The Spilt Milk Moms are Canada’s leading reviewers of products for parents and kids. We understand that there aren’t nearly enough hours in the day and we seek out the most interesting, quirky and helpful products so you don’t have to. In the minefield that is parenthood there are just some things that aren’t worth crying over.
Founding Mothers
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Emily is very proud to be one of the Spilt Milk Moms ‘founding mothers’ as well as being Mama to “Little Miss” (who was born in August 2009) and Wifelet to her Husbando. She spent seven years living in London which helped her to develop a keen eye for amazing products from around the world. As an actress and producer, Emily ensured her place in hell with over 3 years in children’s advertising (her job was “to create want where there is no need!”) but looks to undo the damage by finding the best things around for mamas and little ones. Emily is always ready with fresh baking, a silly song, or a glass of chardonnay and is renowned for always being overdressed and having a killer collection of heels that she’s not afraid to wear (even whilst babywearing!). You can also find her on her personal blog Aprons & Heels ~ emily (at) SpiltMilkMoms (dot) com
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Trea is our bilingual Spilt Milk mom. Born in Canada to German parents, Trea has lived in Germany and loves the wonderful things designed and produced in Europe. When not working full time or caring for her toddler son and infant daughter, she takes on the roles of the ‘Minister of Home Organization’ and the ‘Minister of Finance,’ and actually enjoys cleaning, organizing, and being a neat freak in general (much to the dismay of her husband – the ‘Minister of Technology and Social Affairs’). Trea’s personal goals include attempting to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, buying local and Canadian goods, and finding products for her son and daughter, dog, self, and home which can be ‘personalized.’ ~ trea (at) spiltmilkmoms (dot) com
Featured Contributors
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Dana is very excited to be a new addition for the Spilt Milk Moms. She has been a loyal follower of the site for some time and looks forward to making her own contribution. As mom to baby boy Koji, a support worker, a licensed practical nurse, and proprietor of Koji Kids, she keeps very busy. However, she still finds time to research and provide Koji with safe and unique toys, clothing, and other must haves and she loves sharing her findings with others. Dana has a keen sense for searching out great products and good deals. If there is any time left in the day you will find her making crafts, out for a run, or squeezing in a kickboxing class.
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Jen is our most prolific mom- being the proud mommy of four beautiful boys. In her life before children, Jen was a Social Worker, but she hasn’t had a real job since her adventures in motherhood began. Although free time is a distant memory, when she used to have it Jen enjoyed quilting, scrapbooking, knitting, and reading. She also has a pottery studio in the garage, which she hopes to visit again one day. Jen’s latest challenge (beyond weaning the baby, potty-training the toddler, teaching the Kindergartner to read, and encouraging the second-grader to print neatly) is to fill her pantry with nutritious, wholesome foods for her family- then cook something not-just-edible-but-delicious with said ingredients.
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Lana joined the mommy ranks in April 2009. She is the proud mother of Liam, loving wife of Sean, and exasperated owner of Chloe the beagle. While Lana loves crafts of any kind, paper and fabric are her mediums of choice. She went to university for English Literature and Film Studies, but has not actually held a job in either of those fields. Currently, her employment involves changing smelly diapers, brisk stroller walking, and preparing healthy meals – all for a certain pint-size tyrant. Her loves include running, Marlon Brando, hiking, bargain shopping, pink, caramel macchiatos, polka dots, and shoes (in any combination).
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Marilyn left the glamorous world of insurance business analysis to enter the even more glamorous world of potty training and sticky-faced kisses. A preschool-aged son and an active toddler daughter means that Marilyn no longer lounges on the couch reading books or watching five-hour mini-series about a certain 18th-century gentleman with the name of Darcy. Instead, she has embraced gardening, building blanket forts, and puddle-jumping. Having been told that she is “such a consumer” by her husband countless times, Marilyn decided to embrace her consumerism and seek out interesting and fun products for children and their parents. Marilyn has a preference for locally made products and/or those that are made in an environmentally sound manner. You can read more about Marilyn on her personal blog, A Lot of Loves.
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Rebecca is just getting the hang of motherhood after the arrival of her son in October ’09. Her electrical engineering background explains the fact that she gets excited about gadgets. It also makes her rather analytic when it comes to selecting baby products for the family – her friends sometimes mock her spreadsheets of product comparisons. Born and raised in Montreal, she has also lived in Boston and Copenhagen, and is happy to be back close to family after having experienced life abroad. So far motherhood has not left her with much spare time, but in a previous life she can recall loving running, playing piano, making cookies, and generally being out of the house and enjoying the outdoors.
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Shelley is our outdoorsy Spilt Milk mom. If she’s not at home, she can be found wandering the local trails and mountains with her son Travis and dog Geo. Her interests are diverse and numerous, but at the top of the list would be geocaching, reading, dirt-biking, and photography. When not on maternity leave, she can be found teaching Grade 7 students French Immersion and taking courses for a PE specialist diploma. Shelley is best known for her delicious breakfasts, and her amazing ability to multi-task the most unlikely things like driving, eating sushi with chopsticks, talking on the phone (handless, of course!), and planning an event!
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Tilley is a new mom to a fantastic son, Isaac, born in the summer of 2009. She spent (too) many years working in the retail corporate communications industry and discovered a few years ago that being a personal assistant to people who do really important things is what she loves and does best – that and being an awesome wife and mother. Tilley is known as being the planner in the family and has been the one trusted with planning for and executing every family Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and any other holiday worth cooking a turkey for (yes, even for Canada Day). She is looking forward to continuing that tradition for many years to come … especially now that Isaac has come into her life, giving her a good reason to kick it up a notch. BAM!
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Former Contributors
Barb was one of our ‘founding mothers’ and our resident teacher. She has been working with children of all ages for the past 15 years as teacher, tutor, coach, and community worker. Combine this with being a mom and it is no surprise she has a love of all things practical and efficient. Her interests are quite varied ranging from playing flag football to scrapbooking, neither of which she has much time for these days. But when she does have more time she looks forward to resuming her favorite pastime of traveling. Her most favorite things in the world are her husband, daughter and new baby son, with wine and coffee coming in a close fourth and fifth!
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Jo was one of our ‘founding mothers’ and our resident nerdy scientist. Working full time as an Environmental Consultant, she spends most her day running around the great outdoors, hugging trees and collecting water samples. When she’s not at work, she can be found at home dealing with toxic spills of the toddler variety courtesy of her darling daughter, Madeline. In her spare-time (ha-ha!), Jo’s favourite activities include running and card-making. She is best known amongst the group for her clean home, fridge full of cheese, and amazing seven layer dip!
