On Your Feet

I'm currently compiling a list of some hikes & walks that are nice to do, and not too far from the city (Whistler is out).  

Here's what I've got so far:

The Grouse Grind:

No list of Vancouver hikes would be complete without this one.  "Nature's Stairmaster" isn't that what they call it?  Imagine walking up a mountain that's practically perpendicular to the ground.  Sound fun?  Well, I don't know if "fun" is the first word that comes to mind, but by the time you make it to the top you'll feel like you could do anything (maybe after a little nap).  The path itself is only a few kilometres long, but it feels like a lot more due to the severe incline.  If you're going for a lazy Sunday, admire-the-view kind of hike, go somewhere else.

More info here: http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/summer-activities/vancouver-bc-hiking-trails-trips/grouse-grind.asp

Minnekhada Park

This park is gorgeous, and a good combination of admiring the views and getting a workout.  The High Knoll path is steep, but not too long to handle, and from the top you get a great view of the Fraser Valley, Pitt Lake, Pitt Meadows, etc.  It's gorgeous!  This one is a bit further away, being in Port Coquitlam/Coquitlam.

More info here: http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/Minnekhada01.html

This list is by no means complete, and I plan on continuing to work on it, but if you have suggestions of great local hikes, send them to me or comment!

Gold Diggers

If I was so rich I could spend $130 to go out on a Thursday night (sadly, I'm not), I'd be headed to the Opus Hotel a week from today to check out their Au = Precious Element fundraiser evening for the Arts Umbrella.

The theme is GOLD!  

Your ticket will get you a couple of gold-themed drinks, and you're supposed to dress in gold, too.

You can find all the information you need in my new calendar, at the bottom of this page, or at: www.artsumbrella.com/events/fundraising/preciouselement

And in case you're wondering who they're fundraising for, naturally you can see that, too: www.artsumbrella.com

Vino Italiano!

June 21 to 26 is Italian Cultural Week at the Italian Cultural Centre (www.italianculturalcentre.ca).  They have a variety of events going on all week, including events for the family and events with wine!

Check out the schedule of performances and the information about the dance and banquet at http://www.italianculturalcentre.ca/itoolkit.asp?pg=ITALIAN_WEEK_2009.

Car-Free Vancouver

Sunday is Car-Free Vancouver day and there are a variety of events around the city (Downtown, Kitsilano and Main St).

You can check out carfreevancouver.org for more information.

This day is for having fun, and celebrating the future of our city.  There will be a variety of activities, music and other such fun in each of the areas I mentioned above.  Go enjoy your car-free self (and take transit!).

Getting Organized

As you can see, I've added a lovely calendar to my blog!  I'll be combing a variety of resources that I use regularly anyways and adding to it over time, so you can check out what's going on in Vancouver on a given day.  Of course, I won't be putting ALL the events I find on there - just the ones that are relevant to my blog.

If you know of something that I missed, please e-mail me: ms.michelle.mara@gmail.com, or you can comment.

Enjoy!

What to do with a sunny weekend?

I don't mean to say that it's best to stay inside when it finally turns to summer in this city, that is definitely not what I'm getting at.
What I do want to suggest is checking out the Vancouver Art Gallery for a couple hours, right around mid-day, when you're not supposed to be outside anyways because of the UV rays. You could always sandwich the VAG in between brunch on one patio and cocktails on another...
I'm tempted by the VAG right now because of their Stan Douglas exhibition, which is on until September. Really, just go check out the web site: it's a video and photo exhibition mostly taken in the interior. Gorgeous? I'll bet it is, but I'll have to check it out soon and let you know for sure.

Happy August, Everybody!

This is now going to be the best summer ever:

I've got my new radio station, 100.5 the Peak, to keep me going at work. And they've just announced that the Sam Roberts Band, along with Mother Mother, will be playing at Deer Lake Park on August 3!

I've heard that Deer Lake Park is an amazing venue for concerts, even though I have never been to one there. What could be more delightful or picturesque? I can hardly wait.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, presumably at 10am (because that's when tix go on sale) and also presumably at ticketmaster, the seller of all tickets ever.

See you at Deer Lake Park on August 3!!

Awesome Tunage for the Summer

I don't know how behind I am, but apparently we have a new radio station here in Vancouver!

100.5 The Peak plays aaaawesome rock - Sam Roberts, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Metric, and all sorts of fun and indie rock. I pretty much have this station on all the time at home, and all the time at work - which I can do because you can listen online!

The music you listen to in the summer is so important. It's the soundtrack, right? So if you're listening to crap music all summer, your summer probably won't be so good. I urge you to go turn this station on right now. I would like to guarantee that it will make your summer better, but... I don't have that kind of power.

You can find The Peak online at www.thepeak.fm. And no, they have no affiliation with The Peak, SFU's student newspaper.

Keep it in, keep it up!

Don't be ridiculous, I'm talking about belts! They keep your belly in and your pants up!

I've been dreaming of acquiring one of these Catalyst Reaction belts ever since the first time I attended the Portobello West market over a year ago. They're dreamy!

Catalyst Reaction makes beautiful leather (I think) belts with painted (I think) designs on them. Choose from swirls, random objects (buildings, trees, fleur-de-lys, etc), a city skyline, and more! My favourite is the city skyline, and if they're at the June market I may finally make my purchase.

Catalyst Reaction also makes a variety of leather cuffs and belt buckles. You can check out their web site at www.catalystreaction.ca, but sadly they don't seem to have any pictures of their work on their (except the one picture on the home page). You'll just have to go to the market, or one of the many local shops that sells their stuff, and check it out there!

It's Always Good to Plan Ahead

So I've been checking out the Portobello West web site to see what I might like to get next time. My mom always taught me to plan ahead and never spend money on a whim (see, mom, sometimes I listen to you!).
If I had to pick my top three for jewelry, here we go:

1. billy would designs (www.billywould.com) comes in at number one! I love how they've used wood with metal. Wood just gives such a nice texture, and it's interesting because it's a tad rarer than silver or gold in jewelry.

2. DiSTRiCT THiRTY DESIGNS (www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5622894) comes in second for their shiny metal silhouettes. I love these simple but interesting designs, that could be dressed up or down. Cutesy animals seem somehow more mature when they're cut out of metal, and could be worn everyday or even dressed up! The flowers and trees are even more versatile and could really go with anything. One of these pieces would be a great investment, and I bet I'd wear it all the time!

3. Black Drop Designs (www.blackdrop.ca) comes in third (but definitely not last!) with their unique glass and resin designs. Some pieces are made with photographic silhouettes embedded in glass or resin, and some pieces seem to have bits of stuff embedded in glass or resin. What I love about these is that they aren't huge. Sometimes you see interesting jewelry pieces, but they're so huge they would really take over your outfit. The Black Drop Designs pieces are small enough that they could still be subtle, but I'm pretty sure dozens of people would be asking where you got your jewelry.

So those are my top three picks for jewelry at Portobello West. We'll see what I actually get when I go there! I know it's good to plan ahead, but at a market with so many awesome choices, it's easy to get distracted.

Beach-Ready Skin

Want to get your skin nice and clean and ready for the beach? Or maybe you already went to the beach and now you want to wash off all that makeup, sand and sunscreen? I've got the product for you!
Alba Naturals (www.albabotanica.com) makes a fantastic pineapple enzyme facial cleanser. I was skeptical at first, thinking that pineapple enzymes wouldn't be enough to wash off my makeup and clean my oily skin. But it works! This amazing cleanser foams right up and leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
As a bonus, it smells like pineapple, which will remind you of pina coladas, the beach, and summer evenings all year long. Even in the snow.

I bought mine at London Drugs for around $10, but I'm sure you can get it at most local drugstores (Shoppers Drug Mart, etc).

Step Gingerly

There's no need to tread lightly once you've got this jewelry on! Gingerly Designs makes beautiful beaded jewelry from stones, gems, coral, you name it. It's not your typical beaded jewelry.

I don't generally go for giant beads, but these ones were a tad more sophisticated than big beads usually are. As well, this particular necklace's black beads are made out of some nice stone or something that feels nice and cool against the skin.

You can check out more of their designs at www.gingerlydesigns.com
I got my Gingerly Designs jewelry at the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, www.portobellowest.com

Long time no see!

Well, I feel like a bit of a loser for not posting anything for over two months. I didn't mean to do it!
Thankfully, Sunday was the day for the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, so I have some stuff to post - because I got some awesome stuff!
Portobello West takes place the last Sunday of every month, so the next one will be June 28th, and of course I'll be there; I still need a belt! Besides, I got a sweater that I can't wear until it cools off here so I think I might get some more summery clothes.
This past week or so it's been super hot here. I'm pretty sure we've been over 25 degrees every day for awhile (celsius)!! I've just been melting in my condo, but I'll deal with that in order to have the gorgeous weather.
Enjoy the sun and I'll see you at the next Portobello West on June 28th. Check out www.portobellowest.com for more info plus links to most of the vendor's web pages.