Indulge In Soft Skin and Fabulous Scents With THANN

One of the best luxuries I think, is to have soft, supple skin that smells good.

And one of the most sumptuous lines has got to be THANN.

This all-natural hair, skin and body care line for men and women uses extracts of rice bran oil, "deriving from the Oryza Sativa, which has been a unique staple of Thai subsistence for over five millennia" as its core ingredients. It is rich in Vitamin E which heals and soothes your skin. THANN is also the first brand to feature shiso extract as a key ingredient in skincare. 

You're going to love the intoxicating scents - Oriental Essence, Mediterranean Floral, Sea Foam, Aromatic Wood, Shiso and Rice.

I start my morning off enveloping myself in Aromatic Wood Shower Gel. It moisturizes as it cleanses and the orange woodsy scent (thanks to orange, tangerine and nutmeg oil) is a stimulating way to start the day.

If you like to ease a little more gently into the day, then perhaps the Mediterranean Floral Shower Oil is for you. Normally, I don't like oils, but this one is fabulous! Drenching your skin in vitamins (A & E) and oils (almond, olive, rosemary and lavender), you'll be so soft and smooth, you'll feel like you've just been to the spa. And the fragrance of fresh lavender is so soothing, you can't help but be relaxed. Isn't that how you want to start your day?

And to keep that soft skin throughout the day, apply rich, thick Shiso Body Butter. It's SPF15 and ooh, it goes to work quickly on my dry, rough skin. And I can feel it working throughout the day, so never do I feel dry and itchy. Shiso is not only a moisturizer, but an antioxidant and anti-histamine, so it protects your skin from harmful pollutants as well.

The scent is so lovely - cocoa butter, licorice and shiso extracts combine to form a warm fragrance that is completely captivating. I dare you not to keep inhaling all day!

I keep Sea Foam Hand Cream with Organic Shea Butter at my desk because nothing dries out your hands like handling paper all day. My hands stay soft all day, even after washing. Organic shea butter, organic jojoba oil, rice bran oil and algae extract work to keep them smooth  - and not at all greasy - no matter what I'm doing. Just feel your hands before and after application. The difference is remarkable!

And to keep the house smelling good, I'm loving the LIMITED EDITION Nymphanea Organic Candle. In fact, I think the more accurate term would be addicted. The fragrance is warm, yet clean. Like freshly washed sheets, dried on the line and then infused with water lilies.  My goodness does it smell good.  Using only pure fragrances and organic shea butter wax (no petroleum wax or chemicals here), the candle burns for 28 hours in a gorgeous black glass. What a sexy gift to give someone.

It's easy to see why I love THANN. And these are just a few of the products they offer.

Go get yourself some and indulge in feeling and smelling incredible!

p.s. All products are dermatologically tested (suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types) and 100% paraben-free.

Postertext Is One of the Most Brilliant Ideas - And Gifts - Of All Time

Putting an entire book's print on a poster is sheer genius.

But then to make it art, on top of that?

Stunned and awed is the only way I can describe the way I felt coming across Postertext's website and discovering what they do.

See, books mean the world to me. To quote Thomas Jefferson, "I cannot live without books." (Right on, Tom!) So to be able to hang an entire novel on your wall, with a scene from the book integrated into the work, is one of the greatest gifts you can gift a book lover.

I got Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (pictured above). The image on the satin-finish paper is absolutely gorgeous (the website pic doesn't do it justice), but you'll probably want to frame it in some way. Don't worry. The dimensions aren't all weird, so you'll be able to frame it with ease.

And yes, you can read it. The entire thing. The font is small enough so that the whole book can be printed on one poster, but big enough that you can actually read it, so don't be surprised that at your next dinner party, people are swarmed about your Postertext instead of your capon!

Frankenstein and Dracula are great choices for Halloween. And for the romantic, may I suggest Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre? If you love the classics, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Moby Dick are great choices. Postertext even has the computer lover covered with the Linux Kernel. And for the patriotic folks out there, what better way to show your pride than The Constitution of the United States of America?

But there are tons more. Have a look around. Chances are you'll be able to do a lot of your holiday shopping here in one fell swoop. And if you don't see the title you're looking for, you can make a request! And with new titles being released weekly, just imagine all the people you'll be able to thrill with these awesome, affordable (the same price as getting the book!) gifts.

Postertext is my new favourite place to shop.

Get the Most Stunning Looks With Hard Candy!

I have always loved the edgy rocker look of Hard Candy cosmetics, but I've never had the chance to try them.

Up until now.

It was worth the wait.

Meteor Eyes Baked Eyeshadow is unlike any other shadow I've ever tried. It's not flaky at all. It goes on smooth and adds sparkle without being tweeny at all - just Debbie Harry cool. You can use it wet (for an intense look) or dry (for sheer), which makes it the perfect fashion accessory. I tried in in Lunar Eclipse, a dark gold that goes with absolutely everything from dark jeans and tank top to slinky dress and heels.

And I was even more amazed by Powder Keg Loose Eyeshadow. Usually I find loose powder to be too difficult to apply, too messy. But Hard Candy is so genius when it comes to their product design - it comes with an applicator that makes it seem like regular shadow. It goes on so effortlessly with almost no powdery drops to be seen. And here's the best part: when I swathed on Revenge, a great modern mauve, it went on ultra bright. Like fashion runway bright. Which is great if you're heading to a club, but my look is a little quieter than that. So I ran my finger over it and voila - THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, PERFECT LOOKING SHADOW I'VE EVER TRIED!

Loose powder - who would've thought?

See, the amazing thing was that suddenly, I had eyes that looked right out of a cosmetics ad. And you know me. - I'm not at all talented when it comes to applying makeup. But this shadow didn't crease, didn't go on too bright in one area and too light in other, like many in the past.

Seriously, I looked like I had been in the hands of a professional. And it was all me. That's how you know that it is superior - when it does all the work yourself.

I was also impressed with Hot Smudge - Duo Smudge Shadows. I tried Rocker Chick - green and black, which let's face it, is pretty edgy on its own. Again, no creasing, easy to apply.And this soft cream allows you many options - line, smudge, shadow, blend - so you can create sharp lines or smokey bedroom eyes.

To finish the look, you've got to try 1,000 Lashes. This fiberized lash weave mascara builds volume, so you get thicken, longer lashes in just a few seconds. I love that I got to try Divine, an edgy purple that is such a great change from my usual black.  If you haven't already, I highly recommend moving out of your mascara colour comfort zone. It's just so much more fun this way!

Ooh, I love the design of the compacts of Welcome Matte (mattying translucent powder) and Moon Glow (a shimmering translucent powder)! These deep containers keep the powder on the top level, while the heart-shaped pink sponge (aww!) and mirror lie below. You can now choose how you want to look, instead of letting nature dictate it - matte or glow?

For my lips, Plumping Serum gives such a sexy sheer, wet look, you'll look like you just stepped out of a magazine shoot. And Painted Lady may look like regular lipstick at first glance, but the bright colour is fantastic. No Peeking makes me look straight outta modern day Mad Men! And it's so soft and creamy with shine, so it's definitely not your Mom's lipstick. Lipstick that doesn't dry out or flake? Painted Lady has it all. And the shine of Button Your Lip is so fantastic. Moisturizing too. And you get a matching lip liner (no sharpening needed!) to boot. Swoon.

Just Nails gives great, long-lasting colour and allows you to put a ring on it.  What I like about Mr. Wrong's mauvy brown is that it is so flattering. I love that it went on like a dream and lasted f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

I try cosmetics all the time and Hard Candy makes my top 5 list of all-time favourites. And here's the best part - it's damn affordable and you can get it many stores, including Wal-Mart.

What are you waiting for?!

Native: The Coolest, Lightest Shoes You'll Ever Own

Look, I'm just going to come right out and say this - everyone is wearing the same 10 pairs of sneakers.

I don't know how or when it happened, but it's true. Just take a look next time you're downtown or on the subway. Everyone's got the same stuff on.

So when I tried to find something new and original, you can imagine how hard it was to find something that truly stood out from the crowd.

I finally found everything I ever wanted, in the completely original Native Shoes.

First of all, they are superlight (which I so appreciate because who wants to walk around in shoes that weigh a ton?). Secondly, they are supersleek (which means I can wear 'em with jeans or a dress). And thirdly, they are supercute!

There are currently just 4 styles (because who needs 100 designs when you've got the classics downpat?) - Miller, Corrado, Jefferson and Fitzsimmons.

I'm currently rockin' the Jefferson in what is perhaps my favourite colour name of all-time - Kermit Green (pictured above). And I just wish you could see how cute they are, feel how comfortable they are!

These shoes just slip on (saving you precious time), and because the material is soft, they fit like a glove (they are so comfortable, you won't want to take them off). 

And it gets better and better!  They are:

- washable

- anti-microbial

- shock absorbent

- waterproof

- odor resistant

- animal and PVC free

If you're looking for a fashionable shoe that stands out in the crowd and stands up to your busy lifestyle, you've gotta get Native Shoes.

My advice? Get a couple of pairs.  

You're going to love them that much.

Lindo SwirliDo Hair Ties Give You The Perfect Ponytail

I got together with my Mom this week and we had to keep stopping because her elastic kept slipping off her ponytail.

I know the feeling.

Even though she and I have very different hair, we both battle with our elastics all the time.

So when I came across Lindo SwirliDo Hair Ties, I was so relieved.

Finally - a solution to our slip-sliding, hair-catching, bump-leaving elastic problems.

These short telephone cord-like, jelly hair ties allow you to put your hair up with ease and won't tug at your hair, won't leave that telltale ponytail bump (so you can take your hair down as many times as you want without having to rewash your hair to change styles) and won't give you a headache like elastics.

They come 8 to a pack in a range of colours (I got Neutral  Brown) so use 'em for the office, gym - wherever and whenever you want to hair your hair up in complete comfort.

Ahh, that's better!

Silver Linings Keep Your Feet Fresh

I don't like to wear shoes without shoes or pantyhose, but it was too hot this summer and some shoes simply don't warrant them.

Like my sexy patent leather peep toe heels or my new platforms with black suede gladiator straps, for example. You can't put on hose with them - it takes you from total hotness to complete grandmother.

So what's a girl to do?

Silver Linings are a sleek stay-put lining and allows you to go sockless and protect your shoes from moisture, discoloration and odor.

You simply wipe down the inside of your shoe to make sure it's clean, slip it into the front of your ballet flat or pump and enjoy going barefoot in complete comfort.

For once, you can stand, talk, dance and walk without worrying if you're feet smell. And the suede-like material keeps your foot in place without adhesive, so your shoes look as good as the day you got 'em!

Get yours now. With 3 pairs per pack, you can absolutely change your mind about which shoes you're going to wear to the art event and still have enough left for your work pumps and your dancing shoes.

Silver Linings are peace of mind for the fashion-conscious.

Threadless: You Love the T-Shirts, Now Get the Book!

The artwork is mesmerizing, inspiring.

The community is building.

Threadless: Ten Years of T-Shirts from the World's Most Inspiring Online Design Community is the soon-to-be released book (October 10th, my birthday!) from Threadless, one of the coolest t-shirt companies around.

Celebrating their 10th year, this book covers their immense online community of designers, cofounder Jake Nickell's year-by-year account of the Threadless story, and the most amazing illustrations and photos.

The book is a fascinating read. Here are some of my favourite highlights:

- Harvard Business School devoted an entire class to studying Threadless.

-  John Maeda says, "It isn't simply an online store. It's the ideal mix of an authentic expression of artistic practice with innovative economic models.

- "I Hate You, Bike Thief," a hilarious story and t-shirt by Julian Glander.

- The Joker as the Queen. Oh my!

- The sheer brilliance of "It's Toile About You," "We've Got Some Work to Do Now," and "Springfield Still Life."

- "Red"and "The Red" t-shirts. The illustrations are stunning, and it's just by coincidence that 2 I liked are on the same theme, Little Red Riding Hood, a story I don't even like!

Anyone who loves art, design, fashion and pop culture will devour this book, as I did. 

What a fabulous gift!

Pre-order it online now.

You're Going to Love Schwarzopf's NEW Essensity Line

As you know, I have crazy wild hair that is near-to-impossible to tame.

Really, I require a team of stylists - one to hold me down, one to pull on my locks, another to apply product and one more simply for prayers.

But since I am no rich girl, I try and find products that will give me results. Immediately.

Schwarzkopf does it each and every time.

So when I found out about their NEW Essensity Line, I knew that help was on the way!

This line uses "pure certified organic essences & essential oils drawn from innovative, efficient extraction techniques such as freshly freeze-dried essences of Aloe Vera."

Talk about modern.  

And to put your mind at ease, all products are free from artificial fragrances, silicones, paraffin-/mineral oils and parabens. So you get the high style you want, without all the chemical junk to go along with it.

I am all over the Smoothing Cream. Using cold-pressed organic essence of sesame, this thick cream give you instant shine and smoothness, taking you from bouffant to beau-ti-ful in mere seconds.  And since it's a finishing cream, your hair doesn't get weighed down or greasy in the process.

And for a little control, you've got to go with the Styling Juice. Made with freshly freeze-dried organic essences of red vine bud enhanced with organic blackcurrent bud extract, this light spray goes on your just-outta-the-shower locks and gives you the soft, silky hair of rich folks.

To prove how well it works, I bleached my hair yesterday and it was like putting your hand in a box of Shredded Wheat. I spritzed my hair just 3 times with the juice and after blow drying, my hair feels like satin sheets.

I told you Schwarzkopf was good!

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- 5 Things to Instantly Put You in a Summer Mood!

- 5 Quick Fixes to Help You Get Through Your Already Hectic Day!

Smart Glass Recycled Jewelry - Drink It. Wear It. LOVE It!

I can't think of a better necklace than a Smart Glass necklace for me.

After all, what better gift for a food writer than the Murano Necklace (pictured above)?

In the words of Atlanta Designer Kathleen Plate, "Inspired by the artists of Murano, Italy, this necklace combines the best shapes, colors, and textures of our most popular pieces."

It's striking for sure. And really, I don't have anything like it in my collection.

But here's the best part - it's made from food and drink bottles! Kathleen, you're a woman after my own heart.

The aqua part is from a sake bottles, the pine coloured "o" is from a red wine bottle and the clear glass part in the middle? From a salad dressing bottle!! 

And there's no way that Kathleen could know how much I love salad (So much that I have one pretty much everyday. So much so that when I make one at home, our cat Cosmo comes over for a lick of dressing).

What a ingenious idea. 

It's no wonder Aveda came to her for an order and Coca-Cola commissioned her to create a line of jewelry using their signature bottles.

And there's something so satisfying about wearing not only beautiful jewelry, but one with a past. Jewelry that has been shaped and cared for by hand.

Kathleen has a real eye for design and detail. After all, she finishes the Murano with delicate silver strands that add a decidedly modern edge, but with a slight flapper feel. 

Check out the entire Recycled"Open" line, where the Murano lies, and be sure to stop by the Coca-Cola licensed products, Boutique line, Rings and Cufflinks, Recycled, Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Home and Hardware and Guys line.

I think you just got a new place to do all of your present buying. 

I know I did.

You've Got to Get Yourself Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

A lot of products claim to transform you, but no all do it.

And certainly not so quickly.

But Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum is a crazy miracle in a bottle!

I did what I normally do with serums - put it on before bed - and went to sleep.  I woke up and thought that the lines around my eyes might be a little diminished, but man.

What I got was a complete and utter beautiful complexion.

So much so that I could honestly go outside WITHOUT MAKEUP.

Now, you've got to understand that I never go outside without makeup.  Foundation, undereye cover up, a little eyeliner.  It's just how I roll.

Plus, I don't want to scare the neighbours.

And you can see why.  Take those pictures of celebs without makeup on - they look nothing like their gorgeous selves without it. I don't think they look bad, but they have all the same problems that we do: puffy eyes, dark circles, uneven skintone, wrinkles, etc.

That's why we're not going out without our makeup.

I thought maybe it was just a one-time thing, that No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum was a one-hit wonder.

So I tried it the following night.

The next morning, I looked even better!  

After using it for 2 weeks, your skin feels firmer, and after 3, your deep lines and wrinkles will be less visible.

And it's not just my thin, dry face that benefited. My Mom tried it and had the same results with her thick, moist olive oil skin.  She called me the morning after she tried it to say it was an INSTANT CHANGE.  

Look, I could go into all of the ingredients and why it works, but really, don't you just want a face product that really, really works? And fast?

Get Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum online, at Target, Target.com, CVS/pharmacy and Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.

p.s. It won't cost you a fortune either (under $30)!

Check out the knack's new wibiya toolbar!!

I am really excited about this new feature to the knack.

It allows you to easily share posts, tweet about them, chat and view recent posts in just one click!

Hover your mouse over an image and you can instantly share content with your friends, family and colleagues.

It's interactive, easy to use and so much fun.

Enjoy!

Special Technology Report: I Am FLYING Now That I've Got the NEW GTD® And Blackberry® Setup Guide!

Last year, I wrote about how grateful I was to have finally implemented David Allen's Getting Things Done into my life.

I am now showing my immense my gratitude for the NEW GTD® & BLACKBERRY® SETUP GUIDE.

I know you're probably addicted to your phone, but I  use mine to manage my life as well as write to deadline.

Isn't that awesome?!

I had a different phone up until recently that was set up so that I could really manage the hell outta my life (Being a full-time freelancer, I am the CEO, admin assistant and gopher).  I also wrote half of my book on it (I wrote about it too)!

When it finally died, I got a Blackberry® and tried to set up GTD® by myself on it, but I never felt that I got it right.

I noticed the difference right away: I wasn't being as productive as I knew I could be, things were slipping through the cracks and my mind was overloaded with trying to remember all that I had to do.

All things that, once you've read Getting Things Done® by David Allen and start applying it to your life, doesn't happen.

So when I got a notice that there was a NEW GTD® And Blackberry® Setup Guide, I knew that my life was just about to change.

Again.

Oh, and what a relief it is.

Not only am I back on track, but I feel AHEAD of things!

How often can you say you that?!

This easy-to-read, easy-to-follow 45-page guide (once purchased, it's emailed as a PDF file, which you can save and/or print) is just what I needed.  And it took just minutes to set everything up.

Phew! Because you don't want to spend all Sunday working your way through a guide, of all things...

It goes through the Essentials - the basics of GTD®, syncing and browser tips, etc. The most fascinating part of the essentials was that these little changes have made A HUGE DIFFERENCE!  I set up side convenience keys (p. 3), moved my icons (p. 5) and increased my font size (p. 9) and just with those 3 little things, I upped my productivity in seconds!

There is a section on Email, which is something that I continue to struggle with (I spent the last couple of days getting my inbox from over 4,000 emails down to 250). I have got these pages in front of me and will work getting my inbox to zero this week. In the meantime, the guide had me tweak things so that this will be easier from now on (thank goodness!).

Working with Tasks was my favourite section.  This is what I've needed all this time to Get More Done on this phone!  It took just a few minutes to follow all of the instructions - change the settings,  set up the categories - and in a few minutes, I'd entered the major things I need to work on. I just love how all of the things I have to do are now categorized and easy-to-follow. It gets rid of a lot of the stress I've been carrying around about them.

I had a ton of fun with the Managing your Calendar portion of the Guide. I really changed up how I record things.  I really got the difference between Time-specific vs. Day-Specific actions and entered in a bunch of items that have already made a dent in my workload!

I would have never used MemoPad before reading this guide. Now thanks to Using the MemoPad section, it's on my Home Screen and I can load in information as I go - books I want to read, vacation ideas, etc.

I feel calm about everything now. Because it's all recorded in the best possible way.

I told you it was a great system!

And now I've got it with me whether I'm at home or on the go.

Which means, I can relax because I know everything that I've got to do and when.

Do you?

[Please note: GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company. The knack is not affiliated with or endorsed by the David Allen Company.]

The Essential Fall Companion: The Just Released Perfect One-Dish Dinners!

There is a definite chill in the air.

Most evenings, I wrap myself in a thick cableknit sweater and make a hot cuppa and sit down to plan out what kind of comforting dinner I can create.

I am thrilled to have discovered the BRAND NEW, JUST RELEASED Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers by Pam Anderson.

As much as I love to spend all night creating a memorable meal, I don't always have the time to spare. That doesn't mean I don't still want a meal to remember.

That's the joy of one-dish cooking, I think.  It's that melding of flavours that makes for such a comforting meal.  

Author Pam Anderson has done a superb job of giving a wide range of options with a huge section on stews, plenty of casseroles to get excited about, roasting pan beauties and big summer salads and grilled platters.

Sometimes with stews and casseroles, by the middle of the season, it can start to feel like you're eating similar things over and over. Not with Ms. Anderson at the helm! I absolutely love the host of flavours she offers from Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew to Shortcut Choucroute.

She was also thoughtful enough to create the whole dinner's menu and include recipes for each dish. So you not only get the wonderful Roast Chorizo-Stuffed Adobo Pork Loin, but also an appetizer (Make-Ahead Jack Quesadillas with Salsa Verde), salad (Greens with Apples, Dried Cherries, and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds) and dessert (Silky Chocolate Flan).

I think the design of the book is great too: Recipes are easy to read and on just one or two pages, never cutting off in the middle like many cookbooks. And each dish has storage and reheating instructions, which is nice of Pam - she believes we'll actually have leftovers. Aww!

Also, there are a ton of great photos and each dish has its own ocher-coloured title page, so you can easily flip through to the main dishes from wherever you are in the book.

I've got to think about what I'm going to make tomorrow...

Ooh, Osso Bucco with Dirty Polenta it is.

Thank you, Pam Anderson. You have made making dinner a whole lot easier.

And so much fun!

Comments Now Added!

Comments have now been enabled on the knack, so let me know what posts you've liked and what you'd like to see more of.

Let the conversations begin!

Discover FLOWERPARTY - A Fun, Fresh Scent From Yves Rocher!

I love Yves Rocher.

I have written about them many times before because they offer products of fantastic quality at incredibly affordable prices. 

I have never been disappointed by anything I've tried by Yves Rocher, which says a great deal, I think.

Their fragrance, FLOWERPARTY  Eau de Toilette is "a modern, cheeky fragrance," according to its creator, perfumer Philippe Romano.

What makes it such a fresh and fun scent is that it evokes long-lost memories of childhood and youth.  The warm sun on your back and shoulders at the beach, cherry popsicles and sticky candy and flirting with the cute boy/girl in your class.

It's a truly evocative scent that screams happiness. Just one whiff and you can't help but smile!

Isn't that how you should start your day?!

Well, now you can with FLOWERPARTY!

You'll be intoxicated by the blend of scents - mandarin, rose, raspberry, lychee nectar and a little vanilla, amongst other joyous ingredients.

This is a fantastic everyday scent for fall. While the sky darkens and the smell of leaves fill the air, you'll be surrounded by happy memories and a delicious scent that will have people asking you what you've got on that smells so damn good!

Oh, and the petal topped bottle is wonderful, isn't it? It will look great on your dresser and makes this a wonderful gift for a girl who could use a little extra joy in her life.

And at this price, you can afford to you one for her and for yourself.

Now that's happiness!

Announcement: Quick Ticket Giveaway!

Do you live in the Toronto area?

Techonista has graciously given the knack 20 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to the Fall Home Show (Sept 30 - Oct 3). 

To get yours? 

The first 20 people to subscribe and then email me will receive 1 ticket.

Pick up is tonight: Thursday, September 16 at 7 pm. 

Second Cup - 355 Danforth Avenue

You must pick up the ticket at this time in person or send someone on your behalf.

Many thanks to Techonista for this wonderful giveaway!

And there will be more contests and giveaways to come, so subscribe and stay tuned!

Warmest wishes,

Stephanie Dickison 

Publisher & Editor - the knack 

Make Your Footwear Even Sexier With Erica Giuliani Accessories

I think this season's footwear is super hot.

Towering platforms, thin stalky heels, lush fabrics and high shine are all the rage this fall.

But I've just found a way to inject your wardrobe with a higher voltage - Erica Giuliani Boot & Shoe Accessories.

Man are these smokin'!

Like Sofia Vergara for your footwear.

First of all, I love the idea of amping up your basic shoe or boot. I mean, who doesn't want a little extra oomph from time to time?

Secondly, the range of products is unbelievable - shoe accessories, boot accessories and the must-have item for winter: fur covers!

I think the Heel Chain is super sexy, and the Fringe Anklet adds a rich depth and texture to a plain heel. 

I'm going to be rockin' the Studded Heel Rings this season. 

Wow are they stunning. I will be TIFF party-ready for once.  I can add instant edge to my little black dress and heels. And what better way to showcase my legs than with a little shoe jewelry?

I don't like to overdo it, but a little bling is a nice thing.

I would like one of everything, please.

What are you going to get?

Give Your Hair The New York Streets Treatment With The NEW Village Collection

There is nowhere tougher to make it than in New York.

And you'll never get a stronger hold on your hair than with New York Streets NEW Village Collection. 

This edgy line was made to survive the humidity and closeness of the city.  It allows you to create different looks in just seconds.  

Which is all you have before you have to head out the door:

- Paste allows you a little bit of wiggle room. It gives your hair shape and holds it, but without being too forceful. You want to look put together, but not too

- Tar lets you create a faux haux or sweep your bangs to the side. Want your hair to have a split personality, at least for the party tonight? Tar will give you what you need. And more.

- Need your hair to stay right where it is? Wax will do the trick. Keep your hair in place no matter what the weather forecast.

Your hair will finally rock as hard as you do.

Buy the collection online or at a store near you.

Indulge in Treat Beauty's Natural & Organic Bath & Body Products

We respond to certain fragrances with pure joy.

Take vanilla, for instance. Just a hint of it, and suddenly you feel warm and cozy.

Treat Beauty has created a line of natural and organic bath and body products that feel and smell amazing with natural scents like vanilla, lemon and orange cream.

I tried Treat World's Best Healing Balm, for instance, in Tahitian Vanilla. What a fragrance! It makes me think of cable knit sweaters and long talks curled up on the couch.  And oh, how this wonder cream sunk into my skin without any greasy leftovers. You can use it as just a daily indulgence or to tackle dry skin, achy muscles, eczema - whatever is ailing you. 

What a luxurious feeling to have skin this soft and smell so good.

Need a little pick-me-up?  Treat Beauty's Lemon Drops Refreshing Hair & Face Mist combats your sudden mid-afternoon slump, as well as moisturizes your face and hair.  Lemony-freshness whenever you need it most!

And now that it's getting cooler, you're going to want to stock up on lip balms.

Treat Beauty makes 'em in one size - jumbo - so you'll be sure to stay pucker perfect in these cooler, colder months.  And check out these awesome old-fashioned flavours: Lemon Drop, Orange Cream (think creamsicle) and Soft Candy Vanilla Buttercream.  Applying lip balm has never been more fun! And with natural ingredients like coconut oil, kosher vegetable glycerin, shea butter and natural flavourings and essential oils, you can swath your lips in smoothness without worry. 

And at these prices, you can afford to get one of every scent/flavour!

Natural never smelled so good.

Shop now and stock up with Treat Beauty.

Your Laptop 's New BFF: Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

Sometimes, simple is best.

Laboratory 424 is one of those companies that tackles issues that we deal with everyday with simple, yet brilliant design.

Thank goodness.

See, I have this wonderful beautiful laptop that I work to the bone, each and every day.  

So it's no wonder that it gets hot.

I have tried various fans and lifts in the past, but none as been as good - or as simple - as Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

It is the only riser I've ever used with such ease and that's worked so incredibly well. 

It holds my laptop securely off my desk and doesn't bounce up and down at all, like my last contraption (that had me typing like I was in an offroad vehicle every day of the week). It takes up no room, is super light and damn good looking (they should clearly move into making appliances and dating services).

Simply said, the Mini Riser is a dream come true.

And it comes in 10 colours, 2 to a pack, so you can outfit the house in style (you wouldn't want it any other way) and you could use the other one for another laptop or just raise your computer's keyboard for the most comfortable typing experience of your life.

If you are looking for a solution to your computer needs, look no further than Laboratory 424.

Update Your Kitchen With The 55 Knives ECookbook

While I cherish my beloved cookbooks, I have noticed that I am going online to check out recipes more and more.

There are a number of blogs that I have come to count on for fab go-to recipes and I love discovering new ones when I've got a particular ingredient in mind.

And now that ebooks, ebook readers and the iPad are the new digital future of books, itmakes sense to have something we can tote with us, and into the kitchen.

The 55 Knives Ecookbook includes the writing and recipes of 55 fantastic food bloggers (I aspire to make it into a future edition).  

Each person got their own chapter in which to offer their own recipe(s), as well as write lovingly about prepping, cooking and of course, eating!

I have loved The Bitten Word for a long time and I contributed to the inventive site, The Perfect Pantry (where I still love to go and check out how people are housing their spices and canned goods), two of the blogs included in the collection.

But what I have enjoyed is discovering new voices and recipes,  like Melody Fury's (GourmetFury.com) Edamame Pesto Orzo. While not a complicated recipe, I think the combination of ingredients is phenomenal and think this dish will be folded into my regular rotation.  

And who can resist Cupcake Project's (CupcakeProject.com) Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes? What a great dessert for the fall and especially for our upcoming Thanksgiving!

I totally appreciate the simplicity of good life {eats} (goodlifeeats.com) Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Brownies due to my lack of baking ability.

And my next dinner party will be treated to The Duo Dishes (duodishes.com) Sweet Apple & Bacon Puffs with Pomegranate Glaze. Doesn't your mouth ooze with saliva just reading it? And thankfully, it sounds fancy, but is simple to prepare, which is exactly the types of dishes you want for a party.

Look, I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. 

It's a damn fine collection and it's so affordable.

Get 55 Knives and get to know the people behind the blogs and the food that moves them.

Paper Blossoms Are The Perfect Dinner Companion

I am not much of a flower girl.

I admire them in stores and appreciate them in other people's homes, but I have a few low-maintenance plants around the house and that's about as flora/fauna as I get.

But when it comes to having people over and hosting dinner parties, I like to spruce the place up a bit with decoration and colour.

That's why I love Paper Blossoms: A Book of Beautiful Bouquets for Your Table.

This book features 5 incredible pop-up bouquets that will amaze and delight your guests.

And the best part? You never have to worry about watering them!

You can open this book flat to any page to reveal deft cutouts of flowers created by the amazing talents of pop-up artist, Ray Marshall.

Feel like the warm weather was so long ago? What about a springtime bouquet or a vase of lilies to brighten your mood? There is a lotus water garden (perfect for your Japanese sake-tasting party next week),a garland of roses (because who doesn't love roses?) and a tropical arrangement to bring the sunshine indoors.

Ahh, that's better.

Get yourself Paper Blossoms, the flowers that never die, for your next big event or to simply enjoy over breakfast or at the dinner table.

ZAGGbuds Keep Up With Your Busy Lifestyle

I can't live without my music.

Whether I'm rockin' out at my desk or on the subway to a meeting, I've got my tunes pumped.

ZAGGbuds gives you the flexibility you need with their incredibly well-designed cord.

First of all, it's nice and long, so no matter how many bags your toting or how many layers you're wearing, you've got as much cord as you need to be comfortable while weaving your way through crowds in the downtown core, or if you're running to catch your flight down south. Turn this way and that, reach over to grab that sandwich or hail a cab - the cord will follow.

The cord has a tough polyurethane coating, which makes it virtually tangle-free, so if you're like me and you stash your earbuds at the bottom of your purse, you don't have to spend 10 minutes like a dweeb trying to untangle them.  There is also great little sliders that not only allow you to adjust the length, but keeps your buds around your neck until you're ready for 'em.

Ahh.

Which, as the busy person you are, you know the pain of having to take off and put on your ear buds throughout the day. This will save you much time and effort.

And because fashion is still of importance to you, the cord comes in 7 colour combos, so match it to your look, or be daring and get colours that contrast.

There's nothing worse than your earbuds popping out (this used to happen to me all the time). But you don't have to worry about that with ZAGGbuds because you get a bunch of earbud adapters so that you can fit them to you.

Which means the music never has to stop, unless you want it to!

Shop for ZAGGbuds now.**

**They also come with a sweet 45-day money-back guarantee and 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty and work with many gadgets and sytems including the iPhone.

The Season's Must-Have Accessories Have Arrived: Secret's Fall 2010 Leggings & Tights

Last night I cooked squash and closed the windows, so you know that fall is here.

And there is no better accessory than colourful leggings and tights. Just think how you can extend your spring and summer wardrobe just by adding tights and leggings to those long tops and short dresses. Even the shoes options get doubled. 

I've been wearing Secret's tights for years and they get better each season.

This season, the colours of both the leggings and tights are right on trend and they are so incredibly stretchy (without any worry of being baggy) and comfortable, you may just wear 'em ALL THE TIME.

You can opt for leggings, which look great with flats and a long sweater or tights, paired with tall boots and a pencil skirt.

Of course, the options are as vast as your closet. And with Secret's Fall 2010 Collection, you have a great choice of colours, it easy to liven up that cute dress that you almost never wear and that shirt that just never seems to go with anything. 

Camel, grey and black are nice neutrals to set off more vibrant pieces, but if you want your legs to be the stars of the show, go with red, blue, berry or plum.

Start extending your warm weather clothes and get a whole new look for less!

Get Your Daily Dose of Hawaii with Malie Organics

I have always wanted to go to Hawaii.

Since it's a rather expensive destination, in the meantime I can bring that tropical island feel home, thanks to Malie Organics.

Malie, pronounced mah-lee-ay, is Hawaiian for calm, serene, tranquility.

Using only indigenous and local Hawaiian flora, Malie Organics Pikake line is natural, organic and completely luxurious.  And thanks to Hawaiian Hydrosols, the "gentle floral waters that contain every element of the plant at the molecular level." your skin always feeling nourished and moisturized. And no need to worry about chemicals and toxins as there is "absolutely no petroleum, mineral spirits, sulfates or parabens" in Malie Organics products.

The subtle, but very pretty fragrance of Malie Organics Aroma Mist is how I like to start the day after my shower. If you think many perfumes cloy or linger for too long, this is for you.  You can even use it on your linens!

I like how it extends the hydrating feel of Malie Organics Body Cream.  Natural ingredients such as coconut, ginger and macadamia nut oils infuse your skin with moisture, while aloe and chamomile soothe your skin (now that it's cooled down, have you noticed your skin already getting dry?). And the cream has a lovely warm and nutty scent with just a hint of flora.  Mmm.

The Malie Organics Liquid Hand Soap is fantastic. I've got it going in our bathroom and normally we got through a bottle very quickly. Malie's high quality ingredients mean that a little goes a long way - we've been using it for weeks and it's still looks almost full.  That's exactly what I want in my hand soap. That and the added bonus of having clean hands that have been treated to such lovely scents, you come out of the bathroom, saying, "Smell my hands!"

And you've got to try Malie Organics Anti-Aging Firming Elasticity Cream. Using the super nutrient Hawaiian Coffee Fruit Extract, you can successfully battle those wrinkles, plump up your limp skin and keep environmental toxins at bay! After using it just for 2 days and nights, I noticed a difference in my skintone's look and feel. So did other people! I was told how good I looked (I didn't) and did I do something different like lose weight (I'd just had a huuge lunch) or cut my hair (nope).

I love being able to treat my body safely and naturally, all with the sweet, subtle scents and powerful ingredients straight from Hawaii.

Shop Malie Organics and surround yourself with the feel and fragrances of the Hawaiian islands!

Note It! - Pretty Ways to Capture Your Thoughts with Chronicle Notebooks & Oh Joy! Noteblock

School starts tomorrow and fall is on its way.

September is my New Year, the way January 1st is for most people.  Perhaps because I'm lucky enough to live in a city where I experience the change of the seasons, this change also happens within me. It's like my internal clock clicks on as soon as September hits, and suddenly I'm filling boxes for donation and my recycle bin overflows with old papers.

As if I were getting ready to go back to school, I guess.It helps that I love stationery and being organized.

Here are 3 fun ways to take notes:

**Walls Notebook**

Sure, you could get a notebook with white pages, but come on - that's so 2003.

Walls (pictured above) offers you 160 pages of photographs of walls, every kind of wall that you can think of, in which to draw or record your thoughts. 

It is a "lay-flat flexi-bind paperback," so you can write and draw in it with ease.

The photographs of Sherwood Forlee are incredible.I like the ATM page juxtaposed with the white brick wall page. It lends itself to creating a mystery tale, don't you think? There's an aluminum door with 2 trash cans beside it up against a salmon-y brick wall across 2 pages. It looks like the back of a club to me. Imagine all that goes on there! And of course I love the subway pages - who doesn't want to graffiti a subway without breaking any laws? Ooh...

Draw and write your way across cinder blocks, hidden doorways, down alleys and gasp, on a restaurant's facade!

Guaranteed you'll never come across a notebook like this.

It's a truly original idea and a fantastic gift for the creative person in your life.  

**oh joy! 700-Page Noteblock**

Around this time last year, I wrote about the lovely and completely oh joy! office products that I now can't live without.

You will be able to recognize the oh joy! line by the beautiful soft colours and delicate floral designs that Joy Deangdeelert Cho creates.

Mmm!

A couple of years ago, I discovered the incredible usefulness of have a noteblock on my desk. Instead of using the tiniest scraps of paper I could find, I use this and boy, does it change how efficiently I do work. It sounds crazy, but it's true. This one tool alone increased my productivity and I completely got rid of my scrap piece of paper habit.  I even cured my parents of their scrap habit, by giving them a noteblock earlier this year. Decades of them using scraps beside the phone has been completely obliterated. They love their new system!

The beauty of the oh joy! Noteblock is that is functional, but it's oh-so-pretty, which is much better than those industrial looking things you get at the big box office supply store.

Nu uh.

You want everything on your desk to represent your style and personality, don't you?

And to help keep your desk uncluttered, Joy has thoughtfully added a little storage drawer.

It's perfect. 

**Paper+Cup Designs Old School Ledger**

Ooh, this is cool!

This old-fashioned, yet somehow modern notebook allows you to:

- Write out your lists on wonderfully organized forms.  Check off whether it's "to buy" or "to do," then tear it off cleanly using the perforation and take your list with you.

- Blank ledger pages can also be torn off. Work out your budget, list gifts given and received and keep track of anything and everything (perhaps list when your library books are due, create steps in a recipe or record all the tasks that you want to do by month or season).

- Blank lined pages allow you to journal and take notes. With perforated edges, you can place these where you need them.

This is one of the best multipurpose notebooks I've ever come across, so don't be surprised if you get addicted to recording your information like this.

It's wonderful!

Happy Writing.

Discover the Most Stunning Jewelry by Philippa Roberts

"Oh my!" I exclaimed when I opened the box.

Beneath my fingers lay the most exquisite, delicate jewelry by Philippa Roberts.

It's the kind of jewelry that seems understated at first, but is completely and utterly breathtaking up close.

Her different collections show her range in use of colour, materials and textures.  Just look at Butter, Dusk and Delight are. Many designers get stuck in one solitary look, but Phillppa has really shown that she can work in a number of ways.

All of them so beautiful.

She works in both gold and silver and uses pearls and  semi-precious stones to create texture and shape.  But she has this unbelievable touch.

Check out the gorgeous Beach Collection that arrived on my doorstep:

You can't tell how finely crafted these Eclipse in Vermeil Earrings are by the picture. And the size too. They are a medium size, so they stand out without being ostentatious.

Perfect.

I don't normally wear gold (blonde hair, pinkish skin), but this gold isn't the bright stuff that your parents wear. This is muted, almost brushed, giving it a modern look and feel. I feel fantastic in this gold!

I wore the Ruffled Circle in Vermeil with Apatite, Chalcedony and Aqua Necklace the first day it arrived. It was the last meeting of our book club and I was wearing an ocean blue dress. I saw the necklace and thought how pretty it would look with it.

Oh, the compliments! Again, it is Philippa's tremendous talent that allows you to wear such delicate pieces and yet make a statement. I love the warbly gold ring and the pale sea-coloured stones are so peaceful. I like that it's different but not too out there. 

And the ultimate compliment? I met my fella afterwards and he said how pretty my necklace was. You know it's good when...

I have been looking for decades for a bracelet like the Double Chalcedony  Bracelet (pictured above).

The soft look of the stones finished a gold ring clasp, done in a similar fashion to the necklace and earrings, makes it such a exquisite addition to your outfit.  And unlike most bracelets that droop and run up and down my arm, I put it on and it fit perfectly.

Ahhhh.

I could go on and on, but I think you probably want to go and get yourself some of Philippa Roberts Jewelry.