See These

Like these Lace Lamps? If you are lucky.. you will be seeing them soon...

Wellington West location... New window coming soon..

Paper mache, so crafty

Lucy + Em = Craft Love!!

xoxoxo

Dreams really do come true

On June 25th Victoire is celebrating its 5th anniversary. Mark your calender, you will want to be coming down to party with us. I can't tell you all the details yet but it is gonna be beyond whatever you are imagining right now.

Be ready to be blown away.


This is Regine and I celebrating the opening of Victoire at 238 Dalhousie. (Or maybe it is at our 1 year anniversary? Does someone know?)

We have a very talented bunch!

Last night Regine and I went to the Elmdale to see Erin (our blondest and cheeriest co-worker) perform with her blues band, The Walkouts. They were just terrific, I wish we had pictures of Erin up on stage cause you all would have loved it.



Another talented lady around here is Kristal. If you have been liking the way things are looking around the shops it is thanks to her. She keeps us pretty and organized, and boy do we love her for it!



Regine and I are always buying new treasures for the shop, including the treasures that won us the Great Glebe Garage sale challenge (and perhaps Stew Mill's heart!), but too often we forget about them once we have them. Our hording impulse to gather is strong, but to display is often lost in the shuffle having to do the boring work of running the shops.


Bur Kristal is always bring out those treasures from the vault (seriously we have two vaults!). She also has one of my favorite blogs on the net, WAVED OUT.


Next up you will see what our talented crafty gals Em and Lucy have in store for the window at West. It's gonna be terrific!

Baby it's a Bustier

I have 4 black bustier tops. It sounds excessive...I know...but I find them to be the most practical, most versatile and most flattering of items in my wardrobe. They can be veiled under sheer material to solve the problem of top transparency (quite an epidemic in North America as of late) and they can be worn "sans" cover up or cardigan for dramatic effect. This Ella Peru black eyelet corset harkens back to the Victorian era of clothing that insisted on helping in the "architecture" of the female form (personally I find that a tad creepy). That being said...bustier/corsets are the Spanks of the torso but they have most definitely been re-enginered since the Victorian era to be flattering yet extremely comfortable. Win, win ? I think so ! What is there not to love ?


Here the Ella Peru "Corsica" bustier (130$) is paired with St. Tropez Khaki shorts (132$) from the same designer for a casual, effortless look.

Let's play Where's Waldo with the Corsica ...where could she be ...under that transparent Juma Flamingo Tank - top? (sometimes I embarass myself...)



As I'd mentioned...a corset such as this can provide shape and structure underneath all those sheer shirts that you could never quite figure out how to wear.

Thank you for taking Victoire's Bustier grand tour ... hopefully now you won't judge me as scrupulously for having 4 of these lovelies (I won't know either way haha)

The black corset is an unexpected staple ...so come on in and try one on...see the marvels of the Boost this top will give to your Bust.

Until next time Victoirians

Also I want to give a HUGE congratulations to all those who participated in the Race Weekend... your dedication and hard work is extremely admirable. If I had multiple arms and consequently multiple thumbs ...I would put far more than two thumbs up for you guys...but two will have to do for now. Good job !

Thank God I'm a Country Girl

It might come as a shock to some of you but believe it or not I haven't always been the brazen, bold city girl you've come to know and love/tolerate, no ma'am, I'm actually a timid lil country mouse hailing from a small hamlet called Upham located in good ol' No-Funswick.

While most of my friends from the high school I had to travel forty minutes to get to (going up hill both ways) would sit at the cafeteria table belly aching about having to wash the dishes or make their bed I sat there with dirt and grass stained hands praying to god that I didn't still smell like cattle droppings from the two hours of after school fencing I had to endure the night before. Sure doing the dishes sucks, but you know what sucks more? Chasing cows that get out of those fences, picking bugs off acres of potato plants, planting corn, picking squash, WEEDING, wood piling and the smell of chickens. Those are real chores son, man up!

And while the above mentioned was certainly not the highlight of my youth I wouldn't have traded it for the world. Growing up country is the best thing that ever happened to me, and all of my favorite memories are there in those endless fields, broken down barn and John Denver songs.

But I digress a little from what I really want to talk about, which is what outfit do I buy from Victoire to wear on my next visit!? Its so hard to narrow it down but I have a couple of strong contenders who will compete in the challenge I've decided to call "Outfits so cute you'd trade in your best milkin cow for one"
Contender #1

Birds of North America - Nightjar - $189

Ghah, don't you just want to get this dress all flour-dusted as you roll out the top dough layer of the apple pie you are baking from scratch!

Contender #2

Deborah Adams - Saddlebag (made from recycled leather) - $80
Josian Perron - Pinstriped Skirt - $110

Okay this is more of a taking the old rusty truck to town to pick up some Arbor Mist or Boones wine for me and my ma.

Contender #3

Sofia - Jill - $220

Fishing trip and picnic anyone? We'll grill up what we catch and eat our garden grown goodies.

Contender #4

Mink Pink - Draw The Line - $110

I just want to frolic through wheat fields in this number.


Mandy Panties - Bloomers - $49 Bra - $39

Okay these aren't legit contenders, however wouldn't they look ABORABLE hanging from the clothes line! Too cute.

Okay Ladies. I'll need you help on this one. Its a tight competition so I'm going to need all the decision making help you can give.

As a thank you, I leave you with a favorite John Denver classic. Take Me Home Country Roads



xo

The Future

I am quite excited about the near future, namely the Great Glebe Garage Sale tomorrow, great warm weather and this great new movie by Miranda July.

Gwen D Jewelery

Hey guys!

Things have been so busy 'round these part as of late. Between Katie and Reg being busy little bees, the store (and city!) gearing up for summer, our little treasures sale last weekend (thanks for coming out for those who did!!) AND preparation for our 5th anniversary party (!) - it's been a hectic couple of weeks. We've been swamped with new product in the stores too, which is fun for me because I get to hang out with them all day and good for you because you get first dibs. Lucky ducks.

First up is Gwen DELICIOUS jewelery - a new line we're carrying here at the shop. Based out of Vancouver BC, their pieces are made using repurposed vintage charms & pendants, and combined with sturdy brasses and gunmetal. If you like long chains, you will go nuts over these! Affordable and beautiful - the attention to detail is inspiring, even right down to the clasps.

Lil' telescope necklace - $41.00

lil' Compass necklace - $41.00

Lil' Twig rings - $32.00

I own this!

You know when you are on a real winning streak in life? I don't mean Lotto or Bingo kind of winnings (though I REALLY wish I was on one of those streaks). More like you've got your shit really together and life just seems to be taking care of itself, rolling rolling in positivity and happiness. That is the kind of winning streak I am on... Though now that I am thinking of money winnings I feel poor and frustraed again.....


Okay okay back to the positivity! It's really simple stuff but with both me and my man back at work I thought my life was gonna fall apart. We were so spoiled during his parental leave, I couldn't imagine us still getting laundry done and getting food in our bellies. But we have! It seems crazy to say since people do it all the time, but I really thought my look for spring was gonna be "street urchin" (lots of dirty clothes, my hair up in some kind of bun that is closer to a single dread lock wrapped on the top of my head, eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches and maybe a mid-day drink in the basement of the shop to keep me trucking).


But alas, we've got a pretty good flow going on. Baby is thriving and parents are even finding time for date nights. I don't have alot of tricks (most involve having alot of sisters and really supportive friends that help out a lot. And honestly you will never love your mom or mother-in-law more then after you have kids and need them so very very much). Here is what I have learned:

Dace Quince shirt, $152

Keep life simple, I used to love putting together cute outfits, now I gravitate towards simple pieces that look nice on their own in an uncomplicated way. This Dace shirt is my uniform, (Dagg & Stacey is really good for pieces that have a casual fit but still look really pulled together).


Erica Weiner, $140

I have really beautiful jewelry, some gorgeous delicate vintage stuff and some really cool layering pieces. Its all collecting dust, I haven't touched it in 9 months. Simple studs is all I do. These gold nuggets are definitely my next splurge, they are so beautiful. And if any one out there is looking for a baby shower gift I can't imagine any mom-to-be not loving them!


Fieldguided tote, $20

I never got a diaper bag, cause it just seemed like a money grab and I hated the idea of having a bag for Eloise, my purse and her in my arms. Just too much! So I put the few things she needs and I need together in a tote bag. Its easy and these totes from Feildguided keep your cool cred high.


Erin Templeton, $38

Last but certainly not least. A notebook is a must, its great to keep track of things you need to do, or buy. But mostly its a great way to journal what is happening in your little one's life. It only takes a few moment and its gonna be the best gift for both Eloise and us to have forever and ever.


But my biggest tip of all is go to Portland, it's family land! Seriously everyone out there loves kids and life is designed to make it easy for you to have fun with your little buddies. It's also super cool to be a mom, so you get a lot of attention. I got asked out by a "Kings of Leon" looking grocery clerk. It ruled and I love talking about it so ask me about it next time you come in!

Trust Tryst

We received new jewellery at both locations and needless to say.. they are super sweetie and charming. Tryst Jewellery is based out of suburban Toronto by artist Kerry. Environmentally friendly, this line incorporates vintage finds and consideration on reducing the amount of mining required to extract metal from the earth. I hope you will like it as much as I do...

....'cause I REALLY like it.

Dementer Bracelet $36

Fleur Posts $ 22

Antler Necklace $ 50

Ahoy Ring $ 30

Moments like These $ 36

..and there is way more than just these pictures to oogle over!

xoxoxox

I Dare You

An animal print romper?! Some select few dare devils out there are plotting on how they'll get their hands on this whereas most other people are shying away. Animal print romper? It can't be done!

Mink Pink's new piece the Tigress (105$) can be found at both the Dalhousie and the Westboro store and shows that it most certainly can.


We just got this gem in and it is a lot less intimidating than it sounds.
Mink Pink Tigress Romper - 105$
La Raffinerie Necklace - 55$

It has a classic nearly forties feel to it. Pair it with Dolce Vita's practical yet oh so fashionable sandals for a complimentary pop o' colour.


Red Nubuc Sandal- 149$

Rock the tigress this summer...it's too nice out to stay cooped up in your comfort zone.
I triple dog dare you.

Mrs. dress-up!

No doubt the best thing about working here is playing dress up! And that is exactly what we did today:

Em in one of the new Mink Pink pieces, $120

Nice back burn right?

Lucy in Valerie Dumaine, $170 (Wait, what LUCY?! Yup we got a new co-worker. You all are gonna love this gal!)

As all you mom's know, necklaces and earrings are a no go with little tiny one's (though Eloise isn't so tiny any more: 9 months today!). So I got a nice set of bracelets to wear.
Erica Weiner gold branch, $125 silver branch $100, name bracelet $19.

What are you doing this weekend?

Long weekend dollies!!!!

What are you gonna do? Me, I am gonna race out to the cottage and do some max-ing and relaxing (yard work, stacking wood, cleaning the beach and setting up the pool will also be getting done).

No matter what you do: make sure you stop by the Little Treasures garage sale at the Dalhousie street location. Saturday starting at 10ish and going until we sell all our stuff (likely by 5pm).

Having fun in the sun is a lot easier when you look super cute. May we suggest:

Dagg & Stacey top, $136
Suzabelle shorts, $98 at Wellington location only


Mink Pink, $106

Victoire's holiday Monday hours:
Dalhousie 12-5
West Wellington Closed

Sofia, made with love

We are so excited to welcome a new line in to the shops: Sofia. I realize this makes me lazy, but I really love how the line was described on their site so here it is:

There were dresses and blouses on her floor, scarves scattered across her bed and even her go-to jeans were making an appearance peaking out from her under her dresser. The problem was none of these clothes made her feel beautiful and today, well today, she needed to feel beautiful. She needed that one piece of clothing that she could slip into and without another wasted thought (or hour of trying on clothes) she would feel like the best version of herself.

Sofia is created with this story in mind. The pieces are vibrant, feminine and don’t over shadow the woman wearing them; perfect for a day about town or a night of wine and laughter.


Based out of Victoria, British Columbia. Each item is locally made, using luxurious natural fabrics with special attention paid to construction fit and detail.

I already took home the green top, it was just too perfect!

Victoire in Hamilton!

Last blog post about the Field Trip pop-up shop! And it is ALL about how cute Victoire looked. Did we ever love the way our little shop turned out. It was so fun to put together the look and feel customers receive when they are in our permanent locations in our corner of the pop-up shop. I think we did the Victoire name justice.
















As Tara-Lynn said, it feels so lonely without our pals. If we all lived in the same town, tonight we would be getting together to see Bridesmaids and some deep dish pizza! Oh and custard tarts!!