The Dente Princes

Stephanie Chan August 30, 2014

Better late than never, I invited Maria and her family out to Centennial to fulfill my end of the bargain from last year's head shaving: mini session for anyone who donated $200+ for the Change Your Hair Change Your Life Fundraiser. Had a riot with these three naughty but very handsome scoundrels.

Marcellus, Alessandro and Little Ilario below.

I can't believe it's been yet another year since last year's end of summer light: so beautiful, milky and full of lively colour.

Thank you once again to the Dentes for their generous donation that helped make last year's fundraiser such a success.

Celebrating International Women's Day at Project Bloom

Stephanie Chan March 8, 2014

Happy International Women's Day!

Project Bloom started here in Delta in 2009, set in motion by two local ladies, Kathie Madden and Chrissie Bowker. In celebration of International Women's Day, they wanted to host an event that would help other business-women in the area to network and find support within their community. Their first Project Bloom was a success! In addition to building connections, a sense of camaraderie and, ultimately, friendships between like-minded women, the swell of positive energy helped evolve Project Bloom into a Fundraising Event! The proceeds go towards local issues and necessities, this year's recipient being The Delta Hospital Foundation.

Yesterday's Project Bloom took place at Harris Barn in Ladner. I have driven passed the beautifully restored barn on a weekly basis since its completion last May, always imagining the warmth and openness of its interior. 3 Days ago, one of my dearest friends, Emily, texted me, asking if I could get a sitter to join her at Project Bloom on the Friday. I had just finished reading the article in the paper earlier that day and I was in! My mom took the kids overnight on Thursday, leaving me free to enjoy this amazing event for the entire day! This was our very first CHILD-FREE date together and what better way to spend it than being surrounded by other amazing business women, listening to the inspiring stories of successful ladies, and enjoying uninterrupted coffee, tea, wine, and lunch!

This year's guest speakers were corporate entertainer and impersonator Tracey Bell and 23 year old singer Ali Milner. Both ladies were interviewed by Keri Adams, journalist and co-anchor from CTV News Vancouver.

Now that you have a little background on this fantastic event, please enjoy some of the highlights of the 6th Annual Project Bloom!

*The one and only Rob Lowe and his two assistants from Stir Coffee House in Ladner, hosting the tea and coffee bar.*

Harris Barn.  Interior from Second Floor. — *Harris Barn. Interior from Second Floor.*

*Vintage Barrels and Door Tabletops from Greystone Rentals*

Keri Adams and first guest speaker Tracey Bell.  Decor by Greenscape Design & Decor.  Furniture custom upholstered for Project Bloom by Turtlenina. — *Keri Adams and first guest speaker Tracey Bell. Decor by Greenscape Design & Decor. Furniture custom upholstered for Project Bloom by Turtlenina.*

*Table Linens and Napkins by Turtlenina*

*Eran Sudds from eran jayne photography*

*Tanya from Buggy Babies Fitness & Yoga*

*Emily of Greystone Rentals and Sarah Kelloway from the South Delta Leader*

*Gathering for interview and singing with Ali Milner.*

Ali Milner.  Singer/Songwriter. — *Ali Milner. Singer/Songwriter.*

Natasha Frankowski of Greenscape  Design & Decor — *Natasha Frankowski of Greenscape Design & Decor*

Bloom. Thank you to all the amazing people that helped to make this day happen. One of the things I will be taking away is the importance of women supporting one another and working together rather than being each other's worst enemies as we often have the potential to be. This truly inspirational event could not have been a continued success otherwise! I am looking forward to the relationships that will have come from this event and can hardly wait to attend next year's Project Bloom!

Cheers and good luck to all in 2014.

To my dearest gal, Emily, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of this amazing day. I can safely say I made a good choice when I picked up your husband, Mike, at the park and gave him my number for playdates. Who would have known that we would become the friends we are today! You have been a source of kindness, support, and delicious food and I look forward to being part of your growth and and future success! Thank you for everything.

Annual Women's Tea with SCI BC

Stephanie Chan February 18, 2014

It was a nasty and windy downpour of a Sunday in Vancouver, but inside Main Street's Heritage Hall, a special group of women were gathered around tables, dry, cozy, warm and enjoying hot tea and mini sandwiches. Spinal Cord Injury BC held their Annual Women's Tea where women of all ages and wakes of life that live with spinal cord injuries or complications were pampered and served for an entire afternoon. This year's theme was Hollywood/Oscars and the women of SCI BC did a fantastic job with their props, decor and their slideshow of old school Oscar Winning movies!

Lovely teas provided by local Bayswater Tea Co.

Relaxing Massages by Marisa + Ren

Make-Up and Hairstyling courtesy of Students and Graduates of Blanche MacDonald

Two musicians graced us with their talent. Kristina Shelden performed for the first time since her spinal cord injury which affected her ability to play.

Sylvi MacCormac, has been performing and composing soundscapes since diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her early 20's. Many of her compositions have been published in the Canadaian Music Centre and Canadian Electroacoustic Community and she is the creator of WHEELS Soundscapes: Voice of People with Dis Abilities at the Vancouver Adapted Music Society.

The amazing ladies of SCI BC

A few goodies from the photo booth!

As you can see, a great time was had by all! I love being part of this event. It is so uplifting to be surrounded by women who struggle on a day to day basis with the fluid mobility that many of us take for granted, to be in awe of their strength, humbled by their vulnerability and melted by their joyful smiles. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and know that this tight knit community has great support both from and thanks to SCI BC.

15 Minutes: Charlene & Karl

Stephanie Chan November 29, 2013

Doo doo doo, plugging along! Just received the remaining orders of postcards from the first weekend of Holiday Sessions which means tomorrow is a PACKAGING DAY. We had to reschedule one family on the Sunday due to a flu so I had a small pocket of time available between families. My cousin Charlene from my mom's side of the family was another one of the few people that donated $200 to the Change Your Hair Change Your Life Fundraiser which landed her a 15 Minute session with The Pauhaus.

SO appropriate that we got her in on these BLUE backed sessions since her favourite colour is blue and has been blue for as long as I have known her. AND, it's her birthday party tomorrow which has been themed THE BLUE PARTY! Nothing better than having some new photos to flaunt on ya berthdayyyy!!!

Her partner Karl joined the fun and after getting her to laugh during a few portraits, he was brought into the picture for some quick couples shots!

I LOVE THIS PHOTO.

Two Outtakes.
Left: "Do you like my new sweater?"
I asked Karl to hold up his sweater just to see how it would contrast against the backdrop

Right: "Whatever shall we have for dinner tonight?"
Charlene's contact fell out mid pose turning this shot into a much more artsy image

Thanks to both of you for making the treck all the way out to T-Town from your fast-paced city life! And of course, a huge thank you to Char for supporting me and my family through the years. Thank you for coming out to the fundraiser. I truly appreciated the effort and kindness of every single person that was able to be there for such an important day.

See you guys tomorrow night!

XO

At The Races with SCI BC

Stephanie Chan October 5, 2013

Last weekend I joined the members of SCI BC for their Great Gatsby themed event at Hastings Race Track. I first met Shelley through a mutual friend, Altaira, who asked if I would do a photobooth for their Annual Ladie's Tea earlier this year at The Heritage Hall on Main Street, Vancouver.

This event was so heart-warming and inspiring. For one lovingly planned afternoon, ladies living with the challenges of spinal cord injuries and complications were pampered from the head to toe from the inside out. Delicious food and drinks were served throughout the day. There were a few talks, a special wheelchair yoga demonstration was given, there was a henna table set up, a massage station, and a makeover section where ladies could all go to get their makeup and hair done. The energy in the hall was incredible. I was so humbled and grateful to be able to donate my services to capture all the smiling faces from this special day.

I have never been to the race track before and it was a lot more fun than I had expected! Definitely planning to get some friends together to do this again, though probably in the summer months! The weather was soggier than we were hoping for but this did not dampen anyone's spirits. We had a good turnout in spite of the rain and we were lucky to have a 45 minute window where it stopped while we were given the opportunity to present flowers to the winner!

It has been a pleasure to help in my own little way for SCI BC. Moreso because one of my closest cousins had a spinal cord injury at the very young age of 14. She was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, doing vigorous physio here in Vancouver, far from her home in Williams Lake, before she gained enough strength and mobility to walk with the use of crutches. I do not remember hearing about them way back then, but I am overjoyed to know that they do exist and that they provide both great support and fun events for those living with spinal cord injuries.

Please check out their website at www.sci-bc.ca

Thanks again to Shelley and SCI BC for allowing me to be a part of this event! Look forward to working with you guys again!