RATE IT! Finally...a MJ-Free Cover!

I don't think that I'm alone in suffering from an overdose of Michael Jackson the past two weeks. 

Yes, he was a stellar entertainer but the media circus is *so* overdone and exploitive. For a man who was so careful to shield his children from the media glare, the Jackson family certainly aren't acting out his wishes. They didn't waste any time in trotting the three kids out for public consumption. Not only have they lost the most important person in their lives, but now they're locked into the Jackson family juggernaut of questionable child-raising practices. Poor kids. Anything to make a buck or the lead news story, eh? For shame.

Sorry for the long winded rant there... what I *meant* to be crowing about was this zine. I'm relieved to see that the good folk at 'Entertainment Weekly' have done their MJ bit and are now moving on with this lovely 'Harry Potter' cover on this week's issue. Well done!

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ Hostess Cup Cake Coin Purse

Have your cake *and* take it with you!

HATE IT! Tin Roof Brownie Blizzard

Ooh, feeling a bit harsh today....having scarfed down a record number of Chocolate X-treme Blizzards -- aka in my good books as 'Blizzard Perfection!' -- this month, I do feel a tad let down by the Blizz of the Month this go around.

The title is VERY promising: Tin Roof Brownie Blizzard. If the name doesn't snag you into its frozen chocolately web, the brownies captured in the photograph surely will. But..... Houston, we have a problem.... namely, chocolate covered peanuts. Gasp!

Wrong, so wrong.... one addition too many. I love peanut butter mixed in with my chocolate but not in the guise of their original nutty entity. Say no to peanuts....cloaked in chocolate and hidden in your Blizzard.

Sorry, Dairy Queen.

RATE IT! Now Panic and Freak Out

Ha ha! It HAD to happen! 

To answer the extremely popular 'Keep Calm and Carry On' posters (raved about here earlier)... the perfect retort mug: 'Now Panic and Freak Out'.

Count me in!

RATE IT! Maynards Soccer Ad

It's impossible for me NOT to adore this new candy ad from Maynards.

A trip on the Toronto subway (the TTC) turns into a candy-soccer fest. 

Candy & soccer -- two of my favourite things married together in a cute commercial -- and in my own city to boot.

RATE IT! Beach Thingy Chair Thingy

Just in time for Summer...

Meet... the beach thingy chair back thingy!

Looks like your days of toting an uncomfortable folding chair to the beach are numbered.

Conventional chairs are always hard to open, squish you in unfortunate places and often fold up *while* you're sitting on it. With the 'beach thingy' by Larry Laske, all your beach seat problems melt away with the Summer heat.

Basically, these colourful inventions are just plain ol' seat backs. You push the seat's prongs into the sand and presto!! Instant seat back on the beach! Available in a happy array of colours, collect them all!

To be frank, I haven't actually tried one of these babies, but I'm intrigued & think they're definitely worth a try or two!

RATE IT! Keep Calm and Carry On

Love, love, LOVE this war-time slogan!! 

The 'Keep Calm and Carry On' British propaganda poster, recently resurrected as a funky home decor accessory, has now become a t-shirt, mousemat, mug and more. 

The poster & phrase originally created back in 1939 to calm UK citizens during WWII has become timeless and, heck... cool. Inspirational with that stiff upper British lip. LOVE IT!

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ The End of the Alphabet

An average novel, this book is not. Enjoy this quick read that stays with you even after the cover is closed. 

~~ Funky Luggage Tags

Who says travel can't be silly? Take the fun with you!

HATE IT! Zipper Hoop Earrings

Fashion shouldn't be painful! Erk!

These earrings just look like a big, messy OUCH to me!

RATE IT! Will Ferrell Sunscreen

Want some laughs with your sunscreen?

Check out this hilarious Will Ferrell sunscreen. Truly! It's REAL! And what's even better, proceeds are collected to aid cancer survivors. 

A good cause supported while protecting yourself out in the sun. What more could you want? 

Will Ferrell parading around in a Speedo...? Well.....

RATE IT! Happy Canada Day

Today is Canada's birthday...

Happy Canada Day, gorgeous! And because I've been eating far too many Tim Horton's donuts as of late, I'm spreading the joy and offering up some of their Canadian baked gems to everyone! Enjoy.

RATE IT! DQ's Largest Cake!

Ah, to be in Canada's capital!

Tomorrow, June 30 -- one day before Canada's birthday on July 1st -- Dairy Queen, the brilliant brains behind BLIZZARDS!! -- will be marking Canada's festivities with the largest EVER Dairy Queen ice cream cake! Want some?? Do I have to ask?

Just pop by Confederation Park in Ottawa around noon tomorrow, and nab yourself some creamy frozen joy! Donations to the Children's Miracle Network will be gladly accepted so you won't feel *too* guilty about partaking in some decadent dessert fun. And it's for Canada's birthday... so you HAVE to indulge!

Wish I was there! Have a slice or two for me, okay?

RATE IT! Overheard in.....

Eavesdroppers unite!

Here's a series of web sites that were made just for you!

'Overheard in New York' -- 'Overheard in the Office' .... and at the beach and more!

These sites capture snippets of the silly, mundane and plain outlandish conversations. Worth a read with none of the guilt of being caught earwigging in person! Subscribe & have the 10 best quotes emailed to you weekly.

The folks behind these sites also have a few books circulating out there (last printed in 2008) as well if you'd like to take these real soundbites with you.

RATE IT! There's More Snakes Than Ladders

I can't be the only child of the 80s who loved this song by Captain Sensible... can I?

Any song about a fave childhood board game *has* to be fab! Watch for the gargantuan Wheetabix.

RATE IT! Viktor & Rolf Luggage

I love me a funky piece of luggage! Yep, I'm a big travel accessory geek and am always on the look out for some cool gadgets and cases to tote about my wares on holiday.

My latest fave: the Viktor and Rolf Black Label line for Samsonite.

Retro-esque airplanes adorn their fancy pants line for the famous travel retailer. Sure to put a smile on your face at the luggage pick-up point!