Shoe photo ©Loutocky/Fotolia.com
April 25 to May 6
High-heeled mavens and sneaker devotees duke it out over massive discounts at Army & Navy’s legendary shoe sale. This 12-day event sees big-brand footwear, including Steve Madden, Diesel and Marc Fisher, knocked down to wallet-friendly prices.—Jennifer Patterson
Local store Sharks + Hammers
Take a walk down Gastown’s cobblestone streets to find a couple of the city’s coolest tucked-away shops. Sharks + Hammers (pictured) carries a mix of in-house designs, pieces from other local designers and a select collection of items from labels such as iconic Pendleton and Ransom by Adidas. Popular purchases seen around town: eye-catching EastVan tees and the cheeky “I went to EastVan and all I got was mugged” coffee mug. Stussy, just around the block, stocks graphic tees, sunglasses, caps and shoes.—Jennifer Patterson
Local label Adhesif
April 22
Attention all bargain hunters: Nifty for Fifty, a Boxing Day–style blowout, returns to Main Street for one day only. Arrive early for deals on clothes and jewellery by popular local designers such as Adhesif (flora shorts, pictured), Erin Templeton and Toodlebunny, along with vintage labels, too. Find stuff for men and women, with everything priced at $50 or less.—Jennifer Patterson
J. Crew
After many swirling rumours, the official word finally landed that J. Crew arrives in Vancouver at the end of the month—thank the fashion gods. This brand, a long-time fashionista favourite, has shot skyward in recent years thanks to its much-photographed creative director Jenna Lyons and her covetable style. For spring: printed pants and colourful silks.—Jennifer Patterson
Necklaces by Foxy Originals
Support Earth Day Canada with the purchase of a bracelet or necklace (pictured), in silver or gold, from Foxy Originals’ new collection “Teach Today. Change Tomorrow.” At www.foxyoriginals.com.—Jennifer Patterson
Plattan headphones by Urbanears
Leave it to Swedish design collective Urbanears to up the ante on headphones and elevate them from an everyday gadget to a stylish accessory. Bid adieu to flimsy, blasé earbuds and instead choose from one of four cool and compactible styles (the Plattan, Medis, Bagis, Tanto), all available in a variety of funky colours (including the Plattan in mustard, pictured). Pick up a pair at Moulé or Walrus. —Jennifer Patterson
Tea towels by local label The Tiny Fig
The Tiny Fig, a web-based store, started as a way for the owner to keep busy while not in university. And keep busy she did: she designs and creates every piece herself. This pet project flourished into a sweet little business with too-cute collectibles for sale: tea towels emblazoned with mushrooms, green sprouts (pictured) or elephants, cartoon-looking earrings and colourful, fun tees. Online at www.thetinyfig.com. —Jennifer Patterson
Dahlhaus vases photo by Curtis Hildebrand Photography
Spruce up the ol’ abode or brighten a dreary office with colourful ceramics by Vancouver’s Dahlhaus Studio. Artist Heather Dahl draws inspiration from vintage and mid-century modern textiles and wallpapers for her eye-catching designs, found on bowls, jugs, plates and mugs. Pop a daffodil or two in a striped bottle vase (pictured), then brew a hot cuppa in a poppy-patterned teapot. Head to bustling Anthropologie or shop online at www.dahlhausart.com.—Jennifer Patterson
A Cagey Bee necklace at Portobello West Fashion + Art Market
March 24 to 25
If you’re on the hunt for some locally made jewellery, fashion and art—aka, the perfect souvenir—look no further than the city’s über-popular seasonal market, Portobello West. Each show, held inside the Creekside Community Centre on picturesque False Creek, brings together over 50 artists displaying covetable crafts and wall-worthy art. A few favourites: whimsical necklaces by A Cagey Bee (pictured), graphic paintings by Michael Soltis and hand-dyed, vacation-ready swimwear from Daub + Design. Another hot spot for unique collectibles: the 21st Century Flea Market (Mar. 18). Scour more than 185 booths for retro furniture, kitschy decor, heirloom jewellery, china dolls, linen and lace.—Jennifer Patterson
Mariner lamps by Vancouver-based Fleet Objects
Artist Zoe Garred sure keeps herself busy. Through her Vancouver-based design studio, Fleet Objects, she’s released a collection of ceramic tableware, braided jewellery and shell lamps. But it’s her mariner lamps (pictured) that really catch the eye. Each one is hand-cast in porcelain and available at www.fleetobjects.com.—Jennifer Patterson
Do you have great photos from your travels in Canada that you'd like to share with us? Submit them to the Where Canada Flickr pool and they'll show up here.
Stay, Dine, Do
