Smoking Lily » Blog

Victoria Update: Wednesday Farmer’s Market

Smoking Lily — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:58 +0000

Across from our flagship store on Johnson Street is Market Square. They are hosting a farmer’s market every Wednesday afternoon, noon to 5:00, now through October 31st.

This market is right down town! We love to support local, so we pop in whenever we can (like on our lunch breaks).

The Market Square website says, “Shop for fresh local produce, local cheeses, meats, poultry, breads, honey, salt, sauces, salsas, preserves and lots more tasty treats. It’s all local. It’s all food. And it’s all great! www.victoriapublicmarket.com”

One of the best things about the market, besides having delicious local food, is the people. You’ll come across lots of friendly faces and smiles.

You can visit our Johnson St. shop and then pop across the street to have a wander through the market.

I love Victoria in the summer!

-Rose

Summer Dresses at the Milkman’s Daughter

Smoking Lily — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:09:35 +0000

Just in time for the beautiful weather, the milkman’s daughter has received four styles of 100% cotton, hand block-printed dresses from Mata Traders. Mata products are designed in Chicago and handmade in India and Nepal by women’s cooperatives and artisan groups that practice fair trade principles. The sizes range from XS to XL (a few sizes are sold out already!) and prices range from $68 to $88.

I think we need a new model!

Happy Wednesday.

Vancouver Update: Little Girls’ Dresses

Glenda — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:41 +0000

Last week, Rose introduced you to some cute little girls’ dresses that were newly created in the studio. Today, my niece was visiting the Vancouver shop and was happy to jump about in a few of them as I snapped photos on my phone (note to self: ALWAYS carry a better camera with you!).

First up, the Alice Dress. My niece, Atisha, is a small, slight (and cute!) 9 year old. This dress is size 4 to 6, and as such is a tad small for her (much to her chagrin), but you can see the appeal of the dress!

Next, the Pepper dress. The size 8 below is a tad large but so sweet!

The following Pepper dresses are size 4 to 6.

In the photo above, Atisha accessorized the dress with a Kid’s Kerchief ($14) with matching fabric.

Thank you, Atisha, for being such a good sport! That was fun!

glenda.

Awesome Customers: Best Tattoo Ever!

Smoking Lily — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:51:47 +0000

Last week, the lovely Alana from Edmonton was visiting our Vancouver shop with her mom when I espied some suspiciously amazing ink she was sporting…

Yes, that is the Black Flag logo reworked to include cats (!!). Seminal punk rock+unexpected visual puns=complete genius; good work, Alana!

Happy Monday,

Erin

P.S. Alana did mention that she herself is in a hardcore band by the name of Burn Collector, but seemed a little shy about it, so I’m not putting any links in!

P.P.S. The fabulous skirt Alana is sporting in the second photo–to go along with her fabulous tattoo, of course!–is from the current run of the Hester Skirt.

Lilacs

Smoking Lily — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:47:18 +0000

I always know that Mother’s Day is coming in Victoria by when the lilacs bloom. They come out precisely on Mother’s Day every year.

I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine yesterday. It was a glorious day! The warm weather has arrived at last.

- Rose ♥

Happy Mother’s Day

Glenda — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:53:57 +0000

Here’s to all the moms who started us on our journey through life with words of encouragement at our first steps. Your hopes for our future and dreams for our happiness helped us become who we are today. We, at Smoking Lily, want to let you know that we marvel at, and cherish, the memories of your maternal devotion. Thanks, moms!

For my mom, in particular, I’d like to share this slide (from 1965) of my mom and I engaged in one of those particularly sweet moments.

The photo, in front of the slide viewer, is one that she took of my sister and I – love the Dippity Do hairstyles!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,

glenda.

Little Girls’ Pepper Dress

Smoking Lily — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:00:02 +0000

We have made some lovely new Pepper Dresses for the darling little girls in your life.

Perfect for spring and summer.

-Rose ♥

Weekend Yard Sale Fund-raiser!

Smoking Lily — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:00:58 +0000

Hello Vancouver Lilyites!

Many of you may know my better (larger?) half, Mr. Scott, as the hairy gentleman on the Smoking Lily website. While I will admit he is my favourite beardo, Scott, like most people these days, is also someone whose life has been touched by cancer; when our good friend, Jason, announced this Christmas that he would be leading a team for the second time in the annual Ride to Conquer Cancer event, Scott joined up right away! (Despite his young age, Jason was widowed several years ago when his wife, Allison, lost a twenty year struggle with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Jason formed the team, Allie’s Allies, in her honour, with the lion’s share of funds raised going specifically to childhood cancer research.)

Scott and I will be hosting a yard sale at our home this Sunday to fund-raise for the upcoming ride. In addition to great clothes, weird ceramics, and an assortment of furniture, we are particularly excited to announce that our bibliophile associate, Sean “Books On the Radio” Cranbury (pictured below in a classic flaming pink Jesus tee from last year) will be donating a substantial selection of books from his impressive home library. Lily book geeks take note: there are going to be some amazing books on offer!

There will also be delicious home baking and refreshments available, so come on by! 2872 East Georgia (just west of Renfrew, we’re the little blue house with cream and black trim), this Sunday, May 13, from 10:00 to 4:00. We’d love to see you!

Erin

P.S. If you have something kicking around your house you’ve been meaning to get rid of, feel free to drop it off to us the day of–we’d be very happy to sell it for you and donate the proceeds to the cause! ;p

Acme Top

Smoking Lily — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:46 +0000

We currently have several different colours of Acme Tops, with different prints. Red with Peonies and Death Star, grey with Feathers, and more. Check out our shops for our complete selection.

A friend of mine described this shirt as the top she’s always been looking for. With its scooped neckline, three quarter sleeves, and soft fabric (as only bamboo can be), it really is the perfect piece to complete your look.

I have two.

-Rose ♥

Vancouver Update: Window Display

Glenda — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:10:40 +0000

Our spring window display has been up for 2 months. I think I may have forgotten to share it with you previously, due to the cold spring we’ve had so far. In Vancouver, spring started with more hail than I can ever recall experiencing, then it progressed into the long stretch of 10 degree days that were cloudy with a chance of torrential rain or a smidgen of sun. It was a rather harsh start, to say the least. But, now, here we are! Sunshine prevails, and we are inclined to believe that the forecasts for warmer weather may actually come true!

I created the window display as a bit of an hommage to Frida Kahlo. This season at Smoking Lily, we have new silk screens of her and some of our new designs are inspired by her clothing. My contribution was to go for a bold contrast of Mexican crepe paper flowers in black bird cages. Now I see that the bright colours encased in darkness could be a bit of a metaphor for our spring weather, not just a small reference to the artistic mastery of Frida Kahlo–interesting….

Hold onto your hats, it’s really windy here again today, and I hear it’s going to go down to 4 degrees tonight!! I’m wishing you all a little more warmth, very soon.

glenda.