Vancouver
September 2nd, 2010
High Style Flyer
Getaways to boutique hotels with one-of-a-kind art and custom linens call for a bespoke bag.
Pack the bare essentials into a piece from Palmer & Sons. Beautiful and well-built, the line of leather luggage is made in Vancouver the old way by father and son duo Nik and Jack. Each bag is constructed using hundreds of brass rivets hammered in by hand, fastened with unconventional closures like equestrian panic snaps and marine clasps and individually numbered using 100-year-old metal stamps. Made-to-order in two to three weeks, details like hue, handles and interiors can be customized.Just be prepared that your Gladstone could get more attention at Gladstone Hotel check-in than you.
$230-$650 at www.palmerandsons.ca
See pics from our studio tour with Nik Palmer on the Editors’ Diary.
September 1st, 2010
Neighbourhood Watch
In the realm of music videos, we thought we’d seen it all, from Bjork’s gorilla dentist in “Army of Me” to anime eyes on Lady Gaga in "Bad Romance."
That was until Arcade Fire’s “The Wilderness Downtown.”Set to the tune of their nostalgia-fueled single “We Used to Wait,” the new interactive online film takes you back to your childhood home through tech geekery and Google maps.
Multiple browser windows choreographed to the music appear like magic too, but like all videos its better watched than read about.
Tip: For optimal viewing, download Google Chrome and close other desktop applications.
August 31st, 2010
A Great Caper
As summer segues to fall, all fashion talk turns to transition pieces. This means nubby knee-length socks ’neath chunky sandals, boy blazers over feminine frocks, and for we West Coasters, the all important rain slicker.
Defeat downpours with Lily + Jae’s Charley Cape ($180). Made of rain repellent waxed cotton with double-breasted snaps, the cute hooded cover-up is perfect topper when caught in an unexpected September shower.In black or caramel, the cloak can be found at the label’s new four month pop-up shop within One of A Few. There you can also snap up the rest of the sophisticated collegiate fall collection, past pieces and vintage sourced by designer Jude Feller on her global escapades.
Now you're cloaked in style.
Lily + Jae in One of a Few, 354 Water St., Vancouver, 604-605-0685, www.lilyandjae.com
August 30th, 2010
Game Face
If washing our face was like being a contestant on The Wheel of Fortune, we’d ask to buy a consonant, not a vowel.
Winning words like “natural” and “organic” describe the foaming face wash ($18) from Canadian skin care line Consonant. Feather light and refreshing, it’s sans synthetics and loaded with the natural goodness of tea tree and grape seed oils. Have yours unscented or with an air of citrus bergamot. Purchase the wash as a part of their three piece 30 Day Challenge Kit ($90) and they’ll give you back your cash if you’re anything but pleased with the products. That’s good game.
At BeautyMark, 103-1120 Hamilton St., Vancouver, 604-642-2294, www.beautymark.ca and www.consonantbody.com
August 27th, 2010
Tea-d Up
You’ll have to pry the iced tea from our cold, dead hands, because we aren’t ready to say goodbye to summer yet.
Denial is best steeped in an Eva Solo Iced Tea Maker ($99.95). Shaped like a milk bottle, the glass carafe comes with all the fittings for making homebrew, so you simply place your tea leaves in the filter, fill with hot water, let cool in the fridge then serve.We suggest turning The Ô Dor citrus-bergamot rooibos blend Trahison Byzantine ($18/100ml) into the tasty tea sangria they serve up at The Urban Tea Merchant by adding white grape juice, a splash of fruit syrup and sliced fruits.
Sip it while shopping for fall sweaters to ease into the season that isn’t summer.
Tea and tea maker at Urban Tea Merchant, 1070 Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-692-0071, www.urbantea.com
See photos of our afternoon tea on today's Editors' Diary.


