There is no doubt that we have a little girly girl on our hands.  As much as I banned pink, frilly, girly, froufrou, blingy, sparkly items from the very beginning, we somehow ended up with a child who is all about the pink girly bling.

I am not kidding.  The girl wears frilly tutus and rubber boots to the barn!

She does have her ears pierced, though I have never (until recently) changed her earrings.  Of course I had taken them out, cleaned them, etc.  I just didn't give her more than the one pair she had.  She's only 4 years old.  She doesn't need to have a zillion pairs of earrings...yet.

Then one day, I received an email from KanDi Jewelry filled with the most adorable jewelry for little girls.  It was a veritable feast for the eyes...only with zero calories and zero cavities!


The Gummy Bear earrings, bracelets, and necklaces looked EDIBLE! They were the cutest things I had ever seen!  If I weren't 37. I'd like to have some for myself!

My daughter sat with me at the computer and oooh-ed and ahhhhh-ed, trying to decide which earrings she'd like.  I totally thought she'd want the pink, but chose the purple.

When the earrings arrived, Little One was over the moon!
Little One and I fell in love with the Gummy Bear earrings.  She has since asked me to get her the necklace and bracelet too.

Candy heart and jawbreaker jewelry are also available and are super cute.  I still love the Gummy Bears best.

I cautioned Little One that as irresistible as they may look, the earrings are NOT edible.  She looked at me and laughed.  "Awwww! Mommy! You're silly! Of course not! They're not REAL Gummy Bears, silly Mommy!"

Okay, then!

A Little Bit About KanDi Jewelry

 If you have a little girl who would absolutely love a pair of Gummy Bear earrings, you're in luck! KanDi Jewelry is giving one lucky Life on Manitoulin reader a pair of Gummy Bear earrings in the colour of the winner's choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure - I received product to facilitate this review.  All opinions and thoughts on this blog are honest and my own.

 Back when Little One was teething, I could have used a little help!  Those days and nights of crying and teething pain are not but a mere memory.  I recall very vividly how awful the teething stage was for my poor little peanut! I tried everything to soothe the pain she had with those sharp little biters she had!  She loved her beloved giraffe, and that giraffe did ease a lot of pain for the most part.

I wish I had known about Teethease back then.  Teethease is funtional, fun, and fashionable jewelry you can sport and your child can teethe on. Yes! Teething jewelry!

Teethease is made of FDA approved medical grade silicone, free of BPA, PVC, latex, heavy metals, phthalates and meets the highest international safety standards (EN-71).

Teethease safe for babies and comes in a variety of styles and colours to choose from.

The Original Teethease Pendant is a popular choice. Hung on cotton cord and with a break-away clasp for safety, these are a great gift for any mom with a teething babe.
The soft, flexible silicone is BPA-free and easy to keep clean!  The original pendants come in six colours: black, turquoise, lavender, pearl, wood, and red marble.

Teethease also has Original Teethease Bangles.  I remember when Little One was teething and used to try to gnaw at my bracelet or watch! I'd get so paranoid that I ended up not wearing any jewelry at all! This is the perfect solution to that kind of scenario!

Teethease sent us the Rock*ease to review.  Though Little One is past the teething stage, she has many friends and even a little cousin who are in the throes of teething at the moment. This is perfect for our adorable little friends who are cutting their first teeth!
Teethease always has your child's safety in mind.  The Rock*ease necklaces are beautiful, but also safe and perfect for drooling on, chewing on, and playing with.  I remember not wearing necklaces when nursing Little One because she'd tug on them.  I was always worried they'd break and then she'd choke on the pieces.  With Teethease, you don't have to worry about that.


Don't just take my word for it.  Would you like to WIN a Teethease Original Pendant AND Bangle?

WIN IT! 
Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Don't forget to leave me a message in the comments section, telling me which Teethease product you would like to win. Open to residents of Canada and the U.S. only. Giveaway ends March 14, 2012!

I know what you're thinking. Holiday Gift Guide? Lady, are you crazy? It's November!

That's exactly my point though. It's NOVEMBER! One month away from the Holidays. Whatever Holidays you are celebrating, I'm sure you're looking for some gift ideas.


This month, I will be featuring some fabulous products that I think will be a hit with  your loved ones. Yes, there will be some giveaways too! Stay tuned and I hope you enjoy the products I'll be sharing with you this month!

One of the reasons I'm including this Holiday Gift Guide so early is because I'd like to get the giveaway prizes out to winners before the Holidays!

{MY PICKS}

To kick start our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, I'd like to introduce you to Chunky Bling!
Cute accessories that you can mix and match on  your own to create a unique look that bests suits you = pretty good in my books!  We all have women on our lists who would love a Swarovski ring or a fabulous watch to wear to the many dinners, parties, and gatherings they'll be attending this season.

Chunky Bling is giving my readers a coupon code!
Coupon Code
(CHRIS186) that you readers can use to get any watch set for just $24.95 (this is a really good deal)! This coupon will be good through Nov 21, 2011.
Not only that, but they're also giving one of my readers a Swarovski ring! Enter the giveaway here! Head over to fill out the rafflecopter for on my original post to enter the giveaway!
Another item that would be a surefire winner this Holiday season is DAVIDsTEA's 24 Days of Tea! 

This Advent Calendar has tea au lieu of chocolate! Perfect for the tea lovers in your life. I just love, love, love DAVIDsTEA! I know about six people who would love to receive the 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar as a present!
Psssst! If anyone's listening, I'd love to receive this gift! Hubby? Hello? Are you reading this? ;)

This kit includes:

Buttered Rum	Chocolate Rocket
Coco Chai Rooibos	Countess of Seville
Cream of Earl Grey	Creme Brulee
Creme De Menthe	Davids Organic Breakfast
Elf Help	Exotica
Forever Nuts	Green & Fruity
Honey Bee	Japanese Sencha
Mulberry Magic	North African Mint
Read My Lips	Santa's Secret
Secret Weapon	Sleigh Ride
Sweet Dreams	The Skinny
Toasted Walnut	Vanilla Oolong

I remember as a kid, I was always so excited to find out what chocolate surprises awaited behind each window in my Advent Calendar! I know it will be equally exciting to uncover a surprise tea flavour each day leading up to Christmas!
You know what makes me happy? "Green" presents make me happy. Of course, the Holidays aren't just about giving and receiving gifts. We all know that. This said, it would make me feel really good to know that I can tread a bit lighter on the earth by giving loved ones gifts that are practical and can be used time and time again.
Orkids.ca has fabulous stainless steel plates, cups, tiffins, containers, and snack packs. Giving friends and family gifts to help them begin the New Year with litter-less lunches is a great idea. The stainless steel items can be purchased on the orkids.ca website.  

You can also win an Orkids.ca Stainless Steel Mealtime Combo on my blog here! Make sure to enter by filling out the rafflecopter form on the original post.


Stay tuned for more Holiday gift ideas and more giveaways!

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are thinking of what to get people for gifts or even what to wear for all those dinners and parties we'll be attending.  I know what you're thinking.  Lady, Halloween was just yesterday and you're thinking about the Holidays already?!? 


Yes! I am!

Want to find some cute accessories to go with your outfits?  I know that one item I need to get is a watch.  Ever since I moved to "the Island", I have stopped wearing one.  The fact that my toddler hid the only watch I have, doesn't help either!  Psssst! Toddler and Hubby, if you're reading this...a new watch for either my birthday or Christmas would be appreciated!

ChunkyBling.com has some great items. The fact that I can pick, choose, and design my own watch is great too! I like the idea of being able to personalize my jewelry and make it my own. It's not just watches that Chunky Bling has. 

Check out their:
handmade bead jewelry
Swarovski Ring
bead watches
interchangeable charm necklaces
mother's bracelets
and 
chunky bracelets

For even more fun, check out their online jewelry party!

Chunky Bling has something special for my readers!  They've given you a Coupon Code
(CHRIS186) that you readers can use to get any watch set for just $24.95 (this is a really good deal)! This coupon will be good through Nov 21, 2011.





ChunkyBling is also giving one of my lucky readers a prize!

Swarovski bead rings are made with elegant Swarovski crystals and Swarovski pearls, set in rhinestone-crusted rondelles and accented with sterling-silver findings. All Swarovski bead rings are strung on a stretchy cord which allows the wearer to easily slip the ring on and off the finger. It also allows for flexible and comfortable sizing.


Giveaway Prize
Your giveaway prize will be a Swarovski Ring (winner may choose any color and style).




TO ENTER: Please fill out the Rafflecopter for below. 


The giveaway runs from 12:01AM on November 1, 2011 until 12:01AM on November 14, 2011. Open only to residents of Canada and the United States.


**If you are having problems viewing the rafflecopter form, please try refreshing the page and it should load. It may take a while, but it will load :)  **
 

Part One of my ShesConnected wrap up was all about what I learned at the conference. This post is a fun one. It's got pictures!

The past week was a week of firsts for me. It was my first social media conference, the first time I have been away from my toddler overnight (and for a few days!), the first time I roomed with someone I had never met in person before, and my first time back in my city of birth since...well, maybe since June for my daughter's Mount Sinai Hospital Preemie/NICU Graduates Picnic.
 It was so hard to say goodbye to Little One. There were lots of tears. Ummm...strictly on my behalf though. To be honest, she didn't really care that I was gone. All she knew was that she was having a blast at Lola and Grampy's house.

I called every night and Little One's last conversation with me went something along the lines of, "Mama, please don't call me anymore. I'm busy. I'm washing dishes."

I bawled my eyes out. She's Two-Teen going on eighteen.
Oh! It was also the first time I saw my brother and his girlfriend in months! They're a busy young Toronto couple. We live on Manitoulin Island. You do the math.
 The Fashion District. Oh, how I've missed Toronto! I love posting random pics. Giant thimble, anyone?
It's been far too long since I have taken a walk on Spadina. I miss Chinatown! Scored some inexpensive comfy shoes. My pretty shoes for the conference landed me with band-aids on my toes within the first hour of me wearing them.

Also my first time having Chinese Dim Sum in a long time!  I love you, Northern Ontario, but you seriously do not know what real Chinese food is! Sooooo delicious! Don't know what Dim Sum is? Click here to find out.
 On our way back to my brother and his girlfriend's condo, we stopped at Cool Hand Luc's for some ice cream. You know, because we didn't already stuff ourselves at Dim Sum only moments earlier!

Aren't you diggin' that barfing ice cream guy? Too funny! Almost tempted to paint this scene on Little One's bedroom walls!
Raspberry Thunder or Tornado (I can't remember the name) and Birthday Cake ice cream. Deeeeelish.





Whew! Thank you for patiently waiting for me to get to the conference part. That's what you were waiting for, right?
You know which one I chose right? Ummm hmmm! The Hedgehog! As my toddler would say, "Awwwww! It's toe tute!" Translation: "It's so cute!" Didn't stop us from devouring (I mean "sampling") it!
 Lots and lots of amazing sponsors (and lots of swag).
FordCanada
ToshibaCanada
MapleLeafFoods
JanesFamilyFd
Christine Cushing
Purdy'sChocolate
MolsonCanadian67
AdultEssentials
Sobeys
Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA)
Life Choices Food
PepsiCanada
ConAgraFoods
Royal Canadian Mint
and more!

Do you see who I'm with in this next photo?!?! No, you do not know how excited I was! It's Christine Cushing! Yes, the Christine Cushing! Celebrity Chef Christine Cushing! You know who I'm talking about! I've been a fan of hers for years! My grandfather (may he rest in peace) was the one who got me into her cooking show back in the day. Now my toddler loves her. LOVES her!

 Christine Cushing was so friendly and personable. You know I was totally letting out a loud teenage girl  #SQUEEEE in my head, right? She gave us a copy of her cookbook and a bottle of organic extra virgin olive oil. She signed Little One's cookbook too. Thank you so much, Christine!
 AaricaMakeUpBlog and I had to go to our room and deposit our swag. It felt like we were carrying 100 lbs of product. Oh, okay. I won't lie. I also needed to change my shoes. Ouch!

 Back for some networking and meeting with the brands. Honey, my birthday is coming up. Toshiba Tablet? Just sayin'.
 I'm such a weiner!



This is me with my gal, GGirlGGreen. Isn't she absolutely gorgeous?! Her personality is just as beautiful. Love this Tweep!
 Goofing around for our "red carpet" pics. Yes, I normally wear pink feather boas for pics. Isn't JustNikiV hilarious? Love her!
 Also in red carpet photos are Whispered Inspirations (Ha! Nancy and I were THE shortest tweeps at #SCCTO! No, seriously! We were!) and Aarica Make-Up Blog (my roomie for the conference)!
 I have to say that #shoesconnected sure knows how to throw a party! Check out how packed it was in there! Two floors packed with people! Scrumptious hors d'hoevres and great wine! Thank you STLTO for the delicious wine.
 Did I mention that the #shoesconnected after party was held at Town Shoes? Food, wine, friends, SHOES!!! Can't get any better than that! Oh, look! There's Gingermommy! Love her!

 It was so hot in there with all those happy tweeps, that we had to grab some fresh air. Okay, I joked about how I thought I was having hot flashes. I was hot!

Look! Bewildered Bug, Whispered Inspirations, Aarica Make-Up Blog, and I are all wearing PURPLE! We're the Purdy's Chocolate mascots! ;)

After the after party, we decided to head to Earl's for a bite to eat and a little more to drink. Upper Canada Soap, Etobicoke Moms, Little Ms. Save, Aarica, Sweet Mama Brady, MadeByHandShow, GGirlGGreen and I had a great time. We got back to the Sheraton in one piece, although we were almost down a tweep! Toronto taxi drivers are crazy. #chickenwing incident! That's all I am allowed to say or SweetMamaBrady might kill me.
 Early the next morning, we made our way back to the conference room to learn and acquire some "nuggets", if you will. No, not chicken nuggets! There was chicken there! Hi, JanesFood and Dana McCauley! Hi, Chicken Farmers!
 After the conference, I had to buy a new suitcase to lug all my swag home. This being my first social media/blogging conference, I didn't expect that much swag. I only brought one carry-on for my four days away from home. I figured I'd bring back one extra bag with all the swag, but it turns out I needed an extra suitcase!!!


 Oy! How was I going to get ALL that on a plane? Yes, that is a thong you see in this pic! Thanks, divine.ca!
 Etobicoke Moms branded me in the ladies' room. Cute tattoo, yes?
 Last night in Toronto. Still on a high from the amazing She's Connected Conference. Sharing wine and tortellini with my girls, BewilderedBug, SweetMamaBrady, and AaricaMakeUpBlog at Trattoria Mercatto.
 Remarks from the busy two days at #SCCTO:
I learned so much about brands, relationships with brands, what they expect/want from bloggers.

Donna Marie Antoniadis is my idol. I really admire her. Oh, and when she gave me a huge hug and said, "You are so sweet", I was worried she would pinch my cheeks! She didn't.

Listen2Lena is as gorgeous in person as she is online and she's got a fabulous personality! She is so amazing!

SassyModernMom is stunning and sweet. I love her!

Mom vs. the Boys is exactly as sweet and wonderful in person as she is online.

Highlight of Day 2 was bumping into Julie Cole and her having breakfast with us and sitting at our table for key note speech and panel. I love Julie. She is one of the funniest women I've ever met! My husband was even shocked that the Mabel's Labels maven sat at our table.

Just discovered that Dana McCauley, the Canadian chef, food writer, food trend tracker, culinary director for Janes Family Food and I share a Manitoulin Island connection...and it's even closer than I'd imagined! How crazy is that? First, my serendipitous meetings with BewilderedBug and AskMamaMOE and discovering how our paths are connected, and now Dana McCauley?! Surreal!

Deborah Lowther is stunning, radiant, vibrant. Those vitamins are amazing! I'll have whatever she's  having! ;)


PTPA Sharon has great style and great hair!

tjzmommy just wows me all the time. I am in awe of her. Check out what you can do for Zack's Dream Room.

Next day: Plane ride home. Back to reality. Thank goodness for swag. This got me by until I could get to real food. The Sudbury airport has nothing near it!
 Finally home to see my sweet little toddler and my husband (who was also away from our poor toddler! Daddy was on the www.wildERmed.org course over the weekend).
 "Christine Cushing signed this for me?!?!" She was so excited!
 Life Choices mac and cheese. "Can we make this now, Mama?"

 IronKids Gummies! She loves them!