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Entries in Canadian Blogger (3)

Wednesday
Jul082020

100 NIGHTS WITH ENDY | My Real Review

How we feel every time we go to sleep on our Endy mattresses. 

Before kids and pets, I always had this feeling: I’m pretty sure it was called ‘well-rested’.  It’s tough to recall - kinda like trying to remember the feeling of hugging people you just met or sharing popcorn at the movies. But I know it was there and I know it was real. I remember yawning in the morning; that smug, satisfied kind where you yawn and then your mouth slowly stretches out into a smile before you either fall back into bed or casually plan a long, impromptu brunch with friends. Since our babies turned into kids and now tweens, there’s been loads of yawning for sure, but it’s the frustrated kind, followed by some twitching and then a few dozen jugs of coffee and then a bunch of sighing throughout the day. But well-rested? Let’s just say it’s been a minute.

We got our last mattress when we moved into our first apartment 15 years ago. I remember going to the mattress store and feeling so grown-up as we inquired about things like ‘pillow top’ and ‘pocket coils’; this one had both, so we were sold. And I’m not gonna lie: I loved that mattress. But as the years went by, it slowly morphed from a young, springy thing into a tired burrito (for the record, I remain a young, springy thing). I’d start on my side but somewhere around 3 am, I’d end up log-rolling into a well-worn dip in the bed, mouth wide open, pressed directly against my perpetually sleep-deprived husband. I’m a cuddler so this was not really a huge problem for me. While I can sleep through just about anything, James has a few issues that make sleeping extra tough: stomach problems (sensitive), inability to turn his mind off (highly intelligent), back pain (captain of his highschool football team). Age - both our mattresses and his... err, I mean ours -   meant we needed a new mattress. But change is scary. Especially when it comes to something as important as sleep. Were we ready to give up this piece of our shared history to give something else a go? I think you know where this is headed…

 

I’d heard all about Endy and SO many friends of mine had raved about their experience, so when the opportunity to partner with them came up, it just felt right. I did a bunch of research and loved that Endy mattresses are made and manufactured in Canada, plus their comfort and support sounded like just the thing we needed. I like my mattresses on the soft side and James prefers a firm mattress and everyone I asked said that Endy was the perfect balance of both. Unlike memory foam mattresses that sink in the summer and feel hard as a rock in the winter, Endy foam is temperature insensitive so it maintains a consistent feel through every Canadian season. They’re also CertiPur-US Certified AND the only mattress brand in Canada to be GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning they meet the most stringent health and environmental standards. Plus, Endy mattresses are bomb at minimizing motion transfer which I knew James would love since I move around a lot and stay up too late watching The Bachelor and other intellectual programming, always (always) waking him up when I trip over something and gracefully crash into bed. Research done, I told Endy we were ready to do this. Just a week before COVID hit, we thanked our old mattresses for the memories, donated them to a local thrift store and waited for our delivery.

Our Endy mattresses arrived on our doorstep that afternoon in some impossibly small boxes. Like, how?? They sent a king-sized mattress for us, a double mattress for our 11 year-old daughter  (who had an even older mattress from James’ university days), plus 4 brand new Endy pillows. James had to go to work that day and I’m impatient, so the kids helped me carry the boxes upstairs and we did the unboxing. It was so easy and honestly so much fun. You cut off the plastic with a little tool that comes in the box, and the mattresses just sort of unroll themselves.

Now the real test: would the mattresses live up to all the hype? 

For the first week, Imma be honest. I was worried. James instantly fell in love with the firmness of the mattress but like I said, I prefer a softer feel and missed that sinking feeling of our old mattress. Now it was my turn to wake up in the middle of the night and look over at James blissfully snoozing away while I stressed about COVID and insomnia. With Chlo’ in her new room and her new bed, she was in heaven, too.

I talked to some friends and they gave me that knowing look and told me “just wait” and “you’ll see.” And sure enough, within a few days I was already over our old mattress. Unlike memory foam that makes you feel trapped, our Endy mattresses give just the perfect amount for our bodies, making them cushy and comfy like you get at a really nice hotel, while still providing just the right amount of support. That ‘perfect firmness’ claim is on point. And it just kept getting better. By month two, James had stopped complaining about his back and shoulder pain and we were both constantly saying, “I l-o-o-o-ve our mattress.” Our new dog, Ollie, constantly sneaks upstairs for naps on our bed (the Endy pillows are his fave). And not sure whether this is a pre-teen thing or if I have the mattress to thank, but 100 days in, Chlo’ is now sleeping in on the regular.

Now that elusive “well-rested” feeling - something I never thought I’d experience again - is finally coming back. And we can sleep extra easy knowing we’re supporting a great Canadian company. Endy works with dozens of charity partners to donate new and gently-used mattresses to families and individuals in need, including new refugees to Canada, women and children exiting the shelter system, and youth transitioning out of homelessness. They’ve donated over 5,000 mattresses - if you stacked them up, that’s 2 times taller than the CN Tower. So good.

Looking for an amazing sleep? With the Endy sale on now until July 13th, now is the perfect time to invest in yourself. Head to https://glnk.io/ykyj/realliferunway to save 10% off your entire Endy order. Check out endy.com for more info. And yes, the pillows and duvet are 100% worth it, too. You're welcome ;) 

 

Tuesday
Dec172019

Back at It

Me with my hair not did. Typical.

Okay, so I know I've been gone for a little while. Okay, a loooong while. I'm sorry. I don't really think I ever said goodbye, did I? Here's what happened: I was the stylist for Vaughan Mills, which morphed into me taking over a mat leave as Marketing Director, which then became another marketing mat leave contract at another shopping centre. I was offered an amazing career opportunity, so I took it and loved every minute. If you follow me on Instagram (& if you don't, please do), you probably saw just how much fun I've had over these last few years. 

But here's the thing: commuting nearly 4 hours a day with a husband in a start-up and two busy kids at home left me with z-e-r-o time to blog (or shower or brush my hair - see pic above). My life was an actual highway, and I really did ride it all night long. So, sorry not sorry?  Just know that I've really missed you over these many months. 

I've been more than a little nervous to get back to blogging; I mean, is it like riding a bicycle? Will I remember how to write? Does anyone even care about fashion blogs anymore? Can I leave like Taylor Swift and come back more relevant than ever? Or will I be like Madonna who young folk only recognize as that old lady who used to sing? Did I just compare myself to Taylor Swift and Madonna? This is off to an impressive start. 

Anyway, I'm excited to get back to sharing my favourite finds with you, if only so I can shop obsessively/ therapeutically with full justification to do so. It's called taking one for the team and team - I am here for you. Kk, let's do this...

 

Wednesday
Sep072016

SHOE LOVE | See What I Scored at Canada's Largest DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse

When I heard that I’d been invited to shop Canada’s largest shoe store (I repeat: Canada’s LARGEST SHOE STORE), I cleared my calendar, hooked my kids up with a babysitter, and prepped myself. I can handle shoes. In fact, I’ve handled them my whole life. But the new 26,000 sq. ft. DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse at Vaughan Mills, loaded with shoes, boots and accessories, was beyond anything I’ve ever shopped. That’s 20,000 pairs of shoes at up to 40% off suggested retail prices. And a blogger with next to no self control around shoes. I’m in so much trouble. 

Head to the Vaughan Mills blog to see what I ended up taking home. Hint: they're tall, dark and gooorgeous...

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