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lifestyle

4 Money Tips for Travel

July 28, 2014

I love traveling – being in new places, exploring and discovering new sites, learning about the history of a town, its people and traditions. Whether it’s halfway across the globe or a small town two hours away from home or even a “staycation” in my own city, there is something exciting and adventurous about seeing new landscapes, meeting people and having new experiences.

When traveling abroad, I’d rather become “one” with the people rather than stick out as a tourist. When you look like a tourist in a foreign country, you can often be a target for theft too.

So when I’m traveling, I prefer using a credit card over carrying large sums of money. Having cash for small purchases and giving tips is the best option, but I only like to carry a little bit of cash with me anywhere I go – whether it’s a short trip away or a family vacation via airplane. I’m always paranoid that I’m going to lose money so I’d rather not carry large bills with me when we’re traveling.

Using a credit card for larger purchases like hotel, rental cars, restaurants, local attractions and shopping, is safer and secure. ATM machines are not always available in some places too so I’d much rather play it safe by charging my purchases to a credit card rather than looking for a debit machine. There have been several times when my debit card chip wasn’t working, I didn’t have enough cash and my credit card came to the rescue. There is also the convenience of being able to make purchases quickly with a swipe or a quick tap and go.

Whether you’re traveling to a remote location or a large city, a foreign country or across the border, or even when you’re taking a short trip in your own country, it’s best to carry a credit card that is widely accepted everywhere – for your peace of mind.

Need some more money tips for travel? Watch this video and keep reading!

Here are 4 money tips for travel:

Carry some small bills.

You may want to exchange a little bit of money in advance if you’re traveling to a foreign country. There’s nothing worse than traveling somewhere and you don’t have any small change to tip a taxi driver or buy a bottle of water!

Skip the Traveler’s Checks

Travelers checks are no longer widely accepted and cannot easily be cashed, even at the banks that issue them. Don’t bother – just bring a credit card.

Don’t Use Currency Exchange Desks

Credit cards offer better rates than the currency exchange desks and you’ll be paying more in fees. You can use your credit card just as you would at home. Card issuers usually add currency-conversion fees of 2 to 3 percent for international transactions but you’ll get the best exchange rate and fees that are lower than those associated with exchanging cash.

Use a MasterCard

MasterCard is accepted in 210+ countries and territories, which is more than any other card. The PayPass locator app helps you find merchants/ATM’s worldwide.

Using a MasterCard is convenient enough to use instead of cash wherever possible. Credit cards are a safe, easy and convenient way to pay when traveling and there are many travel benefits built right into your credit card, including:

Accepted at more places than any other card
Acceptance every time you swipe or tap
Purchase Protection
Emergency Card replacement
Ability to track spending and FX via online banking
Built-in benefits such as insurance
Safest and most seamless tool for cross-border travel
Real-time offers and rewards
Partner perks
Safe & secure round trip (fraud detection and Zero Liability policy)
24/7 Toll-free emergency services operators worldwide

Having a MasterCard in your wallet is your best bet when traveling abroad or staying close to home. Your card is your travel partner because it’s convenient and gives you peace of mind whether you’re visiting a remote island or enjoying a staycation!

Disclosure: I’m working with MasterCard on this fabulous travel campaign.

activities

Best Splash Parks in Toronto and Area

July 25, 2014

Trying to stay cool this summer? Taking the kids to the best splash parks in Toronto and area will keep you and them busy all summer long.

It’s been a weird summer in terms of weather – the Polar Vortex and then major heat waves! Cooling off at the best splash parks will keep the kids entertained.

Here are the best splash parks in Toronto and area:

Best Splash Parks in Toronto and Area

Splash Works at Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland boasts over 7 million litres of heated water fun in a 20 acre water park. Check out The Plunge, Supersoaker, the Lazy River, Pumphouse, and one of Canada’s largest wave pools. Over 7 million litres of heated water fun in our 20 acre water park – included with park admission to Canada’s Wonderland! Check out The Plunge, Super Soaker, the Lazy River, Pump House and one of Canada’s largest wave pools, White Water Bay. There is something for everyone!

Wild Water Kingdom

Wild Water Kingdom is a100-acre park with a variety of attractions, including water slides, a wave pool, lazy rivers and a variety of kids’ pools. As well, non-swimming activities such as Face Drop and a climbing wall are available. Rides at Wild Water Kingdom include Midnight Express, The Abyss, Nightrider, Cyclone, Devil’s Drop, White Lightning, and the Cliff. Wild Water Kingdom’s land encompasses several acres around the water attractions, which includes picnic areas.

Splash Island at the Toronto Zoo

With two acres of hands-on, non-stop family fun amidst waterslides, water-spouting animals, waterfalls, and tipping buckets, Splash Island is the best way to beat the summer heat. The kids will enjoy the cool mist as they explore and learn about which plants and animals live in different bodies of water in Canada. If you have a zoo membership, you can go anytime. Free with Zoo admission.

The Wave Pool in Richmond Hill

The Wave Pool is the only indoor wave pool within the Greater Toronto Area for year-round fun. There is a 160 ft. twisting water slide for thrill-seekers or choose to soak in the warm water of the swirl pool. You can also lounge on water mats or relax in their on-deck sauna.

Sugar Beach in Toronto

Sugar Beach is an urban beach park right by across from Toronto’s Redpath Sugar Refinery. The sand-filled space is complete with deck chairs and pink and an elaborate splash pad, perfect for kids.

Centre Island

Heading to Centreville with the kiddos? Well if you don’t go to the amusement park, you can go to Centre Island for a picnic and the kids can enjoy the splash pad located just west of the miniature golf course.

Lakeview Splash at Albion Hills

The Lakeview Splash water-play facility is open until September (weather permitting) at Albion Hills Conservation Area in Caledon. It features at 440 sq metre wading pool (4 ft deep) with a 125 sq metre interactive splash pad. This waterpark also features a “Wetland” theme and is located in natural wilderness surroundings, with grass picnic areas overlooking Albion Lake.

Petticoat Creek Conservation Area

The Petticoat Splash park in Pickering has a splash pad and a pool which is open daily 10am – 7pm (weather permitting). The splash pool and water play area has interactive water features and spray effects.

Kidstown Water Playground

Kidstown Water Playground in Scarborough offers a variety of water features, including a tipping bucket, spray rings, squirting aquatic animals, a slide, wading pool, splash pad and so much more. Families enjoy the grassy picnic area, which is suitable for watching older children while enjoying the park atmosphere. There are also separate areas available to be permitted for special occasions such as birthday parties and group rentals. Kidstown opens mid-June until the Labour Day weekend Sunday.

Wild Wetland Splash at Heart Lake Conservation Area

This splash park in Brampton features an 840 sq metre heated swimming pool (8 ft. deep) and provides clean and safe water fun for kids all ages. The Splashpad has 30 + wetland themed water features. This 500 person capacity waterpark uses state-of-the-art water conservation technology. The pool and splash pad are located in natural wilderness surroundings. Wild Wetland Splash is open June to Labour Day (weather permitting).

Fashion

Size 000? Three Things to Ask Yourself When Shopping for Clothes

July 24, 2014

Small just got a little smaller, at least for J. Crew shoppers. The retail giant just released a new size, size 000, and it’s gotten a lot of people talking.

Arguments are heated on both sides of the debate. Some fear that sizes this small–which very, very few adult women would naturally fit into–encourage eating disorders and self-loathing. Others think it’s great that J. Crew is carrying a wider variety of sizes so women of all sizes can find fashionable clothes that they love.

After all, it must be tough being a size 000 and finding grown-up clothes! (Not that they are getting any sympathy from me!) Either way, the debates are not likely to end soon.

So where does this leave the average shopper? How should the addition of a new size affect you? The short answer is: it shouldn’t. Size may be an important number, but it’s just a number. It’s like in cards–some hands are easier to play than others, but it’s all in the way you play what you’ve got.

So my advice to all of you is: Stop looking at the size, especially J. Crew sizes like size 000, and start asking yourself these three questions instead.

Three things to ask yourself when shopping for clothes

1. How Does This Outfit Make Me Look?

When people look at your outfit, they don’t see the number on your tag–they see how the clothes fit. So stop worrying about the number and start looking at the shape. Do the pants make your butt look amazing or squished? Does the shirt make your chest look nice and perky or like it’s about to pop out or your shirt and say hello? Choose the clothing that fits you just right and you’ll look like a million bucks–no matter what size you are!

2. How Does This Outfit Make Me Feel?

If your clothes are uncomfortable, you’ll look and feel uncomfortable too. That’s not an attractive look. Find clothes that make you feel amazing instead. Maybe you love wearing bright pinks and yellows. Maybe you love flowy skirts and sandals. Maybe you love high heels and power suits. Choose the clothes that make you feel amazing, and you’re sure to look amazing too. Your confidence will shine through if you’re comfortable.

3. How Will Others Respond If They See Me in This Outfit?

Okay, so others’ opinions of you aren’t the most important thing, but you know you care at least a little about what other people think. (If you say you don’t–well, props to you, but you’re lying.) When trying on clothes, after you decide what YOU think about the outfit, ask yourself what other people would think or what kind of message your outfit would send. Do you look dumpy, like you can’t be bothered to try? Or do you look stunning and put-together? Also, how do you want to look for your spouse? What kind of example do you want to set for your daughters? If you don’t care for you, at least care for their sake.

While it may be impossible to completely stop looking at the numbers (after all, they do make finding the right size to try on SO much easier), it’s high time that we women all learned what the numbers are really there for: to help us find clothes that make us look and feel great.

Not to define us, our beauty and our worth.

What are some tips you would add?

Wife and mom to two very energetic little boys, when Brittany isn’t busy chasing after her kidlets, you can find her reading, writing or sneaking chocolate so she doesn’t have to share–probably all of the above!

Beauty

MAC Custom Palette Blogger Giveaway

July 23, 2014

Do you love M•A•C Cosmetics? What happens when 30 beauty and fashion bloggers create a MAC custom palette?

They then host an EPIC giveaway!

I’ve teamed up with 29 fabulous bloggers from Canada and the U.S. to bring our readers a MAC custom palette – a curated 30-pan MAC Eye Shadow Palette filled with our favourite shades.

30 bloggers? 30 shades!

The custom palette features the following M•A•C eye shadow shades:

Sketch, Vibrant Grape, Fig 1, Club, Shroom, Orb, Omega, Aquadisiac, Copperplate, Woodwinked, All That Glitters, Amber Lights, Cranberry, Steamy, Naked Lunch, Blanc Type, Nylon, Cobalt, Brule, Haux, Carbon, Phloof, Retrospeck, Stars & Rockets, Expensive Pink, Brun, Electra, Satin Taupe, Honeylust & Brown Script.

My contribution is Electra, which is a silver shade with an icy shimmer.

M A C Custom Palette

Who are these fabulous beauty and fashion bloggers?

Row 1 (L-R): Angie (Vanity Rouge), Noelle (XO Noelle), Dee (Liner Glitter Gloss), Sandra (Moms Makeup Stash), Jenelle (Nelle Creations) & Deanne (My Fash Avenue)

Row 2 (L-R): Michelle (A Lovely Allure), Marcia (Beauty Info Zone), Iva (Falling in Style), Niki (Hello Miss Niki), Rica (The Office Chic) & Bree (Urban Umbrella)

Row 3 (L-R): Amber (Canadian Fashionista), Krystal (Beauty by Krystal), Lauren (The Fashionista’s Diary), Justina (Justina’s Gems), Stacey (Stacey Brennan YT), Elaine (Toronto Beauty Reviews)

Row 4 (L-R): That’s me! Maria (amotherworld), Marissa (Chic Darling), Kelly (Glitter Diaries), Cheryl (Beauty by Cheryl H), Chelsea (Olive & Ivy) & Chrissy (Some Velvet Morning)

Row 5 (L-R): Shayna (A Pop of Colour), Cecilia (Dearest Lou), Janna (Gloss & Glitz), Mina (Mina Slater), Cindy (Prime Beauty) & Katelyn (The Skinny Blonde)

ENTER TO WIN

Enter to win this M•A•C Custom Palette by using the the Rafflecopter form below. Enter as many ways as you wish – I know it seems daunting but you may find some new bloggers to follow.

Open in the USA and Canada. Ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, August 6th, 2014. Thank you to Sandra at Moms Makeup Stash for putting this all together!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents ages over the age of 18 and ends at 11:59pm EST on August 6th, 2014. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Only one winner will be selected. This giveaway is a group buy, which means the bloggers/vloggers pooled their money together to purchase this product for you. Winner will be chosen at random from all verified entries, contacted by email provided, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. No prize substitutions allowed. Bloggers in this group giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary.

Contest

Skip the Sugar with Almond Fresh

July 22, 2014

Did you know that Canadians eat as much as 26 teaspoons of sugar per day? That adds up to about 20 bags a year! Sugar is in everything it seems and then on top of what we already eat, we’re consuming more and more. How can you skip the sugar? The World Health Organization is urging people to lower the amount of sugar they consume, especially since diabetes is still on the rise.

I’ve cut down on sugar tremendously since my diet change and use natural sweeteners like stevia to sweeten my beverages and desserts. I also don’t eat dairy since I’m lactose intolerant and have easily made the switch over to almond milk.

Almond Fresh Unsweetened is a great dairy alternative almond milk from Earth’s Own, and is a refreshing, no sugar added beverage which can be enjoyed by the glass or be used as a cooking ingredient in healthy, low-sugar meals. Earth’s Own Almond Fresh is helping Canadians find easy and fun ways to Skip the Sugar.

How can you reduce sugar in your diet? Diana Steele, a Canadian registered dietician, offers some tips to help your family #SkipTheSugar:

4 Ways to Skip the Sugar

Reduce or eliminate sugar sweetened beverages

This is a big one. You know that double double you order three times a day? Yeah. And the juice drinks your kids want throughout the day, every day? Yeah. Sweetened beverages, including fruit-flavoured drinks, carbonated drinks, sports and energy drinks, may be THE single largest driving factor of the obesity epidemic. #SkipTheSugar with calorie-free drinks like water, tea, 100% fruit juice or almond drink.

Almond Fresh Unsweetened is a refreshing, no sugar added beverage which can be enjoyed by the glass or used as a cooking ingredient in healthy, low-sugar meals. I use Almond Fresh where milk is called for in all of my recipes, such as this Green Smoothie.

Skip sugary ingredients

Instead of jams, syrups, jellies and honey, consider adding vanilla or almond extract or spices such as cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg which impart a sweet flavour without the use of sugar.

Say no to candy

I know, it’s hard to skip the sugar when you want a treat! Having a snack in between meals helps maintain blood sugar levels and prevents sugar cravings. Opt for healthier choices like Greek yogurt with berries, raw vegetables with hummus, or my favourite – a healthy smoothie with unsweetened almond milk and fresh or frozen fruit. One serving of Almond Fresh Unsweetened almond milk has 0 grams of sugar, 35 calories and is fortified with nine essential vitamins and minerals.

Cook together

When you have a busy schedule and family, skipping the sugar isn’t easy. Canadian health experts continue to point to cooking together as a family to establish healthy cooking habits and a healthy lifestyle. How can you do this? Try grocery shopping together on the weekend. Prepare Sunday lunch or dinner as a family; give the kids something to do themselves so that they can learn how to prepare healthy meals.

Enter to Win

With these tips, you can help your family #SkipTheSugar. To help get you started, amotherworld and Earth’s Own Almond Fresh are giving away this Almond Fresh Gift Basket:

Two Almond Fresh tumblers
Three coupons for free Almond Fresh almond milk
Bamboo kitchen scale
Single Service blender
Set of six bamboo place mats
Stainless steel colander
Stainless steel measuring spoons
Stainless steel measuring cups
Set of four silicone spatulas

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway. Open to Canadians only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

activities

Keeping Your Kids Busy This Summer

July 22, 2014

Summer is here and the kids are home from school. Keeping your kids busy this summer can be fun yet daunting!

Even though you probably are excited about spending some extra time with those little munchkins, summer can sometimes seem to stretch out and last forever. Eventually you’ll hear the dreaded, “I’m bored!” and this is usually followed by cranky and fighting children. You can help prevent your summer from being transformed into a parent’s nightmare by keeping your kids busy this summer.

Start with a List

During the summer, days can slip by before you accomplish any of your goals. To help keep your kids busy this summer with all of those fun activities you know they’ll love, try making a list. Your summer fun list should include different crafts, activities, and ideas of things you want to accomplish this summer. Each time you do something on the list, check it off and add something new. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you can have with this simple tip.

To help you get started, here are 50 fun things for kids to do outside. Need more ideas? Here are 15 free activities for kids this summer.

Go Camping

Take a few days this summer to have some fun and get away from everyday life. Camping is the perfect way to do this. It keeps your kids busy and gives the entire family a chance to spend some quality time together. Be sure to have some camping fun by bringing ingredients for s’mores, fishing poles, and hiking gear.

Arrange Play Dates

If you have multiple children, you’re probably grateful that your kids can play with each other. Even though this is great for day-to-day playing, it can get a little boring for your kids. Keep your kids busy this summer by setting up different play dates. These play dates can be at your home or even the park or beach.

Try to have at least one play date a week so your kids have something to look forward to… unless you’re not a fan of arranged play dates! Do you hate play dates or hate them?

Squeeze in Some Learning

This is probably something your kids don’t want to hear, but learning is a great way to keep your kids busy over the summer. The school year is filled with schedules and routines, which is a good thing because your kids know what to expect and when to expect it. The summer can get a little hectic since all of those normal routines are thrown out the door for a few weeks. This is why some areas have year round school.

Keep your kids following at least one routine by fitting in a short learning period each day. This can include anything from 30 minutes of reading to a short math game.

Finding entertaining and interesting things for your kids to do each week will help keep your summer fun and conflict-free. What are some ways you keep your kids busy over summer vacation?

Kristin is a work at home mom with a beautiful (and smart!) 4-year-old boy. She has a degree in elementary education, but loves the fact that she is has the opportunity to stay at home with her son and still make a living. Now she gets to live out her passion for writing about all things kids, especially when it comes to mixing fun and education.

Big Kids

How to Raise a Child in Today’s World Without Losing Your Mind

July 16, 2014

It seems like every time you turn around, there’s something new to worry about regarding your children’s safety: Canned vegetables and BPA. Swimming and dry drowning. And now… sunscreen spray and cancer. It’s enough to make any parent lose their mind.

While hiding away and doing our best to shield our children from anything that could harm them may be a tempting solution at times, we all know that eventually we’re going to have to let our kids out into the world, and eventually we are going to expose them to some things that aren’t the best for them. When this time comes, don’t drive yourself crazy with worry. Use these four steps for raising your child in today’s world without losing your mind.

How to Raise a Child in Today’s World Without Losing Your Mind

1. Accept the Inevitable

First of all, realize that every kid is going to be exposed to something dangerous at some point. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, either. Your kids are still going to get bumps and bruises, they are going to get their feelings hurt, and they are probably going to eat dirt at some point. Trying to protect them from everything would be futile.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to protect your children from things that are clearly dangerous, but that you don’t need to obsessively worry over everything. As the saying goes, “A little dirt don’t hurt.”

2. Get Informed

All too often, our fears and reactions are based on how dangerous we feel a situation is, not how dangerous the situation actually is. Combat this fear by getting the facts. If you are worried about your child attending her first sleepover, meet the other girl’s family and ask questions about sleeping arrangements. If you are worried about the meals your son will eat at school, find out more about what the school serves and how it is prepared.

3. Make Healthier Choices

Once you have the facts about a situation, you are better able to make an educated decision instead of an emotional reaction. Whether you choose to cloth diaper or disposable diaper, to serve organic food or hit the drive thru, or to formula feed or breastfeed, you’ll feel much more confident and secure with your decision, since it will be based on facts.

4. Seek Balance

Lastly, whatever choices you make for your family, be sure that you take a balanced approach. There is no reason to go completely overboard and ruin all the fun because of your fears. Instead, determine what your goals and priorities are (whether you want your kids to eat healthier or stay safer when they are out of your sight, for example), and then determine what a reasonable course of action would be. What works for your family isn’t necessarily the same as what works for others, and you have to make the choices that are best for you.

What things about raising a child in today’s world worry you and threaten to make you lose your mind?

lifestyle

16 Secrets to Success

July 15, 2014

People often ask me how I juggle priorities and commitments, and how I achieve a work-life balance. What are my secrets to success?

I work hard during the week, volunteer on weekends, have two little ones under the age of six, have written two books and host numerous parties. I decided to sit down at my computer and think about how to answer the question so many people have been asking me. How do I balance it all?

Success can be defined as many things. For me, it means living a healthy, happy, well-balanced life. Here are my 16 secrets to success that have worked in achieving a work life balance.

Shelly’s 16 Secrets to Success

It’s not a secret really…it’s just what works for me!

1. If you’re going to be generous with your time and money, then BE generous.

My motto has always been, it’s all or nothing; Go Big or Go Home!

2. Do ‘at least’ one act of kindness everyday…

…and that includes being kind to yourself.

3. Verbally acknowledge your partner and the strong support systems around you.

4. Write everything down.

I am constantly writing, thinking, expressing. Eventually, these singular words on loose paper give life to a bigger purpose.

5. Visualize the home and lifestyle you want, and surround yourself with those items.

Since I was young, I collected art from all over the world, developed photos of interesting places I have seen on my travels and put them in large frames. I collected crystals and beautiful glassware with the hopes that one day I would live in a house worthy of such items. And like Jim Carrie who wrote himself a cheque for one million dollars with the hopes of cashing it in one day, I too visualized my reality…and it has come true.

6. Buy a ridiculously over-sized dining table and host many many many dinner parties.

I do not regret the price I paid for the table…it has welcomed many soulful conversations over the years

7. Be Silly.

With the hectic lives we lead, it is hard to find joy in the simple things sometimes. I am guilty of this. Then I look at my children, and see them giggle at the sound of their own voices, and I remember that it’s okay to be silly.

8. Surround yourself with positivity as much as humanly possible.

9. Take a Personal Day.

Every so often we need to recharge, to refuel. Our minds are working a mile a minute and we have to juggle parenthood and workinghood, so yes, sometimes our minds and bodies need a reset. I have started to take ‘guilt-free’ personal days and make the most of it. Do what is important for you to feel whole. For some that is sleeping, for others it is a Spa Day, for others, and for some, it is cleaning out 5 closets. I won’t giveaway which one of those is in reference to me.

10. Work hard in all aspects of your life.

Take pride in ALL the work you do – whether it’s a paid position or voluntary. Remember, your name is attached to the end product so make it count.

11. Lead by Example.

We have heard the saying time and time again ‘your kids are watching’. Well, the truth is everyone is watching so be the person you most respect!

12. If you can be strong in diet you can be strong in anything.

A wise woman taught me that ‘If you can be strong in diet you can be strong in anything’. It’s all about conditioning our minds.

13. Set Realistic Goals.

We all set goals for ourselves – some formally, and some not so formally. But we all have aspirations. It’s about setting realistic goals with attainable measures that will help us to achieve them.

14. Organization and Planning is the KEY TO SUCCESS.

Remember – execution is only as good as the planning.

15. Every so often do something nice, and let someone else take the credit for it.

16. Write Love Notes.

One of my most vivid memories of childhood was getting love notes from my mother. She travelled a lot for work and there was always an airport taxi ready to whisk her away, but she always remembered to write us inspirational sayings on sticky notes on the mirror.

Shelly Khushal is a former corporate events planner. Some of her projects included: Conducting Leadership Conferences, Hosting Celebrity Seminars, Orientation Conferences and assisting with Wedding Planning. Contact: Shelly@Khushal.ca

Kids

5 Tips for Taking Photos of Your Baby

July 14, 2014

How many you are taking photos of your baby with every move they make? We all know our little ones fill our lives with magical moments, but those moments are not always captured because taking photos of your baby is an art!

Even though they are simply adorable, babies don’t always make the best photo subjects! Whether they are crawling away, turning their heads, or bursting into tears at just the wrong moment – somehow, those photograph-worthy moments slip away.

There are tips for taking photos of your baby – the right way! Disney Baby has 5 tips for taking photos of your baby, so you can capture those magical moments and enjoy them forever.

5 tips for taking photos of your baby

1. Forget the frightening flash

Turn off the flash and open the shades. Not only can flash be startling to your baby, it creates a much harsher light and those dreaded red eyes in photos. For a better picture, open your windows and shades or move your baby outdoors to take some photos. Natural light will make it easier to capture your baby’s natural beauty, by ensuring you don’t lose the depth in your baby’s features. The photos also come out clearer and more beautiful.

2. Work those angles

Get down to your baby’s level. This allows you to look right into their eyes and gives them the power to look right back – they will appear much more engaged in the picture and they might even give you that elusive smile.

3. Don’t worry about perfect posing

Baby can’t smile every time! Don’t get too hung up on creating the perfect backdrop or coaxing baby into a classic pose. Taking pictures of your baby is about capturing who they are and they may not always be smiley, happy or perfectly poised. However, life and art is about capturing reality and when you look back later, you might appreciate having a few tantrum shots. I know I miss not having taken more random photos of the kids doing things like eating, crawling and yes, even crying!

4. Know when to stop

Babies get tired and fussy and it’s important not to drag the photography session on too long. If you know when to stop, taking pictures of your baby will be a lot more fun – for both of you. I find that having the camera ready for any moment that can arise may cause reason for an impromptu photo session!

5. Print & Store

Digital photos are great for sharing with family and friends, but it’s also lots of fun to print your photos and make the magical moments last. Disney Baby offers a great selection of Photo Albums and Picture Frames to help you store and display your pictures, so you can hang on to your memories for many years to come.

Who is the photographer in your house? How do you capture your baby’s magical moments?

I’m happy to be a Disney Baby Mom Ambassador and will be sharing information and tips for Disney Baby.

lifestyle

Drive Safely with MICHELIN® Premier A/S Tires

July 11, 2014

The tires we had on our vehicle weren’t on their last tread but they were due for a change next year. I’m constantly driving with my boys around town and will be on the road a lot more now that my son is playing rep hockey. Car safety is very important when it comes to family!

The Anti-lock braking system (ABS) would activate all the time when driving in the rain. ABS is an automobile safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. The ABS light would come on and activate in wet conditions – even if I were to drive over a puddle!

I switched my tires over to a brand new set of MICHELIN® Premier A/S tires, built around safety with a new technology that ensures optimal wet breaking, even when worn. The MICHELIN® Premier A/S tires are made to provide better road safety by reducing breaking distance in wet conditions.

Well as soon as the tires were changed and I took the car out for a spin, I felt a difference right away. The car ran more smoothly and it was much less bumpy, especially for the kids in the back seat making for a much smoother ride.

Michelin says the Premier A/S reduces stopping distances in wet conditions and, when worn, better resists hydroplaning (skating on a thin cushion of water), compared to a conventional tire. With EverGrip™ technology, expanding rain grooves widen and emerging grooves open as the tire wears to maintain traction. As the tire wears, the grooves open and widen so the Michelin Premier A/S maintains about a 70% tread to 30% tread void throughout its life.

We’ve have quite a few thunderstorms this summer and the tires have performed well in the rain. I’ve been able to stop the vehicle without skidding and the ABS light has not come back on! I thought for sure I’d have to take the car in to have the mechanic diagnose and fix the ABS but it seems that with the tire change, the problem is completely gone.

I also find that handling the car is much smoother, especially when making turns and sharp turns. Of course with any new tires, you’ll feel a difference but the handling especially in wet conditions and sudden stopping and swerving when it’s raining makes me feel safer in the vehicle.

These Michelin Premier A/S tires are great for our vehicle use because they are designed to offer a safe drive under all conditions, even after thousands of kilometers – which we do on our regular road trips with the kids. The Premier A/S also comes with a 100,000 km warranty, which is an amazing guarantee.

Car safety is so important and I would have to say I feel much safer driving my car with the Michelin Premier A/S tires.

Drive safely!

Disclosure: I was given a set of Michelin Premier A/S tires to review and test out and we love them!

About

Hi I'm Maria! I'm an author, lifestyle and travel writer, rock-concert-goer & gluten-free foodie. Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too! is available at Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon!
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