I’ve just returned from the 2015 President’s Choice® Summer Retreat. To say that I was spoiled rotten would be an understatement. I was well fed and well taken care of!

To begin with the retreat took place in a spectacular 18,000 sqf “cottage” that was situated on Lake Rosseau. Yes – that’s right, 18,000 square feet!

When I walked into my room there were no fewer than 3 bags of goodies waiting for me:

1. a personalized outfit from Joe Fresh

2. Sun Bum Sun Care products from Shoppers Drug Mart

3. Products from Real Canadian Superstore® including some fun PC®  products (animal baking tray, waffle maker from Everyday Essentials, napkins and more)

When  I woke up in the morning there was an incredible spread that featured sweet AND savoury waffles, fruit and more. Chef Andrea Buckett ensured that we started off our day on the right foot with a solid breakfast.

I especially loved this PC®  Pineapple Kale Smoothie that I had never tried before.

After breakfast, we were treated to a relaxing yoga session on the lawn. My Bad…I only took a photo and didn’t participate!

For lunch, there was a tasty BBQ….seriously no one was hungry. I was in condiment heaven!!

Naturally in the afternoon, I relaxed on the dock with my favorite beer that I purchase all the time – the PC® 2.5 Carb beer.

There were certainly no shortage of magazines to read or snacks!! I must admit – I was in heaven!

Here’s one of the recipes that was used over the weekend that I really enjoyed:

RECIPE: Cauliflower and Sweet Pea Salad

1 bag PC® Frozen Cauliflower, thawed

2 cups PC® Frozen Peas

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup thinly sliced radish

2 tbsp chopped tarragon or dill

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp sea salt

Dressing:

1 tbsp PC® whole grain Dijon Mustard

3 tbsp PC ®black label Honey & Ginger Condiment

4 tbsp PC® New World EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl

2. Whisk the ingredients for the dressing together

2. Pour dressing over vegetables and serve.

As you know, I’ve been along time fan of PC® products and gravitate toward them for their unique flavours and quality. I’m actually going to be posting a dessert using a few PC® products later this week so stay tuned. It’s a winner!!

Many thanks to the entire team at Citizen Relations and the team from Loblaws who worked really (really) hard to put this fantastic retreat together. I am truly grateful.

For more information:

President’s Choice: Twitter: @PresChoice, Instagram; @PresChoice Facebook: PresidentsChoice

Joe Fresh: Twitter: @JoeFresh, Instagram: @JoeFresh, Facebook: JoeFresh

 

With Father’s Day right around the corner, enter to win your dad or husband the go-to tablet for his family’s digital needs  – the Samsung GALAXY Tab A. (app value $429)

• Thanks to the 4:3 screen ratio, the 9.7-inch screen offers a better viewing experience so your Dad can can create, consume and connect to his favourite content – sports, movies or magazines.
• Another great family feature is Multi-User, which allows for up to six unique profiles to be that everyone can enjoy the device with a personalized experience.
• The impressive multi-tasking capabilities will allow dad to read, email or use social media simultaneously.

I recently received a Samsung TAB S and quickly ditched my Ipad Mini.  I absolutely adore how quickly I can download apps WITHOUT remembering another password. Not to mention it’s going to sync with my Samsung Galaxy S5 phone. #ohhowIlovetechnology.

All you have to do to enter this contest is answer this question:

Why would you would like to win a SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A? 

Just click on the REPLY button and leave a comment!!

Other important details:

-this contest is open to all Canadian Residents

-this contest will close on Monday June 15th, 2015 at midnite.

-if the winner does not get back to me by Wednesday June 18th at midnite – another winner will be selected

Happy Father’s Day!!

 

See my smile? Well I’m smiling because I bought my condo!!

Here’s the story:

When I moved out of my matrimonial home, I rented a 2 bedroom HUGE apartment. However I was paying a lot of $$ and had ZERO amenities. (ie not even a balcony).

After 2 years, I decided to rent a condo a mile up the road that had: laundry ensuite, a 24 hour concierge, a beautiful outdoor poor, a gym, a guest suite, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a party room, a balcony, VIP cable for $6/month, and the perfect location…..plus I would be saving almost $300 a dollar a month.

Then in April 2015, I received an email from my landlord that she wanted to sell the condo and asked if I would be interested to buy it.  To be honest, I was happy to rent…. but I knew that it was time to buy so I replied that indeed I would be interested. We sat down to negotiate and before you knew it I was busy signing a lot of paperwork!!

Throughout the last 6 weeks, I was lucky to have two professionals guide me thru the process:

a) REMAX Realtor – Eric Potechin: (416 737 6782 or ericpotechin@gmail.com).

Eric guided the landlord and I – every step of the way! He patiently walked us thru the necessary forms and provided me with the information I needed in order to be a knowledgeable buyer.

If you are looking for a honest and competent real estate professional, please don’t hesitate to call him.

b) Get a Better Mortgage – Sharon Shilmover:  (647 389 9038 or email Shilmover.s@mortgagecentre.com or SShilmover@hotmail.com

With over 20 years of experience, Sharon knows her stuff. Again, Sharon was the type of professional who was extremely thorough and dedicated to her clients. I was extremely happy with the level of service I received and would strongly recommend her.

Now that I own my condo….I’m lifting the carpets STAT and by the end of the week, the condo will have gorgeous hardwood floors.

Can you say – time to decorate?