December 2019
Did I mention my natural habitat looks like beaches, bookstores and well-lit cafés?
My heart is full as I look back on this past year, I’ve discovered some new faves and made it back to a few old gems. And I feel so damn lucky to have a long list of happy places!
In no particular order, here’s a few of them:
Bookstore: Browsers Bookshop
Olympia, WA
I have so much love for this incredibly cozy bookshop!
When you enter the store, you will right away find new releases to obsess over, a fabulous selection of stationery items, and uber friendly staff welcoming you in. But what I really really loved was its upstairs space, with shelf-loads of old books and a long community work table. Would 100% be here to read and work every day if I ever found myself relocating to Olympia, WA, one day. I say it’s unlikely, but you never know where life takes you!
It’s also here at Browsers that I found the newest addition to my treasured stack of coffee table books: BIBLIOPHILE: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount, which has set me off on a mission to check out all the bookstores and libraries around the world featured in it.
Café: Baked & Wired
Washington DC
Came here for their famous cupcakes (which were absolutely delightful) and stayed for the funky ambiance! Baked &Wired is located in Georgetown, Washington DC along the canal, which means you can stop for a cupcake, grab a coffee and go for a lovely walk. The coffee was excellent. On my ‘definitely revisit in DC‘ list.
Beach: Kitsilano Beach
Vancouver, BC
This is simply home for me. It may not have powdery white sands or pristine emerald green water to offer, but it’s got gorgeous sunsets in the summer, it’s the perfect place for an evening stroll, and it’s where you’ll meet all the neighbourhood dogs.
Café: Goodge Place
Vancouver, BC
This one’s an old favourite. It’s less a café and more a gallery / fancy store that sells expensive and beautiful things (honestly, check it out), but they also serve coffee and have a couple of tiny tables by the window. It’s my ultimate hide-away spot, so pretend you didn’t read this.
Bookstore: The Last Bookstore
Los Angeles, CA
Obviously an LA must-visit (if you ask me). It’s got all kinds of books, old and new, some in other languages. You’ll also find a records section, art displays, and quirky stores here. If you’re like me and love getting lost inside bookstores, you’ll find this place magical.
Beach: Galiano Island
Galiano Island, BC
So Galiano’s got this city girl dreaming about island life. Forgive me for being so cliché, but it’s like time stops moving when you’re walking on the shell beach at Montague Harbour, watching the island’s wildlife, and hiding away from the world inside one of these breathtaking sea caves.
Beach: Venice Beach
Venice, CA
California sunshine, the not-so-subtle scent of incense as you walk past the gift shops, surfers in the water, tourists napping on the beach… and then there’s me just taking in all of the Pacific Ocean breeze. Love.
Café: The cafés of Coffee Stained Stories 2019
This goes without saying, really, but all these cafés that Coffee Stained Stories has taken me to this year:
The Beanery with Ricardo, Kafka’s with Joel, Nero with “Captain Peru“, Arbutus Coffee with Lin, an Air Canada flight (where we made sure to get coffee to stay on brand) with Ankush, Gong Cha on Robson with Aya, Panidor with Nihal, Starbucks on W 10th with Keyvan, Porto with Derrick, and Cittadella with Vivek.
To the ten beautiful people without whom Coffee Stained Stories literally wouldn’t have ever started, thank you.
Bookstore: Hemingway’s Books and Records
Abbotsford, BC
Found this gem in BIBLIOPHILE: An Illustrated Miscellany. Books and cats, what more do you need? Could easily spend an entire afternoon here.
Beach: Jeju
Jeju, South Korea
Jeju’s the only island province of South Korea, known for its volcanic landscape. It’s got beautiful beaches and scenic drives, with the backdrop of mountains and hills following you wherever you go.
Café: Good Earth Coffeehouse
Vancouver, BC
A solid study/work café in Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood. It’s got lots of windows and good coffee. Its proximity to the university campus generally attracts a studious clientele.
Bookstore: Galiano Island Books
Galiano Island, BC
After visiting this small bookshop, it’s genuinely become a dream of mine to one day run my very own bookstore. Preferably on an island like this that just fills my heart with joy.
Beach: Along the Gulf of Thailand
Thailand
My mama’s mama is from a port city and she’s the queen of the ocean. I must have inherited her love of the sea, as I feel at home when the vastness of the ocean surrounds me.
Add a pleasantly warm ocean breeze and unrelenting sunshine to that, it’s called bliss.
Café: Central Perk … in LEGO Bricks
The One in Santa Monica | Santa Monica, CA
Okay, this isn’t an actual café, I know, but I’m here to brag like an annoying f.r.i.e.n.d.s fan that I am. Look at me and my real life friends at the Central Perk pop-up that we fully came across by chance. All of this was made of LEGOs -the couch, the guitar, the mugs and all! I’m impressed. And you bet I’ll be there for you when the rain starts to pour.
With all that 2019 has been, at the end of the year I have so much to be grateful for, so much to celebrate, a long list of people to thank, and a long list of happy places. And with that, I’m excited for 2020. 🥂
