Christmas Shopping
Is there any more cheerful place than the LCBO at Christmas? Talk about the wow factor – foil in every colour, boxed sets of wine for slurping or sipping, mammoth bottles of the hard stuff and elixirs in every hue!
I love Christmas, and shopping is one of the best parts. The thing is, if you’re normally strapped for cash Christmas is, well, like Christmas! You get to buy for people you love; and when I have a great gift idea, I love everybody. AND it’s not about money: an item can be cheap and still have max impact! It’s, to use the advertising lingo, knowing your market. Someone who never has a hair thingy will love a boxful in every colour. Pens for the creative types: coloured pens! Shops like the artists’ group at 401 Richmond are perfect! They have fantastic pens, felt tipped fine, for…35 cents! They have handmade jewelery for $10 and the coolest musical instruments that ever bopped a bongo.
You cannot go wrong at the LCBO for gifts! Or gifts for me anyway. Grand & Toy is excellent! Or Staples, if you’re into the big box concept.
What’s wrong with getting someone socks? I love socks! And underwear! Or how about some really cool dish towels? There are some with mouth watering colours and really fun designs. Heading to your neighbourhood shops will be stress free and blissful. I spent a fantastic two hours on Bayview just north of Millwood last Saturday, and I can tell you if you can’t have fun shopping there, you are beyond hope.
If you don’t think dropping into your local boite for a smile and maybe a sip of hot apple cider or a red and green candy is fantastic, you should stick to on line buying. Start at www.scrooge.com or maybe grinch.ca. Meanwhile the stores are open late! Fah la la!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Careful! Foam is slippery.
The Race for Mayor
The media is doing its absolute best to knock Rob Ford out of the serious running for mayor. Now they’ve dug up some old charges in the US and are hounding him about them
Meanwhile, Furious George Smitherman is actually foaming at the mouth about Mr. Ford. According to Beau George, Rob doesn’t like Asians, immigrants, gays, bike riders and now, presumably police. What is fueling his self righteous indignation is the fact that Mr. Ford has been leading in the polls with his everyman’s outrage about costs at city hall and Toronto’s out of whack budget.
What may turn out to be even more scary for the erstwhile big time Ontario MP and cabinet exec is that many other less elitist everymen may still share Ford’s views on taming the behemoth of Toronto’s expenses, and they may see the latest old scandals as just…old news. And is there any truth to the notion that someone is feeding the media these juicy tidbits? Someone with just a trickle of spittle at the corner of his mouth?
The media is doing its absolute best to knock Rob Ford out of the serious running for mayor. Now they’ve dug up some old charges in the US and are hounding him about them
Meanwhile, Furious George Smitherman is actually foaming at the mouth about Mr. Ford. According to Beau George, Rob doesn’t like Asians, immigrants, gays, bike riders and now, presumably police. What is fueling his self righteous indignation is the fact that Mr. Ford has been leading in the polls with his everyman’s outrage about costs at city hall and Toronto’s out of whack budget.
What may turn out to be even more scary for the erstwhile big time Ontario MP and cabinet exec is that many other less elitist everymen may still share Ford’s views on taming the behemoth of Toronto’s expenses, and they may see the latest old scandals as just…old news. And is there any truth to the notion that someone is feeding the media these juicy tidbits? Someone with just a trickle of spittle at the corner of his mouth?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Togetherness
Shoe Solution
Getting together with someone when they are new in your life is simple. Yes, matters have been a bit damaged by the advent of call display. You can’t call your prospective boyfriend (to see if he’s home) and hang up when he answers. He’ll know, right?
However, for those with nerve, I offer the following:
Leaving your shoes at his place. This is a winner, and almost always works. After a great time at his place, whisk yourself away with aplomb. The next day, or the same day, if you’re desperate, call or text to report that you left your left shoe there: it must be in the hall or under the bed. He, being considerate of your need for your favourite sandal, immediately invites you to drop by and pick up the shoe! Voila, another evening together!
This can be used multiple times, just try to mix it up with different items. A shoe, an earring, your wallet, keys to your apartment….
And you can use it to get him back to your place! Take his wallet and tuck it under the sofa cushions and then you have the PERFECT excuse to call him to say you found it and invite him to come by and get it. Or, even better, he may call to ask if it’s there!
The real key to success with this method is having lots of suitable retrievables. It works, and both parties actually know what’s going on. After a while, you can just call and say you want to be together; the shoes are just a bridge to this stage!
Getting together with someone when they are new in your life is simple. Yes, matters have been a bit damaged by the advent of call display. You can’t call your prospective boyfriend (to see if he’s home) and hang up when he answers. He’ll know, right?
However, for those with nerve, I offer the following:
Leaving your shoes at his place. This is a winner, and almost always works. After a great time at his place, whisk yourself away with aplomb. The next day, or the same day, if you’re desperate, call or text to report that you left your left shoe there: it must be in the hall or under the bed. He, being considerate of your need for your favourite sandal, immediately invites you to drop by and pick up the shoe! Voila, another evening together!
This can be used multiple times, just try to mix it up with different items. A shoe, an earring, your wallet, keys to your apartment….
And you can use it to get him back to your place! Take his wallet and tuck it under the sofa cushions and then you have the PERFECT excuse to call him to say you found it and invite him to come by and get it. Or, even better, he may call to ask if it’s there!
The real key to success with this method is having lots of suitable retrievables. It works, and both parties actually know what’s going on. After a while, you can just call and say you want to be together; the shoes are just a bridge to this stage!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
All Bubble, No Gum?
Are we in the midst of a housing bubble? Is the bubble going to burst?
Torontonians have flocked to the housing market for the past few years in unprecedented numbers, and the professional sellers have created a situation where only those with deep pockets can get in on the action. Bidding wars mean the price is only a starting number and buying is a tense high-stakes game for those willing to extend themselves to the max. Consequently, prices are high, really high!
So, are we in a bubble, where tomorrow the home you own may not be worth what you paid for it? Are prices ready to plummet?
For most Toronto homes, this isn’t too likely, as long as interest rates stay reasonable. But beware; if too many people have bought at prices they can’t really afford if interest rates go up, they might have to try to dump their homes. This could happen in condos, where there are lots of buyers all grouped in bunches.
Who has a crystal ball? Not me! The real estate profession will tell you not to worry and keep on buying. I’d make sure I can afford a possible bumpy ride with some turbulence!
Torontonians have flocked to the housing market for the past few years in unprecedented numbers, and the professional sellers have created a situation where only those with deep pockets can get in on the action. Bidding wars mean the price is only a starting number and buying is a tense high-stakes game for those willing to extend themselves to the max. Consequently, prices are high, really high!
So, are we in a bubble, where tomorrow the home you own may not be worth what you paid for it? Are prices ready to plummet?
For most Toronto homes, this isn’t too likely, as long as interest rates stay reasonable. But beware; if too many people have bought at prices they can’t really afford if interest rates go up, they might have to try to dump their homes. This could happen in condos, where there are lots of buyers all grouped in bunches.
Who has a crystal ball? Not me! The real estate profession will tell you not to worry and keep on buying. I’d make sure I can afford a possible bumpy ride with some turbulence!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
It feels so good!
The rush was undeniable. Surrounded by the crush of the bazaar, I was momentarily overwhelmed by the choices, the colours and the smells. But soon, I regained my equilibrium and was back to filling my cart, and in my imagination, my home. Occasionally, a merchant would come to my aid and I would find something obscure, but always there was happiness, sheer, clean happiness.
Since the days of the Romans, the agora has been more than the place to replenish supplies, it’s been the hub of social activity and a lively exchange of banter and barter. Today it’s the same, for those of us who love the thrill, to see things that are new, fresh and available. Excellent shopping can take place at H & M, Zara or, in my case last Friday.... Canadian Tire.
Here’s to retail therapy!
Since the days of the Romans, the agora has been more than the place to replenish supplies, it’s been the hub of social activity and a lively exchange of banter and barter. Today it’s the same, for those of us who love the thrill, to see things that are new, fresh and available. Excellent shopping can take place at H & M, Zara or, in my case last Friday.... Canadian Tire.
Here’s to retail therapy!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
My Man
Gerry is a wonderful, sweet, man and lying beside me, even a bit shriveled, weakened and slightly demented by age, he’s still the person I fell in love with. Generous, he introduced me to opera and fine dining, drying soft Boston lettuce in a dish towel, when I’d only ever tasted iceberg. Before. Now, still discerning, he likes his salad greens varied and his meals as well as his wardrobe full of colour. I could talk him into buying a crystal champagne goblet instead of toilet paper or trying to plan a trip to Paris when when when. When the money comes in, when the warm weather comes, when the passports we need are ready and we can still count in English and maybe a little in French.
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