Win Maybelline Mineral Powder Makeup FOR LIFE!

You may have noticed some cute new wallpaper in our beauty section. That would be Maybelline, promoting their brand new line of mineral makeup cosmetics, MineralPower by Maybelline New York. What you don't know is that if you click on those images, it will take you to their site where you can enter to win a lifetime supply of Mineral Power products.

You might want to check that out!

Product Review Club Good Days Ahead

If you haven't already, you'll definitely want to sign up for our Product Review Club. Some of our savviest members have been enjoying the benefits for months with giveaways from Lubriderm, Belkin, Nestle Noir, Spa Boutique, and more!

We're constantly approached by companies who'd like our members to review their products on ChickAdvisor and we're currently in the works negotiating some AWESOME new products you will definitely want to try.

How to join the Product Review Club:
* You must be a ChickAdvisor member (sign up, it's free and fun!)
* Email us your member name, real name (first and last), age and mailing address
* There is no cost to join
* You have to agree that you will review the products on ChickAdvisor within 14 days of receiving them.
* You indicate which items you want to review - we don't automatically mail them to you.

When a new product becomes available, we'll send you am email and post some details here on the blog and in our forums letting you know a new item is up for grabs. We may ask you some additional questions about yourself to match the best reviewer up with each item. For example if a product is designed for oily skin we'll need to know your skin type. We then select the most appropriate reviewer for each item. The products are always full sized and yours to keep!

How to submit a product for the Product Review Club:
We vet each product to ensure it is something we believe our members would enjoy. The Product Review Club is ideal for Beauty brands, Health and Wellness, Books, Fashion, etc, however we won't turn you away if we think you have something our members would love.

Send us an email for more information.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008 Trends

Not to say anything bad about NYC and London but fashion week to me is Milan and Paris. NYC has a lot of great designers but it's problem is volume. London is great for creativity but it's a bit small. A lot of my favorite designers show in Milan (Prada, Marni, Jil Sander) and it gets me excited about fashion and what they have planned for the masses.


Bows (Pictured Luisa Beccaria)
Bows are another common trend to the fashion weeks that I'm enjoying. The Italians stuck to small bows on blouses like most designer. However, Francesco cognitional bucked the trend and used large bows in his collection. I'm looking forward to this trend on the streets.


Dramatic Cuts (pictured Jil Sander)
Dramatic cuts continued it's rise in popularity during Milan Fashion Week. Jil Sander's brilliant collection has been the best execution of the dramatic cuts trend in NYC, London and Milan. The trend hit many of the major design houses like Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Missoni.


Flares (Pictured Burberry)
Say goodbye to the unforgiving skinny trend; pants are spreading out again. Flares and Bell bottoms are making their way back into the mainstream. I hope you didn't throw your old flares out. Burberry used rich colours and shine to make their flares the best of Milan. D&G, Derercuny and Moshino all incorporated flare/bell bottoms in their collections.


Red (Pictured Iceberg)
The red trend powers on through Milan sweeping designers up in it's wake. Bottega Veneta, Moschino cheap and chic, Missoni, Rocco Barocco, Kristina Ti, Iceberg, dsquared and Maurizio Pecoraro all used red making this trend one with staying power and influence.


Bright Tights (Pictured Marni)
Tights, tights and more tights. What seemed like a small flash in the pan in NYC blew up in London and Milan is keeping it going strong.D&G pulled no punches with the tartan theme and tights were made to create a head to toe look. There are subtle design changes going on in th house of Just Cavalli, they are all for the better. He couldn't help himself this season and created leopard print tights.


Collar Treatment (Pictured Jil Sander)
Designers looked to the collar for volume and shape this season in Milan; building from the momentum of the trend from NYC to London. Jil Sander's collection not only did dramatic cuts really well, his collars were to die for. Other designers feeling the dramatic collar are Versace (a little suprising to me, but Donnatella has been moving forward with the collections recently), Roksanda Ilincic, 6267, Alessandro Dell'Acqua and Bottega Veneta.


Tartan (Pictured D&G)
The Tartan train is chugging along. The Italians loved tartan especially D&G who went nuts for the stuff. No other designer so far has taking the trend to this level. Other subdued collections that used tartan included Moschino cheap & chic, Just Cavalli, Dsquared and Dolce & Gabbana.

images: style.com and style.it

London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008 Trends

London is the week that everyone throws out expectation and wants to see fresh ideas and new talent. Many major buyers skipped the week citing the strong British pound and it's positioning between NYC and Milan. Just another side effect of the economy.


Red (pictured Giles)
Red didn't have the power it did in NYC, but some designers in London made great use of the colour. Giles is one of those collections; he created some stunning red gowns. Christoper Kane, Ashish, Jenny Packham and Luella.


Blue and Black (pictured Louis Goldin)
Blue and Black was a popular pairing across the pond also. Biba paired blue mini dresses with black detailing with the appropriate dark opaque tights,shoes and hats. Louis Goldin and her sleek, Tron influenced futuristic vision. Sinha-Stanic, Biba, Amanda Wakeley, Jens Laugesen and Richard Nicoll all used this combination for fall.


Dramatic Cuts (pictured Marios Schwab)
This was a small trend in NYC that found designers like Calvin Klein using it heavily. Other designers like Proenza Schouler and Jeremy Laing utilized cuts in a dramatic and fashion forward way. In London, Marios Schwab to it to it's limits of good taste to some and fashion nirvana to others. Giles and Ann-Sofie Back used a subtle approach; the cuts were thin and didn't overwhelm the garment. Jens Laugesen, Ana Sekularac and jean Pierre Braganza.


Collar Treatment (pictured Gareth Pugh)
Designers looked to the collar for volume and shape this season. This was perfect for Gareth Pugh, one of the most anticipated shows during London fashion week. Designers adding a dramatic collar to their collections included Aquascutum, Krystof Stronzyna, Roksanda Ilincic and Richard Nicoll.


Bows (pictured Bora Aksu)
Bows were on the smaller side and could be seen exclusively on blouses during London Fashion Week. Nathan Jenden and Richard Nicoll went big and broke the norm places the bows on the back, shoulders and waist. Many wearable blouses came out of Betty Jackson, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Issa, Bora Aksu, Eley Kishimoto and Duro Olowu. Bows were a major trend on the London catwalks.


Tartan (pictured Vivienne Westwood red label)
Tartan got the London treatment thanks to designers like Luella, Jaeger London, Paul Costelloe, Vivienne Westwood red label, Ashish and Margaret Howell. House of Holland tartan treatment had a lot of buzz. People were talking about Agyness as the tartan bride. I don't think they had much nice to say about the collection.


Bright tights (pictured Paul Smith)
This trend has some legs and very excited for legwear in the near future. Tights were even more colourful on the London catwalks. Eley Kishimoto used a gingham print, Emma Cook used lace and Vivienne Westwood red label used stars.

images; style.com, vogue.co.uk

Interior Design Trends: Toronto Interior Design Show '08

Thinking of redecorating?

We spent a few hours at the Toronto Interior Design Show this weekend to check out the latest trends. It proved to be very inspiring with a little something for every taste. The themes for 2008 were easy to spot...

Black and White

Everything from wall paper, furniture and throw pillows to smaller accessories... black is back! This trend is crisp and elegant paired with white then using a splash of unexpected color such as red for an accent. Designers used wallpaper instead of paint on one or two accent walls, leaving the rest in a nice clean white to open it up and keep the room from looking too dark or too small.


This wall paper sample is elegant without being overly elaborate.


Chocolate brown paired with cream or ivory affords the same striking contrast with more of an earthy feel.

The Environment

We loved this kitchen garden from The Designer Guys.

Natural wood, celery green, cream, bamboo and organic cottons are the main characteristics of this relaxing trend.


Color

Fresh Aqua with chocolate brown is a popular look. The key here is to keep the furniture in classic colors and experiment with a vibrant splash of color on the walls. Aqua was also common on throw pillows, curtains and other accessories.


House and Home's Linda Reeves designed this room using black and white as the base then loaded it up with colorful accessories, animal prints and eye-popping fuchsia.


The condo fire place and wine rack add a dash of cheer to any room.



There were plenty of unusual and inspiring art exhibits tying black, white and vibrant color together.


Textiles

Elaborate tile schemes for back splashes or bathrooms add a sophisticated touch.

Design Within Reach was one of the show sponsors in conjunction with the launch of their new store in Toronto on 435 King Street W. This is fantastic. If you are not familiar with DWR, it's time to acquaint yourself! They are a fully licensed design shop, which means they sell the real thing, manufactured by the company holding the license to the original design. They sell a wide range of pieces from affordable to pricey.

Check out the rest of our pics from the show!

ChickAdvisor + Twenty Something TV

Thanks to the lovely Jill Clark for having me on Twenty Something TV!

For those of you not familiar with the show, it's like The View but with women in their 20's. They dress up, drink wine, laugh and tackle tough topics. They invited me to join them for the segment "Chasing the Dream". The episode has just aired online.

Also on this episode: Actor/Model Dorly Jean-Louis, Sportscaster, Caroline Frolic (The Score), and Katie Coristine, a television producer.

Check it out!

Mercedes Benz NYC Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008 Trends

The collections were dark and sombre, falling in line with the economic mood of the world. The subprime fiasco is having global consequences and the luxury industry is wondering what part of their business is going to take the biggest hit. There was a general turn to the masculine throughout the week. Some trends this fashion week were widespread and others just a ripple.


Red (pictured Zero Maria Cornejo)
Red is a great change from the pinks that have been popular over the last few seasons. Burnt hues dominated the runway with the heavyweights Proenza Schouler, Herve Leger and Oscar de la Renta. There were reds across the spectrum from the bright supersaturated version at Y3, Zero Maria Cornejo and Marchesa and the more purple based reds at Zac Posen, Reyes and Donna Karen.


Blue (pictured Marchesa)
Blue was another dominate force with many designers falling under its spell. Cobalt blue was the standout shade and designers like Betsey Johnston, Karen Walker, Matthew Williamson and Oscar de la Renta used it. The darker shades of blue were plentiful and some standouts did the opposite. Rodarte used the lightest shade of baby blue that lent well to their twisted fairy tale themed collection. Other notable blues were used by Narciso Rodriguez, Marchesa, Preen, Proenza Schouler and Benjamin Cho.


Blue and Black (pictured Marc by Marc Jacobs)
Blue was popular but so was pairing it with black as seen at Calvin Klien, Doo ri, Vera Wang, Zero Maria Cornejo, Proenza Schouler, Rag and Bone, Lela Rose, Costello Tagliapetra, Elle Tahari, Benjamin Cho, Bill Blass, Derek Lam and Thakoon. That list is nowhere near complete.



Velvet (pictured Ports 1961)
I’m not a big fan of velvet but I’m in the minority. The darker colour palette of fall 2008 2009 lends itself well to velvet. Dresses were staples, but you could find a pair of velvet pants at Carolina Herrera. Some of the majors using velvet include Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta.


Bows (pictured Carolina Herrara)
Oversized bows adorned many a blouse during New York fashion week. Proenza Schouler had my favourite version of the bow in my opinion. Thakoon, United Bamboo, Carolina Herrera, Doo ri, Jason Wu, Ruffian and Marc by Marc Jacobs all used bows in their collections.


Flora and Nature (pictured Benjamin Cho)
It took NYC a season to jump on this bandwagon. It was used sparingly in many collections and a few chose to make abundance use of the theme. Florals a la Balenciaga were featured at Betsey Johnson, Diane Von Furstenberg, Erin Featherstone, Karen Walker and Bill Blass. Designers like Marchesa, Benjamin Cho and Koi Suwannagate used textile flowers as embellishments on dresses.


Neo Gothic (pictured Rodarte)
This is a small but interesting trend that uses qualities from past period with a contemporary spin. Rad Hourani (a Canadian) had a beautiful collection of black and red. Rodarte’s punk rock fairies were complete with spike Christian Louboutin pumps. Ruffian, Phi and even bridal queen Vera Wang infused the past with the present.


Tartan (pictured Ralph Lauren)
Some designers turned traditional tartan on hits head like Thakoon, Ports 1961. Some collections were overrun with tartan like Ralph Lauren and Thakoon. The amount of red tartan on the runway solidifies the colours dominance this season.


Bright tights (pictured Anna Sui)
Tights of all colours and prints were a favourite trend of fashion week. It's something that is accessible to everyone. I loved the rich opaque tights shown at Proezna Scholuer and inspired me to break out my mustard ones and pair them with burgundy shoes. Rad Hourani sent completely red looks down the runway. Erin Fetherston, xxx, and xxxx also stuck to the solid colour. Printed tights in New York were in force at Anna Sui, Philosophy, Karen Walker and Miss Sixty.

The cocoon silhouette was very popular among the designers. Other colours looking to make an impression are gold and pumpkin. We'll see what the other fashion weeks bring to the trend landscape.

images: style.com

New Product Alert: All That Shine

We often receive samples or press releases of new products coming out into the market. Some are great, others... well, not so much. We'll try to post the ones we think would interest you most on this blog.

Herbal Essences has done it again. They recently scored points with the ChickAdvisor crowd for their new and improved line of shampoos, conditioners and mousses including Body Envy. Now they've come up with All That Shine, an easy way to get salon shiny hair at home for a fraction of the cost.

All That Shine can be used on treated hair or on au naturale (except grays) to add a boost of serious shine and softness for up to 6 weeks. I decided to test it out and see if it was worth the hype. The instructions say to wait until about 3 weeks post salon visit to apply All That Shine if you colour your hair. I visit the salon every 5 weeks (my hair grows like weeds) and they always add a shine treatment so there was no point in experimenting on myself. I decided to test it out on my sister, whose healthy brown locks are 100% natural. She came over for dinner last weekend and I cornered her in the bathroom for a surprise hair treatment. Being the good natured girl she is, she obediently let me wash, slather and blow dry her hair for a good hour. We were both impressed with the results. Her hair is now shinier and softer than ever. Sold!

All That Shine is available at drugstores for around $9.99 and on drugstore.com for $7.99.

Have you tried this? Add your review for All That Shine on ChickAdvisor.

FREEBIE FRIDAY ALERT! Skeyndor Vitamin C Protective Cream

Um, you might want to check our forums...Today we're giving away 1 Skeyndor Vitamin C Protective Cream SPF 10 (value of $50) courtesy of SpaBoutique.ca.

To win, you must respond to the forum topic that we have posted in our forums called "Freebie Friday..."

For more info on this Freebie Friday read this

Rent A Bag

How much would you spend to impress?

Luis Vuitton Manhattan PM, for rent: $225/month

A knock off LV bag sighting is as common (and tacky) as your coworkers extra long acrylic nails. Though this trend is thankfully on the wane in Toronto, it still seems many of us would rather shell out for a fake bag and have the illusion of wealth than buy a better quality one that doesn't announce its name brand when you enter the room.

Catching on to this trend are the bevy of new websites cropping up that allow you to rent the designer bag of your dreams by the week or month. For the cost of a set of full highlights, you can impress everyone around you for an entire month with the real deal. The days of fumbling through Q+A on the authenticity of your tote at every turn are over. Let them inspect the stitching and hardware with all the meticulousness of a CSI. Now you can proudly flash those luxury logos at your public without feeling like a fraud. You, your wallet, car keys and lipstick have never looked more important.

However, like Cinderella, when the clock strikes midnight after your month of material bliss, the bag disappears and with that, a sizable chunk of your visual net worth. You'll have to sign on for another month to get that back... but lucky for you, the fashionable bore quickly and will soon start carrying the latest one from Marc Jacobs. And pretty soon, so will you.

Rent a bag in Canada
www.stillchic.com

Rent a bag in USA
www.bagborroworsteal.com

Buy a quality bag that looks just like your favorite designer bag
www.baghaus.com

Buy an authentic designer bag online
www.eluxury.com

What kind of bag shopper are you? Convincing fake, real deal, bag renter or are you just not into the hype?

Sunlight, Vitamin D, and Your Health

This is crazy.

Sunbathing is out.
Self-tanner and tinted beauty products are in, but only when it's done right (and that's the problem).
'Fake bake' is definitely out.
Looking pale is supposed to be in, but really - it's not.
Sunlight is good for you, Sunlight is bad for you.

I'm confused.

Our society is hung up on the latest trends, but slowly we are returning to our parents' maxim: Everything In Moderation. It's kind of the best of both worlds, where you don't have to swing between Hollywood excess and Himalayan hermit ideals.

We can all agree that too much sun ages us more quickly and may lead to a variety of diseases. Caution is critical, but beware the paranoia that could ultimately damage your health. In addition to the deep satisfaction a sun-warmed nap at the park gives you, your body will provide its daily requirement of vitamin D while you're dozing.

Vitamin D, unlike its name, is a hormone produced by our skin when exposed to sunlight (specifically UVB rays). It increases calcium uptake (critical for bone health), is important for the immune system, and has been associated with cancer prevention and coronary health. Many newborns have a touch of jaundice and a common recommendation is a little sunbathing.

Coming in a distant second, certain fish and mushroom species as well as fortified dairy and grain products can supply some of the body's D requirements. In most cases, however, dietary sources are not enough to cover your needs particularly during the winter months.

The best time to soak up your vitamins according to experts is at noon, when the sun hits its peak. Sunscreens as low as SPF-8 have been shown to decrease absorption by up to 95%, and so you should not use a sunscreen during this time. However, depending on your skin pigment and your geographic location, you will only need 5-15 minutes of exposure to get your daily dose. Once your body has produced enough for the day, any extra amount will degrade almost as quickly as it is created.

This is, you may well imagine, a controversial topic. You will have heard that you should never venture into the sun without a thick layer of spf15 sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt, nor should you plan to be outside during the peak of the day (11am-3pm).

What do you think? Do you risk a little sun for your health's sake or are you more comfortable with a supplement?

Read more on this topic:
*Wikipedia's article tells you the science
*NaturalNews gives you the basics from a natural living perspective
*NowToronto has a media opinion

Get Beach Ready by June: Circuit Training Program

The best way to get ready for the bikini season is to start early and have a plan. With my circuit training program below, you'll be more than ready for even your toughest critic - - You!

For the most dramatic results, chart your progress on a workout journal and stick to the plan I've outlined below. Don't worry if you don't have a gym membership because these exercises can be done at home.

Circuit 1

Squats: 20 reps x 10lbs











Push-ups: 20 reps

Dips on a bench: 20 reps

Plank: 60 seconds

Circuit 2

Lunges: 15 reps x 10lbs

Hamstring curl (ball): 20 reps

Calf raises: 20 reps

Leg Lifts: 20 reps

Circuit 3

Dumbbell Chest Press: 15 reps x 8 pounds

Bicep curl (dumbbell): 15 reps x 8 pounds

Dumbbell fly: 15 reps x 8 pounds

Crunches on ball: 30 reps

Resistance Training Program format notes:
*Perform the same resistance program 3 times this week on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays.

*Warm-up with 5-10 minutes of light cardiovascular work before each workout.

*Circuit training: Perform all 4 of the exercises within each circuit straight in a row without rest! Rest only comes after all 4 exercises in each circuit have been completed once. You will then rest for 45 seconds. Take this time to stretch and hydrate well!

*Do 3 sets for each circuit before moving onto the next one.

Cardiovascular Training Program
Walking Medium x 40 minutes
Interval walking 5:1 (fast walking: slow walking)

Cardiovascular Training Program Format Notes:
*Do 40 minutes of walking after each resistance workout (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)! Keep a medium pace and remember to breathe consistently throughout!

*On "off" days” (Tuesday & Thursday), I want you to do an interval walk. Start at a ratio of 5:1 (5 minutes of fast walking : 1 minute of slow walking) and record how long you can maintain this pace.

*If you have time on the weekends, a bonus walk is definitely encouraged – this will simply speed up the weight loss process!

Got a fitness question for our expert, Marc? Send us an email

NYC Fall 2008 Beauty Trends

This was the first time I had ever been to fashion week in New York and I had the opportunity to go back stage for some shows. I really had a chance to see how the big shots come up with looks for the runway shows and the process is interesting and really gives you an insight into trends. The lead makeup artists already know what’s going to be “in” and where the basic look should be headed. They work with the designers to customize this look for the clothes.

Once you know this, it’s easy to distill the trends from what you see on the runway. Though there are differences in looks, there’s always a basic undercurrent that runs through each and every collection.

So, without further ado, lets have a look at the makeup trends for fall 2008. In one word: colour. There will be colour on the eyes and colour on the lips.If you’ve been loving the red lips of last year, don’t throw out your red or burgundy lipsticks just yet. Fall 2008 will see a coloured lip but it’s interpreted as more of a stain this time. Key words heard backstage were “berry stained” or “bitten” and instead of using a gloss, the makeup artists put the lipstick on with their fingers, often just pushing it into the lips. There’s no need for lip liners for this red-lipped look.

Dior Rouge Replenishing Lip Colour

That’s not all.

There’s colour on the eyes too and you can’t be scared to wear it. There are no pastels and no coloured eyeliners. Just bright pigment painted on the lids.

NARS eyeshadow compact in South Pacific

There is an interpretation of this that was seen at ThreeAsFour, a label which is more avant-garde yet for the regular woman - bright eyelashes. Royal blues, grass greens, and pretty pinks are all shadow colours to stock up on.


Can you handle it? You have six months to make your mind up!

Henna writes about makeup, cosmetics, fashion, and trends on her blog, Canadian Beauty. She loves discovering new brands, and attending fashion shows.

Check out Henna's profile

Photo credits for images from NYC Fashion Week: Henna Singh

February's Freebie Friday

Happy Valentine's Day! In honor of love day we're spilling the details on our next Freebie Friday...

Protect and pamper your skin from the harsh elements of winter. This month we're giving away Skeyndor Vitamin C Protective Cream SPF 10 (value of $50) courtesy of SpaBoutique.ca.

Here's a little info on the cream:

*Moisturizing day cream with highly absorbale vitamin C.

*Promotes collagen synthesis, increases the epidermal reservoirs of antioxidants and reduces cellular damage from free radicals, delaying signs of skin aging.

*Contains SPF 10 and UVA protection. Helps brighten the complexion and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Application: Apply a dime sized amount to face and neck morning and/or night after cleansing and toning.

Likey? Keep an eye on our forums because one Friday this month you'll have a chance to win this.

What is this Freebie Friday business?
Freebie Fridays happen on random Fridays about once a month when we have something fab to give away that we'd like you to review but we only have one of them. To be the winner, you must respond to the post that magically appears in our forums on one random Friday. Then we draw a winner. Easy!

For businesses wishing to submit product for our Freebie Friday or Product Review Club, please contact us for more info.

It's Valentine's Day, Baby!

There are a few days on the calendar that are particularly dangerous for Mother Hens.

1. New Year's Eve - because we're a little shnockered and the kids are spending the night at Grandma's

2. Anniversaries - because sex is a given

3. Valentine's Day - all of the above.

You may protest "I'm done! Really!" But is that true? Do you feel that twinge when you're holding your best friend's newborn, smelling their hair? Do you get a little weepy when you're packing up those tiny onesies to bring away to Goodwill? Are your teenagers snarly and your preschoolers impossible - and you wistfully think back to those days of friends bringing supper for a month and tiny gurgly noises while you hold a soft flannel-wrapped little person?

Go ahead, blame it on your ovaries. I know I do!

Is it the champagne that convinces us to forgo the prophylactics? Are Northern Hemisphere mamas and papas cuddling together on long winter nights come Valentine's Day, and it turns into "more"? Whatever the reason, should you find yourself peeing on a stick in 3 weeks you'll be in good company.

I did some really scientific research to learn the truth of this (ok, I Googled it). Several sources claim late September to early October are the most common birth dates in the US. Do the math - that's a New Year's baby. If you were born in late October/early November, you were conceived around Valentine's Day. I counted my relatives and in-laws born between September and November and discovered that the overwhelming majority fit the bill.

Think about it! Will you double up on your protection tonight or accidentally-on-purpose get carried away in the moment?

See you in a few weeks at the back of the drugstore! I'll be the one with 6 coupons, 2 preschoolers, and a frantic look in my eye.

The Sweetheart Beauty Routine

Every February 14th, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones in North America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia, all because of Valentine's Day.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

I, like many woman, enjoy Valentine's Day and use it as an excuse to get dressed up for my sweetheart. Here are some suggestions for your "Sweetheart Beauty Routine" that are sure to be a hit with him...

FRAGRANCE
Layering your fragrance will allow you to make the most of your favourite scent and it'll last all-night-long. Almost all fragrances are available in matching bath & body products too - bubble bath, shower gel, body cream and lotion.

Use a scented shower gel to clean away the day and leave your skin oh-so-soft and fresh. Next slather on the matching body lotion for soft and hydrated skin. Finish off with a squirt or two of Eau de Parfum. Now remember not to overdo it. We are supposed to be gently layering, not drowning in fragrance!

FRAGRANCE SUGGESTIONS

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
Fresh Bath Gel
Cleanses gently, leaving skin delicately fragranced. Respects the natural moisture balance of your skin.

Fresh Body Lotion
This soft, light, iridescent white gel-lotion leaves the skin delicately fragranced with a subtle sheen. Moisturising and moisture-retentive ingredients (hydrogel and humectant polyol) leave the skin silky-soft and perfectly moisturised.

Eau de Toilette Spray
A light, fresh, sophisticated fragrance for a sexy and captivating woman.

Lancôme Hypnôse
Hypnotizing Shower Gel
A shower gel as sensual and silky as satin. A delightful foaming cleansing step that leaves your skin clean, pure, fresh and perfumed.

Hypnotizing Body Milk
Like a silky veil, this delicate and creamy body lotion glides over your skin to leave it beautiful and soft as velvet.

Eau de Parfum Spray
A woody oriental fragrance that acts like a sensual love potion with a magical trail: Passion flower combined with Vanilla and a woody base note with Vetiver.


SMOOTH SKIN
Ok, so you are now smelling divine, but your legs have a 5 o'clock shadow - what is that all about?! No. No. No. You need to have fuzz-free legs for when you are playing footsies on the sofa.

The quickest way to smooth legs is a razor. The one that I definitely recommend is the new Gillette Venus Embrace with its 5 curve-hugging blades and smooth glide moisture ribbon. In a matter of only minutes you will have touchably smooth skin.


NAILS
If you've had time, you've probably gone and had a mani and pedi done. If you are a workaholic like me, you are going to have to do a little DIY at home. No problem!

OPI has the best Valentine's colours for your nails and their latest collection, E-romance, will make you fall head over heels in high-tech love:

Log on to Love (shimmery red)
Met on the Internet (bold magenta)
Text Me – Text You (clear with glitter)

LINGERIE
What makes me feel really sexy is slipping into some gorgeous, feminie lingerie. He may not know you are wearing it, but you'll know. Here are four little numbers that will keep his interest...if you allow him to sneak a peak.

L to R: La Senza, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Agent Provocateur and Gossard.





















THE MAKEUP
I would be happy to provide you with some of my top beauty picks for Valentine's, but instead check out ChickAdvisor Expert Joy and her ChickBeauty 101 article.

What is your Sweetheart Beauty Routine? We definitely want to know!

Need beauty tips? Wondering which products are worth the splurge? Ellen is our resident expert and would love to answer your questions. Email us.

NYC Fashion Trends: Fall 2008

Wondering what hot trends are coming our way for fall '08? While most of us would be happy just to see some small sign of spring, the fashion world is already pumping out their collections for fall. Luckily our friend Danielle from Final Fashion had a chance to scope it out and share her picks for the next season...

Last week I had the opportunity to check out Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. As a small bean in the fashion soup, I saw a lot of smaller shows both at the tents and off-site. This season I discovered that after you see more than half a dozen shows, searching for some kind of common thread is compulsive.

Here are the threads that attracted my eye -

Photo credits - Coutorture, Frillr, Style.com

Danielle Meder is a fashion illustrator and fashion blogger located in Toronto. She loves sketching pretty people in interesting outfits, eating brunch with other fashion bloggers, and losing track of time in the library.

Check out Danielle's profile

Are You a Shopaholic?

Got a bit of a shopping problem? WebMD wants to help... but do we want to be helped?
They wrote an article that likens shopping to other addictive behaviors such as alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling. Is that a fair comparison? We say, Helllll No!

Here is their list of indicators that you may be a bona fide Shopaholic. Don't worry, we've come up with some great rebuttals so you needn't get bogged down with their message of doom and gloom...

* Spending over budget
So we all go a little over budget from time to time. Surely we can agree it's because most of us are underpaid, yes? If it costs $100 for a decent pair of pants and that is a day's wages, is it really our fault if we spend more than we can afford? Shouldn't our cheap @ss employer shoulder some of the blame here?

* Compulsive buying
Quick question. Define "Compulsive". Must all shopping be pre-meditated? Sometimes the best inspiration comes from last minute purchases.

* It's a chronic problem
Pfffft! Didn't George Bush tell everyone to keep shopping to support the economy? Sound advice that can apply to all Nations.

*Hiding the problem
B$tch, please. My business is my business. I'm not about to go to confession every time I buy a new pair of heels.

* A vicious circle.
Buy. Feel guilty. Return. At return register see something even better and buy that instead. Feel guilty. Return...

Simple solution. Don't feel bad. We only live once, right? Stop the cycle by just feeling good about your purchases.

* Impaired relationships
Come now. Are we really responsible for the jealousy of others?

*Clear consequences.
If looking frick'n AMAZING counts as a consequence, we can live with that.


If you feel you are living with a shopping addiction, read the article from WebMD.

On the other hand, if you need further justification on your shopping habits discuss this in our forums and we'll do our best to help you rationalize those blues away... ;)

Just Say No to Junk Mail: The Red Dot Campaign

We wants junk mail? These days there is so much of it, it's hard to find your legitimate mail in amongst the piles garbage you must sort through. A shady gym is having a special. No thanks! Save 2 cents on a box of cereal - mighty tempting! We'd rather not get any of it and find our deals online the environmental way.

Thankfully a very smart woman has made it easier for us to stop the barrage of junk mail. Beth Ringdahl founded reddotcampaign.ca, a website that helps you put a stop to the nonsense by telling Canada post and the Canadian Marketing Association to stop spamming you. Now that's a great idea!

Check it out!

Product Review Club: Nestle Noir

Our most delicious Product Review Club item yet! Nestlé Noir has come out with a decadent new line of gourmet chocolate bars you won't be able to resist.

Produced in the Gruyere Valley at the foot of the Swiss Alps, Nestlé Noir offers intense cocoa flavours combined with the delightful complementary tastes of caramel, cherry and cocoa nibs. Pair it with a glass of red wine or slowly savour them on their own.

Not only are these chocolates an excellent pick me up during the long winter days, they have added health benefits that come naturally with dark chocolate including antioxidants, polyphenols, magnesium and theobromine, a mild stimulant.

Get ready, Review Club! Nestlé is setting you up with all four full-sized chocolate bars to savour and review! *

Just like a proper wine tasting, they recommend you sample them properly.... with a blind fold. Sounds like a game two can play, yes?

* Align the four bars in the following taste order: Éclat Caramel, Cherry, Intense and Éclat Noir
* Peek from under the blindfold and find the first bar, carefully open the package along the tab lines so the box can be re-sealed for future indulgence
* Slowly peel the delicate foil, hear the crisp tear as you reveal the dark chocolate, break off a piece and not the intense, crisp snap of the bar
* Rub the piece of chocolate between your index finger and thumb to release the oils. Take in the intense cocoa aroma of the tablet
* Bite into the piece and let the chocolate melt on your tongue for 20 seconds, allow it to cover your palate and fill your mouth with the sensual flavours of dark chocolate. Let all your senses and emotions savour the moment
* Remove the blindfold and cleanse your palate with a bite of unsalted pretzels and sip of still water
* Repeat for each tablet
* Return to reality Take a generous piece of your favorite bar, melt it, smear it on...

Nestlé Noir Éclat Caramel
Combines 64% dark chocolate with pieces of crunchy caramel to deliver a balanced combination of bitter and sweet taste

Nestlé Noir Cherry
Flavour burst of dried cherry, complements the intense dark chocolate, made with 64% cocoa

Nestlé Noir Intense
Made with 70% cocoa, it delivers a rich aroma, crisp snap and smooth balanced flavour

Nestlé Noir Éclat Noir
Marries 64% dark chocolate with caramelized cocoa bean pieces to deliver an intense and textured experience

Nestlé Noir is available at grocery and retail stores across Canada for $3.49 - $3.99 per bar.

If you love chocolate, are a member of our Product Review Club, and would like to review these chocolate bars, post a note in our forums here saying you will review it within 14 days of receiving it.

If you are not currently a member of our Product Review Club but would like to be, it is free and open to all ChickAdvisor members. Read more.

* While supplies last. We have limited quantities so if you want it, speak up ASAP!


Update:

The reviews are rolling in. Check them out!

ChickBeauty 101: Pretty In Pink or Sexy & Sultry

Valentine's Day used to be a love/hate relationship for me. One year I'd be in love and the next year I'd be nursing a broken heart with a bottle(s) of wine! Whether you're cursing the male gender with your girlfriends or spending a romantic night out (or in hehe) with your main squeeze, look pretty in pink or sexy and sultry with these lovely looks!

Pretty In Pink:

If you don't recognize the beautiful model below, it's ChickAdvisor member, Robin! She graciously agreed to be my first model for ChickBeauty 101! She has got amazing skin and gorgeous features so it wasn't hard to enhance her natural beauty. I chose to go with a pink palette for the first look because pink is just flirty and girly. The colour pink also brightens up any skin tone.


Eyes: After prepping her skin and evening out her skin tone with a foundation, I prepped her eyes with primer with Bare Escentuals bareVitamin Prime Time Eyelid Primer (this was a new product Robin just got so I took the chance to try it out!), to give her shadow some staying power. As her base, I swept M.A.C.'s Seedy Pearl shadow (lavender pink frost) all the way up to her brow bone. On the lid and bottom lash line, I applied a pretty mauvey-pink metallic shadow from M.A.C.'s Catherine Deneuve palette from a few years ago. I smudged a bit of the darker purple color in the palette close to the top and bottom lash line. I just love this palette because it seems to work on every skin tone! I lined her eyes in black with M.A.C.'s Liquid Last for polished definition and winged it out slightly past her eye. For a flirty flutter, I added a pair of lashes from Quo, #804, for natural volume and length. I added a bit of shimmer to the inner corner of the eyes and brow bone using M.A.C.'s Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (staple!).


Cheeks: I wanted to give her a girly flush with a pop of pink. I've fallen in love with Nars Mata Hari! It's a true, clean pink and perks up the skin like no other. I applied M.A.C.'s Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne to her cheekbones and up to her temples for a luminous effect.


Lips: To compliment this look, I wanted to make her lips look luscious and kissable without adding a whole lot of colour. I layered soft pinks together so that it still looked like her natural lip colour but enhanced. I lined her lips with M.A.C.'s Dervish (a soft rosy pink) lip liner to make her colour last. To give those smackers some serious pouty action (not that she really needed it!), I applied Smashbox's Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop, a sheer cool pink.

Below is a close up of the finished look. I am lovin' this colour palette on Robin! This look is fresh and easy and will get you noticed whether you're having drinks with the girls or smooching the night away with your someone special.



Sexy and Sultry:

With this sultry smoky look your main squeeze won't be able to take their eyes off you! I chose to go charcoal grey and silver on the eyes with neutral cheeks and pinky-nude lips.


Eyes: As a base on the lid, I used Loose Lips NY's eye shadow in Fog. It's a really soft grey that worked great with M.A.C.'s eye shadow in Print (muted grey). I applied this all over the lid and up into the crease as well as the bottom lash line. For more intensity, I smudged M.A.C.'s Carbon eye shadow to the base of the lash line and up into the outer crease. I gave the inner corner of the eyes a silver metallic shimmer with N.Y.X.'s Trio in White Pearl, Silver, and Charcoal. I also applied some to the bottom inner corner of her eye and little in the center to give the eye some dimension.

Cheeks: To create a balanced look, I applied Pink Beauty's Cream Radiance Rouge in Delight, a dusty rose, to the apples of the cheeks. I brushed M.A.C.'s Mineralize Skinfinish - Natural over top to set the blush.

Lips: I gave her lips a less glossy finish so it wouldn't compete with her shimmery eyes. I chose a pinky-nude matte finish from Nars' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bettina. I applied Smashbox's Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop only to the center of the lips.

Below is the finished look. Robin's eye really pop with this look and she is absolutely glowing.

Have a beauty look you'd like featured on Chick Beauty 101? Email us and you could be my next model!

A Chick Flick Worth Watching: Waitress

Waitress Trailer - The best video clips are here

Looking for a good flick or your next girl's night in? Waitress definitely gets our vote.

There is nothing worse than renting a movie, setting yourself up with a glass of wine, popcorn, blankets, remote... then you hit play and the movie bombs. So whenever we find one we really like we'll be sure to share it.

Have you seen it? Add your review here.

Cheese, Beer & Lingerie

What do these three things add up to? "Sexytime." - Borat



Here are two sexy things happening this month you should be aware of:

Bier Markt Fondue for Two

If Mamaluv hasn't already won you over with her aphrodisiac filled 3 course meal, you'll want to check this out. Michael Cipollo, the Executive Chef at Bier Markt in Toronto has created a limited time Fondue for Two menu. In addition to running this special menu at Bier Markt until February 24, 2008, he has provided a do it yourself recipe to woo your sweetheart in private.

How do you like that? A Chef sharing his secret recipe so you can be the star in the kitchen. Put on your cutest apron, your highest pair of heels and prepare to dazzle your lover's taste buds.

Cheese & Lager Fondue
(Yields 4 cups)

Ingredients:
• 75g - Butter
• 75g - Flour
• 4 cups - Whole Milk

• ½ cups - Appenzeller Cheese (grated)
• ¼ cups - Raclette Cheese (grated)
• ½ cups - Emmental Cheese (grated)

• ½ cups – Heavy Cream
• 1 Tbsp – Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
• Salt & Pepper – to taste

Method:

1. Melt butter in stock pot over medium high heat and add flour to make a roux.

2. Cook slightly for about 2 minutes and add milk while whisking – making sure not to let the sauce stick to the pan.

3. When mixture thickens reduce heat to low and slowly add grated cheeses, stirring in a zig zag patter (this helps the cheeses to melt evenly into the mixture)

4. When cheeses are incorporated, then add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Suggested Accompaniments:

• Cubed Breads–such as baguette, pumpernickel, rye, etc.
• Blanched asparagus
• Boiled small potatoes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sour Cornichons


CHANGE Lingerie Party ~ Toronto

CHANGE is offering Girls-Night-Out Valentine’s Day Prep-Parties to women who want to, "unleash a romantic surprise attack on a love partner. "

Invite your best girls and schedule your own private party at CHANGE complete with personalized service, cupcakes and champagne. Party organizers will receive a $100 gift card in appreciation. (Read: That's a free sexy bra with matching undies!)

Private parties can be organized in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day* by contacting CHANGE store manager, Lisa Bernstein at 416.977.7667 for more details.

CHANGE is located at 315 Queen Street West, near John Street, in downtown Toronto. Read the reviews on ChickAdvisor here.

*Private Parties are also available year round.

Singles Awareness Day is February 14th

It's a love/hate thing.

If you are in a good relationship come V-Day, you celebrate this sweet 'n sappy holiday with your Valentine. But if you are single or newly so, it grates on your nerves. How do you deal with the gag-inducing Public Displays of Affection and borderline illegal price hikes on chocolate, flowers, and a nice dinner out?

Girls' Night Out
*Grab your other single friends and celebrate the day. Be the obnoxious foursome at the karaoke bar belting out old Madonna hits and chowing on your favorite snacks (do you really care about your diet on this one day?).

*Rent the sappiest chick flicks available and enjoy the fact you don't have to hear all the disgruntled groans of a beau. Eat Oreo ice cream and dish about your funniest and weirdest dates ever.

Girls' Getaway
*surf online for last-minute travel deals, or head out on a road trip. Be happy you don't have to answer to anyone about your budget or time away. Flirt shamelessly (but do behave!) with guys you'll probably never meet again.

Love your Friends and Family
*take this day to appreciate those around you. Bring Grandma some flowers and Grandpa some new fishing lures. Send fancy valentines to your nieces and nephews, and tell your mom how she inspires you.

Love Yourself
*treat yourself to one of those spa packages most salons are advertising, or relax in a bubble bath with a trashy novel. You can catch up on your Book Club Dostoevsky selection later.

Whatever you do, don't sweat your singleness. Celebrate it!

Got a great idea for Singles Awareness Day? Share it in the comments!

Your Sexiest Valentine's Dinner Ever

They say the best way to your sweetie's heart is through the stomach. Are you thinking of cooking your way to Happily Ever After this Valentine's Day?

It wouldn't hurt to up your odds, would it? Some ancient wisdom combined with beautiful, tasty food makes for an indulgent persuasion - a sizzling Valentine dinner menu loaded with aphrodisiacs...

Appetizer

Oysters with garlic, spinach and watercress
*oysters make any list of edible aphrodisiacs with plenty of protein and zinc, important for sexual health; garlic is just one of those feel-good spices guaranteed to get you revved up.

Main Course

Arugula Salad with strawberries, toasted almonds, red onions, and freshly grated parmesan cheese
*arugula has been used as an aphrodisiac for 2000 years, almonds are helpful for male sexual health and are believed to stimulate female passion, and strawberries - c'mon, you know it's the ultimate erotic fruit!

Filet Mignon flavored with cognac and mustard
*alcohol in moderation will relax you enough to loosen up and enjoy yourself, and mustard is believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire.

Steamed Asparagus
*doesn't the phallic shape give it away? Serve it up with a simple sauce or just a pat of butter and a sprinkling of salt & pepper. Asparagus is also a good source of folic acid, so in case you happen to conceive a baby that night... ;) ;)

Serve your favorite red wine with dinner.

Dessert

Chocolate-dipped Strawberries
*not only are these incredibly sexy to share, chocolate contains tryptophan which increases seratonin production in your brain. High levels of seratonin can produce elation and then... ecstasy!

Espresso
*after your filling meal and a glass or two of wine, a rich espresso will be just the perk you need to get ready for an all-nighter. Don't overindulge though, as you might find it works as a depressant in larger quantities.

Have any steamy meal ideas to share? Post them in the comments.

Flight of the Conchords "Business Time"

Every woman will appreciate this video.

Thanks for passing this on, Pammy!

Taser Gets Girly

Photo credit: Newsweek.com

It's sleek, stylish, and packs a punch. The latest accessory for women is... a Taser?

For those of us too squeamish to carry a handgun, Taser International is hoping we'll consider one of their 50,000 volt personal defense products in Metallic Pink.

Of course there's the minor consideration of the product's safety, but hey - you can match it to your nail polish! What do you think?

Read the full article from Newsweek here