Tag Archives: recommendations

Make Your Own Art Instead of Buying Them


DEALS ON ART CLASSES

Art helps add personality and style into a room. We can find different pieces of art in a lot of different stores.  Rather than buying the generic art we find in many stores, you can actually make your own. There are many art studios around the city where even beginners with no skills can create beautiful pieces of art. While you get an art piece that is personal, you also get a great experience in a creative class. These classes are great for both groups and individuals. I know we all love deals, so below I listed three classes around the city that are currently listed on Groupon. Groupon is a website that offers deals on products, services, and activities around the city. I would recommend checking out the website to see if there are other deals you might also enjoy. IF you try one of these classes, or have been to another art class before, join the conversation in the comments below and let me now what you think!  Please keep in mind, that the Groupon deals are available at the time this post is written, and may be expired if you read it at a later date. Check out Groupon here for other deals. 

The Original Paint Nite

Currently on Groupon, you can get up to 32% off vouchers for the event for one, two, and four people. The Original Paint Nite is hosted at various places around Vancouver. The upcoming paint events this month are located at the Best Western Plus Sands Hotel. The event is a two hour long paint night, guided by a talented artists and all supplies are provided. The Original Paint Nite is the perfect place for you and some friends to go connect, be creative, and make some arty. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on site for you to consume and have fun while painting. Visit them here

Chu Chu

Chu Chu is a studio located in Downtown Vancouver where you can go and experience a fluid pour painting class. Deals on Groupon are currently uo to 44% off, however, the listed price does not include materials, so please note that you will also have to pay an additional $14 for the canvas, drip tray, and painting supplies. Pour painting is unique in that art is created by pouring different colours of paint to create patterns. In this class, you will learn all the techniques to creatively pour paint on a blank canvas. The instructor will also teach you the basics of colour theory. The studio is owned by Serena Chu who also makes handcrafted arts, where she sells in her pottery studio.Visit them here

Monika’s Art Boutique-Studio and Gallery

Monika’s Studio is a boutique gallery and a working art studio located in North Vancouver. The boutique hosts over 30 artists and designers from around the country, and their unique pieces are sold. The items are perfect for gifts or for collecting art. The working studios fit for art programs, and workshops. On Groupon, there is currently a deal starting at 50% off, and there is a promotion for one, two, or four people. The price includes one canvas per person, and the paint and brushes. Monika envisions the studio to be the perfect shared place for creative artists to come together. Visit them here. 

5 Places to Enter the Film World


POPULAR FILMING SPOTS

Vancouver is known in the entertainment industry as “Hollywood North” with movies and shows being filmed around the city all year long. Vancouver has been used as a back drop for scenes in many different films, and Daily Hive listed 27 programs filming in Vancouver this past October alone. Although sometimes production adds effects to make our city look different, most of the times, you can easily identify Vancouver on the big screen. Vancouver has played many other cities, countries, and worlds in film. You can actually watch this YouTube Video to see many of the places that Vancouver has been turned into. I assume many of us want to place ourselves into the cinematic universe of our favorite programs, and interact with our favorite characters. While the characters may not be there, we can still in a way, insert ourselves into film by visiting the sets they took place in. Some of us have gone on, or have heard of tours at big studios, such as Universal Studios, or Warner Brothers. We can easily access location used as filming sites for hundreds of movies, right in our own city. Below is a short list of popular filming locations around Downtown Vancouver that are used for many movies and shows. If you want to be updated in real time where things are being filmed around the city, I would recommend checking out the twitter page, What’s Filming. The photos used are taken by bloggers, Tiia and Satu, at Fangirl Quest, check them out for more details on film sets.

SEAWALL

The Vancouver Seawall is the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront biking and water trail that stretches 28km, and passes some of Vancouver’s signature locations, including Stanley Park, Vancouver Convention Centr, and English Bay. Since the path crosses very different environment settings, like a forest, a beach, and the city, you can see the Seawall featured in hundred of films. Some of the films featured here includes The 100 (pictured), Planet of Apes, Fifty Shades of Grey, Godzilla, and The Twilight Saga movies. 

CHINATOWN

Chinatown has a lot of historic buildings, great as a unique set for films. Some blockbuster movies, and popular television shows filmed here include X-Men: The Last Stand, Supernatural, The X-Files, The Killing, Lucifer (pictured), Falling Skies, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Deadpool. The most notable scene in my opinion would be Deadpool’s iconic scene on the Georgia Viaduct, which is filmed by Chinatown. 

FALSE CREEK/BC PLACE

The view at False Creek of Science World and BC place has been widely used as backdrops in several movies and shows. The buildings and area creates the perfect scene for any science fiction programs. One of the most notable use of BC Place is in The CW’s show, The Flash, where the building is “Star Laboratory”. Other films that have been shot here includes Fantastic Four, Smallville, Two for The Money, Paycheck, The X-Files, and Air Bud.

ART GALLERY/ROBSON SQUARE

The Vancouver Art Gallery in Downtown Vancouver is a unique historic building that has been used as a set for many movies. The Robson Square area as a whole, has also been widely used. Some of the films shot here include Arrow (pictured), The 4400, Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed, X-MEn: The Last Stand, and The Interview. In “The Interview”, the controversial Seth Rogan movie, Robson Square Plaza was used a presidential palace in North Korea. Further, the Museum doubled as the museum where everything comes alive after dark, featured in the popular movie, Night at the Museum.

VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Vancouver Public Library in Downtown is structurally a very distinctive and unique building that you can easily recognize on the big screen. The building is great blend of historic yet modern, allowing networks to use it for many different kinds of scenes. Some of the films shot here include Supergirl (pictured), The Dead Zone, Battle in Seattle, This Means War, and Battlestar Galactica.

Make Your Own Photos Instead of Buying Them

HIRE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Every home, or office can use photos as decorative pieces. I’ve purchased random art and photos at stores like Ikea and HomeSense to hang on my walls. Art and photos that have absolutely no meaning to me, except that they match the room’s aesthetics. Do you do that as well? Did you know you can easily hire local photographers to have private photoshoots with you and a small group around the city to make your own artwork? I’m sure you can find photographers online, and on several social media platforms, but you can also easily do so on Airbnb. Many of us think that Airbnb is only for renting homes, but you can also book many experiences including photoshoots with a large list of different photographers. There are many different photographers, each with different photo taking and editing styles to fit your preference- from murals, portraits to scenic shots. Most photographers are rated atleast a high 4 out of 5 stars. Additionally, Airbnb ensures your experience is safe, as they verify the photographer’s identify, and you can exchange contact information and location of meeting directly on the website. Instead of purchasing a random piece of wall hanging at a store, consider hiring a local photographer to personalized create the art you want. Below are three photographers I came across on the Airbnb website that have three different styles of shooting I think you might enjoy. Check them out on AIRBNB.

NASRI

Nasri photo sessions are two hours long at $109 per person. Nasri became a local photographer in 2016, and has since developed his own unique style, focusing on night shoots. Nasri outlines what you can expect when you book with him, he will immerse you into night of Downtown Vancouver, and will take you to shoot at seven iconic spots where he will take photos for you and your group, and even help guide you how to pose. 
Nasri guarantees a minimum of 50 edited photos, with a turnaround time of less than three day.
Check him out here: https://www.airbnb.ca/experiences/1263078?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=126398290

DAVID

David is a photographer with over 20 years experience, he as a team of photographers we will get you the perfect portraits around the city. With David, you get a tour and a photoshoot. You can pick from either Granville Island, Gastown, or Stanley Park. His photo sessions are one hour long at $76 per person on average. He takes up to a maximum of four people, and will get 30 edited photos to you within three days after the shoot. David and his team has over 70 positive reviews on Airbnb.
Check him out here: https://www.airbnb.ca/experiences/791229?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=126398290

ANA

Ana is a local photographer who uses DSLR camera, to take photos of you and a group of up to three people around Vancouver. Ana actually offers several different types of photo sessions, with over 200 combined positive reviews. There is the “Rooftops of Downtown Photoshoot Tour” which costs $45 per son, where Ana will guide you around secret rooftops around downtown and take photos. There are also other tours where she will take you to take photos along False Creek, or the Waterfront area, Seawall, and Gastown. After the photo session, you will have all the unedited photos she took, and you can pick five photos for her to edit. 
Check her out here: https://www.airbnb.ca/experiences/459413?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=126398290

Try Every Fitness Class Around the City

CLASSPASS

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Did you know instead of signing up for a membership at a single fitness center, you can actually use Classpass and have access to majority of fitness studios around the city? The app has nearly 200 different studios around the city. I actually discovered Classpass while travelling in Asia. Our group was in Thailand, and we were looking for nearby gyms we could go to. Usually prices for day passes at gyms are relatively high, but when we called in to a nearby gym, they told us about Classpass. We downloaded the app and found that they are actually so much more than gyms on there. 

How the app works is that you pay a monthly fee to get credits. You can use these credits to access various gyms, classes, and fitness centers worldwide. The app is great if you want to try out different classes around the city, or try out different styles of activities. They offer everything from group activities like yoga, cycling, Pilates, or boxing, to wellness appointments like massages, cryotherapy, sauna, acupuncture, meditation, cupping, and more. The app therefore is great if you want to experience a bunch of local f classes that are offered around the city, without any committing to a long-term membership. 

Below are some highlights of the studios I’ve been to. If you have Classpass or a membership to a local fitness center, join the conversation in the comment sections and let me know what you think.


Elite
Performance

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The studio offers small group classes, personal training, and strength and conditioning training. They provide towels, mats, and there are lockers and showers in the facility. If you’re intimidated by a boxing class, or a beginner, their trainers here actually make you feel very respected and comfortable.

The studio offers challenging, and high energy experiences with strength and circuit training. Bootcamp, Maui Thai, boxing, and kick boxing classes. I will say that classes here are a bit more challenging, so if you a beginner, I would suggest coming here after you have already gone to couple classes at other studios. The studio has showers, lockers, parking, and offer mats but you have to bring your own towel and a change of shoes. You also need to bring gloves and wraps, or you can rent or purchase gloves on site.


MarVill Fitness and Athletics

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Movement
108

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The studio offers movement classes that uses kettlebells, body weight, and TRX. Their combo classes are great to get a mix of everything, and you get both cardio and strength training. The trainers here are very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. They really help you with your form and technique. 

 

2 Innovative Shoe Companies

WATERPROOF SHOES

We all wear shoes, and Im sure most of us have experienced super rainy weather. Here I will be highlighting two Vancouver-based shoe companies that offer waterproof shoes that will help you survive Vancouver’s weather. I personally hate it if my shoes gets wet in the rain. Rain boots are also not my style of footwear, so these shoes are actually my go-to shoes to wear in the rain. They will keep your socks completely dry, even if you step in a puddle- making it ideal for the gloomy weather here in Vancouver. Both of these companies also promote sustainability. If you also own a pair of these shoes, or end up purchasing one, let me know what you think! Also, do you have other shoe recommendation? Join the conversation in the comment sections below!


VESSI

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Vessi is a shoe company that started in 2017 in Vancouver by three people. The shoes are designed in Vancouver, and with the goal of the product to be stylish and completely waterproof. Vessi created their shoes to keep your feet sweat-free, comfortable, and stylish, while also being environmentally friendly. Vessi strives to ensure their shoes are sustainable, with every pair of shoes being 100% vegan. Further, the company has been able to reduce their carbon footprint by over 600% by cutting the tradition machine knit time usually needed to make shoes, into only 45 minutes. As their shoes are completely waterproof, you can wear them in any season. Another fact about Vessi shoes is that they are actually the lightest 100% waterproof shoes in the world. The patented Dyma-tex technology is the “magic layer” of breathable knit that keeps their shoes waterproof.

After wearing Vessi shoes, I can say from my experience that the shoes are very comfortable, and is completely waterproof. Vessi comes in three different styles, all priced at $135. I think the price is well aligned with other comparable sneakers in the market. Based on my own preference, I also think that Vessi shoes are also a lot more stylish than other waterproof shoes. Since it is made with a knit material, at first glance, many can’t even tell that it is waterproof. 

Check out their website here


NATIVE

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Native is a Vancouver-based company, originally founded by Scoot Hawthorn in 2009. Native shoes comes in a lot of styles for all types of occasions, including boots, sandals, sneakers, and much more. Similar to Vessi, Native shoes are also made for rainy weather. The company uses a material called ethylene vinyl acetate, a rubber-like material that is flexible, water-proof, and helps prevent odour. The material used is actually the same that Crocs uses, however, Native shoes are very different in style and offers more trendy footwear. In terms of sustainability, Native has a goal that by 2023, every pair of Native Shoes will be made by a material that can be 100% recycle into other creations such as flooring, seats, insulation, and much more. Further, Native shoes are completely Vegan, and Beast Free, meaning the company has not touched a single hair on animal in creating their products– Shows are light-weight.

I purchased a pair of Native because I last-minute needed a lightweight, waterproof pair of shoes to bring on a trip. I think these shoes are actually very light-weight and comfortable. They come in many different styles, to cater to everyone’s personal preferences. 

 
Check out their website here