the BBB

we've been extolling the virtues of the brave brown bag here at nokomis since time began. we all have one, or five, and use them all the time for everything.

brave brown bags are waxed cotton carryalls designed to resemble a paper bag but built to last for years. as they're loved-in by you they crease and weather and change into something personal and unique. BBBs come in a variety of sizes and fabrics (gingham and toile are my favorites) and, depending on which one you choose to carry at which time, somehow transform to suit any purpose or occasion.

allow me to set the scene...

act i: summer. early morning. warm, pink sunlight glides in from the east. you've awoken extra early this saturday to seek out the plumpest purple blueberries, the freshest farm eggs and a wild bouquet of early flowers at the farmer's market. you pack your treasures into your oversized, checked brave brown bag, strap it to the back of your bike and ride home to wake your lover with breakfast and a kiss.



act ii: mid afternoon. the sun shines hot and high in the south. wispy clouds hover in a pale blue sky. you enter the cafe, tucking your sunglasses into your petite floral bag, and order a perrier, change your mind and get a peach sangria instead. enter jessica, jamaican lemonade, followed by leanne, white wine, and carmen, corona. lunch comes and you waste the afternoon laughing about last night and showing off the shoes you got on vacation.



act 3: night. you're trying out a new shade of eyeliner--electric eel. it sets off your giant purple earrings. you hand over your id and walk into the club, you're on the guest list, naturally. the music starts and you move to join the gang. you reach into your sleek brave brown bag and pull out your lip gloss. someone buys you a drink as you scan the room and move onto the dancefloor. let the games begin.



like what you see? well here's a treat: all our brave brown bags are currently half price. let us know which one you have a crush on and we'll be sure to set you up.

hastings and main

we LOVE hastings and main at nokomis. designed by maryanne mathias since 2003, hastings and main is inspired by the well-traveled designer's surroundings and experiences. her clothing is in part informed by recent time spent in india, africa and the middle east and by the textiles, cultures and possibilities for sustainable development these amazing places present.

this spring sees her working a lot with hand-dyed & printed silks and jerseys, fabrics for which we've come to know and love her. we just received a brand new shipment last week with 6 beautiful styles that we've been ooh-ing and aah-ing over ever since.

i can attest that all hastings and main garments owned by nokomis staff (even the ones from 5 seasons ago!) remain in regular wardrobe rotation to this day. they're go-to pieces when you want something unique, sexy, fashion-forward and totally individual, and that's good value! wearing her clothes is also a special experience that makes you look and feel like a million bucks. they have the perfect combination of high and low, nasty and nice, slinky and strong. we heart 'em.


hastings & main 'shift tank', $159


hastings & main 'zipper tank', $218

party shots (without the people)

so in all my brilliance and glory i forgot to actually take any photos of our party last thursday, which is kindof totally like me, though i did manage to take some photos of the food. we can see where my priorities lie, no? oh and here are some shoe shots too for good measure.

thanks to all who braved the bitter night, we love having you over.

something to look forward to

here's just a taste of the new spring stock we've been getting in over the past few weeks. we have styles from allison wonderland, dace, lily & jae, LNE, cici and a ton of great shoes. make sure you come out to our party tomorrow night to take advantage of our one-night-only discount on all these beautiful goodies--you can't lose!

It's party time!

We'd like to invite you to our Nokomis Spring Launch Party this Thursday, February 26 from 4 - 10 pm. We'll be holding the event at our store, 10318-82 avenue and would love to see you there!

We also have a very special surprise.....we're launching Noko Vintage! We've been collecting vintage shoes for awhile now and want to share some of our favorites with you. Prices will start at just $25 which makes for a great and economical way to complete that perfect outfit.

Come out and enjoy treats to eat and drink, music and fun times galore. We're also happy to give you 10% off all new spring stock for the evening as well as 20% off all new nokomis stock (that includes our vintage shoes!).

We really hope to see you there.

xo, nokomis

check it out!

take a look a this beautiful new nokomis 'gillespie' bag in black lambskin, $330. it's a totally practical and stylish vintage-inspired carryall made of lovely soft new leather. i've been carrying around the prototype for weeks now (i kindof "adopted" it, heh-heh) and just love the shape, size and look of this bag. can't get enough!

we finally have non-prototype versions in store, both in shiny patent and non-patent leather. come on down and check them out.

oh, and in case you're wondering i'm also wearing bodybag's bat top, $105, and our nokomis sarsparilla pants, $149, myrtle and pearls earrings, $30 and miju necklace, $32.

we feel dancey

i'm a nerd and i'll prove it. when i was a kid i totally used to draw fairies, like, all the time. like...when i was 17, ahem, and had dreadlocks, ahem, to my waist.

i totally tried to emulate brian froud, aubrey beardsley and arthur rackham.

i loved this rackham poster that belonged to my mom entitled 'we feel dancey'. i loved that fairies never say 'we feel happy' what they say is 'we feel dancey'. i still like that, i'm not afraid to admit it. see? still nerdy.

well i'm older now, i cut my hair years ago and i mostly draw things like sandwiches or my cat. sometimes though i still need an outfit to feel dancey in, old-fashioned eliz dancey--drapey and fluttery and full of wonder and enough love to break your heart. this one will do just fine.


toss on a breezy nokomis 'thistle dress', $135


belt it up with a nokomis 'lizzy' belt, $65 and add a beautiful mono 'lace vest', $279




top it off with a mono 'knotted scarf', $69 and voila! instant future-fairy (to adapt the concept of "future-hippy" as invented by regine and katie)