Tagged: holiday

We don't aim to be music critics or experts at Still Life, but we know what we like to hear, we go to concerts of our friends and favourites and we buy the albums we know we need when they're released. With the help of the new and expanded Ditch Records & CDs location up on Fort Street we were able to add to our vinyl collection at the stores better than ever in 2011. Here is a recap of some of our favourite releases this year, albums you very likely heard playing on loop at the stores or stripped for parts, carefully crafted into seasonal playlists.

Despite expanding into two locations for the last half of 2011, plenty of albums found their way onto the iPods and record players at both Still Life For Him & For Her. It was easy to work through an entire day before realizing we'd been listening to albums like Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Destroyer - Kaputt and James Blake - James Blake on repeat for eight hours. Other albums including M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation, Washed Out - Within And Without and Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming may not have got to "full-day re-play" status, but made our stores feel like home as soon as the first note came through the speakers.

Albums For Him: The fun of having a menswear specific location to start the AW11 season with was not lost on our music choices. Albums like Dirty Beaches - Badlands, Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On, King Krule - The Noose Of Jah City and Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo got repeat listens within the walls at 551 Johnson Street while maybe not quite as many spins at Still Life For Her across the street. Turning up the volume on classic rock, soul and hip hop staples also helped make the Still Life For Him space feel a little more comfortable for our guys.

Albums For Her: A new store with a new feel meant new music to get our ladies comfortable in the newly opened Still Life For Her back in August. While there were plenty of crossover hits at both locations, albums like Adele - 21, Feist - Metals, Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes, tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l and even Beyonce - 4 had our some of our new staff at Still Life For Her setting the mood themselves in new location with their favourite albums.

After Hours Jams: One thing a passerby may notice about Still Life For Him & For Her if you happen to walk by at 9:30PM on a Thursday night is that the music coming from the store is generally decidedly different (and louder) than what you heard earlier in the afternoon at the store. If a crew of staff was at the shop receiving product or pricing goods this year you were fairly likely to hear something from Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne whereas depending on the specific combination of staff working late you'd be more likely to hear something from Lana Del Rey - Video Games EP, A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP or Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra blasting through the windows. Not albums we'd necessarily play throughout the day, but definitely a few tracks from these albums made their way onto our playlists.

Lastly, a huge shoutout to our friends & family that worked so tirelessly to put together another absolutely phenomenal event in Rifflandia IV this year! So many amazing shows, so many of our close friends, and such fantastic venues! We can't wait to be kitted up in our Tretorns and Native Boots again next September stomping around the Lounge at Royal Athletic Park!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year Victoria! Lots of love from the crew at Still Life For Him & For Her! See you in 2012!

Victoria, We're trying to make it easier for you this Christmas, we really are. It's hard enough shopping for yourself sometimes so trust us we know how difficult it can be shopping for the nearest & dearest on your (ever expanding) holiday list. We're giving you a break for Christmas 2011: The Official Still Life For Him & For Her Holiday Wish List & Gift Guide! We've compiled the following Gift Guides to inspire those who are too busy to even think of where to start with gift giving; But at the same time we've drafted this while carefully considering what you want for Christmas, so this can also act as a Wish List for you (you deserve it, you've been good this year and these are some of your favourite things, right?). Print this Gift Guide/Wish List out, copy the link and flip it across to someone with some hints via Facebook or Email.

For Him. He's probably picky about what he's wearing. And maybe he doesn't like to go shopping and pick out shirts & sweaters or try on new jeans. But you could always save him some time and yourself some of the hassle and let our Still Life Men help you sort out something perfect to make your guy look as good as he should:

• Chunky Shawl Neck Sweaters: Without question the coziest and most inviting items in the store the past few months has been the chunky, shawl collared wool sweaters from some of our strongest menswear lines (Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Dunderdon & Velour). With a curled masculine neck, strong leather buttons and chunky open knit these cozy sweaters make ideal Christmas presents for the man on your holiday list.
• Nudie Jeans Co Backbone Tees: Maybe you're not looking to pick him up a brand new pair of premium denim for the big day, but how about a super soft, organic cotton basic henley tee, long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve from his favourite Swedish denim brand, Nudie Jeans. They look great paired up with his best pair of raw denim and if you're sly enough about it you can even snag one and wear it yourself - these tees are seriously soft.
• Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods: Offering a range from simple vegetan leather belts, keyfobs, wallets and cardholders to super special crepe-sole moccasins, leather backpacks, beer kozys and notebook cases, all Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods are handmade by Ken in his Vancouver studio. Any guy in need of a new belt or wallet that has a tendency to wear his goods hard should appreciate anything from Ken Diamond.
• Winter Gloves: Fred Perry & Filson are two brands the business of constructing quality apparel, accessories & sundries. From warm merino wool gloves to buttery-soft leather driving or work gloves, these two legendary menswear lines will keep his hands soft & warm.
• Brixton Toques: These classic knit toques sell out every single year and we still have guys coming in with cold heads throughout January & February. We're not trying to tell you what you have to get for your guys, but seriously, we have almost a dozen different colours of these toques, come grab two or three different ones and he'll thank you for it.
• Magazines: Every Christmas as far back as we can remember there was a magazine or two rolled up and stuffed in the stocking hanging above the fireplace. If he's more of a global culture, design & politics man you can grab him the newest edition of Monocle Magazine or you can let him know how great you think he is with this season's Fantastic Man Magazine.

For Her. No matter if She is your sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend, fiance, wife or best friend forever - our Still Life Ladies can help you narrow out your decisions with that perfect, sweet and ideal gift for the lady in your life (think of all the times she's been there for you - she's definitely worth it):

• Hansel From Basel Tights: It's not getting any warmer anytime soon. Hansel From Basel is a Los Angeles based knitwear and hosiery range that does cute and cozy tights she can wear under skirts and dresses through the holidays (or under denim if she really can't stand the temperature drop).
• Only Hearts Lingerie: A super special, secret and sexy lingerie line made in New York City. She very likely hasn't seen these bra & panty sets before since they've debuted exclusively at Still Life For Her this autumn. Wrap them up nice and give them to her with a kiss and you'll surely get a peak of how they look.
• Canadian Made Jewelry: Erika Lauren Designs are made right here on Vancouver Island with traditional west coast inspirations sold exclusively in Victoria at Still Life For Her. Designed and produced in Toronto, this season's Biko Jewelry collection is inspired by darkness, boldness, tribal elements and outer space reflected in the juxtapositions of dark leather, fish-scale chain, and glittering raw stones. Both collections come in as affordable, unique jewelry designs she'll wear close to her heart for a long time.
• Natural Cosmetics: RGB Nailpolish and Ilia Lipcare make perfect stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts if you have a price cap. Affordable, high quality and naturally made cosmetic lines with a direct influence from the fashion and design world.
• Quality Leather Goods: Two very close friends of ours Erin Templeton & Ken Diamond both produce quality leather goods in studios based right across the water in Vancouver. Ken Diamond's new women's range offers simple and braided leather belts along with a super sweet braided leather noose necklace with feather detail. Erin Templeton's designs pull from vintage and deadstock leather sources resulting in one of a kind, ultra soft leathers constructed into backpacks, handbags, purses, clutches and wallets.
• Wool & The Gang Knitting Kits: Heading home for the holidays or taking time off to get away from work, school & the grind? Keep her cozy by the fire with these unique and very giftable Wool & The Gang knitting kits. Included in these all ready wrapped packs are gorgeous wood knitting needles, super soft Peruvian wool and simple to follow instructions on creating unique toques & scarves to stay warm all winter.
• Magazines: Let her escape the hustle & bustle of the holidays between the pages of some of the most inspiring fashion and design magazines in the city. Currently available For Her are three UK published fashion, design and culture magazines. Oh Comely has editorials, interviews and photography inspiring from across the pond best read with a cup of tea under a cozy blanket. Featuring ambitious journalism and photography of the highest quality, The Gentlewoman magazine celebrates inspirational, international women through its distinctive combination of glamour, personality and wit. And finally the very collectable, limited run UK fashion magazine Lula is thick as a book, haunting as a fairy tale, and will look quite lovely sitting on her coffee or bedside table

For Him or For Her.

• Happy Socks: We're going to go out on a limb and suppose that every single person on your list wears socks. Chances are they don't have socks in leopard or zebra print, black & white polka dots or navy & yellow stripes... Without question the easiest and most popular stocking stuffers this holiday season are Sweden's Happy Socks.
  
• Urbanears: All ready a perfect gift for the audiophile on your list, Urbanears have released a very limited, special edition Quilted Black Plattan Headphone for Christmas 2011. Chose from these sleek black models or from our wide range of seasonal colour options, these are quality, well-styled, well-made headphones for everyone.
• Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks: The Kånken Original Backpack is the same today as when it was released 30 years ago - only today it is made in a range of colours to suit any individual style. Perfect for the student, commuter or adventurer on your list.
• Filson Luggage & Accessories: Guaranteed to last a lifetime, you (or someone you love) might as well have the best. Heavy duty canvas backapcks, briefcases, luggage & totes are finished with full grain bridal leather made in the historic Filson Factory in Seattle, Washington. Available, and ideal, For Him & For Her.
• Score+Solder Terrariums: Everyone on our payroll has been strongly hinting at wanting one of these incredibly magical, unique & beautiful terrariums from Score+Solder handmade on Pender Island. For the greenthumb on your holiday list, or just someone who appreciates design, detail & craftsmanship.
• Native Jimmy Boots: It rains in Victoria; unfortunately even over the holidays. Designed by young, creative brains in Vancouver, Native Shoes Jimmy Boot has been this season's go-to rainboot for all our friends & family. Available in a range of colours at both locations, even the snoopiest Christmas lover won't be able to guess there's a pair of boots inside this super lightweight box.
• Gift Cards: If even after reading through a comprehensive Holiday Gift Guide or after your loved ones have printed out and highlighted their favourite must-have Wish List items for the holidays you still can't make a stand and decide on a gift... There's Still Life For Him & For Her Christmas Gift Cards. Available in any denomination applicable to any item in either of our two locations, these will never expire and can be used on Boxing Day, Valentines Day or St Patricks Day.

we've all got an old (or young, aspiring) curmudgeon in our lives that sneaks out a few wise words and heartfelt sentiments every once and a while. this weekend is the day to pay back all those golden oldies in our lives as we celebrate father's day 2011. we've compiled a short list of some of our favourite still life men's items that should help get dad smiling ear to ear this june 19th.

• native shoes: almost a total no-brainer. lightweight, anti-microbial (read: they don't stink) summer footwear. with lots of sizes and colours to choose from the jefferson will remind him of his youth running around the baseball diamond while the howard will inspire him to push harder for that retirement boat.
• greenland wax from fjällräven: working with the assumption that 98% of dads like projects, the greenland wax from fjällräven will keep him busy for at least 40 minutes on a rainy day. made from beeswax & paraffin this wax will waterproof (and mosquito proof) any shirting, jackets, tents or backpacks he's all ready got to take camping or adventuring for the rest of the summer.
• fred perry silk ties: this one is pretty straightforward folks. maybe you got him a tie last year, maybe you got him him every year for the last 20 years - either way he could always use a nice new one so you can spot him as he's holding back tears at your graduation. plus you'll feel better knowing he's wearing a nicer tie than any of his old timer friends.
• ken diamond leather goods: some dads are tougher than others - and for these guys we've got ken diamond quality leather goods. handmade in vancouver, these full grain high quality leather goods range from wallets and braided leather wallet chains to key fobs, belts and leather cuffs. available in naturally-aging vegetan leather or tough as nails black leather.
• brixton hats & accessories: if dad's planning on spending any time at the barbecue this summer, he'll command the respect he deserves as king of the grill if he's wearing a crown from brixton. straw porkpie hats, lightweight cotton poorboy caps or nautically-trimmed greek fisherman hats from this california accessories company will ensure cooler heads will prevail when your steak gets cooked medium instead of medium-rare.

of course we'll also happily fill in a still life gift certificate with any cheeky, inside-joke nicknames for the man of the hour at your request - and we've got a full store of shirting, denim & other apparell that will make dad stand a little taller on his special day. so don't forget father's day is sunday, june 19th, 2011!

the holidays are fast approaching and all of us at still life have been thrilled with the generosity shown by our friends in victoria leading up to the big days. we've just taken a huge batch of non-perishable food donations down to the mustard seed but we're not done yet - we want more! with every donation you or your friends bring in, you will enter to win a massive $1000 johnson street prize pack with goodies from still life and all of our friends on the block (enter every day, enter at every store!). the more food & money donations to the mustard seed, the better off everyone will be come the holidays.

starting this week we've got a few seasonal deliveries from vancouver friends lily & jae and ken diamond, biko jewelry from toronto, and the start of some amazing holiday promos on items in store:

• pairing up with our friends at genetic denim we are offering a very special 'buy two get one free' promo on all genetic denim styles currently in the store. this includes the twig midrise in captain black, the liam straight leg in wicked washed blue and the (amazing) aztec skinny chino in black.
• a strong selection of ladies coats have been put on sale starting at 20% off! this includes styles made for wet weather (waterproof tech jackets), cold weather (wool blend, thinsulate lined winter coats) and special evenings out during the holiday season (leather jackets and fur-trimmed wool coats). these coats include some of our classic seasonal offerings from our favorite international brands, so if you or your loved one is expecting a coat to make it through the winter, come down soon and take a look.
• designed & produced in vancouver by our dear friend judith feller, lily & jae has just completed their first ever in season holiday capsule collection for select retailers. we're extremely happy to have the collection on hand, as well as the return of our favorite lily & jae coat of all time, the olivia raincoat in british millerain. click here to read the summary of the special collection.
• and together with our friends at the lab hair salon we've partnered up to help with your gift-giving this holiday season: while supplies last we have special $20 lab gift cards to give you free with any still life gift card purchase of $100 or more - these are limited so come down before they all run out!

just in time for the holidays at comes vancouver's judith feller with a very special lily & jae holiday capsule collection. produced in season in extremely limited quantities comes updated winter versions of some of the hottest autumn 2010 pieces we saw from the line as well as new shapes & styles to help you get through the winter.

all produced in vancouver under jude's watchful eye, the capsule collection pairs elements of classic canadiana with key colour stories from the early 90s grunge scene. pieces like the ultra-soft long sleeve boy blouse in 100% cotton yarn-dyed plaid pair up wonderfully with the 3/4 sleeve corduroy boy blazer with flannel lining. the 100% wool striped shiva scarve puts a bit of beautiful bright colour on top of the italian wool/cashmere blend olivia coat. and the return of the victory vest in brown corduroy as it sits wonderfully atop the new belted rebel dress in 100% cotton yarn-dyed plaid.

and last but not lease... the big one... the return of the lily & jae olivia raincoat! we featured this very special raincoat in our rifflandia 3 fashion editorial and autumn/winter 2010 photoshoot. the british millerain (waxed cotton) raincoat dissapeared quick the first two times we had it at still life and it poised to do the same again. returning in classic black and beautiful caramel, the coat is your ticket to staying dry throughout the rest of 2010 and into 2011 on the wet west coast. come check out the new lily & jae holiday 2010 capsule collection available now at still life.

just by looking at our beautiful new window display you can see that still life is ready for the 2010 holiday season, and we're ready to help you do the same.

currently available in store and online to download and print yourself (just click here), we've made holiday wishlists for all of our friends & family in victoria hoping to find something from still life under the tree. fill out one of the wishlists after browsing through the still life blog, our still life facebook page, or checking the racks out yourself in the store - and leave it with us at the store so your friends & family can come in and see what it is you've found.

in preparing for the holidays we've put together a collection of easy-to-gift items that we think would be ideal for those on your list still in need of some spoiling. browse through the images on along the right and continue reading for still life's holiday 2010 suggestions.

• bags: whether it's a tano leather handbag, adidas by stella mccartney sports bag, penfield hiking backpack, dunderdon weekender or fjallraven kanken, we've got a variety of modern, styled bags to tote around all of your hoilday loot. good for guys & girls alike, you're going to get more leftovers to bring home from mum's house if you've got a big bag to store them all in.
• headphones: a full variety of styles & colours are available from both wesc with their bongo, oboe & maraca headphones and all three styles of urbanears: the plattan, tanto & medis models are all fully stocked in fantastic colours for both the boys & girls on your holiday list.
• mens leather accesories: rugged & masculine, the variety of wallets, cardholders, keyfobs & belts has grown steadily with a strong offering from brands like brixton, ken diamond & fred perry.
• womens necklaces & earrings: all jewlery currently available at still life are canadian-produced pieces from biko jewelry by corrine anestopoulos in toronto and tiny little chairs from montreal. simple, elegant & femenine gifts from either collection can be wrapped up in small jewelry boxes ready-to-gift as soon as she's ready for the holidays.
• warm knit accessories: we're happy to still have a wide variety of these classic holiday gift items available on both the mens & womens sides of the store. as the temperature continues to drop cotton/silk blend leggings & hosiery from la's hansel from basel are flying fast. warm & cozy 100% lambswool scarves, mittens & toques from gothenburg's dunderdon are still available, as well as wool blend scarves & toques from american brands brixton & penfield.
• cold & wet weather footwear. still life is located in on the west coast of canada on vancouver island. it gets wet here. we've already had our first snowfall of the season and if the reports are to be believed there should be more. footwear to help you handle the west coast winter will help you stay dry & warm throughout january & february. we have full sizing in some of our favorite styles & colours from vancover's native shoes with the fitzsimmons street hiker, and the lined skerry vinter rubber boots from sweden's tretorn.
• gift certificates. let your special someone find exactly what they want at still life this holiday season, with holiday gift cards of any denomination. and for a limited time, any gift card of $100 or more will get you a free $20 gift card from our friends at lab salons (while supplies last).

from all of us at still life we wish you the very best, safest and happiest holidays & new year and we'll see you soon at 551 johnson street.

back in august still life friend nic vandergugten showed & sold some of his limited edition johnson street bridge linocuts at the store and this holiday season we were lucky to have nic paint our holiday window display for the second year in a row. matt & kim's vision of a rustic log cabin holiday combined with nic's painting to result in our favorite still life holiday window display yet.

come by the shop to check it all out for yourself - from the pair of 1950s vintage norwegian skis, to the canadian blankets, chairs & antlers, the window is a warm invitation into still life's holiday 2010 collection. be sure to add still life on facebook for continual updates on what's new at the store, and visit more of nic vandergugten's other works on his blog, here.

we hope to see all of our still life friends & family at the store tonight at 6:00pm for the 2010 johnson street holiday food drive.

it's that time of year again! once again still life has teamed up with our nearest & dearest in the community along the 500 & 600 blocks of johnson street for the 2010 johnson street holiday food drive!

begin the holiday season with an evening of fun & shopping when johnson street comes alive with the spirit of the season this thursday november 25th from 6pm til 9pm. featuring:

~ live music ~ lights & decorations ~ carolers ~ santa & elves ~ warm drinks and goodies inside every door ~ special discounts being offered by every location with your donation to the mustard seed ~

the holiday food drive will continue until the 29th of december with a very special contest. each time you donate to the mustard seed, you will be entered to win the coveted: JOHNSON STREET PRIZE PACK including gift certificates & goodies from each participating shop with a value of over $1000! enter every day to increase your chances!

this event is the start of still life & all our friends on johnson street's late night holiday shopping hours: we will all now be open until 8pm on thursdays & fridays until december 23rd. last year this event was a huge success, so we hope to see everyone there!

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happy victoria day! from all of us at still life we hope you're all out from behind your computer screens and enjoying this spectacular long weekend sunshine. whether you're camping, travelling, riding scooters or getting ready for the parade, try and enjoy these days in the sun before we move full-steam ahead into summer.

we've got our windows all decked out with fred perry spring/summer 2010 for our boys and girls with new pieces arriving just in time for the long weekend. a handful of fantastic short sleeve plaid shirts and some crew neck tees to help you get some sun this weekend.

and a little small batch of additional lily & jae summer pieces showed up as well: the bloom dress in black, additional sizes in the printed version, and a few size replenishments from the pieces we flew through at the party.

happy may long weekend and happy birthday matt & queen victoria, see you all in the sun!