I can be such a poser. Given a wall of girly magazines as choices for light reading during a flight, I skipped over Cosmo, Marie Claire, Glamor, and the like for the latest issue of Runner’s World. I’m not that ardent a runner to devour every issue of RW but I certainly have an interest in a given issue’s contents and it’s far better for my “image” for the cover story to scream “Lose 10 Pounds (The Right Way)” rather than “6 Moves to Drive Him Wild in Bed (and …

I’m home for the holidays (of course) and working a lot at the restaurant (of course) and trying not to waste the short time I am back here by, say, blogging. However, since I had snapped the pictures anyway, I thought I’d share the magnificent talent that is the little sister’s, MY, tailoring skills.
She made every piece you see here including a great coat that was inspired by a Ralph Lauren coat, all made since the last time I saw her in May. You can click on the images to …

Just a few years ago, I only had the faintest idea of when American Thanksgiving occurred. In Canada, we get it out of the way in early October while Americans get around to it in late November. I did not realize how important or long a holiday it was for them.
Besides my secret impression that Vancouver is a very American city, it just cannot be faulted for being located very close to the border, right? Another reason why I love where I live: it’s like a straight line drive from my …

The little sister, MY, is quite an advocate for the Joe Fresh line of clothing you can find while also at The Real Atlantic/Great Canadian Superstore for groceries… and I can’t say that I disagree.
The prices are so reasonable–$89 for a coat! $29 for fall shoes!–and then if you live close to one or do your grocery shopping at a Superstore, you can check often and get the quality clothing on sale! Which MY has done and so have my girlfriends here who delight over finding clearance shoes for $5 …

Through blogs, a long time ago, I heard of this American grocery store, Trader Joe’s, and in my mind’s eye, I imagined a rustic place with a log cabin theme and glass jars of maple syrup. How wrong I was. And to think that for some reason, I never quite realize that I, too, could shop at Trader Joe’s. It’s those immigration officers at the border and at the airport who sternly ask me, “Did you bring back any food?” And I know that in order not arouse their suspicions, …

View Cambie Street Corridor in a larger map
It started innocently enough when I wanted to map the grocery stores (green pins) in my neighbourhood, the Cambie Street Corridor (or Cambie Village, if you please) since a big competitor is set to open its doors on April 29.

(I wrote this article for a class I am currently taking titled “Writing for the Web” so that’s what occupying me. Given it’s my first word limit in a while, it was quite difficult to stick to!)

How and Why I got a free iPod Touch
Last summer, I redeemed 4,000-odd Air Miles from to acquire my first (free) iPod.
So, it took seven years since the iPod first became available for me to get onto the bandwagon. And, I figured, getting an iPod Touch was a good starting point because it has …

Whenever I go home, my most adorable and accomplished little sister, MY, regales me with the clothes that she has recently made (as a hobby, mind you) from A-line skirts in the prettiest fabrics you wouldn’t find without visiting tens of boutiques to pretty summer tops to a couple of semi-formal event-worthy dresses.
So far, I have loved most a black watch plaid capelet she made me. I have loved the idea of such a capelet since seeing one on Anne Shirley in Kevin Sullivan’s 1985 production of “Anne of Green …

Like a true girl, I can rationalize the addition of another pair of shoes to my wardrobe.
Just a few weeks ago, I went for the first time on an overnight trip to Bellevue (Washington) with the Wives and Girlfriends. We skipped the chain stores and they introduced me to Ross and Marshalls, both of which are far better than Canadian discount aggregator store, Winners. My spending pattern was kind of embarassing for spread across the two stores and just 2 hours, I bought 4 dresses, 4 pairs of shoes… and …

Once a year, I dress up in my black-and-blue MPG running skort, select a current-looking and pretty top, slap on sunscreen, and run just under 3K to Oakridge Mall where I pick up my race package at The Bay.
You see, Oakridge Mall is a shi-shi mall by Vancouver standards housing Coach, Michael Kors, and Birks amongst the common ranks of The Gap and Garage Clothing. I had to look less runner-dowdy while strolling through the mall killing two birds with one stone with some shopping!
The swag bag is part of …