My good friend Keira recently turned the big “3-0” and to celebrate I joined her for a brunch followed by a manicure and pedicure at Cranberries Spa on Robson. Truth be told, I first heard about Spa on Twitter so I was curious to see what the experience would be like.
In the last year alone I’ve probably had four pedicures and each is always different. Some focus on massage and relaxation, while others are quick and to the point (making your nails sparkle and feet smooth as silk). Cranberries is a combination of two. While it looks like a typical nail bar decked out in pink with lustrous nail polish shades lining its glass shelves, it was an upbeat and friendly environment. Sitting on the bench it was a social atmosphere as we chatted with our nail techs while Christmas music played over the soundsystem.
Feet were soaked, scrubbed and filed then the polish I selected was applied with care. After the pedicure, we sat down for manicures as we looked out at the Library on Robson Street.
People watching, chit-chatting, sipping a peppermint mocha, and having a good time while being filed and polished again. In and out within about 90 minutes, it became clear that Cranberries is the place to go when you are on-the-go but still want care, quality, and attention to details. There’s no wonder why it’s been Keira’s favourite nail bar for quite a while now.
Disclosure: I paid full price (about $90) for my treatments. Keira’s were complimentary.
Now in its 23rd year, Breakfast with Santa happens on a Saturday and Sunday morning just before Christmas and is complete with a delicious breakfast followed by opportunities for the little ones to visit with the jolly old elf.
This morning under the sails, the conference centre looks beautiful, decked out in red and white as hundreds of families pour through the doors, greeted by mascots and stilt walkers.
The program is about to get started but we’ll have photos and updates posted later today. Breakfast with Santa also takes place tomorrow morning, in the same location.
Post Event Update Santa offered up a welcome message then Bobs and Lolo took to the stage. Soon enough, one of their famous ‘kid mosh pits’ began to form.
Dozens of children danced, hopped, and sang along with new and familiar tunes. Music with Marni was the next act, bringing a full band to the stage.
The breakfast buffet itself was impressive with fruit, waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, turkey sausage, whole grain muffins, and chocolate croissants.
Santa took a seat in the corner as families lined up to get photos and tell him what they wanted to find in their stockings next week.
The event was a great success and the convention centre was alive with holiday cheer. There is one more breakfast tomorrow until the event wraps for another year. If you’re attending, be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for $2. Proceeds benefit the Strathcona Community Centre and you could win a trip to Jamaica.
It’s the time when “year in review” posts and lists start popping up all forms of media; from the Best Viral Videos of 2010 to the Top 10 Most Powerful Tweets of 2010. I thought it would be interesting to search YouTube to see if I could come up with the Top 5 Vancouver Videos of 2010 and this is what I found:
Vancouver City Time Lapse
You Gotta be Here
Miniature Vancouver
Dear Vancouver
Canada Wins Hockey Gold
While some of these do not have the most views (aside from the time lapse with 1.2 million) they captured Vancouver this year and shared some of its different aspects with the world. If you have a favourite Vancouver-themed video of 2010, feel free to drop a link in the comments.
I didn’t know what to expect (or how to get there) at first so I looked up a few other food blog reviews:
If you are a food lover, and enjoy dining out as an experience and not just sustenance then this is a must visit for you. Eating this meal I couldn’t believe that I was in Vancouver, it felt like one of those restaurants you book months in advance for your next vacation to New York, LA or Europe. I know I am repeating myself here but if you appreciate craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail when dining out then plan a visit to the Apron and ask if Chef Hamid will come out and say hi. – VancouverSlop
During our dinner John quoted this blog post and said he agreed whole-heartedly and couldn’t stop raving about the butternut squash soup (with apple pearls). This is a small lobby restaurant in an airport hotel and the dishes we were served were – to sum them up in one word – impressive.
Our server, Justin, was friendly and helpful (especially when it came to suggestions on how to eat some of the creative dishes). I had never seen a puffed fois gras, a powdered popcorn crumble on an amuse bouche, fried salmon skin that tasted like wood smoke and marshmallows, or a shrimp bar with soy caviar and squid ink garnish. Even the classic beef tenderloin was topped with a buckwheat crisp. The dishes burst with flavour and made a conscious effort to combine textures playfully.
The Apron is accessible by transit or vehicle and the walk back to the Aberdeen Canada Line station took us about 10 minutes. If you’re at the airport, heading to the airport, or want to find a dining destination in Richmond, I highly recommend checking out this gem. The price points were on a bit of a higher scale but for the presentation, creativity, and quality of the food, it’s well worth treating yourself.
Santa rolled into Vancouver last week and he’s no stranger to our town. While looking up a keyword for today’s Archives Photos I decided to keep it simple and see how Santa has spent his time in our town over the years.
Year: 1939
In this photo: The Case triplets visit Santa
Vancouver Archives Item#: Port P802.9
Photographer / Studio: Province Newspaper
Year: 1942
In this photo: Santa being filmed at a Christmas party
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-1555
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers
Year: 1942
In this photo: Children receive gifts from Santa and a clown
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-1552
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers
Year: 1943
In this photo: Hudsons Bay Company Santa Claus
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 586-1750
Photographer / Studio: Steffens-Colmer Studios Ltd.
Year: 1945
In this photo: Santa doing a radio broadcast on Granville
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-2229
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers
Year: 1952
In this photo: Santa handing out gifts at the Universal Lumber and Box Co. Christmas party
VPL Accession Number: 82046A
Photographer / Studio: Cronk, Doug
