The holidays can feel overwhelming, with the need to buy buy buy and spend spend spend. It can be hard to know where to start, and more importantly, where to stop! I like to use a simple method for gift giving with a goal of buying less, buying right, and giving thoughtfully. With just 4 simple categories (+1 extra our family added), you can check your kids off your list quickly, and on any budget!

If you’re headed out to grab a little something for your kid’s teacher, care provider, or even for a fun holiday gift exchange, make sure to check this out. These are 4 of my absolute favourite gifts to give, and ones that have been very well received. With a price point of $20-$30 each, they’re all relatively budget friendly, and very practical. Plus these unique gifts are a nice departure from some of the typical presents teacher’s get every year.

Stockings are a whole lot of fun, but they can really add up fast, so I like to focus on giving our kid’s stuff that they need throughout the year. The best part is unwrapping what’s inside, and our kids are genuinely excited to receive these gifts.

Winter weather has arrived, so that means it’s time for a little reminder about the importance of winter car seat safety. Lucy (my 6 year old) and I joined Jennifer Valentyne at Global News to chat about what products to avoid putting on our kids in their car seats, and what some safe options are. Learn how to ensure you’re keeping your kiddo warm, but most importantly secure in their car seat this winter.

It’s already November, so that means it's time to get geared up for the holiday season. I’m so excited to have Anchor Studio Photography joining me at Movies for Mommies at the Cineplex Queensway Cinemas for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Holiday Mini Sessions to movie attendees. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day (November 20th & December 4th). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (or a package). 

Halloween is so much fun, but having a ton of hyped up kiddos walking the streets and climbing stairs in costumes in the dark does pose some risk 😜 In order to keep our kids safe while trick-or-treating we should keep some simple safety tips in mind. I joined Jennifer Valentyne and the team at Global Morning News to chat about my top Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters, and some important tips for home owners. Watch this quick video to learn how to help make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for every child! (please note: one tip I didn’t get to fit in was to make sure all animals are well contained. Some pets will not react well to large groups of kids in costumes)

It’s hard to believe that it’s already almost the end of September! That means it’s time to start planning for Halloween with your kiddos. Getting an adorable photo of my kids in their costumes is always at the top of my list, but it can be so hard, especially on the big day. That’s why I love getting a pro to do the work for me in advance. With the pic out of the way, we can just enjoy the festive celebrations.

For city families, strollers are often like an extra vehicle. They accompany us on everything from tedious weekday errands to fun family weekend adventures. They need to be able to stand up to some serious wear-and-tear, and adapt over time to suit our family’s growing needs. After 4 kids and 8 years with our initial stroller, we were in desperate need of a replacement. When searching for a new one I had a few key things I wasn’t willing to compromise on.

Shopping for a new baby, and keeping up with our little one’s ever changing needs, can be an expensive endeavour for parents. So it’s always nice to find ways to save a little money along the way, while not compromising on quality or service. One of my all time favourite local & online baby boutiques, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, is doing just this. The owner Linda, and her amazing team, always offer the most incredible customer service experience (eg. they have the sweetest spot to rest & play, offer Complimentary Professional Car Seat Installation with car seat purchase, and host tons of In-store events), and now they’ve introduced a NEW Love Points Loyalty Program, that earns you points toward future purchases!* In the world of parenting it really doesn’t get much better than free stuff.

Summer is here! Time for outdoor adventures, endless fun, and a few extra scrapes & bruises ;) While summer is undoubtedly the most exciting season, it’s also one that requires some special safety considerations for our little ones. As a CPR & Safety Educator I love supporting parents to learn about family safety, so needless to say I am thrilled to partner with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation to bring you 3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families.

I’m so excited to be taking part in The Bump To Baby Show again this June 2nd at the Wychwood barns. This show is always jam packed with an amazing line up of vendors, entertainment, food, and fun for the whole family. Plus the best playground ever for kids! It’s hands down my favourite show to take part in every year.

A few weeks ago (during the most epic snowstorm of the season!) I sat down with Cortney, mother and creator of Motherhood Uncorked, to talk all things Starting Solids. We had such a great time covering all the basics including: when to start, how to start, what baby led weaning/feeding really is, food allergies, and how to feed your baby safely. This is a must watch for all of the parents out there who aren’t feeling confident about starting solids. I know how scary this transition can be, and always love to be able to offer some support and advice for parents. Watch Video

Mother’s day is the perfect time to commemorate your motherhood journey with a beautiful photo. That’s why I’m so excited to have Anchor Studio Photography joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks this spring to capture mother’s day photos. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day, April 29th & May 6th at the Humber Cinemas (2442 Bloor St W. at Jane Station). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (discounted packages for more photos are also vailable). **PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are reserved for Movie Attendees Only, and will be assigned as requests arrive**

Caring for your little one’s teeth can be really hard. Not all kids love to brush and floss, and knowing how to keep their smile healthy is difficult for parents. Especially as you navigate the exhausting world of teething. That’s why I’m so excited to team up with The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Oral Health Month this April.

It’s officially spring, so that means it’s time to place our orders for Junction Wings 2019!! If you’ve never heard of this incredible community fundraiser, you need to check it out. Basically for $10 you get an adorable little caterpillar in a container with food and instructions on how to care for it. You take it home and watch it grow into your very own special butterfly. It truly is magic.

Easter is coming up, so you know what that means? Time for some ridiculously cute pics of babies in bunny ears! Anchor Studio Photography will be joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Easter Mini Photo Sessions. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day, April 1st & 15th at the Humber Cinemas (2442 Bloor St W. at Jane Station). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (discounted packages for more photos are also vailable). **PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are reserved for Movie Attendees ONLY**

The polar vortex has finally left us behind and this brief warm spell of weather has me craving summer. Since I’m dreaming of summer bliss, I thought I would make one parent’s summer dreams come true. So I’ve partnered with Westside FUN Day Camp to give away a week of summer camp!! This giveaway is Valued at $390+HST! So if you have a little one 4 and up, don’t wait to ENTER! #sponsored

As a busy mom it’s so easy to get caught up in placing our children’s wellness ahead of our own, and forgetting to give ourselves the time and attention we need to thrive. That’s why I’m so excited to be taking part in The Total Mom Show this February. An incredible local event that is geared toward educating, supporting, and celebrating Moms. Sounds pretty amazing to me!

Getting the hang of a ring sling can take some practice, but they’re such great carriers once you do. I love ring slings because they’re super lightweight and fold up small making them perfect for tossing in my diaper bag or purse, so I’m always prepared while we’re out and about. Kind of essential with 4 kids ;)

I love helping families learn how to care for their babies and keep them safe. Since safe swaddling is one of my most requested topics, I thought I should make a little video about it. Join me and baby Freddy to learn about the purpose of swaddling, current health & safety concerns, and when it’s essential to transition baby out of a swaddle. Plus watch as I make my very own adorable baby burrito ;) If you have a baby on the way, or are caring for a newborn, this is a must watch.

As a mom of 4, I know all too well the realities of busy mom life. Especially with a newborn in the house! That’s why I love finding baby gear that gives us moms a little helping hand. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love snuggling, cuddling and babywearing my little ones, but sometimes a mama needs a break. Having a few moments with your hands and body free to get stuff done is pretty amazing, and it’s even better when your little one is cozy and content. The Fisher-Price® My Sweet Little Lamb Swing & Bouncer, created in collaboration with Babies “R” Us Canada, does just that.

The holiday season is fast approaching, so that means it's time to capture some adorable pics of your little elves. Anchor Studio Photography will be joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Holiday Mini Photo Sessions to movie attendees. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day (December 3rd & December 10th). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (or a package).

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week, so it feels like the perfect time to talk about car seat safety. As a Child Passenger Safety Tech I know that every parent wants to keep their child safe, but the complexity of car seats and changing laws and recommendations can be very confusing for parents.

I know it feels like we just got through the back-to-school rush, but it’s time to plan for Halloween! Getting a sweet pic of your little one in their costume is such a fun way to mark each holiday. Since it’s not always easy to snap a great pic, I let the professionals do all the hard work. If you want to get a beautiful professional photo this holiday season join me for one of my 2 sessions of Complimentary Halloween Mini Sessions with Anchor Studio at Movies for Mommies at the Humber Cinema. Photos will take place pre-show from 12-1pm on Monday October 1st and Monday October 15th. (Movies TBD, I will update this as I know what’s screening).  Sessions are complimentary for Movies Attendees (You must purchase a movie ticket to be eligible for these sessions), and high resolution digital images can be purchased for $25/file. 

Fall is here and it's officially time to clean out all the extra stuff you have laying around your house before winter arrives. If you have any new or gently used baby clothes or gear to donate please come by one of my monthly donation collections for the New Mom Project.