http://youtu.be/cv-0mmVnxPA




http://youtu.be/E3_l5Ss203I

Just finished a juice cleanse courtesy of Cruda Cafe in St. Lawrence Market. I've always wanted to do one and this made it easy - 5 days - no prep - just picking up the bottles. While the juice were yummy and I did feel lighter - nothing really miraculous happened - perhaps a testament to eating a pretty clean diet.

It did inspire me to be more conscious of what I eat and how much though - i.e. probably a little too much volume. There is nothing like eliminating parts of your diet - like solid food to appreciate how grateful you are for having that choice - and the abundance of choice.

Above, a little double dose of Carly Simon for your enjoyment. "Working Girl" is one of my all time favourite movies!!

I have finished two great books recently one - "When God Was a Rabbit" and the second another mystery series I've been enjoying by Shirley Tallman - "Murder on Nob Hill", which features the intrepid and pioneering  lawyer Sarah Woolson who happens to practice law in 1880s San Francisco.



I'm in the midst of planning my first ever trip to Florida - Orlando and hopefully down to Key West. I felt it was high time as an Ontario resident to check out that state and see what writers like Dave Barry, Edna  Buchananhttp://youtu.be/cv-0mmVnxPA and Carl Hiassen have been talking about...

Amour de Beaute

That's a hopefully French way of declaring at this Valentine's week - my love of beauty of all kinds and especially beauty products - in particular those that are kind to your body, animals  and the planet.

I've recently discovered the Andalou line which has a variety of skin care, hair care and body care products with delightfully fresh scents. I have starting using their hair conditioner (Argan and orange) - it also says for curly hair on the bottle and their Mandarin and Vanilla shower gel..can't wait to try more. Another beautiful thing about the products - the price point - very reasonable and available in many health food stores.




Number two - a local line called "Clinical Luxury by Nature" - I have yet to actually sample the wares - I will need to either take the leap of faith and order online or seek them out at Eco Existence up on St. Clair..which would be a worthy excursion. Again - many delicious sounding ingredients, all natural, local company and largely vegan - except for a bit of manuka honey. One of their products even has broccoli seeds in it and their Serum a variety of fruit - raspberry, blueberry etc. - I love when the ingredients are edible - as they say if you can't eat it why would you put it on your body?

www.clinicalluxurybynature.com


I highly recommend the book I'm reading "The Street of A Thousand Blossoms" by Gail Tsukiyama - I now have a screen saver with an image of a Japanese garden in winter - so that is on my dream list - a trip to Japan. I have become a big fan of her writing - she is an amazing storyteller. This tale is about two brothers growing up in pre and post war Tokyo and being brought up by their grandparents. One is an aspiring sumo wrestler and the other an aspiring mask maker and artisan. It's all here - triumph and tragedy, love and loss, joy and sadness. I also advise you to check out "Women of the Silk" by this fabulous author. Can't wait to read more of her books.




I sometimes think I had a past lifetime in Japan.

On a last foodie note - please know that a number of veg restaurants have menus for you and your sweetie or even your best friend - Veg Haven, Sadie's, Rawlicious, Hogtown...visit as always that fount of veg knowledge - www.veg.ca

And for those chocolate fanatics, a visit to Ten Thousand Villages this morning revealed a yummy Divine Dark Chocolate Bar with Raspberries and in anticipation Easter - Dark Chocolate Eggs - which are scrumptious! So eat something wonderful and feel wonderful about the source and where your funds are going..I also couldn't resist purchasing some earrings - I find the artistry and affordability astounding.

Wallowing in melodrama

Yes, the glamourous Lana Turner - as legend has it discovered in a drug store...I happened to catch her in "Imitation of Life" - which is where this photo is taken from - one of the many gorgeous dresses and outfits she models in the film. Of course it's from the master of that genre -  Douglas Sirk - lots of over the top melodrama in saturated Technicolour. Lana's character Lora Meredith is an ambitious actress who somewhat neglects her relationship with her daughter Susie  and her longtime friend and maid Annie. The maid's daughter is light skinned and "passing" for white - which brings its own complications.

Oh sometimes you want to descend into that fantasy world and indulge a little. So what if it's not realistic - I guess they were trying to bring attention to racism in their own way.  Lana's daughter is played by 50's good girl icon, Sandra Dee: Yep, I couldn't help thinking of that tune from "Grease"....

The previous film of the double bill was "All That Heaven Allows" another Sirk gem. If you have seen "Far From Heaven" with Julianne Moore - an homage to those flicks then you know what I'm talking about.






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