Super Shopper

We’re fairly certain that most CCGs love to shop, and can even identify with some of the highs and lows the main character experiences in the hit movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. Isla Fisher brings the fictitious ultra-shopaholic Becky Bloomwood to life in the film adaptation of Sophia Kinsella’s bestselling novel by the same name. Now available on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, this fun chick flick is filled with laughs, romance, and of course, fabulous clothes galore! A movie that's sure to put a smile on your face.

$40.99 (for Two-Disc Special Edition with Digital Copy) at Amazon.ca

Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Here's the classic 1983 debut hit from Cyndi Lauper to remind us that when the working day is done, we gals just want to have fun!


Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you all on Monday!

Gina's Morning Glory Cocktail

Here's a lovely cocktail by Gina Neely, co-host of Down Home with the Neelys on the Food Network. Makes for a great drink to serve not only to countdown the end of the work week, but at Sunday brunch too!

Gina's Morning Glory Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients
1/2-ounce orange liqueur
1/2-ounce cherry brandy
Splash pineapple juice
Champagne
Strawberry, for garnish

Directions
Fill champagne flute with orange liqueur, cherry brandy and a splash of pineapple juice. Top with champagne. Add strawberry for garnish.

Balancing career and family

As women, we will always be faced with the challenge of balancing our professional goals with our family commitments. Check out this video where author and advertising executive Nina DiSesa discusses this constant juggling act:

Social media for professional use

In this day and age digital networking has become an important way for establishing professional contacts. In How to Network in the Digital Age, Brandon Miller offers some great tips on how to use social media to your professional advantage.

Click here to read Miller's entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://career-advice.monster.ca/job-hunt-strategy/professional-networking/how-to-network-in-the-digital-age/article.aspx

Bending All the Rules

We CCGs enjoy unwinding every now and then with a fun game, and we've found a new favourite--it's dominoes with a twist! Bendomino by Blue Orange Games has an innovative curved design that gives us much more control over the game since we need to ensure that the tiles match and fit. Challenging and strategic, it's perfect for our next "Game Night" with friends!

$17.95 at chapters.indigo.ca

Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar

Here's a soulful song from rock band Carolina Liar to crank up during times when you want to be saved from being confused:

Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!

Godiva Ice Cream Soda

For these hot summer days, there's nothing like a cold treat to cool us down. Try this yummy recipe tonight!

Godiva Ice Cream Soda

Yield: 1 serving
Difficulty: Easy
Preparation: 5 minutes

1 1/2 ounces Godiva Liqueur
4 ounces cola
1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Pour Godiva Liqueur into tall glass. Add cola. Stir. Top with ice cream.

Land that job

Want to know the secrets to landing that dream job? Check out this video for some great tips:

Over-doing it with overtime

If you tend to work a lot of extra hours, here's some food for thought for you: check out Is overtime worth it? by Sarah Deveau to help you re-evaluate your reasons for spending so much time at the office and perhaps take a moment to consider the personal sacrifices you may be making.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:
http://www.canadianliving.com/life/work/is_overtime_worth_it.php

Sweet Saviour

We've discovered a sweet treat to reward ourselves with after we've finished a gruelling report. These yummy Candy Pouches by Laura Secord are available in three heavenly flavours: Lemon Blueberry Shortbread, Chocolate Covered Blackberries & Raspberries, and French Mint Caramels. They all sound so good we don't know which one to buy--lucky for us, there's a deal when you buy three at once so now we can try them all!

$5.99 each or 3 for $15 at Laura Secord stores; visit laurasecord.ca to find a store near you

Faith - George Michael

Have faith, ladies! The weekend has arrived. Here's an oldie but a goodie from George Michael:

Have a great weekend, ladies and see you all on Monday!

Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea is a classic cocktail that's a trusty favourite all year round. Look forward to the weekend by mixing up this popular drink tonight!

Ingredients:
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz gin
1 dash Coca-Cola
Twist of lemon peel (or lime)

Directions:
Mix all contents in a highball glass and sitr gently. Add dash of Coca-Cola for the colouring and garnish with lemon or lime twist.

Vows wow

From the looks of it, there were less than 100 guests in attendance to witness Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz tie the knot at their June 20th ceremony, but due to the phenomenon that is YouTube, their unique wedding entrance has so far generated over 18.5 million views online.

Watch the couple and their bridal party as they boogie their way down the aisle to Forever by Chris Brown:



Addendum: So popular was their dance number that the entire bridal party was invited to recreate it live on the Weekend TODAY news show. Click here to watch the wedding entrance on Weekend TODAY or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32141897#32141897

Gossip gals may be the first to go

So what can one do to potentially save oneself from company downsizing? In Loose lips sink careers in tough times by Janis Foord Kirk (originally published in the Toronto Star on October 18, 2008), suggestions such as doing an attitude check, going the extra length, and other actions are office worker de rigeur which may prevent you from getting the pink slip. A great article that offers up starightforward advice on how to make yourself shine as a star employee during tough times.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/519431

Posh Drinkware

Drinking eight glasses of water a day is going to look very chic with these gorgeous Cin Cin! Acqua Tumbler glasses. Handmade from Mexican 100% recycled glass, these tumblers are a beautiful way to brighten up the dinner table every night or pull them out for home entertaining.

$96 USD for set of 6 at rosannainc.com

Stop - Spice Girls

Here's a classic from the Spice Girls. Take it from the girl power group and slow it down to have some fun this weekend!

Have a great weekend, ladies and see you all on Monday!

Dolce Vita's Surubao

There's still an entire month of summer left for enjoying delicious drinks on the patio! Here's a fabulous cocktail by David Rocco, host of David Rocco's Dolce Vita on the Food Network. Cheers!

Dolce Vita's Surubao

Yield: 1

Ingredients:
10 x fresh raspberries
1 tbsp raspberry syrup
1 tbsp sugar
1 x lime, freshly squeezed
1 oz vodka (or 2 ounces if you prefer)
4 ounces cranberry juice
crushed ice
A slice of lime to garnish

Directions:
1. In a large sturdy glass, combine raspberries, raspberry syrup, sugar and lime juice. Use a pestle to gently crush and mix ingredients. Then add vodka and cranberry juice.

2. Add ice and shake vigorously using a cocktail shaker. Pour back into the glass. Garnish with a slice of lime. Serve immediately.

How to re-enter the workforce

Are you a CCG-turned-SAHM (stay-at-home mom) who's now looking to head back into the working world? Check out this video for some great advice on how to do just that from career coach Maggie Mistal who also hosts national weekly radio show "Making a Living with Maggie" on Martha Stewart Radio:

Paycheque makeover

If you're a CCG who finds herself anxiously awaiting every pay day to arrive, it's time to take hold of your personal finances. Check out How to stop living from paycheque to paycheque by Jess Aldred for some great tips and steps you can start taking now to get yourself into better shape financially.

Click here to read the aticle or copy and paste the link below into your Web browser:
http://www.canadianliving.com/life/money/how_to_stop_living_from_paycheque_to_paycheque.php

A wife to sort out your life

We love finding books that are enjoyable for reading at the beach and Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders (Hachette Book Group) definitely falls into this category. Alex Hill is a woman with a high-powered job with little time on her hands to manage her home life. That seems to be okay when she's on her own but when her demanding mother has a bad fall that requires her to move in with Alex, she suddenly is in need of help. And not just a housekeeper who's going to cook and clean, but also someone who's going to be able to entertain her hard-to-please mum. A classified ad placed in the paper by her stay-at-home-mom gal pal leads to a caregiver named Ella who Alex's mum appears to be smitten with, but Alex is clueless as to why since she's never been at home to meet the domestic darling. This funny and light-hearted read will keep you entertained to the very end.

$14.95 at chapters.indigo.ca