Browsing Tag:

Shopping

Top Parenting Apps

As a bonafide app nerd I love all the different apps out there from photography and video trip planning and ordering pizza. I love me a good app. That being said, there are a LOT of apps out there for parents, so I’ve compiled my top parenting apps as well as some of the other Alberta Mama’s favourite apps that will help your life and not sit on your screen unused taking up precious storage space.

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Shopping Locally in Grande Prairie

We all love the idea of shopping locally, but often we forget how important it is to actually go out there and spend locally! There are so many local businesses in Grande Prairie, but we thought we’d make a list of all the places you can shop locally in Grande Prairie this holiday season.

Spending money in a local business isn’t just about supporting a local family, but it’s good for the economy! It’s known as the Multiplier Effect and Wikipedia can go through the details for you here, but essentially it means that when you spend your money in your community with a locally owned and operated business it circulates the wealth back into your community. It’s a win-win. Really, who doesn’t love their locally owned coffee-shops and boutiques!

In no particular order, here are some places we’ll be shopping this holiday season.

Kids

Cute as a Bugs Ear
Web: https://cute-as-a-bugs-ear.myshopify.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cute-As-A-Bugs-Ear-Childrens-Clothing-Inc-
Address: #104 – 10605 West Side Dr.

What to shop for: Anything kids!

Mini and Kind
Web: https://www.miniandkind.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miniandkind/
Address: Online only

What to shop for: Organic and ethically made baby clothing and toys. We LOVE this little fawn.

What to shop for: ALL the headbands. Every. Single. One.

With Love

Address: 11500 100 St
What to shop for: All you need for the sporty kid (or grownup on your list)

Women’s Clothing

Sole Addiction
Address: 9907 100 Ave
What to shop for: SHOES!!!
Forbes & Friends
Address: 9918a 100 Avenue
What to shop for:  Lots to shop for in this local boutique. Women’s clothes, jewelry, and accessories (unique scarves, bags and even fun rubber boots) as well as lots of gifts for those in your life that love local art.
House of Spades
Address: 9908 100ave
What to shop for: House of Spades carries a more modern line of clothes with brands like Scotch and Soda, Matt and Nat and Wooden Ship Knits.

House of Spades

What to shop for:  Blanket scarves, ponchos and Eliasz and Ella jewelry

Experience Gift Ideas

Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
Web: http://aggp.ca/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ArtGalleryofGP/
Address: 9839 103 Avenue #103

What to shop for: Memberships to the art gallery are an inexpensive gift for an art lover or for a unique gift for those that love experiences over things.

 Local Handmade

Fox and Chaos Naturals
Web: http://foxandchaos.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoxandChaos/

What to shop for: Handmade organic bath and beauty products such as bubble bath, lotions and lip balms, perfect for our Northern Albertan climate.

Rustic Little Lamb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rustic-little-lamb-120637391932907/

What to shop for: Custom homemade signs for your home.

Timber + Gray Design Co.
Web: https://timberandgray.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timberandgray/

What to shop for: Fun tees, wooden signs furniture.

Timber and Gray

 

Chickweed and Clover
Web: http://www.chickweedclover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chickweedandclover/
Address: RR1 Site 6 Box 19 , Sexsmith Alberta

What to shop for:  Their new product, Wild Rose and Magnesium body butter and spray which may help for a restful sleep.

Local Designer Spotlight: Twig and Velvet + ANNAEL

Annas Velvet

When I buy Christmas gifts for the women in my life I really like to purchase something unique and local. Little treasures that were lovingly created or designed by other women in Alberta who have far more creative vision then myself. Enter the perfect collab: Twig and Velvet + ANNAËL!

Twig and Velvet ANNAEL

The owners of these two local companies, Monika & Leanne, have actually been working together for quite some time, but have finally made it official with their new online shop, twigandvelvet.com!

Twig and Velvet offers stunning silver, metal & semi precious stone jewellery designed and handcrafted right in Beaumont Alberta. ANNAËL is a creation of wearable art (handwoven silk scarves and cotton shirts), and is the brain child of the owner who is also a professional photographer from Beaumont. Both of their unique designs are sold on their new online platform as well as their newest collaboration and “love child”: Anna’s Velvet. This collection includes wares like modern pearl items, leather wrap bracelets and a to die for 3 way poncho scarf.

Anna's Velvet

Last year, I purchased gifts from both of these companies: sparkly bracelets with gold clasps and a silk infinity scarf with the most beautiful photograph of a flower on it. All were very well received by their happy recipients! What I like most, besides the constantly evolving designs (they really never stop creating, ever), is that these local ladies have a “Chosen Acts of Kindness” program. With this program, they will give back in some way with a random act of kindness that they will be sharing via social media and on their blog. I can not wait to see what creative ways they come up with to give back!

Anna's Velvet

My TOP Gift Picks from www.twigandvelvet.com

Twig and Velvet Earrings

ANNAEL Scarf

  • 3 Way Poncho/Scarf in Olive: The pleather trim and wooden stamped buttons on this beauty make it so special and perfect for everyday.

Anna's Velvet Poncho

 

You can shop all 3 collections (Twig & Velvet, ANNAEL and Anna’s Velvet) here! Don’t forget if you are in Beaumont there is free pickup as well. Happy Holiday Shopping!

Every Day Girl

*This post was brought to you by Twig and Velvet. As always, all opinions stated are my own.

Holiday Style with Belle + Bliss Boutique

Wool Slippers from Belle + Bliss Boutique

One of my favourite things about the holiday season is cozy, snuggly fashion! With all the visiting and celebrating it’s a huge mom time saver to have a few new items in your closet that you can literally grab and put together an outfit in an instant. Thankfully Belle + Bliss, a local online boutique, has just launched their Winter 2017 Collection and we’re in love with pretty much all of it- for ourselves as well as gifts for the stylish women in our life!

Belle + Bliss Boutique was started by a local mom in 2014 who was looking for alternatives in fashion that suited the busy mom life. It all started with bringing in tunics that paired easily with leggings and since then they have focused on carefully curating women’s fashion that is comfortable, stylish, flattering and affordable. Most of the pieces can be mixed and matched and easily paired with boots or heels and your favourite pair of leggings or jeans (though they do sell those too!).

Here’s a little peek at some of the gorgeous new items from the Winter 2017 Collection!

Belle & Bliss

Since it’s the season for giving, we can’t forget to mention some easy yet thoughtful gifts! Check out my top Christmas Gifts from Belle + Bliss Boutique below:

The Blanket Scarf

This is the perfect gift, women love these! They make a boring outfit on trend instantly, plus add warmth and can be used as a shawl or blanket when travelling. Shop here.

Blanket Scarves

The Slippers & Mittens

These cozy slippers & mittens are guaranteed to keep toes and hands nice and toasty. They are 100% wool with comfy fleece lining and handmade in Nepal. Each pattern is one of a kind!

Wool Slippers from Belle + Bliss Boutique

Shop the slippers here!

Wool Mittens from Belle & Bliss Boutique

Shop the mitten collection here!

The Toque

Adorable and functional, plus the best accessory for a bad hair day! Browse beanies, messy bun toques, classic knits and pom toques here.

Belle & Bliss Winter collection

Shipping is ALWAYS free on orders over $99 and if you are from the Edmonton Area you can take advantage of local pick up. Available in Beaumont, South Edmonton, and Sherwood Park.

Happy Shopping!

*This post was sponsored by Belle + Bliss Boutique. As always, all opinions are our own.

Why aren’t stores closed anymore on holidays?

This past Thanksgiving holiday Monday, I walked into Home Depot in the morning with my two children and was greeted by two cheery employees. We politely returned the greeting with a warm hello and light conversation. I couldn’t help but feel sad for them: why weren’t they home enjoying Thanksgiving with their families? Was it just the luck of the scheduling draw? As we drove home, I felt even worse. It’s because of people like me that shop on holidays all of the time, that they need to be there. If you know me, you know my mind didn’t stop there. I need to question humanity (seriously…) and why I had such strong feelings on the topic. I know that I can’t be the only one who does this!

I’ve believed for a long time now that society has an addiction to convenience and speediness. We live in a fast-paced world of instant connections and do-now desires through apps like facebook, online shopping, and 24hr hours of operation. It’s not that I can’t adapt to changing times, it’s that I believe we’ve lost an integral part of the balance in our lives. A part that used to force us to make other arrangements and plans, shop ahead of time and spend quality time with others or on our own.

When I was little, I remember on days like Christmas and other big holidays, there was usually one grocery store open and even then, it was only open for certain hours. Granted, I haven’t lived in Edmonton my entire life: maybe small towns are different. Stores like Staples, Winners, certain restaurants, etc… were never open. Those days were like driving through a ghost town to and from family visits. These days, it looks like any regular day with the reverse occurring- most stores are open and it’s odd to see one closed.

I used to refuse to go out on holidays, other than to and from family get-togethers. Now, on days like this past Thanksgiving holiday Monday, I appreciate the opportunity to be able to shop on a holiday. For the most part it’s because I can do so alone! My husband doesn’t get much time away from work and we he has some time off on major holidays and I can run a couple of errands sans child circus in tow I’m like that woman in the Ikea commercial yelling, “Start the car!!!” I’ve given in to the convenience of being able to shop on a holiday because I can shop alone and because of my family’s schedule. Life is so busy for everyone that this is our new reality and I’m an enabler. I personally find this horrifying but it’s the world that we’re living in.

So I’d like to know what other people think! As the Christmas holiday season approaches, what are your thoughts?

Why are we as a society being given the opportunity to shop? Are stores open on holidays because of customer demand? Why the heck are stores like Michaels open until midnight some nights prior to Christmas? Midnight! Why?! Do employees want to work holidays? Are stores afraid of the potential income loss of being closed when competitors are open? Are we such a culturally diverse society now that in order to respect everyone’s religions and beliefs that businesses need to be open 24-7 to prevent offending someone? OR have we just lost the value and meaning of holidays and what it means to have to be present in other ways in our holidays.   

Mercedes is a mom of two, special needs parent, former junior high school teacher, wine lover, and passionate about supporting local and living an organic lifestyle. Through her blog and social media pages for ‘live it ALL IN’ she talks learning through play, parenting, and everything in between.
Live it ALL IN has two goals:
To help parents and caregivers incorporate a variety of learning and therapy through play styles and creative processes by offering a range of ideas, instructions, and services.

To advocate for special needs and Cerebral Palsy through their families’ experiences with their daughter’s Cerebral Palsy.   Website: www.liveitallin.ca , Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveitallin/ , Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveitalin/ ,  ,Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/liveitallin