Life has been busy lately in Vancouver — time for a recap! I spent the first quarter at home, but will soon be jetting off to manyyy new places around the globe between now and September. I’ll be adding six new countries to my grand total, as well as returning to some of my fav destinations ever… as always, I’ll be taking you along! (Add @lacarmina IG for the first look at where I’m flying.)

In April, I was delighted to welcome my friends in the food/cocktail world to my hometown for the North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards week! For the second year in a row, my hometown hosted the countdown to the year’s top 50 bars on the continent, April 22nd at Vancouver Convention Center.

The libations began at my fav local hangout, The Chickadee Room in Chinatown. Perhaps you recognzie Chef Pepe Salinas from Mexico City’s Balcon del Zocalo, which I visited twice. He now opened Taco Tasting Room in CDMX, which is getting mega buzz… must return to try his omakase tacos…

Is Holly’s Hello Kitty phone case big enough? I think it should be 3x the size!

My comrades from Mexico City, Pepe Salinas and Ximena Aréchaga of Long Story Short, spiced up their Chickadee takeover with Mexico-inspired cocktails, flautas / panuchos / grasshopper tacos, and more… We ordered everything from the special edition menu, twice!

So many celebrations happening at bars all around Vancouver during the 50 Best awards week.

We flipped out when Pepe generously offered us the best artisenal mezcal ever… The Lost Explorer Salmiana.

David and Alex of The Chickadee Room always bring the <3, and their cocktails hit all the notes (balanced, creative, unusual, yummm).

There were so many popups, residencies and press events for North America’s 50 Best Bars awards. I managed to swing by some of my faves: above is a floral negroni from Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim (they collabed with NY’s Clemente Bar).

The 50 Best Bars award ceremony itself was a blast. Top bartenders from around the world flew in to mix drinks and discover who made the top 50 list this year. (Martiny NY’s Roku Gin paloma was one of the tastiest).

Congratulations to the winners and cheers to all who made these fantastic events possible — Vancouver is truly becoming a cocktail capital! (So many from Vancouver made the list, along with Mexico City, Toronto, and NYC – check out the ranking here.)

I also got to attend a special event at Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, to honor its 40th anniversary.

Isn’t my outfit giving Street Fighter Chun-Li? Wearing a 100% silk cheungsam by Beth and Brina Qipao, and Cyberpunk 2077 amber shield glasses by Gunnar Optiks, yatta!

To celebrate their 40th year, Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese garden is offering:
– Apr 24, entry costs the same as in 1986 ($3 for adults!) & is open til 8pm.
– Apr 25-26, enjoy cultural experiences like a Chinese tea ceremony (loved tasting the jasmine pearl brew) and Silk Talk brocade embroidery workshop (learned the history & made a pin)

Check out their site for more info. I hope you’re able to visit Chinatown’s Ming dynasty style oasis, a very special place and part of the city’s cultural history.

One of my fav recent outfit shoots in the city… Bury me at Ellipsis, the modernist-industrial pyramid at Vancouver’s Waterfall Building

Now a cafe/bar, this masterpiece is one of architect Arthur Erickson’s final works (1996).

True to Erickson’s “truth to materials” philosophy, sunlight streams through the angled glass onto concrete & stainless steel. At night, the back wall glows with a Turrell-like projected sunburst.

My L’Intervalle Thelma Nude Naplack 4 inch stilettos echoed Erickson’s geometric lines. L’Intervalle is a Canadian shoe company, their heels are 100% leather (no microplastics) and elongate your legs… no wonder j’adore.

Wool coat Rudsak, maxi leg slit dress Cyberdog. Tip: order the matcha black sesame oat milk latte, and make a res for dinner.

For more photos and video footage from my Ellipsis Vancouver visit (a must for architecture lovers), see this IG post.

I’m leaving on a seaplane… Although I didn’t leave British Columbia at the start of the year, I flew the new Seair Seaplanes route between Vancouver and Victoria, BC downtown harbours. The scenic flight only takes 30 min, and is so much more convenient than taking the ferry.

With only a handful of passengers per flight, the Seair experience is giving PJ (private jet)!

I took my new Eyebobs glasses for the ride: Eyebobs has the chicest upscale frames for travelers, from blue light blocking prescription ones like mine, to readers & sunglasses. Rainbow cybergoth tank and joggers Cyberdog, Mongolian sheep pink coat Skandinavik Fur.

I took a girls getaway to Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, BC!  Current life priorities: reducing stress while maxxing sleep, health, and time with besties. Lounging in the steaming mineral pools with ocean views at Oak Bay checked off all the boxes.

Zebra striped sequin maxi skirt and corset top by Kate Hewko. If you’ve been reading my blog since its infancy, you’ll recognize these spiky boots that I got at Trash & Vaudeville NYC wayyyy back in the day! Forever a slay.

I share tons of Vancouver fashion / food / travel recommendations on my IG, such as a recent moon phase themed tasting menu at Michelin starred restaurant, Burdock and Co (see the reel here).

Add my Instagram @LaCarmina to see more of my daily life… and the far-off places I’ll be flying to next! Also coming up: articles in new travel journalism outlets. You can catch up on my travel / food / culture writing on my portfolio page.

I also posted an update on my Miffy meets mid-century modern apartment decor. Watch the reel to see day to night in my tiny apt. Furniture by Eames / Herman Miller, Verner Panton, Magis, Mobital and from the 90s. Miffy the bunny and Line Friends Bear lamp Mr Maria. All art is original including the skull spirit paintings by Jon Saemunder. (Look closer & you’ll see Goth motifs throughout!) For all the details and more photos of my home, see this blog.

CLOSET SALE: I’ve been selling my fabulous clothing collection on Poshmark @lacarmina and it’s going well! Shipping is low for Canadians, so take a browse (if you’re international, reach out by email/DM and we can figure it out, or shop my Depop @lacarmina instead.)

Yay to sunnier skies now… and travels ahead to alternative, offbeat destinations around the planet! It’s going to be a wild ride from now through autumn, so buckle up…