Dear Kathryn (A Letter to My Younger Self)

November 18, 2016 by Kathryn 8 Comments

Dear Kathryn,

Being young is such an odd mix of self-confidence and insecurity. On the one hand, you feel like there’s nothing in the world that you can’t accomplish. One day, you’re sure you’ll be a famous actress when you graduate. The next, you’ll be a lawyer. The day after that, you’ll be an international spy. Yet at the same time, you constantly worry about how many friends you have and what others think of you.

At thirty-five, I’m here to tell you that your life will be full of more twists and turns than you can possibly imagine. There are times you’ll be so happy that your heart can barely contain it. And there are times you’ll feel so lost and hurt that you’re not sure you can go on. The important thing, though, is that you will go on. And every time you fight through a challenge that seems insurmountable, the happiness you’ll gain afterwards will be greater than any happiness you’ve felt before.

[Read more…]

Ford Shows Off 4 Top New Innovations at the 2016 North American International Auto Show #FordNAIAS

February 2, 2016 by Kathryn 31 Comments

For anyone that loves cars, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a chance to indulge in endless eye candy and new auto innovations to the heart’s content. But it’s also a chance for manufacturers to show off their latest and greatest developments. And Ford Canada is always at the forefront with vehicles, technology and transportation debuts that go above and beyond expectations.

This year was no exception, and I was honoured to be among a select group of Canadian bloggers that were offered the chance to attend the show with Ford and experience the future of the company firsthand. Toys, trucks and transportation innovation are all part of Ford’s plan for the next year. These are four of the ways Ford is blazing into 2016 in style!

Ford Partners with LEGO

If there’s one thing my boys love more than cars, it’s their beloved LEGO sets. And now they can have both thanks to a partnership between the beloved brick company and Ford! Available this March, LEGO is offering two fabulous Ford vehicle sets in its LEGO Speed Champions collection: the Ford F-150 set and the Ford Mustang set. The Mustang features 185 pieces and retails for $14.99. The F-150 set, complete with a custom garage, contains 664 pieces and retails for $49.99. The attention to detail on these sets are what had my heart racing…the truck even features a working suspension system! [Read more…]

Baby You Can Drive My Car? Ford Predicts the Future of Cars May Not Involve Driving Them #FordNAIAS

January 21, 2016 by Kathryn 40 Comments

Despite living in a small town with limited services and having a lifetime love of cars, I didn’t get my license until fairly late in life. In fact, I was in my early thirties with two kids before I became a licensed driver. I think that at least partly because of that, I have a strong love of driving. After so many years of having somebody else drive me around, being behind the wheel feels like freedom.

But for many, driving is a hassle rather than a pleasure. In fact, my younger sister absolutely hates driving and only does so when she has to. She thinks that the entire concept of hurtling down a highway at high speeds and trusting everyone else on the road to be responsible enough to keep you safe is crazy.

Our two different attitudes are my own first-hand experience of larger global attitudes about driving, vehicles and transportation in general. And recently I had the chance to explore some of those attitudes, and what they might mean in the future, while in Detroit with Ford Canada at the North American International Auto Show.

The event kicked off with a delicious dinner at Ford Field. Having the chance to tour the stadium, see the locker rooms of the players and even attempt kicking a field goal was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget. I probably should have worn different shoes, but I still had a blast even though I didn’t score our Canadian crew an extra three points! [Read more…]

Get a Boston Pizza Kids Card for $5 and Support Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects

September 26, 2014 by Kathryn 34 Comments

If there’s something that makes a regular day extra special for parents and kids alike, it’s going out for a nice dinner. And when I want to treat my boys to a night out, Boston Pizza is our favourite destination. I love the variety of pizza, pasta and burgers available and the boys love choosing their favourite main dish, side, drink and dessert off the Kids Menu. And right now, heading to Boston Pizza just got even better because the hugely popular Boston Pizza Kids Cards are back!

So how does a Boston Pizza Kids Card work? It’s simple! For a minimum $5 donation, families receive a Boston Pizza Kids Card good for five free Kids Meals at Boston Pizza, a total value of $35. Even better, if you register your Kids Card with a MyBP account, the new free program available at BostonPizza.com or the Boston Pizza iPhone app, you’ll receive a sixth free Kids Meal as well. That’s a whole lot of delicious for one low price! [Read more…]

Learn, Grow and Achieve – Three Important Investments For Your Child’s Future That Are Worth Making

June 26, 2014 by Kathryn 45 Comments

We are lucky to live in a country that’s full of opportunities, and as a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how many different options I have when it comes to helping my children grow and develop. But all that choice can be overwhelming too as I struggle to decide what opportunities are worth the investment of time and money and which ones aren’t. I manage the household finances very carefully so ensuring I’m making wise choices is very important to me. Here are the three investments that I believe are worth every penny when it comes to ensuring your child’s future success:

Invest in Travel

There is no experience more rewarding and educational than seeing another part of the world. Travel can be expensive, but the investment gives back so much in life experience that it’s one I think is well worth making. My mom took me on a trip to Finland and Cyprus when I was just eight years old and I still remember how much I learned and grew on that journey. Now as a parent myself, I’m determined to ensure that my boys get that same life experience that travel provides. And I’ve seen for myself how beneficial travel is to my boys even when our destination is a nearby city. Whether you head to a neighbouring province to explore its heritage or save up for a large, once-in-a-lifetime trip somewhere exotic, money spent travelling with your child is always a wise investment in their future. [Read more…]