#MeetWilden – Yuriko Larson

Introducing our first ‪#‎MeetWilden‬ Feature: Say hello to Wilden Community Member – Yuriko Larson!

1. What is your name?

Yuriko Larson

2. Which Wilden neighbourhood do you live in?

I live in Skylands and I swear I have the coolest neighbours.

3. What do you do for work and where can we find you online?

I’m a visual stylist and wedding decorator. I have a business called, ‘Vintage Origami’. I design and decorate weddings, events, store front displays and photo shoots here in the Okanagan.

W: www.vintageorigami.com
F:  www.facebook.com/vintageorigami
I:  http://instagram.com/vintage.origami.weddings

4. What do you do for play?

My husband and I enjoy boating on the lake or taking our pup to the dog beach. We enjoy traveling and trying out the new restaurants in Kelowna. I love cruising around with the windows down in my classic car.

5. What is your secret super power?

If not under pressure I can usually make a pun out of any given subject. But don’t test me though; it won’t be as punny.

6. What are some of your favourite things about living in Wilden?

I love Wilden because it feels like we are living in wilderness yet we are in close proximity to all my favourite restaurants and downtown shops. I can easily zip home from anywhere in the city within 10-15 minutes.

7. What is Kelowna’s best kept secret?

There’s a small family owned sushi restaurant off of Richter (near the baseball field) that is a hidden gem. It’s called ‘Yama kitchen’ and the specialty rolls are gigantic and are beyond delicious. Hope to run into you there.

8. What is your favourite locally made product?

There are these hand crafted wood cutting boards that my friend John Rousseau makes called ‘Okanagan Block Co’. They are sold at the Penticton Farmers Market. They are gorgeous, meticulously designed and are made locally in Summerland.

9. If you could give $1M to charity, which one would you choose?

I’ve always had a dream to open up a community centre focused on serving international students that visit our city. I want to see a downtown location (with good bus access) that would open their doors to allow for students to commune. It would also service international fruit pickers where they could hang out on their days off. The community space would be a safe and friendly environment with international phone and internet access. Visitors could contact and reconnect with their family and friends back home. The center would even have a laundry facility and most importantly an inviting atmosphere with social events.

10. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

My family photo became viral when it was showcased on the ‘Awkward Family Photo’ website. The rights to it were bought and it is now a greeting card, board game cover, coffee table book, calendar feature, traveling museum exhibit and has been recognized internationally on many forums and tv shows. Search on YouTube, ‘Graham Norton Show. Awkward Family Photos’.

11. If you weren’t living in the beautiful Okanagan, where else would you live?

If I wasn’t living in the Okanagan I would live in Northern Japan. I want to live amongst and help the communities that were affected by the 2011 Tsunami.