crossing over

to the other side of the border on Saturday, in search of good deals and yummy eats.

Took this picture as we waited at the border.

"Life is a highway, I'm gonna ride it all night long... "

We were on a mission to find a Denny's down in Bellingham so we could try grits for breakfast. I had no idea what grits were, but apparently they're a breakfast staple served on many American tables. I didn't know if I'm suppose to chew the grits or swallow them, but I definitely didn't like them plain. Barb flavoured her dish of grits with loads of butter, salt and pepper and some white gravy and declared them to be quite tasty (I thought otherwise), while I loaded up mine with lots and lots of maple syrup. It was slightly more tolerable with the syrup, but I still couldn't make up my mind about them. My verdict: I found them annoying to eat. Yes, annoying. The grains kept getting caught in between my teeth and I was still finding grits in between my back molars and chewing on them several hours later.

The large plate of white stuff is called grits. Mary seems to like it. I don't.

Bellis Fair was our main stop and I was on my best behaviour and managed to stick to my budget of $100 (okay, so I went a little over by $3, but still good!). Bought shoes at Target, lotion and lipgloss at Bath Body and Works (that store just sucks you in and you end up shelling out loads of money for 10 bottles of body care.. so BAD), Starbucks frappucino ice-cream at Fred Meyers and bits here and there. I was really hoping to find a swimsuit at Victoria Secret, but I couldn't find a matching top to the bottom that I liked and vice versa. Sucks. But, I did get a swimsuit at H&M the week before, so maybe it was a good idea that I didn't find one at Victoria Secret or Target.

Dinner was at Bob's Burger and Brew, on the suggestion of a friend of a friend, who was peeing her pants in excitement when we texted her that we had entered the establishment. I have to admit, the burgers were pretty good, but holy smokes, do they pile on the fries!

falling into next season's trends

Another Friday night out with the girls again! Ooohed and ahhed over fall fashion trends with Flare magazine's editor-in-chief Lisa Tant at the Century Plaza where we were treated to delicious hors de voures, wine and mini spa treatments from Absolute Spa. Big dramatic clothes to match the big dramatic hair and barely there makeup is going to be the big thing this fall. I'm talking about Star Trek shoulders, crazy skyscraper heels and black is the new black. Redundant, I know, but it keeps coming back for a reason.

This was the view outside the spa when we were waiting in line for the free mini treatments.

Ended the night with a screamer, a strange sweet concoction of soft serve ice-cream and root beer slurpee. It has an unusual texture and it is an acquired taste but I think I kinda like it.

wine and dine

is what I did this past weekend. The Eat! Vancouver Food + Cooking festival was happening around town and I wasn't going to miss out on the free samples and goodies for only $12 (when you pay online or $15 with $3 going to the United Gospel Union). Celebrity chefs, local wineries, famous restaurants, artisans, cookbook authors and food retailers from all over the province, and even beyond converge in Vancouver for three-days of gluttony. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get full fast on the free samples, yummy food and wine tastings. Speaking of wine tastings, Raven Ridge Cidery has the best apple ciders EVER. I tried the Ambrosia, Fuji and the Braeburn and I couldn't make up my mind about which one I liked best. I might just have to try them all again. What a drag. Hee.

anna winter

Last night, as I was flipping through channels, I happened to stumble upon 60 Minutes where Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue, was being interviewed by Morley Safer. It wasn't a particularly insightful interview, although I doubt you would be able to get a lot from Wintour. She is always the consummate professional, cool and calm under the paparazzi flashes and the media glare. You won't find any personal revelations or funny anecdotes of her past in this interview. Safer does ask the obvious questions (her penchant for wearing sunglasses indoors is a way of hiding her true feelings about the collections paraded in front of her, as a sort of "armour").

Check out the interview and the videos below from CBSnews.com and outtakes here.



Here are some of my favourite outtakes from the 60 Minutes segment:

What Anna told Oprah:


What Anna thinks of the people in Minnesota:


If you want more Anna, then you need to check out the documentary, The September Issue, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival this past January.

JT on SNL

Justin Timberlake has appeared on Saturday Night Live several times in the past to great success (remember D*ck in a Box? It's a Youtube classic). Last Saturday's episode was no exception. The digital short,"Mother Lovers," featuring Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson is going to be the next big thing. But, my favourite sketch was "Plasticville, " starring Will Forte and Justin Timberlake as competing mascots battling it out in a turf war. JT as the Plasticville's boob mascot is freaking hilarious. If you didn't catch it on Saturday night, click below:

FCUK the rain

The French Connection VIP Shopping Event was tonight and I was finally able to use my store credit! Snacked on mini cupcakes and sipped natural spring water while I browsed the racks for something that wasn't too crazy expensive (I'm a fashionista on a budget) and snagged an olive green tshirt dress with grommet details.

This was the dress that I got, but imagine it in olive green, or "seaweed extract" as it's called on the website.

I was also looking at the Sonar jersey dress, but for $98, it just wasn't practical. I don't think I would get as much wear of it compared to the Jo jersey dress that I ended up buying.The Sonar dress was my second choice. It would be great for the weekends, just throw it on over a pair of leggings or jeans and run out the door. Perfect. But my wallet would complain. Profusely.

arts & crafts

Craft fairs are becoming quite popular now. I guess with the economy the way it is, people are now looking to local talent for homemade products and designs of good quality that are usually less expensive than the stuff you find at large chain-stores and shopping malls.

First stop was Got Craft? held at the Royal Canadian Legion. The place was packed and they had a lot of stuff to covet. I ended up buying a sterling silver fortune cookie necklace from the Farmer's Daughter booth. Love it. Wearing it right now, actually. I'm so glad that I budgeted myself, or else I would have shelled out quite a bit of moolah on jewellery, bags and little knickknacks that I don't really need, but want so badly. My sister literally had to drag me out of there.

Had a quick lunch at Earls, where we soaked up the rays on their patio. Then headed over to the Roundhouse Centre for the Make It! craft fair downtown.

Not bad. It was more fashion-y. They were fully licensed, but at that time I was still feeling full from lunch, so just had a small glass of fruity Yellowtail red wine. Very nice. Goes down smooth. Did a lot of browsing, but came away empty-handed this time around. Which is good, because the next event coming up is French Connection VIP Shopping Night and I am determined to use my store credit this time. It's burning a hole in my wallet, so I need to buy something! Crossing my fingers, hoping that I find something that I love!