Discover Fun, Modern Cards at Spiffy Press!

Ooh, I love me a great card.

You know the ones that you grab and say, "Oh, this is P-E-R-F-E-C-T!"?

That's ALL the cards at Spiffy Press.

Each time I thought, no, it can't get any better than this, it did, and I'd find another one.

The All Occasion Cards are exactly what you want to send to friends, family and colleagues:

- Nerd in that big, beautiful, bada** font tells your friend who blogs and tweets like a tween and likes to read The Economist for fun, that you care.

- Chill (pictured above) is so awesome, I almost want to keep it. But instead, I'm sending it off to stressed-out folks. God, it's not even November yet, nevermind December. Better buy these ones in bulk.

- I can think of a whack of people I could send this one to - That's What She Said -  but the one that says this phrase over and over is going to be the recipient. In fact, since he's moving later this month, this will be him and his husband's new home card. See, I told you - perfect!

For Thank Yous, which I send all the time (right now, my list is at 8), I think THKS is fantastic - simple and uber modern. Just what I need. Isn't it great when a card says it all, so that you don't have to?

Personally, I don't think this Mom card needs to be relegated all the way out here in the Mother's Day section. It's suitable for so many folks, don't you think (though admittedly, it will probably be sent to my Moms - how can I resist?!)

And if you're looking for custom cards or holiday cards (it's less than 2 months away!), Spiffy Press will do that to. You can also order your custom mix in a boxed sets of blank note cards or get/give the Card O’ the Month Club! It’s the perfect gift "for someone who appreciates hand-printed designs with a modern spirit!"

All letterpress cards are made from 100% cotton, tree-free paper and are accompanied with 100% recycled paper-bag envelopes (sooo cute and what a great idea!). 

All cards are blank inside, so you finally get to say what you want.

Which is really the point, isn't it?

Spiffy Press Cards are phenomenal. Why send anything less?

Natural & Gluten Free Passage Foods Simmer Sauces Are Ready in 20 Mins!

As much as I love to spend time pouring through cookbooks and creating new dishes at the stove, my life doesn't always allow that kind of leisure.

But that doesn't mean that I want to sacrifice health and good taste when it comes to making dinner.

A fantastic solution for busy folks is Passage Foods Simmer and Stirfry Sauces.  

In 2008, they introduced Passage to India, Australia's #1 brand of simmer sauce in the Indian category, to the US market. Now they have a new range of Passage to Thailand Simmer Sauces that I think you're going to be pretty excited by!

I got to try their Red Thai Curry and Thai Basil and Sweet Chili and was so pleased at the depth of them. What I mean by that is - many packaged sauces have one taste. But Passage to Thailand Simmer Sauces were rich and developed in both heat and flavour. That's due to using natural, real ingredients such as Basil Puree, Onion, Fish Sauce Powder that you're familiar with and that you can actually pronounce. 

So instead of spending an hour prepping for a sauce from scratch, you can count on Passage Foods Simmer and Stirfry Sauces to give you the intense flavour that you want without all of the harmful ingredients.

I tossed the Thai Basil & Sweet Chili with noodles, chicken and prawns and simmered the Red Thai Curry with firm fish and vegetables. It's much cheaper than going out and ordering in, and thanks to the easy steps - pour, simmer and serve - I was able to throw together a quick, nutritious dinner in about 20 minutes and give into my craving for Thai.

Look, I understand the desire to want to cook something from scratch every night. I know, because I want to too. 

But time doesn't always allow for it.

So for those times in between, know you can rely Passage Foods Simmer and Stirfry Sauces to give you the great flavours you want without all of the goop that comes with most packaged sauces.

And hey, guess what? 

Dinner's ready!

The Pleat Sheet Rocks My World - And Keeps Me Covered!

Lately, I've been at war with my fella and our cat.

At least when it comes to our sheets.

Both Scott and  Cosmo have this crazy habit of somehow hogging the sheets, so that I wake up in the middle of the night f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g!

That's all in the past now, thanks to The Pleat Sheet!

We've been testing it - a sheet made with expanding pleats to create "extra wings of cover and warmth" - all week and I'm happy to report that every morning, I awoke with the sheet still wrapped around my shoulder, with plenty of sheet left to further ensconce myself in.

It's sheer bliss - and a miracle!

So whether you've got pets, kids or a partner that likes to take hold of the sheets, there is finally a solution.

I love that when you purchase The Pleat Sheet, you get not only the expandable top sheet, but 1 fitted sheet (will even fit deep matresses) and 2 pillowcases, so you don't have to hunt around for sheets to match your Pleat Sheet.

Each set comes in Full, Queen and King, and you can choose White or Ivory (we rockin' the White Queen). 

And in case you're wondering, yes, the 300 thread count, 100% cotton sateen striped fabric not only looks amazing, but is incredibly soft and comfortable (Is that part of the reason I've been going to bed early to read this week? Perhaps...).

Order yours now and have a warm cozy winter FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Need a Gift for the Foodie in Your Life? Eat Me: The Journal From Chronicle Books is Perfect!

Do you take pictures of what you're cooking and/or eating and then post them?

Do you flip through cooking magazines and cookbooks looking for new ideas for dinner?

Is your idea of a fun night out going out to restaurant?

Do you consider shopping for ingredients fun?

Or do you know someone that does?

Then you'll want to get your hands on the incredibly awesome Eat Me: The Journal from Chronicle Books.

Answer questions about your favourite childhood foods, take note of memorable meals, record family recipes, write down your own faves and explore your guilty pleasures in these fun and colourful easy-to-fill-out boxes.

Of course one of my favourite - and most used sections is the Restaurant Diary pages. I love the detail here:

- Date

- Dining Companions

- Restaurant Name

- Cuisine

- Address and Phone 

- Hours and Closed on (Brilliant feature!)

- Delivery & Delivery Free

- Overall Star Rating circle 1-5

- Price Range circle $ - $$$$

- Must-Order Items

- What to Avoid

- Comments

There are fun sections to fill out: food books that you're reading, dining disasters, rated cheap eats, a desserts section (oh my!), a cookbook wish list (you can photocopy the pages and give out to friends and family at holiday gift-giving time), food websites and blogs to follow, tracking your wine, favourite cocktail recipes and a kitchen wish list.

The lists of suggestions are fantastic too - 50 Cocktails Not be Be Missed, Checklist of the 100 foods you must try before you die, The top 10 pieces of cookware every kitchen needs and The top 10 tools every kitchen needs.

The fun modern-retro cover has a plastic cover, so whether you're reviewing a new resto or trying out a new recipe, you can keep it clean with a simple wipe.

There are few "foodie" gifts out there that I think food-lovers and cooks will actually use.

This is most definitely one of the one that will have food stains and wine rings on its pages.

But it now.

Cures by Avancé Focuses on Treating Your Skin Condition

Most skincare companies will ask you what type of skin you have, not for the condition.

That's the difference with Cures by Avancé.  

So if you've got irritated skin or eczema, abdominal bloating or fluid retention, dry or dehydrated skin, muscle soreness or tightness, swollen feet or tired legs, Cures by Avancé will target that problem by treating "the root cause of the condition," which means you get instant relief, with long-term results.

Check out their amazing Body Therapies:

For dry, irritated or sunburned skin, Skin Repair Body Mist, you simply spray on this gentle, cooling, soothing, pine-smelling liquid and work it into your skin. You skin will feel such relief, as will you.

I think this is a great item to keep on hand for the forthcoming cool weather. I usually spend all of the winter months with dry skin, but no more, thanks to Cures!

And Cures Anti-Fluid Gel is fantastic for targeting those aches and pains and that feeling of overall, general bloatedness that can come from consuming too much salt or alcohol or PMS. Your swelling will be eased with this minty-fresh cooling gel as it releases the trapped fluid from your body, leaving you feeling comfortable again.

And at all prices that you can absolutely afford!

Check out the entire collection and finally feel comfortable in the skin your in.

More Time Moms Can Help You Get a Handle on Your Time

Whenever I get together with friends, the first things they say is how stressed they are, there isn't enough time for work, for friends, for life.

While I can't give you more hours in the day, I can help you organize your time.

Well, more accurately, More Time Moms can.

Now don't let the name make you think their organizers, calendars and day planners are all about scheduling kid's baseball games and attending PTA meetings.

No way. You can use them to suit your lifestyle and your needs and organize your time.

That's not to say you can't use them to organize you and your family, but they work just as well for a single gal trying to plan out her week, or someone like me, with a spouse, no kids.

Take a look at Mom's Agenda -12th Edition: January to December 2011. (pictured above)

This is perfect.  It's pretty, but with a clean and simple layout (see monthly pages below) so that I can write down my day's events and information without cringing at cutesy flowers and gaudy patterns like many calendars geared to women. And let's face it - haven't you learned from all the calendars that you've used in the past that the simpler the system, the better it works?

There are many features to love here:

- Wiro-biding means that it lies flat, so that you can write in complete comfort, whether you're left- or right-handed. Ahh!

- The pages are both opaque and erasable, so both pen and pencil folks can write with ease.

- There is room to write down your appointments without having to reduce yourself to a 4-point font. Hallelujah!

- With the Monthly Appointment Planner Calendar and Weekly To-Do Pages, you will finally be able to stay on top of most of what's going on in your life (I'd say everything, but it's tough these days!)

- More Time Moms have thought of  everything by including a Monthly Priority Planner Guide, Daily Routine Planners and things like household budgets and a Christmas gift list. Huh. They might just get you cleaning your room and sending Grandma a thank you card for that holiday sweater after all.

- A new inside double pocket allows you to finally cram those receipts and teeny l'il pieces of paper that have been taking over your desk somewhere else. Where you can find them. Genius!

I told you it was great!

And though I stopped being a student long ago, I'm also using their Student Organizer 2011 (pictured below).

- Despite it's rad cover, it too has this amazingly clean format that allows me to write in what I need.

- Which is what I need to do, but not all calendars on the market let you do that. I know you know what I'm talking about!

- And this wall calendar has crazy big squares, so you can write in all of your stuff, without having to resort to abbreviations or anything!  Ooh, I can't get over that!

- There's no need to wait to use it - because it's a student calendar it goes from Sept 2010 to Dec 2010, so you can plan and plot out this year's Thanksgiving and Christmas for once.

-Just because you're not a student doesn't mean you can't use the semester schedules & goal setting charts to keep you on track or get the 2 Free Music Downloads. You've still got it, right?

- Nothing says you can't use the 260 reminder + appointment stickers. In fact, if you want to get really excited like I did, that's okay.

- And no doubt you'll have the inside back pocket stuffed within a week or two. Just sayin'...

If you have to juggle your family's schedules, then I'd recommend the More Time Moms Family Organizer 2011 and the Fridge Calendar 2011. Founder & President Joanne Lalonde Hayes' amazing systems will have you and your family on track for the entire year.

Life is too busy not to write it down. Write it somewhere that WORKS.

Shop the entire collection here.

p.s. There are only 66 days left of 2010. Don't you want to spend them wisely?

The Secret to Looking Fabulous? Marchesa for Le Métier de Beauté!

Le Métier de Beauté partnered with Marchesa’s co-founders and designers, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, to bring you the first collection of what is truly phenomenal makeup.

Pairing this luxury fashion line with the cosmetics company just made sense for the Marchesa designers:

“Each season,” explains Georgina Chapman, co-founder and designer of Marchesa, “Keren Craig and I introduce a new collection, but with the classic and consistent signature that is Marchesa – we transport our customers back to a time when luxury fashion meant the best in tailoring, design, fabric, etc. When it came to launching a cosmetics collection, we wanted to do the same and we found immediately that Le Métier de Beauté shared these same core values.”

The luxury begins with the swank packaging .  The mercurial silver of the Marchesa for Le Métier de Beauté Collection’s outer packaging was "directly inspired by Sandra Bullock’s silver bugle Marchesa Oscar dress from this past year’s awards," pictured below.

What I love about this incredible collection is how timeless everything is, yet with a clear modern edge - just like Marchesa's clothing.  It's like 40s glam with 2010 modernity.

In other words, exactly what a girl wants.

Take The Palettes, for instance. These awesome compacts have everything you need to create a signature look - with products for eyes, cheek, lip and face - all in one sleek and sexy credit card-sized case.  There are two looks to choose from:

La Lune is date night, dancing-with-the-girls night perfection.  You've got Translucent Pressed Powder and Concealer for perfecting your complexion, La Cerise Noir Lip Gloss (dark plum - sooo sexy), La Peche Crème Blush for keeping that innocent look and Le Minuit Eye Shadow (midnight shimmer)  to keep them guessing.

If "beach babe" is more your look, then Le Soleil is just for you. This palette was hand-crafted by Keren Craig, so it's like having a pro right there next to you. You simply can't screw up because the colours and textures have been so carefully selected and created. Don't you wish all of your makeup came with this kind of insurance? Concealer keeps your skin light where it's naturally dark and Bronzer kisses your cheeks with a soft, warm glow.  Le Caramel Lip Gloss is one of the most flattering , sexy products I've ever tried and the Le Fauve Eye Shadow is ever so natural, but not too much so that it fades into the background. Oh no, this look is completely sexy.

And adding to their appeal is their fragrance. It is like being at a makeup counter with fragrances swirling around you as lip gloss is daubed and powder puffed.  Ooh, it's so feminine.

And speaking of lip gloss, I absolutely adore the Double Entendre Lip Glosses!

There are 4 dual-ended lip glosses, 8 shades in total, but blend them and you've got 16 new lip glosses to take you through the seasons. How brilliant is that?!

La Figue/La Raisin  is a creamy combination of plum and shimmering neutral

La Feu/La Glace is radiant red balanced with a lush mauve

L’embrasse/Le Passion  is a unity between a bittersweet chocolate and blushing bronze

La Rouge/La Nude is a shimmering nude matched by a golden raspberry hue

You can tell how incredibly well-crafted they are by how wonderfully they go on - smooth, creamy, rich in emollients and oh-so soft. My lips feel completely and utterly pampered. Like they're ensconced in satin. 

If you want to look fabulous, you've got to get yourself the Marchesa for Le Métier de Beauté Collection.

You can find it at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman nationwide.

Photojojo's Mobile Phone Camera Lenses Add A Whole New Dimension!

Photography has become a viable hobby for many people, know that we all have digital cameras and cellphones and can post things online in just a few seconds.

Photojojo is one of the best places online to learn how to take amazing pictures and use simple tricks to take them up a notch. Their newsletter drops them right into your inbox twice a week.  You won't believe how much fun it is to do their suggested projects like How to Turn Black & White Photos into Full Colour Images and How to Make Your Cell Phone Look Like Your Favourite Camera!

 

And you've got to check out their store - there is so much to see and do!

As a person always on the go, I don't always remember to bring my camera with me, but I do keep my cellphone on my person at all times.

That's why I am lovin' Photojojo's Fisheye, Macro, and Wide Angle Camera Phone Lenses. I can be quite the photog without having to lug around big, heavy equipment or have to remember to pack my camera wherever I'm going.

And since Photojojo is all about quality, you get high-clarity glass cell phone lenses that are just like what the pros use, except these are made camera phone-size. Aww!

The fisheye and combo wide-angle/macro lenses can be bought bundled, or separately. I recommend getting both, so that you have a range to choose from when out in the field!

Buy the Fisheye, Macro, and Wide Angle Camera Phone Lenses at the Photojojo Store!

What I love is that they don't just work with iPhones (in fact, the sticky lens rings don't actually work with the new iPhone 4, so ha!), but with my Blackberry and older flip phones. Soo cool!

You simply stick the detachable magnetic ring around your cell's lens and then add either the wide-angle/macro lens (good for capturing a lot of stuff in one frame or great detail, like the picture of the couple at the top of this post) or the fisheye lens for a psychedelic take on things.

Here's a photo of my "home office" (read: desk at the end of our bed - sorry for the mess) using the fisheye lens.

Isn't that fun?

Each lens comes with 2 magnetic rings (4 in the bundle) and a lens cap, so you can keep them tucked away in your bag safely for when you want to capture the moment.

Buy yourself some and then get a bunch of gifts.  Because we both know it's a way cooler gift than that sweater you were going to buy. And with Christmas less than 2 months away (I know, I know), you'd better start thinking about this stuff.

Photojojo rocks my world. Go ahead and rock yours too!

Pass On Your Best Wishes with Regreet!

I still believe in sending cards and letters through the mail.

Call me old fashioned, but I love giving people something to hold onto. Doesn't it feel like so much more than an email? I think so.

And I know that you might be thinking - we shouldn't be wasting paper!

I don't think it's a waste at all, but I do think that Regreet has come up with a fantastic solution to sending cards AND saving the planet and yourself some money. Have you seen how much cards are these days?

Watch the video to see how it works (Christy Eichers, President & Founder, explains it so much better than I could)!

Isn't that amazing? You can repurpose 8 cards with just Regreet Greeting Kit!

Each greeting kit contains:

- Materials to repurpose four greeting cards (4 journey labels, 4 signature labels, 4 sheets of notepaper, 4 envelopes)

- Four hop along kits to ensure each card continues on its journey (4 signature labels, 4 sheets of notepaper, 4 envelopes). Send one of these kits along with a card you regreet so the recipient can keep it going (and you can watch its progress online!)

I've already used almost all of my kit up - we have 12 birthdays in November alone!

And here's a great idea: Once you've received cards for your birthday, anniversary, etc., put them in this amazingly sturdy and beautifully designed Greeting Card Organizer. That way, when March rolls around and it's time to send off birthday greetings to Uncle Joe, you've got a card ready and waiting!  

Just imagine the time, energy, money and stress you'll save by having both of these amazing items in your life!

Life is hard enough without having to rush around to get yet another card for yet another occasion. Use Regreet and save yourself and the planet.

It just makes sense!

Announcement: Congratulations Tyyne! You Are The Winner of The Knack Prize Pack!

Recently, I held a contest and the lovely Tyyne won with posting the comments below.

Congratulations, Tyyne! You have won a knack prize pack, full of lots of goodies.  And thanks so much for your comments.

I have made a page for testimonials, so if you love the knack, post yours below and I'll be sure to add them!

As well, I'm going to be holding many more contests and giveaways here at the knack, so be sure to check in daily or simply subscribe and get it emailed to you every day - including weekends.

Many thanks and warmest wishes,

Stephanie

****

Hi Stephanie,

I absolutely LOVE your blog. I have ordered products based on your reviews more than once, recommended items to family and friends (and showed them your reviews!), and browsed the web sites for many more items that I have not purchased.

My favourite thing about your blog is that you feature products that are available either online or in stores in Canada. Being from Manitoba, it's frustrating reading magazines, shopping sites, and blogs only to discover that the products featured don't ship north of the 49th parallel.

I love your humour and your intelligent writing style. Thank you for the fantastic blog! I will continue to read and recommend it.

- Tyyne

New Feature Added: You Might Also Like!

Each post will now have a feature - You Might Also Like.

This will link similar posts, so that if you're looking for new haircare for example, you can click on posts of other products at the end of each post easily, without having to search with keywords or use the categories list.

You can access way more information with just a click.

Ooh, I really like this!

Do you?

Please tell me in the comments. I am trying to add new features all the time that will help you access the information you need, without cluttering the site. I would love to hear from you!

Many thanks and warmest wishes,

Stephanie

Discover IT&LY Hairfashion's Fantastic Purity Design Hair Care

Sometimes you get to try a product that changes everything.

That's how I feel after using IT&LY Hairfashion's Purity Design Hair Care.

Their Purity Design Shampoo & Conditioner transforms my hair from a tangled mess to streamlined locks.  

In just one wash. 

I go from looking like Edward Scissorhands to Charlize Theron.

And that's all before styling and applying product. Oh, and they smell incredible, so don't be surprised if you find yourself lingering in the shower for longer than usual.

And speaking of amazing scents, I swoon each and every time I apply Pure Water Drops.  It is like perfume for your hair!  This finishing product infuses your hair with deep hydration and immense shine, all the while, protecting your (now) beautiful locks from sun's damaging UV rays. It adds immediate gloss and shine to your hair, while smoothing it into place and will even help to detangle it, if you apply it when wet.

There are gels and glazes too. Whatever you need to make your hair look so much better than it is, Purity Design has got it!

Find out where to get IT&LY Hairfashion's Purity Design Hair Care Products near you and have the hair you've always wanted!

Look Extraordinary With Lancôme's Incredible Skincare & Makeup

Lately, my sleep is all over the place.

There was the bake-off this past weekend, my radio show Tuesday and my fella Scott is in crazy production mode for his newly launched series, Tights & Fishes: Ashes, so sometimes we have dinner at 11 pm, which means we're not in bed until 2 or 3.

Needless to say, I've been feeling pretty ragged.

But thanks to Lancôme's amazing skincare and makeup, you can't tell!

In the morning, I apply Lancôme's Hydra Zen Neurocalm (pictured above) and all of the signs of lack of sleep, stress and general disarray slip into oblivion. 

Immediately.

All day long my skin looks plump and supple, no matter what my sleep patterns.

And not only are the results phenomenal but I love the feel of this gel-cream. It soaks your skin with moisture upon application and the scent is so luxurious - I feel like a movie star when I apply Hydra Zen! 

Before bed, I put on Génefique Repair. So now I'm waking up without looking ragged in the least.  That's because Génefique Repair works while you sleep!  

The first morning after, skin looks smoother and fresher, and the more you use it, the more rested you look. As if you had "slept 2 hours more," in fact. 

And the cream is so rich and nourishing, it's a delight to put it on before going to sleep. I actually look forward to it. Can you think of any beauty regimen that you look forward to?

Armed with these 2 creams alone, I look and feel about 5 years younger and my skin is COMPLETELY FLAWLESS.

Yes, COMPLETELY.

And because I like a completely natural look when it comes to makeup, I am smitten with Lancôme's Teint Idole Fresh Wear Matte Foundation.

It goes on lightly, but gives me the coverage I need - pores and spots disappear.  Without being powdery, cakey or shiny, it is incredibly soft, both in look and feel. That's because it's suffused with water molecules, so your skin is being hydrated while you apply it with complete ease.

Oh, and by the way, it lasts for 18 hours!

Which, let's face it, how long some of our days last, right? This makeup keeps up with you are your demanding schedule.

It stays matte, so you don't have to worry about daubing at your face throughout the day to rid it of inevitable shine.  One less thing you have to worry about - check!

I'm wearing Buff 5C, which doesn't leave a dark line along my jaw like other brands, and for once, I don't feel like I'm wearing foundation at all. It is that light.

And with SPF 15 Sunscreen built right in, you can apply your makeup and get outta the house without having to remember to apply one more lotion or cream.

Lancôme is one of the few skincare and cosmetic companies that not only delivers its promises to transform your look - it exceeds them. 

Shop now and look extraordinary in an instant with Lancôme. 

Build & Customize Your Own Notebook With Rollabind

Just as we all like our breakfast a certain way, we all like a specific kind of notebook.

Many of my writer friends like blank pages in which to scrawl.  My Mom loves graph paper. Artist friends of course like sketchbooks.  I like lined paper to capture my thoughts. 

And then there's the size, cover, types of pages, etc. to consider.

That's why  Rollabind Notebooks are so ingenious!

Not only can you select each and every aspect of your notebook, it has "the flexibility of a three ring binder with the convenience of a spiral notebook."

Ooh, you can take pages in and out - organizing your thoughts after you've got it all down on paper, because who writes in an organized and logical fashion? This is a fantastic feature for those of us working on big projects like books (I'm able to organize my various thoughts into single chapters with just a few quick motions! Brilliant!) or if you are constantly trying to simply keep track of everything in your life and you want to keep it all in one place (phew!).

You can use different sizes of paper in the same notebook, so you can draft up notes in your meeting notebook and insert them into your project notebook, so that you have everything accessible IN ONE PLACE!

Revolutionary, my friends. 

I like it for my GTD notes, as well as keeping all of my various ongoing jobs organized.  And get this - each notebook lays flat and the pages turn 360 degrees, so you can write comfortably at your desk or on the go! 

I am currently writing in the Letter Size Rollabind Notebook with Translucent Cover (in Orange, pictured above).

The cover - 9 1/4 x 11 1/2 in - fits my lettersize paper, 60 ruled pages, beautifully.  And the 11 discs match the cover so that you are as stylish with your accessories as with your wardrobe choices.

The cover is made out of durable .30 gauge density polyethylene plastic, so you can protect your notes no matter what the weather.  

And I got an extra pack of paper because knowing me, it won't be long before I fill this l'il beauty up!

I love my Rollabind Notebook.  

Which one are you going to get?

Just in Time for Halloween: The New Rimmel Lineup!

I tried a few Rimmel London products in years past and always loved the results.

So when the new Fall lineup arrived, I was extremely excited to see what they'd come up with.

For that vampy, halloween look, you've got to get Stay Glossy in Black Diva!

Shiny lips for up to 6 hours means that you can trick-or-treat or party on Hallow's Eve without ever having to reapply.  Ooh, you're going to look good!

And for a great Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe or Elvira look, get GLAM'EYES Professional Liquid Liner in Black Glamour!  The tiny brush allows you to get a smooth line along your lashes.  Thick or thin, your eyes will look spectacular. And this is not just for Halloween, folks. I'm using this for my everyday look.

Same goes for the mascara.  Upon my first application of GLAM'EYES Mascara (pictured above) I was hooked!

First of all, I love the brush. I've never seen one like this before - elasto-bristles that reach every lash, root to tip.  The mascara goes on like glossy paint instead of clumpy porridge and makes it so easy to get a dramatic look with just a few quick swipes.  I tried it in Extreme Black and looooove the way it made my eyes stand out.  Why would you want to use anything else?

And to complete your look from head to toe, apply Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel. I put on Violet Metal and got compliments left and right.

What I love about the colour is that it is a little bit edgy, a little bit feminine, so I wear it a lot.  And it lasts, no matter what I do.  I like that it's uber glossy and that the colour shifts depending upon the light, like a hologram.  

And the Mistake-Free Pro brush is incredible. I've never seen a wide angled brush like this.  It has more than 800 fine textured bristles, so you can apply your polish like a pro - one stroke in the middle and one on either side.  No streaks and no going outside the lines - awesome.

Rimmel London continues to make affordable makeup that suits my modern lifestyle.

Go get yourself a bunch. You can stock up and still have money left over for your essentials!

The LoPocket - Your Boot's New BFF

Have you felt my purse lately? It weighs a ton.

So any chance to just take a few things with me on a walk or a quick run to the store is greatly appreciated!

But I didn't expect it be look so good.

The LoPocket is a brilliant invention - it allows you to carry your cellphone (it fits the iPhone and Blackberry, for instance), money, keys, cards (so many cards!), makeup and whatever else you deem necessary, while adorning your boot with flair and jauntiness.

The pocket is made of durable, sturdy 100% cotton that closes with a neat gold clasp. A black elastic band wraps around your boot (or pant cuff), keeping your valuables secure and giving your boot added personality.

Made in Portland, Oregon, these little beauties are fun, fashionable and a fantastic Fall & Winter addition to your wardrobe.

Choose your colour and be free, finally, of your heavy handbag!

Make Pizza & Other Baked Goods Just Like the Pros With Super Peel!

I am in a baking competition tomorrow night even though I am a complete novice when it comes to cookies, cakes and assorted baked goods (cooking, however, I can handle).

What I've learned about baking so far is that it is about the tools you use as much as the ingredients you use.

So when I saw the Super Peel, I knew I had to add it to my pantry.

The Super Peel allows you to move your dough - whether it's a pizza crust, olive foccacia or a loaf of cheddar cheese bread - easily to and from the oven.

As you know, dough can be extremely sticky, so why fumble on your own when the Super Peel can handle it like a pro for you?  As it states on the website, "It can pick up almost any dough, even if partially stuck to your preparation surface, transport it, and then put it down again, gently and precisely, exactly where you want it, all without sticking, distortion of shape, ripping, deflation or other common problem."

I am just starting to understand baking and I think it is difficult enough to just combine everything just right without having to worry about dropping the dough or getting it stuck on something.  Ugh.

Thanks to a solid board, a contoured handle for an easy grip and an easy finish that allows you to transport your baked goods with ease, you can become an expert home baker in no time!  

And plus, it so much fun to use (don't be surprised if you start singing, "Mamma Mia, Pizzeria, la, la, la, la la...Hey!")

If you bake at all, I highly recommend buying the Super Peel.  

Ooh, it makes a great gift too.

Get On The Road to Better Health With The Stylewellness AcuMat

At first glance, you might think the AcuMat looks a little medieval.

But trust me - it's pure and utter bliss.

Used for relaxation and in yoga and meditation practices, the AcuMat is based on Eastern medicine and has recently had a resurgence in Sweden (one of the healthiest places in the world).

What is so fascinating about the AcuMat is that while it may look like a bed of nails and if you just touch one of the spikes with your finger, it is quite sharp. But like walking across hot coals (so I've heard - I've never actually done it), when you place all of your weight on it at once, it doesn't hurt at all.

My Mom and I tested it out in the living room one night and couldn't believe how immediately we felt different. We both lay on the comfy foam mattress covered in organic cotton and felt a heat along out backs that was both invigorating and relaxing all at once (you can place a cloth between you and the mat, though neither of us needed to).

Just by spending 20-30 minutes before going to sleep, you can reduce your stress and calm your mind.  See, the way it works is that the mat's pressure points releases endorphins, so you can relieve pain and stress just by accessing those various points in your body.

According to the Stylewellness, "Endorphins are vital to many bodily functions, including body temperature, blood pressure, skeletal muscle tone, breathing, heart rate, water-sodium balance, appetite, thirst, protein synthesis, lipolysis, hormonal balance, sexual motivation, peristalsis, immune activity, general alertness, pain perception, emotionality, and learning ability."

Pretty amazing how you can access all of those vital things about your health by just lying on a mat!

You can use it on a number of places - back and neck, abdomen, waist and thighs, feet, face and jaw.

I want to improve my health and I can't think of an easier, more relaxing way than the AcuMat.

Get yours now.

Be Good to the Planet with Simple Shoes' Sneakers

It's so lovely out today. Doesn't it make you want to go for a walk?

I'm walking in complete comfort, thanks to my Simple Shoes D-Kay Jute Sneakers (pictured above).

I wrote about Simple Shoes Flippee's back in the summer and loved that they were both eco-friendly and super comfortable. Now I can get that same joy throughout the fall in my sneaks!

I got them in white, but you may want to get one of the darker colours to go with your fall clothes.  

The jute and organic cotton blend uppers are darn cute. Paired with colourful certified organic cotton laces, you'll have the best looking pair of runners on the block.

With bottoms made of "super soft and squishy polyurethane foam and recycled rubber," a certified organic cotton lining and footbed, and biodegradable sole, you get the comfort, along with environmental responsibility and peace of mind.   

Simple Shoes: stylish, well-made and good for you AND the planet. Those other sneaker companies just can't compare.

Related Posts:
- Simple Shoes' Women's Flippee are Pretty, Earth-Friendly and Damn Comfortable

Be Pretty in Pink with Senna Cosmetics

In the latest editions of Vogue, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar, despite the chilly fall weather, pink makeup is right on target.

And Senna Cosmetics has got the perfect shades to make you look feminine and alluring.

Eye & Face Highlighting Colors allow you to highlight any feature - sweep over your eyelids for a base before applying colour or add to your cheeks and brows for a little spotlight.  These light pink hues are subtle enough that they don't overwhelm your complexion but highlight your best features.

And to keep your look light, Sheer Glow Eye Colours give you just a hint of colour. I like that you get a hint of colour without looking too made up, yet brings out the colours of your eyes. The light-reflecting properties are shimmery, not metallic or glittery, so don't worry - you'll  look like a grown up, just softer. Trust me, this is one of those items that once you try it, you won't be able to live without!

Ooh, I love Senna's Sheer Lipstick SPF! You know when you want a little colour, not a bright, matte mouth? These ballerina pinks give your lips just a little more colour and definition than your usual pout.

And because I know you're not ready to give up your lip gloss quite yet, you'd better get yourself some Lip Lacquer. You're going to love it for so many reasons:

1. it gives you the glassy look that you crave

2. it tastes like vanilla (!)

3. it lasts longer than those ones you're using now

See why I love Senna?

Go get yourself prettied up.

Related Posts:

- Get Primed with Senna Cosmetics!

Celebrate With Quady's Incredible Essensia Dessert Wine

Being a restaurant reviewer, I have had the luxury of being able to eat way beyond my means.

I have also been able to compare the good with the bad, the mediocre with the sublime.

Though I am in no way a sommelier or wine afficiendo, I have learned through many a tasting how to identify a well-crafted dessert wine.

A bad dessert wine is bracing, acidic and achingly sweet.

A great dessert wine is warm and slightly sweet.  Quady Winery has been making wine since 1975 and their Essensia (2007 World Wine Championship) is one of the best I've ever had.

I like the unexpected aroma of orange blossom and apricots. Made with 100% Orange Muscat grape from California, it is fruity, but subtle.  There is no sickly sweetness or stickiness that I've found with lesser wines, and the finish is just as exquisite as when it first reached your taste buds.

Aged in 3 months in French Oak, there is a richness that I haven't experienced before in dessert wine. So pair it with chocolate, fruit, dessert or serve it on its own after dinner.

If I could choose only one dessert wine, I would choose Essensia.

And with Thanksgiving,Christmas coming up and all of the dinners and gathering in between, don't you want a wine you can absolutely count on?

Discover Cute & Affordable Jewelry From Total She

My wardrobe tells of my many sides:

- sleek dresses, pencil skirts, flowing pants and dressy blouses for restaurant reviews and fancy nights out

- jeans, tees and casual tops for long walks and hanging out 

- workout gear for keeping slim, despite eating and sitting writing for a living

I think that your jewelry should tell a similar story.

Total She offers fun and flirty jewelry that won't cost an arm and a leg.  Choose from bracelets, earrings, pendants & chains, and personalized jewelry & gifts for both men and women.

Each piece is named for someone, such as the Grace CZ Pendant and Chrissy Bracelet with matching Meaghen earrings!

I got the Stephanie Earrings (pictured above) natch.

They are stainless steel and hypo-allergenic, so I can wear them without worry of infection. They are cute and really light. And since they're only $20, I can afford to get the Colleen Pendant (which will bring my friend Colleen to mind) and these pretty Audrey Earrings.

Choose jewelry from Total She and get pieces to match all your sides.

Take the Stress Out of Entertaining With Tastefully Small Savory Bites

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day in the States. 

Which means that many of us spent much of the weekend cooking up a storm for friends and family.

Having cooked dinners since a young age, I usually can come up with a main and sides with ease. But hors d'oeuvres? Ugh.

I usually have a hard time finding ones that are interesting, yet easy enough that I won't spend all night creating them while the rest of my dinner overcooks or burns.

So when I came across the Tastefully Small Series, I knew that I had found the perfect solution in Tastefully Small Savory Bites: Easy Sophisticated Hors D'oeuvres for Every Occasion by Kim Hendrickson.

Kim writes in the Introduction:

"The recipes in this book contain flavour combinations that I love, in shapes and presentations that will delight your guests yet can be made without anxiety or difficulty. Whether with drinks before dinner, an afternoon tea, or a sumptuous buffet, these recipes will wow your guests and leave you with energy to enjoy the party. These recipes are easy - and very far from the same old variations on meatballs and marinated shrimp."

There are 50 recipes to choose from, which means that I can entertain for until the spring and not have had to reuse a single recipe! And Kim has thoughtfully divided the recipes - seafood, meat, poultry and egg, vegetable and pastry-based bites, as well as naked canapes and helpful tips (like egg wash and estimating hors d'ouevre quantities) - so you can plan around your menu and any food allergies or sensitivities.

And just think about how awed your guests will be when you bring out Curried Cream Mussels, Persimmon Shrimp Bruschetta, Caramelized Onion Lamb Cups, Pulled Pork Scones, Mac 'n' Cheese Tomatoes and Wild Mushroom Rugelach.

What I love about Kim's food is that it is extremely impressive, but you don't have to flip through pages and pages of ingredients and directions. She keeps it simple, so that you can enjoy yourself without getting all stressed out.

I hope you don't mind, but I'm renaming this one my "Dinner Party Bible."

And next time you come 'round for drinks or dinner, don't give away my secret. There's nothing wrong with people thinking you've been slaving away in the kitchen all afternoon!

Get your copy now.

Take It Up a Notch With Talika's Bust Serum!

 

Today is my birthday and one of the best presents I've received is bigger breasts.

No, I didn't get implants or have surgery. Instead, about 45 days ago, I tried Talika's Bust Serum, which claims "One more cup size in 6 weeks, lift, firm! The first cosmetic product known to increase the volume of the breast while improving its lift and firmness."

Well, I can tell you that it does indeed work.

And for a girl that didn't develop until her late 20s (seriously), this was pretty exciting. 

My fella noticed how much higher and more pert they seemed. For me, I noticed the difference when I was cooking - my arms were blocked by something. Uh, my noticeably larger breasts.

I like that it was easy to do - no exercises or contraptions -you simply massage it from the base of the breasts to the neck line  in wide figure 8 movements. Pretty easy, right? I mean, you're applying moisturizer anyway...

I could go into all of the ingredients and what they do and why they work, but really, don't you just want to know that it works? That it really works? 'Nuff said.

According to Talika, "tests have proved that 80% of women saw an increase of 2 to 4 cm (1 to 1 3/4 in) in 6 weeks."

I didn't see any but my own, but I have to say, I'm thrilled with the results.

I'm off to celebrate my birthday with my fella and I think I'm going to wear my gray Joan from Mad Men dress. 

After all, now I've got the body for it.

Related Posts:

- Get the Most Beautiful Eyes with Talika!

Add Beauty & Intrigue to Your Walls With Kindling by James Jean

Many of our friends and neighbours are moving over the next couple of months.

After you've moved the boxes and unwrapped the dishes, the next place you tend to concentrate on are the walls.

If your friends are like mine, and are adventurous and excited by contemporary art, then I've got the perfect gift!

Kindling by James Jean contains 12 large-format removable prints that are ready for framing or can be hung with wire and pegs.

This artwork is like nothing you've seen before, though it might seem a little familiar.  Maybe you're thinking of Jean's award-winning covers for DC and Vertigo Comics or the "large-scale wallpaper drawings for Prada's Epicenter stores were turned into fabric prints and applied onto bags and shoes for their Spring /Summer 2008 collection."

I love the moodiness that he creates with each piece. His paintings have been described as "the worlds of animal, vegetable, mineral, and man merge in haunting dreamscape fantasias."

They are dark, yes, but not depressing. And the use of lines changes - sometimes bold and determined, sometimes soft and sketchy, like in Maze (pictured above).

Each piece has the painting on one side and sketches and preliminary art on the other. What a fantastic gift for an artist or art lover.

It comes in a beautiful portfolio that can be to tote and store drawings and papers

For me, the way you make your house a home is by the way you decorate it and fill it with things that mean something to you.

I'm putting Hare (pictured below) up in the living room. We might not be moving, but I love having artwork up that makes me feel good, that makes me think.

James Jean is one of the most important artists of our time. The worlds and characters he depicts are original, and yes, sometimes disturbing.

But I like art that pushes the edges and evokes a strong feeling.

And do you really want art that just blends into the background, that doesn't say anything?

I know art is subjective and not everyone will love Jean's work as much as I do, but I hope you'll take a look at it because each piece tells a different story and perhaps there will be one that speaks to you.

Buy the collection for your home or someone else's.