East Vanity Parlour

Lets face it "yogi or not" we all like to get pampered once in a while (and yes we like to look good too!)

I am not your typical girl in a lot of ways. I'm not a big fan of shopping and honestly, I used to dread going to the salon. I have been colouring my hair for what feels like a million years. (since 1978 actually. wow...it really has been a million years!)

I always enjoyed flippin' through the fashion magazines at salons, but honestly couldn't wait til it was over so I could get home and 're-do' my hair before heading out and doing something fun.

Finally nearly 6 years ago. (My 40th birthday to be exact) my boyfriend took me to meet Kristi. Kristi Johanson. Kristi is the sweetest, kindest, funniest...and most talented hair gal out there! And she's a wicked burlesque performer and musician to boot! (a.k.a. Camero Luvroc & The New Black)

East Vanity Parlour is a super fun and chill little beauty parlour located right here in our amazing hood.

Kristi and the gals (who are all equally cool and incredibly talented) will fix you up and beautify you any old time you like. Any old way you like! I'm talking guys, gals, colour, cuts. Updo's....Literally everything and anything you like. Whatever the occassion.

And you'll have fun! (I have never gone to get my hair done so much in my life since Kristi opened her shop!) Even when my hair doesn't need to be done. haha! I can't stay away!

Anyhow...I thought I'd include this little promo video (bottom of page) that somebody made for EVP because I find it adorable. Keep in mind though that there is no smoking or drinking on the premisis and this is just a promo. But yes, they are all that cute! That cute and then some!

Lot's of guys frequent this place as well. It's not just for gals.

I love Kristi.

I love my hair.

and I love the fun.. the atmosphere..the harmless gossip.. and all the hair tips I get every single time I go. And you will too!

East Vanity Parlour is located directly across the street from Mt.Pleasant Community Centre at 46 Kingsway Av. To make an appointment the number is 604-637-1122.

What's left of the old Mt.Pleasant Community Centre

Here are a couple of shots I took yesterday of the old Mt.Pleasant site (Victoria Day long weekend/16th @ Ontario st) I find it sort of funny that all thats left are some weights from the gym.

*If you have not yet checked out the new location it is a MUST SEE and is located at 1 Kingsway. (Main and Broadway) It will blow you away. It is one wild facility.

Click here for the website

Change is inevitable and constant. It's all good.

Ahhh...the old Mt.Pleasant CC.

I rode my bike past there yesterday, and that extremely well used community centre is now a pile of rubble.

I couldn't help but reminisce about all the classes I taught there or the many mom & baby picnic's I held on those grounds in the past half dozen years. Many good times.

The 8th annual camp moomba yogathon & blissfest is right around the corner!

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, two thousand people will participate in the 8th Annual Camp Moomba Yogathon & Blissfest to raise awareness and funds for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The much needed funds raised from this event will help send a child to summer camp for an experience of a lifetime. ...

**For more information click here**

And keep in mind that this event has it all!

(I mean even if you weren't into yoga!)

It is also a sustainability fair who's marketplace is bursting with organic, sustainable, and healthy consumer products, clothing and services.

You can find me at the Shanti Uganda Society booth all day long. To learn about one of my ALL time favourite charities and what they do and how you can help you can click here for the Shanti Uganda website.

Looking forward to seeing you there! This fabulous event takes place Saturday July 24th at UBC MacInnes Field here in beautiful Vangroovy, British Columbia.

Have you ridden your bike lately?

I've been back on my bike a lot lately and it feels so good. I often hear people say that there is no way they would ride in the city because it is far too dangerous, and believe me, nobody is more nervous at times than me. (I nearly lost my life in an accident in 2001)

Hopping on my bike is something that I always did without a single thought. (I'm talking riding in the snow in the winter in ontario...whatever the weather, I rode). For years. I am nearing 46 years old and don't even drive a car.

I love cars mind you, and my partner and I have loads of fun with our little car and car club as well. Tons actually!

But as far as driving goes, I've never really had to. I have always made sure that I live close enough to my work to ride transit, ride my bike, or walk to work. (I also spent most of my adult life living in Toronto where more people don't drive than do). There is simply no need. You live downtown and a car would actually slow you down driving in the city.

I have lived here for 13 years now and initially was disappointed in the lack of off road bike paths. It surprised me really. But then again Vancouver is so new compared to the other cities I have lived in, and these things take time.

And it is starting to catch up!

The city is adding more bike routes all the time and improving existing bikeways which is a really wonderful and necessary thing. *see the map above

(the dark green lines are major bike routes/pale green lines are alternative routes)

It is pretty amazing though how quickly you can get to and from certain parts of the city on our 'on road bike streets'. 10th Ave, Yukon st, Heather st, Cypress st, Ontario st, 29th & the off Broadway path are just a few off the top of my head. Yes you do share these roads with cars but they are really set up with the cyclist in mind.

Although I do not hop on my bike with the same wild abandon I did in the 80's & 90's (there are a lot of things I don't do with that same old 'wild abandon' I did back in the day haha!)

I still greatly enjoy riding my bike.

There is just something about riding your bike that feels so incredibly great whether you are commuting or riding for pleasure.

Cycling is a clean green & healthy mode of transportation, and thats just a fact. And it's enjoyable, invigorating and a major calorie burn.

I mean just look at the Seawall...now that is heaven. ♥

And Stanley park? I haven't even gotten into those bike paths on this post!

Bike to work week is coming up the week of May 31-June 6, and if you haven't been on your bike for a while you should give it a whirl!

Just for the fun of it, or to commute.

Bikes are cheap, fun, and like yoga a bike ride fills you up with that incredible life force energy prana like few other things can!

If you aren't sure that you want to invest in a top of the line bike, don't! Don't let money hold you back!

There's Craigslist, garage sales...

(you should see my rickety old bike!)

Just make sure it is tuned up, that you have a helmet (and a fender comes in handy in these parts with all the rain we get! )

Here are a couple of links for ya to get started;

Bike to work week http://www.biketoworkmetrovan.ca

City of Vancouver site- for the latest on cycling, cycling safety etc. (search for cycling)

click here

This is amazing. This is really and TRULY amazing!

Have you ever heard of a "pop up shop" that donates 100% of it's net profits to wonderful local charities? (And has beautiful and amazing merchandise from local businesses that you would totally buy?)

I stopped by Capers in Kit's today for lunch and while on the patio sadly noticed that Duthies Books had closed down. :(

I looked a little closer and saw that a 'pop up shop' was going to be temporarily taking over the space. I looked in the window and saw beautiful household furnishings, art, clothes...all sorts of things.

I went inside and was told the place wasn't opening until June 2 but that all of the profits were going to two wonderful children's charities that I happen to love!

Arts Umbrella - http://www.artsumbrella.com/

And Canucks for Kid's Fund - http://canucks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=44

This is hard to believe but it's completely cool and legit!

What a wonderful concept!

The place will only be open for 4-6 weeks so I suggest getting down very soon!

I may do my Holiday shopping early this year just to be able to partake!

The exact location is 2239 W 4th Ave right next to Capers (where Duthie's Books used to be) 4th Avenue, just E of Vine.

Make sure you check it out. I'll be seeing you there!

For more information here's their site- http://www.philanthropybyscoop.com/