Victoria Visit

As Trish mentioned, I was over in Victoria earlier this week to help hang Timothy Hoey's art show at The Milkman's Daughter - today! It was really nice to meet Tim and hang out with all the Victoria Lilyites.

Here are a few photos of Tim's work.

And a few random photos of the shop.

Trish, Korinne and I also met to talk about the Fall line and some interesting upcoming events. This was the first time I glimpsed the new Fall pieces and I have to say I fell in love with a few garments; the rest will be really good friends with my ever growing Lily wardrobe. There were some great fabrics and interesting tailoring. Fall is going to be fun.

As for Summer, there are still new pieces in the making, including a really cute linen dress in two stunning colours - a bright fresh green and a deep tealish royal blue. They will likely be in stores next week. We'll keep you posted.

Random Photos

Tonight, after work, a few of us gals visited Steph and met Oliver. He is so cute, and smelled so good. It looks like Smoking Lily has a new model.

Nicole made this beautiful cake and brought it over to Steph's house. It was a rhubarb bundt cake, so delicious. We need to get her to share the recipe. Great job on the decorations too. Very creative Nicole. (Hey--This is Nicole, I came to share my recipe! I used two cups of rhubarb instead of one and a half and it worked fine...check out Mollie Katzen's other recipes too, they are all fantastic and have never failed me!)

I got my hair chopped off yesterday to celebrate the first day of summer.

Hello Victoria! I flew home, via float plane, after a great visit with some family in Vancouver (plus checking out the Main Street shop - love the new displays Glenda and Erin). I took this photo because I like the tree lines in the golf course and I think it would be a great print.

This is a photo of "the blue bridge" at the end of Johnson Street in Victoria. I'd never seen it from this view before.

Picked up this chair at the auction last week. We are going to re-upholster it in the next few weeks.

There you go, a little random, but I thought I would share a little of our lives.

Step by Step Guide to a Lovely Summer Day in Victoria

Step 1 Park in a spot with all-day parking (Yates Street Parkade) or, better yet, walk downtown or take public transit. This way you can spend all day with no time restrictions. I also recommend turning off your phone or putting it on silent mode. It's now time to get lost in your own city.

Step 2 Eat something amazing. My favorite breakfast place is Lady Marmalade (608 Johnson Street). They make a Wild Pacific Salmon Bennie that is pure joy. There is a Lady Marmalade in Toronto, too!

Step 3 Saunter over to The Milkman's Daughter and treasure hunt. There's so much to explore in the shop, from great books to items for the home and, obviously, our awesome clothing. We also have one-of-a-kind furniture at this location that is a must see.

Step 4 Scour all vintage clothing shops along Johnson and Pandora. It's a chance to find great items to add to your wardrobe. Take your time; this type of shopping is a true art form. If you don't find anything for yourself, don't be bummed out--it's all a great place for inspiration.

Step 5 Head to our smallest Smoking Lily store on Johnson. Don't be scared to go inside, we don't bite! If you're looking for ideas on spring cleaning or organizing, the store is a good example. We have packed tons of merchandise nicely into a tiny little space--just saying:P Be sure to look up when you are inside as our store goes way, way, way up!

Step 6 Pink Sugar Cupcakery is the last stop, but is actually number one on the list of must do's for a "Lovely Summer Day in Victoria." They make beautiful pieces of art that you get to EAT! I'm alllllll over the "Dessert at Tiffany's" cupcake--it's chocolate with blue buttercream heaven. You can also place large orders for events and parties... or, hey, that's just the excuse I use when I buy more than one.

End to a Lovely Summer Day

Thanks to goinglocal.tourismvictoria.ca, oceanislandvictoriaguide.com and Pink Sugar Cupcakery for images.

Christmas Hours

Hello Everyone! Happy Holidays!

We will soon be closed for the 25th and 26th, but just wanted to let you know that all our locations are open today until 2pm.

In Victoria, both the Johnson Street store, and our new location, The Milkman's Daughter, at 1713 Government St., are open. Come by and say hi to Liz or Korinne and let them help you out with the last few items on your list.

In Vancouver, glenda and Cathy are looking forward to "Man Day," as Cathy calls it. They'll be open 11:00 to 2:00 to assist all last minute shoppers.

Merry Happy Joy!

Vancouver Update: The Milkman's Daughter Rocks!

This was supposed to be a Vancouver update, but I just received an email that our new Victoria location (The Milkman's Daughter) received kudos in the Victoria Times-Colonist. Victoria fashion writer, Sarah Petrescu, named Smoking Lily's latest creation "Best New Handmade Store"! In this era of DIY, that's definitely a mention to be proud of.

To make the leap to a Vancouver post, she did mention the silk-screened ice skates that were our Vancouver winter window display last year!

Cheers to Trish and her continued conceptual creativity - yay fearless leader!!!

Victoria Update: Rifflandia

This weekend will be music-filled in Victoria. The third annual Rifflandia Festival takes over the town September 23 - 26.

Smoking Lily is getting in on the fun by offering discounts to anyone wearing a Rifflandia wristband. Check out our kooky ad in the cool Rifflandia magazine.

I see that Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti is playing Rifflandia. They are also backing up The Flaming Lips on Sunday the 26th at the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver. Trish and I will be going to that show - we recently realized that we've only seen The Flaming Lips together, and it's 6 shows now! I'll be wearing my Utility Skirt, will you be wearing your Helicoptor Sakamoto Trish?

Awesome Logo

Saturday, August 28th, 11 to 6
The merchants on Johnson Street are throwing a Festival
It is a fund raiser for
Youth Empowerment Society

I'm waiting for official word, but I hear there is all day music, a dunk tank, skate board ramp, there will be sale racks, a chance to learn how to make a tote bag, hip hop demos
and a whole lot of more.
Smoking Lily is hosting a mustache booth, we've been having fun at the studio with this.
Hope to see you all there next week Saturday

Victoria Store Update: Extended Hours

It's official! Smoking Lily Victoria is open until 8pm on Thursday and Friday throughout July and August.

Victoria Fashion's Night

Head to our Victoria store today (Thursday) from 5-8 to celebrate 'Fashion's Night' and kick off summer shopping hours on Johnson Street! Please bring a Mustard Seed Food Bank donation to receive 25% off in participating stores.

Also, be sure to enter our Button Contest! Guess the closest number to the amount of buttons in the jar and win the top prize of a $100 Smoking Lily gift certificate! Second prize is $60 gift certificate to Ferris' Oyster Bar & Grill and Third prize is $30 gift certificate to Silkroad.

Ballots must be dropped into our Contest Box in the Victoria Shop. Contest closes at 8:00 pm Thursday night.

Inside our Victoria store

Hello everyone! There are signs of spring everywhere, and it inspired me to take a few shots of some new spring clothing we now have in our stores! A little visual stimulation to get you all excited about what's up and coming (and to show you how awesome our store looks!)...keep posted for even more new designs later.

 

Beautiful Things

In the past week or two, we have been making so many new and beautiful things here in the studio. And everyday when I walk home, it seems like it is getting more and more beautiful outside. Days are getting lighter and longer, and things are starting to grow! Like the cherry blossoms!! And what could be more inspiring and uplifting that cherry blossoms?