One of my favourite places to stroll, have a coffee or a bite, pick up some groceries, and do a little shopping is West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. When the local business association reached out to ask if I'd be willing to share my favourite haunts on 4th Avenue with my readers and followers, I jumped at the opportunity. What a perfect fit. This is so my hood. 

When my parents and I emigrated from then Yugoslavia to Vancouver, we lived at 3rd and Arbutus. I went to Henry Hudson Elementary on Cornwall and Cypress. Our next home was at 1st and Trafalgar. We then moved to 22nd and Trafalgar when I went to Prince of Wales High School. And after a brief stints in LA and East Van, I've been back in the Kits area for over 16 years. Like I said, this truly is my hood.

I'm on West 4th many times a week, picking something up, or just going for a noodle. Plus, I'm a big believer in supporting local businesses. Here are a few of my favourite spots in one of Vancouver's most vibrant neighbourhoods, in alphabetical order. 

Au Comptoir

There are so many great restaurant choices in Vancouver, but it's even better when one of those is in your neighbourhood. This French bistro is a great stop for brunch, lunch, dinner or just when you're craving an Aperol Spritz at the bar after an exhausting day of shopping. A warm welcoming vibe, delicious food, and beautiful decor. What could be better, n'est pa? 

A few other delicious choices on this street are Maenam, Fable, Chi, Burgoo, and La Cigale. And be sure to finish things off with an ice cream cone from Rain or Shine. 

Beauty Bar

I'm not a big makeup person so I love being able to go into a shop where I know the owners (Tasleem - she's awesome!) and say to her, or one of her knowledgable staff, I need to a new lipstick, tell me what to buy. Beauty Bar also has a wide selection of bath, body, and hair products and lots of great gifts for men and women. And perfume! Maybe I overdo it in that department on occasion. 

Coco's Closet

Need a new pair of jeans? A cozy sweater? A great t-shirt? Or how about the so-called Meghan Markle coat by Line, seen below. (And yes, I definitely need that.) Donna at Coco's Closet carries what I call elevated basics - the pieces you're going to wear day in and day out by all the latest brands. And there's a store dog. Need I say more? 

Comor Sports

I remember driving out to Hastings and Boundary to go ski gear shopping at Comor Sports. Now they have a number of locations, including a newly-built space on the corner of 1st and Burrard.  Check them out for ski, snowboard, and bike gear. And helmets. Gotta have a helmet. I was very drawn to this lipstick pinky-orange one, there's no missing me in that thing!

​There are a number of other great sporting goods stores on this strip, including Lululemon, RYU, and The Boardroom, to name a few. 

Dailey Method

In addition to the fabulous shops and restaurants, West 4th is also home to a number of workout places including Dailey Method. This is a barre-style workout that focuses on aligning the body and works to elongate, contract, and strengthen your muscles. A great workout that you will definitely feel the next day. I had a muscle where?!? 

Another workout fave is Turf, a few blocks to the west. I've yet to try to A.S.S. class but it's on my list. (It's also a great place to grab a healthy meal before or after a workout. Or like, whenever.) 

Gravity Pope

Let's talk shoes. Lots and lots of amazing shoes. I was so happy when Gravity Pope moved in many years ago as for a long time, there weren't many good shoe stores in Vancouver. (I really really want these white booties below.)  Dressy, casual, for men and for women, you're bound to find something here. Be sure to check out the clothing store next door for some lesser known cult brands that you may not find elsewhere in the city.  

Hills Dry Goods 

Hills in Kerrisdale is one of the city's oldest clothing stores and I've been shopping there for decades. (A sales clerk once implied that I'm in there a lot. Guilty!) I was very happy when they opened this location on 4th a few years ago. Dry Goods carries women's clothing only and jewelry from Blue Ruby. Check out Rick Rayburn up the street for menswear, it's also in the Hills family of stores.  That beautiful blouse below is by Ulla Johnson, one of the brands they carry. 

 Jackson's Meat

I buy a lot of my groceries along 4th Avenue and love making stops at speciality food stores like Jackson's Meat. Whether you're looking to order a roast or are picking up a quick dinner (try the pre-marinated chicken breasts in chimichurri sauce) the selection is fresh and the staff is extremely helpful and welcoming. A shoutout to a few other grocers along this strip too - including Apple Farm Market, Whole Foods, Market Meats, and Finest at Sea. 

Tractor

Sometimes you just want a nice salad. Okay, not sometimes, like practically every other day. When it comes to a quick healthy lunch, I love Tractor. My go-tos are the kale lemon, the cauliflower, and the potato salad with spring peas. But whatever you do, don't leave without grabbing one of their gluten-free chocolate cookies. INSANE!

A few other favourite casual dining spots on 4th that I frequent include Terra Breads (for sandwiches), Their There, a new cafe from the owners of Anna Lena, and 49th Parallel coffee, to whom I owe much: You'll often catch me having business meetings over coffee there! 

And a few more... 

My banks are on 4th (BMO and Royal) as are two of my dry-cleaners (Tuesdays and Kerrisdale Cleaners, where I go for alterations). For used clothing (buying or selling) my go-to is Second Suit. I love the souvlaki at Maria's, the wine selection at Kits Wine Cellar, the fashion finds at The Latest Scoop. And Purdy's! Don't forget to pick up some sweets at Purdy's. (Himalayan pink sea salt caramels!) I could go on and on. West 4th truly is a one-stop shop for me.  

I hope you'll grab a coffee one day and go for a stroll along this most vibrant of streets in one of Vancouver's prettiest neighbourhoods. I'll see you there!  #shopwest4th 

Photos by Michelle Goldberg. Check her out at @madeXmichelle 
Sponsored Post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have a wee bit of a floral dress problem. I love them so! Dress them up, dress them down, season in and season out, they're my go-to piece for no-brainer dressing. 

A lot people think that wearing a dress makes you "dressed up".  I disagree.  Why is one piece dressier than two or more? It's way harder to style pants or a skirt with a top or a sweater than it is to simply throw on a dress.  Boots in fall/winter, sneakers or sandals in spring/summer and you're done! 

Also, I find many dresses super comfortable. (At least most of the ones I wear are. Ones that need the likes of Spanx are special occasion only.) Like the one above from Joie. It has an elastic waistband and hangs to the floor. It's basically a cinched sleeping bag. What could be cozier and more comfortable, aside from a pair of sweatpants?

While florals used to be the relegated to warmer months, this season darker florals abound.  Here are a few of my favourite dark floral dresses.

Le Fou Wilfred Lea Dress from Aritzia. ($248 CAD) Technically a leafy dress but I'm still counting it in the floral department. 

Floral print shirt dress from Zara. ($79) If I didn't already have an ankle length floral dress I would definitely scoop this up! 

Want! Drapey ruffle faux-wrap dress from J. Crew. ($253 but currently 40% off)  I love this one because it could be worn year round. 

Reformation Gavin Dress, Nordstrom ($293). A little less boho, more structured with a sexy slit up the front and
​a partially open back. 

Rebecca Taylor Solstice Silk Cotton Dress, Nordstrom. (Sale $499) Eek, I want this too! So my jam. Love the shorter length, would look so cute with booties. 

Arboretum off shoulder midi dress Ted Baker. ($419) Obviously a little more formal but wow. Just wow. 

And finally, if money's no object, Ulla Johnson Forest Ressie Dress, Revolve. ($833) Yes please.