Holy Shipdisturber! A brand new website!

This Thursday, September 1st, we are launching a new website. I'm kind of scared and really excited.

It will be a brand new look for Smoking Lily, thanks to Natalie of Apartment 527. She is the same person responsible for both our previous websites. We hope you like it.

Our web lady extraordinaire, Emira, has updated the technology. The Smoking Lily site will now be accessible on tablets and smart phones. It will be much easier for you, our customers, to navigate throughout the site. There are more catagories for us to play with. For example, Smoking Lily's kids wear is no longer an "accessory" and we can break up the women's clothing into seperate categories. It will be much easier for us to put our prints up on the site, so we will actually try update that page from time to time.

Another huge change....Our blog is moving over to the new website. All in one!

Some things will stay the same. We have decided that we would like to continue the personal touch, so we will still be phoning and sending emails to our mail order shoppers to complete their orders. We love chatting with you.

Glenda has had a lot of late nights processing photos she took for the new site. We have posted a few on the old site, but the new site has them all. She did a fantastic job. Glenda and our long-standing model Dianna took a few road trips to shoot on location to get some good snaps for you.

We are excited to launch our new website and hope that you will enjoy it. We ask that you be patient with us as we transition and become familiar with the new site. As always, we will be happy to answer any questions you have via phone or email.

Love,

Smoking Lily

Victoria Shops: Johnson Street Fest

We had such a great time last Saturday at Johnson St fest, I have to share a few photos. If you missed it this year, mark it on your calendars for next year - discounts at smoking lily, cotton candy and tiny donuts! Could you wish for more on a Saturday afternoon?? Oh and all the money raised for the event went towards 'Make a Wish' foundation. Great event- great cause.

Our Guidance Booth

Our past models stopped by for a short visit.

Joanne and Nicole sumo wrestling!!

Rachael filled in for Renee for a bit.

A few spots left!

Hey Victoria Peeps! We have another screen printing class starting next Tuesday night and there are a couple spots left. Sign up at the Johnson street wee shop to have a super fun time with Trish and Rachael for 3 Tuesdays... When we are finish you will take home your own screen and know how to print your own tee's and things. Great for making your family Christmas gifts this year!

Vancouver Update: Battling the Gloom With Silliness

The last week has a seen a lot of unwelcome news: death, hurricanes, flooding....Not that there hasn't been good news, too, I'm just feeling that some recent sad events combined with the less than August-like weather the past couple of days has put a bit of a damper on the fleeting effervescence of an already short summer this year. Booo!

In the spirit of "Battling Possible Gloom With Absolute Silliness!!," I thought I'd post some, well, silly videos. The first is from a series of hilarious (but lewd!) clips featuring cast members from the current Broadway production of The Importance of Being Earnest reading transcripts from Jersey Shore. (In case you are unfamiliar with the general, um, level of decorum in Jersey Shore, you'll probably not want to watch this one with the sound cranked at work!)

This second video is from an older but equally hilarious series called Drunk History. It's fairly self-explanatory (and historically inaccurate)...

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Victoria Update: Pippa Jacket

It's not that I'm looking forward to the wet weather of fall... but I am excited to sport the very stylish Pippa Jacket. It's a classic look and fit with a hood. Made in waxed cotton means it's water repellant. And, as the washing instructions state on the inside - just hose it down! Comes in black. Sizes S,M,L. $240.

Vanilla Poached Peaches

I have been enjoying many lovely breakfasts in the garden lately - August has been fantastic in Vancouver. The garden table is in a lovely spot with the tomatoes looming large, the beets tickling your ankles under the table and the chairs sinking sideways into the soft soil. It's feels a little like a child's tea party.

Here's a couple of views of our garden table (one with a Lily linen tablecloth):

Yesterday, after enjoying a breakfast of pan-fried oysters that we shared with our upstairs neighbour, my boyfriend declared that he would love to have vanilla poached peaches for breakfast the following day. It was an interesting request (although I had just purchased 10 pounds of peaches the previous day at a farm stand), as I have never made poached peaches before and he had never mentioned them, but I agreed that it would be a delicious breakfast. So, I did the standard internet search for recipes, blended a few, picked up a vanilla bean and this morning got to work. It was a little time consuming, but fun and the result was so worth it - visually and gastronomically!

I think I may want to turn this whole box of peaches into the glistening gems that follow.

Lily Inspiration: Maternity Fashion (and Comfort!)

Okay, I admit it, I am not a fan of "maternity" clothes. The idea of buying an entire wardrobe of commercially produced, synthetic and uncomfortable garments that I will only wear for the short time in which my belly measurement will exceed every other part of my body is not appealing to my financial or fashion sensibilities. So far, I have managed to escape purchasing outside my comfort zone and I'm happy to report I've found many Smoking Lily items which have grown with me and my baby, which I'll be wearing long after he or she is snuggling in my arms.

The Hama Hama top was great in the beginning (and perfect for nursing), but now that I'm in my 7th month, the length of the Simple Tee provides flattering coverage and stretch.

The Petite Anglais is by far my favorite skirt, with a wide stretchy waistband and front/back reversible option. Plus I can wear the skirt above or below the knee too, making this super comfy pencil skirt even more versatile.

The Fandango skirt has an elasticized waistband and sits below my baby belly. It hits just below the knee for a fun, flirty sashay.

Our new Frontenac dress (in Black and Olive hemp jersey) is very cute wore with or without the two-tone braided belt, and looks extra special with an Obi Belt.

For special occasions, our Print Your Own service can dress up your own garment with one of our prints. While there are limitations on the fabric we can silk screen on (it has to be at least 60% natural fibers and we can't print over seams or on bumpy fabric), this option can add a finishing touch to an otherwise plain garment. Contact our in-store personnel for details on this service.

Simple Tee in Red $34 and Wool Fandango Skirt in Black $55

The Frontenac Dress in black $102 with cotton Obi Belt $44

Studio Update-athon!

La la la, Thursdays in the studio and the ladies are gettin things done. Thank goodness it's cooler than yesterday or you'd be peeling us all of the floor at quittin' time.

The disembodied hands above belong to Nicole, who's churning out some Banff skirts (that pic reminds me of Thing from the Addams Family. Best butler ever award?).

Above is the lovely jo-jo-bean ready for snippin' and sewin' of a new sample top.

And this is Rose giving me a hand drying some of our lovely wool scarves (yummy yellow is a big winner for punches of colour this Fall and Winter).

Last I figured you'd all be stoked and ready for our super comfy fall dress: The Frontenac (advice for pronuciantion: imagine you are Jean Chretien).

Cute print of Canoes and Spotted Feather on the black is tres adorable. Also notice the booty? This dress is friends with bootylicious ladies.

And on the olive Frontenacs (more green than they appear in the pic above) are prints of the giant spotted feather. These dresses in stores everywhere tomorrow!

Johnson St. Fest for a great cause

We had so much fun at the Johnson Street Fest last year that we are doing it again this Saturday, August 27th.

Lower Johnson St. boutiques are raising money for the Make A Wish foundation. Always a great cause! There are a few ways that you can donate this Saturday:

* The boutiques will be selling "wish stars" at $2 each, the street's goal is to sell 2500! Just go into any shop along the 500 to 600 blocks of Johnson Street to purchase them.

* I heard today that our Mayor is going to auction off the use of his parking spot for one week and that Kuba Oms will be taking his turn at the dunk tank!

* Smoking Lily will have a "Guidance Booth", where, for a donation, we will help point you in the right direction in life, love, work, or maybe just where to get a good cup of coffee.

There are many other great events planned for the day. You can check out the facebook page for more information.

Come by and say hi to the lovely Lily's manning our shop on Saturday, check out our fabulous sales rack for great deals, help raise funds for awesome kids and have lots of fun doing it!

See ya there!

Studio Update: Wool Blankets

Here's what's going on in the studio today! Another batch of beautiful wool blankets are headed your way.

First, I lay out the vintage blankets to check for holes or marks; then I get creative with an inspirational pile of printed and patterned fabrics.

I lay out a large print with some harmonious pieces then sew it all together.

The result, gorgeous throws! I can just imagine them strewn over couch backs, on sunny lawns during a picnic, on the deck of a boat or perhaps in a hammock next to the cabin... perfect decorative coziness for wherever you plan to snuggle.

Summer Window Display Up For Sale

The Vancouver Summer window display is now available for sale. One large pretty birdcage hanging centerpiece ($144) and two sweet birdcage hanging lamps ($86 each) are free to fly out of the shop and into your home. I think they would be fabulous for a children's bedroom or in a breakfast nook (I wish I had one). Feel free to call us at the Main Street shop 604.873.5459 for dimensions, or with any other questions.

If you are on the West Coast today, happy puddle jumping!!

In Memory...

A great contributor to Canadian politics, Jack Layton, will be sorely missed by Canadians of all political persuasions.

Ashni Scarves

Beautiful, soft, warm, breathable, colourful, wool scarves with engaging all-over prints.

Available in blue, teal, magenta, grey, olive, coral, dark red, yellow, brown, and black for $48.

Lily Inspiration: Serving Pouch

Most of the staff at Smoking Lily have worked, are working or will work as a restaurant server. We created these pouches after many requests from staff and customers. They're made out of durable cotton canvas and have two pockets for your serving essentials. Stop by the Milkman's Daughter to pick one up - only 2 left!

Serving Pouch, $26

New Squirrel Hunter

This just in from one of our favourite mail order customers:

"I just recently got back from holidays and just had to tell you that I loved travelling with the squirrel hunter tunic. I wore it paired with the Cotton Cardigan and cropped leggings. I had planned to take photos, but unfortunately most of the time we were rushing through airports so I couldn't stop to do a "fashion shoot" of my cute AND comfortable outfit. Most importantly, those pockets are not only good for stuffing squirrels, they're also great for stashing a passport when you have a billion things in your hands and need to put it somewhere safe and secure quickly. Those ample pockets came to my rescue numerous times, and also allowed easy access when I was being barked at by the customs officer. Thanks for making such great looking functional clothes!"

Thanks Julie!

Victoria Shops Update: We're Hiring!

Do you love Smoking Lily?

Do you have retail sales experience?

Do you have the attitude that no job is too small or too large to fulfill?

Smoking Lily is looking for a salesperson to work in the Victoria stores: The Milkman's Daughter and the Wee Flagship Shop. Please forward cover letters and resumes to milk@smokinglily.com or drop off at the Milkman's Daughter.

Studio Update: Olive Hama Hamas

New this week, we are in production of a new shade of Hama Hama top. This front/back reversible Smoking Lily classic, for those of you who haven't tried one on yet, is close to the body, flattering and features a wide boatneck in a Bamboo-Lycra fabric that is at once drapey and stretchy. Comfortable enough to sleep in, structured enough to wear to the office, breathable and all around delightful!

Liz printing samaras (Maple Pods) on Olive Hama Hama tops $44

Lily Home: Anthropomorphic Plates and Cards

The Milkman's Daughter and our Vancouver shop both received these amazing plates and cards last week. They make a wonderful gift for others (or for yourself!). Here are a few photos of my favourites:

Tommy C, $80

Fawn $50

Rachelle the cockatoo, $65

Black and White and Grey for Fall

With some red for good fun!

Cotton Cardigan, Plaid Cypress Skirt, Hama Hama Top, and Striped Hester Skirt:

...And More New Fall Garments!

Bamboo Longsleeve Tee and Wool Fandango Skirt!

More New Fall Garments!

Wool Vests and Skirts! The Jasper.