Monday, January 31, 2011

Happy 90th Birthday, Carol Channing!


Yes! One of my favourite idols turns 90 today! Happy Birthday and love you, Carol!
Forever she'll hold the White Queen status.  :) 

Watch her in this insanely awesome clip as the White Queen from a post I made a while ago on "Alice Through The Looking Glass."

An amazing lady.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Famous Dave's Moisture Tan! Best Self-Tanner of Life!


Since last year, when I was pregnant - and up till now, having some new worries over a couple of spots on my skin, the doctors are not really letting me go to a tanning bed ever again! Well, thank goodness I came across this lovely self-tanning product last summer, that gives you that perfect sun-kissed glow without the orange, nor the awful smell!

Meet your new summer fling - and then some. "Famous Dave's Moisture Tan with Bronzer" (which is new to his line of products and makes it easier to see where I apply it) and "Famous Dave's Fair Skin & Face" for my winter white skin.

I am usually pretty skeptical when it comes to self-tanning lotions and creams because I ALWAYS end up orange or smelly and streakalitious. If you aren't careful, you'll still get the streaks, of course - but I like to use Famous Dave's application mitt that works so much better than just your bare hands. These products will compliment anyone's skin tone.

Famous Dave's gives me the golden tan that I love and it can be darkened over applications. My goal is just to look healthy and it gives me that and more! It is very natural looking and light feeling on the skin. I can get dressed pretty much right away as it dries so quickly, while still being very moisturizing - and it gives me a beautiful tan in under 4 hours. I was impressed with how almost-organic this product is. Here are a couple key things from the site that got me to order it the first time.

"Why most self tanners do not work?
Almost every self tanner on the market today has at least one of these ingredients: Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, and/or Mineral Oil. All these ingredients have high pH levels of over 6! What does this mean? A pH of over 6 is the COLOR ORANGE!
Not quite what you had in mind for a natural looking tan. Famous Dave's Self Tanner does not contain any of these ingredients, yet gives you the most natural, beautiful, and soft tan money can buy.

Works great on Men and Women
Famous Dave's Self Tanner is also fragrance-free. Added fragrance amplifies the odor of DHA. Being fragrance-free virtually eliminates the smell on your skin, clothes, and in your bed! And because Famous Dave's Self Tanner is loaded with natural lubricants and moisturizers, you will experience smooth, even rub in-especially right after a shower.

If after your first use:
  • You or someone you love doesn't believe Famous Dave's Self Tanner is the truest color your skin can be without the sun;
  • Famous Dave's Self Tanner - hands down - doesn't have the lowest odor of any sunless tanner, and;
  • Famous Dave's Self Tanner isn't the smoothest applying sun-safe tanning lotion you've ever felt.
I wouldn't expect you to pay for my self tanner. I will give you your money back!

And remember, even if you don't use Famous Dave's Self Tanner, the pH measurement is the single factor that determines whether you turn orange or brown. So check those labels for the three ingredients I told you about earlier.

I am convinced that you will love this product.
If you are not 100% satisfied I will refund 100% of your product cost once I receive it back. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Please remember, all shipping costs are not refundable. (Refunds must be returned within 10 days of receiving product.)

Tip--
To even out and/or extend the life of your tan, apply Fair Skin and Face self tanner lotion between your regular Famous Dave's Moisture Tan applications. Fair Skin and Face self tanner is most often used for those with fairer complexions but works great as an "in-between" moisturizer and tan extender.


Seriously though - if you're afraid of the aging rays of tanning beds or just want to have a little extra colour the most natural and beautiful way - I HIGHLY suggest using this stuff.  I only preach good products and this is one of my best purchases ever! The man will even give you your money back if you aren't satisfied. But, I can also guarantee that you'll love it!

You can check out more about Famous Dave's and where to buy it here. And read the documented 15,000 (!) testimonials.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Norwegian Boy Fends off Wolves with Creed Song!

CNN reported about the Norwegian who fended off wolves with playing Creed! I thought this was pretty fantastic because it's about Norway and a smart little 13 - year old boy! Yeah - I heard it from Chelsea Lately ;) Love her!

Here is what CNN had to say:

"Luckily for Walter Eikrem, it does not appear Norwegian wolves care for Creed.

The 13-year-old was walking home from the school bus stop in the town of Rakkestdad this week when he noticed something on the hillside near his family’s farmhouse, according to Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine.

At first he thought they were dogs, but he soon realized they were wolves – four of them – the magazine said, citing Norway’s TV2.

The boy, remembering that his mother had told him never to run from wolves, pulled the headphones out of his mobile phone and cranked up the volume on the tiny speakers.

He was listening to “Overcome” by Creed, an arguably Christian rock band, and apparently, the wolves were not fans.

(Initial reports indicated Walter shooed the wolves away with a Megadeth song, but the blog at Gibson guitars cleared up the confusion.)

“They just turned around and simply trotted away,” he told the TV station, according to Der Spiegel. “The worst thing you can do is run away because doing so just invites the wolves to chase you down ... but I was so afraid that I couldn't even run away if I'd wanted to.”

To be fair, Walter was yelling at the top of his lungs and wildly flailing his arms, so it’s tough to say exactly what made the wolves decide the boy might not be delicious.

His mother told the local paper that she was going to pick her son up from school because she knew there were wolves in the area, but she got carried away shopping, Der Spiegel reported.

“I have a completely guilty conscience,” she said. “The previous evening, we saw three wolves on the edge of the forest when we were putting our horses in their stall. The horses were panicky.”

Um, thanks, mum? … Well, OK, scratch that. Perhaps sarcasm is a little harsh for the woman who taught young Walter never to run from wolves." 


Gwen Stefani L'Oreal Paris Commercial = J'adore! (and L.a.m.b)



I am in love with this commercial. As many of you know Gwen Stefani has been my idol since I was 9, and she just always makes me feel so good!

I get so excited when I see this ad, that I just want to throw on everything L.a.m.b. and Harajuku Lovers that I own - including a wicked eBay find for the spring/summer that I found for a pretty good price!

Yes! I got my hands on a L.a.m.b. Nikola Hobo bag in Nude from her Ultraviolet collection. This is pure luxe that I finally could afford pretty much a year later - because I never like to pay full price for anything (nor can I afford it!) if I don't have to.

I like it because it's classic - yet edgy like everything else Gwen Stefani designs. I got a really nice L.a.m.b. purse a couple of years ago for Christmas and the quality, down to the stitching, is so fantastic that it still looks new.

I will always and forever be impressed with L.a.m.b. bags.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tea Tasting at Tea Leaves In Stratford!

This past weekend featured quite an exciting event that I have been wanting to do for quite some time! As you can see by the title, I did a little tea flight with my hubby, my close friend, Nova Markina (who took all these wonderful photos - click her name to check out her photography blog) and her awesome mom!

Karen Hartwick - certified tea sommelier
We got the opportunity to sit down and get properly educated and cultured by none other than Karen Hartwick - a certified Tea Sommelier, accredited by the Specialty Tea Institute in New York!

I was so impressed by her fountain of knowledge and history when it came to everything tea.

It was so interesting how different tea tasted if you slurped it around in your mouth, and how the tastes and the smells change after a period of time - even how crucial it is for steeping times between different types of teas.

Also - the correct temperatures they require depending on the tea family - and how many times some teas can be infused over again.

I also found it cool - that depending on where the tea was processed (for example China and Japan), that in China they roast the green tea leaves, while in Japan they are steamed.

Love this clay teapot set - gave our mouths such an organic tasting experience! (pictured below)

Tea is actually extremely technical - more than a glass of fine wine if you ask me! She showed us pieces that she has brought back from her travels and we had a little tea ceremony that was so beautiful and interesting.


Tea is such a healing remedy, I took home some 2 year Pu-erh for detoxing the liver (also great for the whole digestive system), that I am drinking so much of right now. It's very earthy tasting and balancing.

I also picked up Houji Kukicha (I love saying it) for realkalizing ones blood as well as providing calcium - actually it's higher in calcium than a glass of milk!

This green powder and whisk (pictured below) is to help aid headaches and apparently works wonders!



It was such an amazing experience, and I can't wait to go visit Karen again to pick up my favourite tea of life, "Vanilla Rose White" white tea with vanilla bean and rose petals. To die for!

If you want wonderful loose quality tea - check out Stratford Tea Leaves. If you can't make it out there physically - you can order online as well. Stratford makes a wonderful day trip, but if you decide to stay over night - Karen also offers Rosewood Manor Inn,  a lovely Bed & Breakfast in the good company of the tea tasting bar.

If you want to try something a little different, I highly suggest tea tasting at Tea Leaves in Stratford! It was a lovely and cozy experience, and I can't wait to go back!


Sunday, January 16, 2011

1-2-3 Gluten-Free!

Taken with my iphone.

 This mother-daughter team out of Cleavland, Ohio sure knows how to make a mean muffin mix!

Right now, I am making a couple of loaves of their "Meridith's Marvelous" moist & tasty banana bread! I can't wait for them to be finished! I couldn't help myself but get a raw taste of this mix before throwing them in the oven, and it's to die for! I actually found this package at Homesense, but I believe you can purchase their mixes right on their website! They are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, casein-free, peanut- free, Tree nut - free, corn-free, egg & soy-free - so we can all enjoy them! :)

UPDATE: Oh my goodness, this is the most delicious mix I've ever tasted! It doesn't even taste gluten-free and it's so moist and yet so light and fresh!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

PARANOID 4

I watched this video the other day, and it stuck in my head - so I thought it was awesome enough to post!

Enjoy!



Monday, January 10, 2011

4 Month Update for Edie (and me) :)

Check out what is happening at Hunnie Bunnie Babies!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Ellemusic - New Song "Find Another You"


It feels like a decade since I've worked on my own material. I wanted to become a better producer and decided to go back to school to learn Pro Tools at Berklee School of Music - an online college run by the actual Berklee College in Boston, Massachusetts.


It's brilliant and the teachers are all amazing as they teach both in school and online - so it's a wonderful experience. I start back at Berklee next week as I am working towards my Masters in Songwriting! I hope to get more commercial and hopefully meet some really cool people again :)

My goal is to demo out my songs and work towards a publishing deal and perhaps have wicked artists performing my tracks or pieces from them :)

Since I have been sick and had Edie, it was hard to get back into it - but once I revamp my computer to mucho power - I think I am ready to pump out some more fat beats!

I call this song "Find Another You". Writing music is the best therapy of life. This track is still "rough" and will always be never-ending in the works until someone wonderful wants to reproduce it, but I just want to get my ideas out there for you all to hear!

Enjoy my new song, below! :)



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-650


One of the things on my Christmas list was this lovely 6-inch e-reader from Sony! I would have easily settled for the pink 5" pocket edition, as it was a close contender, but when I opened up this little baby on Christmas eve - I melted like the Snowman!


Don't get me wrong - there is something organic about holding a real book in your hands or having that library of your dreams, but this is wonderful for traveling and convenience. I also get a mild case of ADHD when I see how many pages I have to go through and I get somewhat overwhelmed sometimes.

With the e-reader I just touch and digitally swipe the pages across ... and I never feel the sometimes uncomfortable pain of holding a real book open! I know I sound crazy, but this Reader would be awesome for someone with arthritis and people who love big or small fonts.

Not to mention; you can hold up to 50,000 books, audio books, music, and an oh-so-convenient dictionary when I tap any word 4 times that gives me an instant definition.

I enjoy reading with the e-ink because it doesn't hurt my eyes like a computer screen does (with its crazy flippy lights that get to my brains after some time).

Another lovely thing is that I can read perfectly in sunlight and at night I have my trusty book worm light (connected on the outside case) to keep me reading in a cozy dim setting.

There is a new romanticism that the Sony Reader has brought to me. Maybe because I have it in a lovely red with an equally beautiful case? Perhaps the fact that I can support my local library by borrowing books online to keep them going. I don't know, but it's exciting!

I bought a book called "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" by Marina Lewycka which is pretty good so far. It also is nice when I am holding baby Edie to have this little gadget in hand and reading while she relaxes beside me, without her drooling and ripping at the "pages".

If you are hesitant about this change, I totally suggest it and if you truly love a book - you can always buy it and put it on that coveted bookshelf that you've spent years building :)

I am SO happy with my Sony Reader!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

JuleKalender Days 23 & 24 (Finally!)

Yeah... it is super late posting these two last days of the Julekalander, but I feel so incomplete without writing about them!

On the 23rd I got an amazing bracelet from Disney Couture that says "Have Faith In Your Dreams" which meant a lot to me and not to mention that the hubby remembered that I mentioned Disney Couture one random day after grocery shopping. These little 'mention and remember" gifts matter to me the most!


Day 24 I got a really sweet gift pack of gluten-free products by Glutino! Very excited to dive into this package in the next few days :)

I'm getting some energy back as it has been gone since Edie has been born - I feel. It sucks that I have this disease,  but happy that they figured what I had - finally :) There isn't a cure, but there is a good relief of pain now :)

The show must go on!