Musicals Galore with Netflix.com

Aiden's grade. Their rendition of Annie.
{Photo blurred on purpose as I do not have
permission from the students parents to
share their adorable faces.}

This week, Aiden's class had their Spring performance. Actually, his entire school had their Spring performance and, from the PreK 4 class all the way to the eight graders, it was one big musical after another. The littles wowed the audience with their own rendition of Annie, and the bigs did an awesome job with their rendition of Grease.

I love Annie (and, personally, I can't wait until the new one comes out later this year), but Grease is like my favorite musical in the world. Favorite. In the world.

So I was excited to see the older students in Aiden's school get so into the musical and deliver such a stellar performance. Aiden was able to watch their portion of the performance and was very intrigued by the musical so I'm even more excited to share my love of Grease with Aiden, which is available for streaming on Netflix.com.

Another musical -- that's probs more in line with Aiden's age-range -- is Shrek, which is also available for streaming on Netflix.com. Aiden absolutely loves the movie and he couldn't get enough of the songs in the movie so I'm sure he'll really enjoy Shrek, The Musical.

What are some of your favorite musicals? Visit Netflix.com so you can stream them and share them with your littles!

Happy streaming!

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

Our Biggest Fans

"Go Mommy... you can do it!"

Those were the words I heard this past weekend while Aiden and I were out bowling with my Godparents and God sister. Every time it was my turn to bowl, without hesitation, he'd faithfully jump up and down, declaring how awesome I was and how great I could be at bowling -- even if I didn't think I could do a good job.

He was definitely my biggest fan.

And the cheerleading didn't start with our little trip to the bowling alley. A few weeks ago, I was giving our living room a facelift by painting the walls in horizontal stripes (it's pretty dope... I'll share pictures once everything is complete), and Aiden was right there with me, cheering me on.

"I like your work, Mommy."

"Umm.... I'm not sure that I like that color, but I still like your work."

"You did a really great paint job, Mommy."

"Wow, Mommy... you did good!"

The cheering goes on and on.

Thing is, here I thought that I am the one who's supposed to be cheering him on. Here I thought that I am the one who's supposed to tell him how much I believe in him, how awesome he is, and what great things he can accomplish if he focuses and puts his mind to it.

But once again, he's taught me about love and life and what unwavering support looks and sounds like. He's witnessed me work hard in grad school, celebrated my graduation with me, watched me go to work and change jobs and get promotions. He's been there with me and has cheered me on every step of the way.

He's definitely my biggest fan.

And for that reason alone, I will push harder than I've ever done before, work smarter than I've ever done before, and go get my dreams like our lives depended on it.

Because it does.

At the end of the day, he's the best part of my day. And I want to make him -- my biggest fan -- extremely proud of me.

A Coming of Age Story on UBLUSH

circa Spring 2013

Once in a while, I have the opportunity to be connected with some pretty dope people. And, for some reason, those pretty dope people profile me on their website. Such was the case in recent weeks when I was profiled by UBLUSH Magazine.

I'm particularly proud of this article because it's raw and real and really shows a coming of age for me. I'm also very humbled and grateful for the article. Thanks so much to the UBLUSH team for featuring me.

image via UBLUSH

If superwoman was a real life character, Alicia Harper would be her. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, just like Jay- Z, Alicia “bleeds blue” but for a different reason. Receiving undergraduate and Masters’ degrees from Columbia University in the City of New York – she’s True Blue. Being educated at one of the premiere universities is just the tip of the ice burg for this phenomenal woman. Her feats also include being a dean of students at a charter elementary school, creator of her own blog, Mommy Delicious, featured writer with magazines and online publications, and of course a mommy. Alicia proves that nothing is two great for a visionary woman who has drive and determination. 

Excellence was always the standard for Alicia. Being involved in foster care as a child may not have been easy but Alicia grew tough skin to manage the difficulties of life. At a young age she learned not to fail and that if she wanted more in life she would have to work hard to get it. She knew that she would have to become the author of her own destiny. And she did nothing short of it. As a high school student she was awarded a Times Scholarship recognizing her ability to overcome adversities and successfully manage hardships in life. Though she was accepted to many universities, she experienced the greatest feeling of pride when she received her final acceptance letter – from Columbia. This was her top choice and for Alicia a life changing experience.

Head on over to the UBLUSH site to read the rest of the article. 

Peace and love!

Part Four

Four years ago today, I hit the publish button on my first blog post. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew that I wanted to write and I knew that I wanted to share my story. I had no idea that you guys would actually read my story... and come back for more... and share your stories too.

As a community, we've hung out with celebrities, worked with some amazing brands (hello e-Bay, H&M, Sesame Place, Netflix, and so many others), and traveled across the country for some pretty dope press trips.

We've also gotten our words and work published in several publications. In print and online. We've been featured in the likes of Parents Magazine, Time Out New York Kids, Redbook Magazine, New York Family Magazine, SheFinds, The New York Daily News, and The New York Times.

We've shown the world what young motherhood and single motherhood is truly about. Know this: our voices have been heard. Loud and proud. And we've done it all with impeccable style and grace.

I learned a lot of things over the last four years and I'm so glad that I was able to chronicle it on this here space and place. I've learned how to be a single mother, I've learned how to be a single woman, I've learned how to re-enter the dating world, and I got my heart broken. Again. Another again. And I've learned how to sustain a healthy romantic relationship. (Okay, okay... I'm still learning that part, but I've come a long way.)

Growing pains. At it's finest.

I've learned that even after experiencing domestic violence, even after dealing with PTSD, even though the scars are still there, I can be healed. I am healed. (To this day, that post still gets a lot of play.)

I learned how to be a student-momma and I learned how to get those degrees. I learned how to be a working-momma and I learned how to climb the career ladder. (I'm still working on this part -- God's not done with me yet.)

I learned how to stand tall. I learned how to be vulnerable. I learned how to ask for help. I learned how to make it through. And I learned that I have an entire community of folks behind me.

I often get emails from folks saying that I've inspired them in some sort of way. But you guys inspire me too. You teach me just as much as I attempt to teach you. You challenge me and you push me to do my very best and put my best foot forward.

And, for that, I'm thankful.

Cheers to four years of love and laughter, sharing stories, big and tight e-hugs, high-fives, encouragement, fashion, and sheer amazingness.

Thanks so much for kicking it with me. You all rock. Like, times ten.

{Personal Style} Prints

dress: Kohl's | shoes: Aldo

Mother's Day is the perfect time to jazz things up a bit with prints and that's exactly what I did this year! The weather was absolutely perfect here in NYC, and after church, The Guy, Aiden, and I headed to Hell's Kitchen for brunch, and, of course, we sat outdoors!

I had a breakfast burger (that I'm still dreaming of) and an orange flower (half frozen margarita, half orange juice... yum!). Okay, I had two orange flowers, but hey... it was Mother's Day.

Aiden looked particularly dapper in his suspenders and bow tie, and together we seemed to have made a great pair.

Hope you're having a great week! Stay stylish!

Mother's Day Gift Inspiration

{photo collage via SheFinds}

I'm over on SheFinds talking-it-up about Mother's Day and giving you some inspiration to get a great gift for the mom(s) in your life! Check out my interview below... 

Not feeling very optimistic about getting it right for Mother’s Day this year? Relax! We sat down with another one of our favorite mom bloggers to get the 411 on what moms really want. Meet Alicia Harper, the creator and writer behind mommydelicious.com.

SHEfinds: Tell us a little about your blog.
Alicia Harper: On Mommy Delicious, I write candidly about the trials and triumphs of being a young, single mother, living, growing and dating in N.Y.C.

SF: What’s your fondest Mother’s Day memory?
AH: One of the best Mother’s Days that I’ve experienced was when I went to brunch with a friend and my son, Aiden. Aiden had unlimited orange juice and pancakes, and I had unlimited mimosas and French toast. Afterwards, we headed to Prospect Park. I couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant afternoon.

SF: What’s on your Mother’s Day wish list?

Head over to SheFinds to read the rest of my interview, find out what's on my wish list, and get inspiration for an unforgettable gift! 

{Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Sears. All opinions expressed herein are my own.} 

{Personal Style} This Is 30

dress: River Island | shoes (not shown): Aldo 

I turned 30 on April 26th. And I was excited to celebrate it by enjoying a romantic dinner for two with The Guy. Little did I know I was in for a sweet surprise...

The Guy coordinated with my girls L and K to throw me a surprise dinner party. He actually secretly looked through my phone, found their phone numbers, reached out to them, and planned the entire shindig. Then, he contacted some of my other friends (by going through my phone again... yup, uh huh, he did that!), got their email addresses, and sent out Evites. The night of the dinner party, L was responsible for bringing the cake (he ordered it a few weeks beforehand) and K was responsible for picking up the balloons (which he also picked out and ordered a few days beforehand.)

I was really surprised when I arrived at the restaurant because I had no idea who was going to be there. I just looked around the table in awe, my heart filled with happiness. I may or may not have repeatedly said, "Oh, wow... you're here too!"

There was a cake. There were cocktails. There were balloons. There was love and laughter and good times with good people.

I wore a knee-length bodycon dress that features a half sleeve. It was color-blocked to perfection, and even matched my balloons and cake! (I'm not sure if he actually planned it that way, but I did show him the dress beforehand...)

It was a great way to start a new decade and to celebrate love and life!

Babe... ya' did good!

Coupons.com SuperHeroMom Giveaway

I'm all about finding ways to save money, especially these days as I'm pinching pennies to pay for Aiden's summer camp fees. Sigh. Check my Facebook status from this weekend if you're not sure what I'm talking about. 

That's why I love corners of the web like Coupons.com, which offers great coupons for pretty much everything on your shopping list. In fact, I plan on printing out as many coupons as possible this weekend when I go grocery shopping. Don't be mistaken, I'm in no way an extreme couponer, but there are deals to be had and money to be saved. And I shall have those deals and save that money! 

Also, now that Mother's Day is approaching, you can check out Coupons.com's Mother's Day Deals for awesome gift ideas and even awesomer prices. (I know that's technically not a word, but hey...)

And check this: Coupons.com is giving away four (4) incredible prizes. Four! You'll be able to win a Vitamix, a $500 Sephora Gift Card (one of my fave places!), a Roomba, and/or $500 Cash! 

Say word?! 

It would quite literally be super dope and amazing to win one of these prizes for Mother's Day -- either for yourself or for a special mom in your life! 

And check this: In addition to being able to win these four (four!) awesome prizes over on Coupons.com, you'll be able to win a $200 Gift Card to Williams-Sonoma. I've teamed up with 20 bloggers to host this giveaway and hope you all enter to win! That's even awesomer, right?! (Okay, now it's officially a word. Just saying...) 

It's the final push till the end of the school year (27 days until my students and teachers are off for summer break, but, um, who's counting?!), and this delicious single momma is all about making my life simple and easy. Especially in the kitchen. (Hello... breakfast for dinner, anyone?!) Especially with drinking/eating my fruits and veggies on the go. Enter smoothies. Enter a great blender from Williams-Sonoma. Enter a simpler life. Score! 

To get started on making things simpler for yourself in the kitchen, enter the giveaway! The contest ends May 19th. 

Good luck!

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Dinosaur Safari at The Bronx Zoo

{circa 2013. photo credit: Filip Wolak}

Aiden has always loved dinosaurs, but he's currently obsessed with them. Like, all of them! Like, if we're not talking about superheroes or sports teams, we're talking about dinosaurs. Or reading a book about dinosaurs. Or looking up facts on the Internet about dinosaurs. Or playing with his toy dinosaurs. Or pretending that we're dinosaurs. Or... you get my point.

But it's cool though... I'm here for it. Especially since Spring weather has finally arrived in NYC and I can take Aiden's interest and turn 'em into really cool, fun, and exciting learning experiences.

Enter Dinosaur Safari at The Bronx Zoo.

{Photo credit}

Located in a 2-acre area of the Bronx Zoo, guests can hop on a hayride-like wagon and enjoy Mysteries Revealed -- an interactive ride filled with over 30 realistic, animatronic dinosaurs that'll roar, move, hiss, and even spit water. The ride is led by a "detective" narrator who will tell the story of how paleontologists gather ancient evidence to draft the story of our history. Children will also have the opportunity to learn how scientists use clues and study modern animals in order to create pictures of what ancient creatures might have looked like, sounded like, and acted like.

When I think of Dinosaur Safari at The Bronx Zoo, I think of walking through -- or, in this case, riding through -- an outdoor museum!

The ride includes old favorites from last year's launch (Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Baryonyx, Quetzalcoatlus, Compsognathus, Allosaurus, Barchiosaurus, and Dilophosaurus) and new species (Acrocanthosaurus, Compsagnathus, Stegosaurus, Edmontonia, Parasaurolophus, Deinonychus, Protohadros, Amargasaurus, and Tupuxuara). Together it'll blow your kids away with squeals and excitement! 

{photo via NY Family Mag}

Once the ride is over, children can hang out at the Dinosaur Safari Field Site and dig for fossils, control an animatronic robot, take pictures on a gigantic Pachyrhinosaurus, and touch skulls and claws.

{photo via Time out Kids. photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher}

I'm all about hands-on learning experiences for children -- especially Aiden -- and this is right up our alley! It not only fits Aiden's learning style, but it's interactive, experiential, and fun!

You and your family can join in the fun and enjoy Dinosaur Safari at The Bronx Zoo everyday from now through Labor Day, September 1, 2014. Visit The Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari website for more information or the purchase your tickets.

ROAR!!!

{Disclaimer: I am a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society's 2014 Zoo Ambassador program. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}