Discover NEW Yummy Lip Gloss and Eau de Toilette Ranges From The Body Shop!

With spring just around the corner, The Body Shop is thrilled to introduce their NEW yummy range of Lip Glosses and delicious Eau de Toilettes!

Say hello to luscious lips with The Body Shop Lip Glosses! They've got 11 super-glossy, mouth-watering shades to choose from, each with a succulent fruity flavor to lift your mood. 

Your lips are left moisturized smooth and kissably soft thanks to their new formula enriched with vitamins E and B5 and Community Fair Trade organic virgin coconut oil. Perfect for a dewy spring look! 

The Body Shop Lip Gloss collection ($10 each) is available in-store and online now.

Now you can spritz on your favorite ingredient! The Body Shop  has captured the scents of your best-loved ingredients in a collectible new range of Eau de Toilettes.

Choose from eight addictive fragrances: Strawberry, Moringa, Coconut, Mango, Shea, Satsuma, Pink Grapefruit and Vanilla, each featuring extracts from nature. Simply spritz on your pulse points for a targeted burst of light and wearable scent. Be proud to wear your fave – day and night!

The Body Shop Eau de Toilette range ($14 each) is available in-store and online March 2013.

The Stars Are Shining At Sun Studio- Memphis

No tour of Memphis would be complete without a visit to Sun Studio. It is the shrine of country music recording; some of the greats such as Elvis, who recorded his first song there, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis have recorded there in the past.

Today the studio still records artists such as U2 and John Mellencamp, but it also serves as a museum, it is even recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

Sun Studio is one of the best reviewed Memphis attractions and attracts music lovers from around the globe. For many people a visit to Sun Studios is an emotional experience and the tour guides can get everyone excited about the place. 

This is a chance to learn a lot about history and get swept away in memory lane.

The Memphis Zoo

While in Memphis next month, Gerry and I will be visiting one of the best and most renowned Zoos in the United States-The Memphis Zoo. The zoo, which was established in 1906, has been ranking steadily as on the most popular zoos on the continent. It hosts modern exhibits that are very similar to the animal’s natural habitats.

The zoo houses numerous exhibits including Primate Canyon, Dragon’s Lair and an aquarium, just to name the very few of the 19 exhibits featured.

The exhibit that we are the most excited about is the China exhibit which is the home to Giant Pandas Ya Ya and Le Le. Although we always make an effort to visit animal themed attractions on our travels, we have never seen Giant Pandas and are incredibly excited to have this opportunity.

The Memphis Zoo is a modern zoo dedicated to conservation efforts, while at the same time providing visitors with an incredible experience. Any animal lover should take the opportunity to visit while in the area.

Welcome to The World of Buffets Inc

When travelling is it very important to see new places and have new experiences in them. 

While we are on our holidays in March, we are excited to try yet another ‘new to us’ restaurant series:  **Buffets Inc.

Buffets Inc. is a series of different restaurants under one flagship of sorts. Buffet meals are great while traveling as they allow you to try a little bit of everything and usually get some great value for the money. 

There are varieties of dietary options that are available to consumers which are valuable commodity in these days filled with dietary restrictions that many of us taste. Menus will vary by location visited which is pretty great as each as you travel you get to have some old favorites as well as treat your taste buds to some new and exciting experiences. 

We are excited to try local cuisine and see what Memphis has to offer.

**Buffets, Inc. - owners of Ryan's, Home Town Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Country Buffet, Fire Mountain, and Granny's. Their restaurants are family-friendly and offer guests a variety of choices to satisfy cravings and taste buds of all types.

An Added Note for Valentine's Day:

Their restaurants have hosted Family Nights every Thursday from 5 to 8 pm. During Family Nights, Kids 11 and younger eat for just 99 cents, plus they offer special activities, entertainment and menu offerings during this time. This year Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday, and therefore a Family Night and is an excellent way to bring the whole family out inexpensively!!

An Aquarium As A Therapy Item

Did you know that looking at an aquarium can be rather therapeutic for people who are stressed up with their lives? Well, I did not know that it is therapeutic until I happened to attend a medical convention not quite long ago. I was informed that more often than not, aquarium display tanks are being seen as an effective tool to calm people's nerves. I did not believe it then, but I suppose, there is truth in that as whenever I look at an aquarium display, I'd feel much relaxed and willing to temporarily accept that things are just the way they are, rather than get more upset or worried about whatever problems that I currently have in mind.

According to studies, contemplation of fish in an aquarium seem to have a significant effect in reducing levels of stress and anxiety. Scientifically saying, we are hypnotized by their peaceful and serene nature, creating a calming effect for a few moments in our hectic lives.

Feeling stressed up with your hectic lives and want that momentary calm whenever you get home? Well then, I suppose assembling an aquarium is much a better idea than a regular visit to the psychotherapists' office, considering that an aquarium can actually help you feel calm and relaxed whenever you look at them.

Want to assemble an aquarium but not sure where you should buy them? Well then, you might want to try Swallow Aquatics. They are not only selling aquariums, but they also have huge range of fish tank accessories for you to choose from. I'm more than sure that you'll be spoiled for choices should you decide to assemble your own aquarium, be it for decorative reasons or therapy purposes.

2013 Valentine's Day Gift Guide

It is not just the chill in the air but love as well. Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and it is the perfect opportunity for all the romantics out there to plan something extra special for their sweetheart.

While it is true that love should be expressed all year round, Valentine’s Day is just an opportunity to celebrate all the different types of love in our lives; romantic,  or friendship. Whether you are planning a grand gesture on this special day, or a small token of appreciation, remember that it does not matter is the gift is big or small, just as long as it comes from the heart.

Great Ideas for Valentine Gift Giving and Adding Some Sweetness to the Mix:

Red Vines and Natural Vines

www.redvines.com

www.naturalvineslicorice.com

Sweeten up Valentine’s Day without feeling guilty—Red Vines and Natural Vines are delicious, fat-free treats you can enjoy with your friends or special someone. Red Vines is a classic name in licorice, with a timeless formula, great memories and a wide variety of flavors to send this Valentine’s Day. Natural Vines is an all-natural and tasty premium licorice without guilt or mess, with bite size twists perfect for sharing.

Barkleys -             

Barkley's Edible Chocolate Conversations are all natural and gluten free chocolates made with real caramel, the perfect gift for your valentine! Chocolates come in a gift box with 12 "Edible Chocolate Conversations" on the chocolates including sayings "Hug Me", "Choose Me", I Love You", and "Kiss Me".
Currently available on Well.ca for $12.98 




Zazzle-

Valentine's Day mouse pads.
Your Valentine will love Zazzle's wide range of mouse pads- sure to liven up any work space and have YOUR Valentine thinking of you every time they look at it.
Also be sure to  check out their custom t-shirts, personalized gifts,posters, art and so much more. The site is full of great gift ideas for your Valentine!



Pet Smart-

For your  four-legged friends, PetSmart’s Luv-A-Pet collection has created a line of Valentine’s Day dog and cat toys and clothes sure to get someone’s heart beating … or tail wagging. Especially knowing  PetSmart donates 10% of the sales of these items to PetSmart charities in the US and Canada to help save homeless pets.

It’s the first time ever that the Luv-a-Pet line is available beyond the holiday season! This Valentine’s, give something that gives back. And whose heart wouldn’t melt for Pink and Heart Shaped Cat Toys, Caterpillar and Bug Dog Toys, Cupid and Bow Tie Themed Dog Socks, Heart and Arrow Themed Hair Bows, Dog Bow Ties, Animal Dog Toys with Heart Bellies, Ball Toys for Dogs and adorable Dresses and Tees.

Graceland: Memphis, Tennessee

One cannot visit Memphis without paying homage to Graceland. Being big Elvis fans, this will be one of the attractions that Gerry and I will be visiting while there next month.

Graceland was the home Elvis Presley and currently serves as a museum. It is now one of the most visited private homes in America. The meditation garden, which is part of the estate, is also the final resting ground for the king.

The grounds contain a museum which features, the famous jumpsuits, awards and even a jet liner named after Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie. Recently, two newer attractions have been added which are Private Presley and ’68 special exhibits. There are tours organised of the estate which focus on the various aspects of the performer’s life. The tour shows you private areas such as Elvis’s parents’ bedroom as well as the dining room and the kitchen, but it also illustrates sites such as the trophy room which is filled with Presley memorabilia.

This is truly the place to see for any Elvis fan. Although the years have passed, its popularity has not diminished, having been recently designated a National Historic Landmark.

This will be a "not to be missed adventure". 

February is Heart Month

The month of February is when many hearts go pitter patter, as they celebrate Valentine ’s Day. However, in Canada, heart disease and stroke silence one of these hearts every seven minutes. Practically, no one is immune, as over 90% of the population has at least one risk factor. During February, the Heart and Stroke foundations, raises awareness and funds to help combat these conditions. Help your spouse, parents, children and loved ones, by raising awareness about this killer. This special month be sure to protect your heart both figuratively and literally, after all hearts are never meant to be broken.

Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts:

The American Heart Association (AHA) has certified Planters Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts and Planters Lightly Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts with the Heart-Check mark! This certification officially recognizes these delicious nuts as a heart-healthy food, as a part of an overall healthy eating pattern.

Do you know just how powerful these little guys are? Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces, or about 16 peanuts a day, along with a healthy diet may decrease the risk of heart-disease. Now that’s a lot of love, for a little serving!

A New Place to Dine- Popeyes in Memphis

One of the best things associated with travelling is being able to eat in places that we do not have in the area in which we live. On every vacation we manage to find a new place to try. This year, on our trip to Memphis we will be trying out Popeyes. The restaurant boasts a taste of Louisiana in every meal, and since southern cooking is supposed to be delicious, we are very excited to dig in.

This chain of fast food restaurants is famous for their fried chicken, which is served in mild or spicy flavors with sides of Cajun cooking such as Cajun fires, mashed potatoes, Cajun style rice and Cajun gravy. 

The restaurant and was founded in New Orleans in 1972 and as of December 30, 2012, Popeyes had 2,104 operating restaurants in the United States, three territories, and 26 foreign countries.Exciting!

This will be a great opportunity to find out what half the world raves about.

The Peabody Hotel- Memphis

During our upcoming trip to Memphis in March, Gerry and I will be staying at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. We are very excited about the stay there because the hotel is gorgeous, decorated in a style of old elegance of Italian Renaissance Revival, and is the only historic hotel in the city. The hotel has been a mainstay of the city since the 1860’s, and is considered as one of the country’s most outstanding preservation case studies.

Since the hotel is centrally located in downtown Memphis it is very close to many of the cities attractions, Museums, Theaters and even Graceland, so I will not be bored when Gerry is busy with work obligations. Although it is richly decorated, the hotel offers all the modern amenities that we expect in a contemporary hotel.

The hotel itself offers a very unique attraction. The marble fountain in the main hotel lobby is graced with real, live mallard ducks that march into the fountain at 11 am and 5 pm daily. When not performing, they live in the Royal Duck Palace in the hotel’s rooftop. Needless to say duck is not served at the hotel restaurant.

We are really looking forward to seeing this example of southern hospitality.