Fabricated

We partnered up with Live Cosmo Calgary last week and were lucky enough to be featured as their guest bloggers/tweeters. Make sure to check out the blog post and follow them on Twitter and Facebook if you don't already! They've got amazing local deals, and daily giveaways. We're also going to be covering some future events for them, so keep your eyes open for details about when and where!

Big shout out to Mike and the rest of the fantastic team at Live Cosmo! Thanks for everything guys, Cheers! 

Taste of Calgary! 2 of 2

Last Friday Jason, my sister and I headed down to Eau Claire to sample a few of the fantastic stands the Taste of Calgary festival had set up. The weather was perfect and we were even luckier to beat the crowds! Jason was the bravest when it came to trying new things, but we did manage to sample a lot. We started off with some Ginger Beer and Jerk Chicken from a Jamaican stand, and then moved onto the very yummy Lounge Burger (conveniently located right across from my apartment!) After that it was some Lamb and Tzatziki Sauce on a pita bread. Turns out we aren't fans of lamb. Moving right along, we headed for the Sushi and Deep Fried Green Tea Ice Cream and some Jugo Juice (things were getting a little wild for my sister's tastes, we needed something a little more regular for her) So, to round off the afternoon we spent the last of our tickets on classics: Perogies, Garlic Sausage and Chocolate Covered Strawberries! All in all, tastiest festival yet!

Jason, eyeing up what the day had to offer

Deep fried Green Tea Ice Cream....

Taste of Calgary! 1 of 2

Here we go again! I think I've missed my calling, or maybe I was a food critic in my past life, because every last bit of The Taste of Calgary was thoroughly enjoyed! I ventured downtown with my famjam (minus Manila) on Saturday after a morning of berry picking (@ Kayben Farm's) and checked out all the different vendors handing out sample sized portions of their most popular concoctions. The very first thing I tried out was the Lounge Burger - AAA Slider, and I was so sad that it was only a slider, I wish i lasted longer than 3 bites. The patty was topped off with grilled onions, cheesy cheese and crispy bacon! Next up was Rick's Grills GINORMOUS rib - DELICIOUS! Enough said. After that we found the China Rose kiosk and picked up some ginger beef, probably the second best ginger beef I've had in the city...I'm pretty critical when it comes to my Chinese food. Almost last, but not least was Caribbean Choice's Jamaican patties, and all I can say is that I'm a big fan. Watch out Joycee's it's a toss up whose are better! The icing on the cake was a white chocolate mousse by La Vita e Bella - YUM. I love white chocolate, and this mousse reminded me why. It was the perfect way to leave my taste pallet. Thanks for the good eats!

Berry Picking @ Kayben Farm's (BEST raspberries!)

Huge crowds @ Eau Claire Market

Get your tickets

Rick's Grill

Caribbean Choice

Chinatown Festival!

Today I spent the afternoon, in the nearly 30 degree heat, enjoying the market and entertainment that the Chinatown community was putting on. I have to admit, this was by far the most different festival I've been to yet! There were so many things I've never seen before. From food, to drinks, to the entertainment, every part of today was a learning experience. There were lots of people in stands along the streets, and just as many had laid their wares down along the sidewalk for everyone to view and buy. There was different foods and small grocery markets to check out, with food I've never seen. My favorite stand was Swoon, though. They sold amazing handmade jewelry that looked so delicate and had the best collection of colorful leather bags. I wanted it all! Everything in the market area was so colorful, and the entertainment didn't disappoint either. Just as colorful, and everything I'd hoped for. For somewhere, right in the middle of downtown, there's a world of difference. If you didn't go this year, you have to next August.

I loved this sign that Swoon had up. And this is a small sampling of their amazing stand! One day, that green bag will be mine!

Salsa Fest!

Free all-you-can-eat salsa?? Say no more, I'm there! The sun was shining, the streets were jam packed and the music was very welcoming, so I rounded up 2/3 of my sisters and was ready to feast. I couldn't believe the amount of people that showed up for this event, all i could think was "OH NO! they're going to eat all my salsa!", but there was plenty to go around. You gotta love the friendly competition between all the different vendors and companies battling to the death for the best salsa in town. There was every kind that you could think of from your most traditional tomato salsa, to a version completely composed of fruit, to a salsa made from cream cheese! You couldn't have asked for a sunnier day, a greater atmosphere, a better crowd nor a vibe more exciting. I have to say, the result was a very full Ivanka! Salsa Fest, we'll see you next year!

Endless sea of humans!

Round One!

Happy Ivanka with her chips and salsa

My sisters and I enjoying the eats!

Fiestaval!

Last weekend I decided to show my younger sister downtown Calgary, since she's never been before. While showing her Stephen Ave. and hoping to show her Olympic Plaza we heard music. Out of the blue we were in the middle of a market! It wasn't until later that I realised we had stumbled upon the Calgary Latin Festival. There were amazing vendors everywhere, and food from all over. The atmosphere was amazing. People dancing, viewing the endless vendor stands and trying all of the tasty, multicultural, food. It was awesome, to say the least, to be suddenly swallowed up among the crowd. We watched the musicians for a while, and got to see some extremely talented dancers. Everyone was so happy and carefree, it was the best possible way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon and I'm so glad my sister got a preview of the amazing Calgary culture.

A Folk Fest Love Affair

Last night Ivanka and I (along with our 2 younger sisters) got into our hippy best and made our way down to Prince's Island Park for the opening night of Folk Fest. First and foremost, we scanned the food vendors. Everything smelled amazing, and there was so much variety! Ivanka picked up some Jamaican patties, and I got a taco dog. It was just as insane as it sounds. Soon after we spread ourselves out under the trees. The weather was perfect for the evening, and we each took turns exploring the grounds. There was a lot of different vendors, from henna, to Cinder and Sage, to Prairie Fairies (they had adorable little tutus and sparkling wings for children). It was also our first time going to Very Hush Hush, which was such a cool idea! The little shop is set up in and around an old Airstream trailer. We settled in to watch Joel Plaskett, and City and Color. Both were amazing, as was the atmosphere. Everyone was so laid back, lounging on the grass or dancing to the music, laughing and enjoying the sunshine. As Dallas Green mentioned a few times, it was great to be in the presence of so many people together just for the simple love of music!

Visit our Facebook page for even more photos from the night!