Recently Christy Smith, founder of Spice Creative was presented a Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Award in recognition of philanthropic and career success!

"This prestigious award is a huge honor and I am grateful and humbled to have been included in such a category!  Thank you to everyone who has helped pave the way towards realizing my goals – The best is yet to come!!"

On May 4, 2011 Spice Creative is holding a Spa night and Fashion Fundraiser at the Fairmont Willow Stream Spa to raise awareness and resources for the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre (WSAC).  At the event, t-shirts designed by Spice Creative and custom styled by Victoria designer Marcie Leblanc of LeBlanc Boutique will be unveiled by local celebrities; including the Victoria Highlanders FC Women’s team and Radio personalities Brian Bailey and Danny the Intern from 107.3 Kool FM. 

The event will promote self-care, offering guests mini spa treatments, courtesy of Fairmont Willow Stream Spa, light refreshments, a silent auction – and even a fortuneteller who will be taking donations for the Women’s sexual assault centre in exchange for her services! Reserving tickets in advance is recommended as the event is expected to sell out. Tickets are $30 and available to reserve in person or by calling the Willow Stream Spa, 250-995-4650.  

The event comes after Christy Smith, founder of Spice Creative, raised over $20,000 to benefit the WSAC by running the Royal Victoria ½ Marathon on October 10, 2010. “The fundraising success and positive support I have received, combined with the number of women who privately thanked me for coming forward as a survivor, fueled my motivation to keep going.” says Smith.

Smith calls the t-shirt campaign “Shhh!” and hopes it will create a sustainable revenue stream for the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre while sending a powerful message: 1 in 3 women are sexually assaulted.  1 in 4 survivors never tell anyone about it.  Help us break the silence. 


The t-shirt design uses birds to symbolize freedom while Shhh! represents the silence many female victims endure when keeping their pain a secret. 1 in 3 women survive sexual assault, and 1 in 3 birds on the shirt are coloured to symbolize this. The white birds represent the 1 in 4 survivors who will never tell anyone or reach out for help. Statistics prove that survivors of sexual violence are not alone; however often victims feel isolated or scared to get help to change their future. The flock of birds inside the t-shirt symbolizes women in a ‘flock’ who are affected to help show survivors they are not alone.  The inside of the tshirts will be unveiled the evening of May 4th at the official launch.

“Shhh! This is not just a t-shirt, it’s a movement.” Says Smith.  The shirts have been designed to be trendy and wearable, while drawing attention to an important issue and encouraging positive change. The design includes a link to the Shhh! Facebook site (www.facebook.com/1in3women) used as a platform to continue raising awareness and resources for issues surrounding sexual assault.

Want to get involved?  HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
1.  Like our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/1in3women
2.  Come to the Shhh! Launch party May 4th 7pm-9pm at Fairmont 
     Empress Willow Stream Spa.  Call 250-995-4650 to reserve tickets 
3.  Buy a Shhh! Tshirt:  Available at LeBlanc Boutique (2 locations in 
 Victoria on Johnson st. and in Market Square)
4.  Participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Bastion Square on
     May 14th  www.walkamilevictoria.com
5.  Contact the WSAC to donate or volunteer!

Things are going AWESOME - as per usual at the Spice Creative office- and I’m on Cloud Nine.  Crazy how quickly June flew by... I suppose having two weeks off for a holiday helped kill some time!


Things are really ramping up for the summer, and I’m working on some exciting new projects that will make for some great updates in the near future- stay tuned!!  


I have been spending some time over the past month going to DownDAWG Yoga at Base Lounge Studio on Broad st.  IT IS SOOO AWESOME!  Best workout ever- and sooo much fun doing Yoga to hip hop music, which also features special guest DJ Rowan spinning LIVE at some classes.  AWESOME!  Mondays at 5:30pm for anyone who wants to go- check out their Facebook Group!

Better yet, DownDAWG is the newest client of Spice Creative!  Recently the genius behind Hip Hop Yoga, Amy Chayko-Allen, and I combined forces to take over the world.... well, maybe just take over the world of yoga marketing in Victoria.... to start.  In exchange, Spice Creative will have some assistance in reaching a healthier balance.  I am working with Amy to develop a custom exercise routine I can easily fit into my daily-hectic-life and still obtain the results I want.  It will incorporate going to DownDAWG Yoga, as well as improve my running abilities for another goal I have set for myself... details coming soon!  

Even more exciting news, is that I have added a BUNCH of new clients in addition to DownDAWG the past month!  :-)  I am thrilled to be working with Uplands Golf Club on some upcoming 1/4 pg ads in the TC to promote a GREAT deal they have on couples membership, and I have also recently worked with Chateau Victoria Hotel to update some brochures for Vista 18 and Clive’s Classic Lounge.  Have a look at the Spice Creative Portfolio for examples of these pieces - coming soon!


The season is wrapping up with the Victoria Highlanders and its almost time for playoffs already!  Only 2 teams will make the final cut, and it comes down to the game they are playing Saturday July 3rd at 7pm against Portland.  If you’re free, head to Bear Mountain Stadium located next to City Centre Park in Langford, and CHEER THEM ON!! 

Things at Westhills are still crazy as ever, and houses are selling FAST!  Even though I am on the site often to look at the progress, I am always blown away with the speed they can move at!! WOW.  They are selling houses now that will complete before Christmas... do they ever sleep!? 

Well I guess I should get back to work... it’s Canada Day today, so

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Looking forward to enjoying some ME time on this “holiday” after my work is done, and hoping to catch the fireworks tonight!  Thanks for reading my blog, and until next time... Keep it real.

Spring has Sprung at Spice Creative– ever since March 21, things have been super busy, so I haven’t had a chance to attend my blog until now!  Spice Creative has officially added event planning to its repertoire after coordinating a Westhills Parkdale Creek Spring BBQ for over 100+ Adults and children over the Easter weekend.  The event was held at the old Glen Lake School grounds in the West Shore area, and included face painting, a bouncy castle, LOTS of bubbles– thanks to a bubble machine (donated by a very special 4 year old boy raising money for youth in need) and a treasure hunt with Captain Green Beard the Environmental Pirate who serenaded the crowd with his accordion alongside his sidekick fiddle-playing crow! Needless to say, fun was had by all in attendance!!

In addition to this, I have nearly completed the marketing packages for over 60 new homes at Westhills Lakeview Ridge, and produced two unique weekly ads in two local publications, an advertorial, and a full page ad for Douglas Magazine!  Oh, I also built and launched a new website for two condo units in Maui that are rented by my family.  Need a vay-cay? Check out the availability at the Hale Kai O’ Kihei (Home by the Sea).  

So I guess its easy to see why I’ve got balance on my mind once again.  At the moment, my life is very focused on work, without enough play!  The good news is that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I’ve got a trip planned for the end of May, with lots of exciting things happening in my life before then as well.... That being said, its time I practice my goal of balance a bit better than I have been recently.  

I am making a goal for myself of attending a yoga class before the end of next week so I can “get my zen on” and going on at least one run with my dog!  I know its not much, but its a start... One small step for Christy, one GIANT LEAP for her workaholic alter-ego. 

Speaking of which... I gotta get back to work!