Here we go again. Another January thaw to get our hopes up about the return of warm weather. But it’s just a ruse, Ottawa. Before you know it, you’ll be dealing with eye-watering windchill as everyone goes about their business in bundled-up, genderless masses. You know what’s not toying with you? This weekend roundup, of course! So read it before your eyelids freeze shut from the cold, and then get out there and take part in some local culture. Speaking of eyeballs and winter, you could do worse than checking... | Continue reading article

All photos courtesy of Adria May There were swells of vintage-lovers looking to buy that special one-of-a kind item at this year’s Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show on November 18. This years’ event has held for the first time at the Ottawa Convention Centre and was packed with enthusiastic fashion-lovers. I had the good fortune of meeting four fabulous women: Julia, Rosa, Erin and Erica. Name: JULIA CARON Occupation: Works for CBC Radio, Quebec City Outfit: Dress – Toronto, somewhere on Queen Street West Shoes – Mexico City (she recalled entering a store... | Continue reading article

We’re celebrating local business all month with our second annual Support Local Month. Last month’s Creative Mornings lecture with Katie and Regine from Victoire Boutique captured so much of our motivation for this project that we asked the team at Creative Morning if we could share the video here. Katie and Regine are amazing local business leaders and we have so much respect for what they do. If you’re interested in what it takes to succeed as a shop owner here in Ottawa, take a few minutes to let them... | Continue reading article

City Hall was buzzing this week with the debate over whether Ottawa should consider a proposal for a new casino from OLG. Many thought that the debate lacked the time or nuance required and addiction experts spoke out about the harmful effects a casino might have on the population. Council passed the motion with a vote of 19 to 5. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa is working to reunite a mother and her child after she gave birth in an Ottawa jail cell. The shocking story has been raising... | Continue reading article

This afternoon, participants of Harvest Noir got the call they had been waiting for: the secret location for the ultimate in outdoor picnics. Despite the rain, spirits were high as hundreds of local foodies and fashionistas gathered together on the front lawn of City Hall to eat, drink, and be merry. And… get a little bit wet. Check out our photos of the event below. Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

With Harvest Noir just around the corner, a few attendees gathered down at the National Gallery last Wednesday. Their purpose? To give a sneak peek at some of the fashions to be expected at the secret-location picnic later this month, alongside a few vintage bikes. The bikes came courtesy of Capital Vélo Fest and HUB Ottawa, and the photographers from Ottawa VELO Vogue snapped shots of the picnickers dressed up in their fancy black formal wear. We chatted with Greg Searle, co-founder of Harvest Noir, a few weeks back and... | Continue reading article

Ottawa is bursting at the seams this weekend – we’re definitely not ready to let go of festival season quite yet. Today, House of Paint kicks off for four days of graffiti, hip hop and breakdancing. And Saturday is Arboretum, the newest boutique festival celebrating all things local – we’re talking food, art, music and more. Highlights? Catch hip hop legend Maestro Fresh Wes at House of Paint Sunday and see the graffiti wall created the day before, and take in Cadence Weapon while chowing down on some delicious vittles... | Continue reading article

If you missed last year’s top-secret picnic (a secret kept by over 700 people), you’re in luck. Harvest Noir is returning again this year, and promises to be even bigger and better. But let’s start with the basics: yes, it’s a secret picnic. And yes, it’s a black tie affair. Yes, you bring your own food. And no, you don’t know where it will be held. At least not until a few hours before the picnic is set to start. You and your fellow picnickers prepare all of your food... | Continue reading article

Canada Day and cottages: that sums up many an Ottawan’s weekend plans. Of course, for those of you staying the city this long weekend, the first option will be hard to miss. The usual craziness will take place around Parliament Hill, with Feist, Simple Plan and many more giving free shows. Major Hill and Jacques-Cartier parks will also be hopping, as well as several museums (click here for a full list) . You can also catch some free shows as part of JazzFest. There’ll also be a Canada Day event for almost every community... | Continue reading article

I first heard of Magida El-Kassis a couple of years ago, when she was still at SPAO – the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa. She had been recognized by her peers and the staff at SPAO for her great photography. Little did I know she was a country girl from Richmond, Ontario, just outside of Stittsville. Even now that she’s been back in Richmond for about 3 years, El-Kassis still has a foot in Ottawa and is making things happen. Her latest endeavour is the Ottawa Women Small Business... | Continue reading article