how to display number of items in cart and cart total (for elmuchoprez)

Problem: how to display number of items in cart and cart total?
Possible solution

To display items in cart do this:

$this->helper('checkout/cart')->getSummaryCount();

or

Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getSummaryCount();

And for the total:

Mage::getSingleton('checkout/session')->getQuote()->getSubtotal();

This will display only the total amount for the products.
If you want the grand total (including shipping & handling) do this:

Mage::getSingleton('checkout/session')->getQuote()->getGrandTotal();