Next Sunday marks the 87th annual Academy Awards, an event that is often celebrated through friendly gatherings with food, drink and some friendly wagers over the outcome. With a little help from some of Gastown’s independent shops, here’s a how-to on adding unique touches that are sure to wow your guests.
Start With Seating
Do you have enough? This might be the perfect time to add a little shine with handcrafted Moroccan leather poufs from L’Atelier Home. It’s a big upgrade from that beanbag chair you had in college, but just as easy to work into any décor.
Poufs are sold stuffed or unstuffed, giving you the opportunity to fill it with just about anything – like the extra blankets taking up space in your closet or that winter wardrobe you probably won’t need again this year! There are several colours to choose from, but Oscar gold is always in style.
Sophisticated Table Ware
Appetizers are sure to wow your guests when they come out of the kitchen on these striped trays by Fog Linen Work.
Made in Japan from linen coated in a polyester resin, they’re lightweight, durable and sophisticated enough to be the inspiration for Eddie Redmayne’s next suit. You’ll find these in three sizes at Orling & Wu, alongside a range of beautiful products for the home.
Right next door, at Litchfield, you’ll find a mix and match range of Japanese indigo dishes to hold your sauces, salsa’s or snacks.
Speaking of which…
Snacks That Tempt
Litchfield offers some unique chocolate bars by Compartes Chocalatier in Los Angeles. Think biscuits & honey, Turkish hazelnut raisin and matcha green tea. Or head over to East Van Roasters for their organic bean-to-bar offerings, including hand-dipped single origin truffles, buckwheat honey truffles and chocolate caramels.
At the other end of Gastown, you’ll find more goodies at Old Faithful Shop. Pick up a few chocolate bars from Vancouver-based Beta 5 or salty caramels and black licorice from Jacobsen Salt Co. And since movies and popcorn go hand in hand, no party would be complete without a few bags of CC Made caramel corn. OFS stocks pistachio, spiced almond and the incredibly popular rosemary & cashew.
Champagne All Around
If you’re going to stock beer & wine, stop by Steamworks for an ever-changing array of local (think Four Winds, Parallel 49 & of course, Steam Works) and international offerings. Each week they post the highlights on their Instagram feed and depending on the selection, they can go fast.
When it comes to the Academy’s big night, champagne is always a good option. Whether you use the real stuff or opt for Prosecco, a raspberry here or an orange peel here can turn these sparklers into something special.
These handmade champagne flutes are available at Orling & Wu as a set of four.
Changed Your Mind?
If you’ve decided that hosting an Oscar party might be a little out of your league, don’t worry. We hear The Blarney Stone is set to throw a bash of their own!
