My Favorite Things!

I Tried Sassy Saints So You Don't Have To: An Honest Review

2026-10-09T09:52:26.259-07:00

This is my personal review for the Amsterdam-based Sassy Saints nail care brand that offers "better-for-you nails," - read on for my humble opinion....

First, let me make this absolutely clear than I'm NOT a Sassy Saints affiliate/ambassador.

Second, this is the second dumb mistake I've made when purchasing item on the Internet and Facebook in recent months. My first was the Cyprus-based Dressly app, and again, everything noted is just my humble opinion. Dressly even contacted me my after I posted my original review and asked me remove it! So that confirms to me that I did the right thing by posting it initially, don't you think?

Now wait until you hear about my latest disaster with Amsterdam-based Sassy Saints. Again, this is just my humble opinion...

For whatever reason I decided to start painting my nails again after years of neglect. What inspired me was Essie Expressie Precious Cargo-go, which is a fun, quick-dry, one-coat, dusty olive green.

Did I do a good job? Hell, no. But it was fun and I loved the variety of colours I could choose to go with my mood and/or planned outfits for my work week.

But slowly, instead of looking forward to a new pop of color every week, I began to dread the thought of having to apply nail polish again. And voila on Facebook, up popped an ad for Sassy Saints. I had a upcoming European vacation and thought, what the heck, I'll take a chance to see if the gel wraps work as well as promised - especially if they would last 2 weeks!! That would be amazing. So I spent 46.98GBP, approximately $88 CAD which I thought would be more than well worth the cost if they lasted that long.

The Automatic Enrolment Experience

So here's what happened: the nail wraps didn't arrive in time for me to try them out before I left on my trip. But while I was in Europe, I received an email stating my order had been shipped.

I immediately emailed Sassy Saints back and was told that I had agreed to a subscription, which I was not aware of, at all. I asked for the shipment and subscription to be cancelled, but the items had already shipped and they were unable to stop it from being sent. I then went into my Sassy Saints account and canceled the unintended subscription and proceeded to close my account entirely. The response from Sassy Saints was:

"We are sorry to see you go, but thank you so much for being a customer with us!

That sounds great regarding your return. Please enjoy your time away, and as soon as you receive your parcel, just reach back out to us here and we will gladly provide you with the return instructions."

The Frustrating Sassy Saints Return Process

Sometimes I think I'm very naive when it comes to certain things, like customer service. After reading the above response, I stupidly thought there wouldn't be any costs associated with the return as Sassy Saints does offer a 100-day money back guarantee.

The most frustrating part of the process was having to fill out a separate Google Docs form just to get my refund. Sassy Saints already had all my order details, so making me re-enter information they already had made no sense! Since I was dealing with a subscription order I hadn't even intentionally placed, I actually had to email Sassy Saints customer support just to ask them what products they has shipped so I could fill out their own form correctly. The form enforced strict formatting rules that blocked submission if not entered perfectly, such as requiring "1 x Marshmallow Dip" instead of '1x' or just 'Marshmallow Dip.'

Return Shipping Costs Are the Responsibility of the Customer

And yes, Sassy Saints is based in Amsterdam, I'm not sure why they sent their returns to the UK...there must be a financial or customs reason for this? I have no idea, but it begrudgingly cost me $41 CAD to send the parcel back to Sassy Saints for an $81 order.

When Did I Get The Refund from Sassy Saints?

To my surprise, instantly. As soon as I emailed them the tracking information, the refund was process in full, MINUS $6.95 for something. Possibly the exchange rate? shipping cost? I have no idea, I'm just glad I got the money back. But it did cost me $40 in the end for the items I didn't even know I somehow unknowingly signed up for, that's my biggest issue.

Sassy Saints AI Customer Service

In my experience, I found the customer service responses to be quick, like too quick. Every time I emailed them, no matter the time of day, I would receive a reply within minutes. The emails were always worded to be super friendly, signing off with 'love Lizzy' and 'wishing you a lovely day'. After checking with Gemini, it stated that Sassy Saints "uses AI-powered tools to handle and assist with their customer support communication. They use the Gorgias helpdesk system alongside third-party AI tools to automatically process inquires, draft responses, and assist human agents." So thankfully, it wasn't just me thinking it was weird, lol. And I'm not complaining, but in my humble opinion, it was all a little too polished.

How Did the Sassy Saints Gel Wraps Perform?

I did attempt to use the gel wraps from Sassy Saints, gave them a quick try, but I was already so frustrated by the ordering and refund hassle that I couldn't get very far with them. The whole experience was tainted before I even started. I applied them to several 'cleaned' nails, but they started lifting the following day. Now they're shoved in the back of my bathroom cabinet, maybe I'll try applying them again the future, maybe I won't. And from what Gemini says, many users have issues with application, durability, and removal. So again, I tried Sassy Saints so you don't have to.

Do Your Due Diligence Before Ordering

In general, I do take the time to check out a a company before placing an order. But in the case of Dressly and the thought of not having to paint my nails for 2 weeks with Sassy Saints, I admit I jumped the gun in both scenarios.

Apparently I could have saved myself a lot of time and money had I Googled Sassy Saints first. Gemini clearly identified that many North American-based customers have issues with:

1. Unintentional Enrollment

2. Difficult Returns and High Shipping Costs

The Bottom Line: My Overall Sassy Saints Experience

In summary, while Sassy Saints honored my request for a full refund, navigating their unexpected recurring enrollment, return shipping expense, and exacting refund forms required a lot of time and effort on my part. For me, the tedious customer support journey and frustration of the return, along with the not-so-easy application process and lifting the following day, far outweighed the carefree thoughts of having the nail wraps last 2 weeks.

Have you tried Sassy Saints or the Dressly app? What did you think? I'd love to hear about your comments and experiences.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

I Tried Dressly So You Don’t Have To: An Honest Review (UPDATED!!)

2026-05-31T13:37:16.345-07:00

Update 24Aug26:

Dressly emailed to remind me that they "refunded all of my payments (except the PDF) and cancelled my subscription, so there won't be any further charges."

They continued by saying they understand why I shared my experience at the time, but now that the billing issue has bee resolved, they'd genuinely appreciate it if I would consider updated or removing my review. So here you go Dressly, I add an updated, but opinion is still just my opinion...

This is my personal review for the Cyprus-based Dressly app, this is just my humble opinion:

I have a thing for clothes, and capsule wardrobes (check out My French Wardrobe Obsession, My Capsule Wardrobe, and my latest Caio Bella Italy Capsule Wardrobe), and curating items that work with multiple pieces. But my love of Shein and Temu has thrown me down another path of buying individual pieces here and there that don't go together.

Enter Dressly, the AI-powered personal styling wardrobe app that acts like a virtual stylist color analyst, and shopping assistant that you can take with you anywhere.

I debated about purchashing Dressly for months. Months. Then during a late-night online shopping spree, I realized I was once again buying clothing that didn't necessarily vibe together and needed help.

Dressly can come with multi-step add-on fees.

I hit purchase on the 4-week subscription for the Dressly app - instantly, and I mean instantly, my purchase was charged to my credit card, ding, ding, ding. USD $15.19 for 4 weeks, $19.99 for the AI color scanner, and $19.99 for the 4-in-1 guide pack. But I only wanted to purchase the 4-week subscription, that was the first hint things weren't going to go as planned.

I sent an email right away to tell Dressly to refund the two add-on packages, but they said I chose that option, which I very carefully did not. They sent a very lengthy email in reply, which touted the benefits and features I'd have access to. So beware that there's lot of confusion out there as to 'taking a quick quiz' or signing up for a 'trial' that then triggers a subscription that will continue unless cancelled.

Dressly is difficult to cancel.

Eventually with several emails later, here's the response from Dressly:

15.19 USD – Main subscription
Under our Money-Back Guarantee, refund requests are reviewed within 30 days of purchase, once Day 7 of the plan has been completed. The idea behind this is to give you a chance to fully experience Dressly - from your daily progress to unlocking your capsule.

This meant I had to go into the app and work through each of the days - which you can only do once per day. So you can't skip ahead and it took 7 days to get to where they would consider the refund.

Dressly chose colors that aren't flattering to me.

I used the Dressly AI color scanner to match my colors and let me say this, it was completely wrong! I know the general colors that look good on me, and it picked a pale color palette that only makes me look washed out - I know because I've tried these colors for years and they do absolutely nothing for me. Second hint.

Dressly is not an instant fix.

Third hint: the Dressly app wanted me to tediously photograph and upload every one of my wardrobe items. That's when I realized how much work the Dressly app would be and I seriously don't have time for that!! While I understand the concept is that Dressly can work with items already in my closet, there's seriously no way I'm going to snap pics of all the clothes I own, that would take days, if not longer. And I know my stamina or patience for things like this is very limited.

Dressly is kinda weird.

So, after days of blindly clicking Dressly to get through the designated tips/work for the day, I took a screenshot of my completed day 7 to obtain a refund. I was under the impression they would be refunding all three charges, but nope. Dressly then told me that the PDF 4-in-1 guide was immediately deliverable and was therefore non-refundable. There goes $19.99. And upon briefly looking at one of the PDFs, it made me feel like I was looking at a class project put together by a high school student - some of the photos used even had smiley faces to cover up actual faces, it gave me a very creepy vibe overall.

Dressly was too much work for me.

To be fair to Dressly, I didn't put any effort into using the app as it's designed to be used. When they charged me extra initially, that turned me off completely.

Dressly did refund most of my money in the end.

It's not what I was hoping for, but Dressly did refund me the $15.19 for the 4-week subscription fee and $19.99 for the AI color scanner feature. But it was way too much work to try to get the refund and my fear is that shoppers like me will just give up and not pursue it until the end! I almost gave up several days in a row, but I wanted to get my damned money back.

Overall, I love the idea of an AI-powered app to help me choose the right clothes, it'd be like having a bestie in your pocket. But it takes an enormous amount of time and effort to make that happen. And Dressly definitely wasn't the quick fix I was looking for.

Have you tried the Dressly app? What did you think? I'd love to hear about your comments and experiences.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps Gluten Free?

2026-02-11T15:17:00.000-08:00

2026 Update: Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps Gluten Free?

Well, we've certainly come a long way since the original post in 2016 (below), but the answer now in 2026 is a definite NO!!!!!!!!!!

I admit to consuming a few - and I mean just a few - Tim Hortons Iced Capps over the past years, mainly because I'm out with friends and that's the one stop we're making!

However, it came to my attention last year that when Tims introduced their popular S'mores Iced Capps, they were using the same blenders to mix those as they were for the regular Iced Capps. For those of us with Celiac, that results in a HUGE RISK for CROSS-CONTAMINATION. (The S'mores version looks delicious, but I’ll never know, lol!)

The verdict? I made the personal decision to stop drinking any type of Iced Capp from Tims just to be safe as ALL Tim Hortons Iced Capps are listed as "MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN/WHEAT." Please be aware and share this page with your gluten-free friends!!

This may contain gluten/wheat disclaimer also applies to Tim Hortons:

Chocolate/Vanilla/Strawberry Creamy Chill
Frozen Lemonade
Strawberry Frozen Lemonade

A word of caution: Some employees may unintentionally give out incorrect advice, claiming the drinks are gluten-free or 'safe.' While they are likely trying to be helpful, it’s important to remember that fast-food staff generally aren't trained on the complexities of Celiac disease or the severe risks of cross-contamination. For our safety, it’s always best to rely on the official allergen guide rather than verbal assurances at the counter. Just sayin 😉

You can view the entire Tim Hortons Allergen Guide April 2025.

Hugs & be safe out there fellow celiac-challenged travelers - read more on Travel Writer!

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

20May16

Dear Tim Hortons:

I have to be very careful with my food as I have Celiac, an autoimmune disease where gluten is toxic to my body. According to your Allergen Information PDF, all of your Iced Capps are gluten free except for the Oreo Iced Capp.

As it sounded so good, I went ahead and ordered your new Maple Iced Capp as it's listed as being gluten free. But I was dismayed to see some sort of cookie crumble on the top - what is this topping and is it gluten free?

GUEST_SERVICES@TIMHORTONS.COM

Dear Connie,

Thank you for your interest in Tim Hortons products and thank you for taking the time to contact us.

At Tim Hortons we are aware of the daily challenges faced by our guests with special dietary needs and this is an important issue for us. Each guest call and suggestion is logged and tracked in our database so it can be reviewed by our Research and Development group who are responsible for new product development. In addition to monitoring our guest suggestions, we are also closely monitoring statistics and information on conditions like Celiac Disease, Diabetes, Food Allergies, and Heart Disease.

Please be advised that Maple Flakes are added on the top of the Maple Iced Capp (not the cookie crumble). These Maple Flakes are made of 100% Pure Maple Syrup.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Hand Crocheted Baby & Senior Lap Blankets!!

2025-12-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

My mom taught me to sew my own clothes as a teen, she also crocheted intricate doilies for every piece of furniture imaginable. She once made me a gigantic crocheted afghan/blanket for my bed and later on, I started crocheting baby blankets for family and friends. These hand crocheted blanket, good for babies or wheelchair-bound elderly needing warmth!

Check out my Etsy listings on Blankets4Babes:

1. $65 Blanket made with Caron Baby Cakes Yarn

This is a lightweight blanket with a fair amount of give so it's able to adapt to a space.

82% acrylic

18% nylon

Machine washable and dryable. Width is 30 inches, but length can vary slightly from 39 to 41 inches.

Currently 2 colour options available in this lightweight yarn:

Pastel pink/purple/beige/mauve

Pastel blue/green/purple/beige

2. $45 Blanket made with Caron Skinny Cakes Yarn

This is a very lightweight blanket with tons of give so it's very adaptable to a space.

100% acrylic

Machine washable and dryable.

Currently 1 colour option available, sizes vary, so please be specific when purchasing:

White/pink/coral/yellow

2 sizes: 27 x 38 inches, or 30 x 34 inches

3. $65 Hand crocheted blanket using Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes Yarn

The yarn is thicker and produces a medium weight blanket with some give.

100% acrylic
Machine washable and dryable.

30 x 36 inches

ALL are handmade and come from a pet/smoke/fragrance/gluten-free home!! PLEASE NOTE: I'M ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU TO GET THE LOWEST SHIPPING COSTS.

Any questions, please feel free to interact with me on Etsy.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Where do I Locate My Resume on Linkedin?

2025-11-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

This was a puzzle to me that even Gemini couldn't solve! Are you looking for your resume on Linkedin? Here are the easy steps to answer that question: where do I locate my resume on Linkedin? It's actually quick, but a little tricky to find!

1. Sign into your Linkedin profile.

2. Click on your photo in the top menu bar. Then choose Settings & Privacy.

3. Click on Data privacy (left-hand side menu).

4. Scroll down to find Job Seeking Preferences on the right.

5. Click on Job Application Setting and voila, there you find a list of your resumes saved on filed with Linkedin.

6. If you want to delete an uploaded resume, simply click on the ellipsis (3 dots) to the right of the resume and choose Delete.

There you go!! I hope that my frustrating research has made your day by helping you find your resume on Linkedin!

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

HUGE News! It's Officially Live: Finding Empathy: Supportive Ways to Comfort People Affected by Cancer

2025-07-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

Big News! My New Book, "Finding Empathy," is Officially Live!

Today is a day I've been eagerly anticipating, and I'm absolutely thrilled to share some very special news with you all: my new book, "Finding Empathy: Supportive Ways to Comfort People Affected by Cancer," is officially available!

This book was born from a profound observation: while our hearts are often in the right place, many of us feel a deep sense of helplessness when someone we care about faces cancer. We want to offer support, to be there for them, but we're often unsure how to bridge the gap between our good intentions and truly meaningful action. The fear of saying the wrong thing, or simply not knowing what to do, can leave us feeling awkward and ineffective, even when our desire to help is immense.

"Finding Empathy" is designed to be a lifeline in those moments. It's for anyone who has ever stood on the sidelines, wanting to help but not knowing how to navigate the complex emotional and practical landscape of a cancer journey. This isn't just a collection of generic advice; it's a guide filled with practical, actionable ways to comfort and genuinely connect with people navigating a cancer diagnosis and its challenging treatments.

Inside, you'll discover a compassionate roadmap to offering support that truly resonates:

Compassionate Strategies for Connection: Learn how to approach conversations with sensitivity, offer comfort that feels authentic, and avoid common pitfalls that can inadvertently create distance. The goal is to empower you to be a source of strength without feeling awkward or saying something you might later regret.
Heartfelt Personal Journal Entries: To provide a deeper, more authentic understanding, the book includes personal journal entries. These offer raw, unfiltered insights into the emotional rollercoaster of a cancer journey from the patient's perspective, helping you to truly empathize with what they might be experiencing.
Simple, Impactful Ways to Show You Care: From everyday gestures that can brighten a difficult day to deeper acts of support that provide tangible relief, you'll find a wealth of ideas to demonstrate your care in ways that are truly helpful and appreciated.
A Hidden Treasure Trove of "Freebies" for Cancer Patients: One of the most unique aspects of this book is a dedicated section revealing a wealth of free resources and services available to cancer patients that most people, even those battling the disease, don't know exist! This can be an incredible source of practical relief.

My hope is that "Finding Empathy" will empower you to offer the right kind of support, filled with both profound empathy and practical assistance. Let's work together to bridge that gap between good intentions and genuine, impactful action.

You can find "Finding Empathy" on Amazon today:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDPML2D - Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFZM5FPB - Paperback

Thank yourself for being part of this journey.

Warmly,

Connie

PS. If you purchase and will be reading from outside North America, please reach out for a list of cancer patient freebies relevant to your region, if available. Please email me at: theconniemotz@gmail.com

2024: Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps, Lemonade & Creamy Chills Gluten Free?

2024-04-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps, Lemonades & Creamy Chills Gluten Free?

Tim Horton's is such a disappointment for Celiacs, I don't even bother going there anymore. And while yes, I understand that only 1% of Canadians have Celiac disease - a genetic autoimmune disorder - it's also noted that "up to 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions," according to info provided by BeyondCeliac.org.

And yes, the Tim Hortons gluten-free saga continues into 2024... Tim's has just announced a new flatbread pizza menu that's obviously a no-go for Celiacs, but what about Iced Capps, Lemonades & Creamy Chills for this summer??!

Unfortunately, once again, the answer is NO!!! All of the following items may contain gluten/wheat as per the Tim Hortons Allergen Guide:

Tim Hortons Iced Capps. All are listed as being at risk for cross-contamination, while the Oreo version is confirmed to contain wheat.
Tim Hortons Chocolate/Vanilla/Strawberry Creamy Chills
Tim Hortons Frozen Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade

You can view the entire Tim Hortons Allergen Guide April 2024.

Again, it's sad to say, but some employees are still giving out very bad advice, as in: "there's no gluten, this is okay for you!" But imho, most fast-food workers probably don't have any knowledge about Celiac disease - as they've never been educated about it, not their fault, and no offense meant - nor do they realize what it could mean for Celiacs is we ingest gluten.

Be sure to visit the complete list of Is This Gluten Free!

Hugs & be safe out there fellow celiac-challenged travelers - read more on Travel Writer!

My Favorite Things.

20May16

Dear Tim Hortons:

GUEST_SERVICES@TIMHORTONS.COM

Thank you for your interest in Tim Hortons products and thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Please be advised that Maple Flakes are added on the top of the Maple Iced Capp (not the cookie crumble). These Maple Flakes are made of 100% Pure Maple Syrup.

Easy Spring Into Summer Wardrobe Ideas!!

2024-04-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, I do realize these outfits have a somewhat fall vibe to them, but they're easy to adapt into spring - and then again, spring can come with some weird weather so who knows...

Here's the funny thing about this post, it's actually from 2013!! But seriously, is there any reason these outfits are not still relevant in 2024??! I say they're still damned cute simply because they are TIMELESS, don't you think?

Birkin

Joie

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Blankets4Babes: Hand Crocheted Baby Blankets of Various Sizes, Yarn, Colours & Prices!

2024-03-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Check out my Etsy listings on Blankets4Babes:

1. $65 Blanket made with Caron Baby Cakes Yarn

This is a lightweight blanket with a fair amount of give so it's able to adapt to a space.

82% acrylic

18% nylon

Machine washable and dryable. Width is 30 inches, but length can vary slightly from 39 to 41 inches.

Currently 2 colour options available in this lightweight yarn:

Pastel pink/purple/beige/mauve

Pastel blue/green/purple/beige

2. $45 Blanket made with Caron Skinny Cakes Yarn

This is a very lightweight blanket with tons of give so it's very adaptable to a space.

100% acrylic

Machine washable and dryable.

Currently 1 colour option available, sizes vary, so please be specific when purchasing:

White/pink/coral/yellow

2 sizes: 27 x 38 inches, or 30 x 34 inches

3. $65 Hand crocheted blanket using Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes Yarn

The yarn is thicker and produces a medium weight blanket with some give.

100% acrylic
Machine washable and dryable.

30 x 36 inches

ALL are handmade and come from a pet/smoke/fragrance/gluten-free home!!

Any questions, please feel free to interact with me on Etsy.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Is Kellogg's Crispix Cereal Gluten Free?

2024-01-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well, Kellogg's Crispix cereal is only made of corn, so it's safe for Celiac-challenged people, right?

Wrong. I've always wondered why there was no gluten-free label, so here's the response I received from the WK Kellogg Company Consumer Affairs department:

Thank you for asking if Kellogg's Crispix Krispies are gluten-free. We are glad for this opportunity to respond.

No, this product is not qualified as gluten free. While this product does not include any gluten containing ingredients in the ingredient list or allergen statement, it does not follow all of our internal Kellogg steps to carry a gluten free statement in Canada.

All of our gluten free products, and manufacturing facilities that produce gluten free products, undergo a comprehensive assessment and qualification to ensure compliance with gluten free claim regulations. Products, like Crispix* Krispies* that are not clearly labeled as gluten free have not gone through this comprehensive process. Since we are not testing these products, they will not be labeled "gluten free," even though they may have no gluten containing ingredients

We hope this information answers your question completely. Thank you again for contacting us.

All the best,

Czarinah D.
WK Kellogg Co Consumer Affairs

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Be sure to check the complete list of Is This Gluten Free??!

Gluten Free Double Stuff Oreos!!

Disclosure: Some of the links above/below are affiliate links, and at no additional costs to you, I will earn a teensy tiny commission should you decide to make a purchase after clicking through a link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Be the Love You Seek!

2023-11-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

Have your heard of Dr. Nicole, aka the Holistic Psychologist? Nicole LePera is amazing. Why? Because she's down to earth and everything she says just makes sense.

You can truly LEARN to heal yourself through her wisdom!!

By following her on IG (link above), you'll find a wealth of information for FREE. I'm talking completely relatable videos and thought-provoking posts with multiple slides offering suggestions, reasons and solutions for the way you feel. So it's not just a one-liner or mumbo-jumbo that doesn't even make sense, Dr. LePera provides practical info for everyday relationships, including self work, with topics and feelings we can all relate to. Here are a few examples:

She covers everything from childhood trauma, family relationships, parent relationships and self-worth to boundaries, attachment styles, general well-being, overall mental health and SO MUCH MORE. If you haven't checked out Dr. Nicole, follow her on IG to see if she's a great fit for you! I can pretty much guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Disclosure: Some of the links above/below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a teensy tiny commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through a link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Pair of Chic Outfits for Fall & Winter!

2023-11-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

Now back to fashion! Here are 2 of My Favorite Things for this fall/winter. These are both simple but chic looks to pull off, as provided by @chicattitude on Facebook, love this page!!

This outfit is so effortless and many of us will already have these basics in our closets!

a great pair of jeans
a cream colored sweater
cool black boots
brown belt
a great handbag
a timeless camel coat
topped off with sunglasses for added chic!!

My apologies for not capturing this one well, but you'll get the idea:

a great pair of jeans
an awesome denim/oxford blue shirt
a camel colored sweater
cool brown boots
topped off with a navy peacoat

What do you think??

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Are Nespresso Capsules Gluten Free?

2023-11-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

I'm a self-admitted coffee junkie. Like seriously, do not talk to me in the morning unless you've got a shot of espresso in hand. I'm also a Starbuck devotee. And let me say this for those of you about to bash me for spending so much money at Starbucks: a friend and I recently went to McDonald's (her choice, not mine) and I decided to try a French Vanilla latte, which cost me $5 bucks so I could've had a Starbucks for the same price and actually enjoyed it, ughhh, lol.

Anyway, getting back on track, I bought myself a Nespresso Essenza Mini a few years go and I absolutely love it! I find the pods to be super cost effective - I can buy a box of 10 Starbuck pods for only $8.00!! Nespresso Indonesia dark roast coffee is one of my favs but I was so excited to find out Nespresso has an advent calendar!!! Just a few days later, they're already sold out online and at most retailers, sorry :(

Anyway again, I have to admit I did panic after I received my advent calendar as it listed all sorts of flavors, which any Celiac-challenged person knows, could be a recipe for disaster. So I went online to research and found this statement from Nespresso:

"Nespresso's coffee capsules do not contain gluten nor any other allergens. Any references to “nutty” or “cocoa” notes are components of the aromatic profile (naturally occurring in the coffee bean) and do not suggest their physical presence in the coffee capsule."

Phew! I knew I knew that, but my Celiac brain told me to check, check and triple-check! I actually love that the flavors are "components of the aromatic profile" as it makes me feel similar to a sophisticated wine drinker, lol.

So you're safe, fellow Celiac-challenged Nespresso coffeeholics! Caffeine on, my friends, caffeine on.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Be sure to check the complete list of Is This Gluten Free??!

Is Fleischmann’s Yeast Gluten Free?

2023-11-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

Seems like I'm constantly coming up with gluten-free questions and making more work for myself, lol. This time it came about when wanting to make gluten-free pizza at home for the first time! But time was also short and hours of letting dough rise didn't seem feasible for a hungry stomach. So hence the dilemma, is Fleischmann’s yeast gluten free?

Here's the response I received from Fleischmann's:

Thanks for contacting ACH Food Companies, Inc.

Fleischmann’s Dry Yeasts

Dry yeast is free of gluten, soy, corn, dairy, egg, peanut and tree nuts.

The yeast production facility does not contain gluten, soy, dairy, egg, peanut or tree nuts, so cross-contamination of these allergens is not an issue.

Fleischmann’s Fresh (Cake) Yeast

Fresh or cake yeast does contain corn (in the form of corn starch). Fresh yeast may be produced in the same facility as the dry yeast. Diligent clean-out procedures are used to prevent cross-contamination.

If you have further questions, please contact us.

Wendy
Consumer Affairs
ACH Food Companies, Inc.

So as I see it, it wouldn't be worth taking the chance with their fresh cake yeast, even though they "diligently' clean out equipment to prevent the chance of cross-contamination. Sticking to the dry yeast version seems like the best choice, don't you agree?

Be sure to check the complete list of Is This Gluten Free??!

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Are Centrum Minis For Women 50+ Gluten Free?

2023-11-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

As someone dealing with Celiac disease on a daily basis, I have to be aware of everything I'm about to consume. This goes for the food I'm eating, as well as the gum I'm chewing or the toothpaste I'm using, even though I'm obviously not swallowing either. And just an FYI, check out Crest and Sensodyne toothpaste here.

Ohhhh!! And here's some more food/not food for Celiac thought: is your lip balm gluten free? Check out Burts Bees, you may find the answer surprising!

Looking out for gluten also means being aware of medication ingredients, especially over-the-counter (OTC) products like vitamins and supplements. Enter, Centrum Minis for Women 50+, now there's a hard pill to swallow, lol. 50+??! Ughh 🙄 But they're actually easy to swallow as they're mini! Anyway, lol...

Here's the question I posed to GlaxoSmithKline, are Centrum Minis for Women 50+ gluten free? And this is their response:

Thank you for contacting us. Kindly refer to the information available with the product.

All GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) products are manufactured to meet requirements of the consumer in that specific market, and to meet that countries’ regulations

Centrum Minis For Women 50+ Tablets are gluten free.

Consumers with known allergy to gluten or celiac disease should consult their doctors for further advice.

Prior to using a product, we recommend you always check the list of ingredients printed on the pack.

We recognize our consumers to be a very valuable asset and appreciate your taking the time to contact us.
If we may be of future assistance, please call us at 1-800-250-8866 weekdays between 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. EST.
Yours sincerely,
Stephanie
GSK Consumer Relations Healthcare

So, good news! And GSK even included the common disclaimers in their response, like read the ingredients and consult your doctor, lol. My problem with my whole 'Is This Gluten Free?' series of questions is that I don't think I should have to ask to begin with!

I believe all products need to be labelled properly and if not that, at least the company website should be required to offer up-to-date allergy information on their products, don't you think??!

And funny enough, I just checked again, and voila! The Centrum Minis for Women 50+ product page on GSK now lists them as being gluten free. Success at last, not that it was me, of course, but an accumulation of gluten-free questions from Celiac-challenged consumers, I'm sure.

Be sure to check out the complete list of Is This Gluten Free? You might be glad you did!

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

PS. Read more on my blog Travel Writer!!

Is Your Chewing Gum Gluten Free?

2023-11-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

As someone diagnosed with Celiac for over a decade, I've kinda learned to suspect everything and anything that I'm about to consume. This goes for food and simple everyday things like toothpaste and lip balm - the facts might surprise you! Check out Sensodyne, Crest and Burts Bees here!

Many companies who produce chewing gum, including Dentyne, Wrigley and Trident either say they can't guarantee their gum is gluten free, or offer a reassuring/non-reassuring statement saying their products meet the gluten-free standard of less than 20 parts per million. But my Celiac brain instantly says, why chance it??!

So I made the switch to pür chewing gum awhile ago. Even some of my Celiac friends were shocked when I said check your gum!! Now many of them are hooked on the pür company of products simply because then we don't have to worry, what a novel concept for Celiacs, right?

pür offers a great selection of gum, and mints, in a variety of flavors, including:

bubblegum
chocolate mint
cinnamon
coolmint
peppermint
pomegranate mint
spearmint
tangerine tango
wintergreen

And, as an added bonus, all pür products are made with natural flavors, and are:

gluten free
nut & peanut free
soy free
sugar free
vegan

Be sure to check out the complete list of Is This Gluten Free? You might be glad you did!

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

PS. Read more on my blog Travel Writer!!

Review: DrySee® Thin Film Waterproof Dressing

2023-10-23T15:16:00.001-07:00

Sometimes life has a way of throwing us curve balls, don't you agree? It's hard for me to believe that I'm already a 12-year survivor of breast cancer, time just flies by. But in my case, I'm still in the process of having my final reconstruction surgeries done even after all these years.

In the past 8 months I've have 3 surgeries, one emergency. So that means I've gone through a lot of post-op bandages, I mean A LOT. The advice from surgeons is to always keep the area dry, but everyone has to shower, so just how do you tell if the bandage is wet? Up until now, I could never tell. I'd just take it off and replace it with another expensive bandage - it really felt like I was putting money into the garbage, especially after realizing the bandage was indeed, still dry.

Wound care generally sucks, but the possibility of compromising my surgery by wearing a wet bandage has always been a source of frustration and anxiety for me. But, magically, DrySee® thin film waterproof dressing & pad with a Wellness Indicator appeared in my life earlier this year.

DrySee® is an innovative bandage that changes color when wet! It's a true game-changer for anyone in post operative recovery.

Why go through the hassle and money of guessing and changing bandages when it's unnecessary? It sounds so simple, but the ability of DrySee® bandages to change color when they're wet is amazing. I didn't have to consult my significant other to see if any of my bandages were actually wet, I could just tell by looking myself. If the liquid indicating technology turned dark blue, it was time to change the bandage.

"What a novel concept! I'm so grateful for the team and man behind this product, DrySee® CEO Brad Greer, for developing this empowering and innovative bandage. The DrySee® mission? To provide bandage solutions that allow patients to live their lives confidently after surgery. I love that word: confidently."- My Favorite Things

It's me, My Favorite Things!! DrySee® In the News

Having a bandage with a visual moisture alert that changes color when wet is such a relief. It's one less thing you have to worry about after surgery. If you know, you know.

DrySee® bandages are available in 3 sizes: 2x2, 4x4 and 5x10. For more information, visit: Drysee.com.

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Disclosure: Thank you to DrySee® for the complimentary bandages! Please rest assured, this in no way influenced my review of their product, I genuinely loved them and plan to use them again next spring, with hopefully 🙏 my final surgery.

Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps Gluten Free?

2023-06-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

Are Tim Hortons Iced Capps Gluten Free?

Well, we've certainly come a long way since the original post in 2016, but the answer now in 2023 is a definite NO!!!!!!!!!!

I admit to consuming a few, and I mean just a few Tim Hortons Iced Capps over the past years, mainly because I'm with friends and that's the one stop we're making!

But it came to my attention last year that when Tims made their popular (and probably delicious, but I'll never know, lol) S'Mores Iced Capps that they were using the same blenders to then make regular Ice Capps resulting in a HUGE RISK for CROSS-CONTAMINATION.

So I made the personal decision to STOP drinking any type of Iced Capp from Tims just to make sure. The other day a friend asked me why I wasn't drinking them, and it occurred to me that's it's been awhile since I've checked their allergen page as I just don't go to Tims, period.

Now ALL Tim Hortons Iced Capps are listed as MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN/WHEAT, so please be aware and share this page!!

This may contain gluten/wheat disclaimer also applies to Tim Hortons:

Chocolate/Vanilla/Strawberry Creamy Chill
Strawberry Smoothie
Frozen Lemonade
Strawberry Frozen Lemonade

I've also noted that some employees have been giving out very bad advice, as in, there's no gluten, this is good for you! But imho, you shouldn't trust the opinions of Tims workers as they probably don't have any knowledge about Celiac disease, nor do they realize what it could mean if we ingest gluten.

You can view the entire Tim Hortons Allergen Guide May 2023.

Hugs & be safe out there fellow celiac-challenged travelers - read more on Travel Writer!

My Favorite Things.

20May16

Dear Tim Hortons:

GUEST_SERVICES@TIMHORTONS.COM

Dear Connie,

Thank you for your interest in Tim Hortons products and thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Please be advised that Maple Flakes are added on the top of the Maple Iced Capp (not the cookie crumble). These Maple Flakes are made of 100% Pure Maple Syrup.

Grey Fox Brewing - 100% Dedicated Gluten Free!

2023-01-13T17:39:00.006-08:00

When I used to drink fairly regularly years ago, beer was always my go-to. It was cheap and everyone drank it. I never really liked it as it seemed somewhat tasteless to me, idk, we used to call it piss water, lol. Eventually, I discovered the amazing world of dark beers, and that's when I found beer that I actually LOVED, like Guinness, porters, and stouts!! AND THEN I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CELIAC DISEASE, ughhh.

"Celiac disease, sometimes called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications." - Mayo Clinic

Since my diagnosis approximately 10 years ago, I've dabbled with gluten free beer but nothing really ever did it for me. The best I found and could drink a few of was Glutenberg based in Montreal, but two of those was more than enough. Enter Grey Fox Brewing in Kelowna, BC, Canada, right here in my own back yard!

"Discover the taste of a small batch craft beer without the gluten.
True gluten-free beer is crafted by carefully sourcing ingredients and brewing in a dedicated facility to provide the full craft beer experience without the gluten content."
- Grey Fox Brewing
As a celiac, I absolutely love to see the following: 0 PPM 100% gluten free!! If you're not aware, it's a struggle when we 'attempt' to eat or drink at restaurants and bars due to potential cross contamination issues. And yes, as crazy as it sounds, the struggle is real.

Chris Neufeld of Grey Fox Brewing
So last week I was soooo excited to do a tasting at Grey Fox Brewing! It cost $8 to taste all four of their main gluten-free beers, including: Agile IPA, Humble Lager, Quick Witted, and Sly Saison.

They deduct the $8 if you buy a growler, so I went with Humble Lager, which reminded me of traditional beer from the West Kootenay where I'm from - it has a body a lot like Kokanee beer brewed in Cranbrook.

Grey Fox Brewing Agile IPA

This week Grey Fox Brewing started offering cans of their 4 current brews. But coming up next, as per owner and fellow celiac Chris Neufeld, will be a STOUT!!! I'm so stoked for this, CAN NOT WAIT!!! Maybe I'll be delving back into the world of beer sooner that I thought. Chris also mentioned he's looking at brewing a PORTER (!!!) further on down the road. OMG, celiac beer drinking heaven!!

For a complete list of gluten free products, visit Is This Gluten Free??! And be sure to contact me for any items you'd like to see added to the list.

And, for more information on Grey Fox Brewing, check out:
Website: Grey Fox Brewing
Instagram: Grey Fox Brewing
Facebook: Grey Fox Brewing

PS. If you're in the area, it's important to note that Grey Fox Brewing is actually located in Lake Country, not Kelowna. If you know, you know ;)

Attention Fellow Celiacs: Canada Gets New Natural Health Product Rules

2022-08-08T08:27:00.006-07:00

Priority Allergen and Gluten Labelling on Natural Health Products are Changing

Canadian Celiac Association applauds NEW federal regulations on Natural Health Products (July, 2022)

New regulations for natural health products require products to have clear, plain and standardized labelling of gluten, allergens and sulphites.

July 7, 2022. Mississauga, ON. Over the past four years, the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) has been one of several major stakeholders working with Health Canada to help advance clear and plain language changes related to priority allergens and gluten for natural health products sold in Canada. 70% of Canadians consume or use natural health products.1 We are pleased to share that these regulations have been approved by the federal government. Implementation will take up to six years for compliance, so we encourage our community to be diligent during this time.

“This is a major milestone for people with celiac disease and gluten disorders,” says Melissa Secord, National Executive Director of the CCA, “Health Canada has shown its commitment to protect Canadian consumers who suffer from severe food reactions and made it a priority to protect their health, safety and increase accessibility. We also applaud their efforts to assist citizens who have visual impairments by standardizing text size and colour contrast on labels.”

“We also want to thank the gluten-free community and local chapters who supported us by participating in the public consultations by sending letters which helped these regulations come into force for the protection of our health.”

We look forward to working with Health Canada, the Canadian Inspection Agency (CFIA) and gluten-free NHP product partners during the transition and ongoing monitoring to keep our community safe.

-Canadian Celiac Association

Get a $50 discount on your FreeBird Stores order!

2022-07-21T12:07:00.005-07:00

Man, oh man, I'm so in love with FreeBird!! But if you're like me, my fashion and style desires sometimes outweigh my finances, lol.

But have I got a deal for you! If you use my discount code, you'll get $50 off your order of $195+ or more, so what are you waiting for??! The hardest part will be narrowing it down to just one pair. Okay, well maybe two.

These guys are great! Get a $50 discount using my link: http://rwrd.io/47fef65?t

Hugs,

My Favorite Things.

Are Nude Beverages Gluten Free?

2022-01-26T15:52:00.002-08:00

One of my latest gluten-free indulgences has been Nude® Beverages. But they're actually not an indulgence in the basic sense of the word, as these alcoholic beauties are sugar-free, sweetener-free, carb-free, and gluten-free all-in-one. Which basically means that without the sugar, there's no hangover or guilt the next day! Gotta love the little (or in this case, the HUGE) things in life <3

Nude® is a small start-up company based here in Vancouver, BC (my home province!!), Canada. Their goal is to produce "the cleanest and best-tasting alcoholic beverages in the world," and I have to agree that they've succeeded in doing so.

Featuring all-natural flavours, Nude® Beverages come in 5 different varieties including gin and vodka, while sporting flavours such as pineapple, peach, black cherry, strawberry kiwi, mango, cucumber mint, and more! But my hands-down favourite is Nude® Tequila Soda Lime, it's a kick-ass drink, but not in a bad way ;)

Nude® Beverages is also a huge supporter of animal rights! Their goal is to donate $1,000,000 by 2023 to animal rescue organizations #pawsofnude

Nude® Beverages are currently available across Canada, the US, and Australia. For more information, visit Nude® Beverages or follow their socials: @nudebeverages

Be sure to check out the entire list of gf products at Is This Gluten Free?

Hugs,

My Favorite Things

Proven Skincare $25 USD Discount Code!

2021-11-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

I've always had issues with my skin since as long as I can remember. It's oily and constantly breaks out even though I'm in my 50s!! For god's sake, you think I could at least be rewarded with great skin after everything I've been through (10-year+ cancer survivor, divorce, moving etc.), like seriously??!

So, I was doing some late night scrolling on IG and came across an ad for Proven Skincare. I did the 3-minute Skin Genome quiz and voila, they came up with unique formulations to meet all of my skin care issues. I decided to go for it, I think you should, too!

The Proven Skincare systems comes with 3 steps, or products, including a cleanser, plus daily and nighttime moisturizers. The products change seasonally to adapt to your specific needs as the weather changes. It's recommended for all types of skin, plus any genders.

But since I've already made a purchase, I can offer you a $25 USD Proven Skincare discount code so you can enjoy the savings off your first order! Simple click the link above, take the quiz, and submit an order for your custom skin care formulations to receive the discount.

Cheers,

My Favorite Things.

Dailygreatness Coupon Code & More Discounts!

2020-09-22T10:59:00.004-07:00

Well, who the hell knows where 2020 has gone? We're still stuck in the the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with a second wave rapidly approaching. Isn't this just absolutely crazy??!

But now is clearly the time to take stock of your dreams and goals, as seemingly we've all had plenty of time to reflect during these unprecedented times.

If you're into Dailygreatness planners and lifestyle journals like I am, I can offer you a 10% Off Dailygreatness Coupon Code!!

The concept behind this Canadian company? It's relatively simple:

How we start our days determines how we spend our days.
How we spend each day determines our future.
What then, is more important than beginning and ending each day with clear intentions, a positive focused mindset and conscious reflection?

Dailygreatness features a unique set of yearly journals including their Original orange version, which many of us love most, as well as selections for Business, Success, Wellness, Parents and Yoga - all designed to get you living your best life in whatever aspects you want to focus on. There's also a 12-week training journal.

Dailygreatness offers a selection of notebooks, pens and upgraded planners with reusable vegan covers! Very cool.

So, embrace your goals and check out Dailygreatness for yourself! Use my 10% off Dailygreatness Discount Code and you'll receive 10% off your first purchase, absolutely no strings attached.

And in case you missed it, I'm also offering a $10 Erin Condren Coupon Code and an Airbnb Coupon Code!!

Hugs,
My Favorite Things.

Is Burts Bees Gluten Free?

2020-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been a HUGE fan of Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm for years! I love it because it stays put and isn't greasy. But I'm also Celiac, so - is Burt's Bees gluten free?

Here's the answer straight from the Burt's Bees website:

I am gluten-restricted. What products are appropriate for my use?

We cannot provide a list of Burt’s Bees products that are safe for use with your allergy because our products may have been manufactured on a shared line with products containing gluten, or raw materials used in our products may have been processed in a facility that also processes products containing gluten.

Therefore, we are unable to state that any Burt’s Bees products are “gluten-free.” Several of our products are known to contain certain allergens, because raw materials that contain or are made from the allergen are intentional ingredients in those products.

Please carefully review the ingredient list of any product prior to use, particularly because the listed ingredients for a product may change. If you have a known allergy to gluten, you should always consult with your physician if you have questions regarding whether it is safe for you to use a particular product.

So, while Burt's Bees can't confirm or deny, may I suggest an alternative?

Moody Bee is a great product line that includes both tinted and flavored lip balm such as Banana Cream Pie, Vanilla and Peppermint, and Lavender London Fog. Wowza!! And the coolest part? Moody Bee is a small Canadian company located in beautiful Kimberley, BC. So how do I know Moody Bee is gluten free? Because Krista Moody, co-owner of Moody Bee told me so ;)

You can pick up a sweet Starter Pack of 5 (!) Moody Bee Lip Balm for just CAD $17!! They're a total steal. And if you're in Canada, it's even better as shipping is FREE.

Be sure to check out the entire resource list of: