deals

Introducing… SHOP.CA!

March 19, 2012 By Lena

Two words: SHOPAHOLIC’S DREAM.

Friends, I’ve got some really exciting news to share this afternoon. So exciting, in fact, that I may just go on and on because there is just too much awesomesauce to handle. Are you ready? You’re going to LOVE this.

Now close your eyes… and imagine if there was a company – a CANADIAN company – that could offer:

– An authoritative selection of products
– Unparalleled customer service
– Shopping the widest selection of brands
– ONE shopping cart and ONE check out
– FREE shipping and FREE returns

PLUS, a social media-driven shopping environment so you can shop with your friends; a rewards program based on real dollars that lets you earn every time you buy; rewards for sharing, posting reviews and building your profile; and none of the hassles of cross-border shopping (ding! ding! ding!)

I’m pleased to introduce SHOP.CA – or as we like to call it, the Canadian shopping revolution. It’s the end of cross-border shopping, and the beginning of friendly, hassle-free online shopping – created by Canadians, for Canadians.

(I think the heavens just parted a bit, with rays of sunshine beaming down on us.)…

ShopCatch: Best Holiday Shopping Tips

December 17, 2011 By Lena

As I alluded in my A Shopaholic’s Best Friend: ShopCatch post, last week I had the most awesome task of hosting a holiday dinner with ShopCatch at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, featuring the city’s social media elite.

(Should I say it? Okay I’ll say it. #dreamgig)

Media moms in attendance included CBC Kids Host Patti Sullivan, Savvy Mom Media’s Sarah Morgenstern, Bunch Family Inc’s Rebecca Brown, author Theresa Albert, MSN blogger Emma Waverman, TOBeauty Reviews blogger Elaine Atkins and other awesome influencers lending their two cents via Twitter. The theme of the night was holiday shopping, and we tweeted our best tips while dining on a traditional holiday meal (including a modern twist on pumpkin pie for dessert).

Since sharing is caring, here are some of the best tips of the night, along with pictures of the festive evening and the gorgeous attendees (photos credited to Connie Tsang). Enjoy!…

A Shopaholic’s Best Friend: ShopCatch

December 17, 2011 By Lena

I *may* have an unhealthy obsession with shopping.

Of course, never one to pay full price, I also have a very healthy habit of scanning flyers, signing up for e-mail promotions, using coupons, and trying to keep on top of what’s on sale – and where. And when. And how much, and for how long. Yeah, I could use a little help.

That’s why I LOVE ShopCatch. It’s a terribly innovative (and addictive) app that allows you to geo-locate shopping deals and special offers from retailers and brands you love – where and when you need them. For example, if you’re looking for new shoes, Shopcatch will tell you which retailers near you have great sales, promos or coupons available for shoes. Consider ShopCatch your mobile sales flyer! In fact, one of the things I love most about Shopcatch is its ability to find sales I didn’t even know about out. #dangerous

ShopCatch is über easy to use. Once you access the app, it lists all the deals of major retailers in a map view or list view, showing you deals closest to you based on your GPS. You can browse by category or search for specific products – it really couldn’t be more simple!…

Sales! Sales! Sales!

September 9, 2010 By Lena

Hitting the mall this weekend? (OR shopping online?) There are TONS of great sales goin’ on, so be sure to stop by the following stores:

Buffalo Jeans – Enter code FW10 and save 15% off their new fall and winter 2010 collection online, valid until September 12, 2010. Click here to shop at Buffalo Jeans.

GAP – Men’s and Women’s pants are on sale for $45.00 (regularly $59.50-$69.50).

Jacob – Save 25% off the entire regular priced fall collection on September 9th and 10th. It’s their annual Birthday Shopping Blitz!

Northern Reflections – Save 40% off your entire purchase on Friday, September 10th only. Click here to print your coupon.

Please Mum – Save 50-70% off the entire store until Sunday, September 12th. This sale is already live online, so check out their website for a deal or two.

TABI – Save 30% off your entire purchase on Friday, September 10th only.

The Children’s Place – Save 15% off your entire purchase until Sunday, September 12th. Click here to print your coupon.

Toronto Zoo – Free Admission & Zoomobile for Seniors on September 13th, 2010.

I’ll update this post as I come across more hot dealios. Happy Shopping!

Changes…

August 10, 2010 By Lena

I hate change. I am officially not tolerant of ambiguity. I’d rather watch movies I’ve already seen, re-read favourite books than crack open a new one, and order the same dish at a local restaurant. However, I’ve learned over the last few years that change is not only to be expected; it is constant.

So I’m coping, probably better than expected. And although I really haven’t learned to welcome change, I am certainly embracing it on a weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly basis (those are usually bad days).

When I started Listen to Lena!, it was simply a central place to post some sales that I thought my girlfriends would be interested in. The deals were specific to the likes and consumption patterns of the circle, and generally featured makeup, fashion, and some parenting deals.

Then, through word of mouth, the blog grew in readership (nice). All of a sudden I had readers e-mailing me with tips, questions, and praise for my efforts. It was gravy, and I pushed to publish more deals, established a review component, and pretty soon, a giveaway feature as well. And that’s how things have been for the past year or so.

Well, a lot has happened in the past year. And without going into the details of my daily responsibilities (Google “Mom” and you’ll figure it out) I’ve decided that I need to relax some aspects of my blogging life so that I can find more time for myself. On the chopping block? Daily deals.

Now I’m not abandoning this aspect totally, because as a frugal mama, I live for the sales, coupons and freebies. But I’m reverting back to the original Listen to Lena! format, which includes posting only those deals that I wanna chat about; the sales that make me want to write a story. How I love writing stories! So here’s fair warning: going forward, you’ll see far fewer deals and more personal entries for the ones that I do showcase.

Does that mean you won’t get your daily fix of sales? No way. I’ve been sourcing out websites over the past few weeks that I feel comfortable referring my readers to. Of course you’ve probably heard of Red Flag Deals and Smart Canucks, and while they’re a valuable resource for deals, the layout can be very busy. So unless you’ve been waiting for a sale on Raid Ant Traps (and have a coupon for it that would make it $0.39!) it’s not always pleasing to navigate through them.

Then I came across Canadian Daily Deals, an awesome new blog that takes the best deals and dishes them out in an uncomplicated, simple to read format. A bonus? The author, Justine, posts the kind of sales that interest me and talk to the shopping habits of many of my readers. I’ve been following her for a few weeks, and noticed that her sales are posted before RFD and SC get a hold of them – which makes me confident that she’s got the scoop on how to save you money! And, be sure to tune in throughout the day, as she updates her blog as the deals roll in.

So once again, this isn’t the end of Listen to Lena!, nor will I cease to post some of the hottest deals. But you will see changes – a different direction if you will – and I’m taking it back to Blogging 101. You’ll see more personal accounts, reviews, random rants, tips for saving money, etc. You know, more reasons to Listen to Lena.

In my next post, I’ll introduce you to Justine and Canadian Daily Deals. In the meantime, why not link over to her site – today she’s already posted some pretty sweet deals!

Click here to visit Canadian Daily Deals.

p.s. Show here some love by following her!

Damn! They Sell THAT at Dollarama?

August 5, 2009 By Lena

So the buzz about town is there are some amazing deals to be had on BRAND NAME beauty products at Dollarama. I was quite the skeptic at first (especially since the price point would be too good to be true – $1!), so I didn’t bother to investigate. But last night, while shopping with Lotus and Rubes, I thought, “What better way to embarrass my friends than to march into Dollarama armed with a camera?” TOUR-IST!

So off we went. I have to admit, both gals were terrific sports, not only helping me sift through the product, but also posing with the evidence. And the buzz was absolutely bang on! I couldn’t believe how many brands had appeared on the shelf of a dollar store, selling decent lines for just $1 and $2! I grabbed some pics of my favourite beauty steals – all priced at $1 unless otherwise stated:

Pantene Brunette Expressions Sleekening Balm

Salon Selectives (!) Rise Up Volumnizing Mousse

Sunsilk Daring Volume Plumping Creme

St. Ives 24 Hour Moisture Cream

Dove Energy Glow (Self Tanner) and Pro Age (Facial Moisturizer)

The lovely Rubes posing with her steal – Dove ReEnergizing Night Lotion

Frankly, there were quite a few other name brands – everything from shampoo to nail polish remover to lip balm. Most of the items looked to be from either discontinued or sluggish-selling lines, but regardless, the product quality would still be there, and you may even stumble upon a long lost favourite! Now that I think about it, I was meaning to grab the Lypsyl balm – next time :)

Of course, my very favourite Dollarama deal would have to be the $1 pregnancy test…

Cause, you know, it’s not like the test has to be THAT accurate or anything, right? (Rolls eyes)

Stay tuned for more Damn! They Sell THAT at Dollarama?