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Dreaming of Summer

Thanks to Goldfish Smiles for sponsoring this post. This month I’m talking all about Summer. As this post  publishes, I am on an epic summer trip with my four kids. I haven’t traveled like this in decades, since I was a kid myself. For many years of my life summer was a time to get...…[Read more...]

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DIY Decorated Padlocks for Paris Bridge of Locks

Have you seen the Bridge of Locks? Photo Credit: Trek Earth. My teenaged daughters are obsessed with doing this. The tradition is this: you place a lock on the grate on a bridge over the Seine. Then you throw the key in the river and walk away. The lock is a symbol of your love,...…[Read more...]

minparenting

Minimalist Parenting: My Friends are Coming on Vacation With Me

When I leafed through the chapters of Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest, I had one of those moments for which they invented sound effects in movies. More than that, the clouds parted and a beam of light shot down landing squarely on the cover of the book. Some of the guilt they...…[Read more...]

disneytalent

Dreaming of Disney Fame? You Never Know…

Disney Talent Scouts have been known to show up at my teenaged daughter’s School of the Arts in search of the next big star. While it’s good to be cautious, and I firmly believe show biz is not for everyone (or even most people), I have seen several of my kids friends achieve success, and...…[Read more...]

POPLogo_2011Update

Mothers & More’s Power of Purse Writing Contest Got Purse-onal in 2013

Mothers & More is a 25-year old nonprofit organization that engages its national membership of nearly 3,000 mothers through live meetings in chapters all across the country and through a vibrant online presence. Members benefit from the organization’s mission of support, education and advocacy for mothers. This year Mothers & More offered its first Power...…[Read more...]

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3 Family Travel Itineraries from Condé Nast Traveler Travel Specialist Kimberly Wilson Wetty and JW Marriott.

Thanks to JW Marriott for sponsoring this post about family travel, one of my favorite topics! All opinions are my own.  What does a perfect family trip look like? This month’s issue of Condé  Nast Traveler has a few dozen family trips laid out, that are sure to please practically any family – with young...…[Read more...]

Dreaming of Summer

IMG_5251

Thanks to Goldfish Smiles for sponsoring this post. This month I’m talking all about Summer. As this post  publishes, I am on an epic summer trip with my four kids. I haven’t traveled like this in decades, since I was a kid myself. For m…[Read more...]

Best Feet Forward: On the Road with Stride Rite

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Footwear is always important. But when you are planning a trip, it’s critical. The last thing a parent wants to deal with on a long trip, is a kid whose feet hurt! Blisters and lagging souls with painful soles can really put a damper on your su…[Read more...]

DIY Decorated Padlocks for Paris Bridge of Locks

IMG_9042

Have you seen the Bridge of Locks? Photo Credit: Trek Earth. My teenaged daughters are obsessed with doing this. The tradition is this: you place a lock on the grate on a bridge over the Seine. Then you throw the key in the river and walk away. The l…[Read more...]

Private Party in Fantasyland

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Thanks to The Disneyland Park for inviting me to be their guest for the premiere of Mickey and the Magical Map and this reception afterwards. And thanks to Kat for hanging out with me and making this party even more fun! Some parties are more magical…[Read more...]

Minimalist Parenting: My Friends are Coming on Vacation With Me

minparenting

When I leafed through the chapters of Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest, I had one of those moments for which they invented sound effects in movies. More than that, the clouds parted and a beam of light shot down landing squarel…[Read more...]

Dreaming of Disney Fame? You Never Know…

disneytalent

Disney Talent Scouts have been known to show up at my teenaged daughter’s School of the Arts in search of the next big star. While it’s good to be cautious, and I firmly believe show biz is not for everyone (or even most people), I have s…[Read more...]

Mothers & More’s Power of Purse Writing Contest Got Purse-onal in 2013

POPLogo_2011Update

Mothers & More is a 25-year old nonprofit organization that engages its national membership of nearly 3,000 mothers through live meetings in chapters all across the country and through a vibrant online presence. Members benefit from the organizat…[Read more...]

3 Family Travel Itineraries from Condé Nast Traveler Travel Specialist Kimberly Wilson Wetty and JW Marriott.

012-JWM-Chi-Ext Twilight

Thanks to JW Marriott for sponsoring this post about family travel, one of my favorite topics! All opinions are my own.  What does a perfect family trip look like? This month’s issue of Condé  Nast Traveler has a few dozen family trips laid …[Read more...]

Mediflow:The Pillow it’s Hard to Leave at Home

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I’m starting to have separation anxiety. Just a week till I leave on my big trip and I’m not sure how I am going to sleep without my pillow.  Seriously. I’m worried. My love affair with Mediflow began when they reached out to me on…[Read more...]

Clean & Clear for Summer Fun

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Disclosure: I am a Clean and Clear Ambassador and receive products to try from time to time. My kids love their products and so do I. All opinions expressed are my own. Ah summer. It’s that time of year. Teens everywhere are primping for proms …[Read more...]

Dad is Top Dog with The Mountain Tees

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I’m a sucker for Dad tee. This year for Father’s Day I love these bold graphic animal tees served fresh  from The Mountain. They are hyper real, surprising and humorous. I almost think you can match the tee to the man.  You can find the…[Read more...]

Mickey & The Magical Map Premieres at Disneyland

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Thanks to Disney for inviting me to the premiere of Mickey and the Magical Map. All opinions are my own and this is truly a spectacular show! What does it take to launch a new show?  A lot of faith, trust and pixie dust. Mickey and the Magical Map, …[Read more...]

Fry Day! The New Ninja Fryer

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Thanks to Ninja for providing a fryer for us to test out and review. All opinions and bad puns are my own.  Are you a frequent fryer? Fried food is not really a part of my diet. But I’m not opposed to it as a once in a while treat. I don’…[Read more...]

DIY Luggage Tags for Family Travel

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Staples.com providedMomfluential with these items for review. The thoughts, ideas and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their full line of laminating machines. You can get all kinds of cool office supplies at Staples and then…[Read more...]

The Fosters: Like Anyone You Know?

DAVID LAMBERT, TERI POLO, SHERRI SAUM, JAKE T. AUSTIN, CIERRA RAMIREZ, MAIA MITCHELL

Thanks to ABC Family’s new series The Fosters for sponsoring this post. Click here to see more of the discussion. Also, watch the series premiere of The Fosters on Monday, June 3 at 9/8c only on ABC Family. You might not personally know any les…[Read more...]

Disneyland Resort Offers Monstrous Summer Line Up

It’s the start of a new season at the Disneyland Resort – a summer that promises to be more fun than ever. In order to celebrate, Disney kicked off the Memorial Day weekend with a 24 hour “All Nighter” that welcomed grads and …[Read more...]

Tiramisu Brownies & Keurig’s Barista Prima (RECIPE)

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Disclosure: As a K-cup Ambassador I received samples of coffee and baking supplies from Keurig in order to test this recipe. All opinions are my own. I’m of the opinion that the Tiramisu brownies would have been spectacular but as my daughter h…[Read more...]

Starbucks Verismo Review

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I have a little coffee problem. I’m addicted to venti Americanos. There are a lot of coffees I can brew at home, that are tasty and provide the caffeine I crave. But they are not, after all,  a venti Americano. I was thrilled to review the Sta…[Read more...]