My favorite Things: Stuff I love so much I will even get on a plane to get some!

*disclaimer: this post is girlie. Guys, scroll down to Chili, below.


I've had the most uninspring day ever. Miserable weather and recession talk has been getting me down. So for no reason whatsoever, I'd like to share some things I can't live without.

1. Inglot Nail Polish

I didn't discover Inglot until they had closed their 1 Toronto store. It's too bad too, because they make the BEST nail polish. It dries fast, with no stink. Now if I'm going to Montreal or Ottawa, I stock up on a few colours!

2. Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion

The greatest cream I've ever used, and that's so important when the weather is really cold. So much better than the fancy expensive stuff. Also, unfortunately, not available in Canada (why sell a moisturizer in a country where the temperature is below freezing for 7 months a year?)

3. Four O'clock Chocolate Spice Tea

I discovered this in Mexico and became hooked. To my delight, I found out that it was a Canadian product. I had to speak to 5 different people in Quebec before they told me where to buy it here. I've been trying to wean myself coffee so I start my morning off with a cup of chocolate spice tea with chocolate milk every morning. It's my new addiction.

4. Kiss Me Mascara

The concept of 'tubing' your eyelashes sounded freaky, but all it means is - this is awesome mascara that won't smudge or be raccoon-y. End of

story. Expensive, but worth it!

It's Chili

Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday, which to me, means that Desperate Housewives will probably be a re-run. I don't watch sports. But I know tomorrow is a big one for the guys (the girls get Valentines day soon so it evens out). So if you love your guy, keep him around longer with this yummy healthy chili. My brother found this recipe on a cereal box years ago and it is the one I use consistently. The all-bran cereal might sound a little gross, but trust me, it gives a fantastic texture!

Healthy Chili
1lb Lean Ground Beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium green peppers chopped
1 can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
4 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
pinch pepper
1 can red kidney beans
1 cup All-Bran cereal

In large, heavy saucepan, cook beef with onion and green pepper until meat is browned, stirring frequently. Drain off any fat. Add tomatoes, break in chunks. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well mixed. Stir in beans and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cereal and cook about 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently.

When flowers won't do, say 'I love you' with poo.

Ok....so....how to begin this one.

First of all, I have to say that I love http://www.uncommongoods.com/

They have unique and creative gift ideas, and I visit the site often. Having said that, today just added a new product - in time for Valentines Day - that has left me scratching my head.

"Elephant Poo Roses

The saying

'stop and smell the roses' takes on a whole new meaning with these odorless paper roses that are handmade completely from elephant poop! Eco-friendly, innovative, sanitary and stink-free "

I wasn't aware that growing ACTUAL FLOWERS was a threat to our environment.

That it would be more cost effective to pay a human to poop 'n scoop behind dumbo's-well-behind and then for someone else to fashion flowers out of feces. As explained on the site...

"The making of paper starts with the collection and processing of the dung pulp. Elephant dung is typically full of short to medium grained fibrous materials from the elephants diet which when processed makes excellent paper."

While I applaud the innovation, I don't know of a woman who would feel warm and fuzzy with such a shitty Valentine's gift. Roses are sold for $15-48.

Maybe you can die of a hangover.

I had the privilege of visiting a graveyard on a recent trip to Mexico. Wow. Talk about inspiration! Mexicans have a very different attitude towards Death - they even have a holiday to celebrate and remember the deceased. While we North Americans have little choice in our concrete slab, Mexican graves are beautiful, each being an original piece of artwork, representative to a life lived fully. This one made me smile:

Imagine if our lives could be captured and commemorated in such a whimsical artistic tribute.

Maybe it would make people live differently?

Either way, I hope Leon Corona is having a fiesta up in heaven.

I hear they have an open bar.

Protein Cookie Dough Globs of Heaven

Like 99% of the population, I'm resolving to eat better this year. I generally eat healthy, and I have a very loose definition of 'generally.'

I created these last year because protein bars are expensive. These cookie globs are high in calories, so don't eat more than one as a snack, but they are delicious and portable and cheaper than most commercial sugary processed protein bars.

Protein Cookie Dough Globs of Heaven

1/2 cup dried apricots (you can use dried cranberries or any dried fruit)
2 scoops chocolate protein powder (I guess you can use Vanilla flavour too)
1 large tbsp peanut butter
2 egg whites

Blend all of the above in food processor. If too thick, add skim milk, until it's a 'cookie dough' texture. Shape into 'cookies' on baking sheet. Bake in oven at 3:50 till semi-hard.

A decade in 30 notebooks

One day, if I am so lucky and so blessed, they will make a movie about my life. If they made a movie about my life, it would be called 'The Notebook.'


In 1999, one of my brilliant college profs gave some advice. She said. 'You never know when inspiration will strike. Get yourself a notebook, and keep it with you always. Whenever you have an idea, write it down.' I took her advice and after that class, I got myself a notebook. I started sketching stuff and writing down random thoughts. The random thoughts turned into quotes, phone numbers, ideas, song lyrics, guitar chords, many pasted photos of dachshunds, recipes, computer shortcuts, etc....


It's been 10 years since then and I never stopped writing. Today I filled my 30th notebook.

I often go back and read through the decade that was my 20's and I'm I feel grateful that I've kept up writing. My notebooks are like mental photo albums. I can go back and read a photograph of my 21 year old mind - what my priorities were. I have chronicled every milestone, fear, dream, goal reached and goal abandoned. I have noted names of interesting people that I wanted to meet - only to have met them a few years later (perhaps a little law of attraction action?)

Thank you Arlene Cohen, for creating an Inspiration Junkie.

I am excited for a new year, a new decade (my 30's) and especially a new notebook. If they ever made a movie about my life, it would be called 'The Notebook.' Something tells me the movie would do well.

I'm so over Hilroy.

Every now again I come across something I love so much and I wish I came up with the idea myself.

This was the case at the Christmas One Of a Kind Craft show. I came across these gorgeous, One of a Kind spiral bound notebooks. Those who are close to the Inspiration Junkie know that I never leave the house without a notebook - after all - inspiration could strike at any time. I will be posting more about my notebook collection next time.

The notebooks I discovered were created by Margi Laurin. Made from old books which were destined for a black future in a blue bin, Margi has taken a pair of scissors and some spiral binding and has reincarnated these gems into spiral notebooks.

"A lot of people were 're-purposing' or 'up-cycling' and I was already making spiral bound journals from another material. I wanted to use the pictures in the old books in a product that would keep them from being destroyed. One thing led to another."

Where Margi has succeeded is keeping the character of the book, retaining some scattered pages of original content, while filling the rest with blank pages. I purchased the two books shown above. Margi includes different genres in her collection, like 80's with Sweet Valley High covers, as well as the popular Babysitters Club.

Due to the uniqueness of each product, these notebooks are not currently available online. However, they are available through email: margilaurin@sympatico.ca or be sure to visit the booth at the One of a Kind Spring show (or Christmas show) in Toronto. Margi also sells her products at Kaleidoscope Books on Bank Street in Ottawa, and Whatever Lola Wants on Bayview in Toronto.

Ever the environmentalist, Margi tries to use every part of the book in related products, from mini note pads, greeting cards, spines become wall art, and even the holes in Christmas decorations.