From me to You

No need to be scared tonight kiddos! As Michael demonstrates here, ghosts and zombies just want to thrust their crotches and bust a move to disco ;)

Happy Halloween

For some reason I remember in grade school "Halloween" was spelled "Hallowe'en" .. why is that out of fashion?  I just googled it and I am not making it up, it's a true fact. So I am sitting at home and almost 12:30 on a Saturday night while most people are out dressed as sexy Lobsters (thats an inside joke between you guys and me), and Snookis. YES  I am by myself. YES I have been eating chicken flavoured chips. YES I do have beer in the fridge that I vetoed in favour of ginger ale -it's the champagne of soft drinks. Since I knew I had to stay in alone I thought I would have a one man party. I did my nails, watched Halloween, had a whopping half glass of wine. It was a wild one man party!  While watching the movie I noticed how kids costumes have really changed since the eighties.  Then I came across this website that proves my theory. When I was little I never understood why people who wanted to dress like she-ra would wear a she-ra mask but then wear a plastic  apron with a picture of she-ra that even SAID she-ra.  I don't think thats what she wore, it looked pretty unrealistic to me.   Just wait until you see the frigging awesome costume we got Oscar!

matching plastic pants!

if you are a good friend you will remind me of this for next year

you know that she totally begged to be a pack of salems!

its show time synergy

these two are both flabbergasting

this last image is from a wonderful website called my parents loved halloween. There are some really great olde tyme robots, and lots of bat men there.  The previous images we all from here. Check it out!

Well that was a great Halloween party guys! I'm pooped from all of these good times, see you all tomorrow at the store hopefully!

Micahxoxo

Employee of the Month?

Hello there,

I'm Leah. I'm new! Today is my first day behind the counter, usually I just loiter near all the beautiful things and bring Micah coffee. Frankly I don't understand how people walk by this place without coming in. Have you seen the display in the front window? It's like an autumn themed birthday party exploded and froze in time! Maybe we should get a mountie (real or stuffed, ew) for out front.

Pssst... acorn necklaces are in (stock, and fashion). The one I bought here last month has remained my favourite piece of jewelery. We also have more 4-leaf clovers, maple keys, and small maple leaves.

Here are things I learned today:

1. Micah has really good music on her iTunes.
2. There are at least 2 bottles of Coralish coloured nail polish back here (just incase).
3. Even on the gloomiest of days it's warm and cozy and lovely in the store.

I am most definitely looking forward to spending more time here... come say Hi to me on Thursdays!
Also, some pretty awesome things are coming up concerning R+E, but it's been a long day and I can't get into it. All I'll say is get excited and keep checking in (virtually AND in person.)

Over and out.
LFG

P.S. Here's a video that has nothing to do with anything. I just like it and the little hats on the chicks in it remind me of the vintage paper ones sold here (for only 2$ each! What a steal.)

ps- this is Micah I just got to the store and saw the AMAZING sandwich board that Leah made yestreday while she was watching the store. I hope it never rains and ruins her beautiful work!

Girls's Costume Warehouse

I seriously watch this every year at Halloween, it never gets old. I am 100% telling the truth when I say that my husband Mathew went as sexy mustard one year. Incidentally it is his birthday today, happy birthday Mathew!


ps- there is some swearing here... just saying

MOR Giveaway! UPDATE

So it looks like there is one unclaimed MOR cream in Cucumber Casaba. I have messaged the winner a few times and haven't heard anything back so..... the next person to come in to the store and claim it WINS*! Soft skin that smells good AND it's Friday, what else could you ask for?


*you can't be my friend already to claim it by the way you cheap skates.

Awesome photo from Lotusmodern

Hi Fieldguiders!

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and questions! Unfortunately I can't 'reply' to questions in the comments section, but I really really want to! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me at russetandempire@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing you all in the store! And thank you again Anabela for having me on your blogXOXO
Micah

Bye-Bye Flea Market Season

This past weekend I experienced very deep anxiety due to the cold weather approaching, which means, no more outdoor (read awesome) flea markets. I got the whole family up an out of the house by 9, which is pretty late in terms of hard core flea marketers. For me, it was a serious accomplishment. I made a point of trying to take as many photos as I could but then surprise surprise, on my way home I went through my photos and I took a few ok ones. A far cry from 'many'. Matt Hobbs, I know you are reading this, send me some good shots. I also realised that I am pertrified of people seeing me taking photos of there stuff, I feel like they are going to ask me to hand over the camera.

I know...

I have posted this video everywhere, but I seriously watch it every day. More than one time. I think I should open a second location of Russet and Empire-in Spain. Now everyone run out and buy red lipstick and polkadotted pantyhose! 


Also, the video is kind of NSFW.

Seductive Barry

The most beautiful vintage camera I have ever had in the store. Super Barry Candid Camera, made in Chicago by Barry Products. And get this- there is an unused roll of 50 mm film in it! I really  hope that someone buys this lovely Barry and uses the last roll to take pictures of the fall leaves in High Park*

*And then that person come into the store and lets me see the photos and maybe I put them up on the blog????


Have a great Saturday  xoxox Micah

Sanna Annukka Cards

These cards by Finnish designer Sanna Annukka are beautiful enough to frame. I just took a peak at her website and now I wish I could carry everything she designs. One of these cards in vintage frame- or even a  plain black ikea number- would make a beautiful gift. The light was right so I started snapping photos, I only had time to capture one card, but there are four different designs here in the store. Images below are from ninteen seventythree.

Fieldguided

The other day my new friend Anabela and her awesome boyfriend Geoff came by to the store and took a tonne of photos which make the shop look like a dreamland... You might remember Anabela from her b+w Diana+ photos that I posted a while back, or you might know her from her beautiful blog Fieldguided. I pretty much read her blog every day, and I really love the new 'this is where i live' column, which looks into people's amazing apartments in the city. Seeing real homes that are inspirational and refreshing instead of the totally staged ones on some of the big design blogs that make me feel depressed about the state of my dirty laundry situation and overflowing diaper genie is a nice change.


Here are some of the lovely photos that were taken on Anabela and Geoff's visit of the store before I took down the pretty pink window display (and replaced it with the radical orange/wood/gold autumn display).

MOR Giveaway!

In honour of official Autumn weather, I am GIVING AWAY for FREE MOR body butter worth 30 smackeroos to the next 4 people to start following Russet and Empire on twitter! Enriched with shea butter, rosehip oil, wheat germ and avocado oils, this lovely cream is sure to keep your skin nice and soft even with the cold windy weather setting in. In your choice of Cucumber&Casaba or Kale&Watercress.  Let @russetempire be your key to a smoooooth bod this winter!

Good luck!




UPDATE: WE HAVE 4 WINNERS! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ENTERING! WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER CONTEST SOON, THIS WAS FUN!

Vilac Lunch Tray

Made in France, using paints that are A OK to go in mini mouths. I had Oscar in the store today- helping me out- so I decided to take advantage and have a little photoshoot. The lunch tray comes with a baguette, tomato, hamburger, sandwich, and an egg- so European! Each one is pre-sliced and help tegether with velcro, allowing children to slice their food with a little wooden (dull-as-heck) knife.

The Maple Leaf Forever

New book in the store as of 1 hour ago. I am so excited for it that I took photos of it right away so I could blog about it. It turns out that books are hard to photograph, so unfortunately I don't really do this book justice at all (to put it lightly). The author of the Maple Leaf Forever came in to the store this morning to personally deliver a few copies to me. He had heard about the store and was positive it would be a perfect fit. He was right on the money. I friggin love this book. It's shot beautifully and the author (who owns most of the collection that is featured in the book), has a great eye. I promise there you won't find any made in China dream catchers here. You can check out the book's website here, and you should probably just ignore these photos that I took.

Cool Mums

I have lots of cool mums that come into the store and I'm just going to say it- I consider myself part of the cool mum crowd. So when I came across this article on Cup of Jo (another new cool mum), it made me happy.  I think I would prefer to be more of a Jane than a Jackie. Mums in Keds rule.

Thanksgiving Hours

Russet and Empire will be closed this Sunday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

The champ!

'Champion Pupil' trophy from T. Eaton Co. 1931 Huntley Rural School. I have had this for a few weeks hidden away, I almost had to keep it, due to it's 'being perfect'. 

BlogTO

I just got a phone call letting me know there was a post on the store at BlogTO, and I have to admit I was slightly petrified because I didn't really know what they were going to write about me. I like BlogTO because it's objective, I like that they aren't all 'lovey' about everything. Apparently I must have been pretty 'lovey' towards the person who came into the store to stealthily check out the goods because they wrote a raving review! And those wide angle shots! Hallelujah! 
Check it out here!

Red Canoe Horse Blanket

This beautiful wool blanket is made by our friends over at Red Canoe. Before I started carrying these I remember going to friends for dinner and they had this blanket slung over a leather chair and it has stuck in my head ever since. This blanket was made to be thrown casually over some old chair or couch. It is so beautiful and masculine, just too look at it quickly you can see the quality of the stitching and beautiful dark wool. Definitely the perfect blanket for curling up with on the couch. Researching the history of Mountie hourse blankets today I came across a great RCMP website called 'Did you know...? Fun Facts'. Compared with Europe and America, Canada seems like such a young country so it's pretty exciting to me when I come across interesting bits of Canadian history, especially fun stuff like :

Did you know that the last dog sled patrol was in 1969?

The last dog sled patrol was from Old Crow, Yukon Territory to Fort McPherson, N.W.T., a distance of some 500 miles. There were two teams with a total of 21 dogs.

I was trying to find the meaning of the word 'Shabrack' which is the real term for RCMP horse blanket (who would have thought:it's of Turkish origin!) when I came across this website that explains all about the different shabrack styles.  

So in conclusion, I love this blanket and now everyone knows I am a  Canadian history nerd.

Heads up!

There is only one Diana mini left in the store right now!

New Stuff

 Beautiful wooden dominoes

 Playtime Pets puzzle

Russian nesting dolls in natural wood

Nuit Blanche

So I didn't get myself a Diana+ which was a bummer because my  digital camera crapped out about 1 hour after I left the house. So I guess they are right when they say the future is analogue...

First things first, fueling up on thai food (and having a two man dance party to 'boom 97.3') to prepare for a late night. Dance party photos are classified.

Then we headed down the street to a much more than two man dance party (which also returned sense of'coolness'). The hosts of the party were clearly thinking ahead because they were serving half espresso/half baileys.

 Look what I spotted on the table! A little lomo octomat camera which we proceeded to have a good time with.

 Then on to the art.

 I had to and I don't regret it

 At 3:30 we tried to stay up to watch Berlin at the AGO, but we got to warm and cozy on their nice leather couches and it was all over. I'm glad to know that Paul and Melissa don't read this blog because they won't see this photo, sorry guys.