Then we took Vancouver

After all my holiday jet-setting across the Prairies, I had the surprising good fortune of being sent to Vancouver on business last week. As I'm sure all you snowed in fashionistas can appreciate, it felt so good to bust out my spring clothes for a few days and leave my woolies in my suitcase.

While I spent a good part of my time holed away in an office, I did get a chance to see some of the sights Vancouver has to offer, and I'm going to share my faves with you, lovely readers.

First up is Homewerx Urban Living on Davie Street. My hotel was on Seymour and West Hastings, yet every time I tried to navigate my way back to the Delta, I always ended up going the wrong way down Seymour and ending up on Davie. On one such occasion when I was wearing three-inch heels, a heavy briefcase, and a mighty dose of disgrunticism (sp?) on my face, I wound up at Homewerx. In five minutes flat, I found my Vancouver addition to my BF's t-shirt collection (more on this in another post), and some fabulous books and home accessories. Not to mention a map back to my hotel and a restaurant recommendation, both of which were graciously furnished by the incredible gentlemen behind the counter.

On another evening spent wandering downtown with no idea where I was headed, I stumbled upon Used: House of Vintage Fashion on Granville Street. It was here that I found a necklace made of geometric shapes that I betcha Lady Gaga would kill for. All for a whopping $18. My new kitten Gyslain Caramel isn't included though.

While I didn't get a chance to hit up South Granville, a major hotspot for cool boutiques, I did make it to Robson Street, another famous strip, where I was pretty disappointed. With the exception of all the delicious and cheap sushi, I'll take St. Catherine's in Montreal any day instead.

Gastown is all it's cracked up to be though, I gotta say.

I am completely smitten with Dream on West Cordova Street, a boutique specializing in local designers like the beautiful Bianca below.

Bianca is one of the designers who sells her collection, elu:sid at Dream, and I had the good fortune of picking up a pair of her earrings, which I love love love.

I couldn't resist these wrist-warmers from Victoria-based designers floating gold iceberg, and I also picked up one of their silkscreened scarves.


Honey Love Designs was another great find in Gastown, and I absolutely cannot get their signature bustle out of my head, which is pretty much the hottest way to flatter your bottom after a good piece of lingerie from Agent Provocateur.

And, on that note, if you're going to do anything fashion-related in Vancouver, I highly recommend a trip to Agent Provocateur on Alberni Street.


The company has only one boutique in all of Canada, and it's in Vancouver. Based in the UK, this company is known the world over for its sexy and feisty lingerie and accessories, including pasties, blindfolds, and fishnet stockings. It just so happens to be on the same block as Gucci and Hermes (look for the Fairmont Hotel downtown and you're there), so there's really no excuse for not dropping in.

If you can't make it to Vancouver anytime soon, have a look at Ion and The Block, two Vancouver-based fashion magazines, to stay up to speed on what's hot on the coast.