Film Screening on International Women's Day to benefit Because I am a Girl

To mark International Women’s Day, Vireo Research will host a screening of Miss Representation on Wednesday, March 6 at The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, 6:30 p.m., to benefit Because I am a Girl, Plan Canada. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Jacquelyn Salnek, partner, Vireo Re-search.

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often dis-paraging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

Miss Representation includes stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics like Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Jackson Katz, Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem. The film offers startling facts and statistics that will leave audiences shaken and armed with a new perspective.

All proceeds from the March 6 screening will be donated to Because I am a Girl, Plan Canada. Tickets are $15 and available in advance on Eventbrite: http://vireomissrepresentation.eventbrite.ca and at the door.

Thought Spots (Review & Giveaway)

If you read my personal posts, you will know that my daughter has been in daycare since December.

As a first-time mom who has gone back to work after maternity leave, I often feel like there is never enough hours in the day. I lack time, I lack sleep and I lack cuddles with my baby (er, toddler...). It seems like everything has become more overwhelming difficult than it ever was before. So when I was contacted by Thought Spots to review a Thought Pack, the choice was simple - I needed pick me ups for Positive Parenting.

As Thought Spots says, "It’s all about living with intention and keeping the good stuff in sight…and in mind!" 

Good Cop, Bad Cop

When I found out I was pregnant, I assumed I would be the "bad" cop when it came to disciplining our child. Years of teaching recreational gymnastics and being a camp counsellor during my high school summers taught me how to deal with kids. When they are upset, distract. When they fall, act like it's not a big deal so they don't freak out. If a child was misbehaving, I was the usually the one who sat down with them and explained to them why they were yanked from the "Red Light, Green Light" game for tripping a fellow camper.

However, when it comes to my own daughter, she is has me wrapped around her super tiny little finger. When she yelps just slightly her distaste about my taking away a toy, it's immediately back in her palms. She even looks at something in the store, and I already have it in the cart to purchase. (However, my Mom is a lot worse...when Chris and I try to convince the other that Hannah doesn't need something my Mom offers to buy it...this is what we call being "Grandma'd"...and why Hannah has an Elmo book about sleeping in a big bed even though thats months away and why she has a toy guitar).

My Daycare Progress Report

Hannah has been in daycare for six weeks now, so on Friday we received an Infant Progress Report. I was ecstatic to learn that when other kids and the teachers ask her for a "high 5" she now delivers. As mentioned previously, I was already in the know and very excited that "Hannah can remove her own shoes and socks." These reports are awesome, and much more detailed than Hannah's baby book. Because, as previously mentioned, most of the pages of Hannah's baby book remain blank.

So in light of Hannah's Progress Report, I think it's a good time to do my own self-report.

A Fresh Visit to the Canadian International AutoShow

Today Chris, Hannah and I headed to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to check out the 40th annual Canadian International AutoShow, happening now until Feb. 24th. While ole Gold Bug (our Toyota Corolla) is still in good condition, we realize if our family ever grows so must our vehicle. So we were checking out bigger cars from our favourite brands - and other features at the AutoShow.

Gillette Kiss Bundle (Giveaway)

It’s official, stubble is killing the Canadian kiss! When surveyed, 72 per cent of women reveal that kissing a guy with facial hair has irritated or scraped their face. Overall, half of women claim to have used a facial cream or lotion on irritated skin, tried to cover it up with makeup (23 per cent) and some even added an accessory to hide the irritation (5 per cent). In addition, almost one in four women have actually avoided kissing a guy romantically because he had facial hair. (For more information on the smooth vs stubble debate visit www.kissandtellus.ca.)

Mabel's Labels Valentine's Sale

In spirit of Valentine’s Day, Mabel's Labels is celebrating the love by offering $2 off heart labels! These versatile sticky labels are durable, waterproof labels that are perfect for identifying lunch containers, bottles, toys, sports equipment and much more. You’ll be amazed at what you can label. This offer is only valid 2/12 through 2/15 so don't miss your chance to shop this sale!

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Dinner made easy with Cavendish From the Farm PEI potatoes

I know I'm not alone when I say my favourite evening meal is breakfast for dinner. Eggs, pancakes, waffles. Quick, easy, delicious.

My only problem with making breakfast for dinner at home was a lack of home fries/hash browns/any type of potato side dish. So every time I made breakfast for dinner a small (ok, BIG) part of my stomach always questioned what was missing.

Therefore I was especially excited to find out about Cavendish From the Farm Rustic Reds (you know Cavendish from the commercial on TV - they are the singing farmers from Prince Edward Island, Go Canada!).

In 20 minutes, (12 minutes in the oven on one side, then flip for another 8 minutes) I have tasty rustic red skinned diced potatoes - a perfect side for scrambled eggs and bacon. They are seasoned with sea salt, are low in fat and are simply delish.

Disney On Ice Rockin' Ever After Giveaway - Toronto

Get ready to rock out with some of the most magical idols of all in a musical showcase that features the hottest tunes and talent from across the kingdom in Disney On Ice presents Rockin' Ever After! Jam to a Scottish jig as a group of royal contenders from the latest Disney•Pixar film, Brave, competes to win the heart of headstrong, sharp-shooting Merida, making her ice debut! Experience a show-stopping performance as Sebastian breaks out of his shell for one night only to make waves with Ariel. A chorus of harmless hooligans from Tangled unleashes musical mayhem when they get a visit from the sassy and spirited Rapunzel and her charming ally Flynn. And, get your feet moving as the Beast and his castle's enchanted entourage take center stage in a spectacular show for Belle. It will be a rockin' remix of royalty when Disney On Ice brings this superstar line-up to your hometown!

GTA moms save with clubmom (Giveaway)

I was never that in to coupons. The only type I used were point-of-sale (my Marketing prof would be so pleased I remember this term). Basically, unless I could get them at the store I never used them.

Then I became a Mom, and I started carrying coupons with me in my wallet. Our fridge is overflowing with diaper, laundry detergent and battery coupons. Now when I make a list I check the fridge to see if we need to buy anything we have a coupon for. And I'm still a point-of-saler. When we go to a certain grocery chain that has a bunch of coupons at the entrance I think I annoy my Mom by the amount of time it takes me to look through them all. I know I annoy Chris, because sometimes said point-of-sale coupons add a purchase that was not originally on our list.

Disney On Ice presents Rockin' Ever After

So, March Break still seems a little far right now (and therefore my tickets to the June NKOTB, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men concert seem even further...) but I am SO excited to take Hannah to her first live Disney show - on ice, no less!

The first Disney movie we ever watched together was Beauty and the Beast. I chose it because Belle looks most like Hannah - brown hair and brown eyes (and because my favourite Disney movie, The Lion King, may have been too scary). I am definitely most excited to see Belle, but also looking forward to seeing Merida from Brave, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and Rapunzel from Tangled.

Mama I'm a Big Girl Now

OK. So Hannah can't actually say, "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now," but as I continually stress to Chris actions speak louder than words.

Last week Hannah turned 1. I have been fighting a nasty cough/cold since I returned to work and on her actual birthday I was so sick I had to stay home from work and only saw her for like an hour. I know she didn't realize it was her birthday, but I still felt a lot of Mom guilt. Especially when she wanted to cuddle and I kept leaving her to cough loud enough our neighbours could probably hear.

One of the things I really wanted to do is write a list of all the awesome things she can do at 12 months. She's mastered 7 words. She can eat bigger pieces of food, and bites things herself without us having to break it up for her (as proven when she devoured one of her customized Elmo birthday sugar cookies). She crawls to whatever she wants and is becoming a very independent little lady (although, the grunting and pointing thing is becoming a little old...).

My personal favourite skill that has been perfected over the last couple of months is the removal of her socks. As soon as we get home from daycare and I remove her outerwear, she pulls off her socks almost right away. It's my favourite, because shortly thereafter I do the same. (I hate socks...but I also hate feet. Go figure?)

I hope at some point, when I'm feeling better, and have work and this blog under control, that I can sit down and recall all the things she can do at age 1, and all the amazing things that came before that. Thankfully my Mom keeps very detailed photo albums (yes, plural, I think she's on number four) and our daycare gives us weekly report cards of all the things that fill her days. My goal is to finish her baby book that follows her first year before Chris' birthday in May...when Hannah will be 15 months old. Maybe I should change that to her 2nd birthday. Time is flying way faster than I could have ever imagined...

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.