I love shopping for kids. It’s insane the kind of variety you can find when buying them anything, especially clothes. Put me in a kids’ clothing store with a credit card and you’ll regret it, especially if the credit card is yours!

I thought shoe shopping would be just as fun. My five- (six in June) year-old niece came over for a visit and we were just about to head for the Richmond Auto Mall to buy a Yaris when I noticed that she was walking funny. I asked her why she was shuffling so much and she lifted her foot to show me how the sole of her shoe had peeled away from its base and the whole thing looked like a hand puppet. We obviously couldn’t go out like that so we made a pit stop at Metrotown Mall. She’s not a fan of trying on shoes but she got a piggy-back ride out of it so she was all smiles. I needed a temporary solution and I thought it would be a piece of cake to find a sensible sandal at Payless. Maybe I could even save a couple of bucks too!…Nothing. Get the whole story

Appendix to the Article: “Shoe Shopping Hell“

Here are 10 lessons for buying kids’ shoes:

The B.C. Association of Podiatrists has these tips to help ensure that growing feet are getting the well-fitting and supportive shoes they need

1. Shop for shoes at the end of the day. Feet are five to eight per cent larger in the afternoon than in the morning

2. Examine the shoe first. A shoe should have a firm heel counter (stiff material on ether side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the insole, a tall and wide toe box, and, preferably, a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot bends – at the ball of the foot, not the middle of the shoe. Feel the inside of the shoe for stitching, staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation Get the whole story

One of the first things that you must acquire when you begin your life as a blogger is a proper office chair. You may want to save a couple of bucks by using just any ordinary dining chair or a $50 excuse for one that you saw on a flyer with a big ‘Sale’ header, but mark my words, you’ll soon be crying for something with more support. Get the whole story

Like many of you (or ideally many of you) who attended EPIC, the Sustainable Living Expo back in March, I signed up for my free subscription to Granville Magazine. I enjoy reading ‘green’ articles and books on how to leave a smaller carbon footprint but as with many such publications, ideas are somewhat tricky to contextualize and put into practice when solutions are posed but not where those solutions can be found locally. Now there is a city magazine to use as a resource and reference to help us realistically maintain the beautiful environment we have come to enjoy as Vancouverites. I’ve been waiting all this time to get my premier issue and it finally arrived in the mail yesterday. I was psyched! Until I looked at the cover. Get the whole story

Well, why not? Not everyone likes quiche or caviar but how many people out there love champagne? With quality wine selections becoming more and more affordable, you don’t need to find an excuse to pop open a little bubbly anymore. Why not put away that ugly plastic bottle of coke and touch up your little summer get-together with some classy champagne. You’d be surprised how well its sparkling taste and the salty goodness of chips go together.

You can find this and other wine pairings at www.nataliemaclean.com/matcher. Sauvignon Blanc with your dim sum? Perfect. Un peu de Chardonnay avec your scrambled eggs? Mouth watering. According to renowned sommelier Natalie MacLean, “The old rules about white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat just don’t give enough guidance anymore.” With her unique and user friendly matching tool, you won’t have to aimlessly wander through the aisles of the liquor store any longer. You can search by meal or by wine and MacLean adds more wines and foods based on readers’ suggestions. Get the whole story

This weekend only!

If you’ve always wanted to strut down Robson Street in a pair of original John Fluevogs, they may not get more original than this. You may be able to pick up the only pair of a particular design and if you’re lucky, maybe even at a discounted price!

The sale begins TODAY but if you can’t make it, it’s also on for Saturday and Sunday.

Location: 837 Granville Street, Vancouver
Hours: Fri: 11 – 8 / Sat: 11 – 7 / Sun: 12 – 5
Info: 604.688.2828
Web: www.fluevog.com
Is it worth it?: We’re talking about shoes. Your landlord can wait another month

Recipe by: Marianne & Svend Rand-Hendriksen, who used to make eight times as much of this recipe to sell to the sailors that docked in their local pier on Nesodden, Norway (about a 20 min ferry ride from downtown Oslo).

I’ve had these waffles many times and they are ADDICTIVE! You may just as well multiply this recipe because you’ll be needing it! Even if you make too much of it, just freeze it. It’ll save you the trouble of mixing the batter again the next time you have a craving (which will be often).
Get the whole story

How many of you celebrate Canada Day? Do you even get out of the house? Exactly. I’m the same. The government grants us this statutory holiday to allow us to celebrate our great country and take a moment to reflect on how fortunate it is for us to be Canadians and what do we do? Nothing. I’ve never really felt guilty about spending the day lounging about in my pajamas and watching trashy television because I knew everyone else was probably doing the same, or using the day to move, or clean, or golf. But boy, did the Norwegians put me to shame. I decided to visit their country during the month of May because I’d often heard what a big to-do their national holiday is. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) comes into town in their finest or in their traditional garb and spends the day watching the parade, celebrating with friends and family, and enjoying the time-honoured custom of eating barbecued hot dogs and ice cream. I was in downtown Oslo on May 17th, Norway’s Constitution Day and it was packed beyond belief. Masses made their way into the city before 10 AM, picked a spot behind the barricades and awaited the parade of children. Get the whole story

Do you remember your grad night? I prefer not to be reminded of mine, but it’s that time of the year again and very soon, tuxedos and prom dresses will be a common sight about town as the graduating classes of 2007 commemorate their release from high school life. Parents may be nervous about the big night, hoping their babies will opt for the chaperoned dry after-grad cruise. But they really don’t have much to worry about. If they think North American kids can get out of control when left to their own devices, their nerves will be alleviated when they learn about the Russ. Get the whole story

Appendix to the Article: “RUSStle Up the Gang. It’s Time to Graduate!”

For an object to be allowed to adorn your Russ hat, the achievement that is represented by the object must be witnessed by any one of the following:

1 member of the Russ board
2 other Russ
3 Parents

If you have 50 or more achievements, your tail is dipped in silver paint.
If you have 70 or more achievements, your tail is dipped in gold paint.
If you cheat with your knots, your tail will be cut off.
If you wash your pants between the 1st and the 17th of May, one of its legs will be cut off.

Some Highlights From the List of Achievements: Get the whole story