April flowers bring smiles all spring (and year) long
I stopped by Galerie CO last week for a dose of admiration and inspiration and was introduced to Caroline Boyce of Floralia. Caroline was at work creating gorgeous bouquets with pots and pots of peonies, tulips, wildflowers and unusual twigs and branches. I was impressed with the really really beautiful collection of flowers and wonderful quality too. It turns out that Caroline grows and cultivates all the flowers in Hemmingford, QC, on a small farm 70 km south of Montreal.
Twice a week she brings her farm-fresh and garden-style bouquets into the city. And better yet, Floralia has parterned with ecologically-minded small businesses all over Montreal to create a network of pickup locations in many neighborhoods–so you don’t have to travel too far for your amazing bouquet!
Check out Floralia to order a single bouquet or for information on subscription services–a great idea for ordering flower bouquets (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) or even for a wonderful gift as well. I am definitely interested!
Image via Floralia + Galerie CO
Nice trash!
I have been admiring these diamond weave (plastic + rattan) wastebaskets from Areaware. Made in the Philippines and commissioned by fair trade, I love their design, colors and concept. If you’re in Montreal, you can find them at Galerie Co.
Images via Areaware
Pour Toujours: Upcycle and vintage for children
I’ve been admiring the etsy shop, pour toujours, for several months now. Louise Lehoux, the owner of pour toujours, is based in Montreal and has a terrific collection of vintage and upcycled products for kids. You can find well-curated Fisher Price sets, vintage books, games and toys as well as lovely furniture pieces including desks and chairs. Her collection is constantly evolving so it’s a good place to check regularly for all sorts of fun and nostalgic items for home.
Vintage 70′s girl’s duvet cover Fisher Price: School, playground + bus
Vintage upcycled child’s desk 70s French children books
Vintage lamp, yellow clown 70′s children’s metal folding chair
Vintage Parcheesi game board 70s Fisher-Price bowling toy
All images via Pour Toujours
Petits Rétros: Mobilier vintage recyclé
Very excited about this new Montreal resource that specializes in recycled vintage furniture for kids. Petits Rétros posts new items on their website as products are (re)designed so add their link to your bookmarks and check often! They also offer delivery in Montreal. For more information or to inquire about products, you can email petitsretros@hotmail.com.
All images via Petits Rétros
Winter sale at Galerie CO
Galerie CO, one of my favorite boutiques in Montreal, is having a great winter sale this month. And this week, everything on sale is reduced by an extra 10%! Stop by 5235 St. Laurent or shop online by to find all sorts of unique items for your home.
Holiday Fairs and Bazaars in Montreal
December is coming which means it’s time for all sorts of holiday fairs!
Here’s a line-up of different events where you’ll be sure to find local and handmade gifts for everyone on your list.
November 30-December 2
The souk@Sat is an annual event that offers Montreal artists/creators/designers the opportunity to share and sell their recent work to the public. For a list of participants, go here. Located at the société des arts technologiques [SAT] at 1201 Boulevard St. Laurent, the fair takes place on November 30 and Dec 1 (12-9 pm) and Dec 2 (12-5 pm).
The Biosphere holds its 7th annual Green Christmas which includes a Recycling Artists Eco Fair with 45 designers. Admission to the Biosphere is free during the fair. You can find a wide assortment of gift possibilities here including accessories, clothing, jewelry, decorative and utilitarian objects. Just think–all of your gifts can be from recycled, salvaged, upcycled and eco-friendly materials!
École Rudolph Steiner is holding its Noel fair on Saturday, December 1 from 10-4 pm (4855 Avenue Kensington–corner of Somerled). Come support the school, stock up on delightful holiday items and make your own holiday decorations to take home!
École Lambert Closse is having its marché de Noël on Friday, November 30 (3 pm-9 pm) and Saturday, December 1 from 10 am-5 pm (5840 Rue St. Urbain). Many of the proceeds from the popular Mile End event go directly to the school, with proceeds from the tables of student-made art going directly to their grade’s activity budget. A table will also be set-up for all kids to make orginal Christmas crafts.
December 7-9
Smart Design Mart is having a showcase of both new and vintage goods at 160 St. Viateur East (2nd floor) on December 7 from 5-9 p.m., December 8 from 11 a.m-6 p.m. and December 9 from noon until 5 p.m. Stop by for a beautifully curated selection of clothing, jewelry, art, home decor, toys, pets, stationery, food and bath and body products.
École Arc-en-Ciel is holding its Vente de Sapins et Marché de Noël on Saturday, December 8 from 9 am-3 pm. Stop by the school to purchase your Christmas tree, fresh citrus, artisanal products, cards and decorations. Also for sale will be student creations and delicious home-baked treats. The school is located on Henri-Julien, between Rachel and Marie-Anne.
The Old Skool Crafts Bazaar is taking place at St. Michael’s church hall on Saint-Viateur at Saint-Urbain on two weekends: December 8 and 9, 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 100 artisans will be selling jewelry, handmade toys, vintage & new clothing, paintings and prints, cards, handmade soap, handmade instruments, cupcakes and food. There will also be a kids craft area, craft workshops for adults and children as well as food to be purchased in the cafe. Please bring a non-perishable item to donate to several local charities and purchase a raffle ticket with proceeds going to the Mercy Project.
December 14-16
Puces Pop is holding its annual Holiday Craft and DIY Fair at St-Enfant-Jésus Church at 5035 Saint-Dominique (between Laurier and Saint-Joseph) from December 14-16. Hours include Friday (5-9 pm) and Saturday and Sunday (11 am-6 pm). Over 90 vendors of handmade art, craft and design will be featured. I love this holiday fair and have always found unique and affordable holiday gifts here. Check out their website for more info.
The Old Skool Crafts Bazaar is taking place at St. Michael’s church hall on Saint-Viateur at Saint-Urbain on two weekends: December 8 and 9, 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 100 artisans will be selling jewelry, handmade toys, vintage & new clothing, paintings and prints, cards, handmade soap, handmade instruments, cupcakes and food. There will also be a kids craft area, craft workshops for adults and children as well as food to be purchased in the cafe. Please bring a non-perishable item to donate to several local charities and purchase a raffle ticket with proceeds going to the Mercy Project.
ONGOING
Salon des métiers d’art du Québec (SMAQ) takes place at Place Bonaventure from December 7-22. Over 400 artisans will be featured.
Le Marché Casse-Noisette takes place at le Palais des Congrès de Montréal from November 29-December 9. Exhibitors give 10% of their sales to the Nutcracker Fund for Children of Les Grands Ballets.
The Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Fair is being held at La Ferme Quinn on Saturdays and Sundays from December 1-16. Enjoy crafts, wagon-rides and chopping down your own holiday tree!
Images via souk@sat, Biosphere, Julie Archambault, Anna Grigorian, École Lambert Closse, Smart Design Mart, Old Skool Crafts and Puces Pop
Obama at Galerie CO
I’m still feeling the post-election glow this week and just found these terrific pillows at Galerie CO on St. Laurent. Yes!
I’ve blogged about this amazing store before and if you haven’t visited yet, it’s a must-do in terms of Montreal design boutiques. Sarah Richardson, Galerie CO’s owner, curates a terrific selection of global design in her store and one peek at her website and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
More to follow in December about Galerie CO’s selection of holiday gifts.
Lighting resources in Montreal
I’ve recently had a number of questions about where to go for lighting resources in Montreal. There are a lot of different options but here are a few I’d recommend.
For repairs and customized lighting, try Auger Halogène.
For a large selection of indoor and outdoor lighting, try Beacon Luminaires.
For vintage lamps, try Boutique Spoutnik.
For finding unusual parts for all sorts of lamps, try SPAZIO.
Good luck!
Image via ladies&gentlemen
Fantasy World Heroes: Winter is coming…do you have your snowskirt?
I first met Lienne Sawatsky of Fantasy World Heroes several years ago after I had admired a snowskirt in a store in Old Montreal. Snowskirt? Oh yes, they are awesome. Just think: super warm sleeping bag for your bottom half but SUPER stylish. As Lienne and her partners, Stephanie and Duncan, put it: “Warm, like snowpants, stylish like a skirt. It’s a skirt, for the snow!” You can velcro them over whatever you want, you can take them off in a snap, or you can leave them on as long as you want.
Take a look:
Years later, I have several pairs in different colors and textures and I continue to receive so many compliments on them. Snowskirts are great for staying warm on cold days, for sledding or playing in the snow, or for just looking and feeling great in the middle of winter.
Some more examples:
And new this year is a rainskirt–a similar idea but for the rain (made from durable water-resistant nylon). I can’t wait to get one!
Snowskirts and rainskirts are handmade in Montreal. To purchase, go to Fantasy World Heroes’ shop on etsy.
Images via Fantasy World Heroes