Dsolv Mesh Lawn Bags Make Working in the Yard a Dream!

Why are spending your weekends in the yard, trying to clean up all those leaves, sticks and yard waste? All that backbreaking work of getting and filling paper bags, only to have to do it all again in a week or two?!

Blech.

That's why you need dsolv mesh lawn bags!

Their inexpensive Starter Kit allows you to get rid of those awful paper bags and to clean up the yard in an instant!

You use the spring-loaded sleeve as a container and slip on one of the 8 dsolv bags that comes in your kit. The bags are made of biopolymer, so despite looking like large fishnet stocking, they are incredibly strong and flexible. You fill your bag with your yard debris and forget about ripped paper bags forever! They are strong enough to drag along your driveway even, so if you don't feel like carrying them, you don't have to - it's practically a vacation having to clean up the yard now!

The best part about these bags though is that they are compostable, just as the leaves and grass clippings that you've just filled it with are. So by taking out the paper equation, you are actually saving the environment by using the dsolv kit. And because each dsolv bag holds up to 45 gallons of yard waster, it's twice as much than a paper lawn bag. And because the sleeve holds the bag upright, you don't have to worry about it tipping over, so add as you go - even over a couple of days if you like!

dsolv has even gone that extra step and included an ergonomic handle so that you can carry your bags out to the curb - it will hold 3 at once, so you don't have to run back and forth down the driveway or laneway like you've had to in the past.

The Starter Kit includes a spring-loaded sleeve, 1 bag handle, and 8 dsolv bags. These items are all packed in a durable, fun pouch, handy for storage between uses.  And inexpensive Refills are available for when you run out of bags.

I don't know why you'd use anything else.

Buy a dsolv Starter Kit now and get your weekends back. Summer is going to go by like that.

Jockey's New Staycool T-Shirts are a Summer Necessity!

They say this summer is going to be sweltering. Does this mean you can't wear anything with sleeves?

Not if you get yourself Jockey's New Staycool T-Shirts - available for both men and women.

The way it works it that the fabric (95% cotton, 5% spandex blend) has been engineered to keep your skin 3° cooler than in other fabrics. The Outlast technology that Jockey has created not only gives you an advantage against the heat, but it's breathable too (there's nothing worse than feeling stifled in the heat). This video explains it further:

The tee is cut to look just like a regular one, except this one's super soft and comfortable, as well as flattering.  Because of the stretchy fabric blend, it's more fitted than your regular boxy shirt with narrow sleeve hems and bottom- skimming your body here and there, giving you a most enviable silhouette.

And it goes one step further - it's reversible! How amazing is that - you get a crew neck and v-neck in one. You just doubled your look with one great price!  It's machine wash and dryable, so no need to spend more money at the dry cleaners, like with your other tops.

There is a whole line of Jockey Staycool products - reversible tank, reversible t-shirt, bikini and brief underwear.

What are you waiting for? Shop now!

MEZZI's Royal Collection Molded Silver Laptop Case Makes a Memorable Gift

Are you still carrying around a messenger bag to haul your computer to work?

It's not 1996, you know.

Sigh. I know - it's hard to find a sleek case that looks good, but won't cost you a whole paycheck.

Well, I think I've got just the thing - MEZZI specializes in all kinds of cases that will take you from looking like you're applying for your first job to looking like the president of the company.

While there are hundreds and hundreds to choose from, I'm particularly taken with the Royal Collection Molded Silver 17.5" Laptop Case.

It oozes James Bond/fashion mogul, without being pretentious or brazen.

This stylin' aluminum case, complete with chromed handles, is a charmer from the get go. The exterior says that you're a professional, but style is important to you. The interior says "Wow!" Oh, and that  you are organized and on top of things too.

See, the soft magenta velvet lining with black leatherette trim is so stunning, that you'll want to keep everything neat and tidy so that you can enjoy the inside as much as the outside.

I love that there are so many dividers (3 with adjustable button straps) and pen slots (3). You can get everything you need when you need it. And to close all of your business deals and meetings, there's a business card pocket too. An accessory pouch keeps your phone, iPod or whatever else you like to carry with you and keep close at hand.

And if you have a big laptop like I do (with a screen up to 17.4"), you'll finally have a case it fits into (good luck trying to get it to fit in other cases, believe me). It comes with customizable foam, so you can pad your computer and other precious items to protect them from dust and bumps. And speaking of protection, there are dual-key latch locks, so you can keep everything safe and sound.

There is a cushiony, detachable shoulder strap as well as a strap inside, so you have a host of different options for carrying the case - which is fantastic for those times you're running for your bus/train/plane.

And little protective feet keep your case off the ground, so when you set it down, you don't have to constantly worry about the bottom getting scratched or dirty.

This is one wickedly handsome case. And it does so much. Can you say the same about that nylon thingy you've been carrying around for the last decade?

What an awesome gift this makes - for yourself, for a friend or colleague or for Dad. Father's Day is coming up...

Shop MEZZI's Royal Collection Molded Silver 17.5" Laptop Case now.

It's Easy to Look Good This Season, Thanks to Skinny Dips!

Thank goodness the weather is warming up. Do you feel your palate changing? A couple of weeks ago I was still craving stews and chilis, but these days, I'm thinking grilled chicken, big salads and dips.

Skinny Dips: 60 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Chips, and Salsas on the Lighter Side of Delicious by Diane Morgan is perfect for this time of year. Diane gives us full-bodied, vibrantly-tasting dips that also happen to be low calorie. And she doesn't do it with substitutions or sweeteners, thankfully. It's all made with whole, natural ingredients.

So whether you're making dips for a summer pool party, to take to someone's potluck dinner or want to make a light lunch, dinner or snack to enjoy at home, these recipes will definitely wow the crowd.

There are so many kinds of dips, you'll never run out of ideas for party snack again! Choose from Vegetable and Herb, Salsas, Guacamoles and Tapenades, Cheese and Tofu , Bean and Legume, Meat and Seafood and Crudites and Other Skinny Dippers. 

Friends and neighbours will be begging for the secret to your dips, such as Butternut Squah Bharit, Svelte Green Goddess Dip, Pomegranate, Orange & Avocado Salsa, Microbrew Cheddar Cheese Spread, Curry Pumpkin Hummus and Thai-Style Spicy Pork Dip!

To help keep you fitting into your summer dresses and capris, Diane's listed the calories of each recipe, as well as how big the recipe is, making it super easy to double or triple the amounts, depending on the size of your crowd. A Healthful Ingredient Glossary helps you with unfamiliar ingredients and recommendations. A section on Tips and Techniques helps guide you through the process of handling and cutting fresh chilies, roasting garlic, zesting citrus and other tasks that will make your dips stand out.

I am so grateful to have found this little gem. It's like having a party planning committee and restaurant menu options permanently at your side!

Buy your copy of Skinny Dips: 60 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Chips, and Salsas on the Lighter Side of Delicious by Diane Morgan  now!

Clancy's Fancy Hot Sauces are a Gourmand's Dream!

Hot sauces almost always deliver heat without much flavour.

It takes quite a bit of searching and tasting before you come across one that really stands out with flavours that penetrate your food and palate.

Created by Colleen Clancy, this sauce is like no other that you've ever had. It is fresh and full-bodied, savory with meaty, umami wickedness. It's no wonder, with ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, Michigan honey, wheat-free tamari, fresh garlic, cayenne peppers and molasses. I've had "gourmet" hot sauces before, but never anything with this kind of culinary pedigree.

There are 3 heat levels - Mild, Hot and Extra Hot - and I love each and every one equally. The Mild delivers a very mild heart but so much flavour that I've been covering much of my plates with it when I don't feel like anything spicy. When I'm in the mood for some heat, I turn it up a notch with Hot, which has some, but a very bearable amount of kick. The Extra Hot packs a wallop, but you still get so much flavour that it's just as addictive as the rest. I don't quite have my palate developed to handle the heat of this one, but I'm working on it!

I have to say that I want to carry a bottle around in my purse with me so that I'm never without it. It's making food without it seem like less than. Oh god, have I turned into one of those people who carries around her hot sauce like a crazy person?

Yes, I think I have folks.

And it's all Clancy's Fancy's fault.

Colleen, thank you so much for such a wonderful flavour journey each time I have one of your sauces. It is truly remarkable. It's also remarkable that I really don't like to have anything without a hit of your magic wonder in a bottle either. Bad news for someone that eats for a living.

p.s. If you're smart, you'll become a Clancy's Fan as I did.

OPI's New Brights Collection - Pirates of the Caribbean - Is a Treasure Trove

With the new Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides opening in theatres, there's no better time to rock the new collection by OPI.

The 6 Limited Edition Nail Lacquers in the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Collection includes:

Skull & Glossbones - a gorgeous putty gray that looks edgy no matter what it's paired with

Mermaid’s Tears - a wonderfully soothing seafoam that is somehow quite feminine
Steady as She Rose - an impossibly light pink that should be called "I Do"
Planks a Lot - a deep, creamy lavender that reminds me of the grape ice cream of my youth
Sparrow Me the Drama - one of my favourite pinks of all time, so cheery and flattering
Stranger Tides - high-end and yet unusual, you'll be drawn to this like a bad boy 

The line also includes a new Silver Shatter. Remember how much I loved Black Shatter? Well, the Silver is perfect for Spring/Summer. The shade leaves a two-texture silver finish, giving your nails a truly wicked look and giving longevity to your colour collection.

The lacquers go on super easy and clean, thanks to OPI’s exclusive ProWide Brush  and they don't have any DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, so your nails look and stay healthy.

The is by far one of my favourite collections of all time. It features pretty and classic colours alongside futuristic ones, giving you something to wear for every mood and occasion.

Get the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Collection  now.

Why Use Regular Makeup When You Can Look Younger with Dalton Cosmetics?

Makeup that makes you look younger? Well, you must have to have the skills of an experienced makeup artist then, you say.

No, and that's just part of the genius behind Dalton Cosmetics. Just look at how beautiful and youthful Founder Doris Dalton is. Talk about a walking advertisement for your product! I want to look this good, don't you?Like many products, the line was created to fill a dire need:

Dalton was created "shortly after Doris experienced a life changing event. In 2006 Doris was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Losing most of her eyebrow hair, she longed for natural looking and long lasting product that would cover where her brows had shed. After countless formulas, she created a product that not only looks completely natural, but nourishes and is long lasting. It was a hit from the moment it aired, selling out numerous times and still staying in demand until this day. Doris saw and relished in the the appreciation of her consumers. It was that altruistic appreciation that drove Dalton to further improve the cosmetic landscape.

After creating her first product, it was Doris' desire to innovate that lead her to create her line. With her academic grounding in anatomy, biology, and chemistry, she became convinced she could formulate a line that would be an alternative to cosmetics surgery. "

I love that this line is about "age reversal beauty." Don't you find that many of your cosmetics are about masking your features instead of revealing your given beauty?

That's why I love Dalton's Mirage Blending Powder. It gives your skin the perfection it deserves by gently blending your skintone to one luscious colour. It softens fine lines, winkles and pores by using multi-tonal pigments . With just a single sweep (using the coolest looking brush I've ever seen!) across your face, you get a perfect finish, all with anti-aging ingredients (vitamins A & E) working to keep your skin looking just like this.

The 3-in-1 Multitasking Foundation is remarkable as well. It contains an exclusive silicon complex that keeps your makeup in place, no matter how warm the weather or how long your workday.  You can even workout in it, as it's "virtually sweat proof." It also minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and covers up dark undereye circles and acts as an eyeshadow primer as well.

I love how it feels when it goes on - smooth without being oily and then it dries almost immediately to a matte finish. You'll feel like a pro! And get a shade that's just right for you. Select from Fair, Light, Medium, Tan and Dark (I am awfully pale, but Light worked perfectly on me).

And speaking of pale, you're going to swoon for the Golden Pearl Bronzing Powder with Puki Brush. Using crushed golden pearl essence, you get that sun-kissed, golden glow that you could only previously get while away on holiday! In addition to a sexy look, soy peptides, hyaluronic spheres, wheat protein and vitamins swirl together effortlessly to give you a professional look - no embarrassing streaks or brick-coloured splotches here.  And you'll love the soft feel of the brush. I did my shoulders and decolletage as well - ooh la la! p.s. It's also the biggest bronzing compact I've ever seen - it's the size of a pancake!

For truly striking eyes, I paired the Eye-volution Eye Powder Trio with the Airless Cream Eyeliner with Dermaflex Techonology.You know what a makeup klutz I am, but these were so easy to apply! The Natural Hair Eyeliner Brush is the best I've ever used - not one mistake, just smooth lines. I feel like a movie star with these eyes!

Dalton's Colour Creme Lip Gloss Collection (pictured above) is movie star worthy too - 4 high-shine glosses plump and moisturize your lips using Dalton's own collagen tri peptides. The gorgeous retractable brush lets you apply them perfectly. I have never had a gloss be this moisturizing before. It's like a spa treatment  combined with the high gloss look that you crave. These are going in my best of 2011 picks for sure!

It's your time to shine and look younger, look amazing - shop for Dalton Cosmetics now at QVC.

Rock Your Style & Help Japan & New Orleans With what'Surbag - The Most Comfy Tote EVER!

It all started with just one bag.

what’Surbag now thankfully has whole new lines of specially designed reusable tote bags.They are made in New Orleans.

But these are unlike any other tote you've had before - they are super stretchy, uber comfy, completely weightless and extremely fashionable. They come in different sizes so whether you want to head to the beach, the mall, the office or the bookstore, they will keep all your stuff together - medium, large, backpack, pouch, tech tote, travel laundry, travel shoe, travel lingerie, travel toiletry and cosmetic bag.  And all these different looks - metallics, patterns and solids. You won't be able to choose just one!

After you've used a what’Surbag, it's hard to go back to a regular cotton or nylon one. Because the ‘its-laS-tik’ line uses a special flexible nylon and lycra fabric blend, your bag bounces along your side. It is the most awesome feeling in the world. And because it boings along, you feel the weight of your stuff less!

And don't worry, the bag will spring back to its original shape when you remove your items from it. You can wash it, roll it, fold it, scrunch it. It really doesn't take up any room at all!

You can also support and amazing cause while having the coolest tote on the block.  To support efforts to help the Japanese dealing with the multiple disasters in their time of need, what’Surbag created special tote bags to convey a message of HOPE and STRENGTH.

As a member of the Ganbare Nippon Project (Ganbare means “persevere during challenging times” in Japanese),This special charity project has been voluntarily launched at participating retail stores throughout Japan and the United States.

100% of profits from the Hope and Strength Japan effort will be donated to the American Red Cross “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.”

I'm rocking the silver Hope Japan Tote (pictured above) and I couldn't love it more. It goes everywhere I go and so does the message.

Get your what'Surbag totes  and help Japan and New Orleans now.

It's more than just a bag.

Bring the Gallery to You - And Your Friends - with David Choe: 30 Postcards

David Choe: 30 Postcards is a collection of "hyperkinetic illustration, pop portraits, and raw, graffiti-fueled paintings" featured on 30 different postcards.

This fascinating street and gallery artist is one of the best illustrators of our time. Using everything from oil paint, watercolours, spray paint, collage, blood and body parts and often mixing them together, David Choe gets under you skin and right into your soul.

In fact, you'll be so moved by David's images that you might not send all of the postcards to friends, family and colleagues. If you're like me, you'll be keeping a bunch, framing them and putting them up at home and the office. I love how provocative they are. Some are fierce while other images are heartbreaking. A few of the postcards made me laugh, where others are so thought-provoking, many minutes passed before I looked away.

One of my favourites is "Bangs" (pictured above). There is so much mood and emotion here, you don't need to see her eyes to feel it.

Send David Choe: 30 Postcards out into the world. And keep a few for yourself. 

Win-win.

Shop the Season with Earth Creations' Sustainable & Organic Cotton Clothing

Ugh. Have you looked in your closet lately?

There's nothing to wear!

That's why you need Earth Creations eco, pure and simple clothing.

Fashionable beyond belief, you'd never know that they were made out of mud! Well, kind of. Here's the story:

"Earth creations evolved from an ordinary bike ride. One day after a storm, Joy took her mountain bike out for some off-roading and ended up covered with Alabama red dirt. Despite many tumbles through the washing machine, the shirt, socks, and shoes remained stubbornly stained by that mud! When Joy and Martin met years later, Martin was intrigued by the strength of that red clay. Where most people saw ruined clothes, Martin saw potential. Armed with his background in chemistry, concern for the environment, and a natural curiosity, Martin began experimenting with the clay as a dye for T-shirts.

That was almost 17 years ago. Our garments are still colored with natural clay dyes using the process Martin originally developed. From the first 'Alabama Dirt Shirt' tinted with that infamous red clay, earth creations has grown into a full line of organic T-shirts dyed in a rainbow of colors for men, women, and children. We also have a complete casual wear line for women made from sustainable fibers."

Founders Joy Maples and Martin Ledvina are really onto something here. 

Check out the gorgeous Tiki Top (pictured above) that I got in Sunstone. It's the perfect spring/summer top. Dusty rose is one of the top colours of the season and with the 100% organic cotton crocheted yokes with elasticized rouched shoulders and 100% organic cotton jersey fitted bottom, it fits and slouches in all the right places. It looks like 2012, yet it got a 1963 vibe to it. 

It looks fantastically sexy paired with jeans, slim capris or skirt. It can look dressed up or dressed down just based on what bottom you wear it with. And because of the crocheted peek-a-boo top, you don't have to accessorize at all, making like a whole lot easier and less time at home getting ready!

And because this spring hasn't been exactly warm, I envelope myself in my Juneau Jacket pretty much every day. Both because it looks so good and is so comfortable, I can't bear to slip on my other coats!

 

I love the range of summery colours that are available, but I went with Black (it just goes with everything).  This too is something that can look both easy-breezy casual or ooh-la-la dressy. The tie front and shawl collar give it an operatic presence, while the princess seam fitting lines show off the intricate detailing and fine finishing. It's incredibly flattering, thanks to being semi-fitted, so you can wear it with pants or dresses - widening your wardrobe options even further. And the material feels fantastic against your skin. It's no wonder I never want to take it off: 66% bamboo, 28% organic cotton and 6% spandex french terry blend together in a cozy, but never too warm concoction.

I want one of everything at Earth Creations!

 

Shop it all now - women, men and youth/infant - and get yourself a wardrobe that is good for you and to you.

Want Younger Looking Skin? Discover Dr. Gerald Imber's Youth Corridor Anti-Aging System

Don't you feel like life, no matter how much you try to balance and simplify, is getting faster and harder?

I do, and you can see it in my face - my frown lines that used to come and go and now permanently reside between my brows, the lines underneath and around my eyes that reveal sleepless nights and stress. So when I found Dr. Gerald Imber's Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum, I was elated. Finally, something to combat my ragged skin.

Using powerful ingredients - 10% Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Melatonin - this anti-aging skincare product works to "deliver free radical fighting antioxidants into the skin where they encourage collagen production, reverse sun damage, and inhibit inflammation from sun exposure."

Your skin is protected against environmental damage and inflammation. Collagen and elastin production kicks into high gear, giving your skin that suppleness that you often only see on the red carpet. Which Dr. Imber knows a lot about as he's "a renowned plastic surgeon to the stars." 

See, the combination of these ingredients that Dr. Imber's created, work to give you that youthful, glowing skin that you had back in your teens and twenties. There's a whole whack of scientific research and development that's gone into this, as well as long names and terms that would impress the hell out of you, but I like to keep things simple:

This stuff works.

And it's so easy to use - just wash your face before bed. Apply 3 to 6 drops of Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum to the back of your hand. Put on your face, neck and upper chest using your finer tips and then rub the remaining serum into the back of your hands.

You'll wake up with skin that will have people wondering, "What is she doing to look so good, so youthful?" Your circumstances haven't changed - emails to answer, laundry to do, proposals and presentations to write - but your skin sure has.

It's up to you if you want to just keep it our little secret. Me? I'm telling the world because something this astounding shouldn't be kept under wraps.

Get your own Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum now and look like you did back in the day.

Want a Truly Fun & Original Case for Your iPhone 4? Get the Arkhippo from ARKWHAT

Many iPhone 4 cases look the same.

Don't you want something that stands out, that says "I am not just a follower?" Don't you want something that rocks as hard as you do? I've got to say, that's extremely hard to find.

But then I found Arkwhat's ArtHippo I and it was like when you meet someone that likes the same band out of Utrecht or read your favourite book more times than you ever did.

It was love at first sight.

There is something so freakin' amazing about this design. Arkwhat's ballsy, inventive move to make something this big, with  this much impact... it's like no other case in the world.

Using a material called EVA, it is firm, yet a little squishy, making is super comfortable to talk on the phone. And because it's got such a wide back (think of old televisions), you can use it as a stand - either vertically or horizontally - so watching videos or your favourite shows is now a helluva lot more fun.

And while this is one of the most incredibly unique cases I've ever seen, it's still got all the protective power you want and need for your phone. There's a speaker and mic opening at the bottom and to adjust the volume? You push on the case. Now that's fun.

 

There are 7 colours to choose from. I got the hot pink, which isn't girly in the least. In fact, it looks more Andy Warhol than Legally Blonde.

 

This is going in my pick of best gifts and designs of 2011.

If you want to get an amazingly original gift for someone, I recommend the Arkwhat ArkHippo I. They'll think of you every time they use it.

Shop the ArkHippo I Collection now.

Bring Summer A Little Closer with FCUK's NEW Limited-Edition Summer Scents!

The warm weather hasn't quite arrived to my part of the universe, but my mind is already thinking: mojitos on the patio, shimmery tank tops and light, frilly dresses and spending long evenings outside in the warm air.

So I've brought summer to me in the way of French Connection's NEW LIMITED-EDITION fragrance, FCUK Summer For Her (pictured above).

It's fruity and floral, playful and light. Which is exactly what you want at this time of year. Mango and apple tart add vibrancy while freesia and mimosa makes you feel like you're in the middle of a garden. Sheer patchouli, amber and musk mimic the sun's warmth, so that summer feeling stays with you, no matter what the temperature outside.

I like this scent because it is so many things at once - just like you and me. It's sharp and sexy without being too cloying or invasive. It's just the right amount of oomph. Know what I mean?  And the bottle is fantastic - firey orange and yellow just ooze the summer heat.

There is also a matching FCUK Summer for Him that is a super sexy concoction of sea spray accord,  warm sage and drift wood, amongst other invigorating ingredients. It's super manly without being heavy in the least. And the bottle's the same as the ladies', but in a cool water blue mix. Mmm...

Long hot summer? It will be now that we've got the FCUK Summer Collection!

Svelte in a Swimsuit? Absolutely, with Rodial's Crash Diet & Tummy Tuck!

I was nowhere near ready to bare any part of myself when the weather warmed up. 

Nu uh.

Canadian winters are long and frightfully cold, so "comfort food" takes on a whole new meaning at this time of year. So by the time the ice starts to melt and we switch from down to jean jackets, it takes my mind and body a whole lot longer to feel comfortable being exposed in warmer temperatures.

Luckily, I had Rodial Skincare by my side. And I needed something quick! Rodial "delivers targeted treatments to specific skin concerns combining the best of anti-aging and firming ingredients." So I knew I had a fighting chance by using their Crash Diet and Tummy Tuck. 

Crash Diet is your "ultimate slimming companion." Hallelujah and amen! Because while I could do this alone with healthy eating and exercise (which I'm doing), I wouldn't be able to do it this fast!

See, all you do is massage on the gel twice a day for just 2 weeks after warming up your body with gentle exercise (I put it on after a long walk of after dancing around the house to a couple rockin' songs). You put it on using upward strokes, "starting from the feet and moving to hips, thighs and bum." The gel is formulated to break down the stubborn fat that's hanging on like that cat in a tree poster from the 70s. While it's doing that, it reduces fluid retention (bye, bye pounds!) and works on enhancing your weight loss. 

I know what you're thinking - a gel can't do all of that. 

You're wrong. 

I noticed results after just a few applications and after just 2 weeks,I slid into a pair of pants that I normally had to shimmy my way into. I sat in a restaurant for an event for 5 hours and my dress felt comfortable the whole time - that never happens. Especially with all the food I eat. According to the company's stats, they found:

• Cellulite reduced by 32%
• Thigh/buttock girth reduced by 3.8%
• Firmness of skin improved by 60%
• Water retention reduced by up to 12% in 6 weeks

It's hard to believe until you see it for yourself, but I'm telling you - I look way better than I did a couple of weeks ago. I'm ready to don a tight dress again. For the first time in years.

To me, that makes it a miracle product.

The Tummy Tuck too! I haven't had a flat tummy since my twenties, but you should see me now! The flattening formula has lessened not only the inches around my waist,  but I look so toned now. And all without nary a sit-up. All  you have to to is put it on twice a day for 8 weeks. You massage it into your abs and tummy area using circular motions. An ingredient called Laracare "lifts, tones and plumps up skin whilst revitalising the overall look and texture of skin," while UC Peptide gets your body simultaneously burning fight.

By using this daily for 2 months, it's "clinically proven to reduce the abdominal area by up to 2 centimetres." I haven't finished my 8 weeks yet, but already I feel like a new, slimmer me.

Which means for once I'm not sweating trying out bathing suits or wearing a sexy little number that's been at the back of my closet since 2007.

Rodial Skincare's got your back. And your legs, buns, abs...

Shop the entire collection now and look fabulous just in time for capris, dresses and even shorts.

p.s. This is the first time that slimming products have smelled this good. Perfumed flowers encircle your body while your thighs, stomach and waist shrinks. Ahhhh.

Are Your Cosmetics All Over The Place? Organize Them In a Snap with Hold Me Bag

Do you have all of your makeup in one place, within reach and organized so that you don't have to cull through everything every morning?

Didn't think so.

That's why you need the Hold Me Bag.

It's a cosmetic bag like no other, with a large compartment on the left and a product and tool organizer on the right. I like that it separates the two so that you can easily access your eyeshadow and brush or lip liner and gloss, all in one fell swoop.

It's big - 22" wide - so you can really put all of your cosmetics in there (and I know you've got drawer fulls, sister!). Which is why makeup bags haven't worked for you in the past - you tried to cram everything into a teeny, tiny little thing. Ugh.

The design genius continues with a little pocket that you can store smaller items in and a removable and reversible bottom liner that you can use to further compartmentalize your products. Hey, if you're finally going to organize all of your stuff, you might as well go all the way! And in case you use Z Palettes - makeup free of packaging! - this case was made with them in mind, so get the perfect fit and stay organized whether you're at home or on the road.

The thick cloth of the Classic Black Bag (pictured above) is actually Knew Suede, a fabric that stands up to travel (it keeps it shape no matter how far you go) and wipes clean so easily, you'll wonder why all your clothes aren't made of it. That means, if your power does happen to implode or your foundation happen to leak, your makeup bag isn't ruined forever. In fact, with just a few swipes, it looks brand new again!

This fold-up, zip-up makeup case will take you from cluttered and disorganized to makeup artist pro in just one day.

Choose from a number of designs and patterns.

What are you waiting for? A new you is just around the corner!

Cocktails, Anyone? Ultimate Bar Book Has Got You Covered!

Because our summers are so short here, I think we tend to take them pretty seriously. So on the first warmish day, you'll see us outside on patios, imbibing in a cocktail or two. Sure we'll still have our coats on, but there's nothing more summery than taking a few minutes out to enjoy a good drink.

The problem happens when you get home and realize that all you know how to make are lame cocktails from the 90s. How are you supposed to entertain your friends serving Long Island Iced Teas and Rum & Cokes?

That's why you've got to get yourself a copy of Ultimate Bar Book. It has the classic drinks you've known and loved with an introduction to the newest drink recipes that will impress the crowd - and having them come back for more, no doubt!

You won't have to worry about running out because there are more than 1,000 recipes (that oughta get you through at least the summer!) and that's not just regular drinks - there's garnishes, rims, infusions, and syrups; punches, gelatin shooters, hot drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages here too.

And in case you've never really set up a home bar before, author Mittie Hellmich tells you everything you need to get started.

If you start now, you'll be ready to be the first to host a cool cocktails fete celebrating the season. Buy your copy of Ultimate Bar Book now and always be prepared to host a little soiree or a big blowout.

p.s. And in case you've celebrated a little too much, there are some hangover tips included in the book as well. It really does have everything!

Protect And Repair Your Hair from Sun Damage with Kérastase Soleil!

You've probably got into the habit of applying sunscreen to your face and exposed limbs before leaving the house, but what about your hair? It's dry enough without having the sun fry it any further!

Wearing a hat to protect your hair from the sun's damaging rays isn't always an option, so what else can you do?

Kérastase Soleil for sun-exposed hair is a new range of haircare products that protects, repairs and enhances your hair to vibrant and healthy new heights.

So if you plan on being outside at all this summer or in the water (are you really prepared to let your already delicate hair be penetrated by UV rays, salt and cholorine without any protection?), you're going to want to be using these powerful tools:

- Bain Après Soleil 

It only takes a small amount (just a quarter-size dollop that you massage in), but boy are the results massive! Your hair is gently cleansed and repaired, your colour is maintained and your hair will be detangled, soft and oh-so lush.

- Lait Richesse

In just a few minutes, this luxe conditioner gives your hair new life and transforms it into Hollywood hair. It will be strong and rejuvenated like never before (thank you provitamin B5 and ceramide). And you were just going to leave the house into the scorching sun with just your regular shampoo and conditioner. Sheesh. What were you thinking?

- Aqua Seal

This little wonder "seals the hair with a waterproof veil to protect against harmful UV rays and water aggressors" using a silicone derivative. I mean, who knew this kind of technology was even possible? Your hair becomes instantly more supple, smoother and shinier.

What I love about Aqua Seal is that you apply it on dry hair and leave on - no rinsing. That means it protects your hair forever and always when you have it on. If only life came with an Aqua Seal for everything!

And in case that's not enough to blow you away, all of these products win my award for best fresh-smelling haircare E-V-E-R! Oh my, it's just such a pleasure to use these, that you'll be tempted to wash your hair twice a day!

Shop the entire Kérastase Soleil Collection and have the summer  - and hair - of your life!

Slice - For When You Want to Just Cut to the Chase, or the Paper!

Have you ever gone to use your scissors to only be shocked by how dull they are? And aren't they just so bulky and uncomfortable to grip onto and use?

Slice has created a line of innovative household items such as Stainless Steel Scissors that are so beautifully designed, you'll wonder why you were stuck with those ugly black ones for all those years! They have paired with world-renowned designers to create objects of not only beauty, but function.

Designed by Karim Rashid, the Japanese stainless steel scissors (pictured above) are a work of art, but no so much that you can't use them. In fact, the hand-polished finger-grips are quite comfortable (whether you use your left or right hand!), despite the flat shape. The blades are sharp, so you can cut your way through stuff without having to use your hand for strength.

It's hard to find a good Letter Opener, but this one just zips through your envelopes, no matter how thin or thick. The zirconium oxide ceramic blade works on the envelope, not on your hand, so no more paper cuts or slicing your hand open. And because it's magnetized, you can always keep it within reach. And I know, just because you can open your bills faster, doesn't mean they'll necessarily get paid any sooner!

If you're at artist or tend to need to cut and open a lot of materials, you're going to love the Safety & Precision Cutters! The Slice Safety Cutter is not only a life-saver, but an immense time-saver. Opening and removing the shrink wrap from CDs and DVDs suddenly takes just one sec. Cut pictures and recipes out from magazines or articles from the paper smoothly and quickly! And there's that magnet again, so you won't lose it, or use the key-ring hole so that you can have it with you on the go.

The Precision Cutter is another Karim Rashid design. He's made this one safe and sharp, thanks the zirconium oxide blade and comfortable handle, so you can work your heart out without worry of it slipping. It also gives you great control so don't be surprised if you start doing intricate paper cutouts amidst the projects you're working on!

And for those of use, forever trying to find a vegetable peeler that actually:

- works

- and feels good in the hand

Slice and Karim Rashid have come up with a superb Vegetable Peeler - the Y-Peeler - that will have you eating more fruit and veggies than ever because it's so much fun and easy to use! The super-sharp ceramic blade gets through both soft and tough skins, and the handle is so comfortable, you'll want all of your kitchen utensils to come with the same comfy grip! That's neat is that the ceramic blade is "non-allergenic, chemically neutral, and impervious to acid, fat and salt. Won't brown food, transfer smells, or leave a metallic taste." I'd never even thought about those things before! No wonder it's recommended by the Cooking Club of America! 

Slice is really onto something here - making our everyday tools work in today's environments with our needs in mind. And despite using famous designers, Slice has managed to keep the tools at affordable prices, so you can have chic items without having to cough up a week's paycheck! 

And it's all for a good cause to boot: Slice was founded in 2008 by TJ Scimone as a way to help fund long-term care for his son, Alex, who is autistic. A minimum of 1% of all Slice product sales is donated to help fund autism research. By purchasing their products, you’re helping to find a cure for the millions of children and their families who live with autism every day.

Shop the entire Slice collection and get tools that fit in with your modern lifestyle. Isn't it about time?

Shop the Trends with Bizou Jewelry & Fashion Accessories

Every season it seems things have changed - baggy pants are now cigarette thin, blousy tops have turned boxy and where colour blocking and solids were hot, now it's all about prints.

How is a girl supposed to keep up, not only closet-wise, but money-wise?

I have found the perfect solution - Bizou!

Shop affordable, trendy jewelry and fashion accessories without having to spend hours scouring the mall. Choose perfect mix-and-match items to add a "hot off the runway" look to your wardrobe. And the best part? It won't cost you a fortune and there are styles and trends to suit everyone.

Take the leopard print for example. It's smokin' hot right now, but sometimes it can be too much. That's why you want to add just a hint of it. The Leopard Bow Headband is pretty and feminine with just a little edge to it. Yeah, that's perfect! Or what about this Watch with Printed Leopard Dial?

The white strap will look great against your tanned arm, the diamond-like jewels will catch the light while you sip drinks on the patio and the leopard-print face will remind you that you still have your wild side!

And let's be honest - you have a closet full of plain black shoes, don't you? Sister, I think it's high time you spiced it up a little. I adore these Floral Print Ballet Flats (pictured above). And they are so soft - even the sides and edges - so you won't have to spend the summer hobbling around with blisters and bandages like with most flats! And the delicate little print will sass up your skinny jeans, micro minis and maxi dresses in an instant.

These are just a few examples of all that Bizou has to offer, so shop the entire collection and get a wardrobe worthy of the catwalk without having to break the bank.

Send the Sweetest Note with Our Love Is Here to Stay: 15 Postcards of Affection by enormouschampion

Sometimes the shorter the note, the more meaningful it is.

As a professional writer, I know the power of just a few words and when you want to convey how much someone means to you, you don't need 7 pages of notes. Just a sentence or two will do.

And there's no more fun way than Our Love Is Here to Stay: 15 Postcards of Affection by enormouschampion.

Brooklyn's premier design studio enormouschampion creates one-of-a-kind stationery and art objects that are all at once beautiful, whimsical and downright lovely. This collection of love-themed postcards are a brilliant way to show that you care.

Printed with silver metallic ink, and with designs that are heartwarming and gorgeous, you'll no doubt have your recipient smiling and feeling pretty good about being so loved.

I love the typewriter note of "a message of my affection" and the unwound cassette tape spelling out "I really like you." You don't need to say much more than "our love is here to stay" or "you+me," which is great if you're the type to get tongue-tied or writer's block when it comes to your feelings.  Or a simple heart design or birds in a tree will do just fine.

I keep this incredible collection in my desk drawer and every so often I send a little love note off to a friend or colleague. It's a little thing, but what a special things.

Get Our Love Is Here to Stay:15 Postcards of Affection by enormouschampion now and share the love!

Make the Switch to All-Natural, Handcrafted Soap It Up Gourmet Soaps by Di

Recently, I realized that I had been buying some household, everyday products from the grocery or drugstore just because that's what I'd always done. But it would cost me less and be better for me and the earth if I bought natural products, so for the last few months, I've made the switch and I'm not going back!

For instance, instead of buying bars of chemical-ridden soap at the drugstore, I now look for natural ingredients and handcrafted by real folks, not machines.

Soap It Up are glycerin and goat's milk soaps that:

- are handcrafted and homemade

- are made of all natural ingredients

- are skin-safe

- are hypo-allergenic

- are available in different scents and varieties

- smell delicious

- look beautiful

- feel amazing (soft, moisturized skin is yours again!)

- are available for both men and women

- are insanely affordable!

I tried Beautiful, a perfume-scented glycerin soap made with palm and coconut oils.  Di came up with the perfect name, as it's the first word that comes to mind when you inhale the light, joyous scent. Also, the bar itself looks beautiful. The colour is like pink lemonade and really, what could be happier and more beautiful than that? This is one you'll buy over and over because it's absolutely perfect.

And Cherry Almond, a creamy goat's milk soap, is simply divine. It feels like you're bathing with moisturizer in one hand and a delectable pastry in the other. Now why would you want to buy drugstore soap when you can have this?

Shop the entire Soap It Up Collection and get gorgeous handmade soap that's good for you and will make you feel and smell good all day long!

The New Line of 100% Organic Spice Blends from Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont ROCKS MY WORLD!

Do you ever feel like all of your food tastes the same?

I do. Despite changing up the menu every night, I think because I tend to buy the same ingredients again and again, my cooking tends to feel very familiar.

Sure, getting a new cookbook helps, but I feel like it never really changes.

One of the most revolutionary ingredients I've ever come across is the new line of 12 100% Organic Spice Blends from the Teeny Tiny Spice Co. from Vermont.

They are like nothing I've ever cooked with or eaten before (and remember, I eat for a living!).

Owners Thora and Ed Pomicter (pictured above) "always had a passion for global cuisine, but were often challenged by ethnic recipes that required so many different spices that it was nearly impossible for them to keep their pantry adequately stocked. To resolve this, and help other home cooks add the flavor of various world cuisines to everyday meals with ease, they created Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont." 

Thank goodness for Thora and Ed's ingenuity, because these spice blends truly bring the world right into your very kitchen. You get the flavours of Northwest and Southwest India, North and East Africa and places that you might not normally be able to replicate easily at home.

I live in a very metropolitan urban center and I have to say, I've never seen anything like these before. Nothing that is this authentic, that's certified organic, that's made in small batches, that is so flavourful, so easy to use and very affordable! Ed says, "We provide spices already combined in proportions to give you just the right flavor profile to create dishes with the essential flavors of North and South, East and West."

And let's be honest - when's the last time you made Ethiopian, Persian or African for dinner?

I am so grateful for having found these spectacular blends. I mean, Chocolate Chili? With it's cocoa nibs, juniper berries, organic Vermont maple sugar and Himalayan pink salt, you can see why Teeny Tiny's spices far and away beat my ol' standard chili recipe any day! And I'm in love with the British Curry mix - it's become my new favourite comfort food dish - and so easy to prepare.

Choose from so many exciting selections - British Curry; Citrus Pepper; Ethiopian Berberé; Garam Masala; Montréal Seasoning; Penang Curry; Perfection Spice Rub; Persian Adwiya; Ras el Hanout; Shepherd Herb Mix and Vindaloo. I love the range of this line - you can simply put some rub on some pork chops or chicken if you don't feel like doing too much or if you feel up to a few simple steps, create a Thai Style Penang Curry or Ras el Hanout Tangine.

Each spice blend covers you for at least four to eight "full recipes" depending on the blend and how heartily you use it. Each tin of spices tells you the heat level as well as how to use it, so you don't have to start from scratch every time - just get your veg, grains and/or protein, add your spice blend and away you go. To a brand new, healthy way of eating!

I recommend getting One of Everything. Or at least the Herb & Spice Collection or Heat Collection. Because these are going to be your culinary best friends for life.

p.s.- True story. I was going to make a Shepherd's Pie one night and I thought the Shepherd Herb Mixour cat Cosmo would really give it new life and zest. But had grabbed it from the low spice shelf it was on in the kitchen and apparently, it was better than catnip, as he was playing with it, tossing it around like a football. It happened every night for a week, until I went and put it on a slightly higher shelf. I'll keep you posted...

Live in Complete & Utter Comfort with Pajama Jeans

Look, as much as I like to wear towering heels and skinny jeans, as I get older, comfort does come into play more often than not.

And I'm more active than ever. Though I'm not dancing at clubs until 3 a.m. anymore, I am rushing to meetings, running errands and generally trying to keep up with the speed of life.

That's why I am forever grateful for having found Pajama Jeans.

I have never been a jeans gal, only because I have a wonky body that makes it hard to get a comfortable fit. I've been trying to find a comfortable pair since my teens and while I do own a couple of pairs, I almost never wear them because they just aren't enjoyable to wear.

Now with Pajama Jeans, I get the look of dark-washed jeans with the feel of being in a pair of PJs!

The stretchy denim fabric - Dormisoft - is a blend of cotton and spandex, so you get a great look without sacrificing a comfy feel.  

Other than the immense comfort factor, I love that you can't tell their not just a regular pair of jeans. With their front and back pockets, brass rivets and contrast-stitched fly area, you'd never know they're pull-on with a hot-pink drawstring on the inside! There are no zippers or buttons to fiddle with, so you can just pull them on and go.

Because really - do you have time to lie down and squish yourself into another pair of jeans?

And the tailored boot cut style makes sure you always look good and that you can wear them with a variety of shoes and boots.

It is such a luxury to look at the sizing chart and pick out a pair of jeans that will actually fit. When my pair arrived, I was thrilled that they fit around my waist and bum as well as the length of my legs. No tailoring required!

Do yourself a favour and get yourself a pair now.

It's time you lived life in complete comfort, don't you think?

Get Glam in an Instant with Angelo David Salon Hair Care

Just because you don't live in NYC doesn't mean you can't  have the customized, stylized look that you'd get in person at the Angelo David Salon.

Thankfully, Angelo David, hair specialist to the stars  - Caridee English (America’s Next Top Model), Elsa Benitez (model) , Irina Shayk (Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model) and 3 of the Real Housewives of New York City - has created an exclusive collection of hair care and styling products that is "specifically formulated to keep hair healthy, shiny and manageable."

I am completely addicted to Long & Strong Detangler. It's actually a leave-in conditioner and heat protector as well as a detangler.  My fine white blond hair that starts out as a wet hot mess suddenly becomes smooth and sleek and I can actually get a brush through it, despite the knots and tangles that seemed to be a permanent fixture of my bleached, coloured, ravaged locks.  And there is more to it, too - It strengthens your hair, protects it from the sun, styling tools and colour fading, increases flexibility and elasticity, adds shine and uses natural ingredients, aloe, green tea and horsetail extract. See why I can't live without it?

And to keep my hair soft and manageable, I go to Angelo David's Vital Complex Leave-In Conditioner. It also adds body and shine. It's not very often that you see a leave-in conditioner that's a fine spray - it's great because your hair is protected without feeling weighed down.

I've never used anything like Zero Frizz Control before. It's incredibly fast-drying hair cream that gives me that smooth, sleek look that usually takes a lot of tools and product to accomplish. And my hair dries 2 or 3 times faster when I use this - perfect for those hot summer days where you can't bear to be under the heat of a dryer or straightener for long!

To keep tangles at bay, you got to try Angelo's Medium- and Large-Sized Combs. They not only look good, but feel good too.

And for the ultimate luxury, Angelo David Hand-Crafted Natural Boar’s Hair Bristle Hairbrushes (pictured above) are specially designed to keep your hair tangle-free. There's a mix of long nylon bristles and natural boar bristles so you can control your hair and smooth it all in one motion. It feels fantastic on your scalp and hair and in the hand, you'll become one of those girls you read about that brushes her hair 100 times before bed!

Shop Angelo David Salon Hair Care and fix that mess on top of your head for once. If it works on this head o' mine, it'll work on yours!

Mini Goals Notepad Helps You Get Stuff Done - In the Most Fun Way Possible!

I have always loved making lists. I love writing things down and then crossing them off when they're done. It's such an amazing feeling to see things you never thought you could accomplish get completed and struck through or checked off!

Lists are something that I think a lot of women cling to to try and get order in our chaotic lives. It helps grounds us and sort through all the various parts of our lives in just a few minutes.

But a problem I run into all the time is my lists get so long and there's so much to do - where to start?!

There's where the genius and delightful Mini Goals Notepad by Mary Kate McDevitt comes in.

There are 100 tear-out to-do lists in this awesome l'il 200 page pad, with 15 different designs to help get you motivated and keep things simple enough that you'll actually get stuff done.

I love the "I will get 2 things done" sheets where there are 2 huge spaces that take up most of the page for you to write down your tasks. After completing those, you'll feel on top of the world!  And the "Today I will kick ass and take names" sheets have got to make you want to shout from the rooftops, "I accomplished some stuff today!" If you need a little kickstart, the "After coffee, I will..." sheets are the perfect solution. And if you like to focus on just a few things at once, then you'll be using up the "Today's about quality not quantity" sheets like nobody's business!

The Mini Goals Notepad makes a wonderful gift. Even if it's just for yourself.

Get yours now. Or maybe 10.