Free WSS Grand Opening Family Block Party Set for May 16th in LA

Family Event

This is a sponsored post

Looking for something fun and free to do with the kids next weekend in Southern California? Then you're invited to bring the family to downtown Los Angeles to join the WSS Grand Opening Block Party at the brand's new flagship store at 1600 West 7th Street at Union Street on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

No purchase is required to participate in family friendly activities like

• Face Painting
• Cotton Candy
• Moon Bounce
• And Lots More

My daughter's soccer shoes from WSS, MommyBlogExpert.com

The newest store in the chain will be open for business during the hours the block party is taking place and party goers are invited to take advantage of the many in-store special grand opening deals that will be available.  For the past decade I have personally shopped for my own family at the WSS location in our area, purchasing everything from running shoes for my husband and boys to soccer shoes for my daughter to sandals for myself to fashionable t-shirts for my other girl. 

The latest WSS location is the culmination of a major $5M renovation and design project which has revived a historical landmark formerly known as Young's Market Building. Inside the store definitely worth checking out is the "23 Steps to Immortality" museum-like display showcasing all of the actual Jordan shoes. These are numbered 1 through 23 with a special explanation of each shoe and the legendary accomplishments that Michael Jordan achieved while wearing each pair.

Image from WSS

WSS Grand Opening 

Block Party

Saturday, May 16, 2015

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

1600 West 7th Street, Los Angeles

About WSS
WSS is a home-grown Los Angeles retail store success story, transitioning over the last 30 years from being a small neighborhood vendor. Eric Alon, founder and CEO of the chain, started out back in 1984 selling shoes out of the trunk of his car evolving into one of LA's top footwear retail powerhouse companies. The store offers customers a huge selection of value-priced clothing as well as athletic, dress, fashion and casual footwear for the entire family both for kids and adults including highly desirable brands such as Nike, Jordan, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Puma, Skechers and their own quality private brands.

Currently the brand has more than 67 locations in the Southland in Los Angeles and Orange County as well as in Las Vegas, Neveda and they're in the process of building out 23 Jordan "Shine on LA" concept shops within the stores with eight of these concept shops already open including the new LA flagship downtown location. The concept shops pay special homage to the Jordan athletes that have ties to the Los Angeles area including Chris Paul and Blake Griffin (both of the LA Clippers) and Russell Westbrook (Long Beach, Lawndale & UCLA).

Image from WSS

In the Community
WSS is committed to giving back to the communities they serve, sponsoring or participating in 350+ local events each year. Stay connected with the brand via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

FTC Disclosure: I am receiving compensation for this post, however opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

One Direction + Ty Burrell Help Celebrate National Foster Care Month With Song & Words

Children

Image from FosterMore

With May being National Foster Care Month I have some exciting news to share with MBE readers. To raise awareness and give a voice to foster care children, 70% of whom aspire to one day attend college, the boys from One Direction have graciously offered FosterMore the opportunity to use their song “Story of My Life” for the non-profit's new PSA featuring Mary Lee, a foster child who went on to build a meaningful career thanks to her supportive foster family.

Take a look at this moving success story...




One Direction's song meshes well with the FosterMore message of shining a light on the unlimited potential of kids and families in the foster care system, empowering all foster children to reach to their dreams through education and helping them share the story of their life.  Ty Burrell of Modern Family, who is an adoptive father of two, has also kindly lent his voice to this new PSA.

About FosterMore
FosterMore is a coalition of not-for-profit organizations and foundations working to raise awareness of the youth in America's foster care system. The organization encourages everyone to play a part in ensuring that foster youth receive the support, nurturing and guidance the need to succeed in life. Learn more about FosterMore on their official website as well as follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in association with this post and opinions in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Share Mom Photos to Raise Funds for National Park Foundation & Others #MacysLovesMom

Mothers

Taking Throwback Thursday to the Next Level

Mother's Day isn't just this coming Sunday, it's every day as any mom will tell you, myself included. So when I have the opportunity to celebrate fellow mothers everywhere on top of helping to spread the word about a corporate social campaign raising money for some of America's most worthy charities I don't even have to hesistate before I say yes.

Me next to my mom & siblings at Yellowstone Park Circa 1966, MommyBlogExpert.com

Macy's Thank-A-Mom Initiative #MacysLovesMoms

From now through May 10, Mother's Day, you are encouraged to join me in sharing your favorite throwback photos and memories of your mother on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. These can be throwback images of you and your family at parks including historic sites, seashores, monuments, memorials, trails, etc, but throwback images in general would be wonderful too. For every share of a motherly moment using the hashtag #MacysLovesMoms Macy's will donate $3, up to $400,000 total, to the National Park Foundation, Go Red for Women, Futures Without Violence, Reading is Fundamental and Make-A-Wish.

My 1960s 5th Birthday Party, MommyBlogExpert.com

In addition to sharing your photos of your mom -- in National Parks and/or in general -- here are some suggested social posts I encourage you to use to spread the word to others

I love sharing #throwback pix especially when it benefits great orgs like @GoParks http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2 #MacysLovesMoms

#DYK @Macys supports fab orgs like @GoParks w/ #MacysLovesMoms when U share #throwback #mom pics http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2

Here's a #throwback #TBT pic to celebrate all incredible #moms http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2 @GoParks #MacysLovesMoms

My fave #Mom moment is ___________ @GoParks #MacysLovesMoms http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2

FTC Disclosure: I proud to disclose that I am a lifelong National Parks admirer and supporter and have personally visited 200+ of our nation's parks and monuments as a child and as a mom with my own children. I did not receive any payment or compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Helicopter Mom Movie on VOD Review New Comedy Release Perfect for Mothers Day

Movies

Just in time for Mother's Day comes the hilarious new comedy Helicopter Mom starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Jason Dolley (Good Luck Charlie) now available on View on Demand (VOD) and iTunes. 

Image from Helicopter Mom

Last month my teenage daughter Rebecca and I attended a private screening of this funny new movie and after party with director Salomé Breziner, former Disney star Jason Dolley and other members of the cast and crew. 

My daughter, Jason & I at the screening, MommyBlogExpert.com

What an entertaining and fun night out this was watching this made in California film featuring scenes shot at Venice Beach which is a favorite hangout of our family. Neither of us could stop laughing about the wacky mom in the movie that makes garden variety helicopter moms not really look that bad in comparison. And best of all was that my daughter got to meet and talk with young and handsome Jason after the show while I got to chat with real-life mom and director Salomé Breziner who admitted to being a bit of a helicopter mom herself. Actually in this day and age I think most of us mothers are helicopter moms of varying degrees, aren't we?

Here's a brand new making of clip from the Prom scene...




About Helicopter Mom
Even with good intentions and an abundance of love, parents can sometimes become just a little bit smothering. Maggie (Nia Vardalos) takes the helicopter mom persona to the extreme when she decides that she would not only accept her son Lloyd (Jason Dolley) as gay, she would encourage it. In fact, Maggie becomes so convinced that Lloyd is indeed gay that she "outs" him to his entire high school. 

Like any good "helicopter mom" Maggie hovers over every aspect of her son's life. She takes control of his social life, sets him up on dates with boys whom she has approved, and files for a gay student college scholarship. There's just one wrench in her grand plans: Lloyd doesn't even know whether he's gay or not - and he's just asked a cute girl to prom played by Skyler Samuels (Scream Queens).  In the end, will Maggie be willing to accept her son for who he is-or just who she thinks he is? 

For more on this new funny film, visit the official Helicopter Mom Site as well as follow the movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Plus don't miss the Official Movie Trailer.

FTC Disclosure: My daughter and I were invited to a private screening and reception party in advance of the big screen release of Helicopter Mom. MBE did not receive any payment or other compensation in association with this story and opinions in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Getting Back to Work After Mom 2 Summit Where Moms Who Blog Gathered to Share & Learn

Blogging

#Mom2Summit

It's always hard to hunker down, refocus and get back to work after coming back on a high from such a fabulous conference as Mom 2.0 Summit which took place last week April 29 to May 1 in Phoenix. 

Me at the Kia booth, MommyBlogExpert.com

Not only was it a blast driving from California to Arizona with fellow blogger and friend Lori Cunningham of Well Connected Mom, it was super sweet seeing all the friends I don't normally get together with in IRL except at meet ups like this because we are dispersed throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was equally awesome to interact with a host of A-list sponsoring brands during the event such as Dove, Kia, Best Buy, Lindt Chocolate, Fandango, Adobe Photoshop Elements and lots of others.

Lindt Chocolates and Wine, MommyBlogExpert.com

Now it's back to the day-to-day solitary job of blogging and consulting as a social media strategist from my home office. As soon as I get caught up on email (I get 3000+ emails per day) and a few other minor details at home, like taking care of my hubby and kids, I'll be back with a full recap.

Iris Awards at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, MommyBlogExpert.com

What you see in this post is just the tip of the iceberg. I have many more stories and photos to share related to the brands I met with, what I learned at this conference's workshops including the opening keynote with actress and mom Molly Ringwald and the Iris Awards which featured a surprise Master of Cermonies: dad and actor Andrew McCarthy who played Molly's love interest in the movie Pretty in Pink (1986).

Arizona Saguaro Cactus, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: Though I did receive a variety of gift bags, giftcards and products during the conference, I paid for my own event ticket and travel expenses to attend Mom 2.0 Summit Opinions in this post are my own. 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.