Get Fit-in 15 and win an iPod Shuffle

Full disclosure: now that I’m consulting full-time as a digital strategist, in addition to sharing my personal experiences as a consumer and my experiences with products, services or initiatives I’ve learned about through online outreach from other firms, I may also share my experiences related to my client work from time-to-time. This is one of those times.

By now most of you know I’ve been relatively successful with NutriSystem. My downfall has been integrating regular physical activity into my daily routine. So when I was asked to help with outreach on the Canadian Chiropractic Association’s Fit-in 15 program, I jumped at the chance to participate. Fit-in 15 is a program designed to help busy Canadians learn to fit a mere 15 minutes of physical activity into our day. Check out these helpful tips.

Since Wednesday, I’ve been incorporating at least 15 minutes of physical activity into my daily routine. By adding only 15 minutes, I’m gaining several health benefits. I’m keeping an activity log that I’ll share next week.

But this isn’t about me. It’s all about you and how you can win a 4GB iPod Shuffle and $20 iTunes gift certificate by getting involved too. Read on…

Bargainista and Parent Club have arranged a friendly Fit-in 15 competition between our two sites. Who will win the much coveted (very-non-official) Fit-in 15 trophy*?

Monday, June 22 (that’s this Monday people!) go for a 15-minute brisk walk. You can do it downtown – on your lunch break. Quick step your way to your favourite store for some power shopping. Push the stroller to the park. Walk to pick the kids up from school. However you can fit-in 15 minutes of fitness into your day.

Then, (pah-leez), come over to Bargainista and comment before 6 p.m. ET The blog with the most reader comments on Monday (by 6 p.m.) “wins” the competition and gets to display the virtual trophy.

So how can you win?

It’s easy. Do your bit. Take a brisk 15 min. walk. Leave your comment on the blog. All comments will be tossed into a virtual hat and one lucky commenter who is chosen by random will get a 4GB iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift certificate courtesy of Fit-in 15.

It doesn’t matter where you live to get involved. Only comments from Canadian residents will be eligible for the Shuffle and iTunes gift certificate.

[Disclaimer: we devised the trophy/competition all-by-ourselves. It is not an acutal competition endorsed by Fit-in 15. It's a buddy-system competition to get ourselves - and you - moving]

Marc by Marc Jacobs catches my eye

I’ve been whining about my sunglasses for at least the past year. I wanted a change but hadn’t found the right pair: something fashionable, yet not equal to half a mortgage payment; something that suits my face, yet fits the bridge of my nose… you get the picture.

Not that I always want the newest, shiniest pair I can find but the ones I’ve been wearing for the past several years were getting tired looking and the lose arm just kept getting looser no matter how much I fixed it. Check out the picture my friend Alexa Clark took of me wearing my at the post-BookCamp get together below and you’ll see what I mean.

So, last week, with a bit of cash in hand from a birthday gift, I walked in Holt’s on Bloor and headed straight for the sunglass display. Presto, within five minutes I found the perfect pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs – oversized by not exaggerated. As my husband said, “Big, but not too big”. As Goldilocks would say, “They’re just right.”

When I got home that night I wondered why after looking for a new pair for so long, I was able to find the right pair within minutes. Was the selection that different? Was it my frame of mind?

Hmm, I thought some more. Then it occurred to me. It’s the way Holt’s merchandises their sunglasses that made the difference. Hundreds of pairs were on the wall. How was I able to sort through them so quickly? I’m convinced it had to do with the airy feel and the room between each pair along with more than lighting. Perhaps not so eco-friendly but definitely customer-focused.

What about you? Have any examples of smart merchandising to share? Oh yeah, and what do you think of my new shades?

photo credits
top photo: Mr. B
bottom photo: Eden, Lex, Gerry & Sue by lexnger on flickr

Diaper bags: the most important accessory for new moms

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny shares her wisdom about choosing the right diaper bag.

As a new parent, perhaps the most important accessory in your childcare arsenal is one that you will be toting for the better part of the next two years: the diaper bag. Choosing the right diaper bag for your needs is critical. The wrong bag can leave you fumbling, wailing and/or smelly-bottomed baby in hand, for that elusive diaper/wipe/soother/bottle that has slipped to the bottom of a too-large bag or that is lost in one of too many compartments.

Happily, there are a multitude of options available, and diaper bags nowadays can even come in stylish prints or classic leather. I recommend checking out the bags that other parents are toting and asking for their opinion – ideally, ask a friend who’s a parent if you can give theirs a “test drive” by carrying it for them on your next outing together. This will give you a good sense of how awkward or comfortable that particular style is for you, and how easy or hard it is to find what you’re looking for within it.

Personally, I’ve used three diaper bags, each a different brand and style, for the varying needs as my oldest went through different ages and stages.

1. California Innovations makes a sturdy yet lightweight shoulder bag that I’ve used for both my girls in their infant stage. It boasts a multitude of compartments for the multitude of necessities that I won’t go anywhere without in the first year: diapers, bottles, Tempra, gripe water, wipes, extra burp cloths, my breastfeeding cover-up, soothers, and more. There’s even a thermal compartment with an easy-access double zipper that you can stand a large bottle in! Granted, in a stain-resistant solid navy blue it’s not the most trendy – but at this stage that’s not important to me, accessing what I need when I need it is.

2. skiphop makes gorgeous bags in a huge number of stylish prints and solids. I used one when my oldest was a toddler and found that its one big central compartment was perfect for toting toys, books, whatever would keep her amused when in a store, at the doctor’s, in a restaurant. I also liked the smaller side pockets for other necessities like wipes, a couple of diapers, and extra underwear when toilet training, as well as the top zip compartments for my own personal stuff – wallet, keys, etc. Since at this stage the diaper bag became my own de facto purse, I appreciated the wide array of trendy colors available!

3. Finally, during the preschool years, a simple Roots backpack became my mainstay – perfect for hauling toys, books, extra clothes, ballet gear, gymnastics gear, whatever – and best of all, small and lightweight enough for our #1 girl to haul her own stuff for a change!

Celebrating local merchants

One of the main attractions about living my neighbourhood is the access to local shops and services. I live within walking distance of merchant villages and I do my best to support the local merchants, especially the ones that are independent businesses. They tend to place a bigger focus on their customers. Sometimes their prices may not be as competitive as a chain store but nothing compares to the level of service they offer.

Yesterday was Village Day & Sidewalk Sale in Yonge-Lawrence Village. Merchants couldn’t have asked for better weather. The community was out in droves – I was there twice – once by myself and once with my family. There was lots of entertainment, freebies and special offers. There were also several spaces for rent and just as many new neighbourhood businesses popping up.

It’s in everyone’s best interest to support local businesses and keep our neighbourhoods sustainable.

Here are some of the places I “supported” yesterday:
• Cozy Nails
• Calia Hair Design
• Narnia – I bought a cute dress for ½ price
• Adrian’s
• Tim Hortons
• Starbucks

UPDATE
Here are some of the photos I took. The Olive Oil Boutique was smart to take advantage of the passersby with big signs in the window. Had they been sharing samples of some of the gourmet foods they’ll be selling, the impact could have been greater. FYI, opening day is next Saturday, June 20.



What have you done to support your local merchants lately?