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GEAR

Bobee Diaper and Wipes Dispenser

GEAR, toys By May 29, 2012 Tags: , , , , , 14 Comments

You will change more than 20,000 diapers in the first year.  AAgh.  Why not make it as easy a job as possible?  The newest must-have nursery item is the Bobee Diaper and Wipes Dispenser is wall-mounted and comes with multi-coloured stickers so that it fits into any decor.  Wipes in the bottom and diapers in the top.  (Both are grabbable with just one hand).  Tres chic.  The bright dots are also a great visual distraction for young babies!

www.onsgear.com

We’re giving away the Bobee as well as a supply of other newborn essentials valued at $110.  To enter, comment on this post with your favourite way for UrbanMommies to interact with you.  Newsletter? Pinterest? Facebook? Twitter? RSS? or through our website.  Thanks and good luck.  Deadline: June 1, 2012.

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Top 12 Summer Reads for Kids Under 6

books, GEAR By May 25, 2012 Tags: , , No Comments

Top 12 Summer Reads for Kids Under 6

On those lazy days at the beach, what better way do you have to connect with your children than through learning fun.  When you’re not writing letters in the sand and counting incoming waves, lay down under an umbrella and jump into one of these stories.  Here are our picks for the under-six set.  (Just don’t get so involved you forget to reapply the sunscreen).

1.  Here Comes Hortense, by Heather Hartt-Sussman

2.  Boo: The Life of the World’s Cutest Dog, by J.H. Lee

3.  E- Mergency! by Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer

4.  Rokko by Paola Opal

5. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Willems

6.  The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum

7.  Mother Goose, ed. Iona Opie

8.  Alice in Wonderland, (Disney Edition)

9.  Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

10.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

11.  We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

12. Corduroy, by Don Freeman

Available at Chapters/Indigo.

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Maternity Shopping Guidelines

FAM, GEAR, pregnancy, style By May 25, 2012 Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

Maternity Clothing ListIf you can only afford to purchase a few key items, stick with the essentials. You are going to be wearing these pieces for the next few months, so go for quality over quantity. (e.g. a great pair of jeans will be worn more times than you can count).

  1. Choose pants that have either an expandable cotton/lycra front panel, or an adjustable waistline. These will provide you with comfort as your belly grows, and maintain a good fit.
  2. Dress up your basic black pants with a trendy top, a dressy blazer or shrug.
  3. Accessorize your wardrobe. Be creative, and have some fun. You can change your look by simply adding a stack of chunky bracelets, dangly earrings, or a long beaded necklace to update your look.
  4. Most of you will “live” in your maternity clothes, and we encourage you to buy clothing that reflects your personal style and taste so you can feel like yourself and enjoy your changing body.

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Test Drives: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

auto, GEAR By May 18, 2012 Tags: , , , , , No Comments

This is not your grandfather’s sedan.  Touch screen, usb ports and detailed backup camera.  The embroidered Lincoln logo on the leather seats ensures you never forget you’re in a classy ride.  It’s hard not to feel like a rockstar while driving this car.

What we liked:

1.   It’s like a tank.  You are king of the road.
2.   It’s amazing on gas.  4.6 L/100 km in the city and 5.4 on the highway.  Estimated yearly fuel cost? $1,050.  (I think that’s what I currently pay monthly…)
3.  You feel like a techy brainiac while you drive.  You can see the fuel consumption and the gadgetry is exquisite, as are the AV capabilities.  “With nearly 10 gigabytes of hard drive storage for a music jukebox and built-in photo gallery, the system goes beyond functional to flat-out fun. You can access up to 2,400 of your favourite songs and view stored photos.”
4.  The drivers’ seat goes super-high for a short woman.  The seat has a 10-way adjustment.
5.  The trunk fits at least 20 bags of groceries.  Rock solid.
6.  Voice-activated navigation that shows up on the LCD screen and includes landmarks.

Not so much:

1.  Despite the sleek exterior and cool tech, I still felt old.  It could be because more grey hairs are sprouting though.
2.  The carseats were difficult to latch.  But I think that’s because of the cushy seats.  Still – the “Latch” system needs some work.

And would it make a good push present?

Absolutely.  Just don’t let the kiddos draw on the seats – they are covered in Bridge of Weir leather that comes from the British Isles.

www.lincolncanada.com

Disclosure: UrbanMommies Media testdrove this vehicle for a one-week period.

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A Sony Handycam at Disney. A must.

GEAR, tech By May 12, 2012 Tags: , , , No Comments

I had the pleasure of getting a lesson on filming with Kimberley Blaine and Sony at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference – a perfect fit with the launch of UrbanMommies TV.  And now, Sony has teamed up with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to promote its latest line of Handycam® camcorders in an integrated marketing campaign that focuses on capturing and sharing family memories.

The “Share Magical Memories” co-branded campaign will feature a unique online contest and dedicated website hosted by Disney Interactive at www.disney.com/memories where guests* can submit a written entry about a special someone in their life, a family member, friend or educator, who has helped create a lasting memory. A panel of judges will review the stories about the special memory makers and select five grand prize winners. Each grand prize winner will receive a vacation for themselves and three guests, plus a vacation for their memory makers and three guests to Walt Disney World Resort. The winning families will also receive a Sony® HDR-PJ260V projector camcorder to document new memories before, during, and after their experience at Disney Parks.

There will also be a weekly sweepstakes on www.disney.com/memories where guests can enter daily on the site or text “SONY” to DISNEY (347639) on their mobile devices, for a chance to win prizes such as a $200 Disney gift card and a Sony HDR-PJ260V camcorder. One winner will be awarded per week.

Gotta go enter.

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The Mother's Day Glamour Gift

beauty, GEAR By April 24, 2012 Tags: , , , , No Comments

My Mom is a natural beauty.  She writes poetry.  Plays piano.  She breaks nails while gardening and her navy blue suits and gold hoop earrings give her a classic, Jackie Onassis look.  Mom is pretty savvy, but has not treated herself to the latest, cutting-edge products in a long while.  So here’s my Mother’s Day plan – treat her to some great beauty products that suit her natural style, reduce the signs of aging and make her feel young and hip.  (I may also throw in some lessons on Pinterest and Skype while I’m at it).  I’ll present them to her with a hot chocolate in hand and proceed to teach her how to apply everything as I recreate a spa at home.

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Anti-Aging Hope and Miracles with Philosophy

beauty, GEAR By January 5, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

So I’m approaching a – scary – birthday.  Between that and having two kids under 5, I am feeling old.  Haggard.  Wizened.  Possibly starting to look it but if you repeat that to my face I’ll drop-kick you.  Deep breaths.  Just kidding..  (grin).  Having used a few products by Philosophy, I’ve never been disappointed, so I asked to try something ‘miraculous’ that would combat age.  (Insert Angels singing here).  I was sent ‘Miracle Worker’ Anti-Aging Concentrate, which you follow up with ‘When Hope is not Enough’ firming and lifting serum.  Gotta love the names.   After using it for a month (you only need a bit and it is lasting forever), I am feeling much fresher – glowing almost.  And that’s after a season of hard-core holiday parties.  My sun-spots are fading, I’m smoother, and I smile every time I read the inspiring sayings on the jars.  This one’s a keeper.

www.philosophy.com

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Cook, by Deborah Anzinger

books, GEAR By October 19, 2011 Tags: , , No Comments

I used to make muffins every couple of days.  Somehow, I just stopped.  When I was sent this new cookbook, I was inspired – was is the great 1950’s graphics on the cover or the yummy recipes?  Not sure.  2 pans of muffins and 3 dozen ‘Wartime’ cookies later, I was hooked.  There are awesome food recipes too – not just baking.  Anzinger has also provided tips and tricks for keeping a busy family organized and stuffing as much health into quick meals as possible.  She even teaches how to enlist other family members to help with the prep.  I’ve always wanted a sous chef.  And a pool boy.  But I digress.
www.chapters.indigo.ca

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Victorionox Knives

GEAR, home By October 17, 2011 Tags: , , , , No Comments

I recently saw an array of knives by Victorionox Swiss Army.  My husband has made me somewhat of a knife snob (he worked at a butcher shop in his teens) and taught me everything I know.  So I ‘investigated’ these specimen.  I checked balance, heft, grip, sharpness.  The plastic paring knives are great (and colourful) for everyday jobs, and I imagine that they’d be my go-to knife for most kitchen jobs.  But what would make me feel like the gourmand that I aspire to be?  What really got my juices flowing (so to speak) were the luxury knives.  Pick up a professional forged chef’s knife from Victorionox and you’ll want to host a dinner party.  All models are forged from one piece of black-smithed steel and have a seamless transition from the blade to the handle.  And think of all the money you’ll save on dinners out..  Pictured: Forged Carving set.  Retail: $230

www.victorionox.com

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