Vancouver Update: Cute new things!

It's been a lovely couple of brisk, sunny days here at the Vancouver shop and I am really enjoying the rain-break (hello, suede shoes--nice to see you again!). Adding to the happy, Spring-y feel, we've got some fabulous new goodies in the shop:

This smashing, tailored jacket (yet-to-be-named, $142) is made from a denim-looking cotton hemp blend and has a great, rumply linen feel to it. It's not showing in these photos, but the lining is a fantastic shade of dark-ish petal pink that really says "Spring" to me....I also really like it paired with the dark denim Hester Skirt in a sort of "classy Canadian tuxedo" kind of way. Har har. (p.s. The insanely awesome orange floral top peeking out underneath is our Shaughnessy Blouse in a crazy new crepe-y silk fabric. $97)

The box today also brought the Cape of Good Hope in two new colours: a lovely blue and a soft, mossy green. I really, really love the all-over tulip print on the blue cape pictured above--is there anything more "Spring" than a cape covered in tulips? Or, for that matter, how "year of the rabbit" is the photo below? Hee hee...

A lovely detail on the green capes is the use of grey-green powder-coated zippers--awesome!

And last, but not least, are these cute red Underlovlies printed with anatomical hearts. Perfect for Valentine's! Ok, *barf*, I know, but I had to say it!

Vancouver Update: Spring-y(ish)...

Having survived "Blue Monday" yesterday, I must admit to feeling a little Spring-y today. Yes, despite some fairly lackluster weather, something fresh and new seems to be stirring. Could it be the amazing job the fabulous Ms. Margaret did of rearranging the shop a couple of days ago (the vignette at left makes me particularly happy; I feel the combination of bright tea towels, fern, and Woolly Pocket make for a triumverate of lovely)? Could it be that I know the girls in the studio are busy working on a slew of amazing Spring designs--coming very soon--that I can't wait to see? Is it that Glenda returns from almost three weeks in Nicaragua on Thursday and I'm anticipating a full rundown of exciting, sun-kissed tales of adventure??

Perhaps a little of everything is at work, but our bedding is looking particularly fresh to me today. Moreover, we unpacked a one-of-a-kind, double-sized anatomical heart duvet set this morning ($225). One-of-a-kind is always exciting! (On that note, if you've been pining for one of these beauties in something smaller than a queen, give us a call....I'm thinking it won't be here for long!)

Also new in the shop are navy and light blue Underlovlies. These little guys went over so well at Christmas, we now have them in half a dozen colours and a slew of wacky prints....

And, to end things off with something old after all this talk of new: Margaret was wearing this amazing vintage Smoking Lily scarf today and I just couldn't resist taking a snap of it.

...and, yes, before you say it, I know we've gotten in hot water before by posting neat things from the past that aren't available now. But it's red plaid backed with pink silk and "bum birds"! I couldn't resist!!

Studio Update: Remnant Pillows and Underlovelies

Today in the studio we are working on items with new print combinations for your home and your person. Our Remnant Pillows have durable cotton canvas cases, great for your patio or family room and the forms are stuffed with remnants from our sewing process. Weighing in at just under 2 kilograms, these pillows are a knockout in any pillow fight!

We also have printed some more comfy cotton jersey fabric for Underlovelies i

n Navy with Skelletor, Lilies, Swerns and Escutions, and Light Blue with Circle Outlines, Greyhounds, Moths and Cherry Blossoms.

These items should be in store next week and are limited editions so if you can't live without, please call your favorite store and put your name down on our Request List.

Victoria Update: Mail Orders, Spring, Etc

Wow, where has the time gone? I officially started my Christmas shopping yesterday, and I need a few days to recover. There are eleven and a half more shopping days at Smoking Lily, but Rachael and Renee wanted me to let you know that the Mail Order Cut Off Date is here and now. That said, if the goods are on the shelf we can still ship them out to you, but we can't guarantee that it will get to its destination on time (we will put our effort in, but if it doesn't get there on time you can't get mad at us).

Today Stephanie and I have started talking about the Spring Line. I'm into colourful girly and Steph is into bold boarder prints. We have a few fun ideas, but we always like to hear your opinions, so let us know if there is anything you maybe wanting, any prints you would like to see, any colours you are lusting after...

Lastly, a new product! Glenda is super busy so it was left to me to take a product shot of our new UnderLovelies. Here it is. They come in two sizes and are made in cotton lycra blend. No elastic = no panty lines! Plum, black and teal.

Have a good week every one.

Cheers,

Trish

Vancouver Update: Warm Fuzzies

Last week I was looking out our window when I noticed a woman wearing an apron walking along in the rain with an older gal. The younger woman was holding an umbrella for her companion and the two were deep in conversation as the older woman got into a car parked out front. I thought it was a little strange that the one gal was wearing an apron (even though some aprons are definitely nice enough to do just that!), but didn't put two and two together until I remarked aloud to Glenda, "Wow, look how perfect that lady's hair is;" she had just had it styled at the little shop a few doors down from us and they were walking her to her car so it didn't get ruined in the rain!

I don't know why, but seeing that really gave me the "warm fuzzies," as I like to call it. I suppose it just encapsulates, for me, the entire experience of working in a little boutique; you really get to know your clients and, well, you really care. It's so wonderful to feel you've gotten to know people and can pick out things that would be just the thing for them. It may seem silly, but having actual relationships with customers is just so rewarding. Otherwise, you might as well be a little automaton repeating something awful all day long ("Hi! Welcome to ____!" I think you all know what I'm talking about...).

OK, I'm getting pretty sappy here, but you should all come on down to our Vancouver Customer Appreciation Night on Thursday and see how sentimental I can get after some bubbly! But seriously, Smoking Lily customers are about the best there are--you guys are a truly fabulous bunch!

On another note, we now have the absolutely awesome Smoking Lily Undies in the shop: three colours, two sizes ($20). So cute! In case anyone is waiting, we also now have the velvet Pothole Skirt in two shades of green.

See you Thursday!