When Jerry Bruckheimer meets Disney I am not sure it’s always good. At least not for children. I took my two girls to see GForce in 3D yesterday afternoon at the new Westmount VIP cinema in London and was somewhat taken aback by the aggressive testosterone-fuelled children’s movie, which wasn’t really for children, but more for tweens. Multiple explosions I could stand. The really cool graphics with three dimensional effects were super. But the plot was a bit over the top. When the robots and appliances came alive I thought my daughter, 5, would ask to leave, but she held my hand…

Although it’s been open for a few months, the exclusive new Westmount Cineplex and VIP experience in London, is a unique addition to the local entertainment scene. Where else in town can a couple slip out for an evening, grab a quick glass of wine or beer, enjoy a tasty treat and take in a movie in style? And all under one roof? The new $5 million dollar complex opened in the spring but today was my first chance to visit and do a VIP tour of the clean, pristine, new theatre. For a $5 surcharge guests over the age of 19…

One of thriftymommas favourite local indulgences is POSH pedicure lounge at 101Wellington Street, my main reason to travel to downtown London. It is the girliest, prettiest  pedicure lounge one could ever envision. A place my daughter would like to remodel our house to resemble. Thankfully she doesn’t control the credit cards. Hot pink and leopard spotted decor are beyond feminine. Pedicures run $37 for adults and $35 for teens. Mother daughter manicures and pedicures are a fun way to be pampered together. Children under 12 get pedicures for $23.50. Posh does adorable girly birthday parties for your pop princess or teen diva. The party…

Ribfest will forever be our favourite festival in London but we almost didn’t even find it until this one dragged me out one August weekend to explore. Looking for something fun and cheap to do with the family this weekend in and about London, Ontario then look no further than Ribfest in Victoria Park. My youngest kiddo and I overheard the radio station mentioning that Ribfest started yesterday and so we made it our mission to go check it out for thriftymommastips. It was the first time ever that I’ve made it downtown for the festival and despite the hideous search…

Summer 411 Summer 411 is in full swing here, and I have to say this is one of the best ideas I’ve had yet. At the beginning of the summer I looked up a number of fun backyard science experiments my kids and I could do and it’s been a real highlight for us. Most of the experiments are quite cheap and several are worth repeating. The last week of school I settled on about 12 experiments and took my five-year-old grocery shopping for all the ingredients. She proudly told random strangers, “We’re doing science experiments” which was a good…

Just back from a week at the cottage up north on Lake Huron. Not a bad trip with the kids and Mommy survives yet another road trip. But sadly my Sanyo camera did not. Half way through our week at the beach shooting pictures of my gals frolicking in the waves my one-year-old pink purse-sized Sanyo digital camera died. The lens stopped closing and opening and the message Lens error began appearing. So what’s a good Mommy to do and how did I get this picture, you ask? Well, Fisher Price to the rescue. Over the remainder of my week…

The tooth fairy made a visit at our house this week, as those of you who follow thriftymommastips, will know. Anyways naturally as my children are five and eight now there were a few questions that came out of the process, some more comical than others. Now any moms and dads with any experience fielding life’s great philosophical questions can picture the setting…mommy driving down the busy road (or highway), sunlight in her eyes making dangerous turn when duh duh duh duh…darling child unleashes a good one from the back seat. Backseat Questions This is the tooth fairy conversation I…