Mashed Thoughts

Lexus Design Tour - Vancouver
NOV 12 – NOV 14 10am – 6pm
NOV 15 11am – 7pm
Metropolis at Metrotown
Bringing the artistry of leading-edge Lexus design to your fingertips, the Lexus Design Tour is a cross-country event showcasing NX F SPORT , NX Hybrid, RC F SPORT and IS F SPORT test drive vehicles. Lexus will be displaying the exhilarating RC F at each location to allow attendees to get inside and experience the vehicle for themselves.

ARC'TERYX EQUIPMENT SHOW
Friday, November 13th, 6pm-Midnight
Saturday, November 14th, 10am-6pm
Sunday, November 15th, 10am-6pm
999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, Exhibition Hall C
FACTORY SECONDS & SAMPLE SALE Premium Outdoor Apparel and Equipment UP TO 70% OFF* PLUS an additional 10% off last ticketed price, Sunday only** WIN the Arc’teryx product of your choice.

Light Up The Holidays at Park Royal
Friday, Nov 13 5:30pm - 8:00pm, countdown at 6:45pm
925 Main Street, West Vancouver
Ring in the 2015 Holiday Season at Park Royal. Annual tree lighing ceremony in The Village. Delight in the countdown to illuminate over 100,000 dazzling lights at Keeper's Crossing in the centre of The Village.

Circle Craft Market - $14
November 11-15 2015, Wed-Fri 10am-9pm / Sat 10am-7pm / Sun 10am-5pm
Vancouver Convention Centre West 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3
42nd annual Christmas Craft Market! Generations of locals and visitors have attended and enjoyed a Market where they come face to face with fine BC and Canadian artisans and their work: wood-turners, glassblowers, sculptors and potters, clothing and jewellery designers, toy-makers, and many more.

Love It Craft It - $3
Saturday, Nov 14. 11am - 6pm
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Celebration event for Blushface Paper Goods' 5 Years Birthday and the Launch of Oh So Josephine, a personalized jewelry line. Proceeds will be donated to a local charity, Sophie’s Place, under The Centre for Child Development. From original pieces of art and handcrafted jewelry to modern fashion and unique handmade gifts. Love it. Craft it. is your new local craft fair with the lower mainland.

Craft & Bake Fair
Sat Nov 14, 10am-5pm
Sun Nov 15, 11am-5pm
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Celebrate Christmas with a Japanese flair! From gorgeous traditional textiles to fun and funky contemporary items as well as home baking and other delicious snacks, the always popular Craft Fair has something to suit every taste. Start your holiday shopping here! Sat 10AM Early Bird Admission: $2 by donation at the doors, or FREE for Nikkei Centre members displaying a valid membership card! 11AM Regular Admission: Free!

Flea Market
November 14, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Confederation Community Centre, 4585 Albert Street Burnaby, BC
Clean out your cupboards or find yourself a great bargain! More than 50 tables of pre-loved items are on display to comb through. Free admission for buyers.

Diwali Downtown Surrey
Saturday, Nov 14, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
CENTRE STAGE at Surrey City Hall 13450-104 Avenue Surrey, BC Canada V3T 1V8
As part of the 12th annual Diwali Fest, Diwali Downtown is one of the festival’s main events that brings together the best of contemporary and classical Indian culture for the entire family. This year’s FREE event will include over fifteen different music and dance performances, an Indian bazaar featuring South Asian crafts, food, rangoli, and more! Diwali Fest (formerly Vancouver Celebrates Diwali) is an annual South Asian arts & culture festival celebrating the universal light that exists in everyone.

3D Canada
November 14 and 15
Simons at Park Royal South, West Vancouver
Participate in artist/writer Douglas Coupland's 3DCanada art project. Scan yourself and take home your very own 3D-printed bust.

Hyde Creek Salmon Festival
Sunday, Nov 15, 11am - 3pm
Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Avenue, Port Coquitlam
Hyde Creek Education Centre & Hatchery, 3636 Coast Meridian Road
The Chum and Coho Salmon are returning to their spawning grounds at Hyde Creek. Come out to this Free Family Event. In-stream salmon demonstrations and salmon dissections, informative and interactive environmental displays and exhibits, live Eagle presentation, guided nature walks along Hyde Creek Salmon Hatchery tours, Crafts, face painting, fundraising BBQ and raffle.

Shadbolt's 20th Anniversary Party
November 15, 2015, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue Burnaby, BC
Free afternoon of family fun celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts! In honour of Shadbolt Centre's birthday and the arts, decorate birthday cards, make hats and watch a live circus performance by Circus West, followed by a sweet cupcake reception. We are also excited to have the Papergirl’s Giftervention, giving away art from their bicycles, and a watercolour activity as part of this celebratory event.

Main Street Record Fair - $4
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15th, 11 AM – 5 PM
Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC)
Get incredible deals on vinyl records, turntables, vintage audio gear, record storage and other accessories. Discover rare gems and stock up on bargain classics!

Friday, November 6th, 2015

Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Vancouver Police Museum Open House
Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 from 9am to 5pm.
Vancouver Police Museum, 240 East Cordova Street
Drop into the Vancouver Police Museum’s open house in celebration of our community's shared history. On November 6th and 7th, explore the history of crime, law enforcement, and forensic science in our city, and join us for special tours examining a police force nourished by its connection to the community. Tours at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Friday, and 2:00pm on Saturday.

Thank Dog I'm Out
November 7th, 2015 11am
Landmark Aviation 4360 Agar Drive, Richmond, BC, WEST Building (off Russ Baker Way)
On Saturday, November 7th, 2015, we will be welcoming 100 rescue dogs, as they fly into Landmark Aviation from sunny California. Thanks to our wonderful partners, Wings of Rescue and Landmark Aviation, these beautiful pups will be landing right on our doorstep, ready for you to take them home.

Diwali Downtown: Vancouver
Saturday, 2pm
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3
Diwali Downtown is the festival’s main event and a key attraction for our festival sponsors, drawing thousands of people from all demographics for a South Asian cultural extravaganza. This FREE event that brings together the best of contemporary and classical Indian culture for the entire family. This year’s event will include over fifteen different music and dance performances, an Indian bazaar featuring South Asian crafts and food, a room-sized rangoli,and more!

TEDxVancouver ID: The Exhibition
Friday, November 6, 2015 | 2:00PM – 11:00PM
Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 2:00PM – 11:00PM
397 Alexander Street, Vancouver
TEDxVancouver expands on its support of the local grassroots arts community with a Visual Arts Exhibition. The Artist Series will centre on three Vancouver-based figurative painters who will showcase bodies of work that explore the concept of ID. These feature painters will be supported by 14 works by 14 diverse mixed-medium Group Exhibition artists.

Sunday, November 8th, 2015

Halloween at Oakridge
October 29 – 31, mall hours
Oakridge Centre
Visit the display between October 29 – 31 in the West Galleria and vote on your favourite larger-than-life jack ‘o lantern at the Concierge Desk for the chance to win a $250 Oakridge Gift Card.

Haunted Village - $14
October 28, 2015 - October 30, 2015 (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Burnaby Village Museum 6501 Deer Lake Ave Burnaby BC
Tickets available at the door. Members are free. Watch for black cats, huge yellow moons, over-size pumpkins and all things that could go BOO! Come have a ghost of a time. Explore the Village in the dark of the night: spirits be haunting, spectres be creeping, and crows be – everywhere. Our team has cut loose from the usual constraints to create a fun family experience that makes visitors both groan and smile. Adults, youth & seniors: $14 Children (2-12 years): $9

Aberdeen Centre's Halloween Spooktacular
Oct 31 (Sat) 1pm - 5pm Central Atrium
4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, BC
Spooky fun games, balloons, facepainting, free shows, scary treats and more!

Free comics Halloween Fest
October 31
Your local Comic shop
Head to a participating comic shop on October 31st to get free comics! Also be on the look-out for mini-comic packs that will be available in comic shops which are great to pass out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween!

Parade of Lost Souls 2015
Oct 31 7pm - 10pm
Secret Location TBA
The Parade will take place on October 31, 2015 - All Hallows’ Eve. In keeping with tradition, the parade route will be a secret, announced at midnight the night before. Keep checking our website and social media feeds for updated information, a parade route map, and other exciting surprises!

10th Annual Halloween SkyTrain Party
8pm (show up early)
Meet on the Canada Line train platform at Waterfront Station.
Gather your public space, public transit loving friends, costume up in your wildest, sassiest, most-creative attire, and join us for a ghoulish ride on the crazy train! In-flight entertainment courtesy will be provided by our resident DJ Rocky Fisher (bio below). Get set for epic EDM awesomeness as we travel south and across the border into deepest, darkest Richmond before returning to Waterfront Station. And when the train rolls back back downtown to Terminus, we are offering members our very own version of Star-Alliance treatment with after-party magic. Follow us round the corner, across the street, and to the soon-to-be dismantled Seymour & Hastings Dome, where the DJ action will carry on.

Mushroom Show - by donation
Nov 1, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Richmond Nature Park 11851 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, BC V6X 1B4
Discover the fungus among us as the Vancouver Mycological Society presents a show of local autumn fungi. Bring mystery mushrooms for identification on Sunday, November 1 between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Admission is by donation. Proceeds support the Richmond Nature Park Society’s environmental education programs.

Halo 5: Guardians is finally released!!! For those that don't know me, I'm a bit of a gamer. Sometimes I have difficult choice between blogging and gaming. (If I'm not updating, that means I'm gaming. Sorry!) One of my favourite games is Halo. Usually I line up for the midnight launch at BestBuy, but this year I heard that the Microsoft Store at Metropolis at Metrotown was going to hold a launch party with Halo themed food and music so I decided to check it out since I had to wait until midnight to be able to play my digital copy of the game anyways.

I was 41st in line. My friend was 7th! At 6pm, we were let into the party.

The line was very organized. We were given these lanyards and a code to enter for prizes that were drawn throughout the night.

A few TVs were set up around the store so people could try out Halo 5 before the midnight release. Nothing spoilery of course!

A live DJ played some tunes.

The Halo LIVE broadcast event was put on the big screen but it was very hard to hear any thing with the music on.

I was kind of disappointed with the food...This was not at all Halo themed.

Apparently Halo themed meant a small Chipotle burrito with a Halo sticker stuck to it... -____- *FAIL* But I guess food is food. Other people weren't complaining.

The store was decorated with some of these Spartan heads around.

We also were able to get our heads pasted onto a suit of armour. I did it but I must have entered the wrong email address and how my photo is going to be forever floating in cyberspace.

I read that BestBuy was going to have Master Chief and Locke show up so I expected something similar at a Microsoft store but when I asked they said NO! WHAT?! They weren't going to be showing up at the Metrotown location! It was still early so I hopped onto a train to the Pacific Centre Microsoft store where I saw through updates on social media that Master Chief WAS in attendance!

The party was still going strong at Pacific Centre.

Right away I found the Master Chief and Cortana!

There were a lot of cosplayers there! Here's Master Chief playing some Halo 5. He seems to be enjoying it! I also heard that there was an epic entrance where all the cosplayers marched in, while Halo music played, that I missed because I was CLEARLY AT THE WRONG LOCATION.

This location seemed to have more game stations to play at as well.

Oh, Chief! Why are you ignoring Cortana?!

Cool drink station! They had pizza and desserts as well, I think.

Awww I missed the cake!

It used to look like this:

At the Halo 5 Launch Party :DD #awesome#MicrosoftBC#MasterChief

A photo posted by Catherine (@cat_nguyen1) on Oct 26, 2015 at 6:13pm PDT

So cool!

There was a DJ here playing music as well.

I'm so glad I went to this Microsoft store, because I got a photo with this guy! This guy is so tall, he is the perfect spartan!

Look at this guy! He towered over everyone! So cool!

The parties at the Microsoft stores were cool. I enjoyed myself and I'm glad I found the Chief and his friends finally!

Now excuse me while I play Halo 5! See you out on the battlefield!

The first ever Canadian Zwilling J.A. Henckels outlet store opened its doors on Friday, October 23rd, 2015 in the heart of Vancouver's McArthurGlen Designer Outlets. I was invited the night before to take a peek at what's in store at Zwilling.

The store layout is very nice and open. Most people know Zwilling from their single-man and double-man knives (PRO line). At least that's what I know them from. I learned that that isn't all they produce! They also sell Miyabi - beautiful Japanese knives that would make any chef salivate, Staub - enabled cast iron and ceramics from France, cookware, and Tweezerman accessories!

We also watched a cooking demo let by Executive Chef Dana Hauser from the Fairmont Waterfront. She taught us how to make delicious seafood paella using a Staub Paella Pan and Henckels knives.

Paella was then served in cute Staub ceramic cocottes!

Throughout the night attendees noshed and mingled with other media and bloggers.

We ended the night with a cupcake, cleverly displayed in a Staub pot!

The Zwilling outlet store is now open to the public!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Zwilling Outlet Store Grand Opening
10am - 9:00pm
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport 1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd Richmond, BC
Canada's first Zwilling Outlet store is opening at McArthur Glen Designers Outlet Mall. First 100 customers receive a gift. ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS is a leading international manufacturer of premium consumer goods ranging from kitchen products such as knives, cookware, tableware and accessories to beauty products such as tools and brushes. Save up to 50% on a variety of quality products and outfit your kitchen in style.

Sustenance Festival
October 13 until October 25, 2015
City-wide festival that includes everything from food inspired art exhibits to local food workshops on food preparation and gardening, potlucks, talks, walks, and more – all taking place in community centres and public spaces throughout Vancouver.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Cineplex Community Day - $2
Doors open at 8:30am. Movies start at 9am
Cineplex theatres everywhere.
Free movies plus popcorn, select drinks & candy for $2. 100% of proceeds go to WE Free the Children. Choose from Despicable Me 2, Fast & Furious 6, The Lorax, Pitch Perfect, Dumb and Dumber To, and Hop.

Beyond the Magic
Saturday, 12pm - 5pm
UBC, 2036 Main Mall Chemistry Building Vancouver, BC
Beyond the Magic gives chemists a chance to share the science we are most passionate about with members of the community of all ages. With demonstrations shows, hands-on activities, prizes, and of course liquid nitrogen ice-cream, this is a day not to be missed!

Laneway House Tour - $30
1pm - 5pm
Self-guided tour inside examples new and old of gentle densification on heritage properties. Built since the 1890s, stratified properties, coach and lane homes have all been featured. In 2015 we have five newly constructed lane homes, built behind existing homes.

Thrill the World Vancouver 2015
Saturday, October 24th, 3pm
Creekside Community Recreation Centre 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 0B1
Thrill The World is an annual dance event in which participants simultaneously emulate the zombie dance seen in the music video of Michael Jackson's "Thriller'!

Halloween Drive-In at River District Vancouver - $20 + tax
7:00pm - 8:30pm - Hocus Pocus (1993)
9:30pm - 11:00 pm - John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)
3650 East Kent Avenue South, Vancouver, BC
START TIME: gates open at 6:00pm; showtime is 7:00pm. Please arrive early for best parking space. Load the car up with friends and family and come enjoy a spooky Halloween movie under the stars in a fun, retro drive-in setting! For two nights at the end of October, get ready to scream, shriek and shiver at the return of Canada's only HALLOWEEN DRIVE-IN movie series at Wesgroup's River District neighbourhood in South Vancouver! Your CARLOAD parking pass gives you preferred parking at the Halloween Drive-In for the movie of your choice for one car/truck/van/SUV, and entry for you + up to 7 other guests inside your vehicle.

Sustenance Festival
October 13 until October 25, 2015
City-wide festival that includes everything from food inspired art exhibits to local food workshops on food preparation and gardening, potlucks, talks, walks, and more – all taking place in community centres and public spaces throughout Vancouver.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Vancouver Mycological Society Mushroom Show - $3
11:00am - 4:00pm
VanDusen Botantical Garden, Floral Hall and Cedar Room
View various species of mushrooms and learn about these unique fungi at the annual mushroom show!

Tea Sparrow’s Second Annual Tea-Off
Presale: get 2 tickets for $10 (http://gr.pn/1QwP84X) At the door: $10/ticket
Sunday October 25, 11am- 5pm
Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street @ 15th)
Welcome to the 2nd annual Tea Sparrow Tea-Off, where you’ll have the chance to sample members’ top-rated teas from from around the world. This season’s 18 best teas go head-to-head to compete for top place. Come sip and score them to your heart’s delight!

Wild Salmon Convergence!
2:30pm - 5:30pm
Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver BC
“The Salmon Will Hear Our Songs” Ancient Ritual, Ceremony and Songs, Children’s Face-Painting and Art-Making, Wild Salmon Caravan Video. Part of 2015 Sustenance Festival.

Sustenance Festival
October 13 until October 25, 2015
City-wide festival that includes everything from food inspired art exhibits to local food workshops on food preparation and gardening, potlucks, talks, walks, and more – all taking place in community centres and public spaces throughout Vancouver.

The Lincoln Motor Canada Savour the City event was held On Sept 21st, 2015. Lincoln Motor host these culinary events in cities across Canada almost every year to showcase the latest and greatest of Lincoln vehicles.

At each event, attendees go for a 10 minute test drive in one of the Lincolns, then take a brief post-drive survey, before sitting down for a complimentary 3-course dinner, drinks included, courtesy of Lincoln Motors. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me! I invited some friends to drive and dine with me, who never had the Lincoln experience. Boy, were they in for a treat!

Only one of your party needs to test drive and the rest can be passengers or the Lincoln representative can drive all of you, while pointing out the features of the Lincoln. This year, the featured car was the Lincoln MKX. We didn't get to test drive it the first night. We instead test drove the MKZ, which was still pretty cool.

The first dinner was at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar. I've been here when it first opened and I was looking forward returning.

When we sat down, we were given whiskey in a medicine bottle. Looking at the ingredients, it sounded really good. It was pretty strong, too.

The event is kind of like Dine Out Vancouver where you get to choose an appetizer, main and dessert from a set menu.

Caesar Salad - parmigiano reggiano, olive oil bread crisp, white anchovies

Fire Roasted Tomato Bisque - cornbread crouton, basil

I ordered the tomato bisque for my appetizer, It was really good!

Wild Salmon - glazed young vegetables, sweet garlic-basil emulsion

K and I shared our mains. I tried her salmon, while she shared my chicken. Both were very good but I preferred the chicken. It was so moist and savory.

Tarragon Chicken - pomme puree, roasted mushroom, natural jus

On to dessert:

Lemon Tart - custard, meringue, buttery shortcrust

Chocolate Torte - cocoa sponge, mousse, vanilla ice cream

K always chooses the chocolate! She thought it was amazing!

Strawberry Shortcake - variation of strawberry, genoise, lime sorbet

I picked the right dessert. A big waft of strawberries hit me when the plate was put in front of me. It was so delicious!

The dinner and service were phenomenal. Most of the dishes served are available on Boulevard's regular menu. Thanks, Lincoln Motor for the dinner!

Check out now.lincolncanada.com to find out more about Lincoln Motor and follow them on social media:
Instagram: @lincolnmotorca
Twitter: @lincolnmotorca
Facebook: Lincoln Motor Company of Canada