The Materialist

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My Top Deal Finds for a Fashionable Black Friday 2014

We're no strangers to Black Friday deals but over the last few years, Canadian retailers have really gone all out with the Black Friday deals to stop us Canadians from running south of the border. Extended hours and great deals are all the rage this Friday and here's a list of my favourite deals to hit up!

I'm a big Kate Spade fan so I'm really excited about the Kate Spade Black Friday Surprise Sale! And that sale is on NOW! Through to November 29 get up to 75% off select handbags, accessories, and apparel. I checked it out and there are so many pretty things! The handbags are awesome. Free shipping to Canada when you spend $200. Whether your shopping for yourself or shopping for Christmas prezzies, this is my top sale to check out! To access the sale, you have to enter your email and postal code to enter the sale site. Access the Surprise sale here: Surprise.KateSpade.com.

Gotstyle is offering 30% off all men's suits as well as women's bags and select fashions. The sale is at both locations (Bathurst and Distillery) and is happening all Friday.

Jenny Bird is a Toronto designer that knows how to make my heart skip a beat! And she has a pop up sale happening at 174 Spadina Ave where you can get amazing finds for 50-70% off! This sale starts Thursday at 12 noon till 7 pm and Friday 12 noon to 7 pm. Jewellery and handbags are on sale. Follow hashtag #jennybirdsamplesale on twitter @_jennybird for virtual sneak peaks.

Nine West has a 50% off sale and 30% off clearance shoes. Perfect time to pick up some new years eve shoes!

The Hudson Bay Company has women's Sorel boots on sale for $79.99 and stylish Steve Madden boots on sale for $79.99. Practical boots and stylish boots, done and done!

Wondering where to shop this Friday? Here's a list of malls and their extended holiday hours:

Eaton Centre - 6am to 9:30 pm *Hudson Bay Company (downtown) opens at 5 am Yorkdale - 7am to 9:30pm Sherway Gardens - 7am to 9:30pm Dufferin Mall - 8am to 10pm Shops At Don Mills - 7am to 9pm Scarborough Town Centre - 7am to 9pm Fairview Mall - 7am to 9pm

Happy shopping my little frugal materialists!

[thematerialist-blog]

The Carbon Bar - 99 Queen St E Toronto

The Carbon Bar made its mark on the Toronto restaurant scene back in December 2013. I had the pleasure of going for my birthday back in January 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Their low key atmosphere paired with top notch service makes them a great go to spot on my recommendations list for any occasion. The Carbon Bar welcomes everyone and has done a great job creating a comforting space suitable for sophisticated cocktails and elegant flavours, or share plates, cool vibes, and giant bottles of Labatt 50. Each time you go to The Carbon Bar you can tailor your experience to be reflective of your mood. The oversized booths also makes The Carbon Bar an attractive spot for groups or a hot date. 

I was recently invited by The Publicist Group to attend a "tweet, eat & drink" after work event to taste test from the GBD Mondays menu which stands for Golden, Brown and Delicious Mondays. This menu will have you saying "TGIM!". #GBDMondays celebrates a special priced bar menu featuring some amazing dishes that really demonstrate the diversity and creativity that comes out of The Carbon Bar's kitchen. #GBDMondays menu is not your average snack menu and it was impossible for me to find a flaw. Every dish that came out looked beautiful and really impressed me. The cocktails were excellent and as the founder and organizer of #AfterWorkDrinksTO, I have to give The Carbon Bar a big seal of approval for a solid go to for after work drinks and eats any day of the week. 

The main events included The K.F.P. (Korean Fried Pork Ribs) which were easily a big hit with everyone at the table; and the Fish Tacos were certainly a show stopper for me. As a fish taco connoisseur I can tell you these were incredible. Big plump pieces of blackened sea bass with avocado, tomatillo salsa, coriander, lime and a kimchi mayo to top it off. Simply to die for.

We also got to try The Carbon bar's irresistible ribs and brisket. Delicious meaty goodness, barbecued with the perfect smokiness. See photos for all featured plates that made me drool and crave more. I know their #GBDMondays menu changes so I can't wait to go back and try more snack dishes at the bar. I also can't wait to sip on another Black Mamba Margarita which they set on fire right before serving it to you. Definitely worth ordering for the theatrics alone.

I give The Carbon Bar 4 out of 5 stars. The revived space is unique and tasteful, and the food is well presented and delicious. I definitely encourage everyone to go on #GBDMondays. Let's face it, everyone deserves a great cocktail and taste bud pleasing dinner after a manic Monday.

[thematerialist-blog]

Sam Edelman summer sandals. #shoes #shoesofinstagram #shopping #fashion #summer #blackandgold

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Ballet Pink flats from Reef. #shoes #heelboy #reef #shopping #shoesofinstagram #fashion

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Dessert anyone? #foodporn #foodies #food #yum #dessert #PEIcelebrations #nomnomnom

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Mmmmm lemons! Squeeze away. #PEIcelebrations

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Lee Lemonade #Lee

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My coworker is sporting a wicked new pair of kicks today! #radii #hightops #CaliforniaFreshKicks #sneakfreak #fashion #mensfashion #picoftheday

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Grilled Whole Japanese Squid. Best dish so far tonight. Perfection @yakitorikintori #foodporn #squidporn #squid #japanesesquid #yakitori #tapas #instafood #nomnation #nomnomnom #food #foodies #instagood #instayum

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Very cool Valentine's Day gift ideas for him and her. Aztec design ties and tentacle brackets

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Blue skies and palm trees... Maui heaven #hawaii

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Sunset Maui #hawaii #vacation #sunset #saturdayinpictures

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Aloha! #maui #hawaii

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I still can't believe I get to wake up and have my morning tea here. Do I have to come home? #paia #maui #hawaii #dreamlife

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Watching the waves at Jaws #surfers #surfing #jaws #maui #hawaii #travel #latergram

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Surfs up #hawaii #paia

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Brookfield Place #toronto #saturdayinpictures