She likes long, romantic walks down the beauty aisle: Update your skincare and makeup for summer with TSC + A giveaway!

July 30, 2018 by try small things

I received the products mentioned in this post for free from TSC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own and not those of Rogers. Of course there’s worse things than using makeup past its expiry date (like going to the dump and bringing back more than you took or making change in the church collection plate) but I’d bet dollars to doughnuts you’ve got more than a few products that should have been pitched way […]

Categories: Giveaways, SWOON • Tags: beauty products, contest, giveaway, heart-shaped lipstick, makeup, self care, skin care, Today's Shopping Choice, TSC, TSC Summer Beauty Tote, TSC Summer Cosmetic Bag

She: Muses, Visionaries and Madcap Heroines by Kate Spade New York

July 27, 2018 by try small things

Abrams Books sent me a copy of She in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart.  I keep thinking about a blog post I read about Kate Spade shortly after she died. “It is important to not only celebrate her life,” wrote Kate Arends, “but to try and understand her death in a way that changes the dialogue around what it means to create a persona and be a person.” The stark contrast […]

Categories: Books, SWOON • Tags: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, female icons, Gilda Radner, Iris Apfel, Kate Spade, Kate Spade New York, She: Muses Visionaries and Madcap Heroines, trailblazers

What’s inside June’s Sweet Reads Box

June 22, 2018 by try small things

I received the June Sweet Reads Box free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own and from the heart.  Summer is the season for adventure and June’s Sweet Reads Box celebrates that with a story revolving around one fateful camping trip and a selection of outdoorsy goodies that us indoor cats can still enjoy without putting a foot outside. If you’re new to Sweet Reads Box, it’s a Canadian book subscription box service that comes with a […]

Categories: Books, Subscription Boxes, SWOON • Tags: book subscription box, Canadian subscription box, gifts for readers, Kim Fu, Sweet Reads Box, The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore

Staycation vibes: Playing ladies of leisure at the Alt Hotel Ottawa

June 21, 2018 by try small things

Lily and I enjoyed a complimentary one-night stay the Alt Hotel Ottawa in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart.  A girlfriend just told me she heard someone say that 80% of the time you spend with your kids happens when they’re under 10. Which totally makes sense, but still shocked me to hear. My kids are already 9 and 11! Time is marching on way too fast. So I’m so glad Lily […]

Categories: SWOON, Travel • Tags: Alt Hotel, Alt Hotel Ottawa, girls weekend, Ottawa hotels, staycation, tween, tweenhood, weekend vibes

Tour my new home-away-from-home: Indigo Innes + A giveaway!

June 13, 2018 by try small things

I partnered with Indigo for this sponsored post. All opinions are my own and from the heart. “It’s not all sunshine and rainbows but a good amount of it actually is.” — Adam J. Kurtz I think I could move into an Indigo tomorrow and be quite happy. Thousands of books to read, dozens of cozy pillows and throws to curl up with, and so many mugs for tea that I’d never have to wash a dish. I could roll […]

Categories: Books, Giveaways, SWOON • Tags: contest, experienceIndigo, Father's Day gift ideas, gifts for readers, giveaway, grand opening, Indigo, Indigo Innes, Orleans

What’s inside May’s Sweet Reads Box

May 12, 2018 by try small things

I received May’s Sweet Reads Box for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart.  I’ve been reading a book about anti-gravity — I just can’t put it down! Ha ha ha. Okay so I haven’t been reading about anti-gravity, but I have been enjoying the first bit of this month’s Sweet Reads Box selection and some of the clever tie-ins that came with it. (If you’re new to Sweet Reads Box, […]

Categories: Books, Subscription Boxes, SWOON • Tags: book subscription box, Canadian subscription box, gifts for readers, Mother's Day gift ideas, Sweet Reads Box May 2018, The Shoe on the Roof, Will Ferguson

Craft the Rainbow: 40 Colorful Paper Projects from The House That Lars Built + Win a copy!

May 8, 2018 by try small things

Abrams Books sent me a copy of Craft the Rainbow in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart. Well our spring buds are taking their sweet time to bloom and I am itching to see some COLOUR. So let’s BRING IT ON! Today I’ve got the first of two new books to share with all kinds of brilliant DIY ideas to invite your favourite hues into your home and your wardrobe. Craft the Rainbow: […]

Categories: Books, Crafts, Giveaways, SWOON • Tags: Abrams Books, Brittany Watson Jepsen, contest, Craft the Rainbow: 40 Colorful Paper Projects from The House That Lars Built, crafts, DIY, giveaway, paper crafts

My faves from Foxy Originals’ new Spring/Summer collection + A giveaway!

March 5, 2018 by try small things

Foxy Originals sent me some shiny things to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own and from the heart.  As much as I want to pack my winter coat away in the basement and not look at it again for another eight months, this weekend’s fresh snow makes me think we’re still a few weeks out yet. Which isn’t the end of the world but still, I feel like I’m not the only one who could use a pick-me-up […]

Categories: Giveaways, Style & Decor, SWOON • Tags: canwin, contest, earrings, Foxy Originals, giveaway, lead-free jewellery, made in Canada, Spring/Summer 2018

Big gingerbread boys with KitchenAid’s Artisan Mini • A merry little recipe and review #gingerbreadforthewin

November 25, 2017 by try small things

I received the products mentioned in this post for free from TSC. The opinions expressed in my post are my own and not those of Rogers.  With less than a week to go, polling shows gingerbread has a decisive lead in the festive treats race. (Check out my last post for cute cookie ideas, a giveaway and up-to-the-minute poling results.) Today I’ve put a few new twists on an old family favourite. It’s a gingerbread boys recipe I think you’ll […]

Categories: Food & Drink, Giveaways, SWOON • Tags: #ad, Christmas gift ideas, contest, gifts for bakers, gingerbread boys, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread men, giveaway, kitchen essentials, KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, recipe, sponsored, The Shopping Channel, TSC