Playdate with LeapFrog

When our friends from Harbinger invited us to test drive the latest educational games and products from LeapFrog Canada, we knew we couldn’t refuse! With over 35 million educational platforms and almost 90 million interactive books and games in homes worldwide, the LeapFrog learning brand is a world leader in designing and developing technology-based educational products that makes learning fun and engaging.

We rounded up some of the latest gadgets that caught our eye:

My Pal Scout
Ages 6 months & up
MSRP $24.99

My Pal Scout introduces skills such as first words, daily routines and counting. Parents customize the playlist from an online database of 30 songs and lullabies. The plush puppy can also incorporate the child’s name and favourite things into activities, songs and dialogue to engage the child in a personalized way.

Tag Junior
Ages 2 – 4
MSRP $39.99

Tag Junior offers younger children a learning toy that helps them develop a love for books. By stamping it on a Tag Junior book, you can hear a block of text read aloud or hear funny sound effects embedded in the pictures.

Zippity
Ages 3 – 5
MSRP $89.99

Zippity is the first TV-based gaming system for preschoolers that combines full-body movement, music, education and fun. It leads kids through eight lively learning games that use an interactive mat for lower-body movement—such as running, dancing, jumping and marching—and a tummy-high joystick for upper-body action—such as moving left, right, forward and back.

by Sumaya Khan

Fan Mail Friday

We can't resist. Sometimes emails come in that are too hilarious not to share. I'm not sure where people get the impression we are a manufacturer or a store, but here are a few recent goodies:

This person thinks we are Goody

hello!
first thing i want to say is i love goody!
i am a girl with short blond hair and i dance!
i love using the headbands because when i move they stay on my head! i love the colourful bobby pins!
keep up the good work on everything(:

This one thinks we are a pole dancing studio

would like to know if you do stagette parties for the pole dancing class? and if so, how do we contact you in order to let you know that we are coming?

This person thinks... We're not even sure...

I want to know if is any store in toronto and the address

This one wants us to reimburse them for a shirt from a store we've never heard of

I bought a top designed by **** after one wash it came out faded and full of rust from the tacks on the sleeves I brought it back to the store and they refused to exchange or give me my money back, this top was purchased at ***** in Gatineau Quebec please help me I don't know what to do am I out $50.00

This person thinks we're a children's shoe store

I bought skater shoes for my 8 year old son. He wanted them because they had a skateboard attached to them. I had a discount because the last time I ordered at the store, they sent the wrong size. Anyway, can you send the skateboard toy that goes with the shoes as we did not receive them.

We have no idea

Do you do order "Ship-outs"?
Thankyou.

We are a nail polish manufacturer?

I've never ever done this before, but I just had to write to say Thank You!!! I was in the drugstore the other day shopping and thought i'd buy some nail polish. I basically just grabbed what I saw was on sale, cause I never have any luck with nail polish cause it always chips off in a day or 2 anyways. I've even gone to professional beauty stores to get polish suggestions and paid $45 for nail polish and before & after coats and it still chipped the next day and in fact was worse then most cheap polishes I buy. Anyways, So I ended up picking up a bottle of your Insta-Dri polish and not thinking anything of it. About 2 mins ago I decided to do my nails and found 'love' this is the best polish i've ever seen. First of all the brush is amazing. When I first opened the bottle I thhought, " What the heck". Then I put it on and I totally understood the concept. No brush strokes! 1 brush, 1 stroke is all you need! And it's dry before you're finished polishing your hand! Literally 10 seconds later I started typing this email and my nails are totally dry and not smudging or chipping! Now to be fair, I did just put this polish on so I have yet to see how long it takes too start chipping like other polishes, but so far I am totally "In Love" with this polish and plan to buy nothing but this brand!!! Thx

What's New: Danier Fall 2009 Collection

Danier Fall 2009 Collection

We got a sneak peak of the latest collection from Danier that is about to hit stores. These are a few of our favourite things...

Lamb Classic Bomber $399 (in store August '09)

Scarf, $39 (in store September '09)

Leather Handbag, $149 (in store October '09)

Leather Gloves, $45 (in store September '09)

Which of these would you add to your wardrobe?

www.danier.com

Toronto: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Do you love this? What a fantastic initiative!

Ladies, we should all be encouraging the men in our lives to participate in this. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is presented by the White Ribbon Campaign, which fights violence against women. The walk takes place on Thursday October 1st at Nathan Phillips Square.

Visit http://www.walkamiletoronto.org for more information

What’s New: Secret Fall 2009 Tights Collection

Secret Fall 2009 Tights




Dare to bare this fall with Secret Fall 2009 Tights collection. These ultra soft, comfy tights are enjoyable to wear and stylish enough to make you want to show off your legs all season long.

Besides your basic black, tights are available in Grey Flannel, Red, Brown, Purple, Magenta and Taupe.

Included in the line are pretty patterned tights for those who want to make more of a statement. Get glamorous with Molten Gloss, Black Crochet and Sparkle Diamond Mesh Tights. Or tone it down in the office with the classy Horizontal Rib Tights.

Secret Fall 2009 will be available at retailers across Canada for a suggested retail price of $7.50 - $9.95.

What's New: Olay Complete Ageless and Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream with SPF 25

Olay Complete Ageless and Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream with SPF 25

This coming August, Olay is launching Olay Complete Ageless and Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream with SPF 25.

The Complete Ageless line is a new collection of products that promises younger looking skin in five days. The collection features the Rejuvenating Lathering Cleanser ($14.99), Skin Renewing UV Lotion SPF 20 ($30.99), and Complete Ageless Eye Brightening Cream ($30.99).

Olay Complete Ageless line combines nourishing all-day moisture technology with an antioxidant complex. But wait…there’s more. The line is also enriched with Green Tea and Ginkgo extract that exfoliate and help promote skin’s surface renewal process. And for those out there who has sensitive skin or is acne prone, Complete Ageless is dermatologist tested, non-greasy and oil-free.

Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream ($39.99) on the other hand is an anti-aging moisturizer that is targeted to help protect skin from harmful UV rays and help reduce the look of facial lines and visible pores. The moisturizing formula not only helps rebuild surface cell structure and restore firmness, it also increases radiance and brightness.

Olay Complete Ageless collection and Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream will be available beginning August 2009.

This Week on ChickAdvisor

Get our expert's tips on the ultimate summer beauty makeover...

Find the best beach reads...








Learn how to plan the best backyard bash...

And get advice on love, lust & relationship from our very own chickies.

Hot Topic: Do you believe in love at first sight?

Deal of the week: Body Shop Sale and discount sets

Weekend Movie Recommendation: Defiance

Defiance is the true life story of three Jewish brothers who survive the Holocaust living in the Eastern European woods. They set up camp, arm themselves and fight to protect their right to live along with hundreds of displaced survivors that come to them for protection. It is an extremely intense, riveting story but not the kind where you need to bawl for an hour afterward.

At bare minimum, Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber are especially sexy with accents. Highly recommended.

This Week on ChickAdvisor

We'll introduce you to the Parisian Woman

Meet the founders of Balmshell Beauty

Teach you how to save like a Frugalista...

...and make fresh summer appetizers


Hot Topic: We chat about Hairdresser Dilemmas.

Deals of the Week:
Lancome gift with purchase at The Bay









Estee Lauder gift with purchase at Nordstrom

What's New: Dove NutriumMoisture Body Wash

Dove NutriumMoisture Body Wash

Dove says this new line will revolutionize skin care.






So what makes it different from the rest? The NutriumMoisture line actually penetrates to moisturize skin, rather than sitting on top of the skin creating a barrier, which is the case with petrol based products.

NutriumMoisture combines the benefits of DEFI (Directly Esterified Fatty Isethionate) technology found in the popular Dove Beauty Bar. With a new moisturizing complex that gently cleanses your skin without stripping too many proteins and lipids, it also infuses the skin with 100% natural skin-compatible moisturizers, including stearic acid, soybean oil and glycerin.

Why should you care? It actually moisturizes your skin deep down rather than making it appear moisturized. It also smells devine and feels silky smooth.

All products are currently available in the United States and will hit Canadian store shelves in September.

Dove NutriumMoisture comes in Deep Moisture, Gentle Exfoliating and Sensitive Skin for $4.99 - $6.99 CAD (354 ml) and $9.99 - $10.99 (710 ml).

What's New: CARGO LashActivator Mascara

CARGO LashActivator Mascara

Why buy false eyelashes when you can grow your own?

The newest mascara from CARGO not only makes your lashes appear longer and fuller... it also makes them grow!

CARGO says LashActivator is proven to have a 169% visible improvement over the natural rate at which lashes grow. It sounded too good to be true, so we asked them how this is possible.

Here's how it works:

All lash follicles go through three stages in their life cycle: growth phase, transitional phase (lashes stop growing), and rest phase (lashes shed). With ageing, the rest phase increases gradually which means the already short growth phase for eyelashes become further compromised. The multi-faceted lash-enhancing complexes improve the quality and duration of the growth phase while delaying the onset of the rest phase.

Marine Algae extracts increase the appearance of lash density, citrus-derived Flavonoids promote micro circulation for optimal lash health, and a Peptide-biotin complex slows the rate of lash loss.

It's gentle on sensitive eyes and the flexible rubber wand was specifically designed to build and separate each lash for a full, fan-like effect.

In order to get the desired results, you need to use this mascara religiously every day. Swapping it here or there with your favourite tried and true isn't going to give the product a fair shake.

We are testing it right now. Have you tried it? What do you think? Add your review here.

What's New: Decléor Hydra Floral

Decléor Paris Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution with no Parabens




Consumers say they are done with Parabens and Decléor is listening. Their newest line, Hydra Floral creates a protective veil, fighting off pollution while infusing the skin with moisturizing essential oils.

A number of the ingredients hail from Madagascar, but Moringa Oleifera seeds from Africa are the secret ingredient that keeps pollution like cigarette smoke, smog and other offenders at bay. Moringa Oleifera seeds are also used to depollute lakes and rivers in Africa, which says a lot for their restorative powers. 85% of the ingredients in this new line are of natural origin and the exterior packaging is 100% recyclable.

So what are they using to preserve the products since there are no parabens? Glycol (an organic compound from the alcohol family) and Sorbic Acid, also a natural compound commonly used to preserve food.

If you're a sucker for scent, you'll enjoy hints of orange blossom, mint and wild pansy.

Hydra-Floral will be in stores in Canada the beginning of September and it is already available online in the United States. The line includes:

Aromessence Neroli, 15ml, $70
"Flower Nectar" Moisturising Cream, $69 (50ml jar), $54 (40ml tube)
"Fresh Flower" Moisturising Emulsion, 50ml, $69
"Flower Dew" Moisturising Gel- Cream for Eyes, 15ml, $47
"Flower Essence" Moisturising Mask, 50ml, $48
"Flower Petals" Eye and Lip Moisturising Mask, 30ml, $51

Girls Night In For Cancer

Any excuse to get together with friends is a good one, right? What about doing it for a good cause?

The Canadian Cancer Society Ontario has launched Girl's Night In where you bring your friends together for a good cause. In lieu of going out and spending money on dinner, drinks, movie tickets and taxis, host your pals at your place and ask them to bring a cash donation in the amount they would have spent for the night out and donate it to the Cancer Society.

Even if you don't know anyone affected by cancer, consider this:

In 2009, an estimated 12,050 women in Ontario are expected to be diagnosed with breast, uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers. The Girls Night In fundraising initiative aims to reduce this number by funding leading-edge research and creating awareness about cancers that affect women.

Through the support of generous donors, the Canadian Cancer Society is able to fund leading-edge cancer research that has led to new methods of early detection and advances in treatment that will improve the quality of life of women living with cancer.

In conjunction with the launch of the Girls Night In fundraising initiative, a new website www.GirlsNightInForCancer.ca makes it easy to host a Girls Night In with online event registration, a downloadable host kit, party theme ideas and e-vites. The site features an online community for hosts and a photo and video gallery. There is also a link to the Canadian Cancer Society’s e-boutique where women can buy Canadian Cancer Society and Girls Night In merchandise to further support the program’s fundraising efforts.

The site also offers information on breast, uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers and highlights research progress on cancers that affect women.

Women interested in hosting a Girls Night In or finding out more about the initiative should visit www.GirlsNightInForCancer.ca or contact their local Canadian Cancer Society unit office.

This Week on ChickAdvisor

We'll answer some of your sensitive 'time of the month' questions...

Teach you how to get gorgeous hair

Show you the latest bridal fashion trends

And help you find the best cafes in town

Hot Topic: Do you suffer from post book depression?

The Art of Seduction Lingerie Française Fashion Show

Every year, Lingerie Française brings in seven lingerie brands from France to show us The Art of Seduction. The collection was so much more than just rocking a fancy bra and matching thong. It was the accessories, the attitude and the confidence that made it more than models in their underwear. I guess this is how the French do it…

From geek chic sexy to burlesque meets Marie Antoinette, the collection was breathtaking... but my favorites were Empreinte and Simone Perele.

Empreinte accessorized delicate white lingerie with black thick frame glasses and bow ties. Who knew “geek” and “sexy” could be in the same sentence.

And as much as I love the over the top head pieces and feather boas, I can’t get enough of Simone Perele’s embellished cropped jackets that looks so effortlessly chic and classy with fresh pastel colored lingerie.

How adventurous are you? Would you bring in some feather headpieces, nerd glasses and cropped jackets into the bedroom?

ChickAdvisor Toronto Writers Cocktail Meetup

Our gorgeous writing team clockwise from left: Kyla, Claire, Laura, Jo, Megan, Sumaya, Ali, Katie.

Last night a handful of our Toronto writing team got together for a fun girly meet up!

We sipped cocktails at the Milestones patio at Dundas Square.

Conversation was about everything from babies to society parties to Michael Jackson.





Thank you so much to our talented team of writers and contributors across North America who add so much flavour to the site and keep us in the know of the hottest new products, trends and tips. We couldn't do it without you!

If you are interested in joining our writing team, send Claire an email.

Doggy Style Yoga?

Yoga with your dog. I can't even imagine.

What's New: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Collection for Tousled Hair


What's so special about it?
For sexy tousled perfectly imperfect hair. This newest collection from Herbal Essences is infused with wild violet and pomegranate, which smells divine! The styling mousse and hair spray are created using "spot welds", which spread out the holding power to different parts of your hair, rather than sticking it together like many other products to achieve the look. That means he can run his fingers through your hair without getting stuck! The line is designed to give you soft, malleable, sensual hair.

Celebrity Stylist Charles Barker Strahan who has primped the locks of Mariah Carey shares a few of his best tips to achieve sexy tousled hair at home:

1. Apply mousse to wet hair after washing and conditioning. Apply a small squirt of foam to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together so the product is all over your fingers. Massage the scalp with the product and work it through to the ends. Consider how much hair you have before applying. If you have thinner hair, use less.

2. For thick hair where you want to create lots of volume, apply a few squirts of the spray gel. Don't hold the product too close to your hair. The idea is to give it an overall mist. This same idea applies to the hairspray, which is used to set your look.

3. Blow dry your hair, or sleep on it damp and style the next morning.

4. Use a large barreled curling iron, curling your hair in sections. Loose, easy curls are best. Don't try to make it perfect. Allow for what Charles calls "Happy Accidents" where you experiment and have some fun. Charles described a happy accident he had with a flat iron where he created "pattycake curls" by twisting hair around his finger into pin curls and then sandwiching the curls with a flat iron. Who knew you could curl your hair with a flat iron?

5. Set the hair with hairspray, then work the finishing cream into the ends of the hair to seal the cuticle. Take a Kabuki brush, yes, the kind you use for your face.. but not the same one you use for your face and mist it with hairspray, then use it to tame your flyaways. Brilliant, no?

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Products are already available online (United States only) but will be in Canadian stores in August '09. All products retail for $3.99 except the styling cream, which is $7.99.

Add your reviews for Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly

What's New: Summer Treats

Every month at ChickAdvisor H.Q we learn about the latest cool new products and services hitting the marketplace. It isn't always possible to review them all, but we're going to feature as many as we can here on the blog under "What's New" that we think you might be of interest.

My Tagalongs - Summer Getaway Essentials

Not-Your-Bags Tags, $10

These tags come in a pack of 4 - all different colours with cheeky keep-your-hands-off-my-bag messages. Perfect for the ubiquitous black suitcase.

Under Cover Traveler, $30
A pillow blanket and eye mask perfect for the plane or the car. The pillow is inflatable and when deflated, everything fits into the pouch. The removable tags on the eye mask let the flight attendant know you'd prefer to sleep through the $5 snack cart offerings, thank you very much!

President's Choice - Backyard Decor
PC Cabana Sun Lounger, $349.99

This gorgeous Cabana Lounger plus a summer cocktail, a good book and you're set! President Choice's latest collection of stylish patio furniture with everything from BBQ's to loungers, potted plants and more. Whether you have a tiny condo balcony or a large lavish yard, they've got you covered.

Popsicle - Frozen Fruity Treats

Popsicle Mighty Minis Slow Melt Pops, $4.79 - $5.99

Pops aren't just for Tots! A close friend of mine is a Popsicle fiend and always keeps a stash in her freezer. Slow Melt Pops are made with fruit juice and natural colours and flavours. The mighty minis are a guilt-free treat!

This Week on ChickAdvisor

We teach you how to camp, in style.

...Make sultry summer cocktails











We'll show you products that will keep your skin younger looking.











and the hottest sunglasses trend this summer











Hot Topic: Who should pay for the second date?

Deal of the week: Up 50% off on selected Mackage Women's coats! Need I say more?

Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day to our American readers! Today, cities across the US will blow up around $130 million worth of fireworks, celebrating freedom from British rule.

Ironic, considering Britain is now one of America's most important allies and our 6th largest trading partner...

So this 4th, light some roman candles and pinwheels, eat BBQ, and kiss a Brit for luck. Happy 4th!

Do you have holiday plans?

Happy Canada Day

Hey, Happy Canada Day, eh?

Raise a Moosehead with your friends, sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

Sorry Toronto. I wonder how many people will be setting off their own fireworks, since the city union is celebrating Bah Humbug Day?