Basement Playroom Makeover Reveal + Amazing Decor GIVEAWAY! (Special Discount Included)

Last year as we awaited the arrival of Penny, our 3rd baby, we realized that we desperately needed more usable space in our Toronto home. We made the big decision to finish our basement, and set out to create a comfortable space for our family that wouldn't break the bank. Originally it was a dark and dingy 70's inspired space with cement floors covered in ripped linoleum and walls cladded in old-school wood panelling. My inspiration for the makeover was light and bright. 

The main part of the renovations were completed just days before Penny's arrival. Every contractor who entered our house looked terrified when they saw me waddling around talking about my home water birth, that was to be held in said basement ;) With 3 kids in tow it has taken me a year to pull together accessories and fun stuff for this kid friendly space. I'm so excited to finally share the kids' favourite new space and give away shop credits for two of our favourite finds! *Please note: the playroom was only this tidy for photos. Typically every basket and bin get emptied out onto the floor daily ;) 

1. Lorena Canals Machine Washable & Dryer Friendly Rugs

Kid's are messy little creatures, so when I set out to find a rug to make a cozy reading space for the kids I knew I wanted a Lorena Canals. These rugs are incredible. They are machine washable, made from all natural materials and dyes, and free from any dangerous chemicals. We have already washed and dried our rug a few times and I can tell you I am so happy with the choice. There are tons of amazing designs and colours to choose from at Amelie & Max. I loved so many of them, but was limited to choosing one without fringe, because we have a cat who loves to destroy all fringe. I love this ABC one the kids helped me choose. Enter for a chance to WIN a $100 credit toward a Lorena Canals Rug from Amelie & Max! (entry details below)

2. Newmies Eco-Friendly Baby & Toddler Developmental Toys

I love supporting small local businesses, so when I met Amanda, the owner of Newmies, at The Bump to Baby Show I knew it was a perfect fit. I absolutely love her handmade stuffed toys, rattles, teethers, painted wooden blocks, and most of all her wall hangings. They have  such great positive messages for our kids. We picked the "Love is Love" and "Wild & Free" hangings, but there are tons of adorable ones in her etsy shop, so check it out. Such a unique gift for baby showers or birthday parties. I'm also obsessed with the Farmer's Market set and the Campfire Set that comes complete with S'mores! Enter for a Chance to WIN a $40 shop credit with Newmies. (entry details below)

Enter for a chance to WIN a $100 Credit for a Lorena Canals Rug with Amelie & Max* + a $40 Shop Credit with Newmies! (*Rug design choices subject to availability at www.amelieandmax.ca at time of ordering)

To Enter simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter!  Contest is open worldwide for anyone 25+ and closes Thursday June 22nd at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours. Good Luck!

*As a special treat use code "WITHCARE" for $10 off your 1st purchase over $50 with Amelie & Max and $10 off your 1st purchase over $40 with Newmies. 

Don't wait, Enter NOW! Plus don't forget to enter on Facebook & Instagram. Good luck! 

Care

In this post:

Amelie & Max: rug, sheepskin, house shelf, toy hamper, lightbox  |  Newmies: hand painted blocks, rattle, teether, wall hangings, stuffed unicorn  |  Ikea: book rails, couch, shelving unit, baskets, play kitchen   |   With Care: DIY Simple Floor Cushions  |  Tiny Trendsetters: Penny's dress & bloomers

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Garage Makeover Inspiration + GIVEAWAY! Enter to WIN a "Smart Garage Door System" with Garaga

When we were looking to buy a home in Toronto we never thought we would get lucky enough to have a garage, let alone the big 2 car garage we managed to snag. The only issue was that it was a bit of an eyesore with peeling paint, old sharp metal siding and an ugly broken garage door that faces directly into our yard. Fixing up the garage has been on our wish list for the last 4 years, and finally this year we decided to do it. We love our gardens so much, and want to enjoy our beautiful backyard with a fresh backdrop. 

I've been gathering inspiration for our makeover on Pinterest, but it's been tough. I love a combination of old and new, and was originally thinking of going with a sleek contemporary look. After playing around with the options on Garaga's Design Centre I realized that I wanted to go with more of a country rustic vibe. I absoloutely love that you can add your own photo to their online designer to get a realistic sense of what it will look like. For someone like me who isn't as visual, this was a huge help.

Here's the super rough mockup of what we're thinking (I'm definitely not a photoshop expert, but it gives a good idea of the fresh look I'm going for). I'm still debating if we should add windows in the top panels of the door. Any thoughts? I'm also still deciding on what siding to use. I have some beautiful wood siding samples on the way from from Maibec to check out. 

I will be adding a new light fixture and some type of planter for the wall where the window used to be. I'm also debating painting the regular door black or keeping it white. Comment with your vote! Here's some of my inspiration. You can see more on Pinterest. 

If you have a garage that could use a little pick me up, check out this AMAZING Giveaway Garaga is hosting. You could Win the Garage Door of your dreams plus a Smart Garage System. AKA a garage door you can control from your smart phone! Genius for people like me who always question whether you actually closed the garage. The contest ends June 28th, so don't wait! See Garaga for full contest details. Enter by simply clicking here and following through to design your dream garage door and fill out your information. 

Huge thanks to Diana and the rest of the team at The Garage Door Depot (Local Toronto company who will be installing our new door) for all of your help narrowing down the choices and figuring out what we need.

Stay tuned for our Garage Makeover Reveal this summer and don't forget to Enter Garaga's Smart Garage Giveaway!

Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Making Memories & Capturing Moments - GIVEAWAY! Win 1 of 10 Family Lifestyle Photo Sessions!

"The days are long, but the years are short". When I look at my kids I feel this sentiment to my core, as I'm sure most parents do. In parenting, some days can feel so long and so trying, so isolating and so overwhelming. Then you look at your kids in a quiet moment and realize it's all flying by in the blink of an eye. You try to soak up every squeeze hug, every sloppy kiss, every sweet cuddle, because you know one day this phase will all be done. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

My mom was amazing at recording memories of our childhood. She was always taking photos, creating slideshows and photo books, and writing down memories and special moments. When I lost my mom I realized just how important this stuff is. It's our way of capturing our life for our kids. A way for them (and us) to look back and see how far we have come. I feel so fortunate to have the wealth of family photos, stories and memories that my mom compiled throughout our lives. I want to make sure I do the same for my kids. That's why I love having family photos taken, to capture our current moment in time. I find it especially important since I'm typically behind the camera. I want my kids to be able to look back and know I was here, and that I loved being their mom.

I love capturing memories so much that I thought it was only fair to share. I've partnered with Sara Elisabeth Photography to offer an Incredible Lifestyle Family Photo Shoot GIVEAWAY! Enter for a chance to Win 1 of 10!! Yes 10!! Lifestyle Family Portrait Sessions with Sara Elisabeth Photography. Each Prize includes: 1 Hour Session + Three 8x10 prints + telephone consultation + in-person proof session. Package Valued at $350!

Sara has taken our family photos twice and we have loved it both times (See Our Last Session Here). It’s evident that Sara loves kids and isn’t afraid to joke around and play with them to get a great shot. If you have busy kids like ours, this moving lifestyle session is perfect. No long periods sitting still and lots of chances to get their energy out. I can’t believe how little Ben & Lucy were in this last session, and I absoloutely love the addition of an extra little baby foot in this year's photo. 

For our session we went for a walk to the Junction to get ice cream and Sara captured fun moments along the way. It was possibly the windiest day ever, but we made it work. You can choose to go to the park, play in your backyard, bake some cookies or any other family activity that you would love to capture with your littles. That's the best part, it's customized to suit your family. 

Enter NOW by simply commenting below with your name and email address (or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry). Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! **For an additional 5 entries sign up for Sara Elisabeth's Newsletter! 

*Contest is open to all Canadian residents 25+, but session must take place within the city of Toronto (no travel costs will be provided). Session is to be scheduled with Sara Elisabeth Photography at a time convenient for both the winner and photographer and must take place before August 31st, 2017. Each session is one hour and includes a telephone consultation, an in-person proof session, and 3 8x10 prints. Contest closes Thursday June 15th at 11pm EST. The winners will be chosen at random and messaged within 24 hours.

 Good Luck!

*As a special gift mention With Care at booking and receive $20 off your session with Sara.

Care

Outfit Details

• Lucy's Dress: Tiny Trendsetter 
• Ben's Hoodie: MarQ
• Penny's Bow & Booties: Bonjour Baby Baskets

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Cake Smash Fun + Photo Session GIVEAWAY with Anchor Studio

As a 3rd baby there are lots of things that I haven't gotten around to doing for Penny (eg. a baby book or a real first birthday party), so when Silvia from Anchor Studio suggested a Cake Smash session, I decided to go for it. I knew it would be a special way to mark Penny's 1st year, and get some sweet shots of our growing babe. I didn't realize just how adorable it would all turn out. Take a look.

For a great cake smash you obviously need a cute baby and a pretty cake. While I usually love to bake, I've been so busy and knew I wouldn't be able to get it done. I decided to push the mom guilt aside and opt for the next best thing, a locally made cake with all real fresh ingredients. I picked up this sweet Strawberry cake at Bake Sale in Bloor West. They have 3 locations across the West End and even offer delivery. 

Turns out that babies rarely actually smash the cake and so there are usually leftovers. As a cake addict this was good news to me. As you can see Penny did manage to put her foot in the cake at the very end, but she had a bath right before, so I figure it was a pretty clean foot and therefore the cake was still good to eat ;)

I have to be honest and admit that I very very rarely enjoy store bought cakes. My biggest issue is bad icing. I'm a huge buttercream snob, so the fact that I was blow away by Bake Sale's delicious strawberry buttercream says something. 

In celebration of Penny's 1st Birthday I have partnered with Anchor Studio to offer an Amazing GIVEAWAY! Enter for a chance to WIN a Mini In-Studio Photo Session (30 mins) that includes 10 high resolution digital images. This can be used for a Cake Smash session (can take up to 1 hour) or any other family or individual session except newborn sessions. Cute props will be provided for any holiday sessions.

Enter NOW by simply commenting below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

Contest is open to all Canadian residents 18+, but session must take place at Anchor Studio at Dupont & Dovercourt in Toronto (no travel costs will be provided). Session is to be scheduled with Anchor Studio at a time convenient for both the winner and photographer. Contest closes Friday May 26th at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and messaged within 24 hours. Good Luck!

As a special gift mention With Care at booking and receive 10% off Anchor Studio.

Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Mommy & Me Salt Water Sandal GIVEAWAY! + Twinning Promo Code!

I'm proud to admit that I plan to twin with my kids until they no longer let me. I've heard at some point us moms become total losers, and then they want nothing to do with us. So until then, you'll see me over here planning our matching outfits ;) 

With Mother's Day around the corner I thought it would be fun to partner with Tiny Trendsetter to share one of my absolute favourite ways of twinning with my littles. Salt Water Sandals! I often get asked why I love Salt Waters so much and it's simple. They are cute, comfortable, and WATERPROOF! You can even toss them in the machine for a washing. As a busy mom of 3 I couldn't ask for a better summer sandal for me and my minis.

If you would love some twinning Salt Waters, Enter NOW for a chance to WIN my Mommy & Me Salt Water Sandal GIVEAWAY with Tiny Trendsetter. The Winner will get to choose one pair of adult Salt Waters, and one pair of infant/kids Salt Waters in the sizes and colours of their choice (from styles listed here at Tiny Trendsetter) and will be shipped directly. 

To Enter simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

Contest is open worldwide for anyone 18+ and closes Thursday May 11th at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. Good Luck!

Don't wait, Enter NOW! Plus don't forget to enter on Facebook & Instagram 

*As a special treat use code TWINNING for 25% off an adult pair of Salt Waters when you buy a baby/kids pair at Tiny Trendsetter.

Happy Twinning & Happy Mother's Day!

Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Have A Bump Or A Baby? Don't Miss The Bump To Baby Show 2017!

Spring is here and that means it's baby show season! With so many shows and so little time, it can be tough to decide which ones make the cut. If you want to skip the huge crowds, long line ups and over zealous vendors, you need to check out The Bump to Baby Show. This highly curated event held at the beautiful Wychwood Barns brings together the best vendors from around our city, all with a focus on helping parents make healthy choices for their families. Plus it's FREE!! You can't get much better than that.

In addition to an amazing marketplace (*Full List of 60 Marketplace Vendors) the show has expert speakers and fun family friendly events. I am so honoured to be one of the speakers at the show, alongside my amazing colleague Taya Griffin (Lactation Consultant) & Joy McCarthy of Joyous Health.

Attendees can check out a Prenatal Yoga Class with & She Moves (pre-registered event), a Family Yoga Class with Spynga, a fun Puppet Show with The Waldorf Academy, as well as a music class for kids ages 0-4 years with Music Together. Check out the Play & Learn page for full schedule, details and registration. 

The Bump to Baby Show is like no other in the city. So if you're expecting a little one, or have a young family, don't forget to add this amazing event to your calendar.

Hope to see you on May 7th between 10am and 4pm for the family friendly baby show you can't miss. 

Care 

Who Wants to WIN an Amazing Maternity Photoshoot GIVEAWAY? Enter Now! *$350 Value

If you have a baby on the way and want some beautiful pregnancy photos you can't miss out on this amazing GIVEAWAY from Sara Elisabeth Photography. Enter Now (by simply joining her mailing list) for a chance to Win a Maternity Photoshoot & an incredible assortment of products valued at $350!

The Prize Includes:

• A 1 Hour Maternity Photoshoot
• 8 High Resolution Digital Images
• 2 8x10 Prints 
• 1 Bragbook

We were fortunate to have Sara take our family photos a few years ago in Parkdale, and absolutely love them. Here are a few of my favourites from that session. Looking at these I can't believe how much the kids have grown and changed. I'm so grateful I have these memories to look back on. To see more from our session Click Here

Don't forget to Enter Sara's Giveaway! Contest Closes Friday March 31st 2017. Good Luck!

 Care

*The post is not sponsored.

Family Fun for March Break - Enter My TIFF digiPlaySpace GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to bring the kids to check out TIFF's digiPlaySpace. Since taking all 3 littles downtown on my own seemed a tad daunting for a Wednesday morning, I decided to make it a special date for my big guy Ben (with the baby in tow of course). When the day was done Ben declared "This was one of my best days ever!" So the short story is, if you haven't checked out this incredible interactive event for kids age 3+, you really should. But now, for some of the fun details. 

When we first arrived at the digiPlaySpace it was tough to choose what to check out first. There were so many amazing displays vying for our attention. We slowly worked our way around the room to see what sparked Ben's interest and was appropriate for his age (5 1/2) and ability. The clearly marked signs at each display had a description and recommended age, which made it simple to find suitable activities. 

We started off playing with polar bears and climbing mountains on the "Canada on (Green) Screen" by Parks Canada. Ben learned about LED Coding as he tossed balls through holes to create a complete circuit. We played, hugged and laughed with Little Robot Friends, and had fun making art with Drawbots. We also boogied down at the Animation Space Station. Ok maybe this one was just Mommy & Penny, Ben ditched us! Luckily I always look super cool dancing like a robot ;) 

As a parent, my favourite was seeing Ben in action with Osmo. This award winning game works with an iPad to create tactile and interactive learning opportunities for kids. Ben loved the coding activity and asked for Osmo to be added to his birthday list right after we left. 

When I asked Ben what his favourite activity was, he had a hard time choosing, but finally declared "Flight Painting!"  At this installation we controlled the height, colour, speed and brightness of a light to create a unique pattern that was captured in a long-exposure picture. This was one of my favourites too, because not only did we get to do it together, but we made some beautiful 3D light paintings like this one.

With March break around the corner I thought it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY for a Family Pack of 4 tickets to TIFF's digiPlaySpace. The event is on until April 23, 2017 and is geared towards kids age 3-13, however every adult I saw there was having a blast too! Weekday admission is $11 per person and weekend admission is $13 per person. (Babies 2 and under are Free)

Don't wait! Enter Now for a Chance to WIN a Family Pack of 4 Tickets to The TIFF digiPlaySpace. Simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to info@fifty-seven.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

Contest is open to all residents of Canada and closes Thursday March 9th at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. Good Luck!

- Care

* I did not receive any financial compensation for this post. TIFF provided admission for my family and for the Giveaway. All opinions are my own...and Ben's ;)