August 31, 2010
Was browsing through dace’s site and saw some great looks I wanted to share with you today. The site currently has a preview of their fall collection, and the rest of the fall looks will be available on the site soon. You’ll probably want to take a peek at their sale section, they’ve got some great summer styles on sale too! dace is one of Vancouver’s most popular indie fashion lines – both designed and manufactured here in the city.
Click here to shop.
August 26, 2010
As many of you already know, Vancouver local, Tyler Wright has been missing since August 16th. He set out on a grueling solo hike on August 10th that was to take him from Squamish through the mountains to his final destination in Coquitlam (read more here). When he didn’t contact his family on the 16th they knew something was wrong. North Shore Search and Rescue has been looking for Tyler in the woods for many days now. They have found footprints (he has distinctive size 16 feet) and spots where he has spent the night and continue to search diligently, every day.
Hikers have been known to survive for up to a month in the wilderness as they have access to berries and fresh water. Everyone that knows Tyler knows that he is a fighter and has an unwavering positive outlook that will serve him well in the days to come. Those of us who are friends with Tyler know that he has the kind of energy and resolve that are needed to survive an extended period in the wilderness.
Tyler’s family is now asking for help from the public in viewing aerial videos. As you have time in your day please take a minute to view a video or two. The more people that watch these videos, the more chance that an additional clue might be spotted.
For more information on viewing the videos and other ways you can help please visit: Missing Tyler Wright
~Posted by: Amy
August 10, 2010
Love indie fashion? You’ll want to check out Jesse Smith’s latest collection. With recent news reports chock full of concerns about the environment, it’s wonderful to hear about a designer like Jesse. It’s clear eco-friendliness is high on her list of priorities – each of her garments is sustainably produced here in Vancouver, using fabric that has been imported from Europe. Take a look at her latest collection here.
~Posted by: Amy
July 29, 2010
Lily + Jae is indie fashion at it’s finest – and I think their fall 2010 collection is gorgeous. Designed and manufactured in Vancouver, Lily + Jae has found a large fan base far beyond our city. While it’s tough to imagine bundling up now, fall will be upon us soon enough! Trends I’m noticing for fall – and am personally very excited about: a definite return to a more tailored shape, plaid, minimalism, and classic silhouettes with a twist. The message in the bottle above, from the Lily + Jae lookbook, “Less is more” really sums up the collection nicely for me – and I think it’s a great approach to life and fashion. There is a definite beauty in keeping things simple.
~Posted by: Amy
July 20, 2010
Even before the term handmade and the ethos of shopping locally had become somewhat mainstream – there was Dream Apparel and Articles for People here in Vancouver. Launched in 1993, this mainstay of Vancouver’s Gastown also has a sister store on Granville Island, Little Dream. This is a mecca for lovers of indie fashion, handmade jewellery and accessories.
To say this shop is special would be an understatement – it’s actually pretty wonderful. I hadn’t visited in awhile but was wandering around my neighborhood on the weekend and thought I’d pop in. The range of handmade and local goods currently available is outstanding. I also spotted Allison Wonderland’s lovely designs on sale too! I’ve featured some of the brands that caught my eye above: Glam Vintage Remix, Flightpath Designs, and Bywa Bags. It was my first time spotting a Bywa bag and I was happy to learn that their bags are all made from recycled leather and repurposed materials.
If you haven’t stopped by Gastown lately, I think now’s the time as the summer sales start to kick into high gear! If you’re not a Vancouver local do check the links above as these lines also offer online shopping.
~Posted by: Amy
July 9, 2010
Vancouver Events Calendar
We`ve got a couple upcoming events on our radar that we want to share!
First up – Laura Bucci is having a mini art button making workshop with several dates throughout the month of July for both kids and adults alike. You`ll be making personalized button pins or magnets (great gift idea!) and Laura will be sharing fun ideas using different materials and techniques such as paper collage, rubber stamping and working with fabric. Click here for all the details.
Next up – the very popular Vancouver Modern Quilter`s Guild is having their second meeting at the Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge, Thursday, July 15th. Be sure to stop by, show off your quilts and meet with other members to share your ideas for future quilting guild events. Photos of the last event are courtesy of Sonja Callaghan.
Click here for all the details.
Hope your weekend`s great and you`ve got some fun plans to avoid the heat 
Posted by: Amy
July 6, 2010
Bowen Island, BC ~ Weekend Getaway
Nestled on BC’s coastline, Bowen Island is a weekend trip for someone who wants it all. The first thing I noticed about Bowen Island that made it special, beyond it’s gorgeous landscape? It smells heavenly. Seriously, someone ought to bottle up the various scents and sell them – I’d certainly buy a bottle or two. Even more fun for us – the island is filled with very tame wildlife. I took the top photo, standing just 5 feet or so away from that buck, the ducks in Snug Cove are comfortable with close up shots, and the bunny who we noticed having a snack in front of our b & b was happy to eat out of the palm of my hand with very little coaxing.
Our weekend was spent hiking, exploring the island, and enjoying Bowen Island’s great restaurants, cafes and shops (many feature locally crafted artisan goods). The local chocolate shop, Cocoa West, serves up organic chocolates made in house (they’re delicious), and just steps away is the Artisan Eats Cafe. It’s got a beautiful view and features a large L shaped table for anyone to sit at, so guests can mingle if they’d like. We had a really great lunch there followed by an afternoon hike on the Dorman Point Trail. We found the main trail branched off on to a lesser known trail that provided some breathtaking views of Bowen Island and the mainland. The kind of views that you can’t capture on film, no matter how hard you try.
I could write pages about Bowen Island – and for those of you who live in BC, I think you’ll want to visit it sometime this summer if you can! We’re planning to go back in September to explore more and see if we’d like to make it our new home.
~Posted by: Amy
Top right photo is courtesy of: Bowenhomes.ca
July 2, 2010
Nixxi Fall Preview
It’s pretty clear I’m falling for Nixxi’s autumn collection! I had one look at their fall preview and knew I needed to post about it. Nixxi is a Vancouver line and you’ll find that their collections are always sleek, wearable, and great for the environment too. This season’s collection is constructed from soft fabrics like organic cotton, organic wool, and hemp jersey. You’ll find the collection in stores and online here in mid-August!
~Posted by: Amy
June 22, 2010
Allison Wonderland – Fall 2010 Preview
You say summer – I say Fall! With the weather we’ve been having around here, perhaps it’s not too tough to get the seasons confused. Either way – I’m pretty thrilled to share a preview of Vancouver designer Allison Wonderland’s Fall 2010 collection with you today. All of the fun pieces from Allison’s fall collection have been cleverly named after films from the 1970’s, such as the plaid Annie Hall blouse and the Kramer turtleneck. You’ll be able to purchase the collection online and in stores beginning mid-August!
~Posted by: Amy
