I’m sure you’ve seen the HIGH-larious Zellers video making the rounds on your favourite blogs – you know, the one poking fun at its inevitable demise? Of course I wanted to share it with my readers as well. Now since it’s no secret that I have a love affair with the “huge American retailer that shall remain nameless”… I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised that Zellers has taken the high road. Much respect to them, actually.

Before I ramble on, here’s the video:

Quite the laugh, no? But beyond the chuckles, I love that Zellers, rather than avoiding the subject, is actively participating in its transition by reaching out to customers via social media. Too many times a company throws in the towel – especially when they know the clock is ticking – and forgets about their customers altogether. Yes, I assumed Zellers would be in this camp.

It’s actually quite awesome that they’re proving me wrong.

Here’s how you can make the most of their festive finale: Head on over to Zellers on Facebook. You’ll be able to do everything from setting the sale prices of merchandise to picking the in-store music playlist (I vote for Backstreet Boys on repeat!). Facebook fans will also have access to exclusive offers and deals – like the $15 off coupon I snagged last week :)

For real – this campaign is already more memorable than anything Zellers has offered to date. Such a shame we won’t get to see more… but I suppose that’s why its called “Going Out with a BANG!”

And, bonus points for incorporating wolves into the message. Bahaha!

Click here to visit Zellers on Facebook.

This post is sponsored by Zellers.

Tim Horton’s Smile Cookies are back! From September 19th to 25th, 2011 indulge your sweet tooth – guilt free – as all the proceeds go to local charities, hospitals and community programs from coast to coast.

Click here to see Tim Horton’s making a difference in your community.

Of course, when the Smile Cookies are gone, the difference they make in the community will last forever… so enjoy a sweet treat today!

Just another reason to love President’s Choice!

Purchase PC Little Penguins Snack Crackers at your local Real Canadian Superstore between June 17th and September 5th and you’ll receive one free child’s admission ($13 value) for each proof-of-purchase (bottom of cracker box showing the barcode). Try all three great-tasting, peanut-free flavours – Original, Cheddar and Whole Wheat Cheddar!

You should know:

1. It may be a limit of one free child’s admission per family. Which means that hubby and I will be splitting up at the admission gate ;)

2. Since you need to show the barcode – and not receipt – I’m fairly certain that you could purchase the crackers from Loblaws or No Frills if you don’t have an RCSS nearby. Would love if someone could please confirm.

3. PC Little Penguins Snack Crackers are delicious! I love this promo because the cost of crackers is only a few dollars vs. $13 for admission, AND you can bring the crackers along for your kiddies to snack on! It’s win-win!

Sweet Groupon for Canadians today! Spend $10 for $20 worth of merchandise at Old Navy. Groupon is available at all locations across Canada, in-store only. Expires July 30th, limit one.

Click here to purchase today’s Groupon.

Here we go! My weekly (sometimes) roundup of some of the hottest deals for Canadians! Courtesy of Canadian Daily Deals, here are my picks:

Shoppers Drug Mart: Free $10 Gift Card With $20 Product Purchase
Banana Republic Canada: 40% Off Tops and Shorts (May 24 5-8pm)
Sears Canada: 40% Off Regular Priced Women’s Fashions (May 24)
Old Navy Canada: 20% Off Coupon In-store and Online (May 24)
Smashbox Cosmetics: 20% Off Friends and Family (Until May 27)
Knorr Canada: Buy 3 Knorr Products Get 1 Free Coupon
Wagjag: Free $5 Credit Coupon Code For New Signups

… and more!

Click here to visit Canadian Daily Deals.

Have you checked out Canadian Daily Deals lately? You won’t want to miss out!

SportChek: Buy A Bike, Get 20% off Cycling Apparel and Accessories
Shoppers Drug Mart: Save 20% Off Seniors’ Day (May 12)
The Body Shop Canada: $10 Off Any $20 Purchase With SPC
MAC Cosmetics Canada: Free Shipping Code
Murale: 20x Optimum Points With $50 Skin Care Purchase
Banana Republic Factory Store: 50% Off Summer Styles
Michaels Canada: 20% Off Entire Purchase Friends and Family Coupon
Sears Canada: Save 25-30% Off Outlet 3 Days Only
The Bay: Up To 70% Off Duvets Coupon
Moores Canada: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Entire Store

… and many more!

Click here to visit Canadian Daily Deals.

I don’t have to tell you how much I LOVE MTF Price Matters. If there was any doubt, just read about my crush here and here and here. You should know:

1. All of the merchandise at MTF Price Matters is 100% authentic. They simply do not do knock-offs. So you can take the low, low prices at face value – they’re awesome deals, plain and simple!

2. Their customer service is ridiculously good. Like, the best service I’ve ever received when purchasing online. So don’t be afraid to give them a shout with questions, concerns or feedback (EST customers keep in mind they’re located in BC – so mind the time difference).

3. If you happen to live out west, check out their Pay N’ Pick Up service – you can save on shipping by picking up your purchases at any one of their twelve (12) locations. They ship anywhere in North America – US customers, welcome!

4. Inventory is constantly being updated – so check back often.

Well, there’s a HUGE reason to love them even more… for a limited time, you can score FREE Shipping on ALL Canadian orders over $20! Woot!

If you’re looking for some inspiration, may I suggest:

Ladies Rock & Republic Stella Bold Jeans – just $44.99, and ships for free!

Ladies Rock and Republic Stella Jeans Lowrise Straight Leg with sexy R Back Pocket Embroidery. In Bold Blue Color. These are the quintessential “fabulous butt” jean ladies!

Ladies Movado 8855012 Watch - you save 50%! Only $364.99… Mother’s Day is just around the corner!

Movado watches are created by adept watchmakers to meet the austere standards of Swiss time technology. Each Movado watch is marked with a unique serial number and certified to pass strict international standards of quality. Movado watches, a supporter of the arts, has been the beneficiary of over 200 international awards.

Fujifilm Finepix XP15 – I’ve got this camera – from MTF Price Matters, of course – and it’s beyond fabulous! You can save $86 – what a deal! Click here for specifications.

Luxuries Collection Cherry Blossom Leather Tote Set – need a gift for your child’s teacher? Just $17.99!

Simply presented and affordably priced, this gift collection of Body Therapy workshop Spa products makes luxury attainable for all. Lightly scented with the soft floral scent of Cherry Blossoms. Set includes Healing Hand Cream, Moisturizing Body Cream, Mineral Bath Crystals, Revitalizing Foot Soak, Foaming Bath & Shower Gel, Cooling Body Mist, Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream, Body Souffle, Hand Wash, Body Lotion, Body Butter, Storage Tote, Body Sponge, Scoop. 

Whew! That’s a whole lotta pampering. Be sure to add at least $2.01 to your basket to score free shipping!

There are so many more deals you just have to check out – and do let me know what tickles your fancy!

Click here to shop at MTF Price Matters.

It’s Back!

This Wednesday, April 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Baskin Robbins will host its third annual 31¢ Scoop Night in support of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF). The national, charitable event invites the public to enjoy a scoop of their favourite ice cream or Soft Serve, in a cup or cone, for only 31¢. Donations will also be accepted in-store. Click here for more information.

Just like last year, some locations will be hosting additional activities, including having local firefighters on-site to assist in serving ice cream and giving tours of their fire trucks. I visited the store last year and was pleasantly surprised with their organization and speed – the lineup was less than 5 minutes and the ice cream was simply divine.

Get out there and enjoy the warmer weather… and donate to a worthy cause!

It’s FREE Taco Week at Taco Bell!

I haven’t enjoyed a TB taco in… oh, I don’t know how long. I guess one of the main concerns I’ve always had is the quality of “beef” in their beef tacos. That, and many times fast food = not so good food. Well, it looks like Taco Bell is ready to school me:

“You could say there’s been a lot of talk about our beef quality lately – and we thought we’d set the record straight and let Canadians taste our amazing beef tacos” says Dan Howe, Chief Marketing Officer for Yum! Restaurants Canada, which owns the Taco Bell brand in Canada.

Taco Bell’s Free Taco Week is a genuine opportunity to share the key facts about Taco Bell beef quality: the company starts with real ground beef and simmers it with it’s “not-so-secret” signature recipe of seasonings, spices, water, and other ingredients to provide Taco Bell’s signature taste and texture. For exact details on the signature recipe and more info on Taco Bell quality, visit www.tacobell.ca.

To score a free taco, all you have to do is visit any Taco Bell in Canada between the dates of April 7th and 13th during the hours of 3pm to 6pm.

My husband is a huge fan of tacos and I have no doubt he’ll be popping in a few times on his way home from work for a pre-dinner snack.

Click here to find a Taco Bell near you.

Thanks to reader Vanda for the heads up on this sweet promo!

If you love Simons as much as I do – but can’t make the trip to Montreal – this weekend, enjoy FREE shipping on all purchases at Simons.ca. Of course, the website inventory is only a fraction of what is available in-store, but there are still TONS of hot looks at even hotter prices!

I couldn’t resist the “Trees in Silhouette” Duvet Cover Set pictured above – just $49.95 for a King Set, it saved me close to $200 (based on similar themes I had seen at Home Outfitters and Bed Bath & Beyond). It’s sooo W Hotel – love it!

And don’t even get me started on the Women’s Fashions! I WANT I WANT I WANT…

ONE SHOULDER CAMI $28

ALL DRAPE TEE $30

LIGHT JERSEY TUBE DRESS $20

LINEN SAHARA JACKET $50

PICOT FLOWER CANVAS TRENCH $90

TWIN BAND SKIRT $28

Click here to shop at Simons.ca.

Just in time for Easter, Build-A-Bear Workshop has released some beyond adorable furry friends! Come meet the latest additions to their Spring lineup – that’s Swirly Lamb and two of the newest Limited Edition Small Frys, Summer Hugs Bear and Happy Chick shown above! (How cute is that little chickie?)

And, Build-A-Bear is your one-stop Easter shop: Starting March 18th, you can make your own Beary Limited edition Daisy Bunny ($18) or Swirly Lamb ($18) at Build-A-Bear Workshop and buildabear.com. For a limited time, you’ll also receive a FREE basket and candy gift with a purchase of $20 or more while quantities last. (Do remember to personalize your gift with a Build-A-Sound message that you record for an additional $8).

When I was young, it was customary to give chocolate for Easter; every year I’d look forward to a large, hollow egg with a tiny prize nestled inside. Later, plush Easter bunnies became all the rage. So I’d say that this Build-A-Bear gift set combines the best of both worlds!

I’ve been to Build-A-Bear a few times, but I’ve never come across their Small Frys! They’re just 7-in tall, and arguably the cutest little animals I’ve ever seen. I’m particularly in love with the Camo Bear pictured below – I die!!

For more information, visit buildabear.com.

*BUMP* Visit The Body Shop this weekend for this fantastic promo!

This weekend at The Body Shop, enjoy sweet savings… while supporting a very worthy cause!

On Saturday, March 12th and Sunday, March 13th, Canadians can purchase the limited edition Shepard Fairey bag for $5 and receive 50% OFF everything that fits inside. And, $2.22 from each bag sold will go to the Somaly Mam Foundation!

(Founded in 2007, the Somaly Mam Foundation has a vision of a world where women and children are safe from slavery. Its mission is to give victims and survivors a voice in their lives, liberate victims, empower survivors as they create and sustain lives of dignity, and to end slavery. The vision and mission are accomplished by developing programs that enable victims to become survivors who are empowered to make a contribution to combat human trafficking.)

When you’re at The Body Shop, be sure to sign the petition to help Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People. (You can also sign the petition online here.)

“Every year more than 1.2 million children and young people are trafficked around the world becoming victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, even right here in Canada. Sex trafficking is now the third-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world after illegal drugs and arms trafficking.”

I was just the 5,045,694 person to sign the petition… Take a stand and help end child trafficking; every signature counts!

With spring on the way, I’ve already been bitten by the home renovation bug. Of course, my renos mostly consist of rearranging vases – but if you’re in the market for a brand new kitchen, here’s a nice little promo for you:

Until March 20th, grab a 20% instant rebate when you purchase 3 or more KitchenAid major appliances, or 15% off when you purchase 2 major appliances.

Here are some examples of how you can save:

Click here for full details on the Cook up the Savings Event.

Since most of my readers know that I have two little boys two years apart, I’m regularly asked for my input on double strollers. I can usually answer all their questions by attaching one link:

http://www.listentolena.com/2010/10/lena-loves-britax-b-ready.html

Yes, that’s my review of the Britax B-READY modular stroller. It is still my favourite stroller and the one I recommend most to families with little ones, or to parents who know they’ll be trying for another little one soon. Quite simply, it’s the most versatile stroller on the market today, with 14 possible configurations and the ability to fold two seats in a standing fold. Oh, B-READY, how I love thee!

Now for readers in the market for this amazing stroller, please take note – it’s Britax’s “Stroll Your Way” Event!

From March 1 – June 30, 2011 (while supplies last), parents who purchase a B-READY stroller will have their choice of: One free BRITAX Bassinet ($159.99), Second Child Seat ($159.99), or a $159.99 credit toward a Chaperone Infant Car Seat (normally $269.99).

(Readers in the US can take advantage of a similar promotion – the only difference being that in addition to the bassinet and second child seat, they’ll also have their choice of a FREE Chaperone Infant Car Seat  - lucky!)

“We know that a stroller is a big purchase for parents, and it’s one that they’ll likely use for several children,” said Jon McGuire, BRITAX director of marketing. “Our Stroll Your Way Event allows parents to save significantly while customizing their stroller to fit their lifestyle.”

Kudos, Britax, KUDOS!

Click here for complete promotion details.

Today’s Groupon is sure to put a spring in your step – spend $25 for $50 Worth of Running Gear at the Running Room!

“Long-distance runners often begin training out of concern for their health, but many continue to run their whole lives if the wolf pack doesn’t stop chasing them. Equip yourself for extreme mileage with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of shoes, apparel, and accessories at the Running Room.

A vast emporium of running apparel, accessories, and shoes, the Running Room is staffed entirely by experienced runners who know how best to advise toddling newcomers and svelte speedsters alike. As well as stocking many popular brands of shoes, the Running Room sells their own fit-wear and accessories, which mix style and utility into a patented stewtility gumbo. Layered socks will keep hands warm on cold winter runs, and gloves keep even the longest toes comfortable. Stylish, sturdy foot-sheaths start from $89.99 and range up to $199.99.”

The Fine Print: Expires Jul 24, 2011. Limit 1/person, may buy 1 add’l as a gift. Valid only for location purchased. In-store only. Not valid for sale items, electronics, training programs, events or gift cards. Not valid for previous purchases. Non-transferable. Must use in 1 visit.

Ah, the good ol’ “Not valid for sale items.” Sigh – when will businesses realize that a good deal is only a good deal when combined with another good deal? Anyhoo, if you’ve had your eye on some regular priced gear, here’s a great way to put a dent in the cost.

Click here to purchase today’s Groupon.