Can't stop staring at my eyelashes!!

I was introduced to Flirt Custom Lash Studio via twitter last week. I’m sure you are tired of me endlessly telling you how many great people I  meet on twitter – but it’s TRUE.

She tweeted that Flirt Custom Lash Studio was offering Eyelash Extensions to women who lived in the GTA on Sunday Jan 22nd. I replied back within seconds. Before I knew it, I was booked for a 4 p.m appointment. She has asked me to review their website for “pre appointment” instructions and of course I peeked around the website, seeing as I had no previous experience with eyelash extensions.

What’s ironic – is that two weeks ago at a dinner party, one of the guests mentioned how she had eyelash extensions before her wedding and even showed me the photos. I was super impressed so I knew that this was something I wanted to try.

Here’s my experience: I arrived promptly at 4 p.m at Blush Pretty Studio (313 Queen West..2nd floor). I took off my contact lenses and Sommer (the owner of Flirt Custom Lash Studio)  proceeded to do her magic with my eyelashes.

I was so relaxed that I could have fallen asleep but I was too busy talking to Sommer about twitter, social media, Xtreme Lashes, and more. The 45 minutes seemed to zip by.

Here is a great photo of Sommer doing her magic.

Sommer was extremely professional (ps she is Xtreme Lashes certified) and asked me if I was OK – if I had any questions – if I had any expectations – etc. Before I knew it ..I looked like this.

OMG

I honestly can’t believe how awesome this product is. I honestly don’t know why I havent done this before either.

All I know, is that I can’t stop staring in the mirror.

Oh yeah – I came home with a “after care packet”..so that I keep my eyelash extensions looking their best for as long as possible. (which I plan on doing, by the way)

My After Care Package!

Thanks to Flirt Custom Lash Studio for my beautiful eyelash extensions!!

For further info about Flirt Custom Lash Studio, please visit their website or call Sommer at 647 402 8894.

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The Canadian Health Food Association held their annual trade expo last week, and naturally I took the opportunity to visit the show. I walked thru the show for several hours, gazing at new products, sampling, and talking to exhibitors !! (not in that order).

At the end of the show, I made an observation that I kept seeing “COCONUT’ in a lot of new products. Here’s a few products that were introduced at the show that involved the application of coconut.

a) Blue Diamond Almond Milk that is blended with Coconut Milk. Not only is it lactose free and soy free but its ONLY 45 calories. Love it.

Can't wait for this to reach the grocery shelf in Canada!!

Ive been a fan of their plain and chocolate version Almond Milk for years and I’m sure I will be buying this flavor as well.

b) Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar. This is an unrefined sweetener produced from the flower buds of the coconut tree (kinda kewl if you ask me) and is an alternative to processed sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Hopefully you will see this product on the shelves in December!

c) Earth Balance introduced an organic coconut spread. At first I was a bit apprehensive, but after tasting a sample of the coconut spread on a piece of bread, I decided that it was a neat idea. I can really see how this product would introduce some flavor when cooking with it. i.e rice, stir fry vegetables etc.

d) This product at the Neal Brothers Booth also caught my eye… Organic Coconut and Cherry Quinoa Granola from Lotus Fine Foods. It’s 100 % Gluten free and low in sodium too. The ingredient list was impressive: quinoa flakes, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, agave nectar, sunflower oil, apple juice sweetened, cherries and coconut. Not to mention this product is local. Yay Local!!

Local. Local. Local.

The CHFA was a great way to kick off all sorts food adventures. I went to the Delicious Food today but will be  also be attending a Food Show featuring foods from Quebec on Monday  and on Tuesday I’m attending Grocery Showcase.  Have I mentioned before – that I love food shows!!

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I like to try new recipes and my mom likes to shop for new furniture and redecorate.

Yet we get along!!

She is an amazing woman in many ways. She is on top of every trend-beauty, fashion or decorating (not food trends though..she leaves that to me).

I am always in awe when I visit Ottawa as she has been in the process of redecorating the condo for the last year (for the 3rd time in 30 years).

Here’s what the condo now looks like. Isn’t it awesome. I could never accomplish what she does – she really does think of every detail. I have to say that my mom has great taste but she has used the same decorator (Donna Corey from Kiss Interiors) for the last 30 years (she was her first client). Donna helps with sources and confirms what my mom selects is “right” and guides her with the details. Clearly they have a good working relationship between decorator and client.

I love this painting...

I have "fireplace" envy.

A cheery family room.

PS did I mention my mom was 72 years old? Pretty neat eh?

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I went to the Interior Design show on Thursday nite and walked thru aisles and aisles of beautiful furniture, textiles, art, carpets, kitchens and more. Everything was stunning. I truly didn’t know where to look first!!

It was also the first time I brought my new camera with me to an event!! I am now the proud owner of a Canon EOS Rebel. So allow me to share with you a few pictures.

I love this chair!!

Don’t you just love how the designer made sure  you had easy access to your favorite wines!!

my dream fireplace

I’m also in love with this fireplace.

Bye Bye Stainless Steel - Hello Boiled Bronze

The Jenn-Air booth featured some pretty fancy ovens and I have to say, I fell in love with Boiled Bronze!! I’m predicting that OPI is going to name a nail polish this color too.

How Gorgeous is This?

Came across this display of tulips and thought “I WANT THIS”.

Wallpaper...Gorgeous Non?

Last but not least, I stumbled across this wallpaper by RollOut and was impressed with their unique designs. How cool.

This show is awesome . Period.

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I collect paper napkins and paper plates. Infact I have a whole cupboard dedicated to this collection.

I should be embarassed but I’m actually kinda proud. There is some really nice paper napkins and paper plates hanging out in that cupboard!

Here’s one of my favorite paper placemats (from Target, of course)

Gorgeous. RIght?

But that’s the problem. They are SO nice that I can’t use them. It’s a problem.  I cant use them coz I know I will never find them again.

Notice that in the next picture…they are still wrapped in plastic?

Pretty Paper Plates with Pretty Napkins too.

Most of the paper plates/napkins I buy at Target.  But  then I discovered Real Canadian Superstore and they too – have featured some nice paper napkins. Plus there’s the

occasional “stationary/gift” store in Toronto that will carry a unique line and bingo – MY CUPBOARD IS FULL.

So here’s one last  photo of my best-est paper napkins and paper plates that I can’t seem to use.

On the bottom of the plates: Target 2006!!

p.s I am not a hoarder – except when it comes to paper napkins and paper plates!!! Does that count? LOL

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I like popcorn I just don't eat it the theatre!! (I'm cheap...I'm honest)

I have seen so many movies lately that you can simply call me the “movie maven”!!! However I am not a critic. I just like ‘entertaining movies” and the opportunity to sit in one place!!!

Here’s the list:

-The Fighter: Amazing with some great performances.

-Black Swan: Even more amazing.

-King’s Speech: The audience clapped at the end. When was the last time that happend? Enough said.

-Unstoppable: Entertaining

-Somewhere: Interesting.

-True Grits: I can’t remember the last time I saw a western (never, perhaps), but the movie was getting great reviews so I decided to give it a try.

Here’s some more information about the Movie Maven: (otherwise known as momwhoruns)

-generally it’s a spontaneous decision.

-99 percent of the time I go to a matinee

-I never buy popcorn

-I go by myself (coz it’s a spontaneous decision)

I can’t wait for the Academy Awards. I wonder if I will be able to stay up and watch the whole show.

Its been years since I have seen such GREAT movies, with great acting and great scripts.

What have you seen? what do you want to see? Do share…

See you at the theatres.

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Thought I might jot down some “reflections” regarding 2010. I’m a pretty positive person so naturally I only think of the “GOOD TIMES’.

I even have a napkin that reflects this positive outlook:

Here’s my list of some “good times” that occurred in 2010.

-completed the Niagara Sprint Triathlon and ran the Sporting Life 10K too.

-worked as a food sales rep for DSM Foods and opened up many  new accounts (double digits).

-enjoyed a variety of tweets ups in Toronto and in Ottawa as well.

-travelled to New York to attend the Speciality Fine Food Show in June.

-went skating on the canal in Ottawa for the first time in decades and had a blast.

-discovered new coffee shops and restaurants like a good foodie. (ha)

-2010 could be called “the year of twitter”. I’m addicted. It’s official

-bought an Ipad and a Macbook in 2010 and loving both. (i hope my iphone isnt jealous).

-read some great books (Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman) and saw some great movies too (Black Swan).

-blogged for Urbanmoms for almost a year and then created momwhoruns in October. Blogging, for sure was a huge part of 2010.

-was introduced to Zumba at GoodLife Fitness and now I’m hooked.

-tried hard to eat breakfast. (think egg whites or quinoa flakes)

-enjoyed the summer by travelling to Kingston, Cobourg, Elora, Stratford and Niagara on the Lake. We live in a great province. Really.

-Continued to be surrounded by awesome family and friends!!

Looks like 2010 was a good year. I’m certainly looking forward to 2011.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

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As a sales rep, I’m always visiting accounts throughout the GTA. One day as I’m parking at the Rutherford Marketplace Plaza, I noticed  a sign –  “MENCHIES” Frozen Yogurt. I walked in, shmoozed with the owner, took a few photos (as always) and knew that I would be returning with my daughter. (who is the queen of frozen yogurt!)

I took Rebecca on Monday night and the place was hopping for a business that just opened a month ago!!

The sales clerk immediately asked us if we had been there before, and then explained how it works:

a) you help yourself to samples of the frozen yogurt. It’s self serve and little paper cups are provided. Flavors rotate regularly but that night this was our selection: cake batter, pumpkin, chocoolate banana, pina colada, irish mint, green apple tart and more. We weren’t complaining!

A Winner.

b) after you decide  which flavor, (WHICH IS NOT EASY) you take a container and fill as much or as little as you want.  Genius concept:  you pay per weight. (49 cents an ounce)

c) you then proceed to the toppings bar and take as many toppings as you want. Toppings included: cinnamon toast crunch, reeses puffs, gummy worms, nerds, flax seed, granola, cashews, walnuts, and many many more!! (i.e over 40 toppings are available)

d) proceed to pay

Menchie’s has a lot going for it…the frozen yogurt is delicious, but we liked the inviting space as well.

There’s chairs, stools, a fireplace, and even a chalk board to leave messages. Sarah Richardson would approve!!

What’s exciting is Menchie’s is opening a second location on Sat. November 6th at 511 Bloor St. West.

On that note, welcome to Toronto Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. We are delighted that you are here!!

You got a thumbs up!!

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Would like to have given this arrangement today to everyone who helped!

I like doing research…weather it’s finding the perfect recipe or getting advice on HOW TO START A BLOG.

When I realized that I was going to start my own blog…I  went directly into research mode.

I made a list of bloggers that I had met or connected with thru twitter and either set up phone calls with them or had coffee with them.

They were all too happy to answer my questions and they were all a huge inspiration to me.

Seeing as it’s Thanskgiving, I thought that this would be an ideal time to say THANK YOU to the following people:

www.itallstartswithbutter.com

www.luckypennydaily.com

www.parentclub.ca

www.quietfish.com

www.howdoesshedoitmom.com

www.foodieprints.com

www.communityfoodist.com

www.mommyx.ca

Plus I want to thank www.nwdesignsit.com for the adorable illustration and www.thebuzzclinic.com for actually designing the website. It was awesome to work with both of these professionals.

Thanks again  to all the bloggers mentioned above  who assisted me, and to my fabulous friends and readers too.

It’s been an exciting month.

A big thanks to my family too!!

Hugs,

Vicky

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