Shower Curtain Love

As a follow up to last week's post pleading for help in picking picture frames for my master bedroom, I would like to report that I think I found (bought) a solution on the weekend when I visited West Elm in Toronto for the first time. I really liked this store! 

Thank you to the many people that wrote me emails suggesting various options - they were all helpful and the end result will encompass many parts of your suggestions.

I am not going to reveal the picture frames hung and in place just yet (mainly because they are sitting in a heap on my bedroom floor and only white sheets of paper are hung in their place on the wall right now).

BUT, I wanted to report one other home purchase that I was really happy with.  

Before I went to West Elm, I hit up their website prior to arriving, and had my mind set on this shower curtain of all things:

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I have two bathrooms that require a shower curtain in my home and only one stylish curtain - the others are very dated, boring or juvenile. I loved this when I saw it and thought it would be perfect for my main/kids' bathroom. Goodbye juvenile, hello clean, modern and still fun.

This is how it looks:

(I was sure to crop the photo from the bottom
so you couldn't see the kids stools x2 plus potty
chair ... sort of changes the look if you know
what I mean).

I am really happy with the result. It is exactly what I was looking for.

I know I usually don't post much design stuff on this blog, but just for fun, shown below some before pictures of the same bathroom prior to the major reno my husband and I did a few years back. The shape is overall the same, but if you look close there are some really "special" parts that are now gone (hint: shower curtain, door with gold knob, carved out toilet paper holder and the linoleum flooring.

Bathroom at time of purchase

During Reno

This is where I was slightly freaking out and
hoping that one day I would have a bathroom again.

Post Reno 

Post Reno2

Post Reno3

Have a great weekend!  Maybe hit up West Elm if you are looking for a fun hour to yourself!

Hunger Games: I Miss You

For those of you who have not read the Hunger Games, please go out and read them ... NOW!

Don't feel stupid that they are in the Young Adult section of the store/library, just get over it and read them.

For those of you who have read the trilogy, here's my question to you:

GALE or PEETA?

I honestly miss the characters. I have been entrenched in the books for the past couple of weeks, devouring every page, getting way less sleep than I should with two young boys who still wake up for some reason or another most nights.  I finally finished the last page of the third book last night during Arthur... ("yes, honey you can watch one last show while mommy finishes this last page"). 

Immediately upon closing the book, I was sad. Happy at the final ending, but sad that I didn't get to read more about the characters and hear more about what happens next. I guess that is the sign of a good story/series.  The only consolation is the movies are coming soon - in less than a year - and I really hope they don't screw them up (cough ... Twilight).

Anyways, still time to go out and grab them if you have some holidays you're squeezing in during August.

P.S. I am Peeta all the way!!

A Natural Deodorant That Works! ... and a Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I wrote this post about a natural deodorant that I had ordered online.  The deodorant is Crawford Street Skin Care's Lemon Deodorant Cream.

I have tried a lot of natural deodorants in search of one that actually works and one that I could confidently put on in the morning and not worry about throughout the day. The search has come up short, until now.

After hearing about Crawford Street's deodorant in There's Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon, I crossed my fingers and ordered two jar's worth.

The result:  I have been using it for approximately two months and have no plans in switching back to anti perspirant.  I have not any any issues, except for maybe after going swimming multiple times and then baking in the sun, but let's be fair.  I would wear this deodorant during an airport marathon, while attending a wedding, making a presentation to my boss and/or during an exercise class.  Bye Bye B.O. and bye bye to the guilt and worry over health risks of anti-perspirant.

Anyone want to win a free Lemon Deodorant Cream from Crawford Street Skin Care? To enter, simply leave a comment (or send me an email to cashmereandcarrots@gmail.com) and let me know why you would be interested in switching to a natural deodorant. Contest closes Friday, August 29th at noon.

Who In Their Right Mind ... ?

What parent in their right mind would take their kids to buy a snow suit during the weather we have been having this week? (For those of you who are not Southern Ontarians, it has been hotter than heck!)

(Insert me looking very guilty and down at the floor to avoid looking you in the eyes.)

I know, so silly ... but there was this great ski/snowboard sale that I was waiting for at a local store where really great brands get put on sale for more than 50 % off.

Hey, it's not like I made him wear it outside of the store!!

Mission was accomplished.  We brought home a new amazing quality snowsuit that will last my son two years plus my second son for another two years for a fraction of the original cost.

And for the record, this event did not take place yesterday, one of, if not THE, hottest day recorded in Toronto history! 

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What crazy things do you do to save money on kids clothes?

I Caved ... I Bought Yogurt Tubes

"Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food." Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan

All I could think of was this quote when I did it.  "It" being I bought my sons yogurt tubes (or whatever they're called). (Something tells me my great-grandmother would have no idea what a grape-flavoured yogurt tube would be.)

I am not a big fan of the gimmicky food. You know the bright colours, the television characters, weird shapes, individual packaging and whatever else they are using these days to rope in the young.

My belief (and probably that of June Cleaver's as well) is that food should have as little packaging as possible, be bought because you want to eat the food not something that is being advertised on the outside and be healthy (the more they have to do to it before you eat it, the chances are it's not that great for you).

Anyways,  my son loved the thought of purchasing the "tubes" and eating them ... but truthfully, once the initial novelty of drinking yogurt (instead of eating it) and packaging that reminded him of eating a freezie was over, he was neutral.  The running to the fridge and excitement over the option of yogurt dissipated and the tubes had lost their cool.

I have vowed that I will restrict "tubes" to vacations or special occasions and went back to the old standard - gasp! yogurt in typical yogurt containers. My kids like yogurt as it is, so really, there's no reason to be buying (and succumbing to) the bells and whistles.

Now only if broccoli and spinach came in tubes and grape flavour ;)

Note:  No offence intended to any yogurt tube buyers out there
__________

In other "month of June" news .. have you entered to win the $40 gift certificate from Buy Green Skin Care? If not, what are you waiting for?  Click here to find how you enter.

I'm So Excited ... Over Deodorant

I just ordered new deodorant online.

Yes, seems like a very odd thing to order online and get all giddy about, but this is some special, long awaited for deodorant.

If you read this blog often, you will know that I recently read Gillian Deacon's There's Lead in Your Lipstick and have been trying to "green" up my personal care products.

In the book, Gillian talks about natural deodorant very honestly i.e. its tendency not to work when you need it the most.  For anyone that has tried natural deodorant, you will know what I mean. Gillian goes on to talk about a specific deodorant by a Toronto company - Crawford Street Skin Care - that she happened to try on one of the most stressful and demanding days of her life (we're talking missed flights, airport mayhem, physical activity, critical presentations in front of senior executives, stress over rescheduling upcoming chemotherapy appointments, etc. etc.) and this natural deodorant held its own and worked miraculously. 

www.crawfordskincare.com

After I read her experience, I was sold and wanted this odour-solving solution immediately.  Unfortunately when I went online to Crawford Street Skin Care's website .... the beloved "Lemon Deodorant Cream" that she was referring to was sold out. Boo hoo!  I was forced, for my sake and those around me, to revert to my pore-clogging, health-threatening, regular ol' antiperspirant.

That is until TONIGHT!

Tonight I revisited the site and voila, no more back order. Bingo Bango Pay Pal and two packages of the holy cream is being sent to yours truly. 

I have set some pretty high expectations and hope it can live up to them. I really would like to be able to move away from anti perspirant as I do feel that there is something wrong with blocking our body's ability to sweat and rid itself of its toxins the way it was meant to. Where do those toxins go when they can't get sweated out?  I know the scientific evidence and findings are varied, but as someone whose Mom died from breast cancer, I'm not taking any chances.

Help & Food Are On The Way

How many of you have heard of Grocery Gateway?









Grocery Gateway is a grocery-delivery service. Yup, you order the goods online and magically, some guy is kindly dropping off those same goods at your door the next day.

For some this may seem a bit lazy. I mean although grocery shopping is not the favourite activity, it's not that bad. But for others, say those carting a newborn baby in one of those bucket seats that weighs way too much as well as a toddler in the rain or snow, this service is a life saver, stress saver, and all around God send.

How it works?  You log onto the Grocery Gateway website, sign up and then shop til you drop.  It takes a bit to get used to how they list their foods and the quantities that are shown, but there are all sorts of tools to help you out so that you can, for example, save lists of foods that you order all of the time so that you can just add them to your cart each time without having to search for them again.  Once you're all done, you review your list, tell them how you'd like to pay, pick a delivery time any time from 6 a.m. till later in the evening (two hour windows so that's not so bad) and then you are good to go.  You can even go back in and edit your order up until a specified cut off time.

Your groceries are delivered by a big truck, friendly person and in cardboard boxes. If you are lucky enough to have "Robbie" as your delivery person, you will be overwhelmed by his zest and friendly service. My son looked forward to his visits.

If, after the fact, you find anything wrong with your order, simply call their customer service line and they will help out - they have always been super helpful to me.

I found the prices to be reasonable. The delivery fee was only $10 (I think it has gone up since), but they often sent out coupons for $5 off delivery which helped out and made the extra cost minimal.

Just because you're stressed and juggling, doesn't mean you have to go hungry!  If you find yourself overwhelmed and utterly freaked out by the thought of braving the grocery store, I urge you to give it a try ...especially during bad weather and the winter.  I think I am now past my stage of needing grocery gateway on a regular basis but I found it incredibly helpful during the extreme juggling stages.


(Sorry to those of you outside of the GTA, this post may not apply, but I'm sure there are similar services of another name in your area that can be found.)

Something To Do Today!

If you live in York Region or in the Aurora area - head to the Children's Trunk Show today.


Great place filled with lots of amazing kid stuff and original gift ideas. Lots of Mompreneurs strutting their stuff. I know a few of the people who will be selling there and the stuff is amazing, including Baby Magoo.

Take a peak at the link. I will be going in about 10 minutes. Perfect break on a rainy day.


www.childrenstrunkshow.com

The Final Car Decision ...

has been made.

And we are proud new owners of a lightly used Toyota Highlander.

New Perks:

• way bigger interior area to sit and maneuver
• optional 3rd row seating for friends, visiting family, etc.
• bigger cargo area
• much bigger front window (sounds funny, but our jeep's was tiny)
• touch button trunk close
• lots of extra keys (lost a key for my previous vehicle in a Christmas bag filled with tissue paper somewhere)
• great little stuff compartments
• console in between the kids for drinks and stowing away of wipes and emergency items (where's that soother?!)
• Bigger but not huge for driving and parking
• White exterior - nice and fresh and happy looking :)

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my husband and I do not enjoy car shopping and this was no different but it turned out great.

Our local Jeep dealer (whom I did not lease our vehicle from) really made life difficult yesterday when amidst trying to juggle dropping off a vehicle with two kids, their associated schedules, picking up a new car, license plate switching, insurance juggling, etc, they decided they would not take my vehicle back as I did not purchase the lease through them (although I have done my servicing their exclusively for four years!). Errrrrr. Nevertheless, we made it through and got the old car returned, the new one picked up and home by 9:00 p.m. with kids both wide awake, blood racing from too many Timbits and screaming the whole way because they wanted to "drive with Daddy!"

:)

Surprise Shoe Purchases

Earlier this week while on one of my usual marathon mall adventures - returns, a few staples for the kids, Easter pick ups - I came home with not one, but two! new shoe boxes for me. Being totally unexpected, I was practically giddy when taking them home. This never happens.

Earlier this year in February I spent eons searching for the perfect pair of black pumps with no luck and this week, no pressure, and see what happens.

I can honestly say as well that these are the type of purchases that won't sit in the back of my closet or that I bought for no reason and with no idea of what I would wear them with or just because I was feeling like I needed a little pick me up (pathetic sounding I know). Nope, these were two QUALITY shoe purchases that meld my practical, say no to 5" heels type of shoe attitude with a little bit of funk without going overboard.  Oh and they were hugely on sale!

The ankle shoe/boots:

 And the "not too dressy, not too casual" shoes perfect for summer dresses and skirts (they look better in real life):

A note on these second pair of shoes. I have been looking for ages for a neutral summer pair that could dress up and down oh and that I could stomach wearing for longer than 10 minutes (see post here about shoe pain). There are times in the summer that flip flops just don't cut it and pumps are a bit too much. These will be perfect I think.

The shoe store that brought me all of this excitement:  Dumond

Ahhhhhh .... shoe purchase satisfaction. Nothing sweeter.

The Best Baby Stuff

It's so exciting when close friends and family are expecting babies and I am fortunate right now to have a number of bambinos on the way in my circles.

As showers get closer and as I think about what I would like to get the expecting parents, it always makes me think about what toy/tool/book/piece of apparatus was my absolute go-to or favorite.  as we all know there are items that stick and become such staples in the household and there are others that just don't do the trick.  Sometimes it is totally up to the child as to what they gravitate to or adopt as their own, but other times there definitely is a difference between good quality, baby-friendly (and parent friendly) items and gimmicks or "too good to be true" products.

For me, some of my favourites included:

A baby blanket that is soft and cozy.  My eldest son received a baby  blanket like this at one of my showers. I'm not sure from who exactly as in his baby book I just wrote down "blanket" from those who gave them and he did get quite a few.  Turns out, this was the one he picked to be his "blankie" about a year later. It's something with the satin edges; he scratches them as he's falling to sleep to sooth himself (hence its name "scratchy").  do take detailed notes as to who gave you what blanket so you know where to get a duplicate in case it does become their favourite. I have yet to find another scratchy ... luckily he has 2nd and 3rd runner ups that are part of his lineup too! My youngest son - pure fleece blanket was his choice.

Source

 My baby chair, similar to this one, I loved. I'm not a big fan of the vibration or bounce modes and I took the bar with the spinny things completely off (although I know some Moms would completely disagree with me).  This chair is just so handy because for the first 6-9 months when they can't hold their head up or move around, it allows them to be propped up and with you looking around secure.  You can get all sorts of fancy schmancy ones, but like I already said, I didn't use all the gadgets, so in my opinion, don't waste your money - just a chair that is safe and secure will do.

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 A friend gave this to me in passing and I didn't give it much thought (it got stored away on a book shelf).  when 6 weeks in I was having challenges with naps and sleeping, another friend mentioned "the baby whisperer" and then the book got pulled off the shelf. I have since bought all of her books and love each and every one of them.  Parenting is a hugely personal thing - everyone's approach, beliefs and challenges are completely different - so I can only speak to my experience.  I found this author offered tough love - the kind your Grandma would give you - respect for the baby, but the reality that sometimes if you want amazing long-term results (re: sleeping, eating, behavior) you have to put the hard work in now.  Great step by step information and follow up book that go into more detail.  Great for first children as when the second comes around, you may not have as much time to devote to "training."

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My kids were both born in August/September so fall and winter quickly came. My MIL bought my oldest son a beautiful white Baby Gap bunting bag when he was in the hospital. It was wonderful and used a lot!  It had the option of being a bunting bag (one giant sleeping bag) or zipped into legs (idea for car seat rides).  Still debating on whether to save it for the "box of special things" or pass it along :)

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Baby Monitors.  I had a regular ol' baby monitor but my husband and I debated the video versions (you can actually hear AND see the child from your monitor.  At the time I poo poo'd the techier version, but in hindsight, it would have been very handy - have they lost their soother? Are they lying down or standing up? Are they 1/2 asleep? Are they covered up? Very helpful in determining whether you want to risk going in and waking them or assisting them.

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My playpen, given to me at a shower, is a gift that just keeps on giving.  Mine came with a bassinet attachment (which I never got to use because I was lent a stand alone one), roof top and a side that comes down to shield their view.  I have used it outside in the sun while we garden (they are shaded under the canopy), I take it whenever we go on a trip to the cottage or anywhere really, and have even set it up to protect my little one from his big brother in moments of desperation. (It also works if you are super sick or sleep deprived to the point of not being able to function - slip them in there while you doze off or attempt to get better and at least you know they are contained and safe.

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Robeez slippers. Socks - forget it. Cute shoes - no way. These slippers did stay on my kids' feet and they are adorable. Nice because they don't slip once they are walking too!

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My son loved his "spidey man" by Lamaze.   Again, some toys stick while others gather dust. My son just said today while we were in his room going through stuffed animals that he did NOT want to get rid of this. 

There are many more things that I know will come to me, but i want to hear from you .... what were your go-to toys/items that saved your life or that your babies adored and I'll be sure to pass along to all my pregnant friends and family members (and you can do the same if you like).

For all you expectant moms out there, you will notice that I didn't have a high chair or jolly jumper, etc. on the list. That is because you don't need to worry about anything like that for at least six months so don't stress about all the do dads. when your baby comes home, they just need nourishment, love and a cozy little nest to sleep in and they will be just fiiiine.

Let The Car Shopping Begin

So you may recall that back in the fall I wrote this post on car shopping titled, "To Minivan Or Not."

My car shopping has officially begun. With a lease return date at the beginning of June combined with the fact that we have absolutely no idea what vehicle we are going to get, we have to start seriously thinking about this now.  As you can imagine, with two kids, you can't exactly drop everything and head to a few dealerships and waste away entire days like the single days or just drop in here and there  when you have a spare hour or evening (these exist?).

Anyways, we attempted to bring the kids to a car dealership this past Saturday :) It went okay but it definitely was a cardiovascular exercise and needless to say no negotiations were begun nor any test drives ... just toddlers crawling over (and leaving their fingerprints) on every Toyota vehicle that was parked in the showroom.

So a few of the vehicles that are on the "let's check out" list thus far:

Jeep Grand Cherokee

We currently drive a Jeep and really like the feel of it. It gets the job done and isn't too fancy on the inside which is perfect for the family vehicle. We are, however, looking for a little more packing space.

Toyota Sienna

This is the minivan on the list to checkout.  Saw one on the weekend and man, when that back row comes out, it has a HUGE amount of space. It's pretty decked out as well with all sorts of fancy gidgets and gadgets.

Mazda CX-9

I like the inbetween feel of this car - not quite minivan, not quite huge SUV. We test drove a CX-7 (smaller version) when we bought our Jeep four years ago and I really liked it.  Looking to the larger model for the extra seat for when we have grandparents, etc. visiting.

Jeep Commander

 If we're going to be test driving the Grand Cherokee, might as well give this one a try. Both have larger interiors than our current.

Toyota Venza

I don't know what it is, but I love this car (the picture doesn't do it justice). I sat in one on the weekend and it just felt so nice (and like me, not that this is that important when you need grocery room).  I think though it doesn't quite have the extra space or extra seat we are looking for, although I did try to justify it after seeing it.

Toyota Highlander

Nice vehicle, but don't think it offers that much more storage for the price tag. It does have the option of extra seats though and a Hybrid version!

Chevrolet Traverse

Try it out. Don't know much about.

So there you have it.

The dilemma is whether to buy used, given how very few kilometres I put on my car in a year - I drive mostly around town with the car sitting in the driveway multiple days per week.

So ... anyone have any experience, ideas, opinions they would like to share?

(Picture sources from here here here here here here here)

Gift Cards: Are You Giving Them This Year?

Gift Cards.  You either like them or you don't.

And for the record, I don't mind getting them and I don't mind giving them ... for certain situations.

What I don't like though and what is a bit of a holiday pet peeve of mine, is when people ask for gift cards.  It is a family joke in fact as when I ask relatives for gift ideas, they respond by saying "I know you don't like to give gift cards but ..."

See, if I choose to give a gift card, that's fine, but if I ask for ideas and the response is various gift cards, it kind of feels like I'm being asked to forgo picking something personal and to instead just provide cash. 

I mean come on, I'm not 70 years old, I'm nobody's great aunt, I am in contact with anyone I buy for on a regular basis, yes I am a stay-at-home-mom but that doesn't mean I'm not exposed to current pop culture and I don't live in a cave ( ... although there was that period of time we did not have cable? ...). I do have gift-giving abilities you know!

And just to be clear, gift cards do come into play for me sometimes - there are people on my list that are tough to buy for and if I get totally stumped - sure, those far away that shipping is a consideration - gift cards are perfect, individuals I like to surprise with something small and unexpected, absolutely, why not?

So here's my proposal to all my friends and family, as my 3-year-old son would say, "this is the deal": next year give me some real ideas and I will be sure to get a gift receipt just in case my present picking is not to your satisfaction.  But I'm pretty confident in my selection process so I don't think you'll need it.

Happy Holidays whether you're a gift card giver, getter or choose not to 'er.