Part of the fun for me in doing a trunk show on Main Street is that it gives me a good excuse to visit shops and restaurants outside of my neighbourhood. And if you’re visiting my pop-up shop this week, I recommend you visit them too.

I open at 11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, so if you’re dropping by midday, may I suggest you have lunch at Coco et Olive at Main & 22nd — the hot chicken sandwich is worth driving across town for.  If you’re arriving later in the day — I’m open until 7 p.m. — the French Table is just four blocks north of my trunk show at Little Mountain Shop.

I know many of you have a thing for beautiful stationery with clever sayings on it, so don’t miss The Regional Assembly of Text, near 24th. The shop has a vintage feel, not least because of all the typewriters decorating it. And who doesn’t need a tea towel with a map of Vancouver on it?

I can never get enough of independent bookshops and there are two near my trunk show. Book Warehouse on Main is just three blocks away from me, and is also dog friendly. And then there’s Carson Books, a secondhand bookstore just a few doors down. No relation, but obviously a kindred spirit.

Pulp Fiction on Main, is farther north, near Broadway, but since you’re already on Main, why not go a few extra blocks? (Yes, this is my rationale for hitting every independent bookstore on the street: when will I get over to Main next?)

At the top of my reading list: Esi Edugyan’s Washington Black, which just won the Giller Prize.

Need to supply yourself with greenery and flowers for parties, stocking stuffers for the green-of-thumb, or maybe sign-up up for a wreath-making workshop? The Flower Factory is just a block away and they have a lovely Instagram.

And I’m sure I’ll have a few more  Christmas shopping recommendations by the time my show is done. Hope to see you there:

November 21-23

4386 Main Street (near 28th)

Little Mountain Shop

Wednesday, 4 pm – 7 pm

Thursday and Friday, 11 am to 7 pm