It was the weekend for America’s Next Top Model Live in Toronto, so after a two hour delay waiting for Tehya to get ‘ready’, we were on our way down the QEW towards Toronto. I’ve heard about the America’s Next Top Model reality show franchise, but to be honest I had no clue what it was all about. I was basically coming along with Caron and Tehya to see what the hype was all about.

We found reasonably priced parking about a block away, at $10 for the day and we were on the show’s floor in 20 minutes. Most of the time was used inside the convention centre itself, which is very large. Especially if you start off on Front Street and have to make your way to the South Building.

The show’s floor was like every other show we’ve attended, with vendors lining the walkways trying to attract your attention to what they were selling or promoting. The wine bar/lounge was a nice little retreat where you got free samples of Wild Vines (lovely fruity wines) and I especially liked the display (like a lounge as well) where there was a  DJ doing his thing to entertain the crowds. Very hip and trendy as with everything at this America’s Next Top Model show.

Other than the main stage floor dedicated to ‘products’ and ‘services’,  the far right corner had the Flow VIP area where there was also a stage set up for fashion shows etc. The VIP area is where one could also meet some of the celebrities in attendance at scheduled times. They included:  Danny Fernandes (very lame performance I must add), Karl Wolf, Lisa D’Amato, Isis King, Shannon Stewart, Bianca Golden, Alexandria Everett, Laura Kirkpatrick, Camille McDonald, Jeanne Beker, TRiSH and Alicia Dea Josipovic. TRiSH was so happy to meet with us and made us feel very welcomed (see pic with TRiSH and Tehya). It seems that Luke Bilyk from Degrassi fame was the hit of the day with Tehya and after we saw him as the co-host Main Stage Fashion Show, she insisted we head to the VIP area to meet with him. You can see those pics on the facebook fan page.

The far left side of the show’s floor was the main stage (Schwarzkopf Professional Main Stage),  where we had the opportunity to see the actual America’s Next Top Models.  As I mentioned above,  I have no clue who the celebrities are, so I pretty much waited for those in attendance to start cheering hysterically as indication that I’m seeing someone famous. Here’s where we also saw Degrassi’s Alicia Dea Josipovic and Luke Bilyk!  w ho acted as hosts for the show and seemed confused at times, when they were just not in sync with the actual program (appearance of models).

It’s very easy to say that this show was not for me, but when you live with 4 ladies, you’re very tuned into the whole fashion world (does not include reality shows).  America’s Next Top Model Live!  was not just about the chance to see and mingle with celebrities, but it gave you the opportunity to see latest fashion trends, treatments, beauty products and I especially liked seeing some top makeup and hair artists at work. The middle of the floor was dedicated to these talented individuals who gave live demonstrations on hair and makeup. And the catwalk show was simply stunning!

America’s Next Top Model Live Toronto

Metro Toronto Convention Centre
South Building, lower level, 222 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, ON M5V 2W6

Website: http://antmlivetoronto.com/

Video Here

Last summer we had a grand time exploring the sights and sounds of Niagara Falls and we plan to head back down in a couple weeks to get an early start this year. As you can tell from the various features on here, we’re not winter people. So as soon as the mercury rises above 10 C, we start heading out. Like bears we tend to do the hibernating thing as well and quite enjoy it (smile). It seems our visit to Niagara Falls always start off at Table Rock, where there’s always a buzz of activity and frenzy of tourists snapping pictures trying to capture the true essence of the falls. Here’s where you can also find Pop And Lollies Candy Shop on the upper floor of the main sort of tourist building. Like rats following the pied piper, the scent of freshly made candy will captivate you into jumping onto the escalator and before you know it… you’ll be mesmerized by the candy maker doing her thing inside the store.

Pop And Lollies Candy Shop is a fun and interactive candy shop where it’s so easy to be transformed back to one’s childhood and get caught up in the sparkling, vibrant colors of candies of just about every shape and size. You’ll see the art of specialized hard candy being made and find a wide selection of candy and gifts, from traditional favorites to unique containers ready to fill from the colorful wall of bulk candy. The best part though, is watching them hand-roll lollipops!  There’s a glass enclosed area in the center of the store where everyone can watch them roll these attractive lollipops.  The candy maker on duty was very polite, outgoing and explained to us how it worked and even suggested that we take part in the fruit dipping area, where you could dip your choice of fresh fruit or candy into a decadent chocolate bath.

I’m not much of a candy person as Caron, but I did find pleasure in sampling some of the amazing variety of fudge on display. Is it me or is Niagara Falls known for fudge and candied apples? It seems just about everywhere we went, these two items were in attendance. I don’t recall which flavors I tried, but I can tell you two things.. they were all delightful and cheaper to purchase here than other spots in Niagara Falls.

Since the girls refused to join us, Caron (who has a weakness for candied apples), got them each a candied apple.. it meant I had to walk back to the parking lot to leave them in the car since we were just starting off our Niagara Falls adventure for the day.

Here’s the thing… if you knowingly take kids into Pop and Lollies and then refuse to get them some candy (no dentist talk please), that would be the most “absolute” cruel thing you could ever do. They’ll remember this the rest of their lives and don’t be surprised when they don’t bring you hard candy and cake when you’re confined to the old folks home. The entire store is surrounded by walls of candy, so be prepared to have your sweet tooth take control of your wallet. Bearing in mind that as we discussed above, Niagara Falls is tourist driven so don’t expect to pay Wal Mart prices.. but then again, you’re not getting Wal Mart poor quality candy here either.

Pop And Lollies Candy Shop is located on Table Rock Niagara Falls, ON (see map and directions below) and truly a spot not to be missed. Funny thing is, we’ve been to Niagara Falls countless times and had never been to the upper floor before.

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The Eaton Centre is probably one of our favourite malls in all of Ontario, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Unlike Oakville Place which is considerably tame in comparison, or Square One in Mississauga and Vaughn Mills up in Vaughn,which are as vibrant but less chaotic, the Eaton Centre is one of those shopping experiences you must do at least once. We’ve been coming the Eaton Centre as a family for about 18 years now and like our trips down, we also look forward to enjoying a hot dog (street gourmet) at the corner of Dundas and Yonge. This is probably one of the most animated places in all of Toronto, but it gives you a brief peek at life in a huge city.

We had spent the morning at the St Lawrence Market, so a quick walk along Front street and we were within the subway system. A couple minutes later and we were smack in the middle of Dundas and Yonge where there was some sort of Filipino festival going on at Dundas Square. Toronto’s subway is not only one of the cleanest I’ve ever been on, but it’s also very simple to navigate and relatively safe.

If there’s a hub to the Eaton Centre it’s probably the fountain where most tourists and out-of-towners gather at one point or another during their visit to the Eaton Centre. I still recall standing there for minutes waiting for the blast of water to jet towards the ceiling, when I first visited the Eaton Centre about 22 years ago. Here’s where you’ll also spot many husbands, boy friends and dads strategically placed, while waiting for the ladies in their life to investigate what “sale” offerings the many shops have to offer.

Our observations of the Eaton Center is as follows… The people who we came across was a mix of teenagers, tourists and everyday Torontonians who make their way through the mall on their way to work and/or play. Being on two subway stops, Dundas Station and Queen Station, you’ll find that many commuters find themselves in the mall during their travel. With wide aisles which seem to close in with the congestion of people, I’m sure it can get very tricky to navigate if you’re on wheel chair or if you’re pushing a baby buggy. With about 230 retailers and services you’d think you’ll find stores you won’t find in other malls in the area. Not only is that not the case, we also noticed that many shops were repeats (3 Aldos, 2 Bell Worlds, 2 Feet Firsts, 2 Nutrition Houses, and 2 Sunglass Huts).

There are 4 levels (Concourse, 1, 2, 3) of retail shops and services conveniently situated between Dundas and Queen subway station along Yonge street as I mentioned above.  The top level level(4) accommodate paid parking and  since this a this is a TOURIST attraction, it is open pretty much all year round including Statutory Holidays. Though some may argue, I believe the prices are the same as with stores in other malls in Ontario, with the exception of the food court which I think is a bit more pricy.

Other observations…

- can be confusing to navigate due to it’s layout
- parking can be a bit expensive $18-20
- washrooms are hard to find
- not uncommon to see boyfriends and husbands/dads standing in front of stores with this “I’m beat” look… check the few public benches as well. Like drones they (we) sit hoping that our fairy godmother would come save us from further torture of waiting and carrying shopping bags.

Tehya and Caron did find some good deals on shoes and clothing, but Dan and I were content with the $3 bottle of lemonade we were left with to quench our thirst! From the first time I visited the Eaton Centre to today, it’s still as packed with shoppers and those just gazing. Nothing much has changed over the years, but it’s still one of our favourite destinations while in the downtown core of Toronto. After about 30 minutes the shopping experience becomes the same as any other mall, but the pulsating way everything happens around you is truly unmatched. This mall is not for you if you prefer wider spaces between you and other shopper, if you like to move at a slower pace and if you have limited time to shop. The stores are just as packed inside as the aisles and there’s usually lines at the checkout as well (we were there on a Saturday). I wondered into the Apple store (probably the first one I’ve ever been to when they first came to Canada) and it was an absolute zoo, so be prepared if you plan on going here to kill time!

Management Office at the Eaton Center:
220 Yonge Street Suite 110, Toronto ON M5B 2H1

For General Inquiries Contact
Guest Services Desk, Level 2
(416) 598-8560
tecguestservices@cadillacfairview.com

For a full list of all the stores and current coupons and promotions at the Eaton Centre, you can check out the store directory.

Hours Of Operation:

Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from The Eaton Centre) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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After spending some time at the farmers market in the parking lot of Oakville Place Mall, we decided it was time to go into the mall itself to browse some shops, see if there were any current sales and check out the dining options in the food court. It was pass noon so we headed straight to the food court, which is in the middle of the mall on the second floor. Like most of the mall, the food court at Oakville Place was empty so we could pretty much choose where we wanted to sit and not have to hover like eagles stalking a prey as in some of the busier malls, for a table.

Oakville Place is one of the less busier malls we’ve been to, especially when you compare it to Square One or Sherway Gardens which is about 15 minutes away. So if you like to shop where there’s not much of a crowd, you’ll love Oakville Place for sure. The food options in the food court is pretty much the same choices you’d have at any mall in Ontario. We decided on not having lunch since nothing really got our attention, so we went down to the lower level to have coffee at Timonthy’s. Grab a coffee, grab a comfy chair, and sit under the center court’s glass ceiling and enjoy the brightness from the rays of sun beaming through the glass roof high above. Too bad there wasn’t many people moving around or this would be a great spot to sit and people-watch.

Oakville Place is pretty much one long corridor, two floors, with a second level food court off the center strip and its anchored by The Bay and Sears. I did go on a wild goose chase after seeing a gentleman walk pass me with an Apple box. Still haven’t found the Apple Store! For a full list of all the stores at Oakville Place, check out the store directory – Oakville Place store Directory

On arrival Caron had mentioned that she wanted to check out the “Stylesense” store since her friends (and radio commercial) said that there were excellent deals on purses and shoes (woman’s best friends). Didn’t take her long to come back out in disappointment.  Though there were lots of options, the prices didn’t seem as discounted as others would have her believe. She kept mumbling something about a Guess purse on sale for $200.. well something along those lines. I was still hoping to find the Apple Store.

To be quite honest, this mall does not have a ‘buzz’ or any real life to it. If our daughters (teenagers) were with us I could see them putting up a fight to leave after a few minutes. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a wide selection of stores to choose from as you would find in any mall in the area and without the crowds. I’m sure it would be a peaceful shopping experience.. just not for us.

On our way out we noticed that there was an Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill, which did look pretty swank and from the prices on the menu posted at the entrance reflected that. The items listed on the menu did sound very appetizing though. Quite possibly the only other time we would willingly visit Oakville Place again is to give the kitchen at Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill  a test drive.

Location

Oakville Place Shopping Centre
240 Leighland Avenue
Oakville, Ontario
Canada L6H 3H6

Customer Service
Phone: (905) 842-2140
Fax: (905) 842-2969
E-mail: info@oakvilleplace.com

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from Oakville Place Mall) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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A couple weeks ago Caron and I had a coffee date with “The Rhyming Chef” (Philman George) at Oakville Place, when we stumbled onto a delightful little farmers market in the parking lot of the mall. As a foodie and fresh produce junkie, I just had to spend a few minutes touching, smelling and taking in the general sights at this quaint farmers market. My senses go wild whenever we hit a market or any sort of produce store as when we did St Jacobs market last year (note to self – go back to St Jacobs soon) and Caron is somewhat of a similar market junkie as I am so we grabbed the camera and browsed the stalls.

The Oakville Place Farmers Market is relatively small and from speaking with the vendor at the fruit/berry stall, we learned that the market season is from June 16 to October 6 and is only open on Thursdays between 8 am and 2 pm. With locally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables and tons of baked goods, it’s a great way to not only support the local farmers, but a chance to get fresh food as it was meant to be enjoyed. If you’re a fan of the kitchen as I am, you’ll know that using fresh produce only enhances whatever recipe you’re using. But be warned that once you go “fresh” you won’t want to go back to the stuff sitting on the grocery shelves for weeks.

We also noticed that there was a vendor selling locally made knit products and if she wasn’t already busy answering some questions from a customer we certainly would have had a chat with her to know if she was the one doing the knitting and how were customer’s reaction to her beautiful creations.

We skipped by the baked products (not by choice), since we were now running late for our meeting and with the weakness I have for homemade apple pie, I would have surely adopted one to take home. Working on eating healthier and loosing some weight though!

Both Caron ann I couldn’t believe how vibrant the colours were and how perfect the produce seemed. No blemishes and even with the heat of the miday sun, they were not wilted. The greens of the beans, lettuce, asparagus and herbs, the yellow, red and orange of the peppers were all striking. The fruits we’re bursting with that strong punch of colour that convinced us that they were like little fruit sugar crystals just waiting to explode with flavor in your mouth. Caron even asked “have you ever seem more perfectly ripe tomatoes?”.. maybe she was right as they were indeed perfect to the eye.

Don’t let another Thursday go by without a quick stop at the Farmers Market at Oakville Place Mall and be sure to take your kids so they get to meet the farmers. This way they’ll know that what they eat does not originate in some grocery store.

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from the farmers market at Oakville Place) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

Oakville Place Farmers Market
Where:     Oakville Place at Trafalgar Rd. & Leighland Ave., Oakville, ON

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Oh how I miss the temporary location of the Hamilton Farmers market and the original market from a couple years back! At first I thought that I was being overly critical of the “New” market, but I’ve now gone 3 times since it was reopened and my thoughts are pretty much the same. Funny enough, the people who were with me as well as a couple of the vendors we spoke with, feel the same way.

After over a year or so of renovations and much hype during that time (a lot of money was spent as well I must add), I walked though the new glass doors leading into the market from Jackson Square with much excitement. But wait! The main (top) floor is exactly as it was before, except some vendors were moved around a bit. We then decided to head downstairs to the main market area, when we noticed that the escalators were gone and now replaced by stairs. Stairs that seem to take up a lot of room from what was a wonderful way to descend into the hub of shopping.

At the top of the stairs is the only thing that really stands out from the work they’ve done… a wonderful crafted Birks clock (see notes below). For people needing wheelchair access there’s also a new elevator to the left side of the stairs and the original ramp on the right side is still there. Again, the very same as it used to be in the past.

As you make your way around the ground floor you can’t help but feel boxed in. The previous layout didn’t have this sort of boxed-in stalls which now crowd the landscape. There used to be such an open feel to this area before, a feel that worked to the benefit of both vendors and shoppers. You could easily glance over and see what other offerings the stalls across the floor had to offer. This is no longer the case. additionally, the aisle now seems more crowded and with less room to move around freely. The funny thing is that I don’t believe the width of the aisles got any smaller, but the layout itself contributes to the overall crowded feel.

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Gone from the market is the natural vibe it once had… the chatter between vendor and shopper, the sort of melting pot ambiance generated from the many cultures that were represented in the past and the overall inviting feel one would get while browsing the many food stalls. Even the temporary location had all of this! In previous years you could stand at the top of the ramp and look down and across the floor and see this wonderful buzz of activity, now you’ve got to settle for limited views and that boxed-in feel I mentioned earlier.

Yes, the clock really stands out, the idea of a food court is creative and the natural light which filters in from the use of ground to ceiling glass windows overlooking the street are all appreciated, but we left asking “what did they really do after being closed for so long, doing renovations?”

Interesting Facts About the Historic Birks Clock

- Also known as “Clock of the Charging Horsemen”
- Commissioned by Birks Jewelers for the corner of their building at King and James; designed by Kruger Gray, who also created the designs for the Canadian penny and nickel
- The clock measures over 17’ in height, weighs over a ton and is made of bronze cladding
- The clock features a round Norman tower, and four jousting knights at the base modeled after a clock at Wells Cathedral in England
- The knights joust 2 times at the quarter hours; 4 times at the half hour; 6 times at the ¾ hour and 8 times at the hour – the same as they did in 1930
- For its restoration in the newly renovated Farmers’ Market, the clock was taken completely apart – over 1,000 pieces – and each piece was treated and most painted before reassembly
- The new mechanism includes a sound system that is capable of playing numerous programmable tunes:

The ¼ hour chimes are based on the Winchester tune.
9 a.m.: ‘Oranges and Lemons’;
Noon: ‘Cockles and Mussels’
3 p.m.: ‘Polly Put the Kettle On’

Hamilton Farmers Market

Location:       35 York Boulevard,
Hamilton, Ontario
Phone:     905-546-2096
Fax:     905-546-2829

Hours of Operation
Tuesday:       7 am – 6 pm
Thursday:       7 am – 6 pm
Friday:       8 am – 6 pm
Saturday:       6 am – 6 pm

The Market is closed on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Sundays and
all statutory holidays.

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“Sir the clearance section is just over here”. I must radiated some sort of ray which gives people the impression that I’m either poor or a bargain rack shopper. As we entered the Lululemon store at Square One during our back to school shopping trip yesterday, the very first store associate that saw me, directed me to the sale/clearance section. While the other associates took Caron and our girls to the “latest” arrivals section. I’m not sure what her reasoning was for this, but I looked her in the eye and walked out.

Back in 1973, Square One took shape in the middle of farmers’ fields. Today it has grown to truly be a shopper’s paradise! With over 330 stores, Square One offers the most unique blend of leading retailers, specialty shops, 40 dining venues and four successful major department stores. Recent dramatic renovations have resulted in a fashion-forward interior design that offers customers a cosmopolitan and vibrant shopping experience with three new “neighbourhoods” as well as new and improved features.

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I knew from past experience that going to Square One over the weekend does mean having to deal with large crowds, irate shoppers and the usual fight for parking spots. So we decided on a weekday evening so we could have the mall to ourselves. And we did. The mall itself is well spread out so be prepared for walking and do keep track of where you are by using the many directory listings throughout the hallways since it’s very easy to find yourself back in a section you’ve already been.

With bright, wide and colorful hallways with a modern feel, it makes for a wonderful shopping experience. Prices are comparable to stores in any mall you’d shop at in Ontario, except you can truly find just about anything under one roof at Square One. There are anchor stores such as, Walmart, Sears, The Bay, Zellers and for the “geeks” there’s the Apple Store which seems to attract just about everyone who visit. Including me… had to check my email.

There’s a wide selection of dining options in the food court, with the average meal combo priced around $7-$10 and there’s also Johnny Rockets (excellent burger) and a few other specialty restaurants (see store director below). Even on this day when the crowds were thin, we did have to be a bit patient to find a table in the food court, so if you’re going on the weekend, be prepared to hunt for seating.

The mall is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators so feel free to bring the young ones, even if it means having to bring your stroller. BTW, the guest services areas do have baby strollers for rent in the event you forget yours at home.

Our girls did comment that though the same stores can be found in other malls in the area, there seems to be a wider selection here and some of the items you simply couldn’t get at the smaller malls. Fellas, rest assured that there are chairs (nice and comfy) throughout the hallways in the event you’re like me and have to take a break ever so often.

MALL HOURS
Mon – Fri: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sat: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sun: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Square One Shopping Centre
100 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON
L5B 2C9

Telephone: 905-279-SHOP (7467)
Mall Office: 905-270-7771
Administration Fax: 905-270-1180

You may contact Guest Services for immediate assistance at 905-270-7771 ext. 2248.
For a complete directory listing of all the stores, see here!

Anchor store hours of operation:

Wal-Mart
Monday – Friday:     7:00am – 11:00pm
Saturday:     7:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday:     7:00am – 11:00pm

The Bay
Monday – Friday:     9:30am – 9:30pm
Saturday:     9:30am – 7:00pm
Sunday:     11:00am – 6:00pm

Sears
Monday – Friday:     10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday:     8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday:     11:00am – 6:00pm

Zellers
Monday – Friday:     8:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday:     8:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday:     10:00am – 7:00pm

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Immediately after our buffet breakfast at Stone Crock Restaurant, it was our plan to browse the many shops in the village and then head over to the Farmer’s Market, since that was the last stop on our way out of St Jacobs. I was stuffed from that magnificent breakfast and was really not in the mood to walk, as I would much prefer a shady tree, cool breeze and hammock. However the “tourists” were just starting to pack the one street town and there was a nice buzz of activity. Plus Caron and Toni were eager to get started, even if it was just window shopping. Thankfully there were many benches along the street where Marko and I could sit and relax as the ladies did their thing.

Though the shops themselves are not run by the Mennonites, there was the occasional time I would see someone dressed in their traditional gear walking about town and I even caught the glimpse of a horse and buggy driven by a Mennonite gentleman. I’ve seen such on tv, but never live an direct (very neat). The town itself is basically one street lined with several unique shops, restaurants and what could be considered working museums.

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Our first stop was the mini mall at the end of the strip on the left side facing the bridge that crosses the river that runs through the far end of the town. Caron was intrigued by the assortment of items from Scotland and the other British Isles, but I found the woman who manned the cash register to be very rude and unwelcoming. She’s one of those people who makes you think you did something wrong, even though you know you’ve not. I walked out the same speed I walked in after this negative vibes and I can guarantee you that I will never go back to “A Touch Of Scotland”. Next door, within the same mini mall building is Taste- The Forth Sense (Gourmet condiments: oils and specialty sauces.) , so I was like a kid in a candy store with all the hot sauces they had on sale. The young man on duty was very helpful in explaining the background of all the hot sauces he had on display and I could see his face light up when I asked to try what he said was their hottest sauce in stock. “He’ll regret asking me to try this sauce” is what I could see going through his head and was very sorry to disappoint him when my reaction was not what he expected. I have a very high tolerance for anything hot and spicy and though this sauce was very hot, it didn’t phase me one bit. The selection, friendly atmosphere and the ability to sample, is why I would highly recommend a visit to “Taste- The Forth Sense”.

By this time the sun was getting hot and the touristy crowds were starting to get thick, so make note of this if you’re planning a trip to St Jacobs. Arrive early to get a jump-start on things. Basically the Village of St. Jacobs, is where simplicities of small town life complement the fabulous shopping in many fine specialty shops, boutiques and artist’s studios. And though I personally didn’t go into each store, I must make mention of the ones that stuck out…

Chocolate ‘n More: Featuring truffles, creams, caramels, clusters, bark and No-Sugar-Added products. Plus Brittles ‘N More featuring handmade fudge, brittles, beernuts, Turkish Delight, sponge toffee. Enjoy selections from espresso/coffee bar and 17 flavours of soft-serve “Flavorburst” and “Crunchi Creme” icecream.

Christmas in St Jacobs – An all year store with tons of Christmas decorations and trinkets.

Artistic: The Gift And Garden Place – This store is jammed with stuff you can use to decorate your outdoor (and indoor) living spaces and it’s a great option for finding that perfect gift for someone without having to break the bank. Be sure to check out the model train that run through the ceiling of the store and whimsical water wheel on the outside of the building.

Hamel Broom – Manufacturer and retailer of corn brooms. Absolutely my favorite spot as it’s like a working museum on how corn brooms are made. A bit dusty, but definitely something you must not miss.

The Cake Box 2 – Cupcakes, cookies, organic teas, gourmet coffees. And I believe they also offer cake decorating classes on the weekend.

If your back is towards the river and you’re facing the way into town, on the left side there are 2 stores that you must also check out, the bakery and the butcher shop. In the pics above you’ll catch a glimpse of the inside of these two establishments. As you enter the bakery a sudden hunger takes over your body, with the tasty scent of breads and dessert fresh out of the oven and as you look around you notice that you’re surrounded by pies and other baked goods that causes you to almost drool on yourself. I’m, so sorry I can’t remember the names of these two stores to give them full credit for their amazing product line.

I’m sure if you were to ask the girls what their favorite stores were on this trip they would probably mention some of the Jewelery, Clothing, Quilts and other specialty store that are geared for women. So ladies, go prepared to shop, but at a laid-back pace as no one seems to be in a rush.

One last thing I must mention before I wrap up this review. In the pics above you’ll see a snap of a “Home Hardware”, supposedly this is the very first location of this proud Canadian franchise and we were told that not too far from the town’s core,  is a massive distribution center for Home Hardware. I guess the locals are very proud of this as they suggested we drive over to see this building.

If you’re looking for something to do as a family, couple or with friends, why not head out to St Jacobs and be sure to also check out the Farmer’s market!

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After  a lovely breakfast at Stone Crock Restaurant, we headed over to the St Jacobs Farmer’s Market, since this was the real reason for our day trip to St Jacobs. A vibrant market with over 600 vendors and aisle upon aisle of fresh produce from across Ontario and from local farm gardens. Plus, there’s meats, cheese, baking, local crafts, home decor, furniture, clothes, tools, housewares, and more.

I was like a kid in a candy store this day! We arrived around noon and the parking lots were jammed packed, however the amount of people you have coming and going, a spot was not that difficult to find. On entering the indoor market you’re immediately greeted with the vibrancy of a packed farmers market. The sounds of people negotiating prices, placing their orders and the occasional shouts from vendors broadcasting what they have on special for the hour. The scent of baked goods, smoked meats and ripe fruits permeated the entire two floors of this master crafted wooden structure. With exposed timber and fine craftsmanship, it felt as if you were in a glamorous barn type building. It reminded me of a scene in the movie “Witness” during a barn raising by the Amish people. But as far as I could tell, the Mennonites were the ones who can lay claim to founding this astounding market.

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The selection and quality of products were unmatched as far as freshness, size and taste goes, but I found the prices to be about 10-15% more than what you’d pay at the grocery store. There were samples galore and one could easily skip lunch and dine just of the wide variety of samples vendors were giving out to shoppers. And in all honesty, it’s the widest selection of pies I’d ever seen in my life and to top it all off I saw a kid selling pickles on a stick. As you would expect to find popsicles, this kid (see pic above) had pickles on sale and they seemed to be hit, with the large crowd I saw around him.

Couple pointers I must mention though… the crowds can be extensive and navigating the market can become a bit of a challenge, without bumping into others and if you plan on bringing your children with you, you may want to think twice about bringing that baby buggy. With the crowds and tight hallways, navigating the aisles may be a bit challenging. However, the outdoor market is well suited for the entire family with it’s complete openness and the kids will get a kick out of the petting zoo at the rear.

You also got the sense of the true multicultural aspect of life in Canada as the food on sale represented many corners of the world. And if you listened closely you could also pick up on a wide array of languages and accents from the vendors and those shopping and others like me who were just mesmerized by everything.

It’s takes a good hour or so to walk through and really grasp everything the indoor market has to offer so do consider this when planning your trip. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market  is a unique and lively place to shop.

The Outdoor Market.

Just when the sadness of having to leave the market came over me, our friends who’d been here several times before said it was time to go to the outdoor part of the market. My eyes lit up once again and this time I was in for a bigger and better treat. This section reminded me of my childhood days accompanying my mom to Sunday market in the Caribbean. Which was all open-air. The only thing that was missing was the fresh catch of the day, since the market we went to also had a seafood section where the local fishermen would sell what they caught that morning.

Here you’re greeted with the smell of cooking food as there were many options for street food to choose from. Including some of the best pita sandwiches I’d ever seen. Fresh grilled meats, topped with mouthwatering cooked vegetables (peppers,onions etc) and wrapped tightly into a sandwich which you could hold onto while still walking through the market. Seems the fresh cut fries were just as popular, with the huge lines that were gathered to fork over cash for this deep fried goodness.

Just as the indoor market had a wide selection to choose from, the outdoor market was not to be out done, except you here you could find buskers, a flea market and a small petting zoo. There were chickens, ducks, pony rides and from the pics below you’ll see a couple beautiful horses that stuck their heads out the window just in time for me to capture them with my camera.

I’ve never been a friend of flea markets so I quickly browsed through the cheaply made stuff on sale, but I did come across the most magnificent horses I’d ever seen at the rear/side of all the vendors. They was part of the trolley ride you can take through town and this can be found at the back of the outdoor market, where the flea market section is.

It seems that this section of the St Jacobs Market was also used for wholesale selling as there were options to buy in huge quantities. I saw bushels of corns, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, etc and I can only image if we came later in the summer when the local farmers were really reaping their crops.

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BTW if you’re looking for bathrooms you have two options. There’s some within the indoor market on the ground floor and in the outdoor market, work you way into the red building where there’s the designated seating area. And if you’re visiting on a sunny day remember the sunblock and walk with a bottle of water as it gets pretty hot.

I can honestly say that there’s no better way to spend the day or reason to take the drive to St Jacobs. Enjoy international favourites, and local delicacies including sausage, apple fritters, and pure maple syrup sold by Mennonite farmers who travel to market by horse and buggy. Oh yea! – don’t forget to try the pickle on a stick

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market & Flea Market:

878 Weber Street North, Waterloo Ontario

Hours of Operation Phone: 519-747-1830
E-mail:markets@stjacobs.com

3 km. south of Village of St. Jacobs

DAYS & TIMES

Thursday & Saturday year around

7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday Summer Market

June 16 to September 1, 2009

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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With my annual Spring planting day rapidly approaching I figured it was time to hit the garden centers (also see Holland Park Burlington | Terra Greenhouses). It seems to be the norm in Ontario that we put in our plants the long weekend in May, so there’s usually a rush to get plants at these garden centers. Besides wanting to beat the crowds, Satellite Garden Center is the only place I’ve found locally where I can get “strong” habanero plants and that’s the one thing I look forward to planting every year. Don’t get me wrong, there are some other garden centers who do stock these wonderfully hot peppers, but the plants themselves are very weak looking and tiny in general.

It seems that there’s a reputation of some sort when it comes to Satellite Garden Center for being a bit expensive, so I’d like to address that a bit before I continue. Yes, there are some items that are a bit over priced. However when you really consider that you’re getting quality plants and garden accessories, the slightly higher prices can be justified I think.

Since this is a speciality garden center and not one of those temporary tents that pops up everywhere during the Spring months, you should have an idea of what to expect. Therefore I’ll briefly touch on the areas that stood out for me, followed by a few pictures I took while there and finally I’ll end with contact info and other store information (operational hours, address and current sales and discounts).

Without a doubt their hanging baskets (one of the higher priced items I touched on earlier) are stunning and probably the best one can get in the area. And there’s usually a full stock to choose from most of the season… even when other garden centers are low on stock or have crappy leftovers. We’ve purchased hanging baskets from here before and not only have they lasted all season, there were as vibrant and full of colour as the day we first brought them home.

If you’re into garden decor you’re in luck as  there’s a huge selection of decor that varies in size, construction ad colour. Iron wall decor, garden clocks, mailboxes, planters, pots, vases, wind chimes, gnomes, lanterns, fire burners, chimineas, birdbaths, birdhouses, feeders, stepping stones and other whimsical garden things.

Rest assured that there’s also a wide selection of vegetable, flowers (annuals and perennials), shrubs, trees and fruit trees to choose from as well. Additionally at the front of the store I also noticed a wide selections of beautiful rocks which could add a lot of character to your garden, that’s sold by weight. With the new laws in place you have a wide choice of natural fertilizers and pesticides available to you.. plus the friendly staff is always willing to address any questions you may have.

At the very back of the store is where the “Flower Market” is, but sadly I didn’t really browse that area, but Caron did mention that there were some lovely long stem roses and other cut flowers for sale. But she didn’t look at the prices, so I really can’t comment further.

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I forgot to mention… there’s also a wide variety of roses (my fave), the hostas are excellent here as well and there’s a wide selection of packaged seeds.

Satellite Garden Centre & Flower Market
1167 Rymal Rd. E., Ham., ON L8W 3M7
Tel.: 905.574.8188 • Toll Free: 1.888.691.1103
Email: sales@satellitegardencentre.com

For current promotions and discounts at Satellite Garden Centre And Flower Market, visit Satellite Garden Centre And Flower Market Couons.

I must mention that the store part is rather packed with items and can be a bit conjested. So if you’re planning a trip you may want to get a babysitter so you don’t have to take a baby stroller with you. Also note that the outside area where all the planst are housed, can be a bit messy (water and dirt), so leave the fancy shoes at home or risk them getting soiled.

If you’ve been to Satellite Garden Centre And Flower Market, we’d love to hear about your experience. please leave us your thoughts in the comment box below. Your comments will assist others in determining if they’re willing to shop at Satellite Garden Centre And Flower Market.

**If you’d like to be featured on OntarioAlive.com where your business, event or establishment would be seen by thousands of locals every week, do get in contact with us. We’d be happy to drop by and do a review.

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When you think “shopping” and “mall” in the Hamilton area, you automatically think Limeridge Mall. I’ve lived in the region for almost 21 years now and don’t recall there ever being  a mall that offered the shopper more. Maybe if you go back 15 years, you could say that Jackson Square gave Limeridge (the locals refer to it as Limeridge) a run for it’s money. With the the decay of the downtown core and the lack of parking, Jackson Square is now probably one of the least loved shopping areas around.

About 4 years ago Limeridge got a face lift (much needed), which also saw a few new trendy stores join the directory. Like Guess, American Eagle, Old Navy and Tommy, to name a few. However, you wallet is still safe from your teenagers, since there’s no Lululemon, Abercrombie or Hollister.  There’s also the larger department stores like Sears and The Bay, which could be considered anchor stores, offering you everything a department store would.  * See below for a full store directory of Limeridge Mall.

As you can see from the pictures below, the renovations also included a new food court with many international foods to choose from (You must try the Thai). One word of warning though, if you’re on the Roger’s cell phone network, you’ll find it impossible to get cell service in the food court area. And for all you coffee lovers (no Starbucks or Timothy’s), you have the choice of Tim Hortons (the lines are always long – but moves quickly) and Second Cup for the more gourmet type drinks.

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The mall itself is well spread out, with wide hallways, tons of seating for tired shoppers (and dads and husbands) spread out throughout the mall. The customer service is centrally situated and offer a host of services, including child buggy rental and this gift cards for those people you just can’t shop for. Additionally, this is also where you go to get an updated list of who’s hiring at any particular time.

The mall itself is also centrally located on Hamilton’s mountain (really a hill or escarpment) and can be accessed from the “Linc” if you’re coming form outside the Hamilton region. Though there’s thousands of parking spots (all free), during the holiday season you’re guaranteed to be driving around a bit in search of parking (even the overflow gets filled). I guess that’s the price you pay for being the most used mall in the area. For those of you looking to take public transport to the mall, you’re in luck as the Hamilton Street Railway (local bus) does have a hub here, so you have a few options.

Operational Times:

Mon-Fri 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sat 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sun 11:00am – 5:00pm

Address

999 Upper Wentworth Street
Hamilton, ON
L9A 4X5.

Guest Services
(905) 387-4455
julie.whalen@cadillacfairview.com

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Complete List Of Stores (as of publishing time)

Name | Phone Number | Category
A & W (905) 575-9361 Fast Food
Access (905) 318-7257 Fashion Accessories,  Leather & Luggage
Active Green + Ross Services
Addition-Elle & A/E Sport & Co (905) 318-0912 Ladies Apparel
Aeropostale (905) 385-2293 Unisex Apparel
Aldo (905) 383-6276 Footwear
American Eagle Outfitters (905) 574-5624 Unisex Apparel
Anna Bella (905) 388-8788 Ladies Apparel
Arby’s (905) 389-8445 Fast Food
Ardene (905) 963-0309 Fashion Accessories
Ashley Jewellers (905) 387-0143 Jewellery
Athlete’s World (905) 574-0555 Sporting Goods & Athleticwear
Barber Shop, The (905) 318-3066 Health and Beauty,  Personal Care & Health Service
Bath & Body Works (905) 388-7799 Health and Beauty
Bath & Body Works Home Fragrance (905) 318-5895 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Bay, The (905) 318-8008 Dept. Stores and Supermarkets
Bell (905) 387-8497 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Bell World (905) 575-9900 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Benix (905) 574-0484 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Bentley (905) 574-1032 Leather & Luggage
Bianca Nygard (905) 574-6086 Ladies Apparel
Bikini Village (905) 318-3835 Specialty Apparel
Birks (905) 318-4682 Jewellery
Black’s Camera (905) 387-3421 Photography & Photo Equipment
Bluenotes (905) 387-3931 Unisex Apparel
Boathouse (905) 387-2748 Unisex Apparel
Body Shop, The (905) 388-1790 Health and Beauty
Bombay Company, The (905) 389-9976 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Booster Juice (905) 538-6510 Specialty Food
Bourbon St. Grill (905) 389-3910 Fast Food
Bowring (905) 383-0245 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Buffalo Jeans (905) 388-9101 Unisex Apparel
Build-A-Bear Workshop (905) 387-9891 Toys, Hobbies and Pets
Campus Crew (905) 388-6661 Unisex Apparel
Carlton Cards (905) 318-9113 Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Caryl Baker Visage (905) 385-4951 Health and Beauty
Cassis (905) 389-9045 Ladies Apparel
Champs Sports (905) 389-3774 Footwear,  Sporting Goods & Athleticwear
Cinema 1 (905) 388-3934 Music & Videos
Cinnabon (905) 574-8894 Specialty Food
Clair de Lune (905) 388-6523 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Claire’s Boutique (905) 388-9646 Fashion Accessories
Cleo (905) 385-3355 Ladies Apparel
Cogeco Cable (888) 626-4326 Services
Coles (905) 387-0750 Books and News,  Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Community Police Centre (905) 546-3239 Services
Continental Currency Exchange (905) 575-1500 Services
Costa Blanca (905) 383-3039 Ladies Apparel
Crabtree & Evelyn (905) 575-7807 Health and Beauty
Creekside Gallery (905) 389-9244 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Danier Leather (905) 388-3342 Specialty Apparel,  Unisex Apparel
Diamond Co., The (905) 387-7621 Jewellery
Disney Store, The (905) 574-5060 Children’s Apparel,  Toys, Hobbies and Pets
Dolomiti Shoes (905) 318-7268 Footwear
Dynamite (905) 387-8198 Ladies Apparel
EB Games (905) 318-6089 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
ecko unltd (905) 385-6219 Unisex Apparel
Eddie Bauer (905) 574-2066 Ladies Apparel,  Unisex Apparel,  Men’s Apparel
Faces (905) 318-3721 Health and Beauty
Fairweather (905) 388-4376 Ladies Apparel
Fast-Fix Jewellery & Watch Repairs (905) 383-4098 Services
Feet First (905) 575-7063 Footwear
Fido (905) 389-6539 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Fine Gold Jewellery (905) 318-7099 Jewellery
Flight Centre (905) 383-5666 Services
Footlocker (905) 389-3966 Sporting Goods & Athleticwear,  Footwear
Fox and Fiddle (905) 385-8555 Restaurants
Freshly Squeezed (905) 296-9790 Specialty Food
Fruits & Passion (905) 389-8458 Health and Beauty
GameStop (905) 574-7798 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Gap, The (905) 574-3444 Unisex Apparel,  Men’s Apparel,  Ladies Apparel
Garage (905) 389-1302 Ladies Apparel
GNC – General Nutrition Centre (905) 385-1572 Personal Care & Health Service
Green Earth (905) 318-9639 Cards, Stationery and Gifts
GUESS (905) 318-9777 Men’s Apparel,  Unisex Apparel,  Ladies Apparel
GUESS Accessories (905) 388-4044 Fashion Accessories
Gymboree (905) 575-4651 Children’s Apparel
H & M (905) 574-5450 Children’s Apparel,  Ladies Apparel
Hallmark (905) 575-7074 Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Harvey’s (905) 318-0108 Fast Food
Headquarters (905) 574-4818 Fashion Accessories
HMV (905) 385-6251 Music & Videos
Holiday Comforts (905) 389-7676 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Home Edition (905) 574-0799 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Home Outfitters (905) 387-9722 Dept. Stores and Supermarkets,  Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Icing by Claire’s (905) 575-8628 Fashion Accessories
illuminata eyewear (905) 387-8830 Personal Care & Health Service,  Services
International Clothiers (905) 389-8759 Children’s Apparel
International News (905) 296-6985 Books and News
J. Michaels (905) 575-5333 Ladies Apparel
Jacob (905) 575-7585 Ladies Apparel
Jacob Connexion (905) 574-7180 Ladies Apparel
Jean Machine (905) 389-7623 Unisex Apparel
Jimmy the Greek (905) 296-8062 Fast Food
Kavar Jewellers (905) 318-6701 Jewellery
Kernels (905) 318-5800 Specialty Food
KFC (905) 318-6565 Fast Food
Kiddie Kobbler (905) 388-9835 Footwear
Koodo (905) 383-9547 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
L’Amour Nails (905) 387-2351 Personal Care & Health Service
La Senza (905) 388-5707 Specialty Apparel
La Vie en Rose (905) 574-9833 Specialty Apparel,  Ladies Apparel
La Vie en Rose Aqua (905) 388-4926 Specialty Apparel
Laura (905) 318-5137 Ladies Apparel
Laura Petites (905) 383-1110 Ladies Apparel,  Specialty Apparel
Laura Secord (905) 383-0034 Specialty Food
Le Chateau (905) 385-4379 Unisex Apparel
Lenscrafters (905) 574-3101 Services
Lenscrafters (513) 894-5414 Personal Care & Health Service
Lenscrafters (905) 574-3101 Personal Care & Health Service
Lime Ridge Dental Office (905) 575-0412 Personal Care & Health Service,  Services
Lotto Centre General, Variety & Lottery,  Services
Made In Japan (905) 575-1942 Fast Food
Manchu Wok (905) 383-7294 Fast Food
Mappins (905) 574-6376 Jewellery
Melanie Lyne (905) 574-1876 Ladies Apparel
Metalsmiths (905) 318-2211 Jewellery
Mexx (905) 385-0999 Men’s Apparel,  Ladies Apparel,  Unisex Apparel
Mind Games (905) 318-4263 Toys, Hobbies and Pets
Mr. Big & Tall (905) 383-4916 Specialty Apparel
Mrs. Vanelli’s (905) 383-1888 Fast Food
Naturalizer (905) 388-1344 Footwear
New York Fries (905) 385-4481 Fast Food
North by Northwest (905) 388-3374 Unisex Apparel
Northern Reflections (905) 575-9320 Ladies Apparel
Off The Wall (905) 318-8379 Ladies Apparel
Old Navy (905) 318-1825 Unisex Apparel,  Children’s Apparel,  Men’s Apparel,  Ladies Apparel
Ontario Early Years (905) 385-9406 Services
Orange Julius/Dairy Queen (905) 387-9545 Fast Food
Payless Shoesource (905) 389-2805 Footwear
Pearle Vision (905) 318-4103 Services,  Personal Care & Health Service
Peoples Jewellers (905) 387-6951 Jewellery
Personal Edge (905) 318-6023 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
Personally Yours (905) 383-0288 Services
Petland (905) 387-0517 Toys, Hobbies and Pets
Please Mum (905) 388-4656 Children’s Apparel
Quick Heel (905) 385-7300 Services
Regis Hairstylists (905) 387-6711 Services,  Health and Beauty
Reitmans (905) 385-5980 Ladies Apparel
Ricki’s (905) 385-2474 Ladies Apparel
Rogers (905) 481-3028 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Rogers Wireless (905) 318-7223 Services,  Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Roots (905) 388-3556 Unisex Apparel
Royal Doulton (905) 388-9297 Housewares, Home Furnishings & Decor
RW & Co.
RW & Co. (905) 389-2959 Unisex Apparel
S. & H. Health Foods (905) 318-8539 Health and Beauty
Salon Mirage & Spa (905) 318-9227 Personal Care & Health Service,  Health and Beauty
Salon Profilo & Spa (905) 387-9200 Personal Care & Health Service,  Health and Beauty
Sears/Sears Travel (905) 389-4441 Services,  Dept. Stores and Supermarkets
Second Cup, The (905) 385-5918 Specialty Food
Shoppers Drug Mart (905) 388-8450 Pharmacies & Drug Stores
Showcase (905) 387-0134 General, Variety & Lottery
Sirens (905) 574-9544 Ladies Apparel,  Unisex Apparel,  Men’s Apparel
Smart Set (905) 388-8577 Ladies Apparel
SoftMoc (905) 388-8905 Footwear
Spencer Gifts (905) 389-7334 Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Sport Chek (905) 383-5012 Unisex Apparel,  Men’s Apparel,  Sporting Goods & Athleticwear,  Ladies Apparel,  Footwear
Sports Obsession (905) 383-2915 Sporting Goods & Athleticwear
Spring (905) 318-8428 Footwear
Stance (905) 389-3726 Footwear
Stars Men’s Shop (905) 385-6610 Men’s Apparel
Sterling Shoes (905) 318-0128 Footwear
Stitch It (905) 385-2180 Services
Stitch It (905) 574-9169 Services
Stitches (905) 388-0763 Ladies Apparel
Stockhomme (905) 574-9845 Men’s Apparel
Stone Ridge (905) 318-9507 Footwear
Subway (905) 574-7742 Fast Food
Sunglass Hut (905) 318-0900 Fashion Accessories
Suzy Shier (905) 387-4437 Ladies Apparel
Swarovski (905) 297-9335 Jewellery
Tabi (905) 318-0747 Ladies Apparel
Taco Bell (905) 387-6990 Fast Food
Tan Jay/Alia (905) 318-0854 Ladies Apparel
TBooth (905) 574-1367 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Telus Mobility (905) 387-8171 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Thai Express (905) 575-1513 Fast Food
The Candy Counter (905) 389-8133 Specialty Food
The Children’s Place (905) 389-8723 Children’s Apparel,  Footwear
The Source (905) 385-3909 Electronics, Computers and Telephones,  Toys, Hobbies and Pets
Things Engraved (905) 318-6730 Services
Thyme Maternity (905) 318-1066 Ladies Apparel
Tim Horton’s Donuts (905) 383-1337 Fast Food
Tip Top Tailors (905) 385-6112 Men’s Apparel
Tommy Hilfiger (905) 387-5077 Ladies Apparel,  Men’s Apparel,  Unisex Apparel
Total Image (905) 574-1755 Personal Care & Health Service,  Health and Beauty
This store has a current promotion Town Shoes (905) 575-1888 Footwear
Trade Secrets (905) 385-5505 Health and Beauty,  Personal Care & Health Service
Tripcentral.ca (905) 387-2535 Services
Tuxedo Royale (905) 385-9066 Men’s Apparel,  Services
Urban Behavior (905) 388-3297 Unisex Apparel
Urban Trade (905) 388-7576 Ladies Apparel,  Men’s Apparel,  Unisex Apparel
Urban Traveller (905) 318-2662 Leather & Luggage
VICI Gelateria & Café (905) 387-1021 Specialty Food
Villa Madina (905) 575-3535 Fast Food
Vintage & Memories (905) 388-7008 Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Virgin Mobile (905) 389-0160 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
West 49 (905) 574-5550 Unisex Apparel
Wind Mobile (905) 390-3348 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
WirelessWave (905) 385-1943 Electronics, Computers and Telephones
Xpress (905) 383-5649 General, Variety & Lottery
Yogen Fruz (905) 388-2496 Specialty Food,  Fast Food

What do you do on a cool Saturday afternoon in the Fall? Take a drive out to Ancaster to check out the annual Ancaster Home Show. A few days back we received a coupon for free admission for a family of four to attend this year’s Fall home show, so we thought we’d check it out. We’ve got several updates to make to our home, including a new kitchen and a replacement roof, so this would be a good opportunity to research contractors and take a look at what’s leading the way as far as technology and designs for kitchens.

On your GPS – latitude, longitude: 43.189241, -80.040865

With the abundance of (free) parking there was when we arrived at about 4 pm (closes that day at 5 pm) I had a feeling that this would be a very small event and once inside that feeling was confirmed. I’m not sure how old this event is, but I think it’s fairly young. Which would probably explain why it’s a bit smaller than some of the other home shows we’ve been to. Read the full story

I guess it really doesn’t matter if you go on a weekend or a weekday when you think most people will be at work. You will encounter a busy mall full of shoppers and be prepared for parking wars. With everyone wanting the close parking spot next to the entrance, it’s very easy to get frustrated. If only people would walk the extra few meters and use one of the hundreds of other parking spots provided… it would make for a much better start to your shopping experience.

If you’ve been to one mall you’ve pretty much been to them all and this was exactly the case at Vaughan Mills, except this one is a bit more grand and it’s fairly new. Plus you’ll find a lot more designer options and some of their last call or outlet stores. Such as Benetton, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic,French Connection UK (FCUK), LACOSTE, Tommy Bahama, Nine West, Hugo Boss,Tommy Hilfiger and Holt Renfrew to name a few. Read the full story

So what did you day yesterday? Besides making myself a little more broke, I spent over 2 hours in line with our the older girls in line to get into the yearly Lululemon warehouse sale that’s taking place this year in our hometown of Hamilton Ontario. Caron worked nights and Indy was just too lazy to wake, so it was me, Kieana and Tehya on a mission to snag some deals on the popular (don’t ask me why, cause it’s basic yoga themed gear) brand.

We went with the intention of having to deal with a line, but nothing prepared us for what was in store. Just about every teenage girl and their mom, young mother with buggy and trendy young adult was already there hours before us in line. Rather than complain and say “lets get out of here” I decided to make this a dad / daughters experience. After 1 hr in the line I had my regrets.

Getting into the event.

First you make your way to the end of the line, which was about 1 block away. (BTW we were told that there is no GOOD time to get to the event, as you will meet people in line even at 4 am) If you know the Hamilton area… you start at the corner of Bay and Main and work your way going east to the convention center. When you finally conquer the line and go through the main entrance of the convention center, you’re greeted with another line. You must “check” every bag, purse etc that you have with you. Then you move to another line where they give you a wrist band and you’re asked if you’re currently wearing any Lululemon merchandise. If you are, the guy with a marker puts the number of pieces on the wrist band they tagged you with. Then it’s onto another line where you’re (counted – one of those checker things) and the time that you enter is also written on the wrist band. If you’re at the checkout area to pay before 30 minutes you’re given an additional 10% off your purchases.

Some pointers..

* If you see something you like, hang on to it. Don’t you dare put it back on the rack and fool yourself that come back for it. It won’t be there when you return, even if it’s jut seconds ago.

* If you’re going in with the intention of getting a bag, be ware that the merchandisers drop off the bags at different areas of the floor without notice and there will be a shark feeding frenzy when they do. Keep an eye out and be prepared to pounce.

* If you’re paying by credit card, be sure to have a picture ID with you (see other payment options below)

The Good.

In the line – At least it was an overcast and relatively pleasant day, so we didn’t have to deal with sweltering heat and according to the security people, the line was moving much faster than the day before. Since there was tons of security there were no line jumping or any sort of disorder by the shoppers in the line.

Overall – very well organized. The sizes and costs are clearly labeled. There’s a colour code that dictates the prices so each item has a colour sticker that’s placed on the label. Just look around you on the walls and you’ll be reminded what you pay for which colour.

There’s lots of tellers to pay so you do move along very fast. They also limit the number of shoppers (thus the long lines outside) on the floor, so you’re not all that crowded.

The Bad!

In the line – The signs coming out of the event wasn’t promising. Everyone who were already in there were walking pass us with pretty much empty bags. Was there any “real” deals or were we wasting our time? makes you question the long time you’ve been waiting in line.

Selection – As mentioned if you see something you like, grab it. This is clearance so don’t expected much choice. smaller sizes are very limited (anything below 4). It can be a bit messy as well, with people dumping things they don’t want on the floor and corners.

Prices. even with the reduced rate, I really don’t buy into the prices they were still charging. But that could just be the parent in me. We spent about $550 or so and we walked away with 2 long yoga pants (thin version), 3 jackets, 2 head bands and 2 capri style pants.

Jerks! Seems the “jerk” comes out in us at these type of events. people will be pushy, bump into you and even hit with with hangers and not say sorry.

More info:

Hamilton Convention Centre
1 Summers Lane
Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 4Y2
tel: 1 877 263 9300

Hours / days

Thursday, July 23 9am-9pm
Friday, July 24 9am-9pm
Saturday, July 25th 9am-7pm
Sunday, July 26th 9am-5pm

Payment: Cash, Debit Visa, AMEX, and Mastercard- photo id required and please have your credit card pin number ready.
*No gift cards will be accepted.

Final tip. We were told by friends that the last day of this annual warehouse sale, one can get the merchandise reduced further. Is there any truth to this and will this be the norm again this year? Time will tell I guess.

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