A Week In New York City
August 16, 2010
I’m back! I’ve just spent the most memorable 10 days in the city that never sleeps. Last year, around this time, BlogHer announced that they would hold it’s annual conference in New York City. I couldn’t purchase my ticket fast enough. And because we live all the way on the other side of the country, our vacation was decided in that moment. For a year, my husband and I dreamed and planned our trip. Where would we stay? How long should we plan to be there? What would we do?
Two weeks seemed too long with two children under 3, and one week wouldn’t give us enough time to recover from jet lag and late night BlogHer events. We decided on ten days…in an apartment…with the babysitter my parents. I wanted to see a Broadway show and visit American Girl Place. My husband wanted to tour the High Line and eat at Morimoto. My son wanted to ride in a taxi…and take the subway. We did most of that and so much more.
Every day this week, I’ll highlight the city, although I’m in no way an expert. In fact, I highly encourage you to visit Carol or Nicole…local New Yorkers who are experts on navigating the city with kids.
If you had one week in the Big Apple….what would you see and do?
{Photos: All rights reserved}
Wordless Wednesday: Rockin’ New York City
August 10, 2010
American Museum of Natural History
Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
Times Square
Images obtained via Nikon D90. All rights reserved.
BlogHer Bound
August 3, 2010
Whew! It’s been a very busy few days. I worked shifts back-to-back over the weekend in order to have some much needed time off! The last few days we’ve been shopping, packing, and prepping for our time in New York City, hence, the lack of blogging. The next few days will be a bit busy and I may not have a lot of time to post (which is the ironic part of a blogging conference). But come next week, I’ll be bursting with information to share and get your feedback on.
If you’ve been to my Twitter page recently, you may have noticed a change. This is just a sneak peak into what’s to come on Rockin’ Mama including the near launch of a website that’s been in the works since I was pregnant with my daughter.
Please be patient with me when it comes to responding to emails, comments, closing giveaways etc. as computer access will be sporadic. Once the weekend is over, things will hopefully return to semi-normal. I’m so excited about the trip and I hope to see and meet some of you if you’re heading to BlogHer.
By the way, did you know that Access Communications recently released their report on How Women Are Shaping the Internet? If you take a look at their top 50 Mommy Blogs, you may notice a few familiar faces. : )
{Photo Credit: grngobstpr}
BlogHer 2010 Countdown!
July 23, 2010
In less than two weeks, I’ll be on a plane to New York City for my third BlogHer convention. It’s hard to believe that three years ago, I didn’t even know what BlogHer was.
I want to start by thanking Bumble Bee Foods, for their generous sponsorship. On Thursday, Bumble Bee Foods is hosting a reception at the Viking Demo Kitchen in New York City. Chef Scott Leibfried will be in attendance demonstrating three Bumble Bee Foods recipes throughout the evening. For those of you who are attending, there will be giveaways during the 8:00 pm hour for two Viking professional hand blenders (sweet)!. If you aren’t attending the event, there will be a Twitter contest throughout the duration of the conference. Anyone who tweets with the assigned hashtag (which will be announced at the event) will be entered to win a one year supply of Bumble Bee Foods products.
On another note, I have a ton of activities packed into a very short amount of time. Here is a small list (ahem) of the companies I am planning to connect with via scheduled events, meetings, etc.
Nikon (I just got the D90 which I’ll be sharing more about very soon)
The Madame Alexander Doll Company
And a few that I don’t have anything scheduled with but would love to meet up with (maybe one or two of them will read this post)
And…I really want to go to the Today Show, meet Martha Stewart and attend a Nate Berkus-inspired fashion show! (one can dream, right?)
So…are you going to BlogHer this year? If so, who do you want to connect with? I’d love to meet some of you!
{Photo Credit: windscafe}
No compensation was received for this post. As a member of the Bee Squad, I receive product samples and information. The company is also sponsoring my trip to BlogHer 2010.
Maternity Style with Maggie Maternity
August 19, 2009
I’m just about 5 months pregnant and have been wearing maternity clothes since the little plus sign popped up (at least it feels that way). I didn’t purchase a large maternity wardrobe when I was pregnant with my son because I was on bedrest. The only shopping I was able to do was online, and I only bought comfy clothing (since I was at home for 5 months). I feel so blessed this pregnancy because, apart from being terribly sick in the first trimester, I have not had any complications. Since my return from BlogHer, I’ve felt really good. The nausea and sickness has subsided (thankfully), the migraines are coming less than once a week, and I feel energized (and just a tad bit big!).
Speaking of BlogHer, I had a fabulous maternity wardrobe sponsor: Maggie Maternity. I showed you a little preview of what I was going to wear right before the trip. I received a beautiful Summer Sleeveless Maxi Dress in Navy and a stunning Pearl Necklace with Sculpted Sterling Silver Roses Clasp which I wore on Friday for all of my events, including a Nintendo Dinner sponsored by Brand About Town and a Nikon party.
Here is a bit more information about Maggie Maternity from the site:
Maggie Maternity brings a whole new meaning to how we dress when we are pregnant. Our collection of maternity clothing makes dressing while expecting beautiful and effortless. Flattering and comfortable, our designs were borne out of necessity. We wanted simple unfussy clothes. These are staple items that are far from the usual maternity basics. Our stretch jersey fabric is incredibly comfortable and flattering.
My shopping during my first pregnancy was limited to a few online venues, which sufficed at the time, since all I was doing was staying home in bed. This pregnancy I’ve been able to work, travel, and socialize, which means I needed a few staple pieces suitable for casual and formal/professional events. The dress I received, first and foremost, is super comfortable. I love the lightweight, stretchy fabric. It’s definitely a dress I can wear for casual and more formal events and I know I’ll wear it right until I deliver (and after as well as I’m trimming down!). I chose blue since I find it to be a bit more casual but if you’re looking for something even dressier, I would recommend choosing red.
To be honest, I didn’t immediately think of jewelry when considering my maternity wardrobe. But when a piece was suggested to me by a representative from the company, I realized how much of a difference it made to the dress. The Pearl Necklace with Sculpted Steriling Silver Roses Clasp definitely “dressed up” the piece and I felt like I was glowing for the 2 formal events I attended (one at The Signature Room at the 95th, the other at the Flatwater Restaurant). The necklace is made of sterling silver and is a strand of gorgeous pearls. You can actually either wear the rose clasp in the front or the back which will give the necklace a different look. It’s very versatile.
Overall, I was highly impressed with the style and quality of the items I received from Maggie Maternity. Some of their pieces are on sale right now, so do check them out if you’re pregnant and looking for some stylish wardrobe pieces. I’m actually interseted in their Maggie Box which is a set of four, staple wardrobe items. With this box, you could add a few colored items and be set for your entire pregnancy!
BlogHer Bound…
July 22, 2009
Tomorrow morning, I leave for Chicago with a plane full of Los Angeles bloggers bound for the largest women’s blogging conference ever. As I sit here, typing this, my little boy lies sleeping next to me. He’s been sick…nothing major…nothing we needed to take him in for…just not feeling well. And my excitement is clouded just a bit since I am leaving him for 3 days. Three days…it’s just a brief moment in time. But leaving my son is heartbreaking. He has always traveled with me. I don’t remember being away from him for this long. So while there are parties to attend, PR personal to engage with, and new and old friends to meet…I may seem just a bit distracted. After all, I’m first and foremost a mom.
Just a few housekeeping items… Giveaway winners will be chosen next week. Be sure to watch your inbox! Review and giveaway postings will be light this weekend and very much BlogHer oriented. For all the latest happenings, be sure to follow me on Twitter. And I apologize in advance if I’m a little slow responding to emails.
I’m very much looking forward to meeting many of you who will be attending! Please catch up with me if you’d like.
What to Wear to BlogHer: Maternity Fashion 101
July 17, 2009
In less than one week I’ll be at THE largest women’s blogging conference ever…BlogHer! This year is expected to be even bigger and better than last year. There are parties to attend (oh the parties), bloggers to meet and reconnect with, and company representatives to engage with. Last year, I had no trouble figuring out what to wear. I try to stay up to date with current fashion trends. However, this year, I’m pregnant with my second child. Four months by the end of BlogHer to be exact and I’m already sporting the bump. So, what to wear has become more of a concern this year.
Thanks to several amazing companies, I will be wearing some of the latest in maternity fashion, jewelry, and shoes. Here is a little preview of what I’m wearing. But please come back for my detailed reviews after BlogHer.
Japanese Weekend
Bengaline Maternity Crop Pant with Maternity Nursing Top
Maternity Dress with Tuck Sash
Maggie Maternity
Pearl Necklace with Sculpted Sterling Silver Roses Clasp
Kuru Footwear
I Want to Represent You At BlogHer
July 16, 2009
In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be heading to Chicago for BlogHer. This is my second year attending the conference and I am so excited about the opportunity to network and socialize! I want to start by thanking CARES once again for their generous conference fee sponsorship. If you are a company, looking for representation at THE largest women’s blogging conference, please connect with me. I’d love to talk about the range of possibilities for promoting your brand.
I happened across blogs when I was pregnant and on bed rest with my son. I was looking for support and information that would help me survive 5 months of bed rest. I diligently stayed in bed, connecting with other women all over the country. My son was born, healthy and full-term and again, I found myself in need of friendship, support, and advice. Those first few months are difficult. But the community of women I began to interact with encouraged, inspired, and educated me.
I’ve been blogging for almost two years now, and while I feel like I’ve evolved and matured as a writer, I still have much to learn. I also feel I have much to give. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of companies. The relationships I’ve formed have truly been mutually beneficial. As a consumer, I value the opinions of other moms who’ve “been there and done that.” As a writer, I value transparency and authenticity. My blog focuses on motherhood and families, with a passion for green living.
If you are a company interested in sponsoring me this year, here is what I offer:
1. Sidebar advertising
2. Written posts/reviews about your company and product (and coverage on Twitter)
3. Wearing your product. In fact, I’m entering my second trimester of pregnancy so I’d HAPPILY wear your maternity clothing!
4. Handing out business cards/promotional material
5. Sample distribution in bags
If you have other ideas about how we can work together to best promote your brand, please feel free to contact me via email.
Upcoming Momfluence Campaigns
July 9, 2009
As a member of Momfluence, I wanted to share some information about their upcoming campaigns!
First: If you’re going to BlogHer, you don’t want to miss this. Momfluence has teamed up with HP to offer one lucky BlogHer attendee a $50o scholarship to cover the fees! Head on over to their site for your chance at winning.
Second: Resourceful Mommy is hosting a sitewarming party (she’s so savvy!) for Dr. Weigh on Friday at 9pm EST (#kidsweigh). On the site, Joanna Dolgoff, M. D. created a simple traffic light-based system which allows children to lose weight safely and easily. With childhood obesity on the rise in this country, it’s definitely going to be an informative party. Oh, and it wouldn’t be a site warming party without prizes! The grand prize is a Wii Fit (we love ours and definitely find it to be a fun way to keep active!). Head on over to Resourceful Mommy for details on participating. And be sure to check out the client testimonials and Dr. Weigh success stories. Then just fill out the secure contest form with your fav: http://tinyurl.com/kidsweighcontest.
Last: If you’re going to BlogHer, Momfluence and Type-A Mom will team up with HP to throw a live Sitewarming in the Columbus Room at the Sheraton! There will be incredible HP swag bags for the first 100 guests as well as prizes throughout the night, all from HP. RSVP on their Facebook page!
BlogHer Countdown
July 9, 2009
BlogHer ’09 is days away and I’m both excited and slightly overwhelmed with all the things to think about: bloggers and companies I finally get to meet in person, breakout sessions that I can’t wait to attend, the LA to Chicago flight with something like 30 bloggers on it, so many parties I can’t even count and much needed naps due to pregnancy! And so much more! If last year was any indication of what’s to come, this BlogHer will be awesome! And of course I’ll be blogging and tweeting all about it as it happens.
This might not be possible if it weren’t for my incredible sponsors who are helping me get there. Thank you so much!
What kind of convention would it be with out parties and gatherings of all sorts? Here are just a few I’m hoping to attend (and a few I have to stay on the DL about (don’t worry…you’ll find out soon enough):
