RATE IT! The Perfect Workout Playlist

I'm the last person who would call working out "fun", but I do know that a wicked playlist of tunes can make breaking a sweat somewhat bearable.

If you're looking for inspiration or tips on how to create the perfect exercise playlist, my new article on the website of Canadian Living magazine, might be just the thing to put a bounce in your step.

Get moving and grooving!

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! 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! Travel Destinations for a Sugar Rush

Travel and eating go hand-in-hand ... well, in MY world they do...so it seemed only natural for my latest article to be about 10 Destinations to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth. 

Dig in to my latest piece for Reader's Digest.ca. Best of all? No calories!

RATE IT! Ferris Bueller's Chicago

A week ago today, I was in Chicago. It was my first time in the windy city and to be honest, most of what I knew of this metropolis I had gleamed from Ferris Bueller.

That's right -- Ferris Bueller of John Hughes' '80s teen movie fame. The flick owes many of its most memorable moments to the wonderful city of Chicago where it was shot. See the beautiful painting to the left - it served as the centre piece to one of the most gorgeous scenes of the film. Remember Cameron, Ferris' best friend falling under its dotty spell?

When I travel, I want to feel like I really know a place before I get there. Who wants to waste time bumbling around lost and confused? While I was knee-deep in Chicago facts and info for my trip, I pitched an article idea to The Toronto Star newspaper and the result is my Ferris Bueller's Chicago - 25th Anniversary Edition story.

It appeared in print on the front page of the Toronto Star's weekend travel section back on July 23 - as luck would have it, I was actually *in* Chicago at the time. Seems quite fitting actually. It may not include all of the delights Chicago has to offer but my story will help you find many of the places that Ferris conquered. Enjoy the online version here!

(Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute of Chicago ~ photo by: Jackie Middleton)

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! Pop Culture Pups

Dog gone it! Pop culture has gone to the dogs! 

Who doesn't like a four-legged scene stealer on the big (or little) screen? Hollywood has always been partial to talented canines, and who am I to disagree!

Here's my latest article for Reader's Digest.ca... 10 Pop Culture Pups. Enjoy!

And as for my Zoey, she'll always be a star in my eyes!

RATE IT! Reasons to Watch...Brides of Beverly Hills

Who can resist watching the trials and tribulations of a rich bride? 


Not me!

Slice is premiering a BRAND NEW wedding series on June 16 at 9:30pm ET -- Brides of Beverly Hills! If you - like me - enjoy all those pre-wedding jitters that go into tracking down the ideal wedding gown, then this show is for you. And if you need more convincing, check out my Top 10 Reasons to Watch Brides of Beverly Hills... my latest article for Slice.ca.

RATE IT! Celebrity Cookbooks

Who doesn't like to eat? 


Well, by looking at some Hollywood stars it appears that they don't have the most healthy of appetites. Surprisingly, some do! Celebrity cookbooks are all the rage and with new collections from Sheryl Crow and Gwyneth Paltrow, there's much to digest.


Take a look at my Top 10 Celebrity Cookbooks article for Slice.ca, and I dare to come away without hunger pains!

RATE IT! Save Money, Update Your Wardrobe

With all the new clothes in the shops screaming 'it's summer!' it's easy to exercise your credit cards a little *too* much. Fear not, you can expand your summer wardrobe without verging on bankruptcy. 


Check out my latest article for Slice: How to Update Your Summer Wardrobe Without Breaking the Bank.

Hey, if you save some cash with my tips, how about treating me to a DQ Blizzard? Can't blame a girl for asking! 

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! Top 10 Summer Beach Reads

While you wait for summer to finally show her pretty face, here's some seasonal prep that will keep you from twiddling your thumbs in anticipation.


Ta da! The Top 10 Summer Beach Reads - yes, it's my latest article for Slice.ca. There's new bestsellers, old classics and a few hidden gems... all waiting to be carted along on your next beach-bound adventure. 


Before summer arrives, you can bookmark the reads you're interested in, and be fully prepared to hit the sand. 

RATE IT! Top 10 Fashion Trends for Summer

Just because Mother Nature is still cowering in the corner in her spring finery doesn't mean that the rest of us can't get a jump on summer. Sure, the official declaration that summer has arrived is still a few weeks away but it always pays to be prepared. 


To kick us into gear, here's my latest article for Slice - The Top 10 Fashion Trends for Summer.


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Fave Housewives of All-Time

NeNe, Bethenny, Camille? So many bitches, so little time!


'The Real Housewives' franchise never disappoints. The drama, catfights, ridiculous feuds! With the latest bitch-a-rama, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' pushing its way onto Canadian TV screens last night, it's perfectly reasonable to give a shout out to the Top 10 Favourite Real Housewives of All-Time. 


My latest article for Slice.ca.


Enjoy!

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! Real Housewives of Atlanta

Dishy TV doesn't get more outrageous than 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.' The third season has just kicked off here in Canada - the US got the jump on us and have already deliciously enjoyed the antics of NeNe, Kim and the crew - and already the ladies are up to their old, dirty tricks.

To catch up on their shenanigans from previous seasons, please check out my Top 10 'Oh, No You Didn't' article for Slice.ca. I can't guarantee that it's a hair-pulling free zone, so please tread carefully!

RATE IT! Project Runway Top 10's

Project Runway season 8 is about to strut onto TV screens here in Canada this week, and to get you into the mood, I have two new articles published on Slice.ca -- Project Runway's home here in the Great White North. 


The Top 10 Most Memorable Moments - takes you through all the series so far, and awards the most unforgettable people and events of the past seven seasons.


The Top 10 Celebrity Guests on Project Runway - relive our favourite celeb appearances in all their glory!


Enjoy -- and feel free to leave comments on the Slice.ca site!

RATE IT! D Doesn't Stand for Desperate

Not for these housewives! 


Heck, no! If you haven't tuned in yet to the latest member of the Real Housewives television franchise, it's not too late!


Here are the top 10 reasons to make the RH of D.C. part of your viewing routine... from the comfort and safety of your own sofa! Hair pulling is much more fun as a spectator sport.


Please enjoy my latest article for Slice.ca!

RATE IT! Virtual Weight Loss

Ooh, it sounds very scientific and 'Minority Report'ish... but there's no reason to be scared (trust me).


Please check out my latest article for Best Health Magazine's website:


Virtual Weight Loss: Can You Shed Pounds Online?


Can you? I'm not the only one who says you can!