Celebrating International Women's Day at Project Bloom

Stephanie Chan March 8, 2014

Happy International Women's Day!

Project Bloom started here in Delta in 2009, set in motion by two local ladies, Kathie Madden and Chrissie Bowker. In celebration of International Women's Day, they wanted to host an event that would help other business-women in the area to network and find support within their community. Their first Project Bloom was a success! In addition to building connections, a sense of camaraderie and, ultimately, friendships between like-minded women, the swell of positive energy helped evolve Project Bloom into a Fundraising Event! The proceeds go towards local issues and necessities, this year's recipient being The Delta Hospital Foundation.

Yesterday's Project Bloom took place at Harris Barn in Ladner. I have driven passed the beautifully restored barn on a weekly basis since its completion last May, always imagining the warmth and openness of its interior. 3 Days ago, one of my dearest friends, Emily, texted me, asking if I could get a sitter to join her at Project Bloom on the Friday. I had just finished reading the article in the paper earlier that day and I was in! My mom took the kids overnight on Thursday, leaving me free to enjoy this amazing event for the entire day! This was our very first CHILD-FREE date together and what better way to spend it than being surrounded by other amazing business women, listening to the inspiring stories of successful ladies, and enjoying uninterrupted coffee, tea, wine, and lunch!

This year's guest speakers were corporate entertainer and impersonator Tracey Bell and 23 year old singer Ali Milner. Both ladies were interviewed by Keri Adams, journalist and co-anchor from CTV News Vancouver.

Now that you have a little background on this fantastic event, please enjoy some of the highlights of the 6th Annual Project Bloom!

*The one and only Rob Lowe and his two assistants from Stir Coffee House in Ladner, hosting the tea and coffee bar.*

Harris Barn.  Interior from Second Floor. — *Harris Barn. Interior from Second Floor.*

*Vintage Barrels and Door Tabletops from Greystone Rentals*

Keri Adams and first guest speaker Tracey Bell.  Decor by Greenscape Design & Decor.  Furniture custom upholstered for Project Bloom by Turtlenina. — *Keri Adams and first guest speaker Tracey Bell. Decor by Greenscape Design & Decor. Furniture custom upholstered for Project Bloom by Turtlenina.*

*Table Linens and Napkins by Turtlenina*

*Eran Sudds from eran jayne photography*

*Tanya from Buggy Babies Fitness & Yoga*

*Emily of Greystone Rentals and Sarah Kelloway from the South Delta Leader*

*Gathering for interview and singing with Ali Milner.*

Ali Milner.  Singer/Songwriter. — *Ali Milner. Singer/Songwriter.*

Natasha Frankowski of Greenscape  Design & Decor — *Natasha Frankowski of Greenscape Design & Decor*

Bloom. Thank you to all the amazing people that helped to make this day happen. One of the things I will be taking away is the importance of women supporting one another and working together rather than being each other's worst enemies as we often have the potential to be. This truly inspirational event could not have been a continued success otherwise! I am looking forward to the relationships that will have come from this event and can hardly wait to attend next year's Project Bloom!

Cheers and good luck to all in 2014.

To my dearest gal, Emily, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of this amazing day. I can safely say I made a good choice when I picked up your husband, Mike, at the park and gave him my number for playdates. Who would have known that we would become the friends we are today! You have been a source of kindness, support, and delicious food and I look forward to being part of your growth and and future success! Thank you for everything.

DIY Ghostbusters Proton Pack

Stephanie Chan March 1, 2014

Happy Weekend! Thought I would share a bit of creativity outside of photography to spice things up here. When we first moved to Tsawwassen (my husband's hometown) after Moses was born, our next door neighbours were pregnant with their first child, Ty.

Today is his 4th Birthday! The boys have grown up together and though they have moved out of our condo and across the street, we still be tight. Ty is currently gaga over Ghostbusters so yesterday at 7:30pm, I brought out a cardboard box and started Googling PROTON PACK. As I had hoped, Kevin saw my poor artistic attempt to execute a DIY version of the Ghostbusters ghost-buster and stepped in. Being the creative, hoarding mechanic that he is, this project could not have been more up his alley. 4 hours later, everything but the straps was complete.

Using cardboard, tins, wires and bits and pieces of random electrical gadgets, the only money we had to shell out was $4 worth of the straps and velcro.  This large gold looking piece is one of our old kitchen lights that had blown out, the ver… — Using cardboard, tins, wires and bits and pieces of random electrical gadgets, the only money we had to shell out was $4 worth of the straps and velcro. This large gold looking piece is one of our old kitchen lights that had blown out, the very same stupid lights that our neighbours also had to suffer through when living next to us. Kevin added the spring over the cable for some excellent texture. I punched out a button for the Ghostbusters logo that fit PERFECTLY in the metal piece from our old garburetor. The white "fuses" are leftover pieces from the kids' IKEA bunkbed.

The more tactile and versatile, the better!  Kevin used a tin that had been long part of the kids' kitchen playthings to create storage space for small toys or treats.  Yes, that is a real Canadian Standard Association approval sticker! HA! — The more tactile and versatile, the better! Kevin used a tin that had been long part of the kids' kitchen playthings to create storage space for small toys or treats. Yes, that is a real Canadian Standard Association approval sticker! HA!

Two smaller tins from laser pointers for additional storage (complete with CAUTION stickers!).  The cylindrical shape is indeed a toilet paper roll.  The back side was not yet complete as I wanted to take photos prior to attaching the back… — Two smaller tins from laser pointers for additional storage (complete with CAUTION stickers!). The cylindrical shape is indeed a toilet paper roll. The back side was not yet complete as I wanted to take photos prior to attaching the back straps, hence the open flap of cardboard.

The kitchen light was cool because of its moveable dial.  The box above the light fixture is the bottom of an Altoids tin.  The transformer (electrical piece) and the vent along the right side were both from the busted kitchen light. — The kitchen light was cool because of its moveable dial. The box above the light fixture is the bottom of an Altoids tin. The transformer (electrical piece) and the vent along the right side were both from the busted kitchen light.

And last but not least: the hose is from our bunk vacuum cleaner.  Attached to it is 3 parts: switch from IKEA light glued onto a plastic Play-Doh tube, and lastly, yet another piece from the kitchen light.  Who knew that light would go su… — And last but not least: the hose is from our bunk vacuum cleaner. Attached to it is 3 parts: switch from IKEA light glued onto a plastic Play-Doh tube, and lastly, yet another piece from the kitchen light. Who knew that light would go such a long way after all the trouble it caused!

I had to check out three places after Chloe's dance class to find nylon webbing and velcro for the straps. Got home at 11:20am and the party started at Noon! Just enough time to spare for photos and attaching the straps!

Pretty freaking cool. I was a little worried at first, whether or not Ty would be into it, but when his Mama showed me the flattened cardboard box that was half flapping against a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shell, I was reassured this would be well received!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY!

Snow

Stephanie Chan February 26, 2014

Vancouver received a surprise winter wonderland over the weekend and it was probably the prettiest snowfall we could have had. No wet, pelting, mushy stuff and no freezing temperatures to ice up the roads, just big fat fluffy flakes endlessly floating down over us and coating everything in a 1000 count blanket of perfection. Some photos from the great snow.

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

They really do love the snow.

Annual Women's Tea with SCI BC

Stephanie Chan February 18, 2014

It was a nasty and windy downpour of a Sunday in Vancouver, but inside Main Street's Heritage Hall, a special group of women were gathered around tables, dry, cozy, warm and enjoying hot tea and mini sandwiches. Spinal Cord Injury BC held their Annual Women's Tea where women of all ages and wakes of life that live with spinal cord injuries or complications were pampered and served for an entire afternoon. This year's theme was Hollywood/Oscars and the women of SCI BC did a fantastic job with their props, decor and their slideshow of old school Oscar Winning movies!

Lovely teas provided by local Bayswater Tea Co.

Relaxing Massages by Marisa + Ren

Make-Up and Hairstyling courtesy of Students and Graduates of Blanche MacDonald

Two musicians graced us with their talent. Kristina Shelden performed for the first time since her spinal cord injury which affected her ability to play.

Sylvi MacCormac, has been performing and composing soundscapes since diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her early 20's. Many of her compositions have been published in the Canadaian Music Centre and Canadian Electroacoustic Community and she is the creator of WHEELS Soundscapes: Voice of People with Dis Abilities at the Vancouver Adapted Music Society.

The amazing ladies of SCI BC

A few goodies from the photo booth!

As you can see, a great time was had by all! I love being part of this event. It is so uplifting to be surrounded by women who struggle on a day to day basis with the fluid mobility that many of us take for granted, to be in awe of their strength, humbled by their vulnerability and melted by their joyful smiles. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and know that this tight knit community has great support both from and thanks to SCI BC.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stephanie Chan February 14, 2014

I was so excited for my shoot with Chloe, I had no ideas of what I was going to do with Moses. Our home is always upside down when the studio set up comes out and trying to make room to have dinner was starting to get on our nerves. Of course, as soon as I had everything ready, we realized that Moses had a mild fever and was not in any condition to take photos. I gave him half a chewy Advil and sent him for a nap while Chloe and I snuck out to see Frozen (her first movie theatre!). I know, I know, kind of mean, but we had to cancel the previous day and she was really looking forward to it. We needed a girls outing and Moses has been to the theatre twice already. I have more excuses but I'll leave it at that. By the time we came back, he was in great spirits and ready for photos.

You can't go wrong with jeans and a white tee. It's inarguably classic, fashionably timeless and like a blank canvas, it leaves room for endless possibilities. Dress it up or dress it down, it's hard to go wrong when you're keeping it simple. Jealous of Chloe's rose photos, he asked to have photos with the rose as well. Sweet as pie.

When I say this guy is "ready for photos" I truly mean it. With Chloe, you never know what you are going to get, you never know what mood she'll be in and she often refuses to take direction so photographing her is often a painful and frustrating process. Moses on the other hand, is so natural. Always eager to please, he takes direction extraordinarily well, does not get disheartened when corrected as realizes their is a reason to the madness, he is capable of making small movements that change an entire image, and he offers an array of facial expressions. He is so pleasant and so easy, he's a photographer's dream model.

In conclusion, I am pretty damn stoked about what I got out of this last minute session, this last minute attempt to capture something fun and new for his Valentine's Day photos. This last weekend was more emotionally taxing than usual for our family, and having both kids with a fever did not help. Thankfully they were mild fevers and they were both up and running in no time. Family Life continues to be crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Have a lovely Valentine's Day Weekend