Just one look at all the knits, scarves and cardigans that stores are stocking has got me looking forward to the crisp fall air. When I came across the coats by the ecologically conscious Nixxi, let’s just say I’m more than ready to be done with summer.

The coats from Nixxi’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection range from edgy to fun. Details like exposed zippers, big buttons and wrap-around ties are the features that make the coats stand out from the myriad of boring outerwear that we get season after season.

While the Moto Jacket would bring out my inner rocker chick, I am counting on the Cropped Sash Coat to keep me safe and warm with its organic wool melton shell and oversized hood.

Nixxi’s collection is available in North America and Australia or online.

Whenever I see a person dressed in the exact same thing I’m wearing, I always feel as if the authenticity of my outfit has been somewhat compromised. No longer is my outfit new and fresh, but it’s just another skirt worn by a hundred other girls. I was introduced to vintage shopping by a good friend when we spent the whole day in and out of Toronto stores looking for that perfect outfit. After returned to my university, I frantically googled stores in Ottawa only to realize that my beloved city wasn’t exactly vintage friendly. The next step was online shopping but after a horrible experience with Anthrolopogie, which included hidden extra fees for shipping and cross border handling, that option was quickly crossed off the list.

Then I came across a fabulous new Canadian website that made me fall in love with fashion all over again. Boat People Boutique and the Sample Boutique was born in 2009 by two style-loving girls from Quebec City who wanted to create a business that was new, changed mentalities and at the same time was eco-friendly. On their website the girls write that one of the many advantages of buying vintage is that you help reduce your imprint on the environment while also refusing to support unethical sweatshops overseas and extra polluting garment factories. Fashionable and eco friendly? I was instantly sold.

Each garment sold in the Boat People Boutique is hand selected for its style and flair by the girls who make sure to put extra attention on details like the quality, condition and cleanliness of the garment. The girls also re-design some of the garments or “up-cycle” them to add a little bit of a modern twist to some of these classic pieces. Their other store, the Sample Boutique, offers buyers street wear industry samples like Vans, Insight and Volcom at incredibly low prices.

Not only were the fashion choices endless, but the Boat People offer free delivery on all domestic orders of $75 dollars and more. Strapped for cash? Shipping charges for items under $75 dollars is a flat fee of $8 in Quebec and $12 for any other Canadian province.

So go ahead and splurge. After a couple of purchases from the Boat People you’ll not only feel as if you’ve helped the environment, but you’ll also be wearing a truly one of a kind outfit.

To visit the Boat People go to: http://www.boatpeopleboutique.com/

Nouveau Riche Colors is a new shirt design company out of Montreal. If you dig that whole high end tee shirt thing than you will probably want to check them out. They specialize in “limited quantities using high quality materials” and they also put together some hand crafted pieces. We at Urbanebloc got a sneak peek at the summer 2010 line and I have to say the whole 1930′s print ad style is kind of cool. Unfortunately they are so fresh that they aren’t online yet so if you really want to get your hands on one fire an email to nvrchclrs@gmail.com.

> pictured above is Désiré Bara-Assi’s collection “Inside Walks Out”. My absolute favourite.

I’ve been slow to post lately – apologies. Things are finally settling down, my life is not as much in a disarray, and I’m going to be in Toronto for the next little while (not that I want to anyone to be under the guise of me being some sort of jetsetter. I’m just sick of airplanes right now. But ask me in a week and I’ll have changed my mind). On the topic of Toronto – here’s more local talent. Mass Exodus is a favourite each year in showing new up and coming designers from the Ryerson Fashion Design program (from which many a famed designer has hailed from). Some astounding textures, cuts, dresses, pieces, leathers, performances, A/V and styling was to be engrossed in on April 8th. I’m absolutely floored at the talent and the organization of the event. The event was complete with a performance from Fritz Helder and the Phantoms (who I’ll be seeing next week at the after-Hot-Chip-XX-concert, XX DJ Set – which you can attend too, RSVP here).

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2010 (apologies – my photos just don’t do it justice. I have a few images credited to Arthur Mola which are intensely good).

I love Dragonette. And I love Greta Constantine. So it’s only natural that I would be compelled to post about Dragonette wearing Greta Constantine in their new music video, “Pick Up The Phone”.

If you’re not familiar with either of these folks, Dragonette is an amazing Canadian electropop group with addictive tracks like Shock Box, I Get Around and Lagerfeld Lady (Remix). As for GC? Other than the fact that we share initials, they’re ones to watch (and for me to see mid-October!)

Love it.