Tim Hortons #CampDay is Wednesday, June 5th!

Stopping for Timmy's is a daily routine for most Canadians. In fact, I plan my lane changes on Tim Hortons location en route to work (thankfully we have many Tim's locations on the university campus I work at).

It's important we ALL go on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013. That's the date for this year's Camp Day. Tim Hortons restaurant owners will donate 100 per cent of the proceeds from coffee sales to the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation, helping send kids on an unforgettable, fun-filled camping adventure to help inspire them for a better future.

Pure Via sweeteners (Review & Giveaway)

I didn't start drinking coffee until my working years. I got through university by drinking Coke. But now that I'm a parent, I don't know how I could live without coffee. Once I moved in with Chris, I started using brown sugar in my coffee, and recently I heard of an even better way to sweeten my brew.

Pure Via is an all natural, zero calorie sweetener derived from stevia, a plant native to South America. Its main sweetening ingredient is Reb A, a high-purity extract of the sweetest part of the stevia plant. As a replacement for sugar in beverages, cooking and baking, Pure Via can help to reduce overall calories consumed without sacrificing great taste. Pure Via is a natural alternative to sugar and can be enjoyed by anyone who wants the indulgent taste of sugar without all the calories.

When Honour Roll Students Attempt to Parent

Today was Hannah's last class for her spring swimming lessons. Since we moved this past winter, it was the first session at a new pool, and we took the classes through the City of Toronto.

In our private lessons, we didn't receive anything at the last class.

Today Hannah received a "progress report". She did not pass. However, she can't move up to the next level until she's 3 anyways. So why am I so upset? Why do I feel like I let her down? And why, when Chris saw us getting the report did he hope she had passed too?

#IAMSSoGood Canada's first ever concert for dogs! (#PGmom Giveaway)

Full disclosure: I am a cat person. I have always owned cats and will always own cats.

Booyah (or Boo Bear as I fondly refer to him), is a cat with a dog's love. And by this I mean, he greets me at the front door. He follows me around in the morning until he gets some attention. Even as I type this, he is sitting on the couch with me, glancing at me as to ask, "Are we ever going to bed?"

But what makes Booyah a house cat is that he hates is afraid to leave the house. Therefore, he won't be making the trek to Echo Beach on Saturday, June 8th. But dogs and their owners should.

New Signature McWrap tasty addition to McDonald's Canada menu

I'm a little obsessed with McDonald's. As part of my travelling, I've eaten at a McDonald's in every country I've visited (save Cuba and Jamaica, of course, since there are no McDonald's restaurants there). It's fun to be able to get your favourites away from home, but it's also neat to see what McDonald's serves in other geographical locations. The last trip I took was to Hawaii - I love how Spam is on the menu there!

So when I found out the new Signature McWrap at McDonald's Canada is already a successful offering in Europe, I had to try it. (Canadians are the first to have a whole wheat tortilla wrap.)

Update Your Outdoor Space for $100 #WalmartFrugalHeroes

This is the first place Chris and I have lived in that’s had a working balcony. When we first started dating, neither of our places had balconies (although Chris’ did have a pretty nice roof top patio for the whole building to enjoy). Our first apartment was constantly under renovations, and we hardly ventured out on to that balcony at all.

When we moved to our current place back in November, I was excited we finally had a balcony we could enjoy – with a pretty nice view to boot (we have a partial view of the CN Tower, my favourite Toronto landmark…I write partial because a good portion of it is covered by a huge hold tree...)

So when Walmart Canada asked me to take the Frugal Heroes Challenge, I pretty much knew I wanted to use the $100 to make my balcony as pretty as the view from it.

Definitely MY Daughter

I'm on a few mom groups on Facebook. Sometimes I find these groups very helpful, sometimes I find members to be a bit neurotic, but I always find being a part of these groups entertaining.

The other day a mom posted about how annoyed she was about constantly being told that her children look exactly like her husband and look nothing like her.

I know the feeling well.

Chris has brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin. Hannah has brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin. I have light brown hair, blue eyes and paler skin. A lot of people can't see past Hannah's colouring. But there are a few who can, and a distinction was made officially mere minutes after her birth.

My Early Steps™ Wins Gold award from Mom’s Choice Awards® (Giveaway)

My Early Steps™, a soft structured baby walker, was named among the best in family-friendly products by the Mom’s Choice Awards® program. It was recognized with a Gold award in the Gear & Accessories – Walkers & Jumpers category.

My Early Steps™ offers parents and babies everywhere a more natural approach to learning to walk. Its thoughtful design eliminates the safety issues and the inhibition of motor skills development related to traditional walkers on casters and wheels. The product incorporates a number of unique features which elevate it as a safer and more versatile alternative. My Early Steps™ is made by Little Dundi, based in Estes Park, CO. Little Dundi brings to life products inspired by baby and created by mom.

This Mother's Day, Give the Gift of Netflix (Giveaway)

My Mom truly is the 'Mother Who Has Everything'.

Case in point, this past Christmas? "I'd like you to pay for my Internet for the year, please."

This Mother's Day? "Can you and your brother paint my living room?"

Don't get stuck painting your mom's living room - give her the gift that keeps on giving, Netflix.

Mabel's Labels Allergy Alert Labels

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and Mabel's Labels has launched their newly re-designed Allergy Alert Labels. These labels are a must-have to help make sure that your family is eating safely. Allergy Alerts are durable, waterproof labels that specify allergies on items such as lunch boxes, water bottles, travel gear and much more! 

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Pamper Mom for Mother's Day (#PGmom Review and Giveaway)

When I was little I had the gull to ask my Mom, "How come if there's Mother's Day and Father's Day there's no Kids' Day?"

She responded, "EVERY DAY is Kids' Day!"

Now that I'm a mom, I get it. My whole life is based around my daughter, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Even if sleeping on the floor beside her crib kills my back, and bending over to pick up food underneath her high chair breaks my back, and her constant demands of "Up!" result in my lifting her up...which kills my back.

Some days the only time I get alone is a quick shower, and even then Hannah sometimes bangs on the bathroom door. That's why this month I was especially excited to receive an Olay Body Bar with Massaging Design from P&G. I love the Silk Whimsy scent - for a few moments I get to feel pampered and relaxed.

May the 4th Be With You - 50 per cent off specific Mabel's Labels TODAY

The force is strong with this offer because for one day only, on 5/4, Mabel's Labels is offering 50 per cent off Robot and Rocket Sticky Labels in honour of May the 4th be with you! 

May 4th celebrates the Star Wars Trilogy that has entertained thousands of fans from all over the world.

Don't miss your chance to shop this great offer! 

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

#McHappyDay is Wednesday, May 8th!

I love Big Macs, and I REALLY love Big Macs with a cause.

On Wednesday, May 8th, $1 from every Big Mac®, Happy Meal®, and Hot McCafé® beverage you buy at McDonald's will be donated to Ronald McDonald Houses and other children's charities across Canada.

The RMHC® program is dedicated to helping sick children and their families in times of need. Ronald McDonald Houses provide accommodation and support for 10,000 Canadian families each year. You can watch the video below to learn about how Ronald McDonald House Charities helps give sick children what they need most – their families.

See you at McDonald's on May 8th!

 © 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.