FASHION Magazine

Body Politic (208 E. 12th Ave., 604-568-5528, bodypolitic.ca) made waves when it opened amidst our crazy winter snowstorms, but we all still trekked in to take stock of its extensive collection of local and Canadian-designed items.

Mealan Mezzarobba’s earliest childhood shopping memory entails walking over a whimsical bridge into a land of sugar-coated candies and lollies.  For those Calgarians who aren’t afraid to date themselves, you might recall a little gem called Heffalumps and Woozles, an upscale children’s store once located in Mount Royal Village.  That very store inspired Mezzarobba’s fashionable future.

 

Although the hoarding has only recently been erected, I’m sure word has already spread well across Vancouver that Sephora is finally coming to town. Many people will agree that it’s about time.

After a Zen retreat from holiday excesses, we’re whirling back into social life with some really hot ideas to help us get through the next few waves of cold:

Montreal Highlights (to March 1): if you’re a foodie or a culture aficionado you know where to go: montrealhighlights.com.

With its big bay window, sleek racks and clean decor, Sweet Pea (1542 Queen St., 902-423-0975) sure looks like a boutique. With its ever-churning traffic of midday shoppers, big bags elbowed and hanger-sifting fingers poised, it sure feels like one. And with a only a few of each style in a library of dresses, it sure holds its nose like a boutique. But the price tags dangling from those adorable little frocks will make you think otherwise.

Is it just me, or do this year’s Boxing Day sales seem to be dragging on forever? What is it now, mid-February? And it wasn’t until a week ago that I started to see a significant decrease in 50 to 80 per cent off notices in my inbox. But I truly realized how desperate this situation is, when a recent visit to one of my regular Main Street haunts yielded an ominously empty response to the friendly question, “Hey! What’s new?”

I am and always have been a sheer lipgloss girl but lately, I feel like wearing lipstick.  Pink lipstick to be exact.  I have yet to figure out where this sudden urge to paint my lips with brightly-hued colours originated from, but I am working on a few theories:

Nothing says winter blues combat like a flashy pair of shades. At Ontario Specialty Co (133 Church St., 416-366-9327), you’ll find one of my favorite selections of vintage sunglasses in every possible color and style.

But don’t just take my word for it: fans of the shop include the likes of Alice Cooper, The Clash, Sean Lennon, Beck, Alec Baldwin and Danny Masterson (a.k.a. Hyde from That ’70s Show), who bought 48 pairs.

If you go antique shopping on Amherst Street, as many Montrealers fed up with Ikea do, you’ll find the most exquisite little boutique that has nothing to do with furniture. Headquarters Galerie + Boutique (1649 Amherst St., 514-678-2923, hqgalerieboutique.blogspot.com), run by Angie Johnson and Tyson Bodnarchuk, the loveliest couple in town, is a two-floor space that gives exposure to Montreal artists (including Bodnarchuk) and tons of local designers (including Johnson).

Anyone feeling the pinch this January after a season of power-shopping can take comfort in Guelph’s impressive selection of vintage and consignment shops.

When the mercury drops to 30 degrees below zero, I often long for the warm sand beaches of Trinidad and Tobago. My only consolation is beautiful winter wear I can flaunt while braving the blizzards. In fact, one of the primary reasons I adore living in Alberta, Edmonton in particular, is the four distinct seasons we have, which, for me, translates into four fabulous wardrobes (and some multi-tasking transitional pieces).

I haven’t been letting the winter blues get to me, despite the record-breaking temperatures our frosty little city has been receiving. At least not when Fixation (107 23rd St. E., 306-384-7463, fixationshoes.com) has their doors open.