I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful holiday season with their families.
I know this, my daughter's first Christmas, has been the best Christmas by far!
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Customize Creative Gifts with MailPix (Review & Giveaway)
One of my favourite parts of the CNE when I was little was sitting with my family to get the calendar with our photo on it. It was so grainy, but for its time it was so cool and high tech.
In the digital era, you can customize lots of awesome gifts for friends, family or yourself - using just your computer and your own photos. Seriously, what else are you going to do with all the photos you are going to take over the holidays?
The goal of MailPix is to keep costs low and pass savings along to consumers. Using the latest easy-to-use web technology, integrated with social media, it is easier than ever to turn digital photos, Facebook and Instagram pictures into tangible products such as photo books, prints, cards, enlargements and a variety of gifts! MailPix was started by two photo industry veterans with a concern that a whole generation of photo memories, whether stored online, or on hard drives or smart phones, would be lost to future generations and wanted to provide an affordable and simple way to turn images in memories.
I don't have an Instagram account, and although I did try logging in through Facebook, I found it a lot easier to choose the photos I wanted before I made them into products, versus being indecisive on the actual website.
I decided to make a travel mug, personalized coasters and a customized photo calendar. They all look great. The toughest part really IS choosing which photos to use and how to lay them out. It's so simple to use MailPix's website - you upload a photo, select where you want it to go - and voila, your product is ready to be created and shipped to you.
Would you like to win your own customized mug from MailPix? If you are American, use the Rafflecopter below to enter.
Open to American Residents only who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Friday, January 11, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received products from MailPix for the purpose of this review. As always, the language and opinions on this blog are my own.
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
In the digital era, you can customize lots of awesome gifts for friends, family or yourself - using just your computer and your own photos. Seriously, what else are you going to do with all the photos you are going to take over the holidays?
 |
| Personalized Coasters |
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| Photo Calendar |
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| Travel Mug |
Would you like to win your own customized mug from MailPix? If you are American, use the Rafflecopter below to enter.
Open to American Residents only who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Friday, January 11, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received products from MailPix for the purpose of this review. As always, the language and opinions on this blog are my own.
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Dreaded D Word
As the title of my blog suggests, I live in Toronto (YYZ is the airport code for my city). It's not a myth that most moms in this city put their children on day care waiting lists when they are about three-months pregnant. It can be that difficult to get a spot.
We were on 12 day care waiting lists, and through some miracle, a spot appeared at our number one choice. When I was told a spot was available I burst into tears. They were not tears of joy. They were not relieved tears. They were "OhmygoodnesssomeoneelseisgoingtobewithmybabyalldaywhileIamatwork" tears.
I go back to work mid-January and was hoping to keep Hannah home with me as much as possible until then. Instead, she'll start day care next week. So I can be around if any issues arise. And I won't have to take any sick days in case she falls ill (it would be horrible of me to WISH sickness upon her...even if that does mean more time for us to spend together). Plus, we have to pay for the spot whether she's there or not.
We've been to the day care twice. And each time, I've cried afterwards.
The day care itself is all I hoped it would be. The children are happy, the workers are responsible and it's close to our place AND my Mom's.
But my heart still hurts. How I am supposed to be OK with being away from Hannah? I carried her for 40 weeks (AND TWO DAYS) in my belly before spending almost every waking moment of the last 11 months with her. My mind just can't get around someone else feeding her, changing her diaper, playing with her - and this is where my green monster really comes out - hearing her giggle and seeing her million dollar smiles.
Did you ever watch the episode about why the Simpsons have no pictures of Maggie in their house? And then you find out Homer basically has a shrine to her at the nuclear power plant? I can see my desk area becoming like that. And I can see spending the same amount of time in the work washroom as I did when I was pregnant. This time it won't be to pee, it will be to collect myself and dry my tears.
Thankfully I have a few amazing co-workers who will make the transition slightly easier for me. One even has a daughter who is seven months older than Hannah, so I know I won't be the only one missing my child.
How did you deal with going back to work?
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
We were on 12 day care waiting lists, and through some miracle, a spot appeared at our number one choice. When I was told a spot was available I burst into tears. They were not tears of joy. They were not relieved tears. They were "OhmygoodnesssomeoneelseisgoingtobewithmybabyalldaywhileIamatwork" tears.
I go back to work mid-January and was hoping to keep Hannah home with me as much as possible until then. Instead, she'll start day care next week. So I can be around if any issues arise. And I won't have to take any sick days in case she falls ill (it would be horrible of me to WISH sickness upon her...even if that does mean more time for us to spend together). Plus, we have to pay for the spot whether she's there or not.
We've been to the day care twice. And each time, I've cried afterwards.
The day care itself is all I hoped it would be. The children are happy, the workers are responsible and it's close to our place AND my Mom's.
But my heart still hurts. How I am supposed to be OK with being away from Hannah? I carried her for 40 weeks (AND TWO DAYS) in my belly before spending almost every waking moment of the last 11 months with her. My mind just can't get around someone else feeding her, changing her diaper, playing with her - and this is where my green monster really comes out - hearing her giggle and seeing her million dollar smiles.
Did you ever watch the episode about why the Simpsons have no pictures of Maggie in their house? And then you find out Homer basically has a shrine to her at the nuclear power plant? I can see my desk area becoming like that. And I can see spending the same amount of time in the work washroom as I did when I was pregnant. This time it won't be to pee, it will be to collect myself and dry my tears.
Thankfully I have a few amazing co-workers who will make the transition slightly easier for me. One even has a daughter who is seven months older than Hannah, so I know I won't be the only one missing my child.
How did you deal with going back to work?
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Display your Christmas Cards with Command
With Christmas less than a week away, my mail is becoming more greeting cards than bills and I'm sure I'm not alone.
So, how do you display your Christmas cards?
With your fireplace mantle usually jam-packed by the time Santa comes to visit, appreciate all the glory from those seasons’ greetings by creating a holiday card collage on your wall with Command poster strips. (You can find a list of stores that carry Command here, a pack of 12 retails for $2.99.)
I have started my own collage already, and it's great. I can leave my picture frame "displays" (and OK, my collection of turtles figurines from around the world AND OK, OK, my Transformers action figures) alone, and my cards make my walls a lot more festive.
Plus baby can admire the cards, without trying to rip them. Or put them in her mouth.
The Command poster strips are easy to use AND remove. Just make sure you clean the area with isopropyl rubbing alcohol before you stick or you may have difficulties after the Epiphany. (You can see how easy the process of mounting and removal of Command products are by watching this video How to Use Command.)
How do you make your house festive for the holidays?
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
So, how do you display your Christmas cards?
I have started my own collage already, and it's great. I can leave my picture frame "displays" (and OK, my collection of turtles figurines from around the world AND OK, OK, my Transformers action figures) alone, and my cards make my walls a lot more festive.Plus baby can admire the cards, without trying to rip them. Or put them in her mouth.
The Command poster strips are easy to use AND remove. Just make sure you clean the area with isopropyl rubbing alcohol before you stick or you may have difficulties after the Epiphany. (You can see how easy the process of mounting and removal of Command products are by watching this video How to Use Command.)
How do you make your house festive for the holidays?
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
P&G Holiday Gathering Tips (Giveaway)
One of my favourite things about the holiday season is holiday parties. I just love catching up with old friends and spending time with family.
Being the host or hostess can be a stressful job. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, Colin Cowie, lifestyle expert and celebrity party planner, recommends five simple tips that Canadians can use to prepare their homes for the busy holiday season:
Start with a Colour Theme and incorporate it into everything from invitations to decorations.
Good Lighting is a Must, use dimmers or candles. Febreze Candles add ambiance, and also make great stocking stuffers or parting gifts for your guests.
Let Guests Help Themselves by setting up food stations including extra cutlery and napkins. It's less intimidating than a sit down dinner, and you can set up before guests arrive.
Always Be Ready for Guests by keeping a Swiffer WetJet with Swiffer WetJet Extra Power Pad with the scrubbing power of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser in the hall closet. You can quickly clean ensuring your home is free of unwanted dust and footprints.
Hide the Mess by pre-loading the dishwasher with Cascade All-in-One ActionPacs, and load dishes as you use them. If you are washing dishes by hand, Dawn Original gives you an overnight soak in five minutes, allowing more time for visiting with your guests.
One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a P&G Holiday Gathering Prize Pack, which includes:
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.
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Being the host or hostess can be a stressful job. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, Colin Cowie, lifestyle expert and celebrity party planner, recommends five simple tips that Canadians can use to prepare their homes for the busy holiday season:
Start with a Colour Theme and incorporate it into everything from invitations to decorations.
Good Lighting is a Must, use dimmers or candles. Febreze Candles add ambiance, and also make great stocking stuffers or parting gifts for your guests.
Let Guests Help Themselves by setting up food stations including extra cutlery and napkins. It's less intimidating than a sit down dinner, and you can set up before guests arrive.
Always Be Ready for Guests by keeping a Swiffer WetJet with Swiffer WetJet Extra Power Pad with the scrubbing power of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser in the hall closet. You can quickly clean ensuring your home is free of unwanted dust and footprints.
Hide the Mess by pre-loading the dishwasher with Cascade All-in-One ActionPacs, and load dishes as you use them. If you are washing dishes by hand, Dawn Original gives you an overnight soak in five minutes, allowing more time for visiting with your guests.
One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a P&G Holiday Gathering Prize Pack, which includes:
- Cascades All-in-1 ActionPacs
- Dawn Dishwasing Liquid
- Febreze Air Effects Limited Edition Cranberries & Frost scent
- Febreze Candles Limited Edition Set - Cranberries & Frost, Vanilla & Moonlight and Apple Spice & Delight scents
- Febreze Fabric Refresher Limited Edition Cranberries & Frost scent
- Febreze NOTICEables Limited Edition Craberries & Frost scent
- Febreze Set & Refresh Limited Edition Cranberries & Frost scent
- Mr. Clean 7 Days of Shine Bath Cleaner
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (Select-a-Size)
- Swiffer 360 Dusters
- Swiffer WestJet Extra Power Pads with the scrubbing power of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (mop not included)
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.
© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
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