And so, today marked my very first bridal shower. It was sun and fun filled - and there were ample doses of sexy lingerie and finger food. Isn’t that what showers are supposed to involve? We got her a gift certificate to Agent Provocateur - and after today I’m certain Barb has more than enough undies to last her a lifetime! Carla concocted a sangria fountain, there were towers of cupcakes, and a gaggle of Barb’s closest girls showed up. Good times and far too many carbs were had by all.

This Thursday, 19 of us of head off to Vegas for her stagette! This will also mark my very first bachelorette party. We’re flying down Thursday morning and plan to go, go, go - right until LATE Sunday! I start my new job on Monday morning as well, so this may well be the first Vegas stagette in history that involves some dose of moderation. Carla - hear that?

Post Vegas we’ll all have a week to recover before the big day! Ben & Barb’s wedding is an all day affair, with multiple ceremonies and then a reception at the Marriott! Now that gives me just under two weeks to figure out how I’m going to get my hair blown out … big choices ahead!

Between now and then I’m occupied entirely by work and play. Jake’s back in Alpharetta Georgia for work, meaning after the work and the play ends, I embarrass myself at home alone in my flow y bra doing Turbo Jam until 4am and surviving off of moderately warm veggie dogs.

Tucked not-so-quietly off the side of Clark Drive in East Vancouver, the Truck Stop Café is a great option for a fast and cheap meal. What the café lacks in feng shui it definitely makes up for in menu selection and no nonsense service.

The menu items spanned the globe – with options ranging from roast beef to chinese noodles to lasagna! The breakfast selections were impressively diverse – and the portions ample. Prices were reasonable. You’re definitely getting trucker diner fare, with prices to match. Coming in under $5 – including tax and tip – is an easy feat.

The bathroom at the TSC left something to be desired – mainly sanitization. We’re assuming that most truckers are accustomed to highway side portapotties. This bathroom was definitely on par. That said, the rest of the restaurant was neat and clean. And there were bursts of decorative flare here and there– including a stuffed big bird doll in the back corner, illuminated trucker themed art, and a dusty old milk shake machine. The neon green menus added a splash of color to the room.

Our service was attentive and our coffees were refilled promptly. Truckers must like to keep to a tight schedule, and most customers seemed to enter, eat, and leave in record speed. There’s no energy wasted here. Forget garnishes, extra smiles, or a good hot sauce selection. The Truck Stop Café keeps to the bare minimum on all counts – but when you’re in the mood for food, fast and simple – this place has got you covered. Sadly, if you are looking to rub shoulders with real live truckers, you’re better off heading to the Husky!

Highlight: Diverse menu selection.
Lowlight: It was too hot and humid!

The whole day was perfect. Markler popped in from Toronto for the event. And we lazed out in the sun between the ceremony and the reception – drinking fine wine and local beer. We ate Portuguese food for breakfast. Vancouver felt much like Albufeira that day.

The reception was held at the Pan Pacific – in the Oceanview Suites. The room had a stunning view of Gastown, the North Shore mountains, and the water. The sun set just as we were having cocktails.

The next morning we took off for Portland – for the requisite Anthropologie stop ‘n’ shop, a quick browse at Powell’s books, and a 5 star meal at VooDoo Doughnut. Everyone loves a big doughnut covered in fruit loops or orange tang. As they say, the magic is in the hole.

A weiner dog, all by his lonesome, being pulled in style by a bike rickshaw, passed us on the street. Portland truly has it all. The old buildings in the city have been magically restored - they are colorful, clean, and bright - and the city really feels like it’s full of energy.

Post Portland we hopped back on the freeway and headed to Welches – which is a teeny tiny little hamlet at the base of Mount Hood (where the Shining was filmed). We stayed at the Whispering Woods Resort – and had a big, beautiful two bedroom townhouse – facing a golf course. We bought $5 Oregon state wine, sunbathed and bbq-ed the day away. Late that night Jake’s parents flew in from Toronto. The next morning we hopped back on the I-5 and headed home.

Jake’s parents drove up to Vancouver a few days after us – and it was great having them come to stay. I discovered a new love of Lysol wipes and sanitized our house before their arrival.

The biggest delight was my companion. I have never, ever, in my life seen Jake so chipper. Not only did he rattle off the entire storyline of the film Alpha Dog (Jake’s never rattled off the storyline of ANYTHING before), but he also described the cheesecake as “delightful vanilla-like cream cakes topped with a heavenly pink goo!” Yes - he used those words. He also suggested that they come up with a “guy version” of high tea - where they serve beer and finger sandwiches and scones. I now know what to get Jake for his birthday.

It was hard to wipe the caffeine and sugar coated smile off his face (and mine as well).

Of course he proceeded to chase his salmon and scones with movie theatre nachos and DC a few hours later.

So far, I’ve found Kits to be the best Vancouver neighborhood to spend a summer in. The music from Zulu wafts up onto our patio - like a hotel summer soundtrack. We can smell the spicy Margaritas sometime. And people watch to our hearts content. Plus, we’re only a few steps from the beach.

I also love how Moule looks under the summer evening light. I love everything about that store - and would love my entire house to look just like it (much to Jake’s dismay) … but there’s something about a summer evening that makes it look even better. I look at it and feel like I’m on vacation.

Before the show I met Jake in Yaletown and we had a wonderful dinner at Goldfish - as recommended by both my boss and my mum. I had a stellar glass of Gehringer Gewurtz .. followed by some squid, some curry, and .. my favourite .. some scallops! Everything is made for sharing! Goldfish is a great addition to the neighborhood, and it really made me wish we still lived there. Le sigh. We’ve crossed the bridge.

Darren and I went out to the bowels of Burnaby to visit our brand new DC. We had an extensive tour, met the team that picks and packs and manages to comprehend our orders, and even saw a groove pant go from measly order screen to a shiny new UPS box.

Our trip was seriously the glamest warehouse experience I’ve ever had. It may have had something to do with the fact that I wore BCBG gold toed stacked heels rather than steel toed warehouse boots, but who’s counting?

Later that day Nic and I ventured off to the Robson store. We made a grand entrance by breaking their incense burner, but it was smooth sailing from there. We were the resident paparazzi that day - snapping product and store images to use wildly later on. Yet again I was impressed with how friendly everyone was, and how much we managed to learn in just a few short hours.

Post lulu we headed to Tiffany’s to visit Nic’s uncle and try on big shiny diamonds. It was clear that anything over $75,000 just looks fake. We got to go in the special room and try on the most expensive of expensive rocks. I learned that Nicole knows everything there is to know about diamonds - she rattled off details like she was Cecil Rhodes!

We also went on a hunt to find Nic a dress for Barb’s wedding. I lucked into a beautiful cobalt Robert Rodriguez piece at Holts - so my wedding ware worries are over. But Nic’s off to Florida for work in mere days and has to have her summer wedding attire in place before she departs! I like our version of stress these days.

The sun was out, for once, and we were mere blocks away from the legendary Mr. Pickwicks Fish and Chips. And so, we sat by the water, watched people jog and bike and rollerblade with far more energy than us, and we indulged in transfatty seafood. A great time was had by all.

I also couldn’t resist taking far too many photos of the apartment monstrosities / delights that dot Pacific and Beach avenue. So much concrete, so little time.

When not cruising the streets of Vancouver in search of custom fit diapers, Neilson enjoys test driving assisted walking devices, having his blood pressure checked and practicing clean eating.

Congrats Neilson, for making it this far in life.