A Wondrous Weekend

I closed the boutique last Saturday and was a bit hush hush on the reasoning. Not to keep you all in the dark but it was such an exciting weekend I wanted to make sure I got back on the blog horse and wrote about my adventure!

 

As some of you are aware I was an interior decorator and stylist in my former life. Since the conception of arOka I have maintained my passion for décor but fallen much deeper in love with vintage and the endless creativity it brings to a home. My favorite eye candy... an uber modern home with whimsical touches from the past mixed in seamlessly.   

Sixx Design knows modern vintage like no other! 



Earlier this year my dear friend Victoria from Edin's House invited me to join a group called Canadian Design & Lifestyle Bloggers West. While the roster of careers in this group ranges from Interior Designers to Photographers, one thing we all have in common is BLOGGING!

This past week was the Interior Design Show West in Vancouver. The city was buzzing with amazing designers, jaw dropping displays and lots of parties. Four lovely, dedicated ladies from our group, Victoria, Barbara, Nancey & Karla, worked very hard to create a special event for us all called Blend2011.

 Ikea Canada came on board with full sponsorship of the event!

What a treat!! What were we in for? How about a high style cocktail party at the Loden Hotel in Vancouver! Who was going to be there? 50 of us from the group, Ikea Canada of course and just a few of Canada's most talented designers... Suzzanne Dimma, Mark Challen & Vancouver's own Kelly Deck ! WOW!! 

Suzanne Dimma & Mark Challen

Knowing no one at the event other than Victoria, my nerves were easily calmed by all the friendly faces and new friends I made. A tall drink early on helped too. Everyone had the most amazing time! Lots of laughs, amazing food, yummy drinks and the guests were all gorgeous!! A night out like this was a definite treat for me!

Myself, Darryl Bueckert (photographer & the lucky winner of the $1000 Ikea shopping spree), and the lovely Andrea Mills of Ikea Canada

While I didn't formally meet Suzanne, Mark or Kelly I did have casual conversations with each of them, leaving the one on one time for the designers waiting for their turn to chat. On a funny note... I nearly mistaken Mark's drink for my own and really should have had a sip just to say I drank from his straw! LOL Truthfully though they were lovely - super sweet and very down to earth. Everyone had a most amazing time!!

I was so excited to have won a door prize, a beautiful pink jewelry box courtesy of Kerisdale Design. A few of the other door prizes were Delta faucets, original Jewelry by Mo' Funk Designs', Art prints by Tracey Ayton & Nancy Marcus, plus the big one... a $1000 Ikea shopping spree!! Every one of us took home a swag bag filled with amazing gifts from Ikea, Para Paints and many other sponsors.

We were all tweeting up a storm during the Blend! 

After a great night I was super happy I had booked a room at the Loden. My review of the rooms -  amazing! Floor to ceiling windows (I had 2 peek a boo views of the water & North Shore Mountains) modern decor and my favorite, the sliding wall between the bathroom and main area. Having not slept properly for 2 days prior to the event (partially due to excitement and the other house training a puppy) I fell fast asleep in the soft luxurious bedding.

In closing I wanted to say a very special THANK YOU to my darling friend Victoria of Edin's House, Barbara of Hodge Podge, Nancy of Marcus Designs & Karla of Kerrisdale Designs for organizing fantastic event. It was their amazing efforts of coordinating with the sponsors, the hotel and all of us that made this a night to remember. Also I must thank Sari McNamee for sharing the great photos she took (as you've seen here)!

Barbara, Nancey, Suzzanne, Karla & Victoria

Now go enjoy your lovely long weekend Giving Thanks!!

Until next week my dears...gobble gobble!

xoxo Dawna

Creative Curator