Toronto Teacher Mom

In My Garden, I Spy...

2013-05-21T15:43:00.000-04:00

Happy Wordless Wednesday! Feel free to link up your WW posts below:

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I Have a Crush and It's Killing Me

2013-05-20T22:47:00.000-04:00

Dear Crush:

Everyday when I wake up, I check my Facebook notifications to see if I have a message from you. I know it's only been a couple of months since we've first met but our 'relationship' has become a bit of an addiction. I think it first started with the chocolates. I mean, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the random brightly-coloured candy you kept dropping off but chocolate is definitely the way to this girl's heart. But now, my heart is breaking.

You see, we've had so much fun over the last little while and I will never regret all those 146 times we've spent together. But I feel like we are now stuck in an explosive relationship. I try to give you what you want over and over again but you just blow up in my face. And I'm not sure I can handle it anymore. I feel like a constant failure and it's just not fair.

I know many of my friends are doing it, so many of whom are married and have kids just like me. And I see them spending time with you as well, when we all know we should be spending time with the kids or tending to some chore or other. I have even seen a number of my friends who have managed to get past the explosive stage of their relationship with you and have invested much time and dedication into making it work. I'm just not sure I'm that type of person. I really don't think I will ever get past level 147 and a part of me is truly saddened by it.

Perhaps one day things will just click and we can bring back some of that momentum we once enjoyed. Until then, I feel it's best if we part ways and take a little break.

Signed,

Diana

Celebrate the #MonthofMom

2013-05-19T14:08:00.001-04:00

Mother's Day has come and gone but mothers are still mothers 365 days of the year. And then some, it seems. As May is the Month of Mom, P&G recognizes that it is the perfect time to celebrate moms and the women in our lives that make simple moments special. And so I would like to take the time to recognize my own mother for all of the many sacrifices she has made and continues to make for us.

One of my mother's most admirable qualities, aside from her selflessness and grace, is her wisdom. I will forever be in awe of her ability to take what little she had when she came to Canada with my father, learn a new language, secure jobs that involved manual labour, raise three children and pay off two mortgages, take us on a number of vacations for Christmas and New Year's and put food on the table. It strikes me as remarkable because she didn't make very much money, even though she worked day and night, and neither she or my dad had any insurance benefits. How on earth did she manage to save so much of her hard-earned dollars?

Today, as a teacher and mother of two, who makes double maybe even triple her annual income, I can only wish that some of her wisdom and sense of frugality has rubbed off on me and that I'll be able to save and make sacrifices as she did. Like my mother, I am always clipping coupons such as the P&G Brandsaver coupons, and I constantly have my eyes peeled for sales on everyday essentials. It isn't always easy to keep track of spending when you work full-time and have kids, er... a son who manages to tear holes in his uniform pants on a regular basis. But I can always aspire to be more like mom and make saving more of a priority. Because at the end of the day, I don't want to spend most of my life working to pay the bills. I would much rather enjoy the everyday moments and maybe even treat myself to a day at the spa every once in a blue moon.

Since the weight of the family can get heavy, every mom deserves the chance to repair, relax and refresh. P&G is offering one of my readers a chance to win a Mother's Day Spa bundle that includes one of my favourite hair products - the Pantene Pro-V collection. It will give your hair the beauty sleep it deserves with a new three-step process by repairing six months of visible signs of damage in just one use. Treat your hair while you sleep using the Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Overnight Miracle Repair Serum, a weightless, non-sticky serum that resurfaces hair at its weakest points and helps to restore hair while you sleep for a healthy looking start each morning. Then style your hair and finish off your look with Pantene Pro-Stylers Flexible Hold Hairspray to provide flexible, touchable hold that lasts up to 24 hours.

CBC's The Canada Lives Here Experience Exhibit Now Open

2013-05-15T23:00:00.000-04:00

CBC launches its large-scale, open house event featuring
"The Canada Lives Here Experience" open to the public May 16 to 19.
Register for tours at canadaliveshere.ca

CBC's The Canada Lives Here Experience exhibit is now open and I look forward to possibly attending this weekend. The exhibit provides a larger-than-life look at the Canadian experience through the lens of the CBC. The public is invited to the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto from May 16 –19 for tours, fun-filled activities and events, and the opportunity to meet their favourite CBC personalities. I am personally looking forward to meeting Allan Hawco again and learning how he got his start.

Photo courtesy of Racheal McCaig Photography

Admission to The Canada Lives Here Experiences is FREE for all visitors. To register for tours and special events, visit www.canadaliveshere.ca.

Canada's Sugar Beach, Toronto

2013-05-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

After my son and I met the Wiggles at Corus Quay on the weekend, we headed next door to Canada's Sugar Beach. It's so pretty there!

Participating in Wordless Wednesday this week? Link up your posts below.

Stampin' Up! Spring Surprise Bundle

2013-05-12T23:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend, the weather was so cold that we had to turn the heat back on. While Mother Nature may have a hard time understanding that it is spring, Stampin' Up! knows full well that it's the perfect time to celebrate the season of May flowers with their Spring Surprise Bundle, coordinating inks and card stock in bright colours. Stampin' Up! sent me a sample of the bundle that features the Round Array stamp set (available in clear-mount only) and the coordinating Scallop Circle 7/8" punch featured above. The stamp set includes five stamps with sentiments and three generic stamps that are perfect for everyday embellishments.

The Stampin' Up! Spring Surprise Bundle is a perfect set for those looking to incorporate stamping into their crafts as it includes all the elements required to complete a project. With these stamps and coordinating punch, you can easily embellish a variety of projects, like cards, notes, jars of homemade goodies, and more!

Since I love to make greeting cards, I chose to use some Stampin' Up! card stock in Primrose Petal and Raspberry Ripple with coordinating water-based dye ink to create a couple of birthday cards which measure at 5.5" by 4.25". I stamped and punched two of the same images and attached them using a dimensional to add some pop.

I loved using the stamps and coordinating punch so much that I decided to embellish the inside of the cards as well. I seriously need to look into getting more coordinating stamp and punch sets...

The Wiggles Are Taking Off! - Toronto Concert Dates and Discount

2013-05-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

What's red, blue, purple and yellow, and comes from Australia? Why, it's the Wiggles, of course! In case you haven't heard, there are some new faces amongst the beloved group of children's entertainers. Last year, we said good-bye to the lovable Greg, Murray and Jeff who retired their purple, red and yellow skivvies in 2012 to make way for a new generation of performers. Welcome to Emma Watkins, Lachlan Gillespie and Simon Pryce!

Photo courtesy of Corus Entertainment

For those who have been following my blog for a while now, it will come as no surprise how relieved I was to learn that my favourite Wiggle Anthony would be staying on as the blue Wiggle. It goes without saying that I could not pass up on the chance to meet the new Wiggles here in Toronto. Earlier today, my son and I headed to the Corus Quay for a special meet and greet. They performed snippets of some of the old favourites as well as songs from their newly released album Taking Off! Today's event also doubled as a fundraiser to benefit Corus Feeds Kids.

The new generation of Wiggles, who will never be able to 'replace' the original cast, brings nonetheless a fresh and upbeat twist to the stage while still staying true to all that makes the Wiggles fun and enjoyable.

Mother's Day Gift Guide: Bath & Body Works Signature Collection

2013-05-08T21:36:00.000-04:00

Want to pamper mom this Mother's Day? Check out Bath & Body Works Fragrance Trio Gift Sets. Hand-picked by their gift specialists, these gift sets include their exclusive 3-step fragrance ritual from their Signature Collection. Cleanse, moisturize and mist for the ultimate fragrance experience.

Take mom on a tour of some of Italy's famous Italian cities with fragrance as your guide. Featured here are the three fragrances in the new Bella Italy collection:

Rome Honeysuckle Amore - a head-over-heels surprise with pink honeysuckle, golden peach and cyprus woods
Capri Seaside Citrus - a sunny seaside escape of fresh citrus, juicy nectarine and orange flower
Venice Dolce Berry - a playfully sweet treat with plumberry, frosted magnolia and sandalwood sugar

Personally, I love citrus so the Capri Seaside Citrus collection suits me just find. But I also love the smell of sandalwood as well. The fact of the matter is I would rather enjoy these fragrances while actually in bell'Italia but I'm not entirely sure that will happen anytime soon. The Bath & Body Works gift set will have to tie me over until then.

Each set includes Body Lotion (8 fl oz.), Shower Gel (10 fl oz.), Fragrance Mist (8 fl oz.), Cello, Ribbon and Hang Tag.

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

Happy 5th Birthday to My Little Man!

2013-05-07T08:58:00.002-04:00

For my son's 5th birthday,
I made a monkey card for my little monkey.

My husband and I bought him a brand new two-wheeler
and he loves it!

To my little man: I love you more and more each day!

Here is this week's Wordless Wednesday linky:

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Falcons and Vultures and Hawks, Oh My!

2013-05-06T07:08:00.000-04:00

As guests of the Toronto Botanical Garden, my family and I attended the second in the City Critter Series called "Great Birds of Prey" last month. We learned about the fascinating world of predatory birds and got to meet a few of them, with a return visit from Hibou who we first met at the Hoot n' Howl Owl Prowl back in January. Let's just say the kids were super excited for part two in the City Critters Family Series.

The presentation was very interesting and I learned a lot about hawks, falcons and vultures. I think I fell in love with the peregrine falcon. It must have something to do with his Elvis sideburns... I also learned that the turkey vulture loves to eat carrion, which is a fancy word for... yep, you guessed it. Roadkill!

Did you know...

...the falcon is the fastest animal on earth? It can dive at speeds of over 320 km/h!

Dance While You... Brush?

2013-04-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

About a week ago, the kids and I attended a media brunch and kids' karaoke event hosted by YTV's Adamo Ruggiero to celebrate the launch of the Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes. The kids were each given their own toothbrush, one featuring two songs by One Direction for my daughter and the junior version for my son. The Music in Your Mouthtechnology somehow streams sound vibrations from the bristles of the toothbrush through the teeth so that kids can hear music while they brush and... dance?

I haven't been able to get that One Direction song out of my head but if "What Makes You Beautiful" keeps my kids' teeth looking beautiful by motivating them to brush regularly, sobeit!

Just a little FYI: Church & Dwight Canada Corp. is hosting a Rock with One Direction & Tooth Tunes Sweepstakes. Visit www.toothtunes.ca/sweepstakes for a chance to win a Grand Prize - a trip to Toronto and two-tickets to a live One Direction concert on July 9, 2013, or one of three Rock Star First Prize Packs. The contest runs from April 19 to June 9, 2013.

Need a New Smartphone? Get a Free Kindle!

2013-04-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

Do you consider yourself a booklover? I have to admit that I read less books than most people I know. But since I have had my smartphone, I find that I am reading more and more. Granted that reading novels using my smartphone isn't necessarily the smartest solution, I still love having the ability to read a chapter here and there no matter where I go.

If you love the flexibility of toting around virtually hundreds of ebooks along with a smartphone, check out the latest Rogers promotion where you can get a free Kindle Paperwhite 3G e-Reader when you purchase a new smartphone and activate a new line on any eligible three-year plan. This offer is available to new or existing customers who meet the criteria and redeem the offer by May 30. This offer has been extended until May 15 so if you're in the market for a new phone, visit www.rogerspromotions.com/kindle for full terms and conditions.

What I like about having a smartphone and an e-reader is that I can buy a Kindle book via the Kindle Reading app on my smartphone (available in both English and French) and read that same book on my Kindle. I can also take advantage of the built-in Whispersync technology and automatically save and synchronize what I'm reading across both devices or even use the web browser to check out the latest on RedBoard. The Kindle Paperwhite also reads more like paper without the glare of a smartphone, plus you can easily adjust the font and text size for a more enjoyable read.

If you're looking for some suggestions on what books to read this summer, the RogersBuzz team has compiled a list of favourite beach reads on RedBoard.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Fisher-Price Favourites and Exclusive Savings!

2013-04-20T12:30:00.000-04:00

Remember when you first discovered that you were expecting? While I look back on that day as one of my many moments of joy, my first thought was, "Holy cow! I'm going to have to share my body with another living being?" I was shocked that I was pregnant mainly because it happened on our first try and only a mere three months after getting married. I mean, we wanted this to happen. But I wasn't prepared for it to happen so soon, or for the feeling of panic that ensued. I wondered, how is my body going to change? Will I make a good mother? How do I know what to buy? Unfortunately, I missed out on having a formal baby shower, with the exception of a surprise party organized by my dear office mates. So I never got to fully experience the excitement of putting together a baby gift registry. It would have been so easy: Pick out what I thought I would need and then family and friends, many of whom would have had more experience than I, would buy the ones they thought I needed most, right?

After having two children, I have seen my fair share of baby gear and children's toys. As such, I can easily point out my favourites, a couple of which have made their way onto the Fisher-Price favourites list of moms’ “must-have” items. They are:

Ocean Wonders Aquarium
My Little Snugabunny Cradle N Swing
Infant to Toddler Rocker
SpaceSaver High Chair
Discover’n Grow Jumperoo
Brilliant Basics Rock a Stack
Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy
Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote
Brilliant Basics Stroll-Along Walker
Little People Wheelies Stand ‘ n Play Rampway
Little People Animal Sounds Farm

At the top of my list is the Fisher Price Cradle N Swing. It was undoubtedly THE best piece of baby gear that I owned. I kid you not. With my first, I had borrowed a standard baby swing from a friend but my daughter never really liked it. With my second, I bought a Fisher Price papasan cradle swing second-hand and till this day I regret not buying one for my first-born.

My son absolutely loved this swing and he would use it every day. He would often fall asleep in it and by often I mean about 99% of the time. And as a sleep-deprived mom, it was a huge relief to be able to count on the Fisher Price Crade N Swing to lull my son to sleep.

The Day I Met Oprah and Christine Magee

2013-04-17T12:36:00.000-04:00

This week it's more like Speechless Wednesday. Enough said.

The day I met Oprah and Christine Magee.

Please feel free to link up your posts below.
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Join us for the #NeverWasteBacon Twitter Party!

2013-04-16T09:07:00.000-04:00

Warning: Bacon lovers may want to sit down before reading this.

In one week, Maple Leaf Foods will be hosting a mouth-watering Twitter party like no other, completely centred around - yes, you guessed it - BACON. Be still, my heart! Now, if that hasn't got your glands salivating, check out the incredibly awesome prizes up for grabs.

Prizes:

Eight (8) Prize Packs consisting of a 6 month supply of Maple Leaf Bacon (26 Maple Leaf coupons)
Two (2) Prize Packs consisting of ‘Bacon for a year’ (52 Maple Leaf Coupons) PLUS 1 x Hamiton Beach Premiere Griddle Duo

Since they are Maple Leaf coupons, you could easily use them for any Maple Leaf Foods product. Here are the party details and who to follow on Twitter:

Date: Tuesday, April 23rd

Time: 9:00 – 10:00 PM EST

Party Hashtag: #NeverWasteBacon

Hosts: @MapleLeafFoods – @MyChaos – @TeacherMomofTwo – @MomVsTheBoys

Please RSVP using the linky below. New to Twitter and/or Twitter parties? I have written the following tutorial to help you out, complete with screenshots:

How to RSVP for a Twitter party

Spa Week by WaySpa Launches in Toronto

2013-04-14T23:30:00.000-04:00

Close your eyes.

Breathe deeply.

Exhale.

Enjoy serenity now.

Last week saw the launch of Spa Week by WaySpa for the first time here in Canada and of course, WaySpa.com president Jeremy Creed felt Toronto was the perfect city to kick things off. From April 15 - 21, 2013, residents of the GTA can enjoy luxury spa packages from various spas in and around Toronto for just $50! We're talking one-hour dead sea scrub treatments, aromatherapy massage, Caribbean spa pedicures, and deep hydrating Logona organic facials to name a few.

For the past nine years, Spa Week has made it much more affordable for millions of people across North America to experience the healing and therapeutic benefits of the spa, many of which rely on these treatments to enrich their personal health and well-being, manage chronic physical conditions, decrease pain and stress, learn healthy eating habits, and achieve weight-loss goals. With an extensive menu of wellness services, Spa Week gave Toronto a small glimpse of what lays in store during their launch party last week. My personal fave? An express manicure by DoveSpa, just days before I got to shake hands with Oprah Winfrey. Perfect!

Win a Kindle Paperwhite 3G and a Sony Xperia Smartphone from Rogers!

2013-04-10T23:30:00.000-04:00

Now that spring has finally arrived, I am counting down the days until summer. Not only do I get to enjoy a couple of months off work with the kids, but I also plan to cross off some titles on my must-read book list. Nothing screams 'summer' more than lounging on the patio with a fresh cup of coffee and a good book!

In anticipation of summer reading, the RogersBuzz team has compiled a list of their favourite beach reads to share with you. From books that have inspired TV series and feature films to romance novels and suspenseful stories, you're sure to find something to help inspire your next book selection. Personally, I think I'm leaning towards @RogersSarahM's suggestion: Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. She had me at 'Prada.' Check out the full list of favourite beach books on RedBoard.

Si vous cherchez des livres en français à ajouter à votre liste de lecture estivale, vous trouverez des suggestions sur le site FilRouge. Cet été, @RogersElise vous propose Anna Karénine de Tolstoï dont l'adaptation cinématographique était très connue l'année dernière. Je ne l'ai jamais lu mais c'est sur ma liste, bien sûr.

What about you? Which books do you plan on reading this summer? If you're like me and like to get away for the weekend, an ereader would be perfect for bringing hundreds of books along without weighing down your luggage. Hence the reason why I am so excited to share with you the Summer Reading Contest on RedBoard and FilRouge. They are giving away one Kindle Paperwhite 3G (approximate value of $199.99) and one Sony Xperia ZL smartphone (approximate value of $624.99)!

To be eligible to win, all you have to do is visit RedBoard or FilRouge and tell them your favourite novel to read in the summer. There is a limit of one entry per person and it must not exceed 100 words. The winner will be selected at random. This contest ends at noon on Monday, April 15, 2013 so be sure to enter soon. Click here for full contest details and rules.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Any opinions in this post are my own.

Happy 9th Birthday to My Nephew!

2013-04-09T09:57:00.000-04:00

My nephew recently celebrated his 9th birthday and, the dinosaur fan that he is, he had his party at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington where they had a little dinosaur exhibit.

Such a great idea for a birthday party!

Feel free to link up your Wordless Wednesday posts using the thumbnail linky below.
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Not All Spoons Are Created Equal

2013-04-08T23:30:00.000-04:00

At this year's OMLTA Spring Conference, I met a gentleman named Jay Bailey who has traveled across Canada living the life of the voyageur. I was drawn to his booth when I heard him playing the spoons and wasn't prepared to see the number of spoons he had collected during his travels. It really was an impressive collection and I soon realized that not all spoons are created equal. I ended up buying my first pair of Richard Cyr wooden spoons called the boîte à boîte at the One of a Kind Show here in Toronto but they cost a pretty penny. If you want an inexpensive alternative, Jay showed me how you can make your own set of spoons by purchasing a cheap pair from the dollar store, separate them with a wooden dowel and secure them with duct tape. You can see the metal spoons in the middle of the photo above. I think you could even use a wine cork if you don't have a wooden dowel. It would be fun to experiment with all the different sounds you can make. Thanks for the mini lesson on spoons, Jay!

Twistos Baked Snack Bites and Snack Crackers

2013-04-07T23:30:00.000-04:00

Ever find yourself at work craving a quick snack that will satisfy your taste buds? I am constantly snacking at work, especially during recess times or whenever I have a break between classes. In fact, I snack so often that I am always looking for new snack ideas to put a twist in my snack routine. When PepsiCo offered to send a sampling of Twistos Baked Snack Bites and Snack Crackers, I couldn't say no. I had never tried either of these snacks before and was very much interested in trying Twistos Snack Bites in particular.

Twistos Snack Bites are savoury and pack a hearty crunch. They are great on their own or tossed onto a salad. The downside to eating these bite-size snacks, however, is the inability to have just one. They come in four different flavours: Bruschetta, Parmesan & Garlic, Asiago, and the newest flavour Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil. If I had to pick just one as my favourite, it would be, without a doubt, the new Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil. Just typing those words makes my taste buds happy. I also enjoyed the Parmesan & Garlic variety but wasn't so keen on the other two.

The Ultimate Blog Party 2013

2013-04-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again. It's the Ultimate Blog Party 2013! The first time I participated in some UBP fun was back in 2010 and I loved it so much, I made sure to join in UBP11 and UBP12. Not only do you get a chance to win some cool prizes, I feel the best part of the celebration is discovering new blogs and making new friends.

As a working mother of two living in the big city of Toronto, I enjoy teaching French, shopping, card making, and of course, blogging among other things. My biggest challenge is trying to find the time to do it all. I think a huge part of the problem is that I have always wanted everything to be perfect. But let's be real here. That is never going to happen. As quoted in this article on Brighterlife.ca "Tips for moms from some of our favourite bloggers" I believe that:

A mother must not strive for perfection.

Rather, she must view her blemishes as a metaphor for wisdom.

And trust me, I may have a tonne of blemishes but I would never claim to be the wisest woman I know. Au contraire, mes amis. I have much to learn. I continually strive to grow as a person and feel it's important to challenge the mind while nourishing the soul. This is why I love blogging, social media and connecting with other moms. I have even met a number of very wise and talented dads, too! When you are a part of social networking, not only do you have a chance to impart some wisdom but you also reap a tonne of benefits by learning from others as well. And sometimes you find yourself in the luckiest of situations like, for example, receiving a VIP invitation to meet Oprah or joining Jordan Knight on stage for some NKOTB karaoke.

Crock a Doodle Pottery Art

2013-04-02T14:43:00.000-04:00

Every year, my kids and I meet up with my shopping buddy and her girls in March. For the past three years, we head out to Crock a Doodle for some pottery painting. It's so nice to see their talent develop over the years. These are the ones they made on the weekend and I can't wait to see how they turn out once they have been glazed.

For a post-Easter laugh, check out the Easter Bunny coffee mug they had on display at the register.

As always, feel free to link up your Wordless Wednesday posts below.

Smile! It's Oral Health Month

2013-04-01T21:56:00.001-04:00

April is Oral Health Month and during the next thirty days Crest is supporting Dress for Success in its mission to "promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." Of course, a confident smile always comes in handy, too, which is why Crest is dedicated to creating products that improve your smile and promote oral health.

Ever since my children were able to brush their own teeth, I would often buy Oral-B Stages manual toothbrushes since they loved all of the fun characters they could choose from. When I made the switch to using an electric toothbrush, they were curious to try one as well but found past electric toothbrushes a little too intimidating. It wasn't until I received the Oral-B Pro-Health For Me to try out as part of the P&G Mom program that my children reconsidered making the switch. They found the brushing experience to be quite gentle and they found it easier to use the on/off switch. I personally like that it has a built-in two-minute timer.

When I took the kids to their dental checkup during the March Break, I was so happy to learn that both kids were cavity free. While I was there, I asked the dentist which electric toothbrush he would recommend for the kids and he did not hesitate when he stated his preference for Oral-B. Having noticed the benefits of using an electric toothbrush myself, I was a little surprised to learn that, according to the third annual Crest and Oral-B Great Canadian Smiles Survey, 72% of Canadians were still using a regular manual brush as of 2011.

With the advances in technology comes a whole new design in electric toothbrushes. The Oral-B Professional Deep Sweep + SmartGuide brings you 40,000 pulsations and 8,800 oscillations per minute, five customized brushing modes, a professional timer and a really cool wireless SmartGuide that smiles at you once you've brushed for the dentist-recommended two minutes. The SmartGuide also doubles as a clock to help keep you on schedule.

Happy Easter!

2013-03-30T23:30:00.000-04:00

Fun and Fabulous Finds at the One of a Kind Show Toronto

2013-03-29T12:18:00.000-04:00

The first time I had attended the One of a Kind Show here in Toronto, my daughter was still a baby. I remember my husband and I taking turns pushing an empty stroller and carrying a fussy one-year-old through bustling aisles, barely able to fully appreciate the unique wares and merchandise up for grabs. So when my bestie called me up suggesting we take advantage of the late night shopping hours this past Thursday, sans enfants, I could hardly say no. And we lucked out with free parking!

This was one of the funnest shopping experiences I have had in a long time. It was the perfect opportunity to hang with my girlfriend, who drove in from out of town, all the while admiring and supporting the work of local and North American artisans. It was an added bonus that within the first five minutes I came across an unexpected vendor Cuillères Héritage Spoons. After attending the OMLTA Conference earlier this month, I knew I wanted to buy a pair of wooden spoons that I could use to introduce my students to French Canadian traditional music. When I heard the unmistakable clickity clack soon after I arrived at the One of a Kind Show, I ran right over to the booth that housed a variety of beautifully crafted wooden spoons designed by the one and only Richard Cyr. And yes, I bought myself la belle boîte à boîte, a newer design which offers more variations in sound than the traditional giboulée. I was also given a mini refresher course on how to play. Cause, yeah... I can play a mean spoon diddy.