I’m always on the lookout for great, affordable toys that can be gifted for birthday parties and other celebrations. Especially in the summertime, I find that there’s a boom in the number of party invitations we receive. (Note to self: do not book anything for the next 12 Saturdays, because they’re already crammed with events.) Hence, toys that are fun, educational and combine a love of outdoor play are always at the top of my list.

The very awesome folks at Little Tikes gifted Ryder and Reid with the Clear Sports trio for their birthdays in May. Alas, with the weather being unseasonably cool, and then our backyard makeover, we had to wait until last week before we could break out the toys. Ryder, who at five years old is very much into sports, almost burst with excitement when he set eyes on the play sets. Well done Little Tikes!

The Little Tikes Clearly Sports toys help the young sports fans in your life burn energy and develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills. This summer, you can make every play-date a grand slam with the Clearly Sports Baseball set ($24.99), which includes a bat that holds colourful balls that make a huge sound when hit. Turn your yard into a driving range with the Clearly Sports Golf set ($19.99), or transform your hallway into a bowling alley with Clearly Sports Bowling ($24.99). They’re priced just right for gifting, and are nice and sturdy for outdoor use. (You *could* use the sets indoors, though I don’t recommend playing with the baseball set around antiques or glassware!) The sets are available at Toys’R’Us, Walmart and Target.

Ryder immediately took a shining to the the Clearly Sports Baseball set.

The Little Tikes Clearly Sports Baseball set is ideal for engaging active play. The colorful baseballs jump and clatter inside to enhance excitement just like at the ball park! Plus, all pieces fit together for compact storage. The Little Tikes two-in-one Clearly Baseball play set is also just right for beginners; start with the tee-ball play, and as kids grow they can advance up to baseball play. Perfect for ages 2-5.

Accessories include:
* 1- Base
* 1- Tee
* 1- Baseball bat
* 3- Baseballs

“Assembly” consists of snapping the two base pieces together. Easy peasy!

Within moments Ryder had the hang of hitting the ball off the tee, and now my husband is working on his posture and form before he can transition him from tee-ball to baseball. Reid, who’s a little younger, whacks angrily at the tee – I started to photograph him but then feared for my safety as plastic balls were popping everywhere. Let’s just say he needs a little more practice.

Next, we broke out the Clearly Sports Bowling Set.

Little Tikes Clearly Bowling game provides hours of fun active play! The pins feature colourful balls that make knocking them down even more fun. This brightly coloured kids bowling game teaches hand-eye coordination. Bowling is an energy burner and helps to develop social skills, balance and coordination.

This bowling set includes:
* 1-Bowling ball
* Ball diameter 10 5/8″ (3 1/2″ cross section)
* 6-Bowling pins
* Pin height 8″

Once again, Ryder lead the charge as our mini bowler; he enjoyed setting up the pins – and of course, knocking them down. Repeatedly. I was starting to worry that Reid would feel left out, but he surprised me by being the most helpful pin monkey. Ryder’s so lucky to have such a helpful little brother!

Finally, I was relieved when Ryder let Reid have the Clearly Sport Golf Set to himself (although I think he was still bowling and therefore, otherwise occupied).

Little Tikes Clearly Sports Golf set has a golf club with an oversized club head make it easy for kids to make contact with the colorful golf balls. The oversized club heads and balls make it easy for kids to make contact. The cup can be set on any surface. It’s larger so kids can build confidence and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Kids can put the golf balls inside the gold club after play to keep them secure. And, little ones can push the trigger on the club to drop the balls, and by a small push down on the club, the balls can be picked up easily. Intuitive!

Accessories include:
* 1- Tee
* 1- Golf “hole” with flag
* 3- Golf balls

Reid’s an avid golfer – though he does have to work on his form. (You’re not sweeping the lawn, Reid, you’re golfing!) Still, we’re happy to just let him be a kid and sweep away at the golf balls. The club is nice and large, allowing little ones to hone their putting technique while fine tuning motor skills.

If you’ve got a budding sports enthusiast, or are looking for an affordable outdoor toy for birthdays or summer picnics, the Little Tikes Clearly Sports sets are a great choice. Since introducing the sets to the boys last week, they’ve returned to the backyard every day to resume play. Ryder has quite the swing! And Reid – well, he’s getting there!

Special thanks to Little Tikes for the thoughtful (and fun!) birthday gifts. The boys are clearly thankful!

Click here to visit Little Tikes.

Well, it’s been an interesting few weeks. (*Shakes fist at Mother Nature*)

Back when I first announced #ProjectPatio, I truly believed that my backyard oasis was around the corner. Like, days away. But then, a little something happened – a frost warning. IN MAY. Followed by days of rain and chilly weather. In case you didn’t know, frost + rain + chilly weather = Lena’s non-patio.

It was exceptionally difficult because we had these gorgeous pieces from the Home Depot Canada simply sitting in our garage; it was almost blasphemes not to put a WEBER Genesis S-330 to use (trust me, my husband tried), and I longed to break in my new Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set. Still, we gave Mother Nature a wide berth and waited for the temps to turn around.

Finally, shortly after the May long weekend, I finally had a chance to bid adios to my plain, uninspiring backyard.

The above picture was taken seconds after the work crew began to dig; I realized in panic that I didn’t have any “before” photos. Not much to look at, to tell the truth; a vast landscape of overgrown grass and a lonely bubble mower.

Excavation began in the wee hours of a very chilly morning. I’m so fortunate that my contractor, Nelson DaFonte of EuroPro Contracting, is also my next door neighbour! Hence, we had an insider look into the stamped concrete process from beginning to end. And, before I go on, I must tell you that I can absolutely vouch for Nelson’s workmanship and professionalism – if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, please do let me know if you’d like him to provide a quote! We are THRILLED with the results.

But now I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I?

So back to that chilly morning. We ended up having all of the grass in our backyard ripped out, as there were patches that resisted growth after years of supporting a play structure the boys had long since outgrown. Removing the grass took most of the morning and it was quite a sight to see the backyard barren. Side note: it looks like the bubble mower found a new home on our front lawn.

Next, it’s all about the framing. We wanted our patio design to be contemporary yet functional, and we worked with our contractor to design a large patio with clean lines. On the sides, we left room for a future garden.

As you can see, the patio takes up the majority of our backyard, and I’m completely cool with that. I’ve never been a “grass” person, and as the boys grow, they’re less interested in hanging around in our backyard – opting for playing in the park, running through the soccer field or riding their bikes instead. Hence, the less lawn to mow, the better.

Cement was poured the first sunny, warm-ish day. Morning temperatures were a chilly 4°C, but since it was still above freezing, we avoided the risk of having the cement crack. (People, we are talking about the end of May here! I can’t believe we were fighting against frost and freezing rain.)

Next, the magic began –  adding colour to the concrete, and stamping the pattern. I must have watched the entire procedure from my sliding door; I was so enthralled with the entire process. Say hello to my contractor’s crew – my next door neighbours on the other side. Yep – I’m surrounded by handymen! We were convinced to include a two-tone border in the design, and I’m happy we decided to go ahead with it. The border gives the patio a professional finish that I adore, and I’m a huge fan of the contrasting colours!

After what seemed like minutes, the patio was stamped and chiseled. And now, the real waiting game began; allowing the patio to cure before it was powerwashed and sealed. Just knowing that my patio was being “born” under the coloured soot made me giggle with glee. Here’s a top view from my bedroom window – excuse the mesh screen!

Finally, 48 hours later, the patio was powerwashed to reveal its inner beauty. I was jumping up and down and fist-pumping as the glorious concrete underneath shone through. It’s a thing of beauty! (*Wipes tear from eye*)

Isn’t it just gorgeous? Okay, I’m getting slightly emotional here. But the thing is, I’m such a “drinks on the patio” kind of girl, and I’ve waited for this patio for so long. So the fact that I actually have somewhere to sit and enjoy those drinks is very, very awesome. Again – if you’re looking for a stamped concrete patio, porch or driveway, send me a note and I’ll put you in touch with EuroPro Contracting. Trust me – you’ll get an amazing price and you’ll love the workmanship. And, Nelson is a pleasure to deal with! He’s courteous, attentive and has amazing ideas for design.

Now I know y’all have been waiting to see the goodies provided by the Home Depot Canada to dress up my patio… but that’s another post. Still, you know I won’t leave you hanging! Even though I’ll be reviewing the patio set and barbecue in separate posts, may I present… my finished #ProjectPatio!

Sigh… I suppose I *could* write my reviews for the Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set and Weber Genesis S-330 Grill now… but you know what? I’d rather have a drink on the patio :) I’ll be back in the next few weeks to tell you all about my favourite patio furnishings. Until then… cheers!

Sometimes, you just don’t give a damn.

Take last night; I wasn’t up to cooking dinner – nor was I craving takeout. And even though we had just completed a full run of grocery shopping, there was “nothing to eat” (of course). To top it all off, I had a million things to do, and absolutely no motivation to begin. Yup, it was one of those nights.

Thankfully, inspiration struck as I opened the pantry and spotted a tin of Sockeye Salmon. If this isn’t a staple in your home, you are denying yourself a quick, 10-minute meal on Sunday evenings when you just don’t care. Because in less time than it takes to root around for the takeout menus, you can create a hot, flavourful meal your whole family will love. (Alas, my two little guys were full to the brim from eating barbecued corn on the cob – and who could blame them? – hence, it was only a table for two last night.)

So, I grabbed a few items from the pantry and fridge, and 10 minutes later – voila! Easy Salmon Cakes, à la Lena.

1 large can Sockeye Salmon, drained and broken into small chunks
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp seafood seasoning, or to taste
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
oil, for pan frying

In a large bowl, mix salmon, mayonnaise, green onion, egg, Italian breadcrumbs, seafood seasoning and lemon juice. If mixture is too wet, continue to add Italian breadcrumbs slowly. Form two patties; slightly flatten tops and roll in Panko breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in large pan on medium heat. Fry salmon cakes until just browned, about 8-10 minutes, turning once.

We cheated and made a risotto from a box mix (I recommend PC Splendido) as a side – hey, remember, this was an I-don’t-give-a-damn night. Surprisingly, it was quite delicious, and a great accompaniment to the Salmon Cakes. My recipe serves 2, but can easily be doubled for a family of four.

Now THAT’S easy peasy! Make it tonight!

It’s a win-win situation, friends.

You take the veggies, you take the bread; 
You take them both, and there you have… Dempsters Vegetable Bread!

Okay, so it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue… but seriously, you can now super-charge your sandwiches!

Dempster’s Garden Vegetable Bread offers the delicious taste and same smooth texture as your favourite 100% Whole Wheat bread. PLUS, with the added nutrition of vegetables like finely ground carrot and pumpkin baked inside, every 2 slices contains ½ a serving of real vegetables. So you now have a tasty way to add extra nutrition to any sandwich!

Let’s be real, folks. Dempster’s Veggie Bread is NOT a substitute for vegetables (even though technically, there are REAL vegetables baked inside). So yes, you’ll still have to eat your broccoli and maybe even your brussels sprouts.

However, given the opportunity, why not sneak in as much nutrition as possible? Garden Vegetable Bread is a source of fibre, 13 essential nutrients, and is low in fat. And I’m pretty sure I would adore a Toasted Western made with Dempster’s Garden Vegetable Bread (pictured below), a Chipotle Club Sandwich, Double Decker Grillers or a Dilled Salmon Spread with Cucumber Sandwich. They’re just a few of the drool-worthy recipes (created by the magnificent @Chef_Bob_V) that you’ll find on Dempster’s Pinterest Page!

Of course, sandwiches are just the tip of the iceberg; think of all the things you could make with delicious Dempster’s Garden Vegetable Bread: savoury stuffing, breadcrumbs for coating foods (and for incorporating in meat loaves), layered egg casseroles, croutons, garlic bread, pizza sticks…. oh yum, I could go on for days!

Want to get in on the conversation? Join Dempster’s for a #VeggieBread Twitter Party!

As always, there will be fabulous prizes up for grabs, including 8 x $100 in Veggie Bread Coupons, and a Vitamix Blender valued at $575.00!

For your chance to win, RSVP below. Looking forward to partying with you!

*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*

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Ew… Stuffies. 

I know, I know…. right of passage, every kid has them. Truth? I think they’re the most nasty, germ-infested things known to mankind.

Kids drool on them. They chew on them. They spill juice on them, wipe their runny noses on them, and always pick up dust bunnies as they drag them across the floor. They are a cesspool of filth and I want nothing to do with them.

My boys, on the other hand, LOVE their stuffed animals. Reid, who is particularly nurturing, lines them up before bed and even hushes us if we’re too loud, telling us his “baby is sleeping”. He calls Minnie Mouse his “girlfriend” and pats his baby giraffe on the bum to “burp him”. And yes, I do have the most stinkin’ cute toddler who happens to be addicted to his stinkin’ stuffed animals that really do stink.

The thing is, I’m often too lazy to wash stuffed animals, especially if they’re not visibly dirty. Because I know that no sooner than the stuffie is reclaimed… behind the toilet it will go. (I swear kids do that just to get a rise out of their parents. I know Ryder does.) Plus, it’s not always feasible to do a full load of stuffed animals, especially when there are whites, darks and delicates waiting in the wings.

But just thinking about all the aforementioned germs make my toes curl. I wipe down surfaces with bleach, wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap and carry hand sanitizer with me in every purse. Yet I’ve let my kids go to sleep with stuffies that have been sneezed on more times than Leann Rimes talks smack about Brandi Glanville. Sigh.

Until now. I simply adore the Maytag Maxima XL HE Steam Dryer. The “Sanitize” feature raises temperatures to eliminate 99.9 percent of certain household bacteria, dust mites and other allergens that can transmit germs and respiratory illnesses. So, you can actually “wash” your stuffed animals in your dryer! It’s pretty freakin’ brilliant.

So those stinkin’ stuffies? Let them get musty. And dirty. And smelly. And gross. I DON’T CARE! I LOVE IT – the Maytag Maxima XL HE Steam Dryer, that is.

“What store?” I asked.
“The store where it was born,” he replied.
“Do you mean, it smells like new?” I clarified.
“Yes. No. Sorry. I mean, it doesn’t smell like Reid’s breath anymore. Does that mean it smells new?”

Touché.

However, since I’m not going to sell any dryers based on the opinions of pre-schoolers, here’s my two cents. The Sanitize cycle was incredibly easy to use; simply select the feature and press start. We sanitized approximately 10 stuffed animals, but we could have easily doubled (or tripled) that number due to the extra-large drum capacity. The entire process from beginning to end was about an hour, and when the stuffies were pulled out of the dryer, I did notice they smelled incredibly fresh without being “perfumed”, and were ridiculously soft to the touch. Honestly. From the video above, you’ll see Reid hugging Minnie Mouse. What you don’t hear is him saying, “Is this my girlfriend? She’s so soft!” Of course, our newly sanitized Minnie apparently passed the test, as we see Reid go in for a big hug.

So, does your dryer have a sanitize feature? Ahem, I daresay now that I’ve had a taste smell, I won’t be able to live without the Maytag Maxima XL HE Steam Dryer. In addition to stuffed animals, I’m also looking forward to sanitizing pillow cases, sheets and towels. You can just call my home “Hotel Lena!”

I’ll be back next week with my final installment of the #MaytagBloggerChallenge. In the meantime, stay Steam-y!

WIN IT!!!

My good friends at Maytag realize that you’ve just taken time and attention to read through my sanitize story, and want to thank you for learning about the new Maytag Maxima XL HE Steam Dryer. So, they’d love to offer you the chance to win a KitchenAid 4-Speed Stand Blender (value $129)!

KitchenAid 4-Speed blender with 48-ounce polycarbonate pitcher can crush ice at any speed. This KitchenAid blender allows you to just blend and serve. Patented stainless steel blade chops vegetables, stirs, mixes, purees, and liquefies with its powerful motor. Once you’ve used a KitchenAid blender, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one. The Intelli-Speed controls and adjusts power to compensate for thicker mixtures. Features heavy, die-cast metal base which adds stability. The 48-ounce one-piece pitcher is made of commercial-grade polycarbonate. It is scratch, stain, and shatter-resistant and will last for years to come.

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

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Years ago, when I first started blogging, I had no idea that one day, I’d be personally invited to attend a conference.

A conference that my whole family was welcome to attend. A conference at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

In fact, when telling family and friends that I had been selected to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, their reactions ranged from “That’s totally awesome!” to “You’re sh*tting me, right? They have a conference for that kind of stuff?” Ahem. Indeed they do.

Of course, an invitation to #DisneySMMoms is one you simply can’t refuse. Where else can you celebrate social media, family, friendship and fun – smack in the middle of the most magical place on earth? Surely I have the best job in the world! And so it was with equal parts flattery, curiosity and unbridled joy that I RSVP’ed with a big, fat YES.

(Underscoring my decision was the fact that Ryder’s 5th birthday took place during the conference stay. I reasoned that I’d likely never again be able to say, “Hey dude, let’s go to Disney World for your birthday!”… so that was a huge motivating factor for me. And oh, it was so very magical.)

Of course, as I was a #DisneySMMoms virgin, I really didn’t know what to expect. Sure, the family time and theme park passes were a big draw, but what would I learn from the conference? What would I take away? And most importantly, how could I share those learnings with my audience?

The truth is, the conference was everything I could have hoped for, and more.

Disney Social Media Moms: Top Five Magical Moments

1. Work/Life Balance: I Got This.

Not many parents are fortunate enough to find a career where they can authentically say they’ve achieved a dynamic work/life balance. Usually, it’s either the stresses of our job – or raising our children – that pulls us in a one direction or the other. At the Disney Social Media Moms celebration, I was surrounded by women who’ve found the secret to success: finding a job they love, and one that complements their day-to-day family life. (When was the last time you jetted off to a work conference – with family in tow?) With inspiration from a host of fabulous Moms such as Rene Syler (“If you build it WELL, they will come. SLOPPY doesn’t sell”), Dayna Steele, Shannon Miller (yes, THE Shannon Miller), Catherine Connors and more, I was thrilled to be among women who’ve made their family their business – and business is booming.

2.  A Social Kick in the Butt

One of the main reasons people attend conferences is to be inspired; to learn from others, hear about their best practices, and find ways to incorporate those teachings into our own businesses. And often – especially as moms – we just need to hear those magical words – “Me too.”

But conferences also serve to ignite new ideas, introduce us to new products and services, and remind us that as long as you keep on learning, your potential is limitless. I very much connected with Jackie Huba’s presentation about building our fan bases, based on her book Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers Into Fanatics. Her key takeaways:

1) Focus on your “one percenters.” Gaga spends most of her effort on just 1% of her audience, the highly-engaged superfans who drive word of mouth.
2) Lead with values. Gaga is consistent in her message of being yourself and loving others for who they are. That display of values creates a deep emotional connection.
3) Give them something to talk about. Whether by wearing a meat dress or ‘dying’ in a pool of blood onstage, she knows what will get people talking.

It’s like a huge light bulb went off. Particularly in the world of social media, we constantly spend a large proportion of our time and efforts trying to grow our audience by gaining “likes” and “followers”. However, at the end of the day, it’s the consistent support from your loyal, die-hard readers that will determine – and elevate – your success. I took this message to heart, and two weeks ago, rewarded a small portion of my loyal readers for being followers – and fanatics.

3. #Winning

It’s nice to feel appreciated. And pampered. And special. While many of y’all are used to me featuring items, chatting about products and places that we’ve visited in exchange for a review on my website, it’s seldom that I’m simply gifted with something that I don’t have to work for. That’s why I love a good random prize drawing; it means I have hopes of winning something just for me! At #DisneySMMoms, there were several amazing prizes up for grabs; the perfect way to thank the invitees for spending a day learning at the conference. And guess who happened to win the first prize? It was none other than yours truly! Here’s a photo of me with my runDisney gift basket – although technically, since I’ve now featured it on my blog, I suppose I have a *slight* addiction to providing coverage about awesome things :)

4. Witnessing History in the Making (Take II)

In December 2012, my family was fortunate to have front-row access to the opening of the New Fantasyland. As the crowd cheered and confetti floated to the floor, I realized that my family was part of history. Years from now, when the boys are older and the Fantasyland expansion is just another part of Magic Kingdom, I’ll be able to tell them that they were there.

Last month, at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we witnessed the Coronation of Merida – Brave’s sublime heroine. And once again, I felt a poignant sense of relevance and blessed opportunity; literally steps from Cinderella’s castle, a beautiful ceremony of love and exaltation unfolded before our very eyes. It’s moments like this I’ll never forget; and ones that make #DisneySMMoms truly a celebration.

5. The Disney Difference

Of course you’ve all read about my extraordinary encounter with excellence that is the Disney Difference, however, that was but one example of all the ways our stay was beyond magical. From the courteous park attendants to the ever-jovial characters; the conscientious resort staff to the helpful waiters, we enjoyed every day to the fullest and could not deny the level of care and attention that went into every single detail. And as such, I simply have to thank the team at Disney Social Media Moms who worked tirelessly to make this a magical and pixie dusted event! You have my admiration and respect – Betsy Kay Miratsky, Gary Buchanan, Debby Humphreys LeBlanc, Maria Bailey, Leanne Jakubowski, Michele Himmelberg-Disneyland, Jennifer Delves Wilkes, Josh Hallett and Aubrey Hang!

Well, that’s all folks. A momentous celebration with so many memories that will last a lifetime. #Disney4Life? Oh yeah – and then some.

*Select images courtesy of Josh Hallett @hyku

I’ve been wanting to write this post for some time now; in fact, it’s been on my mind literally every day for the past two weeks. I need to write the birth control post, I’d remind myself every morning. Alas, life happens – and my motivation to write the post fell by the wayside. However, in light of the recent media coverage in Canada about Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills, I figured that maybe it was time to bump this post to the top of my “to-do” list.

Health Canada has received reports of at least 23 young Canadian women who have died while taking one of two commonly prescribed birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin. More than half the reported deaths were in women younger than 26, including one who was 14.

Here’s my disclaimer: I’ve never taken Yaz or Yasmin, and clearly, I am alive and well – hence, have not suffered any lasting or debilitating effects of taking birth control pills. However, I was on the pill for exactly half my life – 17.5 years – with breaks in between for pregnancies and breast feeding. For the most part, it was a wonderful relationship… but when the pill became a pain, I knew I had to stop.

It all started when I was 18 years old. I had a boyfriend… use your imagination… I went on the pill. << I actually feel incredibly awkward writing that because my Mom reads my blog every day. But I was EIGHTEEN, Mom! An adult who was capable of making informed decisions. And when faced with the choice between teen pregnancy or popping a tiny pill once per day, it was an easy one for me.

I’ll never forget the little informational booklet that came with the pack of pills. I was quite certain I had never seen anything so intense in my entire life. The health precautions, the instructions for use, the dedicated section to Oh sh*t I forgot to take a pill now what do I do?. I had that pack of pills for three months before I felt comfortable taking my first – always contemplating if the benefits outweighed the risks.

And for the most part, they did. My body loved the birth control pill (good old Marvelon back in 1996!) and I honestly can’t say I experienced any detrimental side effects at all. My periods – previously highly irregular and crampy as hell – were now on a perfect 28-day cycle, manipulated to start every fourth Monday so I never lost out on a weekend of fun ;) If I had a big event, no biggie – I’d just take the pill straight through to avoid menstruating that month. My periods were lighter, I knew when to expect them, and most importantly, I was fully protected from an unwanted pregnancy.

Life was a bowl of cherries!

Somewhere along the way, I was switched from Marvelon to Alesse. I didn’t question the substitution because a healthy, non-smoker in her twenties had no reason to. However, when I was 26 years old, I experienced my first migraine. I’ll never forget that day; sitting at my computer, trying to put together a slide presentation, I suddenly couldn’t focus on the screen. Bright, jagged, zig-zag lines appeared in my line of vision and suddenly, an overwhelming feeling of malaise took over. I was nauseous, felt a wringing in my ears and was utterly disoriented. Thankfully, a caring co-worker instantly recognized the signs of a migraine “aura” and asked to drive me home. As we waited at a red light just before my street, I jumped out of her car and threw up on the side of the road.

The ensuing headache was gut-wrenching but brief; after about two hours and rest in my dark, quiet room, I slowly felt better and hoped that it was an experience I wouldn’t have to repeat any time soon. At the time, I didn’t have any reason to believe that the birth control pill could have caused the isolated incident, so I continued on my merry way right up to a few weeks before my wedding, when my doctor cautioned that being on the pill without a break for just over 10 years could negatively affect my chances of conception. Since we knew we wanted to start a family in the coming years, I threw caution to the wind and didn’t refill my prescription.

Lesson #1: For every doctor who says it may be hard to get pregnant when coming off the pill after long-term use, there are tons of women like me who get pregnant right away. Like, on the first cycle off the pill. And have no idea they’re pregnant because they assume their period went back to being irregular. And continue to be in denial even when they start tossing their cookies every morning. Memories!

Since Ryder wasn’t breastfed, menstruation resumed about four months after his birth. Of course, the birth control pill was my first choice for contraception, but now, as a mother at age 30, I was a slightly less accommodating when told that Alesse was now substituted with Avianne. I couldn’t help but question why I couldn’t simply continue with the pill I was comfortable with, but the pharmacy no longer carried Alesse, and I couldn’t find one in my area that did. So, since my period had already started and I needed to make a quick decision, I started the new pill.

And, the migraines started too.

They came with a frequency that should have been alarming, but instead, I passed them off as simply a hormonal thing. After all, my body had been through the gambit, and certainly these headaches were a result of the changes that had taken place. I could predict when it was going to rain or snow by the telltale aura and ensuing migraine about 24 hours before the precipitation arrived. If the shower I took was too long or too hot – BAM! – migraine. And in a particularly cruel twist of fate, when I stayed up all night with a crying baby, I was often rewarded with a migraine the next morning.

I was averaging a migraine every ten days, and for the first time, started stockpiling Advil Liquid Gels. Still, I didn’t connect the migraines to the birth control pill, because I had taken it so long without concern. And, I had experienced migraines – albeit infrequently – before having children, and truly believed that it was simply hormones that had exacerbated my condition. Adding credence to that theory: while I was pregnant with and breastfeeding Reid, my migraines disappeared.

My “a-ha!” moment happened last December. After resuming the birth control pill in 2011, and suffering with migraines for most of 2012, I saw a friend’s Facebook post which featured a study linking the birth control pill and stroke in perfectly healthy young women who had one pre-existing condition: migraine with aura.

If you suffer from migraine with aura you should not take the combined oral contraceptive Pill. This is because the combined pill is associated with a very small increased risk of ischaemic stroke. This risk increases when the Pill is taken by women who have additional risks for stroke, such as smoking and migraine with aura. 

Hurriedly, I grabbed a pack of pills and ripped open the enclosed leaflet. And there it was, smack in the middle of that scary instruction booklet – one that I had not read since I was 18 years old, long before migraines were a concern. But I couldn’t deny that in plain English it was stated: although the chances for stroke were small, and unlikely to occur… I was not a fit for the combination birth control pill.

Instantly, I was angry. Just weeks ago, my doctor had prescribed Naproxen for migraines – and Alesse for birth control – on the very same prescription! Months ago, I had complained about migraines to my OB/GYN, who had been prescribing birth control to me for years. Almost two decades. Neither of them perceived my migraines with aura to be any kind of warning sign at all.

Lesson #2: Take your health into your own hands. Armed with this new information, I made a decision for me. While nobody could definitively tell me that the pill was causing my increased, debilitating migraines – nor could they tell me how likely the “very small increased risk of ischaemic stroke” affected me personally, I realized that after 17.5 years, it was time to end my relationship with the birth control pill. On December 24th, I experienced an intense migraine that lasted for days instead of hours. I took it as a sign that I was making the right decision; with only 4 more pills left in my cycle, I couldn’t wait to move on.

December 24th. That was the last time I experienced a migraine. Six months of glorious, pain-free living. Last year at this time, I would have already suffered through 18-20 episodes of pain.

Was the birth control pill responsible? Most likely, though I’m sure having two kids did play a role as well. Perhaps after-birth hormones + synthetic hormones = Lena lying in a dark room popping Advil. Regardless, I feel so good, so strong, so smart for making a decision that was best for me – based on my own research, intuition and desire to question the medication I once took with naïve recklessness.

I’m not exactly sure how this ties in to the recent deaths surrounding Yaz and Yasmin. Perhaps it’s as simple as always being aware of the side effects and complications of the prescription drugs you’re taking, and staying on top of changes in your own body, and how it reacts to medicine immediately – and over time.  And if there’s just one migraine sufferer out there who re-evaluates her use of the birth control pill because of this post, my work here is done. Stay healthy friends.

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Being the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom has its perks. For one, I no longer fear uncapped markers. For two, I’ve readjusted my attitude on wearing brightly coloured shirts while eating strawberries. And finally, I’ve come to accept that while all stains are not created equal – all stains are equally treatable, as long as you have the power of Clorox2.

Now hands up if you’ve embarked on a Stain Adventure? You can win $3,000! Simply choose an adventure on the Clorox2 Stain Adventures Facebook tab, complete the online Contest Entry Form, upload your picture and add a short description. And that’s it! I’ve got a Stain Adventure lined up for this weekend – “eat without utensils”. Oh wait – that’s not Stain Adventure; that’s everyday life.

Of course, another perk of being the Stain Master Mom is sharing AMAZING giveaways like this one – you can enter to win a Clorox2 Prize Pack – including a $100 Visa Gift Card to refresh your laundry room! Of course, if I had enough money (and about 200 more square feet) my laundry room would look like THIS:

… but in the meantime, we’ll just have to settle for some extra spending money and a wealth of amazing Clorox2 products. In addition to the Visa Gift Card, one lucky reader will win:

Clorox2 Original Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid (Qty: 2)

Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster is specifically formulated to work better on tough stains and keep your clothes bright. The liquid is specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. It is designed to be safe for all loads – add it to every load with your detergent for cleaner and brighter clothes. Clorox2 Original Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid is better at removing tough stains vs. the leading detergent alone, including: Coffee - Red Wine - Berry Juice - Spaghetti Sauce - Mustard - Ball Point Ink - Make-up - Dirt

Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Tablets (Qty: 2)

Add Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster tablets to every load with your laundry detergent to remove tough stains and brighten colours.

Clorox2 Stain Remover Spray (Qty: 2)

Clorox2 Stain Remover Spray is specifically designed to pre-treat stains on colours and whites to help you remove tough stains like grass, dirt and more! TripleSolve Technology attacks stains 3 times in every wash to remove tough stains the first time.

Clorox2 Oxi Magic Multi Purpose Stain Remover Powder (Qty: 2)

A stain-fighting powder with the cleaning power of oxygen? That’s Clorox2 Oxi Magic Multi-Purpose Stain Remover Powder. It’s the kind of sorcery Clorox chemists conjure up when they get together, between jokes about inert gasses. And not only does it clean a variety of surfaces in your house, it works great on laundry too.

… for a total value of over $150! Folks, that’s almost a whole year’s worth of stain fighting goodness. Like me, you’ll never fear stains again! To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

With men, there are a few absolutes.

1. Boxers or Briefs?
2. Pretty Boy or Smouldering Stud?
3. Toilet seat, up or down? (DOWN!)

and…

Clean shaven or scruffy?

Me – I’m a clean shaven kind of gal. It’s just much easier to snuggle with a guy when you don’t have to worry about stubble-burn on your face. And since my husband’s stubble resembles a million shards of glass, I tend to endorse a peachy-soft look and feel. Lucky for me, he has never been the Ryan-Gosling-in-The-Notebook type; usually after two days of growing his “beard”, he caves.

Of course, a man who shaves that often, of course he has honed his craft – and does he ever take it seriously! I’m not sure you’ll believe me, but he swears it’s true: he has never used a disposable razor. In his lifetime. (I know, seriously?) From the moment he began to shave, it’s been electric shavers all the way. *Cough – “metrosexual” – cough*

Hence, you can bet that he leapt at the opportunity to review the Philips SensoTouch 3D a couple of years ago. Touted as the “Cadillac of Electric Shavers”, my husband had never before owned a Philips shaver, opting instead for their competitor over the years. You know, the B-word. So not only was it a review of the shaver, but an introduction to the brand as well.

His Findings:

1. Initial discomfort. The package actually stipulates that it can take 2-4 weeks for your skin to get used to the shaver. Since my husband has used an electric shaver all his life, he initially scoffed at this – until he saw that his skin was red, irritated and to quote him, “On fire!” Because he normally shaves dry, I have a feeling that this contributed to the discomfort. Alas, the problem was quickly solved with a bottle of Nivea aftershave balm. After a few weeks, he then enjoyed a comfortable shaving experience.

2. Absolutely clean shave. The shaver leaves no stubble behind. Zero. Zilch. Nada. In fact, to this day, he often asks me to feel his cheek, and I must grudgingly admit that it’s as soft as our 3 year old’s. The Philips SensoTouch 3D takes smooth shaving to a whole new level.

3. His favourite shaver ever. My husband couldn’t believe it took him so long to discover the Philips brand and their enviable products. With the Philips SensoTouch 3D, he shaves in under 3 minutes every morning! Also, he loved the quiet operation, ease of cleaning and incredible battery life (up to 60 minutes of shave time).

That was almost two years ago. And as this Father’s Day rolled around, I wondered if it was time for a replacement. His answer:

“Hell NO. That’s the best electric shaver EVER. Don’t you dare replace it.”

However, he did agree that after repeated use, the SensoTouch 3D was not performing to the standard it once was. And a light bulb went off: why not just replace the head? Since the Philips SensoTouch shavers range in price from $279.99 to $329.99 – but the replacement head is priced at just $69.99 – it’s like gifting him a brand new shaver… for less than half the cost. Win-Win!

Ladies, take a look at your man’s electric shaver before Father’s Day. And consider giving him the gift of great skin; if he’s shaving with anything but a Philips SensoTouch 3D, y’all need to buy him one, stat. And if he’s already lucky enough to own one – why not consider a replacement head? It’ll be the gift that keeps on giving.

Click here to visit Philips.ca.

There are so many buzzwords in social media today: trending, clickability, engagement, advertainment… I could go on. And on.

But the single most overused buzzword? Viral. As in, “My Facebook post went viral! It was liked and shared a gazillion times.”

Amazing! And having a “viral” post or picture is certainly a measurement of success – one that should be both applauded and respected. (Unless you’re spamming people with voting requests, “earn $100/hour” ads or funny animal pictures. Then you’re not a viral success; you’re a douche.)

Unfortunately, I’ve never experienced the high of having a viral post or image, but I have received amazing feedback and engagement from a few posts in particular. It’s a nice feeling! Of course, when I published the following picture last Thursday, clearly I had no idea it would be received so well…

It’s just a photo of me and the Director of Menu Management at McDonald’s Canada, Anne Parks – from the post They Came. They Tasted. They Savoured the Flavour. I didn’t think much about it until over the course of the next few days, my inbox was filled with questions about my hair, beauty routine, makeup and wardrobe. Er… I’m flattered, friends!

And while I would normally just respond to e-mails individually, I thought this was a great way to share the “secrets” of my beauty routine. (Prepare to be underwhelmed. Seriously – I’m pretty much no-frills and no-fuss.) Below is a collection of questions I received stemming from the photo I posted on Thursday – except the first, which I received a few weeks ago and just had to include!

Hi Gorgeous – Do you do botox?!? Your skin is flawless. Secret safe with me if its a yes – please tell me where you go! xo – R

LOL! I wish I was interesting enough to have a reason to botox, but alas, the kindergarten carpool in sweatpants does not necessitate a smooth and wrinkle-free forehead. I am, however, blessed with good genes – and I do use a “miracle” cream called Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum. It is seriously the best thing you can ever put on a problem area; just a few dabs on fine lines and they disappear like magic.

Since I only use it from time to time (usually for big events), I’ve had the same bottle for almost three years! A little goes a looong way.

Love your orange dress! Where did you get it? – A

It’s my “little orange dress” from the Old Navy Fall/Winter 2013 collection. A steal at under $30; it originally came paired with a black belt, but I swapped it for a pink belt to add a punch of fun colour!

Hi Lena! Love your pictures! I’m desperate for a good foundation and I’ve got the same tanned skintone, though you’re a little darker. If you don’t mind me asking, can you recommend a foundation or share what you use? – J

Er… I actually don’t use foundation. (Good genes, remember?) I dab a little concealer under my eyes (my go-to is Vasanti Liquid Cover Up in V3). It’s a light formula that blends seamlessly into the skin, and because I do have a darker complexion, under-eye circles are my biggest beauty nemesis. Otherwise, I skip the foundation/powder and simply go with a little blush (CARGO Beach Blush).

Hey Lena – your eyes really pop in the photo you just posted! Tips for making eyes stand out? – V

Absolutely. First and foremost, make sure you have perfectly groomed brows. The very purpose of your eyebrows are to frame your eyes and allow them to stand out. If you have sparse, thin or wonky eyebrows, it’ll be hard for your eyes to be front and center. So, find a great tweezer (I recommend Tweezerman) and a great brow pencil (I love CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers).

Next, I think I’ve found my absolute favourite mascara ever. Seriously, it’s true love. It’s L’Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes. I endorse this claim in its entirety: For lashes that look a million times multiplied and perfectly defined, there’s only one mascara – NEW Voluminous Million Lashes. The built-in Clean Sweep Wiping System wipes the brush free of clumps leaving the perfect amount of mascara for an ultra-volumized clean lash look. The Millionizing Brush evenly thickens lashes from root to tip. The result? Lashes look so multiplied, so clean, it’s like seeing millions. Love, love, LOVE it.

Nice picture but I prefer you better with dark hair! – A

That’s not really a question, but thank you! I know many prefer me with dark hair – including God, who obviously created me that way! The thing is, I feel better with light hair. With my highlights I speak differently, act differently, see the world differently. My entire persona changes, and I just have a greater sense of being “Lena”. I feel more vivacious, spunky and lighthearted. It’s just so me.

Hi! Love your blog Lena! Are you wearing lipstick or lipgloss in your recent pic? Where can I find it? – T

I’m wearing Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Berry Blast – you can find it at Sephora! There is a plumping element to the lip gloss, so get ready to feel a minty tingle when applied.

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to contact me with a question, kudo or compliment. No, it’s not a viral picture… but y’all obviously loved it, so thank you! Also, for those who have been too shy to e-mail me with questions, obviously there’s no need to hold back – I receive messages all the time and am happy to chat with you! xoxo