Packed Weekend!

This weekend is packed!  There's not even room to breathe in this city!  Well, actually, everything that this weekend is packed with is relaxing, so you'll definitely have room to breathe and relax.  And shop, and go out, and...  you get the point.

Tomorrow, Friday the 17th, will see a variety of activities going on in Yaletown.  I guess everyone there got together and decided to get their name around.  First of all, it's Hot Friday, which means there will be a DJ, performances and retail promos (from noon to 7pm).  Second, and perhaps more importantly, there's a Shopathon!  Discounts, specials, prizes, cocktails and free swag!  Can you turn that down?  Me neither!

Want to do something more cultural?  It's also the Vancouver Folk Music Festival down at Jericho Beach!  Go see Fire and Wine, the Weakerthans, Dan Mangan and a variety of others (those are just the bands I know from the radio!).

This weekend also sees the arrival of the BC Renaissance Festival, if that's more your speed.  You can make the trek to Langley (!) to go to the Renaissance marketplace, see their performances, and wear your chain mail (because, seriously, how often do you pull that one out of the closet?).

And if you don't want to go all the way to Langley, you can go see the Comedy of Errors in Queens Park!  This one is even free!  Shakespeare?  Outdoors?  Free?  Count me in!

Still haven't found what you want?  No Doubt will be in town Saturday night, GM Place, packed with screaming fans while Gwen and her buddies put on a phenomenal show (just guessin').

For more info about any of these items, check out my calendar at the bottom of my blog.

Have a great weekend!!

Sephora

I had to check out the new Sephora store in Coquitlam Centre last week, and I have to say, the crowd was overwhelming!  There was no line to get in, but you could barely move inside and the line to pay went right to the door!  I've heard that the Pacific Centre location had an hour wait just to get inside!  I guess now the powers that be know that a Sephora could have opened here ages ago and done fantastically.

I wasn't disappointed, though: the store carries everything that a Sephora should!  Philosophy, Urban Decay...  you name it!  Once the buzz wears off, I'll be heading back to spend my hard-earned money on lovely beauty products and make-up.  

I've already mentioned that the first thing I will buy is Hope In a Jar, by Philosophy, and then I think I'll try and find a new foundation.  I'm currently using MAC Studio Fix, which I find very nice, but I'm always ready to try something new!

Shopathon!

Shopathon? Really? I didn't even know that was a word!

Well, it may not be in the dictionary, but this Friday there will be a Shopathon in Yaletown from 3-9pm! Over 40 stores will have great discounts and specials, prizes, cocktails and even FREE SWAG! The first 250 shoppers will get a free swag bag, but you MUST RSVP (at http://shopyaletown.wordpress.com/rsvp/).

While you're in Yaletown, enjoy Hot Friday, this Friday July 17th from noon to 7pm. Hot Friday includes live music, DJ Wyatt, retail promotions and other performances.

Why not celebrate the end of the work week with a fun day in Yaletown?

More info: www.yaletowninfo.com

Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival

I have to wonder how this is going to be: The Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival. I have to admit, I have my doubts.

It's this weekend, July 11-12 from noon to 9pm at the Memorial Peace Park (11900 224 St.).

They have live bands, Brazilian dancers, street vendors and (my favourite, as always) Caribbean food! You can go to www.caribbeanfest.ca for more information.

PS. If anybody checks this out, you'll have to let me know if it's anything to rival the Caribbean festival in North Van!

I Love You...

This is going to be a short one, because I'm actually blushing as I write this!

The Art of Loving has a variety of workshops and events coming up, for example:

Free Sexy Games Seminar Jul 8 $0

Tantric Massage on Men Jul 14 $30

G-spot and Female Ejaculation Jul 15 $30

How To Have a Great Orgasm Jul 20 $30

Backside Love Jul 21 $30

Nude Photography Jul 26 $80

Check out their website: www.taol.ca for more information.

On Your Feet Take II

This is a continuation of my first posting, giving some local hikes...

Belcarra Regional Park is home to the Sasamat Loop Trail.  Sound tough?  It's totally not - you could do it in flip-flops, with a hibachi tucked under your arm!  Have a leisurely stroll around the lake, then roast some weenies on the beach and take a dip in the lake!

If you're coming from Vancouver, this one may be a little out of the way, and I wouldn't recommend taking the bus (who wants to get back on a bus after a day at the beach?  You're sweaty and sticky from sunscreen, and they run the OOOOOLD buses out there, where the windows only open one or two centimetres...  bad bad badness...).  But if you're in the 'burbs and you've got a car, go check it out!

And if you're in the area, why not check out Buntzen Lake as well?  This lake has a variety of hikes: there's a nice easy one that just goes around the lake (keep in mind this lake is MUCH larger than Sasamat!), or there are difficult trails like the Diez Vistas, which will reward you with a view that stretches right to Deep Cove.  The trail that goes around the lake will lead you to the walk-in beach at roughly the half-way point, so you can stop for lunch and a quick dip before going the rest of the way.

One word of warning: know where you're going!  Every summer, a couple of tired, cold hikers need to be rescued from these trails after getting lost.  Sounds scary!  I'd rather not be that hiker, myself, so I always go prepared.

Happy hiking!

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year: July 10th

No, it's not Christmas: it's the grand opening of the new Sephora stores in Coquitlam Centre and Pacific Centre!!!   What could be better?

I'm trying to wangle my way out of work early so I can be there - crossing my fingers!  What's going to be my first purchase?  Hope In a Jar!  Just check out the reviews - it's a best of Sephora.  And it comes highly recommended by several friends.  Don't worry, I'll let you know how it goes.

So where will I be on Friday at 3:30?  Sephora Coquitlam Centre - I'll be the one with bells on!