YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT....OR DRINK.....OR READ

While reading our local newspaper I read the latest article written by my email buddy, humour columnist, Doug Speirs.

Being fashion forward, Doug was telling the rapt readers that the newest, and latest, to-die-for colour this year is Radiant Orchid. Yes, that's what I thought as well. Why is Doug, who, in his own words, is the size of a large kitchen appliance.....giving out fashion tips? Oh, that isn't what you were thinking??? You wondered what is Radiant Orchid? It's basically a mid-tone mauve/purple that "blooms with confidence and magical warmth." I kid you not - that is a direct quote.

Seeing as Doug and I get to, for the most part, sit around our houses thinking up things to write about, this is very important to us. Only he gets paid to do this and I get paid to work in the 'family business ', which is in no way connected to THE family business whose boss is called Guido. My job...the one I get paid to do...sometimes entails answering calls and other related duties, in my pajamas....and at times of the year I have a lot of down time, so that is where Doug and I have things in common. Besides, Doug is supposed to come up with stuff on a regular basis from the comfort of his sofa, and I have this blog to write - neither of us are beneath scouring the Interweb for things like the latest fashion colours.

My only question to people pushing Radiant Orchid is how is that going to look with the heavy eyebrows and deep orange lips that are also "hot" this spring? Not that I was sitting around on the sofa, in my pajamas, watching Cityline in the middle of the day, on Fashion Friday....or anything......


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The National Frozen and Refrigerated Food Association has come up with some tasty ideas for you to whip up when unexpected company comes a'knocking.

I do believe this is two Eggos with icing and sprinkles. I noticed in the background what looks like a glass of milk. I don't actually remember the last time I offered an unexpected guest a glass of milk, let alone a waffle patterned, circle of white flour and straight sugar to go along with it. This does not say "Welcome to my home." it says "I am trying to kill you."

I recently saw a TV ad that promoted chips and a red wine combo. Is this part of the new dumbing down that seems to be happening?

One online source promoting this new tasty treat states "Well, it's time to class up your couch - or just take a break from the every day by pairing inexpensive wines with potato chips." Seriously - CLASS UP YOUR COUCH? PAIRING???

The Dallas Morning News went through 19 wines under $15 and sampled them with a variety of flavoured chips. The clear favourites were fruity reds and sparkling wines - both of which would seemly appear to pair well with the heavy grease and high sodium in chips. Yum!

The guiding principle for putting together a bowl of chips and a glass of wine is, we are told, to have a strong flavor in one and a complimentary flavor in the other.

For example, you'd want to avoid, say, chips like sour cream and onion, dill pickle, salt and vinegar, and maybe ketchup flavouring with a nice peppery Merlot. Instead, one article suggests, you  substitute texture for spice - like a sampling of krinkle cut potato chips and sparkling wine/champagne.  It's New Years!!! Have a chip.....

It is said (by whom, I don't know!) that "Potato chip flavouring is becoming as sophisticated and complex as wine." Me thinks that the whom are Old Dutch.

Really? Well, I for one won't be bellying up to the Chip Bar to munch and crunch any time soon......but then, I guess I won't have to spit between tastings.

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We had a client in this weekend, who spent most of their time playing on their IPad while sitting in our office. It was as though he just couldn't break away from the draw of someone, somewhere trying to ask him a question, telling him what they were doing that immediate moment....who knew...but he was attached to his device like a baby to an umbilical cord.

The I (am so important) Pad and CrackBerry are taking over people's lives, and not in a good way. I have no problem with being in touch, but when you are in the middle of an important meeting and you HAVE to check the little box that just blinked, it is tantamount to someone asking you to hold while they check the other line. Meaning - YOU keep waiting - THIS person could be more important than you!

What the addicted seem to forget is that Facebook friends are NOT really FRIENDS and if you actually piss off enough of your real friends by making them wait while you chat to others, you just may end up constantly checking to see if anyone has sent you something. ....No?? Nothing - a blank screen? Well, perhaps you now have lost all of your REAL contacts. Something to think about, you lonely, sad dependent!  

On that note, there is a new App out called Cloak....it tells you where your friends are.....so you can avoid them! And that folks is how it will start.....

Things I learned this week:

Last weeks blog was entitled "Flaying ain't what it used to be." when in fact I meant to type FLYING....but flaying works!

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Those nasty people who have already taken over our caffeine intake with K-Cups are now going to program their machines to only take their make and model....no more NoName products will pass your lips. Fair? No. Good business? Yes. Not really any different than all those razors that only fit their own blades.....

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I would buy this doormat

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Prince Harry is apparently quite the handyman around Buck Palace. At least that is what someone on FACEBOOK told an Austrian floor layer. The Austrian actually believed, first of all, that Prince Harry had a public Facebook page, and secondly that he was in charge of getting the floors fixed at the palace and was looking for quotes. I kid you not. The Austrian even sent money to a bank location in the U.K. to "start up a British bank account so that he could do business there." Duped?? You bet! You know that old saying "you can't fix stupid" well, in this case you can tell them just about anything and they will believe it...and you can take that to the bank. Preferably in the U.K. thanks. 

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I know we are a society of CYA (Cover Your Ass) mentality, but really.....

I called the funeral home to arrange to pick up my father-in-laws ashes. I spoke to Anthony who advised me that only the person who signed the cremation order can pick up ashes. Well, that would be my husband...who is traveling...out of town.

So when I advised said husband he said,

"That is just stupid. Why does it matter?"

to which I replied:

"Well, I guess, if just anyone walked in and picked them up that would be a problem. Because when we showed up it would be a game of....."Where's Ernie???" 

He agreed that would not be good.