got milk?

Give milk. Give life.

We are so happy to announce that the Héma-Québec is now accepting donated breast milk! This mother’s milk bank will be reserved for very premature babies (32 weeks or less) who cannot be breastfed by their mothers. Nursing moms who decide to donate their milk will be helping these preemies recover their health and get them on the right track to a happy healthy childhood. I am so, so happy that Quebec has decided to implement this into our society! This is going to make such a huge difference in the lives of the premature babies and their families. Too many preemies die as a result of intestinal disease and being able to receive breast milk will make them three times less prone to developing this type of disease.

The Héma-Québec Mother’s Milk Bank will provide pasteurized human milk and nursing mothers will have to go through a screening process. So ladies, if you are in good health, are nursing, able to produce a surplus of milk and are a non-smoker consider giving milk! Give milk, give life.

Learn more about breast milk donation in Montreal here. 

GLOSSYBOX - Beauty at your Door Step

Montreal Fashion Moms were some of the lucky ladies in Canada to receive GLOSSYBOX right at our door steps! What is Glossy Box you ask? Well, let us explain. GLOSSYBOX is a monthly subscription beauty service that just hit Canada and if you become a member, you will receive a GLOSSYBOX  every month filled with five luxury cosmetics wrapped in a super cute pink box.

Once you subscribe, a GLOSSYBOX will be sent directly to your door and will allow you to test out new products in the comfort of your own home. Your GLOSSYBOX will be sent to you in the first half of every month for only $15 (including taxes and shipping). In addition to 5 luxury samples (plus an additional surprise item that could show up at any time!), the box contains product information, application notes and tips and tricks about beauty and style. Could this be any more amazing or more affordable? We think not!

Each GLOSSYBOX arrives with a cute envelope (we love little details like this!) and a card describing all of the products that are included in your current month’s box. Beside the description of the item, the cost of the full size product is also included, which is great if you love the product and want to continue using it!

Our February box included the following amazing products:

Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream
Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick
Essie Nail Polish in Neo Whimsical
Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Body Lotion
Prevage Day Anti-Aging Restorative Cream
Beauty So Clean Sanitizing Wipes and Mist

We each took advantage of our sons’ nap times to indulge in all these fabulous high-end products. For those 2 short hours, we showered, creamed and moisturized and enjoyed a little self-pampering with some individual at home spa time. It was the perfect excuse to take a little 'me' time. Our faves have to be the Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream & the Essie Nail Polish! The two combined made for a perfect little at home manicure.

You can go online to create and complete your own Beauty Profile to get items tailored to meet your individual needs. The fact that GLOSSYBOX gives you the opportunity to try new luxury items without spending a ton of money all the while keeping you filled with anticipation of what's to come next month is genius and revolutionary!

You can check out all the GLOSSYBOX details and their blog at http://www.glossybox.ca/

Let us know - Would you be interested in subscribing? Or if you already are, what are your opinions on GLOSSYBOX?

Family Literacy Day

In honor of Family Literacy Day in Canada today, we would like to share with you Montreal Fashion Moms (and sons) current top 5 favorite children’s books (in no particular order). These are new and classic books that we read to our 1 year old sons on a regular basis. They are already avid ‘readers’ and we are proud to say that they love books so much they generally prefer to play with them over many of their toys.
What are your kids favorite books of the moment?

1. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

 

2. Olive, My Love by Vivian Walsh

3. Chocolate Me by Taye Diggs

4. Three Little Pigs by Patricia Seibert

5. Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow

There is no better day to remind our children about the importance of reading than Family Literacy Day. Take this opportunity to read a new or favorite book with your children, hit up the local library, teach someone else to read, or donate some old books to others who could benefit from the joy of reading.

For more information about Family Literacy Day, free downloads and local events visit ABC Life Literacy Canada.

What books will you be reading with your family today? Need some more recommendations? Check out Today's Parent here for a list of the top 100 children's books!

Rachel Zoe visits Canadian fans at Holt Renfrew

Fab fashion mama and stylist to the stars, Rachel Zoe was in Toronto earlier this week for an in store appearance at Holt Renfrew to launch her new namesake collection.

Looking glam in a sequin top from her resort collection & her new RZ tux pants.

While we’re glad she made it out to Canada for her fans, we were admittedly bummed that she didn’t come to Holts out here in Montreal, like her friend Nicole Richie did last year to promote Winter Kate and her shoe collection for House of Harlow. It would have been amazing to meet her, especially since she so kindly checked out Montreal Fashion Moms and tweeted us just last week.

“@MTLFashionMoms Montreal Fashion Moms, I love it! Thx for the cute coverage of @thezoereport :) http://bit.ly/o8Ssqo" @rzRachelZoe tweeted.

Gotta love when a celeb takes some time to holla at their fans and support what we’re doing too. It was ba-nanas!

While we unfortunately did not have the chance to meet her, she did meet up with ET Canada and had some great things to say about juggling motherhood and her booming fashion career. She said she was “living proof” that while it may not be easy, it is possible to manage both.

”I’ve only spent one night away from him since he’s been born.” Zoe said of her 5 month old son Skyler, who will be joining her for the upcoming fashion weeks in Europe and New York.

The woman, who was previously debating on her reality show The Rachel Zoe Project, if the time was right for her and her husband Roger Berman to have a baby, while her fashion empire was rapidly growing, admits to becoming a “baby pusher”. She advised, “If you’re thinking ‘Should I? Shouldn’t I?,’ you should!”

“It does change your life,” Zoe continued. “It does turn it inside out and upside down, but in the best way possible, and the difference is you don’t care because you’re altering your life for the best reason in the world … He’s everything.”

We can totally relate. Before Montreal Fashion Moms were moms, we were Montreal Fashion Minds. We were working full time in the fashion industry, going to school for fashion event planning and attending as many local fashion events as we could, all while kicking back a cocktail or two. Life has surely changed since then, we’re on maternity leave, changing stinky diapers and wiping spit up off our shirts, yet, it couldn’t be more fabulous! And our blog, Montreal Fashion Moms, is proof that you don’t have to give up one passion for another, the two can coincide harmoniously. 

On dressing her son to the nines, Rachel also adds “I put him in really beautiful clothes, but they’re all soft and comfy. I think he’s going to rebel and just be like, ‘I’m wearing a soccer uniform, I’m wearing Adidas and Nike, Mom. That’s it.’” But Zoe has no problem with that at all! “I’m going to have to deal with it, because kids need to express themselves,” she said. “I don’t want to control him that way. Style is the best way to say who you are without having to open your mouth.” Very well said! We couldn’t agree more.

Check out this clip for more of Rachel Zoe’s interview with ET Canada.

Photos via http://oncelebrity.com/

Oprah Winfrey Network Looking for MTL Families

Attention Montreal Families – Oprah wants YOU!

Oprah’s OWN network is currently asking Montreal families to share their stories on ‘typical’ Canadian family life, here in Montreal.

They want to know how Canadian life differs from American life, asking questions like, “How is your daily routine different from a typical Americans? Are there customs or traditions you follow that are unique to your family, Montreal or Canada? Does your family speak French at the dinner table? Are you a hockey fanatic? How is Montreal different from say life in Cleveland, Ohio?”

Visit Oprah.com here to fill out the form and submit your input, and then who knows, maybe you’ll be the next star on OWN!

Photo: Oprah.com

Action To Protect Children from Harmful Products

The Canadian Government is taking action to protect our children from potential cadmium poisoning by proposing new guidelines regarding the amount of cadmium allowed to be found in children's jewelry.

Cadmium is a toxic chemical that can be harmful when ingested. While there is no known risk to health from simply wearing jewelry made with high levels of cadmium; for children, accidental ingestion, or prolonged licking and sucking, of these products can cause the metal poisoning and render your child very ill. I’ve seen many children sucking on their necklaces and pendants, so I can see how this can pose a potential threat to our children’s health. This is why Health Canada proposes to amend their current guidelines to have the cadmium concentration in children's jewelry lowered to 130 parts per million (0.013%), which is believed to be a safe amount.

"Parents want the products they buy for their children to be safe", said Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director at Safe Kids Canada. "Young children explore their world through touch and taste, so guidelines like this ensure products children use often will be safer."

AP Photo/Tony Dejak

In February 2010, an entire line of Wal-Mart exclusive Miley Cyrus jewelry was found to contain high levels cadmium and on June 4 the same year, cadmium was detected in the paint used on promotional drinking glasses for the movie Shrek Forever After, sold by McDonald's Restaurants. This triggered a massive recall of 12 million glasses throughout the United States and Canada.

Health Canada encourages anyone involved in the import, manufacture or sale of children's jewelry to take all necessary precautions to ensure that their products are safe for Canadian children.

Good to know that the government is taking some of the necessary steps to protect our children. For more information visit Health Canada.

Health Canada Suspects Tampering with Materna Prenatal Vitamins

Yesterday, Health Canada sent out an advisory, warning pregnant woman in Canada, to verify their Centrum Materna prenatal vitamins, and its packaging carefully before purchasing, as tampering is suspected.

One bottle of the prenatal multivitamin at Shopper’s Drug Mart in Winnipeg, Manitoba has been found to contain unidentified capsules instead of the proper Materna multivitamins, which are pink, oval-shaped tablets. The box was sealed, however the seal on the bottle itself had been removed.

Here are photos of what the Materna multivitamins should look like, as well as its protective packaging. If you find the seal of the product open, or you find capsules in the bottle instead of the pink tablets, do not use the product, and report it to Health Canada immediately. If you are unsure, consult your pharmacist.

 

While at this time, this is the only incident of its type involving Centrum Materna multivitamins (and hopefully the last), Health Canada is working with Pfizer and Shopper’s DrugMart to investigate the incident and will update Canadians with new information as it emerges.

If you currently use this product, especially in Winnipeg, Manitoba, please be extra vigilant while purchasing. We take these multivitamins to ensure health and strength in our babies, not to harm them. The fact that anyone would even consider tampering with them is disgusting, and we hope this remains the only case. 

For more information, visit the Health Canada website.

The Royals Visit Montreal

As you all must already know, the Royals are in town!

This past Saturday, July 2nd, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (better known as Will & Kate), graced Montreal with their presence, on the fourth day of a nine-day trip to Canada; their first international trip since their lavish London wedding in April.

Will and Kate arrive in Canada, greeted by Prime-minister Harper

During their visit to Montreal, by request, Will & Kate visited the CHU Sainte-Justine children’s hospital, the largest mother-child center in Canada, to visit the Neonatalogy Unit, the High-Risk Pregnancies Room and the Department of Hematology-Oncology. What a kind and thoughtful gesture!

Unfortunately, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge encountered a small but vocal group of protesters outside the hospital. Great Britain's 1759 Conquest of New France and a desire by some French to separate from Canada is still a sensitive issue in Quebec, and so protesters including members of the separatist group Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network stood outside the hospital carrying signs that read ‘Parasites go home,’ ‘War Criminals,’ and ‘Your fortune came from the blood of our ancestors.’

This really upset me. These people, who do not directly have anything to do with the 1759 conquest, are willfully going to make the day of some very sick children, and people have the audacity to go and protest. I understand their right to their own opinions, and freedom of speech, however I do not agree with the timing or location of their protests. I feel it was in poor taste, and frankly, I’m embarrassed as a Montrealer. The protesters also dampened the excitement for those waiting outside in the hot sun, cheering for Will and Kate, and waiting to catch a just glimpse of the royal couple.

Regardless of the ruckus outside, the classy couple swiftly entered the hospital and enjoyed their visit with the children. Of course the staff and patients of Sainte-Justine were honored, and grateful to have them there. So sweet!

 

In fashion related news, Kate was looking classy and fabulous as always in a grey Kensington dress by Catherine Walker, one of the late Princess Diana’s favorite designers. In fact, Kate seems to really be following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law in terms of fashion and being the “people’s princess”.

Katherine has a great, sensible style that can be translated to anyone, on any budget. We love that she often wears affordable dresses, and even recycles outfits. In fact, when she was in Ottawa for Canada day, she pulled the white Reiss dress she wore for her engagement photos out of the closet, and accessorized with a fabulous Lock & Co maple leaf fascinator. The Queen even let her borrow the maple leaf broach she wore on her first visit to Canada in 1951, while she was still a princess. What a nice Canadian touch!

Kate Middleton has quickly become a fashion icon, with women worldwide trying to get their hands on some of the pieces she owns. They even call Katherine’s influence on the fashion world The ‘Kate Effect’. I think the 'Kate Effect' is more than just a sense of fashion. Her classiness and philanthropic ways are also wonderful things women look to imitate when they watch Katherine Middleton, which we think makes her a positive role model for younger girls and women.

Happy Canada Day!!

Tomorrow is Canada Day, and we will be celebrating our wonderful country’s 144th birthday!

Canada Day is always a fun filled day, here in Montreal and all over Canada when we stand proud and boast about how grateful we are to live in such a beautiful country.

It’s also a great day to teach our kids about Canada, and spend a day of fun with our families. Montreal has a ton of great activities, all around the city. Of course they have a big parade in the Old Port, with plenty of activities, cake, and fireworks to follow. Montreal Canada Day organizers in charge of Old Port activities even promise an assortment of freebies perfect for families (as well as non-families), from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Even more family fun activities including inflatables, face painting, games, and of course a lot of flag waving can be done all over the city. Check out I Spy Montreal for a complete list of tomorrow’s Canada Day celebrations. You can also visit the Montreal Gazette for a partial list of what is opened and closed during the holiday.

Also in honor of Canada Day, Montreal Fashion Moms is supporting our fellow Canadian bloggers and are happily participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash, hosted by Whispered Inspirations, Mom vs. The Boys, Pampered Patty, Good Girl Gone Green and Kat’s Confessions. What a great way to link up with our Canadian friends to celebrate this holiday.

We are so proud to be Canadians, and look forward to celebrating tomorrow with our sons, for their first Canada Day. How will you be spending the holiday with your family?

Target Announces Canadian Stores

We all heard at the beginning of the year that Target spent 1.8 billion dollars to acquire and convert most of the Zellers locations across Canada, for a much anticipated move to the Great White North. Well, now Target Corp. has announced the first 105 locations on their first wave of stores to hit our country in early 2013. We are so excited!!

Target will also be opening its Canadian headquarters in 180,000 square feet of space in Mississauga, Ontario. The Canadian leadership team will be moving to Canada this summer.

Check out the list below to see if there is a Target store opening near you! If not, don’t worry too much, a second wave of stores will be announced in September. Yay!!

Alberta
•       Chinook Centre, Calgary
•       Forest Lawn Shopping Centre, Calgary
•       Market Mall, Calgary
•       Shoppes at Shawnessy, Calgary
•       Signal Hill Centre, Calgary
•       Sunridge Mall, Calgary
•       Bonnie Doon, Edmonton
•       Kingsway Garden Mall, Edmonton
•       Mill Woods Town Centre, Edmonton
•       Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie
•       Bower Place, Red Deer
•       St. Albert Centre, St. Albert
•         Sherwood Park Mall, Sherwood Park

British Columbia
•       Abbotsford Power Centre, Abbotsford
•       Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
•       Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre, Campbell River
•       Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack
•       Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam
•       Driftwood Mall, Courtenay
•       Tamarack Mall, Cranbrook
•       Scottsdale Mall, Delta
•       Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley
•       Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge
•       Nanaimo North Town Centre, Nanaimo
•       Pine Centre, Prince George
•       Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver
•       Village Green Mall, Vernon
•       Tillicum Mall,  Victoria

Manitoba
•       Shoppers Mall, Brandon
•       Grant Park, Winnipeg
•       Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, Winnipeg
•       Polo Park Shopping Centre, Winnipeg
•       Southdale Centre, Winnipeg

New Brunswick
•       McAllister Place, Saint John

Newfoundland and Labrador
•       Corner Brook, Corner Brook
•       Cabot Square, St. John,s

Nova Scotia
•       Bedford Place, Bedford
•       Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth

Ontario
•       Durham Centre, Ajax
•       Aurora Shopping Centre, Aurora
•       Bramalea City Centre, Brampton
•       Shoppers World Brampton, Brampton
•       Trinity Common, Brampton
•       Burlington Mall, Burlington
•       Millcroft Centre, Burlington
•       Cambridge Centre, Cambridge
•       Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke
•       Gates of Fergus, Fergus
•       175 Stone Road W., Guelph
•       Centre Mall, Hamilton
•       South Hamilton Square, Hamilton
•       Hazeldean Mall, Kanata
•       Cataraqui Town Centre, Kingston
•       Lindsay Square Mall, Lindsay
•       Masonville Place, London
•       Westmount Shopping Centre, London
•       Milton Mall Shopping Centre, Milton
•       Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga
•       Square One, Mississauga
•       Meadowlands Shopping Centre, Nepean
•       Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket
•       1899 Algonquin Ave., North Bay
•       Centerpoint Mall, North York
•       Orillia Square Mall, Orillia
•       Place D,Orleans, Orleans
•       Five Points Mall, Oshawa
•       Bayshore Shopping Centre, Ottawa
•       Billings Bridge Plaza, Ottawa
•       RioCan St. Laurent, Ottawa
•       Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill
•       Bridlewood Mall, Scarborough
•       County Fair Mall, Smiths Falls
•       Niagara Pen Centre, St. Catharines
•       Stratford Mall, Stratford
•       Sudbury Supermall, Sudbury
•       Intercity Shopping Centre, Thunder Bay
•       Cloverdale Mall, Toronto
•       Shoppers World Danforth, Toronto
•       East York Town Centre, Toronto
•       Flamborough Power Centre, Waterdown
•       Conestoga Mall, Waterloo
•       Taunton Gardens Power Centre, Whitby
•       Devonshire Mall, Windsor

Prince Edward Island
•       Charlottetown Mall, Charlottetown

Quebec
•       Galeries d'Anjou, Anjou
•       Faubourg Boisbriand, Boisbriand
•       Carrefour Angrignon, Lasalle
•       Mega Centre Notre-Dame, Laval
•       Galeries Chagnon , Levis
•       Place Longueuil, Longueuil
•       Place Alexis Nihon, Montreal
•       Place Vertu, Montreal
•       Terrarium Shopping Centre, Pointe Claire
•       Les Galeries De La Capitale, Quebec City
•       Place Fleur De Lys, Quebec City
•       Place Laurier, Quebec
•       Le Carrefour Rimouski, Rimouski
•       Promenades Saint-Bruno, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
•       Carrefour Saint-Georges, Saint-Georges
•       Carrefour Richelieu,  Saint- Jean sur-Richelieu
•       Carrefour du Nord, Saint Jerome
•       Carrefour de L'Estrie, Sherbrooke
•       Les Rivieres Shopping Centre, Trois Rivieres

Saskatchewan
•       Northgate Mall, Regina
•       The Centre, Saskatoon