Month: September 2015

Quick monster cake pops + A HUGE Canadian Tire contest #YouGotThis

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If you need help changing a tire, I’m not your gal. Looking for the inside odds in the football pool? Sorry, you’ll have to ask someone else. Can’t tell a Robertson from a Phillips? Don’t look at me! But if you want to cook the perfect cob of corn or learn 10 ways to wrap a present, well I’m the gal you’ll want to talk to.

We’ve all got our own areas of expertise, our own tips and short cuts that make us the go-to when something needs to get done and done well. Whether DIY is so Y-O-U or just you some of the time, chances are you’ve got a how-to that makes people say you got this.

So why not share it?

From now until October 6, Canadian Tire is inviting you to share a photo or a brief video showing how you do an everyday job well for the chance to win $5,000 in gift cards. (Including a $3,000 grand prize!) There are five categories to choose from — Home, Outdoor, Sports and Rec, Tools and Hardware, and Auto — and plenty of inspiration on the Canadian Tire website for each one.

I am not the most tech savvy (ha! that’s an understatement!) so I was pretty pleased with myself when I saw how easy it was to upload my video. Seriously, it took less than a minute. Will you make my scary-easy Quick Monster Cake Pops?

DIY is one of my favourite things to learn and chat about, so I hope you’ll join me this Wednesday, September 30 for the #YouGotThis Twitter Party from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. EST. I can’t tell you if this handsome fella will be there but I do know that Canadian Tire will be giving away $500 in gift cards, which is pretty good too.

Where do #YouGotThis? What tips and tricks do you have to share? I’d love to hear! But even more, I’d love to learn to how to too! Can’t wait to see your videos and talk with you on Wednesday.

You got this! I know it!

Good morning Fall!

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Summer isn’t the only season for adventure. Today we’re saying good morning to Fall and embracing cozy layers, new backpacks, cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice everything with a visit to a new-to-us coffee shop in Chinatown, Raw Sugar Café.

What to have? Everything looks so good.

My kids don’t go anywhere without their backpacks. I like how Herschel has thought to include a cute and practical spot inside where you can write your name so it doesn’t get mistaken for someone else’s. (Note to self: write James’ name inside!)

And my padded laptop sleeve means I don’t have to worry about my computer getting dinged up in our travels.

Owner Nadia Kharyati was baking some fresh treats when we arrived.


Like Fall, Raw Sugar has plenty of charms. Nadia spent years collecting just the right mix of boho chic furniture and accessories before opening the cafe in 2008.

We’re going to hang out here for a while longer. Can I get you anything?

I partnered with Herschel Supply Co. for this post, however the ideas and opinions are my own. I love sharing my favourite products with you!

Five things

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If you follow me on Instagram you might recognize most of these photos but here (and only here!) can you get the scoop behind the pictures. Okay not really. You can also get it on Instagram. But sometimes I fill in different details here too, so you should still read my Five Things. Heck you’re here, so you must want to. :) Read on then! Don’t let me get in your way!

1. Speed-walking to school, as we do most mornings. How can we get almost everything ready the night before and still take so long getting out the door? Tell me I’m not alone in this. What hurries things along for you?

2. I can’t get over these emoji cookies from A Couple of Squares. The London, Ontario bakery supplies to The Second Cup near our dentist, so we picked up a few after our last visit. And then brushed our teeth really well.

3. Well we already know Mindy Kaling has an amazing sense of style, but did you know she’s also got a brilliant eye for decor? I love her feature in the latest issue of Domino. And may I just say I’m so glad the magazine’s back? Now we just need them to put out another book!

4. This cutie is one of the Minted prints I’ll be showing you in an upcoming post about transitioning your decor to fall/winter. Don’t you love?

5. I’ve started a six-week bootcamp at the gym three mornings a week and let me tell you, it’s a killer. Or I am super out of shape. Or maybe both. Today I managed to squeak out a few more push-ups than I did in the first class on Monday so I can already see some progress. Yay! (Everything hurts but still, yay!) Do you amp up your fitness routine in the fall?

Hope you’re having a good week, everybody! Talk to you again really soon.

Eat more stars, earn more PC Plus points! #GuidingStarsCA #PCStars #EatMoreStars

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When you want to make a change for the better, what motivates you more? The carrot, or the stick? How about the carrot stick? From now until September 17 you can earn bonus PC Plus points for free groceries when you buy 1-, 2- and 3-star-rated foods at any Loblaw retailer. Now the Guiding Stars not only lead you to healthy choices, but they also help you save money!

If you’re not familiar with Loblaw’s Guiding Stars, it’s the program that rates foods 0 to 3 stars for their nutritious goodness. Foods get points for vitamins, minerals, whole grains, dietary fibre and Omega-3 fatty acids, and lose points for saturated fats, trans fats, added sodium and added sugar. You’ll find the stars on the shelf labels in store. You can also check the food finder on the Guiding Stars site.

During the #EatMoreStars event, you’ll earn 10 PC Plus points for foods with 1 star, 30 points for 2 stars and 60 points for 3 stars, and even more for weekly special offers. (Woot!)

To start racking up those points, visit GuidingStars.ca, select your store and log in to your PC Plus account.

Then click the red LOAD tab (where mine shows Loaded) to earn the week’s special offer. You’ll see there’s a new offer starting tomorrow, but until the 10th you can earn 3,000 points when you spend $10 on cereal.

Make sure to log in again tomorrow to take advantage of the next special offer. You’ll want to load your regular offers too. (Just a couple of clicks and you’re done!)

If you’re not already a PC Plus member, now’s a great time to sign up! Points for free groceries make healthy eating even more rewarding.

Eat more stars and earn more points! I’ll be right there with you.

I partnered with Loblaw on this post, however all opinions are my own.