Blog

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2010-03-12T19:57:00Z

Seriously. If you are a fan of vintage jewellery, you need to get to the shop stat! A selection of the finest sparkly and shiny things made their way into the store this week, and if I do say so myself, they are glorious. And while you are here, be sure to take a look at the vintage tortoise shell sunglasses with the rhinestones. They are so good!

-R

A Saturday Hello

2010-02-27T15:13:56Z

Good morning Huizenga lovers! This is my first post here on the ol' blog. Mrs H has been so kind to allow me a weekly Saturday post! And I had plans for my first post, oh yes. I wanted to show you all the lovely, worn-in, well seasoned leather pieces that are floating around the shop. But, in a not so strange twist, my camera refuses to connect to the computer. It is most definitely a lo-fi loving space, this Huizenga one. So you will just have to come in to see the most perfect Roots purse, or the greatest golden coloured Frye boots, or the softest 1970s maroon handbag. That's just the way it goes. Oh, and who am I? Robyn here...who you may recognize from her role as Saturday worker. Or maybe not. Anyways, see you next Saturday! (Hopefully we'll get the technologies in order, and I will have some cool pics to show as well.)

-R

frozen in time

2010-02-22T19:55:48Z

being a luddite can make blogging quite challenging as technology and i do not always see eye to eye.

the entire concept of computer removes the tactile, which is such the charm of a room full of moments that have passed. how does one convey the sensation of discovery through an electrical screen ?

i am not sure, but i suspect this particular tone of blue - a frozen plant on the front stoop no less - has as good a chance as any words i may pull forth.

visit the shop next time you are in high parkdale, let me know if the blue seems accurate.

oh cheeses

2010-02-08T19:53:22Z

toronto finds itself smack damn in the middle of the most glorious february in memory. sidewalks are clear the clouds are fluffy and blue skies all around. people in other parts of the country may feel they dislike us even more than usual. we don't mind.

the lovely days have afforded us a lush crop of characters up and down the avenue. around noon on any given day a flock of seniors from Copernicus retirement lodge (at the base of roncesvalles) swoon and careen their way to fresh berries and some kale. the smoking man sits continually drinking zywiec and ever expanding at a remarkable clip, the man who ate himself. a sprinkling of new babies, and young children now toddlers learning to fall on the avenue. it is my microcosm, my speck of the universe, we have always lived in the village.....

the construction has been put to rest for now. the shop is bright and cheerful and never fails to delight or surprise me. the treasures people leave in my care push all the right buttons. french ivory drop earrings carved as if the finest bone. purple ankle boots sporting a giant lavender bow.a stained glass window with deep tones of green and rust. yellow fluevog wedges just needing a dance floor. and cheese. mind you i bring that in, all this glory aside it is still february and if you are ever going to eat too much cheese the time is now.oh cheeses.

your chocolate is in my peanut butter

2010-01-11T20:21:23Z

as we scamper off into the head winds of january the shop is deep in a construction zone. every day brings new challenges for the fine citizens of roncesvalles. many of the local school children have picked up some spicy new words from the workmen who have dropped their workplace down all over our avenue . they shout at each other to be heard over the machines and drills creating eddies of confusion and chaos. i have learned some interesting new theories about workplace politics which i won't harangue you with right now, suffice it to say if you can't say anything nice you shouldn't say anything at all...

mrs huizenga feels more like a haven than ever. we have lightened up the room for the new year and stripped away the extra weight that christmas brings with its first world quantities. we have secured new treasures and touchstones for modern times and some damn fine looking skirts. looking into the shop one sees a constantly rotating snapshot of eras and stylish thoughts. looking out the front door i can't help but replay the old reese's peanut butter cup tag line again but tailored to my environment- you got your workplace all over my workplace no you no you no you.........the future lies ahead and we shall go boldly. wanna come ?

you can't take a gun to a snowball fight

2009-12-21T21:12:57Z

i wish you the merriest of seasons, hopefully featuring, but not limited to.... a small child to hold your hand, family heirloom recipes, fine scotch whisky, tears at the sound of carols from your past, a good soul to laugh with and joy randomly popping up when least expected.

i wish you a good toboggan run, a sleep in session that ends the drought of dreams, silly canapés and dr. seuss.

but most of all i wish you peace and contentment, for all the days of your year. i know you would never take a gun to a snowball fight, not you.

thursday afternoon

2009-12-17T19:56:01Z

if you happened to drop in this afternoon you would likely be tempted to rifle through the tea towels and bibs and bobs of fabric. i find it pleasing when people take the time to explore the many layers the shop has to offer- at this point in the season the shop is so chockablock that if you don't knock something over you really aren't doing it right. get in there and muck it up. if you don't bother to root i could have stayed home.

the c word

2009-11-16T21:09:18Z

it happened last wednesday afternoon. a lovely young woman in a fair isle sweater drinking an eggnog latte said christmas in the shop .

it has been bouncing around creating chaos, panic, and yearning ever since. folks are getting a gleam in their eye that speaks of the coming storm-heck, mrs huizenga has a gleam in her eye that speaks of the coming storm.

the bell has been rung, the twinkly lights are on their way my friends. throw out last years all purpose flour and buy the new bag cause it is time to feel the love and eat the shortbread. ok, mainly feel the love... enjoy !

high parkdale is my home

2009-10-29T18:54:20Z

mere moments away from my shop on roncesvalles lies the magnificent High Park. last thursday afternoon these actual ducks were swimming on this actual water. a snapshot for you, an inventory of smell and wind and conversation for lucky mrs h.

since i have only recently become a camera carrying individual i am quite pleased with the postcard perfection of this image- it manages to convey a small piece of the magic that can be found, even in the middle of a bustling world class city. i hope your neighborhood offers you up moments of such bliss.....

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2009-10-22T16:56:32Z

momoko had a mature look, and yet there could be no doubt that all these details were of her own choosing. the cool pallor, somewhat blanched, was in keeping with old-fashioned features not too deeply carved. the solitary earnestness made her the only object at odds with the beguiling charm. her beauty was too formally perfect; and as in the formal perfection of a paper crane it had in it something ominous.

passage from "the decay of the angel" by yukio mishima image by mrs huizenga