Farewell Slicers

Right before I embark on another huge adventure – as if I haven’t had enough adventures right here writing for slice.ca – I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to our trusty slice.ca Rants & Raves readers.

TIFF Glamour

What do 2500 celebs (including Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Charlize Theron and Courtney Cox) have in common? They worship at the altar of Smashbox, creators of makeup connoisseur dream product Photo Finish Foundation Primer. In town for TIFF, Smashbox is here to give visiting starlets a little boost before they head out to the fabulous premieres and parties that the week has to offer.

Oh, to be an American Wife

If you’re a fan of chick lit, but you crave something a tad more realistic than a heroine whose main talent is shopping, Curtis Sittenfeld is your gal. Yes, we’ve lauded her before, but today’s accolades come fresh off the release of her latest book, American Wife.

Your Secret High School Behaviour

I’m a grown woman, so I’m really not permitted to put posters of hot men on my walls. Recently, I’ve been watching some “intelligent grown-up drama” courtesy of David Simon’s Generation Kill and Emmy darling Mad Men.

My Personal Petition for Pedis

I thought I’d give us a little bit of a beauty break and talk about my personal vice: manis and pedis. I didn’t have my first pedicure until I was 25 and I was immediately hooked.

PLAY It Up

There are a few things Robotic Hottie splurges on: robots, ugly yet cute monsters, a good read here and there and adorably unique clothing. Urban Outfitters covers several of those cateogies, but I rarely go there for its monsters.

The Upside of Phlegm

There’s only one good thing about being sick when it’s sunny out – cable. Thank God for that saving grace, because without it, I’d have been relegated to *cough* reading all weekend. There’s only so much James Frey a girl can read without wanting to end it all. Sheesh. So, I filled my precious summer weekend with on demand movies, reality television and actual quality drama. Here is what I learned.

Some thoughts on Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have too many babies. It’s like six now, isn’t it? Six children. Being so good and great, you’d think they’d have some kind of concept of, like, overpopulation.

Everyone Needs an Ugly Doll in Her Life

Right now, there are three things at the top of my mind in competition for title of Robotic Hottie’s Cutest Thing Ever. Number one is any pug ever born. Pugs are the cutest dogs ever precisely because they’re so goshdarn ugly. Their faces are all scrunched up into a ball of cute that I just want to squeeze and squeeze.

Your Own Personal Photo Shoot

If there’s one thing I love to do when I go to visit my grandmother in Cleveland at the Jewish retirement home (oy!), it’s check out the glamorous photograph of her taken in the sixties.

The Truth About Men... And Their Moms

There’s something we don’t know about men. And it probably has a lot to do with their mothers.

Leaving the Gaybourhood

The Art of Urawaza

If you haven’t heard yet, the Japanese are not only super cool (just check out their film, fashion and ancient traditions), but they’re also really, really efficient. Now Lisa Katayama has written a book packed with a bunch of Japanese time saving tricks and hints called Urawanza (which means “a secret trick” or “an unmapped shortcut”). The book promises to “improve your life and amaze your friends.” Sign me up!

Would You Sell Your Life?

I’ve had some pretty nasty break ups. And some break ups that caused me to absolutely hate my life … for a while. But I usually get over it. I mean, I always do. Not Ian Usher.

Can We Just Be Friends?

I don't usually write about my own personal dating escapades, because, firstly, I wouldn't assume that they were interesting to anyone else. And secondly, as soon as I go on more than a first date with a guy, he blurts out, “Are you going to write about me?!” (As if you were that interesting, buddy.)

What Should I Do With My Life?

A few years ago, I was just about to break up with my boyfriend of four years and working at one of my first media jobs. I was starting to grow tired of being a certain Devil Wears Prada-inspired boss’ whipping girl.

What do you wear to work?

Excitingly enough, it seems that summer has arrived – in Toronto, at least. This weekend was hot, hot, hot and I have to say, I loved it. Though being sweaty and overly hot is somewhat uncomfortable, it’s better than being frosty.

How to Find a Husband

Moving SUCKS!!

I’ve got the moving blues. That being, I have to move in a month. If there’s one thing I hate in life, it’s moving – despite the fact that I seem to move every one to two years.

What's Estella Warren's Vice?

Estella Warren is the kind of girl you want to hate – she’s an actress/model/triathlete with the girl next door look that guys fall over themselves for. Not to mention she’s uberbusy – promoting iced tea, remodelling her kitchen(s) and she’s got several movies scheduled for release in the next little while, including See You In September (also featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Sandra Bernhard). But after meeting up with her at the Nestea Vitao launch in Toronto, we can’t help but love her.

I Heart Miley

Back in the day, my old roommate and I not-so-secretly loved watching children’s television together. Every day after work, we’d watch What I Like About You, starring Amanda Bynes and laugh and cry at the craziness of adolescence together.

Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous

A few months ago, I went for a fitness test with my old friend, Dave. Dave told me to quit drinking altogether and to start eating sweet potatoes and protein shakes. He said that if I really wanted to be healthy, I should eat to fuel my body instead of eating for pleasure.

You Are Beautiful!

I’m not really into a lot of art. Sometimes I just don’t get it. But sometimes I find a project that really resonates with me. A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon a website called you-are-beautiful.com,

Consignment Heaven

Last year’s road trip to Chicago resulted in much learning: book a hotel before you go, a Ramone can show up anywhere, and all over the US of A, there are awesome consignment fashion boutiques where you can not only sell the clothes you don’t want, but you can find treasures in the form of other people’s cast-offs.

Rant: Is Clubland Destined to Suck?

What is it with Toronto clubs? I don’t know about the rest of Canada, but I find that the Toronto club scene has become dry and predictable, catering to … well, not me!

Rolling Stones Giveaway!

I spent Saturday night at a friend’s birthday party at a bar called Stones Place in the uberhip West Queen West area of Toronto.

Papersnake Jewellery

It was by chance that on a snowy day in early December, my local brunch eatery hosted an arts fair thingy. My brunch buddy wanted to check it out, so I obliged.

Another Fashion Week Wraps Up

GSUS sindustries

GSUS sindustries, quite possibly the funnest show of Fall Fashion Week 08 featured bouncy models

Fashion Week: Menswear

I not so secretly love menswear collections for one glaringly obvious reason: male models are involved.

NADA at Fashion Week

The Nada show was my absolute favourite womenswear show so far. These are the kind of clothes that were made to be strutted down a runway – it was sort of like if you did acid and imagined you were in the 80s.

Fashion Week: Evan & Dean and Lucian Matis

Well, it’s official. I’m old enough to wear clothes from a previous era – in which I was alive. Of course, the clothes I’d have to fit into were worn by an eight year old, but no matter.

Bryan Adams Giveaway!

Bryan Adams is back with his new album, aptly called 11.

All About Dahlia

Dahlia Finger, 29 years old, is going through something. Aside from the whole don’t-know-what-to-do-with-my-life thing, she’s just been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

A Whole New Cube

Today is a sad day in the life of Robotic Hottie. I’ve been torn asunder from my regular office environment and slotted into a new office environment. Normal people wouldn’t find this to be such a huge inconvenience

If It Makes You Happy

It’s a little late to mention this now, but they showed the secret to happiness on 60 minutes a week and a bit ago.

Building Houses is Fun!

What’s better than sleeping in on a cold, snowy February Saturday morning and waking up to a nice steaming hot cup of tea? Waking up on that same cold, snowy morning at 6 a.m. to take several modes of public transit to a frozen build site to help build some houses.

Oh, Oh, Oh, I’m Your Cover Girl

Cover Girl reminds me of two things: my mom, who always used their products while I was growing up and, of course, the New Kids on the Block. Even though now that I watch the Cover Girl video

My New Best Friend

You know how sometimes your best friend is a jerk and doesn’t call you back or natters on about her ex-boyfriend or her dead relatives or something else equally boring?

Travel in style

Not that you needed another reason to go on vacation, but if you did, these luggage tags make me want to take a trip.

Super Workout Motivation!

Like most people, I am making a pledge to myself to get back to the gym. It was probably around November when I stopped going, which coincidentally coincided with a deluge of holiday parties, extra family responsibilities

A book that tells you to date 16 men at once is A-OK with me!

My holidays were spent on the couch, sick and bored. Luckily, what with modern day technology, I had television, movies and books to keep me engaged.

Promise of New Year's, Promisseeee

Guess which night I hate? New Year’s Eve. I hate NYE because it’s the night that’s supposed to be the best night of your life and, to top that, it’s the kind of night that dictates your entire year, according to superstition.

Merry Christmas. Humbug.

Well, it’s finally here. The biggest day of anticipation of the year, Christmas Eve. The kids in your life are probably having heart palpitations right this instant.

Laundry Room Etiquette

Ah, the modern-day salon – the laundry room. Where else am I supposed to meet a Josh Hartnett-like character who’s a great guy that makes websites and blows feathers all over me?

The Gift You Should Keep on Giving

Friends, countrywomen, lend me some beer. I need to get drunk because, frankly, I hate the holidays. I cannot lie to you. Surviving them takes great will, dexterity, and the odd temporary changing of belief systems to get through numerous holiday functions

Get Thee to Rehab

Oh gosh, oh gosh. Yet another celebrity mum shows amazing parenting skills a la Lohan, Spears and Hilton. This time it’s British phenomenon Amy Winehouse’s mother.

Bring on the Holidays!

Well, here we are! It’s December already and it’s time to start downing eggnog with the rest of the entire world. Because if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you’re celebrating something. Whether it’s Hanukkah (mazel tov!), which starts tomorrow...

The Swell Season

Tea, Dahling?

Excuuuuse me dahling, could you please pass the crumpets? That’s probably what you think afternoon tea is like. But you’re wrong, sucka. Afternoon tea is more like if Pimp My Car did Pimp My Tea.