RATE IT! Back to School with Snoopy

When I was a kid, most of the school children (me included) would walk home for lunch each and every day. Only a few kids who were bused to our school from the outer corners of our town, would stay and tuck into a packed lunch. I never had the opportunity to cart around a funky lunch box -- and yeah, I was actually envious of the kids who did. I'll always remember the NHL lunch boxes the boys had. If I didn't live so close to the school, I would have definitely had a Toronto Maple Leafs one. 

Or... perhaps a Snoopy inspired lunch box like this gem available from Perpetual Kid. Snoopy never goes out of fashion in my books. Unfortunately I work from home now so the need for a case to tote my lunch is unnecessary. I'll just have to admire this cute lunch box from afar. 

RATE IT! Paul Rudd Pitches Harvey Weinstein

As a freelance writer, I have to pitch ideas for articles all the time. Emailing queries is a tough task.


Here's a funny look at Paul Rudd's silly attempt at pitching -- in person -- his creative vision to Hollywood bigwig, Harvey Weinstein. From the folk at Funny or Die.

Paul Rudd Pitches Harvey Weinstein from Paul Rudd      

RATE IT! Geek Chic

Nerd alert... and I mean that in the nicest way possible. 


A beaut of a carry-all from Fred Flare. 

RATE IT! Stop the Environment

Funny or Die go where no one else will dare....


The stars are trying to rally everyone to their cause... Stop the Environment. Relax. It's funny! Ed Asner alone is worth a look.

Stop The Environment from Ed Asner      

RATE IT! Duran Duran Appreciation Day

It's August 10 -- that can only mean ONE thing!


Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day! 

Yes, it's the real deal. 

RATE IT! Tagged Retro-Style

I'm a sucker for travel-related accessories, so I was thrilled to find a Flight 001 store in Chicago. Just like the NYC shop, the Chi-town version did not disappoint. 


The usual suspects of travel paraphernalia were present and accounted for (nifty toiletry bags, gadgets for packing, passport covers, laptop bags -- so many fab items to choose from!) but they also had the coolest luggage tags. Yes, I do love a fun baggage tag. We ended up purchasing several - not only for ourselves but also as gifts for family. The favourite? This cassette tape tag. If the old school muso look isn't for you, how about a retro Scooter, or Rubik's Cube (another one we gifted). 


So cute and functional at the same time. The only problem? Every time we travel, I'll be worried that someone else will fall in love with our funky tags and steal them!


Flight 001 has a terrific online shop, so there's no need to feel left out if you can't visit their stores in person. 


(images: Flight 001)

RATE IT! Sprinkles

Last month when I wasn't following in Ferris Bueller's footsteps in Chicago, I was swooning over a new crush. 


Sprinkles. Where have you been all my life?


Sprinkles is an American cupcake powerhouse. Who knew that such delights awaited me in Chicagoland? I feel like I'm the last person on earth to discover this yummy indulgence. So much time wasted. So many cupcakes not eaten...


Candace Nelson created Sprinkles a few years ago in California and now her delicious enterprise has shops in several U.S. cities including New York City, Beverly Hills, Washington D.C., Dallas and of course, Chicago. Their cupcakes are moist, mouthwatering bundles of joy made fresh on the premises. I kid you not. Sprinkles take cupcakes seriously - and their dedication is palatable (literally!). 


Here's just a sampling of their flavours: dark chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, red velvet, lemon coconut, black and white, cinnamon sugar, carrot...to name but a few. And if you want to attempt to recreate the Sprinkles experience at home, you can purchase cupcake mixes in store. Genius!


The Sprinkles shops are all immaculate, uncluttered and simple in design - IT WORKS! The focus is on the cupcakes and let me tell you, it is love at first sight! Each cake is perfectly formed, not sloppy -- so unlike my first (and only!) visit to the famous Magnolia Bakery (yes, the very cupcake place featured in Sex and the City) in Manhattan. Sprinkles easily trumps Magnolia. There, I said it. 


For now, my crush will have to be an unrequited one. My memories - so vivid that I could almost taste them - will have to carry me through until I can be reunited with my love. Sprinkles has yet to open shop in Canada. They hope to bring their sweet offerings here soon and possibly to other cities... Boston, London! When they do arrive in Toronto, I will be first in line waiting to place my order for a vanilla milk chocolate, peanut butter chip and chocolate marshmallow!


(photos by: Jackie Middleton - cupcakes shown: chocolate marshmallow, vanilla milk chocolate)

RATE IT! Ferris Bueller's Chicago

A week ago today, I was in Chicago. It was my first time in the windy city and to be honest, most of what I knew of this metropolis I had gleamed from Ferris Bueller.

That's right -- Ferris Bueller of John Hughes' '80s teen movie fame. The flick owes many of its most memorable moments to the wonderful city of Chicago where it was shot. See the beautiful painting to the left - it served as the centre piece to one of the most gorgeous scenes of the film. Remember Cameron, Ferris' best friend falling under its dotty spell?

When I travel, I want to feel like I really know a place before I get there. Who wants to waste time bumbling around lost and confused? While I was knee-deep in Chicago facts and info for my trip, I pitched an article idea to The Toronto Star newspaper and the result is my Ferris Bueller's Chicago - 25th Anniversary Edition story.

It appeared in print on the front page of the Toronto Star's weekend travel section back on July 23 - as luck would have it, I was actually *in* Chicago at the time. Seems quite fitting actually. It may not include all of the delights Chicago has to offer but my story will help you find many of the places that Ferris conquered. Enjoy the online version here!

(Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute of Chicago ~ photo by: Jackie Middleton)

RATE IT! I've Been Nominated!

Each year, the Canadian Weblog Awards celebrates the brightest and best in Canuck blogs. I'm honoured to be among the list of nominees this year -- not in one category, but TWO!




Lose That Girl is up for the Best Humour and Best Pop Culture & Entertainment blog.

I'm in great company sharing the nominee categories with several of my favourite blogs: Jennifer Villamere, Couchtime and Sexy Typewriter. Winners of each category will be chosen by a jury of our peers at the end of 2011. How's that for a Happy New Year's present!