What Are You Wearing Today?

As I was getting dressed today, I was reflecting on how I decide what I am going to wear.  As a woman, we have many choices.  Skirts, capris, pants, dresses, leggings, shorts, jackets and vests are some of the choices a woman has when she decides what to wear.  Sometimes I let the weather be my guide.  Is it grey and cloudy?  Then I may want to wear something cozy, warm, and comfortable.  Sometimes I decide to go against the weather.  If it's cold and I am tired of wearing my good old standby black, I may choose to wear a bright colour.  Sometimes it's a piece of jewellry that I want to build my wardrobe around.  Sometimes it's a pair of shoes with a certain colour or look that I want to enhance.  Am I dressing for work or for play?  Getting dressed to go out with a friend or out on a date is fun!

It's far too easy to get into a rut and wear the same old, same old.  Do you know what I'm saying?  Buying a couple of new pieces of clothing or accessories can boost your mood and your wardrobe.  Changing of the seasons always excites me, as that means I can start wearing different types of clothes (long pants vs. capris for example).  The best part of clothes is I am able to express myself with colour and design and that always is a reflection of my mood.

What are you wearing today?  What influenced your choice?

Have a great day, no matter what you decide to wear!

~ Angela Gentile

Pillow Fight!

I came across this funny clip called Pillow Fight!!!!! on Funny or Die by AKSpartanKiller.  Just had to share it with you.  Hope you enjoy it!

Click on this link for a laugh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqPzaUrMDQ&lr=1&uid=Jxcfy8qtVSJfoTJ6CvXqVA

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Duty Free Advice for Canadians - Cross Border Shopping

In 2011 I went on a trip to Europe, and on our way back, each person had to fill out a "Canada Border Services Agency Declaration Card" that indicated how much money was spent. There are limits on what is considered Duty Free, depending on how long you have been away from Canada. Here are the personal exemptions that were indicated on the form that I had to fill out. These limits are very good to know if you don't want to pay extra fees when you purchase goods outside of Canada:

"No duty is payable on goods imported for personal use, if it is marked as "made in Canada, the USA, or Mexico", or if there is no marking or labeling indicating that it was made somewhere other than Canada, the USA, or Mexico." 

- Government of Canada, 2014

Residents of Canada:

Each resident returning to Canada is entitled to one of the following personal exemptions based on his/her time absent from Canada (include all goods and/or gifts purchased or received abroad, 2012): 

- 24 hours: $200 Canadian
Not claimable if goods exceed $50. Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed.

- 48 hours: $800 Canadian
This includes alcohol and tobacco (see info below).

- 7 days: $800 Canadian
This includes alcohol and tobacco (see info below).  Plus,  after a 7-day absence, you are allowed to include goods that will follow you by mail or other delivery method.

Alcohol and tobacco exemption information:

1.5 L of wine or 1.14 L of liquor or 24 x 355 ml cans or bottles (8.5 L) of beer or ale.  (You must be of legal age in the province of importation).

200 cigarettes, 200 tobacco sticks, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco (Special Duty may apply).

Want to estimate how much duty and tax you will pay? Try this Duty and Taxes Estimator.

For more details, you can check out this website: updated May 31, 2012: http://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/a/exemptionscdns.htm

Other important links:

Canada Border Services Agency
Cross Border Shopping
Duty Free Canada

Happy shopping fellow Canadians!

~ Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

keywords: Cross border shopping, customs, duty, shopping, USA, taxes
Edited 30 Jul 2016