Sunday, January 20, 2008

skoop man and woman Opportunist Studio Redia Soltis is the woman behind Opportunist Studio. This multi-talented artist just moved her Beatty Street Studio to a renovated Heritage House in Strathcona. The house is a talent mecca, housing several different artists, jewellery designers and more. Opportunist Studio was originally the master bedroom, and the bathroom across the hall is stocked fresh with skoah products. A much sought after fashion stylist, make up artist and best known for her hair styling talents, she'll make you feel like one of the hippest kids in town. Redia (pron. Red-ja) will take one look at you, then send you out the door with not just a hair 'cut', but a hair 'style'. Serving steaming hot espresso, accompanied by a rotation of sweet treats, Redia doesn't miss any details.



By Appointment only: 778.896.9972, info@opportuniststudio.com



skoop family SUSHI! Start your toddler 's favourite Westcoast obsession before he can say tekka maki. Amy Wilson Sanger's First Book of Sushi is stuffed with multi-medium collages of sushi rolls intermixed with images of traditional Japanese fabrics. My baby loves the melodic rhyming sounds of the many types of sushi and you'll love it when Junior opts for sushi at 3 years old versus the standard 'family friendly' dining experience.



Available at Kid's Books, 3083 West Broadway, Vancouver www.kidsbooks.ca

Sunday, January 13, 2008

skoop man: Nudie jeans for guys Housekeeping novices and athletic men take note.....I've found the BEST jeans for you. Head to The Block in Gastown for 'Slim Jim' jeans by organic denim jean company 'Nudie'. While the Nudie website says to wait at least 6 months before first washing your new jeans, the good people at The Block say all jeans should be washed much less frequently. Apparently this is the key to giving your jeans 'character'. My favourite thing about these jeans is the fit. I am yet to find a better fitting men's jean, especially for the athletic guy (aka a little bit of 'back'). The 'slim jim' cut is modern and relatively narrow without being 'hipster slim'. Prices range from $185-$249.
www.nudie.com
The Block: 350 West Cordova, Vancouver www.theblock.ca

skoop woman: sweet love body spray For those of you who are addicted to skoah's 'sweet love body kream', there is a new addition to the collection.....but take note....it's limited edition. Just in time for Valentine's day, skoah's 'sweet love body spray' is the same warm blend of cinnamon and vanilla. You cannot overdose on this delicious spritzer. Layer it over your coveted body kream and I reapply whenever the mood strikes. $30, and available at all three skoah locations. www.skoah.com

skoop family: Little Nest Cafe I love this just off Commercial Drive gem! It is self-described as a 'parent friendly cafe'. The concept is so simple and so perfect. Create a cafe that has fantastic adult food and a roster of kid-friendly food favourites. There is a play area for the rulers of the roost to roam around while the adults linger over breakfast, brunch or lunch. Soups, sandwiches, brunch favourites and more. At Little Nest there is no compromising on a kid-friendly environment vs adult-friendly food.
1716 Charles Street, Vancouver www.littlenest.ca

January 6th, 2008

skoopaliscious man and woman:

Skoop man and skoop woman, listen up! If you have not been to The Cascade Room on Main Street, get thyself there pronto. A modern take on the old English pub, this space melds old world character with new world surprises. Subtle allusions such as Queen Victoria-screened lamp shades and Churchill-inspired quotes cleverly appeal to the intellect, while cheese-laced polenta fries and steamy, drunken mussels appease food-focused critics. With a cleverly concocted drink list and an easy to handle, low maintenance crowd, this place appeals to the hipster Main Street community and the kits-commuters. http://www.thecascade.ca/

skoopaliscious family:

Looking to winterize your wet Vancouver weekends? Pack up the kids and take the 'superskyride' to the Peak of Vancouver. If you haven't been up Grouse Mountain lately, you've been missing out! Not just for skiers and boarders, the 'village' atop Grouse Mountain has year round activities for all ages. Lace up your iceskates and twirl above the peaks on the world's only mountain top skate pond. Snowshoe through snowcapped trees or guzzle hot cocoa and relax fireside in the Chalet. With events happening almost weekly, you won't run out of activities for the family. http://www.grousemountain.com/

skoopaliscious begins......

I love to share information and connect people. My goal in creating this space is to share with others the things I love, have stumbled upon, or think you should know about. Places, shops, brands, restaurants, products, people that I want to sing the praises of. You won't find 'product recommendations' for items that don't take a lot of creativity to share. For example.....I will not recommend purchasing the latest Chloe bag, $700 pair of cult brand shoes or item pulled from the pages of the latest issue of In Style. Those types of e-newsletters, magazines, and dailies already exist. And frankly, you can figure that stuff out yourself!

My blog will help you find 'off-the beaten path' items, unique products and experiences and cool, inspiring people or places. I use the following criteria to find things to write about:

• affordable luxury-the subject of my blog must be cost-effective, meaning the average joe or jane can afford the item without breaking the bank (hence the 'no $700 ballet flats' recommendation)
• I always test-drive the subject of my blog....the recommendation comes from my experience

Check in for my weekly recommendations which will always have 3 parts:

• skoop man-recommendations for guys
• skoop woman-recommendations for ladies
• skoop family-fun for all ages

Thanks for checking it out!

Andrea