Terri | The Conveyor Belt - A Fashion and Lifestyle Journal

Live Music 101: Shows on my Radar

Over some delicious beers with a dear friend today at Havana’s, we surveyed upcoming shows in Vancouver and man, are there a lot I want to attend. Here’s the rundown:

Radiohead, with Liars. Sold out, but I just scored a ticket within an hour of finding out I no longer have to work tomorrow. Huzzah!
Beck, with Band of Horses. August 28. Beck would be cool to see, but I am deadly obsessed with Band of Horses right now. And at the Orpheum…stellar.
!!!. August 31, at Richards. !!! pretty much sums up how I feel about this.
Steve Aoki, September 5 at the Commodore. At the Miss Sixty opening party at M Bank last summer, I danced so hard it will forever stand out in my memory as one of the sweatiest, sexiest nights ever.
Fleet Foxes, September 16, Richards. Not a dance party show, but a goodie nonetheless.
CSS, with Tilly and the Wall, September 17 at the Commodore. I got hooked on CSS after becoming enamoured with “Let’s make love and listen to Death From Above.”
The Raconteurs, September 18 at Malkin Bowl. I have never yet been to a show at the Malkin Bowl, if you can believe it. This has to change.
We are Wolves, September 27, the Bourbon. Very good live show, saw them at Pat’s Pub last time around and will definitely be going back for more.
Cold War Kids, September 28 at Richards. Thanks for tipping me off to this band, E-Roc.
Iron and Wine, October 7, Commodore. No friggin’ way am I missing this show.
Cut Copy, with the Presets, October 9 at the Commodore. Cut Copy at Richards last time around was a fantastic time, however I was feeling under the weather and couldn’t give’r on the dance floor. Never again.
Born Ruffians, with Plants and Animals, October 10 at Richards. Two supremely good bands, do not miss this show.
Black Kids, October 11 at Richards. These kids opened for Cut Copy last time around, lots of energy. Again, didn’t have the opportunity to dance.
Stereolab, October 19 at Commodore. Pretty, pretty.
Crystal Castles, October 27 at Commodore. Last show at Richards, they played with all the lights off. It was a bit annoying, so I danced and partied up on the balcony. Couldn’t see anything from downstairs anyway, so that was a good call. I’m willing to give them another chance.

See you at the venue(s)! Let me know if I missed any other amazing shows coming up..

(Backstreet Boys, September 4 at GM Place, anyone? I dare you!)

Published by Terri on August 18, 2008 in Arts & Culture. 2 Comments

Vancouver Craigslist’s “Freebay”

During my recent move, I was in a position where I had to re-acquire heaps of furniture and household items. I started out on craigslist, looking in the furniture for sale section. After not much luck a week later, I started checking out the free section, and couldn’t believe the gems that people give away just for the convenience of having someone pick it up. Some of the best things in life really are free:

This loveseat could be refurbished and made into an even lovelier piece. I love the wood trim.

This is an old ferry chair - I believe there was a set of 4 to give away.

If I had a separate dining room in my new pad, this would make a terrific buffet piece.

I am still on the hunt for the perfect coffee table, and hopefully I will score one for free. My “freebay” hunt has turned up some very weird items, though - I inquired about some free 9″ long church pews, hoping to take just one that could line a wall of my studio, but got no response. And then there’s this:

Jar with 3 screw top lids, free to a good home.

My number one tip for free shopping is this: move quickly. If you see something you like, call and set up a time immediately to pick it up. I lost a beautiful retro couch and armchair because someone else offered to pick them up an hour before I was scheduled to go “look” at them.

Published by Terri on August 18, 2008 in Lifestyle. 1 Comment

95 Crave Fashionista Search

Here’s another great contest for you all to consider: 95 Crave and Wear Else are looking a fashion blogger to write about trends and style for their website throughout this Fall and Winter season.

To enter, write your 250 word fashion blog and submit it online before August 29. 5 finalists will be selected for an on-air audition (who knows what that will entail), and a panel of 3 judges - including one from Crave, one local blogger, and one individual from the local fashion industry - will select one finalist to win a $10,000 credit to Wear Else and become 95 Crave’s official fashion blogger!

Published by Terri on August 11, 2008 in News. 2 Comments

Obakki 75% off sale

This sale hasn’t yet been advertised anywhere, but Obakki has upped their end of season sale to 75% off all clothing in store! Get there ASAP as sizes are getting picked over quite quickly.

There are plenty of great items for both men and women; check out the fantastic men’s coats, there are a few styles worth trying on. I’m loving the linen pieces from the women’s collection - short shorts, wide leg trousers, fitted trousers, two blazer styles, and a long robe style belted jacket. Head to the first rack of white linens for special markdowns above and beyond 75%!

44 Water St.

Published by Terri on August 10, 2008 in Fashion. 1 Comment

47 Hours to Vote

The FASHION Magazine Reporter Search is closing this Monday, August 11th, and I am just slightly behind in votes! It’s entirely up to online voters to decide who will get a year-long contract to write for Fashion Online, and I really want to be the Vancouver representative.

Please pass the link along to your friends, post it on your blog, go nuts because there’s just two days left. Practically one. Practically none. Go vote! It’s ridiculously easy, you don’t have to input any information, just one click and you’re done.

Copy this link, spam this link:

http://www.fashionmagazine.com/reportersearch/vote/form/19

Thank you for all your support, the comp has been neck and neck the whole way through and I just need one final and major push!

Published by Terri on August 9, 2008 in News. 2 Comments

Roller.Disco.Party.

Don’t miss the 888 Roller Disco Party in Strathcona today, beginning at 3pm. Arrive in anything on wheels - skates, bicycle, skateboard, you’re even dared to bring your tractor - and dressed in your finest 1970’s/1980’s roller disco attire.

I think I am going to wear this ‘mechanic’ outfit - I chopped the legs off and will just roll up the hem to the knee. Although it’s not your typical roller disco party attire, it is blinding white and very 70’s, so I think it’s appropriate enough, especially with Farrah hair. We’ll see what other costume options I come up with before 3pm though!

BBQ runs all evening (3pm-sunset), and there’ll also be a lemonade stand. Ask for the special jug.

DJs: Paul Devro, Erik Devereux, Warm It Up Chris, Logan Internet, Leigh Christie, The Stunt Man, and P Pat P Pat.

Strathcona Park, 857 Malkin Avenue (@ Hawks Avenue), 3pm-10pm

Published by Terri on August 8, 2008 in Lifestyle. 1 Comment

Annual Collaborative Sale

This is a big one! Some of my favourite local designers are selling their stock at massive discount prices: d a c e, Sunja Link (I am after her cigarette pants), and Lily & Jae. As I previously mentioned, this will be the inaugural sale this season for larry., and I will be offering special sale prices on all items for this sale only. There will be lots of neckwarmers, plus a few larger and cozier pieces!

Don’t miss it on August 15th, 11am-8pm at 343 Railway St.

Published by Terri on August 7, 2008 in Fashion. 0 Comments

Small Business Challenges

While I am thick in the middle of launching the larry. line and teaching myself how to run a small business, all sorts of unforeseen challenges are coming up. Building a website (which I am learning to do on my own), clever marketing plans, and protecting my assets (such as business relationships, and acquiring small business insurance). Not to mention being creative and coming up with original designs! I’ve come across a couple of resources that I think might help other entrepreneurs with their small businesses:

Small Business Insurance - Researching the best Canadian rates is step one. I can’t stress the importance of proper research enough.

Website Building - Someone tipped me off to Moonfruit, which is a website building software that is extremely easy to use. You can use their 14-day free trial to test it out; I’ve been working on my site for 2 days and it’s already nearly finished. It’s perfect for small business owners because you can update it whenever you want, don’t have to shell out to a web/tech guy to build and maintain your site for you, and have complete control over the finished result. These guys aren’t Canadian, but the price is right.

The larry. site will be launching soon, and my first sale of the season will be in d a c e’s studio for their annual collaborative sale! Will post details on that ASAP. More tips to come on marketing initiatives for small businesses, but here’s one teaser: take part in collaborative sales with many of your favourite designers under one roof.

Published by Terri on August 7, 2008 in News. 2 Comments

Cariboo Round-Up

After a good long couple weeks in the South Cariboo, I have some wicked stories and photos to share.

We stopped in Clinton on the way up and I browsed through this little antique store, mostly filled with trinkets and furniture. They had these Frye-ish boots sitting on a stool, size 9. I don’t think I’ve snatched anything up so quickly! Made in Canada by a company I can’t quite decipher, they are in need of a little TLC but for $25 were a major bargain:

The weather was pretty scuzzy for the first week, so when my younger brother presented me with this bracelet he bought for me in Turkey that is meant to ward off bad spirits, I hoped it would also ward off my sagging, weather-induced mood. It, and the sunshine that appeared the next day, did just that:

Also during the week, I went to visit my alpaca fiber supplier for larry. They are so curious and friendly, and one of them, Mystery (pictured below) was like a puppy, loved attention and would nudge you if you stopped scratching his neck. He reminds me of E.T.:

Then finally, it was the long weekend, and the Interlakes Rodeo. We had gone last year and it was strangely sweet and reassuring to see many familiar faces in the beer garden! This year we went to the exclusive Rodeo Dance, and that was certainly memorable. My sister-in-law was eventually persuaded to dance with a toothless old cowboy, while I danced with a pseudo-cowboy from Vancouver. People were two-stepping circles around us, literally. A rodeo dance wouldn’t be complete without an all-out brawl…this fight, likely instigated over a young lady, ended up in a massive dogpile as the older cowboys tried to break it up. Even the band, Skidmarks (no joke), threatened to jump in - there were some swollen and bloody faces as we made our exit in haste.

The rest of the time was spent playing cribbage, rock poker, reading, keeping warm by the fire, and being totally and utterly amazed by the abundance of stars that emerged at night.

Good times in the Cariboo!

Published by Terri on August 6, 2008 in Lifestyle. 3 Comments

BRAVEart Vancouver Opening

Due to “extenuating circumstances” the BRAVEart show, which was supposed to open in Vancouver last month, had been postponed but will be officially opening on Friday the 13th (oooooh).

Here’s a small preview of what you’ll find at the opening event, in addition to music, adult beverages, food and a delightful array of artists and lovers:

Ben Tour