Lessons on Love, Family, and Thanksgiving with Netflix.com

The past few months have been really rough for me. You know, with Aiden's other parent resurfacing and all, and that resurfacing really taking a toll on me.

So I pretty much spent the whole month loving up on Aiden and spending time with my newborn baby niece and loving up on myself.

Because, love wins. Always.

In fact, the weekend before Thanksgiving, Aiden and I went to my godmother's house where we felt loved and cared for. And then we spent Thanksgiving with my godmother, The Guy, and other family members. There were hugs, there was fun, there was laughter, there was love.

Because, love wins. Always.

And there are so many shows that you can stream on Netflix that focuses on laughter and family and love. Like Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends, Scooby-Doo, and one of my all time favorites, Gilmore Girls.

In Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends, Elmo and his friends discover that a friend is one of the best things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

Teach the kids all about friendship, love, and trust as they follow along Shaggy and Scooby's adventures in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

One of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls, is the epitome of what it means to love hard and work hard. I really love the show because, just as Aiden and I are hustling together and growing together, Rory and Lorelai totally embody that.

What shows are your streaming on Netflix.com that focuses on friendships and family and love?

Because, no matter what life brings your way, no matter what you're going through, always remember that love wins. Always.

{Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are my own. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

{Kids Style File} Holiday Photos

outfit: H&M | sneakers: Old Navy | sweater (not shown): Old Navy 

It's that time of year again -- when I take a million and one pictures of Aiden in the hopes of being able to use just one of them that's good enough for his holiday photo card.

Oye!

It's a process.

This week, I took a thousand few pictures of him because he was all decked out in his Thanksgiving getup. And now I've got to go through all of them in order to figure out which one I'm going to use for his holiday card.

Here are a few pictures that didn't quite make the cut:

Last year, I used Minted for Aiden's holiday cards and I absolutely fell in love with their foil-pressed cards. So this year I plan on using them again because, well, love will do that to you.

Speaking of love? One of the pictures that I absolutely love is this super cute one:

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and a fabulous week! Stay stylish!

Not Ashamed

A couple days ago, someone told me that I'm ashamed of my past. After giving them the blank stare and the side eye and another blank stare, I made sure to say that that statement is simply not true.

I used to be embarrassed by my upbringing and my past when I was a school-aged child. Child. And then again when I was a young adult in college, still trying to figure things out and trying to find some purpose in this world.

But now?

Now I'm a grown woman in my thirties. With a child. And a growing career. And a successful side hustle.

Now I know that I was not responsible for my upbringing. I didn't have a hand in the cards that were dealt to me. I didn't do anything to have the upbringing like I did. I was born into it.

So I have a biological mother who was addicted to drugs? So what. So I have a father who was incarcerated for most of my life? Okay. Shit happens.

So I was taken away from my mother and placed into foster care? Then I was removed from that foster home and placed into another foster home. I was abused... mentally, emotionally, and physically. So what. These things happen.

So I figured out how to get good grades in school and earn a scholarship to college only to find my adult-self in a similar situation of abuse and manipulation and hopelessness with Aiden's other parent? So what. Life cycles happen. Mistakes happen.

And in life, we stumble and fall. And sometimes we have to crawl before we learn to walk and before we learn to run. Sometimes we get stuck and sometimes it's very hard to get unstuck. And that's exactly what I had to do to get out of the abusive relationship with my ex.

Stumble. Fall. Crawl. Get unstuck. Walk. Get a little more hope. Run. Run faster. Never look back.

Are the scars still there? Yes. But I'm healed. Do I still have trouble trusting folks and not being so damn guarded all the time? Yes. But I'm still healed. Is it hard for me to form healthy attachments to people? Sometimes. Is it mentally and emotionally exhausting for me to try to re-program my brain to bond with folks and open up to folks? Of course! Do I have to make a conscious effort to parent Aiden so that he'll grow up to trust folks and form healthy relationships with them? Yes, of course! It's a process. Every. Single. Day.

 

But ashamed?!

Nah.

I was not responsible for my upbringing. I was not responsible for the cards dealt to me. That wasn't my doing. I have nothing to be ashamed of.

After all, I played the hell out of the cards that were dealt to me.

And even though I still have work to do...

And even though the scars are still there....

And even though I still have learning and loving and trusting to do...

I am healed. I'm learning that love wins. Always.

And I'm doing the damn thing. 

HP Stream Family -- Sleek, Stylish, and Low-Cost Laptops and Tablets

Last weekend, Aiden and I headed to Chelsea to hang out with KidzVuz for their Holiday Party, and, in the midst of too much candy, treats, games, arts and crafts, dancing, and fun, we checked out the HP Stream table.

And then we fell in love.

With both the HP Stream Tablet 7 and the HP Stream 11-inch Laptop. Now the kid is talking about how he wants to add them to his Christmas list. (In addition to "a kid motorcycle" and "a spy gear set.")

And, now, I'm in trouble!

Not because of the prices of these stylish and sexy devices. I mean, with the HP Stream Tablet 7 being just $99.99 and the HP Stream 11-inch being just $199.99, you just can't beat those affordable prices! Not only are they perfect for holiday gifts, but, because of their low cost, they're also great for a first laptop or a first tablet.

The 11-inch notebook is a new kind of Windows PC that doesn't force you to choose between style and price. It's thin, light, and affordable. Not to mention, it has a fanless design so your systems will run quietly, and it has a battery that lasts up to 8 hours!

What I really like about the HP Stream 11 is that it is built for cloud computing on-the-go along with value-added services with free cloud storage for easy -- and instant -- access and sharing of content with 1TB of Microsoft OneDrive for one year, Office 365 Personal for one year to edit and/or share in real-time, and a $25 gift card in the box to use for anything from the Windows App Store (read: apps, videos, or XBOX games).

And let's not forget that they either come in a sleek blue or a sexy pink! Love it!

At only $99.99, the HP Stream Tablet 7 helps keep you connected to work, friends, and family, and content... all for a really great price! The tablet also includes one year of Office 365 Personal as well as 60 minutes of Skype each month, 1 TB of Microsoft OneDrive storage for one year, and the full Windows 8.1 experience.

With the multi-user support built-in, it's easy to share tablets between users (read: one holiday gift for two or more kids to share! #ImJustSaying...)

I really like that the HP Connected apps aggregates your digital content in one place. This includes photos, music, and apps that you can enjoy from multiple sources in a convenient way. Score!

Needless to say, the kid loved both devices!

And I'm in trouble. Not because I don't love 'em too, but because my little guy is growing up. So much so that he's now requesting digital devices of his own. And he's approaching the age where it's totally acceptable to have his own device.

Oh man. I'm not ready. 

Visit the HP website to learn more about the HP Stream 11-inch notebook or the HP Stream Tablet 7, and get ready to do a little holiday shopping!

{Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are my own. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

360 Allstars at The New Victory Theater

 

Riveting. Innovative. Old-school exciting. Dope. Funny. Engaging. Inspiring. These are just some of the words that I could think of to describe the phenomenal performance that is 360 Allstars.

Aiden and I headed to The New Victory Theater to catch the opening night of 360 Allstars, and to say that we enjoyed the show is an understatement. We loved it! Like every… single… second… of it. I mean, you can't showcase seven different champions on a single stage and not have a sensational performance. It just ain't gonna happen!

There's bound to be an explosion of excitement, talent, jaw-dropping acts, and amazing energy... all of which was included in the show.

First off, the live-looping from Australian beatboxer Sam Perry is just… beyond! He's a one-man orchestra and extremely talented. Think heavy bass lines, rich harmonies, and amazing sound effects. Next, there's the the show's director and percussionist, Gene Peterson. His piano and drumming skills had Aiden and me moving and grooving and dancing in our seats. He's so soulful and so full of life.

I can see how the Spin king (Rhys Miller from Australia) got his name. Homeboy does damage on the roue cyr wheel! I mean, he just defies the laws of gravity in smooth, sustained motions like it's nobody's business! Whew! 

Peter Sore is the BMX Flatland rider and he moves so gracefully and so smooth. He's so in sync with his bicycle that you forget he even has one! It's like hip-hop and breakdancing meets cycling. With every new move and trick, Aiden insisted that he "could do that too," but we all know that that kind of execution takes years of training.

The dance-off between B-Boy Super G (Youssef El Toufali from Belgium) and B-Boy Leerok (Jared Graham from New Zealand) depicted that of a video game where there were three rounds (and a knockout!) and it totally blew Aiden's mind. So much so that he went to school on Monday — with his 360 Allstars program — to tell all of his 1st grade friends about the cool dancers. (He's also been proclaiming that he's B-Boy Leerok and has been attempting to back flip and pose and spin on his head... but that's a whole other story.)

Aiden couldn't get enough of Basketball Man (aka Rashaun Daniels from New York). And I can totally see why — he's funny, he's got swagger, he balances two basketballs on one finger, and he does so many more tricks that you'll have to see it to believe it! Any seven-year-old kid would love him!

Waiting for showtime!

Not to mention, Basketball Man is also a true inspiration. Not only has he gone from homelessness to being a street performer to literally performing on stage all over the world, but he also shares his words of wisdom with everyone willing to listen. In an interview, he once said, “Figure out what your dream is, and then take action to accomplish your goals...whatever they may be. Do whatever it takes.”


And let the church say, "Amen!"

This show will definitely go down as one of our all-time faves. But don't take my word for it -- grab the all stars in your life and go see it for yourself! 360 Allstars runs from now through November 30th at The New Victory Theater. The show is 75 minutes with no intermission and tickets start at just $15. Visit the website for more information or to purchase your tickets.

Enjoy!

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

{Kids Style} LA Dreaming

LA sweater, pnats, faux leather jacket: H&M | shoes: Old Navy | funny faces: all Aiden

So there was this one time where Aiden and I hit up Old Navy for a few key cold-weather pieces (stylish sweaters and cool knit hats) and, in the midst of filling up our shopping bag, Aiden poised for a photo shoot.

MJ's hits were bumping and he's a huge MJ fan (he gets it from his momma) so Aiden started moving and grooving and being all GQ-ish and whatnot, so I started taking flicks. And the results are just too funny (and cute) not to share...

Yep, the faux leather jacket even came off at one point.

Please tell me we're not the only ones who stop in the middle of clothing stores to take pictures. (Don't answer that!)

Hope you all are having a fabulous week. Stay stylish!

Harvey and The Princess Teaches A Lesson On Being Present With Our Children

Photo by Carol Rosegg

When I heard that the creators of Wanda's Monster were coming out with another funny and entertaining performance, I just knew I had to take Aiden to see it!

I mean, it's been almost two freakin' years and the kid still sings The Monster Boogie as if it were yesterday! (If you haven't heard of The Monster Boogie... sigh... get caught up here.)

Last weekend, we headed to the New York City Children's Theater to check out The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess . And, let me tell ya... Babara Zinn Krieger (Making Books Sing Artistic Director and Co-Founder) and Laurie Berkner (Sprout TV, Nickelodeon, and, most importantly, a significant part of Aiden's bedtime routine with her awesome songs and whatnot) have done it again!

Not only is the show cute, but the actors are engaging and there are parts of the show that are interactive with the audience. In fact, it may or may not have been my dear sweet son who was talking back to the characters. Loudly. And making jokes with the characters. Loudly. During times when the entire audience was silent. (And then they were no longer silent because they were all laughing at Aiden.)

Photo by Carol Rosegg

The show features Harvey, who is a happy-go-lucky kid who only needs his family and imagination to be content. Harvey gets shipped to Pink Mountain Island and meets a Princess, who, although seems spoiled and ungrateful at first, is just another kid who needs love, attention, and affection from her family.

In this day and age that's filled with stuff and things and gifts and prizes... and more gifts and more things, it's refreshing to see a show that emphasizes the importance of just... being. Being present with your kids. Being active in their lives. And being purposeful in your interactions with them. And best of all? This is all free. It costs absolutely nothing to get down-and-dirty and have fun with your kids and create lasting memories.

What a great lesson to remember, especially around the holidays! I was reminded of this last summer and won't easily forget it.   

Photo by Carol Rosegg

After the show, we got to chat with a few of the cast members as well as Miss Laurie Berkner herself! And Aiden got to tell her what he always wanted to tell her -- that she's apart of his bedtime routine. So fetch! (That was a Mean Girls reference.) The entire afternoon was a great way to kick off the holiday season and make lasting memories with Aiden!

The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess will run through December 7th at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street, 3rd Floor). Tickets start at $25, with a family 4-pack of $95. Visit the website to purchase your tickets or to get more information.

{This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

#NYTOUGH! Seven Essentials to Make Your Winter -- And Life -- Easier

When it comes to everyday products in my toolbox, to say that I'm loyal to the products that I like and stubborn in my ways is, well, an understatement. I like what I like, I have a hard time ditching my fave products to embrace new ones, and, sometimes, I make no apologies for it.

But I'm learning to expand my horizons, switch up my routines a bit, and add new products to my rotation.

That's why I was pretty excited when I received a #NYTOUGH package at my doorsteps a few weeks ago. In the box were pretty great products --  Tide, Febreze, Bounty, Dawn, Head & Shoulders, Secret, and Crest.

I'm already a Tide Pods user because, it's like super duper easy when doing laundry, and, not to mention, it gets stains out of clothes like a BOSS!

I'm already a Crest complete user because it freshens my breath -- and Aiden's breath -- and it's the only "adult toothpaste" that he would actually use. (He refuses to use kids toothpaste, but would only use Crest toothpaste for his "adult toothpaste."

I'm already a Febreeze fan and can't nobody tell me nothing about it because it freshens my living room like no other.

And, I'm already a fan of Bounty, because, hello! #NoExplanationNeeded

But, I needed to be converted to Head & Shoulders. Not because I don't like it, per se, but because I've been loyal to the hair and beauty products that I've been using for, like, ever!

I like when shampoos clean my scalp and hair without leaving my hair feeling too dry, and the Head & Shoulders shampoo did just that. (I even used it a couple times just to see if it would have had the same effect, and... success!) The conditioner left my hair feeling soft and smooth and moist.

I definitely think that I'll incorporate Head & Shoulders into my beauty routine and hair regimen. I know I'll need it for the cold and dreary winter season coming up.

Heck, winters in New York City are tough. But, Head & Shoulders is tougher.


Follow #NYTOUGH on social media and learn how you can combat your everyday, real-life situations. You can also join in the fun by highlighting your New York City-specific tough scenarios.

{This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

{Kids Style File} 80's Baby

outfit: H&M 

To say that Aiden had a full week, and, subsequently a full weekend, is an understatement.

From celebrating his seventh birthday with a classroom party filled with gluten free, wheat free, diary free, and soy free cupcakes and donuts (food allergies and dietary restrictions are no joke!) to celebrating at home with yours truly to getting his first Nintendo DS (thanks to The Guy... it was his idea, not mine; and a gift from him, not me) to celebrating Halloween at the Museum of Natural History to seeing a show at The New Victory Theater (more on that in a later post), he had "the best birthday ever!"

His words, not mine.

To top it all off, my sister took him to the lego store to pick out a new lego set. We now have a 286-piece teenage mutant ninja turtle lego set to put together over the next few days.

Fun stuff!

Peep the ninja turtle in homeboy's right hand!

For his visit to the lego store, Aiden payed homage to 80's fashion when he wore stonewashed denim jeans, a metallic shirt, a faux leather jacket, fingerless gloves, and brightly colored kicks.

While I picked most of the pieces out when I went to the store to shop for him, he actually put the outfit together himself and was adamant that he needed to wear his fingerless gloves to "look cool."

Needless to say, the stylista in me was extremely proud.

Hope you guys had a fabulous week! Stay stylish!