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

Vancouver Update: Spider Wrangling

On Saturday, we had a Wolf spider in our Main Street shop. A customer noticed it conspicuously sitting on the white wallpaper at the edge of the ceiling. They are usually good at camouflaging themselves, but I guess this one was checking out the shop (don't worry, this is only the second Wolf spider we've found in the shop in 8 years).

I usually have no problem sweeping up or catching spiders and putting them outside (with a strong warning to them that they are not longer welcome inside!). This time though, I was not up for the task, nor was Christina who was working with me that day. We asked a male customer if he was into Spider Wrangling and he gallantly took up the task.

Here's the video of his brave feat. Sorry about losing visual composure toward the end, I became a screeching school girl when his technique involved more than immediate capture. I love Christina's dance of joy as the capture is complete. The spider was carried far from the shop to be reintroduced to the wilds of urban Vancouver.

Thank you again kind sir!

Vancouver Update: Garage Sales Begin!

It's finally that time of year again, when people start mucking out their basements and garages and put their unwanted goods out on their lawns and into their carports for sale! I love garage sales. The hunt is fun, there are usually good stories and there is occasionally good banana bread and hot chocolate (that saved me last Saturday).

I was out looking for display furniture for the Vancouver shop when I came across this fascinating garage sale/personal art installation. It was really difficult to tell what was for sale and what was part of the permanent "exhibit". The back yard was littered with decaying furniture and odd relics. Rust and chipped paint abounded - gorgeous, odd and ever so slightly creepy. I managed to sneak a couple of discreet photos of some of the goodies, not wanting to disturbed the owner who was parting with his collections with some difficulty.

I spied this printer's tray loaded with weird bits and pieces and was instantly drawn to the top center cubbies...

mini doll hands!

which I quickly scooped up, knowing that they could be used in the shop for something...

I took them over to the owner and asked how much they cost. My guess was $2. To my surprise he said calmly, with a knowing undertone, $10. Ten dollars! Did he sense my excitement?

I told him I was purchasing them for a shop and didn't know if they would want to spend that much (would Trish ok a petty cash purchase of $10 for some dirty baby hands whose final use was as of yet unknown?). His reluctant reply was "well...give me two and you can have them for five". It took me a moment to realize that he wanted me to give him two of the hands in order to get a reduced price. This was the first time I had heard this bartering technique, but it worked. I happily gave him two of the hands and paid $5.

I will be mounting the hands onto drywall screws and using them to hang jewelry. I wonder what the garage sale guy will be doing with his?

Oh yeah, and this is the house next door!

Yup, I love garage sales. See you out in the back alleys this summer!

Vancouver Update:

Gardening has been a theme this weekend. We got the window box in front of the Main Street shop all spruced up too!

That's the pretty light grey Lucrezia Dress with fuchsia belt in the window.

We have a few new items in the shop as well: the Squirrel Hunter Tunic!

The Love Score Tee printed with Kelp, Seahorses and Sparks!

Black Hama Hama Tops printed with floating tulip heads!

and a few awesome new Tea Towels!

(As I was typing this I heard a shout in the street and some horns honking, I guess the Canucks scored! Time for me to go bug my neighbour with a TV...)

Just a few odds and ends!

I took a couple of quick (crummy) photos before leaving the store tonight - woah! We have quite the kooky assortment of stuff available for the sale tomorrow. Here's a little preview...

Vancouver Spring Cleaning Sale - tomorrow!

A reminder that we have oodles of fantastic things ready for the sale tomorrow that will add pizzaz to your home and wardrobe! See you Saturday!

Vancouver Spring Cleaning Sale!

We have been doing our Spring cleaning here in Vancouver, and now I'm sitting amongst mounds of items that will be available for your shopping pleasure this Saturday, April 30th from 11:00 to 6:00 at the Main Street shop!

There are loads fun props (skates with hearts and beavers, copper relief pictures of deer, wooden trays and boxes...), a grand assortment of garments and bags culled from the Victoria Garage Sale!, and oodles of display pieces (wee shelves and chairs and tables...). It's all very exciting.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Happy Birthday David Suzuki!

As you are probably all aware from our previous posts, and the plethora of current media attention, today is David Suzuki's 75th birthday. Here is the window display we created in his honour at the Main Street shop in Vancouver.

We posted a banner (made with unbleached paper) with his image (in water-based ink) and one of the fundraising dresses (a bamboo blend jersey). The upcycled lamp is covered in second-hand sheet strips that are printed with our Periodic Table print.

Vancouver Shop: February Window

I collect heart rocks.

I admit it. I find them cute and fascinating, and I see them everywhere. I used to keep them as worry stones - you know, the ones you keep in your pocket to rub when you feel tense. It was reassuring to find that cold heart-shape in my pocket and rub it until it, and my demeanor, became warm.

I was surprised to find that Nicaragua was the motherland of heart rocks. I don't think you'll find it described as that in any guide books, but the place is covered in heart-shaped rocks, and things (I'll have to post the photos I took of cracks and mildew and peeling paint that I saw forming heart shapes). I came up with the idea for the February window while picking up rocks on Maderas Beach near San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua.

The Main Street shop window now prominently displays a portion of my collection for VD, you know that day when restaurants are overbooked, dinners and roses are over-priced, ill fitting lingerie becomes a respectable gift, and people attempt to express their feelings for their significant others. I have to admit to wavering between being repulsed by the Hallmark holiday, and looking forward to the knowledge that people will take time out to express their appreciation for their partners and bask in the knowledge that they too are loved. In the spirit of the sweetness of Valentines Day, here's the window display (complete with Anatomical Heart Duvet!):

Vancouver Update: Rockin' Tees

Miss Diana, our awesome Smoking Lily Vancouver model of many years, discovered the Oversized Tees today, and they caused some serious Rock n' Roll action! Check it out.

They definitely scream Rock! with those cool leather pants of hers (a great birthday present from her boyfriend).

We did find that the tees looked awesome (and softer) with the new Richmond skirt as well - photos to be posted on the site soon!

Vancouver Update: English Bay Dress

English Bay is only 2 miles from the Main Street shop in Vancouver, but my favorite view of the Bay, with the warm sun on my face, waves lapping at my feet, children building sandcastles and the octogenarian swimmers dipping in for their daily salt water tonic, is much further away (6 months in fact). For now, we can bask in the knowledge that winter is waning and Spring is just around the corner. The English Bay Dress will get us there in style.

In an interesting, nubbly, hemp and organic cotton blend, the dress drapes nicely from boat-neck shoulder to knee-length hem. Cute and stripy without going over to the nautical side. It layers well over long-sleeves and under sweaters, and is springily cheeky over bright warm tights, sporting a bold brooch.

Available now in all Smoking Lily shops and online. $62.

Enjoy Life in Vancouver.

image via Spend Locally

Last Friday morning, during my adventure to Vancouver (I am a Victoria Lilyite), I sat at the Bean Around the World coffee shop on the corner of Main and 20th, enjoying a great cup of coffee and an amazing breakfast wrap. I was way too early for my first Vancouver store shift, so I relaxed read the paper and people watched.

Main street is full of flavor. The streets are lined with shops and stores filled with endless possibilities for finding original clothes, show stopping shoes and vintage items for your home or your body. One thing that had me was the food. During my two days in the Vancouver store I gained about 15 pounds. Friday I went to Zipang Sushi (Erin recommended) where I enjoyed California rolls hand-made to perfection, along with a Philadelphia roll that I almost ordered more of. On Saturday, I strolled happily down the street to Chef Claire's (Christina recommended) where I shamelessly devoured an entire chicken panini with brie cheese and blueberry chutney. After my panini, I had to roll myself back to the Vancouver store.

After spending two shockingly relaxing days in the Smoking Lily store, working with two awesome ladies, eating, shopping, people watching, meeting inspiring customers, and eating, I have a new love for Vancouver. I will be back to Main street to eat, shop and relax very soon.

Where I Went On My Vacation: Nicaragua!

Hey there! It's glenda. I'm back in Vancouver today after 16 days in Nicaragua. As I had hoped, I have returned from the land of sun to the land of snow! It's a gorgeous white morning here.

Before I bundled up to walk to work I wanted to post a few photos from my vacation. As I saw the southern part of Nicaragua from coast to coast I have a load of shots to share, so I will begin with the first leg of the trip, the Corn Islands in the Caribbean! These first photos are from Little Corn.

Ok, I'm bundled up and have my favorite gum boots on, I'm ready to slog through the snow to the Main Street shop. See you all soon!!