Contests, Daily, Photos

The Finale

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It’s the finale of my Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway (absolutely adoring alliterations) this week. Check back again on Tuesday of next week to win a $100.00 gift card somewhere. I can’t tell you all just yet – you’ll have to come back to my website to find out more. heh heh…

Finding the perfect gift is always a challenge… and this year, Parker can help you share a gift idea that is both personal and unique.

The one thing of many, I share in common with my Dad — is a love of stationary, and art. He’s a retired Architect, and I’m a Graphic Designer.

I’m very picky about the type of pen I have. Many people know not to touch the pens that I have at my desk at home and work because they’re ordered off of eBay straight from Hong Kong. I like a pen that is somewhat scratchy, and it has to be gel and fine point. None of this leaking ink all over my pinkies. The more dried up the better.

I didn’t realize how much I liked the pen until it ran out of ink and I started to search for it at Staples, Walmart or anywhere else that would sell pens. I even decided to e-mail the company with a sad e-mail response telling me that they no longer made it.

I hunted it down though. eBay is a wonderful place and I stocked up, and continue to stock up once I’ve run low again. Oh happy day.

It’s not fair to other pen companies to not get a chance in my household. So I hesitantly decided to try out the Parker IM pen. ;)

Preeeh-tee fancy looking if you ask me. If even comes in its own box. I have to say, it’s pretty stylish and has a bit of personality if I dare say.

This would be the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy person in your life. That being, my Boss and my Daddio.

The pen itself has a bit of weight to it. This is the sort of pen you’d bring to an interview, or wear to a fancy event in one of your blazer pockets. Men, I’m talkin’ to you.

When I tried out the Parker IM pen, it offered some pretty smooth-writing, but reliable enough to me to keep using it.

(I’m not actually left-handed lol)

I love the tailored shape of the stainless steel casing. The Parker IM comes in a variety  of chrome finishes and a full range of models including fountain pen, ballpoint and roller ball. The IM models are  available in many colours and finishes including Premium Etched Matte (black, metallic and pink) and Chiseled Chrome or Gunmetal.

The Parker IM, along with many other models of Parker pens, is available at Staples and throughout Canada at fine writing retailers with prices ranging from $18 to $80 depending on the model of choice. 

One lucky Canadian will be winning this exact Parker pen! Fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beauty, Contests, Daily, Fashion, Photos

Mickey Mouse is hiding

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Last weekend I was browsing through the Restoration Hardware catalogue that comes to our apartment every few months. I remember hearing about that store from my interior decorator neighbour back home in Newfoundland, literally ten or more years ago. That store was something I had always admired, and always aspired my house to look like “when I grew up”. I finally had the chance to step inside a Restoration Hardware store when I went to San Diego California two summers ago with a few girls. I bought two very large bath sheets.

Years later, I still get the catalogue and continue to flick through them to this day. Their stuff is crazy expensive, but it doesn’t stop me from admiring from afar.

One thing that caught my eye was their advertised Christmas stocking made with faux fur. Can you believe that the Boyfriend and I don’t have our own stockings for one another? I think that ought to change this year.

I have these one’s picked out from the store. If only we had a fireplace that Santa could get down in…

Anyhoodle. Stockings are my most favorite part of opening Christmas presents. Here are a few of my favorite items that I would normally find in mine:

  • Terry’s Chocolate Orange
  • Toothbrush
  • EOS lip balm
  • A nice juicy ripe apple
  • Socks ‘n underwear
  • Deodorant
  • Small games/gadgets
  • Candy

To save you the trouble of going out and buying all your stocking stuffers this year —I’ll help you with one of the items listed. This is EOS’ first ever branded collaboration.

It’s a limited edition EOS lip balm inspired by Disney’s Alice in Wonderland!

You’ll notice that the design has a “Hidden” Mickey Mouse head imprint on the Smooth Spheres. Its packaging is  sophisticated, yet whimsical and playful.

EOS is one of my top favorite lip balms to use. I currently have a lighter pink one (strawberry shortcake I think) sitting at my desk as we speak.

Fun fact: Did you know Mickey Mouse just had his birthday this month? I asked the talented Barb, if I could use her fun illustration on my website to showcase his birthday and thankfully she agreed. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram (dearbarbz) for more amazing drawings. She is so talented.  It’s unreal. I actually save a few of her drawings for inspiration, since I’m a Graphic Designer. Love her stuff.

Five people will be winning a set of the two eos smooth sphere’s shown above. Just enter your information in the rafflecopter below.

Contest is open only to Canadians.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Contests, Coupons, Daily, dealz, Health, In the Kitchen, Photos

Leftovers don’t have to be bland

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I hope everyone had a good Wednesday! Usually I write up my blog posts in the morning and push them live right after. But this week seems to be really busy. With all of the giveaways happening, and the biggest day of the year at work (yesterday) it’s just madness! In a good way. I don’t set up things in advance, but I really should’ve done so this week.

I just got home from picking up a few groceries and decided to skip CrossFit tonight since I’m starving and just have zero time. Thankfully I had my meal plan stuck to the fridge so I know what’s cookin’ this week. I don’t always follow through with what I had planned. In fact, tonight’s dinner is going to be left overs. Groan.

I actually really hate having left overs and don’t mind cooking each night. But since I knew today was going to be extra busy I thought ahead of time last night, and made extra chicken for us. Ahh, smart thinkin’ hey?

Tonight I’m having a good ol’ fashion sandwich made with Dempsters bread.

Shown in the photo above:

  • Dempsters Whole Wheat bread
  • Fresh cooked Chicken breasts (from those individual Maple Leaf “Portions”)
  • Chef Robert’s Roasted Red Pepper Aoili that I picked up from a gourmet health food store
  • Mozza + Provolone cheese
  • Tomatoes
  • Maple Leaf bacon
  • Spinach

Everything was cut up the night before since I knew I would be short of time. Then it was time to take the photos for the blog!

Isn’t this picture hilarious? It’s like the sandwich is doomed. Why is the background so dark? I know we have brown kitchen walls and all, but still.

Photos had to happen quickly, because we were both starving. I know the crumbs kind of take away from the photos, but that’s all you can do when your tummy is growlin’ to feed it.

Looks good hey? It was gone in 1.3 minutes flat. Just so you guys don’t feel left out, I’m going to include you in a sweet giveaway thanks to Maple Leaf Canada.

I have 10 free Canadian Bread product coupons for two lucky Canadians to win (five “free product” coupons per person). Be sure to use the coupons up quick as they expire on December 31, 2012.

Use the rafflecopter form below to enter! Contest is open to CANADIANS ONLY.

You can find Dempsters on Twitter, and Facebook too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am a member of the MLF Connects program. As part of my participation in this program I have received compensation, however all opinions in place and ideas on this blog are my own.

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