Tram Footwear - amazing boots for the cold weather ahead

Canadians know how to live with the elements, especially with snow and cold. Whether it is going to work on a rainy day, holiday shopping, driving to the rink, walking in the country or shoveling the driveway, we’ve learned to live with what the day brings and enjoy every sunny day as a bonus. 

Born in Montreal, crossroads of North-American and European cultures, Tram offers a new generation of waterproof, warm and comfortable three-season footwear. Inspired by urban life and fashion, Tram boots have been designed for those who look for function and sophistication, without compromising comfort or style.

Tram footwear designs boots for the stylish woman, urban man and ever playful kids.

Brandon got a pair of Tram boots in the blue rockets print below, they are awfully cute but I have to admit that the owls are my personal favorite!  If he would have worn them they were my first pick!  To bad he doesn't have the same taste as me.  Brandon wears these boots all the time. 

 

He loves how easy they are to put on and that they are warm, comfortable and of course they are cool.  They are his go to piece of footwear, I have to convince him to sit down and put on runners :)  Some other great features are the antimicrobial insole which with a boy is a must have.  The handles make them super easy to put on and the quality is awesome.  There are lots of knock offs out there but you can really tell the difference with the quality.  The "cheap" ones just don't last.  They end up in the trash after a month, ours did, and I am sure I will be able to pass along these Tram boots when Brandon grows out of them.

Check out how great these soles are!  Brandon has worn other boots and he has worn through the heel in them after a month.  These Tram boots have held up so amazing well, they are worth the money by far!  They are not slippery in the rain or snow, nice and grippy, easy to run in and waterproof.  I know when Brandon sees a puddle he goes for it, doesn't matter if we have to cross the road to get to it!

Tram boots are available at lots of retailers, just check the site!

Halloween is only 20 days away

Here is a great article from definitive deals!!

Halloween is right around the corner, and for many, that means decorations, pumpkins, parties and of course, finding the perfect costume for your little one. Since we all know what an expensive ordeal this can turn into, today we’re going to focus on 5 simple tips that can help you dress to impress this year, and all without breaking the bank.

 

Whether you’re looking for something scary, something funny or something unique, the most frightening part about costume shopping is the price tag. Fear not though, there are plenty of ways that you can find something that will make heads roll come October 31.

 

So what can you do? Here are a few tips:

 

1.

Avoid Seasonal Stores: You see them everywhere around this time of year, and as tempting as it can be to gather all of your materials from there, doing so can also turn this into a rather expensive ordeal. If you need one or two items, then by all means, go for it, but don’t get your entire costume from there. Especially if there are less expensive ways around you…

2.

Costumes With Friends: Whether it’s between friends, family members or even neighbors, many parents have discovered that swapping clothes (and in this case, costumes) is a great way to avoid spending money on something brand new. Plus, since most costumes aren’t worn on a regular basis, there is less wear-and-tear, meaning your kid gets a high quality get-up that’s just like new.  

3.

DIY: Why buy something new when you can make it yourself? Sometimes the best costumes are the ones that come from your own imagination or your own two hands. No need to visit the specialty stores, just a quick trip to a hobby shop for a few materials and you’re good to go.  

4.

Thrift Stores, Consignments, Second-Hand Stores: Of course, sometimes there’s no getting around buying a costume, and if this is the case, consider shopping for materials at a thrift store or a second-hand shop. Not only can you find a variety of materials and accessories that you can repurpose, but it will only cost you a fraction of what you would normally have to pay elsewhere.

5.

Online Coupons: Shopping online has its advantage. It gives you access to millions of stores, while also allowing you to scope out all of the deals you want. Of course, for those who refuse to pay full price, there’s the tried-and-true method of using coupons.

 

And one place will not only supply you with all of the deals you want, but they’ll do it all for free.

 

Since their launch in 2005, DefinitiveDeals has been dedicated to helping others live a better life without breaking the bank. To do so, they provide shoppers everywhere with a variety of free online coupons to thousands of different stores. Whether it’s costumes, decorations, or everyday goods and services, you’ll never have to pay more than you should ever again.

 

Because as we like to say, “life is meant to be enjoyed.”

 

To learn more, visit our website at http://www.definitivedeals.com

 

 

 

Kinder joins forces with Monsters University

Did you get a chance to watch Monsters University this Summer?  We didn't but the kids really wanted to see it.  Hopefully its out on video soon.  We had a crazy busy Summer here, super busy but lots of fun. Lots of day trips and lots of memories but that's what its all about!

Have you seen the great new Kinder eggs that are floating around out there?  They are Monsters University eggs!!!  How awesome is that.  Best part is that each and every specialty marked Monsters University Kinder egg contains a Monsters University licenced toy!!  My kids are loving them, and its making them ask for more and more Kinder eggs than ever before. 



Although we don't have any monster fears in our house, thank goodness, I have seen a really cool tool out there for those of you who have kids that struggle with this.  You just take a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of essential oils.  Fill up the spray bottle and then make a label for it.  You can do something up on the computer or do a scrapbook style or even just use a black marker.  You can label it Monster B Gone, Monster Spray, or what ever other creative name you can come up with :)  Here is the link to pinterest where I found some of these :)



Make sure you check out the Kinder Canada facebook page for great things.  There is always some fun stuff going on and once in a while a giveaway or two :)

Disclosure : I am part of the Kinder Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on my blog are as always my own!

Spring picks from The Healthy Shopper 2013

So The Healthy Shopper is a free coupon book available for anyone who wants coupons for healthy, organic products that usually you can't find coupons for.  As I think you all know I like to coupon, I am frugal and love it.  It can be hard sometimes though to find coupons for things that are not processed or for fresh fruit, vegetables or meats.  Its not impossible just not as easy as it is to find coupons for processed foods and cleaners etc.

The Healthy Shopper has made a few picks for some of their favorites for Spring 2013

The first pick is 100% natural yogurt, certified organic Olympic Yogurt.  Its a nice creamy yogurt.  I love being able to give this to my kids and know that there is no chemicals hiding inside.  I tried making my own yogurt for a few months but it was time consuming, in a machine at that, and the kids didn't love it.  This they loved and I still no what is in it.  Not to mention the time I save :)

The second pick is Simply Natural organic salsa.  This salsa comes in a few different flavors.  Chunky mild, chunky medium, black bean and corn (my favorite) mango and pineapple.  I am not personally a fan of mango or pineapple salsa but I gave them to my girlfriend and she raved about them.  So that's all I needed to hear.

Pick number three is Natracare.  I have used these feminine products in the past as well and love them.  Nice and soft and natural.  I love knowing what is next to my skin and the last thing I want there is chemicals.  Kristina will be soon using products like this and the last thing I want to do to her young body is put chemicals all over it.  I actually believe that products like this should never actually be able to have chemicals in them. 

Pick four is Hylands restful legs which I love.  I randomly get restless legs and they are no fun at all.  I didn't even know that there was anything out there for this.  I have started taking iron pills which does help but it doesn't make them go away all together.  They have happened a few times since receiving this and oh my its amazing, totally made them stop and go away.  Priceless!

Make sure you order your free Healthy Shopper coupon book and check some of these out!

Crocs are not just holey shoes

Do you remember when Crocs first hit the market just over ten years ago?  They started out with just one style.  The shoes full of holes in all sorts of colors.  You either loved or hated them.  I loved them, so comfortable and in any of your favorite colors!  Crocs quickly expanded to include a now whopping 300 plus styles. 

With so many to choose from where do you start.  Well for starters they don't just carry shoes with holes.  They have beautiful wedges to leather work shoes to golf shoes that weigh only 10 ounces.  Depending on what you are looking for there is a good chance you can find it at Crocs.

The shoes I have the hardest time finding are work shoes.  I work in retail and I am on my feet for 8-9 hours a day.  As much as I would love to wear pumps and beautiful heels all day long that's just not realistic.  Personally I have difficult feet to fit, I have big feet, size 10 and wide feet.  Top that off with feet that sweat, like get wet, and are stinky.  I really know how to sell myself ;)

So I have to wear flat or a slight heeled shoe.  I refuse to suffer in uncomfortable shoes all day at work.  Crocs sent me the Patricia II and I fell in love. 

Patricia II Details:

• Fashion-smart mini wedge sandal with 2" heel for a little lift.
• A Crocs favorite with criss-cross strap design.
• Tiny massaging nubs across footbed to stimulate blood flow.
• Fully molded Croslite™ material women's sandal.
• Lightweight, non-marking Croslite™ material outsole.

The fit was awesome.  They were very comfortable and I worked all day in them no problem.  They were wide enough which was amazing because they are not a "wide" sandal.  The only thing that didn't totally work for me was that when my feet sweat they were a bit slippery ;)  The upside though is that they don't get smelly because a rinse and they are clean but with other fabrics that just not the case.

I am definelty going to be picking up a few more pairs of Crocs to add to my collection :)

Pink Pink Pink

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 and can not be bought!

We are Kinder fanatics in our house!  The kids love them and even I love to munch away on them.  Kinder has always been great with keeping things new and exciting.  The latest and greatest thing that they have come up with is the new Pink Egg!  Now pink eggs are not just for girls.  Boys love them too, including my boy.

I have always been big on trying not to stereotype my kids.  Not just pink and dolls for Kristina and just trucks and blue for Brandon.  This is another great time to talk about how things don't have to be just for girls or just for boys.  Girls love trucks and boys love dolls, mine anyways ;)

Now I am a little late on the ball this month but there is an amazing contest going on over on the Kinder Canada facebook page for a $250 Visa gift card!  How awesome would that be to win?!?!?  Make sure you check it out ASAP as it ends tomorrow :( sorry for the short notice.

 Brandon is missing his 4 front teeth but can still eat an apple without me having to cut it up ;)

Kristina is one of the kindest, more generous people I know

xoxo to my babies

What makes your kids unique?

Pasta Salad - a Summer favorite

I love pasta salad and rumor has it its a favorite among lots of folks in the Summer.  My girlfriend made up a batch over the weekend and invited me over for a bowl.  The great thing about Pasta salad is that you can have it on its own for lunch or a snack or as a side with lunch or dinner.  Pasta salad is something that you really don't need a recipe for.  Some of my favorite things to add to a pasta salad are ham, peas, corn, pickles, and cheese.

My girlfriend and I were discussing tips on making pasta salad and there were a few that stuck out for us.  First you can't rinse the pasta with cold water once you cook it.  If you rinse it with cold water the mayo won't stick and it goes dry the next day.  When you drain the pasta you just add the frozen peas and corn and mix.  While the peas and corn are defrosting in the hot noodles the noodles cool off. 

Then you can thrown in the rest of your ingredients and your good to go.  Nobody wants pasta salad where the mayo won't stick to the noodles.  Another great tip is to add some pickle juice to the mayo when your making the dressing.  It just gives it a bit of a kick.  The contrast in the different flavors does it for me.  Sharpness in the cheese, sweetness in the pickle and the kick in the dressing.  Love it. 

What is your tip for a really good pasta salad?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own!

Dairy Queen and FREE Ice Cream!!!

I may go to Dairy Queen almost every week.  I hate to admit that publicly.  I am not a fan of packing lunches and work full time.  I am trying, sort of, to get better but in the meantime my friends at Dairy Queen always have a yummy pick me up available.  When I am craving something greasy I love a good basket of onion rings, with ketchup, lots of ketchup.  When I am in the mood for something on the healthy side I go for a nice big Orange Julius smoothie.  The mango pineapple is my favorite, well and I like the triple berry as well. 

I should not be writing this at 8:30 at night, this is just making me hungry ;)

Right now you can save a few bucks and still go out for a blizzard after dinner with the kids and grab a smoothie on the way to work.  If your kids go through cereal like mine then if you are sure to pick up the cereal with the special Dairy Queen coupons on it you can win win like me. 

Specially marked boxes of General Mills cereal like Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Oatmeal Crisp contain these great coupons.  The boxes all contain two coupons.  The first one is for a free small Orange Julius drink valid April 1-July 31 2012.  The second coupon is for a free small blizzard valid May 1-31 2012.

Start collecting, the cereal is on sale all over the place.  How can you not love spending $4 on cereal to get not only the cereal but also get the $8 worth of coupons :)

Enjoy

Disclosure: I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.

Spring Break 2013

Spring Break is two weeks this year and that couldn't have made me happier.  I got lots of time with my babies that wasn't all baths and homework.  Not that I don't like bath time but sometimes fun time would be awesome.  I was able to take my holidays this year for Spring Break, other than a couple of days that my Mom is kind enough to take the kids for.

The first week we spent 4 out of 5 days down in Victoria enjoying the weather, each other and the quiet.  Well the inner quiet because it certainly was not actually quiet lol.  We fed some seals, touched starfish and sea anemones, fed some ducks, took the city bus, went to a bug zoo, ate ice cream and did some shopping.  I loved it and I am pretty sure the kids did as well.

This week started out with some more amazing weather.  Today we made some bath bombs, you can get the super easy instructions here, and we played catch and did a lot of gardening.  Man is gardening ever relaxing, I never knew.  I always grow lots of tomato plants, the kids love tomatoes but man weeding for over an hour, I was dreading it but it was actually really awesome.

When it was time to cook up some dinner for the starving kids I wanted something easy to make.  I despise being stuck in the kitchen when its nice out.  If I can be sitting in the yard enjoying a nice cold beverage I would way rather be doing that than spending all night over a hot stove. 

My girlfriend has been keeping my freezer full of prawns and I have been trying to come up with different things to make with them.  So far I am loving a nice fettuccine alfredo with diced mushrooms, and some peas and of course the prawns on top.  This picture is when I made it a few weeks ago and tonight I even did the garlic bread homemade instead of store bought :)

Any suggestions for other prawn recipes? 
Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Kinder Canada for Easter 2013

I am so excited for making some new memories this Easter.  Last Easter was the end to my marriage, a blessing in disguise, but still a rough holiday.  This year the kids and I are going to create some great new memories and some new traditions.  I don't get them back from their Dads until 1:30 and we are going to walk into the house to a great big egg hunt.  I am pretty excited. 

This is for sure on my to do list!  I have read a few reviews on it and it looks like a lot of fun and easy.  The only hard part is finding Kool-Aid hahaha.  I can't wait to decorate eggs, maybe the house this year, I haven't done that before but get pretty into Christmas so maybe.

The kids of course are most excited about the chocolate!  Why wouldn't they be, its chocolate!  I am stashing Kinder chocolate left right and center in my closet, but don't tell the kids.  I am fighting the urge to chow down and try to save it.  I think my plan is to hide stuff all over the house and the bigger things I will label with a K or a B so they know whos is whos.  I know Kristina is thoughtful and kind enough to leave lots of the little stuff for her brother and not take it all herself.

Support to Children’s Miracle Network: Sharing is caring. This is what the celebration is all about for KINDER Canada, who will be donating $1 to Children’s Miracle Network of Canada for every new friend of their Facebook Page from March 1st to 31st, up to $25,000.  Be sure to like like like.

Also the beloved Easter bunny Harry is touring Canada! Keep your eyes peeled, Harry will be making surprise appearances at family events in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary & Vancouver this March to celebrate Easter and spread the joy with FREE samples of Kinder® Mini eggs. Stay up to date on where Harry will be by checking the Kinder Canada Facebook page!

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.

Pizza Hut is our new ritual

We have a new ritual on our Sunday nights!  Sunday nights is now the hardest night of the week for my little family.  Its hard for my kids when they come home from their Dads house, they are confused, needy, and oh so snugly.  I don't begrudge it, at all, don't get me wrong.  I can never have to many snuggles.  The only downside is that sometimes, when they have a not so great weekend, I literally can't get off of the couch.  I have one laying on me and one trying to lay on the other side of me.  Instead of fighting it and not giving my kids what they need I have come up with some alternatives to cooking a big meal.

I have started letting the kids decide what they wanted for dinner.  We either order in, or go to my parents, or sometimes my amazing Mama cooks us dinner and leaves it here for us to reheat when I get off work.  They have seriously been the best.  I don't know how I would have gotten through this last year without them.



Back to Pizza Hut.  For the last three, yes I will publicly admit this, we have ordered Pizza Hut.  Usually I like to change things up a bit but the deal they have going on right now is mind blowing.  To good to pass by.  For only $10 you can get a medium hand tossed style crust pizza with ANY three toppings.  That's right, any three toppings.  You can have shrimp, green peppers and tomato, or my personal child like favorite ham, pineapple, and extra cheese :)

Its only available for a limited time, so get it while you can, such a great deal!!  I can't order fast food for myself and the two kids for that price, and have left overs for breakfast, yup we get two :)  Will I see you there next week?  Maybe I should get more veggies next time :)  Tell your friends!

Happy Valentines Day with Disney Junior

Its the be my Disney Junior Valentine event! Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with Disney Junior Sunday, February 10 beginning at 9 a.m. It’ll be a morning filled with Valentine- and friendship-themed episodes from popular series including BRAND NEW EPISODES of Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Handy Manny. Catch the encore on Valentine’s Day at 7:30am and 5:10pm. If you missed it this last Sunday make sure to set your PVR for Valentines Day!

 

My kids are both pretty excited for Valentines Day this year! Kristina always is :) Brandon is taking some chocolate eggs to school along with his Valentines and Kristina has decided this year (grade 5) to skip Valentines cards. I am a bit sad about it, I love the day full of love and cards, notes and chocolate. Heck I am single and still love it, its all about my two loves for me, my babies! They may just wake up to heart pancakes, and chocolate to go with their cards ;)

There is also a fabulous contest going on over on the Disney Junior site, their contests are always fabulous though! Its the Disney Junior Rockin' Ever After Contest!

The show features some of the most magical idols of all! Ariel, Bells, Rapunzel and… Merida from Brave! Jam to a Scottish jig as a group of royal contenders from the latest Disney-Pixar film Brave, competes to win the heart of headstrong, sharp-shooting Merida, making her ice debut! It will be a rockin’ remix of royalty when Disney on Ice brings a magical superstar line-up to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Your readers can check showtimes, venues and tickets here.

Make sure to take 5 minutes to enter here! You will have a chance to win four front row seats for the March 15th, 2013 Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After show in Toronto! This wonderful prize includes round-trip flights, two nights at a hotel in Toronto, a character meet and greet experience, and a prize pack of Rockin’ Ever After merchandise! Fingers crossed its one of you that wins :)

 

As always you can make some Valentine e-cards with your little ones here. I have a spoiler alert as well. Who remembers Bananas in Pyjamas? I love them :) Well they are coming to Disney Junior starting on Monday, February 18 to Friday, February 22 at 7 p.m. Disney Junior is throwing a pyjama party to welcome twin bananas B1 and B2 of its newest series Bananas in Pyjamas! The festivities take place daily at 7 p.m. and offer a sneak peek of the PJ-wearing duo’s zany adventures in brand new episodes.

“Disclosure: I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”

Some favorites from 2012

2012 was a big year for me and my family!  I ended my marriage, which was super hard but one of the best things I could have done for the kids and myself.  The kids and I have come so unbelievably far.  The relationships that the kids and I have with my parents are at the best they have ever been.  We are in the best place I think we ever have been.  I couldn't be happier.

When I was with my husband he did most of the cooking, I did some but when I did I was usually ridiculed so the last 10 months have been spent building myself back up and learning some great new recipes and figuring out what we like and want to eat everyday.  I love that the only one who gets the final say on what we have is me, I don't love that I am the only one who can cook but Kristina's learning :)

Now that we can cook with wheat we have a lot more options.  I had forgotten how much I was missing out on with the no wheat.  I am still experimenting with casseroles, I really missed those, and the slow cooker.  Life saver for those nights I work until 6:15, then have to grab the kids, do dinner baths and in bed by 8:00, now that's a rushed a long night!

So now that I have rambled on for so long, without further adu here is my favorites from 2012

Dijon-Parmesan Chicken



Barbecued Pork Tenderloin ( I omit the chipolte sauce because I am a wimp)



Fresh Berry Crisp (I added blackberries as well, so good, we have it once a month :)



Any favourites you want to add?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own!

Barbie and Hot Wheels Kinder Eggs are unveiled

There are some awesome new Kinder Eggs out their.  Have your little ones spotted them yet?  The amazing folks at Kinder came up with Barbie eggs and Hot Wheel eggs!  How do you fit a Hot Wheel into a Kinder egg?  I guess you will have to pick one up to find out ;)  Brandon is as much of a fan of the Barbie eggs as he is of the Hot Wheels ones.  I was surprised at first, but once I figured out why it all made sense.

 

Brandon is a boys boy.  He loves his Mama and is very attached to me but he loves the mud.  He loves going on walks and holding my hand.  He loves Kinder eggs, Hot Wheels and girls.  He loves the kids that go to his daycare, especially the girls.  The girls love him. 

Its official, at almost 5 I have a ladies man on my hands.  Brandon started taking his Barbie Kinder Eggs prizes to school for his little friends.  They loved the prizes but I guess Brandon's attention was even more fought after.  The teacher asked that we not bring anymore prizes to school for his friends as it was becoming to competitive and a bit of a problem for the teachers. 

I shouldn't have allowed it at all looking back, of course someone always ends up sad and left out, and that's not ok.  But I didn't think it would be such a big problem.  The toys were just going into the girls cubbies for when they went home.  Some days though when I show up to pick up Brandon or just to drop him off I can't believe the attention hes getting from the girls.  They are all crowded around him, asking for hugs and stories.  Its not the boys at all either, just the girls and he sure loves them back.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Kinder Canada facebook page as there are some great giveaways going on.  They are handing out the new Barbie and Hot Wheel Kinder eggs like they are going out of style!

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.

Sofia the First season premier

Well the day we, well our kids, have been waiting for has finally arrived.  Your princes and princesses can roll out the red carpet for the series premiere of Sofia The First on Saturday, January 19th at 7pm ET.  We have heard lots about Sofia and now its finally time for the season premier!  Sofia has much to be thankful for this year - becoming a princess, her loving family, new friends (and let’s not forget that amazing room and wardrobe!).  Brandon and I read a great new book about Sofia and I love that he loved it.  I love that he didn't care that it was a princess book and he asked me to read it to him 4 nights in a row.

I know that he excited to see the premier of Sofia the First, we have it PVR'd because the kids are with their Dad this weekend.  He will be pumped when he gets to see that when he gets home!  There is another surprise that Kristina is going to freak over when she gets home!

Right before the Sofia the First premier will be Cinderella!!!!  That's right!  Cinderella, one of Disney's timeless classics, premieres on Disney Junior on Saturday January 19th at 5:45pm ET.

But wait, there’s more! Cinderella II: Dreams Come True will premiere on Sunday January 27th at 10:15am ET. If you loved sharing your special memories of Cinderella with your child on the 19th, you won't want to miss Cinderella II: Dreams Come True!


Its going to be a great weekend!  Set your PVR if you have plans and grab some popcorn!   I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own!