Now, it's all well and good that my back-to-school shopping lists are all mom-approved. But, really, at the end of the day, the lists and products need to be kid-approved. Admit it, you've bought something before and gotten really excited about the perfect price point or how wonderfully it'll fit all your child's belongings only to bring it home and have said child roll her eyes or give you the stink-eye. This has happened to me many times.Thankfully, with the help of Zellers flyers and the input of my children, they are going back to school next week full of the latest gear... More »

So, here's the truth. I am busy. I am, like, crazy busy. I have just moved my family of five, well, six, if you count our shih tzu, from Atlanta back to Toronto. On SUNDAY. I have just started a brand new job. I am trying desperately to furnish, unpack, wrangle the kids, etc. Because my life is crazy and hectic and nutty (I like it this way, though, just PS), I am a one-stop shopping type of girl. If I can go to one place and buy EVERYTHING at once, you can bet that I am going to do... More »

On Friday, I had the pleasure of representing both urbanmoms.ca and Zellers in a back-to-school segment on Breakfast Television. I got to bring along two of my three sidekicks to help show off their cool new Zellers threads. Click here to watch the entire segment and be sure to check out the Zellers home page to see more back-to-school essentials!... More »

Last year, our family spent a year in Atlanta for various work-related and family-related reasons. With this move came many changes, including a brand-new school. We were excited for them to make new friends and experience new teachers. What we didn't realize was that the differences were not just in the people. Their school in Atlanta not only required my children to wear school uniforms, but they also supplied all school supplies. Yes. That's right. Pens, pencils, folders, notebooks, crayons, markers. Everything. Last year, the only school supplies I had to buy were three backpacks for my three children. I'll be... More »

So, I had an interesting request this week and my first response was, "OH LADY YOU ARE SO CANADIAN!" Because here's the thing, Canadians take their shoes off upon entering a house. Always. Americans, however, do not. Ever. So, this particular friend was saying that while she wants everyone to take their shoes off when they come inside her new home, she's too embarrassed to ASK THEM TO. So, she and I were discussing solutions...and, hoo boy, have I got some for her!Just let this sign do the talking for you!Or this one!Or this one!Or if you are feeling slightly... More »

HELP. Please. I have friends who are the kind of people who have everything. I am going to stay with them for a couple of days and need the perfect gift to bring them, but I need something new and exciting and different. I don't want to get something they already have, or something they will want to return. Thanks, Barb.Oh. Have I got some perfect gifts for your friends! I am constantly on the lookout for new and different things. I may even have to make this entry a 2-parter. Also, I wasn't sure of your price range, so... More »

I have kind of an interesting request. Our very good friends in Toronto have just suffered their third miscarriage. My husband and I are far away and want to do something, anything really, to just lift their spirits a little bit and let them know we are thinking of them. I would prefer to stay away from something like flowers...maybe something edible? Thank you so much. In my eyes, delivering something edible is definitely the right way to go. When my dog was sick recently, a friend sent me some cupcakes in the mail. They got delivered right to my... More »

ALI! HELP ME! I have been avoiding the gladiator look for what's now going to be two spring/summers. My sources...you know, the magazines I read while i am getting my hair coloured...tell me that they are going to be back for Spring 2010. I guess I am resigned to wearing them. But, can you please help me pick some for a newbie. I really don't want to go too extreme!!! Thanks, Rhonda. I am not a huge fan of the gladiator look either, but I will be honest...the look is growing on me, and at the end of last season, I... More »

I am a huge fan of grilled cheese. Really. It's my go-to comfort food. But, you know, sometimes I need to feel like a grown-up...and, really, the grown-up version of the grilled cheese sandwich is a panini, it's got the bread and the cheese, but it's got so much more...veggies and meats and cheeses OH MY! Needless to say, I was kind of excited when I got an email asking me to find the perfect panini press.Now THIS is research I can get behind. There are a few I would recommend. Now, I will say this. Like the sandwich maker before it,... More »

A friend of mine recently got a brand, spanking new iphone and she is obsessed with it. I mean, more obsessed than I am, if that is possible. But, she is in the market for a few good apps. So, I thought I'd use this space to recommend some of my favorites to her...and to recommend some that I know other people love...and to open the floor for commenters to chime in with their faves!1. Tweetdeck and Facebook. For the social media lover. I prefer tweetdeck to tweetie (but I have friends who swear by tweetie 2. which is far superior... More »