Please Vote For Care For Community Organizer Of The Year At MomsTo MomFest!

This summer marks 6 years running my business. Community is a huge part of why I love the work I do. So I was incredibly honoured to be nominated in 2 categories (Momboss & Community Organizer) for the MomFest Gala Awards this fall.

I’ve now been named a finalist for Community Organizer Of The Year, and would love to ask for your support in voting for me.

Living in West Toronto for the last 6 years raising my family, connecting with so many local families, and offering support to our community, has been incredibly fulfilling. I love hosting my Free local programs. Over the years they have included my West End Breastfeeding Cafe, West End Walking Group, Community Babywearing Drop-In (Next: Sept 18th), Monthly New Mom Project Donation Collections (Next: Sept 17th), Bloor West Moms Group Online Meetup, Movies for Mommies Screenings (Next: Aug 28th), and so much more. It’s been wonderful to collaborate with other local businesses to create events and safe spaces for families to meet, connect and thrive.

Just to be clear, I think all moms, and all parents, deserve an award! Cause this gig is not easy ;) But I would love it if you could take a minute to cast a vote for me. Voting is open until August 26th and daily voting is allowed. I appreciate your support so much.

Huge thanks to everyone who has come out to my events over the last 6 years. Wishing everyone a wonderful final few weeks of summer.

- Care

Grow A Butterfly! Buy Your Caterpillars NOW for Junction Wings 2019 - Community Fundraiser

It’s officially spring, so that means it’s time to place our orders for Junction Wings 2019!! If you’ve never heard of this incredible community fundraiser, you need to check it out. Basically for $10 you get an adorable little caterpillar in a container with food and instructions on how to care for it. You take it home and watch it grow into your very own special butterfly. It truly is magic.

My family has been taking part in this fundraiser for several years, and every single year I am amazed at this process and how much our kiddos learn from it.

Check out my post from a few years ago for a super simple Ikea Hack Butterfly Habitat, so you’ll have the perfect home for your little friend to emerge into as a butterfly.

Don’t wait! Place your caterpillar orders by this Friday April 5th! ***ORDERS EXTENDED TO APRIL 8TH AT 5PM*** ( I always recommend buying a few, since some won’t work out. Think of it as a good insurance policy.)

Caterpillars will be available for pickup in the West End on Saturday May 11th & Wednesday May 15th. The pickup location and all details will be sent out via confirmation email with each caterpillar purchase. You can arrange for someone else to pick up your caterpillars on your behalf, but please let the Junction Project know in advance. Full Details & Buy Caterpillars

I hope you and your family enjoy this as much as mine does every year. Maybe it’ll become one of your spring family traditions, like it is in our home.

- Care

Preparing Our Home For Baby 4 - Freddy’s Nursery Reveal

Baby 4 is on the way any day now (Edited to note that baby Freddy arrived on Thursday evening, just 5 hours after these photos were taken), and surprisingly this is the first time I’ve actually prepared an official nursery. I guess you could say that I want to soak up all I can with this last baby of ours.

For our little guys room I set out to create a clean and simple space with a calming colour palate and a little farmhouse feel. After weeks of working on it I’m so excited to finally show you the finished room…and in reality it’s not 100% done. I still need something beautiful and safe to accent the wall above the crib eg. won’t kill a baby if it falls on them ;) Please let me know if you have any ideas!

When I started this nursery I knew one of my main priorities was a comfortable place to sit, rock, nurse, and cuddle our babe. For our last 3 kids I have had less than ideal chairs, so getting a custom chair from Off Your Rocker was basically my dream come true. I love that this rocker was made locally in Belleville Ontario and can be totally customized to suit your preference for style, wood stain, and fabric, all at a reasonable price. I decided on the Jamestown Wingback in Battleship Grey Twill with Walnut stain and couldn’t be happier with my choice. Not only is it beautiful, it’s so comfortable! A perfect place to spend a few thousand hours over the early years of this baby’s life ;) If you’re in the market for a chair check out Off Your Rocker, and make sure when you place your order to choose "Store Pickup" & Mention With Care to Receive FREE SHIPPING to the GTA!

I wanted the nursery to have a little bit of a rustic feel so my husband and I did DIY shiplap on one accent wall and painted it white to match the rest of the room. It’s subtle, but I love the way it looks with our spindle style crib.

We were in desperate need of some fresh linens for baby 4. After 7+ years of use, our old ones were all completely done and ready for retirement. Keeping our baby’s space and the air he breathes as safe and clean as possible is very important, so I chose a beautiful organic waterproof crib mattress protector & organic crib sheets from my favourite online source, Organic Lifestyle. They have some absolutely gorgeous, eco-friendly and sustainable products for around the home. Perfect for holiday gift giving! Use code care for 15% Off your order from Organic Lifestyle.

I was set on farmhouse ticking curtains (stripped fabric seen above) but couldn’t find any that worked for our budget and time line, so I set out to make my own. I sewed blackout lined curtains and a matching crib skirt from beautiful classic nickel ticking fabric I found locally at Tonic Living.

I also refinished my childhood nursery dresser by sanding and painting it and adding new porcelain knobs. It was a pretty quick project and gave it a totally fresh look on a small budget.

Instead of going for lots of traditional wall decor I decided to decorate this small space with greenery and beautiful baby stuff, like our favourite treasures and my ring sling collection.

I absolutely love having my slings easily accessible on these gorgeous locally made wooden wall knobs. Perfect to grab and go whenever we need.

I’m so happy with how this space has turned out. I know it will be a calm and soothing space for us to care for baby Freddy. Even with the day-to-day chaos that is our busy home. Check out all the details for products featured in my nursery reveal below, and please comment with any questions.

- Care

In The Post:

Rocking Chair: Off Your Rocker *Choose "Store Pickup" & Mention With Care to Receive FREE Shipping to the GTA | Photos: Anchor Studio *Get 10% off when you mention With Care at Booking | Organic waterproof crib mattress protector & organic crib sheet: Organic Lifestyle *Get 15% off with code care | Care’s Maternity Clothing sponsored by Canadian rental box company The Sprout Collection: *Use Code Care20off for 20% off | Curtain & Crib Skirt Fabric: Tonic Living | Dresser Knobs: Overstock.ca | Rug: Overstock.ca | Dresser Paint Colour: Behr Frozen Pond | Wooden Wall Knobs: JB + DG | Black & Pink Ring Slings: Potter & Pehar *Use Code WITHCARE10 for 10% Off | Sand Ring Sling: Jr Foxes | Umbra Prisma Wall Decorations: Amazon.ca | Wooden Rattles: Bonjour Baby Baskets | Patouche Baby Bonnet: Little Zen One *Use Code WITHCARE for $15 off your purchase of $100 or more | “You Are Loved” Print: ATTN2Detail Designs | White Round Metal Mirror & Heart Marquee Light: HomeSense | White Wood Shelves, Wickers Planters, Hanging Planter & Baskets: Ikea | Herbal Sitz Bath & Lavender Mineral Soak: Tenth Moon

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Self Care In Pregnancy: The Ultimate Indulgence - Ste. Anne’s Spa

As a busy mom of 3 (with my 4th on the way) it’s a rare treat to be able to pack my bags and head out of the city for a little R&R. When I do, I’m always reminded just how essential it is. Life as a parent can get so overwhelming. Taking a day to disconnect, breathe in the country air, and indulge your body, mind and spirit, is always worth it. My absolute favourite place, that's not too far from home, is Ste. Anne’s Spa. Located in the beautiful farmland of Grafton Ontario, the entire estate at Ste. Anne’s is a dream. I have visited a few times and have never been disappointed. The atmosphere, food, staff, and spa services are absolutely top notch.

During this trip I was joined by 3 of my lifelong girlfriends and it really was the perfect day together. My friends who had never experienced Ste. Anne’s were absolutely blown away by everything. We enjoyed a delicious and decadent lunch and high tea.

Took a scenic walk to the barns to get some fresh air and see the horses.

Enjoyed time in the heated pool (typically open until Canadian Thanksgiving).

And of course indulged in some amazing spa services. Since I’m 7 months pregnant I decided to try out a few of Ste. Anne’s signature treatments that are safe in pregnancy. I know for some pregnant mamas the idea of going to a new place and having a massage during pregnancy can be concerning. Ste. Anne’s does offer prenatal massage, which is generally safe in pregnancy (speak to your health care provider if you are a high risk pregnancy or have any concerns) but I thought I would highlight a few of their other safe treatments. The 2 treatments I had were absolutely amazing, and totally provided the relaxation I was dreaming of.

Essential Oil Scalp Rejuvenation

I have to start this by saying that I LOVE having my head touched. I wish someone would play with my hair every day. Now I know some people absolutely hate having their heads touched (I don’t judge you, but I also don’t understand you ;)…so please note this is not a service you will enjoy unless you like scalp massage.

During this 30 minute rejuvenating scalp treatment my hair and scalp was massaged with a delicious smelling essential oil/coconut oil mix, followed by brushing it through my long locks. They recommend you leave the oil on for 2-12 hours after your treatment, so this can be a messy affair, but the end result was the softest, shiniest hair ever, and some serious stress relief.

Firming Mud Facial

This treatment was such a perfect mix for a pregnant mama. It started off with a foot soak and scrub that felt amazing on my tired achy legs and feet, and was followed by an incredible firming mud facial. As someone who has very sensitive skin I love that the Ste. Anne’s line of skin care products are so natural and don’t irritate my face at all. The moor mud was so luxurious and it was a lovely treat to receive a soothing arm, hand and scalp massage while it was soaking in. By the time it was done I was in a totally blissed out state.

Every time I come to Ste. Anne’s I leave dreaming about when I can return. I would say that’s a good sign. Maybe next time I’ll convince the hubby to come with me and we’ll stay over in one of their beautiful rooms or cottages. A girl can dream.

If you’re interested in planning a trip to this little slice of heaven, make sure you sign up for the Ste. Anne’s email newsletter. You’ll receive updates on special offers at the spa, and hear about upcoming seasonal events. Whatever season you visit in, you’re sure to have an amazing time.

- Care

In The Post:

Ste. Anne’s Spa | Care’s Maternity Swim Suit: Amazon

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Watch My New Video to Learn More About With Care

It's hard to believe that this summer marks 5 years of running my business. Throughout the last 5 years I have been honoured to educate and support over a thousand local families. In addition to teaching classes and workshops, my goal for the next phase of my business is to bring my educational and inspirational content online to a wider audience. I made this video with Anchor Studio to give everyone an idea of what they can expect from my YouTube Channel and Blog. I would love if you would watch and subscribe to my channel.

Please feel free to send along any topics you would like covered. I have some amazing collaborations coming up this summer and fall, so stay tuned for lots of new content and some incredible giveaways! I appreciate all of the incredible support from the families I have worked with and can't wait to see where this new journey takes me.

- Care xo

P.S. If you're on Instagram I would love it if you could give me a follow.

The Magic of Menstruation with Amanda Laird - Register NOW for the June Breastfeeding Cafe

How much do you really know about menstruation and your body? So many menstruating people don't truly understand their cycles and what's happening each month, so I've invited Amanda Laird the host of the Heavy Flow Podcast to join me at the June Breastfeeding Cafe for a talk about the Magic of Menstruation. 

In this talk, Amanda (a Registered Holistic Nutritionist), will unpack menstrual myths, explain why the menstrual cycle is a vital sign and teach you what you didn't learn in health class. She will also address every new mom's most burning question: "when will I get my period back?!"

This is going to be a good one! If you would like to attend the Cafe on June 5th at West End Mamas and learn all about menstruation Register Here. Remaining space is very limited in this FREE Community Event, so please don't wait to Register. If your plans change and you can't make it, please email care@with-care.ca so we can open up your spot to another community parent who would like to attend. **Please Note that this is a FREE Community event, but this month Participants are encouraged to bring a box of tampons or a large purse to be donated to the Period Purse.

Also, if you haven't listened to The Heavy Flow Podcast yet, I highly recommend it. You can check out the episode that I was a guest on, as well as tons of other amazing episodes here. Enjoy!

- Care

**After this month the Breastfeeding Cafe will be on summer holidays and will resume in the fall. 

6 Simple Last Minute DIY Holiday Gifts

As a long time avid DIY'er I absolutely love making our friends and family some homemade goodies for the holidays. This year I thought I would share a few of my simple DIY recipes with my readers in case you're in need of some last minute gifts or stocking stuffers. These all make great gifts for party hosts, teachers, neighbours, family and friends, and most can be made in a few minutes. 

Irish Cream

I started making this delicious Smitten Kitchen Irish Cream Recipe last year and it has quickly become a favourite everywhere we take it. This Irish cream is so much creamier than the stuff you grab off the shelf at the store, plus it's only got 5 ingredients and lasts weeks in the fridge...we have never managed to test the longevity, but I believe the recipe ;) 

Simply mix the 5 ingredients in your blender, grab some cute glass bottles from Ikea or your local dollar store and fill them up. My family especially enjoyed the mini stocking stuffer bottles I did last year. Perfect for your Christmas morning coffee.

Peppermint Patties

I used to make tons of complicated Christmas cookies, but now that I have 3 kids I have limited time for making dough, rolling it out, cutting, icing etc, so I've moved on to some simpler recipes. Mainly ones that involves melting chocolate in the microwave like this Homemade Peppermint Pattie Recipe. So easy to make and always a big hit parties. You really can't go wrong with mint and chocolate at the holidays. 

Hot Chocolate Mix

Kids freaking love hot chocolate, so what's better than a jar of homemade hot chocolate mix with mini marshmallows? I know my kids would love this gift, so that's why I made a bunch for our friends and neighbours with little ones. I hope they enjoy it over the winter holiday. Once again this is a Smitten Kitchen recipe and only has a few simple ingredients. You toss them in the food processor, mix them up and divy it into jars. Couldn't be easier. 

Bum Balm

This DIY Bum Balm is an absolute favourite in our house. Best of all, it's not just for bums! This stuff is amazing at this time of year when dry and cracked skin flares up. Friend's and family now ask me for jars of it for their winter skin. So I thought it was appropriate to share it again here as a great holiday gift. 

Honey Coconut Face Scrub

This luxurious and simple Honey Coconut Face Scrub Recipe has been a long time favourite of mine. This week I whipped up a giant batch in mere minutes to gift to some of the lovely ladies in my life. *Please Note: I recommend using a plastic lid on anything that will be kept in the bathroom. Metal ones tend to rust which isn't so nice on your face scrub. I will switch these up before gifting them.

Homemade Turtles 

I'm a chocolate and caramel addict so it's no surprise that I wanted to replicate these babies at home. I've tried making them with my own caramel several times, but always come back to this Homemade Turtle Recipe with the little square caramels. Mmmm...sometimes the lazy microwave version is totally the answer ;) Personally I like chocolate all the way around my turtles so I don't just cover the top. I pick up the pecan caramel cluster (solid from a few minutes in the freezer) and put it on a fork. I toss it in the chocolate gently upside down and flip it over, then I strain off the excess chocolate on the fork before resting it on parchment paper to cool. 

This week I will be making up some more batches of these goodies and dropping them off with friends and family. Let me know if you make any of these Holiday DIYS for your loved ones. I would love to hear how they go over. 

Happy Holidays!

Care xo

Garage Makeover Reveal With Care

It's finally here, the day I get to share our garage makeover reveal with you. This project took a lot longer than we anticipated due to delays with materials and summer plans, but in the end it has all come together beautifully. Check out this before and after to see a truly amazing transformation. 

Some things I learned doing this reno:

1. Renos ALWAYS take longer than anticipated. Even small projects have delays, so you just have to roll with it. I try to remind myself that we are incredibly fortunate to have a place to renovate, and the means to do so. 

2. Making reno choices is really hard. Who knew? As someone who hasn't done much of this stuff I found it really tough. There are so many choices for finishes, colours, textures...plus the budget! I was so happy to be able to bounce ideas off of our friend Krista of KMSalter Design & Diana at The Garage Door Depot. I now know why people hire designers, especially on big projects. Thanks ladies!

Here is my original inspiration from earlier this spring:

Looking out on our backyard now brings me the biggest smile. The garage turned out better than I ever could have imagined.

Not only is the garage beautiful and totally changes the look of our yard, but the garage door actually works! Like really really works. It's almost effortless to open and close, which makes it way easier to clean up the kids toys and bikes at the end of a long day. I know I sound like a nerd, but I love this door. I was so impressed by The Garage Door Depot's customer service from start to finish. The way they helped me design, measure and tailor the door to suit our needs was amazing.

Originally I was thinking of a pretty basic door, but after looking at the options and chatting with Diana I decided on a gorgeous carriage style door (Acadia North Hatley by Garaga). I figured it's an investment and something we will be looking at for a long time (comes with a limited lifetime warranty after all), so we should go with one that we love. I'm obsessed with all the little details on this door. The windows, iron handles and hinges give it such a classic look. Plus I love that it's Canadian made.

I usually enjoy a good DIY, but our new garage door was one thing I definitely wanted professionally installed. There is something about a large piece of metal suspended from the ceiling that makes me vote for a pro. The installers with Garage Door Depot were incredibly knowledgeable and worked efficiently to get our door installed and ready to use.  Plus they cleaned up the area before leaving. I know that sounds silly, but as a busy mama who is always cleaning up after someone, I aways appreciate when in-home service providers leave the space as they found it. *If you're in need of a new garage door mention With Care for 10% off Insulated Garage Doors with The Garage Door Depot Toronto

We debated simply painting the metal siding on the garage, but after learning how much work was involved for a short term fix, we decided to change up the siding and go for something eco-friendly and local. We chose Canadian-made stained wood siding from Maibec. We eventually want to refinish our screened in porch at the front of our house to match and wanted the classic look of wood, without all the the upkeep. This stuff is warranted for rot for 50 years, and the stains are warrantied for anywhere from 8-15 years depending on what you choose. I absolutely love this natural tone charcoal grey that we picked to compliment the existing brick facade of our home.

Please note that we installed the siding ourselves because of our budget, and because we're those kind of people ; ), but if it's in your budget, I would always recommend hiring someone for large jobs like this. Especially with kids under foot. If you are someone who likes a challenge, is handy, has the right tools, a little help, and some extra time, it's doable (make sure you choose the em+ installation system if you're going DIY and read through the whole installation guide so you can plan your project). We hope to do the front of our house next year (ahh it would look gorgeous!), so maybe I'll write out a little DIY guide if we do.  

For now I'm just excited to enjoy time in our backyard and smile at this beauty of a garage...and maybe start dreaming up ways to make the inside prettier and more functional. I can already hear Brian (my partner) rolling his eyes from here ; )

If you're planning a garage makeover don't hesitate to get in touch, or check out some of the amazing products and services I used below. 

Care

In this Post:

Garage Door Depot Toronto (Mention With Care for 10% off Insulated Doors): Acadia North Hatley Garage Door by Garaga     |     Maibec: Coastal Charcoal URBAHN Brushed Wood Siding in Rabbeted Bevel     |     Plant World: Hay Bail, Planters, Pumpkins + Wreath     |     Wayfair: Goosneck Light Fixtures

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.