Vancouver Mom » guest post

Get Yourself Together Organization Tips: Double Duty Organization

VancouverMom.ca — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:30:11 +0000

Getting organized doesn’t necessarily mean buying out IKEA’s entire stock of magazine racks, shelves and baskets. Everyday items that you thought were only good for one or two things can be transformed into ultimate organizing tools all while saving time and money.

Imagination and an open mind are the keys to converting common household items into tools for organization through out the home. Try on these 10 household item transformations in your own home:

1. Ice Cube Trays

Ice cube trays can be purchased at most dollar stores in an array of colors to suit anyone’s tastes. Use the small, separated compartments to keep jewelry untangled, vitamins separated or even give to the kids for paints and knick knacks.

2. Pizza Boxes

Don’t forget to use clean pizza boxes! Pizza boxes are thin and lightweight and are perfect for storing photos, documents, drawings etc. and are easy to slide under beds or dressers.

3. Nail Polish

Raid your teenage daughter’s colorful nail polish collection! Nail polish can be used to color code items such as keys, toys etc. so every knows what’s what and what belongs to whom.

4. Clipboard

Hang up a clipboard permanently in a busy part of the home like by the front door or in the kitchen and rotate important messages on the board. Remind yourself to sign the kids field trip notice or remind everyone to call Grandma.

5. Rubber bands

Rubber bands are already a useful organization item keeping rolls of papers in place. Take your rubber bands to the closet to keep your clothes from falling off hangers by wrapping rubber bands securely at each end of the hanger.

6. Pack Beer Carton

An excuse to drink beer! Use the empty beer caddy during your next outdoor meal as a condiment or cutlery holder.

7. ‘Jaw’ Hair Clips

These squeezable clips can be used to keep electrical cords from tangling while streamlining them together. Use the clips to hold cords together to create a more streamlined and organized look.

8. Cardboard Boxes

Use a cardboard box beyond the box! Find a drawer that needs some organization. Measure and cut out card board strips to create ‘compartments’ to tame an unruly drawer.

9. Cans and Jars

Cans and jars can be used to hold almost everything from paintbrushes to tools. Make them more ‘display friendly’ by wrapping them in cloth or decorative paper.

10. Cork Boards

Add fabric and pretty pins to your cork board to create a beautiful jewelry holder that keeps necklaces untangled and jewelry easy to see.

Organizing doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive, you just have to be creative. Happy organizing!

Kayleigh Lum is the owner of Get Yourself Together, Professional Organizers in Vancouver, BC. For more information visit www.getyourselftogether.ca.

Overspending on your children’s clothes? Not for Long!

VancouverMom.ca — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:15:13 +0000

Guest post by Kendra Gable.

It seems like children can grow faster than biologically possible … at least to us sorrowful moms who want them to stay babies forever. In the first year of life, a child may wear that cute dress once or twice before it’s unable to fit over that ever-growing noggin. Whether you are unwilling to pay $50 for that adorable dress at Baby Gap or you just couldn’t resist that $50 dress at Baby Gap, children’s consignment stores can be a lifesaver on both fronts.

Not for Long – Children’s and Maternity Consignment Boutique sells name brand clothes (Mexx, Tea Collection, Please Mum, etc.), in new or nearly new condition, at well below retail prices. Located in White Rock, this fabulous store was created by two moms, Laura Woroniecki and Sholome Johnston, who also happen to be neighbours. They have daughters who are 6 months apart and Sholome is pregnant with her second child.

Sholome and Laura had a desire to start a consignment boutique and began talking business back in January 2009. Eight short months later, in September 2009, Not For Long had its grand opening. While still in the construction phase (thanks to their helpful husbands), Laura’s house became the meeting place for prospective consignees. With 18 consignees enlisted by the grand opening, business has grown to ten times that amount in the last 10 months. What began as 100% consignment has now expanded to include new products, some of which are made by local moms. You will find cute barrettes, headbands, bamboo hats, soother clips, bamboo maternity t-shirts, nursing covers, and handmade slings … just to name a few.

From the bright and inviting windows to the extremely organized layout, Not for Long is a store by mothers, for mothers. Each section is organized by size, helping you find that treasure without having to rummage around the whole store. The open layout makes for easy stroller access and allows us moms to see our children at all times. Not for Long also features an enclosed play area to keep the little ones occupied, so we are free to enjoy the shopping experience.

For consignment information visit www.notforlong.ca. Stop by and have a look around, you’ll be sure to find a great steal in a friendly atmosphere.

Not For Long Children’s & Maternity Consignment Boutique

1567 George St., White Rock | www.notforlong.ca

Kendra Gable is the owner of Bullfrogs & Butterflies Photography, a Surrey based photography studio that specializes in maternity, baby and children’s photography.

The Sum of Great Style: Ready For the Summer Heat

VancouverMom.ca — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:30:58 +0000

By VancouverMom.ca Contributor Joyce Lau

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. But first things first. You need to understand your body shape. This outfit is perfect for the mom who has a slimmer upper body and womanly hips. The key is to draw the focus towards your face. So have fun and wear lots of colour and patterns on top. Just remember to keep your bottoms simple.

We fell in love with this dark denim skirt. At less than $30, you can replace those boring shorts and matronly skirts. The clean lines and strong structure of the fabric will tighten up those buns while letting you show off some leg (and yes, you’re allowed to be sexy!) Going perfectly with all your colourful t-shirts and shirts, you’ll be putting this $30 to good use.

Change things up a bit and play around in this cute striped T. The ruffle sleeves adds a unique detail to this nautical look. But don’t just wear it one way. Wear it underneath a jacket or a blazer and pair it with trousers for a whole new look.

Now instead of wearing the usual flip flips or black sandals, go bold and go red! Sexy shoes works for all shapes & sizes. Every woman needs to have a go-to pair of shoes that will sizzle things up in no time. Not only is this pair of sandals a steal at $34.50 but you can strut comfortably in this the low wedge heel too! Finally, complete this outfit by wearing a set of pretty bangles. The touch of metal make it ultra chic and shows you have great attention to detail.

Summer, bring it on. We’ll show you who’s really hot.

Joyce Lau is the founder of Yummy Mummy Makeovers. She gives style coaching in her fun mummy playdates and gives moms a fresh new look. Learn more at: www.yummymummymakeovers.com.

Get In The Picture

Diane Wild — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:30:13 +0000

Guest post by Laura Hana

Look back through your archive of photographs. In how many did you make it into the frame? I’m in less than 10% of all our family photos because I’m usually the one behind the camera taking the photos. Does this sound familiar?

A study by the Photo Marketing Association in 2007 discovered the majority of digital camera users were women. If Vancouver moms are busy taking the photos, who is taking photos of them? Here are some ways to help you get back into the picture.

Hand the Camera to Someone Else

It sounds simple enough, but in practice it may be harder to do because we forget to, we don’t want to bother or because of any other number of reasons. No matter what your reason is, make the effort to pass the camera onto someone else and step in front of the lens. Just ask your spouse, friends, kids or passerby to snap a few of you with your family.

Create a Self Portrait

When there’s no one around to hand the camera off to, try a self portrait with the kids. You can use a timer or remote to trigger the shutter while the camera is on a steady surface or tripod. Use a wide angle and shoot at arms length or get a self portrait monopod. There is a neat device from Sony called the Party-shot, which will automatically take candid photos for you, so you can be part of the fun you’re trying to capture.

Hire a Professional

The best way to get quality images that will last you a lifetime is to hire a professional photographer to do your family portraits once a year, for Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries or just because. Why not? You deserve it!

Photographs are one of the best ways to revisit the past, so make sure you are part of it. It is not likely that young children will remember a lot of the fun times they’ve had with you while growing up, except through what they’ve seen in photographs. If you’re usually the one behind the camera, make an effort to switch sides once in a while and get in the picture!

Laura Hana is a Vancouver wedding photographer and one of Vancouver’s 50 Essential Portrait Photographers. She is the founder of the OAC Photo Club and Dolcepics.com.

Get Yourself Together Organization Tips – The Kitchen

VancouverMom.ca — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:30:22 +0000

Guest post by Kayleigh Lum.

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.

A kitchen should be warm, welcoming and somewhat relaxing which are hard feelings to holster when you’re scrambling to find that damn spatula! Utilize these ten simple, cheap and cheerful tips for turning your kitchen into a place of peace.

Purge your kitchen of any useless, broken, or duplicate items. For tips on purging your home, click here.
Group items by purpose. Designate cupboards and drawers as “baking”, “pots and pans”, “spices” etc.
Throw out the worn out shoe box! Store recipes the easy way using one of these techniques:

a) Type out your recipes and file them on your computer. That way you don’t have to worry about spillage, they are easy to share and modify.
b) Rolodexes aren’t just for business cards. Use a Rolodex to divide your recipe cards alphabetically.

Hole punch take-out menus and store them in a binder with tabs. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is whether it will be pizza or Chinese.
Reuse plastic grocery bags and store them by putting them into a large facial tissue box. Pull one out when you need them!
Keep track of grocery and to-do lists by either purchasing a magnetic white board for the fridge or painting a cupboard with chalk paint.
Arrange your kitchenware by how often you use it. If you don’t bake muffins more than once a month, put the muffin tin on a higher shelf.
Save counter space by hanging your pots and pans, using a magnetic knife strip or installing a paper towel holder under your cupboards.
Keep pantry items like pasta and flour in clear, reusable, labeled containers.
Skip the bulk store and head to your local farmers market. Buying groceries daily prevents needless overstock of your pantry and fridge.

Put these tips to the test or think of your own additions to the list to keep your kitchen organized. Enjoy creating meals and memories in your freshly organized kitchen. Happy organizing!

Kayleigh Lum is the owner of Get Yourself Together, Professional Organizers in Vancouver, BC. For more information visit www.getyourselftogether.ca.

The Sum of Great Style: Comfort Without Sacrificing Style

Christine — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:00:02 +0000

Guest post by Joyce Lau.

Who said frumpy comes with being a mom?

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!

Here’s a simple way to feel absolutely comfortable without sacrificing style. Freshen up your wardrobe this summer with this versatile stretchy T. The cute bow gives it a fun & feminine feel and the peep hole detail is a little flirty. The extra length won’t have you pulling your top all day long. And the best part is, you can dress it up or wear it casual everyday. Pair it with a pencil skirt and heels for an evening out or throw on a pair of trousers and a jacket to the office.

Here’s a fun way to add some flare the next time you take the kids out to play. Instead of opting for jeans again, wear it with this pair of sports capris. It’s super comfy and will keep up with your go-go-go schedule. Stay away from a loose and plain t-shirt unless you’re heading to the gym. Otherwise, you’ll look frumpy and have the “I don’t care” look. When paired with this dressy top, it gives it a smart and casual image.

The finishing touches are so important when completing an outfit and looking put together. So revamp your boring shoe collection and pick up a pair of ankle sandals. The interesting beading on the straps of this one, makes for a pretty bracelet for your feet! Last but not least, add a great pair of earrings to top off your outfit. Sticking with the rugged but feminine look, these earrings have a delicate touch but dark & strong too.

For less than $70, you can be dressed from head-to-toe. Now, there’s definitely no excuses.

Joyce Lau is the Fashion Doula of Yummy Mummy Makeovers. She gives style coaching in her fun mummy playdates and gives moms a fresh new look. Learn more at: www.yummymummymakeovers.com.

World Cup Fever: Vancouver Family Style

Christine — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:30:02 +0000

Guest post by Cathy Collis.

“How come you’re allowed to watch TV before school?”

This, from my ten year old daughter to me last Wednesday morning. You see, I never let the kids watch TV before school, but here I am in my bathrobe, watching the World Cup at 8am. I might have made a tiny bet that Spain would win the whole tournament, so I have a vested interest in seeing this game. Hannah’s comments aren’t helping. She watches a bit more with me.

After a minute she asks, “Is this just for boys?”

“No, of course not!” I say, very indignantly. “We’re watching it aren’t we? Shhhh…”

“No, playing” she insists. “Is it just boys playing? That’s not fair. How come you’re not playing Mom?”

Awww. She knows I’m a soccer player, but mercifully she hasn’t yet reached the stage where she realizes I am not World Class good at everything. I want her to stay like this forever. “Because, sweetie, I’m at least 15 years older than most of those guys. And I’m not nearly as fast.”

She watches for a few minutes more. “Bah, they’re not that fast. I’ve seen faster.” It is all I can do not to snort coffee through my nose. “You could do it Mom.” What a proud mama moment. My daughter is watching soccer with me! My daughter is a tiny little feminist!

But then my younger daughter Sophie walks in and bursts my bubble. She watches for a minute with us and then says to her sister– wait for it – “Can we go back to playing our princess game?” Sigh.

So I have a new plan: We are going to watch World Cup games as a family and we are going to like it.

Want to join us? Here are my suggestions:

Commercial Drive

It doesn’t matter if you’re watching Italy play or not, this is a great place to go if your kids are a little older and already into soccer. Many cafes on the street are open every morning early, flying the flags of all the World Cup countries, and patrons are wearing jerseys and face paint, and wearing flags like capes. They show the games live and later in the day, and the atmosphere is great. If Italy is playing, though, you might want to get there early and leave the younger kids at home. Be warned: when I went with my husband, and Italy only managed a tie against a much lower ranked New Zealand, I heard the F-bomb a few times. (To be fair, some of them may have come from me.)

International Cuisine

My girls are a little younger and not really into soccer yet, but food proved to be a great way to get them into it. We googled cuisine from Portugal and North Korea, and dined on rudimentary Paella and Kimchi noodles while we watched the game together as a family. (Portugal won 7 – 0, but my kids voted the Kimchi noodles a winner.) They decided they did not like olives (an export of Chile) or corn tortillas (Honduras) but that their favourite team to win the tournament is now Switzerland (based on the amazing Swiss chocolate I bought for dessert).

Flags and other Online Activities

All the colourful flags are also of interest to the younger kids. We got out our globe and pointed out where several countries were, and then went online and found some great activities surrounding the World Cup flags and soccer in general. Try the website www.activityvillage.co.uk. For the more studious kids, they have worksheets on the game and scores, but they also have soccer jerseys you can colour in (or blank ones you can design yourself), World cup colouring pages, printable flags and bookmarks and lots of other good stuff. Even if you can’t get your kids to watch the World Cup with you, you can at least keep them quiet for a while with this website so you can watch it in peace.

And my final suggestion: do not buy your kids a vuvuzela, one of those noisy horns you hear in the stands of the South African World Cup – the ones that sound like a swarm of bees. You can thank me later.

Enjoy! The World Cup goes until July 11.

Cathy Collis is a soccer-playing mom (not a soccer mom) who writes a blog called Kick.

Get Yourself Together Organization Tips – Purging

VancouverMom.ca — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:30:17 +0000

Guest post by Kayleigh Lum.

Saying a modern mothers life is busy is an understatement – almost an insult! Between your kids’ extracurricular activities, making dinner, keeping your boss happy and all the other craziness, to-do-lists often get buried under all the other things one has to do. In a busy household, a little bit of organization can go a long way in increasing efficiency, simplicity and sanity.

Today’s focus is about purging all the stuff that piles up – old toys, out grown clothes and junk. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the little things as people often think they are going to find a need for it someday or it may hold sentimental value.

The Big Questions

When purging your home, ask yourself the following questions:

What is the primary use of this object and is it relevant to today?
Does someone in the household regularly use this object?
Does this object have a “home” in my home?
How will my family be effected if this object was no longer in the home

If you had a hard time answering those questions logically, it may be time to purge your home of clutter.

Mission Possible: Make the Time

Sometimes purging your home of clutter can be overwhelming or exhausting, which causes many people to procrastinate, which only leaves time to accumulate more clutter and make the overall process even worse. So, put aside a sufficient amount of time to take on this project or hire a professional organizer. Once you have decide what to keep, donate and throw out you are ready to purge.

De-clutter As You Go

Of course, the best way to de-clutter is to set up systems to help you along the way. Here are some helpful tips to help you eliminate clutter from your home.

Keep a box in the garage and use it as a donation hamper. As you come across old or unused items, put them in the box – when it’s full, donate!
Throw an old fashioned yard sale and use the money to take the family out to a movie.
Utilize classifieds such as craigslist free ads to give items to a new home.
Switch to electronic only! Get your bills, subscriptions even movies online to stop paper waste and build up.
Get the kids involved. Ask them to sort through their old toys into what they use and don’t use.

Those are only a few ideas to get the organization ball rolling. By de-cluttering your home you are also de-stressing your life while keeping your home tidy and functional. Purge your home often and start by not bringing things into your home that you don’t need or wont use in the first place. Happy organizing!

Kayleigh Lum is the owner of Get Yourself Together, Professional Organizers in Vancouver, BC. For more information visit www.getyourselftogether.ca.

Tips for Taking Photos of Your Newborn Baby

VancouverMom.ca — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:00:23 +0000

Guest post by Laura Hana.

Introducing a newborn into your family is both amazing and overwhelming. With all the feedings, diapers and staring at your little one sleep even as you’re sleep deprived, it can be challenging to create beautiful images of those precious first days. Here are a few tips to help you make those first photos album-worthy.

1. Keep That Flash Off

Newborns are still adjusting to being outside of your womb and probably don’t enjoy being stunned by a camera’s flash every 5 minutes. Do your baby a favour and don’t use a flash if possible. Look for a north-facing window, which lets indirect light in and will bathe your baby with a beautiful, soft light. You’ll also have more dimension in your images by avoiding the harsh, flattening effects of a direct flash.

2. Photograph Your Newborn as a Newborn

Instead of propping them up unnaturally or adorning them in a baseball bat and cap, capture your newborn doing what they do best – being newborns. Photograph them in their cute little outfits then try a few shots just in their diaper, lying on their tummy on a solid coloured blanket, for example. If you’re blessed and your child sleeps a lot, photograph them yawning away or in deep slumber. You’ll want to remember those good old days soon enough.

3. Get Close

Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal when photographing your baby. They probably won’t flinch or hide their face like your adult friends would when shooting at such a close range and trust me, your photos will be that much more beautiful when the frame is filled with the sweet face of your newborn.

4. Get Closer

Use the macro shooting function (the flower symbol) to get even closer for those detail shots of your new baby’s little fingers and toes, curvaceous lips, button nose and fluttering eyelashes. Detail shots look great in a collage or scrapbook.

5. Convey a Sense of Scale

Babies grow so quickly and we soon forget just how tiny they were. Don’t forget to photograph them in Daddy’s arms or lifted up to Mommy’s loving gaze. Photographing babies next to an adult will give you a sense of scale and remind you how small your six-foot tall teenage son used to be. And how about taking a photo every month of your child next to their favourite teddy bear and watch them outgrow it through the months ahead.

Keeping a few of these tips in mind can help you create long lasting, beautiful images both you and your children will treasure years down the road.

Laura Hana is a Vancouver wedding photographer and one of Vancouver’s 50 Essential Portrait Photographers. She is the founder of the OAC Photo Club and Dolcepics.com.

Fabulous and Family-Friendly 100-Mile Day Trips from Vancouver

VancouverMom.ca — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:00:07 +0000

Guest post by Claudia Laroye.

The 100 Mile philosophy, inspired by local B.C. authors Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon and their successful 100 Mile Diet and book chronicling their one-year experiment in local eating, applies to our family’s attitude towards planning a rewarding day trip from our Vancouver home. The spring weather is inspiring for outdoor activities and weekends spent discovering our city and the Metro Vancouver region. There is so much to do and see, and it doesn’t have to cost families a lot of money. The keys to a successful 100-Mile Day Trip recipe are simple: creativity, affordability and planning for family fun.

Don’t know where to begin? Start in your own neighborhood. Many local amenities are natural and can found in or near every city; parks, beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, marshes, bogs, nature reserves, animal and bird sanctuaries. Then there are historical and cultural sites; forts, historic canneries, mines or industrial works, museums, art galleries, science centres, aquariums. And of course, the ‘usual suspects’ of recreational options; water parks, skateparks, playgrounds, miniature-train parks (a huge hit with our kids when they were toddlers). If you’ve thought of at least one local option for each of these themes, you are already off to a great start.

Here are some fabulous and family-friendly 100 Mile Day Trip spots.

Bowen Island. This island in Howe Sound is a fantastic destination for a day trip. A quick 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay takes you into Snug Cove, from where you can walk, bike or drive into the village or reach nature trails taking you to the loop around Killarney Lake. Parts of the loop are stroller-friendly for wee ones; it is a highly enjoyable one-hour walk in the forest surrounding the Lake. There are several lovely Island beaches to explore, and if you’re up for a climb, you can try hiking up Mt Gardner. [travellingmom tip: There is a great mountain bike park next to Killarney Lake that your kids may want to try if they're of age.] A great place to pick up a picnic or enjoy lunch on-site is French-style cafe Artisan Eats in Artisan Square. You can follow up with a delicious gelato dessert or homemade chocolate from Cocoa West, just a few doors down.

Granville Island. You can walk, bike, drive, kayak or even take the jitney ferry to access the many activities found on the Island. You can buy your picnic supplies at the Market, walk or bike around the Island and along False Creek, catch some free entertainment, and in summer spend hours at the Waterpark and playground. This is one of Vancouver’s top tourist destinations for a good reason, but its popularity and success endure because Vancouver residents use and love the Island.

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Ecology Centre. Pack a picnic and good walking shoes to spend the day in this free and fantastic natural playground in North Vancouver. A suspension bridge takes you over the impressive white water rushing through Lynn Canyon. If you’re like me and have a fear of heights that prevents you from ‘enjoying’ the suspension bridge experience, you can simply hike the trail on one side and loop around on the Pipe Bridge. If it’s a hot summer’s day, pack a bathing suit to take a dip in the 30 Foot pool – a very popular watering hole for swimming and cooling off. Mind the water though, it’s pretty chilly all year long.

Richmond Dike System. Bike or walk nearly the 6 kilometres of the West Dyke Trail. Running from northwest Richmond, this level gravel trail goes south towards Steveston and Garry Point Park, offering views of Howe Sound, ocean marshes, Vancouver Island and the Fraser River. You can pack a picnic and enjoy it at Garry Point Park. And bring a kite as this park is well-known for a steady breeze that makes it perfect for kite-flying. [travellingmom tip: You can reward yourself with fish and chips at Pajo's or an ice cream and latte when you reach the fishing village of Steveston.]

Reifel Bird Sanctuary. One of our all-time favourite family day-trips is to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, on Westham Island in Ladner, less than a one-hour drive from Vancouver. The cost for a family of four is only $12 (not including bird seed supplies!) The walking paths are level and stroller-friendly, and there are picnic tables near the entrance. You can walk at your own pace through the trails at the Sanctuary, which hosts a huge variety of bird species throughout the year. This spring is the perfect time to visit as you may catch a glimpse of the returning Lesser Snow Geese on their migration path back to their summer nesting home north of Siberia, Russia. You may be surprised at how excited your kids will be about birds after visiting this wonderful facility.

One of Vancouver’s Ultimate 30 Mom Bloggers, Claudia Laroye is a local mom and author of thetravellingmom.ca blog. She is passionate about family travel and about educating children through the travel experience. She contributes to Tourism Vancouver’s InsideVancouver.ca and other travel sites on the web.