RATE IT! Tootsie Roll Wrap-Around

Beat the encroaching winter chill with some chocolately warmth.

The Tootsie Roll scarf.

Hate the candy, rate the acrylic accessory!

HATE IT! Blizzard Rip Off

Yesterday I received a very exciting email from the DQ Blizzard Fan Club. Okay, don't act all surprised that I am signed up to such a group...my Bliz love is so *not* a secret, nor is it something to be ashamed of. Really!!

Anyway, the email announced this wonderfully exotic sounding Blizzard of the Month: the Girl Scouts Tagalongs Peanut Butter Patty Blizzard.

Oh. My. Just check this baby out. The photo makes my mouth water....creamy peanut butter, Girl Scout cookies...another marriage of chocolate and peanut butter, such a beautiful thing.

I spent a few minutes in a floaty sugar reverie...but after drooling over the photo for far too long, I suddenly snapped out of this ice cream nirvana. Tagalongs....tagalongs.... what the heck? Girl Guide cookies here in Canada come in only three traditional flavours. There's the combo boxes that have vanilla sandwich cookies riding shotgun with their chocolate sandwich counterparts. And then at another time during the year, the mint chocolate version are on offer. We've never, ever had something called Tagalongs. Me thinks my Blizzard Club email is ....from the States!

I quickly dialed into Google to pull up the Canadian Dairy Queen site and my suspicions were correct. This new Blizzard on the Block with its strange sounding Tagalongs is NOT AVAILABLE IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH. No. No, DQ here is featuring a re-run as its Blizzard of the Month...one that I don't rate *at all*! So, our American cousins get treated with the Girl Guide Tagalong super duper freaking amazing Blizzard, while us Canucks get the short end of the stick with the unwelcome return of the Tin Roof Brownie Blizzard which was JUST HERE only a few months back in July.

I mean, seriously...if you're going to trot out a repeat Blizzard performance, why wouldn't you reintroduce a Blizz favourite like the Brownie Batter or the Midnight Truffle. Hate to say it, but DQ you've failed us.

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 9 Sneak Peek

Looks like we're in for more cheeky fun with the 'Gossip Girl' crew next Monday.

I just hope Eric and Little J aren't involved. Or Vanessa and her horrible, ratty don't.

OM3, indeed!

RATE IT! Google Gets Sesame'd

Birthdays are always worth celebrating even if the party starts several days before the *actual* birthday.

Iconic kiddies' TV show, 'Sesame Street' turns 40 on November 10. To mark the upcoming birthday, Google has configured characters from the Street into their home page logo. North Americans were treated to Big Bird while UK Googlers got the Cookie Monster.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy....as Ren and Stimpy would say!

Happy *Early* Birthday, Sesame Street!

RATE IT! Want S'more?

Then this t-shirt from David and Goliath tees was made for you.

With the Autumn chill swirling forth, maybe some gooey, warm marshmallowy campfire memories are what we really need right about now.

RATE IT! Zoey of the Week

Seems I'm not the only one impatient for the rain to stop...

RATE IT! Unclutterer Gets Booked

The Unclutterer website is one of my favourite places to visit in the web universe.

Creator Erin Doland and her crew offers tips on how to lead an organized, clutter free existence. A clutter free life allows you to live more freely, not tied down by useless items that gunk up your home and mind. If you don't have as much stuff to clean around, or squeeze by in your home...life is easier, calmer. You can focus on what's really important, not that pile of newspapers hiding out under the chair in the corner. Being a big geek where it comes to keeping my place tidy and under control, I find her site inspiring, helpful and just plain fun to read. See? I *am* a neatness geek!

Obviously, I'm not alone in my adoration as Erin has a brand new book out today, "Unclutter Your Life in One Week." Erin's approach to an uncluttered lifestyle is never preachy or judgmental. She's like your super organized best friend who pops 'round with the most useful gems of advice.

Can't wait to read it!

RATE IT! I Love London

I *really* do.

This pillow would look very comfy on my couch.

If I can't go to London personally, best to bring it home to me...via mail order.

I know, I know. It's not the same as *being* there. Don't rub it in.

RATE IT! Bat-Dog!

Batman was sooooo 2008....

RATE IT! It's the Great Pumpkin!

Holidays just wouldn't be the same without the Peanuts' specials.

May your Hallowe'en be safe, warm and full of candy! And if the Great Pumpkin happens to cross your path during your October 31st adventure, consider yourself lucky!

RATE IT! Truly Special

With the previous Snoopy post, it's a bit timely to add this retro TV special intro from CBS.

It brings with it very simple animation (well, it was the 70s!) and a flood of warm, happy memories. Whenever this :06 opening would play, kiddies across the U.S. and Canada knew that something good was about to be shown on TV. All the Peanut specials, Rankin & Bass' 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'... all the TV goodies from a childhood based in the 70s & early 80s North America.

A blast from the not so far away past.

Having worked in On Air Promotion for most of my life, I have a certain fondness for show bumpers and openings but this one is truly special for the memories it evokes.

RATE IT! Dog Gone It - Peanut Classics

Happiness IS a warm Zoey, yes indeedy.

Happiness is also this cute box set of Peanuts classics all kept safe within Snoopy's iconic doghouse. I remember the 'Happiness is a Warm Puppy' book *and* the green & pink hued cookbook. My sister had both of them when we were kids - goodness knows where they'd be now.

For some of us, this set will allow a long overdue reunion while others can warmly be introduced.

Eight classic titles in all.