• love_out_loud
    family

    Love Out Loud with Teleflora for the Holidays

    December 8, 2017 - By 

    Love out loud. Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate all your loves. Around Thanksgiving we start reflecting in earnest on the year that has gone by and the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness is high. It would be lovely if that was the case all year round but sometimes we need reminders of what we are grateful for. That’s sort of what Teleflora’s #LoveOutLoud campaign is about. Gratitude, thankfulness and love. Love Out Loud is more than the tag line for Teleflora’s #LoveOutLoud campaign. The idea has been around forever, as long as love has existed. Live out Loud and Love…

  • teacher_gifts
    family

    13 Easy and Fun Christmas Teacher Gifts

    December 8, 2017 - By 

    Every year I struggle with what to get for the kid’s teachers. Many years I have purchased something that benefits a charity. To me those gifts are impactful and meaningful. I know the kids are always proud to give them too. But this year I thought it would be worth taking a look at some popular, fun, and easy teacher gifts to give this holiday season. This past two years in a row my kids have had amazing teachers. Now I know it’s not necessary to buy every single year, but sometimes it is a nice thing to do. Do…

  • Health - Travel

    Holiday Travel: Keep Health On Track While On the Go

    December 7, 2017 - By 

    The following post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.  Holiday travel is a great adventure. What’s not to love about getting away from home for a bit? Many years we go away right before Christmas or right after the holidays. Nothing I enjoy more than spending a chunk of Christmas break somewhere warm. Together, as a family, we often take a holiday cruise. But, every time I travel I make sure to do so fully armed with products to keep health on track no matter where we…

  • Technology - Travel

    All New Kindle Oasis is Here Just in Time for the Holidays

    December 6, 2017 - By 

    The all new Kindle Oasis is here, and it’s the most advanced model ever released. That’s great news for book-lovers everywhere. So many things I love about the Kindle Oasis. Here are two: it’s made just for reading and it’s waterproof. The Paperwhite display means you can read with it in the dark, or in the brightest sunlight with no glare. And the fact that it is waterproof is brilliant! That’s important when you carry your reader everywhere like I do. Happy to report the all new Kindle Oasis features some new bells and whistles that have me more excited…

  • mespil_dublin
    Travel

    Mespil Hotel Dublin – The Perfect Base for Your Dublin Trip

    December 5, 2017 - By 

    Mespil Hotel Dublin makes the perfect home base for your trip to Dublin. I recently took a trip to Ireland to attend TBEX in Killarney. Right after my stay in Killarney I had a media trip to Dublin. My first ever visit to Ireland was magical and memorable and Dublin left a dramatic impression on me. During my four days in the city I stayed at Mespil Hotel Dublin, a central location combining great service with comfort and style for an experience that was I would recommend to anyone passing through Dublin. Mespil Hotel Dublin – Where Style Meets Comfort…

  • Parenting

    Five Ways Kids Can Give Back at Christmas

    December 5, 2017 - By 

      Wondering how to get your kids invested in the true spirit of the season? There are several easy ways kids can give back at Christmas. Here are a few that have worked for us.   My girls are sensitive compassionate kids. When others are hurt, it hurts them too. My oldest girl, in particular, my creative Type A, is an empathetic soul. Her report card always contains comments about  “a kind, caring girl who always helps others and makes friends with new students. She is first to care for her friends when they are hurt.” Showing You Care is…

  • Giving_back
    family - parenting

    Giving Back This Holiday Season with Red Cross Canada

    December 4, 2017 - By 

    “I’d rather have empathy than sympathy,” my younger daughter, 13, out of the blue stated the other day when I was driving her to her therapy riding session. That got me wondering if she knew the difference between the two. So I asked her why she felt that way and what she considered empathy. “Sympathy is just feeling sorry for someone, like pity, for someone else. Empathy is being able to feel their feelings, put yourself in their shoes and do something about it.” There are many challenging moments parenting teens. But there are also times when they say or…

  • santa_treats
    family - Food

    17 Cute Santa Treats to Make and Share

    December 1, 2017 - By 

    Oh I know Christmas seems right around the corner, doesn’t it? It somehow sneaks up on all of us every year. But this year I have been sharing some great treats and baked goods that may help you prepare some of the baking at least. As for the gifts, well I will probably share some gift ideas here too. Odds are good there will be shopping. Baking some of these Santa Treats ahead of time might help you stay on top of that one task. 17 Santa Treats 1. Chocolate Santa Pretzels 2. Rice Krispie Treat Bars 3. Santa Claus…

  • alternative eco-gift guide
    Health

    The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide

    November 30, 2017 - By 

    The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide is here to help you make an impact this season. And to help you think about impactful ways to give while keeping the environment top of mind too. If you know me at all then you know I support many initiatives, charities and causes that make the world a better place, or just try to make it a better place. Not everyone wants or needs a massive expensive Christmas present. Eco-Conscious friends and family members would much rather you gifted something eco-friendly or long-lasting. The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide A lot of people are becoming more aware…

  • zuru_toys
    family - special needs

    BEST Fidget Toys for Christmas – ZURU Toys

    November 29, 2017 - By 

    ZURU Toys makes this Christmas more exciting with three great gifts for kids who need to fidget. And maybe for some Work at Home parents too. Fidget toys can be useful tools for kids with unique needs and challenges. For kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and even ADD, without the hyperactivity, these can help them focus. And these fidget toys from Zuru Toys are actually so fun I can’t put them down. As soon as this shipment of ZURU Toys arrived they caught our attention. Yes, I said “Our” attention, because I also wanted to pull them out and…