City to City: Sweet Revenge Patisserie

This summer, M and I spent a lot of time in the city. Because he's a teacher and there was a massive strike on for the past few months, when it came to summer plans, we were in a tight situation financially. Which meant less vacations and more stay-cations! One stay-cation we enjoyed was spending the day in Deep Cove to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. At the end of the day, we came back to Vancouver to enjoy a little dessert trip to our very favourite dessert cafe...Sweet Revenge! Not only does this place have AMAZING desserts and coffee/tea, it is also special to us because we've gone there to celebrate every significant milestone in our relationship. We are "welcomed back" by the same waiter almost every time and they treat us like we're royalty. 

Now, Sweet Revenge is definitely not the most trendy place to frequent in the city. In fact, their decor and atmosphere are more reminiscent of a 90's New York romantic comedy movie set...but perhaps that's why we like it so much. The nostalgia of it allures us, not to mention we are always swooned by the sweet sounds of 1940's jazz. Which, coincidentally, we had as a music theme for our wedding!

The space is looking pretty empty in my pictures because we happened to go there on a hot summer weekend and were let in a little bit before it opened to get out of the blazing heat. But my warning to you is if you decide to go, get there early! It's a tiny little space that fills up so fast. We enjoyed the quiet of the cafe for a few minutes before the whole place was full and there was a line up out the door! 

For some reason, the apple pie just felt right for the mid-summer evening. I normally choose anything chocolate, but this pie was incredible! I don't think I've ever had such a delicious (and HUGE) piece of pie. (Except for, of course, our Grandma's pies which she is known for!). M had a delightful slice of cheesecake and a press of London Fog while I opted for an espresso. Now, if you are a chocolate lover and not in the mood for pie, I strongly recommend the Sweet Revenge or Chocolate Gateau- both incredibly rich with chocolatey goodness.

Sweet Revenge is only open in the evenings, but if you are in the Vancouver area be sure to make it a mandatory way to end your day. And they're open really late, so perhaps it could be a late night romantic rendezvous...No matter the occasion, there's a little something to satisfy every sweet tooth!

Sweet Revenge Patisserie

4160 Main Street

604-879-7933

Hours: 7pm-12am, Open until 1am on weekends.

Website: Sweet Revenge

Facebook: Sweet Revenge Patisserie

City to City: Tamarack General Store

Hello strangers! Jenni and I have been busy being aunties to the cutest little newborn boy around. (You can argue this, but we think he's the cutest!) We've been a bit busy spoiling him. Excuse our absence!

A little while ago, owner Richard Anderson was kind enough to let me snap some photos at one of Saskatoon's most unique stores. I had heard of Tamarack General Store before they even opened, and was excited to see the specially selected items they would bring in! I've visited a few times, and they are all about good quality items that people want to have. And my goodness, I want to have it all! 

Another unique feature about this place is that its entry is in the alleyway. Luckily, it's located just off Broadway, so foot traffic is plentiful, I'm sure. I love the idea of a hidden away store that has to be found to be enjoyed! 

If you pop in, you have to try this Marou chocolate. Crafted carefully from cacao trees in Vietnam, this company is seeking to show that the small, family farm really is a more environmentally friendly business model.  I identify with this as I know this is most often the story for quality coffee. 

And did I mention it tastes amazing? Seriously. Dark Chocolate at its finest. 

Check out their fine line of men's products from Prospector Co. That labelling. I love good labelling!

 

Speaking of good labelling, Common Good knows what that's all about! This company from Brooklyn seeks to eliminate the excess in plastic, and has created a household cleaning line with bottles that you can take to refilling stations! I love this idea. They also give a very well written list of ingredients that are in their products on their website, eliminating the mystery of the more widely used cleaning product ingredients! Smart people, right?

These shelves, love the industrial metal backing and the simple wood shelves!

I see future gifts for my nephew! He will be the coolest kid in school. 

After all these beautiful products from a little further away, I loved seeing these spoons made by a friend! Joel started burntwood makery, hand carving and wood burning unique spoons. We now have two burntwood makery spoons in our house, both so beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some beautiful items in a beautiful space. If you want to see more of their ever-changing general store, head down there yourself! 

Tamarack is open:

Wednesday-Saturday

11am-530pm

#10 - 638 Broadway Avenue (alley entrance)

Saskatoon

facebook: Tamarack General Store

website: Tamarack General Store (in the works!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kristen

City to City: Walrus

Last week, Kristen shared one of her favourite retail shops in Saskatoon, and today I get to share one of my favourites here in Vancouver! Walrus is a small boutique shop that celebrates design of well-crafted, playful and functional items. They focus specifically on Canadian design and many local designers' goods can be found within the shop. When I first discovered this lovely little space, I was drawn in by the amount of visual eye candy there was to look at, along with the super friendly owners, Daniel and Caroline, who seemed so passionate about their work. There seems to be a community surrounding the space and that can probably be discovered more in the many events they hold to celebrate design. 

As I was going though my pictures that I happened to shoot the other day, I realized that I have no wide shots of the space itself! So that will just have to be a surprise for you Vancouverites or for those visiting :). Until then, here are a few of the interesting, whimsical and lovely things you might find when stopping by. 

These mugs were designed by Cathy Terepocki who is my absolute favourite ceramic artist. Her work is incredible! She used to reside in Saskatoon and I was so happy to find small pieces of home here. 

A Vancouver necessity, lots and lots of Herschel backpacks! I have yet to nab one, but it's on my birthday list (hint hint...)

The hubby loves these Freud teapots from outer space...I think I know what to get for HIS birthday ;)

So much goodness, right? And here's the best part for those of you that can't get out to Vancouver- they have an online shop! And for those that can stop by, they are open every day of the week- you can find all hours on the website. Find the link below:

Walrus

3408 Cambie Street

604-874-9770

Website: Walrus

Instagram: @walrushome

Facebook: WALRUShome

Thank you, Walrus, for letting me photograph bits of your beautiful space! 

City to City: Luna + Hill

There's a beautiful store located in downtown Saskatoon, and it's a good one! Luna + Hill is a "retail store specializing in quality made goods". They tell more of their story here. Working at a local coffee shop, I really do see the value in buying local, it supports really good people! Luna + Hill buys only Canadian or American made goods, and they are really really nice. You can see some of the brands they carry here. My favourite purchase from them is a beautiful patterned pastel Dagg and Stacey shift dress! 

As far as the physical space goes, it's gorgeous! A two-storey third avenue building holds lots of thoughtfully curated clothes and gifts. 

It's those details that get me. Pipe shelves with wooden hangers? So nice!

I love that their clothes are a mix of really good basics solids and prints, and lots of beautiful statement pieces too. 

How cute are these bottle candles? 

 

I love their light up sign in the denim section. I saw this project on A Beautiful Mess a while back, and absolutely love the idea.  

Industrial spaces with beautiful things are my favourite!

Luna + Hill is open many hours throughout the year. You can see that here.

They are located at:
208 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon.
Website: Luna + Hill
Instagram: lunaandhill
Facebook: Luna + Hill

Thanks for letting me share your space, Luna + Hill!

Watch for Jenni's City to City post next week on a shop in Vancouver!

Kristen

City to City: City Perks

I really have no choice. I have to post about the coffee shop I work in after Jenni's post on Wednesday! 

City Perks is lovely. I've been a barista here for just about two years, and truly still love it. 

It's in a quiet little historic neighbourhood, but it's really not a quiet place! It's rarely not busy. 

Amidst lunch preparations and fresh baking is my favourite part, the coffee. A neat little part about City Perks, that connects me and Jenni is that our coffee is from a roaster in Vancouver! Forty Ninth Parallel coffee is well-known in B.C., as that's where their shops are, but Saskatoon residents are getting to know and appreciate it quite well as we've been brewing it for just over a year. It's truly great coffee. They source it directly, choosing each carefully, roast it attentively, and we get it shipped to us every week, ensuring it's fresh. I had chance to visit the roastery last year and get some intensive training. Making coffee is an art, a craft, and a true passion of mine! (Can you tell?)

Fresh scones and muffins are made every morning! Wraps + sandwiches, soups, quiche and salad for lunch, and for the afternoon: desserts...cakes and more cakes! Tons of work is put into each part of this place. 

We sell lots of home brewing equipment. At home, my husband Jordon and I have a v60 dripper. I'd highly recommend it. Pour over coffee is a fun art to get into. 

At City Perks, we brew Kalita wave Pour over coffee. Making sure to weigh each one, we love brewing coffee by the cup. 

We also recently got in Chemex for retail brewing equipment. Also a fantastic Pour over coffee experience, the Chemex has the glass server 'built in'. A Chemex is fantastic to share!

The owners of City Perks (hello Mike and Coralee!) also bought the flower shop next door in fall! And what goes better with coffee than flowers? Not in your coffee. No. Just on the side, for a friend or spouse or something. 

One more unique thing about City Perks is that during a large renovation last year, the goal was to use as many repurposed and recycled items as possible. Doors and tables were repurposed from the Delta Bessborough hotel, hardwood was reclaimed mismatched pieces stained to the same colour, bar stools from a bar that closed down in Saskatoon, tin tiles from an old drugstore in small town Saskatchewan, and lots more! It's fun to tell the stories of how it all got put together. 

City Perks is a treat. You should stop by if you're in Saskatoon!

City Perks Coffeehouse

801 7th Avenue North
website: City Perks
instagram: cityperkscoffee
twitter: @PerksCity

Open Monday-Friday 7am-10pm

Saturday 8am-10pm

Sunday 9am-5pm