Welcome to my Miffycore era! I’ve recently been enjoying the warm weather (nod to #TheCollapse) and a variety of cute activities in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Read on to see my coverage of the opening of the Vancouver Hello Kitty Cafe, sunset cocktails at Fairmont Empress Victoria, the Furiosa press premiere, and a slide down Malahat Skywalk!

It’s fun to see younger generations getting into Miffy, as I’ve been stanning her for years. These days, I see more people sporting character goods featuring the Dutch bunny — like this adorable t-shirt from Miffy UK shop (which I cropped)!

I can’t get enough of Dick Bruna’s round, minimalist, kawaii designs (although Miffy is from the Netherlands, not Japan — she predates Hello Kitty!)

I styled my Miffycore outfit with accessories sent by Miffytown in Williamstown, Kentucky. I hope to visit Miffytown one day: it’s an interactive experience where you can play, shop, and explore her whimsical world.

I paired my black-and-white outfit with this glamorous Eugenia Kim Mirabel hat. Perfect for a luxe beach getaway, the Mirabel is a wide-brim sunhat with a dramatic retro-glam downturned brim and ivory satin ribbon with tail. Eugenia Kim is known for her hand-crafted, high-end millinery: this is made from lacquered straw and has UPF 50+ protection.

The Eugenia Kim Mirabel sun hat comes in various colors (see below), but I love the black one because it channels the one worn by Audrey Hepburn in iconic photos!

As temperatures rise, I’ll need to drink lots of water — and this metal water bottle from Miffy UK shop helps me stay hydrated in style. (Plus, it doesn’t contain any microplastics, my current nemesis.) Their “Hey” grey Miffy tshirt is also a delight, and the cotton fabric is light and cozy (and plastic-free).

I’ll be carrying around these Miffy accessories in my large Miffytown tote bag — isn’t she a beauty? It is by DutchTapestries; they preserve the ancient art of weaving through modern jacquard designs, like this beautiful carryall bag. (Miffy photos by Joey Wong.)

Speaking of cuteness… the Hello Kitty Cafe in Vancouver opened at last! BC’s new Hello Kitty Cafe invited me to a private preview before the official opening on May 17. Look who greeted me at the door — the Japanese mouthless cat herself.

We Goth girls represented Kuromi (the Sanrio devil character) at the press preview. The Vancouver Hello Kitty Cafe has two floors of kawaiicore decor, special merch, and the cutest sweet treats.

Even the bathroom is done up Kitty-style. If you’re a lifelong Sanrio fan like Mujitsu and me, get over here! (Adress 1274 Robson Street at Jervis in downtown Vancouver.)

Please watch our Instagram video of the Hello Kitty private preview. You can see what the space is like, and what’s inside our gift bags.

So many pink spaces for photo ops. The Vancouver Hello Kitty Cafe sells special edition Canadian merch as well, such as clear folders, magnets, and crop tops.

You can nom on Hello Kitty themed sweets like taiyaki ice cream, cakes, and lattes. Would you visit the first Canadian Hello Kitty theme cafe, in Vancouver?

Then, I hopped over to Victoria, BC with my friends Sancho and Drew for a long weekend. We went to the Fairmont Empress Hotel to try Sunset Sips: playful cocktails served in teapots at golden hour!

The Fairmont Empress Victoria hotel is known for its elegant afternoon tea, and Sunset Sips feels like the Mad Hatter took over the Lobby Lounge for the night.

As you watch the sun dip into the harbor, nibble on tuna tiradito, blue Qualicum cheese, BC smoked salmon and other fine snacks on tiered plates.

We adored the original cocktails made by the award-winning bar, like Tiffany’s Breakfast (Empress 1908 gin with chamomile and marmalade infusions). The staff even concocted an older recipe, The Concord, special for me (above — it contains mezcal, Giffard creme de violette, Luxardo maraschino, and lemon juice).

What a treat to enjoy tea-inspired craft cocktails and desserts at this classic hotel overlooking the water.

Would you try this intoxicating twist on afternoon tea? Sunset Sips at The Fairmont Empress in Victoria “ate!”

My friends and I also drove 40 minutes north for an amazing outdoor adventure at Malahat Skywalk. Take an accessible TreeWalk through the forest to a 250m tall spiral tower… and then dare to slip down the long spiral slide!

On the way, Sancho and I spotted driftwood critters like the contestants did on The Amazing Race Canada, which filmed here. (Watch my video on IG @lacarmina about our Malahat Skywalk adventure, including footage of me whizzing down the metal slide!)

From the top of the open-air tower, you get stupendous views of Vancouver Island, the surrounding water, isles and mountains… reminding you why the West Coast is the best coast.

Malahat Skywalk also has a SkyWalk Shuttle with direct transport from downtown Victoria, making it a perfect half-day excursion. I hope you get the opportunity to come and take in these sweeping nature views from up high.

Finally, I was honored to be invited by Warner Brothers Canada to the press preview screening of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. As a #WBPartner, I got to see the film several days before the release date in downtown Vancouver’s Scotiabank Theatre — a real treat, as Mad Max: Fury Road is my all-time favorite flick!

Not surprisingly, I was literally the only one at the Furiosa advance screening who dressed up… “Into the gates of Valhalla, you shall ride eternal. Witness meeee!”

The WB Canada team provided us with gifts. There’s a Wasteland cowl or snood inside the box.

Furiosa was an exhilarating successor to Fury Road. The 2.5 hours sped by as director George Miller took us on a deranged ride through the Wasteland – the war boys and their hot wheels are back, shiny and chrome! – and young Furiosa’s quest for revenge against a savage yet charismatic warlord. Chapter 3 particularly blew me away when the War Rig revs through the desert as motorcycles lay siege… Let’s just say there’s nothing “Mediocre” about the road warrior action!

The new Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga lived up to my high expectations, and paints a fiery picture of our Collapse future (or present, IYKYK). Will you watch the blockbuster action film? Thank you Warner Brothers Canada for inviting me. #wbpartner

What’s next for LC? I’ll be heading to a few new destinations in June — including my seventh world wonder. The photos are going to be next-level so buckle up, buckaroos. (Above is a throwback to Havana, Cuba.)

Do you have any adventures planned for the summer? Will you be checking out any films, cute cafes, or local attractions like I did?

Keep up with my friends and me on our global adventures on @LaCarmina Instagram — there are new posts and stories almost daily!