Monthly Archives: July 2012

Product Reviews, Travel

Making Sand Castles & Blogger Beach Bash

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a sand castleMy Family attended the Blogger Beach Bash at the Golden Inn in Avalon NJ hosted by Real Mom Media.  We also learned how to make sand castles from Travel Channels own Sand Master Matt.  It was amazing I learned so much and I can’t wait to play in the sand again using the techniques Matt show us.

Matt’s main Sand Carving points:

  • build the structure front the bottom up and
  • let the water act as a glue to hold the sand together.
  • Use a form – For get the flipping of the bucket method from when you were a kids.  Matt company You can dig it Sand Tools  Has a hit and video you can buy.  It is all about using the right tools for the job.    He provided us with the kits and boy did they make the job easier.

Here is a short video of Matt teaching us how to make bricks and an aged effect.

Here is  a mention of some of the other days sponsors

  • Visit Ac  if you have not been to Ac be sure to go and check out the duality 3d video on boardwalk hall you can read my post Duality
  • The Paint Home  who did some amazing centerpieces for the event just using every day items you have in your home.  The table I sat out had an frame on the table with no glass and a great Victorian feel flower arrangement.
  • I also got to meet  Jordan Schneider – Insurance and Financial Services  planning great guy.
  • Suddenly Safe   which is a company that provide detector for knowing when it is too hat to leave your child in the car.
  • Stacy form Truly Custom Cakes was present and brought us some of her amazing cupcakes.  She also made a lovely cake for the day.cake that look like a sand pail
  • Also during the day we got to experience my favorite Ice Tea   Honest Tea not to sweet and taste refreshing Honest tea.honest tea bottles

The Golden Inn is was a great to  to host the event. Be sure to check out my review of out stay in the Golden Inn. beach at golden inn beach cahirs with umbrellas

Disclosure: I did receive product and meals during the event.  The opinion written in this post are all my own.

Product Reviews, Travel

Golden Inn Review

golden InnThe Golden Inn is was a fabulous to host the BLogger Beach Bash  event.  We were at the hotel middle of the week and it was a great family atmosphere.  The hotel is located so close to the beach walk over the dune and they beach was  there.  Not to mention the beach chair and umbrellas if you are a hotel guest.

Then after the lovely day on the beach we came in for lunch pool side. My kids loved the pool.  I was happy to because the had a shallow area in the pool 3 feet and the pool went  to 8 feet deep. My daughter loved diving and jumping in. My son as you know is a pool rat.. (swims a lot) so he stayed in the water.

The rooms were clean, and well furnished.  But I have to mention the bed.  I have slept in a lot of hotels but these beds where  one of the best mattress I EVERY slept on.  My husband thought the same.  They were Sertas and then a pillow top then great sheets.   Also the little containers of shampoo and conditioner i forgot my conditioner so i used the ones provided,  it was great my hair felt soft and flowing when I stepped out of the shower.

Also I mush mention the buffet breakfast was lovely my husband had the scrambled eggs and he said they were amazing light fluffy and creamy not what you would expect from a buffet.   The hotels restaurant also has nightly dinner specials.. the night we were leaving it was a lobster bake.. made me wish I could stay another night. The owners of the Golden Inn are affiliated with the Omni hotel but the Golden Inn is a private hotel,  so great quality.

Avalon NJ is very easy to get too it took us about 2 hours from my home in north Philly. The Hotel is also about a mile front he center of Stone Harbor which has a movie theater, eateries and great  fashion shopping

.golden logo out of sand

Disclosure: I did receive product and meals during the event.  The opinion written in this post are all my own.

Product Reviews, Travel

Tips for Parking at BlogHer12

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a car with blogher or bust written on back windowWhere to Parking for BlogHer.  There is a little blogging conference for women in NYC this week.  BlogHer12.  4500 women converge on the Hilton in New York City to connect with learn, meet brands and most important connect with other blogger.  Where as many bloggers fly to New York.  Many of us will drive.  I come in from Philadelphia for this event and will be parking my car as I normally do when I go to New York City.

I drive into New York City and park about 1 to 2 times a month.  My car is a SUV and most park garages are not fond of the large gas guzzlers.   I found one garage to always be accommodating, clean, safe,  and professional is Icon Parking.   Icon parking are well lit professional garages with one of the best web sites to help you navigate to where to park when in NYC.

Icon is also open 24 hours a day.

The Icon website also features a picture of the outside of the different garages making it easier to locate, once you arrive.  Even to make it better there is a free Icon Parking for your  Iphone.   How simple is that!!!

Icon Park also offers Deals and discounts for parking through their site,  so nothing like saving a little money on parking so you can buy more shoes.  Check out the deals Page. These  locations are few minutes walk to the conference,  offering some great deals.

TIP:  Be sure to print out coupon prior to leaving or down load the app! click below

Icon Parking Deals

Using the Icon Parking site I located the best garages to park at for the conference in the city. I also spoke with Icon Parking they recommended the following locations as well.

Where to Park While at the Conference:

These are the closest garages to the Hilton the 1st being the closest but all are 1-4 min walk to the conference:

  1. 1350 SIXTH PARKING LLC  1350 Sixth Avenue (Enter 47 West 54th St 62 W 55th St, South side, between 5th & 6th Avenues ;Between 5th & 6th Avenues )
  2. 1330 SIXTH PARKING LLC   1330 Avenue of the Americas (Enter 51 W 53rd St. or 54th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues;Between 5th & 6th Aves, near 6th )
  3. PARK-SERV LLC   140-166 West 53rd Street (Enter 140 West 53rd St. 139 West 52nd St;Between 6th & 7th Avenues )
  4. MODERN PARKING LLC  666 Fifth Avenue (Enter 20 West 53rd St ;Between 5th & 6th Avenues )
  5. COMMAND PARKING LLC. 1700 Broadway (Enter 216 W 54th St.;Between Broadway & 7th Avenue )
  6. MATINEE 52 LLC1680-1688 Broadway (Enter 207 W 52nd St 1676 Broadway;Between Broadway & 7th Ave )

Look for the Icon Parking Logo!

Disclosure: I have received complementary parking from Icon exchange for this post.  Please note that I my opinion is honest and I really truly trust my car to Icon when in NYC.

Giveaways, Product Reviews

Honest Tea Review and #Giveaway

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women with a bottle of honest teaSeveral weeks ago when I went camping with my church 16 family 61 kids.    Honest tea was nice enough to provide me 4 cases of there product to share with my friends.    The result of my friends tasting Honest?  They loved it!  It was very hot when were camping,  the great thing about the Honest Tea was it was not too sweet.  The teas were so refreshing and we were able to drink them the entire time.  I love the fact that the teas were not going to sabotage my weight loss efforts.

Honey Green Tea This tea was amazing I love it will only 70 calories per bottle it was just what I was looking for in tea.

Half and Half   Lemon aid and Tea 100 calories per bottle it is light and refreshing.  I have to say it was the 1st to go during out camping trip.

Mango Orange  Caffeine free and perfect for the morning  Also 100 calories per bottle, we had a hard time keeping the kids out of this drink.

Super Fruit Punch   Caffeine free.  Also 100 calories per bottle  My son really enjoyed the tea after his swim.boy drinking honest fruit drink
A little history of Honest Tea:

Honest tea is a company that was found by  2 college friends Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff  who took there idea great tea in small batches and brought it to the masses.  The 1st sold there tea to Whole Food, then expanded to other sellers.   The philosophy is Real Tea, Real taste and Honest.

Companies interest in creating not only a better tea but a better world.

  • In 2011, we converted all of our green, black, oolong, and white teas over to Fair Trade Certified™ which ensures that workers on tea gardens receive a fair share of profits, and that the tea gardens comply with specific workplace criteria for equality and fairness.
  • Honest Tea has had a relationship with Green America  who’s mission to harness economic power to create an environmentally and socially sustainable society.  Since 2005, Honest Tea has supported their annual Green Festivals across the U.S. through financial and in-kind donations.
  • When Honest Kids launched in 2007, they were faced with a packaging dilemma – widely recyclable aseptic drink pouches did not exist and still do not. Honest partnered with TerraCycle to launch the Honest Kids Drink Pouch Brigade as a way to divert drink pouches from landfills. For each pouch collected, schools receive $0.02 and the pouches are upcycled into bags and school supplies.women holding honest tea

Honest Tea Giveaway !

So Honest Tea has offer to Sample Bag of Honest Tea to one of my readers. So you can try the Honest goodness.  Please leave a blog comment below about which Honest Tea you would like to try? then fill out the rafflecopter form saying you did so.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received samples of this product from Honest Tea but the opinions of this product are true and honest.  I really love the tea.

Fitness Fridays

Fitness Friday- Random

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little girl swimmingSo this week has been tough.  I have been eating better and I am happy about that.  Stress is a factor.  I find that when I should be moving when I am stresses I sit and contemplate what I am stresses about.

Preface to this post.. this is written at 2 am when I could not sleep.

Not really the best idea when trying to get healthy. I know, I worry, I will fall in to my old habits. (yea I am there)

I like to write , that is why I have a blog.  I hope someone reads the words I take the time to put in cyber space. BUT writing is a sedimentary action.  So is watching TV something I like to do.  I need a treadmill with like dragon soft wear so I can dictate my posts.

Seriously.. I am physically lazy person.. when it come to fitness.

Argh!!!  I cant seem to get it out of my head. .. so I am putting it out here for you all to read.

Here is the break down…

My Stress: My husband took a job in Scranton.. we though we were going to move.  After being at the job for 2+ months he decided it was not the best move we could make for our family so he has returned home.  Aka no job again.. but I am happy to have him home.

The Truth : While he was away I found it difficult to get out and move.  The kids were home and it was hot..Swim team, work, ect..  I know excuses.

Another Truth: I also did not cook much, we ate out or did very quick meals. I love to cook.

My Future: Now that he is home he said he is going to walk with me.. we are starting around the block. He does not walk much because of his psoriasis .

My Other Future: There will also be eating healthy.

Next week I will be at Blogher 12- it is a blogging conference NYC Yea spend time with other bloggers .. I will try to be smart and healthy (at least I will be walking)

My promise: is I will try to be better the rest of the summer.. running or walking from telephone pole to telephone pole around the block. Back to basic 101.

weight 263

The reason I picked this photo was because of my daughter she started 1 month ago swimming breast stroke 25meters at 1 min 14 seconds.. this week she did the same race in 37.5 seconds. Hard work pays off I have to learn from my kids they have something to teach.


Giveaways, Product Reviews

Out of this World Dolls Review and Giveaway

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girl holding an out of this world dollOut Of this World Dolls or O.O.T.W. dolls,  we recently received a Zizi doll to review.  The O.O.T.W. dolls are small colorful collective dolls.   The dolls combined Technology and Astrology together.  Each doll has a unique feature,  the one we received Zizi tells the future.. think magic 8 ball.

When we first got the Vivi doll,  my daughter could not wait to open it.  She loved the bright funky colors. Then Vivi the magic 8 ball feature,  she keeps walking around and asking the doll questions. She brings the doll to the pool (not in the water) but her friends ask it questions.

What do I like about this dolls .. the size. Many girls toys are small and get sucked up in my vacume.  These dolls are larger not easy to loose and great for playing.  There is no mom can you help me. To me a toy that allows self play is great!

What is to come. O.O.T.W. dolls are launch late this month with a 5 dolls and 2 pets.  There will also be a 2 battery operated play sets  that will include games and other interactive features.  Every package has a QR code that you can scan for more info and a video on the dolls  check out the OOTW dolls website . The dolls will be at all major retailers including Target , Walmart, Toys R us and Amazon.  picture of the out of the world doll in a box

So now here is your turn to own these unique dolls.  Blip Toys the makers of O.O.T.W. dolls.  Is offering 3 dolls to one of my lucky readers.   Please leave a comment below what was your favorite doll as a kid.  Then let raffle copter know your did so for your chance to win.
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Disclosure: I received the out of this world doll from Blip toys .  all the opinions in this post are mine

Parenting

10 Ways to Avoid Abduction and Stranger Danger

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hand reaching for a little girl10 Ways to protect your kids from Abduction and stranger danger.  So this Wednesday,  a very serious situation happened in south Philadelphia.  An attempted abduction of a 10 year old girl walking with her brother, she fought off her attacker and he left her alone. Great Girl!!  Everything was caught on video tape you can watch the attempted abduction happen below.

**NOTE:  It is alarming graphic video so avoid watching it with your children- they cant process the images as an adult would.

What did the 10year old girl do?  Yell Bite, Scratch, kick, and scream.   Everything  you hope your child would do in this situation.   But would your have done the same ?

Yesterday,  I was asked to have a discussion with Tracey Donaldson from NBC10 and other local mommy bloggers Hillary from My Scraps,  Karla from BellyButtonBoutique and Linda from FrugalPhillyMom  about this scary situation.   How does this affect your parenting and how are you going to talk to your kids about this?

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

I think, I live in a safe area, this does not happen where I live?  Right???  True South Philly is 45 minutes from my home,  but the perpetrator was from North Philly 10 minutes from my home. The parent of the little girl thought they lived in a safe area things like this, never happened there either.

The Truth is Crime and bad people live everywhere.   We must make our kids aware and safe when we are not there.

I did speak with kids prior to going to the interview and ask them what they would do if approached by a stranger  who tries to take them.   My 11 year old son said .. all the right things fight yell.  My 7 year old daughter on the other hand was not sure.  Now my son is away from me,  my daughter not so much, because she is 7. Time for me to talk to her.

I do not want my kids to be scared the world because  has too much to offer.   I think that you can make your kids aware but not scared.   I want my son to walk to the store and experience life. If you read my post about camping I do let the kids be free, (we use the buddy system) Long as they are smart.

This is my strategy with my kids: Stranger Danger (these  tips are for a older kid that is getting more Freedom):

10 Ways to Avoid Abduction and Stranger Danger

  1. Don’t Talk to Strangers
  2. Walk aware  Listen for who and what is around you
  3. Do not walk and text or listen to loud music
  4. Walk in daylight no dark- avoid areas without people
  5. Do Not go near cars  that pull over, do not help people looking for directions.. let an adult help them.
  6. Buddy System
  7. Never go to someone’s house without telling a parent (including a friend)
  8. Teach them how to YELL  low, forceful and PRACTICE (My daughter feels strange practicing yelling all the more reason to do so)
  9. Show them how to fight Tell them it is OK to BITE,HIT,SCRATCH,AND KICK. (let then know to hit in the private areas)
  10. Then run and tell and adult!! Police and Parents are there to protect you.  Most people are good but there are a few bad ones,  you cant tell-  So trust the funny feeling in your gut.

Then Practice Yelling and fighting

Here are some resources I found on Child Safety:

What are your tips?   please share in comments so other readers can learn from you.

Please talk to your kids and make them aware.

Please Note:  The  girl was able to identify her attacker and he is now behind bars awaiting trial. Because of her strength and technology this crime was quickly brought to justice.   She is Amazing!!!

 

Uncategorized

Schools Out Event PSMM

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2 women posing for a pictureSo recently I attended the Philly Social Media Mom PSMM event.  It was a great night for all the local area mommy bloggers. Organized my PSMM founder Jo-Lynne Shave, Debbie Bookstaber, and Sarah Peppel.   The night was about us seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The night also benfites Crayons to Cradles a local Philly non profit  that works with over 400+ organizations that gives needy children clothing and toys.

The ladies had a some great sponsors and I want to give them a shout out:

Visit Philly  was the title sponsor for the evening.  I am a huge fan of visit philly they are my go to source on all the place and things going on in Philadephia.

Blue lizard Sunscreen I had the pleasure of using this sunscreen in the past and love it.  I can use it on my children’s faces without tears and complaint.

Bai drinks

Wash drops

Dave and Busters

Honest Tea

Here is Dresden, Hillary, Heather cuddling up with his Cuddleuppet

Here is Stephanie wining a prize pack from Rose Romanos sauce a marinaia sauce with amazing peppers in the sauce.

I won a BabyBrezza blender so excited I have a friend that is having a baby and I am a huge advocate for make your own babyfood so it is a fun item to share. the baby food blender

The Ladies had a great night.  A bunch of us spend another hour talking in the parking lot.  Thank you to the sponsors and organizers for a wonderful evening of girl talk and learn about some great items.

Disclosure: I did receive some great items from the sponsors.

 

Cooking, Travel

10 Camping foods

camping fire

So when I camp I have certain staples I go to.  Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Pancakes, Sausage, Pulled Pork and Mac N cheese.   Really.  I like to enjoy my self and relax while camping so i like meals that make them selves.  To start great camping is in the prep.

  • crock pot
  • crock pot liner
  • grill tools (long handed)
  • tin foil
  • hot sauce
  • sugar and sugar substitute (coffee)
  • creamer
  • butter
  • eggs
  • Mustard, ketchup, mayo
  • Tuna fish ( lunch) and does not need to be refrigerated
  • cereals
  • pop tarts (junk food every once in a while plus helps keeps the kids feed while packing up.
  • bowls, plated, napkins, utensils
  • scissors

10 great food Camping Foods

  1. Hamburgers buy them frozen- eat as defrost
  2. Chicken Bag of frozen chicken bottle of Good Seasons Salad Dressing- pour entire bottle over chicken set in cooler let marinate for a day or so chicken will defrost-  cook on fire or grill.
  3. Potatoes (whole)  Rub with salt wrap in tin foil (2-3 times) and put in coals of fire takes 1-2 hours to cook.
  4. Corn on the cob.. Bring a large bucket line with a garbage bag and put in unshucked corn fill with water till corn is covered with water.  Corn floats so twist bag closed and weight down with a rock-  soak for several hours till corn and husks are soaked.  cook on open fire (with a grate) husk and all – husks will get burned but corn is steaming and getting yummy on inside peal and eat.  Roasted corn
  5. Lobster- stab in head with knife and split tails cook on open flame
  6. Bacon- bacon does not have to be cooked on slice at a time throw the whole pound in the pan /griddle and just move the slices around until entire lb is cooked
  7. Pancakes Buy the water only instant kind
  8. Bottled water-  some time the tab is not portable
  9. Pulled pork season pork before you go, you can brown it or not brown in cook it in a crock pot all day and it is ready when your happy campers come back to the site.
  10. Mac and Cheese-  This is a recipe below that I highly recommend bringing put the ingredients in a crock pot and let it cook all afternoon  kids will not have to wait for a fire to be built.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

  • 1-2 lb  elbow macaroni noodles- cook at home and put in zip lock
  • 4 cups of cheese or more
  • 2-3 tbls of Louisiana style hot sauce
  • salt pepper
  • onion grated
  • 1 stick of butter cut up
  • 2 cans of evaporated milk
  • 1 cup of milk(more if needed)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 crock pot liner (Reynolds makes them) Make clean up easy

Line crock pot with lined , add noodles, add all other ingredients, stir, cover cook for 4-5hours on low. (can be ready before check.  for quick leave off egg)

There are many other  camping ideas to cooks with .. you can actually make a cake in a crock pot while camping I have done it and that is a different post.