We finally got some new Loden Clothing in the store!  I love the handprinted designs on Loden pieces and how they make each item a one-of-a-kind work of art. Like the gorgeous branch prints on this Kite Cardigan..... 

The Skyline Tunic below is made of 100% Tencel from eucalyptus and it feels amazing!

The Harvest Top below can be worn with either the v-neck or the scoop in the front.....

Loden hoodies are always super cozy and have really great pockets and hoods!

We have a couple of different styles in the Pedal Jacket which is perfect for spring and fall and can be layered over long sleeves in the winter....

We also have Loden accessories - handprinted headbands and linen circle scarves.....

Meghan Irish, the Vancouver based designer of one of our favourite lines, Dru's Designs, also makes great tees for guys.  Identity tees have limited edition prints on them that are all about Canadian identity.  We just got a bunch of new Identity tees in, including one with a plaid buffalo print!! (sorry, no photo of that one).  They are available in men's sizes medium to extra large.

We also have some fine Identity accessories for the guy(s?) on your list.  Plaid scarves with antler or geese prints, toques and pillows too!

These handmade ceramic Christmas/Friendship balls from Blackbird Studios in Victoria sure made our window decorating easier!  Hang one on your tree, in a window, or just give one to someone special!  They are one-of-a-kind and feature handpainted designs and vintage decals.

Erika Lauren Jewellery is also handmade on Vancouver Island and Erika's focus is on clean, contemporary, sustainable design.  We have some pieces from her Noir Collection featuring porcupine quill bundles encased in sleek end caps.  Don't worry, no porcupines were harmed in the making of this jewellery!  The quills were naturally shed and collected in the prairies. 

It's true!  be turns 4 this month and couldn't have done it without you!  Since first opening in 2007 there have been some changes - like branching out into 30+ independent Canadian designers over 2 years ago now! - but the commitment to solely Canadian made clothing and accessories remains the same. 

There are so many great reasons to support independent local designers and Canadian made clothing, not to mention small locally owned businesses.  So THANK YOU for doing just that!  Hmmmm......how to thank you?  How about........

There are lots of festivities happening in downtown Courtenay this weekend and many of your favourite small local businesses will be open late on Saturday so come join in the fun! 

It's always exciting to get a package from Allison Wonderland in Vancouver - especially  when that package contains a gorgeous dress like this one....

The fit is incredible and the dress is actually knee length on us non-six foot model types.  Here are a few other Allison Wonderland pieces we have in the store.....

We are supposed to have the store windows all holidayed up before Downtown Courtenay's Christmas Magic weekend (November 26th and 27th) but I must admit, it seems too early to even be thinking of holiday decorating.  Maybe a vibrant red wool Allison Wonderland jacket or skirt will be the perfect starting point.....hmmm.

Recently a few different customers at the store have picked out an item and said something like..... "Hey, this wasn't on your website or facebook page!!".  It's true, there are many things in the store that never show up here or on facebook. Sometimes because they fly out the door before a photo can be taken and often just because there's not enough time in the day.  Plus we like to have some surprises here for you because how would we hear about your interesting lives and laugh at your hilarious stories if you just browse online?? 

That being said, here are some new arrivals from Floating Gold Iceberg in Victoria that you should definitely come in and see in person.....

We also got a package this week from Tabitha and Jenny - the two talented Vancouver based designers of no less than 4 different lines that we carry:  Two of Hearts, Togs, Cici, and their newest line Savvie.  Here are a couple of the pieces we received......

Lots more in the store........see you soon!

Toodlebunny is a unique handcrafted jewellery collection by Vancouver based designer Trudy Wynans. These beautiful Toodlebunny lockets have just arrived at the store....

The teeny tiny baby spider below was so determined to be in this photo that I thought she deserved a spot on the blog.....especially since I'm afraid it will be a much colder night outside for her tonight.  Sorry adorable spider but I think most of us would prefer to have pictures inside our lockets than spider webs!

Trudy also designs a fun, cheerful line of earrings and necklaces called Toodles and we just received a great selection of Toodles jewellery as well......

Fleet Objects in Vancouver has sent us some new jewellery that combines braided leather and sterling silver.  I love the simplicity of this necklace.....

The braided leather necklace above is available in brown, mint, blue or black leather.

I always find the first few days of colder weather to be surprisingly cold.  A bit of a shock to the system even though it happens every year.  Here are some warm thoughts for you if you've been feeling cold this week......

It can be hard to like the cold - at least until ski season starts! - but here are a few reasons to appreciate cold weather in the meantime....

- great excuse to stay in bed reading for an extra hour (or three)
- cold is directly responsible for cute sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens
- hot chocolate just tastes better in the cold
- boots....enough said
- time out from the garden battle of weeds vs. everything else
- wool jackets......o.k. wool anything
- the possibility of SNOW!  How can you not love snow!  Icicles too!
- and most importantly, think of the polar bears!

Of all of the photos we looked through for this season I think Ella Peru's photos by Jarusha Brown are the most magical. Taken in one of British Columbia's many beautiful forests, these photos of the Ella Peru holiday collection (which was just delivered by the way) make me really wish I was invited to a tea party in the woods........anyone planning one?

A good tea party should always include wine right?

In the store we have the teal dress from the first few pictures (eep!! so amazing!), the skirt in both olive and teal, plus the lacey cowl in black.  Ella Peru has recently relocated to Toronto from Vancouver but I'm sure they'll manage to find an inspiring setting for their next photo shoot in their new home.  Hope you love these photos as much as we do!  Thank you Ella Peru! 

Ramonalisa designs are handmade in Montreal by Lisa Bobrow. Each piece is created by Lisa personally in limited quantities and from locally sourced materials.  The Chloe top by Ramonalisa was such a hit when it first came in that we've just managed to get a few more.  We now have the Chloe top in both teal and purple.

Another fantastic designer from Montreal is Jennifer Glasgow, whose designs we've been carrying - and loving - for the past 5 seasons and this fall is no exception.  Gorgeous colours and eco-friendly fabrics such as tencel/lyocell and wool.  We have the Fairbanks top below in the green shown and a wine colour as well....

This last one, the Theda top, is one of my personal favourites but you really have to see it in person to fully appreciate it's cuteness!