Our tote bags, scarves, and pareos from Epice have come floating in to join all the other fresh new goodies. They are looking especially lovely with the new swimsuits from local wonder Le Truc (formerly cusp swim wear). Epice scarves are inspired by the cultures of France, India and Denmark. The patterns and colors put a little Spring in any outfit, and the fabrications are lovely. The soft cotton and silk blends and luxe pure silk shine.

Toms shoes offer a win-win-win to customer, merchant, and world. Blake Mycoskie, founder of Toms shoes, based his design on a traditional Argentine shoe. Made of breathable canvas fabric with rubber soles, they are simple, lightweight, and attractive. The are also available in a plethora of styles and colors. But as Blake says, the goal is comfort.

And Blake doesnt mean just comfort for soles of the wearers feet, though of course thats a part of it. On top of that, Toms are comfortable for the soul inside. Because for every pair of Toms shoes you buy, Blake donates a pair to a child in need. One for one. Blake traveled to South America some years ago, and the experience changed his life. The culture deeply affected him, and he wanted to give back to those who suffered from dire poverty. Toms has been his way of helping thousands of people fulfill their basic needs. When you purchase a pair of these comfy slip-ons , one more child in South America will have shoes on his/her feet.

Le Truc began as Cusp swim a few seasons back and quickly established themselves as a sexy, subtle, beautifully crafted collection. Designed here in Brooklyn and manufactured in the city, this is a hometown brand we are proud to carry. The fit is great, and the styles are simple, but different. And they DO look swell with those Epice pareos.

Yesterday it suddenly looked like springtime here in Brooklyn. The magnolias have exploded with color and the trees up and down our avenues are full of snowy white blossoms. Even our velvety tulips opened up to drink in the sunshine. So, although it's raining now, Spring Fever is in full swing. And yes, this post is an excuse to put up a pretty picture!

Canadian designer Virginia Johnson has long been one of our favorites. Her pieces are light, colorful, and both childlike and extremely sophisticated. I am so pleased with the new prints, and her new selection of cotton scarves has been flying out of the store. This sunshine-y crocodile (print!) bag is a beauty. Virginia began as an illustrator, and her work is still regularly featured in magazines. Her collaboration with Kate Spade on Kate's books on manners, occasions and style, are breezy, effortless and beautiful- qualities I'm always hoping to display.

Virginia paints her original designs with watercolors, then has the image screened onto sheer cotton voile, silk/cotton blends, and micro-modal. If you are in Toronto, look her up, her lovely shop features not only her clothing and accessories, but also a fabulous assortment of textiles and housewares.

Karen Stewart and Howard Brown have really pioneered the organic cotton/green/eco clothing movement. They not only talk the talk- they walk it too. Partners in life as well as business, Karen and Howard are inspiring. Their designs are fashion forward, comfortable and always sustainable. Their range includes super soft organic pima cotton, lyocell and linen, hemp silk blends, surplus canvas, and luxurious Mongolian cashmere.

Here are a few of the spring designs in our store now. Left: Linen lace dress worn over dove grey hemp silk slip dress. Right: organic cotton light weight denim sundress. Note the pockets.

A fortuitous space rental precipitated Brickhouse Soap joining forces with the Dewey Howard paper company to become the Soap and Paper Factory- making good things even better! The folks at Brickhouse have long been completely wonderful, and their products show it. All handmade, in small batches with plenty of love and a cheeky sense of humor,now they are even more beautiful.

We are especially enamored with the silky body cream, and the pure beeswax candles , which smell like sunshine. The Soap and Paper Factory is committed to sustainability, from their ingredients down to their packaging, and what pretty packaging it is.

There are so many beautiful new items flooding into the store, I hardly know where to begin. Today brought us gorgeous pieces from Project Alabama Green-T. This is a new collection from the brains behind Project Alabama. Utilizing the same traditional quilting techniques employed by local Alabaman women for years and years, each shirt is handworked, with visible threads, appliques and unusual prints. Project Alabama's Green T collection is both sustainable in design and product. Each shirt is made from recycled fabrics, water soluble dyes, and is hand-stitched. Even the hang tags and labels are hand-printed and made from recycled materials. And each is prettier than the next.

One of our favorite finds of late, the handmade work from Abraham & Thakore is gorgeous, as are the cotton and silks, bright colors and careful attention to detail. I am especially inspired by this scarf. It seems to speak to the little girl who loves delicate, feminine and fanciful things. It would make a beautiful drape for the end of the bed, or over a table on a special occasion. As well as its intended use as a spring wrap. Abraham & Thakore design in England and manufacture in India. Their home textiles are magnificent, and I hope to bring you more of them in the Fall. Look for an Abraham & Thakore piece in the next issue of Cookie magazine.