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Fabulous Deal ~ $13 for a manicure and pedicure

Bonus ~ add an Express Facial when booking for $10

You know it’s time for a trip to the spa when your fingernails are bitten down to the nub and you’re suffering from a serious case of “Shrek-foot” - meaning your toe nails are unpolished and your skin is so dry and chafed that they resemble sand paper. Yikes. But don’t despair, quick makeovers on the go are always an option. An emergency beauty mission is certainly in order and you can have one at an amazing price with today’s York Region DealTicker! Only $13 for a manicure & pedicure at Skin So Real ($45 Value)! 

Skin So Real was founded in 2007 and has been established as a beauty spa that believes in sharing the secrets of a tranquil spirit through natural holistic treatments, provided to all customers with care, excellence, and dedication to top quality service. Their facility boasts a commitment to avoid harmful chemical preservatives, perfume, fragrances, mineral oils, and are free of substances of animal origin, and wasteful packaging. The goal at Skin So Real is to provide you with education of BIONOME beauty therapy, wellness products and treatments and share knowledge on the benefits of proper skin care, and how to achieve the best for your well-being rather than breaking the bank with cosmetology trends that do you more harm than good. Skin compatible and skin identical ingredients, matching the natural biochemistry of the skin, is their point of difference in the spa industry. 

At Skin So Real, they offer a new approach to healthy skincare and their mission is to motivate, educate and empower society, inspiring them to own their life in beauty and wellness. Your hands are in good hands at Skin So Real, so indulge in the perfect manicure, plus a relaxing pedicure, all courtesy of today’s fabulous York Region DealTicker!

See you soon!

Doing something nice for me

A couple of weeks ago, Miss Fabulous Living Coach asked me if I would join her on a day trip to Niagara Falls.  I hesitated for a brief moment while looking at my schedule thinking it's a work day.  The little voice in my head said, "go on, do something nice for yourself.  It's not everyday you take a day off.  You'll have fun with Miss Fabulous".  Ok little voice, you are such a smarty.  I'm going to heed your advice!  I'm scheduling a fun day for January 19, 2011!

The day began at 6am.  Elaine and I both got ready making sure we would be warm on this fine winter day.  It was fresh to say the least, but there was no snow in Toronto, but we didn't know what winter was playing out for the Falls area.  I didn't bother to check the weather.  I mean, who cares?  I was set to enjoy no matter what!

Thanks to Elaine and her treasure finds, we traveled to Niagara Falls on a Megabus for a whopping $2 return fare!  The Toronto Bus Terminal wasn't that busy yet.  Perhaps it was too early in the day for departures.  We were greeted with smiles by the driver.  Now that's a great fit to an already perfect day!  

The ride was comfortable.  I read the whole way.  No way I could leave my kobo behind.  I was halfway through Mockingjay, book 3 of The Hunger Games trilogy.  If you haven't picked it up yet, highly recommend you do!

We arrive in Niagara Falls.  For sure a couple of temperatures lower than Toronto.  We took a local bus which dropped us off at the top of Clifton Hill.  Greeted by a choppy wind and icy pavement.  

Our first stop was The Frankenstein House.  Now, anyone who knows me, absolutely knows I am not into anything remotely related to horror!  How I ended up at this attraction is beyond me.  There are live actors in the attraction that are meant to scare the heck out of you too!  My stomach immediately tightens as Elaine and I enter this craziness.  It was dark.  I couldn't see anything, and Elaine who isn't braver than I, or is she wants me to go ahead of her!  Ah no!  But you're my mother!  Yes, we established this fact meany years ago, but I'm not going first.  Elaine is leading the way and of course there are shoots of air and coffins that rattle, spooky noises.  All I want to do is just get out of there.  Then the first live actor jumps out of nowhere and we're both screaming our heads off, or maybe it was me louder than Elaine.  No matter, I wasn't impressed.  He couldn't be the only live actor and when the second one jumps out, I've had enough!  And, I told him not to do that again!  Winding this way and that way in the dark wasn't fun for me.  Then the third live actor makes his debut and now I'm beside myself!  I let him know that he needs to direct me out safely and NOT to scare me again, that I'm more than done done done with this!  LOL, funny now, not yesterday, but he reminded me of the theatre attendants who showed you the way with a flashlight! Just before we were to make the exit, Elaine says, "mom, don't you want to look at Frankenstein?"  What? See him?  Ok, let's look at him, 2 seconds and I'm out of there!!  What an experience.....I'll never do that again!

Our next stop is The Crystal Caves.  Now this I really liked!  A maze full of mirrors.  We were given gloves to wear and instructed to stretch out our arms and walk with our hands out, otherwise we would probably walk into a mirror.  Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson was on repeat.  We both liked walking around in the maze, singing to the song off key no doubt and dancing.  No-one minded as we were the only 2 in the maze.  Sooooo much fun. Loved it!  That's me all bundled up at the ticket booth!

We found some quaint shops with quirky, touristy type things, but they were closed.  I don't blame them.  Tourism isn't at it's peak in the winter.  Not to worry.  It was time for lunch.  We looked at a couple of places and they too were closed.  We decided to go to Boston Pizza.  Heather, our server, was not only friendly and delightful.  She made various suggestions, gave us time to look through the menu and answered of our questions, whether they were food or area related.  How lucky is Boston Pizza to have a great person like Heather working with them!  Our lunch was delicious and the coffee yum!.  We had a nice little rest before heading out again.

We continued walking down Clifton Hill towards the Falls.  By now the wind had definitely picked up and it was snowing.  The snow was pelting our faces.  Did we care?  No way!  We were having a great time!  We get down to the Falls and you could hardly see them through the fog.  What we could see was a mystical falls with roaring thunder in the backdrop.  The falls sure do make a lot of nice noise! 

Our next stop was the Hershey Store.  Can you say Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?!!  What? Insane!! A 1/2lb Reeses cup!  OMG, I'm in heaven!  Although it was very fun being in this store, I thought it best to carry myself out quick because I could feel all the imaginary calories piling on! LOL  Coming out of the store and a little to the west, we found a Mountie.  Not a real one.  Elaine stood behind it and had not only a picture taken, but of course she had to get a video too!

What next on the list of to do while we were still there?  The IMAX on Murray Hill and a walkabout at Fallsview Casino.  They 2 were side by side.  We decided to go to the casino first, as the shows start hourly at the IMAX.  Forty minutes to wander and have a looksie in the casino sounded alright to us.

Now, truth be told, we're not a casino going family.  Certainly not what you would classify the gambling type.  Not ever having gone to the casino, I thought sure, I'll go and see what it's all about.

Elaine asks one of the Casino staff to direct us to an easy slot machine game.  Well, I don't know what's easy about the slots, but anyway.  We get to the penny slots.  We're going to go real big and play $10 each.  Now, this nice gentleman is explaining how to play and what to look for and what pays what etc.  Seriously, I retained less than 0.05% of what he said.  I just sat there pressing buttons.  I could see the credit I had was going down, then a noise...ding ding ding ding.....more pennies, more pennies......then the credit getting smaller and smaller......what does this button do.....press any button.....ding ding ding ding.....more pennies, more pennies until there were no more pennies.

Again our casino gentlemen comes to ask us if there is anything we need, and let's us know there are other slots we can try out too.  I can't imagine becoming a SLOT Star.  I thank him graciously and let him know that the extent of my wishing upon a star and imagining more comes via the 649 played every Wednesday and Saturday and the Max on Fridays.  It's easy and done! LOL What a laugh.......and soo fun to experience something new!  Needless to say, we had so much fun at the casino, we missed the IMAX show.  Oh well, we'll just have to go back and plan more stops. 

We had such an amazing day.  It was great to just be mom and hang out with Elaine.  Wish Vicky could have joined us.  There will definitely be a next time and more of doing something nice for me.  Back to the bus terminal in this now winter wonderland.  Destination ~ Toronto.

Nice to be home!!

Checked in and ready to go

The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in. (B.K.S Iyengar)

Every girl is conscious about everything they don't like about their body.  I've never met one who is completely at peace within their body.  My advice is to stop listening to the media and getting caught in the hype of what you should be.  Be who you are, be your best self and be happy!

My weight and shape has fluctuated over the years.  Up a size, down a few, wearing baggy tops to hide the love handles to wearing the form fitting little numbers because it just feels so good.  


I've always been mindful of others - shape, size and weight.  I mean does someone really need to be told they've gained weight?  Do you think they don't know that already?  I've always thought it rude and judgmental for one to be inconsiderate to address such a personal matter to another, which may hurt their feelings and or embarass the other.  Clearly I've been the recipient of receiving such unnecessary verbal vomit. Needless to say, I've come a long way since then.  I don't pay attention to these types of remarks anymore because my body shape, size and weight is no-one's business except mine. So there!


Honestly speaking, I am not uncomfortable in my body at all.  However, I do want to work on getting into my best fit self.  I want to tone and firm up.  This feels right.  I want to feel better than I've ever felt before.  I'm not a yoga expert, nor have I been a yoga participant on a regular basis.  I have gone to a yoga class about half a dozen times, and know this: that I felt a sense of peace, loved that it helped to quiet my mind, and I loved walking away feeling tranquil.  Nothing wrong with that!


I am obviously not bothered about having my picture taken at WYNNYoga and posting it to share with all.  So, I can see a couple of little rolls, big deal.  That will all change as we move forward.  Embracing all the possibilities.  Know the after is great and that the journey to get there is already magnificent because I found a facility which is in total alignment of what I live, breathe and feel.  If you don't have that connection, it's just not going to happen.


So here I go.  I got on the scale - 145lbs.  Not fussed about the pounds.  Like I said, 10-15 pounds less will be great.  Measured up ~ hips 37", waist 33" and bust 36" .  You know what's so great about these measurements?  It's the average size body of most real women.  I'd like to love 1" off the hips, 3" off the waist and truthfully, I like my bust size exactly where it is!  


Oh, and I'm not eliminating anything from my Mediterranean diet at all.  Fresh european bread once a week.  I love to eat veggies and fruit, love my cheese, fish, chicken and occasionally red meat.  Love to grill! Love to cook!!  Love to eat, but in moderation.

Classes start February 1st at WYNNYoga, 300 John Street, Thornhill.  Can't wait and of course I'll be sharing the journey!

Balance and Blessings to all!

Here I go......

I had a whole day scheduled with clients and other fun things to do today.  By the time I woke up to another perfect day, the contrast of what I thought would be changed somewhat.  A few of my clients had their stories of the day change, therefore changing mine up too!  

My reaction was not to worry.  Rescheduling clients is absolutely fine, and I get to deal with other things requiring my attention.  One of the important tasks on my list was to do something nice for myself.  I popped into WYNNYoga on John Street in Thornhill.   I immediately felt the shift in energy while I felt a million goosebumps.  The transformation of the gym to a Yoga sanctuary is so pleasing to my mind, body and soul. 

I met Shay and instantly felt connected to her and her genuine self.  We talked about a lot of different things; the unique offerings of the yoga studio, energy healing, healthy living, social media, Fabulous Living Coach, working the inside out, everything mind, body and soul.  Amazing how many topics girls can cover all at the same time. And, as girls always do in conversations, the name introductions are made halfway through the dialogue!  How funny is that!

Shay took a couple of before photos which I'll post later today.  I'm going to get on the scale, size me up and share with you all.

The "after" is already great.  The journey to get there is the magnificent part!

Thanks for a great morning Shay!

See you at yoga class on February 1st. And oh, I can't wait to yoga by candlelight!

Balance and Blessings to all!

Winter Flab ~ It's Nature's Way

If you accumulate a little extra body fat here or there - on your hips, thighs, waist or rear - over the winter, don't sweat it.  Even the most diligent tend to add fat during the fall and winter, according to researchers at Tufts University of Medicine in Boston.  Come spring, chances are your body will revert to its preautumnal figure.

The researchers found that women tend to have more lean tissue during spring and summer and less in the fall and winter.

"Even taking into account the tendency for people to be more active in the spring and summer, we still saw the effect," says Bess Dawson-Huges, M.D., associate professor of endocrinology at Tufts.

The changes may be due to seasonal shifts in hormone levels, Dr. Dawson-Hughes says.  Animal studies suggest that hormone levels fluctuate in such a way that in the winter they trigger conservation of fat needed to bear young in the spring.

Don't sweat it - just keep working out and love your body!

Excerpt taken from FOOD AND YOU, Everything a woman needs to know about loving food, for better health, for a beautiful body and for emotional satisfaction.

Working Out My Way

I won't say that I've worked out consistently throughout my life but I do like to be active.  I've worked out off and on throughout the last 20 years and when I do, I feel absolutely great!

Like many of you, I've been a member at a gym at least 3 times.  I start off great and then I go less and less until I stop going to the gym altogether.  In hindsight I know I stopped going because I wasn't having fun.  I just didn't feel a real connection with the gym, or the box, or that place, whatever you want to call it.

I joined Wynn Fitness in 2010 because I wanted to get into my best and healthiest self and of course it was convenient to get to.  I thought this time it was going to be different and that I'd be there at least 3 times a week.  Of course that didn't happen due to health issues and I was back where I was before - just not going!

Towards the later part of 2011 I was seriously contemplating my work out situation and what I was going to do to get fit.  I could stand to lose 10-15lbs.  More importantly, I want to firm and tone.  If I'm going to work out I want to have fun and really enjoy the form of exercise I choose to do.  I've been thinking about Zumba, which I love, and used to do daily (have the tapes) but I also wanted to get into yoga but every facility I looked at was not ideal location wise.

Last week, my daughter Elaine, Fabulous Living Coach, a fitness lover, went to Wynn Fitness in Thornhill and became a member.  When she returned from her workout, she told me, "mom, they're doing yoga and now they're called WynnYoga".  I'm so excited!!  I'm going back to them and from now on I refuse to call them a "gym" because I hate that word!  It's convenient and as I am in control of my schedule, I'm also going to fit me into WynnYoga and my day!

And, while I'm sharing news on healthy and safe skincare, I'm going to share my journey to fitness and a healthier me and my body with you. As much as I like before and after pictures, I'm not so thrilled about the before picture WynnYoga is going to take of me......I'm going to upload it later this week and we'll all follow my progress while I'm having fun doing what I want to do!

Remember, you have to own your health, and I'm going to do more of that too!

Love n'bears n'stuff

It's hard to believe we're already well into the 2nd week of the new year, and already more Love is in the air.  The holiday festiveness has turned into everything hearts and cupids, and all about Valentine's Day approaching in the coming month.

One should be reminded that Valentine's Day isn't about your "amour".  Feeling loved, and loving a special someone, whether it's your other half, your best friend, your children, parents, friends, and your world is truly one of the greatest blessings one has.

And while I thoroughly enjoyed changing the scene up in the display area, and not happy the lights went out, I did so with a sense of peace and balance knowing that everything is always ok.  The more I feel this way, the higher the energy elevates in this magical place.  And that's why people love coming to get their treatments here because it's more than having a treatment.  It's all about igniting peace and balance within self. 

Loving feeling so great and making others feel it too!