Gift Certificates Available!

Running The Goat: Local Letterpress in Stock at Our Humble Abode

Just a few of the fantastic items by Running the Goat letterpress that are available at 

Our Humble Abode!

Jack and the Manger retells the story of Jesus’s birth as if it were a Newfoundland folktale. It’s all seen through the eyes of Jack, the hero of many a story, who befriends a young couple on their walk to Bethlehem. There’s a bit of ‘angel talk’, some gravel pit camping, an edge-of-your-seat birth drama, and the low-down on how Caesar Augustus’s ‘count-and-tax plan’ brought them all together. It’s a down-to-earth version of a heavenly tale.

Gentle, playful and very funny, Jack and the Manger is the second in an on-going series of Jack tales, combining the talents of Andy Jones, one of Newfoundland's finest storytellers and actors, and Darka Erdelji, one of its most distinctive artists. It was a Christmas sensation in St. John’s when it was first published, and is sure to please even the most Grinch-like of readers.

Erdelji, whose illustrations for The Queen of Paradise's Garden were widely praised, captures the sly wit, intelligence and great heartedness of Jones's tale in her pictures once again. Jack and the Manger is a fine Christmas tale for young and old alike.




Dog's Breakfast

A quirky and delectable collection of 23 letterpress-printed recipe cards featuring the recipes of Newfoundland-based printers, artists, writers, musicians and foodies.

The collection, a collaborative project from the Book Arts Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, comes in a letterpress-printed envelope designed and printed by John Haney and Duncan Major. The work was done at walking bird press, Running the Goat Press and Daubers Press.

Contributors include: Sandy Morris, Bernice & Jennifer Morgan, Mack Furlong, Marlene McCallum, Janet Kelly, Kevin Major, Rachel Dragland, Shirley Greer, Anita Singh, Tara Bryan & Marnie Parsons, Monica Kidd, Jack Botsford, Erin McArthur, David Morrish, Steve Watson & Karl Wells, Ed Riche, Angela Antle & Mark Quinn, Mary Dalton, Robin McGrath, Ramona Dearing, Duncan Major, Sandy Newton & Caroline Clarke, and John Haney.

Contributors offered recipes and helped with some aspect of the printing of the cards.
Many thanks to all those who played along.

The Christmas Turr 
by Dave Paddon

Well, it wasn’t too long before word got around
And the heavy artillery started to pound.
Our poor little turr felt a strong déjà vu:
“My cripes, it’s the crowd out from Harbour Lecou!”
Of all of the planes he could jump on you see,
He’d jumped on the one to Fort McMurray.

– from The Christmas Turr

In 2008, just before Christmas, CBC radio carried the story of a bird that somehow had found its way onto a plane from Newfoundland that was headed to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Dave Paddon's hilarious recitation offers a take on what kind of welcome that bird may have met when the plane landed.

The Christmas Turr has fast become a local favourite; Paddon regularly performs it at storytelling and ballad sessions in St. John’s, and was invited to present it as part of the 2009 St. John’s Storytelling Festival.

The original linocut illustrations for the poem are by Duncan Major.

Naked and Famous Denim: On Every Boys Wish List!

Gift Ideas for Him From Model Citizens! (Thank Us Later Boys!)

Model Citizens Christmas Advert!

Our Humble Abode is Carrying AVOCA (Ireland)

Our Humble Abode is carrying the beautiful AVOCA from Ireland!

Avoca is an Irish family-run business that spans one of the world's oldest surviving manufacturing companies and Ireland's most exciting stores! And we are carrying the AVOCA Nest line at Our Humble Abode! Limited quantities and the perfect gift for the hostess, mother, sister or friend.

Moo-Creamer

Hand-woven Spool Scarf

Handmade long lasting scented candle

8 cup teapot!

MC's Photo of the Day!

Our Humble Abode... OPEN!!

Today is a very exciting day at Model Citizens! Our dream of a cute little home store has finally passed into reality. Welcome, Our Humble Abode. Located right next to Model Citizens (183b Duckworth), our sister store features teeny wares and linens from "Oh, Little Rabbit!" Organic, hand screened.

Flour sack hand towels, organic 4pc napkins, and baby onezie all available in many prints and colors.

Next, we have the gorgeous Avoca line. An Irish, family-run business , Avoca is one of the longest running manufacturer companies. They offer lines of cookbooks, perfumes, ceramics, food, clothing and glassware. The company runs boutiques, cafes and even gardens.

Our Humble Abode will be featuring a delightful taste test of bites from Avoca's cookbook, ceramic, candle, and hand knit lines.


The HomePort Collection is a show stopper with it's beautifully molded tapers and vases, wooden clocks, and antiqued mirrors.

Well folks, hopefully you're intrigued by this sneak peak on what we are offering! Lots more to see by local artists! Preserves! Pillows! Jewelry! Kid's!  For bath and beauty, tea time, or the perfect "You're Special" gift,  Visit 183 Duckworth Street (next to Model Citizens! ) and experience Our Humble Abode.



Hope to see you all soon!

xoxox

The Same Dress- Two Very Different Looks

OR

One of the most common conundrums that our clients struggle over is holiday wear. It is the idea of buying a cocktail dress for office parties, christmas dinners and family events and feeling like you can only wear it once. 

Not so we say!

Take this sparkle sequinned dress- fairly standard holiday wear. A great way to get more mileage out of this kind of dress is to pair a great blazer with it, fun and flirty accessories and voila!- it is more of a "night out" outfit than a NYE dress!

I'm Dreaming of a Girly Christmas...How to Bring Nostalgia to Your Christmas Wardrobe

This is such a great outfit and such a cute photo of the ever-talented Jenn Brown. This sweet vintage dress and big mustard hairbow.  Playing with the girliness of Christmas in  our wardrobe will make everyone you see want to hug you when the nostalgia takes over.

Photography: Brian Rick (www.brianricks.com)
Model: Jenn Brown

Our Humble Abode~ Model Citizens New Sister Store!

                        Stay tuned for product features, promotions and additional information!

Mens Fashion: Navigating the Holidays

There is nothing more classic than a peacoat. Steve is wearing a vintage peacoat, Burberry trousers and Frye motorcycle boots. His tie is YSL and his dress shirt is also Burberry. This is a great formal look for those events that pop up during the holidays that some of us dread. Dressing up shouldn't be a headache so keep it simple and remember: less is more..

As much as I know most men hate the idea of formal dressing, it always comes up during the holidays. In order to keep this look clean and streamlined, make sure you wear things with minimal fussy details- go for flat front pants (no pleats!), loosen the tie as soon as possible and roll up those sleeves. My one biggest suggestion is investing in a good pair of boots that can be passed off as dressy shoes and worn casually. You can also do an oxford dress shoe and wear those casually after.

This is such a good look for guys this holiday season- not too fussy but really put together. Here we have a vintafe tweed vest, Prada dress shirt, Burberry straight leg jeans and Frye boots. Good for going to a show downtown and dinner with the folks.  No tie need but a skinny black tie would work very well.

Model: Steve Pike

Photography: Brian Ricks

Model Citizens Local Feature: Susan Lee Studios!

"I'd like my jewellery to invite reflection on the ever-changing aspects of the environment around us."  Susan Lee Stephen

Susan Lee Stephen, originally from Yellowknife, NWT, has called Newfoundland home for the past twelve years. She has experiemented in many different mediums and techniques over the years, most recently textiles and welding, but her ongoing interest in jewellery has won out. With a myriad of jewellery workshops and a completed certificate in jewellery arts from the Haliburton School of The Arts, Susan now works full time from her home jewellery studio in St. John's.

Susan's jewellery is primarily silver, with elements of copper, bronze, brass and semi-precious stones incorporated to add colour, texture and dimension. Inspiration for her pieces comes from the ideas of transition and change. Silhouetted imagery suggests shadows and moments frozen in time. Often, unexpected elements are hidden in the designs - a bird in the tree branches, or a nest behind bullrushes - evidence of the constant ebb and flow of the natural world.

Available today at Model Citizens!

Edgy Christmas Look: MC's Pick of the Day

In order to make the transition from fancy office cocktail party to going out on the town, take a fun, edgier jacket with you to throw on over your dress. Esther has a silk strapless party dress and we have paired it with a full sleeve cropped coat to play off of the dark hues. 

If your dress is a bit more on the boho, vintage end, take a  jean jacket for the bar hopping portion of the night. You won't feel over dressed and you will get more mileage out of your look.

New to Model Citizens TODAY! All Natural Nail Polishes

Scotch Naturals™ polish has a lot in common with the women who wear it. We are smart, fun, and forward thinking. We care about the environment, and we come in a wide variety of colors. When we want to look and feel our best, we choose natural products, knowing it’s not just healthier for us, but for the world around us.

Making the change to non-toxic nail polish is one you won’t regret. Scotch Naturals is a safe and eco-friendly alternative to conventional polish. Our revolutionary water-based formula delivers long lasting, salon-quality results in a stunning array of sophisticated shades.

Our polishes contain none of the chemicals found in typical nail polish. We are “3 Free” as well free of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, acetone, and heavy metals. We are truly non-toxic. 

MC Photo of the Day!