- Tuesday, September 30, 2014
- 43 Comments
Our friends at Posterjack were kind enough to let me review another product in their amazing lineup of photo art solutions. You may recall my first Posterjack review where I ordered a canvas print of one of my photographs of Albion Falls in Hamilton, Ontario.
The timing of this review could not have come at a better time. Not only is the type of product perfect for my particular situation (more on this later), I just happened to take a great shot of a sunrise at the family cottage. One of the key components to a great photo is simply timing.
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The candidate photo - Muskokan Sunrise (Copyright: All Rights Reserved) |
Add personality without the paint.
My wife and I are currently constructing our new family home. Life in a small semi-detached home with two children just wasn't cutting it. As we have already sold our existing home, we are now living at a temporary location. Not wanting to push my luck (I'm equipped with two left hands), I have refrained from placing any of our photos and other art on the walls. This makes for quite the bland surroundings.
This is where Posterjack comes to the rescue, especially with their line of Peel & Stick posters. Not only could I easily get some of my artwork on the walls, but I could do so in an inexpensive manner and in a format which is reusable. According to Posterjack.ca, these posters can be reapplied up to 200 times!
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- from Posterjack.ca |
As noted in my first Posterjack review, the ordering process is very simple to navigate and presents various finishing options. There are also multiple shipping options including local pick-up in Toronto. Posterjack did not disappoint as my poster was delivered in a tough cardboard tube. The poster was also carefully wrapped in tissue paper to prevent the poster from being scuffed while in transit.
The print size I chose was 48" x 32". Given the size of the print, the retail price of the Peel & Stick poster is fairly inexpensive. Compare the list price of this item, $69.99, to the same size in a canvas, $249.99. Don't get me wrong here, canvas is absolutely worth the money, I just want to point out that there are less expensive options available to you.
- Monday, September 29, 2014
- 8 Comments
Before I got married, I always thought I would end up having two kids. I don't really know why. It just seemed like a good parent-child ratio. After I met my husband, I was looking at possibly double that number because, for him, having four children was ideal. It wasn't until our second child was born that I felt a compromise could be reached. I really enjoyed my second pregnancy and wanted desperately to experience it just one more time. But given that I work full-time and my husband runs his own business, we made a decision and counted our blessings - two healthy and beautiful children. Looking back now, as much as I longed for a third, I don't think my body my sanity could have handled the stress and lack of sleep. But then, I never had the Healing Mix to help alleviate post pregnancy exhaustion.
In case you missed out on the #HealingMix Twitter party and have yet to come across some of the fab reviews on the Net, the Now For Mothers 'Healing Mix' is a tried and tested recovery formula to help you through the post-pregnancy period. It is considered a superfood for all moms that can be taken from the first day of giving birth for up to six years afterwards and beyond. Now, when I was asked if I would be interested in trying out this nutritional supplementation, I was hesitant. I hear the word 'supplement' and I automatically think of potent powders that don't blend well or have a coarse and unpleasant texture. It's not that I have tried many supplements in the past. I simply prefer to eat real foods. When I learned that the Healing Mix contained natural and organic ingredients, I thought I would give it a try. And once the sample arrived at my door, I was surprised to learn it did indeed contain real foods. We're talking flax, oats, almonds, raisins, pistachios, pine nuts, and melon seeds, to name a few. Once I tried it for the first time, I felt like Little Mikey. You know that kid who hates everything. Yeah, that was me as a kid. But with the Healing Mix, I can honestly say, "I liked it! I really, really liked it!"
Now For Mothers Healing Mix can be taken any way you'd like - in a warm beverage, sprinkled on cereal, or mixed with yogurt. Golly, the stuff is so good, I could eat it on its own! My personal preference, however, is to add a scoop to my favourite fruit smoothie.
Healing Organic Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 organic banana
- 7-8 frozen organic strawberries
- 4 tbsp of plain organic yogurt
- 1 tbsp of natural honey
- 1 scoop of Healing Mix
Directions:
Peel banana and break it into small pieces. Add it to your personal blender along with the strawberries, yogurt and honey. Once blended, pour into a glass and top with a scoop of Healing Mix.
- Wednesday, September 24, 2014
- 25 Comments
This week, I share a simple handmade Get Well Soon card I made several months ago. I chose a olive green and chocolate brown colour theme. (I must have had cravings at the time.) This was the first time I used my Stampin' Up! floral stamp and I really like how it turned out. Speaking of Stampin' Up!, I am giving away a Project Life Scrapbooking Kit valued at $100 to one of my Canadian readers. It's jammed packed with all sorts of goodies!
Participating in Wordless Wednesday? Link up your posts below.
- Tuesday, September 23, 2014
- 29 Comments
Summer has always been my favourite time of the year. I love the sunshine, warm temperatures and the myriad of outdoor activities to be enjoyed with the family. This past summer was no different. We took advantage of our summer break and headed out on a couple of fun family getaways, including a staycation in downtown Toronto courtesy of Eaton Chelsea Hotel. It was early on a Friday morning when I had checked out of the 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati where I had attended an exclusive press event and no sooner than I had arrived in Toronto did I find myself packing up for a much-needed weekend away with my family. Checking in at the Eaton Chelsea later that afternoon, it was such a treat to be greeted by the hotel's resident robot E.C. Not only were the kids in awe of this life-size robot, they were shocked when it interacted directly with them. He was so kind as to point out the separate line-up for the Kid's Check-In, all decorated with brightly coloured balloons. They had no idea that they would be given a treat bag filled with little goodies upon 'checking in.' Clearly our weekend staycation was off to a great start!
After checking in, we headed over to the elevators to our room and were further delighted to find more friendly staff in the lobby offering complimentary popcorn and iced tea.
Our room was a comfortable size for a family of four with two double beds, an arm chair, a flat-screen TV and a desk with all the necessary outlets for staying connected.
The bathroom was also nicely appointed and the single red rose was a lovely added touch. Very feng shui, if you ask me.
As Canada's largest hotel with 1,590 rooms, the Eaton Chelsea recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and a re-branding as the first hotel of the Langham Hospitality Group in Canada. Now that's a lot of rooms to renovate! While the balcony of our room could have used some sprucing up, the view was pretty neat.
The view from Deck 27, however, was spectacular. This adult-only area is a great place to escape the busy hullabaloo of the city centre. There is also an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre offering a zen-like and relaxing atmosphere. And by 'zen-like', I mean 'child-free'.
Of course, we can't forget the Family Fun Zone. The Eaton Chelsea offers so much for the little ones, making it a great family destination. At the Kid Centre, wee ones can partake in arts, crafts and other activities such as the larger than life Connect Four game. Visit with the pet rabbit or watch a movie while big brother or big sister hangs out at the Club 33 Teen Lounge playing arcade or complimentary video games. Guests can also take a ride on the “Corkscrew,” the only indoor waterslide in downtown Toronto. The family pool was smaller than I had anticipated and I am hoping it will be on the agenda for some renovations in the future.
- Monday, September 22, 2014
- 27 Comments
Are you a parent who lives in the GTA or have a baby on the way? Fisher-Price is hosting an exclusive Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages VIP Breakfast, taking place on Saturday, September 27th, 2014 at The Baby Show being held at Direct Energy Centre, Toronto. And we want you to join us! One lucky winner will win two (2) adult passes and yes, children are welcome to attend as well!
At the breakfast, which begins at 7:45 AM on Saturday morning, you will be among the first to learn about Smart Stages, a NEW technology in select Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn toys. In addition to enjoying a complimentary breakfast, ALL attendees will receive a Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages toy, in addition to two (2) adult passes to The Baby Show for Saturday, September 27th!*
If you are bringing your children, there will be plenty of toys to keep them entertained. Plus, children under 12 receive FREE admission to The Baby Show!
- Saturday, September 20, 2014
- 13 Comments
Good morning. Word has reached us through postal channels that handwritten messages are on the decline. Technological advancements are wreaking havoc on handwriting skills and this could prove fatal for the written word. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reach out to seven different people by sending out seven cards in seven days and reconnect with them offline. As always, should you or any of your SLM Force be caught, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This blog post will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck.
I have already accepted the challenge along with my daughter who sent out a card to her friend to arrange a play date. We will continue to send out the remaining six cards in the hopes of reconnecting with special loved ones. It's the least we could to do to help prevent the extinction of the written word.
Win a Sarah Richardson Notecard Set
To help you with your #7Cards7Days mission, you could win a Notecard Set containing 10 blank cards from Hallmark’s Sarah Richardson Collection. Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win.
- Friday, September 19, 2014
- 23 Comments
More often than not, I dream about traveling somewhere south where the sands are white and the oceans pristine. The sad reality remains that there are endless places full of wonder and natural beauty right here in our own great nation that I have yet to feast my eyes upon. The craziest part of all? I don't even have to take a plane. I could hop in the car and embark on an epic Canadian adventure by traveling north, east, south or west. In whichever direction I may choose, there is plenty to be discovered, endless sunsets to be Instagrammed, and centuries worth of history to absorb. And the social media junkie that I am, you know I would have to update my Facebook status and share my experiences with family and friends while on the go.
The world doesn't have to disappear the moment you get behind the wheel. Imagine heading out on a road trip in an Infiniti Q50 with built-in technologies that let you bring your world with you. Stay in touch, in the know and up to speed with the only thing that moves as fast as the Q50 – your life. With a revolutionary InTouch™ dual-screen system, you can sync your devices, update your calendar, and check your email. Do you enjoy the convenience of a personal assistant? Infiniti has one of those for you, too! Love to listen to your favourite playlist while exploring the Great North? Turn on the BOSE® sound system or crank up the HD radio. Now you can discover Canada in classic Infiniti comfort all while enjoying advanced technology, advanced luxury.
If a cross-Canada road trip isn't quite on your radar just yet, then mark your calendars on September 29, 2014, when a new series called Canada Undiscovered will air on nature and wildlife specialty channel Oasis. Hosted by TV personality Sean Moffit, the 3-part original series will highlight unique and rare natural wonders across Canada. Prepare to be taken on a coast-to-coast road trip while learning fascinating historical facts about some of Canada’s most unique locales including Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia, Athabasca Sand Dunes in Saskatchewan and Sable Island in Nova Scotia.
The world doesn't have to disappear the moment you get behind the wheel. Imagine heading out on a road trip in an Infiniti Q50 with built-in technologies that let you bring your world with you. Stay in touch, in the know and up to speed with the only thing that moves as fast as the Q50 – your life. With a revolutionary InTouch™ dual-screen system, you can sync your devices, update your calendar, and check your email. Do you enjoy the convenience of a personal assistant? Infiniti has one of those for you, too! Love to listen to your favourite playlist while exploring the Great North? Turn on the BOSE® sound system or crank up the HD radio. Now you can discover Canada in classic Infiniti comfort all while enjoying advanced technology, advanced luxury.
If a cross-Canada road trip isn't quite on your radar just yet, then mark your calendars on September 29, 2014, when a new series called Canada Undiscovered will air on nature and wildlife specialty channel Oasis. Hosted by TV personality Sean Moffit, the 3-part original series will highlight unique and rare natural wonders across Canada. Prepare to be taken on a coast-to-coast road trip while learning fascinating historical facts about some of Canada’s most unique locales including Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia, Athabasca Sand Dunes in Saskatchewan and Sable Island in Nova Scotia.
To celebrate, Infiniti Canada is throwing a Twitter party and special guest Sean Moffitt will be there as well. You are invited to join in the chat for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Here are all the important details:
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Party Hashtag: #InfinitiUndiscovered
Host: @infiniticanada
Moderators: @SeanMoffitt • @TeacherMomofTwo • @Listen2Lena • @kidsumers
• @FeistyFrugal • @TokyoRicky
• @FeistyFrugal • @TokyoRicky
Prizes: Throughout
the party, we will be giving away seven Infiniti Canada prize packs
(valued at approximately $100 each) which will include cool swag and a
$50 gas card. There will also be a Grand Prize valued at approximately
$300, which will include a $250 gas card!
Check out the full Rules and Regulations here.
Check out the full Rules and Regulations here.
Please be sure to RSVP using the linky below and use the hashtag #InfinitiUndiscovered to be eligible to win.
New to Twitter and/or Twitter parties? I have written the following tutorials to help you out, complete with screenshots:
New to Twitter and/or Twitter parties? I have written the following tutorials to help you out, complete with screenshots:
- Thursday, September 18, 2014
- 3 Comments
September is typically a busy month for many parents and doubly so for those of us who are teachers as well. With the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season, it is easy to get caught up in the routine of daily lunch prep, homework, piano practice, dance class and tennis lessons. Honestly, I don't remember ever being this busy when I was a kid. I do, however, remember how my parents would bring home a special treat for us. Sometimes it would be in recognition of our best efforts in school. Or sometimes it would be for no particular reason at all. Whatever the case may have been, unwrapping a KINDER® SURPRISE® egg always put a great big smile on my face and gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It also brought my parents much joy to see us so happy as we assembled our little toy while enjoying a sweet treat. And now, decades later, I get to revel in the same joy with my own children. And this month, I rejoin a fabulous group of KinderMoms, KinderDads and KinderMamans to bring you the latest and greatest on KINDER® Canada!
Limited Edition KINDER® SURPRISE® Toys
This month, KINDER® launches their newest toys that can be found in specially marked KINDER® SURPRISE® eggs. Transformers
and Disney Fairies fans will want to keep their eyes peeled over the next few weeks as these special treats will be hitting store shelves. There are 8 Transformers toys and 10 Disney Fairies toys available in
specially marked KINDER® SURPRISE® eggs. I am personally looking out for Tinkerbell and Bumblebee.
Record-Breaking News
For those who haven't heard, on August 30 at the CNE, KINDER® Canada broke a GUINNESS World Record for the most people opening candy at the same time. We're talking 817 KINDER® eggs, people! Participants received a free chocolate treat to help break this record and all I can think of was how many different toys they must have found inside.
- Monday, September 15, 2014
- 19 Comments
As a Glama Gals Tween Spa glambassador, I couldn't have been more delighted to have received a special invitation to attend the Glama Gals Back to School Glam Jam a few weeks ago. Quite frankly, they had me at "chocolate fountain." From the moment I walked into the Glama Gals Oakville location, it was like the heavens had opened up and showered the place with angelic treats and divine sweets. There were fresh fruits, marshmallows and rice squares for dipping, adorable mini cupcakes that were too cute to eat, and fruit smoothies to wash it all down. These ladies sure know how to throw a party!
My daughter and I headed upstairs to meet my friend and her two daughters who joined us as our special guests. The two-level location was very unique in comparison to the Glama Gals Toronto location.
Yet, the stunning decor mirrored the same hot pink, black and white theme that you will find at all Glama Gals locations. There is even a feature wall where you will find the Glama Gal Sisterhood Oath. And don't you just love the fabulous chairs?
First up for the girls was a lavendar facial where they were able to relax and allow slices of cucumbers and lavendar spray to work their magic. Following this was a special 'do at the braid bar. Each girl was also invited to selected from a pretty assortment of headbands with bows.
Next up was the nail bar. The girls selected their favourite colours and chose a special design for added bling on their ring fingers.
- Saturday, September 13, 2014
- 17 Comments
So you have finally taken the time to sift through the thousands of photos you took of your endless summer adventures and sent them off to be printed. You have laughed and smiled over the good times. You may have even laughed until you cried. But now you are left with a stack of photographed memories, ones you want to treasure forever. It's time to take on a new project - Project Life.
Life is an adventure.
No matter where life takes us, everyday is a new adventure. To be able to capture those adventures on camera is great. To be able to record anecdotes of those adventures to accompany your photos is something altogether different. Imagine what it would be like to relive memories of your children through their own words. With Project Life from Stampin' Up!, you can easily gather your favourite family photos in a personalized album filled with creative designs and ample space for journaling or captions.
Beginning with a Project Life Album and a set of Photo Pocket Pages, you can quickly slip your photos into the convenient pockets. Choose from a 6" x 8" or a 12" x 12" variety pack for different layouts that will allow you to fit up to four photos in the smaller album or up to nine photos in the larger album. Add to this a Project Life Day to Day Stamp Set filled with 42 stamps and you can easily record special dates or create your own embellishments.
If you enjoy journaling, consider a card collection such as the new Everyday Adventures collection. It comes with 100 double-sided, colour-coordinated cards in three sizes that vary between portrait and landscape. In the Everyday Adventures collection, the Stampin' Up! colours coordinate with Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Strawberry Slush and Whisper White. Don't forget a set of Project Life Journaling Pens!
As Guillaume Apollinaire once said, "It's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy." Now that school is in session and before your summer memories begin to fade away, why not take the time to press pause and take up a fun scrapbooking project with the kids? No need for fancy gadgets to keep them happy, just some good ol' family bonding time.
- Wednesday, September 10, 2014
- 47 Comments
It doesn't matter how many times I see it, the CN Tower always impresses me. Viewing downtown Toronto from afar is equally as impressive. This photo of the Toronto skyline was taken from Centre Island using my iPhone. Our family was visiting Centreville Amusement Park as part of our Delta Chelsea Toronto experience last month and the kids and I had lots of fun on the rides and exploring the island. But this view... coo, wha' a sight!
- Tuesday, September 09, 2014
- 32 Comments
During the summer, I received one of those special invitations that are hard to decline. I was asked to join a select group of seven bloggers from across North America for Cascade Blogger Day in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a member of the P&G mom team for the past two years, I couldn't think of a good enough reason to say no. I was home on summer vacation, my mother-in-law was available to watch the kids and I would be granted exclusive access to the P&G archives. But more than that, I would be able to speak directly to members of the P&G Research and Development team to ask them questions that have been hovering about in my head and gain a better insight into why there's a sticker on my dishwasher that recommends Cascade dishwasher detergent. Plus, it was the perfect excuse to buy a new red tote bag at Guess. (What? It came with a free wallet.) So there I was, sporting my new handbag, admiring the views on board a Bombardier CRJ, and saying, "Good-bye, Toronto! Hello, Cincinnati!"
Shortly after our arrival, Kitchen Dish Council members checked in at the contemporary 21C Museum Hotel. We later met up with fellow bloggers and the Cascade team for dinner and a fun team-building activity at The Art of Entertaining which involved designing movie-inspired pizzas. The following morning, we boarded a shuttle to P&G headquarters which houses the P&G Heritage Archives. This was just one of the highlights of the trip for me because I got to learn about how it all began, with the P&G origin story.
And who knew that it would all begin with Ivory Soap?
Given Cincinnati's prosperous pork industry in the 19th century, it wasn't surprising to learn that tallow, a raw material, was available in large supply during that time. As an apprentice, James Gamble learned how to use tallow to make soap and candles from William Bell. At around the same time, William Procter was busy making candles as well. On the suggestion of their mutual father-in-law Alexander Norris, they went into business together and signed a partnership agreement in 1837. With the invention of electricity, the need for candles eventually dwindled and so P&G focused on the branding of their white soap, which was labeled Ivory Soap.
Little did they know that the science of soap-making would lead to so many different technologies that can be found in hundreds of products nearly two hundred years later. The main reason for our visit, however, was to learn about the history of Cascade which was first launched in 1955 with a pine scent, at which time 11 dishwasher manufacturers endorsed the brand.
After watching a series of old (I'm talking, really old) Cascade commercials, we were invited to browse the rest of the products on display. The one that left the biggest impression on me was this really, really old Gilette Khaki razor set from 1918. I had no idea that the U.S. Army enlisted P&G to make razor sets specifically for use by their soldiers. They wanted a hollow handle in which they could hide local currency, an inner lining behind which they could hide a folded map of silk and a magnetic razor blade that could be used to indicate true north by placing it on a leaf in a pool of water. Imagine that!
- Sunday, September 07, 2014
- 16 Comments
Now that school is in session and your Back to School shopping is finally over, you can relax and take comfort in knowing you have everything covered. Or do you? Classroom and daycare settings are popular places for the spread of germs and viruses. It is almost a given that your child will come down with a fever or be hit with the common cold at some point during these early school years. Preventative measures can be taken to reduce the likelihood of catching a cold or the flu but it never hurts to be prepared to deal with the related symptoms.
Whether you are new to parenting or looking for helpful information, Shoppers Drug Mart has launched their Get the Most Out of Life site filled with useful tips, product suggestions and relevant articles such as "Getting Beyond Common Cold and Flu Myths." You can select from one of four categories: Healthy Habits, Life Lessons, Women's Wellness, and Family Matters. The site is an endless resource written by experts as well as fellow moms and bloggers with their own wisdom to impart. Of course, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists are always available in-store to answer any of your questions and concerns or to help you find what you need. Stop by the new site today and if you find a useful article, please share the link with me. I'd love to read what you find.
In the meantime, Shoppers Drug Mart is offering up a giveaway consisting of the following;
In the meantime, Shoppers Drug Mart is offering up a giveaway consisting of the following;
- Life Brand Extra Strength Hot Lemon Relief - 10 pack
- Life Brand Fever Indicator Digital Thermometer
- Life Brand Vaporizer with 5 pads
- $25 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Card
- Saturday, September 06, 2014
- 60 Comments
What is made with all-natural ingredients, is completely free of GMOs, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, and will knock your socks off because it tastes SO good? It's G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn, the perfect marriage of Caramel Corn and Cheese Corn. While I was a little offended that I hadn't been invited to their wedding (I heard there was a buffet table and a caramel fountain...) I was overjoyed at the chance to devour the sweet, salty, crunchy and scrumptious result of their offspring. [NB: I am aware that this may all sound slightly carnivorous and cannibalistic in nature but alas, it has been nearly four weeks since my taste buds were last tantalized by the stuff that I am currently battling ravenous cravings for more.]
Now I could tell you that, in 1885, Claire Cretors' great grandfather invented the commercial popcorn machine. Or that, 126 years later, his great granddaughter is taking the Cretors family business to the next level with popcorn that will leave you drooling for more. But really, there isn't much more to be said than this:
It is clear that they take great pride in creating a gourmet product. They make caramel corn the old-fashioned way: by hand, in copper kettles. They use cane sugar, brown rice syrup and real butter to make their caramel and they use real cheddar cheese for their cheese corn. And yes, they use locally-grown, air-popped popcorn as well. In the end, there is simply no denying that their popcorn is SO good!
Now I could tell you that, in 1885, Claire Cretors' great grandfather invented the commercial popcorn machine. Or that, 126 years later, his great granddaughter is taking the Cretors family business to the next level with popcorn that will leave you drooling for more. But really, there isn't much more to be said than this:
Their popcorn is SO good!
It is clear that they take great pride in creating a gourmet product. They make caramel corn the old-fashioned way: by hand, in copper kettles. They use cane sugar, brown rice syrup and real butter to make their caramel and they use real cheddar cheese for their cheese corn. And yes, they use locally-grown, air-popped popcorn as well. In the end, there is simply no denying that their popcorn is SO good!
Sitting on the balcony munching on a bag of yummy @GHCretors Chicago Mix pop corn. #lifeisgood pic.twitter.com/FVcuvrWTFq
— Diana M. (@TeacherMomOfTwo) July 18, 2014
In the past, I have always preferred to keep my cheese-flavoured snacks separate from other savoury or sweet snacks but I have had to make a one-and-only exception with regards to G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix. In fact, it was my snack of choice while on our family getaway to Blue Mountain this summer. The problem I am faced with now is that they have Just the Caramel Corn variety that keeps taunting me, beckoning me to unleash it's to-die-for flavour. Seriously, you will find yourself hooked on the stuff almost instantaneously. But don't take my word for it. Go ahead and try some. It will have you on your knees praising the heavens and yelling from the rooftops (go ahead, say it with me):
G.H. Cretor popped corn is SO good!
Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.
- Wednesday, September 03, 2014
- 13 Comments