Blogging About Anything

New Site to love!!!

2011-10-13T11:15:00.004-04:00

It's been so long and I am finally back to blogging again!

I have started a fashion blog/womens fashion shopping site. My goal with the site is to learn more about fashion and share it with all of you. At the same time I can offer easy access to sale items from designer brands. All of the items I have on the site are individually picked by yours truly. I didn't just want to put some items up there, I would like to put up products that are of quality, fashionable and elegant.

To know more about my shopping site, please click the link below! I hope to see you all shopping there...:)

www.elegantfashionista.com

Walmart selling caskets online???

2009-10-28T21:29:00.003-04:00

Buy caskets at walmart online!!!! He he he

Wow, they are definitely expanding their business!!! lol

Shop now!

The Power of POSITIVE Thinking - 4 steps to HAPPIER YOU

2009-10-24T11:14:00.003-04:00

Four steps to a happier you no matter what the challenge.

Positive thinking can be tricky when times are tough. But if you can find a way to be happy, experts say you can cope with even life’s biggest challenges. Whether you’re facing a financial crisis or recovering from a rocky relationship, here’s how to help happiness prevail.

1. The power of positive thinking

Letting go of negativity is the first step to overcoming difficult situations. “Your brain’s ability to come up with creative solutions is reduced when you’re in a depressive mood,” says Martha Finney, author of Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After a Job Loss. Finney says each of us has a “mental muscle,” or emotional resilience we can rely on for strength. Just recall the last tough time in your life and remember that you made it through. “You know what it means to prevail because you’ve already done it,” says Finney.

2. Tap in to Happy

No matter how bleak the outlook may be, it is possible to stay positive when times are tough, says Carmel McConnell, author of The Happiness Plan: Simple Steps to a Happier Life. “Ask yourself ‘when and where am I happiest?’ and simply make more room for that in your life,” she says. For instance, if what you love most is listening to music while relaxing in the bath, making time to do that is more important than ever.

3. Money can’t buy happiness

If you’re having a hard time because you’re strapped for cash, McConnell says it’s important to realize that more stuff is not going to make you happy. “Many people worry that, without the ability to flash cash, they’re going to be miserable, she says. “But research shows that we’re never satisfied after purchases and always want more.” So instead of lamenting the fact you can’t afford an iPhone, think about how you don’t actually need money to do the things that make you most happy, like enjoying a potluck dinner with your girlfriends.

4. Spread the joy

One key to happiness is to focus on making other people happy, says McConnell. The best investment for a happier life is building trust and intimacy with your friends and family, she adds. A recent study from Harvard University discovered that happiness spreads through groups of friends quickly and for each joyful friend you have, your level of happiness increases by nine percent.

Source: Yahoo.ca

Travel Etiquette - When in Rome....

2009-07-14T09:47:00.003-04:00

Remember when an Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at George Bush on a recent farewell tour in Iraq? Bush later said that that incident was one of the weirdest of his life. But anyone who understands Middle Eastern culture knew that exposing the sole of the shoe to someone is considered a strong sign of disrespect. It is not a weird incident, just a part of Middle Eastern culture. Unfortunately, too many of us have travelled to a foreign country only to be bamboozled by the strangeness of their customs. It does not have to be that way, as long as travellers understand a culture and display the proper etiquette.  

Etiquette is the code of principles, such as respect and honour, in any given society. It is really the manner in which you convey those principles to others that can be a little tricky and may make others feel uncomfortable. Travellers want to experience new cultures and live in the moment, but they should also be careful not to offend the locals. There are many ways to travel the world and still be respectful of every local culture you visit, but most of us do not have the time study cultures extensively. The first thing you can do is pick up a book about the country you are visiting. Most travel books have an etiquette section to give you a brief overview of cultural mores.  

Meeting And Greeting  
Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, meeting your foreign hosts in the correct manner is crucial to achieving a good first impression. If you are unsure of how a greeting should take place, wait for your host to offer the greeting first.  

In Europe, North and South America, a greeting usually consists of a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. In China and Japan, a handshake will suffice, but your host may bow down to greet you. In the Middle East, your handshake should be gentle and should be accompanied with a smile. Men should not shake a woman's hand unless she initiates the handshake. In relaxed occasions, women may greet each other with a kiss on each cheek.  

Dress Code  
Many cultures around the world have not yet accepted the idea of women walking around in booty shorts and men walking around topless. Your safest bet is to stick to conservative, comfortable clothing. For business, men should always wear a tailored business suit with a tie. He should be well groomed. In North and South America and in Europe, women can wear a business suit as well. In Middle Eastern and Asian countries, women should opt for a long skirt and long sleeved shirt or blazer. Women in business suits may come off as too aggressive and masculine in many Asian cultures. No matter where the destination, women must always keep makeup to a minimum so as to appear professional.  

International Etiquette  
Here are some etiquette tips for some of the most visited countries around the world:  

Mexico: Keep your hands above the table at all times.  

Germany: Use a fork and knife to eat sandwiches, fruits and most other foods.  

Austria: Always arrive on time to social engagements.  

France: Do not be nosy, as the French value their privacy.  

China: Do not click your fingers or whistle in China; it's considered very rude.  

Spain: Never be late for a bullfight, but it is okay to be up to 30 minutes late for any other social engagement.  

Italy: Never burp in public and try not to yawn in front of others.  

Syria: It is a sign of respect to take off your shoes when you enter someone's home.  

UK: Always wait for your host to begin eating before you do.  

US: If you are offered a second helping of food, accept it.  

When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do  
Before embarking on your journey or business trip, research your destination country to learn a bit about their culture so that you do not offend the locals. If you are ever in doubt about your behaviour, just do as the locals do.  

Remember, just because something is different does not mean it is wrong. Customs, behaviours and religious practices are unique to every culture and should be respected when you are in someone else's home. Differences in culture should not be considered deficiencies; they are just different.

by: zafana zahili

It's Monday, you could die today....

2009-07-13T10:32:00.002-04:00

Yet another study has determined that Monday is the worst day of the week for your heart. I don't mean Monday is bad for your heart because that's the day most people tend to break up. In fact, I really have no idea which day of the week people favour as a breaking-up day, although Monday does sound a good bet. What I do mean is that several studies have found that more people die from heart attacks (and strokes) on Monday than on any other day of the week, especially Monday mornings.

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers looked at all deaths in Scotland attributed to cardiac causes between the years 1986 and 1995, of which there were lots because Scotland has one of the world's highest rates of death from heart attack and stroke, most of which is attributed to all that smoking and sitting around and eating badly that is standard fare in the country of kilts and clans.

The researchers not only found that, as expected, the death rate from coronary events was indeed higher in all age groups on Mondays, but that it was particularly elevated in people under the age of 50.

Why? 2 probable reasons. First, there is the cardiac response to all that heavy "binge" drinking that so many younger people indulge in on the weekend, and younger Scots, as they will quickly acknowledge, take a back seat to no one in how hard they party.

Then there's also the Monday morning anticipation - "dread" or "bitterness" are better words, I think - of another week of uninviting and often poorly compensated labour which is probably enough to push the hearts of some high risk people over the edge.

So what can you do with this news? Well, you can, I suppose, tone down your partying on weekends, especially if you are younger and already have some heart disease risks, as so many more younger people tend to have these days. Or you can do what my son did when I told him of these findings early one Sunday morning before I left to do my weekend call-in show. His reply? "These results clearly mean, dad, that you shouldn't start the week until Tuesday afternoon." And then he went back to sleep.

That kid is going to be a scientist one day, I think. Either that or unemployed.

Source: Yahoo

KC and LV in TO

2009-05-09T20:32:00.006-04:00

My friend Nadine and I stayed downtown Toronto for a couple of nights to do some shopping, relax and have fun. Got a few pics with a couple of my LV pieces. Enjoy!!!

The famous bathroom shot with my Damier Neverfull MM...lol

Resting with my NF which matches my Coach ballet flats

Another bathroom shot with my Monogram Pochette with an extender

Business Analysis - Recession proof?

2009-05-01T09:58:00.006-04:00

As a Business Analyst in Software Development, I was really happy when I saw the article below from yahoo.com, although any job is risky, I guess I can hold on to this hope for now. LOL.

According to Forbes.com, the Top Careers that are recession-proof are the following:

1. Sales Representative
Why? Bringing in new customers and business opportunities is essential to keeping any business alive.

2. Software design and development
They write the software programs we use at home and in the workplace. The U.S. Department of Labour predicts that this professional will continue to grow at a rapid pace through 2016.

3. Nursing
With today's medical advancements and an aging population, health care workers will continue to be in demand.

4. Accounting Executive
As the name suggests, they manage the accounting staff -- who are increasingly important when budgets tighten up.

5. Accounting Staff
This profession continues to grow thanks to tougher accounting and auditing regulations (like Sarbanes Oxley). They're also the go-to people when organizations are looking for ways to cut back.

6. Networking and Systems Administration
They look after the technology side of the business, everything from company websites to networks and emails.

7. Administrative Assistant
It's the high turnover rate that makes this an in-demand position, according toForbes. Administrative assistants may be worth their weight in gold, but many struggle to live on the average salary rate for this role.

8. Business Analysis (Software Development)
There's a wide variety of software out there that can help businesses run more efficiently. These analysts figure out what's best for a company as well as deploy the applications and train staff how to use them.

9. Business Analysis (Research)
What should software accomplish? It's up to these professionals to figure out how applications can suit the needs of users.

10. Finance Staff
As with accounting jobs, the money is tight so people who know how to effectively handle it are in demand.

I hope your job is secure!!! Have a great weekend!

My Louis Vuitton Damier Neverfull MM - Forgot to post!

2009-04-27T10:40:00.007-04:00

Hi everyone,

For my 29th birthday, I got the Damier Neverfull MM and I love it!!! It's my favorite of all my LV's so far (Well, I don't have a lot, I hope to buy another favorite for 30th!)!

Here's some action photos with my NF, let me know what you think!

4 Ways to get control over your career in a difficult economy…

2009-04-08T09:34:00.002-04:00

I have a few questions for you. Who has greatest control over the direction of your career, the economy or you? What role do your personal actions play in your career outcomes? This week's podcast is with New York Times best selling author Larry Winget. He is the best selling author of It’s called work for a reason; your success is your own damn fault. I preface my comments with the reality that for some of you, Larry's style may not endear you to him. The truth sometimes hurts! Larry is an author, speaker and known as "The pitbull of self development." He also has a very popular show on A&E called “The Big Spender.”

You see, some people see their success as a result of a booming economy, the product they are working on or the boss they worked for. How many times have you heard, "They were at the right place at the right time.” Their success seemingly was related to external circumstances. Vice versa, some people see their failure as related to globalization, interest rate policy, the market or their boss. Both insights are incorrect. While yes, you may benefit or be negatively impacted by external elements, what role did your actions play in determining the success or failure? How we define success and failure in our career can also be related to our expectations. "I hate what I do for a living. I travel 250 days a year to do my 100 hours. I love my 100 hours, I hate my travel, I have no control over the trips, it is abuse from the time I leave my house till I arrive, however, I love the 100 hours so that is worth the trade." Larry understands that there is a certain reality in our work life and that you have to do a certain amount of grunt work to be successful in anything that you do. The question you should ask: is the rewards/grunt ratio working for you? If you have too high of expectations, you will never see work in a successful way. It will always be failure for you.

What is your success pattern? What is your failure pattern? What are your expectations?

One of the keys is to take responsibility for both your successes and your failures. Larry's key mantra in life is "understand your responsibilities and your rights." When you do this, it brings a true sense of personal control over outcomes. If you feel stuck in your current situation, I am going to suggest it is related to your own inner sense of what role you are playing. When you are clear about what you do well and what you have control over, you can then work on the elements that you have control over and take positive action towards something better. If you feel your success is a result of circumstances, then you are unlikely to want to change those circumstances. You can feel trapped in success and yet not happy. If you feel trapped in failure, then you may become bitter and angry with those around you. Both are not constructive. They are both routed in taking action over the things that you have control over and what you don't have control over?

1. Take ownership of your success and failure.
2. Look at what you do and don't have control over.
3. Take positive action with the things you have control over.
4. Set realistic expectations.

When you do those three things, it will get better. It may take lots of action or a little action but one thing I can guarantee is that it will take action. And either you take action or the market will take action upon you, ie. a layoff or demotion or some other challenging circumstance. It is always better to act than react. "The critical element people leave out to becoming successful is action. Get busy even if you are doing the wrong thing and you will find out sooner", said Larry. People who are successful in their careers take action with the things they have control over and accept the things that are not in their control. There are a lot of books about attitude. I think we need positive action; positive action will change your career and your life. Positive attitude - not necessarily. I would call action "the discipline of intent." Real change only comes when a plan is put into action.

You need to have a positive action more than a positive attitude. You choose. Speaking of positive action, join our FREE TeleWORKshop - Looking for other ideas for what you might do next you’re your talents and passions? Do you need some practical help with your job search? Do you know if you are in the right career? Connect with some new people and get a new perspective on your career by joining our teleworkshop. This complimentary, 1 hour workshop is based on my book, Get the Right Job Right Now!. It's easy to learn simple ways to take control of your career, all from the comfort & convenience of your own desk. Limited to 20 participants. Click to register. Looking to take more control over your career and your life? Book an initial consultation with me. Get started today towards a better future.

Taking action, along the road with you!
BY: Alan Kearns

Are women better drivers?

2009-03-24T15:17:00.002-04:00

The debate rages on, but to be honest the statistics seem to show the same thing every year: that men are more of a liability on the road because they take more risks and have more accidents as a result of aggressive or illegal driving maneuvers.

However, it's not quite as clear cut as that: there are around four million more male drivers than female, each driving about 30 percent more, so it's obvious men will crash more. The key statistic - and the one us men will cling to - is that women have more crashes at junctions and low speed sites - which means that, technically, men have better car control than women.

Unfortunately, the number of men involved in high-speed collisions leading to death or serious injury is significantly higher than women. According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, three times more men are killed on the road than women. Plus, in 2006, 87 per cent of motoring offences were by men, and a massive 96 percent of those convicted of dangerous driving were men, too.

For young people, twice as many under 25 year-old males are killed in road accidents as women - with men in general, but particularly younger ones - less able to exercise self-control, taking more unnecessary risks.

So, men, with Mother's Day coming up this weekend, why not take the opportunity to congratulate the women in your life for being better drivers - all it takes is a little self-control.

By: Mark Nichol

Sorry guys!

2008-12-09T21:06:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted, so I must say sorry to all my followers....It's been crazy busy at work. I went from leaving work with a clean inbox and no voice messages to leaving work with 30 emails and 8 voice messages! I just don't have time to get it all done in one day! Ok ok, I am not complaining, I love being busy and I love my new role at work. I have a lot to learn but, I am definitely enjoying it.

Aside from my normal work of consulting, training and support for our accounting software, I am now working on 2 projects as a Business Analyst. So, I am always getting pulled from multiple directions at work...Sometimes I don't even know where to start....lol

But, I have good news...I lost 2 more lbs!!!!!! Yay, all that stress and not having time to eat, I lost weight!!! Sweet...

Not the best way to lose weight, but hey what matters is that I lost the lbs..... I feel a little bit comfortable in my clothes which is nice....

Anyhoo, no time now...I will write again later, just wanted to update you all...

Cheers!

Shows that might be hazardous to your health

2008-10-06T09:49:00.002-04:00

With all of the reality shows on the air these days, they all have one similar trait — they make people feel like they’re not good enough. Now it looks like you can add one more show to the neurosis-inducing list. Beautiful People follows around Robert and Greg, founders of the website beautifulpeople.net as they launch the site in Canada.

Taking shallow to a whole new level, members of the site judge applicants based solely on their physical appearance and build an online dating and networking community, excluding average-looking people from the pickings.
There are so many shows on the tube right now that can easily make you feel like garbage. TVGuide.ca is giving you a list of programs that may cause you to want to go see a shrink soon after.

Paris Hilton’s My New BFF
What can I possibly say other than, do you really expect anything more than this from Paris Hilton? The shallowest of the shallow, Hilton chooses from a group of 18 men and women to fight to become the socialite’s pal. What? She doesn’t have enough money to buy a new ‘friend’? Now she’s making a mockery of people by deciding who is “worthy” enough to be associated with her? NOT hot!

Celebrity Fit Club
Between forcing seemingly overweight celebs to participate on the show to putting the two groups on giant scales to see how much their combined weight is, Fit Club gives off the impression that all stars should be skinny. Not at all realistic, this reality show not only screws with the minds of the celebs themselves, but furthers the stigma that celebrities are not like the rest of us and they must live up to their persona. Yes, staying fit and healthy is important but Celebrity Fit Club essentially humiliates stars on TV.

Rock of Love
Gotta love a good groupie, right? Well, it seems like that’s all this Bret Michaels reality show is — one big slut-fest with a D-list celebrity. Throughout the show, Michaels has to pick a new girlfriend using the process of elimination. The 20 “lucky” contestants are faced with challenges to win the former Poison singer’s heart and if he doesn’t like you by the end of the episode, he’ll boot you out of the house. Nice, huh?

Beauty and the Geek
Though the pairing of pretty yet intellectually inept people combined with smart yet socially inept individuals is seemingly intriguing at first, it plays on so many stereotypes. Throughout the show, contestants (who are paired up by a hottie and a nerd) are tested on their intelligence and social skills and if they fail, they get the boot. The only thing this “ultimate social experiment” proves is that people will do anything, including exploiting themselves, for a bit of money and 15 minutes of fame.

America’s Next Top Model
Yes, it’s definitely entertaining to watch a bunch of pretty girls duke it out in one of television’s bitchiest, scrappiest shows but ANTM’s message — that looks and image are all that matters — is enough to make most people run to the gym. OK, so the show has tried to diversify itself by having a few plus-sized models, but how far have any of them gotten? With the exception of Whitney, the other winning models have been stick-thin, furthering the stigma that only pretty, thin girls can have a successful modelling career. So much for having the occasional cookie, I guess...

The Bachelor
It’s every male chauvinist’s fantasy: Put 25 women in a house together, date each of them and give the women the boot, one by one, if they don’t meet your standards. What makes this show exceptionally stomach-turning is that during every episode, the bachelor skanks it up with multiple women, gets their hopes up and then rejects them without blinking an eye. If this happened in the real world, this dude’s butt would be kicked so hard, he’d think John Wayne Bobbitt had it easy.

The Biggest Loser
Yet another show that exploits overweight people. What makes this show degrading is not the fact that their struggles with weight loss is documented on TV, but rather the obstacles that they show puts them through, which either helps or hinders them. One of the worst elements is probably the temptation portion of the show where contestants are given the choice of eating something unhealthy, like a bag of chips, or doing something beneficial, like riding a bike. Not only does this potentially set contestants up to fall off the scale, but gives the idea that a slip-up or two is unacceptable behaviour. How realistic is that?

A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila
Is she straight or is she a lesbian? Likely the trashiest show on TV right now, A Shot at Love follows Tila Tequila as she chooses between 16 men and 16 women to become her new... umm... life-long partner. Think The Bachelorette, but with a bisexual female. Confusing, huh? Having never been in a situation like this myself, I can only assume that contestants feel a sense of ball-busting humiliation as Tila goes back and forth between genders. Ick!

American Idol
The combination of Simon Cowell’s nasty comments and being rejected by the judges and viewers would easily crush any singer’s dreams of super-stardom. Even if your performance is decent, there is always a chance that you may get voted off and someone with less talent will go further in the competition... or even worse... win. William Hung had no musical training or background, but for whatever reason subsequently had a cult following and got a record deal after his infamous “She Bangs” audition. You can’t tell me that doesn’t anger Idol alums who have fallen into musical oblivion.

Hell’s Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay’s honest yet cutthroat personality is very similar to American Idol’s Simon Cowell, except a bit scarier. Between swearing at HK’s contestants to literally throwing an entire plate of food against walls, Ramsey seems like the type of person who would intentionally give someone a complex just for his own amusement. Whether it’s because he’s a perfectionist or just mean-spirited, Ramsey’s one boss I’d stay the hell away from.

By Marlene Benedicto

Update on Goal

2008-10-03T12:02:00.004-04:00

First of all, I just want to apologize to my readers for not blogging as much as I used to. I have been busy with new responsibilities at work. Can't complain about that though, I am actually excited about the new things I am doing.

Anyway, it's been at least 2 weeks since I started my fitness regime and I want to update you of what I have accomplished so far.

Like I mentioned, I did eat little portions and I did eat more nutritious food and less junk. I haven't had pop since the day I started -- Opppss that is not true, I had a sip yesterday from Robin's drink, but that was it.

So I have been eating a lot of veggies, mainly salad and coleslaw and then I reduced my rice intake. The little portion worked for me actually, but it's a little hard not to snack on a fruit after.

So, we have been fast walking every other day for the past 2 weeks, except this week when it rained almost every night so we didn't walk. Instead we ended up at a cafe and had really really bad dessert!!!

I was tempted, so I ended up getting carrot cake instead of the chocolate and caramel smothered chocolate cake (Nadine had that!). I really find that my running buddy is such an enabler when it comes to chocolate and desserts. I don't think she has the will power to refuse such things... :P

Oh I must say our Supporter (The Nazi) doesn't help either as she is also a chocoholic! Geez, I am stuck with 2 chocoholics! I am actually surprised I still lost weight and inches around my waist. I HAVE WILL POWER!!! YAY..

Anyway, so just so you know I lost 2 lbs and an inch on my waist since I started this whole thing. Not much improvement but still better than nothing!!! 2 lbs baby !!! I finally fit better in my clothes, but I think a few more lbs will make it comfortable.

I will update you guys again soon, I hope to blog about other things too...:)

Have a great weekend!

My new goal

2008-09-12T11:35:00.007-04:00

Since my childhood I never had a problem with my weight, I was always average even though I ate more food that my stomach can handle. I guess my metabolism was just always working a fast rate. As I grow older, I have been realizing that my metabolism has slowed down. I can't blame it, it's not like I have been helping it by exercising or doing something about it.

Anyhow, after I had my son almost 3 years ago. Within a couple of months I was back to my normal size of 103 lbs. It was perfect for my height of 5 feet 1 inch, I wasn't too skinny but all my clothes fit perfectly and I was happy with myself.

For the past 8-10 months, I gained so much weight from eating, BBQ-ing and more eating. See, I used to do this a lot too but my body was able to get rid of the extra weight without exercising. Now I think my body has given up cleaning the waste and let the waste take up residence in my midsection. Damn these waste, they better pay rent if they are going to stay in my body for awhile!

I have been a healthy person, minus the fact that I have asthma, which really I blame Canada for it (damn weather made me sick). I tell you, I am healthy, you can even say I am healthy by the book. My blood pressure is 120/80, that is by the book baby! Beat that!

Therefore, I am not going to do this for the sake of my health, well maybe it'll help with my asthma. I am going to try and lose weight for the sole reason of trying to fit in my clothes!

Yes, most of my clothes don't fit me anymore so it's been a struggle everyday trying to find clothes to wear to work. It's been such a pain trying to squeeze in my favorite jeans and just eventually toss it because I couldn't even zip it up. No, I can't go flying low - that doesn't work.:)

So starting Monday, I will do the following to lose some weight so I can fit in my clothes again:

* Eat sensibly
* Go for walk/run for at least 45 Minutes 4 times a week
* Avoid Fatty Foods
* Go to bed early
* Do crunches every morning for 10 minutes
* Drinks lots of water

So there you go, based on the ticker on the right hand side of this window, I have 17 lbs to go to achieve my goal and be comfortable with my clothes.

If you have any suggestions to help me with my goal, let me know!!! Encouragement is highly appreciated!!!

I will be posting my progress here so watch out for new postings!!!

HBO's Rome

2008-09-09T10:27:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since I posted here - I have been really busy finishing HBO's Rome and now I am watching House season 4.

Gaius Julius Caesar

Last year I read somewhere online about this show on HBO called Rome. I was intrigued so I ended up buying both season 1 and 2 on eBay. I love period shows especially if they depict history, even though sometimes they are inaccurate, but that is up to the viewer to get the fact right.

Here's some information about the show:

" The series is a historical drama depicting the period of history surrounding the violent transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire; a change driven by civil warfare between populists (populares) and conservatives (optimates), the decay of political institutions, and the actions of ambitious men and women. The HBO website provides the following introduction:

The Triumph of Gaius Octavian Caesar

Half a century before the dawn of Christianity, Rome has become the wealthiest city in the world, a cosmopolitan metropolis of one million people — epicenter of a sprawling empire. Founded on principles of shared power and fierce personal competition, the Republic was created to prevent any one man from seizing absolute control.

It is a society where soldiers can rise up from provincial commoners to become national heroes, even leaders of the Republic. But as the ruling class became extravagantly wealthy, the foundations have crumbled, eaten away by corruption and excess, and the old values of Spartan discipline and social unity have given way to a great chasm between the classes.[2]

While chronicling the lives and deeds of the rich, powerful and "historically significant," the series also focuses on the lives, fortunes, families and acquaintances of two common men: Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two Roman soldiers mentioned historically in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. The fictionalized Vorenus and Pullo manage to witness and often influence many of the historical events presented in the series.

The wedding of Marc Anthony to Octavia of the Julii

Season 1 depicts Julius Caesar's civil war of 49 BC against the traditionalist conservative faction in the Roman Senate, his subsequent rise to absolute dictatorship over Rome and his eventual fall, spanning the time period from the end of his Gallic Wars (52 BC or 701 ab urbe condita) until his assassination on March 15, 44 BC (the infamous Ides of March).

Against the backdrop of these cataclysmic events, we also see the early years of the young Octavian, who is destined to become the first Emperor of Rome, Augustus.
Season 2 chronicles the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony following Caesar's assassination, spanning the period from Caesar's death in 44 BC to Octavian's final victory over Antony at Actium in 31 BC." source

It's really sad that this show didn't continue after 2 seasons as I must say that this is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Mind you it's not for young ones, there are a lot of nudity and some foul language, which really portrays Rome back in the days.

If you can get pass the nudity and sex scenes, this show has a lot of strong points. Rome is not some kind of a low budget series, actually they ended up stopping the show due to budget - it cost too much to make it. The costumes are beautiful and the props are so realistic that I feel like I am looking at Rome back in the days. The history itself is I would say 70% accurate, but that is the viewers discretion to find the facts.

Cleopatra and Octavian

I must say though that the strongest point of this show are the actors. It's amazing that these unknown actors are doing much better that the popular ones out there. Each of them portrays their character so well that you'll believe them. Young, middle aged, old; these actors are so talented, I love watching them speak and act, it seems so natural to them.

Vorenus, Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

I am a little sad that I have finished season 2 and I am hoping that eventually they will continue this show. It's a shame that shows that stimulate the mind is getting put on the shelf while shows that lowers your IQ are on the top chart. What is happening to our society? So Sad.

My new part time job - in retail

2008-08-21T10:26:00.004-04:00

Weeks ago, I had ask a very good friend of mine to hand in my resume at her part time job at the mall. I wanted to make extra money for paying bills and maybe earn enough to go on another vacation.

I went through the interview process and all that formality, but the end of course I was guaranteed the job. Last night was my first night working there, well mainly it was training and orientation.

So I was shown how to fold the clothes, make sure the hangers are all showing the store name, greet customers and sell and etc.

Mind you I am not great at selling anything, but I did very well last night, I sold a blouse, a t-shirt, a pair of pants, and 2 men's shirts within 3 hours! I rocked for my first night!

Although everything was great, I had some not so positive feedback about the whole thing. I mean, every single job, has it's own pros and cons, but then again maybe it also depends on the people as well.

Firstly, let's talk about the other employees that were working their last night. They all seem to be nice and all, but it seems like underneath all that smile, there is that smug attitude wanting to creep out. I didn't feel welcome by these employees, I am not sure why, they seemed to be intimidated by me, but whatever, that is not my problem.

Secondly, I was assign to fold the women's sweaters, which was fine, but they don't seem to have a process or a specific way of folding them. The district manager of the store was there and she sort of came up with a way to fold them and I just basically copied how she did it which was fine.

The only problem is that based on the way she showed me, after all the shirts were done, they weren't align or have the same shape due to different sizes. I got frustrated, I asked one of the employees if they have at least a board or a pattern to mold these damn clothes, she said no - and continue telling me that it's ok that they are not align, as long as they look neat. Ok, well to me it wasn't neat, and it was a mess! So today, I am bringing my own board/pattern.

Thirdly, I didn't like the fact that a couple of people seem to treat me like a teenager lost in her first part time job. Ok, I have worked in Customer Service for the past 10 years, I think I can manage to say hello and assist clients. I was told by the manager what is expected and what I need to do and I have been doing them, but other employees seem to think they are my manager as well. Get lost and do your own job!

Fourthly, I think some employees there just lacks of common sense or it could have been just laziness. After we closed the store, the manager told us that we have to clean and tidy up before we leave, which was fine. So I swept the floor and tidied up the clothes on one of the tables.

When I was done, I didn't know what else to do as everything seems to be almost done. I noticed that the change room area which had carpeting was really dirty so I looked for a vacuum in the storage area and voila, I found one. So as I was setting up the vacuum, one of the employees came up to me and said "Did the manager asked us to vacuum?" and I am like "No, but the carpet is dirty, so we have to clean it" and she goes "oh ok".

This is what I am talking about, just because the manager didn't ask, that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be done. Either, this specific employee lacks some common sense or she is just lazy. Yes I understand that you are there to sell and help clients, but you are also there by the hour. If you're hour is not done and you're just standing around, look for something else to do.

Fifthly, everyone seem to just complain about a lot of things. How the district manager wants this and that and that the other employees aren't doing their jobs and etc.
Ok, maybe I will be like that too eventually, but really I don't see myself doing that. Sure I will complain, but I think I will do it in private, not while everyone is there. Geez, discretion people. If you don't want this job, go find another job somewhere else and stop complaining!

Ok, I am done venting I think, so let's go on with our lives shall we?

5 Danger Zones Worth a Visit

2008-08-16T23:09:00.005-04:00

Travel advisories frequently paint in broad strokes. There might be a regional conflict here and an unfortunate incident there, but between official advisories, the media, and the rumour mill, the entire canvas is drowned in UPPERCASE critical warnings, guaranteed to scare the hell out of anyone. As a result, visiting some of these fantastic countries below might not seem like a good idea, but with a little common sense (namely, stay away from the trouble zones) you might just find yourself enjoying the best adventure of all.

Robin’s Disclaimer: Bad stuff can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time. Wherever you decide to go, do your research, listen to advice, and take your personal safety seriously.

Colombia

Desperately in need of some good PR, Colombia is most often associated with kidnapping, murder, drugs and jungle guerrillas. Fortunately, the reality is anything but. I wandered the streets of Bogota during an annual carnival and found locals to be sincerely welcoming. Security is tight, but as a tourist this made me feel safe.

Heading to the Caribbean and UNESCO Heritage Site of Cartagena, I discovered a cobblestone old town rich with history, culture, and outstanding bars and restaurants. Certainly there are parts of Colombia no tourist (or anyone else for that matter) should stray into, particular border areas. But locals will look out for you as they are distinctly proud of their beautiful country and eager to show visitors the best it has to offer.

Ethiopia

It’s one of the poorest countries on the poorest continent, but if you’re prepared to forsake a little comfort and get used to the fact that some things don’t quite work as they should (good luck finding a high speed internet connection), you’ll experience some truly unforgettable experiences.

Visit haunting 11th century rock churches in Lalibela, exotic tribes in the Southern Omo Valley, national parks rich with wildlife, or just partake in a very serious, very delicious local coffee ceremony. Ethiopia has had a long-standing dispute with its Eritrean neighbours, and poverty breeds crime and scams wherever you go. Like the rest of Africa, it is seeped in timeless beauty and political heartbreak. You may want to holiday elsewhere, but if you travel to learn about yourself and the world around you, look no further.

The Philippines

Several years ago a tragic act of terror made world headlines when tourists were abducted from a resort on Palawan, the Philippines’ most pristine and eco-friendly island. The impact on tourism is still being felt throughout the 7,107 islands that make up the country, and there are several extremist no-go zones to the south.

But visit Palawan today and you’ll find a breathtaking and surprisingly affordable alternative to Thailand. English is widely spoken making travel particularly easy, and Filipinos are warm and gracious hosts. When Alex Garland wrote the hit book (and movie) The Beach, he set it in a mythical and untouched paradise in Thailand. Funny thing, the book was actually written in, and inspired by, the limestone islands of El Nido, in Palawan.

Sri Lanka

A civil war has been raging for decades in this teardrop of an island, located to the south of India in the tropical Indian Ocean. The thousands of lives lost, bombings and disappearances are made even more tragic considering just how magnificent the country is. From unspoilt beaches (with notable surfing paradises) in the south to the majestic mountains of the central highlands, Sri Lanka is one of the friendliest countries I’ve ever visited.

Blink your eyes and you’ll wish you could take a picture - smiling locals, bizarre modes of transportation, roadside wildlife and colourful temples. While it is possible to visit the Tamil-controlled north, most visitors are more than content (not to mention wise) to head south to the beaches, the fascinating religious festivals in Kandy and Kataragama, or the delightful tea fields of the highlands.

Albania

When I told neighbouring Croatians I was on my way to Albania they thought I was crazy. The country has a truly awful reputation in Europe as a backwards mess run by organized crime, a relic of the Cold War when it was the world’s most isolated country. Admittedly, the roads were in shambles, the buses held together with elastics and the concept of tourism had not quite taken off.

But here I was in Europe, discovering a friendly new country just as it was discovering me. Curious stares led to offers of food and drink and the prices were more than kind to my backpacker budget. In Dhermi, I found a beach town as stunning as anything on Corfu just a few hours ferry ride away. The country is recovering fast from its economic and political collapse and, in the meantime, locals enthusiastically appreciate those few tourists who take the chance to see what it has to offer.

Photos and words by Robin Esrock

Wasting time online? You might be mentally ill

2008-08-14T10:22:00.006-04:00

It's always there. Waiting and calling to you. Fark. Reddit. Facebook. Dolphin Olympics. It may take only a couple minutes out of your day, but you know you're wasting time on this stuff whether you should be working on that spreadsheet or washing the dishes.

Yes it is!!! Most of us work on the computer nowadays and you can't escape it, all those social networking site or blogging (like what I am doing now) or just plain surfing the net trying to find out whether the Jolie-Pitt's are now going crazy with their 6 kids.

The Internet is such a powerful tool that you can pretty much get anything you need, information wise of course. Many companies now actually bans Facebook and probably other social networking site. I am a very lucky person as our company hasn't blocked it, actually I can pretty much get into anything on the web, but not that I want to, I am just trying to prove how secure our network is. LOL

Time-wasting, or rather "chronic procrastination," is hardly a laughing matter, according to Professor Joseph Ferrari of Chicago's DePaul University. According to an insightful story in UK's Observer, it's a profound "social and economic" problem and, thanks to technology, it's far worse than you could ever imagine.

Honestly, with or without technology many of us still procrastinate. I think this due to either upbringing, culture (I blame the Spanish for bringing Manana Habit to the Flip land) and influence. There could be other reasons out there, but all I can say many of us are procrastinators in nature.

Procrastination isn't just idle laziness. There are real social consequences to wasting time. Per the story, "it encourages depression, lowers self-esteem, causes insomnia, and indirectly affects health by discouraging visits to the dentist or doctor.

Sufferers are also more likely to have accidents at home involving unmended appliances." Makes sense if you think about it.

Ahh see I can vouch for the last sentence above. My hubby is a techie and I tell you he almost burned our house down 3 times!!! - For forgetting to turn off the stove. - Yes it's a true story.

Of course, it's the economic impact that has businesses more concerned. Distractions aren't just limited to the lure of the web. That little chime that rings when an email message arrives, says research from Calgary University, causes a 0.5 percent drop in the Gross Domestic Product here in the United States, costing the country $70 billion a year, as employees are distracted from the task they're supposed to be focused on.

Hey, my pc doesn't chime when I get an email!!! It just shows a little yellow envelope on the task bar. :)

I don't think emails are a distraction, maybe a small percentage. Most business actually rely on email for communication and for transferring files and so on. I myself use email at work all the time, to communicate with colleagues and clients. Sometimes it's better to communicate through email as it saves the thread, which means you can go back and re-read the information again. Also, it's a great tool to use for blackmailing someone as you have the evidence :). He he he

Tech is the real driver in this trend, which now impacts 1 in 4 people, up from 1 in 20 a few decades ago. But some scientists say procrastination is hard wired in our brains: People have always wasted time, and evolution may be responsible for developing an "automatic response" mechanism inside us, one which innately told us to drop the cave painting and run if a tiger came sniffing around the cave.

On the other hand, some say procrastination is still useful in tiger-free times: Earlier this year one study found that personal web use (including video games and social networking) helps employees get their jobs done more efficiently (and raises profits) by fostering a "trusting" environment and helping staffers feel at ease in the workplace. Obviously there's a fine line between "wasting time" and "taking a little break." Where that line actually falls remains a mystery.

Yes, I agree to this 100%. Since I have access to everything at work and or course I don't abuse it, I totally have this feeling of being at home. I know that I can do a little bit of surfing and my boss won't yell at me or even fire me for doing that. It's taking a break!

I mean, isn't it the same for people who goes our for a smoke? I mean they could be out smoking for 10 minutes each time and bosses don't normally give them a pink slip for smoking right? So I think it's the same for us non-smokers, just because we can't take our computer out and do our surfing outside, we shouldn't be punish for checking our personal mail or just trying to get some Hollywood gossip. It's only fair I think.

For all of you who have the privilege of having access to the Internet without restrictions, don't abuse it! Your boss lets you do that, so I say give and take - So put some time on finishing that project of yours!

Now stop reading blogs and get back to work.
LINK: Hi-tech is turning us all into time-wasters

Travel guide: Edinburgh, Scotland

2008-08-11T10:36:00.003-04:00

Forget the kilts; one of Scotland's coolest cities is a mix of haute fashion, high culture and medieval magic.

Edinburgh Castle

There's more to Scotland than its largest cities - most of it is emerald green, and if there isn't a castle in view, chances are you can golf on it - but to experience the country at its best, visits to Glasgow and Edinburgh are a must.

Edinburgh (pronounce "Edin-Burough")

The vibe The capital city is a bit uptight - as befits a place that's swarming with financiers and other businessfolk. But if you visit during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August 3 to 25), you might feel as if the city is too friendly. Spend five minutes in one spot and you'll be accosted by someone (possibly juggling something) inviting you to see the best play in town. Edinburgh is also UNESCO's first City of Literature, and authors like J. K. Rowling have found inspiration in its picaresque, medieval-tinged surroundings.

Where to stay

Tigerlily, a boutique hotel on hip George Street, is a design maven's dream, with artsy cloud-shaped chandeliers and brocade wallpaper with turquoise velvet flowers. The drink menu is described as "biblical" in scope. Try the namesake daiquiri, which mixes homemade raspberry syrup, vanilla cognac, rum and pink grapefruit.

For the luxe country experience, aspiring princesses can rent out Myres Castle, a five-star, 500-year-old estate located 45 minutes outside the city. It's pricey but worth it - assuming that being waited on hand and foot between rounds of croquet and golf is your thing.

Where to shop

Start on Princes Street, known for its Jenners department store (Edinburgh's Harrods) and views of the thousand-year-old Edinburgh Castle. Visit the Escada and Phase boutiques on George Street-and don't miss niche beauty shop Neal's Yard Remedies. At Arkangel on William Street, browse through carefully selected treasures like the cherry-red '40s style suit by Petrovich & Robinson, vintage jewellery and hats spruced up with a shock of feathers.

Pet Cemetery

Where to drink and dine

So-hip-it-hurts music is one of the main attractions at the Opal Lounge-its hot-spot status was cemented by reports that Prince William hung out there while at the University of St Andrews. If you want to feel like royalty yourself, have dinner at Rhubarb at the Prestonfield hotel. With its secluded banquettes and deep purples, the decor is almost as decadent as the menu.

Local restaurant icon James Thomson turns Scottish staples into five-star creations, and the desserts, like Tarte Tatin with Marzipan Ice Cream, are just as exciting. Dance all night at Lulu, which has sound-responsive lighting on the dance floor and Swarovski crystals embedded in the walls.

What to do

Stroll through the fairy-tale locales that dot The Royal Mile, which trails down from Edinburgh Castle to the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. For luxe pampering, One Spa at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa boasts six storeys, a heated rooftop hydropool and individual baths scented with your choice of herbs. Getting there There are direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. Visit www.cometoscotland.com.

By Adam Nayman

The Art of One Bag Travel

2008-08-06T09:44:00.007-04:00

Since there will be a possibility of a trip for me and my family in the next month or so. I will be posting some travelling tips on the next few blogs. I am not an expert traveller nor I have travelled the world, but I have been to 10% of the world apparently which is not really that much in my opinion. KB

Kimora Lee-Simmons with her Louis Vuitton Luggage Collection.

While most images of going on vacation involve a trio of wheeled suitcases, there are people out there who travel with less: they pack all they’ll need into one, typically carry-on sized bag.Imagine cutting down on lost luggage, theft and, well, baggage! While travelling with one bag isn’t for everyone and it’s not for every trip, I dare you to try it out once.

The most common complaint I hear from friends who’ve travelled is that every time they bring too much stuff, they suffer the consequences: sore backs, bags bursting at the seams and endless headaches trying to navigate their trio along European cobblestoned streets or paying a premium for a second (or third) bag at the airport.

BenefitsOneBag.com’s “go-light guru” points out five clear benefits to leaving your suitcases at home and living out of one bag: security, economy, mobility, serenity and increased ecology.

Security: You’ll always have an eye on your stuff (passport, wallet, favourite pair of pants) when you’ve got one bag to keep track of! It’s an awful lot easier to ensure that your belongings don’t go missing when you’re not spread out too thinly. To top it off, carry-ons don’t get lost by the airline!

Economy: Save money at the airport, save money when you hop on a bus and save on cash with porters and baggage check clerks. You can also save money on luggage.

Mobility: Obviously someone with one bag moves faster and more efficiently than someone with three.

Serenity: Peace of mind can go a long way to making your trip. On my first European adventure, I did the three-wheeled bags adventure and by the end, I was hoping one (or two) of my bags would get lost!

Ecology: It’s a matter of less. “Less stuff to manufacture. Less use of vehicles and other machinery to move things (including you) around. Less fuel needed for the vehicles that do move you. Less greenhouse gas production. Less damage.

”The Right Bag + The Right Stuff = Happy Travel

Isn't this bag to die for? This is a Louis Vuitton Monogram Special Order Duffle Bag with wheels. I can definitely put all my stuff in there!!!

Finding the right bag is key. Look for quality construction that adheres to airline specifications of a carry-on bag. Look for something that falls within the measurements 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm and that is lightweight.

While I’ve never had my carry-on weighed, you will be asked to check your bag if it’s drastically overweight.How things are organized inside the bag is also an important thing to consider before buying. Look for something with pockets for organizing your belongings, but also look for a bag that uses space effectively.

Is there a compartment for a spare pair of shoes? Do you think that the main compartment is sized appropriately for a few outfits? For your laptop? Is everything easy to access? Once you’re happy with the bag’s design, it’s time to decide on a wardrobe.Selecting several coordinating pieces will build a better wardrobe than throwing in your three favourite outfits. Think mix and match to maximize your options.

Travel worthy pieces featuring synthetic, quick-dry fabrics will have your laundry (yes, you’ll likely have to do laundry) dry by morning. Invest in a pair or two of expensive ‘travel underwear’ for space saving, quick drying undergarments.

The Method In a Nut Shell

My favourite one-bag tip is about packing for every eventuality: don’t do it! What if you are invited to dinner with the Queen? In the words of onebag’s travel expert, “the universal answer to any of the (mostly unlikely) situations presented by this kind of ‘What if ...?’ scenario.

Simply ask yourself what the local populace would do if they needed whatever item(s) you're missing!” Buy it, rent it or borrow it!It’s not about thinking of every possibility, it’s about packing what you will need and knowing how to go about finding what you might need, when the situation arises.

After all, no one is going to trek around the world with his or her very best suit or dress just because they could possibly, maybe, in some alternate universe, be invited to dine with the Queen!If you think I forgot about all the things we pick up while on vacation, you can always mail them home instead of dragging them around with you.

They’ll likely be in better shape returning home via post than they will be if you tried to cram them into your pack!

one bag for success

All you have to do is try the one-bag method and there’s little chance that you’ll ever go back to hauling the kitchen sink across the world.

Source: Sympatico

Paris doesn't have to be expensive

2008-08-03T21:59:00.007-04:00

Here are some cheap ways to enjoy the city:

PARIS - Paris may be the most visited city in the world, yet it's also one of the most expensive.
"This city is worth the price," says veteran tourist Alex Wadkin, 71, a retiree from Dublin, Ireland, sipping a US$6 cup of coffee on the Champs-Elysees. "If you avoid expensive neighbourhoods - like this one - you'll do all right. But the key is to plan ahead."

For travellers on a budget, the choices can be tough: stay in a far-flung suburb and eat a baguette for every meal, or leave happy but broke. Yet for those in the know, there are plenty of cheap - and even free - ways to enjoy the city.

THE SIGHTS: The Eiffel Tower may be impossible to miss for any self-respecting tourist, but it costs $19 to reach the top and long lines leave you exhausted by the time you reach the celebrated view.

Instead, do as the Parisians do: come in the evening, pack a picnic, and sit on the sprawling lawns surrounding it to watch the sunset and admire the tower alight at night, sparkling every hour for 10 minutes.

For a great view of Paris, just hike up to the top of Montmartre and sit on the Sacre-Coeur Basilica's steps overlooking the city.
THE MUSEUMS: Unless you plan on spending most of your time in museums - which, granted, is possible among the dozens of great museums in Paris - the museum passes (two, four or six days) may not save you much. Better compare prices first at

http://www.parismuseumpass.com.

Try to time your visit to include the first Sunday of the month, when the Louvre and all the major museums are free. And students, always have your ID card on you.
Don't discount a couple of smaller free museums.

Le Musee Carnavalet has lots to offer: located in the gorgeous Marais neighbourhood, it retraces Paris's rich history, from the Revolution to today. Meanwhile the Petit Palais, an architectural beauty in the heart of Paris, shows off collections from Paris in the 1900s all the way back to antiquity.

For photography fans, the gates surrounding the Luxembourg gardens host free open-air exhibits featuring stunning large-scale photography from around the world. And don't forget to go into the park, where Parisians hang out by the fountain, get a tan, and listen to free music on summer weekends.

THE SOUNDS: Paris boasts not one, but two, world-class opera houses. Good seating remains prohibitively expensive, but if you reserve early and don't mind craning your neck a bit, there are seats for $11 and $16. For the under-28 crowd, last-minute tickets - sometimes for coveted seats - can also reach low prices. These are sold 15 minutes before the start of the show. The Opera Bastille reserves 62 standing-room tickets at $8, on sale as soon as doors open, generally 90 minutes before starting time.

And for a musical Notre Dame, drop in on Sunday afternoon starting at 4:30 p.m., when free organ concerts bring out the cathedral's sacred atmosphere.

THE WANDERING: The cheapest and most satisfying way to see the city is on your own. A year ago, Paris debuted an extensive system of rental bikes that you can help yourself to for just $1.50, credit card only, a day at numerous spots all over town. Velib', as they are called, are a great way to wander around the city independently. However Paris traffic can get pretty hairy, and the bikes don't come with helmets, so stay alert.
If cycling isn't your thing, hop on a bus and see where it goes. Weekly passes, which also work on the metro, are well worth investing in. Some scenic bus lines include numbers 24 (goes by the Seine, the Louvre, Notre Dame, several bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees) and 30 (the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees, the Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur).
And there is always the Seine River. Try the Batobus - it's $19, but unlike other flyboats its tickets are good for a whole day, and you can hop on and off with ease at eight top sightseeing spots.

THE FOOD: Food and drink are tricky to budget for in cuisine capital Paris, but if you stray away from touristy streets, there are cheap eats to be had.

For typically French food, no need to go to expensive restaurants, either. Try Le Bouillon Chartier (7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, metro Grands Boulevards), not just for its stunning art deco interior but for its simple, affordable fare. Or pick up a traditional French picnic at La Cantine de Quentin (52 rue Bichat, metro Goncourt), and walk over to the lovely Saint Martin Canal.

Try street food in the atmospheric Latin Quarter, or fixed-price lunch menus, cheaper than their dinnertime counterparts.

For gourmet ice cream with a view, try Berthillon, at the tip of the Ile Saint Louis, a little island in the middle of the Seine.

Or peruse Paris's traditional outdoor markets. One of the best and least expensive is the Belleville market, between Avenue de Menilmontant and Avenue de la Villette, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

THE ROOM: If you're staying for a week or even just a few days, short-term rentals found on Craigslist can be a lot cheaper than hotels. For an intermediary and a bit more peace of mind, the one-woman company Alcove & Agaves will set you up in lovely Parisian homes -

http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com.

If you can afford to, avoid budget hotels or rentals in the suburbs of Paris, as you'll waste too much time on transportation. Lastly, if you find a place so cheap it doesn't come with an Internet connection, take heart: there are free Wi-Fi spots all over Paris, including in many public parks - check out http://www.wifi.paris.fr/.

The Canadian Press
29/07/2008 11:19:00 AM

Pictures were taken by Karinna B.

E-mail etiquette tips

2008-07-31T09:49:00.001-04:00

E-mail allows you to communicate privately, one-on-one, with friends and family, and it can be a lot of fun. But technical issues can affect how your message is sent, and what it looks like once it gets to wherever it's going. It seems very complicated, but thankfully, it isn't really, because almost every piece of online etiquette advice can be boiled down to just two e-mail etiquette tips: format well and forward well.

1. Formatting

The subject line: Please put one in! And make it useful enough that people can tell at a glance what the message is about. This makes it easier for people who sort their messages by subject, and subject lines such as "re: your message," "please read," or "hi!" don't offer any incentive to open your message right away. A lot of people categorically delete forwarded messages as well, so if you are forwarding something and you want it to be read, delete the "Fw" that your email program will add when you hit reply.

The "to" line: This is probably the first blank in the e-mail message, the line where you type the other person's address. If you are replying to someone else's message, this might already be filled in for you. Before you send the message, double check which addressees are on this line. If you are replying to a message that was sent to more than one person, your e-mail program might have put all of their e-mails in, and the message might not need to go to everyone. "Reply" is one command. "Reply to all" is something different. If you get them confused, you'll wind up cluttering everyone's e-mail inbox with extra messages. Before you send the message, do a quick scan of the "to" and "cc" lines and make sure that only one address is there - unless your message really does need to go to the entire group.

Replying: Many e-mail programs helpfully copy the text of the message you are answering into the message you are sending. This can be wonderful because it allows you to quote the message and reply point by point. But it can be tedious if the message you are answering was very long. It is considered polite to "snip" the message: to cut out all the text except the lines you are directly responding to. Long messages that haven't been snipped are slower to load and slower to read, especially if they finally get to your response and find only a one-word "I agree" for their trouble.

Formatting: Try to make your type as easy to read as possible. Tab, bold, italic and other text formatting options may be available in your email program, but if the other person is using a plain-text reader, they won't be able to see it, or worse, their system may translate your formatting into a slew of meaningless cluttering symbols. Use plain text only, and avoid using capital letters for emphasis: that's considered shouting.

Signatures: The signature allows you to add text automatically to the end of every message: e-mail or phone numbers are often included, but some people try to liven up their e-mails by appending little quotes or jokes as well. This can be a fun way to express yourself, but keep it short: under three lines is considered acceptable. And if you include anything beyond your name and e-mail address, change it from time to time to keep things light.

2. Forwarding

Attachments are useful. They allow you to send documents, photos or even programs to other people. But because they take longer to download and they can contain viruses, they may be viewed as an annoyance by the recipient. Rule number one then is to be frugal. Send attachments only when necessary. Files are fine, and photos are generally all right if you don't send more than one with each message. But that cute little animated fish that someone on your e-mail list sent you - maybe not.

Message forwards: Urban legends, cute little poems and anecdotes and virus warnings can sometimes seem urgent or amusing, but by the time you send it along, most people have already seen it. Keep in mind that genuine virus dangers are often reported in the mainstream media, so it is very unlikely that your e-mail will truly alert someone who didn't already know. And most urban legends on the net are hoaxes.

Before you forward that story about the little girl with cancer who is trying to set a world record for e-mails, or the sister's cousin's friend who was stuck with an HIV-infected needle at the Santa Claus parade, check an urban legend site such as snopes.com to see if it has already been identified as a hoax. And if a message tells you to "forward this to everyone you know," please don't.

Source: MSN

Why Do We Spend Money at the Airport?

2008-07-27T22:10:00.006-04:00

On the way to Victoria last week, I came across a very interesting article from one of the on-board magazine about why travellers spend so much money buying things at the airport?

According to experts they call this impulse behaviour as Transumerism. We tend to spend alot of money for things we don't need at the aiport is because of the long wait for boarding. Going to an international destination, you need to be at the airport at least 3-hours before your departure time. This makes sense to me due to the fact that security has gotten tighter due to the September 11 attacks.

Abu Dhabi Airport Shopping Mall

However, since most people will get there probably 3 or more hours earlier, the process of checking in is also now becoming shorter. Now, once the passengers are checked in and they have 1 - 2 hours lag time before departure, they ended up browsing the shops. As these passengers get bored waiting, they ended up shopping to pass the time.

I find this is true to me as I have bought some things at the airport before that I didn't need, but of course this was I would say 8 years ago, I have gotten smarter and I just bring a book to pass the time.

So to basically summarize this whole transumerism, if you don't want to spend money on unnecessary things at the shops, bring a book, something to pass the time so you don't get bored and have the urge to shop.

All by myself

2008-07-24T21:51:00.005-04:00

Last night I had dinner at this very nice restaurant called Haros, which is located just across the street from where I am staying. It was recommended by our client and since they will be paying for it eventually, I wanted to check it out.

I walked in and I was greeted by a receptionist. Here's how the conversation went:

Receptionist: Hello, welcome to Haros.

Me: Hi, I would like a table for one please.

Receptionist: (At this time, Receptionist looks at another colleague and said) Oh ok, ahhh table for one - here please ( and showed me a table near a half wall)

Me: Would it be possible if I could sit by the glass wall? (so I can look outside and watch the sailboats and etc)

(As the Receptionist help me with my seat he said)

Receptionist: What does a beautiful young lady doing here without a date?

(Ok I was shocked! Can't I eat alone? Do I have to have someone with me to eat? Do I have to have a man who will pay for my food? I have money too you know! This is a free country for crying out loud!!!)( Of course I didn't say that to his face, I just said)

Me: Oh I am not from here, I am here for business.

Receptionist: Oh, where are you from? (I think he felt like he had to chat with me)

Me: I am from Toronto

Receptionist: Oh that's great, what business are you here for?

Me: I am a software consultant. (Then he tells me again that John will be coming in a minute)

(So the infamous waiter John came, I ordered the chicken gnocchi and a caramel something dessert , which was the special of the day)( I also ordered a glass of rose')

(As I was just sitting there, enjoying my wine while watching the sailboats and the water and everything else, John came back and said:

John: We do have some reading materials, would you like a newspaper, we also have an Eat Magazine? Something to read while you're waiting for your food?

Me: Hmmmmm, sure the magazine would be great.

John: Absolutely! (then he goes to the reception area and I could see that the Receptionist already had the magazine ready for John to take to me)(oh my food came so fast that I think John asked the chef to cook my food first, so I would have something to do - hahaha)

So the point of this story is to make all people aware, not just waiters, but everyone that it's ok to go to a restaurant and eat by yourself!

I could see the receptionist and John getting all stressed out trying to think of other ways to entertain me so I won't feel awkward- it's like taboo to be sitting alone in a restaurant.

I wanted to tell them both, that "Hey it's ok, don't panic, I am here by myself and I am enjoying my company, I just want to relax, capish?" "And that you don't need to come and see me every 5 minutes to chat with me, I am comfortable by myself"

Nevertheless the food was good and I had a great time - on my own!!!

British Columbia

2008-07-22T22:27:00.008-04:00

After a grueling 5 hours sitting in a Air Canada Embraer 190 flight to Victoria, I finally reached my hotel by the harbour of Sidney. This little town of Sidney which is about 5 minutes away from Victoria airport is really quaint. It looks like a cross breed of Fredericton and Halifax, the atmosphere, the shops, and the restaurants except a little smaller. Yes, the actual city center is so small that they don't have traffic lights, just 4-way stops. Althougt there are traffic lights about 3 or 4 blocks away from the center.

When I was planning this trip for work, our client told me that their office/building is really close to the airport. When we touched down this morning, I was looking out the window while we were taxiing and what do you know?.....There it is, about 300 feet from where I was sitting is a building right beside the run way is a building with the company name in bold letters in front of it. If I was meant to work today, I could have just jumped out and I was there, ready for battle.

I got to the hotel at around 1:30PM PST and my room wasn't ready, so I left my luggage and walked around the small town. I went to this consignment store and I was thrilled as I thought I was going to score on some second hand LV's or Chanel Bags, but to my horror the only thing that resembles designer is Fossil (or can Fossil be called designer? Please correct me if I am wrong). I did see a fake Louis Vuitton White Multicolore Papillon and I don't know if the sales associate heard me say "Ewww".

After browsing the shops, I went to this restaurant called Beacon by the harbour beside the hotel. I sat by the patio overlooking the water, just mesmerized by the beauty of it. I ordered the crunchy beef strips with hoisin sauce on a bed of brown rice. I also had a glass of a California Rose' which turned out pretty good with the beef.

After lunch, I stayed there and ordered a chocolate cake and coffee while reading The Confessions of a Shopaholic. I am really starting to hate Becky!!! Anyway that will be a different topic.

So here are some pictures that I took today and I will post more in the next few days!!!

The Beacon Restaurant

This pic was taken from the Beacon Restaurant's patio

Those apartment units must be expensive, I wonder how much. Hmm

The pic above was taken from my hotel room, really close to the water eh?

Immigrants - Having a tough time finding jobs

2008-07-22T10:05:00.004-04:00

OTTAWA -- Some university-educated immigrants were less likely to be employed in 2007 than their Canadian-born counterparts, a new study shows.

Statistics Canada said university-educated immigrants between the ages of 25 and 45, who arrived in Canada in the last five years, had a more difficult time finding work than native-born Canadians.

Native-born Canadians holding a university degree had an employment rate of 90.7 per cent. The study found that immigrants who were educated in western countries were more likely to find work than those educated elsewhere. Immigrants' employment rate varied depending on their country of origin:

· United States: 77.8 per cent
· Europe: 73.8 per cent
· Asia: 65.5 per cent
· Latin America: 59.7 per cent
· Africa: 50.9 per cent
But even immigrants who received their degree at a Canadian university had lower employment rates than native-born Canadians.
Between 2002 and 2007, about 28,000 core-working-age immigrants received a degree in Canada. Despite their Canadian education, their employment rate in 2007 was 75.3 per cent - lower than the 90.7 per cent average among their Canadian born, university-educated counterparts.
The study also found that the employment gap between degree-holding immigrants and the Canadian-born narrowed the longer an immigrant has been in Canada. University-educated immigrants who have been in Canada for more than a decade had employment rates comparable to native-born Canadians, Statistics Canada says.
Studies have shown that it is often difficult for newcomers to Canada to find work because of language barriers and their foreign credentials not being recognized.
The study also looked at employment rates in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec - the three provinces where most immigrants choose to settle.
Quebec had the most immigrants holding a Canadian university degree. British Columbia had the most Asian immigrants and the most immigrants holding a degree from an Asian university. Immigrants in Ontario most commonly held Asian or Canadian degrees.
The study found immigrants with Canadian degrees in Ontario and B.C. had employment rates similar to those of Canadian-born graduates, regardless of their landing period. But in Quebec, immigrants who have been in Canada since 1997 had an employment rate below native-born Canadians.
The employment rate among degree-holding immigrants who landed in Canada before 1997 was close to that of their Canadian-born counterparts, Statistics Canada said. The only exception was the 61,000 Asian-educated immigrants in Ontario who arrived prior to 1997, who had a lower employment rate than native-born Canadians.

Meanwhile, the study found that immigrants aged 25 to 54 who held a post-secondary certificate or diploma were less likely to be employed than a similarly-educated Canadian born at home.

Updated Fri. Jul. 18 2008 10:59 AM ET
The Canadian Press

The Dark Knight

2008-07-21T09:24:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, we went and saw the new Batman movie; The Dark Knight. With all the hype about Heath Ledger's performance as the demented Joker, I just had to see it. So we went to the theater about an hour early, as we knew it would be busy and we wanted good seats. After we paid, I lined in front of auditorium and Robin got us popcorn and drinks.

After 15 minutes of waiting in line, they finally let us go inside the theater. We got great seats! Third row down from the top, middle 2 seats. Excellent!

The movie was definitely the best movie I have ever seen in 2008 and all of the other Batman movies. From beginning to end, I wasn't bored at all. I didn't find any scenes that were useless, everything tied in together.

There were a few scenes that definitely caught me off guard, but I have my 2 favorites:

1. When the Joker was talking to the Mobs and he had to show them how to make a pencil disappear - ok, I won't say what happen since the movie just came out and I don't want to spoil it for anybody.

2. Remember when the Mayor was looking outside the window and a guy in a Batman Suit with painted Joker Face hit the window? Well ok, I was the only one in the theater that screamed!!! Yes I did! It's sad I was like "Ahhhhhhhhhh", I heard people laughed at me - so I had to apologize for being loud. He he he

So anyway, I love, love, love the movie - Not because of Christian Bale, but I mean sure he is Batman and he is hot and all that with a bag of chips, but really it's really about the story and how they captured the joker very well. I also applaud Aaron Eckhart, he did great as well. Except that they killed him too fast when he became two face.

The gadgets and the suit were awesome! They look really high tech, but at the same time the Bat could still get hurt - which basically reminds us that he is a man.

I love the motorbike! It's so sleek, even though it had 2 huge tires. Although Christian Bale looked a little uncomfortable seating on it.

There were tons of Scenes with the Joker that were really creepy, when he is talking and suddenly his voice changes, it sends chills down my spine; oh also when he was telling the story about how he got his scars, the one about his father.

All in all, it's a great movie - we'll probably own it once it comes out on DVD and I will give this a 9/10 score. It actually beat Spider 3 on the first opening weekend! Check the story on the link below.

Batman breaks Spider-Man record at box office

How to live on less money

2008-07-18T08:39:00.002-04:00

There are those for whom cutting back on spending money comes easy. They set their mind to minimal living and nothing gets past their watchful budgeting eye. But for those of us who have a harder time sticking to our money-saving or environment-helping guns, there’s help. Try these quick and easy tips for living on less – and saving more – and watch your bank account grow.

•Cut out daily coffee and fast food runs. One of the fastest ways to burn through cash is by splurging on these unnecessary treats, so cut back on the number you indulge in per week to save.

TIP: You don’t have to give these luxuries up completely. Hooked on coffee shop java? Remember, Starbucks, Second Cup, Tim Hortons, Timothy’s and other coffee houses all sell coffee you can make at home, either in-store or often in the grocery store. Pack your coffee in a thermos and bring your own lunch every two or three days instead of grabbing fast food every day. Bonus: On top of saving money you’ll also cut back on take-out waste and help the environment in the process.

• Skip pricey salons that can set you back upward of $50 per haircut. Instead, look for a local beauty school that offers cuts (or highlights, facials or manicures/pedicures) by students or professionals demonstrating techniques. Prices for services here are often half (or less) of what you’d expect to pay in a salon.

• Try secondhand goods for kids. Whether it’s toys, clothes or furniture, kids six and under are the perfect candidates for gently used goods. Try looking up reputable consignment stores in your area for best results.
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• Pay attention to the calendar when purchasing big-ticket items. Certain times of the year mean bigger sales for specific pieces. For example, furniture tends to have the biggest sales in February and August, while jewelry sees the biggest discounts in January. Mark your calendars and do your best to hold off on buying until sale season rolls around.

• Reacquaint yourself with the library. With big book chains now in many larger cities around the country, North American families are opting to buy their literature new. To save yourself some coin, pass on straight-from-the-shelves reads and visit your library. You may even be able to rent some great new or older, harder-to-find movies.

• Recruit some friends for a biannual clothing swap. Rather than spending hundreds on new pants, dresses or shoes every season, invite a handful of similar-sized friends over and ask them to bring pieces they like but don’t wear anymore. Do a swap and enjoy the feeling new-to-you clothes can bring.

• Get expert advice from a professional planner – preferably one that doesn’t earn commissions by promoting certain products or stocks. They’ll be able to help make sure you’re setting aside enough for retirement, your kids’ education costs, and to ensure that any current investments are working for you.

• Think outside the box when it comes to grocery shopping. Unlike your average grocery store, warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco offer discounts of 20 to 50 per cent on everyday goods like canned foods, condiments and more, and are a great place to shop for bigger-ticket items like appliances, over-the-counter medications and books.

By Liz Bruckner <----- By the way, Liz Bruckner was Robin's Classmate in College!

How to shop in a recession: 6 tips for saving money

2008-07-17T08:24:00.002-04:00

For the next few days I will be posting money saving tips (as a tribute to my friend Lisa :)) so don't freak out if you see so many of them here - Ha ha ha I'll still blog about other stuff next week!

Even if you're not a reader of the financial pages, you've heard it: a capital-R Recession is hitting the United States, and some predict an economic slowdown may make its way to Canada. The bottom line is: no economy is recession proof. Fortunately, your shopping bill can be, even if you're not the type of person who likes coupon clipping or discount-store shopping. Here are some easy ways to keep yourself comfy, while saving money and paring back on lifestyle costs (and saving natural resources) across the board now (while you're still comfortable) – in order to prepare for any slowdown in the future.

1. Learn to cook Convenience foods
that are either ready-to-cook or just-heat-and-serve cost more than groceries in their unrefined forms. You're paying a premium for that seasoned and ready-to-cook chicken breast from the deli foods counter at your supermarket. It its skinned, deboned, chicken-breast-supreme form you pay a bit less per kilogram, but still more than a bone-in, skin-on breast. Finally, when you buy a whole chicken, take it apart and skin it yourself, you are saving the most per unit. Learn to butcher chicken and you can afford to maintain your organic-meat habit.

Learn to cook vegetarian cuisine to save more on groceries (two veggie dinners a week will improve your health and the planet's, as well as your pocketbook). If you know how to cook, you can make an awesome meal from the most inexpensive of ingredients, from pantry-staple legumes to the budget cuts of organic meat. Bonus: besides saving cash, you'll probably also reduce the sodium and fat in your meals.

2. Discover the art of decanting toiletries and cleaning aids

Luxury hand soaps and prestige detergents can be the first to get the chop when grocery shopping on a budget. Switching to no-name? Decant econo-size cheaper products into eco-friendly and free or low-cost dispensers such as wine bottles (a half-bottle size is perfect for hand soap, mouthwash, or liquid dish soap), vintage-style milk bottles (many health food stores carry milk in them, and charge only a nominal deposit) or a cut-glass cruet. Laundry detergent can be scooped out of a flea market flour bucket. These options are so unique and pretty you won't even notice the switch!

3. Build your basic wardrobe
Although we're going through a neo-1980s colour bubble now, neutrals like black, camel and white are always in style, as are secondary neutrals such as navy and brown. That classic statement hue, red, is another perennial favourite. If you're clothes shopping now, stick to the classics so you'll have a quality wardrobe to last through any future financial belt cinching.

Classics for any working woman include a well-tailored black blazer and coordinating pants, black sheath dress, flattering sweaters, basic shirts for layering, two to three pairs of work shoes and a neutral raincoat/trench. If you add inexpensive flourishes through belts, scarves, "trend" shoes and shirts whenever you want a wardrobe lift, you're set for practically forever. Whenever you have money to splurge, spend it on one enduring classic, not five cheap items that will look dated and worn-out next season.

4. Get rid of kids' hair care products
Here's a shocker courtesy of the local kids' salon I took my daughter to after a giant tangle threatened to turn her hair into a bird's nest: no-tear shampoo (even premium brands) can be drying – and that can lead to tangles galore. "Get rid of it tonight, and start her on your products," said my kids' hair care expert. Another money and hair-saving tip? Skip the detangling spray; just fill a squirt bottle with a bit of conditioner and warm water.

Mix them to a watery consistency and shake to blend: spray this on as you would detangler. It works better and costs next-to-nothing! (Babies still need no-tears formulas for the obvious reason.)

5. Cut back on toys
load up on lifeResisting the siren call of branded toys can be hard, especially with older kids. But if you've got a preschooler, it can be done by limiting the choices they're exposed to. Don't voluntarily introduce them to video games or Internet-connected toys.

Do encourage them to get down and dirty in the garden, or at the park. Given a choice, many kids would rather have carte blanche to go wild, and many times, it's us parents who decide a tidy little plastic toy set is better than cleaning mud from our kids' ears and living with grass stains.

Those priorities favour costly playthings over no-fee exploration, and sedentary play over physical activity. Will you ever get your kids off the mass-market toy grid (aka "The Toy Matrix")? Uh, not very likely, but you can reduce the amount of toy clutter and the add-on purchases somewhat by giving them mud time outside.6. Get rid of that second (or third) carCanadians drive too much.

Try carpooling, joining a car-share program, taking public transit, or riding a bicycle or a motor scooter. If you have infrequent errands or mostly work from home but occasionally attend meetings, swap that underused car for a taxi or car service, rather than keeping an extra car in the garage "just in case." Cut your fuel, insurance, maintenance and/or lease costs by sticking with one main vehicle. Bonus: if you have to spring for public transit or cab fare every time you head out, you may think twice before nixing heart-healthy walking or bike ride – something less likely to happen when you drive.

By Yuki Hayashi

Handbags That Stand The Test Of Time

2008-07-15T22:05:00.006-04:00

In tough times, accessories, most notably handbags, aren't just an easier way to look good, they're delivering profits for the companies that make them.Last month, British luxury fashion label Burberry reported accessories sales up 32% year-on-year, with plans to invest an estimated 10 million dollars over this year and next in developing and strengthening its accessories offer.

In Pictures: Eight Handbags That Stand The Test Of Time
Italy's Giorgio Armani has been working hard since the late 1990s to guide his customers toward accessories, but the big gains have come relatively recently. Armani registered an unprecedented accessories sales growth of over 30% in the year ending March 2008. Behind the numbers? Throughout the fashion business, the view is that consumers are rethinking their spending and indulging on relatively affordable luxury goods.Unlike most clothing, some handbags are on trend for multiple seasons, making then a worthy investment.

The $2,000 Louis Vuitton Speedy cube bag, for example, is an innovation of the classic speedy bag, an LV best seller. The Fall/ Winter 2008 version is a must have, merging trend with tradition, allowing for a useful and beautiful bag that will outlive seasonal trends."When times are tough, you spend more on accessories," says British fashion consultant and journalist Roger Tredre. "It's clothing that suffers."Behind The Bags Part of the secret is in the implementation of new logistics programs.

These treat accessories like ready to wear clothing, where the traditional two seasons have been scrapped in favor of smaller capsule collections. Now accessories, too, are produced in a number of flash collections, delivered at short intervals throughout the year. This kind of rethink is prompting increments in sales, with customers enticed to visit stores more regularly to browse for fresh designs. Of course retailers still have to work hard for their customers.

The key for design teams is to strike the right balance between innovation and tradition. "You've got to take forward the fashion element step by step without alienating your core--and potentially more conservative--customer," says Tredre.Prada's recently refurbished Florence store is an example of what strategic lengths retailers will go to in order to reinforce their accessories sales.

The new shop floor features accessories right at the front, next to the entrance. "This is a way for Prada to push their core and most profitable products," says Sandra Halliday, global managing editor for business reporting and analysis at Worth Global Style Network, a trend analysis company. What are you spending on? Weigh in. Post your thoughts in the Readers Comment section below. It shows.

Analysts say that Prada Group's results for 2007 should be in line with luxury market trends. The Prada label, the dominant brand within the group, is expected to report a double-digit growth year-on-year in its accessories segment. At Louis Vuitton, some 75% of profits are accounted for by accessories. Overall LV accounted for 50% of total LVMH group revenue of 3.226 billion euros in 2007.Rogerio Fumigori, analyst for Credit Suisse, ascribed the runaway performance of Louis Vuitton to the enduring popularity of the brand's traditional products, such as the timeless LV monogram collection.

There has been no cannibalization of the core products by the fashion-driven collection, he notes. The arrival of hip New York designer Marc Jacobs in the 1990s to design the ready to wear line and oversee the seasonal leather goods collections has proved a master stroke.

Thomas Chauvet, an analyst at Citigroup, says the "Marc Jacobs collections are a medium through which LV pushes [its] core categories." Jacobs himself, meanwhile, is keeping one step ahead, developing innovative new footwear and jewellery in addition to the best-selling handbags. And where LV's Jacobs goes, the market is sure to follow.Further investment in the accessory sector could prove to be a safety net for luxury goods companies in a climate where downturn is the ultimate trend.

While handbags have been leading the way in recent years, the fashion media are now eulogizing the allure of designer shoes. When movie star Gwyneth Paltrow was recently photographed in sky-high platforms, newspapers worldwide had a feeding frenzy. And big statement jewellery, as seen at the Oscars, is also on a roll.Still, during difficult times, says Claudia D'Arpizio, a partner at Bain, "bags are a commodity and will continue to drive the luxury market."

BY: Valentina Zannoni 06.26.08, 5:25 PM ET

Trend watch: Saltwater pools

2008-07-15T11:39:00.004-04:00

They're the hottest technology in cooling off to come along in years. And they could make the stinging eyes, itchy skin and bleached bathing suits of old-fashioned chlorine pools a thing of the past.

First introduced in Australia in the 1960s, saltwater pools have taken off in the last few years to become the fastest-growing technology in new pool installation, even though the initial cost is considerably higher than a standard chlorine system. But converts say that once you've tried it, you can never go back.

Just ask Priya Mohan, a secondary school teacher and mother of three who lives in Burlington, Ontario. "When we did our backyard renovation a few years ago, we definitely knew we wanted a saltwater pool," she says. "It's better, in almost every way, than a chlorine pool. It's easier on your eyes, the water is much softer and less irritating, and maintenance is much easier too -- you add a bit of chlorine at the beginning of the season, and that's just about it.

"Click to see photos of Priya's pool.

The merits of saltwater pools

Though the water in a saltwater pool is saline, it's actually nothing like swimming in the ocean. The salt concentration in the pool tops out at about 2800 to 4000 parts per million, compared to 50,000 parts per million in ocean water. Saltwater pools are less salty than tears (you usually can't even taste the salt) but the soft, luxurious feel of the water, not to mention freedom from the burning feeling of too much chlorine, is immediately noticeable.

Understanding how the technology works requires a quick review of Grade 10 chemistry. Standard chlorinated pools rely on an erosion feeder system, whereby chlorine pucks are inserted into a canister to melt or "erode", adding chlorine to the water.

Apart from the costs involved with regularly replenishing the chlorine pucks, the danger of spikes or dilution after a rainstorm requires that you test and adjust the chlorine levels regularly, as well as "shocking" the pool from time to time with larger infusions of chlorine.

Saltwater pools also use chlorine as a disinfectant, but in a lower concentration, and it's supplied to the water in an entirely different way. Instead of an erosion system, a built-in generator uses a form of electrolysis to separate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, and then combine them with salt (sodium chloride) to form sodium hypochlorite (chlorine), which sterilizes the water.

At the same time, the chlorine thus created is also constantly recombining with the sodium, becoming good old salt again. It's a closed, continuously regenerating process that once started -- with an initial application of chlorine and salt at the beginning of the season -- needs adjustment no more than once or twice a season at most.

Less costly long-term

According to Markus Brunner of Forest City Pool and Patio in London, Ontario, initially installing a saltwater system can cost as much as two to four times as much as a standard chlorine erosion system. But once you factor in the savings in chlorine pucks and other chemicals, as well as reduced maintenance and wear and tear on the pool itself, he estimates that a saltwater pool can pay for itself in as little as three years.

Existing chlorine pools can be converted to saltwater relatively easily as well, by simply adapting the existing plumbing to accommodate the generator. Brunner claims the only possible risk is to metal ladders, that if not properly grounded, can oxidize over time when exposed to the electrolyzing process. As for the Mohans, they couldn't imagine any other way to beat the heat. "We're spoiled," says Priya. "None of us will even go in a regular chlorine pool any more."

Source: MSN

Offensive Caricature...

2008-07-14T14:43:00.003-04:00

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's campaign says a satirical New Yorker magazine cover showing the Democratic presidential candidate dressed as a Muslim and his wife as a terrorist is "tasteless and offensive."

The illustration on the issue that hits newsstands Monday, titled "The Politics of Fear" and drawn by Barry Blitt, depicts Barack Obama wearing traditional Muslim garb - sandals, robe and turban - and his wife, Michelle - dressed in camouflage, combat boots and an assault rifle strapped over her shoulder - standing in the Oval Office.

The couple is bumping fists in front of a fireplace in which an American flag is burning. Over the mantel hangs a portrait of Osama bin Laden.
"The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

"But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."
In a statement Monday, the magazine said the cover "combines a number of fantastical images about the Obamas and shows them for the obvious distortions they are."

"The burning flag, the nationalist-radical and Islamic outfits, the fist-bump, the portrait on the wall? All of them echo one attack or another. Satire is part of what we do, and it is meant to bring things out into the open, to hold up a mirror to prejudice, the hateful, and the absurd. And that's the spirit of this cover," the New Yorker statement said.

The statement also pointed to the two articles on Obama contained inside the magazine, calling them "very serious."
Republican John McCain's campaign spokesman, Tucker Bonds, agreed that the cover was "tasteless and offensive."

Already the cover was generating controversy on the Internet.

The Huffington Post, a left-leaning blog, said: "Anyone who's tried to paint Obama as a Muslim, anyone who's tried to portray Michelle as angry or a secret revolutionary out to get Whitey, anyone who has questioned their patriotism - well, here's your image."

Ok, that is just sad - Why are people so stupid? Yes, definitely offensive...

Source: yahoo

The At-Work Workout

2008-07-14T09:45:00.002-04:00

Do you end up feeling far too fatigued at the end of your workday to even think of working out?
Sitting for extended periods of time, holding awkward postures, repetitive movements, driving and lifting can have a negative impact on your energy and your health.

They can all contribute to tight and imbalanced muscles, reduced circulation and stress and strain on muscles and joints. Although it takes a bit of effort initially, adding exercise in to your workday can help to boost your energy and your morale.

Top 5 office energizers:

A 10-minute walk. Walking is quick, easy and packed full of benefits. Walking at just a moderate pace increases your heart rate and delivers more blood and oxygen to your body. Increased oxygen means increased energy. In addition, movement helps to relieve mental and physical stress, helps to lengthen tight muscles and promotes synovial fluid production around joints for more comfortable movement. Squat ups.

Squats are one of the most commonly used exercises used in fitness and sport to work the lower body. In the gym, we often use dumbbells or machines, but you can easily adapt this exercise to the office. Shift to the front edge of your chair and sit in a tall posture. The feet of the chair need to be firmly planted on the floor. If your chair has wheels or the floor has a slippery surface, brace the chair against a wall or your desk or find an alternative chair just for your workout. With your feet flat on the floor, press in to your feet and stand up; lower back down so that you just graze the seat of your chair and stand back up. Repeat this up and down movement 10-20 times; take a break for 30 seconds and repeat.

Triceps dips. Triceps dips work the upper body, primarily targeting the triceps. Sit on the edge of your chair and place your hands on the seat beside your hips. With your feet flat on the floor, slide your hips forward just off the chair. If your chair has wheels or the floor has a slippery surface, brace the chair against a wall or your desk or find an alternative chair just for your workout. Keeping your torso long, bend at the elbow lowering your body down and up. You can star with small movements and just a few repetitions and gradually increase as your strength improves. Triceps dips are a great way to work the upper body and help to promote good posture.

Desk push-ups. Push-ups are another great upper body exercise. People are often intimidated by a "full" push up or that intense version we typically picture from the hands to the toes. The good news is that you can do more comfortable and less conspicuous push ups in your kitchen or your office. Stand about 2-feet from a counter, desk or railing. Lean forward from your toes placing your hands on the surface. Bending from the elbows, lower the body down and up. A great target is 10-20 repetitions, but if you're just beginning, start with a few and build up your strength and endurance. Reverse posture. This is a great way to figure out what kind of stretches or movement are good for your specific needs.

Reverse posture means that to give your body a break, you do the opposite of what your work demands – if you stand all day, sit; if you sit all day, stand and move; if you lean forward over a computer, lean back and open your arms and chest. Always keep movements fluid and controlled, but what I love about this concept is that it can help you identify your direction. You can do these exercises individually or combine in to a mini office circuit. Once you start to incorporate exercises and breaks in to your day that promote physical balance and blood flow, you'll end up with more energy during and after work.

Source: MSN

A Filipina is senior adviser to Obama

2008-07-11T12:54:00.002-04:00

Special to BusinessMirrorHAGATNA, Guam - If Barack Obama becomes the US president, America's national policies would somehow be influenced by a Filipino: Charmaine Manansala, who has been selected as a senior adviser to the Democratic party candidate.Manansala is now the Asian-American and Pacific Islander Vote director for the Obama campaign.

"The Obama campaign acknowledges the extraordinary contributions of the nearly 13 million Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders who have helped build a strong and vibrant America," Manansala stated in her message to the Asian-American and Pacific Islander Network."We realize that despite the growth of our community, there are challenges [that] we still face.

For increasing numbers of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders [AAPI], the American dream is in danger of slipping away," said Manansala, who served as policy adviser and political strategist for then-Guam gubernatorial candidate Robert Underwood in 2006."

As president, Senator Obama will work with the AAPI community to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable and portable health insurance that will also reduce the linguistic and cultural barriers that limit access to our medical system," she added.Manansala was born in Manila.

Her family moved to Orange County in Los Angeles in 1983 to join her grandparents.She went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she majored in biochemistry. She earned her master's degree in public health at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Manansala has joined the league of policy analysts and political strategists in the nation's capital. In 2007, she was on the Filipino Women's Network's list of 100 Most Influential Filipinas. In 2001, she was honored by PoliticalCircus. com, as one of the "Top 30 Under 30," which recognizes the most influential Asian-Pacific Americans 30 years and younger in the US.

Prior to her selection as AAPI vote director, Manansala, now based in New Mexico, was the state director for the New Mexico Blue Team, where she was in charge of developing a state plan for political organizers advancing Obama's candidacy.

Manansala lived in Guam from 2005 to 2006 to lead the campaign strategy for Underwood.Before her stint in Guam, Manansala served as policy adviser for Speaker Nancy Pelosi from 2003 to 2005.

By MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN

4-day work week?

2008-07-10T10:24:00.003-04:00

When I was listening to the radio on the way to work this morning, I heard something that made me smile.

A company in Florida has promoted a 4-day work week and the results are unbelievable! (Utah actually is the first state that promoted a 4-day work week)

The company not only cut down a quarter million in utility bills a year, but also tardiness and sick days have reduced significantly!!! See, companies like this one will go very far!

I wouldn't mind a 4-day work week, I think that will eliminate my tardiness and my constant bitching about waking up so early. Ok-not true as no matter what day it is my son wakes me up at 7:30AM, but I can't explain why I am late for work most days.

What if employeed have an option of having a 4-day work week or get 52 days of extra vacation!!! Hmmm, I am not sure, I don't know what to pick! Maybe I will take half and half. I will be working a 4-day work week every other week and then have an extra 26 days of vacation!!! Wow, that is exciting!

Ok, back to reality - It's Thursday and one more day of work - sigh.

What is happening to the world?

2008-07-09T10:25:00.000-04:00

Other than the fact that we have poverty everywhere, wars and civil unrests, people get killed because of road rage!

A man driving an SUV was thrown out of his vehicle yesterday on the 401 and milton and died on the scene. According to police a man from Milton driving a car went in front of an SUV and slammed his brakes. The SUV driver hit the brakes and turned, as a result the SUV rolled and killed the driver instantly.

Apparently, they might have been cutting each other off on the road and one of them went on a road rage and didn't think twice.

The 39 year old man, who was driving the car turned himself to police last night and was arrested.

Sooner or later, the police would have caught him, but I am glad that he turned himself in. I think I would have done the same thing if that happens to me. I don't think I can live with the guilt.

What a waste: The food we throw away

2008-07-07T11:13:00.004-04:00

Avoid throwing away good food and help preserve the environment and save money in the process.

What a disturbing irony! Good, edible food thrown away while the world accelerates towards a food crisis of massive proportions.

India recently halted the export of non-basmati rice to ensure its poor can eat. Meanwhile, every month residents in the city of Toronto, Canada, toss out 17.5 million kilograms of food. Images of green bins overflowing with wasted food stand in stark contrast to media images of riots and hunger around the world.

Food waste is pervasive in western society. A recent British study determined that about one-third of food purchased in the UK is thrown out every year. This equates to about CDN$19.5 billion. In Toronto, the picture is not all that different: single-family households produce an average of 275 kilograms of food waste each year. Twenty-five per cent of this food goes unnecessarily into the garbage—as opposed to the green bin—where city taxpayers pay nearly $10 million a year for its disposal. Most of it is still edible and much of it is still in its original packaging.

Serious Implications

Food waste has serious implications for society. Consumers unnecessarily spend a lot of time and money on food they don't eat. Rotting food also pumps heaps of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Plus the costs for collecting, transporting and landfilling the excess food come from the taxpayers. The good news is that some simple lifestyle adjustments offer huge payoffs for your family, community and the planet.

Think before you shop

A UK waste program reports that 61 per cent of all food waste could have been eaten if consumers better planned and stored their food purchases. Check the refrigerator before you shop. Freeze what you don't plan to eat. And don't just plan your shopping list, but assess your eating habits and plan when you'll have time to prepare the food you're buying.

Mmm leftovers

Much excess food becomes trash eventually. Once discarded, the valuable resources used to produce the food, including your time, are wasted. Leftovers can be as appealing as a freshly cooked, hot meal.

To make leftover food delicious and useful:
safely store food to keep it fresh and safe,
prepare leftovers properly—a microwave is quick, but traditional heating can help maintain the taste, freeze leftovers for later use, and; think outside the plate! Combine leftovers with other food items for a unique meal.

Don't scrap your scraps

If you have an excess of edible, perishable food, look for organizations like Second Harvest, that redistribute food to those in need, including hospices and school lunch programs. As well, livestock farmers and zoos use leftovers to feed the animals. Call your local zoo or farmer's association to find out if this is an option in your area.

Start a compost pile

Not all towns and cities have organic collection programs. To keep food from rotting uselessly in a landfill, begin a compost pile in your backyard. Go online for tips on composting and with a little research and work, you'll see that your pile will benefit the soil and make your garden more plentiful.

Source: Yahoo

Pollen, Fruits, Veggies Help Trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome

2008-07-05T09:17:00.001-04:00

I came to Canada in the summer of 1996 and since then I have accumulated numerous allergies and allergic reactions and other health problems. Never had a problem when I was living in the Pacific Islands, actually I was barely sick of any condition.

For the past 12 years living in Canada, I have acquired the following:

Asthma - Yes, never had asthma before, I do now! I will forever be taking ventolin and Pulmicort. I don't know, but for some reason, the Canadian Environment messed up my health and my immune system. Now, the following allergies triggers my Asthma so I have to mainly avoid them as well to prevent an attack.

Cat Allergy - I am actually allergic to cats, like they would kill me if I am around them long enough without my puffer. Now, even if I take Claritin, Reactine or any of the kind drugs, according to an allergist they will not work for me. That is just the way it is, so avoid cats no matter what, the only thing that will save me from cats right now is my puffer. Once Asthma kicks in, the only thing I need is my ventolin - just one or two puffs and my lungs and throat dilates and I can breathe again.

Ragweed, dust, pollen, mildew and other misc allergic reaction - Ok, these can't kill me, but they make me sick enough that I need to take drugs, which is tolerable.

Birch tree and a couple other misc trees allergy - Oh, this one is big too like the cat one, but the good thing about it is that I don't go near trees all the time and I know how to avoid them if I see one.

Nuts allergic reaction- These can't kill me either, I only have a reaction to them. They make my tongue, lips, gums and throal itchy and my lips swell - that's all! So it means I can still eat them!

Shellfish Allergic Reaction - These can't kill me, how can they? they are so yummy! Yes, I do have an allergic reaction to shellfish, especially with crabs and clams. Now, don't get me wrong I still eat them just because they are so good, it counters the fact that I am itchy all over and that my lips are swollen after eating. It's a plus really, since my lips look like Angie's after - Muah!

Fruits and Veggies allergic reaction - Yes! Isn't that insane? Ok, I love fruits and Veggies and I know I wasn't allergic to them or had any reaction, but I do now. Apparently it's not just me that acquired the reaction from these types of food, but many people have the same reaction as what I am getting now. Read the following article below:

Cooking foods can reduce or prevent allergic reactions, group suggests

THURSDAY, Aug. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Up to one-third of people with seasonal allergies may suffer oral allergy syndrome (OAS), which results from a cross-reactivity between seasonal airborne pollen proteins from weeds, grass and trees and similar proteins in some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Common symptoms of OAS -- also known as pollen-food syndrome -- include: itchiness, tingling or swelling of the mouth, tongue and throat immediately after eating fresh fruits, vegetables and certain kinds of other foods, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). ( This is so true for me)

In some cases, people may suffer severe throat swelling or even a systemic reaction.
People with ragweed pollen allergies might experience symptoms if they eat foods such as bananas, cucumbers, melons, zucchini, sunflower seeds, chamomile tea and Echinacea.

People with birch tree pollen allergies may experience OAS symptoms if they eat food such as peaches, apples, pears, cherries, carrots, hazelnuts, kiwi fruit or almonds. (Ok, this is freaky - apples, cherries , pears and carrots definitely gives me the reaction)

In most cases, cooking these foods will reduce or prevent an allergic reaction. (Mmmmm yummy boiled fruit!)
The AAAAI recommends people consult an allergist/immunologist if they:

experience itchy mouth from raw fruits or vegetableshave

limited their diet based upon perceived adverse reactions to food or additives (why limit? If it doesn't kill me - then it's ok to eat right?)

have prolonged or severe symptoms of rhinitis (this is me)

have nasal polyps (is that a flower in the nose? He he he)

have co-existing conditions such as asthma or recurrent sinusitis (me again)

have symptoms that interfere with their quality of life and/or ability to function (me again)

have found medications to be ineffective or have had adverse reactions to medications (me again, wow I am a basket case!)

are a child with allergic rhinitis.

Immunotherapy may prevent the development of asthma. (too late)

More information
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has more about

oral allergy syndrome.
-- Robert Preidt

Now you have it, if you are my enemy - now you know how to kill me. If you are my friend - now you know how to make sure you don't kill me.

How eco-friendly is your bed?

2008-07-04T09:44:00.002-04:00

Beds

You nestle into bed each night to escape the day's stresses, allow your body to rest, and restore your spirit. Your family beds should be pure, safe places. Here's how to make them the healthiest possible, from frame to foam mattress, including everything on top, underneath, and in between.

Better Bed Frames

With wooden bed frames, as with other wooden furniture, opt for FSC-certified wood whenever possible to avoid supporting the irresponsible harvesting of old-growth or endangered forests. Less expensive beds may be made of wood veneers over press-wood surfaces instead of wood solids; if this is the case, ask if the press wood contains formaldehyde, which can off-gas carcinogenic and irritating fumes. Likewise, avoid products coated with higher-VOC finishes, as these, too, can off-gas. Metal bed frames are an excellent option, as they're less likely to release chemicals and are quite durable.

If the vintage aesthetic appeals to you, look for antique beds made from metal or solid hardwoods. Although vintage wood products may have been treated with chemical paints or finishes, older products will have significantly off-gassed in years gone by and therefore will emit considerably lower amounts of VOCs than brand-new, just-painted furniture. They also don't require the harvesting of new trees, making them an Earth-friendly option.

Selecting Box Springs

Known in the bedding and mattress industry as foundations, box springs provide additional support to the mattress of your choosing. Though they typically consist of a wood frame covered by a fabric layer, they can also incorporate pieces made of pressed wood and fume-emitting formaldehyde glues. To avoid any chemicals in your box springs, look for ones made from natural, untreated solid wood, preferably sourced from an FSC-certified forest. Or, look for a bed frame that doesn't require a box spring at all, such as the increasingly popular platform-style bed. Just double-check that your platform alternative doesn't contain pressed wood and formaldehyde glues.

Soft, Safe Mattresses

Despite what most mattress commercials might have you believe, there's more to selecting a healthy sleep surface than just choosing between soft and firm, innerspring and memory foam - and there's more to it than just one number! Consider the health effects of the materials in your mattress, remembering the constant contact between your body and your bed.

There may be harmful chemicals lurking right under your nose. Many mattresses are stuffed with polyurethane foam, a synthetic product that can release the neurotoxin toluene. And, in accordance with U.S. federal fire safety regulations, all mattresses must meet standards for "cigarette ignition resistance," meaning that when a lit cigarette is applied to its surface, the fabric will not ignite or show more than a two-inch char. As a result, most are treated with flame retardant PBDEs, the same harmful chemicals used to make upholstery and drapes fire-resistant.

The key to finding a mattress that's nontoxic and fire-safe is to choose the rights materials. If you want a mattress with a foam core, look for mattresses made from natural latex foam - it's made from the rubber tree, and can be sustainably sourced. Some mattresses use a blend of natural and synthetic latex, as the latter substance is cheaper; even though chemicals can be added in the manufacturing process, both types are prefer able to polyurethane.

If you prefer a mattress with an innerspring system, choose one padded with organic cotton, which is grown without pesticides, or better yet, go with wool, which is naturally fire resistant. In fact, wool is quickly becoming the ego-to material for manufacturers of less toxic bedding, as it meets federal safety regulations without the addition of chemical fire retardants. (All-cotton mattresses lacking any type of fire-preventive material are available only to consumer with a doctor's prescription verifying that they have chemical sensitivities.

A last note on mattresses: In recent years, one increasingly popular mattress option has been viscoelastic foam, aka memory foam. These types of cushions are made entirely from polyurethane, which can release toluene. Although the manufacturers insist that the mattresses will release fumes for only about a week, if you're sensitive to chemicals (or just chemical-averse), you'll probably do best to avoid these entirely.

Eco-Tip: Fabric Finishes

Permanent-press, crease-resistant, shrinkproof, and water-repellent fabrics are likely to have been treated with chemicals and may release formaldehyde, PFSs, and PBDEs. Avoid these if possible, and to be safe, wash all new bedding in hot water at least once before use. A 1999 study showed that a single washing of permanent-press fabrics could reduce formaldehyde emissions by 60 percent.

The Facts:

Cotton crops account for 10 percent of all pesticides and 25 percent of all insecticides used worldwide, according to the Sustainable Cotton Project. An average of a third of a pound of chemicals and synthetic fertilizers goes into the process of making a T-shirt from conventional cotton.

The Facts:

Most manufacturers suggest replacing your mattress every eight to ten years. For the average person, that means buying eight to twelve mattresses over the course of a lifetime.

Find out more about Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely by Editors of Green Guide.
Choose an online bookseller and buy the book.

Excerpted from Green Guide by Editors of Green Guide Copyright (c) 2008 by Editors of Green Guide. Excerpted by permission of National Geographic. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Celebrity Pads

2008-07-03T09:13:00.002-04:00

While many of us settles for a 1600 sq. ft. house (or smaller) with a 5 x 20 ft. backyard, the celebrities get what they want. Pool, sauna, dance studio, tennis court and a guest house are just some of the amenities their houses have. I should say mansion, castles, manors - Those are more like the proper terms for these gigantic structure where celebs live.

This spectacular home, owned by Christina Aguilera, was purchased for a cool $3.7 million dollars. It sits atop a hill in an exclusive gated community in the Hollywood Hills, CA. (credit: Getty Images)

Talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, owns several million dollar properties. This one here, known as "The Farm", is located in Indiana, and includes 160 acres of land, a five-bedroom 9,700-square-foot main residence, a guest house, a pool, a stable and of course, a tennis court. The property was listed for $8.5 million. (credit: Getty Images)

Actor Nicolas Cage and his former wife Patricia Arquette, lived in this 1940s Bel Air mansion. Cage purchased this luxe home for $7 million in 1998, then two years ago, in the autumn of 2006, he turned around and listed it at $35 million. (credit: Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves' $5 million dollar three-bedroom house, which spans 5,000-square feet, has three fireplaces, a state of the art pool and a courtyard. The home is located in a gated community in West Hollywood, and was first built for an art collector during the 1980s. (credit: Getty Images)

Jenna Elfman, who co-starred in the popular sitcom "Dharma & Greg", bought this Wallace Neff-designed home from Madonna for about $4 million dollars. Built in the 1920s, this 5,000 square foot home has three bedrooms, a Spanish-tile kitchen and is nearly two acres behind large steel gates, for maximum privacy. (credit: Getty Images)

Former Friends star, Courteney Cox-Arquette and husband David Arquette, bought this Malibu beachfront home in 2001, for $10.2 million. Last summer, the couple decided it was time for a change, and sold this property to Frank and Jamie McCourt, the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for $33 million. (credit: FilmMagic)

After filing for divorce, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline put their 9,200-square foot mansion on the market for $12 million dollars. Located in an exclusive gated community in the Hollywood Hills, it had seven bedrooms, a dance/workout room and a recording studio. (credit: Getty Images)

Hmmmm Do you guys know any quick rich schemes? I want to buy one of the above... :D

Source: Sympatico

Does pregnancy look a little too cool lately?

2008-07-02T09:21:00.000-04:00

As a mother who gave birth to a son a couple of years ago, I know and I do understand how it is to be pregnant and have a baby. I had my baby in my mid-twenties, not in my teens so I can't tell you how a teenage mom feels about being pregnant or having a child at such a young age.

In America, teen pregnancy is on the rise and experts think that this has something to do with young celebrity moms cradling their new borns on the cover of a fashion magazine. On the cover, mommy is wearing skinny jeans with Manolo stilettos and in one arm the baby and the other arm an LV bag and a starbucks coffee on hand. Looks so cool and easy eh?

Well, let me tell you this - sure it's easy, you can fit into your skinny jeans 2 days after you pop that baby out. Since your baby is cute and cuddly, you can use him/her as your accessory! When you get tired, just pass the baby to one of your nannies who's been following behind since you left your mansion. Oh, you can also ask one of your body guards to hold on to your purse or your drink while you shop.

Actually, in Nottingham, England - Having countless children is a sign of wealth. It means that you have more money you can spend on nannies, personal driver, gardener, maid and etc to take care of your children and other things around the house; while you go to your daily yoga class, then hair appointment, then lunch with the ladies, then tennis lessons at the country club.

As you see, if you are loaded with cash, it's a lot easier because you can hire help - but if you are a teenage mom, going to school and working at the grocery store for the measly minimum wage? Then that is not going to cut it!

Also, the pains of giving birth? Oh man, it's excruciating!!!!!! Not to mention your "thing" will never look the same again! (Oh! can I say "thing", oppsss - should I bleep it out?)

Ok, ok - you can get epidural, fine go ahead! We all did it - Actually I begged for it! Then it was all a blur.

Now, time to take home the baby!

At home with the baby, sounds like fun eh? You think? Well - yes and no. It's fun cause you get to spend time with your baby in your familiar surroundings, but when that baby wakes up at 3AM for feeding? That is not fun at all! Yes - they do wake up every freaking 3 hours!

In the end though, having a child is definitely life changing - there are pros and cons, but once you have that baby, you can never imagine your life without him/her.

All I can say is, enjoy your teens! When you are ready to have a child, the experience is less traumatic as what I have described above. Trust me :)

Source: yahoo

CANADA DAY EH?

2008-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Could You Be Depressed and Not Know It?

2008-06-26T22:19:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine just told me that her co-workers' son commited suicide - that is what prompted me to post this article here. I hope that whoever reads my blog will learn something, not just for themselves but for their loves ones as well. Many of us experience sadness, misery or melancholy which is normal, but when sadness becomes the life of a person - this is a very serious problem.

“Could you be depressed and not know it?” This sounds like a ridiculous question. After all, wouldn’t you know if you were depressed? Possibly not. Depression can take hold gradually, without a person realizing that depressive thoughts and feelings are increasingly dominating her perspective - and her life.
Many people assume that depression is easily identifiable, manifesting itself as persistent sadness that doesn’t lift. In fact, symptoms of depression can take a variety of forms. Chances are that if you are reading this article, you have the feeling that something isn’t quite right. You may find that you are tired all the time, and all you want to do is sleep. Depression can also trigger insomnia, forgetfulness, and an inability to take pleasure in normal activities. According to Eve Wood, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Arizona, and author of 10 Steps to Take Charge of Your Emotional Life, “Women often say, ‘I'm not depressed; I just don't care’, but that indifference can signal depression.” It turns out that excessive fatigue, insomnia, and joylessness can all be symptoms of depression.

As subtle and confusing as signs of depression can sometimes be, it’s important to remember that depression is a serious illness that can cramp lives, cast a shadow over families, and even lead to suicide. A growing body of research has documented the serious and chronic effects of depression on the human brain - effects that can make a person susceptible to future incidents of depression.

According to the American Psychological Association, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression or dysthymia (persistent low-level depression), and misdiagnosis of depression in women is high. The good news is that depression can be effectively treated. If you suspect that you or someone you know is depressed, you’ve come to the right place. WebMD can help you learn more about depression and what you can do about it.
Symptoms of Depression in Women

* Changes in weight, sleep or appetite: These signs of depression can be confusing because depending on the individual, they can take very different forms. Some depressed women want to sleep all the time, for example, while others may experience insomnia.

* Physical symptoms of depression that won’t go away, like fatigue, headaches, back aches, digestive disorders, chronic pain, or menstrual problems

* Anxiety
* Agitation, irritability
* Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
* Low sex drive
* Pessimistic or hopeless outlook on life: While there are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic about the future, a depressed person is more apt to dwell on negative events and be unable to find anything to be happy about.
* Feelings of guilt or helplessness
* General apathy and lack of interest or pleasure in customary activities
* Thoughts of suicide

Experts say that certain behaviors can also be a sign of underlying depression. “Women often engage in behaviors that signal "masked depression," says psychologist Lara Honos-Webb, PhD, author of Listening to Depression. Compulsive shopping, working, eating, or drinking alcohol can be signs of depression -- particularly when a woman feels empty or anxious when she’s not participating in these activities.

What Are the Causes of Depression?

Experts say that depression is caused by an interaction of genetic factors and real life triggers. Because depression often runs in families, experts believe that genetic factors make some people more vulnerable to than others, because of their individual brain chemistry.
Depression triggers can include:

* Situational factors: Major problems and life crises -- a romantic break-up, job loss, or the death of a loved one, for example -- are often the immediate, most obvious causes of depression. But ongoing life challenges like poverty, unemployment, and social isolation, as well as childhood trauma, also put people at higher risk for depression.
* Medical factors: Chronic pain or illness can lead to depression. Certain medical conditions -- including hypothyroidism, cancer, and hepatitis -- can cause depression. Nutritional deficiencies and some medications are culprits as well. Therefore, it’s important that treatment for depression include a medical evaluation.
* Gender: Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, a discrepancy likely due in part to the tremendous hormonal shifts that accompany menstruation, child birth, and menopause.
* Stress: A connection between chronic stress and depression has been established and could explain why stressful life situations, like poverty and unemployment, put people at far higher risk for depression.

Treatment for Depression

According to depression experts at the American Psychological Association, you should seek treatment for depression if it persists for more than two weeks -- particularly if your depression is severe enough to interfere with normal life activities. If you suspect that you are depressed, talk to your physician, who can rule out physical causes and refer you to a mental health professional.

Experts now understand that depression has to do with shifts in brain chemistry, so a piece of the treatment puzzle involves re-balancing chemicals, Wood says. But it doesn’t have to involve medication. The best treatment for your symptoms depends on your individual story, she says; whether you’ve been depressed before, and whether your symptoms keep you in bed all day or simply sap your energy. So try to describe your history and symptoms as precisely as possible when you speak to your physician and psychotherapist.

Treatment for depression usually involves psychotherapy, antidepressants, or both, according to Susan G. Kornstein, MD, a professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine. Experts now believe that a combination of both is most effective. In a study from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, researchers concluded that psychotherapy and medication together were effective for 70% of women, says Valerie E. Whiffen, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, and author of A Secret Sadness.

There is evidence that in many cases, psychotherapy works as well as antidepressants do, and there are no side effects, according to Whiffen. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for example, focuses on improving the patient’s relationships to help reduce depressive symptoms. Half of the women in the Vanderbilt study who received IPT were no longer depressed at the end of treatment -- the same result seen with antidepressants alone.

What Are the Causes of Depression?

For many people, antidepressants are very effective in treating depression, particularly when depression is severe or persistent. We don’t completely understand how antidepressants work, but we do know that they readjust the balance in brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are currently many different types of antidepressants on the market, so be sure to work with a psychiatrist who can help you find the medication that is most effective for you.

While you are seeking help for your depression, remember to take care of yourself. Avoid alcohol and drugs, and be sure to get enough sleep. Exercise can be surprisingly helpful in boosting your mood. If your depression is mild to moderate, it can cut symptoms nearly in half, research from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center notes, making it just as effective as medication.

Whatever you do, don’t sit back and wait for depression to abate on its own. If you are depressed, it is nothing to be ashamed of -- and you don’t have to continue to suffer. Depression is one of the most treatable conditions in all of medicine, according to Kornstein. Unfortunately, it continues to be under diagnosed and under treated.

It is also important to get help because depression affects more just than your mood, says Harvard assistant professor Alice D. Domar, PhD, co-author of Self-Nurture. While you procrastinate, hoping to get better on your own, depression can wreak havoc on your health, raise your risk of heart disease and infertility, and suppress your immune system. Perhaps even more important, experts now know that, left untreated, depression is likely to recur and to be more severe and difficult to treat with each recurrence.

Source: Webmd

Dating service that bans ugliness comes to Canada

2008-06-25T09:01:00.003-04:00

An exclusive online dating service that attempts to weed out unattractive members, allowing only the beautiful through the door, is coming to Canada.
Prospective members of the BeautifulPeople Network submit a picture and profile, and other members of the opposite sex rate the applicant over a 72-hour period, deciding whether they're worthy of joining the coveted community.

The online service even goes so far as to advertise a ban on ugliness -- something the managing director says is more a reflection of reality than evidence of arrogance.
"If you're in a bar in a romantic situation and you're going to approach someone with a romantic inclination, you're going to approach someone you're attracted to, at least initially," Greg Hodge tells Canada AM. "There's certainly nothing shallow about that, it's human nature."

Hodge says he isn't trying to define beauty. Instead, he said the organizers believe in the old maxim 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' and as such they give the power to the people -- other approved members -- to decide who is allowed in.

Including Canada, the dating service now operates in 16 countries, and Hodge attributes the success to a simple formula.

"It plays on a clever combination of four things: beauty, love, sex and money. Advertisers use those four desires to sell us pretty much everything and Beautiful People plays on a clever combination of all of that," Hodge said.

He admits the dating service usually provokes some negative reactions whenever it opens in a new market and he jokes he could soon need his own security detail.

But the bottom line, Hodge says, is that the online service simply makes it easier for people -- provided they pass the attractive test -- to meet that special someone.

"People want to be with someone they're attracted to, that was the initial premise of the creation of Beautiful People, remove that first hurdle," Hodge said.

"And once you do become a member of this coveted community, you have essentially the best little black book in the world."

Updated Tue. Jun. 24 2008 10:00 AM ETCTV.ca News Staff

Hmm, I will submit my photo to the dating site and see if they will approve of me... NOT!

Real estate: Where to buy now

2008-06-24T10:18:00.003-04:00

Real estate agents like to tell you that what matters is location, location, location. They're partly right. But what also matters is timing, timing, timing. Every city moves to its own economic rhythms. Smart real estate investing is a matter of knowing when to jump into the market and when to stay out.How do you know when the time is ripe? Rather than relying upon gut feel, we decided to take a more scientific approach to the question. We compiled data on the 35 major markets tracked by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. We analyzed each market in three different ways — by Value, by Momentum, and by Economic Strength. We assigned each market a letter grade in each of the three categories, then combined all that info into one overall grade. We awarded an A to the top 20% of cities. Average prospects had to make do with a B, while lacklustre prospects were handed a C or worse.

Let's go shopping for real estate!

Source: Yahoo.com

Five bad health habits to break

2008-06-23T15:54:00.003-04:00

Smoking

More than45,000 people will die this year in Canada due to smoking. But it's notonly death that smokers should fear: Chronic Obstructive PulmonaryDisease (COPD) and other breathing problems can seriously cramp yourlifestyle.
Health Canada provides free help for smokers wanting to quit at their website. One of the programmes they offer includes the E-Quit programme. Freedaily e-mail messages support individuals through their quittingprocess, one day at a time.
Accordingto the website, since E-Quit's launch in 2002, hundreds of people havewritten Health Canada to praise the program. People like thenon-judgmental and supportive tone of the messages. They enjoy theprogram's pace and the sense of accomplishment they achieve by reachingeach goal. For some, it was like having a personal coach to help themthrough the day.

Lack of exercise

In therush of other commitments, and the siren call of the television and theInternet, exercise can be something we all just put off. But asedentary lifestyle is a factor in many health problems, includingheart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. Moving now will helpkeep you moving in the future. 20 minutes of brisk walking a day can beall it takes to start.
Canada's 90-second inspirational team, the Body Break duo, has a great website at http://www.bodybreak.com/. Lighthearted and quick tips can help inspire you to get up off the couch (or office chair).
Canada's Physical Activity Guidealso includes suggestions for adding fitness into your daily routine.Their section for older adults is helpful without being condescending.

Junk food

We've all heard the news reports about trans-fats, super-sizes, andother pitfalls of consuming junk food. An aging body needshigh-quality, low-fat foods. And being overweight or consuming foodshigh in fat and sugar contributes to heart disease, stroke, anddiabetes. But for many, the drive-through is just too convenient orit's what is available at lunchtime at work.
The Canadian Health Network offers a site full of tips, a virtual grocery store, a quiz, and a tour of the healthy lunchbox. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation also offers a wealth of information about healthy eating as well as recipes.

Too much stress

It may sound a little new age,but it's true that reducing stress in your life can impact your healthdramatically – not only for the big diseases like heart disease andstroke, but also to keep things like insomnia and eczema at bay.
The Canadian Mental Health Association offers a very thorough look at stress and stress reduction. And if it's your workplace that's stressing you out, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a collection of questions and answers about workplace stress.

Not flossing

Trouble biting or chewing, or trouble speaking can seriously impact on quality of life – definitely beyondjust the annoyance of having to turn down the nut brittle or toffeeduring the holidays. Not only that, but studies have shown that gumdisease can impact on heart health. So taking care of your teeth shouldbe high on your daily agenda – and that includes flossing.
If you need to refresh your technique, the Canadian Dental Association provides flossing tips and diagrams.

Source: health and fitness

Spoiled little brats!

2008-06-21T14:35:00.003-04:00

Dad has 'no authority' after grounding ruling: lawyer
Updated Fri. Jun. 20 2008 8:37 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

The lawyer for a Quebec man whose daughter took him to court to challenge her father's grounding punishment says that he will appeal a ruling that he had no right to ban his child from a school trip.
Kim Beaudoin, lawyer for the man, told CTV's Canada AM that the father wants to reclaim the parental authority he lost when his daughter took him to court.
"You can imagine that he has no authority towards this child anymore," Beaudoin said.
"If she comes back home, the reaction will be every time he gives a punishment, well, you know, I can always bring you to court. That's not the situation you want in your family."
Beaudoin said that the father also wants to spare other parents from having to go through a similar situation.
The man had told his 12-year-old daughter that she could not go on a three-day trip with her classmates after she got into an argument with her stepmother. The father had also banned the girl from using the Internet after he found out she posted pictures of herself on a dating website.
The father has custody of the girl, but she went to live with her mother after the family fight.
The girl took her case to Quebec Superior Court, where Justice Suzanne Tessier ruled that the man had no right to ban his daughter from the trip.
After the court ruling, the girl did go on the trip, a short class jaunt through Quebec to celebrate graduation from the sixth grade.
The judge said that the father's punishment could not stand because the girl is now living with her mother. Tessier also said that banning the girl from the trip was excessive punishment.
However, Beaudoin said that the father had told the girl at the beginning of the school year that she could go on the trip if her behaviour was good throughout the year.
The man was "stunned" when his daughter brought the case to court.
"He was so firm on the fact that he had given a punishment and he wanted that punishment to be maintained," Beaudoin said.
"He never thought that she'd bring this to court."

In today's society, children have so much power over their parents or guardians. It's really sad that a 12 year old would take her own father to court due to some minuscule reason of not beeing able to go to a school trip, which wasn't even really an educational trip.

I find that parents have less and less authority over their kids due to rights these kids have. All I can say is the children in our current society are very spoiled! Spoiled enough that they walk all over their parents! The people who gave them life, took care of them, fed them, and gave them all what they wanted.

Now, that could be a problem too, due the fact that parent nowadays are very lenient with their kids especially when it comes to punishments. What the heck is a TIME OUT anyway? Ok, some parents refuse to spank and I respect that, I really do. However, does it work? Maybe in some situations, maybe it doesn't.

This 'time out' is consist of a place or an area or a chair, where you would put the child who is on 'time out". It suppose to be a punishment?

Now, I am assuming the kid should be thinking, contemplating what he/she has done? Maybe thinking about going on a religious journey in Tibet?

Ahhh I don't think so! It might work for some kids, but I think that this kind of technique is still weak and later on, the kid will still walk all over the parents.

I, as a parent believe in spanking as a technique for disciplining children. I find that kids just don't take their parent seriously anymore and as result, parents ends up in, well in this case, court. Why? Because kids do not have respect anymore...Not only to their parents but in general! All of these of course reflect againts the parents.

As I was saying, I believe in spanking, why? Because I was spanked as a kid and I turned out pretty ok (I think).. No Seriously, I was spanked, oh no, not just a measly little spoon, it was a BELT!

Now, think about that - Your parents ask you to tidy up your room and you don't obey and whack! You just felt a thin piece of leather swinging at your butt - soon enough, your parents won't have to ask you again.

It's all about associating something painful or unpleasant when a child disobeys. I am having a hard time associating unpleasant to time out - Sounds like fun!

What has our world gone to? What happened to young kids who would help their parents do dishes, laundry, milk the cow and so on? Time definitely has changed, but parents should still reinforce what worked back then. It should still apply, right?

Ok, now you probably think Lex is all bruised up and all that. No, not at all - It's all about the balance of punishment and taking control afterwards and make them understand that they have done something bad. Talk to your kids after you spank them, make them still trust you and respect you even though you just laid on your callus infected hand on their very sensitive butt.

That is all I can say - Call me what you want, but that works for us!

Summer Shoes Part 2 - Ballet Flats

2008-06-17T09:27:00.000-04:00

Since I am vertically challenged, I normally buy shoes with at least 2 inches heel. When ballet flats became in fashion about 3 or 4 years ago, I discovered how I love, love, love these babies. They don't only offer comfort and stability when walking, but they also offer different styles, shapes and colors for your fashion needs.

Ballet flats are so versatile, you can wear it pretty much with anything. My favorite is wearing mine with jeans or capri pants. Every Friday I wear ballet flats at work, and I just throw on anything and when I am ready to leave, I pick the best ballet flat to go with my outfit.

They always look so chic but at the same time comfortable. I would say my motto now with shoes is comfy-chic! Unless of course I have enough money to buy some Christian Loboutin pumps or Jimmy Choo's or Manolos, then I could careless if I am in pain or not!!! Talk about being vain eh?

The other great thing about ballet flats is they are considerably cheap. Ok, I shouldn't say cheap, I meant even if you only have $10 to spare, you can buy a nice one at Wal-Mart. Yes, I actually bought one last year, see the quilted gold with a bow. It's my favorite running around flats, although it's starting to die on me, so it's time to replace it.

There was a downside to wearing ballet flats, since the soles/heels are very thin (flat). Many women didn't get the support they needed. Some had pain on the bottom of their feet and also their legs due to the lack of support. However, this is no longer an issue as you can definitely get one that has a little bit thicker sole/heel. Actually Cole Haan makes ballet flats with Nike Air Technoloogy Soles! Yes, you heard me right. So it's trendy and comfortable at the same time. Now, should we play ball?

Below are a couple of my acquisitions for the past 6 months. Also, I want to brag about how I got such great deals about these shoes. They are normally $109 per pair as they are Michael Kors, but I got them both for....Are you ready for this?-----I got them both on eBay for $34 including shipping and handling. Jealous??? You should be.... Ha ha ha...Enjoy!

Below is the Cole Haan Ballet Flats with Nike Air Technology. My friend Chloe, who swore to never buy ballet shoes fell in love with these babies and bought them, for her to wear to her trip in Paris. You can find her blog about these shoes here.
Below are just some Ballet Flats for you to drool over on.

Gucci

Coach

Tods

Coach

Burberry

Just in case you are wondering, I am size 6 US.

Will you marry a man who is 75 years older than you?

2008-06-16T09:23:00.000-04:00

Egyptian authorities have banned a 92-year-old Saudi man from marrying a poor teenage girl 75 years his junior, a judicial source said on Saturday.

The justice ministry made its ruling under a law designed to prevent wealthy Arabs from the Gulf from snapping up young Egyptian girls and which forbids marriage when there is an age gap of 25 years or more.

The unidentified Saudi holidaymaker proposed marriage to a 17-year-old village girl and offered a dowry of about 28,000 dollars as well as gold jewellery, the source said.
"Her parents, who are very poor, accepted," he told AFP.
But the justice ministry refused to register to marriage, citing the legislation brought in during the Gulf oil boom.

However, according to Egypt's Al-Akhbar newspaper, the authorities allowed 173 such marriages last year after the foreign husbands paid the equivalent of 8,000 dollars into the Egyptian National Bank.

Source: Yahoo.com

A Frozen Real Fruit Bar made me bleed

2008-06-15T20:05:00.007-04:00

We went to the Zoo today and after lunch we got some ice cream. Lex and Robin shared a Caramel Drumstick and I had a Strawberry Kiwi Fruit bar. Photo below.

I opened the little plastic wrapper that it came in and before I even had the chance to throw away the wrapper, I licked the bar. Yes and to my surprise my tongue didn't budge and stayed stuck. It was such a strange feeling getting your tongue stuck to something frozen. I guess it's the same idea as having your tongue stuck to a frozen pole, you know when it's winter? It's not winter right now, it's actually summer and this whole tongue stuck on something frozen happened.

I tried talking while my tongue was stuck and my friends Lara and Savio blurted "just close your mouth and eventually will come off" in unison.

I did do that and I also wiggled the Ice Bar to come off and just a few tug, my tongue was free. Now, the scary thing was that due to the tugging, my tongue actually bled! Yes, Robin saw the blood and I tasted it too...Not nice...Tasted like Iron...Ha ha ha..I looked at my tongue later on and I could see red marks on both sides of my tongue. It's been about 7 hours since that happened and my tongue is still a little sore. It feels like when you burn your tongue, kind of loss some taste buds too.

So from now on, be careful guys, I know it's only a fruit bar, but they can make you bleed!!!

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T09:33:00.000-04:00

How to deal with Nosy questions....

2008-06-13T14:13:00.004-04:00

How to handle (and sometimes even ask) the nosiest questions:

Nosy question: How much do you weigh?

How to respond: "Enough" or "I don't know -- whenever I step on the scale, it says, 'Perfect,'" suggests Claudia Michelle Wallace, a comedian with Chicago's Second City. Or try responding in a cleverly vague way: "The British would say I weigh nine stone" or "One and a half Mary Kate Olsens."

How to ask: Don't. The only people who have a legitimate reason for asking this question are doctors, your personal trainer, and the amusement-park carny who runs the Guess Your Weight game (but even he shouldn't ask, since he's supposed to be guessing).

Nosy question: How old are you?

How to respond: "I'm old enough to know better." You can also claim a ridiculous age, or say, "I'm aging rapidly just thinking about it," says Amy Dickinson, author of the Chicago Tribune advice column Ask Amy. "Or try Dustin Hoffman's response in Tootsie," says Dickinson. "'Age means nothing to me -- I'm a character actress!'"

How to ask: Flattery will get you everywhere: "You're so accomplished for your age! What are you -- 25? You look like it." Or casually mention your last high school reunion, or where you were when some major historical event occurred. The person may chime in with a story that will help you do the math.

Nosy question: What's your salary?

How to respond: Be deliberately vague. You can say, "I do OK" or "I'd like to make more." If the person presses on, let your parents take the fall: Say, "My mother told me to never discuss money," and stop there. "Don't explain your response -- simply change the subject," says Dickinson.

How to ask: If you're trying to find out how much a particular job or industry pays, phrase it in this manner: "What could I expect to make as an account executive?"

Nosy question: What did you do on your date last night?

How to respond: "The usual -- dinner, dancing, hot-air-balloon ride." Most of the time, you don't have to answer someone's nosy question directly. You can creatively answer around it. The person asking is probably trying to find out whether you had a good time. So tell him if you did (or didn't) and leave it at that.

How to ask: Don't ask specifics. (Do you need to know where they had dinner, how long the date lasted, etc.?) Simply ask if they had fun. They'll cough up details if they want to.

Nosy question: How much is your rent/mortgage?

How to respond: "Rents in this building go for..." Or say, "I have a great Realtor you should try." This gives your friend information without compromising your privacy. Asking about someone's mortgage is more invasive. Simply say, "That's between me and my bank" or "My credo is to not discuss anything about money."

How to ask: Wait for the right moment, such as a dinner with a group of friends who are all in the throes of house hunting. Still, don't ask for specifics. Instead, make it general: "How much do houses go for around this neighborhood?"" If your friends are comfortable talking about it, they may offer up their price, but don't expect it.

Nosy question: How much did you pay for those shoes?

How to respond: Simply say, "I don't remember -- I have no idea," "They weren't much," or "They were a treat for myself." Most of the time, this is a harmless, innocent question -- the person is admiring your shoes and thinking about them for herself, not probing into how much importance you place on material objects or how much money you have.

How to ask: Instead of asking the price, ask where she got the shoes or what the brand is, then go find out how much they cost.

Nosy question: What Was Your Doctor's Appointment For?

How to respond: "You don't want to know" (said with a smile) or "I'm just fine -- thanks for asking." You don't have to go into any detail. A vague answer will satisfy most people. They will understand you don't want to answer and back away.

How to ask: Don't ask specifics -- just express your concern. "Is everything OK? Can I help you with anything?" That shows you care without invading privacy.

Nosy question: Why are you all dressed up? Did you have a job interview?

How to respond: "I just wanted to dress up" or "Isn't every day a job interview?" This is often just a comment, not a real question, "so it doesn't necessarily require a response," says Marjorie Brody, an executive coach and the author of "Professional Impressions.

How to ask: Try the "butter up" method: "What a gorgeous outfit! What's the occasion?" You've tossed out the bait. If she wants to pick it up, she will. Otherwise, let it slide.

Nosy question: Why did you call in sick?

How to respond: "I wasn't feeling well." Then stop right there. No one needs to know about your gastrointestinal distress.

How to ask: Make sure it's clear you're asking because you are genuinely concerned about the person, not because you're the work-attendance police. Deliver this question lightly and with concern, not in an accusatory manner.

Nosy question: What was that you were talking about?

How to respond: "The price of tea in China." "Nothing exciting enough to share." This question is often used as an entrance into a conversation. If the question comes from someone who overheard a phone conversation, apologize for talking so loud.

How to ask: It's all about the context. If you walk by a group of friends and they're laughing, you may be able to break in and say, "Did I miss something fun?" But don't presume that your need to know is greater than their need to continue the conversation.

source: CNN

Summer shoes part 1 - Espadrilles

2008-06-12T10:52:00.010-04:00

The only thing I love about summer is I can finally breakout my sandals and open toe pumps. Some people might think I can outdo Imelda Marcos (If you don't know Imelda Marcos, then you don't know anything about shoes, ok you can check her info here ), but really I would say I am just a close second to her. Just kidding!

Imelda Marcos had 5,400 pairs of shoes ranging from Dior to Gucci to Chanel. I said "had" because I am not sure if she still has most of them. 778 pairs of her shoes are now in the Marikina Shoes Museum in the Philippines for your viewing pleasure, for a fee of 20 pesos (that is about 50 cents Canadian.

I love shoes as much as I love bags. Although my bag collection cannot compare to the number of pairs of shoes I have. I have gotten rid of about 25 pairs last summer and I still need to purge. The picture below is my last acquisition from my ever trusted eBay seller.

Rampage Red Espadrille

Espadrilles are really big this summer. I have a few pairs, as I wear espadrilles whether they are in season or not. This type of shoes are very comfortable due to the thick heel that gives a lot of support when walking and standing for a long time. For short ( I meant, vertically challenged) people like me, espadrilles with higher heel helps with the height problem as well.

Casual espadrilles look great with pretty much anything you wear, except with long pants that covers them, then there won't be a point of wearing them. Shorts, skirts and capri pants are best wear with these babies as you can showcase the different styles and designs.

You can wear espadrilles to summer weddings, but go for the metallic colors. Silver, gold or bronze are great choices. Go for minimal designs if your dress has a lot of designs on it and of course vice-versa. You can go with a simple beige tunic dress with a bronze with massive shiny butterfly appliques if you like. Butterflies are in right now, you will see them from Furstenberg's dresses to Chanel jewelleries.

Here are some fantastic espadrilles you can wear to weddings.

The above shoes have a snake skin pattern in shiny silver.

Hmmmm I need a wedding to go to this summer...Who wants to get married???

GM not budging to keep plant in the 'Shwa!

2008-06-06T15:55:00.004-04:00

In my opinion the plant workers in the 'Shwa are just spoiled by the CAW. Come on people, this is reality, welcome to the world of normal people! Workers get fired or laid-off all the time! This is the reality of being a worker. If you lose your job, you move on and find another job. Why can't the 'Shwa GM workers do that???

Ok, I was thinking about it, if my company fires us all....I wonder if we can cause some traffic problems, not let the management go in the building and maybe throw eggs at the building (hahaha). Ok, this won't fly because we'll probably all go to jail!

Ok, so you're laid-off...Get another job and stop whining! I think this is blessing in disguise for those workers anyway. They need to find another job somewhere else in order to expand their work experience and not just having to mount a bolt onto a tire while watching a movie as an experience for the rest of their lives. (ok, someone actually told me that this is what they do while working, so I am not making this up)

I think that the reason why they are fighting for their jobs is because they can't do anything else other than what they are used to. These 'Shwa workers might be scared to find a more challenging job or they just afraid of change. We're all afraid of change, but maybe they should take this a as a challenge and like I said, blessing in disguise.

Original article

What do you think of this whole circus going on at the GM 'Shwa plant? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Waitress loses job after shaving head for cancer charity.

2008-06-06T14:40:00.005-04:00

TIME FOR IDIOTIC MOMENT!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, it's true. Go read the article here first.

Did you read it yet? If not, go read it first, then come back.... :D

Ok here's my rant, I think that it's discriminatory that because she is now bald, that she had to lose her job. There are bald men working at restaurants all the time, so what is wrong with bald women?

Besides that, the waitress did it for a good cause, for cancer research! THE HAIR WILL GROW BACK!!! I really hate it when people make idiotic decisions. Now, the owner of the restaurant will lose a lot of customers due to this. He should have thought about the consequences of firing this woman. Well, I guess good luck to your business! Hey, who cares, it's not my business...:D

Ohhh You guys remember Demi Moore.

My sweet cousin Cherish is engaged!!!

2008-06-06T10:31:00.013-04:00

I have been wanting to post about my cousin Cherish's engagement, but I have been waiting for pics and I finally got them last night.

Let me describe my cousin Cherish.

C - aring (I think she should have been a nurse)

H- onest (well to me anyway, she tells me everything!!! I think...)

E- nviably pretty (Yes! we Claridads are always enviable...:P)

R- omantic (hopelessly btw :D)

I- nlove with Chris (Awwww. My baby cousin is getting married...Yay)

S- weet (holy crap, not just sweet, she's super duper to the infinity sweet!)

H- ardworker (who works full time and does her Masters at the same time)

Ok, that is just some of her qualities of course. I am not gonna go through the other not so nice qualities, like she cries all the time, very emotional, and etc...Ha ha ha just kidding...

Ok, let's talk about Chris! Hmmmm ok, I have never met Chris yet, but I will soon in July! As far as I know he is very sweet as well, that when Cherish was sick that he brought her chicken soup and stuff like that.....Awwww. Oh Chris works for Telus! Chris you let me know, I have a friend who works at Telus, he's a manager there....I can ask for his help when you move here... :P

Also, Chris is a techie so that's good! We need him to fix Cherish's PC so Robin and I won't have to go over to their house to re-format their HD because we couldn't fix it as it's full of virus. It 's not really Cherish's fault, it's mainly her sister that downloads all that stuff...Ha ha ha sorry Frin... Love you...

Anyway, here are some of the pics they took a week ago when Cherish went to see Chris in Vancouver. I just noticed that their names is CH and CH...Wow, that is insane!

Love you guys!!!
Congrats!

Another Photo ID for Ontarians to Cross US Border...

2008-06-05T14:14:00.009-04:00

Please read this ARTICLE FIRST.

I don't understand why we need another photo card if flying to the US requires a passport anyway. Why can't these non-drivers just apply for a passport? Since they can use the passport whether they fly or cross the border. Isn't it idiotic to have another photo card for crossing the border and then getting a passport to fly??? That is just a waste of money creating those photo cards! Am I the only one who feels this way? or Did I not get the actual reason why they are doing this? hahaha.

US is still not ready for a woman president.

2008-06-03T22:53:00.003-04:00

Apparently, Barack Obama won against Hillary Clinton for the Presidential nomination and that Hillary will be running with him for the VP position.

I am not into politics or anything, actually I am mainly apathetic to what is going on in politics. However the up coming US election made me a little intrigued due to the fact that it would be a history in the making for both Obama and Clinton!

Check the full story HERE.

You can rent shades???

2008-06-03T10:09:00.002-04:00

My new blog friend Sunglasses Guy posted this on his site.

Renting Sunglasses by Sunglasses Guy

I don't think I would rent shades, might as well save up and get the one I like rather than paying for almost retail to rent it...That is just my 2 cents though.

Improve Your Life Every Day of the Week

2008-06-02T21:20:00.003-04:00

Mondays are GREAT! Why? Because it’s your first chance of the week to improve your health and your relationship! So, here’s what you can do, starting Monday and throughout the week, to improve things, courtesy of Rodale Publications.

On Monday:
Clear the air, ladies. According to researchers at Boston University, women who keep tension corked are more likely to die of heart disease. So if something’s bothering you, talk to the person or people involved. Guys, if you think your lovely lady is percolating about something, find out what’s on her mind. However, don’t just ask, “What’s wrong?” Your best chance of coaxing it out of her is to say, “You seem upset” in a non-accusatory way. She’ll have a harder time saying she’s fine.

On Tuesday:
Stretch like a cat. It’s like hitting the reset button when you roll out of bed! According to researchers at Wayne State University, stretching improves posture, promotes blood flow and relieves body tension.

On Wednesday:
Call your sweetie for a heated discussion. If relationship stress is lingering, discuss the sticky situation over the phone. This reduces tension, because eye-rolling and headshaking won’t work against you – since they won’t be seen. These gestures are what drive a relationship into the ground.

On Thursday:
Pop some chocolate! Milk chocolate has been shown to boost verbal and visual memory. So you’ll stay sharp and focused for that final lunge toward the weekend.

On Friday:
Pretend it’s your first date! A study from the University of British Columbia shows that partners feel better about themselves when meeting their mates as if they were total strangers – because we act as if they don’t know our flaws yet! This makes for more fun and more romantic dates.

Source: www.tesh.com

Protect your eyes

2008-06-01T09:22:00.007-04:00

As much as I would like to wear the new trend in sunglasses, I can't due to the fact that I need prescription sunglasses as contacts don't work properly on me. Also, the fact that I already have a prescription sunglasses. I still hope for later on that I would find contacts that are comfortable and easy to use and so I can finally wear maybe a Chanel Aviator or a Louis Vuitton Millionaire Sunnies. However, here are some tips for you men and women out there who are lucky enough to wear whatever sunglasses you lay your eyes on.

Chanel

Louis Vuitton

8 tips for choosing sunglasses

We can't see ultraviolet light, but at least now we know it's there, and we know that we should protect ourselves from it. Up until the 1930s, sunglasses weren't widely available. Protecting our eyes from the sun meant wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Nowadays, we know that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to serious eye damage, including cataracts, cancer, snow blindness, and more commonly, photokeratitis, which amounts to an eye sunburn. Ouch.
UV radiation from the sun can reach our eyes in many ways - bouncing off water, clouds, snow, and the windows of buildings and passing cars. And not all of the sun's light affects our eyes in the same way. 95% of all of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface are UVA rays; the other 5% is UVB radiation. The outer layers of our eyes act like natural sunglasses, shielding our retinas from most UV radiation: UVB is fully absorbed by the cornea of the eye, and UVA passes through the cornea but is filtered by the lens of the eye. Only about 1% or less of UV radiation actually reaches the retina.
Although UVB is the type of radiation associated with eye damage, UVA can also play a part (e.g., in the formation of cataracts). In general, UVA or UVB protection is required as neither has proven to be good for our eyes.

Staying out of the sun during the peak UV hours of 11 am to 4 pm is not always possible. And wearing a hat provides minimal protection, as do regular eyeglasses. To best block out the harmful UV rays, your eyes need more protection.

When you're shopping for sunglasses, consider these 4 things that matter:

Numbers matter. When shopping for sunglasses, look for labels that say the lenses block out 99% to 100% of UV radiation. Make sure they block out both UVA and UVB rays.
Fit matters. Poorly fitted sunglasses may not provide enough protection. You may be less likely to wear glasses that feel awkward or uncomfortable. And when glasses are too small or too large, they may let in light from the sides. Athletes have the right idea with wraparound sunglasses.
Lenses matter. Polarized lenses deflect glare but don't offer UV protection. Lenses made from real glass provide little protection at all. Your best choice these days? Polycarbonate plastic lenses. These tougher lenses provide adequate UV protection and are sturdier than other varieties. Photochromic lenses are also a good option because they block glare and UV radiation while maintaining visual sharpness.

Functionality matters. Options exist for those who have a hard time wearing sunglasses. If you wear eyeglasses, try prescription sunglasses, tinting for your eyeglasses, or clip-on lenses with UV protection. New contact lenses are available with enhanced protection, but sunglasses should still be worn.

Okay, now for 4 things that don't matter too much:

Age. Children's eyes need even more protection from the sun than adults. But if you take a look around next time you head out to the pool or beach or playground, you'll notice lots of adults wearing sunglasses but very few kids with any eye protection at all. Because of their clearer corneas and lenses, children's eyes let in more UV light than the more fully developed eyes of adults and thus are at even higher risk of sun damage. Many sunglasses manufacturers offer kids' styles. Let your kids pick out whatever fun frames they'd like, but just make sure to choose a pair with 99% to 100% UV protection.

Season. Our eyes need sun protection all year long, so don't wait for summer to shop for sunglasses. During the fall and winter, you may see the sun less often, but that doesn't mean its effects aren't felt by our eyes. Sea foam, beach sand, and snow: they all reflect damaging UV light into our eyes. In fact, winter snow reflects much more UV light than dry sand.
Lens colour. For the most part, the colour of lenses in sunglasses shouldn't make a difference in protection. Shades with super-dark lenses may work for celebs wanting to go incognito, but dark lenses provide no extra sun safety. Sunglasses with amber-coloured "blue-blocking" lenses may block out visible blue light (which may damage the retinas ), but they don't provide adequate defence against UV radiation.

Cost. Spending more won't necessarily buy you superior protection. Lots of people shell out a bundle for designer shades, while others go cheap and hope for the best. Instead, just look for labels that say the lenses block out 99% to 100% of UV rays.

Source: http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4358&channel_id=1027&relation_id=34692

Vermont vacation Part 2

2008-05-29T20:22:00.009-04:00

Yesterday, we went to Lake Champlain Chocolate Plant in Burlington, VT. We participated with a mini tour of their facility and learned how they make their chocolates and all that.

Their chocolate chips actually comes from Bernard Callebaut, which is another famous chocolatier. While we were at the store/plant, they were making Chocolate Truffles. We could see those delicious little heavean sent on the conveyor belt behind a see through glass wall.

Cocoa bean

After the tour, we got to taste their milk chocolate and also a 54% cocoa dark chocolate. It was an awesome experience...Free chocolates!!! Mmmmm....

Anyhow, we picked up a couple of things as even though they are very very good, they are also very expensive!

Below are pics I took while we were there. I love the robot chocolates, they look so yummy!!!

For more information about Lake Champlain Chocolates please visit http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/

Being on Vacation

2008-05-28T17:47:00.005-04:00

I have been in Vermont for 5 days now and I love being on vacation, visiting places and that sort of thing. My only problem is that I have very dry skin. When I say "very" dry, I really mean, like my skin is like a crocodile's skin. Ok, it's not that bad, but it's close enough.

When I am away from our beloved house that has a water softener/purifier system , my skin gets even worse due to the water they have at hotels, resorts and etc. It's been 5 days in Vermont with their hard water mixed with tons of bleach, my skin looks horrendous!!! I have patches of red, itchy, flaky dry skin all over my face and neck (yeah I know it's gross). Let's not talk about my back and my legs and arms and just basically everywhere....Grrrrrr It's like high school all over again, yikes!

If it weren't for my ever trusting Bio Oil, I would have just gone home....Oh how I miss my soft water....Sigh...Can't wait....

Vermont vacation Part 1

2008-05-25T13:23:00.002-04:00

We made it to Vermont yesterday around 5:30PM. It was a nice drive, definitely one of the nicest for sure. What was really weird was, when we crossed the border, it was like ghost town. There were I think about 5 booths, give or take and they were all empty. We got through and they gave us our passports right away, except for Robin as he needs to go inside to pay.

Normally, they take all the passports and we all have to go in, but they were like, here you go.... Yeah, total opposite from the peace bridge or niagara falls border.....
I took some pics this morning quickly, but I will post more pics later....We're too lazy today...Ha ha ha...so just sitting around relaxing....Well except for Lex.. He is too pumped up and want to go swimming....He's been a bad boy all morning so we'll see if Robin will take him to the pool..:D
Here are some shots I took from the balcony of our suite. Enjoy!

Part 2 of this trip will come soon!

Going on vacation..

2008-05-23T21:33:00.003-04:00

It's Friday night and I am home blogging, how fun!

It's all good, because tomorrow morning we are on our way to Vermont! Yay!

So ladies and gents I will be gone for a week, but don't worry come check out my blog anyway as I will try to update it about our vacation.

Summer cocktails...Mmmmm

2008-05-22T22:36:00.006-04:00

I love having people over for BBQ, even though everytime I get all stressed out and swear I won't have a BBQ again! The next week, I do it again. Entertaining and I have a love - hate relationship, one day I am all gaga over the whole plan and then the day before I am freaking out and just want to cancel...Ha ha ha... :) yes, I know I am weird... But in the end, my love for having my friends and family over always wins and everything seems to flow in the right direction... Especially the Sangria...Mmm...

Let me tell you about my favorite summer or winter or for that matter any day drink ;).

Sangria[san-GREE-uh]

The blood-red color of this beverage inspired its name, which is Spanish for "bleeding." Sangria is made with red wine, fruit juices, soda water, fruits, and sometimes liqueurs, and Brandy or Cognac.

I make an awesome Sangria, ok, well according to my taste buds they are absolutely delicious. However though, people (including me) tend to get drunk pretty fast, hmmm maybe more fruit juice less alcohol? what do you think???

Here is my favorite recipe, I always make my Sangria the night before the party so all the juices and the fruits have some time to get to know each other and get all happy and get all jiggity with their chemical reaction to produce the most aromatic Sangria ever!!!! He he he, yes I am very passionate about my drinks.. :D

This Sangria recipe is perfect for big summer parties - always a favorite, you may consider doubling the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 Lemon cut into wedges
1 Orange cut into wedges
1 Lime cut into wedges
2 Tbsp sugar
Splash of orange juice
2 Shots of gin
1 Cup of sliced strawberries or raspberries (may use thawed or frozen)
1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
4 Cups ginger ale

PREPARATION:
Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and pineapple then add sugar, orange juice and gin.

Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving. If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. However, remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the frig. - allowing the flavors to really marinate into each other.

Oh and by the way, the perfect complement to a summer get together and Sangria.....Is of course Tapas!!!!

Come on! Let's BBQ!!!

Toronto Meet was a SUCCESS !

2008-05-19T18:41:00.010-04:00

Last Saturday, May 17, 2008 was the first ever Louis Vuitton Toronto Meet. There were total 14 people showed up!

We met for brunch at the Windsor Arms Hotel at 10am which is 2 seconds a way from the LV store on Bloor street. We showcased our bags and exchanged authentication tips while enjoying our brunch. We also had a gift exchange, which I received a beautiful photo frame!

Me during brunch admiring Cyndee's French Company Speedy 25. Which I can say that I am also a proud owner! I will post soon about my vintage speedy, I am in the process of cleaning and restoring this piece.. Just wait and see.. :D

You can see below the bags we brought with us...

The bags: Watercolor Papillon, Sac Kathleen in green, Epi Petite Noe in yellow, Monogram Speedy 30, Watercolor Speedy 35, Mandera PM in Black, Mini Lin Speedy 30 in Ebene.

After brunch we all went to the LV store, browsed around saying oohhhh, ahhhh, nice, wow. beautiful, pretty, gorgeous, out of this world and all the endearing words you could think of...LOL
Most of us bought something, here is the list:

Neverfull MM
Batignolles Horizontal
Watercolor Speedy 35
Sandals
Pastilles
Coin purse
Scarf
Bandeau
and many more..

After shopping, some of us walked around and went to shop some more at Holts, Chanel, Hermes, Coach, Cole Haan, Tiffany's and other stores in the Yorkville area.

Around 6PM, we all went to Hemingway's for dinner. Food was awesome! I had Kung Pao chicken and Lara and I split a pitcher of sangria. It was really good, just chatting with everyone, relaxing. Around 8:30PM, we took some more pics and then we parted, knowing that this event will happen again in the fall!!!

See you all in the fall!!!

A more luxurious Neverfull

2008-05-16T18:04:00.006-04:00

Ok, we all knew that the Louis Vuitton Neverfull was coming in Damier Ebene. Actually, it was released today in Hawaii. Anyhow, thanks to Louis Vuitton Lover's blog, I would have not found out that it came out in Crocodile leather as well!!! (hmmm it's probably 100x the price of a regular Neverfull)

So now, the Neverfull comes in Monogram, Damier Ebene and Croc Leather. I wonder if they will eventually release it in Damier Azur as well...Or Epi or Suhali or Denim...Oh by the way, the Croc Leather was from the LV Japanese site, so I am not sure if they will release that in North America.

But, here it is! Feast your eyes my friends...:D Gorgeous!

Pics Borrowed from Louisvuitton.com

Mono, Damier and Croc

Pics Borrowed from Louisvuitton.com

Croc, Damier and Croc (again)

Pics Borrowed from Louisvuitton.com

Croc, only in GM and MM

Louis Vuitton Meet In Toronto is tomorrow!!! Yay!!!

A wedding in England

2008-05-15T13:34:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, May 17, the first Grandchild of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be getting married. Peter Phillips is Princess Anne's son, the only daughter of the Queen of England.

Peter will be marrying his long time love Montreal born Autumn Kelly. Since Peter does not have a title, his new bride will not have a title as well. Princess Anne didn't give her children title because of two reasons. One, because of their father (Captain Mark Phillips) does not have a title. Two, because she wanted them to lead a normal life. What is normal anyway? Having lots of money and having nannies? and living in a castle??? and having the Queen of England your grandmother??? Hmmmmm...

Picture from www.hellomagzine.ca

There was some buzz whether Peter will have to give up his rights to the throne for marrying a catholic girl. In the end, apparently Autumn decided to renounce her religion to join the Church or England. Do you think she's hoping that there might be a slight chance that she could be Queen of England someday??? I doubt that will happen. Peter is tenth line to the throne, so I think it's a long ways, but I guess it's worth a try. Best Wishes!

"The Kite Runner"

2008-05-14T13:14:00.005-04:00

Last Sunday, I started reading the book "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. You can click on his name to go to his website. The book is so good, that I am now halfway thru the book! That is a record for me!

Here is a little bit of info about the book.

"The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship, betrayal, and the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of their lies. Written against a history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But with the devastation, Khaled Hosseini also gives us hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows for redemption. " Taken from Khaled Hosseini's site.

I definitely recommend this book, it's well written and the story will just take your breath away. It produces so many feelings to the reader. You will feel happy, mesmerize, dreamy, then suddenly you'll feel hate, anger. fear and sadness.... This book made me cry the other night, I was so taken by the story that I felt it in my heart. ( ok, ok, I am not normally sappy, but it did make me cry).

Also there is a movie that was created based on this book, you can check out the link below for information. I haven't seen it yet, but I will soon, after I finish the book.

http://www.kiterunnermovie.com/main.html

Once I am done with this book, I think I am going to get "A thousand splendid Suns", also by Khaled Hosseini.

Oh My! So delicious...Mmmmm

2008-05-14T10:24:00.010-04:00

This was posted by Vernilover at the Purse Forum and I just had to share it with you all non-tpf LV fans.

This model is called the Firebird and it comes in different color combination. I have not seen this bag in real life, but you can really tell the detail on the stitching of the monogram and the flowers.

http://forum.purseblog.com/louis-vuitton/vernilovers-lv-picture-book-288279-19.html

The colors are so vivid, perfect for summer!...Actually if I have this bag, I will use it no matter what the season is! Such a shame to leave it in it's dustbag.... He he he... Price???? don't ask, you might faint...lol..

Monty PM is at Bloor St. !!!!!

2008-05-12T21:07:00.007-04:00

Ok I have good news! I called the Bloor store earlier today, and the SA told me that they have the Montorgueil PM in stock! and they have 3...yes...3 of them!!!

So anyway, I told them I will be there on saturday so I can check it out if I really like it in real life. The price between the Monty and Neverfull is not much which is really cool actually.

Also, the funny thing is that the name of the SA that I talked to is.....are you ready for this????

Her name is KARINA.... Ha ha ha

Ok, now I need your help guys.... I need your opinion on the two bags now. Which one do you like best? Please Vote on the right hand side and let me know :D

Montorgueil PM

Neverfull MM

Thanks everyone!!! I really appreciate your help!

Ironman

2008-05-10T21:26:00.006-04:00

Hubby and I went to see Ironman today. I actually never heard of the super hero until I saw the previews. I didn't have any expectations going to the theater, but I actually liked the movie. Of course, it's great to be a genius with loads of cash, I would be a super hero too :D. He he he..

The special effects are awesome! Acting was great too, except there are some scenes with Gwyneth and she didn't sound convincing. All in all, the movie was great, this will be a movie we would buy on DVD for sure.

You can check out the movie info HERE.

No Tivoli, No Monty!

2008-05-10T12:53:00.007-04:00

I have mentioned on my first post that I wanted to get either the Louis Vuitton Tivoli PM or the Montorgueil. Well, I wanted to check them out today to see how they would look on me, so I called the store at Yorkdale!!!!!!!!

To my disappointment, the only way to get the Tivoli is to be put on waiting list!! Dang it! Then I asked for the Montorgueil PM and they only have the GM!!

I AM SO DISAPPOINTED!!! Now, what do I do?

So I guess next week, I will just have to get the Neverfull and the pochette, I guess that pretty much decided what I am going to get....It's ok, I am still happy with those 2, I have been eyeing the neverfull MM for awhile now and I think it will be really functional and useful when we go Vermont at the end of the month.

Oh well...Ce'st La vie..

Summer is approaching!

2008-05-10T01:01:00.006-04:00

Just wanted to show you these cute sandals I found from my online store.

Coach Reagan Sandals $89.99

Check out my store to see other coach shoes.

My Very First Post

2008-05-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

Since this is my first post, I would like to talk about one of my passions. Next Saturday, May 17th, I am going to a Louis Vuitton Meet. What is a Louis Vuitton Meet you say? Basically, this is a gathering of people who owns and adores the desginer Louis Vuitton . At these meets, there will be food, drinks, presentations, mingling, adoring of each other's bags/accessories, and of course the main event is the big shopping spree at a Louis Vuitton boutique.

The actual meet is happening downtown Toronto. Our group will be meeting for brunch at the Windsor Arms, following a presentation. In the afternoon, we will all go to the LV boutique on Bloor St. to shop and spend hundreds of dollars on a bag/piece we have been eyeing for the past few weeks. Here are my prospects for the upcoming meet. My budget is limited so I can't get all of them, either I get one expensive piece or 2 less expensive ones.

Damier Azur Pochette

Pictures are property of www.louisvuitton.com

Monogram Tivoli PM

Pictures are property of www.louisvuitton.com

Monogram Neverfull MM

Pictures are property of www.louisvuitton.com

Monogram Motorgueil PM

Pictures are property of www.louisvuitton.com

So what do you guys think I should get?