Get Stunning Laptop, iPhone & iPod Covers at Infectious

As an art lover, I constantly have images around me that mean something to me and that I can spend hours reveling in.

Even as early as 13, I covered my diaries, school binders and walls with pictures town out of magazines, photos of artwork that I couldn't afford and sketches and drawings done by myself, friends and family.

I still cover my daily planner in photos and pictures from magazines. The magnetic board above my little rolltop desk is teaming with images, so many that I have now just starting placing them on top of one another.

To be surrounded by art, I believe, is a beautiful and necessary thing.

So when I found Infectious, I was so excited I didn't know what to do with myself except shout with joy and yes, there was jumping up and down!

Not only does Infectious make skins for your iPods, iPhone, laptops, walls and even cars (how awesome is that?!), but they do it with an actual art community, so you get wicked art that supports artists and you can vote and pick winners with new designs launched weekly (you can submit your own too!). It's portable art for your stuff, so no longer do you have to have a rote phone or computer. It can be completely yours, thanks to Infectious and their amazing roster of artists.

Infectious has created such an amazing material that is incredibly easy to apply, will protect your gear and leaves no residue whatsoever behind.

The only downside? Trying to choose just a few designs out of the many talented artists that have skins available! I had a really, really, REALLY hard time narrowing it down to just a few.

But I fell hard for Silhouette of a Rollergirl by Dana Hawley. She is now a part of me, I mean my laptop. I love the mystery of it, how you can just make out a few of Rollergirl's features, how she's standing, how it's lit... really, just everything about it. And it's such a dramatic change from the blank grey and black stripes of my laptop cover. All of a sudden, my computer's got edge and personality.

Same goes for my phone. It was awfully hard to choose - so I got 2 (I figure I'll change the design halfway through the year).

Fragile by Nate Frizzell is ethereal and somehow simultaneously modern and retro. The soft colours and butterflies add a very calming feel to the piece. I could look at this for hours. To me, it's got the same effect of watching waves slap against the sand - utter peace and tranquility.

Squeeze by Julie West is kind of similar, with a twist - or should I say twisted edge. It's a pretty girl with a bird in muted tones, but it seems like she's squeezing the bird's neck. I know it sounds bad, but the drawing is so pleasing that I love it despite the macabre tone.

There are so many designs from - this is just 3 of out hundreds of fantastic work by really talented, hard-working folks! Please peruse them all and choose your favourites. Then, in a couple of months, come back and get some more! That way, you can change up your tech as much as you like and revel in the work of some truly amazing artists.

Infectious - you're going to want to make this a regular thing.

You've Just Got to Try Annabelle Cosmetics Studio Look Pigment Eyeshadows! And Now You Can By Winning Your Very Own Set!

I have basically been wearing the same look for the past decade plus - black eyeliner a la Brigitte Bardot. My eyes are small, so this automatically makes them look bigger and stand out a little more. Plus, having light green eyes, pale skin and blonde hair, I need all the help I can get!

But I am sooooo bored beyond belief with this look. And though every once in awhile, I try different eyeshadows, they never look as good or dramatic on me as other gals. I thought I was forsaken when it came to my eyes.

Until I found the newly launched Annabelle Cosmetics Studio Look Pigment Eyeshadows!

These 6 rockin' shades deliver maximum colour, just in time for all the neon brights of summer and to add instant electricity to your favourite little black dress.

What I love about these is that you don't have to be a makeup expert to apply them - simple use Annabelle's A-14 Angled Brush or A-8 Smaller Shader Brush to brush on a single layer of high impact loose shadow or layer it for a more intense look, or apply a thin line above your lashes with a wet brush for a totally modern look. The fine pearl particles and minerals capture the light and highlight your eyes with big, bold colours.

And yes, let's talk about these magical colours - never before have I been able to rock so many shades - I really think that they would be flattering on all skin tones. Greed matches my eyes, but adds a shock of colour, which is great fun. Dragonette's Mediterranean sea colour is completely intoxicating and Cobalt reminds me of Greece's white stucco buildings against this colour sky - just imagine how amazing it is going to look on YOU!

Karma plays on one of the season's best colours, purple. I love this one -it even livens up just jeans and a t-shirt! Magentini is purply-pink and goes with absolutely everything. And the golden glow of LOL was a pleasant surprise - normally gold is too yellow on my pink-toned skin, but somehow this just added into gloss and glamour to my look. Woo woo!

I love that this amazing Canadian company (I wrote about them back at the beginning of the year) makes high-fashion looks that are both affordable ($8.50 CDN each) and accessible (easy to apply). The shadows are available through their website or at Shopper's Drug Mart. If you're in the US, you can order them by phone.

Get them now so that you start using them for the long weekend! I know you're just dying to bring out that new dress and pair of shoes...

EMAIL ME at writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com with the subject line - Annabelle ROCKS! - and you can win your very own set! The 6th person to email me wins and will be notified by email. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address.

Get Your Chocolate On With Chocolate Seeds, Shaman Chocolate and Le Whif!

Last night I went to my first ever wine and chocolate event at my friend Diana's.

I am not a chocoholic like most women I know, but I was intrigued to see what people responded to and looked for in their quest for good chocolate.

It turns out that it doesn't have to be expensive to be good, but it must have good, wholesome ingredients and be of good quality.

Here's 3 that I've recently found that are fun and great tasting:

Nahualli Trading Co. Chocolate Seeds

I don't find chocolate addictive like many of my friends who have to have a least a piece or two a day or have it for breakfast (!), but I did keep going back for more Nahualli Trading Co. Chocolate Seeds!

These ancient treats do not taste like regular chocolate, but something better and more satisfying, I think. Nahaulli takes the whole organic cacao bean, shells, roasts and seasons it. Then they are covered in dark chocolate, resulting in a bittersweet, crunchy sensation that is entirely addictive and pleasurable.

There are 3 kinds - regular, organic and reserve variety - and between me, our friends and neighbours, the seeds didn't stand a chance.

They were gone in just a few days.

And this from a non-chocoholic, so you can just imagine how amazing they are.

But don't take my word for it - try it for yourself and see. But be warned, you'll end up wanting them by the case!

Shaman Chocolates

Certified organic, Fair Trade chocolate is becoming a lot more common these days. But how do you know what one to get?

I can recommend one - Shaman Chocolates. They are not only good quality and tasty, but with each bar sold, you help support the Huichol Indians.

There are 9 flavours to choose from. I tried Organic Milk Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts & Hawaiian Pink Sea Salt which was very different than any other chocolate I've ever had and very exotic. I loove the addition of pink sea salt - a perfect accompaniment to the chocolate. I also enjoyed the sunny citrus element of the Organic Dark Chocolate with Acai, Lemon & Orange. And of course, the Organic Extra Dark Chocolate, made of 82% cacao was completely dreamy - rich, dark, bittersweet. Mmm!

Get Shaman Chocolate - certified organic, fairly traded chocolate that makes a difference in the lives of others and tastes great.

Le Whif - Inhaled Chocolate

Chocolate without the calories? I know it's hard to believe, but yes, it's absolutely true!
Le Whif is a chocolate that you inhale. It comes in a tube that looks like lip balm. You place your lips around it and intake a breath (see the step-by-step instructions) All of a sudden, you'll get a light cloud of chocolate powder in your mouth. There is less than 1 calorie in this amount.

What I like about Le Whif is that it's:

- unique
- virtually no calorie
- fun to try
- tastes good

We tried different flavours at Diana's - raspberry chocolate, plain chocolate, American and Caribbean.

Not only were they great fun, we can now all say that we ahem, inhaled.

Shop for your packs now and get the gang over for a night of chocolate decadence without the calories!

Get Naturally Beautiful with Kiss My Face

Now that you are getting savvy about what you're putting on your skin, you want a name you can trust.

Kiss My Face offers products that are brimming with natural and organic ingredients. With their skincare and cosmetic lines, you can be sure there are no artificial colors, animal ingredients or unnecessary chemicals, all at a price that you can afford.

The Brightening Day Creme gives you glimmer and glow naturally, thanks to organic ingredients. Botanical brighteners give you an ethereal look while organic aloe goes to work on evening out your skin tone. And it comes packed with natural sun blockers - zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - so you don't have to worry about further skin damage. Phew!

Intensive Repair Night Creme goes to work on your complexion overnight, so you wake up to supple and moisturized skin. And it's all with ingredients like hibiscus (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), basil, fennel, rice extract and organic sunflower - things you know are good for your body, things that you can pronounce. So now you've got great skin AND peace of mind.

Pretty great, right?

And to give you that little extra oomph on hot summer nights, get Sheer Organic Shimmer and Shine lip care.

These soft, smooth lip products have all natural and organic ingredients, but give you the hot look you're looking for, all at an unbelievably affordable price.

The shimmer gives a soft look that is ultra feminine. Your lips will feel soft too as organic shea butter, vitamin E and organic sunflower oil moisturize and nourish. And the shine is fantastic, as it not gives you a great slick look, but intense colour as well. And there's a hint of scent added - french vanilla flavour, chocolate flavour and peppermint oils - which makes it a little more fun than your average gloss.

Kiss My Face - something you, your skin and your pocketbook will appreciate.

The Purslip Purse Organizer is A Life Saver - And It's Pretty to Boot!

I am not all that girly except in the area of loving shoes and purses.

But I'm not a maniac like most of the girls I know who devote entire closets and rooms to their wares. No, I'm pretty practical when it comes to my purses, but will admit that I have a couple of black ones, a couple of blue ones... I'm not a saint!

However, what drives me crazy is that I end up using the same purse for months on end because changing it with all of its contents is such a drag. And now that I'm carrying bigger bags, the more I'm carrying. It's too time-consuming to switch up them up if I have to gather everything up and then try and figure out how to get it all - and organize it - in another purse.

That is, until I found the ever so practical - and beautiful (the outside is made of satin polyester) - Purslip!

It takes just a second to lift the contents out of one bag and put them in another. Which means you can actually use the bags you have instead of having them sit in your closet unused and unappreciated.

There are a ton of sizes to choose from, 2 colours - Ebony and Champage and 2 shapes with beautiful names - Aurora (rectangular) and Josephine (oval), so you can be sure that they will fit the bags you have or are soon to get (it is almost the end of the season, which means sale time...).

What I love about the Purslip is that it keeps you organized within your bag! As I'm sure you've found with bags is that they never have enough pockets or they're not nearly big enough to store what you need to carry with you. Each Purslip organizer interior has 1 large zippered pocket, 4 credit card pockets, 1 pen pocket and 2 miscellaneous pockets for anything else you want to store and stash away.

Creator Janine Meyers has really made a fantastic product that can take you from office during the day to dinner and drinks in the evening with no effort involved. There is even a lovely cord handle that allows you to grab it quickly and transfer it to your next bag.

Finally!

Today I pulled out a bag I've only used once and I've had it for years. Thanks to my Purslip, my summer is going to be filled with pretty bags - one's I already have, ones I'd completely forgotten about yet I love to pieces.

I was going to say now I don't need to get anymore bags now that I've discovered my own wonderful collection, but let's not get crazy...

Order a whole whack of these for yourself and your friends. They will change your life AND your wardrobe!

Kérastase Paris Creates a Solution for Dry, Rebellious Hair with New Nutritive Oléo-Relax Slim!

Finally, I can do something about this dry and wayward mop of mine.

Every summer I colour my hair a lighter shade of blonde, but this summer I went super platinum (Gwen Stefani blonde). And because my hair grows so fast, I'm doing root touch-ups every 2 weeks - Why couldn't I have just been born a blonde? It'd be sooo much easier...

Hence, my hair is supremely dry and crazy - more so than usual, if you can believe. The thin strands tangle and curl, leaving my hair really unmanageable and oh, all right, let's just call it what it is - crazy lookin'!

So when I found Kérastase Paris' Nutritive Oléo-Relax Slim products, I was filled with hope. Could I really have tamed hair that is manageable and proportionate again?

I am happy to report a resounding yes!

There are two ways to do it - treat it with the Masque Oléo-Relax Slim and protect it with Creme Oléo-Relax Slim.

With the masque, you apply 1-2 teaspoons to clean, towel-dried hair and gently massage in from roots to ends. They say to leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. It's just like at the salon! So pick up your favourite magazine and use this time just for you while your hair gets a complete makeover in just a few minutes.

And you follow the same directions with the creme, but don't rinse out.

The Masque and Creme makes hair styling easier because it finally gives you back the control you've been longing for. They rebuild your dry and brittle hair with 3 oils - Camelina, Pracaxi and apricot - to "tame and straighten the hair." So the volume of your hair is decreased (thank goodness) and noticeably lighter. Now your hair will be nourished and smooth, straight and completely under control.

What I love about these products is that they give you such a feeling of luxury - your hair will like you've been to an upscale salon and it will smell incredible. This is a system that you'll actual enjoy using!

Shop Kérastase Paris' Nutritive Oléo-Relax Slim products and get the lush locks you've always dreamed of!

Birthdays Abound This Summer So Get the Perfect Present (and Wrap) at My Mums Factory

This summer is jam-packed with friends and family celebrating birthdays. So how do you choose a fun and yet affordable present for all these folks?

With a little help from me and My Mums Factory. Check it out!

This UK-based company creates and offers quality gift items that are fun and original.

Take these Aroma Releasing Drink Mats , for example. These heat-activated scented coasters are infused with 100% aromatics - just place under your mug of hot chocolate, tea, coffee or even cuppa soup and enjoy the warm scents. A great gift for those celebrating a birthday or a great hostess or housewarming present. So innovative, I think. They come in a surprisingly huge variety of scents. I tried lavender, pina colada cocktail and hot apple pie & custard. Delicious!

For wrapping up your gifts, My Mums Factory has got you covered! I looove the Giant Word Search Wrap that has over 470 Christmas words and phrases (who says you have to wait until Christmas to use it?). I used it on my Dad's presents yesterday (Happy Birthday, Papa!) and he liked it so much, he kept it - that's a first! And their Glow in the Dark Wrap is great fun for people of all ages. Just imagine how your present will stand out from the rest simply by the paper alone - 15 minutes of light will glow for 24 hours!

Not only is their wrap great fun, but it comes in one supersized sheet - 84 cm x 59 cm - so you can finally wrap that golf club, giant vase or something that is kind of an odd shape with ease. Also, it is extremely thick and tough, which is a nice change from those flimsy card shop versions that cost an arm and a leg and tear as soon as you go to tape a corner!

My Mums Factory is great fun. Give it a try and see for yourself - you'll actually enjoy the gift buying experience for once!

Guyot Designs Makes Camping Fun!

Everyone I know it seems, has gone camping this weekend.

And while they are seasoned packers and climbers, no one is quite happy about their supplies - either they're old and crumbling or they just aren't quite up to the job.

So I went in search of quality, fun products that my camping buddies could use and count on - no matter what the weather. And I found it all in Guyot Designs!

They have created a melange of useful and innovative products that are fun to use and earth-conscious.

Take their MicroBites, for example. This 5-in-1 tool kit has everything you'll need - spoon, fork, knife, spatula and spreader - in order to eat well on the road and on the campsite. It comes in 3 colours and is superlight and small. They'll be the first thing you pack on your next trip!

And I loooove the Squishy Bowls. You can sqaush and squish them to your heart's content, but they will always bounce back to their shape, thanks to being made of flexible food-grade silicon. Which also means you can cram them into your backpack, taking up almost no room at all - finally! They can be handwashed using just soap and water (because really, where you're staying, that's all that you'll have) and are temperature resistant to 400˚F. I think they are great for at home use too. Why save them for only camping or traveling?!

Something that you can definitely use in the city is the Backpacker Stainless Steel Wide-Mouth Bottle. This sturdy sucker is part of Guyot's C-Minus program - "every bottle we produce carries 100lbs of verified green house gas emissions reductions- making our bottles not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative! Each bottle we sell through the website is part of C-Minus batch number: 07-649733. You can use that serial number in our C-Minus SN Look-up form to find detailed information about the emissions reductions attached to each bottle." So you are helping by buying a healthy alternative to plastics or polycarbonates and with it's low-impact fabrications and 100% recyclability, it's a fantastic way to drink on the go and responsibly!

And add the TapGuard to it, specially made for wide-mouth bottles - it removes up to 95% of chlorine, iodine and other bad-tasting chemicals while being BPA and polycarbonate free.

See all of Guyot Designs products and make yourself a little kit for next your trip. No wonder people are heading out camping for the weekend - this stuff rocks!

Honey Pie Hives and Herbals Has the Sweetest Stuff - Handmade Soaps, Lotions, Lip Balms, Teas, Herbal Blends and Bath Products!

I love homemade products with heart.

And at Honey Pie Hives and Herbals, you get products that are good for you and the planet, smell good and make you feel good from head to toe!

Handmade in Prince Edward County where "We combine beeswax and propolis with organic herbs, many of which we grow or harvest in the wild, to make natural healthful products. We are a small, home based business. All of our products are made by hand in our kitchen - except for the honey which is made by the bees!"

Bay Woodward and Gavin North make beautiful soaps, lotions, lip balms, teas, herbal blends and bath products all from hand. Not only are you going to want to stock up for yourself, but you're going to want to share these gorgeous finds with everyone on your gift list!

Four things I love about Honey Pie:

1. Everything is beautifully made - from the actual products right down to the handwritten labels with drawings

2. Everything smells so damned good!

3. These are some healing, soothing products - how can you not feel better after slathering yourself in Luxury Lotion and winding down with a cuppa Lemon Herb tea?!

4. The items are incredible affordable - especially when you consider all the hard work and labour that goes into each handmade product!

Their soaps are absolutely incredible. The Lavender is sheer quality lavender - this is the good stuff right here! The Oatmeal, Chamomile, Honey is perfect with those with sensitive skin, Ylang Ylang has a wonderful summery scent and the Mint will surely get you going in the morning! I love the Rosemary Ginger Shampoo - great for traveling, no need to worry about bottles opening up and spilling!

The Queen Bee's Luxury Lotion is simply divine. It's rich without being cloying and keeps your skin supple and moisturized all day long. Organic sunflower oil, propolis and wild mullein actually work at protecting and nourishing your skin, not just making it feel good. And while it is unscented, it has the smell of beeswax that I find calming and soothing in of itself.

Oh my!

And I was pleasantly surprised by their Orange Lip Balm - it not only softened my lips and gave them a nice sheen, but I didn't feel the need to reapply for the REST OF THE DAY! That is definitely a first, and despite having worn gloss in the morning and lipstick later in the evening, my lips remained flake free. It's a miracle most certainly!

And one of the best gifts I've seen are Honey Pie's Teas. Their gorgeous packaging - handmade, handdrawn labels - combined with lovely tea blends - make a wonderful present. And they are truly tasty - the Lemon Herb contains lemon balm, lemon basil, lemon thyme, lemon verbena and lemon wedges. I think I'm going to try doing chicken in it in addition to drinking it! And the After Dinner Tea has ginger, mint, fennel seed, lemon balm and caraway seed to help you digest and settle your tummy.

See? I told you Honey Pie Hives and Herbals were amazing!

Place your orders now.

Discover the Prettiest Notebooks at Compendium Inc!

It doesn't take much to make me squeal with delight - a hug from my fella, a delightful find in the grocery store and pretty, pretty paper products.

I have been carrying around notebooks, journals, pads of paper, for as long as I've been toting a purse. To ability to capture my thoughts, dialogue of those around me or even to list items I'm in need of is necessary and while I could do it all on my lovely smartphone, I much prefer to capture it all on pretty paper!

I found the prettiest pads, notebooks, cards and gifts at Compendium Incorporated. Come and see!

For a nice large notebook, I'm loving the Her Words Composition Books. Slim, pretty and oh-so meaningful, these light books have 60 pages in which to fill with your wisdom, doodles and dreams. The cover is filled with sweet, whimsical drawings and lovely sayings by poet Monique Duval.

Like this for example - Then swing your window open, the one with the fresh air and good eastern light and watch for wings, edges, new beginnings. And this - She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing "yes" in the sky.

Isn't that just lovely? I can think of so many woman I want to give these too!

If that's too big, there's a smaller version - Her Words Mini Notebooks. I got these beauties - He offered her the world , And there floating and bobbing, Grow the flowers that you love. These are amazing for keeping beside you at the computer, in your purse and tucked away in your carry-on when traveling!

Other great little handy notekeepers are the Anywhere Notebooks. These little flip-up books are colourfully illustrated and fun to hold and use. You'll get addicted to these no doubt!

And for something a little finer, a little more sturdy, I'm coveting my Reporter Style Notebook. I got the Life delights in life one. It's got 96 pages (which just oughta do it), a hard cloth cover and band to keep it closed, which is great when it's rolling around my bag - the pages won't get all crumpled.

As a lovely gift, I'm looking to their gift books. There are a wide variety to choose from - you may just want to stock up and finish your Christmas shopping right now!

To start with though, I got Take Time, because really, isn't this something we all need? Quotes and thoughts gently remind you to take time for yourself, to care for yourself as you do others and generally do the things that matter most to you. Aren't you more relaxed already?

And Window Cards make a fantastic present! Each box of 30 cards contains cards that open with messages from the heart. Beautifully made and a wonderful, thoughtful gesture, I've been tucking them into cards and letters that I write to friends and family. It's a little thing, but a nice thing, don't you think?

And while you're getting gifts, get yourself some greeting cards too! There are some lovely sentiments here, such as, "Friend. Good," "Sit loosely in the saddle of life," and "I only wish you could see..."

I could go on and on and on. There is so much to see here! So check out the whole website and get yourself some pretty paper products - there is nothing better.

Lindi Skin - Skincare Products Developed With the Unique Needs of Cancer Patients in Mind

What a truly amazing idea.

I know a number of people who have had cancer, so when I saw this incredible product line, I had to find out more, find out if it was good, and is so, spread the word!

The line was created from watching loved ones go through cancer treatments and seeing how it ravaged their skin, and learning that there was no skincare line for people who had gone through radiation and chemotherapy.

After having consulted dermatologists, oncologists, nurses, patients and skincare formulators, the skincare line was created with people with cancer in mind, but that doesn't mean you can't use it too! The products are dermatologist and allergy tested and are absolutely non-irratating to your skin.

Their online store provides skincare products that soothe, heal and protect your skin. Doesn't that sound like exactly what you've been looking for?!

Check out the lovely, freshly scented Face Wash that I'm using to keep my skin moisturized. What a wonderful feeling to have your face feel nourished and hydrated AFTER washing. It's a feeling you'll get addicted to as I have, I'm sure!

And if your skin is a little gray, dull or red, Lindi's Face Tint will even you out. Containing Propietary LSA complex, it has a lovely cooling feel and instantly saturates your skin with moisture and a lovely, almost shimmery glow. No need for any foundation with this bad boy - just apply and go - it's one of my new favourite finds!

I am also swooning over the amazing Soothing Balm. I have many friends that have painful skin conditions, so I'll be sharing this with them for sure. For me, my skin is always in need of serious moisture, so I have quickly fallen in love with this product. Avocado oil sinks into my skin leaving me feeling cool and soothed, hydrated and moisturized.

Ahh, that's muuuuch better!

Lindi Skin is all about caring for the skin you're in. And it feels oh-so-good now that you've got Lindi.

What a truly awesome idea.

Look Beautiful AND Natural With BECCA Cosmetics!

It is a difficult thing to find a foundation that will cover up your dark circles and blemishes, while not feeling or looking too heavy.

That's what BECCA Cosmetics founder Rebbeca Morris Williams found as both a woman and a makeup artist, so she set about creating her own.

More than 6 years later, she found the perfect formula and created a range of products that will make you both look beautiful AND natural!

There is much that sets BECCA apart from the rest. For example, while most cosmetic companies offer 3 to 7 concealer colours, the BECCA range "features no less than 34 concealer colours and 30 foundation colours." This means that you'll get the perfect match which in turn, makes you look more natural.

Ahh!

Just check out the incredible Shimmering Skin Perfector!

This water-based moisturizer is filled with light-diffusing particles of shimmer that actually made my skin look good enough to not wear foundation! And with a SPF of 20+, your skin is cared for and protected against 96% of both UVA and UVB rays.

Contains soothing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients such as anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, D, and E, this miracle lotion illuminates your face, even if you choose to put foundation on top! My face is all aglow no matter how much (or little) sleep I got or how many old fashioneds I consumed the night before.

Your skin will look luminous, even and lit from within, all without having to take extra vitamins, go to bed early or drink 4 gallons of water a day.

I am absolutely radiant and it's all thanks to BECCA!

My other favourite find is the Line + Illuminate Pencil. I love this concept of this 2-in-1 product, as I am so sick of my everyday look of black liner! I've been craving something new and exciting, but hadn't found anything that suited me - up until now!

I love that the pencil on BOTH ends is soft enough to use without pulling or tugging at your skin. The pencil creates a wonderful look of dark liner with complementary illuminating shadow, which means my eyes go from ugh to wow in just a few seconds. Suddenly, they are brighter and better than ever before. Where has this pencil been all of my life?!

And since I'm such a spaz at doing my own makeup, I am happy to say that the pencil does it all professionally, I just line my lids and fill in with the illuminator and I'm telling you, I look red carpet ready! Me!

Not only do I look good, but my look is smudge-resistant and long-lasting, which means I can spend less time fussing with my makeup and more time enjoying myself.

And just think, these are only 2 of the many products available at BECCA Cosmetics!

I'm definitely going to need a bigger makeup bag...

Looking for a Stress-Free Life? Natural Calm and Real Life Music Will Help!

I am always looking for ways to improve the way I live and for me, it always comes down to trying to reduce stress and spend more time and energy on the things that are important to me.

It's a delicate juggling act that I try to balance each and every day, thought not every day is a success. These things below help. I hope they'll help you too!

Warmest wishes

Stephanie Dickison
Publisher & Editor - the knack

Natural Calm

Thank goodness for Natural Calm. I don't know about you, but I can think of a bazillion instances this days when it would come in handy!

I used Natural Calm's Raspberry Lemon for the first time just before my book launch a couple of weeks ago. It's funny - I can speak to a crowd of 1,000 people, but the thought of having to do a speech and read from my book for the first time in front of dear friends and family made me nervous. I didn't want to do anything drastic like take Valium or have one too many cocktails, but I knew I needed something to help take the edge off.

Natural Calm uses magnesium to help calm your nerves NATURALLY! This is one of those products that once you find and try, you latch onto and tell everyone you know about it, because it's that amazing, it's that transforming.

This tasty supplement dissolves in water and makes a refreshing drink.

I'm not saying that you have to use it each and every day, but in those instances where you feel you need a little back up, a little settling of your mind and your nerves, you can count on Natural Calm to get you back to your regular self.

Ahhhh...

Real Music

As a music critic, I know the incredible power of music. It can get me up outta my office chair in the middle of deadlines or bring back memories that otherwise remain forgotten - a restaurant for a boy's birthday a decade ago, where rain ran down the windows and we fell in love.

Recently though, I've been craving music to relax me, to soothe me, to take away the stress and strains of the day. It's not that I'm going through anything so awful, but I'm scattered and unfocused. I feel like I just need to steal away moments throughout the day to set myself right.

And I want to do it with music that I can relax and drift away with.

I found TONS OF IT at Real Music!

And as the company says, their albums "are crafted to bring you to a place of balance and harmony. At first listening, the music may simply wash away daily stresses, but regular listening can build a sense of peace you can maintain and carry with you always as you go about your days."

Can you say that about your current relaxation collection?

Take Bernward Koch's Gentle Spirit, for example. The soft plinky, plunky sounds of piano make for a serene landscape in which to lose yourself and let the stress just melt away. And Gandalf's Sanctuary, as with all the titles at Real Music contains patterns that actually stimulate your body to relax! I found Sancutary's guitar melodies surprisingly uplifting and joyful. Kevin Kern's Endless Blue Sky really has heart and yet is gentle enough that you can leave it on throughout your day and not feel overwhelmed by it. It just melts into your subconscious and while you go about doing your things, it reaches into your body and allows you to let go of whatever burdens you are carrying with you.

For a really deep relaxation, you've got to give Liquid Mind IX Lullaby a go! There is actually a warning label on this one - "Use care when operating vehicles or dangerous machinery. MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS!" - so you know it's going to ease your mind and body! This is great if you have trouble falling asleep or letting go of all that mind chatter of to-do lists and errands to run.

My favourite has got to be the Sacred Spa Music Series 2 that contains 3 CDs - Contentment, Finding Balance and Journey to Wellness. This collection can be played while you are working or as an antidote to your working day, if that's what you are in need of.

What I love most about Real Music is that they know the power of music and all the benefits that go along with it. They have not only created music that sounds relaxing - it acutally is programmed to MAKE you relax!

Which is fantastic, because these days I can use all the help I can get!

Smith's the Edge Experts - Knive & Scissors Sharpeners for Your Home & Kitchen!

If you are in the kitchen at all, you know the value of a good knife.

A sharp knife.

I'm sure you've been to houses where their chef's knife is as sharp as their butter knife.

This is no way to live.

That's why I am sooo excited about the amazing collection of knife sharpeners from Smith's!

Not only do they offer sharpening for every knife in your drawer, but in a variety of ways as well - so whether you are left-handed with mostly santoku knives or right-handed with a butcher's block full of cleavers, Smith's has something just for you.

I love their attention to detail in this regard because not every tool is for everyone. You might want something heavy that sits on the countertop, while I want a light sharpening rod that suits my entire knife collection.

They have electric sharpeners, manual sharpeners and accessories and replacement parts to choose from.

Check out the super beautiful Diamond Edge Gourmet Electric Knife & Scissors Sharpener! This bad boy does it all and with absolutely no effort required by you! The interlocking diamond wheels and scissors sharpener will go to work on both straight and serrated blades and sharpen most household scissors.

I love the style and look of it and that you can just slip your knife or scissors in for a guaranteed factory edge result each and every time. And you never have to worry about it scratching, maring or de-tempering your blade.

I think this is a fantastic gift for a wedding, housewarming or for the aspiring chef or experienced gourmand in your life. In fact, every household should have one of these, don't you think?

And if that is too big or too much, maybe a manual sharpener is more your thing.

If you like to pull your knife through the sharpener, there's the lovely and easy Ceramic Pull-Thru that does both straight and serrated edges. And if you love your Santoku, get the Santoku Pull-Thru to keep your knife at its best! And check out the features on the Carbide/Ceramic Pull-Thru - it will do all those knives in your drawer.

The EdgeGrip 2-Step Sharpener is not only small and versatile, it is less than $6! What a bargain!

If you are old school and prefer to use a sharpening rod, Smith's has got you covered - just look at their swank 10" Oval Diamond Knife Sharpening Rod and 9" Oval Ceramic Sharpening Rod. These are what professional chefs use and I've gotta tell you, this quality at these prices? Unbelievable! You may want to get some as gifts for friends and family.

And for those of you that like to keep your scissors ready for anything, the V-Slot 10 Second Knife & Scissors Sharpener is fast and easy, and the Counter Safe Deluxe Knife & Scissors Sharpener is a nice, sturdy handheld that won't slip while in use.

I really think that these wonderfully professional, easy to use and completely affordable sharpeners from Smith's are a fantastic resource for every household.

No wonder they're called the edge experts!

HTnaturals Offers Fantastic Stylish & Comfy Eco & Organic Clothing!

Every day I get a little more particular about what I want.

In terms of clothing, I want to:

- look good
- be stylish
- be comfortable
- be responsible to the earth
- be able to afford it

I found it all at HTnaturals!

The company specializes in soft materials that are socially responsible and sustainable and offers clothing for both men and women.

I love the selection - great basics that can be mixed and match for both day and evening wear.

I got the Reverse Halter with Print in Sand/Black which is both classic and sexy all at once. I love that I can wear it to a meeting and feel dressed up enough for drinks on a rooftop patio downtown late in the evening. It is super comfortable - even the tie behind your neck sits softly without any painful pulling or tugging.

It is double layered, yet not heavy in the least. And it's mostly bamboo, which you know I can't say enough good things about and I cannot get enough of. It is one of my all-time favourite fabrics. A little bit of organic cotton and spandex give it a nice stretch and bounce and gives all day/all night comfort - I know because I've worn it for that long!

And of course, the fact that it's reversible means that it's like 2 tops in 1 - savings galore! I love the flower - very feminine - and of course the plain black is a quick and easy choice - it goes with everything.

To make the outfit complete, I went with the Reversible Knit Capri pants. They are so comfortable, I'm wearing them everywhere -grocery shopping, to the movies and on nights out on the town with friends or my fella. I love the weight of the knit, the wide leg, the relaxed fit and the extra wide foldover waistband. They are in fact, the perfect all around pant!

The Capris are the same blend as the top and are also reversible, so you can change them with your moods and depending upon your outfit and/or destination.

Of course, HTnaturals has so much more to offer. I will be getting more from them because when it's this stylish AND comfortable AND reversible, you just can't go wrong!!

Shop for your wardrobe pieces now and change the way you dress - for the better.

Better for you, better for the planet!

Discover Great Products for Your Pets - Evive Fresh Homemade Meals for Pets, Nu-Hemp's Hemp Hideout and Imperial Cat Scratch n' Shapes!

If you have a pet, no doubt you want to shower it with love and attention.

I know I do with my guys.

So I've gathered together a few fantastic products to show them how much you care.

Evive Fresh Handmade Meals for Pets

Rip is my 13 year old dog (named after actor Rip Torn) who is is a great big guy (think cartoon Marmaduke) whose only goal in life is to love you and lick you.

Recently, because he is part Great Dane and so old, he has had a number of serious health issues that have made us realize that we really have to treasure what time we have with him and make me as comfortable and happy as possible.

I can think of no better way to pamper your dog (or cat) than Evive Fresh Handmade Meals for Pets.

Those cans of dog food at the grocery store contain some pretty scary ingredients - you wouldn't consume it, so why should your dog? That's what I love about Evive - handmade in Montreal, the food is lovingly prepared with only whole, nutritious ingredients.

And if you don't believe me, here are Evive's 12 good reasons to use their food over others.

I couldn't agree more!

Evive's fresh, local Square Meals come in 3 sizes - small, medium and large - and is affordable for homemade fare (just imagine the time, energy and money you'd have to spend to make these wonderful meals yourself).

And with ingredients such as grain fed chicken, sweet potatoes, apple, rice, beef liver and vitamin B complex that are in the wonderfully aromatic Grain Fed Chicken your dog will be eating as healthfully as you. Which is how it should be, shouldn't it? And don't be surprise if the Beef & Green Bean and Squash Meal make your own mouth water. They really seem like you are your dog could share it (but it's been specially formulated for your dog, so let him enjoy it all to himself!).

The supplements and oils added are "human grade and lab tested," so you can trust that your dog is not getting anything synthetic or gross.

And they make Treats too, which are fabulous and all-natural.

One of the best things is to treat your pet well - as you would a friend. We have tried to give Ripper a good life full of love and fun and feeding him good, wholesome food ensures that he will prosper - even in these later years.

And at a time when Rip doesn't feel like eating much due to heavy medication and sometimes pain, it's a huge relief to know that he will devour Evive each and every time.

I'm called Evive the food of love for your pet. I don't think that's a stretch in the least.

Order yours now.

Nu-Hemp's Hemp Hideout

If you are more of a small animal kind-of-person, Nu-Hemp's Hemp Hideout is a kind of dream cottage designed for your little one.

I love how cozy it is and how it really is more of house than those acrylic boxes that pet stores recommend.

You can customize the look by colouring in the black outline shutters and brush and even create a brick, wood or stucco if you like.

I love the homey feel that this will bring to both you and your pet and the Bio-Nesting that comes with the house is actually good for them - it gives your animal a warm, soft and hygenic area to live and sleep. This non-toxic, practically dust-free environment provides your pet with great comfort - the nesting is anti-microbial and is as twice as absorbent as what you are currently using.

If you have a little one that you want to give a good home, there's no better than Nu-Hemp's Hemp Hideout.

And it's insanely affordable - so much so that you may want to buy a couple for your kid's dolls or as just something fun to play with!

Imperial Cat Scratch n' Shapes

Cosmo, our cat isn't lazy exactly, but he is picky.

Out of all the toys, we've bought him throughout the years, the only one he consistantly plays with is this catnip teabag that my Mom got him for Christmas and which he honestly can't get enough of (they stopped making them, of course...).

And we have been through our fair share of cat furniture too (we got rid of some of it after a visit from professional organizer Lois King awhile back...). It seems he's never really been excited about any of it.

Until, that is, the Imperial Cat Scratch n' Shapes couch arrived.

I've never seen him take to something like this before, but every day, several times a day, Cosmo can be found on his new couch.

It's a freakin' miracle!

They say that cats "sleep an average of 13 to 16 hours a day." I am glad he finally has a place that he really enjoys and that is comfortable (full disclosure: Cosmo is a big fella - 18 pounds of love. He doesn't lie on the couch lengthwise, but sits with his front end perpendicular to the couch. He doesn't seem to mind that he can't quite fit onto the whole thing, though he does squeeze himself onto it for a short while every couple of weeks! See another red-haried cat enjoying his couch in the gallery).

I am thrilled that it is 100% recyclable and made of 30% recycled materials and that he can scratch to his heart's content without ripping up the rest of the joint. And the certified organic catnip that comes with it? It drives him wild and calms him down when he gets cabin fever, so it's good for the both of us!

And you don't have to just have the couch design. There's a ton of styles to choose from - a wedge of cheese, an alligator, a racing car - what fun!

Look, if Cosmo loves it, no doubt your feline will go crazy for it too!

Click on find a store to buy yours now!

The Power of Less Gives You The Breathing Space and Tools To Life a Better - More Organized - Life

The book The Power of Less by Leo Babauta arrived on my doorstep and not a minute too soon. I just completed my first book, was freelance writing to hourly and daily deadlines, blogging daily, twittering occasionally (via 2 accounts, mind you) and my email kept crashing because it is overloaded and exhausted.

Me too.

I don't read how-to books except when it comes to productivity, organizing and managing my time, because I always feel like there's improvement to be made there in my fun but crazybusy life.

And now more than ever.

And while author Leo Babauta (creator of zenhabits) does not really say anything that hasn't been covered before, this way that he presents is makes all the difference in the world.

First of all, The Power of Less is a slim volume (170 pages) , there's a lot of white space on the page and the chapters are small and manageable.

But perhaps it's that he's not using management, corporate speak that makes it such an easy read. It's more like a friend suggesting that you take more time to do what's important to you than formulas and charts to follow, like most simplfying books I've read before.

It may also be that it's these principles on the page that turned him around from an listless overweight smoker to an avid runner and successful writer and daily blogger. It worked for him, you think to yourself. Maybe it can work for me too.

And really, by breaking down your goals into manageable tasks and focusing on only a few tasks at a time, as he suggests for example, you know that's going to get you farther ahead than the crazy scattered way your working right now.

Normally I'm very organized and methodical, but lately, it's all just been piling up to where I feel like I can't get a handle on everything. Though I kept on doing what I was doing, over the few nights that I read Leo's book, I started to feel better and more in control - like somehow I could manage it all now.

And I think that's the gift of this book. It's that moment to step back and have someone else guide you when you can't see what's what.

We all know the principals - set limits (chapter 2), start small (chapter 6), declutter you work space (chapter 15), slow down (chapter 16) - but sometimes it just takes being reminded of them, of being nudged in the right direction.

And that's what I appreciate about Leo's book - it's a gentle nudge and a voice of calm and reason.

Ahhhh.

It's instant relief, despite the pile of papers and emails and phone calls awaiting your attention.

In his introduction, Leo writes:

"Each chapter of this book is designed to teach you how to focus on less and to use that focus to be more powerful in different areas of your life. You'll learn to simplify what you do, to reduce the volume of your task and projects and communication and information. You'll learn to reduce the clutter in your life so that you're less stressed and more productive. You'll learn how simplicity can be extremely powerful and how to use that to accomplish your goals, one at a time."

And thanks to his suggestions of setting limitations, simplifying, focusing and doing what's important first, I am happy to say that I am back on track. I still have the same problems that you are probably tackling too - too much coming in - email, voicemail, work, etc - and trying to manage it all at once, but I have been wisely reminded that this never works.

It's funny because now I have more work today than I had yesterday, but Leo's words ring in my ears and I pick up one piece of paper at a time, finish one thing before moving onto something else and somehow I've worked through much of my to do list and made plans to do things I've wanted to do for months.

All I needed was some wise words and a little nudge to get back into a routine that keeps me sane and on top of the never-ending in-pile.

Thanks, Leo. I couldn't have done it without you.

Get it now in book form or for your Kindle.

Coupla Guys Foods Make Sauces That Ensure You'll Go Back for Seconds!

To make a really great spaghetti sauce, you've got to let it simmer and you've got to put a whole lotta love into it.

If I have the time on a Sunday afternoon, I'm more than happy to dice onions, mushrooms and peppers and tend to the sauce throughout the day.

But come on - who has that kind of time these days?!

So I went in search of a sauce that tastes homemade yet comes in a jar and only has pure ingredients that I can pronounce. It's a tall order, I know, but I found what I was looking for in Coupla Guys Foods.

Their sauces are thick, rich and oozing with homemade goodness. And it doesn't just stop at tomato. No, these boys have got a whole range of stuff! Come have a look:
Marvelous Marinara - this is your your basic sauce (basic in that it's just tomatoes, garlic, etc, but not basic at all in taste - it's fragrant and developed and robust, without being at all overpowering) that stands up on it's own - just pasta and this oughtta do it. But you can add your own ingredients like ground meat, sausage, vegetable protein, vegetables, seafood - whatever you like. But trust me when I tell you that you certainly don't have to. In fact, it's nice just to enjoy it as is.

Because it's no mere jarred sauce. This is the good stuff and you'll know because you'll savour every bite.

I did.

Creme de la Cremini - Mushrooms are an essential part of Italian cooking, and this bright, earthy sauce doesn't just have to top pasta (though you'll want to be sure to do that too). The cremini mushrooms bring real depth to chicken, veal and pork. I made veal parmesan with it and my fella was smitten. There is a little spice to this one, so when topped our fish with it, it added that little bit extra that I'm always looking for when flavouring a mild fish.

Perfect Puttanesca - Capers and kalamata olives are something that both my guy and I often add to our sauces, whether they are homemade or prepared, so when we say this, we were pretty excited.

We were not disappointed. I used this not only for pasta dishes, but I topped my homemade meatloaf with it (oh-mawh-gawd), blended in with a meat and rice for stuffed peppers and one night on top of baked polenta... sigh.

Awesome Arribata - I have bought a lot of gourmet sauces in my past that deem themselves "spicy" and then we try them and we end up putting red pepper flakes or hot sauce on it because it's barely got any kick to it at all. Not this sauce. This is just on this side of hot, which is what we were looking for. I had a whole bunch of plans for this one, but we ended up eating it all just on pasta one night. We couldn't help ourselves apparently.

Buoy Base - This is an intriguing sauce, as it seems so east coast to me, with its seafood-centric ideas. But it didn't take us anytime to dig in and love it. It's decadent and sexy and though I only added shrimp, scallops and salmon, it tasted like a million bucks.

And I don't know if you've ever tried to make bouillabaisse yourself, but it's expensive, a lot of hard work and smelly.

I'll take this one any day!
Serious Sesame Sauce - What a fun idea this is - a thick, rich sauce that is more sesame-tasting than anything I've ever had. I checked out the recipe and serving tips on the website and followed the instuctions. We had thick noodles coated with the stuff one night and I topped boneless, skinless chicken with it the next. We finished the jar and started to want a second one right away.

Terrific Tapenade - I've been buying and making tapenade since the early nineties and I've gotta say - this is one of the best I've ever had. We were slathering our bagels with it in the morning and I was tossing it into pasta, adding it to our pizza crust before baking and generally using it each and every opportunity I could. This is heaven, ladies and gentlemen.

So first of all, these sauces are incredible. Secondly, they are not crazy expensive. And thirdly, you should get more than one of each because once you've tried it, you'll realize, you can never have enough of Couple Guys Foods.

Discover the Joy of Soji Solar Lanterns - Beautiful Light Both Day and Night!

I think laterns are a lovely addition to your home and garden. There is something sweet and romantic about them and they allow you to enjoy the outdoors a little longer.

But never have I seen cooler lanterns than Allsop's Soji Solar Lanterns!

These babies not only look good, but they collect light all day and glow by night WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF ELECTRICAL CORDS!

So you can add a touch of style to your back deck, balcony, garden or simply just outside your apartment window and all the while, capture the daylight thanks to built-in solar panels and create instant ambiance! You'll wonder where these have been all of your life!

Each lantern is equipped with one AAA rechargeable battery, solar panel, duel LED lights and stainless steel hardware and they just pop open once they're assembled. No elbow grease required!

They come in a variety of shapes and colours - these round nylon lanterns offer a simple classic look while these oblong ones are modern and cheery in fun candy colours.

And you've got to get yourself some from the Silk Effects collection too - hot air balloon and square shapes constructed of silk will magically float and shimmer against the dark sky. These are simply exquisite.

These lanterns are environmentally savvy as well as beautiful, as you can enjoy them both day and night.

And they are affordable, which means that you can get a number of different shapes, colours and designs.

Soji Solar Lanterns are not only a great addition to your home, but make an extremely chic gift.

I'm stocking up -how 'bout you?