Feel the Ocean Spray with Waves Postcard Book

I love the sound of crashing waves and the feel of being near water. In fact, nothing relaxes me more.

So just looking at the Waves Postcard Book with photographs by Rob Gilley brings an inner calm that I rarely experience in daily life.

I think a lot of people feel this way about water, so sharing that feeling of serenity by sending out these gorgeous postcards (there's 30 in full colour to choose from ) is a wonderful way to spread the joy.

Whether its the big orange waves in Ventura County, California, the clear water or Newport Beach or deep indigo of outside the Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii, you'll find something here for everyone.

And if you're anything like me, you'll keep a couple to frame and put on your desk to try and bring that feeling of quiet and peace to your workday.

Get your own copy of Waves Postcard Book and revel in the bliss of water and waves.

Find Your Way Back Every Time with the Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR

How many times have you been out to dinner or a movie with a friend and when you get back to the parking lot, neither of you can remember where the car's parked?

And last time you went camping, were you sure you knew the route, but ended up taking a few detours that left you more than a little grumpy and tired?

That's why you need Bushnell's BackTrack D-TOUR. This GPS personal location finder allows you to always be able to find your way back/home. All you do is push a button and just follow the arrow. 

It has up to five storable locations, so if you travel to the same place every year or you have a favourite mall that has 6 different levels of parking that you never find your way out off, this feature will come in handy.

What's amazing is that you can upload up to 48 hours of data to your computer (it works with both Macs and PCs and comes with a USB cable - sweet!) to see your journey again, thanks to the self-calibrating digital compass. You can overlay your route on Google Maps automatically. It will show you not only the course you took, how long it was, the speed, elevation and temperature of your adventure!

This sweet little safety net is smaller than my phone and incredibly light at just 6 oz., so it won't weigh you down. It's also weather resistant so even if it's hailing out, you'll be able to get to cover. And I love that whether you're a millennial or boomer, military personnel or civilian, you can set the time (12-hour or 24-hour clock), temperature (Fahrenheit or Celsius) and distance (yards/miles or meters/kilometers) to what makes sense to you.

You just have to decided whether you want it in red or green. What a fabulous year-round gift!

 

Get your Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR now.

Theom Design's Measuring Tape Ring is Oh So Couture

I am very particular about the jewelry I wear. I don't like to wear pieces that you can find just anywhere. I like to seek out individuals who are doing something a little different.

Theom Designs by Menelaos Theodosiades out of Cyprus, does extraordinary work. Menalaos is both an Interior and Fashion Designer, so one day he is designing the exterior off a restaurant and the next, he's making fascinating jewelry and clothing.

Check out the amazing photos of his chairs, Granny Bag and necklaces, to mention just a few items.

My favourite pieces are his rings because when I wear jewelry, I like to rock a big statement piece and let it be the focus of my ensemble.

This stunning measuring tape ring (pictured above) stands high on my finger. It's like a bouquet, really, or fireworks that move with your every gesture. It says, "I love fashion and I'm not afraid to stand on the outer edges to prove it." It screams, "I know what I like and this is it." It alights when I raise my glass of wine or when I reach to shake someone's hand. It shimmies and shakes when I dance and it remains in the spotlight no matter how dim the lights.

Want to be noticed? Then get yourself  Theom Design Jewelry. Because there's nothing else like it.

Indulge Your Love of Making Lists with Curious Lists: A Creative Journal for List-Lovers

I have been making lists since I was a young girl.

I don't know why it brings me such joy, but anytime I'm stuck in any problem that needs solving, a list always brings me peace - and usually a solution not long after.

I know I'm not alone in this. There are a ton of folks who loved to make lists. Like Ashley of the awesome blog After Nive to Five with her "Life List," and Meredith of Penelope Loves Lists.

Curious Lists: A Creative Journal for List-Lovers is a fantastic gift for those of us that love to write things one after another, that like to come up with ways to be more productive or intensify our creativity.

Twenty-six chapters of orderly, fun lists offers hours of fun and merriment for list-makers. And the best part? You simply fill in the blanks! There is something here for everyone - Lists for Rainy Days, Lists for Vacations, Lists for When You're on the Bus...

Ooh, get your pens and pencils out, folks - it's time to list Rural Areas Mentioned in Hemingway Stories, Best-Selling Salt-Water Taffy Flavours and Albums to be Played on a Sunday Afternoon.

Stock up on Curious Lists for all the creative and type A folks on your gift-giving lists. They will love you forever.

ShoptoBeGreen.com Offers Organic, Natural & Sustainable Products

If you don't have a small family-owned green products retailer near you, you know have one online.

Shoptobegreen.com offers organic, natural and sustainable products for your body and your home. Many factors go into the careful selection of vendors and their products. They ask themselves,"Can this product reduce the public's use of petroleum products; lower landfill contribution either through bio-degradability, pre-cycle and recycle usage; and lowering chemical exposure by providing naturally made alternatives?"

They also prefer to carry products "made out of recycled materials created in an environmentally friendly way; like our reclaimed wood furniture, recycled water bottle felt pillows, and junk mail greeting cards. We also choose to carry a lot of products that are handmade by small family owned companies (like Tumbleweed Bead Co, GB Proudfoot, Decoylab and Beehive Kitchenware). One of the many reasons we love small companies is because their products tend to be handmade at the time you place your order so there are no large warehouses of inventory sucking up energy."

You can tell they've put a lot of thought into this:

"We look for items that can replace petroleum based products (like soy candles) and products that can help conserve energy usage (like LED lights and solar electronics). We carry jewelry made only from recycled metals and we will only carry antique or Canada mined diamonds so you can rest assured that it is not a conflict diamond. Our policy on products from outside of the US is to find companies that help reduce waste like Verterra’s biodegradable disposable kitchenware, Chaba reclaimed wood decor, and AquaOvo Therm-o glass bottle. We look for companies with Fair Trade policies such as our Pomiare Clayware, BeeHive Kitchenware Ceramics, and Himalayan salt lamps."

Not only is that a time-saver from shopping store to store, but it's a heartwarmer too - you can feel good about absolutely everything you purchase here. How great to support these smaller, independent producers!

I got to try Solay Wellness, for instance, which I'd never come across before. Their Whipped Body Butter is so luxurious and light, that I've been slathering all over my body ever since it arrived. And my skin has never been so soft! And the Detox Face Mask is the perfect way to combat a stressful day and/or damaged skin.

G.B. Proudfoot is another company I hadn't heard of and was thrilled to discover. Their Original Organic Lip Balm is not only soothing, it's got the most invigorating scent - ginger and orange - you'll want to eat it! For truly soft, renewed skin, their Tea with Lemon & Honey Scrub (pictured above) goes to work on ridding you of any dry skin and leaves behind rich, moist skin, all done with natural ingredients.

Not only is Shoptobegreen.com a fantastic place to shop for yourself, it makes gift-giving a breeze.

Shop now. Shop green. Shop responsibly.

Oh Egg Press - How I Love Thee!

I have been writing about Egg Press for years because their cards are always sweet, charming and hit just the right note. It is one of the few lines that I always get a "What a great card!" compliment.

So I'm beyond thrilled to share their new products with you - so innovative, so fun! Check 'em out:

- Charm cards (pictured above) are a present and card all in one! The recipient gets all the tools to make earrings, bracelets and necklaces all in a flat package that is easily mailed. And at such an affordable price, you can get them for everyone on your gift list!

- Letterpressed recipe cards are the only folded ones I've ever seen - and what a fabulous idea! You send your sentiments and a recipe. How cool is that? They are sized to fit in a traditional recipe box, and the name of the dish can be seen through a sweet little die-cut window. Sold in a set of 6 (jars, yum, food, veggie, sand dollar, cook), just try not to buy out the entire stock. These are going to go quickly.

-   The new line of letterpressed cards with Angela Adams have the bold, colourful, sunny graphics that are so right now and that you have come to know and love over the years (I've had Angela Adams stationery and notebooks for what seems like decades now).  They may just have you wanting to redo your whole place in this fashion. Just watch!

Check out Egg Press' brand new website and stock up on these amazing cards.

Egg Press, I will love you until the end of time.

Luxuriate in Mary Cohr Paris Nourishing Firming Cream

Not all products that work well feel good.

I simply cannot get over how incredible Mary Cohr Paris Nourishing Firming Cream feels on.

With a light, bumpy texture similar to Noxema, you wouldn't think that it's one of the most luxurious feeling creams. But the way it goes on - completely greaseless but oh-so-nourishing. A spa treatment and skincare all in one!

And it works right away. As soon as I applied it, my skin drank it in and the results? My skin looked not only smoother, but supple. It had its elasticity back, so that it seemed like I'd reversed in age, got back the skin of my youth. You know, before environmental damage and the ravages of time got to me.

And weeks later, it's still going. The jar barely has a dent in it even though I've been applying the cream morning and night. And my skin - it's all glowy and plump! 

No, I haven't had collagen injections, but thanks for asking! It's simply the incredibly fabulous Mary Cohr Paris Nourishing Firming Cream  with its Dermostimulines Complex (it stimulates cell functions, renewing my skin) and ingredients such as shea butter.

This is one of the most extraordinary face creams I've ever tried. When's the last time you actually looked forward to and enjoyed the process of applying your face cream?

See what I mean.  Get it at Baronesse Cosmétiques Inc.

Krigler New York City Perfumes Brings the Past to Present Day

Mr. Krigler had been a perfumer as far back as 1904.

But it wasn't until, Kri Kri, a fourth generation Krigler that the family business took hold again.

Kri Kri loves "a scent which is both sober and sophisticated, masculine and feminine, rigorous and happy. Rational but imaginative, defying the classical register, she has the insolence to invent a scent where freedom is sovereign. The scents she creates, where she express her taste of unexpected mix are indefinitely seducing. Kri Kri created in her atelier, scents as notes of the time. In the archive of the family she found over 200 scents and fragrances and decided to recreate them as much as she could."

Which brings us to the present day Krigler New York City, where fascinating scents await you.

Take Mediterranean Peach 15, for instance. It's surprisingly refreshing and light, like a Mimosa at brunch.  The blend of peach, dew fruit and blackcurrant leaves is like a burst of sunshine and laughter and perfect for these hazy, hot summer days.

And if you're a kind of back-to-basics kinda gal, Lovely Patchouli 55 (pictured above) is for you. This is the prettiest patchouli I've ever experienced. Complex but really feminine, the aromas of patchouly, bergamot, amber and leather are extremely enticing.

These scents will leave an impression. On both you and those around you.

If you want something to really wow the crowd, shop Krigler New York City.

Celebrate Summer with Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes & Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining

The summer goes by so quickly. 

Before you know it, it's Fall, the kids are back in school and the heavy coats and wool tights come out. So celebrate the season with Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes & Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining by Denise Gee.

This is more than just drinks on a porch. It's about, as Denise says, "the joy of architecture and neighbourly camaraderie." Doesn't that sound good right about now? No running errands, no cleaning the bathroom - just getting together with friends and family.

Denise lives in Dallas, but she writes, "But what really shaped my design aesthetic was being raised in one of Mississippi’s most beautiful, historic and hospitable cities: Natchez. It was there, growing up downtown in a four-story Victorian house/clothing store owned by my mother and grandmother—and being a young docent at several antebellum houses—that I learned the joy of cooking, entertaining, storytelling, architecture, interior decorating and garden design." 

It's true that there's something instantly relaxing about a porch. I think it's that no one works out on the porch - it's where you talk and commune and you automatically unwind and decompress like you would on vacation.  

So in order to throw your own Porch Party, Denise gives you some great pointers like planning your buffet, how to stock the bar, garnish ideas and even includes a handy (and extensive) checklist.

And you're going to love her drink ideas - Blood Orange Martini, Prosecco Mojito and something called a Gumby Slumber. For these truly sweltering days, cooling off is easy with Denise's Watermelon Cooler, Blackberry Smash and a fascinating drink called the Michelada that calls for beer, hot sauce and soy sauce.

I love her "Punch" section and learned so much - for example, that Punch should have "at least three but preferably five ingredients and serve a boatload of people (or at least a small crowd)." And doesn't Lemon Sherbet, Ice Ring Finesse and Bourbon Slush Punch sound good right about now?

There is also a ton of non-alcoholic offerings, or as Denise calls 'em, Frocktails, as well as little bites to offer along with the drinks (you don't want the neighbours falling off the porch) such as Greek Crostini, Shrimp & Tomato Salad and Creamy Orange Fruit Dip.

Whether you live in a condo or have a sprawling house in the country, isn't it time you threw a porch party? You've got all you need right here, thanks to Porch Parties.

Envelop Yourself in Riches with MONEY Cologne

I opened up the box and was shocked to see shredded money. Real dollar bills julienned and scattered around the box.

Since I who grew up without much of it, it seems like a blatant act. Like "I don't need it, so I'm just gonna throw it away."

But it's smart marketing.I mean, if you're going to make a His & Her MONEY cologne that reeks of money, you might as well swath it in the stuff, right? 

And this is all before I've even taken in its scent. Then it hits me. The intense, distinct smell of money.

The scent specially made for the fellas - His MONEY is decidedly manly - like leather seats and The Wall Street Journal. You can smell the money in there but it's surprisingly bright and citrusy. It feels a little like the outdoors too (due to grass and precious woods, no doubt). Ooh, I love this. It's powerful without being cocky. Bold without being overpowering. I would wear it along with the women's scent.

Speaking of which, Her Money is extremely pretty. The bills are in there, though if you didn't know it was money, would you be able to guess? I'm not sure, though you'd know it was a familiar scent. Feminine notes of fruits and florals are light and airy. It is perfect for everything from summer cocktails on the roof to business negotiations in the boardroom. Pink grapefuit, mandarin, passion fruit and melon add a slight sweetness, while freesia and Hawaiian wedding flower keep it fresh and sophisticated.

What fantastic presents these are. And affordable too. I wonder if I wear this, the laws of attraction will come into play and suddenly, I'll be surrounded by cash?

I'm about to find out.

Buy His & Her MONEY Cologne Sprays now.

Need a Little Lift? BioFuel Caffeinated Popcorn Is A Tasty Pick-Me-Upper!

BioFuel Popcorn is an odd, yet exciting mixture of caffeine and popcorn.

And while I would have never thought to put them together, they make for an extremely delicious combination. So much so that I had to tear myself away after I'd gorged myself on half the bag and could have easily kept going until there wasn't a kernel left! I think it's the combination of salty and just slightly sweet (nowhere near caramel corn sweet, though it's got that lovely same sticky feel) that both satisfies and excites your senses.

So thanks to Amanda and Matthew Fitch, who created BioFuel Popcorn as a way to keep up with their long days. They may have been struggling to stay awake for awhile there, but it was worth it!

The Original BioFuel is infused with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, so it won't keep you up all night unless you have it right before you go to sleep. The Super Caffeine-Infused BioFuel XL however, has twice the amount of caffeine as the Original, so save this one when you're up late working on that presentation or you need to catch the red eye.

If you're worried about the kiddies getting hopped up on caffeine, not to worry. There's a blend especially for the young 'uns.

Inexpensive, completely unique and will give you even pep to get through the afternoon meeting? Yes, yes, and yes.

Maybe you'd better get the big bag.

Looking For Something More? 1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment Will Help

Sometimes we just need a little nudge in order to get out of our routine or rut.

It could be that we have to make a massive change or just a little one, but often it's just taking time to stop, breathe and get right into the moment and see what the situation truly is.

But if you're already stressed about time constraints, deadlines and money worries, chances are you aren't going to run out and get a bunch of Buddhist tomes on being present or audio books about breath. No, you need something small and manageable that you can start using right now.

That's why 1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment by Barbara Ann Kipfer is such a wonderful gift.

The newest title in Chronicle Book's best-selling 1,001 series is a small, chunky book that doesn't take up a ton of room on your night table, bag or desktop. And while it is small and light, the wisdom within is not. Despite being short sentences and paragraphs, these little nuggets of wisdom pack a mighty punch. 

Just watch - you'll only get a few pages in before you start to feel a shift happen inside you. You'll start to realize just how you've been ignoring something or fixating on something else.

Kipfer writes about the value of now, something we could all use a little bit more of - how many times have you resorted to texting or checking your email while waiting for someone at a restaurant or instead of writing a thank you letter, watching TV because it was already on?

Whether you're looking for a little enlightenment or just simply being more forgiving and generous, this little book will no doubt help you find what you're looking for.

Get your copy of 1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment now.

Show Your Gratitude with Gorgeous, Inexpensive Cards from Thank You Cards Shop

One of the greatest joys in my life is stationery. And in particular, thank you cards.

There is something about being able to write my sincere thanks and gratitude to someone for their kindness and generosity or friendship.

So thank you cards are a very big deal to me. I don't send just anything. It's got to be darn special.

So when I found Amy Lowry's Thank You Cards Shop, I was absolutely elated. Someone that specializes in thank you's? How amazing is that?! Amy writes about how she came to have the shop: 

"[Thank You Cards Shop] is an expression of my love for stationery and for living the creative life. I cannot tell you how much fun I had designing each card for the shop. I got my start designing stationery for my own wedding, almost 6 years ago and from there I was hooked. Almost everything about our wedding was DIY! When it came time to design the thank you cards for the wedding I found myself short on time – and ended up shopping for cards, but wasn’t totally happy with the selection available and the lack of customized options. Years later, I remembered this and realized that designing stationery would allow me to explore so many different styles – and to design for so many different types of people. I knew it was a perfect fit for me, and I’m excited to be embarking on a new chapter in my career as a stationery designer."

All of the cards are digitally printed on high quality white cardstock and professionally printed and packaged in the TYCS studio. The paper is manufactured in the United States, either from FSC certified forests (ensuring responsible harvesting techniques are used) or from paper recycled from cotton remnants, with 90% of packaging materials made from recycled paper.

When is the last time you had so many thanks you card designs to choose from?

-Flowerburst Patterned Cards are sweet and summery - perfect for sending after this season's events. 

- And I love the bird themed cards - Bird Thank You Cards and Crowned Bird Thanks (pictured above). I can think of a bunch of folks that will really appreciate the beautiful illustration and colour palette of these.

- But I think I love The Birds - Stationery the most. These rendition of a happy l'il forest just makes me smile, so I can only imagine how delighted the recipient will feel.

I don't know how Amy is able to offer such affordable cards! And the more you buy, they more they go down in price. My advice is to get a bunch of your favourites and stock up. I like to have them on hand so that as soon as I want to thank someone, I can send it off in the mail as soon as possible. This week, I'll be sending Amy's lovely thank you cards and thank you notes all around the globe - to a friend in London, to a friend who just got married this weekend, to colleagues in Michigan who opened up my eyes and my world, and assorted family and friends for just being in my life.

Now I just have one problem - how do you send one to a person who makes thank you cards for a living? I'll have to think on this one...

Shop the entire Thank You Cards Shop Collection now.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polishes Are Spectacular

I try and not only keep up with trends, but stay ahead of 'em.

But because I live in Canada, sometimes it can take awhile for products to not only get to us, but be able to be shipped to us.

So while I'd been hearing about Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish for years, it was near impossible for me to get. Lucky for me, times and postal agreements have changed and I finally got the opportunity to take a few for a test drive.

For me, nail polish has to be easy to apply. I'm not very good at it, so the smoother it goes on, the less I look like I've had my nails done by Frankenstein. Deborah Lippman's formulas are among the best I've ever used. So smooth and sleek without the teeniest goopiness. And the lacquer is thin, so you can apply just one or two coats with perfection. Maybe it's due to the absence of toulene, formaldehyde or DBP. Or maybe it's the addition of Aucoumea, Biotin and Green Tea. Or maybe it's simply that Deborah Lippmann r-o-c-k-s!

Normally, I steer clear of whites because they tend to look more like white-out than polish on me. But Like a Virgin is a sheer, clean white that's not too in-your-face. In fact, it's just perfect. It goes on evenly and has a nice gloss even before I've applied a top coat. How great is that?! It shows off my tan and looks modern, not wedding-y, which I've never experienced before with a white. 

And sequins and glitter polishes often look great in the bottle, but are frustrating to put on - mismatched nails, uneven layers, more clear polish than glitter, etc. But with the most amazing confetti-in-a-bottle look I've ever seen, Happy Birthday (pictured above) doesn't disappoint. It covers the nail with an even coat of glitters and the more layers you apply, the more coverage you get. You can even layer it over Like A Virgin or other colours if you like, though I opted for the full effect (I like to celebrate). It is so gorgeous, with small and large sequins of various colours - silver, gold, red, blue, green - that I wish I had dresses and jewelry to match (something to think about Ms. Lippmann)!

I am now a lifetime lover and user of Deborah Lippman Nail Lacquers. I have hot nails that look professionally done.

Is your drugstore polish doing all that for you?

Shop the entire Deborah Lippmann Collection and don't forget the Celebrity Shades. They're next on my list...

Bhold Shoe Bags Pamper Your Shoes - Each Individual One

Maybe you've been only using your shoe bags for traveling. I have. Because they aren't really all that pretty or that functional for anything more than keeping your shoes separate from your clothes in your luggage.

That's until I got Bhold Shoe Bags.

Proudly made and designed in Canada, you won't be able to resist these pretty little numbers. They come in so many patterns suitable for both men, women and young ladies, so they make a wonderful gift for the world traveler or the never-ending organizer.

Far superior to the ones you've used up until now, Bhold Bags are lined (your shoes have never been so pampered - I call my bags my "shoe spas") and come with a separator, so that each shoe gets its own cushy department and stay in tip-top shape. How swank is that?! The two drawstrings are finished with wooden beads, making it easy to stash and store your shoes in an instant.

And there are so many collections to choose from: Bella, an embellished collection that reminds me of frothy wedding cakes, Bling, for those that want to add a little shimmer and shine with Swarovski crystals to their closet, Top Shelf is a rich collection of sumptuous patterns and colours, Playful is all about whimsical and colourful cottons, and the Active Collection, which oozes city chic.

I got the Pixie Gurl (pictured above) which I use for storing away my lovely towering heels and wedges as well as toting my flats with me when I'm heading out for a night on the town and know that I will only get as far as the restaurant before I'll have to switch out of my teeterting booties.

Of course, you don't have to use them only for shoes - wrap wine or champagne, store your audio equipment (who says you can't still rock a yellow discman?) or keep all of your hair accessories together and organized. The possibilities are endless.

I am thrilled to have found Bhold Bags. They are the solution I didn't know I needed. Next on my list? A Bhold Shopping Bag!

Shop the entire Bhold Collection now.

Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers Turns Your Dinner Party Into the Event of the Season

I love to entertain, but truthfully I'd rather spend my money on ingredients instead of the decorations. But I do like to spruce the place up a bit. It really needs a lift when company's coming by.

That's why my new favourite dinner party accessory is Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers.

This line of beautifully-styled vintage looking papers dresses up your table quickly and without a lot of expense. And you can choose to reuse or recycle them, meaning they'll take up less space than your Grandmother's linens.

Perfect Serving Placemats elevate your food so that everything has the feel of a fine French meal. Whether your tableware is handmade in Portugal or from Ikea, your guest will at least know where which fork goes where. And there's 50 of 'em, so that oughta get you through the summer.

And since doilies are so passe, update your look with 8" Serving Papers (pictured above).  This pad of 25 tear-off sheets means that you can use them under everything from your leek and cheese souffle appetizer to your homemade rhubarb crumble dessert.

For the food lover who's always dabbling in the kitchen, the Cook's Journal is a phenomenal gift. It has a table of contents and each recipe is numbered (space for 40-hand written dishes), with room for the ingredients and directions. With vintage images throughout, it is the most beautiful journal and an instant cookbook - just fill in the blanks and you've got your best-seller completed!

Using soy based inks & 30% recycled content, these are treasured items that make not only wonderful entertaining accompaniments, but incredibly memorable gifts too. 

Shop the entire Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers collection now. A portion of all of proceeds are donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund at Vanderbilt.

Wake Up Ever So Gently with The Philips Wake-Up Light

 

My fella and I are full-time writers, so our days can be pretty wonky depending on our deadlines. And while I am a fierce early morning person, if I've been up writing until 2, it can be almost impossible to get myself outta bed for 6 or 7.

But the PhilipsWake-Up Light has saved me. It's the most fascinating, gentle wake-up system I've ever come across.

Whether I need to get up early to get something off to press for the west coast or if I'm heading out to review a new breakfast restaurant, I am the lucky girl who gets to awake to a soothing light and the sound of chirping birds.

See, the Wake-up Light simulates sunrise by gradually filling a room with bright light. For example, if I want to get up for  6:30 a.m., I set it to start at 6 a.m. The 250 lux light increases its brightness (there are 20 brightness settings to choose from) over a 30 minute period, allowing your body - and mind - to prepare to wake up even while you're still asleep! What happens is that instead of your body being startled into waking, it slowly works it way into getting up. 

You wouldn't believe the difference it makes.

If you like to get up to FM radio, by all means set the Philips Wake-Up Light to your favourite station (it remembers 3 of 'em so awake to NPR during the week and new hip-hop on the weekends). Me, I'm getting up with the birds. Literally.

I set it so that I get up to the sound of birds, one of the sounds you can choose from. It is amazing to have that be the first thing you hear. We have real ones right outside our bedroom window, but the Philips birds are the only ones to get me up.  It's hard to tell they're not real though. As soon as I turn them off, the real ones are chirping away and really, there is little difference except that the sound now comes from inside the window.

And because you set the brightness settings on your light, you can set it to work as a bedside lamp too. The halogen lamp is replaceable, so you'll never have to go back to the old way of jarring yourself out of bed again.

Why would you want to get up any other way?

The Wake-up Light (3470) is available at a number of places including Amazon.ca and BestBuy.com and The Wake-up Light Plus (3485) is available at Personal Edge and Amazon.ca. 

p.s. Watch how it works for an Arctic town that's often in the dark.

Kai Fragrance Is Unique on Everyone!

Have you ever bought a fragrance that is meant to smell one way, but you get it home and it is completely something else on you?

Everyone rocks a scent differently and someone that's celebrating that is Kai Fragrance.  

Kai uses "exotic fragrance and natural essences" - think the tropics - in this light scent. It is incredibly popular amongst celebrities. And it's no wonder. 

Kai Perfume Oil is incredible and a little goes a long way, so it will long  outlast your drugstore brands. Touch it on your pulse points and get ready for the aromatherapy to begin.

As soon as you apply it, you'll feel your shoulders unstiffen (how did they get that high around my ears like that?), your mind

On me, it smells of sweet, fresh gardenias. And a lot like summer breezes, wet grass and clean laundry - all of the scents that completely bliss me out. 

But here's the thing - I gave some to my Mom to try and it was completely different on her! It was still lovely and light and fragrant, but deeper and spicier. My Mom's skin is always warm, where mine is always cool. It's amazing the difference on us both, but I didn't prefer or another - it's just that they each suited us perfectly.

It's almost impossible these days to get a scent that is personalized for you and your body chemistry. We all have so many factors going into who we are and how we take on a fragrance. How amazing is it to get something that works with you and your body?

Look for where to shop for Kai near you and finally have a scent that is completely and utterly you.

Celebrate William & Kate's Royal Visit with The Coaster Company!

The  Royal Couple: William & Catherine - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Canada. How will you celebrate and commemorate this epic event?

No one has better mementos than England's The Coaster Company!

These UK-made Royal Wedding Commemorative Products give you a wide range of photos and products to choose from.  

I think coasters are the way to go, because you get to not only see and enjoy the images, but they come in handy if you like to have a cuppa while you're at your desk or while you're watching the telly (writing about the UK has definitely brought out my English side, as you can see!).  But all of their designs are also available in placemats and mousemats as well.

And because they are so affordable, you can get a bunch for yourself and give the rest as gifts. Such a handsome couple should be displayed, shouldn't they?

The Balcony Kiss on Union Jack Background (pictured above) or without the background preserves that moment in time beautifully. Or perhaps you prefer them waving on the Palace Balcony. Leaving Westminster Abbey is a lovely shot, as is the close up of William & Kate in the Wedding Carriage.And the inclusion of the Crest on this Wedding Commemorative Coaster makes is a wonderful souvenir for Royal's fans.

For those of you who are history buffs, you'll know that according to history files, Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II.   It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion, but it never really caught on until its rediscovery in 2000. Since then, it's become a popular catch phrase that actually resonates well in our technologically-laden world.  So I recommend getting a Set of Six Keep Calm and Carry On Coasters  (I love that they come in a variety of colours) for yourself and then a bunch to keep on hand for gifts. You know your friends are going to love 'em as much as you do!

And for a fun take on that, be sure to get these amazing coasters: Calm Down You Can Still Marry Harry, Don't Panic There's Still One Prince Left, Don't Panic You Can Still Marry Pippa and I'm Just Wild About Harry.

Shop The Coaster Comapny's entire collection and commemorate the Royal Visit with something that you'll actually use and you can actually afford (take that, overpriced coins or plates). 

I'm in Love with Gilah Press + Design Greeting Cards

 

You know when you find that perfect card and you think, why can't there just be a line of greeting cards that are this sweet/fun/smart/imaginative?

Ahh yes, let me introduce you to my new favourite peeps -  Gilah Press + Design.

Gilah Press + Design is a boutique letterpress and design studio, who describe themselves in the following way:

"Some say we’re obsessed. We prefer to think of ourselves as nit-picky perfectionists with incredibly high standards. Either way, we’re confident you’ll be happy with the outcome.

We’re disciplined graphic designers. We’re also masters of the centuries-old form of letterpress printing. We have five hand-fed platen letterpresses perfect for printing limited color, small run items."

One thing they fail to mention however, is that their Greeting Cards R-O-C-K! Each and every one of 'em. The quality and weight of the paper (mmm), combined with incredibly inventive designs make them the perfect choice for whatever the occasion:

-  The City Love Collection, printed with black ink and paired with a cement-coloured envelope, gives a pretty shout out to your city of choice.

- If you're a shoe addict, or know one, Sweet Kicks are perfect. Printed with overlapping inks and accompanied by a gray envelope, these long, rectangular cards will no doubt delight the recipient as much as they do you.

- For the music lover, Music Notes say it all in just a few holiday-themed words. They are printed on with fluorescent inks on snowflake-textured paper and each comes with a fuchsia colored envelope. A modern choice with a reverential nod to the past. Nice.

- Sweet Ride has that 'ye old' look with a hit of contemporary design and colour. Overlapping inks with a cement-coloured envelope means it won't stay long in your stationery drawer (you do have one, don't you?).

- If you want to show how much you care, the I Love You More Collection (pictured above) really does say it all. And way better than you could. The fluorescent ink make 'em pop while the white envelope allows the card all the attention it deserves.

- Being a social media specialist and teaching and writing about twitter, I was charmed and captivated by the Smoking Hash Tags. To send a hashtag tweet in blue ink (like the real thing) in a smart gravel-coloured envelope by post? So brilliant, it deserves some sort of award. More like 10.

- But it's the You and Me Collection that got me the most. The combination of food ingredients paired with the sentiment of belonging together is so awesome and sweet all at once, it's almost too much to take. When my fella went to LA for a big meeting a few weeks ago, I slipped the Chips & Salsa card in white envelope in his suitcase, which went unnoticed until Day 2 of his trip (apparently not everyone unpacks as soon as they arrive at the hotel....). But I think it got him too.

If you're going to get a card, get a Gilah Press + Design one.

p.s. all collections are printed on 100% cotton paper.