From today, June 27th until Wednesday June 29th simply present this printable coupon at the Bay to receive a free sample of Calvin Klein Euphoria. I hope it’s a decent sized sample, by the ad it looks to be at least 10ml.  Please let me know what you get.

Clearly Contacts is celebrating Canada day by offering huge discounts.  Until July 4th buy one pair of specs for $38 or 3 for $99.  I noticed that pretty much all of their frames are included in this sale.  Enter the discount code “CANDAY399” at checkout.

Click here for more details on the sale.

I recently decided to try MagicJack.  For those of you unfamiliar it’s a cord you plug into your computer into which you plug a regular phone.  You can use it as your main home phone line for only $19 a year and this gets you an American phone number.  For an extra $10 per year you can have a Canadian one from a local city.  We are currently using it solely for the unlimited long distance (which saves us $20 per month against our home phone provider).  For silly reasons we have opted for an Orlando, FL based number to save ourselves the extra $10 a year (and yes we are that cheap).  If we ever decided to switch completely to virtual phone service we would save ourselves an additional $35 a month.

Another option we considered is combining our cellphones (smartphones; an android and a blackberry) with Skype for our Long Distance while we are at home.  A quick explanation on how it works:  Using a Wifi Router and a Skype compatible device (the smartphone) we can do our calls over the web by using a Skype App on the cellphone (with bluetooth headsets we already have to be hands-free).

Now maybe I’m a little old fashioned or maybe it’s the fact that I have young children but I have a hard time coming to terms with parting ways with my land line.

The thing that holds me back the most is the 9-1-1 service.  I worry that in a emergency situation my children (who are 7 and 4) would be unable to dial my cell or execute the MagicJack properly should the need arise.  One would hope we would never have to find out but I wouldn’t want to tempt fate.

I know several people who use their cell phones strictly with no home phones at all. No problems have ever happened to them and this system works quite well in their daily lives.  They are saving themselves some major money monthly.  Certainly this sounds appealing to me as well as our cellphones cover our inbound communication needs with the current plans we are on (Family Sharing + Data).

It always comes back to the children, the paranoia and the unforeseen emergency that may never come.  So for now we are saving ourselves $20 a month long distance with a MagicJack and if it goes well we may be able to get over the hurdle of switching all together someday.

What do you to save on your communications?  Is anything holding you back on switching?

Yay! Mail will be back in full force Tuesday.

Canada Post to Resume Operations Monday
2011/06/26

Canada Post has initiated the process to resume operations following the passage of back to work legislation (Bill C-6, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services). In accordance with the Act, employees will begin to report to work for their regularly scheduled shifts on Monday June 27 and on Tuesday June 28.

Canadian consumers and businesses can expect to start receiving mail on Tuesday, June 28.

Post offices that were closed will start to reopen on Tuesday and resume regular operations.

All mailboxes will be unsealed starting on Monday and ready to receive mail as soon as possible.

We regret the impact of the work disruption on our customers. We will move as quickly as possible to process and deliver the mail.

With unprocessed mail in the system and accumulated mail received from other countries that has not yet entered our system, it will take some time to stabilize our operations and to return to our normal delivery standards. Any mail in the system at the time of the work disruption has been secured for processing and delivery.

Canada Post will be working with large volume mailers within 24 hours after the passage of legislation to support an orderly and effective induction process. Mail pickup from commercial customers will resume on Tuesday June 28.

We thank Canadians for the patience they have shown throughout this labour disruption and are asking for continued patience as we restore our network to normal delivery standards.

Canada Post consumer update

Town Shoes is offering 20% or $20 off via a printable Facebook coupon.  This coupon is valid until July 3rd, and is not valid on items discounted 50% or more.

$20 off purchases $100 or more

20% extra off first sale item.

Just a reminder that Value Village’s 50% off sale is on TOMORROW: Monday, June 27th from 7am – 9pm. Included in the sale are all used clothing, shoes, accessories, and items tagged “Bed & Bath”, i.e. towels, scarves, purses, linens, pillows, etc.

So basically anything that you can put on your body + your bed!

It’s usually a zoo on Sale Day, but if you can put up with the crowds, crying children, and possible tug o’ war over a disputed item, then there’s a bargain to be found.

For Super Savers Club Card Members, shop TODAY, 2-hours prior to closing with the same benefits of tomorrow’s sale. However, keep in mind that merchandise isn’t new but whatever was rolled out on Friday.

Happy & Safe Shopping!

If you have some purchases to make on Oldnavy.ca make sure to enter promo code ONCAN20 at checkout to receive 20% off your entire purchase until June 28, 2011. If you missed out on the $2 rib tanks yesterday, they are only $3 online and come in a variety of good neutral colours and lots of sizes still available.

Todays Showstopper really caught my eye.  I know this deal wont interest everyone but for us cooks out there this is a pretty sweet deal.  This mixer has a regular price of $699.99 and today only is on for $349.94 and includes a bonus ice cream attachment. You also have the option to pay Easy Pay® : 6 payments of $58.32.  Shipping is just under $29.  They are also offering a purchase with purcase a 6 quart bowl for only $44.98. Choose between 9 colours. Click here.

• Stand Mixer Size: 17.15″x 13.13″x 19.5″
• Ice Cream Attachment Size: 10″x 10″x 10″
• Made of stainless steel, plastic
• 575 watt motor
• 6 quart polished stainless steel wide-mouth bowl with contoured handle
• Soft Start® mixing feature
• Direct drive transmission, all-steel gears and all-metal construction
• Commercial-style motor protection
• 67 Point Planetary Mixing Action
• Adapter Ring attached to the bottom of the bowl to fit tilt head stand mixers
• Dasher rotates inside the freeze bowl to spread, scrape and mix the batter
• Several recipes are provided in the Use & Care Guide
• Ice Cream Attachment fits all stand mixers (bowl lift and tilt head)
• No assembly required
• Not dishwasher safe, wipe clean with damp cloth
• Made in USA (Greenville, Ohio)

Includes:
• KitchenAid® Pro 600 Stand Mixer
• 6qt Stainless Steel Bowl with Handle
• Stainless Steel Wire Whip
• Powerknead^TM Spiral Dough Hook
• Flat Beater
• Pouring Shield
• Bonus Ice Cream Attachment
• Instant $50 Rebate (Note: The rebate has already been applied to the Today’s Showstopper price)

Warranty Information:
This product comes with a 1 year warranty.

Sears is offering up to 20% off on already reduced items in Sears catalogues for a limited time. 

Save an extra 20% off family fashions, footwear, bed & bath and window coverings. Enter 941612794

Save an extra 10% off jewellery, furniture, hardware, fitness and more.  Enter 941612793

Click here to shop at Sears.

Tim Hortons has posted the free summer swimming schedule.  My kids love taking advantage of this, too bad our pool is a real hike from our house.

Click here to view the free summer swims.

Subway is offering a free 6” sub at select locations in the Eastern provinces of Canada only. I only received a generic response from Subway if all locations in the East are participating.  I would suggest calling ahead to make sure your specific location is participating.

Thanks everyone who used the suggest a deal form to let me know about this freebie. I was delayed in posting trying to confirm.

In honour of Canada Day, Metro (ON) has released an awesome printable coupon. When you buy any Dempter’s Tortilla or Pita (any size, any variety), receive a free loaf of new Dempster’s Whole Grains Canadian Century Grains (680 g). This coupon is valid until July 2, 2011. I’m always eager to try whole grain bread, my current favourite is Country Harvest Vitality but I’ll be trying this Dempster’s one for sure.

Click here to print your coupon.

H&M has just announced that their next designer collaboration will be none other than Versace.

When I heard this news, I wasn’t overly excited because their previous collabs have been overrated, re: Madonna (boring in all-black), Lanvin (all Monets – up-close they were a big ol’ mess, tees were reminiscent of clothes from Chinatown), & Jimmy Choo (disappointment, shoes were cheap!).

Another reason for my lack of enthusiasm is that H&M always rolls out these guest-designer lines at certain flagship stores, downtown, so that means that I hafta haul my butt there, hours ahead of time, and stand in a line for mediocrity. No thanks!

SO…with that sort of history, there isn’t much Versace has to do in order to have a runaway hit. Due to the hype, these lines ALWAYS sell-out, but the question remains: Will it be any good?

Obviously, I don’t expect the pieces to be hand-crafted in Italy, but as you may know, there’s a fine line between the flamboyant styles of Versace and just plain ol’ gaudy. Think: Neon coloured, leopard print.

The ingredients are there, but they can be used for either good or bad!

For a sneak peek at Versace x H&M collaboration, click here. Aside from blacks + nudes, I certainly hope that it’ll feature a wider range of colours!

Recently our long time and well loved cuddly member “Koala” won a huge makeover contest.  Below is her experience, first hand.

Mid January I received a phone call that changed my life. I found out I was one of  5 winners of the Skin Vitality $10,000 10 Years Younger Contest!  That was the first conversation of many that changed how I feel, and how I look.  I literally won a  gift of youth that most women only dream of. Entry was only a recent photo and story as to why I deserved a makeover and judges made the decision (based on the info submitted).
 
How do I feel now that my makeover is complete?  Fantastic, honoured, and still fuzzy. Maybe it was all the champagne last night (haha) Honestly, I feel fantastic inside and out. Willy (my husband)  went to every appointment with me and documented the entire journey. I am so proud of myself, and I know Willy is proud of me. We really make quite the team.I am still pinching myself to make sure that it is me, and this really happened. 
 
Skin Vitality provided the most amazing treatments which included:  Photofacial,  Botox,  Soft Lip,  Skin Tightening,  Fraxel,  and  Chemical Peels. Minimized are the wrinkles and any of my broken capilliaries and discolourations!! Included in my treatments were hair, teeth, wardrobe, cosmetics, and photo shoots. I was treated to not one, but two days with David Clemmer from Style By Jury!  He provided fun, humorous, but constructive criticism providing tips how I should dress, and what I can wear.  I finally realize I can wear belts, and fitted garments and look fashionable, comfortable, and if I don’t mind saying so myself,  pretty darn hot!!  Hey, it’s not every day you get a man to dress you. I highly recommend it.
  
Read about the entire journey over at my blog. You will find more pictures and more about my story.
 
Now!!! Who wants to win some SWAG?
These are the same goodie bags that were handed out at my reveal.

The bags consist of Vivier Cream Body Scrub, Eyelash curler, Lip Balm with SPF 15, and a Hair Bandana. ($80 value approx.)
I am giving away 2 of these swag bags on Smart Canucks and if you want to increase your chances in winning, go to Picture Ontario , and CNAF Autism Blog to enter. In total, there are 6 of these swag bags available to be won.
 
Entry is simple. Just comment once below. Go to the gallery and have a look around.  Please refrain from “I want to win” or “would love to win” comments.  I (Deb) would love the hear what you think.

Rules

* One entry per household i.e. you may only leave 1 comment on the blog. If you want to discuss anything or share your thoughts please include it in that 1 comment.
*Age of majority only
*Canada only no purchase is ness to enter, odds of winning are dependant on number of entries received.
*You may only win a max of 2 contests throughout the whole giveaways event to give others a chance to win
*Contest ends on July 1st 2011 at 11:59 (est) and the winner willl be announced July 2nd 2011.
* You must use a valid email so I can contact you with details on how to claim your prize. Persons who enter with an alias(fake) email will forfeit their prize and a new winner will be drawn. * Skill testing question required*