My Family Rocks!

This post is brought to you by The New Santa Fe from Hyundai. Think your family rocks? Show us by uploading a photo of your family rocking out. Enter now for a chance to win great prizes.

My husband and I love music - hip hop is our favorite but we don't discriminate, there is equal play at play in our home and when we're out & about.  We encourage our kids to dance and sing-along.  My husband and I take everyday things and make simple, funny songs.  A family favorite is "Apple Juice & Fries" - My husband makes a funny voice and just starts singing apple juice and fries.  It is so SO funny to watch.  Especially when Duke starts dancing to it.  I've been begging him to make a video but he's not going for it.

And just last month I made a video singing to our baby.  I'm that Mom.  I have no shame.  See how fun it is to rock out with your kids?!  I have the whole family singing to Omar now and he loves watching the video!



A defining moment in parenthood is when your child shares their love of anything with you.  I remember when my parents would turn off the tv, put on some records and just relax with us when I was a kid, they are such great memories.  When our preteen expressed his love for Wu-Tang Clan, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Metallica it was such a bonding moment for us...  The littles are slowly coming around!  It's an amazing thing when their taste in music reflects your own, like you done good, you raised 'em right.

MY FAMILY ROCKS!!!


Hyundai Santa Fe and Rolling Stone are looking for families who rock and whose values include kindness, sharing, hard work, loud singing, mud, practical jokes and mischief in general.  

Does your family rock?!  Enter Hyundai Santa Fe and Rolling Stone's contest! 

Prizes include a photo shoot in Rolling Stone featuring the winning family shot by an industry photographer, airfare, hotel and transportation to the 55th Grammy Awards, and a fully tricked-out Hyundai Santa Fe custom rock ‘n’ roller.

Contest ends December 14, 2012.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

#ShineOn Saturdays at GapKids!

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

This month, select GapKids stores will be hosting a series of special art projects by Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag!  Merrilee was inspired by the GapKids and babyGap fall collection, including the best new 1969 denim.  Jewel Box Skinnies for girls (the new skinny jean updated in bright stretchy denim) and Action Stretch Demin for boys (designed for play all day-it's denim that's made to move)

I have always enjoyed my 6 year old son's special doodles to me and the arts & crafts he brought home from preschool and kindergarten.  I have a 20 pound box of papers I've collected over the past few years to prove it.  I knew he was creative but watching him at the Shine On event at GapKids was amazing and I'm not saying it because he's my kid but because he's good at choosing colors and composition.  He's a natural.

When we walked in, Alyssa greeted us and asked Duke if he wanted to make a journal - she had him choose the cover, tapes and stickers.  They sat at a table and she showed him how to do it - you put your papers in a stack, fold in half, staple, add different tapes to cover the staples and decorate!  I was taking notes and thinking hey, I could do this!  Alyssa was impressed at Duke's sticker placement, I was too.  Look at the pictures, he did all of that on his own!

The Sherman Oaks GapKids was a drive for us and traffic was horrible but Duke found a pencil on the back of my seat and drew in his journal!  He said he's going to take it with him to college.  Talk about extending his creativity!

I can't remember the last time we went out and did something on a Saturday morning as a family so this was a fun change for us.  It's sweet and super thoughtful that a company I have loved since I was a kid offers free activities like this.  Thank you Gap!




Saturday, August 25 - Make an animal character badge
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Glendale Galleria
2114 Glendale Galleria
Glendale, CA 91210

Select GapKids stores in these cities are hosting Shine On Saturdays: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Dallas and Toronto!  Check Gap's Facebook page for specific locations!


Disclosure: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Good fun is happening at GapKids Shine On Saturdays!

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

I enjoy free events.  Especially free events for kids that involves art.  This month, select GapKids stores will be hosting a series of special art projects by Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag!  Merrilee was inspired by the GapKids and babyGap fall collection, including the best new 1969 denim.  Jewel Box Skinnies for girls (the new skinny jean updated in bright stretchy denim) and Action Stretch Demin for boys (designed for play all day-it's denim that's made to move)

The first Shine On Saturdays event is on August 11th where kids will use a mixture of tape and paint to create geometric masterpieces on canvas!  Take your kids out and let them express their creativity!  Unleash those inner artists!    

Meet Mer Mag's Merrilee Liddiard on 8/11 from 10am-1pm at GapKids at The Grove!  

Saturday, August 11 - Make geometric art
10am-1pm
GapKids @ The Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Saturday, August 18 - Create your own art journal
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Westfield Fashion Square Mall
14006 Riverside Drive #218
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Saturday, August 25 - Make an animal character badge
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Glendale Galleria
2114 Glendale Galleria
Glendale, CA 91210

Select GapKids stores in these cities are hosting Shine On Saturdays: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Dallas and Toronto!  Check Gap's Facebook page for specific locations!


Disclosure: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Lighten My Underarms #DoveBeauty #spon

This post is sponsored by Dove(R) ClearTone(tm) Deodorant - designed to visibly reduce underarm dark marks and even skin tone.

Being a Mom, my weight has fluctuated with each pregnancy and ultimately affected my body.  I'm (mostly) comfortable in my skin and I love being curvy but dark marks under my arms are a problem!  I can't stand it!  It looks ugly and makes me sad!  Did you know that dark marks are created when shaving irritates the skin?  I always thought it was caused by my weight gain and loss!  I have always felt like there is nothing I can do to get rid of dark marks so even though I love tank tops and dresses - I have days where I refuse to wear them because my arms look chunky and dark but now I have faith that Dove Clear Tone Deodorant will help me lighten my marks!  Just in time for this hot, hot California weather.

One of my longtime tricks to hiding the ugly discoloration is by wearing a cute cardigan with tank tops or dresses!  Cardigans come in a bunch of colors and styles and are lightweight which is perfect for Summer.  I throw on a cardigan for anything - you can most definitely wear it casual or dress up it up.

Another longtime trick is to wear shirts that barely cover my underarm.  This isn't as easy as wearing a cardigan because I have a hard time finding shirts that I like!

A funny thing I do and I'm sure a lot of us won't admit is that I calculate my movements when I'm wearing a tank top or dress so I don't have to show off my underarms but I don't want to live like this anymore!  

I would love to stay away from wearing my safety blanket this Summer since it's been hot so I'm super excited to try Dove Clear Tone Deodorant and see some results.  I know I'll be a happier person!  

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

It's your Wedding! You need a Bridal Survival Kit #DoveBeauty #spon

This is the year for Weddings!  Four lovely friends of mine have been busy planning their weddings and through the magic of the Internet - I've been able to enjoy the process from beginning to end.  And I have really, really enjoyed it because I am married but haven't had the pleasure of planning my wedding.  Chris & I said, "I do" in a small courthouse on August 8, 2008 and for our 8th Wedding Anniversary - we're finally having our celebration!  As excited as I am for them on their big day, sharing their stories gives me an idea of what I can expect, need and want.         

I know one of the most (if not, thee most) important elements is The Dress.  A bunch of factors come in my mind when choosing the one but probably the most overlooked is what type of deodorant will maintain, smell good and not stain the dress.  A huge concern for me would be white deodorant balls!  Future Brides shouldn't have to worry about enjoying the day and dancing the night away - Dove Clear Tone Deodorant can help provide that confidence!  It would be completely horrifying to get pictures back and see chunks of deodorant in a bride's armpit!  

My friend, the newlywed Roxana Farias, shared what was in her Bridal Survival Kit.  The contents are self-explanatory and make complete sense to me!  My Bridal Survival Kit would include cotton swabs to clean up eyeliner and mascara - a survival kit must-have, trust me!  I'm pretty clueless at Weddings but being a woman, cotton swabs when applying and maintaining makeup are as good as gold.

Here's Roxana on her big day looking gorgeous as ever.  Congratulations!

Roxana recommends these items for your Bridal Survival Kit:



My tips are basic but the most important for any Bride's big day:

•  Don't let anyone get you down
•  SMILE!  

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

It's going to be an Old Navy Summer!

This post is underwritten by Old Navy. Whether you're looking for a tankini, bikini, or a one piece, Old Navy has you confidently covered at a great price.

I love Summer activities - like hanging out by the pool, in the pool, at the beach, at local water parks...
We had an amazing Summer last year and I'm so excited to enjoy my family this Summer!

Last Summer started out with my family & I taking a trip to Alabama for my cousin Irene's Wedding.  We flew into Atlanta, Georgia and checked into our hotel.  The plan was to enjoy the city for a day before we had to drive 90 minutes to Alabama to meet up with the rest of our family.  We weren't in our suite for five minutes when my 5 year old son Duke and 12 year old son Damien were begging to hit the hotel pool.  Since our time in Atlanta was limited and I was exhausted from the long flight, I thought it was a good idea to relax by the pool.

It was perfect because I had just picked up a one piece swimsuit and was dying to show it off to my husband Chris.   My only complaint was that it was a boring black.  Why are all swimsuits for curvy girls like me - black?

And then I saw that Old Navy is offering a Women's Control Max Halter Swimsuit in Royal Rowena - it's gorgeous!  Color is fun!  Black is playing it safe and I don't want to play it safe anymore!

So this Summer, I will be sipping smoothies by the pool and laying out at the beach in color!!!  I will also be teaching Duke how to swim!  The Women's Control Max Halter Swimsuit suits me because it's adorable, I love the color and it will help control my tummy when I'm in the water!  

I chose to highlight these two super cute suits for Summer - Women's Control Max Halter Swimsuit for me NOW and the Ruffle-Tiered Bikini for me NEXT SUMMER!  I say next Summer because I just had a baby at the end of April and you know how that goes...  

Summer fun, here we come!

Which suit will your body be rockin' this Summer?

   

Thank you to Old Navy for sponsoring my post. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.