SoftMoc has some great deals on kids shoes right now - Stride Rites for $25. I picked up a couple of pairs in the next size up in hopes they'll fit if we take a winter vacation to somewhere warm (Florida and Barbados are being tossed around right now).
There are also some great clearance deals on casual shoes for grown ups, too.
Shipping is free to your local SoftMoc store. Try the coupon code VEN2 at checkout for 15% off your order.
I guess it runs in the family
Yesterday I was upstairs brushing my teeth while my little guy watched some morning cartoons. "Mom? Mom! I want this! I paused it so you can see," he hollered from the bottom of the stairs. (Thank goodness for PVRs.) I was expecting another toy to add to the ever-growing 5th birthday wish list, but when I got to the tv, there, frozen on the screen, was....the Slap Chop. Yes, he had fallen prey to an info-mercial. And the best part: "Look Mom - it's the same guy that does the Sham Wow!"
I have to admit, the Slap Chop does look pretty cool...
I have to admit, the Slap Chop does look pretty cool...
Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy 30% off coupon
In case you're not on their email list, here's the link to the coupon for 30% off all purchases from July 30 - August 2.
I think I might get this - I tried it on at Banana Republic yesterday and loved it but couldn't justify the price...
I think I might get this - I tried it on at Banana Republic yesterday and loved it but couldn't justify the price...
The anniversary
I highly, highly recommend everything about our whirlwind getaway to Prince Edward County last weekend. Except maybe for the whirlwind part - a couple of extra days would have been good. Next time, maybe!
In summary:
Buddha Dog, Picton - So fun! We stopped for lunch when we arrived on Saturday, and the lineup was out the door. We custom-designed a few dogs from their myriad gourmet sauces and local artisan cheeses, complemented by a bottle of black cherry Pop Shoppe soda (blast from the past!) and a yummy maple tart. This meal gave us the energy boost we needed for an afternoon of wine tasting.
Sandbanks Estate Winery - Our first wineriy stop, highly recommended to us by a fellow wine lover and PEC veteran. We scooped a few bottles of the Baco Noir, Reisling, and dessert wine. The wine was great, the staff were lovely, but overall this winery lacked the "character" of some of the others we visited later.
By Chadsey's Cairns - What a lovely, peaceful spot. As you drive up to the parking area, you pass an old graveyard, perfect for wandering. The wine tasting room is a converted small farm building, with a stunning deck overlooking the vineyard. Across from the tasting room is a larger barn with huge double doors opening out towards a spectacular view of the lake, complete with two Muskoka chairs. We enjoyed the Pinot Noir here and grabbed a bottle to go.
The Grange - Off the beaten path on a back road, this winery has a stunning converted barn tasting area. Hubby fell in love with one of their premium wines, and we picked up a bottle from their Trumpour's Mill line too. This would be an amazing wedding venue.
The Inn at Huff Estates - This is where we stayed the night. We booked one of their premium rooms, which offered a king size bed, sitting area, double sided fireplace, and private patio overlooking the vineyard. Our package included a $100 voucher for dinner at our choice of restaurants, a taxi to and from dinner, and complimentary breakfast the next morning. When we arrived we dropped off our bags and headed up to their tasting room to pick up a bottle of wine. We also got a cheese tray for two featuring the amazingly delicious Fifth Town artisan cheese, and went back to our room for a little pre-dinner drink and snack.
The Waring House - We enjoyed our dinner at the Waring House. Our server, Jeremy, was a treat. Hubby had beef, I had duck. Overall good, but nothing really stood out for us here.
Norman Hardie - Possibly my favourite winery. We picked up a delicious bottle of their Reserve Pinot Noir and signed up for their mailing list to be notified when they need volunteers for their harvest. You can join them, work in the fields for the day, then they put on a dinner and party for everyone. How fun! We were also pleased to discover that their wines are carried by several Ottawa restaurants, including Beckta and Play.
The County Cider Company - Our last stop. We needed a bite to eat before we headed home, and this place was perfection. They have an outdoor patio overlooking their vineyard, with a stunning view of the lake in the distance. It was a perfect sunny day, ideal for sipping peach cider and munching on their homemade burger topped with the yummy Fifth Town goat cheese.
There will definitely be a next time for this trip.
In summary:
Buddha Dog, Picton - So fun! We stopped for lunch when we arrived on Saturday, and the lineup was out the door. We custom-designed a few dogs from their myriad gourmet sauces and local artisan cheeses, complemented by a bottle of black cherry Pop Shoppe soda (blast from the past!) and a yummy maple tart. This meal gave us the energy boost we needed for an afternoon of wine tasting.
Sandbanks Estate Winery - Our first wineriy stop, highly recommended to us by a fellow wine lover and PEC veteran. We scooped a few bottles of the Baco Noir, Reisling, and dessert wine. The wine was great, the staff were lovely, but overall this winery lacked the "character" of some of the others we visited later.
By Chadsey's Cairns - What a lovely, peaceful spot. As you drive up to the parking area, you pass an old graveyard, perfect for wandering. The wine tasting room is a converted small farm building, with a stunning deck overlooking the vineyard. Across from the tasting room is a larger barn with huge double doors opening out towards a spectacular view of the lake, complete with two Muskoka chairs. We enjoyed the Pinot Noir here and grabbed a bottle to go.
The Grange - Off the beaten path on a back road, this winery has a stunning converted barn tasting area. Hubby fell in love with one of their premium wines, and we picked up a bottle from their Trumpour's Mill line too. This would be an amazing wedding venue.
The Inn at Huff Estates - This is where we stayed the night. We booked one of their premium rooms, which offered a king size bed, sitting area, double sided fireplace, and private patio overlooking the vineyard. Our package included a $100 voucher for dinner at our choice of restaurants, a taxi to and from dinner, and complimentary breakfast the next morning. When we arrived we dropped off our bags and headed up to their tasting room to pick up a bottle of wine. We also got a cheese tray for two featuring the amazingly delicious Fifth Town artisan cheese, and went back to our room for a little pre-dinner drink and snack.
The Waring House - We enjoyed our dinner at the Waring House. Our server, Jeremy, was a treat. Hubby had beef, I had duck. Overall good, but nothing really stood out for us here.
Norman Hardie - Possibly my favourite winery. We picked up a delicious bottle of their Reserve Pinot Noir and signed up for their mailing list to be notified when they need volunteers for their harvest. You can join them, work in the fields for the day, then they put on a dinner and party for everyone. How fun! We were also pleased to discover that their wines are carried by several Ottawa restaurants, including Beckta and Play.
The County Cider Company - Our last stop. We needed a bite to eat before we headed home, and this place was perfection. They have an outdoor patio overlooking their vineyard, with a stunning view of the lake in the distance. It was a perfect sunny day, ideal for sipping peach cider and munching on their homemade burger topped with the yummy Fifth Town goat cheese.
There will definitely be a next time for this trip.
Giving up shopping
No, not me - it's these two ladies over at 365 Fashion Rehab. I'll admit the idea has a lot of merit for the shopping obsessed, and maybe resonates with me a little more than usual right now, given a recent decision we've made that will significantly reduce our income for the next little while.
Their rules are pretty restrictive: for one year, no purchasing of clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup, home decor items. If they receive gifts from the aforementioned categories, they can't use them until the year is up.
I'll definitely be following their experience with this challenge. It also got me thinking a little more about how I can curb my shopping habit. I'm still mulling it over, but I just may have a little challenge for myself.
Their rules are pretty restrictive: for one year, no purchasing of clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup, home decor items. If they receive gifts from the aforementioned categories, they can't use them until the year is up.
I'll definitely be following their experience with this challenge. It also got me thinking a little more about how I can curb my shopping habit. I'm still mulling it over, but I just may have a little challenge for myself.
Pedicures and weekend getaways
Hubby and I are celebrating 9 (!!!) years of wedded bliss next week. To mark the occasion, I booked us a night at the Inn at Huff Estates in Prince Edward County - Ontario's hottest new tourist region and mecca for wine lovers (that would be us!) My good friend Erica has often raved about Huff Estates, so we can't wait to get there and experience it for ourselves. We've been counting the days until this getaway since I booked it in March, and it's finally here! We're out the door as soon as my parents report for child-minding duty tomorrow morning.
My pre-trip "to do" list for the week included giving some attention to my toes, which were sporting chipped nail polish from I-can't-remember-how-many weeks ago. Right on cue, an email arrived in my inbox from Au Naturel, the spa at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata. They were offering a Canada Day (week?) special on an express pedicure. Sign me up! I treated myself last night and my toes are now pretty in OPI's new OPI on Collins Ave , a bright, summery coral-orange shade. If you sign up for Au Naturel's newsletters, you too will receive notice of special promotions and insider deals like this express pedicure special.
Next week: Watch for a review of our weekend, likely including more than a few wine purchases...
My pre-trip "to do" list for the week included giving some attention to my toes, which were sporting chipped nail polish from I-can't-remember-how-many weeks ago. Right on cue, an email arrived in my inbox from Au Naturel, the spa at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata. They were offering a Canada Day (week?) special on an express pedicure. Sign me up! I treated myself last night and my toes are now pretty in OPI's new OPI on Collins Ave , a bright, summery coral-orange shade. If you sign up for Au Naturel's newsletters, you too will receive notice of special promotions and insider deals like this express pedicure special.
Next week: Watch for a review of our weekend, likely including more than a few wine purchases...
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