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If you want to make a quick, delicious treat without having to bake, this is another no-bake recipe that you’ll love… you might remember my Church Windows recipe?

For these Chocolate Skor Pretzels, the combination of salty and sweet is divine!

Chocolate Skor Pretzels – No Bake Easy Recipe

Ingredients:

24 – 36 Mini pretzels – I find the mini pretzels work better than larger ones.

8 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate (or milk chocolate)

1 cup Skor pieces

Chocolate Skor Pretzels

Directions:

Place pretzels on wax paper-lined tray. Melt chocolate in double boiler (or a pot or over a pot of boiling water). Spoon melting chocolate in one or two openings of the pretzels. Sprinkle with Skor pieces. Allow to cool in the fridge.

Try not to eat them all in one sitting!

Wondering what to put in your children’s stockings? While socks are always needed, a little something extra in the stocking is fun for the kids to find Christmas morning.

Here are some great stocking stuffer ideas for kids:

stocking stuffers

Kre-O CityVille Population 2-Packs

Despicable Me 2 Battle Pods Minion and Pod

SCRABBLE SLAM Card Game

SESAME STREET PLAYSKOOL Mini Plush Assortment

Play-Doh Treat Without the Sweet Holiday Pack

PLAY-DOH Grab ‘n Go Pack Assortment

LITTLEST PET SHOP Singles Assortment

Beyblade BeyBattle Tops Assortment

MARVEL Universe Movie Series 2″ Action Figure (styles may vary)

Available at most toy stores, Walmart and Target.

Mastermind Toys also has some adorable gifts under $10 that are perfect for stocking stuffers – they are usually located around the cash counter.

Merry Christmas!

 

 

I’m always on the lookout for beauty products that moisturize and soothe skin. These new products from Elizabeth Arden take it to the next level.

Elizabeth Arden Global Makeup Artist Rebecca Restrepo shares her favorite picks and I can clearly see why.

The new PREVAGE® Anti-aging + Intensive Repair Daily Serum contains ingredients that helps protect skin from the environment, reduces stress on the skin and supports the skin’s natural repair process. Containing antioxidant properties, the serum helps protect against free radicals and reduces the signs of aging caused by chronic inflammation.

Scientists have proven that exposure to smoke, pollution and other irritants accelerate skin aging twice as fast. These types of environmental threats produce free radicals that cause chronic inflammation at skin’s cellular level. The result is an increased appearance of wrinkles and age spots and a breakdown of collagen and elastin.

PREVAGE® Anti-aging + Intensive Repair Daily Serum is clinically proven to immediately improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, radiance and gently firms the look of skin. In just 4 weeks, this advanced formula is clinically proven to diminish the appearance of age spots and improve the look of skin firmness by up to 60%.

Over time, PREVAGE® Anti-aging + Intensive Repair Daily Serum supports skin’s own natural collagen and elastin to help firm the look of skin and is clinically proven to immediately improve the appearance of deep wrinkles, skin firmness, age spots and luminosity, with 97% of women showing an improvement in overall appearance in 12 weeks.

  • 96% of women reported that with use their skin appeared more luminous and radiant.
  • 90% of women reported that it soothes and calms skin, while also improving skin’s overall appearance.
  • 88% of women reported that their skin tone and texture improved with use.

How to use the serum? At $225, following the instructions on the dropper is a must! Before unscrewing dropper, push down on dropper button for 3 seconds. Slowly release button and unscrew dropper. Slowly press button to dispense pre-measured amount of product. After cleansing, massage onto the face in the morning and evening. The serum really feels luxurious on your skin!

elizabeth arden

Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick pumps up the volume with five new fashion-perfect shades. Lip plumping, moisturizing, voluptuous color that helps plump up lips and reduce the appearance of vertical lines on lips. Long lasting for the perfect pout.

  • Contains Maxi-Lip™ to help plump lip volume and reduce the appearance of vertical lines on lips.
  • Ceramide Triple Complex retexturizes, soothes and strengthens skin’s appearance.
  • Contains Vitamins A, C and E.
  • Tahitian Gardenia extract soothes and hydrates lips.
  • In 5 NEW shades: Perfect Scarlet, Perfect Melon, Perfect Tulip,Perfect Flamingo and Perfect Amethyst.

I find that this lipstick makes my lips feel soft and moisturized and has a lovely scent.

elizabeth arden

Ceramide Skin Smoothing Loose Powder is an ultra lightweight powder that delivers advanced Ceramide anti-aging benefits. This luxurious powder helps revitalize skin’s appearance with optical diffusers which visually blur fine lines and imperfections. It’s also clinically and dermatologist tested.

Your complexion looks and feels younger, smoother and perfectly finished all day long. It comes in three shades: Translucent, Light, Medium. I like how light this loose powder feels on my skin while providing good coverage.

elizabeth arden

Elizabeth Arden is available at Hudson’s Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Pharma Plus.

 

I received these products for review.

 

Often it’s tough for shop for personal gifts for friends or family so why not buy something for the house?

Here are 5 Gift Ideas for the home gift ideas Christmas 2013:

gift ides for the home

Print your photos instantly with the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One – even from your mobile device!  Use along with the free EpsonConnect™  for mobile printing capabilities for iPad, iPhone, tablets, and smartphones print

You can print and share content from the next room or around the globe. The new Creative Print App, available for download on Android and Apple devices, allows you to print your Facebook photos, create custom holiday greeting cards and stationery, print photos onto CD/DVDs and turn your children’s favourite characters into colouring book pages, all from the convenience of your mobile device.

The ultra slim, space saving all-in-one printer boasts 2-sided printing and a 30-page Auto Document Feeder for auto 2-sided copying, scanning and faxing. The intuitive 3.5-inch touchscreen, dedicated photo tray, specialty paper support and CD/DVD printing mean you’re ready for any holiday project.

The photos have great quality – sharp text, brilliant colour plus Auto Photo Correction and red-eye removal. It will print borderless 4″ x 6″ photos in as fast as 12 seconds and best of all, the prints are smudge, scratch and water resistant.

With its ultra-powerful performance and ultra-slim-design, this printer doesn’t take up too much space. You can also use the 30-page Auto Document Feeder to quickly copy, scan and fax stacks of 2-sided originals.

The Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One ($229.99) and the Epson Connect printing solutions (free) is available at Staples.

epson printer

The Bissell Hard Floor Expert Deluxe is perfect for homes with hard floors. The unique air driven Turbine Hard Floor Brush provides powerful suction and is designed to be gentle on your delicate hard floor surfaces.

It has a unique brush designed to be gentle on all hard floor surfaces but pick up 98% of debris. It has control speed and power wirelessly with fingertip controls and swivel steering to easily maneuver under and around furniture. With Quiet Vac and Cyclonic Technology, the Hard Floor Expert Deluxe has a soft-grip handle and an Easy Empty™ Dirt Tank.

Available at Best Buy, Walmart and other major retailers $149.99 in the U.S. and .

gift ideas for the home

The FIZZINI Handheld Carbonated Water Maker makes sparkling water or soda pop in minutes. Easy to use, you can just twist, carbonate and drink. After the water is carbonated, you can add flavours (you can purchase the syrups). The compact handheld unit fits on the included one litre bottle and has an adjustable fizz control. 10 recyclable 8 gram CO₂ cartridges are included. Available at Home Hardware and Walmart, $49.99

gift ideas for the home

Have a comfortable more restful sleep with the Contour Collection GelCool Pillow. Enjoy the cradling comfort of memory foam that will relieve pressure points and leave you feeling well rested.

Memory Foam cradles your head for comfort and responds to movements to relieve pressure points and mould to your body’s contours to provide head and neck support. The Gelcool Applique keeps the pillow cool for a comfortable sleeping area. It comes with a Zippered Washable STAYCOOL cover which allows for maximum airflow and helps wick away moisture.

Available at Sleep Country Canada.

gift ideas for the home 

 

Snackbox is a monthly membership to discover, learn about and try healthy snack foods. As a Snackbox member you will receive a box of 10-12 nutritionist approved snacks that taste great, conveniently delivered to your door every month. Select between 1 month, 3 month, and 6 month billing cycles. All subscription types are automatically renewing at the end of the billing period.

gift ideas for the home

 

 

Happy Shopping!

gift ides for the home

It is the most wonderful time of the year but it can be stressful!  Hosting a feast for your family can be quite nerve-wracking – unless you have a Christmas Day entertaining plan. Follow my Christmas countdown for a less stressful family gathering and easy Christmas dinner.

Here is my Countdown to Christmas Day Entertaining.

Countdown to Christmas Day Entertaining

christmas day entertaining

One week before

Set your menu. If you are doing a pot-luck, better for you but I like to spoil guests and have them just bring themselves.

Once you’ve decided what to cook, write up your shopping list. If you’re roasting a turkey, call the grocery store and order your fresh turkey. I prefer a fresh turkey but a frozen turkey is also fine. Just make sure to allow time for thawing. Try my easy turkey recipe.

Five Days Before

Go grocery shopping. Get everything you need that day so you’re not scrambling last minute, although you probably will end up forgetting something! Here are six apps that will help you get organized.

Three days before

If you have kids, they will probably prefer cookies over a cheesecake or pie so let them bake! There are so many varieties of cookies to choose from – a simple cookie recipe will do just fine. Let them go to town on the icing and decorations. Try my easy gingerbread recipe.

After the kids make a mess, clean the house. You’ll still need to do a quick tidy and vacuum before guests come but the deep cleaning will help.

Two days before

Prepare and/or bake your desserts. Depending on what you’re baking, for example, cheesecake can be baked two days before as it needs 12 hours to set in the refrigerator. A pecan pie tastes better the day after as well.

You can also prepare the cranberry sauce ahead and keep it in the fridge. Also, brine the turkey overnight (for 12 hours) – it will come out so tender!

One day before

If you don’t have more than one oven, you may want to prepare some side dishes the day before. You can prepare the mashed potatoes the day before and heat up if you’re worried about time.

Take out all the dishes, linens and bring up any extra chairs you may need. Check your cutlery, wine glasses and serving dishes and utensils. Make sure you have ice in the freezer and enough wine for your guests. Pour yourself a glass.

The big day

Remove the turkey from the brine and tie the turkey properly before popping the turkey in the oven. Cook for about five hours or more, depending on the size before you plan to eat. Start preparing the rest of the meal. Set the table and enjoy the smells emanating from your kitchen!

I hope this Countdown to Christmas Day Entertaining will help you have a less stressful and easy Christmas Day dinner.

Merry Christmas!

Wondering what the top 10 gift ideas for little ones are? Here are some popular gift ideas for little ones Christmas 2013.

gift ideas for little ones

Ramps, balls, bugs, surprises! The Beep Beep Activity Forest Spiral is stimulating and full of activities they will love! Toddlers interact with the “forest” and watch the balls spiral down the ramp, go through tunnels, open barriers, and more! Plus they are sure to adore the cute bugs that can be found on the spiral. A fun way for little ones to enjoy playing while developing their minds, curiosity and motor skills. Mastermind Toys $59.95

10 gift ideas for little ones

Bottles by como tomo have naturally shaped, soft, silicone nipples, ideal for breastfed babies. These bottles have a wide-neck design for easy cleaning. Safe in: microwave, boiling water, dishwashers and sterilizers, Innovative & non-leaking anti-colic vents, Squeezable, soft, skin-like texture for happy baby. Made with 100% safe materials: BPA, PVC, Phthalate free. Snugglebugz $32.99 for a two-pack.

 cute baby bottles

The Gro-suit has been specially designed to be used with a Grobag Baby Sleep Bag in colder temperatures. The quilted sleeves will keep your baby’s arms warm, with no need for additional bedding or layers. Comes in a 2 Pack and retails for $36.95.

gift ideas for little ones

The Evenflo® ExerSaucer® Jump & Learn™ offers parents a safe alternative to walkers. $104 at Walmart.ca. Win an Evenflo ExerSaucer Bounce & Learn Beach Baby!

christmas gifts for little kids 2013

Watch your little one get up and go with the Fisher-Price Rollin’ Tunes Zebra ride-on! Suitable for kids 12 months to 3 years. $59.99 Toys R Us.

christmas gift ideas for little ones

Sesame Street Big Hugs Elmo loves getting hugs, but he really loves giving them! little ones can pretend along with him, and even dance, sing, nap, and cuddle with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street pal! Hasbro $49.99
christmas gift ideas for little ones

Furreal Friends Cuddles my Giggling Monkey responds when your child plays with her – it giggles and makes monkey sounds when you cuddle or tickle her. Target $49.99

christmas gift ideas for kids 2013

Play like a conductor with the Go! Go! SmartWheels Train Station Playset by Vtech. Twenty-six tracks can combine into many different configurations as the included motorized train engine and cargo car chug on by. Pull the train into the station, under the bridge and whiz by the track gates and blow the whistle for real railway fun. $59.95 at Toys R Us.

christmas gifts for little kids

 

This colourful Eric Carle Developmental Elephant Plush is made of brightly-coloured, patterned fabric that helps with baby’s visual stimulation! Playing is fun with his mirror, oversized button, zipper, squeaker, chime, rings and multiple textures. Mastermind Toys $26.95.

10 gift ideas for little ones

Thinking what to get the special woman in your life and not sure what to buy? Please don’t get her new cleaning products or pots and pans – unless she really wants them!

It’s not about spending a ton of cash to please her – there are some fabulous gift ideas for her that are affordable and beautiful.

Here are 10 gift ideas for her Christmas 2013 that will impress her and guaranteed to put a big smile on her face.

gift ideas for her

 

This luxurious, lightweight powder offers advanced ceramide anti-aging benefits to help renew skin’s appearance. Optical diffusers visually blur fine lines so the complexion feels younger, smoother and perfectly finished all day long. Ceramide Skin Smoothing Loose Powder by Elizabeth Arden $42.

gift ideas for her

 

Jamie is the ideal companion to tote around town. Done up in smooth leather, this wristlet boasts a detachable chain so you can customize your look. Daniel Leather Sale $39.00
gift ideas for her

Murano Inspired IRIS Glass Beads with Charms are sold either completed or individually, and at an amazing price you can’t beat. Joseph Nogucci $108

Joseph Nogucci

joseph nogucci

The Chrysalis Cardi is a versatile piece that can be styled 10+ ways. From a cozy Cocoon Cardi, to a Chic Grecian Dress, a dramatic Cape to a classic infinity scarf. The secret is the snaps hidden along the hemline that hold the looks together. No pinning, no tying. Made in Canada. $138 enCircled.ca.

gift ideas for her

These Suede Masson earmuffs are a great winter accessory. The genuine sheepskin lining will keep your ears warm and protected even on the coldest of days, and you can pair it with any winter boot for a stylish look. Flurries $51.99.

Flurries accessories

Flurries mocassins are also a perfect holiday gift for her and this season there are a few new styles to fit everyone’s favourite at-home ensemble. Flurries $119.

mocassin slippers

This year OPI Holiday gift sets have something extra – either a hair tie or a makeup bag. We’re giving some away here! $18

OPI gift set

Nothing says cozy like a chunky sweater. Pattern-knit jumper in a soft cotton blend with long sleeves. Knitted jumper$29.95 H&M.

gift ideas for her 2013

 

I have been eyeing this Kenzo tiger ring for weeks – I must have one!

KENZO’s tiger designs have become front row favorites. This fierce gold-plated ring is the easiest way to work the look, day or night. Tiger gold-plated cutout ring Kenzo $105.

Kenzo necklace

The Scala Wool Cadet hat comes in an array of colors that will complete your fall/winter outfit. Comes in black, burgundy, charcoal, olive, camel. Dorfman Pacific $30.

gift ideas for her 2013

happy shopping!

It’s already winter season which means we’re spending more and more time at the ice rinks. My son plays for two hockey teams so he can be on the ice as many as five times a week.

I think it’s great that he loves hockey so much. But when I stopped to think about how much money we’re putting into this very expensive hobby, it adds up! I can’t even imagine parents who have children playing Triple A hockey and the expenses attached. Hockey is expensive!

Three out of five Canadian parents (61 per cent) say they, or someone they know, have borrowed money or used their retirement savings to put a child through hockey or other extracurricular activities. In fact, 36% believe paying for extracurricular activities like hockey is more important before saving for post-secondary education!

I am surprised by this number. Although extracurricular activities are important and vital to a child’s development, education should always be top priority. And with the rising costs of post-secondary education, it’s important to be putting money away now for the future.

A recent survey conducted by Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan showed that 89% of parents believe it is important for parents in Canada to help their child pay for their post-secondary education. I am thankful that my father helped pay for half of my university tuition.

That was our deal – I worked part-time and spent evenings saving money for university and paid for half of my tuition and he would cover the other half. The last think you want as a new graduate is to have a hefty student loan.

I always tell my kids, do what you love whatever hobby it is, but you’re both going to university! My husband and I started an RESP for them soon after they were born and contribute when we can but I know we should be contributing more. If we’re already paying for hockey, we should be able to put more away for education.

CST’s Beyond the Blue Line contest is amazing – you could win $10,000 for your hockey team to help make hockey less expensive! Check out the website, to share and learn more at http://beyondtheblueline.ca.

Also make sure to join @CSTConsultants, @beyondtheblueline and @THNKenCampbell on December 17th at 9pm EST where they will be discussing the cost of hockey vs. education and RESPs.   Follow hashtag #hockeyvseducation – they’ll also be giving away 5 – $50 VISA gift cards!

 

Disclosure: I am part of the C.S.T. Consultants Inc. – Beyond the blue line blogger program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Both of my kids loved playing in an ExerSaucer once they could sit up on their own. They’d be happy bouncing around and “practicing” to stand on their own while playing with the various toys attached to it.

The Evenflo ExerSaucer Bounce & Learn allows your baby to rock, spin and bounce while strengthening legs, back and neck muscles. It has 29 fun learning activities that help babies achieve important developmental milestones and comes with toys that are removable so you can wash and take them with you.

The ExerSaucer has three positions so you can adjust the height as your baby grows – we used ours up until both of my boys started walking. I’d only let them play in it for about 10 minutes at a time, just enough time to get dinner started and enough time before they would get fussy!

The machine washable seat pad is easy to remove and you don’t need any tools to assemble.  You can have your baby play in the ExerSaucer from about 4 months to walking  (a maximum height of 30″).

ENTER TO WIN

One lucky reader will win an Evenflo ExerSaucer Bounce & Learn Beach Baby! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

evenflo exersaucer

What are the top gifts for big kids this holiday season? Skylanders are a huge hit as is Zoomer, the loveable pet dog that seems to be sold out everywhere!

Here are the top 10 gifts for big kids 2013:

Skylanders SWAPForce: 

In the new Skylanders series SWAPForce, players use a portal to bring real life action figures into the video game. For the new game, Skylanders are able to jump, and there are new swappable Skylanders. These sixteen new characters have top and bottom halves that can be separated from each other and recombined with the halves from other characters. Starter Pack $74.99

top gifts for big kids

 

Mega Bloks Skylanders

Catch some air with Flynn’s Rescue Ship from Mega Bloks Skylanders SWAP Force. When the forces of KAOS are coming from all directions, Hot Head–with cool light-up powers–zooms through the air, providing cover to his friends on deck. Flynn jumps into action, any damage done by the Greebles. He can fire the real, working launchers or operate the crane. When the battle gets tough, Magna Charge rolls in to take on a whole sea of baddies. The battle for the Skylands has never been more fun. Ideal for kids 5 and up. $69.99

top gift ideas for big kids

V-Tech InnoTab 3S

The InnoTab 3S by VTech is a tablet offers a wealth of fun, age-appropriate learning games for kids, plus new ways to play and learn. It’s a real tablet made for kids. We’re giving one away here!

tablet for kids

Minecraft for XBox

My almost-7 year old LOVES Minecraft – is obsessed. Luckily we don’t have an XBox otherwise he would be playing this video game ALL THE TIME. $19.99

10 top gift ideas for big kids 2013

American Girl Doll

Saige is the 2013 Girl of the Year – a spirited girl who draws on her passions to inspire action. The Saige doll is 18″ tall, with bright turquoise eyes that open and close. She has long auburn hair that can be brushed and braided, and comes with both pierced ears and an artsy ring. $110

top 10 gifts for big kids

Zoomer

Have your kids been asking for a puppy? Zoomer might be a reasonable option if you can’t have a real pet in the house – if you can find one! They’ve been sold out everywhere for weeks. $99.99

top 10 gifts for big kids 2013

 

 

Aquabots

The same people who brought us Hexbugs have done it again with the Aquabot Robotic Fish with Bowl. These robot fish are lifelike and also work under water! $16.99

top 10 gifts for big kids 2013

Rainbow Loom

Make one of a kind elastic bracelets and more with the complete Rainbow Loom kit has everything you need to make up to 24 bright and colourful, funky bracelets, including illustrated instructions, over 600 rubber bands, and the Rainbow Loom and hook. Also included is the new Mini Rainbow Loom for making bracelets on the go! $18.95 at Mastermind Toys.

top gift ideas for big kids

 

Smurfs 2

Evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties hoping they will let him harness the magical Smurf-essence. However, he soon discovers that he needs the help of Smurfette, who knows the secret to turning the Naughties into real Smurfs. When Gargamel and his Naughties kidnap Smurfette from Smurf Village and bring her to Paris, it’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity to reunite with their human friends, Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! $29.99

top 10 gifts for big kids

 

Disney Infinity

Disney Infinity Starter Pack is a new video game which unlocks the freedom to play with some of your favorite Disney and Disney/Pixar worlds like never before! $74.99

10 gifts for big kids 2013

 HAPPY SHOPPING!

top 10 gifts for big kids 2013