Handmade secrets to save money on your wardrobe this fall

It was an early fall day when I saw the faded ’90s jean shorts. Set on a mannequin, they were paired with a white, short-sleeved sweater, giving the whole look a light, cozy feel. Considering the fact that the store was second-hand, I went in, convinced I had just found my next bargain. I was […]

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Victoria Tea Festival steeped in culture and wonderment

Returning for its 10th anniversary, the Victoria Tea Festival, presented by the International Tea Appreciation Society, is the place to be if you drink tea, but also if you’re interested in the history of tea within different cultures. In addition to the farmer’s-market-style affair, where you bring your own cup and taste dozens of teas […]

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Enjoying fall comfort foods on a budget

It’s a Wednesday evening and you’re heading back home from a busy day at college. The wind chills the environment and you deeply crave something familiar and warming, something homemade with easy ingredients. That’s when the idea comes to mind: comfort food. The moment when food connects with the soul, and the dish leaves your […]

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How to hide from heartache: books to help during hard times

My dog died very suddenly recently of massive organ failure, and I have no answers as to why. My heart is broken, and as I grieve, I turn to media that is fit to nurse a mournful condition. Below are books that I rediscover when I need to leave this painful world behind. Who doesn’t […]

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How to get the most out of summer’s final stretch

Summer is arguably the most awaited season: with it comes more freedom in regard to time management and activity planning. Some use it to recharge for the new school year, whereas others decide to invest this time in projects and work. It doesn’t matter which of these paths you have chosen: we all deserve the […]

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A student’s reflection on the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy

I had not always known a great deal about Filipino culture, but about three years ago, when I started seeing my partner Jaime, my learning process began. Jaime comes from a long descent of Filipino heritage, and we try to make a point of going to most of the events and festivals in Vancouver and […]

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What to watch this summer: four films worth checking out

If you’re a film enthusiast like me, you know that summer is one of the best times of the year. The scent of buttery popcorn fills the theatres, the anticipation and excitement lingers in the air as the audience walks into the building, eager to discover new stories. From the adventures of beloved superheroes to […]

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Victoria Beer Society cancels events indefinitely

For the last 30 years, the Victoria Beer Society (VBS) has been hosting the Great Canadian Beer Festival (GCBF) annually; it has also been overseeing Victoria Beer Week for 10 years, and recently produced a Langford beer festival. But, on Thursday, May 1, it announced that everything is cancelled, indefinitely. VBS beer director Joe Wiebe […]

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Terrifically terrible: Victoria’s best and worst chocolatiers

Considering the recent Easter holiday, I decided this was a perfect excuse to eat far too much chocolate, for the educational benefit of my readers. So, I embarked upon a mission wherein I rated a wide variety of confectionaries from six chocolatiers in Victoria: Roger’s, Cococo, Chocolat & Co., Chocolats Favoris, Pure Lovin’, and Purdy’s.  […]

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Must-visit cafes in Victoria this summer

Summer is a time to disconnect from routines and the rush of daily occupations. It’s the time of year to go out and explore the city and what it has to offer, with friends, an engaging book, and a cold drink.  This summer, there are four coffee shops in Greater Victoria perfect for slowing things […]

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