THis is a great review of our sister shop indie polish I wanted to share!
Holographic Hussy: Introducing Indie Polish: Hey Hussies! My second blog post tonight is brought to you by fairly new polish creator, Tanya at Indie Polish. I've only just disc...
Monday, April 1, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
I did not want to leave the Delta Chelsea Hotel Toronto
Seriously when I saw the amount of kids in the lobby, and heard they had 1590 rooms I was a bit worried.....
I have a seriously injured foot so I was not sure how much stomping thru the city i'd be doing.....but honestly this plain old school hotel made it just so nice to stay in!
If you've never slept in a delta sanctuary bed YOU MUST!!!! it's the nicest coziest bed EVER... 4 pillows...ahhhhhhhhh it was so nice to sit and spend an after noon with a fine wine and my netflix!
Other than the odd door close and the maids cart go squeaking up the hallway I HEARD NOTHING,,,,,I saw NOTHING!!! and even though almost every room has a balcony I did'nt even hear the doors all night.
I really didn't do much the first day.....but the second night I decided (after a painful new tattoo) to order room service... I ordered
cajun chicken breast sammy
Caesar salad
all day breakfast
and coffee
(i hadn't eaten all day lol)
IT was wonderful, delivered fast, with tons of condiments, neatly presented and the gentleman that brought it explained the cheque to me, went over my meal, and asked if I needed anything.....it was lovely...only the little white rose it a bud vase was the cute cherry on top....the only thing I hate AND it's a personal pet peeve.... if you want to charge 9$ for a salad fine BUT STOP USING KRAFT PARMISEAN IN THE CONTAINER.....Buy a wedge and use the peeler ..it's honestly worth it and doesn't cost much more!
The bathroom was beautiful, bright but it could have used a new tub (old school small tub....me not so small)
I think I had an older non updated room. There was some wear and tear but i'll take it....I have NEVER felt so quiet and relaxed... I found it easy to just BE...just sit and be content not going out.
I got the room for 119$ thru livingsocial but would GLADLY pay the 150-170 a night.....SO WORTH IT! and I was just steps from yonge street.
My check in and out were simple....no suprises...no bs...
I would STRONGLY suggest staying here if you are ok with a non suite, traditional room....it's not fancy but you can't always fake quiet, peaceful and that feeling of being appreciated for your business!
*for the record any review I do weather it's hotels or stuff is paid for OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.
spo I have no reason to sugar coat things!
I have a seriously injured foot so I was not sure how much stomping thru the city i'd be doing.....but honestly this plain old school hotel made it just so nice to stay in!
If you've never slept in a delta sanctuary bed YOU MUST!!!! it's the nicest coziest bed EVER... 4 pillows...ahhhhhhhhh it was so nice to sit and spend an after noon with a fine wine and my netflix!
Other than the odd door close and the maids cart go squeaking up the hallway I HEARD NOTHING,,,,,I saw NOTHING!!! and even though almost every room has a balcony I did'nt even hear the doors all night.
I really didn't do much the first day.....but the second night I decided (after a painful new tattoo) to order room service... I ordered
cajun chicken breast sammy
Caesar salad
all day breakfast
and coffee
(i hadn't eaten all day lol)
IT was wonderful, delivered fast, with tons of condiments, neatly presented and the gentleman that brought it explained the cheque to me, went over my meal, and asked if I needed anything.....it was lovely...only the little white rose it a bud vase was the cute cherry on top....the only thing I hate AND it's a personal pet peeve.... if you want to charge 9$ for a salad fine BUT STOP USING KRAFT PARMISEAN IN THE CONTAINER.....Buy a wedge and use the peeler ..it's honestly worth it and doesn't cost much more!
The bathroom was beautiful, bright but it could have used a new tub (old school small tub....me not so small)
I think I had an older non updated room. There was some wear and tear but i'll take it....I have NEVER felt so quiet and relaxed... I found it easy to just BE...just sit and be content not going out.
I got the room for 119$ thru livingsocial but would GLADLY pay the 150-170 a night.....SO WORTH IT! and I was just steps from yonge street.
My check in and out were simple....no suprises...no bs...
I would STRONGLY suggest staying here if you are ok with a non suite, traditional room....it's not fancy but you can't always fake quiet, peaceful and that feeling of being appreciated for your business!
*for the record any review I do weather it's hotels or stuff is paid for OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.
spo I have no reason to sugar coat things!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Fuddie Duddies Sewing Pattern Review
I needed a bow tie for my lil man....so since my sewing is coming along nicely I decided to MAKE ONE. I looked on etsy and came across a shop called fuddie duddies and they had an awesome pattern deal
the pattern deal I got was 2 for 8 dollars but the tie pattern came with a free bow tie pattern so I got that and a pants pattern..... her deal now is as follows
the directions were slightly complicated but I think that's because sewing is quite new to me....and doesn't reflect the pattern. The out come was GREAT and I am THRILLED
the pattern deal I got was 2 for 8 dollars but the tie pattern came with a free bow tie pattern so I got that and a pants pattern..... her deal now is as follows
the directions were slightly complicated but I think that's because sewing is quite new to me....and doesn't reflect the pattern. The out come was GREAT and I am THRILLED
I simply opted to add the elastic option instead of the neck strap....easy on and off!
I will say if you have any problems she will really make the effort to help....even if you explain things oddly she seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. I would FOR SURE without a doubt buy patterns here again
for a better look at more bow ties I made from her pattern I have them listed in a new shop on etsy
Fussie duddies can be found at Fuddie Duddies
her lounge pants tutorial is AMAZING!!!! I plan to review this and post pics of my sons pants soon!
ENJOY!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
A second stay at Toronto don valley hotel.... wish I could say it was good.
ok so it didn't totally suck......but boy what a change from the first trip....and sadly so. Check in was easy...we upgraded to a newly renovated room for our 2 nights (extra 30$ a night) The renovated rooms only means you get a kurig coffee maker, a different colour theme, new carpet and shower.....not a big deal. Oddly our door did'nt even really close unless you really pushed on it....
Our room had a balcony which I thought would be nice as I was with my son....however the view into the condo's next door and the parking lot left ALOT to be desired.....why you would put a kid in a balcony room with no view is beyond me.....I felt like it was perhaps the only room they had available at the time. If I could say one good thing about the view it would be there were rabbits in the garden....but that's about it.
We spent our first day relaxing and not doing much....we went swimming...but this time it was dofferent....there was tons of rust seeping down from the skylight. I understand it's winter and there's condensation but there was ALOT. It wasclear this had been occuring for some time. The pool was kinda scuzzy.....like nobody ever cleaned the tiles around the inner edge and all the scum had affixed to the tile...certainley not like it was on our first visit...and it wasn't even as busy as our first visit.
Dinner was excellent again!
The evening was a never ending lullaby of the screen door above our room opening and closing all night and people spitting off the balcony......gross
As with most hotels there was a hanger for room service breakfast so I filled it out and left it on our door and went to bed...IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when breakfast didn't show up......well you see...nobody bothered to collect the card off our door...then I was blamed by the bitchy woman for not putting it out in time when I had put it outside at 10pm......it says to place it there before 2 am... So needless to say I had to give my order to this total bitch in room service who told me to just give her the order as she was very busy. I ordered eggs benedict which was great...and for the boy, croissant french toast....which never arrived...what came instead was 3 tiny croissants that my son would;nt eat. I called downstairs and explained to a very nice man what happened and it all got fixed and my son's food arrived in about 10-15 mins...and he did enjoy it.
We spent the day at the science center.....while leaving our room it smelled grossly of cigarettes. My son has asthma and I am allergic to smoke so this is a reason I only stay in non smoking hotels....I mentioned it to the woman at front desk and her reply was "that's odd they have a balcony, I'll have someone go spray it" yeah cause that solves the problem.....
it all just kept going wrong.... We did have an awesome fellow at front desk that saved me when the vending machine would not give my son his chocolate bar....he brought us 2 and our twonnie we lost..... sadly this was a highlight of our stay.
Upon returning from the science center exhausted I got to walk with my son down the endless hallway thru the cigarette smoke filled hallway that now also smelled like pot.....when I arrived in our room I called down to front desk....nobody did anything to help...again she informed me she would spray the hall....which most adults know does nothing as far as second hand smoke goes.... my husband was so pissed he told me to phone the cops about the pot....but since I was spending the nights alone with my son I didn't want to start an issue. But at this point I was getting pissed. The fellow who handles their twitter account who had actually addressed the issues we had sent up some fruit and candy for me and my son.....which was nice but I would have been happier not popping benadryl into me and my son because of smoke allergies (it wasn't slightly stinky...it was the entire length of the hall and especially in front of a select few rooms)
dinner again was great!!!! it always is
After more swimming and my son falling asleep, my husband passed by for a bite to eat on his way to work. I ordered him the burger and cheesecake.... It arrived...wrong. the Burger was fine but the cheese cake was apple pie...the man who brought our food let me know that it was wrong and he would be back with the cheese cake. I wish he'd left the pie....cuz the cake tasted like the cardboard it was packaged in....it was sooooooo bad.....but at this point having 2 of 2 failed room service deliveries I just wanted to go to bed and go home the next day!
Between the smoke, and the staff not doing anything but spraying the hall (which if they did you sure couldn't tell) the 2 out of 2 room service fails, the pool, and the view it was a really really sad stay compared to our first stay. You see, I like to find a place and stay there....almost exclusively. I'm fiercely loyal and spread the word of good places. I told everyone I adored this place....but after our recent stay....well I'll keep looking for a place that will at least honor their non smoking hotel policy......
I'm almost a little sad.....if they could get staff that valued their jobs or customers they would do very well. There were 2 people in the restaurant that were great, one guy at front desk and the fellow I'd talked to on twitter several times....but dealing with the bitchy woman for room service and the twit that did nothing but order others to spray the hallway when it was REALLY REALLY CLEAR where the pot and cigarette smoke was coming from but still did nothing..... Well if you don't give a shit....than why should I.
When I blog I also post reviews too yelp, twitter, facebook and a handful of others..... I also provide good word of mouth randomly as I think of it.....I always pay my way and am never given rooms free for reviews.....which is why I can be so honest..... I don't even know if I would stay here again.....unless I got the room on sale or thru a group plan (which luckily i did) Even the fellow I was talking to on twitter seemed to all of a sudden stopped our conversations when I mentioned how disgusting it is to stay in a hotel that doesn't even uphold their non smoking policy....but at this point....I'm not at all surprised.
I read a review on yelp about this hotel that said "even if you put lipstick on a pig it's still a pig" I'm wondering if the first trip I had was just a REALLY REALLY REALLY done up pig.......
Our room had a balcony which I thought would be nice as I was with my son....however the view into the condo's next door and the parking lot left ALOT to be desired.....why you would put a kid in a balcony room with no view is beyond me.....I felt like it was perhaps the only room they had available at the time. If I could say one good thing about the view it would be there were rabbits in the garden....but that's about it.
We spent our first day relaxing and not doing much....we went swimming...but this time it was dofferent....there was tons of rust seeping down from the skylight. I understand it's winter and there's condensation but there was ALOT. It wasclear this had been occuring for some time. The pool was kinda scuzzy.....like nobody ever cleaned the tiles around the inner edge and all the scum had affixed to the tile...certainley not like it was on our first visit...and it wasn't even as busy as our first visit.
Dinner was excellent again!
The evening was a never ending lullaby of the screen door above our room opening and closing all night and people spitting off the balcony......gross
As with most hotels there was a hanger for room service breakfast so I filled it out and left it on our door and went to bed...IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when breakfast didn't show up......well you see...nobody bothered to collect the card off our door...then I was blamed by the bitchy woman for not putting it out in time when I had put it outside at 10pm......it says to place it there before 2 am... So needless to say I had to give my order to this total bitch in room service who told me to just give her the order as she was very busy. I ordered eggs benedict which was great...and for the boy, croissant french toast....which never arrived...what came instead was 3 tiny croissants that my son would;nt eat. I called downstairs and explained to a very nice man what happened and it all got fixed and my son's food arrived in about 10-15 mins...and he did enjoy it.
We spent the day at the science center.....while leaving our room it smelled grossly of cigarettes. My son has asthma and I am allergic to smoke so this is a reason I only stay in non smoking hotels....I mentioned it to the woman at front desk and her reply was "that's odd they have a balcony, I'll have someone go spray it" yeah cause that solves the problem.....
it all just kept going wrong.... We did have an awesome fellow at front desk that saved me when the vending machine would not give my son his chocolate bar....he brought us 2 and our twonnie we lost..... sadly this was a highlight of our stay.
Upon returning from the science center exhausted I got to walk with my son down the endless hallway thru the cigarette smoke filled hallway that now also smelled like pot.....when I arrived in our room I called down to front desk....nobody did anything to help...again she informed me she would spray the hall....which most adults know does nothing as far as second hand smoke goes.... my husband was so pissed he told me to phone the cops about the pot....but since I was spending the nights alone with my son I didn't want to start an issue. But at this point I was getting pissed. The fellow who handles their twitter account who had actually addressed the issues we had sent up some fruit and candy for me and my son.....which was nice but I would have been happier not popping benadryl into me and my son because of smoke allergies (it wasn't slightly stinky...it was the entire length of the hall and especially in front of a select few rooms)
dinner again was great!!!! it always is
After more swimming and my son falling asleep, my husband passed by for a bite to eat on his way to work. I ordered him the burger and cheesecake.... It arrived...wrong. the Burger was fine but the cheese cake was apple pie...the man who brought our food let me know that it was wrong and he would be back with the cheese cake. I wish he'd left the pie....cuz the cake tasted like the cardboard it was packaged in....it was sooooooo bad.....but at this point having 2 of 2 failed room service deliveries I just wanted to go to bed and go home the next day!
Between the smoke, and the staff not doing anything but spraying the hall (which if they did you sure couldn't tell) the 2 out of 2 room service fails, the pool, and the view it was a really really sad stay compared to our first stay. You see, I like to find a place and stay there....almost exclusively. I'm fiercely loyal and spread the word of good places. I told everyone I adored this place....but after our recent stay....well I'll keep looking for a place that will at least honor their non smoking hotel policy......
I'm almost a little sad.....if they could get staff that valued their jobs or customers they would do very well. There were 2 people in the restaurant that were great, one guy at front desk and the fellow I'd talked to on twitter several times....but dealing with the bitchy woman for room service and the twit that did nothing but order others to spray the hallway when it was REALLY REALLY CLEAR where the pot and cigarette smoke was coming from but still did nothing..... Well if you don't give a shit....than why should I.
When I blog I also post reviews too yelp, twitter, facebook and a handful of others..... I also provide good word of mouth randomly as I think of it.....I always pay my way and am never given rooms free for reviews.....which is why I can be so honest..... I don't even know if I would stay here again.....unless I got the room on sale or thru a group plan (which luckily i did) Even the fellow I was talking to on twitter seemed to all of a sudden stopped our conversations when I mentioned how disgusting it is to stay in a hotel that doesn't even uphold their non smoking policy....but at this point....I'm not at all surprised.
I read a review on yelp about this hotel that said "even if you put lipstick on a pig it's still a pig" I'm wondering if the first trip I had was just a REALLY REALLY REALLY done up pig.......
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Niagara Falls, ON A good old Favourite
I have likely spent about 25-30 nights in this hotel over the last 3 years with my husband and son. It's Ever so slightly off the beaten path. But about 3 minutes from casino Niagara, Clifton hills and everything our family enjoys!
Included ever morning is a great buffet breakfast...everything is VERY fresh and trays are provided to take it up to your room.
The hotel is clean and quiet....and the front desk staff are great and rarely change so it's nice to see the same faces, and they have a jar of help yourself cookies that helps a ton when checking in with kids!
This is an ACTUAL smoke free hotel and I've never stayed and smelled smoke in the halls.
Having stayed over march break the hotel was very full...noise from above was an issue but after a quick call to front desk and the problem was solved.
This hotel's rates are always amazing even in the summer. If you are a gold points member you can also use your points to stay. For this trip we used 10.000 points each of 2 night bringing our nightly rate down to 57$ for a 2 room family suite. We like the suite as the bedroom has 2 queen beds and a door, so once our son is asleep we can draw the door and enjoy watching tv in the living room. Internet access is free and parking is only 8$ a night.
The pool could be warmer....but it's clean and the hot tub is great. It's clean, quiet, predictable and all we need...oh and you get a fridge and microwave in the room!
Considering my stay earlier in the week at a hotel in Toronto .this was heaven! The only think I wish this hotel had was a restaurant....but they do have a little market downstairs with snacks and all the essentials you usually forget at home.
If you don't need fancy but want a good place to stay I'd stay nowhere else.... in fact we haven't stayed ANYWHERE else in 3 years when we go to Niagara falls... we just think it's perfect!
can't wait too get back....oh and the new bus route passes right in front of the hotel!
Included ever morning is a great buffet breakfast...everything is VERY fresh and trays are provided to take it up to your room.
The hotel is clean and quiet....and the front desk staff are great and rarely change so it's nice to see the same faces, and they have a jar of help yourself cookies that helps a ton when checking in with kids!
This is an ACTUAL smoke free hotel and I've never stayed and smelled smoke in the halls.
Having stayed over march break the hotel was very full...noise from above was an issue but after a quick call to front desk and the problem was solved.
This hotel's rates are always amazing even in the summer. If you are a gold points member you can also use your points to stay. For this trip we used 10.000 points each of 2 night bringing our nightly rate down to 57$ for a 2 room family suite. We like the suite as the bedroom has 2 queen beds and a door, so once our son is asleep we can draw the door and enjoy watching tv in the living room. Internet access is free and parking is only 8$ a night.
The pool could be warmer....but it's clean and the hot tub is great. It's clean, quiet, predictable and all we need...oh and you get a fridge and microwave in the room!
Considering my stay earlier in the week at a hotel in Toronto .this was heaven! The only think I wish this hotel had was a restaurant....but they do have a little market downstairs with snacks and all the essentials you usually forget at home.
If you don't need fancy but want a good place to stay I'd stay nowhere else.... in fact we haven't stayed ANYWHERE else in 3 years when we go to Niagara falls... we just think it's perfect!
can't wait too get back....oh and the new bus route passes right in front of the hotel!
Monday, March 11, 2013
CkmCouture - banner design - Highly Recommended
This designer works her butt off to make sure you not only have what you need but a few options to pick from. She designed me a few versions of a main banner and let me pick the one I thought would work best. Than provided me a few smaller vacation and sale banners.
1 needed minor text edits but it was a great job by someone with a great sense of what they love and how to use it tastefully. I find her designs unique, often dark but still beautiful. I would use this designer again without a doubt if I needed something really original..... Our indie polish banner was made for us in a few days...and we love it
I put these images here for examples we all know how copyright works so don't steal!!!!! not only is it tacky it's rude
other examples include
1 needed minor text edits but it was a great job by someone with a great sense of what they love and how to use it tastefully. I find her designs unique, often dark but still beautiful. I would use this designer again without a doubt if I needed something really original..... Our indie polish banner was made for us in a few days...and we love it
I put these images here for examples we all know how copyright works so don't steal!!!!! not only is it tacky it's rude
other examples include
AMAZING STUFF!
her shop is on etsy at CkmCouture
Cassandra will take care of whatever your design needs are !
ENJOY!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
BAck from Mexico
we are back from our trip and I honestly have so many reviews and cool stuff to share that I have to wait till lil man is in school to get started...but it will be starting this week I assure....It feels great to be back!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
COMING AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
a Rafflecopter giveaway For free nailpolish at Indie Polish! Anyone can enter to win a free bottle of polish shipped free!
ENJOY
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Nail Polish Sale - Indie Polish - Handmade nail polish
USE CODE NAILME FOR 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE AT etsy.com/shop/IndiePoli… TONS OF NEW #HANDMADE #NAILPOLISH #FRANKENPOLISH #NAILS #MANICURE #ETSY
— IndiePolish (@IndiePolish) February 6, 2013
ooooooooooo come play beauty shop in our sister store! Indie polish is the spot for me and the boys growing nail polish line!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Stitched Together: My Favorite Oven Mitts - Tutorial
This is a great tutorial from an amazing blog that I found online with all kinds of well illustrated easy to follow tutorials. I have not made these potholder/mitts, but i'm working up the courage!
Stitched Together: My Favorite Oven Mitts - Tutorial: My very favorite gift to give these days is square oven mitts. Yes, I've made them again and again . I did not come up with this idea - ...
Stitched Together: My Favorite Oven Mitts - Tutorial: My very favorite gift to give these days is square oven mitts. Yes, I've made them again and again . I did not come up with this idea - ...
Thursday, January 31, 2013
How To - My first big sewing project. A blanket for the boy!
ok I am a very beginner seamstress... I've made a dozen pillows...some baby wipes and a hairband. BUT my son has been driving me nuts for a blanket of out 2 fabrics he picked back in the fall. so to shut him up (yep I said it) I made it today.
He had picked these 2 fabrics
He had picked these 2 fabrics
The batman panel was great. I bought it from ebay. And the hot rod fabric is from alexander henry....I know they don't match at all but it's my son's quilt and I told him he could pick what he wanted. and it actually looks really cute together.
So At walmart I picked up some baby blanket batting. it comes folded in a flat big piece. The panel for my son's blanket was 35"x43" so I left 1/2 inch for thread as i'm still not a great perfect line sew-er. So I had to cut my hot rod fabric and batting to the same dimensions...easy enough!
I used this GREAT hobo mom blog for guidlines http://www.hobomama.com/2010/12/sew-cozy-throw-blanket.html
it seemed easy enough... just that it's big and kinda bulky. After pinning than repining the 3 fabrics together (yep I pinned it wrong the first time) I got sewing...I checked repeatedly that I was not going over the edge of the fabric...(which I was at one point..) so I guess in an amateur move I just back stitched all the way back and kept going in a BETTER straight line down the blanket. I will admit that I think I stretched the batting so I had this...ummmmm "overlap" or :wave of extra fabric" BUT batting is very forgiving. I simply flattened the batting along the blanket with my arm, pinned down the overlap and sewed a second seam and it worked out fine and didn't add much bulk at all. I do know I should have ripped the seam and redid it all, however if I did not get this blanket done I would either go deaf from the boy asking if it was done...or stop and put it all away. I thankfully remembered to leave a space open to flip it inside right. Than finished off the open part with a "ladder stitch" ooooooo fancy
I had already poked out the corners with my finger (and you thought I forgot)
I must say it was probably a rather crude way of making my first blanket, but I must say myself...it looks great...and I didn't need to go buy one.... It was also GREAT practice in the "sewing under kids pressure" department. My son adores it, and it will be going on the plane with us soon. The best part of making my first big project is I now know what not to do the next time. I also learned how to break my neeedle and am now going thru sewing withdraw until I get to the sewing shop tomorrow. So with that I leave you be.
I never thought i'd see the day where I could do all this.... With the help of an amazing and encouraging friend and seamstress pam, who has an AMAZING etsy shop st http://www.etsy.com/shop/PKStuff (and I have alot of her awesome stuff)
a great beginner sewing tutorial I got at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CranberryWay
a naggin son and a genuine desire to learn I got thru it... I'm eager to gt onto the new projects I have planned and cut already! And about those broken needles......well I burned alot of food learning to cook too!
I'm no longer afraid to sew and it also helped alot with self confidence knowing that in my ADHD mind if I just prepare first and have it all ready the actually put together part is easy peasy
This is his "MOM!!!! i'm trying to play my games" Face!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The relaunch of INDIE POLISH
Well it's 2 days early! and with only 2 missing polishes INDIE POLISH HAS REOPENED!
With over 10 new colors, revised listings and better shipping rates we would be so honoured if you'd join us in our relaunch! http://www.etsy.com/shop/IndiePolish
There is also a GREAT incentive for bloggers to try and blog our polishes too!
With over 10 new colors, revised listings and better shipping rates we would be so honoured if you'd join us in our relaunch! http://www.etsy.com/shop/IndiePolish
There is also a GREAT incentive for bloggers to try and blog our polishes too!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Hotel Review - Toronto Don Valley Hotel And Suites
Having had a horrible stay at the Radisson, and a disappointed boy on my hands (swimming is one of his great loves) We got an offer to stay at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel And Suites. It was an offer to good to pass up so we decided to go.
Andrew, who was on staff at night was amazing to deal with. After thoroughly confirming and re-confirming my stay he let me know early check in was fine. When we pulled up to the hotel it was beautiful. It's located in an area of the city that sits on ravine land. A BIG winding driveway led up to a beautifully enclosed entryway where, once we exited the truck we could hear music playing...My son said "mom this IS a fancy hotel..they play music outside!"
We did have a few hiccups checking in with our breakfast vouchers from the girl at the desk who we were not overly fond of....she explained that the breakfast vouchers were not an option, after Andrew had clearly stated it was part of our package...she kept trying to get us to upgrade our room explaining that the new rooms were recently renovated and a totally different color (like I care what color the room is for my sleeping hours)
Our room was an executive king room and was EXACTLY as pictured.
Andrew, who was on staff at night was amazing to deal with. After thoroughly confirming and re-confirming my stay he let me know early check in was fine. When we pulled up to the hotel it was beautiful. It's located in an area of the city that sits on ravine land. A BIG winding driveway led up to a beautifully enclosed entryway where, once we exited the truck we could hear music playing...My son said "mom this IS a fancy hotel..they play music outside!"
We did have a few hiccups checking in with our breakfast vouchers from the girl at the desk who we were not overly fond of....she explained that the breakfast vouchers were not an option, after Andrew had clearly stated it was part of our package...she kept trying to get us to upgrade our room explaining that the new rooms were recently renovated and a totally different color (like I care what color the room is for my sleeping hours)
Our room was an executive king room and was EXACTLY as pictured.
I will say that on their site they rave about the views.....however my view was of the highway and parking lot...this may be off putting to some but my son ADORES watching the highway at night so this was fine for us. The room was FREEZING but warmed up REALLLLY fast with an old fashioned window unit that was a bit complicated to figure out but worked REALLY well!
Our room was SPOTLESS...baseboards and all! Even the old school TV is our room was wiped clean and dust free (I'm not one to care if the TV is flat screen) Our room did not have a fridge or microwave and if I wanted one they were 20-25$ EACH. Thankfully my son is not a baby anymore and we didn't really need it!
The bathroom was BIG and SO clean. I liked the old style red granite counter tops and a HUGE GIGANTIC bonus was HEATED TILE FLOORS ahhhhhhhhhhhh.....what a treat in the morning.
Our Internet was free which in Toronto is saying alot as may hotels charge 8-25$ a day for Internet, and it was high speed wireless!
We were spending the day at the science center so we left for the day.
Upon our return we had some dinner....I can honestly without a doubt say it's one of the best hamburgers I have ever had EVER! it was great! My son had a cheese pizza that he FINISHED so it MUST have been great! I also had a whiskey sour which was soooo good! The waiter was very pleasant and understanding towards my son (the boy has adhd, autism and odd, so his behavior is sometimes difficult in places new to him) The fire place across from our table and tv's were a great distraction. I was also REALLY surprised about the bill...it was far lower than expected and way better than many hotels. The teal, white and cream decor in the restaurant and thruout the hotel is so lovely and clean!
To top off a great day we went to the pool.....WOW. The pool is amazing! first of all it's a perfect circle and the entire roof is a skylight. But better yet it's WARM!! the first hotel we have stayed at where the pool is so warm it's surprising!. As it got darker, several big ornate coach lamps turned on automatically....and as it got darker the ambiance almost became a romantic candlelight pool....had it not been for my child, and several others that is! But it was so beautiful! The hot tub was REALLY hot, and they even have have a family change room which is so smart. Upon our return in the morning, it was a totally different feeling. Bright and welcoming!
(the lounge chairs are not the same and I saw no drapes but the rest is the same)
Would I stay here again? I'm already trying to find an excuse too! With INCREDIBLE winter rates starting at 99$ or 2-4 night packages from 84-95$ a night why not enjoy a STAYcation!
Other incredible features
The most comfy bed and pillows ever!!!
room service from 6pm-11pm
a little shop open from 9a-11p
Some rooms have balconies
a seasonally available outdoor pool
it's SO quiet!
Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites - Toronto, Ontario (ON)
Email: reservations@torontopreferredhotel.com
Website http://www.torontodonvalleyhotel.com/
175 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Ontario M3C 1J3
Contact: 416-449-4111 | Fax: 416-385-6700 Email: reservations@torontopreferredhotel.com
Website http://www.torontodonvalleyhotel.com/
Saturday, January 26, 2013
On a more positive note - a great review!!!! OF US!
a few weeks ago I was emailed by a lovely customer named Ria. She had purchased our vegan glitter lotion in coconut cream pie....
I was surprised to find she was planning to review it as part of her dedication to finding vegan, cruelty free products that are AFFORDABLE. So we mailed off her order and waited.
well today we got word of her pleasing review.
her blog is here ria lives well
and the review was as follows
I was surprised to find she was planning to review it as part of her dedication to finding vegan, cruelty free products that are AFFORDABLE. So we mailed off her order and waited.
well today we got word of her pleasing review.
her blog is here ria lives well
and the review was as follows
Coconut Cream Pie Glitter Lotion
Hi and welcome back to Ria Lives Well!
Today’s topic is one I’m very excited about.
For a while now, I’ve been searching for cosmetics and toiletries that are 1) cruelty free, 2) made with all natural ingredients, and 3) affordable. So far, my favorite shop to find such products is Lush. However, when shopping at Lush, I can never check number three off my list. That doesn’t mean I don’t still heart Lush. I absolutely do! Yet my weakened wallet has me searching for another avenue.
And I found it.
While browsing Etsy, I discovered a shop called Me & The Boy. The owner makes just about everything I’m searching for. Perfumes, lotions, soaps, even nail polish. I forced myself not to buy everything I wanted, and instead purchased one item: Glitter Potion Supreme Lotion in Coconut Cream Pie.
Affordability? Check.
One eight ounce bottle only cost $8 since it was on clearance to make room for the Fall and Winter fragrances. But you won’t find remarkably cheap prices in the clearance section alone. Me & The Boy offers vegan, gluten free body washes for $5; soy candles for $5.26, and beautifully hand crafted soap, like Yuzu Spearmint for $4.75.
So I finally received my lotion in the mail today, and what’s my verdict?
Love this stuff!
The Moisture
This lotion doesn’t sit on my skin, but penetrates and does a wonderful job of moisturizing/softening the skin. And the smell? Deliciously addictive. Unless you aren’t a fan of coconut, you will certainly fall in love.
Glitter me Gold
Despite the name-Glitter Potion Supreme Lotion-I didn’t think much of the word “glitter”. After spreading the lotion across my skin, bits of gold freckled my arms and legs. So then came the realization: “Ah. Glitter lotion.” Even as I sit here writing this post, I’m constantly distracted by the glint from my skin whenever the light hits the right spot. I can only imagine what a hot seller this is during the Summer months.
All Natural
My favorite element of this lotion is that it’s 98% natural and 100% vegan. When I look at the ingredient list, I actually know what most of the ingredients mean.
So I decided to have some fun. I compared it to the lotion I used beforehand, Victoria Secret’s Love my Body in Jasmine & Water Lily.
Not only am I unfamiliar with the ingredients in my VS lotion, I can’t even pronounce half of them. And while this has nothing to do with it being all natural, the Glitter Potion Supreme Lotion is nearly double the size and a fraction of the cost. The insanity!
Just skim the ingredients for both lotions and you’ll see what I mean {Be warned, blurry pictures that fail me as a photographer ahead}….
VS Love my Body Lotion Ingredients:
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, ceteareth 20, fragrance, diazolidinyl urea, carbomer, methylparaben, aloe leaf juice, benzyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate, tetrasodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide, macadamia seed soil propyl paraben….{The list continues in this manner. How many can you define?}
Coconut Cream Pie Glitter Lotion Ingredients:
De-ionized water, grape seed oil, avocado oil, capric triglycerides, emulsifying wax NX, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, aloe leaf juice, stearic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, silk amino acids, vegetable glycerine, sorbitol, silicone, methyl cellulose, allantoin, phenoxyethanol and optiphen.
Not only do I recognize most of the ingredients, like shea butter and jojoba oil, the ingredient list is smaller. This is what I want when searching for skin care products. Skin is a delicate system, and I can’t imagine caring for it while slathering cetereath-20, tetra sodium EDTA and carbomer on it everyday.
A Sample
The shop owner also threw in a sample of her Lavender body wash, Lavenderology Shower Gel with exfoliating grains. Take a whiff and you’re in a field of lavender. The beauty of this product is, the smell intensifies as you use it. I hadn’t stumbled upon the last time I browsed her Etsy shop, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it next time. Oh, yeah. There will be a next time.
~Live well!
Check out her blog it's great (she has an amazing reciepe for 2 ingredient creamer for your coffee! and she's nice too!!! Thanks Ria...
Friday, January 25, 2013
Another disgusting Toronto Hotel
After an AMAZING stay at the delta toronto east we got another dump (good review of delta coming soon)
booked a room to come swimming with my son...
My husband had several problems already with this hotel in the smoking rooms (like bloody towels in the closet and windows that don't close) but I figured since we were in a non smoking room maybe it would be better.
NOPE! gross mildew on the ceiling and rust all over the tub.....and when we checked in nobody told us that the pool was not working!!! What a dump!!! NEVER AGAIN! and the head of front desk is a serious dick!
When I called down to front desk to ask for a head office number, they told me they did not know what the number was (but it's ok I found it) Head office couldn't understand why they front desk would not give the info. When I asked the head at front desk about the pool his reply was "what would you like me to do about it"
Should have rebooked the delta room, but we were going to the science center and this is the closest hotel.
This hotel is at
55 Hallcrown Place
Toronto, ON M2J4R1
(416) 493-7000
booked a room to come swimming with my son...
My husband had several problems already with this hotel in the smoking rooms (like bloody towels in the closet and windows that don't close) but I figured since we were in a non smoking room maybe it would be better.
NOPE! gross mildew on the ceiling and rust all over the tub.....and when we checked in nobody told us that the pool was not working!!! What a dump!!! NEVER AGAIN! and the head of front desk is a serious dick!
When I called down to front desk to ask for a head office number, they told me they did not know what the number was (but it's ok I found it) Head office couldn't understand why they front desk would not give the info. When I asked the head at front desk about the pool his reply was "what would you like me to do about it"
Should have rebooked the delta room, but we were going to the science center and this is the closest hotel.
This hotel is at
55 Hallcrown Place
Toronto, ON M2J4R1
(416) 493-7000
no effort was made to do anything to better the situation.... not a thing. (if I ran my company like this, I would not have one)
FOLLOWUP
we were awarded the night free and given points towards a future stay. But I still would not try again in this hotel!
FOLLOWUP
we were awarded the night free and given points towards a future stay. But I still would not try again in this hotel!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Welcome to our new look!
well we made a few changes! since we will be featuring alot more reviews I figured lets just breathe new air into our awesome blog.....also you can find us WAY easier by just typing HANDMADEREVIEW.COM
Let us know what you think!!!! we will be uploading more reviews this week.....and some new how to's and so on! Enjoy
Let us know what you think!!!! we will be uploading more reviews this week.....and some new how to's and so on! Enjoy
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Etsy Review - The Owl and the Envelope
Soo I happened upon the owl and the envelope via a giveaway of their site! AND I WON....which never EVER happens. And I am such a stationary lover that I was super excited....and with good reason I soon found out!
Megan is as nice as they come. Everything went quick...from contact on facebook, to the order being sent out! from foxes, snowflakes and cool graphic originality it's clear this shop owner loves what she does!
It was really hard to pick just a few things so I ordered
4 piece3-1/2 x 5 card is made with textured paper and ink, on Eco-friendly card stock, and comes with a Kraft colored envelope.
Let it Snow! Just like snowflakes, each of these beautiful cards is a one of a kind. Each card is hand-drawn with pen and pencil, and comes with a coordinating handmade envelope.
Cards are A1 (3-1/2x5 inches)
With striking stripes in bold retro colors, these note cards are sure to please all! Two designs to make sure they fit each occasion you need them for. Total set of 8 cards and coordinating envelopes. 3-1/2" x 4-7/8"
I've never said this before but the envelopes and presentation were almost better than the cards. The snowflake ones are all hand coloured and JUST STUNNING. They were all quite simply perfect!!!! I would WITHOUT a doubt shop in this shop and honestly she's a great artist and a wonderful shop owner. Customer service and communication were second to NONE. Delivery to canada was reasonably quick, and they arrived perfect
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheOwlandtheEnvelope
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theowlandtheenvelope
Megan is as nice as they come. Everything went quick...from contact on facebook, to the order being sent out! from foxes, snowflakes and cool graphic originality it's clear this shop owner loves what she does!
It was really hard to pick just a few things so I ordered
4 piece3-1/2 x 5 card is made with textured paper and ink, on Eco-friendly card stock, and comes with a Kraft colored envelope.
Let it Snow! Just like snowflakes, each of these beautiful cards is a one of a kind. Each card is hand-drawn with pen and pencil, and comes with a coordinating handmade envelope.
Cards are A1 (3-1/2x5 inches)
With striking stripes in bold retro colors, these note cards are sure to please all! Two designs to make sure they fit each occasion you need them for. Total set of 8 cards and coordinating envelopes. 3-1/2" x 4-7/8"
I've never said this before but the envelopes and presentation were almost better than the cards. The snowflake ones are all hand coloured and JUST STUNNING. They were all quite simply perfect!!!! I would WITHOUT a doubt shop in this shop and honestly she's a great artist and a wonderful shop owner. Customer service and communication were second to NONE. Delivery to canada was reasonably quick, and they arrived perfect
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheOwlandtheEnvelope
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theowlandtheenvelope
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Mama's Worldview: 25 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Mama's Worldview: 25 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar should be a staple in every home. It has a wide variety of uses and you can’t beat it as far as low price for health ca...
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