Today’s online vintage shops have really stepped up their marketing game with not only providing quality picked merch, but by providing photos and style ideas to give potential buyers a idea how to wear items.

After all, it takes talent to be able to sift through old, second-hand items and envision an awesome outfit.

Boat People Vintage, a Quebec City based online vintage stop, does most of the work for newbie vintage buyers – Check out the photos and great style ideas. But you better hurry, stuff goes very quick! (not everything shown is still available)

The latest ‘global’ trend for Spring 2011 has actually been around for eternity – Beautiful, colorful prints, exotic  looks, leather, nude tones and animal motifs. The only upside of it becoming so popular is that price points have plummeted. Everything here is under $100 at Aldo and Aldo Accessories.

Not that it needs to be said – but just because we don’t write about the *much more important* ails of the world, doesn’t mean of course that we don’t care…

Moving on, I received an E-mail from Jenn Woodall – a Ryerson grad and costume designer. She’s been busy sewing Japan Disaster Relief pouches – and selling on Etsy for $10 with 50% of the proceeds going to the Red Cross.

I don’t have to tell you – but pouches are soooo convenient to hold everything separately in your bag – change, camera, glasses, pens, etc….

Other Items on Etsy for Japan:

Topnotch is selling these simplistic bracelets and donating all proceeds > | Cedarridgertrading is selling these little beaded flowers to help >

Love Japan pouch from Tokyoinspired > | Japan tote at Whodoesntwantthat >

OMG! Priced at $120 down from $360 at online Canadian retailer Ukamaku – this Zoran Dobric Noveau Face Dress is sadly only available in small

But what an awesome deal! If you have a tiny waist, Zoran’s Twins Dress is also marked down. There are lot of other great deals too on all Canadian designer clothes, accessories and even those cool Feesk sandals.

Big It Up is one of those inspirational Toronto success stories: Now a popular retail operation with a few stores in major malls, several kiosks and availability in over 50 shops across North America, this hip hat peddler started as a skincare kiosk and grew!

But Big It Up is not just hats: it’s the coolest fedoras, caps, slouch berets, Panamas and fargos. And the amazing thing is that even though hats are one of those things that you think look better on other people – at Big It Up there is a hat for everyone! (my friends and I must’ve tried on a hundred at the Harbourfront market last summer).

Will from LostintheWilderness (awesome blog with tons of beautiful photography) recently shot the newest – SS2011 -  Big It Up lookbook (can’t wait to see it!).

Glowing Beauty is an online Canadian shop selling spa quality skincare and makeup (Cellex-C, Gehwol, Clarisonic, Skeyndor, Tend Skin, RevitaLash, OPI…) – with FREE shipping in Canada for orders over $50!

(I’ve said it a million times – I love Canadian online shops because of the ease of ordering and the absence of customs, duties and crazy shipping costs.)

They carry Zoya Nail Polish ($9) – awarded as the longest wearing natural nail polish by Women’s Health Magazine.

* Free of toluene, formaldehyde and DBP
* Over 300 colors
* Long lasting wear

Win!
Some lucky guy or gal is getting $30 to spend on their favorite product and Glowing Beauty will also cover the shipping cost! All you have to do is leave a comment letting us know your most coveted item in their store. One winner will be picked at random.

Support Canadian shops: Head to the Glowing Beauty Facebook Site and if you like, be sure to let your friends know by clicking “LIKE”!

Proudly made in Canada, Guy Tulippe is a self-proclaimed “garment engineer”: designing, sewing and sourcing parts for his one-of-a-kind handbags, totes and duffles. Love the tie-dye stuff – all available on Etsy.

Love this – a dad of three kids doing his thing screenprinting at home. Decent tees, good-quality and fade free – Affordable and shipped from the T DOT!

88 Strong Clothing – Hip Hop, Soul, Vinyl Related T-Shirts >>