sparkleshinylove - A lifestyle blog for girls who love a little sparkle!

Roxymandy May 21, 2014

Springtime Farmers’ Markets

I am not the best when it comes to eating my fruits and vegetables, so I need to find creative ways to get them into my diet. That usually means hiding all of the healthy stuff inside a smoothie favourite with chocolate so I don’t really know what I am drinking. One of the other ways I actually look forward to eating things that grow on trees and in the dirt is shopping for them at a farmers’ market. Let’s face it – I love any kind of shopping. Grocery shopping doesn’t exactly give me any sort of satisfaction (unless it’s delivered to my door, otherwise I find it a pain), but when shopping for all that healthy crap is snowballed into an outdoor event, well it suddenly seems a bit more appealing.

I really like farmers’ markets! It’s like going to a street party, but instead of alcohol there are carrots. Since daytime drinking has been pretty much eradicated from my lifestyle since becoming a fab mom, I take whatever I can get.

Here are a few you might want to give a try this spring!

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market – 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto

This is one of my favourites! Evergreen Brick Works has a year-round farmers’ market, and their summer hours run from now until November 1st. The market is on from 8am – 1pm, and the food court is open a little longer (until 2pm).

What I like about this farmers’ market is how many things there are to do all in one place. There are vendors serving up all kinds of food in the food court, then there are all kinds of events and workshops taking place every weekend from classes on making pottery as a family, to children’s cooking classes.

For a $5 donation your child can take part in what they call Nature Play at the Brick Works. Children remain supervised by their parents, and this drop in program from 10-4pm on weekends and holidays offers play time, story telling and crafts.

Parking can be tough because there are not a lot of spaces so many people park the street, so you do end up spending a lot of time driving behind people hoping to be the first to take their parking space! You must pay for parking as well.

In the winter there is ice skating and hot chocolate outside, and in the summer it’s nice to talk a walk since the area is surrounded by walking paths.

http://www.evergreen.ca/

The Stop Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie Street, Toronto

Courtesy of National Post

Open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 pm, this market houses most of it’s vendors inside of it’s giant space. The Barns also has an art market with over 30 vendors, and they host all kinds of events like CraveTO with music, food and drinks.

All of the non-farmer vendors shop their ingredients from the market which is nice too.

http://www.atthebarns.org/about-the-wbca/the-stops-farmers-market/

St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market – 92 Front Street East, Toronto

Courtesy of St.LawrenceMarket.com

This market has been running for over 200 years! It’s pretty amazing. There are over 120 merchants which makes it one of the largest in the area as well. It runs year round from 5:00am until 10:00pm on Saturday’s, and they pretty much have everything you could imagine. It’s so busy that parking isn’t the easiest, but you can try the Green P lot behind the South Market Building, or there is a parking garage on the east side of Lower Jarvis (very short walk).

In the Market there are lots of cooking classes which I have been dying to try (will anyone go with me?) for adults and even classes with children, and there is always some sort of festival in the area to enjoy as well. This one is a must try!

www.stlawrencemarket.com

The Leslieville Farmers’ Market – Jonathan Ashbridge Park (Queen Street East between Greenwood & Coxwell)

This newbie on the farmer’s market scene is every Sunday from 9am to 2pm until the end of October. I haven’t visited this one yet, but it’s on my list of stops for this summer.

They say they have music, and that they will have wine starting next weekend! That might be why I’ve decided this one is one on my list. Coming up this year they will have a Bacon Fest, and a Movie Night in the Park as well.

http://leslievillemarket.com/

Roxymandy May 20, 2014

My Favourite Etsy Shops for Kids

Etsy is one of the best/worst things that has entered my life. I get addicted to looking at different stores from around the world and picking out gifts for birthdays or other events, and I spend time a crazy amount of time justifying gifts for myself. I love that so many things can be personalized, and that so many one of a kind items can be found and shipped to my door with a few clicks.

The selection of items for kids is amazing on Etsy. I have a few favourite shops where I love to pick up something for my son, or for one of his friends as a gift. Here are a few of my top Etsy store picks!

Kuku Design has, among other items, has adorable wall hooks for you child’s room in bright colours and cute shapes. You can find their store here

BoyGirlBoyGirlDesign has t-shirts, rompers and onezies, but my favourite thing is their painted shoes. They have themed children’s shoes for different holidays, or princess and pirate themed shoes. Check out their store here

ClaireonCloud9 has the most adorable pillows! Wacky clouds, trees, moons, raindrops, and even a mountain! You can find her store here

The Australian shop MeAndMacCharlie has great patterns for their leggings, bibs, burb cloths, and bodysuits. They ship worldwide too, which can be hard to find from an Australian shop! You can find them here

Boy’s leggings are impossible to find! It’s so unfair girls can wear comfortable leggings, while boys are usually stuck with jeans. I’m always looking for cute boy leggings that don’t look like girly ones. Basically I’m looking for manly toddler boy leggings. Sounds hard to find, right? It is! This shop has some great ones (I have a few on the way now!). Check out Thread and Love here

This is one of the first shirts I bought for my son. I don’t know why, but it makes me laugh every time I put it on him. Coup has a ton of these trademarked shirts for babies, kids and adults too! Check them out here

My son is turning into quite the little baker, and these rolling pins are the perfect way to keep him excited about creating something. They can be personalized, but my favourite is this dinosaur one. You can find the Valek Rolling Pins shop here

bky kid has amazing kids and adult t-shirts with patterns of roads and numbers. The are freaking adorable! Check them out here

Roxymandy May 19, 2014

Joey’s World Admission Pass Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to the Joey’s World 5 Admission Pass giveaway winner:

Laura O.!

I will be contacting you shortly to give you your Joey’s World passes.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Roxymandy May 16, 2014

Summer Sandals

I would live in sandals if I could. I am one of those gross people who could be seen running into the grocery store in my flip flops in the dead of winter. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I find ways to justify sandals in completely inappropriate whether conditions.

The good news is, according to my calendar it’s sandal season! Yes, my calendar may state this earlier than yours, but I’m thinking I’ll get less judgemental looks in my sandals at this time of year. And although it’s only May, I’ve already had to have a talk with myself (yes I talk to myself in stern tone when required) and limit myself to maybe one or two more sandal purchases for this summer. I’ve got more than enough already to make it through the summer, but it’s not my fault flip flops literally last forever, so just because it looks like I have a hundred pairs……well like I said, it’s not my fault!

Here are a few of my favourites for the summer!

Steve Madden Safari Sandals $79.95

Roxy Hana Sandal $29.00

Roxy Chickadee Sandals $42.00

Kate Spade Tracie Sandals $178

Kate Spade Fiji Sandal $48

Spring Abayrien Sandals $45.00

ALDO Prililia Sandals $60.00

ALDO Mirivel Sandals $25.00

Tory Burch Miller Sandal $225.00

Michael Kors Kayden Jelly Thong $79.00

Old Navy Women’s Gladiator Flat Sandal $26.00

Billabong Crossing Over Sandals $30.00

Roxymandy May 13, 2014

Joey’s World Bowmanville + 5 Admission Pass Giveaway!

One of the hardest parts of being a mom is keeping your child busy! Before I had my son I spent my spare time looking for fun events and parties to go to. Now that I have a child, I’d say about half of that spare time is now spent looking for fun things to do with my toddler. Not quite as exciting as some of the childless events, but none the less very necessary!

I’ve pretty much been all over the GTA to many of the different kids facilities, parks and play places. Eventually you run out of new places to go. One of my regular haunts with my son has been Joey’s World.

Joey’s World is located in Bowmanville, approximately 1 hour from Toronto. The facility has a multi-tier play structure which houses a toddler play area and a separate section for even younger children to safely play. There is also a kids 20-foot rock wall monitored by the trained Joey’s World staff.

There is a multi sport simulator as well where kids can play soccer, baseball and soccer in one section of the facility which seems to be a favourite with the boys. Throwing, kicking or hitting something as hard as you can? I’d say that is a boy magnet.

One of my favourite parts about Joey’s World is that upon entry you are given a matching wristband to your child. It’s scanned upon exit to be sure your child safely leaves with you, and it can also be scanned to add food or beverage charges to your bill. It’s like a credit card! Except this one needs to be paid on time, before you leave!

Shoes are not allowed inside the play area, but if you forget your socks they even have some for purchase at the front desk.

I love that Joey’s World is so clean! Their staff is always cleaning up while the kids are playing, and I have been there after-hours to see the staff vacuuming, sweeping and mopping for the next day. There is nothing worse than taking your child to a play place and being completely grossed out over the strange smell wafting from the rafters, or wondering what you are stepping in that has you stuck to the floor. It feels like a relief to go to Joey’s World and to not be afraid to crawl around on the floor!

I spent so many Saturday mornings at Joey’s World with my son that I decided it would be a great spot for a birthday party. They have a few different options for their parties on their website here, and I chose the Plan your Own Party Package. With this package I was given use of one of the party rooms, admission (there are different prices based on your party size), free coffee and tea and for my guests, security bracelets, invitations, and the party cleanup.

London running around the facility before his party started

This package was perfect for a control freak like me who wanted to handle my own food, cake, decor and details for the party.

I had almost 40 people in attendance, and we were able to fit them all in one of the party rooms. It was lovely to be able to enjoy the party and not worry too much about the cleanup!

In the winter Joey’s World was a savior through the long boring days when it was too cold to go outside. This summer when it’s just too hot to be outside, or when I am worried that my toddler has had too much sun I’ll be happy to head to Joey’s for some fun in the air conditioning! They are even running summer camps with different themes each week for parents who have children home for the summer.

If you haven’t been to Joey’s World, I’ve got an a opportunity for you to check it out!

This week I am giving away a 5 Admission Pass courtesy of Joey’s World!

To enter, just comment below this post “I want to go to Joey’s World!”.

This contest ends at 4pm on Monday, May 19th, 2014. The winner will be selected via a random draw.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

Joey’s World is located at 380 Lake Road, Bowmanville, ON,

905-447-PLAY

Best Summer Blue

A dress so nice, I bought it twice!

Perfect for a Wedding

Knit Set Love

Springtime Farmers’ Markets

My Favourite Etsy Shops for Kids

Joey’s World Admission Pass Giveaway Winner!

Summer Sandals

Joey’s World Bowmanville + 5 Admission Pass Giveaway!