GIFTS FOR GIVING WITH ETSY

Posted by kait / December 4, 2014

Well, here we are, four days into December. How are you feeling so far? I am feeling pretty great especially since our baby’s due date is rapidly approaching – only 14 days away! I’ve been really getting into the Christmas spirit and trying to get our house in tip top shape before our little guy arrives. We’ve had our Christmas tree up for a few weeks already and we’ve just about got everything checked off of our gift giving list.

Lately, I’ve been stalking Etsy for some unique gift ideas and Christmas decor. I’ve found some incredible things (like these gorgeous geometric ornaments that I ordered above) among tons of other great gift ideas and decor! You can check out Etsy Canada’s amazing gift giving lookbooks here – there are some seriously amazing items in there!

These Geometric Tree Ornaments from Germany are stunning. I think they would look great adorning your Christmas Tree, on a minimalist themed wreath or even just slung across a simple dowel for a mantel-top display.

I just about gasped when I came across this gorgeous White Polish Star Ornament. This maker creates them in all sorts of colours and sizes. They even make them with sheet music – how creative is that? Reminiscent of sea urchins I think you could incorporate these ornaments into your decor all year round.

I really love these Linen Christmas Tree Ornaments. Such a fun and playful design, complete with the most adorable little tree trunks! If you aren’t a huge fan of traditional red & green Christmas garb, something like these trees will bring a bit of modern design to your home as you prep for the holidays. There is nothing wrong with experimenting with different decorating palettes year to year.

Because who doesn’t love airplants at the moment? This Himmeli Ornament Set + Airplant Holder is so cool and I’m totally trying to figure out a way I can incorporate into my home all year round. In case you haven’t played with airplants you should know that even the blackest thumb can have fun with these plants. They require little to none attention so you don’t have to worry too much about killing them off.

For any of your friends who love a bit of afternoonc crafting, this DIY Bird Kit would be a great stocking stuffer. These birds are so fun and colourful – once they’ve been DIY’d I think they would be such a fun addition to any space. Even attaching them to string to create a tiny mobile would be so cute!

If you are looking to send out Christmas cards this year, I found this gorgeous minimalist Merry Christmas Card on Etsy that is perfect for anyone who appreciates a bit of 90’s nostalgia. Something about it kinda reminds me of Saved by the Bell…

I love gifting mugs and coffee for Christmas. Even though sometimes it is hard to deal with a cupboard full of mismatched cups, there is something so special about a mug that someone picked out just for you. This TSC Teacup + Saucer in Check is no exception. I can picture myself or many of my friends enjoying a tea or coffee out of this great set.

Last year, I bought their Craft Beer Pairings calendar for Byron who absolutely loved it. When I saw their Stir & Shake 2015 Calendar I immediately fell in love. Since I am a cocktail lover, I know what a perfect gift this would be for many of my girlfriends who share my love of a delicious drink. Here’s to 2015!

You can’t go wrong with any sort of sparkle or tassel at this time of year. This Blush and Gold Leaf Tassel Mobile is so special and pretty; I think it would make a great addition to your holiday decor this year.

Never shopped on Etsy before? Click here to receive $5 off your first purchase! If you aren’t sure where to start, you can shop my Tastemaker Boards (kinda like Pinterest) for more of my favourite finds.

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.

ANNIE WILLIAMS – LIMITED NATURAL

Posted by kait / August 18, 2014

I always love seeing what Nashville designer Annie Williams will come up with next. I’ve been a big fan of her work ever since her collaborator and my good friend Nicole Irene first introduced me to her beautiful leather goods. I’ve been following her work throughout the years and have always fallen in love with what ever she creates – from the home line to her early collections.

Of course, finding out that she has a new collection just in time for autumn featuring the natural essex hide. This leather wears well and she even gives her own testimonial of using the tin cloth tote as a diaper bag for the past couple of months, which gets me pretty excited about picking out my own diaper bag in the near future. This new collection looks soft, timeless and understated; totes and clutches that can effortlessly become season-less in your wardrobe.

collection by annie williams

photography by nicole irene

10 BOOKS TO READ THIS FALL

Posted by kait / August 15, 2014

I always seem to have endless stack of books next to my bed. I’ve either got a mind that cannot be satiated by one or two good books per year or I have a serious book buying addiction. It is actually a combination between the two. I’ve always been a bit of a bookstore junkie and I can blame this trait completely on my book-loving parents. My Mom and Dad have always expressed the importance of a well-rounded home library and I’ve since curated my own to be a reflection of my personality and interests.

As much as I love a good used book (finding the previous owner’s margin notes are one of my favourite things about picking up a pre-loved book) there seems to be all sorts of amazing authors launching new books all of the time – essentially forcing me to add them to my Chapters shopping cart and wait patiently for that new book smell to arrive on my doorstep.

As my third trimester will be taking up the entire fall, I’m designating my spare time to spent indulging in some great new books as opposed to the Netflix marathons I’ve been subjecting myself to all summer. I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of different categories so I can keep things interesting in case non-fiction or fiction isn’t doing it for me 100% of the time. To be honest, I always have a couple of those books on my bedside table bookmarked or dog-eared – I am terrible for starting a new book before I’ve finished the last one.

My list is lengthy but a worthy one, full of precious literary gems (and some serious pop culture thrown in there for good measure) that will keep both you and I busy and away from the TV. Any books I should be adding to my stack? Please send me any recommendations! Like I said, I have an addiction, so please feed it!

Creative Block by Danielle Krysa (aka The Jealous Curator)

Rookie Yearbook Two by Tavi Gavinson

Creative Confidence by David and Tom Kelley

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz

The Vacationers by Emma Straub

Friendship: A Novel by Emily Gould

One More Thing: Stories & Other Stories by BJ Novak

Sister Mother Husband Dog by Delia Ephron

The Mr Porter Paperback by Jeremy Langmead

Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah

COMING THIS FALL: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

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

POPPY BARLEY X #YYC

Posted by kait / June 17, 2014

Since our awesome party with Poppy Barley last month at Phil & Sebastian, I have been absolutely loving my blue jean baby flats and my city boots. Completely custom to my feet and legs, these are such a dream! Since it is still such a fabulous and somewhat new product to most Canadian gals, I thought I would let you know about two upcoming opportunities to get your hands on some sweet Poppy Barley gear!

This weekend is going to be pretty incredible with fantastic rock shows all over the city as part of Sled Island. There will also be some pretty epic shopping opportunities – namely Parksale over in Haultain Park. Poppy Barley is setting up their booth there from 10am til 8pm on Saturday June 21st. You can check out their brand-new product, ask questions about these amazing custom-made shoes and also get your feet/legs measured for a custom pair of boots or shoes! All of the vendors and more .

ALSO! My lovely friend Ania from the amazing Ania.B blog is hosting a Stampede-themede giveaway with Poppy Barley and ATB Financial! You can win $500 in custom shoes made just for you. Just pin 2 win! More details over at Ania’s blog.

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

424 FIFTH NOW AT THE BAY!

Posted by kait / April 17, 2014

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the 424 Fifth’s Chief Creative Officer and Senior VP of Design Marie Holman-Rao one afternoon at Hotel Le Germain. It was absolutely wonderful to chat with her and hear all about how the collection came together, her inspiration behind the pieces and her must-have wardrobe pieces.

KK: I am so excited to have this new brand here in Canada. Can you tell me a bit about how the line came to be?

Marie Holman-Rao (MHR): It has been so exciting! The whole idea behind 424 Fifth was to create a exclusive private label brand that was more aspirational than just a commodity product. Bonnie and Richard Baker had wanted to elevate the idea of a private label and since it was Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay together, it had to be something that appealed a lot of different people and different areas. The style really changes across the landscape of Canada but the line is very international. It is also coming from an age-less point of view – we don’t want to just appeal to a demographic but we want to appeal to a certain sociographic. This woman loves fashion and she knows quality value but doesn’t want to spend a fortune.

KK: What will we see at 424 Fifth for each season?

MHR: We wanted classics in the collection as well as pieces that are of-the-moment as well as have a distinct sense of humour. Those are the things you are usually attracted to.

KK: What kind of pieces will be in every collection?

MHR: We will always have a great fitting black pant. We will always have a luxury leather item – like a pant. We will always have the skirt silhouette of the moment. We were really lucky for Spring 2014 that skirts were back in fashion – especially the mid-length skirt which is so elegant!

KK: What are your top five staples for every woman’s wardrobe?

MHR: Definitely a long skirt, for this season. We have it in so many gorgeous colours. A great little cropped jacket, like our striped one is perfect with the long skirts. Coats are a must-have. Our long jacket toppers are fantastic. A classic white boyfriend shirt is key. I like the coming-and-going sweaters as well – a great detail.

The 424 Fifth line is available at all Hudson’s Bay locations in Canada as well as Lord & Taylor in the USA! The collection is absolutely stunning – you can check out the Spring lookbook here! Shop the looks below from Hudson’s Bay – this line is super affordable already but a lot of the items have recently been reduced! What an amazing deal for such gorgeous pieces for the spring.

I HEART PROJECTEO + GIVEAWAY

Posted by kait / April 17, 2014

I love miniatures. I’ve always been fascinated by tiny things and imagining tiny worlds. In another life I think I would have been one of those people with the elaborate train sets, building amazing to-scale landscapes and getting lost in it all. So, of course, when I discovered Projecteo last year, I instantly fell in love.

Projecteo is a tiny analog projector that displays your Instagram photos in a whole new way. It is so much fun to go through old travel photos this way. I love choosing my favourite nine images to add to a reel. Below I chose photos from my trips last year to Austin, Texas; Okanagan, BC; and Palm Springs, California. It is pretty magical when you turn on your Projecteo for the first time. This is also a super fun gift idea for kids – it is actually perfect size for the IKEA furniture set or for playing with Barbies!

Enter to win your own by visiting Projecteo and commenting on this post! I would love to hear about what photos you would put on your reel! Giveaway ends on Wednesday April 23rd at 12MST. This giveaway is open for residents world-wide!

If you can’t wait to win, use my friends code to order your own: FRIEND07L3. Oh, and they have free shipping worldwide. A win-win, no?