It’s not often that you get to see behind the curtain before the show begins, but ever since I shadowed the EComm team at the Grandview Save-On-Foods earlier this month, I couldn’t wait to try online grocery ordering for myself.
The perfect opportunity arose when I invited my sister on a ski weekend to Manning Park. She’s a busy single mom with 4 kids, who works full time and goes to school. I had pulled her away for an overnight winter wonderland escape on Saturday but knew that come Sunday night, she would need to start getting ready for (and would be stressing about) the week ahead. This is where my plan began to take shape.
On Friday night, I went online and picked out some essentials. I got some help from my mother who did recon at my sister’s house for me. Basics like paper towels and toothpaste, along with meal-builders like pasta, lean ground beef and rice. Her kids love their fruits and vegetables so I ordered oranges, peaches, apples, and assorted juice. Tea, jam, soups, milk, yogurt, and those lovable goldfish crackers rounded out the list.
During the online ordering process I was prompted when items were “2 for X amount”, on sale, or available for points redemption. It was a nice touch since it’s something you might see in store and now you won’t miss out on when ordering online.
I selected a pick-up location that was unfamiliar to us both (she is in Surrey and I am in Vancouver) since it would be on the way home from Manning Park. My order was placed and confirmed for the East Abbotsford location and I received my free pickup instructions by email:
- Use the express lane by pulling up to the intercom and follow the instructions to announce your arrival. Your Personal Shopper will bring your order to your vehicle.
- Please have your order number available upon arrival.
- Orders require signature of Receipt at time of Pick Up.
- You may be asked to show ID – Driver License or the credit card the order was placed on at the time of Pick Up.
After cross-country skiing, snowboarding, hot tub time and exploring Manning Park, we packed up and headed back to the Lower Mainland on Sunday afternoon.
As we left the Provincial Park behind us and took to the winding mountain highway, my sister’s brain started to get back into “working week” mode: What the kids had to get done this week, a report she had to file for school, and what was coming up at work before the holidays. I cut her off and told her there was one thing she didn’t have to worry about, as I already took care of her grocery shopping that week. I think I may have won the “Sister of the Year Award”, or at least now I was in contention for the honour.
I had selected a pick-up window of 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Save-On-Foods in Abbotsford, just west Castle Fun Park and we arrived around 3:15pm. I knew the process, thanks to my visit with Grandview, and pulled up to the intercom in the parking lot.
I was thankful that we didn’t have to get out of the car since it was cold, windy, and rainy outside. Within 7 minutes a team member had pulled her cart up to the front of the car, and once we parked in a designated spot, reviewed our order, loaded us up, and we were good to go!
By 4:15pm, we had parked in front of my sister’s house where her youngest poked his head out the window, next to the glowing Christmas tree. Her boys came bounding down the steps to welcome their mom home – and to help carry in the groceries. Dinner, school lunches, and meals for the week were all taken care of.
It was easy for me to lift one weight off my sister’s shoulders and it’s also something she can now do herself, with the online delivery option offered by Save-On-Foods. Next time though, I’m staying for dinner.
Vancouver DJs The Funk Hunters are back in town from touring internationally to play two hometown shows at The Commodore Ballroom on December 22nd (sold out) and December 23rd.
Photo Credit: Mark Brennan
The Funk Hunters Hometown Shows
Where: Tuesday, December 22nd & Wednesday, December 23rd
When: The Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville Street)
Tickets: Available for the 23rd via Ticketmaster for $28.50 (+fees)
2015 has been a breakout year for The Funk Hunters (Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith). They’ve played 75 shows in 5 countries and brought the Funk to some world class festivals including Electric Forest, Sonic Bloom, What The Festival, Squamish, Shambhala & Envision. The Funk Hunters also opened up for The Roots, collaborated and toured extensively with Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, and produced remixes for Imagine Dragons & Selena Gomez. The hustle will continue in 2016 with tours planned in Europe, Australia and New Zealand with Chali 2na.
Win Tickets to Funk The Halls
You can check out The Funk Hunters live at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on December 23rd. Here’s how to enter to win tickets:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Monday, December 21, 2015. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Follow The Funk Hunters on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Laura!
At 5.3 million square feet, and with approximately 30.8 million visitors each year, West Edmonton Mall has been Alberta’s top tourist attraction for the past three decades. However, as John and I discovered on our recent tour of wild rose country, there’s much more to Alberta’s capital city than its epic shopping mecca.
Where to Stay in Edmonton
We traded the towering mountains of Jasper for the edifices in Edmonton’s city centre. Rolling in off the highway, we made our way to the stylish Matrix Hotel (1). Our guest room was well-appointed, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that they offered complimentary parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a complimentary breakfast buffet in the morning. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Brentwood in Burnaby is hosting a full schedule of holiday entertainment, complete with choir music, live performers, and of course visits with Santa.
Holiday Entertainment at Brentwood
Saturday Activities
Coming up on December 19th, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, enjoy aerial performances, balloon artisans, holiday stilt walkers, cotton candy artisans, live canvas painter, 2 DJs, and a live guitarist.
Free Santa Photos
Every Tuesday until December 22nd, get two free 4×6 photos when you visit Brentwood’s Santa set. Tuesday Santa hours are 10:30am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, and 6:00pm to 9:00pm*.
Regular Santa hours (with regular pricing) are:
December 16th to December 19th:
11:00am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
December 20th: 11:00am to 2:00pm, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
December 21st: 11:00am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
December 22nd: 10:30am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, 6:00pm to 9:00pm*
December 23rd: 11:00am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
December 24th: 11:00am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
*Note: The line may be cut off at 7:30pm to ensure all photos are done by 9:00pm.
Musical & Burnaby School Choir Performances
Located at the London Drugs Court
December 16th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Feature Pianist
December 17th 10:00am Taylor Park
December 17th 1:00pm Kitchener Elementary
December 17th 2:00pm Parkcrest Elementary
December 17th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Feature Pianist
December 18th 10:00am Nelson Elementary
December 18th 1:30pm Cascade Elementary
December 18th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Feature Pianist
Win a Brentwood Gift Card
To spread even more cheer this holiday season, Brentwood is giving one lucky Miss604 reader the chance to win a $100 gift card. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Brentwood, on the corner of Willingdon and Lougheed (and at Brentwood SkyTrain station) is home to 110 stores and services including Sears and London Drugs. Follow Brentwood on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shops, services, and special events.
I will draw one contest winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Saturday, December 19, 2015.
Update The winner is @pneves78!
