Read Full ArticleLast Minute Summer Getaways Late August is all about enjoying the last lazy days of summer. Brunching on the terrace, late afternoon sunbathing in the park, and one last quick getaway is the perfect antidote to the reality of cooler days and longer nights.The embattled economy works in our favor, at least. Airlines and hotels are slashing rates to rock bottom levels, so if you have the cash to spare now is the best time to travel! We saw some hot offers we just had to pass along... but don't forget... | ||
Read Full ArticleOld Fashioned Pancakes A stack of hot steaming pancakes fresh from the griddle is a staple on the Sunday brunch table. They are infinitely adaptable to every palate, yet easy to make with ingredients you're always certain to have on hand-- a sure bet.We love them for any occasion, so we're pleased to share with you two of our very favorite recipes!Elegant Thin CrêpesBeat egg in a medium bowl with a whisk or spoon. Add milk and salt, then sifted flour. Whisk to a smooth, thin consistency.Add... | ||
Read Full ArticleGadget Geek: 5 Top Tech Products These days “Techy” or not, it’s difficult NOT to get sucked into the world of the Gadget. But with the mind boggling array of Cameras, Camcorders and GPS systems to choose from, it’s enough to make even the pros want to run away from Best Buy clutching their credit card tight! Skeptical shoppers rejoice – because we’ve broken down the 5 hottest new products on the market, telling you how they will make your life easier and why they are the must haves for fall!(1) Sony Cyber-shot G3... | ||
Read Full ArticleParis Night Life The average night in Paris isn’t something that is easily described, nor is it difficult to imagine. No matter where you are in Paris, you are surrounded by history – monuments, buildings, streets where Audrey Hepburn once roamed, streets where Napoleon marched his soldiers. The mere activity of just walking, riding a bike or hailing a cab to ones destination is magical all in itself.Fouquet'sChamps-ÉlyséesPre-drinks on the Champs-Élysées at Fouquet’s are nearly taken for granted... | ||
Read Full ArticleProduct Review Club: Dove NutriumMoisture Body Wash Would you like to try a moisturizing body wash that actually does what it advertises?This September, Dove has reinvigorated their body wash, by introducing NutriumMoisture technology to the product, which they say will revolutionize skin cleansing as we know it... and they want you to be the first to try it!So what makes it different from the rest? The NutriumMoisture line actually penetrates to moisturize skin, rather than sitting on top of the skin and just washing off as many other... | ||
Read Full Article5 Outdoor Adventure Getaways Fresh air, great exercise and a shared hobby. Getting out into nature for hiking, tubing, and camping is simply part of my summer musts. And I'm not alone: our resident ChickAdvisor outdoors enthusiast Spotty, was only too excited to help me compile a list of amazing outdoor adventure spots guaranteed to impress.But where to start? True wilderness lovers ask only for an open trail and a knapsack full of trail mix and VitaminWater. Since it may take some convincing to get your... | ||
Read Full ArticleParis Street Fashion Spotting true Parisians solely by judging the clothing on their backs and the shoes on their feet is like playing the easiest game of ‘Where’s Waldo’, in which Waldo is standing dead center in an empty park wearing Hermes. Not to say that all Parisians wear Hermes. However, the key to successfully spotting a ‘Sophie’ on the streets of Paris is this: faux pas. Though the term is of French origin, it seems funny to associate it with any Parisian woman as they rarely ever make them. And... | ||
Read Full ArticleSweet Summery Smoothies When I began the research to determine the defining characteristics of a smoothie, I was surprised how descriptions focused more on health benefits than on taste. What I considered to be a snappy, pick-me-up-and-go blend of fruit, yoghurt and juice was broken down to a beneficial beverage laden with dietary fibre, vitamins and nutrients. Clearly, people take their smoothies very seriously and are not interested in blurring the line between smoothie and milkshake. Thankfully, I am a... | ||
Read Full ArticleThe Pale Skin Trend: How to Protect Your Look Centuries ago, one of the hottest fashion trends was having light white skin. Today, thanks to the cool factor now associated with Vampires, pale skin is back in. But it’s not just Twilight star Robert Pattinson that has us considering ditching our tanning beds for bite-worthy pale skin. At the 2009 Fall/Winter fashion shows, many models donned the porcelain chic look and we are seeing more and more milky white celebs on the red carpet. With so much focus on the damage the suns UV rays can... | ||
Read Full ArticleHat Trick: Tips & Trends As if fighting skin cancer, wrinkles, and a bad-hair day weren’t reason enough to don a brim – hats are the go-to accessory this summer.Anyone who has ever burned their scalp, and had to suffer through the pain of subsequent brushing, or the day when their entire part peels off - just once is enough to swear on a silk headscarf ‘never again!’ - will rejoice that this summer hats are as stylish as ever.This summer’s hat trend is all about protecting your scalp, face, ears and neck from... | ||
Read Full ArticleBest of Deodorants & Anti-Perspirants It's Monday morning and you have an important presentation to make to the big wigs upstairs. The elevator is crowded and someone has a bad case of B.O. Surely it's not ... you?You won't get far if you're wafting eau de locker room like a nebula of nasty. We checked out the top-rated anti-perspirants and deodorants on ChickAdvisor for you:1. Dove Ultimate ClearCost: $5ishYou love the variety of mild scents and the non-irritating ingredients which can even soothe a bad case of... | ||
Read Full ArticleBudgeting for your Big Day So you're engaged! Congratulations! As your newly engaged glow starts to fade and you get into the nitty gritty of planning the biggest day of your life, you may find that what we call the wedding "money train" is lurking just around the corner. When clients come in to meet with me, I typically find that their budget expectations are grossly underestimated. The average wedding cost in Canada is approximately $24,000; however, that figure is much higher when you get married in an urban... | ||
Read Full ArticleRaspberry & Honey Creme Brulee Treat yourself and a friend to this classic french custard with twist. An impressive dessert that's surprisingly easy to make and tweak using your favourite seasonal fruits!Preheat oven to 325F. Whisk together Yolks and Honey until smooth, add whipping cream and vanilla. Divide mixture into 2 ramekins, and place in a casserole dish. Pour boiling water into casserole dish until water is half way up the ramekins. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden.Meanwhile, heat raspberries and honey in a... | ||
Read Full ArticleBest Books for the Beach I have 2 requirements for vacation: peace and quiet. The frantic pace of life makes taking time off to run around sightseeing or outlet shopping seem more stressful than it really ought to be.No. My idea of vacation is setting my feet in the surf, a large umbrella overhead, a flamboyant cocktail in one hand and a great book in the other. Here are my must-reads for Summer '09:ChicklitThe very best beach fare is light, fun and slightly ridiculous. My top nod simply must go to Sophie... | ||
Read Full ArticleHow to Plan Your Best Backyard Bash When summer arrives, our favourite thing is hosting back yard parties. But how to entertain without spending hours at the grill (we hate to sweat) or all night in the kitchen (we mustn’t miss out on the gossip)? Easy! Whether you have a sprawling garden, a city patio or a bijoux balcony, here are some ideas that will have your friends talking for weeks:Set the Scene - Simple details that will transform your outdoor space into the perfect backdrop:* For a rustic look, put fresh flowers in... | ||
Read Full ArticleYour Summer Beauty Makeover: Our Expert's Tips What is the remedy for pale, lack-luster skin? A sexy summer glow, and that is what summer skin is all about. Sun-kissed skin looks healthier, more radiant. Summer is a time when makeup should look effortless, never cakey or heavy. Bring sexy back to your skin this summer with these makeup must-haves!Tinted Moisturizer with SPFMy Pick: Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20Put away heavy foundations and even out your skin tone with a tinted moisturizer. I really love... | ||
Read Full ArticleBest of Member Advice: Love, Lust, & Relationships Relationships, whomever they involve, are a cornerstone in our lives. They can be messy, fulfilling, complicated, refreshingly simple - sometimes all of the above. One thing is certain: the perfect relationship does not exist.Where do you turn when you need solid counsel? We rounded up some of the best no-nonsense advice found on the ChickChat forum here on ChickAdvisor.On Love...A guy friend I’ve known for years tried to make a move on me, even though I have a boyfriend!... | ||
Read Full ArticleMadame Paree: Meet the Parisian Woman Sophie-noun1. The French version of Sophia.2. A thin beautiful woman mostly found smoking and avoiding food at all costs.3. The stereotypical Parisian woman.Before arriving in Paris, one can nearly guarantee that a rendezvous with one of many Sophies is inevitable. What one doesn’t expect is to come across enough Sophies to fill the date book of any attractive and eligible man for at least a decade. (Or woman, if they’re so inclined.) However, before you tattoo your date book with several... | ||
Read Full ArticleBalmshell Cosmetics: Interview with the Twin Founders Balmshell girls, Jennifer and Fiona Lees, 31 are identical twins. The blonde sisters finish each other's sentences, exude the same feisty energy and share the same vision to create the best lip gloss on the market.The similarities don't stop there. Jen and Fiona got engaged on the same day and are both getting married this year. But before you get too excited, there will not be a double wedding - one is in August, the other in November.What is especially remarkable about the pair is... | ||
Read Full ArticleFrugalista: Tips from a Coupon Ninja Once, they would have called you "cheap". Now, it's just plain smart.Saving money wherever you can has gone from Gran & Gramp's penny pinching casseroles to the modern frugalista. It's gotten so popular, you might soon be invited to a home party seminar. Huh? Think Tupperware party ... with coupons.However, there is much more to saving a buck than simply clipping and redeeming. You could save so much money, it feels like stealing! And after the first time you make it out... | ||