The Kawartha Store Blog

June 2, 2016

Fashion Update

By: The Kawartha Store

Welcome to summer. I have been so enjoying this beautiful hot weather. Don't you just love heading out the door in a little sundress or shorts and sandals? I know I do.
In this fashion update Cheryl give us tons of ideas for the man in your life. Father's Day is the 19th. Bring him in to try on new some of our new OluKai Shoes and Sandals, there's a huge selection of them and sure to please Dad.
Speaking of keeping Dad happy, give him in a pair of MyPakage Underwear, they will put a smile on his face.
Then Mel's Blending Beauty Tip will have you standing out...beautifully. Enjoy the newsletter and we hope to see you soon or online @ www.thekawarthastore.ca
Trish

The Kawartha Store News

• Join us Canada Day Weekend to celebrate with specials and a slice of cake.


• Midnight Madness is Saturday July 2nd. We will be open until midnight with some amazing deals.


• Every Tuesday all summer long you can head to Kawartha Country Wines for Wine & Chocolate Tasting. It is free of charge so how can you resist? The winery is open every day 10am to 6pm year round.

Seasonal Trends

with Cheryl Dyer

As I write this newsletter we are still in April with May fast approaching. At least to us here at the store it is, we have lots of events coming up and with that the excitement of preparing for the fashion shows and fund raisers. Lots to do!

But as well as the fun and exciting events we have Mother's Day on the horizon, and I am happy to report that we have a wonderful selection of gifts for Mom, Grandma or that wonderful "Mom" person in your life!

Naturally we have a fantastic selection of clothing and footwear that make a great gift but we also have fantastic jewellery, attractive and functional pottery and beautiful bone china. A new leather purse or wallet makes a great gift as does something as simple as a selection of bath and shower products. And don't forget we would be happy to wrap your gift up for you!

This little floral dress has a vneck and a v at the back and a wonderful skirt with pleats, the fabric is gorgeous and just perfect for a summer event. The jacket of the same fabric is 3/4 sleeve with just a slender collar and looks great with a little tank and a pair of jeans. Both are Luc Fontaine and are available in store and on-line. The jacket is here and the dress is here.

Our Made in Canada jewellery collections are fantastic, and this lovely chain and pendant from Myka Designs is one of my favourites. The pendant can be removed and the chain worn alone or attach a pendant of your favourite colour, very versatile! Shop Myka here.

This feminine little dress from Cartise is a soft green with a lovely lace overlay, perfect for dinner on a warm evening! Made in Canada and available online here.

Our Kameleon jewellery is so very versatile, each piece is sold separately so the centre pop can be removed and changed to match your mood, your outfit or the occasion!

I am just showing you the wonderful neckline on this little Joseph Ribkoff dress because it is fantastic but then so is the dress, come in and check it out or take a drive by the store and check it out in the front window, you can't miss the great colour!

Some of our new sandals from OluKai, a new line for us with such great comfort, quality and a great look. All our OluKai sandals are Vegan friendly, top quality man made material that performs like leather. They are all water resistant, quick drying and breathable, made to be worn around the water. Shop Olukai here.

Our Yoga jean selection keeps growing, and this great white skinny jean looks marvelous with this multi colour print tee from Cartise, both of course Made in Canada! Find the jeans here.

With Father's Day just around the corner why not pop in and pick up a pair of summer shoes or sandals for that special man in your life. We have both OluKai and Vionic footwear for men available, great comfort and style! Or shop Olukai online here and Vionic here.

We have a huge selection of short sleeved shirts in stock for men and several styles of lightweight summer jackets, one of which is reversible. There are also some great funky tees and some tees with your man's favourite sports team logo, perfect picks for Father's Day.

Lots of great gift items available, everything from leather toiletry bags to natural shower gels and beard balms, even one called "the Beast" which according to one of customers is quite irresistible!

Our selection of MyPakage underwear has doubled in size since last year to include many more fabrics and colours, we are told that they are the most comfortable undies ever and many of our customers seem to be addicted to them!! lol! Shop MyPakage here.

If the man in your life likes his morning coffee (and who doesn't?!) these great coffee cups from Mcintosh China make a wonderful gift and the designs are the nature series from Robert Bateman. There are loons, bears, foxes and other nature scenes, perfect for coffee at the cottage!

Beauty Tips with Mel

We've chatted a lot about my favourite products, I thought this month it might be nice to talk about the tools of the trade. Or at least one really important tool, that I cannot live without.

So, I am a little late to the party on this one, this tool has been around a while, the amazing and talented Beauty Blender. This cute egg shaped, latex free foam sponge is the perfect blending tool for many different types of products. Sponges are not usually my favourite tool, most of them soak up too much product, and tend to leave streaks. Which is what makes the Beauty Blender so amazing, with its egg shape and open cell structure. The term "open cell structure" means that the tiny bubbles that make up the foam, are not completely intact, making this sponge ease to "fill" with warm water. This slightly scientific sounding feature is what allows the product to sit on top of the sponge instead of being absorbed, so you are able to use less product.
As excited as I am about the minimal waste of product, I have to say the shape is the best part. The egg shape makes this the perfect blender, you just "bounce" the product on with the round, wide part of the sponge. The edgeless design means no streaks, giving skin that natural, almost airbrushed look. The pointed end is great for getting into spots like under eyes and around your nose. I also use the pointed end for any defining, like contouring and highlighting. I'm just always sure to blend, or "bounce", any lines away with the round part of the sponge.
I really love that all I need for my complexion makeup, is this one tool. From my primer, to foundation, powder, cream blush, highlight, contour, and whatever else I may be experimenting with that day. The Beauty Blender is a non-disposable tool, which means you do have to keep it clean. There is a specially formulated cleaner, I do recommend it because it's great for getting all the product out your sponge. Keep in mind, it will stain, that's okay.
This is a must have for every one, even if you are just an occasional makeup wearer. This tool makes your application flawless, every time. :) Mel

May 6, 2016

The Kawartha Diva's Wardrobe
Volume Four

By: BarbieDee

Well, we are finally enjoying some fine weather and getting outdoors to experience life, post-winter hibernation!  Woohoo!  Many of us will be out walking and others, just living the lives we look forward to all year.  Gardening, barbecuing, picnics, weddings and everyday activities of all kinds.  

If your feet aren't happy and comfortable, chances are, the rest of your body and mind won't be too thrilled, either.  Good quality, supportive footwear is imperative to spinal health.  All of the little bones in your feet have to support your whole body.  They need help doing so!  But, we also want to look chic, fashionable and appropriate.  

I chose some options for you to consider adding to your collection, and remind you that if you have worn a pair of any kind of shoe for a long time, it may still look good on the exterior, but it most likely have no support for your feet left in them.  Spring is a great time to sort and toss.

BarbieDee

Sandals are an important wardrobe staple for everyone. Many of us wear them all summer and travel with them to southern destinations in winter. Having a variety of basic neutrals and some fun pairs will liven up your look. These choices by Steve Madden are right on trend, too. Strappy flats and block heels are shown in every 2016 collection and they really are the backbones of comfort, and timeless, as well. Find them here

Stretchy, forgiving flats by Bernie Mev. A friend recently told me that she wears nothing but this shoe to work, now. She spends a lot of time walking and standing and they give her absolute pleasure and feel weightless. Find them online here.

Superga sneakers. I have personally worn this brand for years. Cute, trendy and light-weight canvas that will become one of your favourites. Excellent choice of neutrals to go with everything. Find them here.

Are you familiar with the brand, Franco Sarto? Very well-made shoes that have lasting style and are wonderful for more dressed up needs like office wear, luncheons, barbecues and dressy occasions. You may want to start a collection of these. Find these flats here.

A selection of very current sandal looks. Jewelled, studded, opulent trims are on every imaginable accessory, this season. If you are loving the platform look, these are wearable! Top left is available here, top right is available here, and the bottom style is available here.

Oxfords by Flexx, a brand that is new to me and I'm really impressed with the practicality, design and comfort. Find more Flexx here.

Flexx dresses up! The same quality fit and comfort in more elegant footwear to pair with your skirts, dresses, pants and even with blue jeans! That contrast look of casual and dressy is au courant! Find the bright pair here and the black and cream here.

Strappy sandals by Franco Sarto. Broader strap designs and the most elegant of any casual summer shoes I have seen, this season. Find them here.

Pure fun, by Patrizia. If your clothing needs a pop of colour or pizzazz, and you don't necessarily want to go full-out bling, these sandals just epitomize the joy of the season. I can see these with boho tops, jeans, shorts, even your bathing suits! Find them here.
Drop into the store, or go online to thekawarthastore.ca as soon as possible!  These will all disappear very quickly, now.  Mel, our shoe department manager has a wide selection of amazing sneakers by Vionic that will make your feet very grateful, as well as western boots, flip-flops, rain boots and slippers to fill all of your footwear needs and wish list.  

April 28, 2016

Fashion Update

By: The Kawartha Store

Can I be the first one this year to wish you a Happy Mother's Day? Happy Mother's Day to all of the fabulous moms out there! With Mother's Day fast approaching Cheryl has some great gift ideas to make your mother feel special. But that's not all for this month's newsletter!

We have some great new styles including the cutest black and white Ribkoff dress I've seen in a while and a pair of raspberry pink Vionic sandals that are as comfortable as they are fashionable.

Finally I'd like to invite you to come to a fundraiser for a cause that is very important to our community. The walk in clinics in Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon are key for many of your friends and neighbours. Those who don't have doctors or who have to travel a long distance to see their doctor can get great medical care close by. These clinics are not funded by OHIP, they rely on community donations. That's where you come in! Come to "Walk in Strut Out" a fashion show, spa and silent auction event with all proceeds going to the Kawartha North Family Health Team. Tickets are only $25, and you will be helping to support free accessible healthcare in your community. What's more Canadian than that?

The Kawartha Store News

• April 29 Fenelon Falls Home Show Fashion Show. Friday's night's fashion show begins at around 6pm and The Kawartha Store hits the runway at 7pm.


• Walk In, Strut Out. May 12 5-9pm Two fashion shows, spa treatments, wine & snacks, entertainment. Tickets are $25 and are available at The Kawartha Store and at the Walk In Clinics. This very IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER supports the Friday Walk In Clinic in Fenelon and the Tuesday & Thursday Clinic in Bobcaygeon.


• Saturday May 28 Diva Night. Calling all Diva's to the Village for a great afternoon and evening of fun and entertainment. Details in our next issue.

Seasonal Trends

with Cheryl Dyer

As I write this newsletter we are still in April with May fast approaching. At least to us here at the store it is, we have lots of events coming up and with that the excitement of preparing for the fashion shows and fund raisers. Lots to do!

But as well as the fun and exciting events we have Mother's Day on the horizon, and I am happy to report that we have a wonderful selection of gifts for Mom, Grandma or that wonderful "Mom" person in your life!

Naturally we have a fantastic selection of clothing and footwear that make a great gift but we also have fantastic jewellery, attractive and functional pottery and beautiful bone china. A new leather purse or wallet makes a great gift as does something as simple as a selection of bath and shower products. And don't forget we would be happy to wrap your gift up for you!

Why not put together a nice bath and shower gift, everyone likes a nice smelling shower gel and body lotion. And these great soaps from Crosswind Farm are wonderful, the softness of goat soap with some of the most beautiful scents!

Nothing beats a new purse or wallet and these top grain leather styles from Derek Alexander are beautiful. How about this decorative mirror, perfect for dresser or vanity and so cute. Perfect for after gardening these hand scrubs and rescue lotions are so rich and with just the right amount of scent and made at Walton Wood Farms in Bailieboro!

Jewellery always make a lovely gift and we have such a great selection of Made in Canada jewellery in many different styles from Anne-Marie Chagnon to the Earth Magic Collection, something for everyone! Shop our jewellery online here.

See how easy we can make it for you, great gift selections, and if you want to make it easy on your family, come in and make a few choices and we will record it for you. It is my experience that people like to surprise someone with the perfect gift but also want to make sure to get it right, we don't mind helping with that!

We have many Kameleon Jewellery collectors out there and as always we have a new selection of pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets, not to mention the newest "jewel pop" releases.

Another great jewellery line is the Myka line, beautiful Swarovski crystals in pendants, earrings and bracelets. The pendants are removable, so you can change it up and the great styles of chains are fantastic. Shop Myka online here

Now here is a timely piece, beautiful watches made in Wainfleet Ontario from the L Carr Design Studio. Each watch or piece of jewellery is handcrafted from vintage sterling silver plated wares, makes each piece a one of a kind!

Another beautiful Kameleon piece, this dainty bracelet is so easy to wear and don't forget it never has to look the same twice, just keep switching the "pops" for a new look each time!

This little dress from Cartise is perfect for summer wear, great fabric in beautiful fresh blue shades, the little skirt is topped with a dainty navy belt to accentuate the waistline and looks as good on a size 2 as it does on a size 16! Find it online here, or shop that gorgeous Myka necklace or bracelet here.

Talk about a fresh crisp look, this sleeveless dress from Joseph Ribkoff has the greatest skirt styling, gives that flirty little kick as you move! We have the perfect toppers for sleeveless dresses and these great little sandals from Steve Madden are a perfect fit for this look! Find the sheer jacket here.

What a great outfit for lunch out with the girls, the cropped top and capris are Ribkoff, black patent wedge shoes are from Flexx and oh so comfy!

This little jacket from Cartise is one of my favourite pieces in this spring, now this would make a great Mother's Day gift! It is the perfect colour to match most anything and the drape on the front of this gives it a bit of edge that you don't get in a structured piece, and it looks as good with a dress pant as it does dressing up a pair of jeans (Yoga Jeans of course!)

Shoe Style

by Melanie Rafaiel

We are really excited to see some new styles from Vionic come in this week. With Vionics built in orthotic technology, you never have to sacrifice comfort for style. 

All these styles are available in store and online, at thekawarthastore.ca. 

The feminine and comfortable, Rest Karina, is one of our favourites. We love the statement of the raspberry snake, and the versatility of the classic black. The metallic embellishments make this sandal great for jeans, or dressy enough for summer skirts and dresses. Find the raspberry hereand the black here

The Rest Paden is a great choice when you want to go for that minimal and effortless look. Available in black and tortoise, the diamond shaped upper is a subtle stylish touch, and the ankle strap keeps your foot from rocking back and forth. Find the tortoiseshell here and the black here

Don't forget, we also have men's footwear. The Men's Ryder flip flop, is available is black/grey, or chocolate brown. The wide upper, with a Velcro fastener for adjusting the width, is comfortable to walk in and won't rub in those hot summer days. Find them here.

Apr. 18, 2016

The Kawartha Diva's Wardrobe
Volume Three

By: BarbieDee

The resounding notes in this season's new dress designs are colour and pattern. An occasional plain fabric can be had but the real looks of the year in dress fashion are patterns of florals and graphics. For those of us that endured a somewhat lengthy and grey winter season, these pops of vibrancy are a feast for the eyes. It's amazing what the addition of colour can do for the updating of your wardrobe to current status, and to uplift your mood.

Sleeveless is also a prevailing style. It works all year with the addition of a blazer, cardigan or unstructured jacket. From a casual lunch out to business, professional and dress up, most of these pieces are versatile enough to take you beautifully into the season ahead.

BarbieDee

This sweet frock brings to mind the watercolour paintings of France. Fit and flare, with give and movement. Find it here


One of my personal picks, fondly dubbed "The Eva," for my gorgeous young colleague that has this. Perfect as a dress or with black or white leggings for a tunic look. Wonderful pique fabric, with stretch. It's available in store only.


Do you have "a little black dress" in your closet? Do you need an updated version? This cutie is reminiscent of the Asian chongsam. Very chic and for the lady who wants a sophisticated number to count on for years of wear. Absolutely suitable for black tie events, too! Find it here


Floral, with an abstract and graphic twist in three uber hot colours, cobalt, black and white. Wear anywhere, anytime. This dress epitomizes the 2016 look. Floral. Fresh. Fabulous in white with primary colours. Find it here


A classic floral centrepiece on a white canvas backdrop. This chic dress is the epitome of summer. From Coachella to Capri, you will do the day in elegance. Find it here


I saw this dress on the head diva, Trish, and was immediately smitten. Another watercolour, a bit of stretch and has summer garden party and wedding written all over it. I would wear it professionally, too, putting a little white cardy or cropped jacket over it in the A/C. Find it here


A runway favourite this season is coral. If you are partial to warm colours, you will enjoy having this floral dress in your rotation. Another one of those pieces that can over-ride seasons with jackets and blazers, from white, to grey to black. Find it here


Create a stir, coming and going with this pretty pastel piece with a whimsical faux vest look, as you turn. Unusual pieces like this are conversation pieces and lend character to your look. Find it here


A look at the vest detail.


I saved this casual pop-on for the finale. Comfortable as your favourite tshirt, flowing like a piece of Armani but for wear every day. So reasonable and versatile. Find it here

Apr. 13, 2016

The Kawartha Diva's Wardrobe
Volume Two, April 2016

By: BarbieDee

The garden awaits you. Spring flowers. Hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, lilies of the valley. If you haven't got them opening yet, visit us at The Kawartha Store. We're in full spring bloom with glorious tops, pants, jeans, dresses, athleisurewear and footwear, in brights, pastels and gracious, traditional classics like navy and black.

Trends we see are bright and cheerful designs on pieces, nautical stripes, polka dots, florals, and frothy bohemians. Western pieces, with fringe, tooling and texture combine beautifully with the boho look for that retro "Woodstock" outfit. We even have the denim flares and flounce sleeve blouses that bring back that 60's and 70's feel, but with softer, more modern tweaks.

From the most comfortable basic tanks and tees, to dressed up, lady-like tops, the choices are for every part of your life and style. I am particularly enamoured with the neutral boho blouses. They are light, airy, feminine and loose. Perfect for a warm summer day or layered with one of our gorgeous waterfall cardigans, if needed. Every day, new spring pullovers go onto the showroom floor. And, I don't think any look is more en trend and still classic at the same time, as nautical is. Whether you choose your stripes in shades of blue or any other hue, it's a great way to refresh your pant and skirt looks. Have you discovered the most incredibly comfortable jeans and casual pants ever, our selection of Yoga Jeans? Those, like the slacks and other casual and dressy pieces by Joseph Ribkoff, are manufactured right here, in Canada!

Dress choices are vast. A separate blog will describe some of my favourites, very soon to follow. They flatter the shape of a woman's body, and are almost reminiscent of the 60's-70's feel, too. They deserve their own special topic. Even a jeans girl like me got excited. I have a shopping list!

From top to bottom, of course, we have hats, clothing and footwear. Melanie has terrific boots, shoes, sneakers and sandals in stock. Comfortable styles, many with arch support and cushioned foot-beds, and a large choice of western boots, are available year round. Of course, colour is an important story, here, too.

Cheryl and her staff can assist you with all aspects of your shopping from fit to wardrobe planning, co-ordinating and accessorizing. Whether you choose to stop by for the in-store experience, or shop on the website, your experience will be pleasant and relaxed.

As always, we have a marvellous array of foundation garments, menswear, gifts, edibles and wines, from our sister store, Kawartha Country Wines (the last, by order).

Pop in, say "Hi," and treat yourself to some colour therapy!

BarbieDee

Cheryl has layered a breatheable, comfy tank and airy, flouncy blouse with Yoga denim jeans. These are available in straight, ankle, crop, flares, denim washes and colours. You will never want to take them off and will want them in every shade! Find the jeans here and the cami here

Boho, again, in soft cotton with roll sleeves and jeans. Pair it with shirts or shorts and throw on a casual piece of jewellery by Tima.

This shot speaks pretty much for itself. Your choice of neutral tones and girlie, or bold colour and soft knits. Be yourself, but be comfortable and chic in the process! Find the jeans here.

The cut work and details on this piece are artwork. You will have this piece in your wardrobe rotation forever and wear it all year round. Again, a gorgeous Tima piece compliments the neckline.

A sneak-peak at one of our new dresses! Every women's retailer and every fashion blogger world-wide are talking about the importance of the floral dress this season. This is a watercolour abstract that covers pastel into primary shades and pretty much take you to any spring and summer event in your life, or to your office. On the neck is one of many exquisite necklets from Myka. On the right form, a necklet by Anne-Marie Chagnon. All of these collections are domestically designed and manufactured. Probably, my pick for the blog is this lemon, loose, sleeveless top and more upscale Ribkoff leggings in another important colour story, black and white. Mix, match, pair prints with like prints and enjoy! Celebrate the season in style and fun!Find the top here and the pants here

A casual ensemble that will take you anywhere in comfort and style. Jeans by our favourite, Yoga. Delightful top, Parkhurst.Find the jeans here and the top here

Mel's picks. Shop footwear here.

A different take. Floral accent on the pant, solid, coral top. You need to touch this sweater. Find the pant here and the top here.

April. 1, 2016

April Fashion Update

By: The Kawartha Store

For our avid readers you will have noticed that we missed sending you a March Newsletter, so we are getting the April fashions news out early. The trend for spring is soft colours and prints. There are so many new beautiful Canadian made pieces arriving daily you will be delighted with our selection. Many of you have already come in for new spring pieces to freshen our wardrobe. Today Cheryl has given you a look at a few of her favorite arrivals so far.

In this newsletter Mel gives us a beauty tip that is close to her heart. As a bride to be herself she has outlined a detailed six month skin regiment in order to have the best skin possible on the big day. A very worth while read for the brides to be and for all of us who want to have great skin.

Be sure to read the news section - we have some events coming up that you're not going to want to miss.

Still in hibernation? Don't forget you can shop online from your den at thekawarthastore.ca.

Thanks for reading!

The Kawartha Store News

• -We are hosting a Customer Appreciation Night this Thursday April 7th, from 5-7pm. We will offer nice food, delicious beverages and special deals to let you know how much we appreciate you!   This special night will be part of our Spring Open House kickoff weekend April 7th-10th. 
• -On May 12th we will be hosting "Walk In, Strut Out" a fundraiser for the Kawartha North Family Health Team Walk-In Clinics.  Our Walk-In Clinics at both Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon are vital to many members of our communities but are not funded by OHIP. They operate 100% by community donations and fundraising.  It's important that we as community members support these clinics. We have a fabulous evening planned. Tickets are $25 and are available at the clinics or from us at The Kawartha Store. 100% of proceeds from the ticket sales will go to support these clinics.
• -We will be staging a Fashion Show at St James Anglican Church Thursday April 28th, at 6pm and tickets are $15 and are available at The Kawartha Store.
• -Then Friday April 29th is our annual fashion show at the Fenelon Falls Home Show at the Community Center. 

Seasonal Trends

with Cheryl Dyer

This Spring is shaping up to be quite busy for us here at The Kawartha Store. With 2 fashion shows at the end of April and a big event in early May to get ready for we have been getting pretty excited around here! Our spring fashions are really cheering us up in here, the great light fabrics and wonderful colours make it so enjoyable to work around and it really seems to lighten the mood for our customers as well, so if you are feeling a little dull after the winter come on in and get your cheer on!!

I don't know what I like more about this ensemble, the beautiful spring colours of the Cartise jacket or the wonderful comfort of the denim Yoga Jean skirt. The lovely Arianne camisole is so soft and is available in 3 colours, a perfect layering piece. Find the jacket here and the skirt here

Spring calls for cardigans, and we have them a plenty, this is from Parkhurst, perfect for that day when there is just a wee chill in the air and it is layered with the same cami above in white, very soft and easy to wear, both are made in Canada. Shop Parkhurst here

Most of us start a little exercise program in the spring, or at least step up our walking routines, and these great pieces from Bench Canada make it very stylish and comfortable to do! Not to mention our wonderful selection of sneakers for supreme comfort while putting on those extra miles! Shop Bench here

Yay!! The Parkhurst bear sweaters now come in summer colours! Beautiful cotton, easy to care for and I just love it with these flare jeans from Yoga Jeans. Find the sweater here.

I love a nice summer jacket, they are so versatile and this one is no exception and also one of my favourites, nice light weight fabric, funky buttons, just a little longer at the back with a cute little pleat adorned with the same funky button, from Joseph Ribkoff, wear it with a little black dress or a cute pair of ankle jeans!

Mel has a great assortment of spring/summer footwear in stock, sandals, slip ons, wedges, flats, great comfort and fun colours!

We have some wonderful spring Yoga Jeans in, great colours, ankle length with the usual comfort levels, and we are loving our new Bohemian silk/lace tops, this one is a 2 piece and just one of the great selection available from Ivy & Lace a division of Cartise.

This is a wonderful blue 2 piece set from Ivy & Lace, it is silk and lace and is probably my favourite from this company, although it is a very difficult choice to make!

In keeping with our Canadian designed jewellery, this is quite unique, each piece is a one of, this is from L Carr Designs and each piece is made from repurposed silver, this particular necklace was a bread plate in it's past life!

I am not sure if everyone changes their purse come spring, but we have a wonderful selection of purses in, different colours and styles and sizes, something for everyone!

Mel has stocked some shorts and jeans in the men's department, a very nice selection of styles and although I have not yet shown photos of the new tees and shirts, they will be out on the floor by the weekend, we should be well stocked in time for Father's Day!

Beauty Tips with Mel

by Melanie Rafaiel

With wedding season just around the corner, brides-to-be all over the world are starting their skin preparation regiments. Just to make sure that every thing is perfect for the day and the pictures. My own wedding is just around the corner, so I'm going to share with you my prepping regiments. I like to mix it up all the time, and I will also use the same product in a couple different ways. I have broken down what I use, and how I use it, daily and weekly. 

Daily - I try to be very diligent about taking my makeup off before bed, and I've discovered a new makeup remover, and cleanser, that I love. Dissolve the Drama 2-in-1 Makeup Remover + Cleanser from The Estée Edit by Estée Lauder collection. The directions for this product are to apply all over a dry face, and rinse off with warm water. My skin tends to be a little more on the oily side, so I apply a few drops to a cotton pad and wipe away any makeup or impurities. After that, I do rinse with warm water, but I also use either my Coalface cleanser bar, from Lush, or Crosswind Farms Tea Tree Oil goatsmilk soap from The Kawartha Store. Coalface is a charcoal based cleanser, that is great for any one with combination skin, and tea tree oil has an almost antiseptic affect on skin. Which kills the bacteria that can cause break outs. Of course, I always follow this up with my favourite Tea Tree Water toner, and lavender and witch hazel infused Vanishing Cream moisturizer. Both available at Lush. My lip routine has changed up a bit in the last week or so, I used to use exclusively Epic Blends More Moisture lip balm in cherry from The Kawartha Store. Now, I switch between Epic Blend and Smith's Rosebud Salve, which now comes in a good size tube. I usually apply lip balm before bed, and if I'm not making a lip statement that day, in the morning. I like to use Epic Blend through the day, just because of the added moisture, light feel, and convenient compact packaging. 

Weekly - If you are going for healthy glowing skin on your wedding day, I recommend making masks and exfoliating a 2-3 times a week habit. I also use my Estée Lauder makeup remover 2-3 times a week all over my face, as directed on the packaging, to get my pores open and clean. Coffee is what keeps me going most days, so of course, I've made it part of my prepping regiment. Another Lush product, Cup 'O' Coffee face and body mask, which doubles as an exfoliator. This product is full of coffee grounds, cocoa extract and kaolin, which deep cleans and rejuvenates tired, or dull looking skin. It's also great as a body scrub, great if you have a sleeveless or nontraditional dress. A couple weeks ago I started using Boscia's Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment. This really cool looking white and black charcoal swirled mask really does a lot of work for the small amount of product you need to apply. The kaolin clay helps to detoxify and deep clean your skin, so you might see break outs popping up for a couple weeks, but the more you use a deep cleaning mask the less this will happen. When I use these masks I usually wash them off with warm water and my Precision Pore Cleansing Pad. Which is just a small silicone pad with tiny soft bristles that help get products deep into my pores. The best time to exfoliate or apply a mask is after a warm shower, or after cleansing. This is when your pores are open and these products can be most effective. To finish off I use my toner and moisturize. 

This tip is part of a series of bride-to-be preparations, which I have started about 6 months from my wedding day. Try not to change your routine too close to your day, just to give yourself time to see the results from your products. Pass this along to any brides-to-be that have naturally oily skin, or use this to correct any of your own skin issues. Happy wedding planning!  Mel

Mar. 2, 2016

The Kawartha Diva's Wardrobe
Volume One, Spring 2016

By: BarbieDee

Greetings, Kawartha Divas! May I introduce myself? I'm BarbieDee and I will be sharing my favourite pieces with you on a regular basis. I live here in the region and discovered the store a few years ago, while still living in Toronto. I shopped in person, online and had it shipped to me. Now I pop in almost every week to see what's new and enticing. I hope you will enjoy my posts, perhaps be inspired by them and even amused.

In these lingering grey days of remaining winter, it seems that many of us are craving something to uplift both our spirits and our bulky and dark winter outfits. There are many pieces in store now that can be integrated into your current rotation to liven things up and breathe a bit of the fresh air of spring into the doldrums. Many things are seasonless and can work by layering. Others are stand alone pieces that will give new life to a tired wardrobe. If you are travelling southward, you can wear them in a kinder climate, then return home to freshen up your spring and summer outfits. It's amazing how effective a burst of colour or a new item can be to not only make you look much perkier, but also to raise your spirits. Speaking of which, cheers to spring!

These easy pieces are a go right now! The jacket and tee can be worn with multiple colours and with pants, capris and shorts, as well as a skirt. I will talk about the well-respected brand names featured in store in a later blog. Find the jacket here and the skirt here

These all-season sweaters are legendary in these parts! The Bear! In new colours that are nothing short of rich and delicious. To the right are classic knit pullovers. I add more colours of these pullovers to my own cedar chest every season. You will adore these tops forever!
Find them here

This gorgeous top by Cartise is in one of the top shades of spring/summer 2016, coral. You need to see this in person to really appreciate how outstanding it is. Find ithere

Well, what can I say about this skirt and coral top other than I bought them as soon as I walked in the door. I didn't even try anything on! The skirt has give, it will move with you. Find the top here and the skirt here.

Honestly, I have these gorgeous stretch denim jeans, too. The tunic matches them to perfection. Find the jeans here and the tunic here.

Camisoles, tanks and tees are indispensable to women of every age and lifestyle. The colours available range from classic wardrobe staples, to luscious ice cream flavours. Find them