Archive for the ‘Contests & Giveaways’ Category
July 27, 2007
Filed Under (Contests & Giveaways) by Angela Chih
Boy, there sure are a LOT of people who love to barbecue! Thank you for the submissions everyone! Even though I’d like to give a book to all of those who entered the contest, there’s unfortunately only one winner, and that is: Matthew J. Brock from Tucson, Arizona with his lively email: I Scream! Ice Cream!
Stay tuned for many more contests to come! Click here to see what else is up for grabs!
July 25, 2007
Remember that scene in Moulin Rouge! The point is that the absinthe made today by Pascal Rolland, who revived it in 1999, goes through a distillation process that makes it perfectly safe for consumption, and in fact has gone on to become internationally prized. It was his daily contact with the powerful aromas of absinthe in his cellars that Monsieur Rolland first entertained the idea of using its scent in a perfume. Knowing that he would need a specialist for the job, Pascal sought the expertise of a renowned “aromatician†from Grasse (the perfume capitol of France), Marc Villaceque. Famous for his skills as a grand nez (a “great noseâ€), Monsieur Villaceque was seasoned in the practice of cold extraction, heat concentration, and alembic distillation, and was therefore able to attain a pure essence of the absinthe plant. Into a concoction it went, along with 50 other essences (including cannabis) that made up Absolument Absinthe. The perfume was originally intended for personal use as Pascal is quite particular about what he likes to wear. It was only after pressing requests from his friends and associates that he finally decided to bring his secret alchemy to the public. Now you can also wear the “forbidden†essence of absinthe in what Pascal calls his “Skin Perfume.†Skin Perfumes are the latest trend in the world of smells. What it means is that the perfume will adapt itself to the scent of one’s particular skin. I really had doubts about this, but I compared the smell of the perfume on me to that of my hubby and it honestly did give off a different scent! The science behind the making of perfumes is truly fascinating. On a man, Absolument gives off a muskier note while on me, it clearly smelled like something made for a woman. I recommend you give it a try, even if it’s just for fun because you’ll be surprised. Go to the perfume counter at Holt Renfrew and test it out with the ribbon that Pascal uses in the video. Don’t spray it into the air to smell the scent because it will be very different from that which will develop on your own skin. Pascal recommends you apply fragrances on pulse points: Nape (behind the ears), inner elbows, wrists, and behind the knees. Avoid perfuming the triangle that is formed by the solar plexus (breasts) and the shoulders and never layer two different perfumes or change your fragrance during the day. I took this opportunity to also ask Pascal what the differences were between all the different types of perfumes and this is what I learned: Perfume Extracts are the ones that are extremely expensive because they contain pure essence. Eau the Parfum is diluted but still very concentrated (Absolument is an example with 20% concentration). After those, we get the lighter products such as Eau the Toilette with a concentration of about 5 to 8% and finally Eau Légère, with only about 2 or 3% concentration.
July 24, 2007
Filed Under (About Town, Contests & Giveaways) by Angela Chih
I wonder if mall retail sales spike when the weather is bad. Do you notice the lack of parking at shopping centres when it’s wet and gloomy outside? The people at Diet Coke must’ve gotten the scoop from the Almighty because they chose this past weekend to descend upon Metropolis at Metrotown with their truckload of freebies. In case you didn’t know, the calorie-free soft drink is turning 25 this weekend (oh c’mon, this tidbit of info might just win you a game of Trivial Pursuit one day!). In celebration, a team has been dispatched to travel to eight malls across the country to set up ‘Diet Coke Lounges.’ What this really means is a lot of free soda, and what those Coast Capital Savings commercials tell us is true: Research shows that people like things that are free. The sea of people that swarm those that give out free products may seem intimidating but I was killing time, so I joined in and managed to get up to the stand. Even though the fella behind the counter couldn’t open the cans fast enough to meet the demand (about 4,000 cans a day), he was still able to chat with me.
Diet Coke marked the first time the flagship brand name Coca-Cola was ever put on another product after almost 100 years. It very quickly became the largest selling low-calorie soft drink in America and a massive international rollout began – branded as Coca-Cola Light in some countries (it’s amusing how names, bottles, even colours can change depending on the country a product is being marketed to… never quite saw the point). Once it was obvious that people wanted options besides the original, a stream of new diet soft drinks came into the market: The same year saw the introduction of caffeine-free Diet Coke, along with caffeine-free Coca-Cola and caffeine-free TAB; in 1986, Diet Cherry Coke was launched; in 2001, it was Diet Coke with Lemon, followed three years later by Diet Coke with Lime; finally you may remember Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke from a couple of years ago. To be honest, they should have sat back and relaxed after their initial success. Those subsequent creations were a bit of a stretch for me. I personally opt for Coke Zero (which appeared last year) because it somehow tastes more like the original (I swear it’s true). I can’t verify the validity of this claim, but the magical World Wide Information Super Autobahn informs me that Diet Coke uses the ‘New Coke Formula’ of 1985 while Coke Zero uses the ‘Classic Coke Formula’ (think Futurama’s ‘New Slurm’). If you pay attention to the ads, you’ll notice that Zero with its black can is targeted to the male audience (recall the current commercial with the pilot dreaming that he’s drinking Coke with zero calories and is flying upside down), while Diet Coke in a silver can (originally white) is clearly marked for the women (remember the series of ’11:30 AM Diet Coke Breaks’ with the studly construction worker?). The reasons for this are obvious but intriguing nonetheless. So if you’re jonesing for a Diet Coke or two, take a look at the tour schedule below and see if the Lounge is coming to your city. If you’re a Coke junkie, this is an easy way to cut back on all the sugar (about 11 teaspoons in one can of regular Coke) without kicking the habit. Remaining Tour Stops: July 27 – 29: EDMONTON, AB – Southgate Mall, Centre Court
July 19, 2007
“Cooking, like sex and dancing, is a pleasure best shared. This is a book about what two people can do with their own four hands, and not a lot of time.” James Barber Have you ever banned others from the kitchen and have slaved over a stove, following every single ingredient measurement to the milligram and millilitre, only to find yourself with a disappointing meal and a loss of appetite? I have! I’ve thrown away many a dish in frustration and have pretty much given up on cookbooks. This one’s a little different though. If you know The Urban Peasant, you also know that he doesn’t like to fuss about in the kitchen. He cooks by the pinches and dashes and likes to get his hands into the mix. Just hearing him talk about food can make you salivate and you can rest assured that with a cookbook by him, you won’t need to make a trip to the only ultra trendy market that carries some unpronounceable herb or spice. Cumin is just about as exotic as you’re gonna get! For many people out there (I’m pointing at my hubby), vegetables don’t really make it onto the dinner menu, so in our featured dish, James Barber offers a quick and easy way to dress up a plate of green beans. I like my sauce a little on the chunkier side so I requested it this way, but if you want a more liquid consistency to your sauce, simply add more olive oil to the mixture. That’s the beauty of real cooking. You add what you want, in the amount that you want, and don’t have to conform to a set of rules and measurements. You’ll find that cooking becomes less of a chore and you might actually want someone else in the kitchen with you! The new revised edition of Cooking for Two With 14 chapters of recipes, the famous celebrity chef proves that there are no limitations when cooking for two. The book isn’t as stylized as some cookbooks out there but then again, it contains recipes that you can actually make successfully the very first time. I think that’s a fair trade-off! For the recipe of our featured dish, and to learn how you can win a copy of James Barber’s Cooking for Two
July 19, 2007
Filed Under (Contests & Giveaways) by Angela Chih
Thank you all for sharing your worst makeup blunders with me! The response was incredible, which shows just how much a book like this is necessary! After careful consideration, the winner has been chosen, and here is her story: Dear Dabbler, I can’t find the picture but I guess it’s better that there’s no evidence of this makeup crime. In the winter, I would lose my summer tan, so instead of wearing blush like normal people would to brighten their skin up, I would use self-tanner. But not any self-tanner. I would use one that was for the legs/body and use it on my face. The result: Well, I looked like a carrot. Since it takes a few hours to set, you can’t really see, so I would put more and more and even more on. The next morning I would smell and be orange, so I would try to tone it down by washing my face…didn’t really work. I had to try and let it fade naturally, which left me looking splotchy and orangy and pale all at once! My friends would ask if I was feeling ok because I looked orange, my mother-in-law asked if I had a stomach virus and why my skin was orange, and did she want me to take a look at it (because she’s a dermatologist). On top of that, I wore chalky bright eye shadow (mostly blues) because I didn’t see the point of fall/winter makeup. I felt neutral shades washed me out and wanted to inject colour to my face. I knew my orange-ness was from the sunless tanner but I wouldn’t stop because I didn’t want to be pale. Then I would wear chalky-unblended shadow with horrible blending skills and weird matt lipstick. I would also overpluck my eyebrows so they would be very thin and start past my tear duct. I need lots of help with blending, choosing the right foundation, applying blush without looking like a clown, picking the right bronzer and applying it, and achieving a great polished look. Well, I enjoy your site, keep up the good work! Truly embarrassed, Kristina
Stay tuned for many more giveaways to come! Click here to see what else is up for grabs!
July 17, 2007
We’ve all had to endure someone else’s snoring at one point or another. If you’re lucky, this is a rare occurrence, but there are many out there who have partners that keep them awake at all hours of the night. Until now, there have been expensive and impractical methods of treatment, but a Vancouver man has come up with a simple solution to your or your partner’s snoring problems. If you find it impossible to have a good night’s sleep due to persistent snoring, and can’t afford the usual treatments, click on the video to learn more about this condition from Dr. Najib Ayas, followed by Sean Kerklaan’s personal story and how he developed the Anti-Snore Shirt.
July 17, 2007
Filed Under (Contests & Giveaways, Food & Wine) by Angela Chih
Or if you can’t wait just buy the book here.
July 13, 2007
Filed Under (Contests & Giveaways) by Mad Morten
Or you can just buy The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman To find out more about the book, read the article here.
July 12, 2007
Set it and forget it! That’s why you want to start plank grilling. With BBQ season well under way, here’s a unique twist to your favourite summer pastime. In The Art of Plank Grilling: Licked by Fire, Kissed by Smoke Things to keep in mind when plank grilling: * Keep the temperature low and let the food cook a little bit longer Plank grilling can also be done in your oven: Soak your plank as usual, and set your oven to 350 degrees. Place the plank in a deep baking or cookie sheet and fill the reservoir with an inch or two of water (just enough that the plank begins to float). Put the food on the plank and bake it at a consistent 350 degrees. You’ll want to make sure that the pan always has some water in it so that you don’t ignite it and set your stove on fire! You will get the smell of the type of wood you’re using throughout your house so if that’s a concern, be sure to open all the windows. Other things you’ll learn from the book: What equipment to use, the evolution/revolution of planking, the varieties of planks, what a “Holy Plank†is, plank with legs, plank boxes, planking on gas vs. charcoal, cautionary tips, planning tips, and tons of recipes, from soups, to ribs, to cakes! If plank grilling is new to you, Ted suggests you try out his signature Salmon recipe. Read on for details:
July 04, 2007
It’s an extremely easy read. It’s so uncomplicated and full of vibrant colours that it could easily be a coffee table book. You would be able to pick up a quick tip just by opening to a random page. I just gave it a go and got page 74, which is a section of the book that has advise for Asian women (now THAT is an insane coincidence!). In addition to the topics within each chapter, “Quick Tip†and “Fast Fix†boxes are interspersed throughout the book. In this particular page, the Fast Fix reads: “Asian eyelashes tend to point downward (that’s me!), but if you curl them, you’ll create an eye-opening effect. For best results, don’t use a conventional lash curler that crimps your entire upper lash line at once. Instead use a small, half-inch (or so) curler. It better allows you to follow your natural lash-line curve for beautiful results. Afterward, apply waterproof mascara, which will hold your curl longer than regular mascara.†I found these random tidbits of information quite enjoyable. They’re fun and provide bonus information that you didn’t even know you needed. Here’s another taste from the “Skin Essentials†chapter: |
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when Ewan McGregor’s gang have a little too much fun with a fluorescent substance that makes the “Green Fairy†appear and sends them spiraling down the rabbit hole? That’s absinthe, or rather, what the myth surrounding it has led you to believe. Originally a wildly popular drink in Europe, absinthe was banned in the early 20th Century as a result of claims that it posed serious health hazards. Hallucinations, madness, and even death were linked to the mystical substance. This subject has been plagued with controversy and there are many accounts of why it was or wasn’t poisonous and harmful to those who consumed it. You could spend all day trying to dig into its history, but I wouldn’t suggest it as it is incredibly complicated and can become overly scientific very fast. That is not what this piece is about. If you want to learn more, check out 
is filled with over 140 recipes from simple appetizers like Garlic Mushrooms to scrumptious desserts like Caramel Apples on Puff Pastry. Throughout the book, you’ll also find useful tips such as how to avoid overcooking fish (fish needs to be cooked between 8 and 9 minutes per inch of thickness, measured at the thickest part). And in true 
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