How To Stop Your Family From Falling Into Debt

Out here in the burbs life can really be a struggle. We may not talk about it much, but money can become a big ugly topic. Below is a guest post about how you can stop your family from falling into debt.

The simplest way to stay out of debt is to spend less than you have coming in every single month. Clever budgeting also means you can put money into savings.

Savings could be really helpful if your income was suddenly cut (perhaps if you lost your job) or if you needed more money for an unexpected expense (like fixing your car, or a new arrival in the family).

How does someone fall into debt?

If you spend freely, don't plan for the future, buy on impulse and don't worry about unnecessary expense, you might end up borrowing money to fund your lifestyle. If you're not careful, you could fall into the dreaded 'debt spiral' by living beyond your means.

The debt spiral - it could work like this…

1. Spend more than income.

2. Borrow for lifestyle choices.

3. Have to make debt repayments so have less free money.

4. Borrow more money to maintain lifestyle.

5. Debt repayments begin to creep above 50% of income.

6. Struggle to make debt repayments.

7. No longer able to borrow money.

8. Very little money free to spend as it is all servicing debts.

9. Real possibility of falling into arrears with important bills such as mortgage / council tax / fuel.

10. Possible home repossession and / or court action.

It can happen to anyone, rich or poor, because it's all about how much you borrow compared with what you can afford to repay.

How can I stop that happening?

The debt spiral is quite scary because it's easy to see how someone might get into that pattern of behaviour.

Do you see your own situation in the debt spiral? If so, you should look into budgeting now - whatever stage you're at. You can get help from friends or relatives or, if you don't want to ask them, you could talk to a professional.

Look at the debt spiral - are you making any of these mistakes? Budgeting won't solve every problem in everyone's situation, but it can help you to take control of your financial situation and begin planning for your future. Talk to a professional and you could also get some useful tips on how to manage your finances more effectively.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Have you seen this train wreck  show?

It started as a British Documentary following the lives of “travellers” or “gypsies” and their affinity for outrageous weddings and over the top dresses.

Some of the finer points:

Rarely do the young girls have more then a Grade 6 education.  Never mind that they dress like tarts.

The girls main goal in life is to get married.  If you are not a Bride by the time you are 16-19, you are considered old.  It’s shameful and embarrassing to be single by your 20th birthday.

You must always do what your man child tells you.  Always.

Teen boys practice “Grabbing”.  This is where they grab girls against their will and kiss them. Hard.

Marrying your cousin. Acceptable.

If your Wedding Dress leaves a scar, you have a lifetime of bragging rights.

Gag.

This is supposed to be a Wordless Wednesday post but how on earth can I post these pictures without voicing an opinion?

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, it’s turned into a bit of a side show.  Poking fun at their way of life, revealing the yuck and slimy underbelly of their lives with very little focus on their traditions and beliefs. 

My vote, enough already.

 

Linky Love:

Kernels Popcorn Giveaway with THREE Winners

Sensodyne Gift Pack Giveaway

Once Again I’m Reminded, I Am Old

So how did this shocking revelation occur?  That I am indeed, old? I found myself squelching the desire to yell solid old lady advice at the “young’ens” on the beach this weekend:

*Oh baby girl, you are so red.  Go put on some sunscreen and maybe a shirt.

*Honey side-boob is just not attractive.  Rein those puppies in, children can see you!

*A young man who burps the alphabet in an effort to impress you is so not boyfriend material.  Move on.

*Just because there is a tattoo parlour on this beach does not mean you should giggle hysterically together, go in on mass, and get something pierced or permanently inked.  What is your Mama going to say when you get home?

*You know what your girlfriend is not telling you?  Last year’s bikini, it’s way too small.  I’m seeing far too much of well, every thing. 

I’m getting old and perhaps a little ornery. This summer should be interesting.  Wonder how long until I get like my Grandma, lose my filter and start telling people OUTLOUD exactly what I think of their outfits and whether or not they should really be eating those french fries dunked in mayo?

 

Linky Love:

I’m giving away 3 Virtual Giftcards from Kernels Popcorn!

Sensodyne Toothpaste Gift Pack Giveaway!

Kernels Popcorn – 3 GiveAways!

I’m a proud Mama of two from Ontario Canada and am thrilled to be jumping in to the newest hottest Blog Bash! At How to Survive Life In The Suburbs I blog about the crazy that I often see behind the closed and competitive doors of the Suburbs. A whole lot of honest and some fab giveaways thrown in for fun. Thanks to the lovely hosts for holding the Great Canadian Blog Bash. Huge thanks to Kernels Popcorn for allowing me to break some exciting news! Please read on:)

Let them eat POPCORN! Creamy Caramel, Cheesy Dill, Jalapeno Jack, Buttersalt, Whalin White Cheese, Say Cheese Cheese, Double Butter…. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is. These are just some of the fabulous flavours Kernels offers at their stores all across Canada.

As you may know, I have a bit of a problem with popcorn. For me it is the perfect snack, a great treat and a wonderful idea for a gift! This is why I am very excited to introduce to you a brand new program just launched by Kernels!

Virtual Gift Cards!

The concept is simple.

Gift Cards you can access on your phone or computer!

What? How do you do this?

1) You go to the kernelspopcorn.com site and select a gift card image…or even upload an image of your own to use. (Fabulous and so what I would do)

2) Personalize your card and add your details including the amount you want to spend, and some fun things like the date you would like the gift card to go out.

3) There is no three! Only 2 steps, so easy!

The recipient receives notification via e-mail or text that they have a Kernels Gift card waiting for them. Want to know the coolest part, you can choose to print this gift card OR you can just flash your phone at your nearest Kernels! The Kernels staff will take the pertinent information from your phone, you can select your popcorn and be on your way. Purchase complete. Have a gift card for $50.00 and only spent $16.00? No worries, the gift card keeps track. How cool is that! No gift cards to keep track of or bits of paper in your wallet to lose.

Kernels sent me one to try and I have to tell you I loved it. Enviro friendly, fast and cute. It looked a little bit like this:

How perfect is that! I headed to the mall with my phone in hand and let the staff know I had one of their brand new Virtual Cards. Made my popcorn selections, showed the staff my phone, they got their info, and I was on my way! Easy Peasy.

I was the very first customer at my local Kernels to use the Virtual Card and the Manager there told me she loves this new idea as much as I do. I’m now trying to decide who I should gift some Kernels love to. My sister, my daughter, some teachers perhaps. Oh no wait! Thanks to the very generous people of Kernels Popcorn I have THREE Virtual Gift Cards to give away to some of my lucky Canadian Readers!

1st Gift a $50.00 Virtual Gift Card!

2nd Gift a $25.00 Virtual Gift Card!

3rd Gift a $10.00 Virtual Gift Card!

Yeah! Spreading Popcorn love across the country!

Here is how to enter. Canadians Only for this one!

Separate entries for each and an e-mail address please, you want more chances to win right?

Mandatory Entry:

Check out the Kernels Popcorn site then come on back and tell me which style of Virtual Gift Card is your favourite.

Easy Extra Entries:

1) Follow me publicly, or tell me that you already do, that is an extra entry!

2) Follow me SassyModernMom on twitter and KernelsPopcorn and give this awesome giveaway a tweet! Just one tweet total please. You may cut and paste :

Win 1 of 3 @kernelspopcorn new Virtual Gift Cards w a tasty giveaway from @SassyModernMom! Pls RT http://bit.ly/lq3FZN

3) Follow my facebook fan page. Please! Again, tell me that you do.

4) Like Kernels facebook fan page then come back and tell me you did.

5) Leave a comment on one of my other posts. Come back and tell me which one:)

Contest will close Friday July 1st. The Winners will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.

Disclosure – I received a gift card as a thank you for hosting this giveaway. The opinions on this blog are my own. Pictures courtesy of Kernels Popcorn.

*Now Closed! Thanks to all who entered. Winners will be drawn and announced after the holiday weekend:)

Crab Apple Kids

Cuteness alert! Looking for some inspiration to jumpstart your babe’s summer wardrobe? You simply must check out Crab Apple Kids! This amazing on-line boutique stocks over 75 brand name designer brands in trend setting styles! This enchanting store carries Kids Clothing, Baby Clothing, Toddler Clothing, Christening Gowns, and the most spectacular and special Birthday Outfits!

From ridiculously cute baby clothes that you simply must have, to straight-from-the-runway funky kids clothes, you are sure to find a fabulous little something for your fabulous little someone!

From the Crab Apple Kids site:

Crab Apple Kids is a unique children's boutique designed for BOYS AND GIRLS. Each piece of clothing and accessories has been hand chosen for our store. Our aspiration is to bring the most beautiful clothing with a wide range of prices, directly to your door.

When my girls were Christened I struggled to find the perfect Christening Gowns. Oh how I wish I had been able to go shopping at Crab Apple Kids. I will let these pictures speak for themselves….

With no hassle returns, free shipping to the U.S. on orders over $50.00 and only $5.95 for flat rate for most others, and they ship to Canada, Crab Apple Kids is worth a click!

Have a look around at Crab Apple Kids, I’m sure you will find something awe worthy!

Find them on Facebook and Twitter too!

This is a sponsored post, however the opinions expressed are my own. Pictures courtesy of Crab Apple Kids.

Would You Buy A Dead Man’s Clothes?

I’ve said it before and I will say it again.  Stick around the Suburbs long enough and you will see a little bit of every kind of crazy.  This however, was a new one for me.

A couple of months ago, the lady down the street lost her husband.  This is an older couple, but none the less, death is always sad. 

Last weekend, little old lady had a garage sale.  As we drove by I took a super nosy  peek at what she was selling.  A beaten up desk, some mirrors, a TV and racks and racks of little old man clothes.  It took a moment for my brain to register what it was seeing. 

Little old lady was selling her dead husbands clothes and people were buying them!  Shiver.

Now it’s not like I generally go “Garage Sale-ing” and on the odd occasion that I have, I sure haven’t picked up any man clothes, but for some reason this really freaked me out!  Aren’t there some things that should be off limits for “re-sale”?  I’m thinking things like, oh I don’t know, used doggy chew toys, puzzles with half the pieces missing, and dead man clothes should not be sitting in a persons driveway with for sale stickers on them.  New Suburban law, don’t sell your dead partners clothes in a garage sale.  It’s icky.  Thoughts?

Linky Love:

Hapari $85 SwimSuit Giveaway

Canadian Only Sensodyne Giveaway

Thanks This Father’s Day

There are all kinds of Fathers in this world.  Simply fathering a child does not make you a good parent.  It takes work, dedication and loads of love to earn and deserve the honour of the title Daddy.  I am blessed to not only have an amazing Dad, but to have a partner in life who is a loving and incredible Daddy to our two girls.  

Yesterday was Father’s Day and with the exception of a few sweet gifts and a gluttony of over eating we spent the day like many other Sundays.  Mandatory chores that had to be done, some precious time around the pool, a game of catch with the girls, a giggle as we shared some popcorn.  In other words, it was perfect. 

Today I am thankful that in our house, family is first. Giggles come easily.  Hugs and kisses never run out.   In this home there is one proud, protective, loving, giving, attentive Daddy.  Someone who can be counted on to dry little one’s tears, support big dreams, and be there to tuck each child into bed at night.  I am truly blessed to have a partner that is a best friend in this crazy parenting ride. 

This past year a best friend lost her Dad, another lost her Husband….her partner in life.  I can’t imagine the hole this leaves in your heart, and in your every single day. 

Today I want to thank my Dad for being strong, for letting me know I was loved.  I want to thank my Husband for being the fiercely loving Daddy that he is.  Every time I see him playing with our girls I fall in love with him a little more. 

Thanks to all the amazing Daddy’s out there, and hugs, and strength to those missing loved one’s today.

Happy Father’s Day.

 

Linky Love:

Sensodyne Giveaway-Canadians Only- Low Entries

Hapari Giveaway-Open to US and Canada!

Hapari Bathing Suit Giveaway

Summer has finally arrived! It didn’t blow in gently with light rain and warm winds, giving us a nice warning that summer is on the way, it arrived with a big hot sweaty bang! Suddenly almost over night I find myself standing in front of the mirror trying decide if my legs look “less white and goosefleshy” in my longish green shorts, or my longish grey shorts. Gah. So here is the thing. The shorts I can handle. You know why? I can distract from the fact that I’m wearing shorts with cute accessories and strappy shoes!

My problem, this hot weather means bathing suit season is here now and I’m not ready! You know when the pool party invites start coming and instead of delight you feel an uncomfortable cold clammy sweat breakout. Shiver. That’s where I am.

Thank goodness for Hapari Bathing Suits! Do you know them? You should! It’s a fabulous place to shop for bathing suits from the comfort of your couch while eating potato chips and get ready for those pool parties. I already own this little number. I simply love this swimwear.

I would like to have a couple of these tankinis for summer!

Hapari Swimwear simply has the cutest tankini’s I have ever seen! At Hapari you have the option to pick your top size and your bottom size. Separately! This makes so much sense. Hapari also offers mix and match bottoms which come in Regular, Hot Short, and Tummy Tuk.

With the incredibly bold styles and brilliant patterns you can find your perfect fit. You will be turning heads for all the right reasons at this seasons pool party!

Some exciting news! The generous people of Hapari have offered to give one lucky reader an $85.00 gift card so you can pick out your very own swimsuit!

Here’s how to enter:

Please use separate comments for each entry!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Visit the site, pick out your favourite swimsuit and come back to comment on it by linking to that specific swimsuit!

Extra Entries Using These Links:

http://www.hapari.com/
http://www.hapari.com/womens-swimwear/
http://www.hapari.com/plus-size-swimwear/
http://www.hapari.com/modest-tankinis/

You may receive up to 2 extra entries if you post/tweet two more of the above Hapari links. Once using Facebook and once using your Twitter account. Post the URL as a comment below for each entry.

(in other words, copy and paste a link to a personal blog, Twitter, or Facebook then come back and leave a comment on my blog with the URL where the link to Hapari can be found-tell me where you posted the link)

Easy Extra Entries:

1) Follow me publicly, or tell me that you already do, that is an extra entry!

2) Follow me SassyModernMom on twitter and give this giveaway a tweet! Just one tweet total please. You may cut and paste :

Win an $85 Gift from Hapari! Beautiful Swim Wear! @SassyModernMom #Giveaway http://bit.ly/loq5Tz

3) Follow my facebook fan page. Please! Again, tell me that you do.

4) Leave a comment on one of my other posts. Come back and tell me which one:)

Contest will close Friday June 24th. The Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure – I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

*Now Closed

Congratulations to lucky # 47!!

Who said: I LOVE this swimsuit! http://www.harpai.com/plus-size-raspberry-ice-sport-tankini.html

You are the lucky winner:)

These Shoes Are Made For?

…well, maybe for blogging about, because they sure aren’t made for walking!

 

While in Paris my Hubby convinced me twisted my rubber arm that YES, I absolutely had to buy these Christian Louboutin’s! Oh how I love them.  Umm, but total truth, they have ridiculously high heels and are kind of ouchy:)  Those are 4 inch heels on top of a 1 inch platform!  It’s okay though!  It turns out these shoes that come with their own red carpet, they hurt everyone’s feet!  Christian Louboutin himself told Vogue "I hate the whole concept of comfort".

So fashion before function it is.  I’m okay with that.  I am going to wear my gorgeous shoes while blogging, sitting vacuuming, baking and maybe even to a wedding or two.  I’m sure my Hubby can handle standing next to a 6”1” blonde! 

God Bless that little man who created these wickedly fabulous impractical shoes.  I heart you.  Mwah!

(oh and kisses to my Hubby for the best 40th birthday ever)

 

Linky Love: Sensodyne Giveaway for my Canadian Friends. Low Entries!

There’s No Crying In Baseball

I have two girls.  Two ballet dancing, nail polish wearing, skirt sportin little girls.  These are not tough girls.  These are normal, nice and fairly mannerly little girls.  This summer they decided they wanted to sign up for baseball? Okay, I signed them up.  Visions of hot summer nights, baseball cheers and team camaraderie in my head.  The youngest is on the “Mites”, the oldest on the “Squirts” team.  Sounds sweet and innocent right? 

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

My girls had their first tournament this weekend. 

Let the shocking behaviour begin.  I heard parents from another team yelling “Run with your elbows out.”,  “Get that kid!”,  “Knock her down.”  Are you kidding me?  These girls are 9-12 and you want to bruise them up?  Wait, was I in the wrong place?  Was this hockey? 

Then I saw a brazen act that truly blew my mind.  A 12 year old girl was encouraged, no, told to, run an opposing player over at home plate.  Run. Her. Over.  Might I add there was not even a play going on at home plate! (for those of you who don’t speak baseball, the baseball was way out in the outfield, the back catcher was two feet away from home plate, the runner had to swerve to knock her down, this my friends was very bad form)  The opposing coach had that little ball player plough our catcher down, on purpose.  Oh, and did I mention we were being beaten 14- 0 at the time?  WTH?  Needless to say this “play” did not go over very well with anyone, but especially the Daddy’s of our team. 

Snarky words were exchanged.  There was some yelling. Then Opposing Coach challenged Random Dad to a fist fight?  Huh?  Drama.  Too tense for me!  All the while the little girls pay the price. At first crying from pain or shock, then perhaps tears of fear.  I didn’t sign my girls up for this! 

I have heard about and seen crazy “hockey parents”, I had no idea there were “obsessed baseball parents”.  Go ahead and tell me. Is this normal?  Should there ever be crying in baseball?

Sigh.  It’s going to be a long summer. 

Sensodyne Blog Tour and Giveaway

Ouch! Zing. Have you ever felt that shock of pain when you take a sip of that perfectly chilled glass of ice tea, or get greedy and bite your way through an ice cream cone? I have, and it really is no joke.  My Dentist recommended I try Sensodyne and I have been a loyal user for years. 

Dealing with tooth sensitivities isn’t fun. It can make enjoying life’s simple pleasures downright painful!

Did you know that about 44% of adults suffer from tooth sensitivity? It’s not a disease, but a condition that usually develops over time. Most suffers are between 20 and 50 years old, but that span is growing.

Thankfully, there is help.

SENSODYNE is The #1 Recommended brand for sensitive teeth by Dental Professionals and it also won Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand for 2011.

When you brush with Sensodyne every day, you don’t have to compromise your favourite toothpaste benefits like cavity protection and fresh breath. Sensodyne provides clinically proven sensitivity relief while it also:

- Fights tartar*

- Prevents cavities

- Removes plaque with brushing

- Helps keep gums clean with brushing

- Freshens breath

*with regular brushing

I was lucky enough to be selected by Mom Central to participate in the Sensodyne Blog Tour.  As part of this tour I was sent a variety of products that I have tried before as well as some fabulous new ones!   

Hubby and I dove into the Sensodyne products right away!  My thoughts.  They are brilliant.  Heat has never been a problem for me, but cold like ice cream and ice water…ZING!  Do you know that pain?  The kind of pain that makes you catch your breath and possibly swear off ice cream forever?  Yep, I have been there.  I can honestly say that Sensodyne has made a difference in my tooth sensitivity. 

My new favourite product is the Sensodyne Whitening Foaming Gel.  It is the first whitening toothpaste I have tried that tastes minty and refreshing, not like baking soda!  The foaming action also makes me feel like I am ensuring every single tooth is getting some attention.  After brushing with this new toothpaste I feel like I just left the Dentist office (without the fear and cold sweats) this has to be a good thing!  Thanks to Sensodyne I can bite into that ice cream without fearing the zing!

Now my Canadian friends, I have some great news for you.  I have a couple of hot tips!

As part of SENSODYNE’s Prevent the Pain from Returning Again campaign, SENSODYNE is providing consumers with a couple of great offers! 

- At Wal-mart – from May 27 to June 16, consumers can visit www.walmart.ca and sign-up for a free sample of Sensodyne Toothpaste.  It will be mailed right to you!

- At Shoppers Drug Mart – from June 4 to June 10^th and June 18 to June 24^th, consumers can get 10X the Optimum points when they spend $10 on Sensodyne products.

I am also pleased to tell you

I have a fabulous giveaway for you!

A Sensodyne Product Pack!

One lucky Canadian reader will win a Sensodyne product pack which includes a line-up of SENSODYNE toothpastes and toothbrushes.

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me, what food are you looking forward to enjoying again?

Easy Extra Entries:

1) Follow me publicly, or tell me that you already do, that is an extra entry!

2) Follow me SassyModernMom on twitter and give this giveaway a tweet! Just one tweet total please. You may cut and paste :

Enjoy more ice cream this summer & have healthier teeth w a #giveaway from Sensodyne @SassyModernMom Pls RT  http://bit.ly/kfv6ju

3) Follow my facebook fan page. Please! Again, tell me that you do.

4) Add my super cute button to your beautiful blog page. Come back and tell me where I can find it.

Contest will close Friday June 30th.  The Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  If you have already won a Sensodyne Prize Pack you are not eligible for this giveaway.  

Disclosure – I am participating in the SENSODYNE program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline. I received a SENSODYNE product pack and a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Update:
I have a winner: I put all the numbers into the magic number generator and had my Hubby press the button! The lucky number is...41!
Congrats to Pam who said
PAM said... 48 Following your blog as PAM

If you didn't win here, don't fret, there is still time to enter the fabulous Kernels Giveaway!
Have a great weekend

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Oh how I love this! I get to give some stuff away!

Here are the two lucky winners of the Kraft Celebration Gift Box:

 

RBM said... 52

I follow Kraft Celebration Tour on facebook(Rod D)
ro20del at yahoo.com

AND

katrina Brady said... 73

Our soccer facility had the roof cave in on them. They could use this for sure!
sweetpeg at gmail dot com

Yeah for you!!

Now the winner for the fabulous PodnPeels Giveaway!

Soozle said... 45

I'm following you on FB (Suzanne Kristy)
sbabij2 at shaw dot ca

Winners: Please contact me in the next 72 hours with your mailing details!  Thanks.

Congratulations to all of you and

thank you to the wonderful sponsors.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Paris in Pictures

There is no possible way to explain all that is Paris.  By popular demand, here are a few pictures taken on just one afternoon in this breathtaking city. 

Sacre Coeur and the quaint streets in Montmartre.

A gravel path through Jardin des Tuileries and ahead, the Musee du Louvre.

Madeline Church in the distance and more gorgeous streets in St Germain des Pres.

   

Can you believe this is the inside of a shopping centre?

Our waiter at a little side walk cafe that carried EVERYTHING in his mouth, and of course, the Eiffel Tower.

Le Sigh….

(Good thing I only had my point and shoot that day or you might have been subjected to 100 pictures instead of just 10!)

Linky Love:

Hoping you can show the Pods N Peels company some love.  Their very first giveaway ever ends tomorrow!

We Will Always Have Paris

I have been struggling with just how to put into words all that was my trip to Paris.

It was walking hand in hand down century old streets until our feet hurt.

It was hot chocolate for breakfast and chocolates for dinner.

It was laughing until our faces ached, talking until we found that quiet comfortable place, and then practicing our French as only two in love can. It was re-discovering life as a couple. Being quiet, being inspired, being awed. It was falling in love all over again.

Paris was more then I could have ever dreamed of.

Paris was Shopping, the Louvre, the Mona Lisa, Versailles, Boat Cruises of the Seine.

It was a Romantic Birthday Lunch at the top of the Eiffel Tower that I will never ever forget.

I carefully documented all my days in Paris in a diary. That is where those private and intimate thoughts will stay.

For now, a few pictures and a dream, that one day we will return and live the vacation of a lifetime all over again.

Passive Aggressive Letters…

It’s time.  It’s over due. 

Time for another Passive Aggressive Letter.  With Love…

Dear Sweet Girl Helping Us Out In The Tile Store,

Yes.  You have boobs.  All girls do.  Yours do happen to be exceptionally large.  This is not something that I usually find overly distracting. Today however, I felt like a dude. I could not stop looking at your boobs!   A little advice from one babe to another. When you work in a great big cold building, and have great big boobs, and one of those boob points east and the other points west, it might be better if you put on a bra. 

Just Sayin.

Signed

The Girl Who May Have Talked To Your Boobs.

(Sorry)

Linky Love: Don’t Miss These Giveaways!

$70 Pods n Peels Good for You Giveaway! US and Canada

Kraft Celebration Tour Giveaway – Gift Box of Kraft Products! Canada Only

Babble’s Top Bloggers.  If you liked this post I’d love a Thumbs Up! I’m number 140.

Pods n Peels and a $70 Giveaway

I am so excited to introduce you to this incredible company and don’t miss the fabulous giveaway below!!

What’s in Your Lunch? The lunch you make for your babies? If you are anything like me, you spend a lot of time agonizing over what kind of items go into your child’s lunch. Although it’s often a struggle, I do strive to provide a healthy balanced lunch every time I send my girls off to school. One thing that I have not given nearly enough attention to is what I am putting this healthy lunch IN TO! I am embarrassed to admit that I have been packing lunches for years for myself, and then for my kids in plastic bags, cling wrap and all sorts of products that are unfriendly to the environment. Somehow I managed to live with that guilt, until I did a little research and realized I was not just putting the environment in harms way, but I was potentially exposing my children to all kinds of nastiness! BPA, phthalates, lead and other harmful substances. If I can’t even say the names of some of these scary things, why am I exposing myself and my kids to them?

There is a better way.

I am proud to introduce you to Pods n Peels. A company that truly cares about the environment and the packaging we all use when we create those lunches for our children and ourselves. Not only are their products safe, they are also ridiculously pretty!

This is my new go to place for preparing for upcoming summer camps as well as back to school! Yes, I said back to school. I swear that this year, I will NOT leave back to school shopping to the last minute and get stuck with a choice between two ugo lunch boxes and one thermos of questionable quality. I will be the Prepared Mom with the happy kids playing in the pool the day before school starts because my kids will have some of these…

I will also be the Mom who know she is doing all she can to limit my children to the exposure to BPA’s and all kind of scariness, all the while helping the environment along the way. How great am I?

Take a look at these fabulous items:

1) 1 Whimsy Lunch Set - Navy ($34.99)

-It includes a cotton lunch sack with soft cotton handle, matching cotton napkin to mop up any messes, 2 small round leak-proof stainless steel containers, a PVC, BPA free re-usable sandwich wrap and finally a name tag.
Clean up is easy, just throw the lunch sack and napkin into the washing machine and hang to dry. Containers are dishwasher safe (recommend handwashing lids). Reusable sandwich wrap is simple to clean with just a wipe with warm soapy water.
BPA, lead, PVC and Phthalate Free.

2) 1 Onyx 12 oz Waterbottle - Blue ($14.99)

-This adorable blue waterbottle can be a sippy cup or a regular waterbottle. A perfect size for little hands to hold.

3) 1 Innate Lilac Tea Culture ($17.99)

-Keeps liquids warm for up to 6 hours!

Total Retail Value of this package is approximately $70.00 !

Even more great news? The wonderful people of Pods n Peels are offering this amazing package as a giveaway!

Open to the US and Canada. Please leave separate comments for each entry.

Short and sweet mandatory entry:

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*now closed

Apparently, My French Sucks

Back to life, back to reality. This of course means my stories about the glamorous life in the suburbs are back full force.  As much as I know you are dying to hear about me avoiding the pool dude who talks to my boobs, my piles of dirty laundry and what the scandalous neighbours have been up to, I shall save those stories for another day because I simply must prattle on (I’m 40 now I can say prattle) about Paris! We arrived in Paris after our red eye flight.  Now I understand why they call it the red eye.  If you are a nervous flyer and excited about what lays ahead, no way in hell are you going to be able to sleep!  Red Eyes.  Anyway, we arrive, catch a 40 minute 55 Euro cab ride to our hotel and the hotel gods shine down upon us.  Our room is ready! 

We stash our bags and go out to explore one of the most romantic cities in the world! 

As we wander the streets I hear a familiar grumbling and realize ..it’s my Hubby’s stomach.  We need food.  Now.  Perfect.  A chance to practice that high school French! 

We enter an intriguing boulangerie and peruse a mouth watering selection of sandwiches, pastries and unfamiliar yummies.  We start panicking slightly as we realize the line we are in is moving at a rapid speed, the french language rolling off the tongues of the locals, even faster.  We are not ready to order, and I’m not sure, but I do not think this is French?  No one taught me this language!  These people are speaking so fast I can’t even pick out a word. 

No worries, I assure my Hubby.  I’ve got this.  When it’s our turn I face the sweet blonde behind the counter and not so boldly state en francais.  Pardon, Je ne pas parle francais?

The tiny shop erupts with laughter.

What?  What did I do?

“Oh…” the little shop owner replies back in his charming French accent, “I think you just did.”  Le Sigh.  How embarrassing. 

Six shades of red later we leave with our poulet and baguette and a couple of free desserts to make up for the fact that my French entertained the crap out of them  our embarrassment. 

So, my French may suck, but it gets me free dessert!

 

Linky Love: Canadians Please hop on over and enter to win one of TWO fabulous gift baskets from Kraft Canada. LOW entries!!