Like us, you probably like to buy local, but are always tempted by online shopping; it is so much easier to drag yourself to your laptop, than downtown.

LYNNSteven, one of our favourite Gastown boutiques, will let us do both. They’ve just launched an online store, and we could suggest buying some Christmas presents, but we think it might be time to treat ourselves. How about the McGinn Sara knit dress ($220), the Ela Lady bag ($480) or Granted’s Three Horse vest ($242,) perfect garb for hitting the shops and buying gifts.

After all, the best presents are always from me to me. You get exactly what you want. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

LYNNsteven Boutique, 225 Carrall St., Vancouver, 604-899-0808, www.lynnsteven.com

The city’s hippest neighbourhood always keeps us on our toes, with new shops and cafes waiting to be discovered. Each time we go, it becomes a little adventure.

shop (a lot)
New to Gastown via Yaletown is Rowan Sky, stocking an enviable shoe selection for both sexes, with brands like Aigle, Repetto and Lacoste. 334 West Cordova St., Vancouver, www.rowansky.com

No shopping can be done without a little vintage, and Community Vintage is just the place to find that perfect granny-chic floral silk blouse or those lovely ladylike '80s Naturalizer pumps. 41 West Cordova St., Vancouver, http://communitythriftandvintage.wordpress.com

Keep on digging for treasure at The Found and The Freed pop-up shop. And by treasure, we mean treasure, like turn-of-the-century oak library drawers to antique lunchboxes and old photographs and maps. 206 Carrall St., Vancouver, www.thefoundandthefreed.com

shop for him
Just steps away is Neighbour, a new menswear shop carrying sportswear essentials like varsity jackets by Golden Bear, Unis jeans and backpacks by Martin Keehn. 125-12 Water St., Vancouver, www.shopneighbour.com

sip
When the time comes for a coffee break, head over to Nelson the Seagull and grab a cup of locally-sourced Agro espresso and perhaps a little snack like bread and butter, while you relax in this gorgeously renovated heritage space. 315 Carrall St., Vancouver, www.nelsontheseagull.com

If tea is more your thing, look no further than Après-midi Teahouse tucked in the legendary Galeors Mews. With a vast selection of artisan teas like Sweet Orange, Earl Grey Lavender and China Rose, this cute little teahouse might just turn you into a tea gourmand. 1 Gaolers Mews, Vancouver, www.apresmiditea.com

eat
No visit to Gastown is complete without catching a glimpse of the famous giant pig on the Save on Meats neon sign. The butcher shop is now reopened as a diner and serves up a delicious roast chicken and other comfort food goodies. 43 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, http://saveonmeats.ca

— Anya Georgijevic

Move over boys, Roden Gray has added xx to its already-stellar xy mix.

Fresh on the floor is Roden Gray’s debut womenswear collection, featuring some of our favourite luxury basics from brands like Acne, Theyskens' Theory and Alexander Wang.

For our dream summer outfit, we’re thinking Theyskens' Theory purple ‘Blogo’ blouse ($250) paired with Acne chambray bubble shorts ($210) and, of course, Acne ‘Melrose’ pumps ($560). To top it all off, we’d add Garrett Leight ‘Hampton’ wayfarers ($290).

Flawless, if we may say so. –AG

Roden Gray, 8 Water St., Vancouver, 604-689-7302, www.rodengray.com

Escaping the city for a quick weekend getaway is a great way to satisfy our travel bug. There is no need to pack giant suitcases, Makr has you covered with stylish weekender bags.

This Florida-based, environmentally responsible leather goods company produces gorgeously heavy canvas totes and backpacks that fit all our weekend bits and pieces. We love the Farm Tote ($155) for its feminine simplicity, but the tomboy in us yearns for the elegant Farm Ruck Sack ($165, pictured; look for a new shipment next week).

Off to the wilderness we go! —AG

At Old Faithful Shop, 320 W. Cordova St., Vancouver, http://www.oldfaithfulshop.com/

With the promise of warm weather around the corner, it is time to start thinking spring and summer wardrobes. And as the shoes always make the outfit, what better place to start than your spring footwear?

Vancouver’s local shoe hero, John Fluevog, has got us sorted. His latest collection features pretty pastel colours, cute cut-outs, and handsome heels that will get us through every picnic, garden party, and al-fresco meal our friends can dish out.

Now all we need is the sunshine. —ASI

John Fluevog, 837 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-688-2828 and 65 Water St., Vancouver, 604-688-6228, www.fluevog.com

Hip Vancouver-based jewellery brand Broken English makes delicate and detailed pendants featuring some our favourite animal friends.

Didn’t you know that fox stoles are all the rage these days? Well, at least animal-friendly ones are, in the form of stylish little necklaces. A fox stole and paw come in antiqued bronze and its head is presented in oxidized silver. For dog lovers, a regal hound. All are attached to a 30” chain.

No need to go hunting. —AG

From $75 at Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com and The Block, 350 West Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-685-8885,  www.theblock.ca

Oak + Fort = Water Street’s latest fashion retail rainfall.

The stark space, the brand’s first, carries a cool in-house collection designed by artists here and abroad, in addition to a couple of Korean lines all under the purview of creative director, Eunice Quan. The clothes are edgy and on-trend—sleek blazers, camel coats in roomy masculine cuts, Aztec prints and army detailing—the accessories too, like long chain necklaces, oxfords and oversized clutches.

Best of all, no price tag requires you spend an arm + leg.

Oak + Fort, 32 Water St., Vancouver, www.oakandfort.com

Nothing like a deep fried Mars bar to spoil your master cleanse.

But, oh, it’s worth it. The meaty main courses too, at new casual Carolina BBQ joint Peckinpah around the corner from Gassy Jack. Studded leather stools surround a saloon-like bar adorned with a bookcase of bourbon bottles, while up above clusters of work lights and a wire mesh ceiling exude extra toughness.

Pull up a chair and put your teeth into a pulled pork sandwich with a side fixin’ of creamed corn or corn bread ($9.50), plus a pint of our new favourite brew White Bark ($5.50) from Victoria’s Driftwood Brewery, and for a moment you’ll feel as though you’re back on the bayou—even if you’ve never been before.

Peckinpah, 2 Water St., Vancouver, 604-681-5411, www.peckinpahbbq.com

Shopping in Gastown, the Godzilla in your stomach starts to roar.

Satiate with Sea Monstr Sushi, the latest eatery from Mark Brand (Boneta and Diamond co-owner) and Alex Usow. Take your order to go or saddle up to the bar and warm up with a green tea and miso soup. Spicy Tuna Maki and Ebi rolls are recommended, or opt for one of their classic combos.

Ready to roll again.

Cash only, Sea Monstr Sushi, 55 Powell St., Vancouver, 604-681-2144, www.seamonstrsushi.com

November means it’s nearly December and after that it’s another year. New calendars girls!

Consider Carlo Brito’s stunningly simple month-to-month made in Vancouver. Like a palate cleanser to your appointment book, it’s grey ink on natural cardstock, perforated and hand-bound. Doodle your own design in its white space or keep it clean.

Unlike that hot firemen calendar, it’s noninvasive, so you’ll barely notice time is passing (all the easier to be 29 forever).

$30 at Nouvelle Nouvelle, 209 Abbott St., Vancouver, 604-682-2234, www.nouvellenouvelle.com