tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39961821810424080052024-02-24T15:46:35.839-05:00Simply JayyJayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-46839014081449286922020-11-29T22:27:00.001-05:002020-11-29T22:27:17.624-05:00Black Owned Brands<p> <span style="font-size: 17px;">This the season to shop for the season!</span></p><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Here we go with a roundup of the best from Black owned brands.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Clothing & Accessories:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Anaya Arts: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 https://anayaarts.ca/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Re Ona</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.reona.ca/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Batik Boutik</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://batikboutik.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Bouswari:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 https://www.bouswari.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Dr. Liza</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.drlizashoes.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Cherry Gardens</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.drlizashoes.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Kaela Kay</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://kaelakay.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Love and Nudes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://loveandnudes.com/collections/all</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Mike Paul Atelier</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.mikepaulatelier.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Petits Genoux</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.petitsgenoux.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Pretty Denim</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://prettydenim.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Andrea Iyamah</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.andreaiyamah.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Saint Lyon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://saintlyon.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Selfish Swimwear</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://selfishswimwear.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Sunday Afternoon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://instagram.com/sunday______afternoon?igshid=sdbctwcdzsfr</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Jayne Nicole Hosery</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://jaynenicole.com/</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Jewelry:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">AZE BOUTIQUE (handmade jewelry)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AZEBoutique?ref=usf_2020</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Enarmoured: simple/minimalistic jewelry </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/enarmoured/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Not Magic:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.notmagicshop.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Omi Woods:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://omiwoods.com/</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Skincare:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Shani Darden</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Apprenti Ôr'ganik</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://apprentiorganik.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Atelier Sirah</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://ateliersirah.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Bailly</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://bailly.co/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Essentials by Temi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.essentialsbytemi.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">jELN</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.yourjeln.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Luxcey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.luxcey.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Sade Baron</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.sadebaron.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Skin Drama</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://skindrama.ca/collections/all</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Home:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Batiqua</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://batiqua.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Gooden</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.goodeeworld.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Kasandy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://kasandy.com/</span><br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Hair:</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Makeup:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Fenty Beauty:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">Pat McGrath Labs:</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Books:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">A Different Booklist:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;">🇨🇦 </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">https://www.adifferentbooklist.com/?q=h </span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_201129_222628_200.sdocx-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-42463008005248119372020-08-08T23:09:00.007-04:002020-08-08T23:09:43.929-04:00Minimal Makeup Collection<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fli39S6GYBY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Fli39S6GYBY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earn $5.00 cashback using my Rakuten referral link: <a href="https://bit.ly/3fKMew2">https://bit.ly/3fKMew2</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See below for a detailed list of the products that I have in my makeup collection! No affiliate links used.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Eyeshadow</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Caffiene: <a href="https://seph.me/33MJdct">https://seph.me/33MJdct</a></li><li>Morphe Day Slayer Eyeshadow Palette (Discontinued) Similar: </li><ul><li><a href="https://seph.me/3aavugC">https://seph.me/3aavugC</a> </li><li><a href="https://seph.me/2F7rL8b">https://seph.me/2F7rL8b</a></li><li><a href="https://seph.me/3krJ9oo">https://seph.me/3krJ9oo</a></li></ul><li>MAC Eyeshadow Pallette </li><ul><li>Cork (muted golden brown): <a href="https://bit.ly/3knmYQd">https://bit.ly/3knmYQd</a></li><li>Espresso (deep brown): <a href="https://bit.ly/3ktnMTl">https://bit.ly/3ktnMTl</a></li><li>Uninterrupted (burnt yellow brown): <a href="https://bit.ly/2C9g4wq">https://bit.ly/2C9g4wq</a></li><li>Amber Lights (peachy brown with shimmer): <a href="https://bit.ly/2EY1UPM">https://bit.ly/2EY1UPM</a></li><li>I'm Into It (dark red brown): <a href="https://bit.ly/3ifxCqe">https://bit.ly/3ifxCqe</a></li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><b>Brows, Lashes & Liners</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Benefit BADgal Bang! Mascara: <a href="https://seph.me/3fDDt6V">https://seph.me/3fDDt6V</a></li><li>Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara: <a href="https://seph.me/30Fzp1T">https://seph.me/30Fzp1T</a></li><li>Benefit Roller Lash Mascara: <a href="https://seph.me/2PIrMRL">https://seph.me/2PIrMRL</a></li><li>Nudestix Eyebrown Stylus & Gel in Brown: <a href="https://seph.me/2XHosee">https://seph.me/2XHosee</a></li><li>Anastasia Beverley Hills Clear Brow Gel: <a href="https://seph.me/3gIB8ZF">https://seph.me/3gIB8ZF</a></li><li>Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion: <a href="https://seph.me/3gK003e">https://seph.me/3gK003e</a></li><li>MAC Technakohl Liner in Photogravure: <a href="https://bit.ly/3fG4R4l">https://bit.ly/3fG4R4l</a></li></ul></div><div><b>Lips</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Grapefruit: </li><li>FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit: <a href="https://seph.me/3iiblI8">https://seph.me/3iiblI8</a></li><li>FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow: <a href="https://seph.me/3fOrPGF">https://seph.me/3fOrPGF</a></li><li>MAC Lipliner in Cork: <a href="https://bit.ly/33FhMBd">https://bit.ly/33FhMBd</a></li><li>Kat Von D Lipliner in Vampira</li><li>Kat Von D Lipliner in Crucifix</li><li>Kat Von D Lipliner in Hawkwind</li><li>MAC Lipstick in Paramount: <a href="https://bit.ly/3aaLIqc">https://bit.ly/3aaLIqc</a></li><li>MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam III: <a href="https://bit.ly/2DAv4Ef">https://bit.ly/2DAv4Ef</a></li><li>MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Impulsive: <a href="https://bit.ly/33HKkd5">https://bit.ly/33HKkd5</a></li><li>MAC Lipstick in Photo: <a href="https://bit.ly/3gFi9iI">https://bit.ly/3gFi9iI</a></li><li>Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Birkin Brown (now called 90's Brown): </li><li>Fenty Slip Shine Lipstick in Cookies & Cocoa: <a href="https://seph.me/3a6vkXF">https://seph.me/3a6vkXF</a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div></div><p></p>Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-76779341801659681262020-07-20T08:57:00.000-04:002020-07-20T08:57:18.754-04:00Hello + Lock down UpdatesHello friends!<br /><br /><div>It's been a while since I've posted - 3 months to be exact. Whilst in lock down, things have been quite busy for me. I had intended to use the lock down to further develop my blog, YouTube channel, or work on some of my <a href="https://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2020/04/wfh-top-ten-side-hustles-canadian.html" target="_blank">Work From Home "side hustles"</a>. Truthfully, I've done none of that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've instead been focusing on my offline pursuits - working out (Chloe Ting Hourglass Challenge anyone?), working from home, and working on self-care. I've stopped putting pressure on myself to "use this time to be useful", and instead have been focused on maintaining a sense of normalcy amid all this chaos.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've also taken a step back from the online world because I had some issues with privacy breeches over the past 6 months or so. While it's to be expected, given that there are a lot of greedy people with lots of time on their hands, it's still a bit jarring. I've spent some time moving parts of my life offline, and making sure that I'm a lot more careful with my privacy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do want to return, and I've been spending time thinking carefully about what I want my blog and channel to look like in the future. I don't have the answers, but I do know that I am ready to return. Blogging and YouTube have become a sort of archive for me, and I've been able to chronicle moments in my life journey. It's fun to go back and see how much nail polish I used to have, or my thoughts on my room or closet at that moment in time.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'm back, unofficially. I'll be spending my "spare time" working on creating content that I enjoy, and sharing it with you when it's ready. Until then, take care, and don't be a stranger!</div><div><br /></div><div>xoxo, Jayy</div>Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-11186326894935557512020-04-07T23:59:00.001-04:002020-04-08T00:03:38.415-04:00WFH Top Ten Side Hustles (Canadian Friendly!)In today's uncertain economy, everyone is looking for "side hustles" - ways to bring in a bit of extra cash on the side to help pay a bill or two. Here are some additional income streams that I've been making use of over the past 3 months! This is a bit of a long post, as I've tried to add as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision. These sites are Canadian-Friendly to help out my fellow Canucks make an extra buck. Click the heading of each section to be taken directly to the website.<br />
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Cashback Services</h2>
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Cashback services are ways that I make additional money off of my regular daily activities. By taking an extra step or two, I can bring in a little extra income with very minimal effort.<br />
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<img alt="Ebates Is Becoming Rakuten" height="210" src="https://static.ebates.com/img/campaign/9244/rakuten_twitter.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.rakuten.ca/r/jenaus?src=Link">Rakuten</a> (formerly known as Ebates) - </b><br />
<i>Use my referral link to get an additional $5.00 cashback with your first purchase (I'll also get $10.00 cashback!): <a href="https://www.rakuten.ca/r/jenaus?src=Link">https://www.rakuten.ca/r/jenaus?src=Link</a></i><br />
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Rakuten is a cashback services that gives you upwards of 1% cashback for purchases made online. In order to earn your cashback, download the Rakuten app on your phone (<a href="https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/rakuten-ebates-cash-back-app/id723134859">Apple</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ebates&hl=en_CA">Android</a>), or <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rakuten-get-cash-back-for/chhjbpecpncaggjpdakmflnfcopglcmi">install the browser extension for Google Chrome</a>. When shopping online, make sure you shop through the app when on your phone, or ensure the browser extension is activated on a computer or tablet. Cashback is added to your account once your purchase is confirmed, and your money is sent to you via cheque or PayPal.<br />
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<img alt="Receipt Hog - Receipts to Cash - Apps on Google Play" height="195" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9IsIPjcH_fQ9_WNIAv9pwukeNLAmmmWeIfEhUthWRdu4jYb3gVyTMjECB6ajxv7dYw" width="400" /></div>
<a href="https://www.receipthog.com/"><b>Receipt Hog</b></a><br />
Receipt Hog is an app that awards you points based on purchases that you make. To receive points, submit pictures of receipts from your regular purchases - groceries, gas, restaurants, clothing, etc. Additional points can be gained by allowing the app to have access to your browser or email to scan for receipts. Each receipt you submit gains you an entry into the monthly sweepstakes, for a chance to win additional points. Points can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, VISA gift cards, or transferred to PayPal. It does take a while to gain enough points for redemption with this app, but constant scanning throughout the year can easily earn you some extra cash for your holiday shopping!<br />
Download the app on the <a href="http://shorturl.at/kBFRZ">Google Play Store</a>: <a href="http://shorturl.at/kBFRZ">shorturl.at/kBFRZ</a><br />
Download the app from the <a href="http://shorturl.at/izCJU">Apple Store</a>: <a href="http://shorturl.at/izCJU">shorturl.at/izCJU</a><br />
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<h2>
Online 'Freelance' Jobs</h2>
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The following are online jobs that I've tried, or been interested in trying! Remember when working online that you will have to claim this income on your taxes, so keep track of all payments and documents relating to y</div>
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<a href="https://www.mturk.com/"><b>Amazon Mechanical Turk</b></a></div>
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Amazon Mechanical Turk is a "crowd sourcing marketplace" that allows businesses to outsource simple tasks (also knows as HITs) to the general public. The most common tasks seem to be double checking information, completing online surveys, and researching answers to simple questions (such as finding a phone number). Each task has a cash reward, which can be as low as $0.01, and as high as $1.00 or even more. Tasks can take as little as 5 minutes, and as much as 1 hour. Once you complete a task, it is submitted to the business (known as the 'requester') for approval. Once the task is approved, the reward is added to your earnings. If the task is rejected, you don't earn any reward for the task completed.</div>
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The key to success with Amazon MTurk is to start off with the $0.01 tasks, and build up your approval rating. Once you have a high approval rating, you can qualify for some of the more lucrative tasks, giving you a chance to earn a bit more.</div>
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Amazon MTurk is not for everyone, so please do your own research before getting into it!</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.fiverr.com/?utm_source=23710&utm_medium=cx_affiliate&utm_campaign=&cxd_token=23710_734353&show_join=true">fiverr</a></b></div>
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Fiverr is a service that sources freelance services online. I haven't tried it yet, but have heard that it's a great way to share your talents and get paid at the same time. It is a good way to earn some extra cash if you have skills in editing, translation or transcribing, writing, drawing, website customization, voice overs, songwriting ... the list is long (check it out here: <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/categories">https://www.fiverr.com/categories</a>). If you are a freelancer, Fiverr seems to be a great way to market your craft, and get paid for it. Don't expect to get to paid the big bucks - it's called Fiverr for a reason ($5.00 a task). However it is possible to use Fiverr as a way to give your regular income a bit of a boost. And if you're trying to start a business, Fiverr is an affordable way to outsource tasks like website or logo creation! Earnings are available in a bank transfer or PayPal.</div>
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Download the app on the <a href="http://shorturl.at/uCJ08">Google Play Store</a>: <a href="http://shorturl.at/uCJ08">shorturl.at/uCJ08</a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.freelancer.com/">Freelancer</a></b></div>
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Freelancer is a freelance service (obviously) similar to Fiverr. I have seen it advertised as being a bit more "high quality" that Fiverr - tasks cost a bit more, but they are done by freelancers with a bit more experience. While I haven't tried Freelancer out, it seems like a good 'next step' after you feel as though you've graduated from Fiverr.</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.upwork.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8mt8ljBxA1XnZNR6_Vh279Z9RCaKHzbPUBb45qw8DXsiy94sBdeZih8aAkAGEALw_wcB">Upwork</a></b></div>
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Upwork is another freelancer service that connects businesses with individuals looking for freelance work. Tasks again range, and include work such as customer service, engineering and architecture, and analytics. </div>
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<h2>
Reselling</h2>
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One of my favourite ways to make additional cash is by reselling my used or unwanted items. Keep in mind that due to the current pandemic, many of these revenue streams are not available or advisable at this time.</div>
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<img alt="Amazon.com: Carousell: Snap to Sell, Chat to Buy: Appstore for Android" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71hzrG%2Bk0mL._SY355_.png" /></div>
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<b><a href="https://ca.carousell.com/">Carousell</a></b></div>
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Carousell is an app similar to <a href="https://www.kijiji.ca/">Kijiji</a> or Facebook Marketplace, that allows you to sell anything online. Before using any kind of consignment store, I used Carousell as a great opportunity to make good money for brand new, unused items. I remember selling a Kate Spade purse for $90.00 CAD, when I had purchased it on sale from the outlet for $75.00. I also found this to be a convenient way to sell textbooks once I finished using them. The benefit to Carousell is that you have the option of meeting up to sell the item in person, and prices can be negotiated. Here are my top tips for selling on Carousell, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, or any other related site:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Take good pictures. This is so basic, but can really help you to get top dollar for the item that you're selling.</li>
<li>Raise the price. When selling on Carousell, I usually raise the price about $10.00 higher than I would expect for the item. This gives some room for negotiation, as most people will send you an offer that is lower than the requested price.</li>
<li>Lay out ground rules for pickup/delivery. Set your pickup or delivery meetup spots to public locations. In my posts and profile I always specified 2-3 public locations where we could meet up for items to be exchanged. These were highly populated areas such as malls to ensure my safety. Items were never handed over until cash was counted to avoid getting scammed.</li>
<li>Offer delivery for an extra fee. If the areas that I specified were not ideal for the buyer, I offered delivery at a more convenient location to them, for an extra cost. I usually charged an extra $5.00 to cover the cost of transportation to and from the location.</li>
<li>Be honest. There's nothing worse than being lied to. Be honest about the items that you're selling, and your ratings on the app will speak for themselves.</li>
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<b><a href="https://www.platoscloset.com/">Plato's Closet</a></b></div>
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Plato's Closet is a chain of consignment stores that resells new or gently used clothing. They pay you 30% of the selling price for most items, and up to 50% off for higher end brand names. Here are some general tips for selling to consignment stores:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Be familiar with the target market of the store. Plato's is focused on trendy items within the past two years, and items that will be popular amongst teens and young adults. To save you time, sort through the items you plan to sell, and only take in items that fit their criteria.</li>
<li>Know what pieces the store is looking for. Before even going in, consider calling the store or sending them a quick message on social media. Ask what kinds of items they are looking for right now, so you can avoid wasting your tie if they have an overstock of items you are trying to sell.</li>
<li>Get to know the staff. At a store like Plato's, it can be a bit of a hit or miss. Some staff know their stuff, and will give you a fair price for the items you bring in. Other staff are not as knowledgeable (or are trying to save money), and will under-price items. It's a good idea to go in when the staff you know and trust are working.</li>
<li>Don't be afraid to present a counteroffer. If the price you're quoted isn't what you had in mind, don't be afraid to suggest another price. Be reasonable, understanding that the store does want to make a profit off of the item they're buying from you. Ultimately if you aren't happy with what they're able to offer, you can always decide not to sell them your item.</li>
</ol>
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<b><a href="https://poshmark.ca/?utm_source=gsdm_ca&utm_campaign=6443431642&enable_guest_buy_flow=true&gskid=kwd-343999612543&gcid=426758112938&ggid=98230826086&gdid=c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8muMwNr60xJsC8Pq7xUis9iVRrEn9gkjpD22WjWxfFNgi2G8GBzLZlEaAm-GEALw_wcB">Poshmark</a></b></div>
<div>
Poshmark is a popular online marketplace where you can resell your new or gently used clothing and accessories. Poshmark is beneficial because you control the prices of each item, and get to keep 100% of the profits. When selling items on Poshmark consider that there will be shipping costs - include the cost of shipping in the price of the item to make it more enticing to buyers!</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.thredup.com/">ThredUP</a></b></div>
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ThredUP is an online consignment store that is essentially the same thing as Plato's Closet. ThredUP will resell your gently used (or brand new) clothing items online, which increases the potential market for those items. To start, request a FREE shipping label or mailing bag from ThredUP. Mail your gently used items to their processing centre, where they sort and photograph the items, and then sell them as part of their online inventory. ThredUP pays you a percentage of the profit when an items sells. This percentage depends on how much they make off the item - items under $20.00 will earn you up to 15% of the profit, while items selling for $200 or more can earn up to 80% of the profit. </div>
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<div>
Unsold items will be donated, or can be returned to you for $10.99. ThredUP accepts and average of 40% of items in each kit, so keep this in mind. You can also expedite processing for an extra $16.00, or wait the standard 6 weeks if you aren't in a rush.</div>
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There are so many other forms of revenue out there, but these are my top ten streams as of right now. Which revenue stream are you most interested in trying out?</div>
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Xx, Jayy.</div>
Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-58122645856952225212020-04-03T18:40:00.000-04:002020-04-03T18:40:13.463-04:00Must Haves for Home Workouts Hello There!<br />
<br />
I thought this was a good a time as any to pop back on the blog with some tips for at home workouts. I dont know about you, but I've been trying to maintain a healthy workout regimen that feels just as good (if not more) than my gym workouts. I've been doing daily workouts that range in intensity, and adding in cardio whenever I have the time to go for a walk. Here's how I've been doing it!<br />
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Equipment<br />
I recently made a YouTube video sharing my top 3 at home workout necessities. For an at home workout, consistency is more important than expensive equipment. Working out at home shouldn't break the bank - I spent no more than $50.00 collecting quality, versatile equipment that can be used in a variety of ways. I've linked each item below for your convenience.<br />
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Resistance Bands:<br />
These have been on my wishlist for years, but I didn't feel the need to buy them while I had gym equipment readily available. Now these bands are my best friends for upper body, core, and glute workouts. Resistance bands are a great way to add the resistance of weights without paying the price of dumbells or kettlebells.<br />
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♡ My Bands: https://amzn.to/2V1T5J8<br />
♡ Bands with Handles & Straps: https://amzn.to/2x1PUZV<br />
♡ Fabric Bands: https://amzn.to/3dUzeEk<br />
♡ Stretch Bands (not looped): https://amzn.to/2UVznPg<br />
<br />
Sliders: <br />
I have a knee injury that prevents me from doing high impact/high stress workouts. Moves like Mountain Climbers cause me pain, and put me at risk for further injury. These sliders are a great way to modify the workout without compromising on the intensity. If you dont want to spend the cash on sliders, use towels on a hardwood or tiled surface.<br />
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♡ My Sliders: https://amzn.to/346860P<br />
♡ Another option: https://amzn.to/2X6pdhq<br />
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Foam Mat:<br />
This ones a bit obvious, but a comfortable workout surface is important for a good workout. Foam mats or yoga mats can be easy to come by, and are a safe, non slip option for moving around. If you dont want to spend, try padding your floor with washable materials such as 2-3 towels, or duvet folded in half. If you decide to improvise your own mat, ensure that you are only using this option for stationary workouts - DO NOT do any sort of running or walking on top of an improvised mat as you may trip and injure yourself.<br />
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♡ Multicolour Mat: https://amzn.to/2RbjVxl<br />
♡ Grey Mat: https://amzn.to/2UGHgJF<br />
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The Routine<br />
While paying for a trainer can be effective and a great way to see results, some of us just cant afford it. I use YouTube as a resource to help create my own workouts that will target my areas of focus. The following are my most recommended workout videos on YouTube!<br />
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No Equipment Arm Workout: https://youtu.be/UyTR2EjTAXU<br />
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MadFit Workouts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQ34afVgk8cRQBjSJ1xuJQ<br />
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15 Minute Booty Burn: https://youtu.be/bggX6ocjojk<br />
<br />
30 Minute No Equipment Ab & Glute Workout: https://youtu.be/_r3AAdEFVNM<br />
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20 Minute No Equipment Full Body Workout: https://youtu.be/CYD7f5b_qj4<br />
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Home Core Workout with Sliders: https://youtu.be/L3hbFk1Kqx8<br />
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20 Minute Workout with Towels/Sliders: https://youtu.be/fDriUVtR9PU<br />
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Seeing Results<br />
There is only one way to see results from any workout: consistency.<br />
<br />
I've been working out at home for almost 3 weeks now, and am just starting to feel stronger in my arms and abs (my two target areas). I've dedicated an hour each day to working out through strength training or cardio exercise, and work out 7 days or week. Dont expect to see results overnight, and don't expect results if you arent consistent. <br />
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At the same time, dont let the lack of results deter you from continuing on. If you feel that you aren't progressing, increase the intensity or frequency of your workouts. Listen to your body - if you dont feel your body getting stronger after a few weeks, reevaluate and modify your workout. Don't model yourself after Instagram Influencers - their bodies are for show. Focus on being strong and healthy, not on a slim waist or a big booty. Set tangible goals for yourself.<br />
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I hope those few tips provided you with a bit of inspiration for at home workouts! Leave me a comment - what are your tips for working out at home?<br />
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Until next time,<br />
<br />
Xx, Jayy<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_200403_183826_447.sdoc-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-76837842993261978552020-02-26T21:32:00.002-05:002020-03-24T17:04:48.506-04:00My Mirena Experience - Part 2If you've come from part 1, welcome back. If not, what are you doing? <a href="https://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2020/02/my-comprehensive-mirena-experience.html">Read Part 1 first.</a><br />
<br />
Here I am documenting my experience with the 5 year Mirena, day by day (until I forget to add to this post). I am starting with the day after insertion day. If you want to know more about my experience with insertion, please check out part 1!<br />
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<b><u>Day 1 <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(02.25)</span></u></b><br />
I woke up on day 1 feeling quite happy with my decision to go with the Mirena. Though I was hyper-aware of any sensations I was feeling in my lower abdomen, everything felt pretty much as normal. I continued to experience light spotting consistent with the last day or two of my period, but other than that I experienced no abnormal symptoms.<br />
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<b><u>Day 2</u></b><br />
Oh boy. I thought I had dodged a bullet with these Mirena side effects - I was wrong. During my lunch hour I started to feel mild cramping, not unlike period cramps. By mid-afternoon I was slouched in my desk chair feeling some serious pain. These cramps were like your worst period cramps, plus the added back pain. I was miserable, and started to question my choice. I also spoke with my co-worker who had the Mirena and loved it, but didn't feel confident that I was going to have the same experience.<br />
<br />
Due to a pretty bad cold plus my IUD insertion, I hadn't been to the gym in 3 days. I decided to give it a shot, as working out typically helps alleviate my cramps. That was the best decision I made this day. My cramps decreased in severity, and I also had something to focus on other than the pain I was in. When I got home I chilled out with a heating pad, which also helped with the cramping.<br />
<br />
Today I also checked my IUD strings for the first time. I was TERRIFIED. I don't know why ... I was just really nervous to do so. I can confirm that the strings are there, but didn't really check the placement. I'll take care of that another day :)<br />
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<b><u>Days 3 - 13</u></b><br />
I didn't bother updating because truthfully, the symptoms remained the same for the two weeks after inserting the IUD. I had random cramping and back pain, along with a LOT of spotting and bleeding. I switched from pantyliners to pads on day 5 after insertion, and am currently (on day 13) still wearing pads as a precaution. On the heaviest bleeding days, I was changing my pad every 4 hours or so (basically every time I went to the bathroom), and on the lighter days I changed my pad often for cleanliness, but could have probably left the same one on all day without any issue.<br />
<br />
During these two weeks, I heavily regretted getting the Mirena, and wanted it out ASAP. I even briefly considered pulling it out myself (don't do that). But as the bleeding starts to lighten up, I'm starting to feel a lot better about my decision.<br />
<br />
The last note I'll mention is that you should never write off any strange feelings after getting your IUD. Maybe they are caused by the IUD, but they also could be caused by something else. I was having a sharp, stabbing pain in my lower right abdomen, and worried about IUD displacement. However the pain was more in the appendix area, so after a few days, I decided to go to the doctor. Turns out that I had the beginning of a kidney infection, something that I wouldn't have known if I didn't check it out.<br />
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<b><u>Days 14 to 29</u></b><br />
Well, it's official! My Mirena and I have been together officially for 1 month! Yay (not)!<br />
<br />
I hate my Mirena, and can't wait to have it removed.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think I'm being a bit dramatic, except the horrible cramping and excessive bleeding I've been dealing with would beg to differ. Over the past 2 weeks I have been bleeding quite a bit. I even thought I had a light period last week, but this week I'm experiencing my regular PMS symptoms, which lets me know that my actual period is about to show up in a few days. All of this extra bleeding has me feeling weak and tired. Iron pills help a lot, but they also make me feel nauseous and constipated so ... not always worth the trade-off. <br />
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About four days ago, I thought that my bleeding had stopped, and was actually looking forward to not having to wear any pads or liners. But the joke was on me - as I was lying in bed, on my nice clean sheets, I felt something warm underneath me. Not only had I started bleeding again, but I also bled through my pants and onto my sheets and mattress. Luckily I have light sheets, and had some bleach cleaning spray handy.<br />
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Last night (day 28), I was out for a walk when I started to experience light cramping. I slowly made my way back home, thinking little of it. An hour later I was curled up on my bed in horrible pain. I normally get terrible period cramps, but this was unlike anything I've ever felt. My body broke out into cold sweats because of the amount of pain I was feeling. 3 extra-strength Advil later, I was able to fall asleep. But as I write this I can feel the mild cramping again, and I worry that either my IUD has embedded itself in my uterine lining, or that it is about to take a journey out of my cervix (best case scenario).<br />
<br />
Since I got my Mirena I have been under a lot of additional unrelated stress, which has caused me to lose hair. And with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc, I just cannot allow myself to get to the point where my Mirena becomes an emergency in our already overloaded healthcare system.<br />
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For this reason, along with the fact that I just can't take it anymore, I called my doctor and requested an appointment to have it removed. I know it will take some time for them to get around to it, but I don't mind the wait. <br />
<br />
As always, I will update periodically. Check in to see what happens next!<br />
<br />
xoxo, Jayy<br />
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<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-80758887188646415782020-02-26T21:22:00.000-05:002020-02-26T21:22:16.779-05:00My Comprehensive Mirena Experience<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: Google Images</td></tr>
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<br />
Today I want to share my experience with the hormonal Mirena. I have read SO many horror stories from women who have had horrible experiences with IUD insertion, but (so far) my experience has been pretty good. I share this in the hopes that it can help you make an informed decision about your own birth control needs.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Choosing the Mirena</u></b><br />
I have used a few versions of 'The Pill' on and off since 2014 (6 years ago). When I first started taking The Pill as a 21 year old university student, I did not even consider any other form of birth control. The Pill was what everyone used, and for many people it worked. However my body did <u>not</u> like birth control pills - my acne was the same (or worse), I gained weight, my depression was amplified, and I soon forgot to take the pills (hence the on and off). While at first I needed birth control to regulate my period, I soon found that maintaining a healthy diet and exercise did the trick. Finally in 2018 I decided enough was enough, and swore off birth control pills for good.<br />
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Fast forward to the end of December 2019, and I felt that getting back on birth control was necessary for many reasons. The deciding factor was that my periods were ridiculously heavy, to the point where I was passing clots 3 inches at their widest point. My period ruled my life, and I was afraid to do anything while menstruating for fear of leaking. If you've never experienced heavy bleeding, you won't understand why I was so afraid. But I've gotten out of bed and had blood flow right down my leg (while wearing an overnight pad), so I think my fear was valid.<br />
<br />
The Pill was not an option for me, so I decided to look into the Depo-Provera shots and the Mirena. While I found Depo-Provera to be quite an attractive option, I opted for the Mirena for the following reasons:<br />
1. It offered care-free birth control - I wouldn't have to think about it or come in for regular shots.<br />
2. It would likely lighten my period, which I desperately needed.<br />
3. I knew several women who had great experiences with the Mirena, and went on to have happy healthy families when they were ready to do so.<br />
<br />
My doctor recommended the Mirena over Depo-Provera, which I also took into consideration. And while weight gain was common on both forms of birth control, the Mirena was more attractive as it seemed to be mainly water weight.<br />
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<b><u>Weighing the Risks & Cons</u></b><br />
If you're here, you probably read the 129,047 articles sharing horror stories of what IUD's can do. But truth be told, there is a risk with every single type of birth control. It's all about what YOU consider to be worthwhile.<br />
<br />
Here's what I would say to you if you asked me my thoughts:<br />
Is pregnancy an option for you right now? Pregnancy also comes with its own risks, and so does abortion if you ever decide to go that route. If you're thinking about birth control, then I doubt pregnancy is the route you want to take. You NEED to have a form of birth control that you can control. An IUD is scary, but it works for so many women!<br />
<br />
I will say this - my one biggest 'pro' with the Mirena was also a huge 'con'. As I mentioned before, I had issues with regulating my periods in the past. I was FINALLY able to manage it through diet and exercise for the past 2 years. A part of me feels like the Mirena could mess up my cycle, and I was so proud of being able to regulate it naturally by myself.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Process</u></b><br />
To kick start the journey, my doctor gave me a prescription for the Mirena. I recommend filling the prescription at least 1 week before your insertion appointment - it took about 5 days for mine to arrive, and an additional 2 days for me to make it to the drugstore during opening hours to pick it up.<br />
<br />
Booking the appointment was fairly easy, and it just so happened to fall on the 4th day of my period. I recommend trying to schedule your insertion for the latter half of your period for a few reasons:<br />
1. Inserting an IUD while actively bleeding means that your cervix is slightly softened (to allow for blood to pass out of the uterus). This makes it a bit easier for the IUD to pass through the cervix.<br />
2. Spotting and bleeding is normal after insertion, but my doctor told me that since I had already passed most of the blood that was in my uterus, I would experience less bleeding (I did).<br />
3. I have a 5-6 day period, and so my post-insertion symptoms didn't interfere with my life at all!<br />
<br />
On insertion day I woke up and took a pregnancy test as instructed by the nurse. Even though I knew I wasn't pregnant because I was on my period, I figured it wouldn't hurt. I went to the clinic later that day with the negative test and my Mirena (it comes in such a big box, really threw me off). I was instructed to take some ibuprofen 30 minutes before my appointment, so I did. The gynecologist came in and talked to me about side effects and risks, and I asked a few questions. Then it was time!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Insertion</u></b><br />
I was instructed to take off my clothing from the waist down, and to lie down on the table with my feet in the stirrups. This was prime time to conduct a pap smear, so after inserting the speculum, the gynecologist did a few quick swabs of my cervix, and then sanitized the area.<br />
<br />
Using her hands, she conducted an external pelvic exam to locate my uterus. This was not uncomfortable at all - it kind of tickled. She then used a tool called a 'sound' to measure how far into my uterus the IUD should go. This part was not painful, but it was HIGHLY uncomfortable. I felt a lot of pressure, kind of like a more intense pap smear. She told me to keep deep breathing, and then she quickly inserted the IUD through the sound and removed it. Immediately I felt relief, though I was still a bit shaky. The gynecologist clipped the strings, removed the speculum, and we were done. The process took no more than 10 minutes - it was probably closer to 5.<br />
<br />
After the procedure was done I felt great, minus some clammy hands from all the anxiety I was feeling about the procedure. I was able to leave the clinic and drive home with no issue.<br />
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<b><u>Post-Insertion</u></b><br />
About 2 hours after the insertion I started to feel some mild discomfort in my lower abdomen. I later found out these were contractions as my body adjusted to this foreign object in my uterus. I drank some hot tea and used a heating pad, and while I was uncomfortable, I was not in any pain. I did experience some light bleeding, however as I was on day 4 of my period this was completely normal.<br />
<br />
I will say that I was kind of convinced that I could feel my IUD on one side. I don't think that was the case, I think I was just extremely paranoid that something could go wrong. When I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom, the sensation was gone, and so were the contractions.<br />
<br />
As this post is long enough, I will be making a separate post describing my symptoms in the days to follow. Stay tuned for more posts on my Mirena experience.<br />
<br />
xoxo, JayyJayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-41803642936977166622019-12-16T21:07:00.002-05:002020-01-01T18:43:25.456-05:00My Friday by JW PEI Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_rrx2GuzL6xRf5_BBvRTI7a4c2HfiSoV6IRKlTB3eHm6j0hZWBCrNdceB9xleCbUGqZaFY4sRr8IS-a9a-jOYvJmUs1nionEk9OBwGMZVQHMdLlkd70cnsveVBpSrKIIAHjMjMNKJB0/s1600/Tall+Text+YouTube+Thumbnail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_rrx2GuzL6xRf5_BBvRTI7a4c2HfiSoV6IRKlTB3eHm6j0hZWBCrNdceB9xleCbUGqZaFY4sRr8IS-a9a-jOYvJmUs1nionEk9OBwGMZVQHMdLlkd70cnsveVBpSrKIIAHjMjMNKJB0/s640/Tall+Text+YouTube+Thumbnail.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today we are delving into my first experience with the Instagram-famous brand <a href="https://www.fridaybyjwpei.com/">Friday by JW PEI</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite all the terrible reviews, I decided to order 2 bags from them. Now, here we are. I'm ready to tell my story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite that dramatic intro, the overall experience wasn't that bad. If you would like to watch my video on the topic, please <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oMnIIpqe8Y&t=429s">click here</a> or scroll to the bottom of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following the video's format, let's first delve into the bags themselves before addressing some of the concerns raised about the brand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">👜 </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Bag 1: The Envelope Chain Crossbody in Black - <a href="https://bit.ly/2PSTqeD">https://bit.ly/2PSTqeD</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;">Cost: $44.00 USD (sale price)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Envelope Chain Crossbody in Black was the bag that drew me to the brand. Not only did I fall for the sleek lines of the bag, but I also was in love with the overall vibe. While I craved the one with the gold hardware, I read/watched reviews that said that the gold hardware looked cheap. I opted for the silver, which was a good call in my opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The materials used for the bag, chain, and additional hardware are all quite sturdy, and I am impressed with the overall quality of the bag. My bag doesn't have any odd/foul scents as some reviewers have noted. I do notice that the material is quite stiff, but it is a nicely structured bag. Overall, I am quite a fan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="DA" style="line-height: 18.4px;">👜 </span><span lang="DA" style="line-height: 18.4px;">Bag 2: Mini Flap Bag in Black Croc - <a href="https://bit.ly/38Uu20W">https://bit.ly/38Uu20W</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;">Cost: $39.00 USD (sale price)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;">*When comparing this bag to the pictures online, I noted that the hardware is much more yellow-gold in real life than it appears in the photos.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;">This bag feels a bit lower in quality compared to the first bag. Bag number two was a slight let down, however in hindsight I realize that this is what happens when you purchase a trendy piece. While the first bag is more of a classic, and will be in style forever, the animal print trend is eventually going to run its course, leaving the bag obsolete. Luckily for me, I enjoy animal prints, and will likely continue to use this bag even when it's no longer in style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;">This bag had a slight lemony scent that I can't quite put my finger on. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was odd. The strap of this bag is also intentionally shorter than the other one, making it a good bag for travel as it sits close to the body.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod5R8sCJLme_sn8rJCvQ-j8ceEvXGkR3moCfvf-5yNu_G0Lo3oWy7obRY92eGC3e8GUX8MtH5qA3A6mVn8xeluDtQnz9QH2AjlJEgk-h9JVG8w05Qp1ql5Lxyu0D1Y-Tc1PIYKdU7sv8/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod5R8sCJLme_sn8rJCvQ-j8ceEvXGkR3moCfvf-5yNu_G0Lo3oWy7obRY92eGC3e8GUX8MtH5qA3A6mVn8xeluDtQnz9QH2AjlJEgk-h9JVG8w05Qp1ql5Lxyu0D1Y-Tc1PIYKdU7sv8/s640/thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In terms of the shipping, I waited just about a month to receive my bags. While this was incredibly annoying, I did have to take a step back and realize that I did not pay for express shipping, and the brand did meet their guarantee of delivering the bags before Christmas. JW PEI fulfilled my order within 2 days of the order being placed. I suspect that the shipping issues have more to do with the delivery company (I believe it's called EMS), and less to do with JW PEI themselves. The shipping company is frequently used by companies shipping from China, and a look at their reviews shows you that people have consistently terrible experiences. Fifty-eight percent of this company's deliveries make it to their destination in between 7-15 days. But </span>remember<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that the destination is the receiving country's customs/delivery office, not your home. Once you factor in 1-2 days to prepare the order, plus another few days for the order to clear customs and make it to your front door, you're looking at as much as 3-4 weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I really like the bags. I have used both bags twice now, and so far I haven't had any issues. I don't regret purchasing them, but due to the shipping headache, I'm not so keen on purchasing from them again. If you have questions about the bags, drop them in the comments and I'll be happy to answer more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">xoxo, Jayy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-10756561857579971142019-12-11T22:27:00.000-05:002019-12-11T22:27:18.858-05:00Gifting MindfullyThe holiday season is upon us, and with that comes the season of gifting! If you're like me, you enjoy gift giving, but find all the materialism overwhelming. This time of year is stressful for those of us who are trying to live on a budget, especially in today's economy.<br />
<br />
Today I thought I'd share my top tips for gifting mindfully. Over the years, I have learned how to give gifts that matter, without being insulting to those who value material items. Ultimately the goal is to create a happy holiday season, without any of the stress, anxiety, and financial strain.<br />
<br />
The most obvious starting place is to <b><u>set your budget</u></b>. How much are you able to spend this year on gifts? Write that number down, we'll come back to it in a minute.<br />
<br />
Throughout the year, <b><u>s</u></b><u style="font-weight: bold;">et a precedent for what others should expect</u>. If you know that your budget will not allow you to give extravagant gifts, it doesn't hurt to set that precedent beforehand. Simply talking about your budget-friendly lifestyle can cue people in to the fact that you're just not going to get involved in the usual gift-giving schemes this year. Don't be hesitant to come right out and say it if need be - never been shy or embarrassed about your financial decisions.<br />
<br />
Once the precedent has been set, <u style="font-weight: bold;">create a list of those who you will be shopping for</u>. Creating a visual list of all the people in your life will help you to prioritize. Is it really necessary to buy each of your 21 co-workers a personalized gift? You'll find it easy to knock a few names off your list this way.<br />
<br />
Next, take a look at that list. Who's on it, and what do they like?? Take the time to think carefully about each person, and <u style="font-weight: bold;">create a list of items that would be suitable for each person</u>. Let's take my imaginary friend Tom, for example. Tom loves playing video games, cooking, sports, and politics. So my list for Tom would include specific games he likes, sports memorabilia, and maybe some kitchen gear. Politics can kick it for Christmas.<br />
<br />
Now, <u style="font-weight: bold;">return to your budget</u>. Take a look at the number of people on your list, and compare it to the budget you have. How much are you going to spend on each person? This will determine which items on your list you are going to be able to get. Tom's on the nice list this year, so my budget for him is $100.00.<br />
<br />
Once you've determined your budget, it's <u style="font-weight: bold;">time to get creative</u>. There's no way I could get Tom everything he wants with $100.00. So instead, I'm going to grab him a gift card to EB Games, so he can choose his favourite game. Except, wait a minute, games are about $70-$80 bucks, which will obliterate my budget. So let's skip the game. Next on Tom's list of likes is cooking, which I also enjoy. There are two restaurants close to us that offer "chefs table" experiences, where you can cook your own meal. Maybe I'll grab Tom a gift certificate for a night out, complete with cheap tickets to a game. Altogether that would cost no more than $80 bucks, coming in well under budget.<br />
<br />
Or, running with the example of Tom, let's say I get him a Hello Fresh box (do they even make those in Canada?). Then I come over and help him cook one night, and we watch a game on TV together. The Hello Fresh box costs about $70 bucks, and Tom gets food for the entire week, and the game is free!<br />
<br />
Another idea for Tom is a grocery delivery gift card. Tom's busy schedule could use a break, and with grocery deliver he's able to spend more time at home watching the news - politics! And the amount of money I spend is totally up to me.<br />
<br />
You catch my drift. The important part in all this is that Tom isn't materialistic - he likes experiences and spending time with friends. This gift is perfect based on Tom's likes and personality, but might not work for another friend.<br />
<br />
I hope this little blog post helped you to think out of the box when it comes to gifting a bit more mindfully.Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-59675274519400294202019-12-01T21:00:00.000-05:002019-12-02T07:07:47.577-05:00CYBER MONDAY DEALS 2019Hey All!<br />
<br />
See below for a compilation of all the fashion-related Cyber Monday deals at Canadian retailers. Links and information will be updated regularly! <br />
<i>Prices in CAD unless otherwise noted.</i><br />
<i>All sale prices valid until 11:59 PM on December 2, 2019.</i><br />
<b>Last Update:</b> December 2, 2019<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Abercrombie - </b><a href="https://www.abercrombie.com/">https://www.abercrombie.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off entire store</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None Required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: $5 shipping on all orders</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Same as Black Friday Deal)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b><b>Aerie</b> - <a href="https://www.ae.com/ca/en/c/aerie/cat4840006">https://www.ae.com/ca/en/c/aerie/cat4840006</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off all sweaters, sweatshirts & leggings)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Black Friday Deal - 40% off entire store)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>ALDO</b> - <a href="https://www.aldoshoes.com/ca/en">https://www.aldoshoes.com/ca/en</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off the original price on all sale</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">BY 2 get 25% off regular priced items</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: CYBER</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(5% increase off regular priced items compared to Black Friday)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>American Eagle</b> - <a href="https://www.ae.com/ca/en">https://www.ae.com/ca/en</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off all sweaters and sweatshirts</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free shipping on all orders</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Better than Black Friday for sale items)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Anthropologie</b> - </span><a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">https://www.anthropologie.com/</a><br />
Extra 50% off sale items<br />
30% off non-sale items<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $100<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b><b>Aritzia - </b><a href="https://www.aritzia.com/">https://www.aritzia.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Up to 60% off everything except the Super Puff</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: none required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free over $150</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Better than Black Friday Deal)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b>Asos - </b><a href="https://www.asos.com/">https://www.asos.com/</a><br />
25% off everything<br />
Code: BIG25<br />
Shipping: Free over orders of $63<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b>Banana Republic</b> - <a href="https://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/browse/home.do?ssiteID=GAP_CA">https://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/</a><br />
50% off everything (online only)<br />
Code: none required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more<br />
(Same discount as Black Friday)<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Beis </b> - <a href="https://beistravel.com/">https://beistravel.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off all regular priced items. Discount bundles not included.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free over $150 USD (international shipping duties & taxes not included in shipping cost)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">**Prices listed in USD</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Call it Spring</b> - <a href="https://www.callitspring.com/ca/en">https://www.callitspring.com/ca/en</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off all sale</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off regular priced items</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $15</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Same as Black Friday Deals)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Cleo</b> - <a href="https://www.cleo.ca/">https://www.cleo.ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off original price for entire store</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $50</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Club Monaco</b> - <a href="https://www.clubmonaco.ca/">https://www.clubmonaco.ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off everything with an extra 40% off sale styles</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: CYBERMONDAY</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $150</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Same as Black Friday Deals)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Coach</b> - </span><a href="https://ca.coach.com/">https://ca.coach.com/</a><br />
50% off select bestsellers<br />
30% off entire site<br />
Code: SAVE30<br />
Shipping: Free standard shipping on orders over $100. $15 for orders under $100.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Dynamite - </b><a href="https://www.dynamiteclothing.com/ca/">https://www.dynamiteclothing.com/ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $25, Free to store</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Better than Black Friday Deal)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Ever New Melbourne</b> - <a href="https://www.evernew.ca/">https://www.evernew.ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off Everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: CYBER30</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $120 OR ship to store for free</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Same as Black Friday Deal)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Frank and Oak - </b></span><a href="https://www.frankandoak.com/?utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=paid-affiliate&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw&utm_content=10">https://www.frankandoak.com</a><br />
Up to 50% off site wide + 1 tree planted for every order<br />
Code: CM30<br />
Shipping: $9.95 standard shipping<br />
<br />
<b>Gap</b> - <a href="https://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/home.do?ssiteID=ON_CA">https://www.gapcanada.ca/</a><br />
50% off everything + Bonus 10% off everything<br />
Code: GAPCYBER + GOBIG<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more with code GAPSENDIT<br />
(Same as Black Friday deals with addition of bonus 10% off)<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Garage</b> - <a href="https://www.garageclothing.com/ca/">https://www.garageclothing.com/ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off almost everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $25, Free to store</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Guess</b> - <a href="https://www.guess.ca/en/">https://www.guess.ca/en/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40-50% off entire site</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on all orders</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>H&M</b> - <a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/index.html">https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/index.html</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">20% off everything (starts November 28 for members, free to join)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: must sign up for free membership</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $50</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Kate Spade - </b><a href="https://www.katespade.com/">https://www.katespade.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off entire order (regular priced items only)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: CYBERFUNDAY</span><br />
Shipping: Free ground shipping to the U.S. and Canada<br />
<span style="color: red;">** Prices in USD</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Kate Spade Surprise Sale - </b><a href="https://surprise.katespade.com/">https://surprise.katespade.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Up to 75% off everything, plus daily steals</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free ground shipping to the U.S. and Canada</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">** Prices listed in USD</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b>Laura</b> - <a href="https://www.laura.ca/">https://www.laura.ca/</a><br />
30% off sitewide<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on all orders<br />
(Lower than Black Friday Deal, which was 50% off all merchandise)<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>La Senza</b> - <a href="https://www.lasenza.ca/">https://www.lasenza.ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50-70% off entire store + extra 10% off for Club La Senza members</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">10 panties for $35</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free on orders over $25</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Some better deals than Black Friday)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Le Chateau - </b><a href="https://www.lechateau.com/">https://www.lechateau.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off first sale item + 70% off second sale item of the same commodity</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: $5 flat rate on orders of $100 or more</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Lululemon</b> - </span><a href="https://shop.lululemon.com/">https://shop.lululemon.com/</a><br />
Select items on sale for Cyber Monday<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free on all orders<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Matt & Nat - </b></span><a href="https://mattandnat.com/en_ca/cyber-monday-sale">https://mattandnat.com/en_ca/cyber-monday-sale</a><br />
Select items on sale<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free standard over orders of $<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b>Old Navy</b> - <a href="https://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/?ssiteID=GAP_CA">https://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/?ssiteID=GAP_CA</a><br />
50% off everything (no exclusions)<br />
Code: none required, discount automatically applied at checkout<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more<br />
(same discount as Black Friday)<br />
<br />
<b>Reformation</b> - <a href="https://www.thereformation.com/">https://www.thereformation.com/</a><br />
30% off everything<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free express shipping, duties included<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b>Revolve</b> - <a href="https://www.revolve.com/">https://www.revolve.com/</a><br />
Up to 65% off sitewide<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders above $100 USD<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Ricki's</b> - <a href="https://www.rickis.com/">https://www.rickis.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">50% off pants and leggings (November 28 only)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: $3 on orders $50 or more with code SHIP3</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Roots</b> - <a href="https://www.roots.com/ca/en/homepage">https://www.roots.com/ca/en/homepage</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30% off entire store</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off Park Plaid collection</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free standard shipping on all orders</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b><b>RW & Co - </b><a href="https://www.rw-co.com/en/women">https://www.rw-co.com/en/women</a></span><br />
40% off all merchandise<br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None Required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $120</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Same as Black Friday Deals)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Suzy Shier</b> - <a href="https://suzyshier.com/">https://suzyshier.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Up to 50% off everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None Required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $99</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Topshop</b> - <a href="https://www.topshop.com/">https://www.topshop.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">25% off everything</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: None Required</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free worldwide delivery</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Urban Outfiters - </b></span><a href="https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-ca">https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-ca</a><br />
$75 off purchases of $200 or more<br />
$50 off purchases of $150 or more<br />
$10 off purchases of $50 or more<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping:Free worldwide over $50<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Victoria's Secret</b> - <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.ca/">https://www.victoriassecret.ca/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off entire site</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: VS40SAVE</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Free crossbody with purchase over $80 USD</span><br />
Code: MONDAY80<br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free shipping over $50 USD with code 50SHIPVS</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">**Prices listed in USD</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Victoria's Secret Pink - </b><a href="https://www.victoriassecret.ca/pink">https://www.victoriassecret.ca/pink</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">40% off entire site</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Code: VS40SAVE</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Free duffel with purchase over $80 USD</span><br />
Code: CYBER80<br />
<span style="color: red;">Shipping: Free shipping over $50 USD with code 50SHIPVS</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">**Prices listed in USD</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Zara</b> - <a href="https://www.zara.com/ca/en/">https://www.zara.com/ca/en/</a></span><br />
No Sale.Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-70396212437283169522019-11-27T21:13:00.002-05:002019-11-28T22:23:40.294-05:00Canadian Black Friday Deals 2019Hey All!<br />
<br />
See below for a compilation of all the fashion-related Black Friday deals at Canadian retailers. Links and information will be updated regularly!<br />
Prices in CAD unless otherwise noted.<br />
All sale prices valid until 11:59 PM on November 29, 2019.<br />
<br />
<b>Last Update:</b> November 28, 2019<br />
<br />
<b>Abercrombie - </b><a href="https://www.abercrombie.com/">https://www.abercrombie.com/</a><br />
40% off entire store<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: $5 shipping on all orders<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Aerie</b> - <a href="https://www.ae.com/ca/en/c/aerie/cat4840006">https://www.ae.com/ca/en/c/aerie/cat4840006</a><br />
40% off the Aerie Collection (exclusions apply)<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free<br />
<br />
<b>ALDO</b> - <a href="https://www.aldoshoes.com/ca/en">https://www.aldoshoes.com/ca/en</a><br />
50% off the original price on all sale<br />
20% off regular priced items<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free<br />
<br />
<b>American Eagle</b> - <a href="https://www.ae.com/ca/en">https://www.ae.com/ca/en</a><br />
40% off all items<br />
Sweaters, flannel & fleece at &30<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free shipping on all orders<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Aritzia - </b><a href="https://www.aritzia.com/">https://www.aritzia.com/</a><br />
Up to 50% off everything except the Super Puff<br />
Code: none required<br />
Shipping: Free over $150<br />
<br />
<b>Banana Republic</b> - <a href="https://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/browse/home.do?ssiteID=GAP_CA">https://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/</a><br />
50% off regular priced Banana Republic merchandise<br />
Code: none required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more<br />
<br />
<b>Beis </b> - <a href="https://beistravel.com/">https://beistravel.com/</a><br />
30% off all regular priced items. Discount bundles not included.<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free over $150 USD (international shipping duties & taxes not included in shipping cost)<br />
**Prices listed in USD<br />
<br />
<b>Call it Spring</b> - <a href="https://www.callitspring.com/ca/en">https://www.callitspring.com/ca/en</a><br />
50% off all sale<br />
30% off regular priced items<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $15<br />
<br />
<b>Cleo</b> - <a href="https://www.cleo.ca/">https://www.cleo.ca/</a><br />
50% off original price for entire store<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $50<br />
<br />
<b>Club Monaco</b> - <a href="https://www.clubmonaco.ca/">https://www.clubmonaco.ca/</a><br />
30% off everything<br />
Code: BLACKFRIDAY<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $150<br />
<br />
<b>Dynamite - </b><a href="https://www.dynamiteclothing.com/ca/">https://www.dynamiteclothing.com/ca/</a><br />
30% off almost everything<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $25, Free to store<br />
<br />
<b>Ever New Melbourne</b> - <a href="https://www.evernew.ca/">https://www.evernew.ca/</a><br />
30% off Everything<br />
Code: FRIDAY30<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $120 OR ship to store for free<br />
<br />
<b>Gap</b> - <a href="https://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/home.do?ssiteID=ON_CA">https://www.gapcanada.ca/</a><br />
50% off everything<br />
Code: BLKFRIDAY<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more<br />
<br />
<b>Garage</b> - <a href="https://www.garageclothing.com/ca/">https://www.garageclothing.com/ca/</a><br />
30% off almost everything<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $25, Free to store<br />
<br />
<b>Guess</b> - <a href="https://www.guess.ca/en/">https://www.guess.ca/en/</a><br />
40-50% off entire site<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on all orders<br />
<br />
<b>H&M</b> - <a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/index.html">https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/index.html</a><br />
20% off everything (starts November 28 for members, free to join)<br />
Code: must sign up for free membership<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $50<br />
<br />
<b>Kate Spade - </b><a href="https://www.katespade.com/">https://www.katespade.com/</a><br />
40% off entire order (regular priced items only)<br />
Code: TGIBF<br />
50% off select items<br />
Code: GOBBLE50<br />
Shipping: Free ground shipping to the U.S. and Canada<br />
** Prices in USD<br />
<br />
<b>Kate Spade Surprise Sale - </b><a href="https://surprise.katespade.com/">https://surprise.katespade.com/</a><br />
Up to 75% off everything, plus daily steals<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free ground shipping to the U.S. and Canada<br />
** Prices listed in USD<br />
<br />
<b>Laura</b> - <a href="https://www.laura.ca/">https://www.laura.ca/</a><br />
Up to 50% off select styles<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on all orders<br />
<br />
<b>La Senza</b> - <a href="https://www.lasenza.ca/">https://www.lasenza.ca/</a><br />
50% off entire store + extra 10% off for Club La Senza members<br />
10 panties for $35<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $40<br />
<br />
<b>Le Chateau - </b><a href="https://www.lechateau.com/">https://www.lechateau.com/</a><br />
50% off first sale item + 70% off second sale item of the same commodity<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: $5 flat rate on orders of $100 or more<br />
<br />
<b>Old Navy</b> - <a href="https://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/?ssiteID=GAP_CA">https://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/?ssiteID=GAP_CA</a><br />
50% off everything (no exclusions)<br />
Code: none required, discount automatically applied at checkout<br />
Shipping: Free on orders of $50 or more<br />
<br />
<b>Ricki's</b> - <a href="https://www.rickis.com/">https://www.rickis.com/</a><br />
40% off everything<br />
50% off pants and leggings (November 28 only)<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: $3 on orders $50 or more with code SHIP3<br />
<br />
<b>Roots</b> - <a href="https://www.roots.com/ca/en/homepage">https://www.roots.com/ca/en/homepage</a><br />
30% off entire store<br />
40% off outerwear and accessories (November 28 only)<br />
Code: None required<br />
Shipping: Free on orders over $75<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>RW & Co - </b><a href="https://www.rw-co.com/en/women">https://www.rw-co.com/en/women</a><br />
<u>Weekly Deals</u><br />
Blazers, Skirts & pants 40% off (November 25-26 only)<br />
All Sweaters $39.90 (November 27 only)<br />
40% off all merchandise (November 28 and 29)<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $120<br />
<br />
<b>Suzy Shier</b> - <a href="https://suzyshier.com/">https://suzyshier.com/</a><br />
Up to 50% off everything<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $99<br />
<br />
<b>Topshop</b> - <a href="https://www.topshop.com/">https://www.topshop.com/</a><br />
25% off everything<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping: Free worldwide delivery<br />
<br />
<b>Victoria's Secret</b> - <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.ca/">https://www.victoriassecret.ca/</a><br />
Buy 1 Get 1 Free<br />
Free Blanket & Tote when you spend $150 USD<br />
Code: BUY1GET1<br />
Shipping: Free shipping over $50 USD with code 50SHIPVS<br />
**Prices listed in USD<br />
<br />
<b>Victoria's Secret Pink - </b><a href="https://www.victoriassecret.ca/pink">https://www.victoriassecret.ca/pink</a><br />
Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sitewide<br />
Code: BUY1GET1<br />
Shipping: Free shipping over $50 USD with code 50SHIPVS<br />
**Prices listed in USD<br />
<br />
<b>Zara</b> - <a href="https://www.zara.com/ca/en/">https://www.zara.com/ca/en/</a><br />
50% off select items starting 10 PM EST<br />
Code: None Required<br />
Shipping:Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-90315457557811470722019-08-10T22:08:00.002-04:002019-08-10T22:08:42.284-04:00Review: Beis By Shay Mitchell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RfG2qPcFzmc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RfG2qPcFzmc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-22758112558572715102019-02-01T20:19:00.000-05:002019-02-01T20:19:02.740-05:00On depression:I am beginning to realize that depression is my home, and that happiness is only a vacation.<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190120_201924_256.sdoc-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-8494497882459735142019-01-31T20:15:00.000-05:002019-01-31T20:15:12.522-05:0080.I've been a lot of things, but lately it's been mostly unhappy.<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190120_201511_211.sdoc-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-81827825609368941162019-01-30T08:06:00.000-05:002019-01-30T08:06:02.901-05:00Mental Health.It's wild to think that there was a time that I didn't understand what the words "depression" or "anxiety" meant. <br />
<br />
That's not to say that they didn't impact my life - mental health challenges are a part of my family tree. But there was a time when I didn't personally understand what a mental health challenge was.<br />
<br />
And then as I got older I realized that some of the things I felt weren't really normal. I didn't know that I was the only kid who had cramped hands before a test, or burning ears during a presentation. I didn't know I was the only kid whose stomach did knots at the thought of speaking up in class. And I was never one to talk about things, so when I realized that other kids didn't feel the same, I kept my mouth shut. I gained a reputation for being a quiet kid, but really that wasn't quite it.<br />
<br />
I guess the upside to not knowing what mental health challenges were, is that I learned to cope by powering through. That's also a downside. It's what got me this far in life, but it's also what got me this far in dealing with the challenges I face - nowhere.<br />
<br />
I also didn't grow up really understanding what depression was. So when I started hearing about friends and family being depressed, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. I tried to help, in my own little way, but that wasn't what they needed.<br />
<br />
The thing is, I never really truly understood what mental health challenges were until I entered university, and as a social work student, I learned what depression and anxiety really were, and what could be done to cope, manage, thrive with those challenges. I began to understand my friends, family, and even myself in a way I had never done before. <br />
<br />
It's sad that I had to wait until I was 17 to learn about mental health. It's sad that I was taught about anatomy and biology but not the basics of mental wellbeing. It's sad that I got an education that many of my peers will never get. And some will never receive that education because they will never go down the same career path that I chose. But others will never recieve that education because they needed it so badly long before they got to 17. And without that knowledge, they never had the chance to make it to 17.<br />
<br />
What I'm saying is, mental health education is important. From childhood we need to learn about the challenges we are up against. And we need to learn to cope as soon as possible, because there is no telling when these challenges show up in our lives. We need a mentally healthy world. And it starts with mentally healthy education. <!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190120_200506_151.sdoc-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-56576163653834511702019-01-19T23:47:00.001-05:002019-01-20T16:20:01.895-05:00What I Did In London, England.Today we are kicking off the travel section of my blog with a very late series of posts about my European Magic Contiki Tour. I thought that instead of blogging about everything in depth, I'd give you my highlights for each city, complete with links and photos. Each post will come with recommendations for sightseeing, accommodations, and food. I'll also tell you what to avoid, if necessary!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX38bLixfx_UEZRWRKdKv2bT97lXDezU9UaJABBaFFrr4obZqT-3XnXTyT496ssW6lx8p65IE_b0H5YeRQPVN2DsJZoSKZ6MOEparQoEN4TlyQ6d6NXckAaiNdMZXDR7uNn0JviI2EHzU/s1600/20180713_160834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX38bLixfx_UEZRWRKdKv2bT97lXDezU9UaJABBaFFrr4obZqT-3XnXTyT496ssW6lx8p65IE_b0H5YeRQPVN2DsJZoSKZ6MOEparQoEN4TlyQ6d6NXckAaiNdMZXDR7uNn0JviI2EHzU/s640/20180713_160834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking down Bedford Way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To get you started, here's a link to the trip: <a href="https://bit.ly/2HnnHRX">https://bit.ly/2HnnHRX</a><br />
And here's a link to my blogpost talking about my Contiki experience: <a href="https://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-contiki-experience-what-i-wish-i.html">https://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-contiki-experience-what-i-wish-i.html</a><br />
<br />
Now, let's get into it!<br />
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<h3>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Time Spent: 48 hours</span></u></h3>
<h3>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Sightseeing</span></u></h3>
<h4>
<b>The Original [Bus] Tour - <a href="https://www.theoriginaltour.com/">https://www.theoriginaltour.com/</a></b></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: $</div>
The Original Tour is a hop-on, hop-off Double Decker bus tour that takes you through the city of London. It stops at all of the major touristy places - the British Museum, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace ... and so much more. Included with your Original Tour ticket are a variety of walking tours (the Jack the Ripper one is on my to-do list!), and a history lesson as you drive through the city. You can purchase passes for 24 to 72 hours starting at £ 32.00.<br />
<br />
<b>Pro Tip:</b> Buy tickets online ahead of time for discounts, and download the app for bus tracking and other great features.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDzAAh_RA4NfdLTybqt_cW7ZRPGHYeH6o6Veji-x7bKqTZsG2bn4b5wqZWv_CkhSuKUPJ9DBphwsQDKMf8qEp0L94ZnFCAReleH62oTai9z3CRoceDshzAznG_hPJusB9kjVwPPIc9F0/s1600/20180714_103655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDzAAh_RA4NfdLTybqt_cW7ZRPGHYeH6o6Veji-x7bKqTZsG2bn4b5wqZWv_CkhSuKUPJ9DBphwsQDKMf8qEp0L94ZnFCAReleH62oTai9z3CRoceDshzAznG_hPJusB9kjVwPPIc9F0/s640/20180714_103655.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started our tour early in the morning, and had the bus all to ourselves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The British Museum</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - </span><a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/">https://www.britishmuseum.org/</a></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: FREE</div>
I cannot truly convey the wonder that is the British Museum through words. If you enjoy history and a carefully curated collection of items, then this is the place for you. Home to the Rosetta Stone, King George's library, and stunning architecture, this museum is a must see. Admission is free, there is a cafeteria on site, and hours worth of exhibits for you to explore.<br />
<br />
<b>Pro Tip:</b> Plan your trip for the beginning of the day, as soon as the museum opens. You'll experience shorter lines, less crowds, and more time to explore the museum. Don't plan anything else for the day - you'll have more than plenty to do here!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hP8yaJI_Q-keCwD_mssi_hABIyHnaPHSoitoKQOh6GJmGhMsnOkAL5YEhNN5medxq0KvStSp1O3zpZv4bHZqe-qoCmsj3qmahbxl3ppUOiDPiyqwPMAD5llBu8d9CixO6LMTHzoJ9CQ/s1600/20180714_112416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hP8yaJI_Q-keCwD_mssi_hABIyHnaPHSoitoKQOh6GJmGhMsnOkAL5YEhNN5medxq0KvStSp1O3zpZv4bHZqe-qoCmsj3qmahbxl3ppUOiDPiyqwPMAD5llBu8d9CixO6LMTHzoJ9CQ/s640/20180714_112416.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_-nMldfWtvkaulCAvuMaPtA8VBzSiC48YQi3ekNqB_O3E9iu3jnNFuUF18pbkjGe8cWIJ4MoEVbLKD32GlLXQKoQ0nca2cqwjXGVSxHxmqliXa7TD_imz4y8xbpUbqrJ5n1nZnhhj9E/s1600/20180714_113407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_-nMldfWtvkaulCAvuMaPtA8VBzSiC48YQi3ekNqB_O3E9iu3jnNFuUF18pbkjGe8cWIJ4MoEVbLKD32GlLXQKoQ0nca2cqwjXGVSxHxmqliXa7TD_imz4y8xbpUbqrJ5n1nZnhhj9E/s640/20180714_113407.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The absolutely stunning interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbrXk2I9wXHiOHKodpMrPuAe9y5FSy9u4ETqN3Me7-OPStDcQSIJbwdbOjt8ws4n46TeO8KdzzkcmlFlvjgVLpvacBMGAr-doGTWoXjLLR4B-u1fyRDFExoWCJxqqJ_OkyBZ4RmQI6wY/s1600/20180714_115905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbrXk2I9wXHiOHKodpMrPuAe9y5FSy9u4ETqN3Me7-OPStDcQSIJbwdbOjt8ws4n46TeO8KdzzkcmlFlvjgVLpvacBMGAr-doGTWoXjLLR4B-u1fyRDFExoWCJxqqJ_OkyBZ4RmQI6wY/s640/20180714_115905.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King George's Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVSIkZsL7I3kC5W2RhtrXUOQhCeGXMgdQbOeuxqPgGNDJgms52Wh8kGH1M6hEDd74-qr4pAWy44HFSf1hWtsE1RCT2saA4SgmGqAJh_34ZUb0cO0J8upy-du4CUlCKfk20zEho8AkheQ/s1600/20180714_114445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVSIkZsL7I3kC5W2RhtrXUOQhCeGXMgdQbOeuxqPgGNDJgms52Wh8kGH1M6hEDd74-qr4pAWy44HFSf1hWtsE1RCT2saA4SgmGqAJh_34ZUb0cO0J8upy-du4CUlCKfk20zEho8AkheQ/s640/20180714_114445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Greek Exhibit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
The Tower of London - <a href="https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/">https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/</a></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: $</div>
<div>
I didn't know a single thing about the Tower of London before visiting, but I'm glad that I went. The Tower of London is a beautiful historic castle just off of the River Thames. It is home to the Crown Jewels of past monarchs, the Royal Menagerie, and a whole bunch of other stuff we didn't even get to explore. Like the British Museum, this can easily be an all day affair, so plan ahead and don't rush!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Pro Tip:</b> Book tickets (£22.70 per adult) through online or the Original Tour guides for fast entry (no lines!) and potentially discounted pricing.</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE0dVdNmR6hOSHop5nvXv4ZL0JM_Rpgd5Eikuw_YjhavAObS1Afcwb9c_9TygJCShCZABXTgM692QXX1UpTgiBP_dK-JbzDsNgJvfQOAFmyXZAyCWlN4KDacnyBM2VXjpN3V8ihJ2qoA/s1600/20180714_135620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE0dVdNmR6hOSHop5nvXv4ZL0JM_Rpgd5Eikuw_YjhavAObS1Afcwb9c_9TygJCShCZABXTgM692QXX1UpTgiBP_dK-JbzDsNgJvfQOAFmyXZAyCWlN4KDacnyBM2VXjpN3V8ihJ2qoA/s640/20180714_135620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv56R6i_lmVT50mORETrJOYucZKB_kytrFv5ClTbYnW8eiRpOVkdadf_ShwxgvfZPIaJGj6wELsmWwQ7wgRxqcmDSomlB_Zgzvjw2YSC2LHPE7YB6VhR9gUC1AbefEKg0tGEajNnXT9U/s1600/20180714_140700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv56R6i_lmVT50mORETrJOYucZKB_kytrFv5ClTbYnW8eiRpOVkdadf_ShwxgvfZPIaJGj6wELsmWwQ7wgRxqcmDSomlB_Zgzvjw2YSC2LHPE7YB6VhR9gUC1AbefEKg0tGEajNnXT9U/s640/20180714_140700.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of the Crown Jewels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7cd966wfjaEHT1A3x5AoNcgrhXJM5eNUgdykM5FZU4HnSlqt1zIm1qgye3X-Cxzi3V52U7InKEi9O3_-QAoFVOf9qf2qnN5Vbd7k4-gn02Bp7y31Y8OI7m1fiYWHwwNkvWvlIFxgG4I/s1600/20180714_144609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7cd966wfjaEHT1A3x5AoNcgrhXJM5eNUgdykM5FZU4HnSlqt1zIm1qgye3X-Cxzi3V52U7InKEi9O3_-QAoFVOf9qf2qnN5Vbd7k4-gn02Bp7y31Y8OI7m1fiYWHwwNkvWvlIFxgG4I/s640/20180714_144609.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moat ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<h4>
<u>Walking Tours</u></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> Free - $</div>
<div>
Included with our Contiki was a walking tour of London. You can also receive a walking tour as part of your Original Tour bus ticket, or download a free walking tour app (<a href="https://uncubed.com/daily/9-awesome-walking-tour-apps/">here's a list of a few</a>). I enjoyed the interactive nature of having a real live guide show us around, and tell us stories about each location. It's a great way to learn about London from a local, and put a little time and money back into the local economy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Pro Tip: </b>Carry a few dollars on you to tip the guide, if you found the tour to be exceptional!</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE06KCTNcycC_X2VzKZ3v2s02NTt8-Fzd3q4eiPUUSDP2KAVWMF_O3qxv4h9lpn-1MLlhyjzJPLQr1w7taEXZV7zDKQui7GojedQzYEBZwaQ4tg_pimUXbFfZPX76hMJdavngUX528rf4/s1600/20180714_173618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE06KCTNcycC_X2VzKZ3v2s02NTt8-Fzd3q4eiPUUSDP2KAVWMF_O3qxv4h9lpn-1MLlhyjzJPLQr1w7taEXZV7zDKQui7GojedQzYEBZwaQ4tg_pimUXbFfZPX76hMJdavngUX528rf4/s640/20180714_173618.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<u>Additional Sightseeing Recommendations</u></h4>
<div>
Unfortunately our short time in London did not allow us to see everything we wanted to. Here's a list of my bucket list items that I'll be doing when I return to London!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<b>Covent Garden - <a href="https://www.coventgarden.london/">https://www.coventgarden.london/</a></b></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: Free to walk</div>
<div>
Our quick stroll through Covent Garden did not do this beautiful shopping centre justice. Next time I'll be exploring Covent Garden in depth, and shopping at one or two of the luxury stores!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<b>King's Cross Station - <a href="https://www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34">https://www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34</a></b></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost: </b>$</div>
<div>
Home to platform 9 3/4, King's Cross station is a must see for any Harry Potter Fan.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<b>St. Paul's Cathedral - <a href="https://www.stpauls.co.uk/">https://www.stpauls.co.uk/</a></b></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost: </b>Free</div>
<div>
Stunning architecture and religious history is on display at St. Paul's Cathedral from Monday to Saturday. <b>Pro Tip:</b> Make sure your arms, legs, and midriff are all covered as a sign of respect.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Space Invaders - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_(artist)">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_(artist)</a></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost:</b> Free</div>
<div>
Check out the Wikipedia link to learn more about French urban artist Invader, who's graffiti can be seen all over the world, including London and Paris!</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<h3>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Food</span></u></h3>
<div>
I was pleasantly surprised to find that I quite enjoyed the food in London. I'm quite a picky eater, but I'd come back to these places any time!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<b>The Square Pig</b> - <a href="http://www.squarepigholborn.com/">http://www.squarepigholborn.com/</a></h4>
<div>
The Square Pig is a lovely little pub a short walk away from the British Museum and Russell Square Garden. The atmosphere what I can only describe as classy-eclectic-hipster, which should say more about my ability to use adjectives than anything else. Though I didn't anticipate the food to be anything spectacular, I quite enjoyed the Flat Iron Fire Chicken. The Fish and Chips also looked lovely, though I'm not a seafood fan. I can see why this pub earned its 4 star rating on Trip Advisor!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY1aiRoRiYDj03VcEHMbW_OLcjxu4YBQ_QWa3-H2HG-zgBFy1Ysb8OIUBpABG1L8oUirXJZ6YXJXmv-PoShL1wdsr4qHxUpdNPR1555HHQO1R_mtrce051vD73Dt5IV4_eugueQR3clU/s1600/20180713_162640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY1aiRoRiYDj03VcEHMbW_OLcjxu4YBQ_QWa3-H2HG-zgBFy1Ysb8OIUBpABG1L8oUirXJZ6YXJXmv-PoShL1wdsr4qHxUpdNPR1555HHQO1R_mtrce051vD73Dt5IV4_eugueQR3clU/s640/20180713_162640.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu, and fresh flowers at every table!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGddjBfP8YumEZlqLQiFUhlwb1AHUK_2AiOpFhVtfst64aMFrbzaZTMzKdkuIHEmqoBGr5WLgVD4qd6W4v056dNF1pe9uSm3IHAgILiK2ymr6Efhfi8oo_uQkg3JvNq_ZtNHOdHGmHkiU/s1600/20180713_162943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGddjBfP8YumEZlqLQiFUhlwb1AHUK_2AiOpFhVtfst64aMFrbzaZTMzKdkuIHEmqoBGr5WLgVD4qd6W4v056dNF1pe9uSm3IHAgILiK2ymr6Efhfi8oo_uQkg3JvNq_ZtNHOdHGmHkiU/s640/20180713_162943.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1f6JVy_7nO1_UoavR6JhprpJ9NuZ18Fn4qbTVwPYiCRDlJAqkfTOGiPQrHRlIBoTFfYaCXTDI5EXBU0rePtD1QUnu-RYb-Nc_rqmTRd_GmGKrUedjd4lKouUs-dtL3TjhlcQr8A_V6Q/s1600/20180713_164823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1f6JVy_7nO1_UoavR6JhprpJ9NuZ18Fn4qbTVwPYiCRDlJAqkfTOGiPQrHRlIBoTFfYaCXTDI5EXBU0rePtD1QUnu-RYb-Nc_rqmTRd_GmGKrUedjd4lKouUs-dtL3TjhlcQr8A_V6Q/s640/20180713_164823.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom: Flat Iron Fire Chicken<br />
Top: Fish & Chips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Amarcord Italian Restaurant<span style="font-weight: normal;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://amarcordmuseum.co.uk/">http://amarcordmuseum.co.uk/</a></span></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: $</div>
<div>
This affordable little Italian restaurant was surprisingly good. I can't speak for its authenticity, but I can say that it's some of the best pizza I've ever had. Simple in its decor and menu options, this little restaurant was a welcome find. We enjoyed a filling meal of stone baked pizza and salad, and then waddled off to our hotels for drinks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nN1ks1f4C_6pl3MrBc2nRDBKZexroxhUnRXDiYf37Vs7ffVHqRhsENxMseheIii20Xr__KRN0vdALgebEgR3VW6mRbWK59qJji5BxFspkIHW4d9mQeC31-ZftB165Op4BwxCjCzzvUw/s1600/20180714_184128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nN1ks1f4C_6pl3MrBc2nRDBKZexroxhUnRXDiYf37Vs7ffVHqRhsENxMseheIii20Xr__KRN0vdALgebEgR3VW6mRbWK59qJji5BxFspkIHW4d9mQeC31-ZftB165Op4BwxCjCzzvUw/s640/20180714_184128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu (see link for full menu)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8XC1dy38aiLnuLLd4gifTAkBOQV7PHCoPq7f6XpVvhzD7tLEiIWhpQ225MPMGH0CkS0zkGMoOpl1YXMkOHLI-1t7xC1o0YPo-40ckCK1hDqq68tJLCVGL9WD-yHmb9dDM5hcfUwzEQc/s1600/20180714_184636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8XC1dy38aiLnuLLd4gifTAkBOQV7PHCoPq7f6XpVvhzD7tLEiIWhpQ225MPMGH0CkS0zkGMoOpl1YXMkOHLI-1t7xC1o0YPo-40ckCK1hDqq68tJLCVGL9WD-yHmb9dDM5hcfUwzEQc/s640/20180714_184636.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh garden salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr_EceN3l75iBRxVBV-kq1rHi-ekXuGjWqAC8V5ovxRJP-8iXpOGJYVWu11-pNOXjX6NIkAHmg586Fv6I7RYuqyvjYNjYRj-QXmOgxrGwGEhOwDdTO_eVY7BkZ6sdpVrd3iUsAz33oxs/s1600/20180714_185326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr_EceN3l75iBRxVBV-kq1rHi-ekXuGjWqAC8V5ovxRJP-8iXpOGJYVWu11-pNOXjX6NIkAHmg586Fv6I7RYuqyvjYNjYRj-QXmOgxrGwGEhOwDdTO_eVY7BkZ6sdpVrd3iUsAz33oxs/s640/20180714_185326.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Margherita Pizza<br />
Bottom: Amarcord Pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4>
Tesco - <a href="https://www.tesco.com/">https://www.tesco.com/</a></h4>
<div>
<b>Cost</b>: $</div>
<div>
Am I a bit silly for putting a grocery store on this list? Maybe. But the convenience of having Tesco so close to our hotel was a blessing. We saved so much money on food by picking up fresh fruit and snacks at the store, and carrying them with us throughout the trip. We only ate out twice in London, thanks to this budget friendly option.</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 18.72px;"><u>Accommodations</u></span></h3>
<h4>
Royal National Hotel London- <a href="https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/en/royal-national">https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/en/royal-national</a></h4>
<h4>
<b>The Imperial Hotel</b> - <a href="https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/en/imperial">https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/en/imperial</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">(my preferred one out of the two)</span></h4>
<div>
I'm grouping these hotels together because I have the same feedback to share about both. Also they belong to the same parent company, so they are really quite similar.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wish I had better things to say about our hotels, I really do. We booked all hotels through the Contiki site, including our extra night's stay at the Royal National. Let me whiz through the pro's:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Location. These hotels are in close proximity to the Tube, Russell Square, the British Museum, and a load of pubs and restaurants</li>
<li>Restaurant/bar located inside each one</li>
<li>The Imperial also has a little casino located on the premises, if you're into gambling</li>
<li>Friendly and helpful staff</li>
<li>A nice view of London by night and day:</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1IFaBNjIJlphk0-0k2PCugyxwZldHR0fM8cHOL_Yz-s4pgSSjsgmOyx40itdOUC5O0VXFjEzuiwuUGpGyJd0riPZr8f-XY1kMp27LQN_sq-CFiz5hBC9YKvyS31BsyXSGWsa36YzsZE/s1600/20180714_233135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1IFaBNjIJlphk0-0k2PCugyxwZldHR0fM8cHOL_Yz-s4pgSSjsgmOyx40itdOUC5O0VXFjEzuiwuUGpGyJd0riPZr8f-XY1kMp27LQN_sq-CFiz5hBC9YKvyS31BsyXSGWsa36YzsZE/s640/20180714_233135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London by night from the Imperial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMyZ2I4PQTjd9w76rzYBq5FlOMvh30cB7hyA9U6xcJXty3g5wwz5x3mweEdRp3sTdWDRFZash7Yz8f3EBjm-euKXOBQQR827jo7tvnpZi9__AhncVx3qLDzS5G8wq4JyO1A4f475JeJw/s1600/20180715_053942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMyZ2I4PQTjd9w76rzYBq5FlOMvh30cB7hyA9U6xcJXty3g5wwz5x3mweEdRp3sTdWDRFZash7Yz8f3EBjm-euKXOBQQR827jo7tvnpZi9__AhncVx3qLDzS5G8wq4JyO1A4f475JeJw/s640/20180715_053942.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London by day from the Imperial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Now, the con's:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The rooms were small, as are all European hotels. But in addition these rooms were decorated like a university dorm - bland and dark. </li>
<li>I personally found the beds to be uncomfortable, with the mattress sagging in the middle.</li>
<li>For the price we paid (£126 at the Royal National), these hotels were not worth it. If you can, book an <a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/a/?af=43720035&c=.pi0.pk18657285644_234279429799_c_59096481455&sem_position=1t1&sem_target=kwd-59096481455&location_of_interest=&location_physical=9000993&ghost=true&gclid=CjwKCAiAsoviBRAoEiwATm8OYPxFxTaBagi25Hkn3SbwdhIXjl6-Loe2FL85UPdtnvOUlPxMKcCn_RoC7DAQAvD_BwE">Air BnB</a> or even another hotel for the night. Try <a href="https://www.expedia.ca/">Expedia</a> or <a href="https://ca.hotels.com/">Hotels.com</a> for good deals.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I don't want to bash these hotels, but I do want to advise you to shop around before settling on either one of these. While you can't control what you book through the Contiki tour, if you're going to London solo, I would think twice about booking a night here. But if you're not picky, and are just looking for a place to sleep, these hotels might be a good choice!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And with that ends my recommendations for London. If you have questions, comments, or recommendations of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. And stay tuned for next time, where I share my recommendations for Amsterdam!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yours in travel,</div>
<div>
Jayy</div>
Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-84605355741973132102019-01-19T17:42:00.001-05:002019-07-15T21:10:21.359-04:00The problem with sparking joy.Thanks to Netflix, the world had a renewed love of Marie Kondo's Lifesaving Magic of Tidying Up. I cant go anywhere without someone talking about decluttering items that no longer "spark joy", and the sense of freedom that comes with eliminating unwanted possessions from your life. The new fad is to declutter, to own less, and to love everything you own.<br />
<br />
And on the surface, it makes sense. Why hold on to useless junk that makes you miserable? It made sense to me, which is why I headed down my own journey of decluttering, one that lasted several years. I got rid of so many items, much of it documented on YouTube for the world to see. <br />
<br />
I even applied the "spark joy" method to my shopping habits, only purchasing items that sparked joy when I tried them on or envisioned them in my daily life. And for a while, it worked really well. I was able to replace my wardrobe with items that I loved, and get rid of a lot of the stuff that I truly didn't need.<br />
<br />
But a few years later, I was still decluttering. Why? The Konmari method is supposed to be the end of the decluttering process, but it did not work that way for me. Now to be fair, I did not follow it verbatim, that was too overwhelming for me. But I did a decent job of letting go of items, in my opinion. I found myself questioning my intentions as I watched old YouTube videos of me decluttering old items, and hauling new ones. And the answer was pretty clear.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<i>Joy is fleeting.</i></h2>
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Items that spark joy at one time may not spark joy later on, and vice versa. And so shopping using the Konmari method was doing me more harm than good. I was buying based on emotion - a terrible habit to feed for an already emotional spender. <br />
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The other problem was that the Konmari method didn't help me address my addiction to "stuff". In fact, it enabled me to place even more emotional value on my posessions. So decluttering sparked a need in me to buy new things to replace the things I decluttered resulting in an unhealthy cycle of buying and decluttering.<br />
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The Konmari method is just that - a method. It's one approach to stuff that can be a helpful starting point for some, like it was for me. But having less stuff does not equal good spending habits, and so my journey towards minimalism had to come to an end.<br />
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Now I've abandoned my minimalist journey to focus on a lifestyle that is budget friendly. And when I think about spending money now, I don't go with what sparks joy. I think about what adds value to my life, and purchase things that I really need.<br />
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So there you have it - my critical analysis of Marie Kondo. If you can relate, let me know how you feel in the comments below!<br />
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XOXO, Jayy.<br />
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<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-5430391900403047772019-01-06T21:31:00.000-05:002019-01-06T21:31:01.792-05:0013 Lessons Learned By 26.1. There is truly no better feeling than living the life you were meant to lead.<br />
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2. I am both too old, and too young, to edit myself. I am full of experience, but also full of blank pages. It is time to be read and to be written.<br />
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3. There is something sacred about a life lived in private.<br />
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4. The universe has a beautifully twisted way of keeping you exactly where you are meant to be.<br />
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5. "No" is one of the highest forms of self care.<br />
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6. You are too old for shame.<br />
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7. The instant you meet someone, demand their respect. Do not allow anyone to learn to mistreat you.<br />
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8. Ask for help. You don't have to be alone.<br />
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9. There is nothing wrong with searching for love.<br />
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10. There is nothing wrong with turning away love if it is insufficient.<br />
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11. Comparison is truly the thief of joy.<br />
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12. You are valuable. You are meaningful. <br />
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13. Love freely and it will be returned to you.<br />
<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190101_213027_277.sdoc-->Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-38307134225889578042019-01-05T21:20:00.000-05:002019-01-05T21:20:00.615-05:00Paradox.One day, after many difficult days, I decided to be honest with others about the challenges I was facing. And so, when asked "how was your day?", I replied with an honest "it's been a rough day". Imagine my surprise when someone told me "your life is great, you have nothing to be sad about".<br />
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This is the paradox of the life of a person with high-functioning mental health issues. All seems well, so to the outsider all must be well. So when one feebly reaches out for help, they are shut down. And in all fairness, this isn't really anyone's fault per se. If I was walking by a house that seemed to have a secure foundation, I would question you if you told me otherwise. But then again - I know nothing about strong foundations. So its really not my place to judge. <br />
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#BellLetsTalk day is coming up, a day that is a huge trigger for me. It's so great to raise awareness, to talk about mental health. But it's a trend, a fad. Once it's over we return to our problematic views on mental health. We stop talking about the complexities, we ignore the not-so-glamorous breakdowns, and return to our lives.<br />
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But for people like me, the reality of mental illness is my life. For me, its intermittent, for others it's a constant presence. <br />
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You can't judge a person's state of mental health by their appearance, by the carefully curated life they represent on social media, by the bits of their life that they're willing to share. So please, dont try. Lets be different, better than we were before.<br />
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Jayy<br />
<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-73732761549243100602019-01-04T21:10:00.000-05:002019-01-04T21:10:05.738-05:00For All The Women that Built Me. (77)These tears are for all the women that built me, who did not have the option to cry.<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190101_210946_101.sdoc--><br />
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-Jayy.Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-24535394463803526852019-01-03T12:00:00.000-05:002019-01-03T12:00:12.693-05:00I'm Starting to Forgive Myself.I'm a social worker. I think I've talked about it before. And if I haven't mentioned my job, I've definitely mentioned the burnout.<br />
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It's a part of the job, unfortunately. Caring so much that you're pushed beyond your limits by the desire to help. When your life is all about helping others, it's so easy to forget about helping yourself.<br />
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Today someone reminded me that (social) work cant be done by only one person, and if that means that things don't get done then that's okay. Well, not okay, but not my fault. <br />
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I think sometimes you just need to be reminded that you're not the one responsible for the world falling apart.<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_190101_210431_604.sdoc--><br />
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- Jayy.<br />
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<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-91120699462755587582019-01-02T21:03:00.000-05:002019-01-02T21:03:08.303-05:00Resolutions.I set resolutions for myself year after year, and it's no surprise that I've rarely achieved them. I'm scared to set goals for myself because I'm scared that I won't achieve them. And I let that fear run my life. When I set goals for myself they are so easy to achieve, things that are safe that require minimal effort.<br />
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Its normal to be afraid of making mistakes. But I let that fear control me. I'm obsessed with doing the "right" thing, making the choice with the least potential for "failure". And then I watch with a heavy heart as others take risks and live the life I so badly want. <br />
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So this year I'm trying to change that. I'm resolving to change my attitude towards life. To actually seek out the change I desire, rather than wait for opportunities to come to me. I'm resolving to challenge failure, to see it as a teacher and a guide rather than the enemy. This year the resolution is simply to try. <br />
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Jayy<br />
<br />Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-36127601003311901832019-01-01T20:50:00.001-05:002019-01-01T20:51:20.688-05:00Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Its 2019. I want to write more, share more, so here we are.</div>
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I don't post often here anymore. I feel like I don't have much to share. And truthfully I've just fallen into the trap of laziness.</div>
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I live so much of my life online, especially on Netflix. So unsurprisingly when I took inventory of the past year, I found that I didnt really grow much at all. I have travelled a bit, seen some more of the world. But then I came back home and fell back into my old ways. I didn't really change.</div>
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And I want to grow, so badly. I can feel the potential inside me being stifled by my laziness, my fear, my unwillingness to take risks. I have <b>always </b>played it safe, always made the "right choice", done the acceptable thing. It's served me well, but I cant live life without taking a leap once in a while.</div>
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I like looking back on old blog posts, so I'm hoping to be able to use my blog to track some growth this year. I hope you'll join me on my journey.</div>
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To kick start my growth, I'm returning to reading for the love of reading. I was recently gifted a copy of <i>Becoming </i>by Michelle Obama. So I'm unplugging, distancing myself from Netflix and YouTube. I'm tuning into myself and hopefully returning to my love of reading.</div>
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Goodnight! I look forward to journeying together.<br />
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JayyJayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-40306942249474223792018-08-21T10:00:00.000-04:002020-01-01T20:50:46.854-05:00My Contiki Experience - What I Wish I Knew Before I Left.Anyone who knows me is well aware that Europe has been on my bucket list for some time. So this summer, I took the plunge, and finally went! The tour group I settled on was Contiki, and the experience was nothing short of absolutely amazing. While I'd love to ramble on about my trip, this post is going to be an independent, unbiased review of my experience with this company. Buckle up kids, this is going to be an in-depth review of my experience with Contiki. This is not going to be a travel blog from each city - but stay tuned for that later on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSU3oUmCNfYv2gahkgJ9gIRtbp6yYK1QTAwJ4-Z4EXWt4ydASQ46t8RJoZ65YFblqDGq2Sue-xn_6TS9WzJBgM2_4DGDmgDHq1il1tbm5G5Ore-ev9M-SFszbBCvsygtECVjvg4A1_c4/s1600/20180715_062655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSU3oUmCNfYv2gahkgJ9gIRtbp6yYK1QTAwJ4-Z4EXWt4ydASQ46t8RJoZ65YFblqDGq2Sue-xn_6TS9WzJBgM2_4DGDmgDHq1il1tbm5G5Ore-ev9M-SFszbBCvsygtECVjvg4A1_c4/s320/20180715_062655.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
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For those who don't know, Contiki is an Australian based company that caters exclusively to 18 to 35 year old travelers. At 25, I found myself amongst the older half of the group, with most travelers between 18 and 25, and a few in their early 30s. While Contiki is a great option for a couple or a group of friends, it's a great option for solo travelers as well. This time I went with one friend, however next time I intend to embark on my first solo trip!</div>
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<b><u>Click here for detailed information about the tour:</u></b> <a href="https://www.contiki.com/ca/en/destinations/europe/tours/european-magic2-122">European Magic</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.statravel.com/european-magic-tour.htm">Image Source</a></td></tr>
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<b><u>Locations</u></b></div>
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London, England (1 night)</div>
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1 night)</div>
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Saint Goar, Germany (1 night)</div>
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Munich, Germany (1 night)</div>
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Innsbruck, Austria (1 day)</div>
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Venice, Italy (2 nights)</div>
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Lucerne, Switzerland (1 night)</div>
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Paris, France (1 night)</div>
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You also pass through numerous cities, and even stop in a few for rest stops. </div>
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<b><u>What's included?</u></b></div>
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9 nights accomodations</div>
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Transportation by coach bus, ferry (across English Channel and to and from Venice), and train (in Venice).</div>
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13 meals - 5 dinners, 8 breakfasts </div>
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No Regrets Inclusions (more on these later)</div>
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Free Time Add-Ons (more on these later too!)</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Group Size:</u> 50 to 52 people per European tour</div>
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<u><b>Overall Experience</b></u></div>
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This was my first Contiki, and I LOVED it. If I can give you one piece of advice, it's to go with an open mind. Don't expect anything, and be open to everything. </div>
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<b><u>Would I Recommend This Trip?</u></b></div>
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Yes IF you are a first time European traveler, want to see a lot of places at once, want to visit the highlights of each city in a short period of time, have a lot of energy, can tolerate long bus rides, enjoy group activities, and don't mind being on a fast-paced schedule.</div>
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No IF you have traveled Europe before and have seen a lot of the highlights of each city, prefer slow-paced leisurely travel, strongly dislike spending a lot of time on a coach bus, or prefer to spend a lot of time alone.</div>
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While I LOVED this trip, I would never do this exact trip again, though I'm not opposed to something similar in another part of the world. This trip is like a European Sampler - you get a taste of each country before you decide which ones you want to commit more time to in the future. And while I would definitely return to each location again, as well as travel with Contiki again, this particular tour isn't really something I feel the need to do a second time.</div>
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Now let's get into some of the specifics.</div>
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<b><u>Organization</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYbmwgDcYM_VqHUsSaMFudnQPxJXIJ8vZSoVwvEVkzOF7Ge9TKQfNNMrdKVY1f__ldSeoRdabjXpP4xK19eDXrtbft502PFJB2QZXDlGIiVeY5fNPS0JY2WOONEppvW_yd4YUFq7_eTc/s1600/20180717_144736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYbmwgDcYM_VqHUsSaMFudnQPxJXIJ8vZSoVwvEVkzOF7Ge9TKQfNNMrdKVY1f__ldSeoRdabjXpP4xK19eDXrtbft502PFJB2QZXDlGIiVeY5fNPS0JY2WOONEppvW_yd4YUFq7_eTc/s320/20180717_144736.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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Contiki sets a standard of organization for each tour manager, and mine did not disappoint. Each minute of the trip is carefully planned and timed, and clearly communicated to the group. Contiki tour managers create "day sheets", which are great little itineraries that communicate the day's plans, times, locations reminders, and bucket-list recommendations. These day sheets take a lot of guesswork out of the day, and made my organized little heart soar. The tour manager is also responsible for booking things ahead of time, such as train tickets, gondola rides, and included meals. Not only is it a headache to do this all on your own, but it can add up. Let someone else do the work - and arrange a group rate, meaning you end up paying less!</div>
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<b><u>Recommendations</u></b></div>
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Contiki tour managers have the hookups - they know where the best spots are in each city and pass that information on to you via the day sheets. It's up to you whether or not you want to go, but I'd recommend checking them out. </div>
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<b><u>Locations</u></b> </div>
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I loved the European Magic tour - it's a great way to visit eight countries in ten days, and really get an idea of the highlights of each country. The tour is great for hitting up the touristy spots - the Eiffel Tower, all of Venice, Lake Lucerne, the Amsterdam canals. The tour manager is knowledgeable, and will be able to point you in the direction of the key places to go in each city. However if you wanted in-depth experience of each country, then this is not the tour for you. This trip involves a lot of travel which means a lot of time spent on the coach bus, and not a lot of time spent in each country. For me this worked because I've never been to Europe before, and I wanted to know what I wanted to go back and see. I was also able to be pleasantly surprised by little places I would never have thought to visit, like St. Goar which was very tourist-friendly and culturally rich. Go back to my original point - if this is not the travel style for you, don't book this trip. </div>
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<b><u>Accommodations </u></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/munich-germany/super-8-munich-city-west/overview">The Super 8 in Munich</a></td></tr>
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Contiki books accommodations that are budget friendly, and in convenient locations. This means that some hotels will be great, and others will be ... not so great. The hotels I stayed at were between 3 to 4 stars each. Most came with two twin beds and a bathroom (I say most because Switzerland was the odd exception to the norm). There wasn't much room to spread out or unpack, which suited me just fine. You wont be spending much time in the hotel room, so the space provided will be ample for getting dressed, showering, and sleeping.</div>
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If you've never been to Europe before, accommodations will be quite the shocker. European hotels, even the 4 star hotels tend to be much smaller than their North American counterparts. However you have to be open minded to the change - and like I said, you wont be spending much time in there anyways. </div>
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<b><u>Meals</u></b></div>
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Most Contikis include breakfasts and some dinners. Don't expect too much of these included meals - they're standard hotel food options, with a European flair. However I did have a great all-you-can-eat pizza experience in Switzerland that I'll blog about sometime, and the included meal in Italy was exceptional.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN4zP1dPPQQzsR5zmGrleztnUtEk650F_pK337aajr3XZZEd-BscTsb34bHhDWXnHVVyRqktWPOExxw_QX2qtBgdHLXvRnPs1CQ6JBgjnQQTIjX0Gd_XTsneAcD_qyWfhE2fkuaDWTdE/s1600/20180720_192452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN4zP1dPPQQzsR5zmGrleztnUtEk650F_pK337aajr3XZZEd-BscTsb34bHhDWXnHVVyRqktWPOExxw_QX2qtBgdHLXvRnPs1CQ6JBgjnQQTIjX0Gd_XTsneAcD_qyWfhE2fkuaDWTdE/s320/20180720_192452.jpg" width="155" /></a>Purchased meals tend to be the best, as you really get a taste of that country's traditional foods (pun intended). Our tour manager gave us some really great recommendations for places to go for food in each city, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Google maps is definitely your friend - look for reviews of each place, and check out the menu beforehand. Also, don't be afraid to ask the locals for recommendations!</div>
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<b><u>No Regrets Inclusions</u></b></div>
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Contiki refers to your included activities as "No Regrets Inclusions". Some of them are great, others are not so exciting. Some of the included activities sound great on paper, but they're really just something you drive past on the bus. For example, one of our inclusions was to see Lorelei Rock, which sounded great, until you realized that you were just looking at the rock through the window of the bus as we drove past. That being said, other inclusions or really great such as the canal cruise of Amsterdam, the walking tour of Venice where you really got to explore the city, or the guided bike tour of Munich with the legendary Mike's Bikes. When it comes to the No Regrets Inclusions, you can't really expect much some will be awesome, and others will leave you wanting more.</div>
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<b><u>Free Time Add-Ons</u></b></div>
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During your free time you have the option of exploring on your own, or sticking with the group and doing what Contiki calls a "free time add-on". Don't be fooled by the word "free" - free time add-ons are activities that you have to pay extra for. You pay for these when you're on your tour, and you have the option of paying with card or cash. Each tour is different, and the price for each add-on will ranged based on the country that you're in as well as what kind of tour you signed up for. The free time add-ons for my trip ranged from 9 Euros for a wine tasting in Saint Goar, to 157 Euros for the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Don't feel pressured to do the free time add-ons if you don't want to - but don't miss out on something you're interested in trying out. I did all of my free time add-ons, and I didn't regret them. The add-ons for the European Magic were absolutely incredible, including the Moulin Rouge. </div>
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<b><u>Transportation</u></b></div>
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European Magic involves a lot of travel. This meant that we spent a lot of time on the bus daily, ranging from 4 hours to to 8 hours. You will stop at rest stops along the way for 45 minutes to an hour, use those opportunities to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. With all of the change in altitude, plus all the time spent on the bus, it's very likely that your feet are going to swell. Mine did. Compression socks are your best friends. Also keep in mind that with all the recycled air on the coach bus people are going to get sick. I was very lucky, I didn't get sick until I came home. Make sure to pack cold medicine, and stay hydrated.</div>
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I'm sure I could go on and on about the trip, but I'll stop here. Please feel free to leave questions and comments in the comment box below!</div>
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Stay tuned for more travel blog posts, as well as lots more pictures!</div>
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xoxo, J</div>
Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3996182181042408005.post-7500992825591802122018-08-20T21:19:00.000-04:002018-08-21T07:05:35.587-04:00HFMD Update!It has been almost two years since I posted about my experience about Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, so I wanted to provide a bit of an update.<br />
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For more information about that harrowing experience, here are my blogposts, complete with pictures:<br />
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FAQ: <a href="http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/everything-there-is-to-know-about-adult.html">http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/everything-there-is-to-know-about-adult.html</a><br />
Adult HFMD: <a href="http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/i-caught-disease-adult-hand-foot-mouth.html">http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/i-caught-disease-adult-hand-foot-mouth.html</a><br />
Timeline with Pictures: <a href="http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/hand-foot-mouth-disease-pictures.html">http://lazygirlsdiy.blogspot.com/2016/09/hand-foot-mouth-disease-pictures.html</a><br />
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What I didn't mention in those posts is that 2 to 3 months later, my nails did fall off. Because I was getting acrylic nails at the time, I couldn't see it at first, and it wasn't noticeable to anyone else but me. I don't have any pictures for this reason, but I can explain what happened. Basically, it's similar to what happens when you slam your finger in a door. You grow a new nail under where the damaged nail is, and the damaged nail slowly begins to grow off. Except you could see exactly where the old nail was growing out, because it sits on top of the new nail. If you want an accurate photo, click this link: <a href="http://thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com/2012/07/bens-fingernails-are-falling-off.html">http://thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com/2012/07/bens-fingernails-are-falling-off.html</a><br />
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After my skin peeled, I was left with no fingerprints. I could have robbed a bank! It took a couple weeks for my fingers to go back to normal, but in that time I couldn't use the fingerprint scanner on my phone. Bummer. Ultimately, not the worst part of this disease. It was almost comical at this point.<br />
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The skin on my feet also peeled, like one of those trendy foot peels that everyone's doing on YouTube. Pretty gross, but also kind of satisfying.<br />
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The one thing you want to be mindful of, is that you can be contagious for up to 12 weeks (saliva and stool), so just be mindful of sharing food, and WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER USING THE WASHROOM (I truly hope this is not a break from your norm). But also, be mindful of hand washing after diapering, or wiping snotty noses.<br />
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Anyways, two years later, here we are. Thankfully I have never gotten the dreaded disease again. I still have scarring on my hands from some of my worst blisters, but it's still not as bad as it could have been. Though truth be told, I get very nervous when I hear that HFMD is going around. This disease truly messes with your mind, in a way I cannot explain. The lack of food and water, plus the isolation ... it's really unbearable. But, the good news is, you'll survive, and maybe have a few scars to tell stories about!<br />
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Well, that's it. I don't know how to end this odd post in a good way, so I'll just say goodbye.<br />
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Oh, and if you're reading this, I assume that you have HFMD. So ... good luck.<br />
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xoxo, Jayy.Jayyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479890711642266911noreply@blogger.com0