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!

We have this colourful biodegradable/compostable ribbon in the store and for $5 you get 5 roles (50 metres) of ribbon with 100% of the proceeds going to Y.A.N.A.!  Who doesn't need a little eco-friendly ribbon?

We were excited to have another clothing line in the store by a Vancouver Island designer and even though Sofia has recently moved from Victoria to Vancouver, we'll love her just the same. Here's a little introduction to Sofia (from her website):

"There were dresses and blouses on her floor, scarves scattered across her bed, and even her go-to-jeans didn't feel quite right......She needed that one piece of clothing that she could slip into and without another wasted thought (or hour of trying on clothes), would bring out the best in herself. SOFIA is created with this story in mind."

Sofia's beautiful, easy-to-wear designs are made from luxurious natural fabrics. This tunic/dress can be worn off the shoulder or not and is made from merino wool and tencel...

A few new We3 tops have also arrived.  The Cadence top (front and back).....

And the We3 Tempo Top below which we have in both burgundy and black.....

I have a whole lot to be thankful for in life but today I'm so very thankful for all of you wonderful people who consciously support handmade, sustainable products and ideas, independent Canadian designers, and small locally owned businesses.  Thank you for imagining a better, more beautiful, less mass produced world and continually choosing to support the movement towards it with your hard earned money and your love!

Have a great long weekend everyone!  We will be CLOSED on Monday for Thanksgiving but I leave you with a few recently taken store photos full of lovely fall colours.....

Pip Robins Accessories is a handcrafted collection by Gillian Hyde, a designer based out of Nova Scotia. Cowl scarves offer cozy warmth without the sometimes awkward bulk of traditional winter scarves. Designed to fit everyone, Pip Robins cowl scarves are beautifully made from lots of vintage and reclaimed fabrics which means they are both environmentally sustainable as well as limited edition or one-of-a-kind.  You just slip these tube shaped scarves over your head and you're done.  Here are a few of the styles we have in the store......

On the Pip Robins tag it says "if Canadians know anything, it's how to stay warm.....just slip it over your head and you're cozy!".  Sounds good today doesn't it?  Brrrrrrrrr.