Vancouver Happenings

When you travel as much as I do, you learn there are some things you can never be prepared for....like a riot in Vancouver.  Lucky for me I wasn't there the night it happened, but when I arrived the next day you could see the upsetting aftermath.  Although it was a quick 36 hour trip, I managed to try out one of the hottest new restaurants in Chinatown, Bao Bei.  For more info visit Vancouver magazine Scout, which shows some amazing pictures and also gives a great glimpse into this restaurants amazing cuisine. 

Travel brought me to Vancouver.  Lucky for me I missed the riot by a day.... 

A picture of the bridge leading into Chinatown

 Bao Bei means  "precious" in Mandarin 

 Trixie the "mixologist" has inspired me to learn how to make a creative cocktail  

I love the vintage flea market feel of the restaurant

My pretty dinner, which looked to good to eat (but was mighty tasty) 

Drew's Bubbly 1st Birthday

As an Auntie, I try to keep my camera handy and ready for any potential photo ops.  My nephew  Drew B turned one a few weeks ago.  It was a special day for me, as it had been awhile since I'd seen my nephews.

My initial goal was to take tons of pictures of Drew & Tyler, but I quickly got sidetracked with taking pictures of men (including my husband) playing with bubbles.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.    

The best cake ever 

 Drew B was all smiles on his big day

 Everyone needs an Uncle Mike! 

He's tall, great with kids and quite the bubble man

You would have thought Nick and AJ were turning one.  

They couldn't get enough bubbles!

 Me and Mr. T dipping our magic bubble wands  

Mr. T concentrating on his bubble making

"Up, Up and Away,"  one of the biggest bubbles of the day

Summer Reading

 

Photo Credit

It's raining in San Francisco..... again.  With weather being so terrible it's hard to imagine summer is only 21 days away (but who's counting).  Although it's been over a decade since I was required to complete a summer reading list, I always feel compelled to compile and complete a reading list each summer.  I'm looking for some suggestion, so if you have any recommendations let me know!

This Spring I've read a lot off books turned into films. Even though the movie is never as good as the book, it's interesting to compare the two.  After hearing my sister talk about Water for Elephants (and seeing it's been on the New York Times best seller list for 17 weeks),  I decided to give it a go.  After paying my $5.00 late fee at the public library,  I checked out Water for Elephants and have been completely obsessed.  Even if you've watched the movie, give this book a whirl. For a person who never liked the Circus (the smell of manure always bothered me, not to mention clowns can be scary),  I now have an urge to go ride an elephant and become a circus  performer. It's that magical!

For those of you who love New York City (which can also be a circus in it's own right), you should read Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. I recently read this iconic story and fell in love with Holly Golightly all over again.  The book is very different from the film we've all watched and loved, but the details reviled about our favorite characters is so intriguing it will make you look at this film in a much different way. BTW: did you know that Holly's LBD was originally designed by Givenchy, but had to be redesigned by the costume designer at the last minute because it revealed too much of Audrey's leg!  

Lastly, if you've noticed a lot of people toting around a bright green book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is worth the buzz everyone keeps giving it.  I've read the trilogy and would read them again and again.  The first book can be a slow start, but as soon as you finish it you will be running to the bookstore to buy the Girl Who Played With Fire.

So what are you reading this summer?

Mrs. Impulsive

Impulsive is the last word I would use to describe myself.  I'm the type of person who analysis everything and stresses over making the right decision.


So I don't really know what got into me last week, but I decided to chop off all my hair (reference this post  if you can't remember how long it was).  In addition I stopped  drinking coffee and wine (my two big vices).  As if this wasn't enough torture, I decided to conquer my fear of needles and signed up for acupuncture.    Like I said before, apparently I felt the need to torture myself  last week.  After many ups and downs / second thoughts, I've finally arrived at embracing the new look and lifestyle.

A week later I'm ready to post a picture of the new look, however just to warn you, I'm not loving the picture.  My photographer Marge, couldn't capture the vibe I was going for. That's what happens when you hire an amateur!

Stay Calm: It's Only A Wedding

Photo Credit

OK I admit it, I have a secret obsession with the Royal Wedding.  Maybe it's because as a kid my Grandma Ruth had the iconic "Wedding Day"  Princess Diana doll.  This doll was a collectors item and I wasn't allowed to play with it.  The closes I came to touching the doll, was when I left nose and finger prints all over the glass case she was in.  As I got older, I realized the significance about Princess Diana and understood why this doll was so special......

Photo Credit

A favorite photo of Princess Diana photographed by Mario Testino in 1997

(5 months before her death)

On Friday the world will witness a historical event and I might be crazy enough to watch the event live (at 4 am) while wearing the below headband,  drinking tea and eating crumpets.  We'll see if I actually do it.  It sounds like a great idea now that I've had 10 cups of coffee, but I'm sure my deep sleep will overpower my urge to witness history in the making.  Thank god we have a DVR.  Knowing me I'll probably watch the wedding 12 hours later with a G and T! 

 Thanks E for the headband. I couldn't think of a better occasion to wear this fabulous headband.  Now if I only could remember where I left my white gloves....

Pancakes & Martinis

We were lazy on Saturday.  I think I took a 2 hour nap (which is rare) and my mom who normally has dinner on the table by 6:30 had nothing cooking. It's become a family tradition to go to church on Saturday instead of Sunday.  Apparently Mass is faster and there is a smaller crowd (after all it is Saturday night). Imagine our surprise when the Easter Vigil Mass was 90 minutes instead of the normal speedy 50 minutes! Arriving home at 10:15 at night, the Spiteri Family unanimously voted breakfast for dinner!  

Cooking an egg on the griddle 

Pumpkin Pancakes on the grill 

(not only are we having breakfast for dinner but we are also celebrating Halloween instead of Easter!)

Stephanie and Stella thinking about pancakes.

Stephanie with her Bailey Coffee and Bill with his Dirty Martini.  I think martinis go with anything. Don't you agree?