The Mivizu sense cover functions just like Apple Smart Cover which has the magnetic sleep/wake function that triggers when you open and close the front cover. The inside is fitted with microfiber lining to protect your screen, prevent scratches, and clean off fingerprints and grime.

Just like the Apple Smart Cover, the case can also be positioned in upright mode – perfect for slideshows and watching movies. The other option is to position the case so that it’s folded at the back so it’s the perfect angle for easy typing.

Overall, the Mivizu sense cover is a high quality product, with quality leather, precision cutouts, and careful stitching. It’s not bulky and fits the iPad well. It’s casual enough for everyday use but classy enough for work as well.

SammyliciousTV: Mivizu Sense Cover Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvGCJ_UzUU

My mummy and daddy bought this bag for me for Christmas and I’ve been using it everyday ever since. It’s made out of the most beautiful succulent leather! It is so incredibly soft and luscious to touch yet it’s been extremely durable thus far and has kept its quality in top form.

The bag is surprisingly light and keeps its shape well. I’m not usually a fan of hobo bags but this one is similar to of a tote shape and I enjoy the two pocket buckle front. It is very similar to the Mimco Button Bag that was increasingly popular amongst the female population in Australia that it seemed it seemed that it became a necessity for one to own one to appear normal. Trends become so widespread kind of irritate me because it means that everyone walks around looking the same, wanting to be the same. Where’s the fashion, where’s the individuality? Although as I have admitted that this Oroton bag comes quite similar, I’m glad that it’s not the same and I love it dearly!

There’s so much room inside to put all my things and I really like the magnet button top closure. It’s easy to open and close for a lazy person like me. There’s an inner zip pocket and 2 mobile phone pockets – one for my iPod Touch and one for my Blackberry and lipgloss! Perfect :) I must also say that the lining on the inside feels amazing. The glistening bronze coloured Oroton signature pattern is also quite beautiful and I smile everytime I open my bag to reach for something.

The only con I have is that it’s only a one strap shoulder bag and I like two straps so I can slide one strap down my shoulder and I can get a better peak inside. With the one strap, I have to take the whole thing off my shoulder to rummage the insides.

It retails for AUD $499.00 at Oroton.

Related posts:

1. Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 30
2. Michael Kors Hamilton Cross Body Bag

I picked this Canon Powershot G12 up last Friday afternoon for $499 (on sale from $569 at Blacks). I was pretty excited, since I’ve been wanting the G11 for awhile and was even more excited when the G12 was released.

Canon Powershot G12 Camera Specifications

It’s not much different from the G11, with minimal improvements the main being the ability to shoot 720p HD video and in-built HDR feature. The lens is 28-140mm f2.8 and has the same sensor as the Canon S95.

Now, I know I already have the Canon IXUS 80 and the Canon Rebel XSi (yes, I am a Canon lover), I needed something for in between. The Canon IXUS is small and light for events I don’t want to lug around a huge DSLR, but there are times I just don’t want to forfeit quality for convenience. This is where my G12 comes in!

The top features all the DSLR manual settings and it also has RAW functionality. So far, it seems like a great camera and I’m really excited to take some shots with this baby. Stay tuned for photos! :D

Related posts:

1. Canon Rebel XSi

Lately, I’ve been craving Mexican food a LOT. I think it’s because the food is so fresh and I love all the spices! I’ve recently learnt how to make Chicken Fajitas which I have been making often because it’s so damn easy to make and it’s so damn delicious! I got my recipe from Jamie’s Food Revolution book which was a very simple and easy 20 minute recipe.

Chicken Fajitas

Serves 2

1 red bell pepper
1 medium red onion
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast fillets
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A small pinch of ground cumin
2 limes
Olive oil
Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 flour tortillas
1/2 cup sour cream
4 ounces Cheddar cheese

Salsa

2 fresh chillies
15 ripe cherry tomatoes
Small bunch of cilantro
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lime
Extra virgin olive oil

1. First, start of by putting your grill pan on a high heat.
2. Halve and seed your bell pepper and cut into thin strips and peel, halve and finely slice the onion.
3. Slice the chicken lengthways into long strips (roughly the same size as the bell pepper strips)
4. Put the chicken, bell pepper and onion into a bowl with the paprika and cumin, squeeze in half a lime and drizzle a lug of olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and mix well.
5. Marinate for 5 minutes. While we wait, we can now make our salsa.
6. Finely chop the chilli and roughly chop the tomatoes and cilantro (stalks and leaves together).
7. Put the chilli and tomatoes in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper and squeeze 1 lime.
8. Add extra virgin olive oil and stair the chopped cilantro.
9. Using a pair of tongs, put the pieces of bell pepper, onion, and chicken into the preheated grill pan to cook for 6-8 minutes (as seen in the above photo)
10. Warm the tortillas on a warm dry frying pan.

Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Onion, Chicken in the grill pan

Fresh salsa

Ready to add to the tortillas: Sour cream, cheese and salsa

Add to the tortillas

Wrap up your tortillas and eat away! Enjoy! :)

Related posts:

1. Garlic, Basil and Tomato Spaghetti
2. Black Pepper Beef
3. Yaki-Udon

When I was in Chicago, I had a bit of time to burn before heading to the airport for my flight back home. My wallet also evily showed that I had quite a bit of dough in that green fake monopoly kind of money that I always deem as fake in my head as I illogically seem to spend US money much more than any other currency.

So I was walking up and down N. Michigan Ave in Chicago for a couple of hours (probably a bad idea in hindsight considering the multitude of things I ended up purchasing and had to shove it in my luggage just before I left for the airport) and ended up at the Kenneth Cole sale. Supposedly there was 40% off the whole store (except shoes), but despite that I ended up over at the shoes and wanting to try these very much talked about Kenneth Cole 925s.

So yes, they weren’t on sale and I ended up paying the full $160 for them but it just goes to show you how much marketing can really suck the weak like me in. That’s the “40% off” sale technique to get me in the store and the pretty silver box with pink bow.. but most of all the claim that these shoes are supposed to be your end-all solution to sore-feet in the office.

Just as they’re named, your feet are supposed to thank you during the hours of 9 to 5 while they’re cramped in some form of heel because it’s a given fact that pretty shoes are the most uncomfortable. The designers at Kenneth Cole tried to defy that fact and provide a solution to all our feet problems as I know, by about 11am I already limping and allowing my feet some breathing time if I can sneak away and let no one see, or attending to some blister..

This new technology includes a unique flaxseed pillow in arch molds to the shape of your foot, two layers of Poron® foam for shock absorption, cork and bonded cellulose comfort layers, supple, breathable sheepskin lining, soft, flexible rubber sole and impact-resistant nylon heel lift. Now while all those things sound like great things – it’s probably too sciency/techy for someone who just wants a shoe that gives me the comfort for work without having to resort to fugly man-like shoes. So despite all that sciency/techy business – is it comfortable? How does it compare?

Well the pillow inside is definitely comfortable. I hardly get pains in the ball of my feet, even though I ended up getting the Silver Fox version which is a 3.75″ heel. That’s right – I’m wearing what’s almost a 4 inch heel and I’m running around the office, running to meetings, running to catch the transit, running trying to keep up with my long legged counterparts and I get absolute no ball-pain. The foam for shock absorption definitely helps, especially when I’m walking on tiles and concrete. With many other heels, no matter how expensive, I often need to get the heel replaced and they’re normally made of plastic. The “impact-resistant nylon” heel provides an amazing difference to how I walk in heels as it also provides me with greater stability. But having said all of that, I still get blisters on the side (and just under) of my feet. Annoying – so not entirely comfortable there.

The first thing that I noticed when I looked at these shoes, is that it had some sort of arch support. For me, I have flat feet and I was delighted at the sight of this. I thought that maybe I can still wear super pretty heels and not have to worry about all my flat feet issues! For the first couple of weeks, I stopped wearing my custom made orthotics and wore this EVERYDAY, 9-5pm. I didn’t have any problems with my feet until about week 4 I had the stabbing pains again and knew that the arch support probably wasn’t sufficient enough to my needs. But for the average person – this should give you the sufficient support you need.

On another note, leather quality is fantastic. I’ve not had any issues with the shade of black fading either.

In all – they’re a damn sexy heel and a good one too. I’ve been complimented on them a lot, especially since the silver heel is well, what can I say – damn sexy! I sure enjoy wearing these but after I ran 30 minutes to a client meeting in these (something you probably don’t want to do in any heel, especially a nearly 4″ inch) – I suffered from severe blistering for a couple of days and regretted that choice. I still think these are more comfortable than any other heel I’ve owned, even with orthotics put into my shoes (although it didn’t solve my flat feet problems as the orthotics do) – but this is because of the great amount of pillow comfort there is in the shoe which absorbs impact and shock from your feet. I must say though – I’m not sure how long the pillowing effect will be able to support my feet. As I said, the arch support no longer supports my arch as much as it used to and I expect that the level of shock absorption the foam provides to me will also start to decrease in due time.

I probably don’t regret paying $160 for them (considering I have much more expensive shoes) and I believe in paying good money for good shoes. So to cut it very very short: a great shoe, but still not a totally comfortable shoe. I’m not going to complain too much, because these are still an almost 4″ heel.. and so far, they’ve treated me better than any of my other heels (which are around a 1-3″ heel). I don’t know if they’re entirely worth $160, but definitely go for it if you’re absolutely sick of poor work heels being offered to you at the stores at the mall.

Related posts:

1. Prada Black Satin Heels with Silk Tie

I am so so so ridiculously tired of people asking me if you can ski in Australia. OF COURSE YOU CAN SKI IN AUSTRALIA. It’s like me asking a Canadian if you can swim in Canada. Australia may have a warmer client, but we do have the four seasons! It does snow! You might have to drive higher up the mountain, but you can get decent snow and decent snow resorts and runs. I met some Canadians down in the land of Oz who loved skiing in Australia!

Alpine Resorts in Victoria, Australia

In Victoria alone, there are SEVEN alpine resorts: Mt Buller, Hotham, Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain, Mt Stirling and Falls Creek. In the late winter of 2008, my friends and I whipped on over to Falls Creek for the weekend. Now when I say whipped on over – I mean a cruisy four hour drive (350 kilometres) from the heart of Melbourne – but it was sure worth it.

Falls Creek: 1,780 Metres High

Falls Creek is known to have better runs than the very popular (and often very packed) Mt Buller. The Falls Creek resort lies between an altitude of 1,210 and 1,830 metres, with the highest lifted point at 1,780 metres high. It also has a wide range of runs for beginner/intermediate skiers and snowboarders alike, but best for proficient skiers as it has the wide open vistas and rolling hills unique to the High Plains in Victoria. This is great because it is much less crowded and there are very short chair lift queues even on the busiest of weekends.

When we went in mid September (late winter in Australia), we didn’t have the greatest conditions with fresh powdery snow which was a little bit of a bummer but the snow was much better conditions than I got when I went skiing in a late Canadian winter (was too icy). Also, the skies are clear and blue with no wind. It was so beautiful to sit and absorb the atmosphere.

You can also cross country ski, go tobogganning, snow tubing and there are many bars/cafes to hang out at. And if you’ve done all that, you can sit in your resort hot tubs and relax or just stare out into the beautiful mountain ranges.

Gorgeous, ain’t it? Now you need not wait for summertime in Australia to head on over – you can go in the winter and test out the runs yourself.

For more information:

Official Falls Creek Website: http://www.fallscreek.com.au/

Related posts:

1. Niagara Falls
2. Hopetoun Falls, Otways
3. Snowshoeing at High Park

My brother and I had the great opportunity to visit our long time family friend Takako at Soka Gakkai University of America (SUA) while she was studying there. She had the most wonderful privilege of being admitted into this campus and made the move all the way from Australia to study here.

About Soka University of America

Soka University of America (SUA) is located in the beautiful Aliso Viejo, California which is part of Orange County. Orange County is so lush and green with such gorgeous real estate, filled with mansion homes and this great establishment fits right in. Above, is a photo of Founders Hall.

SUA was established in 2001, with the motto “Be philosophers of a renaissance of life; Be world citizens in solidarity for peace; Be the pioneers of a global civilization”. It is just a small sister school to Soka University of Japan, however it is still a great step forward towards Kosen Rufu (Japanese for World Peace).

Daisaku Ikeda, the 3rd president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and founder of SUA says that “the mission of Soka University of America is to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life.” SUA offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in the Liberal Arts field.

I was lucky to visit SUA during a Scottish festival! Everyone was dressed in kilts and playing harmonious music by the water! It was so joyful.

As above, you can see that the campus is quite large and beautiful. It has such gorgeous surroundings as well.

Here’s my brother and I standing outside Gandhi Hall in tribute to the great man.

Here I am with the statue of Gandhi, Ikeda Library and Takako with some awards received from around the world

Soka University of America

View larger map

Related posts:

1. America-Love

I’ve been watching a lot of cooking shows lately (Masterchef Australia, Junior Masterchef Australia, Masterchef USA, Hell’s Kitchen, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Jamie’s American Road Trip, etc). One of my favourite all time chefs is Jamie Oliver, especially since his infamous TV show “Fifteen” and “Fifteen Melbourne”.

I recently purchased Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (The Cook Book) which is filled with quick and easy recipes which is great for a beginner chef like me.

I started off with my first recipe, spaghetti! I love Italian food and especially pasta. This recipe is so simple and yet so delicious!

Garlic, Basil & Tomato Spaghetti Recipe (Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution)

Ingredients
Bunch of basil
Garlic
Chilli
400ml of canned diced tomatoes
400g spaghetti
Salt and pepper

I also added: parmasen cheese, dry chilli flakes, and minced pork

Recipe
1. Cook the spaghetti in salted water for 12 minutes
2. Remove the basil leaves from the stalk.
3.  Finely chop the garlic, chilli and the basil stalk.
4. Add olive oil to the saucepan and fry the garlic, chilli and basil stalk.
5. Once the garlic is almost brown, add the meat to fry or skip to add the tomatoes and the basil leaves.
6. Cook on high heat for a minute and add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Once the spaghetti is cooked, strain the water and add to the sauce in the saucepan.
8. Serve and grate the cheese onto the plate and dried chilli flakes.

Related posts:

1. Chicken Fajitas

I bought this little baby for my coins and my business cards. I know it’s supposed to be for your keys but it’s perfect for storing my TTC tokens. How adorable is it!

Now I have quite the set! Damier Ebene Speedy 30 + Wallet and now this little baby. Cutes :)

Related posts:

1. Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 30
2. A Merry LV Christmas

I purchased this Michael Kors bag a little while ago and I really love it. It comes in three sizes and I bought the smallest size. It’s really cute as it’s small enough to take to dinner.

It’s made of beautiful and durable grained leather and has rolled handles. The look is very much like the Hermés Birkin and is super classic.

The front silver hardware buckle is really cute with the MK lock.

The best part of this bag for me is the shoulder bag. I say this over and over, but shoulder straps are a big plus for me. I love the flexibility of throwing the bag over the body so you have both hands free.

Great bag for shopping, walking around a lot or dancing :)

I love this bag and I don’t use it enough!

I purchased this at the Michael Kors store at Eaton Centre, Toronto for $250 plus tax.

Related posts:

1. Oroton Hobo Bag
2. Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 30