This Christmas - Lady Antebellum

From Christina Aguilera to Harry Connick, Jr. to Mary J. Blige, singers have long since been covering Donny Hathaway's 1970 modern holiday hit, but it's Lady Antebellum's version that we're loving the most this Christmas.  

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

Chevrolet Holiday Message Benefits United Way

Here's a nice way to give back during the holiday season — share the Chevrolet Holiday Message via your Twitter or Facebook account and the company will contribute $1 to United Way for each share and retweet, up to a total of $50,000.

“Along with our commitment to customers, our company is dedicated to giving back and supporting the communities in which we live and work,” said Bob McClelland, brand director for Chevrolet in Canada. “We hope Canadians will take a moment to share the spirit of giving with their friends and family while helping United Way.”

So, spread some holiday cheer to your friends and family and support a good cause while you're at it:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=968764186471353

Make sure to include @ChevroletCanada, the hashtag #ChevyLove, and a link to www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada when you share!

Sexy Halloween Costumes

Don't have your Halloween costume picked out yet for next Thursday? Funny talk show host Ellen DeGeneres found some "sexy" suggestions for your consideration. Although these are probably not costumes you want to show up to the office in. 

Ellen's main costume criteria? No matter what you dress up as, make sure you wear something that's very comfortable to dance in. We agree!

Wake Up Sleepy Head

Global National health specialist Dr. Ali Zentner (who has also been featured as one of our Gals We Admire) reports on a new study in the journal SLEEP where researchers found too much or too little sleep is linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity and anxiety in those aged 45 and over. Watch the clip to get a summary of the findings:

The optimal amount of sleep? Seven to nine hours a day, every day, no more, no less.

Viral Video Secrets

Remember that "Charlie Bit My Finger" YouTube video or the one of the "Surprised Kitty"? And surely, you're one of the 1.7 billion (and counting) who has seen Psy's Gangnam Style music video. 

Ever since the dawning of YouTube, there are certain videos that have a je ne sais quoi about them that makes viewers compelled to share them over and over (and over) again. But why?

Click on the image below to watch an interview with digital journalist Ramona Pringle where she discusses the factors that make an online video go viral. (Tip: if a cat is in the video, it's already halfway there to becoming an internet sensation watched by millions.)

#funnystuff

Our fave late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon and singing sensation Justin Timberlake crack us up with this funny skit demonstrating what Twitter-speak would be like in the real world. So, if the singing, acting, fashion label thing doesn't work out for JT, it looks like he'll be more than welcome as Fallon's sidekick.

First-Time Homebuyer's Checklist

About to become a homeowner for the first time?  Check out this video by Aleksandra Oleksak, a Toronto-based real estate agent and founder of Realty Queen TO, for a checklist on what you need to do to ensure a smooth, stress-free closing: 

The video is the first instalment in Oleksak's series You Bought a House, Now What? Check out the entire series on Realty Queen TO's YouTube channel.

Nest Egg Advice

As a small business owner, you know that on top of balancing the books on a monthly and annual basis, another financial goal is to put away enough for when you decide to hang up your working hat for good. Here'a a video from The Globe and Mail's site with some helpful advice from Lee Helkie, partner at Helkie Financial & Insurance Services Inc., and Brendan Charters, co-owner of Eurodale Developments, for small-business owners trying to save for retirement.

Movie Worth Watching: The Fifth Estate

Here's something to look forward to once the fall arrives - an exciting based-on-true-events drama from DreamWorks Studio. The Fifth Estate focuses on the friendship of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his early supporter and eventual spokesperson of the website Daniel Domscheit-Berg. The growth and popularity of WikiLeaks leads to a huge divide between the two friends, who are played by current "It" guy Benedict Cumberbatch (as Assange) and Daniel Brühl (as Domscheit-Berg). The film also stars Laura Linney and Stanley Tucci. A strong cast and riveting true story are always a winning combo for a great drama - don't miss it!

Watch the official The Fifth Estate trailer here: 

The Fifth Estate hits theatres everywhere on October 11th.

Pretty as a Peacock

Happy Halloween! Are you getting into the spooky spirit? Because we are, and so are our kiddies. We scoured stores far and wide, online and in our neck of the woods, to find the perfect getup for our baby. We are positively in love with the Pottery Barn Kids Baby Peacock Costume, which has layers of coloured felt and shimmering tulle. Made of micro-fleece and lined with poly cotton, our little peacock will stay warm and cozy as she trick-or-treats from door to door. Bonus for mom: the body suit has a Velcro closure — very helpful when you're struggling to put on and take off the costume from a squirmy toddler. And really, when you have a little one, any day is a dress-up day, so the costume will most certainly be re-used often for make-believe and playtime.

Check out more of the Pottery Barn Kids Halloween Costume Collection in this cute video:

Visit the official Pottery Barn Kids site to view the entire collection - it's never too early to start thinking about next year's Halloween. 

The Story of Keep Calm and Carry On

Ever wonder where the line "Keep Calm and Carry On" came from? The well-known slogan dates back to 1939 when the UK government was looking to create a campaign to boost public morale during the beginning of the Second World War. Though we're not in war times, we can certainly identify with this slogan during stressful work periods.

Check out this short video - produced by UK bookstore Barter Books - to learn more about the catchphrase's humble beginnings to its widely popular status in today's society:

Text Peeves

Do you have proper text-iquette? If you aren't one of the people who attributed to this video's 4.7 million (and counting) YouTube views, check it out for your LOL of the day: What's your biggest text peeve?

Movie Worth Watching: Pitch Perfect

Is this Glee for the silver screen? Comparisons will certainly be made but we think Pitch Perfect (Universal Pictures), starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, and Elizabeth Banks, about an all-girls a cappella group who rebuilds so they can make their way to the championship, has real potential to be a hit film for fall. 

Watch the official Picture Perfect trailer here:

Picture Perfect hits theatres everywhere October 5th. Don't miss it!

Movie Worth Watching: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

All Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim (Joel Edgerton) want is a child to call their own. After being told they're unable to have one the old fashioned way, the Greens write down all the traits of the child they had always hoped of having and then bury the scribbled notes in a wooden box in their backyard, putting their dream (kid) to rest...or so they think. Mysteriously, 10-year-old Timothy (CJ Adams) appears seemingly out of nowhere and suddenly their biggest wish has come true.

Watch the official The Odd Life of Timothy Green trailer here: 

The Odd Life of Timothy Green hits theatres everywhere today. Don't miss it!

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!

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.

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). 

Movie Worth Watching: Brave

The latest film offering from Pixar Animation Studios is Brave, a grand adventure about about a headstrong princess who's also a skilled archer. Featuring the voices of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kelly Macdonald, and Robbie Coltrane, this flick promises to be a story full of heart, humour, and memorable characters.  

Watch the official Brave movie trailer here:

Brave hits theatres everywhere June 22nd. Don't miss it!

Smooth Criminal - 2CELLOS (Šulić & Hauser)

If you don't know the names Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser, you may know them better as 2CELLOS. The dynamic cello duo was signed to Sony Masterworks in April 2011 after their YouTube video upload of a cello-only cover of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal went viral. Dreams really do come true.

Check out the song that started it all for these two talented musicians:

Recipe: Easter Bread

Celebrating Easter this weekend? Chef and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich, joined by her granddaughter Julia, show you how to make a special and traditional Italian treat—Easter bread.