For the Love of a Summer Dress and a Happy Horse

Nothing spells summer like a gorgeous, flowy dress and a majestic, handsome horse... two of my favourite things!
Together?... well, why not?
I love these stunning designs from the spring/summer collection of Vancouver clothing company DACE
(from top: Lucky, Rocket, Maisie... names of the clothing pieces not horses!)

Erin Cee

A marvellous collection of bags designed by Erin Cychmistruk of Erin Cee...
Erin is an incredibly gifted Vancouver artist who works with a multitude of mediums such as textiles, wood & fabric wall panels, illustrations, and mono-prints & intaglio prints (top: Weeds, cloth batik). I find her collection of bags especially appealing (I *love* to collect big, fabulous bags this time of year!!). They are made from cotton and linen, and each bag goes through several processes of waxing, dyeing and silk-screening.... her designs are so whimsical and fun! I absolutely adore...

Posch so Pretty

I love these eco-pretty designs created by Luce Beaulieu of Posch designs in Montreal. The sweet Handbags are made from recycled bed sheets and pillowcases, and the "I *Heart* Kyoto" silk-screened tees are made from reclaimed old shirts. The Hang Tags are created from 100% post consumer laser paper and vintage wrapping paper. Super charming and *très* eco-trendy!

Symbolize Peace

"Each one has to find his peace from within”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

I so revere this sterling silver Peace Pendant designed by Jenn at the RedCatRun Studio in Ontario. Peace is the way...

Knitted Bling

Cool knitted rings from Twisted Twee...

Yellow, Blue, Green.. Oh My!

I love the fresh modern look of local fashion designer Raymond of the ever-enchanting Evan & Dean... the look of splashy lemon yellow, cool midnight blue, and ethereal Shamrock green makes for a stunning spring/summer collection. Oh la la!

Pigeon Pretty

Thee gorgeous Spring dress collection from Passenger Pigeon, designed and created by Toronto duo Heather Schibli and Wendy Traas using organic and sustainable fabrics (available at HUM Clothing and T.H.E Store in Vancouver). Check out the story of the Passenger Pigeon... a wonderful inspiration and cause.

Elise ~ available in green or black with cream sash and striped top detail, made with soy/cotton/spandex and knit sash made with hemp
(top) Yvonne ~ black or white option made with 100% bamboo voile

Norah ~ reversible wrap dress
Lori ~ made with hemp/silk/organic cotton blend with bamboo voile

Surf, City, and Style

Image while on a backpacking trip on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail through Sombrio Beach... a mecca for local surfing
Occasionally I come across a site that totally blows my mind. Right now I am absolutely lovin' this website logo from Sitka Surfboards here in Victoria...

I can stare at this pic and pick out so many elements unique to my homeland: The vine-coated Empress Hotel, our amazing wildlife like the Grizzly and Spirit Bear (BC's official mascot), our lush Sitka Spruce forests (reminds me of a remarkable book I blogged about a bit ago... The Golden Spruce), and our sensational westcoast surf. A wicked design....
The site even has surf forecast and cams for our Vancouver Island breaks, which is totally useful (yes, Canada has surfing... the best right here on my doorstep!). And Christian and Krysti keep the Sitka store on Yates chockfull of good stuff. I never cease to be impressed by homegrown talent...

Eat yer Cake and Wear it Too

Calling all creative sweet tooths!
The wonderfully crafty Canadian duo, Siobhan and Lindsay, at Magpie & Cake tuned me into the super duper cool contest going on until the end of the month over at Threadless.... The Threadless Loves Loves Threadless Crazy Cake Contest... (boy, that was a mouthful)!
It's the "let em eat cake" event... Bake a cake to match an inspirational blueprint for a t-shirt logo design. Send in a pic of the finished creation for cool prizes....
As the masterminds at Threadless say:
"Hell, even if you suck at baking, the absolute worst thing that happens is you eat cake. And that’s probably the best absolute worst thing *ever*...."
Cheers! I'll happily coat myself in flour just for that! Yum!

Rhythm & Blues

Well, its one for the money,
Two for the show,
Three to get ready,
Now go, cat, go
But dont you step on my blue *patent* shoes....
Talk about rhythm and blues, you can rock around the clock to Elvis in these spring gorgeous flats from Joe Fresh. So cute!

Oh Oh Obi

The Obi Belts at local hot spot Smoking Lily...

A gorgeous duppioni silk belt/sash/tie printed on one side, inspired by ancient Japan. It's elegant and versatile, and available in a plethora of delightful seasonal patterns and hues like electric spring green, soft red, and eggplant purple. Mmmm.... Obi so lovely.

Sunshiney Days

Sumptuous, sunshiney clothes from the 2007 spring/ summer line of Zara, located on Vancouver's trendy Robson Street... billowy, boho, and oh so beautiful. I especially love the b&w butterfly dress... so summer lovin'!

Totally in the Bag

Yesterday, San Francisco became the first city in North America to ban the use of traditional plastic grocery bags. Leaf Rapids, a tiny town in northwestern Manitoba, is quickly following suit and is set to become the first Canadian community to ban plastic bags.
The lovely Kootenay town of Rossland (close to my birthplace) will also be implementing a voluntary ban on single-use plastic bags.
No better time to BYO a stylish, eco-cute bag to keep our planet plastic-free... love our earth!

I so fancy these gorgeous handmade bags designed by Dana Huhn of U.Bagz in Vancouver.
She uses recycled fabrics and swatches from interior design catalogs to create the eco-cool clutches and handbags. Her uniqueness is available locally at Whirled Arts in Fan Tan Alley. The hip and locally made BYOB plastic-replacement line can be found here (and see the sad sight I come across from time to time...)

Grabba Java Sac: The Hangover Cure

I love this bag! Not *just* because it is made with deliciously cool fabric, but because it connotes java time (which I so savour... especially the "morning after"!)

The heavy Japanese canvas mini sac is reversible and two sided: one side, including the inside, is printed with flowers and red & white polka dot mushrooms... the other side (as shown here) is Shanghai printed cotton with images of seltzer and glasses of water, aspirin, breath mints, coffee, and the words "morning after underwear" printed all over.

Quirky cute! Handmade by Nico of Its Your Life in Vancouver...

Sweet Tooth Wearable

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first. Better yet, wear it... and enjoy it for eternity! These yummy Sweety Cakes Cupcake, Birthday Cake, and Cake Slice rings are made from flameworked glass and cast sterling silver, created by the talented Holly Cruise at her Glass Onion studio in Vancouver. Cute and completely calorie-free!

Umbrella Illuminance

Pink Mohair kindly re-introduced me to the wonderful design world of Sakura Adachi... and I am instantly taken by the Lighting Umbrella.
I have heard of this type of lamp gadget, but I have never seen such a concoction for sale in my neck of the woods. Nonetheless, this is très practical for us wet, er, west coasters. A source of illumination would be handy as I rummage for those car keys, or to watch the reflection of light bounce off those glistening rain puddles. It can even be turned into an emergency lamp by placing the handle cap on the top of the umbrella (like a rainhouse beacon!)

Makes for a mighty fine la-dee-da instrument during those soggy days... an umbrella "spotlight" (perfect for a rendition of Singin In The Rain...!)

The Morning Bird Sings

A sweet way to begin the day...
Our little neighbours chirp their lovely morning song here in James Bay.
A hommage to our beloved feathered friends... Birdie Pouches from Good Morning, Morning! Handcrafted by local talent Lia Hood using recycled vintage household textiles. The flap of the pouch is decorated with a brown vinyl birdie and colourful piping. This transformation evokes a sense of revitalization, rebirth... spring in every sense of the word.

Vinyl Railway

A really snazzy selection of vegan vinyl bags designed and manufactured by localite Janna Hurtzig of Astrosatchel Accessories from her Vancouver studio... available in Victoria at Nicholas Randall in Oak Bay, and Whirled Arts in Fan Tan Alley.
The first Railway Street Show and Sale is happening this weekend in Vancouver with 15 artists showing in two buildings. A plethora of work from all domains of the design world will be on display at 321 Railway Street and 339 Railway Street (Railway Street at Gore).
This dandy collection of vinyl bags from Astrosatchel will be showing, as well as creations from these fine Railway artists:
Dominic, Siobahn Humston, Nadine Stephan, Third Of Mae, Egg Clothing, Ganoush Design, Stephanie Young, Studiotwo13, Oona clothing, Galen Felde, Red Flag Design, !wkone.derful!, Chad Krowchuck, and Arleigh Wood.
Should be a ‘train ride’ of design delights!

The Hood

Akin to the Twigg & Hottie scarf/hood combo, but only like this...

Little Green Seating Hood....
Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little chair, the prettiest chair that was ever seen. This good chair had a little green hood made for it. It suited the chair so extremely well that everybody called it the Hood Chair...
Designed by Mats Broberg & Johan Ridderstråle in collaboration with the Brazilian Campana brothers, Fernando and Humberto Campana... their inspiration comes from everyday life as they attempt "to combine a rational approach with a dash of humour and wit"
My what a green hood you have...
All the better to sit with.
And keep me head warm.

Joined at the Hand, Joined at the Heart

'Tis the last day of winter. The sweetness of spring is awakening... symbolizing a time of vitality, warmth, joy and *love*
Spring evenings promise to be chilly, so walk hand in hand... literally.
Glove for Holding Hands designed by Canadian artist Andrea Vander Kooij
Knitted gloves joined together, locked in matrimonial bliss... from the series Garments for Forced Intimacy. Check out the Balaclava for Kissing... I dare you to hit the ski slopes in that getup!
Her embroidered works are also exemplary pieces of art.