SNAP Burlington
COLOURFUL JEANS – February 2012
Our first spring shipment of coloured denim came in while I was writing my column and the response was so great that I thought I better talk about it! Bright pink was the hot choice out of the gate, with limoncello and peach closely behind. We are excited to see the jade greens, corals and even the prints that are coming in later in the season as well
You will be witnessing a huge array of coloured denim at every level of retail – you will not be able to avoid it, so have some fun and embrace it.
I will warn you, it is not quite as easy as it looks, so there are a few guidelines to follow if you are beyond the high school age. My eight year old son seems to be able to pair his kelly green jeans with anything and he achieves a look that is exactly why we need to set some guidelines for the adults!
First of all, think chic versus cartoonish. You want to make this a fun, brightening up of your wardrobe, but you do not want the reputation of “character” which is how I would describe my son!
Let the colour of the jeans make the dominant statement of your outfit if you are at all hesitant to wear this look. That being said, stick to neutral, solid tops in black, white or camel. A solid blazer, a classic tee, a crisp white shirt. Ballet flats, simple sandals or if the colour works, tan or black boots for right now.
More confident fashionistas will pair up their coloured jeans with a clever contrasting colour to create what is called a colour blocking effect. Alternately, just the right print can also look amazing when paired with a coloured bottom – when the colour of the jean is subtly picked up in that print.
Straight or skinny legs look best here – avoid having the fabric of a boot cut or a flare flapping around – it also makes footwear harder. Cropped at the ankle is the easiest way to look chic in this trend.
Keep your accessories to a minimum – a bold pendant that matches one of your colour blocked colours can work, but classic metals in simple pieces will work best. Avoid the temptation to pile on the jewels in a colour that co-ordinates with your jeans.
You can play around with coloured shoes in the warmer climes, but neutral tones and subtle metallics will be very easy to use with this trend.
Have fun! What colour(s) will you choose???
ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT BURLINGTON DOWNTOWN – January, 2012
Please answer some questions about Burlington Downtown for Me!
With every New Year comes new goals and new plans. For many years, I have been involved with Downtown Burlington. I have worked and lived here for over twenty years and my husband Jeff grew up here. Jeff and I are so grateful for our thriving businesses. We love all of the friends and neighbours we have come to know in our community.
My vision, although, for our downtown, is something that I constantly talk about and think about. I see two perspectives, both as business owner and as a resident. At a holiday party I talked to many neighbours and friends, and I was thrilled by the fact that many were thinking the same way as me – it made me want to work at it, and I need your help!
While we have a great waterfront, many amazing restaurants, hair salons, estheticians, retail shops, the new Performing Art Centre, the Burlington Art Centre, and more, I still find myself longing for a bit more. A bit more what?
Well – I know what I would like to see, but I would really like to hear from you.
What brings you downtown?
What other downtowns do you love? Why?
What sort of “special” things do you drive a distance for?
What commodities would you like to see downtown that just aren’t here?
What would you walk downtown for if you live in the core?
What stops you from coming downtown?
What do you think about a farmer’s market?
What are your favourite businesses downtown?
How do you find the service downtown?
Do you attend events/festivals in our downtown?
Does your family like to walk the downtown?
What is your vision for our downtown?
These are just a few leading questions. Please join our discussion – simply click here and answer the questions. I really want to know what you think and I really want to try to do my part to make Downtown Burlington vibrant and alive.
Happy New Year! I think it is going to be an interesting one for sure!!!!
Take Time to Enjoy the Holidays – December, 2011
In the world of retail, December is such an important month. It is the time when consumers do just what their title states – they consume. From food and drink to décor and clothing, there is a “need” for searching out the best gift, the best recipe, the best new table decoration.
Have your patterns changed over the past few years? Do you find that you enjoy the quest or that it stresses you out? Do you dread the holidays or love them?
I admit that I love the whole hype around the season – I love to wrap the gifts, to entertain, to deck the halls, to plan the dinner. But this year, there are a few things I want to change. The first thing is to take a bit more time to smell the pine needles – to be in the moment instead of creating the moment. I want to have a bit less everything – to simplify. This is hard when you come from the world of all things saleable, but I do think it is the way of the future. Shop for the experience, not because you have to. Think about quality and not quantity. I really want my kids to learn about this. Buy one special gift instead of ten fillers. Give an outing or a future event instead of a toy that will be yesterday’s news when the next best thing comes along.
One thing I can’t wait to do is purchase my Christmas tree from Centro Garden downtown. Since we work and live in the downtown core, I feel that this will be a special outing for my family – we will make a night of it! When I was young, my family lived in Flamborough – going to cut down the tree is one of my favourite memories, despite the fact that my mother (in a quest for perfection) planted each family member, along with our hot chocolate, beside her chosen trees and we had to wait for her to go back and forth to decide! While I do not remember the gifts I received in those years, I will never forget the tree cutting days – that is what memories are made of!
Hopefully you will have a chance to come downtown this holiday season, whether to watch the parade, see the Lakeside Festival of Lights, skate at Rotary Centennial Pond, shop the stores for extra special gifts, service and wrapping, have a holiday celebration at one of the fine restaurants or just simply grab a hot drink and go for a stroll. Take the time, breathe in the fresh air and slow down the pace. Take a good sniff of the greenery as you pass Eurostyle Flower Market and then Centro Garden. Hit all the side streets – John, Pearl, Locust – see what you can discover.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Dress Up Your Denim – November, 2011
I have to admit, when Premium Denim arrived on the scene over ten years ago, I rarely thought about wearing jeans. As a matter of fact, for the first few years at Joelle’s, we did not even carry jeans! My pear-shaped body made it difficult for me to find a well fitting jean, so even in my high school and university years, I opted for skirts and dresses.
The innovation of stretch denim and the attention that has been put in to the fit and styling of jeans over the past decade has certainly changed my tune. While I still struggle to find a great fitting pant for my 5’2” frame, I have no trouble getting jeans to work for me.
I often get asked the difference between premium denim and regular denim and why the jeans that we carry are so expensive. Put simply, the difference is the quality of the denim and the cut of the jeans.
Authentic Premium Denim was born in the heart of the Downtown Los Angeles Garment District, where innovation in Premium Denim is constantly pushed to the limits. This innovation and styling has influenced both women’s and men’s fashion.
7 For All Mankind was the first company to truly bring premium denim to scale in 2000.7 For All Mankind’s premium jeans literally exploded onto the scene, quickly earning critical acclaim and an immediate following for its innovative use of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim. Hollywood celebrities promptly endorsed the ‘Sevens’.
Denim brands like 7 for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Hudson, DL1961, James and the Canadian brand Fidelity are just a few of the brands that lead the way in the technology and restyling of denim.
J Brand changed the whole path of fashion last spring by skipping the push for the flares and introducing coloured denim. Watch this trend evolve from last spring’s reds and royals to this falls warmer tones to literally hundreds of colours and prints that will be available by Spring 2011. (Joe’s jeans have 55 colours in their spring assortment).
The options for denim today range from the trends of colour and flares to the staple bootcuts, trousers, skinnies and jeggings – in a wide range of washes.
To dress up denim for Fall/Holiday 2011, consider tucking in a printed blouse and adding a thin belt or pairing your dark denims with a statement blazer or leather jacket. A dressy top, subtly sequined, embellished with lace inserts or tastefully sheer make denim rise to a dressier occasion. Adding heels (pumps or boots) is a must to take the look up a notch.
With The Burlington Performing Arts Centre launching their opening season, I look forward to seeing a dressed up Burlington – a reason to get that special top or put on a dress or a fabulous blouse! When not wearing a dress, I can guarantee you will see me dressing up my jeans. I am most excited about “Celebration – A Blue Jeans Gala” “Celebration!” brings together performers from Nashville to New York, from classical music to classical dance, from country music to post hardcore. What binds the evening together is that each and every artist is a “Burlingtonian”! For one night they will all come together for what will be a true celebration of Burlington. Visit www.burlingtonpac.ca for details! Watch Joelle’s, Jeff’s Guyshop and Scrivener’s for our upcoming denim events! Guys – dressed up denim can really work for you as well!
Fall Trends, October 2011
After fifteen years at Joelle’s, and many years before that in the fashion industry, I still get excited about the fall trends.
It is time to cozy up in some chunky knits. The high (at the front) and low (at the back) sweater is the new answer to the ongoing fall wardrobe staples – leggings and jeggings. The trendy silhouette for denim is still the flare or bell bottom. These work well with the new wedge heel boots and booties. Waists on jeans can be a little higher to accommodate tucked in blouses and shorter sweaters. Look for a bit more leather and pleather – on there own or as accents on leggings, skirts, pants and dresses. After last year’s sea of grey, colour and a multitude of prints are welcomed options for autumn. Black is always, but look to camel, tan or cognac to be your new basic. Plaid shirts get oversized and comfy – flannel feels great! The skinny cargo stills rears it s head – a good partner for some really great boots – toned down cowboy or Frye inspired. Furry vests, hats, neck warmers, purses – buy something fur (faux is fabulous). Dress it up a notch with lace anything – look for lace insets or full out lace pieces. Wear a dress pant or a statement skirt. Try a silky blouse for work to weekend. Pearls prevail. Buy a versatile belt. The new pump is the platform – it goes a long way. Top everything off with a great new item blazer.
And guys – there are great things in store for you as well! Straight leg jeans. Cozy, plaid wovens. Leathers. The biker jacket. Thermal tops. Cardigans. Be sure to get an edgy ankle boot. Add rich purple and blues to blacks and greys for a sophisticated look. Non- constructed, denim friendly blazers complete the package. Watch for elbow patches to make a statement.
I hope that gives you reason to check out your closet and get as excited about fall shopping as I am!
Fifteen Fabulous Years! SNAP, September 2011
It will be fifteen years this September, at age 28, that I opened my 800 square foot store on John Street. Two moves later, my husband Jeff and I now operate our 5200 square foot men’s and women’s business on Brant Street. With the help of our amazing staff, lots of dedication and hard work, and an incredibly loyal customer following, we can truly say that we are one of the most successful businesses of our kind in our industry. I am proud that we continue to grow and to reinvent ourselves (watch for some exciting renovations this fall), in order to keep things both interesting for us, our staff and our customers.
In the beginning, after working for Scrivener’s and The Oyster for several years, the economy took a turn and I found myself unemployed. It was not long until I identified an opportunity in this great community, and started to make a plan. With only $5000 to my name (generously advanced to me from my optimistic grandfather), I applied with my business plan to the Self Employment Assistance (SEA) Programme offered by the government. My spectacular business plan, although, did not help me answer the question of how I was going to finance this business. I was taken aback – I knew I could do it – my gut told me so – but I had no way of getting the start up money required. Upon showing my plan to a special person that I had gotten to know as a customer in my previous jobs, an “angel” situation occurred – simply because someone else really believed in me too. With a private loan, I could then go to the bank for a formal loan to get enough for my start up money! I rushed back to the SEA Programme and was accepted, spent three months writing a complete and formal business plan and finding and renovating a space. I picked the quiet little John Street space because it was tucked between the then hot hair salon Moksha and the still hot salon Keora, which was at that time Toppers. I figured I would have women passing by my doors every day and I was right! To top it off, a great fellow named Ken Layfield from downtown Burlington was also taking the course with me – we commuted together and luck had it, he was into renovations! My dear friend Bill Prouten also helped me a great deal, as did my mother – who spent many all nighters with me getting things unpacked.
Thankfully, the business took off and had steady growth over the years. The debts got paid off, I met Jeff, and together we created the business we have today.
I was offered the best words of advice from a holistic nutritionist, Rose Bridgeo, in those early years. I was constantly stressed that I did not have time to do all of the marketing and advertising that I felt I should do because the store was so busy. “Perhaps the universe is giving you what you need and you need to stop your worrying. Go with your gut,” was her reply.
I have recently been reassured that listening to your “gut” rather than over thinking things is an important concept. My intuition, hard work, community involvement and integrity have allowed me to do exactly what I enjoy doing in my life. I see it all very clearly now and hope that I can inspire other entrepreneurs with my story.
The Dreaded Pool Party. SNAP, August 2011
Having just recently become a pool owner, I suddenly realized that, gasp, I was going to have to wear a bathing suit in front of people – something I really only ever used to do on vacation! I would dread and pretty much avoid an invite to a daytime pool party for adults! Ah – the envy as I watch my friends and neighbours comfortably sit around in their swimsuits. Lying flat on my back on a lounge chair is where I feel the most comfortable! Hard to play with the kids and entertain guests from that position, though, isn’t it?
Time to reveal some strategies I will be using poolside!
First off, FIND THE SUIT STYLE THAT WORKS FOR YOU. You may have to try on many bathing suits and throw the size numbers out the window! Nothing is worse than bottoms that dig in – we all talk about the muffin top in jeans – way worse in a bathing suit! And oh – the joy of cellulite! Lots of people have it and no one sees it the way you do, I promise. One thing I always find funny is how fitting rooms in which you would try on a bathing suit always seem to have cellulite enhancing lighting – don’t they? Or is it just that you never really look at your butt on a day to day basis? I recently had a conversation with a friend in which we admitted to embracing the skirted bikini bottom – trick number one! Instead of constantly reaching for the wrap once out of the pool, voila, instant coverage! Halter style tops are certainly the ones that work for me. Being short waisted, one piece bathing suits can have a sausage casing effect, so even with the c section tummy, I feel much better in a bikini. I do admire a longer waisted woman that can look so elegant in a one piece. Tankinis are a good option if you are with a lot of children and will be getting up and down a lot. These tend to look good on many different shapes and sizes.
Second, since WEDGE HEELS are in style this year, I will pop on a casual pair whenever I get a chance – instantly makes your legs look longer and stronger in your suit! I also try to wear flip flops that have a bit of height to them when I know I am going to be around a group of people.
Last tip – COVER UPS – I have a closet full of them! Make it a part of your look by matching to your suit instead of just throwing something on – you will look great and feel covered. I love the strapless dress style as well as great sheer prints!
Yes, we are our own worst critics and we should all feel confident and just rock it out and have fun. EXERCISE/HEALTHY DIET– do what you can to firm up what you have, take a few of my hints and have a great rest of the summer! Fall fashion is just around the corner and then we will crave for those bikinis all over again!
Giving Back to our Great Community SNAP, July 2011
This past May, I was honoured to be presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary Clubs of Burlington. This award is for “service above self”. One look through an issue of SNAP Burlington will show you a community full of people deserved of this award, so I am humbled to have been chosen.
I began my specialty retail career working for Elaine and Bernard Scrivener. Beyond the retail sales and marketing experience that the Scriveners offered me, was a sense of community – a respect and a responsibility to give back.
This September will mark fifteen years for our successful retail operation. Throughout these years, we have maintained the Scriveners’ philosophy. This past February, in fact, Jeff and I became partners with Dan Bishop and Lou Frasca and now are part owners of the Scrivener’s Men’s Apparel business, so we will continue on this philosophy on behalf of the Scrivener’s, as well.
In-store fundraisers and larger fashion shows have always been a part of the marketing plan at Joelle’s and Jeff’s Guyshop. Fashion Shows for Breast Cancer Support Services, and more recently for the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation, have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. Smaller events are always planned to support various charities throughout the year. This year’s fashion show for the Breast Assessment Centre being developed at the Juravinski hospital just raised $40,000!!! Donating to silent auctions and sponsoring other organizations events are also important to us. We are big supporters of education – placing co-op students in the store, speaking to career classes and supporting school fundraisers.
While the time dedicated to running a retail operation that is open seven days a week does not allow me to do as much volunteer work as I would like, I feel that donations and connecting people and businesses together are effective ways to help. Growing ones own business allows one to be able to contribute even more. Neil Young recently pointed this out in his acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award he won at the JUNO Awards. He encouraged musicians to make their music first and then, “if you’re lucky and you have an opportunity, it’s a good thing to do, to go ahead and try to do something yourself.”
I am an active part of the Burlington Downtown Business Association’s advertising and promotion committee. Nelson Youth Centres, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Carpenter Hospice, Lakeside Festival of Lights, Easter Seals, Halton Learning Foundation, Halton Food for Thought, Burlington Art Centre, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre and numerous other organizations have been contributed to.
“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it”. Words to live by from Albert Einstein!
Watch for The Jeff’s Guyshop/ Scrivener’s Men’s Apparel Inaugural Golf Classic this September to benefit and raise awareness for Men’s Health at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. For sponsorship info or to register, please email jcooling@jeffsguyshop.com
