My Favourite Cyber Monday Deals

If you missed out on on Black Friday, now's the perfect time to get that treat for yourself or that gift for a special someone. All the details after the jump!

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The Best Black Friday Sales From Around The Web

1. Holiday tartan | 2. Buffalo plaid | 3. Everyday flannel | 4. My fave jeans | 5. Tech-friendly gloves | 6. 2-in-1 glove/mittens | 7. Cashmere hand warmers | 8. A polished pouch | 9. Luxe leather knapsack | 10. Plaid wool scarf | 11. Funky fair isle | 12. Everyday tote | 13. Cozy cardi | 14. Cable knit | 15. Walkable ankle boots | 16. Biker boots | 17. Rain boots | 18. Grey/camel scarf

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! Today also marks one of the biggest shopping days of the year, Black Friday. I've gotta admit, I'm not the super organized sort who has Christmas presents planned weeks in advance and strikes while the iron is hot, so more often than not I end up cruising websites shopping for myself. Above are the sorts of items I've got on my mind since it's been so cold lately: lots of plaid and cozy knits, wear-all-the-time ankle boots, gloves that'll still let me use my iPhone, scarves, and goes-with-anything bags. Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, I've got the best Black Friday deals from my fave retailers—all after the jump!

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Dace Sample Sale

One of my favourite local labels Dace is having a sample sale on Thursday December 15th with up to 70% off. See the flyer above for details. Happy shopping!

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From NYC to Violet Boutique, With Love

Feminine dresses, pretty patterns, Breton stripes, statement necklaces, tailored pieces with a twist. If this list includes any of your fashion lusts, then Violet Boutique is the stuff that dream closets are made of.

Owner Genevieve Allen has created a haven for the girl who likes a dash of whimsy with her wardrobe.

Genevieve Allen

I had a chance to check out Violet Boutique last week at the SUNO Erin WHIT media preview, which celebrated the arrival of three notable New York-based lines. SUNO's New York designers and tailors work with Kenyan artisans to produce brightly patterned pieces and quirky accessories. I particularly loved the sundresses and chunky beaded necklaces. WHIT is the romantic yet preppy brainchild of designer Whitney Pozgay, whose impressive resume includes stints at Kate Spade and Steven Alan. Erin Fetherston is known for her quintessentially girly girl designs--very Upper East Side playful socialite.

For more about Violet Boutique, check out this excellent profile by I'm the It Girl. Happy shopping!

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Gypsy Market Vintage Arrives at One of a Few

Call me lazy, but I want to enjoy nice vintage clothes without actually hunting for them through piles of old smelly polyester. Is that so wrong? After all, I'm a busy gal and impatient to boot.

Luckily for ladies who feel the same way I do, there's Gypsy Market Vintage. The brainchild of stylist and vintage enthusiast Sarah La Greca, Gypsy Market has arrived in One of a Few (354 Water St.) and is staying throughout spring and well into summer. From what I saw at the launch party last Friday, the Gypsy Market pop-up shop features a carefully curated selection of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces in fantastic condition that would integrate well with contemporary wardrobes. I spotted bright neons, pretty florals, sheer black fabrics, dainty whites, and leopard prints galore. La Greca (who admits the 80s and 90s are her favourite decades to pick from because the pieces look more modern and less costumey) is constantly replenishing the shop with new stock, so make sure you stop by before this stylish gypsy caravan packs up and rolls out of Gastown.

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Vlog: Boxing Week Shopping in Seattle

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for the outpouring of support in the blog comments and on Twitter. While I'm keeping busy with my new job, Solo Lisa is kicking off 2011 with a vlog recapping the spoils of a Boxing Week day trip down to Seattle. The mission: hit up Madewell, J. Crew, and Anthropologie. The result? Well, you'll have to watch the video or refer to the collage below to find out. (I realized afterward that you can't see the Anthropologie pieces properly, so I found web images for each item.) Enjoy!

Did you find any great deals during Boxing Week? Please do share in the comments.



P.S. In case you haven't seen it, gorgeous blogger Kelsey of The Anthology asked a bunch of Vancouver bloggers what their stylish New Year's resolutions were for 2011. Click here to find out mine.

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Lola Home And Apparel Finds A New Home

The Grey Gardens-inspired installation

Lola Home and Apparel has been a mainstay of Yaletown's retail scene for the last nine years. This year though, owner Christina McDaniel made the radical decision to move Lola from Yaletown to the lobby of the historic Sun Tower (510 Beatty St.). "For me, this move is the first step in a journey that will see Lola taking concept boutique retailing to new heights over the next decade," says McDaniel. I got to see Lola's spin on concept boutique retailing for myself at their media launch party last week.

Owner Christina McDaniel with a model wearing one of Jason Matlo's dresses

Lola's new home exudes heritage charm but maintains the airiness of modern interior design. The increased square footage gives it ample room to grow in the next decade. In the meantime, Lola can take advantage of the bigger space to create amazing installations, such as the Grey Gardens-inspired one that greeted guests while the documentary played on a projection screen in the background.





New space, same Lola. It's still a lovingly curated boutique full of rare finds that lives up to its tagline of "French whimsy meets English eccentricity." Jason Matlo dresses, Burberry baby gear and other stylish toddler clothes, Tocca fragrances, sparkly accessories, and tunic frocks from Danish label Rutzou are just some of the treasures you'll find in-store.



Speaking of Jason Matlo, a sneak peek of his spring/summer 2011 collection was on display in the hallway.




Thanks to Lola for the invitation to the lovely event.

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Introducing Green Sapphire

If you're looking to invest heavy coin in the statement necklace trend this season, look no further than Green Sapphire eco jewelry. At $140-170 apiece, they are definitely a splurge. But consider the drama that this strand of oversized beads can add to simple minimalist ensembles, neutral-coloured outfits, a little black dress or a camel-coloured wool sheath. They're the perfect length to be paired with anything.

And then there's the fact these necklaces are handmade by renowned Brazilian artist/designer Patricia Moura from sustainable eclectic materials such as acai berry seeds, fiber, semiprecious stones, coconut, wood, mother-of-pearl, seashells, abalone, ceramics, and bamboo. The seeds themselves are non-germinating and harvested from the Amazon by indigenous tribes. By using them in her designs, Moura hopes to encourage the cultivation and preservation acai trees in the rainforest and prevent the destructive logging that makes way for cattle farming. These necklaces are versatile, original, high-quality designs that support a plethora of social and environmental causes. I'd say that's money well spent.



Green Sapphire eco jewelry by Patricia Moura is available in Vancouver at body politic, Jeweliette, and Tenth & Proper.

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First Vlog Ever!

All the cool kids like Erica from The Style Spy and Nicole from Le Mode du Jour were doing it, so why not? Shooting the video was a lot of fun...uploading a 783 MB file over the course of several hours and having it fail the first time around, not so much.

In this video:

• There's a shout-out to Nicole.
• You'll be hearing my voice for the first time (if you've never met me before, that is). How weird is that?!
• I blather on about why I tend to buy two of something.
• You can hear my mom yelling something about dinner at one point. Try to pinpoint the exact second this happens.
• I sound more obsessed with socks than I actually am.

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Odds & Ends

Being a fashion blogger means that I'm privy to a lot of news, upcoming events, and sales. Here are just a few of the things that have landed in my inbox and caught my fancy recently.

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This Wednesday from 6:30 to 9pm, join Vancouver's eco-fashion industry insiders as they congregate at body politic (208 E. 12th Ave., near Main Street) for Eco Shops For A Cause. This one-night only event promises "organic eats, treats, and a fun night of shopping for a cause with proceeds to benefit the David Suzuki Foundation." The evening also marks the launch of the new Dutzi Designs handbag collection. To attend, RSVP to kristin@thevanguardpr.com.

Every $200 purchase earns you an entry in a draw for a $500 prize pack. Want another way to win a prize? You can win a makeover sponsored by Aveda and body politic by entering Granville Mag's contest here.

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For the little girl in all of us, local designer Dace has commissioned artist Dallas Shaw to create free downloadable paper doll PDFs. Download the dolls--and their Dace outfits--and have fun mixing and matching! Keep checking back for new doll clothes too.

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From now until August 31st, enjoy 70% off spring/summer sale merchandise at Wear Else. An insider source tells me that most of the sale merchandise is consolidated at their W. 4th Ave. location, but there is some stock available at the Oakridge and Park Royal locations as well. That's not all: Print off this post, bring it into the store, and you'll receive an additional 30% off the last ticketed price of sale items. That means you could save up to 80% total. Happy shopping!

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m0851 Undergoes Spring Cleaning

I received this in my inbox the other day and thought I'd pass it along to interested Vancouver readers! m0851 (retailer/purveyor of high quality minimalist clothes and accessories) is undergoing a bit of spring cleaning. "Closed for spring cleaning but still open for business" is the mantra here: m0851 is still taking online orders. The store itself will re-open mid-April fully stocked with new spring/summer merchandise. Email boutique@m0851vancouver.com if you'd like more details.

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My Halloween

Although I didn't go out and party in a skimpy costume, my Halloween was far from humdrum. Here's a look at my day.

I liked my first haircut at Barbarella so much that I decided to go back.

They did a great job, didn't they? I snapped a pic in Barbarella's washroom. Dig the artwork on the walls.

The boy and I met up for lunch at Kwong Chow Congee Noodle House. Here he is fiddling around with his phone. I had watercress and salted rib congee, while he had fried rice and Chinese doughnuts.

It was such a gorgeous day outside we decided to stroll up and down Main Street and window shop. We popped into Two of Hearts to say hi to Tabitha Savoie en route.

The boy and I stopped for coffee and tea at JJ Bean and figured out our next activity...

...and decided on the Stanley Park Ghost Train! Every year the miniature railroad in Stanley Park is set up haunted house-style. Kids and adults ride the train and enjoy the theatrics and ghoulish fun along the way. This year's theme was the underworld and the afterlife in different cultures.

After the train, we went to eight1/2 on Main and E. 8th for gourmet mac n' cheese and hot butternut squash soup. Our dinner was punctuated with texts from my friend Felix, who wanted to know what we were up to and jokingly expressed his willingness to play third wheel for an excuse to leave his house.

The three of us watched Zombieland and I swear, I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Columbus's rules for surviving Zombieland will probably be stuck in my head for days.

What did you do on Halloween?

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My Holy Grail Boots, Finally

My fall 2009 shopping list only consisted of a few things: the Coach satchel, the Chanel clutch, my skirt and dress from Francis, new tights and leggings, and a new pair of boots. While most of these items were easy to find, the boots proved to be the most difficult by far. I wanted a flat pair of simple black leather boots with a good tread for snow and ice. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The weatherproof boots I saw were clunky, fur-trimmed, or too synthetic-looking, while all the fashionable flat leather boots I liked had smooth treads that would be serviceable in the rain but deadly once the snowy season starts. In short, I wanted something a little more "urban chic" and a little less "sporty Inuit." To add another challenge to the search, I needed a pair that would zip up over muscular calves (I blame you, dance!) and accommodate skinny jeans.

Well, leave it to a Canadian company to come up with the exact product I was looking for. When I popped into Town Shoes last Friday for a quick browse, I stumbled upon the 'Vitiana' boots in black by Blondo Canada. These boots boast treated waterproof leather that will stand up to rain, snow, and salt stains. The interior is lined with a plush velour and a cushiony insole to keep my feet and legs dry and comfortable. I also love the sturdy waffle tread and the hidden elastic at the top of the boot. If you've been looking for a similar sort of boot, I highly recommend checking these out.

What's the holy grail item on your fall shopping wishlist, the one you can't seem to find anywhere?

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F21 Finds From San Francisco

I did more window shopping than actual shopping while in San Francisco because 1) I've got some big purchases and another trip coming up before the year's end, and 2) I was too tired to do any serious shopping. Despite these limitations, I knew I just had to pay a visit to the giant Forever 21 on Powell Street. The store fulfilled all my fast fashion cravings and then some as I browsed to my heart's content. I'm modelling the pieces I got alongside stuff from my own wardrobe; the F21 purchases are in bold type. Enjoy!

This red top will look cute with denim skirts and jeans.

I love, love, love this new tie-neck red plaid blouse! It's going to be so versatile as I head into autumn. Here I've worn it with a studded belt (Buffalo), black-and-white sweater skirt (Urban Outfitters), leggings (another new F21 acquisition), and black booties (DKNY via Solestruck.com).

A new cocktail ring to add to my growing collection for less than $5? Yes, please!

This sweet charcoal bubble hem dress just screams Blair Waldorf, especially with the two oversized bows at the back. Not bad for $29.

These heels are new but not from F21; I ordered them from the Urban Outfitters website and had them shipped to my friend Artem so I wouldn't have to pay extra for shipping. Picking them up from the post office and trying them on was one of the highlights of my Saturday in San Fran.

I loved this rose-trimmed top so much I bought it in two different colours, ivory and taupe. Because the fit is rather snug, I think it'll look especially good tucked into high-waisted skirts and bottoms. Here I'm wearing it with my CiCi skirt, Seychelles heels, and Filou acorn necklace.

I love the kitsch factor of this short-sleeved cardigan, which looks especially good with the new leggings and Seychelles heels.

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Behind Kiss & Makeup: An Interview With Heather Huntingford

As you may remember from yesterday's post, I recently checked out Kiss & Makeup in the Park Royal Village. This unique concept boutique devoted to "apothecary and apparel" is the brainchild of Heather Huntingford. Heather was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions via email.

Solo Lisa: How long has Kiss & Makeup been around?
Heather: We are just about to celebrate our 5th birthday. Five years, it's crazy. I cannot believe how quickly this has gone by.

Solo Lisa: What prompted you to open the store, and what inspired the "apothecary and apparel" concept?
Heather: Lifestyle. I personal suffer from severely sensitive skin and was always limited in the products that I could use and that were found at drug and department stores. I was always searching for lines that I could use and felt I could not be the only one. Furthermore, makeup is supposed to be fun and the environment should reflect that. Your typical department store just didn't cut it for me. So I created a store with amazing staff, highly edited and specific products, and a super atmosphere and vibe.

The transition into apparel was completely natural. We have always styled accessories, jewelry , bags, etc. on top of skin care and makeup. If I think about my personal favorite stores, they are all independent concept lifestyle stores and were a bit of an inspiration.

Solo Lisa: Kiss & Makeup has some skincare and beauty lines that aren't found anywhere else. How do you go about researching what you'll carry in-store and deciding which products to stock?
Heather: Each line is here for a purpose. The have a specific niche. Perhaps they're strong in creating the perfect complexion like Becca, or they have an amazing array of colours like Vincent Longo. We also carry Cargo because we love supporting our fellow Canadians who are so ingenious with the products they create.

As for research, I read copious magazines, spend much time on blogs, read reviews, and of course sample products myself. I get to shop for a living--it's quite fun. Once I find a line that I am interested in, then the interview process between both companies begins to make sure we are a good retail partnership. I spend most of my time looking for niche, unique, small brands that are conscientious, use the best ingredients they can and of course have fabulous packing.

Solo Lisa: What are your daily skincare and beauty must-haves?
Heather: Oh, this could get quite long...

If I am running out of the house, without a doubt, moisturizing sunscreen everyday (Coola, organic, cucumber and yummy); Sue Devitt Prime Target Intensive Eye Treatment ($40) to brighten, cool, reduce puffiness, tighten--really, it's magic in a tube for your under eye; Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal ($51), it's the best pick-me-up for the skin ( anti-hangover in a bottle, ha). Mascara of course: I use Jan Marini Lash Performance Mascara ($80)--it has a peptide in it and has really helped with the growth of the length of my lashes. Finally, finish off with gloss: Lipfusion Xl ($54) has collegen in it, which plumps and fills in the lips without any of the burn.

This sounds like a lot, but honestly, it's a 5 minute routine.

Solo Lisa: Summer presents its own set of skincare and beauty challenges: sun damage, sweaty skin, melting makeup. What are your top tips and picks for staying fabulous in hot weather?
Heather: First off, a hat! It's really the best way to keep your face out of the sun and Eugenia Kim's fedoras are so super stylish. The girls laugh at me as I probably now have a different one for each day of the week. We already covered sunscreen, but wear your makeup according to the weather. It's the hottest it's ever been in Vancouver, so don't try for a matte look, go for glow, enhance the shine, and use water-resistant makeup.

Hands down top sellers right now...

Becca Beach Tint, water resistant colour on your cheeks and lips ($30); Geisha ink liquid liner, the best liquid liner every and so easy to use ($30); Kiss Me mascara, smudge proof, rub proof, cry proof ($30); Cargo big bronze, you glow girl! ($32).

Solo Lisa: Kiss & Makeup is a beauty product lover's dream, but the collection of clothing and accessories it carries is very selective and carefully curated. How do you go about choosing which lines and items to carry in-store?
Heather: It's about what inspires me. I spend so much time looking at trends, shopping, and researching that I usually have a pretty specific idea of what I want. I try to make sure that each buying trip/tradeshow is in a different location, so over the course of the year I could do one in London and LA, the next year New York and LA. Each city is so unique and it's great to see the vibe and way clothing and trends are worn.

Solo Lisa: Looking ahead, what's next for you personally and professionally?
Heather: More stores, that's the plan. One thing at a time; right now because this store has opened, my main focus will be back on our online store. I don't want the rest of Canada to miss out on our amazing store.

This post is also on Stylefinds.

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An Afternoon At Kiss & Makeup

As an East Van girl who spends inordinate amounts of time downtown and in her own neighbourhood, I rarely have a chance to explore retail offerings beyond my usual haunts. So when I received an email inviting me to check out the Kiss & Makeup boutique in West Vancouver, my curiosity got the better of me. This was how I found myself braving downtown traffic congestion and the Lion's Gate Bridge to reach the Park Royal Village one sunny Saturday afternoon. After 45 minutes in a hot, stuffy bus, I was there.

Kiss & Makeup is a beauty product lover's dream, beckoning to customers from behind its unassuming blue-and-white facade. Inside, the space is bright and airy. Knowledgeable staff are on-hand to answer questions about the products and labels found within its walls. K&M specializes in makeup and skincare for sensitive skin and the allergy-prone, resulting in a collection of carefully chosen cosmetic and skincare products and some obscure skincare labels I'd never heard of.

Sjal is just one of the many hard-to-find skincare lines at K&M formulated for sensitive skin. This Swedish label prides itself on simple, effective formulas packed full of active ingredients. Another sensitive skin-friendly line, and by far the most popular at K&M, is Ren, which boasts all-natural ingredients.

Stila, Vincent Longo, and Becca are some of the makeup labels you'll find.

The accessories and apparel are just as carefully curated as the cosmestics and skincare products. Poking around, I spotted Eugenia Kim hats and headbands, Mike and Chris jackets, Dace clothing, Matthew Williamson sunglasses, and Fiona Paxton beaded necklaces. One corner of the store was devoted to maternity and children's products, including the pink-festooned Principessa skincare line.

The jewelry cabinet forms a central display in the store.

Eugenia Kim hats and Bumble and Bumble hair products--it's like a one-stop cure for bad hair days.

Principessa products appeal to girly souls with their pink packaging and delectable spun sugar scent.

I like how the kid's hair accessories combine a good dose of whimsy with preppy Gossip Girl style.

My appointment to peruse K&M included a session with resident makeup artist Savannah Olsen. Sensing my predilection for simple looks, Savannah used a lot of products from the Becca line to create a natural, polished look and a dewy complexion. While she did my makeup, she explained that Becca was an Australian line known for excellent SPF protection in many of its products and for giving its users flawless, sun-kissed skin.

Gorgeous makeup artist Savannah Olsen

Before the makeover...

...and after! Savannah used Becca stick foundation in Macadamia as a spot concealer to even out my complexion and set everything with Becca loose powder in Wheat. She swept Becca Jewel Dust in Nixie--a shimmery light blue--across my lids and Becca blush in Coquette across my cheeks. She also finished off my eyes by lining my top lashes with a charcoal shadow and applying Geisha Ink mascara. Finally, a little Vincent Longo gloss in Cherros finished off my summery look.

Thanks to the staff at Kiss and Makeup for making me feel so welcome! If you don't have the opportunity to check the store out in-person, log on to K&M's website to browse its selection. Also, stay tuned for tomorrow's post, in which I interview K&M's owner and founder Heather Huntingford.

This post is also cross-posted on Stylefinds.

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Special Wear Else Sale

If you're a Lower Mainland resident, this is for your eyes and ears! Just a reminder that the Wear Else Warehouse Sale is still on until the end of July. Get up to 75% off your favourite brands.

Exclusive Offer! Mention "Solo Lisa" at the cash register and get an additional 10% off your purchase. Happy shopping. =)

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