Thanksgiving

Fall is here and it is g-g-g-g-gorgeous!!!!!  We've had a few days of nasty weather but for the most part, it has continued to be sunny, mild and beautiful!  Chilly yes, but add on your cozy sweater, thick socks, some Pumpkin Chai from David's Tea and Fall is a Ball!

It's Thanksgiving here North of the border and the fam and I enjoyed a beautiful sunny day around town.  Bacon and eggs for brekkie followed by a visit to Centennial Beach for some fresh crisp sea air and a play in the blanket of leaves left by the wind. 

We headed over to the sun, sand and sea after our play in the leaves

We headed home, cleaned, made crafts and Kevin busied himself making a few delicious sides for our Thanksgiving dinner at his parents including this incredible pumpkin pie!  A roasted organic pumpkin filling with cinnamon, nutmeg and organic maple syrup in a gluten free crust topped with maple whipped cream!

Wishing a very warm Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians.  Enjoy your long weekend with your loved ones! 

xoxo  Phanie

At The Races with SCI BC

Last weekend I joined the members of SCI BC for their Great Gatsby themed event at Hastings Race Track.  I first met Shelley through a mutual friend, Altaira, who asked if I would do a photobooth for their Annual Ladie's Tea earlier this year at The Heritage Hall on Main Street, Vancouver.  

This event was so heart-warming and inspiring.  For one lovingly planned afternoon, ladies living with the challenges of spinal cord injuries and complications were pampered  from the head to toe from the inside out.  Delicious food and drinks were served throughout the day.  There were a few talks, a special wheelchair yoga demonstration was given, there was a henna table set up, a massage station, and a makeover section where ladies could all go to get their makeup and hair done.  The energy in the hall was incredible.  I was so humbled and grateful to be able to donate my services to capture all the smiling faces from this special day.  

I have never been to the race track before and it was a lot more fun than I had expected!  Definitely planning to get some friends together to do this again, though probably in the summer months!  The weather was soggier than we were hoping for but this did not dampen anyone's spirits. We had a good turnout in spite of the rain and we were lucky to have a 45 minute window where it stopped while we were given the opportunity to present flowers to the winner!  

It has been a pleasure to help in my own little way for SCI BC.  Moreso because one of my closest cousins had a spinal cord injury at the very young age of 14.  She was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, doing vigorous physio here in Vancouver, far from her home in Williams Lake, before she gained enough strength and mobility to walk with the use of crutches.  I do not remember hearing about them way back then, but I am overjoyed to know that they do exist and that they provide both great support and fun events for those living with spinal cord injuries.

Please check out their website at www.sci-bc.ca 

Thanks again to Shelley and SCI BC for allowing me to be a part of this event!  Look forward to working with you guys again!

Chilling at Centennial with the Guterson-Niblett Crew

Between the numerous visits to Centennial with the kids and for these Family Beach Sessions, this stretch of sand, water, and sky has become a second home.  Though Fall has begun to show her colours and remind us of her chilling touch and moody downpours, we have seen the sun break through many of these dreary days just around dinner time.  Typical Vancouver weather...  So we waited and watched, watched and waited.  Heather and I spent 2 weeks checking the weather and texting one another trying to land the perfect sunny evening for their Family Beach Session.   WE GOT IT!  
 
Not sure which lit up this session more, the sun-drenched skies or these crazy daredevils, Carter & Miles!

sigh.  
I never get tired of coming here.

It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Heather.  
Thank you guys for a lovely evening!  Looking forward to some playdates this month! 
 
xoxo
phanie

Jimin + Dara's Cambodian Wedding

Almost 7 years ago, I worked at Qzina Specialty Foods.  It was the best.  Every morning I arrived to the smell of chocolate and left home smelling like chocolate!  We distributed chocolate to many great bakeries, hotels, restaurants, and chocolate shops all over BC.  When Jimin was hired, I didn't like her.  It took a while, but eventually we spoke and once we passed that hurdle, it was allll goooood.  We have been friends ever since, staying in touch over social media.

I did not invite her to my wedding and I will never stop feeling bad about it.  I told her that it would only be fair for her to not invite me to hers.  That was our deal.  I was not invited to her wedding. I was hired to take the photos!

Their wedding was a two day celebration.  The first day was celebrated at Dara's parents' home with the traditional Cambodian ceremonies condensed into one very full day.  Each ceremony meant a different dress for the bride.  So hold your breath and get prepare yourself for some mega bling and waves of colour.

The families had covered every available space with food for guests to fill their plates and bowls throughout the afternoon.  THE FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE.  Nothing like traditional home cooked food... nothing.  There was a relaxed atmosphere and it felt like the whole town had showed up.  It wasn't just okay, it was expected that everyone mill about, feeling free to take a little food and social break between the ceremonies.  It felt a lot more relaxed than any church wedding I have been to.  Definitely not as laid back as some of the small outdoor weddings.  It was a great mix.  Super comfortable and I certainly felt like a part of the family.   Needless to say, it was amazing, like no other wedding I have ever experienced.

Congratulations guys!  Thank you for "inviting" me and the family to celebrate with you and all your loved ones!

Truly one of the most memorable weddings to this date!

Love you guys! 

Miss Colbie

Knock and the door shall be opened.  A new door has just been opened for your furry friends!  Piya & Pav got hitched last August and I  was hired to help decorate for their  Mendhi night prior to the wedding.  Our Back to School session caught Piya's eye and though she does not yet have little ones of her own, she and Pav have another little creature that brings them crazy amounts of joy: Colbie!!!    Would I do a similar session for you?  HELL YES...

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The biggest issue with doing Colbie was how on earth were we going to narrow it down to 4 photos for the final framed print!  Playful and sweet, there are seriously far too many to choose from!  This is just tip of the iceberg...

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As if this session could not have gone any better, I left Pav & Piya to choose their favourites in my office while I played with Colbie.  Well, she found a balloon and lost her mind.  The contrast between the bright yellow balloon with her black & white fur caused me to also lose my mind at which point the camera came back out.  GOLD.  SOLID GOLD.   GOD, how I love it when things fall together...

Stay tuned for the handsome feline that came for his session the following night!