shopping blog – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Personal Post – why I love Christmas

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I truly BELIEVE in the “Spirit” of Christmas – that’s right! It used to be ~~all~~ about the excitement of getting presents under the tree and the anticipation the night before of waking up the next morning to find what ~~gifts~~ traces Santa left….like cookie crumbs on the plate. As kids you don’t have to rush around madly looking for the latest gadget or toy…your job is to receive. The complacency of getting. Wasn’t that nice?

Of course if Santa got the WRONG toy, doll or game you’d make a big stink about it – didn’t he get my list? What is wrong with SANTA?

Now we’re ~~somewhat~~ all grown up and it’s our turn to do the gifting. Not an easy task with so much pressure from media, store windows, etc. …..well it’s everywhere on the street. How did this significant holiday get so out of control?

Do we ever stop to think that maybe we put the pressure on ourselves! Maybe we don’t have to follow set rules and can keep it more simple. That’s not to say gift giving is off entirely – most definitely NOT….I still have a wish list but it’s gotten smaller. And giving as it turns out can be a very pleasurable and meaningful thing to do. Some ideas…

What about offering something to the parents of children who cannot afford to buy presents for them? Don’t be a Grinch! Toys, books, clothes, games, you name it – this is the time to be charitable.

The magic of Christmas for me now is the warm feeling that this time of the year (minus the cold) brings where people show their appreciation by getting together for some good cheer and neighbors have open houses when they otherwise would not.

Seems like most of us are in a good frame of mind.

But what about the homeless?. How about donating blankets, food and clothing to the homeless or a woman’s shelter? How about adopting a loving pet from the humane society or even fostering an orphaned elephant (but not at home) for only $50.00 Find out more at:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp

AND what if this ONE day of the year could instead be ALL days of the year where everyone is in a good mood, nice & obliging and open houses abound. Wouldn’t THAT be nice!

…speaking of store windows here are some shots from window shopping on 4th Ave.

well maybe not my dessert. This is Moule

xmas7

You can window shop on the inside too right? Meuse

Yup...that's right but try to keep it quiet. — Yup…that’s right but try to keep it quiet.

FUN

Scene in the City – t’was the week before Christmas….

and ALL was not still…..cause there was still shopping to do and stockings to fill.

Things you need and lots you don’t.

If you haven’t completed your list then here are some ideas from HOMEWERX on Davie.

I’m sure you can find at least one nice item in here for that naughty person.

For the person who as everything - a wine sock monkey? — For the person who has everything – a wine sock monkey?

To keep things simple they sell cards and they do giftwrap.

hot tea & cool music — **hot** tea & **cool** music

Maple Syrup - Oui oui! — Maple Syrup – Oui, oui!

Macaroons

Mirror, Mirror....it's all about YOU! — Mirror, Mirror….it’s all about YOU!

Life…..Style

at 1053 Davie Street in Vancouver

604.682.2204

Website: http://www.homewerx.ca Inside 2

Inside 1

FUN

Personal Post – a Meuse me!

The changing face of 4th Avenue

Meuse….for beautiful living. French country meets Victorian elegance in this new 4^th Ave. boutique.

This used to be the old “4^th Ave” boutique where I had a corner of the store for selling lingerie. Funny thing is that I can definitely see lingerie in this store. It‘s interesting to see how one store can change so much. Before this, just after 4th Ave boutique, it was a bedding store.

Bed — If you get tired of shopping you can take a rest

This is a beautiful boutique.

DESTINATIONS

San Francisco’s Hayes Valley – I’m a Valley Girl at heart!

shoe store — Great name for a shoe boutique – just GIMME MORE!

Hayes Valley girl that is! A district of San Francisco discovered last year while staying at a quaint boutique hotel (Inn at the Opera) in town to run the Nike Women’s half marathon. Located a short walking distance to the Opera House, City Hall and about a 20 minute walk to Union Square.

A place that surprised me to find out that only twenty years ago was considered a haven for the city’s homeless, drug addicts and prostitutes. In other words quite a seedy location which they cleaned up pretty good. Something reminiscent of New York City’s Meat Packing District.

The most delicious macaroons from France

Since then it has developed into a haven for haute couture. Where the crack houses and tenements once stood, there are now trendy fashion boutiques, SoHo-style funky art galleries, high-end interior-decorating shops, top-notch restaurants and hip nightspots.

True Sake wall display — Sake wall display

Now, tourists also head here specifically for the shopping, for one-of-a-kinds like a buffalo-leather chair or an exclusive Sue Wong Art Deco gown.

Great vintage shops with amazing finds – things like slightly used Louis Vuitton luggage and crocodile handbags for only $350. It was hard to tell if I was in a really great second hand shop or that of a local designer.

In any event it was fun to even window shop, have a bite to eat and just walk around this interesting combination of “old meets trendy” district which reminded me of Palermo in Buenos Aires or Knightsbridge in London.

wall art - local bakery — Wall display – local bakery

Lovely lingerie like Eres & La Perla — lovely lingerie – jesusfernandez would go perfectly amongst Eres and La Perla.

Plants a plenty – not used to seeing outdoor Jade plants

love the outside of this restaurant — I had the best turkey club at “Grove”. Short of growing their own vegetables and raising their own turkeys – all dishes are made in house with a diverse selection.

clothing store window display — Zen window display clothing boutique

Inside Absinthe — People become “Absinthe” minded at times at Absinthe bar and restaurant. Tried it?

Cool babies get bored — No matter how fashionable you are shopping can get tiring!

For hotel info: http://shellhospitality.com