Call your friends out on their cash issues with Pocketbook Rehab! The Credit Unions of BC is giving away a $10,000 financial intervention. Nominate your friends on Facebook for one of the following badges: Cash Disaster, Spare Change Scavenger, Mega Mooch, Spontaneous Shopper or Forgot-My-Wallet Whiner. If your nominee wins, you could also receive $1,000!

So what exactly is a financial intervention? One lucky Pocketbook Rehab winner will receive $10,000 and a meeting with a financial advisor from a BC credit union to help them spend it responsibly. The advisor will use the winner’s prize money to create a custom financial plan that will get them on the right track. The Pocketbook Rehab winner will also be featured in a short web video highlighting how their intervention helped them conquer their cash issues!

Watch this funny intro video here:

The winner will be announced the week of May 28.  Open to BC residents only. Good luck!

Philosophy, the bath & beauty brand, celebrated its Sweet 16th birthday last week.  To mark the occasion, the limited edition “Sweet 16″ shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath was introduced.  Last week in Toronto, Robin White, director of international education and global press, greeted Canadian Media at the Windsor Arms Hotel in celebration of Philosophy’s sweet 16 Birthday and Philosophy’s new Spring 2012 collection of skincare, fragrance, bath and body and gifting.  Although we couldn’t make the Canadian party in Toronto,  Modern Mix Vancouver wants to gift one lucky reader with Philosophy’s Sweet 16 product!

MMV Giveaway: Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away the “Sweet 16″ product by Philosophy. Leave a comment below sharing with us a memory from when you were 16! A random winner will be chosen from the comments below. Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner. Canadian entries only please. Contest ends on Sunday April 8th (noon PST).

For additional entries, you can do the following things;

• For a second entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “I want to win Philosophy’s Sweet 16 Product from @ModernMixVan. Happy B-Day @LovePhilosophy.  http://bit.ly/H74KZe RT to enter!”
• For a third entry: “Like” the Modern Mix Vancouver Page on Facebook and post on the wall “I want to win Philosophy’s Sweet 16 Product from Modern Mix Vancouver!”

By Eudora Koh, Modern Mix Vancouver writer

Deep in the heart of Richmond lays the seaside town of Steveson, known for its boardwalk and fishing culture. What may not be top of mind for many when it comes to Steveson is clothing, fashion and style. But those were the only things on everyone’s mind last Friday at Violet Hill Boutique, nestled amongst other small shops in the small community.  Modern Mix Vancouver was invited to the exclusive media event, which drew some of the city’s most influential fashionistas and offered colourful macaroons, tasty cheeses, lots of bubbly, and most important, beautiful and one of a kind designer pieces handpicked by Nicola Gillam, owner of Violet Hill boutique.

Nicola grew up in Steveson and wanted to share with her community the boutique experience when it comes to clothing, fashion and accessories. With a major in History and Political Sciences, Nicola realized later, like many graduates, that she wanted to do something in life unrelated to her education. With her love of fashion, her natural ambition, and a business saavy mindset, Nicola opened up Violet Hill Boutique in August 2011, naming it after her favorite Cold Play song.

We heard several remarks about how the pretty boutique decor of Violet Hill makes you think it belongs in Yaletown or Kitsilano.  But that’s the beauty of it! Violet Hill boutique itself is such a cozy little shop that is decorated and furnished just like a teahouse, brightly lit with high celings, detailed white trimming around the walls and windows, and a deep blue that cover the walls.

With a bohemian flair as a common theme amongst all selected pieces, labels at Violet Hill boutique range from the recognizable Gentle Fawn to Alternative Apparel, to labels I was introduced to (and fell in love with!) such as Eryn Brinie, Liebeskind and Valerie Dumaine. Along with the many neutral and earthy tones available in store, there are also a select few bright and funky colors that will pair well with your wardrobe staples. Both the dressier and more casual pieces were consistent with the practicality, trendiness and femininity that encompass Violet Hill.

Many of the tees and blouses caught my eye, as well as spring dresses made from stiffer material, but still held that cute nautical and classic style. There are so many unique pieces in store, that are decently priced and ones that you won’t find anyone else wearing on the busy downtown streets. Similarly, the accessories sold in Violet Hill are one of a kind, including the Social Experiment collection of Westcoast-inspired cocktail rings ($28). Georgia Heraty, designer and creator of the cocktail rings, was at the event to take custom orders for her gorgeous rings, two of which I purchased at the event and can’t stop wearing!  Meanwhile, Vanessa purchased a 14k gold and amethyst necklace ($89) from another Vancouver designer, Chantale Jewelry Designs.

So the next time you’re in Steveson, be sure to check out the purple jewel by the sea, Violet Hill, which is just as stylish and chic as any other boutique you will find in downtown Vancouver. You can’t miss it!  For more photos, check out the gallery below with photos by MCS Photos.

MMV Giveaway: Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to Violet Hill Boutique! Leave a comment below telling us what your favourite springtime accessory is.  A random winner will be chosen from the comments below. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner. Contest ends Sunday, April 8th (11:59pm PST).  Winner will pick up their $50 Gift Certificate in store at Violet Hill (12211 No 1 Road, Richmond).

For additional entries, you can do the following things;

• For a second entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “I want to win $50 to @VHillBoutique from @ModernMixVan http://bit.ly/GT16nI . RT to enter!”
• For a third entry: “Like” the Modern Mix Vancouver Page on Facebook and post on the wall “I want to win $50 to Violet Hill Boutique from Modern Mix Vancouver! http://bit.ly/GT16nI”

Vancouver TheatreSports League hosts the 24th annual St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – an international improv tournament of epic proportions. Hosting teams from as far away as Paris, this promises to be the best St. Val Massacre yet. Hold onto your seat as teams compete head-to-head! Come and experience styles of improv from across the globe.

Vancouver TheatreSports League is improv comedy – everything you see onstage is made up on the spot. It’s an interactive entertainment experience as the players ask for audience suggestions to create their scenes.  They’ll usually invite an audience member up onstage.

Tips for first-timers?

• Relax – Nobody gets picked on, or called up onstage, who doesn’t want to – there are plenty of audience members who gladly offer up suggestions, or get onstage.
• Enjoy – Vancouver TheatreSports has some of the best talent in the industry – many of their performers have been involved in improv since its rise to popularity in the 80s.  For example, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie of Whose Line Is It Anyway are both alumni of TheatreSports.

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre pits world-class improv teams from across the continent and around the world against each other – resulting in some of the craziest, most hilarious improvised comedy ever seen!  Follow your favourite team as they duel their way to the final match. Joining the winners of the Vancouver competition are visiting teams from Austin,Bellingham,Chicago, Seattle, and Paris, France. Then, come and see them compete to be the last team standing in the Final Massacre!

Tickets are as affordable as $8.75 for students and $11.75 for adults.  For show times, information and ticket sales see www.vtsl.com

MMV Giveaway:  Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away two pairs of tickets to the performance of St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.  Leave a comment below telling us who you’d bring with you to the improv show and a random winner will be chosen from the comments below.  Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner.  Contests ends Saturday January 28th (11:59pm PST).  Open to BC address only (how are you going to make it to the show if you’re from out of town?).

For additional entries, you can do the following things;

• For a second entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “I want to win a pair of @VanTheatreSport tix to St. Valentine’s Day Massacre from @ModernMixVan http://bit.ly/yvw5Qq RT to enter!”
• For a third entry: “Like” the Modern Mix Vancouver Page on Facebook and post on the wall “I want to win a pair of Vancouver TheatreSport tickets to St. Valentine’s Day Massacre from Modern Mix Vancouver”
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Every January for 18 years, Liberty Wine Merchants hosts a fundraising event to start the bar high for the new year. Liberty is once again recruiting British Columbia’s finest food and beverage purveyors for Taste BC: a fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital’s Oak Tree Clinic.

BC Children’s Hospital’s Oak Tree Clinic provides specialized HIV care for infected women, pregnant women, partners, children and youth, and support services for affected families.  This event has raised a collective total of $186,336.00 since 1995 to benefit the Oak Tree Clinic.

Modern Mix Vancouver was there in 2009 and had enjoyed going from booth to booth, learning about new wines, sampling food pairings and bidding on silent auction items.    This year’s 18th annual celebration of local food and drink takes place January 24, 2012 (4:30-7:30 p.m.) at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Guests will taste, sip and experience BC’s finest wine, beer and spirits accompanied by tasty fare from local restaurants. Along with excellent food and drink, attractions include live music, door prizes, and a silent auction that rivals any other. Silent auction items include luxury items, local experience packages, destination packages and delicious products made by British Columbia’s own.

Tickets are $49.99 and available at Liberty Wine Merchant stores.

MMV Giveaway:  Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away a pair of will-call tickets to Taste BC.  Leave a comment below telling us your favourite wine and a random winner will be chosen from the comments below.  Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner.  Contests ends Sunday January 22nd.  

For additional entries, you can do the following things;

• For a second entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “I want to win a pair of tickets to @taste_BC from @ModernMixVan http://bit.ly/ylLWkc RT to enter!”
• For a third entry: “Like” the Modern Mix Vancouver Page on Facebook and post on the wall “I want to win a pair of tickets to Taste BC from Modern Mix Vancouver! http://bit.ly/ylLWkc” 

Want to be a design star? $1,000 is up for grabs! Be Remarkable (a BC-based Facebook Page by the Credit Unions of BC) want you to show off your BC community pride for a chance to win $1,000 and have your design worn by people all across BC. Contest ends January 5, 2012 and is open to residents of BC who are 19+.  For more information and design specs, click here.

Just in time for the holiday season, Scent Society will be giving away 12 full-sized bottles of fragrances as part of their GIft & Win contest. From December 9 to 20, you may enter daily to win on the Scent Society Facebook Page.  Fragrances you can win from Scent Society include many products (or related products) that have previously been featured on Modern Mix Vancouver, including Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola!, Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh, Calvin Klein Euphoria and Chloe Love. Good luck!

• Espresso: Freshly ground 100% Arabica beans in their purest, sweetest, most intense form.
• Americano: A coffee made with espresso and hot water. For the coffee lover with a stronger taste palette.
• Latte: Freshly ground espresso, frothed up steamed milk, with a thick layer of foam on top.
• Cappuccino: Made with freshly ground espresso, cappuccinos are equal parts steamed milk and thick foam providing a stronger espresso flavor than a latte.
• Mocha : Steamed 2% or skim milk mixed with rich espresso, chocolate syrup, real whipped cream and chocolate powder on top.
• Deluxe Hot Chocolate: Freshly steamed milk and velvety chocolate syrup topped off with real whipped cream and chocolate powder.

By Kenneth Law, Modern Mix Vancouver writer

Modern Mix Vancouver was generously offered to partake and review the River Rock Casino and its buffet through the lens of a blogger who really isn’t into gambling.  The BC Lottery Corporation wants to convey the message that casinos are not just venues for gambling, but also offer a variety of entertainment options to attract wider audiences.  Recent brochures for the River Rock have been increasingly focused more towards its newly opened hotel, lounge and theater showings, various dining facilities and conference centers, broadening the scope with which their patrons can spend their time. I recently gave the River Rock’s casino and buffet a shot and left away very satisfied with the buffet, but had no desire to gamble any further.

The River Rock is the largest casino in BC and is well served by public transportation and ample parking space. Relatively newly built and opened since 2004, its interior décor, design and ambiance are comfortable and welcoming with nice touches of wood trim, and there are a plethora of slot machines and table games to fill the large space.

As a non-gambler by nature, being given a slot play credit meant I would quickly spin a few rounds to satiate my curiosity before cashing out. I was able to squeeze 20 minutes out of there and managed to only lose $10 and was still kept reasonably entertained with good company, but overall I would say the slots aren’t an “acquired taste” – you either find them fun or you don’t, and I am clearly in the latter half of that. Without the confidence to partake in table games either, the gambling aspect of my tour was short and did not particularly inspire me to go back again to gamble.

The buffet was a different story. Entrance to the restaurant is by way of a large curving staircase, and once you are inside you are meticulously (for buffet standards) taken care of by staff. Food quality was very acceptable with a variety of eastern and western cuisines; highlights included the Dungeness crab, seafood cioppino and the best chow mein I have ever had anywhere. With pacing I lasted 2 hours in there and went away very satisfied.

For the River Rock and the BCLC to better enhance the experience of those who do not necessarily or particularly enjoy gambling, offering entertaining packages that include the buffet, some theatre showings and perhaps some of the hotel’s spa offerings would have people excited to come to the casino, giving them reasons to tag along if their friends or partners were busily indulging themselves at a poker tournament or on a blackjack table. For the time being, one lucky reader will get to try out (or revisit) the buffet at the casino.  See below for contest details.

MMV Contest:  Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away a dining voucher for two at The Buffet at River Rock Casino.  Leave a comment below telling us who you’d bring with you to the buffet and why, if you won the prize.  A random winner will be chosen from a comments below. Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner.  BC entries only please (how are you going to go to the buffet if you are far away?!). Contest ends on Sunday November 27th (noon PST).

To up your odds (casino pun, ha ha) with additional entries, you can do the following things;

• For a second entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “I want to win a buffet meal for two @riverrockcasino from @ModernMixVan. http://bit.ly/tNDov1 RT to enter!“
• For a third entry: “Like” the Modern Mix Vancouver Page on Facebook and post on the wall “I want to win a buffet meal for two at River Rock Casino from Modern Mix Vancouver!“

This year is Make It! The Handmade Revolution will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive)and will be their biggest show EVER.  Come by November 24th to 27th for awesome handmade goodness ranging from clothing, accessories, art, jewellery, gourmet treats, and tons of other great stuff. There are over a 120 designers from all over Canada.  These same designers have also donated items for a Make It! silent auction in support of Union Gospel Mission.  In addition to handmade goods, there will be local bands performing live all weekend long as well as a licensed bar.  Think of it as a craft show party.   Make It is the largest indie fashion and art event of its kind on Canada with biannual shows in Edmonton and Vancouver.  Admission is $5 – pay once, and shop for four days.  Hope you can “make it”!

MMV Contest:  In support of Make It!, Modern Mix Vancouver will be giving away five pairs of free admission tickets for this event.  All you have to do is comment below and let us know why you think handmade goods are awesome.  Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner.  Five random winners will be drawn on November 18th – your tickets will be at will-call under your name. 

For more information about Make It!, check this video out: