Back to Basics

Raise your hand if you made it through the first week of school! As every parent knows, getting your kids ready for back-to-school is often a hectic time – from purchasing supplies to familiarizing yourself with everyone’s new schedules – the hours seem to go by at light speed. Thankfully, I have a few tips for starting September off on the right foot and getting everyone back into a steady routine.

 

My day doesn’t officially begin until I have a cup of coffee in hand. Starbucks is always my first stop of the day – I need a Grande Americano Misto in order to be fully-functioning human being. The Starbucks app allows me to place my order in advance, so I can skip the line and wait time – it’s perfect for moms on the go.

 

After picking up my kids from school, I sometimes find it hard to motivate myself to make dinner. M & M Food Market is one of my favourite places, because they carry delicious food that’s already prepared – all I need to do is pop it in the oven and serve. My kids love pasta, so I picked-up the cheese and spinach cannelloni for dinner – it’s loaded with three types of cheese and has just the right amount of spice.

 

What’s back-to-school season without a fresh haircut? Last week, I took my son to First Choice Haircutters for a quick wash and trim. I love how friendly and accommodating the staff is, and I’m impressed they always remember my son by name. I also picked up a few products in an attempt to keep my son’s hair looking less dishevelled than usual after his extracurricular activities.

 

Treating the kids with new clothes and supplies is fun, but don’t forget about yourself in the process – moms deserve a new outfit too. I always stop by Studio Blue to check out their new fall arrivals. From autumnal colours to cozy fabrics and chunky sweaters, there’s something about fall clothes that I adore. I always look forward to spoiling myself with a few new items for the season ahead.

 

To make our life even more chaotic, the kids recently convinced us to get a dog. After visiting the Humane Society and seeing all those adorable faces, we couldn’t say no. Pet Planet makes it super easy to pick-up everything we need in one place, from collars to treats to toys. The staff was extremely helpful in suggesting products for our new pup Scooter, and I know we’ll be making several visits in the coming months.

 

Willow Park Village is home to so many great shops and services that it definitely makes life a bit easier during this chaotic time of year. It’s hard to believe summer is nearly over, I hope everyone is having a great September!

-XO Willow

Let’s Get Social

Stay Connected With the Best Mall in Calgary

Receive the latest news and promotions from The Village—straight to your inbox!

Hours

*Note: Each business has different hours. You can find the business hours on each of our individual business pages.