We Raised $10K for Hope in Haiti and We Did It In Style

Hope in Haiti was held at Barcelona Ultra Lounge this past week. How did it go? Well, from the looks on Kelsey (The Anthology), and I, it was a smashing success.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who came out, a total of more than $10,000 was raised at the event through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and of course from the hot Hope in Haiti tee (still on sale - contact theanthology@live.com). I paired it with a ruffle mini, slouchy boots, and a Piero Guidi handbag circa the early 90's.

The highlight of the night was no doubt a performance by Vancouver's own, WZRDZ, who energized the house with their electro beats. I was right up at the front, bopping alongside Kelly of Option 8.

There were lots of stylish bloggers in attendance, including my friends Teresa of Senses and Style and Lisa of Solo Lisa.

The awesome sister-duo, Lauren and Cara of Vincent Park, (boutique where I buy lots of great duds like this floral skirt and my motorcycle flat boots) showed their support.

I met Jordana for the first time from Being High Maintenance, Not Bitchy. I loved her time-piece necklace and grey eel-skin bag.

A big shout-out too should go to Larissa of The Extrovert, who was also behind this important fundraiser.

Hump Day Hunks: NHL Edition

Happy Hump Day Hunks! I got Hump Day started early this weekend, when I met, for the second time, the Hunk (and my crush) that started this all: Mason Raymond. He was doing an autograph signing, and when I found out, I rushed down with my Canucks jersey. The highlight was when i was chatting with him, he actually remembered meeting me last year. I've been swooning for a few days!

Above: How I met Mason Raymond (again).

Since you've been waiting for this, so I've created an extra long post with some of the finest looking specimens from the NHL. Without further delay I present to you Hump Day Hunks - NHL Edition.

No list of the NHL's hottest hockey players can exist without this man, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The youngest man to ever captain a team to a Stanley Cup, this hottie will also lead Team Canada to 2010 Olympic glory.

Vancouver ladies are still pining for Blue Eyes Taylor Pyatt who used to play for our home team. Luckily he plays for Phoenix which means us westcoast girls can fawn all over him when he rolls into town to play.

I didn't know who this cutie was but he showed up on some list of the hottest hockey players. Thank Google for Rick DiPietro, goalie for the NY Islanders.


It's a shame goalies wear full face masks, especially since so many of them are blessed in the looks department. Our next hunk, Swede Henrik Lundqvist of the NY Rangers, may wear a mask but we know what's smouldering underneath.


He looks like a baby JT - it's Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. I have such a soft spot for him, even though his Hawks are big rivals to my Canucks.

This next hunk played for my Canucks, and I didn't even know that until some friends of mine met him at a team charity function and their jaws dropped to the floor. Rob Davison, now of the San Jose Sharks,may not get much ice-time, but he gets plenty of attention on Hump Day Hunks.

We all love a man who can rock a suit, and I say Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils shows us how it's done.


Hump Day Hunks will be back in two weeks time, just in time for the start of the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic Winter Games! How do we celebrate that? With a special Olympic edition of course! Submit your suggestions for 2010 Olympic hotties now!

Kauai Krush - Part 2

How do I love Kauai? In so many ways...

I love the delicious, locally-handmade ice cream from Lappert's. Look at that big smile on my face! Here I am enjoying their famous and most popular flavour, Kauai Pie (Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, shredded and lightly toasted coconut, and dark chocolate fudge). My fave flavour, though, is Heavenly Hana, which is chocolate ice cream with swirls of marshmallow ribbon, white chocolate covered macadamia nuts, dark chocolate covered almond chunks, chocolate bits, and roasted almonds. That's my kind of heaven.

With all the eating, hubby and I had to do some work to burn those calories off. And by work, I mean adventuring - by sea and by land. We went diving together for the first time. Our guides from Fathom Five were wonderful. Even though we were not certified, we did a shore dive of 40 feet and saw tons of fish and even a large sea turtle.

Below: At our shore dive at Koloa Landing, once the island's main landing dock.

We also made use of the awesome mountain bikes that came with our cottage and did some exploring around some unused sugarcane roads. They led us to a very deserted beach, called Gillin's beach after the fella who lived there. The area is comprised of three bays which make up the Mala'ulepu Beaches, famous for breathtaking scenery and the lithified sand cliffs that may be explored by foot, bike or horse.

Below: Getting there was half the fun.


While we were in the south, we drove up to the Waimea Canyon for some hiking and spectacular views. Called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it did not disappoint. From this vista we peered down to the Kalalau Valley. Even from that distance we could see massive 30 foot waves pummeling the north shore. If you are familiar with Kauai, you'll know that the west and the north side of the island don't connect by road or anything other than by sea. It's because of this vast valley and the muddy swamps within. Attempts to build a road to circumvent the island have failed in the past, and thank goodness for that. Seeing the valley and the Na Pali coast from this side was especially special because two years ago when hubby and I were in Kauai for the first time, we did a fantastic hike through the Kalalau Trail (a highly difficult trail). It was cool to see it from a different vantage point.

Below: Feels like God is smiling down on Kauai

Below: A bird soars near the Kilauea Lighthouse, a sanctuary for birds

As our days in the south drew to an end, we began our drive up to the rugged north, and to one of my favourite places in the world. We stopped for a drink in the posh Princeville resort area, and ended up at the St. Regis Hotel lounge on their deck. The view was just perfect.

Below: My chi chi drink at the St. Regis.

Below: Ahi Tuna Poke with Avocado, Mango and Taro Chip.

As much as I loved the south, I was ready to head north for some surfing. I absolutely adore the north and it felt a bit like coming home. Up next, a review of a place so dear to my heart: the Kauai North Shore.

If you missed it, check out some more Kauai pics from this previous post, Hang Ten for 2010.

Hope In Haiti Fundraiser

We've all seen the devastation that's hit Haiti over the past week. It's heart wrenching. I don't usually blog a lot about events or do a lot of promotion but this is a very worthy cause.

Helping my friends Kelsey (of The Anthology), and Larissa (of The Extrovert), I'm spreading the word about the Hope in Haiti benefit taking place this Wednesday, January 27 at the Barcelona Nightclub in Vancouver. All proceeds go to the Canadian Red Cross. I will be in attendance as well, helping out where I can.

Not only is this a very meaningful event, but there will be some fantastic door prizes and items up for auction. For more details on the event and where to buy online tickets, please visit the website Hope in Haiti now. Tickets are selling out fast so get yours. You can also donate to the Canadian Red Cross if you can't attend the event.

Is It Summer Yet?

How was your weekend, lovelies? Mine was good; lots of chilling out with a movie and take-in dinner (District 9 and sushi), dinner party at a friend's (yummy slow braised beef short ribs papparadelle), and coffee and crepes on Sunday.

I know I just got back from a beach holiday, but I'm already itching to go somewhere hot again. How can I not with all these sizzling hot resort styles tempting me? I've decided that 2010 is the year that I will get a real classic Brazilian bikini, and I've been enticed by some of the hot looks from Look Swimwear. Of course, I also love the Reef swimwear that makes your butt look so good. So, if you're going somewhere hot soon for a mid-winter break, I envy you.

While I was surfing for hot bikinis, Teresa from Senses and Style pointed me to Anna Kosturova, a local Vancouver swimwear designer. Her designs have been featured in Sports Illustrated and Lucky Magazine, and they are sexy yet classy. I wish I had known before I went to Kauai!

Above: Golden crochet cover-up by Anna Kosturova

This Marley bikini by Red Carter brings out my inner rasta girl. A turquoise and pink tunic by Anna Kosturova works as cover-up or a mini dress.

Below: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent thong sandal and a demure white crochet cover-up by Anna Kosturova.

Loving the bright orange hue for this Marc by Marc Jacobs bandeau bikini and rounded aviators from Ray-Ban (orange is sold out boo!).

For sundown drinks, I might slip on this cotton jersey white tunic by Anna Kosturova as a little dress and carry this colourful hobo by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent.

I don't care that I'm clashing patterns with this Aztec-inspired Mara Hoffman string bikini and Shoshanna psychedelic cover up.

With jewels like these, who needs accessories (other than arm candy)? Elizabeth and James Jewel Thong Sandal and Red Carter Jeweled Bikini (top sold out now - boo!).

Finally, watching the sun set is a breeze behind these oversized retro Chloe Tilia pink shades. Keep warm with this ombre wrap by Brette Sandler.

So, while everyone is thinking of the 2010 Winter Olympics, happening in my humble town in less than 4 weeks time, I've got beaches and bikinis on the brain.

Images courtesy of Shopbop.com and Anna Kosturova.

Hump Day Hunks - Hockey Edition

Men with sticks. Sweaty, grunting men with sticks. Enough said.

Today's Hump Day Hunks are brought to you by..YOU! The picks are all either handpicked as a special request by you or inspired by you.

Up first, especially for Raul of Hummingbird604 and one of my best friends Lizzie, is angry-cute American, Ryan Kesler, of the Canucks. This man broke a hockey stick over his thighs. I don't know about you, but that kind of hot-blooded passion is steamy.

Above: Ryan Kesler doing his pouty, angry thing
Below: A rare smile from #17 Ryan Kesler as he makes the U.S. Olympic Mens Hockey team

Below: Ryan Kesler getting some, ahem, medical attention.

For my dear friend Alix of Canucks Hockey Blog and Kat of Fat Girl Skinny, I give you Shane O'Brien of the Canucks. Or, as I like to call him, Shane O'Hottie. Boyish good looks and Irish bad-boy charm have Alix and Kat swooning.

And for my friend Niki over at A Haute Mess, there is the smouldering Kevin Bieksa of the Canucks. Poor Kevin is currently sidelined with an injury, so let's show him so love. shall we?


And just for good measure, a group shot of Kevin, blondie defenseman Alex Edler (who in his own right could have made this list), and Shane in their shorts and socks.

Lastly, this one's for @ConnieWChang, who has a love for the shot-blocking hero, Ryan Johnson.

I know i promised other NHL hockey hotties besides my home team Canucks but because there are so many of them, we'll have to just save that for another (rainy) day. Enjoy this one ladies, as the next edition will be in two weeks time.

Pictures courtesy of Canucks.com.