life and styie Stay summer safe, and | am not referring to sun-screen! How to be style savvy when it comes to protecting your belongings. By Stephanie Trembath, Life and Style Editor he best time of year to get away and explore the world is of course during the summer when school is out and vacations are at large. Maybe you opt to backpack across Europe; sightseeing in Paris having a picnic lunch under the Eiffel tower, or maybe you decide to be whisked away for a long weekend to in Penticton during Peach Fest; packing nothing but a few t-shirts and shorts to toss on after a day spent at the canal. Or you may be like me; planning nothing, going nowhere, working all summer and planning Christmas vacations in your head. I choose to be baked under the Vancouver sun (when it decides to grace us with its presence that is). Regardless of your summer plans, it is important to - dress appropriately — especially when it comes to protecting your belongings. This article was inspired by a friend’s trip to Europe, where she was unfortunately pick-pocketed of all her belongings; however, it doesn’t take travelling across the world to get robbed. With all the summer festivals, out-door events and activities, excitement of getting away, and unknowns of travelling abroad, (especially if you toss a few alcoholic beverages in the mixture), it is easy to become a target for thieves, which is why it is important to wear the proper gear to protect your belongings. It doesn’t matter if you are on across the world on vacation, or merely enjoying one of Vancouver’s outdoor festivals; under the sun having a good time it is easy to lose yourself in the excitement of the moment, which makes it easier for thieves to plunder your purse. An easy ‘way to save yourself the trouble of cancelling credit cards and replenishing your wallet; buy a fanny-pack! Yup I said it, so go into your mother’s closet and find her outfits from the 80’s because the pack is back! No seriously, don’t do that; many retailers have come out with more style savvy designs to save your belongings, and your street style! Lululemon Athletica has re-designed the fanny pack, coming out with a sporty version in black, white, and purple. Urban Outfitters carries a wide variety of small fanny packs; designs by Deena and Ozzy showcase small black waist-packs that are stylish and small enough to tuck under your shirt if you like, while Ecote designs incorporate the fanny pack into a belt with prices as low as $29! Canada’s own Matt and Nat canvas fanny packs are a little bit pricier, starting at $69, but come in a variety of colors and are small and thin to be worn over or under clothes. They may not be the most fashionable accessory to be sporting this summer, but fanny packs are the best way to keep your money and ID close to your body. While side-bag purses and clutches may seem like the surest way to keep your belongings close to you, purses are still able to be opened or taken without anyone noticing by professional thieves. Just think; you can enjoy your beverages and saunter down the street (no matter what country or city you’re in) without having to worry about carrying or protecting anything as it will be strapped around your waist. Happy travelling! Summer Street Festivals: Check out Vancouver’s festivals this July to flaunt your street style! By Stephanie Trembath, Life and Style Editor opefully the sun will decide to H= its grand entrance into Vancouver, bringing an overdue (and much awaited) heat wave along with the stylish (and scanty) clothing styles everyone has been hiding in their closets. Regardless of the rain, the Vancouver Jazz Festival came to a close this past weekend, but there are still tons of outdoor festivals and events in Vancouver coming up in July to enjoy in the sun and show-off your summer street style. Summer Live in Stanley Park; to celebrate Vancouver’s 125" anniversary, a three day festival will be held in Stanley Park Friday July 8 till Sunday July 10 with live music and entertainment, sporting events, and venues showcasing local artwork and designs. Performing artists include: Mother Mother, Daniel Wesley, The New Pornographers, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Cost: Free! Caribbean Festival: hosted at Waterfront Park Vancouver, on July 23, Vancouver’s Caribbean Festival is jam packed with tons of things to do all day long. Featuring a city parade, a boat cruise (which unfortunately is not free), street vendors selling jewellery, clothes, and other fashion items, and a Caribbean buffets offering Roti, flying fish, Jamaican patties, and other tasty tropical treats from 10am-7pm. Once the street festival comes to a close at 7pm, the music starts at Lonsdale Quay where there will be live bands and DJ’s playing Reggae and Calypso rhythms to wrap up the festival! Cost: Free! Folk Music Festival: held at Jericho beach, Vancouver’s 34" annual folk music festival is the best place to enjoy music on the beach while roasting hotdogs on the barbeque over a weekend with friends, showcasing performers from all over the world. The festival runs Friday July 15 till Sunday July 17, with day pass tickets starting at $40. Celebration of Light: yes, it is that time of year when millions flock to English bay to watch the HBC Celebration of Light, featuring competitors Spain, China and Canada, on July 30, August 3, and August 6. Best way to get prime seats; make a day out of it with a cooler of booze and treats, blanket, and bevy of friends while you wait for the celebration to kick off at 10pm!