{Personal Style} Little Black Peplum Dress

 shoes, earrings: Aldo |  earrings, stacked bracelets, ring: Aldo Accessories | dress: gifted | mani-pedi: Essie | lipstick: Rimmel London Berry Rose

Over the weekend, I celebrated my 29th birthday with lots of kisses and cuddles from Aiden, which was lovely. Besides wanting to buy me "really pretty shoes" for my birthday, he wanted to blow out the candles on my cupcake and eat one for himself. Too sweet.

On Saturday night, my girlfriends and I headed out to Manhattan's Lower East Side where drinks, dancing, posing for pictures, and lots of laughter are commonplace.

I've been convinced that peplum wouldn't look nice on me, but this weekend, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and try it out. The little black-and-white-patterned, bodycon dress features a round neckline with a mesh insert to the chest, a sweetheart bust-line, and a peplum flare. In true Mommy Delicious fashion, I completed the look with trendy heels and a red lippie. 

I felt cool, confident, and sexy -- the perfect way to begin a new year.

Hope you all have a stylish week! 

Field Station: Dinosaurs

[photo credit: Filip Wolak]

Last weekend, Aiden and I hopped in our time machine (aka: the NJ Transit) and traveled back in time to hang out with dinosaurs (aka: Field Station: Dinosaurs).

This outdoor attraction, located in Secaucus Junction, New Jersey, is like an outdoor museum. But better.

[via MommyDelicious on Instagram]

[via MommyDelicious on Instagram]

I'm over on Time Out New York Kids talking about our experience. Visit the website to get the deets and be sure to check out the amazing photos taken by the talented photographer, Filip Wolak.

{Disclaimer: I received complimentary passes to Field Station: Dinosaurs in order to facilitate the review on this site as well as on Time Out New York Kids. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

Put Some Good Back Into The World

Today is my birthday. I'm 29. And I feel as though I'm right where I'm meant to be in life... right where I need to be in life... and so many things have fallen into place for me.

I've found my happy. I'm in a good place. And it feels good. Very good.

All this week as I thought about what I was going to do to celebrate my birthday, I thought of the usual: dinner, drinks, and dancing with friends. That's always fun. And a great way to celebrate too.

But I wanted to do more. And when I thought of what I really wanted, it was to put some more good back into the world. Even if it were a small act of kindness.

So I've been working on doing small, kind things all week -- surprising my co-worker with Starbucks in the morning, helping my god-sister get a summer internship, doing a favor for my sister, connecting readers who've emailed me about one thing or another with resources that I know are helpful for them, connecting a friend of a friend of a friend with a recruiter because that friend of a friend of a friend wants a job at the recruiter's company.

With all the crazy, awful, and downright unbelievable things happening in the world right now, I wanted to direct my energies towards putting some good back into the world.

It felt good. Really good. 

This weekend I'm challenging each of you to put some good back into the world by doing one act of kindness. It doesn't have to be anything major, but it'll make a difference. Trust me on this.

Leave a comment here or send me an email about your act of kindness and I'll give you a shout out on the Mommy Delicious Facebook Page.

Are you in?

Keep Looking Forward

When I was six-years-old, my family and I were at a picnic and, for some reason, I signed up for the race for my age group. When the race started, I took off full speed. I was in the lead. But I wanted to see how far away from me the other people were.

So I looked back. And I finished the race in second place. 

The next year, when I was seven-years-old, I signed up for the race again. I was a pretty solid runner (for my age) and I was so sure that I was going to win. When the race started, I took off full speed. Again. I was in the lead. Again. But... I wanted to see how far away from me the other people were.

So I looked back. Again. And I finished the race in second place. Again.

When I turned eight-years-old, I signed up for the same race at the same picnic. This time, I had a plan: keep looking forward. When the race started, I took off full speed. I was in the lead.

I kept looking forward and stayed in the lead.

I finished the race in first place.

And that was my first life lesson in the beauty of moving forward and looking forward.

Stop looking back at the things that are holding you back or weighing you down or keeping you stagnant. You're so much better than that. You're capable of greatness and can do awesome things if you keep moving forward. Even if you have slip-ups or setbacks, keep going.

Endure.

And look forward. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Mets Mom and Families Day at Citi Field

 If you live in the NYC area or you're planning on visiting the area in the next couple of weeks, then mark your calendar for Sunday, April 28th! The Mets will be playing the Phillies at Citi Field as well as hosting their Moms and Families Day for the entire family to enjoy.

Tickets are just $25 (if purchased before April 19th, $29 if purchased afterwards), and totally worth it. Not only will you get a field-level ticket, but you will also receive a hot dog, soft drink, popcorn and peanuts, a Mets Lanyard with a ticket holder (ooh-la-la), and a photo opp with Mr. Met himself! Score!

Plus, you'll get to enjoy a Mets game. Double score!

Plus, I'll be there hanging out with Aiden so hopefully we'll be able to bump into each other and meet in real life. We could all sing, "Take me out to the ball game..." together. Triple Score!

Visit the website for more information and/or to buy tickets. You can also contact Matt Gulotta at 718.559.3044 or email him at mgulotta@nymets.com.

See you there!

{Disclaimer: I was chosen to be apart of the Mets Blogger Outreach Program, and my trip to Citi Field will be sponsored by the program. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

{Personal Style} Hanging Out with My Boyfriend... Jeans

Blazer, ring, stacked beaded bracelets: H&M | blouse: Target | boyfriend jeans: GAP | spiked over-sized clutch: F21 |  bracelet: Stella & Dot | belt: Banana Republic | shoes: The Junk Boutique | earrings: Aldo accessories | rocker-chic necklace: mark by Avon

Saturday night, I had a new love affair with my boyfriend... jeans, that is. I've been a tried and true "skinny jeans" and "slim fit" kind of gal for the past few years. Those jeans make my legs look long, slender, and super sexy, so, naturally, I love them.

But there's something about the boyfriend jeans. The loose fit and cuffed style makes them sexy in a different kind of way. Paired with trendy pumps, a sleek blouse and blazer, and layered beaded necklaces, I was Saturday-night ready. NYC-style, of course.

My friends and I headed to a bar on the Lower East Side where we danced to 90's music, took tequila shots, and sang our little hearts out. Talk about a fun night! And the outfit? Well, it made me feel cool, chill, and very girl-next-door sexy.

Hope you all have a fabulous and stylish week!

Behind the Success

Just last week I was receiving congratulatory notes and virtual high-fives for climbing my career ladder and accepting a new job offer. I'm grateful for the nods and acknowledgements, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to advance.


I worked hard for it and I'm relishing in it. All of it.

But while I'm still saying "Thank you" to those who are congratulating me, I can't help but to think of all the hard work, efforts, mishaps, failures, and re-do's that's behind the success.

I can't help but to think of all the sacrifices and compromises and trade-offs that I had to make in order to achieve the success. 

I can't help but to think of all the times when I hired a babysitter to drop Aiden off to school and pick him up from school because I had an early morning meeting and had to stay late into the evening (how's that for "leaning in"?)

I can't help but to think of all the times I had a ton of work to do and the knot on the right side of my neck was proof that I was not happy about it. (Feeling stressed literally causes a pain in my neck.)

I can't help but to think of the times I just wanted to go home to rest on a Friday night (not spend time with friends, which, if you know me at all, is kind of a big deal). And all because I felt as though I'd just survived the longest. week. ever.

I can't help but to think about all the times I got a coffee on my way home from work just because I wanted to make sure that I had enough energy to give to my precious son that I'd given to my precious work all day.

I can't help but to think about all the times I fell asleep on the couch while trying to meet a deadline.

I can't help but to think of all the times that days, weeks, an entire month kicked my ass with the demands of work and motherhood and dreams and goals and... life.

I can't help but to think of all the times I pushed myself to get to this very place where I am right now. 

Was it easy?

No. Not at all.

Because behind the success are mountains to be climbed and battles to be won and problems to be solved and strongholds to be loosed from. Behind the success are tears and fears and doubts and... finding the strength and bravery to push pass those feelings. 

So it wasn't easy. Anything worth having is not going to come easy. But is it worth it?

Absolutely.

Let Go And Grab Something Better

Life is better now..

Sometimes I sit and think about why it took me so long to leave the abusive relationship with Aiden's other parent. I made the absolute best decision I could have ever made and I don't regret it for one second because life is better now.

But, still.

Sometimes I do regret staying as long as I did.

I wish I would have left sooner in order to begin living life to my fullest potential... sooner. 

But I didn't. And I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I felt as though I wasn't worthy of something better -- That I wouldn't find Mr. Right because Mr. Right wouldn't want to date a single mother; That I was somehow damaged goods; that I wouldn't have been able to make it through grad school and land my dream job; that my options and choices had been severely limited.

My perception and thinking were flawed, my self-worth and self-esteem at an ultimate low point. But I knew deep down inside that, in order to experience something better (even if that meant being alone), I needed to let go of my current situation. I needed to get out. Fast. 

When my relationship was finally over with Aiden's other parent, I felt a sigh of relief, as though I had dodged a bullet. But, I'll be honest, at first, the change wasn't easy.

Still, I pushed passed that uncomfortable feeling and embraced the change as best as I knew how. Something better is going to come, I'd tell myself everyday.

And slowly, but surely, I started to live life again. I spent time with friends. I learned how to be a single mother and a single woman. I dated. I finished grad school. I got a new job. (And an even better one on the way.) I lined up a couple freelance writing gigs. I went on vacations. I enjoyed trips and outings and single motherhood with Aiden.

And here I am, about 2 1/2 years later... better, stronger, wiser, healthier. 

Happier.

I still haven't found Mr. Right (yet), but I now know that it's not because I'm a single mother or damaged goods. 

Too many of us are holding on to situations that are no longer serving a purpose in our lives; that are no longer tied to who we are supposed to become. Too many of us are afraid to let go of situations or leave because we are afraid that we won't find something similar (or better.)

But we've got to push pass those feelings. We have to take a leap of faith. Move. Let go. Believe in ourselves. And try harder. It doesn't have to be this way.

There's something better waiting for you on the other side of this. So go get it.

On Raising and Disciplining and Loving Our Kids

I've been thinking a lot about discipline lately, especially in light of a recent event where a father whipped his two daughters so badly that it left them with scars and open wounds. My stance? That's clearly abuse and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for it. And... corporal punishment is the most ineffective way to discipline a child. And... asserting your power by hitting kids to get them to comply is wrong. Point blank. Period. That's my view and I'm really not up for debating it.

But this entire ordeal has me thinking about what it takes to raise socially-competent, intelligent, self-aware, caring kids who will be successful at whatsoever field they pursue. And it keeps bringing me back to this poem.

Read it. Think on it. And be inspired...

If I Had To Raise My Kid All Over Again
By Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.
I'd fingerpaint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

Have a great weekend!

Go Get Your Dreams

Yesterday, I posted this as my Facebook status:

Got a new job offer!!! Sorta the same position (Dean of Students/Assistant Principal), more money, more responsibility, different charter school network. One of the best parts? I get to move into a Leadership Residency position within a year, where I'll learn how to run my own school to either take over one of the network's existing schools OR start my own school within the network. Really cool since it's totally what I want to do when I grow up.

Just accepted the offer so I'm feeling pretty good, blessed, and favored right now. Started from the bottom...

(That last sentence was a Drake reference, by the way.)

Education has always been "my thing." For as long as I could remember, I wanted to work in education to help children and families achieve at their highest level. I like seeing people succeed and I'm good at helping them get motivated to do so. And I've always worked in education in some way, shape, or form because I knew it would help me to be highly qualified to eventually do what I've always wanted to do -- become a school principal/head of school.

So when I got a new job last year, I was ecstatic. 

Y'all know some of my story: I was raised in foster care because my parents were drug addicts (very prevalent in the 80's). I "defied" the odds, got a scholarship, went to college, and graduated. Then I got pregnant -- by surprise -- and became a young mother. Then I found myself in an abusive relationship. Then I went to grad school and finished. Now, I'm a single mother and trying to raise a kid the best way I know how.

Not exactly society's recipe for success.

But it's my recipe.

Nothing should deter you from achieving your goals in life. Nothing. Not motherlessness, not fatherlessness, not unexpected pregnancies, not abusive relationships, not young motherhood, not single motherhood.

Nothing. 

Go get your dreams!

If you have goals and hopes and wishes and dreams... figure out a way to achieve them. If something unexpectedly comes up, so be it. That's life. Things happen. We have to learn how to deal with it and move on. If Plan A doesn't work, find a Plan B. Or C. Or D. If what you’re doing isn’t working, do something else. Try a little harder. Work a little smarter.

But... go get your dreams!

I’ve been through a lot in my short little life, but I’ve learned a lot of things and I’ve tried my hardest to stay focused. I’ve gotten off track, yes. I’ve fallen, yes. But, I’ve gotten back up again and kept going.

Resilience... It’s damn near half the battle.

For those of you waiting for the "right time," don't. If not now, then when?

This is your life. Live it. On purpose.

And go get your dreams.

{Personal Style} The Fine Print

Blouse, pants, spiked necklace, stacked rings: H&M | vest: F21 | shoes: Steve Madden | briefcase bag: mark by Avon | watch: Nautica | leather cuff link: The Junk Boutique

Prints. On pants, on, dresses, on shirts, on skirts, and on shoes. That seems to be the new trend these days. I've been toying with the idea of printed pants for a while now, and have just been waiting until warmer weather to try 'em out.

Alas, I got my heart's desire last week as temperatures reached the upper 50's here in NYC. I saw these printed pants from H&M and there was no turning back! Paired with a cobalt top, black vest, and fun heels, the outfit was perfect for dinner and drinks with an old friend.

I haven't worn such a fun outfit in what feels like forever so this one was quite refreshing. It also made me excited and hopeful for Summer, Summer, Summertime (name that tune!)... where sunny days, warm temps, fun outfits, and outdoor dining is the name of the game!

I. Can't. Wait.

Have a very stylish week, everyone!