Happy 125th Birthday Vancouver!

To celebrate our city's 125th birthday today, a list of a few of my favourite things here:

Museum of Anthropology (architecture/museum/location)
The Sylvia Hotel (architecture/history/location)
The Marine Building (architecture)
Museum of Vancouver (history)
Stanley Park (location/seawall) 
Spanish Bank (location/beach)
Main Street (shopping/food) (South Main/SoMa/Mount Pleasant area) - not to miss The Regional Assembly of Text, Eugene Choo, Latitude
Granville Island (location/market/shopping/food) - not to miss La Baguette et L'Echalote Bakery,  Emily Carr University (Galleries) and Paper Ya
Chinatown (history/shopping) and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden
Kitsilano (shopping) - not to miss Plenty and Hip Baby
Gastown (history/shopping) - not to miss Old Faithful and  Inform Interiors
Also check Poppytalk's Vancouver Shopping Guide

Go to celebratevancouver125.ca for more info on today's celebrations!

Vancouver Shopping Guide: Collage Collage

Collage Collage is an amazing shop/creation place here in Vancouver for the "young set" and "young at heart". Bringing the world of art and creativity to new eyes, owner Erin Boniferro has created a space that's fresh and "strives to uphold the tremendous creative abilities that children have, in surroundings that adults find equally stimulating and inspiring". Earlier this year, Becka of Bliss and a Teacup and I made a visit there (I can't believe how time flies) and were completely that, "inspired". The shop holds workshops and drop-in classes (check schedule), along with supplies a unique and non-commercial shopping experience featuring handmade toys, story books, artist projects, cd's, posters, etc. A must-stop-and-see-place to read a book, draw and explore. (A huge thank you to Becka for providing the photo's and to Erin for the conversaton)!

Collage Collage
621 Kingsway (at 15th + Fraser St.)
Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5
604.569.1929
info[at]collagecollage[dot]ca

A Visit to Room 6

Ever since Megan of Room 6 redesigned her blog to have bigger pictures, I am being lured day in and day out to cross three (or four) bridges to visit her cute little shop in the heart of Deep Cove (here in the lower mainland). And today I just found three more reasons. First because of these 2011 resolution reminder bracelets; second, for their dreamy snowflake window display and third to meet her little man (OMG)! Pssst! They're having an open house tonight 6-9pm. (Thanks for the reminder Lesley)!

Walrus & Fieldwork

front window display by FIELDWORK

Today I got the chance to finally check out Walrus, a super-cute shop in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver with my friend, Janis of Pinecone Camp. Located near the corner of Cambie and 18th, the shop is filled with gorgeous wares and at all different price points. Look for pieces from local and Canadian artists, such as ceramics by Paige Russell and jewelry by Alex Henderson of Henderson Dry Goods. They also carry some of my favourite American artist's such as Yellow Owl Workshop and Poketo and new to me pieces such as beautiful wooden cheese boards by pension fuer produkte from Germany.

They often have art exhibitions as well and today they were preparing for the folks from FIELDWORK to move in for an opening this evening. FIELDWORK is a collaborative group of designers in Vancouver making things and telling stories. We loved what they did to the front display window and you can find out more about them here. Opening, Thursday, November 18th, 2010 (6 -9 pm)

Walrus, 3408 Cambie St, corner of 18th, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W8 +1.604.874.9770
walrushome.com

pension fuer produkte from germany

poketo wallets and yellow owl workshop stamps

display by FIELDWORK

New Online Shop Alert: Union Wood Co.

On Monday, November the 1st, Vancouver-based, Union Wood Co. is opening the doors to it's new online webstore, The Union Shop. Aside from doing a ton of custom work, owner Craig Pearce has been busy developing, sourcing, and building some unique items to stock it's shelves. True to form you will find many hand-made, or hand-picked items including furniture, lighting, accessories, and vintage/industrial antiques. You may have seen their awesome work over at The Old Faithful Shop here in Vancouver, and we can't wait to see what's in store online! All items are made with shipping in mind.

unionwoodco.com

Photo credit: Old Faithful Shop
Lighting from Union Wood Company (Photo credit: Scout Magazine)

Shopping: Old Faithful

Photo credit: Walter Manning via Remodelista
Vancouver just got better with the recent opening of the Gastown (home and living) store, Old Faithful. Owners Walter Manning and Savannah Olsen refurbished an old turn of the century shop (see building's heritage here) in one of Vancouver's most historic districts filling it up with tastefully selected quality goods from around the world. Using reclaimed wood (found on Craigslist) they've created a really sweet space using the moss covered pieces to enclose their cash desk, display windows, and even a display house (all built by Manning himself)!

The stock inside is to die for with product that has stood the test of time like enamelware (coffee and mug sets), North American Indian blankets, beautiful tablecloths and napkins from Fog Linen, blankets from Brahms Mount and newer works like Totem stacking cups by Rob Southcott, ceramic planters by Genevieve Dionne, slip-cast votives from Pigeon Toe Ceramics, and lighting and quality industrial furniture from Union Wood Company. Also beautiful succulent plants, terrariums, soaps and candles are scattered throughout.

A gorgeous space that is a welcome to this part of the city and a must-see if you're in the area. All photo's by Becka Nathan of Bliss in a Teacup unless otherwise noted. Click here to see a slideshow of all of the photo's Becka sent our way!

Check out Old Faithful on the internet:
Site: oldfaithfulshop.com/
Blog: oldfaithfulblog.com
Twitter: twitter.com/oldfaithfulshop

Check out Old Faithful for reals:
320 Cordova Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1E8 Canada


Napkins from Fog Linen (Photo credit: Scout Magazine)
Lighting from Union Wood Company (Photo credit: Scout Magazine)




Chairs from Union Wood Company

Spool of Thread {+ Etsy Craft Party}!

Last Friday I got the chance to visit one of Vancouver's newest shops/creative places, Spool of Thread with the lovely and talented Becka of Bliss in a Teacup. Spool of Thread (in case you didn't know) is a space where locals can rent and/or take classes to create their next sewing project. And if you're like me who's mother isn't nearby to help with things like button holes or zippers, it's a place to come to get that done too. They also sell beautiful fabrics (think Amy Butler) and notions.

Owners Lili Nedved and Henry Sinha seem super friendly and have done an amazing job on renovating this previous warehouse space. From the stunning front desk appliqued with rulers, surprise baby buttons found glued to different areas on the cement floor, special bright (colour tested) lighting and beautiful new sewing machines and tools!

Click here to see the June Class Schedule which includes, Sewing Machine 101, a Vintage Inspired Blouse (taught by Becka of Bliss in a Teacup - tonight!), Men's Tie (great for Father's Day), Gathered Bust Apron, etc or just Drop-In + Sew! Also they will be hosting Etsy's Craft Party this Friday, June 18th (2-5pm) along with neighbor's Collage Collage and the folks at Got Craft/Lotus Events - RSVP here.

Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge is located at:
101-649 E. 15th Ave.
(at Fraser and Kingsway)
Vancouver, BC

(Thanks to Becka of Bliss in a Teacup for all photo's!)

Grand Opening Collage Collage

There's a new little brick and mortar shop here in Vancouver called Collage Collage. It's an arts-based learning shop for children and families, where contemporary art and design are used as a starting point for workshops. They sell art supplies and feature local artists, including handmade goods. And they are celebrating their grand opening this Saturday, September 12th with crafts and cupcakes from 1-4pm, 621 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C.