point taken
If malls and chain stores send shivers down your spine, head to West 10th Avenue in Point Grey, a historic and beautiful Vancouver strip with excellent service, pristine, tree-lined streets and unique shops and services—like these three hot spots.
dress you up
You need a dress for the office party, a winter wedding and the endless stream of holiday cocktail parties you’ll be RSVPing yes to. Not to mention New Years. Enter Miss Coquette, the ultimate one-stop dress shop for your social-butterfly needs. Dozens of new dresses will be pouring in over the next few weeks and much of it, like local couture line Evan & Dean, is exclusive to Miss Coquette. And if your new dress has you feeling a little more coquettish than usual, well then, plan on being the life of the party. 4372 W. 10th Ave., 604-221-2888, www.misscoquette.com
no strings attached
Thinking of making your beau a sexy, chunky, hand-knit scarf for Christmas? He'll be a smitten kitten if you head immediately to Urban Yarns, a hip and edgy knitting store with superb service, luxurious yarns (like Alpaca), and the latest in knitting books and funky accessories. On Tuesdays between 7 and 10 p.m. they host a popular drop-in Stitch-and-Bitch session, where both your fingers and your mouth can release a lot of tension. Mark your calendar for November 5 at noon when best-selling knitting book author Debbie Bliss appears at UBC Golf Club (tickets are $15). Urban Yarns, 4421 W. 10th Ave., 604-228-1122, www.urbanyarns.ca
care for your hair
If fall weather is leaving your hair a little lifeless, head to the legendary Eliane Hair & Esthetics for an Aveda Damage Remedy Treatment. Your stress will melt away with a balancing touch massage, customized to stimulate circulation to your scalp, restore moisture or infuse strength to your locks. While your hair is being rejuvenated, your hands will be getting some pampering with a pressure-point massage. They’ll finish you off with a blow-dry, and you’re out the door to your next holiday soirée. Mention vitamin v when booking your treatment and get a $35 (introductory rate (regular price $55) and receive a complimentary take-home Damage Remedy Treatment. 4353 W. 10th Ave., 604-222-1511, www.elianehairspa.com