SPOTLIGHT: BELLWETHERS VINTAGE

The Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show is right around the corner and today I'm going to be talking about one of their vendors - Bellwethers Vintage.

Bellwethers has been around for a while now but they opened up a physical location down on Florence Street (near Bank Street) back in May. The owner, Madison, is passionate about all things vintage and you can tell from the second you enter the store. Walking into the shop is like walking directly into the past - everything from the decor to the items for sale are perfectly curated and truly retro. The thought and the detail that went into merchandising this store is phenomenal - my favourite part is the raised black and white check tile platform in the middle of the room. My eyes were instantly drawn there and it is home to the most amazing vintage couch and coffee table. The atmosphere of the store makes you feel right at home and I absolutely love that about Bellwethers. 

I highly recommend checking out Bellwethers Vintage if you're a fashion lover. The pieces that Madison curates are spectacular and she sources pieces with the most beautiful colours and luxurious textures. She has a large collection of women's and menswear, shoes and accessories. My favourite piece that she has in stock is a gorgeous red wool coat with a leopard print collar; it would have came home with me in a heartbeat if it were my size. I swear it's going to haunt my dreams.

Bellwethers Vintage will be at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show this coming Sunday, November 12th at the Carleton University Fieldhouse. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

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CONTEST: head over to my Instagram to enter to win a pair of tickets to the upcoming Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show! Find the Bellwethers picture and tag a friend that you'd like to take with you. Contest ends Thursday, November 9, at 6:00PM EST.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator. 

124/ COFFEE SHOP MEET UP

I just want to start off by saying THANK YOU to Equator Coffee for hosting a successful #BlogOtt event and to Katrina from Oui C'est Chic for bringing us all together.

A week and a bit has passed since the September #BlogOtt meet up but it is still fresh on my mind. It was so great to finally meet local bloggers face to face that I've been following on various social media platforms. It was amazing getting to know other people who are passionate about similar avenues and to be able to discuss topics such as fashion, beauty, photography and social media tips/tricks with like-minded peers.

I was excited to learn more about coffee and its industry as well. If you know me you know that I'm an absolute fiend for coffee (#caffiend) and that I can't go more than a couple of hours without a cup. The event was held just a couple of blocks away from where I work so I was ecstatic to learn of a new coffee shop in the neighbourhood. Equator Coffee is definitely somewhere I will frequent while I'm on my breaks; the fair trade coffee was delicious, the atmosphere is definitely welcoming and they have a great selection of food as well.

I haven't been feeling very well lately so I opted to wear something comfy, casual and carefree. I wore my favourite Eileen Fisher coated denim jacket and I paired it with a basic black dress from Forever 21+, my usual leggings from ASOS Curve and I added a little bit of interest to the outfit with a lipstick patterned scarf from Kate Spade. Yes, the scarf matches my tattoo. Yes, I kind of love that it does.

PS: Don't forget to like my blog's new Facebook page! Follow along for my (mis)adventures in plus size fashion, informal rants, beauty tips and more.

JACKET/ Eileen Fisher DRESS/ Forever 21+ LEGGINGS/ ASOS Curve 

SCARF/ Kate Spade New York WATCH/ Michael Kors
HANDBAG/ 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli (medium size) SHOES/ Nike
SUNGLASSES/ Karen Walker

Outfit photo by Laura Kidd

FOUR/ talin design

Remember when I said one of my goals was to expose the Ottawa fashion scene a little bit more? Well, I'd like to introduce you to Talin of Talin Design. She is a local jewelry maker who specializes in making one of kind pieces. She has sold her designs in many different craft shows throughout the city, including an annual craft show in one of Ottawa's trendiest neighbourhood, the Glebe, as well as Ottawa Fashion Week. I've known her for just over four years now and I have to admit — her creativity never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

Although she lives in Ottawa now, her journey did not begin here. Talin was born in Toronto and raised in Cairo, Egypt. In 2005 she completed her bachelors degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Photography but she knew that her true passion would always be designing jewelry. Since the completion of her bachelors she has also gained certificates from; Instituto Di Burgo in Italy, Algonquin College in Ottawa and Gem Vision Matrix in Toronto. Talin also has a degree as a diamond grader from the Gemology Institute of America (GIA).   

All of the pieces are handmade by Talin herself and are never duplicated. She uses semi-precious gem stones, fresh water pearls, sterling silver, glass and Swarvoski crystals to create her wearable art.

"All of my jewelry is handmade and most of my designs are limited not duplicated. Each piece maintains its own individuality and I hope that my art will inspire women to feel chic, and evoke her to have her own sense of style and personality." - Talin Hagopian Waugh

As of right now her pieces are only available for purchase online through her Etsy store. For more information, please click the links provided. 

TWITTER

ETSY SHOP

FACEBOOK PAGE

Talin and I at Ottawa Fashion Week (Sept 28th - Oct 2nd 2011)

All of the jewelry pictures were taken by Talin Hagopian Waugh.

Ottawa Fashion Week promo card courtesy of Metro Ottawa.