The littlest shop girl!

Man, Regine's last post really got me nostalgic, we have had some wicked co-workers who are bar-none some of the greatest people I have ever met. AND, as Reg mentioned we have a brand new little team member: Éloïse!



Though only 10days old she has already worked half a shift and will surely be helping you find the perfect date/interview/feel-good outfits in no time. She is the raddest babe I have ever met, and will surely fit right in to the Victoire family.

She might be pretty slow at the cash out for a while though, counting and adding taxes doesn't seem to be as innate as pooping and eating!

T.O. is A-O.K

So it's been a while since I've written a post, it's just been an insanely busy last couple of weeks! As most of you probably already know, Katie's been on maternity leave since the end of July (and she had a beautiful & healthy baby girl named Eloise 2 Saturdays ago!) so it's just been me and the girls manning both shops. Add to that that it's also buying season, so I also have to do a fair bit of traveling to see what all our wonderful designers have in store for next Spring/Summer.

Last week I had to go to Toronto for our first round of appointments, and I was a bit nervous going without my bestest pal, my amazing business lady partner, my bosom buddy (and now we can add rad momma to the list!) BUT, thankfully, our dearest Shasha, who is now residing in Toronto, was awesome enough to come along with me and take us out to some sweet spots after too. I know dear readers you wish you could all have been there too, I'm sure you must all miss her almost as much as we do!



An important part of Katie and I's travel/work itinerary is always making time for hotel room hangouts. TV is probably at it's best when viewed from a hotel bed after a long day's work. And that's saying alot, cos I like TV, alot, in pretty much any context. Shashi and Luke (my main squeeze) were also down for making time for this on our itinerary.



We stayed at the great Gladstone hotel in one of their artist designed rooms. I love this room because it has custom wall-paper depicting long-standing patrons of the Gladstone!





Before going to dinner we walked around a bit and did some window shopping (it was too late so most shops were closed. Too bad, we would have loved to check in at Robber!) But the Drake's ice cream parlour Scoops was open and it was so cute! (Speaking of which, Scoops also sells super cute made in T.O. t-shirts by a brand called Shared which you will in all likelihood see very soon at Victoire as well!)



Since one of our fave restaurants in Ottawa is Murray St. Charcuterie (have you guys been to their week-end brunch yet? It's soooo amazing and it's only 12$. Best brunch in town in my books). Anyways, since we are such rabid meat eaters, Shashi thought we would like this place called Hoof Cafe and boy was she right!




Happy faces filled with pork belly!!



Then we went to an adorable bar called the Dakota Tavern and met up with Amber! (Oh man, now I bet I'm making you guys super nostalgic & jealous about spending time with these lovely ex-Victoire girls, aren't I?)



This place was absolutely adorable and had a country band playing under a disco ball and twinkling lights, a real honky tonk dream. Oh yeah and no big deal or anything, but Ron Sexsmith was like totally there too. I guess Toronto is kinda cool for the occasional celeb sighting like that. And it doesn't always have to be members of Sloan! (Though that is still kind of thrilling.)

heritage rocks.

The Chelsea Heritage Society had an auction last week and I managed to snag an entire box filled with Interview magazines from the seventies and eighties and amongst them various issues of Japanese photography publications and others that I had never seen before. This is one of my favorites a french publication called Egoiste published in '87 in France. There was only one issue, but it is gold.

Cover boy Andy all stitched up...

pretty portraits...

An illustrated story about Coco Chanel Ines de la Fressange done by Karl Lagerfeld.

various baby portraits of Kadhafi (left), Adolf Hitler(top right) and Benito Mussolini
(bottom right)

more neat-o photography...turtle crossing...

pretty Dior ad.

Fin

Thank goodness it's friday

I hope the week was good to everyone. Here's a little something I've been ogling these last couple of days. Maxence Cyrin takes vintage film and pairs it with piano renditions of modern popular music. I think this video by itself is amazing, (the swimmer's formations look like cells under a microscope) but the added music and great editing makes the clip something really special to watch.

via itsnicethat

It's back

The amazing Valerie Dumaine Jean Dress is making a comeback for fall in five great colors!
What makes this dress so great? Well I have personal experience wearing it on several different occasions and can personally attest to the dress' versatility and durability.

Can you go to a wedding in it? yes.
Eat street meat in it? oh yeah.
Party down in it? absolutely!
Wear it to work? no doubt.
Have a couple of park beers in it? YES!

Enough said.

$155 and available in emerald, purple, blue, black, and gray

neue

I spent most of the day at the Westboro location with a tidying itch I just couldn't scratch.

Though Spring seems to be the cleaning season, I always find myself a little restless 'round this time of the year because it seems so much more transitional. Jean jackets turn into coats, shoes into boots, salads into soups and with that comes new things to look at, move around and rearrange - including displays!

New necklaces, earrings & rings at the store! Ranging from $19 - $70.

More necklaces, keychains and pins ranging between $19-$40.

Just a reminder that the next couple of weeks will be chock full of (gorgeous) new fall products to check out, so swing by or can keep checking back here for tons o' updates.

Memento Mori

Take a moment to appreciate the new wares we just received from Modern Alchemy.

Solid perfume in three scents: Tuberose, Jasmine, and Lily of the Valley $49 each

Memento Mori set of six mini candles $55

Mememto Mori Candle $69

Lily and Jae Fall

We have just finished unpacking the first installment of the eagerly anticipated fall collection from Lily and Jae! Here's a little taste of what's in store.

(note: The fabric for each of these pieces is different then the ones available in store. The Dallas and Cruz pieces we have are made with a steely gray silk with maroon and yellow pattern. The Boyfriend blazer is a solid navy wool with brown buttons.)

Cruz cami $126

Dallas dress $246

Boyfriend blazer $294

Can't get enough of Lily and Jae? Check out their fall video!

lily+jae AW10 teaser video from jude feller on Vimeo.

True Blue

Dirty Beaches (Montreal) will be playing a FREE show tonight at the Manx. Doors are at 9pm. This is, of course, only if you're into dreamy boys singing the dreamiest of songs...

Don't miss out!

Some like it hot in Dundonald Park

If you're still looking for something to do tonight, head down to Dundonald park for this summer's last installment of Centertown movies. Some Like It Hot will be playing at sundown. This is my all time favorite Marilyn Monroe movie, and it's definitely worth coming out for tonight! See you there!

Introducing Haiku Clothing

Comfortable threads
Made with care in Canada
What's not to like, right?

Lattice top made with bamboo $115

Haiku Clothing hails from Vancouver and focuses on ethical production and quality materials. Many of their garments are made from post production fabrics and the designer's attention to detail make the finished product something that you'll wear season after season.

cotton and linen blend Crossover Dress available at the Westboro location in beige and creme. $134

Web Love

Today I worked on photographing some classic Victoire accessories that are about to make the jump to the webstore. Here's a sneak peek of some roadkill items that will be up and ready to view in the next few days.

big antlers $180

two headed deer $80

heart anchor $60

Happy Elvis Week!

I think the spirit of The King has gotten to me because it wasn't until i got to work and caught my reflection in the window that I realized, today's outfit is incredibly "jailhouse Rock" of me, after all, it is Elvis Week. No this is not some celebration that the swooning teenage girl in me made up, it is a legitimate and very serious occasion. Let's get real, what would the world be without his sparkling baby blues, that messy little pompadour and of course...those swivelin' hips.

"Number 47 said to Number 3..."

"you're the cutest jailbird I ever did see."

"Everybody in the whole cell block..."

"We're dancing to the jailhouse rock!"

Featuring the Mink Pink "Comfort In" jacket. Very tuxedo-esque, but very comfy.
$98 in Black or Charcoal

Getting Carded

You never know when you'll be in need of a good card on short notice, I recommend stocking up in advance.

Cards from La Familia Green and Sycamore Press all $6 each.

I'm just about to unpack the new card shipment from Regional Assembly of Text, so both stores should be well stocked with cards in the next few days.

Summer School

I can tell it is nearing mid August at the Westboro store by the increasing presence of back to school inspired items on the floor. We've got great new leather bags that are just right for a few smaller text books, some school boy blazers, and school uniform inspired dresses and rompers made from really soft flannel by Sessie!

Leather bag by Laura Langford (made in Ottawa) 250, Steel Magnolia Vintage blazer $59

Sessie medium romper $89

Here's a little "who wore it best" school uniform edition.

Max Fisher from Rushmore

Lydia from Beetlejuice

...and of course Angus Young of AC/DC.