Belly Beautiful

For the longest time, ladies who are expecting, have had a challenging quest of finding appropriate fitting clothing here within the city. I've heard from many women who have had to make out-of-town trips in search of quality maternity clothing- which more often than not- don't come cheap. 

Belly Beautiful, Saint John's new maternity apparel boutique, just opened its doors on Prince William Street a little over a month ago. The store is helping to fill the gap for pregnant women looking for clothing that they can feel good and look good in! They deserve to be able to find that without leaving our city.

You can find the shop at the corner of Princess and Prince William, right across the street from Bourbon Quarter and Magnolia Cafe!

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Perfumes Plus Holiday Party

A few weeks ago, you may have caught the announcement about Perfumes Plus' upcoming holiday party via the Brunswick Square Blog. The event date has since changed and Perfumes Plus will now be hosting their annual Holiday party tonight, in-store, at 6pm.  Perfumes Plus can be found on the ground level of Brunswick Square.

As promised, there will sales to take advantage of throughout the day, which include 30% off select products. Perfumes Plus will also be launching the Chanel's Holiday 2011 Collection. Chanel is bringing a lot of beautiful, limited edition products to the table with this holiday line made up of rich golds, festive reds, and beautiful neutrals.

The event will also feature make-up and nail demons, as well as prize draws. Every purchase today enters you in to a draw to win a holiday gift from Chanel!

There will be Chanel limited edition gift sets available for purchase, which include the brush set or lip gloss duo featured above.

Personally, my favourite Chanel cosmetic product (aside from their eye concealer I use daily) would be their nail polishes. They may cost a pretty penny, but they are honestly worth it- it's definitely one of those products that you get what you pay for. Above is my current collection of Chanel polishes. Last night I painted my finger nails with the Coromandel (second from the left above) and it only required one coat! 

If you love Chanel as much as I do, you should pop on over to Barb's blog and enter her giveaway to win for the chance to win a free Chanel manicure from Perfumes Plus! (Contest is open until this Friday, Dec 2, at noon.)

Need to pick up something pretty for your friend or sister, stocking stuffers, or a hostest gift? Be sure to drop by later today for some refreshments, shop the sales, and trial the new Chanel products at Perfumes Plus- I'll see you there!

Will you be dropping by for some time with Chanel today?

happy birthday je suis prest!

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Two years ago today began a the start of a fashion revolution in our little city. Kiera Fraser took a chance and opened a fashionista's boutique in uptown Saint John. Today, Kiera's store turns 2 years old!

Je Suis Prest Boutique was one of the first in a string of fashion-forward independent boutiques opening in Saint John aimed at young women. For the first time, I stopped buying the majority of my clothing in Halifax or Toronto. In fact, clothing from the racks of Je Suis Prest flooded my closet and below I have of a small sample of proof. Check out the Je Suis Prest outfit collage I compiled from my blog photos spanning over the past year:

I started to go for the beautiful clothing and I kept going back because I was not only loved the selection, but I also was hooked on those that worked there! The Je Suis Prest girls make business a more personal experience and now I drop by not only to shop the clothing, but I'm often found there hanging out or trying everything on (especially when Joy fills a room for me)!

My friend Kiera is one impressive young woman.  She has helped evolve the style of this city, one girl at a time! Not only has she has impacted our wardrobes with her merchandise choices she has also impacted the community: she organized and rounded up troops for Out with the Old, & In with the New at Rhoda's on numerous occasions, lent her store's clothing to countless fashion shows and photo shoots, writes a fashion column in the local KV Style, and she is also active within the entrepreneurial community in this city (and won the Young Entrepreneur Award from the Saint John Board of Trade last November). She's such a down to earth girl with a wonderful personality to top it off!

 Je Suis Prest ladies (L-to-R): Joy, Kiera, & Meg

To the Je Suis Prest girls, keep up the great work: you're wonderful! Tonight I'm excited to celebrate Je Suis Prest Boutique's second anniversary!

P.S. Click here to check out my blog post from a year ago, on Je Suis Prest's first birthday!

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Fashion Social!

Ladies, if you live in the local Saint John area, be sure to mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, March 3! Here's a great opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new clothing lines at Silver Daisy Designs, while supporting an excellent cause. Silver Daisy Designs is hosting a Fashion Social at the Canterbury Lounge on March 3 with all proceeds going to support the medical and travel costs for local girl undergoing surgery a week after this event. She has made numerous trips to the IWK and Portland, ME, for treatment of a serious bowel disorder. So come out for a great time and to support a very worthwhile cause.

 As mentioned in a blog post the other week, Silver Daisy Designs is now carrying clothing! They'll be styling their models to showcase three different looks during the evening. The latest labels in store include threestones (based in Vancouver), and Moon Collection (out of LA). Aside from clothing, they will also be featuring bath products and make-up with a booth of tester products on hand for you to sample.

Door prizes will be available, as well as the chance to enter yourself into a few great things you'll find hanging in the store! Steph Downey of K100 will be MC'ing the event and DJ Fire will be on hand to supply the music!

Tickets for admission are $20, which also puts your drink of choice in hand. Here's another perk: bring your ticket to the store within a week after the event to receive 20% off a purchase at Silver Daisy Designs. You can purchase tickets at Silver Daisy Designs at 80 King Street in Uptown Saint John. Tickets went on sale this week and are limited in number!

So come on out to the Canterbury Lounge March 3 to check out the latest of what Silver Daisy is bringing into their boutique with their latest merchandise expansion, all while supporting the well-being and recovery of a local girl.

Now here's a fun little extra! Kate of Silver Daisy Designs has kindly provided me with a ticket to the Fashion Social event to give to one lucky reader of my blog! To be eligible to win you must be living or plan to be in the Saint John area on March 3. To enter to win a free ticket to the Fashion Social, just leave a comment to the post below!

Contest closes Thursday, February 24 at 5:00pm with the winner to be announced the following morning!

P.S. For an extra entry, you can tweet about the giveaway on twitter or share this blog post on Facebook! (Then be sure to come back and leave a 2nd comment to this post as your extra entry!)

a new project in the works...

I wanted to share with you an annoucement on a big project I'll be embarking on within the next month. In early December, the shopping centre Brunswick Square, approached me about collaborating with them on a project. They are looking to revamp their connection with social media and their online presence. With this, you'll be seeing a make-over of their current website. In tune with these changes, they wanted to try something new. I've been asked to write a blog for them.

I'm really excited about this opportunity and I can tell you that I wouldn't take on a project that I didn't believe in...it just wouldn't be authentic. As you may have noticed in my previous posts, I spend a great deal of time in the Uptown Saint John area, and you'll often find me shopping the levels of Brunswick Square.

So you might wondering how or if this will this affect and impact my blogging with Maritime Shopaholic? This blog is still my number one project at heart and I still plan on blogging my little heart out as a Monday to Friday style blogger. I intend to continue to work at evolving and expanding my content. I'm also really excited to take on this side project in which I have been offered the opportunity to exercise creative direction in promoting some of my favourite local stores!

Will content cross over to both blogs? Nope, each will be written and edited by me, but will have it's own focus and content. The blog for Brunswick Square will feature creative weekly posts and is slated to launch in late March!

Some of my (many) blog posts that involved the shops of Brunswick Square over the past year include:

April 2010- Shopping in Brunswick Square

May 2010- Chanel Make Up Workshop @ Perfumes Plus

September 2010- Fall Fashion Preview

November 2010- Je Suis Prest Boutique Fashion Show

If you're a local gal, be you can follow Brunswick Square on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the latest news and sales! 

P.S. Oh, and have you entered the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway? To do so click here- today's the last day! Contest closes at midnight AST and the winner will be annouced tomorrow evening (Feb 17)!

black dog boutique's grand opening...

Friday night I found myself at The Black Dog Boutique, a cozy boutique found below the big red 2-4 on Germain Street.

Inside, Jill Kimball, owner of the Black Dog, was hosting the celebratory Grand Opening of her new store, which had opened it's doors to uptown Saint John last month.

Meet Oli. Official greeter and bow-tie clad inspiration behind The Black Dog Boutique.

It takes a special canine to be considered trustworthy amongst racks of beautiful clothing.

I'd describe The Black Dog Boutique's selection as comfortable chic and sophisticated refinery. You have many quality, well constructed garments. I love the variety of prints and rich textures as well.

In the back, where the dressing rooms lie, a group gathered, glasses of bubbly in hand. In attendeance were two of the Mill Rats players, mingling and politely ensuring everyone had a drink in hand from the champagne fountain.

Everyone was mixing and mingling in the dressing room area referred to as "the boudoir"

Here's the lovely and charming Jill with the ever-gentle Oli

Local uptown shop owner Kiera Fraser (Je Suis Prest Boutique) dropped in to browse the latest shipments found on The Black Dog's racks and support Jill in her grand opening.

Jill's current garment selection varies from She Bible, based out of San Fransisco, to the organic, east coast based Toggery. Also in stock are beautiful pieces from Montreal's Valerie Dumaine and Eve Gravel.

Personally, I tried on an Eve Gravel black and cream belted skirt with pockets and fell in love. (Naturally, I had to adopt it.)

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out The Black Dog Boutique, you really should stop in and see Jill and Oli!

christmas cards!

It's that time of the year when you open your mail box every couple of days and find a red or white envelope addressed from a friend, holding a thoughtful card wishing you a happy holiday! It's one of those special perks this time of year. I like going out on the deck and flipping up the metal lid of the mail box to see what surprises the mailman might have left...especially if it isn't a bill or a flyer! For example, take the following piece of mail that was addressed to me today...

See, now this is just one of the small (and many) reasons I love shopping at local stores like Je Suis Prest Boutique. First and foremost being that the service just seems to be unparallel to those of big box or chain stores. The friendly and personal service I get at my favourite stores uptown makes the experience so much better! And little thoughtful things like this card is why I love the girls at Je Suis Prest! Thanks ladies, it was definitely a perk on this this dreary, raining day! :)

I also received a Christmas card not long ago from Gillian Goldie who created the fantastic graphics on my blog (my header as well as the black and white Prada bag). And if you're looking for a graphic designer- I highly recommend her- she's talented and very lovely!

P.S. And other sweet friends (Shannon, Marlene, Shauna), if you're reading this, I really appreciated your cards too!

the latest boutique uptown....

...is the Black Dog Boutique! Have you popped over to the adorable shop at 24 Germain Street yet? It's right beside the new Relish (old Reggie's).

Formerly a tailor's shop, owner Jill Kimball has transformed the space into a lovely, cozy space with quality garments hanging from the racks amongst the funky yet sophisticated decor.

The Black Dog Boutique is "...equipped with EcoChic fashions from NYC and San Francisico" and features other brands from Montreal and Toronto. All merchandise have been crafted in North America. Jill is as much a hostess as she is shop owner. She was so sweet and friendly when I stopped in to visit the day after she opened the boutique on November 18! She even offered me a cookie (she credits the Batch Bakery for the tastey treats)!

She showed me the boudoir aka the lovely, changing room with soft lights and charming decor.

I even love the script wallpaper!

I'll be going back soon (likely this week) to browse the selection again...I was very careful around the clothing because at that time I was carrying a pesto baguette and bruschetta mix (that I had just bought in the market and was taking to baby shower later that evening).

Check out Black Dog Boutique in person, as well as in the following places:

Website

Twitter

wish list for my fav store...

I  haven't been able to invest in much as far as fall fashions go this season and it's slowly killing me! Although I may be being slightly melodramatic I'm watiting to be able to afford to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe. Check out my wish list I recently added to the right sidebar.

I made a stop by Je Suis Prest Boutique the other day and snapped photos for my ever-growing wish list!

Free People top

I envision this top with a black 3/4 or long sleeved top underneath to make it warm for Fall weather.

 

Free People top

Perfect with a pair of skinny jeans or skinny olive cargos!

(Oh wait, Kiera does have the Free People skinny cargos in...which would be on

my list if I hadn't already sworn myself to the Paige ones...)

Free People top

This heather grey cotton top would be perfect for a casual day in jeans.

Dex blouse

Option to cinch at the waist flatters the female form. You could wear this untucked with

a part of skinny pants or jeggings. Would look fab tucked in with a high waisted skirt.

Dex striped cardigan

Long cardigans are one of my person faves. Cozy for the cooler weather,

they allow you to wear shorter sleeves while elongating your torso

(which is great is you have a shorter one like me!)

DEPT dress

I love how versatile this dress is- wear it with a casual sweater, black leggings,

or strut your stuff in a pair of killer heels and bare legs. Fabulous that it

incorporates some of fall's hotest colours.

 

DEPT top

Again, fabulous fall colours. Perfect with a pair of leggings (grey or black) or a pair of

skinny jeans. I love any excuse to be stylish while wearing loose tops and stretchy bottoms!

DEPT military dress

Right on trend for fall, I love the variety this dress could bring to possible outfits: as is, with a cute pair of heels or flats; with leggings or tights to keep warm with a chilly fall breeze, or top with a blazer or sweater.

DEPT lace dress

Dress up with a pair of pumps or cozy up with a thick cardigan and flats.

I love the gentle feminity that comes with this design.

Alternative Apparel brown leggings

Do you know how hard it is to find a decent pair of brown leggings?

Black and grey, no problem...but brown, not as easy a find.

The plus: I love the soft clothing Alternative Apparel makes!

Coat with faux fur collar

And I wish I could tell you the brand, but it escapes my mind except

that it starts with a G! If you love it as much as I do, just describe it to

 Kiera, Joy or Meg and they can point you in the right direction!

Jack striped coact with faux fur collar

My favourite coat from the Jack collection that I hope to be sporting by the time the snow hits!

Jack faux fur vest

This was one of my absolute favs when the fall line first came in- and I actually own it now

despite the fact it's still a little to warm to be wearing it yet! Since it is on the bulky side,

I will be pairing it with skinny pants- either jeans, black jeggings, or cargos!

Jack floral dress

There's talk of putting a dark top under your summer wears to transition into fall.

I would definitely see this dress being pulled off with a black long

sleeved tee and a pair of black tights.

BB Dakota trench

A brown trench coat is considered a women's staple, and I don't yet own one!

I love this one that can be worn with a dressy or causal ensemble.

Jack p-leather coat

I'm telling you, faux is in this fall (whether it be leather or fur)! But it needs to

 look authentic if you're going to fake it. I love this jacket- goes with the casual or

add a funky edge to an otherwise girly outfit.

Let me know what your must-haves are for fall!

What have you already bought and what's on your wish list?