Things I Love

1. This Pyrrha anchor ring! Every time customers ask to see the Pyrrha rings, I pull them all out, and ever so subtly, slip this baby on. What can I say, I'm a great hand model.


The anchor ring is $184, and is a size 6 and I might even be wearing it as I type. The anchor seal is a symbol of optimism and it reads 'still have hope'. Actually, Pyrrha will do any of their seals in ring form, so keep it in mind. And all seals are available in silver or bronze. And maybe someone out there could do me a favour and just buy this ring so I don't have to torment myself everyday? Please and thank you.

2. Audrey. I do love her. Audrey is former noko-staffer Miranda's Grandma. (And you know how I feel about Grandma's). Miranda was in town last week and she stopped by the shop with Audrey. Though, what I also love about Audrey is that Miranda has a blog named after her. Pieces from Audrey is Miranda's style blog, and one of my favourite blogs to visit. The reason for the name:

I realized that almost any day I have something on my person that is from my gran, Audrey - so hence the name "pieces from audrey"

You'll find tons of inspiration, beauty and love on this blog, so check it out!

(Pictures of Miranda and Stella from Pieces of Audrey)

3. Boredom. Seriously. I know there's the 'only boring people get bored', but there is something to be said about letting your mind wander. This morning my (uber-talented) friend Veekee posted an article that really sunk in with me. The author, Peter Bregman, wrote about why he returned his new iPad (unthinkable, right?). He got tired of filling in every spare minute with things to do.

Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that's where creativity arises.

My best ideas come to me when I am unproductive. When I am running but not listening to my iPod. When I am sitting, doing nothing, waiting for someone. When I am lying in bed as my mind wanders before falling to sleep. These "wasted" moments, moments not filled with anything in particular, are vital.

You can check out the article here.

I think it really resonating with me because I am experiencing a bit of a 1/3 life crisis. WHAT DO I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE!? Can anyone relate? I have a lovely house, an amazing boutique, 2 cats and 1 boyfriend. Everything has been checked off my to-do list. Now what? It's time for me to set some new goals and ambitions in my life and get at them. But first I need to figure out what the hell those goals are. You should hear the stuff that is rolling around in my head, it's pretty hilarious. But what I am enjoying as I begin this process, is getting stuck in my head with ideas and fantasies; basically no boundaries or limits. And this only comes around once I have quietness in my head, from sitting on the couch and staring at the wall (or, more likely, laying in bed and staring at the ceiling). Here's to boredom. And all the ideas and creativity and fantasy that arises from it.

4. Feather earrings from Myrtle and Pearls. Love them so much. Beautiful, light weight, and affordable ($32!). We just got in a new batch from Ms. Genevieve yesterday.

Genevieve recently moved to Montreal, check out her adventures on her blog.

5. Silk screening! I'm going to set up a silk screening area in the store basement in the next month or so, and I am realllly excited about it. Laurel was our silk screening lady for years and years, and every once and I while I would sneak into the studio to help out with bag fabric. It was so much fun to work with my hands, and just get into the silk screening zone. So I'm going to try and get that magic back.

And, speaking of silk screening, the Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists (SNAP) is holding a fundraiser this weekend that you should really check out. Called "Love Those Clothes You Wear", it will be an evening of artwork, a silent auction, fashion show, music, food and drinks. Basically the perfect mix. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and will be held at their new location, which I have yet to see! It's on Jasper and 120 Street. See you there? Yes? Yes!


Oh, and for more information, check out the fb event page or else SNAP's website.

Things I Love

1) This blog: Summer Goals, by Anne and Christie, who document their goals for summer 2010. Which include: "spending all of our time at the river, having impromptu barbecues, wind-blown hair, and doing crosswords at cafes" (and thankfully sharing all of this with the rest of the world). Get inspired for summer. We've had a terribly long wait, but I can feel it, it's coming.

2) I need this coat. It beckons me. It's perfect for walks in the rain, camping adventures to Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, and Penticton. I know, I know, Penticton, it's hotter than Hades, right? I try and make it there every summer, and it always rains cats and dogs. This coat is going to be perfect for sitting a the beach, with the grey sky looming and the brisk breeze in my face.

Allison Wonderland Jericho coat, 256

And check out the most adorable lining:


3) I was at a beautiful music show the Rutherford House last week (Yes! The Rutherford House, a-maz-ing!) and I now have two albums that I cannot stop listening too. The first is Giraffedactyl, by local songstress Megan James. She sang and played the piano in the sitting room, and I couldn't think of anything more appropriate for that room. She has a free download for her EP, 'Yes, We'll Glow', which you can find here. ('See Monster 'and 'Silk Spindles' are my fav's).


Bronze Leaf also played (and I picked up their album at the show), and, again, album on repeat (specifically 'Shell' and 'Text Exit'). Composed of three local musicians, Amy McDonald (who, like so many people I know, is sadly moving to Montreal), Matthew Israelson, and superstar Eric Cheng. Here is their myspace page, and you can also read all about their recent tour adventures here. Both albums come highly recommended from moi. And are local, to boot!

4) Free documentaries! (Especially in this weather!). PBS Frontline has loads of new programs to watch, online. (For those 54 minutes you have to wait after watching 72 minutes on Megavideo). I recently watched 'College, Inc.' about the growing for-profit sector of higher education. I'm talking about investors who pour money into failing colleges and universities, then make them public and make major profits. These colleges and universities usually cater to non-traditional students (ie. aren't necessarily prepared for post-secondary financially or academically) and rely heavily on financial aid (which is the only kind of debt that you cannot 'lose' when you declare bankruptcy). 10% of students attend for-profit schools, but they account for 25% of financial aid (and within three years 44% of for-profit students default on their loans). Anyway, I could go on and on. It's a thought provoking documentary, one that will make you appreciate your Canadian education just a little bit more.

5) The necklace by This Ilk, makes me heart swoon every time I walk past it at the shop. The colours, the length, and the design are all perfect. And it's only $44, so that's kinda perfect too.

This Ilk 'Athena Heliconia' Necklace, 44

'Things I Love' will be a monthly addition to the noko blog (this counts as May, so they'll be one for June too!). It will be a collection of things I covet, adore, dance to, consume and hold dear to my heart. Stay tuned for more.