Crayola

December 3, 2011 2 Comments

imageTHE WHAT: Crayola Pop Art Pixies – Ice Chandelier

THE HOW: Tweens create their own room decor with this all inclusive kit of craft fun.

THE REVIEW:  Good for the 10 and up crowd this kit is an activity and decoration.  Hands-on creative.

 

THE OTHER WHAT: Crayola® Pop Art Pixies™ Fab Snap Wristlet

THE HOW: Snap on decorations on this cool mini purse.

THE REVIEW: Perfect for the 8 and up kid (who might not be so crafty but wants to be).  Simple layer and snap makes this easy yet chic.

THE BONUS: Crayola.com has tons of great activity how-tos, colouring pages, games ideas and more to help entertain the kids (think: birthday parties, rainy days, school vacation).

Filed Under: activities, Product Reviews 2 Comments

Parent Club Reviews: Doodle Strap

December 2, 2011 Leave a Comment

THE WHAT: Doodle Strap

THE HOW: Attach it to your stroller, high chair or anywhere else you need to keep track
of your child’s belongings and your sanity.

THE WHY: Because kids drop stuff.  They also launch stuff.

THE REVIEW:  Durable, practical and sanity saving the Doodle Stap comes in all kinds of handy to parents.  Ever been to a restaurant where you baby keeps dropping toys on the much-walked-upon-floor?! Doodle Strap to the rescue - simply attach the toys (or sippy cup or whatever) to one end of the Doodle Strap and the other to the restaurant high chair.

Also works really well on strollers.  (Idea! loop the strap through your baby blanket and the hook to the stroller to keep blankets from being pushed off onto the sidewalk as you stroll…because some babies (mine) does that).

Made in North America by a Mom.  Great baby shower gift!

Twitter: @doodle_strap  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/doodlestrap

Filed Under: parenting, Product Reviews, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Finding the perfect gift for baby

November 24, 2011 1 Comment

Having just “had” a baby (ugh – he will be celebrating his 1st birthday soon so I guess just had is wrong wording at this point) I am often asked for recommendations for baby gifts.  My personal opinion, for babes under 1, something fun, durable, musical and action-packed to grow their attention skills.

My most favourite shameless recommendation is Fisher-Price Topzy Tumblers Twirlin’ Tumblin’ Fun Park (and I told you all about it over HERE) it is by far my dear son’s favourite toy. And at almost 11 months – he has started to play with it on his own – putting the tumblers at the top of the ramp and watching them roll down.  He can also start is on his own by touching the rattle spinner at the bottom.  It is hilarious to watch him PLAY.

I also shamelessly recommend Fisher-Price Peek A Blocks because they are within a family friendly budget.  Perfect size for little hands – you can play with them on their own, stack them, jiggle them (and they fit in the diaper bag oh so well!).

And if you are really at loose ends for finding a baby gift – check out fisherpriceplay.ca (where you may spy me and dear son) and also use their find the right toy module which connects you to the perfect toy (from babies and older!)

Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Filed Under: #FisherPriceMoms, Feature, Parent Club, Product Reviews 1 Comment

Parent Club Review: Snugabye

November 21, 2011 1 Comment

imageTHE WHAT: Snugabye Convert-A-Foot (for Mom and baby)

THE HOW: Now the fleecy goodness of Snugabye comes in ladies’ loungewear size

THE WHY: Because louging is good

THE REVIEW:  Sleepers for grown-ups?! Yes, it is true.  Snugabye has recognized that Moms need comfort and warmth in their downtime and has delivered with a convert-a-foot in 8 colour styles.

Comfortable, warm, super washable and roomy – Snugabye is the perfect thing for Mom to change into after a busy day on the go.  And a perfect snuggle companion to the infant and kid snugabyes we all know (and have in the kids’ drawers).

Follow them on twitter @Snugabye or like them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Snugabye

BONUS: you can get big kid sizes convert a foot pants (not the whole sleeper) to keep your big kids warm without the “it’s for babies!” whine.

Snugabye is a Canadian company (and we do love to support Canadian companies!) and with a $5 flat fee shipping rate across the country – this is a great holiday gift choice.

Disclosure: I was provided Snugabye lougewear (as pictured) for this review. It is cuddle-a-ble!

Filed Under: Feature, Product Reviews 1 Comment

Parent Club Review: Sleep Huggers

November 4, 2011 Leave a Comment

THE WHAT: Sleep Huggers Canadian Made sleep sacks for infants to toddlers

THE WHY:  It’s not often that Parent Club searches out a product but we searched high and low for an infant sleep sack and just had to share this great find!

THE BENFITS:

      • no more blankets which means a safer sleeping environment for baby
      • keeps body temperature constant
      • V neck opening keeps zipper away from baby’s neck
      • Inverted zipper (opens from top to bottom) makes diaper changing easier and makes it harder for kids’ to self-unzip
      • Machine washable and dryer safe.

THE REVIEW: Sleep Huggers peaked interest because it was mom-made and Made in Canada (thus we added it to the Parent Club Mom-Made Gift guide).  For this review we test-drove a quilted sleep hugger.

With a baby who sleeps like a tsunami (waves of motion!) a baby blanket just doesn’t stay on…but you know what…the Sleep Hugger stayed put!  The constant temperature of the Sleep Hugger (or Huggie as my kids call it) keeps my son warm and cozy on the chilliest of Canadian winter nights.

My favourite feature is the inverted zipper which is great for fast nighttime diaper changes (and it hasn’t unzipped on its own once!).  Dear son also got into the habit of getting his feet stuck in the crib bars making him wake (and cry) – the Sleep Hugger solves that problem.

2nd fav. feature is the V neck which gives lots of room for comfort but keeps the core nice and warm.

Parent Club highly recommends the Sleep Hugger for your next holiday, baby shower or birthday gift for infant/baby.

Find Sleep Huggers on Facebook

Filed Under: Feature, Parent Club Mom-Made Gift Guide, parenting, Product Reviews Leave a Comment

My BlackBerry Back story

November 2, 2011 1 Comment

Back story:  my old, hand-me down, BlackBerry died in June.  Le mort.  It had a long and good life (years and years of life actually).  And, I’ll be honest, this summer I cheated on RIM with some meaningless, other smart device, flings.

I tried an android (which wouldn’t work with my e-mail thus my summer of late replies). He was sleek but took forever to start up (and who wants to wake up with someone lazy?) #FAIL

I tried an i-phone (which didn’t have an auto off at night – battery was constantly low).  He was good but his screen kept turning my “the” into “tge” which drove me insane. #FAIL

And in all my cheating…I kept comparing…and every new device kept coming up short.  BlackBerry can you forgive me? I was wrong.

I know all those other devices had big apps (but sometimes a girl doesn’t need big she needs fast, powerful and constant. over. and. over.)

I went astray and in my cheating I realized what I need most.  I need auto on/off.  I need a keypad.  I need vibration*.

*so not to wake the baby!  obviously.

I’m ashamed to say I texted around this summer.  But I’m back in bed with BlackBerry.

And if you want me to prove it – PIN me - I’ll vibrate – I mean my BlackBerry 7 will vibrate – obviously I meant the BB7 :-)

Disclosure: RIM provided a BlackBerry 7 smartphone.  This is part 1 of a review series.
Filed Under: Parent Club, Product Reviews, Technology 1 Comment

Chariot Carriers: a stroller like no other

October 27, 2011 1 Comment

chariotcarriers.com

THE WHAT: Chariot Carriers – Couger 1

THE CANADA:  Every Chariot Carrier is proudly designed  in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

THE HOW: 17+ years specializing in the outdoor transportation of children

THE COOL:  With one stroller (and the separately sold accessories) you can stroll, jog, bike, pull and ski with your child

The couger comes as a single or double stroller

THE FEATURES:  We were provided a Chariot Couger 1  for this review.

  • 5 point harness
  • sunshade
  • UV blocking poly-urethane windows
  • 3M™ Reflective Material
  • Rear storage compartment (can hold two 4 litre bottles of milk no problem!)
  • Foot activated parking brake
  • Heightright™ Handlebars
  • Quickclip™ weathercover (I LOVE this feature!)
  • and much much more (click HERE to see how much more)

THE REVIEW:  Well, to be honest – they got me at DESIGNED IN CANADA (love buying local!).  This is truly a solid transportation system.  It turns easily, pushes effortlessly and stops on a dime.  Though it is a large frame it is lightweight.

For me (as a stroller pushing Mom) my favourite feature on the Couger 1 is the Quickclip™ weathercover because it protects so completely against wind, rain and snow (really – had the baby out it in today – on a windy, rainy day and he was dry as dry could be).

Sometimes when you buy a jogging stroller you give up your storage.  Not with Chariot!  There is ample storage in the back container along with a mesh pocket for extra storage.

The ability to purchase separate kits makes this stroller adapt well to different family lifestyles.  I admit, several times this past summer we were sad not to go on family bike rides…but we plan on buying the bike kit which turns the Couger 1 into a bike trailer…for bike rides next summer.  (if you are a snow walk/ski sort of family – the ski kit would do you well in the coming months!)

The weight capacity of the Couger goes to 34kg / 75lbs which means that this one transportation system can have a long life with your active family.

Yes it can fold (I know you were wondering).  It also passes through the aisles of major stores (did it!).  From the look on my dear boy’s face it is a very comfortable ride.

Click here to find out where to buy.

Disclosure: We were provided a Chariot Carrier Couger 1 for review.  And it really does have enough storage for two 4 litre bottles of milk!

Filed Under: family field trips, Feature, Product Reviews 1 Comment

Green Works Green Home Challenge

October 20, 2011 17 Comments

Cleaning fairies DO exist!  This awesome giveway is for a 3 hour professional cleaning of your own home.  Yes, you read it right…THREE HOURS of professional house cleaning…pretty awesome n’est pas?!

THE WHAT: A 3 hr home cleaning featuring Green Works cleaning products

THE WHY: Because families live in homes and homes need to be clean

THE ENTRY:  Enter via the rafflecopter form below [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature, Giveaway, Product Reviews 17 Comments

Mark’s Work Warehouse and Skechers – style and comfort for Mom

October 14, 2011 Leave a Comment

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I would like to thank Mark’s Work Warehouse and Skechers for allowing me the opportunity to be an ambassador for their brands at She’s Connected and Blissdom Canada.

I LOVE the no-iron quality clothing found at Mark’s Work Warehouse (because modern moms don’t iron – we tumble dry).  When choosing wardrobe for the conferences I remembered  I wore the more comfortable dress ever worn  - and  it packs like a dream.

 And look in our front cupboard and you will see Skechers in kid sizes, Mom size and Dad size.  Really.  Skechers takes my family where they need to go in style.

 

Filed Under: #BlissdomCanada, Feature, Mark's Work Warehouse, Parent Club, Product Reviews, Skechers Leave a Comment

Skechers is back to school ready

September 19, 2011 Leave a Comment

THE WHAT: Skechers Twinkle Toes

THE HOW: They light up!

THE REVIEW: Think light up shoes are just for baby?  These funky phat cool shoes were da bomb with my 8 and 10 year old (and their friends).

Oh and there is a boy version too.

Parents are all on the look out for back to school shoes – and skechers has delivered with shoes that fit moms’ budget yet fit kids’ style.

These are everyday worn by my big kids (and the baby likes to follow those light up shoes around! – see picture below).   Back to school approved!

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(excuse the baby's head in the bottom corner)

Filed Under: Feature, Parent Club, Product Reviews Leave a Comment

Lil’ Zoomers | #playpanel

September 17, 2011 Leave a Comment

THE WHAT: Lil’ Zoomers™ Spinnin’ Sounds Speedway™

THE AGE: 6M+

THE LEARNING: eye tracking, cause & effect, sensory development

THE REVIEW: The cars are a great toy just on their own!  The roller balls ensure there aren’t any little wheel bits that might break off during play. Perfect size for little hands to grasp too.

The track has lots of extras to touch, turn and tap.  We did find that the sounds of the racetrack were a bit loud for dear son (read: he is startled everytime).

Of course Fisher-Price has 2 sound levels to make the startle-ing a bit easier.  Thanks Fisher-Price.

 

Filed Under: #playpanel, Feature, Parent Club, Product Reviews Leave a Comment
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