Kitchen and Flooring Event

The Kitchen and Flooring event flyer hits the streets tomorrow, but you lucky ducks can view it today by clicking here.

Want early access to flyers and other promotions? You can sign up to receive the flyers sent to your inbox here. The information you receive will be national, not store specific (to see that info, you come here!) Home Hardware values your privacy and your information will not be given or sold to third parties.

Home at Home

The Spring edition of Home at Home magazine is available in store now. Pick up a copy at front cash, or ask the girls to be signed up for home delivery--it's free! This edition features some great new garden product, as well as some of the new OXO products now carried by Home. Feeling handy? There is a super cute herb garden featured in the DIY section, perfect for keeping herbs handy on the deck.

Also available now is the new Home Hardware catalogue. Pick up your copy at Front Cash or the Lumber Desk. Any items in the catalogue not in stock can be special ordered, and usually arrive in about a week.

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu March 30-April 1

CLICK TO ENLARGE

She's on the move!

Hannah started crawling this past week, which has left us in a rush to baby-proof! Did you know we carry a selection of baby-proofing products, including baby gates, latches, locks and outlet plugs? You can find them in the hardware department. Although I think I will skip the toilet latches for now--I don't need a "Baby Mama" moment in my house.

CanadianParents.com has a great article on baby proofing, as well as a child safety check list.

Update: Baby gates are not fun to install if you have an odd-shaped staircase

The Three Nasties

BPA. Pthalates. Parabens. You may have noticed a lot of products advertising that they are "free" of these products. Why? Because these are the three big bad wolves we should try to avoid.

Here is a brief guide to these chemicals, what they do, where they are and why to limit your exposure to them.

BPA: Short for Bisphenol A. Chemical used to make clear, hard plastics (#7 recycling code) and protective linings in food and beverage cans. It is a hormone disrupter, meaning it mimics our body's natural hormones (estrogen) affecting fertility, neural (brain) development and behaviour, causing early development, and causing changes in the mammory and prostate glands. For further information, please see the CBC website and The Canadian Cancer Society's page on BPA. (Note: Last week a bill was introduced in the United States that would create a federal ban on BPA in all food and beverage containers. Click here for the link, and stay tuned.)

Pthalates: Pronounced THAY-lates. Chemicals used to make plastics soft. They are also hormone disrupters, and have, in animal studies, been shown to cause tumours, decreased fertility and defects in the reproductive systems. They are believed to be a human carcinogen (carcinogen = cancer). For futher information, please see the Canadian Cancer Society's page on Pthalates. (Note: California, always ahead of the game in these sorts of things, has banned pthalates in the use of toys and baby products as of this year.)

Parabens: Chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products (lotions, shampoo, toothpaste etc). They are also hormone disrupters, mainly eliciting concern in their role in breast cancer. Best Health magazine featured an excellent article on parabens last year--click here to read it.

We are all exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis.
A frequent argument I hear against organics/chemical free/natural products is "Oh so what--we all grew up using this stuff and we are fine!" But we are not fine. When someone we know gets cancer, or is ill, or has fertility problems, we don't think it was because of chemicals like this. We don't connect the dots.

These chemicals are approved because we are exposed at "low levels." But what happens when your low-level shampoo combines with your low-level lotion, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, make up, bubble bath etc? And also with the low-level leaching of other chemicals into your food and drink?

If someone gave you a small amount of poision and said, "Don't worry. This much won't kill you," would you still take it?

There are products available that do not contain these chemicals, and we are proud to offer a selection of them. (Examples--use a stainless steel water bottle instead of plastic, use natural body products instead of commercial preperations, use teething toys made of wood or rubber for your baby, etc.) So the next time you are shopping and you have a choice between a product with these chemicals and one without, simply ask yourself, "What would nature do?"

Get your green on

I Love Dirt is a book featuring "52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature." This is a great little book, and was recently reviewed by eco child's play website. It even includes a section on our favorites, ladybugs.

Ecoholic is also a great read, and is described as such by Random House:

When the world’s environmental woes get you down, turn to Ecoholic – Canada’s best resource for practical tips and products that help you do your part for the earth. You’ll get the dirt on what not to buy and why, and the dish on great gifts, clothes, home supplies and more. Based on the popular and authoritative "Ecoholic" column that appears weekly in NOW, Ecoholic is a cheeky and eye-opening guide to all of life’s greenest predicaments.

Also available is the 100 mile diet. What is that you ask? Read the book and find out!

Hot off the "Press"

Trudeau's Garlic Duo was recently tested and reviewed in the Edmonton Journal, coming out on top as the author's favorite garlic press.

The bonus with this press is that it includes an additional side that creates fine slices of garlic.

Get Cooking!

Looking for some cooking inspiration? Not exactly sure how to cook in the first place? You're in luck, because we have a variety of new cookbooks available to both teach you and tempt you with tasty, flavorful, homemade meals.

Giada's new book features easy, delicious, authentic Italian recipes the whole family will love.


Martha Stewart's Cooking School provides some basics on how to cook and prepare everyday foods.
This is a beautiful book and features over 200 brand-new recipes and 500 color photos, including step-by-step photos and instructions. We have additional titles from Martha and Giada, as well as several titles from Rachel Ray and Nigella Lawson. While you are checking out the cookbooks, take a peak at our newly redesigned Gourmet department--let us know what you think!

New in store

Lots of new and exciting things have been hitting the floor, so this week we will be playing show and tell!

The Play and Learn Baby Spoon has just arrived in store. This spoon comes in packages of two, and is double-sided, so it can be used in the right or left hand. The arced handle is contoured to fit baby's hand and aligns the spoon with the baby's mouth, allowing for easier self-feeding. The spoon is also designed with a mouth guard to prevent gagging. The spoon is BPA and phthalate free (what the heck are those? Check back later this week for a primer.)

Click here to see a video on the Play and Learn Baby Spoon.

In this week's flyer...

In this week's flyer we are featuring these fabulous baskets, available in java (brown, shown) or espresso (black--don't you love how they name everything after coffee?) They come in 2 sizes and are nice and deep, perfect for stashing away toys, magazines or whatever your heart desires. They are made of a woven plastic-fabric that wipes clean and are described as looking "like rattan, but lasting like resin."

SAVE 25%! Small (10 x 12 x 8) Reg. 10.99 on for 8.24
Large (13 x 15 x 10) Reg. 15.99 on for 11.97
Sale ends Saturday, March 28, 2009.

PS-- Did you know you can access the flyers online?
Go to Home Hardware's national website, and click on eflyer (top right, above the menu bar).

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu March 23- 28

Click to Enlarge

Score big with the Renovation Tax Credit!

Furnace on the fritz? Leaky faucet getting on your nerves? Bedroom need a fresh coat of paint? You can save 15% on your project with the government's renovation tax credit. This offer is only valid for the 2009 taxation year, so this is the time to spruce the place up and fix those little things you have been putting off for years.

Looking ahead to Spring, the tax credit is also valid for fences and decks. Not sure where to start? Stop by to see us today and we'll help you hash out your plans so you're ready to go when spring has finally sprung.

For further details, please visit the Government of Canada's website.
Happy renovating!

What's happening this week...

Have you been into the store lately? You are in for a surprise! We have been moving departments again, and getting all the new Spring items out on display.

The BBQ's and Patio Furniture are front and centre in the middle aisle, and we have moved the Pantry and kitchen products into what used to be Personal Expressions.

Personal Expressions has taken over what used to be Garden Accents, complete with a fresh, bright coat of paint. Now you will find our yoga wear, jewelry, candles and body product to the right of the entrance. We are sure you will love the bright new look.

Next to Personal Expressions is the expanded Baby Department, come see all the new and exciting things we have added! I know I have added a lot of Baby info lately, but guess what just arrived? Sleep Sheep! Hannah LOVES her travel sleep sheep, I don't think we could have gone anywhere without it. Also in store is the new Twilight Ladybug, which projects a beautiful starry night onto the walls and ceilings of baby's room.

Gingersnaps also has some fresh new art up, I really like it. And see if you can spot the crazy dog print in the store... the dog's aren't crazy, but it's crazy that this picture is in the store. :)

We're Covergirls (and boys!)

Our store is featured on the cover of the March/April 2009 Hardware Merchandising Magazine! And Miss Hannah got dressed up in her work clothes for the photoshoot, too. Mom and Dad were out of town, so they pulled an old photo of them to include in the article. (Poor Dad still has his moustache in the photo and Mom had what she refers to as her "prisoner of war" haircut! Oh well, at least they are in it!) Lori also gets a nod, with the line "A love interest eventually drew Lori away to Okotoks, AB").

The photoshoot was a blast, even though Peter and Heather had to take Hannah flying around the store to occupy her for the shots she wasn't in.

The article highlights the changes we have made in the store and what we are hatching for the future. Stay tuned!

Exclusive to Home

Just writing a little love note about the Reactor. This nightlight/emergency light/flashlight is available exclusively at Home Hardware and is one of my favorite new products. It is a light-sensor nightlight, turning on automatically in darkness, and off again in daylight. It also functions as a flashlight, with a bright white LED, so we're not talking a wimpy little light here. To recharge, simply plug back in.

And the best feature? It is an emergency light as well, will turn on automatically when the lights go out, and go strong for up to 7 hours. The emergency light feature is especially good because if you are like me, when the lights go out your first thought is "Crap! Now where the heck is the flashlight? Or a candle? And then I would need a lighter...but I can't find anything now, because it is pitch black!" With the Reactor, problem solved. Just follow the path to the lovely white glow and you are in business. Its flat top also allows you to rest it on the counter or table, if you are planning on playing a black-out game of Crib or Uno (as often happens in our family).

I recommend having a few in handy locations around the house, or at least one on each floor for emergencies. The Reactor is $12.97 and was the top-ranked nightlight in a recent review in the Edmonton Journal.

Gingersnaps Weekly Menu March 16-21

In the News

The Bella Band was featured as part of the article "Wardrobe must-haves for expectant moms" in the Edmonton Journal today. Here is an excerpt:

This versatile accessory allows you to use your pre-pregnancy pants or skirts unzipped as your belly expands. This stretch fabric can also be used to cover your bump in the later stages of pregnancy or to hold up your too-big-pregnancy-pants once baby arrives.

To read the article in it's entirety, click here. Like the Bella Band? Try the new Everyday Cami, Ruched Tank, Leggings or Everyday Pant, available now.

PTPA Award Winner!

The new Bebe Au Lait bibs and towels we have coming in have received a PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) Award! It is also an iParenting Media award winner. Other award winners available at the store include Bumbo, Ringley, Foogo, Green to Grow and Sigg.

They're Back!

Woot Woot! The Webkinz are BACK! Just in time for Easter, we have some new and springy Webkinz and Lil Kinz in stock--Cotton Candy Bunny (Pink and Blue), Duck (so cute, like the Penguin!) Lamb (shown, sooooo sweet) and Lil Kinz Lamb.

These little guys are limited editions and when they are gone, they are gone so don't miss out!

Annnddddd coming next month, a new shipment of Webkinz, Lil Kinz and NEW Webkinz Signature (specialty Webkinz) and Webkinz Jr (especially for 3-6 year olds).

Practicing mobile blogging.

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Druide Calming Bath for Baby

Recommendation: For all types of skin.
Active ingredients:
This formula made of wild mango butter and hibiscus flowers ensures hydration, protection and flexibility.
Effects:The aroma of these essential oils easily brings a baby to rest and fights agitation. Does not require rinsing.






Also available in baby-
- Protective Oil
- Soothing Skin Lotion
- Cleansing Gel
- Hibiscus flower/Shea butter soap
- Chamomile/Calendula soap
- Mango butter/Chamomile soap

The Mango butter soap is my favourite. It's very moisturizing and also includes Roman Chamomile.

Carcinogens found in kids' bath products.

I am angry. Well, I guess I shouldn't say I am angry when I am partly pleased. Angry, that these companies have been getting away with this for so long. And pleased, because we're finally starting to hear more about it, which will make others as angry as I am, and it's usually this powerful emotion that makes way for change.

I guess I should explain what I'm referring to- an article published in the Edmonton Journal calls out several well-known companies (including Johnson & Johnson'saby Shampoo, L'Oreal Kids, Huggies, Gerber and others) for containing the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane.

"Companies are doing an excellent job of marketing products to kids and making products attractive to kids, but they're not necessarily looking at how to make products as safe as they possibly can for kids."

And it's not just childrens' products... it's bath and body products we all use. If you're curious how safe your body products are, visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

It was this knowledge that inspired us to carry Druide, a Canadian-made, all-natural bath and body care line that focuses on the total respect of humans and nature, and works in harmony with your body. Visit their website to read more, or come in and talk to one of our staff members. Hannah only uses Druide Baby bath products (and I've been known to borrow her calming bath, shampoo and lotion. Oh and the protective oil. I just love the wild mango butter and hibiscus frangrance!)

Why take a chance when it comes to your health?

Think Spring...

In honor of it being +2 (!!!) degrees outside right now, let's talk about some of the exciting new things we have coming for Spring! Brand new Big Buddha Bags in hot spring colors. We like the gold detailing and new shapes offered this season. Check out the Taylor on the cover of People Magazine's Style Watch March 2009!

We are really excited for Gisele Bundchen's Ipanema Sandals, arriving in April. These sandals are made in Brazil and each purchase helps support various organizations working to protect the Amazon. The theme of the new collection is "Seeds." The sandals are made out of rubber and are super comfy. We will have a variety of styles available for Men, Women, Youth and Toddlers.

Also new for spring are some hats you won't be able to resist. But unfortunately they all have crappy websites, so you will just have to stop by to see them in real life!

And, for Mommies and Mommies-to-be, new clothing options from ingrid and isabel (the folks that brought you the BellaBand), a new shipment of bebe au lait/hooter hiders and for your little ones, new designs from Robeez, Snuggle Bug Baby Bows and Goo Goo Baby. Oh yes, and the great new hooded towels from bebe au lait, I can't wait to try them!

Assembling BBQs and Ordering 'Baby'...

It's -35 this morning, -47 with the windchill, and mom said no one is allowed doing anything outside. We sent Peter outside anyway, armed with a notepad and a marker to take note of all the BBQs that are already assembled (so as not to duplicate).

Tasha just called to tell me about some hooded towels Bebe Au Lait is selling. Hannah's cutting a tooth.

Yesterday I drove back up to the show in Edmonton. Our rep, Leah, told me there was a line I just had to see- product by Rio Rain ( http://www.riorain.com/ ) a company out of Vancouver that uses the original lululemon fabric (you know, the stuff that lasted for years without pilling or fading.. that is, before they moved their production to China). The product is really pretty- simple, but fashionable. All sustainable fibers (even some hoodies made out of recylced pop bottles). Totally my style.. the only problem is, we're not a fashion store!