The New Summer Mom Style is Chic not Shabby.

Summer Mom Style is Chic, not Shabby

GEAR, style, Uncategorized By May 29, 2016 Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Spring has certainly sprung across North America, but in my wardrobe—not so much. B.K. (Before Kids), I prided myself on keeping up with seasonal trends, but these days it takes an intervention before I realize that I’m still sporting maternity leggings and ratty nursing tanks. Rather than wait to be accosted by the proverbial Stacey and Clinton, I decided to get proactive and consult with some of my most fashionable friends, followed by an insane amount of “research” in the Pinterest hole. The good news? I’ve decided to share everything that I learned and thus have compiled this season’s ‘Must-Haves for Moms.’ That’s right—here are the crib notes on summer mom style.

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Tide Ultra Stain Release Challenge

How to Remove Red Wine, Tomato and Teriyaki Stains

FAM, kids, LIVE, wash By May 29, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

For part two of my great stain challenge, we headed to the kitchen to try and remove red wine, tomato and teriyaki stains. And after the arts and crafts stain cleanup last time, mommy needed a glass of wine. Because Tide Ultra Stain Release has challenged my family to a little game, we continued the fun with foodstuffs. After donning white t-shirts, we made tomato soup, a teriyaki stir fry and mommy had a glass of wine in order to put Tide Ultra Stain Release to the test.

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Get Fit Momnastics

Mastering Momnastics: Ditch the Gym and Get Fit

FAM, fitness, laugh, self, Uncategorized By May 27, 2016 2 Comments

Some time in my twenties my metabolism abandoned me. My nightly bowl of ice cream started clinging to my hips and it only got worse after having a few kids. It became obvious that my fitness regimen was failing—largely, because I didn’t have a fitness regimen. I knew that if I wanted to keep my waistline in check, I would need to get fit quick or stop eating so many cupcakes. And let’s be real—I wasn’t giving up cupcakes.

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surviving a bff breakup

It’s Not Me, It’s You: Surviving a BFF Breakup

self By May 26, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

We’ve all had relationships that didn’t work out, for one reason or another. Maybe he liked to go out more than you, or you liked to borrow his underwear, whatever—we (eventually) accept that the relationship wasn’t meant to be, they weren’t The One, maybe learn a lesson or two about ourselves and what we really want, and ultimately, move on. Friendships are different. Sometimes they fade when life gets in the way, sometimes you grow apart because you’re headed in different directions. It doesn’t always mean you love each other less, it just means your activities aren’t compatible any longer. But sometimes, a friendship can end abruptly and without warning, leaving you with the same bitter hurt, despair and resentment that comes with the terminal end to a romantic relationship. Here’s how you deal, with some tips for surviving a BFF breakup.

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Winning lunch box wars with Quaker

Finally, A Lunchbox War You Will Win

EAT, lunches, snacks By May 26, 2016 Tags: , , , , No Comments

Take a walk down memory lane with me, won’t you? It’s the end of August (or perhaps July, depending on where you live). The new school year is fast approaching and you are STOKED, my friend. Because, while your summer break was all sorts of wonderful, you and your kids are SO READY to get back to your routine.

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Canadian Tire Kayak Slider

Building Community with a Kids Kayak

FAM, kids, pets By May 25, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , 92 Comments

I remember many shopping excursions to the United States with my mom—outlet stores filled with clothing and jewelry were thrilling, and buying unique back to school supplies made me feel like I was in a candy store. As I have aged, shopping is still a delight and yet my store preferences have evolved. As a new homeowner I would get excited about tools, and then after my kids were born I visited garden centres and kids’ gear shops more and more frequently. As a super busy Mom and business-owner, I now demand a ton from my shopping experiences. The stores must provide great value, include many items that I need, and allow me to research my purchases digitally. I have honed my passion for shopping and no longer trek south of the border to get my heart palpitating.

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Tea is the new wine

Tea is the New Wine

EAT, entertain By May 24, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments

Welcome to the Global Tea Renaissance. With a single sip from a humble cup, together we embark on the most exciting, healthful, delicious and revolutionary journey of discovery in our lifetime. Tea is experiencing a massive shift in consumer awareness that will fundamentally change how every one of us views this glorious infused beverage. Tea is the new wine.

Comparing tea and wine is not a novel notion; more precisely, today we can explore this experience with tea because of our past, passionate experience with wine. Wine has served as our sipping apprenticeship.

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Moms and wine. How many glasses is too many?

Moms and Wine: Best Frenemies?

FAM, LIVE, nourish, self By May 19, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Like many women, as I entered my 40s, I began fighting with my weight just a little bit more. My jeans are too tight, even my clothes from last year are snugger than I’d like. The worst part (and one I hate to admit, but I will to you guys) is that I know that what’s really responsible for the added pounds is wine consumption.

I definitely enjoy the occasional glass of wine here and there, but when I’m stressed (this happens often), I tend to drink even more than usual. Obviously, a lot of us do: Moms and wine have become a boring cliché, a too-obvious meme. We use wine as a crutch when our lives get out of hand, as a symbol to make us feel like we’re in control. Just glancing at a few wine labels at the liquor store, it’s frighteningly obvious that too many wine companies are marketing to the ‘stressed-out-mom’ demographic, like me.

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Road trip kids snacks

Road Trip with the Kids? Bring these Snacks.

auto, EAT, GEAR, snacks By May 19, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Summer means long family road trips, and also the onset of ‘Are we there yet?’ and ‘I’m HUNGRY!’. Parents can hardly get the car packed and still have time to come up with healthy road trip snack ideas for kids, but we’ve come up with a few cool ideas that gan get you out of a rut. Well, hopefully not a real rut. Maybe driving safety tips will be next…

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