Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo

Did you know Canada.. I just had to tell you about this new Burt's Bees product I've been trying - their Very Volumizing Shampoo with Pomegranate.

Not only does it smell FANTASTIC, but me, with my thin hair, always complains about how much shampoo and other products weigh my hair down causing it to look greasy. Not with Burt's Bees! I have noticed a HUGE difference in my hair and really wanted to thank this earth friendly, natural company for such a fantastic product.

Sulfate-free, full of amino acids and antioxidant-rich pomegranate seed oil, jojoba protein and natural fragrances - I am so impressed and can't wait to pick up the conditioner as well.

As always, we love Burt's Bees Natural products and I'm really in love with their new shampoo!

January Luxe Box

Did you know Canada.. we've mentioned many times how impressed we are with Luxe Box by Loose Button and, if you can believe it, they have absolutely outdone themselves with their January box!!

Not only did I receive the Luxe Box but they also included a Bath and Body Box! The Bath and Body Box was such a nice surprise, containing a new Schick Hydro Silk razor that retails for $13.99. It also included a Fekkai Hair Care sample that sounds fantastic.

Not to be out done, the Luxe Box was my favourite one yet, and as always the box was personalized, packed beautifully and so thoughtful! January's box included..

* China Glaze FULL SIZE nail polish - so happy to receive a full size bottle of this awesome nail polish is a gorgeous colour - "For Audrey"
* NYX Round Lipstick - again another FULL SIZE product! The perfect go-to lipstick in a great shade - Heather, it's a bit darker than I usually pick, which is what makes a Luxe Box so perfect, it treats you to products and colours outside of your comfort zone and introduces you to something great!
* Chloe perfume - very fresh scent, I absolutely love it, so does my Mom who is now the proud owner of it..haha.. which is great about a Luxe Box, a real treat that you can even share with friends.
* Biosilk Silk Therapy - a light weight leave-in treatment for your hair, I've already tried this out and I can't believe it worked for me! I have really thin hair and usually these types of products leave me looking greasy, but this worked fantastic, I'm so impressed!
* Seattle's Best Coffee - can you believe after sending the Bath & Body Box AND two full size products they also sent a bonus - Seattle's Best Coffee, level 3. Premium coffee that is to die for, I was so excited to receive this!

If there was ever any doubt about the quality and number of products you receive from Loose Button, they have gone above and beyond this month and I am left with my mouth hanging open, I'm just shocked and impressed and proud to share this company with you all.

In fact, we're going to give away a February Luxe Box to one of our readers!!! Please enter below for a chance to win one of these amazing boxes next month!

Giveaway

Women Deserve Choices - Ontario needs #birthcentres

Did you know Canada.. we are happy to share this guest post with you from Canadian Blogger Little Miss Kate.

Women deserve choices - Choices for where they give birth

Right now in Ontario women are limited to either having a home or hospital birth.

But what about if you are not comfortable with the idea of giving birth at home, but have a normal health pregnancy so there is no reason to be hospitalized for your birth?  What then?

Well women around the world and in other parts of Canada (including Quebec) have another option:  Birth Centres!

Ontario Needs Birth Centres and it is not just me who thinks so! Check out these 2 videos from Birth Centre Supporters:

Ted Corrado, executive chef at the Royal Ontario Museum



and Mike O'Shea, former CFL linebacker



Why we NEED Birth Centres in Ontario:

*Birth Centres will SAVE Ontario money
*Offer optimized care and support for NORMAL births
*The Safety of Birth Centres has been well established throughout the world and even other provinces in Canada
*Ontario is home to 75 midwifery clinics with highly trained staff who are ready to offer this amazing service to mothers across Ontario


Want to learn more visit the Ontario Midwives website or check out  the Ontario Needs Birth Centres Brochure

What can YOU do?  Take action NOW!

Send an e-postcard to let Premier Dalton McGuinty to let him know you support birth centres

On Twitter? Why not send out a tweet showing your support, for example:

@Deb_Matthews looking forward your transformation of #Ontario health care hope to see @ontariomidwives #birthcentres

or

@Dalton_McGuinty pls bring @ontariomidwives #birthcentres 2 #Ontario cut healthcare costs & provide better care #onpoli


Don't forget to head over to Little Miss Kate's Blog to enter to win an "Ontario Needs Birth Centres Prize Pack (open to residents of Ontario only)

Rrrrroll up the Rim!

Did you know Canada.. exciting news!! Roll of the Rim will be starting up again on Monday, February 20th!

I've heard there is a 1 in 6 chance to win with the usual prizes - cars, 3D tvs, camping packages, $100 Timmy cards and millions of food prizes! They will also be bringing back the online game (if you recall, I won a $25 card on the online game last year) and I've heard they may be adding a new way to play through your smart phone!

As I mentioned on Twitter, having a roll up the rim cup in my hand screams SPRING TIME to me, how about you??

Are you looking forward to rrrrrrolling up the rim? I know I am!!

NOVICA

Did you know Canada.. NOVICA has given artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. I love that NOVICA does not charge artists any fees for listing their items on the website. Artists remain fully independent; they are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from our website, etc..

You will find a huge range of beautiful products from Wool scarves to Wrap Bracelets , Patterned Scarves , their Unique gift section and more, the options are endless and all of them nothing you've ever seen before.

I recently purchased this gorgeous Cotton sling bag, 'Ruby Assam'. Created by Manjuri Hazarika I love how modern this bag is with a cell phone enclosure and so different and unique that there will be no chance anyone else will have one. I think this will be the perfect spring/summer bag, I can't wait to use it!

I was SO impressed with the delivery, it was wrapped beautifully, which I think speaks volumes for the company, I love it when care is taken for shipping. I also received this hand written note, how awesome is that!

NOVICA also has a new service, NOVICA Live - a new gifts and jewelry home party division. Now you can see the products in person, get a feel for the quality and understand the detail involved in each piece. Home parties are such a rage right now, I've host one and been to two in the last 3 months alone! I absolutely would love to attend a NOVICA party, the range of products is just outstanding and there is something for everyone. I'm so impressed with the start costs as well, for only $199, the NOVICA Live start-up kit makes for a smart investment in your new business. The kit includes:

* $400 retail value of sample products
* Over $150 of business and presentation materials
* Your personalized e-commerce website

Great value and would be so unique to your area!

We are so excited to share with our readers a chance to win a $40 Gift Certificate for purchase on NOVICA.com!! Enter below for your chance to win!

Giveaway

Recipe to Riches Season Two

Did you know Canada.. we've been waiting to hear what the big announcement was from Recipe to Riches and had our fingers crossed for another season.

We got our wish! Casting of Season TWO is now open! Head to recipetoriches.ca today to apply.

The Categories this year are:

Cakes, Puddings & Pies
Hors D'oeuvres
Savoury Snacks
Cookies & Squares
Candies & Chocolates
Entrees
Condiments & Dips

I love the Condiments & Dips category, I'm sure we'll be hearing some great recipes! Can't wait to hear all the news of the show and looking forward to seeing it.

Auditions start February 11th in Halifax, so don't delay, get that recipe book out right now!

Will you be applying??

Baseball Glove

Did you know Canada.. we'll be heading to T-Ball sign-up with my boys this week and that has got me thinking about baseball.

Many feel baseball is a true American sport, so it might surprise you to know that the Baseball glove was said to be invented in Canada in 1883!!

Art "Foxy" Irwin is said to invent the baseball glove, though some contend he just made it popular and we may never know the whole truth. We do know that in 1883 Art broke 2 of his fingers on his left hand from a hard hit ball which caused him to purchase a large buckskin glove and fill it with foam so he could continue to play.

This was supposedly known as the Irwin Glove and picked up by many other players.

Others say players had been experimenting with similar glove designs in years prior to 1883 so we will never know for sure, but we can be proud of Toronto born Irwin none the less!

La Crème Cow

Did you know Canada.. I was so excited to hear that Parmalat Canada is introducing a new line of spreadable snack cheese - La Crème Cow. You'll already know and trust Canadian company Parmalat Canada as they produce such respected brands as Beatrice, Lactantia, Astro, and Black Diamond.

As I mentioned, La Crème Cow is a spreadable snack cheese that is absolutely delicious. Coming in three flavours - Original, Parmesan & Peppercorn and Light we've been having a few parties to try it out thanks to a party pack from La Crème Cow!

First I invited my Mom over for a little lunch, her favourite is the Parmesan & Peppercorn and then the Light. We discussed all the toppings we could add to make these beautiful appetizers and agreed with some suggestions from La Crème Cow as well.

Loved the idea of using Original with a half cherry tomato and a few sprigs of arugula. Serve with a hint of balsamic vinegar and olive oil and a bit of salt. Balsamic vinegar is a new favourite of mine and I think this would be absolutely delicious.

As soon as we tried the Parmesan & peppercorn we both said: smoked salmon! Topped with dill as well would be so elegant.

A great idea with the Light is to top with cucumber and snipped chives, I think that would be absolutely divine and plan on having that for lunch one day (or two) this week.

Cheese and crackers will never be the same again!

Hubby and I also had a snack one night over the weekend using La Crème Cow, we both agree Parmesan & peppercorn is our favourite and actually picked up another one already! We discussed all the great uses for this product, not only will it make great apps but it's perfectly packaged for on the go. Each wedge is individually wrapped making it awesome for lunch, picnics, snacks in the car, taking on a trip, snacks at the park, the possibilities are endless!

We are so excited to share a $100 La Crème Cow Prize Pack with our readers! Enter below for your chance to win!!

Giveaway

Buying Handmade #madebyhandshow

Did you know Canada.. we think buying handmade is awesome! You not only know exactly what's in the product but you also know the hands that made it and I think that is something to cherish and be proud of.

At the Made By Hand Show coming up in April at the International Centre in Mississauga you will be introduced to Art vendors, Candle vendors, Fabric vendors, Jewellery vendors, Food vendors - you name, the Made By Hand Show has it!

Athena's Diaper Cakes

Why shop handmade? As I mentioned not only do you know exactly what you're getting but you are supporting local Canadians who work hard at their crafts. The baby blanket, soap, purse, doll and more will not have been made by a machine, it will have been made at home, by someone who is proud of their work and getting you the best quality item.

Details By Donna

I was reading an article by show manager Jacqueline Hunter who mentioned how many compliments she received on a handmade necklace she has. The unique one-of-a-kind gifts you can pick up from local vendors are beautiful and truly unique which is really cool.

LaLa Soap

Some of last year vendors include businesses that we've discussed on Did you know Canada before - like LaLa Soap - creator of beautiful soap, that smell amazing and made with natural ingredients.

We can't wait to hear about this years vendors!

Baby it's cold outside!

Did you know Canada.. In Southwestern Ontario this morning we're having what feels like a mini blizzard right now, but it's nothing compared to what's happening in Alberta today!

Environment Canada issued an extreme wind chill warning last night for these regions. A combination of cold Arctic air and northwestern winds is creating wind chill values of between -40 and -45!! It could even get up to -50 windchill in some spots.

If you are in these spots please make sure you bundle up, have extra blankets and plenty of gas before leaving the house. Frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes!