How to throw the easiest New Year’s Eve party ever

Follow these step-by-step instructions and decorating ideas for a super easy festivity that you and your friends can enjoy into the new year.

1. A few days before
Hit the liquor store and grab a cartful of Prosecco — it’s usually more budget-friendly than champagne. (And make sure to remind your friends that the party is BYOB.)

Visit the dollar store and pick up the following: Mason jars, tealight candles, toothpicks, colourful paper, plastic champagne glasses, sparklers, white, gold and silver balloons.

See if you can rent a projector – it’ll be worth it! Then search the linen closet for white flat sheet.

Call a cleaning service to book a post-party clean-up.

2. The day before

Make a big batch of cupcakes. Here are some delicious recipes to try: lemony cupcakes,strawberry and lemon cream cheese cupcakes, salty caramel cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes and vanilla cupcakes. Using the toothpicks and colourful paper, create little flags with 2013 written on them.

Go to the grocery store deli and pick up chips, crackers and a couple trays worth of meats, pickles and cheeses to feed any hungry partiers, plus several large bags of ice.

3. The day of

Pick up the projector. Have the salesperson show you how to hook it up to a laptop, and make sure you have all the cords you need. Tack up your white flat sheet to the wall, and hook up the projector to a laptop with a countdown clock on it. Dim the lights to party levels and you can have your very own large-scale countdown at midnight!

Do a clean-up of the house. Here are some quick and easy tips to get your house party ready!

Put tealight candles in the Mason jars and scatter them about for ambiance.

Blow up all the balloons.

Put out the party snacks.

Fill a few buckets or bowls with ice, place them on the table and chill the bottles of Prosecco in there. (Guests can open a new bottle themselves every time one runs out!)

4. Before midnight

Hand out the sparklers just before midnight so your guests can usher in the new year with some old-fashioned fun!

Once the midnight kisses are complete, bring out the platter of 2013 cupcakes and distribute.

The day after: Do nothing! Your pre-scheduled cleanup service will do it all for you!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/home-decorating/how-to-throw-an-easy-new-years-eve-party/

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How much Canadians spend over the holidays

Holiday spending costs are higher from last year, but the good news is that we`re cutting back in one area: entertainment. Here are five tips to help you have fun for less.

According to Bank of Montreal’s 2012 holiday spending outlook, the average Canadian will be spending approximately $1,610 this holiday – a figure that includes the cost of gifts, travel and entertainment.

The amount is higher than last year – $213 higher to be exact. Not great news considering that Canadians are at record high debt levels, but there’s a silver lining. When you break down the costs, we’re actually cutting back in one area: entertainment. So while we may be spending more on travel and gifts, we’re eating out less and cutting back on all that holiday booze cheer, which can cost you more than you budgeted for.

Here are the Bank of Montreal’s average spending numbers as compared to last year

Purchases	2012	2011
Gifts	$674	$583
Trips	$563	$360
Entertaining	$267	$307
Other	$106	$147

Are you planning on spending less on holiday entertainment this year? If so, here are five quick and painless tips to help you cut back.

1. Make your own hostess gifts

Homemade ornaments, cookies and candies or even scented bath oils are all great thank you gifts to tote to parties and drop-ins. And they beat store-bought chocolates any day.

2. Host a potluck

Throwing a holiday party? Ask everyone to bring their favourite dish as a fun way to try new foods and share the costs of the meal.

3. Opt for drinks instead of dinner

Skip the expensive dinners out and meet your friends for holiday drinks instead. But beware: don’t indulge too much or you’ll end up spending more on drinks than you planned (and with an unwanted hangover the next day).

4. Organize a skating party

Meet your friends at the local ice rink instead of at a restaurant or bar. Tote some hot chocolate, cookies and enjoy!

5. Stay home

Are you running yourself ragged going from party to party? Then stop and have a night in. Party-going means extra money spent on gifts, wine, and the other things one habitually takes along to parties. Opt out and visit friends in 2013 instead.

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/budgeting/holiday-spending-2012-how-much-canadians-are-spending-this-year/

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Storm to hit Ontario on eve of winter's official start

Ontario residents will be hit with a messy mix of rain and snow, as a low pressure system makes its way across the region.

Environment Canada said the storm will start Thursday afternoon and continue into Friday, the official first day of winter.

Southwestern Ontario can expect the rain to start Thursday, turning into wet snow overnight as temperatures hover above the freezing mark. Wet snow will continue throughout Friday with a couple of centimetres of accumulation expected by evening.

For Toronto, rain and wet flurries will begin Thursday while the temperature will reach a high of 6 C. By Friday precipitations will change to wet snow, with an expected total accumulation of 2 cm.

The traditional snow belt areas near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay can expect heavier snow with possible snow squalls developing Friday night.

For northeastern Ontario, residents can expect a total snow accumulation between 5 cm to 15 cm by Friday night. Areas stretching from Bayfield Inlet into the Ottawa Valley can expect 15 cm or more.

By Saturday windy and cold conditions are forecast for all regions.

The weather agency warns that driving conditions will begin to deteriorate Thursday afternoon.

 http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/storm-to-hit-ontario-on-eve-of-winter-s-official-start-1.1086694#ixzz2FdF03mBI

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The Best Times to Eat for Weight Loss

How and when you eat can impact your health—and your weight. Upgrade your eating habits to maximize fat burning and keep hunger at bay

Certainly what we eat has an enormous impact on our health and weight status. But did you know that when and how we eat also make a huge difference? Eating at the appropriate times throughout the day will help to maximize fat burning and keep hunger at bay.

Aim to eat every 3 to 4 hours. Most people eat three meals and one snack, while others may prefer four smaller meals; you're free to find the combination that works best for you. Timing your meals in this way will improve your fat loss by preventing excess insulin, allowing leptin to work its magic on appetite control and metabolism, and by balancing the stress hormone cortisol. You should also enjoy your meals at the same time every day.

Eat within 1 hour of rising. Your mom was also right when she told you breakfast was the most important meal of the day. When you skip breakfast, you lose its stimulating benefits on your metabolic rate. You also become more likely to eat unbalanced meals, more calories, and larger amounts of saturated fat throughout the day. Plenty of research shows that those of us who skip breakfast are actually heavier. Missing out on a healthy morning meal also increases stress hormones.

Never eat within 3 hours of bedtime. Eating too close to bedtime raises your body temperature, increases blood sugar and insulin, prevents the release of melatonin, and cuts down on growth hormone release. All these factors interfere with the quality of your sleep and the natural fat-burning benefits of a good night’s rest. Furthermore, sleep deprivation leads to more cravings and a greater likelihood of overeating the next day.

If you must eat before bed, opt for a light meal or snack that's high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat, such as a protein shake made with berries and water, salad with grilled chicken, or a shrimp and veggie stir-fry.

Start the day with protein. For better appetite control throughout the day, try combining your starchy carbs at lunch, dinner, or after your workouts rather than at breakfast. Stick to eggs or whey protein smoothies for breakfast and you'll eat less throughout the day.

Always eat within 45 minutes of finishing your workout. This meal or snack is the only one of the day that should not contain much fat and should be higher in carbohydrates. For example, have a smoothie made with juice, fruit, and protein powder, but no flaxseeds or oil.

Never do your weight training on an empty stomach. You will need energy from your foods to perform optimally. You may, however, complete your cardio before eating if your session will be less than 30 minutes.

Focus on your food. Do not eat while you are doing anything else (i.e., watching TV, working, surfing on the computer, etc.). Focus on chewing your food and relaxing while you eat.

Eat protein first. Eat the protein on your plate first to help speed the signal to your brain that you are full.

Drink alcohol last. If you have alcohol or wine, do so after your meal to enhance the hormones involved in appetite control and digestion.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/best-time-to-eat?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-WomensHealth-_-Content-WeightLoss-_-BestTimeToEatforWL

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Best online shopping destinations

Our shopping pros have curated their fave sites to help you make quick work of your holiday list

Gifts.com
This curated site pulls the best of the best gifts from around the web into one “present portal” and lets you narrow down your search by age, price and personality!

iTunes
A great gift for people on the go, iTunes lets you give the mover and shaker on your list access to hundreds of yoga series and fitness routines that they can do anywhere. And, for the dancing queen, plenty of music to keep those toes tapping!

Yogitoes
Yogis don’t let yogis do sun salutations on slippery mats. This sustainability-minded yoga company sells “smart” slip-free accessories in cosmic colours.

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/budgeting/online-shopping-destinations-for-everyone-on-your-list-2/

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Team Khan Congratulates RE/MAX India's Sam Chopra

Mr. Sam Chopra has been conferred "The Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year - 2012" at the prestigious APEA awards!! Congratulations Sam from Team Khan at RE/MAX All-Stars in Canada!

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Team Khan Congratulates RE/MAX India's Sam Chopra

Mr. Sam Chopra has been conferred "The Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year - 2012" at the prestigious APEA awards!! Congratulations Sam from Team Khan at RE/MAX All-Stars in Canada!

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Salt and Sodium: Get the Facts!

We all need some sodium but most of us eat about 3400 mg of sodium per day. This is more than double the amount we need for good health. Healthy adults need only 1500 mg of sodium per day. Healthy children need only 1000-1500 mg of sodium per day. Most foods we eat contain too much sodium.Eating too much sodium can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and kidney disease.

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How to Optimize Rooms Before Listing Your Home for Sale

Given that the investment you make in your home is probably the largest financial commitment you have ever made, it stands to reason that when looking to sell your home, the proceeds received will also be the largest amount of money that you will be handling.

Consequently, it is logical that you should optimize the amount of money you walk away with when selling your home. This can be achieved by using a little commonsense and perhaps investing a little so as to return a lot.

Lighting

When it comes to optimizing rooms before listing your home for sale, a little light goes a long way. When people enter a dark, drab house it is an immediate turnoff, so, unless you want to market your house to vampires, ensure your house has plenty of natural light.

Consequently, if you have neglected to clean your windows, do so. You would be surprised how built-up dust and grime on windows actually blocks natural light. Similarly, if you have curtains that could do with a wash, now is the time to get to it!

Painting

Similarly, a coat of paint in a light, neutral color can optimize a room and make it seem bigger and more airy. You don’t have to invest in having the whole house re-painted; the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom should be sufficient.

Reflections

Even if your home is not big, a strategically placed mirror can give the impression of a sizable area and optimize a room. Believe it or not, a mirror that is strategically placed at the entrance of your home can give an illusion that the area is larger than it appears.

Immaculate

Don’t even think of listing your home until it is tidy. It is one thing to show your house as a home but people consider their mess homey, not yours. A home is not at its best when it’s loaded full of removal boxes. It doesn’t leave potential buyers with a good impression and there is no way a house can look neat and tidy when full of boxes, even if they are all stacked up nicely in one room.

Unless you want to remove the boxes from your home and place them in temporary storage, a relatively cheap and effective solution is storage sheds. You can purchase a storage shed for the backyard. They are inexpensive and easy to assemble and all your boxes can be moved to the shed – out of sight, out of mind, into a deal for your home sale.

http://blog.comfree.com/2012/12/04/how-to-optimize-rooms-before-listing-your-home-for-sale/#.UMn_YoPxYZh

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Anyone Shopping At A Store In The Next Few Weeks? ;) This Tip Will Save You Money!

A good friend of mine just told me about the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code this morning. I had never hear of this, however we've all been victim to it. How many times have you shopped somewhere and had the wrong price come up at the cash register? Did you know if that item is under $10, it is yours for free? If it is over $10, you are entitled to a $10 discount.
Take a read at the policy below. All retailers must abide by this. This will surely save you some money in the future. Please share this with your friends and family. Thank you Randy for bringing this to my attention!!

The Competition Bureau has endorsed the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code, which evolved from the collaborative efforts of the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. These associations are composed of national, regional and local retailers selling a wide assortment of general merchandise, as well as pharmaceutical and food products.

This Code, implemented in June 2002, applies to all scanned Universal Product Code (UPC), bar coded, and/or Price Look Up (PLU) merchandise sold in all participating stores, with the exception of goods such as prescription drugs which are not easily accessible to the public and price-ticketed items.

Purpose of the Code

The purpose of the Code is to:

Visibly demonstrate retailer commitment to scanner price accuracy;
Provide retailers with a consistent national framework for dealing with scanner price accuracy issues; and
Provide the retail industry with a mechanism for consumer redress in scanner price accuracy cases, to be managed by a Scanner Price Accuracy Committee.
Key Features of the Code

The Item Free Scanner Policy – The Retailers' Promise of Price Accuracy.

If the scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum. When the item has a price tagged, the lowest price applies. When identical items are incorrectly priced, the second one will be sold at the correct price.

What does the Code cover?

The Code covers all scanned merchandise at participating retail outlets where this sign is displayed at the store entrance or checkout.

Scanning Code of Practice

If the scanned price of a non-price item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the first item free, up to a $10 maximum. If a Code of Practice problem cannot be resolved at the store level, please call 1-866-499-4599 to register your complaint.

What is a non-price ticketed item?

A non-price ticketed item is any bar coded merchandise that does not have a price affixed to the merchandise.

What happens if two or more identical non-price ticketed items are incorrectly scanned?

Customers are entitled to the first item free (up to a maximum of $10) and the subsequent item(s) at the correct price.

How can I claim my refund?

Cashiers are authorized to implement the Item Free Scanner Policy.

If you are not satisfied with the cashier's decision, you may speak to the store manager or supervisor.

If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you may register a complaint with the Scanner Price Accuracy Committee, by calling 1-866-499-4599 (toll free).

Happy Shopping everyone!

Asif

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

The GTA Centre In Markham - What Is It's Highest and Best Use?

There's been a lot of talk about the proposed GTA Centre and it's 20,000 seat capacity. Although it's advertised use as an NHL Arena may be misleading, an arena complex is what Markham desperately needs. With that in mind, what is the highest and best use for this facility? Certainly not an NHL sized arena that may or may not sell out a handful of times during the course of a year. Everyone knows deep down inside that it is far fetched to think the NHL will grant Markham a team, at least not in the near future.

As a die-hard Leafs and Marlies Fan, and a strong supporter of boys' and girls' hockey teams in Markham and Stouffville, a state-of-the-art hockey facility is something I would fight hard to support. I recently had the privilege of visiting the Sensplex in Kanata, Ontario. THIS is what Markham needs. It would occupy the same footprint as the mega-arena would. We could have two regulation sized hockey rinks, one dedicated figure skating rink which could house the Unionville or Markham Skating clubs, and an Olympic Sized rink. The facility could also house a mixed-use court for badminton/tennis/soccer or anything else that would enhance it's value. The second floor would feature a restaurant/bar which overlooked all the arenas, to allow parents/fans to watch the games while enjoying a quick meal or drink. There could also be retail space inside the facility for pro shops, and possibly stalls for local small businesses to rent during weekends or tournaments.

With the possibility of selling out 20,000 seats each week being slim to none, a facility like this could have one of the rinks seat 5,000 - 7,500 spectators. This would be a slightly upscale rink that could be used for concerts and events and possibly be the new home for a Markham OHL team, the Waxers or possibly an ECHL team that would support the Toronto Marlies.

The Markham Minor Hockey Association is the largest minor hockey association around the world. There is a shortage of ice team for the boys, and even more so for girls hockey. A facility like that suggested above is exactly what Markham requires. This would be a phenomenal hockey tournament venue that would allow Markham to showcase itself to out-of-town visitors every week.

From a financing standpoint, this would be a much easier sell to city council as well as residents. Each rink would allow for corporate sponsorship, thereby reducing any hit to Markham residents through tax hikes. Remington or Bauer Performance Sports could be the title sponsor for the entire facility since they play a key role in developing this centre. Retail space would be leased and would be an amazing draw for major chains/retailers. Being a multi-purpose facility, there would be something happening every day rather than being a 20,000 seat, glorified concert facility that could sell out once a month maximum.

I've hear the "Build It And They Will Come" argument and we've all seen how well that worked for Hamilton with Copps Coliseum. Practical, and cost-effective usage must be top of mind. The amount of reciprocal business this facility could generate for surrounding businesses is quite intriguing.
This idea will fly and will do more for the City than a vacant arena that will be sold off to Rogers or Bell for a fraction of the cost in 10 years leaving tax payers to foot the bill.

A multi-use facility will also allow Markham to participate in any type of Winter Games, should they come to Toronto. This facility would go along way in any GTA bid for winter games and help to put Markham on the map, similar to Markham's participation in the upcoming Pan Am Games. Let's hope the developers step up and make this happen. City Council and Markham residents will surely agree this would be sustainable in the long term as well as fill a dire need in the community.

I welcome your thoughts.

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

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Stars are Ready to rock Brampton

IMG_1401.MOV Watch on Posterous

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