Acure Organic Baby Products 

11 Mar

I was invited to attend Acure Baby event with Montrends and learn more about natural products for babies and kids. 

Here is a description about the company:

Acure Organics is a family owned and operated company founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality fair trade, natural and certified organic personal care products. Our products are created with great care and are a reflection of our values. Each of our products is free from animal testing, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives and artificial colors. We travel the globe to find the most potent certified organic ingredients that meet our high standards of efficacy and purity. We thank you for sharing in our mission to have a positive impact on the world we live in.

The baby care products are just the cutest. The packaging is colorful and the name of the products are fun. Here are some of the products I took a look at:

*Yummy baby lotion which moisturizes and protects with delicious olive oil and shea butter and the soothing effects of cucumber, calendula + chamomile.

*Baby bug stick organic balm will keep those annoying bugs at bay. DEET and chemical free. 

*All better balm all-in-one quick fix for whatever is bothering baby…and you! Baby needs a rub-down? Covered. Cracked hands, chapped nose? Moisturizes and protects. Stretch marks and scars? A little smooths them over a lot! Annoying Mother-in-law? Gift her one and she will be nice and go away for a bit. Problems solved.

   
 These are just a few of the products. For more info head to http://www.acureorganics.com and @acureorganics on Twitter. 

Disclosure: This is a compensated post, opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Disney’s Zootopia Review & Behind the Scenes with Animator Darrin Butters

2 Mar

We recently attended an advanced 3D screening of Disney’s animation film Zootopia. In the city of Zootopia there’s all types of animals from every environment living together. It reminds me of New York with neighborhoods like Sahara Square and Tundratown.  

When rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack acase, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman),to solve the mystery. 

My favorite characters were the Sloths. They’re in the DMV scene where it’s actually showing you how slow the DMV really is and the Sloths represent the workers. That was the funniest scene in my opinion. My kids enjoyed that part too. Another scene we enjoyed were the elephants in the ice cream shop. Wait till you see the giant pop that the so-called kid wanted. 

Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt 

Hits theaters Friday, March 4, 2016

http://movies.disney.com/zootopia

@DisneyZootopia on Twitter 

I also attended a behind the scenes animation event with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Darrin Butters. Darrin has been an animator on many of Disney’s top films including TANGLED, BOLT, WRECK IT RALPH and FROZEN. Butters began his career as an assistant animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios in September 1996. He shared exclusive clips and behind the scenes info on the upcoming ZOOTOPIA, and there was a Q&A session.

It was great to see what goes on in the making of animated films and how a persons expression can turn into something so funny when it’s shown on the big screen. Darrin Butters is a genius. His work is amazing. It was a pleasure listening and meeting him. 

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. I was invited to both events. 

   
 

My Family Weekend Getaway with Residence Inn Central Park 

26 Feb

I promised myself that 2016 would be the year of travel for my family and I. Whether it’s local or abroad we deserve to travel more and go on lots of vacations. My hometown New York is so big and things are constantly being built. I’m not one to walk looking up but I have been noticing the architecture on buildings and have found some interesting things. Sometimes I feel like a tourist in my own city especially when I attend an event in a building I know I’ve passed more than a hundred times. Honestly I like finding things because I like to help guide people to the best places my city have to offer. 

In January I attended Central Park Neighborhood Block Party at Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott Manhattan-Central Park. Two hotels in one building and not just any hotel, the tallest hotel in North America. I am proud to say my city has the tallest hotel in North America. How great is that? 

As I walked in I was greeted by amazing staff and directed to the Bistro which is located on the 4th floor till my event started. Drinks and food can be purchased at the Bistro and you can also grab a personal booth with a television and outlets to charge your devices. 

Later I made my way down to the 3rd floor, another spacious dining area where the event took place. I was there to meet clients, enjoy food, cocktails, live music and try to win amazing prizes. 

There were also tours of the two hotels (Courtyard & Residence Inn) that I made sure to go on. As I walked into the rooms I  was in heaven. I knew I just had to bring my family back to experience what I was seeing at that moment. 

Everything was perfect from the beds to the incredible views from the 65th floor. One side of the hotel shows views of Times Square and you can even see the New Year’s Eve ball, so if you’re looking to stay in a hotel for NYE and want to see the ball drop up close I suggest you book early. 

After the tour lots of raffles were given away. Lots of people took home very generous prizes. I won a complimentary 2-night stay at Residence Inn Central Park. You already know I was very excited because I wanted this and it was given to me. When I told my kids they were equally excited and wanted to go right away. 

I decided to go the week of my son’s birthday which also happen to be their week off from school. I took 3 of my kids and we had a great weekend together. Awaiting us in our room was popcorn, soda and candy for a fun movie night and we were also given food from the Bistro. We appreciated that so much.   

  Residence Inn Central Park is a suite-hotel with floor to ceiling windows and awesome views of NYC. There’s also free wifi and breakfast. Inside the room there’s also a microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer, coffee machine, toaster, crockpot, dishes, glassware and silverware. These suites are great for anyone staying longer than a week. It’s a home away from home. My kids said they wanted to live there. We loved the dishwasher. We all took turns using it. I did shopping in the area and made use of the refrigerator and microwave. My son enjoyed popping his popcorn in the microwave.  

 We watched movies, ate lots of food, had pillow fights, played cards and made shadow figures on the ceiling. We also took pictures outside like tourists, did grocery shopping and enjoyed the weather. We all loved waking up to the beautiful views of New York from the 42nd floor.  

 A full American Breakfast is served on the 3rd floor from 7-10a.m., Saturday and Sunday and 6:30-9:30a.m. Monday thru Friday. They have everything from coffee, tea, juice, scrambled eggs, french toast, sausage, muffins, bagels, oatmeal, cereal, potatoes, fruit, biscuits, waffles that you can make yourself in the waffle maker which my kids enjoyed doing. If you miss breakfast you can head to the Bistro for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, drinks and Starbucks Coffee.   

  The fitness center, sky terrace seasonal outdoor space, ice machine and guest laundromat is located on the 35th floor. Happy hour is from 4-7p.m. in the Bistro 7 days a week.  
 There’s so much to do in the area. Times Square is not far away and you can catch a Broadway Play, go shopping, and take plenty of pictures with all the lights that are so bright up and down Times Square. Also across from the hotel is talk show The Late Show. I don’t know how far in advance you should put in a request for tickets but if you happen to be in town when you do get tickets enjoy! There might even be standby tickets available if you ask.  

 We didn’t want the weekend to end and the kids are ready to return. Our home away from home will always be with Residence Inn no matter where we travel. Thank you for a great weekend getaway Residence Inn.  

 For more info check out @residenceinncentralpark on Instagram. Here is the link to the website : http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycpr-residence-inn-new-york-manhattan-central-park/

Disclosure: I won a 2-night stay at Residence Inn. I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Make The Switch to Turkey with Jennie-O and The Biggest Loser (recipe)

21 Feb

 Each year, many Americans commit to New Year’s resolutions focused on achieving a healthier lifestyle. However, by the second week in February, 80 percent of those resolutions are kicked to the curb as people try to implement impractical lifestyle changes. (U.S. News & World Report)

Essential to making healthy lifestyle changes stick, is taking small steps and setting realistic benchmarks, a lesson the trainers on NBC’s The Biggest Loser continuously preach to the show’s contests. In the spirit of making small, impactful changes, Biggest Loser trainer Jen Widerstrom taught contestants how to create a nutritious and delicious new Jennie-O breakfast recipe during the episode that aired Monday, Feb. 15. 
If you caught The Biggest Loser last week you saw this amazing recipe made featuring Turkey Breakfast Sausage Chilaquiles with JENNIE-O® Lean Mild Turkey Breakfast Sausage Roll. Created in collaboration with Biggest Loser RD Cheryl Forberg, the recipe puts a tasty, low-cal spin on a favorite south-of-the-boarder dish. Here is the recipe below:

  

Turkey Breakfast Sausage Chilaquiles

 

Serves 8

Prep time 20 mins

Total time under 30 mins

 

Ingredients

 

SAUCE

 

2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced fire roasted tomatoes

1 cup chopped onion

1 roasted red bell pepper

1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth

¼ cup chopped cilantro

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons chopped garlic

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon ground mustard

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon chipotle chili in adobo sauce, if desired

salt and pepper, if desired

 

CHILAQUILES

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O® Lean Mild Turkey Breakfast Sausage Roll

48 baked corn tortilla strips

½ cup thinly sliced red onion

¼ cup crumbled low-fat feta cheese

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 medium avocado, died or ½ cup guacamole, if desired

 

DIRECTIONS:

Sauce:

In bowl of food processor or jar of a blender purée all sauce ingredients until smooth. Pour into a 2 quart sauté pan, simmer sauce, stirring, 3 minutes and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Keep warm. (Sauce may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.) Yield 6 cups.

 

Chilaquiles:  

Cook turkey sausage as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer. Set aside.

Assemble Chilaquiles in shallow dishes or soup bowls. Crumble 6 tortilla chips into each bowl. Top with ¾ cup very hot sauce. Sprinkle with ¼ cup turkey sausage crumbles. Garnish with onion, feta cheese, cilantro and avocado, if desired.

I’m drooling just looking at the picture. I love turkey burgers, sausage and ground turkey and have made the switch from ground beef when making my favorite dishes. This recipe is definitely being saved as I will make this soon. For more information on the partnership and Biggest Loser-approved recipes, visit jennieo.com/partnerships/the-biggest-loser. @JennieO on Instagram. 

   
   
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. I was given product to review. 

Getting Better for Cold & Flu Season with Homeopathic Medicines

20 Feb

Between January and February my kids and I get the sniffles, runny noses, asthma, sore throats, etc and I don’t like running to the emergency unless a cough lasts more than a week or asthma needs extra medication that I don’t have on hand. I feel like over the counter medicine doesn’t work all the time so I try home remedies and lots of fluids and rest. 

I recently attended Boiron’s Winter Well event with Blogger Brianne Manz (Stroller In The City) at Washington Market Pediatrics at 161 Hudson St.  Bloggers were invited to learn and prepare for cold & flu season. 

  
Last year we were all sick and I had to be hospitalized. This year I held out till recently where I caught a cold but it’s nothing compared to last year. I took my flu shot which seemed to help me out a lot because with my kids sick I just knew I would be home for a few weeks but I wasn’t. They were though. My 13 had his flu shot. We tried the nasal instead of the injection because he hates shots. It went well. 

I don’t know how many boxes of tissues I went through between my three kids. Now I have to restock. 

Dr. Lisa Kaufman from (Village Pediatrics) and Dr. Tiffany Knipe from (WMP) chatted with us for the morning about getting flu shots early, myths and facts and what ages should get their flu shots. I’m a germaphobe and carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go and make sure we are constantly washing our hands. It’s hard to watch my kids especially when their in school which is where kids gets sick the most because of the germs and other sick kids but I do make sure they carry sanitizer as well and wash their hands as much as possible. 

  
Boiron is a world leader in homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that uses highly diluted natural substances to relieve symptoms. Boiron provide products that work without causing drowsiness or drug interactions. I am a big fan of providing my family with a healthier, more natural lifestyle so when I heard Boiron was also providing us with information about their products and giving samples I was thankful because this came at the right time while my kids were sick.  

I gave them Boiron’s Children’s Chestal Cold & Cough syrup which temporarily relieves symptoms of the common cold, such as sneezing, fitful cough, runny or stuffy nose, nasal and chest congestion and minor sore throat. Available for everyone ages 3 and up. I gave my kids this  and the coughing stopped, runny, stuffy noses disappeared I was very impressed. This is definitely a keeper. 

Other items included in the gift bag were Calendula Cream, Arnicare Gel, Children’s Coldcalm, Oscillococcinum and other goodies. 

To learn more about these homeopathic medicines check out @BoironUSA @OscilloUSA @ArnicareUSA @CamiliaUSA on Twitter and http://www.boironusa.com

I also downloaded the free homeopathic medicine finder app which is very useful at: http://www.boironusa.com/app 

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Doing Laundry is Fast with Three Easy Steps using Downy Ball

12 Feb

For most people, when they were growing up their mother did their laundry. Putting the freshly cleaned clothes up to your nose and breathing in a scent of a spring meadow. Laundry items and tools have changed over the years but the Downy Ball has remained the same since it’s debut in 1960. It’s simple design has been saving people time by preventing them from having to wait for the rinse cycle to begin to add fabric softener. It’s also the same tool that could help you get your clothes the same way mom used to. It’s easy to use, just fill the ball, toss it on top of your clothes and let the washer work its magic.
In the past, if you wanted to use fabric softener to give your clothes the softness of a cloud, there would be the time consuming task of having to wait for the rinse cycle before adding the softener. Dryer sheets do not give your clothing the same feel or scent of liquid fabric softener. Washers today are made with a built in fabric softener dispensers but they easily get clogged and create a mess. Downy has created a simple solution called the Downy Ball. Downy Ball helps you soften your clothes in 3 simple steps. Fill to the appropriate line on Downy Ball for the wash load size, pull the ring tightly to close the ball and toss the ball on top of your clothes before starting the wash cycle.

The Downy Ball releases the fabric softener automatically so that you do not need to wait for the rinse cycle to add your fabric softener. During the rinse cycle the washer’s spinning motion opens the Downy Ball releasing the softener and creating one less hassle for laundry doers. Top loading washing machines now have a built in dispenser but they can easily get clogged and make it more difficult for the softener to reach the clothes. The Downy Ball can be used in traditional washers. It can be used in some HE machines, but may not work in all front loaders and other HE machines because the water does not fill up high enough to open the ball and release the softener. Consult your machine’s owner’s manual for information regarding use of the Downy Ball. 

I’ve used the Downy Ball at my laundromat and my clothes were smelling great and feeling very soft. Easy to use, convenient and that extra time waiting that I used to do I can now run and get an Iced Coffee. 

 The Downy Ball is sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon.com and many other grocery, drug and mass retailers. The Downy Ball is available for $2.29. For more information please visit: http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/the-downy-ball.jspx 

 Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was given sample to review. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Kidpik Girls Fashion Subscription Box Launches This Spring 

11 Feb

Kidpik is the newest launch from prolific NYC fashion entrepreneur Ezra Dabah and the executive and creative teams behind classic children’s brands including The Children’s Place and Ruum. 

 A word from Ezra and Nina: Children’s preferences in clothing have evolved over the decades and so should the shopping and delivery system. We are excited to be in the position to deliver personalized fashionable outfits directly to your door: the ultimate new shopping experience. At kidpik, every item is designed and curated in our NYC studio specifically for the girls in your life. Our stylists and proprietary algorithms remove all the difficulty, time and guesswork from your shopping experience. 

 EACH CURATED KIDPIK BOX CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 6 HIGH-QUALITY ITEMS. KEEP THE ENTIRE BOX AT AN AVERAGE COST OF $75 PER BOX (ABOUT $12.50 PER ITEM). 

Pay for the entire box and enjoy a 30% discount. 

STYLED JUST FOR YOUR GIRL

CONVENIENT & TIME SAVING

ALWAYS TRENDY, NOT SPENDY

7 DAYS TRY-AT-HOME

FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS

I was invited to the media launch and got a look at all the amazing girls fashion that’s about to be delivered to my door. Shopping for my daughter will be special with her to pick how much sparkles she wants in her clothes and if she wants to be Classic Chic, Girly Glam or five of the other lifestyle looks. Her first box will come in March and Kidpik launches this Spring. I can’t wait to see her face when she opens her box and tries on her new outfits.  Of course there will be pictures.  

 I love the message that Kidpik EMPOWERS girls to express their individuality through fashion. Check it out @kidpik on Instagram and http://www.kidpik.com for more info. Happy shopping!! 

Disclosure: I attended launch by invitation. I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Give Halo’s for Valentine’s Day The Healthy Alternative 

11 Feb

Celebrate your Valentine’s Day by giving your little angels a healthy snack alternative that’s filled with “pure goodness”!  

 Wonderful Halos mandarins are:

· A sweet, seedless and easy to peel snack that’s a healthy alternative to fatty foods

· About 50 calories delivering 45 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C 

 What better way to celebrate Valentine’s day with nature’s perfect valentine, Wonderful Halos! We’re making Valentine’s day easy this year. Learn how to make a healthy valentine that your kid’s classmates will love in just a handful of steps. Tutorials for how to make Halos Origami Heart and Halos Heart Box are available on their Facebook page and blog. A box of Halos makes enough valentines for an entire class AND you’ll get an A+ for originality this Valentine’s day. Think outside the chocolate box and replace unhealthy snacks and candy for a sweet and healthy Halo that’s sure to win your Valentine’s heart! 
 My kids and I enjoy Halo’s so much we can each eat about 2 a day. They prefer Halo’s than orange juice and I don’t mind. I always make sure to have them for their school lunch and afternoon snack. Sometimes my daughter will pick a Halo over dessert. I’m right there with her. We also take them with us when we’re out for the day and also on road trips. Have you seen the Halo’s commercials? We crack up every time we see them. 

Waking up to a nice juicy Halo is a great burst of energy. Easy to peel and there are no seeds to pick out. What’s better than that? What will you give your little ones for Valentine’s Day? The healthy way is a great way!! 

Check out @halosfun on Twitter and http://www.halosfun.com for videos and more info. Also check out Wonderful Halos on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/halos/videos?ref=page_internal

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was given product for my honest review. 

Sunday Funday w/ Léman Manhattan Prep. School & Children’s Museum of Manhattan 

4 Feb

For the second year running, hundreds of families celebrated Sunday Funday with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on January 31, 2016. CMOM brought together the best in family entertainment, indoor sports and games, creative workshops and fabulous food for the whole family. Children 0 to 12 enjoyed age-appropriate activities from live performances to obstacle courses, sports celebrity appearances to bouncy castles. Infants and toddlers enjoyed soft play areas and sing-alongs, and themed workshops were for all ages by Museum educators. Favorite costume characters, magicians and face painters added to the family fun. 

   The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) was founded by families and individuals to create a place of joy and learning for all children. All funds raised at Sunday Funday supported top-notch cultural programming enjoyed by 350,000 people a year, free access to CMOM for over 50,000 low-income individuals a year and outreach programs in over 50 sites in high-need neighborhoods across New York City. 

   

My kids and I were invited by  Léman Manhattan Preparatory School to attend Sunday Funday. The first time my kids and I visited Leman we were invited to a swimming event and we fell in love with the school which is located in the Financial District and serves Pre-K – 12th grade. It is also a boarding school for international students. My son and daughter both want to attend.  

   
    
   
So back to Sunday Funday, we spent an amazing day with lots of parents, kids, celebrities, fun activities and lots of food. The basketball court was where you could find my son and my daughter loves the castle bouncy house. There was so much to do and my kids even decorated their own tote bags at the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School table. Laurie Berkner sung her famous songs for the kids and Prince Amukamara (Giants) made an appearance and did the whip & nae nae and my kids got pictures with him as well. My daughter also enjoyed dancing on stage with the kids pop dance party. Also NBA and WNBA players played basketball and my son got a pic with them too.  

   
Picnic tables added a great touch to the event. Finger sized foods and drinks made it easy for the kids to grab and the ice cream sundae bar was a hit with everyone. Nickelodeon costume characters came out and gave hugs and photos to their fans.  

  
    
    
    
 

Check out this link to Léman Manhattan Preparatory School for further info: http://www.lemanmanhattan.org/

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

The Joker Will Wreak Total Mayhem at Six Flags This Spring

27 Jan

Chaos reigns supreme at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2016 as one of the world’s most iconic DC Comics Super-Villains commandeers the park’s 14th and most unique scream machine in its history, The Joker.  
 

Earlier this fall, the world’s largest theme park announced “Total Mayhem,” which quickly became one of the world’s most anticipated new coasters of 2016. But behind the scenes, criminal mastermind The Joker was secretly plotting to take over the new 4D, free-fly coaster and name it as his own.

 “The Joker is undeniably one of the greatest DC Comics Super-Villains ever created. Only someone with his warped sense of humor could provide this level of insanity ─ or spinsanity ─ with a new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers total mayhem with its next-generation, cutting-edge thrills,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald.

After being lifted straight up a 12-story, 90-degree hill, this 4-D, free-fly coaster will wreak havoc as riders flip head-over-heels at least six times along the weightless journey. Thrill seekers will experience exhilarating leaps and dives along a horizontal plane, along with unexpected drops as they tumble from one level to the next. The wing seats amp up the pandemonium since riders will experience all of this chaos with no track above or below ─ just the sky, ground and adjacent Great Lake churning around them. 

   
 

The unique design of The Joker features:

· Massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique two-tone design

· One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track

· 4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles

· Face-off seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels

· A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift

· Two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling 

    
   
The Joker is expected to wreak total mayhem beginning in the spring of 2016, and join the ranks of all legendary roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure.

I love rollercoasters but I’m thinking about attempting to ride this one. Once I see it up close I know I’m going to get on. I love the flips and twists. 

For more information about the 2016 season at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit http://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. 

 

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