Reviews and Giveaways

Creating the Perfect Moroccan Style Bedroom Oasis with Brightech Lamps

August 9, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

One of the best things about moving into our new custom-built house recently was being able to plan the décor for every room that we’d designed so carefully.

We gave our family room a fresh and exotic feel with grey furniture, hints of blue and large plants. Our kitchen was more old-world European with granite countertops and weathered wood cabinets.

And upstairs, we wanted a decadent Moroccan style bedroom with warm wood and rich patterns. We took some time choosing the right nightstands, since our king-sized bed took up so much of the room. Eventually we also stumbled on the ideal vibrant duvet cover. Both paired great with the dark wood sleigh bed and opulent chandelier. [Read more…]

The Best New Summer Products for Babies and Kids

August 3, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Finding fun new products for my boys that will help make summer more enjoyable is a top priority for me once school ends.

That’s why I love to round up all the hottest new products I’ve tested and tried, in case other parents find them handy as well! These are the five products that are my current favourites for babies to big kids:

1) bblüv Nido Travel & Play Tent

This pop-up play tent is perfect for camping, visiting the beach and any other outdoor activities you might have planned. What I loved most about it was the size. Unlike many pop-up bassinets, the Nido is big enough that even my one-year-old can sit in it happily with a few of his toys. And the play tent packs up in a flash and fits into a convenient carrying case for the portability I want. Find it in toy and baby stores across North America; learn more at bbluvgroup.com. [Read more…]

Long-Lasting Protection from the Elements with Banana Boat Simply Protect Sport Spray Sunscreen

July 5, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

With all the hot weather we’ve had so far this spring and summer (and with more heat in the forecast, sunscreen is a top priority for me this year. Of course, I always make sure that I have a good children’s sunscreen for my three boys.

But I also need a sunscreen for myself and my husband. I’ve been interested in sport sunscreens because even though we’re not playing active sports, we have been working hard and getting sweaty building our deck, planting trees and spreading topsoil.

That means choosing a sweat-resistant, long-lasting sunscreen is a must. Luckily, brand-new Banana Boat Simply Protect Sport Spray Sunscreen is the perfect solution! [Read more…]

Summer Sports with the 2018 Ford Escape Titanium

June 27, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Testing out a new Ford vehicle is always a treat, but it’s especially enjoyable in the spring! Finally getting out of the house after a long winter and cruising in a beautiful new car is the best way to say goodbye to cold weather for the next few months.

So, when Ford Canada offered me the chance to take the 2018 Ford Escape Titanium for a week-long test drive, I couldn’t have been happier. And as luck would have it, I ended up receiving the vehicle during the same week my boys had eight different sports games over a two-day period!

The new 2018 Ford Escape Titanium is packed with family-friendly features that make it the perfect vehicle for packed weekends, road trips and running errands. The blind-spot alert ensures that when a vehicle is in the car’s blind spot to help avoid accidents. Curve Control applies automatic brakes if a curve is taken too fast. And the rear view camera lets the vehicle get in and out of the tightest spots with ease. [Read more…]

Protecting My Boys During Days Outside with New Banana Boat Simply Protect Kids

June 22, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Summer has arrived early in Saskatchewan this year, and I couldn’t be happier about it! We’ve spent the warm weather planting trees, building our deck and watching our boys’ sports games. But all our time outdoors means that sunscreen is a must!

This year, Banana Boat gave me the chance to test out its new Simply Protect Kids sunscreen, and it sounded like it would be a great choice for my outdoor-loving boys. So, when both my older boys ended up with sports tournaments on the same weekend, I made sure the sunscreen was packed in our bag before we left the house.

This fabulous new Banana Boat Simply Protect sunscreen is a creamy lotion that feature 25% fewer ingredients, including no parabens, oxybenzone or added fragrances and oils. It provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and even boasts a tear-free formula that’s gentle on little eyes. [Read more…]

Must-Have New Products for Moms this Summer

June 19, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the things that I love most about being a blogger is getting to check out some of the newest and hottest products for families each season. And this summer, I’ve discovered some great must-haves for moms. Whether you love heading outdoors as soon as the weather warms up, or catching up on some much-needed sleep, this round-up has something for you!

For the Outdoorsy Mom

If you love spending your time in the great outdoors and already have a campsite booked for your family’s summer vacation, the Pouch Couch is for you! This innovative and comfortable lounger can be used in just minutes after being waved in the air to fill it. Then kick back and relax at your campsite or on the beach. Best of all, it’s waterproof and packs into a small, easy-to-transport pouch! Find the Pouch Couch in a variety of colours at amazon.ca. [Read more…]

First-Time Pumping with the Philips Avent Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump-Giveaway

June 8, 2018 by Kathryn 7 Comments

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Media Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

For the last few months, Cormac has delved into the wonderful world of real food. Even though he’s still adorably toothless, he’s gone from pureed meat and vegetables to soft pieces of cooked food in record time…and loved everything he’s tasted!

But despite his fondness for everything from pasta to pickles, he also still loves to breastfeed. And I’m more than okay with that! I’ve always been a fan of extended nursing, mostly because I loved that bonding moment with my children so much. And if Cormac is anything like his older brothers, he’ll be breastfeeding for quite a few months yet.

That means that when I’m not home to feed Cormac, I want to have breastmilk ready for him in a bottle. When I first gave birth, I used the Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump to express milk, and I loved its lightweight design and how easy it was to use.

But I wondered if pumping could be even easier, and so I was thrilled when Philips Avent let me test out the Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump as well! I’d never used an electric breast pump before, but I’d heard some great things from friends and family.
[Read more…]

MegaFood Baby & Me Supplements Help Keep Moms and Babies Healthy-Giveaway

May 3, 2018 by Kathryn 13 Comments

When I was pregnant with Cormac, I got a little bit obsessed with proper nutrition. I took both a prenatal vitamin and an Omega-3 supplement. I also tried to eat as healthily as possible, though it wasn’t easy considering my huge cravings for sugar!

The hardest thing about taking my vitamins was how they upset my stomach. I was often nauseous for about half an hour afterwards, even though I was eating a meal at the same time. So, I was very excited to learn about MegaFood Baby & Me supplements. Not only are they packed with all the nutrition pregnant and breastfeeding women need, they’re also designed to be less likely to cause nausea the way some other supplements do!

So, what makes the Baby & Me products different? The secret is whole foods. The supplements are all made with whole food products (like Vitamin C from oranges and Vitamin A from carrots), which means that they’re less likely to lead to an upset stomach since they are digested in a way that’s similar to the body processing real food. [Read more…]