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THE SARAH FILE EDITOR’S LETTER
CHRISTMAS EXPRESS All aboard the shopping train! We’re partnering with Express in Pacific Centre for a fun-filled holiday event from 6 to 9pm on December 9th (I can’t wait for someone to buy this flirty feather mini dress). With tuxedo jackets for him and red leather clutches for her, Vitamin Daily’s newest resident fashionista, Krystin Tysire, will be there to style you for all your holiday fêtes, from your office party, to dinner at the in-laws.
TOP SHOPPING
What would you like to see featured in VITA? Contact me: info@vitamindaily.com Twitter @thesarahfile Instagram @thesarahfile
We’re thrilled to be partnering with the U.K.’s Topshop on December 10th for a holiday event at their Pacific Centre store in The Hudson’s Bay from 6 to 8pm. And yes, all Vita readers are invited! There will be lots of black lace dresses, faux fur chubby coats and metallic leather skirts to get you through the party circuit in style, as well as a sweet collaboration with Kylie and Kendall Jenner (launching December 7th). Plus, I’ll be hosting the event and showcasing all of my favourite items. Hope to see you there!
SEE AND BE SCENE
FARAH NOSH
Welcome to December, the month of sparkle, fun and holiday cheer. In this issue, we’ve rounded up our favourite places for the all-important tradition of holiday cocktails on page 10. Also, on December 5th, Juniper will be opening its doors in Chinatown with a gin and tonic menu (think 30 different artisanal gins and six types of tonic) and Osteria Savio Volpe is having its soft opening on Fraser Street, both which are set to be holiday hotspots, too. Our Sparkle Gift Guide sums up all the aspirational presents we hope to give and receive this year. But the best gift of all? Time with our friends, to be sure. I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with my best girlfriends of 30 years in Scottsdale, which was surely the best present my husband (who took the kids) gave me all year. Happy holidays to you and yours, and all the best for 2016!
Full disclosure: Susie Wall is a very close friend of mine (we lived in side-by-side South Granville apartment buildings when we were just starting our fledgling journalism careers). I’m always astounded by the energy, charisma and exacting sense of style she exudes, from her television reportage to her Instagram account (@ susiewallstyle). This month, she’s teamed up with local eyewear label C4 to create some fashion-forward luxury looks, like the sexy sunglasses I can mention to our readers, having been friends as long as we have. The range benefits the Cause We Care Foundation. Claudiaalan.com
PUBLISHER DEE DHALIWAL ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER JULIE HAMILTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SARAH BANCROFT CREATIVE DIRECTOR ADRIAN CUNNINGHAM MANAGING EDITOR (ON LEAVE) NOA NICHOL MANAGING EDITOR (INTERIM) LISE BOULLARD PROMOTIONS MANAGER KRYSTIN TYSIRE EDITORIAL INTERN MEGAN BOURASSA COVER BADGLEY MISCHKA, AVAILABLE AT NORDSTROM PACIFIC CENTRE. TO ADVERTISE IN VITA EMAIL VITASALES@GLACIERMEDIA.CA CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #42849020
FASHION & SHOPPING BRING BLING Give them the gift of sunshine with this 18 karat gold Diamond Sole Pendant from Palladio, featuring tear drop white diamonds gleaming from a radiant cut yellow diamond centre. Price available upon request at Palladio. Palladiocanada.com
DIALED UP With a 5.5 inch HD display, Ultrafast LTE Advanced wireless and 8-megapixel iSight camera, the ultra-wide and ultra-thin iPhone 6s Plus was made for snapping that elusive Santa pic. $1289 (for 128 GB) at Apple. Apple.com/ca
TWINKLE TOES Dressing up baby for the holidays has never been easier than with these handmade-inCanada leather gold confetti Minimoc Baby Moccasins. The elastic, slip-on opening means they stay put on squirmy feet. $50 at Minimoc. Minimoc.ca
Let There Be Sparkle T H I S
Y E A R
W E ’ R E
G I V I N G
P R E C IO U S
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M E GA N
S TA R T I N G
W I T H
T H E S E
B O U R A S S A
LIP SERVICE With sleek gold packaging and a six-hour hydrating formula, Burberry Festive Beauty Holiday Collection 2015 Lipstick, in Military Red or Festive Gold, is the epitome of luxe beauty. $36 at Burberry. Ca.burberry.com
THAT’S RICH Butter Celebrates!: A Year of Sweet Recipes to Share With Family and Friends by Vancouver-based Butter Baked Goods owner Rosie Daykin is a holiday baking Bible. $22 at Amazon.ca
BOND TIME Help him channel his inner “Bond” (you know he has one) with this Omega Seamaster 300 “Spectre” Limited Edition watch sported by Daniel Craig in Spectre. The only Bond-worn watch ever sold publicly, it boasts a stainless steal case—and a “007” engraving on the strap holder. $7500 at Omega. Omegawatches.com
SCENT SIREN With wood thrust, lily of the valley and extract of patchouli, Miu Miu Eau de Parfum perfectly embodies the spirit of Prada’s youthfulyet-sophisticated sister brand. Get it for the tastemaker in your life. $100-135 at Holt Renfrew. Holtrenfrew.com
TIE ONE ON Add a little shimmer to her (or your) wrist with this delicate, diamond-encrusted Tiffany Bow cuff in 18 karat rose gold. $9,900 at Tiffany. Tiffany.ca
DOLLED UP The holidays are the perfect time to inspire the little girl in your life to dress to the nines. With this Oscar de la Renta Gold Jacquard Party Dress she may wish she could dress this fancy everyday. $486 at Oscar de la Renta. Oscardelarenta.com
LOBE LOVE Handmade in Italy and embellished with Swarovski crystals and pearls, these red Nappa leather wireless headphones from FRENDS and Dolce & Gabbana’s collab are for the adventurous fashionista on your list. $8,334 at Net-a-porter.com
PUT A BOW ON IT With a pretty glitter accent, metallic zipper and wipe-clean fabric, this Jillie Wash Bag from Ted Baker is a ski weekend—and midwinter beach holiday—essential. $49 at Ted Baker. Tedbaker.com
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H O M E . H E A R T. H O L I D A Y.
WHERE THE GIFTS ARE
N O R D S T R O M PA C I F I C C E N T R E
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038909A: Holiday 2015. VITA VANCOUVER RUN DATE: 12.01.15
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HOME & TECH
White Haute CLEAN, MODERN AND THE STUFF OF PARISIAN ARCHITECTURE, IT’S NO S U R P R I S E B E N JA M I N M O O R E ’ S C O LO U R O F 2 0 1 6 I S S I M P LY W H I T E . HERE, HOW TO BRING THE HUE HOME.
LISE BOULLARD
POP ART When considering contrast, start by asking yourself how you want to feel in a room. If you’re going for calm and harmonious, layer white on white. For high energy, pull in bold colours. A white cushion on a grey sofa or a white picture frame on a coloured wall “really pops,” says Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore’s colour and style expert.
FAIR FURNISHINGS If furniture is on your holiday wish list, heed Grech’s advice and go for pieces with a nice silhouette, which look even more fabulous in white. Have kids? Skip the couch and bring in unupholstered pieces like coffee tables, chairs and desks. MARBLE ON The stuff of Michelangelo’s columns, Carrara marble is having a resurgence. Look for tables like the tulip Saarinen (made famous by designer Eero Saarinen in 1957) in Carrara marble or quartz. ABOVE GLUCKSTEINHOME FAUX ARCTIC WOLF FUR BLANKET WITH STRAP. $160 AT THEBAY.COM
BENJAMIN MOORE
RESTORATION HARDWARE
IKEA
EMBRACE WHITE SPACE If the thought of an empty white wall is enough to keep you up at night, fear not. A floor-length antique, or painted patina, mirror with a gorgeous frame could be all you need to transform a room. LAYER UP Add interest to a modern all-white space with glass, concrete and resin fixtures and furniture. If you favour a traditional look bring in white linens, pillows and natural, reclaimed wood. And holiday décor can be especially stunning in white: try white stockings on a white mantle or piles of white pillows and blankets with festive motifs.
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IKEA
FASHION & SHOPPING
Hot Shops
MEET VANCOUVER’S NEWEST RETAILERS.
STITTGEN FINE JEWELRY Looking to gift a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that could become a family heirloom this Christmas? Yes, we appreciate breakfast at Tiffany’s, but may we also suggest lunch at Stittgen Fine Jewelry (or, rather, the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver) where the jeweler has recently opened its second location.
PLEN+Y West Coast fashion institution PLEN+Y has new digs at Park Royal and we predict it’ll be a hot spot on the holiday shopping circuit. The style house is kicking things off in their eighth Vancouver store (the first one opened in 1989) with a collection of covetable holiday picks. Two especially gift-able lines: Covet + Keep’s collection of elegantly simple pieces, embellished with secret messages in braille, and children’s-literature inspired t-shirts from Out of Print, which donates a book to a local library with every purchase. Yes, we’ll be justifying plenty of new fashion purchases this Christmas. 1044 Park Royal, West Vancouver. 604-913-3460. Getplenty.com
Here, staff will work with you to create or select a handcrafted work of art that tells your story—made with the time-honoured techniques Germanborn Karl Stittgen has been known for since opening the first Vancouver store in 1952. In this world of massproduced jewels, we think a bespoke jewelry experience—in the heart of downtown, no less—is something pretty special. 791 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. 604682-1158. Stittgen.com ERIN THOMPSON
®, and The Diamond. The Promise.™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies.
MEGAN BOURASSA
© Forevermark 2014. Forevermark®,
A TRUE PROMISE WILL NEVER BE BROKEN
PARK ROYAL METROPOLIS AT METROTOWN MAYFAIR CENTRE WWW.LUGARO.COM
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Great Scottsdale A GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY IN “THE MIAMI OF THE ARIZONA DESERT” PROVIDES THE PERFECT MIX OF FITNESS, SPAS — AND A LITTLE POLO. BY SARAH BANCROFT
STAY The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort was our home base, where the recently renovated Mountain Casitas have huge bathrooms and spacious seating areas from which to catch the stunning pink sunsets over the mountains. The amazing array of challenging fitness activities, from spinning to tennis drills to Bilates (Barre/Pilates) kept all the girls happy. 5700 E. McDonald Dr., Scottsdale. 855-245-2051. Sanctuaryoncamelback.com DO The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, held every October, was the perfect excuse to gather the girls for an afternoon of Moët drinking and stomping divots. Do splurge on the VIP tent, where you can watch all the action from the comfort of a sofa, champagne flute in hand. Don’t forget your fascinator! 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. Thepoloparty.com
WET DECK AT W SCOTTSDALE HOTEL THE SANCTUARY CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT
PRIMP The Sparkle Bar is a new addition to Old Town Scottsdale and is an excellent starting point for your festivities. We tried the “Blush Rush,” a makeup application which took us from plain to pretty for just $25. 4200 N. Marshall Way #7, Scottsdale. 480-941-3438. Thesparklebar.com
SUSHI ROKU
POOL PARTY The legendary Wet Deck at the W Scottsdale Hotel is a huge weekend party with DJs, casitas and a constant flow of cocktails. When the sun sets, head downstairs to Sushi Roku for soft shell crab rolls and delicious fluke sashimi. 7277 East Camelback Rd., Scottsdale. 888-627-8347. Wscottsdalehotel.com DINE Twenty minutes from Scottsdale, Chelsea’s Kitchen, in Phoenix, is a fun locals gathering spot (think short rib tacos and green chile burgers), as is the owner’s new Buck & Rider seafood and oyster bar not far away. Neither takes reservations, so be prepared to start in the bar. Don’t forget to grab complimentary warm chocolate chip cookies on the way out to your Uber. 5040 N. 40th St., Phoenix, 602-957-2555. Chelseaskitchenaz.com; 4225 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-346-0110. Buckandrider.com
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SENSEI SPA AT THE SANCTUARY
JUICE Now with five Arizona locations including a gluten-free bakery, Kaleidoscope organic cold-pressed juice is a local success story founded by former Vancouverite and mother-daughter team Alexandra and Andrea Maw. We loved The River and The Green Dragon, as well as their peanut butter cookies to fuel our morning hikes. 7119 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale. 480-980-8677. Kaleidoscopejuice.com
THE BENTLEY SCOTTSDALE POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS
SPA Sensei, the Asian-themed spa at The Sanctuary is an oasis of bamboo and tranquility in the desert. The massages and body treatments come highly recommended from our group of discerning testers. Sanctuaryoncamelback.com
H E A LT H & B E A U T Y
Good Charlotte LIKE THE WOMAN BEHIND IT, CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S MAKEUP LINE IS FUN, SEXY AND A LITTLE BADASS. BY LISE BOULLARD
CHARLOTTE TILBURY KNOWS HOW TO WORK A ROOM. At a recent Holt Renfrew event to officially launch her two-year-old (and hugely successful) makeup line to the West Coast, the vivacious Brit captivated a roomful of journalists over rosé bubbly with the story of how her cult products came to be. Here’s what the redhead had to say before being swept away in her five-inch Pradas and a flurry of waves, kisses and “goodbye darlings!” to catch a flight back to the U.K. You’ve beautified everyone from Gisele to J. Lo in your incredible career. What prompted you to launch your own line? As a makeup artist I had become an alchemist; I carried nine suitcases around because I was always mixing products. So [at first] I wanted to create this for myself and my friends. I also put together these ten iconic makeup wardrobes (including The Dolce Vita and The Uptown Girl) so that women felt safe to play. Designers tell you each season, “this is the top that goes with this skirt that goes with these shoes,” but no one tells you that for makeup. You just see these huge counters of products and it’s absolutely terrifying—even for an expert like me!
What’s your most memorable makeup artistry experience? I’ve been very lucky. Working on the September issues of American Vogue, British Vogue and French Vogue with Mario Testino was an amazing seminal moment for me. Amal Clooney’s and Kate Moss’ weddings were pretty amazing. I’ve just had so many incredible moments in my life.
huge expense to do makeup for celebs and models because they understand them looking good will increase their popularity. By me creating this line, I’m basically putting myself out of a job because I’m giving women the tools to do it themselves: all the looks I’ve ever done with Penélope Cruz, with Jennifer Aniston and with Jennifer Lopez.
What Charlotte Tilbury product does every woman need? I didn’t name it Magic Cream; it was named by celebs and models backstage. They’d say, “Get me a pot of Charlotte’s magic cream,” and I’d say “I’m not giving you a pot unless I really, really love you.” What’s inside is BioNymph Peptide Complex and hyaluronic acid which is like a big fat drink for the skin. It also has Vitamin, A, C and E, rosehip oil and extracts of frangipani. It’s antiaging, plumping, moisturizing and it gives you this wonderful dew to the skin. Any others? Right now I’m literally not sleeping, I’m on airplanes, I like to have a drink, I like to have a cigarette—and I’m naughty, okay? The Goddess Skin Clay Mask plumps up all the lines and shrinks spots and pores. Is it true that you put makeup on before bed? My makeup gets washed off at night but then my bedroom eye (a little bit of eyeliner and mascara) gets reapplied. [On my skin] it’s Magic Cream, eye cream and Wonder Glow.
How would you describe your beauty philosophy? I believe that if you give a woman the right makeup she can conquer the world, because when you look good, you feel good. Film companies will fly me around the globe at
Any items you’d recommend gifting this holiday season? In the past, people never gifted makeup, they gifted scent.With our ten iconic makeup looks, we’ve made it so easy, even your husband can pick it out.
WINNERS OF THE CANADIAN EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN COMPETITION
1457 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver • 604.925.8333 Tuesday to Saturday 10-5 or by appointment stittgen.com
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Holiday Spirit FANCY A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL? THREE FABULOUS SPOTS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON.
YEW SEAFOOD + BAR AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL VANCOUVER Lauren Mote, co-founder of Bittered Sling Extracts, has created a festive Hispanic Inquisition cocktail as part of the YEW seafood + bar’s Aged Cocktail menu. A blend of Dominican Brugal Rum, Okanagan Spirits Old Italian Prune Eau de Vie, Punt e Mes vermouth, crème de cassis liqueur and Bittered Sling Malagasy Chocolate Bitters, it’s pretty much Christmas in a martini glass. 791 West Georgia St., Vancouver. 604-692-4939. Yewseafood.com
FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM One of the signature holiday cocktails served in the Fairmont’s swanky lobby bar is the sophisticated Smokey Chili Chocolate—a grown up version of chocolate milk—with a hint of heat to keep you warm during the cold wintery days. We love the whisper of hazelnut and maple mixed with mezcal and port. With nightly live music and a re-imagined Christmas tree display by Versace Home, you’ll feel all grown up, even with a chocolate milk moustache. 1038 Canada Pl., Vancouver. 604-695-5300. Fairmont.com/pacific-rim-vancouver/
BAR OSO
MIRANDA SAM
LISE BOULLARD
We’ll be getting our post-ski charcuterie fix at Toptable Group’s newest Whistler Village resto, Bar Oso (or “Bear Bar” in Spanish). The menu features raciones (share platters) and pinxtos (skewers) that pair perfectly with the array of Spanish wines, six-drink gin and tonic menu and cocktails like Powder Day (a mix of Cointreau, lemon and fresh muddled ginger)– all best enjoyed after a day kneedeep in powder. 9-4222 Village Square, Whistler. 604-962-4540. Baroso.ca
NOW OPEN IN WHISTLER !
daily from 5pm till 1am Small plates till 12am
SPA N IS H- IN FLU EN CED SM AL L P L AT E S HOUSE-MADE CHARCUTERIE H A N D C R A F T E D C O C K TA I L S INSPIRED WINES
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LISE BOULLARD
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Insertion: Dec. 2015