Shopping in Vancouver

There’s always time for some shopping…

And what would be a better way to spend those first days in a new place when you’re too jet-lagged to do anything that requires any thinking?

Yes, of course I did some shopping in Vancouver, mainly at J.Crew (which really is a lot more expensive in Europe, for whatever reason…) However, I don’t see the point of listing the chain stores you can find anywhere, but will focus on just a few special shops I came across.

I was in Vancouver for the 2015 blogger meet-up, and our talented and charming organisers Suzanne, Sue and Melanie had arranged a Saturday excursion to Granville Island Public Market.
It is, like any such place, a cornucopia of food… the farmers market has the usual fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, and quite an impressive, not to mention tempting, selection of all types of pastry. And I don’t even like pastry! Unless it’s chocolate cake, of course… And trust me, it took all my willpower to walk past those delicious chocolate cakes (being lactose-intolerant is a great motivator…).

But Granville Island Public Market is more than just food; there are also lots of artisans selling their unique jewellery, gifts, and paintings. Also, the area around the Public Market has lots of craft shops, artisans’ studios and galleries.

An umbrella might be just the souvenir you need 

It rains a lot in Vancouver, after all. Not that I went looking for an umbrella shop, quite the contrary. Living in Finland and the U.K. rain is normal in summer, and as I knew the weather would be more or less similar in Vancouver, I came prepared with an umbrella of my own.

Still, when I stumbled upon this lovely little shop, I just had to get another one. But hey, you can never have too many umbrellas, right? 

The Umbrella Shop, founded in 1935, and has an impressive selection of umbrellas and parasols with UV coating. But that’s not what makes this shop special. They repair, or recover, old umbrellas. More importantly, they also provide custom service, letting you design your own umbrella. Now, an umbrella with my own custom print, that’s certainly something I would be interested in…

Need something to read?

Have you noticed that it’s getting harder and harder to find book shops? MacLeod’s Books (455 Pender St W) is a second-hand bookshop in downtown Vancouver. It’s stacked with piles of books, and you may find it difficult to see any sense or order… Just ask the staff and they will find whatever you’re looking for.

Shoes, shoes, shoes…

Fluevog shoes are quirky and fun, but definitely not for conservative dressers. We’re talking about serious statements shoes here, with a reputation for comfort, too. Now, that is a combination you don’t often see: statement shoes you can walk in…

I hope you enjoyed our little shopping tour in Vancouver,

Tiina
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PS: for more travel-related posts, go to Bad Tourist

AND THERE’S A NEW DILETTANTE ARTIST POST!
I’m really into Pop Art and portraits now…

Linking up with: 

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie