beeswax in Lip Balm — And Better Alternatives You’ll Love

At Wren, we’re all about intentional beauty — that means choosing products that care for your body and align with your values. One ingredient we’re asked about often is beeswax. While it’s widely used in lip balms and other natural beauty products, beeswax isn’t always the safe, gentle choice it’s made out to be.

In fact, it might be doing your lips (and the planet) more harm than good.

What’s the Problem With Beeswax?

Beeswax is often included in lip balms as a thickening agent and protective barrier. But here’s what many people don’t realize:

1. It Can Be Drying

Beeswax creates a layer on the surface of your lips, but it doesn’t actually hydrate. Without humectants or deeply moisturizing ingredients, that waxy barrier can trap dryness underneath — leading to a frustrating cycle of reapplying balm, but never truly healing your lips. This is why sometimes you use a drugstore brand lip balm and 20 minutes later your lips feel worse than before you used it.

2. It’s Not Always Clean or Ethical

Unless certified organic and sustainably sourced, beeswax may carry traces of pesticides or pollutants. Commercial beekeeping practices can also disrupt natural hive behavior and endanger already-threatened pollinator populations. For those committed to clean beauty and ethical sourcing, this is a red flag.

3. It’s Not Vegan-Friendly

For many, using animal by-products (even from insects) doesn’t align with their values. Choosing plant-based lip care is a small but powerful way to support more sustainable beauty.

4. It Can Clog Pores and Irritate Skin

Because it’s comedogenic, beeswax can clog pores, especially around the lip area. For sensitive or acne-prone skin, this can trigger irritation or breakouts.

So, What’s Better? Rich Plant-Based Butters.

We’ve done the homework — and we only carry lip care we trust. At Wren, you’ll find balms that are free of beeswax and full of nourishing botanicals your lips will love.

Cue Barefoot Venus Lip Bliss!

A silky, ultra-moisturizing balm made with mango butter — a rich, emollient ingredient that melts into lips and helps soften, soothe, and deeply hydrate. Bonus? These balms smell divine and feel weightless, not waxy and they come in four scent options: Coconut Kiss, The Vanilla Effect, Maple Blondie or Spearmint.

Clean, Conscious, and Truly Nourishing

When it comes to your lips, you deserve more than a quick fix. You deserve nourishment that’s natural, ethical, and actually works. That’s why at Wren, we say no to beeswax — and yes to better.

Come by the shop or explore online to discover the difference a truly clean lip balm can make. We promise your lips will thank you!

Neutral Ground: The Final Touches To Refresh Your Home After A Deep Clean

How to Refresh Your Home for Summer Using Neutrals (and Elbow Grease)

Ah, summer. The season of spicy margaritas, patio hangs, and windows open while the sprinklers run over fresh cut grass. But before we can sink into the sweetness of the season, there’s something we need to talk about:

The Great Seasonal Reset.

You know the one. Where you suddenly find yourself hunched over the shower tile, scrubbing a mystery substance that may or may not have been toothpaste... from last fall. Where your stovetop’s fine lines hold more secrets than your face, and the winter boot water stains on your floor could probably be carbon-dated.

But here’s the good news: once the deep clean is done, it’s time for the fun kind of refreshing — the kind that involves cozy neutral throw blankets, flickering candles, and decorative cushions that exist purely for aesthetics and emotional support.

Let’s dive in.

1. Candles Aren’t Just for Winter

Some people swap out Christmas candles for citronella and call it a day — but not us. Summer calls for fresh, clean scents like citrus, woods and soft florals. Our candles don’t just smell like heaven, they look good and are a part of the decor in my home. I put those little jars of heaven EVERYWHERE. Light one while you’re scrubbing the baseboards and suddenly you’re the main character in a minimalist French film LOL. Bring the crisp, fresh scents of the lake/forests inside (not right now if you live in Saskatchewan…or Manitoba—but we have a fireside candle if you haven’t gotten enough of that deep smokiness yet). Think the dreamy hush beneath the canopy of green, where sunlight filters through leaves like soft lace. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, clean and grounding, like a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

Light one of our more grounding Boreal-themed flickering lights to escape to the tranquilty of the forest while you’re still in the city. We recommend:

Forest by RURAL candles

A Walk In The Woods from Flicker Candle Company or

Foret de Coniferes from Feu & Co. Candles.

Not a candle fan? We’ve got you:

Soja & Co. Reed Diffusers are a beautiful and practical way to infuse your home with long-lasting, natural fragrance—without a flame or fuss. Hand-poured in Montreal, these diffusers reflect the brand’s commitment to clean, conscious living. Each diffuser is thoughtfully blended with high-quality, non-toxic fragrance oils and comes in a minimalist glass vessel that complements any room's aesthetic. The natural rattan reeds gradually absorb the oil and release scent into the air, creating a gentle, consistent aroma that lingers for weeks.

Benefits of a Flameless Home Fragrance:

• Safe & Worry-Free: Perfect for homes with pets, kids, or busy schedules—no open flame means no fire risk.

• Low Maintenance: No lighting, trimming, or monitoring. Just flip the reeds occasionally to refresh the scent.

• Long-Lasting Aroma: Reed diffusers typically last several months, offering a subtle but continuous fragrance without needing to be "turned on."

• Stylish & Space-Saving: Their elegant, compact design looks beautiful on counters, bookshelves, or in small spaces like bathrooms or entryways.

• Cleaner Air: Unlike some candles or plug-ins, Soja & Co. diffusers are free from phthalates, parabens, and synthetic dyes—offering a safer scent experience.

From calming lavender blends to invigorating citrus and woods, Soja & Co.’s reed diffusers are a simple, stylish way to bring a steady sense of comfort and calm to your space.

2. Throw Blankets & Cushions: The Real MVPs

After a marathon cleaning session, you’ll want to collapse somewhere beautiful. Enter: soft, neutral throws and textured cushions in linen, cotton, and other airy fabrics. Think sandy oat, warm ivory, and the kind of muted tones that say, “I’ve got my life together,” even if your junk drawer is a crime scene. It’s that glorious moment when you've spent the entire day battling weeds, trimming shrubs, and picking up pinecones — and you finally stumble inside, smelling vaguely of grass, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher please!) and happily disheveled, with the scent of fresh air and hard work still lingering..

You peel off your dirt-streaked clothes like a warrior shedding armour, shuffle to the bathroom, and slide into a warm bath like you’re sinking into a potion of redemption. Muscles…time to exhale. Your back audibly thanks you. (We recommend the Northern Sage Recovery soak from Bathorium).

Then comes the best part: slipping into your comfiest house clothes (you know the ones — soft, oversized, slightly questionable in public), wrapping yourself in a buttery soft throw like our oversized, hand-loomed Turkish cotton throw from Sultana Luxury Linens. Soft, breathable, and effortlessly cozy. The perfect blend of luxury and laid-back living., and collapse onto the couch like a garden-soiled god/goddess.

You’ve earned this level of cozy — one weed at a time.

3. Faux Foliage, Real Vibes

Let’s be honest: your houseplants didn't survive winter. (RIP, Fernie.) But all is not lost. Faux stems — like eucalyptus or olive branches — can bring the outdoors in without any of the work! Love that! Pop them in a matte ceramic pot or a beautiful clear vase (tip: add a little water for extra real effect) and voila! Space refreshed. At Wren, we have a beautiful selection of faux/preserved botanicals. Florals, thistles, greenery, even olive trees to bring the beauty of nature indoors with zero responsibility after you’ve set them up. These aren’t your Grandmother’s fake plants, these are carefully crafted with innovative materials to look and feel real. They are actually called “real touch” faux plants. They look, feel and move like real plants! No silk dusty nonsense here!

4. Set the Table Like You Might Have Guests

Even if your summer guest list includes just you, a book, and a very full glass of rosé, you deserve beautiful new dinnerware and stemware. Opt for neutral glazes and organic shapes — pieces that look like you picked them up in a little seaside town, not on sale during a Target run in January or better yet, support local and come check out Wren’s selection of antique white dinnerware sets. They are minimalist, classy and impresive plus they are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe (up to 200 degrees). AND they are on sale!!! 45% off right now. Come get em! Wren also offers fluted stemware at reasonable prices. These glasses elevate to a new level of refinement and effortless sophistication without costing and arm and a leg!

5. Rugs That Cover a Multitude of Sins

Summer is for bare feet and soft rugs — especially ones that strategically hide the ghosts of seasons past (aka salt stains and rogue ketchup blobs). Swap heavy textiles for light natural-fibre throw rugs in calming neutrals that look great underfoot and even better in photos. Wren has some bohemian and coastal vibe options to give your tootsies a little extra comfort (and hide sand/pool water and the dirt that followed you in after weeding).

Final Thought: Summer Starts in the Grout Lines

Yes, it’s about fresh cushions and breezy palettes — but it’s also about shower scum that’s been haunting you since November. So scrub, rinse, toss, and refresh. Then reward yourself with a candlelit moment of peace, your favourite drink in a new glass, and a house that finally feels ready for long days and open windows.

Need summer staples that look good and smell even better?

Come browse the newest from Wren at wreninspiredlife.com or visit us in store— no grout brush required.

Three Ships Beauty: The Skincare line That Finally Delivered

My Honest Review of Three Ships Beauty and why I absolutely LOVE it:

I’ve spent most of my life at war with my skin.

Acne didn’t disappear after high school like everyone said it would. It followed me into adulthood, through motherhood, through every hormonal shift and stressful season. I’ve battled red, sore bumps, stubborn blackheads, and skin so dry and tight it cracked when I smiled. And through it all, I’ve thrown money at every promising “miracle” brand out there—hooked by polished ads, glowing before-and-afters, and influencer promises that never delivered.

As a middle-aged woman I’ve also entered the joyous roller coaster of skin instability. Sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s oily. It’s getting thinner, losing collegen and becomming dull. As a result, I can tell you with almost 100% certainty—I’ve tried everything. Every influencer recommendation, every before-and-after photo that promised to erase the red bumps, blackheads, and scars that made me want to hide behind a full face of makeup. And guess what? None of it worked. Not for me. My skin didn’t magically transform like the photos. It stayed angry, irritated, and worse—I stayed disappointed and discouraged.

When I opened Wren, I furthered my search for a complete line that was made in Canada, natural, gentle and effective. This is where I discovered Three Ships Beauty.

This isn’t a gimmick. It’s not another trendy brand trying to cash in on your insecurities. Three Ships is Canadian-made, women-founded, and built with integrity. Clean, natural ingredients. Eco-conscious products in really cute minimalist packaging (check, check, CHECK!). A mission that puts people, the planet, and real results first. And as someone who curates every product at Wren with obsessive care, their values instantly resonated with me.

But let me be clear: Three Ships didn’t just align with my values—it changed my skin, it works!.

It. Actually. Works.

I started with the Fresh Start Resurfacing Treatment, and no exaggeration—it erased the blackheads on my nose. When I run out? They creep back. It’s that effective. Then I added the Boost Rosehip Oil Serum, and suddenly my skin didn’t just look hydrated—it was hydrated. Dewy, glowy, soft. I don’t even need a moisturizer half the time (but when I do, Three Ships has those too—in sleek little pump jars that don’t require me to dig into a jar leaving a mess under my nails, bless!)

For the first time in my life, I’m not hiding under layers of concealer and foundation. I wear makeup when I want to, just for fun—not because I feel like I have to. My face doesn’t hurt anymore. I don’t cringe when I catch my reflection. I feel confident in my own skin.

That’s something I never thought I’d say.

Everything in the Three Ships line is thoughtfully made—minimal, clean scents, clever packaging that keeps your fingers out of the jar, and formulations that leave your skin feeling soft, balanced, and calm.

Yes, we sell Three Ships at Wren. But we aren’t trying to sell you something, we are trying to share something with you. We carry Three Ships because we believe in it. Because I’ve lived the skin struggle, and I know the pain of putting your trust in brand after brand that breaks your heart. At Wren, we only share what we use, what we love, and what actually works.

So if you’re tired of filters, of hiding, of wondering if skincare will ever truly work for you—let us help you try something different.

Because you deserve to feel good in your skin.

Filters hide—this brand heals. Three Ships gave me the confidence to show up in my real skin. Confidence that doesn’t wash off at night? Yaaaaas please and THANK YOU Three Ships!