Karen Di Venanzo, an Advisor with Sunlife Financial, helps families and business owners put plans in place to protect what really matters.

Every few weeks, we’ll introduce you to a local Vancouver mom who’ll share with you some of her favourite essentials. This week: Sue Sinclair, Founder and “Chief Executive Mom” of Raspberry Kids, which sells new and unique children’s products. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children.

If you have yet to have taken the plunge into getting professional portraits of your wee ones, Kids of Vancouver and Veridamo Photography might be just the ticket. Tanya and Jeff Harrison started Veridamo Photography back in 2001 primarily shooting weddings and have since grown into one of Metro Vancouver’s top children and family portrait photography studios. Not only do they offer fun, child centered portrait sessions, but as of last year they now also use their photographic skills to raise money and awareness for two fantastic local charities, Share’s Tiny Bundles program and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Kids Picks, through the Kids of Vancouver project.

Summer is finally here.

So what does that mean? Lots of BBQs, outdoor activities and trips to the beach. Here’s how you can beat the heat with this sizzling summer look.

Don’t just show up to the next BBQ in a boring pair of khaki shorts and a linty tank top. It’s super easy to look pulled together with a classic stripe and adding a pop of colour

Dun, dun, dun! The kitchen can be one of the most welcoming – albeit scariest places in the home for organization. If you regularly cook at home (which I encourage!) the kitchen is likely one of the most used rooms in the home, and with frequent usage comes disorganization and mess. Recipe books, utensils, containers and knick knacks fill most kitchens hiding away in random drawers and cupboards.

Former doula turned yoga teacher Lori Lucas believes in the motto: “Breathe and let go, and remember that nothing happens next: this is it!”

Welcome to our first article in our new Favourite Things series! Every few weeks, we’ll introduce you to a local Vancouver mom, who’ll share with you some of her favourite essentials. First up: Jill Earthy, the Executive Director of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and the co-founder of MomCafe. Jill lives in Vancouver with her husband and two young daughters.

There is surprisingly passionate debate about the Right Way to teach your child to ride a bike. If you remember learning how to ride, chances are you also remember getting a few bumps and bruises. (Am I the only one who crashed into a lamp post?) A few scrapes are practically unavoidable, so here are a few tips to keep in mind.

You’re exhausted from chasing the kids around all day, the mountain of laundry doesn’t seem to go down and you can’t remember the last time you had a full night sleep. The last thing you think about is how you look. So to console yourself, you say, “Well, at least I took a shower!” Let’s stop making excuses and start taking care of ourselves. Looking great can be fast, easy and affordable!