The Purest Water

I was looking for a way to purify my water and I found the coolest gadget at AViVA.

The SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier from AViVA gives you safe drinking water anywhere on earth - whether you’re camping or just want to keep it on hand when traveling.

This handheld marvel is incredibly light and fast. The UV light “destroys viruses, bacteria and protozoa.” And household germs like E.Coli and Staph, and travel pathogens that cause Diarrhea and Hepatitis, to name just a few.

And this is all without a single pump of the wrist or an ounce of chemicals! It happens at the touch of a button one push for 1L of water and twice for 0.5L!

It’s that easy. And it has been “proven in the field” by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and Everest climbers,” so you know it works.

But I bet you’re wondering how it works – the pen creates an ultraviolet light that destroys the things that can make you sick. And it does it in a matter of seconds.

It comes with a little case and the peace of mind that you can travel and control the safety of your water.

I am lending this to my neighbour who is going to Antarctica soon. He is an intrepid traveler but I know that this is something that he doesn’t have and can really use.

But couldn’t we all?

In this crazy world we live in, with the SteriPEN in hand at least you’ll know that your water is safe to drink.

Powersquid Your House and See the Difference

My fella and I have long struggled with countless extension cords and moving bookcases in order to get our plugs and wiring all set up. We’ve never really found a solution.

Until now.

The award-winning flexity powersquid Surge 3000 – Calamari Edition has been a complete lifesaver and really changed how we manage all of our electronics!

Not only is this beautiful surge protector going to help our computers should a power surge occur, but we now can easily plug and unplug our many accessories!

The powersquid has 6 flexible outlets so that you don’t have to strain to pull something closer to the unit. There are 2 glowing plugs that you can see easily and a 360 degree rotating flat plug that allows you to plug the unit easily against the wall and if your place is like ours, behind many a bookshelf.

There are neat extras like Tripwire fail-safe circuit, connectivity protection, phone line splitter, a limited connected equipment warranty, and even an alarm, to mention only a few. If I tell you them all, it could get a little technical up in here, so I’ll leave you to read about it all on your own. Just know that this is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking products I’ve ever seen. It is also nice to look at - how many surge protectors can you say that about?!

With the two of us being writers – we have a lot of electronics taking up the living room and never before have all of our wires, cables and plugs been so accessible, easy to manage and safe.

For you this might be a small thing. For us, it is part of our livelihood and for the very first time, we have it all under control.

We may have to get ourselves another one though. We’ve filled up all 6 outlets and my guy has been spending a lot of time in the flat screen TV section…

Elizabeth Grant – A Name You’ll Want to Remember

You might not know the name Elizabeth Grant. That's because her products can't be found at your local drugstore. But she's worth the trip to The Shopping Channel or online.

Her luxury line of creams and serums – Elizabeth Grant Skincare – make you feel like a movie star – cared for and indulged upon!

Biocollasis Skin Cellular Renewal Therapy may sound intimidating, but this rich cream is incredibly rich and hydrating. The beautiful gold jar holds a cream that will have you instantly seeing an improvement in your skin’s appearance and elasticity! It goes on like a thick gel and instantly refreshes and rehydrates your skin. It’s what I’m calling my “miracle cream.”

Her hydrating cream The Dark Circle Eye Treatment, with its Vitamin K has helped my bedridden look disappear.

I have been using her Line Serum for a couple of weeks and its amazing how it's filled in the lines! I’m a whole new girl!

And to continue with the ultra luxe theme, how about Caviar Rejuvenating Ampoules? These little capsules contain a blend of essential nutrients that keep your skin, hydrated, firm and a decrease in wrinkles, and they are such fun to apply!

I have been applying the Day and Night Cellulite Creams and think I see an improvement, but it’s hard to see everything back there… I asked my fella though and he thinks he sees a difference too.

There are a lot of scientific reasons why Elizabeth’s products work and I could get all lab-coat on you, but really, all you need to know is, this stuff is amazing!

I can't remember how I found out about Elizabeth, but I'm sure glad I did.

I look and feel younger and feel like for the first time, a million bucks!

Now if I could only find a million bucks…

Drink of the Gods

You might not have heard of Yerba Mate much, but it’s darn good for you.

It comes from the mate tree and contains “24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, abundant antioxidants and caffeine” to give you a much needed energy boost.

Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate has created 3 blends – Traditional, Raspberry Revolution and Empower Mint – and they are powerful! You can feel the energy rush but it is not overwhelming, only helpful, I think. Like a good night’s rest can make you think about things so clearly. That kind of good rush.

Yerba Mate has a lot of properties that can help you with mental clarity and has even been said to help relieve allergies. It was, after all, said to be the drink of the Gods.

The taste can take some getting used to, though. It is a strong drink that has a slight tobacco-y aftertaste that may surprise you. It is less potent in the flavoured versions, which I preferred over the regular. My neighbour, however, has been drinking the original for years and like most things, has gotten used to it.

I love the Guayaki company as they make a number of exciting products and offer only organic, fair-traded and sustainable yerba mate drinks and blends. They also grow their leaves in the rainforest so that it is “the highest quality mate with the most flavour, vitality and nutrition,” hand pick, wood dry, and cedar-wood age them.

This company clearly cares about giving you a high quality product and I really believe in the good energy that their Yerba Mate offers. There is no high fructose corn syrup, GMO’s, artificial flavours or ingredients and synthetic vitamins. Only sheer goodness.

So I am adding Guayaki to my staple of usual suspects at the health food store. And while I may come around to my neighbour’s way of thinking on the original, I’m sticking to the raspberry and mint for now.

Gingerlicious

I am the luckiest girl in the world.

I get to try out all the new chocolates and tell you about them.

And one that piqued my interest is the one of 6 chocolate bars launched from Green & Black’s Organic – the world’s first organic chocolate brand.

There are old favourites like Dark 70%, Milk Chocolate and Almond and Dark Chocolate and Mint, but the one that I’m most intrigued with is Dark Chocolate and Ginger.

It’s intensity and boldness is something that you don’t find in chocolate bars and it’s got all the goodness that is a part of the company’s mandate – “commitment to making the finest quality chocolate using only organic ingredients” which are free of:

- hydrogenated fats

- added vegetable fats

- pesticide residues and

- genetically modified ingredients

Organic crystallized ginger pieces makes the bar an intense journey that is both fun and invigorating.

This ain't your corner store chocolate bar.

Although it’s not a chocolate I could eat often, I think Green & Black’s has created something really unique with this one. Not an easy claim in a world with prolific chocolate makers.

Maybe just one more bite.

Love Your Furniture, Finally

I love great furniture and innovative design.

That’s why I’m so excited about Desiron.

Rich woods and textures, sleek lines and design, the furniture here is stuff that will make the move from your apartment to your studio loft to your beachfront house.

Everything you could want to make your living, dining and bedroom look modern and yet distinctive is right here and you can purchase it all online.

I got a chance to see the materials firsthand and the exotic and domestic woods and metals are so lush that you will inevitable run your fingers across them again and again – espresso walnut, black ash, maple, zebrano, macassar ebony woods, statuary bronze, rust, satin and black oxide metals are just a few of the incredible materials used.

I like that these pieces are well-made and can stand on their own but also not detract with what you place on and in them.

Sure you want a conversation piece, but you don’t want a cause for whispers and blank stares.

Start the conversation and get a statement piece from Desiron.

You’ll be talking about it for years to come.

A Wine Made With Women in Mind

I didn’t know that XOXO wines were made for women when I got them. I just thought they were neat pairings of wines, something that is still relatively new to the consumer market, I think.

And really, I think these wines are perfect for both sexes. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a well-balanced wine?

That’s why I’m a fan of the Passionate Pairings – two classic grape varieties in one bottle.

There are 4 blends to choose from:

- Chardonnay-Semillon

- Shiraz-Cabernet

- Sauvignon Blanc-Chenin

- Merlot-Cabernet

At only $10.95 a bottle, it is a great choice for a dinner accompaniment.

We shared our four bottles with friends and neighbours and all agreed that the blends were delightful and easy to serve alongside canapés, mains and desserts.

The Shiraz-Cabernet was a favourite. We were going to pair it alongside pizza and salad, but drank it before dinner was ready. It was that good.

I later made my fella a roast chicken dinner and we had it with the Chardonnay-Semillon which was light and crisp and had a nice oak-y finish that we enjoyed.

The refreshing Sauvignon-Blanc was served with fish and asparagus and reminded me of a summer night on the deck. It was cold and rainy that night, but this young wine and light dinner brought sunshine and warm breezes to our table.

The Merlot-Cabernet was another one that we shared before dinner made it out to the table. This dry red is great on its own or with a nice steak or roast.

Next time.

Long Weekends Just Got a Whole Lot Better – And Safer

We don’t have a barbeque.

And so, when this first long weekend fell upon us, we wanted to celebrate with fun food and drinks and still feel like we were at a barbeque.

So I looked to Big Acres Gourmet Products at Melanie’s Fine Foods in California.

I got a SAVU Smoker Bag with alder chips that while you can use on the grill, you can also place in the oven.

I poured the extremely chunky Big Acres Mango Peach Chile Sauce over tender breasts of chicken, diced up some veggies, put it all into the bag and placed it in my preheated oven. I put some corn on the stove and prepared a salad and homemade dressing and got out some cold drinks and snacks for afterwards.

45 minutes later, I put the smoker bag on the counter, made a few incisions and there was my chicken and veggies infused with wood chips and bubbling with mango peach goodness.

It was like having a backyard B-B-Q right in my own dining room!

The next evening I used the Big Acres Hot & Spicy BBQ sauce on our steaks and the good times continued! I love these sauces because they are flavourful without being overpowering and use natural ingredients so both the flavour of the meat and the sauce are allowed to shine through.

Big Acres Fancy Fish and Perfect Poultry Spice & Rubs are also good to have on hand for indoor and outdoor grilling. These blend of spices will last a long time (it comes in a good size tin) but there are many more long weekends ahead and I’m thinking of having the neighbours over for a fish fry for the next one. Whaddya think?

Lastly, I have to tell you about the Oven Rack Guard because it is my new favourite safety product.

You place two rolls (made out of material that was developed for firefighters) around the front of your oven rack.

There are 2 guards per package so you can protect yourself from both the top and bottom racks.

You will never burn yourself again. And the great thing is that they are safe for temperatures up to 500° F and can remain attached to the oven racks between uses, so you are always protected!

I am thrilled at how fun and memorable our first long weekend of the year was. And now I’m busy planning the next one.

Should I make Asian coleslaw or curried potato salad or both?

Special Technology Report: The Palm Treo 700 wx SmartPhone Has Changed My Life

There is more to life than just increasing its speed.

- Ghandi

When Ghandi spoke those words, there was no voicemail, email or text messaging.

And while I agree that that there are way more important things that need our daily attention, it is a reality that messages of all kinds must be looked at, assessed and responded to.

Now, I am no VIP, GM or CEO. I am just a writer. However, that means that I get a lot of phone calls, voicemails, emails and text messages.

When I am not at my desk, I am out at meetings, reviewing restaurants and researching products and services. That’s why I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to try out the new Palm Treo 700wx!

Before with my regular cellphone, I’d have to go home in between meetings to check my email to see about last minute changes to meetings or restaurants, whether an editor had any questions after I sent in a piece. It was making my day a lot crazier than it had to be.

With my Palm Treo, I am able to download emails and see if there’s anything urgent. More times than not, it can wait until I get home. But occasionally I’ve been able to call or email someone right away and save myself a couple of hours of travel time.

And while the first 3 days of having the Treo were spent with my head down, emailing, text messaging and researching things on the web while waiting for an appointment or traveling between meetings, I soon was able to use it responsibly. But I can see how people can get addicted to checking their email constantly.

Other than checking email, using the internet and making and receiving calls, I was able to write in Word, make spreadsheets in Excel and jot down virtual sticky notes for quick reminders. Also included is Powerpoint, which I used to create a talk I gave to journalists this past month! How sweet!

This made it easier for me to work on the road and catch up on a few things while away from my office.

There were many features to the phone that I found to be unexpected delights, making me want to have it by my side forever more:

- I learned to use the keypad quickly and was soon thumbing my way through long messages. I was able to easily toggle between numbers and letters, symbols and capitals. The keys are small but for my fingers, they are great.

- The camera on this phone is incredible. In fact, I now prefer it to my beautiful little Pentax that I’ve been carrying around in my purse for the last eight years. The quality of pictures was amazing (so much in fact that I may use some of the images for my forthcoming book!).

- Transferring pictures and documents to my computer was so quick and easy. All you do is hook you Palm up to your laptop via a wire and it syncs automatically. You don’t have to do a thing.

- The other bonus of the immediate updates when you sync is that both your calendar and contacts are being constantly updated, so if you made a schedule change on your computer, it will show up on your phone and if you added a contact while on the road, once you’ve synched, it’s on your computer. This saved me a heckuva lot of time and energy and really, isn’t that what you are looking for when buying a Smart Phone like this?

According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, mobile phones are among the fastest growing consumer product in history, and I can see why.

For the longest time, I resisted getting a Palm Treo, thinking it was unnecessary, but in this past month, I have had such peace of mind that I can only encourage those of you who don’t have one to rethink it. If a large amount of your job is writing and/or communication, this tool may help you like it’s helped me.

They used to call these Personal Digital Assistants and really, although I was doing all of the emailing and calling, because I was able to do it away from the office and on the road, I felt like I was getting twice as much work done. If that’s not an assistant, I don’t know what is.

And while 90% of what I used the phone for was business related, there was that10% leftover that I spent “mobile snacking.”

A part of my daily habit and routine became about filling up those “in between times”:

I would be on the streetcar and I would text message my fella telling him that I was thinking about him.

I was walking downtown to a meeting and listened to the new Timbaland song while surfing the net for a restaurant nearby that I wanted to go to afterwards.

While waiting for dinner to finish simmering, I watched the June Callwood interview that George Stroumboulopoulos did.

And my very guilty moment – while out to dinner with a friend, when she got up to the bathroom, I went online and looked up a chef knife that I was thinking of getting!

Having access to all of this technology had me on the phone at all times.

According to a study conducted for Palm Canada by Leger Marketing, Is Mobile Snacking the Key to Work/Life Balance? “Always On” Canadian Professionals Build Bite-sized Entertainment into Busy Schedules:

“Tech-savvy ‘30-to-50-somethings’ are active consumers of wireless entertainment, grabbing quick nibbles of fun time during those ‘whenever’ minutes throughout a hectic work day -- what’s referred to as ‘mobile snacking.’”

And this is going to become all the more mainstream as we continue to be inundated with information and feel deluged under it all. We are going to seek any escape that we can and that means we’re going to listen to music, watch videos and update our Facebook pages.

The study also shows that “Three in five (60 per cent) respondents surveyed consider themselves “always on” between family and work commitments. The same amount say that communication technology is key to balancing personal and professional commitments.”

If we take Saturdays off, it’s likely we’ll work on Sunday and you know that you’re checking email when you’re not at the office. That’s practically a given these days. And according to the Palm poll, “37 per cent confess to doing work while attending a social or family engagement and 27 per cent have responded to email during dinner.”

I suddenly feel a little bit better.

Although I’ve had my phone less than a month, I have been “snacking” all the while. And if you think about it, I bet you have to.

It’s something that is going to become a part of our daily lives if it hasn’t already.

And personally, in between the work and the deadlines and the headaches, I think it’s great to rock out and listen to music, watch videos and text friends.

After all, if our work is seeping into our personal life, you might as well take a couple of minutes out and “snack.”

And thanks to my Palm Treo 700wx, I’m going to stay on top of my emails, documents and voicemails, and in between messages, dance just a little.

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc., a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people’s hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company’s products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm® Treo™ smartphones and Palm handheld computers, as well as software, services and accessories.

More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com/ca.

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Woody Would Be Proud

I just finished reading Woody Harrelson’s book, Go Further, where he recounts his journey to becoming a raw-food and hemp activist.

It was quite the thing.

But I am neither a raw foodie (that would make restaurant reviewing very difficult) nor a hemp activist.

However, I've gotta say - I love the new Hemp Bliss from Manitoba Harvest

A great alterative to rice and soy milks, this hearty drink is perfect for adding to cereal or coffee or if you love your alt-milks, drinking a whole glass of it.

Hemp is one of those things that has come a long way. A decade or two ago, it was not as refined or flavourful as it is now.

Hemp Bliss is the world’s first certified organic hempmilk, and the benefits are plentiful - it naturally provides a boost of 1,200 mg of Omega-3 essential fatty acids and 5 grams of protein per serving!

And it is also lactose-free, soy-free, nut-free and cholesterol-free.

I have never liked milk and so finding alternatives has always been a challenge.

Until now.

Now I just have to decide which flavour to get next – original, vanilla or chocolate?

Mmm. Decisions, decisions.

Vodka that Mermaids Would Approve Of

Ocean Vodka is not only clean tasting, it’s made with 100% certified organic American rye and corn.

And it blended in small batches on Maui.

They use MaHaLo Hawaii Deep Sea Water to bring the fresh taste of the ocean to your tastebuds.

The water is:

- drawn from 3,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean

- extremely cold, pure and safe from surface impurities

I took the beautiful blue bottle down to my neighbours and we had it straight, which is the best way to tell how it tastes.

Clean and bold, this is the first vodka I’ve tried in ages that actually tastes like vodka. For a long time now, companies have been making vodkas that have very little taste, I guess so that it will blend with juices and pops better.

But I liked being able to actually taste it. It made me feel like much of the plain vodka I’ve been drinking up until now (Don’t worry. It’s not that much!) hasn’t been the real thing.

I never knew I was a vodka elitist, but when you’ve had the good stuff, it’s hard to go back.

p.s. And get this - when you hold the bottle up to your ear, you can hear the ocean.

p.p.s. Nah, just kidding. But wouldn’t that be cool?

p.p.p.s. A portion of the profits goes to organizations to help protect and revitalize the ocean’s resources!

Good For You Floors

I know we all take our surroundings for granted, and I’m sure that you don’t take much notice of your floors, especially.

But one company is trying to change that.

Green Living Flooring has created “Sustainable Flooring for the New Millennium” and boy is it pretty.

Not only do they offering the highest quality bamboo hardwood flooring, but it is 25% harder than oak, giving you a long-lasting floor that is good for both you and the world around you.

It is now possible to have a healthy home environment for an affordable price and even the coating materials are water-based and solvent-free, giving you the peace of mind of no off gassing.

They give free estimates and there is a lifetime warranty with every order.

It’s finally easy being green.

An Unexpectedly Refreshing Drink

I had no idea that coconut water was so refreshing.

And thanks to Vita Coco, I can get it right at my local health food store for a reasonable price!

There is natural and 3 enticing flavours to keep you quenched all summer long – coconut water with pineapple, passion fruit and a mix of peach and mango.

I personally like the natural one without added flavours, but my friends and family liked the tropical tastes of summer best.

According to their literature, Vita Coco’s 100% natural coconut water:

- has 15 times more potassium than leading sports drinks (potassium is the accelerator for the rehydration process)

- is fat-free and cholesterol –free

- contains alkalinizing minerals such as magnesium and calcium

- has no preservatives, added water or artificial colouring

So if you have been depending upon sugar-laden sports drinks to revitalize and rejuvenate, look to Vita Coco coconut water for a healthy alternative!

Be sure to check out their beach-filled website with a guy under a palm tree, a pretty happy lobster and a girl completely absorbed in her book, despite all the festivities happening around her. What fun!

I would have never thought that coconut water was something I would drink or make a part of my life, but I am thrilled to know that I am getting the hydration I need and I love the revitalized feeling I have after having one.

I have a whole new appreciation of coconuts now.

Now I just have to learn how to open one…

Everything You Need for Summer

Although it is cold and rainy in the city today, we have had some overwhelmingly summer days.

In fact, while I was in New York, I got a bit of a sunburn on my shoulders, arms and neck.

But it is summer clothing that presents such a challenge:

- a t-shirt with a scoop neck that’s low and wide

- a racer back t-tank that every bra strap shows through

- wearing a white anything and trying to conceal your nipples and breasts

- and countless other clothing problems that you have probably been living with and has resigned yourself to believe that there is no solution!

Ta dah! I bring to you Hollywood Fashion Tape, the company that is the cure for all of your summer clothing ailments!

“The stars’ secret to a smooth appearance” is apparently due to Hollywood Cover Ups, a reusable nipple concealer so that you wear your tops with confidence and know that while men might be admiring your breasts, it won’t be because your nipples are straining against your shirt!

One of my favourite accessories is the brabuddy. This paperclip-like It allows you to keep the bras you currently have and wear them with racerback tops and dresses and anything that shows your regular bra strap.

Woo hoo! A solution finally for all of this season’s cutaway tops and scoop tees and tanks.

Hollywood Tag Tamers are covers for itchy and bothersome labels. And if you think this is a small thing, it isn’t. I once bought undies with a tag I couldn’t remove and I had a cut right there on my backside! And those shirts and sweaters that have you reaching around and scratching? Those pants that are highwaisted, but you’re wearing low-rose panties, so they’re killing you? These’ll fix you right up. I am never going to have tag discomfort again. Ever.

Clothes have become more complicated in that there are so many designs and cuts that it seems you need a different bra for every outfit. With Hollywood Clear Bra Straps however, you can still wear your favourite bra and replace the straps when wearing that sheer blouse or top that just doesn’t suit most bras and undergarments.

Nearly Nude is a line of incredibly smart garments that allow you to wear sheer clothing and not feel you are on display in the slightest.

They support and enhance while hiding any lumps or bumps. The line is made up of tanks, bandeaus, undies and a slip.

They are so soft and stretchy that you’ll want to wear them all day long. My extra low tank in nude is my new favourite summer top. It’s just too bad that I have to put it under my clothes…

This summer I will not be tugging, pulling, layering or fixing anything, thanks to Hollywood Fashion Tape items.

That means I’ll have more time for enjoying the warm sunshine, evening breezes and all those items of clothing that I have yet to wear because they showed off my bra straps.

It’s going to be a great summer!

Butter Longer

We don't use a lot of butter here at home.

We tend to favour olive oil for most things, but when it comes to toast, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes, you really can't do without it.

So we buy a small stick and put it away in that little compartment on the fridge door and basically forget about it until the occasion for butter arises.

It can be months from the time we bought it and while we have yet to throw many out, I often wonder about how "good" and "fresh" it is.

So when a neighbour bought a butter keeper, I couldn't help but think it would be perfect for us as well.

I got a beautiful one from Steel Function.

The way it works is there are 2 parts - a glass cup and a stainless steel one. You fill the stainless steel one with butter and the glass one with cold one.

You place the one filled with butter into the glass one and the cold water keeps your butter fresh and rancid-free.

It also looks really cool.

A couple of nights ago we had corn on the cob to celebrate the warm weather finally arriving and tonight we're having baked sweet potatoes with our main. It's rare that we use this much butter, but now that we have something in which to keep it fresh, it might just make its way onto our table more often.

Please pass the toast. I think I'll have another slice.

Mmm.

Perfect Pout

As I have written about time and again, I have dry lips. Trying to keep them moisturized is always a battle, but recently I have found 2 lines that are sure to keep your lips looking pucker ready.

Eco Lips Inc. has created a line of lip balms and tints that are not only good for your lips but good for the environment as well.

They pledge 1% of their profits to environmentally focused organizations and have even created a solar powered lip balm project (check the website for details). They promote the organic lifestyle and use healing organic ingredients.

I love their slogan – “Don’t panic, it’s organic!” and the fact that they offer so many different varieties of balms to suit your needs. There is a vegan version that is “bee free,” and one made with organic hemp seed oil to keep your lips luscious. They have flavoured sticks – vanilla, mint and berry – and a gold version that makes you feel like a Dreamgirl. I also like their tints in Plush Red and Mocha Velvet.

And then there’s M.A.C. We all love it and can’t get enough of it and now there are new ultra rich, ultra moisturizing lipsticks in the most wonderful, flattering shades:

Red Haute - a beautiful coppery, orangey red that would be flattering on any skin tone

Giddy – a summery pink parfait that is the perfect accessory for any occasion

House Wine – it’s not as deep red as you’d think. And I’d barely call it red, in fact, lest it give you the wrong impression. It’s one of the few reds that I think I could handle

Arose – a deep, grapey magenta that is a nice change from shimmery light lips and pulls your look together in just one swipe.

My lips are feeling pretty luxurious these days thanks to Ecolips and M.A.C.

And they look great too.

I feel like a whole new gal.

Sassy Accessories at Susse

As you know, I am all about finding things that aren’t carried at your local drug or department store.

So when I needed a makeup bag for a recent trip to New York, I went in search of something fun and original and came across my new favourite site - Susse Collection.

Director Susee Linton has created a line of bags and accessories that are reasonable and such fun

that you will certainly buy more than one and probably end up buying items for friends and family while you're there.

I got the Animal Magic makeup bag and Kitten card holder, both of which I'm using constantly throughout the day.

I love Susse's outlook on life through her fun products and thus, I have made a vow to make sure that all of my accessories have that little bit of delight in them.

After all, if you're going to be using them everyday, you might as well enjoy them.

And each time I reach for my Susse makeup bag and card holder, I smile at the funny animals on them. Using these everyday items has now become a favourite and memorable part of my day.

Now if only she made luggage, blenders, notebooks and furniture...

Update

Remember I was telling you about the seeds from my Dad and I wasn't sure if they'd take?

Here's a picture taken just yesterday - I'll keep you posted on their progress!

Perhaps my fella and I will be having pasta with fresh tomatoes and peas from the garden for dinner soon!

So cool!

Chase the Artichoke, Rip

My parents have a lovely dog named Rip (after actor Rip Torn). He is one fifth Great Dane, so you can just imagine the size of him - colossal. But he's the sweetest, gentlest beast you'll ever meet.

He needs a lot of attention and exercise and lately, he's been in a slump due to the warm weather and sore hips.

Walks and tummy rubs weren't doing the trick, so when I saw orbee-tuff produce from Planet Dog, I thought, "This is it!"

There is an artichoke, eggplant and strawberry to choose from. They are heavy-duty plastic, so I knew that Rip would have them for awhile, unlike most dog toys that fall apart after he's had at 'em for a mere five minutes. And you place a treat inside for the dog to snuffle out.

Now it was time for the test.

My parents put in a treat and took Rip out to the backyard. They threw it off the deck and away he went after it. These toys bounce like crazy and thus, it went straight under the deck. After my Mom tried to get it, she called my Dad, who faithfully crawled under the deck and got the artichoke. He threw it again and after much bouncing, Rip retrieved it and spent about 15 minutes trying to get the treat out. He almost had it, but not quite, so he barked at it.

Then my parents tried the eggplant. He loved chasing it as it bounced around the garden and did eventually get the treat out.

This is after an hour of leaping and jumping, barking and tail-wagging.

I think it's great that the treat doesn't just automatically pop out. Dogs need a challenge and like working on problems. Rip was so happy to have something to really work on and he worked his way out of his slump.

These toys are 100% satisfaction guaranteed and have a slight minty taste that dogs love (just leave your toothbrush out one night and see what happens).

Each toy has a chew-o-meter rating (e.g. "4 out of 5 chompers") and your purchase helps fund canine service programs.

I know that dogs can be extremely particular when it comes to what they will play with and what keeps their attention, but I highly recommend the produce. It's the only toy that's managed to stand up to Rip's rigorous testing - and ours too.

Next weekend, we break out the strawberry...

Getting a Hold of Your Time – Finally

This week I had 3 meetings where a significant amount of time was spent on how everyone is overwhelmed with work and information. People are wading through emails and phone calls and not able to get to the really important work.

Time-management expert Brian Tracy has created a book that reminds you of the only way to do it in Eat that Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (Second edition, revised and updated with 2 new chapters)

The advice is only 117 pages long and it took me less than an hour to read. But what a valuable hour. Reminders to plan ahead, prioritize and write everything down, among other things, gave me a little breathing room in an otherwise frenzied week. After all, in these meetings, we all had confessed to getting into the habit of putting out fires and moving on to the next crisis, without making time for all of the other stuff awaiting us.

So what else can you do to stay on top of your to-do list?

Here is what he had to say about “the law of forced efficiency”:

“The average person in business today, especially a manager in the age of cutbacks, is working at 110 to 120 percent of capacity. And the jobs and responsibilities just keep piling up. We all have stacks of reading material we still have to go through. One recent study concluded that the average executive has 300 to 400 hours of reading and projects backlogged at home and the office.

What this means is that you will never be caught up. Get that wishful idea out of your mind. All you can hope for is to be on top of your most important responsibilities. The others will just have to wait.”

And while this might sound pessimistic to some, I think that it brings with it a sigh of relief. We can’t do everything put before us, so just do one thing at a time and do as much as you can.

The women I talked to this week were feeling immense guilt about not taking proper care of their clients, but they couldn’t possibly give 120% to all of them equally all at the same time.

So knowing that we can let go of sometime allows for the room to work on the big stuff. And for me, that was a revelation.

In this age of getting our information on the net and receiving a ton of emails that can seemingly demand our immediate attention, Tracy’s voice was one of utter calm and soothing tones.

I really needed the reminders and will make sure to revisit them the next time I open my email to over 200 messages or have 4 pieces due on the same day.

I am sending this book to one of my friends that I met with this week. And I’m thinking of getting a couple of copies and sending them to the other women as well.

I think we need all the help that we can get. And now that I have followed his 21 ways (almost all of them… it’ll take awhile to get back in the habit) to get more done in less time, I am off to mail this book to my friend and write notes of comfort to the others.

Ahh. That feels good.

And it’s only going to get better.

Tomorrow I tackle my inbox.

Get Glow

Have you ever been completely overwhelmed by the shampoo aisle at the drugstore?

I am constantly dizzy from the array of choices I have - do I want shiny or colour-protected hair? Do I want to straighten it or emphasize my curls? Do I want to quench, moisturize or drench my hair?

It's all become too much.

That's why I went in search of a healthy alternative. Something that would give my hair the treatment it deserves and also enhance it with only natural ingredients.

No more chemicals and wandering the drugstores aisles for this gal.

I have found all that I need in Get Glow, a line of products that give your hair the ultimate treatment.

First of all, I have to tell you that these shampoos and conditioners smell amazing! Though they embody light scents, the slight whiff of summer comes out in every dab.

And they feel good too. It's weird, but once you know what you are putting on your head is natural, it gives you a lighter feeling somehow. I felt less weighed down by chemicals and additives.

I tried both the daily and moisturizing shampoos and loved how gentle they were on my hair. And the ingredients are listed on the bottle, so you can see how much goodness is in every bottle. The daily shampoo, for example, has silica, pacific sea kelp, nettle, vitamin b5, vitamin e, aloe vera, green tea extracts and antioxidants. It sounds good enough to eat - but please don't!

The light gentle silky conditioner says it all. And because my hair is dry from being coloured, I have decided that the intense hair repair nourishing treatment will never leave my side.

I had a feeling that these products would be good, but I was surprised at how the light reflector frizz eraser stood up to the warm weather and my wonky hair that likes to do its own thing. I have tried many a hair tamer and usually end up throwing it away after a couple of failed tries. Get Glow's however, really settled my crazy hair and left it with a slight Hollywood glamour sheen.

I've spent years at the drugstore pouring over various bottles and concoctions. I am pleased to say I am now free!

You should go get your own glow on. It feels so good!

You’re Gonna Want to Make the Switch

I am trying to change my ways – use both sides of paper before recycling, buy things in less packaging, etc., but each day brings a new challenge and a new decision – can I change this too?

I was under the very wrong impression that recycled toilet paper was scratchy and rough.

And when it comes to recycled paper towels, I was worried about the absorption. I mean, I am in the kitchen a lot and am constantly in need of paper towels. I need something that I can rely on.

That’s when I found Cascades, a multinational pulp and paper company that is committed to reducing waste. They have a “closed-loop program” that takes used paper and makes new paper (you can check out their website for more info).

Their products are 100% recycled and are made entirely of recycled fibres, so I am proud to have made the switch and am happy to say that they stand up to my rigorous standards and tests of spills, composting and cleaning my bedroom mirrors.

Did you know that you can save 50,000 trees with just one roll? And their 100% recycled paper products are made with “80% less water than the industry average and are dried using natural gas, one of the cleanest combustible fuels available.”

These products can be composted, are biodegradable and are safe for septic tanks and sewer systems.

I have made the switch and am thrilled to know that even though this is a small step, it is an important one.

According to the Greenpeace Tissue Products Shopper’s Guide:

“If every Canadian family were to chance one roll of virgin bathroom tissue to one made of 100 per cent recycled fibres, we could save:

-47,962 trees

-65.5 million litres of water – a year’s supply for 135 families of four

- 4, 567 kilograms of air-polluting effluents

- 3,204 cubic meters of landfill space – equivalent to 181 full garbage trucks.”

So now you have the stats and you have my thoughts on the incredible quality of the product.

What more will it take to make you switch?

p.s. I got my paper towels and toilet paper at my local IGA and I have seen them in almost all of my local supermarkets, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find!

Fridge Friendly Herbs & Spices - Finally!

As an avid cook, I rely heavily on my favourite ingredients – lots of fresh vegetables, French sea salt and fresh herbs to liven up a dish.

However, after a couple of days in the fridge, my cilantro, dill, mint and flat leaf parsley look like they have just come out of the washing machine – limp and starting to turn, I have to rapidly use up any of the “good bits” before throwing the rest out.

I have tried keeping them in a glass of fresh water on my window sill and I have bought that crazy green Astroturf that you keep in the vegetable bin in the fridge to help preserve your food’s freshness, but every week, it’s the same thing: First 2 days I have lovely fresh herbs and by day three, I am putting my hand in a gloppy mess of leaves, trying to weed out the last good ones to add to my omlette, paella or squash soup.

That’s why I am excited about Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices. Tubes of fresh herbs and spices can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 months (and 6 in the freezer) and you don’t have to wash, chop or waste any food at all.

There are 10 available and what’s nice is, you can have a whole bunch on hand, allowing for more fresh flavours in your foods - ginger, Italian seasoning, oregano, lemongrass, parsley, basil, chili pepper, cilantro, garlic and dill.

I have been using the chili pepper a lot, which is great, because I rarely use dried pepper flakes, but with these tubes, I am keeping lemongrass on hand (which I only buy occasionally) and I am putting dill in everything because it keeps so much better in the tube than in the vegetable drawer.

It’s kind of changed how I cook.

I should tell you that in order to preserve the herbs for this amount of time in the fridge, there are other ingredients included, so it is not just the fresh herb or spice. There is salt, oil and modified milk ingredients, for example, so if you shouldn’t or can’t have certain things, be sure to read the label first.

Every cook is particular about certain things. Someone will only use dried oregano in their grandmother’s homemade spaghetti sauce and someone else will insist on fresh parsley to top off their frittata, but mostly, we cook quickly.

It is a lovely idea to have a garden of fresh herbs in which to snip before making a casserole, but rarely is that how life is in 2007.

I am happy to squirt on some garlic and Italian seasoning and mix it into my seafood medley.

I don’t have time to do everything from scratch. And so, I am squirting my herbs now and have reduced my herb wastage by 100%.

It’s a fast-paced world and thanks to Gourmet Garden, I can have dinner on the table even quicker.

Ahh. Doesn't that sound good?

A Good Cuppa Just Got Better - And So Much Fun To Make!

I love having a good cup of tea throughout the day.

Perhaps it’s being half-British, but it is one of the most comforting parts of my day, whether it’s 8:30 a.m. or 11 p.m.

And now, thanks to Adagio, I am enjoying it even more.

One of the best tea selections and grades that I’ve enjoyed thus far, their gourmet teas cover the globe – chamomile from Egypt, Indian black Assam tea, delicate jasmine pearls (what I like to call ‘little globes of delight!’) from China and genmai cha, a green tea from Japan are just a few of the teas available at Adagio.

And you can be as particular as you want to be here – do you want loose leaf or bags? Herbal or decaf? You can even find fine iced teas!

There is a starter kit and a tea-of-the-month for everyone from the novice to the expert and tea aficionado. Whoever you need to buy for, you’ll find something exciting here at Adagio.

Extraordinary teas like golden needle and pomegranate green offer both refreshment and comfort in every cup.

But perhaps one of the most extraordinary finds here is the ingenuiTEA teapot. At first glance you might think it is just a tea infuser and is nothing more than the little stainless steel ball that you’ve been using since the Seventies.

But you’d be wrong.

The IngenuiTEA allows you to make a 16-oz. cup of loose tea anywhere. You place the tea leaves in the cup and pour in the hot water. You allow it to steep to your desired strength and then sit it on top of your own mug. Somehow, it releases the tea only when you’ve placed it over the mug and it pours the freshly brewed tea into your cup.

Not only is it so much fun to do and watch, but you don’t even need to use a kettle. You can microwave your water directly inside the teapot!! And it works with any cup so take it to work if you like.

And it keeps getting better - it is also dishwasher safe (just toss the leaves first)!!! And there is one for iced teas too.

Why stick with ordinary supermarket teabags when you can easily brew your own fresh cup each time?

I’m going to go and “put on” a cuppa Foxtrot (under “herbal” on the website) right now.

Doesn’t that sound good right about now?

I’m addicted.

But don’t worry. It’s the good kind of addiction.

There’s really nothing better than a good cuppa and it doesn’t get much better than Adagio teas.

Quick Update

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I haven't forgotten about you.

I was in New York for 5 days and am just back today, so I'll have lots of daily exciting new products and services up for you starting again tomorrow.

I hadn't been on vacation in a number of years and decided it was now or never. It was fantastic. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it.

And tomorrow, I'll be back to recommending lots of great stuff!

Many thanks and warmest wishes,

Stephanie

Look Again

Is it just me or does our entire living room furniture look the same? It’s either all-white condos or living rooms filled with espresso wood bookcases. Even restaurants are starting to look generic.

That’s why I am so excited about Designfenzider.

Aside from their very cool name, they have taken design to the next level, changing the way we think of simple objects such as fruits bowls or the “container” you put your fresh flowers in.

They call it “Contemporary Conceptual Design, Functional Conversation Pieces,” which is exactly what I’d call it, except probably not as succinctly or elegantly, despite my career as a wordsmith.

There is a stool call “Void” that is basically a red, black or white outline of a stool, which I think is neat. I love the “Endless” silver necklace which is composed of just the closure of a necklace linked together to make not only an original piece of jewellery but one that people will not be able to resist touching or talking about.

Isn’t that what you want your furniture and items to say about you? That you’re an original thinker? That you don’t just pick up your wares at Pottery Barn like the rest of ‘em?

The products are not cheap but it does offer you something you can’t get anywhere else – original designs that you may have to take a longer second look at to really see the brilliant, intricate design.

And for me, that is a welcome change from us all wearing the same jeans , leaning on our dark wood bar tables, and drinking Mohijitos out of the same glasses.

Lovin' the Dove

Soft hints of cherry waft throughout the room. The creamy lather creates a lush foam. This is what I call heaven.

After a long winter, my skin is hungry for hydration and feeling silky smooth and oh-so-soft.

That's why I was so excited to try Dove's new Cream Oil Body Wash. There are three scents to try so I put them to the test with my own little focus group.

I gathered 2 neighbours and let them pick a scent to try. I went with the Cherry Almond, Paul tried the Jasmine and Vanilla and Allana tried the Rosewood and Cocoa Butter scent.

Paul loves Dove products (I know!) and was pretty excited to try out something new from them. He wasn't disappointed. He gets dry skin in the winter and felt soothed by the new cream. He also liked the scent, as it is not too overpowering. It's actually so light that you really have to sniff at your own arm to take any in.

Allana upstairs told me that hers wasn't all that foamy but that she liked that. She asked if I used a sponge with it and I do, which might have made the difference in how much lather was created.

We all agree that they feel good, as do we, and now we all smell good too!

I loved the incredible foam that was created while I showered. A lot of foam makes me feel cleaner, like shaving your legs makes you feel cleaner. Weird, but true.

The creamy goodness that you feel is further tailored to your skin by each scent delivering different levels of moisture.

I am also loving the Energy Glow self-tanners for both face and body. I was using another company's self-tanners but Dove's scent is light and gives me a deep glow, even though I am using the one for fair skin.

It's amazing how these 2 products made me feel so good. They added a little bounce to my step and I felt fresh, clean and tanned all day long.

This is what it must feel like to be George Clooney.

Mmm...