Willow Park Village Shopping Tips

Sleep Sheep available at Ella Bella

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:57:45 +0000

Heading to a Baby Shower? Great gift ideas available from Ella Bella!

Ella Bella Maternity Boutique carries the whole line of Cloud B!

The Sleep Sheep is featured in this summer's hit movie

"What to Expect When You're Expecting" starring Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz!

Rustic Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:00:58 +0000

Rustic Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts

Recipe compliments of The Compleat Cook

1	1 lb pkg frozen puff pastry, thawed
3 cups	chopped rhubarb
2 cups	hulled, sliced or chopped strawberries
1 cup	sugar, or to taste
2 tbsp	cornstarch
1 egg	beaten (optional)
	sugar or coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

1.	On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry dough out 1/4″ thick. Cut into rounds whatever size you like using a cookie cutter or glass rim. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2.	In a large bowl, toss together the rhubarb and strawberries. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Add to the strawberry-rhubarb mixture and toss to coat well.
3.	Spread some of the mixture over each pastry circle, leaving about an inch around the edges. Fold them over the filling, wherever they naturally fold. If you like, brush the edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
4.	Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and the fruit is tender. Makes 4-8 pies.

WPV Personal Stylist & Image Coach

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:25:19 +0000

Willow Park Village introduces Kelli Harker, Personal Stylist and Image Coach. Kelli is a certified stylist through Wardrobe 911 in San Francisco and she personally trained with Stacy London from "What Not to Wear" in New York City. Along with the Fashion Merchants of Willow Park Village, Kelli will help you find your personal style!

How does the Willow Park Village stylist/personal shopper program work? And what is the cost?
Kelli Karker of Soul Reflection Ltd will offer a Complimentary 30 Minute Consultation over the phone or via skype! During this time Kelli will find out more about your fashion and lifestyle needs. Once you agree to work with Kelli, the cost is $97.00 per hour (Remember, the 30 minute phone or skype consultation is free). This hourly rate covers the time you spend with Kelli in person... shopping and /or working with your existing wardrobe. After determining your needs, Kelli will go preshopping for you. This is included in her rate. You will not be charged additionally for her preshopping time. This is a special offer! Kelli’s fee is paid directly to her through her company Soul Reflection Ltd.*
* Once your needs are assessed, prepayment will be required.

How much time will I need to book?
During your complimentary phone or skype consultation Kelli will recommend how much time will be required depending on your personal needs.

What are the perks of meeting with Kelli?
Select Willow Park Village stores have partnered with Kelli Harker, Soul Reflection to provide her clients special offers or discounts. They will be made available to you upon completion of your initial consultation.

How do I sign up/contact Kelli?
Kelli Harker, Personal Stylist and Image Coach
Soul Reflection Ltd.
www.soulreflection.ca
403.990-0123

For the Brides-To-Be!

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:20:56 +0000

NOW OPEN IN WILLOW PARK VILLAGE:

Marianna's Wedding Salon!

Marianna's Wedding Salon is pleased to provide you with a unique selection of wedding gowns and accessories. Marianna's is different from other bridal boutiques in Calgary because they specialize in individually made, hand-crafted, lightweight dresses from Europe. Our gowns feature luxuriously draped skirts, exquisite embroidery and see-through lace bodices that accentuate female forms. Our goal is to elate our brides by providing exclusive dress designs and friendly knowledgeable service. Marianna's Wedding Salon will address your every concern when selecting your bridal ensemble including veils, headpieces, gloves, jewelry, petticoats, bridal bags, ring cushions and more! For more information visit our website: www.mariannasweddingsalon.com

Willow Park Village Fall Shopping Spree Winner

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:34:32 +0000

Our Willow Park Village Fall Shopping Spree WINNER was in to pick up her prize! Cathy from SW Calgary won $300 in Willow Park Village gift certificates! She has been receiving our WPV e-Newsletter since the beginning! So sign up... it's easy to do! Visit www.wpv.ca and see the link in the sidebar on the right. Find out what's new and happening, sales, promotions, win prizes... all for liking us on Facebook and receiving our monthly e-Newsletter! Like us on Facebook now and you could WIN a pair of tickets to Jubilations Dinner Theatre!

Papa Chocolat Opening Soon!

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:45:49 +0000

OPENING SOON! Yes, that's right! Papa Chocolat will be transforming simple delicacies like cocoa, ginger and vanilla into glorious concoctions that will be available soon in Willow Park Village! Come enjoy the delicious chocolate, a result of the dedication and creativeness of 4 generations of Callebaut chocolatiers!

More Fashion Tips from Stylist Kelli Harker

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:42:34 +0000

Look for Structured Jackets
I suggest this item to just about every one of my clients. It does so many jobs. It pulls more casual looks of jeans and t-shirts into “outfits”, it provides camouflage to the midsection, it keeps the girls “locked and loaded” and it gives you amazing shape. I gravitate towards these key pieces over and over because I just know they work for my body type and there is not really another piece that is so multi functional. My structured jackets range in materials from corduroy, to denim, to cotton and even a few wool blends. Now the rules for this multi tasker are that it generally should fit no lower than the hip bone, it must have excellent seaming and structure. Rules for number of buttons, collar type and color are all based on the individual.

Accentuate your best feature
In the assessment each of my clients fills out prior to our first appointment, one of the questions I ask is “Are there special areas about yourself that you would like to highlight?” This of course means special body parts. Now I would say that about a third of these that I receive have this question left blank. The next question is “Are there any areas that you would like to camouflage?” and 100% of the clients have this portion filled out in great detail. We all have at least once part of our physical body that we are happy with and *gasp* might even love. It is not only is it healthy to have self love for your body but it gives others permission to celebrate themselves.

Say "YES" to Yourself! Video Contest (Submissions are available from Sept. 6, 2011 to Oct. 18, 2011) Two Grand Prizes worth over $5000 each that includes a spring 2012 shopping trip to New York City! Enter at www.soulreflection.ca

Styling Tips by Personal Stylist Kelli Harker

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:04:33 +0000

Professional Bra Fitting and Shape Wear
We need to start with the basics. It doesn’t matter how pretty your outfit is or how much you spent on it if you don’t have the right support. What you wear underneath your clothes will either make or break you. Do you know that approximately 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? Having the girls in the right place will make a huge difference to how your clothes look. It will also help your posture, will open up your torso and make you look elongated and poised. When was your last professional bra fitting? I ask this of each of my clients and am not surprised one bit when they tell me they never have had a professional fit them or that it was 10 years ago.
When I suggest shape wear to some of my clients they immediately associate the word with some kind of torture chamber. Shape wear has come a long way. This is not your grandmother’s girdle. There are many brands that are comfortable and don’t ride up or roll down. Regardless of your weight, all women can benefit from some form of shape wear. It eliminates panty lines, smoothes thighs and slenderizes the tummy and waist. If you are new to shape wear then I suggest you try one of the shaping camisoles. They should be worn everyday if you have tummy issues and can be pulled down low for love handle issues and look great when layered. You can then try one of the bike short styles. Start wearing them under your dress pants and skirts. When you are ready or the need arises then you can graduate to the full bodysuit style. I am not saying you have to wear it daily but for goodness sakes, please do not tell anyone I helped you pick out that jersey knit wrap dress if you don’t have your shape wear on.
Wear Dark Wash Denim
This is the most flattering wash for denim regardless of your age or weight. It takes you from day to night with ease and always slims the silhouette. Look for the darkest wash you can find and you can actually spend less on your jeans because they will look more expensive. Lighter wash denim gives the illusion of expansion. So if you are conscious of hips and thighs then those jeans you are wearing with the heavy sanding on the thighs or whiskering on the front hip area are not doing you any favors. Lighter wash denim also just looks more casual. You can wear a t-shirt with lighter wash and wear them on weekends but they don’t work so well for casual Fridays at the office. However with a dark wash jean they look great on the weekend in your t-shirt and ballet flats, look professional with a structured jacket and pumps or sexy with a satin tank top and strappy sandals for a night out with the girls.
Let’s talk about styles...
A boot cut is going to be your safest bet on style. Keep in mind that all brands of jeans fit differently and that a boot cut from Levi’s will not fit the same as one from J Brand. The reason the boot cut usually works well on everyone is that it slims the thigh and then gently opens up from the knee bringing balance to the hips.
Skinny jeans are still popular but most of my clients question if they can wear them. I believe that most women can wear them however there are some rules. If you have heavier calves then they will be a challenge. Even if you do find a pair that you can get on, they will likely feel uncomfortable. If you are curvy or have a larger chest then you will need to add some weight to the bottom of your silhouette. High boots can easily solve this problem. No one wants to look like a tomato on toothpicks. If you are a straight rectangle then you are good to go. Just ask yourself if you look balanced. If not, then look for design details to add where you need more or less volume.
High rise vs. Low rise seems to be an issue these days. For the last few years low rise was all the rage regardless if it made us look great or not. The dreaded muffin top is directly related to the rise in your pants. If high rise makes you think of 80’s mom jeans, I challenge you to lose that visual. The higher rise I like to suggest does not come higher than the belly button but sits just below it. You still get the flattering look of what a lower rise does but you get the coverage you likely need. These styles usually have a slightly wider waistband as well.

Fall at Blue Moon Accessories

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:41:10 +0000

Greetings from Blue Moon Accessories

Welcome to an amazing fall season at Blue Moon. We are having so much fun unpacking the latest fall fashions from 'Sandwich', 'Poooles', 'Vitrin', 'Sympli', 'I AM', 'Neon Buddha', 'Pure' sweaters, 'Part Two' and more.

New denim from 'Second Yoga' jeans; including a caramel wash and 'Cookie Johnson' boot cut or dark denim leggings. Perfect for boots.

New purses and wallets just arrived from 'ESPE', 'High Fashion' and 'Joanel'. We have a selection of cross body purses in many colors and shapes. We just received a new travel bag line; 'MOSEY'. Fabulous and functional! Great bags for the plane or for work, there are even insulated day bags!!

Our buyers have travelled for treasures and we are just getting many of them in; trendy leather WRAP bracelets, and Shamballa bracelets which are an eastern symbol of peace and tranquillity.

We also found 'GOGO' Therafirm TM tights and pantyhose. This legwear is designed to provide energy and assist in the prevention of varicose and spider veins, and improve circualtion whether sitting, standing or working out. Our clients are taking them for airline travel too!

Never too early for gloves in Calgary! The 'Echo touch' glove just arrived, which sold out last year. It is compatible with itouch technology, don't take off your glove while navigating your iphone!
What's new for fall? Faux fur, feathers, lace, romantic embellishment and of course 'mad men' classic. Invest in a statement winter jacket, like the classic red car coat from 'Katherine Barclay' or update your current look with rich soft scarves from 'Echo'. We have a great selection of fall tunics to pair with skinny jeans or add a long charm necklace to an existing tunic. We have the wildest fun tights and leggings by 'Celeste Stein' flying off the shelves. Tatoo, lace, paisley, & other funky prints will update an outfit for $40 (see patterns below). They make socks as well, come and have a peek!

Puree of Potato Soup with Bacon and Chives

joomla@wpv.ca (Administrator) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:44:28 +0000

Puree of Potato Soup with Bacon and Chives - Recipe provided by The Compleat Cook

1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 1/2 cups chicken stock or beef stock
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup good Irish beer (not Guinness)
1 cup light cream
6-8 slices bacon, chopped & crisply fried
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 - 2 tbsp Chives, chopped

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and fry the onion until soft, but not brown

2. Add the Beer and bring to a boil

3. Add the potatoes, stock and milk then season with salt and pepper

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 40 - 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the potatoes from sticking

5. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return the soup to the pan and adjust the seasoning as needed

6. Stir in the cream and bacon and bring back to a boil

7. Serve in Soup bowls garnished with the chopped chives