My Most Triumphant Outlet Shopping Story

Family

Factory Outlet Family Shopping Fun

I always love shopping at factory outlets and do so frequently since we go on several family road trips each year. So, when I heard about this TwitterMom and Gap Factory Outlet writing contest I jumped to write something up to participate.

At the Triplet Connection Convention our four children really are easy to find in this picture. Can you guess which kids are mine?

Since I have triplets, plus one more who is just one year older, shopping has always been a challenge, but it was also great fun to see what I could find.  In fact, when the kids were little, nothing thrilled me more than the first time I found four look alike outfits in their sizes at a factory outlet store in Colorado.  It's been a few years, so I can't remember what city this was in, but one thing I know for sure: this was definitely my most triumphant outlet shopping moment ever.

At the time, I thought how fun to dress all my children in these lookalike outfits. But as our children grew out of their strollers and were mobile on their own legs, I began to realize that these matching clothes could actually be practical besides.  Soon I was dressing the four little ones the same almost all the time and stopping at factory outlets everywhere to shop at stores like the Gap Factory Outlet which always had affordable and cute apparel which I could buy in multiples of four.

Dressing my kids all alike wasn't something I did just because I had triplets and their big brother was so close in age that they really looked like quadruplets in these "twins outfits." Of course they certainly looked adorable -- after all they are my children -- and similar or coordinating clothes always made great family pictures as I quickly discovered.  In this picture the kids are all wearing the same hat and shirt, so the fact that they're pants don't match isn't really a problem.

But, the reason I continued dressing them this way was because it made it easy for me to always remember what everyone was wearing when they got lost and I had to describe their clothing to customer service. This also came in handy when they got lost in a crowded sale and I could scan all the kids in a store to find my own really quickly because they all had the same thing on.

Oh the stories I could tell about all the times one or more of our children disappeared temporarily on these shopping expeditions.  I was stressed out each time for sure -- but luckily we still have four kids today who are tweens.

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Gap Outlet compensated blogging program.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

ChildsPlayPR Mommy Blogger Event - More Fun Than Work, Yet Overflowing With Great Consumer Brands for Families and

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert

Who says being a Mom has to be all work and no play?  The answer is ChildsPlayPR, for one, which hosted Southern California's top 50 Mommy Bloggers to its first-ever Bloggers Brunch event in the Los Angeles area.

How fortunate we were to be invited to this opportunity to meet an assortment of consumer vendors as colorful as the brightest rainbow and to see and learn about some innovative new products that enhance living for the entire family.  That's not to mention how wonderful it was to finally chat with Child's Play Communications President Stephanie Azzarone, the award-winning dynamo who organized this event, up close and personal.   Another side benefit was getting to catch up and mingle with my blogging friends -- almost all busy moms and bloggers -- whom I don't often get to see since we are spread out throughout the metropolitan five county Southern California area that encompasses hundreds of square miles.

The best things about this event were many -- here are but a few of the highlights

• It was an intimate gathering, not a mega conference with hundreds or thousands of attendees like Blogher or the Consumer Electronics Show -- two other important industry events that mommy bloggers like me should attend.
• The brands displaying their wares and who were answering our questions at ChildsPlayPR's Brunch may have been few in number but so was the ratio of brands to bloggers.  In fact, this mom personally feels that we received much more attention than we're accustomed to from all the top-tier vendors in attendance.  In just a few hours all of us had the opportunity to talk one on one with representatives ranging from Pottery Barn Kids, Summit Toy, Nickelodeon, Coldstone Creamery, and Toyota to Bandai, Pajama Jeans, Temptress, and Dyson Vacuums.
• In contrast, the blogger raffle prizes supplied by these companies were plentiful, totaling thousands of dollars in value all tolled.  I wasn't one of the lucky ladies to take home one of those really big prizes though.  But, don't worry, I didn't go home crying either.  That's because woman who joined this meet-up received multiple gift bags, one from each of the brands that participated.  Watch MommyBlogExpert for a separate post soon with additional photos from the event as well as details on all the goodies that were gifted to us bloggers.  
• From the moment of arrival at the seaside Manhattan Beach, California's boutique and trendy Shade Hotel outdoor atrium where the event was held, ChildsPlayPR and the consumer companies pampered us guests.  We were greeted with Mimosas in champagne glasses, followed by a lovely light brunch - lunch of salads and omelets made to order, and finished off with some really scrumptious Coldstone Creamery ice cream sandwiches for dessert.  On top of it all, all ladies attending received makeovers by Temptress Cosmetics.
• Most importantly, many new business contacts were solidified between bloggers and the brands who attended that day.  For example, thanks to the connections made at this particular gathering, I've already worked with Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band twice, having been invited to their Paramount Studios set to interview the entire cast of the show as well as to conduct a back stage interview after the group's live musical performance last weekend at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  I'm also talking with other family shows at Nick for future posts, too.  Also, my work is cut out for me in the months ahead as I've also lined up a number of product reviews with other brands I met at this ChildsPlayPR interactive event, all of which will eventually be published on this blog.

About Child'sPlayPR and Child's Play Communications
Child's Play Communications, hosts of the 2010 Child'sPlayPR Bloggers Brunch in L.A., held similar events in New York in for the past two years.  The company specializes exclusively in public relations, social media and word of mouth for products and services targeting moms.  Based in New York, this is the first agency ever to focus on that market niche, connecting companies with moms for more than 20 years.  Stephanie Azzarone, president of Child's Play Communications, is pictured at left.  A video of the ChildsPlayPR 2010 Bloggers Brunch in L.A. can be viewed here.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert attended this hosted ChildsPlayPR event in addition to receiving various products in gift bags from the vendors mentioned in this post who participated .   MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.    

Easy Green Organic by Anna Getty, Much More Than Just Another Cookbook - It's About Eco Living at its Finest - BOOK REVIEW

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert

WIN Anna Getty's New Book - See bottom of this post for giveaway details

Anna Getty is a woman on a mission.  Not only is she an heiress, chef, actress, fashionista, and author of multiple books -- to mention just a few of her talents.  She is also a mom who lives and promotes living green in every facet of her life.

The holistic living expert's latest title, Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic, may look like another healthy, organic cookbook judged just by its front cover.  But, once opened you'll have a whole new perspective and will read, see, and learn so much more.  This is actually Getty's second title for Chronicle Books.  Her first book published last Fall, I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas, was selected as both one of the best gifts for 2009 last year for Thanksgiving and Christmas .

Some similarities do exist between the old and the new -- for example the strong influence the author's daughter and husband have had on her wonderfully elegant prose.  Another is the beautiful photography by Ron Hamad.  All this is artfully interspersed with shocking but motivating statistics, resources, and all manner of valuable information on what each of us can do to help our planet while also living more richly.  Besides that, both soft covers are practical filled with how to advice for creative souls while also appealing to the many more pedestrian readers who likely will appreciate these equally as conversational pieces and as coffee table books that are inspiring just to thumb through.

What sets Easy Green Organic apart from its predecessor, though, is that while Getty's first publication draws from nature and is focused on how to create gifts, decorate and entertain for the holidays, her new book just released this month is all about cooking, eating, and living organically year-round.  Notably, in the more recent title, there are 75 more pages to absorb and enjoy -- thanks in large part to Dan Goldberg, noted food photographer who has teamed up with Hamad -- to create some particularly delectable color visuals to accompany the recipes.

In this clip from the publisher's site Getty's neighborly style, energetic poise, intelligence, ability to entertain, and panache as a cook all shine brightly

It's hard to choose what is the best thing Easy Green Organic has to offer us because it covers such a broad range of territory.  On the one hand, there is the opportunity to learn about what sustainable farming and shopping organic is all about.  How we can embrace these things to help us cut down -- or even more ideally, eliminate all together -- exposure to pesticides through the produce our families eat.   

For sure, having access to food that is not only good for us but absolutely delicious as well is also the goal.  In this book, Getty answers these desires by sharing new and inventive recipes that are both healthy and easy to prepare such as "Baked Portobello Mushrooms With Avocado and Pesto" and "German Potato Pancakes With Turmeric Pear Applesauce and Chive Creme Fraiche," plus many more similarly tantalizing dishes.  

All love is not lost just on the adults, either, in this book.  Kids are going to love her ideas, too.  I mean, what  youngster is not going to like these treats?  "Sweet Potato Fries With Maple Barbecue Sauce," that are baked rather than fried,  "Juliet's No-Fail Banana Bread with Dark Chocolate Chips," and much more.

Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic, $24.95, was published in 2010 by Chronicle Books and is available at major booksellers.

Easy Green Organic Book Giveaway Contest 
WIN this book.  To enter this MommyBlogExpert Book giveaway, simply read this review and leave a comment below this post telling what you like most about Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic.  Don't forget to include your email, Twitter or Facebook info so we may contact you in the event that you are the winner. Eligibility: must be legal resident of the U.S. to win with limit of one entry per person.  Contest ends at 11:59 pm PDT on May 15, 2010.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received a copy of the book reviewed.  For this MommyBlogExpert giveaway contest a copy of Easy Green Organic is being given a way to one lucky contest winner.  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post or giveaway contest.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.    

Fun Crafts for Kids to Make With Recycled Materials to Celebrate Earth Day

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert

This list of ideas and links to fun crafts kids and families can make with recycled items in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day which falls on April 22nd.  Any of these projects would be fun for teachers to make at school with students or for moms and dads to make with their children at home.

Once again Disney's Family Fun Magazine & Website comes through with some very clever robots you can make from tin cans and household bric-a-brac.  Whoever thought this idea up is brilliant.  

Get the How Tos for this project and others here 32 Family Fun eco-friendly arts & crafts projects.

My kids and I will be working on another recycling project idea we got from the current April issue of Family Fun, so stay tuned and we will be posting more about it later. 

Making art out of reclaimed materials is good for the Earth and fun at every age.  What have you and your family made?

Please post the links to other ideas you like and don't forget to include links to the recycled projects you and your kids have made to share with us.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert and family are long-time subscribers to the print edition of Family Fun Magazine.  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.   

 

The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon, FREE Live Target Children's Stage Performances at 2010 L.A. Times Book Festival This Weekend

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert

Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band

In-Person April 24-25

Free Concert at 10 a.m. Both Days

At the L.A. Times Festival of Books

Target Children's Stage on the UCLA Campus

Autograph Sessions After Each Performance

If your family is lucky enough to be in Southern California this weekend you are indeed in luck.  That's because The Fresh Beat Band is giving free LIVE performances on both Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, from 10 - 10:30 a.m. at the 2010 L.A. Times Festival of Books - Target Children's Stage on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles.


A Kid-Friendly Studio Tour Behind the Scenes of The Fresh Beat Band Set
Recently we spent the afternoon at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, where The Fresh Beat Band is shot.  In my own words as a mom of triplets plus one more and as creator of MommyBlogExpert, the blog you are now reading, I think Fresh Beat Band can best be described as a High School Musical-type program for younger children.  In fact, I personally believe that the program's initial success can be attributed largely to its wholesome musical format featuring age-appropriate original pop music along with an important message.

What's makes Fresh Beat Band even more of a stand-out in children's programming is that it helps kids grasp the fundamentals of music while at the same time modeling positive character traits for kids to emulate that teach about friendship, working together, and respecting what makes each of us unique individuals.  I can't think of another program on any cable channel or the major networks that comes even close to filling this niche.

About The Fresh Beat Band

A new FBB episode called "Bubble Blast" will be broadcast tomorrow that was created for Nickelodeon's green-themed Earth Day programming.  This special edition of the show can be viewed on Thursday, April 22 at 12 noon ET/PT on Nickelodeon.

The Fresh Beat Band, airs weekdays on Nickelodeon, regularly at 1:30 p.m. ET/PT
This kids' program is the brain-child of co-creators Nadine Van Der Velde and Scott Kraft, a husband-wife team raising two daughters of their own: Bea and Gabi.  This duo, two parents who sincerely advocate for appropriate programming for youngsters, also serve as the project's executive producers.

Filmed on the lot at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, this show features a brilliant cast including:  Kiki (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer), Twist (Jon Beavers), Marina (Shayna Rose), and fall guy Shout (Thomas Hobson), all who do comedy, acting, dancing, singing and playing of musical instruments in each episode.  FBB, which brings a different but important message to kids in each week's episode, is presently in production on their second season. The band's first two singles -- "Great Day" and "The Fresh Beat Band Theme Song" -- are currently on iTunes.

Stop by the show's official website on NickJr.com 24/7 for lots of fun activities you and your kids can do online together, like desktop wall paper downloads, arts & craft ideas, coloring pages, themed recipes, videos and more.

FTC Disclosure:  For this story and several other related posts, MommyBlogExpert and family were invited to a behind-the-scenes tour event at Paramount Studios where The Fresh Beat Band is filmed as well as received the opportunity to view an advanced copy of the final cut of FBB's "Bubble Blast" episode.  We further disclose that we received autographed pictures of the cast, coloring pages, and stickers on set.  However, MommyBlogExpert and family did not receive any payment or other compensation to write this review.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.