May 2019 be filled with much love, health and happiness! Happy New Year!
#AMEblog
12/31/18
12/18/18
Posted in partnership with Hamilton Beach. We received complimentary product for our review. Opinions and comments are those of the author.
Coffee has been part of my life ever since my late highschool years. It has seen me through many early mornings, fatigue ridden afternoons and long nights that required my utmost attention. It’s almost like a warm best friend!
I won’t just drink "any coffee", it has to be good coffee and over the years I’ve learned that in order to brew a good cup of coffee you need a good machine. Boy have I been missing out. From 12 cup drips to single serve machines I’ve tried them all and nothing compares to my new Hamilton Beach® FlexBrew® 2-Way Thermal Coffee Maker!
Not only does it brew a 10-cup carafe on one side but also single serve on the other side making it perfect for on-the-go families! In the single serve side you can use K-cups or your favourite home brew. Both sides has its own water reservoir. I know I will be using the single serve feature during those busy mornings rushing the kids out the door!
The 10 cup carafe is stainless steel keeping your coffee extra hot! It uses flat-bottom coffee filters (paper or reusable) to brew your java. It’s got pause and serve too in case you just can’t wait for the whole pot to brew.
The functions on this machine are simple with a big button for a full pot or single serve options. You can brew bold or regular. It’s also programmable with an automatic shutoff.
Being a 2-in-1 machine it looks huge but once it’s placed on the counter, it looks as fantastic as the coffee it brews tastes!
We tested it out first by brewing a full 10-cup carafe; we are used to strong coffee and the BOLD brew option is perfection! I was amazed at the difference between the regular and bold brews. Oh and the thermal carafe keeps it hot for a few hours!! Not that coffee lasts that long in our house but good to know we can always have hot coffee on the brew!
If you’re looking to ring in the new year with a new coffee maker, this is one I highly recommend. Hamilton Beach also makes a 12-cup version of this maker too!
You can learn more about the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-in-1 coffee maker by visiting the official Hamilton Beach website!
12/17/18
12/15/18
LEGO is a huge part of my kids childhood; our son is a big collector. According to him, you can never have "too much LEGO". There’s always something to build using your imagination. It’s no surprise a new LEGO set was the #1 gift on his Christmas wish list this year!
He’ll be so surprised when he sees what Santa has in the bag this Christmas!!
Go on a Marvel adventure with LEGO Super Heroes Royal Talon Fighter Attack! The Royal Talon Fighter features an opening minifigure cockpit, 2 stud shooters and a rear prison compartment to trap a minifigure. This set also includes 4 LEGO minifigures (Black Panther, Nakia, Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue) and their fighting weapons! Ages 7-14 $29.99 @ shops like Toys R Us!
Hands on interactive play with the LEGO Minecraft The Skull Arena! The set comes with everything you need for your next Minecraft adventure including two Minecraft characters (with unique skins) and killer bunny! Features a buildable LEGO Minecraft Skull Arena setting with a large skull-shaped structure, lava, green and blue player podiums. Weapons include a bow and a golden axe and sword. 7-14 yrs $24.99 @ Toys R Us!
These are just a couple of fun examples; there are SO many different LEGO sets to choose from, any LEGO fan will definitely love these! I know my son will!
Happy (last minute) holiday shopping!
*Posted in partnership with LEGO. Complimentary product received for feature. Opinions and comments are those of the aithor*
12/13/18
Christmas time is that special time of year when extended family gets together (in some cases may be the only time of year) to catch up, spread joy and celebrate the love that holidays can bring.
Unfortunately not everybody has that picture-perfect family any day of the year let alone during the holidays and thus may find themselves celebrating it alone for whatever reason. Sometimes work schedules, finances, distance, unfortunate death, or even a family rift could cause everyone to celebrate solo but that’s OKAY.
Over the years our Christmas get togetherness has faded and the holiday is celebrated by just the five of us with zero extended family and guess what? THATS OKAY! The five of us celebrating another amazing year as a family is good enough for me!
Everybody is an adult.
Well maybe not everyone but the ones who make any major holiday decisions are. You shouldn’t have to beg or twist anybody’s arm to celebrate a holiday with you. They probably have a good, understandable reason and even if they don’t, there’s no use ruining a perfectly good celebration being angry. They are as much as grown adult as you and make their priorities. If you’re not one of them, that’s okay! It shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the holidays on your own accord.
We have family who choose not to take an invite to special events when given whether it be birthdays or Christmases which with kids in the mix is really sad but I don’t let it stop us from making it our kind of special and making sure we damn well do celebrate; extended family or not; these are our memories to make. I push the temporary disappointment aside and remind myself not to expect much next time.
Think on the bright side.
As fun as having a houseful of guests over the Christmas holidays sounds, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy each other. We live busy lives on a regular basis in a fast paced world; I enjoy taking Christmas to bask in the moments that make me smile, the joys of Christmas that makes my kids smile, too. They’re only young once!
Start your own traditions!
The memories of holidays past are beautiful but we need to focus on the now. Starting our own traditions has always been fun from sending out Christmas cards to family we don’t get to see to frozen McCain Cake for our youngest "close to Christmas" birthday to playing a Christmas playlist while we parents sip coffee and enjoy Christmas morning with our kids unwrapping gifts in their new PJs that "Santa brought them". These are all of the memories and more we make sure they remember; not who doesn’t show up. They’re missing out, not us.
Having absent extended family gives an excuse to hug your kids even longer and love them even more every day. We always make sure to let them know that we love them. Christmas time is special because we are here and we make it special for them. Having a small, quiet holiday celebration is nothing to be ashamed of in fact I am proud of OUR family traditions.
God bless and have a merry Christmas!
12/9/18
Posted in participation with Hallmark Canada. We received products in exchange for our views. Opinions and comments on this blog are those of the author.
Tis the season to deck the halls and trim the tree, not to mention holiday meal prep gift wrapping and all the joys of family and friends throughout the holiday season.
Hallmark Canada makes it easy with gorgeous decorations, home decor, gifts and gift wrap you’ll be proud to share with loved ones this holiday season! Don’t forget to top off your holidays with a signature holiday greeting card, Hallmark has some gorgeous ones!
If you’ve been reading this blog for any time you should know I love Hallmark items during holiday celebrations but my top 5 favourites this year (not including the assortment of gorgeous Christmas greeting cards!) have to be the Blown Glass Ornament, Talking Santa, the Itty Bitty Advent Calendar, Merry Christmas Pillow and the beautiful Throw Blanket.
Did you know Walmart Canada and Hallmark have teamed up and offer Walmart exclusive products like Paper Wonder greeting cards and decoupage character ornaments!
Check out the #AMEblog Instagram post to see a sample of what Hallmark has to offer in store and online!
Win it!
Keep warm this winter with a beautiful Throw Blanket from Hallmark Canada!
Enter using the ballot below for your chance to win. Open to Canadians 18+ excluding Quebec. Giveaway ends December 30th, 2018.
* Please note that due to the holidays, our sponsor will be sending out this prize in the new year! Thanks for understanding!
12/3/18
Posted in partnership with Lemongrass House Canada. We received products in exchange for our views. Opinions and comments on this blog are those of the author.
While you’re making your lists and checking them twice, why not give the gift of a home spa experience this holiday season with products from Lemongrass House Canada!
Two-in-one kids shampoo and body wash is formulated to be gentle on kids hair and sensitive skin. It’s made with a blend of vitamin-rich jojoba oil, nourishing aloe vera and revitalizing green tea that will leave your child's skin soft and clean.
Baby Powder is a fine and delicate soothing powder with aloe to help protect skin. Recommended for all skin types both adults and little ones.
Body and Massage Oil are created carefully balanced and hand blended with fragrant pure essential oils and a vitamin-rich sweet almond and jojoba base. Recommended for a variety of skin types and uses from relaxing massage to dry skin.
Soothing Bath Milk helps draw out impurities as well as soothe and revive tense muscles. Relieve fatigue just by adding a couple of scoops to your bath to help draw out impurities.
Hand Cream is made from unrefined shea butter to deeply moisturize, heal, protect, and rejuvenate your skin. We then add cocoa butter to soften and enrich followed by coconut oil to add a healthy glow. Jojoba oil finishes off to help improve the elasticity and suppleness of your skin.
Dog Shampoo is all natural and is made of mild cleansing agents that don't dry out your dog's skin. Pure essential oils nourish your best friend's coat leaving it clean and shiny. The handmade dog shampoo is infused with green tea extract to provide natural flea control in addition to aromatherapy benefits.
You can find these and other great handmade spa products on the Lemongrass House Canada website!
Happy holiday gifting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
