Hudson's Bay (a rant)

 

As a Canadian, it pains me to say this—but it must be said: Hudson’s Bay (known affectionately as "The Bay" to many of us) has truly earned its downfall. Once a symbol of Canadian retail heritage, the company has seen a steep decline, and not solely due to poor business decisions or the rise of online shopping.

When I finally stepped into a Hudson’s Bay store again after more than two years (in late March), it didn’t take long to remember why I stopped going in the first place. The experience was lackluster, frustrating, and a far cry from the proud legacy this brand once held. Goodbye, Hudson’s Bay. It's the end of an era—and sadly, one that fizzled rather than flourished.

The store technically closes at 9:00 p.m., but at 8:45, I was rudely told that the store was closed and I shouldn’t even think about buying anything. Seriously—what?! To make matters worse, announcements were being made over the speakers, warning customers not to take their time or they wouldn’t be allowed to make purchases. It was an incredibly unwelcoming experience and not how a retail environment should treat its customers, especially in their final days.

Goodbye, Hudson’s Bay (aka The Bay). You won’t be missed. Every time I have tried to support you or shop there, I’ve walked away disappointed. This last visit just sealed the deal.

If Hudson’s Bay is wondering why it ended up closing its doors, it might want to start by looking at how its sales associates treat customers. And if you're closing at 9:00 but start kicking customers out at 8:45, that might be an even bigger clue as to where things went wrong.

There are obviously other issues at play—like expired products still sitting on shelves, poor product presentation, and a general lack of upkeep—but all of these point to a larger problem: a failure to prioritize the customer experience. When the basics of retail—clean stores, respectful service, and trust in the products—are neglected, it's no wonder shoppers take their business elsewhere.

In the end, Hudson’s Bay didn’t just lose customers because of competition or economic shifts—it lost them because it failed to evolve with its shoppers. From dismissive staff and rushed closing times to expired products and uninspired store layouts, the brand neglected the foundational elements of a good shopping experience. As a Canadian, it’s disappointing to see such a historic retailer decline, but the truth is, respect for customers and attention to detail matter. If a store can’t offer that, then no amount of legacy or nostalgia can save it.

Kirkland Shrimp Taco short review

I recently came across these Shrimp Tacos by Kirkland at Costco and was curious how seafood and tacos could work. I bought them preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. To my surprise, these not only tasted good... they exceeded my expectations!

I wasn't planning on writing a review, so we took about 8 fried shrimp worth of tacos before I took a picture. 

I have a feeling this meal kit is offered for a limited time, so if you see it, I highly recommend you grab it before they are gone. 

This Cilantro Lime Cream was one of the highlights of this meal kit, it tastes so good, that I can literally eat it like yogurt with a spoon... hahaha. (I won't... but I can imagine doing this)

Look at the size of that fried shrimp! I didn't realize how massive it was until I set it on top of the taco!

The shrimp was fresh, had a nice fresh shrimp taste and the thickness of the batter complemented the taste very well with an added crispness. (you need to reheat the fried shrimp in an oven for about 15 mins and the taco shells for about 5 mins)

Unlike traditional tacos, which rely mostly on lettuce, the salad toppings had a lot of cabbage, cilantro and various chopped-up veggies. 

 These are very filling <3

Score: 9.8/10
Website: https://sameday.costco.ca/store/costco-canada/products/47931589-tempura-shrimp-taco-1-38-kg

Shake Shack Canadian snacks edition

Maple Salted Pretzel Shakes and More S'mores Concrete at Yonge and Dundas Square Shake Shack

One of the reasons I started writing my own reviews is because experiences don’t always match expectations. After extensive research, I was convinced I’d love the Maple Salted Pretzel Shake—though the More S’mores Concrete was equally tempting (so, of course, I ordered both). And thank goodness I did, because my experience didn’t quite align with what others had raved about.

Maple Salted Pretzel Shake

The Maple Salted Pretzel Shake wasn’t bad, but it lacked the salty pretzel kick that so many reviews had praised. While I appreciated the thick and creamy consistency, the overall flavour felt a bit one-dimensional. It leaned more on the sweet side than I expected, without enough contrast to balance it out. I kept waiting for that salty-sweet harmony to hit, but it never really did. The pretzel flavour was subtle—almost too subtle—making it taste more like a standard caramel or maple shake rather than something unique. For this reason, and the lack of depth in flavour, I’d rate this a 6.5/10.

More S'mores Concrete

The real showstopper was the More S’mores Concrete—a dessert that completely exceeded my expectations! It had everything I wanted: the perfect balance of saltiness, rich chocolatey goodness, and just the right amount of sweetness from the marshmallows. It was like a cold, ice cream version of a perfectly made s’more. The chocolate bits added a delightful crunch, while the well-blended texture ensured that each bite had an ideal mix of flavours. The graham cracker pieces tied everything together, making it taste just like a classic s’more but in a creamy, indulgent form.

For all these reasons, I’m giving it a 9.8/10—a near-perfect treat that I would 100% order again! If you ever find yourself in Toronto (or anywhere in Canada where it’s available), do yourself a favour and try the More S’mores Concrete! It’s a treat worth experiencing for yourself.

This experience reminded me of the importance of trying things for myself rather than relying solely on other people’s reviews. While recommendations can be helpful, taste is subjective, and nothing beats a firsthand experience. What worked for others didn’t quite work for me, and what I least expected ended up being the real winner. Sometimes, the best surprises come from trusting your own instinct and taste buds!

Verilux Happy Light Touch short review

One of my besties at work recommended I try out one of these light therapy lamps after I told her about my dreaded Winter Blues as the winter season approaches. She read about them and said that not only do they enhance and uplift your mood, but they also brighten your skin (naturally).

After hearing about the research and being desperate to not have to endure another sad and depressing winter, I bought it to try.

Before I continue the review, I want to emphasize how easy it is to turn on this lamp. It is like turning on an iPad: just press a small flat button in the upper right corner, and it turns on. Ever since having this lamp, I usually use it as my light source instead of my night lamp because it is easy to turn on and off. Despite how bright it is, I still prefer it over my lamp. 

I keep this beside my bed, so I can easily access it. (For the benefits and as a source of light)

off with 

This lamp is incredibly BRIGHT! The moment I turn it on, all I see is light, and it is powerful enough to illuminate my entire room. It offers two light settings: daylight and warm light. I personally prefer the daylight setting because it’s noticeably brighter. Additionally, there are three brightness levels, and I always set it to the brightest for maximum effect.

The buttons are conveniently located at the front of the lamp, making them easily accessible. A gentle touch is all it takes to switch between settings, which I find both practical and user-friendly.

on in an unlit room

It’s still "early" winter, and the winter blues haven’t officially kicked in yet (they usually settle in after Christmas and New Year), but I’ve already noticed my body craving light on darker, gloomier days.

Tilting Angle:

My only complaint is that the angle of the lamp cannot be adjusted, which limits flexibility in positioning. Other than that, I haven’t come across any other drawbacks.

size against my iPad Mini 5 (please excuse the mess in the background #postChristmasmess)

UPDATE:
Today was a gloomy, and snowy day, perfect for giving the lamp a proper test. And let me tell you... I LOVE IT! It works! I followed the instructions, positioning it at a 10 o’clock angle towards my face for 20 minutes. That’s all it took to lift my mood and brighten my day.

I am so glad I made this small investment—it has already proven incredibly rewarding. Not only does it help brighten my space on gloomy days, but it also uplifts my mood and keeps me feeling more energized. It’s a simple yet effective way to combat the winter blues, and I can already feel the positive impact it’s having on my overall well-being. I can confidently say this was a purchase worth making, and I look forward to continuing to reap its benefits throughout the darker winter months.

Score: 9.810
Website: https://verilux.com/products/new-happylight-touch?srsltid=AfmBOooP6YibqQHBGVpXCBvpeoEPGiE73fqEhcTvtfnHFYa8yfyQbPWa