Local Love List: Mermaid School, Best Croissant, and More!

Hidden gems, cool local product, and unique events happening in the Edmonton area.
Here’s what’s on your Local Love List this week!

The Local Love List is published every Friday at KariSkelton.com. Be sure to pop in next week to see what’s up!

Mermaid School

This is amazing. You can now learn how to swim like a mermaid through a new class right here in our city! People of all ages can book mermaid swimming lessons (private or group), leisure swim, or for a birthday party or corporate event (how cool would that be?!). Classes are held at MacEwan University’s indoor pool. Find all the fabulous details on Edmonton’s Aquamermaid School here.

Local Lunar Art

I’m loving Local Artist Samantha Williams-Schapelsky’s Lunar collection! Shop it here. She also hosts workshops on the regular. All the details on those here.

Cookie Gram

A cookie Valentine would be the best kind to receive…am I right? Bloom Cookie is back with it’s Valentine’s Day Cookie-Gram, where you can send a box of 14 yummy egg- and dairy-free cookies to someone you love. The best part? $5 from each order goes to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE). Place your order here, but make it happen fast, because last year’s sold out right away. Watch for a special feature on Bloom Cookies next week at KariSkelton.com!

Best Croissant Ever

Pardon me for being dramatic, but this is 100% the best croissant I’ve ever had…ever. When my dad was visiting at Christmas, we popped into Lui Chi’s in the Phipps McKinnon Building downtown. The decor is gorgeous (complete with a mini model train that circles the top of the espresso bar) and the coffee was really good, but the croissant stole the show. Upon further investigation, I found out the warm pastries at Lui Chi’s are brought in by Arnos. The fine French pastry shop is located at 10038 116 Street. The owner, Arnaud Valade, took home Gold in the pastry category at The Canadian Food Championships in 2015. When you try either place out, be sure to tag me and let me know what you think!

Dine In An Igloo

In true Edmonton fashion, we’ve found another way to spend more time outside in the winter! As far as unique culinary experiences go, this one is pretty spectacular. The Riverside Bistro at The Courtyard By Marriott has set up three heated igloos on their patio overlooking the river valley. Each igloo seats six and comes fully stocked with blankets and heaters. For the safety of guests, they won’t operate in temperatures less than -10. You can order right off the menu or choose a set menu. Either way, it’s $150 to start ($100 dining voucher and $50 booking fee), and it sounds like the igloos will be set up until the first week of April. Call 780-423-9999 to make a reso.

Valentines Day Stuff

Plum Home has a whole bunch of cute Valentine’s Day stuff! Everything from cards, to bakeware, and gifts. Go check them out in The Oliver Exchange Building at 12021 102 Ave or shop online here.

Culina on The Lake

Delicious local eats are coming to the river valley in what could be Edmonton’s only lakeside cafe. Culina to Go has been given the green light to set up shop in the Hawrelak Park Pavillion right beside the lake. Family meals after a day of skating or picking up a picnic basket to enjoy in the park – I’m loving everything about this! They’ve started a crowdfunding campaign to make this happen. Check it out here.

Cooking Classes

If you’re looking to step up your game in the kitchen, Polar Park Brewing hosts cooking classes once a week. Tuesdays With Trevor (Head Chef Trevor Connie) are three hours long and include delicious craft beer and a three-course meal you’ll create all on your own. Details here.

Kids Heart Sweater

We love the prints over at Plum Kids! Snag their latest organic cotton heart sweater just in time for Valentine’s Day. All Plum pieces are made at their shop in St.Albert. Shop it here. You can also pre-order Plum creator Jas Ogar’s new children’s book coming out this March. Do that here.

Flying Canoe

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about The Flying Canoe Festival in Mill Creek. It’s on next weekend – January 30 through February 1 – starting at 6 pm daily. Inspired by the Legend of the Flying Canoe, the festival celebrates Mill Creek ravine and the newly established French Quarter of our city. There’s dancing, storytelling, bannock making, activities for kids, all sorts of awesome things to eat and drink, and the ravine is illuminated! Details here.

New At KariSkelton.com

How To Use Your Period As A Productivity Tool: In the first of our Take Care Tuesday series learn how to use your period as a productivity tool at work! Plus, how acupuncture can play a key role in regulating your period. Read it and share your thoughts here.

Discount Codes To Shop

Just a reminder – exclusive to KariSkelton.com readers – you can find discount codes to shop local and Canadian brands right here. Updated each week!