BRIKA

Clockwise from top right: Pink Pouch / Teapot / Fox stud earrings / Carpe Diem Pillow

As a former maker and seller I am always happy to see new outlets for people to sell their handmade wares online. These days I find it a bit hard to shop on etsy because of its over-saturated nature. That's why I am so pleased when well curated sites pop up that allow more curated and personal approach to shopping for handmade goods.

Enter BRIKA. I love everything about this site. The design is clean, bright and easy to navigate and you meet each maker and learn about their background and lives. I can also attest to the quality of goods as some of my favourite makers have been on the site already including Upper Metal Class (I own multiple pairs of T's studs and have given them as gifts). And did I mention that it is based in Canada! Hooray Canada!

As an added incentive, when you join they'll give you a $15 credit to use on your first purchase. So check it out already. 

Currently In... Chicago!

A deserted bean and doughnut vault doughnuts

Hello friends! I am currently spending some time in Chicago and would love your recommendations on what to see and where to shop and eat! And of course if any of you reside in this fair windy city I would love to meet up for coffee.

The Typewriter.

Hello blog friends!


I wanted to take a second to share a very inspired book project by local (and very inspiring herself) Janine Vangool (publisher, editor and designer of Uppercase Magazine). She has just launched her own crowdfunding campaign to raise the funds for the printing, freight and transaction feeds of printing 3000 copies of The Typewriter. Check out the video above and definitely consider participating in this great project by spreading the word and donating some funds! Click here for more information on the project.

Summer on the brain.

Styled. Issue Six

Issue Six of Styled. Magazine is now online and it is a beauty. I had a great time working with all of the gorgeous floral images. Victoria is a great talent.

Styled. Magazine

I am always impressed by the quality of online magazines that are available these days and the roster of great ones seems to continue to grow. I came across Styled. in the fall of last year and am thrilled to post the fifth issue here today. I was fortunate to work on the design of this issue and it was such a fun project as the photography, content and styling is superb. I hope you enjoy!

 View Issue Five here.

Vancouver Guide: Caste Projects Pop-up Shop

(First image borrowed from here)

There is a neat venue here in Vancouver that has been providing locals with the opportunity to curate monthly pop-up shops. I found out about the Caste Projects Pop-up Shop through a Herriot Grace email that mentioned the shop was selling some of her highly coveted products (I was thrilled as I had been wanting a cloud cookie cutter since they first premiered).

Amidst all the end-of-term hustle, I was fortunate enough to stop by Caste this past Saturday to take a look! The shop is self-described as having 'hand-crafted design objects for the home, from local and international designers'. I was not disappointed. Not only was I able to pick up my cloud cookie cutter, I drooled over the Herriot Grace spoons, ooed over the Tannis Hegan canvas bags and Henderson Dry Goods mirrors (a long-time favourite) and was in awe over the tierkunde needle felted bears (made by co-curator Hanahlie Biese).

I had an excellent time chatting with Hanahlie and her husband Caleb about their design studio Caste Projects. I highly recommend you visit their site to see more of their work (I'll have to post more about them later).

The Caste Projects Pop-up Shop is open for all of August, everyday 11am - 5pm (Sundays 12am - 5pm). Find them at 196 Kingsway (at 10th Ave). If you're in Vancouver, it is a must visit.