addicted to... infomercials

Hello my prittis,
I am battling a cold, I think it might be bronchitis, so I have been watching lots of tv. Like lots. An unhealthy amount. What else do you do when you have no energy. I can't sleep because I am wheezing and it's waking me up. So I am watching tv at the wee hours of the night.

But, what I love most about not finding anything good on tv... settling for infomercials. Yes, I am sick in the head. I know. Here is a list of some favourites as well as things that I have actually purchased.

I want this next!

1. Ron Co knives set. Yep, I bought them. All 24 of them! I actually use them on a regular basis. I have been happy with them, although I find them too light. These I bought over 8 years ago, so had I known about Henkel, I would not have purchased these. What I do like is that you get 8 steak knives with it. That's pretty good.
2. The dolly/step ladder/everything doer. We tried to order this when we where at the condo, but they sold out :(
3. MAGIC BULLET! An obvious one here folks. I bought mine at Canadian Tire. It's a cop out. Regarding the commercial, one of my top favourite things to watch. The crazy old smoker lady is the best!
4. The "AH-Bra"... bought it in Florida at Wallgreens, Returned immediately, what a crock of $%*&.
5. Wen cleansing conditionner, just placed my order yesterday!
6. Ab flex, my parents bought one a long time ago. What a waste of money and space. Also a really dumb concept if you think about it!
7. The Tobi Steamer. My husband bought me a steamer for my birthday a long time ago. It's supposed to be a better than Tobi... but I guess I will never know.
8. Shamwow- I HATE this commercial, I hate it. I do not own a Shamwow... for the record.
9. Billy Maze's mighty putty, yes... I want to repair everything in my house with putty!
10. H20 Mop x5.... this I want for my floors. I have friends who say that the best floor cleaner they ever bought was a steam mop. Damn it, I will be buying this if it's the last thing I do!

What are some of your favourite informercials or products "As seen on TV"?

Do you like that you can just buy them at the "As seen on TV stores"? Or would be rather be disappointed in the comfort of your own home?

Can't wait to hear your comments!

Bye for now!

in hindsight 2

Hello my prittis, 

Please read "in hindsight 1" before reading this post... you will see how it makes more sense.

I would like to review "a little less more, ... more or less". In this post I talk about simplifying your wardrobe and sticking with fewer, more valuable items in your closet that loading up on "meh" items. The amazing "quality not quantity" philosophy!

Well, clean up I did! I finally had my long awaited garage sale, which was a true lesson learnt. You pay $50 for something and desperately sell it for $1. If you can get over that major loss, you end up with $150 in your pocket after a long days work, and you are left with less trash in your basement. I love. I bought groceries with that money and it felt great!

I also sold many things on kijiji like my old iPhone, an extra camera I received from my parents... great way to earn a few bucks and help you buy the things you really want.

Now, 2011 was still a year of shopping and collecting, don't get me wrong. I bought lots of cool stuff at garage sales. I also picked up a lot of stuff on the side of the road (PROJECTS!!).

As for an official list of things I want and things I want to accomplish for 2012:

- A Kitchen Aid Food processor

- A guitar and some lessons

- Perform at an open mic

- Get back into shape and lose 25lbs

- Stay on track with my debt repayment, so far so good. 2 more years and I should be good!

- Finish some basic renos in the house

- Blog more!

Now that I have this all written down, it should help me stay on target. Here's hoping!

in hindsight 1

Hello my prittis!
I was looking through my blog and was reminded of a few posts I made in late 2011. This is just over a year from now, which is a perfect time to evaluate my promises, hopes and aspirations for 2011.

Let's start with "me so greedy"which is my compilation of a want list for xmas. Although I said I wouldn't be greedy, somehow I managed to knock off a few things from the list!

1. Still want a digital SLR camera, I just haven't had the time to do my research yet. I might use my air miles though :)
2. I bought a chaise for the living room on Kijiji ($200). It's in mint condition and I love it! 
3. Just bough the Adirondacks! Full price (these puppies do NOT go on sale). Amazingly worth the price. I sold the SORELS at my garage sale in May.
4. Bought a black leather jacket on consignment (Extoggery- Toronto) for $150. Fits like a glove and it's a high end design.
5. Don't need this Canada Goose Jacket. I have a nice one I bought at Joe Fresh!
6. I can't justify this price for a Longchamps makeup bag. But I found a nice one, on sale, at the GAP for $15. I love it!
7. Don't really want skis this year.
8. My husband and I asked for help to buy a speaker system this xmas. We used all the cash and gift cards and bought an LG blue ray, dvd receiver 5.1 set (not BOSE :( ). It was a great price and it matches our tv. We spent $89 of our own money and we are happy with it.
9. I bought a beautiful Armoire for the living room at the Ottawa Antique Show. I posted about it here. 
10. Europe- YES! I still want to go. What I did to calm the urge of travelling was book a "Fake" trip to Italy. I planned my route, what cities I would go to, shopped for the cheapest flights. The thrill of doing that research alone was fun enough that I was able to delay the trip... until I have enough money saved up. Funny story- a colleague at work bought me a suitcase pandora charm for my birthday to encourage me to finally take a real trip to Italia! 

My prittis, I have to say I am impressed with myself. I managed to get many things crossed off my list, and at a fair price too. This is a very helpful and interesting exercise. I highly recommend it :)

MPPP- mani pedi pet peeves

Happy New Years to my Prittis!

Today I had a relaxing day, I was treated to a mani pedi! Awesome, right? Well, not exactly.
I actually find it very stressful. I am not an aesthetician by any means, but I have a natural talent when it comes to primping. I have always done my own hair, makeup, nails, brows, waxing... it's just something I had to learn to do myself to save money. When I have others do it for me, I am a complete control freak! I admit it. (For those who don't know me, I am an easy going person, and this is so not my personality.)

My nails are something that are very important to me. I have always loved and strived to have nice long nails. I need to file them just right, my way, and I usually have them filed nicely. They cannot have any jagged or pointy edges, we are talking smooth! I run them over a wool scarf or sweater to see if any little thorn gets caught, that is the true test! I try to have them all the same length, so if one breaks, buh-bye to the rest!

I have had some traumatic experience at salon's where I come in with perfectly filed nails and have them ruined by the nail women/man. DON'T just file for the sake of FILING! On top of that I always get comments like "Oh, you do nice filing job". I KNOW! SO DON'T RUIN IT! This is where the anxiety kicks in. Yes, I have had to grab the file out of their hands and fix it. A small price to pay to endure the end result.

Here is what I find stressful:

1. When they cut your toe nails, it should be in a straight line. NEVER cut the sides, this will induce ingrown toe nails. (nail care 101).
2. I have sensitive nails, so when they stab tools under my nails, it HURTS!
3. I can't trust the cutting of the cuticle, sometimes they dig a bit too much. 
4. All in all I can't stand it when other people file my nails. It makes me cringe!
5. The nail sander... not a regularly used tool, but I am afraid of it none-the-less.
6. Let's face it... most times there is a language barrier which always stresses me out. "Are they talking about me?"

I mean, it's not all bad. Here is what I love!

1. They usually do a good job with the application an even glossy finish.
2. UV lights really harden the polish so it lasts longer.
3. LOVE the massage parts. Both hands and feet.
4. Great selection of colours... although I own a million colours in OPI, so I could open my own salon.

Here are some great nail care secrets I have learned from my past:
- Always us a glass file, ALWAYS!!! They keep your nails smooth and they grow really nicely.
- I use a magical nail protein polish that makes your nails amazingly strong and grow beautifully. A must for brittle nails! It's good for top coat and base coat too!
- Use cream at night for hands and cuticles (I try, but this is a tough one... I have a hard time committing to a routine)
- Trim nails regularly, don't file them all the way down.
- Using gloves when you wash dishes... but this is impossible if you are an avid cook (like me- I also almost never use my dishwasher).
- Let your nails breath, don't cover them with polish all the time.

My top 5 OPI polishes- Big Apple Red, Lincoln Park After Dark, You Don't Know Jacques!, Dulce De Leche (a.k.a. Clean),  Bubble Bath

I hope you enjoyed this post. Give me your feedback, I would love to hear from you. I can't believe I just shared my nail secrets to the world!! hahaha

me like shrimpi

Hello my prittis,

So, I have this "everything but the kitchen sink" way of cooking sometimes, but this time my impromptu shrimp marinade has become famous without me trying.

I decided then, I must share this with everyone and "publish" the recipe instead of texting it to my friends all the time.

Here goes:
P.S. Don't get carried away with portions, just trust your instincts!

Curry Shrimp- Great for appetizers at party's! (P.S. This is not my picture, I have borrowed it from the net!)

1. Use fresh or frozen (with shell) shrimps. Doesn't really matter what type or size. This recipe is good for a standard bag you buy in the grocery store. I like to use the #20-30.
2. Remove the shells from the shrimp. If your shrimp are frozen, just pour hot water on them (not to cook them, but to melt them). 
3. Place the shrimp in a bowl and start your marinade, adjust it to your taste!
• 2 table spoons of olive oil (to wet the shrimp)
• 2 garlic cloves crushed, add more if you like your garlic!
• 2 table spoons of curry powder, mild or hot
• a sprinkle of red hot peppers (crushed or flakes)
• Salt and pepper
• chopped tarragon or any fresh earthy herb you have (thyme, rosemary, oregano...
4. Let the shrimp marinade in the fridge for 1-3 hours.
5. To cook- use a hot pan with a bit of butter or frying oil and grill until pink. DON'T OVER COOK YOUR SHRIMP!! It will get too chewy.
6. Another option is to BBQ them on bamboo skewers. Make sure you soak the bamboo sticks in water for a few hours before stabbing the shrimp on them, so they don't burn on the BBQ!

It's time for makeup, candy and all things scary!

Halloween is probably everyone's most favourite time of the year, next is their birthdays then maybe Christmas.

Here are my top reasons why:

1. Candy, chocolate, and more candy. Most of the time it's FREE!!
2. Experiment with lots of makeup without feeling judged.
3. It's FALL! The leaves are beautifully coloured. 
4. The crisp cool sweater and boots weather is here!
5. All things scary- decorations and movies!!
6. It's gourd time- this means pumpkin muffins, squash soup and lots of delicious food!
7. Most pressure to be original... creative costume ideas are difficult yet rewarding!

If you like Halloween for the other reasons below. I can not be your friend:

1. An excuse to be a slutty ____ (insert profession here). This is a lame costume idea.
2. When people get into character... too much and all night. That creeps me out.
3. When peoples costume makeup is everywhere but on their face. Please don't touch me.
4. The cost of making your own costume can be as expensive as buying one.
5. The costumes in a bag... so hideous and lame (hippie, witch, cop... you know what I am talking about).
6. People who don't dress up at all.
7. When you google "original halloween costume ideas"... I am sure you will find a one of a kind idea! hahaha

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY PRITTIS!!!

Me and my husband's costume in 2010

the grass is greener on my side!

It's that time of the year to get your green thumb out, and get it dirty!

I love this time of the year, planning the garden layout, growing my seeds and deciding what plants we will be growing this year.

To make it easier for people who are scared to get started, it's important to note that the best way to garden is with a purpose! Do what you like and what fits your lifestyle. In the spirit of all of this excitement, I decided to create a top 10 gardening trends for 2011:

1. Edible gardens- food gardening is practical, gives you a return on your investment and it's delicious! Fresh food at your finger tips! Enjoy the fruits of your labour... literally!
2. Versatile gardens- if you like certain plants that require sun and warmth all year, put it in a large pot and bring it inside for the winter.
3. Container gardens- great for people living in apartments or condos!
4. Lifestyle gardens- low to high maintenance gardens should depend on your commitment to taking care of it.
5. Lawn less gardens- for those who have a small lawn or for those who think grass is for suckers. Grass does look silly in a small patch.
6. Outdoor living room gardens- decorate your yard as you would your den.
7. Water features- adds a calming view and soothing sounds.
8. Zone friendly garden- Plants will thrive better in their respective zones. Don't mess with nature, you are not fooling anyone. Ontario plant zones can range from 8 to 0. That's a huge range!!
9. Native plant gardens- Choose plants that are native to Canada.
10. Germinated gardens- start your plants early from seed. Now that's hard work!

I will keep you posted on my garden this year. So far we have about 22 berry plants started: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberry, current, gooseberry, loganberry, tayberry, mulberry... Can't wait to make jams and pies!!!