New Orleans is known for being boring, mundane, and a snooze…. Right?

NOT!

In fact, New Orleans has AGAIN been named the best city in the United States for food, nightlife, people-watching and FUN!

That sounds more like it. The Girls at FestiGals know this and plan on entertaining and empowering woman New Orleans style this June.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to recharge your batteries, have some fun with your girlfriends, and network with women from across the country! There will be inspirational seminars, empowerment workshops, and some faces you might recognize. I remember Hoda Kotb from her days anchoring at WWL in New Orleans but you might recognize her from the TODAY show with Kathie Lee. Her humor and strength make her the perfect person to headline the 2012 FestiGals celebration. She’s survived breast cancer and covered heart breaking events around the world but she still manages to keep smiling. Other great speakers include:

Colleen Mullaney – Lifestyle expert and Huffington Post columnist: “Let’s Face It, We Love Any Reason to Celebrate”

Ti Adelaide Martin – Commander’s Palace; restaurateur, author and community leader: “Speechlets”

Tonya Fitzpatrick – Award-winning broadcaster/ CEO of Travel’s on Media Productions: “Live on Purpose”

Cary Broussard – Author of From Cinderella to CEO: “Redefining Your Fairy Tale”

Pamela Arceneaux – The Historic New Orleans Collection: “A Red Light Look at New Orleans History”

Debbie Schmitz, RNC, BSN – Cancer Care Navigator for EJGH Oncology Program: “Celebrating Success & Navigating Life’s Journeys”

Sue Jones – inspirational speaker whose triumphs will touch your heart

The event will take place at the historic Hotel Monteleone located on Royal Street in the French Quarter. In addition to the great speakers there will be opportunities to experience the finer things of New Orleans including:

• Power’d Sugar Walk to Cafe du Monde for cafe’ au lait & beignets

• Private tour and reception at M.S. Rau Antiques

• Insider’s tour of private French Quarter home and courtyard

• Reception at and tour of The Historic New Orleans Collection

• Chef John Folse Luncheon- 3 course lunch, inspired by Folse’s highly anticipated new culinary venture with Chef Rick Tramonto, Restaurant R’evolution

• Bodacious Bra Auction – Spectacular pieces of art using a ‘bra’ as the canvas

• Stiletto Stroll, a New Orleans style Second-line Parade through the French Quarter

• Private Tour of 1026 Conti Street, home of famed Norma Wallace

• Gospel Jazz experience at St. Augustine Church in the historic Treme neighborhood

This is going to be an amazing experience to interact with other women while enjoying the best New Orleans has to offer. In addition to having a wonderful time it’s important to know that all net proceeds are dedicated to the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans, and non-profit United Way Community impact partner. That’s just icing on the cake!

You can learn more about FestiGals on the web and order your tickets today!

         

I know what you’re thinking, Hershey’s and Moderation are not two words that you would normally put together. When it comes to their milky, sweet chocolate I tend to live by the philosophy of “Just one more won’t hurt.” But the truth is that balance is a key element to being healthy and happy. The goal of Hershey’s Moderation Nation is to empower you with the tips and tools needed to live a balanced lifestyle and to offer resources to help you find happiness through well-being. We can all have our chocolate, and eat it too, just in moderation.

At the Audubon Zoo’s annual Zoo-To-Do for Kids, I was honored to meet Olympic Gold Medalist and Hershey’s Moderation Nation Family Activity Guru, Jennie Finch. TIME magazine called her the most recognizable softball player in history after she helped the United States secure a gold medal in the 2004 summer games and bring home the silver in 2008. As an athlete and a mom, she understands the unique challenge of finding family activities that promote wellness. Even though she’s not training in a  gym a few hours a day, she is still finding ways to incorporate exercise into her day while playing with her kids. She takes advantage of a good game of tag or jumping on a trampoline as a great way to sneak in exercise. Also, after spending time in Louisiana, she knows how difficult it can be to practice moderation when the local food is so rich and delicious.

Photo Credit: Cheryl Gerber Photography

With the 2012 Olympic Games in London right around the corner, I asked Jennie about  her favorite Olympic moment. Outside of standing on the medal stand, she said it was representing the United States and being a part of Olympic Village where she was able to  interact with other athletes from around the world and from various sports. Finally, her advice to young athletes was to be the best YOU. No matter what sport or activity they are involved in, it’s important to focus on being the best that they can be and not compare themselves to others. It’s also important to identify weaknesses and work to make them your strengths.

Make sure to check out the Moderation Nation and all of the Gurus for great resources and tips on staying balanced and enjoying moderation. You’ll find great recipe ideas, tips for balanced eating that includes an article on starting a food journal, tips on family activities, and much much more! Find them on the web and like them on Facebook:

My son hi-fiving Olympic Champion and Softball Legend Jennie Finch!

Thank you for linking up here at Nola Mommy!

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GRADUATION CUPCAKE TOPPERS

Some Recipes you might want to try:

Wedding Cake Cupcakes (Scratch)

Wedding Cake Cupcakes (Doctored up Box Mix) 

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* the apartment on Magazine St. once occupied by JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald

* the parking lot that once housed the factory used in production of the WWII Higgins Boats

* the hospital where Reese Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976

* the praline shop that served as the first employer for fitness personality Richard Simmons

* the high school where brothers Eli, Peyton and Cooper starred in football during the 1990s

* the bar that served as the base for noted pirate Jean Lafitte’s operation in the early 1700s

*the day and place that New Orlean’s legend Harry Connick Jr. was born

I consider myself to have a pretty good knowledge base of the city and events but there are a ton of things that I didn’t know and find really interesting.  Each event or landmark includes a small description with more information and links so that you can quickly do even more research.

So if your in town for the second weekend of Jazz Fest and want to impress your friends with some great New Orleans trivia go download the It Happened Here App. Even if your a local, I promise you’ll pick up some new fun facts!

It Happened Here is currently available for 8 U.S. Cities including: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Las Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, and New Orleans.

You can more information about the It Happened Here App and information on where to go to download it on the web at:

Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this app in order to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

When I was downloading some pictures from this past weekend these were mixed in. I totally forgot my oldest son asked me if he could take some pictures of his toys. He did a great job capturing the battle between the Autobots vs. the Decepticons. He assured me that the good guys won!

Happy Wordless Wednesday and Thank you for linking up here at Nola Mommy!

The finale of the Leap into Spring Photo Challenge is here. Thanks to Alicia from Project Alicia, Kristi from Live and Love out Loud, and Rebecca from Bumbles and Light for hosting the challenge and putting together some amazing giveaways!

You have until May 18th to enter your photo for a chance to win!

My entry is of a Japanese Magnolia bud in my back yard.
I picked this photo because if you look closely it resembles a heart and I love the bokeh in the background.

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This Cinco de Mayo celebrate with Margarita Cupcakes.

These cupcakes showcase the perfect mix between a tart lime and a sweet cupcake!

I topped mine off with lime green sprinkles and a margarita cupcake topper!

Follow these links to download your FREE Margarita Glass and/or Cinco de Mayo Cupcake Toppers:

FREE PRINTABLE: MARGARITA CUPCAKE TOPPER (1.5″ circle)

FREE PRINTABLE: CINCO DE MAYO (1.5″ circle)

I am working on some new projects that I can’t wait to share

and even more overwhelming is planning a first birthday party!

This week I could not figure out what our dachshund, Bailey, was growling at.

I figured it was some kind of animal…..

It was a Stone Frog!

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The Bravest Dog of All!

Thank you for linking up here at Nola Mommy!

Recently,  I came across the Lil’ Yat’s Adventure Books and Coloring Books at a local children’s expo.  I knew right away that they were the perfect fit for any New Orleans family and wanted to share them with the readers of Nola Mommy! I love everything that is naturally New Orleans and really enjoy teaching my sons about the uniqueness of this area. Even if you’re not from here these books are a perfect way to share something new with your kids! They are sure to enjoy stories of the swamp, pirates, Mardi Gras, City Park, and a day around New Orleans. My family really enjoyed reading these books together and my husband and I both shared stories of growing up and enjoying all of the locations mentioned! From riding streetcars uptown, eating beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde, visiting Storyville in City Park, or fishing in the swamp Lil’ Yat’s Adventures are full of fun tales for your entire family.

Written and illustrated by a brother and sister team who grew up in Uptown New Orleans, they really capture the city in a fun way that kids will enjoy! In addition to the storybooks, don’t miss out of the Lil’ Yat’s Adventure Coloring Books. Kids will enjoy coloring Lil’ Yat at some of New Orleans’ favorite places including the Aquarium!

I am thrilled that one very lucky reader
will win all 5 (FIVE) Lil’ Yat Stories!

- New Orleans Pirate Adventure
– New Orleans City Park Adventure
– Yat a tat tat….It’s all about that! (A Louisiana Swamp Adventure)
– New Orleans Dreamy Adventure
– Lil’ Yat & Friends Mardi Gras

To Enter: (Mandatory Entry):

Leave a comment telling me what Lil’ Yat Adventure you most look forward to reading.

For Additional Entries: (Please leave an additional comment for each):

1) Follow @NolaTricia on Twitter

2) Follow @YatsUnlimited on Twitter

3) Subscribe to Nola Mommy via RSS Reader or E-mail

4) Like Yat’s Unilimited on Facebook

5) Tweet about this Giveaway:

Win FIVE Lil’ Yat’s Adventure Books by @YatsUnlimited http://bit.ly/I1gFHg @NolaTricia #giveaway #books #win

Giveaway Ends 5/1/2012 at 9pm CST. Prize will be shipped by giveaway sponsor. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Open to U.S. Residents only. Winner will be selected using the …And the Winner is WordPress Plugin.

Disclosure: I was given Lil’ Yat’s Adventure Books and Coloring Books in order to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own!