A while back, I shared with you my thoughts on a super chic 4-in-1 tricycle by smarTrike. It was right around the time my youngest nephew was born and my niece, his sister, was about 30 months old. It goes without saying that the versatility of a 4-in-1 is so practical and definitely helps you stretch your dollar. I had first assembled it as a training bike for my niece and then my brother could transform it to Stage 1 once my nephew turned 10-months-old. Brilliant, right? Well, today I share with you how smarTrike has taken their innovation even further with their new smarTfold 500, a revolutionary fully foldable, portable combination stroller and trike, now available in Canada. 

The smarTfold Trike is the ultimate portable multi-phase stroller and trike for children 9m-36m. Available exclusively at Toys R Us and Babies R Us throughout Canada for $229.99, the versatile smarTfold trike is the latest game changer from smarTrike, which features Touch Steering that provides smooth maneuverability, even with one hand. What makes smarTfold so unique is that it is 85% smaller when folded for travelling, transporting or storage, making it the world’s most compact folding trike. 

Unlike the smarTrike Chic, it comes mostly assembled in its folded state and it took me approximately five minutes to fully assemble it for the 9m stage, seen in the first photo above. I love that it has a storage bag at the back and a tray that easily mounts to the handlebar to store baby's bottle.

I haven't had to fold a stroller for travel in quite some time but it was fairly intuitive with the smarTfold and the mesh cover keeps everything in its place with a top flap that has hook-and-loop fasteners. While in folding mode, you can adjust the handle to your preferred height, making it perfect for travel, or you can lower it all the way, making it ideal for storage in cars, planes or even cluttered closets. It is heavier than I thought it would be but, luckily, it has a roller that allows you pull your smarTfold alongside you while folded. 

If I were to ever have a third child, this smarTfold would definitely be on my baby registry. Its quick-click design enables folding the trike, while it stays intact, just like a stroller and, in just a few clicks, you're ready to go. Plus, it will grow with your child, providing the ideal ride at every stage of their growth, from 6-months to 3-years. The smarTfold is a true winner in my books!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Nearly my entire life, September has been synonymous with back-to-school. And it never fails, the kid in me still gets so excited to shop for school supplies for the kids. But I also love buying teacher essentials. There's something about opening up a fresh set of markers or testing out or breaking in the latest gadget. At the top of my list of teacher must-haves is the Scotch Thermal Laminator.

Amazon.ca also carries a wide selection of Expo Low-Odor Markers. They come in bright, vivid, non-toxic ink in fine point tip for thin, detailed lines, as well as chisel tip for broad or fine writing. Purchase an Expo Dry Erase Set if you need a cleaner and eraser for as little as $13.93.

If you are like me and you print a lot in colour, I highly recommend Epson's cartridge-free eco-tank printers. This revolutionary printer comes with enough ink to print up to 11,000 black and 8,500 colour pages, the equivalent of about 50 cartridges. That means we can go up to two years before replacing any ink. The Epson ET-3600 Eco-Tank Wireless Colour Printer is available on Amazon.ca for $473.47.

Finally, for all those late nights marking papers and scrupulous planning, check out the AUKEY Wooden desk lamp. Featuring natural illumination in a choice of adaptable lighting presets, this pivoting wooden LED desk lamp has an organic look and reduces glare and eyestrain by evenly diffusing light. Purchase the AUKEY LED Wodden Desk Lamp on Amazon.ca at its current price of $45.99.

Disclosure: I have partnered with Amazon.ca to bring you this post, which contains affiliate links, and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

On October 6, the My Little Pony Movie hits the big screen! The movie features voice talent from the TV show and includes Emily Blunt, Michael Peña, Liev Schreiber, Zoe Saldana, Uzo Aduba, Kristin Chenoweth and even Taye Diggs (who follows me on Twitter, just sayin'). Plus, Sia has a song in the movie as well! The My Little Pony Movie follows Twilight Sparkle and her friends - Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike, as they embark on a journey to stop a threat to the land of Equestria, meeting new friends and overcoming challenges along the way. Leading up to the big day, My Little Pony fans in select cities can receive a special treat: a My Little Pony bling blag and a mini movie poster, along with a photo opp to take selfies with a My Little Pony Mascot. Here are some of the upcoming dates:

Saturday, September 30 (Vancouver):

Sunday, October 1 (Vancouver):

The Soaring Swasbuckler Pirate Airship is super fun and is available exclusively at Walmart for $69.97. Inspired by My Little Pony: The Movie, this Swashbuckler Pirate Airship can detach into a pirate ship, airship, and skiff so kids can imagine Rainbow Dash travelling by air, land, or sea. Deploy the dual sails, drop barrels from a secret chamber, and launch projectiles from the cannons during battle play. Clip figures to zip around and stow pirate loot in the treasure hideaway. The Rainbow Dash figure comes with accessories, including a sword, treasure chest, and spyglass. 

For a chance to win this amazing My Little Pony: The Movie prize pack, including the pirate airship, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this post. Any opinions expressed therein are my own.

During the past week or so, life has been pretty hectic. I'm talking about endless visits to the doctor, dance class, birthday parties, conference calls, edtech summits, three funerals and a wedding. If there was ever a year to cash in my Aeroplan miles, this is the one. When life has me constantly on the go, the last thing I want to worry about is running out of battery on my phone. Thankfully I have been able to rely on my trusty new compact power pack by AUKEY, the makers of this sleek wooden table lamp and this handy aromatherapy essential oil diffuser.

The AUKEY 10000mAh Dual-Port Power Bank is perfect for delivering multiple charges for almost any phone. It has the capacity to fully charge an iPhone 7 3.7 times, a Galaxy S7 2 times, or a Nexus 5X 2 times. I have an iPhone 6 and I can use my AUKEY power bank to charge it 4 times! It also features dual USB ports so you can simultaneously charge two USB-powered devices (including Android and Apple). I personally love its compact design and durable, scratch-resistant case that is small enough to easily fit into my pocket or purse. 

The minimalist white battery level lights and subtle crisscross case texturing add a touch of elegant simplicity and style, while built-in safeguards protect your devices against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging. It also pairs quite nicely with the AUKEY Nylon Braided Lightning Cable, which you can purchase on Amazon.ca for $12.99. The AUKEY 10000mAh Dual-Port Power Bank is also available at Amazon.ca for $23.99, which is a bargain, and includes a Micro-USB Cable, User Manual, and a 24-Month Warranty Card. And both are eligible for free Amazon Prime shipping!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

I lay on the beach beneath the bluest sky, the sun's warm rays dancing across the ocean before me. I hear the gentle waves lapping the shoreline, erasing the footprints in the sand and leaving, in their place, a fresh but temporary canvas. The gentle breeze brings with it a welcome mist and the slightest hint of sea air, while the crystal waters beckon me to dive into the depths of unparalleled beauty.

And then, all at once, the images and sounds disappear as my early morning reverie fades away into a fleeting memory, replaced vehemently by the sound of my alarm. 

Alas, 'twas but a dream. The reality of back-to-school routines sets in and I'm reminded of how desperately I need to get away from it all already. I have recently fallen victim to the common cold and I am now battling an incessant cough coupled with congestion. All I can think of is how nice it would be to relax on the beach and enjoy the healing benefits of the saline air while revelling in the quietude of a little known beach on the southern tip of Portugal. This latest fixation is not entirely random and I have Aeroplan to thank for many a daydream.

Earlier this month, Aeroplan launched a Moments Worth a Million Miles Contest and all I can think about is how incredibly amazing it would be to win a million Aeroplan miles. Wowza! That's enough points to fly my family, my parents, my sister and nephew, my brother and his family, and my in-laws from Toronto to Lisbon on an economy round-trip! Because heaven knows we could all use some R & R. I'm already thinking of Praia do Carvalho, seen above, and Praia da Marinha, below. Don't these beaches look breathtaking? But don't go telling people about them because I want them all to myself, mkay?

My husband and I started accumulating Aeroplan miles since the beginning of the year and, while we've already earned 50,000 miles, a million mile boost would sure go a long, long way! Here's how you can win: Share where your Aeroplan Miles have taken you and the moments they helped create by posting your travel pics, videos, and stories using #withAeroplan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes of 1 million miles. That’s a total of 5 million miles! Remember to tell a little bit about your photo in your post. A million-mile winner will be selected every week for five weeks from September 5, 2017 to October 3, 2017. 

Enter the Moments Worth a Million Miles Contest today!

And just in case you win and have no clue how to spend your one million Aeroplan Miles, consider:

Have you heard? Audible, the world's largest producer and distributor of digital audiobooks, has just launched a uniquely Canadian listening experience that that honours Canada's distinctive literary and theatrical tradition. Starting today, Canadians can enjoy specially curated content that features a growing collection of Canadian titles, along with an amazing selection of spoken-word content from around the world. What's more, Audible.ca is Audible's first bilingual website and currently offers over 100 new titles from Canadian authors in English et même en français! 

This exciting news hit the airwaves earlier today when Audible founder and CEO Don Katz joined Canadian literary icon Margaret Atwood and actress Elisabeth Moss, who portrays Atwood's character Offred in the television production of Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, at a special event in downtown Toronto. To celebrate the launch, Audible.ca is offering its special edition of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale for free to all Canadians for one month. When I was given early access to Audible.ca, this was the first title I downloaded onto my phone. Not only did I want to take advantage of this great promotion, I was so excited to learn that it is performed by Emmy award winner Claire Danes, who really brings the story to life.

Pour les francophones, Audible Canada vous offre aussi un petit cadeau exclusif. Vous pouvez obtenir gratuitement Le mur mitoyen par Catherine Leroux, lu par Julie Le Breton. Et écouter des livres audio, il n'y a rien de plus simple. Vous pouvez diffuser votre audio sur votre ordinateur ou le télécharger sur votre téléphone ou tablette.

As if the launch of Audible Canada during Canada's 150th year wasn't awesome enough, members have free access to original series, exclusive albums and stand-up recorded in comedy clubs in Canada and around the world. We're talking monthly Comedy Mixtape mixes hosted by the one and only Scott Thompson from Kids in the Hall, Audible originals hosted by the likes of Parks & Recreation star Nick Offerman, and more.

And, of course, Audible Canada's user-friendly interface makes it easy to search by title or author, browse through categories such as Canadian titles, new releases, and bestsellers, and check out suggested titles based on your past purchases. Not ready to make a purchase or use a credit? Add it to your wish list in a matter of seconds. The good news is Canadians will enjoy price parity with Audible.com.  You can try it out for free for 30 days and cancel anytime or pay only $14.95 CAD per month thereafter. This will allow you to:

All you need to do is sign in using your Amazon.ca account. If you’re not an existing Audible.com user, download the Audible app and select Canada as your country.

If you’re an existing Audible.com user, you’ll still have access to your library by switching between the Canadian and U.S. marketplaces in-app. But a little birdie told me you'll be able to bring your libraries together by migrating your U.S. account to the Canadian marketplace. I'll be keeping an ear to the ground and will be sure to keep you updated.

Disclosure: I received early access to Audible.ca and other perks to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

There I was, ten years old, hanging around the school playground minding my own business as I counted down the minutes until the bell rang. It was a cold and snowy afternoon, and so I had put on all my winter gear to keep warm. All of a sudden, someone took my tuque and ran off. I turned around to find a couple of boys pointing at me and laughing, taunting me with my tuque. I went to retrieve it from them only to find myself in the midst of an unwelcome game of Monkey in the Middle. 

This wasn't the first time this had happened, nor was it the first time that I was targeted as an easy victim. An eager French student, I was often picked on for my overzealous need to openly display my strengths in learning a second language. I was often called a "teacher's pet" or ridiculed for being a know-it-all. I still remember the year I was in a split grade and the older boys would tease me after class, mimicking me and shouting into my face, "Bon après-midi, Monsieur! Bon après-midi, Monsieur!" The look of disgust on their faces is still clear in my mind.

During gym class, I usually ended up getting picked last for sports teams and, as a result, I had low self-confidence when participating in physical activities. I remember dreading recess and the feeling of being left out, so, as I got older, I spent most recesses volunteering in the office, answering phone calls, or helping the kindergarten teachers prepare art materials. It was much easier than worrying about getting picked on or feeling isolated on the schoolyard.

Looking back, I realize things could have been much worse. The verbal and social bullying could have also turned into physical bullying. And had I been born but a decade later, I could have fallen victim to cyberbullying.

According to a recent Statistics Canada study, "[n]early one in five Internet users aged 15 to 29 reported having been cyberbullied or cyberstalked." My worst fear is that people won't be surprised by that statistic. While many of us accept that kids will be constantly connected to electronic devices, social media and other Internet-based activities, cyberbullying should have no part in this societal shift. Granted, in today's day and age, we are surrounded by technology and we are very much fortunate to have these amazing tools at our fingertips. However, with the integration of technology comes the crucial responsibility of all invested parties to recognize cyberbullying and work together to prevent it.

In an effort to better equip parents, children and schools, national communications provider, Primus partnered with PREVNet, Canada's authority on bullying, to launch a new website at primus.ca/cyberbullying. Throughout the site, parents and educators will find an array of materials designed to provide support ideas regarding the varying needs of children at three different stages: kids, tweens and teenagers. The website will also serve as a platform to help facilitate difficult conversations, deescalate heated situations and share tools that will help stop harmful behaviour. Visitors to the site can also read insightful blog posts from subject-matter experts.

PREVNet notes that toxic online relationships can have damaging long-term effects, and that, in some cases, cyberbullying can be more detrimental to the emotional growth and development of a child than traditional schoolyard bullying. 

No one asks to be a victim of cyberbullying. And no one wakes up and decides that they will become a cyberbully.  In fact, aggressors of cyberbullying are often victims themselves. The more we can educate ourselves and our children, the better our chances of stopping harmful behaviours and simultaneously building healthier relationships, both online and in real life.

Please take a minute to visit primus.ca/cyberbullying, bookmark it for future reference and even share it with your child's teacher or someone you know who could benefit from this important resource. My ten-year-old self will thank you for it.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Primus. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

In 2004, I made my first purchase on Amazon.ca. I was engaged to be married to my then fiancé who was about to celebrate his 33rd birthday. With so many things to prepare before our big day, did I really want to waste time at the mall trying to find the ideal birthday gift? Of course not. I still had invitations to make, a honeymoon to plan and, to top it off, I had to help my parents pack up our old house to prepare for a big move right before my bridal shower. Nope. I needed a convenient, stress-free solution. And so I turned to online shopping and purchased some DVD collections of the first few seasons of his favourite sitcom "All in the Family", which just so happened to be on sale. Score!

Fast forward to 13 years later. We now have a family of our own, full-time jobs and hectic schedules. And if you had told me back then that I would be running a successful blog while simultaneously juggling mom life, housework and a teaching career, I would have laughed in your face. Yet, here we are. I can't say that I have perfected any of my roles as either a mom, a wife, a teacher or a blogger, but I've become pretty good at online shopping and saving myself some undue stress by signing up for Amazon Prime so I can enjoy fast free shipping. I'm a woman of convenience so it only made sense to partner up with one of my favourite online retailers Amazon.ca. I am excited to announce that, for the next several months, I will be sharing some fabulous sales on Amazon.ca, including Amazon Prime early access deals. I've also registered as an Amazon Associate and look forward to sharing my favourite finds, such as my most recent purchase which included:

Mosiso Plastic Hard Case with Keyboard Cover and Screen Protector for my new MacBook Air 13 inch. It was super easy to install and the screen protector was a nice added bonus. The keyboard cover is easily removed and the baby pink case is translucent so you can still see the logo when lit. It currently retails for $23.99 and is eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

VicTsing Wireless Doorbell Kit Portable Waterproof Doorbell Kit to replace our old wireless doorbell. Unlike our battery operated doorbell, this one features a small receiver that plugs directly into the wall. The waterproof pushbutton transmitter can be screwed to the wall or adhered using the double-sided tape that comes with it. It has a bunch of fun melodies from which to choose but I stuck with a basic ring. My favourite feature? The volume control. Can we say, "Zzzz!" This kit currently retails for $18.99 and is also eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.


8PACK Sticky Anti-Slip Gel Pads which I have been wanting to try for the longest time. I currently use one in my Jeep to hold my iPhone while driving and my daughter uses them to hang fan art featuring her favourite K-pop band. If they get dirty or covered with dust, you can just clean them with water to renew stickiness. The 8-pack currently retails for $10.99 and is also eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

There are so many other great finds that I can't wait to share with you. And, when I upgrade my iPhone and pass down my older model to my daughter, I'm sure she'll want to share which Sonix iPhone case she picks out, too!

Disclosure: I have partnered with Amazon.ca to bring you this post, which contains affiliate links, and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This week, Build-A-Bear Workshop is celebrating National Teddy Bear Day with a deal you don't want to miss! On Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, guests at Build-A-Bear Workshop can make their own limited-edition National Teddy Bear Day Bear for just $5.50. Look at how cute it is!

Leading up to this exciting week, we were sent to the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Square One in Mississauga to experience the magic of building a bear with a heart. It wasn't long before I kicked myself for not having brought the kids here sooner. The look on my son's face... gah! 

The first step involved in building a bear is picking out your animal. There is a whole wall dedicated to the dozens of animals from which you can choose. They are all dressed up giving further inspiration for your personalized bear.

From there, the kids were offered a chance to insert sound which can be activated at the push of a button built into the paw. You can choose from a fun music selection and cool sayings or record your own voice at the sound station.

Then it's off to the stuffing station. This is where the magic happens. The kids each took their turn helping to stuff their animals. The associate who helped them was super friendly and really made it an interactive experience for them. They were asked to each grab a heart and perform a mini ritual to "bring it to life" before placing it inside their teddy. It was so fun to watch and also made it all the more special.

My daughter knew right away she wanted to pick out a faux leather jacket and pant set with black and white shoes to match. Even though she is giving her Build-A-Bear teddy to her little cousin, she wanted to go for a BTS (her favourite pop group) look for her black and white dog (her favourite animal). My son chose a brown dog and made a bee line straight for the super hero section to grab a Superman costume.

If you have never had the good fortune of customizing a bear at a Build-A-Bear Workshop, there is no better time to do so. From Friday, September 8 to Saturday, September 9, I highly recommend you take advantage of their special deal and make your own limited-edition National Teddy Bear Day Bear for just $5.50 (CAD), plus applicable taxes, while supplies last. (Purchase limit of five limited-edition bears per guest.) To learn more about the in-store event and find a nearby Build-A-Bear Workshop location, visit www.buildabear.com/national-teddy-bear-day. You can also follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and share your favourite teddy bear or Build-A-Bear Workshop memory with hashtag #NationalTeddyBearDay and @BuildABear.

To help you celebrate Build-A-Bear National Teddy Bear Day, one reader will win a $50 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card! To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to Canada only, excluding Quebec.

Back-to-school is right around the corner which means it's a busy time for families and teachers alike. We're trading in our lazy mornings and late nights for jam-packed schedules of homework and extra curricular activities. And yes, teachers have homework, too! As I prepare for another school year and ensure my two kids are just as prepared, the furthest thing from my mind is running out of printer ink. This year, however, that will be one less thing I have to worry about thanks to the Epson Expression ET-3600 All-in-One Supertank printer.

While we loved our Epson Expression Premium XP-630 Small-in-One printer, the wireless EcoTank is a welcome upgrade. This revolutionary printer comes with enough ink to print up to 11,000 black and 8,500 colour pages, the equivalent of about 50 cartridges. That means we can go up to two years before replacing any ink! Of course, print times and ink yields will vary depending on a variety of factors such as frequency, print settings and images printed. But I've been using our EcoTank for several months now and the ink levels are still high despite how much I have printed. And that includes dozens of Google CS First double-sided passports and other materials that I printed onto cover stock paper and assembled for our school's first coding club. 

My daughter has been giving our new EcoTank a workout this summer as well. She has been printing endless photos of her favourite pop singers and plastering them all over her new school supplies. But because I can easily check on the ink levels through the semitransparent windows on the side of the EcoTank, I know I don't have to worry about running out of ink any time soon. And when I do, I just have to top up with Epson’s ultra low-cost ink replacement bottles (as low as $18.29 each).

Of course, we also love the Wi-Fi feature and being able to print from any of our computers, tablets or even our cell phones with ease. And the photo quality is great, as we've come to expect from Epson. At my daughter's birthday party last month, I took a group photo and sent to print on 4x6 glossy photo paper directly from my iPhone. It was a great memento that her friends got to take home with them once the party was over. 

The Epson Expression ET-3600 EcoTank All-in-One Supertank Printer can also copy and scan documents and holds 150 sheets. It retails for $529.99 but it is currently on sale for $449.99. You can purchase it online at Epson.ca as well as at Staples. And teachers, don't forget you can save an additional 10% on technology on select Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.