mad tea party

How fitting that a mad tea party provided the perfect inspiration and backdrop for our dizzy alice photo shoot. Our philosophy reflects the essence of a mad tea party in that we believe style should have no pretentious rules or expectations but rather, exude freedom and fearlessness. We believe in mixing new and old pieces, experimenting with accessories, embracing individuality & mood - and of course having a ball along the way!

   

Our shoot was the stuff dreams are made of: we were submersed in a colourful frenzy with waltzing butterflies and tantalizing cupcakes from Bitten.

The pearls devoured the scene while nonsensical riddles were music to our ears.
One could say it was a darn right beautiful mess.

Our accessories mingled with our housewares to create much muchness. What could be muchier?

You may think we are raving mad and we would thank you for the compliment.

Our only hope is that our Cheshire grins are contagious. 

So put on your party hats...

...and don't be late for the art crawl on Friday, August 9th at 6:00 pm! xo

_____________________________________________________________________

 

 

Our photo shoot would not have been as enjoyable or successful

without a few special people helping us along the way:

Anna:

For this photo shoot we wanted a dramatic and playful look. Our makeup helped us get into character and feel as though we popped right out of Wonderland. Anna's talent, experience, and creativity allowed her to stray from her usual form of makeup application. Anna's speciality is classic bridal makeup as well as timeless makeup for any of life's significant events. Check out her website here to see some of her gorgeous work:

www.littleredlipstick.carbonmade.com

 

Travis:

Travis is an up-and-coming photographer who is a pleasure to work with. His eye for creativity is always mind-boggling. The perspectives he captures with the lens is like no other. We absolutely love working with Travis; his casual yet professional manner allows us to feel at ease in front of the camera. To contact Travis for your own photos, you can reach him by email:

travis.muise@gmail.com

mad hatters

Hats are outstanding. Period. "'nuff said." A hat creates a presence, a bold statement that says, "Look! I'm different, I'm distinguished, I'm distinctive, and I'm darn right fabulous!" Hats are even categorized by darling names (and rightfully so!), such as the "Cartwheel", "Halo", or "Mushroom."

chart source

Hats have such a legacy! Can you believe there was a time when women wouldn't leave their homes without a hat on? No matter how fabulous an outfit was, it was just not complete without a sassy hat. Hats were such a significant accessory during the 1950's that they would often come with complimentary lipstick and nail polish recommendations.

 It was a dismal time in fashion history when hats started to lose their appeal in the mid-1960's - preposterous, if you ask us! However, dizzy alice is happy to announce that...*drum roll please*... the chapeau is making a comeback!! This revival has been made possible by hat devotees, such as Kate Middleton, whose impeccable taste in hats and fascinators reserves her a seat at any mad tea party! 

photo source

Similarly, the Royal Wedding and Queen's Diamond Jubilee have also put hats and fascinators back on the map. It's always a pleasure to relish in the eccentric glory of the headdresses at these particular events. The enchanting designs make you feel as though you have stepped into a fairytale. This is one of our favourites:

photo source

Wouldn't you agree that a hat can take an outfit from "everyday" to "that sh*t cray"? Whether you are wearing a hat for function or fashion, dizzy alice has the one for you! 

We have the perfect hats to bask in that warm summer glow.

Hat: Queen of Spades $12; Top: Lemon Twist $12; Skirt: Alice Sails the Seven Seas $14; Earrings $5; Bangles vary

Hat: Black Widow $17; Dress: The Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar $15

Shirt: Fallen Flowers $10; Skirt: Pink Floyd $10; Tapestry Purse: Mid-Century Pennyfarthing $15

Or hats to wear at events such as weddings or swanky soirees.

We love the moody blues found in this 1930's Turban. The bow at the back is magical!

1930s Soiree Chapeau $12; Necklaces & bracelets vary

How fascinating are fascinators?! They give a mysterious aura, a pop of colour, and a fun flair suited for a plethora of outfits. We love the infinite blusher on our "Off With Her Head" fascinator.

Hat: Off With Her Head $20

"Dinah's Daydream", our pretty purple fascinator, is fit for the queen herself!



Hat: Dinah's Daydream $20; Dress: Golden Afternoon $15; Lady Profile Brooch $5; Earrings $5 



Wear a hat for every day errands, a coffee date with a special friend, or lunch on a patio. "The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back" is perfect for such occasions. This casual felt hat can be dressed up or down with an addition of a beautiful blingy brooch or a big bold bow .

Hat: The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back $20; Skirt: Honey, I'm Home $25; Necklace: Anubis $15 ; Purse: Caucaus Race $20 ; Scarf $4



We are thrilled that hats and fascinators are becoming trendy once again because they can make any occasion feel like a royal affair! Be mad as a hatter and add some pizzaz to your parties by implementing hats and fascinators as a theme. They bring so much colourful energy, making events even more memorable!

So if you're hankering for a hat, come visit us mad hatters and check out our collection at the James North art crawl at 6:00 p.m. this Friday July 12th at 136 James Street North in front of
H.Williams Jewellery.
See you there!

Skirt: Alice Goes to Oxford $12; Purse: Audrey & the Red Queen go Shopping $15; Ring & Bracelets vary 

The Mad Hatter: "Your carriage, my lady."

Alice: "A hat?"

The Mad Hatter: "Of course. Anyone can go by horse or rail,

but the absolute best way to travel is by hat. Have I made a rhyme?"

What's your favourite type of hat? We'd love to know! Leave us a comment:

shake it out...

Shake it out, Shake it out!! Vintage salt & pepper shakers are here and boy, aren't they irresistible?! Since salt and pepper are a staple in spicing up your grub, these charming shaker duos have acquired much creative attention over the years, so it is no surprise that many curious designs, shapes, colours and themes can be found in these wee bundles of joy. 

Not only does the handheld size make them easy to collect, but they also look simply darling all in a row. They effortlessly add interest and conversation to a lonely window sill or shelf.

Above, is the collection of a true and loyal friend of dizzy alice and a lover of unique shakers.

They make such a fun-loving and quirky addition to any dining experience

and can even make the perfect housewarming gift! 

Find a special pair and use them as a topper for a wedding cake or other momentous occasion. Not only are they a unique topper, but the best part is that they make a functional keepsake afterwards! 

Seasoning your food has never been more fun - so check out dizzy alice's collection which is constantly growing with unusual and adorable shakers, such as these fairytale toadstools! 

 

 

 

To get you in the shaking mood, have a listen to one of our favourite songs by one of our favourite artists,

Florence & the Machine - Shake it Out