We’re nearly a month into 2010, and by some extreme stretch of surprise and wonder I have started this year with a big E: exercise! I woke up on January 4th and felt like going for a jog out of the blue, and this in turn spurred a new interest in yoga.
images by Sara Murray, courtesy of Inner Space
I found Inner Space Yoga in Gastown, and it was refreshing to enter a studio that is not only incredibly beautiful and warm, but inviting to beginners. Previous forays into yoga left me feeling dissatisfied, in the dark, and less confident upon leaving a class than when I entered it. So I wanted to share this new studio with you, and also let you know about their 28 day yoga challenge throughout the month of February.
Try to complete 28 classes in 28 days in a supportive environment, and celebrate at the end of the month with a delicious potluck with all the other participants. You’re also up for some great prizes if you manage to get through the entire month. Registration is just $90 – I figure even if I manage to get to a couple classes a week, registration beats the $20 drop in fee for individual classes so you can’t lose. Email info[at]innerspaceyoga[dot]ca for more details.
Another great new yoga studio in the Gastown hood is Yoga For the People, which is entirely donation-based. Check out Reno’s One Love classes on Sunday and Wednesday nights and practice to reggae and dub step. This class sounds like it’s taking off, so get there early.
As a girl who has carried the reputation of not exercising, ever (except for my ridiculously fast walking pace), I am pleasantly surprised that I’ve found two new healthy passions to explore. I hope sharing these great newer studios in Gastown can inspire you to do the same!
We at Larry Designs had our big trip to Salt Spring Island this week to drop off more raw alpaca fiber, pick up finished yarn, and get another tour of the Gulf Islands Spinning Mill where all the magic happens.
This little co-op mill is one of the few independent spinning mills in Canada, so their continued existence is quite an accomplishment and we hope to be working with them for many, many years to come.
Lots of new ideas, new materials, and new techniques are coming together for the “larry.” 2010/2011 collection, and this is just the beginning. Receiving massive skeins of natural and organic alpaca yarn excites me to no end; you just want to dive in and wrap yourself up in its amazingness. I suppose that’s why I do what I do!
We stayed at the Bullock Lake Farm guest cottage, which was absolutely beautiful. After a day of relentless rain, the clouds parted for a short while on Tuesday so we could enjoy a jog through the early morning mist and golden sunshine, with our dogs frolicking by our sides. Then back to the cottage for farm-fresh eggs and bacon with home-baked bread, followed by a walk down to the lake past old shacks and cabins. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect trip.
For those of you in Vancouver, you may have noticed that over the holidays Obakki pledged to donate one warm jacket or blanket to a local shelter for every in-store purchase – but now that the madness of Christmas and the New Year is over, the giving doesn’t have to stop there. Obakki Creative Director and Owner Treana Peake has long been an advocate of human rights and other humanitarian efforts, and has personally traveled to Africa a number of times (read Treana’s blog entries on her most recent trip here.) The Obakki Foundation was borne of these ventures, and a new fashion collection reflects some of the poignant answers children in orphanages gave when Treana asked them three basic questions: What makes you happy? What makes you sad? What makes you afraid?
women’s racer-back tank
There are a number of ways to support the foundation: you can purchase clothing or accessories at the flagship store in Gastown or online (women’s, men’s, and children’s items available); you can make a monetary donation through the store or online; or you can purchase a pre-packaged first aid or school kit.
women’s rhombus-shaped scarf
100% of all proceeds go directly back to Foundation projects. A shipping container is being sent from Canada to Africa in a few weeks time, so move fast! Treana is traveling back to Cameroon in May to personally distribute these supplies to where they are needed most.
Now open on W. Broadway, Mr. Lee’s is your one stop shop in Vancouver for all the best things to decorate a man’s world and body. Just in time to stock up on “gifts” for my brothers before Christmas… (read: satiate my random penchant for wearing men’s products and perfumes).
While I do love a man on a motorcycle, I remind you that riding without a helmet is tres dangereux!
Last Thursday was a night of celebration. Shallom has returned from months abroad spreading her artistic talents around Europe and a welcome-home was in order. Two hot events were on the agenda: dace’s spring/summer 2010 collection was unveiled at the Opus Hotel, and Fortune Sound Lounge hosted the Bench store opening party thrown by ION Magazine.
We wrangled a whopping 12 ladies together for the night. Shallom and I wore jewelery from Jeweliette – she a clear crystal necklace, and I donned two black bracelets:
The dace event at Opus was packed – we arrived just in time for a glass of free pink champagne, mingled with some lovely folks, adored the collection (and the models’ hair!), and posed for plenty of photographs.
dace looks primed to deliver another fantastic collection come Spring! I love the pleated pants and cropped blazers, and dace is always my go-to for simple but feminine dresses.
Post Opus, we gobbled delicious oysters and flirted with the hunky staff at Rodney’s Oyster Bar, then headed to the Bench party (now open in Pacific Centre) at Fortune Sound Lounge in Chinatown, with Trevor Risk + Ethnic Friends and a dance performance by Over the Influence. I ran into Virgin Radio’s Jeff Winskell and stole his Bench branded shutter shades for this key photo op:
Amazing night, thank you to dace and Opus Hotel and ION Magazine and Fortune for accommodating us all evening, and to Jeweliette for helping us pick out the perfect accessories for the night!
Welcome home Shallom ! Most photos above taken by Jennifer Wint!
Just received word on this very cool seminar geared towards young female entrepreneurs. The conference will host workshops, bring impressive panelists to the table, and initiate roundtable discussions. I’m inspired already.
Speakers include Patricia Graham, the EiC of the Vancouver Sun (I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at an intimate knitting retreat in Pemberton years ago, would love to connect with her again); Devon and Judy Brooks from the Blo Blow Dry Bar; and Allison Mack who stars in the TV series Smallville, among many many other esteemed speakers.
350 delegates are expected to attend the conference, and there’s still time for you to register. I highly recommend you do – I am postponing a trip so that I can attend! Registration is open until October 30 – learn more details on the YWiB site.
images by Sara Murray, courtesy of Inner Space 
all photos by Matt Timmons
