Before I get to all the shopping stuff, I have to get a confession out of the way. I jsut finished lying in bed for 2 hours doing nothing watching "An Affair to Remember". The big kids are at their mom’s this weekend and I let the Gaffer watch 2 hours of animated Christmas specials.
Now, still wracking with sobs, I have come to sit down and write about some of my favourite shopping sources/ideas/friends, etc. in order to help you out with your Christmas stuff now, or more importantly, your own personal treats later.
All of these suggestions I am sharing with you are either friends, or friends of friends or something I’ve tried and loved. It surely isn’t apparent in this post, but I am not much of a shopper so the fact that these are almost all independent businesses run out of homes or small stores rates really highly for me!
I’ve even tried a few photos for you…I am no photographer, that’s for sure.
First up: Snapdragon Designs by Toronto based Pam Willcocks.
Here are some photos of the bags and cashmere I have succumbed to at a number of her shows and sales out of her home. There is a list of these on her website.
I’m not sure that Pam is going to thank me for the presentation of these pictures, but her products are fantastic. The floral bag on the left is my summer purse, the gingham is a tote bag for work (summer). It is hard to tell how beautiful the black and white cow purse is, but there is a picture on her website that does it much better justice. I intentionally folded the pink cashmere hoodie like that to show the kangaroo pockets and the hood but apparently it looks much better in real life than on my dining room table. And the black shapeless thing is a black swing coat.
Here’s an effort to try and show them off at a better angle. Pam also carries pashminas and about a dozen different styles of cashmere sweaters, both casual and formal. I am a bit of an addict. But clothes aren’t working so much for me right now so I’ve become a bit of an accessory junkie.
The single greatest thing I love about Pam is that she is honest and she will not let you leave with something that doesn’t work. If you can’t give her a call before Christmas, make it a New Year’s resolution to treat yourself.
Second: Daniel Espinosa, Toronto Boutique owner Christian Sarubi
These are my two DE bling pieces. So love both of them!!! That pink heart is a huge honking piece of pink cubic zirconia!
I’ve blogged about my Daniel Espinosa bling before but I thought it deserved a second round for two reasons: 1) It is located at the bottom of the 4 Seasons in T.O. which automatically makes most of us think we cannot afford to go there, and that is not the case. There are some beautiful, reasonably priced pieces and then some serious glam for those who can do such things.
2) He is having a 40%off sale this week.
Third: And so not fair because I have no pictures and no website and I promised not to write about her without running it past her first…but…Jakes Clothes
There’s a fabulous woman in my neighbourhood who sells clothing from her home. Her fashion sense rocks, she has toys for kids to play with and she is totally honest about what looks good and why. I spent almost a year trying to find a camisole that stays high enough on my chest that I could wear some blouses only suitable for summer evening outings to my day job. Jacki hooked me up within 5 minutes of being in her home. I also left with the nicest pair of shorts I have ever owned, which look great on me and were cheaper than the gap, and a couple of great tanks! I promised I would be back at the end of the summer to stock up on back to school clothes, but I am still not buying clothes so I haven’t made it. I asked Jacki if I could write about her and put her e-mail out and understandably, she was a bit hesitant and wanted to see what I wrote first…good for her!
Unfortunately I am always typing to deadline and I never seem to get organized in time for her. But she is as gracious, lovely, comfortable, fashionable and approachable as her clothing so I wanted to give her a mention. If you’d like her e-mail address, just ask in the comments and I’ll send it along.
Note to Jacki: I hope this is OK without permission and I will be in to see you in the new year for sure.
Fourth: Bonnebouche aka Rosie’s Cookies and Cupcakes…Yummy Yummy Yummy!!!
Download rosie_holiday_20071.pdf
I chose to share all of these with you because most of the entrepreneurs are small and local, two are moms and all are extremely nice and helpful people with whom to deal during such a crazy time of year. I hope some of you can find something you or someone you love may like here.
And just before I snuggle into bed, one more gratuitous photo for you…
The Gaffer helping out her mom!!! Isn’t she sweet???!!!
Elizabeth, I LOVE those bags! I am always envious of your bags. You must tell me next time you go to a show of Pam’s. I would like to join you. Also, please forward info for Jacki. She sounds like a real find.