(a.k.a. There’s something about Mary)

I’m finding that as I get older (read: wiser) I care more and more about what I’m putting into my body (we’ll continue to ignore the occasional box of Kraft Dinner), and what I’m putting on my body.

No, I’m not talking about clothes, but skincare. I’ve decided to try and use “good for me” products and with that I find myself in the Whole Body department at Capers (Kitsilano) quite often.

There’s a whole array of great stuff in there – and reasonably priced too. I can’t afford cheese made from the milk of organically raised cows who have been doing yoga (downward cow? warrior cow?), but I can afford body lotion made without chemicals and additives.

The other day I discovered another reason to shop there…Mary. She’s a buyer in the Whole Body department and she is fantastic. I’ve never had such honest advice from someone whose job it was to sell me something.

When I asked her about a particular product, she let me know that it wasn’t so hot – “they’re working on their formula…it’s not great”– and that there were other much better ones out there.“I’m not going to sell you crap” is what she told me. How’s that for unapologetically honest?

Mary is super knowledgeable about every aspect of the department, from vitamins and supplements to skincare. I overheard her discussing homeopathic remedies with another customer, and boy oh boy, does she know her stuff.

She also has a good sense of humour and is totally approachable. She even gave me a free sample of some fancy cream made with stuff from bees (my cuticles seem to be improving nicely, thanks Mary).

Do something good for yourself and go see Mary. She’ll tell it to you like it is – and she won’t sell you any crap.