On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

Out of the Blue gave to you... 

(sung) Fiiiiiiiiive sterling riiiiiiings!!

Okay, I know in the song it's "five golden rings," but we had to put our own little twist on it.  Plus, we just got three new lovely sterling rings in yesterday!

(from left to right, top to bottom) 

1.  Laurier Leaf Ring - these delicate silver leaves will be the perfect addition to your holiday manicure. Simple & delicate - and a great accessory to a formal outfit! $29.99

2. Green Semiprecious Stone Sterling Ring - We love how this bold pop of green stands out in an outfit (plus, it's festive!).  $39.99

3. Triple Sterling Ring Set.  Whether you wear them together or split 'em up, we think you'll love these simple-yet-pretty pieces. $49.99 for the set of three

Annnd, since the last three rings pictured above are sold as a set, we've got two more for you: 

(from top to bottom)

4.  Snake ring:  this little guy is so detailed, he's even got etched-silver scales! Coil it up on your finger for an edgy look.  $29.99.

5. Roman Numeral Ring: I love how the numerals stand out against this ring's pewter-coloured background.  Plus, sometimes it's nice to switch up your dainty jewelry for something chunkier! It would also make a great gift for the Roman-history-buff on your list.  $29.99 

That's it, folks!  Stay tuned as the countdown continues!! 

Keep merry, and keep on decking those halls,

xo

Blog post by Jessica C

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

Out of the Blue gave to you... 

Seven sweet little animals to delight you! 

I know, I know.  A WEEK left til Christmas?? Already?!?! Where does the time go? I hope you guys are more prepared than I am.  I personally still have quite a bit of baking / wrapping / shopping (eek!) still to do.

Well, here at Out of the Blue, we're visiting the animal kingdom to bring you some gift-giving inspiration.

(from left to right, top to bottom)

1. Ohh, the Gurgle Pot!  These fishes are so much fun.  Sure to delight at your next dinner party when you're refilling water glasses and your handy fish jug glug-glugs like a real-life guppy. Small gurgles are $19.99, large gurgles are $39.99; they also come in a variety of colours.

2. See/ Hear/ Speak No Evil Owls.  These darling little figurines will make you smile and remind you to be "nice" this holiday season :) $9.99 each

3.Gleeful Peacock bird necklace.  This unique hand-painted piece hangs on a long antique-gold chain and works with any neckline.  It is $39.99 and comes in mint (pictured above), red, and mustard. 

4.  Alligator sponge holder.  Don't worry, we've trained him not to chomp on your fingers when you reach for the sponge. $8.99

5. Leather elephant bank. The elephant is actually a feng shui symbol to bring good fortune.  It's supposed to work best when the elephant is placed high up on a mantel or shelf so it's easily seen.  Bring this lovely coin bank home and (we hope!) your fortune will grow!

6. Bird measuring cup set. Adorable, right?  Next time you're baking cookies, you can use your bird cups and pretend you've got little animal helpers, like you're in a Disney movie (....or is this just something I would do?)  $24.99 for the set.

7.  Horse pens!

photo courtesy of Google

Reign in a couple of these for the horse-lovers on your list who need some new writing tools.  $6.99 each!

Hope these fun (and furry) friends will help you find that special something for the animal-lover(s) on your gift-giving list. 

Peace! 

xo 

Blog post by Jessica C

10 Days, 10 Gifts, 10 Bucks or Less

Ten days and counting!!  Have you stocked up on stocking stuffers yet?  In case you haven't, we've got 10 great little gifts to choose from, and each one is 10 dollars or less!

(from left to right, top to bottom)

1. These colourful fabric headbands are stretchy, comfy, and $9.99 apiece!  They're just the thing to add some pizzazz to your hairdo.

2. "I'm Saving Up for a New Pair of Jeans" coin bank. Save your dough the funky, retro way. $8.99

3. Ah! These Cursed Cookie Cutters make edible voodoo dolls.. spooky and fun for $9.99.

4. Dog Salt & Pepper Shakers. These pups are $9.99 and look adorable on your table.

5. Little gum packs with sassy sayings on the box will bring a smile and freshen your breath for $1.99 each!

6. These lovely Marrakesh mugs come in yellow, red, green, and blue (on the inside of the mug) and are only $7.00 each, so you can sip in style.

7. Rosebud lip salve.  The lip balm that is uber moisturizing and lasts forever (more or less).  A can't-go-wrong-gift at $7.99.

8. From Village Artisan, this fair trade journal features a hand-carved wooden cover and an antique leather spine!  Plus, it's on sale for $7.99.

9. Darling animal ornaments that will look dazzling on your tree.  Glitter owl: $6.99,  Bluebird: $7.99,  Blue Fawn: $9.99.

10. Handlebar mustache corkscrew.  So you can pour yourself a glass while you reminisce on all the good times you had in Movember.  $7.99

So, there you have it!  10 gifts for $10 or less that will be fun to add to your loved ones' stockings. 

Stay merry, everyone!

xo

Blog post by Jessica C

11 Days 'Til Christmas

Only 11 days til Christmas!  Are you folks excited?  We sure are.  Out of all the fun gift ideas in-store right now, we narrowed it down to 11 items that we know will shine under your tree!

(from left to right, top to bottom)

1.  Scratch map!  For the jet-setter in your life, this map lets you scratch off the places you've visited! $34.99

2.  "Let Peace Take Flight" tee from Love Nail Tree, the graphic tee crafters who are passionate about inspiring change.  For this tee, Love Nail Tree is collaborating with Discover the Journey, and a portion of every tee sold will go towards improving the lives of children in conflict. This gift looks good and does good for $49.99.

3.  Matt & Nat Vintage Marlon purse. Montreal-based Matt & Nat uses 100% vegan materials, and the linings of their bags are made from recycled plastic bottles.  Plus, they're adorable!  This geometrical plum-coloured bag is $139.99.

4. Blanket scarf!  If you've tried a blanket scarf, you know how ahhhh-mazingly cozy they are. Bundle up in this one for $25.00.

5.  Hugging elephant salt & pepper shakers.  Probably the most adorable way ever to season your dinner.  Just $9.99!

6. Sketch & Scribble Set, $14.99. Two-in-one notebooks, one lined, one unlined, so your loved ones can jot down their ideas and draw them, too.

7.  This nifty knit tube scarf can be worn snugly around your neck or as a hood!  $29.00

8. Keepsake box.  Perfect size for hairpins, jewelry, or whatever your heart desires.  Cute & practical at $8.99.

9.  Tooled faux-leather iPad case. Comes with the option of a wristlet or cross-body strap! It's tablet-storage and a chic evening clutch all in one, and on sale at $52.99!

10.  Wool beret from Canadian company Parkhurst.  For only $19.99, these chapeaus keep your noggin cozy, covered, and lookin' mighty fine!

11.  Last but not least, this charming locket from Pika & Bear!  It's a statement piece that lets the wearer keep a special note or picture inside. $24.99.

With 11 days to go, we've got plenty more great gift ideas in store, so stay tuned!

Happy holidays & take care.

xo

Blog post by Jessica C

12 Days of Christmas

There are only 12 days till christmas and Out of the Blue is full of so many great gift ideas; one for each day, to be precise!
(from left to right, top to bottom)

1) J.B.G wallets in brown, green and black.  They are 100% genuine leather and $49.99.

2) Picabo leather mittens with Thinsulate glove lining. To keep each one of your loved ones' fingers cozy this winter, these lovely guys are only $19.99!

3) This cozy winter sweater comes in red and navy, and for this weekend it is 30% off from its original price of $69.99.

4) For the seamstress in your life, this quirky corkscrew in the shape of a dress mannequin is only $16.99!

5) With temperatures dropping below -30C, this fashionable colour block toque is the perfect gift this holiday season at $19.99!

6) Stay warm with these heart warming tea defusers in the shape of robots, monkeys and owls for $9.99.

7) Help decorate your loved ones tree with these sparkly little owl ornaments for $6.99.

8) Our fleece lined leggings come in red, navy and black, they are 1 size fits all and make the perfect gift at $24.99

9) The cute satchel in camel coloured vegan leather pictured above also comes in black and is a great choice for anyone on your christmas list! $34.99.

10) On top of #9 is a stunning and practical pocket watch necklace from Spare Parts for only $29.99.

11) An extra cozy cable knit neck warmer from Vero Moda is also only $29.99...

12) And for those hot cocoa lovers out there this handsome mug is the perfect size to warm hands and hearts this winter! Only $7.99!

Post written by Hailey G

E is for Empire!

And no, we don't mean in a "Strikes Back" kind of way.
We mean...

em·pire waist  \ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r\  \ˈwāst\     a style in women's clothing in which the dress has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a high-waisted appearance, and a gathered skirt which is long and loosely fitting but skims the body rather than being supported by voluminous petticoats.

[definition from wikipedia]

Okay folks, I am particularly excited about this post, because the empire silhouette has been my favourite style to wear for as long as I can remember, starting way back when I was a wee one.  My first fancy dress I ever wore had an empire waist!  It was white and frilly, and my mum did my hair in a fussy updo (I was six; I whined profusely) to complete the look.  And my grad dress?  Empire waist. It's definitely been my go-to dress shape over the years. 

The empire waist dates way back before I was six, though.  I definitely wasn't born in the 1800s. 

Evening gown, 1811
photo credit: wikipedia

The lady above looks like she's got some pretty cool (if not current) dance moves.

So this dress style does date back in the 1800s, but the term "Empire silhouette" didn't come about til the early 20th century in Britain. The "Empire" in question is the First French Empire.  Napoleon's first Empress-lady-friend, Josephine de Beauharnais, made the Empire silhouette in dresses a raging success.
[source: wikipedia]

Historically speaking, there are countless portraits of elegant women sporting this shape:

Portrait of Félicité-Louise-Julie-Constance de Durfort, Maréchale de Beurnonville (1782-1808) by Merry-Joseph Blondel (1781-1853)
photo credit: Wikipedia

This lady (Felicite-Louise-Julice-Constance de Durfort.. hoo boy! That's a mouthful!) totally knows what I mean about the tedious updo thing, by the way.  I wonder if she had a professional hairstylist, or if she was styled by her mum, too.

There are a million ways to wear an empire waist.  This style of dress is for sure one that stands the test of time. 

Here's what we have in-store right now: 

Photo credit: Hailey G

This little number is pretty funky and definitely a unique twist on the empire waist! It's not all that often that you see an empire waist AND a Peter Pan collar in the same dress, which is what makes this one so special!  As you can see, this dress has its waistline just under the bust, and the skirt skims the body loosely (not to mention it's a great skirt to twirl in!).  

  

Photo credit: My little sister

This is my grad dress, from many years ago (okay, not all that many, but it sure feels like a lot).  Like I said, I'm an ardent supporter of the empire waist!  Always have been, always will be.  The woven detail at the bust was my other favourite aspect of this dress.  Plus it was super on sale (score!). 

So, there you have it!  I hope this post has been entertaining and educational, and I hope there are some fellow empire-waist-lovers like me out there. Either way, I'm gonna keep waving the empire-waist-flag til I can't wave it no more (not literally)!

Stay tuned for our "F" post in our Fashion A to Z's!

xo,

Jessica Cuddy
(Out of the Blue's resident Blogger)

D is for Dart!

dart

noun\ˈdärt\ : a stitched tapering fold in a garment

 

  

     

As you can see in the above photo, darts are used to give three-dimensional shape to a garment, specifically in women's clothing.  Darts allow a garment to mirror the feminine form. 

There are two kinds of darts:

Vertical

• Vertical darts are sewn from the bottom of a blouse to a point generally around the bust-line. These are generally used to pull the garment in towards the wearer's waist.  

Bust 

•   Bust darts are short triangle folds that provide space for breasts such that the fabric fits closely to the wearer. Subtypes of bust darts include:
  • Center
  • Waist
  • French
  • Side seam
  • Armhole
  • Neckline
  • Shoulder
  • T-dart
  • Inverted T-dart

Some of our favourite frocks in-store right now owe their shapeliness to darting!  

This little number from Sugarhill features horizontal bust darts.

The coletterie gives a nice step-by-step tutorial on sewing darts.

There you have it!  The secret behind that pretty party dress that fits you like a glove... a dart or two (or three, or four)! 

Dart diagrams courtesy of Google

Dart info from wikipedia

"Around the world" dress from Sugarhill Boutique, photo here

10 Reasons Why We're Excited For The Jets' Season!

Hey Winnipeg! Fall is finally here, and for many a fine 'Pegger that means one thing - the Jets are back!

Ever since our lonely city was finally reunited with hockey, October has taken on a whole new feeling of excitement, and the city's been given a brand new spark. Here are our top ten reasons why we're excited that the Jets are back!


1. They make us a little bit prouder to be Winnipeggers.

2. No fashion angst here-you can never go wrong wearing the classic blue and white!

3.A good excuse to grab some poutine and beer with friends!

4. Don Cherry's dazzling array of suits.

5.A nice palette cleanser after the Bombers (sorry guys-you got it next year!)

6. They make downtown feel alive and exciting -we even dance with strangers!

7. We get to hear about our city in the news without the word "brown water" being involved!

8.They give us one more reason to love winter.

9. They expose lots of people to a downtown which is not quite as scary as they'd thought!!!!

10. Their existence proves that Gary Bettman was wrong! Wrong wrong wrong!

Thanks to these two shoppers for #5...let's hope they're right!

go jets and feel free to let us know why you're excited!
jesse

B is for Basics!

Hello, fellow fashion lovers!

It's time to continue on with our A to Z's of fashion.  Basically, B is for... Basics!

What do you mean by "Basics?"

Good question! 

Basics are your wardrobe base-line, the bottom layer that you can then build on.

From inner-wear to outer-wear, basics are the pieces that you Just Gotta Have!

Stock up on these items, and we feel pretty certain you won't get stuck in a "Gee, this outfit would be great, if only it had a ( insert basic here ) ..." moment!

Some Basics Brainstorming... 

The "Poet" Tee

So named because if you add a black beret, a cup of joe, a journal, and a pensive gaze... Totally aspiring-poet material, right? 

What ISN'T this tee great with?  Basic black, seamless, comfy, and made from bamboo (a naturally breathable and eco-friendly material), this scoop-neck tee looks & feels great either on its own or under a high-waisted bottom.  

Dark Denim

What could be more versatile than a pair of dark blue jeans?  These ones come in both dark blue and black, which are two wonderfully easy-to-wear colours!  

Not to mention, they pair just perfectly with a ... 

Plain White Tee

That's right, we're channelling James Dean now (all that's missing is the leather motorcycle jacket..)!  What could be more basic than a pair of dark denim jeans and a white tee shirt?  This is one super-staple item that will serve you well (even if you're not James Dean's long lost twin).

Leggings 

We're all going loco for leggings this fall!  They are a fantastically versatile item for your fashion drawers; throw them on under a belted tunic top or an oversized sweater! You'll be glad for these cozy bamboo tights when the autumn chill arrives, that's for sure.

Nude Camisole or Slip

This little life-saver will help pull together your outfit when you're sporting a sheer or lighter-coloured dress or blouse.  That's right, wipe your wardrobe-malfunction worries away!  This stretchy slip is also bamboo, so it moves and breathes like a dream!  It's the under-wear that you gotta-wear. 

and, last but certainly not least...

Cardigans

Ahhh, the cardigan: our favourite layering item for fall.  It's perfect to throw over a dress or sleeveless blouse; just like that, your favourite wardrobe pieces transition with the weather! We love this cardigan and use it all the time.  Plus, check out the autumnally awesome colours:  Navy, olive, mustard, wine-red, grey, and black.

[Footnote: For footwear basics, we love feminine flats, tall riding boots, and class black pumps!]

So, there you have it:  our Can't-Go-Wrong Basics that will come through for you every time. 

Talk about handy-dandy outfitting tools!

Take care, and please share your favourite, most relied-upon basics below!

A is for A-Line!

In the spirit of back-to-school, we thought we'd brush up on our style ABC's with the A to Z's of fashion!  First up: the A-Line skirt.

So what's an "A-Line," anyway?

An "A-line" skirt is snug at the upper hips, then gradually widens to a full hem, creating the shape of a capital "A." 

How did this "a-line" business all begin?  

Well, we're tickled that you asked. 

A-Line Origins:

• The term "A-Line" was coined by Christian Dior as the name for his 1955 spring collection. 
• Yves Saint Laurent also had a hand in giving the a-line its iconic status with his 1958 collection, the "Trapeze Line" (think far-out flared skirts!). 
• The A-Line stayed on the A-List through the 60s and 70s, pulled a disappearing act in the 80s (skintight minis and sweatshirts, anyone?), and have since achieved uber-chic retro-revival  status. 

Outfitting

We adore adding a modern edge to classic shapes; this faux-leather A-line is a perfect example!
For a cool, girl-about-town vibe, pair with a graphic tee and cowgirl kicks.

Another take on the A-line?

Vintage, of course!  This Nick & Mo patterned knit twist on the A-line gets an A+ as far as we're concerned (ha ha..)
Pair it with a lovely, feminine button-down blouse tucked in at the waist for some 50's flair. 

What's your favourite way to wear an A-line?  Leave a comment below!

Out of the Blue's Top Picks of the Season!

Hello everyone! Fall is quickly approaching and even though we often experience hot days in September, the evenings are getting cooler and it makes us aware of how close the colder weather actually is! Here are some of our favourite pieces to help get ready for the season. Enjoy!

1. Autumn dress by Arc & Co.

2. Black tights

3. Mid-weight trench with faux leather detailing 

4. Owl Mug

5. Matt & Nat Minka cross body satchel 

6. Infinity Scarf

7. Over-sized Cozy Knit 

Mother's Day Contest Winner!

The results are in! We had over 30 entries for Out of the Blue's Mother's Day Contest! Contestants were asked to submit a photograph of themselves with their mother for a chance of winning a gift card and pair of bracelets. Thank you to all our participants, it was incredibly difficult to only choose one!

"Here is a picture of me and my Mom, Susan, salmon fishing in Alaska. My mother is a trained forest firefighter and pilot, with a degree in Forestry from Lakehead University. She is absolutely fun, fearless, and fabulous. She tells incredible stories about her time living in Northern Ontario, in the bush, as the only female forest firefighter on her crew. She and my Dad moved to Australia two years ago and it wasn't long before she made friends with her neighbours, started taking a yoga class (where they kayak to a beautiful cliff, hike up to the cliff, and do yoga while overlooking the ocean), and learned how to sail on Sydney Harbour. She is an amazing cook and baker (she makes the best pastry you'll ever eat). She is never afraid of a challenge and loves to travel. Even though she is half way around the world, she is still always there for me no matter what I need. Please help me make her Mother's Day extra special! " -Heather

25% of all Goodworks net profits go to 2013 Tools for Schools, they will be helping 

1000 students with their school supplies.

All of the wonderful contest participants!

Happy Mother's Day!

Post Vegas Magic Show

February is such a busy month for trade shows.One of my favorite is the Magic Apparel show in Vegas.It features everything from small independent designers to major brands as well as seminars,bloggers and all things fashion. There's so much to see,here's a few pics of how i spent my week.

     

                              

mod trends and colors for spring 2014

                                                                  cutest bloggin' couple
                                    

                                                     D.I.Y bracelet workshop

 

our favorite tee shirt line

                                              top fashion bloggers talk trends including:

                                                      pom,poms,fall folk accessory 2014
                                                          

                                              Kristin Cavallari launches her own shoe line

pretty bike by free people-totally ready to decorate mine!

                                                           spring fashion show





bike ,trends and L.N.T photo mine,the rest are google.

peace and joy
w

Spicy Peanut Soup for the Soul

Spicy Peanut Soup for the Soul

 Every person who has ever worked at Out of the Blue is obsessed with the Spicy Peanut Noodle Soup from the Spicy Noodle House. When Out of the Blue was in its old location down in the basement, it was next door to the Spicy Noodle House. The owner of SNH, affectionately called Mr. Noodle by the Out of the Blue gals, is a lovely man. Whenever we would run over from next door, he would look up and say “Hi girls! 7 plus 1?” which was our special order – the Spicy Peanut Soup combined with the Cantonese Noodle Soup (menu items 7 and 1). It is a delicious, noodley, spicy, peanuty soup that deserves to be as legendary as it is. It is absolutely worth running across the street for (now that we’re no longer right next door), but if you live in Ottawa like me, the best you can do is make it at home. I’ve been tweaking my at home version for about four years now, and this is pretty darn close to the real thing. Grab a friend and share your spicy delight – this is what your soul needs on a cold winter day!

Spicy Peanut Noodle Soup

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

½ teaspoon sesame oil, plus 1 teaspoon

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 Tablespoon minced ginger

½ Tablespoon sugar

2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

¼ teaspoon chili-garlic paste (or Siracchia)

2 cups chopped vegetables (I like baby bok choy, carrots and celery)

4 cups vegetable broth

½ cup peanut butter

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more or less to taste)

½ package rice noodles or Chinese egg noodles, prepared according to package directions

2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

Directions:

(1)   In small bowl, combine soy sauce, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar, rice vinegar, and chili-garlic paste.  Set aside.

(2)   In medium pot, heat reserved 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Add vegetables and cook stirring for 1 – 2 minutes.

(3)   Add vegetable broth and reserved soy sauce mixture to pot. Bring to a boil.

(4)   Whisk in peanut butter and red pepper flakes. The peanut butter will melt into the broth, but you need to vigorously whisk to avoid any peanut butter clumps in your soup.

(5)   Divide prepared noodles among soup bowls. Divide soup among bowls, garnish with cilantro leaves.

(6)   Enjoy!

Love,

Dayna