Five things + A giveaway! (Hint: It’ll help you survive March Break)

First of all, I want to thank everybody who took the time to read and comment on my last post — it means a lot to me that you felt safe to share your own struggles, and for those of you who wanted to comment but didn’t feel comfortable, well I totally get that too. I feel like you have my back, and I hope you know I’ve got yours too. Speaking of which, if you’ve got kids home next week for March Break and you’re wondering how you’re going to keep them occupied, I’ve got a surprise giveaway today with Grand & Toy that’s going to help you with that big time. 

But first, some random highlights from the past week or so.

1. I love any excuse to buy flowers, and besides the fact that these were on sale at the grocery store for $4 ($4 for all these!), it isn’t every day that you have a superstar interior designer come by. A few months ago I won a design consultation with Amanda Forrest (yes! Amanda Forrest from Marilyn!) and Monday she came over for an hour to look at our living and dining room. (I was terrified that she was going to come with a camera crew but she arrived solo, looking effortlessly chic in a furry-hooded coat, blanket scarf and Hunter rainboots she’d worn on a job site before seeing me.) We discussed a few different ideas for lighting and furniture placement, and she took pictures and measurements. Next she’ll consult with her team and together they’ll create a plan for the space, complete with an itemized list of what we might like to purchase and where we can find them. Fun, right? I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

2. A delicious warm roasted cauliflower and caraway salad from Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook. So good!

3. Mama has a new toy! I have been wanting one of these cute Instax Mini 8 cameras for so long and this blue fella came in the mail this week from Shop.ca. (Another contest win.) My girlfriend Carolyn says I must have a horseshoe up my butt and maybe so, but it’s random selection. You could be so lucky too!

4. Sunday we made these flower pretzel bites from Two Sisters Crafting. They’re just square pretzels + icing + Smarties (M&M’s for our American friends) + sugar pearls. Super easy craft to do with the littles in your life.

5. Speaking of littles, I have totally been in denial about March Break being next week (you know, because denial is such a good coping strategy) and now I’m wondering what the heck we’re going to do for five days. You too? Well help is here! The thoughtful people at Grand & Toy have put together a March Break Survival Kit to help you keep the kids busy next week. That’s right, it’s giveaway time! One lucky try small things reader will win an $80 prize package filled with everything you need to stock your craft drawers and get your littles creating! The March Break Survival Kit includes:

• Modelling clay
• Hot chocolate
• Scented markers (Mr. Sketch! My fave!)
• Elmer’s glue
• Scissors
• Pencil crayons
• Construction paper
• Exercise books
• Prang paint (ready-to-use Tempera paint)

To enter to win, tell me one thing you’re doing to survive March Break in the comments below.

For a second entry, tweet the following and comment with the link to your tweet. Feel free to tweet once a day, leaving a separate comment for each tweet:

You got this! #Win a March Break Survival Kit ARV $80 from @grandandtoyca & @trysmallthings! Hurry! Ends 3/13 http://wp.me/p4xBed-1cf 

For a third entry, follow me on Instagram and tell me your Instagram handle here in the comments.

And whether you win or not, know that you can stock up on craft supplies and find organizational solutions, electronics, small kitchen appliances and more all from the comfort of your home at GrandandToy.com.

The giveaway is open to Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 18+ and ends this Sunday, March 13, 2016 at midnight EST.

Update March 14, 2016: Congratulations Amy C!

Thanks to my fairy godmother at Grand & Toy, who sent me a March Break Survival Kit too. Hey, I need all the help I can get!