Mabel's labels back to school

School is back in session. Here in BC where we are that's saying a lot. You could say we had a bit of a rough start to the school year. I am not going to rehash it because I really don't want to but we are all really happy schools back. All of us :). On the kids first full day back I was off work and didn't know what to do with myself. I dropped them off at school, got them all settled, went and got a coffee and curled up with a blanket. I quickly forgot how I had spent my days without the kids back in June. I literally had no idea what I was going to do with myself all day. I quickly booked myself in for a massage for the following week. Gotta keep busy ;) and headed out to do some errands. It's funny how once you start thinking about what you have been meaning to so all of the sudden you end up with a list a mile long. In fact, I didn't even finish my list before I had to go back for pick up :)

Enough about my day. Once we heard that the strike was officially over I pulled out the bags of school supplies I bought a couple months prior. The kids and I sat down and got labelling. That process takes the longest but I enjoy it. I love putting cute or funky labels all over the kids stuff. Kristina really got into it as well. I do find it very satisfying come June when the kids bring home a bag of all their broken pencils and ripped up duo tangs and it's only made it home because of a great label. If it wasn't for that it would be at the bottom of the lost and found or even in the trash!

Mabel's labels are available to order online. You can personalize them and choose from so many designs. We received a back to school pack for Brandon and they are great. Like I said we have used them many times in the past and have always been super happy. The back to school packs are only available to order until the 30th of this month so if your thinking about ordering jump on it and get it done. 

The labels stayed on Brandon's shoes for the entire school year last year. That's very impressive. Dirty, stinky, smelly shoes and the label didn't even fade. They are easy to put on, stay on and stick to everything. They don't fade and are adorable. If your looking for tough labels that will stand the test of time and are affordable be sure to check out Mabel's labels. 

M&M Meats HOMESTYLE naturals

M&M Meats is the go to place for families on the go. If you have tball every Monday and Wednesday night or swimming lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays then you don't have much time to cook. I love tball nights but it's hard to get to the ball diamond by 5:30 and eat a full dinner. I don't want to start dinner at 4 or 4:30. It's weird and I usually have other things going on.

That's where M&M Meats comes in. Dinner in a box or bag. I realize how unappetizing that sounds. Premade meals can be gross at best but M&M Meats is seriously like home cooked meals just in boxes ;)

M&M Meats has come up with a new small line up of goodies. They are HOMESTYLE naturals. All of the HOMESTYLE naturals products are made with all natural ingredients and have no added preservatives or artificial flavours. So far in this line they have chicken strips, chicken burgers, chicken nuggets and angus beef burgers.  You can check out the products here on the website.

The kids and I reviewed the angus beef burgers. Brandon generally only likes homemade burgers. He doesn't usually order burgers when we go out to eat. He does at one fast food place but they are not his top choice. He loves my dads homemade burgers and milkshakes. Also to make it hard Kristina is on a wheat free trial run so that generally makes it harder to eat premade foods as so many contain wheat as a filler. 

I didn't tell the kids much about what I was making for dinner. Just told them I was making burgers. They loved them. I loved them. It was so easy and quick. Just pull the box out of the freezer and 6-7 mins per side in a frying pan or on a griddle. I don't have a BBQ which would be my first choice but I have a weird fear about them blowing up :). Anyways when they are cooking you can do up the buns and then whip up a bag salad. Yes I love a bagged salad. Dinner is done in 15 mins. 

Bottom line is when the kids are happy and love what you made it's a win. I enjoyed it and it was easy. Win win. 

Limeapple

Kristina had been a big Limeapple fan for a few years now. She lives in yoga gear and really who wouldn't if they could all the time? I know I would. She has owned a few pieces of Limeapple every year and they were the first pieces she always reached for in the drawer.

Kristina has always loved Limeapple for the comfort and style which was good and all but I am a fan of the quality. Kristina can do soccer Saturdays in her leggings from Limeapple or she can lounge all day and lay around with her friends and I know the fabric is breathable and wicking for when she's sweating up a storm. They are comfortable and look cool and stylish so she's happy. I love that she will wear them for a long time. The fabric just looks new forever. The black doesn't fade and looks new for the life of it. The leggings are great because they work as a full length legging and as Kristina grows they will become ankle length and then cropped length etc.

Kristina has had pieces that lasted her so long and then we were able to pass on to other little girls who loved them just as long. The availability of styles always blows my mind. There are so many styles as well as colours to choose from. Your sure to find something (or lots of things) that the girl in your life will love!!

Be sure to watch the Limeapple Facebook page as well as they are often announcing big sales they have going on. 

Limeapple sale

Limeapple is an awesome store and they are having a great sale. . They sell activewear for girls among other things. I have reviewed as well as bought things from them in the past and I have always been very happy with the products. Kristina of course is a big fan. She loves her yoga pants and I am ok with that. She's has years to wear uncomfortable clothes may as we'll be comfortable now. 

So right now if you purchase one item you get 20% off, two items 30% off, and three items you get 40% off. You really cant get a better deal than that. Time to stock up on some capris, shorts and tees for the summer and if your like me pants and hoodies for the fall :). Gotta plan ahead. 

Let me know what you end up with!

You can try and hide from colds and the flu but I would rather take my chances with COLD-FX in my back pocket!

 

Here I sit all curled up on my couch. Tucked in nice and warm under my blanket that my Mama got me for Christmas. Sniffling, sneezing, and sounding like a pre adolescent boy. I have always been a COLD-FX fan. I use it and it works. It makes my cold or flu go away faster and makes the symptoms less severe.  It doesn't hurt that there are usually great coupons out there to help bring the price down and it's always on sale this time of year which is nice because now is when you need it. 

 

 

This cold has changed every single day for me which makes me think it won't drag on. First day was runny nose, second day was scratchy tickley throat, third day was coughing and today is just raspy voice and flemmy.   To much info? Maybe but it's that time of year. Everyone seems to have it or be holding onto the end of it. Many people have told me that it's lasted them 4 weeks. I don't have time for that. Single Mama of two. Working full time and more on the side. No thank you. 

COLD-FX can be purchased anywhere it seems. Any drug store or Walmart or target store. Many grocery stores. It's one of those things like Tylenol that you just want to have on hand. The second that you feel like your getting sick take some. Take it until the symptoms are gone but please follow the instructions on the package. 

There are two main types you can get. Prevention which you would take all of cold and flu season to prevent yourself from getting sick in the first place and then the regular COLD-FX that you take once you get sick. Honestly I have tried them both many many times and love this product. It works for me and if something works I will use it time and time again. 

Has your home been hit yet with colds or the flu?

Here are some tips from the folks at COLD-FX

1.    Wash your hands regularly - soap and water or hand sanitizer. This is the best way to prevent the spread of viruses.

2.    Eat lots of fruits and vegetables - these foods are loaded with vitamin and minerals which support immune system function.

3.    Minimize sugar and refined starches - these foods hamper immune response.

4.    Drink plenty of fluids - to help the body eliminate toxins and prevent dehydration (dry mucus membranes can make it easier for viruses to enter).

5.    Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoke damages mucus membranes in nose, throat and esophagus making it easy for viruses to invade the body.

6.    Minimize alcohol - alcohol is hard on the liver - our key detoxifying organ - and it is dehydrating.

7.    Relax and de-stress yourself - stress can hamper immune function.

8.    Get regular, moderate-intensity exercise - it helps boost our immune response.

9.    Get enough sleep - proper rest is essential for immune health.

10. Take immune boosting supplements, such as COLD-FX, vitamin C, aged garlic extract and Echinacea. Consult your Pharmacist or Healthcare Professional for more information.

 

To track the flu in your area and more information about the cold and flu cycle, please visit www.cold-fx.ca. 

Florsheim Shoes

This Fall and Winter have been incredibly dry here on the island.  I am loving all of the sunshine and crisp cool days and can't get over the lack of rain.  I am for the record not complaining at all, just stating that I am nervous for Summer because what are we going to do without all that rain water then.  The big upside to all of this nice dry weather is that Brandon hasn't had to spend all of these last few months in winter boots.

He has been rocking these Quinlan Jr boots in Sand.  They are so grown up and handsome.  He loves looking like a big kid and the laces on them are great.  A bit thinner than standard laces but grippy somehow.  I guess its the material.  Brandon isn't tying his own shoes yet but they stayed done up, which of course I love!

 

 

My brother and soon to be official sister in law are getting married this Summer.  Brandon has been talking about what he is going to wear since they started planning it.  He was super handsome last Summer at my cousins wedding and wants to wear a full tux for my brothers.  The problem is that its a casual beach wedding.  I am sure Florsheim Kids will have something to complete his handsome outfit. 

 

Their shoes are made amazingly well, I am sure you know by now that I only like putting my kids in good shoes.  I want high quality, fair prices, and they have to last.  Florsheim Kids is all of this and more.  Brandon loves his boots and that makes me a happy Mama!

 

Great 40% off sale right now so check it out!

100,000 Air Miles giveaway with Old Navy

Old Navy is having an amazing contest right now!  The contest, running from January 16 to February 1, offers a grand prize of 100,000 Air Miles Reward Miles giving the winner the freedom to choose from any destination on the globe (and the ability to take their whole family)!  So, where would you go?
 
Personally I would take my parents and kids to the Disneyland, for like a month.  We could do Sea world, Disneyland for days on end, swim, go to the zoo.  Then we could go to Hawaii and spend a few weeks on the beach.  I don't know who would love that more.  Maybe a girls weekend in Las Vegas?  That would be epic. 
 
Simply present your Air Miles Collector Card at the time of purchase to automatically be entered for a chance to win! For all contest details click here.
 
So, if you could go anywhere where would you go?  Why?  Who would you take?

This contest is pretty easy because there are always so many good deals at Old Navy that it doesn't seem to matter that even when I need nothing, I go in and end up walking out with a bag full of goodies.  Now I will get to enter this great contest as well as get a great bag of goodies.  Last time I popped in just to look I walked out with 4 new tees for Brandon, they were on for $5.  You can't even get tees used for that! 

Best deal you ever got at Old Navy or latest greatest purchase?  I Love this sweater and jeans!

Google Nexus 7 from Staples

Were you hoping for a new tablet for the Holidays and didn't get one?  I have an awesome one to tell you about!  The Google Nexuus 7.  For the great price point of only $249 you can get a lot of bang for your buck.  I will show you some of the specs and then tell you what I think of it!

Need More information? Check out our in-depth Google Nexus 7 2nd Generation Tablet Review

• 7" WUXGA (1920* 1200), 400 nits, LED backlight IPS panel with Scratch resistant Corning Fit Glass
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1.5GHz GPU: Adreno 320, 400MHz
• 2GB RAM; 16GB Internal Storage
• Wireless: Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Cingo surround sound, NFC (Android Beam), Bluetooth 4.0 Techology
• Up to 10 hours active use
• microUSB with Slimport HDMI out, 3.5mm audio, Dual speakers, Microphone, Power and Volume buttons
• Dimension: 7.87" H. x 4.49" W. x 0.34" D.
• Product Weight: 0.64 lb .
• 1-year manufacturer's limited warranty (details with product)

The Google Nexuus 7 has 2 GB of Ram and 32 GB of storage so it runs fast and will store lots of pics and documents.  Whatever your doing. When you first turn it on you will notice the colors, they are amazing, so vibrant and crisp.  Watching Netflix on this compares to nothing.  Its better than my phone and my TV.   It has a backlit LED IPS panel, which offers high visibility in any lighting condition. The brightness adjusts automatically, enabling the battery to last up to 10 hours during active use.  That is a favorite feature of mine.  There is nothing worse than being half way through a movie and having the battery die because the battery wasn't totally full when you started. 

It has great speakers on it so listening to music is amazing, who needs a stereo now a days.  It has 1920 x 1200 resolution which makes watching movies and Netflix pretty awesome.  The operating system that the Google Nexuus 7 runs on is Android and its very easy to use.  It doesn't take much to pick up and I am not super technical.  I can do the basics, hook up new cable or Netflix and set up a new TV, usually ;) but that's about my level of expertise.  I was hopping on this tablet within 10 minutes.  It was easy to see where everything was and what it all does. 

Feel free to go into Staples and chat with the sales people.  They have so much more knowledge than I do, that's a given.  They can let you try it out and answer any questions that you have.  Check out the link to this tablet here and I would love to hear from any of you that have this, maybe that got it for Christmas.  Tips or tricks?

Full disclosure: Staples.ca provided met with these items for review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their entire line of Tablets online.

The Heat with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock

The other night while the kids were with their dad I got a nice warm drink from my favourite coffee shop and put on my Jammie's. Then I curled up on the couch which my blanket and got ready to laugh my pants off. I love a good comedy. Sometimes I get down when the kids are gone and really get to missing them. I always miss them, don't get me wrong I always miss them but sometimes it's harder than others.  Back to The Heat.

The Heat stars Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock and is dubbed "the funniest movie of the year" and man that is a deserved title.  Think of the likes of Bridesmaids and Identity Thief.  Its great for all ages, my parents borrowed it and loved it, not for kids of course but all other ages.  Check it out or if you already have let me know what you thought!

It didn't take long for the story to unfold and the laughter to ensue. I loved that there was a nice moral of this story and you can relate to some part of them. Weather it's a trait in one of the main characters or one of the more casual characters or even the crazy family. Yup the family is kind of crazy ;)

I don't want to give to much away but I thought this was a must watch movie for sure. I feel somehow like I need to rate this movie so I would say its a 4 star. Can't wait to pull it out and watch it again which is saying a lot. Lots of movies you watch once and then that's that. Not The Heat.  I have seen this popping up in flyer's all over the place for great prices so pick it up, put on your jammies and get ready to laugh.

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!