Chapters

Canada > Archive by tag 'Chapters'

Quick Q&A with TV’s The Shopping Bags

Two seasoned shoppers dish on (what else?) shopping

By Jennifer Patterson

Anna (L) and Kristina (R), better known as the Shopping Bags. Photo by Jonathan Cruz

Meet Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic, Vancouver’s very own professional shopaholics. They both got their start on TV as anchors for BC’s Global TV, but since 2001 this dynamic duo has won the hearts of viewers on not one but three different television shows: The Shopping Bags, Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag and Anna & Kristina’s Beauty Call (airing on W, CosmoTV and OWN). So when Where planned our annual issue devoted to all-things-shopping, it was a no-brainer who to interview.

For their just-released online gift guide, visit www.annaandkristina.com.

Q: Your top Vancouver shops?
Anna: Diplomatic Immunity, Gravitypope, Atkinson’s, Kitsilano Wine Cellar and Les Amis du Fromage—an essential party stop.
Kristina: One-stop shops The Bay, Chapters—for books and odds and sods—and Holt Renfrew.

Q: Any gift ideas for travellers?
A: Good stocking-stuffers for anyone who travels: eye masks, pashminas, a good moisturizing cream and warm socks for the plane.
K: A brightly coloured passport holder, a magazine subscription or an e-reader.

Q: On your wish list?
A: The new blue Hermès dishes. If anyone would like to buy me a plate or teacup—though you may have to mortgage the farm—I’ll be forever in your debt.
K: I would like—and put in a good word for me with Santa—a little rose-gold horseshoe necklace from Tiffany & Co.

Q: Where do you go after shopping?
K: We often go to the Wedgewood Hotel’s Bacchus Lounge—it’s so cozy—for the best pizza in the city.
A: And a good wine list.

2011 Where to Shop Awards Vancouver

We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your favourite spots to shop

By Jennifer Patterson

Patterned ties at Harry Rosen. Photo by KK Law

Ladies’ Apparel
Aritzia
The city’s fashion elite favour this chic label thanks to high-quality, editorial-worthy clothing. This local company started in 1984 and now boasts shops across North America. The store offers six in-house lines, and it was an official apparel partner for the 2010 Winter Games.
Finalists
Holt Renfrew;
H&M.

Men’s Apparel
Harry Rosen
Well-groomed gents feel right at home in Harry Rosen. Custom-made suits, classic casual wear and colourful ties grace the rich wood interior, alongside leather loafers and great-for-winter puffer jackets.
Finalists
Boys’ Co.;
Mexx.

Eyewear
LensCrafters
This chain stocks a huge selection of prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses for men, women and children. Drop by for an eye exam with the on-site independent optometrist, choose from a wide selection of flattering name-brand frames, then wait while your lenses are made at the in-house optical laboratory.
Finalists
Sunglass Hut;
Eyes on Burrard.

Lingerie
Dianes Lingerie
For over 25 years Dianes has helped women of all sizes find that perfect bra. Take a few minutes to have a free, professional bra fitting, then choose from sexy lace delicates, practical t-shirt bras, or convertible or strapless numbers.
Finalists
La Jolie Madame. Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia St. 604-669-1831.;
Change.

Footwear
Gravitypope
Join the crowd of locals at this bustling shoe shop, carrying hard-to-find labels for the whole family. For women: Alexander Wang, Repetto and Rachel Comey. For men: Bensimon, Rag & Bone and Zeha Berlin. For kids: Minnetonka, Tretorn and Toms. The house line offers on-trend options without the sticker shock. Find purses and travel bags, too.
Finalists
Fluevog Shoes;
Aldo.

Colourful items for kids of all ages at Hip Baby. Photo by KK Law

Children’s Apparel
Hip Baby
Cool parents shop for their cool babies and kids at this Kitsilano boutique. Adults appreciate the eco-friendly options, clothing and furniture, while tots go crazy for the scoot-along balance bikes and ride-on animals.
Finalists
Dandelion Kids;
The Children’s Place;
Please Mum.

Chocolate
Purdy’s Chocolates
For over 100 years this iconic Vancouver chocolatier has satisfied sweet-tooth cravings with a box of mint melties, sweet Georgia browns or hedgehogs. The recognizable gold and purple box—chock-full of assorted chocolates, nuts and caramels—makes a great gift, whether for a hostess or for that chocolate-loving friend.
Finalists
Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie;
Daniel Le Chocolat Belge.

Shopping Centre
Pacific Centre
Serious shoppers head to this downtown mall for footwear, beauty and electronics. Go underground to the lower level and make your way to The Bay, or take the aboveground overpass route to posh Holt Renfrew. Peruse the massive department stores, then pop by popular shops such as Apple, H&M and Sephora.
Finalists
Oakridge Centre;
Park Royal;
Metropolis at Metrotown.

Fine Art
Granville Fine Art
Head to Vancouver’s famed art district to find this popular South Granville gallery. The proprietors offer decades of experience and the collection ranges from Canadian masters to acclaimed American and European artists. Keep an eye out for works by The Group of Seven, Leonard Cohen and Ray Mead.
Finalists
Ian Tan Gallery;
Uno Langmann Limited.

Striped jacket from The Bay

Department Store
The Bay
Founded in 1670, this Canadian company—one of the oldest in the world—recently added some exciting elements to the downtown location: The Room, a high-end section dedicated to the crème de la crème of designer goods; and the largest in-store Coach boutique in North America. For holiday decor visit the Christmas Street department.
Finalists
Holt Renfrew;
Sears.

Antiques & Collectibles
Second Time Around Antiques
This Main Street shop opened in 1980 and is dedicated to antique and vintage furniture and decor. Search through over 740 sq m (8,000 sq ft) for that rare piece from the Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Edwardian or Art Deco era.
Finalists
Antique Warehouse;
Uno Langmann Limited.

Books
Chapters/Indigo
Spend an hour—or four—exploring this palatial, multi-level bookstore. Everything from cookbooks to architecture to language has a dedicated section, as do the hottest best sellers and magazines. Take the tots to the renovated kids’ section, then peruse the expanded gift and home decor area. Monthly author events.
Finalists
KidsBooks;
Book Warehouse.

China & Crystal
Atkinson’s
Find the perfect hostess gift, or outfit your own abode with Waterford Crystal or dinnerware by Iittala, Versace and Wedgwood. Linens, pottery, home decor and fragrances, too.
Finalists
Herzog China & Crystal;
Birks.

Jewellery & Watches
Birks
This Canadian jeweller and watchmaker has made covetable pieces since 1879. Big-name brands Rolex, Cartier, Gucci and Longines line the glass cases alongside the Birks collection of stellar diamonds, watches and pearls. On the upper lever find a large selection of fine home decor items.
Finalists
Tiffany & Co.;
Lugaro Jewellers.

Hit the water in style with a kayak from Mountain Equipment Co-op. Photo by KK Law

Athletic Sporting Goods
Mountain Equipment Co-op
This always-busy store celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Locals know it as MEC, and since it’s a co-op, every customer must buy a one-time $5 membership in order to make any purchases. Head there for everything from down jackets and wool toques to bikes, kayaks and portable cook stoves—for adventures both big and small.
Finalists
Lululemon;
Sport Chek.

Spas & Salons
Spa Utopia
Lie back, relax and let the massage therapist do all the work at this downtown waterfront spa. Book an entire day at the spa—for you, or with a plus one—and enjoy everything from medical facials to acid peels to body wraps to manicures and pedicures.
Finalists
Absolute Spa;
Aveda.

Hot Shopping: Happy Father’s Day

This elegant watch from OMEGA makes a great gift for Dad

On Jun. 19 it’s all about Dad. Spoil him with a classic timepiece from OMEGA Boutique, such as the DeVille 41mm ($6,200, pictured). If an award-winning novel or photography book is more his speed, stop by Chapters. Help him channel his inner Wolfgang Puck with a cookbook from Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks.—Jennifer Patterson

2010 Where to Shop Awards

We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your top spots to shop

By Jennifer Patterson

'Tis the season for holiday chocolates at Purdys. Photo by KK Law

CHOCOLATE
Purdy’s Chocolates
For over 100 years Purdy’s has delighted sweet tooths with hazelnut truffle–filled Hedgehogs, Mint Melties and gooey Sweet Georgia Browns. Just in time for the holidays: decorative tins of assorted chocolates and peppermint bark. Yum!
Honourable Mentions
Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie;
Chocolate Arts.

SHOPPING CENTRE
Pacific Centre
Downtown’s largest shopping mall houses some of the biggest labels: H&M, Teenflo, Aritzia, Harry Rosen and Sephora. It’s also home to high-end retailer Holt Renfrew.
Honourable Mentions
Metropolis at Metrotown;
Park Royal;
Oakridge Centre.

FINE ART
Heffel Fine Art
Head to the gallery to purchase works by Canadian, American and European artists, or visit the website to bid in the online auction house.
Honourable Mentions
Inuit Gallery;
Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery.

DEPARTMENT STORE
Sears
The downtown location is hard to miss thanks to its bulbous white exterior. Inside find high-end cosmetics, apparel for the whole family, and small and large home appliances. There’s also a Starbucks on the main level.
Honourable Mentions
The Bay;
Holt Renfrew.

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
Vancouver Architectural Antiques
VAA specializes in 19th- and 20th-century lighting. Find everything from art deco sconces to early Victorian lamps. Sculptures, furniture and paintings, too.
Honourable Mentions
Guild House Antiques;
Antique Warehouse.

EYEWEAR
Sunglass Hut
Keep those peepers protected from harmful rays with a pair of quality sunshades. Fashionistas favour Fendi, Burberry and Ray-Ban, while sporty types pick up Oakley and Bollé.
Honourable Mentions
Art Face Optical;
Eyes on Burrard.

Colourful yoga mats and apparel at Lululemon. Photo by KK Law

ATHLETIC SPORTING GOODS
Lululemon Athletica
This local success story first opened shop in Kitsilano, and the yoga-inspired athletic apparel, which ranges from hoodies and jackets to pants and bags, has become a wardrobe staple for Vancouverites.
Honourable Mentions
Mountain Equipment Co-op;
SportChek.

LINGERIE
La Jolie Madame
Opened in 1971, this ooh la la lingerie shop carries high-end European intimates as well as daywear and nightwear. Sizes range from 32A to 46H.
Honourable Mentions
Dianes Lingerie;
Scarlet.

LADIES’ APPAREL
Aritzia
Fashion-savvy women head to Vancouver’s own Aritzia for edgy designs and must-have wardrobe staples. In-house lines include Wilfred, TNA, Community, Talula, Wilfred Free and Talula Babaton.
Honourable Mentions
Roots;
Wear Else.

MEN’S APPAREL
Boys’ Co
This hip shop carries everything for the stylish man. Brands include J. Lindberg, Hugo Boss, G Star, True Religion and Justin Timberlake’s line William Rast.
Honourable Mentions
Dunn’s Tailors;
Harry Rosen.

CHILDREN’S APPAREL
The Children’s Place
Find fashionable clothing and shoes for newborns, babies and kids size four to 14.
Honourable Mentions
Dandelion Kids;
Please Mum.

FOOTWEAR
Freedman Shoes
For over 75 years this Vancouver company has been helping locals on the hunt for the perfect shoe. Brands include Calvin Klein, Sam Edelman, Michael Kors and Frye.
Honourable Mentions
Ecco;
Sterling Shoes.

Brilliant baubles line the glass cases at Blue Ruby. Photo by KK Law

BOOKS
Chapters
Spend an hour—or two—exploring this palatial, multi-level bookshop. Everything from cookbooks to self-help to art to language has a dedicated section, as do the hottest best sellers and the multitude of magazines. Great gifts ideas such as candles, calendars, blankets and music complete the space. In-store Starbucks cafe.
Honourable Mentions
Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks;
Book Warehouse.

CHINA & CRYSTAL
Atkinson’s
Find the perfect hostess gift, such as timeless Waterford Crystal and delicate Fabergé eggs, or style your own abode with dinnerware by Versace and Wedgwood. Linens, pottery, home decor and fragrances, too.
Honourable Mentions
Chintz & Company;
Herzog.

JEWELLERY & WATCHES
Blue Ruby
This local shop highlights jewellery designers from around the world but focuses on both Canadian and Vancouver talent. Find items great for gifting at a variety of price points. Pyrrha talisman necklaces and sterling silver Tashi earrings are eye-catching additions to any outfit.
Honourable Mentions
Birks;
Spence.

SPAS & SALONS
Absolute Spa
A perennial winner, Absolute Spa continues to charm locals and visitors alike at its citywide locations. Let your mind wander during the relaxing aromatherapy massage, or enjoy the toning and hydrating rose and tonic facial. It’s a hot spot for celebrities including Jennifer Garner, Janet Jackson, Chris Rock and Megan Fox, so you never know who you might run into.
Honourable Mentions
Spa Utopia;
Willow Stream Spa.

To vote for next year’s winners, please click here.

Hot Shopping: Wild Kat

Kat Von D's new book hits shelves this month

Tattoo artist, television star, author and all-around badass Kat Von D just released a new book: The Tattoo Chronicles (HarperCollins Canada, $33.99). This glimpse into the life of Von D includes diary entries, sketches and photos. Visit Chapters on Robson Street on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. for a chance to meet Miss Von D and purchase a signed copy.—Jennifer Patterson

Vancouver for Book Lovers

From bookstores to author readings to a thriving literary scene, this city has everything a bibliophile could desire

By Sheri Radford

The central branch of the Vancouver Public Library fills a full city block and sports a living roof. Photo by KK Law

Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival
Name a well-known author and chances are that writer has appeared at this annual festival in the past 22 years. Among the most celebrated previous guests: JK Rowling (Harry Potter), Salman Rushdie (The Satanic Verses) and Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife). This year’s festival (Oct. 19 to 24) showcases more than 100 authors in 67 lively events, ranging from a poetry bash to a literary cabaret to daytime events (some in French) for schoolchildren. It’s six days of heaven for readers.

A Salon with Yann Martel
Spanish-born Canadian author Yann Martel took the world by storm with Life of Pi, a novel about an Indian boy trapped on a life raft with a tiger. His new book, Beatrice & Virgil, is an allegorical tale about the Holocaust. Readers fortunate enough to snag a ticket to A Salon with Yann Martel (Oct. 24), which is a pre-event for the JCC Jewish Book Festival (www.jccgv.com/JewishBookFest), will enjoy a cocktail reception with the master storyteller in a private home. L’chayim!

Vancouver Authors
It doesn’t matter whether an author was born here, moved here or just spent a few years here—we claim them all as Vancouverites, because we know they’re all West Coasters at heart.
•   Linda Bailey, Stanley’s Party
•   Wayson Choy, The Jade Peony
•   Douglas Coupland, Generation X
•   Sarah Ellis, Pick-Up Sticks
•   William Gibson, Neuromancer
•   Nan Gregory, How Smudge Came
•   Joy Kogawa, Obasan
•   Evelyn Lau, Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid
•   Annabel Lyon, The Golden Mean
•   Kit Pearson, Awake and Dreaming
•   Al Purdy, The Cariboo Horses
•   David Suzuki, The Sacred Balance
•   Timothy Taylor, Stanley Park

Everything about Kidsbooks appeals to young readers. Photo by KK Law

Vancouver Magazines
You might already be reading local magazines without even knowing it. Adbusters (www.adbusters.org), Modern Dog (www.moderndogmagazine.com) and Nuvo (www.nuvomagazine.com) are all produced right here in Vancouver.

Vancouver Public Library
If the central branch of the library looks familiar, it may be because the distinctive building has popped up in movies and TV shows such as The Sixth Day, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Battlestar Galactica. (Or it may be because architect Moshe Safdie’s striking design evokes thoughts of the Roman Colosseum.) Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the downtown building regularly hosts free events such as book club meetings, computer workshops, film screenings and talks. This month, authors Annabel Lyon (Oct. 4), Caroline Adderson (Oct. 5) and Keith Billington (Oct. 26) all discuss their latest releases. To buy books of your own, stop by the library’s annual fall sale (Oct. 21 to 24) and search for a treasured tome among the thousands of used books. Or simply find a quiet corner on one of the library’s seven floors to relax with a novel or magazine.

Kidsbooks
Lively colours and kid-friendly decor fill all three locations of this store, inviting children into the magical world of books. The eager readers on staff each carry around at least a card catalogue’s worth of information in their heads, easily answering questions about which titles a seven-year-old reluctant reader or 11-year-old goth girl or 16-year-old sports fanatic might enjoy. This month, David Wiesner (Oct. 13) and Pseudonymous Bosch (Oct. 14) drop by the West Broadway location to entertain kids of all ages.

Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks
If your twin passions are reading and cooking, are you ever in luck. This store is crammed full of books that get mouths watering. In addition to the expected cookbooks and epicurean magazines from around the world, some hidden treasures make slow, thorough browsing a necessity: out-of-print books and other rare finds hide tucked away in the corners, carefully chosen by owner Barbara-jo McIntosh. She’s both a foodie and an author, having

Three floors of reading material galore await in Chapters on Robson. Photo by KK Law

published titles such as Tin Fish Gourmet and Cooking for Me and Sometimes You: A Parisienne Romance with Recipes. Special events in-store this month include a knife skills class (Oct. 2), slow-cooker demonstration with Erik Akis (Oct. 22) and Indian tea with Madhur Jaffrey (Oct. 24).

Chapters/Indigo
Readers flock to Canada’s largest bookstore chain for the in-store Starbucks cafes, the assortment of gift items and—above all else—the huge selection of books, magazines and newspapers. Touch-screen kiosks allow immediate access to a seemingly endless array of titles for sale on the company’s popular website (chapters.indigo .ca)—handy for those whose tastes run more to the obscure and less to the teetering stacks of Stephen King and Nora Roberts novels. Special events at the Chapters on Robson include talks by authors Robert Herjavec (Oct. 4) and R.A. Salvatore (Oct. 16).

Books About Vancouver
Forget the tacky t-shirts and snow globes—books make much better souvenirs.

Douglas Coupland’s City of Glass (Douglas & McIntyre, $24.95) is a love letter to the city, filled with insider knowledge such as how Vancouver is similar to The Simpsons, where “the nakedest place in Canada” is and why the Grouse Grind is better than a singles bar.

Compiled by the Chef’s Table Society of BC, Vancouver Cooks 2 (Douglas & McIntyre, $40) bursts with more than 100 recipes from 70 local chefs, making it an ideal memento for foodies.

Vancouver Then and Now (Thunder Bay Press, $22.95) by Francis Mansbridge explores the city through paired photographs—one old, one new—of prominent locations.

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: September

Historic Burnaby Art Gallery

1 Watching Antony and Cleopatra (to Sep. 24) at Bard on the Beach.
2 Sara Canning. The actress wasn’t born here, but we still claim her as a local.
3 Shakin’ your groove thang at the city’s most popular nightclubs.
4 Burnaby Art Gallery and all the other sights in Deer Lake Park.
5 Eating at any of the local cooking schools, such as Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Culinaria at The Art Institute of Vancouver, and JJ’s Restaurant at Vancouver Community College.
6 The annual Terry Fox Run (Sep. 19), raising money for cancer research.
7 Local wineries.
8 Taking the first ferry to Victoria or Nanaimo and watching the sun rise.

Perch on "Echoes" by Michael Goulet. Photo by KK Law

9 “Echoes” by Michel Goulet, an art installation on Kits Beach and part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale.
10 Dining at Earls.
11 Robert Bateman. The Canadian painter is visiting Vancouver to meet fans and sign copies of his new book, Bateman: New Works, at Chapters on South Granville (Sep. 25, 2 p.m.).
12 Reading reminiscences of a month’s eating in Paris in Cooking for Me and Sometimes You: A Parisienne Romance with Recipes (French Apple Press, $29.95) by Barbara-Jo McIntosh, owner of Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, which stocks every tome a budding chef could ever need.
13 The Superdogs at the PNE (to Sep. 6).
14 Indulging our sweet tooth at Stuart’s Bakery.
15 Dropping by The Granville Island Brewing Tap Room for a pint of Brockton IPA—and picking up some small-batch beers to take home after.

Rising Star

Young, beautiful and acting in a hit TV show—Sara Canning is the kind of girl it would be easy to hate, if only she weren’t so darned sweet and talented

By Sheri Radford

Sara Canning enjoys a picturesque spot on the seawall in Stanley Park, against the backdrop of the Lions Gate Bridge. Photo by KK Law

The undead are certainly lively these days. On television, in movies and in novels, vampires are baring their fangs. Sara Canning, for one, enjoys the trend. The 23-year-old Canadian-born actress has always been a fan of the bloodsuckers, going back to the story of Dracula, which she first read as a teenager, and the film Nosferatu, right up to current hits such as the hauntingly beautiful Swedish film Let the Right One In and the worldwide phenomenon that is Twilight. She feels especially grateful to the enduring popularity of the undead fiends now that her show, The Vampire Diaries, is starting its second season.

Canning portrays a human—the aunt of the main character, not a vampire—but she has contemplated the tantalizing vamps on her show. When asked if she’s Team Stefan or Team Damon, she answers with a laugh that it would be Stefan for eternity but Damon for a weekend. “Any longer than a weekend and you may end up underground.”

The young actress knows how fortunate she is to have landed a hit TV series. She’s worked hard to get where she is, doing theatre since age 12, but in acting, she says, “Luck and good fortune are always part of it.”

Sara Canning pauses on the seawall in Stanley Park. Photo by KK Law

Realizing that luck and good fortune would be more likely to find her in Canada’s largest film centre, Canning packed her bags and left her childhood home of Sherwood Park, Alberta, for the bright lights of Vancouver—and a year studying everything from acting to voice work to screenwriting at Vancouver Film School. Quickly, she became enamoured with her new city. She doesn’t even mind the famous wet weather: “I really love being in Stanley Park when it rains or right after it’s rained.” One of her favourite West Coast activities is to rent a bike and ride it around the seawall in Stanley Park. She raves about all the fabulous places to find great sushi, brunch spots such as Cafe Medina, and Chapters, the giant bookstore chain that doesn’t exist in her new home of Atlanta, Georgia, where she has relocated for the filming of The Vampire Diaries.

Every chance Canning gets, she returns to Vancouver. Filming kept her away during the 2010 Winter Olympics, but friends filled her in about the incredible experience of proud Canadians thronging Granville Street. She spent the summer here during her most recent hiatus. When she’s in Vancouver, she never has to worry about hiding her Canadian accent or the “Canadianisms” that creep into her speech. Born in Newfoundland, Canning worked especially hard to get rid of her “Newfie” accent, though it creeps back in whenever she phones her parents.

A bright future lies ahead for Canning. According to her, a creative person should “never be satisfied” and should “always be curious, wanting to know more.” She constantly pushes herself, studying acting and writing, and she’s currently working on a script with a friend. “I’m excited to see where the next five years take me,” she says.

So are we.

2009 Where to Shop Awards

We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your top spots to shop

By Jennifer Patterson

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
Antique Warehouse
226 S.W. Marine Dr. 604-324-3661.
Find lovely French, Belgian and English period pieces at Antique Warehouse. The owners make regular trips to Europe and carefully select and inspect each piece before bringing it back to Vancouver. With over 1,100 sq m (12,000 sq ft) of space, the store has something for everyone.
Honourable Mentions
Second Time Around Antiques;
Vancouver Architectural Antiques.

ATHLETIC SPORTING GOODS
SportChek
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-687-7668.
Canada’s largest sporting goods store has departments dedicated to biking, hiking, golf and more. Test out brands such as Nike, North Face and Columbia before getting properly outfitted for an outdoor adventure—a must on the West Coast.
Honourable Mentions
Mountain Equipment Co-op;
Atmosphere.

Kid-friendly Chapters

BOOKS
Chapters
788 Robson St. 604-682-4066.
Gardening, homeopathy, travel, teen fiction, cooking—you name it, Chapters probably has it. This massive chain offers a huge selection of books, magazines, gift items, calendars and music. Purchase a new read, then enjoy a cuppa joe in the adjoining Starbucks.
Honourable Mentions
Book Warehouse;
Thompson Rare Books.

CHILDREN’S APPAREL
GapKids
1121 Robson St. 604-683-0906.
Big-name designer Stella McCartney has already created two GapKids collections, adding a too-cool-for-school factor to the shop already popular for classic kids’ clothes. Cute corduroys and summer dresses are perfect for a picnic or a day at the beach.
Honourable Mentions
Please Mum;
The Children’s Place.

CHINA & CRYSTAL
Atkinson’s
1501 W. 6th Ave. 604-736-3378.
Posh tableware, linens, crystal decor, high-end fragrances and pottery line the shelves in this chic shop located in the South Granville neighbourhood. The timeless Waterford crystal champagne flutes and delicate Fabergé eggs are great for gifting.
Honourable Mentions
Birks;
Herzog.

CHOCOLATE
Purdy’s Chocolates
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-683-3467.
This Vancouver company has been making tasty treats since 1907. The store is famous for its hazelnut truffle-filled hedgehogs and Sweet Georgia Browns and offers souvenir-worthy boxes of goodies.
Honourable Mentions
Daniel Le Chocolat Belge;
Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie.

DEPARTMENT STORE
The Bay
674 Granville St. at Georgia. 604-681-6211.
The Hudson’s Bay Company, or The Bay, as it’s more commonly known, is the world’s oldest continuously operating trading company. What started as a fur trading and blanket-making operation is now a department store chain located throughout Canada. Housewares, cosmetics, designer fashions and footwear fill the spacious, multi-level location in the city centre.
Honourable Mentions
Sears;
Holt Renfrew.

Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

EYEWEAR
LensCrafters
Oakridge Centre, 650 W. 41st Ave. 604-263-2485.
This chain stocks a huge selection of prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses for men, women and children. Drop by for an eye exam, then choose a new spiffy pair of frames based on your face shape.
Honourable Mentions
Sunglass Hut;
Eyes on Burrard.

FINE ART
Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery
1024 Mainland St. 604-685-9298.
With two gallery locations—one in Yaletown, the other in Gastown—there’s plenty of space to show off the museum-quality artwork and jewellery by Northwest Coast First Nations artists. Ceremonial masks, hand-carved totem poles and argillite boxes make up just part of the collection. Find pieces from Maori and Inuit artists, too.
Honourable Mentions
Heffel;
Art Works Gallery.

FOOTWEAR
Aldo
1025 Robson St. 604-683-2443.
Founded in Montreal in 1972, Aldo has grown into an internationally recognized brand. There’s footwear for everyone in these bustling shops: ballet flats, sky-high heels, loafers, waterproof boots, flip-flops and more. Each store carries an assortment of trendy bags and jewellery—a new foray for this ever-growing Canadian company.
Honourable Mentions
Browns/B2;
Freedman Shoes.

JEWELLERY & WATCHES
Birks
698 W. Hastings St. 604-669-3333.
Founded in 1879, this Canadian jeweller and watchmaker stocks covetable accessories. The display cases are filled with diamond-encrusted watches and other finery, while the upstairs is stocked with deluxe items for the home. Splurge on gold and rubies at the Van Cleef and Arpels counter.
Honourable Mentions
Tiffany & Co.;
Blue Ruby.

LADIES’ APPAREL
Wear Else
2360 W. 4th Ave. 604-732-3521.
This local boutique chain carries well-edited, high-end clothing, accessories and footwear. A Vancouver fashion institution, it features a range of labels: Badgley Mischka, Cole Haan, Longchamp, Theory, True Religion, Kate Spade and Pink Tartan—a Canadian fave. The staff is happy to help with your hunt for the perfect black dress or summer sandals.
Honourable Mentions
Banana Republic;
Aritzia.

Pacific Centre's main entrance

LINGERIE
La Senza
1143 Robson St. 604-685-4201.
Canada’s answer to Victoria’s Secret carries everything from sassy leopard-print negligees to cute ruffled bras and undies.
Honourable Mentions
La Vie En Rose;
Dianes Lingerie.

MEN’S APPAREL
Harry Rosen
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-683-6861.
Style-savvy men have been heading to Harry Rosen since 1951 for custom-made suits, classic casual wear and colourful ties.
Honourable Mentions
Banana Republic;
Staccato.

SHOPPING CENTRE
Pacific Centre
700 W. Georgia St. at Howe. 604-688-7235.
Fashion-forward shoppers flock to Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver to stores such as Sephora, Aritzia, H&M, the Apple Store, Holt Renfrew and Club Monaco. It also offers direct access to SkyTrain lines.
Honourable Mentions
Metropolis at Metrotown;
Park Royal.

SPAS & SALONS
Absolute Spa
1015 Burrard St. 604-684-2772.
A perennial winner, Absolute Spa continues to charm locals and visitors alike at its 10 citywide locations. Relax with a peppermint body wrap or indulge in the Absolute Diamond facial. A hot spot for celebrities—Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck and Will Ferrell are former clients—this chain also boasts a male-oriented spa in The Hotel Vancouver. Yes, women are still more than welcome.
Honourable Mentions
Spa Utopia;
Vida Spa.

To vote for next year’s winners, please click here.

Hot Shopping: In the Cards

The Traveller's Deck cards offer tons of savings at 100 retailers and restaurants in Vancouver

Swing by The Bay, Chapters or Marketplace IGA and pick up The Traveller’s Deck, a colourful—and insightful—pack of 58 double-sided cards that highlight 100 of the best places to eat and shop in the city. An added bonus: there are over $750 worth of savings in the deck, including free appetizers, two-for-one entrées and a range of in-store savings. Available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.—Jennifer Patterson

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: January

Michael Zheng's The Stop. Photo by KK Law

1 The Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, on until next year.
2 Rediscovering the sweets of yesteryear at The Candy Aisle. PEZ, Big League Chew, Sweetarts, Nerds, Runts, Laffy Taffy—yum.
3 The fact that pretty much every city block contains at least one coffee shop.
4 Watching the annual Polar Bear Swim (Jan. 1) with something—and someone—hot.
5 Lights of Hope (to Mar. 21), raising money for St. Paul’s Hospital.
6 Cheap eats at Hon’s Wun-Tun House.

St. Paul's Hospital's Lights of Hope. Photo by KK Law

7 The Shoppers Drugmart on Davie Street, which is open 24 hours a day.
8 Exploring the centre of the city.
9 Stephen Colbert. He’ll be here next month—whether as the official sponsor of the US speed skating team or as the City of Richmond’s Olympic Oval Ombudsman or even as an Olympic athlete, we don’t know. We do know the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report will make us laugh.
10 Catching a sunlit glimpse of the snow-covered North Shore mountains from downtown, and planning an escape to Grouse.
11 Nala, the seven-month-old (but only recently named) baby beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium. The name is short for an Inuktitut word meaning “surprise gift.”
12 Cheering for the Vancouver Canucks.
13 The clean, crisp winter air.
14 Counting down to the 2010 Winter Games.
15 The World Needs More Canada collection at Chapters and Indigo stores, which includes books by Canadians such as Margaret Atwood and Rex Murphy and accessories such as a red umbrella sporting a patriotic message you can’t ignore.

Recipe: Honey-Baked Coconut Shrimp

HONEY-BAKED COCONUT SHRIMP

Tasty recipes abound in this cheeky cookbook.

Back in the day, we didn’t go to bars for the Tequila shooters or the boys. We went to get our greasy food fix. Despite not doing barstool banquets these days, we still long for the tantalizing tastes—we’ve brought the feast home, but we’ve left behind the oily glory of the deep fryer and created juicy, coconut-coated, golden-baked shrimp dipped in a sweet apricot sauce.

INGREDIENTS

Coconut Shrimp
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cups panko
(Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
26 large raw shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Apricot Dipping Sauce
2/3 cup apricot jam
3 tbsp Heinz chilli sauce
2 tsp Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray. 2 For the shrimp, pour honey in a medium bowl and warm on high in the microwave, 20-25 seconds. 3 On a large plate, combine panko, coconut, cumin, salt and pepper. 4 Taking shrimp one at a time, dip in honey and then coat in coconut mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 14 minutes, gently flipping shrimp halfway through baking. 5 For the sauce, place jam in a medium bowl. Warm in the microwave for 45 seconds. Add chili sauce and Dijon mustard, stirring to combine. Serve with baked coconut shrimp. Serves 4-6.

BITE ME BIT: Save a tree, send a coconut. Affixed with mailing label and correct postage, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver coconut mail.

Reprinted with permission from Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook by Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat, available at Chapters.

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: January

Michael Zheng's The Stop. Photo by KK Law

1 The Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale (pictured at right), on until next year.
2 Rediscovering the sweets of yesteryear at The Candy Aisle. PEZ, Big League Chew, Sweetarts, Nerds, Runts, Laffy Taffy—yum.
3 The fact that pretty much every city block contains at least one coffee shop.
4 Watching the annual Polar Bear Swim (Jan. 1) with something—and someone—hot.
5 Lights of Hope (to Mar. 21), raising money for St. Paul’s Hospital.

St. Paul's Hospital is all lit up until March 21. Photo by KK Law

6 Cheap eats at Hon’s Wun-Tun House.
7 The Shoppers Drugmart on Davie Street, which is open 24 hours a day.
8 Exploring the centre of the city.
9 Stephen Colbert. He’ll be here next month—whether as the official sponsor of the US speed skating team or as the City of Richmond’s Olympic Oval Ombudsman or even as an Olympic athlete, we don’t know. We do know the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report will make us laugh.
10 Catching a sunlit glimpse of the snow-covered North Shore mountains from downtown, and planning an escape to Grouse.
11 Nala, the seven-month-old (but only recently named) baby beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium. The name is short for an Inuktitut word meaning “surprise gift.”
12 Cheering for the Vancouver Canucks.
13 The clean, crisp winter air.
14 Counting down to the 2010 Winter Games.
15 The World Needs More Canada collection at Chapters and Indigo stores, which includes books by Canadians such as Margaret Atwood and Rex Murphy and accessories such as a red umbrella sporting a patriotic message you can’t ignore.