Save on Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back to School Combo

It's never too early to begin planning for the next school year and as the saying goes "the early bird catches the worm!" Help the little scholars in your life stay organized with Mabel's Labels. Identify clothes, footwear, books, backpacks and more with the Ultimate Back to School Combo. 

Save $3 and receive a coupon for $5 off a Laptop Lunches Bento Box (while supplies last) when you purchase the Ultimate Back to School Combo. Hurry, because this early bird pricing expires on 7/31. 

Mabel's Labels now offers free shipping to the US on all orders. No minimum purchase necessary. Save with early bird pricing and take advantage of free shipping by shopping Mabel's Labels! 

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

For the Love of Zed #TGCBB

When I write, I make sure to use the Canadian spelling of words. (I am so ecstatic when I type the u in words like favourite, neighbour, favour, honour, etc. and it doesn't result in the red squiggly underline...this was not always the case.)

But pronouncing things the Canadian way? That's a little more difficult.

When people ask me what my blog name is, I make a conscious effort to pronounce it "Why-Why-Zed" Bambina. Because it's the Canadian way.

I shouldn't have to make a conscious effort to say something I've known since I was little, but it's hard.

Especially when Sesame Street and many other children's programming is American. When Elmo, my daughter's favourite monster of all time, opens his mouth to sing his ABCs, I cringe. All because of the last letter he sings - Z.

Back-To-School Ready In June With Future Shop

Chris recently attended the Future Shop Showcase Must-haves for Back-to-School. His findings are below.

It’s late June, so naturally most kids are thinking about – or already on - summer vacation.  They’re focusing on the end of school. But Future Shop is already thinking about September: the beginning of school.

Perhaps it’s the last thing kids want to hear right now, but with technology moving faster than the calendar, it won’t be long before fall rolls around, and with it the three dreaded words: Back. To. School.

How cruel, right? Kids are getting prepped to go back to school before they’ve even left!

Well fear not, kids: you need not lament the approach of the fall season anymore. In fact, with all the amazing gadgets and accessories out there, you might start looking forward to it.

Destination Fun: Toronto's Centre Island #Centreville4Fun

One of the coolest things about raising your child where you grew up is that you get to revisit fun places and experience them again as if it were your first time.

As a child growing up in Toronto, summer means taking the ferry to Centre Island. There’s nothing quite like leaving the city behind for green, lush parkland. And, of course, some really fun rides.

Recently Hannah, Chris and I spent a fun-filled day at Centreville. Hannah was glued to the window our entire ferry trip across. She pointed at other boats, birds and even saw a Porter airplane take-off. When we arrived at the Island, she actually cried when we had to disembark!

Getting my fibre a delicious way - Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight #Fibre1ACD

I think I might be the least enthusiastic bride out there. At least, that's probably what the staff at the store I bought my gown in thought a few weeks ago. They wanted to know if I wanted to try it on when I went in to pick it up. I politely declined, and from their reaction, I think I might be the first bride in the history of the store to do so.

The truth is, I should probably lose at least 10 more pounds to look GOOD in my gown for my fall wedding. Although I've finally reached my pre-pregancy weight, I have yet to reach my ideal wedding weight. But a new, quick and delicious cereal is helping me with my battle.

Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight is as healthy as it is tasty. It's quick to prepare during the morning rush AND one bowl is 40 per cent of the daily-recommended fibre intake.

Affordable Family Fun at the Bowmanville Zoo

One of Hannah's favourite noises to make for the past few months is trumpeting like an elephant. You ask, "What sound does an elephant make?" and she responds with such a convincing noise that you would think she is being raised by a herd.

So this past weekend when Hannah first saw 50 year old Asian elephant Limba bathing in the stream at her home, the Bowmanville Zoo, it's not a surprise she trumpeted like an elephant.

Bye bye dishcloth, Hello Bounty #DuraTowel (#PGmom Review)

What Swiffer did to the mop and broom, Bounty DuraTowel will do to the dishcloth.

I never really understood the dishcloth. Why would you want to use the same rag to clean multiple and different messes?

One of the greatest things about living in Scarborough is that our building has a green bin - aka composting. So, when I use MANY paper towel sheets a week, cleaning up the counters and stove, I don't feel so bad - I can compost it.

Recently P&G asked me to use a regular dishcloth for three days. I did (how could I not, when they sent it in a detective-like package?). I even went above and beyond, after reading their press release about how 1 in 3 Canadians admit to wiping the FLOOR and then wiping the counter (I only wiped the floor right before I sent the dishcloth for testing. I couldn't bring myself to use it on the counter after having been on the floor...). Talk about cross-contamination!

Netflix Canada - The Perfect Gift for Every Dad

This Sunday, we celebrate Father's Day.

Chris is a hands-on Dad who loves cooking meals for Hannah, playing Duplo with Hannah and being in charge of the bedtime routine - bath, bottle, bed (I get to do "books").

After Hannah goes to sleep, sometimes we'll turn on Netflix. Full disclosure, since Hannah was born we have seen ONE movie in theatres - Batman. Netflix seems to be our only connection to recent movies, and thank goodness they have a lot to watch!

Fundraise with Mabel's Labels

School is almost out for the summer, but back to school season will come before we know it. Did you know you can start a Mabel's Labels fundraiser for your child's school or daycare?

Once the fundraiser has been set up you can shop through a specially created website link and your group gets a percentage of all sales. No more hauling boxes and filling forms because Mabel's Labels handles all orders, payments and deliveries. 

Get started today!

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Octaspring Evolution Plus pillow provides a better night's sleep (Review & Giveaway)

In the last weeks of my pregnancy, when I was itching to meet my daughter, people told me to enjoy the sleep while it lasted. Ha, I thought. I have a watermelon in my belly, I get up every three hours to pee and I am so hot I practically sleep naked - in January.

And then Hannah was born. And I did miss sleep (A LOT), and some mornings, 16 months later, I still do.

Hannah isn’t much of a napper (she’s never napped more than once a day –ever) but, as long as she’s feeling well and not teething, we are lucky in that she usually sleeps 10 -12 hours straight a night. There’s still no sleeping in (if only we could teach our cat Booyah he’s not a rooster) – but there is consecutive hours of sleep, and that counts.

Dormeo Octaspring (from the UK) recently launched their revolutionary new line of bedding in Canada, and I was approached to review one of their pillows. Consecutive sleep could equal sound sleep? Needless to say, I jumped at the chance.

On Gender (AKA Why I Let My Daughter Play With Any Type of Toy)

Hannah wears pink, likes bracelets and enjoys brushing my hair.

She also loves Thomas & Friends, playing with Duplo (the regular, primary colour kind) and pushing around toy cars.

I will never tell my daughter that she can't play with something. And I will tell my daughter never to make fun of what anyone else chooses to play with.

Dine & Dish with Dawn (#PGmom)

With a toddler who eats everything (and I mean everything) with her hands because it's faster than using a fork or spoon, poutine is a food we have yet to let her try.

But I love poutine. Especially poutine with Montreal Smoked Meat. Yum.

If you'll be downtown Toronto on Wednesday, June 5 you should check out the Dine & Dish with Dawn in Yonge-Dundas Square.

You can RSVP to the event on Facebook by clicking here.

Enjoy your poutine Toronto!

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.