The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year but they’re also the most hectic! What’s your biggest stress when you go shopping at the mall? For me, it’s not only the crowds and long line-ups, but also finding a parking spot, shopping with a heavy coat on, and lugging bags around.
But when you shop at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto with RBC Avion, you are in for exclusive VIP treatment!
The RBC Avion Holiday Boutique is a unique and exclusive program designed to enhance the holiday shopping experience for RBC Avion cardholders. It’s RBC’s way of thanking Avioners for their loyalty and to help turn their holiday shopping experience from good to great!
Yorkdale is especially crazy for parking spots (especially after lunch) so valet parking is a definite bonus! I find it cumbersome to shop comfortably with heavy coat, so the coat and parcel check takes a load off! Shoppers can take a break from the crowd in the swanky VIP lounge area. Enjoy a cup of or tea once your shopping is all done, and have your gifts wrapped!
In store boutique experiences will be open November 27 until December 31, 2015 during mall hours.
Burnaby, BC at Metropolis at Metrotown and Toronto, ON at Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Cart experiences will be held November 27 until December 24, 2015 during mall hours at:
Halifax, NS at Halifax Shopping Centre and Ottawa, ON at the St. Laurent Centre
The RBC Avion Holiday Boutique is for Avion cardholders only but at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, you can still enjoy gift wrapping services for a nominal fee which will be donated to charity, so win win!
What a nice way for RBC to thank Avioners for their loyalty and to help turn their shopping visit to a VIP holiday shopping experience!
What do you think of this VIP shopping experience?
Disclosure: I am part of the RBC® Avion Holiday Boutique Influencer Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
I’ve suffered from eczema for many years. At first, I thought it was a reaction to certain foods. For other reasons as well, including my stomach health, I cut out gluten, dairy and soy from my diet. However, the eczema continued.
After some appointments with the dermatologist, it became clear that medicated cream and light therapy were the best treatments for my skin. However, I’m concerned about using steroid creams continuously, as well as harmful UV rays.
So when I had the opportunity to try Pure Hazelwood products, I was curious. I decided on the necklace, which I also can wear as a bracelet on the hand that is mostly affected by the eczema.
According to research, Pure Hazelwood is rich in anti-inflammatory molecules and can help relieve symptoms related to inflammation, including: teething pain, colic, arthritis (joint pain), skin problems (psoriasis, eczema), digestive disorders (heartburn) and mouth sores.
For more than six years, Pure Hazelwood has been conducting scientific research and is now able to demonstrate that the hazel wood is very rich in polyphenols, molecules known for their antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
Aboriginals are believed to be the first to have discovered that they could put hazelwood chips on their babies’ necks to soothe teething pains!
Pure Hazelwood products are made of 100% natural hazelwood from the Canadian Boreal forest. The line has something for everyone – baby and adult necklaces, bracelets (single, double, triple, and anklet), and skin care products (moisturizing lotion and zinc ointment) – which I’m curious to try next!
I’ve been wearing my Pure Hazelwood necklace for a couple of weeks now, and I’m not sure if it’s the benefits of the bracelet, or the milder temperatures… but my eczema hasn’t flared up at all! I’m hopeful that continuous wearing will keep my hands free of eczema throughout the winter. I will definitely buy a bracelet so I can also wear the necklace as intended.
Enter to win
Win one of three Pure Hazelwood prizes, which include a $50 gift card and a Pure Hazelwood product (valued at $50). Enter here for your chance to win:
Disclosure: I am part of the Pure Hazelwood Influencer Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Katy Perry joins H&M as she casts her magic spell and takes us on an action-packed, fun-filled parade through the #HMHoliday season!
In a #happyandmerry theme, Katy Perry leads a cast of giant teddy bears, life-sized gingerbread men, polar bears and supermodels. Besides modelling looks from the sparkly H&M Holiday collection, Katy Perry has also recorded a brand new holiday song for the campaign, called Every Day Is A Holiday, written by Perry and produced by Duke Dumont.
The Elfie Selfie sweater is Katy’s favourite from the H&M holiday collection. Don’t you just have to have one?!
Shop for the whole family at H&M. Here are some of my favourite looks from H&M Holiday 2015:
Enter to win
One lucky amotherworld reader will win a $150 gift card to H&M! All you have to do is tell me what pieces you like from H&M ‘s Holiday #happyandmerry collection! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.
How heavy and stuffed is your wallet? With all the important cards you need including your driver’s license, debit card, health cards, membership cards, where do you have room in your wallet for credit cards, gift cards and loyalty cards?
UGO Wallet is a free mobile app that gives you the convenience of having a “virtual wallet”. You can store loyalty cards, credit cards and now – store gift cards – all on your smartphone. You can quickly pay for items, collect and redeem rewards points without fumbling through your wallet or purse.
Gift cards are hugely popular, especially during the holiday season. Many gift cards don’t get redeemed because they’re either lost or misplaced. By storing the cards on the UGO Wallet app on your smartphone, they are always easily accessible. You never have to worry about missing an opportunity to use them, and you can be sure to use every bit of the card’s balance.
Make small payments easily and conveniently with UGO Wallet. Using participating credit cards on compatible Android and Blackberry phones, anywhere you could use a tap and pay credit card, you can use UGO Wallet – usually up to a $100 payment. And it’s as secure as paying with your credit card.
How many times have you made a purchase and forgotten a loyalty card at home? Or remembered you had a gift card at home that you could’ve used on a purchase? Now you don’t have to miss out on the chance to collect points or redeem gift cards again, thanks to this convenient mobile app. With the exception of payment cards, you can back up all cards securely to the UGO Cloud. If you ever change devices, they can easily be restored.
All you have to do is scan your cards to the app and you’re done! Simply open the app when checking out, have the cashier scan the barcode, and collect and/or redeem points, use a gift card or credit card to make a payment. And if the retailer ever has trouble scanning your loyalty or gift cards, they can simply key them in.
UGO Wallet is fast and convenient to use, and a smart way to organize your purse and de-clutter your wallet. It’s nice to have all of your loyalty, credit and now gift cards, all stored in one convenient app. It lightens the load on your wallet and purse! Happy holiday shopping!
My wardrobe is pretty casual most of the time. I spend most of my time in my office, or running errands, or at the ice rink for my kids’ hockey. I love being an Aventura clothing ambassador because their clothes are stylish, comfortable and are made with thought to both people and the environment.
Based in the Sierra Nevada’s, Aventura has been family owned since 1965, and that their mission is to help the earth one garment at a time. From fabric swatches to photo shoots, their clothing is designed by women for women for a great fit.
Here is my second outfit from the beautiful Aventura Clothing Fall Lookbook. It’s my comfy casual outfit of the day.
Blake Jean in Black Olive
Every woman needs a reliable pair of skinny jeans. The Blake Jean is offered in a six colors. Made from organic cotton and Lycra®, it’s an eco-friendly option with a touch of stretch. Wear them with flats, Converse or tall boots.
Ciera Jacket in Black
The Ciera is my favourite fall jacket this year. With its quilted nylon front and back panels combined with the comfort of knit panels on the sides, this jacket is super versatile and fit for any occasion in your everyday life. Pair it with the Blake Jean or leggings.
Erin Top in Black
Although you can’t see, I’m wearing the Erin top underneath.
This basic but cute long sleeve top looks great layered with a sweater or the Ciera Jacket. uching on the side seams makes this top ultra flattering. It comes in six colours.
Terni infinity scarf
Made in Italy, this knit infinity scarf is super soft, thick and luxurious enough to make you want to cozy up in it all day.
Discount Codes
I do have a discount code of 60% off the original retail price! For now, only my U.S. readers can use the code – Aventura is working on getting a code for my Canadian readers so stay tuned for that. Leave a comment if you’d like a code!
What’s the first thing you think of when you stumble half-asleep to the kitchen? Your best friend COFFEE, meet MUG.
This holiday season, reward yourself or the person at the top of your “Nice List” with the sleek TASSIMO T47, the latest in at-home brewing technology from BOSCH.
Not a coffee drinker? No worries. TASSIMO has a variety of beverages including hot chocolate, tea and festive favourites, such as Pumpkin Spice Latte and Peppermint Mocha.
Along with your coffee favourites, there are new T DISC options including McCafé® Premium Roast, Second Cup® Moccaccino, and Tim Hortons® Steeped Tea. T DISCs come in a variety of brands including: NABOB, MAXWELL HOUSE, CADBURY, Second Cup®, TIM HORTONS®, TETLEY® and TWININGS®, as well as internationally renowned brands like GEVALIA and CARTE NOIRE. So there is a ton of variety when it comes to choosing flavours and coffee brews.
What’s new about the TASSIMO T47? It features a large water tank, so you don’t have to keep refilling for every cup; an easy to use brew chamber, stainless steel drip tray and fully automatic one-button operation with an integrated LED user interface. Sounds pretty high tech!
What I like about the TASSIMO T47 is that you can enjoy a café-style experience with the touch of a button, right at home. Also makes entertaining a breeze when you have a variety of hot beverages to offer guests.
The TASSIMO T47 is available at major national retailers including Canadian Tire, Sears, Best Buy, Hudson’s Bay, Home Outfitters and Bed Bath and Beyond. The TASSIMO T47 will be available for a special promotional price of only $139.99 this holiday season at participating Canadian retailers starting on Black Friday through until Boxing Week. (MSRP $199.99)
Enter to Win
Give the gift of coffeeeeee by entering to win a TASSIMO T47! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.
Ever wake up on Christmas morning only to realize you forgot to buy stocking stuffers? Stocking stuffers you’ll actually use? Those sad looking stockings hanging on the mantel are completely empty, so you scramble to find something to add last minute.
Little surprises can be just as fun as unwrapping gifts under the Christmas tree. I’m going to make it easier for you to fill those stockings with one of your family’s most trusted brands – stocking stuffers you’ll actually use.
I’m giving away a Healthy & Beauty Stocking Stuffers prize pack from Church & Dwight ($100 value)!
What’s in it?
Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant™ Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush
Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Rejuvenating Toothpaste
Arm & Hammer™ Kid’s Spinbrush™ My Little Pony™ Battery Brush
Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Super Mario Bros™ Battery Brush
Nair™ Moroccan Argan Oil Face Wax
Batiste™BlushDry Shampoo
RUB A535™ Nighttime
Gravol™ Natural Source Ginger Liquid Gels
Gravol™ Multi-symptom™
Vitafusion™ Men’s Complete Multivitamin
Vitafusion™ Women’s Complete Multivitamin
Enter to win
All you have to do is tell me what you’d like to discover in your stocking this year! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.
Sunday mornings call for a delicious and nutritious breakfast. When you’re in the mood for something more than a simple eggs and bacon recipe, this Italian Frittata with Sausage recipe is exactly the dish that will fill your morning craving.
Frittatas are great because you can add whatever vegetable you have on hand – asparagus, artichokes, green onion, leeks and spinach all make great additions. If you have extra time to prepare, boiled and chopped potatoes are also lovely to add to this traditional Italian dish.
In a pot, boil the Italian sausage (we buy ours from an Italian butcher for top quality). Once boiled, remove the casing and chop.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and Parmesan cheese.
In an oven-safe pan, sauté the onion, garlic, vegetables, and basil in olive oil for a few minutes until soft. Add Italian sausage. Then add the egg mixture, along with salt and pepper.
Once the bottom has cooked for about 5-7 minutes on medium heat, transfer to a 350°C oven for about 20 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Eggs have always had 14 important vitamins and nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin A. Natural goodness, brought to you by your local egg farmers.
For more information about the natural goodness of eggs, visit eggs.ca.
Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Egg Farmers of Canada.
Fashion over 40 to me means elegant style with a bit of personality. Sure I love wearing my Chucks and Roots sweatpants too, but when I’m looking to “dress up”, I lean towards a more minimalist, classic look.
Canadian designer Lyse Spenard designs with attitude and femininity in mind – not the latest trends. Her label, BYLYSE, is designed for confident, sophisticated women over 40.
BYLYSE collections have a combination of luxury, comfort, versatility and timelessness. With exclusive prints, innovative textures, rich colours and feminine detailing BYLYSE is made for women of all sizes, including plus-size and tall sizes.
I picked up this chic BYLYSE black vest from Eleven Joseph Fashions.
Textured Chevron Draped Coat
This cover-up coat is everything you could ask for from a travel jacket. Featuring a draped construction in a textured chevron pattern, this is the chic design you’ll love to slip over your fall knits and soft boots for an adventurous attitude. $195
Ponte Skirt with two-way zipper and faux-leather trim
The perfect alternative to your work trousers, this oh-so comfortable Ponte black skirt reveals a unique two-way zipper for a fully adjustable fit. Show off its modern faux-leather waist by tucking in a printed blouse, crisp white shirt or jewel-embellished sweater. $145.
Tonal Fairisle pattern sweater coat
Add a little print to your wardrobe this season! This statement sweater coat in earthy tones will fit beautifully with your fall essentials. The Aztec-inspired pattern with handicraft detailing cast a native american touch on this knitwear staple. Great for indoors and outdoors! $185
Border pattern blanket coat with leather trims
Make a bold statement without compromising on comfort with a stylish blanket coat featuring a geometric border pattern and our favorite accent color of the season, red! Wear as a statement piece to brighten up your black basics, or as a go-to for optimal elegance every day. $225
One of most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis, Peloponnese, as well as one of the most romantic cities in Greece is Nafplio.
Nafplio is a town of rich history and occupation, beginning in 8th century BC. According to mythology, the town was founded by Náfplios, the son of the god Poseidon. The town’s history traces back to the the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War. The town declined during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times.
In 1204, the Byzantine Empire fell and was occupied by the Franks, then Venetians and then the Turks until the Greek revolution in 1822, and became the first capital of Greece. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors left their mark in Nafplio and strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions. Ancient walls, medieval castles, Ottoman fountains, Venetian and neoclassical buildings make Nafplio a truly unique town.
Παλαμήδι is a fortress nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill in the heart of Nafplio. It was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area from 1686–1715.
One of the eight bastions of the fortress was used as a prison for Theodoros Kolokotronis, hero of the Greek Revolution.
The view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country is breathtaking. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand. Locals in the town say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.
Inside Kolokotroni’s cell
Epidaurus Theater
A short drive from Nauplion is Epidaurus, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The most important attraction of the site is the beatiful ancient Theatre. With perfect visual proportions and spectacular acoustic response of its space, The Epidaurus theatre is the best preserved among all the ancient theatres.
Mycenae
Mycenae or Μυκήνη is an archaeological site in Greece, a short drive from Nauplion.
In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae, the last phase of the Bronze Age in Ancient Greece. At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares. The Mycenaean was the first advanced civilization in mainland Greece, with its palatial states, urban organization, works of art and writing system.
Ta Fanaria has delicious traditional Greek food, so tasty that we returned again. Aiolos Tavern was always busy so we weren’t able to try their menu. 3Sixty is a great spot for couples to enjoy a few cocktails, while Mavros Gatos is a hot spot for an evening coffee. To satisfy your sweet tooth, Ζαχαροπλαστειο Chocola has an assortment of handmade chocolates and pastries to fill your craving.
Nafplio also boasts a number of quaint shops and boutiques, including the charming family-owned pottery and ceramic shop, Genesis Ceramic Workshop. Worry beads have several uses in Greek culture, including guarding against bad luck, counting prayers, and as a game to pass the time. Visit the Komboloi Museum.
The narrow pedestrian streets make it easy to explore the town at your leisure. Unlike other cities where souvenir shops are dominant, Nafplio’s quaint streets are strewn with unique clothing, jewelry, handcraft, and gift shops.
Syntagma Square
The Waterfront
Nauplion Promenade is full of shops and cafes. The town square is just a block off the promenade with historic buildings. Pick a spot and enjoy the sunset. Many restaurants along the waterfront offer fresh seafood, but I find the restaurants in the small streets more quaint. I particularly enjoyed a morning coffee by the water.
You’ll also the view of the castle of Bourtzi or Μπούρτζι, is located in the middle of the harbour of Nafplio. The Venetians completed its fortification in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. The Greeks regained it from the Turks in 1822, from where they assisted in the siege of Nafplio. Until 1865 it served as a fortress. It was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle of Palamidi. From 1930 to 1970, it served as a hotel. Since then, it is mainly a tourist attraction.
