My Urban Suburban

Hey Everyone,

Just a quick update….

I’m still receiving tons of emails from dedicated readers and members of the community about events and great things happening in the Valley. While I don’t have time to blog about them at the moment (yes, MUS is still in a state of semi-retirement), I have recently started Tweeting again fairly regularly and I invite all of you to join the conversation, or follow me there!  I’m @myurbansuburban and am working hard to continue promoting all the fabulous people, places and events happening on our side of the bridge & tunnel.

If you’re interested, I can also be found on Twitter under my personal handle @erinlabbe (yep, married woman now), where I mostly share info about interesting marketing, communications & public relations info…And other fun stuff!

So please join me there!

My So-called-Life is one of my all-time favourite TV shows.  For those of you who’ve never had the privilege of seeing it, it was a short-lived series that aired from ‘94-’95 that followed the emotional trials and tribulations of several emotional, self-aware teenagers.  Claire Danes played the lead role of 15-year-old, insecure Angela Chase and Jared Leto played Angela’s love interest, Jordan Catalano, the good-looking, popular, and rebellious slacker.  Imagine a more realistic version of Beverly Hills 90210…in fact, if they had to re-make a hit TV series from the ’90’s, why on earth didn’t they re-make MSCL instead of that new dumb version of 90210??  Actually, never mind…it would have ruined it, because it would NEVER have been as good as the original MSCL.  But I digress.  Although the show ended after only 19 episodes, in 2007 was listed as one of Time magazine’s “100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME.”  Just goes to show that some things in life are meant to be around for a good time, not a long time….

You’re probably wondering why I’m rambling on about this.  Well…just as My So-called Life had to come to a bittersweet end, I’m sad to say that so does My Urban Suburban.  After 3 years, over 400 blog posts, and countless incredible experiences, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to take a break.  I can’t tell you how much fun this blog has been, or how privileged I feel to have met so many outstanding people in our community through my writing.  My Urban Suburban opened so many doors for me and provided me with more opportunities than I can count.

But life has changed alot for me since I started this blog, and as many of  of you loyal readers have noticed, my writing has really slowed down lately.  I’ll be returning to my full-time job again in a month, which means I’ll be back to commuting (ugh), our daughter will be in full-time daycare, I have a wedding to plan, and a house to move and honestly,  I just won’t have the time required to keep this blog up and running the way I think it should.

It’s been a hard decision, because the blog has been such a positive experience.  But I’m looking forward to having a little more free time and most importantly, being able to spend that free time with Bub and Miss A.  Who knows?  Maybe in a few years when things change again, I’ll re-establish the blog and get back at ‘er.  Or maybe I’ll start something new!  One thing for sure, is that you have not seen the last of me…I still have a few tricks up my sleeve!

I’ll leave you with a clip of my absolute favourite quote from My So-called Life (skip to 6:55 to see it.)  It’s from the very first episode.  After sneaking into a nightclub underage over the weekend, Rayanne Graff (Angela’s best friend) exclaims to a group of people: “I am telling you.  We had a time, didn’t we? We had a time.”  Angela responds with a big smile: “We did.  We had a time.”

To everyone who has read my blog, supported and encouraged me, written me emails or taken the time to communicate with me in some way over the years, thank you for everything!  We really did have a time.  I wish you all the very best!

Much love,

Erin

PS…My Urban Suburban will remain online as a reference for everyone!  You never know, if something exciting happens, or I feel inspired at some point, I might even update it…but not on a regular basis.  I’ll also continue to check my email, so feel free to drop me a line at theurbansuburban@gmail.com. I’ll remain connected to all things going on in the Valley and as always, will be happy to answer questions, or point you in the right direction if you’re looking for something specific.

Fraser Valley Twestival is coming to the valley on March 24th!!  What on earth is a Twestival you ask?  Excellent question.  A Twestival (or Twitter-Festival) is a single day, global movement that uses the power of social media to organize offline events that mobilize communities in support of a local cause.

To date, Twestival is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative.  Since 2009 volunteers have raised an incredible $1.2 million for 137 non profit groups!  All local events are organized 100% by volunteers and 100% of ticket sales and donations go directly to the featured projects.  In Vancouver, Accra, Ghana, Bangalore, India and many places in between people, most of whom have connected originally online, will gather in support of this initiative.  This is the first year that the Fraser Valley will be one of those destinations!!!

The Valley’s inaugural Twestival will raise money in support of the new Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Abbotsford.  Tickets are only $20 and let me repeat myself…100% of the proceeds of this event go directly to Canuck Place.  ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT! How often do you hear a non profit event or organization say that?  Not often.

It promises to be an incredible night!  Entertainment will be provided by the March Hare Band and Sound Refuge, yummy appetizers from Mizuna Culinary will be served, there will be a fresh oyster bar hosted by 1 Fish 2 Fish, wine tastings from Township 7 Winery and Vista D’oro Farms & Winery, they’ll have airbrush tattoos, contortion acts, a photo booth, big screen gaming, raffle prizes, silent auction…and so much more!

I really hope to see you all there.  Tickets are just $20 and include one drink ticket and one raffle ticket. After March 17th tickets raise to $30 so get yours asap!! And if you can’t make it, please, please, please make a donation…big or small it all goes to a great cause!

For more information, check out their Facebook Page, or their website.

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you’ll know I’m super supportive of anyone or anything that helps us gals feel better about ourselves.  I’m not gonna go all feminist on you here, but I do believe the world puts a great deal more pressure on women to look a certain way, than on men.  Sure, yeah, you guys have pressure too, Bub tells me all about it every chance he gets.  But really?  You can’t tell me you truly know pressure to look good until you’ve spent a day in 4-inch heels, sucking in your bloated menstrual tummy, hoping the hair you spent 2 hours blowing out won’t get ruined by the rain, or the mascara you applied so carefully won’t run down your face, or the jeans you starved yourself all week to wear won’t bust a zipper after dinner.  Come on guys…I know it can be hard being you, but you’ll be hard-pressed to convince me you really know how it feels to have your looks constantly scrutinized and compared to freakish (and rare) beauties like Gisele, Scarlett Jonhansson, Marisa Miller, Natalie Portman, etc…..

So ok, sorry, my point here isn’t to compare or debate the societal pressures on men vs. women.  My point is to tell you about one amazing woman in the Fraser Valley doing what she can to help us girls build our confidence and feel super hot and sexy!  Cause we all need a good ‘ol confidence boost every once in a while, right?

Kim Mallory is the newest local woman taking on the world of Boudoir Photography.  I’ve written about Boudoir before, and continue to think this is a great way for women to regain their confidence and embrace their bodies.  For Kim, Boudoir photography started as part of her personal journey to love herself and her body.

“As an insecure woman, I spent hours in front of the mirror picking myself apart”, says Kim.  ”Back when I was a teen, we had three-way mirrors in the bathroom – the worst type of mirror ever invented!  Those mirrors allowed countless women to dissect their flaws from every possible angle!  As I grew older, and after alot of life experience, I came to realize that I was my own worst critic.”

Kim wanted to help other women feel confident, powerful and comfortable in their own skin.  She wanted to help them see how beautiful they really are.  And thus, she started The Beautiful Woman Project.

“Two years ago I decided to shoot a boudoir session.  I found a  make-up artist and with a few willing participants away I went.   At the time I didn’t realize just how significant boudoir photography could be to a woman’s well-being, but as I shot more woman, I kept seeing a common thread:  an obvious change in attitude…a hop in their step, a new found confidence.  It was incredible!  I named my boudoir The Beautiful Woman Project because to me, getting a woman from self deprecation to self appreciation is truly a project.”

“Woman are now beginning to see the emotional benefits of having a boudoir session and learning to accept themselves as beautiful and empowered, no matter what stage of their life.  A much needed pick me up for a new mom, or a milestone birthday present, whatever the reason, it’s good for the soul and a great way to spice up a relationship too.”

Recently, Kim’s business grew to the point where she decided to move into a stunning 2000 sq. foot space in Chilliwack that allows her to provide her clients with a luxury experience from the moment they walk through the door.  Designed with women in mind, her studio is super girly.  As she says, “It’s 2000 square feet of diva heaven!”

Situated in a heritage building with the original tin ceilings and hardwood floors, chandeliers and beautiful things, Kim offers 10 custom designed sets for clients to choose from.   It’s a wonderful place where women can relax and let go. “Our all female staff ensure that the ladies feel pampered with soft music, a glass of wine and a full make-over before their session”, says Kim.   “Our clients leave feeling beautiful and pampered; it’s a unique experience.”

To book a session with Kim, visit The Beautiful Woman Project website, or give her a call in her studio: 604-824-9917 (M-F 9am-2pm)

I promise I won’t nauseate you with info about babies and weddings, even though that’s about all I think about these days!  But I know it can be super annoying listening to details about poopy diapers and floral bouquets when it’s not relevant to your life, so trust me, I’m editing myself so I won’t lose too many of you single, childless readers.  I’m a little jealous of you actually……..I sometimes like to pretend I’m living your lives……

And actually, while I’m on the topic of weddings and brides, I need to get something off my chest……Bypass this if you don’t feel like listening to me vent.  But, I went to the Fraser Valley Wedding Show with Bub last weekend and realized suddenly that I’m a terrible bride.  There were women there with clipboards and address labels to stick on their prize ballots, and their obedient fiancee’s were following them around, smiling, apparently happy to be there with their beautiful brides!  And then there’s us…..the comedy show.  Our baby strapped to Bub’s chest, whining and not too happy to be there.  And he, of course, was not happy about wearing the “Groom” tag they gave him at the front door and wasn’t walking around with a cheesy grin on his face.  Me, sans clipboard or even a pen or paper (I had to swipe one from the front desk), desperately trying to fill out the stack of like 100 ballots I was given, and feeling totally overwhelmed by all the people in the booths smiling at me congratulating me on my “exciting day”!!  We walked around quickly, I avoided eye contact with almost every vendor in the room (unless they were giving away something I wanted), then we beelined for the door.  I think we were in and out in about 30 minutes.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about my wedding.  It’s going to be awesome.  But I think I somehow missed the bride gene.  I just don’t get it?

Anyway, I digress, thanks for listening.

Regardless of my lack of bride-ness, I thought this event was pretty cool!

On March 19th, all you soon-to-be brides, or recently wedded ladies can come together to help each other out!  Fraser Valley Wedding Swap is a chance for local brides in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland to connect with, sell to, and buy from other local brides who need wedding items for their upcoming wedding day.

Whether your special day has come and gone and you’d like to pass on your tiara, chair covers, candy buffet jars and more, or you are a newly engaged bride-to-be who is looking for some great deals to make your day special and unique, this swap is for you.

A wedding swap is a fantastic opportunity to clean out your closets, empty your basement of unnecessary boxes and pass on some of the treasures that you discovered when searching for ways to make your own wedding day memorable.

I’ll be there.  And I’ll be armed and ready to get a good deal on a few of the last items I need for our wedding.  I won’t have a clipboard and Bub won’t be with me.  But I’ll do my very best to keep up with you professional brides!  Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two!

January 26, 2011 is the second annual National Wear it Pink Day!!!

Back for its second year, National Wear it Pink Day aims to raise awareness for Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting BC Cancer Foundation.  This is a relevant issue for all women, Fraser Valley or not.  Did you know that a staggering one in seven Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers in their lifetime?

To motivate a large number of people to get involved in fighting women’s cancers, the BC Cancer Foundation is inviting people to consider doing the following:

1.    Wear something pink on January 26th
2.    Register for the 2011 Weekend on January 26th
3.    If already registered for 2011, commit to getting at least 1 other person registered to walk.
4.    Host a Pink Party, and let the Weekend office know about it by emailing vancouvercoaches@endcancer.ca, or calling 604.684.9255.
The tools for hosting a great Pink Day celebration are available online at www.endcancer.ca

Let’s help make January 26th the biggest day of impact in Weekend history.  During the past seven years, thousands of people from Fraser Valley have taken part in this bold event that raised over $ 15 mil for cancer research and care at BC Cancer Agency.  Let’s keep the momentum going!!

Miss A and I will definitely be decked out in pink this Wednesday.  Will you??

Follow @wken2endcancer on Twitter or check then out on Facebook for more information about The Weekend and how you can participate in Wear it Pink Day 2011.

Sorry, a few days late posting this.  Our winners for the NAKED giveaway below are:  Lael and Dayna!  Congrats ladies.  I’ve sent you each emails yo get your undies sent your way.

Thanks for all the entries!

Hi Everyone,

Just a note to let you know I haven’t disappeared!  We had an amazing first Christmas with little Miss A and I’ve been crazy busy trying to finalize wedding plans for the last couple weeks.  Plus, Miss A has been sick and teething.  So I’m behind on blogging and completely delinquent on responding to emails.  You forgive me, right?  I promise I’ll back at ‘er very, very soon.

Thank you for your patience!!!!  Love you.  Owe you.

Erin

NAKED?  Yes, NAKED.  Because NAKED is Canada’s hottest new line of men’s boxer briefs, locally designed and manufactured in Vancouver!  23-year-old Founder and CEO (and local Abbotsford boy) Joel Primus, is taking the world by storm with his hot new line if super comfy, sexy and luxurious men’s boxers, Naked Boxer Briefs.  (what did you think I was talking about?)

So how does a guy from Abbotsford end up designing underwear?  Keep reading to find out!  And check out the end of the article for a Naked Giveaway!!

(GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

The idea for Naked Boxer Briefs came to Joel while he was filming a documentary in South America for his charity Project World Citizen…yes, not only is he a young entrepreneur, he’s also a philanthropic filmmaker…..and all at the ripe ‘ol age of 23!

But I digress…having become accustomed to the unique style of men’s underwear in South America, Joel couldn’t find anything like it in Canada.  So upon his return home, he decided to take matters into his own hands and design his own.

After nearly a year developing and perfecting his product, Joel took his sexy new Naked Boxer Brief underwear line to the hit reality TV show Dragon’s Den in 2009 with his original business partner, Travis McLaren. Rejected in front of 1.3 million people while ‘naked’ on national TV, Primus never gave up and continued the fight.  A chance encounter with Canada’s number one independent aviation marketing strategist, Ross Brown, helped propel Primus in the right direction.  Brown saw the potential in the product and Joel’s passionate approach to life, so the two teamed up to prove the Dragons wrong.

With their relentless networking and fearless passion, Joel and Ross convinced WestJet co-founder, Tim Morgan, and some of WestJet’s original employees to invest in the underwear line.  Then, in the summer of 2010 prior to the Naked Boxer Brief fall launch, Bruce Turner, host of North America’s number one fashion reality TV show, Style by Jury, joined their entourage as the celebrity spokesperson and model for Naked Boxer Brief.

Today, just a few short months following the company’s Canadian launch, Naked Boxer Brief can be purchased in Canada’s leading stores, including Boys Co., Got Style, Top Drawers and Holt Renfrew!

So, you’re wondering why people are loving Naked so much?  What makes their undies any better than the current ones your man buys at Costco?

Well, Naked is about confidence.  Their tagline, “Embrace Yourself. Inspire Others. Never be afraid to get NAKED TM” is all about helping men feel strong, gorgeous and sexy.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  I say bring on the confidence! The briefs are made with chemical-free, refined Italian microfiber and fit seamlessly to the body.  The goal is for men to feel like they’re wearing nothing at all!  Joel was kind enough to send Bub a pair to try and even he had to admit they were super comfy.  (This from a guy who currently wears Costco boxers!)

And to top it all off, a  percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Naked Boxer Briefs go to Joel’s original non-profit, Project World Citizen, which assists communities in the developing world that are struggling with social injustices.  The boxers retail for $38-$44.

Recently, Joel was selected to return to the Dragon’s Den to film a follow up episode on the success Naked TM has achieved since appearing on the show. In addition, Entertainment Tonight Canada was on location at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver to film Naked’s photo shoot with Bruce Turner.  Check out the video below!

WIN YOUR MAN A HOT PAIR OF NAKED BOXER BRIEFS!!!  SEND AN EMAIL TO theurbansuburban@gmail.com with “NAKED” as the subject.  Winner will be drawn January 15th.  Great gift to your guy for Valentine’s Day!!

I’m a tad late in getting this post up, but it’s NOT too late to participate in this great event!!  Deadline is December 19th, so read on to find out how you can win some awesome prizes, courtesy of Tourism Surrey, as part of their 2010 Photo Adventure.

Tourism Surrey has highlighted 10 businesses & events in Surrey that are doing something special for the holiday season and they’re asking people to take photos of themselves at one or all of these locations and submit them to their website.

The deadline is December 19^th and there are some great prizes to be won!  Grand prize is an Apple iPad, 2^nd prize is a gift basket with a $200 gift certificate for Potters, and 3^rd prize is a gift basket with a gift certificate for an art class at Trishas Artist’s Place.

All the contest and prize details with the submission form and map of Surrey can be found on their website http://www.tourismsurrey.com/2010-photo-adventure