Prepping for Galentine's Day 2019 with Paperless Post

Disclosure: This is sponsored post in partnership with Paperless Post; all opinions expressed are my own. 

We've just about made it to 2019 and can you believe Valentine's Day merchandise is already in stores? I don't mind because I'm excited to throw another Galentine's Day party! Last year was my first time throwing one, and it was super simple to set up especially with the help of Paperless Post. 

Promoting Kids' Brain Health with Vitamin Friends Just Focus Vegan Gummies

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

As an 80s baby I still remember the chalky taste of my morning vitamin each school day - they somehow seemed like a treat to me. Fast forward to now as a mom of a 4 and 8 year old and there are so many more options available. My kids have become self-appointed vitamin connoisseurs!

5 Quick Ways to Simplify the Holidays

2018 blew me away with all the travel it involved! From starting the year in Palm Springs to ending it with our last trip of the year coming up in Nashville, I'm so thankful to be grounded with my kids at home for their December recess.  This is our 3rd Christmas as homeowners, but will only be our 2nd Christmas actually at home. To make it extra special, I've partnered with Wayfair to reflect on 5 quick ways I'm simplifying this holiday season. 

Easy Holiday Cards with Minted

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Minted and contains affiliate links; all opinions expressed are my own. 

 

I have a confession: if you send me a holiday card I save it forever! Moving 5 times across 4 states since we became a family has helped us make many friends over the years, so when the holiday season comes it's such a joy to see the updates come through the mail. Social media is great and all, but there's something to be said for getting a piece of mail and slowing down to relish in how old friends are doing, displaying the cards prominently as they arrive. 

This season will be our 4th partnering with Minted, and I love how stress-free they make it. I have something extra special planned for this year's card, and today I'm sharing my top 3 tips that have worked for me over the years:

My Top 5 Quotes from Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama

I don't know how I had the foresight, but before I knew we'd have 11 straight days of guests starting a week before Thanksgiving I booked a single ticket for myself to see Michelle Obama on the Boston stop of her book tour. A few month's prior I had set an alarm the day the tickets went on sale to try to snag two tickets to no avail; I could only purchase one. They sold out so fast!

Somehow it all worked out because after a long week of hosting I slipped out of the house to catch a train downtown for two hours with Michelle Obama. It was everything I needed. 

Join Me in Palm Springs: I'm Speaking at Alt Oasis!

As 2018 comes to a close I realize I've been invited more than any other year before to step from behind my screen and share my voice IRL, and I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be at Alt Oasis, Altitude Summit re-imagined. This will be my 3rd Alt experience (you can read my '14 recap here and my '18 experience is in my Instagram Highlights), and in 2019 I'll be continuing the conversation I started in 2018 with a new session, "Like to Action: Making an Impact with Your Influence."

Continuing to Raise Resilient Children

Saying that mothering through the current state of affairs is rough is a gross understatement. 

Literally, as a I type this the radio broadcaster is asking, "How are you coping with the avalanche of all this horrible news?"

Avalanche, yes.  

While it's tempting to put your head in the sand and continue to send "thoughts and prayers," going about sharing only tone-deaf posts of recipes, puppies and rainbows on social media, it's going to take more than that. 

My Top 3 Tips for Voting with Kids

Disclosure: I received a copy of Voting with a Porpoise for review purposes; all opinions expressed are my own. 

Tomorrow's a big day: Election Day 2018. 

I've taken my responsibility to raise civically engaged children very seriously and while my current state of activism was ignited by our time spent in New Hampshire leading up to the last presidential election, I wasn't always so civically minded. 

The first presidential election I had the opportunity to vote in was while I was in college. I could've voted absentee registered in Ohio, but I abstained as I didn't like any of the candidates. I wrestled with the thought and moved on. I now realize my mistake, steeped in privilege. 

Know better, do better.

How is it November? (& a Winner)

It's November 1, but why do I feel like I'll be saying, "Happy New Year" next week? Can you relate? 

I took my cuties back to our neighborhood church's annual Trunk or Treat last night and with the (thankfully) mild weather compared to last year, they really enjoyed themselves. I seriously *think* we'll have enough candy at least until Easter!

Mom Boss in the Making? Join Me in NYC This Saturday!

I'm thrilled to share that I'll be speaking alongside at The Exchange presented by Moms Make it Work this Saturday, November 3 from 11a.m.-2p.m. As I shared in my Quiana in Action post, this year has really been shift for me as I've been transitioning to doing more outside of the blog including more speaking engagement and hosting events. 

inherQuests: Fun Financial Education for Girls

Disclosure: I received a sample from inherQuests for review purposes; all opinions expressed are my own. 

Last week we had Nia's 3rd grade parent/teacher conference and there were no surprises: she continues to do exceedingly well and we are grateful for stability as we just celebrated the one year anniversary of her transfer to a new school after years of transitioning between 5 other schools. 

We are in a good place, but we are not complacent. 

Giveaway: BreathableBaby's New Momspiration Swaddle

Earlier this spring while attending Mom 2.0 in Pasadena I stopped by BreathableBaby's table where I learned about their safe bedding as well as a special contest they were running to submit advice to new moms for inclusion on an upcoming swaddle design. It didn't take me long to think of advice - I quickly wrote it down on the slip and handed it over. 

Our Family Wedding Weekend in Charleston

Mr. Lovebird and I returned with the kids late Monday night from the perfect mix of family, fun and food celebrating the wedding of my sister Ariane and now-brother-in-law Lawrence's wedding in Charleston, SC on Sunday! 

Martha's Vineyard Family Fun at Summercamp Hotel

Disclosure: My family and I received a complimentary stay at Summercamp Hotel; all opinions expressed are my own.

As much as I've shown Martha's Vineyard on my social media feeds I had never been there with Mr. Lovebird AND the kids up until this past weekend when we were guests of Summercamp, a delightful hotel in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard that's part of the Lark Hotels boutique collection. 

We've been covered in gray skies and rain lately in Massachusetts, but the bright blue skies and gorgeous sun broke through just in time for our first visit to Martha's Vineyard as a family. We were there for about 24 hours, and we definitely made the most of it. 

Here are my top 5 favorite things about our visit...

I Heart Las Vegas #VegasStrong

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting, and I reflected in this Instagram post a while back how painful it's been seeing places that mean so much to me struck by tragic events. I often see online debates about whether to visit in the wake of tragedy, but I believe that it's often after these events that it's the best time to visit. Not only for tightened security, but also to stand in support and solidarity. 

Earlier this year when Mr. Lovebird and I found out Life is Beautiful would fall on my birthday we decided to return to Las Vegas for the 11th time, and it went from being a small birthday celebration to a larger family and friends celebration with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and a few other couples. 

Here's how I witnessed #VegasStrong in action. 

Summer Rewind: Nia's 8th Birthday

Kicking off Nia's birthday weekend on Cape Cod

Anyone else feel like time is collapsing? I certainly do and wanted to take a step back and share how we celebrated Nia's 8th birthday last month. This was her first year requesting an indoor birthday, and out of all her eight birthday parties it was also the only year that it has rained. Good call, Miss Nia! 

Now on to picture overload...

Back to School with PhysicianOne Urgent Care

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by PhysicianOne Urgent Care as part of an influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

This week has been a big one for my family: with my son starting his second year of preschool yesterday he and his sister are now at the same school and will continue to be there through the entire school year. While it's been quite the celebration, we've also had a rough week health-wise, but we are thankful for the care we received at our local PhysicianOne Urgent Care facility.

My Return to the 2018 Jazz Age Lawn Party

I'm en route to my sister Ariane's bachelorette party in NYC this weekend and am also squeezing in a return to my 6th visit to the Jazz Age Lawn Party. I haven't been since 2015 when I took both kids, but this time around I'm excited to go kid-free. The forecast looks AMAZING, and I think it will be a wonderful way to cap my weekend in my favorite city!

I thought it might be fun to take a look back at some of my favorite moments at the JALP...

My Wayfair Wedding Registry Picks

Disclosure: I am a Wayfair Homemakers blogger; all opinions expressed are my own. 

My husband and I just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary, and as I look ahead to my sister's upcoming wedding in Charleston, SC this fall I've relished in the nostalgia of planning my own wedding. Of course as the big sister, I've shared intermittent wisdom with her (mostly unsolicited solicited!), but today I'm going all out when it comes to creating a wedding registry thanks to Wayfair.

I've chosen a few of my favorite items to share with you...

Easy Deconstructed July 4th Flag Cake

One of the hardest parts of celebrating July 4th with kids in the in-between stages of babyhood and pre-teens is the tricky timing of fireworks and bedtime.  Add rain on top of that and it's sanity saving quite tempting to completely skip over the holiday with a young family. Our first July 4th as a family of four was super easy: we lived in Jersey City at the time and had an amazing 360 degree rooftop view that allowed us to see about 5 sets of fireworks from Manhattan to deep into New Jersey. 

Here's a throwback pic...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Happy 4th Birthday, Grayson!

 

What Happens on Your 9th Wedding Anniversary

Uka and I met in September 1999 - we were 18 years old, and I just a few weeks shy of my 19th birthday. It really does feel like it was yesterday. 

New at Six Flags New England 2018: Harley Quinn Spinsanity

A couple weeks ago I was invited to Six Flags New England's 2018 Media Day. It was a stunning day and the kids were in school so I was excited to head out to Agawam, MA to preview the newest ride: Harley Quinn Spinsanity. 

My Cheeky Days Podcast Feature: Diving into Diversity

In February, when I spoke at Altitude Summit, I had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth of Cheeky Days who describes her blog as a meeting place and resource for courage, kindness, curiosity, and joy. 

Planning a Perfect Party with Paperless Post

Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

My Baby Boo at his 1st birthday

It's hard to believe that Grayson turns 4 years old in just a few short weeks, and this year since I'm traveling his birthday weekend I pushed his party out by a week. He is quite the opinionated preschooler and has requested a train themed birthday party so when Paperless Post reached out to partner together it was perfect timing! I've always loved seeing the beautiful details when I receive a Paperless Post invitation (the most recent being my sister's upcoming bridal shower), and I was happy to see they have quite a few adorable train-themed invitations. 

Take a look...

Nia's Magazine Debut (& a MASSIVE Spring Update!)

We are hurtling towards the end of the school year (Grayson's done in 2 weeks and Nia has another 4 weeks), but in the interim I wanted to share some of the exciting things going on around here...

My Peter Rabbit Movie Garden Party

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review in partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; all opinions expressed are my own. 

This was my 9th Mother's Day and if there's anything I've learned is that there's nothing wrong with making your own day special. When a special Peter Rabbit Movie surprise arrived for me and my family I knew it'd be perfect for a Mother's Day Garden Party. We had seen the movie in the theater when it was first released and absolutely loved it so when I set up everything for my kids to see they were so excited!

How We Spent 30 (Edible) Hours in Seattle

At Volunteer Park {captured by my friend Mary}

A few months ago I asked on my personal Facebook page if anyone had traveled on Amtrak from LA to Seattle. With Mr. Lovebird accompanying me to Mom 2.0 I was thinking it might be fun to extend our trip and travel up the coast. I had done a solo Amtrak trip from Chicago to LA in my early 20s, and I thought a kids-free trip with Uka might be fun. I got a few positive responses on my question, but looking at the timetable, however I realized the trip would limit our time with our friends so we ended up booking our first flights on Alaska Airlines thanks to our Hopper low fare alert combined with a discount code they gave to attendees of Altitude Summit. 

Mom 2.0 ended on Friday night with the Iris Awards then after spending time with friends and family in LA-metro we flew up to Seattle early on Sunday morning.

Here's how it deliciously played out...

Getting Uncomfortable at Mom 2.0 2018

{Thank you Best Buy for the photo.}

Yesterday was my first full day back in a somewhat routine state after returning Tuesday at 1a.m. from the West Coast where I attended the 10th annual Mom 2.0 with Mr. Lovebird. It was my second time attending (here's last year's recap), and this time around while I spoke again, there was also another looming theme for me: being uncomfortable.

Princess Awesome on Spring Break

Disclosure: I received a sample to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

Last week's re-entry from spring break has been a bit rough, but today some warmth finally arrived here in Boston! We've been looking back at some of our favorite moments from the cruise, and I love this one especially:

Isn't Nia everything? 

Forte Et Gratum (or Spring Break Recovery)

The title of this post is my high school's motto: Strength and Grace. I returned there on Thursday morning for my 20th high school reunion this weekend, and it's fittingly put me in a reflective mood. It's also made me realize I need a whole lotta forte and massive amounts of gratum right about now!

My parents met us when we disembarked from our cruise last Saturday!

Just for Moms: Parent Breakfast Network & Shop

I'm writing this in nearly 80 degrees in Florida, but just a few short weeks ago on a snow day I was back in Wellesley for a networking event with a few of the moms I had met at my first paint night. As my first school year with both kids in school comes to a close I'm so thankful for opportunities like this to get out and meet fellow mompreneurs. 

It's Time: W.E.L.L. Summit Boston 2018 & a Giveaway

This is the first year that I'm unable to attend W.E.L.L. Summit Boston, and if you've been following my championing of this event since 2015, you know this is a big deal. W.E.L.L. Summit is the one conference I attend that is solely for my well being - it's just for me and not about my social media media persona or my career as a mompreneur. 

Eating Local with Just Add Cooking

Disclosure: I received a Just Add Cooking meal kit to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

As the seasons change I'm inspired to start switching up our meals accordingly to lighter fare (hello grilling season!) as we ease into spring here in Boston, so when I was invited to try Just Add Cooking, a meal kit subscription, I was especially excited because it's New England-based.

Here's what I love most about Just Add Cooking...

March Happened

Our Easter Family Photo - self-timer FTW!

Happy April! What a hiatus, right? It's a testament to how blogging has changed so much for me and speaks to the point I made in my Quiana in Action post that Harlem Lovebirds really has transformed into a springboard into projects that have taken me from behind the screen. By the time I think sit down to consider putting a post together fifty-eleven other things have transpired and I'm moving on. 

Here's what I've been up to...

My Spring Break Sweet & Sour Mocktail

Exactly two weeks from today Mr. Lovebird and I are surprising the kids with an epic spring break cruise so when Wayfair invited me to create a drink that's beach worthy I thought it would be fun to make a kid-friendly mocktail. I was inspired by my favorite fancy drink growing up as a kid: a Shirley Temple and because my kids are quite the Sour Patch kids I thought it would be fun to incorporate sour gummy bears. 

Here's how simple it is to make...

My Portable 80s Palm Springs Dinner Party

As a proud 80s baby, any chance I can relive the awesomeness of that decade is welcome so when I knew my blog would be taking me to speak at Altitude Summit this week I was excited to shift my original at-home Destination Dinner party from my formal dining room to the brightly colored conference venue of the Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs. 

It was the perfect back-drop for my Wayfair 80s-inspired dinner party tablescape!

Today's the Day: I've Returned to Altitude Summit and I'm Speaking!

Image via Altitude Summit

It's been 4 years since my first Altitude Summit and so much has happened since then. If you had told me at the time that in a few short months after giving birth to my son that I would be relocating to Portsmouth, NH then returning to Boston 2 years later I absolutely wouldn't have believed you. 

Here's a quick rundown of what my first Alt Summit was like...

Bloggers, Business and Boston: My First Paint Night

Disclosure: I was invited a guest of NEXT On Scene Magazine; all opinions expressed are my own. 

I still feel like I'm getting re-acclimated to living in Boston and one of the best ways to do that has been getting acquainted with the Boston blogging community. When I last lived in Boston (all the way back in 2007!), I hadn't started my blog yet and thankfully there are so many amazing Facebook groups that have been so welcoming including a wonderful group brought together by NEXT On Scene Magazine founded by Jackie Zuk.

Grayson and His superMOPI

Disclosure: I received a complimentary superMOPI for review purposes; all opinions expressed are my own.

If you've followed me on social media for some time there's probably something you've noticed about my 3 year old son, Grayson: he stays living his best life. From his Michael Jackson re-enactments to being his big sister Virginia's best dancing partner ever (remember this?), he is one of the happiest kids I've ever met. 

When superMOPI reached out to us during our recent cold snap here in Boston to see if Grayson would be interested in giving the bike a try, I gave a resounding yes! We get a bit stir crazy inside the house and one quick glance at the awesomeness of superMopi, and I knew Grayson would love it. 

I was right!

Parkland, Florida

There was another post that was supposed to go live today, but I decided not to post it. 

In the wake of what happened today in Florida with 17 young lives lost in yet another school shooting, it's easy to do a quick search and see all the times I've posted about events like this over and over. 

As I recently shared in my "Quiana in Action" post, I no longer could sit idly by crying while sending more "thoughts and prayers." Instead, I've joined Moms Demand Action and tomorrow just so happens to be Lobby Day. While Massachusetts is the leader in smart guns laws in the U.S., there is still work to do and I'm looking forward to showing up tomorrow at the Statehouse. 

Interested in learning more about Moms Demand Action? Check out their website here.

And if you're local, please join me at the New Members Meeting coming up on March 8:

Click here to RSVP.

 

Celebrating Chinese New Year with Ling Ling Asian Kitchen

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Since moving to Boston there's something my family has been in search of, mostly motivated by the New York City upbringing of Mr. Lovebird: delicious Chinese food. When I was invited by Ling Ling to cook alongside Chef Katie Chin, author of Katie Chin's Everyday Chinese Cookbook, I knew it might help with my family's search. Perhaps I could pick up some techniques so that I could create the meals my family misses from our time in NYC. 

How to Decrease Screen Time with a Reading Nook

The month of January flew by and one of the things we've been committed to as a family now more than ever is reading more books. With the recent data about kids and screen time plus as someone who works in a world of screens, it's important for me to have time that we all pull away from our devices. 

My kids have a strict screen time rule: we are screen free on school nights. Their schools have some screen time, which is fine, but otherwise from TVs to tablets, the children don't use them during the week. It's been a struggle at times and my 7 year old being older is good at reinforcing it with her 3 year old brother, but this holiday when we took down our Christmas tree and were left with a gaping space I decided it would be perfect for a cozy reading nook as an alternative to screen time.

My Top Five Tech Car Features for Parents

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Cars.com. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sadly, this was not my high school car

During my recent visit to the New England Auto Show I was reminded of my very first car: a used Ford Festiva. I named her Frieda and although she was tiny, she was mine. 

Now as mom, there are certain things I've found are so important in selecting a vehicle having now driven two crossovers with two children. My recent car is a 2016 Mazda CX-9 and having driven a 2009 model prior to this, it really has improved its features. My current CX-9 is my first new car, and I was stunned at how far technology has come since my Festiva.

Quiana in Action

Shirt via Myrtle & Flossie

"What exactly do you do?"

It's a question I often get asked directly and sometimes it's implied so I thought it would be helpful to share the projects I'm currently working on especially if there are followers whose work might align with what I'm doing and which might lead to future partnerships. 

Here we go...

2018 New England Auto Show with Honda Clarity

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with A Girls Guide to Cars and Honda Boston; all opinions expressed are my own.

I remember the exact moment that I was introduced to the Internet. I was in 8th grade working on a writing assignment in the computer lab with a classmate when I looked over on her screen and saw something I had never seen before. I asked her what it was and she replied, "This is the Internet!" My mind was blown as she gave me a quick run through. Apparently, a few in my class were given trials before it rolled out to the rest of us. Once we got to use the Internet and I logged into Netscape, I knew right where to go: searching for cars. 

Vlog: Our Crowd-Sourced Trader Joe's Haul!

Unlike when we lived in Portsmouth, NH, we're now about a 23 minute ride from our nearest Trader Joe's - before it was only 6 minutes! Since moving back to Boston this was only my second trip there so I decided to crowdsource my trip: about 30 minutes before I was set to arrive, I reached out to my Facebook friends to crowdsource their favorite items. 

Here's the results shared on Facebook Live (with a bit of help from Grayson!):