Rockin Mama™ » Personal Blog

Memorial Weekend Sales On Totsy

caryn — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:20:10 +0000

Like most holiday weekends, we’re sticking close to home to spend some quality family time together. I love long weekends, particularly when a holiday is involved because I know that shops, restaurants and entertainment venues will often run special sales and deals. With summer just around the corner, I’m aspiring to update both of my kids’ wardrobes, so a good amount of time will be spent going through both of their closets. During the baby, toddler, and preschool years, children grow rapidly, so I don’t ypically invest a large amount of money in clothing for them. One of my go’to sites for all-things baby and toddler is Totsy. As a member of their Mom Committee, I often get first looks and inside information on their latest sales. Here are my favorites, inspired by the coming holiday weekend.

Ed Hardy

This uber-trendy line for babies and tots, boys and girls, features tattoo-inspired designs and vibrant colorful prints. Every piece is under $20 and most are under $10!

Hello Kitty Organics

My daughter absolutely adores the iconic kitty with her signature bow. I have to admit that this is the first I’ve heard of an organic line but from what I’ve read, I am inspired to pick up a few pieces. The fabrics are soft and comprised of 100% organic cotton. The line is basic (long and short sleeve tees, pants, and hoodies) but adorable and most importantly, affordable.

Big Beloog

Summer is right and the corner and if you’re planning on enjoying a little fun in the sun, be sure to check out this collection of rash guards, hats, and UV protective swimwear for kids ages one to eight.

For upcoming sales scheduled to open this weekend, just visit Totsy.

Disclosure: I am a member of Totsy’s Mom Committee and receive site credit to help facilitate reviews and provide honest feedback.

iCapture: Monterey, California

caryn — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:56:51 +0000

Time is more complex near the sea than in any other place, for in addition to the circling of the sun and the turning of the seasons, the waves beat out the passage of time on the rocks and the tides rise and fall as a great clepsydra – John Steinbeck, Tortilla Flat

I’ve lived in Southern Calfornia my entire life, and traveled up and down the coast, yet there are places I’ve never visited. Monterey is a small coastal city, rich in history and culture. A number of famed artists and writers once called the city home, including John Steinbeck, who’s legend lives on in statutes and memorials throughout the city.

The purpose of my trip was to meet with the California Strawberry Commission for an immersive, two-day dive into all things strawberry! We started in the fields and learned all about how strawberries are grown, picked, packed, and shipped to local stores across the country. After two days of strawberry-infused meals, I can honestly say that I am even more passionate about this fruit, packed with immune-boosting, cancer-fighting nutrients.

As is customary when I travel, I took a series of iPhone shots to photo journal my trip. Here are my favorites:

What have you “captured” this week? Share your photos below!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama

Shot with an iPhone, filtered with Snapseed

No compensation was received for this post.

The 4th Annual On the Go Beauty Event Celebrates LA Moms

caryn — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:46:50 +0000

Weekends in LA are always exciting, with no shortage of activities and events for families. Given the fact that we celebrated Mother’s Day over the weekend, there were several celebrity events focused on honoring, celebrating, and pampering moms.

On Saturday, we were invited to the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills for an afternoon of brunch and beauty, courtesy of Joico Haircare and Voli. The 4th annual On the Go beauty event featured styling from celebrity stylists, including Hunger Games’s colorist Cherry Petenbrink, Andy Lecompte’s George Papanikolas, and Gavert Atelier’s Mika Fowler, courtesy of Joico Haircare International. Some of this Spring and Summer’s trends in styling include beachy waves, trendy braids, and volumized blow outs. Joico also introduced their new Smooth Cure line which offers 24 hour humidity protection and significantly reduces frizz, resulting in soft, smooth hair.

NYX Cosmetics, an LA based company known for their professional makeup line and expansive selection of shades, provided makeup applications and nail polish changes.

It was a beautiful day in LA, and the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel was a glamorous setting to celebrate moms. Recognizing that moms have children, there was a play and coloring area set up, courtesy of Cuddle Covers. My children fell in love with these adorable animal-themed pillow covers.

One of the most popular areas amongst mothers and daughters was set up by Blessed Charm, an LA-based company offering mother-daughter bracelets featuring each woman’s birthstone.

Since I LOVE tea, I was intrigued by the new Serenitea Liquid Green Tea packets that don’t require any brewing! They can be enjoyed hot or cold and come presweetened and unsweetened in a variety of flavors.

Sweet Lollicakes and Swurlz Cupcakes offered a delightful assortment of cupcakes, cake pops, and other sweet treats, a perfect ending to the posh, Mother’s Day event.

Throughout the event, celebrity moms and their family stopped by. Here are some photos from the day:

Lisa Rinna with daughter Amelia Grey at the Cuddle Covers lounge

Taylor Armstrong with Joico’s Hunger Games colorist Cherry Petenbrink

Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson

Courtney Mazza and daughter Gia Lopez

Ashlan Gorse

Want to read more about the weekends lush pampering event? Check out Tipsy Diaries and The Examiner.

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to the event, courtesy of On the Go Beauty.

Rockin’ Mama…3000 Posts and Five Years Later

caryn — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:19:28 +0000

As I sit here, trying to get a grasp on the fact that I’ve written 3000 posts since I started this blog 5 years ago, I feel like the words should be eloquent…that this post should be insightful…or at the very least, interesting. Some of you have been here since the beginning…others maybe just happened upon the site for the very first time. Regardless, I value each one of you who comes to this site, whether it be for tips on green living, recipes to engage your palate, the latest film review, support for navigating food allergies, or visual inspiration. And as I look over this list of all the reasons why you might come here, I realize that those reasons encompass who I am.

I won’t bore you with how I started the blog. But just know that it’s here…in this space…that I rediscovered who I am and am constantly exploring who I want to be. My mother always told me that I would write, and as much as I disliked putting a pen to paper as a young girl, I look forward to the time I actually get to write these days.

People often ask me why I blog…why I started…and why I continue…

Some of my most meaningful relationships began because of this blog. There have been tremendous joys and incredible sorrows. But if only one person read this blog, I would come back each and every day to write, because at the heart of the site is a desire to connect with people.

I happened upon this quote today while I was browsing the internet…it’s what I am constantly aspiring towards…

Readers subscribe to blogs when they provide an informational or entertainment value so great that it would be a loss to not subscribe to it. – Maki

This is post number 3000…here is to 3000 more!

iCapture: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

caryn — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:50:31 +0000

So much of my love for Disney is tied to the films I’ve been watching with my family and my children for years. I’ve just spent four days in Orlando, attending the third annual Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The invite-only conference brought together parenting bloggers from across the world to celebrate their love for Disney and their passion for this online community. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll share some highlights from the conference, including social media insights from renowned leaders in this space and what you can expect from Disney Parks in the next several months.

One of the special experiences during the conference was a sneak peek at Walt Disney World’s latest resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This “value” resort is based on four Disney animated films including The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and Cars. One of the distinguishing features of this resort are the family suites which offer a bit more flexibility as far as room. The resort opens May 31st, 2012 but here are some photos I snapped with my iPhone:

What have you “captured” this week? Share your photos below!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama

Shot with an iPhone, filtered with Instagram, Snapseed

iCapture: The U.S. Olympic Training Center In Chula Vista, California

caryn — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:11:22 +0000

This past month has been filled with adventure, travel, and a whole lot of firsts. When I found out our ambassador team would be heading to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, I was kind of in shock. To actually visit the place where future US Olympic athletes train was just beyond what I could comprehend. I’ll have an entire post dedicated to the training center along with some interesting stories about some of Team USA’s Olympic hopefuls, but for now, here are a few photos I snapped last week.

What have you “captured” this week? Share your photos below!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama

Shot with an iPhone, filtered with Instagram, Snapseed

Disclosure: Travel expenses provided Kellogg’s

iCapture: Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort

caryn — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:00:32 +0000

Of all the parks at Walt Disney World, Epcot is the most unique, in my opinion. Visually the park is magnificent and each country is represented authentically. I’d love to wake up before dawn one day and photograph the park empty because of how rich and vibrant it is.

I’m currently in Orlando, and since we had a “free” day today at the parks, I spent quite a bit of time exploring Epcot. I captured some great shots of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival which runs through May 20th this year.

What have you “captured” this week? Share your photos below!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama

Shot with an iPhone, filtered with Instagram, Snapseed

Theme park tickets and travel provided by Disney

How Do You Support Your Child’s Passions?

caryn — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:03:06 +0000

One week it’s music classes…the next ballet. One child knows exactly what they want to be when they grow up…the other is exploring a variety of interests. You want to help your child discover their unique talents…to be their biggest fan…their most loyal supporter. You also want them to take pride in their talents and accomplishments…to own them. So how do you support your child’s passions while giving them freedom and instilling responsibility within them?

This week, I’m guest posting at Jen and Barb, Mom Life. We’re talking about how we as parents can help their children support their passions. I’d love to have you weigh in on their site so I’m going to close comments here.

Compensated post.

Rockin’ Recipes: Easy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

caryn — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:10:59 +0000

One of my daily struggles as a mom to a child that suffers from food allergies is creating easy, palatable dishes that my son will actually eat. Because he was diagnosed when he was around 2, he still remembers a time when he could eat foods like pizza and macaroni and cheese. While I work very hard to ensure my children are eating wholesome foods, I do allow them the occasional kid-friendly dish. One of our favorite vegan restaurants is Native Foods, and every single time we frequent the gourmet cafe, my son orders Freddie’s Mac and Cheese (which might I add is free from soy and wheat and uses Quinoa pasta). Because we simply can’t dine out as often as we’d like, I decided to try to make a simple version at home.

Easy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 cup egg-free pasta (I found rainbow pasta (store brand) at our local Vons that is free from eggs and made with spinach and tomatoes)

1 tablespoon vegan butter (Earth Balance has a soy-free vegan butter we love)

Splash of almond milk (unsweetened, unflavored)

3 slices of vegan cheese (or more if you like your mac & cheese cheesy)

Once you’ve cooked the pasta for 10 minutes (ish) and drained it, return it back to the pot you cooked it in since it’s nice and hot (and why waste another pot if you don’t need to?). Add the vegan butter, cut up vegan cheese, and a splash of almond milk and mix over low heat until combined and creamy. You can add salt and pepper to taste but I don’t routinely cook with salt.

The verdict? My son asked for a second serving!

What are your favorite kid-friendly recipes? I’m always looking for new ideas to change up meal times.

Even though some brands were mentioned, no compensation in any form was received for this post.

iCapture: Mickey’s Toontown

caryn — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:01:26 +0000

It seems like it’s been for-ever since I’ve written an iCapture post. Yesterday, we spent a lovely day with some friends at The Disneyland Resort. Because we’re annual passholders, we don’t often spend an entire day at the resort so yesterday was a treat! One of our favorite areas of the park is Mickey’s Toontown, but we don’t get over there enough. The”interactive metropolis” is vibrant, colorful, and highly interactive, engaging kids in all-things toons. I WISH I had my SLR camera yesterday because the clear blue sky made for some awesome lighting.

Here are some photos I snapped with my iPhone:

What have you “captured” this week? Share your photos below!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama

Shot with an iPhone, filtered with Instagram