So lately I've been busy researching and researching places to go for our honeymoon. J and I got married this past summer and are planning to go away early next year. Since I started researching places to stay I've been really surprised to see how expensive it is. I've definitely had to lower to expectations, because I have total champagne taste - especially when it comes to this trip. Some of the places that I though were fancy (but didn't expect crazy expensive) were $1000 a NIGHT! Our 10 day honeymoon would end up costing $10,000 just for accommodation. Some of these places weren't even all-inclusive! Wow!
This is the first trip I've ever planned to Mexico and I guess I expected it to be cheaper. Well, actually it is the price I expected it to be, I just didn't want to increase the price in my head whenever I altered our trip. If we were planning to go to Puerto Vallarta or Cabo, it would be what I expected, but instead we're doing Riviera Maya for 10 days, which puts it a bit more expensive. Oh well, a bit of a tighter wallet this winter will make it possible. Hope the family likes wrapped pieces of paper for Christmas (I totally did that when I was younger...for years!) :D
Have you been to the Mayan Riviera? I'd love to hear any recommendations you have for where to stay, eat, see and do :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Little Joys
Yesterday I was grocery shopping and came across a super coupon. It was a $2 off coupon when you buy 2 different Dove products. I was buying deodorant, which conveniently was $1.99. I ended up buying 2 different types and voila, I created my own 'buy one, get one free' sale.
It's all about the little joys!
It's all about the little joys!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Adios Frizz
For as long as I can remember, my hair has driven me nuts. It's frizzy and wacky. It seriously can't decide if it wants to be wavy, curly or straight, so it does all of the above, including a crazy frizz. No matter what I do to it, it doesn't want to cooperate with anything I want. As a result of crazy hair I usually end up wearing my hair in a bundle, which isn't great for hair as it just pulls more hair stands from your head than necessary. I shed enough as it is and don't need to make it worse.
A good friend of mine runs an amazing home based salon and spa and since knowing her my hair has been much happier. When the Brazilian Blowout treatment came out last year she mentioned that it would be great for my hair and help make it more manageable. As much as I wanted that, I didn't want the steep price tag that came with it. Since the whole formaldehyde situation with the Brazilian Blowout, I had decided to just stick with what I always did - wear my hair up 90% of the time and when I had extra time I would straighten my hair (30-45 minutes of work). Then the best thing ever happened. My friend started using a new straightening treatment that is natural and non-chemical, plus more affordable. This is more my style!
So this past Saturday I paid a visit to my friend's salon to great this treatment. She promised it would blow my mind and was she ever right! It took about 1 hour from start to finish, which is perfect since I get restless if I'm sitting in one place too long. She first washed my hair 3 times to make sure that all the residue was washed out and my hair was squeaky clean (literally, it squeaked). Then she applied the product to my hair and let is sit about 20 minutes or so (we were chatting so I totally lost track of time and can't guarantee the length of time). A blow dry and straight iron later and my hair is smoother and straighter than I have ever seen in my life! The product needs 48 hours to set in so my hair stayed with the product in until Monday morning. The ending result is hair that is basically frizz-free and straight when blow dried and beautifully straight, frizz-free hair when straightened. It also only takes about 5 minutes to straighten my hair now! Could I be any happier? No, I don't think it's possible.
A good friend of mine runs an amazing home based salon and spa and since knowing her my hair has been much happier. When the Brazilian Blowout treatment came out last year she mentioned that it would be great for my hair and help make it more manageable. As much as I wanted that, I didn't want the steep price tag that came with it. Since the whole formaldehyde situation with the Brazilian Blowout, I had decided to just stick with what I always did - wear my hair up 90% of the time and when I had extra time I would straighten my hair (30-45 minutes of work). Then the best thing ever happened. My friend started using a new straightening treatment that is natural and non-chemical, plus more affordable. This is more my style!
So this past Saturday I paid a visit to my friend's salon to great this treatment. She promised it would blow my mind and was she ever right! It took about 1 hour from start to finish, which is perfect since I get restless if I'm sitting in one place too long. She first washed my hair 3 times to make sure that all the residue was washed out and my hair was squeaky clean (literally, it squeaked). Then she applied the product to my hair and let is sit about 20 minutes or so (we were chatting so I totally lost track of time and can't guarantee the length of time). A blow dry and straight iron later and my hair is smoother and straighter than I have ever seen in my life! The product needs 48 hours to set in so my hair stayed with the product in until Monday morning. The ending result is hair that is basically frizz-free and straight when blow dried and beautifully straight, frizz-free hair when straightened. It also only takes about 5 minutes to straighten my hair now! Could I be any happier? No, I don't think it's possible.
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| 99% less frizz than before! |
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| Smooth and Sleek :) |
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Rediscovered Favorite!
It`s been a while since I`ve been able to spend much time downtown during the work day...about 4 years actually and boy have I missed it! There is so much to do downtown and so many great restaurants that the sandwiches I normally take to work are going to have a lot of ground to make up when I'm back in the office.
When I was about 18, my friend and I regularly went to a Vietnamese restaurant located beside the Odeon movie theatre downtown called Saigon Night. They had AMAZING salad rolls that we just couldn't get enough of. I actually don't think we even tried anything else at the restaurant we loved them so much! After about a year of going there we found out that they were closing as the owners were a bit burnt out after so many years in the business. It was truly a sad day and basically ended my Vietnamese food kick.
Several years ago I heard that they had re-opened for business in a new location on Fort. Of course, now that I don't work downtown and also don't spend much of my free time downtown, I hadn't been there until this past week. I think I might have to make more visits down there though because my recent visit allowed me to rediscover my love for salad rolls.
I decided to go there for my lunch break while I'm on jury duty this past Friday and ordered pork salad rolls (Goi Cuon Tom Thit). For $7.75 you get 3 salad rolls that a fairly good in size. On the menu they are listed as Appetizers, but they were perfect for my lunch. I love salad rolls because they are similar to spring roll, but aren't fried so they have a nice light and healthy taste to them. Filled with shredded cabbage (or could be lettuce, not positive), shredded carrots, vermicelli and shredded pork, they are served with a delicious peanut sauce. As you can see in the picture below, the sauce comes with some crushed peanuts and fish sauce that you can mix into the peanut sauce to give it some crunch and bite if you like. I'm not a fish sauce person at all, but I love it when mixed in with the peanut sauce. It creates the perfect flavour!
Next week I plan to go back, but this time try something other than the salad rolls. After Saigon Night originally closed, we found a different Vietnamese restaurant (now closed) that, while they couldn't compare in the salad roll department, made delicious bowls filled with rice or vermicelli, salad, sliced BBQ pork and other items. They were quite tasty and I saw other people in Saigon Night on Friday eating something that looked very similar, so I think I'll give it a try. They are listed on the menu under Bun Hoac Com (Rice and Noodle Dishes) and range from $10.80 - 13.65. I'll let you know how it goes :)
When I was about 18, my friend and I regularly went to a Vietnamese restaurant located beside the Odeon movie theatre downtown called Saigon Night. They had AMAZING salad rolls that we just couldn't get enough of. I actually don't think we even tried anything else at the restaurant we loved them so much! After about a year of going there we found out that they were closing as the owners were a bit burnt out after so many years in the business. It was truly a sad day and basically ended my Vietnamese food kick.
Several years ago I heard that they had re-opened for business in a new location on Fort. Of course, now that I don't work downtown and also don't spend much of my free time downtown, I hadn't been there until this past week. I think I might have to make more visits down there though because my recent visit allowed me to rediscover my love for salad rolls.
I decided to go there for my lunch break while I'm on jury duty this past Friday and ordered pork salad rolls (Goi Cuon Tom Thit). For $7.75 you get 3 salad rolls that a fairly good in size. On the menu they are listed as Appetizers, but they were perfect for my lunch. I love salad rolls because they are similar to spring roll, but aren't fried so they have a nice light and healthy taste to them. Filled with shredded cabbage (or could be lettuce, not positive), shredded carrots, vermicelli and shredded pork, they are served with a delicious peanut sauce. As you can see in the picture below, the sauce comes with some crushed peanuts and fish sauce that you can mix into the peanut sauce to give it some crunch and bite if you like. I'm not a fish sauce person at all, but I love it when mixed in with the peanut sauce. It creates the perfect flavour!
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| Goi Cuon Tom Thit with Pork - Saigon Night |
Next week I plan to go back, but this time try something other than the salad rolls. After Saigon Night originally closed, we found a different Vietnamese restaurant (now closed) that, while they couldn't compare in the salad roll department, made delicious bowls filled with rice or vermicelli, salad, sliced BBQ pork and other items. They were quite tasty and I saw other people in Saigon Night on Friday eating something that looked very similar, so I think I'll give it a try. They are listed on the menu under Bun Hoac Com (Rice and Noodle Dishes) and range from $10.80 - 13.65. I'll let you know how it goes :)
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Scales of Justice
Starting this week I will begin my civic duty of jury duty. Everyone dreads jury duty and I have been no different - until lately.
In early August I received juror summons for selection for 2 trials. Just seeing 'Juror Summons' on that blue piece of paper made me groan. Jury duty? Really?? I've actually never known anyone who has been on jury duty, so I really didn't have anything to base my groaning on aside from what the general feeling is. It doesn't pay well ($20 per day!!) and you have to sit in a courtroom for who knows how long. Not exactly a fun thing, but while many people were suggesting I act crazy (a la Tina Fey aka Princess Leia on '30 Rock'), a part of me was really quite interested to see how the process went and to be a part of the justice system.
While I won't be talking about the trial I am on (not that I'm not allowed, but because it is not my place to write about it), this experience so far has made me think about my situation. With all the groaning and moaning about spending weeks in a courtroom, I hadn't really thought about the fact that I would play a role in the persons future. As I was sitting in the juror box after my selection it finally hit me. Whatever my fellow jurors and I decide will have a direct result on this persons future, whether they go to jail, have community service or are innocent. I always knew that jurors play an important role, but once I was actually selected the true meaning and importance really sunk in.
It is going to be an experience but I look forward to it.
In early August I received juror summons for selection for 2 trials. Just seeing 'Juror Summons' on that blue piece of paper made me groan. Jury duty? Really?? I've actually never known anyone who has been on jury duty, so I really didn't have anything to base my groaning on aside from what the general feeling is. It doesn't pay well ($20 per day!!) and you have to sit in a courtroom for who knows how long. Not exactly a fun thing, but while many people were suggesting I act crazy (a la Tina Fey aka Princess Leia on '30 Rock'), a part of me was really quite interested to see how the process went and to be a part of the justice system.
While I won't be talking about the trial I am on (not that I'm not allowed, but because it is not my place to write about it), this experience so far has made me think about my situation. With all the groaning and moaning about spending weeks in a courtroom, I hadn't really thought about the fact that I would play a role in the persons future. As I was sitting in the juror box after my selection it finally hit me. Whatever my fellow jurors and I decide will have a direct result on this persons future, whether they go to jail, have community service or are innocent. I always knew that jurors play an important role, but once I was actually selected the true meaning and importance really sunk in.
It is going to be an experience but I look forward to it.
Looking for some cooking...
Growing up I loved to cook, but when cooking became a requirement it no longer holds the inspiration that I used to have. Since I was 'required' to cook (aka moving out of mum & dads 7 years ago) my creative cooking has gone downhill. Waaay downhill actually! Not only am I very very rarely creative with what i want to cook, but I also seem to get stuck in food ruts. I used to have such a passion for finding new recipes and creating my own, but that is no more. Now when I actually do feel creative, more often than not my cooking adventures usually end up getting take out because my dish is so horrible (even with a recipe!). What happened to my cooking genius that I used to have (and if you doubt, my sister can attest to my great cooking!)? My new goal now that the wedding is done is to try a new recipe every week. I'll post about the results after I'm done and we can see how many hits I get out of this experiment.
To start things off, I thought I would show some of my successes from recently. I seem to be having better luck baking so please enjoy the glory that is my blueberry banana muffin tops and apple pie.
I was actually really impressed with my pie baking skills since I am not a pie person. At all. I can turn down pie any day of the week but usually can't walk away from cake :P My husband loves all things dessert but apple pie is one of his favorites and had been asking me to make him one since we started dating (5 1/2 years), so I figured I would finally make him one now that we were married. Good things come to those who wait :)
I must admit thought that the pie was not actually perfect. It looks good and tasted good, but it was more of an apple sauce pie than an apple pie. Now i know not to cut the apples so thinly!
To start things off, I thought I would show some of my successes from recently. I seem to be having better luck baking so please enjoy the glory that is my blueberry banana muffin tops and apple pie.
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| Blueberry Banana Muffin Tops |
I must admit thought that the pie was not actually perfect. It looks good and tasted good, but it was more of an apple sauce pie than an apple pie. Now i know not to cut the apples so thinly!
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| J's Apple Sauce Pie |
Hope these made you hungry because I can't guarantee the quality of future postings :D
Sunday, September 25, 2011
I guess I should start....
Well I created this blog a few months ago but my indecision kicked in again and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to start blogging, or even what topic I wanted to start writing on. Man I can make things much more complicated than necessary! So, to at least get me started and in a 'blogging' mind-frame, I will start by introducing myself and that kind of thing.
So who am I?
Well I'm Laura. I am a 27 newlywed (married in July), living in Victoria (born and raised). My husband and I have a 4 year old puggle who actually runs our lives. He's my first dog and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect dog.
So what do I currently think I will write on?
Well, lately (especially since the wedding) I've developed an interest in couponing. I know it sounds super dorky, but I really do enjoy it. By combining coupons and savings at stores, I've proven to myself the value of putting in a bit of effort. My current record for savings is saving $99 and spending $101. That in my books seems like a good amount to save. But don't worry, I'm not an extreme couponer and don't really have a stockpile. I just enjoy knowing that by a bit of couponing and effort, I can save a few dollars.
I also used to love cooking and am slowly (and randomly) finding my passion for it, so be prepared for food and recipe posts when I cook something that impresses me.
Those, along with my puggle, married life, work and just life will all factor in my posts. I can't guarantee that I will be a regularly posting blogger, but I will definitely try for once a week, perhaps more or less depending on what is going on in my life. So once again, proving how indecisive I can be :)
With all that said, I hope you all enjoy my posts and that I can be at least a teeny bit interesting and not bore you all to death :)
Laura
So who am I?
Well I'm Laura. I am a 27 newlywed (married in July), living in Victoria (born and raised). My husband and I have a 4 year old puggle who actually runs our lives. He's my first dog and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect dog.
So what do I currently think I will write on?
Well, lately (especially since the wedding) I've developed an interest in couponing. I know it sounds super dorky, but I really do enjoy it. By combining coupons and savings at stores, I've proven to myself the value of putting in a bit of effort. My current record for savings is saving $99 and spending $101. That in my books seems like a good amount to save. But don't worry, I'm not an extreme couponer and don't really have a stockpile. I just enjoy knowing that by a bit of couponing and effort, I can save a few dollars.
I also used to love cooking and am slowly (and randomly) finding my passion for it, so be prepared for food and recipe posts when I cook something that impresses me.
Those, along with my puggle, married life, work and just life will all factor in my posts. I can't guarantee that I will be a regularly posting blogger, but I will definitely try for once a week, perhaps more or less depending on what is going on in my life. So once again, proving how indecisive I can be :)
With all that said, I hope you all enjoy my posts and that I can be at least a teeny bit interesting and not bore you all to death :)
Laura
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