One of my very favorite things about the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is that the planners incorporate families and kids into the schedule. There is an opening mixer and one full day of conference sessions for attendees-only – and then the rest of the meals and special events are produced for the enjoyment of the whole family.

For the day of the conference, I wanted an outfit that was professional and classic, while still being comfortable.

I settled on a black-and-white color scheme, which ended up being just right for pictures.

Black Cardigan Sweater by DownEast Basics – DownEast Basics is one of my go-to brands for clothing. They offer fresh, trendy pieces that outlast the season. I’ve had this particular black cardigan for almost 4 years and it has retained it’s shape marvelously. I love the longer length and 3/4 length sleeves.

Black & White Polka-Dot layering piece by SkinnyShirt – SkinnyShirt’s tag line goes like this: “Get the look of a button-front collared shirt without the bunchiness and bulk.” Essentially, skinny shirts are sleeveless and lightweight layering pieces that pair wonderfully with sweaters and jackets. They instantly move any outfit up a notch in professionalism! Perfect for warmer weather!

White Mini Skirt Cayenne by DDatelier – A well-fitting pencil skirt is one of the best items in any woman’s closet. Pencil skirts are versatile, professional, and universally flattering. DDatelier’s skirt in white is an especially good pick for summer. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, DDatelier “designs and cuts their clothes specifically for slim women with D+ cups.” I definitely plan to keep my eye on this brand as they release new pieces each season.

Strappy Heels by Unlisted, Kenneth Cole. I’ve had these black summer heels in my closet for YEARS. Still a great pick for coordinating with conference attire and cocktail dresses.

Toes by Kathryn of BamBamBeauty – My sister Kathryn is a licensed cosmetologist and make-up artist. Whenever I need a haircut or a pedicure or a cosmetics recommendation, I call her up.

Stay tuned for another post about what I wore to the Disney Social Media Moms Mother’s Day Breakfast.

* Thanks to SkinnyShirt and DDatelier for providing samples.

Ranging in size from birth thru age 8, See Kai Run‘s shoes are breathable, flexible, stretchable, ultra-cushiony, and all-out stylish. You’re sure to love the stunning color combos and modern designs.

Take a look.

I SERIOUSLY LOVE THEM ALL. 

See Kai Run is hosting a 24-Hour Online Warehouse Sale TOMORROW. The sale starts Thursday, May 9 at NOON and ends on Friday, May 10 at NOON. Get ‘em before they’re gone.

Scoop up a pair or two while the prices are HOT and then use the rafflecopter form below to enter to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On spring days like today, the girls spend hours in our yard.

It’s the small kind of backyard that is typical of newer subdivisions, but Tim worked his magic several years ago and it’s now one of the very best parts of our home. There’s a playground with a slide and tire swing (a wonderful hand-me-down from our next-door neighbors), a sandbox with a playhouse, and a flagstone porch with a patio dining set for 6. Best of all, we have an uninhibited view of the mountains.

Though we typically choose closed-toed play shoes for our kids during most of the year, we like to have one good pair of sandals for each girl for the summer months.

When I think about kids’ shoes, I almost always think SEE KAI RUN first. The Washington-based, mom-owned company makes flexible, comfortable, super stylish, and easy-to-put-on shoes.

Take a look at these Harper Hot Pink sandals that See Kai Run sent my way.

Also available in White and Mint (the “it” color of the season), these sandals are a little girl’s dream. They’re breathable, nicely cushioned, and super versatile (they match almost everything!).

Our just-turned-4-year-old can quickly take them on and off without assistance.

* On a budget? Bookmark the Sale section of the website and sign up for the See Kai Run Email List. If you happen to live near Woodinville, you’re in luck because the brand hosts regular Warehouse Sales on-location, where you can score shoes for $15-$40.

That said, I do acknowledge that my skin is changing as I tiptoe into my 30′s and that my skin will be with me for a lifetime. I want to do due diligence – taking care of my largest organ and creating good habits that my daughters can emulate as they grow up.

As it stands, I would describe my make-up style as “minimal.” I prefer the rosy-cheeked, natural look AND I prefer products with a short ingredient list.

Here’s a peek at my beauty routine at age 31.

BODY MOISTURIZER: Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil

My sister-in-law bought me a big jar of organic virgin coconut oil from Trader Joe’s about a year ago. I now use it as an all-over body moisturizer about every other day. I apply it right after I get out of the shower – with extra attention to my elbows, knees, and heels. Sometimes I slather it generously on my feet and then wear socks to lock in the moisture overnight. The smell is lovely.

FACIAL MOISTURIZER: Mighty Moisture by Mama Mio

Though titled a “day & night moisturizer,” I typically only use this moisturizer at night – often right after a shower. It’s super “light” feeling – not at all greasy or thick. Perfect for my combination skin. I’d like to get in the habit of using it 2X/day. It came with a miniature booklet of facial exercises to help build tone and prevent wrinkles, but I haven’t had the time/interest to add them into my routine.

SELF-TANNER: true natural face & body

As summer approaches, I like the look of bronze skin…but I also want to avoid too much exposure to the sun. Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the USA and I do my best to avoid direct sun at midday. The true natural brand of self-tanner is a breeze to apply and looks ultra-natural. Best of all, it’s vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free. Though not completely scent-free, it’s also not stinky. I especially make it a point to apply self tanner before heading to events or media appearances where photographs are likely. A warm tan can do wonders when you’re behind the camera.

DEODORANT: rubbing alcohol & cotton balls

After trying a number of different deodorants and antiperspirants, several Facebook fans recommended alcohol. Yes, alcohol. The kind you get for under $5 a bottle at the grocery store. I apply it at least once daily with cotton balls, swabbing generously. It’s strong enough to kill bacteria and doesn’t “trap moisture” in my body like antiperspirants do.

HAIR PRODUCT: Curling Custard by Kinky-Curly

Since my hair is naturally curly, my hair care routine is about two minutes. I don’t even own a blow dryer, curler, or bottle of hair spray. On most days, I just scrunch my hair with gel straight out of the shower and let it air dry. This tub o’ custard by Kinky-Custard is pretty amazing, creating defined ringlets with very little effort. Even my husband noticed the difference in my hair when I switched from Herbal Essences to Kinky-Curly.

LIPSTICK: Revlon ColorStay and CoverGirl Outlast

After reading that most women ingest 4-9 POUNDS of lipstick over a lifetime, I switched exclusively to the “long-lasting” varieties many years ago. Revlon ColorStay and CoverGirl Outlast are my go-to brands because of affordability and ease of use. The colors are great and they really do last. I typically have to “scrub” the color off of my lips in the shower at the end of the day  - which means I’m not eating (much) of it. Yay.

MASCARA: In search of a new favorite

In my current season of life, I only wear mascara about once a week. Maybe less. My most recent purchase was lash fusion blast by CoverGirl, but I’m non-impressed. Which mascara is in your cosmetics bag?

FOUNDATION: No7 True Identity Foundation

While wandering the beauty aisles at Target a few days ago, a beautician in black asked me if I needed any help. I blinked and nodded, explaining that I was looking for a BB Cream. Up to this year, I’ve always opted for a tinted moisturizer – or nothing. Lately, though, I’ve been wanting to try something with a little more coverage. She introduced me to No7 True Identity Foundation and let me try it on in-store…so wonderful for this “clueless in cosmetics” woman. So far, I really like it. Easy to apply. Exactly the right color. Light coverage. I’m happy.

TWEEZERS: Tweezerman

If you don’t have a favorite brand of tweezers, you’ve never tried Tweezerman. The points are super sharp. The handle is easy to grip. And they’re pretty, to boot!

——————————————-

What are your favorite beauty and skincare products?

* Thanks to Mama Mio, Tweezerman, true natural, and Kinky-Curly for providing product samples.

Check out the “Alien Green” color – sporty, casual, and light enough to be a good pick for warmer weather climates.

The 2013 model features a pushbutton start, remote keyless entry, auto on/off headlights, sliding sunroof, and rear windshield wipers. I especially appreciated the rear camera display – ideal for pulling out of garages or tight spaces!

This particular model had a built-in voice navigation system, which could use some improvements. The “voice” kept informing me that there was “congestion ahead” when the streets were perfectly clear. I also found that the Google Maps app on my phone provided more accurate directions.

The KIA Soul averages 23-28mpg and starts at $14,440. That number can quickly approach the $25,000 mark with upgrades like leather seats, voice navigation system, etc.

Although the Soul wouldn’t be a good pick for a family like ours since we currently have three little ones in car seats, it may be the right choice for a young professional or empty nester.

What color is your car? What features do you look for when shopping for a new vehicle?

* Thanks to Drive STI for this test drive experience.

As a travel writer, I have had the privilege to preview and review many outstanding destinations. In 2011, our family spent almost an entire year in an RV – visiting museums, theme parks, non-profits, parks, libraries, and more. Even after all of that travel, Disney remains one of our top picks for family vacations.

As such, I couldn’t be more thrilled to let you know that I have been selected as one of the attendees for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, an invitation-only conference for social media minded moms and dads. The professional conference will take place over Mother’s Day weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

One of my favorite aspects of the DSMM is that it is created specifically as a “family-friendly conference.” It’s designed so that conference-goers can network, learn, and share their knowledge of social media WHILE simultaneously experiencing the magic of Disney with their families. As an entrepreneur, I am keenly aware of the benefits of attending events with other leaders in my field. At the same time, I don’t like spending time away from my husband and our three young daughters. It’s fabulous that Disney World combined the two. I’d love to see more conferences follow suit.

Be sure to follow along here at Metropolitan Mama for photos of the conference, tips and tricks of the trade for planning an affordable and memorable Disney vacation, and fun videos with some of your favorite bloggers. I’m also a contributor to Disneyed.com and Trekaroo so you can watch my coverage there as well.

THANKS TO ERGOBABY

I’d also like to thank Ergobaby for sponsoring my conference experience. Our family has been to a Disney park at least once per year ever since our first daughter was born – and we always bring our Ergo carrier along. It’s a comfortable and convenient way to carry a baby or young toddler through the parks. Here are some photos from 2009, when we spent Halloween and Christmas in Anaheim.

This year, I’ll be carrying our newest little one in the Ergo. Stay tuned for more fun babywearing pictures in the parks!

Will you be at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration this year? Have you been in years past?

It’s a tug of war in our souls – we want to be fashionable. Simultaneously, we acknowledge that there are way more important things to spend our time and money on than the size or scope of our closet.

Personal Style

When evaluating clothes, I tend to select pieces that travel well (since we do quite a bit of that), can easily mix and match with other pieces in my closet (for maximum economic impact), and that are NOT dry clean only.

Because I have three young children (ages 6, 4, and almost 1), my wardrobe consists primarily of jeans and tees or cardigans. I need to have items that allow me to bend, squat, and run with relative ease for daily wear. It’s also important for me to have a few dressier outfits for press junkets, television appearances, and conferences.

I would describe my everyday style as casual and my business style as classic. For example, I am much more likely to buy a Little Black Dress than a dress in a super trendy style for fear that it will go out of fashion before I have time to make good use of it. If I could borrow from anyone’s closet, I’d choose Queen Rania of Jordan.

Favorite Places to Shop

I prefer online shopping for convenience and time-savings, but it’s not always easy to get sizing exactly right.

My favorite brick-and-mortar place to shop is Nordstrom Rack. The one in my city is well-organized and has great prices on designer brands (especially denim).

In another season of life, I’m sure I’d be a thrift and consignment store maven. Why pay full price when you can get gently used clothes for way less? For now, however, I don’t have the time to sort through racks for hidden treasures while carrying a baby and looking for little blonde heads bobbing through the store. Not to mention I’m wary of the germs and general yuckiness in secondhand shops so I’m constantly saying, “Don’t touch anything!”

Current Brands in My Closet

I alternate between three pairs of jeans – two are made by Habitual, one is by 7 For All Mankind.

My three favorite tops lately are a button-up cardigan by DownEast Basics, a denim button-up shirt by H & M, and a zip-up yellow sweatshirt by Aeropostale.

I also have a business suit by Ann Taylor and an assortment of stretchy tank tops (layering is the friend of nursing mothers).

To Try in 2013

Since the weather here in Arizona is quickly turning warmer, I’ll need to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe soon – several well-made tees and tanks, a pair of denim capris, cut-off shorts, a skirt or two, and a great swimsuit coverup.

Here’s the plan.

thredUP - I’ve written about thredUP extensively over the past year. It’s a great online consignment shop concept where you can sell and buy kids clothes – top brands, affordable prices. Our family has had a good experience with the brand and…they just announced the launch of a Women’s Shop. You can submit your email to be one of the FIRST to find out about the official launch, plus receive special discounts and such. Super excited about this.

Stitch Fix – StitchFix is all the rage in the blogosphere. It’s like having your own personal stylist from afar. You fill out a style profile with your sizing info & budget…and are sent pieces to “match” your requirements. There is a $20 styling fee, but you can apply it toward your purchase should you decide to keep any of the five items that are sent your way. Sounds promising.

Clothing Swaps – Pre-kids, I held Clothes Swaps about twice a year at my house. I’d invite approximately 20-30 women to bring bags of clothes that were “too big, too tiny, too dull, too shiny, too tight, too cold, too bright, too bold, too frumpy, too baggy, too fancy, too saggy, too short, too tall, too trendy, all wrong.” (I wrote that little jingle myself). We divided clothes by category and everyone SHOPPED. I’d love to start up this tradition again – for women’s clothes and children’s clothes. Who’s in?

Your Turn

Share the “state of your wardrobe” in the comments! What are your favorite places to shop? What are the current brands that take up residence in your closet? Do you have a Pinterest style board? Let’s talk!

• building or buying a large table with benches for the backyard.
• getting better about meal-planning so it’s no big deal to invite dinner guests on short notice.
• creating more fun “kid spaces” and activities.

No matter the size of my house or the pen scribbles all over my calendar, I want to have the margin to welcome people into my heart and my home. To be known as a gracious, warm, and fun hostess. It’s on my list of life improvements.

While friendliness, humility, compassion, and flexibility are the foundation of hospitality, it helps to have items in the home that lend themselves to a comfortable and laid-back environment. Examples? A coffee pot, enough seats to go around, cups for kids and grown-ups, etc.

An electric kettle is also lovely for when you are serving hot drinks to a crowd. Simply heat the water to the desired temperature and each guest can select their favorite tea, hot chocolate, or cider. It’s certainly much faster than microwaving one mug at a time. Not to mention it keeps your stovetop free.

All you do is fill the kettle with the desired amount of water, push down a lever, and the water boils quickly. No worries if you’re busy with young children or other tasks around the house. The kettle automatically turns off when it reaches the boiling point.

The thermal pitcher does a good job of keeping the water warm, but it’s also safe to put down on any countertop (plus, it’s BPA-free).

Give­away:

One Metropolitan Mama will receive a Cordless Kettle by Sunpentown. ARV $62.

Enter:

Use the Raf­fle­copter form below to enter. Com­plete as many (or as few) tasks as you like.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thanks to SPT for providing two kettles – one for review and one for this giveaway.

With dazzling dance numbers, over-the-top costumes (reminiscent of “The Hunger Games”), a spectacular set, and impeccable casting, WICKED left its audience in a state of exaltation.

Jenn Gambatese stole the show as “Ga-linda the Good” with her infectious goodness. Her perky refrains in “Popular” had me laughing out loud and the evolution of her character was glorious with humanity. An energetic and notable performance!

Dee Roscioli perfectly countered bubbly Glinda with her intense and sensible stage presence. She absolutely nailed the Wicked Witch of the West laugh and her solos shook the audience to the core.

When Curt Hansen arrives on scene as Fiyero, he plays the part of the cocky fraternity boy to a T. His transformation from outwardly shallow to honest and true was compelling – and his voice was smooth as silk in the duet with Elphaba.

To say that I had high expectations for this show is an understatement. No one was more surprised than I that the performance actually exceeded my lofty eagerness.

The show bleeds with imagination and heartfelt emotion. When we drove off, I turned and commented about how, “I would see the show again tomorrow night.” It was nothing short of sensational.

Currently playing in Charlotte, NC and Tucson, AZ – the show’s next stops include Rochester, NY, Dallas, TX, and Kalamazoo, MI. The show is 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets generally range in price between $45-$175.

Have you seen WICKED? What is your favorite song from the soundtrack?

* Thanks to Broadway in Tucson for providing VIP Media tickets for this engagement.

Now that she is six and a half, I realize that her birthday falls at a rather unfortunate time when it comes to the school system. As it is, she’ll always be either the oldest or the youngest in her class. Although there are some homeschoolers who reject the grade system altogether, we choose to still use grades – as a marker for ourselves and to avoid confusion to the most frequently asked of questions (“What grade are you in?“).

Technically, she should be in Kindergarten this year. That is where we started her, but we soon saw that she was far beyond the basics of the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, and addition sums. Quite without knowing it, we had taught the principles of Kinder without a formal curriculum.

In late fall, after careful consideration, we purchased and began using the My Father’s World, First Grade curriculum – a much better fit for her academic level. We’re halfway through now and these are our general thoughts.

Here are a few sample pages from the Student Workbook. Note that I have a doodler on my hands, which is a good thing since studies have shown that doodling improves memory and cognitive function (goodness, it can drive the teacher crazy though!). ;)

PROS

• Charlotte Mason. MFW clearly bills itself as being based on Charlotte Mason principles, which I generally agree with. I like the emphasis on living books, short lessons, time in the outdoors, and the importance of the arts.
  
• Phonics-based reading. Though we don’t follow the curriculum to a T, we do make an effort to do the reading lessons most every day. The approach is straight-forward and easy to teach. It’s neither too fast nor too slow for our daughter.
• International focus. The curriculum claims this as one of its distinctives and I appreciate that it’s written from a global perspective (not revolving solely or primarily around the US of A). That said, in my “dream curriculum,” the curriculum would also include a second language component.
• Affordability. The books may not be hardbound beauties with glossy colorful pictures, but the price is certainly appealing. $200-$300 per year is a steal compared to many other options on the market.

CONS

• Non-integrated Math. Mathematics isn’t included in the daily lesson plans. Instead, the curriculum provides a number of suggested activities that you can choose from and implement. In theory, that sounds wonderful. In reality, for this exhausted mother of three (including a baby!), it’s just hard.  
• Bible information overload. We have been reading the Bible to the girls since they were babes. The two children’s versions on our shelves are The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Big Picture Storybook Bible. Our daughters are keenly aware of God’s presence and their childlike faith and love for Him is refreshing. All that being said, I’ve not been particularly impressed by the way MFW introduces and teaches the Bible. All parents will feel differently about this, but I don’t think it is necessary for our 1st grader to draw a Bible times map, to be able to identify and label the major rivers of the Biblical texts, to illustrate the story of Cain & Abel, or even to memorize a verse a week. That will come in due time. I’m most interested in laying a strong foundation in reading and math – and nurturing a love of learning. The other information seems almost superfluous so we’ve been skipping it.
• Sometimes overly simplistic/babyish. As part of one lesson, we were advised to fill one spoon with honey and one spoon with garbage. The parent is supposed to ask the child which he would rather eat and then discuss the importance of using kind words. In another lesson, the child is instructed to take a bandaid and put it on someone who needs healing words (Tim & I had a bit of a laugh about that one – socially awkward, no?). I get it; I do. But the overly contrived morals can be a bit too sickeningly sweet. Pun intended.

SUMMARY

We remain undecided about second grade, although it is unlikely that we will purchase a complete package from any one curriculum distributor. My guess is that we will piece together a curriculum of our own (possibly including some MFW books?) instead of buying a “set.” I’d like to purchase a strong reading and mathematics curriculum (more on that in an upcoming post) – and then create our own hands-on fun for science, history, writing, and the arts.

One of the best aspects of homeschooling is the ability to constantly reassess and make changes based on a child’s interests, aptitudes, struggles, and strengths. Like my mom before me, I’m beginning to think that I’m more of a “little bit of this, little bit of that” homeschooler as opposed to a “curriculum loyalist.” ;)

* Note that My Father’s World has made “major revisions” to the First Grade curriculum for the 2013-14 school year. 

If you homeschool, what curriculum(s) do you use? Leave a short review in the comments or link to one of your previous posts.