Archives for June 2014

Happy National Sunglasses Day! …

June 27, 2014 By admin

Did you know that today is National Sunglasses Day? I’m sure you’re savvy about protecting your eyes when you’re out and about – sunglasses are awesome for hiding those sleep deprived eyes – but how good are you at protecting your kids’ eyes from those dangerous UV rays?

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool shades for globetrotting Kids

I recently learned from The Vision Council that eyes can get sunburned just like skin and everyone (adults, kids and babies) should wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever they’re outside. That means in EVERY season and even when its not particularly sunny. I don’t know about you but that came as a big surprise to me. In addition, kids are more vulnerable to UV damage because of their larger pupils and clearer lenses and contrary to popular belief, sun hats do not protect their little eyes. Damage from UV rays can cause pain, redness, swollen eyes, blurred vision, temporary blindness, cataracts and even cancer so why risk it when sunglasses are so easy to wear?

Since UV rays can reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, snow and buildings, its super important for you and your kids to wear those sunglasses on vacation too.

Here are my top picks for cool sunglasses for girls:

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool Shades for Globetrotting Girls

1) How adorable are these red Selima Optique for Crewcuts Heart Sunglasses? A bit of a splurge but at $55 but so adorbs!

2) These classic pink shades from Old Navy are perfect for toddlers.

3) I love these white Betsy Johnson Cat with flowers. Great for your little fashionista.

4) Some girls love pink and some love purple. These cute purple heart sunglasses are a steal at just $7.

And here are some cute sunglasses for boys:

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool Shades for Globetrotting Boys

1) These classic red Junior Ray Bans are perfect at any age.

2) Aviator shades are very trendy this summer and this cute yellow version from the Gap is just $10. Also available in blue.

3) These blue Kidz Banz Adventure sunglasses feature a wrap around strap making them great for sports and the beach. They make a baby version too.

4) For bigger boys, these black shades from Old Navy are a steal at just $5.

To learn more about the effects of UV exposure on eyes at every age, read the latest report from The Vision Council.

Have a great weekend!

I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own. Although The Vision Council is a nonprofit organization, I was gifted a Sun Sade Swag bag.

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Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on …

June 25, 2014 By admin

Summer is here and there’s no better way to see New York City’s sights than by sea. Circle Line cruises have always been a favorite for tourists and locals alike but if you’ve got kids, you’ll want to check out Circle Line’s Kids Cruises.

I took my husband, my daughter and my broken foot on the Summer Sizzling Radio Disney Dance Party cruise last weekend and we had a fabulous time. These Circle Line Kids Cruises, available on select Saturday mornings now through October, offer a kid-friendly version of the classic sightseeing cruise with special guests and fun kids activities.

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Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The 75-minute cruise departs from Circle Line’s Pier 83 at 42nd street. Depending on the cruise theme, there are entertainers on the main floor and activities like face painting, magic shows and balloon twisters upstairs. On our cruise, the Radio Disney team led dance contests (think freeze dance, etc.) and giveaways. You’ll want to be upstairs to get the best views but don’t rush to take photos of the Statue of Liberty when you first see her, you’ll get a better view with fewer crowds as the boat circles back around. You’re welcome.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The weather was spectacular, the sights were gorgeous, the sky was blue and the Annie soundtrack was playing in the background. It was a classic NYC moment and it was great being able to share an experience from my childhood with my little daughter. Here’s what you missed:

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

It was so much fun. Here are the themes and dates for upcoming Kid Cruises:

July 12 – Liberty Day with Maddie from the WNBA team New York & Baze and His Silly Friends

July 26 – Star Wars Rebels Party

August 9 – Pirate and Princess Party: The Power of Doing Good

August 23 – Baze and His Silly Friends & the Berenstain Bears

October 25 – Halloween Ball Kids Costume Cruise

Here’s what you need to know:

Tickets cost $29 for adults and $20 for kids ages 3-12.

Boarding starts at 9:15 am and the cruise departs at 10 am. Food and drinks are available for purchase and there is a dedicated stroller parking area. The main deck is completely handicapped accessible and the crew were helpful with boarding. If you’re wondering how I got upstairs, I hopped up and down on my good foot.

If you’re driving, there is a parking lot right at the terminal ($35 for the day) which is worth it if you’re going to explore the nearby kid-friendly attractions, parks and restaurants like the Intrepid Museum, North River Lobster Company, and Lucky Strike Bowling.

To see the entire schedule of Circle Line Cruises visit http://www.circleline42.com/.

We headed over to a nearby pier afterwards which had a cute interactive water playground, grassy spots and scenic views. I’m always amazed to discover these hidden spots.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

Bon voyage…

I received complimentary tickets for review purposes but all opinions are my own.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to …

June 16, 2014 By admin

Looking for a fun and affordable way to explore North America this summer without leaving home? Michaels has teamed up with seven leading North American museums to create Passport to Imagination 2014, an in-store summer program where kids ages 5-12 can explore culture through crafting.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

This year’s theme is Museum Road Trip and each week will focus on a different museum with projects inspired by the museum and its exhibits. Projects teach lessons on natural history, technology, marine life, textiles and art. The in-store classes run today through Aug. 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to noon. Each two-hour session is just $2 per child at all U.S. Michaels locations. I don’t know where you live but for NYC parents, that’s an AMAZING deal.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

Here’s the lineup:

Week one – The Field Museum in Chicago – Showcasing a collection of more than 25 million natural history artifacts and specimens, The Field Museum is one of Chicago’s coolest museums. Kids will be making fossils, skeletons and other nature inspired projects.

Week two – Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta – Georgia Aquarium features more than 10 million gallons of water and 725 species! Visitors can dive into the wonderful world of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, and also learn about African penguins, manta rays, sea otters, beluga whales, sea turtles and coral colonies. Kids will make dolphin, shark and frog art projects this week.

Week three – Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona. Exhibiting 300 of the most amazing aircraft in the history of flight and over 125,000 artifacts, the PIMA Air & Space Museum houses the third largest aviation collection in America. Kids will be making biplanes and gliders, flying fighter planes and space shuttle projects.

Week four – Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas inspires minds through a world of hands-on learning, fun and concepts in science, math and technology, all within one spectacular location. Kids will make space and planet, create-a-constellation, zeotrope, optical illusion art and robot projects.

Week five – The Denver Art Museum features a collection of more than 70,000 pieces ranging from ancient to modern times. Visitors can view sculptures, paintings and photography and participate in family-friendly exhibits and events. This week’s projects include quilts, modern art and portraits.

Week six – The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City explores past, present and future fashion trends, accessories and textiles from real-life fashion experts. Kids will make textural weavings, color & pattern wheels, fashion dolls, fashion inspiration boards, fashion sketches and a Duct Tape wallet or purse.

Week seven – The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, features almost 36,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, photos and more. Its colorful exhibits and hands-on creative experiences make it a great place for imaginative kids. This week, kids will make abstract sculptures and stained glass vases, Picasso inspired pictures and masks, and musical instruments.

During the week of June 16, the first 50 participants at each store will receive a free souvenir album.

I think this is a fabulous way to add some culture and craftiness into your summer plans. For more information on Passport to Imagination and other in-store crafting events and classes this summer, go to www.Michaels.com/Passport.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Top 10 …

June 13, 2014 By admin

Those of you who follow me on Instagram and Twitter know that I’ve been spending the last few weeks homebound with a broken foot. Since I like to run around a lot, I’ve pretty much had to give in to things that can be done on one foot which isn’t a whole lot in New York City! I’ve spent a lot of time on the sofa elevating my foot, I caught up on some books, started Orange is the New Black and I’ve hired a ton of babysitters to cart G around to all her activities.

With all this time to think, I’ve come to the conclusion that recovering from a broken foot is super similar to those first few weeks as a new mom!

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Globetrotting Mommy: Top 10 Ways Breaking Your Foot is Like Having a Baby

Since globetrotting is off limits for me now, today I’m sharing the top 10 ways breaking your foot is like having a baby.

1) Having to pee in a cup before foot surgery (think one foot, two crutches, two hands) is equally…if not more…challenging than peeing in a cup with a 9-month baby belly.

2) You’ll vomit from all the pain pills and anesthesia. Gross but true…

3) Getting a good night’s sleep is not so easy with a broken foot in a big hard cast or gigantic belly but you’ll be so tired it will happen.

4) Everyone will tell you the time will go fast. They’re lying. You’ll be counting down every single day…

5) Your freedom is ripped away from you. Like to do what you want to do when you want to do it? That’s over for now. You can’t just run out the door like you used to, it now takes a whole lot of prepping to get out the door.

6) Taking a shower feels like a MAJOR accomplishment.

7) You’ll build new upper body strength from pushing that stroller and using those crutches but you’ll also be sore in new spots you never knew existed.

8) People will make you tell the same story over and over again. Birth story or broken foot story…it gets old, fast.

9) You’ll be forced to dress frumpy until your body returns to normal. Say goodbye to skinny jeans and stilettos and hello to capri sweats and sneakers.

10) The world wide web will quickly become your best friend especially Amazon, Seamless, Netflix, Babble and Diapers.com.

The best way to survive those torturous first weeks of shock and recovery is to take them one day at a time. Your friends and family will offer up help so definitely take them up on it while you count down the days till you’re wearing sandals or getting a good night’s sleep…14 more to go for me…

Have a great weekend!

Kate Spade Surprise Sale: …

June 10, 2014 By admin

Attention globetrotting shoppers, the Kate Spade surprise sale is here and the theme is travel! Act fast to get some great globetrotter gear like totes, diaper bags, wristlets, wallets, make-up pouches, sun hats and more for up to 75% off…

Here are some of my favorite picks:

How cute is this Play Hooky canvas tote with leather trim?

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Kate Spade Surprise Sale: Travel Edition

Globetrotting moms will look tres chic with this Into The Wild Stevie Baby Bag. I also like Kate Spade’s Gingham Harmony Bag. These diaper bags are great for travel and would also make fabulous baby shower gifts.

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Kate Spade Surprise Sale: Travel Edition

This Par Avion Stripe Small Natalie cosmetics bag is a great choice for make-up and toiletries to keep you looking beautiful at home and on the road.

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Kate Spade Surprise Sale: Travel Edition

This Gingham Grainy Vinyl Chrissy is a fun cross-body bag that will go from day to night.

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Kate Spade Surprise Sale: Travel Edition

Bon voyage…

Father’s Day Gift Guide …

June 5, 2014 By admin

Still looking for a great Father’s Day gift? Here is my Father’s Day Gift Guide just in time for the June 15 celebrations. Just add in a homemade card from your kid and you’ll be all set.