Archive for August, 2008

My latest purchase - A Mom Agenda

August 28, 2008 at 4:59 pm · Filed under Children, Moms, Infants, kids

pink_mini08-09_l.jpgI am SO excited about my new Mom Agenda. It took me a few days to decide to spend $40 on an Day Planner (sigh!), but as my days got busier and busier as we got closer to the very important back-to-school day, and since I hadn’t found 15 minutes to go over to my local office supply store in the last few weeks, I decided that I should cough up the $40 for something that I hoped would help me organize my life. I chose to purchase the 2008-2009 momAgenda Mini-Daily from momAgenda.

One of the things I love most about it is that it runs from August 2008 to August 2009, covering the academic year of my children so that I won’t have to write little notes to myself at the end of year before I purchase a new agenda. I have already filled my gorgeous new purchase with all the back-to-school events my kids and I have next week, from nursery and junior school open houses to birthday parties to last minute haircuts and dentist appointments, along with my work-related meetings with retailers of children’s clothing and my manufacturers. With two young daughters going to different schools in September, and a home-based business that is taking more and more time from me, I was suddenly feeling very disorganized and overwhelmed..that same feeling I get around December and June.

Funny how a simple thing like a Day Planner can give you peace of mind and in some way give you energy to you face the busy days ahead. I think the gorgeous pink I chose for my cover also helps!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids - fine girls’ smocked dresses

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Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco - An unforgettable experience for all ages

August 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm · Filed under Children, Toronto, Entertainment, Travel

If you have ever had the pleasure to watch a Cirque du Soleil performance, you will agree with me that they are one of the most amazing live shows you will ever see. I have watched a number of their performances over the years and, last year, took my young daughter to see one of Cirque’s shows for the first time. My daughter did not stop talking about the performance ever since, she now wants to be an acrobat, was in awe for the duration of the show and could not wait to go again. Toronto is fortunate to have Cirque du Soleil visit us every year with their touring shows (they also have permanent shows in a number of cities around the world) and just today I took my daughter, now 4, to see a Cirque du Soleil performance once again.

The performance tonight was Saltimbanco, ‘a Cirque du Soleil signature show inspired by the urban fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants. Decidedly baroque in its visual vocabulary, the show’s eclectic cast of characters draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world, an imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.’ The colours, the music, the acrobatic shows, the setting - you will leave in awe of the imagination of its creators and the ability of its performers. This show is a great event for adults and kids, something of an experience that your kids will probably not forget.

This was the last performance of Saltimbanco in Toronto, but the show continues to Hamilton, ON on August 27th and then goes on to a number of U.S. cities including Buffalo, NY and Trenton, NJ. If you have the chance, I highly recommend that you go see this show…and bring your kids.

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids - fine smocked girls’ dresses

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A great find in Toronto - Evergreen Brick Works

August 19, 2008 at 10:16 pm · Filed under Children, Toronto, Moms, Summer Activities, Toronto shopping, Infants, Entertainment, Travel, toronto outings, Toronto food

brickworks.jpgLast weekend, my family and I set out on a bike ride on a lovely sunny Summer morning in Toronto. We ended up at the Evergreen Brick Works, at the site of the old Don Valley Brickworks Factory in the Bayview extension in Toronto. It was a most pleasant surprise - a truly urban oasis right in our city. This ‘thriving environmentally-based community centre that engages visitors in diverse experiences connected to nature’ is sure to appeal to a wide array of Torontonians looking for unique, interesting and stimulating things to do without going too far. The location of the old Brickworks factory, which first opened in 1889, has been preserved and refurbished and is now a great destination for families with children. Entry to the site is free.
We enjoyed great food at the Farmer’s Market (one of my favourites were delicious Surkl organic empanadas) and great hikes through the area. My two young daughters were fascinated by the wild flowers, turtles and fish that they saw pretty much in their own backyard. The site offers lots of great nature walks and events throughout the year that include chef’s workshops, a farmer’s market every Saturday, and the ‘Farm to Folk Festival’, among many others. What’s better is that this great spot right in Toronto is still in its development stage, with lots more great things to come - The Discovery Centre, Demonstration Gardens, Native Plant Nursery, among other great projects.

My family and I will definitely be coming back!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids - fine smocked girls’ dresses

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PerryWinkles Kids - Announcing our new Fall/Winter Collection of little girl’s dresses

August 14, 2008 at 9:36 pm · Filed under Children, Toronto, Moms, Toronto shopping, Infants, Children Fashion, fashion industry, apparel

Jumper_red3.JPGWe are thrilled to announce our Fall & Winter Dress Collection for little girls and baby girls, just in time for back to school and all their special occasion during the colder months. We have found gorgeous viyellas, heavy cotton, veloure and baby corduroy and have decorated them with stunning and unique smocking patterns, to keep your little princess cozy, comfortable and stylish during the Fall and Winter seasons. As always, practicality is was a key consideration and all our new designs are machine-washable, to keep up with today’s mom’s busy schedules.

Our new collection of little girls’ dresses include beautiful hand-smocked designs, like the Jane style in pink viyella. As well, your little princess will dazzle in her first day of school in one of our new blue or red corduroy jumpers and viyella shirts. We have other new additions to our collection, like brand new styles of cotton cardigans and nylon tights.

PerryWinkles Kids - fine smocked girls’ dresses

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Great on-the-road snacks for kids

August 13, 2008 at 8:53 pm · Filed under Children, Toronto, Moms, Muskoka, Infants, Travel, toronto outings

It’s almost the end of August, which means by now I’ve had about 8 weekend trips with my kids and husband up to cottage country. A big challenge for me is always what to pack for the 2-hour car ride. My four-year old daughter, from the minute she sits in the car, needs a snack. She’s not a snacker otherwise, but once she sits in the car for the ride up to cottage country, her brain sends her ’snack signals’….and there is not much I can do to change her mind. Here are my favourite on-the-road snacks for kids (which work well with grown-ups too):

1. Popcorn: Just pop some the night before your road trip and put it in the different containers for each kid. Not only is it a healthy snack for growing children, but it keeps the little ones occupied for a good amount of time.

2. Cut-up pieces of fruit: Our favourites are peaches (specially now that they are in season!) and apples. I stay away from the berries since they tend to create a mess in the car (I say this from experience).

3. A special treat for those moments when nothing will stop them from asking ‘are we there yet’ again: My favourites are lollipops since they can keep kids occupied for a little while. I bring these out only when I really need them, but it’s always nice to have that ‘extra special’ treat.

4. Rice cakes: My little girls like the mini cheese flavour rice cakes. They are a lot healthier than cheesies, but the kids still feel like they are getting a bit of a treat.

Happy Trails!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids

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Vote Now for PerryWinkles Kids to be Canada’s top Mom Entrepreneur!

August 4, 2008 at 8:44 pm · Filed under Children, Toronto, Moms, Toronto shopping, Infants, Children Fashion, apparel

FlowerPerryWinkles Kids has been nominated to be Canada’s top Mom Entrepreneur and we need your votes to help us win.

SavvyMom Media has put PerryWinkles Kids’ name into the ring to win The SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a reader’s choice contest designed to find Canada’s top Mom Entrepreneur. The winner will be announced in the fall, and will be rewarded with a $17,000 prize that was designed to help take that business into the next level.

PerryWinkles Kids, a Canadian-based children’s wear company, designs and manufactures fine children’s clothing, specializing in stylish, practical and comfortable girls’ smocked dresses from newborn to size 6T. Our daughters and grand-daughters are the inspiration for all of our hand-smocked dresses’ designs. Practicality to fit today’s moms’ busy schedules is a priority - all of our little girls’ dresses are made of 100% pima cotton and are machine-washable.

Go to the following link and make sure to cast your vote for us!
http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=286
Thanks!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids

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