Beebe Cline

 

new years resolutions

If you’ve resolved to create family memories next year, versus endless nights of household havoc, we have just the place to start.

Van Dusen Garden’s Festival of Lights is spectacular enough to make a grown woman weep—and not just because it’s the first time the kids have been silent for weeks.

The 15 acres of endless secret pathways, gazebos, music and magic shows are lit up to grand effect, with hourly light shows, roving dragonflies on stilts, chestnut roasters and even quiet benches from which to sip hot apple cider and watch the lights dancing on the lake.

Cap

top 10 daily doses of 2006

Yes, there were the Michael Kors boots that you cleaned out of Army & Navy in two hours flat, the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow palette you put on backorder at Holts, the Rush Hour concert you sold out in minutes and the Cheap Monday jeans you created a waitlist for. And those didn't even make the top 10.

Herewith, your top 10 favourite daily doses of 2006, based on the percentage of you who clicked through to the website for more.

10. New coolhunting blog Trend Tribe 9. Free Spirit Spheres treehouses 8. Glam Vancouver jewellery by Faint 7. Etsy online store 6. vitamin

 

mod to modern

Do you miss the whimsical Main Street store Mod To Modern as much as we do?

Fear not as they’ve traded in the bricks-and-mortar for internet orders at their new online store www.modtomodern.com

Selling reworked, recycled sweaters exclusively, the styles are testament to designer Michelle’s trained eye for the whimsical and delightful.

Think animals, clouds, argyle and flowers, pieced into altogether new creations.

Hey, isn’t that your green deer cardigan from grade 8 in there?

Sweaters from $88 at www.modtomodern.com

best bubbles

There’s nothing like a splash or four of bubbles to get you through the holidays.  In fact, we recommend a daily dose. And you’d better get stocked up now for New Year’s Eve or you may be left drinking Baby Duck. 

for the hostess

There’s nothing better than a bottle that comes avec glasses—especially when it is packaged to look like a flower.  Pick up the Moet and Chandon Rose Flower Gift Pack for the perfect hostess gift.  Maybe she’ll even open it while your there. $108.95 at Specialty BC Liquor Stores.

for the euro-chic

Why do the French get all the glory? 

christmas solved

When we spied these gorgeous kids slippers at Whole Foods, we knew we’d found the hottest little kiddy gift of the season (from $20).

And when we learned they were hand crafted in North Vancouver using high luster sheeps wool from New Zealand and had real leather soles, we were sold.

We love the white and grey version, reminiscent of Coast Salish designs, and the bright and funky colours are perfect for the budding Gwen Stefani in your family.

That’s if you want to encourage her.

Find retailers in your city, view styles and shop online at www.padraigcottage.com

happy appies

If greeting your guests in oven mitts isn’t the kind of entrance you like to make on Christmas Eve, here’s a great party trick.

Have someone else deal with the appies, so you can concentrate on the main event.

Quince Cooking Studio does takeaway hors d’oeuvres plattered and ready for you to pick up on your way home.

Think mini-steak sandwiches, mini soft-shell crab sandwiches, and yummy crab samosas that will whet their appetites for your amazing dinner.

And when they tell you your gravy is the best they’ve ever tasted? No need to tell them the secret ingredient: a generous cup of roasted

game on

It’s amazing what you discover at a borrowed Whistler cabin.

1970s National Geographics, a fluorescent pink one-piece ski outfit from 1983, and, in our case, the best board game we have ever played.

Developed in Vancouver and originally packaged in vintage cigar boxes, MooT is like a language-lover’s Trivial Pursuit.

Available only through the inventor’s website, it’s the cleverest thing we’ve ever come across, perfect for your next literary salon.

Nota Bene: It’s not as hard as it sounds. We won hands down even after a few hot toddies.

Then we put on the ski outfit.

Play

Enjoy your weekly dose of vitamin v steals & deals from our fabulous sponsors. Ready, set, shop!

early bird special

Best part of the holiday season? Boxing Day sales at our favourite stores, of course. Aritzia is bringing the love early this year: starting December 24, save 20-50% off fall and winter merchandise with new specials added throughout the week. Your holidays just a got a little happier. Aritzia’s Boxing Week Sale starts December 24, for details visit www.aritzia.com

ho ho ho at j+o

Still searching for the perfect holiday gift for the fashionistas in your life? Head to Jonathan

December 20, 2006

 

rad for dad

Still stuck for a dad gift?

Get him a subscription (from $6/month) to the new local website www.monthlysocks.com who will send him a brand new pair of cushy dress socks every month by mail.

Our vitamin v tester loved the spongy soles and comfortable stretch, and the fact that he will no longer find himself buying socks at the airport drugstore.

Now if we could only get him to pick them up off the floor.

www.monthlysocks.com

Need another dose? vitaminv.ca Not yet a subscriber? Sign-up here

It's

merry me

6 days left before Christmas, 5 stockings to stuff, 4 parties to attend, 3 files to close, 2 outfits to figure out, 1 tree to trim.

And only 25 more presents to buy.

Take the pressure off at this new one-stop gift shop we discovered in Yaletown called Inhabit, where you’ll find gifts for all the tastemakers in your life.

Whether it’s a stunning wooden animal puzzle from Italy, unique baby clothes from the U.K., or a gorgeous, pale blue FrancisFrancis! espresso-maker from Italy, it’s all here.

Now that’s one thing off your list.

1188 Hamilton St., 604-662-7408, www.inhabitshop.com

 

Need