#PayPalitTO Series | Eating & Drinking For Free in Toronto [Using PayPal] - Episode 2: Wilbur Mexicana

Hello again, and welcome back to free food + drink with the magic of PayPal!
If you need more context on this series (& how to get all this amazing edible goodness for free) jump back to the first post/episode.

For lunch, I decide to head on over to Wilbur Mexicana, which by looking at its logo on the PayPal app, seems like the perfect place for yuppies and hipsters in the area (& anyone residing in Liberty Village maybe?). The address is 552 King St West, just east of Portland St.

I believe Mexican Food has a special place in a Torontorian's heart, from what I have observed, and from what my food preferences have transformed into since I've moved to the city.

Which should be no wonder that there would be a long lineup going way past the entrance and only getting longer once I queue for the free food to see what the fuss is all about.

One thing I always do to determine where I go out to eat and with #PayPalitTO is look at Yelp reviews and see what's worth getting. That, and checking their online menu (if it's available, which in this case, it is). Most people were raving about the tacos so I opted for that (& for $3.75 for one + tortilla chips, why not?). Another thing I learned about Wilbur via Yelp was their extensive salsa bar, which got me pretty stoked about the place more than anything.
The main reason I got stuck in a queue due to it being people's lunch breaks and all, which was fine. I happened to be free today to check it out and have a sit-down meal.

Final price and remainder when paying for each taco seperately using PayPal app.

Once you enter the establishment, someone may (or may not in my case) hand you a menu for you to decide on what you want to have so it makes the line move faster. The employee handing over menus skipped me(?) so I asked someone ahead to use theirs once they were finished with it.
When you get to the counter,  place your order and pay in whatever method you desire. This is my first attempt at making two separate orders in order to use both vouchers, and it was (thankfully) a success! Due to the hordes of people, it more or less looked like I was ordering for someone else (aw).
Needless to say, I do the whole "2 separate orders" gig multiple times with other places afterwards in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The employees at every establishment I attempted this with were cool with it. *thumbs up emoji*
Like the majority of fast-casual restaurants (specifically taking the Panera Bread example), once you place your order and pay, they give you a placard with a number on it (and cute illustrations) and you sit anywhere and twiddle your thumbs hoping they manage to find you with the correct order.



This place also has great lighting, and the feel of a cafeteria (not just any cafeteria of course, but a cool cafeteria). Wilbur's surprisingly has similar decor to that of Dineen's Coffee with the whole old-fashioned library environment at the back of their restaurant (as well as their open-to-view kitchen area).

All dem avocados.

This is 1/2 of the tacos I ordered: The Bulgogi Taco; Korean-style beef with sriracha crema mayo, cabbage, pear (which I honestly couldn't taste in this), and sesame seeds on a flour tortilla. Each come with a side of tortilla chips, and depending on your appetite & how much you can consume, these are surprisingly filling (especially with a double order of chips).
While I usually go for more traditional flavours, I love fusion cuisine and couldn't pass this one up. Yelp users praised this (well, most of them since there's always a negative Nancy Yelper).

2/2 taco: The Grilled Avocado Taco with pineapple salsa, chipotle crema and cotiga cheese on a corn tortilla. Since I passed up on the guac, I had to get something with avocados, and this right off the bat sounded delicious when I saw the description online. And I usually never go for the veggie option.

On to the infamous salsa bar...

Most things available at the salsa bar were toppings on my taco (or other tacos) so unless you felt like you really missed out on a specific salsa from another taco, give it a go. Also, ALL THE LIMES. Citrus fruits are the bomb yo. Self-serve is a 1-Up from Chipotle's (when asking them to put more of black beans is, well, a bit too much to ask of them..).
Also, this hot sauce section took me by surprise. Apparently Sneaky Dee's has nothing on these guys. They should up their hot sauce game.
However, from sampling 5435432555 of these, most of them (as I suspected) are weak taste/spice-wise.
Nonetheless, I overhear these Latino guys trying to find the best hot sauce and pull out Melinda's. Judging from the little hot sauce was left from these bottles (and what they seemed to go for), this was the clear winner.

✎-------------------------------------------------------------------Overall Verdict--------------------------------------------------------------------

Bulgogi Taco: Not bad. Wasn't fan of the bulgogi itself but enjoyed the other elements of this taco. Wouldn't have this again.

Grilled Avacado. Would have a thousand times one of these if I could fit it all in my stomach. I would highly recommend this one, even if you are a meatatarian.

Overall experience: would go again, just during an off-peak hour and with friends.

Be sure to use the first $5.00 voucher by Sunday, June 7, 2015! 
The second voucher expires by Sunday, June 14, 2015.

#PayPalitTO Series | Eating & Drinking For Free in Toronto [Using PayPal] - Episode 1: Dineen Coffee

Before I commence this post, I want to state that this is not sponsored by PayPal or any of the locations I mention by any means. The following expressed are my opinions of the PayPal app, its promotions, and the locations I go to.

Yes, that's right. It is possible.
No, this isn't from whatever you took/stole from your campus cupboard (or someone's house).
Ever since I discovered PayPal's app & their promos to use it using $5-10 vouchers when using PayPal at certain cafés, restaurants and bars, I start gallivanting around the city of Toronto to get as many free coffees, pastries, lattes, and other kinds of food before the coupon's expiration date.
Not many people know about it unfortunately, so for starters I'll lay down the conditions to get over $50.00 CAD of free stuff.

✎-------------------------------------------------------How to Get $5 Vouchers via PayPal------------------------------------------------------------

1. aka "Captain Obvious Rule": get a PayPal account (if you don't have one already)
Connect your bank account and/or credit account (or both if you have a Visa Debit card). I highly suggest this (I don't think using the vouchers works otherwise but I'm not 100% sure on this fact..) but this is good in case your bill exceeds the voucher amount (so it dips in whatever account you made available).

2. Be an "adult" (aka be 18 or over)
I only know this since I promoted this to a former co-worker of mine who was still (is still?) in high school, tried getting the account synced to the PayPal app, and received the bad (ageist?) news.

3. Have a smartphone
This is iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry compatible.

4. Have a smartphone that isn't that old
I know this more concerns Apple devices, but double check if your device is compatible here.

5. (Optional but very helpful depending on the location): Have data/some sort of data plan
This is helpful but you can do without it. Most places have free wifi. Another option is grab a friend along for this foodie joy ride that has data/can provide a wifi hotspot for you and you're good to go (I shameless did this. no regrets)!

Once you've completed all most these steps, you're set! All the food! All the caffeine! All the iced drinks! 

Now on to the actual promotional details...
PayPal occasionally does these kind of promotions which are available at a variety of locations. When this happened last summer, I would never guessed that this would repeat every so often within the next year or so. Most places that I am featuring that do this have provided these coupons more than once.
I rarely check the app for these promotions (which you can do by logging in and tapping the "Shop" button) but the other day, I discovered that there are over 30 coupons! 30!!!!
Why such an absurd number? Do most of these places need that much promotion (well, technically, PayPal does..)?
Turns out the locations that do carry the promotion are carrying two $5.00 vouchers. One expires sooner than the other so be aware of that.

 Screenshot of the vouchers used at Dineen Coffee

Something to keep in mind: You can only one coupon per purchase. I learned this (semi) the hard way when I went over the limit at Dineen's (not by much thankfully, but still).

The best way to work around this is:
(a) Make two separate purchases using PayPal (did this 98% of the time. They're cool with that...thankfully..)
(b) Go to the location on separate occasions (doing this 0.000000005% 2% of time) Actually did that with Dineen Coffee

No, on to the #PayPalitTO series!

While I (might) compile an entire list of places that have this promotion, I'm going to document the places I've gone to, what I've gotten with these coupons, and finally, my overall review of their drinks and/or food, and experience (both past & present will be mentioned since I've been to many of these places before).

First up: Dineen Coffee

Dineen Coffee is situated in the heart of the Financial District on 140 Yonge St (South of Richmond St E). It stands out amidst the vast chain of Starbucks and Tim Hortons and gets pretty busy by the beginning of the lunch hour.

Like Bar Volo north of Wellesley Station, people who aren't hipsters don't live in the West End of Toronto like the more artsier/hipster-esque/West-End Toronto-esque bars. So much so that they garner too many  lots of people from their lunch break.

I've been to Dineen's once before. It was evening and the atmosphere felt very evening, almost dreary, especially when it's quiet. It's not like all coffee places become like this post-rush hour, but I wasn't getting good vibes from this place before. And yes, that first time I did have a voucher but my overall experience with the counter staff that time too wasn't too pleasant either.
This time around felt different. It was pretty crowded, and that to me was my only low point about this place, and that's mainly due to the fact that I prefer a much more quiet atmosphere.

I enjoyed the decor more after seeing it through natural lighting. It's art deco-esque style, classic library furnishings and artistic light fixtures felt inviting to the space (if only there was some available space).

The staff seemed much more friendlier despite the lineup that was starting to pass the entrance right after I arrived. I hadn't broke my fast yet, and opted for a regular cappuccino paired with a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant for all you peasants out there). The total came to $6.95, so with one voucher, I only paid the $1.95 remaining.

Although I didn't take a photo of this, they serve a wide selection of sandwiches besides pastries. When I re-visited to use the second voucher (this time around 12:30 pm), they were already out of them.

✎-------------------------------------------------------------------Overall Verdict--------------------------------------------------------------------

Cappuccino was delicious (no sugar/sweeteners added). No too gritty, very smooth.

Pain au chocolat was alright. The chocolate was hard inside but in all fairness, some people prefer it that way (I don't). I've had (and soon will have) better croissants/pastries as I continue on my #PayPalitTO journey.

Be sure to use the first $5.00 voucher by Sunday, June 7, 2015! 
The second voucher expires by Sunday, June 14, 2015.

[Lack of] Famous Last Words

With Parks And Recreation, a show I loved but a finale I didn’t, I got to thinking about last lines in pop culture. What last lines have disappointed you in film, TV, and books?

 - AV Club

Now that it's 2 AM in the morning, I've cleaned the apartment, avoiding my intern "homework" (as well as the clothes on my bed...) and alas, I've done gone and sucked myself into the blogosphere. Temptation got the better of me to share and [sort of] review AV Club's article: What underwhelming last lines have left you cold?

The first on the list was [obviously] Gilmore Girls, and honestly the one I feel most strongly about. I remember way back in 2007 (dear god that's consider "way back" now; kill me now..) when my sister and a family friend of ours discussed how underwhelming the series finale of the show was. I was happy not to have finished the show at the time due to its awesomeness (and before the whole streaming/bingeing, I watched it on syndication).

However, after seeing the thumbnail of the show appear on Netflix, my sister and I had to (had to) re-watch the entire series. That time I finished it (took 9 months to watch it together but we did it). As mentioned in the article, when the creator left, the series went downhill as well. A show especially known for its dialogue fell flat with their final words. 

[I also believe mizz Gellar should have spoken the last words]

The other movies and shows mentioned are ones I don't feel as strongly about, or make me laugh because I can't recall it for the life of me (remember An Education?) or ones I haven't seen it (West Wing).

It's goddamn summertime and all I can think about are shows I need to catch up on or have to start on.

How Bizzare

How bizarre.
Anyone remember that song?

I turned 21 last weekend and was reminded of how long I've had this blog (since 2008). I thought I'd share some photos of myself chilling by Cabbagetown. Nothing says great weekend like gallivanting the streets of Toronto on a sunny day.

I mainly shot video footage for my first and upcoming blog. On to actual editing @_@

Nothing like Taco Bae on your bae day (don't judge me).

The vlog I will one day post is in regards to "birthday deals" Torontonians (Torontonites? Torontonauts? Or anyone visiting) can get food-wise. I didn't do much regarding that regrettably. However, I thought I got some great footage and busted some myths (well, claims more like) on some supposed birthday deals you could get (looking at you Taco Bell).

Besides living relatively close-by to Cabbagetown, I knew Jet Fuel serves any size beverage to people on their birth date, so I thought, why not, while I still had some time to kill.
That being said, they serve the cheapest (and honestly one of the best) lattes around (in Toronto anyways); 3 dollars for a small and 4 for a large. You can pretty much guess which one I opted for.
I've heard they make a mean lemonade too, although I've never tried it yet.

yet another year rolls on by.

It's 2014! Or as I'd call this year, the year I may survive two whole decades (and the apocalypse).

Amidst myself cuddled up in my Pepto Bismol Snuggie, and starting the new year with sickness (more specifically the night/early hours of festivity and health brought the sickness..besides my parentals), and watching the new season of Sherlock to call it a night, I decided to jot down the insanity that is my yearly goals.

In reality it is best to have short-term, medium and long-term goals. I merely write whatever I want to achieve as a mental (and I guess not physical) checklist.

I decided to treat myself to an HD digital camcorder (that also takes photo) to take better photos of myself in outfits.

Sure looked a lot different when I initially took the photo.. Sweater/Jumper from Topshop/Hudson's Bay

Some photos I tested out. Stabilization is finnicky but the fact that is shoots in 1080 p and only costed 45 dollars is a steal for me.

||GOALS OF 2014||

1. Eat Clean (That means no SIMPLE CARBS AND PROCESSED/REFINED SUGAR ANYTHING)
2. Drink 1 8 oz glass every hour (start my day with a glass of water + lemon if around)
3. Exercise more! (run, train, or Blogilates workouts)
4. Time manage. Use an agenda. Always follow a daily to-do list to get shit done. Prioritize! 
5. Learn the following skill-sets: HTML/CSS, Javascript, Python, Blender, Premier/After Effects, Unity (more of it), Maya (much more of it), Drawing skills, etc.
6. Knit more things
7. Read more books/novels/textbooks especially before going to bed
8. Start a YouTube channel and post on YouTube and Blogger consistently
1. With camera, post more photos!!!!!!!! (maybe invest in tripod and SD card)
9. Lose 10-20 pounds (ideally 15 as a middle range is good too)
10. Score/achieve high in all my courses next semester (80%! or at least as best as I possibly can)
11. Forgive myself of everything that's happened that burdens me. Know that nothing can bring me down and to focus and always look forward instead of dwelling in the past and over-thinking things and jumping to conclusions

I'm Evolving! And Yes, A Room Tour.

So whoever may happen to visit this blog, or has been one of my few followers/commentators, may expect more posts fashion-related {or pop culture related depending on my mood}, but shit just got real {for a semester anyway..but this is most likely a long-term thing} and I'm making my blog into an assignment dropbox!
SO....for a final former blog-familiar post: here is my room!!

I wish my past self told my future self: NEVER glue shit to walls. After 8 years..that shit won't come off.

Now I must evolve my blog...no more fashion/quirky/awkward rant/popculture posts (for some time anyway)
1....2....3....Forget!
Isabel Marant, Back to school outfits...are now replaced with school assignments/portfolio work.
What? Assignments? Qué?
WELL..Let me briefly explain...
For the following course I am currently taking at my university, I require to use a blog and Twitter to post following sections of my assignments. With my blog in particular, I must post all my documentation and final pizzazz to get a beautiful unicoin.
Yeah. You heard right. A mother fucking unicoin.
My course, no my Atelier, is actually a game of sorts: you either win or you die.

Yes I see an equivalence between death and failure. I'm one of those.
If you do win/score high, you receive a unicoin, a form of currency. The higher your score in an assignment, the more unicoins you get in value.
You can save these until the end until you cash it in (for what I have no idea but if it's actual money well halle-fucking-lujah!). Sounds like my 5th grade French class where you saved until whoever got the most monopoly money for speaking french got a prize.
HOWEVER...yes however, apparently they want some sort of economy of sorts to form out of these coins. My reaction:

Actually, this is my reaction in class everyday. 3 early morning classes have some side effects..

I mean, yeah I'm interested! but a whole trading thing to increase/decrease coins (the loss of coins makes sense...from not following your assignment/handing things late, etc) but starting a bank, making stamps...what!? I guess this tests my balance with time and subjects...wait..what computational history?
I actually have a few unicoins now (basically the equivalent to the amount I received from the tooth fairy!)
I am very determined to raise that value. Whether I will trade/become an investment banker or just drive around and throw all my unicoins at people's front yards, I will save that for later.
Right, now it's all about my cards.
And that shall be my next post.

For now, if you have gotten this far, I will only assume you're in my program (why hello thar) and if you are not...Hi (Adam/Simone/Jeff) If those are not your names, Congrats on making it this far/being understanding(?)! Here is a cookie:

This cookie will eat your happiness.

The question now is...why tamper with this blog?
I've decided that I want to change this because it follows my original reason of starting it: to put it out there and get people to recognize a sort of talent/achievement of sorts. It's too far to think of aiming for something like Tavi Gevinson (Hell, 19 is considered too old to be a fashion blogger these days...it's more like retirement from the blogging world).
I always wanted to transform this into a future portfolio blog but nothing really occurred...mainly because I think my work's not that great (at the time I was aiming for fashion illustration especially)
Now what sort of work will I put in? Right now, expect documentation for a game. In fact, it will be many games. It will be insane. It will (hopefully) be awesome.
I hope for you Others out there that you may follow this or at least see the end result. I would love to hear your opinions of my progress and the finale. Hell, I may need your participation someday!
I don't really know how to end this, but I hope I don't go bald by the end of this semester. I already shed like a fucking dog.

Where Time Flew

So it's been a while.
Hell, it's been way more than a while.
I'm re-vamping my blog as best as I can. I'll try my best adding stuff fashion-wise.
Photography-wise, I still suck at it (then again..the lighting in my room sucks. Actually, it's just me).
I'll post more art though. In fact, I'm working on a project where I create people in my program as video game characters (there's only 20-something of us so that should work out fine and dandy).
Let's see.
I've completed first year. I want to do something involving game design.
I've worked at Sears. Still trying to find a job just sucks ass. I'm usually up for anything. Which reminds me, I've worked at a factory packaging tortillas.
Anywho, I've finally had the chance in my lifetime to purchase things online, including these massive Alice in Wonderland pillowcases which finally went up for sale about 2-3 weeks ago.
Friends-wise and love-wise. Ha, I wish.
For now, besides my That 70s Show and Doctor Who marathons, I'll try my best this time around to get back into the blogosphere. Wish me Luck!

Yussss.

2010.

Twenty. Ten.

Fuck yeah!

...and nooooooooooooooooooooooo..

2009 is done.

RAWr.

I'm getting older. Which is good and bad.

More work though as time goes by.

Resolutions ---> equals resolutions that I didn't do last year that I'm going to this year.

New Year's Resolutions 2009 --> 2010

- Let's see...I shall be fit. (Nonsense.) Eating healthy. (Even more nonsense)

- Don't Procrastinate! (HA!)

- Finish my personal project before December (Finished it, yes. But that unfortunately lead to breaking my resolution above)

- Get a new agenda (Well, from the school. Which I did, so phew. Though WOW I didn't lose it...yet)

-Don't lose anything! (Didn't so year in the new school year technically, so that's...good?)

-Reduce my time on the computer (Lies. Though this time I only used the computer for a long time was purely for the purpose of school work.)

-Keep up with my blog (somewhat lies?)

- Review like a mad woman (LIES)

-Work on SAT group (Meh. I thought it was too soon. Probably 2010...O wait that's this year)

-Reduce text message (Whatever psh. I don't even know why I put this as a resolution. Texting is hard to resist.)

For The Year two-thousand and ten

- This time I'll try and be more fit and eat healthy

- This time I will not procrastinate...hopefully

- Likewise, I'll promise myself again not to lose anything :]

- Keep up with the blog ; ]

- Review even more than a mad woman can ;P

- Work on SAT Prep....>_>

- Do not get distracted

- Try not getting numerous fines from either the public or the school library

- Don't waste 59348579847 hours in the shower

- Take more action for my responsibilities

- Be more involved

And yeah...have fun ;)

My New Year's Eve Dress wasn't that extravagant, considering I bought it for ten bucks @ Winners (Canada's Ross store you can say). Boring, only because I wasn't allowed to be with friends. Though I guess this photo could be convincing, since my sister looks absolutely nothing like me >.>

Hung out @ the parking lot with our fam-jam friend at some plaza hoping that Wild wings was opened. Just our luck.

Watched some sketch guys go in and out of Pizza Pizza. Predicting if they were going to party or if their New Year's was just watching some movie and drink Tequilas...like we did.

Now it's a beginning of a new year, and I must admit, I'm pretty damn ecstatic about it.

Post Script; Couple Christmas photos. Gives me some nostalgia of what I look forward to every year :)