♫ Ch-ch-changes ♪♫

so, maybe some Bowie to start!?

(please read on though!!? i suggest while you listen, for optimum pleasure.)

thank you so much for coming back to our blog, formerly

~ the Red Door in the Alley ~

to explain the new name of this blog:
there have been a few changes at
Global Underground in the past few months.

this summer, the opportunity came our way to move to a
streetfront location (hello windows!) just steps
from our original alley location.
we know, we aren't technically underground
anymore, but we think you will LoVe our new
sunny location as much as we do!!
(did i already mention the windows?)





WheW!
a lot of work went into the reno and move;
we have SO many friends and customers
who helped and supported and cheered us on.
Thank You All for Everything!!
we know we could never have done it alone!
if you haven't been in yet to see our new digs,
stop by when you can.

~ the girls @ global underground

Sawat Dee Kaa from Bangkok!

Hello all, Happy Spring!!

This post comes to you all the way from
hot and humid (and currently politically charged?)
Bangkok, Thailand.

I'm so excited to have had the last two weeks
to explore the markets and shopping districts
of this amazing city. Reconnecting with
Thai designers we've met before and
meeting new local women & men who are
creating unique clothing and accessories collections
that will be a welcome addition to
Global Underground's Summer 2010 inventory!!

Stay tuned . . . in about six weeks, everything
will be out on our shop floor for you
to check out for yourself!!

Meanwhile, here are some shots from my daily outings:

~ the Temple just next to my guesthouse


~ the Chao Phraya River at Sunset



~ these are peppercorns drying in the sun



~ fresh coconuts perched on someone's doorstep


~ this is Jackfruit, in season so i had to give it a try!


~ a busy, hot afternoon @ Chatuchak Market
over 35 acres of stalls selling almost anything you could imagine:
furniture, food, clothing, jewelry, even a pet section (!?)
this is one of those places where getting lost could be
one of the best things that could happen . . .

~ it's a pretty humid 30° C all day and night right now
so all plant life flourishes!

~ around 3 p.m. everyday, just as i'm about to drop from
exertion and near dehydration, some angel at my guesthouse
café blends me up a fresh (always in season!!??)
watermelon slurpee . . . ahhhhhhhhhhh!!

~ Larb, a fresh herb salad dressed with lots of lime juice,
this one came with squid

~ again, the green!!

~ it's mango season in Thailand!!
here is a plate of fresh mango served with
sticky rice, sweet coconut cream & a little crispy rice on top,
. . . served up with a contagious Thai smile!

Hope you enjoy this little taste of Siam,
see you back in Nelson soon!

xox, global

~ the Red Door in the Alley ~: International Women's Day!!

~ the Red Door in the Alley ~: International Women's Day!!

International Women's Day!!

International Women's Day

is March 8

just a quick post to wish all the ladies in our world a
creative, prosperous and supported
next 365 days . . . we wouldn't be who we are without YOU!!!


. . . and an open invitation to attend our

Spring Fashion Show!!




showcasing over 15 (mostly!!) local
clothing, jewelry and accessories designers
in an evening of fund raising to benefit the
Nelson Women's Centre

admission is free but there will
be plenty of ways to help us raise money:

~ a bake sale
~ a 50/50 draw
and
~ a raffle!

with the Grand Prize being a
$200 Gift Certificate for
Global Underground!!

~ admission is free
~ doors open at 7pm
~ the first set of the show is at 8pm

~ music by our man DJ Dexter
http://www.myspace.com/dexter78
&
~ featuring lovely local talent in the show!

Hope to see you there!?!

xox, global

Mad Hatters!

YES!

the title of this post is in reference
to the much anticipated
Alice in Wonderland
extravaganza that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp
have in store for us next month . . .


i'm also referring to the gorgeous new
HATS
that were just delivered from
Kitty in a Blender (Nelson, BC)!!!
(http://kittyinablender.com/index.html)


Designer Kristin Phasey's creations are a
multi-step process: she firsts crochets, then felts,
and finally finishes each hat with
subtle details -- like this small spray of feathers! -- so the
end result is uniquely individual.





~ the soft texture of felted wool is such a treat for your noggin!!



~ a great Valentine's Day gift idea,
for someone you ♥ . . .

like YOU !?!!?






I was surprised to learn that
Kristin has only been making these hats
to sell for just a few months now.
Her professional approach to quality is
evident in the finished product!

Custom orders are Welcome also!!
(see website for Order Form)

Come check them out when you
get a chance!!



Happy Imbolc
to all our pagan friends!

this is the time of year when we all start looking
to the weather and nature for signs of spring;
the tradition of watching groundhogs
(or more importantly, their shadows)
to predict the end of winter
was born of this ancient holiday.


SO!!
stick your head out into the world today,
check out the cloud situation and
make your own predictions!!

xoxo, global


~ many thanks to my geeky brothers
who comb the internet for random interesting factoids to share
(go to wikipedia.com and select "Random article")
and who never laugh too hard at my tendency to look up
ANYTHING in the middle of a conversation !!!

New! This! Week!

new camera + novice photographer = LOTS of amateur shots!!
(so bear with me . . . )

here are some photos of the
new clothing we just received
from the talented ladies at
Floating Gold Iceberg (Victoria, BC)

~ the Hotness : grey fleece top with cozy plaid cowlneck

. . . sleeve detail

. . . and neck detail

~ also comes in Grey Fleece + Navy cowl and
Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl

Grey Fleece + Navy cowl sleeve detail . . .

Grey Fleece + Navy cowl neck detail . . .

Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl sleeve detail . . .

Black Fleece + Tan Plaid cowl neck detail . . . .

~ Le Trou : full length wide leg trousers in a stretchy black twill

a yoga waistband

with 2 flat back pockets

and structured cuffs you can wear up or down!

also available in a light blue stretch denim!!

~ the Cossack Pant : a wide leg cut with a yoga waistband,
the length hits most of us around mid-calf so
you can show off those amazing new boots you got for Xmas!!

~ the Cossack in black twill/lycra with Crane print

~ the Cossack in black linen/lycra with Headdress print

~ the Bella Yoga Pant : same cut as the Cossack pant but in a
very livable cotton/lycra fabric . . .

~ shown in Navy with a Maple Seedpod print on the back leg

~ the Circle Scarf : one continuous length of cotton/lycra fabric
that can be worn so many different ways,
it comes with an owner's manual!!

one long, simple loop . . .

or double up the layers . . .

bring one layer up over your head and get cozy . . .

highlight the ribbon detail for an elegant shrug . . .

or leave it hanging long down the back . . .

and finally, add a pin in the front to make a shawl!

the Circle Scarf is definitely one of those pieces
that will never become stale
and you don't have to be
highly skilled at the Art of Scarves to
make it look perfect every time you wear it!!


one last note:

today is the final day for business for a little shop called
Hemp&Company here in Nelson.
H&C Nelson was where i learned the most important bits about
owning & running a retail store from Mike Finley and Bill Finley.

i'd like to say Thank You to Mike and to Bill
for your patience, understanding, and calm over the years,
and for supporting me and Laura as we moved
forward with our own fledgling business!!!

forever appreciative,
michelle
(your kid-sitter for LIFE!!)