Jill Amery, Author at Urban Mommies

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Jill Amery

Jill Amery is a mom of 2 small boys and the Publisher of UrbanMommies, a stylish digital lifestyle magazine filled with fitness, style, health, recipes and savvy mom advice to help you through pregnancy, birth, and raising your kids.

2018 Grandparent Gift Guide

GEAR, home By Jill Amery November 14, 2018 2 Comments

I admit – grandparents are super hard to buy for. They have been around the block umpteen times, and things of value are no longer material. That’s why we’ve focused on the spirit, the soul and the family. Please know that there are a few affiliate links in here, so if you purchase through Amazon we will get some credit that helps keep UrbanMommies running. Every item is something I would want to gift, so I hope you enjoy our 2018 Grandparent Gift Guide!

2018 Gifts for Dad

GEAR, style By Jill Amery November 14, 2018 1 Comment

Whoever said Dads are hard to buy for? There are so many options and ideas that we *may* just have to put out a second guide. Please note that a few of the links below are our own affiliate links, so if you use them, we get a few cents to keep UrbanMommies running. That said, there isn’t one thing on this list that the dads in my own life wouldn’t want, so I’m certainly thrilled to spread the word! If you have any other suggestions for our 2018 gifts for dad list, write them in the comments so we can get started on that second list! You’ll find links to all of the other gift guide categories at the bottom.

2018 Gifts for Stylish Moms

GEAR, style By Jill Amery November 14, 2018 1 Comment

Today’s mom is versatile, bold and always beautiful inside and out. We’ve scoured cyberspace and sourced 10 finds that will send tingles up and down her spine. Please know that within our 2018 Gifts for Stylish Moms guide, there are some affiliate links included and purchasing through any of them help keep the site running – we appreciate your support more than you could know!

Mexican Crockpot Chili Tacos

EAT, family meals By Jill Amery October 30, 2018 1 Comment

There’s nothing quite like pleasing your whole family with a meal you made in about 3 minutes. As part of our new ‘taco Tuesday’ tradition I pulled out the slow cooker and created a healthy, bean-filled chili that cooked all day. Though you could use dry beans, we had cans on hand. Grated cheese, sour cream (the spice is in the taco kit), salsa and cilantro were all available so the kids could choose their own toppings for the mexican crockpot chili tacos.

Keeping my Mom Safe

FAM, health By Jill Amery October 10, 2018 No Comments

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by First Alert. But you really should read it because the safety information could be life-changing and I really believe in helping keep families safe.

How many times have you burned toast only to have your smoke alarm scream for fresh air? And what about those dinner parties when every burner is going and you use an umbrella to bash at the button to silence the alarm whilst guests are en route and dinner becomes overdone? Maybe that’s just me. But you know what is also me? The person, in those situations, who just takes the smoke alarm off the ceiling and pops out the batteries. And then forgets to replace them and put it back up.

Mom Fun Alone at Disneyland

Disney, ROAM By Jill Amery October 9, 2018 No Comments

Some people could consider it selfish. I deem it a necessity. When you are a parent and have a love of something, you should be allowed to experience it on your own terms. This is exactly what I just did in California – having mom fun alone at Disneyland.

While many may wonder what I could possibly have done over two days at California Adventure Park and Disneyland without my two boys, I have a list as long as Pinocchio’s nose. After trips to Disney Parks and the Disney Cruise Line with my family, the elevated experience I was able to create alone surprised even me. I was like a kid in a candy store, and can’t wait to go back!

Get Thanksgiving-Ready at Costco

laugh, LIVE By Jill Amery September 19, 2018 No Comments

Growing up in Nova Scotia, I always spent Thanksgiving at our farmhouse built in 1763. The dining room has an exposed log wall and harvest table. Each of Norman Rockwell’s ‘Four Freedoms’ are framed in the room, making it a magical place to give thanks. Though I won’t be at the Farm for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, I’m going to take a lesson from the Freedom from Want print. I will not only plan our festivities early but do my shopping for myself and my home in a stress-free way at Costco!

I am thrilled to be hosting a fabulous shopping event for Moms on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Downtown Vancouver Costco Warehouse from 9:30-10:30am.

When a Turnkey Vacation Strengthens Your Family

International, ROAM By Jill Amery September 18, 2018 Tags: all inclusive, mexico, sunwing No Comments

The past few months have been challenging. We have a tween testing the parameters of independence, friends with terminal health issues and an unpredictable work schedule. Drifting away from each other only exacerbates the stress. The kids needed separation from unreasonable peer influences and we needed to pull our two boys back into our arms. Holding kids close can be tough when bullies, sports demands and homework pressure take over. We needed to reign everyone in and reconnect – get the little birds back in the nest for a while so that they could regain security and stay true to themselves.

Play Hard. Be Seen.

GEAR, style By Jill Amery September 17, 2018 No Comments

The darkness is coming. And I don’t mean anything Death Star related (for once). Canadian winters mean extreme temperatures and less than 9 hours of light on the solstice. While snuggling up by a fire is perfectly acceptable adult entertainment, our kids tend to want to do more extreme activity – even when it’s dark. A lack of light can cause more problems than dips in mood. When we can’t see kids crossing the street in the rain or chasing a wayward basketball at dusk, parents worry sick about their safety. Thankfully, mother and awesome designer Scarlet Kux-Kardos founded Zapped. The Zapped Outfitters collection of edgy and rugged waterproof clothing, reflective shoes and hats features custom-designed fully reflective fabric that is embedded with glass beads that reflect light at night!

Tweaking the 2019 Honda Pilot to Fit a Family

auto, GEAR By Jill Amery September 11, 2018 No Comments

There’s nothing quite as thorough as when you test a vehicle you are actually considering purchasing. And having an off-road track too. That’s always helpful. In need of a new Mom car that doesn’t make me feel unsexy, old or timid, I flew off to California to see how the 2019 Honda Pilot could fit into the life of an active family.

Though tech, styling and storage are usually at the top of my list, in the drive portion of the evaluation I was really looking for pep in the transmission. My current vehicle is having trouble shifting, and these lags make me immediately nervous. In my post-40 years, challenges like this don’t induce anger but heightened insecurity, and a jumpy driver is an unsafe driver. (It’s easier to get a good car than a good therapist).

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