February is Apple Month and to celebrate BC Tree Fruits hosted a party at Home Tasting Room. BC Tree Fruits is owned by local grower families and provides expertise in promoting, packaging and transporting. Even across provincial borders, most Calgarians will recognize the green leaf sticker with the bold red BC in the centre. It's not quite buying local, but in the
absence of our own Okanagan it will do. 

The evening included debate over which apple varietal was the best.
There are more than 8,000 internationally with BC Tree Fruits
specializing in 14. Who knew heated conversation could happen over the Braeburn versus the Nicola. Check out bctree.com for apple tasting notes. The knowledge will make you feel sophisticated while biting into the juicy fruit. I'm partial to the Honeycrisp,
which might have just as much to do with the name as the flavour and
texture. I'm also a fan of the Ambrosia, which is a BC creation and
quickly becoming the most popular of the apples — as a bonus the sweet
snacker browns less quickly when exposed to air, which is good news for
vain apple eaters like myself. 

The Apple Month event was also an education in the many ways to prepare the fruit. It may win the award for most versatile fruit with extra points for lasting through the winter.

Put it in a cocktail like this one with sparkling wine, Hennessy and apple juice.

Or in small spoonfuls of apples and beets with marinated cucumber and mozzarella.

Or the classic combo of pork and applesauce.

The best thing about apples how easy a fruit it is. You can throw it in your purse for a quick snack. It stores well and it is an easy addition to plenty of recipes. Spend a few minutes researching the apple's virtues and you too will be wooed by its awesomeness. No wonder both Eve and Snow White were lured by it.

Being the experts that they are, BC Tree Fruits has an online library of apple-centric recipes including my favourite the Apple Pancake Puff. This recipe is one of those dishes that is simple to make, but impresses any guest. It also makes a lovely breakfast in bed for Valentine's Day.

Apple Pancake Puff

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup butter

2 apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 cup all purpose flour

1 Tbsp ground flax seed

1 Tbsp white sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch salt 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Celsius. Prepare cake pan by lining with parchment paper or greasing well.

Microwave brown sugar and butter to melt. Pour into bottom of pan.

Arrange apple slices or rings decoratively over the brown sugar mixture.

Whisk egg, milk and oil. In separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, flax seed and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix well.

Pour batter carefully over apples.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until slightly golden and cooked through.

Happy Apple Month!  

Dashing English singer-songwriter Charlie Winston just finished his Canadian tour with a show in Vancouver. While he ate breakfast at 3:00 in the afternoon (such is life on the road), I joined him to talk about his prolific songwriting, how Canada reminds him of Ireland and why he chops up his favourite designer sweaters.

Kelsey Dundon: You've got quite a following overseas but in Canada many people are hearing about you for the first time. How would you introduce yourself?

Charlie Winston: That's tough because my style is so varied. In my song "Boxes" I talk about how I don't want to be put in a box because that takes away the fun. I'd hate to write within a niche. But I think the most important element of my sound is my voice, it's the one constant.

KD: You've worked with Peter Gabriel, you've written a sort of love song to Beethoven, needless to say your influences are varied. What are you excited about now? What's on your iPod?

CW: Let's see -- Jono McCleery, Bon Iver, Black Keys, Feist, Little Dragon, and M83.

KD: What's your favourite part of the process -- writing, recording or performing?

CW: Definitely writing. It's the bit which is the most mine, it's the most personal. To write is to get all those ideas out and encapsulate them so they can be explored by other people. I very rarely play my songs for myself. I guess when a dream's been realized it's dead. When I started recording this album I went to the studio with 27 songs and I had to be quite cutthroat about which ones I threw away.

KD: Vancouver is the last stop on your tour through the Great White North. Has Canada surprised you?

CW: I like that Canada's schizophrenic with the French and the English -- in some ways it felt like two different tours. Canadians have a general friendliness, it reminds me a lot of touring through Ireland, actually, people make you feel welcome. I'm surprised by how much my popularity is growing in Quebec, Montreal and Toronto. To play sold-out shows here was a pleasant surprise.

KD: What's the story behind your signature half-undone tie?

CW: I love fashion, I've even thought about starting a fashion line one day. I guess I like that you can wear plain block colours and add a little fun with ties so I started wearing them with everything. I cut these holes in my shirts myself. I cringe when I cut up my really expensive sweaters, but I do it anyway.

Charlie Winston Running Still is available from Universal.

Third photo by Andrew Gura.

After reading Derek Blasberg's new book, Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, we began to ask ourselves "would a lady do this?" before we made any moves. So we loved the opportunity to sit down with him and ask a few questions about being classy in Vancouver.

Vitamin Daily: It rains a lot in Vancouver, does a lady wear a raincoat or carry an umbrella?

Derek Blasberg: I love a raincoat. I love a trench coat. I think every woman should have a trench coat in their closet, a trench coat can hide a multitude of sins. I also think a trench coat can be thrown over jeans to go to the deli, and over a cocktail dress when you go out at night. I am the biggest proponent of the trench coat, which is why you can invest in a good one. You want it tailor fitted, with the right armhole. You don't want to look like Inspector Gadget or Columbo. A good trench coat is a good thing to have around.

Vitamin Daily: Vancouver was recently named second worst dressed city in the world...

Derek Blasberg: Because of Lululemon?

Vitamin Daily: Yes, because of the yoga pants. Where is it acceptable to wear yoga pants?

Derek Blasberg: In yoga class!

Vitamin Daily: Anywhere else?

Derek Blasberg: You know what is funny, I read that when I was researching Vancouver. In New York, I go to some gyms, and it is actually the reverse. You get girls in tube tops and clear bra straps, itty-bitty shorts that don't leave a lot to the imagination...Full faces of makeup. There is a whole chapter in my book about what is appropriate to wear to the gym and what isn't. When I think about Lululemon, I think, I wish there were more yoga pants in New York than Daisy dukes and tube tops and the hooker gym look. To be honest, I think there is a fine line between a very messy yoga pant look and something that is more structured and cute. I have seen some cute leisure wear, and I have seen some messy, dirty, baggy, sloppy yoga wear. I think a lot of people confuse comfortable with not very well thought out. You can still be comfortable and wear something that looks good, feels good, fits well. Comfortable does not equal sloppy. It is the same thing at the airport. I have seen some devastating outfits...

Vitamin Daily: You talk a lot about dinner etiquette in your book, and in Vancouver we eat a lot of sushi and do a lot of sharing plates in restaurants. Is there any etiquette when you are sharing plates?

Derek Blasberg: Don't be a piggy. Sharing is caring. My biggest pet peeve when having dinner with several people is the one who whips out their cell phone. That's more important than leaving the last egg roll for me... One of the things I say in the book is that person to person interaction is now so rare. I understand the attraction of being on your phone all through dinner, I suffer from it too. If my phone goes off, if I hear the beep, my instincts are to check it immediately. But I really make the effort to spend some quality time with friends. Also, if you don't know how to use chopsticks, don't be embarrassed, ask for a fork.

Vitamin Daily: Vancouver has a reputation for having a lack of men, so there are a lot of single woman. Is it acceptable to flirt using social media?

Derek Blasberg: There is a fine line between flirting, making plans, and I don't think it is inappropriate for a girl to ask a guy out... I think the problem with online interaction with the opposite sex, or the same sex, if that is what you are into, is when it crosses the line into indecency. First of all, no one should be taking nudie pictures of themselves unless it is with a real camera, a real airbrush, some digital retouching... Times change, the proactive bird gets the worm. Actually, that is probably a terrible analogy. I think it is very modern for girls to ask boys out, but when it comes to the online stuff, you shouldn't put anything out there that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see. Don't say it, don't send it.

Vitamin Daily: For our readers with kids, do you have any tips on being a lady with small children in tow?

Derek Blasberg: I am at that age where a lot of my girlfriends have babies, and I love being that surrogate uncle, where you can spoil them, and then say goodnight! There are so many tips on being a yummy mummy, and I often feel it is inappropriate telling young mothers to make time for themselves because I know the constraints and I know the stress of raising a child. It is like that Jackie Kennedy quote "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much." The classiest thing you can do is be good mother, even if that is having more yoga and sweat pant days than you like to, then make sure your nails are clean and your hair isn't too dirty... a little mascara goes a long way. I don't think a stressed mother wants to hear my opinion, but I really do think, that if you can make a little bit of time for yourself, then if you feel good you look good. You don't need to get your hair done every day or get a weekly pedicure, but if you make time for yourself, you make better time for your child.

Last Thursday night, Edmonton enthusiasts gathered at Metro Cinema's Garneau Theatre (remember when Metro moved in?) for Edmonton's NextGen Pecha Kucha Night 12 (the name means "chit chat" in Japanese, where the 20-slide X 20-second-per-slide speech format originated) to hear 10 speakers, experts in their fields, talk about ideas - like street fashion, local shopping and dining, winterizing Edmonton, creative politics, U2 fanatics (seriously), and the longevity of bread. That, paired with the Media Camp Edmonton conference I attended at Edmonton's World Trade Centre on Saturday, has made for a pretty inspiring few days.

An outstanding talk at #PKN12 was given by local photographer Leroy Schulz, who shared the tale of Miguelito's Little Green Car - a project that's taken him all over the world, photographing anyone from celeb status to the homeless, each holding his nephew, Miguelito's, little toy car. Above, Schulz photographs Jack Layton. Below, Duchess Kate. These two subjects should be considered "elite" participants; however, the project itself destroys the notion of "elite" in its very being. No matter who you are, we are all connected through time and space (as the website says, "One seven-year-old boy, one little toy car, one small world... and a whole lot of interconnectedness to be established").

Here is Schulz's shot of Kate Middleton holding Miguelito's car during the Royal Canadian tour last summer, in Slave Lake, AB. 

Through an amazing, arobatic display (um-- it's time to go to yoga class!) and few words, this "talk" focused on the body and the importance of touch (ie. Touching the 21st Century).

And with a vision to grow local, buy local, and eat local, Community Organizer Michael Walters dicussed the possibility of Edmonton sustaining it's own food economy by utilizing the farm land just north of Edmonton.

Fashion blogger and stylist Janis Galloway of Dress Me Dearly joined me in the chit-chat fun (we just had to see Erin Monaghan of Edmonton street style blog, The Vestiary, talk about street fashion). We were just two of over 500 people who attended that night, and we couldn't be more excited to join in curating a vision for this city. Join the conversation at PKN13 - you've got 12 months to sculpt your vision.

We caught up with designer Mark Fast, one of the Canadian stars of London fashion, in Paris last weekend!

We've got the details on his pop-up shop happening in Vancouver this weekend (you'll want to be there!) as well as Mark's take on his collection, the celebrities who wear it, and what's inspiring him right now.

With the Faster pieces being quite sexy and revealing, how does a woman style it for winter?

One of the best things you can do is to layer different deniers of tights under the pieces themselves. For example, because the knit is open, you can layer up a hot pink tight underneath the tights we have.

What's inspiring you right now?

I am inspired by collaborating with current artists. There are a bunch of collaborations that are happening at the moment, which I can't talk about, but its the dream scenario of working with Hollywood actors and designers that I have always wanted to work with is coming to fruition. I am really excited to be taking some stuff off the catwalk, and bringing them into a different stage-like setting.

You've had a lot of celebrities support your brand. Is there a particular celebrity that
really represents Mark Fast?

My work is like a chameleon, it blends into different lifestyles and different artists. The clothes sculpt into the characters... Nicky Minaj is an inspiration, Kylie Minogue. And I am really inspired by Jen Brill (photographer's agent and Chanel ambassador) from New York, she's got that intelligence, that hard edge, but also she is really fun. She knows how to style a garment, work it, and just be natural and effortless with her style.

Tell us a bit about the collection selling in Vancouver.

A lot of the Faster pieces are quite classic and seasonless because it is more about the body and being body conscious. They feature intricate stitches, lace up on the side, and are quite revealing. I describe my Faster range as Wolford on acid.

Pick up some pieces from the Mark Fast Faster range this Friday from 4pm to 9pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the “Try and Buy” event at the Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver. Cash only. Prices are 50 per cent off regular retail and range from $80 for a pair of signature cut out tights to $350 for a dress.

www.fasterbymarkfast.net

How's this for an enticing scene on a dreary January day?

The new Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale got around the city's strict building colour palettes (restricted to desert neutrals) by painting in the colour palette of the local wildflowers and cacti. 

The lobby and lounges are set-decked with locally sourced vintage cowboy art.

Destrito, the Mexican restaurant, features brightly-painted Mexican day-of-the-dead skull candle holders (which we picked up in the local tourist shops for $5).

Vintage Western novels are on the bedside tables while the bright colour scheme extends to the beautiful throw blankets.

Cocktails made with fresh fruit are the order of the day at the hotel's Old Town Whiskey Bar.

Although this was technically Christmas decor, it sure summed up our stay.

The Saguaro, 4000 N Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale Blvd., AZ, 480-308-1068, www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/saguaro

For our Scottsdale dining itinerary, please click here.

Chinese New Year doesn't officially kick off until Monday, but the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre started the party early this weekend. Actually they have been working up to it for a while. Ice carvers from Heillongjiang, China were in town this past week chipping away at ice cubes to create beautiful sculptures. The bears, bulls and dragons are all the more impressive if you remember that the carvers were outside working on ice when the temperature topped out at -30. The luck of the dragon is already upon us, because you can go see the sculptures now when the temperature is above zero.

Inside the centre were dancing girls, a market with crafts, jewellery, kumquat trees and more.

Before I left I put a message for the upcoming year on the wishing wall and looked up one more time at the ceiling on the centre.

Edmonton's Fork Fest is in full swing, and if you've been looking to try out a new local restaurant, now's the time (until January 26th)! Participating restaurants are offering full multi-course meals and specialty menus for a set price of either $25 or $45.

The foodie hot spots this week include the Royal Coach Dining Room at the Chateau Louis Hotel, A Cappella Catering, Accent Restaurant & Lounge, The Blue Pear Restaurant, Blue Plate Diner, Jack's Grill, Parkallen Restaurant (fine Lebanese cuisine), Sabor Divino Restaurant, Wild Tangerine, and lastly, D'Lish Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar, which I highly recommend (see their Fork Fest menu here).

D'Lish (pictured) is owned and operated by Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 honouree and YWCA Women of Distinction Award winner Amanda Babichuk, who's d'Lishious life motto is "Groove. Taste. Sip. Love." I'll take a dose of that.

An intimate group of Vancouver's media elite gathered at Save-On-Meats last Wednesday for a private screening of Gastown Gamble, the new show documenting the trials and tribulations of restoring a butcher shop and diner in Canada's poorest Postal Code. Funny, wry, stylish and inspiring, don't miss tonight's premiere: 6:30 PST/9:30EST on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Nothing like a serious challenge to kick off the year, at least that's what I thought when I registered for my first half-marathon (yikes!). With less than a month to go, here's the running gear that has been helping me get race ready:

The Phillips Wake Up Light
Getting out of bed at 6:30am is never nice but it is ten times worse when you know it will be dark out for at least another two hours. Thirty minutes before your actual wake up time, the clock slowly fills your room with light calibrated to mimic the sunrise—so much more peaceful than being ripped from sleep by a jarring alarm plus this light therapy will have you feeling ready and energized for the day. $119.99 at www.londondrugs.com

Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve
I swear by this long-sleeved tee . Not only does it wick away any moisture but it somehow stays smelling fresh even after a sweat-filled interval training session. Great alone or as a base layer. $68 at www.lululemon.com

iPod Nike + GPS app
Since I am new to marathon training I wasn't so sure about committing to a super fancy (and seriously hard-core) GPS enabled watch. Instead I loaded the Nike+GPS app on my iPhone to track my time, distance and pace while running. Automatic syncing to www.nikerunning.com allows you to have a look at your runs online, breaks down your time per km and connects you with other runners. And, for those who enjoy a little competition, you can play tag with your friends. Simply challenge a friend to race (distance or time) and get your app in gear! $1.99 at www.itunes.com

The Sport i-20 Armpocket
I absolutely hate carrying anything in my hands while running. Lightweight and made from water-resistant fabric (essential in Vancouver!), the Sport i-20 Armpocket is big enough to carry my iPhone, keys and debit card when I'm out clocking some klicks. $29.95 at www.armpocket.com

Blue Monkey Pure Coconut Water
The idea of chugging a fluorescent-coloured drink after running isn't that appealing to me (pretty sure those colours aren't found in nature) but Blue Monkey's Pure Coconut Water sure is. High in natural minerals and electrolytes, this is great way to naturally hydrate your hardworking body and prepare it for another day of pounding the pavement. $2.19/520 ml can at Choices. —Kelsey Mulyk