Wednesday 15 October 2014

Review: The Baby Show, Toronto, Ontario


Readers, I am honoured to introduce you to "Foxy", my latest guest blogger. In fact, you may have seen her work on some popular Canadian TV shows! Please meet Foxy:
"Before baby, I worked as a costumer on set of different film and TV shows and at a vintage costume studio. Plus, I was a fitness instructor and a tea expert at a tea store!  Yes I was busy, and I had lots of practice getting little sleep. But being a new mom has trumped everything. I love staying home and looking after our son, who was born only a few months ago. I wouldn't want it any other way."
Foxy recently attended The Baby Show, which happened last month at the Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, and the first thing I asked was, "so... was it good? Busy? Did you leave with lots of goodies? Details!" Check out Foxy's review of this prenatal, baby and toddler event: 

Just some of Foxy's swag from the Baby Show ;) 
First off, I found that this show gears specifically to families who are expecting or for those who are raising toddlers.  The first 2,500 people who came on either September 27th or 28th got a swag bag worth $30. Tickets were $15 each, so when you got your bag, it was like getting your money back. (Check out the goodies I got in the photo! I didn't do half bad, huh?)

By far, this was a comprehensive show -- my husband and I even stayed for four hours! There were over 90 vendors, which included baby photographers, baby furniture, clothes, cloth diaper services and eco-friendly products.


There was even a breastfeeding-friendly area sectioned off for nursing, as well as a diaper changing station (thank goodness!). Oh, and get this: Diapers and cream were provided! Each family that entered the diaper-changing section got a sample of Baby Butz diaper rash cream. So if you're wondering, yes, if you had to change your baby 2 or 3 times at the show (hey, it happens!), you always got a Baby Butz sample. 

Take Note:

  • Very stroller-friendly. Lots of space for parents to stroll their kids around -- if you go next time, don't worry about lugging a stroller. 
  • You will find some great deals there. For instance, I’ve always liked Snuggle Bugz and they had a great deal on muslin blankets. Normally Lulujo muslins are approximately $17.99 for one; however, at the Baby Show, Snuggle Bugz had a deal at 2 for $20! 
  • How was transportation? Instead of TTC or GO Transit, we drove and we got there within the hour the show opened. However, the city closed the QEW for the weekend! If we knew about this ahead of time, we would have taken the GO train. Getting home around 1:30 pm was a nightmare; a normal 30-minute drive was an hour-and-a-half! FYI: Parking costed about $14.
So will I go back again? Of course! The freebies and deals are worth it, and maybe next time I won't bother driving.

Did you attend the Baby Show? What did you think of it? 

Thursday 2 October 2014

Awesome (and Affordable!) Products for Kindergarten Students


Now that my daughter's been in junior kindergarten for approximately a month, I'm getting the hang of what she needs (and doesn't need!) in terms of shopping. So for the future, note these cool products for when your kids start school:

1. Funtainer Bottles by Thermos
I've tried many different water bottles and this is by far the BEST. In public school, kindergarteners have to do things "by themselves", and this thermos is so easy to open and close! My daughter's been using this one since she was about two and now she's almost four. And don't worry, it comes in different characters, not just Hello Kitty.

Best place to find it cheap: Real Canadian Superstore -- wait for a no-tax day and you can pay approximately $9 or $10.


2. Pruta Food Containers
I purchased these containers before my daughter was born, but it just so happens that I've found these to be the most user-friendly for her little hands. She can take off the lids and put them back on the containers, and they're still secure enough for food AND survive the rough-and-toughness of a child. 

PLUS, you get so many in one package at an awesome price, you can't lose out! So in other words, great for home and the classroom. 



Best place to find it cheap: Ikea (online), set of 17 containers for $5.49



3. Mabels Labels "Write Away" Labels
 
Everything -- and I mean everything -- needs to be labelled in school. Backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, containers, shoes, clothes, the works. I didn't want to keep wasting pen and tape for labels, so I gave Mabels Labels a try. Well, they work alright! Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, they're super durable and when they stick on things, they stick! However, they don't stick on "textured" products such as backpacks very well, but they're amazing on clothes and other items.

Best place to find it cheap: Walmart! You can find a package for $10. (FYI: these are only the "Write Away" labels, NOT the personalized ones.)


Have you tried these products? Can you recommend other kindergarten-friendly items?