Think City – “Vancouver Stories” Event (Thursday March 19)
“Think City “, a society in existence since 2002, helps generate ideas for a “21st Century Vancouver” and helps local citizens understand the issues facing their communities while developing collective solutions to protect the environment, strengthen local economies, advance democratic rights and ensure access to quality public services.
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On Thursday March 19th (7pm to 10pm) join Think City for an evening for Vancouver stories at Heritage Hall on Main Street (3102 Main Street at 15th). This storytelling event will includecocktails and a silent auction featuring Vancouver memorabilia and stories past and present told by Vancouver notables including CBC Radio’s Bill Richardson. For more information and to purchase tickets ($50), click here.
Two of a Few – Sale/Party (Thursday March 5, 2009)
The second annual sale/party at Two of Few (354 Water Street) is this Thursday March 5th from 7pm to 10pm. There will be drinks and snacks and discounts on Vancouver-based Ashley Watson‘s new Spring Collection as well as discounts on other items in the store. Ashley Watson is known for her use of recycled leather in her bags, wallets and accessories.
ck one – Fragrance available March 2009
“One. The number of people it takes to make a difference.”
For those of you who buy beauty and fragrance gift sets, you are probably familiar with the little trinkets which come as a bonus with the product. For example, a cosmetic pouch to hold your new purchase, a mirror to check yourself out or a keychain with the product logo. Although these are all nice additions to your purchase, they are rarely useful.
However, with the relaunch of the “ck one” fragrance, the collector’s edition gift set comes with a mini speaker set! Available in March 2009 (exclusively at Shopper’s Drug Mart), the 100mL flask bottle is decorated with the tagline we are one” in many languages with a removable mp3 speaker slotted in the base of the packaging. Although the quality isn’t fantastic, I appreciated the unusual technological pairing with my fragrance bottle. (I’ve been plugging my iPod into it). Why speakers? Because the “ck one” message of unity explains that music is a universal language and no matter what language we speak, we are part of a larger group.
The scent itself is described as “naturally clean, pure…with a refreshing point of view”. It is a light citrus sheer fragrance. The top notes consists of a combination of bergamot, cardamom, tangerine, freesia and lavender. The middle notes are expressed with violet, rose and orange flower. Lastly, the bottom notes consist of musk combined with amber, “completing the effect of fullness and warmth”.
For more information, take a look at their multi-media website to listen to the “we are one” music track, download artsy photoshoot wallpaper, and read more about the ck one fragrance.
styleCANVAS – model casting call (March 3 & 4, 2009)
styleCANVAS, an upcoming fashion print magazine, is holding a drop-in model casting call on March 3rd and 4th from 1pm to 4pm at UBC. Wear a white tank top, dark jeans and black heels. For more information, check out the Facebook Event.
Qoola Frozen Yogurt + Fruit
Qoola Frozen Yogurt + Fruit offers the great taste and atmosphere of a regular dessert destination, with the added bonus of being excellent for your health. The store offers Vancouver’s only fresh frozen yogurt, as well as organic whole grain waffles with free-range eggs, fresh crepes, daily-prepared fruit, smoothies, and popular acai berry bowls.
Qoola tops traditional ice cream and dessert outlets, not only because of its deliciousness, but also due to its 135-calorie serving size of their small Qoolala (6 oz), loaded with active bacterial cultures which aid in reducing the effects of lactose intolerance, boosts the immune system, and increases brain stimulation.
Modern Mix Monday – Hapa Izakaya
I went to Hapa Izakaya (1479 Robson St) in downtown on Friday night. The location of the restaurant is quite hidden – although located on Robson between Nicola and Broughton Street (those names don’t mean anything to me – just know it’s closer towards Denman Street), the outside of the restaurant is quite dark. The first time I walked in, I was amazed to see such a small opening expand into a fairly spacious cavern of a restaurant.
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Hapa Izakaya is known for its Japanese-style tapas. We were a group of 6 and didn’t make reservations (couldn’t until 8pm) and we ended up waiting almost an hour for our table. While we were waiting, we were seated around a small table and we had the option of ordering drinks and looking at the menu. Prices range from about $3 for edamame beans or octopus sashimi to about $7 for “ebi mayo” prawn tempura (highly recommended) to $10+ for featured appetizers consisting of seafood and meats. These dishes are meant to be shared but if you want to get an individual portion of something filling, try the “ishi-yaki”, a Korean rice bowl with egg. We watched the servers madly beating the raw egg into the rice and watched it cook against the inside of the hot stone bowl it was served in.
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So go see for yourself – check out Hapa Izakaya. There is also a location in Kitsilano.