The Summer 2024 Jilly Box

Welcome to The Summer 2024 Jilly Box!

This edition of The Jilly Box is about capturing that quintessential coastal summer vacation and bringing it to you! Salty air, beach waves, hot days that stretch into the night… this box leans into all of that and more with a fantastic selection of Team Jilly Boxapproved (and designed) items!

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “How do you come up with the themes?” Somehow—now on our 19th box!—we have more ideas than ever! That is thanks, in large part, to our superhuman Procurement team who continue to discover and introduce myself and the rest of the team to great products that inspire ideas!

But, for this specific box, I was also inspired by a conversation with the team about travelling to our dream summer vacation. We pack all of these beautiful clothes and items but somehow end up rolling into the airport, hair in all directions, rocking mismatched colours. Can we somehow emulate the beauty of the place we are going to in our travel attire? With this season’s items… I think we accomplished just that.

Giving Back With The Jilly Box

Every season, we are proud to contribute $2 CAD per box sold to support causes that are near and dear to our hearts. With the sales of The Summer 2024 Jilly Box, we were able to support these two amazing organizations! Thank you for your contribution!

Central Okanagan Food Bank

The Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB) is the largest food bank in the Interior of BC and provides nutritional food assistance to residents facing financial and food insecurity out of two locations, one in Kelowna and one in West Kelowna. COFB is a member of Food Banks Canada, Food Banks BC, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Westside Board of Trade. They are an incorporated society in British Columbia and a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.

cofoodbank.com

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. Surfrider Foundation Canada (SFC) is part of the global Surfrider community of international affiliates located in Argentina, Australia, Europe, Japan, Senegal, and the U.S. The organization is continually growing a dedicated network of coastal and aquatic ecosystem defenders in Canada, including three local volunteer-run chapters and four student clubs. Bridging local knowledge together with national experts in law, policy and science, SFC is a progressive voice in plastics policy, clean water, beach access, ocean protection and coastal preservation.

canada.surfrider.org

Tag us! Don’t forget to tag @TheJillyBox, and use #TheJillyBox for a chance to be featured!

Unbox with Jilly!

I am so excited for you to unbox your Jilly Box with me! Let me guide you through this season’s box and explain why I love these items so much!

You will find a QR code sticker holding your beautiful Jilly Box tissue paper in place when you first open your Jilly Box. All you need to do is scan that QR code with your phone to bring your unboxing experience to life. Not sure what I mean?

Follow these 4 steps to watch my unboxing video:

1. Open the camera on your phone.

2. Hover your camera over the QR code either here in the magazine or on the sticker holding your tissue in place.

3. Open the link to the video.

Did You Know?

4. Press play and let’s unbox The Summer 2024 Jilly Box together! 3 6 8 100% 8 8 INSIDE YOUR SUMMER 2024 JILLY BOX of the products are made in Canada of the brands’ packaging is plastic waste-free of the brands are eco-friendly of the beauty products are vegan of the brands are Canadian-owned of the brands are women-owned

My Coconut Seafood Chowder Recipe

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love cooking up a big batch of Seafood Chowder on a summer long weekend. In our family, it’s always a winning dish! And the flavours remind me so much of the coast, which is too fitting for The Summer 2024 Jilly Box!

Best of all, this recipe is dairyfree! But don’t worry—we did not compromise on the flavour!

Ready to give it a whirl?

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil

1 ½ cups (375 mL) finely chopped yellow onion

1 cup (250 mL) diced celery

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups (1 L) vegetable stock, plus more to thin if needed

1 pound (450 g) baby potatoes quartered

1 bay leaf

1 Tsp (5 mL) fresh thyme leaves

1 pound (450g) skinless, boneless wild salmon fillet

Salt and pepper

1 can (14 ounces/400mL) full-fat coconut milk

1 cup (250 mL) frozen corn kernels

½ pound (225 g) large fresh prawns, peeled and deveined

2 Tbsps (30 mL) roughly chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish

Lemon wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Vegan: Substitute 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed for the salmon and prawns.

Gluten-free: Use glutenfree vegetable stock.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Stir in the vegetable stock, potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, cut the salmon fillet into 1 to 1 ½-inch (2.5 to 4 cm) wide pieces. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Once the potatoes are fork-tender, stir in the coconut milk, frozen corn, prawns, salmon and dill. Continue to simmer over low heat until the seafood is just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Add more stock to thin to the desired consistency if needed.

5. Ladle the chowder into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of dill and a lemon wedge

Coastal Summer Vacation

LOUENHIDE NORTH AMERICA

Alexis Weekender Bag

$149 cad

Over a year ago, Louenhide North America sent me a bag to try, and I fell in love! We went through 10-15 drafts of the bag to get the design just right for this Jilly Box (#perfectionists), and I am over the moon at the final result! I know we’ve got a lot of busy professionals and parents in our community, so I wanted this bag to strike that balance of being usable for a full day of activities and effortlessly cool. With the detachable strap and the ability to wear it crossbody, this bag is great for travel near and far!

@louenhidenorthamerica louenhidenorthamerica.com

LSTN SOUND CO.

Bardot Wireless Headphones | Sky Blue & Sand

$177 cad

Everyone needs a sleek pair of headphones for travelling! These Bardot Wireless Headphones, in two stunning custom colours, include volume/ playback controls, a 3+ hour battery life, a built-in microphone and a cable for the option of using them as wired headphones on the plane! I was motivated to have headphones in this box because it was important to me to offer a product that made the travel to your dream destination enjoyable! And why not make headphones a fashion statement, right?

*Please note: sizing is one size fits all!

@lstnsound lstnsound.com

CREATIVE CO-OP

Scalloped Marble Frame

$64 cad

You asked for more home decor, and we heard you! Meet the Scalloped Marble Frame from Creative Co-Op! It was love at first sight for me with the real marble and scalloped edges. It is such a sophisticated piece to have on your bedside table or in the living room. I adore the neutral, lighttoned marble. You can position it vertically or horizontally, so any 5” x 7” photo will work! Please note: due to the natural veining of the real marble, there will be variances from frame to frame.

@creativecoopinc creativecoop.com

GRAY HAUS

Monaco Passport Wallet

$70 cad

Gray Haus is a fabulous Canadian, women-owned handbag company on a mission to create bags for ALL bodies. I loved that they designed their products from such a purpose-driven place and became fixated on getting them in the box! Shay and I had the idea of creating an oyster-coloured passport holder with elegant scalloped edges, and— lucky for us—Gray Haus delivered! Get ready to elevate your airport look with this travel essential. You will love the timeless light gold metal hardware and the many functional pockets and enclosures included in the design!

@gray.haus grayhaus.ca

PIPER & PERRO

Sandy Sundown Eau de Parfum

$48 cad

Meet a brand I am so excited to be including in this season’s Jilly Box: Piper & Perro. Piper & Perro is a luxury unisex fragrance brand created by Tom Jansen. Tom was trained in France at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery and has applied his expert talent to address a previous gap in the market: scents that are genderless at an attainable price point! Tom was a brilliant collaborator and helped me bring my dream to life of a scent that was airy and hopeful with the slightest gleam of reckless summer decisions. You will adore the hints of orange blossom, smoked vanilla, and magnolia bottled up in this travel-size perfume roller.

@piperandperro piperandperro.com

MUDMASKY

Vitamin A Booster Blue Mud Mask

$65 cad

You may recognize this Peta-certified and crueltyfree brand from being in countless magazines! Some time ago, Mudmasky sent us some products to sample, and Shay LOVED this Vitamin A Booster Blue Clay Mask so much she got us all hooked! This fragrance-free blue clay mask contains flowers, fruits and grade 1 clays. The clays used are considered the purest and highest quality available on earth. It refines and tightens the pores and provides your skin with a high dose of natural vitamin A. What makes Mudmasky stand out in the industry is their commitment to non-harmful ingredients. With pH-balanced products, they promise not to show impossible results and provide openness about ingredients and their purpose!

@mudmasky mudmasky.com

KNOTS AND PIPES

Custom Baroque Pearl Necklace

$99 cad

You may recognize this gorgeous baroque pearl necklace from my Instagram Stories! This necklace has a gold vermeil chain, and the baroque pearl is genuine, measuring (approximately) 7mm in length. I love the asymmetry of the baroque pearl that gives it a modern appearance. Baroque pearls, of course, being known for their unique, one-of-a-kind shape. These necklaces are also made in Canada (with domestic and imported materials that are SMETA certified.)

@knotsandpipes knotsandpipes.com

Add-Ons

HONEYSUCKLE SWIM COMPANY

Oversized Adult Swim Float

$25 cad (Valued at $28 cad)

Many of you have asked me about my recommendations for tasteful pool accessories… and we are delivering!! Elegance meets fun with this oversized adult pool float from Honeysuckle Swim Company. Specially designed for those who crave a touch of classic styling, this float is the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern-day luxury. I have no doubt this pool float will bring lots of fun and style to your beach and pool days for years to come!

@honeysuckleswimcompany honeysuckleswimcompany.com

ILFORD GALERIE

Sprite Camera Bundle | With B&W Film

$69 cad

Last year, when planning a family trip, I committed to staying off my phone the whole vacation, but I still wanted to capture core family memories. That’s when I discovered this reusable film camera! The kids and I had such a blast taking photos! And when we got home, we made an event of going to get the photos developed. This camera comes in a custom Tan and Cream colourway, has a builtin flash, and even has a wrist strap so you never lose it. I hope this product allows you to be more present during your next fun summer day while still capturing all of those laughter-filled moments!

ilfordgalerie.ca

NORTH KINDER

Gingham Jilly Dress

$139 cad

You KNOW I love a flattering baby doll-style dress to wear in the summer, and this custom dress takes that style to a whole new level! The North Kinder Jill Dress is handmade right here in Canada with premium hemp & organic cotton. I adore the brown and cream gingham print with cream-coloured lining. It’s so simple, but so beautiful. You’ll find yourself reaching for it over and over again. Please note: We recommend hand or machine washing in cold water on gentle cycle using phosphate-free detergent. Hang to dry, iron inside out, and do not bleach.

@northkinder northkinder.com

COOLIQ

BevChiller Shorty | In Dune Oasis & Coastal Dusk

$25 cad (Valued at $31 cad)

Can I get a round of applause for our team bringing back the fan-favourite BevChiller Shorty in two NEW custom colours?! This triple-insulated beverage holder (specially designed for 12oz cans) will keep your drink chilled the whole time you’re sippin’ on it! Not only does it come in a gorgeous cream/brown colour and a cool cream/blue, but the BevChiller also has a condensation-free exterior that won’t let it sweat in your hands!

@mycooliq cooliq.com

LUNA BRONZE

Hydration Heroes Bundle

$59 cad (Valued at $89 cad)

It’s that time of year again… when we all want to have the most glowing, gorgeous, tanned skin! Enter the brilliant Hydration Heroes Bundle from Luna Bronze. Featuring two of their best-selling products that are designed for all skin types: The Illume Tanning Water, designed to give your face a natural-looking glow while also working to hydrate, brighten and improve skin tone; and the Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser, a natural and organic tanning lotion that you can use on your face and body that is designed for everyday use!

@luna_bronze lunabronzetanning.com

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT:

Gray Haus

Have you ever felt like some of the bags and purses out there just aren’t made with real people in mind? The straps aren’t comfortable, there aren’t enough or the right size pockets for what you need to bring… I could go on and on! That’s where Canadian and women-owned brand Gray Haus comes in.

Our Product Development Manager was researching possible brands for The Jilly Box when she came across Gray Haus and decided to reach out! I mean… how could she not?! Their designs were beautiful, and their values speak to the heart. As it turns out, the timing could not have been better because Gray Haus was ready for a big marketing leap to get them out to more North American customers! Hence, being included in The Jilly Box was the perfect fit.

There are so many reasons to love your Monaco Passport Holder and Gray Haus, but here are a few reasons we love the brand:

• They create fashionable and interchangeable straps for all body types

• They have strategically placed pockets in their designs that hold everything from diapers to laptops

• Their designs are made with premium vegan leather that won’t crack or split after everyday use

• Their products are listed at affordable prices (relative to other brands), giving you VALUE for your investment. Need I say more?!

I am so thrilled that Gray Haus agreed to a Q&A interview! I think you are going to find what they have to say about design, creativity and entrepreneurship fascinating! Without further ado, let’s dive into the interview…

What inspired you to start a handbag company?

Gray Haus began as a passion project by my business partner and founder, Kaili. She was eyeballs deep into toddlerhood during the pandemic, spending time online shopping for necessities, and found it hard to find what she was looking for. She didn’t want to settle or break the bank, so she set out to design her own bag. Gray Haus’ first design was a diaper bag, and the feedback she got was wild. As Kaili’s daughter grew up, her need for a diaper bag shifted, but not the need for a practical place to store her stuff. Gray Haus has grown into a brand that intentionally and stylishly meets you in whatever stage of life you’re in.

What makes Gray Haus unique?

Gray Haus distinguishes itself through its attention to detail and its capsule wardrobe philosophy

towards accessorizing. Every item is meticulously crafted by our team, guided by our deep-rooted passion for bags and our inherent need for practicality. Each aspect of our products is carefully chosen with consideration. For instance, our decorative linings are thoughtfully designed with light, bright patterns to ensure your bag remains illuminated, avoiding the risk of it becoming a dark abyss that hides your wallet.

How does your brand’s mission—to create handbags for everybody—influence the design of your products?

Ensuring that Gray Haus bags fit everybody is our top priority in everything. In March 2023, we discontinued and re-designed all our existing styles (plus added a few new ones) to include two different length straps for a greater range in fit. Unbeknownst to many, accessories like handbags are not one size fits all. Could we have made an extended strap available? As an afterthought, yes. We wanted everyone, no matter their shape or size, to feel like their Gray Haus bag was made with them in mind. No extra parts or special adjustments needed – it was made with EVERYBODY in mind.

What is your creative process for developing a new product or collection?

I love this question! We have a saying, “WWKSD –What Would Kate Spade Do?” In all seriousness, we are deeply rooted in our handbag obsession and draw inspiration from our favourites, like Kate Spade. When we work through our design process, it always starts with a vision and a mile-long wish list. We rely on our expertise and that of our factory development team to see how we can check off as many boxes as possible. Truthfully, we sometimes miss the mark and have to go back to the drawing board, but that’s how we learn!

What makes Gray Haus unique?

Gray Haus distinguishes itself through its attention to detail and its capsule wardrobe philosophy towards accessorizing. Every item is meticulously crafted by our team, guided by our deep-rooted passion for bags and our inherent need for practicality. Each aspect of our products is carefully chosen with consideration. For instance, our decorative linings are thoughtfully designed with light, bright patterns to ensure your bag remains illuminated, avoiding the risk of it becoming a dark abyss that hides your wallet.

How does your brand’s mission—to create handbags for everybody—influence the design of your products?

Ensuring that Gray Haus bags fit everybody is our top priority in everything. In March 2023, we discontinued and re-designed all our existing styles (plus added a few new ones) to include two different length straps for a greater range in fit. Unbeknownst to many, accessories like handbags are not one size fits all. Could we have made an extended strap available? As an afterthought, yes. We wanted everyone, no matter their shape or size, to feel like their Gray Haus bag was made with them in mind. No extra parts or special adjustments needed – it was made with EVERYBODY in mind.

What is your creative process for developing a new product or collection

I love this question! We have a saying, “WWKSD – What Would Kate Spade Do?” In all seriousness, we are deeply rooted in our handbag obsession and draw inspiration from our favourites, like Kate Spade. When we work

through our design process, it always starts with a vision and a mile-long wish list. We rely on our expertise and that of our factory development team to see how we can check off as many boxes as possible. Truthfully, we sometimes miss the mark and have to go back to the drawing board, but that’s how we learn!

What’s the story behind the Monaco Passport Wallet included in the box?

The Monaco Passport Wallet is my love letter to wanderlust and was made with organization in mind. I (Kelsey) worked for WestJet for 7 years before starting my own businesses. I LOVE to travel, but sometimes travelling is stressful. Having all my essentials—passport, ID, cash, cards, and transportation tickets safely stowed together takes heaps of stress off my mind. Plus, who doesn’t love a feminine, scalloped touch to their passport holder?

What challenges have you faced as a small business owner? What tips would you give to someone who is just starting?

The biggest challenge as business owners have been stepping out of our comfort zone and into the spotlight of social media. Kaili and I are introverts to our core, and putting ourselves out there has been, by far, the biggest challenge ever!

My best tips for a new entrepreneur are to ask LOTS of questions and research everything about your product/idea, industry, target market, and so on. Think outside the box and don’t try to do what others are doing simply because they are doing it. And lastly, know your strengths and when to outsource.

What else do you want people to know about your brand?

We want people to know that Gray Haus is not only an online brand, but we also love to be involved in community markets. You can shop Gray Haus in person throughout the year at markets and events around Calgary, AB!

What’s next for Gray Haus after appearing in this season’s Jilly Box?

Gray Haus is growing and evolving, with new styles arriving all the time! We have some fun summertime styles coming soon and more to be released later in the year. Stay tuned!

Five Ways to Elevate Your Travel Look

Where there is comfort, there can also be style! While we may all feel pulled to wear sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt to the airport or on a long drive to our vacation destination—it doesn’t have to be that way! Thanks to this season’s Jilly Box, we are reimagining travel style, one stylish piece at a time.

Don’t Forget Jewellery

Jewellery can completely dress up your outfit! But it doesn’t have to be a huge pair of hoops or a chunky necklace that can feel burdensome while travelling. Opt for a pair of studs and a delicate necklace instead (you know we’ll be wearing our Custom Baroque Pearl Necklaces!)

Stick to a Neutral Passport Holder to Compliment Your Look

Passport holders so often get overlooked! But while you’re travelling, it is usually in your hands—so why not coordinate it with your look? Rather than having multiple passport holders in different colours… stick to a neutral hue that will complement anything you wear!

Coordinate Your Travel Bag with Your Outfit

We so often talk about coordinating our hair accessories with our outfits or our purses with our outfits… but travel bags are a big statement piece, too! Thanks to this season’s Jilly Box, we have levelled up our travel bags to the vibrant caramel and cream Alexis Weekender Bag! And the colours are neutral enough that they will compliment a lot of articles of clothing in your wardrobe… but we’ve made it easy for you with the North Kinder Dress!

Wear Your Headphones as an Accessory

Music, audiobooks, podcasts… they can be the key to get us through a long day of travel. Rather than hiding your headphones away in your carryon until you board your flight, own the look!

Wear your LSTN headphones around your neck like an accessory. After all, they are cute enough to be!

Tips for Hosting a Poolside Party

I LOVE to host, and every year, I look forward to throwing the kids’ birthday parties and friend and family gatherings in our backyard, poolside. No matter your age, enjoying the sunshine with your nearest and dearest and splashing around in the pool is always a blast!

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks for throwing a great pool party. And today, I’m going to share them with you!

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Play Games in the Pool

I cannot emphasize this enough… bring out the pool floats and make up some fun water games! Not only do they add some decoration to the pool, but most importantly, they spark creativity and fun for everyone attending. Our kids and their cousins are constantly coming up with new games involving jumping through the pool floats, swimming around with them, etc. They are loads of entertainment!

2. Don’t forget the SPF

A poolside party is great.. But if you forget the SPF and have a raging sunburn the next day that is less great… So, make putting on SPF part of your party prep! Part of my daily routine is applying sunscreen after putting on my makeup. It has SPF 30, and by making it part of my routine I always know that my face is covered! Then, I bring a bottle of sunscreen down to the backyard for all of us to apply and reapply throughout the day!

3. Get the Towels Out for Guests

There’s always one party-goer who forgets a towel! To make things easy, I like to have a pile of fresh towels ready for everyone. I especially love our Jilly Summer Stripe Throws!

4. Make the Ultimate Summer Playlist

What’s a party without some tunes? Our family has become OBSESSED with Taylor Swift! (Yes, I may have even watched the Super Bowl because of her!) So, naturally our go-to is a mix of Taylor Swift songs.

5. Remember that #AllBodiesAreSummerBodies

And remember… enjoy the party! I know there can be a lot of anxieties around summer and bathing suit season. Wear what makes you feel most confident, and remember that ALL bodies are summer bodies!

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