The Perfect Staycation Combination: UP Express and Fairmont Royal York!

Recently, I was lucky enough to enjoy an amazing influencer experience with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and UP Express. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of staying at this iconic hotel that is steeped in history (it officially became the Royal York in 1929), I highly suggest that you book a staycation ASAP, and enjoy all there is to offer by staying at this gorgeous hotel.

Not only is it close to tons of restaurants, tourist attractions, and sporting and entertainment venues, it's mere steps from GO buses and trains, TTC, and the incredible UP Express train that takes you to Pearson Airport. Warning: once you check in, you'll want to stay for good!

My experience with the Fairmont Royal York and UP Express started with a ride on the UP Express from Pearson Airport to Union Station. After dropping off my luggage at the hotel, I hopped on the UP Express to meet up with everyone at the airport. The boarding area for UP Express is easy to find, and trains run every 15 minutes.

The trip from Union Station to Pearson is only 25 minutes, and is so comfortably fast and equipped with WiFi to happily distract you while texting or working, you`re at the airport before you know it. There are also tons of outlets to use to charge your phones, tablets, and laptops!

The trains are incredibly clean, and the rates are super reasonable! There are a variety of options to choose, ranging from one-way trips, family passes, and layover fares. Pretty much any scenario you can think of, UP Express has got you covered!

Once I arrived at the airport, I was greeted by the fabulous marketing team from the Fairmont Royal York, and gifted with a lovely goody bag filled with treats to enjoy later (macaroons and honey made from the beehives located on the rooftop at the hotel). We met up with the other influencers, and enjoyed a great story about how UP Express became a reality. The view from Pearson is pretty awesome. You can actually see the CN Tower from the station!

UP Express leaving Pearson

Finally, we were off to Union Station on the train! The ride was super smooth, and filled with great views of the city. If you need a fast and fun way to get around the city, and to get into town for sporting events, concerts, or other fun activities, take the UP Express. It's not just a method of transportation to get to the airport!

Upon our arrival to Union Station, it was a quick walk across the street to the gorgeous Royal York Hotel to check in! I never get tired of walking by this gorgeous and iconic hotel. It's always incredibly busy at the intersection, but we all took the time to snap a few quick pictures before the light changed colour to cross the street!

Walking into the hotel, we were greeted warmly by several staff members, and were given our keys to our respective rooms. A quick tour of the lobby, and we all went our separate ways to get settled into our rooms for some downtime before meeting up for dinner.

I have been to the hotel before, but only for events, so staying overnight was a huge treat for me. I was greeted to an incredibly comfortable room. The hotel has gone through a huge renovation, and the rooms have all been updated. I must say, if this is hotel living, please sign me up ASAP! Now I understand why some people live in hotels!

I decided to spend some time exploring the underground shops and grab some treats to watch a little Y&R (one of my guilty pleasures!) before dinner. I love how incredibly convenient it is to not have to leave the building to do some retail therapy!

When I returned to my room, I was just about to settle in for some downtime and must-see TV, when there was a knock at the door. I was greeted with another lovely surprise from the hotel, in the form of some delicious treats, lavender tea, lavender bath salts, and a magazine to indulge in before dinner! Talk about VIP Treatment. The Royal York was truly spoiling me!

Finally, it was time to head down to dinner at Epic, to meet with the other influencers and the marketing team. Let me tell you, I have been to many events and dinners. This one really tops my list of incredible experiences!! From the personalized napkins with our Twitter handles, to the lovely meal and wine parings from the incredibly talented Chef Josh Dyer, I was swooning over every lovely detail!

We started our dining experience with a fabulous signature cocktail, appropriately named the 'Epictini' (named after Epic Restaurant, where dinner was taking place). This was a gorgeous drink made from Appleton Lemon Vodka, simple syrup, sparkling wine, muddled raspberries, lemon and lime. Garnished with raspberries and an edible flower, it was as stunning as it was delicious! The perfect way to start our meal.

Speaking of meals, this was definitely one of 'Epic' proportions! Our Wild Ontario themed dinner started with an incredible Amuse Bouche, consisting of a Pesto Puree, Pickled Carrot, and Waygu Beef. Following this, the first course was Diver Scallops with Fennel Pollen, Ontario Pickled and Raw Radish, with Celeriac Puree and Seabuckthorn Berries. It was beyond delicious and stunning to look at!

The second course was wildly decadent! We indulged in Willowgrove Hill Pork, with Braised Belly, Rye Berries, Linseed, Roof Top Honey (straight from the rooftop at the Fairmont Royal York!), and Hazelnuts. Beyond delectable, and like nothing I have ever tasted before. Chef Dyer was on fire with this meal, and happily came out to chat with us about the courses and tasting menu.

Our third course consisted of Venison Tenderloin, with Wild Blueberries, Raisin Puree, Brussels Sprout, and Duck Prosciutto Hash. I don't usually eat venison or duck, but I have to say it was so tasty and different. The menu was so thoughtfully prepared, with no details spared by Chef Dyer!

Our final course was dessert. Chef Dyer prepared an Epic Signature Dark Chocolate Truffle, with Griottes Cherries. I loved how there were edible gold flakes placed on the cherries! The dessert was paired with a 2009 port. Hashtag #matchmadeinheaven!

Dinner was an epic success (no pun intended!), and I remember blissfully returning to my room, getting ready for bed, and falling asleep the minute my head hit the pillow! I had the most blissful sleep in the most comfortable bed, with a whole night of uninterrupted sleep (a record for me!)

Our VIP experience continued the next morning over breakfast at Epic Restaurant. We were treated to a fabulous buffer breakfast, the kind I have never experienced before. I have tried many buffet type breakfasts in my lifetime, but nothing was quite like the one we had here. Executive Chef Robert Mills has put together some amazing items for guests to feast upon, including an unbelievable omelet station! Guests are able to choose from a variety of different toppings, whole eggs or egg whites. The possibilities are endless! I chose a ham, asparagus, bell peppers, mushrooms, feta cheese and whole eggs omelet. What I was given was a work of art!

I had an amazing stay at this beautiful hotel, and was sad to leave. My only regret was that I didn't have enough time to enjoy the pool, gym, and spa facilities. This just means I will have to come back for another staycation!

I would like to thank the fabulous team at the Royal York Hotel, for welcoming me and spoiling me rotten. No detail was left out, and it exceeded my expectations, and then some! If you want pure class, elegance, and an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend this hotel. You won't regret it!

Disclaimer: As part of the influencer experience, I was provided with an overnight stay at the hotel. All of the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Loving #LifeIn4K With Rogers and Samsung

Like everyone else across the nation, I was swept up in the fever of the dream season the Toronto Blue Jays had in 2015. The boys in blue were outstanding, and there is nothing like being at the ballpark when the Jays are hot at bat, and in the outfield. Watching them make it to the American League Championship Series was the stuff fans dream of!

I can still remember watching the Jays win the World Series in 1993 and 1994, and being at the home game in 2003 where Carlos Delgado hit four home runs. Special moments like those are never forgotten, and are a reminder of why fans enjoy watching the game so much.

When I heard about Rogers and Samsung partnering to broadcast hockey games in 4K, I knew that watching games would be taken to a whole new level! I had the pleasure of attending a special event at Real Sports in Toronto, where we were able to watch a Toronto Maple Leafs game in 4K. This was also the first time any hockey game was broadcast in 4K! The quality was outstanding, and the picture was crystal clear. I wanted my own 4K TV on the spot!!

Fast forward to Rogers announcing that they would be broadcasting all the Blue Jays home games, and I was silently wishing I had one of those babies in my living room! Little did I know that Rogers and Samsung would make that dream a reality. When I received the invite to become part of a group of influencers that would be promoting the beauty of watching Jays games in 4K, I JUMPED at the opportunity!

I was already in love with my 39" Samsung TV, but my new 55" SAMSUNG SUHD 4K TV and Rogers NextBox 4K set-top box (the bad boy that allows me to watch all 81 Jays games in 4K!) blew it right out of the park. When the cable guy came over and helped me with the setup, we both stared and DROOLED at the picture quality.

I'll admit that I sat for about an hour, totally blown away at the size of the picture, and how everything seemed to pop off the screen. It has taken my viewing experience to new levels of enjoyment!

To christen the new TV, I hosted a viewing party for the Jays home opener for my family and a few close friends, who all enjoyed the 4K experience and cheering on the boys in blue!

I'm sure many of you are wondering what exactly is so great about a 4K TV. The 4K experience offers four times the resolution of HD, giving you greater clarity and sharper reduction. The 4K advantage in live sports also allows for super close zooms for fastballs, and slow motion replays. This is perfect for checking out close calls and stolen bases!

I have been enjoying the TV for a few weeks, and it definitely lives up to the hype. The quality of the picture is cinematic, the colours are stunning, and the images are so lifelike, I feel like they're going to jump off my screen into my living room. That's pretty impressive.

One of my favourite features of the Samsung 4K SUHD TV is the minimalist design. I was worried that my TV stand wouldn't be large enough for the TV, but the redefined and slim design was a perfect fit for my stand and living room! This is a total bonus in my books.

For those of you who love the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers and Sportsnet are producing and broadcasting all of the Jays 81 Home Games in 4K! There are currently two 24/7 Sportsnet 4K feeds (the first in North America!). Sportsnet 4K is on Channel 998, and SportsnetONE 4K is on Channel 997. Both are home to all the Blue Jays action in 4K.

If you love watching other shows that aren't sports related, Rogers will be providing additional 4K content, which will include TV shows, movies, original series, and 4K content on demand on Shomi. Stay tuned!

If there was one thing that would make my experience with the Samsung 4K SUHD TV perfect, it would be the ability to PVR and pause my shows for quick breaks. Sadly, this version does not have this option. Here's hoping it will be available down the road!

I'm thrilled to be part of this incredible experience with Rogers and Samsung, and will be sharing more Jays experiences with you through my blog, and on social media throughout the season. Follow the #LifeIn4K hashtag, and follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@sassygirlcanada). Go Jays Go!!

Disclaimer: I have partnered with Rogers and Samsung to share my #LifeIn4K experiences with you, and received a Samsung 4K SUHD TV and Rogers NextBox 4K cable box for participating. All of the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Show Love For Your Winter Footwear By Protecting Them With #TanaLovesShoes!

I was recently fortunate enough to have a special VIP shoe shopping experience at Stance Shoes, as part of the #TanaLovesShoes campaign. I had never heard of Stance before, and since we don’t have a location in Kitchener, I travelled to Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton for an afternoon of shopping and Tana product knowledge. Not only did I pick up some great footwear, I learned tons of helpful information and tips on how to protect and care for my footwear!

Stance is a Canadian company that was founded in 2004. It is part of the Arlies Corporation that also owns the Boathouse chain of clothing stores. There are 13 Stance stores across Canada that offer both name brand products such as Hunter, Doc Martens and New Balance Canada, and in-house brands exclusive to Stance such as Harlow (footwear), and Scout and Trail, an accessory line (i.e. hats, gloves, scarves).

When I arrived at Stance, I was greeted by Tyler, who is an amazing sales associate. Tyler was incredibly patient in helping me with all the styles and sizes of boots that I was interested in trying on, and provided great feedback on what styles looked the best. He even took a few pictures for me to use for my blog post! That’s great customer service in my books. Tyler explained that the styles available in the store change with the seasons. The majority of styles I saw in the store were sneakers and boots, but other seasonal types of shoes are available in the spring and summer months.

After spending about 40 minutes trying on many styles, sizes and colours, I found a great pair of boots that will be perfect for the fall and winter seasons. I also picked up a very sassy scarf from the Made For Each Other line of accessories, which a Boathouse line of products. Keep reading to find out what style I purchased! Living in a snowbelt region, having the right type of footwear is crucial for the crazy winter months!

Half the battle when you go shoe shopping is finding a great pair of shoes that suit your purpose, and fit your style. The other thing to consider is how to properly care for the footwear after you bring them home. As someone who loves shoes and has tons of pairs and styles at home, it’s important that I take care of them, so they remain in good condition.

I am so grateful that Tyler took the time to explain the different types of products that Tana had available in-store to purchase and use. Here is a high-level breakdown of some of the Tana products you can choose from. For a full list of products and information, make sure to check out the Tana website.

All Purpose Spray

• Function: To repel the elements, and resist stains
• Benefits: This product creates an invisible shield, allowing the material to breathe as it repels the elements and prevents dirt from setting for easier cleaning.
• Spray your footwear twice before wearing them outdoors
•  Keep using this spray at least once a week (two times a week is ideal)
• This spray works on all types of material except Crocodile. As Tyler says, "Leave your shoes in the 60's!"

Sport Cleaner

• Function: Fast acting cleaner - just spray and wipe
• Benefits: Ideal for athletic leather shoes, and it dries in 10 minutes
• Used for leather, vinyl and nylon
• Clean the footwear using the bristles
• Great for getting out dirt embedded in footwear

Polishing Cloth

• Function: To polish and clean your footwear 
• Benefits: Cleaning your shoe completely before applying spray will keep them in ideal condition
• Did you know that this product can also be used to clean and polish cars?

Sport Shoe Freshener   

• Function: Controls shoe and sneaker odour all day long
• Benefits: All day heel to toe freshness, is fast acting, and works on contact
• Gets out odours and bacteria your feet produce while wearing your footwear
• Use for preservation of the boot

Tana Self Shoe Cream

• Function: Polishes, protects and nourishes
• Benefits: Contains superior self-shining waxes and lanolin to provide an instant shine with no buffing, protection against rain and stain, nourishment to keep leather soft. Easy to apply, convenient applicator tube.

Barefoot (Unisex product)

• Function: Dry and fresh barefoot comfort
• Benefits: The special terry cloth layer helps keep feet dry. Antibacterial agents and tiny perforations for breathability keep feet fresh.
• Will last up to six months
• Machine washable (let them air dry)
• Make sure to wash the insoles 

Ball of Foot

• Function: For the sensitive ball of foot area. Feel confident in any shoe.
• Benefits: Helps prevent burning pain in the sensitive ball of foot areas.
• Ideal for heels and wedges
• Waitresses love this product, as they spend so much time on their feet

Currently, Tana has an amazing promotion available on their products at Stance that is available in-store only. You can select three of any of their products for $25.00! You can find more information on the products at www.stance.com .

I am so thankful for all the product knowledge I received on the extensive line of Tana products, and wish I had this knowledge several years ago! I have made mistakes in the past by not taking proper care of my footwear. Six years ago,I destroyed a pair of amazing brown suede boots I purchased during a Black Friday trip to Buffalo! Personally, I have found that suede is tougher to take care of than leather or synthetic products. Had I known then what I know now, I would still have my gorgeous Nine West slouch boots that were perfect for shopping trips!

How did I destroy the boots? They were not practical for harsh winter weather, as they weren’t lined for warmth. Foolishly, I made the mistake of wearing them after a large snowfall. Long story short, they ended up soaked and covered in salt, and I didn’t know how to remove the stains. Instead of treating the stains immediately, I left the boots as they were. I tried several different things to remove the salt stains, but nothing worked. Finally, I made the painful decision to throw the boots out, and I still mourn them to this day. Not only were they a great deal, but they were cute and unique!

I’m so excited to tell you about the great boots I selected for myself during my VIP shopping experience! I chose a pair of black boots from the Harlow line, created exclusively for Stance stores. Harlow footwear is super affordable and stylish. Make sure to check out their sassy footwear! My boots, called the ‘Maggie’, are made of synthetic leather, and are lined for warmth and comfort during the cold winter months. These beauties will be protected using an all-purpose spray, and lined with Barefoot insoles. I can’t wait to wear them with my extensive collection of jeans! During my shopping trip, I selected the Barefoot, Tana Sport Cleaner and Sport Shoe Freshener for my boots, which Tyler had recommended to me.

A very cool piece of information I learned while shopping is that my boots are made by Cougar, whose line of footwear I adore! In fact, Cougar makes many of the boots featured at Stance. I used to wear Cougars back in my school days, and started wearing them again last winter. I was pleasantly surprised by this information. Thanks Tyler!  

I had an amazing time shopping at Stance, love my new boots, and can’t wait to wear them soon. What does shoe love mean to you? Share your love for shoes by taking a picture of your favourite shoes, and post them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the hashtag #TanaLovesShoes, and you could win some one of six bi-weekly prizes of $500.00, and a chance to win the Grand Prize of $2000.00!!! For additional entries, make sure to include Tana shoe products in your pictures. You can also enter to win here: http://tanacontest.com/en. 

In addition, you can also participate in an amazing Twitter party this evening (November 17), from 8:00-9:00 PM ET, for a chance to win one of six $50.00 VISA gift cards, or the Grand Prize of a $500.00! Now that's what I call a party! 

Good luck, and happy shopping!

Disclaimer: While I received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Mighty Angus is 100% Certified Canadian Beef and #CertifiedMighty!!

It’s not every day that a restaurant like McDonald’s Canada adds a new burger to their arsenal, and rare that they open the kitchen at their corporate head office restaurant to a select group of people. I had the privilege of attending a special behind-the-scenes Open Kitchen Flavour Session in Toronto earlier this month, to celebrate the launch of the new #CertifiedMighty Mighty Angus burger. This is the first new premium burger that McDonald’s has added to its permanent menu since 2012!

Did you know that the hamburger was the first item on the menu at McDonald’s in 1967? Today, McDonald’s is the destination of choice for Canadian burger lovers, selling more burgers than all other national chains combined!

As I walked into the building, I felt like I was transported back to  special event. As I walked into theirr ty to try this itchen at their corporatmy childhood, and wanted to explore everything. Everything is so inviting, from the impressive statues to the huge Muskoka chair that holds a MASSIVE McCafé coffee in its cup holder. I have to admit, seeing the kitchen and knowing that we were having a private tour to see how the Mighty Angus is created made me incredibly excited. The casual, relaxed setting for the event felt inviting, comfortable, rustic, and purely Canadian!

OK, let’s get to the good stuff…the tour and taste testing! Our kitchen tour provided an opportunity to see how the Mighty Angus is created for customers from the moment it hits the grill, to the finished product on the tray. The burger (1/3 pound, 100% Angus patty) is placed under a large covered grill, and is cooked quickly on both sides. This is the perfect way to seal in all the savoury juices! Next, the sesame and poppy seed bun are toasted to perfection. Once the burger is cooked, the assembly of the toppings begins. Tomatoes, lettuce, processed cheese, grilled onions, smoky Angus aioli, and Hickory smoked bacon pieces are the finishing touches to this mouth-watering treat.

The addition of chopped bacon pieces is new for this particular burger. It allows for the natural smokiness of the bacon to come through, which complements the burger. In addition, it allows for even distribution, so that each bite has a delicious smoky flavour! This is a huge bonus in my books.

I was very impressed at the level of cleanliness and order in the kitchen! Getting that rare bird’s eye view behind the scenes is nice, as I am always curious to know what really happens when an order is placed.

Finally, it was time to try the Mighty Angus! Served with a serving of McDonald’s World Famous Fries, I was in burger heaven, and ate every delicious bite. It was worth the wait, and will no doubt be a HUGE hit for their menu.

It wasn’t only the anticipation of the food that made me excited during this special evening. Having the opportunity to speak to corporate executives at McDonald’s Canada, several farmers who provide the certified 100% Angus Beef, and amazing representatives from Cargrill, the meat processing plant in Canada, was also exciting. Everyone shared the same passion and commitment to providing customers with an incredible product of high quality. It’s great to know that they use 100% Canadian Beef, proudly sourced only from Canadian farms! 

If you haven’t had an opportunity to try the Mighty Angus, I suggest you check it out and get #CertifiedMighty soon. I think you will love it as much as I do. Bon Appetit!!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.