Shop Handmade ~ Toronto

October 13, 2010

Toronto Shop – Coriander Girl

I came across this gorgeous shop from Toronto tonight and knew right away I wanted to share it here. I’ve got it marked down as one to visit the next time I’m in the city. Coriander Girl is one part floral boutique, one part gift shop – and all parts pretty. I love the laid back vibe of the shop and Alison Westlake is clearly a skilled floral designer. The gift shop carries a great selection of handmade items from Toronto and all around North America. Fingers crossed Alison opens an online store one day too!

coriander girl 1

coriander girl 2

coriander girl 3

coriander girl 4

coriander girl 5

~Posted by: Amy

Crywolf

June 17, 2010

crywolf

Crywolf is a sweet little company based out of Toronto after my very heart. Stephanie and Rose have stocked the Crywolf shop with a plethora of great products all featuring their own quirky characters and illustrations. You’ll find everything from t’s and totes to magnets and mousepads. They’re even giving all Handmade Evolution readers free shipping now until the end of July with the code: “handmadeevolution”. Click here to visit their shop.

~Posted by: Amy

Leslie Thomson – Memories Transformed

March 26, 2010

leslie thompson

Toronto photographer Leslie Thomson’s beautiful photos are perfect to take us into the weekend. For Leslie, photography allows her to create the world she dreams of.

With photoshop at the ready she has a wonderful way of taking real life to the next level – I think the results are beautiful.

A couple of the above photos remind me very much of my time living in Toronto, but transforms my memories of those months and somehow makes them even more special. Fun times at the cottage with friends, family coming to visit from the States on the weekends. It was a great summer in an unfamiliar city.

On that note – I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Click here to visit Leslie’s Etsy shop.

Birds of North America – Spring 2010

March 15, 2010

birds of north america

Toronto designer Hayley Gibson of Birds of North America has launched another beautiful collection for Spring 2010. Inspiration was drawn from depression era hand-me-downs, sun and salt faded fabrics on beach-house deck chairs, old fashioned institutional exercise rompers and faded summer polaroids. There are so many lovely dresses and skirts in this collection that I’d like to own!

Click here to view the entire line.

~Posted by: Amy

Canada’s Top Ten – Toronto

January 8, 2010

Canada's top tenFrom January 14-21, you can see some of the top 2009 Canadian films at Canada’s Top Ten, an annual festival featuring ten features and ten shorts. The festival was established in 2001 by the Toronto International Film Festival to celebrate and raise awareness of Canadian cinema, and the films are chosen by a panel of experts and must have premiered at a major Canadian film festival in the previous year.

This year I’m particularly intrigued by The Trotsky, by Jacob Tierney, which is a quirky comedy about a teenager who believes he is the reincarnation of fabled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. I’d also love to check out Bruce Alcock’s Vive la Rose, the film uses stop-motion animation and oil paintings to bring a Newfoundland love song to life.

When: January 14-21, 2010
Tickets: $8-65
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

-Posted by: Lisa

snoflake – January Sales

January 8, 2010

snoflake - toronto fashion

snoflake – January Sales ~ Toronto Fashion

Toronto line snoflake’s fall collection focuses on clean lines, classic tailoring and unique details. Need the perfect ensemble for an upcoming wedding or job interview? Look no further – it’s now all at 20% off with free shipping.

Click here to shop the sale

~ Posted by: Amy

House of Spy – January Sales

January 5, 2010

house of spy - toronto fashion

Toronto designer Wendy Wong brings the playful side of fashion to the fore with each of the lovely pieces from her independent label, House of Spy. Lots of great items on sale now – all at up to 40% off.

Click here to shop the sale!

~ Posted by: Amy

On a Pedestal – Toronto

December 11, 2009

Bata Shoe MuseumI’ve worn my fair share of uncomfortable high heels, but after seeing some of the pairs featured at the Bata Shoe Museum, I am thrilled that heels have evolved as much as they have! Their latest exhibit, On a Pedestal: From Reniassance Chopines to Baroque Heels, explores the development of platforms and high heels, and it features some rare footwear on loan from museums around the world. So if you’ve ever worn or admired a pair of heels, you might be interested in seeing what the early fashionistas designed.

Where: Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto
When: through September 20, 2010 Admission: Adults $12 (Every Thursday 5 – 8 pm is Pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $5)

~Posted by: Lisa

Toronto Naturopath – Dr. Mubina Jiwa: Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

December 10, 2009

Holiday CookiesI don’t know about you – but when I start thinking about the holidays, thoughts of sugarplums, candy canes, gingerbread and dozens of other lovely seasonal foods dance through my mind!

Toronto Naturopath, Dr. Mubina Jiwa has put together a tip sheet for staying healthy throughout the holiday season. I found it helpful to read, it’s good to plan ahead now to avoid some common holiday pitfalls!

Click here for all of Dr. Jiwa’s helpful holiday tips.

Visit Dr. Jiwa’s site for more on her practice.

~Posted by: Amy

~Article by: Dr. Mubina Jiwa