Category: Parents

Fatherhood, Parents

The 6IXMAN Difference For The Modern Day Man

We have always been intrigued to bring unique brands and people to our readers as it helps us reach our diverse readers. We pride ourselves on that and this is why we are delighted to introduce you all to 6IXMAN.

6IXMAN is a start-up in the field of cosmetics, focused on men’s grooming products. This includes beard care, hair care, skin care, and shaving. Their aim is to create products which they use themselves meaning that they want their products to be safe, natural, biodegradable, as well as high performance.

What exactly defines a “6IXMAN”? According to their website, it is a classically modern man. Regardless of what he is doing, he always looks good. In a world of social media where you are under constant scrutiny, the pressure is on to look your best even when you are not at your best. The 6IXMAN tackles the challenges of a modern lifestyle with the knowledge that even when he is pushed to the limit, he will make it look easy. A well-groomed man creates a lasting impression of control, strength, and poise. The 6IXMAN marries old world charm with new world pragmatism to become a tour de force. Each 6IXMAN defines their brand and his uniqueness adds to their own.

We got a chance to interview one of the owners, Danny, to get an inside scoop or a behind the scene look at 6IXMAN.

Tell me a little bit about yourselves (the owners behind 6IXMAN).

6IXMAN is made up of three co-founders all with different outlooks on life and experiences, but together we merge our separate visions to form a new, unique and fresh approach. We stem from professional backgrounds in strategic marketing, digital design and business relations – with entrepreneurial backgrounds we’ve formed a solid partnership which has grown 6IXMAN to what it is today, a successful self funded premium grooming brand.

When did you see the need to start your brand in representing the modern-day man? How did it all start?

The frustration that develops when you cannot just find a great product at a fair price, that’s what started 6IXMAN. How absurd is it that you need to know so much about chemicals, their purposes and effects to know whether you are getting a good product or not?

We saw a lack of clean and premium products that are easy for the average consumer to buy so we decided to make our own. Easier said than done, we made some serious sacrifices to bring forth what you see today and that included taking serious financial risks to make sure we achieved our goals. While it’s safe to say we have achieved our goals with what we have on offer today, there is still much more work to be done.

We love how your catalogue features diverse men and that the products are made in Canada. How can a modern-day man purchase your products?

Thank you! 6IXMAN is any Man and so diversity was a key trait we wanted to make certain was represented by our line.

A modern-day consumer can purchase products in any modern way available today, but of course for the classically modern there are still hundreds of brick and mortar locations that carry our line and we encourage you to support them.

Our entire line can be found on our website or on Amazon where we offer same day shipping and next day delivery for those with access to amazon prime. If you want to find a retailer close to you, just click here.

What do you hope to accomplish through your brand?

There would be too many things to list here with the appropriate amount of detail; however, there is one thing that can be said. 6IXMAN aims to help consumers feel great again about their purchase, appearance and overall grooming experience. We ultimately want to enable people to get out there, look your best, feel your best and be your best.

What advice would you give to our readers who would like to start using your products? Is there a regime that they should follow?

That completely depends on your needs and grooming routine; however, if you are sporting any type of facial hair then we certainly have a regime that we recommend our consumers to follow.

For facial hair, we have a 3-step grooming process that includes:

  1. Cleansing your facial hair of bacteria and debris to create a healthy growth environment.
  2. Nourishing your skin at the base of your facial hair to strengthen roots and eliminate irritation such as itchiness and dry skin.
  3. Soften and shape your facial hair so that it remains neatly seated on your face.

Thank you so much Danny for your time. Is there anything else you would like to add?

We also want to make certain that people know 6IXMAN is not strictly a beard care grooming company, in fact we offer many fantastic hair styling and face care products as well with shaving products on our radar for the near future.

We love what the 6IXMAN brand is doing in the grooming scene for men and we know they will continue to grow. They don’t impose a certain image onto their customers on how they “have” to look like but instead they embrace everyone’s differences to make them who they are. What an inspirational way to be!

My husband has two of their products which is the Fresh Face Cleanser and Face Moisturizer and he loves them. I think the simplicity of using them in his daily grooming routine makes it a slam dunk in his books.

If you are interested in learning more about all the different products, they have available you can visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. We know that we are following! 😉

There is nothing wrong with a man wanting to look his best. 6IXMAN is just making it easier.

Thank you again Danny for your time and for changing the grooming world for men!

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

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Motherhood, Parents, Tips

Empowering Stay-At-Home Moms Through Job Coaching

Looking for employment is a difficult task to do and, in many cases, it becomes a full-time job in itself. There are many services that are out there that can assist; however, many lack specialized programs for stay-at-home moms in particular.

It’s a group that many forget and luckily one Toronto woman has not forgotten about empowering stay-at-home moms to enter or re-enter the workforce.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you all to Stephanie from SAHM Coaching who I recently met at a mom market. I had the opportunity to sit down with Stephanie to get the inside scope on SAHM Coaching in this exclusive interview.

Tell me a little bit about yourself

I was born and raised in Toronto and love this city. I have a wonderful husband, who supports me unconditionally and two beautiful children, ages 9 and 11. I try to stay active. I’m doing a 10 KM race this May, I love working out and play baseball. I’ve been playing fast-pitch softball since I was 6 years old. I went to Ryerson University where I completed my degree in Human Resources and went on to get my professional designation from the Human Resources Professionals Associations as a Certified HR Leader. My HR career started in the telecom industry. Then I went on to work for a retail company and I’ve spent the last 14 years in the not for profit sector. I love the field of HR; I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. What I love about it is that I get to work with people. When you do that, you rarely get the same problem twice. Circumstances change and it forces you to really understand the subtle differences of each situation. Working side by side with my clients and helping them find the optimal solution is very satisfying.

What type of services do you offer?

SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) Coaching offers job search assistance exclusively to women who want to go back to work after being at home. This group includes women at various life stages. Some of my clients have been at home for a number of years, while others are coming to the end of their maternity leave and want to change jobs. I help them get their heads back into the game with someone who “gets it.” Working with me, women get tailored, one-on-one, insights and HR expertise into things like:

  • What kind of work can/should I do?
  • How do I search for work; make use of the best resources; etc.
  • How to build/refresh a resume (or cover letter) that gets noticed.
  • How to talk about your time off/gap in your resume in a way that employers will understand.
  • How to prepare for and answer questions during an interview.

What is your goal of the services that you provide and can you give us one success story that you can share?

What I’m offering women is a safe place for them to share their concerns, ask questions and get answers quickly. All with the goal of building their confidence and getting rid of the self-doubt, so they can be successful overcoming whatever obstacle it is that they are facing.

Yes, I’d like to tell you about Katie (not her real name). Katie was struggling with her job search. She previously had run her own business (since it gave her more time with her kids) but she and her partner had a falling out. She decided after running her own business for several years, that she was done. Instead she wanted to find a job where she could work Monday to Friday and not have all the demands of being a business owner. Her kids were older and it was a good time to make the transition. When Katie and I connected she told me she was struggling because she wasn’t having much success with her applications. She wanted to work with me on her resume and cover letter. Her resume needed a complete overhaul, so we redesigned it from scratch. During our session we also talked about how to structure her cover letter. That session was on a Wednesday, the following Thursday I followed up with Katie and she told me she applied for a job and they scheduled her for a phone interview. The company told her they were very impressed with her cover letter!

What made you decide to offer these services?

Because they don’t currently exist; at least not in the way I offer them. Sure, you can go to a Service Canada employment centre, and they will give you a general resume or interview information. Or you can go online and find a TON of info, but then what? Everyone is busy, I don’t think your readers have the time to go through it all. I’ve got 20+ years of recruitment experience and I can give women a direct line to the answers they are looking for. Plus, it’s so important for me to work side by side with my clients. It’s so much more effective. I’m not just telling them what to do, I’m also telling them WHY they need to do it. Why when you write a cover letter you format it a certain way. Why you use specific words in a resume. Why when you answer questions using this format it will resonate with employers. It’s only because I’ve been there, that I can offer this type of service.

If someone is interested in your services, how much and how can they get enrolled?

The first thing is to schedule a FREE consultation call. You can do this via my website, email me, or message me via my Facebook page. During the call I ask what they feel they need the most help with and what it is that each woman wants to accomplish. I also share more info about myself and will answer any question that they may have. In most, but not all cases, I ask to see a copy of their resume. After the call, I prepare a written recommendation outlining how we’d work together. In it I include the number of sessions required. Sessions are 45 minutes. You can purchase sessions individually for $60 each or (to save money) you can buy a package of 4 sessions for $200.

Thank you so much Stephanie for your time. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Sure, since you asked! Any time you are in transition or making a change, it’s bound to feel icky and uncomfortable. I want your readers to know that going back to work after stepping away is possible, you CAN do it, and with SAHM Coaching you don’t have to do it alone.

An inspiring way to end an interview! With the right coaching, inspiration and motivation, it is possible to enter or re-enter the workforce. I am so honoured to have had this opportunity to inform all of you of a service that is available, especially if it can help you succeed.

I use to be in the Employment industry many years ago (feels like a lifetime ago) and I helped many people find work. I know that with the extra support that my clients got, it helped them get their foot back in the door. Every little bit helps.

If you are interested in learning more about SAHM Coaching, make sure to contact her directly as she has a wealth of information and knowledge to offer.

Thank you again Stephanie for your time and empowering women every day!

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

Entertainment, Parents

Our First Date Night As Parents

I have read many articles on the importance of date night and always encouraged my family and friends to do them. However, I never took my own advice as where was I going to find the time?!

Well, opportunity knocked on our door as we were invited to a comedy event that was attended for a mature audience (due to explicit language). Now as a parent the first thing I had to do was to make babysitting arrangements for our daughter. Since Nikki is a bit older and loves to spend time with my mom, I asked if she could take care of her. Without hesitation, my mom was excited to spend a Saturday night with her granddaughter. So we were set!

I was very excited as it has been hard to find the time to have a date night since my husband has rotational shifts and Nikki use to not want to stay with anyone but us. Therefore, this was a rare opportunity but one that we were going to embrace.

Before date night I was telling one of my best friends how excited I was and then asked, “Does that mean I need to hold his hand?” She burst into laughter and said, “Yes you should Melanie!” I guess this is part of date night as it seems like forever I have gone on a date (hehe).

Date Night

Date night had finally arrived and Nikki was packed for a night with my mom. We dropped her off and we were on our way to eat some dinner before the show. It was really nice as we got to talk about everything and anything (with no kid interruptions). We had a nice dinner together and even held hands as we walked to our destination (Yes I did hold his hand). 😉

We also had nice weather as Spring decided to finally make a presence. It was just so great and relaxing. I guess since we have been together for almost 19 years, it was easy to go on a date again. You almost forget that before you were a parent, you were partners first.

Now it was time for the main event, Porkchops and Comedy.

Porkchops And Comedy Event

This event was presented by Comedy Portuguese and Melo Out Entertainment. It was a stand-up comedy show with Portuguese Comedians which made sense for us as we both come from Portuguese families. It was a packed house with 200 in attendance. Now when I go to events under the Momma Braga name, I bring my A game. This means I critique every single detail to ensure that if I talk about it, it is worthy of it. 😉

The event started with the debut of Ben Fate who performed for the first time and he did a great job. His rap was relatable to many in the audience. After the performance, comedy night was in full swing with comedians: Joe Botelho, Michelle Furtado, and Jeff E. They were all funny comedians bringing their own experiences for a good laugh by all. The next performance was a special cooking segment with Celebrity Chef Danny Raposo who showed us how to cook infused shrimp which was educational. Then it was the main event, comedian Mike Rita. Now I have seen Mike Rita live and he is funny. He brings his life experiences growing up in a Portuguese home which brings a lot of hilarious stories to share. Coming from a traditional Portuguese home, I know a few personal ones myself.

Now Mike Rita outdid himself on this night as he had both my husband and I laugh to tears. Every joke was done to perfection and the audience of 200 couldn’t get enough. It truly ended date night right for us as it has been so long that we have been able to go out and have a good time as a couple.

Momma Braga Event Rating

This wouldn’t be a Momma Braga piece if I didn’t include a rating for this event which I am delighted to say that it got a 6 stars out of 5! It offered a night full of entertainment with unique aspects and out of the box laughs. Special thank you to Jonathan from Melo Out Entertainment for having us attend as we had an amazing time.

From left to right: Melanie from Momma Braga and Jonathan from Melo Out Entertainment.

What I Learned From Date Night

I love it when we get to learn from our daily experiences in life and date night is no exception. Therefore, I feel like I should share what I have learned from having a date night with my husband.

  1.  I am literally very funny on date nights. Or my husband is just awfully sweet to laugh at all my jokes.
  2.  My husband talks a whole lot when our little one isn’t with us which was nice and it wasn’t just sports or work talk.
  3.  I loved being able to spend this quality time with my husband as it reminded both of us of how special we are to one another (I know sappy but true!).
  4.  We need more date nights!
  5.  I love holding my husband’s hand as he is my partner in this wacky journey called life and parenting.

Those were my takeaways and I am truly grateful to have had this date night, even if it was four years in the making. I guess it is true that good things are worth the wait; however, I know that I am not going to wait another four years for my next date.

I do recommend to try and find the time to reconnect with your spouse after having kids. Life gets busy and we can get overwhelmed with all that we are expected to do. That is why we need to get that time inked in. Also night outs don’t need to cost much as the most important part of date night is to spend time with your loved one. That is what mattered the most to me and my husband, that time together could never be bought.

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

 

 

Parenting, Parents, Tips

Things Every Child Should Learn

When it comes to teaching our children the skills they need to be the best in life, there are a lot to things to teach and many directions which we can go in this year. If you are looking to teach your child the best skills for their lives this year, here are just some of the ones to consider.

Ride a bike

When we look at some of the most iconic skills to teach to kids, we can’t not mention riding a bike. Riding a bike might just be the most obvious of all of the things to teach our kids and it is a huge challenge every step of the way. When you start off teaching your child to ride a bike you will want to think about using stabilisers and as time goes on you will be able to teach them to balance on just two. It could take a long time to teach this to your child but once they have learnt this skill it will stay with them for life!

Swim

Teaching a child how to swim is so important for you to do, and the earlier you can teach them the better. Choose a good swim school and take your child once or twice a week and let them learn how to keep themselves afloat above the water. Children are very adventurous and curious and they are prone to drowning because of this fact. If you can teach your child this essential skill you can let them into the pool and the sea without too much worry.

Throw a ball

Playing sports and games is one of those things which is great for the development of a child and it can be a wonderful skill for them to learn. Being able to accurately throw a ball and join in with games and open them up to a whole world of different sports and this could even become a hobby or career for them later on in life. It might take them a while to learn but it is the ideal excuse for some garden play dates on sunny days!

Look after animals

Looking after and being responsible for another living thing has to be the best way to prepare a child for their future. If you want to make sure that your child is able to live a great life and look after themselves, teaching them how to look after a pet can be a wonderful thing. You can get a pet hamster, fish or rabbit and let your child be the one responsible for looking after the animal. You can show them the importance of caring for another living thing and this will help them become more independent as they grow older.

Be kind

A smile, a hello, a please and thank you… to teach your child to be kind and respectful to other people is a skill in itself and one which you should definitely consider trying out this year!

Parents

5 Reasons Why Institut Montana Zugerberg Will Take Your Child Far

Institut Montana Zugerberg is a Swiss international day school and boarding school situated above the Zugerberg Mountain. It is one of the oldest boarding schools in Switzerland and has a longstanding history of offering academic excellence and shaping outstanding students. For instance, the CEO of Swatch, Nick Hayek, graduated from there as did John Kerry, former Senator and Secretary of State to the United States of America. But just why does Institut Montana Zugerberg bring up successful individuals? I have five reasons why:

Language Learning

From the first moment your child steps foot on campus, they will be immersed in a multi-lingual environment. Most students will learn to be fluent in German and English by the time they graduate and they might even pick up French or further develop their native language if it’s not one of the former three. Numerous studies have shown that learning a second language or more can boost brain power as your brain has to cope with complexity and problem-solving. Your memory improves. It enhances your ability to multi-task, make decisions and it improves your first language. As a result, people who know a second language or more are known to have higher cognitive skills and in the end, are provided with better career choices.

Personal Care

With a 4:1 student staff ratio, your child will get to know their teacher on a very personal level. The average class size holds 10 students meaning that every student is noticed so they cannot hide or get left behind. This also encourages them to take part in discussion and further express their opinions. Various reasearch show that smaller classes also correlate with higher grades and better performance on university entrance exams. In the end, the classes form a close-knit community where teachers can offer better mentoring and one-on-one sessions with their students to improve their weaknesses and enhance their strengths.

International Community

Institut Montana Zugerberg is home to 300 students who represent over 40 nationalities. This allows for students to gain new perspectives and ideas and witness cultures and traditions that they may not have experienced otherwise. It’s common practice that during holiday or summer breaks, these students go visit their roommates or friends which tends to be in a country other than their own and they get to experience the country as a local. This international experience helps shape them to be global-minded citizens who are open-minded, tolerant and respectful.

Academic Programs

There are four schools that offer a tailor-made program for each student. Students can study there from the age of 6-19; going from elementary school all the way until the end of high school. Younger students study a bilingual elementary school that includes plenty of physical fitness afternoon programs so that you learn a new language and hobby at an early age. In high school, students can choose to either study at a Swiss-styled high school which ensures direct entry into a top Swiss university or go to the International School which offers both the US High School Diploma or the IB Diploma, both of which will help take your child where they want to go in the future for both their university destination and ideal career.

Switzerland

The land of cheese and mountains is also one of the safest countries in the world! What more could you as for? And don’t get me started on the abundance of chocolate, it’s basically paradise.

If your child is between 10-15 years old and looking to get a taste of this school and experience an unforgettable summer, then be sure to sign them up here and mention Momma Braga for a discount.

*This article is in collaboration and is a sponsored post. 

Tips

The Basics of Responsible Borrowing

The temptation to borrow money haunts everyone at some point. Sometimes it’s a good idea — necessary, even — but many times it isn’t. Before you take out that loan, you should ask yourself three questions.

Why are you borrowing?

Only borrow out of necessity. This is especially true when it comes to your decision to apply for an easy installment loan or take up credit card debt. These options should only be used for unexpected expenses, like car repairs and home repairs, or buying essential groceries between pay periods.

If you just want something, try to find other ways to finance the purchase. You could put it on layaway, sell some unwanted belongings, or simply save up. The temptation is there to get it now and pay for it later, but you need to understand that if you borrow, you will end up paying substantially more than what you would have originally because of interest.

Money lending is a business, and charging interest is the way that lenders make a profit. No one is going to give you a loan out of the goodness of their heart.

If you want a new house or car, then taking out a loan is usually the only way to do it. You should just make the decision carefully and make sure you can afford the payments.

What are the terms of the loan?

Do not decide to take out a loan based purely on verbal communication with a banker or lender. You must read the terms and conditions carefully.

Interest rates. These can be fixed or variable. That is, they can stay at a certain percentage until the loan is paid back, or they can be subject to adjustment.

Payment schedules. A loan may have a fixed period of time to pay it back. Longer terms usually mean higher interest rates. Credit cards usually have monthly payments.

Secured vs. unsecured. If a loan is secured, that means you have put something that you own — referred to as collateral — up against it. If you don’t pay back the loan, the lender can seize your property. Unsecured loans do not have collateral and make up for this by having higher interest rates.

How will you pay it back?

It’s important that you never get a loan you can’t make the payments on. You should also think about what your financial situation will be in the future. Are you worried that you might lose your job? Are there medical expenses coming up? If so, it might be better to put off borrowing until you are in a more stable position.

You should give yourself some wiggle room. Interest rates can, and do, rise. This means you could end up paying more each period than you initially agreed to.

Remember that late payments will hurt your credit score. A very bad credit score will make it hard to take out loans in the future. It can make it almost impossible to buy a house, a car, or get on a lease for an apartment.

How to Avoid Burdensome Debt

The real killer with debt is the interest. Hence, the best way to avoid being swallowed by debt (behind not borrowing at all) is to avoid interest by paying everything off as soon as possible.

For example, you can still use your credit card as long as you completely pay the balance off every month. In fact, this is a great way to build credit in the beginning.

For other types of loans, putting more money down, paying above the minimum payments, and choosing the best available loans will save you in the long run.

 

* Thanks to site supporters for this post.

Parenting, Tips

Self-Care: How to Combat Parental Burnout

Written by: Claire Adams

Do you ever get tired of parenting? Do you ever feel like you simply can’t take it anymore? Most parents reach that point from time to time, that moment when all you want to do scream and run away somewhere where somebody will pamper you for a change. This doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. If anything, the fact that you’re trying so hard makes you a good one. However, you should consider your own mental health and how parental burnout can affect you and your family if you don’t do something about it. If your mind is in overload and you don’t know how to get through another day of being an exemplary parent, here is some advice for you.

It takes a village to raise a child

It takes a lot of effort, devotion and patience to raise a child, but nobody can have it all under control all of the time. So, try not to be offended or threatened when another parent steps up and offers their wisdom and experience to help you in some situation you could be handling better. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that they only want to undermine you and show they’re a better parent than you, consider the fact that they might have been in your shoes and in a situation identical to this one in the past. Maybe at that point somebody helped them, or maybe they just wished somebody did. In any case, try becoming friends with other parents. They might offer some good advice on things like helping your kid with school stuff or dealing with them when they act out. Talk to moms and dads at school or at the playground, organize playdates and dinners to create your own village and maybe make parenting a bit easier.

It’s OK to ask for help

When taking care of your children seems too much to handle and you need some time off, remember that you can always ask for help and that it’s not something you should be ashamed of or hide from. There are many people you can turn to. It could be your spouse, your parents, siblings, friends or neighbors or anybody else you trust. When you try doing everything on your own, of course you’ll feel like you’re on the brink of madness. And if you have nobody close to you to jump in, there’s always the option of paying for help. For example, there are some amazing catering companies out there which will impress even the most demanding guests, meaning that you don’t have to make all the food for your kid’s birthday party yourself. Also, if cleaning your home takes too much of your time and energy, find somebody who’ll come once or twice a week and get things sorted out for you. Just don’t shy away from reaching out when the going gets tough.

Lower your expectations

When the bar is raised too high up, you won’t be able to reach it no matter how hard you try, which can leave you feeling inadequate, frustrated and desperate. When you notice that this is happening, remember that you’re the one who decides where the bar is and lower it a bit. Don’t expect perfection from yourself, because there is no perfection when it comes to parenthood. A lot of times it comes down to trial and error, whether we like to admit it or not. What does this mean? Basically, it means it’s not the end of the world if let things go when they get too difficult. Nobody will judge you if your house is messy from time to time, if you let your kids watch Trolls on TV or if they skip their piano lesson or football practice once in a while. Adjust your expectations to something more realistic and you’ll relieve yourself of some stress momentarily.

Be more than just a parent

Once you become a parent, it can become hard to remember that you were ever anything other than that. Well, you were and you are. You’re a person with needs, desires and ambitions that have nothing to do with your children. Send your kids to kindergarten and find a part-time job if you don’t already have one. You can even start working online from home, or at least find a hobby you’ll enjoy. If nothing else, don’t forget to give yourself some time away from your family occasionally, to do things that make you feel happy and help you unwind. Under no circumstances should you think that this is selfish. It’s a way to preserve your mental and physical health, so that you can be a calmer and more supportive parent to your children in the long term.

Parental burnout is a real problem and one you should deal with as soon as you feel the need to. Consider this an important part of your self-care and a way to stay on top of your parental role.

 

Great Companies, Holidays

Fleur de Reine Provides Timeless Beauty | Exclusive Interview

Bringing unique products, brands and people to our worldwide audience is what we love doing best. We love to meet new and inspiring people who do so much more than just sell a product.

This is why we are delighted to introduce you all to Fleur de Reine who we were honored to have met at Square One’s Merry and Bright Holiday Market.

We had an opportunity to interview the owners of Fleur de Reine to get to know them and their product better. We like to go beyond the company website. 😉

Tell us a little bit about yourselves

Sonia – “I grew up in Australia and Canada, and now call Mississauga home. I love to spend my days surrounded by my large family (proud aunt alert!) and explore all Toronto has to offer. Love to travel and have always had a passion for art and flowers. I am a coffee addict by day and by night.” :p

Roopie – “I was born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga. Currently reside in beautiful Milton. I love to travel and have an appreciation for beautiful artisan created things. Fun fact: Chocolate is my kryptonite.” 🙂

Tell us a little bit about the company and how it inspired to be.

“We’ve always had a keen eye for style and beauty, and knew we wanted to start a company that encompasses both. It wasn’t until one late evening we were reminiscing Sonia’s wedding and reliving all the beautiful moments and décor. The flowers were extravagant and the colors were so bold, we thought to ourselves “wouldn’t it be nice if flowers could last longer than a week?” and so it was that late evening while sipping on some wine that the idea was born.”

What makes you unique?

“Roses are timeless that adorn the space they ‘re placed in, but Fleur de Reine added a modern element by our unique preservation process. Whether it’s a rose purchased for love, passion, new beginnings, celebrations, appreciation or friendship – thanks to the EternalBloom™, it lasts through the seasons. Imagine purchasing real roses that last a year. Fleur de Reine is revolutionizing the way we gift flowers.”

What do you hope your business will accomplish with each rose sold?

We hope the beauty and longevity of our roses will uplift your spirits and brighten your days. We also offer a variety of beautiful packaging options and personalization services. Our vision is to create the ultimate quintessential experiences and give our clients a piece of beauty to cherish in their homes for always. We have turned the timeless flower into just that – timeless.”

Lastly, anything new and exciting that you would like to announce to our readers?

“We are adding a new piece to our Glass House Collection for Valentine’s Day 2019! We are now offering shipping within North America.

We were also featured in Dolce Magazine & West of the City Magazine this year! Last but not least, we’re always popping up at different locations, so please stay tuned to our IG for upcoming details.”

#MelAndNikkiReview

There you have it, our exclusive interview with the owners of Fleur de Reine. We need to mention that these two ladies are classy, kind, professional and friendly. It was so great to meet them in person as we could see that this is not just a business but a passion of theirs and we love that!

Every rose and packaging was perfect in every way. I was so captivated by the roses that I purchased a glass ornament with a black rose for my sister-in-law for Christmas. It was absolutely breathtaking and I know my sister-in-law is going to love it.

Interesting fact is that the black roses are their best seller – would have never believed it!

We were truly impressed with the products, uniqueness, quality and above all the passion that goes into each rose. This is why we give Fleur de Reine 5+++ roses out of 5! We are also listing them on our “recommended list.”

This would make a perfect gift for any occasion. If you would like to order, click here. Or if you are in the Square One area, you can drop by the Merry and Bright Holiday Market before December 24, 2018 to purchase in person.

Make sure to follow Fleur de Reine on Instagram to see which locations they are in next.

A special thank you to Sonia and Roopie for the opportunity to interview them for this special feature.

Until next time… Happy Parenting!

– Momma Braga

Parents

The Best Ways for Parents to Earn Some Extra Money Online

As a parent, you’re probably always worrying about your money and whether or not you have enough of it. Raising a family is expensive and no one can deny that. However, there are ways to earn extra money on the side if you want to achieve a better financial balance and feel more financially comfortable each month. Here are the very best ways to earn money on the side online today.

Get Paid to Take Surveys

Taking surveys online is a good way to make money these days. Of course, you’re not going to get rich quick doing this but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. It’s easy, painless and you’ll get some extra cash to spend on nice things at the end of the month. For most families, that’s all they need. Give it a try and see how much you can earn; you might just be surprised.

Do Tasks to Gather Reward Points

Another similar idea involves completing simple tasks and earning reward points for doing so. There are numerous sites that offer you the chance to do this. This MyPoints review will give you a basic idea of what it involves and why you might want to give it a try. It allows you to earn money for doing very little, and that can never be a bad thing, right? It’s worth trying and seeing if there are any tasks you want to earn money doing.

Sell Your Photos

If you’re a keen photographer and this is something you enjoy doing on the side, you should do what you can to monetise it. It’s a smart move because it gives you the chance to make money from something you enjoy. You can sell your photos to stock photo companies or you could sell them directly to customers if they’re good enough for that.

Do Remote Admin Work

Admin work is needed like never before and more and more of it is now being done remotely from home by people like you. You can decide when and how you work, so you can fit it around your life. It’s a great way of earning a little extra money. If you’ve worked in admin before, you should find it pretty easy to slot into this type of work.

Sell Your Unwanted Possessions

If you have a load of old possessions that you don’t particularly want anymore, why not do something with them? This is something that’s never been easier to do and it makes sense if all that stuff is just sitting in storage. Use eBay to find people who really want to buy the stuff that you consider to be unwanted junk.

These days, there are so many ways to make some extra money on the side as a parent. The digital economy is booming and there’s no reason why you can’t make some money on the side to make your family’s life more comfortable and flexible. So why not look into some of the ideas outlined above?

 

Parents

Family Fun On A Budget – Is It Possible?

Budgets are a necessary evil because there is never enough money to go around. A shortage of moolah is enough to set the family back half a year. Then, all the hard work you did will wash away down the toilet. Goodbye scrimping and saving; it was nice to know you!

There is one problem: it’s boring. Staying in on a Saturday night isn’t enjoyable even when you’ve got the big picture in mind. The Holy Grail is to put money aside while having the time of your life.

For those who don’t think it’s possible, take a look at the following.

Look Local

You’re not the only mom who wants to keep the purse strings tight. Every mother in a five-mile radius will have the same idea, which is where the local community comes into play. Your neighborhood, or another one which is close by, should have events such as carnivals and street parties. Some even have drive-in movie nights where you sit in the car and watch from behind the wheel. The point is there are generally lots to do in the local community and the costs are low. If there is an admission charge, it will be low, and the kids should get in for free.

Go Out With Friends

Instead of cooking dinner for the millionth time this year, why don’t you treat everybody and go to a restaurant? Oh right, it’s because it’s expensive. Well, it doesn’t have to be if you go out as a group. As soon as there are ten to fifteen people in your squad, the cost of the meal reduces by a significant amount. Even with a tip, it shouldn’t be more than $15 per person, per meal. Tapas is a great cuisine to split with others because it’s made for sharing and you don’t need many dishes to enjoy it.

Or Invite Them Round To Eat

There’s no reason to eat as a family for every single meal. Although you love the kids, it gets boring when all they want to do is eat, play with their phones, and watch TV. Adults need stimulating conversation and lots of jokes to have fun, which your friends have in spades. That’s why this blog post recommends throwing a dinner party and inviting your nearest and dearest. Everybody can bring a dish, which cuts down on the costs, and you can supply the alcohol. Now that sounds cheap and like a lot of fun!

Bag A Bargain

Another tip from the same blog is to sign up for discount codes and vouchers. It might feel embarrassing at first, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a voucher code to your shopping list. Nowadays, you can do it online so there’s no reason to say it out loud in front of a restaurant full of customers. Being thrifty is about doing the little things to save the big bucks. Whether it’s 5% off or 50%, every little does help.

Plus, you get to go on an impromptu shopping session which is always fun.