Delta Faucet Review & Giveaway!

Addison Kitchen Single Handle Pull Down Faucet in Chrome

Yeah, this is just a fancy way of saying “kitchen pretty”.

Look!! Love.I now have this fabulous little number installed in my kitchen. I must say it is a HUGE improvement from the drippy little number I had in there before. I love this new faucet. The sleek style, the extendable spout and the arch that makes room for the great big pots. You know, because I am so domestic like.

Delta carries some beautiful kitchen and bathroom faucets. It is amazing how changing out a faucet can improve the look of an entire room. The Delta website is easy to navigate and provides an exceptional number of choices when designing or re-designing your kitchen or bath.

Some super exciting news, thanks to the incredible people at Delta I am privileged to host a giveaway where you can pick your very own faucet! That’s right!

Any faucet on their site under $300.00. Woo hoo!

Look at all of these little beauties! Just three of my faves.

Here is how you can win some pretty for your own kitchen!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a resident of the United States. Visit Delta Faucet and come on back and tell me which faucet you covet for your very own. Which is your favorite?

Easy Extra Entries:

2. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

3. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! You can tweet once every 24 hours. Just cut and paste:

Win a Delta Faucet! Squee!! #Giveaway Value up to $300! Open 2 US Only. @SassyModernMom http://bit.ly/b6xuP2 Please RT

4. Like me on my facebook page! Please. It’s right there on the sidebar!

5. Add my button to your sidebar.

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of US only.

Closes Sunday Nov 7th.

A winners will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

Disclosure: I was provided with the above mentioned product in order to give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the product provided.

*photo credits to Delta.

*now closed

Palmer’s Products Winner!

The winner of the gift bag that contains all 4 Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula PINK products, 2 regular Palmer’s products, and a lovely Moleskin journal –

Retail Value $60.00,  is lucky number ….28.!!

Congrats to

Glogirl said... 28

I try to do breast self exams regularly but admit I am not nearly as consistant as I should be.
(e-mail is in profile)

Please contact me with your e-mail address and we will get your prize sent of to you!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEN TO ALL!

Creating a SuperKid

When I was a kid I remember being told “get outside and play, it’s a beautiful day! Just make sure you are home before dark”.  So off my sister and I would go.  We rode our bikes, climbed trees, built forts, knocked on neighbours doors, and on more then one occasion barely made it home before the sun went down. The weekends were for the cottage or visiting with family or friends.  I was never bored, and looking back I realize I was spoiled beyond belief.  I was enrolled in Brownies, but that’s about it.  We turned out just fine.  Truly.

Fast forward 30 years and I look at my dear daughters schedule.  Our family life is very different.  Between Gymnastics three times per week for one child, and piano and dance class for the other, we are out of the house for activities 5 times per week. Truth be told if the girls had it their way, guitar lessons, singing lessons and synchronized swimming would all be added to this list!  I am a Mama who is strongly resisting any more extra curricular activities.  Turns out, in our neighbourhood, I am in the minority?

When I balked at adding more to my daughters “to do” lists, I was met with “But Mom…Sarah takes Gym, piano, Chinese lessons, swimming, soccer, brownies and singing.”  Yep, something every single night.   So when does this kid eat, play, do homework, veg?  Just be a kid? 

Kids in the Suburbs are quickly being forced to compete to survive.  You want a chance at making that Theatre Group? You better have taken dance and singing or forget it.  Want an “A” in Phys-Ed, or an edge to make the school teams?  Well I hope your Mom had the foresight to get you some extra skating—soccer—volleyball—basketball- help, otherwise you don’t have a chance!

You are not in ANY extra curricular activities? Huh.  Noses in the Suburbs scrape the sky. Clearly “we” are doing more for our child then you are doing for yours.  Don’t you want the best for your child?? Is the general thought.

Stop the insanity!

I for one am putting my foot down.  I’m helping my children find a balance between school life and the activities they love.  I want them to know how to play by themselves, to be able to enjoy unstructured time.  I want them to lie in the grass with nothing more to do then count the clouds, to build snow forts until their hands are numb, to ride their bikes and race home to barely make it home before dark.

Go ahead…..call me a bad Mama.  I’m over the “super schedule” I don’t need to create SuperKids, I already have two…..just the way they are.

 

I’m off at BlisdomCanada. Promise to be back visiting next week:)

Heating It Up In The Bedroom

We had just settled in to umm watch some re-runs on TV.

The lights were low, the electric fire place was warming up the bedroom on this cold fall night, the kids were sleeping and it was before 11pm.  (Yes this is  pre-requisite for lovin on a “school night”.) In the Suburbs, this is romance baby.

By the time we were half way through umm “Dexter” sparks were in the air. 

No really.  Sparks and smoke!  Our fireplace was burning, and not in a good way.  Hero Hubby yelled for me to  “unplug it”.  Huh? Seriously?  Electrical fire.  No touchy.  I yelled back at him to get a fire extinguisher.  He did the naked mad dash while I turned that sucker off with a bottle of prescription pain killers.  Don’t judge.  It was a long skinny bottle and seemed like a good idea at the time.  The room was beginning to fill with obnoxious smelling black smoke. Hero Hubby dashed back upstairs and with one swift move, gallantly unplugged the offending fireplace himself. Whew, except…..

The damn thing was still burning.  “Underwear up big boy. We are carrying this sucker down the stairs and outside.” 

Him in his jockeys and me in my T-shirt, we carried a burning fireplace down a set of circular stairs and out the front door into the cold night.

That is when the giggling started.  Good grief.  We date night it in style. 

After we stopped laughing, and Hubby assured me over and over and over again that the fire was out.  We went back to bed. 

This morning our front step looks like this.

Guess I get to go shopping for something to fit that big blank space that is in our room.  Not so sure it will be another fireplace.

Counting my blessings that it ended the way it did. 

Hoping it will be a long long time before Hubby and I heat up the bedroom like that again. 

 

Linky love:

I’ve been nominated for a Canadian Blog Award for best Family Blog and Best Humour Blog.  If you are so inclined you can give me a vote or two right here.  Thanks! Poll closes today!

Honking Cars, GPS and Getting "Shes"Connected

Last week I attended an amazing Social Media conference. The ShesConnected Conference to connect brands and digital women, held in Toronto Ontario. The 2 1/2 hour drive ended up taking me a sweet 3 hours courtesy of my fabulous GPS. I think that talking voice inside my not so reliable GPS took me on a bit of tour. I saw some of the under belly of Toronto I could have done without.

Here are a just a few of the many things I learned on my two day adventure:

* Drivers in Toronto are “honky”. They honk to let you in, they honk to say Hi, they honk when they see bicycles, they honk if you are too slow (not that I was ever too slow). There is a lot of honking going on in Toronto. I’m sure all this honking had nothing to do with this Mama driving her giant SUV through the unknown streets of T.O.

* The other half live like this:

This is the Park Hyatt where I tried to sleep before the conference. (excitement, missing my kids…(yes pathetic)…nerves, all meant the sand man eluded me)

* Parking Garages are smaller in the city. Seriously! There was just the teeniest amount of parking drama. Two excitable blondes parking an SUV in a tiny parking garage that requires a credit card to get in? Huh? In the Suburbs..our 1 parking garage has a parking dude. Once I gained access to the coveted parking garage, I literally ducked as I drove through the parking garage, and was once again wishing for bendy cars. Sigh.

* Upon arrival at the conference we were introduced to Kobo. A wireless eReader. An up and coming Canadian brand that truly wants to engage bloggers and work with us, and also generously provided us with our very own Kobo reader. A brand that inspired this tweet the next day: “Do U know what ur pre-teen is doing when she is hiding in her room? Mine is reading MY @kobo. THANKS @kobo for the gift of reading! #SCCTO”. Truly, everyone in my house is fighting over this new toy. I know what is going on my daughters Christmas list this year.

* We were privileged to hear from Keynote Speaker Joanne Thomas Yaccato, President and Founder of The Thomas Yaccato Group, on what marketers need to know about marketing to women and how this applies to bloggers. There were also some spirited panel discussions regarding How Brands and Bloggers can better work together. I think the two panel discussions could have gone on for hours!

Truly, brands working effectively and fairly with bloggers is in it’s infancy. These are exciting times, and I think we will see some creative and effective partnerships in the future.

* One speaker that had me reaching for the Kleenex was Sherry Abbott, Executive Director Canadian Cosmetic and Toiletry Association Foundation. She spoke on the Look Good Feel Better Campaign to help women manage the appearance-related effect of cancer and its treatment. Ladies, it’s October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Go get squished, talk to your family and friends, stop for a moment and think. Do you know someone who has been effected by cancer? What can you do to help those affected by Cancer. This strong speaker and women made me think. This campaign, this site, deserves more attention.

*There were presentations and opportunities to speak with many of the sponsors and brands present.

Maple Leaf Foods with Executive Head Chef John Placko spoke and provided us with an incredible lunch. This lunch included my new favourite product, natural selections deli meat. No fillers, no MSG, no artificial colours. Perfect for my family. Maple Leaf Foods is a company I trust.

Calvin Klein Fragrances provided an education on the power of fragrance. It is true, a scent can evoke a very strong reaction, and bring back a memory.

Booty Camp Fitness impressed with their infectious energy and new Women’s only boot camp style approach to exercise. This is an incredibly fast growing business. I’m sure if you look in your community you will be able to find a Booty Camp Fitness near you.

Egg Farmers of Ontario educated us all on one of natures most easily prepared foods. Eggs! Did you know white chickens lay white eggs and brown one’s lay brown eggs? Of course you did.

Seagram served us drinks and took the opportunity to remind us about those fabulous Wild and vodka spritzer coolers that we all used to drink!

Bourjois Paris and Smashbox Cosmetics prettied us all up with complimentary make-over's. There are some fabulous Bourjois products available right at Shoppers Drug Mart!

Kraft Foods discussed their facebook page and their brands new “Delicious at your fingertips.” Kraft Mobile application. Have a different dinner idea texted to your smartphone every day.

The Coca-Cola Company led a discussion that let us know they are a lot more then just Coke! Coke is a company who carries a huge variety of products, many are probably in your fridge right now. More then that, Coca-Cola is actively involved in encouraging children to lead an active lifestyle, and are committed to the pursuit of environmental excellence.

The Kit proudly introduced us to their brand new on-line magazine! It is fresh, clean and easy to navigate. The Kit also has some great tips and contests if you sign up for their on-line magazine right now. You should also check them out on twitter. The Kit is home to some excited and genuinely nice people.

Savvy Mom, The Yummy Mummy Club, and WeeWelcome were all on hand to encourage relationships between bloggers and brands.

Not only did these brands and sponsors contribute to gift bags for attendees, but they took the time to get to know us, engage with us and try to find out how they could partner and work with bloggers. Some did a better job then others. There is a learning curve here, on both sides.

The conference itself was a face paced whirlwind of a day. I was fortunate enough to meet some incredible bloggers who I have been following and tweeting with for long time. It was like meeting old friends for the first time! I hope I made some real connections not just with bloggers and brands but with the real people behind the screens. It is through these connections that we will see true success.

There are so many incredibly interesting and kind spirited people in the world. People who are passionate about what they do, write and who they represent. ShesConnected put me face to face with many of these people. We truly did have a chance to connect.

The evening came to a close and I faced the parking garage once more. Made it out without a scratch and only cursed my GPS once on the way home.

The organizers of ShesConnected, including the tireless Co-founder Donna Marie Antoniadis, should be very proud. They pulled together an amazing event. Can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Squish Your Boobs, Support Breast Cancer Research, Win A Palmer’s Butter GiveAway

Palmer’s products are one’s I remember always seeing in my Mom’s bathroom when I was growing up. The light cocoa butter smell takes me back, it is instantly recognizable!

Now you can shop, help a great cause, and have fabulously silky soft skin! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Time to squish those boobs, go get checked and show some support for research to eradicate Breast Cancer.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter has formed a new partnership with an amazing cause, The Breast Cancer Society of Canada. Palmer’s® Butters go “Pink” to Benefit The Breast Cancer Society of Canada. Palmer’s will donate proceeds from the sale of their pink specially marked Cocoa Butter Formula® Lotion, Massage Lotion and Massage Cream for Stretch Marks, and Firming Butter, to The Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC).

Next time you are out shopping be on the look out for the newly released four products that we already know and love. This time in gorgeous pink packaging!

In celebration of this event, and to help spread awareness of this partnership, I am thrilled to be able to offer a giveaway of some of these Palmer’s products!

The gift bag contains all 4 Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula PINK products, 2 regular Palmer’s products, and a lovely Moleskin journal – Retail Value $60.00 !!

How to enter! Canadians only for this one.

First Mandatory Entry

1. Talk to me. Just leave me a comment! Tell me, did you do your self exam this month? Did you get squished this year? If not, are you going to? Do you think it is important to talk to your friends about breast cancer? Spread the word, chat it up, tell me all about it!

Extra Easy Peasy Entries:

2. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

3. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! You can tweet once every 24 hours. Just cut and paste:

Pamper yourself Gift Bag #Giveaway! Value $60 Open 2 Canada. Palmer’s Goes Pink 2 Support Breast Cancer @SassyModernMom http://bit.ly/9kPaRe

4. Like me on my facebook page! Please. It’s right there on the sidebar!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of Canada.

Closes Friday October Sun Oct. 31st.

A winners will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for this post. The opinions in this post are mine and are in no way influenced by the products received.

*photo credits to Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula

You Know You’re Important When

If you are sitting there…I don’t want to talk to you.

Really, it can wait.

I’m out of town at the ShesConnected Conference and this is the toilet in my fabulous room at the ParkHyatt in Toronto. I am seriously not that important, but apparently there are people in the world that are?

Forgive my absence, I’ll be back around visiting in a couple of days! Then I can tell you all about the people I met and how honky the drivers in Toronto are.

Sheesh..I am so not a city girl.

Mwah

Life Would Be Easier

I’m sure we all wish there was world peace, no famine, cures for the worst of diseases.  You know, that pageant queen answers.  The big wishes are obvious and universal.  Today I’m just after a few subtle changes to the way the world works. That’s all I’m asking for.  Ya know, to make my life easier, cause it’s all about me. 

I wish Starbucks delivered.  I would have a standing order.

I wish cars were bendy.  Wouldn’t it be easier to park?  Then I could squeeze my giant SUV anywhere!

I wish homework was banned on weekends.  Just sayin.

I wish toilets were self cleaning.

I wish pets didn’t shed.

I wish new boots were already broken in when you bought them.  Feet hurty.

I wish cell phones bounced.  Sigh.

That is all.  For today anyway.

What little things would you wish for?

Things I Yelled At The Dog Today

My In-laws are away on a fabulous vacation.  Yeah for them.  I am not at all jealous.  For us, this means another extended visit from their dog.  Sigh.  He is a great big beautiful, sad looking brown lab.  Don’t let his looks fool you…a wee devil hides behind those innocent eyes.  He is pretty, and I love him, but he is dumb as a stump and a pain in the a$$.

Suddenly there is a lot of yelling going on in this normally quiet house.  It sounds something like this:

“Mikey, be quiet”
”Mikey, get back here”

“Dude, put that down!”

“Mikey, sit.  Please sit.  Okay, well stand still.”

“Mikey, GET OUT OF THE GARBAGE”

“Don’t. You. Dare  Throwing up in the house.  Not cool.”
”Why the bleep would you want to eat the caca out of a litter box? You dumb dumb dog!  I’m going to see that again.”

“Who ate my Muffins? Mikey?”

“Oh Mikey c’mon…an entire loaf of bread?  Seriously, how are you still hungry?”

“Good grief man!  How many times a day does a dog have to pee?”

“Hubby, YOUR dog needs to go out again.”

“MIKEY. Stop eating your own poop. Disgusting”

“Time for bed big boy.”

I am tired of my own voice.  He must be tired of me by now.  Ten more days.  Good thing God made him cute.

12 Weeks Of Christmas

Something new for me. I've joined a blog hop so you can all meet some fabulous bloggers and have the chance to win a wonderful little gift for yourself or someone you love! So without further ado I introduce you to:

Welcome to the Second Week of The Twelve Weeks of Christmas
since there are 12 fabulous give aways in our

Wednesday’s Wishlist ~ Week 2


Every time a bell rings, an angel gets her bling!

A Countdown to the Twelve Weeks of Christmas hosted by
By Word of Mouth
Heavenly Mommy
How to Survive Life in the Suburbs by Modern Mom


This blog hop is really simple!
Follow ALL three of your hostesses in the #1 and #2 and #3 spot (That’s us!)
Add your blog url in the next available spot for a chance to win.
If you do not have a blog, LIKE us all on Facebook and include your Facebook Link in the linky below!
Be sure to stop by every Wednesday until Christmas to share some holiday cheer!
Visit a few blogs, you never know, each one could be a gift in itself!


The winner of last weeks gorgeous necklace, drum roll please!
#17 Kerry Nesting with Niall
Contact Nicole at By Word of Mouth so that it can be shipped asap! CONGRATULATIONS
And this week's fabulous give away is this beautiful toggle bracelet!




Make sure you follow all three of the hostesses to qualify for the weekly giveaway.

Thanksgiving & A Man With A One Track Mind

I usually love Thanksgiving.  If you are lucky, the weather is perfect, your kids behave, and you have a moment to reflect on what you are really thankful for.  It’s an opportunity to bounce from house to house visiting with family while stuffing your face with turkey and indulging your sweet tooth.  Perfection.

Reality.  There is a little work that has to be done to get this “perfect” little family out the door.

My morning goes like this.

Get the girls in the shower.

Shake my head and start negotiation with the pre-teen.  That is not the outfit I put out for her.

Remind both girls that they need to dry your hair BEFORE they put on their good clothes.  Wet shirts.  Not cute. 

Start my list of complaints: 

Who left the dog outside? 

Did you feed the cat? 

Can someone PLEASE help me with this salad? 

No, you do not have time to play just one more computer game, and turn the TV off.  Now. 

No I don’t know where your other shoe is.  How does a kid  lose 1 shoe? 

Seriously? Who ate my toasted pecans? They were for the salad. 

No, you can not have pie now, it is for dessert.

I don’t know why we have pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving go and ask your Father…he is not doing anything.

Girls. I need to have a shower.

What…how is it that we have to leave in 20 minutes and I still have not figured out what to wear.

It is official I hate everything in my entire closet.

Please, please tell me my camera battery is charged.

Pack the purse..I can do make-up on the way.

Fix the girls hair.

Pack salad, dessert, camera, brush, sweaters, PJ’s, tylonel…what am I forgetting.

Crap. We need gas.

Finally get to the car.

Of course.  Sweetgirl has to pee.  Back in the house.

I have spent from 8am until 10:30am running around like a crazy person. Determined to set this family up for success. The goal.  To arrive at the in-laws farm for our first of two Thanksgiving meals looking calm, cool and collected and ready to enjoy our day. 

I am exhausted, but it’s fine because we look good and are ready to enjoy some family time even if it kills us! 

Suddenly it dawns on me.  What has the Hubby done this morning?

Said Good Morning. Tried talking me into sex.

Scratched. Tried talking me into sex.

Had a shower…asked me if I wanted to join him.

Checked his fantasy football stats.

Saw me running around like a crazy person..thought he’d ask if some “cuddling” time would help.

It’s official.  Men can only think about 2 things.

Sex and Football.  Sigh.

Hope all you Canadian’s had a fabulous Thanksgiving, managed to dodge your needy Hubby’s and arrived safe and sound at your family events.  My American friends…I wish you luck next month!

 

 I’ve been nominated. Just follow the link!

I’d love your vote for Best Family Blog and/or Best Humour Blog.

Apparently I’m sometimes funny.

Lazy Sunday Meme

It’s Thanksgiving Sunday up here in Canada..not to be confused with Thanksgiving Monday. In my house this means two days straight of visiting family and eating, eating, eating. I really need some elastic pants.

Thought I would take today to participate in a lovely little meme.  This one comes courtesy of Debby from Just Breath.

What was the last thing you ate?

A burnt cookie.  My daughter made them all by herself, and they were mostly fabulous.

What is one of your best childhood memories?

Weekends at the cottage “up north” with my family. Waterskiing and driving our boat with just my Sis to the marina to grab supplies…oh and check out the boys.  What were my parents thinking?   My girls are not going to get away with anything.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you were older?

I think I must have been an old soul.  I had my heart set on working with children with special needs early on, oh and of course being a Mama.

Do you paint your toenails in the winter?

Um yes, I have to do something to pretty up these ugly feet.

Do you watch any reality television? If so, what show is your favorite?

I can not get enough of The Amazing Race.  I’m pretty sure I would rock that race.  I can drive a standard car and have no problem talking to strangers (it’s a skill ya know) or asking for directions….following them, well that is what my Hubby would be for. 

What were some of the "trends" when you were a kid?

I was a child of the 80’s. It wasn’t pretty.  Nuff said.

What is your favorite time of the year? Why?

Summer! I am always cold and adore the sun. In the winter we do our best to escape the snow and find a beach. 

Do you have any hobbies?

Besides blogging? Well the kids do call me Paparazzi Mama so I clearly have a bit of an addiction to my camera too:) 

I think the rules of this meme are kind of loose and free so I’m adding my own question to the end!

What are four words that describe the way you feel about your life? Today.  I want to know!

 

Want to play along? Just cut and paste baby! I’d love to read your answers so let me know if you decide to participate.

 

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving full of turkey, stuffing and blog worthy family moments.

Mwah!

Shes Connected

New Jacket from Banana Republic.  Had to have it.  $185

Highlights and Nails $150

Gas to Toronto. $25

Chance to attend Shes Connected. Priceless!

Eeek! Turns our all my emoting and spilling of secrets on line has paid off.  I have been selected to attend the Shes Connected Conference and you could be too!  Are you a Canadian Blogger? Are you socially connected? Interested in an opportunity to rub elbows with brands like Calvin Klein Fragrances, Kobo, Kraft Foods, Seagram, Coca-Cola, Smashbox, BootyCamp Fitness, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Look Good Feel Better and Maple Leaf Foods? Umm of course you are!

ShesConnected is a conference going on in Toronto for women who blog, tweet and are connected.  Is this you?

Then don’t let this chance pass you by!

Apply today, besides, I’d love to meet you.

Kritter Kondo Winner

Thanks to all you lovely people who entered the giveaway for the Kritter Kondo!  I put all the numbers in to the magic Random Generator and the lucky number is:  17!

Congratulations to

Queen of the Click who said... 17

I would set it up on our back deck so our curious cat, Sabrina can go outside. She thinks she is a dog and wants to be outside with them, but I'm afraid she will get out of the yard and get hurt by some of the neighborhood cats.

Please contact me with your snail mail address and we will get your prize sent out to you!

Enjoy your weekend…and Canada Happy Thanksgiving!

Deep & Scary Thought

I went to turn the light off last night…

and was startled by what I saw.

I was looking at my Mother’s hands.

Sigh.  When did that happen?

Linky Love: Only 2 Days left for the $150 KritterKondo Giveaway.

Sales Prevention Department

It’s rainy, it’s gross, and my Hubby has declared “Scramble Season”.  I am a golf widow. Dear Hubby has been sucked into a rabbit hole of “three AMAZING” golf tournaments.  One each weekend for the entire month. 

“Tourney’s I just can’t pass up”.  He tells me while sporting his best puppy dog face. What does this mean for me?  Duh retail revenge shopping of course.  Passive aggressive behaviour at its best.

This also means if I walk into your store you might as well paint a target on my back.  I am an easy sell.

Unless of course you are an idiot.

When I come into your sweet smelling bakery to stock up on fresh bread, you simply have to make sure there are bags available for me to put the bread in. Can’t bag it, can’t buy it!

I really wanted to buy those amazing boots that were incredibly overpriced, but when you tell me they make my feet look fat?  Sale fail.

When I walk into your “boutique” and there are 3 salesladies doing nothing, and no one can even bother to glance my way? I’m pulling a Pretty Woman and taking my money elsewhere.  Big mistake.  BIG.

I get that you have to lock the change room doors so you can keep an eye on who is going in and out…but if your going to do that, have some staff back there to let the serious shoppers in!  The more I try on the more I can love.

Oh and I do appreciate your opinion on the outfits I’m trying on but just cause I’m revenge shopping doesn’t mean I’m stupid. Even my 9 year old will tell you.  I look fat in these pants.

Shopping trip summary, managed to get earrings for the girls, gift card for a Birthday, hand cream from Bath and Body Works and a coffee.  Not one article of clothing for me.  Heavy Sigh. It’s okay…still three retail revenge shopping weekends to go.  I just have to steer clear of the sales prevention departments.

No More Drama Mama

My hands shook as I walked from the parking lot into the school where the big PTA meeting would be held.  The meeting where this women, this creature who had been bullying an entire group of volunteers, would finally be confronted and dealt with.  Why on earth was I so nervous?  Oh yes, because I am not that girl. I’m not the girl who looks for a fight, or enjoys the drama. I preach “Can’t we all just get along”, and “Life is too short”.  I usually avoid confrontation, I’m passive aggressive at best.  My biggest injury to you would be an attempt to to kill you with kindness.  Either it’s a genetic defect or I need therapy.  I want/need people to like me. I hate this PTA Drama.

Rather quickly everyone gathers in the meeting room, including two representatives from the Presidents of our Ontario Association of Parent Groups.  Yes, it has gotten that bad.  Drama Mama shows up.  Five minutes late.  Good start sweetheart. 

You can actually feel the tension in the room.  Oh how I hate this kind of stuff.

The meeting begins.

Drama Mama is allowed to start with her side of the “story”.  After an hour and a half of this she still has not gotten through her very first point…although she has done a lot of finger pointing.  Literally. Pointing right at people!  How rude.  Now everyone’s patience is wearing a tad thin.

Now I know this blog is anonymous, but we were all told that what happened next must be held in the strictest of confidence.  In other words, what happens at PTA that night, stays at PTA.  We are not to talk about the shaky and raised voices, and the ridiculous lack of respect.  The way women can turn on each other is shocking! So just this one time, I am going to have to stick to the rules. Let’s just say little Miss Drama Mama will not be attending any more Executive Meetings.  Whew.

I am on this Executive as a volunteer.  To help make my children’s school a better place, to have an excuse to get out with some intelligent women a couple of times a month, to hopefully have a little fun along the way.  When I went into this meeting I actually asked if security would be near by. I was past nervous…heading towards scared.  This is not what I signed up for.  It is no wonder that our children have such a hard time dealing with social situations at school if their peers have parents at home who think it is okay to manipulate, lie and bully.  Mean Mama’s create Mean Girls.

When the meeting was over there was a collective sigh of relief and an honest to goodness group hug.  My hands still shook for about 20 minutes more. Wimp.

I can let this go, move on.  The rest of the Executive are willing to just put it all behind them and begin a great year.  I’m just hoping Drama Mama takes a deep breath, moves past it and recedes quietly into the suburbs. 

Fingers crossed that we have heard the last of Drama Mama. 

 

Linky love $150 Kitty Kondo Giveaway US & Canada

Have A Kritter?-Giveaway

This week I had the pleasure of getting to know Lisa Illman the inventor of a unique pet enclosure line, and the founder of Kritter Kommunity. Kritter Komunity has created an innovative outdoor solution for your indoor pets!

Lisa is the owner of two cats and she loves to spend time in her outdoor space. She quickly discovered that her two kittys were also curious about her outdoor courtyard area. Although her courtyard was aesthetically pleasing, she was also aware there were just too many places a curious kitty could escape! Not a safe place for indoor cats. Well, they do say necessity is the mother of invention. With a little ingenuity and a lot of research the Kitty Kondo was born.

How cool is that! A perfect solution for patios, decks, court yards, balconies, campgrounds and even the beach. A safe place where your pet can explore the outdoors. It is designed to be easy to set up, portable, easy-to-store and water resistant, it introduces your kitty, or small dog to a whole new world!

Just check out these features as outlined on their site:

• Collapsible pet enclosure
• Outdoor safe and water-resistant
• One-piece construction – no stakes and very minimal assembly
• Lightweight and mobile
• Great for cats and dogs 25lbs and less too
• Ideal for patios, yards, courtyards and balconies
• Includes carrying case
• Set-Up Dimensions: 2′H x 2.5W x 6′L

Do you have a cat, kitten or small dog that would enjoy a safe place in the sun? Well then I have good news, I have one Kritter Kondo to giveaway!! Value $104.99 US!

Mandatory Entry:

1. Where would you set up your Kritter Kondo?

Easy Extra Entries:-

1. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

2. Vote for me here! Babble has me on their list. Woo Hoo. I’m at #66 right now. Just give me the thumbs up and then tell me that you did.

2. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! You can tweet once every 24 hours. Just cut and paste:

Kritter Kondo Giveaway! Value $105 Open to US and Canada. @SassyModernMom #GiveAway http://bit.ly/9NURY1

3. Since you are on Twitter follow KritterKondo They have all kinds of fabulous products for your pets.

4. Give me a new Vote at "Top Mommy Blogger" by following this link:

Top Mommy Blogs. You can do this once a day all week, then come on back and tell me you did! Thanks!

5. Like Kritter Kommunity on Facebook and tell them ModernMom sent you!

6. Like me on my facebook page! Please. It’s right there on the sidebar!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of Canada and the United States.

Closes Friday October 8th.

A winners will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. The opinions reflected may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the fact that this is a sponsored post.

*photo credits to Kritter Kondo.

*now closed