New fashion boutique on Preston

I was walking along Preston the other day during Tulip Fest and really noticed that there was a lack of boutiques. Whether it's clothes, kitsch, home decore or give shop... All that surrounds us on Preston our pubs, restaurants and bars! Great at night quiet during the day.

Except… I discovered a little shop called Vincent. I did my thing being curious and all and walked in to see what it was all about. I can usually tell right away what it stores all about but observing a few items, checking the prices and observing the Decor. Me Gusta!

Vincent is just the type of boutique shopping Ottawa needs. On trend fashion, new designers and refreshing looks. I'm just getting pretty tired of the same old brands.

The lesson here is if you see something that intrigues you explore it. Talk to the owners, ask them questions, get out of your comfort zone and just be yourself. Small-business owners are always friendly and are more than happy to talk about their new business. They want to succeed and need loyal customers.

Check them out on Facebook, visit their website and blog.

Map for Antique Shopping in Ottawa

I am so happy to announce that I finally put together a map for antique shopping in Ottawa! Have fun and let me know if I am missing any shops :)

Ottawa 2014 Garage Sales

Think of this as a gift from me to you!

I've decided to compile this years Ottawa Neighbourhood Garage Sales. Here we go:

- May 31 Riverside South Garage Sale

- May 24 Glebe Garage Sale

- June 7 Awesome Alta Vista Garage Sale

- September 6 Old Ottawa South Porch Sale

I found this website http://gsalr.ca/garage-sales-ottawa-on.html that compiles estate sales and garage sales. Don't forget to check Kijiji for a local listing too ;)

These Neighbourhood garage sales are not to be missed!

Please let me know in the comments below if you have any to add.

Antiquing Weekend at Fieldhouse- Oct 19-21

Hello my O'Valleyers!

Just a quick heads up that the bi-annual Antique show is on next weekend! Here is the message from Catherine Knoll, show manager. Please contact her to be added to the email list.

Hope to see you there. Let me know what you end up getting in the comments section below.

Antiquing at The Fieldhouse is coming on October 19-21, 2013

Print this page only (or simply show the ticket taker on your smartphone).

Hello Everyone:

It's a lot! Country pine, Deco, Manhattan glass, reclaimed antique lumber furniture, gorgeous art, designer handbags (typically including Gucci, Fendi & Ferragamo), fun fleas, vintage watches, Persian carpets, haute couture, Maritime carvings, cottage quilts, fine furniture, book & paper conservation, silver accents, vintage clothing, fashion jewellery and fabulous fine jewellery (typically including Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels), plus more (much more)! Retro. Vintage. Antique.

The Fall Ottawa Antiques Show has everything from decorator finds to one-of-a-kinds, from designer stock to just plain fun. For you, your home, condo, or cottage- 40,000 square feet of fabulous awaits you!

Hope to see you there.

Catherine Knoll
Show Manager

Antiquing at The Fieldhouse

Carleton University, Bronson Ave. & Sunnyside Ave., Ottawa K1S 5B6

Friday October 19, 5pm-9pm Saturday October 20, 10am-5pm, Sunday October 21, 10am-4pm

Regular admission $10 Free re-admission Under 18 free (613) 521-1970

Lots of parking available, but no longer free. Please check directly with the venue for rates.

Old Ottawa South Porch Sale- Sept 8 2012

If you are like me and love digging in people's junk, the Old Ottawa South Porch Sale is where it's at!

Similar to it's sister "Glebe Garage Sale", I personally enjoy this event a whole lot more. In the spirit of making lists - here's why:

1. September 8th is cooler weather than May 28th, so you can go farther and longer!
2. Less people around, less crowded so you can take your time a look
3. Less people means you can bargain more ;)
4. Less people means you have access to parking
5. Access to parking means you can bring your car around with you and buy huge things like furniture
6. Less garage sales per capita means you increase the number of garage sales attended (sorry this is my science brain talking! hahaha)
7. The demographic is...older. Which means you have better items for sale (if you like antiques and more interesting things)

So, as much as I want to support this event and invite people to come, I may be shooting myself in the foot by increasing attendance! Just kidding, it's for a great cause! Sellers are asked to donate a portion of their proceeds to OSCA (the guideline is 10%) to help cover costs of various community initiatives.

Don't forget to take advantage of the street sale on Bank street too! Last year Taylor's was serving delicious take-out pulled pork sandwiches for $5! Wonder what they will be serving this year!

Hope you can make it!
Here are some treasures I found last year.

Jumbo mason jar! Great for punches or lemonade.

Copper pots worth big buck$!! Paid $5 for both! Great for even cooking (like making sauce and melting chocolate)

Cute antique storage box for beauty products.

Glebe Shopping Spree Contest

Hello O'valley'ers,
I am happy to annouce that the Glebe construction has ended today!

They have also launched a Shopping Spree Contest until Dec 31 2011.

Here how it works:

1. Get a passport from participating stores
2. Get a stamp/sticker for every $20 spent at participating stores
3. Collect 10 stamps and submit your entry!
4. Win $10,000 dollars to spend in the Glebe!
5. Visit their website incase I am giving you wrong information!

What would I buy with $10,000 in the Glebe? Glad you asked!

• Bose speaker system at the Audioshop
• New pots and pans at the Glebe Emporium
• New jewellery at Magpie (pandora available)
• New bike at Kunstadt sports
• Groceries at Metro Glebe
• Spa treatment at Thann

What would you buy?

It's Antique Show time again!

People always ask me where I get my antiques and why I didn't tell them about it! I want to ask them why they don't read my blog!!

There will be lots to see and buy at the Ottawa's Antiquing Event. Bring your cash and your imagination! This three day event come twice a year and will definately keep you coming back for more. Make sure you book October 21, 22, 23 2011!

Loads of parking (No Longer Free, sorry!!) available at the Carleton University Fieldhouse.
Print this coupon to save on your admission fee.

Contact Catherine Knoll (show manager) to be added to their email list.

what's your target date?

It's official! Target is moving to Canada and opening 105 stores in Canada in early 2013. Check out this article from the Financial Post for more details...

First O'Valley Zellers stores to get a make-over are:

• Bayshore (Making this an even better mall!)


• Billings Bridge (The parking is already crazy there... can't imagine what will happen next!)


• St-Laurent and Donald (Thank you! This area needs a good scrubbing)


• Place d'Orleans (This may give me an excuse to step foot in... what a sad excuse for a mall)

I'm so excited to remove WALMART from my shoping repertoire!

Goodbye to the grace and cheese

Sad. Day.
Grace and the Kitchen and Serious Cheese are moving to Kanata.
442 Hazeldean Rd
OPEN SEPTEMBER 2011

They call it 5400 sqft of foodie pleasure. I call it a disaster for old Ottawa South.
Rumour has it that they will be expanding their cooking school, which sounds great, but not worth the drive out there, in my opinion.

Take advantage of their moving sale. They've got 10-30% off most things in the store.

On the other hand, I can't wait to see what replaces them!

The Annual Great Glebe Garage Sale

Ladies and gentlemen, SAVE THE DATE!!

The Annual Great Glebe Garage Sale is on MAY 28th 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm!
Every year, I always look forward to this crazy neighbourhood event. I think all of Ottawa comes to shop for people's trash in this upscale area. The nice part is that the stores on Bank street also have a street sale!
I am announcing it early this year, because it seems that people I know always miss it!

Here are a few pointers:

• Parking is crazy and hard to find- Either, come early, park far or get here by foot (although this will limit your ability to buy large items)



• Bring shopping bags or a backpack- it's good for the environment and you will have lots to carry!



• Get there early- To get your hands on the good stuff!



• Bring lots of cash- ATMs are busy and run out of money!



• Pack a light purse- you don't want to fuss while you shop, you need both hands!



• Wear good shoes and sporty clothes- You don't want your feet to deprive you of miles of garage sales!



• Bring water- It's always a nice hot day, and you will get quite a work out!



• Dress for the weather- There is no plan B for rain!



• It's for charity- Sellers donate 10% of their proceeds to the Ottawa Food Bank!



• Come hungry- Lots of street food being sold!



• Bargain, bargain, bargain- Sometimes the prices can seem a bit ridiculous!



• Do I need a map? Not really, just make your way through the houses between the 417 and Sunnyside at Bank street.

For more Info-contact them by Email or visit the official website!

21 in Ottawa... FOREVER!

Here ye, here ye!

It is with great excitement that I announce to you all that a "Forever 21" is coming to a Rideau Centre near you!

Basically they are closing down the small food court (Timy's, Burger King and some Shawarma place). The F21 will replace the BK and have its own entrance on Rideau Street! How exciting!

Here is a more detailed blog post about the entire story!

This amazing store has clothing for men, women, young girls, maternity and even a plus size women! This is great for just about anyone! I really hope the Ottawa store carries all of these selections.

They not only sell affordable and trendy clothing, but shoes, purses and loads of costume jewellery and accessories!

There truly is something for everyone.

I will do my best to keep you all in the loop!

Furniture Sale! Today Only- Dec 2 2010

FURNITURE SALE, TODAY ONLY!!!

Hey O' fans, I received an exclusive email today from our friends at MIKAZA. The sale is on today only, DECEMBER 2 from 5pm to 9pm.

HAPPY HUNTING!!

Remeber my chair that I wanted in the window... I blogged about it here. Anyways, they really want me to have it at a good price. I sorta have plans tonight... but I will try my best to make it out there!

Let me know if you get anything.

The address is: 120 Du Portage, Hull, QC, J8X 2K1

Sunnyside Village Sale!

Just in time for the holoidays!

THE BUCK SHOPS HERE!

Thursday November 25th from 5:00pm to 9:00 pm.

Visit the Sunnyside Village (Bank street at Sunnyside) merchants for great deals and special rates!

Store include:

Ottawa Folklore Centre

Seize the Moment Photography

The Clothes Secret

Grace in the Kitchen

Framed!

Cyclery

Life of Pie

Mother tongue books

Global Pet Foods

Boomerang Kids

Mud Oven

Wag

shopping in the o'

I was in the Market resently and discovered that maybe the shopping scene is getting a bit better. I mean, it's nothing comaparable to Montreal or Toronto, but I think with time, we will be pleasantly surprised. Here is a list of my top favorite stores and boutiques. This post was inspired by a one page flyer that I took from a store that I just discovered (Roadtrip... younger sister to
Trustfund, which I am familiar with) Lots of cities have these types of maps that are available to tourists (heck, or even locals!) to help them find like-minded business :)

1. Trustfund- trendy clothes with higher end labels ... "it's more for investment peices..."
2. Roadtrip- Trustfund's younger sister. Great labels, but way more affordable.
3. Schad- very expensive wishful shopping
4. Urban Outfitters! Finally open.
5. Frou Frou- for the wilder/unique side of your look
6. Milk (this blog needs some work)
7. Workshop- hand crafted clothing by local designers, very orginal stuff
8. Victoire- very cute trendy stuff
9. Zara
10. Aritzia

Please feel free to share your experiences or let me know if there are any stores that I have missed in the market!

Ottawa Fashion Week!

Hello my O'valleyers,

I know you are all busy this weekend between Halloween parties, trick-or-treating and just plain old looking forward to dressing up at work... but it's OTTAWA FASHION WEEK starting on Friday October 29 2010 to Sunday October 31 2010!

Check the site for more details of the schedules and locations.

Hope to see you there!

Out with the old and in with the used!

Hello my O'valliers,

Just a quick reminder that this weekend is the "Ottawa Antiquing Event". October 22-24 2010.

Here is a $2 coupon!

You can also subscribe to get this email at antiques.show@sympatico.ca

Here is a past post about the things I bought at this show:
Antique shops in Ottawa
Things I bought


Hope to see you there!

sale: children's book store!

I don't know what you are up to this weekend, but if you are getting a head start on your xmas shopping (:S Oh brother is it almost that time again) you might want to take advantage of this!

Kaleidoscope is a fantastic local kids book store, and this Saturday they are offering 20%off everything in the store!

Personally, I love books... children's books that is. I think they make perfect gifts and they are so much fun to collect. I also love shopping in quainte books stores, the atmosphere is so different then large chains like Chapters. Don't get me wrong though, I LOVE Chapters too!!

I know that they have recently moved (for the fifth time to their fourth location!) and maybe they want to show off their new diggs. They are located right infront of Lansdowne Park, North of the bridge on Bank street bordering the Glebe and the Old Ottawa South.

Have fun shopping!! I hope to stop by and get my neice a little something for her birthday... which happen's to be on Saturday too:)

kitchen stores oh my!

If you are at all like me, you LOVE spending your time and money in kitchen stores! Browsing the latest and gratest gadget that only has one single use. Or the other gadget that slices, dices, minces and makes your bed... ALL IN ONE!
Whatever it is, I want it!

I want the expensive knives that cut your nails... everytime! I want that lemon zester I will never use, because I hate lemon zest! I want that cupcake tower incase I throw a fancy tea party and need to display cute cupcakes. I also want that decorative Kitchenaid Stand Mixer that deoesn't fit on my counter.

What if I told you that Bank street had loads of kitchen stores just for you and I!
I will start from the very south end of Bank street (almost at Riverside and Bank) until the Glebe and some in the market too!

1. C.A. Paradis- Old Ottawa South
2. Grace in the Kitchen- Old Ottawa South
3. Glebe Emporium- Glebe
4. J.D. Adams Kitchen and Home Accessories- Glebe
5. Domus- Market
6. Ma Cuisine- Market
7. ZONE- Market

If I missed any, please help me complete my list!

Where do you go to buy your fancy kitchen stuff?

out with the old, in with the used

What if I told you that there are stores that sell great stuff at sale prices, ALL THE TIME. What if I told you that this same place allows you to get rid of unwanted stuff and get some money for it!

You guessed it my prittis, CONSIGNMENT shops... and what an art this has become!

Here are some of the more popular consignment shops that are in Ottawa. I haven't had a chance to visit them all, but here is my to do list:

1. The Clothes Secret (I buy/sell from this store regularly because it's close to my work!)
2. Hush
3. Heathers
4. Consignment World
5. Clothes Tree
6. Your Choice
7. Pret-a-reporter
8. Clothes encounters

When I get a chance to visit these stores, I will make sure to give you a brief review! Help me make my list complete, let me know if there are any stores that I missed!

Happy hunting!

SALE ALLERT:

Clothes Secret
Now until October 2nd 2010- 10% off for all students. Specializing in job interview outfits or simply getting ready for the fall. Free personal styling advice is always available to put it all together for you!

me discover the ottawa valley

Welcome!
Since "me so pritti", I discovered that I love blogging and that I have a keen interest in blogging about stuff to do in Ottawa and the cute shops and restaurants that I go to quite often. Originally from Toronto, I find myself in tune with urban life and I hope to show you what Ottawa has to offer.
I have lived here for almost 8 years now, and this city has really grown on me.

I hope to introduce you to many smaller local businesses that make Ottawa truly a great place to live.

Come explore the "valley" with me.