Graduate with Tip Top!! Contest!

Prom and Graduation are coming up...girls are buying their special dresses, and probably many guys are looking at getting their first suit. Buying a suit is a tricky thing - once you've done it a few times, you realize that it's not as easy as it looks, or as easy as it could be. Often there are many styles of suit to choose from, and then colours of fabric, and then you have to choose a shirt and matching tie. I've done it a few times with my husband, and it can take a while to make us both happy! :)

But what if you're shopping with your teen-aged son ... for his first suit ... for one of the most important events of his life so far? His shirt has to match the colour of his date's dress...and the suit has to be "cool" and stylish without reminding everyone of his dad's suit... AND...you don't want to break the bank either!

Check out Tip Top Tailor's deal, and read on for a great contest you can enter below!

Start A Tradition with Hasbro!

Family time is something that we try to protect in our home...I must admit that it is tough to do this at times though! With so many different things vying for our attention, I find that we really need to make an effort sometimes to guard the time we have with our family. One way that we LOVE to spend time together is to get down on the floor and play a bunch of board games. Our oldest two children are at the age now where they understand simple games and it is so much fun to play with them (even if they DO tend to change the rules on us once in a while! :) ) Hasbro has a fabulous selection of preschool games that are perfect for starting a tradition in your home and Hasbro is thrilled to have a chance to help families spend quality time together and create lasting memories as we start a tradition of playing games with our children! I remember playing games with my parents as a child, and would love to carry on that legacy in my own family now!

Hasbro sent us a few classic kids board games to help us start a tradition in our home. Candy Land is a favorite for all kids, isn't it? The game is perfect for both our 3 & 5 year old kids as it focuses on color recognition and matching - both skills that they know and understand. The game is simple, yet bright, colorful and a lot of fun for young children! It's a great way to encourage a few simple skills yet also have fun together as a family.

Memory is another preschooler game that is tried and true. It is a great way to teach matching, as well as to give those little minds (and even our parent minds!!) some "exercise!" It always amazes me at how well our 5 year old son can beat us at a game of Memory.

Chutes & Ladders is a game that has been played by families for more than 60 years...it has definitely stood the test of time! Climbing the ladders and sliding down the chutes makes for great fun. In addition, it encourages counting, number recognition and good sportsmanship.

Finally, our current family favorite is Hasbro's Hungry Hippos! These hippos just love to eat, and our kids are all about feeding them. :) Whichever hippo eats the most marbles wins the game. It is a fast paced, quick game that is a LOAD of fun! Even when us parents aren't able to play, I often find my children playing the game together on their own. It is simple, and very interactive, and as I said above - a definite favorite!

This is just a taste of what Hasbro has to offer, and you'll find plenty of great options to start a tradition of playing games and making memories with your family! I can personally vouch for the fact that spending an evening a week (or more :) ) playing board or card games with your kids really does leave lasting memories and impressions with them, and we're looking forward to creating many more great 'game night' memories with our children throughout the years. Head over to Hasbro and pick up a few games of your own and Start a Tradition today!


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Evenflo - an easy ride in the car!

Car seats are such a standard part of any car with kids now - but it's amazing how many different brands and styles there are to choose from. Each has it's own features and advantages but of course, the most important is the child's safety.

This year, the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations in Canada were changed and all seats sold have to be compliant with these regulations as of December 31, 2011.

Evenflo is a trusted brand of baby products and we were pleased to find out that their car seats meet the new regulations. We were happy to be able to try out a car seat as well - and we've been very happy with it!!

Evenflo makes safety so simple with innovative and easy-to-use safety features, including the exclusive SureLATCH® technology and Infinite Slide Harness™.  These, along with other safety features, align with the new Canadian regulations to ensure maximum safety and an accurate, secure fit for children riding in motor vehicles.  SureLATCH – an exclusive Evenflo innovation consisting of two connectors for use with a vehicle’s LATCH system – allows parents to simply “click, click, push” for a super-fast, super-snug installation in less than 60 seconds.   The Infinite Slide Harness allows parents to easily slide the straps and chest clip for an accurate fit, every time; no rethreading necessary.  In Canada, SureLATCH is available on Momentum 65 DLX, Symphony LX and Symphony e3 models. The Infinite Slide Harness can be found on Momentum 65 LX, Momentum 65 DLX, Symphony LX, Symphony e3 and Triumph 65 car seats.

The Symphony e³ car seat, shown with removable infant head and body support

infinite slide harness

We've been using the ...car seat in my husband's car - a Hyundai Elantra. It's been great for either our 3-year old or our 1-year old when they're riding with him. The seat is wider than some, so we can't use it in our other vehicle (Buick Rendezvous), as we need 2 car seats and 1 booster across the back seat. It's very comfortable, and has a great head rest for if the child falls asleep. My husband installed it in his car easily and quickly. It's also very easy to adjust the fit for the child - the harness and head rest slide vertically to adjust for a taller child, and the straps are simple to pull tighter or make looser. SureLATCH makes it really easy to secure the anchors without having to do a lot of difficult moves or contortions! The seat is available in 4 different colour combinations.

One feature we really like is the recline option. There are 3 recline inclinations available (the most reclined is only for rear-facing installations). To recline the seat for a sleeping (or sleepy) child, just pull the handle (shown in red at the front of the seat, above).

There is a cup holder attached to the side of the seat. It can fold away when not in use. It seems like an afterthought - added to the design but not well-thought out. It feels flimsy and it seems like it's going to break when opening (although it hasn't yet). We haven't used it because we're afraid of it breaking.

SureLATCH Connectors

This seat is suitable for use from birth - as it can be installed and used rear-facing from 5-40 lbs. As your child grows and needs change, the seat can be installed front-facing, and used with the 5-point harness from 20-65 lbs as well as as a belt-positioning booster seat from 40-110 lbs. Really, it's the only car seat you'll need! It is definitely a seat we would buy or recommend to our friends and family - and to our loyal blog readers! :)

The e³ side impact protection is a great added reassurance...you never know what is going to happen and it's comforting to know you're protecting your little ones as best you can. It:

• Significantly reduces the forces in side impact crashes through advanced energy absorption and an expanded zone of protection. 
• Expanded Zone of Protection absorbs energy in a broader range of side impact crashes with 25% greater surface area than leading side impact seats.
• Superior  e³  Triple-Layer Foam provides additional protection to baby by significantly reducing side impact crash forces.

Some other handy features of the Symphony e³ car seat are:

• Upfront Recline- ReclineRight™ upfront multi-position recline for your child's comfort
• Cup Holder - Flip-out cup holder conveniently holds drinks, or folds up out of sight!
• ComfortTouch™ Padding - Removable head and body support pillows provide added comfort for your baby
• Easy-off Washable Pad - Easy-off, machine-washable car seat pad requires no harness rethreading

Evenflo has a collection of installation videos uploaded to YouTube...so if you have any trouble installing the seat, you can watch how it's done. What a great idea!

Evenflo car seats are available at several retailers in Canada including ToysRUs, BabiesRUs, Sears, Canadian Tire and Walmart as well as online. Check the website for a store finder if you're in the US, as this seems to show only US retailers, and not Canadian ones (and they aren't listed under the International retailers either).

**Disclosure: The product mentioned above has been given free of charge from MBooth for Evenflo in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Gingerbugz ~ GIVEAWAY!

Have you ever wondered why some kids clothes are so complicated? I have...all the buttons, snaps, belts and ties...well, it's a lot for a young child to learn to do up all by themselves and most of the time it's the caretakers of the child who gets the job of doing up the buttons, belts, etc.

GingerbugZ is a fabulous etsy shop that I recently discovered which has a knack for creating adorable children's clothes without too many "bells and whistles." GingerbugZ was created out of a love for quality, unique children's wear. You'll notice that there's not a lot of pink and purple, or ruffles, frills and glitter - yet each item is still completely fun and fashionable! We received two adorable little dresses and two pairs of pants from GingerbugZ, and they have been great for our children! Not only do our kids love them, but they are very practical. The clothes are easy to put on, easy to take off! The elastic waists in the pants makes bathroom trips (or even diaper changes!) a whole lot easier! I also love that the clothes are not tight - the pants are nice and wide and the dresses are also made to play in.

Another great feature of the items from GingerbugZ is that most of them will fit more than one size! The pants have cuffs that can be rolled up or down to make them shorter or longer, and the dresses can be worn as a dress on a small child, or a stylish top on an older child. Kids clothing that will last for more than a few months is always a plus around here. :)

Children's clothing that looks great, is comfortable & versatile, and is 100% kid-friendly is hard to find - but GingerbugZ has mastered the art of sewing clothes that meet all these requirements!

BUY IT!
GingerbugZ is offering all our readers FREE SHIPPING on any order!! In order to receive your free shipping use the code: GLIMPSE. Expires April 23, 2012.

WIN IT!
GingerbugZ is giving one of our readers a $50 Gift Certificate to her fabulous Etsy shop! In order to enter please follow the instructions on the form below. NOTE: The FB entry link was not working before, but now it is!!! So please take advantage of that and add in your FB Entry!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Spring into Spring with New Balance!

Spring is here, and we are all itching to get outside and enjoy the nice weather! Whether that means trips to the local park, going for a run in the fresh outdoor air or working in the garden, I'm certain that we are not the only ones looking forward to the nice, snow-free weather! :) New Balance Canada is also excited about spring this year and is welcoming the season by updating its one-of-a-kind neutral running shoe with the New Balance 890v2. We received a mens 809v2 running shoe and my husband loves the new shoe! It has some great features, such as the bouncy, resilient and durable REVlite foam on the sole/bottom of the shoe as well as a lightweight, soft and incredibly comfortable upper build to the shoe. The shoe is also extremely lightweight overall, and with careful planning and consideration New Balance was able to make these running shoes even lighter than the previous style - without sacrificing any of the other great features of the shoe!

The 809v2 comes in a variety of colors for both men and women. I love some of the bold, more modern colors and designs that they have come up with this time around. And, it really is true that this running shoe holds the record for the lightest shoe in it's class! Impressive! The 809v2 fits my husband's feet beautifully and provides the support and durability that he needs. They are a great shoe that we would definitely recommend to others who are on the search for something lightweight, comfortable, durable, fashionable and practical!

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Sharing Easter Joy ~ #KinderMom

Easter...it's a holiday that means so much and represents so much in our family. We work hard to take every opportunity to teach our children about giving, sharing and bringing joy to others, but Easter is an especially wonderful time to do this! Bringing joy to others doesn't have to come in the form of anything extravagant. In fact, I find that it's often the simple things that bring the most joy. This year our Easter will be a little busier than usual as baby #4 is due to arrive that very weekend, but we still are excited to have our kids be involved in a few simple ways of bringing joy to others. Our children will be taking part in singing in a children's choir both on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday. This is a simple, yet special way to share their talents and to spread joy. It's impossible not to catch at least a handful of joy when watching a stage filled with children singing their hearts out! :)

KINDER Canada is ready to spread some Easter joy this year as well. They have partnered with the Children's Miracle Network through their 'A Joy to Share' campaign! The campaign is one that values the relationship between a mother and child - all year round. Take a peek at the Hero Moms postings at the Kinder Canada Facebook page...there are some amazing and inspiring stories there! Stories that show that spreading a little joy really does make a big difference.

So, what exactly can we do to help support Kinder Canada and the 'A Joy to Share' Campaign? Donations are welcome of course, and you can purchase seasonal Kinder products as well. Or, why not contribute to the campaign by heading over to the Kinder Canada FB page and simply sharing why you care, along with your story and a photo or two?

Let's get busy spreading a little joy this Easter season (and don't let it stop there...keep it up through heading over to take part in the the 'A Joy to Share' campaign, you won't regret it!

**Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own. Please see the full Terms of use.

A joy to write! GIVEAWAY!!

It seems like so much of our communication is electronic...yet there are many times when I reach for a pen. Christmas cards, shopping list, quick notes to my son in his lunch box...many occasions call for a pen. And I like a good pen: smooth writing, no blotches or smudges and easy to hold.

Paper Mate has recently released a new product line called InkJoy. Paper Mate’s mission was simple: to develop an ink system that would provide effortless writing.  They wanted a pen that started quickly without dragging, required minimal pressure from the hand, and delivered crisp, clean lines every time.  But most of all, they wanted to bring back the joy to writing, so it felt right to call it InkJoy.

Scholastic Monday ~ It's My Room!

There comes a time in a child's life when they love the idea of having their very OWN bedroom! I suppose there's something special about having a space to call your own. :) This week Scholastic Canada sent us a fun title that deals with this exact topic. It's MY Room by Robert Munsch creates a story around Matthew - who is thrilled to find out that he will finally get his very OWN bedroom. However, the thrill only lasts a short while before he is required to share again - this time a long list of inhabitants...cousins and aunts and uncles and dogs!

The story is a humorous one about how Matthew tries to get some privacy as well as a bit of peace and quiet from all his "guests". Finally Matthew comes up with one of the most creative and out-of-this-world plans to get the guests out of his room for once and for all! Of course, this outrageous plan succeeds and Matthew gets his bedroom back...but I'll leave you hanging about what the plan actually involved! :)

It's MY Room! is a great read. Kids will love it with the typical colorful illustrations and the fun, imaginative story line.

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Keeping the Moisture In! ~ GIVEAWAY!

Winter is normally a time when many of us suffer from a simple...yet troublesome ailment - dry skin! And for many of this, the dry skin even continues on into spring, and throughout the year. The Green Beaver Company recently sent us a few of their natural and eco-friendly personal care products to try out...each of which has been designed to safely and naturally nourish and moisturize your skin & body!

The Cranberry Delight Body Lotion was one of the items we received. It is a newer product and it contains organic ingredients that have been harvested right here in Canada! I love that Green Beaver has been able to reach out and use the resources of our own great country! Just to give you an idea, the lotion has wild eastern Canadian carrot and organic Prairie borage and flax seed emollients in it - all of which are great for nourishing and protecting your skin! We found the lotion to have a gentle, natural scent. I found the lotion to be long-lasting as well (unless you need to wash your hands. :) ).

The Fresh Mint body wash is another Green Beaver product that has been made with the same great Canadian ingredients as the lotion. Bath and body products with mint in them are a personal favorite of mine, so the body wash was great treat! It lathered well, and left us feeling refreshed and clean.

Finally...the one part of our body that seems to get cracked and dry far too often...our lips! The Boreal Winter Lip Balm is a part of Green Beaver's natural winter skin care line called Green Beaver Après-Ski. Even though it's meant for the winter months, I have no doubt that it will work well throughout the year! It is a soft, delicate, long-lasting balm that both soothes and protects dry lips. I also loved that it was unflavored - that alone is great for kids so they don't lick of that yummy smelling/tasting lip balm as soon as I put it on! We found the lip balm to be a great product...very useful, and ideal for keeping in your purse, diaper bag or pocket!

WIN IT!
Green Beaver is giving away a prize pack including 1 of each of the items mentioned above (1 body lotion, 1 body wash, 1 Boreal lip balm)! In order to enter please follow the instructions on the form below. Open to Canada only! Contest ends April 7, 2012.


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**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Easy Listening... GIVEAWAY!!

Are you planning a car-trip in the next couple of days? Wondering how to entertain the kids? What about listening to a story? or lots of stories? :)

Audiobooks.com is a cloud-based service which allows users to instantly access thousands of popular titles including many many titles for children from anywhere using an Internet-enabled mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet. There are no storage constraints because the content resides on the cloud, and users can access and play audio books instantly with no downloading necessary.  Of course, you must have sufficient network to continue streaming...so plan on checking that before you leave so that you're not in the middle of the story and can't continue listening.

Something neat about Audiobooks.com is that it's a Canadian company!!

We've looked through the selection of titles available, and were amazed - didn't stop to count, but there are 10 000+ !! :) We were very impressed with the kids section as well, lots of titles from books and characters our children like and recognize. As long as we made sure the network was strong enough, listening was great...they really enjoyed the stories and we actually did too! :) We've listened to a couple of short bits from adult books as well, but really, we've used this mostly in the car with the kids. Navigation is simple enough for an older child (6 or 7+) to find their own titles. You can save titles you find interesting in a list so you can find them easily next time.

Users can mark their place in an audio book and resume listening at the same spot from any Android or Apple device, laptop or home computer without using a browser plug-in or special application.

Audiobooks.com offers a free trial 7-day membership and costs $24.95 per month for unlimited listening!!

WIN IT!!

3 lucky Canadian Glimpse readers will win a 3-month membership to Audiobooks.com! To enter, please tell us your favourite reasons to listen to audiobooks in a comment below. The 3 best responses will be chosen by myself and our PR contact. Contest is open to Canadian residents only and ends on March 30, 2012.

**Disclosure: The product mentioned above has been given free of charge from SSPR for Audiobooks in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Harlow's Perch ~ GIVEAWAY!

Little girls and tutu's seem to go together like ice cream and strawberries, don't they? With two little princesses in our home we have our share of skirts, dresses and hair pretties, but a tutu...that was a special new addition for our 3 year old daughter! Emily received the most precious petti tutu from Harlow's Perch, and it has already experienced many twirls, jumps and spins!

Harlow's Perch is a fabulous Canadian shop that started off making these adorable tutu's, but has since branched out into many other areas as well. It's easy to see how the popularity of their tutu's has continued though! Each petti tutu is handmade and is made WELL. They can be worn alone or with tights/leggings. I love the fact that they use non-roll elastic on the waist band - and I can certainly see that these little tutu's would rank very high in comfort! Not only that, but each one comes with both a rosebud embellishment and a coordinated ribbon bow. These are simply stuck on with velcro and your little girls can switch them whenever they may choose.

I must also say...it's not only my daughter and myself who are LOVING the tutu from Harlow's Perch! Every time it is worn in public the compliments come, and come and come. The petti tutu is loved by old and young alike and people can easily tell that the quality of it is top-notch. We would highly recommend them to anyone who knows a little girl who loves to twirl! They would make ideal gift ideas as well.

As I mentioned earlier, Harlow's Perch does sell more than just tutu's! They've got a great range of other quality products for kids...such as these incredibly fun & funky pj pants, or these adorable hats (most of which would be perfect for spring!) Harlow's Perch works hard to make quality products that are unique and affordable...so head over and take a peek!

WIN IT!
Harlow's Perch is giving away a Petti Tutu to one of our very lucky readers! In order to enter please follow the instructions on the form below. Open to Canada and USA. Contest ends April 5, 2012.


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**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

It's Spring at Beba Bean! ~GIVEAWAY!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that spring is HERE!! :) Not only do we have a new baby due to arrive any day, but, I just love the warmer weather, the longer daylight hours...and best of all, the arrival of spring means that summer is just around the corner too. Beba Bean is thrilled about spring as well and to help us greet this great season they've added a new spring collection, which is filled with fabulous goodies for your little ones!

We've enjoyed featuring several products from Beba Bean in the past and every one of them has been top-notch when it comes to quality, practicality and adorability! The items we've received to help welcome spring this year are no exception. They are made with the same great quality and uniqueness that we've come to expect from Beba Bean!

The Crochet Bear Toque is one of the new items you'll find at Beba Bean, and I can hardly wait to try it on our new little babe when she arrives! It is cozy and soft and ever-so-cute. And who could resist those little ears on top? The hat is made from 100% cotton and comes in several different colors as well. In addition to this sweet hat we also received a Crochet Knit Blanket which is an ideal gift for any newborn or small child. It is knit from the same cozy, soft, 100% yarn as the Bear Toque. Beba Bean's products are stylish, simple and functional...this is one of my favorite aspects about each item we received! The blanket definitely fits this description as well. It has a decorative stitch in the center with a simple border...simple, yet elegant. The baby blanket is both breathable and insulating - perfect for keeping your little babe comfortable! Like the toque, it also comes in a variety of colors, including pink, and grey.

Beba Bean has added some other great new items to their website as well (like the new sock monkey rattle!) and more! Whether you're looking for some new spring gear, a baby gift for a little one due this spring, or even a few Easter goodies to give this year, Beba Bean will not disappoint! The quality, thoughtfulness, uniqueness and functionality of their products makes their shop a worthwhile place to shop.

WIN IT!
Beba Bean is giving one of our readers a $25 gift code! In order to enter, please follow the instructions on the form below. Open to Canada and USA. Contest ends April 4, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Some like it hot...

Do you really like spicy? are you a fan of hot sauce? You should try the hot sauces from Grace Foods. Yes, that's the same company who let us try their coconut water a few weeks back...

Here's part of the press release from February 16, 2012:

Grace Foods, a leading supplier of Caribbean foods has launched a line of four new hot sauces. GraceKennedy (Ontario) Inc, quest for creating real sauces for real people led to the creation of a line of hot sauces that are sure to spice up your kitchen and grill.  Experience the authentic taste of the Caribbean and indulge in the new and exciting Grace range of hot pepper sauces made with  ripe hot peppers grown on the foothills of Jamaica. Jamaican pepper have earned a reputation as the world's hottest pepper and Grace Hot Pepper Sauce lives up to the challenge. Add a drop or two for a truly serious pepper experience. Perfect for meats, poultry, fish or any other meal that you want to spice up.

The new line-up of hot sauces for 2012 includes:
Sweet n’ Spicy Hot Pepper SauceRevels the sweet taste of red Jamaican peppers mixed with the tangy flavour of fiery red peppers that will give any dish the perfect kick!
Green Scotch Bonnet Hot Pepper SauceThe Green scotch bonnet is made with select green scotch bonnet peppers, mashed and blended from a homemade recipe. The fiery goodness and delicious flavour of our green scotch bonnet will tantalize your taste buds.
Jerk Hot Pepper SauceInfused with the best of the streets, Grace Jerk Hot Pepper Sauce units a range of peppers and spices that explodes in a rhythm of ultimate flavour synonymous with the islands. Y’a Man!
Jamaican Red Hot Pepper SauceOur distinctive blend of Jamaican red peppers and spices combine, resulting in an eruption of fiery heat, flavours and aroma.

Each of the four sauces comes in a 140 m bottle and will be soon available at your local ethnic store and grocery.  

We tried all 4 sauces a couple of weeks back - yes, all in the same meal! I had made a jambalaya casserole, but very mild, because our kids don't like spicy foods. We had company and I knew some like things hotter than others, so this worked out perfectly. In case you're not familiar with jambalaya, it's a cajun rice casserole, with a (usually) spicy tomato sauce, and includes shrimp, sausage (andouille if you can get it) and chicken. This time I cooked it in the crock pot and added the rice (converted brown) about 1.5 hours before the end, and the (frozen, defrosted) shrimp about 1 hour before the end. I had cooked it on low for most of the time, but bumped it up to high after adding the rice, as I was worried the rice wouldn't cook in time. It did - whew! :) And it was yummy! And it made enough for another meal for us - hooray for planned overs! :)

Anyway, back to the hot sauces.

Yes, I put all 4 bottles on the table, and anyone who wanted could try as much or as little of as many different kinds as they liked. People served themselves a small portion of jambalaya, added the sauce they wanted, and tried it out. Then a new portion of jambalaya for a new sauce and so on and so on... :) It worked really well. I was constantly polling and/or listening to comments like: Wow, that's hot! or Yum, this one's good!

The verdict: the Sweet n’ Spicy Hot Pepper Sauce is the mildest, and our 6-year old son tried a little bit in his supper and liked the added kick with sweet taste. Actually, this one was my favourite and one of our guests' as well...we're a little more cautious when it comes to spicy sauces.

I did also try the Green Scotch Bonnet Hot Pepper Sauce...zingy! It was a little too hot for me, but the my husband and our other guest really liked it.

Actually, they were the bravest of all, and tried all 4 sauces. They liked them all, really, although each has it's own special taste and degree of HOT! :) According to our taste-testing experiment, the sauces are written in the list (above) in order from mildest to hottest...so be warned!

These are just the newest hot sauces to be added to the collection - check out the others as well! If you dare... :)

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Fair Trade isn't just for chocolate

So, did you watch The Big Decision last night and see the coverage about Camino, the Fair Trade and Organic foods company we talked about last week? What did you think? We'd be interested to hear your comments...

Ironically, I saved the juice part of the review products for today...here are my thoughts on Camino's juices. If you're interested, I would recommend not waiting to find them and try them out. Camino is the first company to bring organic and fair trade juice to Canada.


Camino is a Canadian brand of fair trade and organic food products, owned by the Ottawa-based La Siembra Co-operative. La Siembra builds direct relationships with the 18 producer co-ops from which they source quality ingredients, supporting more than 35,000 family farmers in 10 countries across Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.

We received a pack of juice boxes in each of 3 flavours, as well as a larger tetra pak of Limeade. We found the Limeade to be tasty although a bit on the weak side. It was tart and "limey" without being overly sweetened like many commercial lemon- and limeade drinks are. Of the juices, we tried Mango, Tropical and Orange Mango. The adults and kids in our family liked all 3 flavours, but we liked the Orange Mango the best. the 2 flavours seemed to complement each other nicely into a mellow, not-too-acidic citrus drink. I noticed a comment on the Camino Facebook page about the juice, that they're nice in "drinks" as well - and I can imagine that they would add great flavour when you're mixing up something... Once again, I like the idea that it's produced fairly in a way that's respectful to both the farmers and the environment.

Follow Camino on Facebook or Twitter to keep up on the latest developments as a result of their new partnership with Arlene Dickinson.

And remember the great promotion they are offering for the whole month of March!

**Disclosure: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from Camino in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

DK Discovery Day ~ Touch and Feel Kitten ~ GIVEAWAY!

Touch and Feel books are always a hit with children! And it's the ideal way to help a child learn - not only by seeing and hearing but by feeling. Sensory learning is often a big deal to kids, so it's no wonder that they love being able to FEEL their books as well as see them!

This week we are featuring Touch and Feel Kitten from DK Canada. It is an adorable little board book that is filled with nothing but kittens! From feeling the kitten's soft fur to their whiskers, this book is sure to be a hit with young children. Our 1 year old daughter especially has enjoyed this book which allows her to explore with her eyes and her hands.

The Touch and Feel series is one of DK Canada's bestselling series' and there are loads of great books that are just waiting to be discovered!

WIN IT!
DK Canada is giving away a copy of Touch and Feel Kitten to one of our readers! In order to enter please follow the instructions on the form below. Open to CANADA ONLY! Contest ends April 2, 2012.


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**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Grow-With-Me Sun Hats ~ GIVEAWAY!

Spring is HERE!!! And that means that summer is just around the corner! Sandboxes, gardening, water balloons, parks...we are eagerly anticipating all these great summer activities this year. Our son has been asking for months about when he'll get to play in the sandbox again, and finally the end of snow & cold weather is in sight. However, with spring and summer also comes the need for a sun hat to protect your little ones from the heat of the sun. Twinklebelle recently added a fabulous new line of sunhats to their online shop.

The Grow-With-Me Sun Hats are some of the cutest and most practical ones that I've come across so far this spring. The great thing about these hat is that they grow WITH your quickly growing children! Each hat has a fully adjustable head strop around the hat in order to allow you to adjust it to the size that fits best on your child. In addition to this the sun hats have detachable neck straps with a toggle adjustment & a break-away clip for safety. This is great to help keep the hat on your child's head - especially on those windy days!

The Grow-With-Me sun hats come in a variety of fabrics as well. You'll find some adorable designs for the girls; some great hats for the boys, and even some fit perfectly into the gender neutral category. Each hat is made of 50+ UPF rated cotton fabrics that are breathable, soft, flexible and comfortable. In other words, perfect for kids!

The Grow-With-Me Sun hats from Twinklebelle are great for playing in the backyard as well as for traveling or camping. The practicality of the sun hats can't be ignored and they are definitely a worthwhile hat to invest in as it will easily grow with your child through several sizes/years!

WIN IT!
Twinklebelle is giving away a Grow-With-Me sun hat to one of our readers! In order to enter, please follow the instructions in the form below. Open to Canada and USA. Contest ends March 31, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Think Outside the Basket with Hasbro!

After a cold, Canadian winter we are usually so thrilled to see spring arrive! And although this winter really hasn't been that cold...or snowy, I still have to admit that we are more than excited that spring is here and we're ready to celebrate the fact that Spring has Sprung with Hasbro! One of the greatest spring holidays is Easter and Hasbro is ready to help us parents "Think Outside the Basket" this year during the Easter season.

Often Easter involves a lot of chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs...candy and sweet treats. Hasbro is encouraging us to expand our ideas of "Easter treats" this year and

has some amazing ideas that your kids will certainly love! For example...isn't this Mr. Potato Head Spud Bunny Figure fun?! Who thought that Mr. Potato Head would look so cute in bunny ears and a pink nose? ;) It's entertaining, it's fun and I'm sure it will even produce a giggle or two out of your children as Mr. Potato Head hops and bounces around your home.

Another great idea that is perfect to stuff into an Easter basket are the Play-Doh Spring Eggs. The come in a pack of four different colors and are a fun and imaginative 'treat' for kids. There's just something about play-doh in an EGG that makes it even more fun to play with. If you're looking for even more great candy-free eggs for an egg hunt you'll need go no further! Hasbro also has a box full of Play-Doh Treat Without the Sweet Spring Eggs. The box contains 10 eggs that would be ideal for either a spring or Easter egg hunt. Each one is filled with play-doh and is just waiting to be shaped into a fabulous creation by your children.

We all know that there isn't really a thing as TOO much play-doh when it comes to kids. Ours LOVE the variety and the different colors that each container holds. The cute bunny and chick figures from Hasbro are no exception. Each figure has play-doh in it's "tummy" and underneath their feet you'll find some fun stamping shapes! These little creatures are great for small hands and perfect for inspiring the imagination this Easter!

This year as you fill up Easter Baskets for your kids, why not do as Hasbro has done and "Think Outside the Basket?" Fill up those baskets with treats that will last throughout the year and that will cause your children to create, imagine & play!

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Chocolate tastes good, Fair Trade tastes better!!

Camino is a Canadian brand of fair trade and organic food products, owned by the Ottawa-based La Siembra Co-operative. La Siembra builds direct relationships with the 18 producer co-ops from which they source quality ingredients, supporting more than 35,000 family farmers in 10 countries across Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.

Camino's product range includes chocolate :), coffee, baking products, juice and hot chocolate. All ingredients are carefully sourced to ensure they are produced organically and following fair trade principles, as well as environmentally-friendly farming practices.

Vote for our "friends" Splash 'n Boots! ~ GIVEAWAY!!

Splash'N Boots is a Canadian children's music duo, are nominated for the SiriusXM Indie Awards' prestigious title of 2012 Children's Group of the Year. They've produced five CDs and two full-length DVDs under their belts, as well as put on over 1,000 international festival and theatre performances! They are currently working on their 6th album, which will be done with help from their fans - check out their Facebook page if you have ideas to submit! :)

One of their videos is currently airing nationally on Treehouse TV. They have also landed an additional four music videos and four half hour episodes of "Roll Play" on the popular children's network.

Lala Soap & Natural Body Care ~ GIVEAWAY!

Family owned, handmade, quality products...and values that include natural resources, eco-friendly practices and more. This is what you'll find when you visit Lala Soap & Natural Body Care! I recently discovered this wonderful Canadian business, and we have thoroughly enjoyed using a few of their products over the past month! At Lala Soap the focus is on taking care of our bodies naturally, as well as protecting our precious planet. They do an amazing job of blending these two goals and you can see and feel the effort that they've put into creating and making their products. All products are made with the finest ingredients which are free of chemicals and toxins. In addition, everything is biodegradable and only recycled materials are used...as well they use the least amount of packaging possible with each item. I absolutely love how each of their items is created with a unique blend of natural ingredients (including delicious smelling pure essential oils!)

One of the items we received was the Flower Power Soaking Salts. A nice, warm soak in these salts is amazing. It's just the thing us busy moms (or aunts or grandmas...or even teens!) need after a busy day of being on our feet. It only takes a small amount of these salts to cause your room to explode with the delicious aroma of the organic lavender essential oil. These (or any!) of the soaking salts from Lala Soap are heavenly and it's a great way to relax and "put your feet up" for a while.

Secondly, we tried something for smaller people in our home! :) The BABY ME Liquid Foaming Soap has been ideal for our kids. The foaming aspect makes washing hands a whole lot easier for young children, and it has a variety of uses as well. The Foaming Soap doesn't simply have to be used for your hands. It can double as a body and hair wash for kids and the specifically chosen essential oils will even have a calming effect! The soap is delicate, moisturizing, mild and gentle - perfect for those with sensitive skin.

In addition to the products I mentioned above, you'll find a great selection of other bath & body items at Lala Soap. Check out their large array of natural bar soaps, or the BUZZ OFF! Natural Spray for Outdoor Play (perfect for the upcoming summer weather!) Head over and take a look...there's plenty more to discover at Lala Soap & Natural Body Care!

WIN IT!
Lala Soap is giving one of our readers a pack of relaxing Flower Power Soaking Bath Salts! In order to enter, please follow the instructions on the form below. Open to Canada and USA. Contest ends March 29, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Carebags ~ GIVEAWAY!

There are plenty of ways for us to take care of our earth these days. You'll find everything from stainless steel containers, to bio-degradable garbage bags and more! Carebags is a company that loves our planet and wants to take care of it as well, and they have come up with one of the most simple, yet practical ways to do this. As I'm sure you can imagine, plastic bags are one of the biggest pollutants that us humans use. We buy all sorts of things that are stored in them, we use them for our garbage, we use them in bulk food stores and this is just the tip of the iceberg! If you think about it I'm sure you'll agree that we use a LOT of plastic bags. Carebags is a wonderful online store that carries a variety of reusable bags. The bags can be used for a variety of things and are incredibly easy and convenient to use as well. Here are just a few of the things that the reusable bags are great for:

~ Buying & storing nuts, grains, lentils
~ Buying produce
~ Straining almond milk, jams, jellies
~ Launder your fine washables in the bags!
~ Lunch bag
~ Great for baby toy or snacks
~ Rinsing beans, rice, etc.
~ Germinating sprouts

As you can see, the uses for Carebags reusable bags are nearly limitless! I love that they are so versatile. Another great feature is that they are SO compact. You can easily fit them into your purse, pocket, diaper bag, etc. They hardly take up any room at all and can be squeezed into the tiniest spot if need be! There a few other features that truly make these reusable bags special. The bags are very durable, stretchable, washable and breathable and are made right here in Canada! In addition, they are completely affordable and once you have a few there's a good chance you'll never want to go back to using all plastic again!

WIN IT!
Carebags is giving away a sample pack to THREE WINNERS! In order enter please follow the instructions on the form below. Open WORLDWIDE! Contest ends March 28, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Comfortable feet!! ~ GIVEAWAY!!

It can be tricky to find a set of footwear that fits many occasions. Especially in the winter, you usually have to wear boots and carry shoes with you. And now, in this muddy, slushy spring weather, who knows what you should wear?! :)

My husband Richard has been trying out a new pair of boots...and really, this is where you have to ask yourself, are they boots or are they shoes? You see, they function as both very successfully. Yes, they are Blundstones! (ooh, ahh)

Blundstone is a family-owned company, started in 1870. Their boots are well-known for their quality and durability, and I must say that what we have experienced from Richard's pair certainly underlines that. They make unisex boots for children and adults that are highly practical, while still being stylish. One signature feature of Blundstone boots is their pull tabs...and no laces. This makes it really easy for everyone (including kids) to put on the boots and take them off quickly.

Scholastic Monday ~ Razzle Dazzle Ruby

Welcome to another Scholastic Monday! We just love partnering with Scholastic Canada to share some of the latest and greatest books and titles for kids. :) This week it's all about Razzle-Dazzle Ruby by Masha D'yans. Ruby is one fabulous little girl who turns an ordinary time into something extraordinary. I love how Ruby is an inspiration for our children to see the uniqueness in the every day things...especially in a typical winter day. We all know that winter can seem to last forever here in Canada, but Razzle-Dazzle Ruby provides a perfect example of how you can change that normal winter day into something special. So go ahead...roll a giant snowball, make some soaring snow angels, skate on a shimmering, sparkling pond and change a normal day into something amazing!

Razzle-Dazzle Ruby is complete with beautiful watercolor images. Add that together with the fun, joyful feel of the book and it's a winning story for both parents and children to enjoy together!


**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

March Break Survival ~ CONTEST!

What are your plans for March break this year? Going on a holiday? Or simply relaxing at home and spending some extra time with your own family? Or...perhaps you needs some good quality ideas to inspire you on what to do this year during March Break?? DK Canada is ready to help inspire you and they are running a VERY exciting and FUN promotion for parents & kids this March Break. It’s called What Did You Make on March Break and is a perfect way to make the most of the upcoming week off.

I've found that one of the best ways to keep things exciting and fresh is to inspire a sense of creativity...both for myself and my kids! It's also a lot more fun if you focus on something that your child really enjoys and it really makes combining fun & learning effortless! We received The Science Kit from DK Canada to enjoy and learn from together...not just during March Break but I'm sure throughout the year as well. The Science Kit is perfect for making science fun! It comes with all the tools needed to do over 100 experiments as well as easy to follow step-by-step instructions. It's also great for a variety of ages. Our 3 & 5 year old kids have LOVED the kit, but of course still require adult supervision. It would also be perfect for an older child who would like to experiment on their own. The Science Kit is an amazing kit to use at home and covers all sorts of topics, including building models to learning about light, sound, air pressure and so much more. We were thoroughly impressed with the kit (and it's very affordable too!)

CONTEST!
How can you get involved in What Did You Make on March Break? DK Canada has a March Break Boutique that is packed full of amazing books and kits to inspire and spur you on to creating the best March break yet.

Don't forget about the contest though! Throughout the month of March DK Canada is asking parents to submit images of their child's (ages 3-14) creations which will be posted here on DK Canada and on their Facebook page. The winning submission will receive an autographed Jane Bull Collection and DK Shopping Spree worth $150! So go ahead...let's make something great this March Break! Deadline for the contest is March 31, 2012.

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.