Dare to Compare?

Thanks to Laura for spotting these babies! Thank goodness there's I Heart Accessories...:)

 

XOXO

With Heart, 

Natalie

Bring on the Heat: Laura's Top 3 Summer Trends!

Since the May 2-4 weekend means summer has unofficially begun, our hearts and minds are set on the season. This summer, accessory trends are showing a lot of bright, bold and floppy. Here are a few of my fave looks, that are available at I Heart Accessories right now. 

Bright Handbags & Wallets

As someone who loves bright colours and tries to infuse some in everything I wear, I am definitely loving all the colours seen out on the streets. Drab and dreary winter is over, it is time to spice things up! Have something neutral coloured you want to give a summer feel? Add a bright green purse to bring some life to your outfit, like the ones we are currently showcasing in our front window. 

If you are more of a clutch person, then there are always our vibrant orange, pink, and blue ones, OR if the thought of committing to a bright purse scares you, opt for a bright wallet. We've got a cute selection of colours gracing our shelves.

Bold Bracelets and Bangles

During Paris Fashion Week, the multi-bracelet trend exploded. Chanel and Elie Saab paired quite a few of their summer dresses with a cool clutch and either a chunky flower bangle or a whole row of separates ones. 

Chanel

 

Elie Saab

 Right now in the boutique, we have a slightly more wallet friendly version of Chanel’s bracelet, for only $26. 

We also have a large variety of bangles sold separately or together that could be layered to create the Elie Saab look, for all under $30.

Floppy Hats

Judging by our weather this weekend, it looks like Summer is poking its head around the corner. Summer = beaches, and beaches = floppy hats. 

Although these hats are the perfect beach accessory, they don’t have to be just for laying out in the sun. See, this girl is touching flowers (possibly) in the city. :)

The shelves of I Heart Accessories have a variety of floppy hats, some with a wire brim so you can shape it to get that perfect flop. 

As much as we've all been longing for summer, the heat can sometimes be too much. Who says we can’t look great while enduring the sweltering temperatures? So, grab your bright purse, throw on some bangles and a floppy hat, and be beach (or city) ready this summer, with the help of I Heart Accessories. 

XOXO
With Heart, 

Laura

Lady Laura

I am OH SO pleased to introduce the newest member of the I Heart team. Please, put your hands together for Miss. Laura, who has taken the role of our part-time assistant. 

Passionate about jewellery and accessories, this young lady is a student at OCAD University studying Material Arts and Design, and specializing in jewellery design and metalsmithing. She hopes that upon graduation from school she can start her own jewellery line and business, and I am quite pleased to show her the ropes. Stop in and say hi next time you're in the hood...but be nice, she's new around here ;)

XOXO

With Heart, 

Natalie

Lazy Updates

Shame on me for being the laziest blogger ever to blog. I do apologize for not giving you any updates on my petite boutique and all it's greatness in the last little while.

Here are some updates:

In Toronto, it rained all of April. This, you know. But did you know that we carry Fulton Umbrellas, and they are the coolest? They have definitely been a favourite at the shop as of late.

Look how much these people like theirs!

And why wouldn't they be ecstatic? Fulton Umbrellas are from the UK, where it rains the most ever. So you KNOW they're fab. They are built with wind resistant frames...so there aint no flyin' up and out with these babies. The best part? They hold a Royal Warrant, to Her Majesty The Queen, and previously to Her Majesty The Queen Mother. This is serious business.

Speaking of The Queen, her darling grandson was married this past month! If you acquaint yourself with such folk who attended/hosted High Tea, you may have adorned your pretty head with one of these beauties...

...and If you haven't already worn one, now you have an excuse to do so at your next shindig. If princess Beatrice can do it, you can too.

Another main event this past week was a day dedicated to the strongest people on the planet, Mothers. Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the ladies who have given life to another. You are all incredible...and if you received some accessories from us, know that they were wrapped in our gift bags with love.

So have we been busy? Yes, we have been. Between Spring Fever, Mom Love and a new hire (yes, a NEW HIRE! - Her name's Laura, you'll meet her soon), it's been a jam-packed few weeks. Stay tuned for fab new arrivals in the next couple of weeks. Keep it real.

XOXO

With heart,

Natalie

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