Whether your party is indoors or out, the beverage station is one area that guests tend to congregate around. You want it to add a pop of colour and interest to your décor, yet be functional.

Get your guests talking with Ice Balls; plastic, orb-shaped ice "cubes". Each sphere is two inches in diameter and can be packed full of mint leaves, fruit, edible flowers and more. Better yet, kick them up a notch and fill them with juice, lemon or lime instead of water. They look fabulous in the punch bowl or a tumbler. An added bonus? Your drinks stay cooler longer because the larger spherical shape means the ice doesn't melt as quickly.

Ice Balls can be purchased on Amazon.ca. A set of four is $16.50.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle and committing to a retirement plan can add many enjoyable years to your life. Next weekend, May 25 - 27, is the Fraser Valley Retirement Planning and Healthy Living Show, a new trade show offering a holistic approach to planning a healthy and financially secure future.

Local celebrity, Dr. Art Hister, is the keynote speaker; well-known for his weekly broadcasts on Global Television and CKNW radio's "Medical Minute", Dr. Hister will provide expert advice during his presentations on May 26th.

Stimuli Magazine is giving away two pairs of tickets to attend the show. To enter, post a comment on this editorial. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

Do you like to sing in the shower or enjoy some tunes at the beach? You're not alone, however, with all our music loaded onto and iPod, there are a couple of challenges; damage from water or sand and a speaker to share the music at the beach.

We love discovering cute solutions to small challenges and the Zumreed Drop Speaker is one such solution. Water and shock resistant, this adorable little speaker system works with any music player with a 3.5mm earphone jack and the buttons on the outside of the drop control volume. It's great for the bathroom as there is a little rope to hang it from. Available in white, pink or blue, it's just so simple and cute.

The Zumreed Drop Speaker is available on The Shopping Channel website for $57.95 plus $7.97 shipping and handling.

Our busy, stressful lives often result in tight muscles and tension headaches that leave us dreaming of having a massage. However, fitting an appointment into our schedule, not to mention the costs associated with regular treatments, sometimes deter us from actually getting one. Wouldn't it be great if you could just come home after a long day and enjoy the restorative properties that a hot stone massage brings?

Our newest discovery, Lava Shells, make it possible to do just that. There are a couple of things that make this kit so great: first, we like that the shells come from the South Pacific and are "re-claimed" after Islanders have harvested the Tiger Striped Clams for food. Secondly, the shells are filled using the Lava Gel®, a self-heating oil that does not require any electricity or equipment to heat. The gentle heat that is released lasts for up to an hour and is ideal for soothing general aches and pains, menstrual cramps and tired muscles.

Go ahead, indulge yourself just a little. It's therapeutic!

We found the Lava Shells at Mi Casa The Fort Salon and Spa for $58.

I am going to reveal possibly my best kept secret beauty product.  Ready for it?  Promise you won’t laugh?

Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker.

Yep, you read that right.  I first discovered this little gem back in high school.  I loved Dr.  Pepper and saw the Bonne Bell Lip Smackers one day in the drug store.  I grabbed one and so began a lifetime devotion to this simple tube of joy.

All Lip Smackers have a great texture, they aren’t overly heavy or waxy, they glide on smooth and give you lovely soft lips.  But the best thing about Dr Pepper?  It darkens your lips one shade giving a you a natural (only better!) look.  You kind of have to trust me on this one, take the leap of faith and buy a tube.  You can find it in most drugstores, Walmart, etc., for less than $2. I can promise you will be delighted.

There, my secret is out.   

What secret beauty product do you love?  Please share in the comments or tweet me @carissayh.  I promise, it will be our secret...well, our Stimulista secret! 

by Carissa Halley
Stimuli Magazine Contributor