The past few weeks have been so amazing full of travel and wonderful people! I got back from my Zuka road trip across the prairies only to have a couple of days in between before we jumped back into the car and headed south for my husband’s parents 60th Wedding Anniversary in the tiny coastal town of Vallejo, California. I want to back track though and chat about the first road trip…to write a bit about my trip across the vast divide which is home to so many amazing people.
And so it begins…

My trusty driver and extrordinary husband Darren!
Managed to pack up the mini this morning. Every part of it is filled! Weather is perfect for a road trip and with an early start, not many on the road. We’re forging over the Cocahalla Hwy and as we twist and turn the fog lifts and falls. Beautiful streaks of snow throughout the mountains. Fitting for the launch of the new Zuka Fall Holiday Collection. Love the color of the Chilliwack river, an iced green mint color. We’ve made it to Merritt and now are heading to Kamloops. Fueled up at Starbuck’s and hope to enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we make our way to Jasper and the rockies!

Beautiful Jasper National Park
We have now crossed into the Jasper National Park. We are in Moose and Deer country and hope to see one or two?! The mountains are expansive and stoic. There is such a peacefulness to the country here but a strength within it’s grace. The mountains are listed on tiny brown signs at the side of the road pointed upward in honor, Waddington, Mouat, and Ghita are a few of the many that dot along the hwy. With the names, come many stories as well! And how amazing to catch this rainbow as we headed down out of the Park…

What’s at the end of your rainbow?
We headed into St.Albert a lovely thriving suburb in Edmonton to stay with friends and their adorable two boys. We were traveling with our little Havanese Kai who also doubles as Zuka Muse and mascot in the studio. The boys were thrilled to have a part time pup to run around with and it sure gave Kai a workout after the long hours in the car! While in Edmonton I went around to some of my stores, to show the new Zuka Fall Holiday Collection.
I have some amazing stores run by some pretty special and amazing women. First on the agenda was to visit the girls at Bella Maas www.bellamaas.com in St.Albert. This little boutique looks like it stepped right off of Melrose street in Los Angeles, amazing lines of jeans and eclectic, funky t-shirts and separates from some of the top US collections. (never-mind their shoe collection!!) After this appointment I was off to visit with Thread Hill in Edmonton www.threadhill.com, gorgeous store close to downtown located right beside a new wine bar…how perfect! She loves to support Canadian designers but also has some US collectiions as well…including Gwen Stefani’s Lamb which is AMAZING! Love visiting this store as the Duchess Bakery is just across the street so if you’re in need of a pick-me-up, this is the place to indulge! At the end of a long day we headed back to St.Albert where my girlfriend had assembled some of her friends and along with the infamous Bullfrog cocktails and nibbles…they were able to take a sneak peek of the new Zuka Collection and pick up some cash & carry items from past seasons to satisfy their jewel obsessions.
My next day was going to be just as hectic! It was also my birthday so feeling like it was a special day I decided that I needed to shop a little as well! First up was to visit C’est Sera…I have worked with them for many, many years and I love to visit. Their store is very cool, with a groovy Bohemian feel and they also have mens clothing as well. (and once more a kick ass shoe collection!) Next was Tattered Rose…I have sold to them for so long and originally started selling to them when they were in Winnipeg. If you want a unique, one-of-a-kind boutique and lovely special pieces…this is the place. I have a soft spot for romance and Paris, this is what she does so beautifully. It’s an experience to walk into her store where you feel like you have just been “beamed” back to Paris. Every place you turn there is something there, a treasure, and it has all been placed lovingly by the owner. She is about move into a new location in a month or so and I’m so excited to see what she will create there. She is also a designer and if you’re looking for something special for an event or wedding her work is stunning. Hand-dyed lace and corsets…they are works of art.
My last day in Edmonton was going to be a morning appointment at The Bridal House www.thebridalhouse.com. I have two Bridal stores that I sell to in Canada and love them both! I showed my Bridal Collection but they also like to take a peek at anything new in the fashion collection as well. They have some of the most amazing lines…Pronovias, Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero, Paloma Blanca and many more. If you are looking for unique pieces or found something in one of the many Bridal Mags, they will most likely have it. It’s a huge beautiful store which also houses the Tuxedo House, one stop shop for the Bride & Groom!

Unique Trunk show reminder!
We headed out of Edmonton to make our way to Lloydminister, SK. It’s only 2 hours from there and I was doing a trunk show with the girls at Socko www.socko.ca Love them!! We had fun looking over the collections for Fall and they picked out their faves but then the trunk show began and the clients started to pick out their faves!

On the left, Joanne Barry, former owner of Cornerstone Clothiers and to the right, a lovely Zuka client!
It was an amazing and busy evening! The best part was meeting all the Zuka clients that have been “collecting” my pieces for several years. This was my very first visit to Lloydminster and it was wonderful to meet them in person, and wearing Zuka from past seasons! Kinda surreal actually! A highlight was to meet up with Joanne Berry who used to own Cornerstone Clothiers, I sold to her for many seasons. It was so lovely to see her and get caught up with her busy life! After this event which ended around 6:30, we jumped back into the Mini and headed to Saskatoon where we were going to stay over to prepare for the prairie part of our trek which would take us to Winnipeg! I will leave the story here for now but there is plenty more to share!

Socko Owners Chelsea & Holly

The Zuka case!
After the trunk show, which ended around 6:30, we jumped back into the Mini and headed to Saskatoon where we were going to stay over to prepare for the prairie part of our trek which would take us to Winnipeg! I will leave the story here for now but there is plenty more to share!