A few of our favorite things #10

Every year the span of time between Christmas and New Years fills up with its own unique anxiety and stress as we feverishly make plans to celebrate one of the most anticipated (and often disappointing) nights of the year.

Favorite thing # 10 The New Years House Party

Few things help ring in the new year like 150 of your closest "friends" screwing with all of your prized personal possessions and possibly costing you the damage deposit on your place by :

- throwing up everywhere except the bathroom

- shaving swear words into your cat

- using your under wear for a party hat

- turning one or all of your house plants into urinals

- using your landline to call phone sex hotlines

- dropping a deuce in your washing machine or dryer........or both

- emptying out the ashes of a loved one to use the urn as an ash tray

- drawing a wiener on your face with a permanent marker after you have passed out

- or flushing your car keys down the toilet

Oh yeah baby, it's party time!

Happy New Year

Did Santa forget your favourite Haircare?

Your friends at LAB are picking up the slack for an aging and befuddled St Nick. We understand that he is under a lot of pressure around the holidays, and rumours are that he has been hitting the sauce pretty hard. So, if by unfortunate circumstance you found yourself without your favourite haircare under the tree we can help.

This week we will be selling all of the remaining Kevin Murphy Christmas packs at 10% off .

Take that Fat Man

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Your friends at LAB would like to wish you all the joy and happiness this season can afford you. Thanks for loving us....... the feeling is mutual.

Merry Christmas

A few of our favourite things #9

Today's favorite thing contains a kind of magic that resonates deep in the soul and revives emotions and memories that lay dormant the rest of the year.

Favorite thing #9 Holiday Music

A few of our favourite things #8

Around the holidays nostalgia takes it's hold of us and makes us long for the things that touch our hearts.

Favourite thing #8 Christmas in NYC

This one is for loveable LAB stylist Jane Constable (who's boyfriend surprised her with a trip to NYC for christmas).

If you have never had the opportunity to skate at Rockefeller Center underneath the world's most famous christmas tree, or take a carriage ride through a snow filled Central Park, or seen the Rockette's christmas review at Radio City music hall, or sipped hot chocolate while walking past the most wonderfully dressed department store windows that 5th avenue has to offer, then may we suggest you give it a try sometime.

Check here for flight times

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #7

So continues the year end list of the things that have enriched our collective lives at LAB.

Favoriet thing #7 The Fantastic Mr Fox

This one is a no-brainer. Wes Anderson (Rushmore, A Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Ltd) directs his usual cast of brilliant actors while telling a story written by Roald Dahl (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory). Simply amazing visuals, some classic stop frame animation, and Andersons "oh so stylish" spin on the beloved children's book makes for another must see masterpiece.

Check here for showtimes

Happy Holidays

A few of our favourite things #6

Life in Victoria in the rainy grey days of winter gives way to daily rituals and simple comforts. Consequently LAB would like to share with you it's list of favourite things to help inspire you this holiday season.

Favorite thing #6 Habit Coffee

Now I know that we have already shared our love of Habit coffee but you may not realize the frequency with which we visit this little beacon of culture and cool. Seriously...... it's everyday.....sometimes twice. Besides, when it's cold outside is there anthing better than a brilliantly crafted cup of coffee? We recommend trying the coffee passport which allows you to try a variety of coffee beverages for one heck of a deal.

Tell em LAB sent ya

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #5

The staff at LAB are a crafty bunch. We would be remiss if me neglected to share with you our favorite accessory for the season.

Favorite thing #5 Lab made Cowl Scarves

Inspired by Lab's own Ian Hoar, the elves at our shop have been busy knitting the much sought after scarf of the season. In fact the local wool market, Beehive, has even put on display one of these chunky knit masterpieces and labeled it "the lab scarf".

Available occasionally at Rebel Rebel

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #4

As our list of favorite things unfolds we feel a slight responsiblity to share with you something we are particularly passionate about.

Favorite thing #4 Kevin Murphy Gift Packs

Created by the Australian born super-stylist, Kevin Murphy products are environmentally responsible, paraben & sulphate free, and contain powerful natural ingredients that will leave your hair feeling fab!

Available almost exclusively at LAB

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #3

This season Lab is letting you in on some of Victoria's best kept secrets as we share with you our list of favorite things in 2009.

Favorite thing #3 Atomic Vaudeville

These local giants of sketch comedy, host sold out shows once a month at the Victoria Events Center. A tasty mix of theatre, music, song, dance, puppetry and sketch awaits you at their next show.

Click here for info

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #2

Lab is happy to share with you it's favorite things from 2009.

Favorite things #2 Misfits Dolls by Usus

Locally hand made by Usus ( pronounced us us ) the misfits dolls are all about loving the tiny things about yourself that make you self conscious. If you weren't lucky enough to get yours at Noel Bazaar or any of the other cool kids craft fairs this year click here to buy one for the one you love.

Happy Holidays

A few of our favorite things #1

For the next few days up until christmas we have decided to be festive and release a list of a few of our favorite things. Surely you remember the song from the Sound of Music . While I have never understood the connection between this song and the holidays it still offers up a chance for us to share with you all of the stuff this year that sets our collective pulses racing.

Favorite thing #1 Dj TouchBass

He is far too big to fit in your stocking but his mix sessions will easily fit on your iPod and are available here

Happy Holidays

Dj Longshanks Year end mix

Get it while It's hot.

2009: Hyph Mngo F*%#ing rules

A little winter warmth from LAB

On December 5th LAB held it's second annual charity cut-a-thon to benefit "Our Place" and the city's homeless. This year's edition (called Cuts For Coats) offered free haircuts in exchange for new or lightly used winter clothing.

Thanks to your generosity we were able to fill an entire Econoline Van full with warm jackets just in time for the temperature to head south.

Thank you Victoria

No arms? Is that the answer?

Last night an unidentified good samaritan chose to take a more proactive approach to preventing people from unnecessarily cutting their own hair. By simply removing the arms of our model Caroline, this passionate dogooder has made us rethink our whole approach.

Have we taken too soft a stance? Is saying please being too passive ? Should we simply be removing the arms of those who have already suffered at their own scissor wielding hands?

While we wrestle with some of these bigger issues we would like to thank whoever is responsible for this heroic action.

Merry Christmas

Moroccan Oil celebrates Matty's Birthday

On dec 11th our friends at Moroccan Oil have decided to spend the day at LAB to help us celebrate Matty's birthday! Everyone is getting a free backbar treatment and there will be giveaways galore! Also, the experts will be on hand to answer any technical questions you may have about everybody's favorite new wonder product.

Did we mention that we will be giving away a $350 gift basket ?

Click here to see if we have any space left

Christmas Slideshow

A Very Vintage Christmas

This years Christmas staff party was set in the 1940's. We felt it was appropriate given the enormous influence the 4o's has had on fashion runways this year.

Turkey dinner , scotch and cigars, and Secret Santa made for a great evening of celebrating the season.

Check out our Facebook page for more photo's of the most fashionable party ever.

Paiger doubles up

This is Hailey Paige Rogers but we call her "Paiger". Hailey donated a coat to the homeless and her pony tail to Locks of Love (a charity that makes wigs for cancer patients) on Saturday during our Coats for Cuts charity event .

Great job Paiger.........you are a hero.

Love her style

90 min free parking on LoJo

While the city gets ready to swap over to a centralized parking meter system we noticed that all of the spaces on Lower Johnson are 90 min free parking right now. What more reason do you need to visit your favorite fashionable district?

Get 'em while they last.

Cuts for Coats

It's that time again and the socially minded staff at lab are excited to offer our friends a chance to help those less fortunate in our little city.

Cuts for Coats is your chance to donate that old winter clothing you don't wear in exchange for fabulous hair from your favorite salon. That's right, if you show up with a jacket to donate we will cut your hair for free!

We will be collecting coats all that week for those of you generous folks who don't need a new do. All of the coats collected will be donated to our friends at "Our Place" to benefit the city's homeless and working poor.

For more info call the salon @ 250.386.6183

WTF?

OK Go - WTF? from OK Go on Vimeo.

The newest offering from OK GO ( remember those guys with the treadmill video?)

Worth it

Fashion is having a night out !

Lab wants you to come down and share in the festivities at Fashion's Night Out. For one night only you can enjoy 25% off all the amazing stuff that can only be found at your favorite Lower Johnson boutiques!

There's gonna be Christmas cheer and sweet giveaways too!

See you there

Custom LAB edition iPod

One more week to enter our iPod Giveaway

This is the last week to enter the draw to win our custom LAB edition iPod Touch!

Entering is simple. Just visit our website, book an appointment online before Dec 1st, and you are automatically in the draw.

Good luck

Holiday time

Ice climbers are vying for total domination

Our dear friends the ice climbers are competing in the finals of what has been an epic battle of the bands at the Cambie on nov 28Th. Thus far they have left a trail of dead totaling 24 other bands to get to this point...... so yeah they are good.

Click here to check out their shizz

Noel Bazaar 2009

Tired of giving the more stylish members of your family that infamous Winner's gift card?

Pop by noel Bazaar on Dec 1- 3. Every year this collective of local boutiques and artisans Packs em in to the Victoria Event Center and gives us all a chance to buy something truly stylish for the ones we love ( and maybe a few things for ourselves).

Worth your time.......definitely.

Music you should love......La Roux

This video for "I'm not your toy" reminds us of a future where Miami Vice was never taken off the air, Don Johnson was a huge fashion icon, and people still play Jai alai.

Never the less La Roux is worth your time

We have a winner

Lucky LAB client Michele Cheimak is the winner of our huge Moroccan Oil product basket give away!

The gift pack included :

- a full compliment of Moroccan Oil products

- A set of 3 Moroccan oil Brushes

- A travel kit

- and a bath robe

Congratulations!!!

Wanna chance to win one of your own?

Book your appointment for Dec 11 when Moroccan oil will help up celebrate Matty's birthday !

Every client will be treated to a complimentary back bar treatment, get free samples and be entered to win another amazing gift pack!

Click here to book online

Training with David Glover

This past sunday the super creative team at LAB came together for some serious one on one time with internationally renowned session stylist David Glover.

If you have ever picked up a Vogue magazine you have undoubtedly seen David's work. He is know by some of the biggest names in fashion and travels the globe creating some of the best editorial work in the industry.

Turns out he is also passionate about teaching and is one of the nicest people you could ever want to work with.

David generously came and taught us the fresh new techniques to create this seasons most sought after looks. At the end of the afternoon he set us loose on some mannequin heads to ply our new found skills. He even got his hair cut by LAB director Matty Conrad.

Check out his review of our shop.

http://twitter.com/KMSessionMaster

Four Tet-Love Cry (Joy Orbison remix)

Give it a listen

No Bunk No Junk

-New favorite boys brand........Band of outsiders.

-Simple cuts and strong masculine looks with just a touch of eighties flair.

-Their newest collection is called " No bunk No junk"

-Definately worth your time

Annie Liebowitz latest shoot for Vogue

The latest Annie Liebowitz shoot for vogue is titled " little boy and little girl lost" and is no doubt an homage to Hansel and Gretel. This woman's work is just growing from strength to strength as she sheds her typical celebrity portraiture for straight up editorial fashion work.

Totally inspiring.

Interesting fact: The woman (witch) in the furnace is Lady Gaga