Boxing Day.

I finally, truly understand the meaning of "Boxing Day". Especially, the "Boxing" part. I had to resist the urge to hit shoppers today that were either standing in the middle of the mall (taking up all the room and blocking all traffic) or just taking all the time in the world to walk through the mall.

I've always found Boxing Day to be a scam. Generally, the sales that start AFTER Boxing Day tend to be the cheapest sales. It's winter clearance basically in January. The most ironic part of Boxing Day is that the so-called sales have usually started a few days or weeks before. It seems that you actually spend more time in the car getting TO the mall than spending time shopping in the mall. As well, if you're an avid mall rat like myself, you'll know that some sales were even better BEFORE Boxing Day! Then they change it on you and mark up the prices and people who haven't gone to the mall in a month will think, "Oh! This is a great sale! 30% off!" But in reality, 48 hours ago it was actually 50% off. I can't recall finding any hidden gems of sales during Boxing Day and my advice to all of you out there is plain and simple: avoid it.

xoxo.
E

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Christmas 2015.

Holiday Baking.

FEATURING: Oreo filled and Oreo frosted cupcakes

December 3rd.

7 years and 1 week.

Thank you for making my life brighter and filling it with so much happiness. Cheers and here's to another year of love and laughter. Love you A.

Europe 2015.

Black Friday.

My second year participating in Black Friday in Calgary and I'll have to say that 2014 was not as good as 2013. Here's a quick summary of the store hauls I got:

• Urban Outfitters
• 50% off sale items
• Target
• PS4 Lego Batman 3 and Little Big Planet 3 Bundle
• XBox One Just Dance 2015
• Topshop
• 50% off jackets and sweaters
• Clearance dresses
• Fairweather
• $10 doorcrasher outerwear

For the 2 hours I spent at Chinook Centre, this was a pretty decent amount. Not only did I buy things for myself, but for my family and boyfriend as well. I arrived around 9:30am at the mall and found parking instantaneously in P2. The traffic controllers hired to minimize chaos in the parkade was a wonderful touch. I figured there was no point of arriving at 6 in the morning when my main mission was to buy clothes. I got lucky with the electronics at Target, I bought the last one of each of my items! And I'm so happy I did not have to wake up so early and line up just to get my hands on those things. 

My plan was to continue my Black Friday shopping at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, but that plan quickly deteriorated as the weather got worse and the roads became treacherous. This was probably a blessing in disguise, as I really do not need to spend any more money on materialistic things. My monthly trips to the premium outlets in Woodbury, Toronto, San Francisco and Las Vegas (only since September!!) have dimmed the excitement I used to have for shopping. Needless to say, I'm not as obsessed - but hey, I'll still go and check out the deals! You can't take the shopping out of me.

xoxo.

E 

Take Ü There

I Don't Have A Job.

How rewarding it is to find yourself in a position, doing something you absolutely love. It's not labelled a job at this point - it's a dream. Investing 4 years of my life into school, and watching it all come back in your career ... what a life. I can't describe what I'm feeling - satisfaction, happiness, fulfillment, just to name a few. When you find yourself reflecting on how your day went and catch yourself smiling hopelessly, thinking back to the day (even if it had some bad parts), that's how I know I'm living the dream. Feeling too excited for the morning to come - so you can do it all over again. I got the butterflies for my career and it's the best feeling in the world.

xoxo.
E

Moonshine Doughnuts

Foodie.

Follow me @whineNdine on Instagram. Guaranteed to quench your foodie thirst. 

www.instagram.com/whineNdine

24.

Finally hit the big 24 today. It seems unreal to think that I'm pretty much in my mid-twenties now! I could reflect on what I could've done, should've done, will do - but what good would that do? So let's talk about what I DID do. Besides my day-time job of being an electrical engineer, I have also started to spend my free time being a travel agent. Just ask my friends - they labelled me this way. So let's take a trip down memory lane to the places I explored in 2014.

• January 2014
• Los Angeles, California 
• Mexican Princess Cruise (Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada)
• February 2014
• Houston, Texas
• March 2014
• Miami, Florida
• Bahamas Norwegian Sky Cruise (Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau, Grand Bahama Island)
• April 2014
• Guanajuato, Mexico
• August 2014 
• Seattle, Washington 
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• September 2014
• Toronto, Ontario
• New York City, New York
• October 2014
• San Francisco, California
• November 2014
• Las Vegas, Nevada

I would have to say that the travel bug inside me is quite satisfied with all the travel I did this year. I am so lucky to have fallen in love with so many different cities. Can't wait to see what 2015 brings! 

Thank you to my amazing family, wonderful friends and sweet sweet man for making my birthday so wicked. I'd be nowhere without you guys. 

xoxo.

E