Family Flex Time Adventure with Ford

If you follow along on instagram, you would have seen the fantabulous adventure we had a few weekends ago while taking the new Ford Flex for a spin.

We were amazed at the multi-panel sunroof and how roomy the vehicle was - I drive an SUV personally so both the kids and I are used to having lots of space. I often reach back to hold Ava's hand or give her a high five and honestly, I could barely reach her. 

Tons of leg room and an extra row of seats that we're already accustomed to.

That said, using my own additional seats when necessary is nowhere near as comfortable or easy to set up. 

A set of buttons in the back trunk allowed us to quickly lift the seats for sitting or tuck them away COMPLETELY for storage.

We may or may not have done this numerous times while watching in amazement.

I quickly set up my phone with the SYNC technology for safe driving and we hit the road and headed into the city for brunch at The Starving Artist.

The girls played board games while I sipped on iced coffee. And ate waffle everything.

Afterwards, we hit Sugar Beach to see if we might get a spot under a pretty pink umbrella - it started to rain just as we arrived.

Nothing was going to put a damper on our adventure so we quickly snapped a few photos and Ava played in the warm rain.

We headed to a children's fashion event in the city put on by two of our favourite instagram friends - Mini Model Gallery and Bonjour Baby Baskets.

Parking on the busy Danforth?

Not so fun.

Parallel parking? Even worse.

I used the Active Park Assist feature that I had heard about on the vehicle - a push of the "auto P" button allowed the vehicle to easily tuck into the spot with little to no effort from me.

#winning

We stopped for an impromptu photo shoot, because graffiti. 

And, in an effort to ensure we ended our day on a sweet note, made our way over to Sweet Jesus on Queen Street for one of their jazzed up cones.

Thanks to the rain, the line was super short - a first! 

The sun quickly came back out in full force and I have to tell you, I have never been so happy to read the words, "cooled front seats".

Now that I have tried them, not sure how I will go back to black leather seats in 100+ degree weather.

Definitely one of my favourite features on the vehicle.

Looking for a roomy vehicle that easily holds kids, cargo and whatever else you need to move?

Ava and I highly recommend checking out the Ford Flex.

She is still wondering why we had to give it back...

The Want List : Summer Fashion Essentials

As the warmer weather quickly approaches, I am updating my closet to include a few essentials.

Done right, just a few key items can quickly update your current wardrobe keeping you current for the summer and beyond. 

1. Shoes - Add just three key pairs.
one - a basic trainer. I like these by Stan Smith and they have a great variety of colour options.
two - a lace up anything.
three - switch up your stilettos for a block heel. Super comfortable too.

2. A bodysuit.
These by Topshop are both cute options. At my age, I add a 3/4 blazer or light cardigan and am good to go.
I love the smoothness achieved at the waist.

3. Lighten up your handbags.
Do away with the black and navy, add a nude and a pastel.
A good quality clutch and a tote or bucket bag will get you through in style.

4. Dresses.
I'm kinda partial to wearing one or another every day come summertime.
SO easy.
A chambray version, {with or without bohemian-style elements} and a maxi in a pretty floral print would do nicely. I'm on the hunt for the latter as we speak. 

5. A pretty detailed blouse.
Make it lace or crochet. The options out there are endless.
I'm kinda partial to this one myself - just stunning.

6. And last, but certainly not least.
The 2 pieces that are non-negotiable this season, both with a little bit of shoulder.
one - an off the shoulder blouse, I love this chambray version and the price is definitely right.
two - a "cold shoulder" version. Perfect for showing a little bit of skin and still covering up an area that is often a problem for women - the upper arm.
I may or may not own this exact one.

So, what are you adding to your closet this season?
Happy Friday.
xo

Favourites : Lladro + A Special Mother's Day Giveaway

Dear readers,

You are in for a treat today.

And more importantly, a smile.

I know many of you are mothers, grandmothers or God mothers and like me, would do anything for the little ones in your life. 

When I read about what this amazing company was doing to help children who aren't as fortunate as my/our own - I knew I had to share.

I've long since lusted after admired Lladró Handmade Porcelain for their stunningly handcrafted  items and loved learning about their long-time collaboration with Operation Smile.

Since 2006, they have worked with this incredible organization to help raise more that $311,000, enough to fund approximately 1,300 life-changing surgeries. 

Operation Smile’s free, life-changing surgeries allow children  to have the opportunity to receive an education and a bright future. 
To support Operation Smile’s mission, Lladró has introduced New Beginnings, a special version of an existing piece, featuring a pendant heart decorated in gold in honor of Operation Smile’s worthy cause. 
With the purchase of each New Beginnings porcelain sculpture sold throughout 2016, Lladró donates to Operation Smile $240; the average cost necessary to provide one cleft lip surgery to a child. 

 In the spirit of giving and of the love between mother + child, 
Lladró is offering one of our readers an opportunity to own a  piece from their home fragrance collection, as pictured in the above images, valued at $55.
GIVEAWAY OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF CANADA + THE U.S. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT LLADRÓ 

Lladró was established by the brothers Juan, José and Vicente Lladró in 1953 in Valencia, Spain. Since then, the brand has undergone an amazing metamorphosis from an artisan workshop to a huge firm that holds a presence in over 120 countries and is at the forefront of contemporary porcelain design. All Lladró pieces are the fruit of a painstaking handmade process of creation, still carried out entirely in the workshops of the brand in Valencia. The highest artistic and technical quality is achieved in each phase of this process.  For further information on Lladró, visit www.lladro.com. 

New Beginnings

ABOUT OPERATION SMILE 

Operation Smile, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is an international medical charity with a presence in more than 60 countries, whose global network of thousands of credentialed medical volunteers from more than 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 220,000 free surgical procedures for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. To build long-term sufficiency in resource poor environments, Operation Smile trains doctors and local medical professionals in its partner countries so they are empowered to treat their local communities. Operation Smile also donates medical equipment, supplies and provides year-round medical treatment through its worldwide centers. 

Disclosure: I received the product photographed at no charge  for the purpose of this post. All opinions are strictly my own. 

Introducing Needham Lane + A Sweet Dreams Giveaway

SO excited to introduce you to this month's premium sponsor, Needham Lane. 

Just wait until you visit their colourful page, chalk full of goodies from journals to clothing and the pretties pajamas. 

Which just might make THE perfect Mother's Day Gift.

Hint, hint. 

eyeglasses - MiuMiu | pajama - c/o Needham Lane | slippers - c/o Needham Lane

Needham Lane wants you to have a chance at Sweet Dreams in one of their beautiful cotton pajama sets.
I couldn't decide which of the colours was my favourite!
Let me know in the comments which set you would choose if you win.
Open to residents of the US and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck! 

Favourites : Caryl Baker Papaya Skincare + A Giveaway

Remember this post where I mentioned my using Caryl Baker Visage's new papaya skincare? 

I've been religiously applying both the daily moisturizer and eye cream for about a month or so and loving them! 

Light but effective, super fresh smelling and the perfect consistency. Not too heavy or full of overbearing fragrance.

Alongside, I've been sipping on papaya leaf tea each afternoon and while it might not make a difference in my skin, it's definitely calmed my spirit. 

 The line consists of the two products above in addition to a mousse cleanser, an enzyme scrub and a perfecting toner.

All products are alcohol and paraben-free.

While I'm patiently waiting to try the rest of this SOLD OUT line, you can win the entire collection, valued at $194 right now.

Lucky, lucky.

To enter:

LIKE Caryl Baker Visage on FACEBOOK {mandatory} + leave me a comment letting me know why you're excited to try the line! 

Lots of additional entries available via rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck! 

Favourites : Spring Ready with Caryl Baker Visage

Every season, Caryl Baker Visage seems to outdo themselves.

The Spring collection is no exception.
Colours so pretty, you can't wait to try each one. 

And don't even get me started on how much I love the lipsticks - the packaging is perfection.
With a flip top that opens up to expose a small mirror; I get asked about them each time
I pull one out. 

recreate this look:
eyes - Caryl Baker "buttercup" + "hydrangea"
cheeks - "rose garden"
lips - lipstick in "morning dew lipstick" - lip gloss in "romance"

I've also been using the papaya skincare and am really enjoying it.
More on that in an upcoming post.

Pssst - their customer appreciation sale is on now with 20% off make up + skincare.
Shipping with $75 purchase is always free.
You're welcome.

Favourites : L'eclisse Natural Makeup Review

I think if every woman believed that she could use an organic, natural makeup that would give her the same results as often higher-priced regular cosmetic brands, we would all want to know about them.
Well, I'm thrilled to report, L'eclisse products might just be your answer.
Gorgeous shades and equally gorgeous packaging - definitely does not look like the mama earth natural brands of old.
Non-comedogenic, oil-free with no fillers, synthetic perfumes, oils or dyes.

L'eclisse products look and feel like their high-end non-organic equivalents and the results? Well, they speak for themselves. 

recreate this look:
L'eclisse pressed mineral foundation in "pale gold"
L'eclisse mineral blush in "pink sapphire"
L'eclisse natural lip gloss in "pink mica"

Read more about L'eclisse here.
And don't forget to like them on facebook here for fabulous offers + giveaways!

Disclosure: I received the products featured from L'eclisse at no charge in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are strictly my own. 

Mini Me : A Melijoe Sale

Yes, yes. I am one of those mothers.

You know the ones...they often coordinate with their little. Enjoy being matchy matchy. 

And more often than not, wish what their little love is wearing came in her size.

Well, Melijoe can feed this obsession.
Almost a little too well.

Kenzo Kids Cardigan

Dolce and Gabbana dress

Oscar De La Renta Dress

Their annual summer sale starts today!
Be sure to visit the site here - with savings of up to 60% off, it's the perfect time to splurge.
We've got our eye on this. Oh, and also these. And...

Happy Monday 
from my me + my mini-me.

Favourites : Aveeno Fresh Essentials

When I get approached to try out a new product, most especially a skincare line, I like to use the product for a minimum of 2 full weeks, preferably for 30 days.

That said, when asked to try the new Aveeno Fresh Essentials line, I did just that.

I have actually been using the entire line (cleanser, day and night cream) for over a month and can I just say? LOVE.

Favourites : Beauty Products On Rotation

It's been far too long since I shared my current beauty faves. See previous entries here + here.

Being totally honest, I receive a lot of goodies to try. Some from the creators themselves, others from friends who have tried something, loved it and are not adverse to asking for numerous samples from Sephora which in turn they send to me. 

It's hard to weed through everything and of course, I have my constant favourites.

But lately, a few new to me products have made their way onto my daily rotation.

I am a creature of habit so this truly is a big deal.

Almost like a say, a Black Friday big deal. 

Favourites : The Cat's Pajamas

 This book right here?

Well, it's the cat's pajamas. see what I did there?

Written and illustrated by Daniel Wallace, it's a as much fun to look at pictures as it is to read story.

And the moral behind it? Is that it is good to be different. And that being the same is often just not as much fun.