I recently collaborated with Holly Wong, owner of the boutique, on a shopping event for the Downtown Networking Association. Along with local luxe brands Sienna Ray Bags and Lisbeth Jewelry, we put on a great evening of shopping while networking – my kind of night.

Some interesting notes on Holly Boutique:

• They owner and her buyers seek out those hard to find brands in Vancouver, giving you lots of new options and looks to try. Brands include La Rok, House of Harlow, Maggie Ward, James Perse, gorgeous Rebecca Minkoff bags, and more.
• I hear owner Holly Wong has a weakness for dresses, so expect lots of beautiful dresses in the store in an array of colours. If you’re looking for a great dress for a summer wedding, go here and get inspiration.
• Lots of inspiration comes from the lines featured on Shop Bop – so if you like what you see there, you’ll love Holly Boutique
• The store takes pricing seriously. They don’t want you to try on their clothes and then buy them online for cheaper. They price things competitively so you’re not going to be charged way more money for the same piece elsewhere.
• And the most important thing – Holly and her staff are great. Friendly, hard working, and creating a truly beautiful store. Worthy of my support any day.

I posted a couple pictures of the store on the Downtown Networking Association blog, here.

Holly Boutique
215 – 332 Water Street – entrance also at Cordova & Homer St.
Vancouver
604.681.8883

It’s hard to explain why, but when you go to Main St, you feel it. It’s a locals neighbourhood with excellent eating and shopping. It used to be the non-mainstream alternative, and it still is, but it’s definitely trendy. I’ll focus primarily on the “SoMa” (South Main) district here. If you are am ambitious, you could hit all the hot shopping spots on Main on one day (walking it all is doable, but long) , but I typically pick one of the following areas each time I’m in the area.

Main Street, between 7th ave and 10th ave

Two stores I make special trips for: Lark and Jonathan & Oliva.

Both stores carry local and international brands, but focus on designers you aren’t going to find in every store. You’ll find many beautiful unique pieces here. Neither of these stores are cheap, but I love looking at the clothes, even if I can only buy something once in a while.

Newer stores in this area:
Recently opened:

• F as in Frank, the Vancouver outpost of a popular Whistler consignment store that a lot of the Vancouver fashion blogs were very excited about.
• Forsya,  a boutique with lovely clothing, bags, and accessories exclusively featuring Canadian designers.

Break time : Gene Coffee Bar on Main & 8th is a great spot for coffee and snack.

Main Street, between 20th-24th ave

Here it is, the creme de la creme of Main Street shopping. For such a small area, you can put a lot of damage on your credit card here. I know from experience You’ll see a theme with these stores – indpendent designers, Canadian designers, and things you’d never find on Robson Street.

My favourites:

(West side of street)

Narcissist Design Co. – A go to emporium of flattering, travel friendly dresses. I went though a phase with this store and have about 14 of their dresses. They are known for the “Pamela” dress, which you can wear in about 12 different ways. I find the “Frenchie” and the “Celeste” are my favourites, with the most flattering cuts. The store sells other brands as well, but I’ve noticed their mark-up is high compared to other stores, so take note of that.

Eugene Choo – One of the first fashion stores to hit Main Street, this store continues to carry lots of independent and Canadian labels and beautiful clothes and shoes for men and women. My last purchase there was actually a plaid wool house coat for my husband.

Hum – Another store specializing in independent and Canadian labels. I’ve noticed they carry lots of Montreal designers as well like Valerie Dumaine and Second Denim Co. , which makes these incredibly comfortable “yoga jeans” at a very fair price (~$100).

Twig and Hottie - This store carries many Canadian designers and sustainable fashion lines as well. Great please for everyday clothes – think Fidelity denim with lots of options for unique tops and accessories.

(east side of the street)

Vancouver Special – Do you all remember our (un)remakrable architectural achievement, the Vancouver Special? Well, this store takes the name (and prints some great t-shirts) from a Vancouver Special, but the similarities end there. This is a design house, with books, furnitures, and housewares that you’ll want in your home.

Chef Claires - Chef Claires is a catering company with a store front. They make fresh and delicious meals and freeze them for people to buy and heat up at home. A gourmet (and healthier) option to the frozen dinner.

Smoking Lily – Smoking Lily originated in Victoria BC and they’re probably known in Victoria for having the smallest store ever! I can’t remember the exact size but it’s like 100 square feet, maybe. The store in Vancouver is a tad bigger, selling casual clothing and accessories. One of their more famous items is a line of t-shirts with Pierre Trudeau’s picture on them. A total conversation starter at parties when you wear this shirt.

Umeboshi Shoes – One of the few stores in town that can rival Gravity Pope for selection. Lots of lovely shoes, boots, and accessories for men and women.

Front & Co – Probably the most well-known fashion consignment store in the city. It’s big and you can get lots of finds at this store.

Regional Assembly of Text – Love stationary? Come to this lovely store, where they specialize in beautiful stationary. They even have a regular letter writing club as well! Snail mail is a celebration here.

Break time: Liberty Bakery and Cafe (3699 Main St – close to Eugene Choo) is a great spot for a light snack or coffee. The black bean soup? Awesome.

Main Street, King Edward Ave (25th) to around 30th

There are lots of good eats and antique shops around here, but one notable mention for…

Voltage – a great store specializing in crazy toys/collectables, accessories,  and funny t-shirts. Come by the store and peruse the t-shirt racks – you’ll find lots of witty prints that you’ll want to wear. People at my office have several shirts from here.

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I will continue to update this post as things open/close, but for now – enjoy Main St. There’s lots to see, eat, and shop.

The studio is located out of the way, at Oak & 33rd ave, but it’s worth it, especially when a sale is on as they are awesome! Last year I bought a pair of Hunter boots for 40% off!

Now, the time has come for another excellent one-day sale.

Here is the FLYER – for a big sale happening this Friday, May 27, 11-7.

See? the best shopping is off the main streets!

Simply Sublime
#150-3737 Oak St, Vancouver
604-733-0440

The tagline for JC Studio is to “shop like a celebrity” and they treat you like a VIP the entire way.  First, we enjoyed some canapes and drinks while we watched a small fashion show wtih the stylists’s favourite spring/summer selections. Next, it was shopping time!

JC Studio focusses on power suits and dresses for professional women. Think beautifully cut fabrics, trench coats, different styles of power suits, wrap dresses, and gorgeous silk dresses.

My purchases for the evening:

• An fitted, high-waisted, dark denim skirt
• A basic white blouse with subtle details and a nice v-neck cut
• A big thick brown belt to help accentuate my waist

A couple other shoppers bought some gorgeous dresses (The “hippy swirl chiffon” dress was a fave). They looked so beautiful – traffic stopping!

JC studio will do custom tailoring and fitting for all clothes and are happy to book private shopping appointments as well. I’m planning to return in the fall to pick up a power suit.

If you are curious about JC Studio, they have one last fashionista lunch this season, happening on Saturday, May 30.  They’ll provide the brunch, a fashion show and style tips, while giving you a chance to see what JC Studio is all about. Details here.

I usually race around the stores between 8-10pm after work, but it’s best done with friends, spending the whole night going from store to store on the below map. After you’re shopped out, relax in one of Gastown’s many fab restaurants (Consider Chill Winston, Cobre, So.cial, Jules and the Gastown spots I’ve blogged about already).

All the stores at the shop hop offer special discounts and snacks for this one night only, so it’s worth taking advantage.

Looks like they keep their blog current, as I spied many pieces from the blog in their store still.

As I recently purchased a house, I am spending a little less freely than usual and actually did manage to walk out with out purchasing anything, but temptation was everywhere.

A few items that caught my eye:

- A loose and flowy scarf in dark grey, would be a great layering piece for me
- “The mustard jar” cardigan set (cardigan featured here)
- This big, floor length, flouncy multi-coloured dress with various shades of red and plum

Oliver & Lilly’s seems to carry a nice range of products and price points, running from reasonable to “once in a while,” which I like.

The store is located in the South Granville shopping district of Vancouver, but not on Granville St. It’s located on 13th ave (@Granville), just a few doors off the main road. It’s DEFINITELY worth the minor detour.

Oliver & Lilly’s
1520 West 13th Ave
Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 2G4
tel:604.736.7774

The next store in my short list: Moulé

2 Vancouver locations: 1994 W. 4th, Vancouver and 2016 Park Royal South, West Vancouver

Why it’s fabulous:

- Amazing clothes, shoes, and accessories. AMAZING! Big range, from denim & tees, to business wear, to high-end gowns. They carry several of my favourite brands: Velvet, Modern Vintage Shoes, and Canadian designer Rachel Mara. Think classic styles, beautiful fabrics, with a few “in the moment” pieces thrown in.

- A great kids section and good service to help you navigate. I don’t have kids, but here were my instructions to the staff this past Christmas: “I have an 8-month old niece and a 5-year old niece and want something constructive or useful.” They hooked me up in 5 minutes at a cost of $40 for both gifts.

- Men’s clothing & grooming. The store features a big men’s section, including watches, cuff links, belts, grooming materials (and clothes of course). My discerning husband likes going to this store with me, which says a lot!

- Sales. If you can’t bring yourself to pay full price (I said the store was amazing, not cheap), then wait for the end of season. Items will go down 30%, 50%, and some eventually 70% off.

Why it’s even more fabulous today and tomorrow:

My eyes seriously bugged out when I read on the Vancouver Sample Sales website that Moulé is having a sample sale this week! Cash only. Here’s the flyer with sale details.  I am having a busy week so the prognosis for me going is not good. I will live vicariously through all your buys instead.

Moulé
1994 W. 4th, Vancouver
2016 Park Royal South, West Vancouver

I wholeheartedly subscribe to this. When I need something, I have a circuit of a 4-6 stores that will have what I need.  Two of these stores are in Gastown and I can count on them for great clothes and service to get my shopping fix done efficiently.

1. One of a few & Two of a few
354 and 365 Water St, Vancouver

- This is technically two stores next to each other, but both are owned by Michelle Rizzardo. I think “One of a few” carries more feminine styles, while “Two  of a few” carries men & womens lines, shoes, and more streetwear.

Why it’s fabulous:
Honestly? The owner, Michelle Rizzardo. I don’t know Michelle well, but she knows how to run a business. She’s warm, friendly, and has an infectious passion for fashion and her stores. She carries a mix of classic, edgy, and trendy styles, which let customers create classic outfits with a twist.

I would never call myself a fashionista, and prefer classic pieces and colours. Michelle and her staff  repeatedly give me classic pieces with an edge while showing me how to wear them well. I’ve done special orders, special sales, and lots of impluse buys at this store.

No, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s not the most expensive either. I will often wait for the Gastown Shop Hop event or similar events, when the store is usually 20% off.

2. The Block
350 West Cordova Street , Vancouver

The Block is a 1-minute jaunt down the road from One of a Few and carries women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, and shoes.

Why it’s fabulous:

Big selection and many exclusive brands. The Block carries a huge range of options, including denim, evening dresses, leisure wear, casual dresses, outerwear, flowy tanks, and these beautifullly expensive Loeffler Randall shoes and boots, which I will one day own. I regularly see costume designers from film sets at this store.

The store also has awesome sales – so check the sale rack. I was there last week and picked up a great bargain: a $450 Theory belted black shirt dress for $150. I must say, it’s fabulous.

A must-buy: Their $20 cotton tights. I don’t know what brand they are, but the store carries these fantastically comfortable cotton tights in various colours and patterns. I lived in these during the fall & winter.

In the Gastown area, there are more and more fantastic stores within shopping distance. Definitely walk around Cordova and Water St. and poke around the shops. Dream, John Fluevog, Obakkai and Dutil Denim are a few more examples.

Have fun! And tell me what you buy.

The Drive is an interesting spot in the city.  People usually call Commercial Drive Vancouver’s “Little Italy.” It is very Italian, but I can’t say there are any Italian restaurants on the Drive I need to eat at. Don’t assume the Italian food is good just because you’re in the Italian district (that said, people would tell me Lombardo’s and Marcelo’s are okay bets. But just okay to me. And only the Commercial Drive Lombardo’s, not their other location).

The Commercial Drive Website has a nice guide of the ‘hood online here (pdf).   I usually spend my time between E 1st ave and E 6th ave. But if I have the time I’ll walk further north towards Kitchener and Charles St, which has more restaurants and a slightly different vibe.  Grandview Park on a summer day is always lovely, as is ice skating at Britannia Community Centre.

But, back to Saturday. Our focus was mainly food, and we only had a couple hours, so we hit what I think are the best spots:

First, brunch at Cafe Deux Soleils – casual vegetarian eatery with big portions and tasty cheap eats. Organic coffee, fresh baked muffins, smoothies, and breakfast eats like veggie hash, eggs benny, veggie sausage.

Next, Prado Cafe for me, as the coffee at Cafe Deux Soleils didn’t quite have the punch I needed. One shot of espresso and a shot of water. Perfectly smooth and strong. Prado is one of many good coffee houses on the Drive. Look for JJ Bean, Prado, Joe’s, Continental, or anything independent. Not Waves or Starbucks.

Suitably caffeinated, we got distracted shopping at Barefoot Contessa (lovely, girly things) and Wonderbucks (for cheap housewares).

And then came the food shopping.

- The First Ravioli Store for fresh pastas and Italian ingredients like olive oil packed tuna, olives, and all sorts of pasta shapes.

- Fratelli Bakery , which always smells amazing when you walk in. Italian pastries (plus a few French pastries for good measure). In additional to breads and cakes, they also carry a big variety of little tarts and squares that are great for dinner party desserts. The best deal here is their frozen pizza dough, which comes in white or whole wheat for cheap (I paid $1.25 last time I bought it, but that was a while ago).

- La Grotta Del Formaggio. My go-to place for Italian meats, pastas, olive oils, cheeses, and San Marzano tomatoes.  I often see the same olive oil they carry at Urban Fare for $5-10 more. Their sandwich bar is very popular – piled high with different meats & cheeses and grilled.

- JNZ Deli. There was a line-up out the door when we arrived. We patiently waited and were rewarded with the lovely smell of smoked meat when we opened the door. I bought some bacon, which was AMAZING. So good.

- Belgian Fries. The fries and poutine here are good, but they are really just carriers for their wasabi mayo dip, which is addicting.

After a big cone of fries and lots of shopping we were broke, full, and happy….and done! If we had more time, we would have ventured north on Commercial Drive, but we’ll save that for another day.

See map for location details of all places.

After the tacone, my hubby and I walked into Granville Island and were feeling thirsty, so we dropped by Granville Island Brewing for some Winter Ale. Next, onto the Net Loft so I could check out the newest outpost of Dream Apparel, which specializes in Canadian made designs. Some really great items at the store, many on sale too…but I managed to resist this afternoon. I’ll be back.

Okay, back to the task at hand – buying food for dinner! We walked into the market and were distracted by Lee’s Donuts (you need to get a Lee’s donut every time you’re on GI!) and bought a few honey dips. THEN we scurried around picking up food and took a lovely walk home along the sea wall.

An unexpected lovely Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.