Well, hello hello!

I cannot believe I have not come to post since December! Where has the time gone? Well, I'll tell you. I spread my time between school, working on Saturdays, family life and homework. Now I am going through the application processes involved in becoming a teacher. Federations, Associations and School Boards. I am beginning to drown in all the paper work.

So off I go to my local Staples to buy an affordable and attractive filing cabinet. No such luck.

Here is my story:

The price was too high for a half-decent filing cabinet. So the starving (o.k. not so starving, just broke) student in me bought cardboard filing boxes. $24 will get you 5 corrugated boxes. I will be able to file papers til' the cows come home. After I paid, I pick up my package to leave and I notice Staples is selling boxes of the exact same dimensions for $1.48 each. I pause for a moment and say to myself, actually I say it out loud, "Wow, that's cheap." I look at the brightly coloured blue boxes and see they are the boxes that once contained 5000 sheets of multi-use print & copy paper. I go back to the cashier to return my purchase and buy the blue boxes instead. All I can think about is the money I'm saving ($16.60 that's enough to buy me at least 3 lunches.)

As I am on the drive home pleased with my purchase I have come to the realization I have just purchased Staples recycled garbage. Garbage. I bought someone's garbage.

To make myself feel better, I made myself a latte when I got home and tried to convince myself that I am helping the environment. I'm recycling. You know, the 3 R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I should feel better, right?

Man, I'm cheap. What is happening to me?

Shopping!

I love shopping. Especially if it involves carousing through vintage shops. You can find such interesting things that are reminiscent to ones youth. There are so many vintage shops spread all over Toronto. In Roncesvales Village you can find Mrs. Huizenga at 121 Roncesvalles Ave. Shoppers be forewarned, you must take the time to scrummage though every bit of this store to find it's fascinating treasures. You don't want to miss a thing. On my first visit I found a fantastic pair of boots. On my second visit I discovered a Paddington Bear pendant (I loved Paddington as a child). If you are young at heart or just love all things old check out Mrs. Huizenga. Who knows what treasures you may find, maybe even me!

Shopping mayhem

Like the good little bargain hunter that I am, I decided to head out on Boxing Day to shop for some goodies for my new notebook. I usually use a Mac but it didn't fit in with the budget this year.  So I set off to the Future Shop to buy this and that and the other. I wanted  to MacDaddy (pardon the pun) my laptop as I didn't want a problem with it in the future. It was bedlam in there.  I found this task to be a tad daunting. I'm not cultured in the computer world, so I had to rely on the sales staff to help me out. I must say that Future Shop was very prepared for the big Boxing Day Sale.  There were a ton of staff to help out and every cash was open. I had a nice young guy with a very nice haircut helped me out. He seemed to be pretty knowledgeable and was took a lot of time and most of all, a lot of patience with me. I tend to ask a lot of questions when I'm not sure about something. This can sometimes annoy sales associates. 

Once I set up my new baby and install my goodies I start blogging with it.  Can't wait!  I also did manage to get to Brown's and Banana Republic, where I bought a fantastic classic wool dress and a lovely blouse.  The shoe shopping did not go as anticipated but they did order  the boots and the shoes I wanted so I'll get them sometime next week.  Yeahhhhh for shoes....

I hoped everyone had a nice holiday.  I spent most of my time cooking, baking, eating, more eating, drinking, more drinking, hanging out with my family and squeezed in that little bit of shopping.  Oh yes, I must mention Guitar Hero.  I must have played it for over 2 hours with my daughter.  It's so much fun!

All is good with the Sharon

Shopping!

For those of you who still have some shopping to do. Check out Foxy Originals. They are having a "friends and family" sale. Fun and Funky jewelry for the gals in your life made right here in Toronto.

Bonus: a portion of the proceeds will go to Horizon Art Camp and Bloorview Kids Foundation.

Maybe I'll see you there tomorrow!

Make-up Mecca

Who: Murale

What: Over 200 brands of beauty products to suit every need from head to toe

Where: 1 Place Marie Ville, Montreal, On

Why: Why not!