HATE IT! The Television Apocalypse Has Been Scheduled

Yes, you read the headline correctly. TV execs have steeped so low as to regurgitate a premise that has seen its day, and should never have been 'refreshed'. 90210 is back, bitches! Time to duck & cover (and be sure to turn off your television!).

To make matters worse, the media machine is busily grinding and spewing out plenty of *ss-kissing trash such as the new cover of Nylon magazine (as well as US and Entertainment Weekly - for shame!). Isn't this zine supposed to be cool, on the cutting edge? With 90210 on the front? 'fraid not!

You have been warned. The apocalypse is scheduled for 8pm Tuesday. Avert your eyes if at all possible. As for me, I'll be hiding in a window-less room, with plenty of bottled water and a crank radio/flashlight hoping to weather the *hit storm that will follow the broadcast. Aaron Spelling must be turning over in his grave. 

WANT IT! Fast Food Earrings

I love Tiffany's more than most but I also ADORE fabulous, pop culture-rich trinkets such as these delish earrings from the Naughty Secretary Club. 

Want fries with that? Now you can!! And if you have an appetite for second helpings, you can also get some burger hair clips to complete your look! Jewellery was never so yummy!

RATE IT! Meg Ryan's Face

Just in time for her return to the big screen, ladies and gentlemen, let me re-introduce you to ...Meg Ryan's face!

Meg used to be America's celluloid sweetheart. Oh, so bubbly and adorable! Every female wanted Meg as their best gal pal, and every guy thought she was 'the one.' But at some point like many a Hollywood starlet, Ms. Ryan began to fret about aging. Off she tripped down the dark road of plastic surgery hell. Instead of "darling", she was called trout lips and at one stage, had the most eerie frozen visage...all plastic cheeks and odd puffiness. 

A few years later with no box office hits, Meg has returned looking...almost normal. This photo of Meg was taken in June of this year at an industry function in Beverly Hills. No more scary surgery face! Hello, gorgeous 47 year old hottie! Meg's latest effort, 'The Women', opens in theatres on September 12. One can't help but think the buzz won't be focused on the stellar all-female cast but Meg's new (and seemingly back to normal) face. 

Welcome back, Meg! We almost didn't recognize you!

(photo: Matt Sayles/AP Photo)

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Series 2 Preview!

Such a tease! Check out this extended preview for next Monday's 'Gossip Girl' season two premiere...SPOILER ALERT: includes the first minutes of the actual premiere (after a recap of season one).

WANT IT! Sex and the City - The Movie on DVD

Love it!

The release date for the 'Sex and the City' movie has been announced ...September 23.

The DVD cover is a bit troubling though...is Sarah Jessica Parker hiding a small Yorkie under that mane, or what? 

I, for one, will be buying! Oh, yes. 

WANT IT! Pump Up the Volume

Find that your iPod ear buds are just too wee?? Here's the solution -- ear buds on steroids! Absolutely freakin' brilliant!! I *LOVE* how wacky they look. 

Speakers with form and function!

RATE IT! List of the Day

I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if you've already discovered the play-all-day, fun around every corner website that is List of the Day.

During a web search, I stumbled across the site in the Spring, and cannot get my fill! Having a torturous day? Click on over to the site and your mood will suddenly get brighter! Recent hilarious posts include: America's 20 Worst Foods, 24 Movies We Walked Out On, and Top 20 Gymnast Crashes. 

List of the Day is updated daily and is always fresh and funny!

RATE IT! Gossip Girl - One Week To Go

As much as I hate to see the dawn of September with its last gasp of summer, the month redeems itself by offering up a dishy gift ~ the return of Gossip Girl.

On September 1st ~ only 7 days to wait ~ we re-join Blair, Chuck, Serena and Nate in Manhattan's summer playground, the Hamptons. The weather isn't the only source of heat, check out the intensity of Chuck's Blair-stare down!

For more steamy alliances, tune in Monday at 8pm on the CW or A Channel in Canada.

(photos: Giovanni Rufino/The CW)

HATE IT! Too Much Peroxide for Gwen?

Looks like Gwen Stefani's over-use of hair bleach is affecting her brain...case in point, her newborn baby's name.

Try this one on for size...Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale.

According to US Magazine, 'Zuma' is a tribute to the Cali beach of the same name.  'Nesta'...was part of Bob Marley's original name apparently - a nod to the couple's love of reggae and Jamaica (see also, the monicker of their first son, Kingston). Hmmm....okay, I *love* Dairy Queen ice cream treats, but I wouldn't name my sprog, Blizzard!

Don't any celebs name their kids, David or John anymore?

RATE IT! Canada's Adam Van Koeverden Pt. 2

Beijing's Summer Olympics wrapped up today and {ahem!} yes, I was very vocal about my hate of the games going to China, and not wanting to tune in. Turns out, I watched a bit too much and I'm already experiencing withdrawal. 

On the closing day, I'd like to celebrate a Canadian class act *again*...a great athlete, a champion of a person and let's face it, a bit of a looker...our flag bearer from the opening ceremonies, Oakville, Ontario's Adam Van Koeverden. The Olympics were created for athletes like Adam who personify all the good that comes from the Olympic movement: sportsmanship, the quest to do one's best and love of one's country. And it certainly didn't hurt that he's also *incredibly* fit! Everyone speaks of the swimmers' physiques...I say, check out those kayakers!

Congrats again, Adam! Silver never looked so good! Who knew kayaking could be so hot.

O Canada, indeed!!

(photos 1 & 2: Reuters; photo 3: AP)

RATE IT! National Waffle Day

Today let's raise a toast to the golden goodness that is the waffle.

Preferably doused in authentic Canadian maple syrup, here's a celebration that is both sweet and savory. 

Enjoy National Waffle Day, everyone! I'm sure Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth are!

RATE IT! Canada's Adam Van Koeverden

HURRAH!! Congratulations to Canadian kayaker, Adam Van Koeverden who paddled to the silver medal today at the Beijing Olympics.

Adam was the favourite to win the 1,000 m event yesterday but the unthinkable happened when he missed the medals and came in near the back of the pack. Not one to let a disappointment get the best of him, Adam came back and just missed the gold in the K-1 500 m today and won the silver. Interviewed on CBC, Adam dismissed the idea of a flag-bearer curse and was gracious and happy to be the silver medalist. We grow 'em good here in Canada! Congrats, Adam!!  (photo: Macleans.ca)

RATE IT! My United Boys

Owen Hargreaves and team captain, Gary Neville, watching the squad play Juventus in a pre-season friendly.

No real reason to post -- do I need a reason for a gawk? Didn't think so. 

(photo: AFP/Getty Images)

RATE IT! Disco 2000 ~ Pulp

Feeling a bit nostalgic...for the mid-1990s and PULP! Ah, life was so much simpler then! Bands were better then! Here's a genuine keeper - this track was from their awesome 'Different Class' release and features not only the iconic cardboard band member cut-outs from their album artwork, but the dancefloor of the coolest indie club in London from that time, Smashing (housed under a shop on Regent Street in the West End). Go to Smashing, spot a popstar star or five! Happy days...!

RATE IT! Up For Renewal

Magazines are my downfall. I *love* them...NO, I mean, I am infatuated by them. Seriously, my coffee table is barely visible. Others may count alcohol or Jimmy Choos as their vice, but mine is completely fat-free and oh, so glossy and frivolous! So when I stumbled across this true-to-life account of author Cathy Alter's year of living dangerously via lessons found in women's magazines, I didn't have to think twice about diving in. 

Cathy wasn't just looking for a stylish up-do for next weekend's party -- by heck, she was looking for a complete life overhaul: love, work, exercise, cooking...all aspects of her very being were taking on the gospel according to Cosmo, Marie Claire, Elle, Self, Allure, Glamour and Real Simple. 

Now, even with my addiction to such publications (and many others that Cathy doesn't even touch upon), there are always plenty of articles that I skip over and feel are just too silly to even skim. But Cathy finds the guts to dig right in and find worthiness in even the most gag-inducing Cosmo piece. You've got to hand it to her...she stuck by her brief for an entire year and lives to tell the tale! 

The premise of her book is very unique, and it's a guilty pleasure to bear witness to someone attempting to take these writings to heart. I won't spoil the journey -- check out 'Up For Renewal' yourself...chances are, you'll see your favourite publications in a whole new light!

RATE IT! Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Ever heard of the movie, 'Modern Girls'? 

It was a silly, girlie flick from the 80's starring a pre-Melrose Place, Daphne Zuniga and pre-botox Virginia Madsen, along with Cynthia Gibb (whatever happened to...?) - where they embark on an L.A. night out that ends up being anything but typical. With the likes of 'Pretty in Pink' and 'Ferris Bueller', 'Modern Girls' easily got lost in the shuffle of yet another crazy 80's 'teen' movie. Shame, really. The underlying current of the movie was of a romance that grew when two mismatched people get foisted together during an evening adventure when everything seemingly goes wrong. 

When I saw the write-up for Michael Cera's next feature, 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist', it made me yearn for 'Modern Girls.' The story is similar...boy meets girl. Boy and girl get lumbered with each other on a misadventure. Boy and girl, over the night's festivities realize that they're hot for each other all the while their exploits are framed by a trendy soundtrack. A few of the nuances between the films are different but the main frame is the same. I, for one, can't wait!

And if the bloom of an unexpected romance isn't enough to pull you in, 'Nick & Norah' is also drawing comparisons to the lovely 'Before Sunrise' for obvious reasons -- another good reason for viewing in my books! The flick opens in early October -- watch for it!

RATE IT! Gossip Girl on DVD

Hurrah! The day has come where I don't have to shuffle through commercials and can watch my fave TV series in any episode order that I desire.

'Gossip Girl' season one is out on DVD in North America today.

Finally, Chuck in the privacy of my living room...

HATE IT! Jonas Brothers

Am definitely missing something here. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that these boys mathematically speaking could be my kids. {shudder!}

The Jonas Brothers. Pop phenoms. But my question of the day is...so who is the "cute one"? Every band has one. Davy Jones for the Monkees. John Taylor for Duran Duran. Joey for NKOTB. So which one is it in this gang? I mean, they all look the same. And I know that I have the start-up of the English Premiership Footie season on the brain but the fella in the middle looks to be channeling Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas a teensy bit. 

(love the yellow Nikes on Jonas Bro #3 btw!)

RATE IT! EPL Countdown ~ It's Here

Good morning, English Premiership fans! The new season dawns! Bring it!

So much to look forward to...

~ a healthy Gary Neville in the United squad

~ (hopefully) a healthy Owen Hargreaves in the United squad!

~ Cristiano Ronaldo is still here (albeit healing from ankle surgery)

~ Avram Grant has left Stamford Bridge

~ 'The Special One' is back in European footie -- can't wait for those Championship League match-ups

~ Peter Crouch in Pompey. Finally...he gets to play!

~ Paul Ince as Manager of Blackburn. Finally...a Gaffer to give Roy Keane a run for the hottest Manager in the EPL title

All is right in the world now that soccer is back! United play Newcastle tomorrow. Can't wait!

RATE IT! Michael Phelps - Diet of Champions!

No matter how diligently I try, it's virtually impossible to avoid the Olympics. The Summer Games just don't float my boat but it takes a heartless soul to ignore the superhuman achievements of American swimmer, Michael Phelps. He's on the mark to scoop 8 Olympic gold medals -- he's already scored 6! This guy is no typical water baby...he's a force unto himself!

What makes a champion? Seems everyone and their brother is attempting to figure this puzzle out. This week a very important piece of the mystery was revealed -- the Michael Phelps breakfast, lunch *and* dinner of champions!

Turns out, the champ noshes on around 12,000 calories *a day*!! Yowza!! An average male of his size would chow down on only one-sixth of that amount! 

Check out breakie in the Phelps household:

-- 3 fried egg sandwiches complete with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, onions & mayo

-- a 5 egg omlette

-- a bowl of grits (sickly sounding corn mush like porridge - ew!)

-- 3 chocolate pancakes (heck, why stop at three?)

-- 3 pieces of French toast

-- 2 cups of coffee

Not full yet? Time for a Michael Phelps' size lunch of:

-- a pound of pasta smothered in tomato sauce

-- two mega ham sandwiches on white bread layered with cheese & mayo

-- washed down with various energy drinks (wha? No mention of Gator-ade? There's a sponsorship op missed)

Hunger pains? Pull up a chair for dinner:

-- another pound of pasta

-- 6 to 8 slices of pizza 

-- more energy bevies

Wow. Simply awe-inspiring!! It's not surprising that he fuels himself with so many carbs when he's practicing in the pool 5 hours per day practically every day of the week (apparently, he takes one day off, the slacker!). And with that Olympic sized appetite, Michael is worthy of our adoration! (photo: Reuters)

RATE IT! Fun Dip Tees

Whee!!! I feel like I'm 9 again! My candy crush has been morphed into a t-shirt!

North American readers will recognize this sweet treat...Fun Dip! In our kiddie circles, it was also known as Lik-a-Maid. It was this super sweet 'n' sugarly powder in grape, orange or cherry. Each flavour was kept separate in its own waxy paper compartment and the piece de resistance, the white (kinda chalky) candy stick meant for dipping into the delightful powder. 

I'm salivating just thinking of it...the stick was always the best part in my opinion. They really should have given you more than one!

RATE IT! Stitch CD Player

Put some bite into your musical listening enjoyment! Here's the Stitch CD player - based on the Disney cartoon character from 'Lilo and Stitch'. 

In the movie, alien experiment, Stitch, loved Elvis Presley so it's only fitting that this CD player/radio be fabricated in muso Stitch's honour. His teeth are the controls, his ears -- speakers. It's a bit strange but the silly factor wins out. For now, this guy is only available in Japan. Shame, really! He'd look awesome in my living room. 

RATE IT! EPL Countdown ~ 5 Days to Go!

Only 5 days until life starts again...

RATE IT! Inspiration for My Namesake

Time to 'fess up. People keep asking, where did my monicker 'lose that girl' come from. Is it from the jangly Beatles tune? An old plea to a one-time boyfriend? Nope! Actually, the name is a little gem of inspiration from one of my all-time favourite groups, Saint Etienne. 

Pop music at its best lovingly created by this stylish British threesome, 'Lose that Girl' is an addictive track from their fourth album, 'Good Humor' (released in 1998). 

Pete, Sarah and Bob have been a staple of my musical diet since 1991. To put it simply, I LOVE THEM!!! Their influence for me has been paramount. If I could ever be a popstar, I'd be singer, Sarah Cracknell -- yes, my love for Saint Etienne is *that* deep! 

The band are poised to release another best-of compilation soon-ish and should be purchased by everyone! Although Saint Et aren't as prolific or active on the concert circuit as the once were, they're still about doing the odd show here & there. For a treat, here's a little Saint Etienne vid for your viewing pleasure ('You're in a Bad Way' from their album, 'So Tough'):

RATE IT! August 10 is National Duran Duran Appreciation Day

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Today is National Duran Duran Appreciation Day. 

Who decides these 'appreciation' days, I have no clue, but I'm a long-time Duranie so I feel that this celebratory day is completely justified. 

Despite the fact that I'm *still* majorly p**sed off that the band skipped my city on their latest globe-sweeping tour...I'm not holding a grudge...nope! Still marking today's festivities and pledging my eternal love to Simon Le Bon. Some crushes just never die!

RATE IT! OMG -- Racy Gossip Girl Ads

Sex sells. It's a no brainer so why people are the least bit surprised that the CW has set forth to launch season two of 'Gossip Girl' with a collection of racy ads is beyond me. 

The show features a cast of hotties - it would be a crime not to display their beauty in a cornucopia of compromising positions!

Love how they've hidden Serena's partner under her hair. Is it Dan? A new conquest? Only her hair stylist knows for sure. 

And WTF -- that tongue in the Chuck poster. The ad caption almost gets it right ~ "Very Bad"...for an ad. Just not sexy - sorry!

RATE IT! EPL Countdown ~ 10 Days to Go!

Ah, you can keep your crappy fat baseball players and lunk-head American football stars - give me uber-fit English Premiership footie/soccer athletes *any* day!

Only 10 more days until the 2008/09 season is aloft and as I giddily admire the knock-kneed handsome-ness of Owen Hargreaves, I'm deliriously in a tizzy that my United boys will be back at it -- soonish. 

It's been a hard summer - with no England in the Euro, and the constant transfer rumours - the EPL cannot return soon enough and deposit us back into our happy place! 

(photo: AP Photo)

RATE IT! More Gossip Girl Tees!

Well, it's *about* time!!! The Gossip boys finally get their due.

I was all over the Blair vs. Serena t-shirt dilemma, but I have to admit that I'm more than a little hyped over this Nate vs. Chuck action.

If you know me, you know I'd choose Chuck in a heartbeat ~ it's a no-brainer. That squinty sneer, his sassy scarf collection, the private suite at the NYC Palace hotel -- there's really just no competition! You just have to love a guy that everyone hates. As for Nate? He's just too pretty, too polite, too BORING!

HATE IT! Olsen Twats

I despise Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen *so much* I could fill a week's worth of blog posts just ranting and foaming at the mouth about how bloody useless the twins are. 

Their dress sense is atrocious -- seriously, check out this photo -- they look like they're attired as senior citizens, not young, (supposedly) hip 'n' happening Hollywood tastemakers as their PR people would have us to believe. 

In this case, two is not better than one....two is in fact, too much. 

RATE IT! August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Day!

Here's a holiday you can sink your teeth into!

Apparently, August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Day as granted by the National Confectioners Association. 

Who, you may ask? According to Wikipedia, this NCA bunch is one of the oldest trade organizations around. Tasty! At this point, the sight of these delectable chocolate chip cookies has erased any urge of mine to debate the NCA & their merits. If they want to celebrate the incredible edible, joy-inducing chocolate chip...who am *I* to argue? 

RATE IT! Betsey Johnson Candy Girl Jet Setter

I *love* Betsey Johnson! She's my fave designer, and by admitting such a thing, you've probably guessed that I prefer a fun, not-so-serious approach to dressing. I own several Betsey creations in all their girly gloriousness ~ they just make the wearer feel oh, so special. 

Lucky for us, Betsey has ventured out into the world of accessories including purses and bags.

Check out this gem -- a travel bag affixed with candy wrappers a la Betsey!! Gummies, bubble gum, they're all along for the ride, guaranteeing a tasty trip for you to savour. 

RATE IT! Ole's Testimonial

Today is the testimonial footie match for Manchester United's cherub-faced striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (pictured left, with United's Owen Hargreaves).

It was a sad day in United land when Ole had to call it a day on his career after never-ending knee problems. Ole is a class act and there was never a player as deserving of a testimonial than the 'Baby-faced Assassin.' Thanks, Ole!

RATE IT! How to Lose Friends and Alienate People ~ The Movie

This Autumn is shaping up to be too cool for school with a slate of fantastic Fall flicks. Here's another gem to add to the must-see pile, 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.'

Based on the fantastically hilarious best-seller by Brit, Toby Young, the true-life story follows actor Simon Pegg as Toby (or a character based on Toby) during his comical, and often exciting tenure at Vanity Fair magazine in New York City. Social faux-pas were the norm, not the exception as he crashes industry parties and makes enemies of the most esteemed magazine and entertainment industry big-wigs. You can't help but cringe at his embarrassing exploits while at the same time, hoping that he does something *even better* to top his most recent mess. And what's the most appealing...the stories are true! Whether the film takes some artistic license, well we'll just have to wait and see. 

Toby's book was stellar so here's hoping that the movie lives up to the memoir. Circle October 3 and your calendar now and get set to laugh at someone else's misfortune!

RATE IT! Cassette Tote Bag

Are retro music stylings your bag? Fancy yourself as an old school audiofile?

If so, here's the tote for you!

 

I cannot believe that the humble audio cassette can be considered 'retro' nowadays! I bet aficionados of the 8-track said the same thing back in the 80's!