Canadian Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

New Affordable Canadian Mattresses – Mirabed

Paula — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 13:11:01 +0000

We received product in exchange for honest consideration in this post about affordable Canadian mattresses. My youngest daughter has been asking for a room makeover for months. There never seemed to be time. But last summer when she went away to camp in Muskoka, we stripped everything off of the walls and painted the room three different colours. Of course, she helped picked the shades out. That gave her space a big boost of colour. And she was thrilled with the results when she came home. But, there was still the matter of the furniture and a mattress. Her bed, a loft bed, was way too small and she had outgrown the matching dresser and tiny children’s sliding wardrobe. The desk was still okay but it was attached to the loft bed. The foam mattress she had fit her bed but it was not much good after roughly 8-9 years of sleeping in it every night. So, we set out to find something new that fit her room and was long enough for her too. She’s not huge at 5 foot 1 and 15 years old, but climbing up a ladder into bed and sleeping on an old worn mattress was not working for anyone anymore. I started hunting for affordable options for beds and mattresses weeks before I headed to Yellowstone National Park on a media trip. But, then I was away in Montana and Wyoming and September slid by in a blur. I googled affordable Canadian mattresses more than once and also Canadian platform beds. We looked on Amazon, Ikea and we also visited numerous stores in person. We had a general idea of a platform bed style in mind before I found the mattress. I don’t think it’s any big surprise to any of my readers that the boxed mattress phenomenon has changed the mattress retail scene dramatically in the last decade. My husband and I both have a traditional queen sized bed and we still like it. We replaced our Queen sized mattress with a Douglas Mattress a couple of years ago and are still happy with that. But, what was there for a teenager? Ideally we wanted something that would last her for several years and also I wanted something affordable. In fact, we had to do her entire room on a budget. I found a few bed options that would work to replace her old bed, but still the mattress was tricky. A good quality supportive mattress is crucial to a good night sleep. So, when I finally found Mirabed, affordable Canadian mattresses, I was hopeful and excited to see how they stacked up. Right off the bat, the first difference is that they are less pricy than any other options I have found. That’s amazing. Mirabed promised to be a mattress option that was good quality, easy to order online and affordable too! So, we ordered our daughter a Mirabed mattress, then I set about listing her old bed set for sale. Thankfully, I quickly sold the old set and the new mattress arrived within the same week. My daughter actually wrote the new owner of her bed set a letter to tell him basically I hope you love this set as much as I did. Have lots of pillow fights and build many forts. What You Need to Know How Does Mirabed Stack Up? Sets up easily Is compact Affordable 100 % made in Canada Non toxic materials 10 year warranty 130 night sleep trial period Most importantly the price is the most affordable boxed mattress on the market right now. Mirabed mattresses start at $549. We ordered a double for my daughter’s room. So How is Mira Mattress Different Than the Others? There aren’t a lot of differences between Mira mattress and the others on the market right now. Both are extremely comfortable. Mira is a bit firmer than the Doulas mattress that I have in my room. Mira is the most affordable of the two mattresses at easily $100 less than the other brands. Made in Canada and Free Shipping Across Canada (most of the brands have this) Instead of a 120 night trail, Mira has a 130 night trial period. The Toronto Star chose Mira as Best Value Mattress for Canadian made quality and comfort. Toronto Star’s 2019 Most Affordable Mattress of the Year. That’s huge! How is it for Comfort? Teenagers spend a lot of time in their rooms trying to carve out their own space. They lie on beds talking and texting and sending Snapchat streaks endlessly. Love it or hate it, that’s life with a teen. It was important to us that we create a room that gives her space to grow. The double, or full sized Mirabed mattress was Canadian and it was a great price. It has replaced a tiny foam children’s mattress that was overused. This Could Be the Last Mattress You Ever Buy Our new Mira mattress will last her until she moves out for college or university. Now, we just need to replace that old dresser and get some shelves up on the walls and the room will be complete!

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Me Time in a Box – Sweet Reads Canadian Subscription Box and Giveaway

Paula — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:33:15 +0000

Sweet Reads Canadian Subscription Box is a little bit of magic by mail every month. Everybody loves getting something special in the mail. There’s something fun and charming about that. A gift just for you. Not an invoice, or an ad. A treat. That’s one of the reasons I was so thrilled when I got my first ever Sweet Reads Box in the mail this week. This new Canadian subscription box is ideal for book lovers. Sweet Reads Box is a brand new Canadian subscription box for book-lovers. It’s a sweet treat, something special to read and a few other carefully curated goodies every month. I couldn’t wait to rip mine open before I went to Ireland for a conference and two travel writing media trips. So happy to see all of these adorable items in there! In fact I ended up taking the book with me for the plane ride and the necklace has been hanging around my neck ever since I got it. I know this has been a passion project for a very good friend of mine and I couldn’t be happier for this talented entrepreneur. Every single piece in this first Sweet Reads Box is chosen with purpose and heart. The value of the items is more than the cost of the individual box. And the box arrived super fast via Canada Post! That’s impressive and speedy service too. The specialty cookie from Enticing Cakes didn’t last long. Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips was a book I had not ever read. So, it was perfect in this book lovers Canadian subscription box. Phillips fictional story of a Mom protecting her son when they are thrust into a horrific situation, is a page turner. In fact I stayed up way too late the first few nights I was in Killarney, Ireland, because I couldn’t stop reading this one! A gripping page turner, Fierce Kingdom is a psychological thriller of sorts with strong characters and a ripped from the headlines kind of plot. Highly recommend this book and in fact every novel I have picked up since has disappointed, so be warned. Aside from the beautiful and compelling fictional paperback novel by Gin Phillips, this necklace from Foxy Originals is my favourite piece. You are the sun, the moon and all of my stars, by e.e. Cummings. It is a Foxy Originals necklace and it captures a sentiment that makes sense to the story of Joan and Lincoln. Many moms can relate to feeling as if their children are the universe. It’s perfect for the fierce mom and main character Joan in Fierce Kingdom. Sweet Reads Box is the gift you HAVE to give to that book-loving friend or family member this year. For birthdays or Christmas presents, or any occasion at all. You might even take the money you get or gift card you are given and use it for this just for you. Today I will indulge in the tea from Tea-Gram called Mother’s Love because the weather right now is perfect for tea. Planning to use my adorable elephant tea steeper too from Fred “The Big Brew.” Signing up for the Sweet Reads Box Newsletter earns a 10% discount code on 3 and 6 month subscriptions. Boxes ship on the 15th of the month. For more details check out Sweet Reads Canadian subscription Box. And to order you can click this link here – > http://bit.ly/2xB6H5a Save time on gift giving and shopping and order today. A Few Other Sweet Reads Box Details: Every month a new top-selling fiction book is chosen for the month’s box. One artisan drink included. Gourmet goodies And one unique handcrafted Canadian original item that ties in with the book. This subscription box for book lovers is unique in Canada. Extremely high quality items inside the box. Sweet Reads Canadian subscription box is ideal for you, or for someone you love. This gift is one I am giving to several of the people on my list this year for Christmas. Might do the same for birthdays throughout the year as well. It’s one I would love to receive myself, so I know it will be a hit with friends. [tweetthis]I have found the perfect present for any book lovers you know #sweetreadsbox [/tweetthis] I received a Sweet Reads subscription box in order to facilitate this review. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. This post contains an affiliate link. The generous people at Sweet Reads Box have also offered one of my Canadian readers a gift box similar to mine. ($75 ARV value) Follow instructions to enter. Entry-Form

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Did you know? Five Canadian Facts about Infertility #abhc4ivf #abpoli

Paula — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:24:00 +0000

Shutterstock ImagesThis Canada Day infertility patients have a lot to celebrate in Ontario, and in Quebec, and in parts of Nova Scotia and Manitoba too. But what of the rest of the provinces? What about Alberta? Patients struggling with infertility in the province of Alberta and British Columbia are still advocating and waiting for public funding for in vitro fertilization. Public funding for IVF is now in the works in Ontario. It will soon be a reality, anticipated for 2015. The Ontario Liberal government will fund one round of IVF with single embryo transfer.That’s big news. [tweetthis]Public funding for IVF is now in the works in Ontario. It will soon be a reality. #ohip4ivf #onpoli [/tweetthis] Five Canadian Facts about Infertility [tweetthis]47 % of Canadians have been impacted by infertility #abhc4ivf #abpoli[/tweetthis] 1. 47 % of Canadians have been impacted by infertility. 2. 1 in 6 Canadians struggle with infertility. 3. Canada’s first IVF baby became a dad this year. Read more here: http://london.ctvnews.ca/first-test-tube-baby-born-in-canada-becomes-a-dad-1.1670598 4. Robert Reid was the first test tube baby produced in Canada, but not the first born here. Catherine Rankin, who underwent IVF treatment at a British clinic, gave birth to test tube twins in Oakville in March 1982. 5. The first IVF baby conceived in Canada was born Christmas Day in BC. in 1983 at Vancouver General Hospital. The baby was about 3 pounds. [tweetthis]The first IVF baby conceived in Canada was born Christmas Day in BC. in 1983 #ohip4ivf #onpoli[/tweetthis] In the province of Alberta 76 % believe government funding should be available for people wondering how to pay for in vitro fertilization. This summer take the time to write your MLA and tell them why public funding for IVF makes sense in Alberta. This is Brooke’s take on why IVF funding is important to infertile families. [tweetthis]In the province of Alberta 76 % believe government funding should be available for those who need IVF #abhc4ivf #abpoli[/tweetthis] Follow our debate on twitter http://www.twitter.com/gensofhope Or join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/generationsofhope/ and on Pinterest too. Generations of Hope Fertility Assistance Fund helps raise money to make IVF happen for some couples who are unable to afford medical treatment. You must be undergoing treatment at the Regional Fertility Clinic to be eligible to apply for assistance. You can ask your family doctor for an application. Gor more information on why this makes sense you can read the recent Alberta Report on Reproductive Technologies. [tweetthis]Generations of Hope Fertility Assistance Fund helps raise money to make IVF happen for some couples who are unable to afford medical treatment. #abhc4ivf #abpoli[/tweetthis]http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/AHTDP-Assisted-Reproductive-Technologies-2013.pdfI am community manager for Generations of Hope. As such, I receive compensation. I back this cause 100 % and my opinion is all my own.

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The Oopseat: Interview and Review with Mompreneur and Autism Advocate Lisa Goodman

Paula — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:43:00 +0000

Moms are some of the savviest and most creative people I know. If necessity is the mother of all invention as the saying goes, then mothers are also the greatest inventors. Take Lisa Goodman for instance and her protective chair covers. Goodman, the single mother of a young child with autism, was looking for an item on the market that would protect furniture from those little spills children so often make when eating, drinking, crafting. When she couldn’t find what she wanted, she designed the perfect chair covers herself and so began the Oopseat. Lisa sent me a square Oopseat and placemat to try out. These colourful Canadian chair covers come in a variety of cute prints. Ours is a zoo print called animals. There are six different patterns from race cars and a sweet graphic of the months of the year to a plain ivory print. My children love the matching set. The Oopseat is available for either a square seat or an oval seat. It attaches easily with velcro to your chair and it comes with an extender piece that works for oversized chairs too. The chairs we sit at in our dining room have extra wide seats and at first I was concerned the chair covers wouldn’t quite fit, but the extender makes it work nicely. The cover itself is $49.99. The placemat that matches is $11.99. Or buy the matching set together for $54.99. The matching set together is not a bad deal really as it lasts for a long time and there is quite a lot of material involved here. I think the product could be made into a version for other styles of chairs and I wish she had one just the right size for our youngest daughter’s special Tripp Trapp chair by Stokke. That would be brilliant. OOpseat INTERVIEW with Lisa: Q: Your child has autism, correct? Is that how you came to the idea of creating this? What year did you come up with the product? Lisa: Yes my son has Autism. I came up with the idea because I needed to find an at home business so that I can be available to him. However, this is not a “special needs” product. It is for all kids and adults as well. I came up with TheOopseat in 2008. It has taken a quite some time to get it right, and being a single mom, life has gotten in the way quite a bit since I’m on my own. Q: Is the Oopseat (chair cover and placemat) your only product so far? Lisa: TheOopseat cover and placemats are my only product. They were designed with a specific purpose in mind. The cover we got attaches nicely around the back of the chair like an apron Q: I read that you donate a portion of your chair covers sales to autism and biomedical research. Tell me why? Also can you tell me what portion of sales? Lisa: The crucial and much needed therapies and interventions are very costly and taxing on families. When my son was diagnosed, it was very overwhelming. I am trying to do my part. 10% of all sales from TheOopseat chair covers is given to foundations and biomedical research to help families offset these costs and gain hope for recovery. Q: How do you clean the Oopseat? Lisa: You can wipe TheOopseat with a damp cloth. It is not safe for a washing machine. How long do these chair covers last? Lisa: My son and I have been sitting on ours for the last 2 ½ years and are still in great condition. Are there any other products in the works? Lisa: I am always trying to come up with new and innovative ideas that will complement TheOopseat, but as of now it is my only product. Thriftymommastips gives this a $$$$ out of $$$$$. Final Thoughts: I love that Oopseat chair covers protect my furniture nicely and I really love that Goodman donates part of the proceeds to Autism foundations and research. This is a Canadian product, made by a Mom. Some may find it a bit expensive, but if you consider also that comparable items selling in special needs medical equipment catalogues cost even more then the price is quite good. The placemats are fantastic. Longlasting and really cute. Visit http://www.theoopseat.com/ for more information As noted I received a matching set for consideration here. This in no way impacts my opinion.

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Our Canada Day

Paula — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:31:00 +0000

I wholeheartedly, unabashedly love Canada Day. The first of July every year heralds summer here and we typically go out of our way to make this celebration of our country a fun family experience. Maybe it’s the fireworks. Or maybe it’s because it is the day before my eldest daughter’s birthday. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a time when we moaned at length through high school and university about the lack of a true Canadian culture. The lack of a Canadian identity. Entire careers and courses were made or taught on the topic. But somewhere in the last 10 years I think we discovered our Canadianness and tapped a source of pride. I believe we’ve found it – that quintessential Canadian identity. It may have taken us longer than the United States, and we may be quieter asserting it, but I believe we have arrived. My Payton, seen here at the right, would agree. Thankfully she may never grow up knowing a diffferent time when we paled in comparison to our southern neighbour, when we argued even as literary greats like Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Leon Rooke and Margaret Laurence wrote our history and our future, that we did not exist distinctly separate from the Americans. Tommy Douglas, Pierre Trudeau, Hollywood North, Diefenbaker, Carol Shields, Alice Munro. Two years ago on Canada Day weekend our family witnessed the fireworks July 1 over Niagara Falls. It was the most impressive display I’ve ever seen. Last year we went to Chatham in the rain and stayed overnight at Wheels Inn. Sadly, that indoor amusement park has closed. How We Spent This Canada Day This year we almost let rainy weather sink us. But in the end once again we piled into our minivan and drove to the beach, joining family at a cottage near Point Clark. And remarkably the clouds parted, jokes and memories were shared and we took a road trip again. This is now our new family tradition. Our identity. Happy Birthday Canada!

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