Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

sampling opportunity

We’re Ready for Fright Night with Cardinal Ready

By

NOTE: The following sampling opportunity is open to residents of Ontario, Canada only.

Spoiler Alert: The recipe for my Hawaiian Pork Tacos follows. You may want to stick around.
DSC_0966aFright Night. Think I’m taking about that b-rated film? Think again. I’m talking about those weekday nights when my husband works late, the kids have sports or swimming, I’ve got a Twitter Party and there’s NOTHING TO EAT.

Apparently, there’s more than one Fright Night chez Lena.

Our family’s dynamic has changed through the years. Whereas we used to enjoy casual, unhurried dinners (actually eaten at the dinner table), today our demanding jobs and activities pull us in different directions. My husband is in sales, so he’s often on the road or working late. My job has no set hours; I could be working at 5:30AM or 11:00PM, depending on the day. And often, I’m on Twitter at night (I know you know what I’m up to then). Ryder has soccer on Mondays and Reid has soccer on Wednesdays and they both have swimming on Thursdays. And yet somehow, the expectation is that I’ll produce a delicious, healthy meal that the entire family will love.

*Checking to make sure I signed up for this. Sigh, apparently it’s indeed part of being a mom.*

I try my hardest to avoid the lure of the “dial-a-dinner”. Take-out is easy! One phone call, a few bucks for a tip, et voila! The whole family is fed. The trouble is, the only takeout the whole family can agree on is pizza, and families cannot live on pizza alone. …

Read More

Have You Had Your Daily Dose of Delicious?

By

Work is busy. My schedule is crazy. The kids are driving me insane. I have no “me” time. I need balance.

Sounds familiar? Yeah, it sure does. Let’s face it: LIFE IS BONKERS.

Adding to the chaos? The fact that every single moment seems to be “scheduled” with activities, deliverables, commitments and “must dos”. In fact, raise your hand if you feel guilty when you’re just sitting around and enjoying a quiet moment. Guilty!!

However, I’m a realist; no matter how many times I scold myself and make a promise to rearrange my priorities, the truth is, I’m a workaholic, helicopter parent and part-time obsessive-compulsive. And if life isn’t scheduled, I start to lose my grip on reality. Must. exercise. control. over. everything!

So, I’ve made a new promise to myself. It’s not about changing my ways, or priorities, or life. It’s about finding a daily dose of delicious; a daily reminder of love, luck and laughter. It’s about finding those moments that I’ll think about before I go to bed – and be thankful for another amazing day on this incredible journey.

It’s a reaffirmation that life – when lived in a robust, healthy and wholesome way – is simply delicious.

Over the past week, I’ve made good on my promise to find my daily dose of delicious. Here’s what I came up with:

Clockwise from top left: (1) A discounted designer handbag; (2) a little boy drinking cream soda… and pretending it’s beer; (3) a “Lena” necklace – on sale!; (4) homemade nachos from the grill; (5) a roller coaster I like to enjoy – from afar; (6) a little boy on a carousel. DELISH!…

Read More

Sampling Opp: Schick Hydro Silk Disposable Razor

By

It’s quite often that I share lists of things that I LOVE. Drinks on a patio; watching my boys dance; finding the perfect spot under a shady tree and enjoying a great book.

However, I don’t normally share the little things that I HATE – and I mean, why would I? It’s such a waste of life to spend energy dwelling on the things that have to get done. The school drop off/pick up; the never-ending pile of laundry; the mountain of paperwork I swear I’ll get to “tomorrow”. Alas, just because I don’t talk about it, doesn’t mean that the list doesn’t exist.

Of course, some things are best conveyed via an e-card, including things that I mildly detest:

And… presenting the ONE thing I hate doing more than anything else in this entire world…

You guessed it – shaving my legs. According to the Huffington Post, the average woman spends 72 days shaving her legs over the course of a lifetime, meaning approximately 1,728 hours. What’s more, shaving also ranked as women’s most hated beauty ritual, with 35 percent of women polled saying they loathed shaving their legs more than anything else (doing their hair, tweezing their brows, etc).

See? I’m not alone.

So here’s the deal. If I’m going to spend just about 2.5 months of my life whacking a blade against my skin, it’d better be a darn pleasurable experience….

Read More

POOL TIME! Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen (Sampling Opportunity)

By

I’m a blogger. A blogger who accepts product reviews. Hence, products appear on my doorstep every day. Often, my boys are mildly curious – between the pots of eyeshadow, scores of cereal and tubes of toothpaste… sometimes, a really cool toy appears.

And sometimes – a product so synonymous with outdoor fun, sun and family – lands squarely into Ryder’s hands.

Such was the case this morning; Ryder discovered a tube of Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 in our front hall. Before I knew what was happening, he had raced up the stairs with the lotion in hand. Huh.

Well, since I’m not one to leave a young child unattended, I followed him upstairs and quietly observed.

First, he stripped down to his undies, and then made a beeline for his dresser. There, he tossed around until he found his swim shorts, which he pulled on quickly, with determination. Finally, he ran to my bedroom (which overlooks our backyard), and after climbing on the couch, threw open the shutters!

“POOL TIME!” he announced with glee.

Sadly, there was no pool. And it certainly wasn’t “pool time”: he was confronted with a gloomy, chilly spring day. The faint drizzle mocked his dreams of fun in the sun; the draft from the cool window against his bare chest made him shiver ever so slightly. Even more crushing: I couldn’t resist the moment and insisted that he pose for a quick picture. Yes, I am a cruel mom. I like to caption the picture: “No pool for you.”

Seriously, though – how could I resist? (I may have strategically placed the product while he sank into despair.) He was so gung-ho on having an epic summer experience during this spring from hell – you can’t fault his innocence. Then and there I promised him that on the very first warm day, pool party! (Which will be SOON, I hope!) And then I ordered him to put some clothes on. …

Read More

Trust Your Intuition: Reader Reviews

By

A few weeks ago, fifty (50) lucky readers were given the opportunity to try out the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Now you all know how much I love it (and if you missed my rave review, be sure to check it out here), but it’s often helpful to hear more than one opinion, especially if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an item.

Hence, I’m so pleased to share feedback from my amazing readers, who took the time to thoroughly test the product and provide detailed feedback on their experience. (For those readers who didn’t submit their review, even after several attempts to contact you – consider yourself blacklisted. Hahaha just joking. But not really. #blacklist)

So without further ado… here’s what you need to know about the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor:

LOVE…

Darlene: “Since I received my Schick Intuition razor I can notice a difference in my skin’s hydration after shaving. I have eczema and am very sensitive to cheap shaving products, which cause immediate skin irritation. The blend of coconut milk and almond oil moisturizes from the very first use. Best of all its smells great!”

Marcy: “I have never had the luxury of handling a razor so well. The easy-to-use flexible head was perfect for those ‘ouchy’  areas around the back of the legs. The built-in lather made is so convenient and fast to shave without having to utilize any soap. As soon as I opened it, I so loved the coconut-almond smell! Yum! The four blade action was amazing, it is so nice to see a women’s razor that stands up to the men’s four razor, now we’re equals! The best part: my legs have never been so smooth!”

Ashley: “Schick Intuition was soothing and calming. I felt like my legs were getting pampered as it gently glided up my leg. I loved the scent of it as well! I couldn’t helped but dance a little in the shower as the joy of shaving just boost up 10 folds.”

Anne: “I have psoriatic arthritis in my hands but I found this razor very easy to hold on to in the shower, it was ergonomically perfect and didn’t get too slippery to hold. I love almond oil and when I started to shave the aroma reminded me of marzipan; which reminded me of my grandmother (I know that was a bit off topic, but its where the smell took me).”

Lori: “I love the fact that all I need is the razor. It is so great to not have to fight with a can of shave cream/gel or deal with having my hands covered with it! What a great idea. I am interested to see how long solid lasts. I have been using this razor for the past two weeks and there is not a significant reduction in its size. The four blades make for great coverage and faster shaving which is also a bonus as it cuts down on time. The coconut milk and almond oil is a wonderful scent.”

LUKEWARM…

Megan: “The razor part is amazing and gives such a smooth shave. Just wish the cream part was wider at the bottom instead of the top as I seem to use the bottom up long before the top or blade is done.”

Tricha: “I love the smooth shave, WITH NO SHAVING CREAM. My only issue is the price for the refills but with coupons or sale price, I will definitely buy it.”

Judy: “I loved that it didn’t feel like you were shaving because you couldn’t feel the blades. It left my legs feeling very smooth and I had no nicks. It also seemed to pivot smoothly and easily got into those hard to reach spots. The only thing I suggest is that you shave in the shower with it and not the tub, as the conditioning solid does disappear quicker when constantly exposed to water in the tub.”

Donna: “I like how it also moisturizes my legs and leaves them really smooth. What I don’t like very much about it is that the bar on it melts really fast in my shower especially when I need to rinse the hairs off the blade. Then all I’m left with is just a sharp blade and I just end up using regular shaving gel.”

LOATHE…

Janice: “I like this razor – it’s extremely hydrating and it glides across your skin so you don’t feel the blades. The moisturizing stick that surrounds the razors themselves is perhaps too plentiful in the beginning, since my first two shaves weren’t particularly close. My only advice to Schick would be to forego providing the holding cradle with suction cup. My experience with these has shown they never stay up – and this was no exception.”

(I think “Loathe” is a strong word – and apologies to Janice for placing her helpful review in that section – but I love alliteration and couldn’t think of another verb that began with the letter “L”!)

To all the fabulous reviewers – please know that all feedback has been sent straight to Schick for review and consideration. Thank you so much for your time and efforts in making this Rate and Review program a success! To reward those who sent in their review on time, I’m pleased to announce the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card is… Darlene! Congratulations!

And now, with summer around the corner, who’s ready to get their legs in tip-top condition?

Click here to learn more about Schick Intuition razors.

Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor: Review & Testing Opportunity

By

We’re all friends here, right? Right. 

So, I can be honest. The very first time I laid eyes on a Schick Intuition Razor, I thought it was the silliest thing I had ever seen. Incredibly bulky and decidedly unsexy, I thought to myself, “Who uses these things?”

Fast forward to my honeymoon. In a hurry to get to the airport, I mistakenly tossed a can of shaving gel in with my carry-on luggage. Of course, with the no liquids/gels rule, it was unceremoniously thrown out by the security agent. As I looked in dismay at my brand new bottle being cast aside, the agent said – “You should have bought one of those razors with the soap thingies around it so you don’t have to pack an extra can of shaving stuff.”

Touché.

Of course, that’s when I realized that the Intuition razor really did have a place in society: for travel! Imagine, never having to pack a separate shaving gel!

So, for our very next trip, I ran out and bought a Schick Intuition razor. And, after I used it for the first time, I was hooked. So hooked, I realized that I wanted the feeling of oh-so-smooth legs all the time, and I never wanted to see another can of shaving gel on my bathtub ledge again. Hence, my love affair with the Intuition razor began.

And now…

Introducing the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor.

“Coconut milk and almond oil have long been lauded for their skin-benefiting qualities. Now, you can enjoy the power of these ingredients with the new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Made for dry skin, the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor lathers, shaves and moisturizes during shaving—all in one easy step, with no need for shave gel, soap or body wash. Infused with coconut milk and almond oil, the Pure Nourishment Skin Conditioning Solid leaves dry skin feeling noticeably soft, and its four blades and pivoting head follow your contours for a close shave. The new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor and refills will be available starting in February 2013 at grocery, drug and mass retail outlets across Canada for approximately $11.99.”

Oh GOD, yes please! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this product. I have the worst alligator skin known to mankind: rough, dry and scaly skin that needs constant attention, especially in winter. Most of my go-to products are enriched with almond oil, so this was a welcome addition.

Now in terms of a review, whatever I say is just going to come off as gushy-gooey because I freaking love this razor. So here’s the Coles Notes version:

LOVE…

1. Shaving with the Intuition Pure Nourishment razor literally feels like you’re running a bar of soap all over your legs. Seriously. You do not feel the razor at all; with a few swipes, you’re left with smooth, gloriously supple skin.

2. No more rusted can of shaving cream in the corner of your bathtub. The Intuition stores away easily with an enclosed wall-mount that you can affix to your shower wall.

3. The pivoting head bends and bobs to hug every inch of your skin. It’s never been easier to get a super-close shave without sacrificing comfort….

Read More

Take the CLEAR 7-Day Scalp & Hair Challenge

By

There are some celebrity endorsements I get – and some I don’t necessarily understand. Do I believe that Justin Bieber uses Proactiv? Sure! Now there’s one less pimply teenager. Britney Spears drinks Pepsi? Of course she does. After she walks barefoot into gas station restrooms.

But… Jennifer Lopez for Féria? Not on your life. I’m quite confident that no boxed hair colour has ever touched a strand of her hair – not since she left the block, that is.

So let’s just say that I was slightly skeptical when introduced to Heidi Klum’s newest endorsement – CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy beauty products. A supermodel… standing behind a drug store brand? Could I possibly believe that her gorgeous, perfectly coiffed hair is a result of a mass marketed beauty product… retailing for $4.99 each?

The Claim: CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy is a nourishing hair care line, with Nutrium 10, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR feeds your scalp and gives you stronger, more beautiful hair in 7 days. Use CLEAR shampoo and conditioner for 1 week and it’s guaranteed you’ll get stronger, more beautiful hair – or your money back.

I’ll admit, I was intrigued. After being introduced to the line at Unilever Canada’s Be Groomed Be Gorgeous event back in November, I immediately liked three things: a) the science behind the formula, b) the luscious fragrance and c) Heidi Klum. Yes, I was swayed by the celebrity endorsement….

Read More

Playtex Diaper Genie Elite Sampling Opportunity

By

*UPDATE: We’ve reached our quota on this sampling opportunity. Thank you to everyone who applied!*

Years ago, when I first registered for my baby shower, there was one item that topped EVERY baby registry list. Can you guess what it was? Sure you can. The Playtex Diaper Genie.

Of course, at the time I had no idea just how much I would depend on it – probably because I had no frame of reference for just how stinky diapers really were. They’re stinky. Really, really stinky. And it only gets worse.

Here’s our bad boy – it’s over four years old, and has served us well through two boys (and two sets of soiled diapers).

Funny thing? Just like cars, Diaper Genies have models. And even though we’ve used this item every single day for years without complaint, it’s actually outdated. Introducing the newest member to the Diaper Genie family – the Playtex Diaper Genie Elite. The Diaper Genie system, as always, has a double-locked pail design and multi-layer refill to seal in odour and germs. However, the Elite’s ergonomic system, along with foot pedal, means parents don’t need to bend down and allows for easy, hands-free handling.

(Full disclosure: The wording on Playtex’s website said “moms don’t need to bend down…” But the truth is, my husband has changed more than 80% of the diapers for the boys. Yes, he’s a proud daddy on diaper duty – just another reason I married well. So that ergonomic little pedal is actually even more appreciated by him, since he has farther down to reach than the average mom.)…

Read More

Schick Hydro Silk $100 Visa GC #Giveaway

By

Note: The following giveaway open to Canadian residents only.

Update: Thanks to everyone who requested a sample of the NEW Hydro Silk razor – all 50 have been allocated. BUT, here’s your chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Since us Northern gals love our leggings, stockings, knee-high boots and various other cold weather add-ons, I feel completely justified in asking this question: how many of y’all have shaved your legs this year?

(What? It’s WINTER, and we’re only 23 days into 2012… so… nobody?)

Frost season is definitely a good time to skip the razor and slack on beauty routines. So when I was contacted by Schick to test out their NEW Hydro Silk razor, I felt good that the product would indeed be reviewed under rigorous conditions… as in, my legs haven’t seen a razor since the quote “Luke, I am your father” was uttered. Well, not quite that long, but you get my drift….

Read More