May 27, 2008 - I was approached by a man this morning who is the founder of a business which makes beaded “fairy” inspired clothing for little girls as well as shoes for women. I begin to enquire the how’s and who’s of the making process. (They are made in Bangladesh.) When I explain I only carry Canadian handmade, I am met with a barage of opposition: What is Canada anymore? Canada is global. Nothing is made in Canada. If it is made in Canada it is so expensive no one will buy it. We agreed to not argue this major differences of opinion. We wished eachother well and off he went into the windy grey day to find a distributor for his products.
In the business world, it can sometimes be difficult to be the minority. I am a new business woman selling handmade Canadian products. He is a big experienced business man talking about world economies and profitablity. It is so easy to feel intimidated and begin the spiral of doubt.
And then the door opens again and a “new to the shop” customer steps inside and says “Wow. This is so cool. It is like all those indie artist sites but a touchy, feely version”. And I look around and see all this amazing talent and beautiful product that is made by someone I have met or spoken with. (Some of which is a total steal Mr. Canadian handmade is too expensive and no one will buy it.) And I am happy.
May 23, 2008 - It’s rainy and grey again. Ugh! But…it won’t rain forever. I know there are some great summer days and nights to come. And lots of fun social summer outtings - weddings, garden parties, baby showers, graduation parties, summer love dates. Love, Me has a great collection of dresses for such an occassion. One dress that fits that many occassions criteria is this sweet one that we have in three - count ‘em 1-2-3 - great vintage mod prints. This dress is designed and made by local talent Tuttle and Leonardo.
Tuttle and Leonardo are two women who sell to a few stores in Halifax but design and produce for each store exclusively. So these items really are one of a kind because no other store in Canada, never mind Halifax, would ever carry the items they designed and made for Love, Me.
May 16, 2008 - We have had lots of parental units around the shop the past couple of days. It must be graduation/moving time. I too am attending a graduation on Tuesday. My brother graduates from his Undergraduate Degree from Dalhousie. After grad season comes wedding season. And I have plenty of those on my social calendar as well. You too? Well, thank goodness Love, Me is stocked with adorable dresses. Check out this soy and organic cotton one from Passenger Pigeon.
May 13, 2007 - I hope all you mommas had a great Mother’s Day. I certainly did. I am not one of those moms that only plays kiddie music when my kiddie is around. In fact my daughter’s repetoire includes Corrine Bailey Rae “Put the Records On”, The Ramones “Do you Wanna Dance?” as well as The Beatles, The Police and Bob Marley. But when fellow mom and illustrator Lori Joy Smith blogged about her work with children’s entertainers Bobs & Lolo, I had to check them out. I was smitten immediately. The songs have great messages about recycling, riding bikes, and camping. But after seeing the videos of these sweet Vancouver songstresses in fun matching outfits (including some very adorable retro sixties print dresses) - I was sold. And I will admit that I am currently playing their CD (even though there isn’t a child in sight and I have a great Canadian store playlist). If you have a kid’s birthday coming up or want to add some diversity to your own kids CD collection, come on in and pick up a CD or DVD from this adorable duo.
May 9, 2008 - I graduated from highschool in ‘93. I went back to highschool last night. Not my highschool mind you, but a highschool. But they are all the same. They have the same flooring. They have the same wall colour. They have the same smell. Even the students seemed familiar - the cool & funny guy, the sports star guy, the wannabe princess girl, the student social council girl, the arty girl. I went to Dartmouth High School last night to see a fashion show in which Love, Me was one of the stores featured.
Photos:
1. Group show of Love, Me models
2. Lily & Jae Granny Blouse with a Lilikoi bamboo pant
3. Shallan and Sara hooded jersey dress with a simply C Lillian bag
4. Orphanage Clothing Bandeau Dress with a Lu print reuseable grocery/tote bag
5. Lily & Jae Sunday Dress
Surprise: Who read The Stone Angel in highschool? Well, the first person to leave a comment on my blog (in any section really) will win a free pass for 2 persons to go see the film Premiere of The Stone Angel. You must be able to pick up the ticket at the shop and get yourself to Bear’s Lake on Wednesday, May 21st.
May 7, 2008 - This weekend we bought our 2.5 year old daughter a bike. I was amazed (I shouldn’t have been) at how branded kids stuff is. There isn’t a blue or green bike, there is only a Backyardigans or Diego bike. Of the ones that fit, she chose “the pink one” which of course is a “Princess” bike a la Disney. Today I found this you tube video and it made me giggle. I am obviously in favour of buying handmade toys over plastic, mass-manufactured crap but when it comes right down to it - kids are happy with some paper.
May 1, 2008 - Tonight - Grey’s Anatomy (CTV) - Meaghan Smith’s song 5 More Minutes will be featured. Kudos to this local talent. Check out her myspace page and listen to this beautiful song yourself. Also check out the official Meaghan Smith website to learn a little bit more about Ms. Smith.
April 29, 2008 - One of my favorite movies is Singles. It speaks to a particular era in my life. There is a scene where the character Linda is pissed off after what she thinks is a one night stand and so she cleans her toilet with the shirt he left at her place. She gets right in there - all around the base (Yah-Ewwwh) with his shirt. I relate so much to this scene. When life gets emotionally chaotic for me…I clean. I am also a huge Spring Clean fiend. So with April bringing in the sun and a few really emotional weeks, I have been cleaning. I usually use baking soda, vinegar, lemons and the like but sometimes I need the smell of clean to prove to myself that I did the work. I do love my Method Grapefruit All-Purpose Cleaner (green + grapefruit = yum), but I have been testing a new all purpose spray cleaner from Spice of Life. Spice of Life is a Nova Scotia company which makes all natural bath products as well as this great new household cleaner.I have to say - I heart this product! And I am hoping you will too. I have some Spice of Life product in the shop right now for you cleaning pleasure. It may only be carried for a limited time so come in and see/smell for yourself.
P.S. It should be mentioned that the Spice of Life lip balm, hempermint, is my new favorite lip balm. Move over Burt’s Bees. And there is some great cocoa body butter in a stick format - great for those dry elbows, knees, and cheeks.
April 22, 2008 - Thursday Love, Me is hosting a vernissage for Shelagh Duffett. She is a Halifax based folk artist and photographer. She has a beautiful sense of colour and contrast. And she is full of zip to boot! This is an opportunity to meet the artist and celebrate her very first exhibition as well as just get together and have a sip and a nibble. Join us Thursday, April 24 from 5-7pm.
Maybe it is because I really want to eat something good (or very bad) … but here a three lovely photographs by Shelagh. The onion rings one would look so great in a modern kitchen and is available at Love, Me and is framed and ready to go with you! Read more about Shelagh on her blog - which also has links to her painting shop or photography shop.
April 17, 2008 - April 22nd is Earth Day. Outside the context of school, this day sort of gets lost for the general public. When I was in high school in the late eighties and early nineties, I used to participate in the Earth Day assembly where we preached the importance of recycling. Now twenty years later (omg – has it been that long?) recycling is pretty common place. Even my two and a half year old knows about recycling and compost. Regardless of your feelings about the environment being “chic”, I think we can all agree that this shift in consciousness is a good thing.
While I consider all things at Love, Me to be greenish, there are some products which are screaming emerald green that I would love to highlight:
·Repurposed “I love Kyoto” tshirts by Posch are so freakin’ adorable
·Bamboo and organic cotton racer back tanks and neck tie body suits with green graffititext like “Fair trade” “Sweatshop Free” “Act Locally” from Deux FM are a sexy way to declare your love for the planet.
·Repurposed clothing from Orphanage Clothing are made locally (and foot power delivered!) I am currently coveting the bandeau dress made from trench coats and the Jill shirts which are feminine creations from men’s dress shirts.
·More repurposed items from 88 Queen Street of Quebec. I heart the sweatshirts with banded collar and the sweet Army mini jacket with rickrack. Anything with rickrack deserves props!
