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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Clorox2

Be A #LifePro Life Hack: Wrinkly Shirt No More

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I fully endorse this #LifePro Life Hack from Clorox2:

Wrinkly shirt? Here’s to less stress and less wrinkles! Toss it in the dryer for a few minutes with some ice cubes for a quick steam press. Update: I tried this – and it works like a charm!

The heat from the dryer quickly melts the ice and changes it to steam vapour in a hurry. For added freshness, add half a dryer sheet (no need to waste a whole one) et voila! It’s like you’re back in college all over again. Take those clothes off the floor and breathe some life into them, while bypassing the washing machine entirely! Life = Hacked.

Hanging Up My Crown: #StainMasterMom

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I suppose one could argue that it’s more of a title, or role… but since I truly feel like the Queen of Stain Fighting, I’m calling it a CROWN.

Yes folks, it’s been quite an adventure – a Stain Adventure, that is! It all began back in May when I announced my newest gig: Clorox2’s Stain Master Mom. I was set to embark on Stain Adventures – living life to the fullest, without worrying about getting a little messy. And boy, did we get messy! From food fights to barbecue blunders, travel trials and more, both my little guys kept me on my toes… and in the laundry room.

Shortly after my announcement, I had the following advice for readers:

The next time your darling child… 1) Face plants in a bowl of spaghetti; 2) Uses mustard, ketchup and relish… as paint; 2) Decides that a dirt bath is infinitely more fun than a regular bath … stop, take a picture and laugh it off!

Well, one lucky reader actually took my suggestion at face value, and won $3,000 in Clorox2’s Stain Adventure contest! I guess sometime it pays to have a little fun with mess, and $3,000 buys a lot of Clorox2.

Next, I shared my family’s penchant for wearing super bright and colourful clothes. In the past, I’d been hesitant to purchase brightly coloured clothing for my kids for one main reason: children’s clothing is washed A LOT, and this leads to faded, washed-out looking clothes. And one of my biggest pet peeves is a red that starts to look cranberry, or a purple that errs to the side of lavender. Often, the clothes would lose their vibrancy after just one wash, making me wonder if an all-beige wardrobe really was the way to go.

That is, until I discovered Clorox2 Stain Fighter and Colour Booster Liquid. Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster is specifically formulated to work better on tough stains and keep your clothes bright. The liquid is specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. It is designed to be safe for all loads – so you can add it to every load with your detergent for cleaner and brighter clothes.

Of course, the highlight of my partnership with Clorox2 was my famed Stain Party. Invitations were sent out in July, and they were cheeky! And the purpose of the Stain Party? Well, if there’s one thing I always aspire to do, it’s to put my money where my mouth is. I am so impressed by Clorox2, that I was willing to get dirty on purpose… just to demo how awesome it really is!…

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The Most Unappreciated Household Chore

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The most unappreciated household chore. Hands up if you think you know what it is. Dish washing? Dusting? Nope.

It’s laundry, of course.

According to a study conducted by Mail Online, the average mother spends five months of her life doing laundry. “It takes her 26 minutes to go through arduous pre- and post-wash tasks every time she turns on the machine, an average of six times a week. On top of that she can expect to spend 55 minutes a week doing the ironing. So, before her child hits 18, she will have had 137 days or nearly five months of toil.”

Ewwww….

Of course, those statistics are based on current technologies. Can you imagine how much time our ancestors spent getting their whites whiter? In fact, I’m pretty sure the evolution of laundry began with scores of women simply pounding clothes on river rocks or rubbing them with abrasive sands. Just think about THAT the next time you complain about separating your whites and darks.

However, with the introduction of the washboard, those same women were well on their way to the good life. See? The woman in this picture looks positively elated. No more clubbing her husband’s work clothes to remove soot and stains! Simply scrub-a-dub-dub on the old washboard.

Okay, let’s be honest. Unless you’re scrubbing your clothes on the washboard that is Ryan Gosling’s stomach, it’s going to feel like a chore. So thank goodness the very first drum-based washer was patented in 1851 – “James King, an American, patented the first washing machine to use a drum in 1851. The drum made King’s machine resemble a modern machine, albeit it was still hand powered. Later, in 1858, Hamilton Smith patented the rotary washing machine.”

But here’s where it gets great. In 1874 William Blackstone of Indiana “built a birthday present for his wife. It was a washing machine intended for domestic use which removed and washed away dirt from clothes. The Blackstone washing machine is often cited as the first washer designed for home use.”

Did you see that? A birthday present for his wife. Gee, what a guy! High five if you’re thrilled to be reading this blog post in 2013, and not in an era when it was okay to gift your wife with self-serving inventions.

(Oh, and in case you’re wondering, here’s my source for that little tidbit of info. Trust me, I’m not pulling this stuff out of my head. Especially not good ol’ William Blackstone.)

Thankfully, the arrival of electric power in the 1900’s meant that hand-operated washing devices could be augmented with motors. A washing machine called the Thor, which was invented by Alva J. Fisher and manufactured by the Hurley Machine Company in 1908, is often cited as the first drum-based electric washing machine.

(Pictured below: My dream laundry room. Yours too?) 


And that, my friends, is what paved the way for the modern, efficient and incredibly powerful washing machines we have on the market today. Of course, while our choice of brand/ machine makes a significant impact on the outcome of our clothing, so does our choice of detergent and stain fighters. And as the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom, I know a thing or two about keeping clothes clean. Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid is an effective formula that removes dirt and stains, brightens colours and whitens whites. It can be used in both standard and HE (front loading) machines, and its new concentrated formula is better for the environment, too.

But don’t take my word for it – did you read the testimonials from the lucky readers who were offered a chance to review the complete line of Clorox2 products? Yep, we’ve got an all-out love affair happening; my readers adore Clorox2 that much.

In the meantime, tell me: do you agree that laundry is the most unappreciated household chore?

It’s Official: Everyone LOVES Clorox2!

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When I first signed on to become the Stain Master Mom, I was so excited to share news of Clorox2 products with my audience. After putting them through my own vigorous tests, I felt confident to stand behind a quality brand that should be a staple in every household. In fact, it was my idea to incorporate a Rate & Review program – positive that my readers would love the products just as much as I do… if not more.

And so ten (10) lucky readers received the entire lineup of Clorox2 products, with the simple instructions to go on their own Stain Adventure. Armed with the power of Clorox2, they could enjoy themselves to the fullest – without worrying about life’s little messes. The products were sent to the testers, and the waiting game began.

Then, I started to fret. Even though I have complete confidence in Clorox2, it’s only natural that I was anxious to hear the feedback. What if my readers didn’t have a similarly positive experience? What if the products didn’t measure up to my hype? I knew I had a duty to publish all the results – good and bad – and I crossed my fingers that the reviews would come back quickly.

Turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Quite the contrary, in fact! Because two things happened during this particular Rate & Review which have never happened before:

1) I received the testimonials in a timely fashion without chasing anyone for a response (thank you readers!)
2) ALL of the feedback was POSITIVE!

Yes folks, it’s official: Everyone LOVES Clorox2!…

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Clorox2: The Stain Solution

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Last week, I shared with y’all highlights from my much-anticipated Stain Party. We ate, we drank, we got messy.

Well, as you know, stains happen. Robin had a close encounter with chocolate sauce; Diana was a tad overzealous with ranch dressing, and Sara? Let’s just say she ended up wearing some of the nachos. But since it was a stain party, and I happened to have Clorox2 at my disposal, I did what any good hostess does; I whisked away my guests’ soiled clothing and pre-treated the stains directly with Clorox2 Stain Fighter and Colour Booster Liquid. The liquid works hard to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. It is designed to be safe for all loads – so you can add it to every load with your detergent for cleaner and brighter clothes.


So what happens if you can’t take the shirt off your back – literally? Well, just be sure to pre-treat your stains at your first opportunity. Because the longer a stain lingers, the harder it is to get out. (Trust me, after having two little boys, I know this from experience.) Fortunately, I pre-treated the stains with Clorox2 before they had a chance to settle in, and since I’ve now had experience with the product and have learned to trust its stain lifting power, I had nothing but the highest expectations for the outcome.

I was not disappointed. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on these ULTRA BRIGHT, ULTRA VIVID, and most importantly, STAIN-FREE tank tops!



Now this may sound strange… and trust me, your eyes are not deceiving you… the colours of the tops are actually more intense after putting them through the wash. That’s because Clorox2 brighteners have been hard at work – giving colours a boost. And although these tops have only been washed once, I can attest that my boys’ summer clothing, which has been washed time after time (after time) over the past few months, is just as bright and vivid as when the season began. It’s quite impressive!…

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Who’s Afraid of a Few Stains? Not Us!

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The first rule of the Clorox2 Stain Party is you do not talk about the Clorox2 Stain Party. KIDDING!

Not only do you talk about it – you publish funny little photos like this. Sorry, @ShopwithRobin!


If there’s one thing I always aspire to do, it’s to put my money where my mouth is. You see, it’s not enough for me to simply stand behind a product; I have to ensure that my readers, friends and even skeptics are convinced of the virtues and benefits of the brands I endorse. Now y’all know that I am the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom… but did you know that I am so impressed by the product, I hosted my very own Stain Party – just to demo how awesome it is?

It’s true. I invited a few of my dearest social media friends (ones that live within 20 km of my house, to be precise) to come and enjoy a night of drinks on the patio. At first, I had fairly grand designs for the menu, but in the end, decided to keep it sweet and simple. After all, the purpose of the evening was simply to enjoy each other’s company, and you know, do my guests’ laundry at the end of the party. Just the normal stuff you do at a summer outing, right? Right….

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What Happens at a Stain Party…

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… obviously gets published on the Internet the next morning.

Last night, a few close friends and I had a messy night on the patio! Drinks, munchies and the freedom to kick back and enjoy ourselves, without worrying about life’s messes. Armed with Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products, we weren’t afraid of a little chocolate sauce – right, @ShopwithRobin?

In case you’re wondering, yes, I did actually hover and wait until someone made a mess…. and then I callously snapped a photo of them. But hey, Stains Happen!

Stay tuned for my complete wrap-up of our night, plus before/after photos of the washed clothing and Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products in action. I’ll also announce the ten (10) lucky Canadian readers who will have a chance to rate and review ALL the Clorox2 products! If you haven’t submitted your name yet – simply leave a comment on this post telling me which stains are a doozy to get out.

Until then… wishing you a summer filled with Stain Adventures!

A Party Isn’t a Party Until Someone Gets Dirty

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I’m not exactly sure how I’ll word the invitation on this one.

“Join me for a Stain Party! We’ll eat, drink, and stain ourselves silly!”

Er…. no. How about…

“It’s a girls night out-ish! Drinks on my patio. Let the chips and stains fall where they may!”

Huh. That’s closer, but no cigar. Okay, I think I’ve got it –

BOO-YAH.

If there’s one thing I always aspire to do, it’s to put my money where my mouth is. You see, it’s not enough for me to simply stand behind a product; I have to ensure that my readers, dear friends and even skeptics are convinced of the virtues and benefits of the brands I endorse. Now y’all know that I am the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom… but did you know that I am so impressed by the product, that I’m willing to get dirty on purpose… just to demo how awesome it really is? It’s true!

Of course, it wouldn’t be fun unless I got a few friends dirty too, right??…

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Who’s Afraid of a Little Colour?

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If there’s one thing I’m frequently complimented on, it’s the fact that I like to take chances and wear bright colours. Never one to be afraid of standing out, I love the fiery burst of energy when I wear orange; the spunky feeling of pop-pretty pink, the crispness of green apple, and the moodiness of a vibrant purple. In short, colour defines both my fashion sense – and my outlook!

Alas, I was not destined to pass on my keen eye for colour to a little fashionista – instead, I’ve been blessed with two boys who adore living out loud and wearing clothes to match. However, I’ll let you in on a little secret.

In the past, I’ve been hesitant to purchase brightly coloured clothing for my kids for one main reason: children’s clothing is washed A LOT, and this leads to faded, washed-out looking clothes. And one of my biggest pet peeves is a red that starts to look cranberry, or a purple that errs to the side of lavender. Often, the clothes would lose their vibrancy after just one wash, making me wonder if an all-beige wardrobe really was the way to go.

That is, until I discovered Clorox2 Stain Fighter and Colour Booster Liquid. Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster is specifically formulated to work better on tough stains and keep your clothes bright. The liquid is specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. It is designed to be safe for all loads – so you can add it to every load with your detergent for cleaner and brighter clothes.

So there are two things I’d love to underscore here. First, go on! Let your kids get dirty. Let them go on a Stain Adventure; let them spill juice, eat food with their hands, and play in the wet grass. Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid is better at removing tough stains vs. the leading detergent alone.

Second, don’t be afraid of a little colour. Because while Clorox2 is working to lift those adventurous stains, it’s also brightening your colours and making them more vibrant, freshened, and newer-looking.

After the first few uses with Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid, I couldn’t believe the difference it made in the overall look and feel of my sons’ clothing. Wash after wash, the items resisted fading and kept their intensity – even clothes with patterns, pictures and mixed textures. I honestly feel a little foolish that I didn’t try it sooner; I could have salvaged so many of their favourite items that I’ve now set aside as “home clothes”. Still, that’s my job as the Stain Master Mom – to tell you all about this amazing product, so you too can experience the difference for yourself!…

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Be a Stain Fighter! Clorox2 #Giveaway

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Being the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom has its perks. For one, I no longer fear uncapped markers. For two, I’ve readjusted my attitude on wearing brightly coloured shirts while eating strawberries. And finally, I’ve come to accept that while all stains are not created equal – all stains are equally treatable, as long as you have the power of Clorox2.

Now hands up if you’ve embarked on a Stain Adventure? You can win $3,000! Simply choose an adventure on the Clorox2 Stain Adventures Facebook tab, complete the online Contest Entry Form, upload your picture and add a short description. And that’s it! I’ve got a Stain Adventure lined up for this weekend – “eat without utensils”. Oh wait – that’s not Stain Adventure; that’s everyday life.

Of course, another perk of being the Stain Master Mom is sharing AMAZING giveaways like this one – you can enter to win a Clorox2 Prize Pack – including a $100 Visa Gift Card to refresh your laundry room! Of course, if I had enough money (and about 200 more square feet) my laundry room would look like THIS:

… but in the meantime, we’ll just have to settle for some extra spending money and a wealth of amazing Clorox2 products. In addition to the Visa Gift Card, one lucky reader will win:

Clorox2 Original Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid (Qty: 2)

Clorox2 Stain Fighter & Colour Booster is specifically formulated to work better on tough stains and keep your clothes bright. The liquid is specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. It is designed to be safe for all loads – add it to every load with your detergent for cleaner and brighter clothes. Clorox2 Original Stain Fighter & Colour Booster Liquid is better at removing tough stains vs. the leading detergent alone, including: Coffee – Red Wine – Berry Juice – Spaghetti Sauce – Mustard – Ball Point Ink – Make-up – Dirt…

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Live Life… Go on a Stain Adventure… and WIN!

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What if I told you that the next time your darling child:

1) Face plants in a bowl of spaghetti
2) Uses mustard, ketchup and relish… as paint
2) Decides that a dirt bath is infinitely more fun than a regular bath

… you should stop everything, take a picture and laugh it off? (You may not agree to the whole “laugh it off” thing.)

BUT – what if I encouraged you to specifically embark on a Stain Adventure – that is, throw caution to the wind and get dirty? Would you do it?

Answer: You would if you had Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products in your laundry room. And you would if you knew you had a chance to win $3,000!

One of the best things about being the Clorox2 #StainMasterMom is the knowledge that I can live life to the fullest – without worrying about getting a little messy. Because the products are specially formulated to lift stains and contain brighteners to give colours a boost – in fact, they complement your favourite detergent to make it work even better. And, they’re safe for all loads.

(Clorox2 in EVERY load? YES! You heard it here first!)

So, how can you participate in your own Stain Adventure? It’s easy. First, make sure you stock up on Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products – trust me, you can certainly attempt these stains at home, but you’ll want to make sure you have the power of Clorox2 before the stains set!

Next, choose an adventure on the Clorox2 Stain Adventures Facebook tab. You can…

HAVE A DATE WITH CHOCOLATE
SPORTS SEASON
EAT WITHOUT UTENSILS… OR PLATES
JOIN YOUR KIDS FOR SOME FINGER PAINTING
GET TO KNOW YOUR CAR A LITTLE BETTER
THROW A PIZZA PARTY
GO PUDDLE JUMPING
HELP THE EASTER BUNNY DECORATE
BAKE A CAKE
DIY HOME DÉCOR

I spent part of the morning checking out the entries, and some of them are hilarious. Talk about adventurous stains!

Finally, complete the online Contest Entry Form, upload your picture and add a short description. And that’s it! There are twelve (12) prizes available to be won at the outset of this Contest – one (1) Grand Prize, ten (10) Secondary Prizes and one (1) Bonus Prize….

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This Summer, Embark on a Stain Adventure with Me! I Am the Clorox2 Stain Master Mom!

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Friends, I’ve been keeping something under wraps that I’ve just been dying to shout from the rooftops. Yes, I am pretty darned excited about this. (Hint: See that logo on the left? My awesome news *may* have something to do with this awesome brand.)

One of the very best parts of being a blogger is partnering with brands that I trust – and use – almost obsessively. And so it’s no surprise that a lot of the chatter and brand positioning on my blog surrounds things I love to indulge in: fashion, family, decor, beauty and travel.

However, one thing I don’t normally talk about? Household chores. 

But, it happens. The floors get vacuumed, the shutters are dusted and there’s a never-ending pile of laundry that I like to refer to as the “bottomless pit”.

Ah, the laundry.

I mean, think about it: I have two boys. Two rambunctious, messy little boys. And I’ve spent more than my fair share of time hanging out by the washing machine, being the annihilator of stains – ice cream stains, grass stains, chocolate stains, spaghetti stains – you name it, I’ve taken them on. Often with a gusto that should be reserved for fighting world wars. (OUT damn stain!) In fact, I fondly remember the very first time Ryder came home from the playground covered in dirt; I nearly had a meltdown thinking that his expensive little outfit had been ruined. Can’t you just picture me shaking my head with disapproval as I yanked the grotty t-shirt over his head?

However, I’ve learned and grown so much since then – now, I look at stains as a challenge, and a sign of an adventurous life!

So, when Clorox asked me to take on the role as their Clorox2 Stain Master Mom, I simply couldn’t refuse.

Think I’ll be reviewing a bunch of products and calling it a day? Think again.

This summer, I’ll embark on Stain Adventures – simply put, it means living life to the fullest, without worrying about getting a little messy. I’ll host a Stain Party with my girlfriends, have an exclusive Rate & Review program for readers, and even a sweet giveaway or two! In short, you’ll want to tune in all summer to see how you too can be Stain Adventurous – armed with Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products, you’ll have stains… solved!

Yet… What IS Clorox2? Well, contrary to popular notion, it’s NOT bleach. It’s not even a detergent. But it IS a lineup of products specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. Translation: it complements your favourite detergent to make it work even better. And, it’s designed to be safe for all loads – so you can add it to every load for cleaner and brighter clothes. (Yes, it’s pretty awesome!)

In the meantime, be sure to visit Clorox2 Canada on Facebook, where you’ll find tons of fun chatter, exclusive savings and giveaways, plus your chance to win $3000 towards your own adventure! And, definitely follow my #StainMasterMom tweets on Twitter – you’ll get the inside scoop on giveaways, laundry tips, product reviews and more. It’s going to be a blast!