The Hidden Gem Soiree is a series of fun filled evenings taking place in Vancouver’s neatest cafes, wine bars, galleries and studios. each evening highlights works of a small group of talented local designers in fashion, jewellery, accessories and home decor. The next event takes place at Raw Canvas (1046 Hamilton Street) in Yaletown on Thursday July 8th from 5pm to 8pm. The featured designers include:
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Filou Designs – handcrafted sterling silver and 24K gold vermeil jewelry
Rosy Designs – sweet cards and prints
L’arbre Love - original wood jewelry
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Sip some wine, have tapas, paint on a Communal Canvas or paint one of your own!

Local Canadian fashion and jewelry lines Allison Wonderland, Refine Jewelry, and Erin Templeton (handmade leather bags) will be having a Studio Sample and Overstock Sale in Gastown on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Drop by 210-309 West Cordova Street between 1pm – 7pm to find some good deals and support local designers. Cash only.

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Exploring Purple is a fresh and fiery take on an old debate – what are the different roles between men and women in the workplace. Are the stereotypes, obstacles and conventions that attribute to gaps in wages, promotions and job security still relevant in our modern work environment? Has equality in the workplace arrived or is it just a myth? Where do we go from here? Young Women in Business, a group of emerging female leaders in Vancouver, want to find out. On May 14 they will be hosting a panel discussing women in business.
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“Women make less because they’ll work for less,” said Ghost Ceo founder Chris Flett at the provocative All-Male Panel discussion at YWiB’s Beyond Pink conference in November. He will join some of Vancouver’s savviest and successful men and women including:
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· Bob Elton, BC Hydro
· Ken Sim, Nurse Next Door
· Tamara Vrooman, Vancity
· Cybele Negris, Webnames.ca
· Anne Giardini, Weyerhaeuser
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The teams of men and women will go head to head in this exclusive panel talk, moderated by Blo Blow Dry Bar Founder, Judy Brooks. This is Exploring Purple, where pink meets blue. The first of its kind, Exploring Purple creates a space to have an honest and collective dialogue involving generations of Vancouver’s business community. This honest and raw panel conversation hopes to empower young women and men to celebrate equality in business. This once in a lifetime experience promises to be provocative, energizing and compelling.
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When: May 14th, 2010
Where: UBC Robson Square
Time: 1 – 3:30 PM
Tickets: Get ‘em while they’re hot at www.ywib.ca

If you read Modern Mix Vancouver, you probably read The Style Spy also! The Vancouver-based fashion website is hosting a shopping party at Fine Finds Boutique (1014 Mainland Street) in Yaletown on May 20, 2010 from 5pm to 8pm.

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Please join L2 Leone (350 Howe Street) on Sunday, April 11th for a live appearance and meet & greet with will.i.am of the Grammy award winning Black Eyed Peas! L2 is thrilled to launch i.am clothing, will.i.am’s Spring/Summer 2010 signature line for men. Inspired by music, art, fashion and individuality, the i.am clothing collection is contemporary in design and embodies a lifestyle. L2 has always been a front-runner on what is new, edgy and unique in fashion and bringing Montreal produced i.am to L2 is a natural and exciting fit!
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The superstar will be in-store from 1-2pm and the first 200 fans will receive a free gift! There is also an awesome gift with purchase and a contest available only to those who come to the store on Sunday! Entrance is first come first serve so arrive early if you want to meet will.i.am! Entertainment Tonight Canada will also be live, filming.

Hope glows in a little yellow daffodil pin. Do you have a loved one fighting cancer?

The date has been set for the third annual Nifty for Fifty shopping extravaganza – April 17 and 18, 2010. Targeting “style-savvy and frugal fashionistas”, over 10 local designers are ready to part with their much-loved designs and vintage finds for $50 or less. To make things even more exciting, this year Nifty for Fifty will be happening at Five-Sixty, a new space on 560 Seymour that has been serving as a gallery for the Cultural Olympiad. Local fashion favourites include: Adhesif Clothing, Planet Claire, Clutch Designs, Kulus Designs, cream puff by gg, Carny Love, Dahlia Drive, Flaming Angels, Dotted Loop, and Catalyst Reaction.
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Saturday, April 17th: 11am-6pm | Sunday, April 18th: 12-5pm | Free Admission
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Dine Out Vancouver is back! Typically in February, this year, Dine Out Vancouver has been postponed to April 26 to May 6. The list of participating restaurants will be released on Monday April 19. Restaurants will begin accepting reservations at that time. Stay tuned!

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, runs from April 19 to 25, 2010. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. The featured theme regions for 2010 will be Argentina and New Zealand with the global focus of rosé. The festival features a week of special events including a gala auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. To purchase tickets online, click here.

Forsya Boutique (2206 Main Street) is turning one, and what better way to celebrate the success of the Main Street boutique than with a party and fashion show, launching the first season of the new in-house label, Forsya by Julie Hebb. Sip spiked punch and try the adorable cupcakes in dreamy colours like lemon, sky, and lavender, mimicking the new in-house collection. So stop by Forsya Boutique, located at 2206 Main Street (at 6th Avenue), on April 9 to partake in the festivities and receive 20% off all merchandise.
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