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Stop and Smell the Happiness!

December 5, 2017 By Lena

It’s a fact: nothing smells greater than the great outdoors. Some of my fondest, most happy memories are tied to scents inspired by nature: freshly cut grass, rows and rows of lavender fields, my mom’s flower garden in full bloom. Often, when I’m feeling particularly stressed or need to unwind, I reflect on those times and feel like I am there… I can smell the happiness.

As we head into winter, there’s no doubt that we’ll be spending a lot of time indoors. However, I’ve found a way to replicate the powerful scent of nature with NEW Gain Botanique! Gain’s newest detergent provides an amazingly irresistible scent experience, all in a 65% plant-based formula that is free of dyes, chlorine, phosphates and optical brighteners.
I don’t think I can choose a favourite! Inspired by scents from nature, Gain Botanique White Tea & Lavender and Orange Blossom Vanilla offer fresh, floral fragrances that will transport you to your happy place. Trust me when I say it will make laundry less of a chore! …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #stopandsmellthehappiness, gain botanique

It’s the Itch that Rashes

December 3, 2017 By Lena

This post is sponsored by Paladin Labs, distributor of Dermakalm. The opinions on the blog, as always, are my own.

When my second son was just 2-years old, we noticed a small pink spot on his leg, about the size of a quarter. It was raised, rough in texture and my little guy had obviously been scratching.

“That’s eczema,” my family doctor said.
“I thought it was a rash?” I countered. “Don’t rashes itch?”
“Eczema is the itch that rashes,” she explained. “Just put a little hydrocortisone on it.”
(Usually, the first symptom of eczema is intense itching. The rash appears later and is red and has bumps of different sizes.)

We followed her instructions and didn’t think much about it. Neither my husband nor I had experience with eczema, as our older son had been spared and we didn’t have family members with the condition. However, within days, the eczema spread across one leg, then the next, and appeared on his elbows as well. Soon, almost 30% of his body was oozing, red and unbearably itchy for the little guy. It broke my heart. …

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Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: dermakalm, eczema care

The Secret to Smoother Skin is Here.

November 27, 2017 By Lena

Now, in a new and improved formula.

Earlier this year – in a post entitled Smooth Move: Is it Time to go Glycolic? –  I introduced you to NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Antioxidant Smoothing Serum. The product is a powerful daily exfoliating serum, ideal used before applying your favourite cream or lotion to smooth out skin’s texture and improve skin’s quality. With continued use, pores, fine lines and irregularities become less visible.

A long-time reader, Kathy Downey, actually provided excellent feedback (thanks Kathy!):

March 7, 2017: “I do have sensitive skin and the other products I tried didn’t work so well, going to give this a try and see how it goes. Thanks for the review!”

May 15, 2017: “I just got the Neostrata Glycolic Renewal Antioxidant Smoothing Serum for Mother’s Day I can’t wait to try it!”

June 4, 2017: “The Neostrata Glycolic Renewal Antioxidant Smoothing Serum has been working so well on my terrible dry skin, so glad for your introduction!”

September 10, 2017: “After months of using I really like the results!”

Woo hoo! Thanks for continually circling back with your experience. On behalf of NeoStrata, thank you for giving it a try, and I’m so happy you are enjoying it!

Today, I’m here to share news of two brand NEW products: Neostrata Glycolic Renewal 5% Smoothing Lotion and NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal 5% Smoothing Cream.  Much like their predecessor, the Glycolic Renewal products contain Glycolic Acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which exfoliates dead cells on skin’s surface while maximizing skin renewal. However, the newer generation moisturizers contain a smaller concentration of the AHA (5%), making them suitable for sensitive skin. …

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Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Beauty, Glycolic Renewal, neostrata canada, skin care

Breville Precision Brewer: When Style Meets Function

November 26, 2017 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’m like the prodigal son who found his way home.

Yes, I’ve been dabbling in one-cup coffee makers and machines that use pods. And I know, I’ve touted the convenience, range of flavours and “it factor” that surrounds many of the trendy brewers on the market. But the truth is, although I felt very millennial in my choices, there was one thing that was missing:

A great cup of coffee.

After testing out the Breville Precision Brewer drip coffee maker, I shall never lose my way again. Forgive me, coffee gods, for I have seen the light – and that light is displayed in “My Brew Setting”, which allows me to customize any of the parameters like bloom time, brew temperature and flow rate to suit the particular coffee I’m using.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have caught my stories a few weeks ago when we tested out the “Gold Standard” setting, used to brew a perfectly robust yet balanced cup of coffee. Now there are a lot of technical features of the Breville Precision Brewer, but I’m going to break it down in the most simplest of terms – my only goal being for you to realize just how amazing this small appliance is. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: breville canada, breville precision brewer, drip coffee maker

What To Do, Weekend Edition: Montreal!

November 20, 2017 By Lena

Confession: I have a dog-eared, out-of-focus photo of me dancing on a speaker at a club. It was taken on December 31, 1999 and I was partying up with my friends in Montreal. Known for its bar, lounge and restaurant scene, the vibrant city was the perfect place to ring in the new millennium.

“I love this city!” I shouted in between the second and third shot of Goldschläger. “Let’s do this again next year!” I held my sparkly flip phone up to the crowd, trying to grab a picture of the pulsing lights.

In fact, we weren’t able to get organized the following year, or the year after that. And all of a sudden, 17 years passed before I returned to la belle province. This time around, I didn’t have my sparkly flip phone with me, but I did bring along two of my favourite things.
Of course Montreal is perfect for family getaways! In fact, for those living in Ontario, I daresay it’s one of the best weekend trips you’ll take with your loved ones this fall or winter. There’s no shortage of things to do and with the city celebrating its 375th Anniversary, there’s no better time to visit!

Here’s how to make it happen. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: family travel, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, marriott hotels, montreal tourism

Walmart Toy Academy: They Do the Work, You Get the Credit!

November 17, 2017 By Lena

You: “Hey Lena, what are the top toys for the holidays? What should I get my 6-year old niece?”

Me: “Um, I can totally help with that!” (Visits walmart.ca/ToyAcademy) “I absolutely know what all the hot toys are!” (Searches for Top Dolls, Doll Houses & Playsets.) “Just give me a minute…” (Enough time to consult another toy list.)
Okay, you caught me. Even a self-professed shopaholic needs a little help, especially during the holiday season. Although I generally have my ear to the ground when it comes to trends and hot sellers, the truth is, I’m also the mom who wanders the toy aisles, completely overwhelmed with the selection.

Where do I begin? What’s the latest craze? Where can I find all the top toys without breaking the bank? …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #toyacademy, holiday shopping, hot toys 2017, Walmart Canada

This Holiday Season, DIY!

November 14, 2017 By Lena

I rarely pull up my sleeves and get all crafty, but if there’s a time to do it, it’s definitely the holidays. In fact, some of my most treasured Christmas centerpieces and decorations are the ones I made (or curated) on my own! There’s no doubt about it: the satisfaction of a completed DIY project is heightened when family and friends can enjoy it, too.

This holiday season, try these fun make-at-home projects from Black & Decker.

Baked Brie
What You’ll Need: Easy Release Nonstick 17 x 11 inch Cookie Sheet
It’s almost impossible to mess up a Baked Brie – simply use a combination of complementary textures and flavours (nuts and dried fruit; honey and apples; balsamic vinegar and bacon). This recipe uses walnuts and dates – and the results are heavenly. …

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Filed Under: Decor Tagged With: #bdholiday, Black and Decker, holiday diy

WeeL: Unlock an Entirely New Car-Ownership Experience

November 13, 2017 By Lena

Confession: I’m not very savvy when it comes to automobiles.

In fact, in the 20+ years that I’ve been a driver (which is probably mathematically impossible since I’m like, only 25-years old) I’ve managed to locate the ignition, the windshield wipers and (maybe) the fuel tank. It’s embarrassing, I agree – but with a little luck, to date I haven’t had a major malfunction which required immediate assistance.

Still, I live in fear.

What if my engine light goes on in the middle of nowhere? Or, if I’m in an accident, do I have to go with the first tow truck that shows up on the scene? If I do incur damage to my car, how do I know that I’m being quoted fairly for routine and not-so-routine maintenance and repairs?

And, if you’re crazy busy like me, maybe you’ll wonder if there’s some way the garage can come to you.

Introducing WeeL.WeeL is a platform that connects drivers with trusted auto repair professionals in the Greater Toronto Area certified by WeeL. The user-friendly app, which launched in early 2016, provides direct access to trained technicians for on-demand advice, 24/7 accident support and preferred pricing on vehicle services.

Here’s how it works. Download the app via iTunes or Android or visit getweel.com. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: getweel.com, weel, weel car advice app

Grandma’s Apple Juice Cake

November 2, 2017 By Lena

Fall, 1989. As the leaves turned a beautiful burnt orange and the cold-weather clothing was retrieved from storage, I’d hear a familiar warning as I reached into the refrigerator:

“Don’t drink all the apple juice!”

I can still hear my mom’s voice, issuing the command as I hurriedly selected a different beverage. Because in my childhood home, fall meant long walks, oversized hoodies and my mom’s special Apple Juice Cake. I’m not quite sure why it was only baked in those selected months; perhaps it’s because the cake paired well with strong, hot coffee and was the perfect comfort food on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Regardless, as soon as the weather cools and the days become shorter, I find myself thinking about that cake, made with simple ingredients that I always have on hand. Today, I continue the tradition during the autumn months with my own boys. To them, it’s Grandma’s Apple Juice Cake. To me, it’s a piece of my childhood. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: #mommytalks, allen's, apple juice cake

Be Inspired: Fall Favourites with Texture

October 30, 2017 By Lena

Brought to you by Texture and TheCo.

There are things I miss about 90’s. I miss 90210 (the original, iconic cast) and finding Lip Smackers at the bottom of my backpack. I miss Goosebumps books and crimped hair. But most of all, I miss the stack of magazines found in every corner of my bedroom.

Issues of Seventeen and Teen Vogue piled high next to my bed, within convenient reach for late-night reading. Cosmopolitan for the smut I shouldn’t be reading and Martha Stewart Living for all the things I aspired to be.

When I (finally) moved out of my parent’s home, I left them all behind – they were later thrown into the recycling bin with my permission. And as the years passed, I found myself purchasing fewer and fewer magazines, embracing our paperless society and freeing space in my handbag.

However, I missed my magazines.

I missed the inspiration I found from the photographs and the information I absorbed in the articles. I missed catching up on the latest trends, coming across drool-worthy recipes and even the FOMO-inducing paranoia of not having the latest “it” bag or boots.

But could I find a way to continue my love for magazines in a paperless world? I did find a way – thanks to Texture.Texture is Canada’s only digital subscription magazine service that gives you unlimited access to over 200 of the world’s best magazines. No matter what you’re into — food and fashion, celebrity and entertainment, news and business, sports and fitness, travel and lifestyle — you can discover what you love with Texture. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: digital subscription magazine, texture

Psoriasis: End the Stigma

October 28, 2017 By Lena

One million Canadians are affected by psoriasis. One million. It can happen to anyone and the underlying cause is often unknown. But it’s not contagious; it’s not caused by a lack of hygiene and it’s certainly not some kind of strange growth, infection or malady.

Now can we please end the stigma?

Psoriasis, although somewhat of a commonly misunderstood skin condition, is actually pretty simple to explain. It happens when faulty signals in the body’s immune system trigger new skin cells to form in three to four days instead of 30 days. Because the skin cells grow too quickly, they are not shed normally and pile up on the skin’s surface, creating sores or lesions, often called plaques. Thick, silvery scales form atop these itchy plaques and sometimes cause painful red patches.

It’s not always pretty to look at, but you know what’s worse? Living with the punishing and unfair effects of social stigma, such as being misjudged as unclean or incapable of being touched without passing on a condition that is out of your control.

It’s just excess skin, people.

Because psoriasis is a visible skin condition, it can affect people’s feelings, behaviour and experiences. Does it surprise you to learn that psoriasis is associated with a lack of self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, anxiety and depression? We can change this, and it starts with you and me.
October 29, 2017 is World Psoriasis Day. It’s the perfect reason to educate ourselves about the condition and share ways that people with psoriasis can increase their self-esteem and regain a sense of control over the condition. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients, world psoriasis day

Boo-tiful You! Just Your Everyday Halloween Makeup

October 27, 2017 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. This post contains affiliate links.

The concept of “Halloween Makeup” is foreign to me. I mean, why would I invest in subpar cosmetics, that may possibly contain several allergens and other questionable ingredients, from a company I’ve never heard of and may never hear from again… and put them on my face, or the faces of my little ones? Shudder.

Nope! Give me all the dermatologist recommended, ophthalmologist-tested, sensitive skin approved and non-comedogenic makeup, and I’ll make it work come Halloween. Bonus: it’s not just a one-day investment! Purchased strategically, you can incorporate many on-trend shades and use them for both your fright night look and your daily (or special occasion) cosmetics all year round. Case in point: my “Zombie Minnie” costume from 2015.
I used makeup I already had on hand: eyeshadow from a purple/midnight blue palette, a dash of black and white eyeliner and red liquid lipstick. Since this photo was taken two years ago, I’ve amassed even more boo-tiful makeup, including sparkly lip tints, shimmery shadows and bold eyeliners. I can’t wait to play with them next week! …

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Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: amazon prime, Amazon.ca, halloween makeup

Masterpass: My Favourite New Online Shopping Hack!

October 23, 2017 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

This past week, I did something I hadn’t done in a really, really long time.

I went to my local shopping mall. It was noisy, and crowded. At 11:00am on a weekday! Dear lord, don’t people have better things to do on a random Tuesday morning? And ugh, someone coughed in my general direction!

Okay, clearly it’s been a while since I’ve been around, er, people.

The thing is, I love shopping online. It’s the absolute best! I can save time by shopping whenever it suits me, whether that be late at night or over my lunch hour. I can save money because comparing prices is as easy as opening a new browser tab, and many companies offer “online only” deals. And most of all, I can save my sanity, because I can browse in the privacy of my own home, for as long as I like without pressure from well-meaning sales personnel.
Therefore, I have just one question for you: Why aren’t you shopping online?

Recently, I discovered Masterpass. And within days of setting up my account and using it at participating retailers, I realized that it single-handedly addresses so many of the concerns Canadians have when shopping online. Today, I’d love to share exactly how it overcomes those barriers, with the hope that by the end of this blog post, you too will be setting up your Masterpass account. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: MasterCard Canada, masterpass, online shopping

Whiteboards and Washrooms: Managing Chronic Conditions

October 20, 2017 By Lena

“Don’t worry mom, I had good job,” my seven-year old says as he exits the washroom.
“Does your tummy hurt?” I ask, still hovering.
“NO!” he screams, clearly irritated with me. “Stop asking!”

I may be slightly obsessed with my son’s bowel movements. He’s had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) since birth, with at least one episode of diarrhea per week for as long as I can remember. He often complains of a tummy ache, clutching his stomach as he grimaces in pain. We’ve worked on the (unconfirmed) theory that he may be allergic to dairy or sensitive to acidic foods (he seems to be in his worst shape on Wednesday nights – coincidentally, Wednesday is Pizza Day at school). But since he’s a happy, well-adjusted boy with boundless energy and a devil-may-care attitude, we try not to visibly panic; we’ll adjust his diet when symptoms arise and keep notes on the foods that tend to trigger discomfort. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #ibdkids, crohns disease, robbie's rainbow, sick kids

It’s Really Not a Conversation I Was Dying to Have.

October 20, 2017 By Lena

But, I had it anyways. And I want you to have it too.

It’s a conversation about death. Have I made you uncomfortable? Don’t be. I understand it’s not an easy topic to discuss – really, does anyone want to confront their own mortality? – but if we don’t talk about it now, trust me when I say that when you’re dead, it will be too late.

(Plus, do you really trust someone else to plan a party in your honour?)
I wasn’t always so open about talking about dying, and death. But years ago, I had a health scare. It’s not something I openly chat about, but I don’t attempt to hide it, either. One day I may even write about it on my blog, but the post would be very long (ugh, too long) and right now, I’m just not up to it. However, I will say that the experience changed my perception of a once “taboo” subject: my funeral, and the funerals of my loved ones. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: arbor memorial, end of life wishes, funeral planning

Falling in Love with Fall: Family Favourite Activities

October 18, 2017 By Lena

Welcome, friends, to our very favourite season – it’s fall, of course! The season of apple picking and spiced lattes; colourful leaves and decorated pumpkins. Now that the heat and humidity have made a departure, it’s time to pull on your cardigan and cute boots and enjoy this splendid season.

I love spending time outdoors with my boys. It’s so refreshing to be able to stay outside for the whole day without battling the elements! And today, I’m here to share some of my favourite family activities for making the most of autumn – so load the kiddies into the car, grab a mulled apple cider and get ready for some outdoor fun!

Rolling in the Deep (Leaves). Watching my boys have a good old fashioned crunchy leaf fight is such a hoot! If you don’t have a large property with copious amounts of tree fall-off, visit your nearest park or conservation area.
We always head to Erindale Park in Mississauga, where fallen leaves are plentiful. Another great spot is Riverwood Conservancy, where animal lovers can spot furry friends scampering about! …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #mommytalks, allen's, fall 2017

Human Connections in a Digitally Connected World

October 17, 2017 By Lena

My boys are ages seven and nine. They’re pretty much done with me.

Seriously! I’m the big, bad mama who makes them do their homework, finish their dinner, clean up after themselves and watch their language. And all this could be tolerated – even appreciated – if I didn’t have one, unforgivable, tantrum-inducing power:

The ability to take away their electronics. Oh yeah. I’m a baddie.

To fully appreciate their addiction to tablets, video games, computers and the like, here’s what happened when I told Ryder to “go outside and play on the trampoline.”

Yoink! That 3DS disappeared in a heartbeat. There I go again, being the bad cop!

Now before you bestow über-parenting respect on me for carefully monitoring their screen time, I must admit that the amount of time they stare at electronics does not bother me at all. I spend 14 hours every day basking in the eye-twitching white glow of a desktop computer, and I have no illusions that my boys will fare any better. They even read books on tablets! …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #withrogers, Ignite Gigabit, rogers gigabit

The Name of the Website Says it All: SmartBuyGlasses.ca

October 15, 2017 By Lena

Now you *know* I love to save money. In fact, when I first started my blog back in 2008, it was to share some of the hottest deals with my family and friends. And even though I’ve come a long way from my coupon-clipping, price-matching days (not that I don’t still do it, I’m just less likely to do it obsessively), I still love a good deal. In fact, if I can hack the system to avoid paying full price, I’ll do it.

Enter SmartBuyGlasses.ca.
If you’ve been paying attention to my social media feeds, you may have noticed the to-die-for shades that have been popping up in photos. What you may not know, however, is:

1. I coveted these sunglasses for almost a year.
2. I feel like a million bucks when I wear them.
3. They can be found for 25% off retail price at SmartBuyGlasses.ca. …

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Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: fall fashion, online sunglasses, SmartBuyGlasses.ca

Power Your Reno! Redesigning Spaces with Safety in Mind.

October 15, 2017 By Lena

This past July, my husband and I celebrated 10 years in our home. Woo hoo! It feels like an accomplishment, and it should! Over the past decade, we’ve survived many, many renovations (small and large), and through it all, my husband and I managed not to serve each other with divorce papers.

No, seriously. We are NOT handy people.

We discovered early on that there are DIY folks and Do It For Me (DIFM) people – and we are firmly in the latter camp. In fact, we rely on professionals to tackle most of the handiwork around our home, because we recognize that it’s a good idea to, you know, stay married.
Of course, when hiring others to complete renovations, there’s always one temptation that must be overcome: the desire to cut costs – also known as “cheaping out”.

You know how it goes… you’ll receive a quote from a qualified professional that will be a little (or a lot) over budget. It unsettles you. So you’ll ask around for recommendations, and someone always knows a cousin of a friend who can totally complete your reno at half the cost. …

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Filed Under: Decor Tagged With: Electrical Safety Authority, Kimberley Seldon, Power Your Reno

A Very Warm Welcome.

October 10, 2017 By Lena

In Grade 6, I met a girl named Fatima. Her family had recently immigrated to Canada from Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. She had long, shiny black hair, expressive brown eyes and the most lovely, shapely eyebrows.

(My obsession with perfect brows began shortly after I met her. Whenever I hear the expression “eyebrows on fleek”, I can’t help but think of her, where she is today, and if her eyebrows are still fabulous. And somehow, I just know they are.)

Fatima’s family arrived in November, shortly after the first snowfall of the season. The timing of her arrival is perfectly preserved in my mind, mainly because I was tasked with walking her to and from the school office during recess.

You see, Fatima didn’t have a winter coat.
We didn’t speak during the short walks from our portable to the office, mutually overcome with embarrassment. But I recall feeling confused and irritated, thinking, who sends their kid to school in winter without a warm coat? Fatima’s jacket – what I’d consider to be a windbreaker – was thin and flimsy. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: #warmwelcome, quaker canada

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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