October 28th, 2011
Written by: Caitlin Madden
If you love the smell of pumpkins you would love to be at Mabel HQ today! This year’s challenge presented to our staffers was to create a pumpkin inspired by a celebrity. Check out what each Department came up with!
Winning! ~ Charlie Sheen
Aaarrrgggg! ~ Frankenstein
You're Fired! ~ Donald Trump
"Back in St. Olaf we would settle a dispute like this with a good old-fashioned log rolling." ~ Betty White
"Happiness is anyone and anything that's loved by you." ~ Charlie Brown
GTL ~ Snooki
October 24th, 2011
Written by: Julie Cole
This past weekend I was supposed to go on my first “girls weekend” in three years. Instead, I was sick so lounged on the couch with children piled on top of me. But, I did pull up one of my old posts and reflected upon “The Rule”. How much do you talk to your friends about your kids?
My ninety-two-year-old grandmother has given birth to a lot of babies. She had babies in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. She was collecting the baby bonus and old-age pension at the same time. Grandma is as wise as she is old, so when she talks, this humble creator of five babies drops everything and listens.
Grandma thinks women should not gather and talk about their kids. At first I found this to be a very strange perspective. I have five small kids and can turn every conversation into a discussion around their accomplishments, challenges, teachers, activities, poops, pukes, and sleeping patterns. What more is there going on in my life? If not for kiddie-gab, is there much else I can say?
That is precisely her point. I once returned from a weekend away with my longtime girlfriends. You know the kind of gals I’m talking about — the ones who have been around since the beginning of time. They were there holding your hair back while you puked up the peach schnapps you guzzled in the school parking lot before the dance. They remember when you got your driver’s license, cried with you that first time your heart was broken, and would share your single dorm room bed during a weekend visit. These are the gals who were your bridesmaids and actually knew what you were like before you were someone’s mama.
The weekend was geared to be a fantastic catch-up with the old gang and Grandma gave me strict instructions to report back to her with all the gossip and antics the weekend held. However, come Monday morning, the two of us sat with our cups of tea and I delivered a shockingly boring report. I walked away from that weekend knowing that Little Johnny was an exceptional reader and Little Janey is the best player on her soccer team, but didn’t know much else.
Lamenting this, Grandma perked-up and told me it was time to implement “The Rule.” As a young mother, Grandma occasionally gathered with a group of women. It was one of the very rare occasions they did not have their children with them. She set a rule for the group. No one was permitted to talk about her children. “The Rule” was complied with and these women enjoyed many years of social gatherings, discussing every topic imaginable — except their kids.
The next year came quickly and our annual weekend together was around the corner. The e-mails started flying — deciding who was driving, who was cooking, who was bringing the wine! Now was the time to suggest “The Rule,” but I was concerned with how it would be received. I was telling people I didn’t want to hear about their kids — the bonus was they didn’t have to hear about mine! The two childless friends immediately responded to me. I had been elevated to hero status in their eyes. The other e-mails started trickling in. Everyone agreed that it was time for “The Rule” to be passed onto our generation.
No one will dispute that your children are all consuming and have a way of taking over your entire existence. Even my grandmother would readily agree. I once heard someone say having a child is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body. True enough, but every once in a while you need to step back and find that little piece of yourself that sometimes gets lost in the school meetings, hockey practices, and music lesson drop-offs. For this busy mama, it is officially one weekend a year, but I try not to let the lesson of “The Rule” stray too far.
October 20th, 2011
Written by: Tanna Clark
I’m sitting at the airport for my third trip in the past month. I love to travel and my load is certainly getting lighter each time. Today I carry only a backpack and purse with all the stuff I need for a three day trip! I truly live for keeping it simple!
Last night my friend said she would need a backpack for her shoes alone! While I remember a time like that myself that is surely not the case now. It is so nice to get where you are going and not have to lug a bunch of baggage around!
Here are a few things I have learned over years for simple packing:
How do you travel light for quick trips? Feel free to share your tips!
October 13th, 2011
Written by: Caitlin Madden
Photo Credit: Our Kids Private School Expos
Meet top PS-12 private and independent schools at Canada’s largest school Expo that is taking place in Oakville, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario!
As a friend of Mabel’s Labels, we are pleased to offer you VIP admission passes for a family of 4, to the upcoming Our Kids Private School Expos.
Chat with school representatives, parents, students and experts face-to-face and learn about many different schools in one day, at one location.
Photo Credit: Our Kids Private School Expos
Find top schools for kids and teens at the Private School Expos:
• Meet the leading PS to 12 private and independent schools
• Attend free information seminars to help you choose and finance your child’s education
• Choose from day or boarding, single-sex or co-ed schools that focus on: arts, sports, education, special needs or an all around academic experience
• Learn about scholarships, bursaries and tax credits
• Speak with current students, staff and heads of schools
Photo Credit: Our Kids Private School Expos
When and Where:
Toronto: Saturday, October 15, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
Oakville: Sunday, October 23, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Oakville Conference Centre–Holiday Inn
To ensure free admission, please use Promo Code: MABEL, when registering online: www.OurKids.net/expo
October 11th, 2011
Written by: Caitlin Madden
Cocktail Deeva Shakin' it up at Mabel Bliss '10
BlissDom Canada is a 2 day, 3 evening conference that brings together the best in blogging, social media and public relations. It’s the 2nd year that the conference has taken place and Mabel will once again be joining all the fun. We’ll be kicking off the evening festivities on Friday with the Mabel Bliss power hour right after the last session of the day.
Last year the Mabel Bliss event was a hit with 5 minute make-over’s, profile picture photo shoots, yummy nibbles & more. This year it will be just as fabulous if not more and we can’t wait to watch the #MabelBliss hash tag light up. Cocktail Deeva will once again be shakin’ up Mabel’ Tini’s at this years good old fashioned glam event that is Mabel Bliss!
Where else will you find Mabel at BlissDom Canada?
Co-Founder Julie Cole will be moderating a panel about “What’s in a Brand? The Art of Defining Yourself and Your Creative World” with Cocktail Deeva – Dee Brun, Finance expert – Gail Vaz-Oxlade, Design Editor for Chatelaine – Kimberley Seldon and CBC personality – Patty Sullivan. Co-Founder Tricia Mumby will also be play the role of Entrepreneur Tribe Leader over the course of the conference and act as a mentor for attendees on any and all entrepreneurial questions they have. I’ll be mixing and mingling throughout the conference & if you spot Julie, Tricia or myself be sure to stop us and say hi. We love getting to know our Mabel friends in real life!
Photo by CL Buchanan Photography
Comments Off
Powered by WordPress
RSS