Trend Watch

Old Dog, New Tricks

2012-01-30T18:36:09Z

Winter is tough on skin. Even my kids with their pliable skin are complaining about dryness, scratchiness and static. It kind of wreaks havoc on my ~~old~~ less young epidermis. It used to be that I'd pass on the pitches to sample products aimed at "aging" skin. "Ha!" I'd scoff, "maybe when I'm forty." That day has come and gone, and I find myself a great candidate for those aging skin products.

Let me share with you a few of my favourites that are getting me through this winter.

Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Butter

I've always been a fan of the The Body Shop's hand creams, but some of the scents are a little strong (when I walk into the hemp section of the store I feel like I've walked backstage at a Willie Nelson concert). This is a new scent, and I find it quite pleasant. I smooth on the rich hand butter just before bedtime, and cary the lotion in my purse for a little moisture surge throughout the day.

It's not inexpensive at $18 a tub, but I'm confident this will last me all winter.

Vichy Neovadio Lumiere

Launching next month, Vichy's answer to BB creams (only the hottest skin care product of 2012), this one is specifically aimed at older skins and promises to nourish skin and boost radiance. BB creams (Beauty Balms) are the ultimate beauty multitasker, offering a combination of primer, illuminator, foundation, moisturizer, anti-aging and sunscreen products in one tube. Vichy's product contains mother of pearl and gives the face a natural healthy-looking glow. I've been using it for a week and my skin feels healthier and silkier, and the coverage is bright and natural.

Available exclusively in drugstores for $44, it becomes a real bargain if it replaces all of the products (and time) in your beauty regime.

Lise Watier Age Control Supreme

We hear so much about the miracle ingredients derived from plants in the Amazon rainforest, but Canadian company Lise Watier has been working for years with scientists to extract miracle ingredients from the Canadian boreal forests. Made with Labrador Tea, this rich night cream is like liquid gold for my parched skin. I had the immense pleasure of meeting Ms. Lise Watier herself at a recent event, and if she uses this product, then that's good enough for me. Her 70 year old skin glowed.

$78 for a 50 mL tub will last an entire season.

None of these products will offer a the fountain of youth, but they're all new products that address aging skin and I'm coming around to the realization that my skin needs all the help it can get.

In the interest of full disclosure, Trend Watch is written by me; all opinions are my own. It is not sponsored. Sometimes I am given free products to review and sometimes I purchase the products all on my own.

Dress 10 Pounds Lighter

2012-01-22T11:33:35Z

What if I told you that I could help you with your new year's resolution to lose weight? What if I told you that I could help you lose ten pounds and it didn't involve eating less or exercising more? Ready to buy me a drink? Pull up a chair and I'll help you dress ten pounds lighter.

Recently I spoke with Erin Nadler, stylist and founder of Better Styled . Originally we were talking about organizing our closets (remember my new year's plans?), but when she asked whether I'd like to know how to dress ten pounds lighter, you better believe I wanted to share her wisdom. Here are are her tips:

Proper Undergarments

The most important part of any building is the foundation, and it's critical that you buy a good fitting bra. Look at this piece as an investment, but definitely a worthwhile investment. You might also consider a pair of spanx.

Cardigan

Find a cardigan that you love in a colour and material of your choice, but the best length is long and hip grazing. It will make your torso look longer and you'll lose pounds through the middle.

I love this cardigan from Banana Republic, and could see it dressed up with a skirt and blouse, or down with jeans and a t-shirt.

Accessories

First find a U-shape neclace. The longer, leaner style elongates the torso and by adding length, it somehow removes weight. I'm wearing this type of necklace in my headshot, and I call it the magic necklace. It always removes a few pounds from me when I put it on!

Dresses

A dress with an interesting neckline "pulls your eyes up and minimizes everything else," according to Erin. Prints can "hide a lot of sins", but the smaller the print the smaller you look.

This dress from Anthropologie shows a lot of interest at the neckline, and the busy pattern is very forgiving. I've put this on my wish list.

Jackets

A tailored jacket is a must-have. It should be hip-length and fitted at waist. Stay away from the baggy jackets; the nip in the waist gives you a shape.

I'd consider this J Crew blazer an investment piece. It's a timeless look with a nip in the waist that is universally flattering.

Colours

Sure black is slimming, and usually the best option for an instant weight loss look, but don't be afraid of colours. Just try to stick to a monochromatic look. Erin says, "it's boring, but it works. Monochromatic is the most flattering and slimming option."

Take these tips into your closet and emerge a new you...a few pounds lighter without any of the work!

New Year Resolutions, Take 1 - Get Organized!

2012-01-14T14:35:58Z

As a trend watcher, the new year seems like it would be a great time for blog post fodder, but my email in-box is very quiet, and my creative juices barely flowing. Seems the new year is a much better time for introspection than for sharing NEW products, NEW ideas, NEW trends!

I've been doing a little introspection myself as I recover from a month of extroversion of the social and consumer variety, and while I don't tend to make new year's resolutions, my next few posts will be guided by some principles I'm attempting to follow in 2012.

First up, let me share with you some tips for how I'm trying to get more organized this year. I am not an organizational queen (I believe I'll bestow that title on Grumble Girl...I mean look at that woman's stationery drawer!), but with a few days home after Christmas I took stock and identified some areas of my home that needed help.

Project 1: My Closet

I love clothes. I love to shop. Sometimes my intake overtakes my output and my clothing collection gets a little crazy. That's when I know it's time for a little judicious weeding and sorting.

This year I invested in some quality hangers, and I can not recommend these enough.

Not only did the exercise of physically moving my pieces from old mismatched hangers to new, quality hangers force me to assess each piece and prune judiciously (using the old, "have I worn this in the past twelve months?" method), but the fact that they're space saving and uniform means I'm much happier each morning looking at this...aaaaaahhhh!

Project 2: Artwork

I'm a fairly harsh critic when it comes to my kids' artwork. We live in a house with very limited wall and storage space, so if it's not fridge-worthy, it tends to end up in the recycling bin fairly quickly. That said, I (like every mother) think my kids are the most amazing little people in the world and find some real treasures in their backpacks. My 6 year old daughter tends to bring home more art projects in a week than her 12 and 10 year old brothers have brought home in their lifetimes.

I realized when we moved the living room couch to make room for the Christmas tree and under it I found a pile of her work that had come home from a daycare she left over two years ago, that it was time to get organized.

I picked an afternoon when I could savour all the art in a relaxed way, poured myself a glass of wine and started picking through my 3 artists' masterpieces. It was a personal little trip down memory lane, but I ended up left with a controllable pile of really great stuff (and a much fuller recycling bin).

Away it goes out of sight...

But that's just step one of this organization project. I've given myself a deadline of next summer to find a rainy day when I can photograph each piece and upload all masterpieces into a folder on my computer. Then I'll actually be in a position to create my own masterpiece when I make a photobook of all of their artwork, complete with information about who made what and at what age. I absolutely love the photobooks I've been doing of our "year in review", and I'm coming up with so many other ideas for how to use them.

Clutter can be a nasty thing; it's overwhelming and depressing. These two little organizational projects have cleared my mind a little and help me sleep at night. What do you do to keep the clutter down (in your house and in your mind)?

Deflate the Elephant

2011-12-26T08:29:31Z

With the holidays well underway and New Years Eve right around the corner, one of my favourite things to do is get together to celebrate with friends and family.

Big New Years Eve parties, small impromptu get-togethers, neighbourhood gatherings, family reunions...all events that provide the chance to gather, eat, drink and be merry. But also events that can present a potential awkward moment when you realize there's a guest who has had too much to drink and shouldn't be grabbing the keys to drive home while impaired.

Here in Ontario, the LCBO's "Deflate the Elephant" information campaign helps address such awkward situations by providing practical tools and tips on how you can help prevent friends, colleagues and loved ones from drinking and driving. Many of us have felt, at the end of a great evening, that there's a giant elephant in the room - the guest who drank too much and wants to drive home. How we deal with that person determines whether we're deflating the elephant or ignoring it and allowing it to overtake the situation. This campaign encourages us to speak up and to help prevent impaired driving.

The Deflate the Elephant holiday campaign includes a new, holiday TV commercial and an interactive website at www.deflatetheelephant.com, a one-stop for responsible hosting tips, tools and advice. There's even a free iPhone app to help us all with this important issue. The SpeakUp app is a free app available from the iTunes store. It includes a calling feature to remind and encourage friends to plan ahead and a variety of delicious alcohol-free Mocktails recipes and demo videos.

For social media fans, you can also go to the Deflate the Elephant facebook page and like it; it provides a great forum to ask advice and share experiences with other party hosts and party goers who want to "deflate the elephant" and stop drinking and driving. While there, submit a photo and personal story for the Pledge explaining why and how you are helping to prevent drinking and driving.

What better gift could we give to one another this season than a commitment that each one of us arrives home alive?

This post was supported by the LCBO's Deflate the Elephant Campaign. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Capture Holiday Memories with Panasonic LUMIX Cameras

2011-12-19T22:37:05Z

I am my family's photographer. It's a role that I take quite seriously because I, more than anyone else, enjoy reviewing the photos that capture our lives together. I'm the one who downloads them onto the computer, spends time editing, selecting favourites for screensavers, prints, photobooks, and gifts.

I take pride in my role and in my skills. I've taken photography courses, done extensive research before buying any camera, carry cameras with me wherever we go, and am quick to pull them out and chronicle our days photographically. But I'm always looking to improve my skills, my tools and my end results.

So, when I was asked to review the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3X camera, I jumped at the opportunity. I've spent the last week playing with this beautiful camera and I'm absolutely thrilled with it.

This compact system camera is a hybrid of the advanced technology of a DSLR interchangeable lens camera and the simple, compact point-and-shoot style. The interface is fully operable by touch screen, and almost all functions can be controlled using the intuitive button/wheel design as well. It's a camera that can grow with me, because I can purchase other lenses as you need them, but it's almost as small as my iPhone, so I can toss it in my purse and take it with me everywhere.

It also has a very cool intuitively touch screen LCD control that is useful not only in reviewing the photos I've taken, but also in adjusting the settings for the photos I want to take.

Here are some more of the fun features I've discovered (and the photographic evidence of all my experimentation).

Intelligent Auto Plus

As I've mentioned, I've taken more than my share of photography courses, but there are times when my brain is so overflowing with other essential information that I can't fathom the challenge of thinking about shutter speeds and aperture control. That's where Intelligent Auto Plus saves the day. Shooting in this setting is fully automatic for optimal image quality. The result is beautiful images with point-and-shoot ease.

Creative Control

There are times when I want to relax and actually enjoy the process. Compose and create a photo instead of just snapping a picture. The LUMIX camera offers the ability for all sorts of creative control, such as adjusting the point of focus and exposure without complicated steps, so that your scrapbook can have some gorgeous artsy shots, and not just the standard candid snapshots.

Fast autofocus technology
Here's a feature that I know I'm going to appreciate. It used to be that I could sit my kids down for a photo shoot and have them grin at me until I was done. Now there's a lot more going on (and a lot more attitude) and I have to be pretty quick to get a great shot. Among the world's fastest AF technology (0.09seconds) means I can take advantage of spur of the moment shots. They're all together...and not killing each other...and even smiling!

Subject Detection

Kids are fast, and my photo albums show enough blurry figures to reflect how difficult it is to capture them in motion. The LUMIX camer's AF tracking locks onto your subject and keeps it in focus with the correct exposure until you click the shutter.

There are still lots of features that I'm looking forward to playing with, including HD Video (I'll be pulling that out on Christmas morning!), but this really is a perfect camera for me...and for our family.

UrbanMoms and Panasonic want to help you preserve your family's special moments. We are giving away a Panasonic LUMIX GF3X to one lucky UrbanMoms member! To enter to win, simply comment below and tell me how a Panasonic LUMIX camera would help you improve your photography skills.

You must sign-in to enter so we know how to get in touch with you. Click here to join.

Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations.

The contest closes on December 22, 2011.

This camera review is sponsored by Panasonic. All content is true, based on Jen's personal experience.

A Winner from Santa...and Maybe for You!

2011-12-13T10:14:03Z

There are very few gifts that Santa can bring that will satisfy all three of my kids. Quite often poor Santa is left scrambling to find something for the tween boy who is sports crazy, something else for my 10 year old son who likes the coolest gear and games, and another something for my 6 year old daughter, who likes dolls, stuffed animals and books.

Last year, Santa scored a home run when he brought all three of them an Xbox 360 console with Kinect. We'd had a very old gaming system for about five years, so just coming into the 21st century with the Xbox was exciting enough, but have you seen Kinect? Kinect is fun on a whole new level. It's controller-free gaming, which uses amazing camera sensors to allow your body to play the game, race the race, or battle the dark side. There is no remote required

The boys were excited to finally have a console so that they could play all of the games they'd tried out at friends' houses. Very quickly my oldest was playing NCAA Football, where he could not only play games, but follow the path of a young quarterback starting out at university and eventually getting drafted to the NHL.

Both boys were making up "dream teams" in NHL11 consisting not only of their favourite NHL players, but also the teammates from their own hockey teams.

My daughter loved her Kinectimals. It helped that it came with its own little stuffed animal version of the friendly cheetah pal that she could play with in the Kinect game. Pretty soon she was "virtually" petting its stomach, tossing a ball for it to retrieve and feeding her new pet.

What surprised me, though, was how much the entire family enjoyed the Kinect Sports game. We are not a "gamer" family, but pretty soon we were spending evenings together with our Xbox and Kinect, horseback riding, downhill skiing and figure skating in the basement. Kinect provides an amazingly even playing ground, and my 6 year old daughter delighted in being able to kick the soccer ball by her older brothers in net.

Playdates have become a breeze; even with more than 2 friends, it's almost as entertaining watching your pals playing Kinect as it is playing yourself!

This year Santa's got a very easy time shopping for the kids...my daughter's asking for Disneyland Adventures, the newest game from Kinect, and my boys are asking for NFL12 for Xbox and Kinect Sports, Season 2.

This year Xbox and UrbanMoms would like to bring your family together over the holiday season the old fashion way...playing games!! You could be the winner of one of two Xbox 360 with Kinect including the games Disneyland Adventures and Kinect Sports Season 2. To enter to win simply comment and tell us what was your families favourite game to play when you were growing up.

This post was sponsored by XBOX. All content is true based on Jen's personal experience.

Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations.

UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don't forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.

The contest closes on December 19, 2011.

Holiday Hosting Made Easier

2011-12-10T15:32:03Z

"Please drop in for a little holiday cheer."

"Why don't you join us to decorate the tree?"

"Pop by and keep me company while I do some holiday baking."

One of my favourite things about the holidays is the opportunity for impromptu get-togethers. I run into friends dropping their kids off at the shinny rink, and the next thing I know I've invited them over for a glass of something to keep us warm while the kids freeze on the ice.

The problem with impromptu hosting is that sometimes, like Mother Hubbard, my cupboards are bare, and I'm left offering guests pepperettes and cheese strings. I find it's always nice to have a few things in the freezer or cupboard that can easily upgrade your hosting skills a level higher than offering a stale bag of cheetohs and some warm apple juice.

This year my cupboard's stocked with new products from Walmart's new top-tier private-lable collection, "Our Finest". The line launched earlier this year with some BBQ products, but has broadened its offerings with over 100 products for the holiday season, available on in Canada.

There are 16 new appetizers and a full array of desserts, beverages and confectionery. The pckaging features a black label with "Our Finest" and food photography, along with "tips and techniques" easy-to-follow preparation instructions.

I tasted a few of the products, and particularly liked the Cheese and Applewood Smoked Mini Tarts; imported Belgium chocolates; and imported English liquorice and wine gums that are all natural in colour and flavour.

"It's affordable indulgence," said Frank Spadafina, Walmart's private label development manager. For example the Belgian truffles retail for $3.97; while Apple Crumble Blossoms (4 pack) retail for $5.

The next time you're at Walmart, be sure to pop by the grocery section and check out "Our Finest". Just don't be surprised if you're inspired to invite the cashier over for some holiday cheer!

New at Timmy's

2011-11-26T16:49:32Z

I was prepared to dislike the new Beef Lasagna Casserole at Tim Horton's. First of all, have you seen that commercial? The guy moaning about his mom while eating his lunch...yuck.

Second, Beef Lasagna was one of my favourite meals growing up, so there's a significant nostalgia factor which makes me predisposed to dislike most versions I encounter. I've eaten too many canned attempts at tomato pasta that have turned me off the fast food variety.

So I was hesitant when offered a free lunch at Tim Horton's to try this out, but I am not one to turn down a free lunch.

The portion is generous (10 oz) and it comes with a stick of really good garlic toast, all for under $5. It's made with ricotta cheese, basil and oregano and it has a very nice flavour. This is not the lasagna your grandma made, but it's much better than I expected (as you can see...)

I was provided with product for this review, but was not compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own.

'Tis the (cold and flu) Season!

2011-11-17T15:39:54Z

There are many ways to recognize the change in seasons...

new holiday products from the PC Insider's Report in my grocery aisles...

Cranberry Bliss bars tempting me at my local Starbucks every morning...

Decorations (big and small) making their way into my life...

But one sign of the change in season that I could certainly live without? The dreaded "I don't feel well. I don't think I can go to school" greeting from any one of my three kids.

Like most families, ours runs best when it's running as a finely-tuned machine. A sick kid puts a cog in the machine like nothing else. Childcare coverage must be made, carpooling plans rescheduled, trips to doctors need to be fit in..yikes!

For the past couple of months, my kids have been taking daily doses of IronKids Gummies. They taste as good as treats (because my middle guy gags very dramatically on anything that is the slight bit medicinal), but are packed with all the essential good-for-you nutrients that they sometimes miss in their diets of oatmeal and french fries. The gummies are dairy, gluten and nut free, and I'm hoping they'll compensate for some of the vitamins they may miss out on otherwise.

You can find IronKids vitamins in drugstores, Costco stores and retailers across the country. I'm hoping they (and keeping my fingers crossed for the next four months) will keep my kids healthy all season long!

High End Dressing on a Budget

2011-11-05T16:41:05Z

High end designers lending their creativity to mass retailers is nothing new. I've bought great pieces by Isaac Mizrahi and Missoni at Target, and by Lanvin at H&M. Now Canadian retailer Reitmans is getting in on the action. Launching this week, Canadian fashion designer Marie Saint Pierre has partnered with Canada's major women's specialty retailer, resulting in an intriguing, and well-priced, designer collection.

Arriving in stores on November 10, these ten distinctive dresses are perfect for the holidays. I love the concept that designer fashion will become accessible to a new audience, and I LOVE these dresses. Click on the thumbnails to see them in all their glory.

The right jewelry could make this dress perfect

for a night out at the ballet or a gathering at your neighbours'.

I like this one with some funky boots for a Girls Night Out.

Wear this with black tights and a blazer to the office,

then ditch the tights and jacket for a holiday party after work!

The dresses are designed with all Canadian women in mind, including two dresses in plus size and two dresses designed specifically for petites. "We...wanted dresses that would fit different sizes of women at different ages without compromising the look," says Marie Saint Pierre. "While we worked in different fabrics to be able to create these dresses at a very reasonable price, we have not compromised in style, shape, complexity and workmanship. The result is quintessential Marie Saint Pierre."

Priced between $85 and $95, I expect these pieces will sell out fast. Get yourself to a Reitmans store quickly to get outfitted for the holidays!

In the interest of full disclosure, Trend Watch is written by me; all opinions are my own. It is not sponsored.

Gifts that Give Twice

2011-10-31T08:41:17Z

Recycling is the process of turning one product's useful parts into a new product. It's not rocket science, and it's not new, but it makes good sense, and as consumers we're seeing more and more recycled products available.

What is a hot and exciting trend is the growing offering of recycled products that make great gift ideas. Many holiday gift guides are promoting the advantages of giving green (and they're not talking about a wallet full of green!). Green products are increasingly popular as holiday gifts because everyone can feel good about them. Environmentally conscious gift givers, and receivers alike, are happy to find offerings that are attractive, useful and not eco-destructive.

One source for these cool recycled products is the Ontario Tire Stewardship program, and the end results from that program offer a number of gift ideas. This short video explains the program simply and straightforwardly.

And this year you can take your old black back, they'll turn it into green, and you can wrap it up with a big red bow and put a wonderful recycled product on your holiday list. I'm thinking this Multy Home Recycled Door Mat would make a perfect gift for my sister-in-law who is moving in with her boyfriend next month...what better way to warm their home than with this handsome, practical and environmentally friendly welcome mat?!

One lucky UrbanMoms winner is going to win a great OTS prize pack to spruce up their own home and garden. Leave a comment below with your recycling tip for a chance to win a $100 Home Depot gift card that you can put toward some rubber mulch for your garden and a fancy Multy Home door mat.

And this holiday season, think of the gift that gives twice; recycled products give once to the recipient, and once to Mother Earth!

Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations.

UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don't forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.

Get Active!

2011-10-25T18:20:48Z

So, we're two months into the new school year, Thanksgiving is behind us (and based on the amount of pumpkin cheesecake I ate I mean that quite literally), and a long cold winter lies ahead. It's an easy time to think about curling up by a fire or a television and hibernating for months.

But have you noticed what happens to hibernating bears?...they come out in the springtime looking droopy, lazy, hairy, and definitely not bikini worthy. Don't be a bear...make it your priority to stay active throughout these dreary months so that you emerge a little less ursine.

This is a great time to try out a new activity. These are perfect days for getting out for a run and hitting some trails. Find a community centre and try out a new class...have you always wanted to master yoga, pilates, zumba or spinning? This lull between the summer activities and the holiday season calendar cram is a perfect opportunity.

For me, there is no better motivating force than new clothes. Old Navy has recently introduced a new line, Active by Old Navy. Made of quality cotton, spandex and compression fabrics, pieces start at $16.50 and are available at stores across Canada or online. These pieces are much higher quality and include many more features than the low prices indicate.

The compression tank includes reflective materials and a zippered pocket (perfect for keys or gym cards). It retails for $26.94 and comes in a variety of colours and patterns.

The compression pants offer the same zippered pocket in the back yoke, pique mesh at back of knees for movement and breathability, and a stylish cut, all for $34.94.

Throw on this compression jacket with thumb loops, flat-lock seams and a zipper from the hem to the chin. It's only $44.94 and it will take you easily from the gym to the schoolyard to the grocery store, looking good and feeling great.

Are you looking for more motivation? How about a great giveaway from Old Navy for your own Active by Old Navy outfit, including compression tank, running pants and running jacket? The prize is valued at $150 and can be yours, just for leaving a comment below on how you'll stay active this winter.

In the interest of full disclosure, Trend Watch is written by me; all opinions are my own. It is not sponsored. I was given Active by Old Navy tank and pants for review, but I was not compensated for my review.

Contest closes November 7th.

Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations.

UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don't forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.

Giving Old Tires New Life

2011-10-10T14:00:44Z

Looking for cool ways to go green? So are we! That's why Ontario Tire Stewardship is hosting the Green My Tires blog series on UrbanMoms. Throughout the series you will find information on innovative green products, the how-to's on getting even greener and the ins and outs of recycling your tires. Learn while following this new green trend!

What's your carpet underlay made from? How about your roof shingles? Your home's welcome mat? Or even your mouse pad? Did you know that now, in Ontario, any of the above could be made from recycled tires?

We all know the 3 R's of reduce, reuse and recycle, but this is a great example of recycling and reusing in action. Since 2009, Ontario Tire Stewardship Program has been "giving old tires new life". During that time, over 125,000 tonnes of tires have been recycled and given new life as green products.

As a consumer, it's as simple as dropping off up to 4 used tires (for free!) to any of the designated collectors (including car dealerships, tire retailers, municipalities and waste management companies). They'll make sure your old tires make it to the processors who can turn them into not only the crumb rubber that makes up our roads, playground surfaces and sports fields, but also Tire-Derived Products (TDPs) that we can all use, including mouse pads, skating pads for change rooms and welcome mats for your front door. TDPs are known to last longer, and are good for the environment!

Take a tour of the Rubber House and Rubber City to see how recycled tire products have an amazingly positive impact on all of our lives. When you see the variety of products used from old tires, you'll have a whole new appreciation for those rubber friends, and you won't be kicking the tires for long! Share the tour with your kids to give them a very real sense of how recycling can work in our community.

Check out some of the amazing products made from recycled tires:

Environmentally friendly and decorative too! Car and doormats made from recycled tire rubber are not only eco-friendly but offer enhanced durability and long life. www.multyhome.com

Love to garden? This mulch is made from 100% recycled tires and won't degrade like wood mulch. It's non-toxic, non-leaching and will last for at least 10 years. Landscape mulch maintains soil temperature and keeps your garden from drying. It comes in brown, black, red, green and blue. www.heffcogroup.com

Planning a backyard reno? Keep it green!
These individual recycled rubber pavers offer a cost effective alternative to concrete or asphalt. Even when wet, they provide a comfortable, elegant and durable non-slip surface. Installation is stress-free because the bricks are easy to handle, assemble quickly and can be cut with most household tools. www.eco-flex.com

Does your ride need proper maintenance or a bit of a pick-me up? You're carrying precious cargo in your vehicle, so safety comes first! Our friends from Ontario Tire Stewardship want to help you get started by giving away a great Vehicle Accessories Prize Pack. For prizing details click here.

On board? Leave a comment below with your most innovative "re-use" tip, for a chance to win!

The contest ends on October 30, 2011.

Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations.

UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don't forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.

The Nose Knows

2011-09-30T22:18:03Z

The first wood fire of the season...freshly mowed grass...banana bread fresh from the oven...tequila...Scents can be such powerful triggers of nostalgia and memories, and all of these smells can take me right back to a certain time in my life simply by closing my eyes and breathing deeply.

If, like me, you grew up in the 80s, chances are that one of the most powerful scents from your teen years is The Body Shop's White Musk. Introduced in 1981, it became so popular that at one point in that decade, 2.5 White Musk fragrances were being sold every minute.

I worked part-time at The Body Shop during the holiday season in the late 1980s, and even after working some incredibly long hours, dealing with some incredible demanding customers, and filling my nose and my lungs with that fragrance, I never tired of it, and wore it faithfully.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of that bestseller, this month The Body Shop launches White Musk Libertine, set to surpass the success of the original fragrance with a new generation.

I've been wearing the eau de parfum all week, and I absolutely love this fragrance. It's a mix of the sweetness of Turkish Delight and Chantilly Cream, with the more mysterious Musk scent at its base. It is reminiscent of the original White Musk without being the same.

As a bonus, staying true to The Body Shop's social commitment, the fragrance contains Community Fair Trade organic alcohol made from organic sugar cane from Ecuador.

White Musk Libertine has a full line of products at The Body Shop, including body wash, body lotion, body spray and eau de toilette. Prices range from $15-$26, which makes this a very affordable trip down memory lane.

Breakfast On-the-Go

2011-09-23T22:18:07Z

When it comes to the most important meal of the day, I'm a much better preacher than practicer. I would never let my kids leave for school without a well-balanced breakfast with protein, fruits and healthy carbs. However, I often find myself an hour into my morning at the office and realizing all I've downed is a couple of ~~cups~~ pots of coffee.

This week has been a particularly stressful one with my husband's out-of-town trip, my sons' baseball and football tryouts, my daughter's decision that she no longer likes daycare dropoffs, and my own regular craziness. I've rewarded myself for getting through the nutty morning routine on more than one occasion and I thought I'd report back on some new breakfast items worth considering when you need a little treat mid-morning and you're far from home.

McDonald's has introduced a Fruit and Maple Oatmeal in its restaurants this month. For about $2 you can order a nice, warm breakfast that sticks to your ribs without sticking to your hips (I'm looking at you sausage mcmuffin with egg!!).

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of apples, cranberries and raisins in the oatmeal. Once it's all stirred together, it's a flavourful and filling snack.

Woman cannot live by oatmeal alone, and there are days when absolutely nothing makes more sense than a toasted bagel. The heart wants what the heart wants, dietitians be damned! On those days, look no further than Tim Hortons for their new specialty bagels. If you're feeling sweet order the Maple Cinnamon French Toast, and if you're in a savoury mood definitely order the Sundried Tomato Asiago Parm. Top it with some cream cheese and you've got a protein power punch.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I ignored the caffeinated beverage treats. For many of us, the only reason to look forward to Fall is the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it's back as delicious and satisfying as ever. This time it's brought it's sweet and salty cousin, the Salted Caramel Mocha, and I've developed a very complicated relationship with him. Let's just say my tongue loves him, but my butt rues the day he came along.

Please don't tell your doctor or your nutritionist that I introduced you to these treats, and exercise extreme caution in your indulgences, but I can heartily recommend all of these options!