Sunday 30 December 2012

HomeSpa: Shower Spray ~ #Review & #Giveaway

I can't remember the last time I have been to the spa.  I miss being pampered for the afternoon.   As a mother of two little girls it is hard to get away.  I received the opportunity from Pacific Shore Holdings Inc. to try the HomeSpa - 100% Natural Shower Spray to give me a mini spa experience while I am in the shower.   During my shower, I spray the bottle at least 3 times and the scent hits me with its wonderful fragrance.  I enjoyed the aroma so much I kept on spraying after every few minutes because it relaxes me while I am in the shower.  I have hidden these away so no one can use them but me.

HomeSpa: Shower Spray ~ #Review & #Giveaway


Available in 4 different scents:
Pink Grapefruit
Lavender
Eucalyptus
Tangerine

HomeSpa: Shower Spray ~ #Review & #Giveaway


Available at Amazon.com for US$12.95 per bottle (8 FL oz).


Pacific Shore Holdings Inc. would like to offer 5 (five) of my readers, the opportunity to each pick one of their own scent of HomeSpa spray to try at home.  Open to Can and US. Good Luck!

This giveaway will run from December 30th, 2012 to January 14th, 2013 (midnight EST).  *Note: you have to complete the "task" of your choosing in order to win the prize*  You have 72 hours to respond or I will have choose another winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
*These products were sent to me by the company for review purposes only.  All opinions and comments are my own.

Friday 28 December 2012

December 2012 Glymm Bag ~ Unboxing

Lashem: Eyelash & Brow Enhancing Serum
Full Size 4.2ml @ $70 (Sample Size - Unknown)

Lashem: False Lashes
Full Size 4.2ml @ $5 = Sample Size

Suncoat: Nail Polish Remover Gel
Full Size 30ml @ $9.99 = Sample Size

Glamorous: Lipstick - Boys Lie - #15
Full Size 30ml @ $7 = Sample Size




The value of my box is at least $21+ plus $10 Glymm gift card.

The Bottom Line
Product received - 3/5
The surprise - 3/5
Favourite product received -  Eyelash Serum
Overall reaction - I'm very excited to try the eyelash serum.  I'm jealous of both my daughter's eyelashes because mine are short and sucky.  I am hope for some miracle serum to create long and lush eyelashes.  The gel nail polish remover sounds like a great idea but it didn't work well for me.  However, it might work very well on hard to remove glitter nail polish.  Like last year, I received $10 Glymm gift card.  I have not decided what I would spend on.

*I think over the next year I will be cancelling all my current subscriptions.  Every company has raised their price and their products has not been up to par when they first launched.  It sad but true but 2013 might be the end of my unboxing subscriptions...*

Do you like this month's bag?

Monday 24 December 2012

Merry Christmas ~ Holiday

Have a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas.
Hugs to all my lovely fans and followers - thanks for all your support.


Mustela ~ Review & Giveaway

Who is Mustela?
They have been in business for over 60 years and is well known in Europe.  They produce skin care for pregnant moms and assortments of baby products.  Their products are "formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions".

Mustela sent me some products to try on my daughter.

I received:
2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash Cleansing Gel
Mustela know what mom's needs.  I love this 2 in 1 hair and body wash.  I prefer to use one bottle that washes the whole baby.  Just makes the bath time a little faster and easier.  It is very gentle on the skin and has a hint of medicated smell that it does not bother me or my daughter.  The scent does goes away after you rinse it off.  However, I still wish it was unscented.  It is a gentle wash that does not drys out my daughter skin.  I only need a small amount during each wash so the 200 ml tube would last me quite some time.



Cold Cream nutri-protective: Ultra nourishing cream
This product is ideal during our crazy sub zero minus 40 Canadian winter.  Brrr.  Can't wait right?  This cream will help my daughter's poor little face from the extreme cold that makes her face extremely dry and uncomfortable.  The texture of the cream is a mixture of cream and a hint of vaseline.  There is no strong odour but a mild baby scent cream.  It comes in a 40ml tube and you be amaze how much you need to use on their body or face.  A little goes a long way.  Reapply were is needed the most - like their rosy red cheeks.



Mustela is available at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, well.ca, and ebeauty.ca


Mustela would like to offer one of my readers their own 2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash Cleansing Gel and Cold Cream nutri-protective: Ultra nourishing cream.  Open to Can and US. Good Luck!

This giveaway will run from December 24th, 2012 to January 7th, 2013 (midnight EST).  *Note: you have to complete the "task" of your choosing in order to win the prize*  You have 72 hours to respond or I will have choose another winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*These products were sent to me by the company for review purposes only.  All opinions and comments are my own.

The $50 Metro Gift Card from FlyerFlo ~ Winner

Congrats to

Suminderji A.

Please check your email.
Thanks for entering everyone

Special thanks to FlyerFlo and Metro for supplying the giveaway.

You can download the FlyerFlo for free at www.flyerflo.com/happychinadoll or visit them at www.flyerflo.com for more information.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Thursday 20 December 2012

Story Time with Santa ~ #Mommy

This year we attended Story Time with Santa at the Toronto Eaton Center.
A few weeks ago I decided to sign up for this event because it sounded like fun.
When we arrived we were greeted with friendly faces.  We hung our jackets, parked the stroller, and relaxed in the lounge with cookies and drinks.
Just before Santa arrived, we all gathered in the reading room that had animal shaped bean bags scattered on the floor.  The kids were in awe and excited so they all decided to go crazy and were hopping from bean bags to bean bags.
After a few minutes of the kids getting everything out of their systems - Santa walked in.
He read a story to the kids for 10 minutes and then it was time for each kid to sit with Santa.
When we first signed in, each of the family was given a number to track who goes first without the chaos.
We brought our cameras and took as many pictures as we could in less than 3 minutes.
In the end, each child received a little gift after the visit - which was very unexpected.  It was a perfect touch to end a wonderful experience for the kids.

I believe  this is the second year that the Eaton Center hosted reading with Santa.  Eaton Center wanted to try something different than the other malls to avoid the usual long line ups.  Each family needs to be registered online to keep the numbers reasonably low.  While each family is waiting for their turn, they can wait comfortably on those fun bean bags or sit in the lounge and munching on cookies or watching a kids program playing on one of three TVs.  It was fun and I would recommend this to other families to enjoy this experience.

cookies

Mrs Claus' chair

Reading with Santa



Tuesday 18 December 2012

SIGG Active Top ~ Review

As a mother I do my best to help to save the environment for my kid's future.   Over the years I have accumulated a small collection of reusable water bottles for the family.  I rarely purchase bottled water.  I don't think it is worth spending the money on bottle water.  I love SIGG water bottles.  They are widely well known for their chic, stylish, good quality water bottles.

SIGG Switzerland AG has been around since 1908.  All of their bottles are 100% recyclable.

Features:
BPA Free
Easy Cleaning
Great of carbonated drinks
Leak Proof
Adjustable Flow
Comfortable drinking

SIGG Active Top bottle was recently launch and the company was kind to send one to my daughter to test it out.  Like the previous SIGG water bottle she has she fell in love with it.  I love the fact the neck of the bottle is wider so I can clean it more easily.  I found this bottle fascinating that there is a air release valve that to release the pressure from carbonated drinks.  I doubt there is any bottle has this feature.

http://newactivetop.sigg.com

*This product was sent to me by the company for review purposes only.  All opinion and comments are my own.

Monday 17 December 2012

$25 Credit to Card Swap ~ Winner

Yes, we have a winner

Melissa P

Congrats
Please check your email

Thanks for entering everyone.

Win a $50 Metro Gift Card from FlyerFlo ~ Giveaway

Have you been in a situation where you enter into a store and they ran out of flyers or if you want to pick up supplies but would like to know which place has it for sale.  Look no further because you will want to download FlyerFlo app for all your latest saving needs.

Who is FlyerFlo?
FlyerFlo is a free, simple-to-use app that lets you download and read the latest flyers on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

You can download the FlyerFlo for free at www.flyerflo.com/happychinadoll or visit them at www.flyerflo.com for more information.


Hosting a party or joining a pot-luck dinner?  Check out Metro for all your catering needs.  They have a large assortment of cakes and party trays.

In selected areas, Metro's Fresh2Go is starting a new program where anyone can order online for their catering needs.  Place the order with a minimum 48 hours and all you have to do is to pick it up and pay in-store.  It would also reduce the possibility of forgetting an item on your list.



This week, FlyerFlo and Metro Ontario would like to offer one of my readers a $50 Metro gift card.

This contest is open to Canadian residents only and will run from December 17th to December 23rd, 2012 (11:59pm).  *Note: you have to complete the "tasks" of your choosing in order to win the prize*  You have 72 hours to reply or I will have choose another winner.  Good Luck!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday 16 December 2012

Winter 2012 Luxe Box ~ Unboxing

Eyeko - Mini Skinny Brush Mascara (4ml)
Essie - Butler Please (13.5 ml)
Dermalogica - Precleanse (15ml)
Kerastase - Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide (3ml)
Donna Karan - Woman (7ml)
Prada - Body Lotion (100ml)
Blue Lagoon Skin Care - Algae Mask (10ml)
Loose Button's Kabuki Brush



The Bottom Line
Product received - 3/5
The surprise - 4/5 - never received my shipping notification & it came in a reusable bag (much better than a cloth)
Favourite product received -  Donna Karan (only because it came a very cool packaging)
Overall reaction - *Sigh*  this time they won't "post" the pricing on each product.  I could spend some time researching the price but I doubt my box is worth very much.  Unfortunately, after a few hours trying the nail polish - it chipped.  Didn't last 24 hours and I even put a top coat on it.  I really like the packaging of the mascara.  I could squeeze the tube to make sure I finish off every bit of the mascara.

First in Line - This time there were two "First in Line"  - I was able to pick what I would like in my box.  I picked the Dermalogica & Blue Lagoon.  The second time around, I didn't like my choice of opinions but settled for the mask hoping it would preform miracles...HA!

Do you like this month's box?

Saturday 15 December 2012

The Body Shop Giveaway ~ Winner

The winner for The Body Shop giveaway

Sandra M.

Congrats

Please check your email.
Thanks for playing everyone.

Another giveaway happening soon :)


Thursday 13 December 2012

BIC Flex 4 ~ Winner

The BIC Flex 4 winner is -

Elaine B.

Congrats
Please check your email.  You have 72 hours to reply

Thanks for entering everyone.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Lovable Labels prize ~ Winner

Attention everyone!!  We have a winner...

Kaley D


Congrats!

Check your email

Thanks for entering everyone.

I have a coupon code that will offer anyone $5 off any purchase of $25 or more and it is valid until December 31th 2012 - DECBLOG41

Monday 10 December 2012

Playtex Diaper Genie Elite ~ #Review

What do all new moms and dads needs?
I will give you a hint - It is white, chic, affordable, and would make your diapering days easier...
It is the Playtex Diaper Genie Elite.

It is amazing how much this version is better than the original version I had about 6 years ago.
I remember how annoying the original was.  I had to open the Diaper Genie manually and it was a pain to take the soiled diapers out.
This new and improved version is a step-open can and it is much easier to empty out.
One other feature I really like about this is it has it very own cutter attachment to cut the bag.  Before, I would be running around the house looking for scissors.
There is one minor issue when I try to close the diaper genie after I open it up to empty the soiled diapers.  I have a minor struggle lining it up to snap it shut.
Other then that, it is a perfect household item that will keep your house smelly free of dirty diapers.

Available at ToysRUs (?) for C$45.99 and the refills are C$8.99

Playtex Diaper Genie Elite ~ #Review

*I won this from ParentClub & PlaytexMommy.  This is my review of the product.

Friday 7 December 2012

Hawberry Farms~ Review & Giveaway

Who is Hawberry Farms?
They sell an array of food products from jams to hazelnut butter.  All of their products are processed in Canada.  They are located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario - known as the largest fresh water island in the world.  After doing some research, it sounds very beautiful and eventually I would love to take one of my vacations up there.

Hawberry Farms was very kind to let me be their "test bunnies" on some of their products.  When I was roaming through the website, it was very hard to decide which one to choose.  They all sounds so good.  After some debating and mulling it over, I have chosen the Jumbo Family Size Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Mix and Tzatziki Dip.



Jumbo Family Size Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Mix - just add hot water or milk.  I usually do half / half.  My daughter loves chocolate milk.  She will drink it whenever the opportunity arises.  She loves to stir the mixture herself.  This is not just your ordinary chocolate mixture.  It has a hint of Hazelnut.  It is like drinking Natella.  Isn't drinking Natella everyone's dream?  Just remember to mix it really well so you can have  taste the chocolaty smooth nectar.

Tzatziki Dip - add 1 tbsp to 1 cup of sour cream or yogurt.  I love tzaziki.  I could eat it everyday.  It goes without saying that it taste best on souvlaki.  However, when I was making sandwiches I used this instead of butter.  I was in so delicious I had to have another one.

If you are planning to host a party this holiday season, check out Hawberry Farms because there might be something there you might like to serve to your guests.  I bet your guests might like to try one of the butter spread or  the sweet mango chutney.

Wait!  I have another giveaway.
There will be two (2) winners.  The first will receive the Jumbo Family Size Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Mix and the other winner will receive  Tzatziki Dip.  Canadians ONLY. Good Luck!
**Don't forget to enter in their weekly giveaway on Hawberry's Facebook page.**

This contest will run from December 7th to December 21st, 2012 (midnight EST).  *Note: you have to complete the "tasks" of your choosing in order to win the prize*  You have 72 hours to reply or I will have choose another winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This product was sent to me by the company for review purposes only.  All opinion and comments are my own.

Thursday 6 December 2012

My Top 5 Beauty Products ~ Review

It's been awhile since I wrote my Top Fave 5 Beauty Products




1. La Roche-Posay: Anthelios - Ultra Fluid Lotion (SPF 60)
Great light sunscreen I could wear on my face without too much discomfort.

2. Vasanti BrightenUp!
I have finished this small sample that I am using the one I have bought a few months ago.

3. Biotherm: Skin Ergetic - Non Stop Anti fatigue Moisturizer
This was a gift with purchase sample.  I love to put it on my neck in the morning.  It has a citrus smell that I love.

4. Lush: R&B - Hair Moisturizer
I love using leave in conditioner since my hair is always dry.  I don't use it every day but has last me far longer than I expected.

5. Vasanti: Zimbabwe lipstick (deep burgundy wine)
I love lipstick and this one makes my lips pop out.  If I were to attend a New Years party, I would wear this colour.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Old Navy Gift Card ~ Deals

I think this is a great deal.
I receive Old Navy's emails/newletters for their coupons and sales notifications.
This time I have received a coupon to save 15% off when I purchase their gift card.  Without the coupon, it is only 10% off.  The gift card can be used at any store - The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy & including the Factory Stores...Awesome.

On the days I receive 10% to 30% off coupons, this gift card automatically given me 15% off on top of it!
This deal runs until Saturday, December 8, 2012

What do you think?


Sunday 2 December 2012

CardSwap.ca ~ Review and Giveaway

I am a big believer in giving giftcards for any occasion.
When I was young and naive I thought gift cards were too boring to give as gifts.
As I mature, I saw in the value in giftcards.
Over the years I have used or given alot of giftcards.



This is not my first time using CardSwap.ca
I have used them back early in the year, as you can read it here.

At CardSwap, you could sell your unwanted giftcards or purchase.  This time you will earn points everytime you purchase from their site, which can be converted into cash via paypal or redeemed them for more giftcards.  Planning to sell?  Just enter the information on "Cash for your Gift Card" (on the main page) and they will get back to you.

Their inventory of giftcards changes all the time and you have to be quick because what you see might be gone the next day or even the next hour.

The Bottom line:
Inventory - Stock changes frequently so check back often.
Shipping - It's Free!!  Don't you love that?
Website - Easy to use.
Delivery - Took about a week (this will vary depending on where you live)

Overall, I am happy to receive my gift card from CardSwap.ca.  There is a little reward for purchasing a gift card and not many places will offer any incentives.


You're in luck, it's another giveaway!
CardSwap.ca would like to offer one of my readers a $25 Credit to CardSwap.ca.  Canadians ONLY. Good Luck!

This contest will run from December 2nd to December 16th, 2012 (midnight EST).  *Note: you have to complete the "tasks" of your choosing in order to win the prize*  You have 72 hours to reply or I will have choose another winner.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This product was sent to me by the company for review purposes only.  All opinion and comments are my own.

Neal Brothers Foods ~ Winner

The winner for my Neal Brothers Foods prize pack is

Pamela F.

Congrats

Just sent you an email.

Saturday 1 December 2012

President's Choice: Products ~ Review

The holidays are approaching and it is time to plan your shopping list.
The first place I enjoy looking is President's Choice Insiders' report to check out what ideas or new items they have that I could serve to my friends and family during the holidays.
There is always something new to try and it is very hard to decide what to get.

President's Choice was very kind to send me a few samples from their 2012 Fall Insider's Report to try:




PC Shortbread Cookie Mix (aka Shortbread for Cheaters)
This family loves shortbread.  It is usually a holiday tradition to get a pack during the holidays.  This time, I get to "make" it by just adding butter - Ha!  That counts right?  This will be a fun little baking time with my oldest and put her to work to make us some cookies.

PC World of Flavour: Maple Back Potato Chips
We just inhaled it and wondered if it ever existed.  They are that good.  Who does not like bacon flavoured anything?  These are the best new potato chips I had this year.  My husband cried when it was all gone and begged me to get more.  He hoped there was another bag but I had to give him the bad news that we only received one. He had to resort to literally lifting the bag over his head and practically licking out the last crumbs.  If that isn't a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is!

PC Candy Cane Chocolate Squares
My husband can live off of mint flavoured chocolate.  He would eat the whole box in one sitting. These mint squares are exactly the kind of treat that can keep him occupied for hours.  As soon as he had the first one, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he begged for more.  Unlike other mint chocolates, these squares are subtle in their mintiness, so the two flavours work together without overpowering the other.  In a word - delicious!

PC Black Label: Apricot and Amaretto Liqueur Fruit Spread
I was drooling when I was reading the label.  It sounds as good as it tastes.  It goes will on lightly toasted bagel as well as toast or scones.  It could also be used as a pastry filling - how does apricot turnover sound to you ...YUM!

There are so many products I wanted to try.  You will not be disappointed when you are serving products from the PC line of brands.

To make your shopping list, don't forget to pick up a copy of PC Insider's report in-store or online to help you decide.  You might be surprised what you might be picking up for the many parties you will be hosting.

*Disclosure - This product in this review was provided to me free of cost of the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.