Madam Secretary: Téa Leoni's Best Performance Yet

Snow days have always been one of my favorite things about living in Canada, because every year you can count on them to provide an unexpected (and much needed) break from work and daily life. Today is such a day and, as it looks like the weather will still be the same tomorrow, I wanted to take the time to talk about a TV show since there is nothing better than spending a lovely day at home watching the snow falling, cooking and enjoying great entertainment. Obvious your choice of program is important and I always love shows that are captivating and interesting as well as being funny. As of late, Madam Secretary does it all for me.

The show stars the incredible Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, the American Secretary of State, and lets us explore the inner workings of the State Department as Elizabeth balances diplomacy and international crisis. All the stories focus on very real problem, making the show really believable and interesting because we can relate episode to real events. All the dialogues are intelligent, it feels like the characters know what they are talking about and have relevant things to say, they are not babbling nonsense. That being said, humour has a place in the show and witty and funny lines have their part in every episode.

A special note has to be made for all the stunning sets and locations. The McCord’s home is beautiful and homey, while the State Department’s offices look dignified and filled with history. They also manage to make all the foreign locations look real and I like how they pay a lot of attention to details so there is a lot to see in every scene.

However, what really makes the show for me is Téa Leoni’s performance, she is amazing!! I mean the way she delivers her lines and her composure really give her the credibility required for the role. I mean she could really be the Secretary of State because she is just so believable. Her performance alone is worth watching the show for.

Madam Secretary has a lot to offer to its viewers, a perfect blend of political drama and family dynamics with a dose of fun and engaging storylines. I enjoyed watching season 1 again after getting it on DVD and so far season 2 has been just as good!

Madam Secretary airs Sunday night at 8PM EST on CBS. Season 1 is available on DVD and on iTunes. 

Scorpion: A TV Action Drama Favorite

Cold weather creates the perfect opportunity for some cozy time at home and to me nothing is cozier than a lovely evening with a good TV show. Ever since last fall I haven’t found that many new shows to love, but a returning one has really stepped up its game for me: Scorpion. Season 2 has been amazing so far and it made me want to re-watch season 1 which is actually much better than I remembered!

The show follows a group of geniuses (team Scorpion) who work together as contractors for Homeland Security in the United States. Every episode, you see them put their minds together to solve problems that no one else can figure out. Walter, Toby, Happy and Sylvester might be super smart but they struggle a lot when it comes to emotions and interacting with "normal" people. Thankfully they have the help of Paige, a waitress turned member of the team because she has great people skills. Agent Cabe Gallo works as their government handler and he also serves as a greater father figure to the team.

The dialogues are witty, the intrigues keep you engaged (you never know how they’ll solve the problems) and the cast has great chemistry. Personally what I enjoy the most is seeing all the geniuses try to deal with the emotional aspect of things, it leads to a lot of funny and very sweet moments on the show. Honestly I cannot recommend Scorpion enough, it’s really great! It also happens to be one of the rare shows I actually look forward to seeing every week because I know I’ll be entertained.

You can catch Scorpion Monday night on CBS at 9:00 ET and Season 1 is available on DVD from Amazon. You can also get it on iTunes.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit with The Secret World of Santa

I cannot believe Christmas is only four days away! December has been going by so quickly and the weather is most definitely not Christmassy. It’s actually been quite warm here in Canada and we’ve barely had any snow… All this to say I have been having a hard time getting in the Holiday spirit, but a little Netflix discovery might be the solution to it all. Say hello to The Secret World of Santa.

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This is a French animated series that came out when I was little and I used to watch it every year without fail. It would air every morning in December with a marathon of all the episodes airing on Christmas day. It’s the most amazing and festive show ever! If you speak French then you might recognise it as Le Monde Secret du Père Noël. Every episode follows Santa and his three elves as they get ready for Christmas. The whole series is lovely with cute and funny stories and festive music.    

It honestly brings back so many happy memories and while I think it still airs on TV, I love that I can easily watch it on Netflix this year. If you have kids, are still a kid at heart or are simply looking to get a bit more in the Holiday spirit you have to watch it. As I said, you can catch it on Netflix and I’m assuming it’s available in different countries. You can also get it on DVD from Amazon and it is available on iTunes. Also, if you speak or understand French I highly recommend watching the French version, I just think the voices are much better and it’s a bit more magical that way.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Holiday season. Let me know in the comments below if you have any TV shows or movies you love to watch at this time of the year. 

The French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas

Today has turned out to be pretty gloomy outside (where’s the snow!), which makes it a perfect day to stay inside and curl up with a good book. There could not be a better time to introduce you to one of my favorite books of the years: Mathilde Thomas’ The French Beauty Solution. Be prepared to be inspired and soak up loads of beauty knowledge.

I love Mathilde Thomas’ way of writing, it feels like you’re chatting with a friend and everything feels effortless making it a super pleasant read. The book contains loads of skincare, beauty and health knowledge to approach beauty the French way. Now I read a lot about the subject and I have French roots so most of the information was not new to me, but the way it was presented made it feel fresh and fun. It actually inspires and motivates you to really take care of yourself and your skin. I also love how it really focuses on skincare to make you look your best instead of relying on loads of makeup. The tips are all about common sense, so you don’t have to be scared of crazy routine or applying weird things on your face, it’s all sensible.

Honestly, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading The French Beauty Solution and I think most would enjoy the way it is written. It is actually more about a lifestyle than skincare and I believe it might provide you with the little boost of motivation you need to start taking better care of yourself. After all, we all want to be healthy and having beautiful skin is a pretty great bonus. You can easily peruse the book for specific information or simply settle down and enjoy it cover to cover.

You can find Mathilde Thomas’ The French Beauty Solution in most bookstores, iBooks and Amazon. You can also read more about it here.

Austenland: the funniest romantic comedy of all time

In order to get rid of my current writer’s block, I thought a nice little chat about one of my all-time favorite movies would be good. I have always been more of a TV girl to be honest, but some movies just stay with me and I can watch a hundred times without ever getting bored. That is the case with the amazing Austenland, and incredible British-American romantic comedy.

The premise of the story follows Jane, a 30-something woman who is a fan (you could say slightly obsessed) of everything Jane Austen that decides to go on holiday in an immersive Jane Austen themed resort. While the estate is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, it is also full of charming kooky characters. The movie made me laugh like I hadn’t in a long time, it is full of funny moments and while you to get the sweet/romantic scenes, I thought it was heavier on comedy part of a rom-com.

Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge and Georgia King are hilarious and the supporting cast really elevates the whole movie, it’s a hoot! I don’t think there was a lot of publicity when the movie came out a few years ago, but it is so worth watching. Yes it is a bit ridiculous at times, but it is in the best way possible and really it is quite charming and heart-warming.

You can watch the trailer here! 

You can find Austenland on DVD on Amazon and it is available on iTunes. I really cannot recommend it more, I am sure you’ll have fun watching it!

The New Health Rules by Doctor Frank Lipman

Last week, I mentioned a few books I was reading and today I wanted to share a more in depth review of one of my favorites. The New Health Rules by Doctor Frank Lipman has become a favorite of mine and I was blown away by how great such a small book could be.

This book is divided into sections that each give rules, which are more like tips and advice, on how to improve your health using food as well as other small lifestyle changes. Now you might already know some of them, but I found the whole thing quite informative and super interesting. It’s written in a way that is not pushy, but it still manages to get the point across and gives you the motivation to make the effort to be healthier.

Each tip is quite short and direct, so this is a quick and easy read. I love how each page has a different tip so you can easily pick one at random daily and try to apply the advice. That way you can start to develop good habits and start living a better lifestyle. Also there are loads of pictures accompanying each piece of advice making them livelier. The photography is truly inspiring and stunning, it is the perfect coffee table book. I think The New Health Rules would also make a great present for anyone, after all don’t we all want to be healthier and have more energy?

You can buy Doctor Frank Lipman’s The New Health Rules in bookstores, on Amazon and iBooks.

Disclamer: I am not a health specialist/doctor and before making any changes in your diet/lifestyle you should speak with your physician. I wrote this review purely because I found the book inspirational and it does make interesting points you can discuss with your physician to see if they would work for you. 

Feed Your Face by Doctor Jessica Wu

I love reading and I love skincare, so what better than a book on skincare to unwind at night. That being said not all books on the topic are great, some are too preachy and others don’t really offer any new or useful information. Well, Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days by Doctor Jessica Wu is nothing if not informative and fun.

I found this to be really enjoyable to read, the author is never preachy, and I feel like I actually learnt something instead of re-reading the same information for the thousandth time. Jessica Wu is a dermatologist so she obviously knows what she is talking about. Each chapter goes into different skin issues, from eczema to acne and wrinkles, explaining their causes, but also giving you advice on how to deal with them.

What makes this book different from others however is that it focuses on food, showing the link between what we eat and our skin. Thus for each section she talks about different things you can include in your diet to help you improve and hopefully solve your skin issues. The book also includes a meal plan (great for inspiration) and a list of healthier options in popular restaurant if you have to eat fast food. Lastly you will find product recommendations throughout the book and an informative section on in office treatments and procedures doctors can perform to help your skin (if this is something you are into/considering).

I loved how Feed Your Face motivates you to have a healthier lifestyle while making it about something we care about (our face) instead of focusing on all the things you have to cut out or being very strict and restrictive. I think most people can learn from this and as they say “knowledge is power”, so you will basically have all the necessary tools to get better skin and improve your health at the same time. The multitude of sections make it an easy ready and I liked that it is written in a simple way, it does not get lost in too many details or scientific terms, but it is not something written for kids either. Overall this is a must-have book and something useful you can always turn to when in need.

Doctor Jessica Wu’s book Feed Your Face is available in most bookstores and you can find it on Amazon and iBooks. For more information on Jessica Wu and her book, you can visit her website here. 

Favorite Summer Read: Sophie Kinsella and Shopaholic to the Stars

With the summer in full swing (hello heatwave!!), I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about my favorite summer read. Whether you are going on an exotic vacation or enjoying your own home, this is the best time to unwind with a good book and leave the rest behind. After all that’s what holidays are for, right?

My all-time favorite summer author is Sophie Kinsella. All of her books are super fun and lighthearted, perfect to decompress. She somehow manages to always make me laugh (usually out loud) and reading the adventures and unbelievable situations she puts her characters through always brighten my day. This makes her books perfect to read on the beach and let me assure you that they make long-haul flights go by much faster.

I am currently making my way through Shopaholic to the Stars, the latest installment in the Shopaholic series and it is as good as usual. I’ve actually been reading it for a while, using it as my “travel” book or when I need a little pick-me-up from day to day life.

Other favorites I would recommend from Sophie Kinsella include: I’ve Got Your Number, Remember Me, Can you Keep a Secret and the entire Shopaholic series. If you are looking for a fun new read, head over to her website for the full list of her work and extracts from the books. Everything can be found in bookstores and on Amazon in both hardcover and paperback.

What are your favorite summer reads? I would love to know! 

How to Look Expensive by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig

You know that feeling when you have just found something you think would make the perfect gift, like a book you know others would greatly enjoy? Well I have just that kind of thing for you today. I received Andrea Pomerantz Lustig’s book: How to Look Expensive for Christmas 2 years ago and I still think it is a perfect gift for any beauty and style lover.

First of all, it looks gorgeous! It contains beautiful illustrations by Dallas Shaw that elevate the book to something you want to own simply for its beauty. It looks expensive and definitely not like a kid’s book. However just because it is beautiful does not mean it does not have substance. Each chapter focuses on way to look more expensive, which really means how to achieve a chic and sophisticated appearance from head to toe. You will find tons of tips and tricks on makeup, skincare, hair and fashion that will benefit both knowledgeable beauty experts and those first entering the beauty realm.

The thing I liked the most about the book though were the recommendations from Lustig. From cleansers to curling irons and perfumes, she covers a wide array of products to help you look more put together easily. I have not been disappointed by any of the products I bought following her advice. The cover says this is “a beauty editor’s secrets to getting gorgeous without breaking the bank” and I think it could not be more true. I find it rare for beauty books to be super insightful, but Lustig managed to do just that while still making it feel like you are reading a fun beauty column that will get you the results you hope for. 

This is a truly lovely book that many would enjoy and its chic design makes it perfect to also use as decoration. You can get Andrea Pomerantz Lustig’s How to Look Expensive from many bookstores, Amazon and you can find more details about it on Lustig’s website. 

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast

We could all use a little bit more magic in our lives and I think that connecting with our child’s spirit is the best way to do that. That connection is all about remembering the excitement we felt about the little things when we were younger. For me the excitement usually comes around Christmas time and whenever I watch animated movies. Now, Christmas is still a few months away, but that also means there is no better time to be watching Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast.

I plan on talking about the whole Disney Fairies/Tinker Bell Movie franchise in a later post because it is one of my favorites, but I thought the latest installment would be a good place to start. It has quite a special story. For the first time Fawn (an animal fairy) is the main character and we follow her as she discovers a strange creature and tries to understand and befriend him. The rest of the fairies are not so sure about the beast, so as they try to capture him, Fawn and her friends come together to save him.

This is a beautiful story about learning the important of not judging others and how we should try to really get to know people before passing judgements. Personally I feel like all the Tinker Bell movies teach such great morals and are truly perfect for kids. That being said, as an adult, I really enjoy them as well because they are beautiful to watch and the stories are always very heartwarming. Also the fairy magic in them always brings me back to when I was younger, I would have loved those movies.

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast has a great message to teach us all, but that does not stop it from being very funny and cute. The ending is quite abrupt (not that it’s bad), but kids might be surprised to see it end the way it does because you expect to see more. I did shed a few tears, but I would not call it a sad movie, it is just very touching because the relationship between Fawn and the NeverBeast feels very real.

You can get Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast on DVD from Amazon and other major retailers. It is also available on iTunes and Netflix is you prefer a digital format. 

My Favorite Ready-Made Stocks for Easy Soups

I love cooking and creating a meal from scratch is incredibly satisfying. However, sometimes you don’t have the time (or energy) to make something elaborate or wait hours for it cook. At times like this, I usually rely on lovely soups that can double-up as a meal. To help make these I find that having various stocks on hand is always useful, so I decided to share with you my favorite ready-made stocks.

I love chicken soup so I usually go for light broths that will go well with chicken but still have enough flavour to elevate a simple vegetable soup with rice or noodles (like my Healthy Soup). My favorite is the Pho Ga Pho Soup Seasoning by Bao Long. This is a Vietnamese stock cube made to use in pho soup (a Vietnamese specialty), it’s very light but flavourful and goes well in soups with or without meat. It contains spices like onions, garlic, star anise, clove ginger and cinnamon. I found mine in a local Asian grocery store, I suggested you have a look in yours or you can get it on Amazon.

Next is the Asian Home Gourmet Spice Paste for Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup, a liquidy paste that you simply add to water to turn into a broth. This one is saltier and I don’t like on its own, but with chicken it’s quite good. I usually use it when I make my Healthy Soup, but want a more filling version. It’s very simple, using this as the broth and adding a chicken breast sliced into cubes once the water is boiling. This one seems more easily available, I can get it from both my regular grocery and the Asian one. You can also get it on Amazon.

I love using both these stocks with my Healthy Soup when I need something quick and delicious. Obviously these are not as healthy as using home-made chicken broth, but in a pinch there are very convenient to have at home. I would love to hear about your favorite stocks and soup recipes. 

Covert Affairs

Last summer, I slightly dislocated my hip which meant I couldn’t do much for about a month. This led to some intense marathon viewing of different TV shows. At some point though, I ran out of things to watch and was thoroughly bored until I discovered Covert Affairs. While I couldn’t do any physical activity, this show got my heart pumping.

This is a spy show that follows Annie Walker a new CIA operative, as she discovers what it’s like to work in the field. As far as spy shows go, I was really surprised by how realistic it was, the stories were engaging but never too farfetched. There’s a ton of action so it’s never boring and there’s plenty of laughter (especially in the first seasons) because the show’s writers know how to be funny and incorporate it into the world. The cast does a great job at being credible and the chemistry between them all is great. Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham were real show stealers for me with their incredible performances.

Another thing that I loved is that they shot several episodes abroad, so many of the exotics locations on the show were actually filmed in the real countries. I always appreciate when shows do this as it adds realism to the story and it is beautiful to see on screen. Covert Affairs has fewer episodes per seasons than your average TV show, however it compensates with beautiful locations and stunning visual effects.

If you are looking for new entertainment, I say give Covert Affairs a ago, it’s not girly but it’s not a guys only show either so everyone can enjoy it. The series concluded its final season last year so you can get all five seasons on DVD from Amazon (or any DVD stores), buy it on iTunes or watch up to season four on Netflix. 

Grey's Anatomy

I love television. In fact, love is probably not strong enough to describe how passionate I am about it. Nonetheless, some TV shows leave a more lasting impression than others. The 11th season of Grey’s Anatomy ended two weeks ago and now that the dust has settled, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on a series that is very dear to me.

I discovered Grey’s Anatomy when it was in its fourth season, and started watching season three after a friend recommended it. I still have her note explaining who the characters were because I hadn’t watched the first two seasons. I instantly fell in love with, so much so that as soon as I finished the DVD I had borrowed, I begged my mom to take me to the store so I could get the entire season. Waiting a whole weekend to see what happened next was just not an option.

The premise of the show is that it follows the lives of new surgical residents in a Seattle hospital. Through both their patients and glimpses of their personal lives, you learn and start caring for all the doctors. Life can be complicated but following Meredith Grey can put everything in perspective. I also found all the medical content interesting and as a native French speaker, Grey’s Anatomy greatly helped me improve my English and learn words that were not thought in English class.

I have always been fascinated by biology and so, I wish I had discovered the show earlier because it might have given me the extra push to become a doctor. I heard that quite a few people decided to go to medical school after watching it and I can see why, even though it is far from easy it also seems incredibly gratifying and interesting (you always have to keep learning). For me though, I felt like it was a bit too late to make changes to my school schedule, but had I had that push/motivation before, I would have focused more in math class.

Something else worth mentioning is the music used in the series, it is very unique. You can usually recognize the show simply by hearing its soundtrack because they only use a certain style of songs. You might discover new and less mainstream artists which is always nice.

Even though the more recent seasons of Grey’s Anatomy are not as good as they used to be, it still worth watching if only for those first seasons alone. It is one of those rare television series that will make you laugh and cry and change your perspective on things. I for one, feel much more comfortable being in a hospital (not as a patient) and actually find them calming in a strange way. They feel familiar so I don’t get nervous like other visitors might, because I have a better understanding of how things work there.

You can get Grey’s Anatomy on DVD on Amazon and in stores, 10 seasons are currently available and you can stream them all on Netflix or get them on iTunes. 

Veep: My Favorite Political Comedy

Tonight is going to be great one in the television world. The fifth season of Game of Thrones is premiering and everyone, myself included, is super excited to go back to Westeros. That incredible phenomenon of a show aside, today also marks the return of my favorite on screen politician: Selina Meyer. Veep is coming back for its fourth season and I could not be more excited.

If you are not familiar with the show, the story follows the life of Selina Meyer the Vice President of the United States and her staff as they navigate daily life and the political world. The entire cast is hilarious but Julia Louis-Dreyfus steals the show for me, her performance and charisma cannot be matched. Her character is a character itself on the show, she can be awkward and sometimes self-centred but I find that, balanced the other actors, it all makes for good fun. Tony Hale as the VP’s personal aid also deserves a special mention because he is so endearing as well as funny and his relationship with the Veep is unlike any other.

This is by far one of my favorite TV show and seeing it return for a new season brings me a lot of happiness. It always manages to make me laugh by turning serious situations and settings into something slightly ridiculous. They just take everything so seriously that you cannot help but laugh. I already had a fun-filled marathon of the past 3 seasons so I am all ready for the premiere.

You can catch the season premiere of Veep tonight on HBO and you can easily catch up on past seasons as they are all available on DVD and on iTunes.