Contigo Travel Mug

I've been on the hunt for a new travel mug. I do have one, not a very good one, but I have one. It magically appeared in my kitchen cupboard one day. I honestly have no clue where the mug came from. I think it might have been a work gift or at least I think it was a work gift. It's functional but it has seen its day. So on the hunt I have been for a new travel mug for when I have to stand waiting for Luke's bus in the freezing cold, oh joy! I scored these Contigo Travel Mugs from Costco the other day -- two for $22! Instead of a flip top or a piece to slide open there is a button you press to open the spout just before you take a sip and then release to close it again. So far the mug has been good to me. No spills and my coffee has stayed nice and warm. Hmmm, maybe I should use them while I'm at home too to avoid reheating my coffee umpteen times (yuck, I know, but it's faster than making a new cup).

The Sweetness Of Snail Mail

I had to run some errands today and on my way back I stopped at the mailbox. Mixed in with the junk and bills was this beautifully decorated envelope from my dear friend Sheba -- a wonderful birthday treat that I promise I won't open until the day comes! I can't wait!

Starbucks' Peppermint Mocha Latte

I found heaven! OK, maybe just a little taste of heaven but it was heavenly none the less. Oh, what might you ask am I talking about? My new fave latte from Starbucks -- enter the Peppermint Mocha Latte ... ooo, ah, oh!
Simply delicious! And so was the pumpkin scone I had with it. YUM!

Miche Bag

I noticed a new vendor at Costco today and decided to find out what the excitement was about -- that is when I discovered the Miche Bag (you can view the Canadian site here).

These handbags are cute and fun, and the person who designed them was thinking!

The Miche Bag has an outside shell that can easily be swapped for a different shell to change the look. Instead of transferring stuff from one bag to another, simply change the shell. What a fantabulous idea!

[Image from Google Images]

You can check out all the shells here and here.

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Eye Shadow

I'm always looking for a good neutral eye shadow that I can wear all day long -- one that looks good both day and night. I was reading another blog where she mentioned an eye shadow she had started using so I decided to try it out too.

The line is called Physicians Formula Organic Wear and I picked up the eye shadow right at my local Walmart. I've also come across the line at drug stores and grocery stores too.

The shadow comes in a few different shades but I decided to try the one that's for brown eyes (I have blue eyes) since I was looking for a mocha colour. The round container fits in my palm perfectly and I love how the two colours, a mocha and lighter cream colour, are shaped into leaves -- just that little added something. The powder shadow blends smoothly and can be layered to intensify the look for night.

The bonus, it all comes in recycled packaging!

Fave Rave: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and Scone

A friend and I went to Starbucks the other night for some good ol' girl chat. Instead of getting my usual Vanilla Caramel Latte, I decided to be adventurous and try the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I'm glad I did. It was super yummy! My other favourite at Starbucks lately has been their Pumpkin Scones. They are simply delicious! Fantabulous Fall treats to ring in the new season!

Fave Rave: Pledge Wood Floor cleaner

A while back, friends commented on how shiny and clean our wood floors looked.

I let them in on my little secret -- Pledge Wood Floor cleaner.

I know most people will say to just use water and vinegar but every so often (mainly when we have guests coming over) I like having that freshly polished look. All I do is use a little of the Pledge solution straight from the bottle and wipe clean with my microfiber mop.

No water, no buckets, no mess!

I used it on the laminate floors in the basement the other day and they turned out just as shiny (picture above)!

We All Scream For Ice Cream!

Lucas and I enjoying our ice cream cones
at The Village Ice Cream Shoppe in Pickering Village, ON

After an afternoon of swimming at one of our local community centres, Lucas and I made a detour on our way home and stopped for an ice cream. This was our second time going to the The Village Ice Cream Shoppe in Pickering Village, one of my favourite little spots around here.

This time, Lucas picked Banana (instead of Triple Tornado or Cotton Candy, I was shocked) and I picked Moose Tracks. YUM!

The Village Ice Cream Shoppe is stocked with Kawartha Dairy ice cream which I love. Kawartha Dairy reminds me of my childhood. Every summer for five years or so my family would drive to a cottage in Bancroft (about 3 hours north east of Toronto) and stop at Kawartha Dairy for ice cream on the way. The scoops were massive and almost impossible to finish -- yes, almost. I remember enjoying Maple Walnut as a kid. Forget bubble gum or cotton candy, this girl was being a true Canadian and divulging in one of Canada's best treats, the good ol' taste of maple syrup!

Eight years ago, Steve and I stopped off at Kawartha Dairy on our way to our honeymoon destination (Bear Trails Couples Resort in Algonquin Park which I'll talk about more at another time) mainly so I could reminisce but also to enjoy a tasty treat. While they had renovated the store, the ice cream was still as good as I remembered it and the scoops were just as big too!

I am...

snacking on some Garden Veggie Straws that I bought from Costco on the weekend. They're very tasty!

A Toast To Vacuums

I had to take my computer in to the shop yesterday to get de-trolled. It was doing some weird thing every time I used the internet. When I clicked on a link opening a new screen, the address bar would have another site in it (not the site I was trying to get to). Then the screen would freeze. I would have to do the dreaded ctrl+alt+del to close the program and start all over only for it to happen again, and again....and again. GAH!

Seems to be working fine now...knock on wood.

I'm seriously thinking of getting a Mac. Our laptop has been shot for awhile now, and although the price of a Mac is double what PCs go for, I may have to reconsider. This whole virus thing is pissing me right off!

Anyway, I did a bit of running around today, trying to get errands done while the kids were out of the house.

I'm excited to say, I'm the proud owner of a new expandable hose from Beam for my central vacuum. Yes, you heard me right, I AM EXCITED!


I wanted something that I could use on hardwood and ceramic to clean up crumbs and cat hair and that didn't take up a lot of room. This expandable hose is the perfect addition to our central vac. It weighs a lot less than my other hose and it's compact -- stretches from about 8 feet to 20 or 30 feet. I hated lugging my other hose around the house. It was so awkward and heavy to carry up and down the stairs and since my cleaning lady brings her own vacuum, I really don't need the big one to clean up a few dust bunnies off the floor.

I can't wait to vacuum the main floor tomorrow! Um, did I really say that?

I also bought some wine today. My friend called my cell as I was in the liquor store. I told her where I was and she said she had some wine on the weekend that she liked. I could have been standing anywhere in the liquor store but as she was telling me the name of the wine, I happened to look on the shelf in front of me and there it was.


It's called Voga Italia Pinot Grigio. I'm loving the look of the bottle and I'm hoping I'll be as equally pleased with what's inside the bottle.

I can't wait to try it!

Cheers!

Drawer Organizers

When I had to leave work four years ago, I had a vision that I would organize this house from top to bottom, room by room (when I had the energy, of course). One week I would do the office, another week would be our bedroom, and so on and so on. I have yet to do this. Slowly but surely it will get done.

I've been in an organizing mood lately. I was at HomeSense the other day and found these cute fabric boxes that fit perfectly in my bathroom vanity drawers. There are lots of little sections and now I can find everything a lot easier than I could before.

Fave rave: Olay

I'm an Olay girl -- always have been, always will be.

My all time favourite Olay product is the Quench Body Lotion. I'm a sucker for moisturizing from head to toe. This lotion makes my skin feel so soft and never leaves my skin dry or flaky. It also has these teeny tiny little specs of shimmer -- not a lot but just enough sparkle without looking like a disco ball.

Olay Quench Body Lotion

One of my other favourite products is the Olay Total Effects Touch Of Foundation. I had been using the one without the foundation for a few years until the foundation one recently came out. I am totally loving it! I'm not one to wear foundation but these days (post-pregnancy) I'm noticing I could use a little coverage. It makes my face look a little less blotchy and keeps my face feeling smooth. I'm all for that! It also contains SPF 15 -- another added bonus. My little bottle of moisturizer has lasted for awhile now. A little goes a long way!

Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation

Happy moisturizing!

Fave rave: Lip gloss and soap

Welcome to Canada, Bath & Body Works!

I know, I know, it's been like what, almost a year? But, oh my gawd, I'm still so excited!!!

My favourites so far are the foaming soaps and the lip gloss.

Not only do the foaming soaps smell great, they're also not too bad on the pocket and great for the kids. I find there's very little mess (something all parents can be thankful for I'm sure) and since it's foam, it's easier to lather and easier to rinse off.

Oh, and the lip gloss, it's like lollipops on your lips which makes me realize just how much of this stuff I must ingest on a daily basis. My favourite so far is Limeade Liplicious.

I just bought the new mint gloss the other day and it's fantabulous! When I put it on it gives that fresh breath, just brushed my teeth feeling...which I do, oh, only about five times a day. My poor enamel might thank me for this new lip gloss.

Thank you Bath & Body Works for finally making Canada your home!

Fave Rave: DQ Blizzards

One way to end off a perfect day is to treat yourself to a Dairy Queen Blizzard. My favourite is cheesecake and brownie pieces (my own mix and not one listed on the menu). Make sure you ask for DOUBLE STUFF! You won't regret it. Cheesecake and Oreo mixed together makes a good blizzard too and remember to ask for DOUBLE STUFF!

Fave Rave: Iced Cappuccino

It was pretty warm out last week so instead of my usual Latte from Starbucks I decided I wanted a cool drink. I was driving by Tim Hortons and the Iced Cappaccino sign caught my eye. I tried this drink a few years ago and didn't think much of it but the sign said to try it with chocolate milk. Why oh why did I listen. Pure heaven on a warm day! Just don't tell me the nutrition content. What I don't know won't hurt me....shhh!

Fave rave: Stargazing & Pop Goes The Week

Sunday mornings just wouldn't be the same without reading my dose of Stargazing and Pop Goes The Week in The Toronto Star.

There's something about the way Malene Arpe writes that pulls me in. She's just so damn witty! LOVE IT!

Check it out...
Stargazing Blog by Malene Arpe

Fave rave: Deezer

www.deezer.com

Fave rave: Vanilla Latte

I never understood why people drooled over Starbucks until my friend introduced me to this wonderful concocsion called a Vanilla Latte. While it's great as is, I usually Paulatize (the term my husband uses when I add my own special touch to something) it to make it extra yummy. Ask them to add a pump of caramel syrup (or exchange a pump of vanilla for caramel). You won't be disappointed. My usual order -- Tall nonfat vanilla latte, sub one pump caramel. So good!