This past weekend when I was at the shop I was so flattered when someone came in and said she reads the blog, and it wasn't my even my mother! Thanks so much Red-Pony-blog-fan, that made my day!

So this is post-Valentine's day, but it's still cute.....

......little hearts! Awwww!

Gina Tricot is a family owned and operated company from Sweden who are super earnestly committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. On top of organically sourced materials, they are up-front about their factories in Bangladesh (they have 8) where they ensure the factories are compliant with fire regulations and, to top it off, donate to Bangladeshi pre-schools and access-to-education funds! Oh, and they also make great clothes!

OK, one more ethical and sustainable deep-dive with UK brand People Tree. Much like Gina Tricot, this company is devoted to sustainability with a focus on fair-trade and locally hand-crafted goods. (They are also one of those companies who trace back the origins of the wool they use to make sure they are only dealing with sheep who have a happy life!).

Adorable, red Miz Mooz mary-janes:

Locally made in Montréal by designer Valérie Dumaine:

So who else came in the shop but Red Pony alumni Sara and Caitlin! Caitlin worked at the shop back when it was on still on Whyte Ave. She let me take a picture of her in the awesome Valérie Dumaine tunic. (I instructed her to look sullen like a pre-teen American Apparel model! She totally got what I was talking about, but couldn't stop laughing!)

Check out this gorgeous, vintage humming bird brooch:

I tried this dress on for you, friends! Strapless with solid boning, NWT and it even has pockets!

What else has pockets? This elegant, hot pink Jacob dress!

I love how "baubley" these earrings are:

For the Desigual lovers:

Of course, it's Desigual...so here's the back:

Another simple, ethical top from People Tree:

And in case you glazed over when I was explaining what makes Tree People special:

Local maker Nicole Cooper is behind the handcrafted accessories brand Kiko. I've always loved the simplicity of her designs!

There is something just irresistable about this top to me. I love the faux-layered look, the silver threading, and....

...the exposed zipper!

Wear it with this great, a-line Anthropologie skirt!

And some easy bits of summer......

Remember this from last week?

Caitlin picked it up along with these jeans. How cool is she?!

While in the shop I also got to have a fascinating, in-depth discussion with another customer about the pros and cons of the Cambridge Satchel, and at the end she said she liked my hair and that it was "whimsical", and then my head exploded because that was EXACTLY THE LOOK I WAS GOING FOR. Seriously, friends, it's the little joys!

Do you want to come in and chat with me about the merits of the Cambridge Satchel, the rise and fall of American Apparel or the return of Nokomis? I'll be working in the shop on Saturday Feb 25 and Sunday the 26th. However, no blog next week (Feb 22) because I will be out of town....but if you visit me on the 25 or 26th and say something nice about my hair, then I might mention you in the March 1st blog!