RATE IT! Chuck and Blair in ELLE

With 'Gossip Girl' gloriously returning on Monday, September 14, the press machine is in full flight, pumping out articles and features throughout the media.

One of the best... the feature in the new issue of "Elle" magazine. 

Chuck & Blair (well, okay Ed Westwick & Leighton Meester) in full designer finery. Such a fabulous on-screen couple. 

Roll on, September 14! Can't wait!

(photo: gossipgirlinsider.com)

RATE IT! Knorr's Sad Salt

Poor little Salt Shaker!

Knorr's have adjusted the salt content in their 'Sidekicks' products, and not everyone is happy.

RATE IT! Dogs in Space on DVD TODAY!

I have impatiently waited for 20 years for this DVD -- the official release finally getting the DVD treatment -- today!!!! I'll be checking my mail box for a package from Oz constantly. 

'Dogs in Space' -- the cult classic is now back in orbit. And no, it's not about pets (sorry, Zoey).

Buy yours by clicking here.

(photo: Richard Lowenstein)

RATE IT! Hugh & Daniel...Broadway Bound TOGETHER

Hugh Jackman & Daniel Craig are all signed up & confirmed for Broadway! Sorry, was I a bit too giddy there?

"A Steady Rain" starring James Bond and Wolverine is due to launch September 29 and run through 'til December 6. 

The guys will be portraying 'troubled' Chicago cops -- heck, they could be singing the Manhattan phone book and I'd be interested! Sadly, shirts will be part of their on-stage repertoire. 

So...question is, how soon can we book our flights?

(photos: google)

HATE IT! Sushi Pillows

I'm all for pillows that look like yummy food items (Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar pillow - yes, please!) but sorry, these raw fish pillows do not spell comfy homey-ness to me. 

Ick. 

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ Massive iPod Speakers

Time to go big, or go home! For music fans you can't have it loud enough.

RATE IT! Mad Men Sneak Peek --Ep. 303

Me-ow!!! Doesn't the new Mrs. Sterling realize that you don't talk smack to Joan?

See for yourself in this sneak peek to next Sunday's new episode.

HATE IT! Oshawa Gets the KISS Off

A big, fat (marketing) lie!

That's exactly what Gene Simmons and his KISS pals set up a few months back when they asked fans to vote on-line for the city most deserving of a concert by the maestros of music & make-up.

The city of Oshawa, home to Canada's dying auto industry, ran away with the contest with over 14,000 votes towering over second best Winnipeg's 12,000. Just what the battered city needed, a pick me up courtesy of a fave band. 

KISS announced their Fall tour itinerary yesterday and to everyone's surprise, Oshawa didn't rank -- anywhere! The guys are heading for a gig in Toronto in October, but not Oshawa. Toronto came in 8th place in the on-line contest vote. What rankles folks in the 'shwa even more -- Gene Simmons told one of Oshawa's Councillors weeks back that Canada's motor city would definitely see the band should they top the on-line vote. 

Guess Gene's word is as slimey as his famously freakazoid tongue. Shame on you, KISS! 

Update: Gene Simmons has announced that KISS *will* play Oshawa on October 7. He said the city was missing from the tour itinerary because they were planning on a surprise announcement about the gig. Hmm....sorry, not buying it. They won the concert. On-line, where everyone could see the results - what more of a surprise could be in store? At least the 'shwa is getting their show. 

HATE IT! Yellow Submarine Remake

American film-maker Robert Zemeckis is one big Blue Meanie!

The director responsible for the creepy animation of 'The Polar Express' hopes to use his awful techniques on a remake of the Beatles' trippy animated feature, 'Yellow Submarine.' Variety reports that Zemeckis and of all people -- Disney! -- are working diligently to snap up the rights to the Beatles' tunes used in the original movie. 

Is nothing sacred? The original 'Yellow Submarine' is SO of its time -- late 60's psychedelia, Peter Max-esque wonderful. Updating the classic Beatles' movie is nothing but a blatant cash grab by Zemeckis and Disney. Once again, Hollywood runs out of viable NEW ideas and starts to mine previous ventures that were fine in their original form, thank you very much.

How soon do they forget how off-putting the human characters were in 'The Polar Express.' To quote CNN in their 2004 review: "The Polar Express is at best disconcerting, and at worst, a wee bit horrifying." And now poor George, Paul, Ringo & John are going to get this ill-fated treatment? Performance capture, the technology used by Zemeckis, omits true emotion from its characters -- leaving them wooden, and yes.... CREEPY! I cannot watch 'The Polar Express' without an attack of the heebie jeebies. It's just plain weird. I shudder at the fears of what he's going to do to the Beatles. 

RATE IT! Plush Toast

Comfort food at its best!

Plush toast could almost be straight out of the Excel ads hanging with donut, coffee cup and red onion. 

HATE IT! SNL Announces First 2009-10 Host...

...and it's not Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin or Jon Hamm (damn!)

It's every boy's wet dream, Megan Fox. How typical.

She's bringing along her super annoying voice and big boobs as she takes centre stage at 30 Rock to ring in the new year of Saturday Night Live on September 26.

One for the boys, eh? Am I the only one who thinks Angelina Jr. can't do funny?

HATE IT! Serendipity 3 Snow Globe

As you know, I love all things connected to Serendipity 3, the lovely fire-trap of a cafe in Manhattan -- especially the Forbidden Broadway Sundae (which should have its own holiday to celebrate its specialness) but I fear that I must now draw the line.

The Frozen Hot Chocolate-a like cookie jar was very cute.

The Serendipity 3 Snow Globe is...NOT! 

You. Are. Ugly. Tacky, even. 

The stripey base looks cheap and the Statue of Liberty found within looks identical to the grubby pencil eraser Liberties you can find in any dime store Big Apple souvenir kiosk. The NYC skyline looks like it has been plucked from other souvenirs that didn't shift off store shelves. 

If you really want a remembrance of the decadent desserts at Serendipity, purchase one of their lovely cookbooks and forgo this crap. 

RATE IT! Diamond Dave - the Video

One of my favourite bands -- the Bird and the Bee -- have released a video for their brilliant ode to David Lee Roth, "Diamond Dave", and it has landed in of *all* places, on the Funny or Die website.

Cool -- but odd. It's not like they're a comedy act. Not even close.

Anyway, the song is fantastically fun and the video is a little slice of silly.

Diamond Dave - watch more funny videos

RATE IT! Happy Gum For Your Crappy Life

Hee! Perhaps it's 'Crappy Gum for Your Happy Life'? 

Either way, its sunshiney bright Brady Bunch packaging is an eye pleaser & morale booster to be sure. Hopefully the gum lives up to the promise. 

RATE IT! 2010 -- It's Ugly!

Summer has yet to take a bow and *already* 2010 calendars are making their debut. I guess if Hallowe'en candy is already plaguing shops near me, it makes sense that next year's date books are bubbling under too.

Here's one calendar that will have you looking ahead to 2010 - the Uglydoll 2010 wall calendar. In a twist, the authors have put their mutant playthings into a time travel theme so perhaps you *can* take them with you! Enjoy!

RATE IT! Mad Men Sneak Peek --Ep. 302

Don Draper, oh.... how we've missed you and your suave ways!

Sunday night's now cap off the weekend brilliantly with 'Mad Men' back on our screens.

Here's a sneak peek of the next episode -- airing Sunday at 10pm on AMC. So not 2009 -- as Betty enjoys some wine during her pregnancy.

HATE IT! Harper's Bazaar

I've had it. I've had it with Harper's Bazaar.

Such a waste of trees...this magazine is full of vacuous pretentious trash from cover to cover. Snotty, too self-important. A tastemaker to people who probably wouldn't dare speak to me should I stumble into their path -- you catch my drift.

I was gifted a subscription to this magazine last Christmas. The gift giver lovingly gave me several subscriptions -- knowing how deep my addiction to magazines is (Thanks! Best gifts I got!) -- and thought that I might enjoy several magazines that I don't normally purchase. Harper's was one such zine.

I literally flip through each new issue within 5 minutes. I rarely stop to read anything in here and frankly, none of my friends care to take any of the discarded issues off my hands. Says a lot. 

The latest issue is only worthy because Leighton Meester is featured. Other than that, it would go straight to the litter box - if I had a cat.

RATE IT! Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine!!

IT'S BACK!!! Yes, this vision isn't some retro-tastic dream -- it's the REAL deal! The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine is back in business!

I never had this beauty as a wee kid -- and as a MAJOR, and I MEAN *MAJOR* Snoopy aficionado, that was a crime that never got to right itself. Until now!

Me want... oh, yes. And my ice cube obsessed puppy agrees with me.

RATE IT! Finally! Season 2 DVDs

Season two 'Gossip Girl' DVDs are here! 

Time to get reacquainted before the big season 3 launch this September... but it looks like Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester are already reacquainted. Check out this sizzling photo shoot from an upcoming issue of 'Elle' magazine. 

Is it hot in here? It's great to have Chuck and Blair back.

(photo: gossipgirl insider.com)

RATE IT! Great Reads Now In Paperback

Two of my favourite reads of the past year are now in paperback. 

If you haven't picked up 'Up for Renewal' or 'The Art of Racing in the Rain', now is your chance to get these purse-friendly paperbacks perfect for the beach, travel or just some night-time relaxation.

The two books couldn't be more different. Cathy Alter's 'Up for Renewal' is a real-life account of what happens when you let a fondness for magazines take over your life -- literally! Cathy follows the advice found in popular zines and the fallout that ensues. Magazines are an addiction for me so I found her funny journey quite a joy to read. The great thing about Cathy's tale, you don't have to be mag-mad to enjoy her book. It's perfect for a late summer beach read.

Garth Stein's 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' is a beaut of a fictional story. Told through the eyes of Enzo, the beloved family pet, it's both heartbreaking and inspirational. Be sure to have tissues near by when you read this gem. 

I'm always interested when my fave books get the paperback treatment. The covers often change -- in the case of 'Racing' here in Canada, the breed of dog on the cover changed completely - so to help you find both books, please find their new covers on display here. To check out their former hardback covers, click on the links attached to the books earlier in my post. 

Enjoy!

RATE IT! Manchester United Pledge

The English Premiership season is BACK! 

United don't return to action until tomorrow but here's a teaser... oh, yes please!

Thanks to Fourth for the 'heads up'!

RATE IT! Jon Hamm visits Jimmy Fallon

Cannot WAIT for Sunday's arrival of season 3 of 'Mad Men.'

Here's Don Draper himself.... Jon Hamm on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this week.

RATE IT! Excel Donut Bites It

The donut so beloved by many fans of the Excel gum ads -- seems to....well....

*sigh* I'm too heartbroken to tell you! See for yourself....

RATE IT! Speedo Ban

Alton Towers, one of Britain's most popular amusement parks has placed a ban on male Speedo wear. 

Citing the wish to keep their park family friendly and to curb unfortunate exposure accidents (ouch!), the park has become a banana hammock kill zone. 

I would ban them just because they're plain tacky! Even Justin Timberlake agrees - sorta!

HATE IT! Flip Flops Are Gonna Kill You

Summer *finally* arrives and now the fear mongers want you to forgo your summer flip flop-pery.

Personally, I was never partial to the pounding your feet took while aloft in flip flops so I don't own any -- but the thought of trudging around your fair city in these things and what transpires down there -- fecal bacteria, MRSA, held captive on YOUR FEET! Ugh!! I won't be changing my mind anytime soon and rushing out to purchase a pair. 

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ Stitch CD Player

Ah, this CD player for me never gets old! Comical & useful. What more could one want?

RATE IT! Truly Fab

This pop-tastic t-shirt from Dandy Star truly is!

Fun "cool" and "love" tees too if you're not feeling so fab.

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3 Sneak Peek

How I have missed my spoilt NYC friends! September 14 cannot roll 'round soon enough.

RATE IT! Don Draper - He Returns!

The anticipation!

Only. Four. More. Sleeps. 'til Don Draper & the gang at Sterling Cooper return for season 3 of "Mad Men." Sunday, August 16 at 10pm!

CANNOT WAIT!!!

In the meantime, if you haven't already -- time for you to 'Mad Men Yourself'.

(photo: AMCtv.com)

RATE IT! Fancy Pouches

You don't realize how necessary little pouches are until you have a plethora of spilt subway tokens traveling haphazardly about your bag.

Keep spills at bay and your belongings organized with the handy -- and CUTE! -- pouches from Digs Showroom.

Check them out -- there's many more just like this one!

RATE IT! Mad Men Catch-Up

I am so stoked for the return of 'Mad Men' with season three stepping out this coming Sunday (August 16) on AMC.

If you are behind the times and want to get in on the best TV show on television (no offense, my beloved 'Gossip Girl'), then check out what the smarty pants over at NY Mag have come up with... a grossly (their words) abbreviated version of the first two seasons. Sure, it's a bit of a cheat, but you can always curl up with the DVDs later on and marvel at John Hamm and the other comely cast members in real time.

RATE IT! I Love You Man on DVD

Ta da! Released today on DVD, 'I Love You Man' starring Paul Rudd. And the nude guy from 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall.'

Paul's reason enough to grab this one, right? Right!

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ August 10 is...

I cannot let this day pass without *some* recognition.

RATE IT! Oreo Blizzard

The summer in my neck of the woods has been so disappointing.... not hot *at all*, too much rain and a few weeks mired in the stench of a city-wide garbage strike. 

Now just as the striking garbage collectors have resumed their duties, and the first (FIRST!) humid, hot weekend has been racked up under our belts (in AUGUST! WTF!?), the Dairy Queen brass have unleashed a classic of a Blizzard to help salvage this wasted summer.

May I introduce you to the Oreo Blizzard. Yes, it has been around before but classics NEVER go out of style and this frozen cookie & ice cream marriage is very welcome right about now. 

Yummers. 

RATE IT! Mad Men Yourself!

An afternoon that was meant to be spent doing some freelance writing has turned into a "Mad Men" character creation-a-thon!

Have you seen this neato section of AMC's "Mad Men" site? You can 'Mad Men Yourself' -- it's really easy and a complete hoot!

Go on! You know that you want to hang out with Don, Pete & Joan at Sterling Cooper! And yes, playing to type I *am* carting around a donut! Old habits...

Click here and lose track of your afternoon.

R.I.P. John Hughes 1950-2009

The passing of John Hughes is such sad news.

The man who made my 1980s livable with classics such as 'Pretty in Pink', 'Some Kind of Wonderful', 'Sixteen Candles' and 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' died yesterday in NYC, aged 59. Too young to die.

Always young at heart, John Hughes understood teens better than they did themselves. His movies spoke to the 80s generation like no other. The majority of teen movies at the time were like 'Porky's' or 'Losin' It' (shame on you, Tom Cruise!) - gratuitous, banal & heartless. Hughes took a giant leap of faith to tell stories that had soul, raw emotion & were true to life. 

John Hughes also understood how important music was to the lives of teens - to anyone, really - and his films always featured the best, brightest bands of the era. Funny that 'Ferris' was one of the few Hughes movies that never did feature an official soundtrack release. 

He gave the world of pop culture so very much & I know that I'm not the only one who is eternally thankful. He'll be dearly missed.

HATE IT/RATE IT! Cristiano On My Turf

The world's best footie player is in my backyard - so to speak. 

It's with mixed emotions that I "welcome" the former United star --- former member of MY TEAM -- to Toronto. I'm really thrilled that my hometown is making me proud, going all Cristiano ga-ga in the wake of his jetting over here. Toronto is footie mad to be sure, and it's about time such international talent set foot on BMO field (shame the natural grass will be torn up afterwards -- they should keep it but try telling the City of Toronto who owns the grounds why it makes sense). Fans are quite happy to see the other Real Madrid giants of the sport -- especially Kaka --- here too but Cris, as always is getting all the copy and headlines. And probably the girls.

Still find it weird to see him in Real's kit. 

(photo: Reuters)

RATE IT! Goldfish Trash Bags

Time to kick to the curb boring green garbage bags. Check out these goldfish bowl trash bags instead.

But will they deter raccoons?

HATE IT! Hot Dog & Bun Soap

Wash with it? Ew, no thanks! 

Simply disgusting. 

Apparently the hot dog smells of bay rum!?!

RATE IT! Mars Real Chocolate Give-away!!!

Free chocolate!!

The brilliant folk at Mars (makers of M&Ms, Three Musketeers, Twix & other delectable chocolatey treats) is giving away FREE CHOCOLATE *every* Friday through 'til October!

The Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act is basically an awareness campaign regarding *real* chocolate. Many products out in the marketplace say they're "made" with chocolate or have chocolate flavouring -- but truth be told, they don't contain the real deal (how dare they!). Mars is proud to state that they produce all their products with honest to goodness real chocolate. And for that, I love them! While I wait for you to pass the M&Ms, you might want to bookmark their site in order to take part in this real chocolate love-fest this Friday. Enjoy!

WANT IT! Union Jack Pillows

Rule Britannia!

Blame it on my Brit roots. 

I love pretty much *anything* with the Union Jack. These pillows would look fab on my raspberry-hued sofa. 

HATE IT! Stuff On My Mutt - The Book

Ugh! Maybe I'm really missing something... but I really don't get the "charm" of putting silly clothes and stuff on dogs. 

For those who do, this book was made for you.

The only use this book would get in my home is as a chew toy for my baby Schipperke. I wouldn't even dream of making her look like one of these pups featured in this book. She wouldn't put up with such crazy nonsense draped all over her, not in a million years. 

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Day!

So says the National Confectioners Association. I have no idea *who* they are, but hey.... it's a day to mark the joy that chocolate chips bring. Who am I to argue, I'm too busy celebrating!

RATE IT! Waffle & Syrup Soap

Wash with it? I'd rather eat it! 

Heck, it even smells like the real deal.

A Year Ago on Lose That Girl

~~ Cassette Tote Bag

Music truly to go -- earphones optional.