The Scene With Simone

Waiting for Baby G

2012-02-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Wow it has been a long time since I have blogged on my personal blog site. I think because I am Virgin Radio's Digital Content Producer and online blogger - blogging all day doesn't quite translate to wanting to blog as much in my spare time.

Lately I have had a lot of spare time.....off work, but have managed to keep myself very busy as we wait the arrival of Baby G. I have been off CBC since December 18th, and my last day at Virgin Radio was Jan 27th.

Taking off all this time has been so great before baby comes. I know some people will work right to the very end, but i really was encouraged by friends and family who have done it before, to take the extra time off. It's the last time in life you will truly get to indulge in all the selfish things you want to do. Then when baby comes.....i am sure baby will want lots of our attention and time!

So far days have been spent in my pj's, catching up on PVR'd shows, eating, sleeping, hanging out with friends and family and finishing the nursery.

I have felt great this entire pregnancy (knock on wood) and keep waiting for it to get harder. So far nothing too challenging has come my way. Sure I get up 4 times a night to pee, have felt the occasional braxton hicks contraction and move at the speed of a sloth, but overall still feeling pretty fantabulous.

The hardest part right now is the waiting. I am very impatient, and since i am almost 39 weeks, the baby could really come at anytime....or it could take it's sweet time and come late. It's hard to plan day to day activities knowing that you could really go into labour at anytime. Would hate to have my water break in a post restaurant in Yaletown.

It's also hard not knowing the sex of the baby. I would love to indulge all my free time in online shopping, but i have so many neutral items, that i think it's wardrobe is pretty maxed out. At the same time i am so excited to find out what the baby is, and what it looks like. The hard kicks in my ribcage indicate it is a strong baby and feeling it low in my pelvis makes me think it will be tall like daddy.

If you want to leave some comments on how to fill some more of my spare time before baby - feel free.

Thanks for stopping by
Simone

Staring at women's breasts are healthy for your man!

2011-03-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

You may want to kill him when he looks at another female's chest but you could be hurting his health by stopping him.

A new study done in Germany reveals that it's healthy for men to stare at women's breasts.

Researchers told Fox News they instructed some men to refrain from looking at breasts for for five years (uhm who were the poor guys that had to do this?) while others were encouraged to stare for at least 10 minutes a day.

The men who stared everyday had lower heart rates and lower blood pressure.

P.Diddy is obvioulsy healthy - although Justin may come after him!

Chocolate better than fruit?

2011-02-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

A new study by Hershey’s reveals that chocolate is better for you than fruit because dark chocolate is richer in health-boosting antioxidants than juices made from blueberries, cranberries and other so-called ‘superfruits’.

But however, adding sugar and milk to a chocolate bar will dilute its benefits.

Cocoa and dark chocolate have more flavanols, an antioxidant credited with preventing wrinkles and heart disease, than fruit.

My suggestion: Dark chocolate dipped strawberries! - best of both worlds.

TV SCENE - Men & News

2011-01-29T09:06:00.000-08:00

As the Weather Reporter on CBC Vancouver Weekends, found this article to be interesting!

A new TV study by two Indiana University scholars reveals that the "sexier" the female host/anchor, the more attention men pay, but the less they remember.

The researchers had their subjects watch two newscasts.

In one, the anchor, "was dressed in a tight-fitting dark blue jacket and skirt that accented her waist-to-hip ratio. She also wore bright red lipstick and a necklace." In the other, the woman wore "a shapeless and loose-fitting dark blue jacket and skirt," and did not wear a necklace or lipstick.

When asked 10 questions about the casts and their stories, men remembered "significantly more information watching the unsexualized anchor deliver news than her sexualized version."

The reverse was true for women, but the effect was far lower.

Hmm interesting. Always thought men tuned in for the great Journalism! ....lol

Jan 26th India Republic Day

2011-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

Last night I co-emcee'd the India Republic Day Celebrations held at The Pan Pacific Hotel along with OMNI TV's Entertainment Reporter Tarannum Thind.

Hosted by the Consul General of India, and the Consul General Ashok Das, there were many prominent Member's of Parliament, MLA's and Councillors in attendance.

With the Gorgeous Tarannum Thind my co-emcee

The Chief Guest of the evening was the Honourable Colin Hansen, Minster of Finance and the Deputy Premier of British Columbia

The event featured entertainment and bollywood dancing from Shiamak Davar International, along with a Fashion Showcase from Crossover Bollywood Se (who also dressed me in a beautiful Neeta Lula piece for the evening) and delicious Indian Cuisine. More info India Republic Day

With United Realty's Mandip Gill - My Date

On Stage

Busting a move with Rohan ( Shiamak) Raanee (Crossover) and the dancers!

Cracking Jokes with the Crowd

With the Crossover Bollywood Se Models, Raanee Khaira, Kamal Sharma

Jan 26th National Wear Pink Day

2011-01-26T07:59:00.000-08:00

Today is the 2nd annual National Wear it Pink Day, building awareness for The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers fundraising events across Canada in the summer time.

1 in 7 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers in their lifetime.

National Wear it Pink Day brings attention to these staggering statistics, and raising awareness about the Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting BC Cancer Foundation.

Here are a few things you can do to help support the cause!

1. Wear something pink on January 26th
2. Register for the 2011 Weekend on January 26th
3. If already registered for 2011, commit to getting at least 1 other person registered to walk.
4. Host a Pink Party, and let the Weekend office know about it by emailing vancouvercoaches@endcancer.ca or calling 604.684.9255.

The tools for hosting a great Pink Day celebration are available online at www.endcancer.ca.

During the past seven years, thousands of people from British Columbia took part in this bold event that raised over $ 15 mil for cancer research and care at BC Cancer Agency.

Is it Spring Yet?

2011-01-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

What is the best part about Spring? Is it the birds chirping as the sun rises? Is it the fact that the days are longer? Or is it the hope that Summer is around the corner? - For fashionistas it's all about the new clothes that they will be stuffing into their overly full wardrobes as they pack away their cozy knits and the bulk that belongs with Winter clothing.

For me, this year is all about re-stocking and re-altering the wardrobe in a major way. I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and let's just say left an era of my younger days behind! With this change comes the inspiration and challenge to embrace a whole new look.

This year i really look forward to seeing what Rachel by Rachel Roy has to offer. I find her clothing is the perfect match of style yet affordability. It's very unique and her vision is quite impressive.

Wilfred is also a great line, most of the pieces i own have lasted a while and the quality is amazing, hoping to add a few more pieces to the Spring collection. Love this satin crepe wrap jacket! Perfect for a breezy spring day!

2 others designers that continue to amaze me are Marc Jacobs and Chloe. Their look is so fresh even for women who want to remain stylish, yet know they are not in high school anymore!

Love this purse from Marc by Marc Jacobs, and it comes in so many great colours!

With New York Fashion week on the way, here is a good place to start with checking out what's in store for Spring.

Fashion Slideshow

Should be a great year for fashion, not for our wallets : )

Relationship Scene 12 Ways To Spot A Male Cheater

2011-01-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting find and is based on a survey of 4,000 spouses by illicit encounters.com

1. You earn more than he does ... a 2010 study suggested men who were dependent on their partners for income, were five times more likely to cheat than those who contributed equally.

2. He works long hours ... If your partner works such long hours that he spends less than 10 percent of his time with you, then there’s a one in 10 chance that he (or you) will be unfaithful.

3. You live together before getting married. .. a recent survey suggested those who live together but don’t marry are up to 40 percent more likely to be unfaithful than those who tie the knot.

4. His father or brother has had an affair .... two years ago, a study at the Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, showed men who inherit a genetic variant that affects an important hormone called vasopressin are more likely to have marital problems.

5. He has a twin who cheats ... Dr Lynn Cherkas, a genetic analyst in the department of twin research at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, found that identical twins were 200 percent more likely to be unfaithful if their twin had had an affair.

6. He’s been married before (but you haven’t). .. a paper published in the European Journal of Operational Research in 2009 tracked 1,000 couples who were either married or in relationships over five years. Researchers found a previous divorce lessened the chances of a relationship surviving, although this was less marked when both partners had been divorced before.

7. He’s sex-obsessed. .. one third of 1 468 men questioned admitted to viewing online pornography. Men who use internet porn regularly are more likely to be unfaithful, because the habit can produce a deadening effect on emotions that can hurt relationships.

8. You live in a rural area .. the survey of 4,000 spouses revealed adulterers were more likely to live in rural areas.

9. He was privately (or religiously) educated. ... A survey by illicit encounters.com found almost one quarter of the site’s 500 000 members attended private schools. A further 15 percent had attended religious schools.

10. He doesn’t like your family or friends.

11. He’s a social-networking enthusiast. .. one law firm, Divorce Online, claimed almost one in five petitions they processed cited Facebook.

12. He has a lower IQ than you. A recent study by Dr Satoshi Kanazawa, an evolutionary psychologist from the London School of Economics and Political Science, revealed the smarter a man is, the less likely he is to cheat.

Welcoming 2011

2010-12-31T05:55:00.000-08:00

2010 goes on record as being a great year for me professionally. I hit 3 of my 5 goals i had set aside, the remaining 2 will be forwarded on into the new year. In 2011 i also hope to focus more on family and personal goals.

Year in review includes: Landing a job with Virgin Radio Vancouver 95.3FM, coordinating events with Hudson's Bay Co for the 2010 Winter Games and Paralympic games at a store level in the Olympic Superstore, adding a new bundle of joy to the family with the birth of my nephen Xavier : ) Travelling to San Francisco for the perfect getaway with my mom, landing a job as the PNE Reporter for CBC Vancouver and then as the Weather Host with CBC Vancouver. Heading to sunny Cancun for a trip with my wonderful Husband, then jetting off to France for a few weeks to write and produce with Winesense TV. Drinking wine and eating copious amounts of cheese - so fun! Also celebrated a milestone birthday this year.

This year was fabulous and 2011 has big shoes to fill! Looking forward to a new year filled with love, happiness and good health. Wishing you a great year ahead!

Remember if you set those goals, even program them into your phone, it stays top of mind.

How will you be celebrating? If you need ideas, here is how New Year's Eve is celebrated around the world!

Enjoy and be safe!
Simone

New Year's Eve Around the World:

In South Africa: partygoers throw refrigerators, beds and trash cans out of tall buildings before launching fireworks at neighboring buildings.

In Scotland: partygoers partake in a tradition called "fireball swinging," where they create big balls out of chicken wire, tar, paper and other flammable materials. They then set them on fire before walking through pedestrian-jammed streets.

In Venezuela: partygoers wear yellow underwear for good luck

In France: partygoers celebrate New Year's Eve with a feast called "Le Reveillon de Saint-Sylvestre". They drink champagne and eat foie gras.

In Ecuador: partygoers use wood, newspapers and rags to make human figures that they then set on fire. Most of the human figures are modeled after local politicians.

In Spain: partygoers eat 12 grapes when the clock strikes midnight.

In Greece: partygoers hide a gold coin inside a St. Basil's Cake. Whoever finds the coin receives good luck in the coming year.

In Turkey: partygoers dine on a traditional New Year's Day turkey.

In Canada: ???? Nothing listed, but whatever you do have a good one! All the best in 2011

Simone

GIFT SCENE

2010-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

In her book, 1, 001 More Ways to Reveal Your Personality, Elayne J. Kahn says how you open your Christmas gifts can reveal your personality.

If You Open Your Cards First you are thoughtful and considerate. You are not an impulsive shopper and you care deeply about what other people think about you. Sometimes you end up caring too much and getting hurt yourself.

If You Tear Your Gifts Open you are enthusiastic, aggressive and impatient. You are truly a kid at heart and love to party.

If You Are A "Detective" Who Shakes Their Gifts First you are dramatic and love being the center of attention. People love the way you tell stories.

If You Are A "Busybody" Who Checks Out Everyone Else's Gifts you are insecure and a worry-wort. When you buy for others you are generous and conscientious. You are very well liked among your friends even though you do not think so.

If You Are An "Exhibitionist" Who Parades Their Gifts Around To Everyone you love to entertain, make people laugh and enjoy being at the center of everyone's attention.

If You Are A Private Opener you sometimes hide your feelings and emotions from others and you hate being caught off-guard or letting your real emotions show.

However you open them, hope you get spoiled with family, friends and love this season - those are the best presents : ) Cheesy but true!

Happy Holidays
xoxo
Simone

WELCOMING DECEMBER

2010-11-30T23:06:00.000-08:00

December is here!

I have a love hate relationship with this month - hate the weather - love the season and spirit that it brings with it.

Most people will be excited to open up the advent calendar, if you haven't already, and munch on that delicious parcel of chocolate and countdown! 24 days left until Christmas - get shopping and start spending!

December 1st also marks World AIDS Day, a day to focus attention on the fight against HIV/AIDS.

This year certain celebrities are partaking in a "DIGITAL DEATH"

Details here and below DIGITAL DEATH

Alicia Keys has started a campaign, Digital Life Sacrifice where the celebrity dies a digital death on the most popular networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter so as to raise awareness for World Aids Day on Wednesday, December 1st and to raise money for the Keep a Child Alive foundation.
Keys solicited other stars like Kim and Chloe Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Serena Williams, her husband Swizz Beatz, Elijah Wood, Justin Timeberlake, Usher and Lady Gaga. Each celebrity have filmed their “last tweet and testament” videos.
All in all, the fan base of these celebrities add up to millions, Lady Gaga having 7 million Twitter followers and 24 million Facebook fans alone, will miss these celebrities’ presence online.
The 29 year old Grammy-winning singer, Keys said it was “really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on”.
“It’s so important to shock you to the point of waking up,” the R&B singer said. “It’s not that people don’t care or it’s not that people don’t want to do something, it’s that they never thought of it quite like that.”
Each celebrity who was contacted has reportedly accepted Key’s request to join in her campaign. And the hope is, that all people will join in the initiative, not just the famous.

The social media statement will continue until the organization raises at least one million dollars.

EYEBROW SCENE - Bombay Brow Bar

2010-11-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

Last Friday i had the opportunity to finally visit the wonderful gals at Bombay Brow Bar in Yaletown. I have never had my eyebrows threaded professionally - i have only had it done occasionally by my wonderful sis in law Preet! So when i went it i wasn't sure what to expect. Well it was beyond anything i expected. The whole experience from when you enter, to when you are sitting in a chair with an eye brow expert shaping your mis-shaped brows - telling you where to stop plucking, to the rosewater eyebrow massage was fabulous!

I am so happy my "first time" was at BBB rather than some cheap hole in the wall place. This treatment is worth the $23.00!

Thanks again to Ms High Brow - Ravy and her team for an excellent experience!

P.S They also now have do it yourself henna kits! Ash Kumar - world renowned henna artist was there when i went by and he created glitter artwork on my arm!

Check it out

xoxo

Simone