RATE IT! The Like

I blame my friend Jennifer for this one...does it sound silly to say that I love The Like? 


I'm jumping on The Like bandwagon late... this swingy girlie group has been around for a spell, but I've just stumbled upon them as of late - thanks, Jennifer!


So much to like... the '60s, mod-esque look, the jangly sound. It all works! Lush! 
I want to be a member of their gang. 

HATE IT! Gone to the Dogs...and Cats

Talking pets in movies? Hate it! 

It's not cute or endearing, it's just...weird! 

I also despise animals being used in any sort of human context, and this new calendar from Takkoda immediately lands a top of my hate it list. 

Iconic photos of famed humans get an animalistic makeover. 

Can't do it... just can't.... obviously there is a rapt audience for such hilarity but I'm not it. I like my dog calendars straight up, please. 

Although, I will say that Spock Dog is kinda neat, and the cat they chose for Saint Audrey was an excellent choice, but the Michael Jackson-inspired doggie is just plain creepy!

RATE IT! Mini Take That Reunion

Finally!


After too many years apart, Take That's Gary Barlow and long-lost member Robbie Williams are back together with a new duet, 'Shame.' Due to be released as a single on October 4, and as a track on Robbie's upcoming greatest hits album, 'In and Out of Consciousness' (to be released October 11), it's the first steps to a full-fledged Take That reunion. 


They may be a little older, but they've still got it! Can't wait to see the five of them all together again!


In the meantime, here's the video for 'Shame.'

RATE IT! ‘Danny & Annie,’ an Outstanding Animated Love Story

A beautiful TRUE love story...

Click on the video below, and make sure to have a tissue or two handy! 

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.


From New York Magazine's website.

RATE IT! Kawaii Bunny Tote

A little cute never goes amiss! 


Here's the perfect little carry-all for back to school. Heck, it's perfect even for us over-grown kids!


Living up to its name, this Kawaii Bunny Tote is adorable and handy. If you're going to lug around tons of books, groceries or treasures, you might as well look super sweet while doing so!


And what's Kawaii, you ask? Click here for my full explanation!


The Kawaii Bunny Tote is now available from ShanaLogic.

HATE IT! Bikini Bashing Dash-Style

In important entertainment news... the Kardashian sisters are fighting over who's the fittest in a swimsuit. 


Bet your day just wouldn't be the same if you didn't know this important bit of pop culture fluff.


Who buys this trash? I'm all for writers making a living but seriously? Have some integrity!

RATE IT! Dylan's Candy Bar-bie

2009 saw Dylan's Candy Bar celebrating the 50th birthday of Mattel's iconic Barbie doll. The confectionary haven dreamed up all sorts of Barbie-inspired sweet treats -- decadent chocolates, breath-taking mints -- all dressed up in retro tins, wrappers and commemorative purses to delight Barbie fans young and old.

Now in 2010, Dylan's has gone one step further... this time, unveiling their very own official Dylan's Candy Bar Barbie. Never mind the Candy Man, it's all about Barbie!

Sporting a gown in the famous Dylan's Candy Bar colours, and boasting the most delectable accessories -- a lollipop and a candy necklace (but of course!), this Barbie isn't shy about enjoying a sugary indulgence or two!

This candy-loving Barbie retails for $34.95 US, and can be purchased in person or online from Dylan's Candy Bar.

RATE IT! A Year of Ugly

On first instinct, it seems very premature to be talking about the end of 2010, but hate to break it to you... we only have 4.5 months LEFT before 2011 is sprung upon us.


I, for one, AM ready...


Filofax sheets purchased? Oh yes, been there, done that, and now this cute calendar has reared its ugly head. Who doesn't find these misfits of the stuffed toy variety a breath of unpretentious fresh air? 


2011 cannot come quick enough for me... and if it's ushered in by a whole lotta ugly, that's fine by me. 

RATE IT! I'll Make an Exception

I generally try to avoid any Hollywood vehicles starring America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts BUT I really want to see 'Eat, Pray, Love.' 


How girly of me. 

RATE IT! Today's the Day!

If there ever was a reason to indulge in a refreshing, decadent Dairy Queen Blizzard, today would be *it*.


Thursday, July 12 is Miracle Treat Day in Canada, a day where your generosity (and love for DQ Blizzards) helps raise needed funds for the Children's Miracle Network, a hard-working non-profit organization that aids over 170 children's hospitals across North America. 2010 sees the 8th annual Miracle Treat Day in Canada - its overwhelming success here has sparked American Dairy Queen's south of our border to follow suit as well.


Yesterday in Toronto, Canadian & World Champion figure skater Kurt Browning, Buffalo Sabres star Steve Montador, and SickKids Miracle Child Tobin Haas launched this year's initiative along with several children and families who have been helped by the Children's Miracle Network. 

Was there ever a better reason to give? Spoil yourself on this hot, humid day with your favourite ice-cold Blizzard, and participating Dairy Queen's will donate the proceeds to an incredible charity that helps so many families. 


The ultimate win-win!

RATE IT! Mad Men Cocktail Culture

Dying to know what ingredients go into a Vodka Gimlet? Want to add some retro cool to your next party? Well, it's obviously time to belly up to the bar alongside this new, free Mad Men Cocktail Culture iPhone app.


Try your hand at concocting all sorts of fancy drinks and see how you stack up. With a bunch of recipes at hand, you'll soon be everyone's favourite mixologist. 


It's just a shame that Don Draper doesn't come with it. 

RATE IT! Pacey-Con

Never mind Comic-Con from a few weeks back. The REAL treat in San Diego was Pacey-Con.


Nice to see that Joshua Jackson has such a great sense of humour! So many ego-obsessed actors wouldn't be caught dead doing such a thing!

Pacey-Con with Joshua Jackson from Joshua Jackson

RATE IT! Pop-Tarts Invade the Big Apple

Manhattan's Time Square is notorious for glitzy advertising campaigns, and extravagant marketing attempts. First it was Hershey... the American confectionary giants, moving into prime real estate just a few steps north of Times Square. Their shop peddling all sorts of Hershey munchies and paraphernalia has become a Broadway mainstay, a destination for chocolate lovers of all ages. Drawing on the success of Hershey, rival M&Ms followed suit with their own mega-shopping experience across the street. Sweet treat fans rejoiced - the more, the merrier.


Well, better get your dentist on speed dial because there's a new sugary player on the Times Square scene -- throw down the welcome mat for Pop-Tarts. Yep, the icing clad breakfast pastry is attempting to mirror the marketing and consumer success of its chocolatey counterparts. 


Setting up shop on 42nd Street between 6th Avenue & Broadway, Pop-Tarts World promises to unleash a sweet experience that will leave its fans with an appetite for more. Their 3,200 sq. ft set-up introduces an array of Pop-Tart cuisine. From the odd (Pop-Tart sushi ~ a fruit roll-up stuffed with a selection of smashed up Pop-Tart flavours) to the delicious (the Fluffer Butter ~ gooey marshmallow fluff sandwiched between two fudgy Pop-Tarts). Unique Pop-Tart vending machines have been installed, and shoppers can even create their own Pop-Tarts with dedicated chefs taking their suggestions to craft their personalized treat. 


Sounds all yummy and somewhat sickly sweet, but will people love, or loathe it? The Pop-Tarts marketing geniuses aren't taking any chances. The lease on the Times Square property is only reserved until the end of January. When the new year rings in, bosses will decide whether Pop-Tarts World lives on, or is toast. 

RATE IT! Oreo Isn't Ready to Go

July has seen a flurry of Blizzard enjoyment, and Oreo is all to blame!


Looks like the famous cookie isn't ready to call it a day... and is making a second consecutive Blizzard appearance in the Great White North.


Canada's August Blizz of the Month is the wonderful icon of icy deliciousness, the Oreo Blizzard. Not to be confused with the July Blizzard, the Oreo Brownie Earthquake Most-Amazing-Blizzard-of-all-Time. 


Both are required eating. 


And don't forget... August 12 is Miracle Treat Day in Canada. Purchase your favourite Blizzard treat that day and help support the Children's Miracle Network hospital. Visit www.MiracleTreatDay.com for more info on this worthy cause. 

RATE IT! Mad for September GQ

Real women have curves!


It's refreshing to see "Mad Men" star, Christina Hendricks gracing the cover of the UK's September issue of GQ magazine. 


Simply smashing!

RATE IT! Worried About the Boy

It's an odd feeling when the songs, fashions, celebs and movies of your youth are now considered nostalgia. For some time now, the 1980s have been creeping back in all their poppy glory! Thankfully, the misguided overuse of neon and shoulder pads didn't hitch a ride back into this decade.


In May of this year, England's BBC2 broadcast an '80s themed programming block over the course of a month. As the centerpiece of this flashback was a bio-pic examining the teen years of Culture Club's lead singer, Boy George. "Worried About the Boy" focuses on George's pre-fame days making the scene at the Blitz Club, the infamous New Romantic hangout in London. Boy George served as a consultant on the TV movie. Along with Culture Club drummer and former lover, Jon Moss, he helped convey a genuine feel for the times by lending the actors old outfits to don in key scenes. Talk about authenticity! 


The flick hasn't yet seen the light of day on TV screens here in North America, so I jumped at the chance to order the PAL DVD from Amazon.uk as soon as it was available. Impatient, much?


As a kid of the '80s, I'm a tough critic when it comes to revisiting the era, but I found 'Worried About the Boy' really entertaining and true to the times. Starring newcomer Douglas Booth as George, and Gavin & Stacey's Mathew Horne as Jon Moss, 'WATB' gives viewers a peek into George's quest for love, attention and fame - as well as his eventual spiral into druggy despair. The performances are realistic and heartfelt, while the make up & fashions were spot on. It was a treat to spot George's contemporaries, all the early Blitz era scenesters: Steve Strange, Spandau Ballet, Marilyn, Bow Wow Wow, Malcolm McLaren, and Kirk Brandon through out the story. I found myself rambling off names and then magically, they pretty much all appeared - spare Adam Ant and Marc Almond - the attention to detail was incredible.


The only negative of this production ~ the lack of bona fide music in the movie's soundtrack. I picked out only one Siouxsie, and two Culture Club songs. Apparently when 'WATB' aired on television in the UK, the soundtrack did feature tracks from Visage, OMD, Bowie, the Human League, and Soft Cell. Obviously, the DVD release didn't nab music clearance for DVD usage of these songs. Shame, really. While the replacement techno beds aren't bad, they are a tad cheesy -- one song sounded like a total mash-up of several Duran Duran recordings in one go (My Own Way married to Rio blended with Planet Earth, for instance). 


This complaint aside, 'Worried About the Boy' is a worthwhile trip down memory lane for pop culture (and Culture Club!) fans of all ages. I'm still mesmerized by Douglas Booth's makeup. Hopefully, BBC America & BBC Canada will pick up the rights for the movie's broadcast on this side of the pond - and if not, the PAL DVD is worth the purchase for those with a multi-region player, and an appetite for all things '80s. 

RATE IT! Forecast Calls for Mini Blizzard

Welcome to August! 


While many peeps are in flip flop/suntanning/gotta get to the beach mode, my mind is all about the latest frosty Blizzard on the horizon!


Meet the new DQ Mini Blizzard! Big enough to pack plenty of taste, but small enough so you don't have to share! Mini Blizzards are now available in Canada - they're already on the menu in the States.


It's true! Good things DO come in small packages!