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Aritzia – “Snooze You Lose” Sale (starts Feb. 5th, 2009)

I know you Vancouverites like to click on anything related to “Aritzia” in the WordPress tags, so I decided to repost on here about the current Aritzia sale:

 It’s that time of year again! The Aritzia “Snooze You Lose” sale starts today, February 5th with 50 to 70% off select fall and winter merchandise. Keep checking this space to see what good deals there are as I make my way downtown to see what I can find! However…I’m slightly skeptical because I’ve noticed that Aritzia has been having big sales in the post-Christmas weeks already so I wonder how much more discounted their stuff will be….

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Wings+Horns – Clothing Sale (December 5 to 7, 2008)

By Guest-writer Kenneth Law

Wings & Horns (formerly Spruce), a relatively cryptic brand of upscale streetwear and casual workwear for men, designed and manufactured in our very own Vancouver, B.C. is having a sample sale at 188 West 6th Ave. I’d be inclined to say it’s one of the best sample sales ever displayed by the label, with stock that includes some of their famous tiger fleece hoodies alongside thermals, buffalo check jackets, raw denim and tees for ridiculously low prices. Sizes are available from XS – XL, and if you go early enough in the day there’s usually enough stock to give you a great selection.

Collections of Wings and Horns can be found locally at Holt Renfrew, Roden Gray,Gravity Pope (footwear) and Dutil Denim (denim). However, it’s a fairly certain guarantee that the deals at this sample sale will outshine anything those stores can offer. While their designs are usually not out of the ordinary enough to jutsify the regular retail price they command, the sheer quality of the material and details in the construction (No YKK zippers!) are definitely worth the prices you will be finding at this sale. Note it is cash only.

Shop Cocoon – Friends & Family Sale (Thurs. December 4)

The concept behind Shop Cocoon (3345 Cambie Street @17th Avenue) is simple. Artists and designers lease shelf space from the store and are also required to work a minimum number of hours behind the counter each week, allowing them the opportunity to showcase their emerging brands without having to undergo the costs of starting up their own shop. The brands available at Shop Cocoon will not be unfamiliar to Vancouverites who are interested in the local and independent designer scene. From Tyte Lids to Filou Designs, these clothing and accessories have frequented the likes of Portobello West, Spend on Trend and more!

On Thursday December 4, from 11am to 9pm, save up to 30% off the entire shop for their friends and family sale. Goodies will be served.

Sarah Jessica Parker – “Lovely” Fragrance and Sex and the City DVD Release

“Suddenly, something lovely stirs in the air. Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker. Introducing a fragrance as lovely as the woman who created it. A signature scent that is feminine, timeless and ageless.

Despite only having seen a handful of SATC episodes, I thought Sex and the City was a great film. It combined all the elements of a chick flick – heartwarming one moment, heartbreaking the next, but always left with a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling about being content with who you are and having friends who will be there for you in a heartbeat when you need them the most. I love how the movie does not settle for a cookie-cutter version of happiness or romance. Everyone is different with different needs and aspirations and there is no generic happy ending which fits every person.

The success of Sarah Jessica Parker’s does not stop at Sex and the City. Like most shining starlets, she has leveraged her success and expanded further into the retail industry by launching a fragrance, appropriately titled “Lovely“.

Upon first glance, the bottle is a translucent pink with gold writing. When you think of perfumes, and all the aspects of femininity they encompass, you would not be too far off from the Lovely bottle. A circular ribbed lid caps the gold spray of the bottle giving it a simple but elegant look. Of ribbons – not of cuteness, but of maturity.

The perfume contains a bountiful of pretty layers including notes of mandarin, bergamot, rosewood, lavender, orchid, cedar, white amber and musk. If scents could be described by touch, I would say Lovely is on the softer side, but no where near baby powder. It is neither citrus-y nor overly floral but has a “grown up” smell of sophistication and maturity.

Here’s more good news: as an exclusive gift available only at Sears, purchase a Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Eau de Parfum Spray (size: 100ml) and receive a copy of the much anticipated DVD release, Sex and the City The Movie.

Limit one bonus per customer while quantities last.

Spectral Theatre – THE VELVET EDGE (starts November 5)

Spectral Theatre Presents:
THE VELVET EDGE “A Gothic Horror”

An English novelist comes to an asylum to hear the story of one inmate who after a journey into the decadent heart of 18th century France, was suspected of the murder of his wife, but committed due to his presumed insanity. As the inmate recounts his bizarre and terrifying descent into debauchery and madness, the audience is drawn into the scenes of his past. Could his delusions be in fact, a terrifying reality?

The Velvet Edge is an original two act play written by Blake Drezet, co founder of Spectral Theatre. It is a gritty, erotic period drama overflowing with sensuous flair and tantalizing horror. Utilizing rich costumes, elaborate set elements and horrific special effects it is Spectral’s most ambitious project to date.

DATE: November 5th – 6th & 8th – 15th
TIME: Doors at 7:30 PM Show at 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy Street)
TICKETS: $20 (minimum donation)

Call 604 569 2013 or e-mail spectraltheatre@shawbiz.ca to reserve your tickets.
Warning: Coarse language, scenes of violence, suggestive scenes and nudity.

Taste of Yaletown- Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar

Last night I went to Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar (1079 Mainland Street) for their Taste of Yaletown menu. This restaurant is owned by the Glowbal Restaurant Group which also manages Sanafir and Italian Kitchen.

As usual, I chose the outdoor patio seating, knowing that their heat lamps would keep diners toasty warm even in the coldest of nights. Maybe a little bit too warm – but the servers were quick to fulfill my request to turn down the heat! Glowbal has always been a restaurant I somehow “end up at” in Yaletown. I think it’s because of it’s uber-convenient location – smack in the middle of Yaletown, and the popular patio seating leads to a short wait time.

Between an appetizer of “seared autumn sea scallops” or a baby spinach salad, I had the latter option with a drizzle of vinaigrette, roasted tomatoes and candied pecans. (Although my friend’s choice of 6 mini scallops on skewers was an equally fulfilling choice.) For the main course, we both had the “rosemary crusted Australian lamb chops” (I don’t eat fish) with numerous references to the musical children’s TV show “Lamb Chops Play-Along (“This is the song that never ends…”) in our personal conversation.

By the time our food was served, the sun had already set and we were literally eating by candlelight with a soft neon green glow from the Glowbal sign and faraway street lamps as the only other sources of light. I couldn’t really see my food which was slightly disgruntling because I like to know exactly what I am eating. (This is part of the reason why I don’t have any photos from the night. *Note to self: take food photos before it gets dark!) The lamb was tender and juicy but the vegetables were quite salty which took away from the tastefulness of the lamb. If my sense of taste does not deceive me (since I have already lost my sight in the darkness), I believe there were small squares of red peppers, yam and baby potatoes, beans, carrots and a big, soft onion which was kind of fun to cut up and eat with the lamb and vegetables.

As for our dessert, the chocolate espresso tort looked so delicious that the diners at the table next to us leaned over and asked what we were eating. (Yes, our tables were that close together!) A chocolate-filled tart which looked like it came fresh from the display window of a bakery and would satisfy any sweet tooth with a thin layer of raspberry syrup lining the plate. It was super filling though, so be sure to leave room for dessert – even if it means eating less of your main course.

Overall, Glowbal is quite a social restaurant to go to, especially with their backroom lounge Afterglow for drinks after dinner. Its ideal location makes it a hotspot in Yaletown. Their unhurried service makes Glowbal a great place to chat over dinner. If you haven’t had a chance to experience Taste of Yaletown yet, the fixed-price, three course menus run until October 26th so you still have time! For more details, including restaurant listings and menus, click here for the official website. Otherwise, if you are checking out Glowbal not for their Taste of Yaletown menu, then I would definitely recommend their satay sampler for a comprehensive selection of what this restaurant has to offer.

Armin Van Buuren – A State of Trance 2008 Tracklist

As you know, DJ Armin Van Buuren, the #1 trance DJ in the world, releases an annual CD collaborartion titled “A State of Trance”.

How does this relate to Vancouver? Armin Van Buuren came to Plush earlier this month to play two shows with the Friday show was completely sold out! The photo in this entry was taken by me at his Thursday October 9, 2008 show! Any excuse to post my amazing pictures up on Modern Mix Vancouver! :)

Since his concert, I have obtained his 2008 CD and have been listening to it non-stop and I finally feel like I have heard enough of his selection to be able to pick my favorites and I have included his track list below italicized the “general consensus” of the “most popular” tracks from ASOT 2008. I use those terms casually as everyone has their own taste in music, but the ones I have italicized are perhaps the more well known tracks.

Check out the Armin Van Buuren Myspace Page to listen to some of the featured tracks from ASOT 2008!

For those of you who are already listening, here is a track list for your convenience.

CD1: ON THE BEACH
1. Armin van Buuren feat. Jaren – Unforgivable (First State Remix)
2. DJ Tatana – Spring Breeze (Martin Roth SummerStyle Remix)
3. Mike Foyle – Bittersweet Nightshade
4. M6 – Amazon Dawn
5. Andy Moor – Fake Awake (The Blizzard Remix)
6. Blake Jarrell – Punta Del Este
7. Benya feat. Penny Nixon – Serendipity
8. Ohmna – Satori Waterfalls
9. Signalrunners feat. Julie Thompson – These Shoulders (Club Mix)
10. Myon & Shane 54 feat. Carrie Skipper – Vampire (Club Mix)
11. Julian Vincent – Certainty (Mark Otten Dub)
12. Tenishia feat. Tiff Lacey – Burning From The Inside (Tenishia’s Burning Dub)
13. Mr. Sam feat. ClAud9 – Cygnes
14. Lange – Out of the Sky (Kyau & Albert Remix

CD2: IN THE CLUB
1. Arnej feat. Josie – Strangers We’ve Become (Intro Tech Dub)
2. Sunlounger feat. Zara – Lost (Club Mix)
3. Offer Nissim – For your Love (Sied van Riel Remix)
4. Ilya Soloviev & Paul Miller – Lover Summer (Orjan Nilsen Remix)
5. Markus Schulz – The New World
6. Robert Nickson & Daniel Kandi – Rewire
7. Giuseppe Ottaviani – No More Alone
8. The Thrillseekers feat. Fisher – The Last Time (Simon Bostock Remix)
9. Stoneface & Terminal – Blueprint (Club Mix)
10. DJ Shah feat. Adrina Thorpe – Back To You (Aly & Fila Remix)
11. Andy Blueman – Time To Rest (Live Guitar by Eller van Buuren)
12. Thomas Bronzwaer – Certitude
13. 8 Wonders – The Return
14. Jochen Miller – Lost Connection
15. Armin van Buuren feat. Sharon Den Adel – In And Out of Love (Richard Durand Remix)

DJ Armin Van Buuren at Plush (October 9 & 10)

Armin Van Buuren, the number 1 trance DJ in the world (according to DJ Mag) and best known for radio show A State of Trance, is playing at Plush this week, on Thursday October 9th and Friday October 10th. His Friday show sold out ages ago and there are only a limited number of tickets left for Thursday night! Tickets are steeply priced at $60 (before taxes and extra charges) but if you’re willing to get over that hurdle, click here to purchase your ticket through Clubzone.

Vancouver Art Gallery – WACK! exhibition (begins October 4, 2008)

First it was CRAZY! now it’s just “WACK!”.  The new Vancouver Art Gallery exhibition officially begins tomorrow, October 4th and runs until January 11, 2009.

WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution is the first comprehensive, international survey of a remarkable body of work that emerged from the dynamic relationship between art and feminism between 1965 and 1980, a time in which a majority of feminist activism and art-making occurred across the globe. The exhibition brings together the work of 120 artists to examine the international foundations and impact of feminism on art.

I didn’t go to the members’ opening last night (zzzz) but as soon as I check this one out, highlights will be posted on Modern Mix Vancouver!

“Coffee” Film Premiere

As you may have read on Modern Mix Monday, I went to the “Coffee” red-carpet film premiere at Jupiter Cafe on Davie Street. Directed by Daniel-Ryan Spaulding, a Queen’s University alumni, Coffee consists of an ensemble cast of 20 local actors with ten vignette snapshots of well-scripted conversations between two people having Coffee.

Cozy atmosphere at Jupiter Cafe before "Coffee" film screening begins

Coffee was an incredibly “Vancouver” film with scenes shot at several local hotspots, including scenes from Bean Around The World and JJ Bean. With constant references to Vancouver culture, perhaps you can spot yourself personified in one of the ten vignettes. I counted at least three mentions of yoga and brief references to Spanish Banks, Burrard Street and Shoppers’ Drug Mart and an overall “gay-friendly” feel (can you spot the rainbow flag in the background with Ed & Geraldine in Part 2/10? Or the over excitement of Patricia in Part 6/10 about her gay best friend?)

My favorite scene got the crowd laughing out loud with Monica & The Meta Sister (Part 9/10) with a Black woman, “Hey Sista!”, “in-your-face” attitude (snap snap!) as a Black parking meter lady (“The Meta Sister”) walks down the street (coffee in hand, of course) with her timid White friend who was chatted up on MSN and lectures her on being Black Forest Cake, not Sponge Cake – sweet, plain but boring!!

Other notable scenes included a compulsive Shoppers’ Drug Mart shoplifter who learns a lesson in inner peace and humility, a candid conversation between friends on sex (great filming and facial expressions for this one), an obsession with Grey’s Anatomy, an awkward young boy meeting over coffee with a high-class hooker, and the formation of revenge plans towards a cheating lover.

Photographer Mischa Bartkow in backstage photoshoot action with actresses Sandra Panic as Gina and Kelsey Benning as Toni in "Coffee" (Part 3/10)

It was a diverse audience in support of Coffee, I wouldn’t be able to make a sweeping generalization of the crowd. Nonetheless, it was cozy and candlelit atmosphere with couches surrounding small square tables and a big screen up front for the movie. A red carpet led backstage, for the actors to pose on a single plush red loveseat for a photoshoot with Mischa Bartkow (“not to be confused with Mischa Barton”, remarked Daniel-Ryan in his speech).

Coffee was completed in August 2008 and is launching directly as a YouTube channel for the rest of the world to enjoy a little piece of Coffee culture.

Watch “Coffee” Online at http://www.youtube.com/coffeemovie.

Taste of Yaletown 2008 (October 14th to 26th)

The fourth annual Taste of Yaletown is happening this year from October 14th to 26th.

Over 20 Yaletown restaurants will be offering special three-course tasting menus at set price points of $25, $35 and $45 with a portion of proceeds raised at each restaurant donated to The Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Participating restaurants for 2008 include:
Amarcord Ristorante Italiano, Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar, Brown’s Social House, Cactus Club Cafe, Capone’s Restaurant & Live Jazz Club, Coast Restaurant, Elixir Restaurant, Fuse Pan Asian Express, George, Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar, Goldfish Pacific Kitchen, Hamilton Street Grill, Milestone’s Yaletown, Pinkys Steakhouse, PlanB, Provence Marinaside, Rodney’s Oyster House, Section (3), Simply Thai, Tequila Kitchen, Urban Thai Bistro, Yaletown Brewing Co.

Join their Facebook Group here!

Billabong Sample Sale (October 1 & 2, 2008)

Billabong is having a sample sale on Wednesday October 1 & 2, 2008.  Location is #226-1868 Glen Drive (GX Building), which is across from the Home Depot on Terminal Avenue.  Drop by between 11am to 7pm.  Don’t forget to bring cash!

Modern Mix Monday – Re-Entry Espresso

Looking for something to do? Every Monday morning, we present to you “Modern Mix Monday”, a brief but link-filled one-paragraph review of our past weekend loaded with suggestions to inspire you for your next!

Re-entry Espresso (4363 Main Street) is a modern cafe located on 27th and Main with an affordable selection of drinks and pastries and wireless internet access. With booth style seating, large mugs of coffee in the $2 to $3 range and a pot of tea for $2.25, and artwork showcased on the walls, this cafe exudes a laid-back atmosphere for long conversations, catching up with friends or doing some work on your laptop. The only downside are its early closing hours: 6pm every evening.

A Change of Perspective

By: Guest-writer Hannah Willetts

On Thursday evening, I was lucky enough to attend the Changes (4454 W 10th) fashion show held at their Point Grey boutique. The store itself was delightfully cozy, jam-packed with patrons and Kwantlen Fashion Design Program students, not to mention the racks of conspicuously organized original clothing. Doors opened at 6:30pm, and refreshments served while we perused the one-of a kind store.

Changes offers shoppers “lightly used” designer clothing, for “real women”. The clothing is both from consignment and store buy-outs, ranging from $20- $160, and accessories from local and Canadian hand craft designers, ranging from $3 -$60. Changes strives to provide for the modern women who is not constrained by sizes or media influences because, “size means absolutely squat!”

The show started after a tearful speech by Rhonda, who stated the store 11 years ago in Vancouver, after her mother’s store in Calgary. Soon after the show began, showing various looks for fall, notably showcased on models of various shapes and sizes who are all loyal customers of the shop. Notable pieces were, a sea-foam green tunic blouse with silver sequins ($24), paired with a pencil skirt($89), and sling back Guess shoes ($39), as well as a black Kenzie blouse ($29), paired with a coral tank ($23) and a very characteristic 1950’s inspired poodle skirt ($39). The crowd favorite by far a navy and black bandeau satin dress with a bow at the waist ($89) paired with a black faux fur vest ($119-French Spy), with black heels by Feet First ( a steal at $29), crowned by a Kazumi necklace, made of Czech Crystal.

The night was finished with a round of cake, and much shopping ensued. 100% of money raised this evening goes towards the Central Asia Institute, which includes the building of schools in Afganistan. If you’re looking for a one of a kind piece in a store in which employees treat you like family, this is the place for you!

Their next show is on Oct 29th , for more info please see their website , or drop by the shop during opening hours:

Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Thursday to Friday: 10am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 5:30pm

Twigg & Hottie – five year celebration (October 4, 2008)

Twigg & Hottie, a local boutique on Main Street, is having their five year celebration with a show of fall 2008 and a preview of We3 designs’ spring and summer styles. Doors open at 8pm, fashion show is at 9pm. As for the rest of the night, get ready for prizes, drinks dancing and live music. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Call the store at 604.879.8595 to RSVP and purchase your tickets.

LAV & KUSH Fashiow Show

The Lav & Kush Fall 2008 Fashion Show at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) was a great preview to its autumn collection. Named after two royal descendents who were forest-raised in Hindu Mythology, the Lav & Kush line strives to embody the beauty, strength and lovableness from the mythical story of nature.

As the models paced briskly down the catwalk, with a single peacock feather adorning their hair, the loose-fitting and comfortable pieces from Lav & Kush flowed down the runway. The colors were generally solid, dark blocks but with a hint of subtle playfulness; the occasional ruffle, pleat or pocket makes the look less ordinary.

One piece which stood out in particular to me was a violet and cranberry colored dress with a paisley-inspired pattern on silky smooth fabric [see picture].

Style & Sustainability. Beauty & Awareness. Who says you can’t have it all?
The video below is a short clip of the Law and Kush fashion show.

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