A few weeks ago, I read about Archery District on BlogTO. I said to myself “hmm…that sounds like SO much fun”. (um, like 6,000 sqf of fun) So I picked up the phone and went to visit this unique space a few days later.

I found out that Archery District is a franchise that can be found in the States, but four friends from high school got together and brought the first franchise to Toronto.

When I arrived, I was given goggles and then headed over to a practice area for a few minutes of training.  Once my training was over, I was eager to see if I could hit the target. I actually hit it once and then that was the end of my “luck”. LOL

Even though Archery District just opened up a few weeks ago, they are already popular and groups were actively playing Archery dodgeball when i arrived.

Grab a bunch of friends and go. I have no doubt that everyone will have a blast.

For more information:

Website: www.archerydistrict.com 

Address: 770 Birchmount Rd, Unit 22

Phone:  647 955 3111

Hours: Mon-Thur: By booking only, Fri: 4pm-1am, Sat: 10am-1am,  Sun: 10am-10pm

This place is really worth checking out if you are looking for something fun to do!

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As always, my trip to Vegas would not have been complete without a trip to Target. Naturally I bought some clothes and naturally I ended up in the grocery section as well.

Here’s a few products that caught my eye:

a) Kellogg’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Cereal: Yup – I bought a box. I couldn’t resist as I’m a sucker for packaging and chocolate!!

b) Betty Crocker Watermelon Cupcake Mix:  This DID not appeal to me. Not even close.  c) PB2 – Powdered Peanut Butter: Ok I liked the packaging but couldn’t get my head around the fact that I had to mix water with this product in order to make peanut butter. I rather have the calories. What do you think?d) Beer Chips: I should have bought a bag but I didn’t.  Hoping that the Neal Brothers will develop something like this product. Pretty Please?

e) M&M Birthday Cake: My birthday is on April 2nd so I figured it was an appropriate purchase!!

As always, my trip to Target was a success!!

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On a recent day trip to Niagara On the Lake, I decided to quickly to jump over to Buffalo seeing I was SO close. When the border guy asked me “what’s the purpose of the trip”. The answer is always the same…”to go grocery shopping and to go to Target”.

Here’s what I bought at Tops (ps Im now a proud card member of Tops AND Wegmans). I must admit Tops has an advantage as it’s right next to Target on Niagara Falls Blvd.

1. Jell-O Party  Molds. It was free when you buy 6 small packets of Jell-O. How could I resist?

2. Jell-O so I could make the Cocktail Bites and use the mold. #staytuned. Can’t wait to serve these and find out which flavour is the best.

3. Heinz Ketchup with Balsamic. I’m all about flavour and curious to see how this tastes.

4. Snacks….can’t find these flavours here (I think. LOL). Actually I’m pretty sure I can’t find these here!

At Target I bought this flight of beer ($3 for the board, $1 for each glass). I’m going to sample 4 different bottles of Innis & Gunn STAT using this new server. I’ve been a long time fan of Innis & Gunn not to mention I love ordering flights of beer in restaurants. Now I can sample different beers in the comfort of  my own apartment.  #score.

 Fall shoes had also arrived at Target and I scooped up two pairs (of course). But will save that for another blog post about Fall Fashion!!

By the way, getting home was not pretty at each bridge. Oh well…it was still worth it.

Happy Shopping.

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I’ve decided NOT to post about a recipe or a restaurant or even what I ate in Buffalo. I know you are in shock. But you see…I’m fed up with the rain. I have a bunch of outfits that I bought in November that I really, really, really, want to wear! However the weather is SIMPLY not cooperating.

Remember that sample sale that I go to twice a year for the last 8 years? Well these outfits are from that famous sample sale!!

So allow me to be a fashion blogger …just this once. LOL.

More..

And more…

P.S. The shorts/tshirts are from Target in Buffalo. Ive never bought short-shorts before.

There’s more outfits  but I didn’t want to bore you. Plus it was exhausting trying on all these outfits.

The May sample sale will soon be coming up in May and of course I will let you know the dates K?

Must sign off. I need to study the weather patterns for the next week in the event I can wear one of the above outfits!!

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I took advantage of the clear skies and the holiday Monday to go to Buffalo. It was time for some good old fashioned RETAIL THERAPY.

My definition of retail therapy combines my love of two stores in Buffalo: Target  and Wegmans. I actually spent just as much money at the grocer store as I did at Target. The customs guy thought I was crazy to go to Buffalo for TWO stores. Ps he didn’t pull me over even though I spent more than what I was suppose to when you visit for FOUR hours.

Here’s what I bought at Wegmans. (it’s all about the food – not the shoes I bought – hee hee).

1 Lesser Evil Brand Chia Crisps…Baked Crunchy Black Bean Chips. I picked out the Zesty-fresh, herb infused CRUNCHY DILL PICKLE because that’s my favorite flavor! (how did they know).

I opened up the bag (even though they are a gift for my friend) to sample a few. A “few” turned into a “few dozens”. I LOVE them and now I’m kicking myself that I only bought one bag! Story of my life.

Let’s review what’s in these chips: Omega 3’s (ALA), Powerful Antioxidants, EC Free, Good Source of Fiber and 4 g of protein per serving. Take a look at all the info thats on the back of the bag!!

2. Prometheus Springs Lychee Wasabi Capsaicin Spiced Elixir. Once again – opened it up when I got back to Toronto and the stuff is WICKED. It’s USDA organic and kosher! Whats in it: Filtered water, organic evaporated cane juice, organic lemon juice concentrate, natural lychee wasabi flavor, sea salt, capsaicin extract. Would love for some bartender to create a cocktail with this stuff!

3. Siggi’s Icelandic Sytle Skyr – 0% milk fat, strained non fat yogurt. Again – all natural, milk from grass fed cows, no aspartame, no sucralose, no gelatin, no artificial colorings, no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup. YUM.

3. Lord Nut Levington Rebel Mary Peanuts (spicy bloody mary). Had to buy this and guess what? Scored once again. Will be serving this the next time friends come by for drinks.

5.. This item I bought at the DOLLAR TREE  – Tasty Tortilla Non Stick Steel Tortilla Pan. Not that I NEED this but it was A DOLLAR. How could I not buy it? Will let you know if it works in a future blog post k?

It certainly was a great trip to Buffalo. Naturally I will be going back soon as I’ve heard rumours that Trader Joes is opening in Buffalo. Too excited for words.

Road trip anyone?

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Fall is around the corner! Sad but true. Therefore I wanted to go to Buffalo to see the Fall Fashions and of course, to go grocery shopping. I sent out an email to a few a friends, asking them if they wanted to join me. I promised them that we would leave on a Sunday at 8 a.m and return by 5 p.m. I felt confident saying this as I now use this fabulous BORDER CROSSING HOTLINE that saves me 45 minutes of waiting at the wrong bridge. Here’s the number…1 800 715 6722. Use it!!

I’m going to start by sharing what I bought at Wegmans and then write a second blog post about what I bought at Target. K?

Here’s what I bought at Wegmans:

1. Olivio Coconut Spread:  This product is USDA organic, dairy free, gluten free, soy free and kosher. I have visions of using it with salmon or in a stir fry.

Coconut is definitely a trend these days!!

2. Blue Diamond Breeze – Almond Milk Coconut Blend: Again, Soy Free, Lactose Free, Unsweetened and has 50% more calcium than milk. I bought 3 as I’m sure this is going to go fast.

This is going to taste amazing in my morning smoothie!!

3. Chobani Champions: Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Greek Yogurt. It’s hard to tell from the photo but it’s a tray of 3.5 oz (100g) containers. I knew that this product would make my daughter happy and it makes me happy to know that it’s low fat, made with only natural ingredients and  kosher too.

Perfect for my daughters lunch box

4. Kozy Shack Bread Pudding: I usually make my own bread pudding but this product is for my mom who lives in Ottawa and adores bread pudding. She’s going to love the convenience!

I bought a whole bunch of other items as well but these are the products that really stood out for me.  In fact my bill was close to $80!! I also decided to become a Wegmans member again as I go shopping there so often that it was time for me to save a few bucks here and there!! Yay for savings…Yay for new products.

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Hi. My Name Is Vicky and I collect CHINA. Here’s how it started.

I grew up in a house with a lot of china – my mother loves having different sets of dishes.  You could say she has a collection!! There’s a set for brunch, a set for formal dinners, a set for every day, a set for special holidays, a set for no specific reason etc etc.

Guess who is in the same situation these days? that’s right…me!  I have  a collection of 6 different sets as well. Despite the fact that I just moved from a house to an apartment, I could not part with one set. They all have some form of meaning to me, not to mention, I really do hope that I will USE them and they won’t just sit in the cupboard.

Here’s some details about the 6 sets of china I own:

1.  This set is called Black Onyx  from Ainsley  (now discontinued)) and was purchased 21 years ago. Back then it was a FORTUNE (let me repeat – a fortune). I use this set mostly for formal holiday meals and I’m proud to say that 21 years later – the entire set is in perfect condition.

pretty formal!!

2. This next collection consists of 12 different tea cups with matching saucers. I can’t even remember the last time I used it but I know it’s been YEARS. However I love the “look” and I love the IDEA of having tea on a Sunday afternoon. (with 11 friends of course)

Pretty, non?

3. This set was buried so deep, I didnt even know I had it till I moved. No joke.

4. This set I bought at Target just before I moved and it’s now my every day set. However I have been using these dishes for Friday nite dinners as I’m really enjoying a more contemporary look. Do you know what I mean?

Really enjoying this set!!

5. This set I inherited from my grandmother. I couldnt part with it. Again, I havent used it for YEARS but it’s meaningful and it’s going nowhere. I also inherited another set of dishes from my grandmother that I use every year during Passover. This means that I have 6 different sets of dishes. This is a problem!!

Cant part with this set!!

You are probably asking “where oh where does she store all these china sets”? Here is the answer: I have an entire shelf dedicated to china in my ONE hallway cupboard. I invested in those “china storage containers” and believe it or not – they are all labelled. Plus I have one box of china in the storage unit that came with the apartment.

Is there anyone out there with the same type of china collection?? I should start a club – “The China Diaries” as each set of china has a story!!

ps I also collect postcards…..stay tuned.

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As a dinner gift last year, I received  a Mr. Coffee Ice Tea Maker machine and I fell in love with it immediately. (another genius appliance…LOL). There is nothing like coming home on a hot day and enjoying fresh brewed ice tea that tastes like ICE TEA and not chemicals. The sad part about this blog entry is that it’s not available in Canada. The good news: They are available at Target and I happen to go to Buffalo on a regular basis so just send a request!! p.s $22 a unit

Here’s how it works:

1. fill the jug with water - up to the line

2. pour the water into the designated area

3. fill the jug with ice - till the line

4. put two tea bags in the designated bin (I like Stash lemon ginger)

5. align the jug next to the machine and press a button

6. Pour the ice tea into my PC cup-to-go!

Happy!!

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Dear Dannon and Yoplait.

My family loves yogurt. Its great to put in the kids lunches and its a quick and easy dessert at dinner with fresh fruit.

But it seems that we aren’t getting the same flavors as our friends south of the border!! Evertime we travel to the States we go “nuts” (well not really, but you know what I mean) when we see the HUGE variety of flavors that we can’t get in Toronto.

For example:

Danone: we love the strawberrry cheese cake and the banana cream pie!!

Love these Flavors!!

Yoplait: Triple Berry Torte, Black Forest Cake and Red Velvet Cake!! Isnt’ that just awesome?

YUM...

Last week while shopping in Buffalo, I picked up a dozen assorted yogurts. Naturally they are gone now. What was I thinking? Why didnt I pick up two dozen?

Hopefully one day we will see these varieties in Canada. If Target is coming…then maybe I can get a red velvet cake yogurt at my local grocery store one day soon. Crossing my fingers.

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I collect paper napkins and paper plates. Infact I have a whole cupboard dedicated to this collection.

I should be embarassed but I’m actually kinda proud. There is some really nice paper napkins and paper plates hanging out in that cupboard!

Here’s one of my favorite paper placemats (from Target, of course)

Gorgeous. RIght?

But that’s the problem. They are SO nice that I can’t use them. It’s a problem.  I cant use them coz I know I will never find them again.

Notice that in the next picture…they are still wrapped in plastic?

Pretty Paper Plates with Pretty Napkins too.

Most of the paper plates/napkins I buy at Target.  But  then I discovered Real Canadian Superstore and they too – have featured some nice paper napkins. Plus there’s the

occasional “stationary/gift” store in Toronto that will carry a unique line and bingo – MY CUPBOARD IS FULL.

So here’s one last  photo of my best-est paper napkins and paper plates that I can’t seem to use.

On the bottom of the plates: Target 2006!!

p.s I am not a hoarder – except when it comes to paper napkins and paper plates!!! Does that count? LOL

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