I went to dinner with Yves Saint Laurent on Tuesday.

The hostest was somewhat rude. She made us move because we were apparently taking up too much space (a booth for 4 instead of 2).

She has bleach stains on the front of her dress and yellow stains on the back of her dress. Did you look in the mirror this morning?

My face is very rectangular.

Shaz

Legendary Noodle House. My favorite noodle house of all time.

My first Ice Cream Cone of the Summer. Sad but true. Just wait until I hit Italy. Ice Cream every day please!

I always go to the Noodle House on Denmen which is basically two feet from English Bay.

I really love English Bay.

Everything was very Yellow.

It’s so peacful being down here in the evening.

Saturday I spent the day huddled in my parents basement scrapbooking my honeymoon pictures. Ugh, don’t ask. Chad came over mid day to wash his car and we both stayed for din din on the patio. Since he has a date with boys in the evening, I decided to hang out with the rents and join them on a bike ride around Stanley park. The last time I did that was 4 years ago and Dario joined us. We saw hippies with really long armpit hair. Remember?

I have an old mountain bike that my parents bought me years ago second hand. I think I’ve had it since I was 14. A few years ago my Dad took it apart, cleaned and painted it and then put it back together. It still works and all, but the thought came to me that I should maybe try and sell and get one of those cute retro cruiser bikes. I know I don’t bike very often, but I hope to do more in the future, and I see myself cruising more then riding up mountains or through traffic. Biking is also one of the only sports Chad and I can do together that his knees can handle so I would really like to try and do more riding.

While discussing this plan with my Mom she offered up her old bike.

Even in Italy they can’t spell her name right!

As some of you know, my Mom was born in Italy and immigrated here with my Grandparents at the age of 5. When she graduated high school she went back to visit all her relatives and her Grandfather gave her a bike as a grad present. Well, lucky for her, the bike actually folds up and she was able to stick it in a suite case and bring it back home to Canada!

I remember this bike when I was a kid. It was something of a novelty that my Nonna kept in her garage and would sometimes use to ride along side us when we road our bikes in the back lane. Mom didn’t use it anymore so it was  kept purely for nostalgia.

I hadn’t seen it in years, so I really didn’t know what kind of state the bike was in, let alone if it was ride-able! Nonna had it all folded up in the closet. The wheels had lost air, there was rust in places, and power generated lights no longer worked. I took it home, Dad pumped up the tires, and I took it for a spin.

It was magic!

I would love to take it into a bike shop and get it all cleaned up. Get rid of the rust, paint it up, fix the lights. I’m just a bit apprehensive as I don’t really want to ruin the bike. I want to make it look exactly the same, just nicer, cleaner. I want to keep my Moms stickers, but I want them to look better. I also have no idea what a job like this would cost. A lot of the chrome is rusted, the lights need re-wiring, and the breaks need to be re-done too. Maybe I will investigate a company that could help me next summer, when I have more time and money to play with.

How cute would this look, all shiny and new, with some streamers and a basket?

OMG

Damn this busy life and busy work schedule. I mean, I like being busy, but there are too many damn things to do lately. Work has been exploding, which is nice, but you know that leaves me running around like crazy. I’ve been in a rut, trying to dig myself out of this hole that is filled with things I should do instead of things I want to do. The ‘ME’ time seems to be fading.

I need to cut back on my elaborate dinners (sorry Chad), not stuff myself silly so I need an hour to digest, and take some time each night to do what I want to do. This whole fashion blog takes up a lot of time, and the result isn’t even that amazing. I just don’t have enough time to give it these days.

I finally got together with Matt for some birthday Sushi. We went to Shiro, which I have never been to before. Matt says he use to go there all the time as a kid. I was definitely up for the experience!

It’s super cute inside, and I always love to watch them make the sushi.

Ebi Sunomono

This is one of my favorite dishes ever, so I have become somewhat of a conusor. Every place we go that has it, I try it. This is one was very good; definitely one of my favorites. You can tell when it is REALLY done wrong because they put lettuce in it and it’s the most bizarre thing ever.

Sushi Explosion!

Special Crab Roll – Super good but holy Spicy Alert!
Negitoro Maki – One of my favorite ‘of the moment’ sushi. This one was good but they stuck Wasabi in it and I died. I can’t handle wasabi in any amount.
Dynamite Roll – Can’t go wrong with that!
Scallop Roll – I’ve always been scared of them because they look so gooey, but when I stopped to think about it, I adore Scallops so why not scallop rolls!? This was very good!

BBQ Squid Legs with Garlic Butter

The sauce was amazingly tasty, the squid was squish, but then it always is. This one as good!

Chicken Karaage

I’ve had this before at other places and it’s been better. It’s hard to go wrong with deep fried chicken, but there was barely any meat on these bones which was disappointing.

BBQ Salman with Salt

Tasty, but such a weirdly shaped piece of fish! The way it was cut with the fins on made it look like it had wings!

Over all a good dinner. I was so full and the green tea was soo good. I could have sat there all night drinking it.

We went back to Matts house for MTV and Ice Cream which was epic. The Hills is so amazing right now.

I think I will spend the rest of the day dreaming about Ebi Sunomono.

We went on a date Friday night.

Chad kept moping around the apartment all week and it was pretty much the week of hell for both of us, so I felt it was only right that we got out of the house to relax, enjoy food, and people watch. Not to mention the fact that I knew Chad was going stir crazy.

You can clearly tell the pure joy that is on Chads face in all these pictures.

Some old guy kept staring at me.

Chad has finally convinced me to like Hot Chicken Wings. I am very weak when it comes to spice, but I think I’ve finally built up some tolerance. These were soo  good.

Earls West Cost Salad. I love you. Yes, I love you.

My thoughts exactly.

Speaking of eating out…

Dine Out Vancouver is way late this year all due to the Olympics, but its ok because we snagged reservations for TWO restaurants this year, which I am REALLY excited about!

We are double dating it with Ryan and Elise next Friday night, and are heading out to Langley to enjoy a feast at Coza! Tuscan Grill. The menu looks amazing and I am super excited about our dinner double date, that as Elise puts it, is a classier double date that involves drinking wine instead of beer! I fully agree with her.

Then next Saturday is Marlee’s hair show and subsequent hair show AFTER PARTY which I am very much looking forward to! I can’t wait for pink hair and up dos and beers at the Cambie.

Sunday we continue the whirlwind with dinner for two at Quattro on 4th; yet another classy Italian establishment. You know Chad, he doesn’t stray away from what he knows.

I love eating out. I love that Dine Out Vancouver gives me an excuse to eat out. I love that we try new restaurants.

I love April and May this year.

I love Birthday trips, dinners out, so many accessories on my holds rack, chunky necklaces, sunny days, the boss on vacation.

I LOVE SPRING!

THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a photo explosion.

Had I not been so sick and busy last week I would have posted this, but you know.

Alicia and I had an adventure. It was fun times.

PASTA LUNCH AT IKEA! Total $3.50

Misssss Quan

Does my hair look like a helmet?

Peek-a-boo

I’m in the mirror

Oh look! We both are.

I bought the majority of the stuff in this cart. I can’t go to Ikea with out buying candles and napkins.

I think she thinks I’m crazy.

I would have to agree with her.

Hey look, I’m in New West.

I SEE MOUNTAINS.

Too many bridges in the way…

Oh Army & Navy, you will always be sketchy, but you will always have good deals.

Alicia is enjoying the wind.

So is my hair.

Today was the day that re-started my obsession with everything OLD. (Even Chad fits into that obsession)

Hey down there!

Front Street.

The place to shop for Antiques!

Getting cuter.

The wash board was $40. I think my Nonna still has hers. Yoink!

Old metal things.

So many hidden treasures.

Something for your car perhaps?

It’s time to slow down a bit.

This would be cool even just to have hanging around. MENS ROOM.

Do you fancy some Pure Putty or Cigarette Tobacco?

I was going to buy the Tetley’s Tea tin just for kicks, then I remembered that collecting tin is an expensive past time. Thank you price tag.

Esso is RAD!

Beer taps. MENS ROOM.

Fabric stretched over a frame. I would have bought it.

This table was really cool, but also really expensive because it was signed by the designer.

I found tea cups.

Perhaps a mirror top coffee table covered in velvet. If it were social acceptable I would drape myself in velvet.

In thinking ahead to our next home, I’m definitely going to carry on the colour scheme of blues and greens. I’m going to go back and buy some of these glass pieces.

They are like little pieces of candy.

You will be mine, oh yes, you will be mine.

Alicia was not impressed that this was one I real live bear.

Heart, melting.

We checked them out. They were. Ha.

The best antique store on the strip as far as prices and quantity goes. There were a LOT of different things to look at. Quite the variety.

Ohhhh, whats this?

Wiry things.

OH MY LORD. HEAVEN!

Can I just move in here now? I need to buy everything in this store. However, I need lots and lots of money to do so.

Expensive, but the most amazing things I have ever seen. Retro HEAVEN and I want to live there.

Walls made of blue bricks.

Hey look. I’m standing in front of a red door.

Me again!

Hello colour scheme.

A tea cup for a pretty flower.

I can’t believe I didn’t buy one of these last year.

Hanging Basket.

I didn’t know what I was going to do with this, but I’ve now turned it into an herb garden.

Amazing Ice Bucket I got for $25!

Oh so 70s.

If Italy and 1975 got together and decided to make a tray, this is what it would look like.

TEA CUPS. They will go in my ‘garden’.

I love Saturday adventures. I love Saturday adventures looking for antiques even MORE!

More Olympic Pictures, More Olympic Pictures!!!

Saturday, while Chad was at work (whata good boy) I headed downtown with the Famiglia.

PHOTO EXPLOSION

Cristina and I got ID’d at Germany House. It was 11am, pretty sure I’m not about to get wasted!

Ma, Pa, and Cristina

Cooking up some German Meat.

A Brat for Breakfast. I even got sauerkraut. I have never been a fan of it, but I figured, if I was going to be German for an hour I was going to be FULLY German.

Inside the actual house. Already packed watching the days events.

German signed car.

Walking towards the torch.

March forward.

The flame from far away.

Probably a little creepy that I took a picture of someones kid, but it was too cute not to. He made his own torch. Omg, *sniff* adorable.

Thar she blows.

Speaking of blowing, you would not believe how many Russians were downtown on Saturday. There were tons of young Navy guys as well. It was nuts.

Everyone’s in Red. Do we look related!?

The view of the torch from downtown.

Shangra La

CTV

My buddies.

A floral VAG.

The Rossis

Melbourne and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where both sides of my family live!

MUKMUK <3

QUATCHI <3

Oh look! Another picture of the damn lanterns!

So apparently my Mother discovered that not only was there Casa Italia represented at the Olympics, but there was also Casa Calabria! Weird, yet interesting. Considering we will be travelling around Calabria in 7 months it only made sense to check it out.

Hand Made Glass Art

Damn Southerners!

Cheese and coffee and things.

Made it to Casa Italia, yet again. This time they were actually serving CHEESE! Hahah Mom and Dad got handfuls.

Cheese please.

Pappa Rossi

I could be a Skier.

I had this discussion with my Mom that Casa Italia would have been 10 times better if they decided to serve Pasta and Wine. Umm hello, talk about making a killing if you did that. At all our Italian events we serve a plate of pasta and wine for 8 bucks and we always sell out. People go nuts for that kind of thing and it is so cheap to do. I’m going to have to speak to the Casa Italia Organizing Committee. Clearly they were not very organized. Or they just like being snobs and only serving that kind of thing to the VIPs. Oh those Italians.

The Sea Wall in Yaletown.

Yes, this is why we live here.

Sunnies and a Toque.

After Eight. The biggest friggin Yacht I have ever seen!

Waiting in line for the Sea Bus, which, for some reason, we all thought was FREE.

GROUP SHOT.

SEA BUS

Checkin out the city

Love this building

Swiss House on Granville Island

Leaving the ‘Island’

Walking some where. Check out the Cherry Blossoms!

Yacht Club.

Sea Wall Fashion.

PIRATE SHIP

What a beautiful day!

Dreamy

Shadows

RCMP Boat

Us Italians

CANADA LINE SQUISH.

Our plan was to do many things, many things that all had very long line ups, so we just did a lot of walking around the city. All transit was packed so we had to squish.

By the time I got home I was so tired I actually thought I was going to die. I passed out for two hours and felt like crap for the rest of the evening.

That is what you get for never exercising!

Just another beautiful Olympic day in Vancouver!

We decided to head down to where all the action was on Saturday Morning. We lazed around in bed for a bit, watching Olympic coverage on TV before heading downtown. Then of course, we heard about all those Ass Hats causing damage to the Bay, which got me pretty upset because I’ve been overly sensitive about the Olympics lately.

We took the skytrain down and got off at Granville hoping to stop by at the Olympic Store at the Bay (despite the damage done) to pick up some merch, but they closed it all off so you couldn’t get to it through the inside of the Bay, which sucked big time, and the line (from the outside) to get in was way too long so we gave up.

24 hour glass repair was on site right away. There was a lot of ‘Go Canada Go’ chanting going on which was cool.

I’m a Lumberjack.

Everyone’s already taken photos of this stuff, but I haven’t so here it is.

Walking south along Granville, checking out all the art.

In classic Danielle mode, I originally wrote ‘Here come the Cheques!’.

I made Chad take a picture of my good Bang day. (Thank you Marlee!)

For lunch we stopped in at the Olympia Bar & Grill on Granville. It looks fairly new, but then again, I haven’t been down to Granville in a while. The place was totally empty when we looked inside, but the wait staff was so nice and inviting that we decided to stay. Chad was astonish at how cheap the beer was ($4.25 to be exact) that he fell in love with the place and wants to go back ASAP. We might hit it up tonight if your original plan fails. I had the Mediterranean Pizza and Chad had a Calzone. Both were really good. I liked the atmosphere of the bar, so I’m pretty sure we will be back. By the time we left, the place was pretty full. Chad joked that they should give us a discount because we ‘brought the people in’. I think they actually did.

After lunch we headed to Yaletown. By this point it was pretty cold and rainy so we stopped in a little boutique that had some Olympic Merch (including an umbrella) so we picked one up. The store was adorable, expensive, but amazing. I would love to go back there. They had such cute home decor stuff and baby stuff.

We pit stopped it in the Roundhouse in Yaletown before going next door to Casa Italia cause Chad had to pee. Ha. He said it was the nicest portable he had ever been in. It even had granite counter tops! TMI?

Casa Italia. I don’t know what an of these words are suppose to mean.

Represent!

A map of places to climb, I believe.

Italian Olympic Merch.

I’m sorry Italy, I love you and all, but what the hell were you thinking?

Each item of clothing ran $300 to $450. Um…are you kidding me!?

A lot of fake cheese.

The had this section of Italian art which was pretty neat. I loved this clock with the little bird waiting to pop out. There was even this set of dishes that when you stacked them the right way they made a globe. Pretty friggin neat if you ask me.

Checking out all the sporting footwear. I, of course, loved the ice pick/hiking boots because of the sharpe violent spikes on the end. Kind of maybe wanted to use them on the ‘Anarchists’.

Walked through Yaletown and found this little building. I don’t know what it was but there was a lot of people on computers. Maybe the Yahoo house?

I asked Chad to take a picture of me.

“No, Chad, can you move back and get the whole thing?”

“What the hell, you don’t even see what I am looking at”

“Yea well I would have had to move really far back”

…

I swear to God.

I’m pretty sure I was British in my previous life.

Back downtown on Robson where all the madness was.

He can never give me a normal face. What, do I disgust you that much!?

CTV insanity.

Chad and our new umbrella!

A couple of Moms commented on how cute it was. Chad wasn’t impressed.

Adorable!

We walked up Robson so I could check out a couple of stores, but I didn’t find anything worth buying, so I grabbed a Starbucks and we headed home.

Found this really cool art installation at the Burrard Skytrain Station. I think is was a project done by an Emily Carr student.

See, we can never get a normal face.

Shhhh, look, theres Chads security pass. Don’t tell anyone.

You can’t really tell, but I swear to you that he looks Asian on all his Accreditation tags.

Good times spent downtown. Once Chad gets home from work tonight we are going to go down to Granville Island and *try* to get into the Atlantic House. But I have a feeling thats going to be a huge fail, especially since we are not going to stand in line for 2 hours, so we will probably end up back at the Olympia Bar & Grill. Fine by me anyways!