[fave things: What I'm Loving Today ... ]

The last few posts have been kinda ... heavy.  Yeah.  And it's not like I couldn't pour out another 500 words on things that are on my heart and mind today ... but no.  No.  Today, I'm keeping it "light" and wanted to share with you a few of my "fave things" for right now.

Like.  May2013 "right now".  This could, and will, change at any moment.

1.    Fusion Spice Butter Chicken Sauce Mix.

I am not lying.  I bought 6 of these yesterday.  And - I gave one as a hostess gift last night, to a big smile and "THANK YOU".  Honestly - if you love butter chicken, there is no need to do anything else, than have this in your cupboard.  Better than any jar, truly.  And it's less than $5.00 and makes a great meal for 6 people.  I know.

2.    Trader Joe's Lentil Chips.

I try and be "gluten-free".  I suck at it - but I have noticed that when I start eating it (even though I have never had a reaction to gluten) - I feel icky.  So ... these black-pepper lentil chips are AH-MAY-ZING. Yup.  Like 23 chips in one serving.  THAT good ... lo-cal, full-flavour, no stomach cramps.   Boom.

3.   David's Tea "Steeper"

My fabulous sis-in-law, Suzanne, got this for me for my bday.  Ok, ok ... and her hubby, Joele, too.  But I'm pretty sure this was Suzanne's handy work.  The BEST thing ever ... scoop some loose leaf tea in, pour in the hot water, steep until ready ... then, place it on top of the mug and the pressure releases the tea in the cup.  Lift up - it closes.  Clean, not dripping.  I LOVE THIS!!

And I got a whole bunch of new teas ... but this one is my fave.  Kokomo Green tea with papaya, mango, pineapple ... it's like a vacation in a mug.  Mmmm ... 

4.   Baby Lips.

I have the purple one, with it's perfect sheer-nude tint.  LOVE it.  So does Katia.  Little stinker ...

5.  Living Proof Prime Style Extender:

There is NOTHING like this product.  OK - first off - please don't judge me, but I have a thing for Jennifer Aniston's hair.  I mean - who doesn't???  Well - when I saw that she was the spokesperson for Living Proof, I had to try it.  HAD to.

When I was in the states this past March, I bought the $25 trial pack ... and went back a few days later to get the REAL stuff.  It's really incredible.

The Prime Style Extender actually REPELS dirt.  True story.  Grease, dirt, muck - whatever ... I can put this in my hair, blow dry it and wear it straight for up to 3 days without washing.  Honestly - for me, that's a crazy thing.

I have now collected almost the whole line ... love the shampoo, leaves my hair feeling different than anything else.  There's a hair-mask that I use once a week and it makes my hair SHINY.  The thickening cream is my 2nd fave, behind the Primer.  It WORKS.  Just a pea-size ... and your hair does not get weighed-down .. not a bit.  It feels clean, light, thick, shiny ... seriously just about as close to having Jennifer Aniston hair you'll ever get.

Yes.  It's expensive.  But here's my delimma.  I have about 5 bottles of hair mousse that are half empty, they leave my hair crunchy, flat on the top ... they flake.  With the $20 I spent on those combined products, I could've bought one thickening cream and been HAPPY.  Like - super happy.

I find that sometimes I try and save a few bucks, only for my money to actually be wasted and  ... well. That's just how I see it  ...  next!

6.  AfterGlow IPhone App:

I get asked ALL the time about photography apps on the IPhone.  This is the one I use ... it has about 20 preset filters for the "one click" edit ... there are textures; I can crop in many dimensions and make the background white and clean ... or I can forget the filters and edit images, almost like I was on my Lightroom on my computer.  Well.  Not quite ... 

But with so many of us using our IPhones for pics - why not make them their very best?  I think it was $4.99 when I bought it.  

... it's how I edited this image of me that I took a couple of weeks ago.  So many asked "HOW did you do this??"  Simple.  I put my head on the counter, too the pic with my right hand with my IPhone resting horizontally ... snapped the pic and EDITED THE CRAZIES OUT OF IT in AfterGlow. 

Ok ... so those "are a few of my fave-o-rite-thingggggs"

Have a great one!

[product review: Cars 2 - The Movie.]

Our boys had been counting down the days until Cars 2.  Seriously.  For, like, a year.  When we were down to the last few "sleeps", I thought Josiah was going to lose his mind ... he was so excited.

We were pretty excited too.

We had ADORED the first Cars movie.  It was such a sweet story, with no "evil" or scary parts ... well ... maybe the "car tipping" part.  But that was it ... 

We arrived at the theatre an hour early - anticipating crowds ... but the theatre had done a great job of having a bunch of screening rooms assigned to "Cars 2".  There were only a handful of us in the theatre.

The movie started and we were whispering back and forth about how excited we were.  And then ... within just a few minutes, I realized this was going to be a VERY different experience.  

** do not read on if you don't want to know details about this movie **

The idea is simple enough .., Cars 2 is a spy movie.  And that's an attractive genre, but we were not anticipating the guns, bombs, and the words "death" and "kill".  Cars were being blown up ... tortured for information ... hunted.

My boys were VERY bothered by this ... but I should also say they ARE sensitive to these kinds of visual things.  We have to be very careful of what they watch - Mattias is 6, and Josiah is 4.  And some things that don't bother others, cause our boys to have nightmares.

Josiah hid his eyes behind his Light'ning for parts of the movie ...   Now - this movie is rated "G".  And we never felt strong enough to actually LEAVE the movie, but we definitely were hoping that it would get lighter as it went along ... 

This was my feeling ... I felt like this movie was made for those little boys who were 5 when the first Cars movie came out, and were now 9 or 10.  The storyline was complicated - far to complex for my boys, especially Josiah.  And we were sad to not see many of the old characters, except for Mater.  Sally, Red, Flo, Luigi, Sarge ...  they were in just a few short scenes.

The other thing that was frustrating was most of the characters had accents.  And yes, Luigi and Guido did in the first movie, along with southern accents of Mater and Chick Hicks ... but this was different.  The spies had english accents, and the main race car had and Italian accent.  I could tell that Josiah was lost at times, and didn't always understand what was being said.  

So.  All in all - It was disappointing ... mainly because Toy Story seemed to just get better with each sequel.  And Cars 2 seemed to just ... not.  When we left the theatre, Josiah looked at me and said, "Mummy - I don't think we should get that DVD."  

Ugh.

So disappointing for us - but I hope that if you got a chance to see it, that you and your family had a fantastic time ... I know that so many will love the "smart"ness of the story and it will definitely appeal to the vast majority.  And I do think that we will get the DVD one day *smile*. I think that the parts that were scarier, won't be on a tv screen - rather than a movie screen with dolby sound *grin*.

But for us is was a 4/10

If you saw it, what did you think??

[cool products: Some More Faves.]

So.

If I'm going to be comPLETEly honest, this post is not what I've been working on for this blog.  I have a post ... one that I'm writing; walking away from; re-reading; walking away from; deleting; rewriting; walking away from  ... you get the idea :-).   

It's about our words ... what we say, what we hear, what we interpret, what we are offended by ...   A lot of it was sparked by a recent sermon at our church where our pastor asked "what's the verbal tone of your home?", part of it sparked by the media regarding the Vancouver riots, and some just from day to day stuff that happens to me.   It's not a heavy post *smile*.  But because I want it to be said correctly, it takes me a while to really make that happen ... so - it may just sit in my "edit" box for a while ... 

SO ... instead I thought I'd share a few of my new fave things ... and maybe you'll find something that you'll think is worth trying *smile* ...  

I LOVE tea.  And Lipton has a new herbal "line" that looked too yummy to pass up.  I bought the blackberry vanilla and served it when my folks and in-laws came for Father's Day dinner.  My mom and I finished two pots.  YUM.

When I say, "... gotta do my Jillian ... " what do I mean?  THIS. "No More Trouble Zones" makes me sweat like an animal every stinkin' time.  She says it's 40minutes, but that doesn't include the 5 minute warm up or 5 minute stretch.  It's circuit training and targets the backs of your arms, shoulders, abs and "saddlebags".  It's done with weights and I  LOVE it.

I actually just bought two more DVDS from ITunes (suggested by a friend... ).  So I can take my computer anywhere, and I've got my workout too. I can also connect it to my Apple TV.  Brilliant!!   I'll let you know what I think of those ones ... 

Now THIS might seem strange.  But a couple of years back, I planted a raspberry bush.  I've blogged about it a couple of times ... and this year, it has gone baaaazerk.  Last year I probably harvested only a couple dozen raspberries ... this year?  I have no clue how many we're going to get - maybe a few hundred??  It's definitely one of our family's favourite things.  Almost every day (unless it's pouring out), we check it and see what it's doing ... I highly recommend planting a fruit plant.  It's free-ish food and kids LOVE it.  

And finally ... my Sanuk yoga-mat flip flops.  Now ... we have hardwood floors in the majority of our mainfloor and my legs can THROB at the end of the day.  I started wearing flip flops in the house to try and help my aches, but the Roxy ones (about $15 or so) are just too thin and don't do anything.  My friend told me about Sanuk yog-mat flip flops and I thought I'd give them a try.  They were more expensive (about $35.00 a pair) ... but when I put them on they were SO cushiony.  And now I wear them all the time when I'm in my house.   I am actually wearing them as I type this. True.   And you'll find them either at the base of our staircase where the carpet starts, or at the garage door (if I've changed into something else for outside).  I could TOTALLY wear them outside, but I'm keeping them as inside-shoes.  In all 100% honesty, I have noticed SUCH a difference in how my body feels at the end of the day.  I HIGHLY recommend these!!

And yes.  Mine are turquoise *grin*.

So ... those are a few things that I like.  Maybe you'll like them too ... maybe not.  But maybe instead, you'd like to check my RedHanded Photography blogpost HERE on this couple, Garrett and Kara ...

Well ... whatever the case  I'm heading to bed *grin* (it's 10:30pm on Sunday night as I'm writing this ... ) and getting ready for this week which is the last week of school with all of it's class parties, the arrival of out-of-town-family, a wedding photoshoot on Saturday and leading worship on Sunday ... and hopefully some sunshine *grin*!!!

So I wish you a great one, and no matter your week looks like ... may you at least have the warmth of the sun *oh, I hope!!*.

[product review: Canon G12.]

I done got me a new camera.

Now, now ... before the "Canon" vs "Nikon" argument begins, I must say that I am a Nikon girl.  I love Nikon ... BUT when it came to finding a "point-and-shoot" camera, I decided to go with the masses and check out the Canon.

I also looked at Olympus and Sony.

And Nikon.

But I left with the G12 - an investment for sure, and after not owning a point-and-shoot for the last few years, it seemed worth it.

My hubby and I were out of town for a few days (more on that later ...), and I reallllly didn't want to lug around my D300S and all of its lenses.  It's a pain, to say the least.  Especially since most of our vacation was going to be enjoyed at different amusement parks - not the best place for an SLR to hang when its owner is rippin' it on a coaster.

The last point-and-shoot I owned was bought when Mattias was born - almost 7 years ago.  And then, after investing in SLR cameras, a point-and-shoot seemed like a backwards move.  And - it really is.  But, still so necessary I think.

What I liked about my G12?  Welllll ... so many things.  First off - it's so much smaller than my SLR *grin*.  I mean ... the freedom that came from having a small camera hang around my neck and still be out of the way?  It was CRAZY *grin*!  I loved the movable screen - it tilts and allows you to take photos/video of yourself while viewing it.  Loved that.  

I have a lot to learn about it - but keeping things simple and on "auto" - worked pretty well.  I turned the auto flash off ... hate flashes.   And I wasssss frustrated with the slow shutter speed - especially when we were on a tour bus and things were flying by and I missed the shot over and over again ... 

I'm spoilt with my 6-frames-a-second-SLR.

When I uploaded the pics, they were really vibrant and clear.  Again, not as great as my SLR by any means - I'm also used to shooting in RAW rather than jpeg - but all in all ... it was a great little camera.

It's not cheap ... and we chose to spend a little more because of it's video capabilities.  We actually don't have a video that uses cards, so it was worth it to get an "all in one" for us.

So.  I just got back - no real photos to share yet ... I was still shutter-happy with this camera and took over 400+ photos for the 4 days we were away.  We had a great time with our friends and it was a spontaneous few days away.  I can't wait to share the stories and pics with you ... but I'm behind on some RHP work, so those images have to come first.

Clients before personal, right?  *grin*.

Ok ... Well.  Maybe just a couple ... this is while we were waiting for our car ...

... this was on Rodeo Drive ... 

... this was Disneyland ... without kids.  I know.  Such a sin.

... and a kiss off of the Santa Monica pier ... 

Not a bad little camera, eh?  Totally edited - yes.  But still ... 

OK ... what else?  Well ... I've discovered a love for the elliptical machine ...  I worked out at the hotel's gym every morning, even though we spent our entire day walking.  And I came home without gaining, despite my love for authentic Mexican cuisine *grin* (we weren't in Mexico ...).  I'm planning a long run for tomorrow ... maybe.  

Tonight ... Jillian.

Now?

Gotta go!!  

Have a great one!

[cool products: Strobe Light ... Twinkle Toes.]

Is anyone else finding that finding something new and original is almost impossible?  I mean, unless you're Lady Gaga and have some sort of creative genius that pretty much crosses the "normal" line into insanity?  It seems like it's all been done ... and it pretty much has.  No?

I love finding unique things ... but I'm not a big "vintage" girl, and I also don't want to look like a walking-mid-life-crisis either.  So, I try and find one thing to add to what I'm wearing that's ... different.

Like ... I have a pair of apple-green flats - but they're not "plain".  They have cool gathering and stitching, and I love them ... they add whimsy to the blah and mundane.  And I bought a couple of pairs of feather earrings from Etsy a while back.  I LOVE them ... but they don't go with everything.  I love Etsy for finding small, original pieces ...  and I love MAC for bold eye colours too ... but that's a different post *grin*.

Ok.  I've gotten a bit side-tracked here ( ... it's been a while since I did a fun post) - and what I really wanted to show you my latest love.  It's called "Strobe Light" and it's by Sally Hansen.  Here are some other reviews of it (apparently it's like "teenage dream" from OPI.  Uh oh.  There goes the not-looking-like-a-walking-mid-life-crisis ... *grin*).

You're thinking ... "... it's sparkly nail polish.  Whoop-ti-do."

Well ... I've discovered that if I apply a good 8-10 coats, my toes have a wicked depth of sparkle and pigment, and totally catch the light.  Every time I notice them, I bend my toes a few times to let the light dance.  Oh, come on ... I'm a GIRL *girl*.  

And "Strobe Light" is a pale peachy colour ... super summery, super "beach-y", super pretty, super girly.

*grin*.

So ... this is my new thing.  I'm retiring the dark brown and the hot pink ( ... well.  I still love my hot pink ...) ... and I'm going to sport sparkles this summer.

Do you have a new favourite summer-y trend??  Would love to hear about it ... 

AND ... of course ... head to my RedHanded Photography blog HERE to check out "Mark and Cindy's Wedding: Part I".   Yup.  There's a Part II.  And Part III *grin*.

For now - I'm off to do my first run since last Thursday (although I let Jillian work me over last night for an hour - so great!!), I'm taking the kiddies to a birthday party, making some caramel popcorn for tonight's MASSIVE Game One (go Canucks!!!!), and finishing packing.  But I'll tell more about that another time *grin* ... 

Have a GREAT one!!

[product review: Boxer-cize Class.]

So ... I have this "free" week past at my hubby's gym.  And I've made no qualms that I'm not a fan of the gym ... but I thought I'd try a few classes out, see what they were like.

A few days ago, I tried the Zumba class.  Yuck.

Today, I tried "Boxer-cize".  And it was killer.

After talking to some friends about the Zumba class, I realized that I just didn't want something foo-foo.  Truthfully?  I don't care if it's fun.  I'm there to work out ... if I'm giving up an hour, it had better be worth it.  I want to sweat.

I looked into kickboxing classes, but the gym that my hubby is a part of didn't offer that ... but it did offer a "boxer-cize" class.    Honestly, I thought the name was cheesy and imagined it being a Jane Fonda workout out with the odd punch thrown in.

I didn't even bring a towel.  *grin*.  How pessimistic am I??

The class started ... the first 10 minutes were pretty much different squats with punches/jabs/uppercuts ... whatever they're all called.  I was thinking to myself, " ... this is lame.  I'm not even going to sweat."

Then the warm up was over.

For the next hour and five minutes (that's right ... the class was 1.15min), the instructor lead the class in a series of jump kicks, front/back/side kicks, alternate punches, jumping jacks, squat lunges, mountain climbers ... I.was.dripping.

I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow ... and THAT is a great feeling.  

At the end of the class, I went up to the instructor - who must've been in her late 40's and had the most athletically toned body ever - and told her that I had thought I was in shape.  That I am hoping to run a half marathon soon ... and that she just about killed me with that workout.  She laughed and said, "Oh, you're in shape.  It's just different - that's all!"

It's so interesting to me ... I want to be in shape, to be healthy and strong.  And I'm realizing that my body has a whole bunch of things to learn.  And just because I'm strong or athletic in one area, sure doesn't mean I am in another.  Just because I can run, doesn't mean I can swim well *grin*.  Or just because someone can do an aerobics class, doesn't mean they can run 10km.  Strength, cardio, flexibility ... there are so many things to learn.

Am I going to go back??  Pretty sure I will for next Monday's class ... and it's only $20/month as an add on to my hubby's membership.  So even just doing that one class a week - it's worth it.  And maybe I'll try the "step and sculpt" class ... 

And I think I'll bring a towel *grin*.

Boxercise:  9/10

Also - I have a new post up at my RedHanded Photography blog today ... Cecil and Kristina's wedding.  Come drop by ... 

Have a great one!

[product review: ZUMBA Class.]

Well ... the first thing I learned this morning was I am definitely NOT Latino.  Oh, I've known for a while *grin* ... but every time I've been to Mexico or Central America  - or wherever Latinos rule - I somehow think I'm just about as cool as them.

Not so.  I do not, cannot move like a Latino.  At least not like the vixen of an instructor that I had the task of following today.  She had her hips shaking in ways that made mine look like they belonged to an arthritic senior.

Let me back up here ... I had decided to join my friend TP and head to the gym *dut.dut.dummmm*.  I HATE the gym. Everything about it ... from people acting like they're not self conscious when they really are, to the horribly lame music blaring, to just the grossness of people sweating on machines.   And what is it with guys thinking the gym is a good place to meet someone??  Blech.  Gross.

I'll take a run ANY day ... 

But ... I thought I'd give it a go.  I know that my workouts need some diversity - even though I'm plenty happy with my runs and Jillian DVDS.  So - today I participated in a "Zumba" class.    I had NO idea what this was ... and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed.  Sorry - but it's the truth.  The moves were repetitive for the entire hour class, the music sounded all the same ... the instructor wasn't really instructing, just dancing with her Latino ease.  And since I'm far from a dancer, I found that I spent more time trying to follow her rather than getting a good sweat on.

The songs stopped and started, as did the workouts.  There were times when my heart was pounding, but it was short and not even enough to make me wipe my brow.  And as I looked around, at all the different shapes and sizes of participants, I noticed the same for them too.  It just wasn't hard enough ... 

So.  I was disappointed because I gave up an hour in my day, and I felt I wasn't pushed.

... maybe it had something to do with the fact the room was so cold.  Maybe I did get a sweat on - but it was just too cold to tell *grin*.   My quads are sore, most of the dance moves are in squat position - but I've had a good week of running too.  They could be sore from that.  And the booty shakes she made us do? ... oh brother.  Seriously ... my itunes and the road are much more "me".

Afterwards, though, my friend and I headed to the weight room and did chest and arms ... and a little bit of abs on the ball, just for fun.  My arms are burning right now - so that's good.  At least I know something got worked on ... 

So - I have a week "free" pass at the gym, so I'll maybe check out another class or two with my friend.  But it'll have to be something with some serious cardio ... and a pitbull for an instructor.  If I'm giving up an hour, I want my body to be overheating.

My overall rating of the Zumba class was a 5.5/10.  I'm sure there are better ones out there ... 

Have a great one!

[product review: "BRAVO! Best of Bridge Cookbook" and SPICED PECANS Recipe]

I got a little giddy when I saw this at my local Costco:

I am a MASSIVE fan of the Best of Bridge cookbooks ... I remember my mom using the "red one" when I was growing up - and it continues to be my favourite series with trendy, yummy, eye-pleasing recipes.

This book is NO exception.

First off, it's a hardcover PLUS coil rings (reminds me of the Betty Crocker book ...). It's super sturdy, and easy to flip through. Want to hear some of the yummy recipes? Ok ... in the "Brunch & Lunch" section, how 'bout "Overnight Raspberry French Toast", "Lemony Zucchini Flaxseed Muffins", "Whole Wheat Cinnamon Waffles" or "Frittata Muffins"??

Or in the other sections ... "Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Flatbread", "Green Salad with Orange-Walnut Dressing", "Chicken in Tarragon Cream Sauce", "Apple & Pecan-stuffed Pork Tenderloin", "Cranberry Baked Beans", "Coconut Mango Rice", "Pasta with Broccoli & Bacon", "Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti", "Brandied Caramel Bananas", "Strawberry Tiramisu" or "Hazelnut Blueberry Cake".

Obviously, I could go on ... and now I'm hungry *grin*. Good thing this isn't a Monday "Biggest Loser" post ... The book is on sale at Costco for $17.89.

Well - I won't let you drool without a recipe to leave you with ... I created this recipe many years ago after falling in love with them in a salad at Milestones. I GRINNED when I saw something similar in this book ...

"SPICED PECANS"

1/3 cup pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4tsp powdered ginger
1/4tsp cayenne pepper
3 tbsp water

In a frying pan, toast pecans (you'll start to smell the nuttiness ...). Cover with brown sugar & spices. Add water (3tbsp is a guess ... the brown sugar should be submersed in the water (damp)). Continue cooking over medium heat until the water evaporates and the sugars crystallize. The pecans should separate and be crunchy.

And just to wet your appetite for tomorrow - I'll be posting another set of "renovation 09" pictures ... Have a great one!