I didn't realise I needed a vacation until my friend invited me to join her on a trip to Vancouver. It wasn't a place that was on my list to visit but the clean and friendly city proved to be a tonic and now it's at the top of my list as a place to live!
No. 1: The weather can be very British but Vancouver is 4 cities in one – business metropolis, suburbia, island/seaside splendour and beautiful looming mountains, all providing you with an opportunity to utilise layers and be a style chameleon!
The first few days of the trip were wet and a little chilly so layers it was but, I was determind to keep it bright and cheery in true vacation style. The electric blue leather bag from Zara was a birthday gift from my Mum, scarf is from New Look and the trench is Ben de Lisi
No. 2: Home-grown Canadian stores and labels, I found that "laid back" is the main style theme with rock chic and American preppie being sighted everywhere but indie labels offer a welcome diversity to the mainstream chains and a few of them originate in Vancouver:
No. 3: Get you’re outdoors groove on! I’m not usually an
outdoors type-o-gal but I did manage to cycle along the sea wall, with the city
on my left and the water and mountains to my right!
More downtown than up a mountain but I still managed 4 hrs on a bike in 4 inch Kurt Geiger wedges, a Banana Republic blazer with Dorothy
Perkins skinnies!!
No. 4: Meet the islanders – Granville Island’s huge indoor market and artisan stores make it a fashion, crafts and gourmet haven, like combining London’s Portobello and Borough markets!
Check out the The Net Loft opposite the Public Market
housing indie retailers of local and foreign designers and crafts.
Pretty glasses by Ted Jolda
Jo Ludwig's sparkly Glitter Bowls.
Dresses by Dream Apparel and Articles for People for those that like to remain stylishly undefined
Ten Thousand Villages for the sheer array of ethnic crafts and accessories from sustainable businesses around the globe
No. 5: Trendy Gastown - I loved strolling through the regenerated industrial district now populated with boutiques, bars and restaurants
Indulge in leather goods and accessories brand m0851
Curated fashion boutique Shop Ishara stocks the neon Rebecca Minkoff Mac bag - perfect for Summer ’12 but will lead nicely for Autumn ’12 too!
No. 6: It’s a great place to dress up or down for dinner and cocktails!
Malene Birger peach Fiducia dress to The Waterfront Cafe, a top seafood hotspot
Rose gold accessories around the neck and to cinch in the waist both from H&M
Dressing down for Sunday night Jazz at the Pourhouse.
