I Love Sushi

I Love Sushi
494 Queen Street. West
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 364-8833
Deal Purchased: $20 for $40 towards Food and Drinks at I Love Sushi
Deal Site: WagJag
Date Purchased: August 7, 2012
Date Visited: February 12, 2013
Recommended: YES

Pros: Clean, delicious food, excellent service, reasonable prices, lots of variety
Cons: The front sign needs an update

Wow, I have to say when I approached this place from the outside I did not expect the fantasticness that awaited me inside.  The place looked like it was freshly painted.  It looked really nice, the seats were comfortable, and the distance between the tables was great and left enough room for my fat butt to fit between the tables without knocking over cutlery when heading to the bench.

Our server was delightful.  She was really sweet, and although she had a bit of tunnel vision and seemed to only be able to concentrate on one thing at a time, she was still really friendly and deserved the big tip that she got.

The food... well that was pretty decent for sushi in this city. There are only a few sushi places I can count that I actually would return to.  The best roll we got was the sweet potato tempura roll. It was delicious.  The sushi pizza was also very good, I don't know what it was but the sauce that was on it was delicious!  It sorta reminded me of.. you know when you order fried chicken that comes with a white peppercorn gravy.. it sorta reminded me of that delicious gravy! Yummy!  I was a little saddened by the green dragon roll only because it said it was avocado on shrimp tempura but when we got it it had crab it in as well, and I don't like crab.  They need to improve the information on their menu a bit if this is the case.  On the other hand, their menu selection was HUGE!!  It was like two restaurants in one.  They had both Japanese and Thai food.  Huge amounts of options and everything sounded really good. We got a couple of their desserts as well, the coconut sticky rice with mango which was delicious, and the fried banana with ice cream. YUM!  Now I'm gonna lie and say the food is gourmet, but honestly it was very good for a local sushi place. Oh, and another thing about the sushi that I really like was that their rice was a good temperature.  There is nothing that I hate more when ordering sushi that cold rice.  Yuck!  If I wanted cold rice sushi I would pick up sushi from the grocery store.  Ew!

Best part, the guava candies that come with your bill, which are my favourite!

Anyway, check it out!

TOTALLY RECOMMEND!

Inspired Life Health Centre

Inspired Life Health Centre
5-320 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M4K 1N8
(416) 461-8688
Deal Purchased: $15 for One Infrared-Sauna Session at Inspired Life Health Centre ($45 Value)
Deal Site: Groupon
Date Purchased: September 22, 2010
Recommended: YES

Pros: Clean facilities, knowledgeable and helpful staff, convenient location, sauna does wonders!
Cons: Sauna is a tad on the small size, have to get dressed in order to get to shower. 

I love this place! The sauna is excellent and always clean.  The whole office in fact is spotless and nicely laid out.  Their staff are top notch and are always friendly.

I've been back many times since I purchased the deal and have used several of their practitioners too. I am really ecstatic with their service and facilities.

TOTALLY RECOMMEND!

Hair Chalk

Hair Chalk
Mungyo Soft Pastels
Deal Purchased: $14 for a Set of Hair Chalk with 24 Assorted Colours - Taxes Included ($100 Value)
Deal Site: Deal Getters
Date Purchased: October 23, 2012
Recommended: NO

Pros: The product itself is great and works really well if you follow directions from a youtube video for Hair Chalk
Cons: Go to Michael's and pick up a $5 box of chalk/soft pastels.  They are tiny. Took much longer than suggested.

This is by far the biggest rip off I have purchased from any deal site online ever.  First of all, they claim this is worth $100.  Not a chance in hell! Maybe if they shipped it in a gigantisized box overnight from China with a Jade Dragon inside the box, which they didn't obviously!  It also took much longer than the site suggested.

The pastels themselves were tiny.  They are each about 1" x 1/3" wide.  TINY!

I don't really have any complaints about the product itself other than they are advertising it as something it is not.  It works fine and it's a lot of fun, but seriously don't waste your money on purchasing it online.  I had to pay an extra $5 shipping too! Go to any art supply store and pick up a box of chalk.  It will work the same.

Definitely wear a shitty shirt when doing it, because it will all over you!

NOT A CHANCE

Rio UV Gel Nail System

Rio UV Gel Nail System
Apple Creek Products
http://applecreekproducts.com/

Deal Purchased: $56 for a Rio UV Gel Nail System from Apple Creek Products (a $112 Value)
Deal Site: WagJag
Date Purchased: October 7, 2012
Recommended: YES

Pros: Works similar to Shellac and stays on for a long time. You can use your own regular nailpolish so there are lots of colours to choosse from. Does a great job if you follow the directions properly.
Cons: Take a long time because you have to do your thumb seperately from your fingers.


I purchased this item because going to the salon to do shellac is just getting way to expensive.  I love using dark colours on my nails but I really do them myself becuase they end up chipping within two days of putting the polish on.  When I saw I could use my own polish colours with this item that is what sold me.

The item was shipping out really quickly and was in perfect condition when I received it. The only thing it doesn't have included that I would like to see is a cuticle oil.  I had my own so it wasn't a problem.

If you follow the directions properly the colour will stay on a really long time.

There are a few things to really pay attention to:
1) Don't let the top coat get too close to the sids of your fingers.  It will harden on your fingers and then it will begin to peel and also it will feel funny.
2) Make sure to put a bit of elbow greece when you use the finishing liquid to really clean off the nails at the end otherwise they feel a bit gummy.
3) Have a stop watch or something near you so you know when to do the next coat.

 RECOMMEND IT!

Just Bounce Trampoline Club

Just Bounce Trampoline Club
3731 Chesswood Dr
Allen Road & Sheppard
North York, ON
M3J 2P6
http://www.justbounce.ca

Deal Purchased: $18 for 2-Introductory Trampoline Classes from Just Bounce Trampoline Club (a $40 Value)
Deal Site: Teambuy
Date Purchased: March 27 2011
Recommended: YES

Pros: Really supportive coaches, Everyone goes at own pace, Small Class Size, REALLY FUN!
Cons: Difficult to find


I went last night to use my voucher for Just Bounce Trampoline club. Holy Jumping Jellybeans Batman... Trampolining is freaking fun!!! I actually had a crazy enjoyable time! From the moment I walked in the door, despite being a bit nervous to start, everyone there made feel very comfortable. All I had to do was fill out a waver.. pretty much signing my life away and then started the class. We started with a 10ish minute warm up followed by some play time on the double mini which are those small tramps that you run and then jump onto. I got the hang of it on about the second or third attempt.

We then moved upstairs for the real bouncing action on the larger trampolines. I started off slow with just jumping straight up and down, and each time it was my turn to go on the coach gave me something new to try. I ended up mastering the half turn to seat drop by the end of the class.. go me!!

I have to also add trampolining is not only wicked fun, but it's also an amazing workout! 

I LOVE this place and I

TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT!

Feather Fashionista

Feather Fashionista
http://www.featherfashinista.com/

Deal Purchased: $9 for your Choice of 3 Hair Extensions and 3 Microbeads from Feather Fashinista (a $20 Value)-Other Option Available
Deal Site: WagJag
Date Purchased: October 11 2011
Recommended: YES

Pros: Lots of Colours to choose from, Fast Shipping, Excellent Support
Cons: Sent wrong colour

Being a hippie at heart I enjoy putting things into my hair that are inspired by the beauty of the animals of the world.  So when I saw this deal I jumped at the chance to become one with my feathered friends. 

I ordered a lot.  Like 10x3=30 a lot. Because I could, and because I'll probably still wear them even when they go out of fashion.  I do things like that!  It makes people respect me because it shows that if I wear a style it's because I like it and not because everyone else is doing it!  I've been wearing big ass hoops since the 80's! 

I received the feathers in the mail within 2 weeks time in a nice litle envelope as supposed to 10 nice little envelopes which was great because it saved envelopes/trees and saved them money on shipping!  Go Planeteers! 
Unfortunately 2 of the colours I ordered were the wrong shade of blue so I emailed the company who wrote back instantly and told me they would send me the correct ones and apologized for the error. I asked them if I should return the ones that were incorrect and they told me to keep them.  The customer support was truly excellent!  I'm expecting to receive the new feathers this week.  If I don't I'll update this post and let you know but consider this a definite

RECOMMEND

Update: The company sent me the correct colour feathers as promised right away! :)

Light Touch Laser Clinic

Light Touch Laser Clinic
1197 The Queensway, Unit 1
Toronto, ON
M8Z 1R7

Deal Purchased: $199 for One Year of Unlimited 30 Minute Laser Hair Removal Sessions on 6 Body Parts of Your Choice and 3 Skin Tightening Sessions at Light Touch Laser Clinic (Up To $10,200 Value)
Deal Site: Dealfind
Date Purchased: October 30 2011
Recommended: NO
Outcome: Refunded by Dealfind

Pros: Comfy Couch, Free Parking, Soprano XL
Cons: Dishonest, A little far from the city

Any good deal scavenger knows that laser hair removal deals are right at the top of the list of deals you're really bored of seeing. So like a good deal hunter I spent a long time waiting patiently for the right deal to come along.

My preferences were:
Close to home or convenient to drive to
Free or cheap parking
Soprano XL Laser
A competitive deal

When I saw the deal for Light Touch Laser Clinic come up, I decided this would be it, the waiting had finally come to an end. I purchased the deal and made an appointment which I was able to get 2 days later. So I went ahead and spent what seemed like a zillion hours shaving to make myself look like an 8 year old girl (if ya know what I mean) and then headed over to the Toronto location. Although it wasn't in my neighbourhood it was easily accessible by the Gardiner and had free parking.

I went in and no one was at the counter so I took a client form left for me and filled it out while waiting on their comfy couch. The technician came out shortly thereafter and when she had finished up with the other items she was taking care of we started heading over to the room. She said to me, "Just to confirm, the Brazilian is just the front and doesn't include the lips". Um.. what? Like seriously? After asking her what was up with that she said they usually do it, but for this deal.. since it's a deal... they are only doing the front. So what you're telling me lady is that if I decided to come in and have my underarms laser'ed you would only do the top of them... cause it's a deal? Or if I was getting my face done, you would only do the right side.. since it's a deal? I don't think so. There are plenty of other laser hair removal places that will do not only the lips but the back part as well!

So I took my stuff, got a refund for my taxes and headed out the door. I'm sorry but if a company decides to act dishonestly I have no interest in giving them my business. There are heaps of other deal sites out there that are more than willing to zap hot lasers at the lips of my Honeycomb!

So in case you couldn't tell by my posting, would I recommend this place?

NOT A CHANCE

Aki Da Japanese Seafood & Teppanayaki Restaurant

Aki Da Japanese Seafood & Teppanayaki Restaurant
1911 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4L1H3
www.akidasushi.com

Deal Purchased: $15 for $30 Worth of Authentic Upscale Japanese Cuisine and Drinks at Aki Da Japanese Seafood & Teppanayaki Restaurant
Deal Site: WagJag
Date Purchased: May 11 2011
Recommended: YES

Pros: Delicious and Fresh food, Wide variety of Menu items, Excellent Service, the little candies at the end of the meal, Pleasant Atmosphere
Cons: Can be a bitch to find parking, expensive

If you've ever traveled outside of Toronto you know it's rare to find a city with such a vast variety of amazing food choices. So it was a bit of a shocker when I was in Scottsdale Arizona last year and found a sushi restaurant called Roka Akor that might have actually ruined me from ever eating sushi again! Since I've been back I have yet to eat any sushi that even came close. I actually barely touched sushi at all because it's just always a let down. Until now. Aki Da... thank you for allowing me to eat sushi again in Toronto!

The menu options were vast and every item ordered was absolutely delicious! I'm a big fan of the Red Dragon Roll and the ridiculously delicious Crystal Salmon Roll which is rolled up in rice paper. The presentation of all the food is incredible. Every item looks like it should win a beauty pageant! Even their desserts are amazing, tempura cheesecake.. Hello!! Puddle on the floor!

Since my first experience there I've been back three more times and it's consistently good! They also give these little delicious guava or pineapple candies with your bill.. Yum!!

The only downfall is that I wouldn't be able to afford to eat there on a regular basis without the deal vouchers. It would end up being a special occasion treat to go there, but no denying that it's worth every penny!

I TOTALLY RECOMMEND this place!

Kiyome Kinoki Foot Detox Patches

Kiyome Kinoki Foot Detox Patches
http://www.xsv360.com/

Deal Purchased: $15 for a Box of 10 Kinoki Detoxifying Foot Pads - Taxes and Shipping Included ($54 Value)
Deal Site: WagJag
Date Purchased: September 1 2011
Recommended: NO

Pros: Easy to Apply, All Natural Ingredients
Cons: Didn't notice any difference, Glue left stickiness on my feet

I'm as open as Jenna Jameson's legs when it comes to trying new products. So when I noticed these Kinoki Foot Pads come up for a ridiculously cheap price there was no hesitation in grabbing a box.

The website states "If you suffer from aches and pains, poor circulation, difficulty sleeping, tiredness or are often on medications, have poor eating habits or a smoker, you may need to detoxify your body." How can this be bad? It uses all natural ingredients and I just stick some pads to my feet overnight and don't even have to think about it. They were easy to apply and they didn't really bother me through the night. The only part I didn't love was in the morning peeling them off. The glue left some stickiness at the bottom of my feet and the pads left a gross sliminess as well. I had to walk on my toes straight to the shower to wash it off.

I had checked out some reviews prior to see what to expect, and many people were saying the pads got lighter every night, but I can't say I noticed that at all. I only noticed a difference when I didn't stick them firmly down in some places they ended up being less black in the morning in those areas.

Now it's possibly I would have to use these for longer in order to see a difference but to be honest, I'm fairly certain I have no interest in continuing with them. I'm part of the Computer Generation and need instant results, so if I have to go longer than 5 days of this...

NOT A CHANCE

Fit Body Bootcamp (now known as Fit Factory Fitness)

Fit Body Bootcamp (now known as Fit Factory Fitness)Parkview Hills

6 Dohme Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M4B 1Y8
(also holds classes at 610 Queen St. W., 1992 Yonge Street, 1069 St. Clair W, Axe Capoeira, Ashbridges Bay)


Deal Purchased: $30 for a 30-Day Fitness Boot Camp from Fit Body Bootcamp ($147.75 Value) Deal Site: Groupon
Date Purchased: June 30, 2010
Recommended: NO
Outcome: Refunded by Groupon

Pros: Great Intense Workout, Free Parking
Cons: Instructor is Hostile, Rude & Unprofessional, Large Class Size to only 1 instructor

After a short stint eating Ah Caramels! and re-watching my favourite episodes of The Little Rascals, I decided it was time to get off my rump and start working out again. I've worked with umpteen trainers (some good and some mediocre) and taken many different types of classes, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to encounter... Bootcamp with Tony A.

"Was it hard?" you ask. Well yes, of course it was hard it was bootcamp, but honestly I've done Shaun T's Insanity before so I can handle a little bit of pain and panting! What I wasn't prepared for, was the instructor. If you ever wanted to meet a real life adult bully, this is it! My experience at the place was so horrible that I wrote a letter to the company. I received a response back from none other than the instructor himself, who quite clearly may be in an alternate reality. His email was a complete fabrication of the actual events that occurred. Not only did he completely alter the events that he talked about in his email, but he also continued to try and bully me by stating "By the way, everyone else there thought that you were just copping out because you didn't have the mental discipline or will power to see the routine through and was looking for an excuse to quit" Seriously?!? Not only did I never quit, but I'm pretty sure he didn't go around asking people in the class what they thought of me - just a guess! When I read his email to my friend who had joined me for the class, her jaw dropped and she laughed a little just like I did when I got the email because what else is there to do in a situation like this?  Please feel free to review my communications here to find out why I...

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RECOMMEND