Archive | February, 2009

Banana Pudding in a FLASH!


I looove anything and everything to do with bananas – banana pudding, banana yogurt, banana cream pie, and especially… bananas! (Which is why I’m heartbroken that little Ryder Roonie can’t stand them – he pushes them away every time!)

For an insanely quick and easy dessert, I always turn to a tried and true Banana Pudding. Made with a few staple ingredients, it’s a wonderfully sweet treat. Delish!


INGREDIENTS

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 container Cool Whip, thawed
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers, ladyfingers or Milanos

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the Cool Whip.

Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.

February 27, 2009 7 Comments

L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Mascara

Trying new things rocks! Sometimes I find a product I love, and sometimes it’s a bust – a complete waste of time and money (CWOTAM). Thankfully, that does not happen to me too often, which is more than hubby can say (remember “No More Nails”? The “Power Trainer Pro”?)

Regardless, I generally need to be persuaded to try something new. It could be an e-mail exchange with my girls (Trola just dropped $50 at MAC after such an exchange), a particularly fantastic ad campaign (I’m a sucker for bright colours and LARGE FONTS), or a well-placed high value coupon – which somehow always convinces me to spend a little on something new.

This week I have been convinced to try L’Oreal’s Double Extend Mascara. Why? Because they are offering a $5.00 off coupon on their website. And with several stores consistently having L’Oreal products on sale, chances are you can grab the mascara for a few dollars after the coupon is applied.

To get your coupon:

1. Visit L’Oreal Canada
2. Skip the intro
3. In the “Limited Offers” box on the top right, enter coupon code UHPT.
4. Complete the form and the coupon will be mailed to you.

I’m not overly excited about this promo, as I am loyal to my LashExact. But… well-placed coupon, high value… you know the drill :)

February 23, 2009 4 Comments

Signature Styles

I have to give mad love to Lisa Rinna. She’s been rocking the same shag hairstyle for over 10 years, and yet every time I see her, she looks incredibly sexy and stylish. It’s the perfect example of finding the right style, making it your own, and creating a signature look – regardless of what’s popular at the moment. Even Posh Spice, who pioneered the Pob, changes it up from time to time… but not Lisa – she’s a master of continuity!

I subscribe to her theory when it comes to fragrances. Unlike most, I’m not tempted to try the latest and greatest perfume by this pop star or that designer. I like finding a fragrance that smells great – to me, anyways; scent is such a personal thing – works with my chemistry, and garners at least 5 compliments in the first few weeks that I wear it. And then, that’s it. I stick with it until I am utterly, completely sick of it, and yearn for something new.

My fragrance is Salvatore Ferragamo’s “Charms”.

At a random bar a few of years ago, an insanely cute guy leaned my way and declared, “You smell delicious. I honestly just want to breathe you in. What are you wearing?” I responded with, “Ferragamo, it’s my scent”.

Recently, that same cute guy leaned over and kissed me on my forehead as we strapped our baby into his stroller. “You smell so good”, he said.

The lure of sticking to one fragrance is that it becomes your “signature”. When perchance, in the most random places or situations, someone catches a whiff, they’ll think of you. They’ll remember you. And since so many of our memories are tied to the sense of smell, you want to be memorable. I suppose that this can’t happen if you keep changing it up.

What’s your signature scent?

February 20, 2009 7 Comments

StyleSense: MASSIVE Winter Clearance!!! (Expired)

It was a cool, October evening when Trola and I first discovered StyleSense. From the geniuses who brought us Winners and HomeSense – behold a shoe and accessory store like no other – a huge (albeit organized) discounted emporium full of tootsie pleasers and shoulder candy!

On that fateful night I came home with a gorgeous pair of Marciano stiletto booties… List Price: $175.00, Lena’s Stylesense Grab: $89.99. Loves them!

And NOW, until March 31st, they are having their MASSIVE Winter Clearance event! Time to scoop up a few deals ladies!!! They have only two (2) locations in Canada (thankfully less than a half hour drive for most of us): Vaughn Mills and Oakville Place.

Shoe hope you find something great!

February 20, 2009 2 Comments , ,

Rogers Reader’s Advantage

Reading Material Alert! In case you’re not already aware, Rogers TV, Wireless, Internet or Home Phone customers are entitled to a sweet deal on magazine subscriptions:

“You can subscribe to any of the Rogers magazines listed below for only $1 a month charged to your Rogers bill and enjoy regular delivery for as long as you want. You won’t be bothered with renewal notices. You’re not locked in. You can cancel anytime just by calling 1-888-Rogers1.”

The magazines you can choose from are:

Chatelaine
LouLou
Flare
Today’s Parent
Canadian Business
MoneySense

This is a fantabulous deal if you’re looking to get some affordable reading material on your coffee table tout suite! To take advantage of this offer, click here.

February 17, 2009 3 Comments ,

GAP: Save 20% off Regular Priced Items (Expired)

Maximize your spring wardrobe with this special offer! Take 20% off all regular priced items, valid February 17-24, 2009.

To print your coupon, click here.

February 17, 2009 Comments Off , ,

Penelope: Come to Mama

It’s been a while since I blogged, and I apologize to the four people who called me out on it (ha ha). You see, the thing is, I’ve been in a little bit of a funk lately. I think it’s the February Blahs – definitely a lack of Vitamin D, Open-Toed Stilettos, and Coppertone SPF 8.

So I did what all good girls do – I injected a bit of well-deserved excitement! Here’s my laundry list from the past two weeks:

1) Booked a spring fling to NYC – Hello 5th Avenue!!!
2) Covered my highlights with all over colour: a bold, burnt espresso – Hello Gorgeous!
3) Rocked MAC Pink Poodle LipGlass every time I went out – Hello Daring!
4) Spent a very romantic Valentine’s Day with hubby – Hello Sweetheart!
5) Marched on over to Coach to buy the Penelope Shopper in Lilac… uh oh, hello? Hello?

I simply could not believe it. The Penelope Shopper in Lilac was SOLD OUT across North America! Waaa! Waaa! Why me, why this purse???

Hubby tried to convince me that the black version was just as nice, and more functional. But didn’t he read my original post? I didn’t want functional. I wanted soft… seductive… in short, I wanted an arguably overpriced, completely non-essential, utterly vain and irrational Coach purse in LILAC.

So I did what all bad girls do - I special ordered my very own (out of only 65 left worldwide – yikes!) and was told to expect her in 3-4 weeks.

Ladies and gentlemen: She’s Mine. Penelope: Come to Mama.

February 16, 2009 3 Comments , ,

2 Weeks of FREE Activia Yogurt!!! (Expired)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

For a limited time, simply fill out Activia’s short survey found here and they will mail you a coupon for 2 WEEKS of FREE Activia Yogurt! Then, after you have completed the 2 week trial, simply fill out their follow up survey, and as a thank you, they will send you an additional coupon for another 2 WEEKS of FREE Activia!

After I completed the survey, this popped up on my screen:
Thank you for completing Survey #1! A coupon for free Activia will be mailed to you shortly. Please allow 1-2 weeks to receive your coupon!

Woot! Woot!

February 7, 2009 7 Comments ,

H&M: 20% off Any One Item (Expired)

Thanks to Ing for passing on this coolio coupon! Valid February 5th to 13th, take 20% off any one item (including sale merchandise). Or, print the coupon several times and take 20% off several items at several different checkout counters (wink wink). Enjoy!

Print your coupon here.

February 6, 2009 2 Comments

2009 Entertainment Books Now 35% Off (Expired)

If you do a lot of… I don’t know… STUFF… and would like to save some money while you’re at it, now is the time to pick up your copy of the 2009 Entertainment Book.

With an insane amount of discounts for dining, events, movies and attractions, the book is packed with $23,700 in total savings. And for a limited time, you can grab it for 35% off PLUS Free Shipping – a plethora of deals for US $19.50!

To see a partial list of the discounts available, click here.

My personal favourites? 2-for-1 admission to the One of A Kind Art Show and Yuk Yuk’s, 2-for-1′s at Second Cup and Pretzelmaker, and Cineplex and AMC discounted tickets.

Unfortunately, I won’t be taking advantage of the 2009 book (as I rarely get a chance to go out, boo hoo hoo), but here’s hoping someone out there can score a few deals – and perhaps share some of the goodness? :)

February 3, 2009 1 Comment , ,