Tiramisù Mom

#SpaceWarriors Giveaway! Enter to Win a Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack!

2013-05-24T14:38:00.000-05:00

Walden Family Theater is proud to announce the Space Warriors Blog App & a chance to Win a Family Trip to Space Camp!

Watch Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel on May 31st at 8/7C for your chance to win a trip for the whole family to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp! Keep an eye out for the secret keyword for a chance to go on location where Space Warriors was filmed and train like a real astronaut!

In Space Warriors, six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition but they don’t realize that they will be forced to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Check out the blog app below to...

• Win a Family Trip to SPACE CAMP! - Tune in to Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel on May 31st 8/7c for the secret keyword to win a family trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp!
• How Spacey Are You? QUIZ – Are you a Space Warrior? Do you use the stars to navigate your journeys instead of the map function on your smartphone? Take this quiz to find out whether you're destined to orbit the cosmos or whether you're happiest living here on this planet.
• Prepare for Blast-off! Space Warriors Viewing Guide – Mark your calendars for May 31st and check off the boxes as you watch Space Warriors for the most spectacular, spaciest experience!

I have a combo pack Space Warriors (Blu-ray + DVD + VUDU Digital Copy) to give away to one lucky reader! Enter via Rafflecopter below!

Disclosure: Special thanks to PartnersHub for sponsoring this post.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bet on Your Baby: Win a three-coupon pack for Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Pack

2013-05-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it? Here's a fun new show for all parents of toddlers: Bet on Your Baby is a new show where parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to “bet” on what baby will do next! If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000! All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next?

Bet on Your Baby, Saturdays 8/7c on ABC, in partnership with Luvs!

To celebrate the premier of Bet on Your Baby, I have a three-coupon pack for Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Pack samples to give away to one lucky reader! Just enter via Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Special thanks to PartnersHub for sponsoring this post!

A Day on the Farm with Illinois Field Moms

2013-05-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday, I traveled with more than 20 Illinois Farm Families "Field Moms" from the big city to the small town of Mazon, llinois, where I had the chance to learn more about the lives of Illinois Farmers. In particular, corn and soybean farming, as Paul and Donna Jeschke welcomed us onto their beautiful home and farm.

The Jeschke Farmhouse

As a city mom that encounters most of her food in the aisles of a grocery store, I have much to learn about how our food is planted and harvested.

Here's what I learned while visiting the Jeschke farm:

Farming is hard work, and farmers are dedicated to their craft. It truly is a craft, and a job that permeates your entire life. There are stretches where farmers work almost nonstop.
Farming is high tech. Donna's nephew, who works on the farm and holds a degree in engineering, showed us some of the farm trucks and machinery: everything works in tune with GPS and high tech systems that baffled me. High techonology aptitude is a must for today's farmers.
The work that our Illinois farm families do has a worldwide impact. You know those shipping containers you see rolling on the train tracks near your home? They carry goods from China into the U.S., and carry Illinois-grown grains back to China. The Jeschke's have also hosted farmers from around the world, and in turn have visited farms in other countries, hoping to learn from one another and work together to improve farming for all.
Farmers care about their product and do their best to make sure that it's healthy and nutritious. The Jeschke family has been farming in northwestern Illinois since the early 1900s. For generations, they have been committed to raising crops to provide not only for their own family, but also families near and far. "Farming is our lifestyle and our business. We work diligently to grow the crops that help put food on your family’s table," explains Donna.

Throughout the summer and into harvest time, I'll be following along with my very own acre of corn grown at the Jeschke Farm. Will it be knee high by July? Let's hope for a bumper crop!

To learn more about Illinois Farm Families, check out

www.watchusgrow.org

www.facebook.com/illinoisfarmfamilies

http://twitter.com/ilfarmfamilies

#makesmesmilemondays Summer in Chicago

2013-05-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

I lived in Rome for a few years, in London for two. I've spend lengthy amounts of time in Paris, Edinburgh, New York City and Tel Aviv. But they say home is where the heart is, and my home is sweet home Chicago.

This past weekend's warmth and sunshine reminded me that summer in Chicago has unofficially arrived.My garden is finally in full bloom, my kids were begging me to go for a bike ride for Italian ice, and my daughter's kiddie pool opened for the season.

Summer in Chicago is the best: Nothing beats spending a day at the beach with my family, or hanging out in our backyard with a neighborly BBQ. I love being able to ride our bikes to the Lincoln Park Zoo, stopping for cupcakes and at a Wizard of Oz inspired park on the way home. I love our neighborhood, Logan Square, which manages to be both trendy and urban and sometimes downright smalltownish. I love traveling the world via the restaurants, cultural events, neighborhoods, and festivals in Chicago. I also appreciate raising my kids here (Check out my top 7 reasons why I'm thankful that I'm raising my kids in Chicago).

I have been blessed with the opportunity to write about all things fun for families in Chicago for the Chicago Visitor's Bureau. If you're looking for fun things to do with your kids in Chicago this upcoming summer and beyond, visit me at Choose Chicago.

Fall Registration Now Open for Italian Language Kids Program in Chicago! Insieme a Chicago

2013-05-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

Insieme a Chicago is an Italian cultural program for children from birth to 5 years old. “Insieme” is Italian for “together” and as the name implies “Insieme a Chicago”gathers Italians, Italian speakers and Italianophiles “together”, in a space specifically designed for their little ones. Children will enjoy playing age appropriate games, singing songs and lullabies, listening to storytelling and participating in fun activities with their peers in a 100% Italian environment enriched with authentic Italian materials.

Director Barbara De Bernardi teaches kids Italian with a fun and creative
method that makes every child - even those that don't speak Italian
at home - feel welcome

The “Insieme” children are divided into two age-based groups hosting a maximum of 8 students each: “Il Nido” for children 0 to 3 years old and “Il Volo” for children 3 to 5 years old. The program for the little ones is structured around the same fundamental learning topics and goals taught at Italian daycares; while “Il Volo” is based on the Italian Preschool Curriculum and Objectives.

The goal of Insieme a Chicago is to provide kids with a place to share their Italian heritage and/or our love for Italy.

FALL 2013 REGISTRATION

12-week season: September 26th-December 19th

Location:

St Michael Church

1633 N Cleveland Ave Chicago, IL 60614

Il Nido

(1-3 years old)

Thursday

10-11am

Saturday

9.30-10.30am

Il Volo

(3-5 years old)

Thursday

2-3.30pm

Saturday

10.30am-12pm

Il Viaggio

(5-8 years old)

Thursday

4-5.30pm

Insieme a Chicago Tuition-12 week Season:

Il Nido: $240 (60 min per class)

Il Volo: $360 (90 min per class)

10% sibling discount

Registration:

Registration begins May 15th

To register contact Barbara at:

ba.debernardi@gmail.com

2013-05-20T07:01:00.003-05:00

Guest Post: Choosing the Perfect Venue for a Special Occasion

The venue for your corporate event, wedding, conference, party or other occasion sets the tone for the entire event. You may have a multitude of options from which to choose, but will quickly find that only some are suitable because of the facilities they offer, tone that they set and the atmosphere they create. You will need to ensure you have sufficient budget to secure a great venue. Venue hire often represents the greatest category of expense for any event and it is possible that additional venue hire costs are incurred. Be sure to discuss all charges with a representative of the venue and account for the fact that a great venue can prove the difference between fabulous and mediocre events. You should choose a venue according to the number of guests that you expect to attend. Your venue should not be so small that a feeling of claustrophobia results, but also not so vacuous that the space seems empty and people are overwhelmed. Think carefully about whether the venue is appropriate and well-suited to the type of event you are organising. A great way to do this is to find out about past events held at the venue — this will provide you with insight into why people have chosen a venue for their wedding, conference, seminar or even Mother's Day.
In choosing a venue, it is imperative that you thoroughly check out the facilities on offer and make sure they parallel your needs. For example, car parking provision, catering facilities and a stage or platform may be critical to the activities and ultimate success of your event. All encompassing venues such as Ballara take all these things into consideration. The success of any event is heavily influenced by the level of service provided at the venue. Any staff that will be appointed to assist with the event should be familiar with the venue and, if staff are provided by the venue itself, it is important that they are familiar and confident in working at the type of event you are hosting.
The selection of a venue is definitely one of the most important decisions to be made when hosting an event. By choosing a great venue that offers the facilities required, sets a wonderful tone and meets the needs of you and your guests, you are very likely to deliver an event that is an incredible success.
- Isabelle Riley

Disclosure: I received compensation for editing and posting this guest post.

2013-05-19T08:37:00.001-05:00

Guest Post: Search for the Sun

Looking forward to and planning a holiday is a particular highlight of the year, especially when we have had such a long and hard winter, as we have had this year. Everybody feels in need of a little bit of sun yet just as we get a hint of some warmer weather, the rain sweeps in again. As ever, package holidays seem to represent the only fail-safe way to secure a bit of sun.

Choosing where you want to go is probably the most difficult part of booking your holiday as there is so much choice. Many countries now offer excellent package holidays with great beaches and facilities, so you can decide whether you want to visit the well-worn paths of Spain and Greece, or up and coming destinations such as Bulgaria.

It really is pretty simple and inexpensive these days to travel abroad for a holiday. In fact by the time you have factored in fuel and accommodation plus meals and activities, it can be cheaper travelling abroad than it can be staying at home. Obviously there are extremes of holidays and depending on whether you are a luxury cruise kind of person or a bargain hunter will determine how much you need to pay. However, these costs can be drastically reduced if you shop around and look for some special offers.

Search through some of the travel websites offering package holidays and you will find some good deals and online specials, although it is wise to make sure you are choosing a reputable travel agent. There is plenty of choice available and the main agents such as Thomas Cook offer good value as well as tried and tested package holidays. After all, it is in their interest to make sure that everything runs like clockwork, as this is most likely to keep you coming back year after year!

Disclosure: I was compensated for sharing this guest post.

My Miracle Gro GroProject! #MiracleGroProject

2013-05-17T16:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This spring and summer, I have worked hard to transform little, neglected patches of dirt in our front and backyards into lovely urban mini-gardens, with a little help from Miracle-Gro.

Our little front garden

Miracle-Gro came up with The Gro Project as a way to simplify gardening for a whole new class of gardeners and show that it can be easy, fun and enjoyable! These simple, fun garden projects are easy enough for preschoolers - my daughter, age 3, even helped out with my project.

For my Gro Project, I constructed a window box out of simple plywood (with a little help from a carpenter...), filled it with Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix (an ideal filling for container gardens since it absorbs 33% more water than ordinary potting soil and protects against over and under watering) and then planted it with bright yellow and white pansies. I love looking out my front window and seeing my happy pansies.

I also had installed a simple raised garden in our backyard, filled it with Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix and planted basil, parsley, tomatoes, strawberries, sunflowers and kale. My kids, especially my daughter, had a ton of fun planting this simple garden with me. The sunflowers, kale and basil are grown from seed, which we had initially planted in an egg carton and then transfered to the raised garden. We're looking forward to watching our garden grow and perhaps even eating some of our garden goods come harvest time. Stay tuned!

Our dog checking out our urban garden

If you would like more tips and information from Miracle-Gro check out these links:

Scott’s Miracle-Gro online (video and article library)
The Gro Project
Miracle-Gro Facebook page
Miracle-Gro on Pinterest The Gro Project fun garden projects Miracle-Gro

Win a Free 2-month Trial Subscription to IndieFlix.com

2013-05-16T13:09:00.003-05:00

We don't subscribe to cable tv in our home. Instead we rely on Netflix for movie-watching. Just as I was growing tired of the selection on Netflix, IndieFlix approached me and asked me if I'd like to give their online streaming site a try.

IndieFlix is a community of independent filmmakers and fans. Through its membership-based streaming service, IndieFlix helps filmmakers translate artistic vision into commercial success, and gives film lovers access to high quality independent films not otherwise available. IndieFlix’s mission is to champion filmmakers, rethink traditional approaches to distribution, and celebrate the artistry and impact of independent film.

I am working my way through the IndieFlix selection and I really enjoy the quality and variety of movies. Two documentaries that have moved me so far are This Way of Life, about a family living off the grid in New Zealand, and Finding Kind, another documentary, about the sad culture behind girl/girl bullying (an increasing issue in schools everywhere). I am so inspired by Finding Kind that I'm thinking of launching a Kindness Team at my high school next year!

I have ten 2-month subscriptions to give away to ten lucky readers! You won't be required to enter any credit card number or otherwise obligate yourself to continue after their trial period is up. To win, enter via Rafflecopter below!

Thanks for entering and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: Developmental Toys for Kids at Any Age

2013-05-14T10:37:00.003-05:00

Toys are so much fun for kids, but did you also know they’re integral to a child’s health? You don’t want to skip out on these vital toys that are proven to stimulate your child’s education, build their social skills, teach them spatial reasoning and emotional skills. According to Marilyn Segal, a Ph.D. recipient and the director of the professional development program at Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies, “playing is how kids learn about the world.”

Babies
Of course, your newborn baby isn’t going to learn complicated mathematics or be able to read sheet music, just by watching that musical Mozart DVD. However, they will be engaged by the melody and learn from the colors and other elements. Babies do learn from play, as do children of all other ages. A baby most benefits from toys that develop motor and language skills.
If you want to develop your new baby’s ability to grasp things, try offering her a set of plastic keys. Babies may even reach for your keys, but keep in mind anything they’re able to grasp is likely to go into their mouths. Anything with a handle will have them reaching out and grasping, as they learn to control their hands and fingers.
Other developmental toys include:

Nursery mobiles
Ring stacks
Blocks
Push-pull toys
Mirrors

Toddlers
Toddlers are beginning to pretend play, to be more responsible for their environment, and to socially interact with other children. This is a big time in your little one’s life and it’s time to promote their learning with toys that are proven to help them hone skills, like reasoning and color differentiation.
In these formative years, you may begin to notice your child giving their toys personalities. Toddlers are just beginning to apply personalities to their stuffed animals, dolls, and action figures. This is a good time to seek out a FreeBears.com coupon code, in order to hook your toddler up with a furry friend they’ll love for years to come.
Other toys that help toddlers develop include:
· Pop-up toys
· Digital toys (learning and coloring apps)
· Puzzles
· Nesting cups
· Balls
· Play sets (kitchens, doctor’s kits, etc.)

Preschoolers
When you’re preschooler plays, he is using his imagination in fantastic and new ways. It’s likely you’re kid whizzes around like an airplane, dives from an imaginary high board, travels the world, defeats pirates, and saves the day – all before dinner. This little tyke learns through imagination, just as much as he does through toys. It’s important to encourage this type of play, oftentimes jumping in for a round of pretend yourself.
Not only are preschoolers pretend players, they also love their toys. It’s around this age that you’ll notice your child wanting more toys that come with labels and the ones their friends have. This can get pricey, but online you can find everything from a Crate and Barrel promo code to codes for free shipping at top children’s stores. So, employ smart shopping strategies when seeking out new toys for your kids.
Here are some great learning toys for preschoolers:

Puzzles
Dollhouses
Costumes
Arts & crafts
Construction sets
Blocks
Anything that encourages socialization and imagination

Elementary School-aged Kids
As your baby develops into a bonafide little kid, you’ll notice their activity level picking up. They’ll be more outgoing, more athletic, and more intelligent than they’ve ever been. This is a proud time for parents and one where they can seriously get involved with development, by encouraging their relationships with peers and promoting their maturity.
Here are some great learning toys for elementary aged kids:
· Athletic toys, like basketballs, jump ropes, and volleyballs
· Chemistry sets and other school-relevant toys
· Musical instruments
· Board games
· Card games

It's important for your children to have fun while developing by playing with toys targeted for learning. What toys do you and your infants personally have experience with?

Disclosure: Consideration was received for the editing and publishing of this article

#makesmesmilemonday Mother's Day

2013-05-13T09:42:00.003-05:00

I woke up on Mother's Day to sunshine, pancakes prepared by my son, and lots of kisses and smiles, all reminders of the greatest gift that God has blessed me with: the chance to be a mother. I will never take motherhood, nor my two children, for granted. I always tell them that I prayed to God to give me healthy children and he decided to bless me with two kids that are not only healthy, but also beautiful and kind and funny. I'm so incredibly and eternally thankful to be their mother.

Chiara's teacher made this Mother's Day photo collage - Chiara is at the top of the O and the E.

And Daniel made me this beautiful 3-D card. I can hardly believe he once lived in that big ole' belly of mine - and that picture was taken when I still had a month and half of pregnancy left to go! (He was a BIG baby!).

On the inside of the card he wrote: "Thank you Mom, for being the most wonderful Mom in the world!"

And that, my friends, says everything about motherhood: I am certainly not perfect, nor the most wonderful Mom in the world, but all of us Moms are wonderful and perfect in the eyes of our children. Happy Mother's Day!

Braces Vs. Invisalign - The Battle Begins

2013-05-10T09:39:00.001-05:00

Three weeks ago, my 12-year-old son entered the orthodontist's office with sparkly white teeth and left with....brace yourself!....

Braces!
(Can you see his brace-filled smile in this picture I took of him fixing his sister's bike? He's been pretty camera shy since he got his braces but can you spot that amazing smile?!)

We were hoping that he would qualify for Invisalign, the new alternative to braces - Invisalign Teen makes it available to pre-teens and teens - but because of overcrowding and overbite issues, we had to go with traditional, metal braces. My nephew, a.k.a. my son's twin cousin (since they were born just three days apart), qualifies for Invisalign, and will be starting treatment in a few months. So when the SITSgirls and Invisalign invited me to an event that included a Straight Talk about Crooked Teeth presentation last week, I was happy to attend; I've got crooked teeth on my mind.

· While metal braces today are more sophisticated than ever - no more head and neck gears, thank GOD! - removable aligners, like Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, are becoming a popular choice. The Invisalign system uses a series of clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit smoothly on the teeth. Perhaps best of all, because the aligners can be removed, kids can eat, brush and floss as they would normally. This is one of the main reasons we were hoping for Invisalign. Instead, I have become the teeth cleaning police as I don't want to see these results when my son's braces are eventually removed. The cost of Invisalign is roughly about the same as traditional braces, the system usually requires fewer office visits and shorter appointments (thanks to new digital imaging technology) and no "emergency" visits for broken wires or brackets. To summarize, my son is trudging his way through metal braces, but boy-oh-boy do I wish he would have qualified for Invisalign. My nephew should have an easier road ahead of him when it comes to working towards that perfect smile.

Want to learn more about Invisalign? visit:

o Invisalign Website: http://shout.lt/gmt1

o Invisalign on Twitter: http://shout.lt/gmtX

o Invisalign on Facebook: http://shout.lt/gmYK

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spa Facials - Are They Necessary? - My review of the Signature Facial at Leah Chavie Salon in Chicago

2013-05-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

When I was a young teen, my mom took me for my first facial. I remember feeling like quite the grown-up lady, as the esthetician at Georgette Klinger tried her best to smooth my teenage skin. It was my first spa experience, and I relished it. I added facials to my imagined adult to-do list - that list that held all the things I would most certainly be doing when I was *finally* an adult.

Well, life happened I hadn't had a facial since.

But finding a good spa with a specialist in facials was on my actual to-do list, so when I received a gift certificate for a spa facial at Leah Chavie Skincare while attending an Everything Healthy TV event, I immediately called up and arranged a late afternoon appointment.

Taking care of my skin is a priority

Leah Chavie Skincare salon is conveniently located in Lincoln Park at 2457 North Halsted. I was easily able to find free street parking. I was welcomed warmly, given a brief consulation, then sent to put on a comfy robe and relax in a softly lit room.

I've been blessed with pretty youthful skin. I have few wrinkles and am often mistaken for younger than my 40 years. I have always taken good care of my skin: I moisturize daily, use a high SPF sunscreen by day and a Vichy intensive night cream. I try to get enough rest, I eat healhily and exercise. I take vitamins. That said, I do have some sun damage from many summers spent entirely outdoors sans sunscreen. I realize that I need to take optimal care of my skin, to repair that sun damage as much as possible and to keep my skin as healthy as it can be. Though many feel that facials are unnecessary, I believe that regular facials help in this quest - not for youth but for healthy skin - after all, it is our biggest organ!

While the menu of services at Leah Chavie Skincare is extensive, I chose the signature facial, which featured a deep cleaning with a focus on balanced the skin, as well as a deep cleanse and focus on extractions. For one hour, I relaxed under a heated blanket while my face was gently cleansed and massaged. It was pure bliss!

Afterwards, my skin glowed. I felt refreshed and relaxed. I've vowed to add a monthly facial to my calendar. In an ideal world, I'd love to have a once a month body mask - Leah Chavie also offers a Thalassotherapy Seaweed body mask that I'd like to try before I slip into my swimsuit for the year.

How about you - what are your must-do beauty routines? Do you indulge in facials, body wraps. massages or other spa services? What is your go-to salon? Please share!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I received a gift certificate to Leah Chavie salon from @EverythingHealthyTV but I was not asked to post a review. All opinions are my own, as always!

#makesmesmilemondays My Son, the Handyman

2013-05-06T09:36:00.000-05:00

When my son was about age 3, he was obsessed with Bob the Builder; he could not get enough of building/creating/tinkering/making. He had a number of pretend drills and tools, but sometimes he would steal the real thing from his Dad. Oh how he loved working (with some help) with a real hammer and nails! He would often go around the home, pretending to fix and repair things, wearing his Home Depot toolbelt and sometimes accepting pretend work-related phone calls from his pretend cell phone. He also sometimes kept a pencil behind his ear, not that he knew how to write yet, but just to feel fully in carpenter character.

Flash forward ten years:

When his little sister's bike came in the mail, he opened the box and got to work, without even being asked. And when I caught him in action, I couldn't help but to beam. All of those practice runs taking things apart and trying to put them back together as a child (that sometimes drove me nuts!) have paid off! Note to Parents: If you are going cuckoo stepping on Legos and listening to that unforgettable refrain (Can we fix it? YES, we CAN!), be patient: someday soon, you just might have a budding and very helpful, handman in your home!

A New Chicago Food Find and Two Chicago Food News Items: Sanabel Bakery on Kedzie, Paladar and a Fresh MarketPlace moving into our neighborhood!

2013-05-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about living in Chicago is that I can do my grocery shopping in ethnic markets and find all the treats that I fell in love with on my travels. I was taking a different route home from work last week when I spotted Sanabel Bakery (4213 N Kedzie Ave). I can't even tell you how happy I am to have discovered this new-to-me bakery, lnown for its fresh from the oven pita, Mankoushi (a breakfast/snack bread topped with za'atar or cheese); cheese and spinach pies, and wide selection of Middle Eastern grocery items. I went crazy on my first visit, stocking my shopping basket with everything I've missed.

When I was pregnant with my son Daniel, I was living in London, in a neighborhood that luckily was home to many Middle Eastern and Cypriot grocers: One of my huge cravings during my pregnancy was for Halloumi, a semi-hard, unripened brined cheese made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk. Seriously, I used to eat a small block a day (it's no wonder I gained 70 pounds with that pregnancy!). I hadn't had Halloumi since, and it was such a treat to find it at Sanabel Bakery. Daniel tried it and told me it tasted vaguely familiar, and I happily shared how he likely ate a ton of it in utero.

I stocked up on the spinach and cheese pies (which were so fluffy and fresh but also freeze well and are perfect for school lunches), baklava, hibiscus tea, tahini, and dried specialty beans.

Another good food news item: Paladar Restaurant is moving into our neighborhood, taking over the old Cafe Bolero space at 2252 North Western. The move should be complete in a few days. While I loved Paladar at its original location on Milwaukee near the Congress Theater, wonderful Cuban cuisine will now be a mere couple of blocks away! Owner Jose Gonzalez is hoping to create a warm, inviting, neighborhood-y cafe and I have a feeling the new location is going to be a great fit! Check out Paladar's Menu here.

Finally, while we will miss our local West Bucktown grocery, Danny's (2140 N. Western Ave.), for its in-store taqueria and wonderful, still warm tortillas, its produce, dry goods and dairy department were dismal. Danny's was the grocery store I can actually walk to from home, so it has been a difficult few weeks grocery shopping wise since it's closed (No place to run out for butter or eggs on a Sunday morning!!!). So I am ecstatic to learn the the site has been purchased and in the fall, a brand-new Fresh MarketPlace will be taking over the location. I was so happy to read this statement from the owners of the upcoming new store: "We want to cater to everybody. All the kinds of foods like high-grade meats and organic produce you'd find at Whole Foods, you'll find at Fresh MarketPlace," Marinis said. (Read more at http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130422/bucktown/fresh-marketplace-plans-open-on-western-avenue-bucktown-this-fall#ixzz2S9X78dqr)

Any food news to share in your Chicago neighborhood?

Review: A Great Way to Help You Save on Glasses: Firmoo

2013-05-02T10:08:00.001-05:00

Recently Firmoo contacted me to collaborate with them because they are giving out free glasses and would like me to spread the great news to you! I've tried out their service and product, and I thought that both were excellent. I quickly and conveniently ordered online, and my glasses arrived in less than two weeks.

Are you looking to update your glasses? It is highly suggested by professional ophthalmologists that you should have a yearly eye exam and replace your glasses regularly to ensure your eye health. If your prescription has changed but you still wear the old prescription eyeglasses, you risk deteriorating your vision.

So are you thinking about getting a pair of new glasses but worried it would cost you an arm and a leg? Head over to Firmoo at http://www.firmoo.com/z/crazy-giveaway.html and they'll let you try out your first pair of Frame + Lenses + Shipping for a whopping $0!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Firmoo.com

Review: Paper Culture Thank You and Note Cards

2013-05-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite websites for all things stationary, is Paper Culture. They have one of the sweetest selections of Thank You and Note cards out there. Personalized or not, their stationary is modern, unique, and high quality. I recently ordered some adorable Thank You cards (see right) with a tea motif - you'll usually find me with a tea cup in hand...) to use this spring and summer. I still appreciate a nice paper Thank You card.

I also appreciate Paper Culture because with each purchase, it makes a commitment to the environment: Paper Culture plants a tree with EVERY order - they've planted over 300,000 trees to date! Cards and envelopes are made from 100% post consumer recycled paper (so no new trees are cut down to produce your cards or envelopes). Paper Culture also offsets it's entire carbon footprint

Some other Paper Culture perks:

- Paper Culture has a FREE Mailing and Addressing service called Mail and Message where it will stamp, address and mail your cards for FREE. You pay only the actual cost of the stamp. (There's no other major service that has this free option.)

- All of Paper Culture's cards and address labels feature free rounded corners

- Everything is backed by a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

Disclosure: Special thanks to Paper Culture for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway! Mother's Day Gifts from Novica - Win a $50 Gift Certificate!

2013-04-30T10:35:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite websites for unique, thoughtful and affordable gifts throughout the year is Novica.com. Novica, in association with National Geographic, connects shoppers with artisans from around the world. The artisans featured on Novica set their own prices and receive fair compensation for their work. Take a look at this video to see exactly how Novica works.

Novica has a great gift guide that makes selecting that perfect gift even easier. There are so many filters you are guaranteed to find something quickly and easily. And there are so many beautiful and unique items on sale for Mother's Day! Many of the items on Novica are crafted by Moms from around the world - Check out some of their inspiring stories.

I love this beautiful soapstone mother owl, who holds a baby owl within. I purchased a similar owl to this on Novica.com a year ago, and it is one of my treasured home decor items.

But I also love the clothing. This Mother's Day, I treated myself to a tunic by Indian designer Isha Jain.

I have a $50 Novica.com giftcode to give away - just in time for some last-minute holiday shopping. Just enter below via Rafflecopter, letting me know your favorite product from Novica's giftfinder.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Special thanks to Novica.com for sponsoring this post.

#makesmesmilemondays Dancing with my Daughter

2013-04-29T10:08:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Ballerina

My daughter, age 3, *loves* to dance. She takes ballet and tap lessons, and already has many of the moves down pat (as well as their names in French!). At home, every day, she asks (read: demands) that I play some of her favorite tunes so she can dance. She puts on a tutu or some other costume, and takes over the living room dance floor. While at ballet class she is quite demure, at home, she is a mini Martha Graham/West African dance prodigy.

When I was first pregnant with Chiara, my OB/GYN was unable to detect a heartbeat at my initial visit. He told me to go home and come back in a couple of days, whereupon he'd try again. That night, I went to my usual West African dance class at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I asked my teacher and the drummers to please play some heartbeat-inducing beats that night, and they most certainly followed through! I was determined to get my baby's heart ticking: two days later I heard that first, strong, steady heartbeat of my daughter. It's no wonder that she is a dancer at heart!

She also always asks (read: forces) me to join her. This is a good thing, as it is awfully hard *not* to have your spirits lifted when you are dancing around with your peppy 3-year-old to some upbeat, girl-power strong music. Here are some of my daughter's current dance party requests.

Happy Monday!

Event Recap: My Shot@Life Fundraising Event at Ay Chiwowa!

2013-04-26T11:19:00.003-05:00

Last night, over 50 people gathered at Ay Chiwowa! - a fun new restaurant specializing in fine tequila in Chicago - to take some shots... for life.

My goal in planning this fundraiser was to share the Shot@Life movement with others while also raising some money to provide for lifesaving vaccines for children during this World Immunization Week.

I am so proud to have met both goals!

Over 50 people were in attendance, and I was able to raise over $500 that will all directly benefit Shot@Life. We had wonderful food and service from Ay Chiwowa, and the party space was just perfect. This was officially the first time in my life that I was encouraging people to take shots! (made me feel like a college student again!).

Thanks to everyone who came to the event last night, over 100 babies will be receiving lifetime protection against polio and measles!

Planning this event was hard work but mostly a lot of fun. I was so happy to see some new and old friends in the crowd, everyone supporting this great cause.

This morning, NPR featured an outstanding report on the global push to eradicate polio for good. Take a moment to listen to it if you haven't already.

If you weren't able to attend the event last night and you'd like to learn more, be sure to visit www.ShotAtLife.org. Also, visit my Team Immunity Page, where you can view the funds raised last night and donate more if you'd like, at http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/TR/Events/ShotLife?px=3096148&pg=personal&fr_id=1080

Giveaway! Mother's Day Movie Night

2013-04-26T10:42:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun and inexpensive way to celebrate mom this upcoming Mother's Day: Pop up a bowl of popcorn, invite over your favorite moms, and watch a classic movie in your jammies. As a working mom, I know that I would relish the chance to have a movie night with my favorite moms, and Mother's Day is the perfect excuse!

Here's a little giveaway to help you get starting on hosting a Mother's Day Movie Night of your own! I will be giving away a classic movie in Blu-ray (either A Star is Born or Cabaret - randomly selected) to one lucky winner!

To win, check out the blog app below which includes...

•    Guess-the-Scene Game! - How well do you know the silver screen’s most famous love stories and sing-a-longs? Play the Guess-the-Scene game to test your knowledge on the world’s greatest films! The quicker you pick, the more points you score. Ready? Action!
•    Words in Film! - Select your mood and let quotes and images from film express how you’re feeling!
•    Movie Night Conversation Starters! - Watching a classic flick together is the perfect opportunity to catch up and share stories... this Mother’s Day make it a point to connect with your family and give them a chance to learn something about mom they never knew! Here are some conversation starters to get you started.

...then enter via rafflecopter below, making sure to share your favorite romance or musical flick from when YOU were a kid in the comments section!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Special thanks to PartnersHub for sponsoring this post.

A Mother's Day Gift That Gives Back: Prosperity Candle

2013-04-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

Gem of a Woman Gift Set from Prosperity Candle

Looking for a Mother's Day gift that gives back to moms? Prosperity Candle offers beautiful handmade candles manufactured by female entrepreneurs in and from distressed regions of the globe.The Gem of a Woman gift set and the Franjipani tea tin candles make wonderful gifts for moms: The Gem of a Woman set comes with a uniquely scalloped bowl candle and a fair trade summer scarf, both made by underprivileged women from around the globe. The Franjipani tea tin candle is hand-painted by artisans in Kashmir and available in three tea-inspired scents. Best of all, with every candle purchase, Prosperity Candle is able to grow their impact and help additional women participate in a rising tide of prosperity.

Visit Prosperity Candle today, to learn more about their mission or to purchase a gift for the special mom in your life today.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Why Shop When You Can Share? Share & Tell with Yerdle and NBCUniversal

2013-04-23T11:18:00.000-05:00

Did you know that for every pound of new goods produced, 71 pounds of waste are generated during manufacturing? This Earth Week, NBCUniversal is partnering with the sharing site yerdle to help you minimize your impact on the planet by sharing your stuff. One person’s stuff is another person’s story!

Here’s how it works.
1) Join or host a Share & Tell Party (click the “Join the Party” button in the app below).
2) Post your stuff to share with friends. Discover other items that are up for grabs.
3) Tell the story of your sharing experiences on your favorite social media site. #ShareandTell.

Check out the app below to learn more about greening up your life, including:

• How Are You Green? (Eco Quiz) It’s not easy being green…(or is it?) We all want to take better care of our environment and go green, but the question is... How are YOU Green? Take the Eco quiz to find out!
• 7 Easy Ways to Start Sharing Now Now, more than ever, sharing makes sense. Getting started sharing is simpler than you think! Read these 7 easy ways to start sharing now and create healthier, happier families and communities.
• Real Life Share and Tell Stories Read real life stories of how sharing on yerdle has helped people just like you get the stuff they need - without buying a thing!
• Get Social Tweet with the #ShareandTell hashtag to get your audience excited about NBC’s Share and Tell!

Disclosure: The post is sponsored by Parntershub. All opinions are my own.

Vote Now for Your Favorite Teacher in the Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition!

2013-04-22T21:56:00.000-05:00

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Edgebrooke. I remember distinctly my first day of kindergarten, when she greeted us at the door with puppets. Filled with enthusiasm, Ms. Edgebrooke made learning seem like an adventure: we hosted a circus that first year of school, learned to square dance, and traveled the world through the many books that she read to us all during circle time. I loved to read before kindergarten began, but Ms. Edgebrooke reinforced my love for reading, and sparked my interest in perhaps becoming a teacher myself someday.

I Today I'm a writer, a mom, and a teacher too! And of all the hats I wear in my life, teaching is one of the toughest. Over 100 kids pass through my classroom each day, and not only do I find myself teaching them the course content, I also sometimes find myself filling the role of mentor, counselor, disciplinarian, and sometimes even Mom. I teach at what many might consider a "rough" urban high school, and some of my students live in group homes and don't have a Mom reminding them to stay on track and praising them for a job well done. Despite the challenges, however, I love my job, and I love my students: they make me laugh and they keep me young and I love sharing my enthusiasm for learning with my students.

Every teacher, however, needs a break, and I'm so excited to share with you the Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition. Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, has just announced the 30 finalists of this amazing program: 15 teachers will be given the chance to travel and to experience first-hand the subject they teach...around the world! Hilton HHonors developed the program in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), a world leader in the international exchange (and administrator of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship). The program is part of Hilton Worldwide’s Travel with Purpose™ commitment to celebrating cultures and the power of travel to build stronger communities.

A panel of judges, including K-12 teachers and other education experts selected by IIE, narrowed the competition down to 30 finalists from 20 different states. Now through April 30, 2013, the public can vote for their favorite finalist at www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks to help determine the 15 winning entries.15 winners will receive a grant valued at $6,000 to travel to a destination of their choice; in addition to the trip, each winning teachers’ school will also receive a $2,500 grant to use for cultural activities or enhancements.

Individuals can cast one vote per day during the duration of the voting period. For more information on the 30 finalists, voting or for full Terms and Conditions, visit www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks today!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Hilton HHonors. All opinions are my own.

Shot@Life #BirthdayBash: My interview with Anastasia Dellaccio

2013-04-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's officially World Immunization Week, and Shot@Life, the UN Foundation organization that I am proud to be a part of, is hosting a #birthdaybash! Shot@Life Champions have been paired with one other as part of a getting-to-know-you mixer, and I've had the pleasure of connecting with Anastasia Dellaccio, a blogger, co-owner of Dolci Gelati, UN communications representative, and mom of two beautiful kids.

As an official gelato connisseur, I was salivating over Dolci Gelati's flavor selections. I am counting on Anastasia to bring me some Mimosa (orange and champagne!) sorbetto when Dolci Gelati expands to Chicago ;)

_______________________________________________

Where are you from and tell me a bit about your family?
I am originally from Philadelphia but have been in Washington, DC for quite a while now. My husband, Gianluigi is from Napoli, Italy and is a Pastry Chef/Culinary genius. Gianluigi and I were introduced by a mutual friend and he won my heart when he made me a box of homemade chocolates on our second date. Around the time we were married, the two of us opened Dolci Gelati together, an artisan, all natural gelato company. Since then the company has grown so much! We started out on the back of a vespa dropping samples at restaurants and now we have a store in Takoma Park, MD, carts at the National’s Ballpark and we sell to Whole Foods and other markets and restaurants throughout the area.

In addition to co-owning Dolci Gelati, I do outreach and communications for the United Nations Foundation which is basically my dream job. I love what I do and that I get to go to work every day and help people around the world through communicating about and supporting the work of the United Nations.

In addition, I have the two cutest Philanthro-tots in the world, Gianluca, 3 ½ and Valentina 5.

Why did you decide to become/what inspired you to become a Shot@Life Champion?
Out of all of the programs and campaigns we have at the United Nations Foundation, Shot@Life from the outset was the one that really touched my heart. Living in America with two kids we have all of the luxuries and comforts and something like vaccines is so common we don’t even think of the repercussions that would happen if something so simple was just not available. Mothers around the world are just like me however the struggle and stresses they go through, just to insure that they can get basic vaccines for their children is unimaginable. Even though I work at the UN Foundation and can help the campaign to strategize and communicate, as a Mom I wanted to do more and become more involved. I hope that I can use my status as a UN Foundation communications representative, as a business owner and as a digitally connected mom to spread the word about the importance and effectiveness of childhood vaccines around the world.

What is your favorite Shot@Life slogan???
My favorite is a shot at learning to read, Valentina’s is a shot at eating ice cream and Gianluca’s is a shot at playing with trains.

Thanks, Anastasia, it was great learning a bit more about you - let's me up for a gelato the next time I'm in DC!