I love to save money. Some of my friends would describe me as being “frugal” and it’s true. I won’t argue.

I’ve been like this since I was little. I just loved to save money and not really spend it! Now I spend it but I’m careful about how I spend it and think hard before making purchases.

Not to mention I do a fair bit of research to find out if I’m getting the best price.

Thankfully there’s apps these days to help me accomplish this. Lately, I’ve been using RedFlagDeals.com (RFD) which is a leading deal-finding app and website that syndicates geo-localized bargains, and hosts user-generated forums to help Canadians find the best deals around.

Seeing as it’s back to school season – I think this app will come in very handy for many households!

This app has many amazing features…take a peek:

I can find all the hottest deals and more. Here’s a few of my favourite features that are on this app.

-I’m able to personalize the deals (BRING IT ON!!) and flyers I’m looking for. For example, I live close to a Metro Grocery store so I can easily set that particular grocery store as a “favourite” so I can see all their flyers first!

-I have the ability to get the latest news, information and tips that matter to me. Here’s a screenshot which demonstrates this. Love knowing what’s going on with some of my favourite retailers.

I’m also able to use a search engine that will feature freebies (yay) and coupons too. See the coupon at the bottom for the CNE? Well I know for sure that this freebie will interest many (many) people…including me!!!

Hope you get a chance to download this app soon for the chance to save, save and save some more!

For more information:

Website: www.redflagdeals.com

Instagram and Twitter: @redflagdeals

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own

 

 

The month of May is going to wiz by. Here’s why.

May 4 to 14 – I will be seeing as many films as I can throughout the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. I’ve been been busy studying the guide and putting together a schedule! Can’t wait to help them celebrate their 25th anniversary.

On May 4th – I will be walking thru the aisles of SIAL looking for new products to share with you. For example – Sugar Cubes that are available in three flavours : cardamom, cinnamon and saffron. Stay tuned for an entire blog post dedicated to this incredible trade show.

On May 6th – I’m heading to Oxford County to go on their Cheese Trail.  Every Saturday in May, you can head to Canada’s Dairy Capital in Oxford County and enjoy the day celebrating all things cheese. How can I NOT go? LOL

On May 8th at exactly 9:30 am you will find me and my cheque book at this fabulous Sample Sale. I will happily be shopping for my FALL wardrobe at wholesale prices. Love. Love. Love This Sample Sale.

On May 10-11th – I will have the opportunity to drive the the 2018 Equinox on a beautiful drive through some of Niagara Region’s most charming towns. The route promises to include great food, activities and accommodations too.

I’ve been told that the 2018 Equinox is a fresh and modern SUV that’s sized and designed to meet the needs of the compact SUV customer. It will be the perfect balance of design and technology to keep me safe, comfortable and connected.

May 14th – Mother’s Day! Planning on meeting my mom in Kingston to celebrate this special day with her, and planning on spending the evening with my daughter.

May 16 to 19 – I’m heading to Philadelphia and I’m too excited for words as I’ve never been to this city and the food scene sounds amazing. (a priority – clearly).

May 23rd – more good news to follow!!

My biggest challenge is how to get to Ottawa to see the Tulip Festival. ARGHHH.

Hopefully I will get a chance to rest in June.

Spring is here. (I think)

Last week, I was checking out beautiful cherry blossom trees.

But today I wore a winter jacket. (no photo – its just too upsetting). However when you walk into Lowe’s – you definitely know its Spring!!

The Style & Trends team has prepared a wonderful Spring/Summer line of spring outdoor decorating solutions. I’m all for spending more time OUTDOORS than INDOORS when it comes to these two seasons.

This year, Style and Trends Director Cindy Jardim, has designed four collections which are exclusive to Lowe’s Canada. (Gracious Living, Cuban Cool, Renewed Formality, Metro Modern).

Each collection was created with the goals of empowering consumer creativity and increasing comfort levels with design.

Lowe’s has also  introduced melamine serving and dishware this year! This serving dish makes me smile and would certainly be a conversation piece around a table.

I don’t know what it is about melamine dishwater but I’m always drawn towards it. P

Seriously, Lowe’s has you covered when it comes to Spring/Summer outdoor living.

Happy Shopping!!

For more information: 

Website: www.lowes.ca

Instagram and Twitter: @Lowes_Canada

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LowesCanada/

Disclosure: Lowe’s provided me with a gift card however all opinions are my own

 

For a change, I’m ready for winter. I will be honest, winter is not my favourite season so I have no idea why I’m smiling in this photo! However I have winter tires on my car, a brand new hat to keep me warm ,a new scarf, a new Uniqlo jacket, new Kombi mitts, and new Olang boots. I’m completely prepared!

 

Specifically I want to share my love for these Olang boots. Not only are they warm but they are lightweight and comfortable too. (insert applause).

These boots have a unique folding ice cleat at the bottom which I know will make me feel more secure on those slippery wintery days. Pretty cool feature, non?

Olang offers fashionable winter boots for men, women and kids too. If you click here, you can enter your postal code to find out the nearest location to you that carries these incredible boots.

My new winter Kombi mitts are going to help me out this winter too. As a sales rep I spend a lot of time driving and this year I can drive with warm hands (and warm feet). 

Their specially engineered membrane allows sweat to escape and prevents water from penetrating.  I have no doubt that these mitts will keep me warm, dry and comfortable for the next few months (unless I lose one…arghh).

I’m convinced that warm feet and warm hands will make this winter a little more bearable for me.

Wishing everyone a warm winter!! (that doesn’t involve a lot of snow shovelling)

For more information:

Boots: www.olangcanada.com

Mitts: www.kombicanada.com

Jacket: www.uniqlocanada.com

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a friends’ house for dinner. Immediately upon entering her kitchen I said to her: “LOVE your dishes” and she replied: “I bought them last year at the William Ashley Warehouse Sale due to your blog post”.

She then tells me that she’d been looking for another set of dishes for years, and when she saw the prices at the warehouse sale, she bought a set.

This year the sale is taking place till Nov 27th at 111 Creditview  Road in Vaughan (near Hwy 400 and Langstaff) and naturally there is no shortage of incredible merchandise. You name it, they have it!

I spent a lot of time in this section as I can’t seem to have enough placements in my life! (plus they are easy to store in my small condo).

I also bought fabulous candle sticks which I was all to happy to use this week when I set my table. By the way – the table cloth and placemats were bought at last years’ warehouse sale!

I’m a bit mad at myself that I didn’t buy these fabulous light bulbs. Take a peek at the price tag! #next time

Please note, that if you spend $300 or more at the Warehouse Sale, you will receive a $50 gift card to use at their location at 55 Bloor St W or online. 

This warehouse sale has a ton of fantastic merchandise at fantastic prices. I hope you get a chance to visit.

Happy Shopping!

For more information:

Website: http://www.williamashley.com/warehousesale

Hours: Monday (closed), Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Dates: Oct 25 – Nov 27, 2016

Address: 111 Creditview Ave, Vaughan ON

Disclosure: I was provided a gift card in exchange for this blog post, however all opinions are my own

I’ve lived minutes away from Yorkdale, since I moved to Toronto in 1988! Not to mention, I was once the Marketing Director for Yorkdale on a 9 month contract in the early 199o’s.

It’s been a lot of fun to keep watching this shopping centre expand and expand.

Their latest expansion which opened last week includes Nordstrom and 18 new stores.

Seriously, this shopping centre is nothing short of fabulous. I can’t stop telling all my friends to GO!

It’s simply stunning and the new range of stores are pretty spectacular too.

For example:

UNIQLO has now opened at Yorkdale and this is going to make a lot of people happy (including myself).

Muji is another another Japanese retailer that features not only clothing, but housewares, stationary and bedding too! Worth checking out.

Naturally I couldn’t resist these diffusers and bought one! It was a little treat to myself and my condo (which is now spelling of Lemongrass).

Please let it be known that Canada Goose has opened it’s first retail store at Yorkdale. Another great reason to visit this new expansion.

Other stores that caught my attention – this Birks store which is particularly stunning.

 After touring the new expansion, make sure you treat yourself to something sweet at Nadege.

Other stores that have opened in this expansion include: Samsung (which also makes me every so happy that they are now at Yorkdale), ARC’TERYX, Wolford, Mage, Strellson, Reiss, Spareparts, The Face Shop, Saje, NYX Cosmetics, Mackage, Oak + Fort

Yes – Yorkdale has STYLE.

Happy Shopping!

Website: www.yorkdale.com

Address: 3401 Dufferin St. Toronto

Phone: 416-789-3261

Twitter: @YorkdaleStyle

I was super excited to receive an invite to the opening of the UNIQLO at Eaton Centre on Sept 17th. This store has apparel with Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Not to mention that everything I’ve bought from this store is COMFORTABLE.

When I woke up that morning, I knew exactly what I was going to the wear to the event. It was a no brainer – I was going to wear the dress that I bought at the UNIQLO Flagship store in NYC on Labour Day Weekend!!

I was eager to see if the dress was going to be on the racks in Canada and I was super eager to see the price.

Indeed, I found the dress and guess what? It was only $10 more than what I bought it for in NYC.  Here’s proof of the tag.  How awesome is that?

I bought two more dresses that night that I cant stop wearing. I’m positively crazy about this brand. The prices are perfect and I love their fashionably products  – sweaters, scarves, blouses etc.

Not to mention I was this stores’ first customer!

I will continue to be a happy customer as they are opening at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Oct 20th and I only live 7 minutes away. Hip Hip Hooray.

Happy Shopping!!

For more information: 

Website: www.uniqlo.com

Twitter: @Uniqlo_Canada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqloCanada/

Indigo recently opened the world’s first cultural department store for booklovers at CF Sherway Gardens. It offers a fully immersive experience, including a cross-section of ‘shops-within-a-shop’ with seamless integration of books and lifestyle products, all merchandised to inspire and delight.

The store is 33,000 sqf and quite impressive!!

This magazine selection blew me away. Can’t remember the last time I saw this type of selection.

The merchandising at this particular Indigo is also brilliant. If you are looking for any gift for any occasion – this would be store you should go to.

Need a cottage gift? A hostess gift? A birthday gift? A teachers gift? There’ s no shortage of options.

While at the event I managed to muster up the courage to ask Heather Reisman for a photo.

After taking the photo with her, I noticed this amazing wall with Heather’s Picks.

One book in particular that grabbed my attention was this book. I liked the name of the book and the tag line too!!

Happy Reading!!

PS what are you reading these days?

For more information

CF Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Toronto ON

Indigo

When I was pregnant (back in 1998), a lot of my friends gave me this piece of advice: Do NOT buy a diaper bag.

I actually listened to this piece of advice and instead I bought this particular knapsack in 1998.

It was indeed a great piece of advice and I loved this knapsack for decades. It got me thru two pregnancies, day trips, numerous flights, festivals and events.

Fast forward to 2016. It was time to upgrade my knapsack to this gorgeous beauty by WillLand Outdoors. I love the shape, the straps, and the colour too.

Check out their range of backpacks by clicking here. They also have luggage/travel backpacks and backpacks for exercise and sports. Not to mention camping accessories too.

Who are WillLand Outdoors? They are a company that believes in the combination of QUALITY, DURABILITY, and SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. I love their commitment to: NO QUESTIONS ASKED WARRANTEE, and their determination to keep all of their customers happy with a 100% HAPPINESS SATISFACTION GUARANTEE.

Not to mention they are a Canadian Company. #supportlocal.

Can’t wait to use it as I envision myself going on a few day trips over the summer and I know this backpack will come in handy!

Website: www.WillLandoutdoors.com

Disclosure: The backpack was provided to me, however all opinions are my own.

 

The 2016 William Ashley Warehouse Sale is taking place April 15th to 20th and I swear this is one sale you don’t want to miss. How can you say no to 30.000 sqf of shopping? I know I can’t.

Prices and selection are nothing short of fabulous at this warehouse sale.. Therefore I was eager to grab my trolley and start shopping as I totally scored, the last time I went to this warehouse sale.

There’s plenty of home decor, china, bedding, bathroom accessories, Mother’s Day gifts, Bridal Gifts, China (of course), kitchen stuff and more!!

More proof:

In less than an hour I managed to buy two tablecloths, two napkins (of course), two sets of placements,  some serving bowls, stunning placemats and 6 gorgeous glasses. I totally scored. #LoveThisSale. Note: I really did want to buy more but I have limited storage space. (le sigh)

This is what you need to know:

William Ashley Warehouse – 111 Creditview (Hwy 400 and Langstaff) Vaughan, Ontario

Friday April 15 from 10 to 8

Saturday April 16 from 10 to 6

Sunday April 17 from 10 to 6

Monday April 18 from 10 to 8

Tuesday April 19 from 10 to 8

Wednesday April 20 from 10 to 8

Disclosure: I was provided with a gift card, however all opinions are my own.