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Father’s Day is less than a month away and while you may not be able to celebrate the father figures in your life the same way you did last year — with a camping trip or tickets to a football game — you can still make sure dad (or grandpa, your father-in-law, and even uncle) feels special. Whether that’s by organizing a beer tasting or a family game night, all of which can be done virtually, or gifting him with something he actually wants. To help you get it right, we’ve curated a local gift guide featuring some of our favourite small businesses.
Adesso Man is your one-stop-shop for men’s fashion, style, and personal care products focused on helping people feel more confident in their daily life. If you’re looking for unique, bold, and timeless accessories or handcrafted skincare, we recommend checking these guys out!
Founded in Edmonton by husband and wife duo, Ken and Keenyn, Like Grandpa isn’t your typical shaving and beard company. Their products are handmade without any chemicals, fillers, or mystery ingredients. Every year they partner with a new artisan to produce a limited number of unique lather mugs, and we love the dark brown, traditional Japanese Temecu glaze used for their 2020 design. They also have products for women, so you can treat yourself while treating dad.
West of 5th Distillery is a family-owned distillery making craft spirits the way they should be — affordable and good! Their first moonshine, White Lightning, was part of Culinaire’s 2018 Judges Selection for the Alberta Beverage Awards. They have since expanded their collection to include local flavours like Saskatoon Shine and Strawberry Rhubarb.
How many unmatched socks are sitting in your sock drawer right now? Adam Thomspon got the idea to launch Friday Sock Co. while eating a bowl of cereal. The Calgary-based company only sells mismatched, ethically made, socks which makes laundry day so much easier.
Our top pick: The Mismatched French Press Coffee Socks which includes a bag of locally roasted coffee! | $23 CAD | Shop here
Make sure dad’s quarantine is as stylish and comfortable as possible with a few extras from MINI Street.
The Hux Joggers | $94 CAD | Shop here
As the coronavirus pandemic continues and another school year comes to an end, it’s getting harder and harder to find ways to keep my kids busy and entertained throughout the day. Playdates and playgrounds are no longer options, and I’ll be honest, I’m starting to develop at-home-fatigue (I’m sure you are too). Between running a business and caring for two small children who are bored and starting to go stir-crazy, it’s been hard to have a minute to myself. But here are five quarantine-friendly tricks I have up my sleeve.
It’s like camping but indoors and without the hassle of packing up supplies and food. All you really need are some bedsheets, tape, pillows, and blankets. You can use furniture or any cardboard boxes leftover from deliveries to create the structure. Adding string lights can make the space extra cozy and inviting. Whatever design you choose, be sure to get the kids involved in the building process — so they can get creative and even more tired *wink, wink*. During the day, they can play inside with their favourite toys or even art supplies, and at night you can set up a TV or tablet to watch a movie together.
This one will have you feeling nostalgic for your childhood — tie-dying is the perfect stay-home activity. Not only does it get the creative juices flowing but it's an excuse to spend the afternoon outside, and you can even up-cycle clothing or bedding that may have been forgotten. While there are plenty of tie-dye kits available online, we suggest making your own natural dyes with vegetables, fruits, and even spices in your pantry. Learn more about natural, plant-based dyes here.
Put your unique tie-dye spin on these MINI Street faves:
Trying to tire out your overly-active child? Set up an obstacle course in your living room or backyard. It doesn’t have to be worthy of Pinterest, just use what you have laying around. Whether that’s furniture, landscaping material, or even some well-laid-out tape. It just has to hold their attention long enough for you to indulge in some ME time!
Practicing mindfulness, the psychological process of learning to focus on the here and now, is a great way to help your children work through their emotions and build character. Taking a few minutes every morning and, or, evening, to work on different mindfulness exercises can help your child focus, improve their social skills, reduce attention problems, and even mitigate the effects of bullying. Learn more about mindfulness activities for children here.
I’ll admit, this one is a bit messy but definitely worth it. If your kids are bored with colouring and regular paints, try making a batch of ice paints instead. All you need is water, food colouring, popsicle sticks, an ice cube tray, and lots of paper. Then the fun can begin!
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and while you may not be able to give mom a hug, you can still make sure she feels loved. While this day isn’t necessarily about gifts, it never hurts to be on the receiving end of one (or a few) — especially when parental duties have more than doubled!
With less than two weeks to go before Mother’s Day weekend, we’ve curated a local gift guide to help you celebrate the mothers, mothers-in-law, and moms-to-be in your life while supporting a small business, that just may be owned by a mom.
We have a lot to say about Sweet {Jolie} but we’ll keep it short. Not only do they offer comfy everyday basics with a boho-twist for all shapes and sizes, but owner/operate Nicole Rice has built an online community for women dedicated to empowering, uplifting, and supporting one another! And her {Love} Project raises thousands of dollars for community-focused non-profits every year — an initiative we can definitely get behind.
Our top pick: The Little Heart Necklace — available in Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold Metals | $35 CAD | Shop here
If you’ve been part of the MINI Street community for some time, you probably know all about Justine Ma — Edmonton-based designer and hand letterer, known for her signature creative style and fun, loving community-minded personality. Together, we created the Be Kind collection and are continuously donating a portion of sales to the Kind Campaign: a local initiative supporting kindness events in Edmonton schools.
Our top pick: The 'I <3 the S Outta You' Mug, also available in a tumbler and water bottle | $25 CAD | Shop here
No Mother’s Day guide would be complete without mentioning the ultimate destination for mamas. Founded by Edmonton-designer Jenn, and mom of two, Nest in the City is a marketplace for motherhood. While their latest event has been postponed due to Covid-19 and physical distancing requirements, their latest endeavor — The Mama Shop — launches this weekend!
Founded by Sabrina Siponen in 2011, Saraswati Designs is a collection of vibrant, ethically-sourced, and handcrafted jewellery designed with the intention of creating treasured pieces and wearable art. Indulge and pamper mom with Saraswati’s Love Your Mother Box, available from now until May 3rd. This box includes jewellery, hot chocolate, bath bombs, and more!
Our top pick: the Love Your Mother Box | $117 CAD | Shop here
Does mom have a sweet tooth? Treat her to personalized sugar cookies, decadent macarons, and artisanal lollipops from Sweetness — Edmonton’s ultimate boutique bakery, specializing in sweetly inspired creations that are just as pretty as they are tasty. Everything is baked fresh, from scratch, with the highest quality ingredients because mom deserves nothing but the best.
Our top pick: A Mother’s Day Cookie Box | $18.95 CAD | Shop here
Did you know we absorb approximately 60% of what we put on our skin? Protect the health and wellbeing of the mothers, mothers-in-law, and moms-to-be in your life with Pure Essentials — a collection of handmade eco-conscious clean skincare and natural oils, perfect for a day of pampering and relaxation.
Our top pick: A Mother’s Day Gift Set | Starting at $45.95 CAD | Shop here
Surprise mom with a few extra treats from MINI Street, and make her quarantine as stylish and comfortable as possible:
The Hux Women’s Joggers in Black | $94 CAD | Shop here
The Mama Heart Crew Sweater | $89 CAD | Shop here
The most wonderful time of the year is here! But let's be honest, as adults, the holiday season is anything but hectic. Between work obligations, family get-togethers, and the cold weather, gift-giving feels like more of a chore than a heartfelt sentiment. We want to bring back the magic of gifting so we've rounded up seven small-businesses that are sure to please everyone on your list! Let's get started...
Founded in 2013, Love Squared Kids specializes in quality handmade, chic accessories for babies and adults — from the perfect slouchy beanie to satiny scrunchies (that actually keep your hair in place) and adorable yet lightweight trucker hats.
What we love:
LSK focuses on using the softest, highest-quality fabrics including bamboo (a MINI fave!) which is antibacterial, insulating yet cooling, sweat-absorbent, a natural UV protectant, hypoallergenic, and one of the most eco-friendly fabrics on the planet!
Justine Ma is a designer, hand-letterer, and blogger making magic in Edmonton, Alberta. She's also an honourary member of the MINI Street team. Last year, we collaborated with Justine to launch our Be Kind sweater which has expanded into a full collection including pins, decals, iron-on patches, keyrings, stickers, and more! We also began the Be Kind Project together, utilizing the sales from our collection to spread kindness across the city! You can read more about it here.
What we love:
Justine Ma doesn't take herself too seriously and we love the humour infused into every single one of her creations. From handcrafted ornaments and enamel pins to prints and home decor, you can find something for everyone and we're sure it'll put a smile on their face!
Just like the name suggests, Sweet as Candy is a line of handmade, small-batch bath products inspired by unicorns and all things sparkly and bright, and infused with delicious, natural scents! Everyone needs a break sometimes, so why not gift them with the perfect excuse for some ME-time. From shower gels to superhero bath bombs, Sweet as Candy has something for every age and gender.
What we love:
The donation bomb is the gift that keeps on giving —100% of the proceeds of Avery's Legacy bath bomb go towards "Avery's Legacy" which provides bereavement boxes to families who have lost a child.
ELLA B DENIM is a small-batch denim shop that creates perfectly hand-
What we love:
We believe fashion should be fun and so does ELLA B DENIM. Size up and your mini will be able to enjoy their new favourite pieces for years to come!
Founded by sisters Melanie and Emily in 2012, Mini Souls is a line of apparel for babies and children that are made for adventures. Shop adorable screen printed tees and onesies, cozy harem pants, and headbands and infinity scarves that are all handcrafted with love.
What we love:
Mini Souls designs and crafts clothing with comfort and quality in mind. All their harem pants feature elastic waists, drop crotches, and ankle cuffs to complement growing spurts. Their bottoms also run larger than true size so your child can grow with them.
Inspired by the mountains and the people who call them home, wife and husband duo, Trish and Kiley, founded LoveMaking Design as a way to always enjoy life. All images are drawn and printed by hand in their home studio in Revelstoke, BC. Sprinkle some holiday cheer in everyone's stocking with their prints, humourous enamel pins, journals, and sketchbooks.
What we love:
LoveMaking Design uses eco-friendly fabrics to create their collection of t-shirts as well as watercolour ink for all their screenprints.
Baun Bon is based in beautiful Golden BC Canada and was created by Jayne Baun. Jayne loves adventuring with her husband and two children but she is always with a sketchbook. All creations in her shop feature an original, hand-drawn artwork which she hopes delivers all the joy she felt while creating them.
What we love:
Jayne Baun's intention is to uplift and spread joy through lighthearted creative expression and fun. And isn't that the entire point of gift-giving?
On November 13th, in celebration of World Kindness Day, The MINI Street team, including our own minis, partnered with local favourites Justine Ma and LOVEPIZZA to host a hot lunch at St. Teresa of Calcutta Elementary School! Together we served approximately 366 pizzas, and handed out tons of stickers while getting to learn about the work St. Teresa of Calcutta is doing to teach their students about respect and kindness!
MINI Street has always been dedicated to community-building. In February, we launched our Be Kind Initiative, in partnership with Justine Ma, Edmonton-based designer, hand letterer, mommy, and champion of self-love. Together, we created the mega soft Be Kind sweatshirt, which has expanded to tees, tanks, and pins. You can read more about the launch here. Proceeds from the sale of our Be Kind collection funded this year's hot lunch.
Founders of LOVEPIZZA, Gavin and Braede, pictured above with Milan, also joined us for what we hope will become a yearly Be Kind tradition!
Our amazing MINI Street volunteers enjoying some LOVEPIZZA after all their hard work!
St. Teresa of Calcutta is a kindergarten to grade six Catholic school serving over 330 students throughout the inner-city community. Dedicated to providing education equity to underserved children and families, St. Teresa offers tons of programming centered around nutrition, creativity, and community-building. Assistant Principal, Kelly Laxdal shares more about the school’s top Be Kind programs below.
“We are entering our seventh year for the YONA Program — which has expanded this year to include students from grade one — offered by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. It provides students with group music lessons as well as access to homework help, nutritious snacks, and free-play every day after school for three hours.”
There are roughly 60 children that participate in the YONA program, inspired by the El Sistema program developed in Venezuela. There is no cost to participating families and transportation is provided for children to get St. Alphonsus, YONA’s secondary site.
“This program was made possible from the kindness of the Edmonton Symphony members who come to our school every day to be part of the children's lives.
St. Teresa also offers a mentoring program in cooperation with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Canada. Students in grade 1 through grade 6 are paired with an adult buddy, who spends an hour a week with the students in various educational activities.
“This is a great option for parents who may be struggling with after school care. We always ensure that we have set money aside from our yearly budget to fund this programming.”
St. Teresa also partners with students Austin O'Brien high school every Wednesday to provide one-on-one relationship building and support with children from Grades 2 to 6. There are also plenty of longstanding peer-to-peer programs taking place at the elementary every day like a lunch-time mentorship program, a recess big brothers and sisters program for differently-abled students, and Reading Buddies. Every Thursday morning, children from different classrooms and grades are buddied together to practice reading strategies. The same reading buddy is assigned throughout the year so students can celebrate their progress together!
We believe showing kindness to others shouldn't be limited to one day, and love the work St. Teresa of Calcutta is doing to ensure kindness is celebrated all-year-round!
“We have such a mixed culture of students at our school and our programs are focused on being kind, good citizens who appreciate and respect one another. Working with the MINI Street team, Justine, and LOVEPIZZA during World Kindness Day was such an amazing experience that all of the children loved. Some even took the initiative to collect thank you letters to pass long."
Join the Be Kind club today — shop our Be Kind tees and crewnecks here, for you and your mini!
Are you a principal, teacher, or parent who would like to host a kindness or community-related event with MINI Street? Email milan@ministreetkidswear.com with your idea! We’d love to work together.
Between opening our new storefront in Edmonton and gearing up for back to school, we haven't really had a moment to slow down. While we stop to catch our breath before diving straight into holiday prep, we wanted to share a recap of MINI Street's Grand Opening Party + Fall Fashion show!
On August 4th, we celebrated a new chapter in MINI Street's journey with friends, family, amazing customers, and the Xtend Barre team, of course! Under the High Wheel, voted Best Brunch spot in 2018 by Avenue Magazine, catered the event alongside cupcakes from Crave!
Justine Ma, the designer behind MINI's Be Kind sweaters (which are back in stock for the season!), made custom limited-edition rainbow tote bags just for us and also walked the MINI Street runway.
All ticket sales from MINI Street's Fall Fashion Show went to United Way's Tools for School program. For over twenty years, United Way has been providing backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and reducing one of many barriers preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school. We are proud to support their mission and our community!
A big thank you to everyone who joined us, and a huge shout out to our friends at Nest in the City and The Suburban Edit for helping us organize the show! All photos were taken by the amazing Teresa Bolinski!
We launched a ton of new back-to-school styles at our fall show, and many of them are in-store exclusives. Be sure to visit our new storefront in Edmonton, Alberta and shop our collection of sustainable + ethically-made clothing for you and your mini(s)!
When I decided to pursue my own clothing line it wasn’t because I had always dreamed of being a fashion designer, but rather was looking for a way to spend more time with my family. It's a pretty a cliche story but after I had my second child I just couldn’t keep up with the demands of work. There were too many hours and too many expectations. I wanted something that would allow me to set my own schedule so I could spend more time at home and less time in the office.
I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2004 and spent eleven years working across the province as a civil engineer before I started making clothes out of a need for more creativity. When I was laid off in 2015, I took it as a sign to pursue this new endeavour and see where it would lead me. It was a blessing in disguise, really. I had already done a few markets and was having a lot of fun developing the line so I just ran with it. I never expected to get this far. Originally, I planned to be off of work for a few years but now, I can’t really imagine doing anything else.
With over 30,000 followers on Instagram and orders being shipped out across North America, MINI Street has come a long way in just four short years. It took me a while to figure out what I was doing. I knew how to use a sewing machine, I learned in high school, and drafting patterns is similar to drafting floor plans but there was still a lot of trial and error when it came to finding the right fits and fabrics. Luckily, the engineer in me is a perfectionist. I have a very analytical way of looking at things. My approach to designing is much more technical than it is artistic. It was through constant research and striving to find the best possible methods and equipment that I was able to grow MINI Street. You can’t be afraid to talk to people and to look beyond Canada when it comes to sourcing your supplies and material. I definitely made some mistakes along the way but I like to think that, by now, I’ve nailed it.
Last year, I took the leap from e-commerce to brick and mortar when I opened my first store in West Edmonton Mall’s Fourpost, formally known as RAAS. I was pretty hesitant about launching my own store, but I’m so glad the Fourpost team convinced me to do it! I love selling at markets and pop-ups but having a storefront introduced me to a whole new clientele. Meeting new people and getting their feedback about the clothing or what they want to see in the next collection is my absolute favourite part about designing. Having my own space at Fourpost allowed me to get that one-on-one interaction outside of market season.
Since leaving Fourpost, I have been searching for the perfect location to open my next storefront. I'm happy and super excited to announce that I've found it! In collaboration with Xtend Barre, you can shop MINI Street just off of Whyte Ave next to Crave Cupcakes and Planet Organic.
Visit MINI Street new location!
7927 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 - 6
Thursday: 10 - 8
Saturday: 10 - 4
Sunday: 12 - 4
Closed on Tuesdays
Our consumption of clothing produces 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per household per year — that’s the equivalent of driving 6000 cars. We believe we can all make a difference which is why MINI Street is committed to implementing sustainable and ethical practices throughout every stage of our manufacturing process.
Not only do we use minimal, recyclable packaging for all of our orders but we also use a significant amount of bamboo fibers in our garments. Unlike popular synthetics like polyester, bamboo is a natural fiber that can be cultivated quickly and results in fewer greenhouse gases omissions. To avoid wasting textiles, we use the same fabrics to create multiple designs including accessories! We also encourage pre-ordering as we are moving closer and closer to becoming a no waste inventory brand.
We believe fashion should be fun, but you won't find us hopping on every trend-bandwagon! Instead, we design and create pieces that are polished, modern, and versatile. We want you to be able to wear your favourite MINI Street pieces for years, even decades, to come without worrying about whether or not they're still in style.
Each MINI Street piece is created in our Edmonton-based studio, and we utilize as many earth-friendly materials as we possibly can. We also work with a team of experienced local artisans so each garment is ethically produced with a whole lot of love and attention to detail!
MINI Street would not be where it is today without the support of our amazing community, which is why collaborating with local creators and initiatives is so important to us. We recently partnered with Justine Ma to launch the Be Kind Sweater and donated $2070 of our profits to the Grovenor School's Kindness Club. You can learn more about our Kindness Month initiatives here.
We want to slow down the mindless consumption of clothing in favour of a thoughtfully curated wardrobe. Here are 7 simple eco-friendly ways you can implement in your daily life to reduce your impact on the planet:
Why not show some local love this Valentine's Day? If you're still searching for the perfect gifts, we have rounded up together some of our favourite Canadian brands to make your shopping a little easier!
Inspired by her Metis heritage, Coutukitsch began as a side hustle for Calgary's Dorian Kitsch in 2010. Fast forward almost a decade, and the jewelry brand has since opened its flagship store in The Livery Shop where the small Coutu team continues to curate and handcrafts beautiful collections. This Valentine's Day shop high quality, long wearing plated metals, natural crystals, and delicate details for yourself or that special someone.
Use the promo code KEEPSAKE to save $10 on a 14k gold filled initial necklace or buy one stack ring and get the other for 50% with the code LUVRING.
Maegan Lukian is an environmentalist, health food enthusiast and the maker of Hand Meyd — a sustainable bath and body product line that is entirely hand mixed, individually poured and labeled by Megan herself!
This Edmonton-based line only uses the highest quality carrier oils, that are blended for maximum absorption and hydration, and a carefully balanced ratio of essential oils like wood, herb, floral and citrus. The end result is smooth, regenerated hair and skin, and a calming self-care ritual. Treat yourself, and your partner, to petal-infused skin oil or a little ground coffee shower scrub.
Alex Stratkotter is an embroidery artist and workshop instructor at Edmonton's Ferns School of Craft. Drawing inspiration from nature and the Alberta landscape, Alex designs and stitches each piece by hand. She opened her shop, Florals and Floss, in 2012 and has been creating whimsical, kitschy, and witty hoops ever since.
Ditch the flowers, and gift a Valentine's Day keepsake that will last forever to a close friend or a loved one (or yourself). Choose from an embroidered hoop or a PDF pattern to make yourself!
Celebrate Valentine's Day with the whole family! Our Be Kind Sweater, designed in collaboration with local artist Justine Ma, is available in both adult* and mini sizes as well as light pink or classic black.
*Adult sizes are currently sold out. Pre-order today and your order will ship after February 18th.
Hand made in Edmonton from a bamboo/cotton/spandex blend and fleece lined for extra comfort, stay cozy through winter and early spring while spreading a little positivity! $10 from every mini order and $20 from every adult order will be donated to the Grovenor School's Kindness Club.
February is kindness month, and we can't think of a better way to spread a little love than collaborating with amazing local brands and initiatives that are #prokindess! Keep on reading to learn more about our latest partnerships and join our mailing list for exclusive offers.
Justine Ma is an Edmonton-based designer, hand letterer, mommy, and champion of self-love. Together, we created these mega soft sweatshirts to put a smile on your face and cover all the bases. Your mini and you are all set for pink shirt day, pro-kindness day, and world kindness day! But the goodness doesn’t end there. For every children’s Be Kind sweatshirt that is purchased, we’ll donate $10 to the Grovenor School’s Kindness Club. Treat yourself to one, and we will donate $20 on your behalf! Our small but mighty team is hard at work creating the second batch of adults sweatshirts. Pre-order today and your order will ship after February 18th.
If you have been part of the Mini Street community, you know the “You Can Sit With Me” tees are a staple in both our adult and children collections. But, in honour of #PINKSHIRTDAY, we are re-releasing a full-size run in a new colour-way! On February 17th, join the movement and take a stand against bullying because the world could definitely use a little more kindness. Not only does your purchase promote inclusivity and support local makers but, for the entire month of February, we’re donating 15% of our pink tee sales to Northmount School's Belonging & Connection Leadership Team.
The Belonging and Connection Team, which is hard at work creating Valentine’s Day cards for the entire student body, is committed to ensuring that students and staff at Northmount feel a sense of belonging. After all, when people are made to feel like they matter, they start to see themselves and their ideas reflected in the environment around them.
We all know what it feels like to have a bad day. Maybe you hit snooze one too many times and missed an important work meeting or your car stalled in traffic. Regardless of the severity, the bad day blues can be momentarily lifted by a simple act of kindness from a stranger. On February 27th, we challenge you to spread some cheer with at least one random — and selfless — act of kindness for a loved one and a stranger. Buy someone a cup of coffee, make your partner dinner, donate to a local shelter or food bank, give your seat up on the bus, call your parents. After all, it doesn’t take much to put a smile on someone’s face.
