Ack! This post is long overdue, but better late than never right?! Last month, we visited Save On Meats for their DIY workshops which we purchased via Groupon to learn how to make our own bacon, pancetta, and sausages. My family used to shop at Chinatown every Saturday and then we would make our way to Woodward’s and Army + Navy for a malt or hot dog. I remember Save On Meats well and I am pleased to see what it has become today with the cafe / meat shop / cooking facilities / classroom space (coming soon!).
I have learned that meat isn’t exactly the most attractive thing to photograph and as we made the sausages in one of the meat lockers upstairs, the light wasn’t the best. I will say that both the workshop and the company was fantastic, and I will never purchase bacon again. D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) all the way! We are pretty much through (we did give some away!) the several pounds of meat that we brought home and I can’t wait to truly document our second attempt! Cheers to newfound skills!
On Friday, we met up with Lily to pick up a few wooden crates and we started talking about thrifting haunts in the Valley. One thing led to another and the next thing we knew we were starting up the GPS and heading out to Sumas Prairie to one of her favourite places – Granny and Grumpa’s Antiques.
As part of the Circle Farm Tour, their farm apparently houses the largest single private collection of antiques in the entire province of British Columbia and I believe it. This place is huge with about 6 separate buildings where you can easily spend hours browsing through the endless rooms. Everything is neatly organized and some rooms are even themed such as Coca Cola, ashtrays, and a {spooky} doll room that I suggest avoiding if you aren’t into that!
Unfortunately, I didn’t pick anything up on this trip as there was just too much to take in. However, I will be sure to come prepared next time! Check out some great tips by Birch + Bird for shopping at barn sales!
A few years ago, I would have never thought to walk down Hastings and Carrall Street in Vancouver. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t even go past Dressew, but the City has changed. Holy moly, has it changed! One early morning walk later, we discovered fantastic eateries and shops such as Old Faithful Shop, Cartem’s Donuterie, Revolver Coffee, Meat and Bread, and Nelson the Seagull. And really, with a tagline of “Bread and Coffee”, did you expect anything else, but brilliant toast and flat whites? Yes! Flat whites!
Shhh… I’ve been twitter stalking Le Marché St. George when I was still in London, so you can bet your bottom dollar that we were going to visit soon after returning to Vancouver! You see, I have a “thing” for neighbourhood storefronts attached to houses. Maybe it’s because there aren’t that many of them in Vancouver, but they just seem so special and Le Marché St. George is just that. A neighbourhood grocer, they carry locally sourced grocery staples including Beta 5 chocolates, D-Original sausages, and farm house cheeses.
The husband and wife team also runs a cafe with a coffee bar and light lunch menu including a range of quiches and baked goods. Their hot chocolate is one of the best I have ever had – chocolatey, but not too sweet! A true hidden gem in South Vancouver (BC)!
click here for part one of the city guide :: vancouver, bc
For part two of our Vancouver, British Columbia city guide, we visit the Main Street and Fraser / Kingsway part of town for a few of my favourite spots for crafty supplies and indie craft goods. Like any busy city, there may be a shop or cafe that is missing from the list. Please feel free to leave a comment below with your suggestions!
Focused towards children aged 3 to 12 years old and those young at heart, a one stop shop for supplies, books, kits, handmade goods and workshops. Check their website for special events and art installations.
Filled to the brim with handmade delights, owner, Karen is passionate about supporting local artists by carrying handmade creations within a 100km radius. You can find lots of local work from artists such as Firefly Notes, Earthgirl Aromatherapy and a cagey bee to name a few.
Find lots of handmade goods by owners Rebecca and Brandy including a button making station, letter writing club and the lowercase reading room. Check out my write up on DIY Vancouver Granville Online.
Owner and designer, Stephanie Ostler, hand makes her own clothing, lingerie and accessories on-site. Check out her wares and other local artists’ goods at the newly expanded store 2 blocks down from their original location.
Run by two sisters, Plush on Main is a studio / work room at the back and retail shop at the front. As of early this year, they carry locally made gifts from almost twenty artists mostly from the lower mainland and comprised mainly of women.
Both past Got Craft vendors, each store carries an eclectic mix of locally handmade, vintage and eco-friendly clothing, jewelry, accesories and home decor pieces.
Hello! We are a husband and wife team that share a love for a good cup of coffee and a slice of Victoria sponge. This is where we share our work, our travels, snippets of our everyday life, and most important, the things we ♥.
Ack! This post is long overdue, but better late than never right?! Last month, we visited Save On Meats for their DIY workshops which we purchased via Groupon to learn how to make our own bacon, pancetta, and sausages. My family used to shop at Chinatown every Saturday and then we would make our way to Woodward’s and Army + Navy for a malt or hot dog. I remember Save On Meats well and I am pleased to see what it has become today with the cafe / meat shop / cooking facilities / classroom space (coming soon!).
I have learned that meat isn’t exactly the most attractive thing to photograph and as we made the sausages in one of the meat lockers upstairs, the light wasn’t the best. I will say that both the workshop and the company was fantastic, and I will never purchase bacon again. D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) all the way! We are pretty much through (we did give some away!) the several pounds of meat that we brought home and I can’t wait to truly document our second attempt! Cheers to newfound skills!
