RATE IT! Glittering Christmas Cities

I love a good Christmas city. I like snow, the decorations...


I recently wrote an article for Reader's Digest.ca about several gorgeous Christmas destinations perfect for people full of holiday spirit.


10 Festive Christmas Destinations


Hope you enjoy this enchanted holiday travelogue!


(photo: mine!)

RATE IT! Christmas CAN Be Sunny

I've been quite busy this holiday season with a bunch of articles toasting the Christmas season. Here's one of my most heart-warming - so to speak! 

The 10 Sunniest Christmas Vacations ~ My latest article for Reader's Digest.ca.


Snow haters, rejoice! You do have options!

RATE IT! Cosmic Christmas

Love, love, LOVE this Christmas cartoon special from back in the late '70s. This Canadian gem called 'Cosmic Christmas' was a staple on TV screens in the Great White North for several years and then suddenly, like the aliens in the story, it disappeared. I'm guessing that there must have been a rights issue because we haven't seen this special on TV for years. I really wish someone would sort out their library or talk to their lawyers and get this program back on TV during the build-up to Christmas where it belongs!


Check out part one here... and if you like what you see, you can view the remaining parts on YouTube. 

RATE IT! New Holiday Tunes

It's now officially December - let the holiday tunes ring out! 


Now, I know that many retailers have already jumped the gun, and have been playing Christmas music for weeks now. But if you can still stomach a seasonal song or two, take a look at one of my latest articles for Slice.ca. This piece is giving all the latest (and most noteworthy) Christmas albums the once over. Some albums are new this year, while others are from last year or the year before. 


A little bit of holiday flavour for everyone! Read and enjoy!


(photo © Jackie Middleton)

RATE IT! Duran Duran Appreciation Day

It's August 10 -- that can only mean ONE thing!


Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day! 

Yes, it's the real deal. 

RATE IT! Happy Canada Day!

It's my beloved country's birthday. We're 144 years young! 


Timbits for everyone! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

RATE IT! Pop Culture Dads - A Celebratory List

Father's Day is this coming Sunday. 


To celebrate the occasion, I took an inventory of ten of the most memorable Fathers in entertainment history. Did your favourite pop culture Dad make the cut? And which one reminds you of YOUR Pop?

See where your faves stack up in my latest article for Slice.ca. Click here & enjoy!

RATE IT! Pre-Summer Checklist

I love a good checklist! With summer in the wings, it's time to take care of some necessary business *now* in order to fully enjoy the few hot months that we DO have.

Don't miss out on any 'to do' list necessities. Here's my pre-summer checklist, my latest article for Slice.ca. 

RATE IT! Retro Mother's Day

Mother's Day in North America is fast approaching on May 8.

I couldn't help but smile when I spotted this retro-look mug. I adore the cat's eye glasses... makes me think of my super stylish mum. She wore glasses just like this pair back in the '60s. 


Just lovely. 

RATE IT! Rabbit Ears Salad Servers

Inviting friends, and family over for an Easter dinner? Imagine the looks on their faces when you roll up to the dinner table with this set of salad servers!

Hop to it! Easter's only days away... these babies from Perpetual Kid won't last long. Happy Easter!

RATE IT! Sweet Tarts Get a Taste of Spring

It's about time the Cadbury Easter Creme Egg rabbit had some serious candy competition.


Sweet Tarts, those tangy, bitter yet delish candies are ramping up the holiday confectionary competition with their new Easter collection. They've got bunnies, chicks and ducks - oh my!


We've only been privy to the boring round Sweet Tarts in our neck of the woods. I have no clue if this Easter parade of seasonable characters will flock up north here to Canada but... fear not, you can order your own Sweet Tarts online from Candy Warehouse. 


Sweet!

HATE IT! Peep Sushi

We haven't had much 'hate it' action on the blog as of late but when my friend Gabby sent me this tip, I just couldn't help but slip down into full-on negativity.

My 'hate it' radar was screaming, desperate to be heard! Ready for a festive serving of Peep sushi?


Now, I love Peeps, the American marshmallow Easter chicks and bunnies. Yep, the sickly sweet confectionary found in varying degrees of neon hilarity - they're a Spring time dietary staple. Sure, they're teeth-decaying monsters, but to devour a few in the run up to Easter, there's no harm done, right? Just have your trusty toothbrush nearby and you'll be fine. BUT... marrying the peepy goodness with healthy raw fish? What? You want me to toss my cookies here and now?

Sorry folks. No can do. Sushi at the best of times is a big, fat NO in my books.  Now, if you want to travel down this icky road - be my guest. You can learn how to make your own Peep sushi here. 


Good luck. Just don't come calling when your stomach rebels. 

RATE IT! Green Hot Chocolate

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and although I'm not Irish, or known to celebrate the occasion, I do admire the dedication of those who are/do. 


In this spirit, I bring to you something special and green for the festivities. Yes, Snoopy is back with a unique concoction sure to make you smile. It's green hot chocolate. Seriously! By adding water or milk, the cocoa switches hues to a greenish, celebratory tint. 


Not sure how this brew tastes. You might be smiling *before* you down it... how you feel afterwards, is anybody's guess! Still cute though! 

RATE IT! Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Chocolate Holiday, everyone! Perhaps I'm the only female who thinks with my stomach on Valentine's Day, but I'd much rather receive some chocolate, or cookies than over-priced red roses - any day! That being said, if there's no chocolate, or cookies greeting me when I wake up, that's okay too. Hardly the end of the world. 


Valentine's Day is one of those tricky celebrations... you're never quite sure if people love it, or hate it. If you're single, it can feel like one of the most lonely days of the year. If you're partnered up, it can be a mixed bag as well. To avoid the roller coaster of emotions that February 14 can bring, I've always marked the occasion with cards, and chocolate for my parents, and sister as well as my significant other (depending upon whether I had one by the time Valentine's Day rolled around)... it made the date not so much about smug couples, expensive flowers and candle-lit dinners, but more about appreciating those we love regardless of status. So whether or not you have a Valentine in the traditional sense, be sure to tell the 'other' people in your life how much you love and appreciate them. If everyone took the time in this manner, Valentine's Day probably wouldn't be given such a bad rap. 


Anyway... as I step off my soapbox, I want to point you in the direction of my new Valentine's/love themed article for Best Health Magazine's website. Turns out, we are all programmed to fall head over heels in love... and for once it's not Cupid's fault! Read on through this link and see who gets the blame this time! Enjoy! 

RATE IT! Hallelujah Flash Mob

25 MILLION YouTube views!! That's the amazing count -- so far -- of plays for this glorious 'flash mob' rendition of Hallelujah performed in a Canadian food court.


It's festive, it's enchanting... it makes the holiday season all the more brighter. 


I know the wonderfully talented woman behind this video event (yep, talking about you, Ms. Vickie Fagan!) and it just does my heart good to see such a great person get so much press and attention for her work. 


If you haven't seen the Hallelujah Chorus video, sit back, enjoy and feel all the joy and love of Christmas time. And if you are already a fan, take a break from all the seasonal hustle and bustle, and treat yourself to a repeat viewing. Only a Grinch will find fault with this little piece of heaven.


Merry Christmas! And thanks, Vickie!

RATE IT! Tiny Tree

Yep, I'm a sucker for the Target holiday commercials and here's the other one that tops my list of great Christmas shilling moments. 


And don't forget... if you like the tunes featured in these ads, you can download them for free from Target's website. Merry Christmas, indeed!

RATE IT! Find My Christmas

Target is one of the few American retailers that hasn't invaded the Great White North despite the fact that most Canadians would LOVE to have this dollar-friendly chain entrenched up here. Oh, how you tease us so, you Target execs!


To make our cravings for their cool, well-priced products even more rabid, we DO get to see their fantastic commercials on TV when we tune in to an American channel. Their latest batch of Christmas ads have raised the bar once again. Such lovely holiday vignettes each with a killer soundtrack. My favourite is this clip of a happy couple trying to hide their presents from one another. And the best part of all this Target love, you can download the songs from these ads directly from the Target website. Click here and add a whole lotta Christmas joy to your iPod today!

RATE IT! Bing & Bowie Redux

You knew that it was bound to happen! A remake of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie 'Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth' classic.


Leave it to Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly to have a go! From the jokesters at Funny or Die. 

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

RATE IT! Jesus! Holiday Nesting Dolls

If you're looking to add a little levity to your Christmas decor, this timely set of nativity matryoshkas -- or, nesting dolls -- might be perfect for you.

Stack up Joseph, Mary, the three wise men and the baby Jesus. A more clutter free decoration you'll be hard pressed to find!

RATE IT! Reindeer Bites Blizzard

Ho Ho Holiday season treats are coming at us fast and furious! The most welcome of indulgences...the queen of Christmas diet splurges has to be DQ's Reindeer Bites Blizzard.

Um, wait a second... Reindeer Bites? Kinda an odd name! I mean it's not Reindeer 'Bites' as in... bites = terrible... or (perish the thought) as in little pieces of reindeer. Ugh, that's just too ghoulish for contemplation. No, it's Reindeer Bites meaning delicious chunks of caramel, chocolate, coconut and cookie -- all good, all yummy!

No reindeers were harmed in the making of this seasonal Blizzard treat!

Once again, Dairy Queen serves up a delectable early Christmas present! When you're out and about playing Santa for your nearest and dearest, be sure to give yourself the gift of a quiet moment with your very own Reindeer Bites Blizzard.