9 Cost-Saving Ways to Host the Holiday Feast

The holidays are a time when we tend to lose track of our budget. And hosting the holiday feast is no exception. Check out the post 9 tips to save money on Christmas dinner from the Chatelaine Your Money blog in which Caroline Cakebread offers suggestions on how to prepare a feast that won't eat into your savings.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/34686--nine-tips-to-save-money-on-christmas-dinner

Bundle of Joy and Safety

We moms are vigilant when it comes to the safety of our babies, particularly at night when we can't be watching over their every move. To protect our precious ones from SIDS, we're using the HALO Innovations Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle. The adjustable swaddle wrap is specifically designed to help babies sleep safer. There's space at the bottom for kicking,  but can’t be kicked off so baby stays warm and cozy. And diaper changes? No problem as the SleepSack unzips from the bottom allowing baby to stay bundled while you change her. We can now sleep a little sounder knowing our baby is safely swaddled.

$29.99 at babiesrus.ca

A portion of every sale goes to First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths

Do They Know It's Christmas? - Glee Cast

It was a hit in 1984 for Band Aid and raised millions for relief of the Ethiopian famine. Today, it remains a classic holiday tune and even gets covered on Glee.

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

Like this song? Purchase the Glee version from iTunes - all net proceeds go to the Band Aid Charitable Trust

Gals We Admire: Melody Rhind

Vintage clothing for kids? That's the brainchild of Melody Rhind. Get the scoop on Rhind who has built a successful business out of developing a unique children's clothing line.

Read more »

Holiday Entertaining: Buffet Table Set-Up

It's the holiday party season! If you're serving a large crown, a buffet is the way to go. Check out this video of Clinton Kelly of TLC's What Not to Wear as he shares his tips on the best way to arrange the buffet table.

6 Tips for Sticking to Your Holiday Budget

Want to avoid going into debt over the holiday season? Be sure to check out 6 ways to avoid holiday overspending by Sheryl Smolkin on Moneyville.ca where she provides tips from RBC on how to keep your shopping budget in check.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/1097721--6-ways-to-avoid-holiday-overspending

Story Time

We know the holidays can be a hectic time for working moms. Unwind from a busy day by curling up on the couch (or into bed!) with the kids and reading them Christmas Eve At The Mellops' by Tomi Ungerer. The four Mellops brothers all want to surprise their family with a Christmas tree. It's a sweet story that is beautifully illustrated, and reading it as a family is a delightful way to get some quality time with the ones you love the most.

$14.95 (Hardcover) at ca.phaidon.com

Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

Released over a quarter of a century ago, it's clear this Bryan Adams hit is an enduring one for the holidays. Yes, there truly is "something about Christmas time"!

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

Gals We Admire: Jo-Ann James

This career gal has a real sense of purpose—and she's up every day at 5:30 am in order to fulfill that purpose. Find out what gets Jo-Ann James going every morning and what she enjoys most about her life's calling.

Read more »

Downsizing Worries

Even dinosaurs worry about downsizing!

Doodle While You Work

Find it hard to sit still during a long meeting? In If your audience is fidgeting, it may be a good thing (originally published in The Globe and Mail on Thursday, December 1st), Mark Fenske writes about how "a growing body of research suggests that engaging in what seems like needless movement may act to boost physiological arousal and alertness". In simpler terms, this means that fidgeting and doodling may actually help to increase your attention span.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/conditions/brain-health/if-your-audience-is-fidgeting-it-may-be-a-good-thing/article2255140/

Galactic Christmas

Your child will have fun counting down to Christmas with the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. Open a window every day to collect 24 galactic gifts in all, including iconic mini figures, vehicles and accessories such as a mini Millennium Falcon and X-wing Starfighter. On Christmas Eve, your little one will be surprised with an exclusive Santa Yoda mini figure. An awesome gift for a Star Wars fan who's demonstrated they've been extra nice throughout the year!

$49.99 at http://shop.lego.com/en-CA
(For ages 6 to 14)

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

The holiday season is upon us! Pop diva Mariah Carey secured a place in holiday music history with this infectiously festive song, which is admittedly one of our favourite modern day Christmas tunes. 

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

Gals We Admire: Dr. Joti Samra

Dr. Joti Samra always knew she wanted to be a doctor, but she gets squeamish at the sight of blood. So, Samra found a way to make her dream come true—by becoming a psychologist.

Read more »

How to Renegotiate Your Mortgage

Wondering if there's any benefit to renegotiating your mortgage? Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist for The Globe and Mail, interviews Robert McLister, Mortgage Planner and Editor of The Canadian Mortgage Trends blog, for tips on how to renegotiate a variable rate mortgage as well as the trickier fixed rate mortgage. 

3 Ways to Save and Still Enjoy Life

How would you like to cut down on your spending while still enjoying the good things in life? Though it may sound like an oxymoron, it is possible. How to Save Money Without Giving Up Too Much, as published on RealSimple.com, offers three helpful tips on how to live happily on less.

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

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/saving/save-money-without-giving-up-too-much-00000000020243/index.html

Dishing Out the Holiday Spirit

'Tis the season to be clean! We're spreading Christmas cheer in just about every aspect of our lives, and this includes sink side with the method holiday dish soap and hand wash collection. Our favourtie, the candy cane pump dish soap, leaves our dishes with a sparkling shine thanks to the naturally derived. And with its festive fragrance, we can't help but get into a holiday mood while doing what is usually a dreary chore.

$3.99 at major grocery stores and pharmacies

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

Here's a ballad that's sweet and pretty. Originally written and recorded by the legendary Bob Dylan, we are loving the cover version by Brit songstress Adele.

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

Gals We Admire: Catherine Graham

Catherine Graham sounds like she's got a career that's poetry in motion. As a creative writing instructor, a writing mentor/coach and a poet (amongst other things), Graham says her work energizes her spirit.

Read more »

Worst passwords of 2011

Do you use "michael" or "abc123" as your password for online accounts? Better think about coming up with a new one!


Check out this video reporting on the worst passwords of 2011, as revealed by tech company SplashData, Inc.: 

Click here to see the complete list of this year's 25 worst passwords.

A Guide to Finding a Financial Planner

If you've put off getting yourself a financial planner simply because you don't know where to start, check out How to find a perfect financial planner. This step-by-step guide by MoneySense.ca staff offers great advice and includes links to useful websites to help you find the ideal planner for your financial needs.

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

http://www.moneysense.ca/2010/10/04/how-to-find-a-perfect-financial-planner/

Face the Cold

Brrrr... baby, it's cold outside! We're using Weleda Cold Cream on our face and neck to protect our skin from the harsh elements of winter. The luscious, nutrient-rich balm is excellent on dry skin, leaving our face feeling smooth and moisturized even on the most blustery and windy of days. Awesome!

$16 USD (1.0 fluid oz / 30 mL) at usa.weleda.com

(Formerly called EVERON® Face Balm)

Love You Like A Love Song - Selena Gomez & The Scene

Okay, we admit it, we actually like the latest song from Justin Bieber's girlfriend. We even find ourselves hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat on our iPod just so we can hear Gomez sing it again.

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

Gals We Admire: Nancy Vonk

Nancy Vonk oversaw a large part of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, which has become a shining example of how advertising can shift the way society thinks. Get the scoop on what this advertising guru's day entails, and find out what she considers to be the biggest challenge in her industry.

Read more »

Sensitivity Training

Need a sensitivity training session in the workplace? Check out this scene from an episode of the ever-hilarious The Office for an example on how one should not be conducted.

5 Tips for Finding a New Job

Have you found yourself daydreaming lately about getting a new job? You might not be ready to leave your current post just yet, but should the right opportunity come along, you've told yourself you're open to the possibility. Check out How to Look for a Job When You Already Have One by Caroline Levchuck for five suggestions on how to put out the feelers.

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

http://career-advice.monster.ca/job-hunt-strategy/getting-started/how-to-look-for-a-job-when-you-already-have-one-ca/article.aspx

Patriot Games

Winter is on its way, and during our chilly commuting days, we'll be keeping our hands nice and toasty with the 2011/2012 version of the Official Canadian Olympic Team Red Mittens. The 2010 version of these mittens were a hit for the 2010 Winter Olympics and have since become an iconic symbol of rooting for our athletes. And with three dollars from every pair sold going towards supporting Canadian Olympic Team athletes for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, we get a warm and fuzzy feeling all over inside.

$10 at thebay.com

Angel - Sarah McLachlan

Take a moment to remember those who fought for this country in the past to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.

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

Gals We Admire: Alka Graham

Alka Graham loves coming up with new brunch ideas that have an Indian twist to them.  And this certainly bodes well for customers of Frankly Eatery, the brunch spot in Toronto's trendy Leslieville that Graham is chef and co-owner of. 

Read more »

Conference Call Blunder

Here's a funny webisode made by staffing firm Robert Half International.

As their tagline says, "don't let this happen to you" in real life!

10 Unflattering Stereotypes About Powerful Women

Women of power. From top left: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama and the Queen. (Photo credit: The Daily Telegraph)

In From Ice Queen to Cheerleader: Ten terrible stereotypes about powerful women, Elizabeth Bromstein reports on a recent round-up done by Forbes magazine staff writer Jenna Gourdreau. Gourdreau polled some powerful women, including IMF chief Christine Lagarde and Jill Abramson of the New York Times to share their least favourite stereotypes about powerful women. 

The top three stereotypes on the list were that a powerful woman is tough, she's single and lonely, and above all, she's an Ice Queen.

To find out what other stereotypes made the list, click here to read the entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.workopolis.com/advice/article/1396-from-ice-queen-to-cheerleader-ten-terrible-stereotypes-about-powerful-women

Sheer Decadence

After a long work day, this is one treat that will satisfy and make you forget your troubles. The President's Choice The Decadent Molten Chocolate Chip Cookie is just like their popular signature cookie except you heat this version so that the centre flows with chocolatey goodness. Pop it in the microwave or in the oven and you'll have a to-die-for dessert in mere moments. Yum!

We Found Love - Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

It's another hit for Rihanna. Enjoy the mellow beat of her newest track on this lovely Friday.

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

Gals We Admire: Deborah Moskovitch

Deborah Moskovitch certainly has an interesting career. As a divorce consultant, Moskovitch has the task of supporting and advising people through a difficult time in their lives. And she believes her trademarked "SMART" method to dealing with divorce can also be applied to career gals looking to achieve their professional goals.

Read more »

Investment Tips from The Wealthy Barber

Here's a great video co-produced by The Globe and Mail and the Investor Education Fund where personal finance columnist Rob Carrick talks to David Chilton, author of the best-selling The Wealthy Barber. Chilton's book is arguably one of the most authoritative books on personal finances for Canadians. 

Get practical tips from Chilton for maximizing your investments:

Writing Your Will 101

It's not something we want to dwell on, but it's an issue that requires priority. Check out Five tips on creating your will by Caroline Cakebread to learn what to do in order to ensure your loved ones are protected.

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

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/31049--five-tips-on-creating-your-will

Seriously Funny

There's no doubt that Ellen DeGeneres is one funny gal. In her third and newest book, Seriously...I'm Kidding (Grand Central Publishing), the daytime talk show host muses on her recent career successes including becoming a CoverGirl model and hosting a season of American Idol, as well as shares personal stories and life advice. Ellen's book was a quick read for us and we found ourselves chuckling throughout a lot of it and even laughing out loud. This is a must-read for fans of DeGeneres' hilarious monologues and comic wit. Keep this one on the bedside table—Ellen's humour is good clean fun that'll put a smile on your face before going to sleep.

$29.99 (Hardcover) at Amazon.ca

CCG Giveaway Alert!*
Hey CCG Fans, we're giving five lucky readers each a copy of Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres! 


For your chance to win, all you have to do is head over to the Canadian Career Gal Facebook page, "Like" our page and Share the "Seriously Funny" (review of Ellen's book) post on our Wall with your friends. You'll then be automatically entered into a random draw for a chance to win one (1) of five (5) copies of Ellen DeGeneres' Seriously...I'm Kidding. To be eligible for the draw, be sure to post your answer on the Canadian Career Gal Facebook page by Friday, November 4th at 8 PM (EST).


Winners will be announced on our Facebook page, as well as right here on the official CCG site so check back with us after the contest closing time to see if you won. Good luck!
*Rules & Regulations: CONTEST IS OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY. No purchase necessary. One entry per person per household. We reserve the right to cancel this contest at any time.

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

Get pumped for the weekend with this great track from Foster The People.

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

Gals We Admire: Jamie Delaine

Wedding photographer Jamie Delaine considers it a privilege to be with the newlywed couple on their big day, which is probably one of the reasons she's so good at what she does. Find out how Delaine spends her days, plus get some solid career advice from this hardworking gal. 

Read more »

5 Ways to Listen Better

According to sound expert Julian Treasure "we are losing our listening." Treasure believes this is a serious problem "because listening is our access to understanding, and conscious listening always creates understanding."


Watch Treasure's TED Talk, where he offers five simple exercises to improve your own conscious listening:

Breast Cancer Prevention Guide

There's a great guide from Chatelaine.com on How to reduce your breast cancer risk at every age. The guide outlines some general things you should be doing in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond in order to protect your health and stay breast aware. 

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

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/31404--how-to-reduce-your-breast-cancer-risk-at-every-age

Looking to shop for the cure? Check out a few "pink" products that support the breast cancer cause.

Read more »

Buzz Appeal

Halloween is just around the corner! For fun, flirty costume ideas, check out the collection from La Vie en Rose. Our favourite is the Bumble Bee Costume with  wings and an antenna headband included to complete the look. This playful ensemble is sure to cause a sting, er, we mean stir at this year's soireé. 

$49.95 at lavieenrose.com

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

After their hot summer hit Party Rock Anthem, here's yet another fun track to bop to from LMFAO.

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

Gals We Admire: Anita Li

Currently a reporter at The Toronto Star, Anita Li says she always wanted to be a journalist. Find out what Li's work days entail, and what this young and talented career gal enjoys most about her profession.

Read more »

Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man Reminder

Marketing themselves as "the young women's breast cancer movement", Rethink Breast Cancer is a Canadian charity that looks to "bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd". Their 2009 PSA "Save the Boobs" campaign video certainly caused quite a stir and even got media south of the border talking including CNN, Good Morning America, The View, and the Huffington Post.

This year, they've done a hot (and we do mean HOT) video to promote their new app to help us gals remember to "Touch, Look and Check" our breasts. Check it out:

Get the Your Man Reminder app for FREE here!

9 Tips for a Top-Notch Résumé

Looking to brush up that outdated résumé of yours? In Unbeatable résumé tips from a top recruiter, Kerry Hannon interviews Tony Beshara, recruitment expert and author of Unbeatable Résumés (Amacom, 2011), to find out what's the key to writing an outstanding CV.

Beshara offers nine essential tips for résumé writing, emphasizing that an unbeatable résumé "has to be simple. No more than two pages. The average résumé gets read in 10 seconds. Be sure the content is on a level any high school senior could understand. In other words, the person looking at your résumé should be able to easily understand exactly who you have worked for and what that company does."

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

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/career-tips/unbeatable-rsum-tips-from-a-top-recruiter/article2183397/

Sketch-y Times

We're huge fans of board games and we've come across our newest favourite. Hilarity ensued when we brought Telestrations (USAopoly) to a recent family function. It's the "telephone game sketched out" and was a big hit! For four to eight players, all players simultaneously draw, pass and guess to reveal unpredictable and often ridiculous outcomes.

Check out this short video for a demo on how to play:


It's said to be "even more fun if you can’t draw", and we can certainly vouch for that. Get this game for guaranteed laugh-out-loud fun at your next gathering!

$31.99 at chapters.indigo.ca

CCG Giveaway Alert!*

Hey CCG Fans, we're giving five lucky readers each their own Telestrations game! All you have to do is head over to our Facebook page, "Like" our page and tell us what your favourite board game is (besides Telestrations, of course!). You'll then be automatically entered into a random draw for a chance to win 1 of 5 Telestrations games. To be eligible for the draw, be sure to post your answer on our Facebook page by Friday, October 28th at 8 PM (EST).

Winners will be announced on our Facebook page, as well as right here on the official CCG site so check back with us after the contest closing time to see if you won. Good luck!

*Rules & Regulations: CONTEST IS OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY. No purchase necessary. One entry per person per household. We reserve the right to cancel this contest at any time.

You Make Me Feel... - Cobra Starship feat. Sabi

This song makes us want to get up and dance every time we hear it—and what's better than dancing your way into the weekend?

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

Gals We Admire: Ali Zentner

She's a specialist in internal medicine, obesity and cardiac risk management. In spite of her demanding role, Ali Zentner makes it a point to bike every day and swim twice a week. Find out more about the physically active physician.

Read more »

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56 on October 5, 2011. The visionary behind Macs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones has left an indelible mark on technology in the 21st century.


Check out Jobs' commencement address to the Stanford Graduating Class of 2005 where he offers some solid advice that we all could benefit from:

RiP Steve Jobs.

Bran is Best for the Breast

Hey CCGs, it's time to get your bran on and protect yourself from breast cancer. 

It’s estimated that the average Canadian consumes between 11 and 17 grams of fibre each day – half the amount that’s recommended to reap health benefits.

Ladies, those of us between the ages of 19 to 50 are advised to get 25 grams of fibre each day, and after 50, we should aim for 21 grams.

Check out Can bran flakes protect you from breast cancer? by Toronto-based dietician Leslie Beck for seven tips on how to incorporate more fibre into your diet.

As Beck states, "Research has already shown that boosting your daily fibre intake can help guard against constipation, high cholesterol, weight gain, irritable bowel syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and possibly colon cancer, and now, new study findings show that getting more roughage can also lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer. And the more fibre consumed, the lower the risk."

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

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/health-nutrition/leslie-beck/can-bran-flakes-protect-you-from-breast-cancer/article2117068/