I'm going to let you in on a secret: I love grocery shopping. Groceries are a weekly task for my boyfriend and me, which means we get to spend time together picking up the food we plan on cooking together for the week. With both of us having graduated just under a year ago, we are working hard on saving money to buy our first home. I spend a portion of time each week flipping through flyers delivered to my house, searching for deals so that we can save just a bit more money here and there to get a bit closer to our dream home.


All Flyers // Favourites List
But why spend time flipping through pages when you can get everything in one place? Meet Flipp, a free app for Apple and Android that brings together weekly circulars to help you save time and money on your purchases of groceries and household items. I was invited to take the #FlippFoodChallenge to see how much money and time I could save just by using the app. All I can say is, where has Flipp been all my life?

After I entered my postal code, flyers for nearby stores popped up. There was also the option of adding stores that I frequent into a favourites list to cater the list of flyers to my needs. After that, it was time to browse.


Weekly Circular // Clippings
When you search through a flyer for a specific store, the dates that the prices are advertised for appear at the top. With the tap of a finger you can choose what items to add to your shopping list, and those items are transferred into the 'clippings' section of the app. All your clippings are listed alphabetically by store, making it easy to compare prices and ensure that you purchase all your items when using the app in store. I liked this function of the app the most, because it made sure that I wasn't wasting my time browsing around the store unnecessarily, and I didn't miss a thing on my shopping list. If certain offers expire before others, they're clearly marked.


Shopping List // Search
Another great feature in the app is the Shopping List, where you can enter a list of all the items you need for the week. There are suggested popular items you can pick from, and all the weekly deals for the items pop up for you to browse through to find the best value. If you're looking for a specific item, you can enter it into the search bar and all deals for that item pop up too. It's so handy if you don't want to comb through the circulars!

Using Flipp really did save me time and money for grocery shopping last week. With the user-friendly interface it was a breeze looking for certain items, I spent less time in the grocery store and definitely saved some money along the way by comparing prices with ease. We were able to save anywhere between $1-$3 on each of the items we needed for the week just by using the app. Of course there is definitely the trade-off of time used driving from one store to the next to get the best price on certain produce, but most of my grocery stores are within minutes of one another. Time can also be saved as some stores offer price matching, and you can do it directly from your mobile device. Using Flipp is also better for the environment, as you can eliminate the printing and delivery of circulars to your home and shopping lists don't have to be written down on paper. I thoroughly enjoyed using Flipp, and now I have my mother hooked on it too. The money saved will definitely contribute to my dream home fund and maybe pay for some date nights along the way. I'll definitely continue to use the app, and I encourage you to try it out too!

*Disclosure: I received compensation for the #FlippFoodChallenge and to write this blog post. Views expressed in this post are solely mine. This post is 100% my opinion, and as always, my priority is to you, the reader, to present an unbiased, thorough review.

Before I jet-set off on my adventure to Mexico, Swimco invited me to drop by one of their stores so that I could get ready for my trip. Swimco is a well known swimwear retailer in Western Canada but prior to this trip I had never stepped foot in one of their stores. Crazy, right?

But it's because I've always been the type of girl that picks up a $30 bikini and is done with it. All that matters is the colour and pattern, and I'm sure I'm not alone! Specialty swimwear stores are by no means cheap, but after spending some time at Swimco I've realized the difference between low and high end swimwear.

As I walked into the store I was immediately greeted by one of the associates and asked what I was looking for. With so much product to look through, I was able to tell the associate what I was shopping for and she quickly gave me a run-down of different areas in the store before respectfully allowing me to browse. Being on a mission for the perfect swimsuit makes you want to look at everything, so if you're anything like me, set aside a good chunk of time in your day to shop!

After sifting through the racks I had chosen 3 different pieces to try out. Swimco's fit experts really know their stuff about swimwear, and I was so thankful to have their help that day. With each different swimsuit I was able to describe what I liked and disliked about the fit and style of each, and the fit experts would go out around the store to find me more options tailored to my preferences. They know the product inside and out, and what each different brand has to offer. They're not afraid to tell you if something looks bad, 'cause nothing is worse than not feeling confident in what you're wearing out on the beach or in the sun.

What started out as 3 swimsuits ended up being close to 15 that I tried on, and it was definitely a difficult decision to narrow it down to one. I never thought that I would ever be so picky about swimwear, but I've realized how important it is to get the right style and fit for your body. There are so many different styles available, and I was surprised to find that there is a wide range for price points. You can find separates for as little as $30 per piece, or they can run upwards of $200 depending on the brand and style.

In the end I did narrow it down to one piece and I couldn't have been happier with what I chose. Swimco carries product for women, men, and children of all ages and sizes. And it's not just swimwear either - cover ups, surf gear, hats, flip flops, you name it and they probably carry it. The fit experts at Swimco were so helpful and I don't think I would have been able to walk out of the store happy without them. All the employees in the store are knowledgeable, patient, and willing to help you find exactly what you're looking for. After all, Swimco's mission is to help you feel good half naked.

Want to know what bikini I ended up with? Stay tuned for another post with pictures and we'll talk swimwear trends for 2014!

Disclosure: Swimco provided me with a $100 gift card to shop for swimwear. Views expressed in this post are solely mine. I was not expected to feature my shopping experience, nor obligated to do so. This post is 100% my opinion, and as always, my priority is to you, the reader, to present an unbiased, thorough review.

I'm pretty sure my credit card bill has hit an all-time high this summer. It's taken a good beating over the past month: $1890.44 (wtf, August only)

And this damage was all done in Edmonton.

Is this a sign to stop?

I'm waiting for something big to be shipped to me.

Be excited for what's to come :)

Tonight I went out for a shopping & dinner date with a couple of my lovely friends. What better way to spend a Friday night? :)

For dinner, we headed over to Cactus Club - surprisingly, for 830 on a Friday night, we only had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I was prepared to wait 30 mins! Guess we just had good luck!

To start, we shared the Korean style BBQ pork lettuce wraps - braised pork shoulder shredded,asian slaw, kimchi, chopped ginger and green onion, korean chili bean sauce, spicy yogurt. So GOOD! This is one of the newer signature Rob Feenie dishes, and I think it could be considered a main dish for one person. The meat resembled pulled pork, reminiscent of the flavours found in the sandwiches from Filistix, while the crisp lettuce was refreshing enough to offset the spiciness from the kimchi. I can't wait to have them again the next time I'm there!


Rob's Hunter Chicken



For my main, I deviated from my norm. No jambalaya today! Shocker, hey? I decided to go with the pesto chicken quesadilla to make sure I wouldn't be overstuffed, considering the size of our appetizer. The quesadilla was unique, in that it contained sundried cranberries to give a different flavour and texture. The sweetness wasn't overwhelming, and was actually quite pleasant. My only complaint would be the dry factor of the dish - the tortilla was on the dry side, and I wish there was more cheese melted inside! Otherwise, a very nice dish :)

Can't wait to go shopping with these ladies again! So much fun!

Work can be tough. Work can be stressful. But what happens to be the greatest cure of all? Shopping!

Jessica, Lasha & I hit up WEM after work today to shop away our stress and craziness from work!

I think we did a pretty good job if you ask me!

The ladies & I hit up Earls on Bourbon Street after 3 hours of shopping and had some yummy dinner! I think the last time I ate at Earls was about 1.5 years ago! Time really flies by fast..


Fettucine Alla Panna


Santa Fe Chicken Salad


Los Cabos Chicken Tacos

Two grilled white corn tortillas, spiced tomato poached chicken, melted cheddar and jalapeno jack cheese, avocado corn salsa, shredded lettuce and cabbage, honey lime dressing, chopped cilantro, salsa picante

Need I say this? The tacos were so yummy! Skipping the fresh cilantro, the tacos were amazing! The hot sauce on the side added into the taco gave it the perfect kick. The tortillas were grilled to a golden brown, but still maintained their soft texture, while the avocado salsa gave some moisture and creamy texture. Perfect!

Man. I even surprise myself at times. I seriously cannot explain where all the food I eat goes. Having such a small frame, I wonder exactly how large my stomach happens to be... And yes, everything in this post was eaten today.

Good Eat Seafood Restaurant - 8111 Leslie Road - Richmond BC

Dim sum, why can't you be delicious and at a good price up in Edmonton? Back at home, I rarely go out for dim sum with family and friends because the food is pricey, and it just doesn't taste good. It's incomparable with the amazing counterparts that you can find in Vancouver, not to mention Calgary beats us in the dim sum category. If I have no choice, I go to Delicious Delicious in the west end of the city, but I've heard they don't taste as good as they used to anymore. Where will I get my fix? I guess I should come down to Vancouver more often..





At $2.50 a pop, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. This is nothing compared to the $3.95 back at home!





Aberdeen Centre - 4151 Hazelbridge Way - Richmond BC



Another must visit place on my trips to Vancity! I only had 2 goals to achieve at Aberdeen, one was to visit Daiso, the second was to hit up the food court.

I picked up a couple goodies after checking out their thousands of items spread between two floors, and proceeded to the food court. I know I wasn't hungry, but I really wanted to get my favourite dessert!



Mmm, Frappe Bliss. Here they serve a unique twist on the traditional shaved ice, by making a flavoured, creamy ice. They have a special machine that shaves down the ice to give it a light, feathery texture, and you can choose from a variety of toppings to add on and enjoy.



Once you put it in your mouth, it melts into a delicious cream, reminiscent of ice cream! My favourite combo is the mango shaved ice, topped with aloe vera pieces and slices of peach. So good, especially in the summer time when its hot out!



As you can see, the shaved ice comes in a huge portion, and looks really fluffy. It is! It's really light, and a lovely dessert. Their ice comes in multiple flavours, like yogurt, strawberry, green tea and peanut, just to name a few :) You can only find them in BC right now, so make sure to try them out when you visit Aberdeen!



Vince's snack of choice was found at Qoola, the self serve frozen yogurt place. I thought he was being really weird, considering that the frozen yogurt concept was nothing new to him, and he loves being adventurous...



They did have unique flavours available, and he went for peach mango. I guess that's what drew him in. They only offer four different flavours, but a bounty of toppings that were new to us.



Unlike places such as Twisted Yogurt and Kiwi Kiss up in Edmonton, this frozen yogurt place offers what I like to call "Asian inspired" toppings, which you can't find anywhere else. Their toppings included the popular mochi, an assortment of coconut and lychee jellies, grass jelly, dragonfruit, and condensed milk, just to name a few of their 20+ toppings. I wasn't too impressed with the flavour of the yogurt itself though, which is why I always stick to classic tart :)

Happy Sushi - 7831 Westminster Highway - Richmond BC



Anyone noticing my trend yet? Everything I eat is in Richmond! After a quick break back where we were staying, it was time to head out with some family and have dinner. We went out early around 6:00 to check out a sushi restaurant I had never been to before: Happy Sushi



It was nice and quiet inside the restaurant, which had be worried for a moment, before remembering that people in Richmond tend to eat dinner later in the night. As time passed, the tables rapidly filled up and the restaurant was busy!



For the dinnertime All You Can Eat (AYCE) sushi, there are three options available. Their menu consists of three sections, A, B, and C, and the price that you pay per person depends on the combinations of menu items you'd like to order. So basically, going with menu A amounts to $18.98 per person, whereas choosing menus A, B, and C amounts to $27.98 per person. Menu B & C featured sushi on the more extravagant side, using things like shark fin and sea urchin, but we all thought menu A was sufficient enough, since it already featured over 120 different items.

I was a little too busy stuffing myself, but here's a peak at what we had..











I highly recommend checking out this restaurant! The quality of food and service was great at the price of $19. The sashimi was fresh and cut thickly, and the beef tataki was tender and tasted amazing (you know I had tons!). I can't wait to come back here!

West Dyke Trail - Richmond BC



After dinner, I really needed a walk to make myself feel less bloated. We drove around Richmond exploring the area, and ended up at this beautiful spot to watch the sunset.



Although the housing here is beautiful and faces the ocean, the dykes contain water that will not flow, and it makes it kinda stinky. I guess it's a trade off for the people that live here! In the past, the dykes were built to prevent flooding, and keep the seawater from coming near the housing. But now that areas are being redeveloped, many of these ditches are being covered up instead. My uncle actually told me there used to be a dyke outside of his old home, and watercress *the vegetable* grew in there!












T & Jeans by F21 - Shoes by Aldo - Bag by Coach

Tomorrow's our last day in Vancouver, stay tuned for more good eats!

Just like the title says, our day in Seattle was spent sitting around and just taking it easy. We headed to a nearby mall in the afternoon to do a little shopping and just to get out of the house.

Southcenter Mall - Seattle WA 98188

Southcenter Mall is about 7 miles from where we are, so it's a relatively quick drive to get from point A to B. Even though I didn't find too much to buy *just some essentials*, it was nice to see some of the bigger department stores that we don't have back home. This mall had Nordstrom, Macy's, and J C Penny, each with their own sales going on. Too bad I didn't find anything calling my name!

The food, however, was calling to my stomach. We stopped by Auntie Anne's for pretzels. This is my favourite place for the savoury baked goods when I head to the US! I always have to have pretzels, no excuses. My favourite flavours are Sour Cream & Onion and Garlic. Garlic leans to the spicy side, but it's super delicious :)

Sour Cream & Onion

To wash down the carbs, we headed to Jamba Juice.. last cup of the trip! I went with my trusty Orange Dream Machine, while Vince requested something from off the menu: The White Gummy Bear. This certain flavour was introduced to us by my cousin, and it's supposed to taste JUST like a white gummy bear! I could taste the similar notes, but I can't say it was purely just that flavour. I got more peach notes out of it, but it was still a good drink.



Til next time, Seattle!

With the sun shining bright, it was a gorgeous day in Seattle, at a high of 23'C. Perfect day to hit up downtown and take a walk around if you ask me!

Pike Place Market - 1531 Western Avenue - Seattle WA 98101

Pike Place Market. One of my favourite places to visit when I'm visiting Seattle. This area of downtown is so full of life, and bursting with people everywhere! The vendors are so kind, there's live performances, and the food is vibrant and full of colour.. I can't help but want to take a bit of everything home. No words can describe this place, so I leave you with a bounty of pictures just to get a sense of what it's like.

Oyster shooters & dungeoness crab cups


the original Starbucks

Piroshky Piroshky - 1908 Pike Place - Seattle WA 98101





Right within the busy street of Pike Place is a Russian bakery, started in 1992. I headed here on a whim by a recommendation from my friend Steph *check her blog here!*, and I do not regret the decision at all. Their offerings include the sweet and savoury, and their display case seemed endless with possibilities.





Many people standing in line ahead of us were tourists as well, not knowing anything about this place unlike I. I briefly chatted with them, and they said that it was the mere aroma coming from the bakery that drew them in. With 8 or so people ahead of us, we only had to wait a couple minutes before digging into the pastries.



I read on Yelp that Beef & Cheese was the best, but Steph also recommended the Smoked Salmon Pate. What better to do than order both & try out the best of both worlds?



The beef & cheese was hot - gooey cheese atop & within the pastry, mixed with ground beef, onions and a variety of herbs. This was to die for! So good.





But I did take preference to the Smoked Salmon. This one was not as salty, and reminiscent of the flavours in Philadelphia's Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese *my fave* And what's even better is that it was shaped like a salmon! Creative & delicious, yum!

After strolling around Pike Place, we headed to the nearby Northgate Mall to pick up a couple things. Nothing fancy or exciting.. :) More on that later.






Mount Rainier, far far away

TCBY - 3700 Factoria Boulevard SE Suite C - Bellevue WA 98006



Yup! I ended up here for frozen yogurt again. Man, I'm so predictable. For tonight's late night snack, I got the classic tart yogurt with fresh mango & mochi. The mochi here is so cute! It's pastel coloured :D