Making Icy Decorations
Click here for the simple instructions. It's a kid favourite!
Sunday, February 5
Flashback: Making Icy Decorations
I'm pulling one out of the archives to share with you today, since many of you weren't around for it back when This Mom Loves was in its infancy, so to speak, and because the timing is right:
Making Icy Decorations
Click here for the simple instructions. It's a kid favourite!
Making Icy Decorations
Click here for the simple instructions. It's a kid favourite!
Saturday, February 4
Anastasia's Picks: The Latest Selections For Kids and Pre-Tweens
Here is my ten year old niece's latest recommended reading:
CIRCUS GALACTICUS by Deva Fagan
Summary: I like this book because it talks about magic and aliens. This book is about a girl [Trix], who finds an alien circus, and decides to join them. On the way she discovers secrets about the circus, and tries to stop some evil men.
Not-fave part: I didn't like the part when someone tries to kill Trix.
Fave part: I liked the part when Trix saves her best friend from death.
Age: I would reccommend this to 10 to 12 year olds. 5 STARS!
Favourite part: I like when Ti-Jean saves the day in all the stories.
Worst part: I did not like how the book was very short. I perfer longer stories, personally, but it still was a good book.
4 STARS!
Thank you, Anastasia!
CIRCUS GALACTICUS by Deva Fagan
Summary: I like this book because it talks about magic and aliens. This book is about a girl [Trix], who finds an alien circus, and decides to join them. On the way she discovers secrets about the circus, and tries to stop some evil men.
Not-fave part: I didn't like the part when someone tries to kill Trix.
Fave part: I liked the part when Trix saves her best friend from death.
Age: I would reccommend this to 10 to 12 year olds. 5 STARS!
WHEN APPLES GREW NOSES AND WHITE HORSES FLEW: TALES OF TI-JEAN by Jan Andrews
Summary: This book is comical and sensible. It tells the story of Ti-Jean, a funny fellow who makes problems [by accident!] , but always manages to solve them in them in the end. I think this book is a bit too short, but interesting, and best for 8 year olds.
Favourite part: I like when Ti-Jean saves the day in all the stories.
Worst part: I did not like how the book was very short. I perfer longer stories, personally, but it still was a good book.
4 STARS!
Thank you, Anastasia!
Thursday, February 2
BIC Prize Pack (Worth $75) Up For Grabs: Make It "Write" In 2012!
Giveaway open to Canadians.
Yes, yes, we all love technology, but there are times that only a handwritten message will do. Family members were making fun of me just recently for still using an old-fashioned date book (how can you go wrong looking at gorgeous images of New York City every day?) but I'm just not ready to make that leap. I also still do lesson plans and most notes to parents with good old paper and pen, despite the fact that using the computer may seem more convenient.
They may be a little biased, but BIC wants to remind us all that there's nothing more personal than handwritten notes...and 2012 can be the year for you to stay better connected with family and friends.
“The simple act of handwriting is more than the sum of its words; it’s extremely personal and very powerful,” says Michael Salfi, Brand Manager, Stationery, BIC Inc. “Even in this digital age, leading research reveals that handwriting information enhances retention better than typing on a keyboard. The process of putting our personal pledges in writing helps retain the ideas more firmly in our minds, leading to greater recall, ownership and dedication throughout the year.”
Get a fresh start to the New Year with BIC’s Top Ten Tips to help make 2012 better than ever!
1. Rewrite your New Year’s Resolutions by hand. This personal touch will motivate and give ownership to your commitment. How are those going by the way?
2. Reduce emails and connect with family and friends by sending them handwritten notes and birthday cards throughout the year.
3. Create a handwritten “Bucket List” to keep track of all the exciting stuff you want to accomplish in life!
4. Handwrite a letter together as a family, describing where you hope to be in five years. It’s a great keepsake to look back at your children’s handwriting and how it has progressed.
5. Encourage parents and grandparents to handwrite their children/grandchildren’s favourite story in a journal as a keepsake for when the children get older.
6. Include a handwritten note in your husband’s suitcase before a business trip and your child’s lunchbox or overnight bag for their first sleepover.
7. Why wait until Valentine’s Day? Write a love note to your loved one – a personal way to show how much you care.
8. Stay connected during family vacations and send postcards to loved ones so they know you were thinking of them and sharing your vacation memories.
9. Start a diary or journal to record memorable occasions. Try and write daily about little anecdotes about your day.
10. Keep a pen and pad of paper by your bed at night. Write down any ideas you have through the night so you can clear your mind and have restful, worry-free sleep.
Just to help you out, BIC is offering one lucky This Mom Loves reader a goody pack of assorted BIC stationery products valued at $75!
All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below and click submit! Extra entries for subscribing to This Mom Loves through e-mail, GFC, Twitter or follow me (Kate Winn) on Pinterest (NEW!) See sidebar buttons to sign up for any and all.
The contest will run until February 16th at 11:59 p.m., after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.
Good luck, and get writing!
Yes, yes, we all love technology, but there are times that only a handwritten message will do. Family members were making fun of me just recently for still using an old-fashioned date book (how can you go wrong looking at gorgeous images of New York City every day?) but I'm just not ready to make that leap. I also still do lesson plans and most notes to parents with good old paper and pen, despite the fact that using the computer may seem more convenient.
They may be a little biased, but BIC wants to remind us all that there's nothing more personal than handwritten notes...and 2012 can be the year for you to stay better connected with family and friends.
“The simple act of handwriting is more than the sum of its words; it’s extremely personal and very powerful,” says Michael Salfi, Brand Manager, Stationery, BIC Inc. “Even in this digital age, leading research reveals that handwriting information enhances retention better than typing on a keyboard. The process of putting our personal pledges in writing helps retain the ideas more firmly in our minds, leading to greater recall, ownership and dedication throughout the year.”
Get a fresh start to the New Year with BIC’s Top Ten Tips to help make 2012 better than ever!
1. Rewrite your New Year’s Resolutions by hand. This personal touch will motivate and give ownership to your commitment. How are those going by the way?
2. Reduce emails and connect with family and friends by sending them handwritten notes and birthday cards throughout the year.
3. Create a handwritten “Bucket List” to keep track of all the exciting stuff you want to accomplish in life!
4. Handwrite a letter together as a family, describing where you hope to be in five years. It’s a great keepsake to look back at your children’s handwriting and how it has progressed.
5. Encourage parents and grandparents to handwrite their children/grandchildren’s favourite story in a journal as a keepsake for when the children get older.
6. Include a handwritten note in your husband’s suitcase before a business trip and your child’s lunchbox or overnight bag for their first sleepover.
7. Why wait until Valentine’s Day? Write a love note to your loved one – a personal way to show how much you care.
8. Stay connected during family vacations and send postcards to loved ones so they know you were thinking of them and sharing your vacation memories.
9. Start a diary or journal to record memorable occasions. Try and write daily about little anecdotes about your day.
10. Keep a pen and pad of paper by your bed at night. Write down any ideas you have through the night so you can clear your mind and have restful, worry-free sleep.
Just to help you out, BIC is offering one lucky This Mom Loves reader a goody pack of assorted BIC stationery products valued at $75!
All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below and click submit! Extra entries for subscribing to This Mom Loves through e-mail, GFC, Twitter or follow me (Kate Winn) on Pinterest (NEW!) See sidebar buttons to sign up for any and all.
The contest will run until February 16th at 11:59 p.m., after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.
Good luck, and get writing!
Monday, January 30
Clutter Control #2: Beauty Products
"Order is the shape upon which beauty depends."
Pearl Buck
Let's talk about order and beauty all at the same time with my second post in my Clutter Control series, where we will tackle our beauty products! (Yes, "we".)
I should warn you that the first couple of steps in my Clutter Control series are pretty much always going to be consistent: Dump everything out, and start pitching.
More specifically:
Before you even worry about expiry dates, make a pile of any products you don't like or use anymore. (If you can't remember the last time you used it, it has probably expired anyway.)
The Real Simple website shares a fairly comprehensive list of Expiration Dates for Beauty Products. I follow their guidelines for most part, except for perfumes. (I still have a bottle of Lancome Poeme, circa 1998.)
Obviously some beauty products can't be shared, but I put nonperishables like accessories or new(er) nail polishes in my classroom treasure box. Unopened goodies (in my case, a skincare line I decided I didn't need) can certainly be passed along to others. I often bring bags of such things (along with freebies I have received through the blog) to my book club meetings to share with my friends. It's hard for us to take a break from discussing the books long enough to think about something else, but somehow we manage. Because I get a high from getting rid of things, I do it fairly frequently so these purges aren't major for me. (I had also tossed a lot of eye stuff after the pinkeye incident of '10, so I didn't have a lot to worry about there.)
Now assess what you still have. Is there anything you can live without? Pare down to the bare necessities. Then decide where things need to be stored. There are great cases and systems available for makeup and beauty products, but since I have a pretty low-maintenance beauty routine, I find what works for me is keeping the special occasion items in a makeup bag and a couple of trays in my dresser drawer, and keeping my day-to-day products more accessible.
Some people swear by tackle-box type portable makeup cases, while others love a tray system kept in the vanity (with like items kept in the same tray), and I know several who use one of those plastic drawer system on wheels.
I recently simplified my routine so that I could keep my daily essentials displayed. I am normally an extremely efficient person, so don't ask me why I was carrying my makeup and contacts paraphernalia back and forth from my bedroom dresser to my ensuite washroom every day for 9 years. Well, actually I know why...I didn't want it out on any surface looking junky, and there was more room for storage in my dresser than bathroom vanity. When I went through it all I pared things down and repurposed a lovely tray (originally a wedding gift with a cream and sugar set) which actually looks quite nice.
So, now that you're organized again, a couple of tips to prevent getting overwhelmed:
If you want to use the last bit of shampoo or toothpaste, you actually have to use it at the time. You can't use three quarters of each bottle and then stash the last quarter away to "save it", and then open another bottle/tube. Finish one thing before opening another.
As for all of you makeup junkies out there, I firmly believe in the in-and-out rule. If you're buying a new lipstick, an old one has to go. Unless maybe you're a makeup artist and you can blame yourhoarding collection on "work".
Some organizational gurus recommend putting a little sticker or label on the bottom of perishable products so you can remember when you purchased it and know when it's past its prime. Again, because my collection is minimal, I don't find this necessary, but for those with an entire arsenal, it might be something to consider.
Next up in This Mom Loves' Clutter Control series? The Linen Closet...with pretty impressive before-and-after shots.
Click here to catch up on Clutter Control #1: The Underwear Drawer.
Pearl Buck
Let's talk about order and beauty all at the same time with my second post in my Clutter Control series, where we will tackle our beauty products! (Yes, "we".)
I should warn you that the first couple of steps in my Clutter Control series are pretty much always going to be consistent: Dump everything out, and start pitching.
More specifically:
Before you even worry about expiry dates, make a pile of any products you don't like or use anymore. (If you can't remember the last time you used it, it has probably expired anyway.)
The Real Simple website shares a fairly comprehensive list of Expiration Dates for Beauty Products. I follow their guidelines for most part, except for perfumes. (I still have a bottle of Lancome Poeme, circa 1998.)
Obviously some beauty products can't be shared, but I put nonperishables like accessories or new(er) nail polishes in my classroom treasure box. Unopened goodies (in my case, a skincare line I decided I didn't need) can certainly be passed along to others. I often bring bags of such things (along with freebies I have received through the blog) to my book club meetings to share with my friends. It's hard for us to take a break from discussing the books long enough to think about something else, but somehow we manage. Because I get a high from getting rid of things, I do it fairly frequently so these purges aren't major for me. (I had also tossed a lot of eye stuff after the pinkeye incident of '10, so I didn't have a lot to worry about there.)
Now assess what you still have. Is there anything you can live without? Pare down to the bare necessities. Then decide where things need to be stored. There are great cases and systems available for makeup and beauty products, but since I have a pretty low-maintenance beauty routine, I find what works for me is keeping the special occasion items in a makeup bag and a couple of trays in my dresser drawer, and keeping my day-to-day products more accessible.
Some people swear by tackle-box type portable makeup cases, while others love a tray system kept in the vanity (with like items kept in the same tray), and I know several who use one of those plastic drawer system on wheels.
I recently simplified my routine so that I could keep my daily essentials displayed. I am normally an extremely efficient person, so don't ask me why I was carrying my makeup and contacts paraphernalia back and forth from my bedroom dresser to my ensuite washroom every day for 9 years. Well, actually I know why...I didn't want it out on any surface looking junky, and there was more room for storage in my dresser than bathroom vanity. When I went through it all I pared things down and repurposed a lovely tray (originally a wedding gift with a cream and sugar set) which actually looks quite nice.
So, now that you're organized again, a couple of tips to prevent getting overwhelmed:
If you want to use the last bit of shampoo or toothpaste, you actually have to use it at the time. You can't use three quarters of each bottle and then stash the last quarter away to "save it", and then open another bottle/tube. Finish one thing before opening another.
As for all of you makeup junkies out there, I firmly believe in the in-and-out rule. If you're buying a new lipstick, an old one has to go. Unless maybe you're a makeup artist and you can blame your
Some organizational gurus recommend putting a little sticker or label on the bottom of perishable products so you can remember when you purchased it and know when it's past its prime. Again, because my collection is minimal, I don't find this necessary, but for those with an entire arsenal, it might be something to consider.
Next up in This Mom Loves' Clutter Control series? The Linen Closet...with pretty impressive before-and-after shots.
Click here to catch up on Clutter Control #1: The Underwear Drawer.
Saturday, January 28
Delicious Cookies and Cream Dessert
Since I'm really getting into this macro photography thing, I wanted to share with you a pic of a delicious dessert I made over the Christmas holidays:
I also made it for a staff "Treat Day" recently, and when several people asked for the recipe, I promised to post it on my blog.
Here are the steps to making it yourself:
1. Purchase the box below.
2. Follow directions.
:-)
I also made it for a staff "Treat Day" recently, and when several people asked for the recipe, I promised to post it on my blog.
Here are the steps to making it yourself:
1. Purchase the box below.
2. Follow directions.
:-)
Thursday, January 26
My Blogiversary, and Should I Wear It? Results
Can you believe that my first post here at This Mom Loves was written two years ago today? Neither can I!
As a gift to you on my second Blogiversary, here are the results of my recent (and very popular) Should I Wear It? (Legwarmers Edition) poll (no, this photo isn't really me, though one of my friends will be much more impressed with these boots.):
Yes: 57%
No: 43%
There you have it! Thank you to everyone who voted and commented. It was a lot of fun to get your input. I'll have to see what other questionable items I can pull out of my closet to ask you about!
And just to show you how supportive all of my friends are of my blog, here is a man, dressed in his daughter's legwarmers, in solidarity with my cause:
I refused to post the full-body shot where you can see that he is also sporting an "I heart Kate" t-shirt. I am not kidding.
As a gift to you on my second Blogiversary, here are the results of my recent (and very popular) Should I Wear It? (Legwarmers Edition) poll (no, this photo isn't really me, though one of my friends will be much more impressed with these boots.):
Yes: 57%
No: 43%
There you have it! Thank you to everyone who voted and commented. It was a lot of fun to get your input. I'll have to see what other questionable items I can pull out of my closet to ask you about!
And just to show you how supportive all of my friends are of my blog, here is a man, dressed in his daughter's legwarmers, in solidarity with my cause:
I refused to post the full-body shot where you can see that he is also sporting an "I heart Kate" t-shirt. I am not kidding.
Monday, January 23
My New Dining Room Centrepiece
After all the Christmas decorations were cleared away, my house looked refreshingly minimalist. However, one cannot go without a centrepiece on one's dining room table.
I decided to repurpose my glass trifle dish, but I needed something to put in it. At my mom's recommendation I got a bag of, well, decorative balls and stuff (not what it said on the label) from Home Sense for $9.99, randomly dumped it in, and here are the results:
The one downfall, of course, is that I can't serve trifle until I put out the Easter decorations, but I am confident that none of you come here for the cooking-related posts. I'm sure that now, with a post like this, I will be overwhelmed with requests to focus more on decorating. You just never know what you'll find at This Mom Loves...
I decided to repurpose my glass trifle dish, but I needed something to put in it. At my mom's recommendation I got a bag of, well, decorative balls and stuff (not what it said on the label) from Home Sense for $9.99, randomly dumped it in, and here are the results:
The one downfall, of course, is that I can't serve trifle until I put out the Easter decorations, but I am confident that none of you come here for the cooking-related posts. I'm sure that now, with a post like this, I will be overwhelmed with requests to focus more on decorating. You just never know what you'll find at This Mom Loves...
Friday, January 20
This Mom Loves' 2011 Stats
I thought some of you might be interested in seeing where my traffic came from in 2011, and which were the most popular posts.
I'll tell you right now though that I won't be divulging actual traffic numbers (though maybe I should have saved that piece of info 'til the end, to improve my "time on site" stats!)
I'll gladly announce that my age is 34, and I would be open to revealing my weight (although I am under the impression that a thin woman sharing her weight is not seen as helpful). I will not, however, tell exactly how much traffic I get, because I don't want to be compared to anyone else! My blog continues to grow in readers (my visits increased 250% from 2010 to 2011), subscribers, Google follower, and Twitter followers, and for someone with a full-time-plus job away from blogging, I have to be satisfied with that.
Traffic Sources:
#1 Google (organic)
#2 Direct
#3 Win-Free-Stuff.ca
#4 Facebook (I'm not even on it, but when celebs link to my momterviews there my traffic shoots up)
#5 Google (referral)
Search Terms:
#1 Marci Ien pregnant
#2 Marci Ien
#3 Marci Ien husband
#4 Laurie Gelman
#5 This Mom Loves
Top Giveaways (I won't link to them since they're all closed)
#1 Christmas Extravaganza
#2 Pampered Chef Bar Pan
#3 KitchenAid Food Processor
#4 $50 CSN
#5 BIC Prize Pack
Top Momterviews (links provided in case you want to catch up)
#1 Marci Ien
#2 Sarah Richardson
#3 Laurie Gelman
#4 Jamie Salé
#5 Gail Vaz Oxlade
#6 Cheryl Hickey
#7 Tracy Moore
Top Posts (not Giveaways or Momterviews, links provided)
#1 They Searched What?
#2 Marci Ien Welcomes Baby Number Two
#3 Perfect Parties Theme Five: The Rock Star Party
#4 Wednesday Words From Michael J. Fox (I think when people search images of his family they quite often end up here)
#5 Perfect Parties Theme One: The Polka-Dot Party
#6 New York City Day 2: Live With Regis and Kelly
If other bloggers have done similar traffic posts, feel free to leave the links below. I'd love to check them out!
And on a final note to the several people who have asked me how my posts can be e-mailed out at 9 a.m. when I'm supposed to be teaching: they are preprogrammed!! I usually have my posts set to go on at 8 a.m., and I have my Feedburner settings such that my e-mail subscribers receive them shortly after 9 a.m., when I am diligently working with my students!
I'll tell you right now though that I won't be divulging actual traffic numbers (though maybe I should have saved that piece of info 'til the end, to improve my "time on site" stats!)
I'll gladly announce that my age is 34, and I would be open to revealing my weight (although I am under the impression that a thin woman sharing her weight is not seen as helpful). I will not, however, tell exactly how much traffic I get, because I don't want to be compared to anyone else! My blog continues to grow in readers (my visits increased 250% from 2010 to 2011), subscribers, Google follower, and Twitter followers, and for someone with a full-time-plus job away from blogging, I have to be satisfied with that.
Traffic Sources:
#1 Google (organic)
#2 Direct
#3 Win-Free-Stuff.ca
#4 Facebook (I'm not even on it, but when celebs link to my momterviews there my traffic shoots up)
#5 Google (referral)
Search Terms:
#1 Marci Ien pregnant
#2 Marci Ien
#3 Marci Ien husband
#4 Laurie Gelman
#5 This Mom Loves
Top Giveaways (I won't link to them since they're all closed)
#1 Christmas Extravaganza
#2 Pampered Chef Bar Pan
#3 KitchenAid Food Processor
#4 $50 CSN
#5 BIC Prize Pack
Top Momterviews (links provided in case you want to catch up)
#1 Marci Ien
#2 Sarah Richardson
#3 Laurie Gelman
#4 Jamie Salé
#5 Gail Vaz Oxlade
#6 Cheryl Hickey
#7 Tracy Moore
Top Posts (not Giveaways or Momterviews, links provided)
#1 They Searched What?
#2 Marci Ien Welcomes Baby Number Two
#3 Perfect Parties Theme Five: The Rock Star Party
#4 Wednesday Words From Michael J. Fox (I think when people search images of his family they quite often end up here)
#5 Perfect Parties Theme One: The Polka-Dot Party
#6 New York City Day 2: Live With Regis and Kelly
If other bloggers have done similar traffic posts, feel free to leave the links below. I'd love to check them out!
And on a final note to the several people who have asked me how my posts can be e-mailed out at 9 a.m. when I'm supposed to be teaching: they are preprogrammed!! I usually have my posts set to go on at 8 a.m., and I have my Feedburner settings such that my e-mail subscribers receive them shortly after 9 a.m., when I am diligently working with my students!
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