Christmas Countdown
Alright the countdown to Christmas is ON! And what am I thinking about? BOXING DAY of course! The pathetic equivalent to the US Black Friday, but in a country where "blowout sale" is usually equivalent to at most 25% off. But I do plan on making a few stops downtown-I'm eyeing cashmere sweaters at Holt Renfrew (discounted last year from $200+ to $40, I just hope this deal is good again this year), a top from Aritzia (gotta use a gift card I have, and I'm eyeing a frilly top in purple I already own in black), BCBG and The Block are both at 50% off, and my favorite denim store Dutil in gastown is going to have up to 80% off.
Okay, so that was probably a load of word vomit for anyone NOT either A) living in Vancouver or B) enjoy fashion.
Anyways, boxing day is always a tradition for my dad and I because my mom hyperventilates at the thought of crowds and I hate going with friends because I'm selfish and don't like facing crowds in stores I don't actually want to shop in lol. We get up ridiculously early, beat the crowds downtown, and then scurry to the nearest breakfast place for reflection and pancakes. And coffee. Lots of coffee (or tea, in the case of my Scottish father).
This is our pathetic Christmas tree. Tradition in our family is to have 2-one large fake one for presents to fit under and one small real one so we get that nice smell without the mess. I post it because our fake tree is 30yrs old and looks INCREDIBLY fake. David tried to help me assemble it and it ended in a fit of giggles (there's these small round c-shaped "furry" pieces that fit around the wood stick to cover it-but David just tossed them in between the branches and stated "they're not working"). But it's homely and I love it.
I managed to finish all my Christmas shopping-I bought swan folding kits for Michelle and Zorry ($8/ea) and a sweater for my dad at the Bay (marked down from $80 to $38, then I got a 40% off scratch card AND no tax weekend-came to $20). I'm very happy I managed to find something for everyone and keep to a modest budget-I think I'm going to stick to this for next year as well because I found things I know everyone will LOVE. However, once I start making good money I'm going to splurge and buy my parents really nice gifts.
Vancouver has been getting quite the snowfall lately-it's been FREEZING cold lately. I can't stand the cold-so I've been bundled up in layers galore trying to keep out the chill. I get jealous when I see girls looking so chic and fashionable when I look like a giant grey marshmallow with my dorky pom pom hat-but in temperatures like this it's practicality over fashion!
I took this after David and I were walking back to the skytrain after dinner with is family-the jets are still going but the water all around is still frozen. It looked so cool and this photo really doesn't do it justice.
The other night I went to Kobe Steakhouse with David and his family the other night. It's one of those overpriced places where they put on a show cooking the meat for you. The service is terrible-we had a reservation for 7pm but didn't get seated until 8-they made us sit in the lounge (and his parents don't drink). David and his dad ordered the ultimate (a steak, chicken breast, lobster tail, and prawns), his mom got steak and lobster tail, and I got prawns and scallops. However, the chef accidentally gave me David's mom's lobster tail, so I ended up getting a FREE lobster tail! I'm really glad I did, because otherwise what I had ordered wouldn't have been enough (and it cost $46 WITHOUT the lobster). It's one of those places you have to visit once for the experience, and although the food was cooked nicely and was delicious, I'd rather go to the Keg where I can really sit back and chat instead of feeling rushed at the end of the meal.
And since it's now 1230AM and I've been yakking long enough, I leave you with this photo of downtown Vancouver. In the foreground is the historic Hotel Vancouver (the green roof used to be copper which has now oxidized), and in the background is the new Shangri La hotel/apartments. This is the kind of juxtaposition I wish Vancouver had more of-the mix of the new and the old that shows how a city has grown and developed over time. I'm a sucker for architecture. It's unfortunate that most old buildings in Vancouver get torn down because it's too expensive to bring them up to current earthquake codes. You can also see the ridiculous Olympic countdown clock in the bottom left corner-what a waste of taxpayer money (don't get me started!).
Okay, so that was probably a load of word vomit for anyone NOT either A) living in Vancouver or B) enjoy fashion.
Anyways, boxing day is always a tradition for my dad and I because my mom hyperventilates at the thought of crowds and I hate going with friends because I'm selfish and don't like facing crowds in stores I don't actually want to shop in lol. We get up ridiculously early, beat the crowds downtown, and then scurry to the nearest breakfast place for reflection and pancakes. And coffee. Lots of coffee (or tea, in the case of my Scottish father).
This is our pathetic Christmas tree. Tradition in our family is to have 2-one large fake one for presents to fit under and one small real one so we get that nice smell without the mess. I post it because our fake tree is 30yrs old and looks INCREDIBLY fake. David tried to help me assemble it and it ended in a fit of giggles (there's these small round c-shaped "furry" pieces that fit around the wood stick to cover it-but David just tossed them in between the branches and stated "they're not working"). But it's homely and I love it.
I managed to finish all my Christmas shopping-I bought swan folding kits for Michelle and Zorry ($8/ea) and a sweater for my dad at the Bay (marked down from $80 to $38, then I got a 40% off scratch card AND no tax weekend-came to $20). I'm very happy I managed to find something for everyone and keep to a modest budget-I think I'm going to stick to this for next year as well because I found things I know everyone will LOVE. However, once I start making good money I'm going to splurge and buy my parents really nice gifts.
Vancouver has been getting quite the snowfall lately-it's been FREEZING cold lately. I can't stand the cold-so I've been bundled up in layers galore trying to keep out the chill. I get jealous when I see girls looking so chic and fashionable when I look like a giant grey marshmallow with my dorky pom pom hat-but in temperatures like this it's practicality over fashion!
I took this after David and I were walking back to the skytrain after dinner with is family-the jets are still going but the water all around is still frozen. It looked so cool and this photo really doesn't do it justice.
The other night I went to Kobe Steakhouse with David and his family the other night. It's one of those overpriced places where they put on a show cooking the meat for you. The service is terrible-we had a reservation for 7pm but didn't get seated until 8-they made us sit in the lounge (and his parents don't drink). David and his dad ordered the ultimate (a steak, chicken breast, lobster tail, and prawns), his mom got steak and lobster tail, and I got prawns and scallops. However, the chef accidentally gave me David's mom's lobster tail, so I ended up getting a FREE lobster tail! I'm really glad I did, because otherwise what I had ordered wouldn't have been enough (and it cost $46 WITHOUT the lobster). It's one of those places you have to visit once for the experience, and although the food was cooked nicely and was delicious, I'd rather go to the Keg where I can really sit back and chat instead of feeling rushed at the end of the meal.
And since it's now 1230AM and I've been yakking long enough, I leave you with this photo of downtown Vancouver. In the foreground is the historic Hotel Vancouver (the green roof used to be copper which has now oxidized), and in the background is the new Shangri La hotel/apartments. This is the kind of juxtaposition I wish Vancouver had more of-the mix of the new and the old that shows how a city has grown and developed over time. I'm a sucker for architecture. It's unfortunate that most old buildings in Vancouver get torn down because it's too expensive to bring them up to current earthquake codes. You can also see the ridiculous Olympic countdown clock in the bottom left corner-what a waste of taxpayer money (don't get me started!).