Make Quick and Customizable Holiday Beverages with Soda Stream

I am really not a fan of soda. I dislike it not only because it’s full of sugar and caffeine, but also because it results in the production of a large number of wasteful plastic bottles. And while I don’t mind drinking soda water, I find myself getting annoyed by the idea that I’m basically paying for carbonation. That’s why the idea of a Soda Stream system always intrigued me. Recently I got to test out the Soda Stream Genesis Starter Kit and I couldn’t wait to see how it worked.

soda stream genesis starter kitThe Soda Stream has been offering an eco-friendly alternative to store-bought soda for the last decade. My initial thought about the device was that while it did eliminate the wasteful plastic bottles, using it would still mean I was giving my kids a drink that wasn’t especially healthy when using the machine to make soda. So I was thrilled to learn that Soda Stream syrups contain less sugar and caffeine than store-bought soda brands. And the system even offers flavourings for water that are completely free of calories and sugar! [Read more...]

Give the Gift of a Great Shave Wet or Dry with the Philips AquaTouch Electric Shaver-Giveaway

philips aquatouchI am a big fan of a man with a smooth, close shave. I don’t mind the look of facial hair but when it’s time to get close and cuddly, there’s just nothing better than a clean shave. Philips has been helping men get that close shave they crave since 1939 and now they’re innovating the shaving world once again with the Philips AquaTouch AT940 Wet & Dry Electric Razor.

The Philips AquaTouch electric razor is the perfect example of the exclusive technology that Philips uses for its shaving devices. The most original feature of the AquaTouch is its Aquatec seal, which allows men to use the shaver with shaving cream or gel and water for a less irritating shave as well as being able to use the razor dry.

If your man has ever been frustrated by a dead battery in the middle of a shave with an electric razor, he’ll love the one-hour charge time of the AT940 as well as the unique quick charge feature. In just three minutes, the Philips AquaTouch will charge enough for one shave, approximately five minutes. [Read more...]

Find Fresh and Functional Gifts for your Favourite Coffee Lover at Williams Fresh Cafe

Williams Fresh Café has won acclaim across Ontario for its fresh and tasty food and delicious holiday drinks. But this Christmas, the popular coffee chain has expended its holiday line to include a fantastic selection of gifts all priced under $25!

sentiment mugI received a box of the Williams Fresh Café gift items to review and I feel in love as soon as I opened the box. Coffee mugs, travel mugs and gift sets are designed with a fresh and contemporary look and feel that is sure to be appreciated by your favourite coffee lover.

My personal favourite product was the Sentiment Mugs. These mugs feature two different inspiring words, one on either side of the mug, and I loved the idea of starting the morning off on the right foot with one of these uplifting mugs. Best of all, they are just the right size for that first cup of coffee or your favourite Williams Fresh Café drink. Candy Cane Hot Chocolate anyone? [Read more...]

Stuff Your Family’s Stockings with Personal Care Products from Infusium 23, PERT Plus and BRUT-Giveaway

Stocking stuffers may be small, but they can still be incredibly useful! I always love seeing what fun new goodies might be in my stocking after Santa visits and whether I find the pastry blender I’ve been lusting after or a new tube of flavoured lip-gloss, unpacking all my treasures is an exciting event even at 31 years old. This year, Idelle Labs, Ltd. has some fun ideas for stocking stuffers and they’re sure to please whoever pulls them out on Christmas morning!

For the Haircare Diva:

infusium logoInfusium 23’s Repair & Renew collection is the perfect stocking stuffer for those that crave a little more luxury in their beauty routine. This three-step system features a vitamin-enriched shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment that all work together to leave hair healthy, shiny and damage-free. Infusium 23 Repair and Renew Collection ($5-$8, drugstores nationwide, www.infusium.com) [Read more...]

Keep Your Hands Warm When Using Your Phone with ISGLOVES-Giveaway

Every day I walk the few blocks from our house to the local school to pick up my son at the end of his school day. And every day I stand outside waiting for my notoriously slow child to finally emerge from the building. In the summer, I don’t mind at all but winter in Saskatchewan is not a very pleasant time to be standing outdoors doing nothing.

isgloves simpleTo occupy myself, I sometimes check emails or read through social media updates on my phone. But since it has a touchscreen, I usually end up with frozen fingers as I wait. That’s why I was so excited to try ISGLOVES from FieTT, conductive gloves that can be used on a touchscreen.

When the gloves arrived, I pulled them on immediately to test them out. The first thing that I noticed was that ISGLOVES looked just like regular gloves. I have seen other conductive gloves advertised and for the most part they had white fingertips with conductive thread woven into the fabric. While I’m sure they work well, I don’t like the different coloured fingertips. The ISGLOVES were pure black and looked sleek and stylish. [Read more...]

The Dremel 8220 Cordless Rotary Tool is the Ultimate Versatile Christmas Gift-Giveaway

If there’s one thing that almost every man can get excited about, it’s a Dremel Rotary Tool. It’s such a handy little gadget that it can be used for all kinds of jobs and whether you’re shopping for someone that loves working with wood, etching glass or even just doing little home repairs, Dremel is a gift that will help that person get the job done.

dremel 8220 rotary toolRecently I received the Dremel 8220 Cordless Rotary Tool to review and having used a Dremel in the past, I was excited to see how the device had been updated. The big difference in the 8220 model is the battery life. The new Dremel 8220 has a 12V MAX Lithium-ion battery that provides 33% longer runtime than the previous model so that you can keep working until the job is done. And when the battery does run out, the Dremel 8220 charges in just one hour! The powerful motor also ensures that the device provides maximum performance at any speed. [Read more...]

Give the Gift of Quality Family Time with Netflix-Giveaway

Are you looking for a last minute gift that will be enjoyed for months after the big day has passed? I’ve been a Netflix subscriber for almost two years now and it really is a gift that keeps on giving. While I don’t watch television and movies too often, I love having access to so many great family and children’s programs for just nine dollars a month!

Netflix_Holiday logo_Green_Bow_101112

So is a Netflix subscription a good choice for that last-minute gift? Well, anything that lets a family watch unlimited movies may just be a popular preset nowadays! New research from Netflix and Leger Marketing shows that watching movies together is amongst the top five holiday traditions in Canada. The survey also found that among the respondents: [Read more...]

Get Your Man Mistletoe-Ready with BIC Flex4 Razors-Giveaway

bic flex 4While a little bit of scruffiness can look good on a man, for the most part I prefer a clean-shaven look. It’s smooth, appealing and makes for much more enjoyable moments of kissing and cuddling. But when cold winter weather makes skin dry and the busy Christmas season has the whole family running from one place to another, getting that great shave women love can be more challenging for a man. That’s why BIC has some handy tips on how to get a close, smooth shave any time. [Read more...]