IDS West and Blend 2012



A week ago I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the International Design Show West, held in Vancouver from Sept 27-30 at the Vancouver Convention Center. It was a quick trip as I was and still am up to my eyeballs in teaching stuff. The highlight was listening to Tommy Smythe, my Canadian design idol, and to see the Aya Kitchens {my sponsor of my trip to Blogpodium} booth designed by Kelly Deck Design.

First up, listening to Tommy Smythe speak was a dream come true! He is hilarious to listen to and full of fabulous design ideas. He shared "how to live large while living in a small space". Many of his tips you could easily use even in a large space! I was thrilled to finally meet him and hear him talk about all things design and inbetween.

{I apologize in advance to grainy iPhone photos}






I then quickly walked through the many booths at IDS West, but the Aya Kitchens booth caught my eye! The Kelly Deck Design team knocked my socks off with the most delicious kitchen imaginable. Full of marble, sleek countertops, putty coloured cabinets and touches of brass, this kitchen was out of the world. It makes my shabby circa '90's oak kitchen look so sad......









Then the highlight of the day was Blend 2012! An event that I, along with Nancy, Karla, Victoria and Danielle had been busy organizing over the summer. Sponsored by Ikea Canada, it was a fabulous night! Held at the St. Regis Hotel, we were wined and dined throughout the night. Socializing with the most amazing group of bloggers throughout the night was the icing on the cake. We have an amazing group of encouraging and supportive bloggers here in western Canada! 

And the surprise guests of honour were, Tommy Smythe, Suzanne Dimma and Mark Challen from Canadian House and Home! {Of course I knew they were coming but it was a treat nonetheless!}












 Mark Challen, Suzanne Dimma, Nancy, myself and Tommy!

 The fabulous Tommy Smythe, Nancy and I!


Fabulous door prizes. I won artwork from Nancy


 Swag from Ikea!


I am so looking forward to next year's event! And with my crazy teaching life, where I am up at 4 AM because my head is reeling, I so need a diversion.

XO Barbara

18 comments

  1. wow...looks like such a fantastic time! And that kitchen...sigh...that is my dream kitchen.

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  2. Wonderful re-cap Barbara! Thank you sooooooo much for planning this event and giving me a wonderful excuse to come on out to Vancouver. It was delightful meeting all of you Ladies. Can't wait to see you again ;)

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  3. Looks like you ladies threw quite the swanky party! How awesome you got some alone time with Tommy :) Wish I was there.

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  4. Love the recap, Barbara! Thank you so much for everything you did to make this event happen for all of us... There are moments in life that you always remember, and this is truly one of them. Thank you so very much! Hugs, and here's to you getting some sleep sometime soon! XO

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  5. Great recap Barbara! You guys pulled off an amazing event - so a big Thank you! It was great to meet you and I look forward to next year!
    Heather

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  6. It was fantastic. Loved re-living it just now. Thanks Barbara!! I hope I can come again next year!!

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  7. Once again...thank you, thank you, thank you to you and the other gals for your hard work in organizing this amazing event. It's the height of my September, ranking even above my birthday. ;) I wonder if we could find a non-design blogger photographer that would capture our Blend event and would do it for food, wine and swag and great company! lol. I must be dreaming....Great recap!

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  8. Isn't Tommy an awesome speaker!? I secretly want him to be my best friend...

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  9. So glad you had a great time! It looked like so much fun! I'd love to go to something like that sometime:) that aya kitchen is STUNNING!

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  10. Thanks to you and your ahh-mazing fellow BLEND 2012 organizers, I felt like a celebrity for a day - VIP status, sharing laughs with Tommy, wearing a non-puked on party dress, etc. SUCH a great venue to meet other bloggesses for my very first time.
    Thanks again Barbara for being so kind and inclusive and putting on one helluva good partay! See you next year ;)
    xo

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  11. Wow! What a great weekend :) Hope I can make it next time!!

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  12. How fun. I can see how this would be a welcome change for you. Nice swag.

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  13. GASP! I forgot to mention you in my "special thanks" for BLEND! And after reading this, I will now thank Danielle! No idea she was behind it as well! (see updated blog post for that!) Thanks again, and I have to say, your detail pics of the Kelly Deck kitchen made me feel like I was there! Thanks for the great event!

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  14. I agree! What an amazing evening you and the others planned. I was pleased to be able to attend. I felt a little out of my element not knowing anyone, but it was fun. Im amazed at the work you and then others put into this. Thank you so much.

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  15. Looks like IDS West did it again this year. I'm patiently waiting for our version, IDS 2013 in Toronto. The event at the St. Regis looked like a blast and getting to talk to Tommy would definitely be a highlight for me too! Hopefully you have recovered by now :)

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  16. so much fun!! I'm so jealous of you ladies at the west coast! The kitchen by Kelly Deck is to die for! Love those bocci pendants and I will have to get one in my house soon! Brass and more Brass ... I'm officially obsessed!!

    Blend is just a great event and so proud of you Barb!! Big congrats for the success and great turn out with Tommy, Suzanne, and Mark all on the attendee list!

    xo

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  17. Thanks for the recap Barb!!! I know that Kelly's kitchen was amazing, I'm just glad you showed other parts of the show AND the blend as I hadn't seen any other pics of it. Everyone looked fabulous ...... especially you, as always. Looking forward to next years!!!!!

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  18. You captured great shots of the night! I loved seeing Tommy there, whatta guy! Xo

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