Celebrate International Women’s Day with 4 Inspiring Documentaries from Netflix

March 21, 2017 by Kathryn 15 Comments

As the only women in a house full of males, I often think about how lucky I am to have a husband that truly understands the importance of feminism, and I also wonder how I can best teach my boys that same respect for women. Since International Women’s Day just passed, finding ways to celebrate how far we’ve come in forwarding women’s rights and investigating what we can do better is on the forefront of many people’s minds. If you’re looking for some inspiration, these four documentaries on Netflix are a great place to start!

Miss Representation

I had the chance to see an exclusive premier of this movie when it first debuted and it has a powerful message about the destructive representation of women by the entertainment and media industries. Seeing the way that the media’s portrayal of women influences the way women are perceived by society had me inspired to find ways to change the narrative and ensure women are seen as the strong, complex and unique individuals they truly are. [Read more…]

Always and Walmart Are Teaming Up to Help Girls’ Sports Teams Embrace their Strength and Play Like a Girl!

September 16, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

When I was in early grade school, my best friend was a young boy named Jamie that lived at the end of the street. It was mostly a friendship of convenience since we were within walking distance of one another, but we did enjoy playing imaginary games and talking about our future with one another too. Until one day when I came home in tears because I told Jamie I was going to be a firefighter when I grew up and he told me that only boys were allowed to be firefighters.

Our society has come a long way since my childhood days, but misconceptions and prejudices like the one I faced as a child still crop up in surprising places. My sister, upon completing her schooling as an electrician with top marks, wasn’t able to obtain a degree because no company would offer her an apprenticeship. A fellow school friend with a passion for hockey had to fight for years for a place on the boys’ team because all the other girls her age were playing Ringette instead. Instances like these are why I’m such a big fan of the Always #LikeAGirl campaign. [Read more…]

Mattel Has 9 Holiday Gifts That Are This Year’s #ListToppers for Kids-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

December 9, 2015 by Kathryn 143 Comments

Holiday shopping is in full swing right now, and if you’re still looking for that perfect gift, Mattel has some great suggestions for you! From trains that do tricks to trendy tree decorations, there’s something for kids of all ages in this collection! Check out the nine toys that are sure to be list toppers for kids this year!

Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Turbo Flip Thomas™ Ages 3+Y | $59.99 | Available at Walmart, Toy’R’Us® and Amazon®

The original Thomas the Tank Engine™ train was made of wood and got pushed around on traditional tracks. Who would’ve guessed that one day Thomas would have such amazing features? A remote control, light-up track projector and the ability to do jaw-dropping backflips and wheelies make Turbo Flip Thomas™ a toy for a new generation.

Barbie® Rock ‘n Royal Courtney and Erika Dolls™ Ages 3Y+ | $29.99 | Available at Walmart, Toys’R’Us® and Amazon®

Have you ever watched the Barbie® Rock ‘N Royals™ movie and wished Barbie® could perform a private concert in your own home? Well, if you haven’t, you can bet your kids have. The Barbie® Rock ‘n Royal™ Courtney and Erika dolls sing songs from the movie and can perform an awesome rock concert. Their variety of songs and fashion outfits are perfect for hours of playtime fun this holiday season. [Read more…]

Barbie Wants Little Girls To Know that #YouCanBeAnything-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

November 18, 2015 by Kathryn 118 Comments

When I was in Kindergarten, my best friend was a boy named Jamie that lived down the street from me. We went to the same babysitter and often spent hours playing at each other’s houses on the weekends as well. But one day I came running home from my friend’s house in tears and when my mom asked me what was wrong, I told her that Jamie said I couldn’t be a firefighter when I grew up because I was a girl. My mom was quick to comfort me and tell me that Jamie was wrong and I could be anything I wanted.

Even in the mid-80s of my childhood, Jamie’s opinion was becoming one that was frowned upon, and in our modern age the suggestion that a woman couldn’t perform a job because of her gender is considered as absurd as it is. Yet there are still some people that persist with the outdated idea that some jobs are meant only for men and others are meant only for women.

Barbie Canada is passionate about encouraging girls to follow their dreams no matter what and that’s why the company offers the fabulous line of Barbie Careers dolls to help remind little ones that “You Can Be Anything!” From CEO to Scientist to Figure Skater to Eye Doctor, there’s nothing that Barbie can’t do! And the Barbie Careers dolls, fashion outfits and playsets are the perfect way to let a child get inspired for her own future career. I was pretty excited to see that the collection includes a Barbie Careers Firefighter Fashion Pack! [Read more…]

Inspire a Love of Music with Barbie Rock n’ Royals Dolls and DVD-Giveaway #BeSuper

August 19, 2015 by Kathryn 57 Comments

When I was about five years old, my mom put me in piano lessons. I still remember those first lessons colouring cartoon pictures illustrating the different notes and practicing fingering exercises. At the time, there were certainly days that I didn’t want to sit and play piano. But that early introduction to music led to my learning multiple other instruments in later years and having an appreciation for music that’s lasted my entire life.

Now, with two children of my own, I’m a huge believer in the importance of music in a child’s development. In fact, my boys have dozens of children’s music CDs for just that reason. And I’ve seen for myself how that exposure to music helps encourage their creativity and keep them active! Want to get your kids inspired to create their own music? These three tips will help!

Don’t Follow Directions

You read that right! Many parents encourage their little ones in music through structured music lessons. But for many kids, music lessons can be stressful and monotonous. While following directions and reading music is important for any musician, finding your own beat is just as vital. Encourage your daughter to break the rules once in a while by singing or playing a musical instrument however she pleases. This will give her the opportunity to fully express herself and have fun while doing it! [Read more…]

Little Girls Celebrate Canada’s Diversity with Maplelea Girls Dolls

May 16, 2014 by Kathryn 26 Comments

One of the things I love so much about Canada is its diversity, and that’s why I’ve always loved Maplelea Girls. These large and realistic dolls are instantly appealing to both children and parents because of their wholesome look and realistic body type. But even better, each of the Maplelea Girls dolls has a unique personality based on one of the Canadian provinces!

I was lucky enough to receive a Maplelea Girl doll to review recently, and after a lot of deliberation, I decided on Taryn. My oldest niece has a birthday coming up and even though she lives in Saskatchewan, we have a lot of extended family in British Columbia, so I thought a doll from that province would be a fun choice. And Taryn’s light brown hair and pale skin even match Anna’s looks!

[Read more…]

New Hello Kitty Dolls from Blip Toys are a Little Girl’s Best Friend

November 25, 2013 by Kathryn 7 Comments

If you have a Hello Kitty fan in your life, she will love the brand new Hello Kitty Dolls from Blip Toys! These dolls take fun to a new level with poseable bodies and different outfits to help inspire hours of creative play. I received the Princess Hello Kitty Doll to check out and I could tell at a glance that it would be sure to put a smile on any little girl’s face.

I really liked the large size of these dressable dolls. At 13.5 inches, they are the perfect size for a new best friend. And the dolls are available with four different outfits to suit different personalities: Best Friends, Dance, Pop and Princess. My personal favourite was the Best Friends doll with her classic striped shirt and overalls outfit and toy Hello Kitty doll. But the Princess Hello Kitty Doll I had received was a close second! The frilly, shiny tutu dress she was wearing was so adorable! [Read more…]

Comfy Tutus For Even the Youngest Princess Thanks to Princess London’s Tutu Boutique-Giveaway

November 24, 2013 by Brenna 21 Comments

Regular readers will know about how much my daughters love their tutus. Recently my youngest little cupcake received her very first tutu and wow, is it gorgeous! Princess London’s Tutu Boutique sent us its beautiful Mermaid Tutu Dress and matching headband in the perfect size for my seven-month-old daughter.

My two older daughters watched eagerly as I opened the package and both reached out desperately as I held up the small dress. Both of them insisted it must be for them despite its small size, and were crushed to learn that this tutu was for their baby sister. They recovered quickly though, as the sight of another tutu simply prompted them to scamper upstairs and put on their own tutus for some frolicking games. [Read more…]