Febreze Car Vent Clips at the Canadian International AutoShow (Giveaway)

Now that I'm a working Mom and commute via car every day I have so much more appreciation for my vehicle (which Chris and I have nicknamed Gold Bug) and for Febreze Car Vent Clips.

I spend a good 45 minutes in Gold Bug to get to work, and about an hour (including daycare pick-up) in Gold Bug before I get home.

Since it has been FREEZING in Toronto lately, my heat is on as soon as warm air will blow through the vents. And it smells GOOD. Fresh laundry good (we have the Linen & Sky scent). I-think-if-Seinfeld-still-had-his-car-with-the-BO-smell-Febreze-Car-Vent-Clips-would-make-it-bearable-to-drive good.

But don't trust me, try it for yourself. One YYZ Bambina reader will win a Febreze Car Vent Clip AND two tickets to the upcoming Canadian International AutoShow happening Feb. 15 - 24, 2013 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

If you're headed there to check out the fantasy cars (and in my case, hopefully a Transformer or two), make sure you stop by the Febreze Van at the AutoShow to pick up a free sample and find out how Febreze Car Vent Clips send odours packing so you and your passengers can breathe happy.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Please note, you are responsible for transportation to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Monday, February 4, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter. By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own. 

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Blogversary to YYZ Bambina!

Today, my blog turns one. It's hard to believe how far it has come in a year (just like how, on Hannah's birthday, I will be in shock about how far she has come as a person and I've come as a Mom).

We've come a long way from my first post about being an uncomfortable 40 weeks pregnant and watching too much Dateline (Editor's Note: There can NEVER be enough Keith Morrison and Dateline).

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures in Mommyhood so far and will continue to read what I post.

I have made some AMAZING Mommy friends and Blogging friends (and some are BOTH at once) and feel so lucky to have such awesome folks in my life due to this blog and the not-so-tiny-anymore person who is the reason I started it.

Here's to the year ahead...

P.S. Do blogs get birthday cakes? :)

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Olay Total Effects (Review and Giveaway)

It's a long running joke that Chris and I don't look our age. In fact, in the year I got pregnant we BOTH got ID'd (at different bars, but both ID'd nonetheless). When I gave birth, I felt like the nurses looked at me like I should have had cameras following me as if I was part of the cast of Teen Mom (I suppose my doctor had checked my chart long ago and realized my true age, regardless of the fact I had a stuffed Raptor in my hospital bag). We may not look 30 (even if we have the IDs to prove it), but we at least look 24.

But now that I'm back at work and have to set an alarm (not to mention venture out in to the cold on a daily basis), my skin is dealing with the consequences of less sleep, more coffee and drier air. My skin could do with looking a little younger.

Enter Olay Total Effects. It's not your Mom's anti-aging cream anymore. It provides seven anti-aging benefits including line appearance minimization, nourishing moisturization, subtle appearance firming, brightening, gentle exfoliation, pore appearance refinement and anti-oxidants. All things I want to do at this age, long before I'll be able to order from the Denny's Seniors Menu (my own Mom's current joy, after her granddaughter of course).

My favourite items from the Olay line have to be Olay Total Effects Daily Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream and Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush. The former is an awesome, weightless foundation which spreads easily and evenly (and even covers my zits. Yes, I still get zits! At this point, you're probably saying to yourself, well no wonder you get ID'd...). Since returning to work the latter has saved me. I look attentive and alert in meetings even if I did have dark circles when I woke up that morning (and am drinking my third coffee). Plus, the brush is so fun to use, I feel like some sort of makeup star.

Are you facing some winter blahs? Would you like the chance to win an Olay prize pack worth approximately $140? One lucky reader will win:

• Olay Total Effects Daily Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream
• Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
• Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub 
• Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Night Moisturizer 
• Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Eye Treatment

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Monday, February 4, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter. By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own. 

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

All Moms Should Go to Circus School

It's Sunday night. Tomorrow will begin a new work week, my second in the last 54 weeks. The mat leave is over, and in some respects, so is the party.

Everything has changed. Routines have to change. Alarm clocks have to change. How I manage my time has to change. I need to learn to juggle my priorities and therefore focuses in life. I need to learn to juggle.

I made it through my first week OK. There was no crying in the bathroom. There were lost passwords and new ideas at work.

There was no Sesame Street. No finger foods. No cuddles. No baby giggles.

There was also no Caillou. No messes. No pinches. No tantrums.

I could get up to use the washroom whenever I pleased without securing anyone or singing to them while I did my business.

If someone wanted something from me, they would just ask - in English. What a revolutionary way to communicate!

Once we get in to grooves and all adjust - Chris to dropping Hannah off at daycare, Hannah to spending all day at daycare, and me to work and daycare pickup (which, is seriously the BEST moment of my ENTIRE day) I think I will be happy to be back at work.

The phrase "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" could not be more true in this case. Being away from my daughter all day gives me extra patience with her in the evening and I can't get enough of being with her (well, save poopy diapers - the daycare can have ALL of those!).

So if my blog posts are a little sparse for the next few weeks you'll know why - I've run away to join the circus and learn how to juggle.

How did you learn to juggle?

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Mabel's Labels launches Household Labels

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to get organized? If so, you'll be thrilled to find out that Mabel's Labels has just launched their newly re-designed line of Household Labels! 

These labels are a must-have to help families get, and stay organized at home. Developed by professional organizers, these labels organize everything from storage bins, food containers and spice jars to craft supplies, electronics cords and trash cans. Be sure to check out all of Mabel's Labels great new products today! 

Happy Labeling! 


Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Win Pampers for a Year from Shoppers Drug Mart (Giveaway)

Shoppers Optimum points have always been my favourite loyalty program, and now they are doing something pretty awesome for those of us with little ones in diapers.

How would you like a chance to remove diapers from your shopping list and household budget for 2013? Sound like a dream? Here’s your chance!

Use your Shoppers Optimum card when purchasing Pampers products now until January 25, 2013 and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win one year’s worth of Pampers diapers! See in store for more details.

And that's not all, one lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a Pampers Giveaway including:

• Pampers Swaddlers size 1 
• Pampers Cruisers size 3 
• Pampers Splashers size 3-4
• Pampers Easy-ups size 3-4 
• Pampers Natural Care Wipes 
• HBC Canada onesie (size 0-3 mos or 3-6 mos)

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Friday, January 25, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter. By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own. 

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Baby's First Prescription

Today is the official last day of my maternity leave. I have no idea where a year went, and sometimes am amazed by how much this little person who I am so proud to call my daughter has grown.

I've spent the last three days tending to my sick Hannah, who has been home from daycare. We called Telehealth Ontario and finally gave in and braved the waiting room to see the doctor.

She has an ear and throat infection and she's now on antibiotics. It was weird seeing her name on medicine (not as weird as when my turtle got prescribed cream or my cat got prescribed pills, but weird nonetheless).

In a way, I feel some serious mom guilt. Because I wanted to spend more time with her before I went back to work. Obviously not under these circumstances, but still.

Maybe it's just the constant flows of "Mama" leaving her lips, usually when she is pain. A part of me knows I should feel honoured she seeks me out when she needs to be soothed and she trusts I am the one who will protect her while making things right. Another, bigger part of me just feels even more guilty because I know there is not much I can do but provide cuddles, kisses and plenty of water.

I really hope she is feeling better by Sunday. Going to work is going to be hard enough - it will be that much harder if I know she's still sick and I won't be the one taking care of her.

How do you deal with having to leave your kids when they are sick?

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Strawberry Shortcake Follow Your Berry Own Beat!

Strawberry Shortcake was one of my favourite characters growing up. I had Strawberry Shortcake shoes, a Strawberry Shortcake tricycle and of course, Stawberry Shortcake toys. I can't wait to introduce Hannah to Strawberry Shortcake, and since Hannah loves music, a great way to do that would be to take her to Strawberry Shortcake live in concert.

In this live theatrical production by Koba Entertainment, Strawberry Shortcake, and her best friends Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding and Cherry Jam, prove that little girls can do berry big things!


This musical adventure takes the audience to the whimsical land of Berry Bitty City where the whole town is buzzing with anticipation for the Glitzy Glaze Talent Show! Follow Strawberry Shortcake and the rest of the girls as they each prepare for their moment in the spotlight.

For the first time ever, Koba Entertainment is bringing together the iconic sweetness of Strawberry Shortcake and the wackiest siblings on television, the Doodlebops in one spectacular show! Before the sweet berry girls hit the stage, warm up your singing voice and stretch out your dancing muscles with the Doodlebops! Responding to calls from their legions of clamouring fans, Rooney, Moe and Dee Dee Doodle will take the stage in a live concert performance that gets their whole audience movin’ and groovin’. Join us for this interactive concert experience full of humour, fun and friendship: Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat! with very special guests the Doodlebops!

This never-seen-before musical package brings together an award-winning team led by Koba’s artistic director Patti Caplette. The show features new songs co-written by Lorelei Bachman and her father Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive); plus original and fan favourite songs from the hit television program. The theatrical production is based on the hit CGI-animated preschool television program Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures and draws on the success of the Doodlebops’ popular television series.

To find out when the berry girls and Doodblebops come to your town, click here for tour dates.

In celebration of Strawberry Shortcake's new show, Koba Entertainment is giving one YYZ Bambina reader a Strawberry Shortcake Book and DVD. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Tuesday, January 22, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

My New Year's Resolution

Next week at this time, I will be at work. Hannah will be at daycare. And Chris, depending on his commute, will also be at work. Booyah, our cat, will probably be sleeping after meowing at us all morning.

Because Hannah has already started daycare, I have already slowly adjusted to not being with her all day. I hope this makes spending my day at work at lot easier. I hope at work I'm distracted and don't miss her as much as I currently do.

So, my New Year's Resolution is to spend at least one quality hour with Hannah a day during the week.

That doesn't seem like a lot, but she will be sleeping when I leave for work. I won't get to her at daycare until around 5:30 p.m., so we probably won't get home until 6ish. That gives me three to four hours to spend with her before she goes to bed. Factor in dinner and bath time, and one hour of quality time seems almost seems frivolous, especially since Chris will want to spend time with her too.

Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Does it deal with parenting?

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Little ones stay warm in Little Dundi scarves

One of the joys of living in Toronto, or any part of Canada, is experiencing the four seasons. Truth be told, I enjoy spring, summer and fall (in that order) much more than I enjoy winter. Sure, I try to focus on fun things like skating, skiing and snowboarding. But it's hard not to focus on slush, shovelling and snowsuits.

Last winter Hannah was a newborn. Last winter Toronto hardly got any snow. Last winter my car was parked indoors.

This year, Hannah is old enough to take her own hat off. This year, Toronto has gotten more snow than we got ALL last winter. And most bitterly, this year my car is parked outdoors.

But there is still something positive to focus on in winter 2012/13. And that's the discovery of Little Dundi's Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons.

Hannah was sent one in pink, and she simply loves it. The little bears distract her enough for her to leave the scarf on. And it is SO soft. (So soft that I have already ordered a Little Dundi blanket made of the same material). And it's warm too - you have to trust mom and Little Dundi inventor Milena Perrine - she lives in Colorado, she knows what cold weather is truly like. I wish I could find a scarf like this that would fit me!

Further details:

•  One Size. Fits baby 12+ months to toddler.
•  36 inches in length without the pompons. 4.5 inches wide.
•  Ivory, camel or baby pink with beige bear heads.
•  Assembled in USA from imported materials. All new materials. 100% polyester.
•  Machine wash cold. Delicate dry cycle only.

Would you like your little one to be stylish, warm AND entertained? Two lucky YYZ Bambina readers will win one Little Dundi Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons. To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Sunday, January 20, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a scarf for the purpose of this review. As always, the language and opinions on this blog are my own.

 © 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 2013!

Before ringing (I use the term VERY loosely) in 2012, I sat on the couch, super pregnant watching the Citytv New Year's Eve bash.

This year, two of my best friends came over. Chris made a yummy chicken curry for dinner, we enjoyed a cocktail and played with Hannah and all of her new toys.

Hannah crashed around 11 p.m. It was difficult, but Chris and I made it to midnight. We were in bed by 12:03 a.m.

It's funny to think a few years ago I would have been downtown, celebrating in a club wearing an expensive dress and way too much make up...and not getting home until around 4.

2012 had its ups and downs, but will always be dear to my heart. After all, that's when my first child, my daughter, my new best friend, was born.

I hope all my readers have an amazing 2013 and that you'll continue to follow my blog. Thank you for all your support in 2012!

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.