13 things not to say to your bridesmaids

The Smurf is getting married next year! In 10.5 months, to be exact. So over the past year or so (since the engagement), I have been slightly obsessed with everything wedding-related.

I came across this article on The Knot, written by Hallie Goodman, that I thought I'd share for my fellow brides-to-be...

13 Things Not to Say to Your Bridesmaids

The worst things real brides say and how to keep them from coming out of your mouth

1. I'm thinking weekend in Vegas for my bachelorette!


2. My wedding, my wedding, my wedding. How are y-- wait, that reminds me of another thing... about my wedding.


3. Surprise! I just picked out your (crazy-expensive) bridesmaid dress. Now all you have to do is pay for it.


4. Make sure you don't look too good. I don't want you upstaging me.


5. Let's all get tans/Botox/personal trainers before the wedding.


6. Can you have your hair and makeup professionally done on my big day, and (cough) foot the bill?


7. I need you to cover up your tattoo for the wedding, Mkay?


8. Here's my wedding guest list of 100+; please invite them all to the shower you throw me.


9. Next six Saturdays: wedding factory at my place. Mandatory attendance. BT-dubs.


10. I know you're a double D, but I'm loving this sheer, backless bridesmaid dress.


11. Only married couples can bring dates to the reception. My apologies to your boyfriend.


12. I'm really disappointed in how (insert maid's name here) has been performing.


13. It's MY day!

For the full article, go here. You'll have to register to get all the deets, but it's free and then you can benefit from everything The Knot offers!

$99 reality check...

So per my previous post below, I decided to try out Herbal Magic with the help of my $99 Wag Jag coupon. I finally had my first consultation last Thursday where I was introduced to the full program and to my four-week program. I was given a seven-day meal plan that I am to follow religiously, as it is a 'vital part of the program' I'm told. I got the pills, a fancy key chain with my very own personal barcode that I am to scan when I come in for my weigh-ins (three time a week!). Oh, and I have to start a food journal.

I also had the pleasure of being weighed and having my body fat percentage calculated. Super. So my goal was to lose about 40 lbs... which, to be honest, I though may be much for my height. Clearly, I was wrong.

After I got measured, it turned out I shrunk! I was once told I was 5'11 and 3/4, but last Thursday I came in at 5'10.5! So back to this 40 lbs... My new 'coach' reviewed the questionnaire I filled out, consulted some charts, measured by wrist to check the size of my frame (which turned out to be small), and bumped me to 48 lbs!!! Eeeeee....

Then while standing on the scale, I had to put my palms on the metal handprints on the scale to measure my body fat percentage... This machine then sends an electric current though my body and depending how long it takes for it to go through my body, that determines the percentage... I rang in at 34.3%. Fuuuuuuuuck...

The pills are supposed to help break down my body fat and apparently I'm supposed to see results relatively quick. So we'll see... I haven't started the diet yet, I will start tomorrow after I stock up on these damn fruits and vegetables. Right now, I'll just focus on finishing my punch bowl-sized glass of red wine...

(Herbal) Magic to my ears...

Attempt at weightloss # 46652893023...

I'm sure you're all very familiar with Wag Jag - an online resource that offers deals on restaurants, events, accessories, etc. Today, there was an offer for Herbal Magic. Now that's something I haven't tried before...

The offer seemed too good to pass up. For only $99, you purchase a Herbal Magic Success Kit worth $450. The kit includes two bottles of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid that decreases both body fat and inches, mainly in the ab area), one bottle of Lean Extreme, a box of Snacker's Choice bars, four weeks of unlimited personal coaching sessions, a meal plan with nutritional analysis and a $200 gift certificate towards a full-priced 52-week program. Helloooooo... you'd be crazy not to give it a try.

To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to expect. I have heard good things about them though.

Stay tuned for updates!

small glitch in the 'motivation' system...

I am a VERY motivated person. This is especially true when it comes to fitness and you will see why shortly. When I get an idea in my head it needs to happen asap; ideally five minutes ago. I often set goals for myself regarding losing weight, getting in shape, eating well, etc. This usually happens every Monday of the week, first of the month and ESPECIALLY on January 1 of each year.

As soon as I have set these goals, the process begins...

• I get a gym membership - nothing is more motivating than having a barcode tag on your keychain with a popular gym name on the other side. It screams 'you're in shape' and that 'you take care of yourself.' You make fitness a priority and take your goals seriously... right?


• I purchase new workout clothes - as a serious fitness devotee, one must exhibit their athletic intentions as part of their 'gym style'


• New athletic footwear is a must - I recently dropped some dollars on the new(ish) Reebok EasyTone shoes that promise to shape your entire bottom half as you run your errands during the day. They are said to simulate walking (or running) on sand... or something like that.


• I subscribe to fitness magazines - ok, I don't subscribe to ALL of them... I presently only have a subscription to Women's Health Magazine (and a few other ones, but they're not related). Then I make a trip to Shoppers Drug Mart and buy all the other ones.


• I collect magazine cutouts - of various workouts, meal plans, fit people (for motivation)

Then, as someone who has a gym membership, workout clothes, is well-educated on everything from proper lunge form to how many servings of vegetables you should have in a day, I should automatically BE in great shape... right? Without actually having to GO to the gym, USE the workout clothes and put in the slightest amount of effort.

After all the shopping, reading, and magazing cutting, I am way too tired to go to the gym. Then I put on more weight and my new workout clothes no longer fit. Thank God feet don't grow from from weight gain - at least not much - so I don't have to buy new shoes on a regular basis.

Then the cycle begins all over again the following Monday, first of the month or each January...

Independence is so fattening

Last month we celebrated our two year anniversary of living in our house. Just him and I... and our dog. Along with two happy years of homeownership, I celebrated the adult version of the Freshman 15... err, Freshman 30. Would that be the Staleman 30?

Your own home. You do as you please. Decorate as you like. No rules, no boundaries. Possible rebellion. Full time work and no longer coming home to delicious dinners made from scratch by mom. Being a 'big girl' actually results in becoming, well... a Big Girl.

Having a full time job in a semi stressfull industry of public relations, I tend to come home around 7 p.m. or so. At this point cooking dinner with all the food groups that is easy on the carbs and full of "steamed veggies and fish" isn't always the first thing that comes to my mind. What DOES sound glorious is a glass of wine (or a beer, I'm not picky), a quick bite to eat that is usually microwave-ready OR can be ordered and delivered, the couch and catching up on the latest gossip or endulging in some serious reality TV. There is no one there to say anything, to suggest that maybe instead of the vino, I should opt for some H20 and carrot sticks. Maybe at least have a fruit and oatmeal smoothie...

No way Jose.

And you would be surprised how many excuses actually exist to get out of working out! Now it's not as if I need to haul ass to a gym... no, no. The basement is fully sufficient. It has:

• skipping rope
• free weights (2.5 lbs, 5 lbs and 10 lbs.)
• treadmill
• boom box (umm, do we still call these 'boom boxes'?)
• I also own an exercise ball, but I believe I have misplaced it

So realistically, there shouldn't be an excuse.

I've been looking for a one piece swimsuit so that I can start swimming as part of my New Workout Regime. Yesterday I found some and was trying them on... I almost had a meltdown in the change room! Sidenote: got a great Nike swimsuit at Winners for $24.99! It hit me like a ton of bricks... it's time. Game on. The Staleman 30 has got to go!

Here's my game plan:

1. Stop eating crap
2. Run 3-4 times per week
3. Swim 1-2 times per week

Tis all. If I plan too much, it's easier to say screw it. Also, here's some great insight from Andrea Holwegner, a few tips to get the ball rolling in 2011.

Showtime. (right after I finish this glass of wine...)

45 Lessons In Life by Regina Brett

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Sometimes it's just not meant to be...

When you are a woman and you hit that certain age, you start to look at your life through a different pair of shades. My friends and I often talk about the future - work, men, kids, etc. But sometimes you have that friend or two that bases their entire being and their entire outlook on what's to come on being with someone. Having a partner. Invitations no longer saying "you plus guest."

Here's an interesting article I came across on MSN.com

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/article.aspx?cp-documentid=24682705&GT1=32023

Seven Surprising Signs He'll Never Marry You
The tricky thing about womanizers is that they usually have their game down pat, which means it's easy to get sucked in. Here are some of the subtle clues a guy has a case of commitment phobia. If he exhibits three or more of these, watch out.

By Niki Evans

1. All of His Exes Are "Crazy"

Be wary of a man who refers to his former girlfriends as crazy, psycho, or clingy — because what's the common denominator here? Him. The dude's either looney-bin glue, or he never really wanted the relationship to work in the first place.

2. He Plans Ultra-Romantic Dates

A cozy candlelit dinner is nice and all, but if he only takes you to secluded places, it could be a tip-off that he doesn't want other women to spot him on a date. Next time he asks you out, suggest hitting up a busy restaurant or popular bar and see how he reacts.

3. He's Hot and Cold on the Phone

He'll text you 10 times in a night, then go MIA for days. He'll chat on the phone for an hour, then ignore your messages for the rest of the week. Wondering what the heck is going on? We're going to be brutally honest: He's mostly likely busy dating other women.

4. He Guilt-Trips You

It's normal for a guy to be jonesing to sleep with you from day one. But this behavior is a red flag if he a) lays the pressure on thick, or b) tries to make you feel bad if you choose not to get physical — like by giving you a sob story about how worked up he is without the release of sex.

5. Stuff Is Missing from His Facebook Profile

Has he untagged any photos of you and him? Does he post updates often, yet never mention hanging out with you? Is his relationship status hidden? We smell a rat. A guy who's leery of commitment will make sure there are no traces of you on his page.

6. His Buddies Act Distant

Even though a player's bros may be friendly enough, they probably won't ask you many personal questions about your job, interests, etc. The ugly truth: They don't want to invest time and energy getting to know you because they figure you're not going to be around very long.

7. He Says You're Soul Mates

Okay, we adore the idea of love at first sight — but too much too soon could also indicate sketchy intentions. If a dude comes on super strong right off the bat (we're talking the first couple of weeks), telling you things like that he's starting to fall in love with you, just make sure you play it safe and trust your gut. Those powerful words might be rolling off his tongue so smoothly because he's spoken them so many times before.

SOURCES: William July, Ph.D., Author of Confessions of an Ex-Bachelor and Jenn Berman, Psy.D., Relationship Expert for Cosmo Radio.

I'm sure we can all check off at least two of the seven insights above. Ladies... as Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo once said... He's just not that into you.

Oops! RETRACTION

After accidentally stumbling upon my blog (I left the window open on the computer), my partner read it for the first time - the post on the Antique Show.

During our vacation last week, he brought it up, proudly announcing that 'he read my blog!' He commented that my writing was pretty good and I only had one grammatical mistake...

Then I was advised that some information in there was actually incorrect. He really wanted to go to the Antique Show! He had worked that morning and had been up since 4:30 a.m. so he was a bit tired, but he was really looking forward to it and I did not have to "drag him there," as previously stated in my post.

So I now write a retraction - my partner was not dragged; he excitedly kept me company.

He caught the dragged part, but did not comment on being referred to as my better half... men.

Going antiquing

A few weeks ago I managed to drag my better half to attend the Christie Antique Show again. This was my second time going; last year we went to the May show as well (you can check out my buys here) and I think it's safe to say it is officially my hobby. The show started at 8:00 a.m. and with an $8 cover charge I was free to roam the million square feet of antique goodness.

This year I was on a mission to find a vanity table for my wardrobe room. One of the many pros of moving out of your parent's house into your own crib is that you can decorate the whole place however your heart desires. One of my must-haves was a bedroom that I can turn into a walk in closet (stay tuned for fotos).

So with a $500 budget, we set out to find the perfect vanity table, with a mirror, of course. I came across a few that were 'OK', but nothing that I have been picturing in my head. I wanted one with a few drawers and a place for a chair. There were a lot of dressers with a built in mirror, but nothing I can put a stool or a chair at.

Then I found THE most stunning vanity EVER. It was HUGE. Drawers and a mirror, a place for a fabulous chair. All for the reasonable price of $3,496. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to raise our $500 budget. Now that I think of it, it was probably too large for my closet room anyways.

Then, as we were shimmying up one of the isles, I looked over at one of the booths we have yet to see (as it was a few isles over) and I saw the back of it. There she was. I bolted over to take a closer look and she was perfect! The booth owner must have sensed my interest as we came right over and offered me a "good price" for this. I said great, how good? Keeping in mind that everything else I remotely liked was between $300 and $699 (err, $3,496).

He said $150!

So I pretended to contemplate this purchase a little bit, already picturing where exactly I would put it at home.

"But if you really want it, you can have it for a hundred and a quarter."

SOLD!

But a vanity isn't complete without a fabulous piece of furniture to sit on. So after a bit more walking I found a perfect upholstered stool for $25 - but I got it for $20. Note to future antiquers: as the day nears the end, you can score some sweet deals because everyone wants to get rid of their stuff so they don't have to load it all back on the trucks.

The stool actually matches the Merlot on the walls and white in the baseboards perfectly. Check out the pictures below.

The Christie Antique Show comes to Dundas, Ontario twice a year. The next one is on September 11. And I'll be in there like swimwear!

Helllooooo summerrrr!

It's here! It's here! It's here!

After a ridiculously below par summer of 2009, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say bring on the heat! There is no better feeling than laying on the sand with sun on your skin. Unfortunately, tanning conditions aren't what they used to be when we were kids.

I remember going on vacation with my mom and my aunt and we would always hang out on the beach. My aunt had this black bikini with pink polka dots and all she did - all day and every day - was lather on baby oil and fry in the sun. She was darker than chocolate by the end of the vacation. I was always so envious of her tan - maybe that's why I now have a complex about my pastiness.

Nowadays, UV rays are stronger, cancer is more common and really - who wants leathery skin at the tender age of 40.

Before stepping out into the sun with your sunscreen in hand, make sure you check the UV report that's conveniently available on the Weather Network's website. We spend at least eight hours per day online, it's right at your finger tips. You have no excuse. Check it. Now.

This week I'm taking off for a much needed week at Le Cottage. I've stocked up on beach towels, tried on all my bikinis (thank God it's during the week and NO ONE will be there to see this), reading materials and sunscreen.

Hawaiian Tropic always reminds me of the good ol' days of worry-tanning, but until recently, their products were available in highest SPF of 4 (that I know of)... Now Hawaiian Tropic offers sun protection up to SPF 70, in cream and lotion form as well as the ever-popular oil (still only SPF 4), with UVB protection and moisturizing vitamin E and aloe. There is also a complete line of after-sun care. Because let's be reasonable here - true sun lovers can overdo it now and then.

LOVE.

Maria Sharapova is living young... and so should you

As I have recently embarked on my neverending quest to diminish my wrinkles, I've made it a point to stay hydrated all day and every day. It's so easy to forget about drinking enough water when life takes over your days - you're stuck at work with a million e-mails to answer, run errands, pick up groceries, look for new shoes. You know, the usual. Carrying a Klean Kanteen everywhere I go isn't always an easy solution. It's hard to find space in my bag for the essentials: BlackBerry, organizer (I'm very old school and still like to write things down... with a pen), a book for the daily commute, lip balm, etc. I would need a separate fanny pack just to house my 3 lb water container...

During one of my regular trips to Metro, I came across evian Les Petites - a 330 ml bottle designed to fit into a kid's lunch box. Lunch box - hand bag. Potato - potahto. Convenient, easy to refill if need be and keeps my hydrated.

And I'm not the only supporter of evian - three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova just signed on to be the new face of youth for evian. “The idea of youth as a state of mind caught my attention. I took a great pleasure in revealing my ‘baby inside’ while modeling for these photographs with Nathaniel Goldberg,” said Sharapova. “I am a true evian® drinker and I really like this campaign as well as the idea behind it so it felt quite natural to join in.”

What a perfect match (no pun intended).

If you haven't seen the evian baby coaches video, what are you waiting for. In the meantime, read up on evian Live Young training here. If that doesn't give you a kick in the behind to get healthy, well... call Jillian Michaels.

Quarter (and a bit) Life Crisis

A few weeks ago it hit me - I'm turning 27 this year. Twenty seven. I'm closer to thirty than I'll ever be to the young twenty five. I've never been one to give much thought to my age, especially when my other friends have been complaining about feeling older. I always thought of getting older as a sign of experience, knowledge and career success that's right on track. This year, however, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Three more years and I'm over the hill.

My metabolism is getting slower and slower and my face is starting to show lengthy welts some may call laugh lines. My clothes are getting tighter, I have more and more bills to pay. The only bonus is I no longer have regular loads of homework to do when I get home from school.

I've decided to "get my shit together." I signed up to a gym and I'm starting to work on my fitness. This cottage cheese will not go away on its own - especially now that I'm OLD. I've started doing research (and by research I mean asking my fabulous friends with fabulous skin) about budget friendly products to help me iron out my skin. Stay tuned for updates, I'll be sure to share.

Although I'm turning TWENTY SEVEN, I still feel like seventeen. Even my pops asked my one day if I will ever grow up. No thank you. I have a lifetime ahead of me to be serious. Life is more fun when you can laugh your way through it.

With this resealable plastic box of bacon, I thee wed...

I'm sure by now, you've all seen the Maple Leaf Foods commercial of their new resealable bacon, where a crazy-in-love girlfriend proposes to her boyfriend with it and he immediately wells up and accepts the proposal.

While it's all fun and games when it comes to advertising, but this taboo notion of the female popping the question to her male companion seems to be a more and more common occurrence.

While listening to the Mad Dog and Billie morning show a while back, I heard the duo discuss Mangagement rings, which seem to be all the new rage in Miami. Seriously??

According to Details Magazine, the mangagement ring is becoming more and more popular. "'We get maybe 20 to 25 inquiries a week from women who want to propose,' says John Cordova, an expert at California-based Robbins Brothers, which calls itself the "world's biggest engagement ring store."

There seem to be two schools of thought on this.

One - once the man proposes to his girlfriend and she accepts, she then purchases a ring for him to wear as well. I guess as a warm up to when the actual wedding ring comes, or that both parties get to sport the pre-wedding bling. Sure, this seems legit enough. If us ladies spend months, if not years, hinting of what the perfect diamond ring should look like, the least we can do is spend a few (thousand) dollars and return the favour.

Two - the lady in the relationship purchases the engagement ring and proposes marriage to her boyfriend.

No, no and no. I'm all for getting the vote, ridding the business world of the glass ceiling, I'll even give away my cleaning and cooking responsibilities to any man that will take them! But I believe the proposal should stay the way it is... you won't see me on my knee anytime soon!

Ladies? Gentlemen? Thoughts?

What happens if it's a same-sex marriage? Coin toss or Rock, Paper, Scissors?

And now for Winter Wonderland

So now that the summer is officially over and has lasted all of three days, the fall season will most likely be just as short and I am miserably awaiting the winter. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of snow. Well, rewind... I like snow a lot, but I strongly dislike the cold. When the windchill factor hits -35 degrees and your nose hairs freeze the second you step outside of the front door, even lathering Vaseline all over your face won't stop your skin from freezing (didn't you do that when you were a kid? Any Europeans reading this blog post?). I'm still convinced I was supposed to be born in Hawaii, but oh well... I guess I'll take what I can get. Negative 35 it is.

In preparation for this horrendous season - the only good part is Christmas - I made a trek to Vaughan Mills last weekend to visit my favourite store, Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro is an American outdoor retailer which carries anything your heart may desire for hunting, camping, nature gifts, outdoor cooking, and much more. I don't hunt, camp, fish or cook outdoors, but I am a sucker for warm clothing and hunting camo can actually be quite stylish. After years of sporting hats, long sleeve shirts and t-shirts in the ever-popular Mossy Oak, I decided to opt for something different this year and since my heart can easily be won over by a sale, I invested in my very first pair of NaturalGear™ Insulated Snow Camo Pants for Men. That's right. Snow camo pants for men, that were on sale for $29.99 from $75.99. So what if the smallest size they had left was a 2XL, which can almost double as a bodysuit. It feels like I'm wearing a pillow on my bottom half, but my legs have never been warmer.

Snow camo is not for everyone, but who's judging. It's comfortable, it's warm and it was cheap.

They will be the perfect driveway shoveling pants.

Boldface Names

We all love to kick back, relax, leave work at work (where it's supposed to be) and do just what we enjoy. That's what weekends are for. This past weekend I spent relaxing at the cottage, trying to catch up on my non-existant tan. On my way home from work on Friday, I swung by Chapters to pick up some weekend reading material. Aside from my regular dose of In Touch and US Weekly, I hit the fiction section to pick up a novel I've been eyeing since Fashion Magazine (or was it Flare?) gave it a shout out in one of their summer issues - Shinan Govani's Boldface Names.

National Post's "resident snoop, town-crier and people-watcher" has been keeping In The Scene readers on the pulse of all the whos, whats and wheres and now has penned this debut novel that Harper Collins calls "part celebrity piñata, part scorching social satire, [...] a romp through the land of the rich, the famous and the wicked." I swallowed the novel up in less than two days. This flawlessly written page turner was full of gossip (duh), fashion, travel and all the champagne-filled parties you can handle. The story is told by Ravi, a gossip columnist, or a social archivist rather, for the National Mirror. In this novel, Ravi chronicles his experiences in the heart of the social scene. All goes well until he has a secret 'assignment' dropped on him by a clog-wearing-sweater vest-sporting individual paying Ravi a pretty penny for its execution.

So with beer and a cigarette in one hand, Boldface Names in the other, my weekend was spent basking in the sun.

I would write more on the novel but a) go read it yourself and b) I'm too busy.

Some of us should stick to just being famous for being famous...

I have no words...

Bringing some of the Homeland to Dundas Street West

One of my favourite things to do on a weekend morning is go grocery shopping... I know, most people dread it, but I absolutely love it. I basically count down the days starting Monday night, for when I can embark on my journey of deliciousness once again. And why, you ask? I have discovered the best grocery store ever, which is about a three minute drive from my house.

The newest location of Starsky Finest European Foods is located at 3115 Dundas Street West, just west of Winston Churchill. Now I am definitely bias as I am of eastern European descent, so every trip to Starsky is like a quick getaway to my home country (sans family reunion). I just don't want to leave the store! Starsky provides an overwhelming assortment of dairy, frozen and grocery products, it also features an in store galleria including a coffee shop, book store, flower shop and optical store. You can also purchase European cosmetics, shampoos, face creams, etc.

Not only can I pick up my weekly dose of European deli, cheeses and water (yes, I even enjoy European water), I can also grab the latest issues of European lifestyle and home decor magazines. The fact that Starsky has about six isles devoted to desserts, overflowing with chocolate, cookies, cakes and other deliciousness definitely does not help my diet that I seem to start every Monday (no, next week, I swear...).

My weekly Starsky must-haves include:

• smoked cheese
  
• turkey slices
  
• salami
  
• fresh bread
  
• Zywiec water (non carbonated)
  
• fruit
  
• vegetables (sometimes)
  
• grapefruit, berry and orange juices

I have personally never tackled the deli counter, it scares me. The counter takes up the entire back of the store and you need to take a number before you are served. Then you are helped by a nice, bilingual lady who will fetch all the deli your heart desires. There are usually about 45 people at the deli counter each time I go, so I just opt for the pre-packaged lunch meat. Actually, I'm not sure I'd even know how to order meat using proper terminology... 'ummm, can I just have enough turkey for like, five sandwiches?"

There is another Starsky location just east of Dixie Rd. on Dundas St., but it's not as large. But don't believe me, you need to check out this European heaven for yourself!

Bringing back the oldies...

I mean antiques...

In my post here I wrote about my uncontainable excitement about going to my very first antique show! As I was shopping on a budget (aren't we all these days), I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to find anything that I loved and that fit my price range. I was right... almost.

When we got to the Christie Antique Show, I was a little but overwhelmed. There were probably about 6,000 people there, at the least. Aisles and aisles of amazing pieces as far as my eye could see. I was like a kid in a candy store. My better half was ready to shoot me after it took about 45 minutes to walk through the first aisle.

I really wanted to buy some sort of a cupboard/china cabinet that we can put in our dining room. Something to hold a plate or a mug and maybe some flowers. There wasn't one piece I didn't like and I wanted to buy everything. I kept on getting reminded that "we don't have to spend ALL the money we brought." Yeah huh... do you know who you are talking to. If spending money was an Olympic sport, I would be a gold medal holder since the tender age of probably nine. Tip for antique show goers: bring cash.

Unfortunately every piece I liked ranged from $1,500 to $4,500. A wee bit over budget. After about three hours of walking around, we stumbled into another 'booth' - I guess that's what I would call it... A stand? I dunno... Anyways, he found it. He picked it. I swear, he has a hidden interior design talent that I never knew about. It was cheap(er), big enough for the dining room, but small enough to fit in the back of his truck. It had character - and it still smells like wood!

Love, love love it!

What do you think?



That's the SOLD sign on the left door!

Rookie renos

and why eager beavers should just sit down and relax...

Since this year's Canada Day fell in such an awkward time of the week, I thought I will tack on a vacation day in there as well and attempt to renovate my kitchen. Everyone says that the cheapest way to change a room is to throw a coat (or seven) of paint on everything.

Small kitchen, 48 hours, a few cans of paint. Easy peasy! Great idea in theory, but who the EFF decides to paint all of the kitchen cupboards a) in a day and a half, and b) with one can of paint!? Not only did I underestimate the time it would take, I figured one (small) can would do it - I don't have THAT many cabinets! Now I'm left with a 1970s refrigerator in the middle of my kitchen, no paint, no feeling in my arms and no motivation to continue.

I thought I would take a break and go shopping for cute window treatments - nothing. The best part of my 48-hour reno rampage was ordering pizza.

After painting most of the outside of all the cabinets and half of the pantry, I'm out of paint and the project is on hold. Why does everything look so easy on TV? Check out my before and aft... well, midders. I'll finish it, I swear. Just not now...

This is what the kitchen looked like before... A bit blah, no?

Aaaand the fridge in the middle as I still have some work to do behind it. Ugh...

As you can see, there is still a loooooot of work for me to do...

Protect your peepers!

As the summer is in full swing, most of you are worried about sun protection and health hazards that are associated with overexposure to UV rays... One thing that may get overlooked are your eyes. With so many killer shades available nowadays, it's easy to sacrifice eye protection to score that perfect pair of sunglasses on a budget.

I've always had a super hard time choosing that perfect pair and usually opted for the fun and cheap shades that did absolutely nothing for me except give me a variety of colourful frames and shapes.

I recently came across these new bad boys. The Mexican label Carrera, launched in 1956, recently came out with a new collection of revisited classic models that made a huge mark in the 80s. The Carrera STROKE is my fave... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It has been redesigned to current tastes, shows a rock inspiration with metal stems and a coloured line running through them with golden tints. FIERCE.

Available at a number of locations, I found these (for those of you familiar with my hood) at Dixie Outlet Mall at Optical Place. Prices range from $140-$180. Cutie patootie Brad Pitt is also loving the Carrera come back. Here he's sporting the Carrera Gipsy 6!