Inside Vancouver

German-Style Vancouver Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 24 – Dec. 24

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on November 22, 2012

Photo credit: Vancouver Christmas Market

Yearning for more than a mall and a red Starbucks cup? The hotly-anticipated Vancouver Christmas Market, an authentic German-style Christmas market, returns to Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in downtown Vancouver, Nov. 24 -Dec. 24.

The holidays Vancouver Christmas Market-style are romantic, aromatic and twinkly. Stroll inside the village gate into a world of rustic wooden huts surrounding a soaring Tannenbaum festooned with thousands of lights. Partake in Glühwein, sausages, stollen, and gingerbread. Browse Christmas decor and gifts such as nutcrackers, Lauscha glass ornaments, beer steins and wooden trains. Continue reading:
German-Style Vancouver Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 24 – Dec. 24

Discounts and Drinks at the Gastown Fall Shop Hop, Nov. 15

by Taraneh in Shop on November 15, 2012

Shop hop fun at Community Thrift and Vintage. Photo credit: Community Thrift

Get a head start on holiday shopping. Find that slinky holiday cocktail dress. Or just enjoy a drink with friends at the Gastown Shop Hop, this evening, Nov. 15, from 5 to 9pm.

Gastown, Vancouver’s chicest ‘hood and historic heart, was recently ranked the fourth most stylish neighbourhood in the world after greats such as Paris’ 1st Arrondissement, Harajuku in Tokyo and NYC’s Soho. The fashionable neighbourhood’s annual fall shopping event is bigger than ever in 2012, with discounts at over 50 boutiques and restaurants.

How does the Gastown Shop Hop work? Browse and shop for discounted men’s and women’s fashion, home decor and accessories at Gastown’s local, independent businesses. The shops stay open late, serve drinks and have DJs and/or games. By shopping, you receive vouchers to use to dine/drink at participating Gastown bars and restaurants.

Find party highlights and a map with participating shops and restaurants after the jump. Continue reading:
Discounts and Drinks at the Gastown Fall Shop Hop, Nov. 15

Circle Craft Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 7-11

by Taraneh in Shop on November 5, 2012

Gift-giving is an art. As the Christmas buildup gets underway, it’s time to put on your (elfin) thinking cap and start making lists. One Vancouver Christmas event sure to inspire is the annual Circle Craft Christmas Market that takes place at the harbourfront Vancouver Convention Centre, Nov. 7-11.

Long before Etsy, back in 1973, Circle Craft Co-operative debuted their first Christmas Market in East Van, where many smaller Vancouver craft markets still take place today. 38 markets later, Circle Craft Christmas Market is the largest Christmas Market in Western Canada.

Circle Craft is a draw for both Vancouverites and visitors. For many locals, it’s an absolute must-attend for shopping for festive, hand-made holiday decor and presents. For visitors, it’s a rare chance to peruse a gigantic array of B.C. artisans and their Canada-made goods in one place. Continue reading:
Circle Craft Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 7-11

Circle Craft Christmas Market Returns November 9

by Dana Lynch in Shop on November 4, 2011

Sometimes it can be hard to get in the Christmas spirit when you’re still eating leftover Halloween candy. On November 2, I was at Metropolis at Metrotown and noticed they already had Christmas decorations up!

But if there’s one Vancouver tradition that has the power to start your Christmas gift-giving engine running, it’s the 38th annual Circle Craft Christmas Market, the largest craft fair in Western Canada, and it returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre on November 9.

Continue reading:
Circle Craft Christmas Market Returns November 9

Folli Follie Pop-Up Store Opens at Vancouver Holt Renfrew

by Dana Lynch in Shop on October 28, 2011

There’s been a lot of exciting news in Vancouver fashion this fall. The Downtown Bay opened both Vancouver’s first Topshop capsule and the high-end designer collection ‘The Room’ in September, H&M launches its Versace for H&M line at the Pacific Centre H&M on November 19, and now high-end fashion department store Holt Renfrew is bringing Folli Follie to Canada for the first time with a pop-up store that will run until January 31, 2012. (Just in time for holiday shopping!)

Continue reading:
Folli Follie Pop-Up Store Opens at Vancouver Holt Renfrew

Topshop & ‘The Room’ Make the Downtown Bay Destination Shopping

by Dana Lynch in Shop on September 20, 2011

Who would have thought that The Bay department store would become destination shopping for actual fashionistas?

Last week, Downtown Vancouver’s The Bay was very busy: not only did they celebrate the grand opening of The Room, a high-end designer boutique that showcases seriously hot designers, they also opened Vancouver’s first Topshop capsule, a mini-version of the London fashion phenomenon.

Continue reading:
Topshop & ‘The Room’ Make the Downtown Bay Destination Shopping

Vancouver Shopping – 8 Places to Shop for Fashion in Vancouver

by Dana Lynch in Shop on December 22, 2009

Shopping in Yaletown

When I first moved to Vancouver, I fell instantly in love with the city’s independent fashion boutiques.

Don’t get me wrong—if I had the money, I would totally Carrie Bradshaw-out on designer-label goods, but I would always make room in my wardrobe for locally-designed pieces. Inventive, gorgeous, unique fashion is a mark of both the truly stylish person and the truly stylish city, and unlike many places that do have the big names (in department stores, malls, etc.), Vancouver is distinguished by its own, thriving fashion scene.

The following is a list of my favourite fashion spots in Vancouver. I’ve included the “big name” spots along with the local boutique areas because the local boutiques can be more expensive (though not always) and they don’t carry (sadly) as wide a range of clothing sizes.

Continue reading:
Vancouver Shopping – 8 Places to Shop for Fashion in Vancouver