Taste of Nature: It’s time for Canadians to make a healthy snack pact ~ #Review & #PR

It is the start of a New Year and new goals.  Many have chosen to start to eat healthy and keep fit.  I have a snack drawer that contains all kinds of snacks, ready to be eaten.  I often try to add only healthy snacks and usually they contain granola bars.  I had the opportunity to try 3 flavours and I have to say they were all equally good.  I have them in the morning when I am so busy with work and deadlines.  They are so tasty that I can't believe they are healthy too!   I was very surprised at how good they taste because I had "healthy" granola bars and they were unpleasant to swallow.  I could eat a case of the Taste of Nature.  Going for Taste of Nature instead of a high calories snacks  or breakfast on the go is the perfect choice to to stay healthy.

NuTerra Granola cereal ~ #Review & #Giveaway

I am a big cereal eater and you could ask my colleagues at work.  I have at least a few cereal boxes on my desk at a time.  I am always eating them in the morning with milk or yogurt.  Sure they joke around about my collection but it saves me time in the morning and it is much cheaper than running downstairs to the convenience store and spending over a dollar for one of the over priced individual cereal boxes.  One of my favourite cereals to eat with my yogurt is granola type cereal and I believe I have found my favourite one yet!

Littlest Pet Shop Lights, Camera, Fashion DVD ~ #Giveaway Winner

The winner to my Littlest Pet Shop Lights, Camera, Fashion DVD (from Shout! Factory) giveaway is

Gord M.

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):

Date it! Labels, February 17th, CAN/US only

Danny Phantom, February 12th, CAN/US only

Hershey's, February 11th, CAN/US only

Chuck & Friends DVD, February 2nd, CAN/US only <--ENDING

Date it! Labels from Lovable Labels ~ #Review & #Giveaway

I was very excited to try Date it! Labels from Lovable Labels.  When I received them in the mail, I used them right away when I was packaging up my left over pasta  I made for dinner tonight.  It said to use permanent marker and it washes off using rubbing alcohol.  I was hesitant at first but lo and behold it came right off.  I was very impressed that I could reuse them over and over again.  I love the design I picked - it is very cute and fun.  I believe every household should be using Date it! Labels because no one wants to eat spoiled food or waste it by throwing it out too soon or not soon enough.

Cost of Living 2014 ~ #Life #Money

Happy 2014?

Like I said last year, each year, the cost of living increases and it is getting harder to live in the City.

Four major increases will be affecting me this year:

1. My local monthly public transit fares hiked up $5/mo when last year it was $2.50/mo.  It was $117.50 and now it is $122.50 per month.  It is getting harder and harder to justify their cost increase where I know it the increase is for their salary than anything else. $5 x 12 months = $60

2. My home insurance went up $50/mo.  That is insane!  They said it was because there was a flood back in the summer and now I have heard there will be another increase because of our recent ice storm. $50 x 12 months = $600

3. A major price increase for Canada Post that I can't believe is happening.  Effective March 31, 2014, stamps for letter mail will cost $0.85 if they are bought in coils or booklets.  $1.00 each if they were bought individually an for commercial rates if they are using postage meters at a rate of $0.75 per letter.

4. They also said my Property Taxes will increase this year by 2.5% where they said 1.4% goes to inflation, 0.5% to fund our public transportation, and 0.6% for enhanced services.  What!  1.4% for inflation.  My salary was slashed by XX% and it has been that way since the market crash...so it is totally unfair where there are so many strikes and fees increase where my after tax money is declining.... I think the increase will be around $50 or so...

Other increases will be either affecting me or others.
Rent - maximum of 8% increase is allowable in Ontario in 2014 - see guideline here
Bell service fees increased November 1, 2013
Condo Fees
Car Insurance
Increase in EI & CPP premiums - less take home pay
Camps, after school programs, Day Cares
Food - the usual fruit, meat, and eggs
And the list could go on and on.

What does this mean?  Either I get a better job or start cutting more things from our lifestyle and trying find ways to help me save.  If your wages/salary increases each year - that is great but un-lucky me and many others that I know - it does not.  In 2013 I have decreased my land line bill but my internet bill actually increased and they couldn't give me a discount.  Hopefully in March I could negotiate and get a better rate and if not, it is about time I find a different supplier.  I have cancelled my cable which helped me save close to $50 a month.

Which increases will affect you the most?

Yves Rocher Elixir 7.9 Skin Care ~ #Review

Have you heard of a product that has 12 years of research and it contains 7 plants extracts with anti-aging powers?  Neither had I until now.  Yves Rocher created a collection of Elixir 7.9 that works wonders on my skin.  The collections includes: a serum, day cream (normal to combination, dry, or sensitive), eye care roll-on, and night cream.

Danny Phantom: The Complete Series on DVD January 28, 2014 ~ #Review #Giveaway

Danny Phantom: The Complete Series - available on DVD January 28, 2014 from Shout! Factory.  This DVD is fun to watch for all ages.  It contains all 3 seasons in 10 DVD holding all 53 episodes which means 19 hours of fun entertaining for the kiddies.   My girls enjoyed watching Danny Phantom saving the day and can't wait to watch his next adventure.

AppleTV (from Staples Canada) ~ #Giveaway winner

This is so exciting!  I am proud to announce the winner to my AppleTV, 3rd generation (from Staples Canada) giveaway is

Mike K.

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):

Hershey's, February 11th, CAN/US only

Chuck & Friends DVD, February 2nd, CAN/US only

Littlest Pet Shop DVD, January 26th, CAN/US only <--ENDING

Scottish Fine Soaps ~ #Giveaway Winner

Winner to my Scottish Fine Soaps (from Farleyco) giveaway is

Jody D.

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):

Hershey's, February 11th, CAN/US only

Chuck & Friends DVD, February 2nd, CAN/US only

Littlest Pet Shop DVD, January 26th, CAN/US only <--ENDING

New Nicole by OPI & Top Coats & Treatments for 2014 ~ #Review

A new year, a new start, a new line of nail polishes.  I hope you are excited to see what Nicole by OPI will bring this year.

Nicole by OPI announces the launch of their new 15 nail lacquers for 2014, which are available now.  It contains a wide range of shades that will coordinate with the latest fashion trends.

Something About Spring, Emerald Empowered

Get Hershey's for this Valentine's Day ~ #Review & #Giveaway

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
I bet you can't eat one
and might not stop at two.

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Bring Hershey Kisses
And she will give you a kiss or two.

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
I better stop now
because you know what to do.

Get Organized with Lovable Labels ~ #Review

Don't we all love to get organized.  My SIL is the guru of being organized and when I went over to her place it made me itch to start tackling my place.  The first place I started is my kitchen and started to purge what I don't use or need.  There were times I had to wonder and second guess myself but I was chanting "I have to be ruthless" or will not get rid of anything.  The next place I worked on was the fridge.  There were a few areas in the fridge I overlooked and had to wonder - "What is this?" or "How long this was sitting here?".  I thought it would have been helpful if I had used Date it! Labels from Lovable Labels.

Clarins Carries Fantastic Lipsticks ~ #Review

There are times when I don't have time to put a lick of makeup on because I'm either running a bit behind or just don't have the energy to apply any, but the one thing I always have time for is lipstick.  Lipsticks are so easy to apply when I am on the go and I always carry one in my bag. I am also applying it in the bathrooms, bus, subways, and even in the elevators.  I especially like lipsticks that are creamy and have moisturizing ingredients.  Lately I have come to love Clarins lipsticks and have been wearing them often this season.

(Left to Right) - Poppy Red - Hot Pink - Juicy Clementine

La Roche-Posay ~ #Giveaway Winner

Winner to my La Roche-Posay giveaway is

May

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):

Chuck and Friends DVD, February 2nd, CAN/US only

Littlest Pet Shop DVD, January 26th, CAN/US only

AppleTV, January 21st, CAN only

Scottish Fine Soaps, January 19th, CAN only <--ENDING

PGX (Part II) ~ #Life

Happy New Year!  Yes, I have set myself another goal until the summer months.  To follow up on my last post about using PGX during last summer and setting my goal for shedding the first 10 lbs which I did accomplished by the end of September.  It was a slow start due to timing but I kept at it and manage to run/jog 5K.  PGX only assisted me to loose the extra weight but the rest was my dedication of running each week at least 3X and no late night snacks.  My daughters goes to bed around 8am so we all brush my teeth including myself so I won't eat after 8pm until the next morning.  This prevents me from eating at 10 or 11 before I hit the sack.

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild on DVD January 21, 2014 ~ #Review & #Giveaway

What a great year to start with Shout! Factory Kids releasing The Adventures of Chuck & Friends:  Trucks Versus Wild which is available on DVD January 21, 2014.  Another great DVD for the kiddies to watch of all ages.  My girls loves the soundtrack and wiggling to its tunes.  I will be popping this into the DVD during her Birthday party that is coming up because it will entertain the kids during the party while I set up the next activity.

2nd Annual National Cupcake Day for SPCA, February 24, 2014 ~ #Event

Who does not love cupcakes?   Host a cupcake day party to help raises funds for Canada’s SPCAs and Humane Societies.

Cupcakes are a sweet treat anytime, but they taste even sweeter when they support animals in need. Beginning January 6th, everyone is invited to “bake a difference” through the second annual National Cupcake Day™, taking place February 24th, to benefit Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Humane Societies across Canada. Originally launched by the RSPCA in Australia, New South Wales, National Cupcake Day™ began in parts of Canada last year, and the initiative is growing across Canada in 2014. The BC SPCA and the OSPCA are jointly organizing this year’s national event, which is sponsored by Petsecure Pet Health Insurance, Agency59, BMO Bank of Montreal and Reynolds Consumer Products.

Congrats to the Winners! ~ #Giveaway Winner

Winner to my Real Techniques Brush giveaway is

Meggie K.

Winner to my Clear Hair giveaway is

Gizele F.

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):

Littlest Pet Shop DVD, January 26th, CAN/US only

AppleTV, January 21st, CAN only

Scottish Fine Soaps, January 19th, CAN only

La Roche-Posay, January 11th, CAN only <--ENDING

L'Occitane Cerisier Rouge, Eau Intense ~ #Review

I love L'Occitane and I am always reminding my husband how much I love their products.  I am always throwing hints when the store is having a sale or when there is a new product I like.  Since Valentine is approaching, I will most definitely be throwing more hints at him.

Annabelle TwistUp Lipsticks ~ #Review

Somedays I wish my lipstick would give me better control when I apply it on my lips.  I usually don't carry a lip brush with me because it is one extra thing to carry.  Usually I apply it on the go either on the bus or at work.  I need something I could do quick and easy because I hate to apply when people are around.  I am abit self conscious to have people see me with half of my lipstick on.

Littlest Pet Shop: Lights, Camera Fashion! Available on DVD December 17th, 2013 ~ #Review #Giveaway

My daughter is a big fan of The Littlest Pet Shop and loves to catch a few clips here or there when she has the chance.  She loves their toys always asking me to purchase one or two.  When I popped The Littlest Pet Shop - Lights, Camera, Fashion! DVD on, both my daughters' eyes were glued to the screen.  It was entertaining and fun to watch.  This DVD will keep them entertained for a good 110 minutes.

Bodum ~ #giveaway winner

Winner to my Bodum Yo-Yo giveaway is

Brenda W.

Congrats!
Please check your email
Thanks for entering everyone.

My other current giveaways (more coming soon!):
AppleTV, January 21st, CAN only

Scottish Fine Soaps, January 19th, CAN only

La Roche-Posay, January 11th, CAN only

Clear Hair Products, January 8th, CAN only

Real Techniques, January 4th, CAN only <--ENDING

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May 2014 brings you tons of happiness and great memories.  Thanks everyone.  ~Cecilia