Capital Oh!

2012-03-02T19:12:00.002-08:00

Why We Love It: Wunderkammer

They say when one door closes, another one opens. This is exactly the case with Wunderkammer on Dalhousie - located in the old Canteen building, the owners of this jewellery shop have made the space all their own. Before setting up shop here in the city (they opened a mere four months ago!), the duo had been based in Montreal. The interior is warmly lit with a rustic, woodsy vibe. It is also filled with some of the coolest and most unique jewelry in the whole city of Ottawa, and S and I love us some statement jewellery. The owners, Nathan and Tamara, are also the designers behind frug, one of the in-house jewellery lines sold at the store. They really do have something for everyone - I definitely had my eye on some gold-pressed earrings and a great cicada ring (a cicada on a ring...genius!). Aside from jewellery, they also sell cards (with cats on them!) and small gifts. I highly recommend checking this place out, I know I'll be back! We may have lost an old favourite (RIP Canteen!), but we definitely found a new one in Wunderkammer! You can check out their facebook page and website for more info! - J

2012-02-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

Ottawa Fashion Week: Street Style Roundup

Well ladies and gents, another fashion week has passed here in our capital city, and we definitely uncovered some cool.  Whether plain or simple or pretty in prints, we always love to see the outfits you fashionable folks put together.  So, here's to next season - I think I'll start preparing my wardrobe now.  - J

*Photos 1 and 2 taken by Loren Romei*

2012-02-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

Ottawa Fashion Week Day 3

This past Sunday concluded yetanother installment of Fashion Week here in Ottawa. The shows were prettydiverse, with designers sending down something for everyone – even thefashionable men in the crowd.

Loft 604, the first mainly menswearcollection to be shown in OFW included a wide array of extra cozy sweatersalong with a carefree, jazzy soundtrack which added to the easy and cool vibeof the collection. The fewwomenswear pieces that came down the catwalk seemed out of place, and the firstthing that came to mind was, “Oh! They must have spent the night at the guy’shouse and then taken his sweater…hm.” Slightly strange…There was also a navyblue sweat suit, to which I simply ask, “Why?!” – sweatpants in public, asdaywear, should never be an option…but anyhow, on to the next one…

The Helmer show had its brightmoments – yes, I'm talking about that fluorescent pink pencil skirt – but italso seemed a bit confused. Atfirst, the pieces were tailored, ladylike, and mostly office appropriate. Then, a soundtrack of Indian soundingmusic started playing which did not seem to fit with the colonial lookingclothing that emerged next. Tartan’s mixed with velvet, in purples, browns and grays were followedby gowns that seemed to belong to a separate collection altogether. One inparticular seemed to be made of an old chandelier, and it was sent down therunway with no soundtrack other than the noise it made on its own. The show ended with two bridal looksunder one veil and a bagpipe player…how it got to that is really unclear. That being said, some of the looksdefinitely had potential to be really great.

The Sukhoo Sukhoo show also offered some key pieces, such asthe black and white circle patterned dress; the print was interesting, yet notcrazy and the silhouette was really neat. The black and white striped chiffon maxi dress was also a key piece,with a sort of Gaultier-esque feeling. Overall, there were some really beautiful dresses, but the collection asa whole did not feel completely unified.

And so ends another Fashion Weekhere in our capital city. Staytuned for a roundup of the best street-style looks from the entire weekend. Here’s to next season! - J

Photos

1. Ella Peru 2. Loft 604 3. Helmer 4. Symbiose by hinda A. 5. Sukhoo Sukhoo 6. Helmer

2012-02-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

Ottawa Fashion Week Day 2

Day two’s designers seemed to havepracticality in mind, with collections that seemed much more wearable thanFriday’s collections. Thedesigners also seemed to have the brooding vocals of Lana Del Rey on theirminds too, as her three current singles provided the soundtrack to multipleshows.

As soon as the models stepped outin the designs of Tribal Sportswear, the crowd seemed much more enthused andexcited than the previous night. The Tribal collection, though not really “tribal” feeling at all,offered functional and mature looks, in a mostly neutral palette with somebright pops of red and teal.

Animal prints made their way on tothe runways yet again, proving that this trend is still going strong. Fur in all shades, along withlace and leather, have also been dominating the runways thus far, keeping righton trend with fall’s lush atmosphere.

ElizBourk revealed her Canadianroots by sending multiple models down the runway wearing wintery toques withtheir girly outfits. A palette ofpinks, blush tones and purples worked with the fun and easy style of clothingin the collection.

The night’s highlight wasdefinitely Ottawa-based designer Rachel Sin. Sin send models down the runway in what has become hersignature structured aesthetic, complete with back revealing, cage-likecutouts. The collection was shortbut sweet, with 12 cohesive and thought-out pieces, including sexy and femininecocktail dresses.

The final show, Turbine by LisaDrader-Murphy, started off strong with kimono like dresses and blouses withleather obi belts, which brought to mind designs by Haider Ackermann. She also sent down blouses and skirtsin a colourful and on-trend digital print. However, some pieces, including the slinky tube dresses,seemed tired and somewhat uninspired.

With that being said, day two wasan overall good night. Stay tunedfor more from day three! Plus, I’ll be posting a round-up post of the beststreet style from the entire weekend. - J

Photos
1. ElizBourk 2. Rachel Sin 3. Jana Hanzel & Emilia Torabi 4. Tribal 5. Jana and Emilia

*Photos 1 and 3 by Loren Romei*

2012-02-19T11:16:00.000-08:00

Ottawa Fashion Week Day 1

Friday night, February 17^th,kicked off this season’s Ottawa Fashion Week. The night started off a little late (fashionably, ofcourse), but as soon as the models strutted down the runway, it was clear thatthis year’s designers were out to prove that Ottawa’s got style.

A major trend for the night wasdefinitely animal print, which made an appearance in almost every collection insome way, shape or form. There wasalso a dark, mysterious, almost tribal feeling to some of the shows, adding tothe allure of the event.

Elena’s Creations started thenight’s program with a very tailored, lady-like collection that is right ontrend, as has been seen with major designers like Marc Jacobs and JasonWu. The collection started with agrayscale palette, but also featured very lush, romantic jewel-tonedvelvets.

Amanda Emmanuel was one of thehighlights of the night, with a collection that was very feminine but alsosuper fun. Her bright printsseemed slightly more geared for spring (as opposed to the fall season), buteither way, prints are huge in fashion at the moment, so she seemed to have hitthe nail on the head. Her tropicaland digital prints were reminiscent of looks by British label Preen, as well asfashion darling Mary Katranzou.

Fashion week veteran in Ottawa,Isobel Walker of frAsh, sent a unique collection of jewelry down the runway,with the standout pieces being large, lucite cuff bracelets. Her final piece however, a giant, gold,halo-like headpiece was definitely the stunner of her collection.

The last show of the night,Y!D.n.a., was definitely the most theatrical. With a siren song blasting through the speakers at thebeginning, it set a hypnotic mood. A box was set out on the runway, and to the surprise of the fashionablecrowd, out came a live dancer. Thefirst look came out strong, and perhaps controversial, as the model wasseemingly painted in blackface. The rest of the collection featured studded gas masks, ripped andshredded tights and a very neutral, grey palette overall.

And so ended day one of FashionWeek. There is plenty more to come– see you on the catwalk! - J

Photos

1. Elena's Creations 2. Amanda Emmanuel 3. frAsh 4. Y!D.N.A. 5. frAsh

2012-02-19T10:03:00.000-08:00

Monday night, S and I headed out to the official media launch party for this year's installment of Ottawa Fashion Week. Along with our fashionable friend and fellow blogger Loren, we mingled with the well-dressed crowd. The night's event took place at the über-trendy Loft Spa on Elgin Street. It was great to see everyone out and excited for yet another fashion-filled season. I'm deifnitely excited to see what the designers bring to the table this year. Maybe some leather? Or metallics? I guess we will soon find out! And though I'll be kicking it solo this upcoming weekend at The Westin, I'll still be looking for all you best-dressed fashionistas (and fashionistos of course)! And, I'll be doing my best to update after each day, obviously with tons of photos :) See you there! - J

You can also read more about Monday's event here - written by yours truly!

*Photo by Ming Wu*

2012-02-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey Capitah Oh friends and relations! I am pleased to introduce yet another lovely new contributer, Lim Farfel. Lim is an architecture student at Carleton University and Capital Oh reader who frequents Ottawa concerts. Her posts on Ottawa shows are thoughtful and informative. Look forward to hearing more from this lady in the future! - S

Birdie Whyte’s performance, which Iunfortunately missed, consisted of five-string banjo playing and amazingsinging. From what I hear, theplace rocked. Her album will debutin the fall of 2012, but meanwhile, you can check her myspace and facebookpages for info and upcoming events.

The night continued with anotherlocal act, Claude and the Storm Outside, with members, Claude Munson, PascalDelaquis, Jean-Francois Delaquis, Phil Charbonneau and Louis-PhilippeRobillard. I have seen the bandseveral times and each concert is even more incredible. With Claude’senchanting voice and the musical collaboration of the various instruments, theband definitely brings the storm to us. Aside from playing vibrant and eclecticsets, the band is a group of good friends who bring that positive energy andinteraction to the crowd. Their album is set todebut at the end of the summer, but check their facebook page for more upcomingevents! If you really can’t waitfor the next show, check out the open mic at the Ottawa Jail Hostel every Wednesdaynight. Munson hosts the event, and manages to get in a few songs of his own bythe end of the night.

Theband, Dave Norris & Local Ivan, ended the night with more great music!

The bandconsisting of: Dave Norris, Graham Boyle, Luke Donovan, Tim Watson, Adam DiPenta and Ashley Newall are one of Ottawa’s main folk acts. They played a set off of

their latestalbum (that can be purchased here) with the mix of great sounds andlyrics. The band brought an amazing vibe and good times. The collaboration oftheir sound is very inspiring and magical – a must have experience for all ofyou seeking out for music events! Check out their facebook page for moreevents. - Lim

*Photos by Lim Farfel*

2012-02-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

Exciting news Capital Oh readers! That's right, we've got our first post by a guest blogger to share with you. This one comes from local documentary filmmaker and overall film enthusiast Di Golding. Di is one half of production team Heart Attak Films - the other half being Tim McEown - and together, they are documenting Di's journey as she attempts to abstain from buying new clothes for an entire year. That's right people - A WHOLE YEAR! Through the journey, the team hopes to gain insight into what "triggers the compulsions that fuel the fashion and garment industries." Since we here at Capital Oh are self-proclaimed lovers of fashion, we were definitely intrigued with the idea of this film, and as you all know, we love to support the locals! So, I will stop here, and let you read about Di's journey so far. Enjoy!

(One last, but very important thing - the film is called Something More Comfortable, and you can read more about it here)

Seasonal Reflective Disorder

With less than six months to go before the end of my no-shopping challenge, you’d think I’d be excited to be in the home-stretch, but instead I’m finding this particular season rather difficult. In the summer when I embarked on this challenge I was ready to live with what I had in my closet for the year. Problem is, for some reason completely devoid of logic, I have at least twice as many summer clothes as winter clothes. Maybe because living through an Ottawa winter means that as soon as I’m able to shed a layer and finally shop for something without wool or fleece I tend to go a little overboard. Unfortunately, this means that I’ve been living with the same meagre outfit choices since the city turned into the frozen hinterland we lovingly call home.

Although I’m one of those annoying people that loves winter (the colder the better!), I’m still susceptible to cabin fever. In the past, if I was bored or a little bit down, I’d take my husband Nick to work, keep the car and just drive around and shop. It was a great way to kill a tedious Wednesday, or even just spend some time on my own, while I convinced myself I deserved the splurge. Usually I’d buy an outfit or two and make up an excuse to wear them, which isn’t always easy in the deepest of winter. “Nick, we haven’t been out for a nice dinner just the two of us in ages!” or, “Honey we really should go to so-and-so’s roommate’s CD release party.” Shameless, I know.

Taking a break from shopping has allowed me to spend those bored or sad days engaging in other pursuits. Some lofty, like canvasing for donations this month for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and some simple, like enjoying a two hour walk through the Arboretum with my dog-child, Mikke. Part of the reason I wanted to give up shopping for the year was to see how much I’d truly miss it, and to ask myself some important questions. I’m not suggesting that it’s necessary to go to such extremes for self-evaluation, nor do I think it would work for everyone.

The challenge has allowed me to put certain things in perspective, the main thing being the amount of importance I put on my appearance.

This doesn’t mean that I’ve given up shopping for good. I’m not completely insane. But I do know that the choices I make on future purchases will be much more considered. For instance, instead of those cute, suede Kate & Mel flats I bought as part of my last shop and have worn exactly twice, maybe I should have bought a durable pair of all-weather hiking boots seeing as I spend a great deal of time outside with my dog. Cute will have to lose out over practical at least sometimes. Lesson learned. The question remains: on the day after my challenge is complete will I run out and shop? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to, but I’ve proven to myself that I don’t need to.

2012-02-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Why We Love It: Viens Avec Moi

There’s a new local retail authority in town: Viens Avec Moi,a boutique that opened in the fall of last year past Wellington West. ViensAvec Moi or VAM has quickly become an Ottawa fashion community class-act; think minimalist/rusticdécor, themed rooms that create a sort of shopping-fun-house experience, and *sigh*absolutely bewitching fashion-things. My trip to Viens last week was totallyrewarding: I met its lovely owners, quite literally salivated over Jenny Bird jewelry,Free People and Velour goods, and was reminded of how much I love exploring local.Viens is divided into a series of rooms—the shoe room, the vintage room…to namea few—each offering a different shopping experience. I grant its creative presentationan A+, particularly due to what the owner referred to as Christian’s corner, inwhich Baxter Men’s skincare products sit in an antique medicine cabinet. Also, tothat denim Free People button-up with eyelet-back—I seriously can’t stopthinking about you and someday we’ll be together. ilu ♥ . - S

Viens Avec Moi

1338 Wellington St. W

2012-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

Why we love it: Pressed

So J and I have been pretty lame bloggers as of late, but we haven’t forgotten about Capital Oh, we swear! In fact, the blogging break we took was a great opportunity to seek out a multitude of people, places, and events to cover in the next few weeks, so please, keep reading. Our first visit of twenty-twelve was to Pressed on Albert and Gladstone, a sandwich shop with extensive flavour. Although the location was not one I was familiar with personally, it was a rewarding visit, and reminded J and I of our love affair with city-exploration. Pressed’s sandwiches are phenomenal, and the atmosphere is totally cool too—instead of traditional booths, the café uses old wooden church pews, which are surprisingly comfortable. We chatted a bit with the owner who hopes to turn the café into a music venue as well, and is already hosting an open-mike afternoon on Sundays. Delicious food, eclectic interior and what I’m sure will be some promising entertainment make Pressed the worthiest of visits. - S

As S mentioned, finding this cute little sandwich shop reminded us of how much we love exploring this city we currently call home. Plus - any restaurant that features the combination of mozzarella and tomatoes in some shape or form has my definite stamp of approval. The bread is chewy on the inside, crispy on the outside and true to its name, freshly hot pressed when you order. You also get yummy homemade sweet potato chips and perfectly pickled string beans to compliment your sammy. You can bet that S and I will be visiting Pressed quite often...SO many sandwich options, so little time. - J

Pressed
750 Gladstone
613 680 9294
www.pressed-ottawa.com

2011-12-07T17:54:00.001-08:00

Profiled!

I'm a little late to post this, BUT I just wanted to say thanks again to fellow Ottawa blogger Girl About O Town, for profiling S and I for her sweet blog. We got to meet Katharine (that's her real name y'all) and she was such a pleasure. So, check us out! Apparently, we haven't changed much in the past year - we still have similar tastes in colour palette and animal prints! Also, manly man behind out header this month has left us. It was a fun Movember - hope you all enjoyed those Mo's...but please, no Decem-beards...- J

2011-11-28T08:03:00.001-08:00

Why we Love it: Milieux

Those Architecture kids at Carleton sure know how to throw a party--J and I can attest! This year, Milieux (formerly Kosmic) will take place at Aberdeen Pavilion in Landsdowne Park THIS THURSDAY. All proceeds of the event go to Architecture for Humanity (AFH), a non-profit organization that provides architecture services to developing countries around the globe. Tickets are sold both in the University Centre at Carleton and the Architecture building every day leading up to the event. It's too Capital-cool to handle, Ottawa: the incredible installations, DJs, and bands make this night virtually unmissable. Get your tickets! - S

Here's Milieux on Facebook.

2011-11-20T18:32:00.001-08:00

Why We Love it: Heavens To Betsy

So I totally visited this place in the summer and (silly me) forgot to post on this Capital-Cool retailer! So here you go. I decided to give this post a holiday theme--too early you say? I don't think so!

Located in Wellington West, Heavens to Betsy screams holiday gift-giving. The brightpink sign and funky mural will immediately remind you of your quirky mother,and the perfect present will await you inside (this actually happened to me last year)!Specializing in ironic gifts, unique jewelry, clothing and an extensive rangeof holiday ornaments, HTB is the PLACE TO BE this shopping season. Its website describes it as a "Nic Nac Bonanza"--isn't that reason enough to make the trip? - S

Heavens to Betsy
1111 Wellington Street
613 722 1917

2011-11-17T10:51:00.001-08:00

Capital Oh: "Quirky Couture"

We're usually not into posting photos of ourselves on this site (it's not about us!) but we can't help but direct your attention to this lovely interview/style profile fellow Ottawa Blogger Loren Romei (Lo's Stylebook) published yesterday. Loren's an aspiring fashion journalism student studying at Carleton and we had so much fun dressing up chatting with her a couple of weeks ago. Here's the interview. Thanks Loren!

2011-11-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

As you have probably noticed, a strange man with some pretty impressive lip foliage, has taken over our header, and with good reason.   That's right ladies and gents - it's that time of year again - the time where the boyz II men in our lives decide it's a good idea to grow some mo's for the month, otherwise known as Movember.  Moustaches will be showing up on guys everywhere, and all for a good cause.  The aim of the month is to raise awareness as well as funds for men's health, prostate cancer in particular.  So, in honour of this new tradition, us Capital Oh girls are doing our part to show some support!  My dad's even got his own Mo'space page - check it out!  Donate!  

Our new header (courtesy of the lovely Diana Brucculieri) will be up for the whole month, so you better get used to that lip duster.  Now, it's time to separate the men from the boys - get growin'!  - J

For more information or to donate, check out Movember Canada.

2011-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

One Year Later: Ottawa Vintage Clothing Sale

My trip to the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Sale last November was one of my first inspiring discoveries in Ottawa for Capital Oh. I knew the seemingly sleepy city had a secret to uncover and my trip to the sale last year confirmed my suspicions. The event is pure magic. The setting at the Chateau Laurier transports visitors to another era and the furs, dresses and accessories are de-licious. I was so happy I could share the event with J this year too. We both scored some treasures as well. A gorgeous (and crazy-reasonably priced!!) fur shawl for myself, and a gold collar necklace for J. Also check out the lingerie set-want, want, want! Yay vintage! - S

2011-10-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Appletree Thrift Shop

A little while ago (when checking out the PunkOttawa flea market) I stumbled upon the A.P.P.L.E. Tree Thrift Shop, in the basement of the Bronson centre. A.P.P.L.E. (A Post Psychiatric Leisure Experience) aims to provide support and recreation for individuals dealing with emotional, psychiatric and mental health challenges. The "shop" is run by Disability Works, a program funded by the Trillium Foundation, and they provide free work clothing to those with disabilities, plus the funds go towards the disability centre. I got to talking with the lady in charge, who was just so sweet. She was so passionate about the cause, which made the conversation and my whole visit such a pleasure. She was so excited that someone had come in to check it out, I couldn't resist posting about it. We here at Capital Oh love using fashion (and shopping) for a good cause, so I highly suggest you head on over to the Bronson centre to check out this little set up. And they don't have only clothes, but accessories and housewares too! They are always accepting donations, and we know how many clothes you've got pouring out of your closets - why not donate the things you haven't worn in a while? I'm sure someone would love that year old dress just as much as you did when you bought it!

Oh, and another thing! This Saturday, for all you ghouls and gals who are looking for some Halloween fun, they are hosting a dance. Tickets are $10, and they will have hamburgs, hotdogs, soft drinks and beer for sale PLUS live entertainment. Sounds good to me! - J

A.P.P.L.E.

211 Bronson Ave. (basement)

613.238.1209

email: contact_apple@hotmail.com

Check out www.appledropin.com for more info!

2011-10-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Capital Oh: Profile

Our first video (hopefully of many) is finally here! This episode of Capital Oh: Profile follows fellow Ottawa Blogger Justyna Baraniecki as she prepares for Day 2 of Ottawa Fashion Week. Watch Justyna pick out gorgeous dress and make-up for the evening while discussing her interest in fashion, the importance of Ottawa Fashion Week in the community, and how her knack for fashion developed on a farm in Poland. Watch it now! Do it!

Also HUGE, HUGE, HUGE thanks to Komal Minhas of KoMin Productions for the videography.

2011-10-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon:

Justyna Baranieki is a blogger, stylist, and Capital Oh pal. Our first Capital Oh film follows the gorgeous writer behind and face of the blog Chameleionic as she prepares for Day 2 of Ottawa Fashion Week. Stay tuned...

2011-10-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

Fashion Week: Day 3

So fashion week always manages to occur right before university crunch time, meaning that J and I have been too busy falling asleep on our laptop key boards to update this lovely little blog thing. But that doesn't mean we didn't have an awesome day 3 of fashion week! We did! It was so awesome. Samuel Dong's painfully-pretty floral and butterfly-printed dresses left us drooling, while Rachel Sin's collection left us craving a fruity cocktail (and a cocktail dress). We also met Nicole from MTV! She's kinda famous, it was exciting. And J and S's matching pleated skirts and center-parted hair were perfectly praise-worthy, if I do say so myself. There were also wedding dresses, Harieth Paul, Jeanne Becker via satellite, and so many new friends! This was by far my favourite night of the weekend (other than when that awful woman at the Corel booth told me I could only take one piece of Halloween candy. How dare she? Why wasn't there free food at this event? Why?). See you next spring Ottawa Fashion Week! - S

1.)Samuel Dong
2.)Rachel Sin
3.)The Media Pit[look at that hilarious smiling, waving guy!]
4.)Nicole from MTV!
5.)This woman had the most fantastic dress on!
6.)I don't know who these girls are but they sure rock the pleats!
7.)Rachel Sin
8.)Samuel Dong

2011-10-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Fashion Week - Day 2

Day two of fashion week really exciting! Ralph Leroy got us fired up when he sent a dancer down the runway with flaming batons to open his colourful show. Then we got a shocking surprise when Alexis Reyna stomped down the runway during his own show, wearing nothing but tiny mesh shorts...And by nothing, I mean NOTHING - he was definitely not afraid to let it all hang out. As S put it, "that definitely woke everyone up!" Our favourite of the night had to be Travis Taddeo, who's airy colour palette and light fabrics were perfect for the warm summer season. Walking in his show was Ottawa's very own top model, and ELLE cover girl, Herieth Paul. It was really nice to see her supporting her hometown.

- J and S

1) Alexis Reyna photographing the media pit in his (almost) birthday suit

2) Fire dancer opening the show at Ralph Leroy

3) Alexis Reyna

4) Ann and Lauren of Aritzia

5) Amber Watkins, swimwear designer

6) The closing looks at Travis Taddeo

7) Stylish showgoers

8) Artist, Lana Greben

9) Walker Tamblyn and Emma of Hand Down Your Pants Vintage.

2011-09-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Fashion week: Day One

No pants? No problem! Tonight marked the beginning of Ottawa Fashion Week and J and S were front-row ready in our most fabulous ensembles. Tonight's shows were great way to start off the weekend. Our favourites included the chunky beaded jewelry at Micalla, the python prints and Asian flare (and pantslessness) at Anomal and the easy, carefree stylings of Valerie Dumaine. PVC and plastic reflected fashion fetishism at Simon Ekrelius and we loved the classic leather motorcycle jackets and trenches at Rud by Rudsak. Here are some of the photos from tonight, including a few of the new friends we made! See you tomorrow, fashion week friends! -J and S

1.) Valerie Dumaine
2.) We ♥ed these shoes.
3.) Rud by Rudsak
4.) Halloween candy? Yes please!!
5.) Models and Christina of Peterborough (S's hometown)'s Strutt agency
6.) Micalla
7.) New fashion friends!
8.) Anomal
9.) New fashion friend all the way from Calgary!
10.)Fellow Ottawa blogger Erica and her fabulous sequined shorts.

2011-09-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I ventured over to the Bronson Center for the 3rd annual PunkOttawa Flea Market. It was my first time at the event, and I have to say it was pretty neat. Handmade jewelry, thrifted clothing, and tasty baked goods - right up my alley! I talked with a few great vendors, including Brandi Tweed (photographed above). She's a crafter and designer and had a whole bunch of her unique stuff for sale. I also scored a great sweater and some pretty rockin' red fringed booties for only seven bucks - a steal I tell ya! While browsing the tables, I met a girl named Shanna Steals, the creative force behind Jaded Raven Creations. She hand makes all of her products, which include hand felted pins (there was even a donut one! If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I LOVE donuts!) and round buttons with pictures of everyone from Willy Wonka to Sinead O'Connor (my personal fave). Another really interesting vendor was Roselyn McDermott, the lady behind Country Rune. She specializes in hand crafted jewelry and wood burning, something that I haven't really seen in such detail before. I highly suggest checking out all these cool chicks and their work!

Overall I'd say it was a pretty successful day, and I will definitely be back. - J

Check out PunkOttawa here for updates and future events!

2011-09-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars fashion-friends and loved ones! It's that time again, Ottawa Fashion Week is fast-approaching and guess who's request for media accreditation was just approved?! You got it! It is us, Capital Oh, J and S, your "fave Ottawa girls" (to those who follow us on Twitter) who will be covering this exciting Capital event starting on September 28th. We promise to be thorough in our coverage and impeccably-dressed (obviously). Also! We'll be contributing to Carleton's Charlatan not only for this event, but regularly to the street style blog. On that note: Yo, significant population of Carleton students (you know who you are), maybe reconsider those track pants and Ugg boots you planned on wearing to class and try on a little self respect and a nice fall jacket? You can thank us later. Exciting!! - S

For more info on OFW: check out their website

Also! For updates and more follow us on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook. We're on both!

2011-09-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: The Mayfair Theatre

The Mayfair theatre is definitely one of Ottawa's greatest gems. They always have a great selection of movies playing, including an annual Halloween screening of the beloved cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. With so much character crammed in to this one screen theatre, it's really hard not to love it. They even have big comfy couches to sit on (best seats in the house!). Plus, it's cheaper than going to a regular, boring theatre - only 6 bucks per movie with a membership! You will definitely be seeing a lot of me there this year! - J

The Mayfair Theatre

1074 Bank St
Ottawa, ON K1S 3X3
(613) 730-6552

For show times and schedule check out their website!

2011-09-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

WE'RE BACK!

That's right faithful readers (yay 21 followers!), S and J are back in O-town and we are looking forward to sharing more of our adventures with you! PLUS, Capital Oh turns one this year, which means we will obviously be having a wicked celebration (more details to come, we promise!). There is also a clothing swap in the works for all you fashionistas and fashionistos! Next up, we'll share some photos of one of our favourite places here in the city - The Mayfair Theatre. Great films, so much character and they even have couches to sit on! Stay tuned for that post, coming soon! Until then, let us reminisce on all the fun we've had in the last year and let us know of any cool places you might want us to visit! We'd love to hear from you!

-J

2011-06-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

More Cute.

Meet Ludwig and Apollo. I think we may have to make Capital Oh-so-cute a regular series. Agreed? - S

2011-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hey there Capital Oh friends! The ladies of Victoire have made an unprecedented contribution to the integrity of Ottawa's fashion community for FIVE YEARS now. Wow! Now that's a reason to celebrate:

What began as the wild dream of two very young women is now a Mecca of Canadian design and innovative business practices. In an industry where longevity is rarely attained, Victoire Boutique is an industry leader, gaining national praise for being a beautifully merchandised and friendly shop stocking the best designers Canada has to offer! Come celebrate with us on June 25^th with a dream filled celebration: Tarot card readings, a Ouija cake by Auntie Loo and of course discounts and giveaways! To reward its customers for their years of support, Victoire will also be hosting its first ever “Beat the Clock” sale.

Victoire opened its doors in 2006 to serve the fashionable ladies of Ottawa with a friendly and beautiful shop stocked with irresistible clothing and accessories by a mostly Canadian roster of up-and-coming designers. Five years later the aim is still the same but now with two locations and a webshop there are even more beautiful things to choose from. Named one of the “Best Places in Canada to buy a Dress” by Canwest Media, and winner two years in a row of the Ottawa Xpress Readers Poll for favourite women’s boutique, Victoire has also since launched a jewelry collection of refurbished vintage pieces called Steel Magnolias that is currently being sold at 5 locations across the country. More recently, after years of hosting an incredibly popular vintage sale twice a year Victoire has also launched a webshop of exclusively vintage dresses. “We’ve worked so hard in the last 5 years because we have the best customers and we want to keep offering them the best possible pieces out there – and we’re so very thankful for their support because they’ve allowed us to make it this long…it’s a lot of work, but we love it. Victoire is a labour of love, through and through!” says Regine Paquette.

Best described as a rock'n'roll tea party, Victoire strikes the perfect balance offering pretty dresses that will delight your girly side, while still offering items with enough edge to ensure you most definitely look like a strong woman. Customers have been flocking to Victoire to find well priced Canadian items that they won't find anywhere else or on anyone else! Striving to bring in items that are of the highest quality, pieces bought at Victoire will live on as the vintage of tomorrow. With customer relations set as the highest priority, Victoire strives to build as many genuine connections to its customers as possible. Besides a friendly and authentic sales approach, there are also newsletters, a Facebook page, a Twitter account and a fantastic blog that helps build these customer connections. Alongside it's work to be a meaningful member of the online fashion community, Victoire also aims to be a hard-working member of the local business community. “We love our city, and healthy communities include locally based stores that support people and that the people support in return. We want to be one more reason people praise Ottawa for being the best!” says Katie Frappier.

The “Beat the Clock” sale will be taking place at both shops from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m (and exclusively at the Dalhousie shop until 9:00 p.m.). All purchases made between 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. will be 40% off, between 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. will be 30% off, and between 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. will be 20% off. Shop early and save big! This is without a doubt the biggest sale Victoire has ever had, but rewarding their customers for their loyalty is their top priority!

Come celebrate our dream come true with us! June 25^th will be a day full of sales and a night full of magic.

Victoire's 5 year anniversary

Saturday, June 25th 2011

246 Dalhousie St. (613) 321-1590

Beat the Clock sale: From 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. = 40% off From 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. = 30% off From 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. = 20% off (ending at 6:00 p.m. at the West Wellington location)

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Fortune-telling by Mandi Loo, bewitching treats & elixirs, as well as discounts and giveaways so good you won't believe your good fortune! (246 Dalhousie St. location only)

2011-06-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: Fall Down Gallery

Fall Down Gallery opened about a month ago and although from the outside the gallery still appears to be a "work in progress", venture inside, and you'll enter a dimly-lit cavern of cool. The gallery not only hosts unique pieces by local artists, but a selection clothes, accessories, art books and shoes as well. Stop in this Sunday as they host the launch of Fell Magazine. Drezz to imprezz, we'll be seein' you. - S

Fall Down Gallery
288 Bank and Somerset

2011-06-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dans la Rue: Bank Street.

Neon's a HUGE trend right now, ask any respectable fashion blogger. Or any Bank street construction worker. Take a fashion cue from these guys. - S

2011-05-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: June's

Everything Ottawa-cool is so tucked away! June's antiques in Hintonburg, for example, is probably one of my favourite stops of our Capital Oh expeditions, yet you really gotta hunt for some of these places. June of June's (or at least, I'm assuming this was June...?) informed me when I asked to take photos that "everyone does" and it's no surprise: the antique store is home to everything from creepy naked mannequins, jewelery and religious paraphernalia to old mascot heads and antique furniture--it's essentially an alternative photographer's candyland. It's sort of like shopping in your extremely eccentric great aunt's attic. So go to June's! Get to know this city! You'll find places like this one--slightly creepy, hard to move around in and yet way too cool to miss if you're in to offbeat shopping experiences. There's also a painfully adorable cairn terrier in the window...GOSAYHALLOTOTHALILPUPPYWUPPY. -S

June's
1094 Somerset W near Spadina and Wellington

2011-05-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

Capital Oh-so-cute

On our last adventure, Capital Oh came across the most adorable little pooches in Canada's Capital. Ottawa is apparently home to the cutest canines ever. That's pretty cool, right? We thought so too. Cue Squealing. - S

2011-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: Flock

Flock is the sister store to Workshop on Dalhousie. Situated in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Wellington West, Flock's medley of hand-crafted gifts, jewelery and clothing is the shopping and inspiration destination for Ottawa creative-types and city visitors alike. The interior is an eclectic contrast of modern/vintage and the stylish ladies who work there, delightful. As well, if you're feeling crafty in the next few weeks, Capital Oh snapped a photo of Flock's workshop schedule (lucky you!). Stop in for a class, we might just see you there! (ps. I'm feelin "pirate adventures")- S

Flock Boutique
1275 Wellington St W
Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A6

2011-05-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

Why We love it: Fabgear 64

Memorabilia and vintage-inspired menswear shop Fabgear 64 in Wellington West is a fashion destination for any stylish Ottawa male with a serious case of sartorial nostalgia. Having rubbed elbows with the likes of everyone from Leslie Nielson, Charlie Sheen, James Taylor, Van Morrison to the cast of RENT (the Capital Oh crew scored a "souvenir" of RENT earrings leftover from the musical's merchandise from a past tour), the store's owner, "Uncle" Bob Cabana, knows how to dress and who to dress and the store reflects his breadth of fashion knowledge. Stop in for a fedora, Hawaiian shirt, or simply to peruse Uncle Bob's photo albums of famous faces. Bob's definitely got a story or two to share although he was pretty busy unpacking boxes of new stewardess bags during our visit, but we'll be back. We'll definitely be back, Uncle Bob. - S

Fabgear 64
1112 Wellington St W
Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y6

2011-05-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Why We Love It: The Candy Store

J and S are NOT afraid to admit our unabashed love and constant longing for all things sweet, sour and sugar-coated, so visiting the old-fashion Candy Store in Westboro was kind of a huge deal. The Candy Store's interior is appealing to both the young and the young-at-heart with treats showcased in glass canisters to ensure craving-induced reactions from visitors. The Store also caters weddings and birthday parties, and the store's adorable little gift boxes would make an adorable little gift for anyone (read: ME). - S

The Candy Store

350 Richmond Road
Ottawa, ON K2A 0E8
(613) 728-7500

2011-05-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dans la Rue: Glebe

This sunny(ish) Sunday brought out the best in capital fashions. Cue bright hues, earth tones, and details, details, details. These ladies and gents have clearly caught spring fever! Behold...

2011-04-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: Simply Biscotti

I stumbled upon this little biscotti shop on my last walk through Ottawa's historic Little Italy. With a sunny patio spot, delicious baked goods and imported treats, I immediately felt the shop deserved a little Capital Oh attention. I indulged in their speciality Easter biscotti (it was Easter Sunday), delissshh! - S

Simply Biscotti

613-234-5336

354 Preston St.

2011-04-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Why We love it: Raw Sugar Cafe

The whimsical, eclectic decor is reason enough to visit Ottawa's Raw Sugar Cafe in Chinatown. Although a quiet location for study, lunch or coffee with friends during the day, Raw Sugar hosts Ottawa's independent music scene at night and musicians from all over Canada travel to play this quaint yet charismatic venue. The Cafe also acts as a gallery for local artists and photographers. Raw sugar Cafe is a hub of capital arts and culture and it's definitely worth a visit...or several visits the next time you find yourself in the city. - S

Raw Sugar Cafe

613 216-2850
692 Somerset st.w

2011-04-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Dans La Rue: Ottawa Fashion Week-- Part 2

Once again these are LATE but Emily and Anastasiya (incredible designers), Brittney, the editors of LoveXpress magazine and Julia deserve recognition for their incroyable style.

2011-04-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

Summary and Apology

Hey Friends, it's been a while....unfortunately when things started getting super exciting for Capital Oh! at Fashion Week, exams and term papers crept up on J and S and we unfortunately had no choice but to boycott the blog--just for a little while--while we got our lives back in order. SORRY! Now that all that is over, expect a whole lotta bloggin in the very near future. Here's a quick photo summary of our fashion week stuff, late, I know. ..but as I said it was too much for us to blog and be A+++ (yeah right) students at the same time. We're gonna go back to our original posts very soon, as in like, tomorrow, and I'm not sure if we've mentioned this before but if anyone has any suggestions for stuff we should cover (stores, events, cool landmarks...) send 'em this way: capitaloh@gmail.com

1.) Fashionistas at intermission

2.) Birds of North America

3.) Finale Designer Adrian Wu

4.) Designer Adrian Wu's Finale

5.) J's incredible shoes!

So that was fashion week! (well...most of it) We highly recommend heading to fashion week in the fall, if not for the shows than for the networking. J and I met so many incredible Ottawa UP-AND-COMERS and were once again reminded of the COOL that exists in this CARAAAZYY CAPITAL. - S

2011-03-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

RACHEL SIN

Rachel Sin actually started in architecture before venturing into fashion. Her keen eye for design and structure are a perfect addition to her designs. With fun blazers, perfect dresses and leather accents, this collection was perfect to go from working girl to cocktail party chic. - J

2011-03-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

Emily and Anastasiya

Emily and Anastasiya, which showed on Day Two of OFW, was probably one of my favourites of the weekend. Their modern take on 1920's flapper (complete with Turbans!! Which as you know, J and I OBSESS over) was gorgeous and fun. We met the designers on the final day of fashion week and they were super sweet as well. Congrats on your beautiful show, ladies! -S

2011-03-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

ElizBourk

ElizBourke showed for the first time at Fashion Week this year, and it was a well done show. The pieces were all wearable and the giant scarves and hoods are perfect for these Ottawa winters. We look forward to seeing more ElizBourke in the future! - J

2011-03-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dans la Rue: Ottawa Fashion Week

Hey Friends, We're still working on getting the runway photos up, but in the meantime, welcome to the first installment of Dans La Rue: Ottawa Fashion Week! These well-dressed folks caught our eye with their impeccable style and savvy use of spring hues. Enjoy--we sure did!

2011-03-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

SPRING SWAP

Our friends at Milk are hosting yet another awesome clothing event. Bring in your gently used clothing (or, what I like to call "perviously loved") and get 20% off new merchandise from the store. And, to top off this awesome-ness, all the clothes you drop off will be donated to a local day program for women and children. Yay! - J

PS - Stay tuned for more photos from Ottawa Fashion Week - your favourite Ottawa ladies have been busy handing in assignments and uploading our photos at the same time! I promise you a timely upload! We've really got some awesome shots to share with you guys!

2011-03-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Dans la Rue: Rideau Street

On my way back from the OFW Launch at Lobby, I met this wonderful young man in THIS HAT. Wow. Incredible. He made it himself...out of a boot! Cool, too cool. - S

2011-03-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ottawa fashion Week: Sneak Peek

Hey friends! Friday (Friday, gotta get down on Friday) marked the first day of Ottawa Fashion Week--applause! Capital Oh! made new friends, scored free hair products, ate coconut shrimp and, oh yeah, saw some pretty awesome Canadian designs as well. We won't be uploading all of the pictures until later, however, until then, here's a little sneak preview to whet your appetite. -S

1.) The fashionable front row
2.) Shoes in the front
3.) Ain't nothin' more Canadian fashion than TimBits
4.) Our lovely new friends from loveXpress magazine!
5.) Best. shoes. ever.
6.) More to come soon!!

2011-03-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Fashion Week Launch Party

And so, instead of sporting skimpy kelly green shorts, mardi-gras beads and Guiness face-tatoos, I ventured out on this day of Saint Patrick to the Ottawa Fashion Week Launch at Lobby to schmooze, eat free food and you know, dress to impress. And look at all the wonderful people I met and took pictures of! J and S got you covered for fashion week stuff aaaalll weekend so stay tuned!

1.) The sweet venue.
2.)Yes, that is Adrian Wu--Canadian designer and MOD's fashion correspondent!!! I was so awkward taking this photo. Adrian, if you're reading this, please don't think I'm always that awkward. You are fantastic, can't wait for the show!
3.) This is Justyna. I love her use of colour. Winter is over!!! Bring on the HUE.
4.) Sort of of Dorothy in Kansas/Alice in Wonderland chic. No surprise from Ottawa Fashion blogger and icon (and Capital Oh! follower) Tinfoils Tiaras! Nice ta meetcha
5.) It's Uncle Bob! He's an Ottawa Fashion Legend! Owner of Fab 64 in Wellington West, Uncle Bob, expect a post reeeaal soon.
6.)I totally met the lovely lady on the left in the washroom, she was my first friend of the night. I loved her blouse!
7.)EXQUISITE!
- S

2011-03-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Why we love it: The Papery (Glebe)

The Papery? The Paper! I cannot even begin to count the dreary mornings I spent waiting for the stupid 7 bus (which, as I'm sure a lot of you know, is nearly always late) staring longingly into this adorable paper shop on the corner of Bank and Fifth. And finally, on this particularly dreariest of dreary days, I decided to finally venture out and give it a post. The Papery is so much more than a paper store. They've got gifts, cards, books, craft supplies and lovely staff as well. The decor and window displays are reason enough to visit. Right now the window display is St.Patrick's Day-themed and although I personally find the holiday a disgusting excuse to get drunk and sell stuff (I'm bitter, it's raining!), the display is quite nice. Go to the Papery, it will not disappoint! -S

The Papery

850 Bank St
Ottawa, ON K1S 3W1

(613) 230-1313

www.papery.ca

2011-03-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

MARCH BREAKDOWN

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we definitely need to prepare our new wardrobes. Our friends over at Milk (on Dalhousie, in the market) are having a great sale for the next three days! Head over to the store to receive 20% off your purchase, but make sure to bring your student ID - we all know how much you love showing it off. You can wear your awesome new clothes to Ottawa Fashion Week this weekend too! So, in other words, you will definitely be winning. - J

2011-03-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

OTTAWA FASHION WEEK

As you all know, we here at Capital Oh love fashion, and what better way to share our love with you than by getting you awesome coverage of next weekend's Ottawa Fashion Week event (March 18 - 20)? S and J will be there bringing you the highlights from some of Ottawa's best designers. If you're interested in attending, you most definitely can! Just check out the website - www.ottawafashionweek.ca - and purchase your tickets. The weekend will end with a charity gala, which you can also purchase tickets for, with money going towards Africa's Children - Africa's Future (AC-AF). What's better than a weekend full of fashion? A weekend of fashion for a good cause! Hope to see you all there in your best gear - we may even take your picture! - J

2011-02-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

Dans La Rue:

Carleton University

Dressing up for the winter weather can be quite bland at times, especially here in Ottawa where a Canada Goose jacket is about as fashion forward as it gets, but Megan here knows exactly how to brighten up the winter blues. The amazing scarf she is wearing is handmade by herself, and it definitely looks like it is keeping her super warm. Warmth + style = my kind of winter. Who said it had to be boring? Take a style cue from Megan and try a little (or big!) touch of colour - it can't hurt! - J

2011-02-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

Invisible Cinema

Why We Love It:

It's no secret, and I'm hoping J and I are starting to prove, that the COOL in Canada's Capital is often overlooked. Many of Ottawa's hidden gems are literally invisible, but upon some exploration, reveal a truly special city. Like this place! Invisible Cinema: where one can rent essentially every great film ever created (and of course some of the not-so-great ones) and take in the work of local artists in the in-store gallery. The store sorta feels like your stepping in to someone's at-home cinema collection, complete with comfy chairs and couches. When I saw Indivisible's copy of Tommy Wiseau's horribly wonderful The Room on display, I immediately felt at home. -S

You might not think that a video store is all that special, but trust me, Invisible Cinema is. First of all, they import movies from all over the world, and you are sure to find that one you've been looking for for AGES. They've got indie films, foreign films, Bollywood films, "blaxpoloitation" films (yes, this means Blacula), tons of documentaries and the latest block busters. Such a great selection and in a visually appealing space to boot. Definitely check it out - your local Blockbuster does not even compare. - J

Invisible Cinema:

319 Lisgar Street

Ottawa, ON K2P 1T6

(613) 237-0769

2011-02-06T20:19:00.000-08:00

THIMBLECAKES
Why we love it:

Owner Wendy Velthoven had apparently dreamed of opening her own cupcake shop since well, umm...forever and Capital Oh is glad she finally realized her incredibly delicious dream!! The adorable interior and delicious gluten-free options (shout out to my lovely best friend, Sophie!) make Ottawa's Thimblecakes the next place you should go and indulge at. I'll let J give you the full scoop... *begins drooling* -S

This new cupcake shop opened about three weeks ago on Bank, and it is a very welcomed sweet surprise. The cupcakes are delicious, moist and fantastically cute (they also serve coffees and teas!). Another cool thing about Thimble Cakes is there guaranteed sugar-free and gluten-free options, plus all of their original (and possibly dangerous?) recipes. I got the chance to try the Spicy Chocolate (an slightly unusual combination perhaps?) and it was delish! My friend Grant came along and tried the Strawberry Cheesecake cupcake and also had nothing but good things to say about the taste. The atmosphere is super friendly, and they've got a bunch of vintage furniture that is comfy enough to make you stay a while. Go satisfy that sweet tooth craving, you won't be disappointed! -J

Timblecakes

369 Bank St.

www.thimblecakes.ca

2011-02-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

Dans La rue: Bank and Flora

Well, hey there Ottawa...we're back! In the midst of snowpocolypse, we seemed to have spent the last few weeks cooped up in the warmth of our apartments, sipping tea...watching rom-coms. Last Friday, with the recent change in weather, we finally went out for some style-hunting and exploring for the coolest in the capital. On that note, it's a tough life being a fashionista in the winter time. However, this young lady gets it in a fur-trimmed jacket with perfectly co-ordinated gloves and sunny shades. We also loved the snow pants...how practical! Staying warm never looked so cool. - S

2011-01-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

MAGS & FAGS

Why We Love It:

I love a good glossy--who doesn't? And Mags and Fags on Elgin Street is an essential stop on my downtown excursions. They have everything from Interview to Modern Dog (my two personal favourites) and a fun, fantastic selection of gifts as well. Also, the staff are quite charming, according to Capital Oh's J--she works there part-time. -S

So, As S said, I do work here, which might make me a tad bit biased, but in all honesty I love this store. If there's one thing everyone knows or should know about me, it's that I am a HUGE magazine junkie - my collection grows everyday, so essentially, walking in is often like my dream world. They always have what I'm looking for (V, 10, i-D - the best!) and then-some (Dairy Goat Farmer's Journal anyone?). Aside from Mags, they (or should I say we) have the best and funniest selection of greeting cards around. Come visit me sometime...and if you were wondering what that handsome guy up there is spelling, it is most definitely the word "blog". Eric's got skillz. :) -J

Mags & Fags
254 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0G1(
613) 233-9651

2011-01-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

AUNT OLIVE'S

Why we love it:

Have you ever gone vintage shopping and thought, "man, I'm like, so hungry right now!"? The founders of Ottawa's Aunt Olive's sure have and created this quaint vintage-cafe located on Elgin Street as the answer to both your shopping and dining prayers. I have used the adjective "delicious" in the past to describe anything remarkably wonderful, yet Aunt Olive's is a whole new level of delicious. With both a mouth-watering selection of vintage clothes and a mouth-watering menu, Aunt Olive's is a must-visit in the Capital's downtown. -S

This was the first time I had been into Aunt Olive's (surprisingly - I have no clue how I had not been there before!) and I really loved the idea of a cafe and a vintage shop mixed into one. Pretty clever if you ask me, because I always find that shopping works up an appetite. There's also a record shop in the basement which is always fun to look at. Good food, good music and great clothes - that is my kind of place. Definitely check it out! -J

AUNT OLIVE'S
209 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, ON
613-565-0564

2010-12-25T11:44:00.000-08:00

THE WHITE MONKEY

Why we like it:

Entering White Monkey is entering the funkiest of yesterdays. Bursting at the seams with a groovy selection of antique odds and ends, the store's wares are complimented by stark black and white wall stripes. For a gift for mom, dad, a friend, or a little something for yourself, White Monkey is fabulous, one of Capital Oh's favourite adventures yet. AND the owner has built a movie set for Tori Spelling. Tooo cooool. - S

I definitely think White Monkey was my favourite place so far. I could stay in there for hours and just get lost looking through everything. The place is an old house, and each room is just filled with stuff...lots and lots of stuff. There was even an old kitchen with retro appliances - it was perfect. The owner was great to talk to as well - he's been in the entertainment industry and uses a lot of his "stuff" for movie and stage sets (as S said - Tooo Coool!). I'm also slightly biased to love the store because of all the black and white goodness - best! - J

THE WHITE MONKEY

395 Gladstone Ave.
Ottawa, ON

613-321-4678

Open Thursday to Saturday: 10 - 5, Sunday: 12 - 5

2010-12-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

Capital Oh hit up Ottawa's Dalhousie Street shopping night, with stops at some of our favourites - Milk, Victoire, Workshop, Canteen and today's feature, Young Janes. We had a friend with us too! Meghan (pictured above) joined us for the night of shopping, snacking and turban buying. Overall, great night!

YOUNG JANES

Why we love it:

Young Janes is a delectable vintage experience for the prim and proper with a wild side. Situated in Dalhousie's perfectly petit shopping district, it is always worth a visit. As well, anyone planning on buying me a perfectly petit Christmas gifty this year is thoroughly encouraged to do so at Ottawa's Young Janes. - S

The selection at Young Janes is very carefully selected, to ensure that each and every piece is special and unique. The accessories are my favourite part to look at, as I love shiny things...and gold. As S said, it is definitely worth a visit because there is always something to be found. - J

YOUNG JANES

203 Dalhousie Street
Ottawa, ON

(613) 794-6452

http://youngjanes.blogspot.com/

2010-12-16T00:06:00.000-08:00

SUITING FOR SUCCESS

Our friends need your help! The lovely owners of Funk Your Junk (a Capital Oh favourite) have been backing an initiative called "Suiting for Success" and we want to help them out. As the awesome Ottawa civilians we know you are, we know you can do it! They are looking for donations of items such as new socks, pantyhose/tights and ties to make for complete outfits. Suiting for Success has been collecting new and used blazers, skirts, pants and shirts for over a year to help out those who need to look extra sharp for things like job interviews or loan applications. Who said you had to spend a lot of money to look great? One man's trash is another's treasure, but you already knew that. So, let's do what we can to give back to those who need it - Capital Oh urges you to get in the holiday spirit and give back to the community. We definitely will! All donations can be dropped off to Funk Your Junk at 110 Parent Avenue in the Byward. The goal is to reach over 100 donations by the end of the month, which is already being greatly surpassed. Let's do it up! - J

For more info click here.

2010-12-15T23:48:00.000-08:00

THE SASSY BEAD CO.

Why we love it:

This store made me all nostalgic for arts and crafts in my summer camp days. I was super excited about Sassy Bead. With two locations, Sassy is a local crafty's favourite. The selection is mystical and mesmerizing and each bead has a witty name too. Sassy also has fabulous jewelry and even CLASSES. What's not to love about Sassy Bead!? Also, sometimes people call me “Sassy”...or at least I wish they did -S

Sassy Bead is perfect for all your unique gift making needs - and just in time for the holidays. I mean, who doesn't love getting a homemade gift? I can seriously spend hours in here just looking at the different beads. I also love sparkly and shiny things, but again, who doesn't? The Sassy Bead will bring back memories of making friendship bracelets during recess, and promising to keep them on forever. But this is not just a store for kids - not at all! Sassy Bead is for everyone, from the jewelry aficionado to the girl who just wants a cute new necklace. - J

THE SASSY BEAD CO.

Byward Market

11 William Street

Ottawa, ON.

613-562-2812

Glebe

757 Bank Street

Ottawa, ON

613-567-7886

www.thesassybeadco.com

2010-12-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

S took a much-needed study break on Sunday and ventured out in the freezing rain and blistering cold to Somerset Street, Ottawa's Chinatown for some craft sale-lovin.' Shanghai Restaurant was packed with incredible vendors from all over the city and Raw Sugar Cafe, just down the street, was also brimming with the most creative and talented of Ottawa folk. Birthdays were celebrated (I scored free cake!!!), carols were sung by Miss China Doll herself, and the map jewelery, cuckoo clocks, dirty diaries, and baked goodies certainly made their way on to MY Christmas list this year. I'd tell you what I got...however I may or may not have done some gift shopping--shhh!! -S

2010-12-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

image via ffffound.com

Studying making you feel like your head is going to explode? We know how you feel.

On behalf of both S and myself, I would just like to apologize to those of your who read our blog and have not found an update in a little while. I felt the need to let everyone know that we are currently experiencing the last week of the semester, aka, "The Week of Death", as I'm sure many other students are this time of year. SO, forgive us for the delays, but we promise to bring you more adventures soon...we've got tons of exciting locations in our repertoire that we can't wait to share. In the mean time, we will be spending most of our time on and around the Carleton campus, so if you're here too, here's a few of the places we like to study the most!

Rooster's - It's a cute little cafe, with comfy couches and internet access...Plus they have awesome pitas, and it's student run!

Pagebreak - It's located in the MacO Library and they serve Starbucks coffee, muffins, croissants, and other pastry goodies. They also have comfy seats and a dimmer, more relaxed atmosphere than your typical computer carrels.

Reader's Digest Centre - This media library in the basement of St. Pat's has tables and couches for quiet group or independent study, plus an array of magazines if you are one of the lucky ones who is finished your work and just want to relax and read.

Also, the Library is now open 24 hours! Which means all-nighters are bound to happen. So grab your coffees, energy drinks, candy, apples, or whatever else keeps you awake, and get studying! Good luck on the final week and on exams!

- J

2010-11-26T22:54:00.000-08:00

HOORAY FOR BOOBIES: SLAYSH

Any event where there's cupcakes in the shape of boobies is my kind of event. In fact, any event where there's cupcakes period is my kind of event. Hooray for Boobies was a silent auction in support of the Keep ABreast Foundation. Local artists decorated casts of their breasts and they all looked incredible. Quite a few of them went for over $200! S, a starving student, could not unfortunately bid on a cast, however she did win a free sweater! Awesome night. ♥ U Slaysh. - S

2010-11-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

FROU FROU/POM POM

Why we love it:

Pom Pom (or Frou Frou, depending on where you are) has a selection of shoes straight outta Tim Burton's closet, that is, if Tim Burton wore women's shoes...which I'm sure he does on occasion. They are whimsical plus wonderful plus “wow, I love these!” Go! Indulge! I insist! - S

Frou Frou is such a cute and eclectic store in the market (also, Pom Pom, in the Glebe) - I actually found my grade 12 graduation/prom dress here...Of course no one had it, which was awesome. I love coming in here just to check things out. There is a huge range of stuff - jewelry, dresses, hats, coats and of course, SHOES. So many shoes to choose from, and they are all so different and unique. The staff are always super friendly and helpful too! My last purchase here - the best coral, chunky knit hat you have ever seen, complete with a big Pom Pom (fitting, no?). - J

Frou Frou

11A William St.

Ottawa, ON

613.562.4581

www.froufrouboutique.ca

Pom Pom

732 Bank St.

Ottawa, ON

613.288.0593

www.pompomboutique.ca

2010-11-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Dans La Rue: Bank St.

Fall fashion is all about transitional clothing and these girls certianly got that right. We loved their ecclectic combinations of autumn hues, mixed prints, and summer/winter fabrics. They were also super enthusiastic about Capital Oh! and told us to check out nightlife at Babylon and Ritual for more Ottawa coolness. We will girls, we most certianly will!- S

2010-11-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

[photos provided by the friendly staff at Slaysh]

Hooray for Boobies!

Last Friday, Sarah and I embarked on yet another day of explorations in this beautiful capital city of ours, and we came across a store called Slaysh. We noticed they had hand painted casts of multiple breasts in the window, so we decided to ask what they were all about.

Turns out, Slaysh will be holding an auction in support of Keep A Breast Foundation at their store on Bank Street, this Thursday starting at 8:00pm. The items up for auction? The painted breast casts, created by Canadian artists! These pieces of art are super cool, and you won't feel guilty for the purchase at all. Great art for a good cause, what could be better?

The evening will be filled with shopping, music by DJ Matt Tamblyn, Slaysh giveaways, refreshments, cupcakes and even boobie truffles - sweet! See you all there! - J

For more info on Keep A Breast Foundation, check out their website: www.keep-a-breast.org.

Fore more info on the event, contact:

Sarah Hyde

Slaysh

775 Bank St.(Between Second and Third Ave)

Ottawa, ON

613-667-5830

sarah@slaysh.com

2010-11-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

Milk

Why we love it:

Got Milk? Ottawa sure does! Good party dresses, good accessories, good fun! Sarah van den Berg likes this. - S

Milk's got a great selection of girly accessories and really cute clothes. It's a cute little shop on Dalhousie - probably the best place to shop around the Byward. I scored a beautiful spring/fall trench-type coat here last year, and I still love it. Definitely take a look when you're in the market, you might find your perfect New Years dress. - J

Milk Clothing and Accessories

234 Dalhousie St.

Ottawa, ON

613-789-6455

iheartmilkshop@gmail.com

2010-11-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Dans la Rue: Elgin St.

Today was a very successful day for Capital Oh. We found some awesome spots, and met some stylish peeps, like Doe here. We loved the camel accent of her coat, and the red flats were perfect. - J

2010-11-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

The French Baker

Why we love it:

The rich smell wafting out of Ottawa's The French Baker is enough to trigger an intense mouth-watering for baked goodies. With glistening crescents, delectable pastries, and an atmosphere that makes you suddenly feel all chic and Parisian, Julia and I immediately scheduled a breakfast date here in the very near future! - S

As soon as you walk in to The French Baker, you can smell the buttery goodness of the flaky croissants - The Baker's specialty (and Paula Deen would definitely approve). It is a quaint little pastry shop up front, and in the back there is the lovely Benny's Bistro, a perfect spot for breakfast/brunch/lunch. I loved the black and white tile, with primary colour accents - best! - J

The French Baker/Benny's Bistro

119 Murray St. (Byward Market) Ottawa, ON
www.bennysbistro.ca

2010-11-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

Capital Oh! Presents:

Dans La Rue

En route of their fabulous Capital Oh! adventures, J and S take on street fashion and style stalking. The first installment occured on a very sartorial sunday, as the Ottawa Vintage Sale attracted some stupendously stylish shoppers. Delicious! - S

2010-11-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

Canteen

Why we love it:

I am keen on canteen! Every time I leave Ottawa's gallery/art shop I feel three inches cooler and get this sudden urge to explore my craft box. The art books are phenomenal: stuff you can't get anywhere else and they always have the greatest notebooks and stationaries. The local artwork featured in the gallery at the back is always worth a visit as well! Keep calm and carry on!!! - S

I love going into canteen and browsing through the great selection of books. I like to consider myself an "artsy" person sometimes, so this place definitely makes me feel at home. It's a small space with big ambitions, and it's a great support for local talent. The back gallery space changes often, and it's always nice to see what Ottawa's artists have to offer. I've also had my eye on a few prints for a while now - especially the Day of the Dead "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters. And since I have an odd obsession with notebooks, I managed to buy two, one of which was a great shade of fluorescent orange. Sweet! - J

2010-11-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Ottawa's 26th Annual Vintage Clothing Sale:

I love vintage. Shopping vintage is like shopping at a museum. It's fashion ancestry. And why I have never made the effort to attend Ottawa's annual vintage clothing sale before this year is beyond me. It was so incredibly mythical, magical, and coooool with a capital C that I intend to make an effort to go every single year for the rest of my life. The rest of my life. Seriously. Poor J had to work on Sunday, so I headed to the show alone, camera in hand, and a 20 in my wallet. Held in the luxurious ballroom of the Chateau Laurier, walking into the sale is a time-machine journey into an era of sequins and furs. There's so much to take in that I'm sort of glad I went alone as I wandered directionless for nearly two hours--I could have spent days in that ballroom! Days! With vendors from all over Canada, it's really hard to decided where to buy, as every booth is totally unique. One of my favourite finds of the sale (I really should of just gone for it..silly Sarah) was the armadillo purse. It was literally a real armadillo, hollowed out and made into a purse. WHAT?! A REAL ARMADILLO??!! Like, yeah... It even had a head. I perhaps would have felt a little guilty carrying around a real armadillo on my arm but it was just too cool. 1920's apparently. This event is un-missable. Even if you are a vintage lover who is not an O-towny, make the trip next November. -S

2010-11-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

Workshop Boutique

The presentation in Workshop is mind-blowing! I mean a fridge? Really? Genius! Workshop is a beautiful store featuring local designers and hand-made wonders. My purchase of the trip? One of those flowery 1950's bathing caps fashioned into a clutch. In my favourite colour no less (mmmm...mint green)! As soon as I saw it I was smitten. I also came extremely close to purchasing the clear soaps which feature plastic animals doing the nasty...hilarity ensues. - S

I love the fact that workshop supports Canadian talent. Our nation's got some pretty creative minds in fashion and design. The entire store is full of things you probably can't get anywhere else (at least not anywhere close) - like Sarah's bathing cap clutch (so good!). And dare I say it, using a fridge as part of the display definitely ups the "cool" factor in this neat Ottawa boutique. Definitely check it out for fun, unique pieces! - J

Workshop Studio & Boutique

242 1/2 Dalhousie Street

Ottawa, ON

613.789.5534

www.workshopboutique.ca

2010-10-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

FUNK YOUR JUNK

Why we love it:

Funk your Junk was delicious! Tucked away behind Pier 21, the store was an eclectic pastiche of vintage, recycled, locally-designed pieces and well, junk! Fork bracelets, watch necklaces, record cover tote bags-- it was DIY meets tickle trunk. The owner was lovely and was really enthusiastic about CapitalOh. Drop in and say hi, who knows what you'll find! -S

The idea behind this quaint little store was really simple - everything should be used more than twice. There's always an element of surprise when coming in here because you never really know what you are going to find, or what you're looking for, for that matter. The owner was a total hippie - but in the best sense of the word! She was a pleasure to meet, super nice, and I definitely believe that more people can live by her motto. As we all know, one person's trash is another's treasure. I also scored a rockin' leather skirt for about 30 bucks, and I have my eye on a badass ring (but not until after Christmas...until then, NO SPENDING!). I recommend checking out Funk you Junk because there is definitely something for everyone. -J

Funk Your Junk

110 Parent St. @ Murray

Ottawa, ON

K1N 7B4

www.funkyourjunk.com

2010-10-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

VICTOIRE

Why we love it:

I picture the Victoire girl sitting on a Harley Davidson while carefully devouring a mint green-frosted cupcake. She’s left the tea party for the open-road and she’s dressed for the occasion. Chocked full of quirky, feminine, Canadian-designed pieces, Victoire can easily be called an Ottawa fashion authority. Its interior is a delightful mix of Lewis Carroll’s day dreams and your grandmother’s basement and I often find myself drifting around the store in a fairytale- like trance before I even remember I’m shopping. Go now! -S

I love the entire set up and decor of this place. The racks in the middle of the store hang from the ceiling, and seem to float above ground. The staff are always happy to help you out when picking the perfect dress (and let me tell you, they have TONS of gorgeous dresses, among other things). Sarah stated it perfectly, as Lewis Caroll's dreams and your grandmothers basement. Entering the store is sure to offer a pleasant experience,even if you don't walk away with anything. -J

VICTOIRE BOUTIQUE

Byward Market

246 Dalhousie St.

Ottawa, ON

613.321.1590

Wellington Village

1282 Unit B Wellington St. West

Ottawa, ON

613.421.0089

www.victoireboutique.com

2010-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Capital Oh! You've stumbled upon a great place, and we hope you enjoy reading and exploring along with us!

But first, a little back story:

We (Sarah and Julia) are students in Ottawa who want to find all of the coolest places we can in this city that has such a bad rap. I mean sure, everything seems to close early, and some may say that there isn't a whole lot to do, but we are on a mission to prove this theory wrong. We'll be bringing you the best in shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, music venues, parties, and whatever else we can think of! Hopefully you find these places as cool as we do. Oh, and to add to the madness, we will always be looking for individuals with sweet style on the streets of this beautiful capital city. Keep your eyes peeled, and your outfits fresh...you never know when we might find you!

Enjoy!

- S and J