Go ahead ... Use the “C” word with me.

I received an email the other day from a friend of mine and in her salutation she wrote, “Have a Merry Christmas and yes, I am using the “C” word.”

I laughed my face off when I read it, then it made me realize how politically sensitive we’ve all become. While my friend was being funny, it does underscore just how vigilant we are of not offending anyone. For years now we’ve sent out holiday cards that read “Happy Holidays” or some such innocuous greeting like that. Apparently, it is incredibly insensitive to wish someone Merry Christmas. How dare you! We live in a politically correct world where Christmas trees should now be called “winter trees” and don’t you dare put up any Christmas symbol in a public space. No sir.

In the U.S. the War on Christmas is in full force. A very bizarre story is that of a nine year old boy who was forbidden to bring in candy canes to his school Christmas party because the canes contained a ‘religious’ meaning. Ah that’s right, let me see, there was Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh ... There was a fourth King no one knows about, who showed up at the manger with a basket of candy canes and peppermint bark from Williams-Sonoma. Gee, I completely forgot about that guy.

I understand the decision to uniformly drop Merry Christmas to Season’s Greetings or Festive Season etc. and I suppose it's the right thing to do. But still, it's not Happy Bunny Day is it? It’s Happy Easter right? Isn’t Christmas the “reason for the season?” I respect those that don’t celebrate Christmas, but to inoculate this holiday from those that do, is a sad commentary on our values and our religious freedoms.

So when you see me shopping, at the bank or ordering take out ... please wish me a Merry Christmas. I won’t be offended.

So with that, let me be fully inclusive and wish all my faithful readers a very Merry Christmas ... and of course ... Happy Holidays to you and yours and a safe and prosperous New Year!

The Annual Closet Switcheroo

Ah … spring is finally here (if you were in Toronto this weekend, you know I'm slighty off by this statement ...brrrrrrr....) and for me that means making the closet switch.

Now most guys have no idea what this means. But for my female readers, you know the drill. Basically it’s taking your itchy wool winter suits to another closet in your house while you transfer your entire summer attire (including bags and shoes) into your main closet. This ritual signals the season for open-toed sandals, and many of you can ditch the control-top pantyhose. Well, some of you anyways.

I did the closet switcheroo this weekend and the best part was getting rid of all those dull dreary colours that I’d been staring at since October. You know the ones: black, midnight black, off-black, washed out black and the dreaded “I thought it was black when I bought it but it’s really dark blue” .. I can’t believe how much black I wear during the fall and winter. I look like some post-war widowed Italian lady all winter long. Well, those schmattes will now go away for another season, to be replaced with cheery hues of pinks, blues, the whitest of whites and, of course, a delicious range of shades in ecru (that’s beige for my male readers).

After my closet is ready for spring and summer, I go shopping to add a few more pieces, like some trendy bits and a few new summer halter dresses. But I do have one fashion wish for this summer … I pray that designers will not bring back any of the following fashion faux pas:.

Ultra low–rise jeans: These jeans are just wrong for women who are still sporting a muffin-top due to little junior … or those whose little ones are all grown up and off to college. Please, if you have a heart “up” those waists. And while you’re at, make sure you add at least two percent Lycra to the mix for those days when one piece of chocolate just won’t do!

Spiky stilettos: Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and Miu Miu all played a dirty trick on us gals. They designed the highest of heels, made us sport ugly toe-cleavage and made us pay a G-note for shoes to feel like a real woman. Well, my bunions are saying “no” to high heels this summer. It’s comfy wedgies and Nike Air heels for me!

Ballerina flats: Ballerina flats should be reserved for young girls, or tall women whose legs go on forever. The rest of us look like waddling ducks in those ridiculous things called shoes.

Oversized handbags: I’m not sure what the fascination is with giant sized metallic handbags. Are these women running away from home? What are they carrying in those sacks? You can fit both Olsen twins and a laptop in those hand-bags. Ladies, all you need to ever carry is a credit card and lip gloss.

And finally, the worst summer offence they need to haul to a faraway landfill site is:

Empire-waist mini dresses: No, no, no. Women should not be dressing like their eight-year old daughters in dresses that only look good on ultra-skinny runway models. These dresses make most women look pregnant. Pair this dress with ballerina flats, a pixie haircut and you’ve got Rosemary Woodhouse.

Now, I can’t really comment on men’s fashion … but I will!

Skinny Ties: One word - stupid. America voted. You can only wear a skinny tie if you are Ryan Seacrest.

Happy Closet Switching Ladies!

The Ice Age is here ... at least in Toronto!

This is unbelievable. Anybody living in Toronto or the surrounding areas knows exactly what I’m talking about. The topic of discussion right now is the weather and the amount of snow that has been dumping onto our beautiful city. Last month we shattered the snowfall record set back in 1950 of 66.6 cm. I believe we were well over 70 cm by the end of the month. It’s early March and Toronto is hit yet again with another winter storm and another on the way Friday night. So much for global warming, right?

According to Gilles Langis, a senior forecaster with the Canadian Ice Service in Ottawa, the Arctic Sea ice has not only recovered but is 10 to 20 cm thicker than this time last year! Where is this warm heat going? Well, looking out my window this morning I have some of that arctic ice on my driveway and sidewalks. Ladies, forget those high-heeled boots this winter. Instead, invest in a safe pair of fashionable Kodiaks.

I really shouldn’t be complaining right now because our family is flying out this weekend for the tropical islands that make up Hawaii. It’s our first trip to this stunningly beautiful American state and I really can’t wait. We plan on visiting many of the islands for some much needed R&R. I’ve packed a great book (another Sophie Kinsella classic!), some old issues of Hello! Magazine (my Economist reading can wait ‘til I get back) and loads of suntan lotion. I don’t know any of the local language or expressions other than “aloha” and “Book ’em, Danno,” but I’m sure I’ll get by ….

Spring is less than four weeks away. I hope that when I return most of this fluffy, white cold stuff has melted.

So I bid you adieu. Enjoy the cold (suck it up, we’re Canadian) and talk to you all later in March.