Back To School with @KandooKids


School is getting ready to be back in session, if it hasn't started for some of your kids already, and it's time to get ready for it. We've been pretty busy over here this last week shopping for clothes, school supplies and getting the kids haircuts.

While the kids have their back to school supply list that they need for their classes, I also have my own list of items I buy to help me get ready for the school year. One of the items I have on my list is Kandoo's Detangler.  Both of my kids have hair that's not exactly coarse , like mine, and not exactly fine, like my husband's. Their hair is some what in the middle and wavy. My son's hair is much easier to manage than my daughter's, since her hair is longer, it gets tangled a lot more than his, but I love using Kandoo's Detangler on both the kids, because it's easy to apply with its mini trigger, preventing clogs and won't leave their hair greasy.


Kandoo's Detangler has natural ingredients that helps moisturize and conditions hair. It's kid friendly being tear free, which lets me feel more comfortable with letting my daughter use it on her hair herself when she's combing her hair out after she washes it.

I love that you can use it on your hair whether it's wet or dry and that it works on all hair types. It's definitely been a time saver for me when doing my daughter's hair in the mornings before school.

If you haven't yet tried Kandoo's Detangler, I definitely would recommend you do, especially those of you who have little girls with long and thick hair, it works great!
Disclosure: I receive special perks as a part of my affiliation with the Kandoo Ambassadorship. The opinions on this blog are 100% my own.


 

The End Of Summer 2014! #KinderMom


I can't believe that Summer is almost over. It definitely feels like it was just yesterday the kids were heading to school for their last day and here we are getting prepared for them to head back to school. I'm excited and sad at the same time. Excited that our normal routine will be back in order, but sad that the kids will be heading into grades four and two. They're getting so big.

We definitely had an eventful Summer. Although we didn't get to do as much as we usually do in Summer, the kids still had a blast hanging out with friends, going to the splash-pad, celebrating my son's seventh birthday and finally meeting their new sister.



Having a newborn in the house has been an adjustment, but we're all really excited that the baby is here and that we've had time to get adjusted before the school year starts.

With school being around the corner, we still have one more birthday to celebrate this weekend, my daughter turns nine and we're taking her and a few of her friends to cosmic bowling. There will be lots of food and drinks, music and of course bowling to entertain the girls. I'm sure we'll all have a blast before school starts next week.

With Summer ending, Kinder Canada is inviting you to share your Summer Smiles with them in their new "Photo Strip," app. By visiting their Facebook Page, you too can have fun by sharing and capturing moments of joy in a playful way. Below are the easy steps to getting your own Photo Strip:


Start your photo-strip
Upload your photos
Choose a fancy KINDER® frame
Choose a filter 
Save & share 
Add #kindersmiles to any photo-strip and you can see your smile in the app’s gallery view.


Heading to Toronto this weekend before school starts? Be sure to check out The Smile Booth that will be at the CNE from August 30th til September 1st, celebrating 40 years of Kinder!
 Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.






 

Thirsty Thursday: @Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita (Review & Giveaway)


As we're coming to the end of Summer in the next few weeks, there's still time to get together with family and friends and host or attend a end of the Summer Barbecue. Or if you're like me, get your girlfriends together for a girls night in and catch up and chat and laugh over a few appetizers and cocktails since you finally can after being pregnant for the majority of the Summer.

  

That's exactly what I was able to do last weekend. Enjoy some girl time over the latest cocktail from Skinnygirl. I was sent a bottle of their (new in Canada) Sparkling Margarita. Now, I'm already a huge fan of their products. I just love that I can have a few cocktails and not feel guilty about the intake on calories. This ready to serve cocktail is just like the other Skinnygirl products, low in calorie and absolutely delicious. That's why Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita is this week's Thirsty Thursday drink.

   

I absolutely loved that all I had to do is stick the drink in the fridge to chill and it was ready to serve. A combination of a spritzer and margarita, this bubbly drink will have you feeling refreshed. It's definitely a twist on your original margarita with a perfect balance of both tequila and citrus. It's perfect for these last few weeks of hot weather that we're having. It's not too heavy of a drink and like some sparkling drinks, doesn't make you feel bloated after having a few. It's light and refreshing and a great drink to serve to guests.

You can find Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita at your local LCBO retailing for around $15.99. For more information about this drink and other low-cal drinks, be sure to head on over to:  www.skinnygirlcocktails.com   

GIVEAWAY:
One lucky Canadian reader will win a Skinnygirl Prize Pack, which includes a bottle of the new Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita and Skinnygirl California Red Wine. 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


@Hexbug Aquabot 2.0 Smart Fish (Review & Giveaway)


When you find a toy that both your son and daughter both love, you know it's a good one. I'm talking about the new Aquabot 2.0 Smart fish from Hexbug. This robotic fish comes alive when put in water. Your choice of either the Angelfish or Hammerhead Shark, the aquabot is packed with smart fish technology that has sensors and an inner glow that makes them appear alive like a real fish.

  
My kids had a blast with this smart fish. It comes with your fish, a fish bowl, batteries and a restickable name tag. My son had a blast naming the fish, CJ. Both kids absolutely loved that not only did the fish come alive in water, but that it swims in various speeds and depths and that it glows as well. 



What I love about the smart fish is that after five minutes the fish will fall asleep and won't turn back on until you tap on the fish tank, this definitely saves the battery and keeps your fish alive longer. And when your batteries do die, you can easily replace them for less than five bucks! I also love that I don't have to clean this fish tank like I had when we had actual real fishes. Definitely a plus side to getting an Aquabot. This is a great toy that the entire family can enjoy.


Hexbug Aquabot 2.0 Smart Fish is retailed for around $14.99. For more information on Aquabots, be sure to check out Hexbug on their website.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Hexbug Aquabot 2.0 Smart Fish at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Bath Time with A Newborn! #DisneyBabyCA (Giveaway)


It's been almost three weeks since we welcomed our little girl in to the world. She is healthy and perfect and is such a blessing. Since I had her via c-section, it certainly has been an adjustment trying to get back to a somewhat schedule. It's hard enough trying to get into a new routine with a newborn, but add healing from a c-section in there and it certainly takes a while.

I am still a bit sore, but I'm trying to get my house back into shape and prepare for my daughter's ninth birthday in a couple weeks as well as get ready for the two older kids to head back to school. They've been such big helpers I'm definitely going to miss them when they're back in school.


Since baby number three has been home I swear I some times feel like a first time mom. It's been seven years since I had a newborn in the house and there are so many rules that were okay seven years ago that aren't now. So making sure I follow them and get adjusted has been a learning experience.

One thing I have been loving has been giving my little girl a bath. We do this at night before she heads to bed because I think it relaxes her a bit more and it certainly helps me so that I can  get a couple more hours of shut eye before her next feeding. It's great because during this time our house is quiet, everyone is asleep and it's just me and her, so we get some quality time together in which I "try" to sing her a few lullaby songs.

Below are a few tips from the lovely folks at Disney Baby that definitely helped reassure me when I first gave baby girl a bath after we came home from the hospital. Giving your little ones a bath can be a bit scary at first, even if you're not a first time mom, these tips can help you prepare safely.

FROM BUBBLES TO BATHROBES:
TIPS FOR BATHING YOUR BABY

Tip #1: Start small
Your baby is little, so their bathtub should be too! When you start bathing a baby, it’s easier to do it in the sink, or using a small plastic tub. That way, you won’t have to kneel or lean awkwardly over the side of a big bath while keeping your baby upright. Some baby tubs, like this adorable Winnie the Pooh one, feature built-in toys, ensuring that bath time is fun for everyone! 

Tip #2: Ditch the daily dips
Babies don’t need to bathe everyday – in fact, daily baths can dry out or damage your little one’s skin. It only takes two or three baths a week to ensure that baby stays squeaky-clean, as long as you stay vigilant about keeping face, hands and diaper area clean between washes. These Finding Nemowashcloths are the perfect way to keep baby fresh between bath times.

Tip #3: Lock in that moisture
If your baby does have dry skin, rub on a little moisturizing lotion, cream or oil post bath. There are plenty of products out there that both you and your baby can use!

Tip #4: Keep baby warm
Wet babies can become easily chilled, so throughout bath time it’s important to keep your little one warm. Ensure that bath water is around 37 degrees and that the air in the bathroom is comfortably warm as well. After the bath, wrap baby up in a soft, clean towel and give him a little snuggle! A Winnie the PoohBathtime Wrap keeps baby feeling cozy and looking cute. 

GIVEAWAY: 
One Canadian reader will win a Mickey Mouse clothing set along with a hydration bottle and clip-on rattle!
 


 
Disclosure: I am a Disney Baby Mom Ambassador and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group; however all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

30 Days of Beauty w/ Shoppers Drug Mart #30DaysofBeauty



Running from now through September 14th, the 4th annual 30 Days of Beauty event by Shoppers Drug Mart is back at it again. We shared with you all last year about this program and Shoppers is back at it again with 30 new gorgeous looks, new makeup tutorial videos, new products on the list and free in-store 5 minute makeovers that you can get at your local Shoppers Drug Mart.

I don’t know about you, but as a mom of three and being as busy as I am, it’s hard to find time to go out and get myself pampered. Knowing that I can head to my local Shoppers during their 30 Days of Beauty for a quick 5 minute makeover is awesome. Not only can you book a makeover for yourself, but you can head on over to their website daily to check out offers on your favourite beauty brands, tips, instructional “How To” videos and even behind the scenes videos on YouTube. 



I’m super excited to get another 5 minute makeover. I had one last year and I was so pleased with the outcome. I learned lots of knew tips when it comes to what looks great on me and I also found some new makeup products that I am still using a year later that look great on me. Even though I don’t wear too much makeup, unless I’m going out, it was great to learn a few new looks I could use for whenever I am out for a night on the town.

During this HUGE beauty event, Shoppers Drug Mart giving us the chance to snag an exclusive gift with purchase where if you spend $75 or more on cosmetics, skincare and fragrance you will receive a beautiful cosmetic bag that’s filled with over 25 beauty and fragrance samples. This special offer will run between August 23rd through August 29th.

Be sure not to miss it. Also, be sure to head on over to 30daysofbeauty.ca where you will be able to see one day only and campaign offers on all your favourite beauty brands, every day, for 30 days, with new tips and tutorials.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. The products mentioned above have been given as part of a sponsored post through our ad network, SheBlogsMedia, for Shoppers Drug Mart.

Enjoy Your Next Summer BBQ with @Tostitos® Canada


Summer is here and school is out. One thing I absolutely love about summer besides travelling would be the barbecues we have. It's always nice to get family and friends together for some good food, drinks, laughs and good company. When we have barbecues, I'm always being asked what my guests should bring. Naturally I say chips or some sort of side dish that can go along with the meat and other sides I've already made.

When hosting a barbecue or going to one, you always want to make food that you can easily put together without a lot of prep work and cooking time. That's why when we have our barbecues; I usually make my Taco Dip that everyone seems to love. It's easy and simple and anyone can make it. It takes less than ten minutes to put together with less than five ingredients. Below you can find the recipe to the Taco Dip that I make. I'm telling you, your family and friends will love it.



Zesty Taco & Salsa Dip
Ingredients:
8oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
2 cups of Tostitos® Mild Salsa

Directions: In a bowl put in both your cream cheese and sour cream. With a hand mixer, mix both ingredients until you get a smooth consistency. Next pour in your taco seasoning and combine that together with a spoon with your mixture.  The last step is to then add two cups of Tostitos® Mild Salsa. Whip that together and cover and let dip sit in fridge for 2-3 hours before serving to guests. 

Along with my dip I usually like to make a big helping of loaded nachos for my guests to eat as an appetizer so that they're not starving before the main food is ready. These go really quick and the best thing about them is they take little to no time to put together. The only thing you have to cook is the meat, which takes little to no time, and then assemble your nachos on a big platter for your guest to enjoy. What I like to do is make sure that items like sour cream, salsa and guacamole are set on the side for my guest to put on themselves, that way the nachos don't get all soggy. Plus not everyone loves those condiments on nachos.

Below is the recipe to my loaded nachos that I've paired together with the new Tostitos® Artisan RecipesTM Grilled Red Pepper & Tomato Salsa. These chips are absolutely delicious on their own and when you add them to nachos, you're putting them on a whole new level that everyone will love. 



Supreme Cream Cheese Nachos
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 can of kidney beans
1 packet of Taco Seasoning
2 cups of shredded lettuce
1 cup shredded cheese
1 tomato (diced)
2 green onions (diced)
1 bag of Tostitos® Artisan RecipesTM Red Pepper & Tomato Salsa Chips

Directions:
Cook ground beef til brown. Drain and mix in your taco seasoning per directions on the package. While meat is cooling down assemble your platter together with chips going on the bottom, next lettuce, ground beef and kidney beans, cheese, tomatoes and green onions. Serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream on side.


Both dishes above are made with items from Tostitos® and all the ingredients can be found at your local Walmart. Definitely two great dishes that take little to no time at all to cook and put together, but will have your guests asking for more. They're both perfect for not only barbecues, but family holidays and birthday parties too. You can find more easy recipes and meals using products from Tostitos® at both their website and Facebook page, perfect during this summer! 


GIVEAWAY
Can't get your fill of Tostitos? Need products to create your winning recipe? Well, you could be the lucky winner of a 3 months supply of chips and salsa! Simply comment on this post with the words "I love Tostitos" to be entered. A random winner will be chosen on the 31st of
 August. (Giveaway open to Canadian Readers only) Good Luck!
  


Disclosure: As a Chatelaine Taster & Tester, I receive product for review. However all views are my own. I was asked by Tostitos® to come up with two easy and delicious recipes using Tostitos® products.