Country Mouse, City Mouse
by Jesswf on July 13, 2011
Today we have a special treat! Katie Frappier of Victoire Boutique is showing us what it takes to get her summer look. (Oh, and there is a little contest somewhere in here too)
It is so totally silly to define your “look” but it’s one of my favorite things to do! Regine, my BFF and business partner, and I use funny titles when we are doing the buying for the shop. It helps us build an image for the upcoming season. For fall one of the looks at Victoire is “Good golly Miss Maggy”, it is a rock’n’roll look for high society (Maggy as in Margret Trudeau). Oh its gonna be so much fun. But alas that is fall and we are thinking about SUMMER!
This is my first summer with a baby, so everything feels so different. I can’t look to Jersey Shore for my summer look, cause I need to be an example and all. So sadly a new version of summer needed to be found. And I looked to what we here in Ottawa know best: cottage life. I got my boat shoes, I got mud in my finger nails and strawberry juice stains on my pants. But of course I got to do the look class-y style for my city life. I can’t be looking sloppy while watching bike polo matches on the grass, sneaking wine into the park with my mama friends or biking around town trying to find some trouble for me and little Eloise. I call my summer look: Country Mouse, City Mouse. Here are the ingredients:
My favorite accessory right now is this picnic basket. Sometimes this makes me feel like I’m in costume. But mostly I think it is totally romantic and feminine. It is also super practical because my little darling can just grab her toys, snack or my cell phone out of it herself (but so can robbers so watch out!)
These pants from Dace are as comfortable as sweat pants but look so stylish and pulled together. I have worn them with heels and I have worn them with baby puke on my shirt and THAT my friends is versatility!
Okay secret time: I really like butter on everything and I don’t like wearing spankx in the summer cause it’s just too damn HOT. So the best way to love my little pooch is to wear high wasted bottoms. It has a Jane Birkin feel and I can keep eating my butter. Win-Win. This high wasted skirt is by Birds of North America and my shirt is Dagg and Stacey
Picture this: You are in a lovely dress in a big open country field walking your white horse to the pond where she will drink water while you spot some men cooling off shirtless. It all feels like the cover of a harlequin romance novel. Reality: you are at the computer working hard while your boss took an early day to go play golf. That is the power of a great dress, makes you dream a little dream.
Now for the really fun part, a Contest!
If you’ve shopped at Victoire before, tell us what your best purchase was, if you’ve never been check out their site and tell us what you want! One lucky winner will get a 50$ Gift Certificate to Victoire good until the end of August. Leave your comment below before 12pm on friday the 15th!
The winner of the Victoire G/C giveaway was Stephanie who was coveting the Valerie Dumaine June dress! Thanks everyone for participating!
42 comments
I am totally into the Maison pleated collar dress!
by Natalie C M on July 13, 2011 at 5:04 pm. #
It’s super cute! and the hat is a nice touch http://victoireboutique.bigcartel.com/product/maison-pleated-collar-dress
by Jesswf on July 13, 2011 at 5:09 pm. #
I would want In God We Trust Sweet Nothings Necklace – hmm and its $49…
by Sharonnelt on July 13, 2011 at 5:26 pm. #
I just bought one of the In God We Trust necklaces for someone, it’s a great gift too!
by Jesswf on July 13, 2011 at 5:36 pm. #
Not to be a copy cat, but I love the irony of the In God We Trust necklaces.
I want the “really effing cute” one.
by Mariam on July 13, 2011 at 6:31 pm. #
every funny woman should have one.
by Jesswf on July 13, 2011 at 7:50 pm. #
While I’m tempted to say my “In God We Trust” “Balls to the Wall” necklace (because that’s how I roll) the thing that felt the most special was the vintage dress I bought from Victoire to go to Promdemonium. Entirely rose lace from the 40′s/50′s with a matching belt, in fantastic condition, and it fit this size-14 lady like a dream. I love it because it’s totally unique and because I can pretend that some glamourous woman from another era wore it while sipping on cocktails and flirting with every gentleman she laid her eyes on at some fabulous party.
by Amanda on July 13, 2011 at 7:31 pm. #
some dresses are so day-dream inducing… the In God We Trust necklace I bought as a gift was the “Balls to the Wall” one too, they’re so delicate and pretty.. until you get up close- then they’re hilarious.
by Jesswf on July 13, 2011 at 7:50 pm. #
My best Victoire purchase was my Audrey Cantwell hooded cloak, although if I bought the Roadkill Big Antler necklace there might be some tough competition!
by j.d. on July 13, 2011 at 7:55 pm. #
When did the Audrey Cantwell cloak come out? was that the navy blue one last season?? if not, I really want to know which one it is…
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 12:53 pm. #
Audrey Cantwell rules, here pieces are so great and she is just so nice and lovely. We wish so bad she lived here in Ottawa so that we could hang with her all the time!
You got to come in and check out her lingerie!
by Victoire on July 14, 2011 at 4:10 pm. #
Okay, there are so many pieces in my closet thanks to Victoire that I love. The Valerie Dumaine Anouk pencil skirt is a favourite staple. It originally had six cute gold anchor buttons, but only three survive having been worn to so many fancy occasions (and by fancy, I mean “open bar” fancy. What’s a few lost buttons when you’re having fun, amirite?). I wore the Bonnie jumpsuit (from Valerie Dumaine again) to create a vibe akin to Lil Wayne’s “Mrs Officer” in a photo I sent to a boy. (Kids, take sexy photos of you WEARING clothes, please! You might want to be a politician one day.) But I think my best purchase (so far) is the Dace Brielle dress that I got ON SALE! I don’t have funny stories attached to this one, I just love love love it because it’s so easy to wear and yet super cool.
I also have to mention the Baggu x Shabd tie dye tote in blush that my bff brought overseas for me. I didn’t buy it myself, so it doesn’t really count, but I’ve used the bag every day since getting it (and it shows!) and yet the little guy still gets compliments wherever I go.
I love Victoire. Can’t wait to visit the shop(s) again soon!
by Candice on July 13, 2011 at 8:23 pm. #
it sounds like you’ve gotten some great outfits there, I would love to see the bag you’re talking about!
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 12:55 pm. #
Candice, you are too sweet!!!!
Thank you one million times for supporting us, and girl you got to share the news about all these open bars! Jess and us would love to help party off one of those buttons.
xo
Katie
by Victoire on July 14, 2011 at 4:13 pm. #
I have discovered your shop last week and since then I have been completely in love with the WDNY Red Dress! I will surely get it before the weekend (:
by Isabelle on July 13, 2011 at 9:20 pm. #
is there an occasion for the dress or is it just for fun? I always go there when I have an occasion to wear a dress and end up getting an extra something for fun.
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 12:57 pm. #
Just for fun! But I could definitely wear it in the future for a special occasion. Is it even possible to have to many dresses?
by Isabelle on July 14, 2011 at 3:49 pm. #
(And of course I see the spelling error right after I sent my comment .. *too)
by Isabelle on July 14, 2011 at 3:52 pm. #
Impossible! those words…too many dresses… they don’t make any sense together.
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 4:04 pm. #
My Valerie Dumaine dress – it’s purple and backless and has a bow and is awesome. I can dress it up and down and it makes me feel fantastic every time. I can’t wait to hit up Victoire when we head to Ottawa at the end of the month!
by Lyndsay on July 13, 2011 at 11:09 pm. #
which location do you usually hit up when you’re in town??
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 12:58 pm. #
My steel magnolia brass earrings!
by tcat on July 13, 2011 at 11:32 pm. #
Did you know Steel Magnolia is Victoire’s own jewellery collection?
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 4:05 pm. #
Ooh – it’s a toss up between my picnic-perfect dress by lily+jae and my Birds of North America highwaisted skirt… both are pretty central to my summer look!
And a big shout out to the Victoire lovelies for bringing such great style to Ottawa…
by Karen on July 14, 2011 at 2:48 am. #
here here!
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 12:57 pm. #
Thanks Karen for supporting us.
Support Local, Support Ottawa!
by Victoire on July 14, 2011 at 4:15 pm. #
I interview Laura Langford for a recent article, and now I’m dying to have one of her bags! When I heard her bags are sold at Victoire, on of my all time favourite Ottawa boutiques, I was even more smitten!
I’m saving up my cash for a Laura Langford!
by Emma on July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm. #
is the article online?? I’d love to read it!
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 2:45 pm. #
Oh her bags are soooooo beautiful and the absolut softest leather
by Victoire on July 14, 2011 at 4:15 pm. #
Because I am counting down the days until cooler weather arrives, my most pined after piece is the Valerie Dumaine Magella Coat. For days filled with hot cocoa, brisk evening walks and wooly mittens.
by Kelly on July 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm. #
I feel the same way.. I can’t wait to wear a coat. One from Valerie Dumaine would be extra nice.
by Jesswf on July 14, 2011 at 3:01 pm. #
You two are crazy!
Cold stay away forever!!!
by Victoire on July 14, 2011 at 4:16 pm. #
I have been eyeing the Maison Avalon Dress forever! I missed the 5 year bday celebration when I was out of town but now that it’s on sale I think you’ll be seeing me soon!
xo
by Lynn on July 14, 2011 at 5:12 pm. #
I love the Valerie Dumaine June dress–I think the red is fantastic and it would be a great work piece and picnic dress =)
by Stephanie on July 14, 2011 at 5:40 pm. #
I recently bought a blue Birds of North America eyelet dress at Victoire, which I’ve been wearing to work, family brunches, weekend strolls with my husband, and dinners with friends. I get minimum one compliment about it each time I wear it (no joke!)
-Catie_os@hotmail.com
by Catie on July 14, 2011 at 7:37 pm. #
Valerie Dumaine June!! So pretty! I need a new dress to wear to my cousins wedding in a month
by Sarah on July 15, 2011 at 12:11 am. #
love that dress in the last pic!!
Just checked out the latest goodies on the Victoire site and I love, love, love the “Maison Soiree Dress”.
thanks!
by gemma@thesweetestdigs on July 15, 2011 at 12:39 am. #
I love the green Lily and Jae Cruz Cami. I’ve been looking to add more green to my life and this seems like the perfect top; cute,fun, sexy, awesome!
by Kate on July 15, 2011 at 12:51 am. #
Oh that gorgeous little black dress ….. With pockets to boot!!!!
by Sylvie morel on July 15, 2011 at 3:35 am. #
My best purchase is a nautical rope necklace.. always looks good!
by Sophia on July 15, 2011 at 12:48 pm. #
my Elaine Ho claw earrings are perfect for everyday and make me look just a little more dangerous.
by kaitlin on July 15, 2011 at 2:19 pm. #
I am a poor graduate student but whenever I have a special occasion I always pinch my pennies and splurge on a special dress. Last summer, the pennies went towards a dress for my dear friend’s wedding. This summer, I don’t have any dresses to buy so my $50 gift certificate would go towards a high waisted skirt… cause while I don’t really eat butter, I LOVE ice cream!
by Linky on July 18, 2011 at 6:23 pm. #