Over 200 women came together at the stunning Pipe Shop in North Vancouver on October 26-27 to celebrate and elevate. The Ace Class, based in Calgary hosted the Rise Conference in Vancouver, which included two days of inspirational speakers, curated partners, mentoring workshops, breakout dinners and a dance party!

In a beautiful space with attendees and speakers of all ages and professional backgrounds, we came together to learn, laugh, lean in and grow. Topics covered relationships, money, health + wellness, leadership growth, setting boundaries and rising out of your comfort zone to your true potential. 

Key Takeaways from The Rise Conference Vancouver

Top takeaways from the conference that really inspired me, include: 

Stillness is Power, Danielle LaPorte
My absolute favourite speaker from the weekend was Danielle LaPorte, entrepreneurial goddess and author of the Firestarter Sessions and the Desire Map. Danielle is powerful beyond measure and has a way of connecting in the deepest and most genuine ways with her audience. My biggest takeaway from her talk was the importance of beginning and ending your day with stillness, whether that be meditation, breath work, or just quieting your mind. Stillness brings power, creativity, calm and expansion. It’s easy to say but hard to form a habit around. We just get so stuck in the busy. But when we bring stillness in our lives, we have the ability to transform.

One of my favourite quotes is: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). On November 13th, you can do a KIND act for World Kindness Day in Vancouver, here’s how:

A KIND Act for World Kindness Day in Vancouver

Where: Canadian Blood Services (4750 Oak St, Vancouver)
When: November 11-15, 2019 from 11:00am to 6:00pm

KIND Healthy Snacks and Canadian Blood Services are partnering up this World Kindness Day. Every individual who visits a Canadian Blood Services donor centre from November 11 to 15, 2019 will receive a KIND bar. On November 13th, KIND representatives will be sponsoring relaxation lounges at select donor centres in Toronto (2 Bloor Street East, Hudson Bay Centre) and Vancouver (4750 Oak St, at Oak and 32nd, next to BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital).

TIP: On the day of your donation, make sure you are hydrated, feeling well, and had a good night’s sleep. Remember to bring a valid ID, your donor card (if you have donated before) and any prescription medication you are currently taking.

Donating blood is the kindest thing an individual can do to help someone in need, yet only 4% of eligible donors sustain the Canadian blood system. By giving blood and joining Canada’s lifeline, Canadians will have the power to change someone’s life, with just a small amount of time. The impact of this single kind act is significant, as half of all Canadians will either need blood or know someone who will need blood to survive.

I’ll see you in the KIND relaxation lounge on November 13th! Follow KIND (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) #snackKIND and Canadian Blood Services (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more information.

Spirits are riding high in Coquitlam – get in there and join in the fun! Santa arrives at Coquitlam Centre, shops are adding their festive decorations, and Lafarge Lake will soon be sparkling with one of Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor lights displays.

Get a jump on your shopping list with our top tips of places to find those one-of-a-kind gifts. And get into the festive spirit with activities and events for the whole family. 

Gift Ideas and Festive Fun in Coquitlam This Month

Unique Gift Ideas

If you’re in search of a unique present for that certain someone, how about a hand-crafted item? Here are three places to start.

Place des Arts Christmas Boutique: You’ll find finely crafted ornaments and decorations as well as artful gifts made by local artisans. The boutique takes over the artisan shop from Tuesday, November 12, with a festive opening reception on Friday, November 15, 2019 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair: Mark your calendars! This annual event features more than 100 artisans at the Poirier Forum for an entire weekend December 6-8, 2019.

Christmas Farmers Market: Also coming up next month (December 14, 2019) is this special one-day event featuring local merchants, carollers, kids’ activities and crafts at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex.

Christmas begins at the largest holiday one-stop shopping destination in the Lower Mainland, the West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market! Over 170 artisans and 300 participants will provide a unique shopping experience November 15-17, 2019.

West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market

• When: Friday, November 15, 2019 from 1:00pm to 9:00pm
  • Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
  • Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 11:00am to 5:00pm
• Where: Tradex (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford)
• Tickets: $10 general admission, $9 seniors, youth/children 16 and under are free.
  • Purchase your admission tickets online now and save $1 off the regular adult or senior entrance fee.
  • Free re-admission for all three days with hand stamp or  next day readmission pass obtained when leaving the show (non-transferable). Free parking!

There is something for every member of your family as you discover new gift ideas, original art, crafts, woodwork, ceramics, specialty foods, home decor, clothing, furniture, floral designs, jewellery, candles, soaps, toys, and much more.

Features this year include the Community Arts Stage with the Royal City Youth Ballet performing The Nutcracker, an ugly Christmas sweater contest, pictures with Santa, 99 Nurseries floral arrangements, Santa’s workshop and elf activity area, and more. The Home for the Holidays stage will have cooking demos and the Sounds of the Holidays stage will host live music and vocal performances throughout the weekend.

It Takes a Village

Your Christmas purchases can help improve our world by shopping among the gathering of community minded artisans who are committed to giving back. Fair trade, zero waste and community support through giving back are all components of the It Takes a Village artisan shopping area. Whether the artisans focus is to go green by limiting their use of plastic and toxic materials, or the focus is empowering a community through fair trade items, you’ll find a way to connect to your global community this Christmas.

Festival of Trees, for Local Causes

When you visit the West Coast Christmas Show, you will be welcomed by a wonderful array of decorated Christmas trees, all part of the Festival of Trees where charitable organizations will decorate trees and compete for a grand prize. This year’s organizations include Burns Bog Conservation Society, Fraser Valley Health Care Society, Fraser Valley Humane Society, Fraser Valley Brain Injury, Canadian Blood Services, Job’s Daughters International – Bethel #20, Langley Elks.

Abbotsford Community Services will be on site to provide gift wrapping service for visitors, by donation.  The donations help to fund meals on wheels for the less fortunate in the community.

Win Tickets

I have a 4 pack of tickets to give away to this amazing shopping experience AND a gift (value $50) from Flux & Stone.

Mieke’s passion is creating jewellery that makes women feel beautiful. Inspired by the wild west coast of BC, Canada, Mieke seeks to remind women of their wild nature and connection with the earth.  Each handcrafted piece is intentionally infused with love during the creation process.  She has been operating Flux & Stone full time since 2014 from her studio, located in Victoria, BC. She can be found at various events in and around Victoria, and her work can be found throughout various locations in and around BC.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Follow the West Coast Christmas Show and Miss604 on Facebook (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. Follow the West Coast Christmas Show on Facebook for more info.

UPDATE The winner is Tiffany!

Every 5 years or so I look at the calendar, realize how long it’s been, and I throw a party to celebrate the amazing community that has helped me do this ‘blogging thing‘ for so long. On November 14th, join me at Timber on Robson for the #Miss604Party supporting Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC.

#Miss604Party Fundraiser for Variety

• When: Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
• Where: Timber (1300 Robson St, Vancouver)
• Tickets: Available online for $26.04

Admission gets you a beer or wine beverage ticket, snacks from Timber (slider bar, s’mores station, mac n’ cheese, charcuterie), an entry in the door prize draw to win $100 from award-winning Forage restaurant next door, networking and fun with my awesome friends, family, and supporters.

About Variety BC

Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends providing direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured children have the support to reach their potential. Since 2010, Variety has distributed more than $30 million in funding to families and organizations in communities all across the province.

Variety will also be on site to oversee the raffle and silent auction with all donations going directly to their cause. Prizes include goodies from:

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away so you can join me (and about 100 other revelers) at the #Miss604Party on November 14th. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Follow Miss604 on Facebook or Instagram (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, November 11, 2019.
UPDATE the winner is Mandy!

Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is a proud member of the Board of Directors of Variety – The Children’s Charity, and Chair of its Membership and Marketing Committees.