Category: Blog

Frilly Lilly Blog
Welcome to our Frilly Lilly Blog!
Browse our blog posts covering a range of topics. Weekly releases on service highlights, how-to’s, FAQs, products, special events, and more! Don’t feel like reading it? Tune in every Tuesday to our Instagram @frillylilly for the condensed vlog version!

New Find: Jewelry Tattoos

We’re loving these fun little pieces from Pixie Mood out of Toronto. We like to pair them with a few of our favourite bracelets along with an understated outfit. Pack these for your next vacation and you’re guaranteed not to lose any of your bling at the beach! <br>

We Heart Nail Art

A little something extra in your manicure can go a long way! Nail art is one of our favourite ways to get creative and spice things up. Laura is a senior esthetician at frilly lilly Yaletown, and we adore the manicure magic she’s been creating. To book an appointment with Laura call 604-623-3330.

The Feather French

This subtle finish bumps the classic French mani up a notch.

Pattern Combos

A variety of patterns anchored by solid colours or even a bit of glitter will create a look that stands out. Stay within a similar colour palette, like these deep fall tones, to avoid looking too busy.

Glitterati

No convincing necessary here. Who doesn’t love a little glam? Choose a variety of gem sizes, add a touch of sparkle polish, then balance with solid colour.

Sky’s the Limit

Go big with adorable designs that can match your outfit, your mood or pretty much any occasion you can think of.

Craving Cranberry

More than just a sweet treat on your Thanksgiving menu, cranberries are one of our favourite things about fall. Though it’s a much deeper and darker colour than that signature shade of pink we love so much, each year we find ourselves incorporating more of this festive goody in everything from our cocktails to our closets.

For the Fashionista

The weather outside is telling us that it’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with this colour. We love this sleek Gucci iPad case, luxe Stella McCartney scarf, and Smythson leather-bound notebook
 

For the Domestic Goddess
 
We found this cocktail recipe on Pinterest, incorporating a fragrant combo of cranberry, ginger and orange. Heading to a potluck? This cranberry tart recipe is sure to be crowd-pleaser.

 
For the Beauty Queen

 

This Redken Colour Extend Shampoo uses cranberry oil to extend and maximize your colour. Our own Sugar Cranberry Sage Foot Scrub will leave your feet smelling sweet, and Dior’s Prune Daisy shade of lipstick is the perfect colour match. 

Get to Know the Team: Kristin from frilly lilly Kingsland

You may recognize Kristin’s smiling face from frilly lilly McKenzie Towne, where she’s been leading the team since the spring of 2012. Her latest adventure as part of the frilly lilly family is the opening of a brand new location in Calgary’s Kingsland neighbourhood! With two boutiques under her belt, you’ll be seeing lots of Kristin. Why not take a moment to get to know her a little bit better?

 

What is a beauty product you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my Boscia BB Cream. It primes and hydrates my skin and also gives great coverage and an all day glow.
 
What is your current favourite fashion trend?
I’m loving all the trendy prints out this season. I have a few pairs of print leggings and sweaters that I can’t get enough of.
 
What is your favourite cocktail?
I definitely am, and probably always will be, a wine kinda girl. I love a good pinot grigio but have been leaning more towards red lately.
 
Who is your style icon?
I would have to say Victoria Beckham. I love how she always looks so classy and sophisticated, even in jeans and a t-shirt.
 
Where is your favourite place to shop?
I would probably have to say Aritzia. For years now, I have never been able to walk past that store and not pop in and buy something. You can find everything from jeans, to a great blazer or comfy t-shirts there. You can always count on Aritzia to be on trend.
 
What is your all-time favourite item in your wardrobe?
My winter mukluks. I always look forward to winter so that I can wear them. They’re comfy and warm and look super cute too! My feet never get cold in the winter.
 
Where is your dream vacation destination?
I recently went on a Mediterranean cruise that stopped in Santorini, Greece for the day. I was blown away by how beautiful and quaint it was. I definitely want to go back one day and explore the rest of the Greek Islands too!
 
What is your favourite thing to do in your city?
I love trying out new restaurants around town with my girlfriends. It’s a perfect way to get dressed up for no reason other than to catch up with friends and eat some great food.
 
What do you always bring as a hostess gift?
I really think it depends on the occasion but, you can’t go wrong with a good bottle of wine to help with relaxing after all the hostess party planning. I also love to decorate, so a gift for the home is always a fun gift to give.

 

Design is in the Details at frilly lilly Kingsland

Whether you’re at the flagship frilly lilly in Calgary’s Mission neighbourhood, or under the California sun at our Santa Monica location, the design and decor of every one of our boutiques conveys the same thing: whimsical, feminine fun. Since opening our very first boutique, Debra has used her keen eye and passion for design to create unique and wonderful spaces that you’ll love. 

Debra worked closely with Kristin, the owner of frilly lilly Kingsland, to design the newest space in our collection of boutiques. From scouring flea markets to some clever Kijiji sleuthing, they scored some of these amazing vintage finds. 

 

This medicine cabinet from the 1970s was bought on Kijiji, then distressed by hand with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. 

 

A friend found this mirror that was discarded after the Calgary floods. After a little bit of love (and paint) it was ready to hang! 

 

The massive shelving unit where we display a lot of our products was salvaged from a house in Philadelphia, built in the early 1900s. 

 

These solid wood barn doors are our absolute favourite find. They were salvaged from a farm house in rural Alberta. Thankfully we rescued them in time, otherwise they would have been burned! 

 

We think this dresser is nearly 100 years old! It was purchased from a lovely lady who sold her bed and breakfast in rural Alberta. 

 

A Day in Santa Monica with Debra

I love spending time in Calgary, where frilly lilly first began, but nothing beats the California sun. Since opening frilly lilly Santa Monica, I’ve been loving my escapes south of the border. This city is my idea of paradise, and my days here are filled with farmers markets, ocean breezes, and sunshine. What makes the perfect day in Santa Monica?

A Run on the Santa Monica Stairs
(photo: LA Times)
This kickstarts my morning run with 170 steps that descend the Santa Monica Canyon. The fresh air and amazing views beat doing anything in the gym.

 

Espresso at Primo Passo  (photo: Time Out)

The stark and simple decor caught my eye at this cafe while I was walking by on Montana Ave one morning. Their delicious coffee keeps me coming back.

Shopping at the Farmers Market(photo: Visit Santa Monica)

I’ve never seen a farmers market as colourful and abundant. This is a one stop shop if I’m cooking a big family dinner.

 Shopping at Splendid 

(photo: Splendid)

This is another Montana Ave favourite of mine. I can always find the perfect dress here for a breezy Santa Monica day.

A Facial at Dermalogica

I love this product line, and they do a fantastic facial at their flagship store on Montana Ave. We sometimes get to partner up with them for events at frilly lilly Santa Monica.

Dinner at Water Grill(photo: Water Grill)

The perfect way to end the day? A glass of prosecco and a delicious seafood dinner while watching the sunset at this new spot.

frilly lilly is Looking for Lovely Estheticians Across Calgary

We are looking for a stylish, energetic and hard-working Esthetician to join the team. We have 7 boutiques in Calgary and Airdrie. You can find our locations here.

Please let us know which boutiques you’d be interested in joining! Email us your resume at [email protected]!

*When sending us your resume, please include a few sentences about why you are a great fit for the frilly lilly team. Let us know what makes you lovely to work with and what you love about frilly lilly. For extra points, include the phrases “I love frilly lilly!” and “cupcake expert.”* 

Want to know more about frilly lilly and our team?  We specialize in waxing and also offer manicures and pedicures. We sell our signature bath and body care products as well as a full range of jewelry and accessories.  Our client base is growing and we are looking to add another team member who can provide exceptional esthetic services.  We are looking for full-time and part-time estheticians. 

Why frilly lilly? 

-Extremely competitive wages plus tips 

-Guaranteed hours 

-Employee incentives and perks 

-Opportunities for commissions and bonuses 

-Ongoing paid training and career development 

Requirements: 

-Excellent customer relations abilities, sensitive to individual client needs and able to build strong client relationships. 

-Confidence to perform esthetic services to high esthetic standards and eager to learn the frilly lilly way of esthetics. 

-Previous experience in esthetics or aptitude in this area is just peachy. 

-Great verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly to assess client needs.  -Experience or training in esthetics or a willingness to learn esthetics 

-Extremely personable, positive attitude, enthusiastic and self motivated. 

-Reliable and dependable. 

Does this sound like you? If so, you might be a great fit for our team!  frilly lilly is now proudly represented with boutiques in Calgary, Airdrie, Vancouver, Victoria and Santa Monica. We continue to grow with many more locations to come, and the frilly lilly product line can be found in boutiques across Canada and the United States. 

Summer Reading List

Whether I’m on a beach blanket, deck chair, or curled up in bed on a rainy morning, my favourite way to relax over the summer is with a great book. My shelves are home to a varied collection of old and new, fiction and non-fiction, and everything in between. Here are some of my all-time favourites to inspire your summer reading list: 

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry

I first read this book in 2001 when Oprah announced it as her latest book club pick. Since then it has always stayed in my number one position. 

 

 Brand Sense: Sensory Secrets Behind the Stuff we Buy

by Martin Lindstrom

 

All the secrets are right here in this book. It focuses on touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. A great book if you are creating a brand of any kind.

 

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness

by Susannah Cahalan

An award winning memoir. She writes about her own experience and recovery from mental illness. I couldn’t put this one down.

In My Shoes: A Memoir

by Tamara Mellon

One of my all-time favourites and a great book for any entrepreneur. Tamara is the co-founder of Jimmy Choo. It goes through her start up to finally the sale of the company. There were so many lessons to be learned.

Couture Prairie

by Rachel Ashwell

A great design book. This is Rachel’s most recent book but her whole collection is great for vintage hunters.

Beauty Ambassador Guest Post: The 5 C's of Style

The frilly lilly Beauty Ambassadors bring you tips, tricks, and exceptional expertise from the most outstanding ladies we know.

Nadia Albano is a true style guru. She’s a highly sought after hair stylist, makeup artist, and fashion consultant. On top of all that, Nadia’s a columnist for The Province, Toronto Sun, and 24 Hour, and is a beauty blogger extraordinaire. She’s a woman who knows her stuff, and uses those talents to make other women feel great about themselves. What tips does she have for frilly lilly ladies?

“We all have a style category that we can relate to.  Some of us fall into more than one category depending on our lifestyle, and our personal and professional goals. I’ve created the “5 C’s™” that define a spectrum of style. This helps my clients embrace a sense of identity to pursue their perfect image. Which category do you fall into?

Casual – Your style is easy and effortless.  It’s all about comfort and functionality.  You’re a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal and will choose flats over stilettos any day. The perfect polish? Pure:

Classic – Your style is timeless and polished.  You never fallow fads and trends.  Your style icon is Audrey Hepburn and your go-to outfit for a special event is an LBD with pearls and peep-toe pumps. The perfect polish? Cranberry Velvet:

Chic – You’re a modern and minimal gal, and gravitate toward classic yet edgy pieces.  Your wardrobe consists of mainly black, white and grey with elements of neutral tans, blush pink, and navy.  You love leather and anything with spike embellishments! The perfect polish? Sable Wool:
Charming – You are the ultimate girly-girl!  You love color, dresses, and accessories.  You’ll choose a cardigan sweater over a blazer any day.  You identify mostly with “Charlotte” from Sex and the City. The perfect polish? Swanky:
 
Couture – You believe that in fashion, rules are meant to be broken.  Your style is unique and unusual; anything goes. You like to stand out from the rest of the crowd and can turn a vintage scarf into a cool halter top in a pinch (and make it look so haute!) The perfect polish? Smoky Felt:
xo,
Nadia Albano”

Beauty Blogs we Love

Staying on top of beauty trends is equal parts fun and exhausting. Thankfully, there are beauty blogs out there that keep us on the cutting edge! In an effort to help you find your blog soulmate(s), we’ve put together a list of our must-follows.

Martinis and Mascara

We love Katie’s honest and comic approach. The real-girl beauty advice (like what to expect with eyelash extensions) and DIY projects make this blog an instant favourite of ours! Bonus, she frequently features cosmetics and cocktail pairings. That’s a combo we can definitely get behind!

 

Beauty Editor

A former beauty editor for Elle Canada, Michelle’s blog is endlessly resourceful. Her curated picks of beauty products are must-haves. We love that she provides Q&A sessions which offer real solutions to awkward beauty issues. Plus, she shows us how to make runway looks work for real life!

 

Cult of Pretty

We guarantee you will love reading through this blog, enjoying all of the gorgeous images and finding new inspiration. We love that she features both cult favourites as well as lesser-known (but just as amazing) beauty products.

 

Beauty Geeks

Beauty Geeks is the authority on achieving the perfect smoky eye. This instantly lends them big time credibility, and keeps us looking forward to their playful product reviews.

 

I Covet Thee

Alix’s easy-to-navigate blog is filled with great product reviews and how-to videos. We love that she includes the Repurchase Roster, a list of products that are good enough to buy more than once.