Winter 2015 (so far...)

This Winter has so far been filled with keeping warm, visits up north, snow days, icy weather, dotted manis by 8 year olds, making jewels, collaborations, photo shoots, supply shopping, studio sales, food and drink, art, city walks, sporting events, powerful stones and birthday parties.  Still a few more weeks of Winter to go.  Goodbye February. Hello March!

Postcards from Jamaica

My friend S. and I went to Negril in December.  Turned out to be a bit of a crazy idea to sneak away at such a busy time of year... I know I was missing out on serving MoonRox customers to my fullest when I wasn't in Toronto to ship out orders quickly, and I apologize, but it was still good to escape the city!

It turned out to rain torrentially every day for our entire trip!  We got a few decent hours every day and then a little bit of sunshine on a couple of the days!  Had to make the best of it and take lots of naps to catch up on sleep!

I loved the tree above... seemed to have so much going on!

Santa was feeling the Jamaican vibes.  It was definitely odd to be away in a warm climate over the Holiday Season... haven't been able to swing that in all these MoonRox-y years!

The beach was not ideal where we were... too may shed snake skins floating along the shoreline and sea urchins and debris for my liking! Looks okay in this photo but we confirmed we are sorta beach snobs after she had lived in Bermuda and I had visited Bermuda several times.  The beaches in most places just don't compare to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda.

We had to wait a few days for a decent afternoon weather-wise.  We brought along some travellers and headed down the beach to vendors, or the "boutiques" as our new friend called them.  We picked a nice spot called Office of Nature and met a couple friendly dudes serving up barbecue lobster.  We got to pick out our lobsters from the cage and they grilled up some delectable meals.  The lobster was served up with rice and peas and some nice garlic toast.  The weather was ideal for 2 hours in a row for the only time on our whole trip!  We were in heaven!

As soon as we got back to our room with plans to head to Rick's Café for some drinks and to watch some cliff jumping, the skies clouded over again and the rain moved in.  Bummed out, we retired to our room for a rest.

On our last morning, the forecast was looking good and we got up early to take advantage before we had to catch our plane back to Toronto for the Holidays.  Now that we have had two months of absolute frigid temps here at home, I'll take another rainy day in Jamaica!

We're GOLDEN!

DIY Gold Shoes!

We have the midas touch!  Jill (of Headmistress) and I have taken to making everything we touch turn to gold!  I had a couple pair of cheap and cheerful shoes that I had owned for a while.  Purchased them in a moment of poor judgement where I was convinced by the price.  I didn't quite think about how these colours are just not for me.  Well no problem...

Grab a can of gold spray paint and give those babies a few coats.  We took to our backyard, a.k.a. graffiti alley, where the scent of spray paint is the norm.  Make sure to remove laces, tape off the soles and fill the interior of the shoes with paper.  We only wanted to make the leather/suede parts golden and wanted to avoid over spray.  For even coverage, spray several light coats waiting for each coat to dry before the next coat.  The suede will absorb a lot and require several coats admittedly making them a bit crunchy, but I don't mind.

And taaaa daaaa!  The neglected shoes become every day wearables!  I always need more gold shoes!

This is one of my favourite photos taken all of last year.  Stumbled across this leaf stained sidewalk in Parkdale.  Beauty is everywhere!

Next up, DIY Polka Dot Gold Leather Skirt

Jill carefully cut out perfect round circles of tape and applied them to a vintage black leather skirt.  We eagerly took it out back and Jill gave it a few coats of gold.

Again, mist several light coats for even paint colour.

And wear napkins as masks if nothing else more effective is handy!

Once dry, remove the tape to reveal amazing black and gold dotted mini skirt!

We have found that the gold will develop a slightly antiqued look after a fair amount of wear, but that was expected.  Just don't be surprised.  After all, this is paint and not dye.

Anyhow, I am already lining up some more goodies to attack with the spray can!  Can't wait for Spring weather especially with these near minus 30 C temps!

STUDIO SALE tomorrow!!

It's a snowy day here in Toronto.  I love a fresh fluffy snow, before it all turns to snirt from traffic and trampling.

Spending the afternoon doing some last preparations for tomorrow's Studio Sale!  Thought we'd preview some of the wares from the four of us participating.  Clockwise from top left, flip doll by Fidoodle, felted wool hat by Julie Sinden Handmade, Floral Bauble Necklace by MoonRox and table runner by Avril Loreti.  Something for everyone of all ages!  Looks like all of us have lined up some stellar deals!  For MoonRox, everything will be $50 and under with some items up to 90% off, so don't miss it!!  Stock up on jewels for a few bucks!  This never happens, so don't miss it!  Here's the flyer with all the deets!

And here is a selection of jewels coming to the sale!

INLAND Fall 2014

Now that I have a functioning computer again, I am slowly catching up on months and months of blogging.  It really should be a couple years of catch up but that old stuff is just a little too ancient news!  It's so refreshing to have a quick computer instead of staring at the ever frustrating spinning rainbow wheel that cripples my iMac!  So be prepared for some posts that don't reflect the freezing cold climate we are submerged in right now!

Way back on a sunny weekend in September 2014, we took part in a new show called INLAND that featured an amazing roster of fashion and accessories designers from across Canada.  It was at 99 Sudbury which is a lovely space. Here are some quick snaps!

Our friends Stacey and Karen of Dagg and Stacey clearly have spent over a decade as a design team and tight friends.  Matchy matchy!

The MoonRox display.

Rear patio facing the train tracks.  Snuck a couple wee escapes out here on this gorgeous weekend.

Hand knit pom pom toque by Simple Smiles & Co.

INLAND is working on their next show this May.  Currently contemplating whether or not to add it to the schedule.  In any case, we will have to visit!