BC Family Day Long Weekend

Huevos Rancheros

5 Fun Things To Do This Long Weekend

  1. If you are looking for something to do this BC Family Day long weekend, you don’t have to look far. My longtime bff and I just went for an amazing Sunday brunch at Catch 122 in the Shipyards District. Although they were crazy busy when I called, the hostess set us up on their waitlist using the Open Table app.

While I waited for Mona to pick me up, I received a text letting me know that our table was ready. I was able to select an option that said we’re on our way so that the restaurant would save it for us. I’m so grateful for this system because when we arrived the wait was over an hour.

I ordered their Huevos Rancheros and my gf had their Seasonal French Toast. It looked like a huge piece of cake and was so filling that she took half of it home. Both were delicious and our server, Anna provided us with great customer service.

Seasonal French Toast
Delicious French Toast at Catch 122

2. Go to MONOVA (Museum of North Vancouver) at 115 West Esplanade, just steps from Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus station. They have a wonderful Indigenous exhibit, a beautiful gift shop and are hosting a Family Day Event tomorrow from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Amission is free all day long!

When you are a member you will receive a 10% discount on the merchandise in their gift shop as well as your guests admission to the museum. I purchased Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson‘s Raven Transforming small porcelain dish (shown in the photo below) and the matching platter.

Raven Transforming Kelly Robinson Fine Porcelain Dish
Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson’s Raven Transforming fine porcelain dish

3. MONOVA is also hosting a free virtual Coast Salish Wool Weaving Event tomorrow from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The free tickets are available on EventBrite. The museum made it very easy to register for the tickets and pick up the bracelet making supplies. Tsawasiya Spukwas (Alice Guss), MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmer will be teaching the participants about Coast Salish wool weaving and showing us how to make a wool bracelet. I can’t wait! I registered my Mama and I for the workshop.

MONOVA Coast Salish Wool Weaving Supplies and Event
Coast Salish Wool Weaving Supplies from MONOVA

4. If you love thrift shopping as much as Mona and I, there are 3 shops in Lower Lonsdale that you should check out. First time for both us was Wild Honey Vintage, a curated collection from sisters, Joanie and Sarah. Their boutique is in a cozy space that makes you feel like you’re walking into your friend’s living room.

A block up on Lonsdale, is Hunter and Hare, consignment shop with an assortment of goodies: jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, purses, clothing, candles, essential oils and journals. I didn’t buy anything today, but previously picked up some great barrettes that I wear all the time. If you are following me on Instagram, you’ve seen them. Lol.

Another block up is the Good Stuff Connection thrift shop and clothing program at 154 West 3rd Street. It is operated by North Shore Crisis Services Society, a registered North Vancouver charity that helps women and children escape from domestic violence and abuse.

Mona and I found a lot of great thrifty finds! I bought two pairs of Wild Abandon earrings, terry cloth slippers for Mama, an Ikea bathmat and an R&W scarf. And she got an Alisha Keys CD, black mules and pink jeans.

Wild Abandon Jewelry from the Good Stuff Connection thrift store
Wild Abandon Jewelry from the Good Stuff Connection thrift store

5. And last but not least, a great IG worthy photo background–Fun Alley! It is located right beside Buddha-Full, Lower Lonsdale vegan restaurant.

Fun Alley in LoLo
Fun Alley in LoLo–IG photo must!

The Lunch Lady: Worth the Wait!

Pork Belly & Vermicelli with Spring Rolls

Mama Izumi and I started out our Sunday picking up a pair of Vessis that I found on Facebook Marketplace. Bur we were about to embark on another foodie adventure! Originally, we had discussed going out for Korean, but the FB seller lived near Commercial Drive, so I said, “Let’s go to the Lunch Lady!” and Mamma was like, “Okay!”

The Lunch Lady is nestled in the heart of the Drive at 1046 Commercial Drive in East Vancouver.

Mama is usually game for any kind of restaurant that I suggest. We are foodies and this was our first time which was exciting for both of us. We had tried to dine here before, but the wait for a table was 45 minutes.

Mama Izumi
Mama Izumi – my foodie cohort

Today we were lucky! We found parking right beside the Lunch Lady and although there was a line-up, we arrived 5 minutes before they opened.

An airy space brightly lit, renovated bar and chrome table tops awaited us with a comfortable ambiance, filled with awesome music from artists like Drake. Friendly staff greeted us and served us throughout our meal. We ordered their Beef Pho and Pork Belly with Vermicelli and spring rolls. OMG, the pork belly was full of umami (Japanese for tasty)!

Beef Pho
The Lunch Lady’s Yummy Beef Pho!

Everything was fresh and full of flavour. Mama and I highly recommend the Lunch Lady and will definitely go back.

We would also like to thank Jasmine and all the staff for their attentiveness and great customer service!

Mayumi Izumi - Local Promoter
Mayumi Izumi – Local Promoter, Digital Creator

If you would like to learn more about the Lunch Lady follow them on their Instagram or make reservations on their website.

Mayumi & Mama Izumi’s Foodie Adventures — Fets Whisky Kitchen

Fets Whisky Kitchen

Welcome to my new series, Mayumi & Mama Izumi’s Foodie Adventures! Today marks my first installment and I’m very excited to write about Fets Whiskey Kitchen. It was my second and Mama’s first time at the yummy eatery and bar.

Located in East Vancouver’s Little Italy on ‘the Drive’, Fets is nestled beside Havana and across the street from Grandview Park.

Mama and I ordered their Country Fried Steak and the Cooper’s Breakfast. Fets’ Country Fried Steak is crispy on the outside and the organic meat is moist and tender on the inside — the best I’ve had. It is accompanied by Maker’s Mark Bourbon white gravy, rosemary biscuit & bread, sunny side up egg, hashbrowns (with sauteed onions), and a dash of greens (with pickled onions). Delish!

Fets' Country Fried Steak and Cooper's Breakfast
Fets’ Country Fried Steak and Cooper’s Breakfast

The Cooper’s Breakfast is so tasty that my mouth is watering reliving my memories of it. It is comprised of braised local pork, black beans, sunny egg, and cornbread. All the flavours in both dishes enhance rather than compete with each other. It is gourmet comfort food and my gourmand compliments go to the chef.

Not only am I a foodie, but also a coffee connoisseur. Fets did not disappoint. They serve Western Canadian, Canterbury coffee that is filled with multi levels of roasted flavour notes.

Canterbury coffee at Fets Whisky Kitchen
Canterbury coffee at Fets Whisky Kitchen

A definite must if you haven’t already had the pleasure to nom at this wonderful Commercial Drive restaurant. Besides the yummy eats, the customer service is also top notch and they have a heated patio. Need I say more?

If you would like to learn more about Fets Whisky Kitchen follow them on their Instagram.

I AM Grateful …

I'm Grateful

I am GRATEFUL …

I am grateful for so many things but top of mind — Mama Izumi, Big Sis and a certain someone who has recently come back into my life …

I risk “scaring” him off if he reads this blog BUT I guess that’s the risk I take for expressing my thoughts in the moment.

This moment is sooo delicious too … Leave it to a foodie to describe time with a food adjective. Hahaha … I’ve got my ear buds plugged into YouTube music and Shawn Mendes’ song, “In My Blood” and I’m feeling really happy.

Sooo back to gratefulness and this certain someone … We are supposed to go on a date today. I have the perfect outfit picked out too. My thrifty finds that I purchased from a Facebook Marketplace seller yesterday — sleeveless white & blue blouse that ties in the back with a teardrop opening $5.00 and stretchy jeans with a proper waist $8.00 (I hate low-waisted pants – they give me muffin top – yuck!).

We recently reconnected on Facebook and exchanged numbers and spoke on the phone a couple of times. Almost every time I think about him I get butterflies … Awww … I’m such a girl. Hahaha ….

This blog is going to be short and sweet like ME. I shall end this here for: 1) fear that he will read this and I may reveal TOO MUCH and 2) I will continue this later and let y’all know what happens …

Question is — WILL HE ACTUALLY CALL TODAY …. Fingers crossed, Babes.

Vancouver Is Expensive AF – Thrifting Is My Solution!

What was once just for fun, has turned into a lifestyle and necessity for me. Through one of my Instagram alter egos, Miss M: https://www.instagram.com/missmsthriftyfinds/ – I am your guide to thrifting and share my thrifty finds that I purchase mainly via Facebook Marketplace sellers, but also at my favourite thrift store, Clothes For Change in North Vancouver and various other thrift stores sprinkled throughout our city such as BC SOS Thrift Stores in Steveston.

Thrifting brings me such joy. I plan a whole day around my Facebook Marketplace appointments and make it an adventure! On Saturday, I had two appointments in Port Coquitlam and invited my Mom, Mako to join me in my modern day treasure hunt.

We picked up a NYX eyeshadow palette for $10.00, an IKEA rug for ONLY $5.00, enjoyed lunch at Arisu where the food was so yummy that it immediately became my new favourite Korean restaurant. After lunch we went downstairs and did some grocery shopping at Hanam Supermarket.

The pricing was good at the market, fresh produce AND best of all they have a customer loyalty program in which they reward us with points and exclusive special prices. They gave me 3 key tags so I gave one to my Mom.

Hanam customer service actually recommended sharing their loyalty program with family and friends when they gave me the key tags. Great for sustainability and since Mako would be coming with me it only made sense that we would open just one loyalty account.

Thrift shopping, even if you’re just looking is a great way to spend the afternoon with friends or family. On Sunday, I met up with one of my BFFs and Big Sis, Mona on Commercial Drive in the heart of Vancouver thrift.

We went to Miscellany Finds for the first time and it is a huge store with lots of great thrifty finds! And the best part we didn’t spend a dime. A truly thrifty experience – we were just window shopping …