Saying I have an addiction to lip gloss and lip balm is putting it lightly. VERY lightly.

In fact, after spending last Sunday afternoon decluttering my makeup bins – a chore that took most of the afternoon and tested all of my husband’s patience – I was able to whittle down the pile to the “bare essentials”… you know, the stuff I need on a daily basis.

My name is Lena and I’m addicted to lip stuff.

You’ll notice that I don’t actually own any lipstick (sooo 1994) but instead, have hoarded every shiny, sparkly, goopy, glorious lip gloss and lip balm known to mankind (I have a separate drawer for my 32 Lip Smackers and “occasional” glosses). It actually took all my strength to dispose of about 20 additional products, but as my husband so eloquently put it: “Either they go or I go. Get all that sh*t out of here NOW.” (more…)

Don’t even think of looking at these pictures if you haven’t read my “Danier: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” post. It is necessary to completely understand my yearning before you can fully appreciate my jubilation.

Et voila! I received a most anticipated phone call this afternoon: my Danier coat was in! Price tag: a cool $249, down from $699 (that’s a savings of $450, or 65% off! #squee). I couldn’t wait to try it on and persuaded Melissa, the very lovely Danier associate at Erin Mills Town Centre, to take a few quick pics.

Apologies in advance for the lack of makeup (shopping on a Wednesday night), UGGs (again, shopping on a Wednesday night) and RoboCop pose (I was trying to highlight the detailing on the arms).

Verdict: Best purchase of 2012. Maybe ever.

Oodles of thanks to Beata and her entire team at Erin Mills Danier – especially Melissa. Not only did she handle my frantic request for a transfer with professionalism and grace, but when I arrived at the store – even though her shift was over – Melissa stayed to help me try on the coat, chat with me about how awesome it is (this alone took about 17 minutes) and complete the sale. LOVE LOVE LOVE my new winter coat!

If I had to list the top three requests I receive on a fairly regular basis, they would have to be:

1) Do you wax, pluck or thread your eyebrows?
2) Can you please send me the link for your Spiced Pear Cake?
3) Where can I find affordable – and stylish - kids decor in Canada?

While the first two questions are very easily answered, I’ve always struggled with the third. Truth is, it’s not hard to find affordable kids decor in Canada; if you’re looking for bright basics and uninspired styling, just about any major retailer will have you covered. But what about contemporary design? Bold prints and bright patterns? Adorable that borders on edgy? Sure, a certain Swedish furniture giant usually gets it right, but the fact is, locations can be hard to come by for Canadians – and I don’t recommend driving 2 hours to pick up a $6.99 “KUSINER” box.

And so from the team of designers at Joe Fresh (squee!), introducing Jump Kids World – a line of decor, furniture and accessories that give kids a chance to design their own lives. From Decor Hooks to Animal Storage Cubes, Interlocking Mats to Character Hooded Towels, there are over 60 new pieces that will take your child’s living spaces from drab to fab in moments – at incredibly, ridiculously, too-good-to-be-true affordable prices. (more…)

Sometimes, it’s the parent who needs to be scolded.

This morning began like most others. Wash the kids, clothe the kids, feed the kids, keep the kids from killing each other… and so on. Except I learned a valuable lesson I won’t soon forget, courtesy of Ryder – my lovely, sensitive, incredibly perceptive little guy.

It happened while I was (trying) to help them change out of their pajamas. Reid was running around my bedroom, and I swear that kid is so fast and so small it’s like trying to catch a greased pig. As he continually dodged my advances, Ryder ran in front of me, taunting me less heartily but highly annoying nonetheless. Well, after about 30 seconds of a game that felt like 30 minutes, I’d had enough. Grabbing Ryder by his shoulders, I steadied him and yanked his pants and undies down in one swift movement, puling them from around his ankles and tossing them into a clothes hamper behind me.

And then Ryder looked at me. It was a combination of shock and pure disgust; a look reserved for someone who had just slapped you across the face. And then he began to cry – tears of frustration, shame and embarrassment. He wailed and hid behind my dresser, trying to pull his pajama top down over his torso.

It was then that I realized that by unceremoniously yanking down his pants, I had humiliated him – robbing him of his dignity as he stood there naked from the waist down.

It had never occurred to me that a 3 year old could be embarrassed.
I have never considered myself a bully.
I will never make him feel cold and shamed again.

And so today, in humiliating my son, I learned a lesson in humility.

(I’m sorry, sweet Ryder.)

UPDATE!!! While shopping at Urban Barn this past weekend, I was reminded of an ol’ favourite, and quite frankly the *PERFECT* way to incorporate tangerine into your home decor. It’s the Laughing Buddha! Now who doesn’t feel instantly uplifted and joyful?

“The Laughing Buddha is one of the most popular symbols used by Feng Shui Consultants for enhancing the good luck and wealth. Laughing Buddha is also known as Happy Buddha or Matreiya. This Buddha is regarded as one of the gods of wealth and keeping this symbol at home is said to bring prosperity, happiness and success, while keeping this figurine at the place of business is said to enhance business and money luck. Laughing Buddha absorbs negative Chi and emanates positive energies.” – Source: Hubpages.com

Mmmkay, on trend AND a symbol of prosperity? YES PLEASE! Urban Barn’s Laughing Buddha retails for $37 and is also available in glossy turquoise, white, red and pink (but there’s only ONE colour of 2012… ergo, go for the tangerine). And now to consult an expert in Feng Shui – I need to make sure this little Buddha is perfectly placed!

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming…

You know how multiple sources predicted the demise of Kim Kardashian’s marriage to whats-his-name?

Sure, I would have taken that bet.

Another sure thing? Spring 2012′s “it” colour – Tangerine. Far and wide declared the hottest hue for the upcoming season, vivid bursts of the fiery colour have been seen everywhere from the runway to home decor. In fact, Pantone named “Tangerine Tango” the 2012 Color of the Year.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

I love tangerine/orange shades and am thrilled that the colour is making a revival for Spring  - especially after the long, dreary winter months. Wondering how you can incorporate the lively hue into your lifestyle to stay on trend? I’ve spent the morning scouring the ‘net for some affordable, easily accessible ideas that will energize your wardrobe and perk up your living spaces. Now orange you glad you popped by? (more…)

Note: The following giveaway open to Canadian residents only.

Update: Thanks to everyone who requested a sample of the NEW Hydro Silk razor – all 50 have been allocated. BUT, here’s your chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Since us Northern gals love our leggings, stockings, knee-high boots and various other cold weather add-ons, I feel completely justified in asking this question: how many of y’all have shaved your legs this year?

(What? It’s WINTER, and we’re only 23 days into 2012… so… nobody?)

Frost season is definitely a good time to skip the razor and slack on beauty routines. So when I was contacted by Schick to test out their NEW Hydro Silk disposable razor, I felt good that the product would indeed be reviewed under rigorous conditions… as in, my legs haven’t seen a razor since the quote “Luke, I am your father” was uttered. Well, not quite that long, but you get my drift. (more…)

Here’s a moist, delish Poppy Seed Bread which will have you snubbing Starbucks for your 3:00pm fix. And… it’s definitely not $1.95 a slice, either – which is highway robbery, by the way. You could likely make TWO whole loaves for about $5.00 #cheapo

I originally stumbled upon this Allrecipes.com gem while looking for a light-tasting dessert which could be served with coffee. Et voila! This bread is scrumptious even without the glaze – but you only live once :) (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Today, millions of people around the world will celebrate Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays; in China, it is known as “Spring Festival.” This year, Year of the Dragon, we’re celebrating the only mythological and “free spirit” of the Chinese Zodiac. Intense!

If you’re looking to celebrate tonight – or any night – and would like a little help in the kitchen, VH Sauces offer a quick, easy and tasty solution for bringing a little culture into your cuisine. Tonight, why not try out Hoisin Meatballs with Pineapple or Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip for some Chinese New Year inspired meals. VH Sauces helps my family create healthy, delicious meals on the fly – perfect for those weekday nights when I’m craving take-out but want a more nutritious (and wallet-friendly) option. Plus, I love that the boys are introduced to different tastes and textures – they love almost every Asian cuisine I make, especially if it’s liberally doused in delicious VH Sauce!

To celebrate Chinese New Year tonight, we’re doing a little “East Meets West” with Honey Garlic Chicken Wings! I simply marinate the wings in the cooking sauce for 2 hours, and then bake them at 400 degrees Celcius until done. I’ll also reduce extra cooking sauce on the stove until it’s thick and sticky, and then baste the wings when they come out of the oven. YUM!

Of course, if you’re on the go and don’t have time to deal with pots, pans and dishes, do try VH Steamers. They’re Asian-inspired meals ready in less than 5 minutes and steamed to perfection! Available in Kung Pao Chicken, Shanghai Ginger Beef (my fave!), Honey Sesame Chicken, Chicken Teriyaki, Thai Chicken and Shrimp (think I’d love this too – a must try!) and Zesty Orange Chicken, they’re quick and tasty, perfect for lunch at the office or busy school nights.

Click here to visit VH Sauces and Steamers.

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Listen to Lena reader will win a Chinese New Year gift pack valued at $60! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us what is your favourite VH Sauce/Steamer flavour.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Add Listen to Lena on Google Plus
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena on Facebook
(3) Follow Listen to Lena on Twitter
(4) “Like” VH on Facebook
(5) Tweet daily about this giveaway; Please use this VH Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on February 10th. Good luck everybody!

I am participating in the VH Chinese New Year Celebration program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of VH.  I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

For most Canadians, snow hasn’t been a major concern this winter… yet. With measurements of the white stuff in record lows, I’ve been crossing my fingers that we can bypass this whole winter wonderland thing entirely. I know, wishful thinking.

A few months ago, anticipating that I’d eventually have to face the cold hard truth, I started shopping for Ryder’s new boots. The thing is, I didn’t really know where to begin. We had long been fans of flexible-soled footwear, but with his feet growing at an alarming rate (size 11 already! He’s only 3 years old!) Ryder was well out of toddler tootsies.

So I asked moms of school aged children – which boots should I buy for my little guy with big feet?

Surprisingly, a LOT of them responded with “SKECHERS”.

Really? When I think of SKECHERS, I think of the Shape-ups walking shoes that help my butt stay fabulous. I also think of seriously hot casual shoes, comfy semi-formal shoes, and super cute winter boots. For women. To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know that SKECHERS made boots for little boys.

Turns out I was living under a rock. And not just any rock, but the Rock of Gibraltar. Because apparently, not only does SKECHERS make boy’s boots, but they also happen to be an industry leader, and their entire line of boy’s footwear has quite the cult following. #oops

What makes them so special? Consider this:

Waterproof leather and synthetic upper
Textured leather with smooth and metallic synthetic overlays
Waterproof seam sealed design
Three strap front for easy adjustment
Adjustable hook and loop closures for easy access
Padded collar and padded gussetted tongue
Soft fabric boot lining with durable fabric front panel
Insulated with 200g Thinsulate(R) lightweight thermal material
Temperature rated to -10 degrees F/-20 degrees C
Shock absorbing midsole
Flexible rubber lug traction outsole

There’s more (seriously!). See the entire list of features here.

And so when we received the very cool Boys’ Wyndham – Bartel to check out, let’s just say we were both thrilled to bits. I loved them for – well, everything listed above – and Ryder, who has recently become very fashion conscious, loves his new look. Because we just recently had our first snowfall which actually stuck to the ground, the little guy had a chance to model them for me! (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It’s no secret that for the past couple of weeks, we’ve been trading sickness here chez Lena. First Ryder, then myself, followed by Reid, and finally my husband succumbed. What a complete disaster! The good news is that we’re all on the mend, and in the meantime, I was enjoying delectable snacks courtesy of La Crème Cow.

Okay, I suppose “enjoying” is putting it lightly; I was actually participating in the snacking Olympics. La Crème Cow on crackers. La Crème Cow on toast. La Crème Cow stirred into pasta sauce. La Crème Cow mixed into a dip. And I even received a wonderful tip from fellow blogger Deborah from Raising My Boys - La Crème Cow in scrambled eggs! Yum!

“Parmalat Canada is excited to be introducing La Crème Cow – a new line of spreadable snack cheese adults will love, whether on-the-go or sharing with friends. Available in three delicious flavours; Original, Light and Parmesan and Peppercorn, each wedge of cheese has a delicious mild taste with a very smooth and creamy texture. La Crème Cow spreadable cheese is a great everyday snack option because it is convenient – each piece is individually wrapped and can easily be stored and spread on whatever you enjoy.” (more…)

A few days ago, I accepted a fun-filled mission to make a recipe using Equal Sweetener. As I’ve never cooked with Equal, and since I love shaking things up in the kitchen, I looked forward to selecting a recipe and giving it a go.

Now I assumed that I’d be leafing through a bunch of baked goodies, but was pleasantly surprised to find many savory dishes showcased on Equal Canada’s Facebook Page. Gingered Chicken with Vegetables. Dillicious Salmon Saute. Barbecued Beans. Jamaican Curried Rice. Is your mouth watering yet?

I settled on Asian Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry because we love stir-frys (so healthy and flavourful!) and anything Asian is always a hit chez Lena. The recipe called for 2 tablespoons Equal Spoonful or Granulated – or 3 packets of Equal sweetener, so I took a little shopping trip a few days ago, which you’ll remember from my post entitled Loblaws, #EqualCanada and The Weekend #CBias.

Fast forward to our dinner this evening. (more…)

A few months ago, much to my chagrin, I found myself in Danier.

Now don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I dislike the store or merchandise, or frankly, have somewhere else I’d rather shop. The problem – ergo, the basis of my chagrin – lies in the fact that when I do visit Danier, I tend to want a lot of stuff.

Jackets.
Accessories.
Blazers.
Handbags.
Skirts.
Gloves.

Oh my!

On this particular visit, I found myself staring straight ahead in a concerted effort to avoid eye contact with a certain to-die-for leather jacket. Must.not.try.it.on.

Unfortunately, I ended up with an eyeful of the most gorgeous winter-lined coat I had ever laid eyes on.

“With its statement double fox fur collar (!!) and smocked detailing, this lightweight techno fabric coat screams ‘gotta-have-it’. Winter lining insulation, a hidden zippered placket and zippered pockets are practical touches. Wear it over a soft jersey maxi skirt or slim leggings depending on your mood.”

Against my better judgement, I tried it on. And it was love at first sight.

Was it the smocked detailing I fell in love with? The slim, tapered fit? Or was it the very fetching fox fur collar? (Don’t tell PETA. I swear, swear this is the only time I would consider wearing fur. I swear.) Regardless, I felt like a million bucks in it. I HAD to have it!

Of course, priced at $699, I had to put it back. After calculating that the coat would actually cost closer to $800 ($791 with tax), I just knew that there was no room in the budget for a garment at that price tag.

However, knowing that Danier is VERY good at placing items on sale, I waited.

Tick tock tick tock. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

You know how some posts write themselves? Here we go: Chocolate.

(And I’m out.)

Seriously though, if there’s one thing every gal desires, it’s the decadent, sensuous and indulgent taste of chocolate. In fact, given the choice of eating chocolate or doing the deed, 70% of women responded that they’d rather curl up with Mr. Lindt than Mr. Right. Since my husband sometimes reads my blog, I won’t tell you which side I’m on. And the fact that I’m not telling you is very telling, isn’t it?

The Body Shop must be very in tune with our love for the sweet stuff, because just in time for Valentine’s Day and Easter, their new Chocomania bath and body range is here! The products will be available February 6th, so consider this your sneak peek!

(more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Goedenavond! (That’s “Good Evening” in Dutch! …. I think.)

So why do I have Holland on my mind? It’s all thanks to OPI’s NEW Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. And since it won’t be in stores until February 8th, consider this your sneak peek!

Now I don’t know about you, but winter has barely begun and I’m already OVER it. Instead of dull blues and bleak grays, I’d much rather dream about electric brights, pretty pinks and glistening purples. And it just so happens that all these luscious hues appear in OPI’s Holland Collection.

Also très cool: the colours were inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals. (There’s even a shade named after their famous clogs!) The collection’s twelve (12) shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights. In two words: zeer ontzagwekkend (super awesome).

“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.” (more…)

The following giveaway is open to US/CAN residents.

Baby, it’s cold outside.

(Technically, it’s a balmy 4 degrees Celsius in Toronto. And raining cats and dogs. But, it’s cold overall, k?)

Time to pull on my fuzzy socks, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and relax with my Warm Buddy Body Wrap. BLISS.

Now if you haven’t heard of Warm Buddy, you are 1) new to my blog and 2) missing out LARGE.

Warm Buddy Company was founded by Karen McKee. Her background as a Registered Nurse, combined with her interest in alternative therapies, herbal medicine and aromatherapy, led to studies in India at a natural healing hospital. She noted the hospital’s application of herbal preparations and heat therapy to provide comfort and relief for many conditions.

Upon her return to Canada, Karen discovered a heat wrap that was microwaveable and loved using it – so easy and comforting. An idea was born.