Hands up if you’ve waited for this long weekend… oh, ever since the very first snowflake fell last winter? The unofficial start of summer is among us, and I CAN’T WAIT!

The second and third weekend in May is notoriously busy for us, as Ryder was born on Mother’s Day, and Reid was born on Victoria Day weekend. Hence, there’s always something going on, whether it be a trip to grandma’s, a family BBQ, or basically anything that involves cake. Ryder is really big on the whole cake thing.

However, this year we’ve added a little more craziness into the fold, as we’re preparing our backyard for a complete overhaul. Yes, construction for #ProjectPatio begins on Tuesday! We’ll have to remove our old, flimsy patio set, tear down the boys’ mini playground, and say goodbye to the crappy, dandelion filled grass – that will soon be replaced with a stamped concrete patio. We’ve been in our home for almost 6 years now… which means that I’ve waited for this moment for over 2100 days. Yikes.

Of course, this is the perfect time to acknowledge my official sponsor for #ProjectPatio…. it’s none other than Home Depot Canada!

I am so fortunate to team up with the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer; a company whose core values include respect for all people, giving back to communities and of course, excellent customer service. I simply can’t count the number of occasions where me (or more often than not, my husband) has stumbled into the Home Depot Canada seeking help on everything from paint (it’s too green!) to gardening advice (I think we killed it!) to home improvement SOS (um… we just found out we purchased the wrong sized door). Through it all, the Home Depot Canada has been our go-to store, allowing us to create the home of our dreams!

And now… I have a very special delivery arriving today: products generously sponsored by the Home Depot Canada to create the perfect patio! Want a sneak peek of what’s on the way? Okay, I’ll share!

HAMPTON BAY Millstone 7 Piece Dining Set
$1099.99

The Millstone 7pc Dining Set is a great addition to any patio space. Includes two swivel rocker dining chairs and four stationary dining chairs and one open cast top 74×42 dining table. Comes with seat pads for added comfort.

- Aged bronze powder coated finish
- Rust proof aluminum frame
- Weather resistant fabric
- Dining chairs stack for easy storage
- Traditional design coordinates well with all décor
- Optional umbrella sold separately
- 5 year limited warranty

I am in love with the intricate design of the chairs and table – it’s a modern twist on traditional patio sets, and lends a certain element of style and differentiation.

HAMPTON BAY Millstone Umbrella – 11 Feet
$199.00

Enjoy the shade from this Millstone11ft umbrella. Coordinates with the Millstone 7pc cast dining set. Includes a crank lift for easy set up.

- Aged bronze powder coated finish
- Rust proof aluminum frame
- Weather resistant fabric
- Easy crank function

I’ve always wanted an offset umbrella that is situated on the patio vs the table; it allows conversation to flow freely between guests, and offers a certain Californian inspiration that I adore. The Millstone umbrella’s base is sold separately for $69.99; don’t forget to add that to your cart!

Finally, you could say that the next item supplied by the Home Depot Canada made my husband’s day year life. Alright, the truth is, he hasn’t stopped talking about it. (It’s borderline insufferable, to tell you the truth, but I just can’t burst his bubble when he’s so very excited.) Et voila!

WEBER Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill
$1249.00

This stainless steel rendition of our top-of-the-line Genesis natural gas grill creates an atmosphere of pure grilling excellence. It’s high-heat Sear Station burner, three standard stainless steel burners, and electronic ignition system are just a few of the noteworthy features you won’t be able to resist.

- 38,000 BTU cooking system provides powerful performance
- The 10,600 BTU sear burner for on-demand searing
- 12,000 BTU flush mounted side burner for multi-tasking
- The stainless steel rod cooking grids have a 7mm diameter
- Includes a 10-foot flexible natural gas hose
- Two stainless steel work surface offer plenty of room

(Yes, I think I have achieved “Wife of the Year” status. Thanks Home Depot Canada!) 

We are waiting with baited breath for the delivery to arrive, and then we’ll be keeping it under wraps until the patio is complete (timeline is approximately 4-5 days). Follow me on Twitter (@Listen2Lena) where I’ll be sure to post photos of the transformation!

Until then, wishing you all a wonderful long weekend – Happy Victoria Day!

There was a time when I was all about saving money. Don’t get me wrong; I’m much too naturally cheap frugal to allow myself to go on an adulterated spending spree. However, you could say that my emphasis has shifted from saving money (which I still do aggressively) to making money while spending money. You know – taking advantage of all the perks and benefits available to Canadians who like to be rewarded for their shopping habits. It’s sensible, no?

So when I was recently approached by CAA to discover the savings and rewards associated with being a member, it went something like this:

“I don’t need my car towed, thanks.”
“Well there’s more to CAA than automobile assistance.”
“Hello? I said I don’t need a tow.”
“Um, and I said that there are REWARDS to being a CAA member that you really should look into.”
“Sure, sure. I think someone needs a tow.”

Okay, that’s not exactly how the conversation went down. But hands up if you associate CAA with roadside assistance? Yeah, I’m guilty too. In fact, I can say with complete honesty that CAA was never on my radar as a source of savings and rewards, and for a shopaholic like myself, I really should have known better.

Two words: MIND BLOWN.

First, yes, CAA provides automobile assistance. I mean, that’s a given no? But did you know that CAA members also receive exclusive savings on travel, sporting events, shopping, insurance, dining and entertainment – and more? It’s true! And, you’ll also be eligible to earn CAA Dollars at participating merchants – every CAA Dollar you earn equals $1.00 CAD, and you can redeem CAA Dollars towards your next dream vacation, travel merchandise, membership renewal, gift memberships or even your insurance renewal premium.

So, even though I don’t need a tow, I do need a top. And maybe some capris. And definitely a dress.

Armed with my brand new CAA Membership Card (generously supplied by CAA), I was out and about shopping yesterday evening. On my radar, the Banana Republic Factory Store, to find an outfit or two for the upcoming Disney Social Media Moms Conference. (Read about my fashion panic here.)

Bonus? CAA Members receive an additional 10% off regular and sale merchandise. Score!

Upon entering the store I found THE perfect maxi dress for Conference Day One (pictured front). It was light, flowy, and featured an abstract floral pattern in one of my favourite colours for summer. The price: $109.99, less 40%. And when I presented my membership card at checkout, I instantly saved another 10%. A girl can get used to this! (more…)

It’s going down in history as one of the WORST office chairs EVER.

Readers were horrified – and sympathetic – when I recently revealed the state of my home office. The ripped and tattered chair; the disorganization and disarray; the potential fire hazard. Okay, multiple fire hazards. And that’s just what you could see in the first photo.

Well, something had to be done. Thankfully Staples Canada swooped in to save the day; seeing that I (obviously) needed an intervention, they allowed me to pick out a brand new home office – on three conditions:

1) I purchase the goods from Staples (done!)
2) I ditch my old chair. Seriously, it had to be on my curb (done!)
3) I take the oath to De-Clutter and Prosper

Did you know: A recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada and AIR MILES revealed that an overwhelming 83% of Canadians agree that a cluttered or disorganized workspace negatively affects levels of productivity. Despite this fact, 26% of Canadians describe their own desk as cluttered. I, Lena Almeida, pledge to never let clutter or disorganization rule my workspace again! (done!)

And so… it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for…. my big reveal. Brace yourselves; it doesn’t look like the same room, but I promise, it is! (more…)

Earlier this year, when thinking about goals for myself and my blog, I made a vow: I would do more feel good giveaways in 2013. That is, the chance to give back to my readers with prizes that aren’t necessarily attached to reviews; a few awesome things here and there “just because”.

MTF Price Matters were the first to come on board, offering a sweet giveaway of a Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System with 10-30mm VR 1 Nikkor Lens, valued at $549.99.

Now, since the giveaway was rather popular, and since MTF Price Matters just happens to be all sorts of awesome, they let me know about another amazing promo – once again, unique to Listen to Lena readers!

Here’s the scoop. In the market for a new camera, but don’t want to break the bank? The Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System that I gave away is currently listed on the MTF Price Matters site for $399.99 – which is an awesome deal in itself. But then, simply add coupon code LENALOVESMTF and it will take an additional $150 off the price – making your final price only $249.99!

The cameras are recertified and come with full warranty. At last tally there were only about 10 left in stock, so hurry! You don’t want to miss out on this steal of a deal. And what better way to welcome the warmer temps than with a professional camera? Thanks to MTF Price Matters for supplying the coupon code – happy shopping!

Click here to visit MTF Price Matters.

I believe there’s a saying somewhere that states it’s virtually impossible to go to Walmart for just one thing. Even with the best of intentions, one always ends up spending more than he/she had originally intended.

Of course, this ragebuilder sums it up perfectly:

So I suppose you can say it was wishful thinking when I believed I could stop in for some milk last Friday night. I know, I know – “Friday night, what?” << Yes, I have a cardinal rule for never shopping at Walmart unless it’s at 7:00am, as witnessed here. You see, I just don’t do crowds. But on this particular evening, I was passing the store, had milk on my shopping list, and figured I could be in and out in less than 20 minutes.

I figured wrong.

So what happened? How did I go astray? Come shopping with me, and you’ll find out. (more…)

When I think of summer, I think of only ONE thing: Drinks on a Patio.

Of course, before having children, that patio was usually located on College Street, the Danforth, or anywhere that wasn’t my own backyard. The good old days.

However, there’s a certain pleasure in having drinks in your own backyard: there’s no travel involved, you generally enjoy the company, and you don’t have to tip your server.

But here’s the kicker: I don’t actually have a patio! Since moving into our new home six years ago, we’ve had a lot of priorities for the inside of our house (a finished basement, a painted home, an upscale living room) but we were never ready to invest in our backyard. Truth is, for a long time we’ve wondered if we should stay or move, and that factored in our decision to delay the landscaping. And so we set up an old patio set on our lawn and let the kids run around in the summer. For the most part, it worked out well.

However, now that we’ve decided to stay put for a little while, it’s time to do things right. First on our agenda: a backyard makeover.

You knew it was coming… 2013 is the year of #ProjectPatio!

I’ll be sure to share lots of pictures over the upcoming months of how we transform our little backyard into a backyard oasis. In addition to a stamped concrete patio, we’ll be making an investment in a new barbecue, patio furniture and maybe even a paper lantern or two :)

I also admit to lusting over these outdoor fireplaces from Anywhere Fireplaces, available at SHOP.CA.

All the fireplaces are ventless, requiring no construction, chimney, or gas lines.  The sophisticated, contemporary style fireplaces are also eco-friendly, at a price within reach for almost anyone. More features and benefits:

- Burns liquid or gel bio-ethanol fuel
- Renewable resource
- Smokeless, odorless
- No soot or ash, no messy clean-up
- Non-polluting
- Only gives off water vapor and CO2

I love the idea of staying warm in style, because sometimes, even summer nights can feel chilly. Here’s a roundup of the more popular models -

Forget about candles and other table top accents to add ambiance. The Lexington Anywhere Fireplace brings you all the tabletop elegance you are looking for with its distinctive shape, high gloss white finish and its real flames. Enjoy the ambiance of a real fire but without the hassle of smoke, melting wax, soot, ash, smell etc. Use it on the dinner table, a low patio table, or a coffee table. This unit is slightly too small for a patio set, but I love the versatility from outdoor to indoor. SHOP.CA Price: $149.99 (more…)

Last week, I received an invitation from Sleep Country Canada which had me whooping for joy.

“On Saturday April 13, 2013, Oprah Winfrey is coming to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario and I am hoping you will be able to join me as a VIP guest at the event in appreciation for all your support of Sleep Country over the past years. Sleep Country is the title sponsor of the Event and it would be great to have you there too.

Your ticket includes backstage VIP access before the event to personally meet Oprah with me and have your picture taken with her, plus a front row seat to “An Evening with Oprah”.”

ZOMG!!!

Okay, for those of you who aren’t aware, April 13th is my 35th birthday. I am spending my 35th birthday hanging out with Oprah backstage. Am I dreaming?? What do I say? What do I wear?

Before I lapse into full-on gushing mode, YOU TOO can join me… Sleep Country Canada has a smashing contest going on right now! There is one (1) grand prize available to be won, consisting of two (2) VIP tickets to a private “meet and greet” with Oprah in Hamilton on April 13, 2013; two (2) front row tickets to An Evening with Oprah; one Tempur-Pedic Cloud Supreme Breeze queen mattress set, and a $1,500 CDN cheque to cover travel and accommodation (Approximate Retail Value: $7,385 CDN).

Second Prizes: There are two (2) second place prizes available to be won, each consisting of two (2) VIP tickets to a private “meet and greet” with Oprah, two (2) front row tickets to An Evening with Oprah and a $1,500 cheque to cover travel and accommodation (Approximate Retail Value: $3,500 CDN each).

Third Prizes: There are forty (40) third place prizes available to be won, each consisting of two (2) lower bowl tickets to An Evening with Oprah in Hamilton, Ontario on April 13, 2013, with an Approximate Retail Value of $500 CDN each.

The contest runs until April 4th. What are you waiting for? Come hang with Oprah, Christine Magee and the ol’ Birthday Girl next month! Click here to Spend an Evening with Oprah.

So you’re walking along the street with a friend, minding your own business, when you approach another stranger. You friend says,

Look! It’s a blogger!

So how does he know that the stranger on the street is a blogger?

a) The person just tripped over a crack in the sidewalk; stopped everything, whipped out her phone, and furiously began tweeting that she just tripped over a crack in the sidewalk.

b) There’s a pretty potted flower in front of a neighbourhood store; the person stopped, whipped out a bulky camera and telescopic lens attachment, all the while muttering something about “Wordless Wednesday”.

c) Both a) and b)

The thing is, if there’s two things that bloggers are known for, it’s our smartphones and DSLR cameras. We’re constantly using our phones to stay in touch via any one of our preferred social platforms (I’m a Twitter kind of gal, but I know several Instagram-junkies), and often have an irrational need to “feel connected”. I’d venture to say that a large proportion of bloggers also use their smartphone as a camera; with 8MP+ cameras and an inherent convenience attached to simply carrying one device, you’re most likely to see fashion and beauty bloggers use their phone for double-duty.

Alas, the “Mommy Blogger” is a different breed.

In a space where blogging is your business, there’s constantly an undercurrent of who’s got the best blog design, who has the most brand associations, and now, who takes the best pictures. In fact, eavesdrop on any blogging conference, and it’s not uncommon for bloggers to chat more about their cameras than their children.

“So have you taken classes?”
“What attachments do you use? What setting?”
“How much did that external flash set you back?”

And for the most part, I get it. A huge part of the enjoyment when reading a blog post is the phenomenal pictures. Some of my favourite blogs are loaded to the hilt with professional photos, which of course, elevates the professionalism of the website itself. However, I’ll be frank; photography has just never been my thing. I simply can’t imagine lugging around a bulky camera in an even bulkier camera bag to a press event, nor do I see myself painstakingly digitally altering images to perfection. Not saying it’s a bad thing – it’s just not a Lena thing.

So what if I told you that these photos were taken with a slim, compact camera that fits in my pocket?

(more…)

Ever wonder where the inspiration for my blog begins? If you’ve pictured my workspace as a clean, zen-like area which helps to get my creative juices flowing, I’m about to out myself. Specifically, I’m about to out my home office.

It’s a dump.

The room is nice enough; a 10 x 10-feet fourth bedroom that we use as a study for obvious reasons (er, we only have two children). But it’s also a place where I hoard useless papers and junk mail; random blogging artifacts that I meant to review six months ago; a pile of coffee cups that is normally cleared by my husband once a day, and a plethora of arts and crafts paraphernalia from my scrapbooking addiction circa 2008.

Not. Very. Inspiring.

And now… I can’t believe I’m doing this… here’s a picture of the shambles that I work in. (Sorry, Mom – it’s true, I haven’t dusted my desk in oh, never.) Yes, there’s clutter everywhere – especially in places that should have been cleaned weeks ago. On the bright side – I just found the USB cable I was looking for – apparently, it was under my desk and by my feet the whole time.

Okay, time for a closer inspection. Now you can tell that my office chair has seen better days, but truth be told, my faithful “executive” chair held up pretty well until last year, when it took a turn for the worse. My husband has been after me for months to find a replacement, but since I always believed that a ratty chair did not impact my ability to produce blog posts, I’ve always rebuked him. However, I could be wrong - A recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada and AIR MILES revealed that an overwhelming 83% of Canadians agree that a cluttered or disorganized workspace negatively affects levels of productivity. Despite this fact, 26% of Canadians describe their own desk as cluttered. Is your workspace a dump too? Join the club! (more…)

Years ago – half a lifetime ago, to be honest – I started dating my first serious boyfriend.

We were seventeen and high school sweethearts, so of course I had already tacked his last name onto mine in my diary; dreaming of the days university would be over and he would seek my hand in marriage. I was mostly in love and terribly committed as only a teenager can be.

Three years into the relationship, and it was painfully evident we were hanging on just for the sake of hanging on. We fought constantly; had bitter words to say that were never totally forgotten after each passing fight, and the truth is, he was not growing into the dedicated paramour I had dreamed of, and I was not the free-spirited, easy-going girlfriend he had counted on.

We were doomed.

And so we would break up and make up – on and off for almost a year. Our first “official” break-up was in September 1999, but then, we could be seen going out here and there and even spending a long weekend together right up until August 2000.

Just before our final seperation in the summer of 2000, I began having a recurring dream.

It made absolutely no sense to me (and yet haunted me with a frequency of at least 1-2 times per week): in the dream, I would be working, driving, shopping, walking along a beach at night – really, insert any life scenario here – and I’d be licking a blue lollipop. But not just any lollipop; a big, round one… I suppose it would be slightly bigger than a Chupa Chup but smaller than a Big Mouth. It was hard to handle once in my mouth, but I kept at it just the same, trying to make it fit. I could taste the sweet, blue raspberry stickiness and just about get my teeth around it for a bite. But in the end – always, in the end – I’d pull it out of my mouth in frustration, and start smashing it against a hard surface until it shattered into pieces. And once among me, the sticky, blue mess, I’d feel a lot better.

After my boyfriend and I broke up for the final time, the dream stopped.

At the time, I didn’t pay the dream very much mind. I didn’t have to – this was before the days of Google Search when I could simply have an armchair analyst decode the dream in an instant.

However, as luck would have it, one of my friends was very much into “spiritual introspection” and had long since befriended an impressive assortment of tarot readers, Reiki massage therapists, psychics and of course, a dream interpreter. And that’s how I found myself at the home of a renowned spiritual healer who happened to specialize in dream analysis. (more…)

I suppose I can laugh at it all now. But let me tell you – 48 hours ago, I was highly stressed out.

It all started with my recent press trip to Visit Orlando. In exchange for a family vacation, my obligation was twofold: upon my return, I would be expected to provide (1) blog coverage on my site, and (2) media appearances for a specified time period.

Now you’re probably familiar with my blog coverage, as I’ve been churning out reviews of the places we visited and the wonderful things we did. But, you may not be familiar with some of my media appearances. I’ve chatted about Orlando and family travel on outlets such as Daytime Live, CH Morning Live, and this past Friday – CP24 Live at Noon.

And while all media appearances give me the opportunity to go LIVE in front of the camera (which I actually adore! Yes, I’m an attention-you-know-what) I was particularly excited for my CP24 appearance on Friday afternoon. After all, if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, who hasn’t tuned in to the all-news station? It’s like media royalty, if you will.

So, Friday arrived and I was super pumped. Because not only was I appearing on Live at Noon, but then I’d literally be walking over to the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms PR Agency Boot Camp, where I was a speaker on the Social Media Blogger Panel. And so, I gushed accordingly -

I checked over the instructions once more. Chatting with Stephen Ledrew, segment to air live at 12:45pm. Check. Arrive at 12:00pm, as one of CP24′s professional makeup artists will get me camera-ready. Check. Need to get to the infamous 299 Queen Street West, where there is ample parking within a few blocks. Check.

Okay, I was ready. (more…)

A few weeks ago, while surfing the online entertainment sites, I somehow got looped into watching a video for Drake’s newest release – Started From the Bottom.

(I’ve linked the video instead of embedding it here because, let’s be honest, it’s Drake… and the lyrics are slightly explicit for delicate ears. Plus, I can’t understand half of what he says.)

Since it’s Drake and I have incredible respect for anyone from Toronto who’s made it to the big leagues, I paused to watch the video. In it, he pays homage to his days back in TO, including playing indoor soccer and working as a night manager at Shoppers Drug Mart.

After a good chuckle, I closed down the video and then took to Twitter to see what people were saying about it, because I’m curious like that. However, I was astonished at how many US media outlets were crediting “Walmart”, “variety stores” and “a Big Box Retailer” as the scene of Drake’s part-time job. DUDE! I recognized SDM the second I saw the uniform – never mind the tell-tale Life Brand product prominently featured by one discerning customer!

And so I did the only thing I could do – I set the record straight on Twitter. You’re welcome, Shoppers Drug Mart.

However, I soon realized that I was getting hot under the collar over a store that frankly, I hadn’t visited in months. How could a brand, so synonymous with Canadiana that I immediately recognized an employee uniform – have slipped off my radar for so long? I suppose, when it comes down to it, I’ve been lured by the convenience of the big boxes here in Canada; the chance to get everything in one place. And while I fill every prescription at SDM, I haven’t poked around there for quite a while. So, I decided to pay them a visit. (more…)

Faithful readers of my blog will know that I began this year with one goal in mind: Get Healthy.

Of course, this essentially translated to one thing: CUT OUT THE CRAP.

It’s actually very simple. A few months ago, while thinking deep thoughts, I realized that there are some things that come without effort. Size 2 naturally? Good for you. A born athlete? Amazing! Math and science whiz? I wish!

But when it comes to good health, it’s never a coincidence, is it? Good health is a direct result of the choices we make – nutrition, lifestyle, sleep habits and exercise – and they all play a role in being your best. In fact, it’s no surprise that most diseases do not happen spontaneously; they are a result of lifelong lifestyle choices. And in the case of hereditary diseases – sometimes, the result of our ancestors’ lifestyle choices.

I do not want to make poor choices. I do not want my children to be affected by my poor choices.

So, what’s the crap?

1. Crappy Diet. Which includes refined sugar, simple carbs, trans fats and those unpronounceable ingredients you find in practically every boxed food - I need to limit the amount of the bad stuff we’re exposed to, so when it’s time to enjoy that bowl of potato chips, it’s a treat, not a dietary staple.

2. Crappy Stress. Often, I place too much importance on things that don’t really matter, or dwell on the things (or people) I can’t change. How often do we find ourselves measuring our self worth based on the opinions of others! This year, my goal is to let it all go…

3. Crappy Sleep Habits. Staying up too late because I “need” to work. To get just one more thing done. To watch the last 10 minutes of that news special. Since having children and working from home, I have the worst sleep habits I’ve ever had. Is it any wonder I’m now up to 3 cups of coffee per day?

4. Crappy Laziness. I’ll admit it: I’m too lazy to exercise. Which probably means that I haven’t found the right workout – one that is fun, challenges me and is a routine I can stick to. Oh, I have a “dreadmill” in the basement, and for some reason I own 6 pairs of yoga pants… but don’t actually do yoga. Before winter ends, I’d like to make friends with physical activity and get moving.

This year, it’s my choice to cut out the crap. It’s my choice to make better food choices. And it’s definitely my choice to be an exemplary role model for my two sons. (more…)

It’s hardly a new product – being on the market for at least one year now – but it’s certainly one of my favourites. Folks, if you haven’t tried Downy Unstopables yet – You.Are.Missing.Out.

Now I suppose this would be a good time to add a disclaimer – if you’re sensitive to fragrance, or have an aversion to having your clothes smelling heavenly for weeks on end – perhaps this isn’t the product for you. But for all those who adore the scent of freshly washed laundry, read on.

Unstopables are marketed as an “in wash scent booster”, which roughly translates to “pebbles of deliciousness that you toss in your washing machine.” They don’t clean; they don’t soften clothes; but hot damn do they ever deliver on the whole scent-boosting phenomena. Currently available in four scents – Fresh, Lush (my personal fave), Shimmer and Spring, the scent beads are dissolved during the wash cycle, infusing your fabrics with lasting fresh scent. Just use a little (or a lot!) and you have total control over the amount of fragrance and freshness.

When I first received the product for review I was skeptical about a) the effectiveness, b) the value for the price ($8.99 per bottle), and c) the effectiveness. Oops, did I already say that? Call me a skeptic, but I’ve been disappointed before by laundry products claiming long-lasting freshness.

After using Unstopables just once, I was hooked. Not only did our clothes come out smelling heavenly, but the fragrance lingered on for days. And days. And days. In fact, when retrieving a pair of jeans from Reid’s dresser – some 2 weeks after doing a kid’s load in the wash – I was overjoyed to be hit with the lush scent of lavender as soon as I opened the drawer. It was glorious! I actually stuffed my face in the jeans and took a deep breath; never before had boys clothing smelled so divine.

The official claim from Downy is that Unstopables will keep laundry fresh for up to 12 weeks. I’m not exactly if this a true statement, but I can tell you this: if you’re only doing laundry every 12 weeks, you have too many clothes. Like, way too many. Hence, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to give it the full 3-month test, but I can certainly vouch for its efficacy up to 2 weeks and slightly beyond.

Aren’t those little pebbles just adorable? I wish our computer screens were scent-enabled.

Since one of my prior concerns was price, I can tell you this: I’ve since purchased two more bottles (on sale for $6.99 each). I was able to get at least 25 washes per bottle (using about a tablespoon in each wash), and so to me, it’s worth an extra 28¢ per wash to get lasting freshness and fragrance. I always break things down on a cost-per-use basis, because it allows me to track where I spend too much money – and where I’m happy to indulge. For Downy Unstopables, I will indulge. (more…)

Is there a product you use every day… multiple times per day… and have ever stopped to ask yourself, why??

Such is the case with Bath & Body Works Antibacterial Hand Soap. Before B&BW made their way north of the border, it was considered a luxury to own their sweetly-scented soaps. In fact, a trip to Niagara Falls, NY just wasn’t complete without stocking up on Kitchen Lemon, Sea Island Cotton and Sweet Pea Antibacterial Hand Soaps. At $3.75 per bottle, they were slightly more than the SoftSoap varieties found at Wal-Mart (okay, a lot more – often, SoftSoap could be purchased for $2.29) but I reckoned that my home was somehow homier with the addition of designer hand soap. Plus, B&BW frequently offered promotions, such as 5 soaps for $15, making it even more bang for my cross-border buck.

That was before Bath & Body Works expanded into Canada. And began charging $5.50 per soap. Huh.

The size hadn’t changed – still 236 ml – not even a cupful.

The quality of the product was still the same.

Even the scents were mostly carbon copies of one another – Sea Island Cotton was reinvented into Aqua Blossom which smelled curiously like Dancing Waters but was actually just a fabric softener-type scent repurposed into hand soap.

And those frequently offered promotions? Now we were offered a whopping 4 soaps for $20… increasing the cost per unit by $2 over the “5 soaps for $15″ deals of yesteryear.

Why the HELL am I paying so much for soap?

First of all, kudos to Bath & Body Works who coined the term “Antibacterial Hand Soap”. The word antibacterial preys on North American’s fear of germs and bacteria, hence, anything antibacterial is preferable over a product that is not, correct? The fact is, ALL soaps are antibacterial, even when the manufacturer chooses not to include the catchword in their product name. The very definition of soap is a product used to remove dirt and bacteria, so adding “Antibacterial” before your name is akin to creating new and improved “Snot Catching Tissues”, “Ink Dispersing Pens” or “Hydrating Water”. (more…)