Modern Mama Social - GIVEAWAY! Enter for a Chance to WIN 2 Tickets + Prize!

I don't know about most of you mamas out there, but getting out for a night out with friends is a rare event for me. So when I heard that my friends Freda (owner of Bridge the Bump) and Christine (owner of Olilibaby ) were hosting a fun evening out I knew I had to score a ticket. The Modern Mama Social isn't just any typical night out. These ladies have thought of it all, right down to the dream mom venue...Anthropologie of course ;) 

Guests will receive a beautiful swag bag filled with sample products and discounts from local vendor, access to amazing Guest speakers and Incredible Vendors (See below). Plus delicious food from PaintBox Catering & Bistro Company, and limited complimentary wine and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Since this sounds like such a great night out, I thought it was only fair that I share some tickets with my readers. Check out the details below and Enter for a chance to Win a Pair of Tickets for you and your BFF to attend The Modern Mama Social. Plus get an adorable handmade bib from Made by Song that you can pick up at the Social. 

Here are some details about the evening...

Modern Mama Social Guest Speakers & Workshops

Shira from Stop Drop & Makeup will be talking about "the 5 minute face," helping us choose the right lipstick for the season, and offering mini makeovers.

Roselyn of Style Forage will be showing us capsule wardrobes and the "wardrobe essentials to take you from office to dinner". Plus answering any style questions you have. 

Linda Tommasino, Registered Nutritionist from The Wholesome Kitchen, will be inspiring everyone to cook well, eat well and nourish well, even during the busy holiday season. She will have a variety of mini nutrition talks, plus be available for your nutrition questions.

Becka Orgill Toner, Life & Career Coach from Ignite Your Inner Spark works with women across North America to help them navigate the complexities of career and motherhood with greater fulfillment. She will be helping us Ignite Our Inner Spark

Modern Mama Social Vendors & Specials

With a curated group of local vendors and some amazing Exclusive Offers this event is the perfect place to pick out gifts for the holidays...and maybe a little something for yourself. You deserve it! After all, we're usually the ones doing all the spoiling. Here are a few of the vendors who are planning to be there. 

Henkaa Designs will be providing an amazing prize at The Modern Mama Social of 1 Monogram Multiway Bag with Travel Change Pad + $150 gift card to Henkaa. Total value $250! 

Bridge the Bump will have their coat extensions for you to try on just in time for winter. I love that these are locally designed and made in Toronto. Don't sacrifice the comfort and style of your own winter jacket, plus stay nice and cozy with your bump or baby. (full review) *Bridge the Bump will have an Exclusive Offer on Grey Coat extensions. For this evening only, purchase a grey coat extension for $75 (regularly $90). 

Olilibaby will be helping save parent's sanity with their adorable and functional Mitten Clips. Perfect stocking stuffers! Get them for a Special Price of 2 sets for $20 at the Modern Mama Social. 

Made by Song will be selling her beautiful handmade bibs, taggie toys, rattles and teethers. Plus Kathleen from Made by Song will be launching a new bib design at the show. *Special Offer on Bibs at the Social 2 for $20. One Made by Song Bib is included in this GIVEAWAY! 

Bonnefetti will be showing of their gorgeous paper products including their one of a kind wine tags, and featuring a beautiful new collection of holiday cards at a special price! A perfect compliment to your holiday gifting. 

If you want to join us for this fun night out on the town Enter NOW for a chance to WIN a Pair of tickets to The Modern Mama Social ($90 value) + an adorable handmade Bib from Made By Song ($15 value). 

To Enter simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you can comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry (You must comment below to be entered via the blog). Plus, make sure to check out my Instagram feed for additional ways to enter! Contest is open to anyone in the Greater Toronto Area who is 18+ and closes Wednesday November 22nd at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours. Good Luck!

If you don't Win tickets you can Purchase Tickets Here for $45 per attendee. **If you purchase tickets between Thursday November 23rd and end of day Saturday November 25th $2 of your ticket price will be donated to the ShoeBox Project. So don't wait! Get your tickets. Space is limited and this is sure to be a lovely evening.

Care 

*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. 

Winter Babywearing Essentials

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of babywearing. I babywear almost 365 days a year and don't know how I would survive life as a Mom of 3 (edited to note: now 4!) without my carriers. Although many people express shock and horror at the idea of trudging through the snow wearing a baby, I can tell you from experience that it's a lot easier wearing baby than trying to push a stroller through the snow on sidewalks and up snowbanks. I've had lots of questions recently about winter babywearing, so I thought I would share a few of my essentials for surviving the winter with a baby (or toddler) in tow.

Must Haves For Parent (Babywearer)

1. Flat Winter Boots with Good Tread

Babywearing is safe in most wintery conditions, but it's essential that you have good footing under you. A flat pair of properly fitting winter boots with a nice deep tread are ideal. You can also purchase boots with special grips or add traction devices to your shoes. I recommend that you don't babywear if there is an ice warning, it's a particularly slippery day, or if you have any injuries that could make you more likely to fall. 

2. Babywearing (& Pregnancy) Coat Adapter

Skip the snow suit and wear baby inside your coat! Bridge the Bump (Made locally by 2 West End Moms - See full review here) makes leaving the house with baby so much easier. All you have to do is dress baby in normal warm cloths (cozy pants, socks, a warm shirt, sweater, hat and booties - see below) and pop them in the carrier inside your coat with the insert zipped up. Having the baby directly in the carrier typically means that it will fit better (vs. if they have bulky winter gear on) and your body heat will keep you both warm. This is ideal for errands and trips where you will be going inside, as you can simply open your coat or take it off and baby can stay in their carrier without the dangers of overheating in their snow suit or trapping you in your warm coat. 

3. Slim Neckwarmer

Having the top of your coat open to accommodate a baby in a carrier can leave a gap around your neckline leaving your skin exposed to the weather. To cover up this gap and stay warm a slim fitting neck warmer is ideal. Be careful of large, bulky, loose scarves and neck warmers that could impede baby's fresh flow of air or cover their face in any way. This beautiful neck warmer from Bridge the Bump is a new fav of mine because it's super cozy but also slim, so it sits close to my skin and doesn't bother Penny. 

Must Haves For Baby

4. Winter Hat for Baby

When wearing our baby we always want them to be visible and kissable. Visible means we never want to cover baby's face with a blanket, carrier hood, or scarf, even in the winter months. Parents are very concerned about their baby staying warm in the cold weather, but when baby is facing in against an adult the body heat created should keep them nice and cozy. A winter hat, ideally something that covers the back of the neck, will keep baby warm, but not impede their fresh flow of air or block your view of their face. If you have concerns about your baby's skin getting chapped in the cold air you can apply a thick barrier cream such as Shea butter before heading out.

5. Winter Booties for Baby

Since your baby won't be in a snow suit in their carrier I recommend some cozy booties to keep their toes and legs nice and warm. There are tons of great booties out there, but I recently found these locally made ones from Mimitens and absolutely love them for little babes who aren't walking yet. They're thinsulate, water resistant, and have a leg warmer attached. This is key for me, because they are less likely to fall off and be lost on treacherous winter walks. It's never fun to realize you've lost one bootie from your favourite pair. I think these might actually survive a whole season!

The real winter weather has yet to arrive, but I know when it does Penny and I will be ready. I hope I've given you some winter babywearing inspiration. If you prep now you can enjoy a winter with your cozy babe in tow. *Don't forget to use code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Bridge The Bump.

- Care

 *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, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Nursing Mama Giveaway!

Now that I'm 5 1/2 years into nursing my 3 babes I've become a bit of an expert on breastfeeding friendly attire.  So I was very excited to try out Bridge The Bump's new Reversible Maternity Top. This beautiful top is designed by 2 local moms and made right here in Toronto, which is amazing! I'm always a huge advocate of shopping local, because supporting local businesses means supporting local families...but that's a whole other post. 

What I love most about this top is that it's intended to be worn facing one way while pregnant and then flipped around to accommodate easy access for nursing once your little one arrives. The versatility of this shirt means that you'll get a lot more wear out of it than a typical maternity or nursing shirt.

The cut of this top is perfect post-baby because the fabric flows away from the body, avoiding clinging to areas that you may not want to highlight right after giving birth. Plus it can be layered with a light tank underneath if you want a little extra coverage. The fabric is easy to clean and it dries quickly, which is always appreciated by this busy mama. 

With 5 beautiful colours available: Beige, Black, Burnt Orange, Cobalt & Plum, there is bound to be one that looks amazing on everyone. Pair it with some jeans for a casual look or throw it together with a beautiful necklace, some fancy pants and a pair of heels for a special event. Yup, I said fancy pants...I'm such a mom ;) 

I love my Reversible Maternity Top so much that I've partnered with Bridge the Bump & Diaper-eez to GIVEAWAY an incredible Nursing Mama gift package that includes:

• 1 Bridge the Bump Reversible Maternity Top (Value $54.95)
• 1 Bravado Body Silk & Seamless Nursing Bra (Value $55.00)
• 1 Boogalu Teething Necklace (Value $24.99)

Enter now, by commenting below with your name and email address, for a chance to WIN. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

This contest is open to all residents (18+) of Canada & The Continental USA and runs until Tuesday November 29th 2016 at 11pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Winner to choose colour and size of products from Diaper-eez, pending availability.

Don't wait, Enter NOW! Plus don't forget to enter on Instagram & Facebook.

- Carolyn

*Receive 10% off your Bridge the Bump Reversible Nursing Top and other amazing products at Diaper-eez with promo code: withcare *some exclusions apply

*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.

Holiday Gift Guide For Expectant & New Moms

Today I’m wrapping up my Holiday Gift Guide with a few gift ideas for Expectant and New Moms. In case you ladies need some ideas for yourself, or want to leave this post open on the desktop in the hopes your partner will see it.  Don’t forget that many local stores now offer registry services, so you can make a little wish list and let your partner or family choose what they would like to surprise you with.

There are so many great products and services available for moms, so I’m just sharing a few that I genuinely love and hope you will too.
 

Something You Want:  

Relaxation! The aches, pains and stress associated with being pregnant and caring for a newborn can be intense, so a gift card for a wellness appointment (massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, physio), or a wellness class (eg. yoga, meditation) is a great gift for an expectant or new mom. A little time alone to allow your body to recover and recuperate will allow you to feel better and enable you to give more of yourself to your little one. West End Mamas in Bloor West offers a full line of treatment options, classes and workshops for pregnant & postpartum moms, plus they have childcare available for parents during their services (*limited hours please inquire) *Mention With Care for 20% off your 1st Wellness Service at West End Mamas.

For moms with an older baby, toddler or preschooler, a day trip to Ste. Anne’s Spa, or a more local option like The Old Mill or Body Blitz, is also a perfect gift.

Another great gift to help promote relaxation at home are therapeutic grade essential oils. I have fallen in love essential oils in the last few months and now use my oils almost daily to support our physical and mental health. Some of my favourites include: Lavender, an especially calming oil for those panicked feeling days; Peppermint, ideal for respiratory support for the whole family & Lemon, a great awakening oil. As I explore and try more oils I find so many great uses for them in our daily lives. 

Something You Need: 

Sleepbelt is one of those amazing products that you don’t realize you need until you try one. Then you’re hooked! This hands free skin-to-skin support system allows you and rest and recover during the 4th trimester when your newborn wants to be cuddled non-stop. This is one of my all time favourite presents for expectant and new parents. Best of all it was designed and created by a local Toronto Mom and is Canadian made. Purchase online at Sleepbelt and receive free shipping when you mention With Care. 

Something To Wear: 

If you’re pregnant or babywearing over the course of a Canadian winter a Bridge the Bump insert is a must have and a perfect holiday gift. Bridge the bump allows you to adapt your own coat to suit your growing pregnant belly or while babywearing. Check out my Bridge The Bump review from last winter.  I can’t wait to use mine again this winter while pregnant with baby #3. Bridge the bump is available for purchase online, save 10% using code WITHCARE10

If you’re a nursing mom a fresh new nursing bra is a great item to put on your wish list. The newest addition to the Bravado family The Body Silk Yoga Bra is the perfect gift for any active mama. I tested mine out recently while doing yoga and absolutely love the cross back option for additional support. Purchase online or locally at Diaper-eez (more selection available in store) *Save 10% at Diaper-eez with Promo Code: Withcare

Something To Read: 

I don’t know many new parents that have a ton of time to read, so a magazine on a topic of interest is a great gift that has a chance of actually being enjoyed. For the magazine lover a subscription to Texture by Next Issue is also a great way to access a huge selection of magazines online.

A spa menu is also great reading material in my opinion. *See “Something You Want” and check off 2 categories with 1 gift!

Something To Give: 

Two charities near and dear to my heart that help improve the lives of mothers and families here locally and worldwide are The New Mom Project & The Mama Collective.(*Edited Dec 2017 to note that The Mama Collective is no longer running. Please feel free to donate to The New Mom Project)

The New Mom Project provides marginalized families with basic baby necessities to get them off to a great and loving start. They collect new and gently used items for infants 0-12 months old to provide to families in need around our city. Please check out The New Mom Project to Donate to their Sweet Dreams Campaign and stay tuned for our next donation drop off in January. 

The Mama Collective aims to raise awareness about maternal health globally, advocate for expectant women worldwide & raise $10,000 to build a Gift of Hope Clinic with Plan Canada to serve women & families in Nigeria. Check out The Mama Collective to donate. *Edited Dec 2017 to note that The Mama Collective is no longer running. Please feel free to donate to The New Mom Project)

I hope you found some great ideas for yourself or the expectant or new mother in your life. Happy Holidays!

– Care

Shopping With Care - Bridge the Bump!

Welcome to Shopping With Care.  For my 1st instalment I am super excited to bring you a product that I absolutely LOVE! Bridge the Bump Maternity & Babywearing Coat Insert.

Some people would consider this product a frivolous purchase, but I consider it a must have! Our Canadian climate makes it impossible to walk around for several months of the year with your coat open to accommodate your growing pregnant belly or baby & carrier, especially during this epic polar vortex!

Pregnancy & Babywearing coats on the market are extremely expensive and most people have already invested in a winter coat that they want to continue wearing, not one that can only be used temporarily. Bridge the Bump provides the perfect solution, a user-friendly zip in panel that adapts your regular coat to be worn while pregnant or babywearing.

Such a smart design that works flawlessly for Bump or Baby!  

We've been all over town in this baby!

I've been using my Bridge the Bump virtually everyday for the last 4 weeks and am completely obsessed with it. It has made my winter babywearing life so much simpler (and cozier for me and Baby L!) Now when I want to go out I just pop Lucy directly into her carrier with booties and a hat (note: no screaming fight to get said toddler into a snowsuit!!) and do up my coat comfortably around the 2 of us. Game changer. Seriously, so worth it!  

Why I Love It

• Encourages attachment & babywearing in winter, which is almost always easier than battling a stroller in the snow. *Please make sure to wear proper footwear while babywearing

• Open top vs. hooded design, allows for baby's face to remain visible & kissable at all times. Something that is very important to me as a CPR Instructor & Babywearing Educator.

• Works for Pregnancy & Babywearing!

• High-end fabric choices *Matches my Canada Goose almost perfectly

• Custom colours and fun prints available

• Zippers to accommodate almost every coat on the market

• Designed and created by 2 Bloor West Moms! You really can't beat that for shopping locally.

Where Can You Buy Bridge the Bump?

•  Directly from Bridge the Bump

• Love Me Do Baby & Maternity Boutique in Liberty Village

• Diaper-eez in Bloor West Village

• This Little Piggy in Parkdale

Don't waste anymore time being cold this winter. Get out and grab a Bridge the Bump and stay cozy until spring arrives. I've heard it's going to be a late one this year. Hope it's not true!

I really hope you enjoy this product as much as I do and would love to hear any feedback about your Bridge the Bump. If you need any advice or support with Babywearing or assistance choosing baby products please don't hesitate to contact me at carolyn@fifty-seven.ca

- Care