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3 Reasons to Preserve Memories in a Photo Book For Your Kids

Hi everyone, Amanda here from The Mommy Mix!

Growing up, my family didn’t take a whole lot of road trips. As a child, this didn’t bother me but as I got older and had a family of my own, I started to think how I wanted things to be different for my boys. I wanted to give them more than just memories of us going to the neighborhood pool or local zoo. I wanted them to experience the different places in this beautiful province we call home. This past summer, my husband suggested we take a few mini road trips to some of the provincial parks he visited as a child and I, of course, thought this was a wonderful idea. So, with no plans as to the exact location our road trips would take us, I grabbed my camera, my husband grabbed the fishing gear (just in case), we packed some road trip snacks and away we went.

As soon as our summer started and the road trips began I knew I wanted the boys to have more than just memories in their heads of our 2017 Summer, I wanted to make them Travel Photo Books from the London Drugs Photolab, not just of our road trips but of our experiences. And here’s why:

THEY WILL APPRECIATE IT

Have you ever sat and watched a child look at a Photographic Album? Even children younger than 2 can sit for hours flipping back and forth from page to page; I swear it’s the only time their attention lasts longer than a minute. And when they’re looking at pictures of themselves or someone they know, the look of “ahh” on their little faces is priceless!

REMINISCING WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS

We’ve all been there before, listening to stories our parents use to tell us about their childhood or the fun places they visited and now we do the same with our children. When it’s their turn to be the storytellers, wouldn’t it be nice if they had photos to show your grandchildren or great-grandchildren? Photo Books are the perfect way to keep memories alive for generations to come!

KIDS OFTEN MISS THE BITS AND PIECES

It’s no surprise that the brain works in mysterious and AMAZING ways! When it comes to remembering a time and place, as well as how we felt, there are so many things that can help without having a visual aid; a scent, the feel of someone’s touch, a song playing on the radio… But, how much of our memory is triggered by these things, especially something that we did during our childhood? Do we remember the little things? The smile on someone we love’s face, the way they used to look… As adults we start to understand and appreciate the value of time, soaking everything in for as long as we can. Children tend to rush through life letting it pass them by and not taking any of it in. Choose a Coffeetable Photo Book with a simple style that matches the memories you’re creating and you can store all the bits and pieces away in a keepsake that will last them a lifetime!

With the help of the London Drugs Photolab, I was able to make a Photo Book with a neutral theme for my boys that displayed the fun we had this summer. Not only could I pick the style but I also had the freedom to pick the layout of each individual sheet, which means I had total control of the amount of photos I used and the text I wanted to leave, in case they needed reminding of where our family was and what we were doing. It was so simple… and the best part is when they’re older they’re going to think I spent hours on it, when in reality it took less than 30 minutes.

MORE WAYS TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY LOVE AS CHILDREN

While we’re talking about the sentimental reasons you should create photo books for your kids, a Recipe Book with their favourites is also a good idea. Let them know in the recipe book how you made their favourite pasta dish or what you put in those muffins that made them taste so good, so they’re prepared to make them when they leave the nest. How else will they know that the secret ingredient for moms is always love?!

For more ways to preserve memories for your kids, check out all the items at the London Drugs Photolab. You can order your very own personalized photo books online, at their in-store kiosks, or even using their London Drugs Photolab App (now available for both iOS and Android!).

Holiday Gift Ideas from Blogger Melissa Cartier: Coffeetable Books & Photographic Albums

Hi everyone, Melissa from Melissa Cartier here!

On my blog, I recently shared my process for developing all of my photos quickly and directly from my phone using the London Drugs Photolab App! After hearing how much I love their app, the lovely team from London Drugs asked if I’d like to talk about some of the creative products their Photolab has to offer. The first thought that popped into my mind was trying some of them out by tackling a few names on my Christmas list and I quickly agreed.

One person on my list that I have a really tough time buying for is my Dad. His Christmas list every year is black socks and golf balls. I wish I was kidding. While I don’t mind working from a Christmas list I can’t say I’m eager to buy him black socks every year. Besides, isn’t the best part of Christmas shopping finding thoughtful gifts that have meaning behind them? One of my favourite gifts to get for my dad is a framed photo. Two years ago it was a photo from my wedding and last Christmas it was a photo of him and my son.

After scrolling through all of the creative products I could make in the London Drugs Photolab App (how fun would it be to make a recipe book or a book of Instagram photos for a gift?), I settled on a Coffeetable Photo Book. I loved the traditional look of the Photographic Albums as well. It didn’t take me long to create a quality book full of our favourite memories from this past year all from photos on my phone. I really liked that I could choose a layout for each page and while I had the option of including text, for this book I wanted more of a picture book feel. I chose a 10×8 muslin cloth book with a window for this project, but on my next one I think I’ll get a custom photo cover because those look really impressive

If you have a photographer, or just someone in your life who is sentimental like I am, these photo books are both fantastic gift options.

My Coffeetable Photo Book was ready in 5 days and I’m so happy with how it turned out! The quality of the pages didn’t disappoint, and I know my Dad is going to love flipping through all of the memories our family has created this year.

10 Places to See Fall Colours in Beautiful Canada

There is something particularly special about the fall season in beautiful Canada. Among our alpine lakes, sky-high mountains, lush forests, and crisp true north air, you can find autumn colours in so many parts of this grand country. So whether you’re heading out on a hike before the snow settles in, or you’d like to admire the red, orange, and yellow hues on Instagram from the comfort of your home, here are ten places you’ll find fall colours in Canada.

1. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

Golden Autumn Day in Canada - London Drugs

Image by @jordanherschel

Head off the grid in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia, for alpine lakes that reflect the mountains and the changing colours of surrounding trees.

2. The Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway in Fall - London Drugs Blog

Image by @everchanginghorizon

Drive the Icefields Parkway for an endless road lined with autumnal tones of yellow, orange, and dark green.

3. Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park - London Drugs Blog

Image by @stevint

Take a walk on the wild side with the scenic Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta flanked by the Rocky Mountains.

4. Moraine Lake

Image by @mblockk

It’s hard to ignore the stunning fall colours glistening on Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta. How many times have you visited this beautiful place?

5. Lake O’Hara

Image by @kayitscait

Dive into autumn at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. It might be cold, but it’s almost impossible not to take a quick swim while you’re there.

6. Kootenay National Park

Kootenay National Park - London Drugs Blog

Image by @alexstrohl

Witness fall in the Rockies with the sun lighting up all of the autumn tones. Visit the Kootenay National Park in British Columbia to see the incredible punch of yellow for yourself.

7. Cypress Provincial Park

Cypress Provincial Park - London Drugs Blog

Image by @calum.mackenzie_

It’s a beautiful sight from Cypress Provincial Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. Catch the North Shore on a crisp sunny day with the leaves turning all colours of red and orange.

8. The Rockies

Image by @jamieout

Muted fall colours of green and yellow framed by the Rocky Mountains shows just how picturesque the change in seasons can be.

9. Larch Valley

Image by @jfragasso

Have you had the chance to experience Larch Valley in autumn? Head to Banff National Park in Alberta to find the larch trees turning a brilliant yellow before they shed their needles.

10. Mount Taynton

Image by @scottcbakken

The road to autumn is in Mount Taynton, British Columbia, between the trees with the mountains in the distance.

See more pictures of #BeautifulCanada on the @londondrugs Instagram, and happy fall!

Save Your Photos Day: Tips for Safeguarding Your Most Precious Memories

Historic family photos are often relegated in shoeboxes to the attic or basement. Others are proudly showcased in frames hung on the wall, or in photo albums. Whether they’re hidden away or displayed in the home, the reality is that print photographs are susceptible to degradation. National Save Your Photos Day is September 26^th, and it’s the perfect opportunity to stop and think about what you can do to protect your precious photo memories.

Environmental factors such as light, heat and humidity can cause photos to fade – especially those taken between 1936 and 1990, due to the methods of film processing used at the time. The other threat to your photos is a disaster such as a fire or flood. Generations worth memories can be destroyed in just moments. Without duplicates or digital backups, those memories will be irreplaceable.

For peace of mind, and to ensure your photos survive the test of time, our LD Experts recommend saving your photos using these helpful steps:

Scan your photos and documents

The first step in preserving and protecting your photos is to digitize them. You can either use an at-home scanner to digitize them yourself one-by-one, or our Photolab can help. Use our Photo Scanning Box service to have mass quantities of your photos digitized all at once. Just pick up a box from our Photolab, take it home and fill it with 800 photos and even old documents like birth certificates, and bring it back to any London Drugs Photolab location. The service is pre-paid for when the box is dropped off: $179.99 per box, which is approximately 22 cents per photo or document. Once our LD Experts are done scanning your photos at high resolution, you can pick up your hard copies as well the USB flash drive with all your digitized photos on it.

Back up your digital photos

With your print photographs now digitized, the next step is to save those digital photos on to your computer as well as an external hard drive or USB flash drive. That way, if your computer crashes for any reason, or a flood destroys it, you’ll still have another digital copy that’s safe and sound. Ideally, store your digital photos on multiple external hard drives. Or consider uploading them to an online drive such as iCloud or Google Drive.

Separate your hard drives

Even if you shoot digital and already keep your photos on a hard drive, our LD Experts recommend backing up your digital files on an extra hard drive and keeping it in a separate location. This will help to avoid losing your digital photos in a fire, flood or other disaster. Consider keeping one in the house and one at a family member’s home.

Once your photos are safe and digitized, the possibilities are endless! Make print copies using a photo printer at home, or easily order prints and enlargements through our Photolab. You can send them to family and friends so they can enjoy those cherished photos too. If you order from our Photolab, you can even have those prints sent directly to their home anywhere in Canada, or to their nearest London Drugs Photolab for pick-up. You can also get creative with all the different ways you can share your images: photo books, calendars, or wall décor just to name a few. Bring new life to old photographs that had previously remained unseen. After all, photo memories are meant to be shared.

To get started, visit the London Drugs Photolab online or in store.

Prairie Pride: Photos of Canada’s Beloved Plains

Canada’s mountains, oceans, and glaciers get plenty of attention, but is anything grander than our wide open prairies?

Between being able to see for kilometres, the magnificent colours, the rustic buildings, the epic sunsets, and the undulating landscapes…there’s lots to love. And at London Drugs, we adore any chance to pull out our cameras and capture a moment. Maybe even one that’s fit to print.

With that in mind, we present Prairie Pride – a photographic journey of incredible shots of Canada’s great plains.

“Prairies” Image by Martin Cathrae via Flickr

That waving line where land meets prairie sky, as seen in this shot taken near Winnipeg – we think it’s pure magic.

“Grain Elevators, Mossleigh Alberta” Image by Bernard Spragg (Flickr)

Remnants of the past, like this grain elevator in Alberta, are scattered throughout the Canadian plains. It’s like an expansive, open-air museum.

A post shared by Cole (@percoleator) on Apr 27, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

Historic buildings abound throughout Canada’s prairies. But they never cease to inspire and amaze, like this old foundation and barn in Truax, Saskatchewan.

A post shared by Monica (@oggiemonster) on Aug 31, 2016 at 10:00pm PDT

Everything can seem larger than life in the prairies. The land, the sky, even this enormous Manitoba rainbow.

“The Canadian at Sunrise” Image by Martin Cathrae (Flickr)

With so much to see on Canada’s prairies, one of the best ways to take it all in is on a train. Reserve the Skyline car from VIA Rail for views like this.

“Manitoba Moves You” Image from Vacay.ca

For many Canadians, some of their best and most lasting prairie memories are made while driving the good, old #1 Highway (Trans Canada Highway).

A post shared by Prairie Adventurist (@prairieadventurist) on Apr 4, 2017 at 10:27am PDT

You’ll get even better views of Manitoba, and the rest of the prairies, if you get out of your car and explore.

A post shared by Jocelyn Ann Maxwell (@jojomaxwell28) on May 19, 2017 at 5:02am PDT

The prairie moments you might be lucky enough to experience include twilight encounters with history, like this site in Alberta.

A post shared by Allison Franke | YEGish•CANADA (@weatheredbarnfarm) on Nov 16, 2016 at 1:46pm PST

Perhaps you’ll find an overwhelming shock of colour, like at this Alberta canola field.

A post shared by Lee Harding (@lee_all_over_sask) on Aug 30, 2017 at 11:50am PDT

Or take a walk through the tall grasses of Saskatchewan, like in this Redford field.

A post shared by Bernie Kruchak (@kruchakcreative) on Jul 23, 2016 at 4:27pm PDT

Before you head home, revel in the chance to take a moment, lean on an old Manitoba fence, and smell the prairie flowers.

Heading on a trip through the prairies this fall? Share your Prairie Pride pictures with us @LondonDrugs on Twitter and Instagram and be sure to tag #PrairiePride.

Update on the August 21st Solar Eclipse

Glasses, Safety Precautions, Other ways of Viewing & DIY Viewers

About London Drugs Celestron EclipSmart Solar Glasses:

In anticipation of the eclipse, London Drugs sourced and stocked ISO-certified Celestron EclipSmart solar safe shades. London Drugs is now sold out of eclipse glasses.
London Drugs was one of the only Canadian retailers on the American Astronomical Society’s Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers. See the complete list here: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.
Customers can bring their Celestron EclipSmart Solar Shades to London Drugs for recycling after the eclipse on August 21^st to receive a coupon for $10 off the purchase of any regularly priced camera, lens or binoculars valued at $99 or higher.* Eclipse glasses will not be safe to use for the next eclipse in 2044. They should be discarded if they are more than 3 years old.
*One coupon per pair of Celestron EclipsSmart Solar Shades recycled. Limit of one coupon may be applied to any camera, lens, or binocular purchase. Coupon effective August 21^st (after the eclipse ends) until August 31^st.

About Safety Precautions for Viewing the Eclipse:

Do NOT view the sun directly without eye protection. Regular sunglasses do not provide enough protection to view the eclipse since they don’t block out the ultra-violet and infrared rays that can damage the eyes.
Even with eclipse glasses, direct viewing must be limited to a MAXIMUM of 3 minutes (as per the recommended time from the manufacturer). Ensure that you are taking the time to rest your eyes between viewings. The best practice is to cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter, do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
Watch out for counterfeit eclipse glasses. If your glasses were not purchased at London Drugs or another source listed on the American Astronomical Society’s Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers, make sure they are designated ISO 12312-2, have an “ISO” icon and the company name and contact information must be clearly printed on the glasses.
Inspect the solar filter lenses for scratches or damage before use. Don’t use any eclipse glasses that are scratched, punctured, torn or damaged; or if they are over 3 years old these are unsafe and should be discarded. For more information, visit: https://www.eclipseglasses.com/pages/safety.

About Other Ways to Safely View the Eclipse:

Select London Drugs locations are hosting the eclipse viewing events to help customers view the eclipse safely. To learn more about these events, visit Londondrugs.com/WorkshopList and select a location from the drop-down menu.
Online / Live Stream Events
- NASA
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
- Local Media Broadcasts (by market)

DIY Solar Viewers

Do-it-yourself instructions can be found online. Examples include;

- http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/multimedia/activities/eclipse-projector.asp
- https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-solar-eclipse-sun-viewer

Previous blog post: https://blog.londondrugs.com/solar-eclipse-aug-21

London Drugs invests in all new photo finishing platform

New Photolab Website and Kiosks installed in 78 London Drugs locations

London Drugs continues its commitment to superior customer service with the launch of its new photolab website and in-store kiosks. At 78 London Drugs locations across Western Canada, the new touchscreen kiosks and technology have been installed in the photolab departments. With upgraded software, mobile access and a widespread variety of customizable printing options – including fine art – London Drugs is taking its photo business to a whole other level.

“Our developers have spent the last year refining our new website and in-store software before preparing this extensive rollout for our customers across Western Canada,” said Andy Kahrmann, London Drugs business unit manager, photolab. “We believe this new platform and design will provide our customers with an enhanced photo sharing and printing experience. Our photolab printing options continue to expand as new technologies enter the market. We’ve had tremendous success with our personalized photo mugs for example and our ability to provide a 24-hour turnaround.”

London Drugs’ new photolab website now has the ability to inform customers of their photo upload speed while hosting all images in an online photo album. Customers can upload images directly from their Facebook, or Instagram accounts while seeing the different print options available for each image. An added new feature is the ability to begin a photolab project in one location and then finish it in-store if additional guidance from a London Drugs Photolab expert is required.

In-store kiosks have been updated with larger touchscreen monitors. Customers uploading photos in stores can use all formats of storage media including smartphones or tablets using in-store WiFi to upload their images. Every London Drugs store has free WiFi available. All completed projects are stored in a cloud account making future ordering easy.

“We read all of our customer comments and took this feedback into consideration when designing the new photolab platform,” added Kahrmann. “Customers will be thrilled with how simple it is to crop and preview images and photo gifts on their screens. There are also now more than 30 themed categories with 111 individual styles available for building the very popular photo books.”

Additional customizable printing items include puzzles, boxes, calendars, coasters, mousepads, pet items, clipboards, and crystals. Fine Art printing continues to increase in growth for London Drugs’ photolab with bamboo and canvas materials available.

Customers are invited to visit the in-store kiosks at their local London Drugs or to access the Photolab website at their home or on their smartphone. Individuals looking for a demonstration of the Photolab can attend an introductory workshop.

3 Reasons to Preserve Memories in a Photo Book For Your Kids

THEY WILL APPRECIATE IT

REMINISCING WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS

KIDS OFTEN MISS THE BITS AND PIECES

MORE WAYS TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY LOVE AS CHILDREN

Holiday Gift Ideas from Blogger Melissa Cartier: Coffeetable Books & Photographic Albums

10 Places to See Fall Colours in Beautiful Canada

1. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

2. The Icefields Parkway

3. Waterton Lakes National Park

4. Moraine Lake

5. Lake O’Hara

6. Kootenay National Park

7. Cypress Provincial Park

8. The Rockies

9. Larch Valley

10. Mount Taynton

See more pictures of #BeautifulCanada on the @londondrugs Instagram, and happy fall!

Save Your Photos Day: Tips for Safeguarding Your Most Precious Memories

Prairie Pride: Photos of Canada’s Beloved Plains

Update on the August 21st Solar Eclipse

Glasses, Safety Precautions, Other ways of Viewing & DIY Viewers

London Drugs invests in all new photo finishing platform

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3 Reasons to Preserve Memories in a Photo Book For Your Kids

THEY WILL APPRECIATE IT

REMINISCING WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS

KIDS OFTEN MISS THE BITS AND PIECES

MORE WAYS TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY LOVE AS CHILDREN

Holiday Gift Ideas from Blogger Melissa Cartier: Coffeetable Books & Photographic Albums

10 Places to See Fall Colours in Beautiful Canada

1. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

2. The Icefields Parkway

3. Waterton Lakes National Park

4. Moraine Lake

5. Lake O’Hara

6. Kootenay National Park

7. Cypress Provincial Park

8. The Rockies

9. Larch Valley

10. Mount Taynton

See more pictures of #BeautifulCanada on the @londondrugs Instagram, and happy fall!

Save Your Photos Day: Tips for Safeguarding Your Most Precious Memories

Prairie Pride: Photos of Canada’s Beloved Plains

Update on the August 21st Solar Eclipse

Glasses, Safety Precautions, Other ways of Viewing & DIY Viewers

London Drugs invests in all new photo finishing platform

Archive

Categories

Pages

Newsletter

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