Redicover Soft Skin with Fruits & Passions' Nourishing Collection!

Fruits & Passion has just introduced 2 new exciting body care products featuring concentrated plant oils to its Nourishing Collection.

For their key ingredients, Fruits & Passion "drew inspiration from the strict adherence of the Nourishing Collection's sustainable development criteria of authenticity and ethical harvesting." The collection includes a ton of natural-source ingredients and stays away from silicone, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils and colourings.

Nourishing Dry Oil for Body and Hair is made out of 32% plant oils and yet, is not at all oily. I don't know how they do it, but you spray the oil on and you get this silky, soft feeling, without any greasy residue. It won't stain your clothes like other oils either. And you can use it in your hair too, which makes it unbelievably soft. How cool is that?

And it smells amazing - like floral coconut. Like summer.

Ahh!

And you've got to try the Nourishing Body Scrub that contains 90% natural-source ingredients. Your rough skin is sloughed off and you are left with rich, soft, silky skin, thanks to natural ingredients like essential fatty acids, salt particles, bamboo, coconut powder, avocado and argan.

It's bare skin season, folks. What better time to nourish your skin!

Fresh Summer Feet Are Possible with Granger's G-Max Odour Eliminator

Look, we all get sweaty feet.

I mean, in this heat, you just can't help it.

But you certainly don't want them to smell. That's why you should get yourself Granger's G-Max Odour Eliminator.

Simply spray onto both sides of your insoles and you'll have fresh smelling feet all day long! It's suitable for all types of shoes, so tackle everything in your closet from your gym shoes to those towering wedges.

What I like most about it is that it doesn't have an overpowering scent. It just seems to neutralize everything.

Which means that you can rock your smokin' strappy heels well into the night with confidence!

It's going to be a good summer indeed...

Click to see where to get it near you.

Shop at Ten Thousand Villages and Make a Real Difference!

Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit Fair Trade organizations that sells stylish, ethnically-inspired and ethically sources products in stores and online.

They provide vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.

By shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, you can buy gifts with meaning, green gifts and shop ethically for you and your home all in one convenient location. Just imagine how meaningful a graduation, wedding or anniversary gift when it's been handcrafted with such love, care and dedication. And they have a gift registry, which is wonderful.

You can choose from personal accessories, home furnishing, textiles, books and stationery, plant and garden, jewelry, skin care, food items, toys and musical instruments, some of which are made from reused, reclaimed, sustainable or organic materials.

Here are some of my recent favourites:

The Cotton Ikat Tablecloth w/ Gingham shows off the season's biggest trend and is just in time for patio season. Your backyard barbecue never looked better. On second thought, you'd better get the matching napkinsfor a truly complete look.

We use a Bamboo Folding Table as our coffee table so that our living room can work in a number of different ways.

I think the Natural & Lime Kaisa Basket is the perfect accent piece for my breakfast bar. And the Reverse Painted Serving Tray (pictured above) is a wonderful time saver when entertaining.

For no-fail gift giving, Portraits is a stellar choice, as is The BitterSweet World of Chocolate. Bookends are always useful and what about a wine rack that folds up? Perfect for taking up to the cottage for the week! And who doesn't love jewelry as a gift?

Being an avid cook, I love how fresh the food and ingredients are, as well as the fact it is all fairly-traded and much of it is organic - all at completely and affordable prices! I get my spices here (like their wonderful curry and za'atar) and I pay LESS for them than at my local grocery store!

Last year, I bought over half of my Christmas presents at Ten Thousand Villages and for once, I felt good about shopping. My purchases really meant something.

You can visit them online via the US or Canada or go in person to one of their many store locations.

Beauty Sprinkles Vitamin Cocktail Mask - Just Add Yogurt

Beauty Sprinkles Vitamin Cocktail Mask was created by Alexandra Howard, who has spent 17 years "assisting a world-famous Beverly Hills plastic surgeon."

Her story is quite extraordinary. Hear it in her own words:

"One of my specialties has been Facial Mesotherapy Vitamin Injections. This not-yet-well-known procedure is the skincare secret weapon of movie stars and models for youthful, glowing skin, and I have performed thousands of these treatments over the years.

Also known as Mesolift or Mesoglow, the treatment consists of multiple micro-injections of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and amino acids directly into the skin to nourish and rejuvenate, promote collagen production and stimulate the skin's metabolism. And it works really, really well.

But I know that many of the ‘luxury’ treatments available to us are unaffordable -- lasers, fillers, peels, expensive vitamin injection treatments. So what could we all use?

I always knew there was a better way…

Being a cancer survivor, I also became concerned about the chemicals I was exposed to, and my skin was commanding attention at an accelerated rate.

Through my health challenges, I was motivated to create something for myself that was totally natural, healthy, and effective. Something that combined my medical experience with my Greek heritage of using herbs and natural ingredients. My mother, who is from Greece, always used natural remedies when I was a child. Her favorite ‘cure-all’ was chamomile. From her, I learned the natural vitamin-packed powers of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

So after years of research, self experimentation, testing with others (thank you) and numerous natural concoctions later, “ta, da, ta tah!” Beauty Sprinkles was born!"

I love that it is simple to use: Mix 1 Beauty Sprinkles packet with 1 tablespoon of yogurt in your pretty seashell. Apply to face and leave on anywhere from 10-30 minutes.

Beauty Sprinkles transforms your skin from dull to glowing, rough to smooth and completely hydrated.

All with a little sprinkle of powerful, all-natural ingredients such as acai berry powder, orange peel granules, rice bran, cornstarch, vitamin c, lemongrass, oatmeal, dried apple pieces, and 1 itty bitty tablespoon of yogurt.

Treat your skin naturally, with care with Beauty Sprinkles Vitamin Cocktail Mask.

The Potluck Survival Guide Comes to the Rescue

Cherie Kimmons' PotluckSurvival Guide: Care & Feeding of the Athletic Supporter is a most unusual cookbook indeed.

First of all, it's a collection of recipes to feed a hungry bunch, whether it's the church choir or your son's baseball team.

Secondly, the recipes are accessible, often relying on a box of cake mix or canned soup. In other words, they are made for real people with schedules that have us running off out feet but who still want to put a good dinner on the table.

Thirdly, the recipes don't contain 25 ingredients so that you have to constantly shop or spend money. You can whip up tasty meals with whole chapters dedicated to appetizers, breakfast, entrees, soups and sandwiches, side dishes, salads and desserts.

And lastly, the book is printed in orange and purple ink, which makes it fun and colourful, unlike your usual straight-ahead, boring cookbooks.

So toss together a quick meal tonight.

How about Healthy Taco Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, Mediterranean Couscous Salad and Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies?

Order your copy now.

Amazing Taste Transforms Your Meals from "Eh" to "OMG"!

I know that now that we're eating more natural food, you might not be considering packaged flavourings anymore.

I think you'll reconsider once you try Amazing Taste seasonings.

I was skeptical too, but the incredible taste that came from using these simple packets truly is unbelievable.

I didn't tell anyone what I used, but both for various family members and friends, I prepared some dishes which I seasoned with Amazing Taste and some in which I didn't. The Amazing Taste ones won hands down each and every time.

What was so surprising is not only the taste but the texture - no matter what meat I cooked (pork, chicken, beef), it came out incredibly moist and tender.

I am making fish tonight for dinner. My secret weapon? Amazing Taste Seasoning for Seafood. My mouth is watering just thinking about it... And I'll be using the Malibu for a peppery stew over the weekend.

I used the think I made a mean chili, but it's nothing compared to ones made with this. And I never made fajitas at home because they just never taste as good as when I order them in a restaurant. Now I'm putting Fajitas on the menu at home because they taste better than the restaurant ones!

At only 99 cents a pack, these seasonings are incredibly affordable and all the mixing of ingredients is done for you. You simply open the package, following the instructions and voila - you have a dinner that will wow the crowd.

The only problem with using these packets is that whatever you use them with will taste better than anything you could do on your own.

Try not to take it personally. Besides, when dinner tastes this good, it's hard to feel bad about anything!

Bobble: The Water Bottle That Filters As You Drink

The Bobble Water Bottle is sleek and beautiful - of course it was designed by Karim Rashid.

And now that we're carrying water everywhere we go, don't you want something that looks good?

But even better than being a pretty little thing, the Bobble removes chlorine and organic contaminants from municipal tap water, so all you get is clean, refreshing water. Really, you won't believe how nice your plain ol' tap water tastes once it's been filtered. What a difference!

Ahhh!

The hourglass shape makes it easy to hold and you simply squeeze out the water to drink. And you only have to replace the filter every two months.

The Bobble comes in 6 colours - green, red, blue, magenta, black and yellow - is made from recycled plastic, and is free of BPA, Phthalates and PVC.

Buy yours now online or at these stores.

By purchasing a Bobble, you can save the planet up to 300 water bottles - so you save the planet, you save yourself all that money you've been spending on buying bottled water and you stay hydrated in style.

Just in time for summer!

Discover the Amazing Pocketbook E-Reader

I know, I know.

You looove paper books, being able to feel it, to flip through it, to smell it even.

Me too, but you're going to love the convenience and ease of having an ebook reader.

I recently got the Pocketbook E-Reader and have to say, I think it's incredible!

You're not going to need to make any kind of transition or acquire any kind of new technological skills to use it. Just charge it outta the box and begin to enjoy a reading journey like no other.

There is much to love about my Pocketbook 301+:

At only 6.1 oz. and 3/8" thick, it is a delightfully light unit to carry - and lighter than the Kindle, which comes in at over 10 oz.!

The 6" E-Ink display gives you a nice page size and with 16 greyshades, you can see view text and pictures easily (read: no eye strain). I love that you can view things in both portrait and landscape mode - what fun!

And the Pocketbook supports a number of different E-book formats, so you can read just about anything! It supports Fb2, FB2.zip, TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, PRC, CHM, DJVU, DOC, EPUB and TRC. It also supports the following image formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF.

The Li-Polumer (1000 mAh)battery is incredible. You get 8000 page refreshes on a single charge. And in case you need more memory, there's a memory card slot (SD, SDHC card) and with the Standard Box, which is what I got, included is 1GB SD-card (as well as a cover, USB cable, adapter, user manual and warranty sheet), which is awfully nice. The 512MB of internal memory can store "up to 2,000 standard books in most popular formats," load it up!

There is audio out (2.5 mm stereo), so feel free to load up your Pocketbook with mp3s too, because why NOT bring a ton of music with you while you're on the go?

And if that's not enough, it includes additional software - RSS News, Dictionaries, Calendar, Notes, Sudoku, and Games - so wherever you are, you can most definitely be entertained.

I love that you can get it in a variety of colours. I got Black, but the Green and Pink are awesome!

What is so wonderful is that it is damn easy to use. I just plugged in the USB cable to my computer and drag and dropped the books right into the Pocketbook's folder.

Easy peasy.

Now I've got a ton of reading to take with me wherever I am, whether I'm traveling by plane or subway, waiting for a doctor's appointment or meeting a friend!

The Pocketbook is a real wonder. Don't be afraid - you're going to love it!

Order yours now!

p.s. My book, The 30-Second Commute: A Non-Fiction Comedy About Writing & Working From Home, is available in ebook form.

Annabell Cosmetics NEW Zebra Bronzing Pressed Powder is a Year Round Essential!

I want that sun-kissed glow this summer but not the cancer-ridden way, thankyouverymuch!

That's why I am loving Annabelle Cosmetics NEW Zebra Bronzing Pressed Powder - Haute Gold. You get that golden look without any of the harmful side effects of tanning.

When you swipe your Annabelle A-13 Makeup Pro Powder Brush over your bronzing powder, you get a subtle, natural look without any brick-coloured stripes across your face that we've all seen before. That's due to the different coloured stripes in your powder, so it'll look pretty in your compact and give you a light, luminous tanned look.

Just brush on your cheeks, follow the hairline on your forehead and then give a light daub to your nose bone and chin - you'll look like you just got back from a week in Belize!

And don't think that you're only going to want to use this during these warm months! I think it's essential between September to April as well, when summer tans fade and all you're left with is a pale complexion. I know vampires are all the rage right now, but I certainly don't want to look like one.

Keep Zebra Bronzing Pressed Powder - Haute Gold at the ready. It's the one thing (besides vitamins) that is going to keep you looking healthy this year!

Mèreadesso's New Beautiful Body Balm Quenches Your Skin

I am getting savvier as I get older.

I know that what goes onto your skin also goes into your body, so you only want to put the GOOD stuff, the stuff that will nourish your body and keep it looking fine, no matter what your age.

That's why you're going to love Mèreadesso's New Beautiful Body Balm.

According to Creator Linda Stephenson - a former cosmetics executive - this rich formula contains "a potent mix of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and botanical extracts."

In other words, aloe vera, white tea extract and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, manganese and cooper work to renew your skin from the inside out. You get soft, smooth skin, without the wrinkles and uneven skintone.

The balm absorbs quickly, without any greasy residue and you're left with supple skin and a light, fresh citrus scent.

I like to slather it on right after my shower and no need to reapply throughout the day - you'll be feeling soft and touchable from morning to night.

Be sure to try Mèreadesso's Face + Neck Toning Cleanser and Face + Neck Toning Gel, because we both know there's no point in having great skin all over your body when you've got a turkey's neck.

Ech.

Shop now and look good this summer.

Really, really good.

Celebrate the G20 with Putumayo Presents South Africa CD!

Over at Pan Magazine, Chris and I are blogging about all the G20 and the foods of each country.

Today I posted about South Africa's cuisine, so I thought it would be fun to tell you about their music as well.

No one does world music better than Putumayo and one of their latest releases is South Africa.

It includes many musical styles such as mbaqanga, kwela and township jive, among others, and you will no doubt be moved beyond words. The simple joy and celebratory feeling that is evoked throughout the CD is like nothing else you've ever experienced.

From the very first track of the Soul Brothers' "Ujaheni," you'll be up outta your chair, dancing and feeling great from head to toe. And the very last track from The Soweto Gospel Choir will give you goosebumps. Can you say all of this about the latest Jonas Brothers CD?

I love the swish and sway that comes with "Mbombela" and the plinky melody of "Oxam." Maube has such a lovely rich voice. And "Nkosi" has such a modern vibe - it's like listening to a more elegant Black Eyed Peas!

I won't give away the whole album, just know that it is a wonderful vibrant collection that will having you smiling the whole way through.

Isn't that what your day needs way more of?

I thought so.

And in addition to being an amazing way to spend your time, a portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), a non-profit organization working in South Africa to combat HIV/AIDS and advance human rights.

Oh, and as if that's not enough, you get a South African recipe too!!

Buy a bunch of 'em right now and support an important cause, all the while dancing and singing to your heart's content.

Just about the best way to spend your day, wouldn't you say?

And check out my previous posts about Putumayo:

- Putumayo World Party

- Putumayo Kids Presents Brazilian Playground CD

Put Pork on Yer Fork with Bacon Hot Sauce!

I think it's safe to say that bacon has taken over the food world.

And I have to say that as an extreme meat eater, this couldn't please me more!

So when I heard about Bacon Hot Sauce, I was pretty excited. I mean, now you can have bacon with your eggs without having to cook up bacon and deal with all that greasy mess. You can add a bacony heat to your homemade chili, meatloaf, potatoes, wings, whatever you've got goin' on in the kitchen.

It's got a smokiness that you won't get from bacon alone, and what's remarkable is not only that a little goes a long way, but there isn't actually any bacon in it, so vegetarians can enjoy the bacon flavours without compromising their values.

And for those of your watching your waistlines, you'd be please to know that a serving size (1 teaspoon) has 0 calories, 0g fat and 0g carbohydrates.

I have put it on my pasta, roast chicken, grilled vegetables and pretty much anything I make or bring home, and it always adds that extra oomph to my food that I crave.

I was thinking it would even be great on dark chocolate and in a Bloody Caesar!

If you love bacon as much as I do, you'll want to get yourself some Bacon Hot Sauce. While you're at it, get some for your friends as well.

After all, it's much too good to keep to yourself.

Start Your Day Off Right with Organix Energizing Passionfruit Guava Shampoo & Conditioner

Even coffee can't compete with my morning shower, in terms of waking me up.

I need that feeling of immense clean in order to feel energized and rejuvenated for my busy day. And I used to think that could only come from a body wash, until I tried Organix Energizing Passionfruit Guava Shampoo & Conditioner.

There is much to love about them.

First of all, there is the scent, which is out-of-this-world fruity and delicious while you're in the shower, but you don't have to worry about smelling like Carmen Miranda because your hair will have just a slight scent to it afterward.

Secondly, there are no sulfates or parabens to be found in these products and by using organic active ingredients, your hair AND the environment are being cared for. That, and the Organix bottles are made using recycled post-consumer resin and the labels are printed using environmental inks and compostable label film made from corn, not petrochemicals.

And speaking of caring for your hair, my hair is currently white, platinum blond (think Gwen Stefani). I was worried that I'd have to use something in addition to the Organix Energizing Passionfruit Guava Shampoo & Conditioner, but they are safe to use on any colour-treated mane, so whether you're rockin' onyx, red, brown or blond hair, your hair will be protected and nourished.

Your hair will be stimulated and rejuvenated by all the vitamins and antioxidants from the rich organic passionfruit extract. And orange blossom infused honey gives your hair the luster and shine that you see all the time on the red carpet, but thought was impossible to achieve at home!

And one thing I noticed is that the bottles are bigger than many of the other name brand shampoos and conditioners, which means you're saving yourself time and money, in addition to looking like a movie star.

Check out where to get Organix Energizing Passionfruit Guava Shampoo & Conditioner near you and start your day off right!

p.s. there are other scents available as well - see the whole collection.

The Handshoe Mouse by Hippus Fits Like a Glove

There is a lot of media attention on getting your desk and/or office set up ergonomically. Articles focus on chairs with supportive backs, keyboards that allow your fingers each reach and keeping your feet flat and comfortable on the floor.

Very little is spent on how vital a good mouse that cradles your hand is.

The Handshoe Mouse by Hippus is perhaps one of the world's best and most innovative.

It supports your hand, thumb and fingers WHILE THEY ARE IN THE MOST RELAXED POSITION. So instead of a mouse manufacturer deciding where your fingers should go, Hippus decided to rely on science instead.

Instead of your fingers and muscles having to move and strain all the time, your hand simply remains in a restful position while you click and drag your way through the day as per usual. The difference in how your hand feels at the end of the day is remarkable.

As someone who has carpal tunnel, I can tell you that The Handshoe Mouse has helped to relieve the tremendous pain my right hand - the one I use for my mouse, to write with, to do most everything with.

I like that you order it to the size of your hand, so that you get a fit specific to you and your body. Let's see your mouse from the office supply store do that!

I will tell you that it takes a little getting used to such a big implement and where to keep your fingers placed. It becomes natural quickly, but give yourself some time to get used to it.

The buttons have a nice, soft click, which is much nicer than my old mouse and though the scroll wheel is the ridged, old-school kind, it works well.

If you want to help heal your hands, or keep them healthy, The Handshoe Mouse by Hippus is a fantastic gift to yourself - and others.

Ageless Beauty is Possible with Isomers Skincare

In order to fight aging, you could look to products that simply say that they will make you look younger, but we both know that you can't believe everything that you read.

That's why you'll want to get yourself skincare solutions from Isomers.

See, they use scientifically-developed formulas using the best ingredients available, so your skin gets what it actually needs, not what some marketing person thinks is trendy right now.

Isomers Stem Genesis, for example, uses PCT - Plant Cell Technology - so that your skin is regenerating, which results in healthy, youthful-looking skin. The rejuvenating concentrate serum reduces wrinkles, hydrates and moisturizes your skin, and gives you the supple, yet firm skin that you used to have. It also helps to protect your skin from environmental stresses, so that you can go on about your day in the urban jungle and still come out with vibrant looking skin.

I love that the application is simple - just apply 3-5 drops of serum (morning and night) to your face and neck - and that it says right on the bottle that you can use it around the eye and mouth areas.

And if you want to put a stop to your deep wrinkles and those smile lines around your eyes and mouth, you've got to get yourself ONE Freeze for Expression Lines.

Just think: no surgery, no injections, no costly visits to a plastic surgeon, no recuperation time needed!

You certainly don't want to stop expressing yourself, but really, you could do without the frown lines, crow's feet and that deep canal happening between your nose and mouth.

Now you can combat those signs of aging with this one formula with one step and one application. How awesome is that? Just apply 1-2 pumps of the serum and go on about your day, laughing and smiling all the while.

How can you not want to smile knowing that you're getting younger by the minute?

Check out the whole Isomers line and look like you, but better.

Way, way better.

You're Going to Love Red Letter Studio's Unique Stationery

Red Letter Studio is an exclusive boutique design studio based in Melbourne, Australia, specializing in unique stationery and invites.

Lucky for us, they are on the user-friendly site Etsy and ship internationally.

Red Letter Studio is the creation of Samone. She says:

"I love design and illustration, and creating little things of paper that make people smile is really addictive. Cards, invites, custom stationery, anything cute and colourful grabs my attention and I hope to share this with you through Red Letter Studio. All my projects are hand-made and designed by me in my little studio, which means each item is unique and individual.

Custom projects are my fave, like event stationery and invites - convo me if you have a special event or a project coming up, and I will do my best to take what you have in mind and create it!"

Isn't it wonderful when someone's clearly doing not only what they love, but what they are good at? Just look at the detailing - the hewn edging, the hand-stitched borders, hand-crafted additions and beautiful stamped images on the envelopes. How amazing is that?!

I love Samone's Blue Wren Native Aussie Bird Card. The plump feathers in rich blues and browns is so lovely. Wouldn't this be a great Father's Day card this Sunday? That is, if you can keep yourself from framing it for yourself...

And I can't wait to send on the Cardamon Bird Card! So pretty and feminine, don't you think? I know a ton of people that would love this card (maybe you should get the Birdie Birds Card Set, just to be safe...)

Speaking of card sets, the Travels Card Set is a great way to express your sentiments. The Sailing Card reminds me of the famous woodblock print, "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by the Japanese artist Hokusai. Which we just happen to have a print of in our living room...

And in the spirit of warm, summer weather, you've got to get yourself the Lickity Notepad! To me, there is no better way to compile your shopping list.

Red Letter Studio makes handcrafted items with great care, style and heart.

Aren't those the kinds of cards you want to send? Isn't that the kind of small business that you'd like to support?

Shop now!

Look Even More Voluptuous with The OverBra

Now that the little summer dresses are coming out, isn't time that you uh, flaunted what you've got?

Not in a trashy, vulgar fashion, of course. Just add a little oomph to your outfits.

See, with The OverBra gives you the cleavage you've always wanted. Everything gets pushed together and up - thank goodness comfortably - and you get the nicest decolletage.

The Original OverBra gives you a great looking chest while simultaneously smoothing and flattening any bulges and bumps that your "regular" bra usually gives you. And though it kind of looks like a detective's gun halter and you might think it's bulky, it's surprisingly innocuous. I forgot I was wearing it at various points throughout the day.

I wore The OverBra Smoothing Body-Shaper Slip available from BareNeccesities.com out to a fancy dinner with my fella last week and love how with the BreezyMesh comfort fabric kept me feeling cool all evening. And because the slip smoothed and flattened everything, my stomach was a little trimmer and my waistline a teeny bit smaller! All of this in addition to my chest looking Tony Award Winning! And I think the fact that we sat in a tiny booth eating for 2 1/2 hours and I was comfortable the entire time (and did I mention lookin' fine?!) is a real testament to how the slip is constructed. I mean, have you ever worn any type of body shaper and been comfortable?

Both OverBras are available in Nude and Black.

Check out the entire line and make this the summer you get noticed!

Make Gourmet Meals in Minutes with Microplane Graters

The one thing I've learned about cooking is that you've gotta have the right tools (as well as fresh ingredients) to make a memorable meal.

One of the best companies is Microplane, a company that makes graters and other utensils that make whatever you're doing in the kitchen a little easier.

Take the Easy Prep Series, for example.

The Pizza Cutter is awesome because no matter how thick, how deep dish, how stuffed your crust is, you can cut through your pie with ease. And because of the ergonomic handle, you can handle it, unlike the one you've using up until now. You can also remove the big stainless steel blade to clean all that cheese and sauce on it.

Nice touch.

Or save yourself the trouble and just throw it in the dishwasher. Don't worry, it's okay in there. And it'll be ready just in time for your next pizza. I'm thinking fresh rosemary and caramelized onions.

Mmmm.

The Gourmet Series offers everything you need to be a gourmand without having to sign up for cooking classes or buy an expensive food processor that takes up your whole kitchen counter!

The Ultra Course Grater is perfect for making anything you would normally spend countless hours slicing. Want to make an cheese omlette? The Ultra Course Grater allows you to freshly grate your marble cheese quickly and easily (each tooth is double the width of the next closest size). Thinking that you want rosti for dinner? Now you can have shredded potatoes in seconds, as opposed to your usual hour and a half. And thanks to non-slip rubber feet and soft-grip handle, you can make coleslaw for 10 in just a few minutes without getting a sore arm, elbow or shoulder like you would have with your old style grater!

And don't forget to get the 45000 Coarse Grater so that you can finally have fresh Parmesan at home instead of having to wait to enjoy it out at restaurants (You can use it for grating other hard cheeses as well as apples, pears, ginger, etc.). My fella was pretty excited about this one, as I have been buying that stuff in a tub for years. Now he's going to get the real thing!

Thanks Microplane - You make everything better/easier in the kitchen!

Never Forget Anything Ever Again With AquaNotes Waterproof Notepads

I know you're all about your iPad and you tweet like crazy, but you can't take your technology into the shower with you.

Not yet, anyway.

So in the meantime, you're going to want to have AquaNotes Waterproof Notepads in your bathroom.

I know you. You've got so many things going on, there's no way to keep it all straight in your head. You're brushing your teeth and thinking about the perfect opening for your meeting today. You'll be in the shower and all of a sudden that it's Aunt Heather's birthday this week and if you don't go and get a card today and send it this afternoon, it will never make it there on time.

I know, because all day long I have these things go through my head. And not always while I'm at my desk where my laptop and pads and pens handily reside. Or while I've got my smartphone ready to take down all my latest lists and ideas.

So, while you're in the shower, thinking about all that you've got to do, you won't believe how freakin' handy AquaNotes Waterproof Notepads come in handy.

Suction cups on both the notepad and pencil keep it secure and the waterproof paper captures your idea before it's too late and while the water is still whooshing over your head! And each 3.5 by 5.25 inch pad has 40 sheets of paper, with each sheet is perforated for easy removal.

My favourite feature, other than saving me from having struggle to remember everything, is that the waterproof paper is "totally recyclable, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic. Each pencil is water resistant and is made with Incense Cedar wood, a responsibly harvested renewable resource meeting stringent environmental requirements. Even the ink used to print the logo and company information on the notepad is soy based.

So write down your ideas, thoughts and if you're like me, lists, and get it all outta your head.

And for once you'll be able to get out of the shower feeling ahead of schedule.

Ahhh!

p.s. This would be a great gift for Dad this Father's Day.

You Look Amazing. Your Secret? beautyADDICTS New Lash Galore!

I wrote about loving beautyADDICTS back in 2007.

And now they are back with a fantastic new product, Lash Galore Mascara!

What makes it superfantastic is that it conditions your lashes, while making them look long and lush.

Formulated with Pro Vitamin B5 and Silk Protein, your lashes get the nourishment they've longed for, while you get that ultra sexy, long-lashed look without the clumping and flaking that usually goes along with most mascaras.

I think it's brilliant of beautyADDICTS to have it available in only 1 shade - Ultra Black - because really, isn't the look we're all going for lush, dramatic, can't-look-away eyes?

The other brilliance you'll find with Lash Galore is that you can reapply layers either right away or hours after you've applied your makeup! It won't resist or clump up your lashes like those drugstore brands. So say you've worked all day and you won't have time to go home before heading to an event - simply apply your makeup as you normally would, but this time, feel free to put another layer of Lash Galore on.

You won't look too Lady GaGa, I assure you! You'll just look polished and pulled together.

Oh, and don't forget DAMN GOOD too!

Spend the Summer in Comfort, Thanks to Spare Soles!

I don't know about you, but once summer comes, I can't get enough of towering wedges, strappy sandals and heels that have me ready to topple over at any minute.

That's why I keep my Spare Soles close at hand.

There are many designs to choose from, but being a city gal, the perfect pair for me is most definitely Metro.

These portable, foldable take anywhere soft ballet flats come in their wristlet, so you can bring 'em to the wedding next weekend where you are going to have to wear brand new, hard as rock shoes from 10 am until probably at least 2 am. Or take them with you to the airport - with those 3 layovers, you're going to want to be uber comfortable!

The wristlet turns into a sweet tote, so you can stash your other shoes with ease. Nice touch, don't you think?

I walk everywhere, so I like the Metro because you can actually wear it instead of your usual painful shoes. The durable thick soles mean you can walk the city streets and because the soles are waterproof and skid-resistant, you can walk comfortably no matter what the weather!

I like the leather-like, metallic upper - cute and fashionable - but really because of the elastic back and soft material, your feet feel good. Instantly. No breaking them in or having that awful soreness from hard edges and spots.

And with 4 sizes and 3 colours, you can get 'em to match your entire summer wardrobe! (I got mine in Bronze. Mmm!)

Shop now and be comfortable for the first summer you can remember.

G.M. Collin's New Bio Organique Line Does My Skin Good

G.M. Collin is one of those companies that makes extraordinary products that you can count on.

I wrote about G.M. Collin's great suncare line last June and now I'm pleased to tell you about their NEW Bio Organique Line.

See, G.M. Collin knows that you care about your skin and the environment, so they have come up with Bio Organique - a complete organic line with 99% Natural and Certified Organic ingredients.

You'll get the nourishment, moisture and radiance you want, while protecting your skin from harsh environmental damage. And you wont' find any genetically modified ingredients, harmful chemicals, petrochemicals or synthetic ingredients here. Just incredibly transforming products that make you look like you, but much, much younger, better.

I take my makeup off every night before bed. I use Bio Organique's Cleansing Milk that removes not only my foundation and mascara, but the impurities that come with living in an urban centre, filled with pollution and grime. I like that it's gentle, yet effective, thanks to ingredients like avocado (which helps reduce transepidermal water loss) and lavender, which soothes your skin and your soul.

Recently, a makeup artist recommended misting your face before applying moisturizer to give a fresh, dewy look. I was skeptical, but tried it with Revitalizing Mist and wow! I even wrote and told my friend Allison in NYC about it. It's amazing how it tones your skin and I love how refreshing and energizing it is, thanks to citrus and lavender scents.

Gentle Exfoliant removes dry skin and unblocks your pores, giving you a smooth, clean slate to work with.

My skin was looking pretty dull there for awhile. I don't know what it was, but no matter what I did, it looked sallow and in need of a serious overhaul. The Energizing Mask (with Barbados Cherry and Apricot ingredients) did it all with just one application before bed! My skin was not only detoxified but completed renewed. It was supple and smooth and I swear I looked a titch younger the following morning.

Dry skin has always been my biggest problem. But Bio Organique's Nourishing Cream hydrates my skin and infuses it with all natural ingredients like olive and argan oil. The Normalizing Gel-Cream, using fig and tapioca, works on dull and tired skin.

To give your skin the VIP treatment, Treating Serum feels so luxurious and makes your skin look completely luminous. And to battle those fine lines and wrinkles that keep appearing, get
Eye Contour that smooths everything out, quickly and easily.

These are just a few reasons to get the NEW Bio Organique Line by G.M. Collin.

Email to find out where to get it near you and fight aging naturally. Organically.

p.s. they also use 100% recycled, recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Woo woo!

Check Out the Awesome USB.Brando Slim Bluetooth Keyboard!

You don't want to work more, just smarter, right?

I think it's safe to say that we're all addicted to our computers, phones and iPads.

But now there's a way to stay connected, comfortably, no matter where you are with USB.Brando's Slim Boothtooth Keyboard!

This sweet little beauty is small, sleek and oh-so-light. It's pretty soft keys are big enough that you can type with ease,, but the keyboard is small enough that you can carry it in the smallest of clutches!

It can be used with a Bluetooth enabled laptop, PC, phone and now the iPad, so no matter whether you're on a plane or in a meeting, this awesome keyboard will allow you to work in small spaces in comfort.

Which means, you'll be able to hand in that report on time for once and still have time to enjoy a drink after dinner at the hotel!

It comes with the smartest features like an on/off button and built-in rechargeable battery comes with a USB cable and CD driver.

The Slim Bluetooth Keyboard is compatible with Symbian S60, Mac OS, Windows Mobile, Window 7 / Vista / XP / 2000.

Work where you can when you can with the USB.Brando Slim Bluetooth Keyboard so that you can relax and enjoy yourself more often!

p.s. This is a great gift for Dad for this coming Father's Day, June 20th!

Father's Day is Quickly Approaching - Get a Paperwallet Before It's Too Late!

You've only got a couple of weeks to get something for Dad.

Don't worry, I've got the perfect thing - Paperwallet.

And though you may be thinking that a wallet is such a predictable Dad gift, let me stop you right there - this is no ordinary bi- fold wallet.

First of all, it is incredibly thin and light, unlike that beast of a thing he's been carrying around since the 70s. Secondly, it's incredibly durable thanks to a tear-resistant elastic fabric called Tyvek, so it won't disintegrate like every other wallet he's had up until now. Thirdly, these wallets are 100% recyclable, so they are an environmentally-friendly choice. And lastly, there are a gazillion styles and colours to choose from - so no more standard, everyday black if he doesn't want it!

There are Solid, Classic and Designer styles to choose from.

Make this Father's Day the one you give him a gift he cannot only use, but will always remember.
Buy a bunch of Paperwallet's here and make up for all those years of bulk socks, bad ties and barbecue utensils.

p.s. Be sure to tell Dad that if indeed the day comes when his wallet starts to wear, he can send it into Paperwallet and they'll not only recycle it, he'll get 15% off his next one!

That's Hungarian's in My Kitchen! Brings Old World Comfort to Your Modern Kitchen

I am all for modern fare when I go out to eat. I'll savour Octopus Carpaccio, Bison Tenderloin and Stuffed Rabbit Saddle all night long. But when I'm at home, I tend to favour comfort food dishes. Things made with simple ingredients and a lot of heart.

That's Hungarian's in My Kitchen! by Linda Foster Radke is a great place to start, because even if you've never cooked Hungarian food before, you'll soon realize how easy it is, thanks to Linda's recipes and layout.

The book offers simple 125 Hungarian American Kosher recipes that require few ingredients (that you no doubt already have in that pantry of yours) and a short paragraph of directions. The simplicity of it doesn't take away from the beauty of it, but certainly makes it easy to get a hang of the recipes quickly.

Many of the recipes originated in Hungary (so you're getting the real deal here) so that Beef Goulash is going to taste like the old country back home and the Chicken and Dumplings will soon become one of your go-to dishes because of the rave reviews you'll receive from the table.

You're going to want to try Sweet and Sour Herring and Apple Pecan Pancakes (your mouth's watering just reading this, isn't it?) because they are simply like nothing you've had before and what about Carrol Tzimmes? It's a sweet stew made with carrots, sweet potato and beef brisket or pot roast. That'll be a nice change from the plain ol' roast you've been doing all these years!

It doesn't get much better than Potato Latkes, Apple Strudel and European Kolacky (cookies made with cream cheese), but then keep going on in the cookbook - desserts abound like you wouldn't believe. And they all sound so good that you'll no doubt want to try making each and every one.

Linda has created the kind of cookbook I think suits everyone from novice to grand chef - great recipes that require little fuss and result in cries for seconds and probably thirds.

Isn't that what you want from your cookbooks?

Get your copy of That's Hungarian's in My Kitchen now.

BBC & Discovery Channel Brought You Planet Earth - Now Experience LIFE

Planet Earth set records:

- # 1 cable television event of 2007

- # best-selling documentary on DVD of all time.

Now there's LIFE, an 11-Part Series, available on DVD on Blu-ray. The US version is narrated by Oprah Winfrey and the original UK version by Sir David Attenborough.

It took more than 4 years to make, with over 3000 days of filming across every continent and habitat. You see up close the tactics that animals and plants use to stay alive. And there's 130 stories told on film, 54 of which have never been filmed before.

Pretty gripping stuff.

And it's even more gripping, thanks to being filmed entirely in high-definiton and the "yogi cam, developed specifically for LIFE, which allowed a camera to track smoothly alongside migrating reindeer and elephants, intricate cable rigging which enabled the crew to 'fly' a camera through thousands of monarch butterflies in Mexico and high-definition low-light cameras that allowed for time-lapse underwater filming."

The 11 episodes cover:

-The Challenges of Life
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Mammals
- Fish
-Birds
- Insects
- Hunters and Hunted
- Creatures of the Deep
- Plants
-Primates
- The Making of Life

And of course there are bonus features as well.

So enjoy not only screen firsts, but stunning and revolutionary footage that may just make you leave your job to go and work with animals in a remote area of Kenya or Antarctica.

Buy LIFE now on DVD and Blu-ray.

p.s. It is a great gift for Father's Day, June 20th!

Sacs of Life Reusable Bags Are the Only Way to Shop!

Today I'm heading off the to market to stock up on food for the weekend.

Since I'm an urban girl and don't drive, I'll be taking transit and carrying everything home.

Usually I try and balance one big bag of stuff, and come home with a shoulder with a welt in it the size of New Mexico.

But I have since found a truly wonderful and inventive system that is the way I'll shop from now.

Sacs of Life allow you to carry a number of reusable bags in one "system." Each system includes an additional reusable shopping bag in the front pocket, so you are never without and can shop to your heart's content.

There are a number of different styles and prints to choose from, so whether you are food shopping, heading off to vacation or simply bopping about town, there is a system for you.

The Clipster is a great everyday system. This small pouch unzips into a large shopping bag with tons of room and long handles that make it comfortable to carry on your shoulders. You can use the clip to attach it to your purse or bag, making it always easily accessible. And when you're done, just fold and zip back into its little pouch. Easy peasy.

The Insulator must have been made especially for me. This 3 bag system holds the equivalent of 11-13 plastic bags of groceries.

See? They know me well. Have they been watching shop?!

And gosh it's nice not to have to rely on all that plastic.

I love the fact that the pouch opens to become a large insulated bag and includes a shopping bag and their signature expandable bag, all on one cool clutch (all polyester). But it's the huge insulated bag that's got me all excited! It keeps food warm or cold while you're traveling, so I can pack up a picnic lunch of homemade fried buttermilk chicken and assorted salads and desserts to the park with my fella or haul home (as I am known to do) a whack of assorted cuts of meat and fish to cook for friends, family and neighbours over the week.

The clutch format makes it easy to carry the 3 huge bags easily and sleekly (I want to look like a
lady, not a bag lady, thank you very much) and for once, a company has made bags that are big enough and suitable for a food-obsessed writer and cook!

Woo woo!

Oh, all Sacs of Life bags are PVC free, so you can cart home your fresh food safely.

Thank you, Sacs of Life. I can't wait to get to the market!

Discover Ellis Faas Makeup, Applied with Pen!

You've got to admit, it's a pretty cool concept.

Ellis Faas based her whole cosmetics collection, Human Colours, on the colours that exist in every human body. So you get this vibrant look that is dramatic without being garish.

All of the creamy liquid makeup goes on well, gives good coverage and stays put. Which means it will last as long as your day does, which these days is well after the rest of the office has gone home. And applying it with the cool bullet-like pens is how a modern girl should put her face on in the morning, don't you think?

Concealer goes on with ease, thanks to the pen applicator. And it not only covers my extremely dark circles (restless sleep last night) but it blends it with the rest of my makeup - something I have never been able to accomplish up until now, despite trying different makes and shades.

Those awful light, yellowish circles that usually occur? No more, my friends!

If you've got dark circles or blemishes, you'll want to cover them up with this. Thanks to a unique blend of ingredients such as Karité oil and rice wax, you won't believe how even and polished you look. It's really something.

Get your shade here.

Usually, eyeshadow kinds of melts away and disappears on me. I can apply it in as many layers as time will allow, but usually it ends up looking all light and ethereal no matter what I do.

Not Ellis Faas Eye Shadows. There are Creamy & Milky Eye Shadows to choose from. And these liquid lovelies go on like you wouldn't believe.

I tried Creamy 103.

The vivid colour goes on, dries ever so quickly, stays on and there's no crease or slippage. Maybe because it transforms from liquid to powder, without any powdery residue (contact lens wearers, rejoice!). There is this velvety look and feel that you will love and crave from all your other powder shadows in their little round containers.

My eyes pop and my makeup stays right where it is.

Ahhh.

And you've got the try Ellis Lips. There are 3 textures to choose from - Creamy, Milky and Glazed - and 27 colours available, so you'll never get bored of your look.

I rocked Milky 201 which is Ellis Red, their signature colour (available in all 3 textures). This blood red look can be a slight blush on your lips is you apply a barely-there bit, or if you want a True Blood kind of look, put on a regular layer. It's pretty fascinating how the emollient oils not only make your lips fuller, but uh, jucier.

And of course, applying it with the brush applicator is fantastic. You'll look like Scarlett Johansson in no time.

Ellis Faas is one of those completely unique lines that once you try, you simply cannot live without.

Stock up now.

Blue Barnhouse Letterpress Has THE Best Cards!

I am not only a stationery fiend, but a fierce pen pal.

Someone moves? I send 'em a card? A friend has a bad date? I send 'em a card.

But not just any ol' card. It's gotta be spectacular.

Like the close to 400 cards available at Blue Barnhouse Letterpress Cards.

They are fun and original and a little edgy, which is exactly what I want to send out to friends, family and colleagues to show them they're on my mind and in my hearts.

The Phrenology - You card certainly illustrates that I'm thinking of them.

For my fella's birthday recently, I gave him the very funny Booty Call, though was awfully tempting. I think that Happy Birdy.

Alice - Kmart is hysterical and so original, as is Cooking with Satan. Aren't these so much better than what you've been getting at the mall?

For my friend going through a tumultuous breakup, I'm sending Dear Jerkface to show my solidarity and support. And I think I'll follow up with Girl Power!!! and the absolutely tremendous Once Upon a Time card.

And the I'd Fuck Me card (excuse my language!) oughtta get a laugh out of her too.

For all my single ladies, I'm buying Girls Want Firemen in bulk. It's like Blue Barnhouse knows exactly what we're thinking and when we're thinking it.

And not only are these outstanding cards funny and memorable, they are printed by hand on antique presses on recylced card stocks and packages in biodegradable sleeves.

My friends, these cards are made with hard work and heart and style and a little bit of sass.

In other words, they are the perfect cards for a modern gal and her friends.

Buy 'em up in bulk now!

Take It Up A Notch With Normal Watches!

You've gotta get yourself some Normal Watches.

First of all, they come in the dopest colours and designs.

Secondly, you can get a whole whack of them at these insanely low prices!

And thirdly, you can finally have a watch that is as cool as you are:

Hello Superstar is just about the friendliest, most complimentary watch you could own. I mean, who doesn't love being called a superstar all day long?

And Facebook Ruined My Life is perfect for their social networking clogging times.

If you're a Ferris Bueller fan, you're going to want the Bueller - Weak Get Pinched Watch, complete with animal print wristband. Rwar!

OMG, the Fast Food Monster is hilarious... and a little scary. But so is fast food, so there!

Ooh, the 4:20 is seemingly plain and reserved - little did you know that it's all about leaf, buds, reefer, etc.!

Normal Watches rock the joint!

Ahem.

I mean, rock the house.

Get a bunch for you and your friends now.