Bringing Books to Life with NetFlix.com

Aiden's a huge Eric Carle fan, and his children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been one of his favorite books since he was about 1-year-old. He loved it so much that I had to read it to him every. single. day.

Until it mysteriously disappeared one day. (ie: I hid it at the bottom of his book shelf. Hey... I had to get the kid to enjoy the many other books in his collection, right?)

A few weeks ago, it resurfaced while we were cleaning his library and I decided to add it back into our storytime rotation. After all, Eric Carle's books are required reading for all young children. So I may as well embrace the awesomeness, right?

 That's when I found out that we could also watch a movie of this beloved children's book on NetFlix.com, which is a great way to add to the experience of the book. The movie is a half hour -- the perfect amount of time for little ones to sit and enjoy their fave book on-screen.

To add a little "umph" to the Eric Carle experience, I stumbled upon this beauty:

With a little bit of cheese and a few apples, this is a delish snack that the kid and I can make before watching the movie. After all, if the book is required reading, then the movie should be required viewing. Right?

Check out Netflix.com in order to see other children's books that can come to life on-screen... right in the comfort of your own living room! 

{Disclaimer: As a member of the NetFlix Stream Team, this post is sponsored by NetFlix. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

Jodi the Yogi: Yoga for Kids!

Enjoying Story Time Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga

What might the world look like if an entire generation of young people grow up learning that their true power is found in being good to themselves and others?

That's the question the lovely ladies over at Jodi the Yogi are asking folks. That and other questions such as, "What have you learned from yoga that you wish you could share with a younger version of yourself?"

Jodi the Yogi is an "interactive health and wellness series that uses the practice of yoga to support the positive development of young children. The series will make the benefits of yoga accessible to kids all over the world," which is beyond cool. 

I remember the first time I took a yoga class. I was a junior in high school and working as an assistant ballet and jazz teacher at a ballet school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The ballet school offered unlimited classes to anyone who worked there and I would take advantage of that perk by signing up for different classes a few times a week. One day, I signed up for a beginning yoga class. I figured if I could become fairly good at the art of ballet and jazz, I could also take on yoga.

Boy, was that first class an experience for me.

For someone who had been dancing all those years, I realized that I had no idea how to control my breathing while attempting to hold new poises for an extended period of time. "Breathe into the poise," the instructor said to me. But I was hot and sweaty and trying desperately not to look like a fool. Breathing, unfortunately, was not at the top of my list. Throughout the remainder of the class, I kept saying that I was done with yoga, that I'd just stick to ballet and jazz.

But after the class, I decided that I needed to give myself time to learn the ins and outs of yoga. So I gave it another go. And while, I am not an avid yoga practice-r, I am happy that I stuck with it.

Not only did that little stint teach me another lesson in perseverance and resilience (y'all know I'm good for that!), but yoga has given me a better awareness of my body in ways that I never thought possible. Centering myself, focusing on my breathing, and meditating has helped me hone in on certain stress points, figure out their source, and not only figure out how to alleviate the stress, but also ways in which to deal with the stress source itself.

Yoga's pretty amazing in that way.

And I'm happy to share it with Aiden whenever we have the chance. 

Now it's your turn. What have you learned from yoga that you wish you could share with a younger version of yourself? Or your child? Or anyone else willing to listen? Visit the Jodi the Yogi website in order to learn all about the campaign and ways in which Jodi the Yogi wants to give kids everywhere free access to yoga. They are currently seeking any kind of donation in order to get this amazing project up and running.

Seriously. Visit the website and help out in any small way possible.

{Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this post. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

{Dating Tales} Keeping the Online Dating Profile Open

Having freelanced for HowAboutWe.com's The Date Report and having worked with the site on a few campaigns, including starting an online dating profile, going on a few dates, and attempting to find "Mr. Right," I was pretty excited when I found out that the online dating site was getting all couple-y.

HowAboutWe for Couples is a site where couples can book dates together. And, ya know, start dating again with those butterflies-in-the-stomach, this-is-a-great-first-date type of feeling. But without that awkward I-don't-know-how-this-is-going-to-go, this-is-like-a-job-interview-with-cocktails kind of way. After all, the entire premise of HowAboutWe is to get offline and go on dates. Fast. 

Naturally, the section of the site that's geared towards couples would focus on the same thing. HowAboutWe for Couples provides a monthly curated selection of cool dates in New York City, which ranges from a five-course tasting to cooking classes to themed-dates (read: Haunted House dates around Halloween) to tango classes.

Between shuttling Aiden to and from school, all of his weekend extracurricular activities, and getting ready for my little guy to turn six, this delicious single momma needed a bit of sexy fun. Sooner than later.

So I used HowAboutWe for Couples sign up for a Wine Tasting and Tango class with The Guy. I figured we needed to release some tension, especially after dealing with my guardedness and all the other issues I've had to power through. All I did was book the date through the site, and HowAboutWe took care of the rest -- the planning, the reservations, and telling me where to show up. A bonus? The tip was already included when I made the reservation.

Tangoing is typically not my style, but I vowed to go on different types of dates this year, and so... it was fun to try out. We learned a new dance style, got to be silly, and we got to flirt and be sexy. Plus, I was able to get my grown woman on.

And now, I'm ready for another date. A boozy brunch or a city cruise is currently calling my name. And I'm happy that I can keep my online dating profile open, even if it's just to browse and book dates for The Guy and me. 

HowAboutWe for Couples membership is $18/month and it'll give you access to free HowAboutWe dates, up to 75% off every date in the collection, members-only services, one FREE date, early booking on new dates, and couples rewards (ie: buy one, get one free). Afraid of commitment? No worries! Membership requires no commitment and you can pause or cancel at any time. You can also purchase dates as a non-member, without the member discount.

Happy dating!

{Disclosure: I received free subscription to HowAboutWe for Couples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

Feet Don't Fail Me Now at The New Victory Theater

Last weekend, Aiden and I headed to The New Victory Theater to check out a show that makes me want to dust off my jazz and tap shoes from 15 years ago and get moving! 

Feet Don't Fail Me Now is, in a word, mesmerizing. It's like street hip-hop meets Savion Glover's level of tap dancing awesomeness. The dance movements are so organic and so smooth, so clearly choreographed and orchestrated to perfection! "Heatbox," the human beat box joins the hoofers and their collaboration is amazing. There is so much chemistry amongst the performers that it makes the show run seamlessly from one number to the next.

Seriously. 

 

The show is 6o minute with no intermission. And at the end of the show, I was all like, "That's it!" I wanted more. I needed more. The show is so dope that it leaves you so satisfied, yet wanting so much more that you dance as you leave the theater... and all the way home.

 

Aiden was engaged the entire time! He was either sitting still and focused on the greatness on stage (Battle), or sitting at the edge of his seat and attempting to dance along with the performers (Study Hall).

[photo via] 

The mixture of jazz, percussion, salsa, and hip-hop is so soulful and so joyous. What I loved the most is that the show is inspiring. It inspires the audience to get up and get moving. To dance. To reach for their goals. To never stop. 

In fact, at the end of the show, during the closing lines, one of the talented dancers, Ricci, says,

"When you lose the joy in your heart, when you lose the smile on your face, when you lose the bounce in your step... never stop believing! Keep dancing. Look down at your shoes and say, 'Feet... Don't... Fail Me Now!'"

 

 I couldn't agree more!

 

And never could Aiden. He walked out the theater dancing and singing. 

 

Feet. 

 

Don't. 

 

Fail me now. 

 

Feet don't fail me now!

And I walked out bopping to his beat. It was, in a word, perfection. 

 

Feet Don't Fail Me Now will be running at The New Victory Theater until December 1, 2013. Tickets in the balcony start at just $14. Visit the website for more information or to purchase your tickets. 

 

{Disclaimer: I received tickets to the show in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.}

Warm Up Your Walls with HP Photo Wall Decor -- $50 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining HGTV Personality and Interior Designer Genevieve Gorder and the HP team at a Warm Up Your Walls blogger event at the Eventi Hotel. Not only did Genevieve fill us in on awesome news -- HP now offers unique, same-day photo creations. which includes photo canvases and mounted photos -- she also provided us with tips and tricks on how to make our walls less boring and more fabulous.

This was during the Q&A portion of the event. And let me tell you, Genevieve is so charismatic and friendly that I had such a blast chatting it up with her.

 

Here's what she had to say:

• Be sure that you have a "healthy collection of photos" printed out -- everything doesn't have to match! 
• Find 1 to 3 important grounding pieces. These will "live in the collection."
• The pictures don't have to be ALL black and white. Or ALL color. "Variety" is the name of the game!
• Mix frames, add accents (such as mirrors or other ornaments), and have fun with it! 
• Don't over think it -- just do it!

After weeks of doing quite the opposite of "not over thinking it," I've finally decided that I want this as my centerpiece:

It's one of my favorite quotes so it'll "live in the collection." Then, I plan on including a mixture of black and white photos, color photos, and one or two accent pieces to "spice" things up. The pictures will be a mixture of different sizes and reflective of the things that Aiden and I love to do. After all, that's what life is about, right? Doing what you love!

 

Although the event took place weeks ago, I decided to hold off on posting this review and giveaway until now because, well, the holidays are coming and HP's same-day photo creation will allow you to personalize gifts to all of the special people in your lives.

GIVEAWAY!
TWO (2) lucky Mommy Delicious readers will receive a $50 Walmart gift card to warm up your walls with HP Photo Wall Decor.

To enter, "like" Mommy Delicious on Facebook. Leave a comment below stating that you've done so.

For one extra entry, go to the Mommy Delicious Facebook page, look for the Facebook posting of this giveaway, and share that posting on your Facebook wall. Leave a comment below stating that you've done so.

 

Rules:
-- TWO entries total.
-- Leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry so that it will be counted.
-- Leave your contact information in each comment so that I can reach you if you win.
-- Open to US residents only.
-- Giveaway will end on Tuesday, November 26th at 5pm and TWO winners will be chosen via random.org.

Get ready to Warm Up Your Walls! Good luck!


{Disclaimer: Event attendees received a gift bag with Walmart gift cards. This giveaway is sponsored by Warm Up Your Walls with HP/Walmart.}

Minted Holiday Photo Cards {A Review}

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, that only means one thing -- the holidays are a comin'! And it's time to take a few hundred holiday-themed pictures of Aiden in the hopes of getting one the perfect shot to put on our annual photo card. That's no easy task, and choosing the perfect photo card is even more difficult.

Enter Minted. The online stationary store run by a global community of designers.

And the way that Minted.com is designed makes it very simple and convenient to browse these designers' holiday photo cards. There are a number of filters that you can select -- how many photos you'd like on the card, the format of the card (flat, folded, or mini-book cards), if you'd like foiled pressed or ornament cards, price, or if you'd like the newest designs showcased first. I found it fairly simple to look for cute and elegant holiday photo cards.

One of the things that draws me to Minted is their powerful mission -- "To find exceptional artists and designers all over the world and bring their work to consumers who appreciate great design." Minted has several goals, one of which is to "use technology to allow their community to discover the work of great designers from all over the world." Simultaneously, Minted creates a place where designers can get exposure and build their careers.

After perusing the website for a few days, I've decided that I'm going with a foil-pressed card this year. Made with real foil, it's simple, elegant, and classic. And quite frankly, it's calling my name. My top three contenders are: 

What do you think? Which one should I go with?

Visit the Minted website in order to select your holiday photo cards. (You're welcome.)

{Disclaimer: I was provided with a Minted.com credit in order to facilitate this review. Photos via Minted.com.}

A Weekend to Remember

This month started out with a bang. I spent the first weekend of the month hanging out with The American Dairy Association for the Dairy Council's Fall Dairy Tour and Food & Wine Festival. The getaway took place upstate New York, in part at Geneva on the Lake, a cozy hotel with staff members that are just as lovely as the grounds of the hotel.

Seriously. The sights we so serene and breathtaking, especially with Fall's colorful background.

 

The first part of the weekend was a dairy tour and it led me to a farm where I was talking all things cows. My outfit wasn't at all prepared for dairy farm life so I covered my Aldo riding boots in plastic and held on to my Philip Lim for Target bag for dear life! I refused to get them all muddy!

Before we got to the dairy farm, we headed to Cornell University to learn all about their dairy plant at which point we got to eat homemade frozen yogurt. At 10am. On a Saturday morning. Score! We also attended a session that was particularly exciting for me -- Creating a Smarter Lunchroom. Stay tuned for a more in-depth post on this session since I think there were so many great takeaways, tips, and tricks in order to get our kids to eat healthier -- even when we're not around. In the meantime, check out their website or follow Smarter Lunchrooms on Twitter. 

The evening called for a wine and cheese pairings/tasting. A huge shout-out to Anthony Road Winery and Muranda Cheese Company for the getting me good and tipsy and ready for the 4-course gourmet meal that followed. Which included more wine, naturally.

It was such an informative weekend and I walked away from it all so full. Literally and Figuratively. I have so many ideas and strategies that I've already implemented for getting Aiden (as well as the students at my school) to make healthier eating choices. Look out for Part Two of this post where I'll be sharing the wealth.

{photo by American Dairy Association and Dairy Council via Hightail.com}

From meeting and chatting with some amazing women and bloggers (shout outs to Colleen, Jeannine, Serena, Lauren, and Kimberly) to touring the grounds of Geneva on the Lake to talking all things dairy, the weekend was pretty epic. Thanks so much to BML Public Relations and the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council for a fantastic weekend!

{Disclaimer: Food, lodging, and travel expenses were provided by ADADC and BML Public Relations. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

He Has Me

Ever so often something happens that makes the decision that I made to end things with Aiden's other parent sting a little. Just a little though. Don't get me wrong, I never regret the decision. But I do think about the impact it has on Aiden. Because it does have a huge impact on him.

A couple days ago the sting came during a conversation between Aiden and me.

Aiden: "My dad plays football." That's the sentence I used when [my teacher] asked me to think of a sentence with the word 'plays'.

Me: That sentence works fine. 

Aiden: Well... I don't have a dad. But I said that sentence anyway.

Enter the sting. 

 

I tried to search for the words to respond to Aiden. But nothing seemed to suffice. I thought about making a joke about it. But I couldn't think of a witty response fast enough. I thought about proclaiming to Aiden that, although he hasn't seen him in a long time, he does, in fact, have a dad. But I didn't want to dismiss his thoughts and feelings. 

 

I thought and thought, but I couldn't muster up a response to Aiden's comment. I stared at him as he searched my face for a response. But I just stood there, frozen.

 

I've written about this before. I've thought about this before. Countless times. I've felt sorry about this before -- sorry that I didn't pick a better parenting partner to help me raise Aiden; sorry that Aiden doesn't get to call someone "daddy" everyday; sorry that Aiden doesn't have the security in a father that he deserves. Just... sorry.

But I can't let myself go down that road. It's a downward spiral that's ineffective.

 

These are the cards that Aiden and I have been dealt. The only thing I can do is make peace with the situation, move forward, rock this single mom thing out, and show Aiden that life is about making the best of what you have. 

Eventually, I pulled myself together, smiled, and said, "You have me." With confidence and with reassurance. Because he does have me. 

 

Always and forever.

Giveaway -- $40 Sephora Gift Card

 

Happy November!

I know, I know... I'm a few days late. Hope you all had a lovely Halloween and a great ending to October, otherwise known as the month that I reminisce about domestic violence.

Let's start the month off with a super fun giveaway, shall we? A Sephora gift card, because, let's face it, we could all use some Sephora in our lives.

GIVEAWAY!
One (1) lucky Mommy Delicious reader will win a $40 Sephora Gift Card to kick off their beauty shopping for the month of November! 

To enter, "like" Mommy Delicious on Facebook. Leave a comment below stating that you've done so.

For one extra entry, go to the Mommy Delicious Facebook page, look for the Facebook posting of this giveaway, and share that posting on your Facebook wall. Leave a comment below stating that you've done so.

 

Rules:
-- TWO entries total.
-- Leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry so that it will be counted.
-- Leave your contact information in each comment so that I can reach you if you win.
-- Open to US residents only.
-- Giveaway will end on Monday, November 11th 5pm and one winner will be chosen via random.org.

Good luck and happy shopping! 

Winner Announced: Congrats to Dominique Rene!!! I'll be emailing you for your contact information!