How To Survive Life in The Suburbs

You Say It’s Your Birthday!

2013-05-23T07:04:00.000-04:00

It’s My Birthday Too!

Oh yes it is, I actually prefer to call it my Birthday week. I tend to try and stretch out this ~~horrid~~ wonderful day from Mother’s Day right thru and past the 23rd. It’s just the way I roll! Why do I do this? I think because as a Mom, even on birthdays the kiddos come first. My plans for today include volunteering at a Track and Field meet and then heading to a Dance Competition. You know what’s funny? I wouldn’t have it any other way…uh unless someone wanted to whisk me back to the Eiffel Tower like on my 40th Birthday!

As I sit here contemplating turning another year older I a amazed at the rollercoaster I’ve been on this past year. In true Life In The Suburbs style; my Birthday Confessions.

Guilty Pleasures, Not Just For Birthdays:

-Coffee might be the best started for my day, but throw a muffin or cookie on top of that and I am a very happy girl.

-I hide chocolate in the cupboard and keep it there, you know, for chocolate emergencies.

-I prefer to pay someone else to do my nails. No matter how hard I try, when I do them myself it looks like a 6 year old painted them!

Dumb Things I Do Every Week ( and will probably do for the next 42 years):

-Waste too much time on Facebook. Time. Suck.

-Stay up way too late and missing my “Sleep Window”. I have turned myself into an insomniac. Candy Crush is my new late night friend.

-Using Dr. Google. No one should be allowed to search medical symptoms on the internet.

The Stupid People I Will No Longer Pay Attention To:

- The scene stealers and the drama queens.

-The mean girls. (there are a lot of mean girls!)

-The people who can’t see further then their own noses. Selfish is not pretty.

Life is too short to worry about those who can’t find their own happy so try to steal yours. I am letting them all go. No really, I am.

Weird Quirks That Make Me, Me:

-I am addicted to snacks. I don’t just like snacking, I need snacking. This constant food throughout my day is becoming a problem for my thighs and a challenge for my jeans.

-I am directionally challenged and after 42 years have just decided to embrace it. It’s just part of who I am. I have become very proficient at asking for directions, so there’s that.

-When I travel I must sleep on the side of the bed closest to the bathroom. I don’t know why, there is not rhyme or reason, it’s just the way it is.

Things I Am Doing Right:

-Hugging my children, and telling them how much I love them. Everyday.

-Honouring my friends.

-Working hard while maintaining honesty and integrity.

Things I Am Doing Wrong:

-Worrying. Always worrying.

-Not drinking enough water.

-Not getting enough sleep.

Things I Will Continue To Do:

-Find the joy in the little things.

-Be grateful and thankful.

-Count my Blessings….because I know I have many.

What I Am Looking Forward To:

-My first baby graduating public school! How did this happen already?

-Summer, sunshine and vacation time!

-Dance recitals, pool party’s, and quiet afternoons on the deck with my Hubby sharing a beer. ( I know, so so wild!)

Dreams I Am Not Letting Go Of:

-Travel; so much travel. Taking my family to see this beautiful place! Santorini, Greece.

Oh and San Francisco, and Italy and London and Key West and New York and Disneyland……

-Spending a week at a cottage with the family.

-Hardwood floors in my house! (what, it’s a confession style dream list, it can include selfish material things)

This past year has been a really REALLY good one. More smiles then tears, more ups then downs, and so many reasons to celebrate. Tonight I will blow out those candles on my cake I will wish for nothing more then just some more of what I already have. Today I feel like I am a very lucky girl.

It Brought Me To Tears

2013-05-22T06:42:00.000-04:00

Less then two weeks ago I was honoured to have been a part of the amazing Disney Social Media Moms Event in Orlando Florida. Sadly due to some huge conflicts my girls couldn’t attend. This did NOT have me feeling like Mother of the year. I mean, I had just spent a full five days enjoying the magic of Disney…without them. I returned late the evening of Mother’s Day, kissed their sleepy heads, received the biggest of hugs and was once again amazed at how lucky I was to have two sweet and loving girls. I thought that was it for Mother’s Day, and I was just fine with this. Until this past Sunday, when I received an incredible gift, a do over! Mother’s Day a week late. A fabulous brunch, time playing in the backyard, some sweet gifts and then this, the video that brought me to tears. One of my favourite songs and the girls telling me no matter what, they will be there for me.

The Sweetest Gift….

I am one lucky Mama.

I hope you will join me in my not so Wordless Wednesday! Please leave me a comment and/or link up below!

Disney, Without The Kids!

2013-05-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

Day 2!

My sister and I were running late. Again. Shocking? Not really. As girls we were always fighting for bathroom time, fighting over clothes, disagreeing over who was taking the longest and arguing over who’s turn it was to let the dog out. But the wee fights didn’t really get much worse then that. This past weekend, as I looked across at the double sink and caught my sister brushing her teeth in sync with me, I started to giggle. Here we were together again. Just like those two little girls, but all grown up, sharing a bathroom getting ready to head out for the afternoon, only this time we had no idea what laid ahead.

It was day two of our Disney adventure and we had just competed our registration for Disney Social Media Moms. We were all checked into our second hotel for our stay, at the very sleek Contemporary Resort, and were about to tear ourselves away from the gorgeous pool on site and head out to the Disney Parks!

The question was, where to begin! We had time, just the two of us with no kids, to visit any Disney Park we wanted? It was almost overwhelming. Here was our plan of attack. Jump the monorail to the transportation centre and then catch the bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. My SassySis had never been before and I was just a wee bit excited to be able to show her the magic. Animal Kingdom is one of my all time favourite parks, there is simply something for everyone!

As you enter the centrepiece of the entire park you are drawn into the staggering Tree of Life. Standing at 145 ft. tall and more then 50 ft. wide there are 300 incredible depiction's of animals carved into the trunk and roots. Housed inside is the fabulous and funny “It’s Tough to be a Bug” show! If you are travelling with little one’s it’s a production you don’t want to miss. (Note: some really little one’s may not appreciate that some parts of the show that are very dark. My girls liked it best after about age 4 or 5 depending on the temperament of each girl)

After trekking past the Tree of Life and snapping the obligatory pics, we made a bee line to the Kilimanjaro Safaris® tour, an experience like no other! (and my favourite experience at the Animal Kingdom) You are loaded onto the “jeeps” and transported into the wilds of Africa.

We saw lions and gators and elephants oh my!! What is truly amazing, it feels as if a little bit of Africa and it’s eco system have been re-created right there at Disney. The animals, although at a safe distance from the guests, seem to be within in arms reach!

After a ride full of ohhs, awes we were off to explore the rest of the park. I personally find Animal Kingdom to be a relaxed and easy park to navigate, and for one who is directionally challenged, this is saying a lot! You can easily explore the entire thing, taking in a couple of Broadway worthy shows like Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo – The Musical all in one day! Some must sees for the Sassy Sis and I? Splash Mountain. (got soaked), Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (where we were amazed by the power of Gorillas) and of course Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain ,where we screamed, and looked like this:

One ride that we did not get on this year but that I absolutely love, is Kali River Rapids. I will warn you all now, the Rapids ride is a ton of fun, but you will get wet!

After a couple of sun filled hours beep bopping around the park we decided to make a quick hop over to the Magic Kingdom! Why not! Have I mentioned yet how fast you can travel when you are only looking after yourself? (and no one is whining that they are hungry, thirsty or has to pee! Well beside me! ) It was a quick trip between the two parks. This was my first day using the Disney Transportation system and I was amazed that it was so efficient and easy to use!

After our quick bus trip, we arrived at the Magic Kingdom. Call me sentimental, but there is still something incredible about the first glimpse of that castle. With or without children, the Magic Kingdom remains my all time favourite park in the world!

Since we had thoroughly explored the Animal Kingdom we didn’t have much time for the Magic Kingdom today. In the short time we were there we did get to pose for a few pictures, jump on a couple of rides (thank goodness for the fast pass!) and giggle like a couple of school girls. Two sisters living it up foot loose and fancy free in the happiest place on earth? This was going to be a VERY good week!

With huge smiles on our faces and in our hearts we soon realized it was time to head back to the Contemporary and prepare for the evening ahead. The first official Disney Social Media Moms Welcome Reception at Epcot followed by a TryIt Family Dinner and Fireworks show! So much fun packed into one day!

Hope you will come back next Tuesday to hear all about the rest of our adventures!

One More Reason To Wear Clean Underwear

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

I can’t recall if my Mother was the one who taught me to “Never leave the house unless you are wearing clean underwear”, you know, in case you get hit by a car and get rushed to the emergency room. I mean, you wouldn’t want any of those strangers to see you in dirty panties, or perhaps worse Granny panties!! But this is a rule I do live by. Don’t be leaving the house in ugly skivvies. Sadly after this weekend, I think I have a new rule to add to my underwear list. Don’t sleep in your “Giving Up On Life Pyjamas” . Don’t act like you don’t know what those are. It’s those PJ’s that you have been holding on to for 10 years that really should be in the trash bin. The elastic may be all stretched out in the bottoms, the tank top that was once a cutsie little matching thing, but is now worn thin and see thru, but you hang onto them. Why?? Simply because when you get to the bottom of the clean laundry pile and you are super tired there is something comforting about putting on those raunchy PJ’s. UNTIL NOW!!

Let me take you back to my Friday night. It started out with a bang and went out with a whimper. My girls had a great evening. One at a girlfriends, one out at a banquet. We waited them out at their exciting evenings out by watching hockey on TV. Woo Hoo. (where is that damn sarcasm font) Finally crawled into bed by about 11:30pm and drifted into a blissful and much needed sleep. At 4:30am, a very rude awakening. Pain in my chest and ribs, breath stolen from me, heart racing, tear inducing fear….. Details I don’t want to go into, pain I won’t soon forget. A scary hour that had my Hubby with one hand on my shoulder, the other hand holding a phone, contemplating calling 911. An agonizing 60 minutes.

I was so wrapped up in a cycle of pain I was having trouble thinking clearly. I couldn’t make a decision. Did I need to go to the Hospital? Was the pain getting worse?

So how did I finally know the pain was subsiding, how did I calm down enough to figure out it was my stupid rib popping out and smashing against a nerve, and that I was going to be okay? When my thoughts drifted from concentrating on trying to catch a breath and dealing with the pain, to the realization that I was wearing ugly ass pyjamas. Mama could not go to a hospital full of potential Grey’s Anatomy looking Docs wearing my I “gave up on life” PJ’s! What if I saw someone I knew? I looked like crap on a stick.

Vanity insanity at it’s best. As I realized I was actually worrying about how bad those PJ’s are I also realized I was going to be just fine.

Some new self truths from my Friday night of pain. The hypochondriac in me now has a split personality. On one hand I think you should never ever go to bed in dirty PJ’s, cause this could happen again but the end result may be a trip to the ER in those embarrassing duds! The looking for the silver lining side learned those ugly ass pyjamas just saved me a trip to the Hospital and there are a LOT of germs there. So what is my conclusion, these are not giving up on life pyjamas, those are some magic ass Pyjamas.

Hope your Friday night was better then mine! Mwah.

Disney With Joovy AND a GIVEAWAY!

2013-05-17T11:58:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from Disney Social Media Moms in Orlando Florida where I did something wicked. I took on the parks of Disney without my children! Eek! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Due to a rather major conflict, my dear daughters and Hero Hubby couldn’t make the 5 day trip to the magical land with me so what did I do? The very next best thing, I took my SassySis with me!

Ahhh do you have any idea how much trouble a girl and her SassySis can get into when let loose in DisneyWorld without their kids? Oh but that is for another post!

What I can tell you is that we rode the rides at our leisure, walked at our own pace, ate when we were hungry and only stopped to pee when WE needed to. It was kind of glorious! We also noticed the Mamas who were having the times of their lives, and the Mamas who were struggling. The one’s who were doing well were the one’s who were prepared. You know; had lots of water and snacks for their babes, band-aids in their purses and extra diapers and bottles in those diaper bags and stroller pockets. The happy Mama’s were also the one’s who had reliable, comfortable, easy to use Strollers making their lives a little bit easier. Some of those Mama’s were pushing some of my favourite strollers thru the park, the Joovy.

Can you spot it? They were everywhere!

When my girls were in Strollers I looked for certain attributes, qualities that when combined created the perfect stroller. It had to be light weight, easy to manoeuvre, fold down flat, comfy for my babe, good for a tall Mama and believe it or not pretty. Hey, if you are going to push that baby thru parks, malls and the neighbourhood, it might as well be pretty too! One stroller line that absolutely ticks all of these boxes is Joovy.

Have you seen these incredible Strollers. Pretty, lightweight, easy to navigate and an integral part to a Mama’s successful day.

This my friends is the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller, and by all accounts it rocks! “The new Ultralight Caboose is the lightest, most maneuverable tandem stroller available on the market today.” It has won awards and it is super pretty!

Here is a little bit about some of it’s best features:

New 3-Position Front Seat Recline - The large, comfortable front seat now includes three reclining positions for the front riding passenger.

Larger storage basket with side pockets - A new and improved larger storage basket will hold plenty of gear for your outings and is equipped with mesh pockets on each side.

4-Wheel Suspension / Linked Rear Brake - The new Ultralight Caboose has linked rear brakes adding extra security when the stroller is parked. The new 4-wheel suspension will make for the smoothest ride for your back seat passenger.

Front & Rear Seating - Padded rear seat and comfortable three-position front seat. Accommodates children from 3 months to 45 lbs.

Car Seat Adapter / Removable Tray -

Parents of an infant or newborn will love that each Ultralight Caboose is outfitted with a Universal Car Seat Adapter that snaps easily into the tray housings. Your compatible car seat will nest in the front seat to create a wonderful place for your infant to ride snuggly. When you're not using the infant car seat adapter, the child tray snaps into place for your child and provides a great place for snacks, toys and beverages.

Oversized Canopy - Joovy's signature oversized canopy has been designed with a sun visor extension that provides shade for both children and protection from the elements.

Folding - The Caboose Ultralight folds super compactly for storage. In fact, it can be placed in the trunk of most compact cars. And at only 21 pounds, lifting the Ultralight in and out of your car is simple and easy.

Parent Organizer - The Joovy Parent Organizer is standard equipment with every Ultralight Caboose. Constructed of machine washable neoprene, the organizer has a rear zippered pocket that is perfect to securely store your keys, cell phone, camera, etc. and the dual cup holders will keep your drinks cool.

As if hearing about how awesome this stroller is isn’t enough, I have even more good news! Thanks to the incredibly generous people of Joovy one of my readers will win a Caboose Ultralight Strollers !!! An average retail value of over $269.99!!

Yes, this giveaway is open to both my US and Canadian readers!

Joovy is a family run business, they pride themselves on personal service and truly put their customers first. Their goal is to design and manufacture family gear products that are extremely useful, practical, good-looking and FUN. Utilize this store locator to find a Joovy retailer near you! Please be sure to check out all of Joovy’s products on their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Ends June 7th Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Princess For A New Generation!

2013-05-16T07:01:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from a whirlwind of a trip to Orlando Florida where I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. An opportunity to chat with other Bloggers, spend time with sister, and see Disney World in a brand new way. While I was there I was thrilled to attend a once in a lifetime event; Merida of Brave became the 11th Disney Princess!! It was a Royal Celebration!

On a very steamy Saturday morning, you could feel the excitement in the air as the Disney Social Media Moms were escorted to the front of the Castle in the Magic Kingdom. A large crowd was gathered, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the spunky and spirited Merida.

Included in the special coronation ceremony were Gold Medal Gymnast Gabby Douglas, her mother, and Sophia Grace and Rosie who kicked things off with a little rap! These little tiara wearing stars definitely showed some Princess style up on that stage.

After the introductions it was time to bring on the Princesses!

All were in attendance to welcome Merida into the Royal family.

Not since I was a child reading about Cinderella have I so looked forward to seeing the arrival of a Princess! Merida embodies qualities my girls easily relate to; she is adventurous, determined, single minded, brave and knows herself. She is a true modern day Princess. As bag pipes played, Merida made her grand entrance!

In a swift and sweet ceremony Merida took the stage, was meet by Queen Eleanor crowned and declared “ I am strong, I am brave, I am Merida and I Am A PRINCESS!”

It. Was. Fantastic.

Welcome to the newest Disney Princess, truly a Princess for a new generation!

Thanks to Disney for a morning I will never forget!

Two Wild And Fearless Mamas?

2013-05-15T07:01:00.000-04:00

Not so much!!

This past weekend while at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference at Disney World, SassySis and I decided to tackle the Rock’n Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios. The closer we got to the front of the line, the more terrified I got? Let’s just say by the time we took our seats in the coaster everyone around us knew the two Canadian blonds were shaking in their sandals. Chants of “we’ve got some screamers here” were heard as I buckled up. As the rollercoaster took off at warp speed, we did not disappoint our new fans. We screamed, we laughed until we cried, and we made new memories that will last a lifetime. Oh and then what did we do? We rode that rollercoaster all over again!!

I hope you will join me in my not so Wordless Wednesday! Please leave me a comment below so I know you were here!

On The Road To Disney….Without Kids!

2013-05-14T07:01:00.000-04:00

I was honoured, and thrilled to have been invited to attend Disney Social Media Moms Event in Orlando Florida. A conference that would allow me to connect with some incredible women, listen to the most inspirational of speakers, hear about all things Disney and experience the Disney Parks like never before. To say I was excited to receive this invite would be a gross understatement. I was jumping out of my chair, waving my hands in front of my face and doing the happy dance kind of excited. The only problem, my Hubby and girls couldn’t come with me on this trip! It didn’t take long for my sister to start waving her hand in the air, volunteering to be my partner in crime, pushing me to accept this most perfect of invitations. It was quickly decided. The sisters were going to take on Disney. Florida wouldn’t know what hit them.

For weeks my Sis and I chatted about travel plans, called each other to discuss outfits, commiserated over child care arrangements….sorta sad that our babies weren’t able to come with us, and counted down the days! Wednesday May 8th finally arrived and we hit the road! Off on our first girls road trip in more then 10 years!

Over the next couple of weeks I will share my pictures, laughs and learning's from this incredible conference and how it helped me get my groove back…..

Day 1: Travel and Arrival Day

We had just survived a two hour drive from our hometown to the Detroit Airport. (thank goodness for GPS as it was quickly discovered these sisters are directionally challenged) Then the obligatory two hour wait in the airport, followed by the nearly three hour flight. Not so bad! We arrived in Orlando by mid day and quickly found our way down to the Magical Express line. I am a complete Disney Hotel rookie so this was all new for me. Rest assured, these Disney folk know what they are doing. Transportation to our first hotel, the Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside , was seamless if a bit lengthy.

It took us about an hour to get to arrive at our hotel as it was the third stop on the route.

We were pleasantly surprised by the rustic southern charm of the foyer and warm greeting of the staff. I really did feel like I had been transported to the tranquility of the rural Louisiana Bayou We checked in and wasted no time making the walk through the shaded trails and eagerly inspected out our little room set in a stately mansion among the trees.

Although the outside of these hotel rooms are best described as full on charming, the inside would better fit into the dated category. Don’t get me wrong, the room was clean, comfortable and sweet, but it is solidly a mid class Disney Hotel.

SassySis and I decided there was no time to waste, we did a super quick change and made tracks for the pool! Worthy of note: This can be done very quickly when you are only responsible for yourself!

Ahhh warm air, perhaps a drink or two and good book were what was on the agenda that first afternoon. It didn’t take long to get that much needed vacation feeling. The pool area at this hotel had a great children’s space with a water slide, and some of the best organized pool games and activities I have seen. My only complaint, the game/pool music was in direct conflict with the music being piped in around the rest of the resort. In other words, the New Orleans Jazz I could hear coming thru the speakers all around me could be heard at the same time as the Top 20 choices being played while the kids activities were on. It left you feeling a bit frazzled. Other then that the pool was warm, there were lots of chairs, lots of palm tress and quick bar service. A great place to chill and unwind for a couple of hours. Clearly I got the unwinding out of the way right away!

After a couple of hours in the sun it was time to find some food! Dinner for us that night was in the very popular food court. We were just too tired to consider a sit down meal (there were plenty of restaurant's to choose from, many that got good reviews on TripAdvisor) The food court had offerings from create your own pastas, to hot sandwiches, burgers, to build a salad and more. I’m sure everyone in your family could find something to keep them happy. My Tip: If you are staying for any length of time consider buying one of the refillable cups. Worth their wait in gold. You buy one cup per family member and are free to fill them up as needed. Makes good money sense.

After dinner we took the opportunity to just wander the grounds. They are beautiful!!

So many winding paths between the many buildings housing the guests, or you could choose to rent a bike or take a horse drawn carriage ride. After a long meandering walk my SassySis and I did something we have not done in years!! Ready for a huge confession? We went to bed at 9:30pm and didn’t get up until 9am the next day! Life of rock stars people! Ha. It was brilliant.

The dawn of a new day saw us checking out of the Port New Orleans Riverside and heading off to Disney Social Media Moms! Overall this hotel gets high scores for atmosphere, high scores for family friendly food and kids activities, and mid level scores for accommodations and pool. It is exactly as described on their website and I would consider it if you are looking for a hotel at this price point.

Have you ever stayed at a Disney property? I’d love to hear which was your favourite!

*Later this week I will tell you all about our first day in which we full on attacked the Animal Kingdom, enjoyed our Disney Social Media Moms meal, and the experience of truly being spoiled with desserts to die for while watching fireworks at Epcot! Hope you will come back to hear all about it!

Mwah!

Before I Was A Mom

2013-05-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

A few words I wrote for my Mom a couple of years ago, I think they deserve a repeat.

Before I Was A Mom…..

I slept until noon
Read books at leisure
Went out for dinner
Attacked my career as if that was all there was
Travelled on a whim
Shopped without a care
Drove a car with only 2 seats
Met the girls regularly for dinner and wine
Had a clean house
Had clean hair....every single day
Took long drives with no destination in mind
Ate hot meals
Didn't share my snacks
Enjoyed the quiet.

Now that I am a Mom
Sleeping in is a thing of the past
I sneak into the bathroom to get that chapter finished
Dinner out is take-out or McDonalds
I gave up the career I love
Travelling requires spreadsheets and weeks of packing and organizing
I drive a vehicle with 7 seats
I meet the girls for play dates and coffee. Wine and dinner is for the big events
My house has that “lived in” quality
My hair is clean...most days
Drives have purpose and come with an arsenal of snacks and juice boxes
My dinners are coolish
Snacks are for four
Quiet happens after 8pm

Now that I am a Mom
I know the joy only a babies first smile can bring.
I understand the primal need to protect ones young.
I have experienced the sweet agony of nursing a sick baby through the night.
I have felt the fierce pride of a child's first words, first steps, first dance, first accomplishments.
I know what it meant to have your heart walking around outside your body.
I have silently wept for their pain.
I strive to be a better daughter.

I appreciate my Mom more then ever before.
I am more thankful for my relationship with my Husband then ever.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know how much work it was to be a Mother. Work of the best kind, work I love and am thankful for every day.

I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks Mom, for always being there, for raising me with love, for teaching me how to be a great Mommy.

I love you.

I hope all the Mama’s out there had a beautiful Mother’s Day….you deserve it.

A Little Love for Mother’s Day - Give Away!

2013-05-10T07:01:00.000-04:00

Does this sound familiar? Make sure the kiddos have their homework done, the laundry is finished, the fridge is full, baths are taken and meals are prepared. Sign permission forms, do the carpool, and rush through your errands. Surviving off a diet of coffee and that Granny Smith Apple that has been rejected three times now by your youngest. First up in the morning, last to sleep at night. Time for yourself? Bah, only after the calendar is filled to the brim with activities for the children and your Hubby, and only if it’s something truly worth staying awake for. Somehow yoga pants and a good book are more appealing than making yourself presentable for the world. Well my friends, if this does sound familiar then it is time to take care of you! You don’t need a huge vacation to Europe to guard your beauty and steal some me time, you need look no further then some of my favourite P&G products!

First up, taking the time for a good old fashioned bath. Make sure the kids are tucked safe and sound in bed, turn the IPod in the bathroom to MY music (not the tweens) and break out the newest candle sent from Febreze. This one is the Febreze Vanilla & Moonlight Candle. It is yummy!

Ready the tub with the hottest of water and a brand new (never touched by little hands) bar of Purely Pristine Olay Massaging Bar Soap. This oxygen-rich lather infused with mineral crystals and seaweed extract helps to let your natural beauty shine through.

After a good soak it’s a great time to try out some of the new shades of nail polish by COVERGIRL. COVERGIRL’s Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss with a chip-resistant top coat comes in a brilliant array of colours, has a shine that lasts, and truly is chip resistant!

Of course before you call it a night it’s not a bad idea to try the new three step Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Collection. It can help repair six months of visible signs of damage in just one use! Go ahead, treat your hair while you sleep using the Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Overnight Miracle Repair Serum. The weightless, non-sticky serum resurfaces hair at its weakest points and helps to restore hair while you sleep for a healthy looking start each morning.

These products and so many more (like my Dear Daughter’s favourite mascara, COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara, are up for grabs in my Mother’s Day Giveaway!)

Yes I said Mother’s Day Giveaway! Why is it a Mother’s Day Giveaway? Simply because we all deserve a little bit of pampering.

Here is a list of all the fabulous products included in this gift valued at $95.00:

*Febreze Vanilla & Moonlight Candle 

*Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner 

*Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo 

*Pantene Overnight Miracle Repair Serum 

*Pantene Stylers Hairspray Flexible Hold 

*COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Grapevine 

*COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara 

*Olay Massaging Bar Soap 

*One Free Clairol Hair Colour Coupon 

*COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm

One of my lucky Canadian Readers will win this entire package! Please enter using the Rafflecopter form provided below. Ends Sunday May 18th.

Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.

Hawaiian Tropic Twitter Party!

2013-05-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

It is really and truly time to think about summer! Can I get a Woot Woot!

This is the perfect time to announce we are having a fabulous twitter party!

I simply adore Hawaiian Tropic® products. I know that I can count on Hawaiian Tropic® to protect my families sensitive skin while we all enjoy the dual ribbon formula. It nourishes your skin with ribbons of aloe, and as always there is that familiar wonderful light tropical fragrance. It’s light, refreshing and even though the sun hasn’t been shining too much around these parts….I keep looking for reasons to use it!

Please join us Thursday May 16th at 9pm ET at the #HawaiianTropicCA Twitter Party as hosts @Listen2Lena, @FeistyFrugal, @MyChaos and myself @SassyModernMom will be with you to chat all things sun safe, sunscreen and of course Hawaiian Tropic®! There will be fast paced chatter and some amazing gift baskets up for grabs. So mark those calendar's and save the date! See you there!

DATE and TIME: Wednesday May 16th 9:00pm ET
HASHTAG: #HawaiianTropicCA
Please be sure to follow your MODERATORS:
@Listen2Lena – @FeistyFrugal - @MyChaos - @SassyModernMom
All are welcome to participate in the chat however please do note prizing is available to Canadians only.

Hint: Please be sure to enter your Twitter Handle “@yourTwitterhandle” in the Link/Blog Title field, and your Twitter URL “www.twitter.com/yourtwitterhandle” in the Link Field.

What A Dad Will Do…

2013-05-08T07:01:00.000-04:00

I know I am blessed. I have a home filled with laughter and love, two healthy, happy children and a Husband that makes me smile. This week I was once again reminded as to why I am so lucky. A Dad, willing to spend a good part of his Sunday afternoon learning how to do the “Sock Bun”. Why? So he can take SweetGirl to her Dance Competition while I jet off to Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

This my friends is a very good, very sweet man.

Please feel free to add you Wordless Wednesday, our almost Wordless Wednesday post, to my linky and leave me a comment to let me know you were here!

Taking On Blue Mountain~Mosaic Review

2013-05-07T06:02:00.000-04:00

I have a daughter who is head over heels in love with dance. This love affair has me travelling all over South Western Ontario attending countless dance competitions and scoping out the best and worst of hotels along the way. A couple of weeks ago dance led us to the sweet little town of Collingwood, or more specifically Blue Mountain Village Resort, allowing us a three night stay at the Mosaic Hotel. As much as I do adore watching my daughter dance, I have to admit I was even more excited this time around, as I was eager to explore all the area has to offer.

*Image from Blue Bountain

With truly horrible weather in the forecast I snagged Sweet Girl out of school a little early, we packed up the car and prepared for our 3 1/2 hour drive to Blue Mountain. It is only because of the brilliance of TomTom, our borrowed GPS, that we made it at all. With nearly 30 separate twists and turns we made the scenic drive and safely arrived at our destination. It was worth the trip.

As we prepared to check into the Mosaic the first thing I noticed was the almost fresh baked smell. A very light scent that permeated the air. Understated and quite nice! We were then welcomed by Mosaic staff and quickly checked through in a warm and professional manner. I received directions to my room and to the heated underground parking garage. *Important note. If you are there in the winter, use the underground parking. I have an almost ridiculous fear of underground parking after I might have knocked the roof rack off my SUV in a parking garage in Toronto. This particular parking garage is huge and easy to navigate. Do not be afraid to use this one, just go for it and spare yourself hours of ice scraping and freezing cold car. Trust me.

Dear Daughter and I were thrilled that our room was ready early so headed straight there to drop off our bags and get the lay of the land. We opened the door to our room on the second floor and it did not disappoint. A galley kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and bistro table for four flowed into the open living area with pull out couch and comfy chair. This first room was completed with a large TV and a floor to celling fireplace. Large glass doors opened up to a balcony with seats for two and a view of the outdoor pool and mountain in the distance.

Off to the side was the Jack and Jill bathroom, adequately appointed with doors that opened to both to the main room and the Master Bedroom. My room had a King Size bed and a second Television.

I am a self proclaimed hotel snob and I was impressed. SweetGirl declared it was more like a small cottage then a hotel room. Yep, that was about right.

My only complaint about this room was noise. I’m not sure if it was our location overlooking the pool or the fact that we were there during a dance competition but it was noisy. We could hear every little thing going on in the hall, the fights in the room next door, and the screamers in the pool until 11 pm at night. Not fabulous.

The pool itself is worthy of mention. We were at the Mosaic in April. Usually Mother Nature has her act together and it’s sort of pleasant out in April. Not so this year. We were there during a vicious ice storm complete with howling winds. Know what was cool? It was still ridiculously fun to swim in that outdoor pool! The entire pool was heated to at temperature that even adults enjoyed. Still not your style? You can always skip the pool altogether and head straight for the giant hot tub! We did both!

The Village itself has dozens of cute little shops to pop in and out of, and lots of restaurants to try.

We ate at Kaytoo the first night. A restaurant with a giant wood burning fire place in the centre and a view of the lake. The service was great, the food was pub fare and was okay. Not fabulous.

We ate at the Italian Restaurant, Magnone’s the second evening. My review for this restaurant would be the same. Great atmosphere, nice services, the food was only okay.

We made sure to make a couple of runs to Starbucks (for me) and the Candy Store (for her). I had my first ever Poutine, providing some much needed gravy and fries on a cold April day. The highlight for me we spent a couple of hours at Crock A Doodle. I am by no means an artist, but it was such a gift to spend a couple of hours with my Sweet girl paining, chatting and laughing as we created some memories and a keepsake of our time in Blue Mountain.

As the time came for us to check out it was bittersweet. I truly enjoyed my time with my Sweet Girl, exploring the village and hanging out in style at the Mosiac hotel. I hope we get to return next year with the entire family in tow, and perhaps some sunshine!

Disney Insomnia!

2013-05-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

I have some strange new disease. As I am no longer allowed to use “Doctor Google” I’ve had to resort to talking out my latest medical issues with family, friends, frankly anyone who will listen. My symptoms; scattered brain, singing out loud, inability to concentrate, shaking hands, wardrobe stress (umm it’s a thing), and wicked insomnia. After much discussion we have finally come up with a diagnosis for me. I have Disney Insomnia!

I can’t stop thinking about this Castle, that place and everything that is in store for me this week! I’m honoured, thrilled, tickled to be able to announce that at this very moment I am ~~trying to~~ packing to head to Disney!! I’m headed to Disney World to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. It really is worth a squee!

It’s going to be five days of connecting with some incredible women, adventuring through the parks, being inspired and soaking up some of that Disney Magic! Oh and did I mention that since my gorgeous family is not able to go with me (insert sad face) I’m taking my SassySis with me! She’s never seen Cinderella's Castle! This trip will be….blog worthy!

For the next two days I will be running around getting all my ducks in a row, and then you can follow all the fun as I report live from the road on my Twitter and Instagram accounts!! Wishing us all some sweet Disney Dreams and see you when I get back!

Mwah xoxo

Dream Chasing , Decision Making and Crystal Ball Seeking

2013-05-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone have a crystal ball I can borrow? Just for a minute. It seems it’s that time of year again. Not just the beginning of May, but time to decide the fate of both my children for the next school year, maybe even the course of their lives!

(Warning: the pressure of this migraine pounding on brain and the impending decisions has left me all “Drama Queeney” )

So how did we get here; how did society get here? Each year at this time we are expected to lay out a plan, make a commitment, make giant decisions that will affect our children's future. No pressure, but the social lives, mental well being and the role our children will play in society for the next twelve months will hinge on the decisions I help them make in the next couple of weeks. (there’s the Drama Queen thing again)

Don’t know what I mean? Did you want your baby to be on a softball team? Too late! Sign ups in these parts out are long over for the summer. You missed it. No baseball for them. This also means no plans for them every Tuesday and Thursday night all summer. Huh. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

Thinking about summer camp? You still have time, but you better hurry if you want in at a quality camp. Considering horse, theatre, vocal camp? Oye, hope you have those forms filled in triplicate and those deposit cheques have been sent in or you are out of luck. Is it strange or stressful that your summer must be planned by the beginning of May? Actually, no. I have grown accustomed to the rhythm of sign ups for summer camps and activities. It’s the planning..the plotting….the responsibility for taking care of their little dreams for the entire next school year that has me tossing and turning at night.

Cheer tryouts for next years team are in a couple of weeks. Are we ready for the commitment of time and all that travel? Probably. Do we want BlueEyes to make the High School Volleyball team? Better get her in a summer league or she won’t stand a chance against the competition. Oh wait, will she even want to play Volleyball in High School? How is she supposed to know? High School doesn’t even start for five months! Then there is my youngest. The Dance Studio really wants SweetGirl to go “full time” this September. Full time equals a LOT more hours in the studio. This will limit other after school activities, time for homework, time for family, time to just play. To say yes to dance is to limit so many other things, but if dance is her passion and her dream, don’t you have to encourage her to follow her heart? And what about piano? Is there room? Is there time? Is there money? The list goes on and on, and the thoughts keep swirling around in my head in an infinite loop.

The balancing act of what is best for my girls, of which dreams to chase, of how much we can squeeze in, versus the value of unstructured and family time is precarious. The desire, the need to help my children follow their dreams and live their best lives must fit into our real lives and as it turns out….. it must all be decided now. No pressure.

Life in the suburbs can be chaotic, frenzied and stressful. I do not choose this. Instead I choose for our life to be full and beautiful and joyful. To try to create a schedule that allows for both dream chasing and family time. That makes room for family and has us living in my house instead of the carpool lane. Wish me luck as I try and guide our girls to chase their dreams, while finding that illusive balance in the suburbs. Oh, and if you have that crystal ball? Feel free to send it over, a quick peek at the path wouldn’t hurt!

The Smells Of Summer: Hawaiian Tropic ~Rate and Review!

2013-05-02T13:23:00.000-04:00

I grew up spending my summers torn between splashing in our pool out in the back yard, and dashing in and out of the lake at our cottage. If it was daylight, you could find my sister and I outside cramming in as much fun as I could splashing, boating, and soaking up the sun.

Summer was my very favourite time of year and still holds my strongest and most treasured memories. The smell of pine trees, chlorine, or the intoxicating tropical scent of sunscreen is all it takes to bring some of those incredible memories right back to the surface. Hawaiian Tropic was a staple at our house then, and it still is now as I make sure my girls are sun safe as they cruise out into the world.

This year, Hawaiian Tropic® has expanded its Silk Hydration™ line by introducing a brand new After Sun Moisturizer! Same light tropical fragrances and now with the addition of a dual ribbon formula infusing rich, ultra-moisturizing lotion with cooling aloe gel. It’s light, refreshing and even though the sun hasn’t been shining too much around these parts….I keep looking for reasons to use it!

About the new Silk Hydration™ After Sun Moisturizer

This dual ribbon formula pampers and nourishes your skin after a day in the sun

· Ribbons of aloe and lotion provide rich, luxurious moisture with the cooling effects of aloe

· Lotion is infused with mango and shea butter

· 24-hours of hydration

· Light tropical fragrance

· The Silk Hydration™ after sun moisturizer is currently available at grocery, drug and mass retail outlets across Canada for approximately $9.99

Of course I also have to mention the Silk Hydration™ Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. This Sunscreen is light, smooth and offers moisture while protecting your delicate skin from the sun.

About the Silk Hydration™ Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Sunscreen with hydrating ribbons for continuous in-sun moisture

· UVA and UVB sun protection with hydrating ribbons infused with silk protein and shea butter

· 12-hour moisture

· Silky, luxurious feel

· Light and non-greasy

· Waterproof

· Signature coconut fragrance

· The Silk Hydration™ sunscreen is currently available at grocery, drug and mass retail outlets across Canada for approximately $10.99

Both have the intoxicating smell I love, and help to keep us sun safe!

I’m excited to announce I have a fabulous SAMPLING OPPORTUNITY!

Thanks to Hawaiian Tropic I am looking for twenty-five (25) Canadian readers who would love to rate and review both the Silk Hydration™ After Sun Moisturizer, as well as the Silk Hydration™ SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. We will mail the 59ml sample size products (just perfect to keep in your purse or diaper bags) right to your door, and you’ll have 2-3 weeks to test it out! Then, I ask that you simply send your review to me. As a bonus for participating, I will also enter all 25 of you in a draw to win a $50 Visa Gift Card.

*UPDATE: The sampling opportunity is now full! Thank you!

My Kind Of Skating, Requires Back Up ~ Stars On Ice!

2013-05-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Skating for me requires a very strong man (my Hubby to hold me up), those big boards (that I use to stop), and ideally Advil….both before and after. I am clearly not a skating kind of girl. I do however appreciate the beauty, grace and true athleticism required for a full grown being to launch themselves across a frozen piece of water. It’s even more amazing to me that a group of athletes, Olympians and World Champions, can gather all in one place, put their skating to the most fabulous music, and can make a crowd jump to their feet cheering with awe and excitement!

This is the experience I had this past weekend. Thanks to Jergens® I had the opportunity to pack up my SweetGirl and her Bestie and spend an entire afternoon lost in the magic produced by the likes of Kurt Browning, Patrick Chan, Shawn Sawyer, Joannie Rochette and local loves Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir!

*photo credit Stars On Ice

They skated, they entertained, they made us laugh and cheer. It was a great family fun afternoon at Budweiser Gardens. Thanks Jergens®!

Pst..are you a skating fan? There are still a few shows left in a few select cities!

Please feel free to add you Wordless Wednesday, our almost Wordless Wednesday post, to my linky and leave me a comment to let me know you were here!

Three Urban Destinations Not To Miss In Canada

2013-04-30T09:02:00.000-04:00

Today I bring you a guest post from blogger Alexandre Duval. I welcome him to my little piece of the Burbs as he reflects on his top three “must see” destinations in my favourite country in the world, Canada!

Almost everyone would agree that there are some cities in the United States that everyone should get to see at least once in their life. San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Chicago and the likes are more than worth a detour, and Americans are right to be proud of these urban, modern destinations. Yet, the United States’ northern neighbour – namely, Canada – also is endowed with remarkable cities that absolutely ought to be seen. Here is a list of three inviting Canadian urban destinations that will make you feel like crossing the border right away.

1. Toronto

In 2006, the Canadian census showed that more than half of Toronto’s inhabitants were foreign-born, making the metropolis what is undoubtedly one of the most – if not the most – multicultural city on the planet. With half its population declaring being part of a visible minority, Toronto is made of an unmatched blend of cultures: more than 140 languages and dialects are spoken across the city. If some people would rapidly be brought to think that the city’s multicultural aspect rhymes with an eroded social fabric, the reality is quite the opposite: Toronto was ranked the safest large metropolitan area in North America by Places Rated Almanac.

Toronto’s diversity makes the city a very interesting destination for visitors who wish to experiment eclectic decors within a single city: the busy downtown area and its skyscrapers, the inimitable Chinatown, the glamorous Yorkville, the artsy Distillery District and Liberty Village, the magnificent Lakeshore and the eccentric Kensington Market are all so distinct that visiting one part of town after the other will make you feel like you are taking multiple little trips all at once! Once mostly renowned for being Canada’s economic hub, Toronto nowadays has an enviable cultural life that unites with booming gastronomy, thereby offering a flawless urban destination to tourists.

2. Montreal

Although quite different from Toronto, Montreal nonetheless shares some common characteristics with the Ontarian capital: diverse, eclectic and always busy, Montreal is a must-see. Known for being the city of festivals, Montreal offers an unmatched cultural program throughout the year: the Jazz Festival, the Francofolies, Osheaga, the Just For Laughs Festival, the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition, the Igloofest, the World Film Festival, Montréal en Lumière, la Fête des Neiges… and the list goes on and on! No matter the time of the year you are planning on visiting Montreal, chances are that there will be at least one festival going on!

Montreal also is quite interesting and charming because of its French aspect. As the metropolis of the francophone province of Quebec, Montreal represents the heart of Quebecois culture: with all the events, shows, concerts that are offered across the city, it could not be otherwise! Visiting the Old Port and Old Montreal districts will bring you hundreds of years back; looking at the buildings will give you a little sense of Europe in North America. What’s more, Montreal has become a top, avant-garde destination for foodies. There is no way you can miss this city!

3. Quebec City

With more than 400 years of history behind it, the capital of the province of Quebec undoubtedly is Canada’s most picturesque, romantic and enchanting destination. In effect, Quebec City’s historical core is a UNECSO World Heritage Site which has not only kept its original fortifications (being the only North American city to have done so), but also has been the target of continued efforts to keep it authentic. Efforts are obviously paying off as Quebec City remains “that little piece of France in contemporary Canada”.

Quebec City is becoming an ever more-complete destination that is offering excitement, gastronomy, culture and sports beyond its historical and architectural trademarks. Traditionally, visitors went to Quebec City mostly – if not only – to walk through its historical district. However, throughout the past decade, things have changed quickly… and for the best! Indeed, some districts - such as the Nouvo St-Roch, Limoilou, St-Sauveur and even Sillery for its fabulous Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain) have boomed and now represent attractions that absolutely must be seen. Of course, “that little piece of France in contemporary Canada” remains the architectural and historical pearl along the St. Lawrence… but it now has multiple personalities within the same body!

About the author: Alexandre Duval is a blogger for Standard Life, a company offering dynamic mutual funds and retirement products. Alexandre has lived, studied and worked in Quebec City, in Toronto, in Montreal as well as in the United States and in France.

Panic Shopping Is For Fools

2013-04-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am ridiculously over the top excited about a little trip I have coming up. I was thrilled to be invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in Orlando Florida and have been counting down the days until our departure like a little kid. As the date draws near my “To Do” list seems to be getting longer, but I keep ploughing through. Then this weekend, a shocking thought; I am running out of time! Not just time for that stupid list, but time to prepare and pack! My ~~logical~~ reaction, I began tearing through my closet like a crazy person. My realization: I must have the biggest closet in the suburbs that contains absolutely nothing to wear. Every single shirt I pull out, I hate. Every dress I own seems too dressy. All my shoes are uncomfortable and my shorts make me want to cry. Ugo. There is only one logical thing to do. Time to go shopping. Mind made up I grabbed my car keys and my credit card and march my very frustrated butt out the door.

This my friends is a very little list of the ways NOT to go shopping for a trip:

*Do not go shopping when you are already having a ridiculously frustrating day. In a not so fabulous mood? Trying shorts on those pasty white legs is not going to make your day any better.

*Do not shop when you have PMS. Sour mood and swollen everything? Not going to help you look any better in those dressing room mirrors.

* Do not go shopping in one of those stores where the sales ladies tell you every single thing you try on is “Perfect/Beautiful/Gorgeous” They are liars and you will go home with a bag of ugly.

*Do not shop without focus. “I just need something!” Is not going to help you! It might be a great way to spend ~~procrastinate for~~ two hours, but when you come home with a navy sweater, a black belt, an ill fitting T and a questionable pair of capris you really are back at square one.

*Do not shop when you are in a serious time crunch. Only 12o minutes to find the perfect sundress, a pair of capris, maybe a sweater, and that make-up I ran out of? This is never going to happen.

*Do not think every outfit you pick out is going to be Pinterest worthy. Oh the hours you have spent finding the perfect outfits, pinning, dreaming, planning! Too bad each “board” you created rang in just a hair under a thousand bucks. (give or take a few) No wonder you can’t replicate the damn thing at Target!

*Do not forget that you are a women in your 40’s. You can still look good, you just can’t look like the group of giggling 20 year olds picking up some glam for their night on the town. Sigh, Reality checks bite!

The moral of the story, breathe, give your self a break and don’t be a panic shopper. Panic shopping equals fashion disaster. Do yourself a favour and try these tips; Make a shopping date with a trusted girlfriend who will tell you, “Yes, you look fat in those pants”. Have a plan, figure out what you really need. Take your time, have some fun and hopefully score some deals while getting your glam on and getting ready to escape the suburbs.

May the shopping Gods be with you! Mwah!

A Hair Dryer Should Not Scream At You?

2013-04-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am a bit on the high maintenance side. Yep, I can admit it. I won’t leave the house without lip gloss and mascara, and I certainly won’t leave the house if I am in the middle of a bad hair day. That’s what the messy bun is for! (you just pretend you did it on purpose) Even though I consider myself a wee bit of a know it all on all things to help maintain the pretty, it turns out I have a few things to learn about Hair Dryers!
Sitting squarely in the middle of my bathroom counter is a dinosaur of a dryer. Truthfully, I kind of knew it wasn’t a fabulous piece of equipment. I mean when you turn it on, it actually whines and screams until you slam it repeatedly with the back side of a hair brush, but it got the job done, and fast! When you have two kids, fast is good. Then something happened, I was introduced to The HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer by Misikko.

I was contacted by the people of Misikko and asked if I would like to give one of their best selling hair dryers a try. Considering my hair dryer is on it’s last legs, and there are three of us in this house with very long hair, I immediately said Yes!
This is what very quickly arrived on my doorstep.

A beautifully packaged HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer, with a selection of thoughtful little extras! A cute little bear, sweet smelling roses for the lingerie drawer, a fabulous hair brush, a booklet about their styling products, and tucked in the bottom a little box of chocolates! Such a great way to package a product. This felt more like a gift from a spa then an on-line store. But would it work?
It took me no time at all to determine this hair dryer is the best I have ever owned. It is much quieter then any styler I have had in the house. (and there have been many) It heats up quickly, dries so much faster and has the best “Cool Shot” button ever.

On my old hair dryer I had to depress that cool button and hold until my thumb cramped. On the HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer you can depress the button and lock it in. A little thing, but it makes a difference.

This is a salon quality hair dryer with a long list of extras;

Ion Technology- condition hair & reduces static electricity
Tourmaline & Titanium Oxide Technology- natural ions promote healthier hair
Silver Nanotechnology- for antibacterial Protection
Scratch Resistant Shell with black metallico finish adds durability and is easy to clean
Long life motor with low noise
Gyroscopically balanced for easy handling
Fiberglass concentrator
Italian Design

The price point of this Hair Dryer is a little more then what I would usually spend on such a product. Currently being marketed at $334.99, now on sale at $194.99, however this does include free shipping, the little box of extras, a two year warranty and all those amazing extras. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for and that you have to protect the pretty! The Tourmaline and Titanium oxide Technology to promote healthier hair are kind of crucial. So important to take care of your hair! My girls now agree, the dinosaur is being retired forever, we are thankful for our new HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer.
Find this fabulous Blow Dryer and many other fabulous products at www.Misikko.com.and also on facebook!
Disclosure: I was provided the above mentioned product for review purposes, all opinions are my own.

Twistos! It’s A Snack Lovers GiveAway!

2013-04-26T09:18:00.000-04:00

We are a family of snackers!! Our favourite choices range from boring to wild and diverse. There is no snack left uneaten in this house. So when PepsiCo Foods Canada offered me an opportunity to try the new Twistos, share my thoughts and then create a 12 box giveaway for one lucky reader of course I said yes!

On my doorstop on the only sunny day of the week was this super stuffed box of Twistos.

Haven’t heard of them? They are a the newest product brought to you by PepsiCo Foods Canada, and in a word, they are delish! The very first bag I cracked open was the “Bruschetta”. (because I have a problem with all things Bruschetta) My thoughts; they are crispy, light and seasoned with just enough tomato and onion flavour to remind you of the real thing. By the way, they are also fabulous with the addition of a little cream cheese! I had to make myself step away from the bowl…..

As soon as the kids came home from school they dove head first into the giant box of snackage. Their first choice to try was the Cheddar & Chive Baked Snack Crackers. They adored the cheesy flavour, I liked that I could indulge in 15 crackers for a mere 90 calories. The only problem, stopping at 15.

We then went on to try all the other flavours!! Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil, Asiago, Parmesan & Garlic, and Parmesan & Oregano.

After much munching, days of testing and a teeny bit of deliberation a favourite did emerge. Hubby and I like the idea of the Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil as a quick snack or to use on salads, the Asiago is simply divine on top of Tomato Soup, as is the Parmesan & Garlic, and the Parmesan & Oregano was nice with cheese; but for our family the hands down favourite is the “Cheddar & Chive”. Oh wait, all except my youngest who later changed her mind and declared the Parmesan & Oregano her forever fave.

My conclusion; all are great tasty little snacks to grab when on the go, or throw in school lunches. They are even better when paired with a favourite cheese or as a topping for soups and salad. I love their versatility and distinct flavours. Twistos will now be a regular in our family pantry.

Would you like a chance to try out all of these fab flavours? One lucky Canadian reader of How To Survive Life In The Suburbs will win a prize pack containing twelve assorted bags of Twistos Snack Bites and Twistos Crackers. A $50 value! To enter to win, please use the Rafflecopter form below telling me which variety of Twistos you’re most looking forward to trying. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Sunshine..y Day: Banana Boat Natural Reflect Sunscreen (Sampling Opportunity)

2013-04-25T10:15:00.000-04:00

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone…do do dodo do” Anyone else out there dreaming of a sunshine..y day? It’s time to kiss winter goodbye and welcome spring and summer with open arms! I am so ready that I have already started making plans. Seriously! First on the list, I’m scheduling in some serious beach and fun time with my girls.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get in some boating, tubing and paddleboat fun up on the lake. There is nothing like cottage life. And of course pool days are a given!

The plan, if Mother Nature ever gets her act together, is to head outside and stay there! When the temperature finally gets into the swoon worthy area, this sun seeking family will be ready!

It is my pleasure to introduce you to the NEW Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. It is so important to take care of your skin, so before we head to the beach, the cottage or just the back yard, we will be tying out the new Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen.

This fabulous smelling lotion provides the clinically proven protection you love, but is gentle enough for the most sensitive and delicate of skin.

Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen checks all my important boxes.

*100% Naturally Sourced Mineral Sunscreen Actives *Paraben-Free
*Gentle on Sensitive and Delicate Skin

*Proven Effective Against Sunburn; Helps Prevent Long-Term Skin Damage

*Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB Protection

*Water Resistant (80 Minutes)

* Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation

*Dermatologist Tested

You can find Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen at drug stores, grocery stores, and retail outlets across Canada. ARV $11.99.

So I’m summer ready, are you?

Now here is a fabulous SAMPLING OPPORTUNITY!

Thanks to Banana Boat I am looking for twenty-five (25) Canadian readers who would love to rate and review Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. We will mail the product right to your door, and you’ll have 2-3 weeks to test it out! Then, I ask that you simply send your review to me. As a bonus for participating, I will also enter all 25 of you in a draw to win a $50 Visa Gift Card.

The first 25 successful applicants will be accepted. I expect this to fill quickly, so don’t delay!

Thanks!

*Updated: This opportunity is now full. Thank you!

Inappropriate Much?

2013-04-24T06:03:00.000-04:00

Maybe it’s just me, but these heels, this shirt….

not how I choose to dress for a Children’s Volleyball Tournament! Inappropriate much?

Please feel free to add you Wordless Wednesday, our almost Wordless Wednesday post, to my linky and leave me a comment to let me know you were here!

A Rant From The Suburbs

2013-04-23T07:01:00.000-04:00

Once again I find there are a few things in the Suburbs that are simply ticking me off!

*When I think I have found the perfect parking spot, pull on up to it, so excited to be just steps away from the front door at the massive plaza only to find a ridiculous clown size scooter parked in that spot. Get a real car…scooter. Pft.

*Not being able to get the heat right in the car. It’s either way too hot or too darn cold. Not to be all Goldilocks, but why can’t it ever be “just right”. Enough with the constant adjusting already.

*Waiting with baited breath to get the perfect concert tickets for my DDs, refreshing like a crazy person for 20 minutes BEFORE the tickets even go on sale, only to be told said tickets are “SOLD OUT” the moment the tickets go on sale? How is this possible? Enough with the hundreds of pre-sales and AMEX specials. Mama wants to get some awesome seats to a fab concert for her girls. Just once. Please.

*Cheaters. All kinds of cheaters, but today the one’s who BUY their twitter followers and Facebook fans. Seriously? How dumb are you? Umm we all know you do it and one day the PR folks will call you out on it, then what are you going to do? Stop it already it’s insulting to the rest of us working our assess off to build real relationships. Thanks.

*Parents that swear and are all kinds of “screamy”at their kids. There really is no excuse. Count to ten, take a breath, stop with the yelling. Every time you yell at your kids you change the person they become. Remember that.

*Mean Girls. Enough said, we all know who they are and there is a special place in hell for those little demons.

This my friends is is my list of complaints for today, and you know what? It feels better just to get it off my chest! So go ahead and tell me, what’s ticking you off today?

CHEF’s Box ~ Inspiration For The Kitchen

2013-04-22T10:19:00.000-04:00

We are in a rut. Seems like in our house we eat the same meals over and over again. A little pasta, some stand by Mexican Fare, good old meat and potatoes. Nothing too adventurous and nothing very exciting. I’m not exactly a Domestic Goddess, but I do try! I attempt to keep things fresh in the kitchen, to make my meals, snacks and treats appealing for my family and above all else ensure my kids are offered the best of the best. Healthy before junk and organic when possible. Yet still, this rut.
This is why I was intrigued to be introduced to the CHEF’s BOX. What is it? Only the Most Delicious Food of the Month Club there is!
Here’s how it works; FoodiePages.ca connects you with the best food and drink makers across the country. Their marketplace is like a virtual farmers' market, currently featuring 100 vendors selling over 800 delicious edibles directly to you. You can either shop directly from their website or you can sign up to have their artisan food of the month club - the CHEF'S BOX - shipped to your front door each month.
Such a fabulous way to explore so many products available in and around Canada!

Each CHEF'S BOX is curated by a top Canadian chef and this month's CHEF'S BOX is hand-picked by celebrity chef (& mom) Trish Magwood!

She shares her favourite Canadian food finds and delicious recipes for the perfect Mother's Day brunch. Trish is describing this box as "what moms really want this Mother's Day". Her box includes dark chocolate caramel sauce from Vancouver, Nova Scotia wild blueberry preserves, country garden honey from Ottawa and more.

My CHEF’s BOX arrived and fit right into my super mail box. All hand wrapped in bubble wrap to keep the products safe and sound. I eagerly tore into the box to reveal the treasures within. The product that first caught my eye had to be the Country Garden Honey. My oldest daughter could be described as a Honey addict and the idea of introducing her to real honey was exciting. It’s a darker colour then we are used to and the taste could only be described as rich and decadent.

The second product I opened was the blueberry preserves, and I have a confession to make, I have never in my life had occasion to try such a thing before. Kind of shocking really. Turns out the arrival of preserves leads to the need to bake so I could properly use these preserves! A welcome opportunity to jump into the kitchen with my girls and get my bake on. We created our version of croissants which paired beautifully with the preserves.; such fun! I shared the dark chocolate caramel sauce with my family by melting it just a bit and drizzling it over some strawberries. Divine. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve since been sneaking it up by the spoonful. Think they will notice the dark chocolate goodness is disappearing a little too quickly? I will share the rest of it. I will. Maybe! One product I won’t be sharing with my little one’s is the coffee that arrived in this box! As a coffee lover I appreciate a good cup. Aromatic, bold but not too strong and or course organic. Love.
It was such a treat to have a box full of Canadian grown goodies delivered right to my front door. I love that all products are home grown, of the highest quality, and come with some fabulous recipes to help you think outside the box! Inspiration in the kitchen? Achieved. I can hardly wait to see what arrives in next month’s box!
The CHEF'S BOX is available for $55 per month, $150 for a 3-month subscription or $270 for a 6-month subscription. Such a great idea for a Mother’s Day gift for the Foodie in your life, or just a great treat for yourself!! Thanks to FoodiePages.ca I am able to offer all of my Canadian readers a chance to experience the CHEF'S BOX for yourself!
Use the promo code MODERNMOM for $10 of the purchase of Trish's CHEF'S BOX, the only catch is you have to act quickly. Update! Promo Code now expires the end of MAY!
Go ahead, treat yourself or another mom this Mother's Day!