A Taste of European Summer with Pays d'Oc IGP Wines

There is something about a glass of wine that can transport you to a sun drenched valley overlooking clear blue waters of Europe. Recently, I got to escape the Pacific West Coast to the beautiful vineyards of Southern France during a tasting with Pays d'Oc IGP Wines. 

What is Pays d'Oc IGP?

At the event, I learned that the label, Pays d'Oc IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) is a protected geographical designation for wines that are produced within Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. This is similar to how sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it is produced within the Champagne region of France because "Champagne" has a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). What sets Pays d’Oc apart is the allowance of 58 different grape varieties, giving winemakers remarkable creative freedom to craft unique and expressive wines. The region offers a diverse selection of whites, rosés, and reds, ensuring there’s something to suit every palate. 

Wine Tasting

Lilo & Stitch is Pure Childhood Nostalgia

I cannot believe how many negative reviews there are about 2025's live action remake of Lilo & Stitch. The Guardian describes Lilo & Stitch as an "unnecessary remake" and a "monstrosity." The Vulture is not much kinder stating the "remake wasn't such a great idea" and Time Magazine believes "Disney Did Stitch Dirty." The critics seem upset at Disney for making a live-action adaptation of the 2002 Lilo & Stitch. According to critics, the movie is devoid of the charm and magic of the original.

I disagree with the critics! I watched Lilo & Stitch opening weekend and loved it! The movie is a joyous experience of childhood nostalgia. 

The live action remake stays pretty true to the original story. The scary monstrous creation known as Experiment 626 aka Stitch escapes the clutches of the United Galactic Federation and crash lands on earth, specifically in Hawaii. A rambunctious little 6 year old Lilo stumbles upon the blue furred creature and mistakes it for a dog resulting in her adopting Stitch. Chaos and destruction ensues as these two manage to create heaps of trouble. 

Superbolt Lab is Whisking Up Matcha in Vancouver

Vancouver has always been a caffeine obsessed city. A quick google search says there are 959 cafes in Vancouver which is a lot! I myself never developed a taste for coffee beans. I prefer to get my caffeine fix from matcha and have been an avid matcha drinker for over a decade. In fact, my blog is named after my love for green tea lattes, but I thought it would be cuter to make it "pink" hence Pink Tea Latte! It seems the rest of Vancouver has finally discovered how amazing matcha is. Superbolt Lab is one of several matcha cafes to open recently. As a self-proclaimed matcha aficionado, I thought it was my duty to try their matcha. 

Superbolt Lab is a tiny matcha specialty tea room in Kitsiliano. When I hear tea room, I imagine a space with a traditional aesthetic which is not what Supberbolt Lab is at all! Their space is a clean, minimalistic modern space with lots of silver metallics and bright pops of vibrant red and green. 

Superbolt allows their patrons to customize their iced matcha experience by offering two styles: Tokyo (less fruit & slightly more matcha) and LA (more fruit). I went with the Tokyo preparation since I wanted to maximize the matcha. I find matcha to usually have a stronger taste when they are served iced, so it is great that patrons who are not as fond of the flavour of matcha can reduce the matcha and increase the fruity sweetness. I think a high quality matcha that is prepared well tastes earthy and pleasant, but it is an acquired taste. Often matcha is described as grassy and vegetal by those new to the taste which I completely understand! 

2024 Sucked & How I Am Bouncing Back in 2025

I was looking at my blog the other day and felt an overwhelming sadness. In 2024, I published only a single blogpost. For me, blogging is a creative outlet and not to be that obnoxious person, but when I am not in the right mindset, I have zero desire to write. In fact, I completely stopped writing and reading for pleasure in 2024. It was a horrible year for me, and many others harbour the same feelings of frustration towards 2024. I strongly believe 2024 was a cursed year for the majority of us!

I am starting to feel some semblance of normal again, but it feels odd to jump back into my blog without acknowledging my absence for a year. It was a brutal time for me in multiple facets of my life: financial, health, and social. I will not be sharing any details of the struggles I went through because Pink Tea Latte is a space I use to celebrate fun and adventure. Additionally, I want to maintain a boundary between my personal life and my blog. 

Guys & Dolls Musical at the Stanley Theatre

I cannot recall the last time I watched a musical live. I fear it must have been in high school! It was about time I got out and watched a live production. Guys & Dolls has taken over the Stanley Theatre on South Granville and it was a magnificent performance. The Arts Club Theatre Company has brought the world of 1950s New York gangsters to Vancouver. Everything was perfect from the costumes to the stage sets, the vocals and the acting! I have never seen a production on the stages of Broadway in New York, but Vancouver brought the razzle-dazzle to the stage. I attended the Saturday, June 15, 2024, 8PM show which was sold out! When the venue is sold out, you know it is going to be an amazing show! Guys & Dolls has now entered its final week of shows, with the last show being Sunday, June 30th, so if you are considering watching the show, I strongly encourage you to do so soon!

This show was extra special for me because I got to sit front row, smack dab in the middle. These seats are considered the best in the house because you get an unobstructed view of the performance and if you so dare, you can practically reach out and touch the performers. Yet if I were to go again, I would probably pick a few rows back from the stage because I found my neck got sore having to constantly look up. 

IDS Vancouver 2023 | An Exhibition of Beautiful Objects

For most September is synonymous with the start of school, but I relate September with IDS Vancouver. The Interior Design Show (IDS) Vancouver celebrates craftsmanship and creativity. There is an emphasis on being bold with colour, shape and materials. There is nothing "basic bitch" about IDS Vancouver. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find anything as boring as the Carrara marble or neutral white colour palette sofas. IDS Vancouver 2023 did not disappoint with its lineup of Canadian artisans, woodworkers, fabricators and designers. 

There were three Canadian Artisan brands which captivated me and I hope to someday own pieces by them. Man & Son Design (a lighting house), Le Tenon & La Mortaise (wood furniture), and Cory Michah Olsen (Stone nested wood objects).

The lighting fixture display by Man & Son Design was like a warm inviting hug which was hard not to be drawn to. Based out of Victoria, the female duo hand turns every piece of wood into gorgeous shapes for their various lighting fixtures. Their pieces are made from reclaimed wood making each grain and colour unique. They offer pendant lights, sconces and desk lamps.

Halal Guys is Not Worth the Hype

Vancouver always seems to gets missed by large popular brands. Vancouver is a major city on the west coast of Canada and often ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in the world and yet we are never worthy of being a brands first location. Not to throw shade, but how is it that the prairie cities beat us out for iconic eateries time and time again? So when a popular chain decides to finally grace us with their presence, we embrace it with much fan fare and pomp and circumstance as possible. The anticipation of eating the much-touted Halal Guys meant my expectations were incredibly high. It pains me to say this, but The Halal Guys is a hard pass from me. 

For years I have heard stories of The Halal Guys being New York City's favourite Donair brand. With lines snaking around the block, hungry patrons are willing to wait for the perfect platter of meat, rice, and vegetables all doused in the Halal Guys' signature "White Sauce" and "Hot Sauce." A great Donair is defined by the protein which is often a juicy slowly roasted chicken or beef.