Just to show you Facebook ads and social media really does work. A few weeks ago my husband saw a sponsored ad for a new local restaurant in Langley - Osso Lunchroom and liked their page. Then he kept showing me their posts and as everyone who knows us knows, we love good restaurants that offer great food. In my next life, I would love to be a food critic. :)

So, today I took my team out to Welcome Erinn Mate to our team as well as to celebrate Kara Berman's birthday! We all REALLY enjoyed our meals. 2 of us had the Butternut Squash ravioli special and the others had the kale/butternut squash salad and the Beet salad. We then finished off our meals off with the ricotta donuts. The chef was great and even brought Kara out a little something special wiht a candle to wish her Happy Birthday! Everything was ABSOLUTELY delicious.

We will be back...many times I am sure.

My husband is jealous as he has been wanting to try this place since it opened but is never around during their business hours. :) But even though he didn't get to try a whole meal in the restaurant, they had containers with their homemade meatballs that I brought home for him to try and gave me an easy dinner. :) I had the meatballs and sauce on pasta and he had a meatball sandwich. Again DELICIOUS!!! Now he can't wait for either a day off during the week or for 
Osso Lunchroom to open for lunch on the weekends. 

Next time you are looking for a good restaurant to eat breakfast or lunch or maybe want to grab a few drinks and bite after work...check out their place you won't be disappointed!

Visit their website at the following link Osso Lunchroom or check them out on Facebook Osso Lunchroom Facebook Page

Last year I met a very interesting local Langley woman through Twitter. Her tweets caught my eye and I contacted her to meet for coffee. After meeting Marzia Molatore, I knew I wanted to get to know her better and take one or more of her Bella Cibo Italian cooking classes.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a self professed foodie and love to learn how to cook new and exciting dishes. In the past I have taken cooking classe at Well Seasoned in Langley and have since learnt how to make the most amazing delicious and fresh greek dishes.

I had intended on doing a one on one cooking class but before I knew it, we were into the holiday season and too busy with work and holiday events to even think of taking a cooking class. Then Marzia was offering to make home cooked meals that we could order and pay for. I thought what better way to see if I  would like her cooking (not that I really had any doubt, as I have never found an Italian Mama that couldn't cook...although I am sure there are plenty out there that can't.)  As a working Mom, it was a perfect chance for me to get some fresh prepared homemade foods to save me from having to cook late on those busy holiday nights. I ordered a lasagna, some baked pasta and meatballs. My family loved the lasagna so much that they no longer wanted me to make my lasagna that had always been a hit. I wasn't heartbroken though as I agreed, her lasagna was delicious, I had never eaten a lasagna with so many thin layers of pasta, no ricotta and the best part made with both a tomato bolognese sauce and a bechamel sauce. I later learnt that ricotta is a North American version of lasagna. In Italy you won't find ricotta in lasagna, you will find variations of the one she makes. 

Finally this month after raving so much about her cooking, I arranged to take her class and invited a few friends to join me and we all had a blast learning how to make lasagna from scratch. We made the dough, rolled it out (with a handy kitchen aid mixer and pasta maker attachment - which we now all want to invest in) We all made a small lasagna to take home and share with our family. Which I am pretty sure we all did for dinner the following night. 

I love to support local businesses and even more so a local business woman like myself. 

if you're interested in learning how to cook Italian visit Marzia's website Bella Cibo and follow her on facebook:

Bella Cibo

Facebook -Bella Cibo

Don't forget to set your clocks forward before you go to bed tonight. Not looking forward to losing an hour of sleep, but really looking forward to gaining an hour of daylight. 

Only 13 days until Spring!

If you’re thinking of shopping for a new home, one of the first considerations is price range. You want to know what you can reasonably afford.

How do you figure that out?

First of all, you need to determine the initial out-of-pocket costs you will need to cover. There are often more costs associated with purchasing a home than its actual price. You need to take into account such additional expenses as moving costs, legal fees, and a home inspection, not to mention the costs of prepping your current property for sale.

Experts say you should budget 5-10% above the purchase price for these items. So if you can afford to spend $470K on a new home, you should be shopping in the $425-445K range.

Another factor to consider are the potential proceeds from the sale of your current home. Your REALTOR® can help you determine how much your property will likely sell for in today’s market. Any existing mortgage will need to be subtracted from that amount to determine how much cash will be left.

Of course, you should speak to a mortgage broker or lender who can calculate how much of a mortgage you qualify for. Remember, qualifying for a big mortgage doesn’t necessarily mean you should have one. You also need to consider your personal finances and desired lifestyle – and whether or not having a large mortgage is a good idea for you.

Once you have gathered all of your information, you can add any potential sale proceeds to the amount of mortgage you qualify for, add other sources of cash available for this purpose and subtract 5-10% for initial expenses, and you’ll have an idea of the price range you should be considering.

Finally, it’s important to take the time to decide what kind of home you want. Do you want a large backyard with trees? A quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood? Four bedrooms and a finished basement? Once you decide what you want most in a new home, it becomes much easier to find one that’s in your price range. 

Need help deciding how much you can afford when shopping for a new home? Call today. 

February 25th 2015 is Pink Shirt Day  in support of efforts to Stop Bullying of all kinds. Whether it be in the workplace, schools, home or on the internet. By wearing something pink you are supporting the efforts to STOP bullying of any kind.

Bullying has been around for a long time and tolerated for just as long because too many people couldn't or wouldn't stand up. In 2015 Bullying is happening more rampantly than ever and its never been more important to stand up for those that can't be heard. More and more I keep hearing about people that have been incessantly harassed in person, by email, or on some form of social media. The latter two seeming to give the Bullies a voice that they wouldn't normally have. The courage to hurt behind closed doors. It is long overdue to give those being bullied the Voice and the Courage!

I love it, this year Coast Capital Savings wants to turn the Internet Positive by donating a $1 to Pink Shirt Day  for every time that #PinkItForward is used 

3 years ago In Richmond 500 students took part in a flash mob at the Aberdeen Centre. It brought tears to my eyes. I know I'm sappy but it was great to see kids of all ages taking part to help stomp out bullying. Take a peak at their youtube video:

http://youtu.be/oJ1A_IBi01E

For more information and to see how you can take part, here's a website set up for the day to share your pictures and thoughts. We'd love to hear from you too!

Pink Shirt Day 

Support anti-bullying by wearing PINK tomorrow! Let's help those without a voice be heard! Let's show them we care!

Last week Cineplex announced that in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada, they will have special screenings of movies for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder that will be "Sensory Friendly". This is great news for families with autistic children and adults giving them a chance to get out and enjoy a movie as a family. 

We are lucky here in the lower mainland, because our very own Cineplex Cinemas in Langley (formerly known as Colossus Langley) will have screenings and so far they are the only theatre providing this in BC. They will offer movies in 2D projection, with increased lighting, lower volume and smaller crowds. Families will also be able to bring in outside food for those with dietary needs. 

Ticket prices will be the same for everyone attending at children's prices. Movies will be shown in select theatres every 4-6 weeks and played on Saturday mornings at 10:30am before the Theatre opens to the general public.  Movies will not be available every Satruday morning so check out their website regularly for a schedule of the special screenings. The next movie to be offered is the new "Cinderella" movie being offered on Saturday April 4, 2015 at 10:30am. Not sure if it will be available at the Langley location...be sure to check out Cineplex closer to the dates, as the tickets go on sale the Tuesday before each showing. 
Cineplex Cinemas in Langley

My husband and I decided to make Valentine's Day about experiences instead of commercial gifts, so we went for a nice drive out to Chilliwack yesterday. We love the scenery with mountains all around and we did actually go to Chilliwack on a mission. We have heard from friends and family about this place that has amazing pies. So we thought let's go check it out and were so happy we did!

We drove to the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop and it was a busy place. We quickly found out why and that our friends and family were right. My husband ordered their Peanut Butter Cup pie and I ordered the Raspberry, Peaches and Cream pie....were they ever delicious....I was sad I couldn't eat it all, because the pieces were actually big enough to share one let alone each having a piece. 

Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop has been around for a long time serving locals and people from afar just like us. They don't only serve Pies, they also offer full meals - diner/coffee shop style. They are open 7 days a week from 7am - 7pm.

Check out their website for their address and menu: 

Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop

You probably don't think buying a lighting fixture for a room is all that complicated. It isn't. However, it does require you to consider which types of lighting you may need. According to the Lighting Association, there are three types:

General lighting. By far the most common, this is the type of lighting that is designed to create a functional brightness that spreads throughout a room. A good example is a main ceiling light.

Task lighting. As the name implies, this type provides extra light needed for a specific task, such as working at a desk or chopping onions on a kitchen countertop. A bedside lamp used for reading is another example of task lighting.

Accent lighting. This type is designed to set off a particular feature of a room, such as a painting. It creates some practical light, but its main purpose is to add to the overall decor.

When choosing lighting for a room, it's important to consider these three types. First, decide how best to light the space generally. Then think about any special lighting you might need for specific functions, such as reading. Finally, consider how accent lighting might add to the overall look. 

Your home at a glance

Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn't look like a tempting place to eat. 

It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will likely be with the expectation of being disappointed. 

This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well. 

A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based on what he sees "from the curb". That's why you'll hear real estate experts talk about the importance of "curb appeal". It's one of the most important selling points of a property. 

If you plan to put your home on the market, you obviously want your home to look as attractive as possible from the street. Fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to improve curb appeal. 

For example, you can trim shrubs and hedges, plant flowers, clean the walkway and driveway, paint the front door and garage door, and clean the exteriors of the windows. All these projects are relatively easy and inexpensive. Yet, each can make a dramatic improvement to how your home looks at first glance. 

Don't be like the great restaurant that’s hidden behind an unkept façade. Make sure your curb appeal reflects the overall value of your property. 

Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call today. 

There are unwelcome guests that most homeowners dread. They come into your house, eat, sleep, make a mess, and never leave willingly. Each one has at least six legs and sometimes flies.

They are, of course, insects. They’ve been freeloading in homes since homes were invented. Here are some practical ways to keep these unwelcome guests out:

Find out how they got in. Look for gaps around windows and doors, and cracks in the basement. If you find a spider web, there's likely an insect entryway nearby.

Watch out for standing water near the foundation of your home. Make sure rain gutters drain water well away.

Eliminate clutter. Insects love warm, cluttered, moist areas.

Check the seal around dryer vents and other vents, pipes and cable

wires going through the wall. Reseal if necessary.

Rinse recyclables before putting them into a bag or bin. Few things are more tempting to a bug than the dark, moist, sweet insides of an un-rinsed pop can.

If you do end up with a serious insect problem, call a professional exterminator. 

This year's Dine Out Vancouver experience for my husband and I was at La Terrazza on Cambie at Pacific Boulevard in Yaletown. I've said it before ...My husband and I are big foodies. We love trying out new restaurants and can very often spend on just food what some people spend with alcohol on their bill. My husband doesn't drink at all and I only have a drink once in a while. We sometimes find we don't always get the best of service when all we order is water and coke. 

Not sure if our server had a chip on his shoulder, but he wasn't overly friendly or attentive. Although he did take my coat when we sat, which was nice...that is where the attention stopped. We did notice we weren't the only ones that didn't get much of his attention either. Perhaps that is just the kind of server that he is. The rest of the staff were very friendly, which is why we won't write off the restaurant as a whole based on one server. 

This past weekend La Terrazza was serving both the regular menu and their Dine Out Vancouver menu and the majority of the people in the restaurant seemed tp be eating off that menu. So I could be wrong but perhaps there was some pre-judgement on our server about this too. We didn't come originally because of Dine Out Vancouver in all honesty we were looking last minute and hadn't tried this place so thought we would. It did turn out to offer the Dine Out Vancouver special menu and I did order from it, although my husband did not.

Our bill came to a little over a $100 and usually we would tip at least 20%, but I could not bring myself to do so this time with the lack of service, he still got over 15% because I always round to the nearest dollar but he could have gotten more....had the service been better. Part of the reason I did tip even that amount is the hope that he has to share some of his tips with the other staff. Everyone else that attended to our table did a great job, we would hate for their small cut to have been hurt. Having worked in the industry both myself and my husband we know how hard servers work for their tips. But you do have to work for it, give excellent service and you usually will be tipped well for it...in our experience.

Dine Out Vancouver is actually a great idea and way for restaurants that usually experience a slow down after the holidays to get some business they typically wouldn't get. The food was very good, although we felt it was a little overpriced for what you get. Again we don't mind paying for a good meal, but when your prices are up there the quality of the food needs to be too! I am sure we will try them again someday, but at this point it's not on our favourite list. That isn't to say that I wouldn't recommend La Terrazza, the ambiance was nice and the food was good...you just have to be prepared to pay a little more for your meal. We have our favourite Italian restaurants that offer a lot more for less in quality and experience. For now we will likely stick to them when looking for Italian cuisine, visit some of our previous posts to see which ones. 

My family has teased me for years, if it isn't a wallet full of coupons then it's a wallet full of loyalty cards and it seems that more and more companies are going that way offering points or something. Of course, I sign up for them all....well not all of them but according to my family they think I do. 

Either way, the stack of cards I carried around was getting to be ridiculous. Months ago I downloaded stocard but for some reason never used it until about a couple months ago. Now I absolutely love it, I can leave the house with just my phone and I have everything on it. It's also great for sharing loyalty cards with members of your family so that everyone in the family benefits from the savings or points. Now you only have to have one card and everyone can scan the same card into their phone.

You can find the stocard app in the Apple Store, Windows Phone and Google Play. Unfortunately, Blackberry and Nokia users cannot access this app....and there doesn't seem to be any plans to support those phones anytime soon. (Why you should switch to an iPhone...just my little plug for Apple because I love my iPhone 6.)

Apple's Passbook app which comes loaded onto your iPhone works the same way but actually offers so much more. It can hold your movie tickets, loyalty cards, sports tickets even and my husband loves it for his boarding passes. Other compatible apps will actually download tickets and passes on their own and put them right into Passbook.

At some point this year Passbook may become the most important app to use when Apple Pay finally comes to Canada. Then with fingerprint technology using your credit cards will never be more secure....no fear of losing or having them stolen.

Check out both of these apps today and lighten your purse and/or wallet.

              stocard                                       Passbook