Jennifer "Shop It" P.'s Profile

I'm not really a blingy girl ... glitter and shiny chrome are not really my thang.

But this little shop in downtown Edmonton, which I've driven by for months and finally stopped in at, is going to be my downfall;)

I love me all the pretty, old, fun, gorgeous and inspiring items that Kloy, the owner, lovingly selects to showcase and sell:  statues, chandeliers, candlesticks, buddha heads, dishware ... all kinds of household "jeuj" at economical prices.

There's also a steady turnover of stock - Kloy's always ready and excited to tell you about his latest finds - and the 50% off table is always full of goodies is a wee purchase might just make your afternoon.

And you can sip a cappuccino or latte while you browse ... Kloy runs a catering service as well. Don't go in here if you don't intend to come back ... or if you don't want to spend but have a weak spot for Renaissance beauty, Zen-inspired things, retro decor or Christmas shopping in August.

There's some bling in me after all.

I have so far run four yoga retreats at River Lodge - a wilderness lodge located off a gravel road in the country surrounding Stony Plain. It's situated in a beautiful setting with access to hiking trails that lead to a meditation area and look-out over the North Saskatchewan River.

There's a cozy lodge where you can stay in dorms, single or double rooms. There are several common bathrooms and showers. If having a private bathroom is more your style, you can rent one of two cabins located just outside the lodge. One of the two cabins has a king-sized bed and canopy that's beautiful and rustic. Cabins have kitchenettes. There's a communal kitchen in the lodge, saunas and a big room downstairs where I can run my yoga classes, but which is often used for meditation retreats and other conferences and gatherings.

I like doing business with River Lodge. They are very accommodating and and a friendly couple who you usually see out-and-about on the property. They live in a house next door to the lodge.

This place is charming and rustic. Make sure that's your schtick and cup of tea, so you're not disappointed! You will breathe easier here and I always leave my worries and unfinished business at the front gate ... where it's waiting for me when I leave;)

I bought a Kijiji Daily Deal to this place... thought I'd treat myself to a facial and body wrap since I don't often splurge for such indulgences.

The deal was 61% off - so $70 for what would normally cost $179 - for a Guinot Hydradermie Facial and Soothing Herbal Body Wrap.

OK, first of all, the owner talked so loud the whole time. Second, she did the facial and body wrap all at once - obviously she wanted to save time because she wasn't making as much money - so while I cooked inside the wrap - which might have been enjoyable if I could have drifted into la-la land with some quiet music - she did my facial.

The facial included steps that were mildly uncomfortable (some magnetic instrument that's supposed to help remove impurities and seal the skin...which made my mouth taste metallic at some points), then an acidic mask that burnt slightly. I might have tolerated this on its own, but it ruined my relaxing body wrap, which I was so looking forward to...and my skin didn't look or feel any different afterwards.

Finally, the body wrap... in which I sweat and release toxins in for, oh, over an hour ... when it comes off ... then... NOTHING. No scrub, no moisturizing... I walked out of there coated in my own dry, toxic sweat intermingled with dead skin cells that came loose. My whole body felt itchy and dry. This totally blew my mind!

All of this, made worse by the fact that, as her client, I didn't feel she really cared about my experience. She didn't make eye contact the whole visit and she came across as ingenuine. I will never go back here and I will now be more suspicious of "good" deals on Kijiji Deals.

I don't usually like to be so negative... but I feel I wasted my money... even though the price was so reduced. Some pamper session;(

We popped in here the other day while at the mall. I was so excited when I saw that there's a Hoang Long at WEM (by T&T). I had massively talked up the coconut curry rice dish, which I've had many times at the HL downtown.

After scanning the menu, my fiance and I realized that it's an abbreviated menu here that just focusses on soups, salads, gelato and appies. We were out of luck, but when I asked about the rice dish the server was nice enough to tell us that just outside the mall is their sister restaurant, which serves the full dinner menu.

Good to know for next time - but since we were famished, we quickly ordered their exceptional salad rolls with a spicy peanut dipping sauce ... that is so good you could just eat it with your finger and be satisfied;)

The vibe of the place is very lunchy and minimalist-modern. There's a gorgeous painting of a blossoming tree that I would love to have for my living room, but not much other decor. The rest is white and chrome. OK for a fly-by bite, but I probably wouldn't come here otherwise, since their restaurant in Chinatown totally rocks.

This family-owned business has done so well because of the quality and consistency of their service and food over many years in Edmonton. They've got my loyalty.

If I could live in Tzin everyday, without becoming a total wine-and-tapas hedonist, I would. Just knowing a place like Tzin exists in our city, makes me love it a little bit more.

Whenever I'm craving great wine and delectable food, served in an intimate and decadently draped hollow, located on 104 St (next to deVine Wines) I now know where to go to satiate the lover and tzinner in me.

The owner, Glen, knows not only his wines, but your wines. He listens to what you like, then if you're open to his picks, he will take you on a tour de grapes you won't soon forget!

For me, he chose the 2004 Gloriosa Rioja, forever altering my view of the Spanish red. Next, the Glen Carlou Grand Classique from South Africa, followed by Dierberg Three Saints Syrah (U.S.A.) Both: exquisite.

Then he poured a glass of the Petit Syrah Rosenblum 2006 and I fell a little deeper in love. All of this, with tasty tapas, including sirloin and mushroom crostinis and a delicious antipasto platter. If you're looking for a special place to hold a small, intimate gathering, this is perfect. Also great for a third date or anniversary. Reserve to avoid disappointment. It doesn't take much to fill this place - seems lots of other Edmontonians also love living in tzin.

Hands-down and two thumbs up, I give d'Lish five bright, sparkly stars!

This restaurant's obvious love affair with food, wine and their refreshing culinary creativity were a symphony of music to my palette and Ode to Joy in my  belly.

We had a UYE (unofficial Yelp event - if you're unfamiliar with Yelp lingo) last Thursday at d'Lish and I am still thinking ... a lot ... about the food.

In fact, I admit I see visions of potato bacon soup shooters, cups of bacon & quail's egg, fresh squid ink-infused pasta tossed in creamy rosé sauce and ginger cake, unexpectedly, constantly, in between thoughts  - like a badly crushing teen who's distracted a 1000 times a day or more by lucid daydreams of Justin Bieber.

I see food. D'lish-ous food - everywhere. I blame the culinary imprints left on my belly last week for triggering this latent sixth sense!

The group of us ordered the "Have a Little Faith" taste with wine pairings. We didn't know what little bite-sized appies would cross our plate but that was half the fun! The other half was savouring top-rate food with peeps who love food as much as I do. The wine list's amazing and the service genuine, enthusiastic and personal.

Thank you D'lish for restore my faith in how good food can be.

If you miss your grandma, don't have a grandma and wish you had, or just want to relive or experience what it feels like to visit gram's cozy, dated doily-and-porcelain-figurine festooned pad for tea - go straight to Chandler's.

The faded and torn canopy out front speaks of neglect, and Chandler's exterior could badly use a facelift - like the Inglewood Pub across 118 Ave. that's desperately trying to shake off it's bad rep, after too many people were in the wrong place at the wrong time, at or near their establishment.

Once inside Chandler's, the warm, welcoming atmosphere pulls you in and puts you at ease. On this particular day, there are about a dozen older ladies lingering over lunch, divulging a head-spinning volume of gossip and seasoned girl talk. There are no men in sight - except for an exceedingly calm waiter.

From the cacophony of this raucous and indomitable ya-ya sisterhood, I hear tidbits of their conversations: "You know Annie, her sister's in the hospital"... "Do you think he was into drugs?"..."I want to buy my great grand-daughter a swing set..."

I smile. At them, and at the tables draped in lace, set with peach-coloured fabric napkins. I put one on my lap, and miss my baba. Then I order Earl Grey tea, which comes in a lacy, quilted tea cozy, and let my eyes roam as I wait for my chicken and vegetable crepe in cream sauce to arrive.

Like grandmas' house, Chandler's is comfortably stuck in the '80's. The floral wallpaper, gold brass trim, white wooden country trimmings and crowded kitsch are so thick that only an extreme home-makeover could dislodge it from last century. But it's the tacky grandma charm that makes this place so delightful.

When they arrive, I dig in and the crepes are good, but a little too drenched in heavy cream sauce, and there's more than a hint of cilantro in the filling. Not exactly your light lunch, but then again you go to grandma's for her gravy chicken pot pie and donuts not her vegan coucous and edamame meatloaf.

The bill is $15 and comes with a fine swiss chocolate, instead of those green, yellow and pink mints in a dish that you scoop with a minature spoon. Nice touch though. Chandler's, you fulfill the grand-daughter in me.

I adore Artisan RestoCafe. It feels like a mini-Paris. They've captured the feel of an outdoor French courtyard terrace inside the warm, welcoming cafe space.

I grab a latte and a newspaper - the scene would be perfect, if only I had a French beret and a friend to dine with, named Amélie.

As I browse the menu, I can't decide between the grilled cheese with aged white cheddar on multigrain, the Mac & Cheese with three cheeses and bechamel sauce, the eggs bennie Breton with mushrooms and melted brie, also smothered in bechamel - or a healthier, nouveau-French option: the gluten-free garbanzo pancakes, made with chick pea flour, garlic, green onions and tamarind. Sounds ... extremely healthy ... but when in Paris ... I have a rule: I eat cheese. Lots of it.

A love affair begins. Actually, Artisan Resto, you had me at brie & bechamel.

Oh la la! Je t'adore! Mon amour. Ma petite baguette fleur au gratin dans creme brulee. Delicioux! You complete me.

Grabbed a bite at Joe's last night on the way down to Whyte. This was my first time to their newest location. I like the layout of the place, with plenty of booths and smaller nooks for privacy, with classy winding staircase in the middle.

The vibe was chill and Saturday night. Fast service and $5 import beer sweetened the deal. I like the consistency at Joe's. You know what you're gonna get and the food is always solid.

My sweetie and I split a club - fresh turkey (no processed slices), soft, fresh bread and, of course, Joe's signature two sides. We opted for the mashed potatoes and gravy with crispy onions on top and crispy raw veggies with dip. The food came in under 10 minutes.

Other restaurants have failed in this location, but I think Joe's reputation will help it thrive here. With lots of unique restaurants in the area and only Boston Pizza around the corner, there isn't a lot of chain/franchise competition in the area. Not everyone is daring or experimental when they eat out - but everyone loves a good, old reliable Joe in the neighbourhood.

I just took a beautiful Yoga for Strength class at Prana with Jaya. It was awesome - infused with challenging arm & leg balances & warrior sequences and core work - all guided by a wise, warm woman who has an eloquent way with words.

Prana studio, if you've never been, is one of the best studios in the city. Owner Leala Enfield is a long-time practitioner who trained in Maui and in India. She is a genuinely inspired, creative and kind-hearted spirit, and it shows in the space she has created, nurtured and expanded over the last few years. Absolutely zen and conducive to practice and peace.

Plus the blankets for savasana (final relaxation) are the best! Can't help but drift off under its' warm, heavy cottony comfort.

Well, now that I've got my Om on,  I'm just about ready for anything, and it's even Saturday night - woohoo!