Midsummer madness

Oh, I lead a rather odd life. Over the past couple of days I've been checking out a flurry of previews for what retailers will be carrying over the Holidays. And last week, in the midst of an extra hot and sticky July day, I actually dressed my first Christmas tree of the year. So, to help you all cool off from this heat, I thought I'd share a quick take on what to expect to hit the stores as we plunge headlong into fall and winter. PC Home has some lovely cabin and craft influences, as well as tons of affordable sparkle. The Drake General Store has a lock on just about the coolest gear you'd want to gift or receive, including a standout gold-hatted gnome cookie jar (really). Indigo is all about charming chunky knit accessories (love those extra long reading socks!), as well as a fantastic selection of toys and specialty candies. Holt Renfrew has glittery gold covered, in everything from nailpolish by Deborah Lippmann to heels by Christian Louboutin. Sears has a covetable selection of countertop appliances, not to mention a swish washer and drier duo in a deep royal purple, plus they've completely re-vamped their Whole Home furniture and upholstery collection. It's now all made in Canada (yay!) and is uber-customizable, and did you know they also do a great line of Quebec made kitchen cabinetry? Me neither!

This all adds up to the fact that I've been kinda busy, so, with that in mind, I've stolen the extra-pretty shot below from my sister's fashion and style blog, Blink London, from her interview with talented floral designer Victoria Brotherson of Scarlet & Violet. Click here to check out the interview, and to see more gorgeous floral arrangements.

Guest blog / Julia Black: A style called Alice

Julia Black: If you’ve ever cringed at the thought of pulling out your plunger, reaching for your broom, or digging for your mop bucket then pay attention, because Alice has a chic solution for you. Alice Supply Co. is the oh-so fab firm behind fashionably hip housewares that are far too cool to hide in the broom closet. Maria Barnes and her partner Raili Clasen are the brilliant minds and gorgeous faces behind the Alice name, and with their common pasts in the fashion industry (over 20 years at companies like Paul Smith, Roxy and Quicksilver) it's no wonder their printed, patterned and anti-beige designs boldly go where none have gone before. The inspiration came to start the business while the pair were on vacation in Mexico, where they discovered a hardware store selling some rather sensational buckets, dustpans, and other bits and pieces, spurring them to launch Alice Supply Co in '08 (and yes, the firm just might be named after Alice Nelson, the housekeeper on The Brady Bunch).  After a hugely successful intro you'll now find their designs in some of the best stores in North America - in Toronto they're in both Teatro Verde and The Drake General Store - as well as managing to pick up quite a few fans along the way. Just ask Arren, who's currently waffling between the camo and woodgrain toolboxes! Click here for where to score a bit of Alice near you.