Inspire.

Style.

It is a dream of mine to master the rare art form of packing light. I am convinced only true perfectionists, those who have achieved an enviable low maintenance style, or people who don't care at all about fashion, can pull this off. In which case, it will undoubtedly remain a distant dream.

A dream dashed by the literal nightmare I experienced the one time I managed to "pack light" on a trip to Vegas. Of course my friends and I wound up with fabulous invites to glamorous parties, and I was rendered, with a healthy buzz, totally confused as to where all my fun fashionable outfits were hiding. I was especially missing a particular pair of shoes that had fallen victim to a last minute "cut" from the suitcase; which, since I was practicing "packing light" really only qualified as an oversize handbag, not a proper suitcase.

I remember being in the train station in Paris and in awe of the genetically stylish Parisian women, standing modelesque with tiny roller totes fully prepared for a European get away. On that very trip, the rule was we could bring whatever luggage we wanted but we had to be able to carry it ourselves. Suddenly, my spaghetti armed eighteen year old self, was able to heave a massive suitcase equal to my own weight all over Europe. There was also the trip to the Cayman Islands, where the security actually abandoned searching my bag considering his partner had already thoroughly searched through the rest of my family's luggage. (Note: if attempting to smuggle goods, simply over pack!)

They say the trick to packing light is neutral colours and interchangeable items. Also, only travel to warm destinations, summer clothes are naturally lighter than winter coats and boots. The appeal of not having to check your baggage, if you could fit everything into a carry-on, used to be very high. Now with all the anti-terrorist restrictions, barely allowing the lip gloss in your purse to get on the aircraft, only taking a carry-on is nearly impossible. The only things that restrain me from simply throwing my entire wardrobe into suitcases, are the extra fees for being over the luggage weight allowance or the more than one bag fee. These fees I affectionately call the over-packer tax.

Eat.

The Canucks are still in it!!! In celebration of game 6 tonight, I would love to share one of my favourite new finds in Vancouver. Lupo restaurant on the corner of Hamilton and Smithe (beside the fire station). This is a wonderful place to enjoy the game in classy surroundings, with delicious food. The food is melt in your mouth Italian. Personally, I am a big fan of the gnocchi. Set in an old heritage house, ask for a table upstairs where two large flat screens provide everyone with a great view of the game. The service is consistently brilliant, with fun and knowledgeable servers who don't feel the least bit intrusive or unattentive. And the cherry on top is the price point that is so wallet friendly you'll wonder why you ever bothered with the old Earls stand-by (a.k.a McDonalds for adults).

Lupo
869 Hamilton St.
Vancouver BC
(604)569-2535
open daily 5pm till late

Go Canucks Go!

Play.

Happy Mother's Day! Get out and play with your mom this weekend. You know what she loves to do, so grab mom and go do one of her favourite things this weekend. Or feel free to send her off to the spa and clean the house while she is there, I'm sure this will go over well. When I was little I always wondered why there was no such thing as Kid's Day? When I asked my dad he told me that, everyday is kid's day. At the time I begged to differ, but as an adult I recognize that statement is absolutely true.

You don't have to spend a lot of money, your time is free. Make a yummy brunch at home and be sure you clean up. Mom should not be in the kitchen on her day. If you live in Vancouver, YYoga is offering free yoga for mom's this weekend. If you don't live in the same city as your mom, at least take time out of your, oh so important hectic schedule, and call to catch up. This is the first Mother's Day in a couple years that I happen to be home so I understand the power of a phone call or a special letter.

Wishing everyone a weekend full of love, laughter, and play.

Inspire.

GUMPTION

initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness

courage; spunk; guts

common sense; shrewdness.

What a great word. Gumption is the word of the day today. It has, spunk, as a synonym!

I love that word. Someone with gumption is sassy, intelligent, and self-possessed. Those moments in life when you smile and really have respect for yourself are so fabulous. Whatever your day has in store for you, approach it with gumption. Get out there and go for it!

Eat.

Hola! Como estas? Happy Cinco de Mayo! My Spanish is definitely limited but I love any excuse for a margarita. In Vancouver a good Mexican joint is tough to find but here are a couple I really enjoy to help you celebrate. Both are always happening spots and offer up delicious margaritas!

Lolitas
(A small space great for late nights!)
1326 Davie St.
Vancouver BC
(604) 696-9996
open daily 11am to 2am

Las Margaritas
(One of the best patios in Vancouver!)
1999 W.4th Ave
Vancouver BC
(604) 734-7117
open from 1130am til around 10 or 11pm

And if you would rather serve up your own fiesta my new fave is the beer-garita!

Beer-garita

1 small can of limeade
4-6 oz (or more up to you!) Tequila
3 beers (Coronas are a great choice)
1 lime
ice
salt

Mix together the limeade, tequila, and beer. Salt the rim of your glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the lip of the glass, then dip the lip of the glass into some salt on a plate. Next step if you want your beer-garita blended is to place the mix in a blender with ice and blast off! Or you can simply pour the mix into your salted rim glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and party-on!