Happy Hollydays

Today was simply beautiful, and reminds me what a wonderful community can be created around a store! With deep soft snow everywhere, a few people decided to brave the chill air and head outside. All of our customers today came in on foot, spent a few peaceful moments on the sofa, browsed for some special little gifts, and when I closed it was with a sense of peace that all was well in the world. I hope you feel the same way!

It inspired me to finally post some of my personal favorite 'moments' from the Santa photo shoot on our website.

Watch the slideshow

Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy your last few days of shopping! We're open 10-5 until Christmas Eve, when we'll close around 3pm.

Kim

xoxo

Chick Pea Friends' Christmas Sale! (Brrrr it's cold out here!)

It's cold, and I'm coming up with great reasons to stay inside tonight, and what's more fun than blogging? So I thought I'd post a little pre-Christmas sale notice, in case you've had your eye on something extra special for a gift, a cozy play outside, or your family dinner!

All Ben Sherman - green, grey, and navy (including 3 great coats) - 2nd piece is 25% off

All Sophie Catalou - the gorgeous lilacs - 2nd piece is 25% off

All Joe's Jeans - remaining pairs are $20 off!

We don't have sales often - but we have a special reason for the Joes. Sadly, Joe's Jeans (famous for their ladies styles you can find at Aritzia and Fab and other notable shops!) is not going to continue their kids line, so since we're not able to carry them year-round, I'm searching for a new line for Fall 09 and that means you can find a steal on this great denim line right now. Sizes 6mo-6years for girls and boys.

Happy snowball fights tomorrow (and we've got the heat on so drop in for a visit to warm up!)

Kim

xoxo

PS ...the photo is addie learning to use the "chi" machine to improve her energy at Gran and Napa's house on Salt Spring...

Kangol for Kids

I've been getting a hard time (in store - not here in comments - you guys are too nice!) for long posts. So here's a short one! Kangol winter hats have arrived. And they are great.

I love the classic tan wool - but the bumble stripe has enough energy to make an old sweatshirt look good. Historically British and urban appropriate. Hard to go wrong!

Kim

xoxo

PS Boys are in tan, red, black, blue/grey stripe, and green/black stripe. Girls are in tan (great with classic chesnut Uggs!).

The season of giving and it all started with Santa...

So I have only one thing to say - WOW - what an amazing group of parents came out for some Chick Pea holiday style and showed their support for Free The Children.

More than twenty families spent a few precious moments with Santa last week, and between the hugs, and shrugs, and looks of awe, and fear (i have to be honest!) every child had their moment.

I love the simple and fresh photography from Revival Arts Studio, and the way it contrasts with the old world velvety Santa. So sweet and classic. I cannot even pick one as a favorite - I ended up posting this one from my short list of about 12!

As a special thank you to all of the Chick Pea families, Marc Kielburger at Free The Children has sent a copy of their illustrated book for kids - It Takes A Child - to pick up along with your 5x7 photo. It tells the story of Craig, who started the charity to end child labour, when he was 12. It's a heavy topic for young minds, but what better time to start teaching about social responsibility than the very beginning?

So now the biggest job of all - deciding where to put our $400+ in donations to good work! At Free The Children we can allocate it to any number of their Adopt a Village programs. We can give 8 goats - or a 6-month lunch program to an entire primary school! I think I'll leave it to the people on the ground in Kenya to decide where it will help the children the most.

A huge thank you to all of the families and the precious little ones who joined us for the festivities!

Kim

xoxo