Like many young designers, Lauren Moffatt started by designing and producing her collection from home. But home was a 31-foot sailboat docked on New York’s Hudson River, so it certainly makes for a more interesting start.

While her clothing isn't necessarily nautical, her spring/summer collection would not be out of place on a sailboat, or any other breezy destination. Her lightweight denim Alley Dress ($325, left) is ideal for throwing over a bikini and her Billie Jean striped dress ($295, right) would look great with a pair of flat sandals on deck.

And if you aren’t spending your summer at sea, her loose, easy dresses are perfect for yacht-watching from a waterfront patio. Ahoy! —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Available exclusively at Much&Little, 2541 Main St., Vancouver, 604-709-9034, www.muchandlittle.com

As mom always said, "Eat your vegetables."

We'll do just that with pleasure at Chef Andrea Carlson's new venture Burdock & Co., which features a veggie-forward menu with a heavy serving of local ingredients. To that end, the dishes will change with the season, but get there soon to experience the current highlights: fresh oysters with finger lime caviar; halibut with braised spring radish and hop shoots; and fire roasted green farro with spruce tips, black garlic and sorrel.

And it's not just the food that is rustic yet refined - the flavours are complemented by a naturalist wine list from Matthew Sherlock and cocktails by bartender Lauren Mote, while the 30-seat room is a mix of vintage decor and salvaged materials

Finish our plate? We're way ahead of you, mom. —Laura Cropper

Dinner from 5 p.m., 2702 Main St., Vancouver, 604-879-0077, https://twitter.com/BurdockAndCo

Sporty does it. Especially when combined with chic tailoring.

A Vancouver Island native, Eliza Faulkner graduated from the famed Central Saint Martins in London, and honed her talents working with Erdem and Roland Mouret. Her breezy S/S 2013 collection hits that sweet spot between sporty and dressy, basically describing everything we want to wear this season. A neutral palette of white, black and blue linens is complimented with a vivacious burst of bright orange. The Manoush skirt ($200) might just become our go-to item for summer event hopping—we’ll be the ones looking comfortably chic. —Anya Georgijevic

Available at Eugene Choo, 3683 Main St., Vancouver, 604-873-8874, www.eugenechoo.com, and Dream, 311 West Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-683-7326.

It doesn’t have a sign out front.

Nor does it have a website. In fact, it doesn’t even have an official name yet, but a new store at Main and 8th might just have the distinction of being the biggest clothing boutique on Main Street. Stocked with trendy animal-print tank tops, sleeveless denim button-ups and boho dresses that belong in the desert, it carries cheap and cheerful men’s and womenswear. Our favourite feature? The change room tents.

No name, but plenty of game.  —Kelsey Dundon

Boutique at Main and 8th, 2403 Main St., Vancouver.

These five Vancouver bakeries will melt your cinnamon heart. Because on Valentine’s Day, it’s A-OK to eat your feelings.

Butter

Tucked away in Mackenzie Heights, Butter’s new home is bigger, better and – dare we say -- buttery-er. 4907 MacKenzie St., Vancouver, www.butterbakedgoods.com

Lemonade
Gluten-free goodies that are actually good? It’s a culinary miracle. 3385 Cambie St., Vancouver, www.lemonadebakery.ca

SweetSalt 
Part café, part bakery, SweetSalt is like Candy Land for the kids. 3497 Fraser St., Vancover, www.sweetsalt.ca

The Gluten Free Epicurean
On top of their wheat-free baked goods are vegan offerings, which is as cleanse-friendly and guilt-free as it gets. 633 E.15th Ave., Vancouver, www.glutenfreeepicurean.ca/home.htm

Lucky’s Doughnuts
Right now, our favourite doughnut shop is serving up cinnamon-glazed crullers shaped as – what else? – hearts. 2902 Main St., Vancouver, www.luckysdoughnuts.com

—Kesley Dundon

You have your favourite sushi joints and you have your favourite cocktail bars, but do you have a favourite sushi bar?

If The Eatery is that place for you, then you’ll be especially happy to know The General Public is now open on Main Street and feels very much like The Eatery 2.0 (it’s backed by the same team). We tried three of their house rolls: the Green Hornet with tempura prawns and mango ($6.95), the KFC with chicken and avocado ($5.95), and the GP with tuna tempura on the inside and spicy tuna on the outside ($7.50). We left stuffed. Which means the Malaysian Retreat – tempura-battered banana and ice cream ($6.50) – will have to wait until next time. —Kelsey Dundon

3289 Main St, Vancouver, 604-558-4676.

Making a list and checking it twice?

It’s officially the time of year when we’re supposed to be thinking selflessly of others. Specifically, what on earth to get them. Luckily there are ideas galore at Main Street’s new décor and gift boutique Nineteen Ten, like pillows from Vancouver’s own Identity (a Vitamin Daily pick), whimsical Wonderland candlesticks by Stephen Johnson and a corner filled with modern gear for the kids.

Something for them and something for you? Check and check. —Kelsey Dundon

Nineteen Ten, 4366 Main St., Vancouver BC, 604-558-0210, www.nineteenten.ca

Who couldn’t use a little more space?

Main Street staple Eugene Choo has long offered funky classics from labels local and otherwise. But sometimes even the most tightly curated shops need to expand. Rather than knocking down walls, they’ve opened an Annex right next door and filled it with accessories that suit their upscale casual aesthetic. Wooden crate shelves house men’s and women’s footwear and on the opposite wall hang handbags and satchels worth carrying.

This Annex definitely deserves some attention. —Kelsey Dundon

Eugene Choo Annex, 3687 Main St., Vancouver, 604-558-3298, www.eugenechoo.com/annex

The true test of vegan cuisine: Would a non-vegan enjoy it?

At Main Street’s new vegetarian, vegan and raw restaurant The Acorn, the answer is a resounding yes. We sampled the ever-changing harvest, which was a cornucopia of beets and turnips on a bed of teriyaki-sauced pasta ($18). Washed it down with a magical Lightning Dust cocktail ($9), infused with lavender and cilantro. For dessert we indulged in the vegan-friendly salted caramel with chocolate sauce ($11) and didn’t miss the butter and milk at all.

Eat our greens? Gladly!—Kelsey Dundon

The Acorn, 3995 Main St., Vancouver, 604-566-9001, www.theacornrestaurant.ca

Lucky’s Doughnuts, nestled in the new 49th Parallel Cafe on Main Street, will delight sweet toothers.

These luscious little sugary rings are the brainchild of a former pastry chef at Giovane, so say goodbye to your sugar-free intentions. Indulge in the Lemon Bismark ($3), filled with sumptuous lemon curd, or the soft and fluffy Orange-Pistachio with Honey ($3), which is a revelation.

Pair with a rich 49th Parallel espresso, and count yourself lucky. — Anya Georgijevic

Lucky’s Doughnuts and 49th Parallel, 2902 Main St., Vancouver, 604-420-4900, http://luckysdoughnuts.com