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Cooking for Dad on Facebook Live: Father’s Day Brunch

Join London Drugs and Chef Miki Arambulo as we make the ultimate family friendly Father’s Day brunch! During the event we’ll prepare two delicious recipes for Dad using Cuisinart’s Precision Master Stand Mixer, Vertical Waffle Maker, and Air Fryer Oven (featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2017).

Join the conversation on Wednesday May 30th at 12pm and learn tips and tricks for the ultimate Father’s Day brunch. Subscribe to live notifications and tune in to have your questions answered live. Have a question about one of the appliances or recipes? Visit the Facebook event and comment with your questions and we will do our best to answer all questions during the event!

Our event co-host Chef Miki

Chef Miki has worked at many of Vancouver’s well know restaurant groups such as Earls, Brown’s and Cactus Club. A graduate of the Art Institute Dubrulle Culinary Arts School and a Red Seal Certified Chef, Miki is now a culinary instructor at Vancouver Community College.

Try these two family-friendly recipes

Enter for a chance to WIN a Cuisinart appliance!

To enter: Log on to Facebook.com and either sign in if you are already a registered user or create an account. Then comment during the Facebook Live on the London Drugs Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LondonDrugs in the form of posting a question or comment on the live event. You will be automatically entered into the Contest. Only one entry per Facebook account is permitted during the Contest Period.

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since May 30^th 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as of May 30^th 2018; (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per person per social network per contest. Entries must be received no later than 1 PM Pacific Time on May 30^th 2018. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be three (3) prizes:

One (1) Cuisinart 5-1/2 Qtr. Stand Mixer (Retail value of $399.99)
One (1) Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker (Retail value of $99.99)
One (1) Cuisinart Air Fryer (Retail value of $299.99)

See details and contest date below. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to contest winners.

Contest date – Wednesday May 30^th 2018 from 12 PM PST –1 PM PST

Draw date – Friday June 1^st, 2018

Only one prize may be won by any one person and household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.

Selected winners will be contacted by email or on the social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winners do not respond then they will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winners still do not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs and their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, an independent judging organization, and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice, and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Ultimate Shopping List for Canadian Camping

With the Victoria Day long weekend just around the corner, many Canadians are hearing the call of the great outdoors. Maybe you made your camping or RV reservations months ago. Or perhaps you’re headed to a family cabin or that perfect, last-minute spot. Regardless, you’ll need to bring plenty of supplies with you. That includes camping essentials, food, and probably a few luxuries and toys. [If luxury camping is really your thing, also check out our Ultimate Glamping Guide]

For all your camping stock-up needs, London Drugs is here to help with this Ultimate Canadian Camping Shopping List.

Camping Shopping List: The Essentials

Skin Care

What could be more essential than protecting your skin from outdoor dangers? During the day, that means the sun’s harmful UV rays. Start with limiting exposure and wearing a hat. Of course, you should also apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Just in case that’s not enough to prevent a sunburn, pack some after-sun salve with aloe vera.

In the evening and at night, you’ll want to be on guard to prevent insect bites. Keep them at bay with insect repellant, (we have a wide selection of lotions and sprays with varying active ingredients; find the one that’s right for you and your family). There are also nets and candles that offer additional protection.

Camping Basics

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a campsite without a key piece of gear. Chances are you won’t forget your tent, but it’s worth checking to ensure you have enough sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets. It never hurts to pack one or two extras, just in case. Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than a very cold night in a tent.

Another essential category of gear for your Canadian Camping Shopping List is cookware. This starts with sturdy pots and pans, but also includes plates, utensils, and drinkware. The best cookware for camping is light, durable, and easy to clean. Also, make sure you have enough coolers to keep all your supplies the right temperature in the woods. Finally, don’t get caught in the dark: be sure to bring enough lanterns and flashlights for everyone.

Advanced Equipment

One way to help make the outdoors cozier and more like home is to bring your own generator. Sure, skeptics might say this goes against the main benefit of camping–escaping civilization. But sometimes it’s nice to take a brief break from roughing it to blow dry your hair or watch a movie with the family. Another must-have for many is a small camping stove or grill. Yes, you can cook over an open fire. But it’s not always convenient, particularly for making coffee or toast. Fire bans should also be strictly adhered to, so a camp stove might be your best option. Also be sure to bring enough propane to run your stove during your trip. Pro tip: don’t be afraid to go big. There’s nothing worse than running out of fuel on day 3 of 5.

Camping Shopping List: The Extras

Nice-to-Haves

Even when roughing it, it’s okay to bring more than the bare essentials. For example, you’ll need enough camping chairs (since no one wants to stand around a campfire for hours). Another way to elevate your campsite is with a hand pump for a standard water cooler jug. That way, you won’t need to run to a tap or river for water, or worry about what might be in it. Fill-ups for these bottles are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than single-use bottled water. too. Finally, whether for appreciating wildlife and nature views, or keeping an eye on the little ones, a good pair of binoculars is a great camping extra to have around.

Just for Fun

The most important thing to do when camping is staying comfy and well-fed. The second is to have fun. Okay, the order here might be debatable. The point is, having a few extra toys around is nice, especially in the water. One incredibly popular activity on local lakes is stand-up paddle boarding. But if you prefer inflatables designed to be pulled around the lake by a boat (the old fashioned way) we’re with you too! There are also lounge and group floaties for those who prefer to just hang out. They even come in some pretty entertaining designs. If you have any inflatables, consider also grabbing an automatic inflator. Trust us, your lungs will thank you. For times when you’re not in the water, be sure to stock up on other classic camping games like badminton, bocce, or ladder toss.

Camping Shopping List: The Food

The most important part of your Canadian Camping Shopping List should include lots of great food. Really, it’s one of the best parts about camping. Doing some basic meal prepping in advance, and shopping for fresh local produce, will help make sure you don’t end up eating only hot dogs. Plan accordingly! The real draw of camping food is the snacks, and the main event is always the s’mores. At London Drugs we carry the three basic ingredients of the perfect s’more, including a hearty selection of the keystone ingredient: chocolate. Raise your snacking game to a pro level with anything from dried fruit, nuts and meat snacks to chips, crackers, cookies, and candy. Honestly, we have so many perfect camping snacks, we couldn’t begin to list them all here. You’ll just have to come look for yourself in-store or online.

No matter what you bring along, the most important part of camping is who you share it with. London Drugs wishes you, your friends, and family the best camping season ever. Keep safe, and have a blast.

London Drugs Photolab Prints the Best in Canadian Photojournalism for Capture Photography Festival Exhibit

We’re used to seeing photos accompanying online news articles and newspapers, but you may be surprised by the talent and skill that goes into capturing those incredibly candid moments. The annual National Pictures of the Year Awards, presented by the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC), celebrates the very best in Canadian photojournalism, and for the 4^th year, our London Drugs Photolab has had the pleasure of printing their entire exhibit as part of the Capture Photography Festival.

To prepare all of the finalists’ images for the gallery exhibit, our Photolab Technicians worked one-on-one with NPAC’s coordinators Ric Ernst and Ali Ledgerwood. We were careful to take into account each photographer’s specifications, ensuring their colours printed exactly as they should. Using our state of the art Epson P9000 large format printer, we printed each of the photos in gallery quality, on our Epson Lustre paper. The quality Epson inks used in printing will ensure the prints have an archival stability of 200 years.

Ric and Ali visited the lab to see a test print of one of the composite multi-picture category finalists, and had the opportunity to watch the full process, from sizing and checking the image’s colouring on the computer, to seeing the image printed on the Epson P9000, to cutting and inspecting the final print. They also looked over each of the single prints for several other categories in the exhibit.

Left print: International Finalist Jim Young (Agence France-Presse) 2017 Picture Story. Right print: Social Issues Category Finalist Photo by Ben Nelms (Independent)

“I was overjoyed when I viewed the prints for our exhibition for the first time. I knew our featured photographers would truly appreciated seeing their original files accurately reproduced in both tone and colour and on such high quality paper,” said Ric.

Along with Ric, Ali has coordinated the printing of the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit with our Photolab for the past 3 years, working directly with Photolab Manager John Goldsmith. “Working with John at the London Drugs Photolab is always a pleasure. The professionalism and understanding of our needs, particularly for such a large project, keeps our minds at ease knowing that the work is going to be completed quickly, but without compromising quality,” she said.

After being framed and installed at the Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver, the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit was opened to the public. For the many photojournalists featured, it’s a special experience for them to see their work displayed in a gallery setting.

“Most of our photographers only see their work on computer screens or reproduced in newspapers and magazines so when they see them printed professionally, it’s an eye-popping experience for them,” Ric explains.

Fourteen categories of photojournalism are represented in the exhibit, including news, sports and social issues. Of the nominees featured, a winner in each category will be chosen, along with a 2017 Student Photographer of the Year, 2017 Student Multimedia of the Year, 2017 Photojournalist of the Year and a 2017 Photograph of the Year. Considering over 2,000 photographs along with 25 multimedia productions from across Canada were entered in this year’s competition, being selected as a National Pictures of the Year winner, and even as a nominee, is certainly an honour.

Left print: Sports Feature Category Finalist Photo by Tijana Martin (Lethbridge Herald). Right print: Social Issues Category Finalist Photo by Ben Nelms (Independent)

Photographer Ben Nelms was chosen as a Pictorial Category Finalist, for his photo of salmon trimmings. Taken at St. Jean’s Cannery in Nanaimo BC, the photo highlights the family-run operation which was founded by Armand St. Jean in 1961, but who recently sold a majority stake of the company to a group from Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation.

Ben shared his appreciation for the quality work and effort that went into printing his photo for the gallery exhibit.

“Having your images shown in a gallery show is a great feeling for a photojournalist. Not only because it’s great to see the caliber of Canadian photojournalism but because the high quality prints draw an audience to them which ultimately brings a spotlight to the story you are trying to tell,” he explains. “It is always great to see your photos printed, especially when it’s professionally. As a news photographer, I am use to seeing my photos printed on lower quality paper so when I get a chance to see high quality prints it’s a real treat. The support from London Drugs is fantastic, their photolab is one of a kind and the professional products they produce is second to none.”

While the images for the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit were printed for professional photographers like Ben, our Photolab uses the same innovative photofinishing equipment to print gallery quality images to hang on your walls at home, too! Head over to the London Drugs Photolab to see our full selection of fine art print surfaces.

Fashion Editorial Photographer Farrah Aviva Showcases Her Capture Photography Festival Exhibit on London Drugs Photolab Prints

Vancouver-based actor and photographer Farrah Aviva is one of the latest talents to step into our photolab and work with our passionate team of Photolab Technicians. Farrah was chosen as a featured photographer as part of the Capture Photography Festival, and was given the opportunity to showcase her photography project The BANGBANG at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver, with prints provided by our London Drugs Photolab.

Playing off the work of Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and David Bailey, Farrah’s work takes a fresh look at fashion editorial-style photography, using it to spark a discussion on contemporary sociopolitical culture. The BANGBANG is meant to re-examine sartorial images, which not only represent beauty, but also represent topics that engage and spark a greater conversation.

We caught up with Farrah in the photolab as she worked with Photolab Manager John Goldsmith to print her collection of 6 fashion editorial images for the Capture exhibit. All of her images were printed using our Epson P9000 large format printer, with high quality Epson inks that have an archival stability of 200 years.

“The printing process was the thing I was most nervous about. As a photographer in the digital world you don’t often get to see your work printed. Everything is on a computer screen,” Farrah explains. “I really didn’t know if the colours were going to translate the same onto paper and carry the same power, but the London Drugs Photolab Manager, John Goldsmith, was a dream to work with. Everything turned out better than I could have hoped.”

After the prints had been given a good once-over by Farrah, they were packaged up and sent off with Farrah for framing. The framed prints were then installed on the walls of the OPUS Hotel, where they would be showcased for the duration of her Capture exhibit.

This was Farrah’s first photography exhibit and she was thrilled to have her prints on public display, after spending over a year working tirelessly on The BANGBANG.

“I had imagined it for months so when they were finally hung I was relieved and excited, but it really didn’t hit me until the next day. I went back to the Opus to drop something off and suddenly I was standing in a room full of my images. It didn’t seem real. I had to do the iconic eye rub to see if I was dreaming. A flood of pride surged in and the fantastic feeling of hard work paying off really set in.”

Farrah has been back to our photolab a number of times since we printed her exhibit, to order more prints to sell during her official exhibit launch and through her website. We’re over-the-moon, knowing that Farrah’s prints will be showcased in homes and offices all over North America!

You can order prints of your own photos, in gallery quality just like Farrah’s, by visiting our London Drugs Photolab.

Celebrating Life and Special Milestones Through Photos

Life is filled with all kinds of defining moments and milestones. From birthdays to anniversaries, and even funerals, these moments in time are an opportunity for us to appreciate and celebrate the life we have lived.

For over a hundred years, photos have been an essential way of preserving life’s moments, allowing us to look back and celebrate each and every one of them. What has changed in those one hundred years, however, is the expanded variety of ways to showcase those precious photos.

Milestone Birthdays

Every birthday is special, but milestone birthdays, like the 30^th, 40^th, 50^th (or even 90^th!) birthdays, are extra special. A great way to commemorate that special year is with a Poster Collage or Photo Book of their best moments – from birth to now.

Dig through old snapshots to find some adorable baby photos, some of the awkward teen years, and some that are more current. In the end, you’ll have compiled a collection of photos that tells the story of their life…so far! We even offer a variety of birthday templates, to help design and customize your Photo Book. Wrap it up as a gift, or put it out on display at their birthday party so guests can flip through it.

If you need some help digitizing a collection of old photos to add to your Poster Collage or Photo Book, our Photo Scanning Box Service will make the process seamless. Just fill the box with up to 800 photographs and documents, bring it back to your local London Drugs Photolab, and our Experts will digitize them for you.

You can even use those digitized photos to create all kinds of other birthday gifts, from personalized t-shirts and puzzles, to photo calendars and jewelry boxes.

Anniversaries

Whether it’s your first wedding anniversary or your 15^th, you’ll want to make that relationship milestone special. Why not celebrate by surprising your significant other with a gift that truly captures your love?

If you’re planning to give your hubby or wifey a traditional anniversary gift, we have a few suggestions that will show them just how much you appreciate the time you’ve spent together.

1^st year: Paper

Don’t just go with regular old paper for your first anniversary, gift them luxe, glossy photo paper! Choose from any of our Photo Books, Enlargements, or Poster Collages and customize with your favourite photos together. Your wedding photos are a good place to start. In fact, we have lots of wedding-themed templates you can use while personalizing your photo gift.

2^nd year: Cotton

Get creative with your second anniversary gift by ordering a Canvas Gallery Wrap. The textured print surface is made of cotton, so you’ll be on the dot with the traditional anniversary gift, plus your other half will be super impressed that you’ve turned a photo of you two into a piece of fine art for your home!

9^th year: Pottery

A Photo Mug is the perfect way to fulfill that traditional ‘pottery’ anniversary gift, while also making them something thoughtful and personal. Just pick a mug colour (their favourite colour, perhaps?), a few photos, and some text (your anniversary date?) to completely customize your gift. It’s sure to impress!

10^th year: Aluminum

The traditional ‘aluminum’ anniversary gift is meant to reflect your marriage’s resilience. What better way to share that than with a beautiful photo, printed on one of our highly durable Aluminum Metal Panels? Pick one memory you’d like to showcase from your 10 incredible years together, or if you can’t choose just one, create a collage with all your favourite moments.

15^th year: Crystal

Just when they think you’ve run out of great anniversary gift ideas…you gift them a beautiful, personalized Photo Crystal for your 15^th anniversary! A truly unique gift that showcases a favourite moment in time together. Choose from our selection of photo crystals, or our crystal ornaments (we think the heart-shaped ornament or crystal with base would be especially fitting).

Funerals

There’s a reason funerals are often called a ‘Celebration of Life’. It’s a time when family and friends can come together, in memory of someone special, to celebrate a life well lived.

A very touching way to help preserve and celebrate their memory is with photos. Start by combing through old photo albums and digging through shoe boxes full of old photographs. To make things a bit easier, use our Photo Scanning Box Service to have up to 800 photos and documents digitized for you by our Photolab, so you can easily personalize all kinds of beautiful photo keepsakes with the digital files.

To create a truly sentimental and heartfelt memento, personalize a Photo Book with images of their life, and blank sections for family and friends to add personal message and stories by hand. It’s a keepsake the family can take home at the end of the funeral service, and read over the kind words from supportive family and friends.

Another thoughtful gift for the family is a personalized Fleece Blanket. The cozy blanket will feel like a warm hug, as they cuddle up in the memories of their loved one. Choose one photo, or a selection of photos, to feature as a collage on the blanket’s surface.

Need a little help creating your photo gift? Speak with one of our Photolab Experts at your local London Drugs! Or, if you’re ready to go, you can start personalizing your gift on our Photolab website, or at any of our in-store Photolab kiosks.

Q&A with Photolab Technician and Capture Photography Festival-Featured Photographer, Gabriel Martins

Photos by Kai Mallari

Ever wondered who prints your photos for you, after you submit your order to our Photolab? Especially if you’ve made an order like a fine art print, or a photo that’s particularly near and dear to your heart, you might be a bit nervous about who will be overseeing the printing, ensuring the sizing and colours are just right, and that the print comes out flawless.

Luckily, many of our Photolab Technicians are photographers themselves, which means they fully understand what it’s like to be in your shoes. Meet Gabriel Martins: a relatively new addition to the London Drugs Photolab team, and a local photographer in Vancouver. Gabriel has a passion for photofinishing and photography, and uses his experience as a photographer to ensure every print order he works on receives the same attention to detail as he would give his own work.

During the Capture Photography Festival this year, Gabriel was chosen by a panel of judges to be a featured photographer with not one, but two gallery exhibits in Vancouver. As part of this opportunity, Gabriel was provided space for his gallery exhibits, Rues de Montréal Part 1 & Part 2, and had his fine art work printed by the London Drugs Photolab. It was a unique and special experience for Gabriel, to be on the other side of the Photolab counter, as a photographer ordering prints for his gallery exhibits. To share a bit more about his experience, we sat down with Gabriel for a short Q&A:

Q: Tell us a little bit about your exhibit, Rues de Montréal.

A: Rues de Montréal portrays the streets of Montréal through 13 photographs taken during the summer of 2017, when the city celebrated its 375th anniversary. The images show the vibrancy of Montréal and question our use of public spaces and how people interact with them.

Q: What kind of print surface did you choose for your exhibit, and why?

A: All photos were printed and mounted on Metallic Canvas Gallery Wrap. I chose this media and finishing because it makes the colours pop out and creates more of a 3D effect.

Q: What was your first thought when you saw the final prints up on the gallery walls? How did the print surface look and feel?

A: I got tears in my eyes. It was the outcome of 7 months of hard work to make it happen. The texture of the canvas definitely made me feel almost like the photos were paintings.

Q: You had a particularly interesting print that’s caught the eye of gallery visitors. Tell us about it.

A: That’s the “Black Moon”. Before I went to Montréal, I knew about the revolutionary work of INSA, who’s a renowned British muralist, and his project called “GIF-TI”, which consists of photographing each layer the artist paints by hand. These images are then uploaded and overlaid to create the final piece, a looping GIF file. The viewers can download his app and point their smartphone camera towards his mural, which scans and recognizes the mural and plays the animation, bringing the piece to life. I wasn’t expecting that his app would work with my print and I got really stoked about it. The augmented reality effect is definitely an extra attraction in this exhibit.

Q: What was it like to be on the other side of the Photolab counter, as a London Drugs Photolab customer?

A: It was a great experience from the beginning to the end. All the Canvas Gallery Wraps were packed separately, which made the logistics easier and safer. Besides that, the colours, contrast, and sharpness turned out exactly how I was expecting.

Q: Do you find it important to build a trusting relationship with your Photolab Technician?

A: As a professional photographer, I believe that this relationship is extremely important because we put so much love and effort into the execution and post-production of all photos, so the printing and finishing processes have to be high caliber. The delivery is as important as the medium.

Q: Has this experience helped you with your own interactions and work as a London Drugs Photolab Technician?

A: Absolutely. When I’m printing, mounting, framing or doing anything else in the lab, I always treat the customers’ photos as if they were mine.

Gabriel (left) pictured here with his Photolab Manager, Bill Storey (right), who came out to support the opening of Gabriel’s exhibit

You can see Part 2 of Gabriel’s exhibit, Rue de Montréal, at Dunn’s Famous BC Restaurant in Vancouver from April 16^th to June 16^th. For more details on the exhibit, visit Capture Photography Festival.

A Gift from the Heart for Mom’s Special Day

Have you looked high and low for a heartfelt gift to give Mom on a special day? We’ve got you covered!

It may be past Valentine’s Day, but thoughtful, personalized gifts never go out of style. Here’s a creative way to use our LD Photolab services and add a whole lot of love and your personality to a mug, coaster, t-shirt, blanket and more.

Use any custom drawing, graphic or photo that captures your sentiment, and easily upload it online in minutes. Think of the smile on Mom’s face when she sees a sweet drawing from her son or daughter! Our order (for the mug and coaster shown in the video above) arrived in a single day—but you might want to give it a few days, just to be sure.

This LD Solutions gift from the heart will have your giftee smiling ear-to-ear, cherishing something she’ll always remember.

Create your own original drawing, graphic or photo.
Add a lot of love.
Snap a photo of on your phone.
Upload the photo to LD Photolab online in minutes and create your gift.
Pick up your gift in-store.
Surprise Mom on a special day!

If you’re ever stuck on finding the perfect gift, London Drugs has you covered in store and online.

Cooking for Dad on Facebook Live: Father’s Day Brunch

Our event co-host Chef Miki

Try these two family-friendly recipes

Enter for a chance to WIN a Cuisinart appliance!

Ultimate Shopping List for Canadian Camping