12 Days of Giveaways: Day 12 with Random House of Canada

I usually end my days with a cup of tea and a good book. After what are usually days filled with a blend of good, bad and just plain chaotic, it's always pacifying to look forward to my nights for that reason.

When we look back at our years in life, I bet you can think of a book that will instantly transport you back to a moment in time.
Take a walk down memory lane with me...

Do any of these look familiar to you?
What memories these bring just by looking at the cover of each book.

Now that I'm a mother, it's heartwarming to see my children's eyes light up as we read books together.
My wish for them is that they will continue on throughout the years with the same passion for the written word as they do now.

One of our favourites in the home, that is practically read every night is I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

"I'll love your forever. I'll like you for always. As long as you're living. My baby you'll be."

As the years progress and our literary appetites transition, one thing is for certain:
"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience:  this is the ideal life."
  ~Mark Twain

What I'm Currently Reading/on my Reading List:
Fiction:

• Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce *A CAC Fave!
• The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
• And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
• The Circle by Dave Eggers

Non-Fiction:

• Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin
• Lean In: women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg *This is one of my FAVOURITES right now!

I've got tons and tons in my home; a bookcase in almost every room in the house brimming with all sorts of books.
There is just something about the feel and smell of a real book that can not be replaced. Do you agree?
What are you reading?

One of the brands that represent and carry some of the best reads of all time, has always been Random House of Canada.
To learn more about them and explore their wonderful collection, please visit www.randomhouse.ca.

Courtesy of Random House of Canada, Day 12's winner will win a fantastic collection of personally selected favourites.

The books include:
1. Provence 1970 by Luke Barr
2. Perfect by Rachel Joyce
3. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
4. Longbourn by Jo Baker
5. The Butler Speaks by Charles MacPherson

To enter, leave a comment telling me What your favourite book is of all time and why below.

Open to Canadian Residents only.
Ends 12/12.

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So You're Bossy? WHIP IT!

There's this advertisement I recently came across that instantly caught my attention.
It was a commercial from Pantene Philippines and you would assume it was about hair. So... what's so powerful about hair?

Pantene Philippines and Rappler have launched #Whipit, an integrated advertising campaign focused on putting an end to labels about women. The television commercial at the heart of the campaign provides a range of word associations linked with gender in the workplace. The ad finishes with Pantene brand ambassador Catriona Gray encouraging women to discard the business straitjacket. Social news network Rappler has provided the research behind #Whipit, running a Beating The Odds forum and promoting online discussion around gender stereotypes and business.

There's a Harvard Business Study in the case of Heidi Roizen.
Heidi Roizen, a venture capitalist at SOFTBANK Venture Capital and a former entrepreneur, maintains an extensive personal and professional network. She leverages this network to benefit both herself and others. The case considers the steps she's taken to build and cultivate a network that is both broad and deep.

Here was the catch:
Half of the class randomly received their case with one teensy tiny change made: The name "Heidi" was changed to "Howard." Afterward, the students were surveyed, and though Heidi and Howard were found equally competent (as they should have been because they are the same person), the students found Howard much more likeable. (upworthy.com)

It's a sad reality, and one that I can relate to so very well.
I often found throughout my years in the business world and even in my personal life, I was always frequently looked upon as the "bossy", "snobby" or "bitchy" type. Why? I don't know.
Those were not my intentions as my main objective for my career was to work the best I can while staying real to who I am.
I offered my opinions, I stayed professional yet attempted to keep an open line of communication with my peers and be as nice as I can possibly be without seeming "overly nice" (which many often will confuse as being "fake").
I hate that women have to be examined so scrupulously and then judged so quickly.

I'm sorry I am just not the smiley-face, tooting every single horn, and will only tell you what you want to hear type of person.
And it's true. If my name was Charles, I bet I would be conceived differently.
And I would definitely have more "fans".

Now that I have a daughter, I see many of my strong traits in her and I couldn't be more proud.

Here's the Pantene Ad that pretty much sums it up in 60 seconds.

Oprah sat down with Sheryl Sandberg about her book, Lean In, where she she shared the case study of Heidi Roizen.

"If a women is competent, she does not seem nice enough.
If a women seems really nice, she is more nice than competent.
Since people want to hire someone that is both competent and nice, this creates a huge stumbling block for women."

(Excerpt from Lean In from Sheryl Sandberg)

Watch as Oprah and Sheryl discuss how businesswomen are judged differently than their male counterparts.

To learn more about the study, click here.

And please ladies, even if you're not having the greatest hair day -- Whip it! And Whip it good! ;)
Peace, love and chocolate.

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12 Days of Giveaways: Day 11 with Ferrero Rocher

Forget the diamonds, this gal wants the Gold this Christmas.

If Christmas had a chocolate mascot, Ferrero Rocher would be it.  Not only the perfect gift or stocking-stuffer for anyone on your list, but they are so pretty that they make for superb decor pieces especially for the Holidays where Gold is prominent.

Place them on each dinner plate for a nice little treat or create a nice centrepiece for everyone to admire and indulge in.

I have been a Ferrero Rocher fan for the longest time now. It's hard not to resist -- a whole hazelnut with smooth chocolatey cream inside a wafer shell, covered in milk chocolate and hazelnut pieces.

You take a bite and you are instantly transported to a bonbon nirvana.

I usually like to purchase the small Ferrero Rocher Gift Boxes (complete with Gold ribbon atop) and place on my guests dinner plates as a bonbonniere. I also place them all around my Christmas Tree for the kids to find and pick out on Christmas day or traditionally on Noche Buena ("The Good Night"), when we usually celebrate on December 24th.

They are absolutely adorable and come with 2 packs of 3 Ferrero Rocher Chocolates.

Perfect Stocking Stuffers!

Who would you share a "Golden Moment" with?

Did you know right now on Ferrero Rocher Canada's Facebook Page, you can "Hint" to your friends that you want some Ferrero Rocher in their HINT HINT Contest and can instantly win thousands of delicious prizes? For you and your friend! Ends December 18th so Hint away!

To learn more about Ferrero Rocher and if you're already on Facebook, make sure to visit them at www.facebook.com/FerreroRocherCanada.

For Day 11 of 12 Days of Giveaways, I am giving my readers the gift of Gold with a delicious and lovely Ferrero Rocher Prize Pack.

To enter, leave me a comment below telling me Who you would have a Ferrero Rocher Golden Moment with and why this Holiday Season.

*Additional entries via rafflecopter.

Contest is open to Canadian Residents only.

Ends 12/12.

Bonne chance!

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12 Days of Giveaways: Day 10 with Clarins

Too make makeup? A lady can never have enough good makeup.

And that lady would be moi.

I have always been one of those little girls with scrapes on my knees, running around racing with the boys in my neighbourhood yet always scrupulously watching every single detail while my mom applied her makeup. I was so fascinated.

When I got my first little makeup set to wear and keep as a tween, I was thrilled!

As I grew up, I would experiment with different makeup looks (according to what looked good on me and what was trendy at the time) and as the years flew by I learned what a world of a difference good, quality makeup did for not only your appearance but your skin.

I was taught not to cover your natural beauty and features with makeup, but to enhance it. And that was the best advice anyone has ever given me when it came to makeup.

Clarins came into my world a few years ago when I began using their body creams and then gradually merged into their beauty line.

I couldn't live without my Clarins Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss now (well I can but you get the idea) -- I take it with me everywhere! I also LOVE the smooth feeling of their lipsticks and how beautiful the colours are.

The Joli Rouge Lipstick in Hot Pink is a current favourite!

Here are my 2013 Favourites!

If you are looking to treat yourself this Christmas or for that discerning beauty habitué on your list, you will find the perfect gift with Clarins.

To learn more about their luxurious products, visit: www.clarins.ca.

Courtesy of Clarins Canada, one of you my lucky readers will win all that you see above in my favourites! 

Prize includes:

Rouge Prodige and Joli Rouge Lipsticks ($27), Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Lovely Rose (beautiful for all skin shades!), Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Graphite ($42), Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour ($32), Body Lift Cellulite Smoother ($65). Wow!

To enter, leave me a comment below telling me which Product featured here you are most excited to try and why.

Open to Canadian Residents only.

Ends 12/12.

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Extreme Italian is Back to Stay at Tim Hortons + Review Opportunity

Ho fame. Ora di pranzo!

Which translates to: I'm hungry. Time for lunch! 

I've been brushing up on my Italian and for good reason. Aside from the fact that I am wishfully hoping my husband will whisk me away to a Tuscan Villa in the new year, there's something zestier I'm excited to share.

The Extreme Italian Sandwich is back and here to stay at Tim Hortons!

When it was first launched in August 2013 for a limited time, it sold out within weeks! I was glad that I had a chance back then to purchase one for myself during lunch. So thrilled to hear it's back and for good!

"So good we couldn't fuhgettaboutit!" 

It's packed to the max with layers of bold italian flavour of ham capicollo, genoa salami, and pepperoni, topped with mozzarella and a creamy sundried tomato sauce (which I love!), served on a soft, fresh Parmesan and herb-topped bun.

Can you believe it's only $4.99? 

I can grab something similar at an Italian Deli for double of this price.

Check out how big it is! 

Being infamous for snapping photographs of my food prior to consuming, this is one of those rare occasions where I couldn't do it...

... It had to be eaten right away. So apologies for the quarter sandwich photograph. :)

Mamma mia che buono! ("My goodness, it's good!")

Join in on the "Extreme Italian" conversatin to learn Italian words of the day on www.facebook.com/timhortons, or by following @TimHortons on Twitter.

You can also check out their website at www.TimHortons.com/ExtremeItalian for a fun "course" in Italian!

So who's ready for lunch at Tim Hortons? Mi piace davvero pranzare da Tims! ("I love lunch at Tims!")

I want you all in on this zesty goodness so I am offering 10 of my readers a chance to sample the new Extreme Italian and then send in their honest reviews to me.

I will be providing you with a $10 Tim Hortons gift card to try it out and then once your reviews are in, you are in the running to win a $25 Tims Card!

If you are interested in taking part in this Rate and Review Opportunity, please leave a comment below.

I will randomly select 10 of you to try out the delicious Extreme Italian Sandwich.

Rate and Review open to Canadian Residents only.
Participants selected via random.org by 12/10.

****
Disclosure: I received samples and perks to conduct an honest review; and as always all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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