It's Time to Declutter! Join Varage Sale & Get $10 #VSDeal

Every summer I get a little crazy and decide we need to declutter NOW! We live in a small townhouse and as the weather gets warmer, the house starts to feel smaller and the piles of stuff that are EVERYWHERE make me feel claustrophobic! So I begin sorting and bagging and boxing but what to do with all this stuff? Some is donated, some is discarded but there are many things that we no longer have a use for but are in perfect condition & could be sold and used by others. The extra money would help grow our vacation fund! I honestly do not have time to organize a garage sale and sit outside selling our items. This is how I discovered VarageSale- a virtual garage sale!

VarageSale was created in 2012 by an expectant mom looking to buy/sell second hand items within her local community. She wanted to bring people together and have fun while decluttering her home! Now VarageSale is in almost every community in Ontario. VarageSale is a free app which is available in iOS, Android & Kindle.  It allows you to connect to people within your own community so that means you won't have to travel far to pick up items and maybe you will even meet new friends! VarageSale allows you find amazing deals while making some extra cash! And right now when you post your first item on VarageSale and include the hashtag #VSDeal, you get $10!

So how does VarageSale work? It's so easy! Download the app, connect your Facebook acount, set up a password, find your communities & start posting your items. So easy!  The VarageSale app allows you to bump your item so new shoppers can see it and giving your ad more exposure. You can also like, comment on and follow a post and message a buyer or seller privately. It's an awesome virtual garage sale! So start decluttering and make some extra money, visit www.VarageSale.com OR download the free app to sign up (for free) and see how easy it is to buy and sell local!

Car Care Tips from the Sailun Car Clinic And a Giveaway from PTPA & Sailun Tires! #SailunCarClinic

I was thrilled to be invited by PTPA to a car and tire clinic put on by Sailun Tires. As I headed out to my local Midas on a rainy Wednesday morning I wasn't sure  what to expect & I was also a little nervous because I really knew nothing about cars. This has always been my husband's domain. But I was ready to learn! And learn I did. I even learned how to change a tire and in the rain to boot!

But I also learned a lot about Sailun Tires. Now since we do own a set of these amazing tires you would think I would be extremely knowledgeable about them but until this car clinic I wasn't. Sailun Tires opened in 2001 & they sell 40 million tires annually in 50 different countries! They are priced to fit your budget but are an exceptional tire. They offer an industry leading warranty: your tires are replaced free of charge if in the first year you wear 25% of the tread. They are tested in North America against their competitors & of course Sailun comes out on top! They offer passenger, light truck and winter tires. So you can be sure they have a tire that is right for you & your family! Sailun also carefully selects the dealers that sell their tires, like Midas, so you can be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer.  They also have the coveted PTPA Seal of Approval! Check them out at www.sailuntire.ca and see exactly what they have to offer you.

So what else did I learn at the Sailun Car Clinic? Did you know that you can find your tire information right inside your own vehicle? It is usually located inside the door on the driver's side. This information is important when you are purchasing new tires because you must replace your existing tires with a tire of the same load index, diameter, speed rating & vehicle performance. A trusted Sailun tire dealer like Midas will be able to guide and advise you on which Sailun tires are right for your vehicle. 

How often do you check your air pressure in your tires? If you are like me, maybe twice a year. But what I learned is that we should be checking our air pressure weekly or monthly. Correct air pressure will prolong the life of your tires, save on fuel costs and you will have a much smoother ride in your vehicle.  Under inflation of only 5% psi can diminish the life of your tire by 25%!  And check your pressure BEFORE driving to ensure an accurate reading. So be sure you have a working digital tire pressure gauge.  Get out there & check it!

Some other important facts I learned:

• Replace your car's spare tire  or donut after 2 uses

• Check your coolant when your car is cold BUT check your transmission fluid when your car is hot

• Check your oil cap to find out what grade of oil your car requires

• Check washer fluid and coolant levels every 2 weeks

• You have a tire lock key that comes with your tires.  NEVER throw it out.  Leave it in your car because you will need it when you have to change a tire

• Keep a flat head screwdriver and a metal bar in your car with your tire jack.  These will come in handy when changing a tire

So after this very informative Sailun car care clinic I am happy to say I am much more comfortable with my car and should we need  to change a tire any time soon I will be ready to help! Or maybe even do it all by myself! 


And don't forget to enter to win your very own set of Sailun Tires from PTPA! 

Free Set of Sailun Tires

Easy and Delicious Banana Muffins

Are overly ripe bananas taking over your kitchen or freezer? MAKE MUFFINS! This super easy recipe will be loved by kids and adults alike! They take no time to make and the results are delicious! Follow these easy steps to make the best banana muffins you've ever eaten! 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of flour
3 large bananas, mashed

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Optional:

1/2 cup walnuts or 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

In a separate bowl combine mashed bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter and vanilla extract.  I usually mash the bananas first and then beat the egg before adding the butter, vanilla and sugar. 

Fold in flour mixture and mix until smooth. If you are going to add walnuts or semi-sweet chocolate chips do so now.  

Scoop into muffin pans.

If you have added walnuts or chocolate chips I suggest sprinkling a few on top of the muffins.  It's a nice finishing touch!

Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes and large muffins for 15 to 25 minutes. Oven baking times will vary so I do suggest keeping an eye on them. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.

Makes 12 regular muffins or 48 mini muffins. 

Prep time is about 1-15 minutes and baking times will vary.

Enjoy! 

BConnected Conference May 2 & 3, 2015

I am so excited to be going to my very 1st social media & blogging conference. I feel very lucky to be attending the amazing BConnected Conference May 2 & 3, 2015 in Ottawa-Gatineau. It's being held at the beautiful Double Tree Gatineau-Ottawa. As a new blogger I'm pumped to be going to this conference as it is the ONLY social media conference targeted at mom & dad bloggers. This means I will be able to meet & connect with bloggers I follow & respect and brands that want to connect with me. It also means the educational sessions will be geared towards me & how to be a better mommy blogger. There are 16 interactive sessions, a networking party, a lounge to be pampered in & an entire hall full of exhibitors!

I'm not exactly sure what to expect but I'm full of anticipation & excitement! I'm hoping to meet lots of amazing people, connect with both brands and bloggers and to learn how to make my blog even better! And after I attend I can't wait to share all my knowledge, tips & ideas with you! Watch for my review of the BConnected Conference in the coming weeks!

Review- Garnier Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser

   Garnier, a trusted leader in skin care has launched an amazing new product! It is specifically  for people like me with sensitive skin! Garnier Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser contains no alcohol, dyes or fragrance and is intended to not only clean your wash but remove and dissolve makeup as well. 

     I have to say I was skeptical at first. I have always used a makeup remover PRIOR to washing my face. No more friends. You can now skip this step. This product is amazing!  I started to test this product on my face after 2 days at a water park with my kids. My skin was feeling dry & irritated from the chlorine. Garnier Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser removed all of my makeup, left my skin feeling clean and actually calmed my skin. For the first time after cleansing my face I didn't need to immediately moisturize my face because this product leaves your skin feeling hydrated. It goes on creamy but leaves skin feeling cleansed. The unique formulation feels like a cream that breaks quickly to release the cleaning agents. It is gentle & removes all traces of the day's makeup. After using this product for 7 days, my skin looks better and feels cleaner after washing. 

     Try it for yourself & after cleansing use a clean make up pad on your skin, you will be pleasantly surprised to find no makeup residue. Garnier Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser is a must try! 

Disclosure: I was given this product for free to review however all opinions expressed are my own.