Inspired by Someone Special

 

The last year and a half has been an adventure in hardship and the need for self motivation for many of us. With the pandemic and other things we have had to endure, I can only speak for myself but there have been many times I got discouraged and a bit depressed and sad, not only because of the restrictions but also due to the deaths of so many of our fellow human beings.

The restrictions, requirements and constant doom and gloom news we have had to face were not for the faint of heart. From somewhere in our depths, we have had to muster up the courage just to get out of bed some days. Not the best environment for feeling inspired but....

Along comes a free and creative spirit who marches to the beat of her own drum. This is a woman I am proud to call my friend....a tree hugger and angel on earth. I cannot count how many times she has bestowed random acts of kindness on myself and others, all the while staying true to who she is.

Yesterday, as we have done many times, we met to go for a walk and talk. These walks have helped to keep me grounded during the last 18 months because it was truly comforting to have someone to chat with and vent to about everything and anything.

I caught a glimpse of my friend walking down the street towards my house. The silhouette of her outfit intrigued me....what was she wearing, I wondered? I could see that there was something flouncy going on in the bottom part of her outfit and as she got closer, I could discern the fitted blazer and two tone combat boots worn with a delightful full tulle skirt....all in shades of black. With her flippy curled short hair and a pretty smile on her face, I asked if I was underdressed and was she going somewhere?

She replied "No, not going anywhere but I think that I am overdressed...or at least that's why I've been told".

The two of us began our walk, me in my long ruffled denim house skirt and black linen duster coat and her in her magical full skirted, fitted waist outfit. Our chat was engaging, as usual but something occurred to me....she wasn't going to let the harshness of the world put a damper on her joy any longer. Part of that joy for both of us is found in wearing clothing that we love, feel good in and that speaks of who we are.

Thanks, Bella, for stirring up my love of all beautiful things in this world...including clothing.

♥

Happy Labour Day Weekend.....we are open today!

 

Tattered Rose is open today from 11 am to 2 pm.

Come in and see all our new items for Transition/Fall.

The Gathering....

 

When I was in my 20's and 30's, before I ever owned a store, I would make a list of the items I wanted for Spring and for Fall. Sometimes it was quite specific...like "Ralph Lauren floral tapestry blazer" and other times, it was a general item, such as "new boots".

I had a palette in mind and then everything I accumulated fit in with that. I would carefully hang my new items at the front of my closet, vowing not to wear any of them until fall. This brought back memories of buying new clothes for the beginning of school in September, when I could hardly wait to wear my new clothes to see my friends again.

I love clothing. It makes a difference in my life and makes me feel comfortable in a world that can be chaotic and challenging at times. Clothing brings consistency and fun to every day activities. It is probably why I became a clothing designer and boutique owner, no? lol

Since I have owned my shop (1995) my bi-yearly wish list of wardrobe additions has focused more on what I want to have in the shop. Of course, I still have wish lists and this fall is no exception. Many of the items I want to gather have already been collected....including several of my exclusive maxi dress design like the plaid one shown above. I really would love to have a plain black maxi dress so that will be made soon. My colours rarely expand beyond blacks and greys so I make things different by changing textures and silhouettes.

As I have filled in the wish list for myself, Tattered Rose has also been gathering desired additions that should be in our customers' wardrobes. Lots of newness and our own exclusive designs most often made in batches of no more than one. 

Hello Again...

 

It has been a while since we posted anything here, on our blog. Most likely it is due to the fact that we are much more active on Instagram these days.

Tattered Rose on Instagram

We have some lovely new items and displays in the shop.....and we are open today from 11 am to 3 pm.

Hope to see you soon.

Happy Long Weekend.

P.S. We do not requite that masks be worn in the store but you are more than welcome to wear one if you choose.

Happy Sunday

 

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday and hoping that we all make it through the scorcher of a week that lies ahead.

With love,

Tattered Rose

New Arrivals!

 

We are never disappointed to receive new Magnolia Pearl in the store...and the latest collection of beautiful pieces is no exception.

Underneath this great duster coat is an embroidered stone linen dress that could go on forever. I, of course, love the look of it layered over the MP jeans but it would smashing with bare legs and a pair of sandals for summer too.

Oh my!

Transitioning & Transparency

 

If you read this blog.....thank you. It means a lot to me that you take the time to see what we are up to at the store.

It also means that you are in the know about what is going on at Tattered Rose, my heart & soul for the last 22 years (26 years if you count the first store I had, Way Out West, a romantic western store)

We moved the store to Alberta from Winnipeg and opened up shop in a tiny location near Jasper Avenue and 122nd Street in 2007. Then, in 2011, because the buildings in that area were being torn down to make way for modern big city buildings, we had to move to a new location.

We found a great store space on 110 Street, just north of 99 Ave., in a condo building. It needed a LOT of renovations such as removing the ugly drop tile ceiling and the nauseating swirly carpeting that were on the floors. It required painting, building of walls, installation of track lighting, chandeliers and A/C unit. That was time consuming and costly, but totally worth it.

I love the store space and you have too over the past 10 years. I am so grateful for the loyal customers who have shopped at Tattered Rose over the years. Many new friendships have also been formed.

As with many good things, however, the world changes so you must change with it whether you are ready or not.

The past year and a half has not been easy to be in business. With the shutdowns and restrictions and the fear surrounding Covid-19, maintaining a clothing store has been truly challenging. But we could never have done it without the continued support of our customers!

On top of all that (as if that weren't enough) in 2020 we had to face some pretty disruptive construction around and in front of the building where Tattered Rose is located. This year, there is ongoing construction in the parkade below the store that has caused us to close during the last few weeks. The noise and vibration from jack hammering from Monday to Friday has been intolerable...so we've been open on both days during the weekend (when they are not working) to make up for being closed during the week.

Without getting too technical, we wanted to give our wonderful customers a heads up as to our plans for the future beyond December 2021, when our lease comes to an end.

Our plan is we have no definite plan yet about how or where we are going to transition to our new business model. But we DO know that we are still going to be around in some form.....in a new store space or maybe a studio. Something will happen to keep us going. The ideas are formulating as I get through each day getting things done amidst the challenges facing us....me.

We have to let go of the old and embrace the new and we are willing to do that because we have to and want to. We are ready for a change. If you get too comfortable in your surroundings, it's time to shake things up. So that is what we are doing.

Please stay tuned.....we are just getting started!