only sold in the US of A

Why do some products only get released in the USA, and not here in Canada. Two summers ago, I discovered Vaseline's Cocoa Butter Gel Body Oil and I stocked up. It's great to use this product when you have a glowing tan, it also helps from further peeling. Now as I am skimming through my guilty pleasure magazine (US Weekly), I see that Vaseline has come out with an aloe gel body oil. Why oh why can't they just sell both these products here in Canada???

I am going to double check the drugstores but I am pretty sure that they don't sell the gel oils here. I am going to have to wait until the next Buffalo trip or just settle with Johnson's baby aloe gel oil. I don't know about you but I am tired of smelling like a baby when I don't even have one =)

fabFive for the week of March 30

Another start to a semi-busy week. I have to work late tomorrow and Wednesday. I also have to work all day Saturday but that means a lieu day in the summer. Summer seems so far from now considering it was hella windy and cold today.

My office building had a false fire alarm and the IT guy was doing updates on our computer so I had two hours to kill this afternoon. I went to the video game store nearby to see if they had a screen protector for DS but no luck and then I put in half an hour of AC time. The other 75 minutes I actually did non-related computer work.

Anyhoo...here is my playlist for this week...

FabFive Songs (Mar 30)

geek night / earth hour

Tonight Reggie and Maureen came over for Geek Night. Mike and Reggie fixed up their macbooks and Maur and I played Animal Crossing. I think that the boys got a kick out of us girls screaming over how cute our characters looked visiting each other.

Now the whole idea of geek night started a few weeks ago when Mike and Reggie hung out but after reading Reggie's blog post of Mac and Cheese, I wanted to invite him over so that he could try my version. Maureen ended up in the mix when she invited herself over, LOL! It was her idea that I should try to make some creme brulee so for the first time, I tried Toblerone creme brulee. Both turned out very good. See photos below...



Between the mac and cheese and dessert, we spent Earth Hour at the candlelit dining room table with charged up DSs and laptops. Yes, I know it's probably defeating the purpose of Earth Hour but we were not using any electricity. It's almost 1 am and Geek Night is almost coming to an end. Reggie has left already and Maur is just watching Taken.

AC Note - mo.par and JT came to visit L.A. but unfortunately, Leesh and Ross were not able to visit lalaland. I got some cool things from Maur's character - a white veil, two cabana lamps, a modern sofa and a beach table. I have decided that I am going to keep my cabana set on the first floor and change the second floor from different fruit sets to a modern set. With the change in set, I will have to start collecting the furniture. Luckily, flea market is coming. Also, I got a quick preview from time travelling, in April the trees that don't bear fruit become Cherry Blossom trees. So pretty!

random thoughts

I haven't blogged since Tuesday. Why? I am so uninspired. I don't know what to write about. There are days when I could write more than a couple of posts in one day and then there are days when I draw a blank.

Since I don't know what to write about, I will talk about 1) last night at Ten 2) my upcoming weekend 3) Animal Crossing - see, it's all about garbage. So only read if you are extremely bored.

1) Ten

After work I met Maureen at Ten for $5 martinis (Purple Rain, Hypnotiq Cosmo, Sex and the City and Drunken Peach) and 1/2 appetizers (Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta Ten - Tomato, basil pesto and goat cheese, Taste of Ten - brie fondue, spring rolls, smoked salmon blini and crispy garlic drumettes). Darren met us two hours later. They caught up while I listened and we capped off the night again with Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with raspberries and ice cream. Oh ya, Maur and I did play a little DS, jsut a sneak peek before Geek Night.

2) My weekend

This week has not been busy but I am drained. I don't know why. I plan tonight to plop myself on the couch or bed and watch the episodes that I missed this week - Lost, Idol (only because they sang Motown), Grey's and Private Practice. Saturday morning, Mike and I are planning to check out a secret store. I am not telling you what it is until we have checked it out. In the afternoon, lunch with Steph & Jay and then in the evening, it's GEEK NIGHT with Reggie and Maureen. Sunday I am going to visit my brother (it's 9 months) and hopefully relax for most of the day.

3) Animal Crossing - Wild World

Otherwise known as AC or ACWW. I have got two other people hooked - Maureen and Marie. Last night while at Ten, Maur and I pulled out our DS and showed each other our towns (L.A. and Lalaland). I got to meet mo.par and JT and she met Leesh and Ross. Here I am thinking that everyone's town look alike, well...I was wrong. Maur's town is so different than mine. She has so much rivers and ponds (better for fishing) and very cute animal friends. I am so jealous. I love how JT has an afro. I can't wait to see Marie's town.

Yes, some can say that I am obsessed with AC and I will be the first to admit that I am. I play this damn game on the GO train to and from work, when I get home and before I go to sleep. All my free time is consumed by this game and I don't care. Call me a geek, call me a nerd, call me a kid but if you played it yourself, you would be addicted too! I do read cheats, I do search for hints, I do talk on the phone with Maur about it and I do tweet with Marie about it too. I am not embarrased and I am proud to be a gamer!!!

Here are some helpful hints:

• In the beginning if you need bells - shake all the trees, collect the fruit and sell it to Tom Nook. If you shake some of the trees with no fruit, you may get money bags or furniture. Beware: each day there are three beehives in the trees.
• After you finish working for Tom, buy a shovel and a fishing pole. The shovel can help you dig up fossils (bring them to the owl at the museum but don't dontate, sell it to Tom) and the fishing pole will help you catch fish to also to sell to Tom.
• When you have paper, write letters to the other animals in your town and attach a piece of fruit to send to them. When they write you back, hopefully they will send you a different piece of fruit. Plant this fruit and watch it grow. Shake the tree and plant some more. You could also sell the fruit to Tom for 500 bells. Whatever fruit you started the game with, Tom will only buy for 100 bells.
• If you buy insurance from Lyle for $3000, every time a bee stings you, you will get $100 in the mail.
• On Saturday nights after 8:30 pm, go to the cafe in the museum and see the dog playing on stage. Let him choose the song to play and he will give it to you after his performance. You can then add the song if you have some type of music player in your house.

I could go on forever...

Before I call it a post, I want to apologize to "Boss". I know that I said I would buy AC - City Folk for Wii but I am having too much fun with the ability to play AC no matter where I am. Since you loved City Folk so much, you should buy Wild World for your DS so you can also play anytime, anywhere. P.S. I hope your house is coming along quite nicely. I have only heard good things from the other Steph.

my playlist of G

I have created a playlist of some of the songs that remind me of my brother. There is this one song that I remember he told me about - Final Fantasy, This is the Dream of Win and Regine. He saw this guy play I think in Montreal, and G said that he played a sick violin. This guy plays a Mariah Carey song on the violin and then loops it. I couldn't add it to my playlist so here is the video of it:



I know that there are a ton of other songs but this is it for now. ADUBS - some of these songs aren't songs that G actually listened to but for some reason I think of Gino when I hear it.

Songs that remind me of Gino

acww pals

acww = animal crossing wild world

I am so excited. I now have a friend (or two) who I can play acww with on DS. I can't wait for the day where we can play through wi-fi or some DS connection. I called up the friend who just bought the game and in a rushed, high-pitched voice told them of all the stuff you can do while playing the game. I am such a loser (I have even downloaded cheats and hints).

*Sorry, the friend knows who they are, I just didn't want tell the whole world that they will now become a loser like me*

Happy Gaming!

chocolate tasting

About two weeks ago, I blogged about a trip to the Lindt Outlet . The post included a photo of everything we bought. Over the weekend when Hey Baby (JP) & Papi (Lyn) came over for dinner, we sat at the dining table and tried a bunch of chocolates:

A Touch of Sea Salt Bar - also known as Excellence Fleur de Sel. Mike and I like this bar because Mike loves anything salty (margaritas) and I love the combination of sweet and salty. Lyn doesn't like this combination and JP was shocked that with the first bite how much salt he tasted.

Excellence Chili Bar - Lyn and JP liked this bar. I think that this was their favorite. Mike and I hated it. I actually got a headache from it and it felt like there was a coating of pepper in the inside my mouth.

Excellence White Coconut Bar - This bar is not available in Canada but it's Mike's favorite. Lyn likes it because it's sweet. I don't like white chocolate and JP doesn't like coconut.

It was kinda cool that we sat there and tasted the chocolates. It was like a wine tasting. I think I want to do this everytime we have people over for dinner. Who needs dessert when you can have a chocolate tasting.

old navy metallic flip flops

These Old Navy flip flops are my new love. My last poll was about how many Old Navy flip flops you own. Most people have 1-3 pairs, but me, I own more than five. I have four of the metallic ones in black, pearl, gold and navy and then I have others. Mike and I are flip flop whores so we have a milk crate of them in our storage locker.

The metallic ones are slightly different from the usual flip flops Old Navy sells. I find that these ones are more cushiony and softer on the feet. Plus, since they are metallic -- they look much more dressier. If you can only pick up one pair, I would suggest getting the gold ones.

some old photos

Someone on Twitter mentioned that they found a bunch of clubbing picture so it made me look at one of my old online photo album and I came across this one. This was taken at the 3rd annual BC Crew Kris Krngle party. I think this was taken in 2000 or 2001.

Here's a picture on the BC Crew trip to Cancun in May 2000. This was taken on our last day.

Mike and I at Power Bar - way, way back in the day...

At Guvernment with Mike's friends

product review: mac cremesheen glass

This is my new favorite lip gloss - MAC's Cremesheen Glass. I was never a fan of lipglass, I found it too gloppy and sticky but cremesheen - well, it stays true to its name. It's creamy but has a sheen to it - plain and simple. It's non-sticky and has just a hint of colour. It's also not super glossy and shiny. To me, it's very simliar to Lipgelée but cremesheen glass has an applicator instead of having to apply it straight from the tube or use your finger. At the moment I have Looks Like Sin but I plan to get a few more shades.

[ blarkness rating: 5/5 ]

my music on imeem

Instead of doing my monthly FabFive on rotation, I am trying something new. I just joined IMEEM and am still figuring out what I can do with my profile and what the site has to offer. Here is me fooling around and putting together a playlist of the songs I am listening to these days. I have to admit, I have not made an effort to see what new artist and songs are out there (my brother was my source of getting new music) but with IMEEM, I may be able to get with the program again.

FabFive Songs

i know you oh too well

Last night, I went for dinner with my best guy friend, Darren. I guess our dinner could be called my belated birthday dinner. Anyway, it was a chance for us to catch up since I think the last time I saw him was in the beginning of January. We always talk about all sorts of stuff but one topic (which was like a game to me) was he wanted me to tell him what I think he looks for in a girl. So, I went through all physical attributes, personality, style, etc...and at the end of my list, he said I was 99% right. I was pretty impressed with myself and it just proves that I truly know my friends. He made his comments about what I had said and then I told him, "So basically, you are looking for someone like me but a white version". We just looked at each other and started laughing... Here is the Honey Fried Banana with ice cream dessert we had a Thai Princess on King Street.

welcome little one!

Congrats to Mare and Bruce who welcomed their new baby girl, Mileah Joy into the world on March 7. I can't wait to meet this cutie...

Not sure who she looks like yet because you can never tell with pictures.

yummy cookies

While I was waiting for my flight to Ottawa last week, I came across Martha Stewart's Cookies book. Oh, I was in heaven just looking at the photos. See, a cook book/recipe book isn't a true one unless if has a picture of the final product. I salivated as I looked at each picture. This is definitely a book that I need to get. Too bad my birthday and Christmas have passed already. Oh wait, I still have a Chapters gift card from my work. hmmm...

I hope that if I do pick up this book, it will inspire me to bake.

facebook - NOT

And the votes are in. This poll had the highest numbers of voters. Facebook is a HOT subject but not hot enough for me to join. I will listen to my readers and not join. The results were out of 11 voters - 4 were for me joining facebook and 7 were against it.

I will continue with my blogging and twittering. I will continue to enjoy the facebook albums that people send to me. I will continue to secretly still use my cousin's account to lurk around my brother's page. And when the time comes, I will have to rely on the St. Helen's girls to connect me to all our friends to plan the reunion.

Until the day comes when I really, really cave in and join facebook, please continue to read my blog and maybe I should look into posting more photos (because everyone loves looking at photos).

good conversations

Last night, I spoke with one of my brother's friends, B. Kelly. I haven't talked to him in a while. He normally calls Mike and talks to him but I was surprised when B.K. called while I was in Ottawa. I called him back last night and we just talked about life. I told Brian that talking to him felt like I was talking to Gino.

It's weird. I think that I have been okay for some time, only because I was extremely busy with work. Now that the competition is over, it's given me a lot of time to think. I'm still in denial that my brother is no longer here and I keep going over in my head, why he did what he did. Will I ever find an answer? No. This is what I have to live with every day, not knowing why he is gone. I am sure this is what my parents and Gino's friends go through too. I sometimes wish that we had an answer so that we can put it to rest and accept Gino's choice. One thing I can live with is that wherever Gino is, he is resting peacefully rather than being tormented by the day to day pressures of life that was eating at him.

To Gino's friends - thanks for keeping me sane by including me in your lives and keeping the spirit of my brother alive.

back from ottawa

I am so glad to be back home. The mock trial competition was a huge success. Everything went seamlessly and I got to cap off last night with two bellinis. I was exhausted but able to make it to all you can eat sushi with Gino's friends. I ate like a champ since I barely ate all weekend while in Ottawa. I am too nervous about everything that I just can't eat. Now that the competition is over, it's a huge weight lifted off my shoulder. I can get back to my regular life. I missed my friend's stagette & bridal shower and also another friend's birthday party - really pissed that I missed these events because of work. I am looking forward to drinks with Dee, lunch with Elena, seeing my mom and dad and lastly, a day to myself since I am taking tomorrow off. I am thinking of watching a movie or getting my nails done (most of them broke over the weekend and I was without a nail file).

lego las vegas

(You have to say/sing it like Viva Las Vegas - Lego Las Vegas)

I am watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 and the family are in Legoland, California. They showed a bit of the Las Vegas in Miniland, USA so out of curiosity, I had to google it so I could see more.

DamnCoolPics' blog had a good series of pictures. I am so amazed that the replica of Vegas is all built with lego. My favorite picture (and those who have been to Vegas will laugh) is the one of the guys who flick those damn flyers of naked women (see photo above, courtesy of the above mentioned blog).

happy birthday x 3

I won't be around so a happy birthday to Jes, Michael and Carla. I hope you guys have an awesome day whatever you plan on doing.

Also, there is a girl who will be celebrating a lot this weekend - I am so sorry that I am not able to make it to your festivities but I know that you will have the time of your life!!!

i dislike ottawa

Although I did live in Ottawa for a year and had many memorable moments, I have a real passionate hatred for our nation's capital. Ottawa to me is the most boring, nature-loving, flashback to history city. I have to go every year to this city to run an annual mock trial competition and this is the time of the year that I dread. I can't wait for this weekend to be over. It's going to be tough to be away from my husband, my home and the internet. Even if I did get wireless internet in my hotel room, I will be working 14 hour days. There will be no time for play, just all work. It's basically for two days - work, back to the hotel to eat, shower and sleep. I leave tomorrow at noon and I plan to go walk around the mall, which is very close to the hotel, then prepare for the next day, turn in and watch Survivor & Grey's Anatomy. Wish me luck and that I don't get reamed for things that are beyond my control. I do have to admit that I feel pretty confident that the weekend will be a success but you never know. See you in a few days...I will be MIA until Sunday night.

today's showstopper

I know that here is only an hour and a half left to order but if you are a ProActiv user, a 5 piece back to basics kit is the showstopper on The Shopping Channel. It's a great deal for $54.96. The usual 4 piece kit is $54.99 but with this showstopper, you get two bonuses - an smaller size of the renewing cleanser and a full size deep cleansing wash.

As I mentioned before, I am a truly believer in these products. I never had to worry about acne before but as an adult, it's a bit embarrassing and with ProActiv, it's more manageable. Happy Shopping!

to facebook or not???

After my reunion with my girlfriends and with the planning of our 20 year grade 8 reunion, I am toying with whether or not I should join facebook. I know it will be so much easier planning the reunion through facebook but I have lasted this long without joining and have managed to re-connect with some old friends. I know that I mentioned it before but Mike and I have this bet to see who can last the longest and not join. There is no prize, just bragging rights. What to do? What to do? If I join, I know that I will never hear the end of it from Mike, he will rub it in my face that I caved.

So not only am I hearing it from my elementary school friends to join, I hear it from Gino's friends and my cousins. Is it really worth it to join facebook when I already throw my life stories out there on this blog? Let me know what you think...vote on the poll above!!!

the bro-in-law speaks

I have known Jon since he was, I think 13. He never talks to me and if I say something to him, he turns away or can't look me in the eye. It really made my day when last Friday, I found that he was actually talking to me. And it wasn't me saying something to him first, he would actually initiate conversation with me. Mind you, it's just small talk about video games or something like that. Is this a stepping stone? YES!!! Anyone in the Solon family can tell you that this is a milestone event. LOL! The photo on the left was taken at Christmas 2006.

ABDC finale

I am glad Quest Crew won! I hope that I didn't spoil it for anyone. As much as I wanted from the beginning for Beat Freaks to win, Quest Crew each week proved that they are the Best Dance Crew.

NWT peeps

Ethan from 90210 is my homeboy. He is from the NWT!!! That's too funny. I read that he is from my hometown in this article.

yummy

Mike and woke up and went to to Henry's because our underwater digital camera is messed up. It's going back to Sanyo to get repaired. After Henry's, as promised, Mike drove to the Lindt factory in Mississauga. To the left is what we bought. We could have bought the entire store but we all need limits at some point. I know that you can't see the picture clearly but some of the flavours we got are pistachio, chocolate mousse, fleur de sel and chili. I can't wait to try them all. I really wanted this certain box that I blogged about before. I know that they sell it at Shoppers for $18.99 but I thought that it might be cheaper at the factory outlet. NOPE!!!! It's the same price so I figure I might as well buy it at Shoppers to get some points.


Next, we went for lunch at Sushi Tei. I plan to do a yelp review after I type up this blog post. We had only ordered some maki rolls. On the top left, Ocean's Roll, top right is Deep Fried California Rolls and at the bottom is Hawaiian Rolls. All were extremely delicious. It was such a satisfying lunch!

For the rest of the day I plan to iron, do some work, update my address book, play Animal Crossing while watching the ABDC marathon. I hear that Gossip Girl is on tonight. Not sure if it's that "All About Dorada" episode or a new one. I guess I will just wait and find out. I hope everyone had a good weekend and that you aren't pissed as I am that we lost an hour of sleep.

mini st. helen's reunion

I met up with my friends from elementary school, Yvette, Suzanne and Lori (Suzanne and Lori are twins). We were the inseparable crew who did everything together - sleepovers, borrowing clothes, colouring our hair, putting on makeup, going to parties at community centers, stalking boys (hahaha) and a bunch of bad stuff I really shouldn't mention. I have to admit that I was nervous waiting at earl's for everyone to arrive but after we all got settled in and started to catch up, it was like back in the good old days. It has been 16 years since I have last seen these girls and it was so much fun talking about the past and seeing pictures from all our escapades. We are now trying to plan a bigger reunion with our grade 8 class. The three girls are on facebook and are going to try to get in touch with everyone. At the end of the night, we all said that we are going to meet up again soon. The funny thing is, we actually all live pretty close to each other. It's weird that we never bumped into one another. After sitting at earl's for 6 hours just gabbing on about life, this was truly a once in a lifetime experience to reunite with old friends after so many years.


Here is a picture of us back in the day at our grade 8 confirmation ceremony. From left to right - Yvette, me, Duarte, Lori and Suzanne.

MAC love

I haven't purchased any MAC products in a while and then suddenly, I have a bunch of new things to play around with. From left to right (sorry for the crappy iPhone photo):



Fluidline in Macroviolet
Cremesheen glass in Looks like Sin
Blushcreme in Posey
Cremeliner in Pink Treat
Angled liner brush #266
Lipgelée in Moistly and Saplicious

I can't wait to try everything on before I go out tonight.

when was this taken?

Mike found this picture of me, him and moPar. I have no idea when or where this was taken. I have my theories but can't pinpoint it. We look so young...

product review: l'oreal double extension beauty tubes mascara

Stephanie from BlushPretty gave me a tube of L'Oreal's Double Extension Beauty Tubes mascara to try out. As you may have read in my other reviews of mascaras, I am not a big fan of the typical mascara brush. I much prefer plastic wand vs. actual bristles. With my first application, I wasn't too impressed. I am not one for applying a primer and then a mascara. Everyone has different mascara needs and I don't need primer. The mascara didn't do much for my lashes, it didn't volumize or curl but it did separate and lengthen though. There is no weird smell and there was no clumping. The downfall of this mascara was the removal of it. I used my everyday eye makeup remover (Almay's oil free makeup remover) and the mascara all came off in little clumpy pieces. I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing but I am use to it all coming off in smudges on a cotton pad not in pieces. I am going to give it another try and then give you my rating.

(I have one other Max Factor mascara to try but that will be in a few weeks, one can only have so many mascara tubes open and in use at once)

UPDATE #1: I take it back - the mascara is not that bad. It definitely separates and lengthens my lashes but I still dislike the two step process. I will have to assess the removal of it again tonight and then I will give my overall rating.

UPDATE #2: Could this be why I discovered all those clumpy pieces of mascara on the cotton pad? This is taken right from the link above:

Step 3: Beauty tubes remove easily with just warm water – no makeup remover or rubbing required!

UPDATE #3: I tried to remove the mascara from one eye with a cotton pad and warm water, it came off in clumps. The, I tried the other eye with my Almay remover and still clumps. I am so creeped out by the clumps.

| blarkness rating: 3/5 |

slumdog it is...

Of the 7 people who voted on my poll (what nominated oscar movie should I watch), 6 people said Slumdog and 1 person said Benjamin Button. I will try and watch Slumdog this weekend during my downtime.

I am quite excited because on Saturday, I will be meeting up with my elementary school friends who I haven't seen or spoken to since 1994. It's going to be an interesting night!

welcome little one!

Congratulations to Michael and Dianne! They welcomed their baby boy, Blake Archer this morning. Belle is going to have so much fun having a little brother around. I can't wait to meet the new addition to the Solon Sarmiento family. This baby is going to be spoiled since he is the first grandson on both sides.

ABDC - wow!

Not going to blog tonight...too much in awe at Quest Crew's performance...

back from DD Cottage

Mike and I just got back from an overnight stay at the Dysangco-Dario cottage. I will blog about my weekend after I sit and rest on the couch for a bit and after I watch ABDC.