Anna Olson's Red Velvet Cupcakes

There are two options to achieve the red colour in these cupcakes. Grated beets add a subtle all-natural pink hue or red food colouring makes a vibrant red.

Makes 15 cupcakes

Cupcakes:

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (90 mL)
• 6 tbsp packed dark brown sugar (90 mL)
• 6 tbsp white sugar (90 mL)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (2 mL)
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (310 mL)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (30 mL)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (2 mL)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda (2 mL)
• 1/4 tsp salt (1 mL)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (175 mL)
• 3 tbsp finely grated raw beets** (45 mL)
• 2 tsp white vinegar (10 mL)

• For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes or until fluffy. Add the icing sugar and vanilla and beat gently until the sugar is incorporated, then beat more vigorously until the icing is fluffy. Pipe or spread the frosting on each cupcake.

The cupcakes can be stored chilled for up to three days, but are best enjoyed at room temperature.

** For a vibrant red colour, replace the grated beets with 2 tsp (10 mL) of red food colouring, and then add another 1/4 cup (60 mL) of buttermilk to the recipe.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (125 mL)
• 3/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature (175 mL)
• 2 cups icing sugar, sifted (500 mL)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 mL)

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C) and line the muffin pan with large paper baking cups.

• Beat the butter, brown sugar and white sugar together on high speed for 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, stir the buttermilk, grated beets and vinegar together and add this to the butter mixture alternating with the flour mixture, starting and ending with the flour and blending well after each addition. Spoon the batter into the paper baking cups and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove them to cool completely on a cooling rack.

Current Garden Trends by Mark Cullen

Gardeners today have different priorities than a generation ago. The focus has shifted to these three trends: growing your own food, container gardening and growing a great, environmentally responsible garden.

Growing plants from seed is rewarding and economical

With the increased demand for locally grown food, urban gardeners are growing more of their own vegetablesand fruits. March is the month to startsowing many vegetables from seed if you want to harvest homegrown produce this summer. Seed racks in the stores are filled with a great selection this time of year. I recommend that you look them over early in the season while the seed selection is at its best.

Sowing seeds can be as simple or as sophisticated as you choose. A sunny window can provide sufficient light or you may opt for supplemental grow lights.

Mini greenhouses have a humidity dome to help seal in moisture and encouragegermination. This year, try the new Natura®/Mark's Choice® Biodegradable CornstarchPots. They can be planted in the ground to decompose or can be added to your compost pile.

Home Gardener Seed & Cutting starter soil promotes optimum seedling growth. Seed-starting soil mixes areformulated to maximize water retention and provide proper drainage. Growing your own vegetables is one of the fastest growing gardening trends. Icall this the '100 metre diet'. A short listof your favourite vegetables that will grow best from seed sown directly into garden soil in the spring include: peas, beans, corn, squash, pumpkins and carrots.

Growing demand for containers

I have been watching Canadian gardeners for a long time and have observed that we love to plant upcontainers for decks, patios, pathways and everywhere we want colour and plants above the ground. I urge you not to use the same soil you used last year when you plant your containers this year. There is nothing wrong with digging the old soil into your existing garden soil. That's a good idea! The point is, the nutrition was pulled out of the soil last year from the plants you had growing in the container. A container soil mix is specifically formulated for the demands of containergrown plants.Check out my new Mark's Choice® Container Mix. Itcontains some interesting surprises: calcinated clay, which is a natural water absorber, compost and sharp sand, for porosity.

After your containers are planted, add a teaspoon or so of Smartcote® Feed & Forget® fertilizer. I like this stuff because it eliminates the need to mix or reapply fertilizer for the entire season. The granules of Feed & Forget provide a diluted form of fertilizer every time you water, or it rains. It's well named and a terrific concept for the busy or forgetful gardener - which pretty much covers the whole group.

Reduce watering up to 50%

All natural Water Wicks are a Mark's Choice® product that I am very excited about. Each Water Wick tea bag absorbs up to 400 times its weight in water. Prepare a hole for planting, drop a pre-moistened Water Wick tea bag into the bottom of the hole and place the plant directly on top of it. Firm the soil around the plant. Now, as the soil dries out, the plant will draw moisture from the Water Wick. When you water your plants, the Water Wick is automatically recharged with water.

The results: you reduce watering up to 50% and your plants will become deeply rooted from searching for water at the bottom of the planting hole. Each Water Wick lasts up to six months before it composts into the soil. It's important to me that they are made of 100% natural ingredients - even the tea bag, which is hemp! Give them a try! I have used them in the veggie garden, under newly planted perennials and in containers, with great success.

Water Wicks are made in Canada and are a 100% Canadian concept! Environmental awareness is no longer a trend, but a widely accepted part of gardening life. Those of us who enjoy gardening share a love of nature and want techniques that save water, minimize insect and diseaseproblems, enhance the environment and improve our soil.

Anna Olson's Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

The addition of cream cheese and butter to the whipped cream frosting make the cupcakes easy to pick up and eat.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (125 mL)
• 2/3 cup sugar (150 mL)
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (7 mL)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (375 mL)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (15 mL)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (7 mL)
• 1/4 tsp salt ( 1 mL)
• 1/3 cup sour cream (75 mL)

Cream Frosting:

• 1 cup whipping cream (250 mL)
• 1/2 pkg (4 oz) cream cheese, room temperature (120 g)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (60 mL)
• 2/3 cup icing sugar, sifted (150 mL)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 mL)
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries (500 mL)

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C) and line the muffin pan with large paper baking cups.

• Using electric beaters or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping the bowl after each addition, then beat in the vanilla.

• In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Add this alternating with the sour cream in three additions, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Spoon the batter into the paper baking cups and bake the cupcakes for about 18 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove them to cool completely on a cooling rack.

• To prepare the frosting, whip the cream until it holds a soft peak then set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Beat in the icing sugar and vanilla and then fold in the whipped cream in two additions. Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake using a piping bag with a large star tip. Arrange the strawberry slices to look like flower petals. When the frosting chills, it holds the strawberries securely.

The cupcakes can be stored chilled for up to two days.

Find this recipe and more in the Spring edition of Home at Home magazine, available FREE in store!

New Home Expressions

Visit this link to see what's up for Spring!

Anna Olson's Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

The meringue is a version of seven-minute frosting, perfectly suited to contrast the tangy lemon cake. Makes 16 cupcakes

Cupcakes:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (125 mL)
• 1 1/4 cups sugar (310 mL)
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest (10 mL)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 mL)
• 2 cups cake and pastry flour (500 mL)
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder (12 mL)
• 1/2 tsp salt (2 mL)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature (175 mL)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (30 mL)
• 5 to 6 tbsp lemon marmalade or lemon curd (75 to 90 mL

Meringue:

• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar (2 mL)
• 2/3 cup sugar (150 mL)

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C) and line the muffin pan with large paper baking cups.

• Cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, stir the buttermilk and lemon juice together. Alternate between adding the flour and the buttermilk mixtures to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour, and blending well after each addition. Spoon the batter into the paper baking cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove them to cool completely on a cooling rack.

• Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C) and place the cooled cupcakes on a baking sheet. Spoon a teaspoonful of lemon marmalade or curd in the centre of each cupcake top. Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until foamy and then continue whipping, slowing adding the sugar until the whites hold a stiff peak (the whites stand upright when the beaters are lifted). Spoon the meringue into a piping bag and pipe swirls to completely cover the marmalade or curd on top of each cupcake. Bake the cupcakes for 6 minutes until the meringue browns slightly, and then cool to room temperature.

The cupcakes can be stored chilled for up to two days, but are best enjoyed at room temperature.

Find this recipe and more in the Spring edition of Home at Home magazine, available FREE in store!

Dreaming of Garden Season...

Found this lovely article at Chatelaine.com:

It’s that time of year for me: the time of year when Tim Horton’s Roll Up the Rim is well underway and I start dreaming about what my yard is going to look like.

Now let me clarify—in no way am I a green thumb. In fact, I make a point of, er, annually turning to one of my closest friends to arrange and plant my garden. I’m no prima donna—I’m right in there with her digging up holes, transplanting beautiful flowers, covering them right up. But for the overall look, I leave it up to her to determine the mix of what’s right for my front yard and then we head over the garden centre where I give her my budget and she’s got yard blanche to plan my plot.

Just last week I dropped her an email wondering: what about a vegetable garden this year? I ran it by the family and the kids in particular loved the idea and started dreaming of growing cucumbers, peppers, cherry tomatoes, lettuces, pineapples, apples…. I had to put a stop to it right there and green lit the first three, noting that it’s probably best to focus our ambitions on foods that grow well in our urban Toronto yard. Sorry kids, no pineapples or apples this year. (Can you even grow pineapples outdoors in Canada? Again my agricultural knowledge fails me, but I’m guessing not.)

So with this in mind, I was quite happy to stumble across Michele Owen’s book Grow The Good Life Why a Vegetable Garden Will Make You Happy, Healthy and Wise. I called up this former New Yorker to ask…what is it exactly about gardening that will make us grin?

Q: What’s the connection between gardening and happiness?

A: It’s a 10-ply kind of happiness. It involves all these physical things that have proven to make people happy such as sunshine, exercise, contact with greenery. There are studies showing all these things make people happy. And then there’s the spiritual aspect of gardening too. When I’m out there, I feel this sense of being able to forget myself in the garden, time passes, I’m completely at peace and absorbed in the task. You forget about yourself and your cares and concentrate on the task at hand.

The other thing is you’ll get this sense of connectedness if you start gardening. There’s an incredible sense of community among gardeners. So if you take up gardening, you may well find yourself chatting with your 80-year-old neighbour who you would never have a conversation with her except that she’s been growing vegetables for 50 years and she has things to tell you.

Q: How did you start gardening?

A: I’d lived in New York City for eight years and was dying to get out of the city but I couldn’t really put my finger on why. Then my husband and I moved to a country village and the groceries were so execrable that I realized I had to do something and I started gardening. I think the first time I stuck a shovel into the soil, I thought—oh, this is why I left New York. This is it for me.

Q: If we’ve never gardened before any tips on getting started?

A: Most how-to gardening books are thick with information and off-putting and they don’t give beginners the essential information which is that it’s really easy and really enjoyable. In terms of advice, mulch is key because if you mulch you won’t need to weed much, or water much and you won’t need fertilizer. My other advice is relax and enjoy it. If something doesn’t work, shrug and try something else.

Long time no see...

This poor blog has taken a back seat recently to a new little attention-hogger, who joined our family two weeks ago. I had been pretty much house-bound for the 6 weeks leading up to his arrival, so I wasn't in tune with all the goings-on at the store and couldn't provide many updates. But now that babe is here and well and ready to go for regular coffee dates, we should be able to get this puppy back up and running.

You may have noticed our sign in shambles in the snow (in fact, many people said they drove by to see Leo's birth announcement on the sign only to see the sign was not there!) We are updating and upgrading ourselves to a new and improved sign, coming soon!

Also our entire housewares department has been flipped perpendicularly! You can now see right down all of the aisles and we have some beautiful new feature ends. Fruits and Passions has moved across the aisle to its new home in Gourmet.

Baby also got a renovation with changed fixtures and additional space (again!) to make room for all the new things we have on the way.

Gingersnaps got a bit of a change-up as well, and so did our website!

You can now view current flyers and the catalogs directly from our website. (Check out the Bath and Kitchen planner, awesome!)

Well, that's all for now. We're hatching some plans for March so watch for more details soon!

We'll Be Home for Christmas...

Home Hardware will be
CLOSED
Dec 24, 25, 26
&
Dec 31, Jan 1, 2
To spend time with our families

We would like to thank all of our amazing customers for
your loyalty and patronage, and for supporting
local, family businesses in Lloydminster.

Our goal is to offer you a relaxing, stress-free shopping environment
and to provide products, atmosphere, and service you can't find
anywhere else. It has been our pleasure to serve and support
our community for the past eleven years.

We wish all of you a very safe and happy holiday season
and look forward to serving you in 2011.

Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year
From Your Friends at
Home Hardware Lloydminster!

Christmas Sales!

This is the last weekend to get all your holiday shopping in before the big day and we have a surprise from Santa for you!

Scratch and Save up to 25% off your purchases this Saturday, including sale prices!
We have 2 flyers running right now, with big savings on wrap, bows and tape as well as gifts for the whole family.

We also have some big in-store specials on, including:

In-store Markdowns on:
Mirrors and Prints
Toys
Personal Accessories (purses, jewelry etc)
Gourmet Foods
Kitchen Accessories
"Last One" Tools (include FREE Giftcards valued from $50-$100)
Mukluks
Anna Olson Cookbooks

20-50% off Everything Christmas (anything with a christmas theme is included! Books, music, housewares, decor, you name it!)

20% Off:
Warm Buddy
neXXt picture frames
Mate Tea
Torani Syrups
Wild Prairie Soaps, Lotions & Lipbalms
PacaPops Kids Sweaters

Sales in Baby
Robeez Shoes, Boots and Mini Shoes
Little Soles Squeaky Shoes
Bumbos
Sophie the Giraffe
Babylegs and Babylegs Socks
Momzelle Nursing Tops
Scwibbles and Crayoleez Crayons
Stonz
Webkinz

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Soup

Found this little beauty on a great food blog called Framed Cooks.
Lots of great little holiday gems in here, including Peppermint Brownies (mmm, I love anything mint chocolate!)

Thought I would share this recipe, although I haven't tried it yet. It looks yum.
My Mom often makes up some kind of soup when we are all out at my parents' place for the weekend, and if you are looking for something hearty and different (and not containing turkey) this might be just the soup to warm you up after tobogganing (and it has vodka! Additional points!)



Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Soup, adapted from SILVER PALATE GOOD TIMES COOKBOOK

• 3/4 stick butter
• 1 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 2 ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 8 ounces smoked salmon, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 8 cups water
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
• 2 packages cream cheese, sliced into 8 pieces each
• 1/3 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Snipped fresh chives, for garnish

1. Melt butter in medium size saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in dill, tomatoes and salmon and cook 3 minutes. Add flour and cook 1 minute more. Gradually stir in water and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Season with pepper, stir in spinach and simmer 5 more minutes. Now stir in cream cheese, one piece at a time, allowing each piece to melt into the soup. When all the cheese is added and the soup is smooth, stir in the vodka and lemon juice. Taste for seasonings, and ladle into bowls. Garnish with chives and serve.

Triple Aeroplan Miles!

Holiday Candles

Natura Soylights is based in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada.

When you buy these candles you are buying a CANADIAN MADE, ALBERTA MADE product!

All of their candles are individually hand-crafted using an exclusive blends of the highest quality soy wax, color and premium fragrance or essential oils. The recipes have been tested to find the right blends for the best scent and burn. We offer both Synthetic and Essential Oil fragrances to appeal to everyone.

The Natura Lights are essential oil blends, creating unique and natural fragrances for the Holiday season. Scents include Sugarplum, Candy Cane, Holiday Tree and Winter Mint.

The Soy jars and votives have a wider range of scents, including the holiday scents listed below.

Made from 100% Soy Bean Wax

Burns cooler & longer than paraffin

Water soluble for easy cleanup

Benefits the agriculture industry

Environmentally safe; biodegradable

Made with 100% cotton core wicks

Individually handcrafted

Non Toxic

Soot Free

Home Comforts
Apple Crisp	Juicy apple combined with buttercream, cinnamon and baked oatmeal cookie.
Apple Jack	Apple, cinnamon & Spice.
Chai Tea	Cinnamon bark, nutmeg; fresh green tea and creamy soy milk.
Cinnabun	A spicy cinnamon accord with warm nutty undertones along with the aroma of fresh baked bread.
Cocoa Cappucino	Fresh brewed espresso, cocoa, cream and sugar.
Hazelnut Latte	Buttery cream and caramel mixed with hazelnut liquor, and a hint of fresh arabica coffee.
Pumpkin Crunch	Creamy pumpkin pie; surrounded with freshly baked yellow cake, melted butter, pecans, and hints of spice.
Spice Berry	Cranberry relish and orange zests with hints of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Holiday
Bayberry	A holiday tradition.
Chestnut Brown Sugar	Roasted chestnuts and sweet brown sugar.
Cranberry Chutney	Balsam fir needles, tart cranberry and hints of citrus.
Christmas Tree	Fresh cut Christmas tree.
Frankencense & Mryhh	Fresh and so Sophisticated for the Holidays!. This scent even appeals to those who do not typically like cleaner scents.
Ginger Spice	Spiced cookie with hints of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.
Noel	Apples, oak, balsam, fir, and pine, with a background of cinnamon and clove.
Orange Brandy	Spiced Orange with hints of Brandy. Unique and very appealing!.
Snowflake	Fresh peppermint and sweet vanilla.
Yuletide	Mandarin, tangerine and grapefruit entwined with balsam, cedarwood, berries and mulled apple.
Pomegranate & Cassis	A mysterious blend of exotic, spicy pomegranate, wild bergamot, cassis, iris, jasmine; followed by spicy notes of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, with base notes of precious woods and cedar.

Manitobah Mukluks

What makes them different: they are Aboriginally owned and Made in Canada.
They blend traditional styles and designs with new materials and production techniques.

We carry a variety of mukluks and lined moccasins (find them in Home Expressions). The lined moccasins make the best slippers, hands down. Feet stay warm and toasty without overheating.

The mukluks are awesome, particularly the ones with the Vibram sole--a high performance rubber sole designed to withstand the harsh Canadian winters.



I personally own these brown puppies and I love them. They are warm and comfortable, and the rubber sole keeps my feet dry and protected from hard surfaces and melting ice. Last year, everywhere I went, people were asking me where I got them.

We have them in an assortment of colors, including black, brown, grey and purple.

Pick some up today to enjoy for the season, or ask Santa on your Christmas list ;)

Whoa, Baby!

I had a bunch of new baby stuff on the way so I thought I would post it all at once and get it out of the way, so the baby audience gets it all in one go, and the non-baby audience can move on and not have a million baby posts spread out all month.

Some other updates-- Sleep Sheep and Friends are on order, and should be in shortly, as will all colors of Bumbos (currently sold out of a few colors). More Woombies are on the way and also some additional color selections in both sizes. New Alex and Melissa & Doug toys are on the way too, woot. Swaddle Me blankets and Tiny Diner Placemats (the cool ones with the little scoop to catch falling food) are coming too!

New bug a lug bows and soother clips are coming as are more Snuggle Bug Baby Bows and Bink Links, and new Cookie Safes in Green, Blue and Purple!

Also, in Bumbo news, Bumbos are $15 off right now--which means you can get a Bumbo AND a Bumbo Play Tray for the regular price of the Bumbo, so it's like the tray is free, sweet!

All Momzelle Nursing Tops are 30% Off.
Little Soles Squeaky Shoes are also 30% Off.
Ingrid and Isabel Maternity Camis, Tanks, Pants and Leggings are 20 % Off.

Robeez Booties are on for 31.97 (reg 38.97)--find them in the Power Aisle
Stonz Booties, Mittz and Hats are 20% off.
Babylegs are on for 12.97
Sophie the Giraffe is on for 19.97
All Webkinz are 20% off the last ticketed price (so sale items are even further reduced!)

Ok, hopefully we are all caught up in all things baby for awhile! :)

Belly Belt

You’ve got a wardrobe full of great clothes, why limit yourself? bellybelt gives you the option to create the maternity outfit of your choice. Simply button it into your regular trousers, jeans, skirts and shorts and add a fabulous top. Double your options with bellybelt slide, specially designed for slide-fastening trousers and skirts. each kit contains

• 3 bellybelt extension panels
• 3 colored panels to mix & match
• storage bag to keep it all together

BellyBelt Combo is the easy and inexpensive way to transform your favourite jeans, trousers, skirts and shorts into maternity wear.

Each kit contains two different size button up belts, two different size slide belts and three fabric panels (white, denim, black) that cover the gap. It's truly the maternity wear solution!

Gaia

GAIA NATURAL BABY & GAIA PURE PREGNANCY
PURE, NATURAL, ORGANIC SKIN CARE FOR MUM TO BE AND BABES!

Made In Australia!

GAIA Natural Baby is so nourishing and gentle it will effectively care for your baby's skin and keep it soft and beautifully moisturised.

It is made from natural and organic ingredients all suitable for the most sensitive skin, and because it is free artificial fragrance, soap, sulphates, petrochemicals, lanolin, mineral oils, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol and other ingredients that can cause dryess and skin irritation, it is kinder on your little one's skin, making it eczema friendly.

Enriched with nourishing organic vegetable oils and organic plant extracts including wheat germ oil, evening primrose oil, avocado oil, calendula, chamomile and lavender, GAIA Natural Baby products are ideal to gently cleanse, care and moisturise every day all at an affordable price.

Take your time and select the products from our beautiful range and see for yourself why GAIA Natural Baby is the most popular natural and organic baby skin care brand and loved and recommended by so many mums around Australia!

Available Products include:
-Hair and Body Wash
A gentle ‘top to toe’ cleanser ideal for newborns and little ones who don’t have much hair. Enriched with organic aloe vera leaf and organic oat extracts, known for their skin soothing properties.

-Bath and Body Wash
A soap free gel to gently cleanse, moisturise and care for your baby's delicate skin without dryness and irritation. Enriched with organic oils to keep baby's sensitive skin moisturised. There are no soap or sulphates that can be drying so it is ideal for skin affected by eczema.

-Sleepytime Bath
Gently cleanse and care for your baby's skin using our gentle body wash with a new calming scent of organic lavender and organic ylang ylang, ideal to form part of your bedtime routine and assist your baby to a peaceful night's sleep.

-Baby Shampoo
Kind and gentle on sensitive little scalps, skin and eyes. GAIA Natural Baby Shampoo is extremely mild but effectively cleanses leaving baby's hair silky soft and shiny - has the added benefit of moisturising properties making it great for cradle cap.

-Baby Moisturizer
A nourishing blend of skin softening oils, including organic evening primrose and organic shea butter, to leave your baby's skin velvety soft and smooth. Makes a great nappy change lotion.

-Baby Massage Oil
Enhance the special time you spend with your little one through the gentle touch of massage. Made with nourishing sweet almond oil combined with the calming pure essential oils of organic lavender and organic chamomile - just beautiful!

-Natural Baby Powder
Ideal for calming and comforting nappy rash and reducing moisture. Use at nappy change time to freshen your baby's bottom and leave it smelling beautiful with the subtle smell of organic lavender.

-Skin Soothing Lotion
This is a great calming lotion that can be used from top to toe on any areas that need soothing. Itchy, irritated skin conditions benefit most from this versatile product. Use as your 'bum cream' at every diaper change to keep little bottoms nice and soft!

GAIA Pure Pregnancy Belly Butter is the first product to released in our pregnancy care collection. Enriched with pure cocoa butter, organic shea butter and organic rosehip oil, GAIA Pure Pregnancy Belly Butter is designed to maintain suppleness and elasticity and minimise stretchmarks.

Deeply moisturising and nourishing, it contains pure cocoa butter and organic shea butter, both well known for replenishing skin’s vital moisture, maintaining suppleness and reducing the possibility and appearance of stretchmarks.

Organic rosehip and organic wheat germ oils are rich sources of vitamins, which are shown to assist with skin elasticity and especially good for dry or itchy skin.

Beautifully scented with a special blend of pure essential oils, recommended for use during pregnancy, including mandarin, tangerine and frankincense pure essential oils, this beautiful cream helps to smooth lines and scars, improving the overall appearance of the skin and fade any existing stretchmarks.

Not just for your growing belly, it can also be used on your breasts and thighs as well - use from the moment your belly starts to grow through until 12 weeks after the birth.

(We also carry a selection of body washes and lotions for Mom!)

New Mitten Clips & More Dapper Snapper Options!

We know and love our Dapper Snappers and now we are pleased to offer a wider color selection and NEW 3-packs. Never heard of Dapper Snappers?

The Dapper Snapper makes any pair of pants with belt loops into adjustable waist pants. Extend your child’s wardrobe and save with a Dapper Snapper! It’s perfect for potty training toddlers; no bunched up fabric near the button or snap and zipper so it’s easier for little fingers to take care of business. With Dapper Snappers, you can Fix Droopy Drawers in a Snap!

Dapper Snappers are:

• Affordable
• Versatile in a wide range of colors for girls and boys
• Recommended for ages 9 mo-6 yrs and One Size Fits All
• Perfect for kids who are in between sizes or wearing hand-me-downs!
• Convenient – no need to remove for diaper changes & doesn’t impede potty training

No belt loops? No problem! Now, with Dapper Snappers clips, you can use your favorite Dapper Snappers toddler belt or adult belt even if you don't have beltloops!

Dapper Snappers clips are specially made to accomodate Dapper Snappers. All you have to do is slide your dapper snapper through the clip loops.

Clips have plastic inserts to prevent damage to clothing and extra strong loops that won't bend or break. (Dapper Snapper sold seperately).

Finally!!! Dapper Snappers for Women! From Miss to Maternity to Momhood, this belt is for you.

Wear this special women's belt in the back to get rid of that annoying gap or to keep up your low rise jeans. Wear as a maternity belt in the front using the 2 front belt loops instead of the rubberband trick. Either way, this genius product is for you.

Oh, and it can be used on kids 7+ (if the regular size Dapper Snapper is too small), tweens, teens, and even Dads!

Don’t lose your mittens! Get Dapper Snappers for Mittens and keep them right where they belong.

• Made in the USA*
• Strong elastic bands
• Durable metal clips with plastic
• Plastic inserts that won’t destroy clothing
• Easy to attach and remove
• A Winter MUST HAVE!!!
• A nice selection of designs, including hockey and hearts!

Teethease

Teethease was designed to provide a product that is fun but useful for mothers, fathers and care-givers alike. Although there are many different choices when it comes time to teething products, we found it difficult to find any that offered convenience and were Canadian made and manufactured. Thus began the start of a journey to provide a Canadian product that is both safe and useful. It is a fun, functional and fashionable piece of jewellery that is an accessible alternative to digging through a purse or diaper bag. Teethease is made of FDA approved medical grade silicone, free of BPA, PVC, latex, phthalates and meets all of Health Canada's product safety standards.

Tilty Cup

Coming soon... Tilty Cup!

TILTY's patent pending ergonomic design makes learning to drink easier and more comfortable.

TILTY cup's patent-pending ergonomic design creates a comfortable and natural drinking experience. TILTY keeps the liquid at an angle and allows it to flow to the spout with minimal effort so that your little one doesn't have to tilt his/her head back as far. TILTY makes finishing the last drops a cinch and creates habits that will help your baby transition from sippy cups to "grown-up" cups easier and quicker. TILTY comes with a snap-on lid and does not have a valve, which according to the American Dental Association is better for a toddler's dental development.

Safe

TILTY is BPA Free, PVC Free, Pthalate Free, made of safe #5 polypropylene, and is dishwasher safe.

Easy To Use

TILTY only has two parts, the lid and the cup. No valves to lose or clean. Snap on lid can be put on with only one hand.

TILTY is dishwasher safe, top rack only. TILTY has two drain holes to let the out water that collects under the angled wall. TILTY is easy to clean without a dishwasher too. The mouth piece is large enough to clean with a sponge.

In the New Year we will also be getting additional lid options, including one especially designed for smoothies! (Hooray! So ready for a cup that Hannah can drink a smoothie out of that doesn't get stuck or spill all over).

Limited Edition Robeez Gift Sets!

I Love these, they are such a cute idea and a great Christmas present!

You've spent countless nights reading the beloved Eric Carle books to your baby, and now Robeez has brought the stories to life with this adorable gift set! This beautifully decorated box includes a pair of navy soft soles with a curious caterpillar OR a pair of fuchsia soft soles with a bold butterfly stretching g across its leather upper and an Eric Carle logo on its heel, as well as a miniature Eric Carle book.

Also in Baby all Momzelle Nursing Tops and Little Soles Squeaky Shoes are 30% off (including new arrivals!)