Purolator's Mobile Quick Stop

Purolator wants to save you time this holiday by setting up Mobile Quick Stops in four of Canada's urban cities - Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver. I was ecstatic when I heard they were setting up several locations in Toronto, because this makes it way more convenient when I need to pick up my packages.

We've all been through the annoying process when you miss a package and left with a door knocker. This means you have to pick your package up at a different location. When you live downtown the usual facilities are not always close by or in a convenient location. I either have to drive somewhere or pay to commute to a specific pickup facility. This year I'm so happy Purolator has a Mobile Quick Stop in Liberty Village. Gary's favourite dog park is very close by so on my way back from the dog park, I head to the mobile quick stop to grab my parcel.

Purolator Mobile Quick Stop will be available now until December 28, 2018. Service will operate Monday - Friday 3pm-8pm in Liberty Village - 30 Fraser Ave.

Before or after heading to the Purolator Mobile Pick Up make sure you explore this beautiful neighbourhood. Liberty Village is so quaint and adorable and one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto. When I'm out and about with Gary I've listed below some of my favourite spots.

The best dog park in the neighbourhood is Stanley Off Leash Dog Park located at 700 Wellington St W. It is one of the biggest parks around and there are always tons of dogs for Gary to play with. Gary loves it and the surrounding park is beautiful.

I always love heading to Balzac's Coffee in Liberty Village because it has great coffee in the most beautiful building located at 43 Hanna Ave.

3 Brewers Liberty is another great spot. On a chilly night there is nothing better than heading to a cozy pub, eating comfort food and drinking beer right from the brewery. Located at 2 Liberty St.

If you are looking to be a bit more active, Pure Yoga or Joe Rockhead's Indoor Rock Climbing are great places to visit in Liberty.

Incase the Purolator Mobile Quick Stop is not in walking distance for you or you need to head home with a large package, Purolator has partnered with Lyft in the GTA. You can receive $5 off up to four rides to or from Purolator's Mobile Quick Stop with promotional code PUROLATOR now until December 31st.

I hope this helps save some time for you this holiday because the last thing you need to worry about is making sure you can get your packages in time for the big day!!

-Sydney Hoffman

*This post was sponsored by Purolator. However the views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own.*

The Best Hallmark Christmas Movies

I don't know about you but I'm a huge Hallmark Christmas movie fan. Call me basic but If I could watch them all day with hot chocolate, I would. After many years and many hours of watching Hallmark movies I've definitely made a list of my absolute favourites. If they make it on my list that means the decor is usually next level, the location is beautiful and the main characters have a great connection. I'm very particular. 

1. Christmas Getaway

I just saw this one for the first time a few weeks ago and have watched it numerous times since. It is located up north in the mountains in the most beautiful log cabin. The main characters have a great connection and I definitely was crushing hard on the main guy. YUM!

2. Snowcapped Christmas

I feel like this one doesn't air as much as I would like, but is on my list because you can tell it's truly filmed up north in the mountains. It is full of outdoor winter activities in a cute small town with a super cute connection between the main characters. You even fall in love with the little girl in the movie. 

3. Let It Snow

This is a new favourite for me and clearly I love when the Hallmark movies are based outside in the snow. This is another one up north in a ski lodge that puts together the cutest Christmas traditions for their guests. It involves lots of skiing and beautiful winter shots with a super cute connection between the main characters.

4. Christmas Cookies

In this movie it revolves around a small town called Cookie Jar and yes, it involves lots and lots of Christmas cookies. The decor is truly next level in this town and so well done. I will almost guarantee you will want to eat some Christmas cookies after watching this movie. PLUS the main characters are adorable together.

5. Veteran's Christmas

This has such a sweet story about a veteran coming home and figuring out what her next step is going to be. It's also based around a dog which is the best and the farm they film on is just too cute.

6. Christmas Connection

I thought the house decor inside and outside was great!! Everyone is wearing some kind of Christmas sweater in every scene and they are always doing some kind of classic Christmas tradition. I wasn't even in love with the connection of the main characters but the decor and houses won me over.

7. Christmas Cure

This is of course filmed in a small town and I really adored the home they filmed in with a sweet storyline. I thought the connection between the main characters was cute and loved the family dynamic in this movie.

8. Christmas in Evergreen

I'll be completely honest I wasn't head over heels for the main characters but loved the decor in this one. Real looking snow, cute decorated homes with an adorable Christmas festival. Even the main characters truck is stinkin cute.

9. Christmas Incorporated

I personally really loved the chemistry between the main characters. It felt very real and they looked adorable together. I really enjoyed the storyline becauce lets be honest sometimes it can be a little silly. The town they filmed in was also very well decorated.

10. December Bride 

The decor in this one didn't wow me and it didn't have the greatest location or anything but I loved the connection between the main characters. I may or may not have a crush on the guy in this film. If you haven't seen him yet in When Calls the Heart (a Hallmark series) you should check it out.

11. Christmas In Homestead 

Such a cute storyline, adorable town full of all your favourite Christmas traditions. After writing this I realized how similar these movies are...but thats why we love them!!

The holiday season has just begun and new Hallmark movies are being released almost every weekend, so this list may be updated. What is your favourite Hallmark Christmas movie!?

Watch all these Christmas movies and more during Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas on W Network in Canada (Hallmark Channel in USA).

-Sydney Hoffman

Friendsgiving with Butterball

Happy Friendsgiving!! 

This if my first time hosting a friendsgiving celebration and my first time cooking a turkey by myself. I'm so proud of how it turned out. Cooking a turkey always intimidated me, but it's way easier than I thought. At the start I had my mom help me to make sure I was doing everything right, but she kept saying "there's no right or wrong"  just do your own thing and don't freak out if the recipe isn't spot on.

I was nervous at first but I quickly realized anyone can cook a turkey. I'm sure the more I cook I will add some more things to the recipe, but for now here is my simple fool proof recipe. 

Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy Recipe

 I bought a frozen whole Butterball turkey and let it thaw for just over 48 hours. Once removing the neck and giblets, I drained juices and blotted with paper towel. 

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place turkey in shallow baking pan.

 I added some butter and salt & pepper to the skin. I know a lot of people can add amazing rubs, but I went simple for my first time. Find some amazing recipes on the Butterball website (here). 

Then I went on to make my stuffing because its the best to cook the stuffing in the turkey! I ripped apart half a loaf of bread into tiny pieces. I sprinkled in poultry seasoning all over the bread (this is the best). In a separate pan I cooked 3 chopped yellow onions, two cups of chopped up celery and 3/4 unsalted butter. 

Let that sautée until onions & celery are soft. Poor that yummy mixture into your bowl of bread and stuff into your turkey.

I cooked my turkey for about 3 - 3 1/2 hours. However, when you start to see the skin turn golden brown that's when you will want to cover it lightly with some tin foil. If you have a cooking thermometer place that deep into the thickest part of the thigh and cook until it reads about 180°F

Let it cool for about 15 minutes before carving.

While turkey is cooling it's time to make your gravy. Add the remaining juices in your turkey pan to a stovetop pan & turn on medium heat. Add about 4 tablespoons of flour or until it starts to thicken. 

Unfortunately, I ran out of flour so I just used the turkey juices and fat as my gravy and it still tasted delicious!!

  

I served my turkey with the stuffing still inside the because the presentation looks so nice. PLUS keeps the stuffing warm before everyone digs in.

I'm going to say it again but look how beautiful that Turkey looks. I'm so proud of myself!!

All I need is turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie & apple cider!

Yes...Gary is in a high chair at the table!!

-Sydney Hoffman

*This post was sponsored by Butterball. However the views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own* 

Hotel X Toronto

I had the pleasure of enjoying a staycation at Hotel X Toronto. There's something so exciting about a staycation even though you live just down the street!! Anytime I staycation anywhere I always feel the need to order pizza. I have no idea why, but ordering pizza in a beautiful hotel room is just so much better. 

We were so lucky to stay in this beautiful suite. I love the decor and all the beautiful scenic shots throughout the hotel.

Our view was also ridiculous!!

Did I also mention Hotel X Toronto is dog friendly!? I was so ecstatic when I found that out. If you check out my Instagram highlights under 'Toronto' you can see how truly excited Gary was to be there. Just prewarning It's a $100 cleaning fee if you bring a dog, but I'm pretty positive that's the standard for most hotels.

In the morning we went for a dip in there beautiful rooftop pool and then went downstairs to the Library Club Lounge for some continental breakfast. 

We grabbed some breakfast to go so we could enjoy our beautiful suite.

While we were leaving I had to snap some photos of the stunning lobby!!

Shawn, Gary and I had so much fun!

-Sydney Hoffman

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vlog and Haul

My sister Morgan and I are back from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and wanted to share our haul and vlog with you. Make sure to subscribe to our channel The Hoffman Sisters.

Make sure to subscribe and check out our channel The Hoffman Sisters.

-Sydney Hoffman

Woof Pack

Gary was so excited to receive a Woof Pack which is a monthly box subscription full of toys, natural treats and "pawesome" accessories delivered right to your door.

Truly I've never seen Gary more intense about that little flamingo than anything else. It was hilarious. We also play catch with the red ball and he gets some nice chew time time on the mini tire. I'm always grateful for more toys so Gary will stop chewing on our arms and stick to toys!! 

As you can maybe tell from this photo all the treat bags have already been open before I could even take a photo. Actually, as I write this the the whole bag of Treat Sticks are gone. I'm also not sure if I should admit this, but both Shawn and I tried a nibble of the Peanut Butter Paws because we read the ingredients and everything is so natural. 

I think these monthly box subscriptions are great, because a lot of the time Gary gets bored with his toys and always looking for something new. I'm also constantly out buying new treats because we are right in the middle of training, so this helps me out a lot. Not only is this Woof Pack exciting for Gary, but I get excited to open a new box too!!

If you want to get 10% off Woof Packs just use the code 'Sydney10'

-Sydney Hoffman

Endy Mattress Review - 100 Night Trial

I've had my Endy mattress since the fall and thought it was the about time I came on my blog to tell you guys what I think of it. 

I was so excited when my Endy arrived because it comes right to your door in a box!! Legit I was so giddy when it arrived. Once you unbox it and cut the plastic wrap the mattress expands to its full size. 

Before I even begin on the comfort of the mattress I need to point out that Endy is Canadian!! I love supporting Canadian companies and they have created such amazing products.

Now on to the mattress!!! Like I mentioned earlier I've had this mattress since the fall and I'm in love with it...so is Shawn & Gary. The best way I could describe it, would be beyond comfortable but also supportive. The comfort layer at the top keeps me relaxed and cozy, but the foam layer underneath keeps me supported. 

  

This may be an over share but I sweat during the night. I sweat so much I usually leave marks on my mattress (TMI?) well it's true. Something I didn't even realize until a couple months after using the Endy I barely sweat at all anymore. I noticed I had NO marks left on my mattress. So clearly this mattress is very breathable. I know this may sound weird, but I was starting to think I had something wrong with me. Clearly I just didn't have the right mattress.

One of the main reasons why I felt super comfortable getting an Endy and promoting it, was their 100 night trial. Being an online company you can't obviously test out the mattress in store, so a lot of people are skeptical to order a mattress they haven't been able to try out first. Endy fixed that problem by creating the 100 night trial. Purchase the mattress you want. It will arrive to your door like normal. Set it up like normal. Sleep on it for 100 nights to test it out and see what you think. If you love it...great! If you don't, you can return it no questions asked and your money will be returned to you. Sounds pretty ideal to me.

Before I end this blogpost I do have to give a major shout out to the Endy pillows!! Seriously amazing quality, comfortable pillows. You can even adjust the size of your pillows depending on what you like. Whenever my friends crash at my place on the couch I give them my Endy pillows to use and I've had friends who are obsessed with them. 

If you decide to purchase an Endy mattress make sure to use my promo code SYDHOFF50 to get $50 off any sized mattress.

-Sydney Hoffman

*This post was sponsored by Endy. However the views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own* 

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