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.

(more…)

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? (more…)

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! (more…)

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.

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.

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. (more…)

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 (more…)

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! (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

No really. I’m about to go on and on about a washer/dryer duo, and I promise you – it’s fascinating.

(Fascinating! I swear! Think about it – the average mother spends FIVE MONTHS of her life doing laundry. I found this statistic in the Daily Mail UK so it’s totally legit-ish. And for any woman who spends that much time in the laundry room, it’d better be fascinating. Correction: it’d better Rock Your World.)

So this happened. A few weeks ago, two brawny, buff men knocked on my door and announced that they had a special delivery. My first thought: men of that size could only be offering a big, fat Publisher’s Clearing House cheque – but alas, before I could question their credentials (or fix my hair for the inevitable camera crew), they swept upstairs and confiscated my washer/dryer. Seriously! They took my washing machine.

Next, the laundry fairies (as I’ve since dubbed them) replaced the set with a brand, spanking new Maytag Maxima XL Front Load Steam Washer and Maytag Maxima XL HE Steam Dryer.

(Technically, since I have a stacked laundry setup on the second floor, the laundry fairies didn’t necessarily float up the stairs. And there may or may not have been some grunting involved. But you get the picture.)

So now I’m the proud new owner of a washer/dryer duo that I’m sure made a cameo in Back to the Future and possibly includes a secret passage to Narnia. (*EDIT* There is no secret passage to Narnia.)

Of course, no sooner than I had finished “oohing” and “ahhing” over my new set, THIS landed in my inbox:

Embrace the Mayhem with Maytag’s Online Blogger Challenge!

Do laundry at least four times from May 31 – June 6 and see how much time, effort and aggravation your Maytag Maxima saves you. Pair different load types (i.e. large, small, whites, darks or delicates) with various Maytag Maxima XL features (i.e. Wrinkle Prevent, Auto Refresh Steam Cycle, Allergen Removal or Optimal Dose Dispenser). For bonus points, test out the unique Maytag PowerWash Cycle, using extra cleaning action, a built-in water heater and a thorough rinse to rid clothes of tough stains. Pair it with the Maytag Steam-Enhanced Dryer feature which uses steam throughout the drying cycle, and your clothes will come out looking relaxed and refreshed. Don’t forget to take notes so that you can write about your laundry experience in your blog post. 

Durr… I knew there was a catch! I’ll never trust strange delivery men again! But suddenly, I found myself caught up in the fast-paced, high-stakes, winner-take-all #MaytagBloggerChallenge. Do laundry at least four times? Check. Learn about the features? Check. Test out the Maytag PowerWash Cycle? Oh boy, that is definitely a check. Maytag, I accept your challenge! (more…)

What is it about food posts that make my tummy rumble in defiance? I’m this close to sending the husband out for a Signature McWrap right now.

If you’re a loyal reader (my favourite kind!), you’ll know that two weeks ago, I hosted an intimate event with Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Toronto. We enjoyed a picnic-style lunch, chatted menu inspiration and sampled the NEW Signature McWrap.

Now I could go on about how much I adore the tasty, generously-portioned, fresh and fully customizable McWrap, but why not see what my fellow social media friends had to say?

The verdict: two thumbs WAY up. In fact, I recently met up with Mara and Deborah at another event, and the conversation quickly turned to how much we enjoyed noshing on our Signature McWrap. Chatting about a McDonald’s menu item while sipping mojitos? You bet!

Highlights from the Signature McWrap picnic:

- Anne Parks. The amazing Anne Parks. Not only did she give us an inside glimpse into how she chooses menu items for McDonald’s Canada, but she stayed with us through the entire luncheon, chatted about food, answered countless questions, and even gave us tips and tricks for making good food great. She was informative, engaging, and truly an expert in her field. Kudos Anne!

- Life is about options. I think many attendees (including myself) were surprised at just how customizable the new Signature McWrap really is. Grilled or crispy; hold the mayo or tomatoes, a little more spicy sauce, a little less lettuce… truly, you can create a wrap that complements your health and lifestyle choices.

- A terrific value. The Signature McWrap is HUGE! To tell the truth, I finished about 60% and then quietly stashed the rest away for later. Make no mistake; for just $4.99, you are getting a MEAL. I suppose it’s the little things – the whole wheat tortilla has fibre which fills you up; the generous portion of chicken has the perfect meat-to-veggie ratio, and the fixin’s such as bacon, tortilla strips and/or other fresh produce go a long way to make the McWrap hearty. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

In my post “Oh Brother. How Do You Choose?” I asked y’all if you prefer a man who frequents the Home Depot… or Holt Renfrew. Turns out, many of my fabulous readers love a handyman; the Jonathan Scott-types were preferred almost 2:1 over the smooth-talking “Drew Scott”s of the world.

Thing is, I happen to be married to a “Drew” who thinks he’s a “Jonathan” – and nothing has furthered this delusion of grandeur more than our #ProjectPatio. My husband has been living at the Home Depot Canada ever since we joined forces with them to make over our backyard. Alas, he is convinced that he needs wood stain (for the fence that is suddenly subpar in his eyes), planters (for plants I will likely kill), and a solar lamp post (which sounds like an oxymoron to me). And while the construction of the patio has been *slightly* delayed due to the unpredictable, unseasonably cool weather (shakes fist at Mother Nature), we are nevertheless well on our way to achieving a backyard oasis.

(Have you seen the gorgeous pieces that the Home Depot Canada generously supplied? Read about them here!)

Hence, since it’s apparent that my husband will absolutely have the BEST Father’s Day EVER, I thought it was only appropriate that I share with you my Top 5 Picks for Father’s Day Gifts – all available at The Home Depot Canada – and an awesome giveaway to boot!

1. Coca-Cola Cube Fridge

I adore this iconic red Coca-Cola fridge, especially for the basement, SUV or office! The Coca-Cola Personal Cube Fridge is a great gift for the Coca-Cola lover, and the perfect, affordable gift for Father’s Day. The cube fridge has a 7 liter capacity and can hold up to nine (9) 12 oz. cans and cools up to 35 degrees below ambient temperature. Features solid state thermoelectric cooling; for use at home or in the car.

My husband would totally be loving this fridge for long car rides – it eliminates the mess of melting ice, and is lightweight, compact and portable too! Price: $89.95 (more…)

Whether you adore the prettiest pink or the most muted mulberry, there’s no denying that this summer, it’s time to take a walk on the teal side. The modern hue has long since crossed over from interior design to beauty editor’s pages, and graced the runway as the fingernail colour of choice for Spring/Summer 2013.

I have long had a love-affair with this cool, mermaid-inspired shade – call it rebellious, eclectic or just plain fabulous – here are Ten Teals to Try this Summer:

1. China Glaze, Watermelon Rind; 2. Nails Inc, Fitzroy Square; 3. Butter London, Slapper; 4. Essie, Trophy Wife; 5. Milani, Fresh Teal; 6. OPI, Teal the Cows Come Home; 7. Sally Hansen, Fairy Teal; 8. Sephora by OPI, Teal We Meet Again; 9. Ciaté Paint Pots, Superficial; 10. Color Club, Abyss.

“Teal” Me: Do you love this trendy hue?

Er… or perhaps, the best little cackle?

Now THIS is the kind of contest that makes me smile. To celebrate the launch of their new Laugh & Learn website, Fisher-Price is hosting a howling good new contest called the Best Little Laugh! The contest celebrates the insanely-cute moments that make your insides feel all warm and fuzzy, and make your eyes teary with too much, over-the-top adorableness. Get ready for smiles, giggles and full-out laughs!

The fabulous thing? To enter, you’ll need to root around in your little one’s baby videos to find that time you captured a giggle, chortle, belly laugh – you name it. Talk about taking a wonderful (and often hilarious!) trip down memory lane!

Then, simply upload your video to the Best Little Laugh website; you’ll have a chance to win weekly prizes of Laugh & Learn products valued at $200+. Your little one’s best laugh could score him/her a Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car (ARV: $64.99 CAD), Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy (ARV: $34.99 CAD), and a Gas Card for you (ARV: $100.00 CAD). Now that’s something to giggle about!

Of course, after you’ve entered the contest, be sure to visit the new Laugh & Learn website. It’s a fun place that offers webisodes, fun games and activities, and offers your little ones a chance to meet the Laugh & Learn characters (Puppy, Sis and others), enjoy fun apps and learn about what’s new and upcoming from your favourite brand :)

I pulled up an old folder with videos of Ryder and literally found my submission on the very first video I clicked on. Ryder was never really a giggler; he cackled with delight at just about everything, and oh, how he loved to laugh! Watching the video made me tear up nostalgia; this is the same boy who very seriously told me the other day that “everybody hurts sometimes”. (REM fan? Where did he hear this?) Ah, to hear him chortle like that again!

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.