Murano's glassmakers inspire designer Anu Raina

Sartorially speaking, this time of year is a confusing one. It has been as the mildest winter I've ever experienced north of 49th parallel. But even as we barrel through the last few weeks of it, Toronto temps are not quite ready to pop out the petunias (yet). As someone recently expressed on Twitter - and I paraphrase - "I really love my red wool coat, but I am sick of wearing it!"

Well, if we can't yet wear it, at least we can soon buy it. Anu Raina's latest line comes to our fashion rescue with a cheerful, color splashed collection. Inspired by chandeliers in the glass-making capital of Murano, Italy, Anu Raina deferred to the masters' glass making techniques in using movement to achieve similar results digitally with color and dye. Fabrics range from silks to viscose to linens. The result is a vibrant, energetic collection fit for work and play at an incredibly reasonable price point of $70 - $399. Look for pieces at Shopgirls boutique, Studio Fresh and Distill Gallery in Toronto and The Velvet Room Boutique in Vancouver.

Check the website for full collection and retailers.

Cappucino shorts, 95% Viscose, 5% Spandex

Swirl dress, 100% silk

Ivory jacket, 100% linen; Swirl long skirt - 100% silk

Starburst t-shirt dress, 95% viscose, 5% spandex

Petunia jacket, 100% silk

Impressions Long Dress, 95% viscose, 5% spandex and & 100% linen

Win Big at the Shopgirls Night

Shoppers at this Tuesday's Shopgirls' shopping event are in for some treats, literally! Our generous sponsors have donated some great door prizes. Win a "steam dream" package from Rowenta, a $100 gift certificate from Town Shoes, beauty products from L'Oreal Paris or Lacoste fragrance! 

F-list members will enjoy two hours of discounted shopping, wine, entertainment and special guests. We have space for one more winner and a friend to join 20 already shoppers! The first person* to email info@f-list.ca with SHOPGIRLS in the subject line will win this coveted slot. Hurry!

Rowenta's ‘Steam Dream’ package includes a Precision Valet Garment Steamer + travel Ultra Steambrush (value $300). Click here to follow Rowenta's backstage antics during LG Fashion Week.

* Note: Email time stamp closest to blog posting time will win.

Enter to Win a Night at Shopgirls!

It's nearly spring (I promise!) and I'm getting feverish to add a little light to my wardrobe. Join me at Shopgirls for an evening of shopping, music, drinks and special surprise guests. Shopgirls has a must-see line-up of Canadian labels and accessories for spring and on this night you'll save 15% on all purchases.

Want to come? Email info@f-list.ca with SHOPGIRLS in the subject line by March 11th. I'll randomly pick ten people to bring a pal for this fun girls' night out.

  

Shop til You Drop with Shopgirls & the F-list

Ladies, this one is for you! Shopgirls boutique is hosting the F-list on Tuesday, March 15th for an exclusive night of shopping, wine, live entertainment, designer guests and 15% off everything in the store. I'll pick ten lucky winners to attend with their best pal -- to enter you just need to subscribe to the F-list newsletter. Details on the night will be announced soon. In the meantime make sure you're on the F-list!

Christmas Wish List: Item #12

Pamela Anderson, kindly avert your attention for this blog post.  This one is about fur. 

I adore fur.  It's only since moving to Canada that I even gave fur any thought.  Canadians love their fur.  It's part of the history and well-accepted here.  Not so where I come from.  In fact, while visiting friends in Pennsylvania I discovered (and quickly snapped up) a mint condition fur shoulder wrap at a flea market.  My American friends were aghast, questioning "You aren't worried about wearing fur? Won't you be attacked?"  "Are you kidding?" I replied adding, "in Canada?!" As if.

Yes, I unaplogetically wear vintage fur.  In the words of Rachel Zoe: It's vintage, so it's okay.

That's why I love Montreal's Rachel F.  She is a practical yet imaginative designer of accessories using recycled leather and fur. 

"I only use recycled animal skins and other materials that come from second hand clothes, production waste, and material samples that were not used from large manufacturers. Because we live in an over consumption world, we should take advantage of this opportunity to renew existing materials."

- Rachel F.

And when I stumbled across her latest fall line at Shopgirls earlier this year, I knew these earmuffs would haunt my dreams.  I decided to put them on my Christmas list. 

Shoplisted: Shopgirls is Big on the Bottom Line

Recently, on one of October's last balmy Friday afternoons, I took off early for a top-down cruise to Toronto's west end.  I ended up at Shopgirls boutique, and soon discovered the best thing since sliced bread (particularly for a fashion junkie who loves sliced banana bread) -- Second Yoga Jean.  Think "so comfortable you could do yoga in them" as opposed to "wear these to your next Bikram class."   The label celebrates ten years this fall, how did I NOT own a pair yet?  Seriously, my butt has never dug a pair of denim so much.  Second's Yoga Jeans use denim with 92% shape memory, while the industry standard is only 64%.  So wear them to work, on a plane, to the movies and out again - these legs will keep their shape. 

Shopgirls owner, Michelle Germain, is a huge supporter of Canadian labels and features more than 80 in her boutique.  The selection includes accessories (loved the found object jewels by Ashley Winnington-Ball and recycled fur and leather pieces by Rachel F.), knitwear, apparel, outerwear (Stacey Zhang and Mackage) and of course, denim.  She is even expanding her offerings to include art and home decor items too.  If you're looking for boring, look elsewhere.  Shopgirls' inventory is full of the interesting, unusual, fun, funky and even avant-garde.

I recommend getting on Shopgirls' mailing list to keep tabs on monthly events, such as this Wednesday's Walk the Walk for Windfall (October 27th, 8pm - 11pm).  Featuring customers and fans as models and styled by The Refinery's Wendy Woods, the night is a fashion extravaganza in support of Canada's only new clothing bank, Windfall.  A $20 ticket gets you a drink ticket, a gift bag and a show.  (The feel-good vibes for helping a great charity are free.)  Click here to get your ticket now!