Vancouver Update: Bread Photographs Well!

One of my favourite websites to cruise is a photo blog called The Selby is in Your Place; it's basically what happens when a hipster commercial photographer who knows a ton of interesting people all over the world starts taking photos of his friends' homes and posting them online. Fascinating!

A recent spread he did covered both the workplace and home of the couple who run the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, and it literally had me dying for baked goods this morning (ok, maybe not literally, but it was pretty bad--look at that photo!!). Just as I was really cursing the fact that San Francisco is so far away I realized that this is the same bakery whose cookbook we carry at The Milkman's Daughter! How sweet is that?

Anyway, we don't have any of these fabulous books in stock in Vancouver (what kind of a "Vancouver Update am I writing, here?!!?), but we'd be more than happy to have the Victoria gals send some over if anyone is interested. I may have to take up baking....

Inspiration: My Garden - A Five Year Journal

It's such a beautiful day, here in Victoria. The sun is shining and Trish is taking off early to spend time in her garden. This reminded me that the Milkman's Daughter has recently received a book called My Garden - A Five Year Journal. The planner is designed to help you enjoy five (or even more) years of progress in your garden.

A great mother's day present. $24.95

There's plenty of growing tips and even an envelope in the back to keep seeds.

In years to come, the journal will help you remember temperatures, new plantings and garden visitors.

Also, there's section about container gardening, which would be great in Woolly Pockets. They are available for indoor and outdoor and range in price from $24--$125. Happy Gardening!

Lily Spotlight: New Books at Milk!

Books are amazing, and that is why we decided to get some in for our Victoria store, the Milkman's Daughter. There's nothing more inspiring that looking at a good book; what better to go with your new Smoking Lily skirt than a nice book? I guess they sometimes make half decent gifts as well (sarcasm: books make awesome presents!).

Here are a few of the titles that are now available for purchase. You'll find we focused in on a few categories: fashion design and crafting (imagine that!), nature and education, children's stories, a book on bread, and even bikes! I am SO excited. They are all from Raincoast books, so you can be sure of their superior quality and awesomeness.

Shadow, by Suzy Lee

A whimsical cute children's book about a little girl with a big imagination. The images are all done by Suzy herself.

Speak Italian, by Bruno Munari

Originally published in 1958, this book with help you decipher not only the language but the gestures Italians are so famous for. Well humored and educational.

Creative Inc., by Meg Mateo and Joy Deangdeelert

These two awesome women explain everything you need to know about starting your own creative business. Joy Deangdeelert is also of the blog, "Oh Joy," which is a studio favourite here at Lily.

Tartine Bread, by Chad Robertson

It's an awesome book about bread! What more do we need to say? The guy who wrote this is also the co-owner of Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, where some people say he makes the best bread in the world.

The Native Trees Of Canada, by Leanne Shapton

A very cool book that is both artistically inspiring and going to teach you a thing or two about our trees. All of the images are of her paintings, using very bold colours and loose form.

Vancouver Update: Upcycling Strikes Again!

While reading an article recently on the "inevitable" demise of the printed word (I think it's a bit premature to call, but maybe that's just me!), I got to thinking about all the creative ways people might have to start repurposing all those "outdated" things. Out of curiosity, and with Glenda's awesome holiday window display made from old books in mind, I embarked on a Google-tastisc image search to see what all people were getting up to. Wow! There are too many to recount, but here are a few of my favourites:

Book wreath! Compliments of Apartment Therapy.

Super cute book planter, available from Italian design firm Gartenkultur.

Incredibly detailed "book sculpture," from artist Brian Dettmer, using an old copy of Grey's Anatomy (reminds me of our new Enormous Heart print).

Stunningly ethereal sculpted pieces from artist Jacqueline Rush Lee.

...On an entirely unrelated note, I also wanted to let all the Vancouver Lily-ites know that we have our first official fall piece in the shop, the fabulously cute new black cardigan (name still T.B.A.)! I know it's hard to imagine that summer is almost over when it's thirty degrees out, but it's coming, people, it's coming;)

P.S. The very top image was from an ad campaign for the Prague boutique, Anagram Bookshop. It's not actually made from a real book, but I love octopi and it was just too charmingly whimsical not to post...