LOGITECH ALTO LAPTOP STAND = ~$55
Instead of the $149.99 they’re asking for on the Future Shop website.
I spaved $100!
(Snagged at Canada Computers on College if you are interested in buying one too)
I’ve wanted one for a while now, and BF paid $80 for his at Staples, and I felt like I couldn’t fork over more than $50 for a laptop stand.
I wanted one because..damn it, I hate hunching over my laptop.
Now that I have it, I am sitting up straighter, and looking right into my laptop screen rather than hunching over it on a table.
I guess everyone is saying: So WTH don’t you just buy a desktop?
As much as I like the idea, I can’t travel with a desktop as easily as I can with a laptop, its own stand and keyboard.
LOGITECH ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD $84.99
Again, snagged at Canada Computers for 5% off (woo hoo open box!) and for $15 cheaper than through Future Shop, who is selling it for $99.99. Online only.
I would have used the keyboard that came with the laptop stand, but the damn thing was WIRELESS.
I hate wireless keyboards or mice. They take up a USB port anyway, and the response time is slow, no matter what they claim. It just takes time to feed a signal, that’s it.
Wired is where it’s at.
Review on the duo coming up soon, I promise.
SEPHORA HAUL (heh heh)
New night cream for the super dry winter that has been causing havoc on my skin:
Skyn Iceland (don’t look at the price tag, you will cry the way I did!)
…but this stuff is incredible. Review later.
New face moisturizer with SOME SPF in it for day time:
I would have stuck with my Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 45 or the SkinMD SPF 15 creams, except they make BF nauseous.
Every. Time.
Even putting on a little light layer, makes him throw a mini fit about how badly I stink.
But this one passed his approval, when I layered on the sample I got from Sephora.
BF: “It doesn’t stink as bad as the others.”
New Facial Cleanser because I wanted something without my list of unapproved chemicals:
This stuff is SO awesome and you don’t need a lot, because it doesn’t lather but cleans beautifully.
New face primer:
Finally ran out of Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer and hemmed and hawed over buying another bottle but I wasn’t thrilled with the parabens in it.
I mean, it is a primer sitting on my skin, but who’s to say it doesn’t absorb into it a little?
So I went with this one that feels the same as Smashbox because it has silicones in it (I am not as squeamish about silicones).
And it’s cheaper!
I was thinking of ALSO buying a new blush and eye shadow set, but thought the better of it — I want to use up what I have first.
Hmm what else?
Oh yes! Here’s what I/BF cooked & ate:
Braised honey garlic ribs with rice and scallions.
I made the green beans for a vegetable side dish.
Too much meat!!!
(Gosh I never thought I’d ever say that)
I spent time cutting them on an angle like so, and it gave them a different texture and taste than just a straight chop.
Then we schooled my mom on making pizza from scratch.
I made the dough by hand, and BF chopped the toppings & cooked the pizzas on his pizza stone.
Here is the version with large fresh tomatoes and bacon with cheese & green onions for crunch:
This one is sans tomatoes
And this one is a white pie, with cream and onions instead of tomatoes.
A French recipe for pizza, apparently.
BF also made a great dish out of stewing hen, and the duck turned out almost like it but I forgot to snap a pic.
Stewing Hen with rice
P.S. If you want a GREAT butcher with decent prices, check out SANAGAN’S MEAT LOCKER @ 206 Baldwin Street, Toronto, ON (416) 593-9747
- Tues-Sat: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sun: 12 noon – 5 p.m.
- Mon: Closed
Read the BlogTO review here.
We stumbled upon them by accident (they’re replacing Max & Sons), and the meat looks real, as in the chicken doesn’t look dry and powdery like Cost-co chicken, and the meat is flavourful as well.
The prices are VERY reasonable, and if we stayed longer in Toronto, we’d have done all our meat purchases there.
I also experimented with some Crispy Kale, on the advice of many foodies.
I coated it in oil, salted them good, and threw them in the oven.
Results? Mixed. I liked them, but not enough to go through the trouble of preparing them like that again.
They were a bit too oily for my taste, and I am not really a chip person.. so maybe if you are really into salty, crispy chips, this is a good substitute for you.
For me, not so much.
It was really crispy and crunchy, but not what I wanted .. if I were to crave potato chips that is.
CRISPY KALE
Then we ate out!
Pho from Pho Linh
We took it as takeout, because BF HATES soups.
So technically, I ate out. He ate in.
I love love LOVE this Pho.
It beats Pho Lien in Montreal, in my opinion.
The soup base is light, flavourful and AWESOME. I practically licked my bowl.
Pho Linh
1156 College Street
Toronto, ON M6H 1B6
(416) 516-3891
And we tried out the new chain Chipotle’s from the States.
$8.19 for ONE burrito.
“What a rip off”, we griped, as we ate out delicious burritos, with sauce dripping down our faces.
I hated the salty cheddar cheese in mine (big mistake ordering that), and I wanted guacamole, but she wanted to charge me something like $2.00 for it!
“Eff no!”, my inner PF’er screamed.
So I ate it as is.
The tortilla was AWESOME, just like what we ate in Dallas, TX… but there wasn’t enough meat for us, and frankly, it wasn’t worth $8.19.
I’d have paid $6.50 – $7 max for a single burrito, considering that a drink is extra.
But if you are missing a taste of true, pretty authentic, healthy Mexican burritos.. check ’em out.
Chipotle
(Across from Forever 21 and the Pickle Barrel, beside Future Shop, closest TTC station is Dundas, near the Eaton’s Centre)
323 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1R7
(416) 596-8600
As you can see, we had a stellar week shopping & eating in/out in Toronto 😉
———————————————————————————–
A great article to be read: Asiaphilia — Why date or marry Asian women?
(Thanks Jaka!)
I really hate the stereotype that Asian women are docile, super effeminate and servile, as well as saying that non-Asian women are big, broad-shouldered, and undesirable as a female.
It’s such a load of bull. We’re WOMEN, and we’re all different no matter our race or culture.
That’s it.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Hi FB!! Been a while since I've been here. But just want to say, you should get the "Guac & Chips" side for like $3 or $4 and they give you a big serving of guacamole and tortilla chips that you can then put in your burrito. That way its worth the money morem i guess. but they are a rip off.
And I wanted to ask – no plead – no beg – can you share the "honey garlic" sauce recipe used on the ribs? Being a vegetarian, I'm always looking for good sauces to put on things and I haven't found a good honey garlic one. The ones I've made are usually too runny, too garlicky, etc. Please share!!
PS I made the Almond Vanilla Pudding Pound Cake a few months ago and enjoyed that recipe. 🙂
Oh sure 🙂
It’s:
– Honey (but it isn’t vegan as it comes from bees)
– Minced garlic
– Soy sauce
– Hoisin sauce (black soy sauce)
We just mix it together until we get the right consistency.
Hi FB, I'm a huge fan of your blog and have been so inspired by your personal finance story. Can't wait for your keyboard review as I'm planning to purchase a keyboard as well.
I highly recommend the one I have – Logitech Illuminated. Just so you know 🙂
Wow, I’m surprised at the Chipotle prices! I like the Chipotle where I am because the burritos are huge and fill me up, but they aren’t as expensive as yours was.
And those pizzas you made look *amazing*.
Tell me about it. $8 is NUTS. Although it was very good I must say.
Thanks 🙂 BF rocks with his pizza stone!
Yay Sephora! I wanted to like that Wild rose moisturizer but I think it made me break out, although it could have been something else I'm using. And if I wasn't using a BODY WASH (a good, 100% natural one at that) as a cleanser, I would try the white tea gel cleanser. Lots of people like that one. Ouch about the Skyn product ! Why didn't you just get a sample, then get another when you ran out? I hope you enjoy your new goodies though!
Every time I spread on the wild rose, I get an aromatherapy high.
I got LOTS of samples — 4 tubs worth. I’m working on finishing them before I actually open the bottle.
I thought about doing more samples than that, but the problem is that the lids don’t close very securely on those tiny little tubs, and I don’t have access to a Sephora in Montreal 🙁 We’re Sephora-less!
Oh man, I really need one of those laptop stands. But I'm secretly lusting over a new iMac. Maybe for Christmas. I love hearing your reviews about Chipotle, especially because I eat there maybe 2x a week (at most, but still – very frequently). They've been around here for about 7 years now (crazy!) I have to say I am surprised that they have CHEDDAR cheese there! So weird! We only get monterey jack here, though I don't usually order cheese or sour cream. I am a huge fan of Chipotle, but I get the burrito bowl which is usually only 6.26. It usually fills me up pretty good.
By the way, have you ever tried oil cleansing?! I'm a pretty firm supporter. I wrote a post about it not too long ago – it's maybe one of the most inexpensive skin care routines you can get, plus it's great for natural moisturizing and is chemical free. My Mom has a homemade soap company and always gives me the dos and don'ts on what is safe to put on your skin, she's been washing her face with oil for years and has the best complexion ever. She's also a frugalista. 😉 Alright, this is a way long comment. TTYL!
I have tried oil cleansing, but I broke out quite badly. 🙁 It just doesn’t work on my finicky skin. I need to really be putting on kid gloves with my face.
I do like the idea of doing it though. I feel like I should give it another shot.. but I broke out so I don’t want a repeat 🙁
I spent $60 on two items at Sephora yesterday. I usually have buyers remorse, but after nearly a year of not being able to spend money on me (not from saving money, but having done what so ever) I didn't this time.
Good for you!! Honestly, I went on a binge. I wanted to replace everything and I did. Now I feel better.
I need to replace a few things. For example, face day cream. I'm using my night cream for now.
That Korres stuff is pretty great
I really wanted something with a higher SPF but I value non-shiny, non-greasy skin more.
Can you do a review on all of your Sephora stuff? Especially the Skyn Iceland I almost bought it recently but reeled at the price. Fun post!
I am on it! I’ll have them up throughout this and next month.
Skyn Iceland is really incredible, but it broke my heart with its tag. I bit the bullet anyway.
How did you make the pizza dough?
I use Pita Bread dough! 🙂
http://fabbroke.wpengine.com/2009/12/homemade-pita-bread-and-hummus/
BF says the stickier the better, if not it turns too bready if you keep flouring your hands.
I wouldn't pay $8+ for a burrito at Chipotle! Good thing they're in the $5 range in the States, plus they're a little addicting to pass up
It was our first (and probably last) time. If I buy a $8 burrito, it will be because it has lobster in it!
I love your BF's response to the cream, "It doesn’t stink as bad as the others.” Typical male. XD
The pizza and the hen looks super yummy. I might make my own pizza one night. I haven't made my own in ages.
I find chipotle's a bit pricey… and not as yummy. I'm more of a fan of Burrito Boyz (on King St W by University) although I can't say that they're much cheaper. They do have as much guacamole as you want for free though.
I think if we could make our own tortillas, it’d be a better deal than buying Chipotle’s.
The tortillas are what make it amazing. So soft.. and chewy…
I love Chipotle with a passion. Sometimes a girl just needs a burrito the size of a small animal. You can ask them to put more of something in your burrito if you feel like you didn't get enough meat or whatever. And sometimes half is enough, so if you split that price between two meals it isn't quite as bad.
Oh I can ask? I didn’t know I could be all up in her face like: PUT MORE MEAT IN THERE GIRL! Look at me! I’m starving! 😛 😛
Haha thanks for the tip!
That pizza looks amazing!
Love the pizza pics, I would pick the one sans tomatoes. It looks delicious. Yum.
There's so much good in this post, I don't even know where to start. 😀 I love to go to Girl Heaven aka Sephora. Can't wait to hear more about the products. And the food looks amazing!