Faux Pas: Spandex Leggings

It's bad enough that three years ago, it become perfectly acceptable to wear tights as pants. But seriously, people, what is up with the shiny spandex version that tweens are wearing like gang colours?! I took a flight over the holidays, and there were SEVEN girls who were all wearing the shiny black spandex leggings from the infamous AA. So far, I haven't seen anyone wearing these fantastically ugly ones but when I do (or you do) I will make sure to share.



Ugh....shivers.

Keep yer belly warm... with Haramaki Love

My friend Julia has the perfect way for you to stay warm n' stylish this frigid season. Check out her Haramaki belly warmers - she's also on Etsy. They are made in Montreal, start at $20 and will help lower those maddening recession-time hydro bills...

The Great Divider: The Ankle Boot

You may remember my 2008 New Year's resolution to not purchase anything other than food and toilet paper and the like for a whole year. I made it through with only a few cheats which I feel were totally justifiable: 3 pairs of dirt cheap strappy sandals when I was in the U.S this summer, an m0851 wallet I blogged about , and a pair of Italian leather driving gloves so I can keep biking into the fall (which added up to what I would spend on a bus pass for a month).

And now...I have just made my first purchase of 2009. The Ankle Boot.


Ankle boots divide people - you either love 'em or hate 'em. If you are like me, and love them, now is the time to get a pair. Everything is on sale, and they are seeing the end of their most recent incarnation. They come in and out of fashion every five years or so but are a classic look that never looks at odds when paired with current trends, be they skinny jeans, pencil skirts or shorts-over-tights.

I got these from Maritz, 123 Laurier Ouest. They were half off of $160 and the last pair of 7s. They are a very soft caramel brown and the heel has a nice curve on the inside that gives them a very soft silhouette. And lo' and behold, when I brought 'em home it turned out the Mister was a lover and not a hater!

All Hail The Sale: BCBG Blizzard

Happy New Year! January is Ultimate Sale month... where you get the best deals in the empty post-christmas stores. I want to highlight the BCBG sale in particular, because the prices on these gorgeous and high quality pieces are so far below the retail price, and just one BCBG item in your closet will guarantee to up the classy factor. So if you managed to refrain from boxing day madness and are in the market for a good deal on a special "piece", take advantage!

These are my favourites:

1. The ultimate "little black dress" because it's anything but. Long, strapless and high waisted, this is sophisticated, flattering, and totally affordable.


2. This cropped wool jacket apparently comes with the shirt attached! Nothing is hotter than a suit jacket tailored for a woman.

3. These boots are ridiculously hot and ridiculously on sale. This is the piece I'd be clicking "buy now" for - if I could.


If you're like me and the price tags and petiteness means you can only look, it's still great fun to browse the BCBG line - I always draw inspiration from Max Azria's aesthetic when I want to put together an outfit that is both edgy and sophisticated.

Brazen Blowout: The Great Global Recession Sale!

When in doubt, shop local and handmade. It's good for the economy, good for the environment and good for your gift-giving/fashion reputation. You'll probably save money, too.

In that light, Brazen Design is having a blowout Global Recession Sale!

YES, The dark cloud of financial crisis gloom has a sterling silver lining!

Brazen Design will be at two Holiday Fairs in Montreal and all sterling silver pieces will be PRICED TO SELL!

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THESE LOW LOW PRICES!

Get a sterling silver Brazen Design at my special Friends&Family rate! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

In stock:

4 small branch necklace
5 medium branch necklaces
5 hanging branch necklaces
2 hanging branch earrings
3 leaf vein necklaces
1 leaf vein (medium) earrings
3 caribou antler necklace
2 tiger lily necklaces
1 crown necklace
1 brass crown necklace
1 magnolia necklace
1 lightning bolt earrings
1 large leaf cutout earrings

Brazen Design and other talented local artists will be at:

Puces Pop: Breakfast for Dinner
Saturday, December 6, 2008 11:00am - 6:00pm
St. Michel Church Hall,
Corner of St. Viateur & St. Urbain
Montreal, QC

Hot Cakes
Friday, December 12, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, December 13, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
In the basement of the Saint-Enfant-Jésus Church
5035 rue St. Dominique
Montreal, QC

In times of economic despair, support local artisans while keeping your carbon footprint to a bare minimum!

Italy seems to be the theme here... sample sale madness!

There are two not-to-be missed sample sales happening this weekend in Montreal.

I walked by Mimi & Coco on my way home and their annual sample sale started today and runs through to this Sunday November 16th. I'm talking about the Little Italy location, not the westmount one. Here's a map.

Their sample sales are killer - Italian made cotton and wool for dirt cheap prices. I always pick up a bunch of great basics: long sleeved waffle knit shirts for winter, tank tops, etc. Last year, I also picked up the chocolate version of this chunky cable-knit poncho type sweater that wasn't cheap even at 50% off but it is now one of my ultimate autum cover-ups.

I recommend hitting it up on the Friday if you can (or tonight!) but be forewarned: it is intimidating to be in there with the regulars - those ladies will try to elbow you away from the boxes of cotton treasure. Just throw your shoulders back and dive into the fray, it's well worth it!

Next but certainly not least, there is a m0851 sample sale at their headquarters. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read my m0851 blog post (or blog gush, I should say). Can you say Canadian-made bags, coats, clothes and more from Italian Leather? Yes, Please!

Here are the details:

Friday, November 14 from 10h00 to 5h00
Saturday, November 15 from 10h00 to 5h00
Sunday, November 16 from 12h00 to 5h00

3981 Boul. St-Laurent
E. boutique@m0851.com
T. 514 842 1221

Happy Sample Shopping!

Dry Clean Only : from Process to Product

I am auctioning off a one-of-a-kind leaf necklace at this event in Montreal on Saturday, November 15th. You can see the complete start-to-finish photo essay here.
Dry Clean Only is the first of a yearly event in which Moniker has juried and selected 20 established artists, organizations and small businesses, or those new comers on the brink of explosion, to bring their creations together under one roof to celebrate and highlight the creativity that is flourishing in Montreal today. This is a chance for artists to exhibit one unique item that represents their line of products or services offered that is distinctive to their venture.

This year the theme of the show is Process to Product. The purpose of this exhibit is to showcase the method through which the final products are fashioned. We aim to create a public understanding of craftsmanship and how the artist relates and interacts with their chosen medium.

The event is to take place at a newly renovated space at 550 Beaumont - Studio 505 - on Saturday the 15th of November 2008 from 5:00 – 11:00pm.

Some of the talented folks that we have invited to exhibit their products are woodworkers, bag/fashion designers, longboard creators, screen printers, photographers, painters, graphic designers, zine creators, home/beauty product designers, jewelry designers, and more.

The items displayed are one of a kind and on sale by silent auction for this one night only. The auction will end at 10:30 sharp. Cash only.

AND THE NIGHT WILL CONTINUE...

AT: Sim Bistro - 550 Beaumont (Downstairs)

BANDS:
Saint Even
M.O. (of FAMN)

$5 - Doors @ 10:30
(Free Food)

Brazen Bling at Puces Pop - Oct 4 & 5

The Puces Pop Marketplace, part of the Pop Montreal Music Festival, is taking place this coming weekend, October 4 & 5, and Brazen Design will be there with bells on. Okay, forget the bells. Accessories? Of course and always.

As it goes with most mile-end-ish craft fairs, it will take place at the St. Michel Church Hall, 105 St. Viateur West, in the basement.

Prepare to be overwhelmed and overheating.

The Brazen Design table will be featuring the 4th installment of the Brazen Design One Offs, as well as the ever popular leaf vein earrings - on SUPERSALE ($15 - in honour of Autumn and the nostalgic imagery that is leaves falling off trees.)



Brazen Design One Offs #4 began as a twinkle in my eye about a year ago and was finally manifested in a real labour of love in time for the annual Puces Pop sale. I am proud to introduce One Offs #4: "The Key to my Heart", to the world.

Inspired by the awesome-ness that is the Lee Valley Hardware Catalogue, "The Key to my Heart" uses real escutcheons (awesome word = learn it = 'ornamentation around a keyhole, handle or switch') combined with stones, charms, pearls and glass to create lovely pieces of poetic bling that you won't wanna evah take off!



Merci et j'espere vous voir ce week-end!

etsy.com

I am SO tired of hearing about Etsy but I'm starting to wonder if I should be jumping on the bandwagon.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Etsy.com is an online marketplace for all things handmade and vintage. Think of it as the hipster Ebay.

If I had a dollar for every time that someone has mentioned Etsy to me since I launched my business just over a year ago, I wouldn't need to be in business. The Montreal Gazette just did a feature, The New York Times had a huge profile about six months ago, and there are over 800 Montreal stores on Etsy alone!

They say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Though I have had an Etsy shop all along, I never invested a lot of time, money or energy in it. Just to keep people off my back (and see whether Etsy is as profitable as people say it is) I have finally revamped www.brazendesign.etsy.com.

Do you have an Etsy store? Have you shopped on Etsy .com?

Crazy 1 Hour 75% off sale!

Le Marche Montreal - a great little store featuring designer and vintage clothes, shoes, accessories and more - is having a crazy 1 hour sale today and tomorrow, on all their summer stuff.

They are located at 24 Pine Ave East, just around the corner from St Laurent. You can't miss their hot pink store front.

Friday, August 15 (today) from 4pm - 5 pm
Sat August 16 (tomorrow) from 3:30pm - 5pm

You won't see me there cause I'm still on shopping hiatus, but take advantage and let me know what you find!