VM Mom to Follow: Anna Coulter of Polka Dot Kids

This month’s Mom to Follow is Vancouverite Anna Coulter, who loves thrifted and vintage clothing. Raised by environmentally conscious parents, she grew up thrifting and wearing secondhand clothes, which inspired her to get involved in the sustainable fashion community with a small online vintage children’s clothing shop called Polka Dot Kids.

When Anna had children, she didn’t want parenthood to become a reason to embrace disposable culture. She also realized that there was a wider interest in quality, used clothes for children- and discovered the vintage clothing online resale subculture at that point. For her, it’s a way of having fun shopping, styling and dressing up, without the harm to the environment that comes from fast fashion. You can find her little shop on Instagram @polka.dot.kids

Five places Anna loves to visit with her family

Budgie’s Burritos

My husband and I LOVE this place and have been eating there consistently since it opened in Mount Pleasant in 2005. It’s an awesome place to go out to eat with kids, so we have continued to frequent it with our two young children. It’s relaxed and casual, you can eat in our take out and it’s all vegetarian/vegan Mexican-inspired food. Our kids love their ‘baby beastie’ kid’s burritos!

44 Kingsway, Vancouver, 604.822.5087

Glenburn Soda Fountain

Take-out only, no seating inside. due to COVID-19

This place is also a major family favourite and we have been going there religiously since it opened. It’s a wonderful place to go with or without kids – they are a relaxed, family-run business that serves locally-made ice cream and old-fashioned frozen treats like banana-splits, malts and sundaes – they usually have a few vegan options too! Absolutely our hands-down favourite place to get dessert in the summertime!

4090 Hastings St, Burnaby

>> Where to get a great milkshake!

Sweet Revenge Patisserie

Sweet Revenge is an old haunt of my husband and I’s from before we had kids. I lived in a place on Quebec Street and we would often go to Sweet Revenge at on dates as it was close by. It has a very small area for sitting, so get there early to avoid disappointment. Its beautifully decorated, vintage parlour style interior is cosy and unique. They serve tea, coffee, drinks and most importantly the most delicious and decadent desserts – tiramisu, trifle, cakes, pies and more. It has a very calm and romantic atmosphere, so I recommend getting your order to go if you’ve got young kids with you, as it is pretty stressful to go inside such a delicate and fancy place with messy & loud kids!

4160 Main Street, Vancouver, (604) 879-7933

Urban Source

This place is another one that I have frequented since I lived in Mount Pleasant in the early 2000s and continue to visit regularly as a mum. Urban Source is my go-to place for craft & DIY supplies, for myself and also for my kids! It’s super cute and has a very unique and interesting inventory of classic craft supplies like paper, sequins and ribbon, as well as more unusual loose parts and bits and pieces that can be used in crafting & beyond. I love treating my kids to a visit to the store and allowing them to choose things they are inspired by for their craft table at home.

3126 Main Street, Vancouver, (604) 875-1611

Museum of Anthropology

The Museum of Anthropology is a place I grew up visiting regularly with my family and that I have continued to visit with my own children and students (I also work as a teacher). The museum is located on the beautiful UBC campus, and has both indoor and outdoor components to its exhibits which mostly focus on First People’s heritage and culture. My favourite part is a life-size re-creation of a Haida village that stands outside the actual museum, complete with a small beach and water, an example of each type of totem-pole traditionally carved by the Haida and a long-house. I also highly recommend their educational programs for schools!

6393 NW Marine Dr, UBC, Vancouver