IKEA Richmond

The new IKEA Richmond opens tomorrow!

I had the chance to check out the new space (conveniently located next to their previous Richmond location) and was thoroughly impressed.

Not only was the media event excellent, but the sheer size of the store was insane. The old Richmond IKEA was 201,285 ft^2; the new one practically dwarfs that, coming in at a colossal 334,004 ft^2! What I found to be particularly interesting about this, is that the old store was only able to showcase approximately 3,000-4,000 of the items that were in stock/in the catalogue. However, the actual IKEA stock clocked in nearly 10,000 items.

IKEA Canada has been one of the leaders of greening business in Canada, having been named one of the country's Greenest Employers 3 years in a row by Mediacorp. In fact, if you think about it, IKEA was actually the first Canadian retailer to stop the use of plastic bags.

Some other neat sustainable facts about the new Richmond location:

• it is 40% more efficient than the last round of stores that were built in the early 2000s (I'm looking at you Coquitlam)
• it has 'parking'spaces for 100 bikes, as opposed to the 12 at the old location
• they will be using environmentally friendly cleaning solvents and other products
• there will be improved waste/recycling throughout the entire property

If you head to IKEA Richmond tomorrow, there are some sweet deals!

The LWD: Little White Dress

If you were in a taxi during NYFW in February, then you would've seen Suze Yalof Schwartz's Spring Must-Haves ad for Lord and Taylor (and be able to recite it word-for-word).

On her list? A Litte White Dress.

If you're in New York, they're perfect for summers in the Hamptons. And if you're everywhere else, they're perfect for long walks on the beach, for being your tennis whites at The Club (aren't you fancy), and for P. Diddy's All White party (is that still a thing?).

Depending on the fabric of the dress and how you accessorize, you can rock them at the office, on date night, and on girl's night. LWDs are classy and sophisticated...even when you're sweating buckets.

Here are my picks for summer:

Black Halo Jackie O Belted Dress - $345

BB Dakota Kitka Dress - $70.00 

Diane von Furstenberg New Della Dress - $345

                Jarbo Tank Dress - $173.00

By Zoe Tibet Embroidered Dress - $274

BB Dakota Sandrine Dress - $105

Dakota Group Sample Sale

It's that time again! The Dakota Group is having their next sample sale. And guess what? You're invited! (Lucky butt!)

The sale runs from April 26-28, and there is bound to be some great deals! Make sure to tweet or Facebook me your finds!

My Instagram Life (pre-Facebook acquisition)

Work/Life balance

Sorry, but the Yankees win every time

Bombay Brow Bar at the Shangri-La

A little pre-game action

For one of my besties

Love me some white polish

Outfit of a crazy person: leopard, beading, and faux fur

Cross-dressing on the reg: menswear shirt and coat

Outfit: Indulge n Dance

I attended the Indulge n Dance media tasting on Saturday night on behalf of Vancouver Food Tour. I really had no idea what to wear since it was a completely different crowd than I'm used to. Since I was heading to meet friends at The Foundation following the event, I didn't want to be too obnoxious and over the top (for once), so I went for more of a casual look (and something to not offend the vegan hipsters).

Pants: The Gap Shirt: Joe Fresh (similar style) Sweater: Topshop (similar style) Shoes: Franco Sarto Bag: Topshop Scarf: from Turkey
Necklace: from London Sunglasses: Spitfire

I'll love you THIS MUCH if you become my Facebook friend and follow me on Twitter

Check out what I wrote on the Indulge n Dance event...and to see some yummy photos.

The 4 Month Check-in

April 16th. Can you believe it? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were all being New Year's Resolutionists?

Since I finally made some sort of (extremely vague) New Year's resolution (ugh, thanks Niki), I decided that it was important that I hold myself accountable for it (unlike most of you out there - you know who you are).

Resolution: Try something new every month.

January: While not entirely my choice, I got to ride in an ambulance for the first time and get a CT scan. It was however, not my first time in the Emergency Room; that happened in 7th grade when I dislocated my hip.

February: While I'm not particularly fond of dating in Vancouver, I decided to go out with a complete stranger (a couple times, in fact) while in New York. Since dating in Vancouver is really the 2 degrees of separation. (I also had a really embarrassing(ly drunk) fan girl moment with Jeremy Lin.)

March: I applied for an assignment at work that I didn't really have a chance of getting. And while I didn't get the job, I was in the top 3 candidates. So that's promising.

April: Signed up for the Bar Method's 90 day challenge. It's my first ever fitness challenge, and frankly I'm terrified of it. Well, maybe not terrified. But the Bar Method is HARD...and my abs will be too by the end of it all.

So far, so good, I'd say. Definitely room for improvement. I'm willing to bet that the summer will present with better options.

How are you all holding up with your New Year's resolutions?

Outfit: Something Very Blue

I wore this little ditty of an outfit to the 'Something Blue' event at the Loden Hotel, where I ran into the delightful Carolina & Chelle.

Is it sad that I'm just realizing now the irony of me wearing all blue to a bridal showcase called 'Something Blue'? Nevertheless, I did it. And no one was the wiser... But actually, the one time I try to look like a normal person (as opposed to a stoplight), I end up being ironic. Naturally.

Pants: American Apparel (similar style) Blouse: Joe Fresh (similar style) Shoes: Senso Belt: Club Monaco Bag: H&M

You probably recognize these amazing shoes from the time I wore them at Fashion Week (and was featured on The Cut), or the time I wore them to the espace.d opening. They kind of get around.

Photo courtesy of Chelle

Festival Style 2012

With Coachella just around the corner, it's officially music festival season. I've put together my picks for all those upcoming field dance parties that we love so much.

Clockwise from left:
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic - ~$80
Topshop Oversized Lightweight Parka - $136
J Brand low rise cutoff short - $158
GAP Panama hat - $29.95
Sequence Ceclia Bag
Lifetime Collective Striped Turner tee - $59.99
Dolan Big Sur Blanket Poncho Cardigan - $202
Topshop Knitted Fluro Mesh Sweater - $80
Dannijo Surf Rider Arm Party - $480
Native Blanca sandal - $34.99


What are your Coachella/Sasquatch/Lollapalooza/Outside Lands/Bonnaroo/Glastonbury must-haves?