The 10 Cent Educational Series: Arm Knitting

Posted by kait / October 22, 2014

Have you ever knitted with your arms before? No?! Maybe you should start now. Why spend endless dollars on multiple sizes of knitting needles when you’ve got two fantastic appendages already attached to your body that knit just fine!

My friend Lori Andrews (aka ) is kicking off her new 10 Cent Educational Series on November 5th with PuddingYarn and JuiceBecause for a course on arm knitting and creating an awesome, cozy and stylish infinity scarf using only your arms and some seriously chunky yarn. Registration just launched for this fun evening of DIY crafting, live music and delicious treats. The class is $90 which includes all instruction + the giant balls of yarn that you need to complete your project – coming in these two gorgeous colours!

PuddingYarn | 1516 6th Street SW

November 5th 6-8pm

HALLOWEEN WITH ETSY CANADA

Posted by kait / October 19, 2014

Happy Halloween – almost! I stopped by Global Calgary yesterday morning to chat all things handmade and Halloween from Etsy Canada! There are some seriously talented makers in Alberta and B.C. and I was so excited to showcase some of them on the air. and I’ve listed all of the products below with links to purchase! From chic goodies for the home to cute stuff for your little trick-or-treaters, Etsy is an amazing place to find just about everything!

Westwick Candle Co. (Langley, BC) – Julie Heichert hand makes each candle and adds pumpkin spice fragrance to soy way. The geometric print on each candle is part of a photograph taken by her sister, Nichole. To transfer the image, Julie prints the photo onto tissue paper and then uses heat to transfer the image to each candle. $15 each.

White Owl Ceramic Studio (Calgary) – Laura Sharp uses Mishima, a slip inlay technique to create this vase, $65. To show the carved areas of the owl, Laura places black glaze inside the carved markings that she makes before firing. She uses a contrasting white background to exaggerate the outline of the owl.

Triangle Trees (Guelph, ON) – This tote bag by Gillian Wilson is wonderful for trick-or-treating. The 7-ounce cotton tote is sturdy and the 25-inch handles make it comfortable to use. The images are water-based, screen-printed by hand, and then heat set, $15.

Pumpkin Spice Candle No. 1 from Westwick Candle Co. // White Owl Vase from White Owl Ceramics Studio //Strange Days Tote Bag from TriangleTrees // Pumpkin Spice Candle No. 2 from Westwick Candle Co.

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YOU SHOULD GO: NORDSTROM HAPPY HOUR

Posted by kait / September 30, 2014

Nordstrom Calgary is already back at it, after their stunning Opening Gala, with a fun party with a great cause. On Friday, October 3, you’ll want to join them in store as they’ve partnered with ReThink Breast Cancer for a bra fit event and Happy Hour!

The Happy Hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. and include a DJ, sips and sweets, a photo booth and the opportunity to have your makeup done. As you might know, 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong bra size and it goes without saying that the perfect look starts with the perfect fit. The Nordstrom lingerie stylists will ensure that each customer is wearing the right size, ranging from band sizes 30-46 and cup sizes AA-K. Following a quick fitting, our stylists will help you find the best lingerie looks for your size, shape and style. The Happy Hour and fit appointments will be held in our Lingerie department on the second floor next to the Nordstrom West Entrance.

Nordstrom will continue to book bra fit appointments all day on October 4. For every bra purchased from a participating brand on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, $2 will go to ReThink.

Finding a bra that fits perfectly AND supporting a very important cause that affects so many women? You won’t want to miss out on being part of the research fundraising.

I HEART YYC

Posted by kait / September 5, 2014

Here’s my list of amazing things happening in Calgary. Have fun + shop local! Also, spread the good word to your friends. [Painting above by Heather Buchanan who will be at Market Collective's 6th Anniversary Market.]

➔ I HEART YYC

♥ Friday Sept 5. 4-9PM + Saturday Sept 6. 10-6PM + Sunday Sept 7. 10-6pm. The beloved Market Collective is hosting their biggest market yet, this time in a beautiful venue in the East Village. Celebrating their 6th Anniversary with a massive three day market, MC has really outdone themselves this time curating some of the best artists in the city for this special event. You won’t want to miss – at 618 Confluence Way SE! MORE INFO.

♥ Monday Sept 8 + Tuesday Sept 9. CAMP Festival. CAMP in partnership with FITC, celebrates creative technology, art and design by bringing together like-minded professionals, artists, and students to share and shape experiences that educate, challenge and inspire. CAMP is hosted at the historical Theatre Junction GRAND in Calgary. Tickets here.

♥ Wednesday Sept 10 – Sunday Sept 14, Beakerhead. I am SO excited to be finally be in town for this year’s Beakerhead. With spectacles like LaserCat and El Pulpo, a giant fire breathing octopus, it is something that no Calgarian should miss if they can help it. Get the full scoop here and don’t miss a single pop-up party or performance.

♥ Friday Sept 12, 6pm – 12am, Inglewood Night Market. I am getting all prepped for the final Inglewood Night Market of the season. I’ll be setting up a booth at STASH Needle Art Lounge to flog some vintage wares + clothing, so definitely stop by if you are in the hood! Some awesome Beakerhead stuff is also popping up in Inglewood for the market which you do not want to miss.

♥ Friday Sept 19, 7:30am – 9:30am, Nordstrom Pre-Opening Beauty Bash: Bring your girlfriends and start shopping Nordstrom’s world of cosmetics while you wait for the new store to open. Get the inside scoop on new products and trends from the top names in beauty—and learn the latest tips and tricks from their team of beauty experts. Enjoy complimentary consultations and demonstrations, along with some beautiful surprises. Join in at the main Nordstrom entrance.

♥ Friday Sept 19, 9:30am, Nordstrom Grand Opening: The new Nordstrom opens! Come check it out, celebrate and shop the season’s best styles. We can’t wait to meet you and see your style.

♥ Saturday October 4, 7pm, . PARKLUXE is a fashion show and art exhibition initiative featuring local designers and professional artists who share a common, high-end target market. is designed to connect Calgary fashion and art lovers with sophisticated local designers and artists who are making an impact outside of our city limits, and throughout Canada and North America. This season’s show is proving to be an incredible one! So proud of our local designers.

♥ Friday October 17, 4pm – 9pm + Saturday October 18, 10am – 6pm. is back for their fall show. Their mission is to bring a carefully curated collection of independently produced, Canadian art, craft + design to the people of Calgary twice annually, with other plans unfolding all the time! I cannot wait to see the amazing products at this year’s show.

♥ ♥ ♥

HOME & DESIGN SHOW GIVEAWAY!

Posted by kait / September 2, 2014

My favourite time of year for fashion and design has arrived once again. Fall. Oh hello brisk autumn winds and dark blue skies, I am so ready to start nesting under your steadily dropping temperatures. Along with the September issue of Vogue there are a couple of things I greatly look forward to each fall – one being the Calgary Home & Design Show. In the past, I have participated in fun DIY challenges, interviewed interior designers and toured the trade show for the coolest new products. This year I’ve teamed up with CHDS for a sweet giveaway just for you to win!

➔ YOU GET ALL OF THIS:

$25 Ikea giftcard
Marshmallows from Fiasco Gelato
$95 free class giftcard and spice tin from Ruby’s Kitchen
Paint can bundle from Interiors to Inspire
Peanut brittle and toffee from Sweet
T-shirt, belt buckle, stickers & bracelet from Anejo
2 CHDS14 tickets

➔ TO ENTER:

1. Tell us what your favourite design trend for Fall is! Leave a comment below and be sure to include your name and email. (For design trend ideas, check out !)

2. For an extra entry, follow both and on Twitter and leave an extra comment here saying that you did so.

I will be drawing the winner on Thursday September 4th at 8pm MST. To win you must have a Calgary mailing address. Thanks + good luck!

TOPSHOP MATERNITY + STAMPEDE GIRLS NITE

Posted by kait / June 30, 2014

Who doesn’t need an amazing night out once and awhile? I’m just about four months along now and I can definitely use a girls night! I have been feeling super boring since I am tired all of the time and love lounging around in my cozy PJs! Okay, so it’s not that bad – lounging around is kind of the best. But still, getting a bit glammed up and heading out with my girlfriends is something I have been missing so I cannot wait to hit up Cowboys Dance Hall on Wednesday Night for ‘s Girls Night Out! My good friend and style blogger Ania B will be co-hosting a Stampede style presentation with ! Get down there for 8:00pm because some lucky ladies will walk away with brand new outfits from TOPSHOP that are perfect for wearing to the Stampede. There will be plenty of other fabulous prizes including an awesome TOPSHOP gift card giveaway!

Since I won’t be fitting into very many regular TOPSHOP threads over the next six months, I was super excited to see that they are now carrying TOPSHOP Maternity at the Chinook Centre store now. The section isn’t huge but what they have is fantastic – not only do they have great staples like chambray shirts and skinny black pants but they also have some great trendy pieces that you can work into your maternity wardrobe as well.

I started hunting for some great summer pieces as my bump grows over July and August and found so many perfect items. But I also realized how much of the maternity line would be perfect for creating the ideal Stampede wardrobe. Of course, instead of doing shots at Nashville North, a leisurely stroll with a candy apple around the fair grounds is more a pregnant lady’s style so comfort is key. I found three great looks that are so cute while still spinning a bit of the Western vibe that the Calgary Stampede is so famous for.

Check out these adorable outfits that will work with your sweet baby bump and look great for Stampede. And stop by the TOPSHOP Maternity section at Chinook Centre this week to pick out some great looks for the TOPSHOP party on Wednesday. Hope to see you there…

SHOP THE LOOKS:

Maternity Chambray Shirt // Maternity Aztec Trousers // Maternity Moto Vintage Jeans //Maternity Folklore Dress // Maternity Long Leg Dungarees // Maternity Washed Pocket Tee // Maternity Seamless Bump Band // Blue Espadrilles // White Double Buckle Sandals // Alaska Harness Boot // Leather Stitch Bag // Lipstick in Brighton Rock // Feather Fedora in Tobacco

NEW CRAFT COALITION

Posted by kait / May 21, 2014

I am so excited to be a sponsor of this season’s New Craft Coalition. A fantastic show + sale of some of the best talent in the city, this local art market will take you through all kinds of mediums including photography, ceramics, textiles and jewellery! My favourite thing about this show is that I have been introduced to some of the best artists I’ve ever come across.

At New Craft Coalition it is guaranteed that you will find something incredibly well-crafted and beautiful. From White Owl Ceramic Studio to Dear Pony designs, I can’t wait to get my shop on this weekend!

New Craft Coalition
May 23 4-9pm // May 24 10-6pm
Festival Hall – 1215 10th Ave SE

See you there!

above: white owl ceramic studio // aura may // dear pony // jennea frischke jewellery

above: natalie gerber // plant terrariums // sarah pike pottery

MOOD INDIGO

Posted by kait / March 25, 2014

I am very excited for April. Not only do I have a small inkling that we will actually start seeing signs of spring around this town but I cannot wait until the Calgary Underground Film Festival. Running April 7 -13, the festival is going to be chockfull of amazing films (see the full schedule here) this year. The film I am most excited about is Michel Gondry’s latest effort, Mood Indigo, starring my favourite Audrey Tautou. I will let the beautiful trailer speak for itself and I’ll leave you with some style inspiration based on Audrey’s character Chloe.

Where to buy: Red Flippy Dress / Floral Dress / Mustard Party Dress / Sailor Collar Blouse / Stars Lace Dress /Plum Lip Colour / Jester Kitten Heels / Floral iPhone Case /Fold-over Hold All Bag

FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN BOYS

Posted by kait / February 7, 2014

I LOVE menswear; the clean lines, the simplicity and the classic styles that have endured decades. I always get a little bit jealous of Byron when we are getting ready to go out for dinner or an event and he gets ready in half the time I do. While I am fiddling with trying to make my layers work or deal with Spanx and tights, he instantly looks put together in mere minutes. He would argue of course that he has his wardrobe woes too but I think that his motto of dressing simple (or ‘keep it simple, stupid’ as he lovingly tells me before I lose my shit trying to get dressed) is something I can learn from. I love going shopping with Byron and while my tastes are a bit more flamboyant, I always love what he picks out. So, naturally I couldn’t wait to check out North American Quality Purveyors this past fall. NAQP is a menswear shop in Inglewood specializing in clothing and products made in North America. I love the concept because they really go into detail how designers can be more sustainable and support local fabric producers like woollen mills. I found some great gifts for Christmas for all my dudes, which they loved. I am SO excited because just the other day they launched their brand-new online store, meaning you can shop from their incredible collection from the comfort of your home, wherever you may be.

I pulled together some of my favourite pieces from the collection inspired by Byron’s style. He loves that slightly old-timey feel to his clothes – woollen socks, cuffed jeans and buffalo plaid. I love it too.

Oatmeal Wool Socks // Campus Jacket // Straight Jean // Whitehorse Parka // Officer Trouser – Raindrop Camo // Velva Sheen White Tees // Hunter Green Scarf // Hooded Fleece // Varsity Cardigan // Pop-over Buffalo Plaid // Velva Sheen Grey Tees // Two-tone Crew-neck Sweatshirt

All photos via NAQP.

COMMONWEALTH COLLECTORS CLUB [SUNDAY]

Posted by kait / February 4, 2014

This Sunday afternoon, you’ll find me sipping mimosas and flogging vintage goodies at the . I am SO excited for this awesome day of gifts and oddities – it is totally my kind of market for three amazing reasons:

✚ It is on a Sunday afternoon from 2 -6pm. This timeframe is awesome.
✚ It is at a bar (one of my local faves, ) so there is going to be drink specials on mimosas and a live DJ.
✚ The vendor list is incredible. I mean, a tarot card reader, nail artists and Fiasco Gelato? Almost wishing I was just there to shop.

I’m going to be selling an awesome mix of vintage housewares, clothing, books and more. I’ve rounded up a couple of my favourite pieces below for a little sneak peek.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Be there with bells on!

✚ Sunday February 9th, 2-6pm – $3 admission (a portion of the proceeds go to charity)
: 733 10th Ave SW

Some of the amazing vendors you will see on Sunday: + + + + + + + +