Leather & Satin & Tulle...Oh My!

One of our "new" customers shared a few photographs with us of her wearing one of our leather jackets on her wedding day...and we got permission from her to share them with y'all.

She already had her wedding dress but came into the shop one day for the first time, looking for shawls for her bridesmaids....which she found in abundance that day.

Whilst purchasing the shawls, she happened to notice a military-green leather jacket we had recently displayed.  She tried it on and it looked fab on her but she left the store, with shawls in hand and only her thoughts of the leather jacket.

Then one day not long after, the bride-to-be came back to try the jacket on again.  She'd had an epiphany: that it would make a great and unusual cover-up for her wedding dress, since it would most likely still be cool on her wedding day.

I only knew how the jacket looked on HER...how it suited her complexion & hair colour and how fit like a glove, showing off her tiny waist.  It was not until she sent these (fantastic) pictures, that I could see how beautifully it went with her wedding dress!

We at Tattered Rose, LOVE it when people think outside the box, especially when it comes to their wedding attire.  I believe you should wear EXACTLY what you WANT to wear...it is YOUR day, after all.

I hope this inspires other brides to make their wedding outfit as personal as can be, no matter how offbeat it might seem....trust your instinct about what suits YOU!

Thank you to my special customer for being so wonderful to deal with and for sending the pictures♥

New Leather Belts & Jackets!

We finally have some new leather belts in, including this ever-so-pretty corset style waist-cincher belt....in 2 colours:  brown and black!  The brown just happens to look really good over the new aviator-brown leather jackets that also arrived this week!
(Two new colours in the our signature semi-fitted leather jacket:  aviator brown and gunmetal grey)

I'd Rather be a Hooligan.......

Picture if you will the disciplinarian who micromanages every step in their very careful dance with life and then picture the hooligan whose only disciplines are daydreaming and showing up.

Now, whom do you think is most likely to be heard whoo-hoo'ing from the top of their lungs as they cruise along Rodeo Drive or some winding mountain road, top down, shades up, singing I Did It My Way?

Tattered Rose Lookbook........Finally!

Our next newsletter will contain a number of different outfits (looks) that can be put together with clothing & jewellery from Tattered Rose.  We decided to show you just how eclectic & versatile we really are, that there is something for just about every woman....but you must be signed up for our monthly newsletter to see the whole Lookbook.....in the meantime, here is a teaser outfit:

Grunge Couture

Grunge.....it never really goes away in my world.

Got Glam?

Oh yeah...we got glam.....a vintage, shipwrecked pirate, tattered vixen, Victorian saloon girl kind of glam.

New Arrivals....Mary Frances bags and other things

Tattered Rose is not a "normal" store in many ways......from our unusually "short & sweet" store hours to the clothing, jewellery & accessories we carry.......and the owner is a bit eccentric too.

So, we do not get only two major shipments a year for Spring & Fall (we try to have new arrivals throughout the year) nor do we put everything on sale @ below cost shortly after we receive our Spring or Fall goods.  We think that our offerings are unusual, unique, special & classic enough to stand the test of time....in other words, because much of our clothing & jewellery is vintage-inspired and not "trendy" it can never really go out of style. 

We will always have a sale rack or two for items that have been around for a while or for one reason or another are just not selling....but not ALL things go on sale.  Most of our one-of-a-kind and classic styles will never go on sale, so that you, the customer, can be rest assured that you are paying a fair price for timeless fashion.....for you or for your home.

Which brings me to the reason for this blog entry today (I got side-tracked there for a moment).....to let you know that we have just received a select grouping of Mary Frances bags that are true works of art....along with new tops in pretty shades, new silk scarves/shawls in the most gorgeous colours, new jewels, and new linen.....with more to come, including flowing floral silk print dresses, romantic cotton tops & rayon ruffled dresses & bloomers (yes!) and more home decor!

One of God's Perfect Creatures

Johnny Depp

I created this collage featuring none other than our favourite pirate, Johnny Depp.  This lucky gal was selected from thousands of hopeful young women to go on a blind date with Johnny and this story is utter rubbish and totally fictional....a figment of someones (my) overactive imagination.
I must say, however, that I love the way he is dressed (I added the flower pin on his lapel & chain on his belt) Her outfit ain't bad either.  She's a Tattered Rose woman if ever I've seen one.
The End.........

Ghost Bride

...by the way, we got some new tops in.....pretty rayon and lace in shades of the palest lilac and ghost moon white (which is more of an off-white)...to wear with jeans or for your beach wedding♥

Live the Life You Imagined....

...or at least fake it really well.  Wear clothing you would wear in your "dream" life.....imagine that you are in the middle of a movie starring YOU in the life you dreamed of....and listen to music that evokes the feeling of the life you want. If nothing else, at least you can have fun pretending...and who knows, maybe there really is something to that saying "fake it 'til you make it"!♥

Ghost Town Story

Who doesn't like shopping online, in the comfort of your own home... wearing your pajamas, sipping a cup of coffee or tea....music playing in the background....?

BUT it cannot possibly compare to the tactile shopping experience in a real store in the city or town where you live and work, with beautiful displays and a friendly sales person to help you.  You get to try on that lovely lace dress, and try on the necklace that goes with it.....you know right away if something looks good on you.....and you are helping to support local (small) businesses.

Yes, Internet shopping can be fun, but please try to think of the vitality of your own city....it is the unique shops that are run by local owners that make the place interesting and charismatic....not to mention alive and exciting.  Where would Edmonton be without local stores such as (and this is by no means a comprehensive list):

*Wellington Garden Centre...one of the most beautiful, serene places to shop and spend time looking for that perfect something for your home or garden (not to mention Wendy who works there and is the heart and soul of the gift shop...never ceasing to make me smile & laugh whenever I am there)

*Maggie Walt Designs....a beautiful women's shop with clothing you won't find anywhere else...designed by Maggie herself and you get to meet her in person, which is so special...we should be very proud to have her shop in our city!

*Duchess Bakery....if you've every tried one of the delectable treats, then you just KNOW it is one the best bakeries in Alberta....a treasure for us to enjoy.

*Black & Bold...a boutique owned by a young local woman who has a knack for stocking her store with stylish clothing you want NOW...and Tara, the owner, is a gem and such a lovely person who knows fashion inside out.

*Ibon Antiques....a wonderful and different antique shop owned by a local couple who know what people want.  Debra, the more visible owner, is so knowledgeable and accommodating...you can't help but fall in love with her enthusiasm, honesty and love of antiques and all the stories that go with them.

*Tattered Rose...I'm not ashamed to include my own store on this list because I do believe that Tattered Rose adds to the ambiance and great shopping that Edmonton has to offer...with all of the one-of-a-kind items of clothing, jewellery and home decor, there is no other store quite like it anywhere and it deserves to stay in business,

But what if online shopping were to continue at the pace it is heading.....what would become of these unique local shops that make up the character of the retail environment of Edmonton?  A ghost town comes to mind, perhaps a little extreme an idea but not that far from the truth....and who would be here to see this young lady wear her new tulle skirt and bunny ears.....?

Every time "we" shop online, we are supporting other businesses, cities, countries....and very likely China.  When you buy something inexpensive that seems like too good a deal to pass on yes, you might be getting a deal but it will hurt all of us eventually.  What is happening is that the truly individual & unique shops are drying up, closing and leaving behind only the big box and national stores that can afford to stay open....that doesn't make for a very inviting place to shop, by my standards.

Aside from being a store-owner who relies heavily on local customers, as a person who actually lives here, I do not want to see a retail landscape filled only with mundane, cookie-cutter big box stores....I want variety and excitement and beauty to augment those big stores....it makes for a much more scintillating city.

You must have heard the slogan by now "shop local"...what that is asking of us is to support our local people and businesses...our fellow Albertans & friends who live and work here alongside us.  If we take care of each other, our lives will be better than if we don't.

Sure there are things you can shop online for...all I am asking, on behalf of all local shops and businesses, is to consider finding that special what-ever-you-are-looking for in a local store...we will all benefit from this motto of "shop local" and our city will remain vibrant and charming and filled with character...and maybe a few characters, because it sometimes takes an eccentric person to own and or run a shop.

God bless you for reading this blog entry.....and thank you to those who already practice the art of shopping local♥

"Called Out in the Dark" by Snow Patrol

What a brilliant song & video!!!!!!!

New Jewels

New jewellery has arrived.....beautiful crystals embedded into necklaces, earrings, rings & bracelets.....chosen to go with the romantic clothing also found at Tattered Rose.

Love This Song!

Leather Jackets

Yesterday, two of my favourite, long-time customers and one more recent customer came in to see what was new in the shop: two were on a mission, the other just came in to say hi and see what was up (with me AND the shop)

The first customer is a local Edmonton artist who needed a new outfit for her art show that was perfectly dressy casual...and ended up finding the perfect outfit in black Sympli the best jersey.......she looked and will look AMAZING for her show.  I am still thinking about when she stepped out of the changeroom in that long black dress with the uneven hem....her slim figure made the dress look more beautiful than I have ever seen it...even on my mannequins. Then, she threw on the ruffled jersey jacket, tied snug in the back and it was like she was this modern day Victorian woman...how they would dress today, that is.  I feel so honoured that she chose Tattered Rose to find her perfect outfit for the occasion.....truly blessed.

The second customer loves romantic clothing but always chooses pieces that are timeless, classic and fun to wear, so I was not surprised when she decided to purchase one of our beautifully fitted leather jackets in the perfect shade of tan.  She knows it will go with SO many things she has already purchased from Tattered Rose, whether she's going for a casual shopping day look or a special event where the dress code is "dressy casual".......

The third customer is also a local artist who came to pick up her olive green leather jacket, which she is wearing to HER art show in May.  It suits her so well, that it seems to be part of her already...like she has had it for years and it has aged beautifully.  We had a laugh about that.

...which inspired me to do my leather display, with one of the outfits that I had suggested for the first customer.  I tell you all this because I want my customers to know that I am very appreciative of the patronage, the friendship and the inspiration you give me. 

Tattered Rose is NOT just a store.....it is way more personal than that...it is ME♥

More Cut Loose Clothing

With the falling of the snow (again) today, I am reminded of Spring.....and the excitement one feels at the prospect of having some new clothing for Spring, and of having Spring weather.......one of these days, it (Spring) will be here and you don't want to get caught unprepared, do you?

 
I don't know if you can tell how much I LOVE this sexy striped tunic top, shown with the shrunken linen blazer, also from CUT LOOSE.....but what if you wore this outfit with a cute pair of sandals (or boots) out for lunch at the Duchess Bakery with a friend.....or what if someone invited you on their boat.....you could wear the same outfit with a pair of sneakers or boat shoes.......although I like the idea of blue or white sneakers better.

I'm just sayin'...........

CUT LOOSE!!!

Finally.....our linens are in from Cut Loose (jackets, coats, skirts, dresses and pants)....along with a cozy French terry wrap jacket, and a  gorgeous striped jersey tunic.

The Stone Angel

This is one of two different (faux) stone angel statues we finally have in the shop.........a beautiful item to have in your home (or in your garden)

Adrift

Weddings can be SO stressful......this bride is taking a break before the show begins.  I just hope she doesn't drift out too far into the lake......she might not make it to the church on time!

Speaking Out on Cruelty to Animals

It is probably true that when you own a business, you should try to avoid controversial opinions because you risk offending potential customers....BUT I am pretty sure that all of MY customers will agree that dressing up your pets (especially cats who REALLY hate it) or doing what this one person did to theirs, is not only unnecessary, but incredibly undignified and just plain cruel.

I wish I could wave a magic wand to erase all forms of cruelty on the planet but that is not going to happen...so I must try to stop this kind of behaviour by bringing it to the attention of those who think it is funny to stick a piece of bread over a cat's head.  Does the cat in this picture look very amused?  I don't think so.

It's enough that we kill animals to eat them, do we have to do this to our unsuspecting pets, who rely on us for their care and well-being?  And don't get me started on the cruelties human beings inflict on each other.......we would be here for a long time.

Cruelty is so unnecessary...and it starts with the smallest things (like how we treat our pets).  I am not going to even think about the REALLY horrible stuff because I would never stop crying♥

The Life of a Cat

Have you ever looked at your cat or dog and wished, if only for a moment, that you had their cushy life?
(by the way, this is our youngest, Duster)

Snow Day!

We here in Edmonton, Alberta and surrounding areas are having a HUGE snowstorm!!!!!  Our winter was unusually and relatively mild and lacking in white precipitation; however, in the last week, we have had 2 snowstorms, this one being the worst.....so if anyone is wondering why I am not at my store today, this should give you a clue......?

What will I be doing with my unexpected day off, you are wondering? You'll find me in my back yard, playing with the sheep and giant cats I found wandering around in the snow, wearing crowns from the shop, of course.
Aprils Fools!  (today would make a better April Fools Day, no?)

Let's Give Them Something to Talk About......

When I have nothing to say....I say nothing.  When I have lots to say, I speak so fast my tongue trips over the words because I cannot get them out fast enough.  This is one of those in-between times.....the limbo of retail when you KNOW all the great stuff you have coming but it hasn't arrived just yet.
We have received our Sympli the Best spring shipment of great jersey clothing, some pretty cotton jersey layered dresses in 2 colours that will make your man swoon, new jewels, new home decor, and a few one-of-a-kind dresses that are too beautiful for words....that's all I'm gonna say for now.
Stay tuned.....the world of Tattered Rose is about to get REALLY interesting!

TELUS' "Nasty Clown" Commercial

The Junkyard Divas....

Who are they, you ask? They are adventurous gypsy women (and cats) who wear their vintage tiaras and crowns while travelling the country, looking for flea markets, antique malls and junkyards....collecting everything from the smallest trinket to antique clothing and large pieces of furniture. They have often been compared to the Canadian Pickers* guys but they are much prettier and always wear really cute clothes.....except for the cats, they just wear the fur coats they were born with....plus the tiaras.

They haul their new-found treasures around in a very tattered looking 1966 van...not pretty but it works and can carry a LOT of stuff.  One of these days, they might even start selling some of these pieces of history because their respective homes are all getting a little bit too crowded....much to the dismay of their husbands.

Stay tuned......these Junkyard Divas just might have something to do with Tattered Rose in the not too distant future.......

(Note: The terms "Junkyard Diva", "The Junkyard Diva" and/or "The Junkyard Divas" were created by the owner of Tattered Rose (me) a few years ago, with the intention of developing the concept as a junky extension of Tattered Rose)

*Canadian Pickers is a great television show, starring Scott Cozens and Sheldon Smithens

Bridal Dresses, Peeling Paint and Roses

What do these 3 things have in common?

(They are all found in Tattered Rose)

P.S. We have this pretty dress in stock....wouldn't it make a most wonderful wedding dress for a garden or destination wedding?

Where Have all the Cowboys Gone?

I sometimes miss my "western" store and the lifestyle that was suggested by everything I carried......don't miss the husband I was with at the time though.

Oh, the Things You Can Wear With Your Jeans!!

Hand-knitted, ruffled ankle length sweatercoat.........how sexy when worn with jeans and long silver hair.

*What you wear or don't wear under it is up to you!

Dark Shadows......

Cannot wait to see this movie!!!!! Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Tim Burton....the costumes & set design.....doesn't get any better than this!!!!!

The Great Coverup

 

We always have a selection of cover-ups available.....from sheer mesh shrugs to ankle length sweaters and most things in between.  Lace and velvet shawls, shrugs and boleros with sleeves in a variety of fabrics....and in colours other than black (the theme for this blog entry).

Sometimes, you need an extra layer to cover your shoulders for warmth and sometimes you just don't want to show off your arms, in case others may envy you (private joke between me and most women over 45)