Alberni Street is becoming a bustling shopping district. With stores like Betsey Johnson, M0851, Agent Provocateur, Tiffany & Co. and Hermes it’s becoming a high-end Robson Street. For me, the best part of Alberni is undoubtedly Blubird. The first time I walked past their windows I fell in love!
As I walk to work each day I can’t help but smile as I pass all the pretty clothes in the window. I think it’s the same as when a child walks past a pet store; except I’m talking about something completely different when I ask “how much are those puppies in the window?”
Blubird carries the very best in clothing, accessories, shoes and makeup from around the globe. Brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia, Bloch, LNA, Rebecca Minkoff, Twenty8Twelve, Pour La Victoire, Elizabeth and James, House of Harlow and Ted Baker. If you’ve seen it in on a celebrity chances are Blubird carries it. I kind of lose touch with reality when I walk through those glass doors.
I once bought two pairs of Marc Jacobs’ shoes, one didn’t even fit properly! But it was the last pair left and they were just too pretty not to own. I always say it’s about fashion not function, I wear shoes that don’t’ fit because they make my feet look pretty! For more info on Blubird visit www.blubird.ca or just stop by the store at 1055 Alberni Street.
Don’t forget to follow me on twitter @myvanstyle and check out my blog www.myvancouverstyle.com. That’s all for today and remember, always purchase first and ask questions later!
Mia.
The food served at Burgoo Bistro, located at 3096 Main Street, is more comforting than my hot water bottle on a chilly Vancouver night, the feel of a brand new pair of socks, or arriving nice and early to the airport for an international flight.
Chatting with Justin Joyce, one of the owners of Burgoo Bistro, made me feel the same way. If not for the food, stop by one of his cozy, cabin-like joints (there are three) to meet a joy of a man and an avid foodie. Needless to say, I felt enormously safe taking his spring menu recommendation: the Chicken Salad Sandwich with Yummy Carrot Soup:
This beautiful colored soup with coconut milk, honey, cardamom, and fresh mint had too many flavor layers to describe and was the best I've had of its kind. A common reaction from diners is, 'It's as good as my mom's' - which is, in fact, the ultimate compliment (restaurant food better than 'Mom's' simply doesn't exist).
The chunky chicken salad loaded onto the freshly toasted baguette was a meal in itself. With apples, celery, and plenty of mayo, it was a sweet 'n salty lover's dream sandwich (that would be me).
JUSTIN'S JUICY TIDBITS
Q: If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: BBQ Steak Dinner with all the fixings, including baked potato, sour cream, extra bacon bits and chives. Plus steamed asparagus and béarnaise sauce.
Q: What is your favorite Vancouver restaurant other than your own?
A: Changes all the time, but this month I’m going with Chambar.
Q: What is your trashy indulgence?
A: Burger King Poutine, does it get more trashy then that?
Q: Is there a food you refuse to eat because you got sick after eating it?
A: Cabbage Stew, my mom made it once when I was young. It was so awful that our dog wouldn’t eat it, but coming from a family where you ate what was put in front of you, I had to finish mine. Ew.
Q: What is the sexiest food?
A: Crab or Lobster (in shell) with lots of melted clarified butter.
Q: What is your favorite comfort food?
A: Homemade Pasta e Fagioli, with lots of extra virgin olive oil and Grana Padano Parmesan (preferably made in my home, by me).
Q: What is your favorite dessert?
A: Any and all things with an elevated, quality chocolate content. After that, I’m not fussy.
Q: Will you show me your 'to die for face'!? (An expression occurring at the taste of 'to die for' food...you know the one.)
Posing with the 'to die for face' can be difficult. 'Cool' must be set aside, which happens to be one of the concepts behind Burgoo Bistro. Despite being a Main Street hotspot, especially when their bumpin' summer patio is open, they're not trying to be trendy.
Regardless of ethnicity, something from everyone's past relates to comfort. And that's exactly what they serve: pure comfort. Thanks to Justin for being such a great sport.
You should follow me on twitter @erin_ireland (http://erin-ireland.com) and check out my website www.erin-ireland.com.
Ciao for now,
Erin
Not to be missed! This is is the first time Moulé have held a warehouse sale so we know it's going to be special. Really excited to see what bargains can be had. See you there xoxo
Last night I decided that I wanted to check out Raw Canvas. I had heard about it from a friend, and seen it in the TD cards, and thought it was time to see what all the fuss was about. A short walk to Yaletown, and taking a moment to wander along Hamilton I found Raw Canvas. Initially hard to find, with a lack of visible signage from a distance, Raw Canvas was in fact very easy to get to.
I went there with the intention of painting, getting the creative side of me all fired up with a glass of wine. But the laid back atmosphere in combination with relaxing music, good conversation, and a bottle of easy to drink wine (Cono Sur; Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008- deliciously fruity and very soft tannins) meant I got distracted. The waitress that served us was really nice, she was happy to be at work and enjoyed what she was doing- which makes a huge difference.
After a few moments’ hesitation my friend and I decided to share a tapas style plate. The pricing was decent ($15) and something which I loved was you chose what to put on the plate. We settled on: smoke house cheddar (which was yum!), wild boar (a soft salami that had a hint of rosemary), Pamplona chorizo (traditional Spanish style salami with only a medium spiciness), Sage cranberry jam (very sweet, but tasted great with the cheese and chorizo), maple mustard (an interesting combination that was, surprisingly, not too sweet), and a small bowl of Castlevetrano olives (which were bright green, and a little disappointing when compared to the other rich flavours that were on our plate).
Using my TD card I was able to get 25% off any purchase, and with the experience I had there last night there is no doubt I will be back on Sunday for the live jazz at 7pm... and maybe this time I will remember to paint.
