Shopping
Posted by janelle | May 22nd, 2012 | Leave a comment »
The next Kitsilano Family Toy and Clothing Sale is taking place on May 27, from 10am-1pm, at the Kitsilano Community Center. These sales are an excellent chance for parents to buy used toys, clothing, books and more for their rapidly growing children.
At the last sale, I picked up some excellent Melissa and Doug puzzles for $2 each and an adorable infant Patagonia vest for $15. If you have never been to the sale before I warn you that is it PACKED! While strollers are permitted, you will be very happy you left yours at home. If you are interested in selling items, tables are $17 and admission is 0.50 cents.
Kitsilano Community Center, 2690 Larch Street, 604-257-6976, Kitscc.com
Posted by janelle | May 19th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
They say do one thing and do it well. In the beauty industry, this trend spells success. Kitsilano’s Skoah, Bombay Brow Bar and the newly opened Stripped Wax Bar are a few examples.
With bikini waxes running from $25-$45 for women depending on how brave you are, Stripped’s reasonable prices, very clean atmosphere and matter-of-fact approach to waxing is likely to win points with Kits residents as beach season approaches.
Men too can bid goodbye to their bush. Stripped offers an array of services for fellas including a Manzillian ($68) just in time for my husband’s birthday next week…Just joking hon!
Stripped Wax Bar, 1990 West 4th, 604-566-9755, Getstripped.ca
Posted by Taraneh | May 11th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Urban Outfitters (now open) renovates 2199 West 4th Avenue.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN KITS
1) Get some grassy park real estate. If the weather plays as nice as the forecast promises, now’s the time to spread a blanket or build a tent. Gather a gaggle of friends. And get grilling.
2) Be nice to mums. Brunch them, lunch them, wine and dine them, clean something, repair something, shower them with spa gift certificates, home made crafts and cards, remember to say “I love you”…. Whatever your approach, Mum’s the word, Sunday May 13.
3) Explore a neighbourhood museum. Did you know that Hastings Mill Museum (now at 1575 Alma Street) used to be the iconic “Old Mill Store” that stood at the foot of Dunlevy Street for more than 60 years? In 1931 it was barged to its current location and reopened as a Vancouver history museum by the Native Daughters of BC.
Hastings Mill Museum is easily enjoyed in 1-2 hours and is conveniently right next to a park with playground. Filled with Vancouver memorabilia (an original full-size Hansom cab, Joe Fortes’ lamp, the first Vancouver city hall table), it’s only open weekends 1-4pm, but changes to summer hours June 15.
4) Dance it up. The Bimini Public House has $7.75 double highballs and two dance parties going down Friday and Saturday.
5) Browse Vancouver’s second Urban Outfitters now open in Kits. It’s finally here. The US retailer Urban Outfitters has opened doors (2199 West 4th Avenue) in the former Le Chateau Space, which was built in 1912 and formerly housed the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Posted by Taraneh | May 9th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Join the street wide shopping and dining party Eat, Shop, Love for Moms on West 4th Avenue (Fir to Balsam Street) this Thursday, May 10. 50+ participating neighbourhood businesses will donate part of their proceeds to the Pacific Post Partum Support Society (PPPSS).
PPPSS is a non-profit organization that helps mothers and families dealing with anxiety or depression after the birth or adoption of a child. Established in 1971 from a grassroots initiative, PPPSS was the brainchild of a small group of women who originally met at the Vancouver Crisis Line offices and supported each other throughout their recovery. These women developed the first telephone support system as well as establishing the pattern for the Society’s peer-support treatment model that is still used today.
Hell’s Kitchen, one of the best West 4th patio spots, will donate 50% of its food sales to PPPSS You can check out their full spring menu here. Bonus: every Thursday Hell’s has 20 oz. Red Truck Pale Ale Pints on special for $5.75.
For more info, check out the full list of participating West 4th restaurants and retailers.
Posted by Taraneh | May 4th, 2012 | 1 Comment »
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN KITS
1) Head over to the annual BC Spot Prawn Festival
While tix for the Spot Prawn Boil are sold out, there’s no need to go hungry. Spot Prawn Fest (pictured above) is also your first chance to buy fresh spot prawns right off the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf – quite walkable from Vanier Park. Plus the chef demos, Vancouver Aquarium family education centre and live music are all free.
2) Check out the new West 4th womenswear boutique XO Bella
XO Bella has renovated the large Call the Kettle Black retail space to create a comfy, chic experience – think wood-and-white with deep couches and fitting room curtains made with striped t-shirt material.
XO Bella stocks all the bohemian West Coast style statements a Vancouverite might need. Neon denim. Flowing tanks. Flirty frocks. Pretty separates. The prices – well under the Kits boutique average – are the real draw. The store’s been packed with women ranging from 18 to 50 for the last week. (2294 West 4th Ave at the corner of West 4th and Vine)
3) Get on your bike and ride
It’s time to see those fair weather cyclists out and about, lugging picnic supplies.
4) Lock down your Mother’s Day plans
With the big day coming up May 13, this is the time to make that booking or plot that surprise. No excuses. If you’re short on ideas, Janelle already put up a list of 5 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.
5) In case of rain:
Fifth Avenue Cinemas has a few new films showing. Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline star in Darling Companion. Meanwhile for kids (and kids at heart), The Pirates! Band of Misfits offers a swashbuckling, animated adventure.
Posted by janelle | May 3rd, 2012 | 2 Comments »
With Mother’s Day lurking (May 13), I have been giving some thought to how I want to spend the day. Kitsilano is a goldmine of options for how to celebrate Mother’s Day – from gifts to activities to edible delights the ‘hood has you covered at every price point. Here are my top five ideas from $100-$0.
5 local Mother’s Day gift ideas
1. Around $100: Book a spa treatment. The new Spa on the Rocks (Yew/W4th) currently has a special offering a 60 minutes relaxation massage for $75. Or venture across the street to Beverly’s The Spa on 4th for a 45 minute manicure and pedicure now on special for $99.
2. Around $75: Take mom out for brunch in at one of the many amazing brunch spots in Kits. For something a little special, The Boathouse at Kits Beach is offering a huge brunch buffet with seafood, omelet stations, desert, salads and more. At $29.99 for adults and $12.99 for children under 12, book early to avoid disappointment. read more »
Posted by janelle | April 29th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Friend have a baby? Colleague get a promotion? Neighbour in the hospital? You could send flowers from one of the lovely Kits florists but if you are looking for something a little different consider a fruit salad center piece or chocolate covered strawberry bouquet from Edible Arrangements now open at Arbutus and W 12th.
I do find the arrangements a little on the expensive side, but they are a nice alternative to flowers, especially for occasions when the person is likely to be inundated with flowers. I also like the fact that most of the arrangements are made with fruit, making them a fun, healthy alternative that the kids can enjoy too.
If you are interested in sending an arrangement stop by the newly open Arbutus store. FYI – Coupons for $5 off expiring 10/31/2012 can be found in a flyer holder just outside the store.
Edible Arrangements, 2779 Arbutus Street, 604-733-8894, EdibleArrangements.ca
Posted by Taraneh | April 20th, 2012 | 1 Comment »
KITSILANO WEEKEND EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1) Check out Record Store Day at Zulu: Saturday, April 21
Zulu Records (1972 West 4th Ave) will host a special listening session of a vinyl test pressing of Jack White‘s new album Blunderbuss, as well as live performances by Hannah Georgas, Damien Jurado, Siskiyou and Vancouver blues-rock buzz band No Sinner. Zulu has extended hours from 9:30am to 9pm, and will serve a special brew made just for Zulu’s RSD party by R’N’B Beer.
2) Trade in your household cleaners for free, natural products: Saturday, April 21
Get ready for Earth Day by swapping your harsh household cleaners for eco-friendly versions at Whole Foods from 1pm to 3pm.
3) Enjoy the cherry blossoms while they last: 1pm to 3pm
Kitsilano, particularly Kits Beach, the area around the Museum of Vancouver and Yew Street are all pretty in pink during cherry blossom season, which extends through April and a bit of May, if we’re lucky. Hit a cafe or pack a picnic; enjoy the frills with family and friends. read more »
Posted by Taraneh | April 19th, 2012 | 2 Comments »
The Whole Foods natural product swap continues with household cleaners this Saturday, April 21 from 1pm to 3pm. AspenClean is teaming up with Whole Foods Markets with one Earth Day goal – removing harmful chemical cleaning products from Vancouver homes.
According to this article in North Shore News, the National Toxicology Program reports that there are now 80,000 forms of chemical compounds found in everyday cleaning products and up to 8,000 of these chemicals are carcinogenic.
Bring household cleaning to the store where AspenClean will trade it for a natural, Ecocert approved replacement (maximum 1 per person).
Capers/Whole Foods, 2285 West 4th Avenue, 604-739-6676, Wholefoodsmarket.com
Posted by janelle | April 16th, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Stop by Capers/Whole Foods before the end of May and trade in your conventional lotions, creams, soaps, vitamins and other body care items for all natural Whole Foods Market private label items.
Just show up at the store with your new or used body care item and swap it for a like item in the Whole Body department. During the month of April and May, each customer can swap up to two items of similar size and purpose.
Today I traded in a bottle of my husband’s TRESemmé that has been in his shower caddy for years for an all natural unscented shampoo our whole family can use. I am definitely going to clean out the cabinets and trade in a few more toxic products for free before the end of May.
Capers/Whole Foods, 2285 West 4th Avenue, 604-739-6676, Wholefoodsmarket.com
