Accessories CAN Save The World!

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that some days end on a high note, and you feel generally amazing about life...and then some days are the opposite...and all you want, is a bowl of ice cream and some mindless, reality television. Yes, life gets challenging...but when I complain about my VERY fortunate life, I can't help but feel ridiculous, considering the situations that so many others are facing in the world.  I get impatient when my elevator stops 10 times on the way down to the parking garage, yet thousands of people in Japan had their whole lives washed away in an instant.  

As a business owner, I hold a responsibility to give back to the world that has given me so much. No one has placed that on me, I just feel it.  And what immense joy there is in meeting others who feel the same way, and who take it many steps further to organize events, and bring people together who feel the need to contribute.

I have recently been given the opportunity to give back through some great initiatives that are worth mentioning.  Although no one really NEEDS accessories, our accessories have been able to help those IN need. 

Shop for the Cause 

Nathalie-Roze Fischer, owner of amazing shop Nathalie-Roze & Co. is a superstar.  Shop for the Cause: A Pop Up Sale for Japan, is the third Pop Up Nathalie-Roze has organized, in an effort to send relief to those who have been affected by Tsunami. Her ability to gather communities and shed light on an issue never goes unnoticed. This is the second time we were able to donate some of our goods, to be sold and have profits given to The Canadian Red Cross.

Corsage Project

The mission of this amazing charity, is to provide formal gowns and accessories, free of charge, to Toronto area high school girls who are unable to purchase their own prom attire.  Every year, we focus on selling prom attire, but why not focus on giving it? This is the first year we participated in The Corsage Project, and are happy to continue this trend.

 Hot for Hope

Tamika Auwai of Shop Socials, is an Event Planning Guru, and her next big thing is Hot for Hope, an evening of SPA-ing and SHOP-ing in uptown Toronto. Proceeds from the event are being donated to The Canadian Red Cross in support of Japan.  I Heart Accessories is of course, taking part in the shop crawl fun.  Click here for more info! 

If you know of a charity, or initiative that you think we should also know about. Send us an email! My heart goes out to those in need, and our accessories go out in support of them.

xoxo
With Heart,
Natalie

How do you like your Fedora?

Our most popular hat in 2010 was without a doubt, the straw fedora. Something about the combination of sun hat and style was pleasing to all. Finally, we can protect our heads without looking like we are trying to protect our heads.

This spring...the fedora is back in full swing.  We're seeing both the classic fedora in different colours, and a wider brimmed fedora with a slight cowgirl feel.  With so many ways to wear this stylish topper, you really can't go wrong by picking one up at I Heart Accessories for just $24.

Here are some of our favourite looks a la fedora this season...

Truth be told, the fedora is versatile enough to be paired with almost anything in your closet. The must-have accessory this season.

xoxo
With Heart,
Natalie

Art Is Where The Heart Is

I consider myself an artist. Not in the typical way you would envision an artist - i.e. a painter with her palette... But I do consider what I do to be art. I create, I love what I create, and put that creation out into the world so others can love it too.

I recently read the book Linchpin by Seth Godin, which was gracefully gifted to me by my good friend, Sally - an artist in every sense of the word.  The book describes a way of life/work that encourages you to be the best you can be at whatever it is that you're doing, and to do so by making that work art, and showing the world how well you do your art. I'm not trying to sell you on this book, but it is worth a read if you're stuck between doing what you love, and doing what you feel you have to do in life.

That being said...one of the things I love about my business (and I've written about this before), is being able to help other artists, get their art out into the world. Although I Heart Accessories is still a tiny little baby girl, she's still very much in love with those who create, and does her best to promote those creations. We have loved selling local work, of all different types and styles, and want to do so even more as we grow. It helps those who create, and brings fresh new vibes to our shop each time a new piece is dropped off.  Here are some of the pieces that been created by some of our favourite artists, and give our shop that extra unique feel.

Headmistress

Quoise Jewellery

Sidelines Jewellery

All local, all beautiful. 

Here's where I'm going with this. If you're an artist, and you've recently decided to put your art into practice, and that practice has anything to do with adorning accessories, you should let us know. Granted, a fit between your work and our shop is necessary, but we'de love to hear from you. Along with a few other steps forward for I Heart Accessories this year, generating greater relationships with artists is primo on the list.

xoxo
With Heart,
Natalie

Your Piece

I can't believe January has (thank the universe) slipped by so quickly and left me with only 1 written blog post.  For those of you who follow and read...my mushy brain apologizes.  I have felt like a crusty bear in hibernation for the last 30 days...and who can blame me with the painful weather that has been bestowed upon us?   I digress. I'm here, I'm alive, and the worst is behind us. Who's ready for Spring-a-ling-a-ling?

I have been inspired by a dear friend to write this post. Natalie (we are same-namers) came in a few days ago with her pal Jen, and perused all of our new lovelies. She picked up a bracelet that I absolutely knew was her style. A beaded wrap bracelet in espresso, that she could effortlessly pull off as a daily piece.

When she picked it up...I instantly said "That's so you!".  I should point out that although my job is to sell the items in my shop, I never do it with lines like "That's so you", or any other line for that matter...I'm less of a line girl and much more of a "if you're feelin' it, you should totally get it and make yourself happy" kinda girl.  When she decided to make that baby hers, I mentioned a new book, which absolutely absorbed me on my last visit to Indigo. As one of two comfy chairs and myself became one, I licked my lips with each new page of "You Know You Want it: Style-Inspiration-Confidence" by Eric Daman.

Daman is the costume stylist for the television show Gossip Girl, and although the show's premise is less than interesting to me, the outfits keep me watching when I "accidentally" stumble upon it.

 In the book, Daman discusses the idea of having "your piece". One of his simple fashion rules is that every girl (and guy, for that matter) needs a piece to call their own. A Carrie necklace, Audrey pearls or a Natalie wrap bracelet. Your piece is your piece...and although it won't define who you are, something unique may symbolize your personality...and I adore the idea. Daman's piece? Meaningful charms that hang on gold and silver chains around his neck. My piece? I seem to wear this little gal quite often...

  A piece created and customized by my good friend Dawn from iWEAR.

What's your piece?


xoxo
With Heart,
Natalie

Looking Forward

As I enjoyed a couple of days off from the shop while ringing in 2011, the business brain in me couldn't help but think about what this new year will bring to I Heart Accessories. 2010 was good to us...and since things can only get better, better than good is undoubtedly in the forecast.

With a new season just around the corner, we've already got our eyes and hearts set on some brilliant new pieces, thus, I thought I would post about things to look forward to in the next few months at the shop, and get you just as excited as I am.  With a dash of I Heart flare, this season's trends are looking pretty fabuloso if I do say so myself. 

Bridal

This year, we are putting a little more focus on brides and providing some trendy, inexpensive options for accessorizing both the belle of the ball, and her lovely ladies.  The 2011 bride is all about feathers, flowers and crystal...three things we all adore.

Coming soon (among many), The Gardenia Fascinator by Headmistress, $75

Colour

This is one thing I personally look forward to every Spring! We didn't hesitate to paint our shelves with deep colours for Fall/Winter, and this season, we'll do the same with spring hues. Although things will be brightening up, trends are leaning towards paler shades of orange, hunter greens and grayish blues.

 Cuff, $24

 Necklace & Earrings, $29

Glass stoned cuff, $29

Key Pieces

With clothing moving towards very flowy, longer pieces, i.e. the maxi dress shown below...accessories are definitely the ones that are taking shape this season. 

Bags are looking more structured in 2011 along with my fave trend for spring, the belt purse. 

Tassels are huge for spring, on clothing and with jewelry, in fabric and metal.

The turban is taking center stage this spring.  Shown above, one from the new Headmistress 2011 Spring Collection. 

 Lastly, our 4th season carrying Lindsay Phillips will start with this new cutie-patutie! Lot's more colours and styles to come along with it.

Of course, the shop will also be bursting with new hats, shades, and jewels...but I couldn't help but share the joy with some pieces that will be totally new for us this Spring. I Can't wait for new arrivals! Seriously. I'm shakin' in my boots!

To stay updated on what comes in, and when, join us on facebook! We can't wait to accessorize you this Spring!

xoxo

With Heart, 

Natalie

Happy New Year!

WOWZA! It's been a busy month. And I can't believe it's already come and gone! Well, almost.

There's still one sparkly event left to go before we say "buh-bye" to 2010...and if you need some little lovelies to compliment your NYE outfit...look no further. Not to mention, there is 25% off EVERYTHING in the store right now. I know. Life couldn't GET any better!

 

  

Photography by our friends The Stiletto Twins!

Thanks to you, our faithful fans, friends, bloggers, and customers, we've had a great year!

If you feel a bit out of touch, we'de love for you to get a little closer to us!  Here are some ways:

 Follow us on facebook!

Join our E-mailing List!

 Follow us on Twitter!

So if we don't see you before then, HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope you party like Madonna!

xoxo

With Heart, 

Natalie

Last Minute Glitz

So you've been guilted into a last minute holiday mixer that your best gal pal can't go to alone.   If you're like me, by the third week in December, there is no more dolla bills left for presents for myself. New outfits will have to wait until the deals come out of hiding and on to the racks in January.  Alas, the number one reason why I heart accessories. Take a simple outfit out of your closet, add some out of the ordinary accessories to change up the way you would usually wear it...and go to your mixer stylishly less broke. Sound good?

Here are some accessories that are sure to add a pop to any outfit you currently own.  Slip these babies on, and no one will even notice you've worn the same thing twice.

xoxo
With Heart,
Natalie