Tag Archives: review

Spring fever! – a review & giveaway

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With the sun making more regular appearances here in Odense and the weather becoming slightly warmer, I am actually seeing an end in sight to this long, long winter we have endured. To me spring conjures up floral prints, pastels,  shorter hemlines (but still with woollen tights), short boots, lovely gardens, longer days… and spring cleaning/organising. Each spring, I aim to cleanse my wardrobe (I usually host a clothes swap) and to clean out our ‘kontor’ (eg. throwing out old receipts/bills/letters/cards. One other thing I really like to do is re-organise my kids stuff. Over the winter they wear many sweaters, gloves, jackets, snowsuits etc etc and over that period things can tend to get lost – sometimes are found, but much get lost again and again…. So, before I put things away in the loft to store for next winter or and before I let them go out in their new spring wardrobe, I like to label EVERYTHING. #1 son had wonderful labels all over his daycare clothes back in Canada, now it is #2′s turn. In April, he begins at a local børnehaven (kindergarten) and so I have had to label all his indoor, outdoor, sleep, play (you name it!) clothes and items.

Picture 3

For this, Australian business Stuck on You came to help out.

They offer a variety of labels, tags and personalised items that help even the most disorganised Mum.

I absolutely love their water bottles for example because you can personalise it not only with your child’s name but with a funky graphic and fantastic graphic. The bottles are BPA free and have an easy-to-you pop lid.

Picture 6

Another item for the clean-freak Moms are the art smocks. #2 LOVES arts and crafts time at home, but I hate the mess. Here we can compromise. I was surprised about how good the quality of these smocks are – they are made from 100% cotton canvas and are really strong and hardy. Plus they are personalised, which I think is awesome and we chose this cool graphic for #2 which he thinks is just brilliant.

Picture 5

Parenting tip: if your child is anxious, bored, wary of anything: personalise it and trust me, it makes them all the more enthusiastic to get involved!

I can highly recommend Stuck on You. The ordering, delivery and shipping was smooth and successful despite the long journey! The quality of the items exceeded my expectations = you most certainly get your money’s worth! Visit Stuck on You here, and ‘like’ their facebook page. And here’s the best bit: today I’m offering FOUR €20 (or your country’s equivalent) to ANY of my readers in the world (Australia, Canada, USA, Europe… you name it!). Simply comment (with your email address) what item you would like to purchase from Stuck on You in order to organise your (and your child’s life) this spring. For an extra entry: ‘like’ their facebook page (and tell me you did that!) I’ll announce the winners in a week’s time.

Happy organising!

* Stuck on You did compensate me for this review, however I do REALLY like their items :)

According to random.org #5, #1, #2 & #3 won so congrats: Lisa, Ying-Chan, Alexis & Sidsel, Stuck on You gift certificates will be coming your way!

My week in outfits

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Old Navy denim vest, Shade tee, BDG jeans and thrifted Steve Madden flats, Mom’s knitted vest, DIY denim shorts, Old Navy sandals with FlopTopz*; Mom’s lace top, BDG black jeans and Target flats; Thrifted Gap jacket, thrifted stripey sweater, Old Navy (girls) pants and swapped UO plimsolls; F21 jacket, swapped sleeveless denim shirt, CR jeggings & Toms; swapped Joe shirt, Citizens of Humanity white jeans & Anthro sandals;

* FlopTopz have saved my sandal wearing life. Ever since hurting my back seven years ago, wearing flip flops – or any flat sandal in the summertime has led to endless back pain. So, when I came across FlopTopz, I was keen to give them ago. They are really good. They add cushion to your flip flop as well as taking jup space of loose straps so that the shoe fits more snuggly. They work in all types of flipflops and sandals because they are secured with an adhesive strip. I tried the Eco Floptopz as they use recycled foam, are made with a non-slip fabric and 10% of their sales go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (US). For $10 a pair, I think this is money well spent!

Review: Natural family pictures

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Too often when I look through our family pictures our smiles are fake, strained, our kids have been forced into a stuffy studios and my husband would rather be watching cricket than attending yet another family photo shoot. Having a shoot with Megan was a whole different kettle of fish. Instead of a studio, we chose the location. Easy choice, our favourite family spot: the UBC endowment lands. Instead of holding a puppet behind the camera (that SO doesn’t work with my kids) this smart Mommy had fruit treats and an awesome wagon. Megan is just so enthusiastic, chatty and friendly, my kids couldn’t help but warm to her and immediately felt comfortable with her following us and taking shots. It was the first time we had a family shoot where there were no tears, whining, fussing or escaping toddlers. Bliss! It was just another rainy Sunday afternoon. And that’s the way we like it. Plus the result of the afternoon were some pretty awesome shots, don’t you think?

Review: Getting your closet spring cleaned

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I’d say having Michelle Addison come and cleanse your wardrobe is kind of like getting someone to pull your bandaid off for you rather than doing it yourself. It hurts, but it hurts less and it needs to be done. However it’s actually really fun!

Wardrobe cleansing is something I first heard about when I started watching TLC’s What Not to Wear. At the time, I thought: those poor souls, they really don’t have a clue what to wear, thank goodness for Stacy and Clinton! I never thought that someone like me (who actually has at least half a clue about fashion) would need a wardrobe cleanse. That was until I was introduced to Michelle Addison.

Michelle is a fashion consultant, television stylist (for the infamous Vancouver housewives!), personal stylist at The Room at the Bay and Mom to Stella (3). I first email-met Michelle a year ago when I interviewed her for my Saturday schmoozings post and so was so excited to meet her in person when she came to give my wardrobe a cleanse. It was perfect timing as I was preparing for our move and thus needed to give my wardrobe to once over before it got packed in boxes.

Michelle kindly started with telling me that everyone needs a cleanse – hmpf, I thought – well you haven’t seen my wardrobe yet. And yes, while my wardrobe is pretty selective – Michelle admitted that freely but within minutes (woot, woot!), this mild-mannered, diplomatic but still firm stylist managed to attack my wardrobe in a gracefully vicious manner.

Within seconds, Michelle had made three piles on my bed: throw away, keep and get altered. My toss pile consisted of ill-fitted jeans, well worn pants, stained tees and shoes that had most certainly seen their days… items that I had been crazy to hold onto for so long. My alterations pile was alarmingly huge – clothes that I hadn’t worn for one reason or another, Michelle showed me how a simply alternation could do the trick! And thankfully there was a lot left in the ‘keep’ pile!

Michelle isn’t completely heartless: if something is too sentimental or personal she does allow you to keep it. I let her get into my purse collection which she reduced to a speck of what it had been. And then my shoes… argh, she had a field day here.  While she did love a lot of my summer/spring items, she had a fun time of chucking a lot of my dated pumps and boots out. You’d think this was a rough morning for me but in fact it was quite the opposite. Michelle is just such a warm, friendly person who obviously knows what she’s doing and I felt so able to hand my wardrobe over to her. After she left, I looked at my wardrobe and felt so free of the clutter, rubbish and outdated items. I felt like it gave me a chance for a fresh start and that I was keeping the clothes I really do wear and look and feel good in.

It is also so much easier to pay to have some one cleanse your wardrobe who has absolutely NO sentimental, personal, or historical attachment to your items and can come in with a critical, professional eye and know just what your wardrobe can keep and what needs to leave it. Although I may have given Michelle a tough time with my protesting, whining and arguing, I do applaud her valiant effort and the job that she does. It must be difficult to walk into a strangers room and essentially tear them apart from their loved ones (as I can honestly say I have often treated my Gary Castle flats as well as I treat my kids). But it is well worth the money to spent on a personal stylist – especially one as unique as Michelle. I just think of the money that we waste purchasing clothes ‘on sale’ that don’t fit us correctly or are dated, but instead spending the money on getting someone to come in give your wardrobe a fresh look and to give you a push in the right direction and a shopping list leading to your purchase less things, more quality items and timeless pieces that you will wear forever.

Thank you Michelle! Sorry for giving you a hard time. But I did keep the American Apparel cardi….

A few days after Michelle’s visit, she sent me a shopping list of items that I need to add to my wardrobe and I found this list really useful for the stylish Vancouver Mom. Here’s what I need:

1. Some new pairs of dark denim, jeggings and cigarette pants

2. Black Maxi Skirt

3. A few silk tank tops

4. Some summer tees

5. Lady Shorts

6. Black cashmere sweater

7. 2 pairs of boots – a black and a brown

8. A messenger bag

9. Some leather belts – thick and thin

10. A good quality winter coat.

What do you think you need to get rid of in your wardrobe? What essential items are you missing? If you need help, Michelle’s your girl! 

images c/o michelleaddison.com

Tuesday’s giveaway: Yoga for Moms

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Back in 2005, barely three months after moving to Vancouver, I woke up and could move. I wasn’t tired, hard-worked or stressed, I literally couldn’t move. I had an incredible pain all through my back and the only thing I thought it could’ve been from was from moving our boxes full of stuff that had recently arrived from Australia. New friends in Vancouver recommended me to a physio who has since been a great help, but he alerted me to the fact that I have Scoliosis as well as an abnormally long and slender torso which would mean I’d would likely be faced with a life-time of back pain… gee thanks. So, all it takes is for my husband to give me an extra tight hug and within 24 hours I am in excruciating pain. However, 5 years ago when I got pregnant with #1 a lot of my pain went away during the pregnancy. I was doing pre-natal yoga and after his birth, I continued, with post-natal workouts. Since then, my back pains have come and gone.  Most recently though, over the last Christmas break, I had the most pain I’ve ever experienced. I tried seeing my physio but nothing worked. Eventually I just rested and instead of going to my usual “power” classes at my gym, I attended yoga and only yoga for a month. And, voila, the back pain disappeared and as yet hasn’t reoccurred. I’m sure it will rear it’s ugly head again in time but at least I know that yoga is a proven method of pain relief. While I’m not crazy about the deep meditation and chanting, I absolutely love the physical side of it: the stretches, the poses and the peace.

Local yoga studio director and Mom, Danielle Mika Negel of Chopra Yoga concurs that yoga is imperative for Moms. Our days are filled with back-breaking activities: wearing our children, carting heavy loads of laundry up the stairs, running from place to place pushing a stroller with one hand and balancing a child on your hip with the other…

 Here are Danielle’s top five poses she believes a Mom should do everyday:

1.    Easy Seated Pose with “Success Breath”

Multitasking can easily become overwhelming. Try this simple posture for a few minutes to ground your thoughts and slow your heart rate down.

  • Sit in a comfortable position, either on the floor or a chair.
  • Rest your palms on your thighs or place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Take a couple of minutes to let go of what has happened prior to this moment and what is going to happen after this moment.
  • Relax your entire body, including your jaw, neck and shoulders.
  • Start to take a deeper inhalation through your nostrils as you constrict the throat muscles slightly. This will be an audible breath.
  • Exhale completely through your nostrils as you constrict your throat muscles again.
  • Keep your awareness at your breath as you continue to take these long, slow deep breaths through your nostrils.
  • Keep it gentle, relaxed and maintain the intention of letting go, each time you exhale.

 2.    Cobra Pose

Carrying your children, groceries, laptop, diaper bag, yoga bag, etc. can start to wear you down. Take a few of these gentle backbends to counteract the heavy lifting and back rounding we do each day.

  • Start lying down on your belly with your legs extended back, tops of the feet on the mat.
  • Root through the tops of the feet and legs and spider your fingertips off the mat onto the floor.
  • Lengthen your tailbone down towards the earth, inhale and slowly start to peel your chest off the floor.
  • Unclench your buttocks and your teeth and lift your heart.
  • Roll the shoulders back and down, keeping the shoulder blades hugging in towards one another.
  • Keep the back of your neck and forehead relaxed.
  • Exhale and slowly lower back down towards the earth.
  • Repeat 5 times.

3.    Standing Forward Bend

Let gravity support you as you lengthen out the backside of your body. Enjoy the benefits of an inversion with increased circulation and oxygen to the brain.

  • Stand with your feet about hip-bone distance and somewhat parallel apart.
  • Lift all your toes and fan them out.
  • Release your toes back down to the earth with space in between each toe. (make a mental note to yourself to make time to take care of your feet)
  • Root through all four corners of your feet.
  • Inhale and reach your arms overhead.
  • Exhale to forward fold, hinging at your hip crease, keeping the abdominals drawn in and your knees bent.
  • Bring your fingertips down to the earth. (bent knees are fine and good for supporting your lower back)
  • Let go of your head, neck and shoulders and keep your jaw relaxed.
  • Hold here for a few deep breaths, keeping the abdominals engaged to support the low back.
  • Put a slight bend in your knees, if you haven’t done so already, and slowly roll yourself up to standing, one vertebra at a time.
  • Engage your core center to lift you all the way back up.
  • Take a couple breaths in a standing position before moving back into activity.

4. Supine Spinal Twist

Spinal twists promote flexibility in the spine while improving digestion. As mothers, we are always concerned about feeding our kids healthy snacks but we often forget about feeding ourselves!

  • Start laying down on the floor with your legs extended.
  • Take a moment to just relax and do nothing.
  • Hug your right knee in towards your chest and take your leg towards the left.
  • Keep your shoulder blades on the floor and extend your arms out into a “t” shape, palms up.
  • Gaze towards the right hand and close your eyes.
  • Take a few breaths here to lengthen out the right side of your waist and nourish the ascending colon.
  • Inhale to come back to center, using your abdominals and release the right leg down.
  • Take a moment to notice the difference between the right and left sides of your body.
  • Repeat on the other side.

5. Legs Up the Wall (with or without the wall)

Try this restorative posture, especially if you have been on your feet all day. Use a block, bolster or pillow for support. This pose is a passive variation of Shoulderstand. (avoid during menstruation)

  • Start by laying down on the floor with your legs bent, feet on the floor.
  • Take your prop and place it underneath your sacrum. (make sure that it is comfortable there. If not, remove the prop and continue without it)
  • Hug one knee in towards your chest and then the other.
  • Extend your legs up towards the sky without engaging your abdominals, legs or toes.
  • Keep the back of your neck relaxed and avoid turning your neck.
  • Keep the gaze towards your toes and breath.
  • Stay for about 5 minutes.
  • Come out slowly by bending one leg, then the other and placing the feet back down to the earth.
  • Lift your hips and remove the prop.

For all these postures, make sure that they are comfortable and relaxing. They are here to support your busy life as a mommy!

Today’s giveaway: For one lucky Vancouver Mom, Chopra Yoga is offering you a free month of yoga! Simply comment on this post and for extra entries ‘like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (tell me you’ve done this!) This is an amazing giveway – their classes include hiphop yoga, yoga barre, pilates and hatha. What a great belated Mother’s Day gift! 

Congrats to Tracey who won last week’s giveaway of a family pass for Vancouver’s International Children’s Festival! 

image c/o spiritvoyage

Congrats to Zoe, the winner of this fantastic giveaway!


Tuesday’s giveaway: Pucker up Mommacup

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Five things I love about Lippygirl

  1. They make organic, vegetarian, animal friendly beauty products that don’t contain any chemical preservatives
  2. The founder, Darcey Diehl is a Vancouver wonder-Mom who resides in Whistler  and was compelled to start Lippygirl during her pregnancy when concerned about what she was putting into her body in way of cosmetics. She’s even made a incredible video showing us how to make lipstick! (see below)
  3. They have cheeky names for their products eg. vexy vixen, home wrecker and gobsmacked!
  4. They are honest and give us a full list of their products ingredients.
  5. Their products actually work and make you look fabulous and feel good about yourself (not just your self-esteem) but that you’re actually caring for your body and the environment by using these products.

Oh and a bonus point: their price is just right! Lipsticks are priced at $15.50 and blush at $16.50. I say thank you and yes please!

You can be the fortunate winner of your own Lippygirl lipstick and blush of your choice! Simply visit Lippygirl and tell me what kind of colour you are (personally, I’m a ‘Sassy Ass’!!). For extra entries, ‘like’ Lippygirl on Facebook and follow them on twitter (tell me you’ve done this!)

This giveaway is now closed.

Tuesday’s review and giveaway: Let them make a mess

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Eating for kids can – and should be a fun and often messy activity. On warm days, I tend to take my toddler’s shirt off him so he can make a bare-chested mess but in the cooler months a bib can often come in handy. I’ve tried the cotton bibs and I find that they are either too heavy around my guy’s neck or they are so messy after washes that I end up using them as dish cloths. My favourite bibs are the plastic, wipe-friendly bibs and if they have a little pouch to collect the crumbs, that’s an extra bonus point in my book.

I recently tried the J J Cole bibs. I love how they have stylish (very important) graphics (my son has the ‘white vroom’ one), how they’re easy to wipe down, have three adjustable snap closures and that they are pvc and phthalate free.  Plus they have my bonus points pocket.  Affordably priced at $7, eating in my house is most definitely fun – and allowably messy.

Giveaway! To win your own (or rather your kid’s) bib, comment under this post which is your preferred graphic and for extra entries ‘like’ JJ Cole on Facebook and follow them on twitter (tell me that you’ve done those things!)

Check out other cute toddlers at Very Busy Mama!

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This giveaway is now closed.

The winner is… Nicole Hsu! Congrats Nicole!

Review and Giveaway: Sweet, snuggly dreams

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My little ones LOVE their sleep. We have been blessed with two good sleepers: both of them slept through the night by three months and still both of them sleep 10-12 hours a night with no nightly wake-ups. Partly we thank God, their genes, the flexible but scheduled naps and bedtime routines we instilled but also I partially thank their swaddles and sleepsacks for providing them with a good nights sleep. I swaddled both of them until their arms wanted to stray free and then I moved them both to sleep sacks.

Why swaddles and sleep sacks? For the longest time I’ve had a huge fear of SIDS and would look over into the crib and check if my kids were breathing. Knowing that they were in safe made me feel a little better. According to the American SIDS institute,  the best way to reduce SIDS is ” a bare bed, meaning absolutely nothing in the bed but the baby, the clothing he’s wearing and a fitted sheet.” So if they are to have practically nothing in their bed, how do we keep our child warm and asleep? Enter the swaddles and sleep sacks. “Sleep sacks are really the first product that has come along that allows us to accomplish our goal of reducing SIDS rates,” says Laura Reno, director of public affairs for First Candle/SIDS Alliance. ”We very strongly recommend sleep sacks.”

In steps Ali Foreman, a local (actually in my neighbouring suburb so very local!) Mom-entrepreneur who, like me was fearful of SIDS and wanted the best sleep safety for her son, so she started Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines, a proudly Canadian company that designs and manufactures swaddles and sleepsacks for children. Her products promise to be the “perfect blend of safety, comfort, style and convenience” and are designed with more features then any other sleep sack. 

I put these promises to test in my laboratory: aka #2′s nursery and I was really impressed. Sleepsacks I’ve had have either been made of thicker fabrics and I’ve been concerned about my son overheating or have been too easy for my son to kick off or escape from which has thus been less safe.

What I love about the sleep sack is that it is made of a super stretchy fabric so #2 was able to kick himself silly but not kick himself loose! The sack is also laden with zippers and snaps which may look complicated but in fact is designed to make our lives easier – for the late nights at friend’s places we can transfer him to his carseat still in his sleep sack and for the odd times he poops in the night, we can change his diaper, again, keeping him in his sleep sack. And of course, they meet my simply stylish requirements! Priced at $80CAD they are on the pricey side but for three years of sleep per child it is a good investment! It’s also an absolutely essential shower gift.

Today I’m giving away one of Sweet Dreams and Flying Machine’s swaddles that works as both a swaddle for young babies and a sleep sack for older babies. It’s priced at $40CAD and is a perfect item for your baby or a gift for a family or friend.

To win simply post a comment or for an extra entry “like” Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines on Facebook (tell me you did that!)

Sweet dreams for both you and your baby!
This competition is now closed
Congrats, the winner is Lisa KH!

Cleaning your house: a chore or a cheer?

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I have a confession. I really enjoy cleaning my house. Ok ok, if you know me and you’ve seen the state of my house you’re probably laughing right now. The main problem with writing a blog is that when it comes to ‘down’ time for my kids instead of cleaning the house as I would’ve done a year ago in this time – I now sit down and start working on SSM. Thus my house over the past year has been pretty much a tip. I must admit I don’t enjoy mopping or ironing, but give me a cloth and some cleaning liquid, some loud music and no child clinging to my legs and I’ll happily amuse myself wiping counters or cleaning the bath. Seriously! Money is always tight for us at present, but I’m always willing to spend money on eco-friendly products. I always make sure I purchase eco-concious cleaning products as I’d prefer to have as little chemicals as possible on my counters, floors and my baby’s bottoms. Green Works are one of my favourite brands to use. Here’s why I love them:

  • Their products are made of biodegradable ingredients
  • Their products are not tested on animals
  • Their products are 95% natural and are made with mineral and plant based cleaning ingredients

But, how well do their products work? I managed to test some of their products and here are my thoughts.

  • All–purpose cleaner - The first thing that #1 son said when I was busy spraying this while he coloured, was “Oooh Mommy, that smells nice” (so my usual white vinegar and water mix doesn’t smell nice?!) – it really does smell good and not too chemically (did I just make up a word?!) This cleaner really did work cleaning up the greasy, post-cooking surfaces in our kitchen as well as cleaning up dusty surfaces in the living areas. I love that it doesn’t contain bleach or phosphorus.
  • Toilet bowl cleaner -  One of my least favourite jobs, especially living in a household of men (ugh), is cleaning the toilet (not sure why it’s my job, oh well), but I LOVED this toilet cleaner. One concern I’ve had about ‘natural’ cleaning products is that they may not clean as effectively as chemically-ridden products, but this is definitely one product that does its job!
  • Dilutable multi-purpose cleaner – This was probably my least favourite product. You had to use more of it than regular floor cleaning products and I still felt it didn’t clean as effectively as other products. But they can’t all be perfect!
  • Glass and surface cleaner – Most of my mirrors and windows have tiny little sticky prints on them (similar to the ones on my laptop screen, hmm..) so I’ve practically got this product tucked into my jeans pocket all day as it is good to be able see out of my front window!
  • Bathroom cleaner -  Another winner in the smell department, this product was a gem when cleaning my forever dirty bathtub and did a great job of removing all the scum from our bathroom basin (another area tormented by my boys)
  • Dishwashing liquids - I tried two different scents (original and tangerine) and while Tangerine is the colour of the year, I prefer the more subtle scent of the original. With all the skin problems I have during the winter problems, I love that this product is dermatologist-tested as I  tend to immerse my hands in this product more than my L’Occitane shea butter!
  • Cleaning wipes - While I personally think if you really want to go green, you should just use (and re-use) cloth wipes (i rip up old sheets, boxer shorts and t-shirts to make my clothes), Green Works’ cleaning wipes are kind of addictive. As we have never had them before, the boys and I made quick use of implementing them into our messy-cheerios-bitsofbanana-breadcrumbs-and-milkstains breakfast clean-up routine. I love that they’re 99% natural and that I was able to compost them.
So, there you have it! My thought on the Green Works range.

In addition, during the “Green” months of April,  Green Works is holding these current instore savings and promotions:

Walmart

  • A special 2 pack offer (All purpose cleaner and dish sop) for a great price!
  • Exclusive All purpose Cleaner refill only at Wal-mart locations
  • Over the April 14/15th weekend there will be in-store demos about Green Works products.
Sobeys
  • Buy 2 Green Works products at Sobeys and receive 200 Sobeys Bonus points
London Drugs
  • Green Works will be hosting at twitter contest at London Drugs where you can tweet your favourite Green Works product to #WinWithGreenWorks for a chance to win 1 of 5 $500 London Drugs Gift cards
And don’t forget to enter my Green Works giveaway to win $30 worth of Green Works products. 
Happy Spring Cleaning! 

Disclosure – I am participating in the Green Works program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of The Clorox Company of Canada Ltd