Review: Cool Products and Stuff Blog for Canadian Moms

Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List: Santa's Stash

Ahhh...who doesn't love the jolly old man in the red suit? And even if you don't believe in Santa anymore, you still probably have a special place in your heart reserved for him. You sure don't have to be a child to love Santa and all that he represents - just perhaps a child at heart.

This week, we bring you a host of jolly goodies that even Kris Kringle's elves would be proud to call their own. And the Go2Girlz - our own urbanmoms.ca very merry team - have given them their seal of approval as well.

Cool Stuff From Santa's Bag:

Indigo Photobook:

The vast majority of the Go2Girlz who tested the Indigo Photobook said they would give it as a gift, and even more said they'd love to receive one.

Here's what they had to say:
“It’s gorgeous as a memory book for graduation, a wedding, baby, vacation etc.”
“The layout variations are really nice”
“Great for grandparents or out-of-town relatives”

StoryTime Theatre:

This product projects an animated story onto your child's wall or ceiling. While some of the Go2Girlz said they'd prefer to read stories to their children themselves, others felt this would be a great gift for kids who like to read or look at books on their own, or those who are looking for yet "another story" at bedtime.

Here's what they had to say:
“I will be getting this for my youngest - she's too scared to fall asleep alone so she listens to CD stories at bedtime - this is so much better!"
“I bought it for my nephew and he loves it”

Cool Stuff to Stuff (in a stocking, that is):

Schick Intuition Plus:

Nearly all of our Go2Girlz testing panel were interested in the Schick Intuition Plus razor, and thought it was a great product. Here's what they thought were the best features:

• Saves time
• Practical, convenient (all in one, no mess, easy)
• Just love it!
• A great idea for a stocking stuffer

Here's what they had to say:
“I love love love this - so easy – so fast!
“the convenience and not having to have creams/soaps hanging around”
“anything to save time”

Cover Girl, Crest, Pantene:

For many, toiletries are the bread-and-butter of stocking stuffers, for others: not so much. But whether or not you grew up with a mandatory toothbrush, lip balm and hand cream in your stocking each year, we know you buy these things for yourself (and your family).

Most of our panel would buy Cover Girl products and some would also buy them as stocking stuffers. Most of our panel would also buy and use Crest products, and nearly all said they would buy and use Pantene products, particularly the anti-frizz serum.

We hope you've enjoyed perusing our first ever Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List as much as we enjoyed compiling it, and hopefully we've helped ease the what to buy? burden just a little bit. Until next year, your friendly urbanmoms.ca elves are signing off - over and out!

Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List: The Kitchen Edition

AIR MILES Reward Miles (Okay, we know it's not kitchen-related, but still!)

Everybody loves to get free stuff, right? And we love it even more if we can get free stuff while buying other stuff! If it sounds too good to be true, listen up: the majority of our Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List testing panel collect AIR MILES reward miles. They're smart and savvy and they know they can get an incredible array of free stuff (from gadgets to attractions tickets to travel) just by showing their AIR MILES collector card when they shop at affiliated retailers.

But our Go2Girlz also know that they can earn additional AIR MILES reward miles just by shopping online at www.airmilesshops.ca. You can connect with dozens of retailers and collect even more AIR MILES when you start at www.airmilesshops.ca.

And don't forget to check out the amazing AIR MILES travel offer exclusive to members of urbanmoms.ca when you watch the latest installment in the Women's Intuition video series from Schick Intuition Plus, featuring an AIR MILES Travel Expert.

And Now! The Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List: Kitchen Edition

Some may say that it's dangerous to give a woman kitchen-related gifts (you know, it implies a certain prejudice about women's roles, and all) but if someone on your list loves being in her kitchen, then give away!

For those kitchen-o-philes on your gift list, check out these Go2Girlz-approved gift ideas from some of urbanmoms.ca's amazing sponsors.

Cuisinart Stand Mixer:

Not surprisingly, the panel was nearly unanimous in their desire to own this marvelous gadget! In addition, the majority of Go2Girlz said they would like to give or receive a Cuisinart stand mixer as a gift this holiday season.

Now, the next items might not exactly be under the tree, but they will definitely make it onto the Go2Girlz testing panel's dining tables this holiday.

Food Trust PEI mashed potatoes:

An amazing 100% of our Go2Gilrz Holiday testing panel said they liked the Food Trust PEI pre-cooked mashed potatoes. And the vast majority said they would also buy them for their own family dinner. Here's what the Go2Girlz had to say:

“I am so amazed as I was the biggest skeptic”
“I would pass them off as my own”
“very yummy and all natural”
“So quick to put together with meal”
“I will look for this product when I do my shopping”

Vlasic Pickles:

We'll admit it; this one stumped us too, at first. Until we sent the pickles out to a number of our Go2Girlz to test, along with a few holiday-inspired recipes.

The result? The vast majority of our testers said they would use Vlasic pickles in their holiday cooking. Here's what they had to say:

"My kids loved them.  My older daughter even made a pickle song!"
"I loved the pâté recipe...delish!"
"The recipes were so creative, and tasted great!"

Sun-Rype:

This family-pleasing favourite was a big hit with our Go2Girlz panel. They tested Sun-Rype juices and fruit snacks.

The vast majority of our testers would purchase both the fruit snacks and the fruit juices, and here's what they had to say about Sun-Rype products:

“Great way to get in some veggies”
“My kids love them”
“Natural and good”

Duncan Hines Cake & Brownie Mixes and Frosting:

Not only was this a big hit with all the Go2Girlz we sent them to, but we're pretty sure their Go2Kidz were happy, too!

The testers were treated to three cake mixes (white, devil's food, angel's food), chocolate chunk brownie mix and creamy homestyle frostings.

The results? Unanimous approval! Every one of the Go2Girlz who tried these products would buy them for themselves and recommend them to a friend. Here's what they had to say:

"The brownies? No words. I've never tasted anything so good..."
"The icing was very creamy with great chocolate flavor (apparently needing no cake to support it, based on the fingerprints in the container)"
"Microwave a cake mix? Who knew? And "greasing" the pan with icing-pure genius!"

For another great Duncan Hines cake mix idea, check out what Kath cooked up with a devil's food cake mix and a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream!

 

The Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List - Gift Baskets, Spirits & Chocolate

Well, you know, as they say; 'tis the season, after all. Who can blame a girl for indulging in a little holiday cheer accompanied by chocolate?

Certainly not your friends at urbanmoms.ca! In fact, we provided just this magical combination for our Go2Girlz Holiday Wish List testing panel. They reviewed a gift pack from Second Cup, Baileys Irish Cream, After Eight Sticks and four different wines.

Now, nothing says "thank you" to your hosts more elegantly than a gift basket, a nice bottle or a box of chocolates. Read on to find out what passed muster with the Go2Girlz in this category:

Second Cup Gift Basket:

Here's a great Go2Girlz-approved suggestion for the coffee-lover on your gift list:

A very merry holiday gift basket from The Second Cup. The majority of our testers said they would purchase this as a gift, and they would love to receive it as a gift. Some of our testers felt that a gift basket is a bit impersonal, but there are definitely times when that fits the bill perfectly. You know, maybe you're buying a gift for the staff at your child's school, or something for the nurses' station, etc.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Good for a teacher’s gift”

Baileys Irish Cream:

A traditional holiday favourite, Baileys was a hit with the Go2Girlz.

A majority of the testers already drink Baileys Irish Cream, and would give Baileys as a hostess gift. And thanks to Agathe for making those luscious Baileys Brownies , most of them also liked Baileys in a chocolate cake recipe.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Very yummy”
“It’s my favourite liqueur”
“It’s a ‘must have’ when you have friends for dinner”

After Eight Sticks:

A modern twist on a traditional holiday treat, the Go2Girlz almost unanimously loved the After Eight Sticks. Almost everyone would buy this product for themselves and would also buy it as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer. They also all loved the sophisticated packaging and presentation of the product.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Snazzy.”
“Elegant; different”
“very modern and stylish”
“Can I have more than one?”

Wine:

Sure, coffee might be "the new wine" but hey, wine is still wine. And it's a classic to serve, give and receive at the holidays.

The Go2Girlz tested four different wines, and here's what they had to say:

Ubuntu Sauvignon Blanc:
The vast majority of our testers liked this white wine.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Nice, light & fruity I would buy it  - great price”
“Great wine; light, refreshing, easy to drink”
“My favourite”

KWV Chardonnay:
Also very popular with the Go2Girlz, this white had a definite following.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Great fresh”

Robert’s Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot:
This red wine also found a definite following with the Go2Girlz.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Excellent red especially for price”
“Good value”
“Really nice; easy to drink”

Roodeberg:
This red was a big hit with our testers; the majority of them reported they would buy it.

The Go2Girlz said:
“Smooth”
“Full bodied – great I would buy this”
“Lovely! I would serve this to my guests!”