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Beauty

Calvin Klein Size 10 Model is Not a Plus Size

November 11, 2014

There is a big uproar about Calvin Klein’s recent campaign with model Myla Dalbesio and Twitter is to blame.

The stunning 27-year-old is being featured in the new Calvin Klein lingerie ads. Soon after the photos made their way online, a Twitter storm began when the brand allegedly labelled Dalbesio a plus-size.

However Calvin Klein never called Dalbesio plus-sized. The campaign wasn’t a plus-size campaign either. But it seems the confusion began on Twitter after the model spoke to Elle magazine and talked being cast as a plus size model for other campaigns – not Calvin Klein.

People who responded on Twitter must have not read the article and jumped right away to comment that Calvin Klein is using a size 10 model as “plus size”.

What’s the real story? Dalbesio told Elle:

“I’m not the biggest girl on the market but I’m definitely bigger than all the girls [Calvin Klein] has ever worked with, so that is really intimidating,” she said. “No one even batted an eye. It’s not like [Calvin Klein] released this campaign and were like ‘Whoa, look, there’s this plus size girl in our campaign.’ They released me in this campaign with everyone else; there’s no distinction. It’s not a separate section for plus size girls.”

Dalbesio confirmed to TIME that “plus size” was “never part of the picture in any way” while she was working on the Calvin Klein shoot.

This is GOOD news. This means that a major brand like Calvin Klein is using a regular-sized model for their campaign. I say “regular” because she’s not plus-size and is not a “sample” size in the fashion industry.

Dalbesio told Elle, “I’m in the middle,” she says. “I’m not skinny enough to be with the skinny girls and I’m not large enough to be with the large girls and I haven’t been able to find my place. This [campaign] was such a great feeling.”

So what category does Dalbesio fit into? “Regular” or “average”? “Inbetween?” I dislike the labels but they do exist. I’d just love to see more women like Dalbesio in ads and hope that this will open the doors for other brands to work with all sizes.

Fashion

Style Focus: Tartan Scarves

November 7, 2014

I love tartan, especially in fall and winter. I have several tartan shirts, scarves and one winter coat in my wardrobe but it’s still not enough.

What’s the difference between tartan and plaid? In short, plaid is a garment and tartan is a pattern.

Plaid refers to the piece of clothing, no matter what the pattern of the fabric is, while tartan refers to the pattern itself. Most plaids are of a tartan pattern, which is why all the confusion!

A must-have for fall/winter is the tartan scarf. My obsession right now is the blanket, oversized tartan scarf that can be worn as a poncho or sweater as well. Two toned/double sided, even better.

Here are some fabulous picks for tartan scarves this season.

Abercrombie Fitch scarve
26 CAD – abercrombie.com

Gap black shawl
34 CAD – gap.com

H M scarve
24 CAD – hm.com

Tartan shawl
34 CAD – modcloth.com

Burberry scarve
225 CAD – therealreal.com

Tartan shawl
34 CAD – dailylook.com

Isaac Mizrahi scarve
55 CAD – isaacmizrahi.com

Scarve
tristanstyle.com

Tartan shawl
joefresh.com

Motherhood

Turning the Big 40

November 4, 2014

This month, I will be turning the big 40. Do I run and hide under a rock and wallow in misery? Or crack the champagne and celebrate what lies ahead?

I don’t know what to think about this milestone. Some days I feel my age, even older… my body is not the way it used to be. I hear the bones cracking and feel the aches and pains when I get out of bed. Other days I feel like I’m a teenager with raging hormones and swing between awkward teen angst and super confident young woman with endless dreams.

I’ve never been big on birthdays but hitting 40 seems different. With it comes the realization that half of my life is behind me, or more even. It comes with the sense that time is running out while there is much left to experience.

I can’t lie and say that I’m not saddened by the fact that so much of my life has already passed, although I am excited about the possibilities the future brings. I don’t like the fact that I’m getting older. Aging gracefully is something that is in the back of my mind. I’m not obsessed – I mean I haven’t giving Botox a real consideration! But I wouldn’t be opposed to it in the future.

I see the wrinkles around my eyes and mouth. On the one hand I embrace those lines because they were formed after many years of laughter. On the other, seeing them in the mirror reminds me that my youth is slipping away. Why didn’t I fully enjoy my strong, healthy (toned) young body when I was 20? To have that energy at 20 along with the wisdom at 40 would be the perfect combination!

I struggle with ‘acting my age’ and doing the things that I enjoy, which are associated with my 17-year-old self, like going to rock concerts and wearing Chuck Taylors and ripped jeans. Is there an age when I’m supposed to feel and act like a grown-up?

There is no such thing. We’re all just making our way through this thing called life. Some days I must pretend I have it together for the sake of my children but we’re all just learning as we go!

I don’t think you have to ever ‘act your age’ – you are who you are. Embrace it. Love yourself. I’m the same person essentially that I was 20 years ago, just a little wiser… and a little lumpier!

Turning 40 is a celebration of life. But it’s also a reminder of what I haven’t accomplished- yet – and the fact that time is slipping away. Looking back on my life so far, I do feel I have accomplished many of my goals – career, marriage, kids, owning a home, travel… But there is still much more to see, do and experience.

I’m coming to realize that I better start cracking on those unfinished goals. Sure there’s still plenty of time ahead. Some say life begins at 40. But life also gets busier, the kids get older and soon enough, you’ve put that goal on the back-burner again.

Now is the time to narrow it down, focus on the few things that I’m most passionate about and get them done. And have some fun in the process.

So for my 40th, I’ll likely have a nice family dinner, maybe go to a bar/lounge and keep it fairly low-key. I will likely skip the champagne and head straight for the vodka!

For those of you approaching 40 or those of you who’ve already been there done that, did you feel a sense of panic or relief? Did you embrace the Big 40 and celebrate or bury your head in the sand?

Desserts

Easy Pumpkin Spice Recipe

November 3, 2014

Fall = apple and pumpkin recipes. I’ve shared some amazing apple recipes here and some delicious pumpkin dessert recipes here.

You can make your own easy pumpkin spice in advance and having it on hand for when recipes call for it, or even to add to your coffee. This easy pumpkin spice recipes is the epitome of autumn flavour.

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients:

1/3 cup ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

Mix together in a spice jar and add to your recipes that call for pumpkin spice! Double the recipe if you know you’ll be using a lot. Some recipes leave out the ground cloves but I’ve used a little bit in this recipe, not as much as the other spices but feel free to add more if you like the taste.

Enjoy!

Beauty

My Fall Hair Beauty and Style Update – The Big Reveal!

October 28, 2014

With fall comes new beginnings and new style and beauty changes! I had a wonderful opportunity to update my hair, makeup and wardrobe with Clairol for a “Shift A Shade”.

Hair

I was anxious to see what Luis Pacheco, Clairol Consulting Colourist and owner of Hair on the Avenue, had planned for my hair update. When we sat down to chat, I mentioned that I’d like to warm up my colour. I had been using Clairol’s Natural Instincts to cover my greys. Yes, when you reach a certain age, and especially after having several children, you will notice more stubborn greys!

He suggested that I stay dark but he needed to even out the colour of my hair. So the colourist added Clairol Nice n’ Easy 4G/120A – Natural Dark Golden Brown – to my roots for a few extra minutes first, and then applied it to the rest of my locks. Print this $2-off coupon for Clairol Nice n’ Easy.

The outcome: warm, even dark brown hair. Could Luis and his fabulous hair team style my hair every week? My hair feels and looks bouncy, smooth and shiny, and what’s best is that the grey coverage was seamless. I love that I can keep up with my new hair colour in the comfort of my own home and within my hectic schedule, not to mention my budget!

~ the before ~

Make-up

The talented make-up artist Patrick Rahme worked some magic on my face. He added some eyeliner to my lower inner lid and added some fake lashes to make my eyes pop. I asked him to recommend a good lip colour that would suit my skin tone. I’m drawn towards pinks and plums but do they suit my hair and face?

Patrick said that you should look for a lip colour that is one to two shades darker than your natural lip tone. As for thinner lips, like mine, a good lip liner and a steady hand is all you need to make them look fuller. I’ll be rocking the lashes and eyeliner on my own thanks to Patrick’s tips!

Style

My style is rocker chic—I love my jeans, leathers and boots, and I’m most comfortable when I’m dressed in casual wear. But I do try to keep up with trends and incorporate them into my outfits.

Stylist Alexandra Mélançon took me from drab to fab with a style update: a simple black pant paired with a boyfriend blazer and printed T-shirt, and strappy sandals to complete the look. She added some simple accessories – a long necklace and a scarf. Simple, casual chic! It’s a style that I could comfortably pull off every day and look polished – trading in flats or ankle boots for the heels when I’m running errands.

You can see from the “after” photo that I was in my spotlight glory. I loved the entire Clairol Shift A Shade experience and my new look. It’s not every day that you’re treated to a fabulous hair, makeup and style update from top industry professionals. It’s incredible how a richer hair colour can make you look and feel more glamorous!

~ The after ~

Go bolder. Go warmer. Go deeper. Go golder. With our broadest spectrum of natural looking shades, you can change it up and still look like your most amazing you. Get inspired and #shiftashade. Nice n’ Easy with Colour-blend Technology is available in 44 shades. For more information visit Clairol.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Procter & Gamble via Mode Media Canada. The bloggers were compensated for the Clairol Shift A Shade campaign and were asked to review our products. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Procter & Gamble.

Contest

Halloween Tricks for Healthy Smiles

October 28, 2014

Halloween means trick or treating and tons of chocolate and candy. Hard candy, gumballs, caramels, and those molasses candies that stick to your teeth? Oh yeah! Lots of candy and chocolate will be consumed over the next few weeks so it’s important to take extra care of those pearly whites.

While Halloween brings a lot less tricks and a lot more treats, there are some great tools to make brushing teeth fun for kids. With any kids’ toothbrush, it’s important that the design works for their unique needs. To make sure the toothbrush is doing what it should, look for a toothbrush that is designed with a smaller brush head (best for smaller mouths) and a brush head that helps remove plaque and massage gums. Battery powered toothbrushes are also a great option for kids, as it makes tooth brushing time that much more fun. The new Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Super Mario Bros™ Toothbrush lets kids brush their teeth with their favourite Super Mario character.

To help fight against cavities, strengthen teeth and add fun to your kids brushing routine, try new Orajel™ Bubble Guppies™ Kids Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste Gel and Manual Toothbrush. These are the perfect tools to help transition kids from fluoride-free to fruity fluoride toothpaste, while using characters from the hit television show Bubble Guppies. The manual toothbrush’s coloured bristle guide easily shows children where to place their toothpaste, while the soft bristles are gentle on young teeth and gums. Plus the handle provides a comfortable grip for little hands! Children under the age of three should always be supervised by an adult when brushing.

For the parents that sneak one too many treats from the candy bag, Orajel™ has what you need to make sure your sweet tooth doesn’t cause you pain. With Orajel™ Maximum Strength Toothache Pain Relief Gel, you can enjoy sweets and know that if a stubborn toothache happens as a result, you will be able to get instant relief.

ENTER TO WIN

One lucky reader will win a prize pack from Church & Dwight! Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.

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Happy Halloween! And go easy on the treats, will ya?

Halloween

Top 10 U.S. Destinations for Haunted Attractions

October 27, 2014

Halloween is one of my children’s favourite holidays and one of mine too! I love everything about the paranormal, ever since I was old enough to watch movies like Poltergeist, I was hooked.

Haunted houses have grown from local Halloween events to massive, full-fledged destination scream parks that open in mid-September and run through early November. Haunted attractions have become elaborate travel destinations – in fact, 20% of Americans plan on visiting a haunted attraction this fall.

So what are some top haunted attractions in the U.S.? Here are the Top 10 U.S. Destinations for Haunted Attractions.

Top 10 U.S. Destinations for Haunted Attractions

1. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The City of Brotherly Love is well known for its history, arts and culture and “Rocky”. But every Halloween, Philly becomes a spooky hot spot for visitors. Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary is a haunted house featuring six attractions inside a real abandoned prison. If that’s not enough to scare you, I don’t know what will.

Pittsburgh is home to The Scarehouse and Hundred Acres Manor which has six haunted attractions at the Acres family estate. It was recently named one of Halloweens Scariest Attractions by The Travel Channel. You will come face to face with some of the most terrifying zombies, creatures, monsters and products of your worst nightmares.

2. Sleepy Hollow, New York

There’s something for everyone during Sleepy Holloween in Sleepy Hollow, New York: haunted hayrides, Gothic mansions, blazing pumpkins, farmers markets, live music, street fairs, parades, and of course, the Headless Horseman. Read on for some of our favorite October treats in Sleepy Hollow Country.

3. Litchfield, New Hampshire

Often associated with its historic witch hunts during the 1600’s, New England is full of Halloween fright. Begin your terror trip at Nightmare New England in Litchfield, N.H. The history of the notorious Bishop family is the story behind The Bishop Legacy attraction. A reclusive family, known to be devoted to dark rituals, the Bishops were blamed when members of the Litchfield community started to go missing. Today, many of the remains of the missing are still unaccounted for. Can you survive this haunted attraction?

4. Salem, Massachussets

If you make it out in one piece, Salem, Mass., which gave its name to the witch trials back in 1692 to 1693, is the next place to be. According to local officials, each year more than 250,000 people head to Salem in October. Salem Haunted Happenings include a Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, costume balls, ghost tours, chilling theatrical presentations and more. Head on to the big city afterwards for a walking tour through the historic and haunted streets of Boston led by Haunted Boston.

5. Pontiac, Michigan

There is a clear winner when it comes to the sheer number of haunts in one state: in Michigan, there are more than 60 attractions throughout the Southeast Michigan down to Northern Ohio.

Top haunt Erebus Haunted Attraction in Pontiac, Michigan is not a haunt to miss with its one-of-a-kind “Slice of Time” feature. Thanks to the careful positioning of 45 cameras in a single room, leave the haunt with a “Matrix”-style 180 degree image of yourself, in all your glory, screaming your head off.

6. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Considered by many to be the number one must-see haunted house in America, Wisconsin Fear Grounds is located in Waukesha, just outside of Milwaukee. Visitors can experience three times the terror by entering Morgan Manor, Carnevil: A Freak Show of Terror and Unstable – it’s three haunted houses, all in one location.

Afterwards, visitors can enjoy a drink back at Milwaukee’s Shaker’s Cigar Bar before daring to sign up for a ghost tour of the establishment. Over the years, many staff members and customers have been scared away from Shaker’s by their spiritual encounters.

7. Cincinnati, Ohio

The Dent Schoolhouse is more than just the name of a haunted attraction – it really was a school…that is, before it became Cincinnati’s most feared building. During the 1940’s and 50’s, several students went missing. Soon after each disappearance, strange smells emanated from janitor Charlie McFee’s office. When rumors spread of his involvement, a mob of angry families stormed the building, and what they found was shocking: remains of the bodies stuffed between walls and hanging from the rafters. The school then closed, but it is said that the spirits of the children remain. McFee was never found.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana

Known as America’s most haunted city, NOLA is the perfect destination Halloween spot. Celebrating 21 years of terror, The House of Shock is fully renovated this year with an expanded outdoor swamp site. Whether looking to enter the haunted house, ride a giant spider or enjoy free live music, The House of Shock has become a true Halloween festival.

To continue your spooky quest, dine at Muriel’s in Jackson Square. Many paranormal investigations have occurred over the years, specifically in Muriel’s Seance Lounge, due to reports of strange shadows, inexplicable knocks and voices.

9. Houston, Texas

Head to Texas’ largest city for some more spooky fun. At the Houston Terror Dome in October, the night is always young. The haunt does not close down until all visitors have gone through and business is dead for the night.

Ever shared a brew with a ghost? Afterwards, head to downtown Houston for a beer at Brewery Tap. Rumor has it that former brewery owner William appears at the bar to chat with guests. If you’re in disbelief, ask the barkeeper for photographic evidence.

10. Fresno, California

Hobb’s Grove has the cursed Haunted Forest where visitors venture into the tangled darkness. There’s also a tour of the Hobb Family Home, where patrons must first pass through the eerie family graveyard. Opt to stay on-site and enjoy full concessions, or take a quick drive into downtown Fresno and enjoy top dining destinations.

Take haunt season to the next level by creating the ultimate Halloween trip, from attractions to dining and all that is in between. To find more haunts near you and in these regional areas, visit HAA’s Official Haunt Finder online at HauntedAttractionFinder.com.

Desserts

25 Fun Halloween Dessert Recipes

October 24, 2014

I love October because it’s jam-packed with birthdays and holidays – Halloween is one of my favourites! I love getting a little creative in the kitchen with fun Halloween dessert recipes – usually, I’ll do a basic cupcake or cookie recipe and then go crazy with the decorating.

But I found some amazing and fun Halloween dessert recipes on other websites (thanks to Facebook and Pinterest) and am more inspired to get baking for Halloween treats this year.

Here are 25 Halloween Dessert Recipes to get your creative apron on!

25 Halloween Dessert Recipes

1. Monster Oreo Pops

2. Bloodshot Peanut Butter Eyeballs

3. Monster Four Legged Cupcakes

4. Boo-tiful Sugar Cookies

5. Pumpkin Spice Caramels

6. Dark Chocolate Candy Corn Bark

7. Mummy Pretzels

8. Apple Monster Mouths

9. Halloween Monster Munch

10. Phant-astic Cupcakes

11. Spider Cake Pops

12. Dirt and Worms Pudding Cups

13. Jack Skellington Cupcakes

14. Vampire Donuts

15. Marshmallow Pumpkins

16. Halloween Shakes

17. Can dy Apples

18. Bloody Shirley Temples

19. Spooky Trail Mix

20. Chocolate Snack Cake Bats

21. Rice Krispie Halloween Ghosts

22. Creepy Peppers Jello

23. Orange Juice Spritzer

24. Ghost Pudding Cups

25. Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

Happy Halloween!

House & Home

Dyson Cinetic DC78 Review

October 22, 2014

Are you one of those people who find vacuuming relaxing? The back and forth motion, the humming of the vacuum and the sense of accomplishment once you finish cleaning?

Yeah me neither!

Alas, household chores must be done and the easier and quicker methods to get the job done are important to this slacker. When I had the opportunity to test out a Dyson Cinetic DC78, I was intrigued.

I had heard so much about Dyson technology and I must admit, Dyson’s television commercials caught my attention. We have central vac in our house so I was curious to see how the Dyson would compare.

Setting up the Dyson DC78 was easy and ready to use in three easy steps. Click on the bottom part of the hose to the unit; attach the arm and then attach the brush/cleaner head. It’s simple to use as well – one button to power on and off, and one to coil up the plug.

The cord is long enough to pull the vacuum along without being a nuisance. It’s also easy to manoeuvre the vacuum back and forth and around corners – it swivels nicely. With Dyson’s Ball™ technology it turns on the spot with no awkward moves. The detachable handle makes it easy to attach tools directly to the wand. Whether you reach high, low, underneath furniture, you can easily clean those hard-to-reach areas.

Let’s talk about the suction. The Dyson Cinetic™ DC78 has cyclone technology – 54 ultra-efficient cyclones with oscillating tips extract microscopic particles. Because of their efficiency, there is no filter that needs washing or replacing and there is no loss of suction. And suction there is!

The suction with the Dyson was comparably stronger than my central vacuum. I vacuumed the carpet in my family room with the central vacuum; then I used the Dyson. The Dyson still picked up dirt that the central vac had left behind! I was shocked by the amount of hidden dust and dirt off the carpet – very impressive!

This shouldn’t come as a surprise though since Dyson invented vacuum cyclone technology more than 20 years ago. Dyson’s patented Root Cyclone™ technology captures allergens and expels cleaner air and is approved by the Asthma society of Canada.

The DC78 comes with several cleaning tools – Tangle-free Turbine tool, Articulating hard floor tool, Groom tool and a Stiff bristle brush. The carbon fibre brushes clean hard floors and the nylon brushes remove ground-in dirt from carpets. Dyson’s most advanced cleaner head technology ensures high dirt pick-up across all floors and areas.

It’s also sturdy – made from ABS polycarbonate, the same material used in crash helmets so it will survive those bangs into the corners!

Other machines are still designed to need replacement bags and filters. Over 5 years the cost of these items can add up, not to mention the hassle of having to shop for the right bags and filters and then change them. Dyson vacuums are bagless and have permanent filters – so there are no extra costs. Once the clear bin is filled, you simply empty it by pushing the button and releasing the dirt.

The Dyson Cinetic DC78 is priced at $699.99 which may seem like a large investment but this vacuum seems to be worth the cost. It also comes with a 5-year warranty (parts and labour). You can purchase directly from DysonCanada.ca or from retailers across Canada.

Contest

Chicken with Lime Cilantro Avocado Salsa

October 21, 2014

I find this time of year incredibly busy – I mean, it always is but Thanksgiving up until Christmas is nuts around here. With birthday parties, hockey tournaments, gearing up for Halloween and then Christmas holidays and festivities, I need to prepare meals quickly, without compromising flavour.

Now that it’s getting dark earlier, I don’t like to barbecue outside. The last time I attempted to grill outside was a disaster. Even with the lights on, I under-cooked my burgers because they looked well done but it’s tough to see well enough at night.

Hamilton Beach’s Searing Grill with removable plates brings those delicious outdoor flavours indoors. This recipe for Chicken with Lime Cilantro Avocado is perfect for the Searing Grill and is ready within a half hour – perfect for busy weeknights.

Chicken with Lime Cilantro Avocado Salsa

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into halves

1 avocado, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped (I skipped the tomatoes this time as I didn’t have any on hand!)

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped

Juice of 2 limes

1/4 cup fresh coriander, chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp sea salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Pinch of chili powder

Instructions:

In glass bowl, combine the juice of 1 lime, 2 tbsp of the coriander, olive oil, and half each of the salt and pepper. Add chicken, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least a half an hour.

To prepare salsa, combine chopped tomatoes, onion, jalapeño pepper, avocado and remaining lime juice, coriander, salt and pepper into a bowl and gently stir. Set aside.

Place chicken on grill over medium-high heat of the indoor grill. Close lid and grill until no longer pink inside, about 5-7 minutes per side. Serve salsa over chicken.

The high searing temperature of the Searing Grill locks in the juices and flavour. There is an adjustable temperature control as well. Cooking time was only about 12 minutes and I had only put the temperature on medium heat.

What’s even better – the removable non-stick grill and drip tray are easy to wash by hand, no scrubbing! You can also put them in the dishwasher.

Hamilton Beach Canada makes mealtime a snap this season with products that understand busy families and their fast-paced schedule.

ENTER TO WIN

One lucky reader will win their own Hamilton Beach Searing Grill valued at $99.99! Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.

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This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach Canada. In exchange this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.