The women behind the fruit

We met as teenagers and have traveled through many of life's milestones together. We've been by each other through all the big ones; first loves and heartbreaks, first apartments and home ownership, falling in love, and getting married to two wonderful daddies.

Our lives have followed such similar paths that when we both announced we were expecting our first babies just two months apart, people asked us if it was planned! Two healthy boys, Kiernan and Joel, arrived into our lives in the fall of 2006. Born just six weeks apart, weighing exactly the same - 7lbs 1oz; much to our amusement, people would ask "are they twins?" Twins they are not, but buddies they are for certain; just like their moms.

Being first time moms to two little boys, you'd think we were in for similar rides. And yet, our boys have proven to us that they couldn't be more different. As we've watched them grow during their first year, there's no comparing them; they are as different as Apples’n’Oranges!

About the biz

We’re young, hip women with our own unique styles. We like cool clothing and funky accessories, so when our sons were born, trying to find equally hip clothing for them became extremely frustrating! We refused to put them in pastels, or clothing covered in cartoon characters. Both our boys have very unique personalities- they aren’t the same, so why should their clothing be? That’s how the idea behind Apples’n’Oranges was born. More precisely, it came one evening (or perhaps it was an early morning?) as a lightbulb moment while Lara rocked Kiernan in what has become her 'inspiration chair'. In a matter of months since that evening, this little idea turned into a big plan! As the end of our maternity leaves approached, we took the plunge into the entrepreneurial world.

Living just a few blocks apart while on maternity leave turned out to be one of the best unplanned things we have ever done!

We proudly carry exclusively Canadian brands, and feature an original selection of clothing, shoes and accessories for children aged 0-5 years, as well as a few accessories for mom. We hope you will enjoy shopping with us and helping to support other Canadian moms in business.

In-Home Parties

If you're anything like us, multi-tasking is the name of the game. Imagine an afternoon or evening in with friends, and shopping at the same time! If you live in Ottawa how lucky are you? Not only do you live in an awesome city, you also get the benefit of being able to host an Apples’n’Oranges in-home party! What's that? It’s simple- the shop comes to you! Book a date, invite your friends and we’ll show up and do the rest.

There is no formal presentation, we just lay out the merchandise and let people look at their own will. No sales pitch to become a consultant, no pyramid scheme- just a fun, relaxed atmosphere to shop with your friends. The best part is as the host you’ll earn 15% of all sales from the party in free product! Fun huh?

For more information, or to book a party, contact us at info@apples-n-oranges.com

Lara & Vicky