CityMama™

Hot Links for 5/29/09

I keep forgetting to mention that I'm featured in a national ad campaign for Turning Leaf wines. (I blogged about the trip here, here, and here.) If you picked up the May 25 issue of US Weekly you may have seen me.  I'm also appearing in Women's Day on June 2 and 16, and on August 4.  Also appearing in the ad campaign: this beautiful and talented lady.

I need to say a few words about this because, as a plus-size woman, this whole experience was a combination or angst, fear, humor, and joy (mainly because Bad Kitty came with). It was, in the end, really an honor and pleasure for me to be a part of this campaign. Turning Leaf hired about 20 women writers/bloggers to blog for their new site (launching soon) and then chose 4 of us to feature in the ads. I must have told their agency (BBDO) a hundred times that I am not model/photo shoot-material. And girls, nothing was more embarrassing than having to submit my non-size 0 clothing sizes to their L.A. wardrobe person.

But that didn't matter. They weren't having it. The written words—my words— were what was important, not the size or shape or age of the woman. When you see the ad, those are all of my words next to my photo. I wrote my own ad copy. We all did.

I think it is important to acknowledge companies and agencies who value women for their creative talent. They exist!  So love your curves and keep on writing,  my plus-sized sisters! Love your belly and your boot-ay and your boobs! Cuz you and me? We're in a magazine! (And they listened when I said, "Chest up only, please!")

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In keeping with my quest for a 70's-modern, Woody Allen/Diane Keaton-movie-inspired home, I received a gorgeous lamp from Dana Gibson.  Check out my indepth review on CityMama's Stuff.

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Those new, frozen Chiquita Smoothies = yum.  Huge hit with the kidlets. Chiquita sent samples to try and we polite about my asking all kinds of questions about what's in it [basically it's fruit, fruit purees, water, vitamin C. No HFCS, no wheat or dairy].

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Have a great weekend!

Hot Links for 3/26/09

We're still in Hawaii and having a great time now that everyone is on the mend. (My kids do not travel well. At all.).  Here are some things to tide you over until posting gets back to normal.

• Need some blog Botox? Sweetney is your girl. Just take a look at the magic she's worked with  MamaPop and We Covet (as well as her own blog). If you are ready for a blog change, give her a holla.
• Check out my lastest post on Kimchi Mamas: Stuff Korean Moms Like.
• Planting a little seed that Bad Kitty and I are working on a fun, new project...it's going to be mayjah! (At least for us.) If you are "a woman of a certain age" like we are, you won't want to miss it because it's about you, too. April 1...
• I love the Children's Place because I like to dress my girls in cheery basics that don't cost a fortune. The quality is much better than at a big box store, on par with the more expensive Gymboree or Gap. True, some of the clothes are crazy-embellished and some are styled a little too "old" for a 4- and 6-year-old (IMO), but they have lots of tees, tanks, shorts, and dresses that are simply, girly-cute. The bathing suits are especially well-made and sturdy.  We spend a lot of the time in the water during hot weather and these just might last TWO seasons. Sizing runs small (at least for us), so we always buy at least a full size bigger. I've been working with Children's Place since last Christmas and they recently hooked us up with some cute vacation clothes that we'll be enjoying all summer.  Thank you, CP!

Bunny and Wallie at Ko'Olina (Oahu) wearing their favorite colorblock dresses from Children's Place (we bought these.)

Hot Links for Friday the 13th

• Everyone just needs to leave poor Rush Limbaugh alone.  No, really! [MOMocrats]
• Why I love Daylight Savings Time. [Tonic News]
• My bathroom smells like the 80s because I started using this soap again. It's as great as I remember. [Erno Laszlo freebie]
• Don't forget to get your corned beef and cabbage this weekend [CityMama]

Oh, oh and!  I'm giving away TWO Zojirushi bentos and they are the most adorable little lunch containers you've ever seen.  You want these. Get on over here!

Have a great weekend!

CityMama's Hot Links for 3/4/09

You have a platform and you can use it to promote your favorite cause(s). No, really, you do. And you can. And you should.

And, um.

Blogs I'm digging: Crunchy Chicken, Soon Then, and the hawt girlz in Room 704.

We're going to Honolulu for Spring Break, and while there, we're going to take a side trip to Volcanoes National Park. The girls are going to freak out. Kilauea has been erupting for about 26 years, and unlike in other places, when it erupts, Hawaiians run to see it and give offerings to Pele, the volcano goddess. Hawai'i is the island chain's youngest island (at least among the major islands we think of as Hawai'i) and the fact that it is growing every day is something the girls will love to know. I haven't been to the Big Island since I was 10-years-old. Got any suggestions for other things we should see?

CityMama's Hotlinks for 2/20/09

Howdy, y'all! 

I'm in Houston for the Mom 2.0 Summit. Follow us on twitter using hashtag #mom2summit.

The Laundry Tree soap nuts people are here!  They will change your life, esp. if you have sensitive skin.

Low-impact living, not just for posers.

CityMama's Hot Links for 2/2/09

You've probably noticed that I haven't been post as much lately. The reason? Life. You know. Some of it's frustrating (like we are trying to move and that has taken up every minute that is not spent working and/or mothering), but a lot of it is great like planning to attend the Mom 2.0 Summit or a working on a fantastic project for Turning Leaf wines and working with my partnah XiaolinMama to connect interested bloggers with a brand-spanking-new breastmilk storage system called MilkBank.  And this leads into today's first hot link.

If you are a blogger who is currently nursing and pumping or are pg or your wife or partner is currently nursing and storing breastmilk and you'd like to review this system, please leave me a comment below.  You do need to have a blog or review blog because we'd love you to do a fair, honest review. And hey, if use bottles to feed your babe and would like to give the MilkBank guaranteed leak-proof bottles a go (and you are a blogger willing to review them) let me know that, too. What works for breastmilk also works for formula. The entire system from the storage system to the bottles and nipples are PVC, lead, BPA, and pthalate-free, and so is the packaging!  This is a company that is very dedicated to making the lives of mamas and babies better.

P.S. You may be seeing our cheery, orange ads running on some of our favorite blogs and sites: Savvy Source, ParentHacks, Cool Mom Picks, and Inhabitots.

I know that meal plans generally live in this space on Mondays and I promise to post one next week, but until then, here's something to "challenge" you.

Hot Links for 12/20/08

Just a quick note to let you know I've updated "CityMama's Stuff" (I know, it's been awhile) with a few quick reviews of stuff for your house.

And if you manage an online group (PTA, classroom, girl/boy scout group, soccer team, church group, mom's club, etc.) have you heard about Big Tent? It's a super-cool, free service that allows you to interface all the aspects of any group you're running -- communication, accounts, Excel docs, everything. It's easy to use, easy on the eyes, and hey, it makes your life easier so why not check it out? To make it a little more enticing, if you sign up and get 10 of your group members to sign up, you get a free one month membership to Compass, and everyone who signs up (with their 10 members min.) will be entered to win a free life coaching series -- $1500 value. The whole idea is that Big Tent is helping folks get their act together for the new year. And who doesn't need that? [Hat tip: Parent Bloggers Network]

Hot Links for 12/15/08

• Check out the Bugaboo Friends initiative (I have a link to fun video in my sponsored links side bar). It's about parents sharing their inspiration and traveling experiences with their child(ren). These folks want you to know that having young children doesn't mean being stranded at home, rather there's plenty of help to increase freedom of movement and keep families mobile. Side note, I totally disagree with the Puerto Rican couple about forcing kids to fit MY schedule rather than the other way around, but hey. Whatever works. Bugaboo Friends invites all people, not just Bugaboo owners, to join. Click the video in my side bar--look right--and check out inspiring families all over the world.
• I know you are probably sick of these by now, but I have more green holiday tips for you. I know, I know...
• If you are on the hunt for new children's holiday books to add to your collection, I recently picked up these gems at Bunny's school book fair: Lemony Snicket's The Lump of Coal, about a walking, talking lump of coal looking for its purpose in life. One of the stops along the way is a Korean barbecue so you know I had to buy it. And lastly, Bunny is an angel in our Unitarian Universalist church's holiday pageant and delighted in reading Great Joy by Kate DeCamillo of Desperaux fame. It's about an angel in a holiday pageant, but is a story with a deeper message that got me a little choked up.The illustrations are gorgeous, too.
• Aaaaand because I am me, I am following up a discussion of funny and sweet children's holiday books with a link to Bad Kitty's hilariously X-rated Christmas Pornaments. You're welcome!

 

Holiday Hot Links for 12/6/08

• Looking for less corporate, less commercial holiday inspiration? Check out The Savvy Source's Holiday Guide. I think we all can agree that this holiday feels a little different what with the economy being in the toilet and all. This holiday season Savvy Source is focusing on making traditions and memories (via crafts and activites, cooking, eco-conscious/green gifts DIY projects etc.) rather than the commercial aspects. It's a kinder, sweeter, less-frenzied Christmas/Hanukkah/Festivus. And another bonus for you is that Savvy Source is doing Twelve Days of Giveaways starting next week--something different every day for 12 days!--and if you grab a badge and put it on your blog or site you can enter to win a really fabu grand prize.
• Cute stocking stuffer idea: Honibe Honey drops, the honey alternative to the sugar cube. CityMama readers get 20% coupon off any holiday orders placed through their online store at www.Honibe.com.  To use the 20% coupon, they simply enter "HONIBE20" in the Coupon Code box when placing an order and click on Apply Coupon. Love it! (And so will your tea!)
• Lastly, I am currently loving up on Shabby Apple Dresses, both their (affordable, vintage-inspired) women's line (dresses for women of all shapes and sizes, thank you!) and the line for girls that lets girls be kids. If you have a girl like mine who will only wear dresses, I am constantly on the lookout for washable, wearable, cute dresses. These are it. CityMama readers get 10% of through January 9 using coupon code "MommyBloggers."  And best of all your purchases do good. You have to read Shabby Apple's mission, it's a big reason why I am proud to support them.

Hot Links for 12/1/08

• Do you know how much trash the holidays generate? Did you know you can't recycle metallic wrapping paper? Read on.
• Towards that end, I want you to join me in the No Gift Wrap Challenge this holiday season.
• I have new makeup and Sarah Palin would love it. (And not just because it was given to me free.)
• Need affordable holiday outfits for your little elves? Look no further.
• And, I deactivated my Facebook account today. (Hallelujah!)  It was just getting too weird what with ex-BF's and current babysitters all colliding in one, online world. I just don't need to know that much about people I didn't really want to know any better in the first place (and I'm sure they feel exactly the same about me). It might lead to unplugging of other things. Stay tuned.