Absurd Vancouver Property (February 28, 2013)

I was informed that there was an inaccuracy in last week’s Absurd Vancouver Property.  Apparently, the photos I showed were merely “artists” renditions that had been placed in the online listing by the agent.  Guess in a slow market, you do what you gotta do.  Although, I can’t imagine why the prospect of a home that looks like Sigfried and Roy barfed all over it would appeal to any buyer…

I can do better than this. I’m going to show you a “rendition” of what this week’s property could look like.  It’s located in East Vancouver and, by Vancouver standards, is a bargain at $550K.

A little (okay…a lot) of elbow grease, and you could have the home of your dreams…

Pink Shirt Day 2013: advocacy, Oscars and book clubs.

I’ve had an interesting few days of observing, reading about and advocating to put an end to bullying.

Advocacy

Last Friday, I attended the 2nd Annual Pink Shirt Ladies Luncheon at Society restaurant.  The event was co-hosted by the equally lovely Fiona Forbes and Karen Kuhnkuhn.  Aside from the amazing ladies, delicious food and incredible silent auction, what struck me most was Forbes’ brave and vulnerable recollection of a time last year when she, herself, was bullied on social media.  She spoke of how, as an adult, she thought that it was something she could just deal with on her own, but when it got to be too much, she did reach out to friends.  The point was, if as a grown-up being bullied is traumatic and isolating, imagine what it is like for children.

Bravo, Fiona, for sharing your story!

The REAL Real Housewives of Vancouver: Tracey Rossignol

Tracey Rossignol is a former 1980s fashionista trying to re-discover her personal style in her 40s. Thankfully the big hair, matching scrunchy socks and hip belts are gone. But where do we go from here? Tracey’s personal style blog Fashion Forward 40 documents her mis-adventures in fashion after 40. She hopes one day she will have the answer on how to balance her love of fashion with motherhood, real life, sustainable living and gravity.

Blog – http://fashionforward40.com

Twitter – http://twitter.com/tjrossignol  or http://twitter.com/fashion_frwd40

Absurd Vancouver Property: Canada’s most expensive home…the “Vancouver Versailles”

The second most expensive mansion to ever be listed in Canada is situated in, you guessed it, Vancouver.  Well, West Vancouver to be precise.

At $37.9 million, the home is being called a complete “tear down” with value only being in the land.

I can’t imagine why…it’s just so gorgeous!!

Christy Clark’s Early Years Strategy…good news for B.C. families or too little, to late?

Will the Liberal’s strategy ease pressure on young families?

Yesterday, Premier Christy Clark unveiled her latest promise to B.C. Families…the Early Years Strategy.

The goal, said Clark, is “…to build a strategy to improve child care, early childhood development and learning opportunities, we consulted with those who know best: parents and early childhood experts…their ideas led directly to our provincial Early Years Strategy. It’s about helping parents balance the demands of work and raising a family, and setting children up for lifelong success.”

I received this notice from the Premier’s office:

Add to your parenting mojo by attending PEP Talks in Vancouver: win tickets here!

I’ve said before how I’m not a big fan of parenting books.  It’s partly because I’m stubborn and like to figure stuff out on my own and partly because I’m lazy and, if I am going to read a book, I want it to be somewhat of an escape for me…not a reminder of everything I am doing wrong with my kids!  Parent talks, however, those I can do.  Maybe it’s the comfort of knowing there are others in the room who are just as effing confused as I am, looking for some shred of insight to help them through the roller coaster of parenthood.

This is why I was excited when a friend of mine told me about PEP Talks.  

The REAL Real Housewives of Vancouver: Bruna Myers

Bruna Myers was one of VancouverMom.ca’s Top 30 Bloggers from 2012.  She is a First Grade teacher and a mom to three beautiful girls, Teen B, Little B and Little .  She’s been married for 8 years to her best friend J.

Bruna has been teaching for 14 years at the primary level and can’t imagine doing any else. She loves kids (her own and other people’s) and learns so much from them every day. When not teaching, Bruna is also the CEO of the blog Bees with Honey and has been writing for it since October of 2010. Bruna also enjoys reading, spending time in the outdoors, shopping, nurturing her addiction of social media, taking photographs of her girls, tackling one-day projects and spending time with family. On Bees with Honey, Bruna shares her crazy journey through life. She writes about what inspires her, makes her happy or sad and what new things she’s up to or into as a teacher and mother of 3. She enjoys sharing the challenges she faces trying to balance a career and a family life.

If you’re not yet following Bruna, you should get on it!  You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram (@beeswithhoney)

Win 4 tickets to Carousel Theatre’s production of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat!!

 

The sun would not shine it was too wet to play…

Sounds like a typical February day in Vancouver, right??!!  Why not take the family down to Granville Island to see Carousel Theatre for Young People‘s production of The Cat in the Hat?

From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with, and he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will happen when Mom comes home?!

Based on the book by Dr. Seuss and originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain, the show runs from February 23-March 31…and I have a pack of four tickets to give away to a lucky Thirties Grind fan!

To enter, leave a comment with your favourite Dr. Seuss quote.  For extra entries, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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You taught me what LOVE really means: to my kids on Valentine’s Day

Most people think of Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers.  However, I remember that when I was growing up my mom and dad would always get us a little something for Valentine’s Day.  My mom usually presented us with cookies or stickers and my dad always got me a rose (to compliment my mother’s dozen).

When my daughter woke up this morning, she sleepily padded into our bathroom as I was getting ready for work.  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mama!” she said as she rubbed her eyes.  I had actually forgotten all about the holiday.

I crouched down and gave her a big hug.  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” I said, “…do you know you are one of my most special Valentines?”

“No,” she said. “Why?”

“Because before I had you, I had absolutely no idea how much I could love someone.”

Here’s what I meant.

The REAL Real Housewives of Vancouver: Laura Madera

Laura Madera is a mother of one and graduate of the University of Guelph’s MFA program. Recently, she was chosen among the top “Emerging Artists” in Magenta Publishing’s nationwide survey book “Carte Blanche Vol. 2: Painting”.  Her artwork has been shown across Canada as well as in New York and the United Kingdom and can be seen at www.lauramadera.ca.  In addition to making art and parenting her toddler, Laura runs a small business making very poofy tutus for girls of all ages. They can be seen and purchased at www.poofytutus.com and http://www.etsy.com/shop/poofytutusshop.