Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
my first trip to gatineau
This past weekend, my hubby and I were on a search for Gouda! My family is coming up to Ottawa this weekend for Easter and instead of the typical Easter chocolate eggs, I thought it would be fun to shower them with cheese (and some good old fashion maple syrup I found at Farm Boy!). So what better place to go for cheese then across the border to Quebec! Really...there isn't a border, just beautiful tiny bridges all over Ottawa connect the two cities.
We didn't find any Gouda but we did look around and I must say, Gatineau is just wonderful! So much nature, and fresh air, I felt so alive! We stopped by the Marina in Aylmer to chillax with a fresh baguette and a coffee we got at the little tiny cafe and just had an AH HA moment. I can't wait until the summer to check out Gatineau Park! Now...if only I had a cottage!
We didn't find any Gouda but we did look around and I must say, Gatineau is just wonderful! So much nature, and fresh air, I felt so alive! We stopped by the Marina in Aylmer to chillax with a fresh baguette and a coffee we got at the little tiny cafe and just had an AH HA moment. I can't wait until the summer to check out Gatineau Park! Now...if only I had a cottage!
Pics taken at the Marina
How cute is this Timmy's? So cozy!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
my week-day in montreal
Oh, Montreal. It was nice to be back for a couple of days. Knowing you only have 2 days to hit up your favourite restos takes some planning.
We arrived in the city Monday night, only a short drive away from Ottawa. The most delicious pizza that I have ever tasted is in this little apportez votre vin house on Dante Street in the heart of Little Italy called Pizzeria Napoletana
Check this out...
So yummy!
We took a short weekday trip to Montreal to see a Black Keys concert. It was unbelievable! It was amazing to see just two guys from Ohio put on this crazy show.
We took a short weekday trip to Montreal to see a Black Keys concert. It was unbelievable! It was amazing to see just two guys from Ohio put on this crazy show.
And of course, we couldn't forget to stop by the Distillerie for Happy Hour!
It's always nice to take a couple of days to get away from life!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
helpful tax rules that are new for 2011
It's that time of year again, don't we all hate tax time! I'm an accountant and still hate this time of year! ...wonder why :)
There are some new simple tax rules that are in affect for 2011 and everyone should be aware and take advantage of these new rules:
1. The Children's Arts Tax Credit - this is my favourite addition to the tax deductions because I never thought it was fair to have a Children's Fitness Tax Credit (still available) but nothing available to use the more creative side of your brain.
This credit can provide a max of $75 per child! There is a 15% non-refundable federal tax credit on the first $500 spent for your child's artistic, musical, and cultural development they participated in 2011. Fun stuff! Make sure your child is under 16 years of age to be eligible for the credit and the program must be at least 8 weeks long (or 5 days long for camp programs)
2. Students - exam fees now qualify for the tuition tax credit (finally!)
The catch is that the total fees must be at least $100 and the exam must be required to obtain professional status or to be licensed or certified in a profession/trade.
3. TSFA - please don't forget to contribute your max contribution of $5,000 for 2011 (for a total of $20,000)!
4. First Time Home Buyers - If you bought your first home in 2011, then you will be eligible to save up to $750.
5. Medical Expenses - There is now no limit to the maximum medical expense claim for a dependent relative (not including spouse, common-law, or child). Before 2011, the maximum expense claim was $10,000.
6. Tax Brackets & Expense Claims - were raised in 2011 due to inflation! Don't forget to check out what the new rates and deduction maximums are since they change each year!
7. Changes to the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) for people who are 60 to 70 years of age.
There are some new simple tax rules that are in affect for 2011 and everyone should be aware and take advantage of these new rules:
1. The Children's Arts Tax Credit - this is my favourite addition to the tax deductions because I never thought it was fair to have a Children's Fitness Tax Credit (still available) but nothing available to use the more creative side of your brain.
This credit can provide a max of $75 per child! There is a 15% non-refundable federal tax credit on the first $500 spent for your child's artistic, musical, and cultural development they participated in 2011. Fun stuff! Make sure your child is under 16 years of age to be eligible for the credit and the program must be at least 8 weeks long (or 5 days long for camp programs)
2. Students - exam fees now qualify for the tuition tax credit (finally!)
The catch is that the total fees must be at least $100 and the exam must be required to obtain professional status or to be licensed or certified in a profession/trade.
3. TSFA - please don't forget to contribute your max contribution of $5,000 for 2011 (for a total of $20,000)!
4. First Time Home Buyers - If you bought your first home in 2011, then you will be eligible to save up to $750.
5. Medical Expenses - There is now no limit to the maximum medical expense claim for a dependent relative (not including spouse, common-law, or child). Before 2011, the maximum expense claim was $10,000.
6. Tax Brackets & Expense Claims - were raised in 2011 due to inflation! Don't forget to check out what the new rates and deduction maximums are since they change each year!
7. Changes to the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) for people who are 60 to 70 years of age.
**Always keep your receipts!!
If I discover any new tax news, I will be sure to update this post before the deadline - April 30th
PS. There is a Giveaway happening over at a peek inside the fishbowl - be sure to check it out!
If I discover any new tax news, I will be sure to update this post before the deadline - April 30th
taking advantage of the winter sales
Today is finally March but the winter weather hasn't slowed down yet for us Canucks! I woke up to a winter wonderland AGAIN this morning and was so happy when my boots arrived earlier than expected (btw, there is nothing better than waking up to the friendly UPS man at your door during a snow storm delivering brand new boots! So spoiled!!)
Check them out! I bought them on sale at Locale (over 50% off!) and there are still sizes left.
I just love the inside. It's like wearing a sweater on your feet :)
I tried them out this morning when I took Roxy for a walk, and they are extremely warm and comfy. I am usually a size 7.5, and ordered size 8 thinking I would put a warm insole inside to make them fit better. Guess what! They are so warm and fit perfectly. No insole needed!
Now...thinking about buying one of those warm Canada goose jackets I keep seeing around the Capital.
Check them out! I bought them on sale at Locale (over 50% off!) and there are still sizes left.
I just love the inside. It's like wearing a sweater on your feet :)
I tried them out this morning when I took Roxy for a walk, and they are extremely warm and comfy. I am usually a size 7.5, and ordered size 8 thinking I would put a warm insole inside to make them fit better. Guess what! They are so warm and fit perfectly. No insole needed!
Now...thinking about buying one of those warm Canada goose jackets I keep seeing around the Capital.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
crazy life pushes my valentine's day to today!
Wow, it has been awhile since I have been around the blogger verse. My life has had an unfortunate speed bump in which I had to go back to my homeland for the past couple of weeks. I have tried to stay up to date with what's been happening but I'm a little behind. Two weeks away from life will do that to you!
I wanted to share with you my Valentine's day gift to my hubby, which is just so adorable and so us! We got married back in May and wrote our own vows, so when I found this, I couldn't believe it! This small worded poster has so many of our memories, inside jokes, and vows jammed into this frame, that it is just perfect to save for our new house. Yes, we are house shopping for our first home right now! So excited!
I purchased the print on Etsy and it came with a thick white matte for a 8x15 frame. I imagine coloured walls in our new home, so I am sticking with the jet black frame theme. All of my wall frames are black, and this print with the white writing goes perfect in a black frame.
I purchased the frame at Michael's at (YES!) 40% off. What a deal!
...and voila! This is what I am going to give my hubby tonight. xo
Sunday, January 1, 2012
make 2012 the year to learn something new
Life is way too short. And I realized that recently after I moved to Ottawa in October and started working for myself. I was always one to study hard, work hard, and devote my life to my career (and I am not even 30 yet!). Once I was done school and studied my toosh off and pass all the CPA exams, I finally did it. I achieved all my goals I had and was a pretty dam good accountant. Working 9-5pm in the office Monday thru Friday, life gets pretty boring and the routine kicks in. Funny, because you don't realize it until your life changes. And for me that was having the opportunity to work foy me, myself, and I.
I began to take up new hobbies and doing things that I love, because of course, I had a tad bit more freedom now. Plus, I was (and still am) a newbie in the big Captial of Canada. One of the many things I love is yoga. So I joined the Rama Lotus yoga studio and devoted some time each week to my inner-self and realized that something else has changed. Me! Yoga is like this magical fairy dust, that sweeps you off your feet (and allows you to touch your toes). Practicing the many forms of yoga brings this sensation to your limbs, once a soar back now feels like a million bucks! So I can now say on new years day of 2012 my resolution for this amazing new year! I will study and do what I love, and hopefully be able to teach others by the end of the year, one of the many miricals of life, YOGA!
Happy New Year and Namaste!
I began to take up new hobbies and doing things that I love, because of course, I had a tad bit more freedom now. Plus, I was (and still am) a newbie in the big Captial of Canada. One of the many things I love is yoga. So I joined the Rama Lotus yoga studio and devoted some time each week to my inner-self and realized that something else has changed. Me! Yoga is like this magical fairy dust, that sweeps you off your feet (and allows you to touch your toes). Practicing the many forms of yoga brings this sensation to your limbs, once a soar back now feels like a million bucks! So I can now say on new years day of 2012 my resolution for this amazing new year! I will study and do what I love, and hopefully be able to teach others by the end of the year, one of the many miricals of life, YOGA!
Happy New Year and Namaste!
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