Presto - Magico

I'm giddy with excitement over this product!!!

I love when something WORKS, and even more when it works to make my life easier :))

This is where Bobbi Brown's cleansing oil comes in. This decadently soothing face wash is the most luxuriously gentle facial cleanser I have ever tried, and yet it seems to melt away every last drop of make-up (including waterproof eyeliner gel) in a flash - quite magically.

I put 4 pumps of the cleansing oil into my dry hand and then massage it all over my dry face, including eye area. When I have spread it out everywhere, I add a bit of water and massage everywhere again, and then rinse. My face has never been so thoroughly clean, and yet my skin has never felt more nourished.
I LOVE it!!!

Not cheap at about $40 a bottle. Thus far I have had mine for about a month and have used up less than half the bottle. I have rarely come across a beauty product as effective as this one, therefore I'm finding it to be worth the splurge. I use it in the evening to wash off all my make-up before bed, and use only water to refresh my face in the morning.

You can buy it at Holt Renfrew in Canada, and online at Sephora. If you are at all unsure of buying it, I would recommend heading to Holts and asking them to make you up a sample. They are more than happy to do so because they know once you try it you'll be hooked :))

Heaven Scent

There are few things that bring me as much sublime pleasure as a deliciously decadent perfume.

Without question my sense of smell is my pronounced sense. That said, it can be both a fanciful treat and direly close to a curse. While a appealing scent can elevate my mood and set the tone for my entire day, an unpleasant one can do exactly the opposite. Even worse, if a scent is deplorable, and for whatever reason I cannot promptly change my surroundings, it can be overwhelmingly disturbing.

A friend of mine with a profound interest in the complexities of perfumerie recently introduced me to an incredible blog that has blown the perfume world wide open for me, and I am forever changed!!!

The bog is boisdejasmin.com

This blogger discusses innumerable fragrances, and offers very useful tips on how to approach this vast field.

The information that most peaked my interest was the link on the right hand side of her blog under "Perfume 101" entitled, "how to make perfume affordable". It is quite literally the answer to my biggest problem related to perfuming, and that is the sometimes prohibitive cost associated with buying multiple fragrances to explore. She provides links to several resources where you can buy samples (mini containers) of a limitless variety of perfumes new and old. On my first spree through there stores I have splurged on samples of perfumes I'm excited to try for the first time, as well as old perfumes that conjure distinct memories from the past (scent is the sense most closely linked to memory, and for me it is truly exemplified). The samples are very affordable, most starting at about $3 for a 1ml sample.

I am truly in heaven.

Hvala Suzanna xoxo

Connections

For anyone who knows me it is no secret I love sending little notes, and big notes for that matter when the occasion warrants...

While I love the look and feel of a handwritten note, I love the versatility and convenience of an electronic one perhaps even more.

I am a longtime devotee of Cocodot (another earlier post, started off as an online electronic card service and is now a lifestyle collection of many cool things).

This summer while I was on the go I discovered two amazing iPhone apps that helped me send both real and electronic postcards to my family and friends.

The first is Postagram. Very easy to use app where you can send real postcards to those you love. You can use the pictures you have taken on your phone seamlessly, and it uses addresses in your contact list to do the rest. You do have to pay for the service because they do send a real postcard on your behalf, but you never have to trek to a postoffice, it is all done instantaneously through the app on your phone. In my opinion well worth the $2 per postcard (far less if you buy credits that start at $9.90 for 50).

It was fantastic fun while we were on vacation in Europe this summer. How great is to send a postcard with your own happy faces on vacation, rather than the usual stock photos on regular postcards??!! The picture even punch out for framing if desired. Brilliant.

The second it RedStamp. This is a free iPhone app that allows you to send electronic postcards to those you love for any occasion. Once again you can incorporate your own pictures, and it uses your contacts to send them. Magnificently versatile yet easy. Happy days!!

Download some gorgeous fun today!!

One Way Ticket to My Heart

Food!

My amazing husband took me to this incredible little lunch restaurant on Saint-Paul West in Old Montreal. Totally my kind of place. Warm and cozy, and utterly scrumptious!

Olive & Gourmando
351 Rue Saint Paul Ouest  Montreal, QC H2Y 2A7
(514) 350-1083

No reservations, bustling, come early or prepare to wait. 
Soups and sandwiches, and so much more. 
Interesting combinations, fantastically delectable. 
Very reasonably priced.

LOVE IT! 

I'M BACK...

After a nice break, and a decadent summer, I am rejuvenated :)

Many good friends have mentioned they miss my blog. I guess I miss it too, it is fun! So here I am :))

Enjoy.
xoxo

Time out

I started this blog because I had fun sharing things that enriched my life in a positive way.

Sadly, writing this blog is no longer one of those things, and therefore I'm going to take a break from it for an indeterminate length of time.

I won't take the blog contents down, and therefore if you want to look back at something in the future you will be able to :)

Happy summer!

Adapt

I try...

It ain't always easy...

Like & Love...

Much the same way I always intended this blog to be a compilation of things/experiences I find enrich my life, I have found a fun little look-book on the net that does the same in a very colourful fun way.

Take a look: http://www.katespade.com/blog/blog-things-we-love-the-book,default,pg.html

It speaks to me because it is simple, yet fabulous :)

Well done!

I challenge people to compile one of these of your own. I have using Pinterest.
You can then flip through whenever you needed a smile boost.

Foumagerie

I love local gems.

If you live in my neck of the woods, this place certainly qualifies. It is a cheese store that also happens to be the best little sandwich joint around. They make all incarnations of flavourful sandwiches on baguette (of course), as well as tasty soups (all vegan and gluten free) and salads.

The food is fresh and delicious, the staff are friendly and efficient, and the prices are incredibly reasonable (it is cheaper to have lunch here than any of the chain sandwich establishments). In the winter you can eat inside the shop and in the summer they have a small terrance in the heart of Victoria village. You can always take-out.

I also highly recommend them for your cheese needs. Whether you are buying one for a particular recipe or need help creating an interesting cheese plate, they are very helpful and will always give you a slice of the cheese to try. Love that!

If you are ever in the neighbourhood, stop in and try it. If you have no idea what to savour, the daily special sandwich on the white board are usually a good bet.

Enjoy!

For the menu:
http://www.lafoumagerie.qc.ca/index.html

Cafe Myriade

I have no idea why it has taken me this long to post about this wonderful Montreal cafe... Having the pleasure of sharing a break there with my lovely friend Linda reminded me.

Cafe Myriade is the real deal. It is a genuine coffee house/specialized tea emporium, without all of the trappings common to chain establishments. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable (one of the baristas has won a barista competition), the atmosphere reminds me of the hip and relaxed atmosphere one would imagine existed at Central Perk of Friends fame, only smaller and more cozy.

The coffee they serve is 49th Parallel among other varieties, and for the connoisseur they can prepare them using several different contraptions. This alone is worth a trip to see what I'm talking about. Then their teas are better than any others I have tasted brewed in a shop. Seriously, they are perfectly flavourful, never bitter, and are a drinkable temperature when they bring them to your table. Love that!

A little gem of a place definitely well worth exploring.

http://www.cafemyriade.com/

Enjoy :)

Louis Vuitton Paris City Guide

Louis Vuitton City Guides are decadent! 

They are secret little treasure troves of indispensable information. 

I had read about them, researched about the usefulness of their information, and was excited to purchase my first one (on Paris) this past week. One would worry that they are written exclusively for a certain echelon of society (not mine), but in fact they are written for a variety of budgets. They are exceptionally well organized, and I'm sure the information contained within is exceptional, but the added lovely bonus is that the book is very light, and therefore I can actually imagine keeping it within reach in my purse as I explore Paris with my family this summer. Fun!!!

They are available online or at your local Louis Vuitton shop. 

Enjoy!

Bon voyage.

LIFE needs to be fun

Don't you agree?

There are very few more pleasurable experiences than a genuinely good laugh. Because everyone I love looks better wearing a smile, I share the following with you, and I hope they make you smile :))

Even though I have read them many times over, they still make me giggle my ass off!!!

xoxo

The Sweetest Things

One of my new discoveries is a magazine named "Sweet Paul".

Sweet Paul is an incredibly creative person, and a gorgeous magazine about the good things in life. The styling in it is seriously beyond words outstanding!

One of the added amazing things about this magazine is you can leisurely flip through the entire issue online http://www.sweetpaulmag-digital.com/sweetpaulmag/spring2012#pg1 (and even past issues).

Take a look, and you'll revel in the loveliness!

Enjoy!

Something I have never done before...

Relax, it isn't anything even remotely salacious, but it's still a stretch for me.

I have never before in my life been tempted to recommend a book before I have had the chance to actually finish reading it myself.

This book however compels me to do so because it's incredibly interesting, very well written, smart and even witty (yes, I have genuinely hooted out loud at the pictures the author has painted for me in my mind).

The book is called "Brining up Bebe" by Pamela Druckerman.

I'm not exactly certain of how to describe it without turning too many people away... I will focus on keeping it short and sweet.

It isn't a novel. It is a refreshingly intelligent look at some of the absurdities we have all either experienced or witnessed related to child-rearing, and offers refreshingly unstuffy insight into an alternative path, one practiced deftly by the French (not something some guru has just randomly invented...).

I find this book incredible as it speaks eloquently to me as a mother, a thinking woman and a paediatrician.

Once I'm officially done I'll try to remember to update the post. Until then, buy it, read it, enjoy, and join me in some enlightenment, it's brilliant!

Update: OK, finished it, and truly loved it! I cannot say enough about what an interesting experience it is to consider these aspects of how we live and behave. Merci beaucoup!

Some of my favourite quotes

Enjoy

Photobooks

I absolutely LOVE photo books.

Since the digital age, I have been making them for my family on a yearly basis, and we all enjoy them tremendously. I have tried many different companies over the years and generally had very positive experiences. Given I am a die-hard Mac person, this year I decided to try the version I could create directly using iPhoto on my iMac, and well, the rest is now legendary history :)

Seriously, as with most (if not all) Mac things, there just is no comparison. The interface was easy! And the result is fabulousness! I will never look to any other service to make my photo books, ever.

Photo memories are one of the precious things in life! Enjoy :)

The Hunger Games

LOVED the trilogy, and the first instalment of the movie series definitely does the book justice!

It is always a very difficult transition from the written word to the screen, and most often it fails, sometimes miserably. This movie is a notable exception, I think because the writer (who started off life as a screenwriter before becoming a novelist) managed to convince the film company to allow her to be one of the screenwriters, thus ensuring the fundamental integrity of the story wasn't tampered with. Obviously they had to leave certain things out, add others, while changing some altogether. The finished product is truly fantastic. The novel is vividly visual, and this lends itself nicely to this translation.

Read the book first, then go see the movie, you won't be disappointed!

"May the odds be ever in your favour".

The Italian Pantry

The Italian Pantry on Monkland is a fantastic little specialty Italian food store replete with stuff to bring home to use for your own culinary creations, or pre-cooked meals and desserts to pick up when you are in a pinch and still want to eat delicious food. It isn't an exaggeration to say everything I have tasted there is yum-yyy! Their cannoli and zeppole are the best I have EVER tasted (and I have tasted many, both homemade and from high-end Italian establishments), these seriously rocked!!!

There isn't much on their website, but it will help you find the place, which is always an important first step :)
www.italianpantry.ca

It is run by two Italian brothers, who are both friendly and helpful. The stores (they own two side by side, one is like a grocery store and the other is a coffee dessert place) are immaculate, and so quaintly picturesque you could imagine they were actually in Italy. Fantastic.

Definitely worth a visit, and promise me you won't pass up on savouring the desserts!

Ciao.

Eyebobs

Sadly, my eyes are making it impossible for me to deny my advancing age. I'm not old (just over 40), but suddenly I can't see things as well as I used to. Specifically, most text always seems either too small or too close. Frustrating...

As I had never had a proper eye exam, I enlisted one of my old friends who happens to be an ophthalmologist to check me out. At the end of the exam she pronounced that my 'vision' was fine, and I just had a mild case of what most 40 year old's have, called "presbyopia", and that I should just invest in a pair of dollar store reading glasses and I'd be fine.

DOLLAR STORE glasses! Now way.

I'm not snooty about most things, but the idea of using something even remotely related to my health and well being from the dollar store was never going to happen.

At first I was going to get a fantastic pair of custom frames made into reading glasses or even progressives for my minor 1.5 magnification need. Obviously this turned out to be a ridiculously expensive option.

Luckily, I happened upon a reasonable alternative.

Eyebobs! www.eyebobs.com

Reading glasses with a bit of class. I think this bit of pizazz makes them fun, and makes the reality of your eyes aging easier to handle :)

I have the On Board version, in the Tokyo tortoise shell with black. I LOVE them. I love how they look, and I love how they work.

You can buy them online directly from Eyebobs. As I wanted to try mine on, I went to Alain Assedo optician on Sherbrooke in Westmount near Claremont as they have a vast selection, and then ordered the strength I needed (at the same price as ordering online). I love how the Canadian dollar is FINALLY normalizing prices on most things.

Happiness restored :)

Ahhhhh!

Audible

This discovery originated during my quest to entertain my exceptionally motion sickness prone son during long trips. Even when he is loaded up on medication, he ends up being sick more often than not, therefore reading or watching a movie are entirely out of the question. Then I thought, I wonder if there is some new awesome versions of audiobooks that he could listen to on his iPod? After a foray through several underwhelming sites and apps, I came across www.audible.com, and WOW!

Audible has a vast library, from the old to the new, and a great selection for kids of all ages as well. They are owned and operated by amazon, and all you need is an amazon account to sign in and use it, and you're set! You pay a monthly rate to accumulate credits, and you can purchase the books for download either using these credits (1 book generally costs 1 credit), or you can pay for it.

For our most recent car ride to NYC I got him Catching Fire (the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy), and this one book provided 12 hours of listening enjoyment (there and back)! Truly outstanding.

My little guy is thrilled, and to me that is priceless :)

Cool Kindle

While I think I will always prefer the feel of a book in my hands, I cannot deny the convenience of an electronic reader.

If you have an iPad, in many ways it is the ultimate e-reader, but if you are getting one just to use it as an e-reader, I think you aren't necessarily making the most informed choice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my iPad, but I use it for all kinds of things (writing emails, surfing the net on vacation, downloading pictures while I'm on vacation, my kids play games on it, etc). The reason you don't want an iPad if you just need an e-reader is firstly, it is far too expensive if you only need an e-reader, and secondly it is too heavy for an e-reader, and thirdly because it is backlit you cannot read it outside in the sun on the beach.

All those are the reasons I have a Kindle. I LOVE my Kindle too! Even though I love the tactile experience of holding a book, the reality is I read way too many books on vacation to make it practical to bring them along, making a Kindle the perfect solution. It is much cheaper than an iPad, and considerably lighter (making it a perfect travel companion). The other benefit is I don't have to pick all my books ahead of time. You turn you wifi off in order to conserve your battery (you only have to charge this thing every couple of weeks), and then when you want a new book you connect to wifi and browse through amazon. It's fantastic! Also e-books are cheaper than the print versions. The other great thing about my Kindle is even though I am loathe to admit it, I'm over 40 and my vision is failing me. I guess I'm super sensitive because I only require reading glasses with a magnification 1.5x, but reading with a Kindle makes the glasses unnecessary as you can simply magnify the text. Brilliant!

My tip to any Canadians who decide to get a Kindle is to get yourself an account on amazon.com . The reason is the selection of e-books is VASTLY different on amazon.com compared with amazon.ca (some kind of copywriter issues... blah blah blah). It's simple, go to amazon.com and create an address for yourself from any US address you have at your disposal, either family, friends, or even a favourite Gap store. Anything works! Browse around a little and you will understand what I mean. You may also want to get an account on amazon.uk as many titles are released in Europe before they are released in North America, and if you read French books look into amazon.fr .

First stop, buy your Kindle at: www.amazon.com , it ships internationally if required, and as I write this post it costs $108.00 USD for the most basic version (all you really need). There are different ones if you are interested in added features, check them out.

Happy reading!
One of my favourite indulgences.

Pinterest-ing

Very cool new thing I'm trying online called Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/

I'm still trying to fully figure out what it is, and how I'm going to use it, but essentially it is a bunch of people who compile information on different "boards" (like bulletin boards), and "pin" new things to them. There is a universe of interesting ideas out there to explore. Thus far I'm having fun exploring other people's gorgeous boards, and am mainly using mine as mood boards. It is far less work than trying to do the same in a paper version at my desk, not to mention far neater (love that), and versatile.

Check out my boards: http://pinterest.com/dubravkad/

Don't get turned off by having to sign up for an invitation, it is just the way they roll. the invitation comes lickity split fast :)

Give it a try, it's FUN!

Divine Dubrovnik

Travel to Croatia (where I'm from) has become all the rage as of late. While I'm thrilled others are discovering what I have known for years, that Croatia is magnificent, I do also feel a tiny twinge of regret that it's become more touristic.

The Croatian coastline is beautifully dotted with one gorgeous island after another. The choices of places to visit are virtually endless. However, no first time visit to the Croatian coast is complete without a stop in Dubrovnik (my namesake city).

Dubrovnik is a magically medieval seaport city, steeped in rich history while boasting a glorious view of the sea.

I recently stumbled upon an incredibly accurate and helpful guide to travelling in Dubrovnik online. It is written by Americans who now live in Dubrovnik. It is replete with helpful tips to help you navigate all the practical considerations for your time there, honest information about some of the challenges you may encounter, and even has a link to rental places to stay. Really well done, very professional service (I booked my place to stay through them).

http://www.dubrovniktravelinfo.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00%2B01:00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=30

I'm going there this summer with my family. I have been there before, but it will be my first time sharing it with them. I'm beyond excited :)

Happy travels to all those who decide to experience this adventure firsthand. 

Sretan put!

POM-tini

This is my twist on the many versions out there. The reasons I gravitated towards this drink to begin with are I love martinis, especially sweet ones, and I don't love cranberry juice.

Very simple, yet super yummy! The exact proportions can vary depending on how much of a punch you want this drink to have.

• 1 part vodka (especially in a cocktail, I can't taste the difference between brands)
• 1 part Cointreau
• 2-3 parts POM Wonderful pomegranate juice
• 1/2-1 part fresh squeezed lime juice (4+ limes)
• small amount of agave nectar to taste

If you are making 1-2 at a time, then by all means shake away in your martini shaker. Otherwise, you can make a big batch in a pitcher as long as you stir it very well.

The drink should be super chilled before you drink it (I chill all the components beforehand as well), and personally I do not add ice as I don't like drinks getting watered down. Serve it in a nice martini glass. You can garnish it with anything you like, from a sugar rimmed glass to pomegranate seeds or lime in the glass. I'm not big on garnishes, I find they don't add to the experience of the drink because they get in my way. I serve it straight up, and people always ask for seconds!

Cheers!

B-ling!

Every girl needs at least a little. Some special girls need much more...   :)

While I love gorgeous valuable pieces for the sentimental attachment I develop with them over time, I love the fake stuff for the fun they bring to a wardrobe. I believe "dress" jewelry is an art form in its own right. It is a delicate balance between not trying to pretend to be the real thing, not looking too cheap, and embodying a certain amount of whimsy and artistic cache. Not an easy twist to balance.

While there are many companies who fashion exceptional pieces of "fake" jewelry, my most recent favourite happen to be Forever 21 because they strike that ever important balance between style and price. After all isn't it always more fun to be able to play with more toys, rather than a select few?

To say their jewelry line is VAST, is an understatement. There is a truly something for everyone, and all of it is a big load of fun! You can browse the extensive selection online. Some of you may be hesitant to purchase these kinds of items over the internet, even if they are exceptionally inexpensive... I would offer that they are very accurately represented. From the way the items look on the magnified image to the description of their actual size, you will not be surprised with the item once it gets to you in the mail. While they do have the very same jewelry in their store, personally I find looking through the mass of twisted chains and such in the stores entirely overwhelming and underwhelming, and overall uninspiring. However, I have marvelled at the amazing lots I have ordered online, and have gotten plenty of compliments for them.

Take a walk on the lighter, funner, easier side of life, and enjoy the bling of it all ;)

http://canada.forever21.com

Uniqlo cool

I think Uniqlo is one of THE coolest clothing stores in existence. First of all, I have been a life-long sweater fanatic (that anyone who knows me even a bit can likely attest to), and they understand sweaters down to perfection. They have excellent quality sweaters of every color, style and material (simple cotton to luxurious cashmere), that are created to complete rather than overtake your outfit. Exactly what I love! Secondly, their prices are truly a pleasure. While most stores are jammed with exorbitantly priced clothing, their's are not more than you would pay at other more common chain stores, but way cooler. And finally, even their store aesthetic speaks to my soul. If you have ever been to one of their stores you know exactly what I mean. They are clean lined, orderly, bright, and well stocked with all those basics you crave and trekked there for. Very Japanese indeed.

They have a store in NYC, in Soho, right on Broadway between Spring and Prince (in the heart of the hustle and bustle of fabulousness). It is huge, but it is always busy. Well worth the trip, even if you just want to browse, and explore what chic simplicity is truly about. This is your go-to place for reliable basics we all need and love. I'm planning to go next month - cannot wait!!!

Words to live by - Siddhartha

I love things that make me think.
This was recently passed on to me from a work colleague.


"[1] In the case of words that I know to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, unendearing & disagreeable to others, I do  not say them.

[2] In the case of words that I know to be factual, true, unbeneficial, unendearing & disagreeable to others, I do not say them.

[3] In the case of words that I know to be factual, true, beneficial, but unendearing & disagreeable to others, I have  a sense of the proper time for saying them.

[4] In the case of words that I know to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to others, I do  not say them.

[5] In the case of words that I know to be factual, true, unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to others, I do not say them.

[6] In the case of words that I know to be factual, true, beneficial, and endearing & agreeable to others, I have a sense of the proper time for saying them."

You have to read it through a few times to grasp all the nuances (at least I did). 
Very simple, yet very profound at the same time. 


Incredible.

goLITE

I wasn't sure whether to blog about this or not. However, given I find it truly remarkable, I couldn't help myself...

I'm convinced I wasn't made for winter, period. I could live the rest of my life quite blissfully without any snow, or cold, or dreary overcast days. For several years I have noticed I truly don't feel like myself during the winter months. My overall energy is down, I tend to find decent amounts of sleep less refreshing, and I find myself more snappy and less joyful about the world around me, even with those closest and dearest to me. Not a good thing.

I had heard and read about light therapy, but I was sceptical. Then this winter proved to be exceptionally dark and dismal, even as far as winters go (Montreal winters can be cold, and very snowy, but generally sunny), so I started to research it more seriously.

Finally I decided I had nothing to lose. It seemed plenty of people had found it useful, at worst others found it entirely useless, and I had scouted out a decently priced light, that I could return for a full refund within 30 days. Perfect.

I bought the Philips goLITE at www.costco.ca for $149.99 + $9.33 for shipping. If you don't have a Costco membership, you can also buy it at www.amazon.ca for $180.97, and shipping is free. It comes with a comprehensive manual explaining how you should use it depending on what your exact symptoms are.

I use mine for two 15 minute sessions right after I wake up, and within two days I noticed an INCREDIBLE difference with my ability to wake up and feel refreshed in the morning, my energy during the day, and my mood. Keep in mind, I was honestly convinced I would give it a try for a couple of weeks, and then I'd be giving it right back. Instead, I LOVE it!!! This product has changed my life for the better, and I think that is worth sharing.

Happy summer sunshine :)

Please keep in mind that I'm writing about my experience with this is an individual, not was a health care professional. If you think you are suffering from more serious symptoms related to the "winter blues" (i.e.. seasonal affective disorder), I strongly recommend you seek professional help.

Fettunta

There is only one real way to make this delectable creation, and that is Mario Batali style. This is garlic bread reinvented, though really the way it was intended to be. It will forevermore be fettunta to you as well...

You take the best crusty bread or French baguette you can find, you slice it up and put it on a baking sheet. Then you generously douse it with the best olive oil you can find (truly, the better the olive oil the more delicious the fettunta, so splurge). You put these soaked little breads into an oven at the broil setting for about 3-4 minutes (depending on the oven), until they are crunchy and golden brown. Alternatively you can grill them (even better!). Then you swiftly rescue them from the oven or grill, and quickly rub them vigorously with cloves of garlic you have prepared ahead of of time. Just before serving, sprinkle them with obvious showers of corse salt (my favourite is French sea salt). Serve them warm.

TO DIE FOR! Life was meant to be savoured in precious moments like the ones you can create as easily as this fettunta.

Give it a try, you will be delighted!

Inception

It isn't new, but if you haven't seen it, you absolutely must.

It is a challenging movie to describe, yet it brilliantly takes a simple concept and through a meticulously woven story introduces you to a world that is fantastically imagined. The movie is essentially about dreams and dreaming, and how they can have a profound influence on who we are the decisions we make.

Christopher Nolan (writer and director) makes this story entirely plausible through his incredible attention to every minute detail. The cast is also sensational, lending themselves nicely to the depth of the characters they portray. Highly imaginative (with movies these days I find that is an accomplishment of its own), and therefore grippingly entertaining. I have watched it three times now, to get a full grasp on some of the details one might miss as you are engrossed in following the plot the first run through. Each time I find myself more drawn into it, as I am continually impressed with how gifted a storyteller he is! I love unique stories, and here this movie achieves its mark magnificently.

The good news is, it is out on video so you can easily rent it for your viewing enjoyment right now!
Beware, it is close to 2.5 hours long.
You won't regret it!

Inspiration

A super cool friend of mine has an incredible inspirational photoblog that is worth taking a peak at! She is a gifted photographer, and truly captures a story in each of her gorgeous pictures (and as you may already know, I do love great stories). It is difficult to say much more because after all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and everyone walks away with their own unique message.

http://marisareda.blogspot.com

It puts a smile on my face.
As Marisa puts it, "Life is Beautiful".
Enjoy!

Bobbi is Beautiful

Bobbi Brown. LOVE her!

While there are many things I love about her, her quest to help women embrace their own unique beauty is truly inspiring.

I have been a Bobbi Brown customer from the very beginning. It started with me being drawn to the simplicity of her make-up message: her make-up was intended to enhance your looks in a natural way, helping you be a more beautiful you rather than transform you into someone else. In the 90's that was a novel and revolutionary concept indeed. It turned out to be the platform that launched her career, and the rest is history.

Since that time I have gotten to know more about Bobbi's beauty philosophy through the simple and sage advice she offers in her beauty books (I love, "Bobbi Brown Beauty" and "Bobbi Brown Living Beauty"). She is an impressively smart woman! There is the obvious; she is clearly a gifted and creative make-up artist, and a seriously savvy business woman (kudos). Beyond the obvious is a woman who is using her substantial influence in an oftentimes shallow and superficial world to promote a dwindling commodity, self-esteem.

Most recently I discovered how magnificently she discusses the various challenges of a fragile period in all of our lives, adolescence, in her book aimed at my daughter's generation, "Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules". It is genuinely lovely. She uses real people (not just professional models) to demonstrate her points, and she delves into varied subjects from diverse ethnicities, to braces, to nutrition, and more.  

Thank you Bobbi! You have been a huge part of my growth into a more confident woman, and now you are helping me guide my daughter down that road as well.

A cute note... My daughter felt so connected to Bobbi after coveting her new beauty bible, Bobbi's Beauty Rules, that she asked "is Bobbi Brown too famous to do my make-up for my graduation?". She is 11 years old. The world is still full of so much magic and mystery to her, it is beautiful. xoxo

PRETTY sure is POWERFUL

To connect with more personal information about Bobbi go to www.everythingbobbi.com/en/

You can buy her make-up at many stores, online at Sephora and her own website www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/index.tmpl

Godiva - heavenly hot chocolate

It is seriously chilly in my corner of the world right now, and if you are craving a way to warm yourself right down to your soul, look no further. There is something supremely comforting in a steaming cup of hot cocoa. I have been a faithful follower of this ritual since childhood, and while my tastes have evolved, it never fails to satisfy. I have sampled many hot chocolate mixes, and a few simple rules are bible: real hot chocolate must be made milk rather than water, the more chocolatey the flavor the more satisfying it is (sugary just makes it taste sugary), and personally I feel it is better if you don't add anything to it (like marshmallows).

In truth there are many hot chocolate mixes that I can enjoy well enough, but given the choice, my all time favorite is Godiva milk chocolate hot cocoa mix. Simply heavenly!

It can be found any place Godiva products are sold, which nowadays happens to be almost everywhere (their stand-alone stores, major retail stores such as The Bay and Chapters).

Once you try it, you will never be able to go back to un-fancy hot chocolate again, and I know your life will be better for it :)

Life moves fast; never sweat the small stuff, and enjoy every drop!