Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

If you’re not getting much sleep these days, or just battle with dark circles no matter how much shut-eye you get, this is one of the best concealers I’ve used. I was introduced to it by Vancouver makeup artist Michelle Goldberg who swears by it.  It’s light-weight while still providing plenty of coverage, all without creeping into those under eye wrinkles.  The bad news, it can be hard to find. I recently had to go to five drugstores before I located my shade. (Sand 20) $10.99*

Maybelline The Falsies Pushup Drama Mascara

When you think push up you likely don’t think mascara. YET! Goldberg introduced me to this one too and I’ve officially said, “See ya” to my formerly beloved and three times more expensive Dior Show mascara.  This mascara does it all – volumizes, separates, slightly curls, and doesn’t clump.  All in under two coats.  I don’t think it’s an especially magical formula, but the thin plastic brush definitely lives up to provocative name.  I like blackest black.  $9.99

Simple Face Wipes

As I’ve confessed in this space before, sometimes I’m just too plain lazy to wash my face at night.  So I love these face wipes by Simple, as they are well-moistened and do a good job of removing the day’s makeup and grime. All without having to step foot into the bathroom! As an added bonus, they’re free of dyes and artificial perfumes, which can irritate sensitive skin.  There are a few types, including exfoliating and radiance but I stick to the basically cleansing wipes.  $9.99 

TRESemme Tres Two Unscented Extra Hold Hairspray

Each time I try another type or brand of hairspray, just to mix things up a bit, I go back to this one. It’s cheap, it doesn’t stink like so many other heavily-perfumed sprays and despite the Extra Hold in the name, it’s not overly sticky at all.  I also love that it comes in travel size, perfect for my purse or toiletries bag come vacation time. $5.89

Prestige Classic Kohl Eyeliner

Whether you want to line your upper or lower lids, this eyeliner gets the job done without tugging at your skin. It’s also the best liner for the waterline, when you’re going for that smokey eye look. I have it in a few colours, but the basic Black is so perfectly inky that it’s the one I reach for most often. And, get this. it’s on sale right now for $3.99!

Cetaphil Gentle Face Cleanser

For when I do actually wash my face… this one has been on my must-have list for as long as I can remember. And I’m not the only one, dermatologists and beauty editors the world over continue to vote it number one.  (According to the Cetaphil website, the product has received over 110 awards.) It’s very gentle and non-drying, and can be used as a face wash or as a makeup remover.  $12.49

Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up

And this, this saves me more money than any other product. For those of you who are also struggling with those little grey hairs, you know that going to the salon every 3-4 weeks to get your hair coloured is not only time-consuming, it can also get very expensive. This root-touch up is effective, easy to use and washes out after a few weeks, so you can’t mess up too badly.  Or at least, not for too long. And, it’s only $9.99.  It holds me over until I absolutely must head back to the my hairstylist. (I use 5G)

You may be able to find the above products for less.  These prices based on London Drugs online. 

What’s more, the place is usually packed, all of us working out together in a fairly small space. The sweat flies. Literally.

Some of that is unavoidable.  But whether you’re working out on your own, with a trainer or attending a group fitness classes, can we all just please, pretty please, keep a few common courtesies in mind?

1. Wipe Down. The number of times I see people working out on a piece of equipment and walking away, leaving a veritable puddle in their wake is ASTOUNDING.  Please wipe down that piece of equipment after you’re done with it. I know the gym is inherently a sweaty place, but no one, I repeat NO ONE, wants to lie on the mat in your pool of sweat or grab the handle bars that you’ve just dripped all over.

2. Keep the grunting and groaning to a minimum. Your workout is hard, we get it. Mine’s hard too. And of course some heavy breathing is to be expected. But when the guy or gal is moaning and groaning beside me, it’s distracting, in a bad way.  Because you know what you sound like you’re doing, right?

3. Chitchat with discretion. The gym can be a social place for some. And listening to chatter can be a good diversion, that helps me make it through those last five reps. But just ensure that you’re not blocking runways, walkway, doorways or equipment.

4. Share the equipment. When the gym’s empty, go nuts. Spend an hour on the treadmill, no one cares. But as with the other points above, it’s all about being considerate and taking stock of what’s going on around you.  If people are waiting, don’t hog popular pieces of equipment.

5. Save the scents. Of course, a bit of anti-perspirant or deodorant is always appreciated, but I don’t think there’s room for heavy scents (or halos of hairspray) at the gym. I have a hard enough time catching my breath as it is.

Fellow gym rats, did I miss any?

For those who don’t know, National Cupcake Day™ is a fundraiser for SPCAs and Humane Societies across Canada, with funds going to help care for abused, abandoned and neglected animals. (I’m the spokesperson for the event.)

You can register for free at www.nationalcupcakeday.ca. Then, the idea is to bake cupcakes and hand them out to family, friends and co-workers any time between now and February 29^th, in exchange for a donation. I like to think of it this way: instead of walking or running to raise money, you’ll be baking a difference.

Most bakers who take part whip up traditional cupcakes. Makes sense, since we humans tend to have deeper pockets than our canine companions. But as I like to ensure that my furry friends are included in the festivities, I rustle up some pupcakes as well.

This recipe is foolproof and uses healthy, human grade ingredients.  I’ve had one.  I’m not going to lie.  Not awesome.  As per the top photo, Ruby seems to like them. But don’t take her word for it: check out what Denzel thought of them when I served them on Breakfast TV yesterday!

Apple Pupcakes

As with any treat – for people or for pups – serve in moderation.

Ingredients:

2 ¾ cups water

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

¼ teaspoon vanilla

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup dried apple pieces (you can also use fresh fruit)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 egg, beaten

4 tablespoons honey

Frosting:

Cream cheese or peanut butter

Doggy treats or dry dog food (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350°

Spray cupcake tin with cooking spray.

Mix wet ingredients thoroughly. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  (Are apples wet or dry? I went with dry… That’s the beauty of cooking for dogs. IT DOESN’T MATTER!)

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients slowly, scraping well to make sure no dry mixture is left. Pour into cupcake tins.

Bake for 30 minutes.* Insert a toothpick into the centre and if it comes out dry, they are done. Cool completely.

Use a knife to top with cream cheese, peanut butter or leave plain. Top with doggy treats or a piece of dry dog food, if desired.

Store in a sealed container.

Makes 12-14 large cupcakes or approximately 36 mini-pupcakes

*If making mini pupcakes, bake 15-18 minutes

When you’re looking for a thriller, try Devil’s Knot.  Not sure how how this one passed me by, considering it’s directed by Atom Egoyen and stars some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The cast includes Reese Witherspoon as a grieving mother and Colin Firth as private investigator, not to mention a myriad of other familiar faces that pop up in smaller roles. It’s based on the true crime story about “the West Memphis three”, a trio of teenagers accused of murdering three little boys in a small Arkansas town.   Can you say Salem witch hunt?

When you’re looking for a romance, try 5 to 7.  In France, 5 to 7 refers to the time of day that’s best suited for an affair – the two hours between work and home, when one’s time is not always accounted for.  Anton Yelchin plays a young writer who falls in love with a beautiful French woman (Berenice Marlohe) he meets by chance on the street. The catch is she’s married, and can only meet him between 5 and 7 at a New York City hotel.  Star crossed lovers get me every time!

When you’re looking for your next buddy cop show, try Scott and Bailey.  This British show follows two female detectives as they work to solve crimes and try to disentangle their messy personal lives in Manchester, England. What I love about Scott and Bailey – and many other British shows – is that it is so much grittier than most North American programs.  The cops here aren’t all glossy, with shiny hair and perfect white teeth. And gadzucks, they actually wear the same outfit twice!  Oh, and the accents. Love the accents.

When you’re looking for a comedy, try The To Do List. Parks and Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza stars as a sexually inexperienced high school grad who’s got a sex-filled bucket list she wants to work through before she heads off to college.  Some well-known comedians fill out the cast list, including SNL’s Bill Hader.  It’s all a bit silly, yes (not only because Plaza looks about 28) but at times, it’s also spew your wine out funny.

Got any movie or TV shows to recommend? Please do pass them along! And Netflix, if you’re reading this, when is Bloodline season two coming?

Here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2016.

1. I will be late more often. 

I know, not something you often see on resolution lists. 95% of the time, I’m not just on time, I’m early, circling the block or biding my time, getting over-caffeinated at the local Starbucks. People say come for dinner at 6:30 and I’m a knockin’ at 6:29.   They don’t look happy when they open the door.

In 2016, it’s time for change. Excluding things one MUST be one time for, like flights, appointments and work, I am going to try to be at least 5 minutes late. Friends, you’re welcome.

2. I will take longer to answer emails.

Last year I was repeatedly thanked for my prompt responses. It got to the point where I realized that this was being viewed as remarkable (as in “odd”) behaviour.  I could see the wheels turning: clearly she’s not busy if she can get back to me that fast. Untrue!

I’m just, well, anal. I hate a cluttered inbox.  But in order to blend in better with my fellow earthlings, I’m going to turn off the alerts on my devices and set aside specific times for correspondence. Email, you’re not the boss of me!

3. I will become more ambidextrous.

2016 is the year to “grow” some new brain cells.  I already do lots of cool stuff with my left hand, like open jars and manipulate my hair brush when drying my hair.  I’m also going to try brushing my teeth and stirring the pot (literally, not figuratively) with my left hand.  Switching things up is good for the brain. (Adventure)

4. I will always carry two poop bags when walking Ruby.

(I think the key to resolution success is peppering your more serious ambitions with ones easier to keep. Little victories lead to bigger ones!)

5. I will beef up my emergency preparedness kit.

I really do have one, although the edibles are going stale.  That said, after last week’s earthquake in Vancouver and the ensuing avalanche of press about The Big One, I do question whether I should even bother, especially after reading this article.   At least I’ll be kind of prepared if a wee disaster strikes?

6. I will moisturizer more.

Not just my face but my whole body. This is tougher than it sounds. I hate feeling sticky under my clothes which means moisturizing in the evening is best. But at night I’m sleepy!

7. I will wear more hats.

I finally understand why men wear baseball hats so often. Besides the fact that a good hat can hide a bald spot, it’s also the perfect foil for a bad hair day. Brilliant!

8. I will use my time more mindfully. 

TV, social media, Netflix –  I’ve lost hours and days of my life to what? Nothing!  I’m going back to the olden days when I spent most of my time with my nose buried in a book.  (Have you read Fates and Furies yet? Put it on your list.)

Furthermore, my friends know that in an effort to cut down on screen time, I already generally log off at about 6 or 7 at night.  Need to reach me? Call my house phone. (I’m so retro!)  This year, I’m also putting a cap on general, mindless surfing. Half hour each morning. That’s it.

9. I will expand my horizons.

My best memories of last year were ones when I tried something new. This year, more travel, more classes (photography!) and collect even more unique experiences.

2016, I’m coming for you. Happy New Year everyone!

*The photos featured are of doors in Palm Springs. I love how bright, sunny and welcoming they are. 

1984

The year (of one many) we spent Christmas up at Whistler. Here with some of my friends.

Circa 1989

The year my friend Effie came over at some point. (Bad pants!)

1993

The year I did my first overnight news anchoring shift at what was then known as UTV. (Global TV today.) My first day on the desk was Christmas Eve! I didn’t mind. I was really excited to get the job.

Circa 1996

I basically remember nothing about this Christmas. Seems like a relatively happy one.

Zipping forward a bunch of years… (so much easier to find photos now that everything is digital!)

2004

The year we decided to do a wig theme at our annual girls’ Christmas party??

2005

Not technically Christmas but close enough!  The year I went to New York after Christmas. Here with my friend Tracy.

2006

The year we did a holiday photo shoot…

…And I got a dog magazine instead of a dog

2007

The year Anna came for Christmas. How cute and young we look!

2008

This was a big one. The year I got Ruby a few weeks before Christmas…

… my first Christmas with this guy. (I guess we forgot to tell him he could keep his shoes on.)

And the year we got a TON of snow in Vancouver!

2009

The year Christmas day was beautiful and sunny, perfect for a family walk at the beach.

2010

The year I made a crappy Christmas dessert. It wasn’t me, it was the recipe, I swear. They still haven’t let me live it down!

This was also the year my uncle Davor came from Croatia to spend the holidays. A tradition we are continuing this year.  (My two uncles and my mom.)

2011

I remember this Christmas well because a few days before, I got into a big fight with my mom. Then on Christmas Eve, she surprised me with this painting I wanted from local artist Athena Bax. I felt like a right pile of pooh.

2012

The year my dad brought his crazy dog Max to my house for Christmas brunch. I don’t think he’s calmed down much yet.

2013

The last year we spent Christmas with James’s dad. Sadly, he passed away four months later.

2014

The year we ran into Santa at the pet store.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best wishes from my family to yours this holiday season. I’ll see you in the new year!

Hugs,

Kristina

Top Photo: Christmas 2014

As per usual, these are not necessarily new books that were published this year, just ones that were new to me.  I envy those who get to read them for the first time.

Here were my top pics of 2015, in alphabetical order:

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

 Ove is an old grump, allergic to change and a slave to order, who lives alone in suburban Sweden. When a new family moves in down the street, he gets even more ornery after they repeatedly interrupt his nefarious plans – he’s trying to kill himself.   As heavy as that sounds, this is actually a heart-warming story with a curmudgeony hero with a heart of gold.  Along the lines of “The Rosie Project” and “The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared” – the best word I can use to describe this book is “delightful.”

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

And you thought politics were tough at your kid’s school? Big Little Lies follows the story of three very different women who come together because their children all go to the same kindergarten.  The school begins to divide when one child accuses another of bullying. Entertaining and suspenseful, the real scandals here move beyond the schoolyard and into the bedrooms of Australian suburbia.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

You want a page-turning successor to “Gone Girl”? This is it. It’s “Gone Girl” meets… Actually, I can’t tell you or I will ruin it. When we’re first introduced to heroine Ani FaNelli, she definitely does seem like the have it all, luckiest girl alive: a rich finance, a swanky job… but hey, why the bad attitude and acid tongue? You’ll find out soon enough. Reviews were mixed on this one, some readers hating it. I couldn’t put it down.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

It’s 2044 and teen Wade Watts is living in virtually reality, much like everyone else on the planet. He goes to school there, hangs out with friends there and even drools after girls there. Things really get interesting when a Steve Jobs type figure dies and leaves his fortune to anyone who can solve his puzzles, hidden in the virtual universe he created. Ready Player One’s dystopian world had me analyzing my own dependence on technology while simultaneously wishing I could take part in this sci-fi scavenger hunt. I heard a major director may be turning this one into a movie.  Can’t wait!

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The world is coming to an end, not via vampire plague (oh Justin Cronin, when is the final novel in your trilogy coming out?!?) but thanks to a worldwide flu pandemic that leaves billions dead in just a few weeks. Moving back and forth in time from the end of days to two decades in the future, it follows a group of motley traveling actors as they try to find a foothold in this brave new world.   This well-written and gripping sci fi novel may very well be my favourite book of the year.

The Rocks by Peter Nichols

The Rocks is a hotel perched on the cliffs of Majorca, Spain. It tells the story of two families living on the island whose fates are intertwined by a disturbing incident that occurred 60 years before. The story is told in reverse, one of my favourite literary techniques, so you don’t discover what led to these messed up relationships, missed opportunities and broken hearts until the final pages. If you’re off on a sunny beach vacation this holiday, be sure to take this one with you.

Two honourable mentions, “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins and “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.  I’m only including them because I am in the minority: everyone else seemed to like them a lot more than I did.

I’m currently reading “Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan (I love books about books) and then “Fates and Furies” by Lauren Groff is next on the list.  Let’s see if they make it to next year’s list!

1. When you paint over pumpkins, they can’t breath and will quite quickly ooze icky pumpkin goo, lasting a fraction of the time of unadulterated pumpkins.

2. Sicily is a lot more verdant and lush than I expected. Some regions are downright tropical.

3. I respond to emails faster than the average bear.  I was repeatedly thanked for my “swift response” to this year.  Yes, I’m busy too: I just like to get s*%t done!

4. Nope, didn’t have more fun.

5. Social  Media Metrics, Photoshop and Excel all make my brain hurt, each in their own special ways.

6. Helping other people achieve their professional goals makes me really happy.

7. In my books, “The Girl on a Train” was the one of most overrated reads of the year.  (Stay tuned for my annual reading list, out in a couple of weeks!)

8. Go with your gut. We’ve all heard this, but this year I really began listening to what my intuition was telling me, with positive results.

9. Hot in Cleveland is hilarious. Yes, it’s definitely speaking to my demo but it’s Betty White who gets most of the “spew your drink all over the place” zingers.

10. Putting yourself out there is scary, no question. But as with many pains, it lessens over time. And the rewards are great.

The product is “drug-free” and according to the literature contains “the exclusive Marine Complex AminoMar CTM which helps to nourish thinning hair and promote healthy hair from within.” Viviscal also contains a blend of vitamins and minerals (including silica, biotin and a hefty dose of vitamin C) that are supposed to promote healthy hair growth and limit hair loss.  Here’s a good rundown and analysis of the ingredient list.

The dosage is two pills a day for those under 80 kg and three pills for those over. After six to eight months, you can knock that down to one pill. There’s also a Viviscal for men that’s a slightly different formulation, most notably, it doesn’t contain iron.

I’m not the most diligent of pill poppers and sometimes I forgot to take them all together. But when I run my hands through my hair, I do feel like I have more of it.  And I’ve been seeing these little sprouts at my hairline which I’m told are new growth.  (Trust me, they’re there!)

It’s not a dramatic change, but it’s something. One thing I am sure of is that my nails are stronger. They used to break and peel and now they rarely do either and they seem to grow very quickly. (My friend who has only been taking them for a short time is experiencing similar results.)

A word of warning, the product is not recommended for those allergic to soy or fish.  Hence, not a good option for vegans or vegetarians either.  Another downside is the price: a one-month supply of 60 tablets is $60.  Yup, a buck a pop! But considering how much I’ve spent on other hair fortification methods, I feel it’s worth it.

You can order Viviscal online or for those living in Canada, you can find it at Shoppers Drug Mart. If you order via the company’s website, they often have special offers, like a three month supply of pills and a small shampoo and conditioner, both which I found a bit lack luster.

I haven’t experienced any side effects. I have gained a few pounds but I should likely blame the cookies and not the Viviscal.

Am I 100%, stake my life on it, convinced that it’s working? No. But I think it is.  And since perception is everything, that’s all that matters!

If you’ve tried Viviscal, I’d love to hear from you on whether you’ve noticed a change to your hair.

I yanked, and I pulled and pleaded with those aggressive little zipper teeth, “Sweet Mary, please release me, I promise never to pretend I’m a size four again!”

I broke into a sweat. Was I going to have to send in a mayday call to the salesgirl womaning the changing rooms? How humiliating. Where was my Swiss army knife when I needed it? (At the store as it turns out. I don’t have one.)

I decided then I was bigger, better and STRONGER than a few slivers of metal and a wee swatch of flimsy fabric. I could handle this. With the strength of a thousand shoppers I ripped those stupid lacy underwear from their steely confinement.

My underwear, now hanging by a few threads, I quickly dressed and hit the pavement. (Zara, if you found a pair of olive pants with a bit of pink stuck in the zipper, I’m terribly sorry, that was me.)

When I got home and assessed the damage, I came darn close to chucking those stupid underwear in the garbage. But something held me back. We’d been through an ordeal together. Plus, they were comfy and cute, and I got them on sale.

I patched those babies up by knotting the ripped fabric and put them back in commission. Slightly worse for wear and at times hanging by a thread, we’re not so different, those Hanky Pankys and me.

Now, whenever I have an important meeting or have something for which I need an extra boost of confidence, I wear what I’ve decided are my lucky underpants. Lucky because they tore just enough to facilitate my escape – but not so much as to rob me of my dignity. For you see, I was wearing a mini skirt that day. Lucky underwear indeed!