Toronto Treasures: Melmira

Now that the heat is here, you might be thinking about a new swimsuit for cottage days on the dock, lounging by the pool, or sunning in the sand. 

 

Not that you need the added pressure, but wearing a swimsuit is really like wearing lingerie for the whole world to see -- so you better feel fantastic in your suit! 

 

Melmira is the best choice for swimsuit shopping. They have perfected the art of styling their clients with suits that work for their personality, body shape, and lifestyle. 

 

Melmira stocks suits from multiple brands from around the world including Shan from Canada, Jets from Australia, and Vix from Brazil in a range of sizes from 0 to 26 (varies by brand). They also offer specialty suits for different needs like maternity or athletic suits. 

 

Book your one-on-one appointment with a swimsuit specialist and leave the rest up to her. Your specialist will pull styles that are perfect for your body shape, in a colour you love. Plus, you can try on the suits in the comfort of your own private dressing room with refreshments available. 

 

The Melmira experience is relaxing, enjoyable, and productive – they really take the stress out of shopping for a suit.

 

Visit Melmira at 3319 Yonge Street Toronto - 416.485.0576

 

Join THE REFINERY on a boutique shopping tour to discover Toronto’s very best boutiques!

Toronto Treasures: Distill

Distill is a wonderful east-end boutique filled with Canadian designs. From clothing and accessories to pottery and pillows, this boutique is perfect for perusing. 

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly accessory option, I highly recommend checking out the Erin Templeton sandals and bags made mostly from recycled leather. They all have interesting design elements and are made with a keen eye for detail.

For a quirkier piece of accessory art, I suggest both the stacking cuff and scribble necklaces by Alison Dawson. A Toronto native, her pieces are creative works of art and each a wonderfully lightweight summer accessory.

If a new summer frock is still on your list, check out the navy and white striped Lucie dress by Dace. This simple dress is the perfect outfit to throw on for hot summer days.

Add the stackable cuff to the dress, a bag and sandals and you’ve got a perfect outfit for city streets or the cottage beach! 

Visit Distill at 55 Mill Street #47 Toronto - 416.304.0033 

Join THE REFINERY on a boutique shopping tour to discover Toronto’s very best boutiques!

Wendy's Words: 1M bucks... or 20.

People fascinate me, so I tend to observe them from afar on a regular basis.  One of my favourite places to do this is in the hall of the change room where I stand waiting for clients to try on their next piece.

Most recently I observed a mother and daughter trying on shirts and reacting to the new pieces they picked out.  The daughter had a shirt on that she wasn't sure about, so she asked her mom's opinion.  Mom said, "It looks good for 20 bucks."

I've heard women speak this way before, but it struck a cord with me on this particular day.  I couldn't help but think, "If you settle for something that looks good for 20 bucks, you are never going to feel like a Million!"

We all want to look, and feel, like a million bucks, so it saddens me when women are willing to settle for less than that.  Pieces don't have to cost a fortune to look spectacular, but they do need to make us feel like we're worth a fortune!

Until next time!
Wendy

Toronto Treasures: Do My Hair

Do My Hair brings New York style luxury to Toronto with their blow dry and makeup bar - a salon with convenience at the top of their minds.  The environment is relaxing and comfortable, like a home away from home with stylists who know what they're doing, and have a knack for welcoming you into the space.

Whether you're looking for a daily blow out, or styling for a special occasion, this boutique salon focuses on making your already cut and dyed hair look stunning!  Choose from styles like The Jennifer 'Straight-up' or The Fabulous Farah, or Me but Better - your choice of style, executed by the pros.

Finish your whole look while you're there with an expert makeup application appropriate for whatever events you have on that day.

The Do My Hair Motto:
Gorgeous Blow Out. DONE
Fabulous Fresh Face. DONE. 

Appointments are optional so pop in when it works in your schedule.

Treat yourself like a star, and leave this salon looking like one.

Do My Hair is located at 583 Mount Pleasant Road - 416.544.0505

For The Love of It: Candy Pants

Undies are about as intimate as a fashion accessory gets so when the young designer from Candy Pants, Jamie Metzger, rolled into the shop on her skateboard and glittery makeup, I was left speechless...that is until I actually saw her designs.  Jamie’s original approach to underwear is not only colourful and fun but best of all Jamie uses only eco fabrics.  Her line of underwear is locally made with flare, featuring ruffles and buttons and “cheeky” accents. Jamie is a 3rd year fashion student at Ryerson and has always been a strong advocate of green fashion so much so that she helped found Design Awear, an association created to help connect fashion students to the eco options available in the fashion industry. 

It is refreshing to see someone take on a serious staple such as undies and make it fun again.  While no one else might know that you are wearing a pair of hot pink ruffle bottom panties with orange trim, you certainly will!  And the softness and lightness of organic cotton is pretty darn nice too!

You can find a wide array of Candy Pants unmentionables at Shopgirls Gallery Boutique at 1342 Queen Street West.  On weekends, you can also meet the adorable Jamie live in person!  Visit www.shopgirls.ca for more information.  

Michelle Germain, owner/curator of Shopgirls Gallery Boutique, showcases over 80 Canadian artists and designers in her Parkdale shop.  This 1800 square-foot creative and retail space features one-of-a-kind and one-of-a-few designs from emerging Canadians and also boasts carrying the biggest selection of Yoga Jeans in Canada.