I have been eyeing the Grand Velas Riviera Maya for years and trying to tack on a few nights here or there for the last couple of trips to Mexico. I’m so glad we were finally able to make it happen at the end of 2019 so I can add the Grand Velas Riviera Maya…
Shaw Festival 2019: Holiday Inn
When your 11.5-year-old son leans over 20 minutes into a musical and says, “Mom, this is so cool,” and your 50-year-old brother-in-law announces “this was better than Wicked!” at intermission (which he’d seen on Broadway), and your mother-in-law calls your husband the next day in tears because she just loved it all so much, you…
Toronto getaways at Hotel X: a winter holiday hotel staycation itinerary
Of all the Toronto getaways we’ve done, our experience at Hotel X Toronto was a first in part because of its location. Overlooking Ontario Place and the island airport, this hotel staycation wasn’t about being in the downtown core but rather getting away from it, enjoying the onsite amenities and entertainment, and being in closer…
18 of the best experience gifts for kids, adventure gifts & unique gifts for friends
I know, I know. I put out a Holiday Gift Guide every year full of…STUFF. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting things for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or whatever beautiful holiday you and your family celebrate with presents. I’m pro-thing. But I’m even more pro-experience, and the trend of giving experiences instead of things is one…
The best Las Vegas itinerary: things to do in Las Vegas for couples
When I found out Big B and I were heading back to Vegas after a 13-year hiatus, I did what I do for just about every trip I plan — I created a Las Vegas itinerary. Because there are so many things to do in Las Vegas for couples, and we only had six short…
My review of The Palazzo suites & Palazzo restaurants
We hadn’t been to Vegas since 2007 — our honeymoon. Back then, we were on a tight newlywed budget just weeks away from buying our first home and making plans to have children. We splurged as much as we could and found ourselves in a decent hotel on The Strip across from the incredible Venetian…
Investing for beginners: Canada Edition
I know the basics — the difference between RRSPs and RESPs, what TFSAs are and how pensions work. Beyond that, I’m an investment dummy. How should I save for my kids’ college years versus longer-term things like retirement? What does it look like to say that I’ve got the best investment in Canada working for…
Hot gift ideas: my 2019 holiday gift guide
Can you believe this is my 8th annual holiday gift guide? It’s hard to believe that what started as an already-pretty-intense process has grown every year. Thank you for your continued anticipation and for sharing this with your friends and family — you always make all the hard work worthwhile! What is THE hot gift…
6 ways to style a slip dress | my little red slip dress
In an ongoing effort to wear whatever I want, regardless of my weight or body shape — both of which ebb and flow with the seasons and how much I indulge while travelling — or the ideals set forth in magazines, I bought a slip dress. Nay, I bought and continue to rock a slip…
Quebec road trip: Outaouais & Montreal to Quebec City & Charlevoix
Oh, La Belle Province… J’adore! (OK, that’s about enough of my grade-school French.) I’ve visited Quebec so many times over the years — starting with my grade 7/8 class trip and road trips to party in Hull with girlfriends as soon as we turned 18 to a recent visit to Quebec City with Chevrolet to…