Canadiana: lucky 14

Whaler Bay Warmer

I was going to save these lovely knits from the Vancouver-based shop, lucky 14, until the leaves had changed colour and we were well into the fall season. It seems, however, like fall arrived virtually overnight here in Montreal. For the past few days I've been walking around the house in extra warm socks and fleece sweaters, stubbornly keeping the heat turned off—this can't really be the end of warm days, can it?!


Cannery Cowl

If we must bid adieu to summer breezes and long sunshine-y days, then I guess fall does have its fair share of reasons to love it. Number one on my list, knits. I love a warm wooly scarf or sweater wrapped around my shoulders, and I think a lucky 14 cowl would be right at home in my wardrobe too.


Whaler Bay Warmer

An interior designer by trade, Beatriz Rempel began selling her hand knit scarves, cowls, pillows and coffee sleeves in her Etsy shop after finding herself with some unexpected time on her hands. She chooses soft comfortable yarn and uses simple yet beautiful stitches to create easy to wear, versatile pieces.

To see more knits from lucky 14 visit Beatriz's Etsy shop, and make sure to check out her blog too.

Have a great Tuesday!
xo Bess

Fashion Weekend 101

(photos from my iPhone)

On Friday, I took the day off and went to see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit here in Montreal. It closed yesterday, and I'm so glad I got a chance to go before it left town. I'm not the world's biggest fashionista (not even close), but I definitely do appreciate inspiration, innovation and a strong point of view in any art form. Seeing some of Gaultier's most visionary pieces in one place was really quite breathtaking. I found myself being blown away by shapes, colours, patterns, textures and craftsmanship over and over again. On some of the more intricate pieces, like the beaded leopard gown made entirely from hand sewn beads, it listed the hours it took to create the piece as 1060. Unbelievable!



My fashion weekend didn't end with the Gaultier exhibit though. On Saturday, Big Chuck and I watched Bill Cunningham New York. Have you seen it? If you love Bill Cunningham's On The Street column for the New York Times, it's a definite must-see movie! We both loved it and it left me wanting to watch more films about inspiring artists who are truly passionate about what they do.



Have a passionate Monday ;)
xo Bess

Canadiana: Granted Clothing

Independently run family business, passed from parents to children… operating in Vancouver BC… classic sweaters and accessories… traditional knitting methods… 100% wool. Need I say more? Oh yah, sweaters for dogs too.

Have you heard of Granted Clothing before? I hadn't! So thank goodness my mom forwarded me the link last night. I fell in love with all of these beautiful wool pieces and then fell even further in love when I read that the brother and sister designing duo are proud to call all their sweaters and accessories genuinely Canadian made.

There are too many great pieces in the collection to get into here, like the ode to David Suzuki sweater, so really I just recommend you check out their shop.

Have a warm and cozy Tuesday!

xo bess

(images via Granted Clothing)

Dancing Shoes

Repetto Shoes

So it's Big Chuck's birthday this weekend and tonight we are heading out for a night on the town. There will be dinner, dancing and all manner of celebration. Our first stop is the new-to-us French restaurant, Zum Roten Elephanten, then off to a friend's house party and finally to the Mayer Hawthorne concert.

Better get out my dancing shoes!


Bloch


Bloch


Bloch

The shoe companies, Bloch and Repetto, were know to me at first only as point shoe manufacturers. I'm pretty sure that I had a few pairs of both during my ballet dancing days. They look so scrumptious and comfy that I think my feet would still appreciate they beautifully made shoes.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!
bess

The Brothers Bloom

Rachel Weisz in The Brothers Bloom

Big Chuck and I watched The Brothers Bloom on Friday night, and I have to say I fell in love with Rachel Weisz, who plays Penelope Stamp, and her wonderful wardrobe. I grabbed some stills off my computer of some of my favourite outfits from the film. Her style is adorable yet chic, one day when I have a plump little bank account, I want to dress like that too!












photos: The Brothers Bloom

If you haven't seen this film I would absolutely recommend it. It's quirky and fun, beautifully shot and the costumes, set design, and acting are all spot on. And for the gentlemen in the audience don't despair; the movie begins with a crash between a bright yellow Lamborghini and a Schwinn bicycle, complete with banana seat.

Have a great Monday!
bess

Joe! I missed you

Ahh, home sweet home. One of the best parts of coming home, besides seeing my family, friends and listening 24/7 to the CBC, is visiting Joe! And, as if I ever needed a reason to stop by, this time I really did have to purchase a whole new wardrobe. Air France lost my luggage, grrrrr! It's not so bad, as long as I get it back today or tomorrow, it will only be a minor headache. Lucky for me, my mom and I pretty much wear the same size - and her clothes are way cooler than anything I had packed in my suitcase. Thanks Mom!

So, guess where our first stop was yesterday after I got home, that's right - Joe Fresh. For those of you unfamiliar with Joe, it is a clothing store owned by one of Canada's largest supermarkets, Loblaws. I know, clothes at the grocery store... a bit odd, but I assure you, it's really genius. Especially when the designer behind all these low priced pieces, is Club Monaco's Joesph Mimran.

This fall, at Joe, I covet:

cute plaid shirts and layered sweater vest

I think I might need to go get this jacket

or maybe this one...

And of course, we can't forget Big Chuck

Check out the mix'n'match feature on the website too - it's fun!!

Photos: Joe Fresh Style

Uh, how do you say....?

Listen up folks! Tired of being snickered at, ridiculed, embarrassed when you mispronounce this season's 'it' designer's name? Well no more - check out these super fun and educational videos from the Imperial Hotel Management College (IHMC) in Vancouver.

Think you know how to pronounce Thierry Mugler? Go ahead, have a listen...


Salvatore Ferragamo?

Hervé Léger?

Hermès?


How did you do?
(via The Moment)

Typographic Tee's

When I was young I used to have this adult sized t-shirt that my mom gave me, one of those free t-shirts you get from work or a client or something... Anyway, I used to wear it to bed and was for some reason quite fond of it. On the front were the following words, "I shot the serif at Moveable Type". I asked her what this statement meant, and don't they mean "I shot the sheriff..." ? She tried to explain and of course I never really understood, but it didn't stop me for wearing it all the time. Oh yeah, I think it also had small red circles going from the top right to the bottom left of the shirt, bullet holes perhaps?!

Fast forward a couple decades, it all makes sense now. Here are some fun typographic tee's, much less cryptic than the one I used to wear.

Veer via Black.White.Bliss


my liver hates me via typotees


and then I woke up

love hate