Pineapple Lover's Dream

We love serving (and eating!) fresh fruit in the summer and one of our all-time faves is pineapple. But oh, how we dislike the nuisance of cutting this fanciful fruit. Not anymore! We got ourselves the very handy Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer & Wedger which peels, cores and slices a fresh pineapple in seconds. Working like a corkscrew, this easy-to-use manual gadget removes the flesh in perfectly formed rings. The separate wedger part can be used to cut the pineapple rings into uniform-looking pieces. And for us "it's all about the presentation" type hostesses, the intact shell is perfect for serving a desert or fruit salad with flair. Trust us, you won't want to cut a pineapple any other way once you get this!

Watch how the Pineapple Slicer & Wedger works here

$9.99 at kitchenstuffplus.com

Drive By - Train

The first single from the San Fran pop rock band's sixth studio album California 37,  is as infectious as their past hits Drops of Jupiter, Hey Soul Sister, and Marry Me. Enjoy this soulful tune as you head into the weekend.

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

Gals We Admire: Jean Blacklock

A lawyer who owns a cupcake business? Jean Blacklock certainly got our attention with her interesting career choices. In fact, you might just say she's got one sweet life. 

Read more »

Movie Worth Watching: People Like Us

Not into the rock 'em, sock 'em action blockbusters that are typical of the season? People Like Us (DreamWorks Pictures) is this summer's answer to a good-hearted, touching drama film about Sam (Chris Pine), a fast-talking salesman who is required to deliver a large sum of money (bequeathed by his deceased father) to Frankie (Elizabeth Banks), the sister he never knew he had. No CG or special effects in this one—the intriguing storyline and superb acting (including the return of the talented Michelle Pfeiffer as Sam's mother) are enough to keep you entertained.

Watch the official People Like Us trailer here:

People Like Us hits theatres everywhere June 29th. Don't miss it!

Tips for a Successful Startup

In How to Run a Successful Startup by Danny Bradbury (Backbone magazine, April 2012), the founders of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, HootSuite, Fixmo, and other successful startups reflect on what it takes to build a company from scratch. Getting U.S. funding, managing growth, and testing market assumptions are just some of the pearls of wisdom doled out in this informative article.

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

http://www.backbonemag.com/Magazine/2012-04/run-a-successful-startup.aspx

Taking Care of Kitty's Business

Why is it that cat litter boxes look so ugly and archaic? We were on the prowl for one for our feline friend and were disappointed to find limited choices in this necessary product. We knew we wanted something clean and contemporary, yet fun but not too childish. After much searching, we discovered one we absolutely love—the Cats Rule Charlie Litter Box. With a cat head-shaped entry (super cute!), it's wide enough for kitty's easy access, and the high sides and back help to reduce spraying and litter scratching.  The covered litter box, with double-venting to allow for air flow, is also the perfect size to allow kitty to move around and dig inside the box to do her business. We also appreciate that it’s seam-free making it easy to clean and there's even a spot to house the litter scoop right in the back of the box. How purr-fect!

$29.99 USD at catsrule.com

The Fighter - Gym Class Heroes feat. Ryan Tedder

Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic joins Gym Class Heroes for this inspiring song that's sure to get continuous airplay once the London Games kick off next month. Enjoy this video which also features American gymnast and Olympic hopeful John Orozco.

And as you croon the catchy chorus "give 'em hell, turn their heads, gonna live life 'til we're dead", congratulate yourself for surviving another work week.

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

Gals We Admire: Carla D’Andreamatteo

Carla D’Andreamatteo has work days that are anything but typical. The registered dietician runs her own nutrition consulting business in Manitoba, and embraces the fact that her chosen field of profession is one that is forever advancing giving her infinite opportunities to learn and thrive.

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How to Deal with Financial Adviser Woes

Thinking about giving your financial adviser the boot? In this video, produced by the Investor Education Fund (IEF), Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist for The Globe and Mail, sits down with personal finance expert Gail Bebee to discuss what to do if you're not satisfied with the person in charge of your investments.

Fit Physique, Fat Paycheque

On the SmartMoney.com blog, a recent entry Want a 9% Raise? Hit the Gym by Jack Hough reports on a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Labor Research, in which the findings were that, on average, workers who exercise regularly earn a higher pay than those who don’t.

What do you think? Have you noticed a correlation between sweating it out and salary increases among the workers in your office?

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

http://blogs.smartmoney.com/advice/2012/06/06/want-a-9-raise-hit-the-gym/?link=SM_hp_ls4e

Hydration On-the-Go

Call us purified water snobs, but with the easy spreading of germs in public places, we simply refuse to drink tap water from water fountains. The Brita Bottle has become our new best friend for quick and easy filtered water wherever we may be. Whether we're at the office, the gym, the mall, you name it, the squeezable, reusable bottle provides 151 litres of filtered water before the built-in filter needs to be replaced. So, now our eco- and health-conscious selves can say bye-bye to plastic water bottles, and hello to an endless supply of great-tasting H20.

$9.99 (includes 1 filter); $7.99 for 2-pack filter refills at Walmart and other major  retailers and grocery stores
Click here to get a $2 OFF coupon (Coupon expires June 30, 2012)

Big Hoops (Bigger The Better) - Nelly Furtado

Take it from Ms. Furtado - do lots of fun things this weekend, "the bigger the better".

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

Gals We Admire: Mirella Amato

Who knew beer could be so much fun and interesting to learn about? Mirella Amato did! Once upon a time, discovering beer was just a hobby for Amato. Now? It's her full time job.

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How to Stop Fighting Over Money

Money—it's one of the biggest issues couples fight over. Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist for The Globe and Mail, sits down with personal finance expert Kelley Keehn who gives her take on what are the main causes of money fights, as well as advises on how money can best be managed in a relationship (Keehn's recommendation? Have separate and joint accounts). 

Funny Gals Can't Get a Break

In a recent post on The Globe and Mail's Hot Button Blog, Zosia Bielski wrote on the topic of Female jokesters bomb in the boardroom, study shows. The study, done at a British university by a linguistics expert, found that "about 70 per cent of the women opted for self-deprecating humour [however] more than 80 per cent of the jokes were met with painful silence." On the other hand, "90 per cent of jokes made by men scored 'immediate laughter.' Consequently, men were three times more likely to kid around while leading a meeting."

The study appears to suggest that "these men used humour to display their dominance [while] women would rather laugh at themselves on the whole than laugh at others because it is the safe option".

Click here to read the entire post or copy and paste this link into your Web browser: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/female-jokesters-bomb-in-the-boardroom-study-shows/article4226021/

Dance Again - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull

On this day in 1999, On the 6, the debut studio album of Jennifer Lopez, was released. And 13 years after hits like "If You Had My Love", "Waiting For Tonight", and "Let's Get Loud", JLo is proving she still knows how to make chart-topping, club-loving songs (and steamy music videos to match!).

Dance your way into the weekend with her latest track, yet another team-up effort with Pitbull:

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