Fiat Mode is Vancouver Community College's annual fashion event of the year that showcases the collections from graduates of the Fashion Arts Diploma and Certificate programs. One of my good friends was graduating on September 24th after two year of hard study so I had to go show my support for her!



Ooo they were serving hors d'oeuvres at the event!

 Their smoked tuna hors d'oeuvre was sooo delicious. Too bad I arrived too late to enjoy more!

Ooo cupcakes!

Ok enough about food. Fashion. There was no denying there were a lot of talent present that night. There were also some that confused me and some that were very unique and probably better suited to a niche market. Some were inspired by Tron Legacy, traffic, accordians, pasta and all sorts of other stuff! Some of my favourites were the more exotic looking dresses.

Here is a taste of the things I saw that night:

















Congrats to the fashion graduates of 2013! Now anyone who will volunteer to redo my wardrobe for me? XD

See the rest of my photos on my Facebook page!

It's been a while since we had a girls night out where everyone was present; the last time was probably in June for my belated birthday. A made it a point to organize this dinner for us. Our first choice was Parlour in Yaletown but our wait time went from half and hour to 1 and a half hours...forget it! So the girls went down the street to Paulies instead. Paulies Kitchen is part of the Yaletown Brewing Company group that serves Italian fare.


Paulies has a nice long table space inside, which filled up later in the evening. We sat out on the heated covered patio.

We were quite hungry and decided to split a few appetizers to start. Calimari, chickpea fries, and flatbread. I was glad to see the calimari has the tentacles included. I always thing that is the best part! It comes with a paprika mayo but I thought it was pretty good on it's own and didn't need the mayo.

Chickpea fries were soft and creamy in texture (and yummy - I could have even more of these!); not too unlike polenta fries.

Paulies meatballs baked in Marinara sauce, served over soft Parmesan polenta $17.95

Paulies was offering a special on their meatballs that night. I think it was $2 off the regular price. I was going to get it but decided to spaghetti on the last minute.

Spaghetti & clams, white wine, garlic & parsley $16.95

I'm glad I changed my mind because this spaghetti & clams was so good! There were clams in the shell around the plate as well as clams in the spaghetti. I loved the taste of the garlic. I practically inhaled it.

The rest of the girls also ordered some pasta...which I don't remember the names of. They look yummy though.

Affogato $4.95

For dessert, I decided to get the Affogato having never had it before. I thought vanilla ice cream? Goood. Coffee? Goood. And it was good. So you pour the coffee onto the ice cream. I thought the scoop of ice cream was pretty small. =/ It was good but it's pretty expensive for such a small scoop.

My friends opted for the tiramisu instead, which came in a cup.

Overall, the dinner was great but a little pricy for what it is though it's Yaletown so that's to be expected.

Lots of things happening this weekend even though the forecast calls for rain rain rain. Culture Days, Word Vancouver, free admission to Science World, 2013 Western Regional Barista Championship, Farmers Market Kitchen, BC Rivers Day, just to name a few! Have a good weekend!

Friday, September 27, 2013

The Big Sipper
12:30m
Courtyard outside of the Woodward's Building in Gastown, 149 West Hasting Street, Vancouver
Come and see us try to break the Guinness ® World Record for the World's Largest Smoothie.  We've got to make a smoothie that's more than 1500 litres!  It's a fun afternoon filled with live music and entertainment plus you can see the official Guinness ® World Record measurement take place at 12.30pm. After that you can enjoy a serving of the World's Largest (hopefully) and most delicious (definitely) smoothie, for a donation to the Greater Vancouver FoodBank Society.

Word Vancouver
Thursday - Sunday Check Schedule on website.
multiple locations
Main festival on Sunday at Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library
Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest celebration of literacy and reading. Held on the last weekend of September at Library Square in beautiful downtown Vancouver, our festival promotes books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. Word Vancouver has free events taking place over five days at Carnegie Community Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, Historic Joy Kogawa House, and Library Square.

"Saving the Life Keepers" screening  - $8
8pm
Eternal Abundance, 1025 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
A Vancouver-based documentary examining the new science of sustainable beekeeping. With Director and Master Beekeeper. Entry of $8 includes an organic vegan cookie and tea.

Culture Days
Fri, Sat, Sun
See official website for individual event times and dates.
Culture Days is a national 3-day annual occurrence that celebrates arts and culture. It features free, hands-on, interactive activities and “behind the scenes” experiences where you can get up close and discover a world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers.


Saturday, September 28, 2013

2013 Western Regional Barista Championship
10am - 4pm - Supplier Showcase
12pm - 6pm - event & competition
Caffe Artigiano Roasting Works, 105-2999 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby, BC
On September 28th and 29th, 2013, some of Canada’s top baristas will compete against each other in a fun, engaging coffee competition as they vie for the title of “BC’s Best Barista”. Coffee-loving members of the public may participate in coffee roasting sessions; sample brews from leading coffee houses and visit the supplier’s showcase. Featured guest speakers will talk about coffee, origin, green bean buying and decaffeination. The supplier showcase will take place from 10am – 4pm and the event & competition from 12:00-6:00 pm at Artigiano Roasting Co., 105-2999 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby, BC. This two-day event will wrap up with an after party at Caffè Artigiano’s 740 West Hastings café on Sunday, September 29th.  The public can inquire at participating cafes for event tickets, at the door or email info@caffeartigiano.com to RSVP.

Science World Community Science Celebration
10am - 6pm Sat & Sun
TELUS World of Science 1455 Quebec Street Vancouver
Visit us this weekend (Sept 28 & 29) and join us in celebrating the kick-off for Around the Dome, our month-long science festival!  It's a Community Science Celebration! And general admission is 100% free thanks to the generous sponsorship of GenomeBC and BC Hydro!

Artists for Conservation Festival
Sept 28 - Oct 6. See Schedule on website
Grouse Mountain
Event at Grouse Mountain including a world-class art exhibit, film premiere, lectures and workshops by master artists. We expect over 30 leading artists in attendance on the opening weekend Sept 28 & 29. Opening celebrations and special guest appearance by Richard Ellis takes place on Sept 28 at 11AM followed by a Meet-the-Artist Wine & Cheese reception. Some events require advance registration.

Culture Day at Burnaby Village Museum
11am - 4:30pm
Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
Come celebrate heritage and the waterways of Burnaby. Enjoy all the usual activities and demonstrations at the Village plus special recognition of the fish-bearing Deer Lake Brook  that runs through the site plus  musicians, a rivers-themed craft, and brook interpretation

3rd Annual Nikkei Fall Harvest Fair
Open House 10am-5pm | Farmers Market 11am-3pm
6688 Southoaks Crescent Burnaby, BC
Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Third Annual Nikkei Fall Harvest Fair!  Join us for a lively “O-matsuri” festival with loads of exciting demos and performances, a popular farmer’s market selling hard-to-find Japanese produce, mouth-watering food stands by various local vendors including Zakkushi and Japadog, an activity-packed kids zone, and even professional kimono dressing! Bring your family and friends – there’s something for everyone!  This festive day includes a Japanese Farmers’ Market, Open House and Fall o-Matsuri (festival). Come enjoy the best of a Japanese Night Market during the day! Fun for all ages.

Strathcona BIA Resource Park 1st anniversary
11am - 3pm
1245 East Hastings Street
Featuring Resource Exchange Grab Bag sale, compost sale, tours of compost facility, garden workshops, farmers' market, Tacofino food truck, Strathcona 1890 Truck Farm

MetamorFest
12pm - 6pm
800 East Broadway
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House community festival & block party

Vancouver Antiquarian, Collectible & Rare Book Fair
Sat 12pm - 7pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
UBC Robson Square 800 Robson Street Vancouver
The Vancouver Book Fair is the only antiquarian, collectible and rare book fair in Western Canada, and will feature many of Western Canada's top booksellers. A wide selection of antiquarian, collectible and rare books, ephemera, maps, prints, manuscripts and works on paper will be on offer at the fair.

TRIUMF Community Open House
1:00pm - 5:00pm
TRIUMF 4004 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver
On September 28, 2013, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics will be opening it's gates and inviting YOU to experience world-class science right here in Vancouver. A free public event, we invite you to come with a curious mind to participate in cool physics demonstrations and fun activities for all ages!

Word Vancouver
Thursday - Sunday Check Schedule on website.
multiple locations
Main festival on Sunday at Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library
Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest celebration of literacy and reading. Held on the last weekend of September at Library Square in beautiful downtown Vancouver, our festival promotes books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. Word Vancouver has free events taking place over five days at Carnegie Community Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, Historic Joy Kogawa House, and Library Square.

Hawkers Market - $10 advance, $15 door
7:00pm
870 East Cordova Vancouver, BC
Eat, drink & dance. Local food, loud music. Yaya's Kitch, Ramen Burgers, Chou Chou Crepes, Blue Mule, The Endless Meal, Nice Pops, Jojo the Wonton Girl, BPP Ice Cream, Aussie Pie Guy, Happily Stuffed, Floats, Cocktails, Wine, Craft Beer & More

Culture Days
Fri, Sat, Sun
See official website for individual event times and dates.
Culture Days is a national 3-day annual occurrence that celebrates arts and culture. It features free, hands-on, interactive activities and “behind the scenes” experiences where you can get up close and discover a world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers.


Sunday, September 29, 2013

2013 Western Regional Barista Championship
10am - 4pm - Supplier Showcase
12pm - 6pm - event & competition
Caffe Artigiano Roasting Works, 105-2999 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby, BC
On September 28th and 29th, 2013, some of Canada’s top baristas will compete against each other in a fun, engaging coffee competition as they vie for the title of “BC’s Best Barista”. Coffee-loving members of the public may participate in coffee roasting sessions; sample brews from leading coffee houses and visit the supplier’s showcase. Featured guest speakers will talk about coffee, origin, green bean buying and decaffeination. The supplier showcase will take place from 10am – 4pm and the event & competition from 12:00-6:00 pm at Artigiano Roasting Co., 105-2999 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby, BC. This two-day event will wrap up with an after party at Caffè Artigiano’s 740 West Hastings café on Sunday, September 29th.  The public can inquire at participating cafes for event tickets, at the door or email info@caffeartigiano.com to RSVP.

Science World Community Science Celebration
10am - 6pm Sat & Sun
TELUS World of Science 1455 Quebec Street Vancouver
Visit us this weekend (Sept 28 & 29) and join us in celebrating the kick-off for Around the Dome, our month-long science festival!  It's a Community Science Celebration! And general admission is 100% free thanks to the generous sponsorship of GenomeBC and BC Hydro!

Farmers Market Kitchen
11am - Chef Eric Arrouzé (UBC Culinary Arts)
Kitsilano Farmers Market, 2690 Larch St at 10th Avenue, Vancouver
Join Chef Eric Arrouzé from UBC Culinary Arts at 11am as he demonstrates a seasonal recipe featuring delicious local ingredients sourced right from the market.

BC Rivers Day at Burnaby Village Museum
11am - 4:30pm
Burnaby Village Museum 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
World Rivers Day:  a global event celebrating rivers in Canada and around the world. 2013 will be the 9th anniversary of World Rivers Day & 33rd annual Rivers Day in BC.   Burnaby's celebration will be hosted here at the Village this year!  River's Day fun includes entertainment, children's activities, and demonstrations.

Rain Barrels for Better - A community event & workshop
12pm - 3pm
The World In A Garden West 57th Avenue Vancouver
Join The World In A Garden Sunday, September 29 from 12 – 3 pm at their new garden site (3 plots North of E. Boulevard & W. 57th Avenue) for A LUSH Garden Event! This free event will kick off The Rain Barrel Project with live music, a garden market, a rain water harvesting workshop, a rain barrel auction and tastings from Happy Planet! The workshop will cover a rain barrel demo, rain gardens and water usage and the workshops will run at 12:30 pm and 2 pm. The hands-on workshop will demonstrate how easy it is to put Vancouver’s 45” of annual rainfall to work, at home or in the garden, by using water conservation and rain water harvesting techniques.

Vancouver Antiquarian, Collectible & Rare Book Fair
Sat 12pm - 7pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
UBC Robson Square 800 Robson Street Vancouver
The Vancouver Book Fair is the only antiquarian, collectible and rare book fair in Western Canada, and will feature many of Western Canada's top booksellers. A wide selection of antiquarian, collectible and rare books, ephemera, maps, prints, manuscripts and works on paper will be on offer at the fair.

Worldwide Bird Art Day Vancouver
12pm - 5pm
Vancouver Maritime Museum 1905 Ogden Avenue Vancouver
Come and help launch a big bird out of recycled plastic.  Bring, if you can, white or translucent (clean) milk jugs and plastc laundry and soap jugs.   We will put final touches on a bird that will be started during the 4 Thursdays in September.  12-3pm - Make a bird from a milk jug   1pm - Mary Bennett will talk about the Bird on the Beach Project  2pm - Ian Thomas will give a presentation on plastic in the Pacific  3pm - Bird will be taken down to beach for launching into Heritage Harbour.  This event is part of Culture Days and Worldwide Bird Art Installation Day.

Word Vancouver
Thursday - Sunday Check Schedule on website.
multiple locations
Main festival on Sunday at Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library
Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest celebration of literacy and reading. Held on the last weekend of September at Library Square in beautiful downtown Vancouver, our festival promotes books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. Word Vancouver has free events taking place over five days at Carnegie Community Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, Historic Joy Kogawa House, and Library Square.

Culture Days
Fri, Sat, Sun
See official website for individual event times and dates.
Culture Days is a national 3-day annual occurrence that celebrates arts and culture. It features free, hands-on, interactive activities and “behind the scenes” experiences where you can get up close and discover a world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers.


War Horse is tender and heart warming story about trust, loyalty, friendship and the special bond between a boy and his horse; how war tears them apart and how fate ultimately brings them back together again. Set in England, Albert raises his horse Joey, who his father bought in a bidding war at the local market using his mortgage money for their farm. World War I starts and his father betrays his promise and sells Joey to the cavalry. The lieutenant, who chooses Joey was his mount, promises that he will bring Joey safely back to Albert, but of course, war derails all carefully laid plans. When Albert hears about the lieutenant's death, he enlists to serve in the war even though he is too young, determined to bring Joey home. As the war drags on, it brings Albert to the front lines and Joey ends up serving on both sides, before ending up in no man's land. Neither realize just how close they were to each other. Eventually, with their bodies and spirits broken, fate intervened and brings boy and horse together again in an emotionally charged reunion.

Photo by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

War Horse was adapted from author Michael Morpurgo's 1982 children's novel of the same name. I was expecting a musical but it's more a play with musical interludes than a proper musical. It's actually great how they approached such a somber topic such as war; a more musical-like performance would have cheapened the experience.

It has also been made a movie in 2011. I was first introduced to War Horse through the movie so I was familiar with the story before watching it last night. At 2 hours 45 minutes including intermission, War Horse is by no means a short play and thus more suited to adult audiences. It was as long as the movie version but it felt like it was a better length than the movie, which I found lagged on a bit. There were parts of the play where it was hard to hear what the actors were saying but this didn't detract from the overall experience. Instead, I was riveted to every part of the play.

Photo by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Viewing it in live theatre is very different from watching it on screen. For one thing, it was very intense. Waaaay more so live. The accompanying music and play on lighting upped the intensity of scenes already fraught with tension. Even thought I knew what was going to happen, I found myself at the edge of my seat for many a scene. Then I asked myself: why am I getting so worked up? It's because the puppetry is astounding! Made by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, it takes a minimum of three puppeteers to bring Joey to life; more so in slow motion scenes. The puppeteers are so skilled and talented that after a while you don't notice them anymore. You will believe that Joey and his friends are real live horses.


It is things like this that sets War Horse apart from other plays and why this play has won 5 Tony Awards including Best Play! 


War Horse is now playing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver until September 29th. Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling 1-855-985-5000 or online. Tickets start at $35.00 plus applicable service fees. 

Visit Broadway Across Canada for more information.


Disclosure: I received tickets to the show from Broadway Across Canada to review. No other compensation was received. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any other way.