Going into this project, we knew all of the planning might become overwhelming, however one thing we knew for sure was that we would be using all American Standard bathroom fixtures and accessories; one less thing to have to worry about.
Read MoreWe took on a bathroom renovation a little over a month ago and I’m so excited to finally be sharing the reveal with you all here! It was a dream come true to be able to partner with American Standard for this renovation because not only are they industry leaders in bathroom fixtures, but their faucets, tubs and toilets are some of the most gorgeous and thoughtfully created pieces I’ve ever seen!
The Process
Renovations can often be a bit intimidating and with so many options for fixtures and finishes, it can be challenging to know where to start or what to look for! Thankfully, American Standard has a huge selection of styles, finishes and products to choose from so whatever your budget or vision is, you’ll be able to find the perfect selection on americanstandard.ca
My inspiration for our ensuite bathroom was a serene spa-like oasis. I wanted it to feel like I was stepping into a luxurious and relaxing spa environment every time I was in our new bathroom! I wanted faucets that were modern and sleek, shower fixtures that had a variety of water settings, but also looked gorgeous, a soaker tub that was not only a statement piece but also allowed for a deep and relaxing soak, and then finally, a toilet that wasn’t an eyesore, but instead flowed perfectly with our bathroom design. American Standard delivered on every single one of my wants and needs, and each piece came together perfectly to create the ultimate relaxing spa-like space in my very own home!
The Products
Have you ever had a toilet that you LOVED? Me neither, until we ordered the Studio® S Right Height Elongated Toilet with Seat. Its minimalist and sleek design makes it beautiful, but my favourite features are the PowerWash™ rim and the EverClean® coating! The PowerWash™ rim releases a surge of water to scrub the bowl with every flush, which I’m pretty sure is every mom’s dream, and the EverClean® coating inhibits the growth of stain and odour-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface! I think I may need to replace every toilet in my home with this one.
For the tub, we chose the Studio® S Oval Freestanding Soaking Tub that is made from premium acrylic with a high-gloss UV and stain-resistant surface. Its sleek contemporary design easily integrates into any bathroom beautifully. A big soaker tub was high-up on our want list and the Studio® S Oval Freestanding Soaking Tub from American Standard is 68 inches long and has a 17 inch soaking depth for an ultimate deep soaking experience!
Good quality faucets are vital fixtures in any bathroom space and I believe it’s safe to say that I’m obsessed with the ones we chose! We chose the Boulevard Widespread Bathroom Faucets and the Contemporary Square Freestanding Tub Faucet as they’re both sleek and sophisticated and easily work in any bathroom design.
For our shower, we chose the Spectra Plus Handheld 4-Function Hand Shower and the Spectra Plus Fixed 4-Function Shower Head. My favourite feature has to be the unique 4 spray functions on both shower heads that range from drench to sensitive, to jet to PowerWash™ so you can enjoy the ultimate personalized shower experience. It also has a pressure-compensating flow control device, so if the water pressure drops, it will still provide a constant flow of water. This means that you can enjoy an uninterrupted shower even if your kids are flushing the toilet and turning on and off the taps 100 times while you’re in there!
Bathroom design choices are really personal because everyone has their own functional and aesthetic preferences, so I really encourage you to visit americanstandard.ca to find the perfect fixtures for your next bathroom refresh - can be a simple upgrade or a full renovation! I’m sure you’ll fall in love with their designs, just like I did, and watch your bathroom dreams finally come true!
This post is sponsored by WellPet®, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Keeping my first little baby (the furry one, Rambo) happy and healthy has always been a priority! He’s a best friend to my kids, a listening ear whenever I need it and a source of joy and entertainment for the whole family! When he’s happy, we’re happy and, if I’m being honest, most of his happiness every day comes from Old Mother Hubbard’s Dog Treats! We try to compete, but they’re just so delicious he chooses them over us every single time!!!
Finding a dog biscuit that’s delicious but also all natural can be quite a challenge, until you discover Old Mother Hubbard’s dog biscuits! They have so many flavors and can easily be purchased at Walmart or Target in store, online or for curbside pick-up. They come in Small and Mini sizes and they even have Grain Free Options too, which we usually choose for Rambo!
Old Mother Hubbard Dog Biscuits are a staple on our grocery list and have been for quite some time. As soon as Rambo hears the sound of an Old Mother Hubbard’s Dog Biscuit bag coming out of the cupboard, he comes running! He knows it’s play time! We’ve used them to help us train him with positive reinforcement and to master simple tricks like sit, stay, let go of your ball and lie down. We constantly have them on hand when we go to the off leash dog park and because of that, all the dogs are happy when we arrive because they know we have the most delicious treats in our pocket! We can feel good about seeing their happy eyes, wagging tails and bouncing bodies as they anxiously wait for a treat because not only are they happy, but we know we’re giving them something that is good for them.
There are so many ways to spice up your treats too and make them an extra special treat for your pups! If you need an idea, I shared a great recipe for Breakfast Waffles using Old Mother Hubbard’s Dog Biscuits! We also love adding a little bit of peanut butter on top of one as an extra surprise!
I wish we could recommend only one flavor, but we love them all! Head to Walmart.com and search for Old Mother Hubbard’s Dog Biscuits and check out all the flavors of their natural dog biscuits for yourself. I promise you won’t regret it and your pup will never be happier. Click on the link to purchase your Old Mother Hubbard dog treat flavor of choice in-store or online at Walmart!
This time of year can be especially hard for those who are less fortunate - but, thanks to Amazon, we’re adding a new tradition in our home to help spread holiday cheer this season! We’ll now be donating to a new charity every holiday season thanks to Amazon.
Read MoreKelley Blue Book has always been a source of reliable and educational information when it comes to car-buying and it’s been a help at every step of my car journey over the past 10 years. It can help guide and answer questions you may have whether you’re purchasing your first car, second or even tenth!
Read MoreThanks to Pampers Cruisers 360 FIT diapers, with their stretchy waistband and 360 gap-free fit, my little mini can help me workout without worrying about leaks! So whether he’s practicing lunges with me, stretching alongside me before and after my workouts, or just being mischievous, he’ll be comfy, dry and leak free! Take the #360StretchChallenge and see for yourself! #Cruisers360 @pampers
This post was sponsored by Reebok as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Quality time as a family is so important to us and there’s nothing we love more than being outside playing sports! Being able to keep up with our kids isn’t always easy but a good pair of shoes can really make a difference, especially when they’re the Reebok Zig Dynamica's! We never want to have to compromise comfort for style, so when we discovered the Reebok Zig Dynamica sneakers, we knew we each needed a pair! Finding the perfect pair of shoes that takes us from work, to daytime errands, to park dates, outdoor movie nights and soccer is often hard to find, but thanks to the re-engineered midsole and sleek look, these shoes are our new best friend!
They’re lightweight, cushioned and make such a statement. The colors of the soles are bold and vibrant and so versatile. The shoe is based on Reebok’s iconic ZigTech which first launched 10 years ago! They brought back a favorite, and with its energized cushioning, it’s not a surprise that it’s so popular again now! The outsole expands and contracts like a rubber band so it helps you stay responsive, agile and forever ready to play soccer with your minis. You can find them at Rack Room Shoes!
There’s nothing worse than your kids wanting you to play with them and you having shoes that can’t keep up! The Zig Dynamica sneakers will make you (almost) feel like a kid again when you see how lightweight, agile and quickly you can move, sprint and enjoy life’s most important moments. They’re breathable, fit true to size and can keep up with whatever your day throws at you. Mine easily keep me on top of my hectic days and are perfect for daycare drop offs, early morning workouts, playdates, coffee dates and late night walks. My husband can easily wear his wherever he goes too; from casual office Fridays, to lunch with his friends, to soccer games at the park. I love that the Reebok Zig Dynamica sneakers have bold colors for the days that I want a pop of color, but that they also offer more subdued colors with their stylish Navy and White Zig Dynamica sneakers. For women they have a gorgeous Pink sole available and a White sneaker as well!
If you’re looking for the perfect shoe to help you tackle whatever your day throws at you, then the Reebok Zig Dynamica, available at Rack Room Shoes are for you! Click here to learn more.
With COVID-19 still very much present but so much of our lives slowly returning to normal, how can you properly equip yourself to protect your family? For us, it starts with a FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer! We have one by our front door and we check the temperature of everyone that comes into our home. We loved our FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer before COVID-19 because of how easy it is to use with our kids but have really come to appreciate it even more now.
The FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer can be used on babies, kids, toddlers and adults! You simply point the thermometer at your (or your child’s forehead) and you press a button. Within seconds you have a reading. Because it never needs to touch their forehead, it’s so easy to use with kids and babies and it’s also hygienic and coronavirus safe.
It excelled in clinical accuracy tests and has a highly precise sensor that gives a reading in 1 second, which I find is so important to look into because many other thermometers that we researched at did not. What I love as well is that it has specific modes for infants, adults and even surface temperatures! It has a memory feature too so you don’t have to worry about remembering the temperature you took before.
The FORA IR42 Thermometer is not only helping us feel better about having people in our home, but it’s going to be such a game changer during cold and flu season this fall. It’s always a wrestling match trying to take my kids’ temperatures when I think they’re sick. With our FORA IR42, I can literally take their temperature anywhere, including in front of the TV, while they eat, while they brush their teeth and they don’t even know that I’ve done it! Click here for more info and to shop.
Use Code FORAXTOVAH for 10% off of your FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer!
This post is sponsored by Petmate but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
With so many of you getting new pets, I thought I would share my most important tip for training and for raising a happy dog! I’ve had my share of puppies and rescues and the one thing that has always helped me from the start, has been a good plastic kennel. It’s more important than you think to find a great kennel for your pet and it starts with Petmate!
I always choose plastic kennels because I find them easier to clean, you can easily travel with them and they’ll give your dog the shelter that they crave to feel safe and secure when they sleep. Petmate plastic dog kennels are so comfy and breathable, that they’ll quickly become your dog’s favorite place! I have a hard time getting Rambo to come out of his! He feels safe, relaxed and secure in his home and often chooses to sleep there than on our bed! They’re also extremely safe by minimizing sharp edges and creating the perfect environment for your pet to sleep.
Petmate has an array of plastic kennel sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your dog! They should be able to comfortably stand up without hitting their head and also should be able to lie down and have enough length to sleep! Rambo fits perfectly in the 32 Inch Plastic Kennel. We always turn to Petmate because their kennels are made with a tough durable plastic shell, they’re simple to open, with an easy-open squeeze latch and they have a ton of vents on the walls of the kennel to keep your pet dry and comfortable!
Petmate plastic kennels are perfect for travelling because they’re accepted by most airlines and the tie-down strap holes on the corners make it easy to zip-tie the top and bottom together for extra security when flying! It’s also a lifesaver when we get to our vacation destination because we don’t have to worry about Rambo being afraid in an unfamiliar place because his kennel is his home and he quickly feels secure in it.
When you find the right plastic kennel, you’ll see that your dog will actually enjoy having a place of their own. We always put a cozy blanket on the bottom and keep a bone inside for Rambo. We’ve always used a kennel to train our new puppies and dogs and it’s worked wonderfully. We never use the kennel as punishment, but rather as a safe home for our pet at night and when we leave our house. It gives them security and you as well, knowing that they’re in a safe place when you step out. You won’t come back to a chewed up house and more importantly, you won’t be making unexpected vet visits when your new pet accidentally gets in your trash while you’re out and gets sick! Your dog’s Petmate plastic kennel will become their favorite place in your home to chew a bone, play with a toy and sleep! We leave ours out all the time with the door open and Rambo goes in an out as he pleases. I can’t say enough great things about Petmate and the importance of getting a plastic kennel for your dog. It’s a decision you won’t regret.
Learn more about the benefits of a plastic kennel from @PetmatePetProducts, and check out all the great plastic kennel options at https://ooh.li/99aef92.
This post was sponsored by BIC as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
With the warmer weather comes my favorite time of year: BBQ Season! For me, it means family time, lots of laughs, delicious food and memories that I'll never forget. It really is the season that I look forward to the most! While you're at Walmart picking up your delicious items to cook for your friends and family and decorating your backyard with their amazing outdoor summer decor, don't forget to pick up some BIC® Multi-Purpose Lighters and Pocket Lighters! You can order them online or buy them in store! BIC is the only brand we trust because we know that every BIC Lighter has passed more than 50 individual saftey and quality inspections. We only want the safest items in our home!
Also, from May 26th to July 22nd, when you shop at Walmart, you can enter for a chance to Upgrade Your Summer and win a backyard makeover! Click here for more info. (BIC® is neither a sponsor nor prize provider in this sweepstakes.)
Our BIC® Multi-Purpose Lighters are perfect for lighting our citronella candles and tiki torches all summer! Great for ambiance and for keeping pesky bugs away, citronella candles can also create an inviting and cozy feel to any summer event. They're easy to light with BIC® Lighters and most will burn for hours and hours so they last more than just one event! They come in so many different shapes and sizes and so you can find the perfect ones to fit your decor. While you're grabbing yours at Walmart, be sure to add some BIC® Multi-Purpose Lighters to your cart as well because the candles will be useless if you can't light them! Getting bit by mosquitos and flies is definitely an easy way to spoil an outdoor event so don't get caught without them! We only trust America's #1 Lighter, BIC, because they're reliable, affordable, and easy to find at your local Walmart.
BIC® Lighters can be used for more than just candles! There's nothing better than food fresh off the BBQ or lightly toasted marshmallows over a fire pit but there's also nothing worse than a fire or BBQ that won't light so make sure to always have BIC® Multi-purpose Lighters on hand! The end of the Multi-purpose lighters are long and slender and some of them can be easily bent to fit into tight spaces (between branches in a fire pit or the grill of a BBQ) while keeping your hand at a safe distance from the fire. We use them even in the winter for the ethanol fireplace in our living room!
If you've ever had a lighter that didn't work when you needed it to, then you understand the frustration of using one that's not high quality, so don't trust any brand other than BIC. They meet or exceed all quality and safety standards and will be there to make sure your BBQ season is delicious and fun! And with Walmart's Upgrade Your Summer Sweepstakes, you could be enjoying summer in an all new backyard! And make sure to purchase your BIC Lighters at Walmart, either online or in store.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Must be at least 21+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S./DC. The Sweepstakes will consist of one (1) random drawing period to award (131) prizes. Sweepstakes begins on 5/26/20 at 12:00:01 a.m. (midnight) ET and ends on 7/22/20 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. To enter and for Official Rules and other important terms and conditions, visit www.upgrade-your-summer.com. Sponsor: Fuel Partnerships, Inc., 6111 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite #265, Boca Raton, FL 33487 (BIC® is neither a sponsor nor prize provider in this sweepstakes.)
This post was sponsored by Upswing Health as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I’ve suffered with lower back pain for as long as I can remember and unfortunately, with 2 kids at home and social distancing, I no longer can go for the training sessions that I need to manage my pain. Seeing a physiotherapist and trainer was really the only way that helped alleviate my pain and with that no longer possible, I went on the hunt for another solution. I discovered Upswing Health, a web-based service that helps you treat your musculoskeletal injuries from the comfort of your home.
All Upswing Health services are currently FREE, so it’s an amazing time to try them out and see how they can help you! They have a library of more than 7,000 exercise videos curated by licensed physical therapists and their services can help the active, regardless of level, age or ability, to prevent and recover from injuries that might slow them down.
When you visit the Upswing Health website, they first do an initial assessment online and can offer you at-home exercises and detailed videos to help you with your injury! They also can connect you to a Certified Athletic Trainer and even arrange a telehealth visit with a primary care sports medicine physician for injuries that are more serious.
Once I discovered this service, I jumped right in and took the assessment online. I was then put in contact with Kelsey, a Certified Athletic Trainer by text. I was SHOCKED at how easy it was and how quickly I got the help that I needed!
My conversation with Kelsey was clear, to the point and she was so quick at getting me a plan to start me on my recovery.
Within 1 hour, I had a detailed program with exercises (I’m sharing a sneak peek below)! I received a personalized link and was able to download her program right on my computer to print out or use offline. I love how easy it was to follow the exercises at home without any help or doubt that I wasn’t doing them properly. Click here to get started today with Upswing Health. Here is an example of a few of the exercises I received from Kelsey:
Any type of musculoskeletal (MSK) issue can really impact your life and many of them can be treated from home without ever having to see a doctor. Lower back pain makes it difficult for me to play with my kids, clean up the house and sleep. Finding exercises that helped and I could do from the comfort of my home has been such a blessing. Because Upswing Health allows you to talk to a sports medicine doctor for free at home right now, there’s never been a better time to try it out! Click here to get started now!
This post was sponsored by the makers of ibi as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. We were sent a complimentary unit so we could share our real opinions with our readers.
Staying connected with family is more important than ever now that we aren’t able to see them as much as we usually do. But not surprisingly, being home with 2 kids all day has left me with less time to stay connected with friends and family. I’m so thankful to have discovered ibi TM by SanDisk, an amazing photo and video sharing option that allows me to quickly and easily stay in touch with friends and family!
ibi is a smart photo manager that not only backs up your favorite photos and videos in 1 place, but also allows you to easily share life’s most important memories with friends and family. During a time of social distancing, it’s allowed us to feel as connected as ever to the people that matter the most! While I love social media, not everyone in my family uses it and I don’t always share the super personal moments there. ibi allows me to share the important and not so picture perfect moments with my family so that they don’t feel as though they’re missing out on our best moments (like Boston’s first steps or Zane’s potty training).
Using it to share photos and videos is super simple. All you have to do is plug in your ibi, download the app, invite your friends and family to join (they can each have their own private storage area) and you start choosing which pictures you want to share with each person or group! I love how easy it is and how all my friends and family are in the same place. They can easily see all the pictures I’ve shared with them, get notifications (if they want) when I upload new pictures or videos and we can even comment on pictures right through the app!
One of my favorite features is how simple it is to start sharing memories by setting up your inner circle! Below are some screen shots from the set up so you can see how easy it really is:
My ibi also allows me to have peace of mind knowing that my pictures and videos are backed up in my home. All I did was turn on the automatic upload feature and ibi handles the rest! It will make sure all my memories are kept in one place without me needing to remember to upload them. Through the ibi app, you can also group your pictures into folders, so if you’re someone who loves organization, then this is the product for you!
So stop feeling guilty for not sending your grandparents, parents and family members as many pictures of your kids as you should and start using ibi! The smart photo manager that allows you to feel more connected than ever with the ones you love the most. Click here to learn more!
This post is sponsored by Autotrader; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
We spend so much time keeping our homes clean and sanitized, but when’s the last time you sanitized your car? You may think that wearing gloves in a store or washing your hands is enough, but taking the time to sanitize your car is something we all should do! Thankfully, Autotrader.com created an online resource with a ton of useful tips and links! You can check out the entire post by clicking here. They not only give tips and tricks to sanitize your vehicle, but also offer links to lists of cleaning products that are safe to use inside your vehicle, tips for spring cleaning your car and as always, offer a comprehensive and robust COVID-19 information hub for everything you need to know related to your vehicle and coronavirus news.
I’ve made it a weekly habit to sanitize my car. We haven’t been using it often now that we’ve been spending most of our time at home, but we still use it for groceries, doctor’s visits and the occasional trip to the pharmacy. I’m going to share the places that I sanitize when doing a quick weekly wipe down of my vehicle!
We don’t often think about sanitizing our trunk, but it’s one of the places that is the most likely to need cleaning! Strollers, bags, shoes and packages, all items that have been on the floor and put in grocery carts usually end up in our trunk! There are so many new products on the market that make sanitizing your trunk a breeze! I always chose an aerosol anti-bacterial spray. It doesn’t leave a residue, doesn’t need to be wiped off and is super easy to use and apply, even in large trunks!
I use this same antibacterial spray on the floor mats of my car! Think about how many germs are on the bottom of our shoes and how many places we walk with them. Yes, we may not spend time touching the floor mats of our cars, but if you have kids then I guarantee they drop a toy at least once a day on the floor of your car. A toy that they then pick up and hold and play with. So don’t forget to sanitize the floor mats!
Cleaning your touchscreen and temperature controls may seem obvious to most, but don’t forget the buttons and features that we don’t use as often! Take an antibacterial wipe and make sure to wipe down the sunroof buttons, vents and gear shift, middle console button and cup holders! We often put our phone, keys, snacks and take out drinks in our cup holders so they’re a perfect spot for germs! Visit Autotrader.com to see what else you can do with your vents to help keep your car cleaned!
Wiping down your steering wheel will seem like a no brainer but make sure to not forget the turning signals and windshield wiper controls too!
When you wipe down the door handle, don’t forget the inside, outside and any buttons you use for the windows and to lock the doors! They’re all things we use without thinking and are often overlooked when sanitizing!
I bet you’ve never sanitized your seatbelt buckle! It was actually Autotrader.com’s article How to disinfect your car during coronavirus that reminded me to do this! You can read the whole article by clicking here. They also show a great tool in their video that can help to disinfect your seats! I’ve already ordered one and it’s being delivered next week!
If you have fabric seats, there are great antibacterial sprays that are safe to use and effective against bacteria.
Once you’ve finished sanitizing, why not give your car a good cleaning? There’s no better time, since we’re all at home anyways, to get your vacuum, get some wipes and use the 6 Simple Tips from Autotrader.com to do a great spring cleaning of your car!
This post was sponsored by Reebok as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed are my own.
Mother’s Day this year may look a little different for some people, but it doesn’t mean that it needs to be any less special! Whether you’re lucky enough to get to spend the day with the mama in your life or not, why not make this mother’s day extra special for her by surprising her with the ultimate gift delivered right to her door: a pair of Reebok Women's Harman Run shoes from Kohl’s? If you’re like me and love to drop hints to your husband about what to surprise you with, these shoes won’t disappoint!
Kohl’s is the ultimate shopping destination that will make choosing the perfect pair of Reebok Harman Run shoes a breeze! They have a huge selection of Reebok Harman Run color combinations so you can find the perfect pair to match any style. Whether you love a crisp pair of white sneakers or prefer a chalk pink instead, they have it all! Their website is also super easy to navigate so you can quickly find what you’re looking for, add to cart and check out! Or, if you’re anything like me, you’ll order a pair of Reebok’s for everyone in your family! Their selection is just too good to pass up.
Reebok Harman Run shoes are the perfect addition for any lifestyle and a must have in every wardrobe this spring. Whether you’re a super active mom that loves to go for a run or jog, a mom that prefers playing tag in the back yard or simply taking your dog for a walk, these shoes will be able to keep up. They’re gorgeous, lightweight and made with comfort in mind. They have Ortholite technology that enables air flow and will keep her feet cool while inhibiting odor and fungus with an incredible and comfy cushioning!
It’s rare that I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough to wear on a long walk with both my kids but that are also super trendy. I never want to have to compromise comfort for style and with my Reebok Harman Run shoes, I don’t have to!
Being comfortable, being able to stay active and set a good example for my kids and also feeling confident in the way I look are all so important to me so I decided to spoil myself ahead of Mother’s Day with a pair and my only regret is not getting a second pair. A pair of shoes that allows me to keep up with my kids while looking great is really the best gift this Mother’s Day!
Click here to check out the Reebok Harman Run shoes at Kohl’s!
This post is sponsored by Kelley Blue Book; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shopping for a family car can seem like a difficult and stressful task, but it doesn’t need to be! I’m sharing my top 5 tips to use when starting your search and I promise it will make your decision and shopping experience a breeze! I always refer to Kelley Blue Book for car questions because their site is backed by 90 years of experience! They recently released a Best Family Cars of 2020 guide and included options for every budget and every size family! Their list was based on thorough testing procedures on 2020 vehicles and include many of the models we considered when we were shopping for our perfect car!
I’m sharing my top 5 tips to use when starting your search and I promise it will make your decision and shopping experience a breeze:
Decide how many rows you need in your vehicle! Narrowing down the list of cars will easily be done once you decide if you need a 2 or 3 row vehicle. Most 3 row vehicles have the option of folding down the back row for a huge trunk, which is a feature I really enjoy. For now, we keep the 3rd row folded down and enjoy the spacious trunk, and when we eventually have another child, or when we take long trips with our family and dog, we use the 3rd row! KBB.com breaks down their list of Best Family Cars of 2020 by seating options so it’s easy to narrow down the list! Click here to see the list.
Decide what type of technology is important for you. Vehicles these days have so many options. Heads up display, lane assist, parking assist, bluetooth technology, screens in the head rests, touch screen controls etc. While it’s nice to have it all, not everything is necessary if you’re trying to stay within a budget. For me, it was essential to have a vehicle that was compatible with my phone so that I could receive and send texts while driving (it reads my texts out loud and allows me to dictate my answer back) which means that even when I’m on the go, I can still work. Kelley Blue Book offers full descriptions of all the vehicles on their site so they make it easy to determine if the vehicle you’re interested in has the technology you’re looking for! They also let you Price and Build your vehicle so you can get an idea of what your perfect car will cost you!
Car seats, car seats car seats! The item that as a parent you will use the most and the reason you turn away some of your favorite cars. Let's start with the most essential - what will fit in your car. Some cars will be able to fit 3 car seats side by side safely, while others will not. So it’s super important to check out the size of the interior of the car and the car seats that you have or are planning to purchase to make sure everyone fits! It’s something we never thought of until we considered having a 3rd baby! Next are the LATCH mounting points. These make car seat installation SO easy. Life changingly easy. But not every car is equipped with them and not every car has them so that they’re easily accessible! Finally, and probably the most important if you’re considering a 3 row SUV: can you access the 3rd row if you have car seats installed in the second row (again, something we never considered until we were talking about trying for a third baby)? Thankfully, KBB.com offers answers to all these questions on their site when you’re researching cars! Click here to check out their Best Family Cars of 2020.
Reputation is key. Getting a good deal and buying a car that checks most of the items off your list is important, but you want to make sure that the car you’re choosing is safe, reliable and that you won’t be spending more on repairing your car than absolutely necessary. Take the time and figure out which manufacturers have a reputation for vehicle safety, handling and quality before spending your hard earned money. Kelley Blue Book is, again, a great resource for reviews from real owners! I love reading through the reviews and seeing what people loved and didn’t love about each vehicle.
Lastly, make sure to consider Comfort and Convenience. While having all the bells and whistles on your car is great, the reality is that having a vehicle that’s comfortable to drive and that’s simple to operate is even better. Being able to close the trunk with the push of a button or unlock doors without pulling a key out of your pocket when your hands are full, are things that you will really appreciate when you have your family with you. Being able to put down the back seats with the push of a button or open the car doors from the front seat, are just a few other features that you never thought you would use, but are such game changers with kids! KBB.com highlights all of these incredible options and features in their vehicles and took all of it into consideration when they published their Best Cars of 2020. Click here to check out the entire list!
Don’t waste your time looking at cars that may not be able to accommodate your family! Check out the list published by Kelley Blue Book and save time!
Kelley Blue Book also released a site to help car buyers and owners stay on top of auto-related COVID-19 news! Click here to check out the site that includes news, advice and safety-tips!
This post is sponsored by Gamma2 Vittles Vault but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Our dog, Rambo, is the centre of our home! He’s the first one to greet us when we wake up in the morning and the last one to give us cuddles before we fall asleep. Without a doubt, his favorite part of the day is meal time, and with Gamma2 Vittles Vault containers, his food is always fresh!
Vittles Vault airtight containers, which were first created and patented in 1989, are the best and most stylish food containers around. They save you money by preventing food from becoming stale, they are designed with functionality in mind, and they have every type of food container that you could imagine. They’re made from high-impact plastic so they can withstand daily use and they even have a food measuring cup included, so you don’t need to go searching for a scoop.
Rambo eats premium gluten-free dog food and I used to only be able to buy the small bags because the food would go stale before we got to the bottom of the bag! I’m so thankful to have discovered Gamma2 Vittles Vault containers because I’ll now be able to save money by buying his food in bulk and know that it will be fresh until the last bite! I love saving money but love seeing Rambo happy and healthy even more. The containers are airtight, opaque to keep the sunlight out and store large amounts of food. The containers actually come in different sizes so you can get one that’s perfect for your space and just the right size.
There are a few other features that make the Gamma2 Vittles Vault container such a game changer in our home! For starters, Vittles Vault containers are pet proof and critter proof, so no matter where you decide to keep it, you don’t need to worry about your dogs or unwanted visitors, like ants, getting inside! Its airtight lid also keeps the odors trapped inside, so if you choose to store it in your kitchen, like I do, you don’t need to worry about having a lingering dog food smell! Lastly, it’s genius design makes it so that whether you need stackable containers for multiple animals, a large container for big bags of food or even a travel container for road trips or camping, you can always be sure that your animal’s food will be fresh and delicious.
Vittles Vault containers are also super simple and modern looking so they easily fit in with any decor. We used to store Rambo’s food in our garage and it was hard on my back to constantly be lifting the bag to open it and put it back. Thanks to our new Vittles Vault container, Rambo’s food now stays on our counter near his dog dish. It’s gorgeous and so practical.
To see all the gorgeous models and styles, click here to visit the Vittles Vault site!
This post was sponsored by Achim Home Décor as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Who doesn’t love a good home improvement project that is not only affordable, but that can completely change the way your home looks? I recently discovered Achim Home Décor and its easy to use DIY flooring available at Walmart. Until May 1st, 2020 you can also enter for a chance to win a home floor makeover (up to 2,000 sq. ft.) and other great prizes on their website! Head over to achimhomedecor.com
Achim Home Décor makes it easy to completely revamp a room by installing your own flooring without any major construction! In most cases, you can simply place it over your existing flooring with no damage at all. It makes it the perfect and affordable solution for small spaces, rental properties or indecisive people, such as myself, who want to feel out a look before committing to a full blown expensive renovation!
I headed to my local Walmart to check out the selection and was super surprised at how gorgeous the styles were! Achim Home Décor now has an entire line of quality tile and wood plank options! We have a bathroom in our basement that has absolutely horrendous tiles but the cost of doing a renovation is much more than we’re looking to spend right now so I think this could be a cost effective, easy and gorgeous solution! Achim Home Décor offers a few different flooring options so you can find the perfect look for any room in your home.
Their Nexus Carpet Tiles are 12” x 12” tiles with self adhesive backs that stick to any flat and dry surface. They’re a great option for a mudroom, basement or garage. The colors will hide dirt and wear and tear while making the space look so much more inviting! They also come in mix and match colors so you can create an awesome pattern in any room for an even more custom look!
Their Nexus Tiles are by far the best solution, in my opinion, for a kitchen, bathroom, basement or front entry way. You don’t need any glue or adhesive, you simply peel and stick the tiles to any dry and flat surface and you’re done! They come in a lot of different patterns and colors but I loved the black and white and can picture mixing both for a beautiful modern monochrome look in a bathroom! Below are a few of my favorite picks!
I saved my favorite for last: the Portfolio Vinyl Planks. These resemble a hardwood floor, but just like the other flooring options, are peel and stick so you can completely transform a room on a budget. I would definitely use these in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, home offices or basements! I loved the Silver Spruce color and even in person, it looked just like hardwood!
If you’re still wondering how easy it is to install Achim Flooring, I’ve included a video below! It really is an easy and affordable way to completely transform your home! Don’t forget to enter their giveaway for a chance to win a home floor makeover (up to 2,000 sq. ft.) and other great prizes! Click here to head to their site to enter!
My son, Zane, recently celebrated his 3rd birthday and we threw him the coolest superhero birthday party and I can’t wait to share all the amazing vendors that made it possible! If you don’t know where to start, use my party as inspo and start from there. Confession: I don’t actually enjoy planning parties but I do loveseeing my son’s face light up, so I promise everything I did is super simple and can easily be replicated! Whether you’re planning a superhero birthday or a Frozen themed one, the vendors I used were INCREDIBLE, professional, reliable and understood exactly what I was looking for. I’ve linked them all in this blog post!
For custom invites, loot bag tags, cupcake toppers, centre piece accessories and candy bag stickers, there’s no one better than Julia from Funkissd. She has a shop on Etsy with a ton of options, but can also make something custom for you. I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that I sent her a few pictures from Pinterest for inspiration and let her do the rest. What she created was absolutely perfect (and so affordable)!
Loot bags can be so tricky! Often kids aren’t all the same age and finding something adorable can be tough. I opted for TY beanie ballz! They’re soft and plush (so perfect for the younger kids) and are fun to throw around indoors (which the older kids love) without damaging walls or furniture (which the parents love)! They come in so many different characters. The TY site makes it a bit hard to find them, so I recommend finding the character you want (in my case, the regular spider man), click on it and then scroll down - it will show you all the other formats of that character, including beanie ballz!
For the table decor, I kept it simple and stuck to primary colors. Red and blue table cloths with red and blue cutlery, napkins and plates! I picked up awesome toddler capes, masks and snap bracelets and set them up at the table so that every kid could be a superhero! I wavered back and forth on whether I should get “girl” version of the super heroes, like Wonder Woman and Catwoman, but ultimately decided that the point was for the kids to dress up and have fun and to be honest, the kids didn’t mind one bit. In fact, I’m not even sure half of them even knew who they were dressing up as! They just LOVED putting on the cap and mask! Amazon Prime came to the rescue for all of this decor!
My favorite part was definitely the sweet table. I ordered a super cheap superhero backdrop from Amazon ($22 shipped prime) and decorated it with THE MOST gorgeous balloon garland from Balloonia. They were such a pleasure to deal with, again, completely understood what I was looking for without me having to spend hours sending pictures. They showed up early (that NEVER happens!), were super competitive with their price (in my opinion, for the amount of balloons and for how large it was, I think they actually offer a better value than their competitors) and they were a pleasure to deal with.
Click here for Backdrop on Amazon
Click here to visit BALLOONIA on Instagram or email Melissa for info: info@balloonia.ca
For the desserts, I worked with Laura, from Yum Creations. It was my first time but definitely not my last. She’s the original creator of the Cakesicle but she made us so much more. Instead of a typical fondant cake, we opted for a large number 3 decorated with custom superhero items and candy! It was SO delicious. We also got cake pops, mini cakesicles (perfect for little hands) and custom cookies. Each dessert was more delicious than the next.
Click here to visit YUM Creations on Instagram or email Laura at: info@yumcreations.com
Finally, we finished off the dessert table with a candy bar! This was probably the biggest headache. I didn’t properly gauge how much candy to buy to fill up the containers so I made multiple trips to the candy store and then when I finally had enough, I ate half of it one night and had to go back yet again for more! I stuck to the same colors as the party for the candy and used my custom stickers from Funkissd to decorate the candy bags! I recommend choosing your containers and brining them with you to the store!
Zane LOVES to dance so it was a no brainer to contact Tania from Funtastik Boogie. She literally does it all. Sings, dances, brings a bubble machine, a disco light machine, can bring in mascots and can literally plan any party under the sun for you. Our little superheroes in capes had a blast playing and dancing with her!
Click here to check out Funtastik Boogie on Instagram or email Tania at tania@funtastikboogie.ca
For the location, we had the party at Le Rinque. It has full catering on-site, a bar area if you want to have alchol and we were able to rent one of their indoor arenas for a sporting activity first, followed by music in the party room and then food! They have a vast menu with a ton of options for any budget!
Click here to check out Le Rinque
For the sporting activity, we used Sport Ball! Zane already takes classes with them every week and the coaches are just phenomenal. They bring the equipment (depending on which sport you want your kids to play) and the coaches keep them entertained for a full hour! They specialize in coaching kids of all ages so they were able to adapt the activity to ensure that all the kids had fun!
Click here to check out everything Sportball offers
(choose your location at the top right of the site to find activities near you)
Any other questions? Drop them below and I’ll do my best to answer them!!!
I’ve partnered with Procter & Gamble and Source Naturals as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The New Year always brings about my urge to clean, purge and organize! I love taking an inventory of what I have on hand and making sure we’re well equipped for the season and stocked up with all the essentials! As a busy mom with 2 children, I don’t have time to be running to the store every day so I make sure to always have a few key products on hand. I'm sharing my must-have products to keep you ready to tackle whatever the new year throws your way, and you can buy all these products at your local Walmart or visit www.WalmartHealthSupport.com!
Eating enough fiber isn’t always easy and because I’m always on the go, I have a tendency to grab and eat whatever is most convenient - which isn’t always what’s best for my digestive system. Thanks to Metamucil Fiber Thins, I feel lighter, less sluggish and more energized* as I tackle everything that my day throws at me! I always have some on hand because if I’m not feeling my best, it affects my whole family. Metamucil Fiber Thins ( I love the chocolate flavor) are crunchy, keep me full, provide 5 grams of fiber and only have 100 calories per serving! They come in individual packs that make them easy to grab on the go and because Metamucil is the #1 doctor-recommended fiber brand*, I feel good about my snack choice every day!
As the one who runs our household, I need to be feeling my best, and they say that your health starts in your gut! We all know that probiotics are great for gut health, but did you know that there are different types? Align Dualbiotic Gummies help promote good bacteria in your digestive tract* so I always make sure to have some on hand. They’re packed with natural fruit flavors and contain less than 1g of sugar per gummy so you get a sweet treat all while supporting gut health! It’s a win-win.
Stress in life, especially a mom’s life, is totally unpredictable. You can’t control when it decides to appear and it can affect every part of your health and life! I make sure to prepare myself and my immune system for the stress of the cold, the stress of back to school season and the daily stress of motherhood by incorporating Source Naturals® Wellness Formula® into my daily routine! It’s the first supplement to deliver high-potency vitamin C plus 25 other key nutrients. It supports immune health, your respiratory system and promotes a healthy response to stress.
Lastly, I always have Vicks VapoCOOL Severe Drops on hand. They provide maximum strength relief in a single drop, now with 33% more medicine*. They have maximum strength menthol, a powerful numbing agent that will help to soothe your throat pain fast so that you can get back to your normal. Whether it’s my husband or myself, we can’t let a sore throat slow us down, so I always make sure we have a full bag at home.
Don’t let yourself be unprepared when unexpected stress hits your home! Make sure to always have these essentials on hand. They can all be found at your local Walmart.
This post was sponsored by Microban 24 as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Daycare germs. There is no way to prepare yourself for them and you never fully understand how bad it is until you have a child in daycare. The only thing worse is having 1 child in daycare and a baby at home who you’re trying to keep away from the germs!
It used to seem close to impossible to keep my house free of germs and bacteria until I discovered Microban 24: a revolution in home sanitizing.
Microban 24 is a new antimicrobial spray that keeps the surfaces in your home sanitized for 24 hours!!
While many disinfectants kill 99.9% of bacteria, Microban 24 does this and continues working throughout the day to provide long-lasting protection for surfaces in your home. You read that right! You can now sanitize your kids toys, hand rails on your stairs, door handles and more, and when your toddler decides to touch it all after coming home from daycare, Microban 24 will keep your surfaces protected from bacteria for 24 hours.
Microban 24 has three products: a Sanitizing Spray, a Bathroom Cleaner (that prevents the spread of mold and mildew for 7 days) and a Multi-Purpose Cleaner. This product line is such a game changer for parents everywhere, especially when it comes to flu prevention. Children touch everything and no matter how often you wash their hands, they manage to bring germs home. So during flu season, Microban 24 is my go-to disinfectant cleaner! I use it on my son’s shoes that he wears at daycare, on the door handles and doors in the entryway of our home and on my children’s toys! You can never be too careful and the last thing I want is for my children, my husband or myself to get sick.
The Sanitizing Spray can even be used on soft surfaces. How awesome is that? I use it on the front of my son’s car seat (where his wet boots constantly seem to rub) and on the rug in the entry way of my home. Between my kids, my dog and the visitors that we always have coming and going, I use Microban 24 everywhere!
This product gives me so much peace of mind now that I’m a parent. Knowing that I’m able to clean and keep the surfaces in my home bacteria free for 24 hours means that I can spend more time enjoying my kids when they’re home instead of following them around trying to disinfect everything they touch over and over again. You can purchase Microban 24 at Walmart!
