VKFW Magazine - Fall Winter 2017 by VKFW Magazine

Micro Streetstyle

FALL WINTER 2017 TRENDS Rarity, Blara Organic and more local brands

Creating the perfect baby room Momma the Blogger VKFW FALL WINTER17

About VKFW

MEET THE TEAM: VKFW COORDINATOR Jia Seung

ART DIRECTOR Patti Yabut

EDITOR Jarod Liebenberg

EDITOR Jisue Shin

CONTRIBUTOR Lexy Dien

CONTRIBUTOR Jennifer Brown

CONTENTS

9 Micro Streetstyle Brand: Jax 10 Local & Lennon Hair & 18 Runway: Makeup Trends Runway 20 FW17 Review 28 T is for Talent Picks for 35 Top Mom&Dad the perfect 36 Creating Baby Room 38 Momma the Blogger Fashion 46 Vancouver Week 2

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This March VKFW entered into its second season, aiming to inspire and educate the young talents of tomorrow in exploring their horizons, passion and creativity providing a stage to kids designers from across the world, and young talents to show their greatness, and this season was even more incredible than our last.

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHER: VS Image, 2070 9111 Beckwith Rd. Richmond BC CLOTHES: Blake & Riley, 2150 W. 41st Ave., Kerrisdale Vancouver HAIR & MAKEUP: Louise Kim

FEATURED BLOGGERS The VKFW Magazine is proud to announce our featured mommy bloggers this season! Presenting a bevy of experienced mothers, with each offering their own unique invaluable insights on parenting, shopping, and life with kids in general. They’ll answer all the questions you have had but never knew the answer to, and even some you never thought to ask – discussing topics like travel, product reviews, DIY’s, and delicious recipes too. Can’t get enough? Follow our featured bloggers online, for even more indispensable tips and tricks on the topics that matter to you! Cathy Goodwin - A Boy and His Mom If someone told me on the day my son was born that six months later I would suddenly be a single Mom, followed by a tumultuous divorce/custody battle, I would have thought you were crazy. Fast forward years later, and here I am, in a world I never thought I would be in. I am a single Mom with shared custody of a wonderful little boy. The road getting here has definitely not been easy. But thanks to an amazing family and circle of friends, I am moving forward and making the best of what I got. My blog is my attempt to focus on the good things life has to offer and how to make the best of sometimes not the easiest of situations.

Codi Lynn - Creative Life + Joyful Worker Codi Lynn is one busy lady. As a wife and mother of three she already has her hands full. On top of that though she also runs a motherhood life and style blog and freelance graphic design business. Free time isn’t really something that comes by all too often, but she enjoys being busy and constantly learning new things. When her daughter was six months old Codi Lynn decided to start her blog, Creative Wife & Joyful Worker. With no knowledge about the ‘blogging world’ or even knowing anyone else that blogged, she just went for it. Starting out involved many late nights and numerous hours spent googling how to’s.

Felise Moglia - Bravo, Mom Felise is a mother of two young children from Oakland, California. She is a part-time publicist and full-time mom. Her blog features topics about parenting, life, and relationships. She is a former manager at a luxury resort, turned stay-at-home mom, turned part-time publicist, and her husband is a filmaker. She started Bravo, Mom! As a way to express her thoughs and stay connected to the world, ourside of her home and new found life as a parent.

Tara Cannon - Pint Sized Pilot Pint Sized Pilot is an ode to all parents still wanting wanderlust in their life. Traveling doesnt have to end when you have hcildren, and Tara’s blog is full of tips and tricks to show you how its done. On her blog you will find beautiful pictures of her family to prove it can too be your reality. She has taken over 70 flights in 8 years with two children in tow, and realised she had wisdom to share to make traveling that much easier for parents. Her goal is to provide parents with travel resources to smooth the anxiety of the trip with helpful advice, links, stories and products.

Katherine Petrunia - Our Happy Place Kat started Our Happy Place to express her favourite fashion trends, DIY ideas, recipes, and good reading ideas. This blog has become her outlet to be authentic and connect with a community of moms on a variety of different topics. Here you will also find honest prodcut reviews. On her blog you will also find some instagram inspo worthy photos, along with drool worthy recipes. Our Happy Place is a great place to go to have all of your lifestyle mama related questions answered

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VANCOUVERKIDSFASHIONWEEK.COM

CATCH US LIVE! 1. Live show updates during fashion week through all our social media channels and VFW live stream on youtube. 2. Announcements for model castings, magazine issues, giveaways, talent search and more. 3. Read our magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online version, our blog and get to know more about us, the designers and our partners

#VKFW

For more information and to sign up for updates visit

vancouverkidsfashion week.com

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Watch out for season recaps, and live updates during fashion week at @vfwkidsshow

Check us out for behind the scene and show photos at fb.com/vfwkids

For more updates, announcements, updates and live tweets follow us at @vfwkidshow

FASHION Vancouver Kids Fashion Week presents its Fall Winter 2017 showcase with its second issue of VKFW Magazine.. TRENDS

What's hot and trendy. From the latest kid street styles to our tips and tricks for mommy, daddy and the whole family.

UP & COMING

Watch out for new designers, their stories, inspirations and how they plan to change the fashion industry

BRANDS

Whether it's local or international boutiques we'll bring them to you in our bimonthly show and magazine issues.

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Beverly Card, founder and lead designer of Rarity Fashion, has an appreciation for both classic and contemporary design. Her designs have been featured in several local boutiques and businesses on southern Vancouver Island and we have also enjoyed participating in seasonal markets that have allowed us to share Rarity Fashion with people travelling from all across North America.

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RARITY KIDS FASHION www.rarity.ca

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@bubi_kid

@jojoholmes2

MICRO

Featuring stylish kids and families from all over the world. Use the hashtag #VKFWStyle to submit your best outfit!

STREETSTYLE @christeltam

@jennrosenfeld

@engelpherecydes

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Jax & Lennon’s (J&L’s) Back to Basics Collection is the talk of the city as Kelsie Power presents her astonishing new collection at Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VKFW). J&L is a children’s and ladies clothing company based out of White Rock. Their focus is modern, sustainable, & eco friendly baby and children’s essentials that transition season to season. They strive to work primarily with bamboo textiles due to its many desirable characteristics & of course are made right here in the lower mainland. Every season we focus not only on what we love but also what we know our customers will love too.

Our main goal is to offer clothing that you can transition from season to season, eliminating the need for fast fashion. The pieces have been designed and colors have been chosen carefully to allow for unlimited mix and match options for every personality and style. The vast majority of our line is made with bamboo. Bamboo fabric is light and strong, buttery soft, silky and luxurious to the touch. It is breathable and temperature regulating, hypoallergenic, antibacterial, antifungal and odor resistant! Our line is meant to last; it’s meant to grow with your little one, to be played in, to be snuggled in, to be dirtied, and

Jax & Lennon then to be passed on. It’s made to be loved & to make memories in!

From an early age, Kelsie Power was always designing and creating. With a passion for sewing, she first found herself designing clothing and leotards when she found a need for comfortable pieces for gymnastics with form and func-

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tion. With the birth of her first child, Jaxton, Kelsie found a clear need for comfortable, fashionable, practical and locally made clothing that could be easily transitioned throughout the seasons. Kelsie’s priority is to provide little ones with trendy clothing and accessories that are sustainable all while supporting our local economy.

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CHIC ANGELS SHOES FOR TRENDY KIDS

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chicangels.ca twitter: @chicangelsshoes info@chicangels.ca South Granville @12th 604-742-2778 Park Royal, W. Vancouver 778-279-2970 Willowbrook Langley 604-530-9150

Blara Organic Blara Organics was one of the innovative brands that took the stage this season at VKFW, presenting us with a unique high end collection of organic cotton clothing for both children and their families across the globe. Blara Organic House believes that it is not enough that they build high quality designs, they also ensure that they maintain the four core values of their brand, so as to provide clothing that is: soft, comfortable, healthy, and environmentally friendly as well. When asked about her inspiration behind her collection, Blara’s head designer Ann responded that “Most babies and kids are sensitive. Many infants or kids are suffering from the skin diseases. They need more soft, organic and healthy care. So we chose to use 100% organic cotton as our material. More than that, we wanted to tell people that the environment is important to us. And that our products are definitely environment friendly.” As a designer, Ann believes that there is no better pleasure than in creating the unique. The designers of Blara organic house recreate stunning patterns in their designs, combining them with the unlikely medium of traditional organic cotton.

This collection utilizes natural dyeing techniques, that make each piece unique, and adds an adorable finishing touch. More than that, the most important feature of this technique is that the stained water can be used after dyeing in irrigation, thereby allowing for a greener and less wasteful production process. As a whole the central focus of Blara Organics has always been providing children with the highest quality clothing available “As a mother myself, I would love to witness every baby or kid’s growth and continued health into adulthood. I would love to give them the best I can offer. That is why I choose this job.” says Ann. The fashion industry is the world’s second most polluting industry after oil; the textile industry uses more water than any industry apart from agriculture; these thoughts have had been forgotten overtime, pushed away from the forefront of our minds. Blara’s collection for children and their families aims to bring these ideas to our attention once again, and provide these issues with a stylish and fun solution. They do so by designing clothing that is imbued with nat-

ural, pure, and environmentally friendly fabrics, that bring a soft and safe feeling to every mom, kid, and their family. We asked Ann about her collaboration with VKFW and she responded by saying “I first participated in VKFW last year. This is my second experience. I live in Vancouver, and I registered my brand here. I am looking forward the positive impact through this show in the Vancouver kids clothing market. According to the experience I dad last time, VKFW would be the best first window to display and translate our design’s message and inspiration to the community. The experience I have had is wonderful. It is a well organized event and the staff are helpful.” This stunning collection is locally inspired as well, made and sold from right here in Vancouver! The featured designs explore a wide array of beautiful colours and cuts, for boys and girls alike, so they can experience the world in these fashions and have the wonderful stories to tell, while living their dreams everyday.

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BLAKE & RILEY LOCAL SPOTLIGHT:

Photo by VS Image Studio | Clothes from Blake & Riley | Hair & Make up: Louise Kim 2150 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z1 (778) 379-2555 @blakeandriley www.blakeandriley.com

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• Uniquely woven fabrics

• Cropped sweater

Fall Winter 2017 trends straight from the VKFW rinway.

Subtle • Layers

• Gum boots

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• Prints in muted colors / Geometric prints

RUNWAY Sneak peaks and updates straight from the Vancouver Kids Fashion Week runway.

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• Natural Curls

RUNWAY

Sometimes, we don’t want to spend too much time doing our hair. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. And letting your hair rest away from teasing, curling, straightening, and tugging, allows it to grow thicker and healthier. Many models strutted down the runway with their natural hair. Designers such as Cèlestin & Jacobín and Blara Organic all participated with this trend. Make sure to treat your hair occasionally with Moroccanoil treatment original from Moroccanoil to obtain stronger and luxurious hair. If you have thin and flat hair, use a volumizing mousse from Moroccanoil to give you a boost in volume. On the other hand, if you have fizzy and super curly hair, use a curl control mousse from Moroccanoil to prevent frizzy hair in any weather.

hair & makeup trends

VKFW has 3 favorite hairstyle trends to share from this season! All of these looks are easy-to-do hairstyles that you can do it yourself at home. Fashion isn’t just about clothes! Hair, makeup, shoes, and other accessories all intermix together to create distinct looks. Here are the three hairstyle trends that blew the audience away.

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• Messy Bun Buns and ponytails are super convenient and versatile. Whether you are dressing up for a special occasion or on-the-go, this hair trend can never go wrong. You can do a low ponytail, a high ponytail, a classic low bun, or a super cute top bun! The possibilities are endless. Keep your hair up and don’t forget to spray your hair with luminous hairspray strong from Moroccanoil as a finishing touch to keep your hair in place. A little goes a long way, and kid models for designers such as Little & Lively and I Haven’t The Foggiest had elegant and casual updos for their looks. Try it yourself at home!

• Tie Hair Band Hair bows and hair bands keep your hair out of the way. They are extremely functional and stylish too! Some of the girl models wore adorable headbands and hair bows when they strutted down the runway. These hair accessories allow you to make a statement without a word. If you feel that your outfit seems boring at times, then just put on a hairband to oomph it up! They are for everyone, no matter what age you are. Jax & Lennon and Little Emerald all got on with this hair accessories trend.

• Lines

4 5 Who doesn’t love face paints? Although it may not be an “everyday look”, but everyone should give it a try when you are going to fun places such as picnics and amusement parks. An awesome face paint design will grab everyone’s attention wherever you go. Models for the designer Cèlestin Jacobin had all of their face painted with interesting geometric shapes. To achieve this look, try out color correcting palette and contouring kit from Ana V Beauty.

• Au Naturel

Natural is a timeless look, it keeps our skin healthy and youthful. Wearing a thick layer of makeup way too often can be damaging to your skin. The majority of the kid models had their faces lightly touched up with powder, with a little bit of definition added to their eyebrows and eyes. Children should enjoy being kids. However, if you must wear makeup for a special occasion, then try out the magic bb cream from Ana V Beauty for an effortless natural look. BB creams only lightly cover your face, allowing your skin to breathe freely. Also, aqua brow kit from Ana V Beauty is a great option if you want to add some natural definition to your eyebrows! VKFW FALL WINTER17

FALL WINTER 2017 RUNWAY REVIEW

Vancouver Kids Fashion Week launched its second season last March 25 alongside Vancouver Fashion Week’s 29th season.

Images by VS Studio

ancouver Kids Fashion Week’s FW17 show had a successful season once again! Our show ran for two days, from March 25th and 26th, at the Chinese Cultural Centre. We want to thank every one who has participated in our second season. Our show wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our sponsors and partners: BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Feng Feng Performance and Education Academy, Indigo Education, Vancouver Start Image, Mama Juice Co, The Cake Mama, and Chic Angels. Furthermore, we want to thank

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wonderful kids models, parents, backstage staff members, designers, and everyone else that contributed to the success of the show. Our show would not be here without their hard work and dedication.

#Backstage Life:

A lot happens before the show, and it is challenging to get child models runway ready in the midst of chaos. Every minute counts and managing under a strict deadline is stressful. Our backstage team had a great time working with all of the

fantastic models and getting them runway ready. Every backstage member remained calm and supportive of eachother throughout the entire show, with everyone working tirelessly to provide a truly captivating showcase this Fall/Winter season. Luckily, even the young models collaborated successfully with the backstage staff members, strutting their stuff down the VKFW runway like true professionals and amazing everyone in the crowd. This incredible teamwork performance allowed the models to get ready in time!

Backstage photos of models, designers, performers, staffs and mommies! Doing hair and make up, briefing, eating tasty cupcakes from The Cake Mama or just hanging out!

BACKSTAGE LIFE Day One March 25th was the opening day of FW17 VKFW! Our second season kicked off with gorgeous designs from five designers. During breaks, the show featured dance and rap performances provided by Imperial Ballroom and Feng Feng Academy, amazing the audience with their upbeat and lively energy. Excited parents and friends eager to watch their kids perform on stage or to strut down the runway, key members from our sponsors and partners, and everyone else that wanted to check out the show filled up the stage.

Jax & Lennon was the first brand to start off the two-day event. This brand focuses on quality, versatility, and sustainable clothing. Every garment is made up of antifungal and antibacterial bamboo fabric, making it safe for the whole family. The designer primarily uses bamboo textiles in her clothing designs, making it eco-friendly and soft to wear for any occasion.

JAX & LENNON

On this day, we showcased five designers/ brands: modern and eco-friendly toddler essentials from Jax & Lennon, vintage and comfortable American-style looks from Like A Scribble, festival and graphic prints from Little & Lively, simple and feminine styles from Rarity Kids, and last but not least, innovative and functional designs from Angelle Chang. After the show, participants enjoyed getting their bodies stretched and energized by attending a yoga workshop provided by Ivivva.

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Created by a Korean designer and father, the main inspiration behind his collection comes from his children. This brand focuses on the simplicity in being a child and incorporates practical and minimalistic patterns to create stylish American-styled casual wear. Kids should just be kids and each piece was purposefully designed with comfort in mind.

LIKE A SCRIBBLE Little and Lively impressed the audience with their adorable and attention grabbing graphic prints. All of the prints are vibrant and energetic, allowing the wearer to be inspired by music and natural textures. Patterns and prints incorporated in this line include watercolour bouquets, rainbow palettes, mermaids, fringes, feathers, and finger paint.

LITTLE AND Lively

Rarity Kids collection presented their sweet and adorable collection for children. Each design can easily be worn as comfortable playwear and focuses on quality and precision. Playful, simple, and yet feminine dress designs highlighted the show.

RARITY KIDS 22

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Angelle Change was the last designer to close day 1 of VKFW with her innovative, functional, and visually stunning kids couture. The designer mixed elements of Dutch and Chinese aesthetics in her collection. Vibrant colors and elegant patterns empower the wearer to feel comfortable in their skin. Every piece is made of natural and comfortable fabric.

ANGELLE CHANG

After the show, a yoga workshop provided by Ivivva was a major hit by people of all ages.

YOGA WORKSHOP BY IVVIVA

Yoga is good if you want to energize and need to stretch out your body! All of us live busy lives and de-stressing yourself through yoga is one of the healthiest options available.

IMPERIAL BALLROOM

PERFORMANCE

During the first break, Imperial Ballroom grabbed everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention with their short but mesmerizing dance performance.

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Day Two Day 2 was the last day of our kids show and a total of 5 designers/brands showcased their collection. Versatile and modern styles from Chloe Sinow, delicate and beautiful watercolour painting dresses by I Haven’t The Foggiest, soft and comfortable clothing by Blara Organic, glamorous and elegant evening dresses by Little Emerald, and lastly, creative and contemporary designs by Cèlestin & Jacobin, all successfully wrapped up the show. Chloe Sinow was the first designer to open up the last day of the Kids Show. The twelve year old designer proudly launched her debut Blush collection to the audience on this very day. This collection is playful yet fashion forward, and offers enough versatility to be worn for any occasion. Her designs consisted of white, charcoal, black, beige, and pink that are soft and modern color palette.

CHLOE SINOW

Originally from Cotswolds, England, I haven’t The Foggiest showcased their delicate hand-painted dresses for young girls. Each design consisted of delicate and individual watercolor paintings on soft fabric made in Ireland, France, and Italy. From everyday wear to dressing up for tea parties, this brand has it all.

I HAVEN'T THE FOGGIEST 24

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Blara Organic presented its debut collection consisting of high quality cotton clothing for toddlers and children. All of their designs focus on creating soft, comfortable, healthy, and environmentally friendly clothing that the whole family can enjoy. Blara Organic is an advocate for comfortable children’s wear. The models strutted the runway in their super comfy cotton clothing, with some carrying translucent ballons alongside them to mimic a bedtime look.

BLARA ORGANIC

This brand believes in the coexistence of unisex clothing and colorful designs. Known for their mixing and matching of different patterns, colors, and eye-catching designs, each clothing is unique and can be layered and styled with anything you own. Cèlestin & Jacobin is the definition of funky and highly fashionable children’s wear. Mainly inspired by cultures from around the world, this collection uses traditional techniques as well as raw materials to experiment with contemporary fashion for kids.

CÈLESTIN & JACOBIN Little Emerald’s collection consisted of glamourous and elegant evening gowns for young girls to show off their girlish charm. All of their couture dresses incorporate the sewing techniques from the Renaissance. A majority of the dresses consisted of light pink, blue, white, green, and red colors, coupled with lace parasols and a variety of vibrant feathered-fans. We have never seen elegance go out of style.

LITTLE EMERALD FENG FENG ACADEMY AND INDIGO EDUCATION PERFORMANCE Our sponsors promoted their products in our showroom and the bar area. Some of the designers from our show had their collection available for purchase. Also, our sponsors and partners: BC Children’s Hospital & Feng Feng Performance and Education/ Indigo Education, presented their speech to the audience during the event.

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VKFW aims to leverage kids designers on an international scale. Additionally, our show recognizes young talents, allowing them a platform to unleash their passion and drive for the creative industry. Young emcees did an excellent job of successfully leading our kids show. Emcees are responsible for introducing the various acts of the event and leading the audience along to ensure that everyone is having fun. Going on stage and presenting in front of a massive audience can be a daunting task. However, all of our eight emcees blew the audience away with their incredible performance, and VKFW wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been able to make it through without them.

FENG FENG ACADEMY AND INDIGO EDUCATION PERFORMANCE ART CLASS BY 4CATS KITSILANO

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Top Baby

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Designed & crafted one by one in North Vancouver, Canada, Small Lot by Karly offers adorable footwears for your little one.

Picks

for

Cuddle + Kind is a brand of ethically produced, hand-knit dolls. For every doll sold, they provide 10 meals to children in need. Benedict the Bunny, $59-$79 cuddleandkind.com

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Glitter & Spice’s Organic Chew Bibs are made from 100% soft organic cotton. The teether attachment is made from 100% food grade silicone which means there no harmful chemicals! This stylish bib is perfect for any babe! $19.95 glitterandspicecanada.ca

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

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Handmade wooden toy camera. $22 etsy.com/ca shop/neneandbambino

Books Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

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T is fo Chloe & Skylar Sinow (Kids Can Cook Gourmet)

this season’s VKFW Magazine T for Talent section, we place the spotlight on the incredible brother-sister duo behind the organic health food company Kids Can Cook Gourmet. With 14 year old Skylar, and 12 year old Chloe Sinow, using this brand as a platform to inspire kids to eat healthy and show them the importance of knowing what they are eating, and most importantly have fun in the kitchen while doing it. When asked about what a typical day looks like in their company “There is no typical day at work” says Skylar “I am very fortunate to be constantly exercising the mind and experimenting with new things that can take our company to the next level.” With Chloe’s response being, “For the most part its really, really fun working with Skylar as we are both really creative people, but we do bring different strengths to our business.” Both siblings are highly passionate in what they do, first discovering their interests for cooking and business management two years ago during a family trip to Europe. Since then the brand has been featured in a variety of publications and shows, most notably being Dragon’s Den where the two first started to promote their brand, appearing as contestants and walking away with a partnership with two dragons and a sum of $25,000 for 10% of their company. We asked them, what it is that makes their company so special. “Our company is special in that our products are all organic and we are educating this generation about real food.” said Skylar. “We are donating 5% of all profits to local charity organizations and we like to focus on charities that help feed people like the Foodbank and we are also passionate about helping organizations and

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programs that teach kids about cooking and gardening.” Their amazing drive, initiative, and commitment to philanthropy at such a young age is what makes them an absolutely perfect example for our T for Talent segment. In closing, they offered some advice for other kids that are also interested in entrepreneurship “My best advice I can give to someone just starting out is don’t give up. Just remember that in the beginning and many times throughout things might get hard and you want to give up, but everything seems impossible until it’s done.” said Chloe. Chloe has also recently been directly involved with our F/W17 VKFW show as well, presenting her own stunning designs for the viewing delight of our audience with her first clothing line - titled ‘Blush’. “For my F/W17 Collection for VKFW my inspiration was the colour Blush, kind of like a millennial pink. I had a really amazing experience with VKFW! They were very helpful and would answer every question I had in the blink of an eye.” said Chloe. She cites some of her inspirations as a designer coming from the creations Steve Madden and Karl Lagerfeld; first discovering her interest for sewing and design during her time with La Movida Design Studios. When asked what some of her aspirations for the future were, Chloe answered by saying “I am still quite young & I have lots of dreams. I would like to go to an international design school & also to travel around the world and to have an apartment in New York, Paris and in the French countryside. I want to help teach kids about healthy eating & provide them with great eco-friendly fashions.”

or Talent

At VKFW we aim to present the young talent of today with a platform to showcase their ability to the world, exploring their passions and creativity to the fullest as well.

‘Imperial Ballroom is the newest, hottest dance and fitness center in Richmond, B.C. When Directors Han Ly and Crystal Li decided to bring their skills as competitive dancers and personal trainers into reality, they envisioned a high-energy, chic and inspiring alternative. The meticulously maintained Imperial Ballroom is staffed by the two passionate Directors who are available to help you hone maximize your dance skills, as seen with their student’s stunning display at VKFW this season!’. Images by Getty

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•

Where are the best kid-friendly vacation spots? It really depends on how adventurous you are, but anywhere with a beach is great (be it Tofino or Tobago). 2017 is also the perfect year to explore Canada. Admission to over 170 national parks is free in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. •

Where are the best kid friendly restaurants, that also have good options for yourself and your partner? Sushi is a go-to meal for us, but we also enjoy Burgoo for comfort food. You cannot beat their grilled cheese sandwich.

MOMMY BLOGGER:

• What are your favorite blogs to follow? I am a big fan of the site www.globetotting. com. It is run by two British expat moms who have raised their kids in the most interesting places around the world (India, Mexico, Panama).

TARA CANNON PINTSIZEPILOT.COM

•

What is one of your favourite family memories / share a family story? My daughter being dressed up in traditional clothing by an indigenous woman in the San Blas Islands, Panama. She had only sons and was dying for the chance to play dress up with a girl. • Where is your favourite vacation spot? We love Barbados. You can visit many beautiful beaches, snorkel with turtles, visit the friday night “fish fry” and, if you get up really early, even watch beautiful races horses going for a swim with their trainers in the ocean at first light. •

If you could take your kids on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Galapagos, Ecuador or the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. We are big on wildlife adventures.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOTS

GALAPAGOS

ECUADOR

TANZANIA

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Feng Feng Academy &Indigo Education Feng Feng Academy is the largest kids and adults model training academy and Agency in BC. It is founded and run by Teacher Feng Feng, who was one of the top models in China. She left her successful career as a supermodel behind in China and started a stellar career here in Canada as an artistic director, executive producer, and style consultant for a variety of high level fashion shows and competitions. She was artistic director and instructor for the Miss & Mr. World Canada 2015. CONTACT INFO: Phone: 778-892-0347, 604-781-7832 WeChat: fengfengteacher eMail: fengfengteacher@gmail.com Address: 8980 River Rd., Richmond; 5679 Imperial St., Burnaby; 5737 Collingwood St., Vancouver

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Adorable Feng Feng Education and Indigo Academy students walked the VKFW runway, did dance and rap performances on day 2, that everybody loved and enjoyed, additionally our enthusiastic emcees are also from their school.

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CAKE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

photo: Jayme Anne Photography

www thecakemama.ca

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Instagram: @the.cake.mama

Top Picks for

Mom & Dad •

AnaV Beauty Radiant Touch Pen. Luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion.

Sleep Mama, Mama Juice Co. This delicious sleep elixir is chock full of hazelnuts and cocoa, which are rich in magnesium. This mineral can help induce relaxation and may regulate sleep cycles. As we rest at night, our bodies enter a fasting state. This milk is filled with naturally occurring fats and protein from the hazelnuts, which help to keep blood sugars balanced through the night.

2. 3.

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Hustle Stone Paper Planner. Made for entrepreneurs, hustlers and high achievers. With in depth tracking of goals, health and fitness and productivity hacks. Plus it’s made with stone paper, making it waterproof so it’s safe from formula spills.

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Fitbit. No time for the gym? No worries; keep track of the steps you take running around after your kids

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Nat + Matt Diaper • Bag. This diaper bag can also double as your regular office bag because diaper bags should be both efficient and stylish.

6. 7.

8. 9.

Rose Scented Candle. Bearyloved. For a relaxing day off, bubble baths or simply alone pamper times while the kids are away.

Moroccanoil Treatment Original. Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil and shine-boosting vitamins, this completely transformative hair treatment detangles, speeds up drying time and boosts shine, leaving you with nourished, manageable and smooth hair with each use.

4. 5.

Dollar shave club, Dr Carver’s shaving kit. Complete with shave butter and post shave cream.

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10.

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Hey Joe Coffee GoJoe 2.0. The World’s First Battery Powered Self Brewing Coffee & Tea

CANON EOS Rebel T6i. Whether you like taking photos of cherished childhood memories, or stunning scenic views, this camera is versatile and user friendly enough to suit the needs of both the beginner and expert photographer alike. With a 24.2 MP camera for crystal clear photographs, and 1080/30p video.

VKFW FALL WINTER17

CREATING

THE PERFECT BABY ROOM BY

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As you have likely discovered, if you are a parent, soon to be parent, or like us designing for people with babies, designing a room that both looks good and functions well can be tricky. Now lets add in doing it at a reasonable cost and things get even more challenging! With a few simple tips and tricks, it is easy to create a space that is functional, optimizes storage space, and will grow with your baby into their childhood. Even the smallest space can fit all of the essentials if it is designed efficiently. Here are a few tips we take into consideration when designing for our clients:

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY AND SPACE ON A CHANGE TABLE If you have limited space, why waste room on a change table? One easy solution – buy a dresser that is at hip height and place a changing pad on top instead. It is very simple to secure the change pad to the back of the dresser for safety and you can use on of the top drawers to store the diaper changing essentials. We love the Calla 6 Drawer Dresser, $297.

PURCHASE FOAM FLOOR TILES INSTEAD OF A RUG Gone are the days of tacky foam floor tiles and in are hip new patterns and products! Floor tiles add a fun design to the room, and double as a play space and soft cushion for your soon to be crawling and playing baby’s knees. They are easy to maintain, and disassemble quickly and easily when you’re done with them. Since they are great for playing on, they help reduce the need to have a play room in addition to the baby room. With smaller spaces and condo living at a peak, making the most out of your room is essential. Our favorite playmat is Skip Hop’s Playspot Geo Foam Floor Tiles which come in different colors, and can be formatted in many different patterns chevron being one of our favorites! One pack retails at approximately $95 (you may need two packages depending on the size of the room), but that is still cheaper than most area rugs. These are a must!

STORAGE…NEVER ENOUGH! Creating storage in advance will make your life so much easier later on. Put up a shelf and put plastic storage bins on it. We love Ikea storage boxes; one option is the Ikea Sockerbit container retailing at $1.99. This doubles as storage space for toys, stuffed animals, puzzles, and all sorts of miscellaneous items in the room. Underneath the shelf you can tuck away other oddly shaped or large toys, booster seats, and other extras that don’t fit anywhere else perfectly. To keep the drawers organized, we compartmentalize! We use Ikea Skubb, a set of 6 drawers retailing for just $9.99, to create spaces for diapers, creams, socks, bibs, medications, spit cloths, and other random items. Cute looking and helps with organizing…thats a win in our books! A bookshelf is key. Create a space that will help nurture your growing baby’s mind. This shelf does not only need to be used for books - create a display with special keepsakes and favourite books, and on extra shelves not being used tuck in storage boxes that look clean and do not stand out to store other items away. One of our go-

to’s is Ikea Tjena box with lid which retails at $2.99. Storage, storage, storage!! Even if these boxes and bins are empty now, they will eventually be filled and you will be grateful you have the extra space. It will help keep cleanup painless, and make reaching those spit cloths and blankets quick and easy in those explosive bodily fluid moments…yikes!

SYSTEMATIZE YOUR CLOSET It is a challenge to keep order of all different sized clothing to ensure you don’t outgrow it before you bring it out. We love these custom baby closet dividers made by PersonallyMade4U on Etsy, $16.50+. They are a simple solution to maintain order to a closet packed with clothes of all sizes. As baby grows out of clothes, store them away and move on to the next sizes! This will help ensure you don’t miss out on adorable clothes that could be otherwise stored away in a box.

crib, buy one that you can slide a storage bin underneath to put extra items in. Buy storage boxes that are aesthetically pleasing but practical. If you create a room with storage and room for toys and other items then you will not feel overcrowded because everything has a home and there won’t be clutter. Before you purchase something, ask yourself is this going to be a good use of space? Will it withstand a baby and child pulling, hitting, and climbing on it? Will my baby be able to use it as he or she grows? If you are purchasing it knowing you will need to replace it in the near future once your child starts to grow older than you should reconsider it. Just like we would suggest in a space designed for an adult, have fun by changing up the accessories (ie artwork, displays on bookshelf and dresser) - the things that aren’t as expensive and instead opt for more neutral furniture pieces that function well. Good Luck!

The take home message is, optimize your space and make sure every piece of furniture is functional! If you are buying a

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MOMMA the blogger

Have you ever walked into a store, shopping for a stroller, and been overwhelmed at the possibilities? Did you think to yourself, “do I go with black because you can’t tell it’s dirty, or do I get red so everyone knows I want to make a statement? Do I want that stroller because it has 10 different attachments that come with it, or do I want the lightweight stroller so I won’t struggle to put it in the car…or do I need both?” A.k.a. HELP ME.

Fear not new mama, because your prayers have been answered (as well as most of your most pressing questions that you don’t want to have to ask your friends, for fear of looking like you don’t know how to care for your own child. Because, you do know how to take care of them, you just need a bit of guidance. A new niche of bloggers has emerged from the depths of the internet to steer you in the right direction: the mommy bloggers. These tech savvy ladies are taking the Internet by storm, giving honest reviews about products, and telling you how they really feel – about everything.

These women are basically your new best gal pen-pals that are going to give you the skinny on all things related to mommies, making you look like a boss. Need to know about a breast pump? Someone’s reviewed it, and if they hated it, they provided a better one. Need a new diaper bag that doesn’t look like it contains enough bum wipes to survive the apocalypse? Someone has linked you to a fashionable one. Unlike many elitist bloggers that have the answers to your questions but chose not to provide them, these mamas are here to help you. Let them guide you to recipes that even the fussiest child will love, and DIY room ideas that will look ah-mazing and didn’t cost a fortune. We’ve interviewed blogging moms, and gotten their opinion on everything. From the best vacation spots, their fave products, to blogging tips, and failsafe hubby gifts, they’ve got you covered.

CODY LYNN CREATIVEWIFEAND Image by Erin Fraser Photography •

What are your best DIY suggestions to transform your child’s bedroom? My husband built a “house” bed for our daughter and it turned out so amazing! It is her little haven, was the perfect way to transfer her from crib to big girl bed. •

What is the #1 mom product you can’t live without? My “Beluga baby” bamboo wrap. It is so comfortable and I bring it everywhere! I love that is is small enough to fit into my diaper bag and I also have used it as a blanket and nursing cover when needed. (I guess this is more of a baby product but it makes Mom’s life one heck of a lot easier). •

Any blogging advice or tips for mama’s that want to get started? 1. Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Simple put, perfect doesn’t exist and our idea of perfect is always changing. Create your first post and just hit publish as that will always be one of the hardest posts to ever publish.

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JOYFULWORKER.COM 2. Learn and read up about SEO. When I first started I didn’t put much effort into how people would find my posts as I never thought that I would ever run it as a business. Even if running it as your business isn’t in your plans now, make sure you are setting up your posts with the thought that you could just be there in the future. 3. Use Pinterest. This one piggy backs off of the first one, but think about images that you love on Pinterest and create pinnable images for your blog posts as that is one site that will really benefit your blog. Think of Pinterest like google and utilize it as a search engine more than a social media site. 4. It takes A LOT of work. I have seen so many people start and stop blogging since I have began in the last two and a half years and I feel that that is mainly just because so many people don’t realize how much work it is. I can’t say that knowing this before starting my blog would change anything for me, ha! but I do think it is important to know that it is not easy.

5. Not to dampen the mood but not everyone is going to like you. When you start your blog others might feel threatened or jealous. Don’t let it bother you. Just do your thing, be yourself and you will have nothing to worry about. •

Where is your favourite place to shop for kids clothing / apparel brand & why? I do a lot of my kids shopping from local makers or small makers or small shops that I discover through instagram. I love supporting mom makers and feel that my money is so much better spent when I can see who it is going to. Some of our favourites are KEWE clothing, Vonbon Apparel, Minmoc, Little and Lively, Isn’t she Lovely, and so many more. Little Bean and Co. just opened up a shop in Abbotsford that is close to home and also carries a large amount of locally made products. • Suggestions for a fail-safe hubby gift? A date night. Plan something that you can do as a couple together, without the kids.

KAT PETRUNIA OURHAPPYPLACE.CA Image by Ally Fotografy

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What are your best DIY suggestions to transform your child’s bedroom? DIY artwork is a cute way to add a personal touch, and a simple coat of paint with some wall decals can transform the look of any room. Wall decals are great since you can remove them and update them as your child gets older. Painting furniture is also a budget friendly way to freshen up a space and there are lots of quality pieces on Craigslist, etc. that look amazing when refreshed with a coat or two of paint, and some new hardware. •

What are mom products you can’t live without? Bebe De Luxe Organic Oatmeal Bath Soak - it’s my favourite bath product for the kids and I love soaking in a warm bath infused with BDL myself. •

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Share about topics that are important to you. Think about the things you enjoy and want to share about and go from there. Find some networking/ collaborative groups on Facebook to help you meet other bloggers and local brands, and follow accounts of interest on Instagram. It never hurts to reach out with questions and ask for advice and many bloggers are happy to share a few tips from their own experiences. •

Where is your favourite place to shop for kids clothing / apparel brand & why? I love buying from local brands - the styles and quality can’t be beat and is worth every dollar and thrift stores. I splurge on locally made items that both kids will wear and stock up on basics such as t-shirts and jeans at thrift stores. Overall, this helps us save

on clothes that the kids grow out of quick, while still supporting local small businesses. •

How do you maintain a work / life balance? I’m not sure that I do. But what I try is to prioritize each day and be at peace with how I choose to spend my time. Some days are more family focused and I dial down work, and on work days I pour myself into what has to get done and my Mum watches the kids for me. I prefer to focus on one thing at a time if I can - I’m better as a Mom and wife when I focus on my family, and I’m a better blogger when I focus on my work. That doesn’t always work out and some days are an absolute messy mix of it all, but I just try to think about what my goals are for each day and let that be the main influence of how I structure the day.

Any blogging advice or tips for mama’s that want to get started?

FELISE MOGLIA BRAVOMOM.COM

Where are the best kid-friendly vacation spots? The beach. Free and hours of entertainment. Enough said. •

What is the #1 mom product you can’t live without? The hair tie. Dude! My hair ties have saved my mom locks from being tugged, chewed on, and used as a plate for food. I don’t know what would happen without them and I don’t want to know.

time that we took my (now three-year-old) to the snow. It was an impromptu Valentine’s Day- Day trip. My youngest was only a few weeks old. I just strapped on the carrier, and he slept up against me wrapped up the whole time. My three year old had the time of her life, and it was a day filled with just pure happiness on everyone’s part. Our impromptu trips are the best.

• What are your favorite blogs to follow? I love Scary Mommy, mostly for the curse words (the content is great, too). I also like Red Tricycle.

What is the tastiest, quickest breakfast options for moms on-the-go? My favorite “go-to” are Egg white muffin cups. They are super easy, healthy and quick to make and are the perfect bite-sized breakfast for the kids and us to hold and eat.

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What is one of your favourite family memories / share a family story? One of my favorite memories is the first

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Suggestions for a fail-safe hubby gift? My husband is a romantic guy; he enjoys

gifts that are from the heart. I think a favorite gift of his that I gave him was on his 33rd birthday; I wrote him 33 notes professing the reasons why I love him. He keeps it in his drawer and travels with them to this day. • What is your go-to outfit? Hands down, I am a fan of workout clothes. You never know, at any moment, I could bust out a rep of squats, while holding a coffee. • How do you stay fit? I am awake before the hubby and the kids almost every day, so five days a week I take advantage of that time and head out for a morning run. I do at least 30 mins per run. It not only helps me keep fit, but it helps me clear and reset my mind.

VKFW FALL WINTER17

BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Supporting pediatric healthcare initiatives has never looked so good, Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VFKW) returns this Fall/ Winter season to support BC Children’s Hospital. With a portion of the proceeds from what is expected to be our most exciting show yet, working towards raising funds to support children’s health in BC. Here at VKFW we believe that fashion isn’t just a luxury, it can also be a philanthropy. We support children in need as much as we support the value of fashion. Vancouver Kid’s Fashion Week endeavors to promote

altruism that will benefit children in need. There are a lot of youths with dreams bigger than life, only to be hindered by illness, we hope to remove this obstacle, so as to give them better and brighter opportunities, and inspire them to chase their dreams. This season, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Foundation will be our partner towards this common goal. BC Children’s Hospital is the province’s only full-service, pediatric acute care hospital and serves the one million children living in BC and the Yukon. All children who are seriously ill or injured are referred to Children’s Hospital and are either treated at the hospital facility in Vancouver or, with consultation from Children’s specialists, in their home community. VKFW is also proud to announce that this season our show will once again feature a model that is a former patient of BC Children’s hospital, sixteen year old Simran Sarai, who is set to strut down the VKFW stage! Simran is a leukemia survivor, who now enjoys a bright and optimistic life unhindered by her illness, now going to school full-time. Owing her recovery to the love of her family and the support of her caregivers at BC Children’s Hospital, the future looks bright for Simran.

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Please tell us a bit about yourself

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What does a typical day look like for you?

What are some of your hobbies?

Some of my hobbies include running, going to the gym with my friends, and singing loudly in the shower.

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“Simran is a leukemia survivor, who now enjoys a bright and optimistic life unhindered by her illness”

Where is somewhere you always wanted to go?

Somewhere that I have always wanted to go is France!! To travel anywhere in Europe would be amazing!

A typical day for me involves waking up early in the morning to get to school on time, then afterwards doing my homework. After that I have either soccer or track practice, depending on the day!

SIMRAN SARAI

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My name is Simran Sarai and I am 16 years old. I have a twin brother named Sajjan and a younger brother named Daya. I am currently in grade 11 and my favorite class at the moment is Biology!

Do you have any favourite books/ songs/movies?

At the moment, my favorite songs are Let’s Hurt Tonight by One Republic and the whole Ed Sheeran Album that just came out. My favorite movie is Water Horse, and my favorite book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

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Can you tell us about your experience with B.C. Children’s Hospital, and how they helped you and your family during your time there?

My experience with the hospital has been amazing. My family and I were always treated so wonderfully and I received the best care there. The staff is so kind welcoming, and everyone was incredibly supportive. As well, the Foundation staff made my hospital experience even brighter, with trips and fun activities our family could go on to take my mind off being sick,

What do you want to be in the future?

In the future I hope to either become a lawyer or maybe a teacher. My dream job is to work with the United Nations!

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What is something you’ve always dreamed of doing?

Something that I’ve always dreamed of doing is bungee-jumping or skydiving.

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Is there a particular celebrity or role-model you look up to?

A role model that I look up to is Amal Clooney, particularly her work with the United Nations.

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How do you feel about being a model at VKFW?

Being a model at VKWF was amazing!! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget.

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Do you have any fashion tips or recommendations?

Always be comfortable, that’s the most important thing!

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What is your favourite go to item for clothing?

My favorite go-to item of clothing is an oversized hoodie!!

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What style of clothing do you like?

The style of clothing that I like best is athletic!!! I love being able to move in my clothes.

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urely plocal

Purely Local hosts seasonal shopping events in South Surrey featuring talented local designers and artisans. Grace, Kelsey, &amp; Corie are mothers who share a mutual love for shopping quality locally made products. Their goal is to increase awareness of the shop local movement, connect their community, and support small business and entrepreneurs. Their carefully curated events bring together talented makers from all over BC. Past markets have included local children&#39;s clothing designers such as Little &amp;

O C A L

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Facebook: Purely Local @shoppurelylocal Instagram: @purelylocal Website: purelylocal.ca Contact: info@purelylocal.ca

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Lively (littleandlively.com \ @littleandlively), Jax &amp; Lennon (jaxandlennon.com \ @jaxandlennonco) as well as bath and body products from Bébé de Luxe (bebedeluxe.ca/@bebe.de.luxe) and K’pure Naturals (kpurenaturals.com/@kpurenaturals) and many other talented makers of ceramics, candles, decor, toys and more. The shopping events also offer delicious treats from companies like Candy’s Sweet Tables (@candyssweettables) and a professional photographer, Erin Ocampo Photography (@erin.ocampo), who offers on the spot mini sessions with beautiful backdrops and props. A local charity is always incorporated in the events, the most recent one being The Pacific Post Partum Support Society (postpartum.org). Purely Local Markets are a unique shopping experience for people looking to find quality items for themself and their family while supporting their community and local entrepreneurs. Visit the newly launched website and blog (www.purelylocal.ca) for the hottest local products, shopping, and upcoming market information.

VKFW FALL WINTER17

MOMMY BLOGGER:

CATHY GOODWIN A BOY AND HIS MOM •

What is the #1 mom product you can’t live without? Having shared custody and an active son, I would have to say my Planner is my #1 Mom product I can’t live without. It keeps me in check to when we have appointments, parties, and any changes in our schedule. •

Where are the best kid friendly restaurants, that also have good options for yourself and your partner? Our favorite restaurants to go to are East Side Marios and Boston Pizza. Their kids’ menus have so many options and their Adult menu is just as plentiful. •

What is your ultimate kid friendly recipe? One of my favorite go to recipes is No Bake Energy Bites. Our mornings are often hectic and my son is not a big breakfast eater.

These bites are easy to make ahead of time and my son loves them. He can grab a few to eat while getting ready in the morning and not go to school on an empty stomach. •

What is one of your favourite family memories / share a family story? Each summer, I try to take at least one week of holidays and spend it with my son at my parents’ home. They live in a small town and it gets us out of the city for some quiet, low key fun. Last summer we visited Clovermead Adventure Farm. They have these pedal go carts and my son, my brother and my Mom had a race. It was a blast and everyone wants to do it again this summer. •

What is the tastiest, quickest breakfast options for moms on-the-go? I am a huge fan of smoothies. I throw whatever fruit I have on hand into the

NO BAKE ENERGY SNACK BITES by MOMables (Makes 18-20 balls)

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup rolled oats • 1 cup coconut flakes • ½ cup ground flax seed • ½ cup mini chocolate chips • ½ cup raisins • ½ cup peanut butter (or other nut/non-nut butter)* • one third cup honey • 1 tsp vanilla INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, coconut flakes, flax seed, mini chocolate chips, and raisins. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. 3. Pour the peanut butter mix into the oat mix, until thoroughly incorporated. Let it

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chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll it into balls. Store in an airtight container, and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. NOTES * The peanut or non-nut butter you use will make a difference in how well these stick together. If they are not holding together well, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more peanut butter. My creamy peanut butter holds these just fine with ½ cup. *you can use quick oats for this recipe, however, you might need to adjust the quantity since the mixture might be a tad sticky. If so, add more oats.

blender with some protein powder and some ice and I am ready to go. •

What are your favourite skin-care products? I have dry skin, so I always need to have some sort of moisturizer on my face. My current favorite is Olay Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin. For the rest of my body, I have been using Vaseline Intensive Care since I can remember. •

If you could take your kids on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? My son is a HUGE Lego fan, so a visit to Legoland is something we’ve both been dreaming about. As well, before he gets too old to really enjoy it, I want to somehow get us to Disney as well.

MAMA JUICE CO. We had a chat with Hoda Negin, Founder/CEO of Mama Juice Co., to know what’s behind one of our favorite mom-powered juice hub. 1. Describe your typical day at work I’m a Mother of two and starting my own business, so one can only imagine what my days look like! Let’s just say multitasking is my key point. A typical day at work for me consists of: Organizing/attending meetings, trade shows and networking events. Placing orders for our fresh produce. Organizing delivery for our clients. Perfecting our formulations for Juices (with dietitian). Planning the future of Mama Juice Co. Making/Bottling our juices at our production Facility. And, well, packing lunches for the kids! 2. What do you do when you’re not at work? When I’m not working I like to spend as much time with my family as I can. Family time is extremely important to me and my number one priority. I also make humorous memes for my IG account, Loud Momma. I started this blog a few years back, posting material that Mothers (and fathers) could relate to. Parenting is hard and it’s important to laugh in the midst of all the beautiful chaos! 3. What’s something you’re most passionate about I’m most passionate about promoting Self-Care. Self-Care may constitute different approaches for many. To me, self-care is extremely key to ones happiness and well being.Your body is truly your temple; inside and out. 4. Can you tell us about your experience with Vancouver Kids Fashion Week? Our experience with Vancouver Kids Fashion Week was incredible. We are a new start-up business and the amount of support and positivity we received was tremendous. Our Juices

were a hit with all the Moms, Dads and Children at the show. Further, the staff at VKFW were extremely kind and helpful. We could not have asked for a better first event! 5. What inspired you to create the brand Mama Juice? Motherhood is busy and it’s extremely easy for us Mamas to forget about our own nutritional needs. During my second pregnancy, my morning sickness was severe. I could not hold down a meal, let alone my prenatal vitamins. My craving? JUICE. I was guzzling back Juices as that was the only thing I could hold down. The Juices I chose to have were not cold-pressed or fresh, but it was all I knew at the time! After becoming a Mom of two children, I noticed a shift in my energy levels. As much as Motherhood can naturally bring on those low energy levels, I knew something was not right. I consulted with my doctor and it was confirmed that I was, in fact, Iron deficient. Of course a healthy meal plan was put into place, but I thought, “What else can I do to boost my levels; being a busy Mom of two and always on the go?” That’s when I went back to my love for JUICE; juice rich in Iron! Combined with my meals, I started my Juicing journey with organic cold-pressed juices and started to feel an immediate change. Then, a lightbulb went off. I decided to pursue my dream of having my own brand/business. Aside from having a humorous blog/account making Mamas laugh, I wanted to offer more and so I decided to share the Juice life with Moms. There are many Juice companies and the juicing industry is growing exponentially, but non cater to Moms/families nutritional needs. I wanted this to be our focus while working closely with a Dietitan who formulates our Juices. I wanted to cater to the nutritional needs of busy Mothers who are almost always putting everyone else first, “Because Mamas need Love and

Nourishment, too…” 6. What makes your brand of organic juices better than other juice brands? At Mama Juice Co. all of your products have been formulated and closely researched by a professional dietitian. Our ingredients are local, organic and raw. We go from organic ginger, sarsaparilla, and turmeric roots to adaptogenic herbs such as rhodiola and siberian ginseng. Also, we use glass bottles for our Juices. The response to that, compared to other Juice brands, has been extremely positive. Most of our customers have been appreciative that we use glass bottles and not plastic. Glass bottles are better for us and our environment! 7. Where do you see your brand in the future? Our goal with Mama Juice Co. will be to cater to the nutritional needs of families. As we start with our juices, we eventually want to grow into both a beverage and food brand. 8. What is your favourite flavour of Mama Juice? So hard to choose. But if I had to choose my favourite flavour/juice, it would be Iron Mama! I’ve always had a problem with my Iron levels, therefore, Iron Mama speaks to me. That spinach, apple, orange and ginger combination is to die for! I’ve never been so excited to drink a green juice. 9. Could you recommend a juice for us to try? I would honestly have to recommend to try all 5 of our juices for your first time! Everyones palate and nutritional needs are different. Once you try all 5 it gives you an opportunity to decide what YOU like and could benefit from as part of your Juice life. Happy Juicing!

www.mamajuiceco.com INSTAGRAM: @mamajuiceco FB: @mamajuiceco

VKFW FALL WINTER17

Vancouve

fashion we

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Armine Ohanyan

Sara Armstrong •

Wasso Vege’s

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Runway Images by Getty

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Gabbie Sarenas

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Vancouver Fashion Week launched its 29th season on their opening gala last March 20. The week-long event ran from March 20th to March 26th. It featured talented designers from all over the world including Armine Ohanyan from France, Wasso Vege’s from Japan, Gabbie Sarenas from Philippines, local designers like Sara Armstrong, Evan Clayton and Alex S. Yu, and more! Visit vanfashionweek.com for more or follow their social media channels @vanfashionweek.

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Black Merle

Aya Bapani

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Aiki District

Alogon

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