I have never really been a fan of marshmallows but when I had an unlikely craving for rice krispy treats, I began the hunt for gluten-free marshmallows. I couldn’t tell with the traditional ones if they were gluten free or not but then I happened across a tub of Ricemellow Creme which said right on the label, “Gluten Free!”  It also said no animal products, no GMO’s, no fat, no cholesterol, no refined sugars, corn sweeteners preservatives or additives. I was wondering where it said “no good” – but it didn’t and so I thought I’d give it a try.

Opening it up I saw a yellow, fluffy, whipped creme – what traditionally melted marshmallow mixed with butter looks like. I tested it out with a scoop. Then another, then another. I could. not. stop. eating. It was amazing!

And all I had to do was add some gluten-free rice cereal for easy rice krispy snacks but I never got that far. I ended up using this as icing on some cupcakes, I put some in my coffee, and really I just kept some around for a little taste here and there.

I’m sure it’ll make great cookies… someday.

BUY AT: Suzannes Specialties

Fluffy, pretty, down pillows has always been my bed accessory of choice; there’s nothing like falling into softness at the end of a hard day. But unfortunately, I wasn’t waking up soft and happy but stiff and cranky.

My chiropractor recommended the Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow for me to try but I resisted; I had tried similar orthopedic pillows in the past with disastrous results. Some were only meant for back sleepers and some for only side sleepers but none worked for those of us who do both. But the Therapeutic pillow is designed for both so I thought I’d give it a try.

I was told to give it two weeks as my muscles in my neck adjusted. The first couple of nights my neck felt sore and I could really feel things adjusting. I woke up several times during the night but overall, I woke up way less sore. After a week I noticed a real improvement in both how I felt and how I slept.

Being on the small size I opted for the adult petite but wish I had gone for the average size that I had tested only because i like the side to be a little higher. If you’re 5″4 and over I’d recommend average but even with the petite I’m still sleeping pretty!

BUY AT: Amazon

There’s nothing I love more than a good cup of Earl Grey tea; it’s been a staple in my afternoon for far more many years than I’d like to say. But I recently decided to try to eliminate caffeine from my diet and brewing regular Earl Grey twice (to remove caffeine) seemed too much of a hassle and finding a good cup of decaf seemed even harder.

So imagine how happy I was when I discovered Rishi’s Earl Grey Rooibos Tea which combined my favourites – rooibos and bergamot!

Rooibos has long-proven health benefits and the taste is wonderful anytime of day but combine it with some citrus and bergamot and it becomes the most wonderful afternoon tea that you can have before bed, too. And not only good for your health and taste buds but it’s also good for the environment as Rishi sells only organic, fair trade artisinal teas, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

BUY AT: Rishi Tea

I’ve never been a doll kind of girl – not even as a child. But when I saw Jess Brown’s rag dolls in Anthropologie I became a smitten kitten. And today I saw the most perfect one that just had to come home with me.

These aren’t any dolls – they’re one of a kind, hand made, rag dolls. They remind me of the old fashioned ones Laura Ingalls might have if that little town on the prairie had access to black tea dipped reminents and pretty linens.

What I love is how soft and pliable these dolls are; they truly feel like a rag doll. The clothes, the dresses are all made with care (and are unique to each doll). The face and hair also lends to each dolls character and my girl is certainly charming. We are fast becoming BFF.

If you’re looking to give a special gift to a girl of any age, consider one of these dolls. Jess Brown does custom designs so I’m sure she could make something special for you. And since she re-uses materials and dyes with tea and not chemicals, you’re giving something safe, beautiful and handmade all at once.

BUY AT: Jess Brown Design

It was a stressful time when I first moved to Los Angeles and it showed on my face; it was blotchy, red, terribly dry with not so nice pimples here and there. So I booked myself a spa package at the Ole Henriksen Spa for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering. I knew that a massage and scrub would help but had my suspicions about the facial since most facials always made my sensitive skin worse, not better.

But other spas did not have Maki.

In one hour she literally transformed my skin from blah to wow. Not only did she make my skin wonderful from the outside, but gave me so many tips about how to keep myself and skin healthy from the inside with vitamins and relaxation ideas. With her help, my skin has never looked better and that’s why I’ve been a devoted client for over three years.

So when she told me she was working on her own skincare line, Mambino Organics, I was thrilled; her passion for natural, organic, simple skincare was finally coming to fruition. And for me, it came at the perfect time.

Dry skin has always plagued me and, when I began to spend a lot of time in air conditioning, I couldn’t find anything that would help. Most body moisturizers were thick, goopy and greasy. They always seemed to have harsh, fake scents added that I just didn’t like. However, her Moisture Me After Shower Body Oil, with it’s amazing smell of orange and lavender, quickly absorbed into my skin leaving it super soft without being greasy or shiny looking. Just natural and hydrated.

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After my dog had surgery, using a treatstik was impossible since he couldn’t move around to use it. He had to eat kibble. The only problem? He would gulp his food down so quick that he’d develop bloat and gas. That wasn’t fun for either.

The most perfect solution is the Eat Better Bowl which has little divides in it to help slow your dog down when eating. I was very suspicious because my dog literally ate his food in 30 seconds.

But not only did the bowl slow him down, it made him take breaks! He’s goes back 3 or 4 times to finish and the whole process was a healthy 20 minutes. I was amazed and happy – less bloat and way less gas!

Buy at: Contech Products

I love pretty things, I love simple things, I love holiday things. Put that together and what have you got? More than just bibbitybobbityboo – you’ve got the Santa Lucia Ornaments by Roost.

These beautiful, intricately carved birch veneer snowflakes come in a set of 12 (if you buy the small) in a pretty little wooden box with four panels inside. The box alone is pretty (perfect for holiday gift giving) but the snowflakes really do steal the show.

With burnt edges to define the shape and golden thread in which to hang, these ornaments would look lovely on any tree – simple or not – or even as a fall mobile hanging overhead.

BUY AT: Velocity Design

My dog overheats easily which means he needs access to water all the time – even on the road or when we’re walking through the neighbourhood. That’s why I (and my dog) love the gulpy – it’s a water carrier and fountain in one.

Just fill the container with water, flip it open and water comes out into the blue part for the dog to drink. No leaks, no messes, no bowls to carry around or water bottles to share. So convenient that I keep one in the car and one at home. It’s also small enough to fit in a backpack or purse.

The real handiness came when my dog had surgery and was immobile – couldn’t even sit up to drink out of his regular bowl. I made sure to give him lots of water from the gulpy which he could easily drink. It made his recover so much easier.

BUY AT: REI

I travel a lot with my dog and carrying two bowl for water and food plus bags for his kibble was getting to be a tiresome packing task. So when I saw the pet travel container I was a happy girl, thinking about all the weekend getaways that would become so much easier to take.

What I love about this set is that it’s easy. The two bowls flank either side, you fill the container with kibble and it’s all held together with a handle. It holds about a weekends worth of food for my 55lb dog which is great. Anything longer and I might consider bringing two. But having these bowls gives my dog a sense of consistency whilst on the road and helps me to remember to bring everything home.

BUY AT: The Container Store

There’s studies and brilliant, successful people who swear that classical music helps them think better and work harder. And a part of me believed this but a bigger part was always really annoyed by a lot of classical stations and CD’s. It ain’t all nice. Ever been in a quiet state and then hear timpanies crashing? Or styles being changed up when you don’t want it to? Sometimes, it’s just plain hard to get into a groove to classical.

That’s why I love these CD series – especially the Bach for Book Lovers (although Mozart at Midnight is a close second). This CD is a wonderful companion whilst writing articles – when I need to concentrate on my work but need a little something to help me along. It’s soothing yet energising. All the songs are the same style which means no drums are going to crash you out of your zone.

BUY AT: Amazon