Monocle Issue 49 is their bumper double issue - the biggest edition yet, with over 300 pages to keep you entertained and your thoughts provoked right into the New Year. They focus on the notion of soft power, with their second annual soft power survey ranking the nations that are making the most of their business and cultural blessings. They also have a special gift guide, a cultural calendar, a rundown of Monocle's 100 favourite things and this year's Travel Top 50.

Monocle is a global affairs magazine and website founded by Tyler Brûlé, a Canadian journalist and entrepreneur. Described by CBC News reporter Harry Forestell as a "meeting between Foreign Policy and Vanity Fair", the magazine provides a globalist perspective on international affairs, culture and design. Hamilton Nolan, editor for Gawker, describedMonocle Magazine as "a lifestyle magazine for young, stylish, business-oriented jetsetters".

No new SS12 debuts to speak of quite yet, but our favourite Nudie Jeans Co. Winter 2012 styles have been restocked both at Still Life For Him & For Her. The ever-expanding Swedish denim brand really broke the mould in 2011 with the introduction of an exceptional Recycled Dry Denim program and their strongest commitment to fairly traded organic cottons yet. Play the video below to get an insiders video into the denim recycling process at Nudie's Italian production centre, and keep reading for a summation of currently restocked Nudie AW11 styles.

• Tight Long John is a super tight fit with low waist and narrow leg opening. Zip fly. Restocked in Dry Stretch, an 11 oz power stretch denim from Italy. The look is dry, but the jeans have been rinsed to get maximum elasticity effect. Nudie orange threads allover and orange back pocket embo. Also restocked in Black Black an 11oz power stretch denim from Italy in pure indigo overdyed with black. The look is dry, but the jeans have been rinsed to get maximum elasticity effect. Black threads allover and black back pocket embo.
• Like the name suggests, High Kai has the highest waist in Nudie's range of fits. It is a supertight fit with narrow leg opening and zip fly. Restocked in Recycle Dry Navy Denim this 11.5 oz power stretch denim from Turkey is made with both organic and recycled cotton. It's a red cast with tight construction, smooth slightly shiny surface and obvious neps effects. Navy threads all over and navy back pocket embo. Organic trims and pocket lining. 68% organic cotton/29% recycled cotton/3% elastane.
• Tube Kelly has exactly the same top block as Tight Long John with a slightly wider leg opening. On Tight Long John it is 15.5 cm and on Tube Kelly it is 17 cm, which gives a straight tube leg silhouette. Restocked in Black Black an 11oz power stretch denim from Italy in pure indigo overdyed with black. The look is dry, but the jeans have been rinsed to get maximum elasticity effect. Black threads allover and black back pocket embo.
• Thin Finn is a tight fit with an extra low yoke and normal waist. The silhouette is similar to the 50’s carrot shape with the tight and narrow leg opening. Wear it low. Zip fly. Available in Organic Dry Ecru Embo a 10.75oz 100% organic cotton denim from Turkey. Pure indigo. Nudie orange threads allover except for the back pocket embo which is ecru. Also restocked in Dry Black Coated, the 11oz Italian comfort stretch denim. Black coating on white weft. Black threads allover and black back pocket embo.
• Grim Tim is a straight slim fit with normal waist and a straight leg. Available in Black Black Slubs, a 12.5oz comfort stretch from Turkey with black yarn in both warp and weft. The fabric has evident twill lines and subtle slubs. Black threads all over and black back pocket embo. Also available in Dry Dirt Organic, a 13.2oz ridgid denim with pure indigo from Turkey made in 100% organic cotton. Dry denim. Nudie orange threads allover and orange back pocket embo. Organic trims and pocket lining. Button fly.
• Slim Jim is one of Nudie's first fits. It is regular straight with normal waist and tube leg. The characteristic double stitches along the outer seam are considered a Nudie Jeans trademark. Zip fly. Restocked in an Organic Dry Grey Embo 11oz comfort stretch denim from Turkey made of 100% organic cotton. Pure indigo. Tonal navy threads all over except for the back pocket embo that is grey.
• Hank Rey is a new fit in the regular range. The yoke is low, legs are straight leg and waist is normal. Available in Recycle Dry 12.5oz denim from Turkey made of a recycled cotton. Red cast denim with flat surface and evident crosshatch effect. Nudie orange threads all over and orange back pocket embo.

Grandiose Lab is a collection of premium all natural products for the home. Inspired by unconventional beauty. All items are made with the highest quality ingredients and handmade in Vancouver, British Columbia.

With subtle grapefruit and green tea scents, these beautifully crafted all natural goats milk base soaps have been molded into unconventional shapes (skulls, teeth, brains & guns). We've also received all natural unbleached beeswax candles with cotton wicks that come in vintage military canteen cups with subtle naturally sweet beeswax scent.

The perfect stocking stuffer for the person on your list who either "has everything" or "hates everything". Grandiose Lab is now available at Still Life For Him.

D.S. & Durga hand craft perfume and cologne in small batches using premium-sourced ingredients. They take inspiration from antiquated herbal wisdom, native ritual medicine, americana, outdated lore, geography, history, and gastronomy. While referencing the classics, D.S. & Durga strive to make scents appropriate for modern ladies and gentlemen of discerning tastes.

The company harkens back to the pre-industrial cottage industries of north america. D.S. & Durga literally craft, bottle, box, and label everything with their four hands. The processes are time consuming and low in yield - both factors that place quality of product far above quantity - a rarity today in the world of fine fragrance. In 2007, d.s. & durga began tincturing flowers, herbs, and spices, to make aftershaves and toners as holiday gifts for their friends in Brooklyn, New York. When they realized that none of their friends shaved, they started blending oils, resins, & plant extracts. The results were handmade perfumes & colognes and their friends loved the results, so they decided to make it official. Within months they were selling to boutiques in New York & California.

D.S. & Durga maintain a strong connection to their surrounding community. They share and collaborate with local artists, designers, and craftmakers - people involved in a movement of carefully crafted artisanal products. Each scent is presented complete with its own story and labeled with a unique batch code by the four hands of D.S. & Durga, appropriate for modern people of discerning taste.

Victoria, We're trying to make it easier for you this Christmas, we really are. It's hard enough shopping for yourself sometimes so trust us we know how difficult it can be shopping for the nearest & dearest on your (ever expanding) holiday list. We're giving you a break for Christmas 2011: The Official Still Life For Him & For Her Holiday Wish List & Gift Guide! We've compiled the following Gift Guides to inspire those who are too busy to even think of where to start with gift giving; But at the same time we've drafted this while carefully considering what you want for Christmas, so this can also act as a Wish List for you (you deserve it, you've been good this year and these are some of your favourite things, right?). Print this Gift Guide/Wish List out, copy the link and flip it across to someone with some hints via Facebook or Email.

For Him. He's probably picky about what he's wearing. And maybe he doesn't like to go shopping and pick out shirts & sweaters or try on new jeans. But you could always save him some time and yourself some of the hassle and let our Still Life Men help you sort out something perfect to make your guy look as good as he should:

• Chunky Shawl Neck Sweaters: Without question the coziest and most inviting items in the store the past few months has been the chunky, shawl collared wool sweaters from some of our strongest menswear lines (Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Dunderdon & Velour). With a curled masculine neck, strong leather buttons and chunky open knit these cozy sweaters make ideal Christmas presents for the man on your holiday list.
• Nudie Jeans Co Backbone Tees: Maybe you're not looking to pick him up a brand new pair of premium denim for the big day, but how about a super soft, organic cotton basic henley tee, long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve from his favourite Swedish denim brand, Nudie Jeans. They look great paired up with his best pair of raw denim and if you're sly enough about it you can even snag one and wear it yourself - these tees are seriously soft.
• Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods: Offering a range from simple vegetan leather belts, keyfobs, wallets and cardholders to super special crepe-sole moccasins, leather backpacks, beer kozys and notebook cases, all Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods are handmade by Ken in his Vancouver studio. Any guy in need of a new belt or wallet that has a tendency to wear his goods hard should appreciate anything from Ken Diamond.
• Winter Gloves: Fred Perry & Filson are two brands the business of constructing quality apparel, accessories & sundries. From warm merino wool gloves to buttery-soft leather driving or work gloves, these two legendary menswear lines will keep his hands soft & warm.
• Brixton Toques: These classic knit toques sell out every single year and we still have guys coming in with cold heads throughout January & February. We're not trying to tell you what you have to get for your guys, but seriously, we have almost a dozen different colours of these toques, come grab two or three different ones and he'll thank you for it.
• Magazines: Every Christmas as far back as we can remember there was a magazine or two rolled up and stuffed in the stocking hanging above the fireplace. If he's more of a global culture, design & politics man you can grab him the newest edition of Monocle Magazine or you can let him know how great you think he is with this season's Fantastic Man Magazine.

For Her. No matter if She is your sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend, fiance, wife or best friend forever - our Still Life Ladies can help you narrow out your decisions with that perfect, sweet and ideal gift for the lady in your life (think of all the times she's been there for you - she's definitely worth it):

• Hansel From Basel Tights: It's not getting any warmer anytime soon. Hansel From Basel is a Los Angeles based knitwear and hosiery range that does cute and cozy tights she can wear under skirts and dresses through the holidays (or under denim if she really can't stand the temperature drop).
• Only Hearts Lingerie: A super special, secret and sexy lingerie line made in New York City. She very likely hasn't seen these bra & panty sets before since they've debuted exclusively at Still Life For Her this autumn. Wrap them up nice and give them to her with a kiss and you'll surely get a peak of how they look.
• Canadian Made Jewelry: Erika Lauren Designs are made right here on Vancouver Island with traditional west coast inspirations sold exclusively in Victoria at Still Life For Her. Designed and produced in Toronto, this season's Biko Jewelry collection is inspired by darkness, boldness, tribal elements and outer space reflected in the juxtapositions of dark leather, fish-scale chain, and glittering raw stones. Both collections come in as affordable, unique jewelry designs she'll wear close to her heart for a long time.
• Natural Cosmetics: RGB Nailpolish and Ilia Lipcare make perfect stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts if you have a price cap. Affordable, high quality and naturally made cosmetic lines with a direct influence from the fashion and design world.
• Quality Leather Goods: Two very close friends of ours Erin Templeton & Ken Diamond both produce quality leather goods in studios based right across the water in Vancouver. Ken Diamond's new women's range offers simple and braided leather belts along with a super sweet braided leather noose necklace with feather detail. Erin Templeton's designs pull from vintage and deadstock leather sources resulting in one of a kind, ultra soft leathers constructed into backpacks, handbags, purses, clutches and wallets.
• Wool & The Gang Knitting Kits: Heading home for the holidays or taking time off to get away from work, school & the grind? Keep her cozy by the fire with these unique and very giftable Wool & The Gang knitting kits. Included in these all ready wrapped packs are gorgeous wood knitting needles, super soft Peruvian wool and simple to follow instructions on creating unique toques & scarves to stay warm all winter.
• Magazines: Let her escape the hustle & bustle of the holidays between the pages of some of the most inspiring fashion and design magazines in the city. Currently available For Her are three UK published fashion, design and culture magazines. Oh Comely has editorials, interviews and photography inspiring from across the pond best read with a cup of tea under a cozy blanket. Featuring ambitious journalism and photography of the highest quality, The Gentlewoman magazine celebrates inspirational, international women through its distinctive combination of glamour, personality and wit. And finally the very collectable, limited run UK fashion magazine Lula is thick as a book, haunting as a fairy tale, and will look quite lovely sitting on her coffee or bedside table

For Him or For Her.

• Happy Socks: We're going to go out on a limb and suppose that every single person on your list wears socks. Chances are they don't have socks in leopard or zebra print, black & white polka dots or navy & yellow stripes... Without question the easiest and most popular stocking stuffers this holiday season are Sweden's Happy Socks.
• Urbanears: All ready a perfect gift for the audiophile on your list, Urbanears have released a very limited, special edition Quilted Black Plattan Headphone for Christmas 2011. Chose from these sleek black models or from our wide range of seasonal colour options, these are quality, well-styled, well-made headphones for everyone.
• Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks: The Kånken Original Backpack is the same today as when it was released 30 years ago - only today it is made in a range of colours to suit any individual style. Perfect for the student, commuter or adventurer on your list.
• Filson Luggage & Accessories: Guaranteed to last a lifetime, you (or someone you love) might as well have the best. Heavy duty canvas backapcks, briefcases, luggage & totes are finished with full grain bridal leather made in the historic Filson Factory in Seattle, Washington. Available, and ideal, For Him & For Her.
• Score+Solder Terrariums: Everyone on our payroll has been strongly hinting at wanting one of these incredibly magical, unique & beautiful terrariums from Score+Solder handmade on Pender Island. For the greenthumb on your holiday list, or just someone who appreciates design, detail & craftsmanship.
• Native Jimmy Boots: It rains in Victoria; unfortunately even over the holidays. Designed by young, creative brains in Vancouver, Native Shoes Jimmy Boot has been this season's go-to rainboot for all our friends & family. Available in a range of colours at both locations, even the snoopiest Christmas lover won't be able to guess there's a pair of boots inside this super lightweight box.
• Gift Cards: If even after reading through a comprehensive Holiday Gift Guide or after your loved ones have printed out and highlighted their favourite must-have Wish List items for the holidays you still can't make a stand and decide on a gift... There's Still Life For Him & For Her Christmas Gift Cards. Available in any denomination applicable to any item in either of our two locations, these will never expire and can be used on Boxing Day, Valentines Day or St Patricks Day.

Just in time for the holidays comes a very special (and very limited edition) version of the most popular Urbanears headphone: The Black Quilted Plattan.

This very special edition Black Quilted Plattan from Urbanears has been reworked with a little something extra. The Quilted Edition Plattan features a padded headband and comfortable ear cushions wrapped in a quilted material, much like the kind you'd find on your favourite jacket, just in time for the cold winter. Urbanears designers have created The Plattan to be the perfect classic headphone, utilizing innovative functions and performance with today’s technology. It is a full size headphone allowing for rich, secluded sound. You can fold it down to the size of your fist for maximum mobility. Plattan also comes with a “zound plug” on the earcap, allowing for a friend to plug in and enjoy your music.

The Black Quilted Plattan is only available in independent boutiques and is not available at any major retailers with only a set amount made available for the Canadian market. A terrific travel headphone, stay-at-home headphone or mobile headphone, this special edition Plattan will fit perfectly under the Christmas Tree of your most beloved audiophile. While supplies last the Black Quilted Plattan is available at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

Monocle is a global affairs magazine and website founded by Tyler Brûlé, a Canadian journalist and entrepreneur. Described by CBC News reporter Harry Forestell as a "meeting between Foreign Policy and Vanity Fair", the magazine provides a globalist perspective on international affairs, culture and design. Hamilton Nolan, editor for Gawker, describedMonocle Magazine as "a lifestyle magazine for young, stylish, business-oriented jetsetters".

This month, the Monocle team offers a special report on the future of food retail, from neighbourhood markets to large-scale chains actually doing good things. They look at the changing world of the diplomat, and visit the places and businesses on the up, from Batumi to Berlin. Along the way they interview collectors, publishers, designers and politicians - and have lunch with a maverick in Provence.

Local note: Congratulations to Mark Brand, his wife Nicole and the entire Save on Meats crew from Vancouver, featured favourably on the cover and inside of this issue of Monocle!

Originally built for Swedish school children, the Kånken is the most well known and most loved of anything Fjällräven makes. The Kånken Original is the same today as when it was released 30 years ago - only today it is made in more than 15 colors to suit any individual style.

Beyond the simple functional design, the Kånken boasts the use of a unique textile, Vinylon F. While made from synthetic fibers, Vinylon F has the best properties of natural fibers. Fabrics conventionally used for backpacks need a coating in order to become water resistant and the coating wears out over time, making the backpack less waterproof. Not so with Vinylon F. Absorbing moisture better than any other synthetic fiber, Vinylon F swells like a natural fiber, thus making the weave denser when it's raining. This gives the Kånken daypack waterproof qualities by construction eliminating the need for a coating. Used for more than 30 years now, the fabric continues to prove its simple, durable, functionality year after year.

We began stocking the now iconic Fjällräven Kånken backpack in Spring 2010 and have watched as the company exploded upon the North American market with their flagship shop opening on Mott Street in New York City, officially bringing the legendary Swedish outdoor line across the water to Canada and The United States. With increased demand came decreased availability, but after meeting with Fjällräven representatives in October as they visited Still Life For Him & For Her, we were rushed a Winter 2011 selection of the classic Kånken Backpack, the Vintage 20L Backpack and the ultra-durable and brand-defining Oban Jacket (in Classic Black and Uncle Blue) at Still Life For Him.

If Fjällräven missed the chance to be your official back-to-school 2011 backpack this autumn, we have faith the range will find a good home for the winter and would even wrap up nicely to be tucked under the Christmas Tree this holiday season. Fjällräven Kånken backpacks are once again available in Victoria exclusively at Still Life For Him & For Her.

Since we've launched Still Life For Her and Still Life For Him as two separate locations in Victoria we've been finding ladies & gentlemen both coming in for full head-to-toe outfitting for autumn/winter 2011. Today marks the arrival of one of our favourite lines to make sure we're looking right (and feeling cozy) right down to our toes: Stockholm, Sweden's Happy Socks.

It started under the cloud-ridden April sky of yet another belayed Swedish spring in 2008. A vision to turn an everyday essential into a colourful design item and spread happiness. A rigid standard of ultimate quality, craftship and creativity. A concept brought to perfection by the Happy Socks collective of creators, most lately spotted in a 400-year-old, shrieking red cottage among cherry trees and berry bushes in a park located in the midst of Stockholm.

The Happy Socks collection features an almost endless variety of models and designs, crossing a wide spectrum of colour combinations, materials and textures. Simply put: a pair of high-quality socks for every occasion, mindset and style. Manufactured at a 30 year old, family-run factory in Turkey.

Ordering Happy Socks for autumn we tried to keep our conservative side in check with tonal stripes, solids and argyle patterns - but couldn't possibly ignore the wacky sock lover in us and also booked in some polkadots, transitional fades and leopard prints For Him & For Her. As the temperature continues to sneak downwards Happy Socks are prepared to keep your toes warm this autumn in Victoria; available now at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

Offered as a perfect compliment to their ever-growing range of dry denim options, Nudie Jeans has arrived this week a new line of simple every day garments called Backbone. T-shirts, 3/4 tees and long sleeve henleys all made in 100% organic cotton are available now in indigo and black. All styles feature different details (though all extremely subtle) with the Nudie orange thread running through the whole range. Packaging and image photos summarize the obvious: Nudie Jeans Co stands for simplicity and sustainability.

Also available today at both Still Life For Him & For Her are three brand new Winter 2011 Nudie Jeans denim options. New styles in the High Kai & Tube Kelly For Her and the return of the re-named Sharp (Big) Bengt For Him and a very special light cotton, indigo-dyed Aldo Scarf. Keep reading for more detailed product descriptions, photos up and to the right, and we'll see you soon.

• Organic Henley T-Shirt (NJ/T 04) available in Black: Organic cotton jersey. Four-button placket with customized buttons. Self-fabric binding at neck with a 1 mm top stitch. Bottom and sleeve hems with narrow two-needle top stitch. Orange thread is used for the top buttonhole and the chain stitch along the inside of the neck. 100% cotton.
• Organic Quarter Sleeve T-Shirt (NJ/LST 02) available in Indigo: Organic cotton jersey. 3/4 raglan sleeve. Rib at neck stitched down with a 5 mm top stitch. Bottom and sleeve hems with mouse teeth stitches. Orange thread is used for the chain stitch along the inside of the neck. 100% cotton.
• Organic Long Sleeve Henley (NJ/LST 01) available in Indigo: Organic cotton jersey. Raglan sleeve. Four-button placket with customized buttons. Self-fabric binding at neck with a 1 mm top stitch. Bottom and sleeve hems with mouse teeth stitches. Orange thread is used for the top buttonhole and the chain stitch along the inside of the neck. 100% cotton.
• Aldo Scarf available in Indigo: Loose, light cotton scarf with rippled surface. It's over eyed in blue with green cast. 180x140 cm. 100% cotton.
• High Kai Recycle Dry Navy: 11.5oz power stretch denim from Turkey made with both organic and recycled cotton. It's a red cast with tight construction, smooth slightly shiny surface and obvious neps effects. Navy threads all over and navy back pocket embo. Organic trims and pocket lining. 68% organic cotton/29% recycled cotton/3% elastane. Made in Italy.
• Tube Kelly Black Black: 11oz power stretch denim from Italy in pure indigo overdyed with black. The look is dry, but the jeans have been rinsed to get maximum elasticity effect. Black threads allover and black back pocket embo. Copper trims. 98% cotton/2% lycra. Made in Italy.
• Sharp Bengt Recycle Dry Greencas: 13oz dry denim with organic trims in a blue/green cast. The feel is rough with a smooth, soft interior. Orange threads all over and tonal navy pocket embo. Copper trims, button fly. 100% recycled denim. Made in Italy.