Spinal Chord Gala 2016

Spinal Chord is a gala evening in support of ICORD and theVancouver Cantata Singers. This is your chance to get all dressed up, hear an award-winning choir in the spectacular atrium of the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, enjoy fabuloushors d’oeuvres and bid on an array of uncommon silent auction items. The eighth annual Spinal Chord was on the evening of Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the magnificent Blusson Spinal Cord Centre.

Butter Studios were there to capture the evening, along with a fun photo booth as well!

They had a selection of tasty hors d’oeuvres by Platinum Sponsor The Lazy Gourmet, and an oyster bar by Bronze Sponsor Curious Oyster.

Lets talk dessert. As you descended along the 200 metre ramp wrapping around the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre atrium, there was an assortment of chocolates, cheeses, cupcakes, artisanal marshmallows, and other delicacies. This year’s Decadent Descent features dessert by Archimallows,  Gusto Chocolate, Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery, Sweet Obsession, Jessica Kruger, and Lazy Gourmet.

City Side Winery Launches New Menu with Chef Christopher Floyd

On Friday October 21 I joined winemaker and owner Homan Hafbaradaran along with Chef Christopher Floyd for an intimate five course dinner that showcased their new menu paired with their premium wine. They joined forces to design a locally sourced custom menu to showcase the wine of City Side Winery.

Known as Vancouver's best new winery, City Side Winery is located in the heart of False Creek. Personally I think that it's a great place for a first date (or second and third!), group tastings, and intimate dinners with friends and family.

The ambiance and beautiful decor truly make this a unique experience and a go to spot.

The menu featured several of Chef Christopher's new items.

Menu

Amuse Bouches with Aperitif

Mountain Yam and Selva Prawn Tamago, smoked miso

Mussel Coal, Tumeric Mussel Cream, dill

Southern Gulf Island Radishes - Bagna Fredda

1st Course - City Side Winery Viognier

Scallop Crudo - sake and horseradish snow, brown rice crispy, patis gel

2nd Course - City Side Winery Reisling

Salad of Fall Greens - Fior di latte, burnt shallot crumble, confit peach, yeast chips

3rd Course - City Side Winery Chardonnay

Risotto "Matisse" - squid ink, kuri squash, basil, roasted beat, potato, stracchino

4th Course - City Side Winery Merlot

Dry Aged Striploin - Fig leaf ashes, blueberry, potato and brown butter crispy brussel spout leaves, foraged mushrooms

5th Course

Dessert with wine pairing

Kobocha squash, milk chocolate, mace, cane sugar, fresh ginger, hazelnut

Where: City Side Winery

328 W 2nd Ave 

Vancouver BC

When: Oct 21, 2016 6pm-9pm

8th Annual ICORD Spinal Chord Gala 2016

The Spinal Chord Gala, now in its eighth year, is a celebration of Vancouver's Arts and Sciences communities. Held in the stunning atrium of the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, the event is a night of elegant entertainment, honouring the achievements and objectives of ICORD and the Vancouver Cantata Singers.

All funds raised are divided equally between ICORD and the Vancouver Cantata Singers, with the exception of specific cash donations.

If you've never been to the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre this event is worth going just for that.

Check out last year's photos by Edward Lai Photography and the promotional video created by Life Studio.

Tickets are still available. Don't miss out, this year's going to be a great one!

What: Spinal Chord Gala
When: October 22, 2016
Where: Blusson Spinal Cord Centre
How: Buy tickets here ($110)

Check out their Facebook pages for more info!
https://www.facebook.com/spinalchordgala/

Feeling a Shift Coming, and I'm not Talking About the Weather

Feeling lately like the summer passed me by too quickly.

I walk to work most days when the weather is nice and I sometimes walk by the same people over and over. Since when do I not say hello, or even give them a smile? What happened? I want to slow down a bit more and appreciate my city, my community and the people around me. 

In our busy lives I feel like it's really the relationships that we make that matter the most. You can get a mortgage anywhere, money is money. But I think it's about the relationships that you make that are the most important.

It's not all about money.

I've met people with a lot of money that are not happy. And I've met people with very little who seem to have richer lives than most. In the end, it doesn't matter how much money you made or how many houses you own. It's about the relationships that you made along the way. 

Feeling a shift coming.

Today I wore a colorful blazer. I usually wear black, white, grey. Simply adding color to my outfit and I've already made conversations with strangers and smiled at those walking by. 

It's a great start but there's a lot more work that I have to do. 

Victoria Wine Festival 2016 #VICWF2016 (Photos)

If you can imagine a beautiful hotel setting, trying the most amazing wines from around the world, and meeting the people that are behind the wines, then you are the type of person that will love the Victoria Wine Festival.

I sure did!

Where: Parkside Hotel, Victoria BC
When: September 23rd and 24th
What: Showcase of over 300 wines from around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, Moldova, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and USA.

Check out our amazing experience from when we first checked into the hotel until a great ferry ride home.

A big thanks to Heart Press PR for making this a really memorable experience.

Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival (Photos)

Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival held it's very first event in Vancouver's iconic Terminal City Club this past Saturday.

The event hosted two seminars for passionate ticket holders. We went to a Cheese and Wine pairing seminar that gave us great tips and tricks for hosting our own cheese and wine party. 

I realized that I really love Chardonnay, which until now, I have always strayed away from. 

Some of my favourites:

1. Villa Maria Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2013

2. Villa Maria Cellar Selection Malborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014

3. Cows Creamery Extra Old Cheddar

4. Farm House Heidi

5. Mt Lehman Cheese Co

Where: Terminal City Club

When: Saturday September 17th, 2016

What: Cheese and Meat Vancouver 2016