How To Mixing Blogging With Jet-Setting

Traveling all around the world is one of those things you’ll never forget. Whether you’re a travel blogger, a social media influencer, or a business traveler who has been invited to meetings and gatherings for various industries, jet-setting is one of the best parts of the job. But since you’re away from the office, will you be unable to blog or work to a high standard?

In this day and age, there’s no way there should be any drop in blog post quality as long as you’re prepared for writing on the go. Keeping a tight schedule is perhaps the first hurdle. Landing in a foreign land thousands of miles away, you will be battling jet lag and acclimatization. Fear not, there are many automated scheduling options you have at your disposal. On top of this, you can still correspond with clients and customers. And these days, there’s no excuse to ever be without WiFi.

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Finally! A Local Networking Event in New Jersey! #blogpointpleasantbeach

Blogging and networking events are few and far between here in New Jersey. Because we are located so close to both New York and Philadelphia (depending on where you live), most events are held in one of these major cities.

If you are a blogger from New Jersey, you have to make the trek to either New York or Philly. I am never one to pass up a trip to either NYC or Philly, but sometimes it's pretty awesome to hop in my car for a 10-minute drive to an event.

Last Friday night, I had the opportunity to meet and mingle with local bloggers and network with local business women...all within a 7 minute drive from my house!!! You can't beat that!

Carly Walko from ThirtySomethingFashion hosted an event at Lola's, a women's apparel and accessories boutique in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. Not only did I have an opportunity to meet some fabulous women who live and work this area, but I had a chance to shop too! And I took advantage of the great deals and fabulous clothes at Lola's!!

Carly lined up some great sponsors including The Ark Pub and Eatery who provided super yummy appetizers including clams casino and Mexi skins (half of a jalapeno stuffed with mac and cheese and wrapped in bacon). Oh. My. God. The Mexi skins were off the charts delish! Daniel's Bistro's shrimp cocktail hit the spot, and Point Lobster Company warmed our insides with a to-die-for lobster bisque.

I was excited to catch up with some old blogging friends and meet some new ones.

Above from left: Me, Margaret, and Carly

It was a small but intimate group, which gave us a chance to connect and enjoy quality conversation. I met some new friends and made some business connections and caught up with some bloggers that I have known for years.

I ran into Laura, an acquaintance and friend of friends who is a Rodan & Fields consultant. Laura provided a raffle prize, and she and I got to chatting about my rosacea and sensitive skin. Laura gave me a great recommendation for a R & F skincare system. I'll be checking it out this week and researching the ingredients, before & after pictures, and testimonials.

From l. to r., me, Laura L., Margaret, Carly, Laura B.

And of course, a little shopping happened too!

I stepped out of my style comfort zone and bought this fabulous faux leather and sequin skirt. Isn't it fab? And Carly gave me some great ideas for styling it. Once the temperatures get into normal ranges, I'll break it out of the closet! I really couldn't pass it up. It was 75% off of $49...$12.25, people. That's just plain CRAZY!!

I also bought this top. I loved the print and the colors. Although I can wear this top now, I am super excited to pair it with white jeans in warmer temps. The top was also 75% off. The original price of the top was $68. I paid $30 for both items!!!! Crazy good deals!!

Many thanks to Carly, Lola's, and all the sponsors for a fun night of mingling over food, wine, and fabulous clothes.

And a special note of thanks to The Good Home Co. for the providing goodies to take home. The lavender dryer sheets are AMAZING!

If you are local to the Point Pleasant area, be sure to check out all of the above sponsors.

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My Thoughts on #BlogHer12

It was my very first BlogHer conference, and I tried to approach it with zero hopes and expectations. I prepared by reading as many advice posts from fellow bloggers as I could.

I knew what to pack. I knew what to wear. I knew who to see. I knew which parties were the best. I knew everything you've ever wanted to know about BlogHer. I just didn't know if I wanted to go.

I had some party commitments for Thursday evening, but otherwise, I just wasn't sold.

And then I got a text from Chrissy. She wanted to know if I'd be there and could we hook up at some point...maybe even share a room.

It didn't take much to convince me. I was in!

I bought my conference ticket, booked a room, and packed my bags.

So, was it worth it? Here's what I thought.

1. It's all about the parties.
There are thousands of attendees, and only a small portion attend the educational sessions. So, where is everyone else? Why, they are at private events and parties, of course.

I was invited to attend a cocktail party hosted by Stonyfield Farm and Healthy Child Healthy World on Thursday evening. It was held at Rouge Tomate. All the food was organic and much of it was prepared with ingredients supplied by Stonyfield Farm.

Gigi, the CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World, spoke about the many steps we can take to create healthy and chemical-free environments for our children. Her words were inspiring. I definitely left with renewed enthusiasm for ridding our home of chemicals.

In line with the fast pace of NYC, I left that party and walked straight to another one, the #SweetSuite hosted by The Big Toy Book. The Big Toy Book is THE authority on toys. If you want to know what is the hottest toy for girls or boys, head straight to The Big Toy Book.

The party was held at the Viacom Building. The views from the 7th floor were amazing!

But it was the views inside that were spectacular. Toys, toys, and more toys...as far as the eyes could see. My daughters would have been in their glory. Gymnast Dora. Make-Your-Own jewelry, and Blingles.

It seems that many attendees go for the parties and not for the actual conference itself. This was disappointing to learn. As a blogger, I was there to refine the art of blogging. But it appears that not everyone was there for the same reasons.

The follow morning, I returned to NYC in full BlogHer mode. I was ready to dive right in. My first stop was the registration desk. It was uneventful. I was given my badge and sent on my way. I headed into the Expo Hall first.

2. There are lots of opportunities to try products and receive samples and swag.
I had a chance to connect with some of my favorite brands including Jamba Juice, Verizon Wireless, Starbucks, Hershey's, Moo, and CVS Minute Clinic. I picked up so many samples from some of my favorite brands. I was introduced to some new ones too. I was warned to bring some extra totes to carry everything. As it turned out, I didn't need those extra totes after all. I accepted swag from only those brands with whom I have an intention of continuing a relationship or whose product I really wanted to try.

3. Choose your sessions carefully.
There's so much information available to attendees. Since sessions occur simultaneously, you must wisely pick and choose the sessions that you want attend. It's impossible to attend each session. Determine which are most important to you as a blogger and plan to attend those sessions.

I attended 2 sessions, one on working with brands and the other was utilizing Facebook and Twitter to promote my brand. Both of which were incredibly informative. However, they were both over-crowded (not sure if this is typical of BlogHer sessions). And there was a constant stream in and out of the room of attendees, which became very distracting.

The session that I attended on working with brands was so crowded that the spill over attendees were directed to another room where an audio feed was made available, but we couldn't see the panelists. I had a very difficult time listening to the panelists when I couldn't see them. I left the session early a bit frustrated.

For the afternoon session on Facebook and Twitter, I was smart and got to the room early. I had a seat that provided me with a perfect view of the panelists. Plus, I walked away with lots of notes.

The panelists in the sessions that I attended were knowledge experts who were appropriately selected. They seemed to genuinely complement each other.

4. You'll never get to see most of the bloggers in attendance.
I am not kidding when I say that I ran into the same people over and over again. There were some attendees whose paths I never crossed. If you go and have hopes to meet specific people, you need to have a plan in place to do so. You will NEVER run into someone by chance. EVER.

There was one blogger in particular that I planned to meet, Wendy Nielson. Wendy guest posted for me last October during breast cancer awareness month. We've tweeted with each other ever since. Wendy is a breast cancer survivor (Yay!!)  and an all-around fantastic woman. It was my goal to meet her.We did meet, but we certainly didn't spend enough time together.

5. Comfortable shoes are a must!
It sounds incredibly obvious, but as an attendee I was torn between looking good and feeling good. Since it was my first time attending BlogHer, I wasn't sure how much time I'd spend standing versus sitting. I settled on a pair of stylish yet flat sandals. They were perfect after all as I spent much of the day on my feet.

6. Expect little down time.
You will leave the conference EXHAUSTED. There's very little time in between sessions, and although there are breaks built into the schedule, they pass quickly. If you attend off-site parties, there's even less time in between events.

7. You will have fun!
If you walk away with nothing else, you will surely walk away with a few good stories to tell. BlogHer is known for its parties. Every evening, BlogHer hosts a party for conference attendees. These parties are guaranteed to give you and your blogging buddies something to talk about the next morning.

Overall Impressions

Was it worth it?
After all the hemming and hawing that I did, I have to say that I am so glad that I went. I left with all my expectations either met or exceeded.

Would I attend another BlogHer?
When it comes back to NYC, I will definitely be there. I'm not sure if I'll attend next year in Chicago. Certainly cost is a factor for me...unless I secure a sponsor. This year's costs were so low. This trip cost me about $350-$400 including my conference ticket, food, and train costs. I used reward points for the hotel room in order to keep my costs low.

Stay tuned! BlogHer13 will be here before you know it.

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Recap: #GLOParty Cocktail Party

I had been looking forward to the pre-Bloggy Boot Camp cocktail party hosted by Girls' Lunch Out {GLO} for what seemed like FOR-EVAH!!!! On Friday, it was showtime!

I arrived early at the Marathon Grill to help check-in attendees. There were close to 100 women in attendance, but Pam and I kept pace with the mass onslaught of arriving women. It has been such a rewarding experience to see how women have embraced GLO.

Yeah, you were there or you were square! Lots of wining and dining! The place was hoppin'!

UPS, the title sponsor, was on hand to fill attendees in on their offerings, including UPS My Choice, a service that allows you to schedule your deliveries around YOUR schedule. Love that!!!!

Although I was busy at the check-in desk for much of the night, I was able to sneak away for a picture.

photo credit: Girls' Lunch Out

With GLO co-founders Tina (second from left) and Erica (far right), and fellow blogger, Rebecca.

With Rebecca.

And I may or may not have indulged in one or two of these scrumptious cupcakes throughout the night!

It was yet another successful Girls' Lunch Out event! I am so honored to be part of the GLO team. I value the professional relationship as well as the friendship that I've developed with Erica and Tina, and I look forward to sharing many future events with the lovely ladies of GLO.

Were you at the party? If so, what did you love most about your experience?

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Lessons I Learned at Bloggy Bootcamp #BBCPhilly

Despite how much you know, there is always something to learn. Never was this more clear to me than this past weekend when I attended my second Bloggy Boot Camp.

Tiffany and Fran are the beauty and brains behind SITS Bloggy Boot Camp, a blog conference geared towards beginner, intermediate, and advanced bloggers. What I love about Bloggy Boot Camp is that it's a travelling conference, hitting up to 6 cities per year. For many, travelling to a distant city isn't an option. Often it's a matter of timing. Other times, it's the cost that is often an obstacle. SITS makes it possible to attend a conference within driving distance while taking just a day out of your schedule.

While many bloggers are writing recap posts, I'm taking a different approach. Because I walked away armed with pages upon pages of notes, I thought I'd recap the lessons I learned.

Lessons Learned at Bloggy Boot Camp Philly

1. Work with intention
This was advice that I desperately needed. It seems as though I've been flopping all over the place lately, and I needed someone to set me on the right path.

•   Set office hours. This will help set expectations with your family. They know when you are off limits, and office hours will help you to better manage your time.
•   Read email twice per day. Time spent on email is time spent away from something else. Block out time for Facebook and Twitter too.

2. Protect Your Social Identity
Don't post online (whether it's on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+) when you are having the worst day of your life. Your brand should reflect the best of you. The worst of times hardly bring out the best in us.

3. Be Seen IRL
Social media by default is an industry in which people hide behind computers, iPads and smart phones. Get out and get in front of others in social media. The best connections and deals are made face-to-face.

4. Know How Much Your Blog Costs Per Day
If your goal is to make money on your blog, you need to know what your blog is costing you per day. From expenses such as domain names and hosting costs to the amount of time that YOU spend on it each day, every expense needs to be taken into consideration.

5. Don't Try to Label Yourself as a Niche Blogger If You Are Not
It's OK to not have a niche. The key is to work your unique angle, and the loyal readers and opportunities will follow.

6. Vlogging is the Next Big Thing
Vlogging is the next big thing in blogging. Vlogging gives your readers a chance to see you in a different way, an active way. They see you and they hear you. What a concept! More and more brands are turning to bloggers who successfully connect with their readers through videos to promote their products. I really need to step up my game here.

7. Be Loyal to Your Readers

•     - Consistency is key. Post at the same time each day. I need to focus efforts here as I am very inconsistent with my posting schedule.
•     - Sponsored posts should tell a personal story. Make a connection between you and the sponsoring brand.
•     - Have your readers' backs. Use language that shows your readers that you are watching out for them. If you are loyal to them, they will reciprocate.

8. Stay Ahead of the Trend
Being the first to blog about a product, a book, a concept, or a current event yields traffic. Be the first to offer it, and the readers are sure to come.

My favorite quote of the day:
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

There were lots of famous people quoted throughout the day, but the above was by far my favorite. When I worked in software consulting, I always said that there were two types of people: the visionaries and the worker bees. Some people have great talent in the form of ideas and concepts. Others are productive and  execute with hard work. There are the lucky ones who have both. On the days when your talent isn't working its A game, stick to good old-fashioned hard work. You won't go wrong.

If you are a blogger and are considering attending Bloggy Boot Camp, you must do it. In addition to a great education, you'll also get to meet and network with incredibly talented women. To be in a room with 150 fellow bloggers who share your vision and your goals not to mention that they just "get" you is priceless. You seriously cannot put a price tag on it. It is so worth the $100.

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Girls' Lunch Out Comes to Red Bank, NJ!!

Imagine this: a room full of women who barely know each other. Most are meeting for the very first time. And guess what? It's as loud as can be, and you'd think these women had known each other forever!

That was the scene at the very first Girls' Lunch Out {GLO}, New Jersey event which was held on Saturday at Gaetano's Restaurant. I was honored to co-host this event with Chrissy MacCarrick from Life as a CEO. Chrissy and I joined forces with the GLO co-founders, Tina and Erica, to bring GLO to central New Jersey.

Chrissy and I greeted attendees as they arrived. I loved meeting so many women from the Garden State!

One Hope Wine was our generous wine sponsor. Please check them out. Not only were they generous to GLO, they are generous all around, donating 50% of profits to various charities.

We were very lucky to have some fabulous sponsors including Kings Food Markets, Meridian Health's Meridian Momtourage, Danielle Sepulveres, and Lucille Roberts.


Each {GLO} luncheon has a purpose such as learn, network, etc. Since so many women in the New Jersey market are just beginning to meet one another, the purpose of this event was to network. And network we did! We played a fun networking BINGO game that really got the attendees out of their seats and mingling.

There was lots of fun swag!

There's one thing I stress about when I attend these events: What To Wear! I just never know exactly how to dress. I don't want to be too casual and yet, I don't want to overdress either. ThirtySomethingFashion gave us tips for dressing for social media success and turning our day outfits into night outfits.

Girls' Lunch Out events are a great way to connect with women in your area. I was thrilled with the turnout at our Red Bank event, and I know many attendees went home having made many new friends. And that is what GLO is all about!

I feel so fortunate to have forged such a wonderful professional relationship with Chrissy, Tina, and Erica as well as a friendship. These passionate women are an inspiration to me.

Be on the lookout! Girls' Lunch Out is expanding!! Who knows? You just may be lucky enough to attend an event in your city soon!

Girls' Lunch Out currently serves the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Chicago markets. For more information about GLO or to inquire about starting a chapter in your city, visit www.girlslunchout.com.

*All photos are the property of Pieces of a Mom unless otherwise noted.*

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#f2fphilly Event with Therapon Skin Health

On Saturday I headed out to my old stomping grounds in the western suburbs of Philly to attend a skincare/spa event sponsored by Therapon Skin Health at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA. If you recall, I've been using Therapon's Theraderm Skin Renewal System for about 6 months now and with great success. You can see my original product review post here.


It was an afternoon of pampering that started with a much needed manicure by Spring Nails. It had been a while since my last professional manicure. I was a bit of a trendsetter that afternoon. I chose Essie's "Smokin' Hot" for my nails, and it was a big hit with many of the other women in attendance. My manicure was followed by an upper back and neck massage. Timing couldn't have been better. The evening prior, I threw my upper back out. I felt so much more relaxed after the massage.

After my massage, it was time for my facial. Christina Stumbaugh, the social media marketing manager for Therapon attended the event and was on hand to give facials. Christina used the Therapon products that I use on a daily basis for our facials, but oh my goodness, it was so luxurious to have someone else do this for me.

Of course, every facial should be followed up with a professional make-up application. Ulta Beauty. I loved the natural makeup that my makeup artist used. She gave me some tips on products to use to get that dewy look.

After everyone was pampered and primped, we posed for a group shot. Don't we look lovely?

One of the aspects I love most about these events is connecting with other women. This was a small, intimate group, and it was the perfect setting for sharing. We talked about our respective skin dilemmas, our nails and the nail polishes we like, our blogs, and just general girl-chat. And I was finally able to meet Christina. We've emailed, tweeted, and Facebook-ed for months. So fun to finally meet her IRL!

Every great event includes some great swag!

These fabulous Lands' End tote bags were filled with goodies from Therapon Skin Health, Lunch Skins, Payless Shoes, Happy Baby, Heartwork Organizing, Dawgs Bendables, and Divalicious Chocolate Dessert.

Many thanks to Jo-Lynne and Christina for being gracious hostesses!

Disclosure: I received complimentary services at this event. I received no monetary compensation, and was in no way obligated to write this post.

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My Newest Venture with Girls' Lunch Out

We've all heard about the power of networking. Maybe you even have a networking success story. I know I do. Some powerful connections are made through networking. Even speaking with someone for as little as 2 minutes can leave a lasting impression.

Girls' Lunch Out {GLO} was formed to give women a place to connect, lunch and learn...with a purpose. GLO events offer women who are small business owners, social media entrepreneurs, and/or bloggers a chance to escape daily life for a few hours to connect with like-minded women in a casual and fun atmosphere.

As an attendee of several GLO events, I know, firsthand, how beneficial these events have been for expanding my networking potential. For example, after attending a GLO event in early October, I was inspired to spread the news about GLO to other social-media minded women. However, at the time GLO was based in the metro Philadelphia area only. Another attendee, Christina MacCarrick, owner of the online magazine, Jersey Shore Families, felt the same way I did. We were thinking the same thing at the same time. Weird, huh?

Chrissy and I made a plan to get together to brainstorm some ideas we had. In a few short weeks, we had our mission and a proposal for the founders of Girls' Lunch Out: to bring GLO to New Jersey!

Fast forward a few months, and today we announced that our first New Jersey event will take place on March 24th!!! As the co-chairpersons for the Girls' Lunch Out, Central/North Jersey chapter, Chrissy and I will be bringing GLO events to cities and towns all over central and north Jersey.

I am so excited to be part of the Girls' Lunch Out team and look forward to connecting women in New Jersey.

Hop over to read the Save the Date post on the GLO site for a few more details. Mark you calendars for a fabulous event where you'll meet, mingle, and munch.

And don't forget to check out the entire GLO team and to see if we are in a city near you.

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Exciting Announcement: I'm a Brand Ambassador!!!

When I first launched Pieces of a Mom three years ago, I never imagined the people I would meet, the opportunities that I'd be given, and the path my little ole blog would take. What began as an experimental and creative outlet for me has turned into a business. Go figure.

Three years and over 700 posts later, I am proud to announce my very first brand ambassadorship!! While this may not be big news for big bloggers, it's pretty exciting stuff for me. It opens up doors that wouldn't otherwise be open for me, and I'm elated to be representing a company that I wholeheartedly endorse, Stonyfield Farm.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet representatives from Stonyfield back in April when I attended a luncheon hosted by Stonyfield featuring Robyn O'Brien. To read more, click here. I was so impressed by Stonyfield's mission and history. I left the luncheon knowing that I wanted to work with this company in some capacity as a blogger. And now I am thrilled to have been given that opportunity.

Stonyfield Farm, the award-winning organic dairy company, was founded in 1983 on a small farm in New Hampshire. With humble beginnings and lofty goals, Stonyfield has blossomed into a thriving business which focuses on sustainable farming practices. Over the last couple of decades, Stonyfield has experienced explosive growth, while introducing many new products: yogurt drinks, frozen yogurt, ice cream, YoBaby, a Greek yogurt we call Oikos, soy yogurts, and fluid milk—all organic.

In addition to producing the finest (and yummiest) yogurt on the market, Stonyfield also prides itself on being a model for socially and environmentally responsible business practices.  Stonyfield established a “Profits for the Planet” program, which commits 10% of annual profits to individuals and organizations working to restore and protect the environment. Stonyfield also uses the yogurt lids—millions each week—to promote causes, organizations, and environmental initiatives. Our plant engineers have worked hard to reduce the energy used to make yogurt, and to recycle as much waste as possible, which has kept tens of millions of pounds of waste from being dumped into landfills.

I am proud to be a Stonyfield "Yo-Getter". I can't think of a better company with which to align myself and my blog. But how do you benefit as a reader? Well, you'll get lots of great information here regarding organic dairy products and manufacturing practices. There will also be fun giveaways and heaps of great recipes that you can share with your family.

In the meantime, head on over to Stonyfield's Web site where you can register to earn rewards on purchases, print coupons for your favorite products, and read about all things Stonyfield.

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Today is National Hug a Blogger Day! #hugablogger

I'm not kidding. It really is. For details, go here.

Everyone thinks the life of a blogger is a non-stop party or fun media event with a swag bag at the end. Well, we know better than that, don't we?

It can be lonely. I spend most of my day working from home staring at my computer screen. There's no one sitting next to me. There's no one sitting behind me. I have lunch alone. I do my Starbucks run alone and hope to run into someone I know while I'm there. Occasionally I'll pass the Hubs in the hallway, if he's home working and not traveling.

So, yes, I think I deserve a hug today. As do all the other bloggers out there in cyberspace.

I wanted to take a moment to mention a few huggable bloggers.

There's Chrissy at Jersey Shore Families. Have you ever met someone whose goals were so closely aligned with yours that it was almost scary? Yep, that's me and Chrissy. We are partners in crime. This pic was taken this past Saturday just before we hit the runway for a fashion show sponsored by Meridian Health.

Two super fantastic bloggers and friends: Jill at Glamamom and Tina at Life Without Pink.

Blogger extraordinaire and fellow cat lover, Whitney at Mommies With Style.

A blogging buddy and dear friend, Rebecca at Running On Empty Mommy.

Have you hugged a blogger today?

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Style School with 77kids

Are you familiar with 77kids? Surely, you've heard of American Eagle Outfitters. You may even own some clothes from AE. American Eagle recently introduced its line of clothes for the young and tragically hip called 77kids. And I have to say, I'm in total love with these clothes. Everything is over-the-top cute. Why 77? Well, AE guarantees that each piece of clothing can withstand 77 washes. Wow! That's a lot of washes.

On Saturday, I attended an event in NYC sponsored by 77kids. It was hosted by fellow Philly Social Media Moms, Whitney from Mommies With Style and Colleen from Classy Mommy, both of whom I absolutely adore. I mean, what is not to like? I had an opportunity to chat with the marketing lovelies from 77kids and check out some of the truly fun and fabulous clothes in the fall line.

The display in the booth was awesome! Little mannequins dressed in the latest and greatest styles for boys and girls.

Will you check out the fake fur-lined leather jacket for girls? Oh. My. God. I want one!! For myself!! The theme for fall is punk rock. Yes, the fashion of the 80's is making a comeback. Look for neon to be big, too.

There was an array of fabulous sponsors.

Motts unveiled several new applesauce products. Be on the lookout for them at your local supermarket. They are perfect to include in lunches and snacks as the kiddos head back to school.

There was wine! Wine! Provided by Cameron Hughes. If you are not familiar with Cameron Hughes wines, check out the Web site for their full story. The concept is great! So yummy, and it definitely hit the spot.

Of course, you can't attend a media event without some sort of group picture. A bunch of the Philly bloggers.

Many thanks to Jessica and Tina for the great conversation over lunch and on the train ride home. As I always say, blogging friends are real friends, and both Jessica and Tina are proof of that!

Disclosure: I received a swag bag filled with products and coupons from the various sponsors. I was not required, encouraged, or compensated to write this post. All opinions expressed herein are solely mine.

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Disney Summer Social

We didn't have to go to Orlando or Anaheim to spend an afternoon with Disney. We drove an hour to suburban Philly to experience that trademark Disney magic. On Tuesday, we were invited to the "Disney Summer Social", a opportunity for bloggers and their families to enjoy music, activities, and games Disney-style.

The room was filled with Mickey balloons.

There was face painting. Or, in our case, arm painting!

There were so many fun activities including coloring, bowling, make-your-own sundaes, and more!

And fun favors galore...the Mickey ears hats for both boys and girls were HUGE hits!

And don't think for a second that it was just the kids who had all the fun. I got to hang with some of my blogging BFFs.

Tina from Life Without Pink, Rebecca from Running on Empty Mommy, and me.

Photo Credit: Life Without Pink

And I wouldn't be doing this event justice without giving you a peek at the desserts. O. M. G!

Mini cupcakes in EVERY flavor under the sun...including peanut butter and jelly.

And rice krispies treats...dipped in chocolate, covered in sprinkles...Oh. My!

In addition to all the fun, games, and oh so yummy treats, we learned that Disney is adding a cruise ship port in NYC. Yes! You will be able to take a Disney cruise from NYC...a short drive from the NJ/Philly area. I love that! A Disney cruise is on our "Must-Do" list. Looks as if we've got no excuse now. ;-)

Disclosure: I received complimentary lunch, activities and goodies for my participation in the Disney Summer Social. I was not required to write or compensated for writing this post. All opinions expressed herein are mine. All photos are the property of Pieces of a Mom unless otherwise credited.

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Family Fun in Atlantic City: IMAX at Tropicana Resort

Before reading this post, you may want to catch up on our incredibly eventful trip to Atlantic City. Read this post and this one to catch up on the action.

On Saturday morning we woke up to foggy skies, but those weren't going to stop us from having fun. After our speedy and efficient checkout, we headed to Temptations Fine Chocolate and Coffee for breakfast. Temptations is located in the food court at Harrah's and offers an array of coffee, specialty coffees, teas, and juices. Plus, you can't have coffee without having a pastry too. Temptations has freshly baked danishes, croissants, donuts, and cupcakes from Crumbs.

After breakfast, we were treated to an IMAX movie, Coral Reef Adventure, at the Tropicana Resort & Casino. Coral Reef Adventure follows the personal quest of underwater filmmakers Howard and Michele Hall to document the imperiled coral reefs of the South Pacific and the worldwide challenge to save them. The film is narrated by Liam Neeson and features songs written and recorded by Crosby, Stills & Nash.

If you've never seen an IMAX movie, you are missing out! The imagery is amazing, and this movie was certainly no exception. The underwater shots were incredible, and the imagery of the landscape of the South Pacific was breathtaking. I was able to take a few pics inside the theater.

The cost for an IMAX ticket is $12 and can be purchased online (an additional $4 fee is applied per ticket to online orders). Check the Web site for specific showtimes.

Disclosure: We received complimentary admission to the IMAX movie and a swag bag which included popcorn, IMAX stickers, and coupons.
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Family Friendly Atlantic City

Yes. You read that correctly. Atlantic City, believe it or not, has a family-friendly side to it. And it's quite impressive.

Two weeks ago, the girls and I were invited to an overnight visit in Atlantic City by Karen and Jennifer, the masterminds behind Family Friendly Atlantic City. The goal was to showcase the family friendliness of Atlantic City. I was excited since I hadn't been to AC in years. I know how pathetic that is being that I live an hour from there. But I had never thought of it as a family-friendly city.

If you haven't already done so, you can check out the video of our guest room at Harrah's Resort here.

The gorgeous bathroom...

I won't lie. I was skeptical about the hotel's ability to "wow" my kids. I mean, it is a casino, after all.

But I wasn't disappointed. Prior to our trip we checked out Harrah's Web site. Always good to be prepared prior to going especially when traveling with children. There was a pool. Good! There were restaurants and a food court. Great! There was a coffee shop. Excellent! But wait. The pool was for guest who are 21 and over. What? No pool for the kids? After a few more clicks, I found information on Harrah's Family Fun Center. Perfect! The Family Fun Center features a full arcade complete with slot machines for kids, an indoor family pool and hot tub, an outdoor deck features chaise lounges, rooftop miniature golf, and more. It was pure bliss for the kids.

After some fun at the pool and in the arcade, the kids were starving. Harrah's offers a wide variety of dining options from high end restaurants to a food court. Since the kids were beat from swimming, we headed straight for the food court. We settled on a tossed salad from Sack O' Subs and some Sicilian slices from Walt's Original Primo Pizza. The salad was super fresh, and we were lucky enough to get piping hot slices from a Sicilian pie that was just out of the oven. It definitely hit the spot, but we had saved room for some ice cream and some fun at Ben & Jerry's.

After dessert, it was time to head up to our room on the 19th floor, where we were able to see a spectacular sunset from our window. (Please excuse the reflection of the curtain in the picture).

But before we turned in for the night, Jennifer was kind enough to bring some swag to our room.  I thought the girls would never fall asleep. There were so many great products from great brands. A big thanks to the following sponsors for all the goodies they provided to the attendees:
Pepperidge Farm
Endless Games
PBS Kids
Laurie Berkner Band
Jackrabbit Toys
Putumayo Kids

It was the end of a full day, and we had another full day ahead of us the following day. Karen and Jennifer had prepared an itinerary that was full of fun activities for the kids. So, it was off to bed for us.

Disclosure: We received a complimentary night's stay at Harrah's, free gaming in the Family Fun Center, and complimentary products from the aforementioned sponsors.. I was not required to or compensated for writing this post. All opinions expressed herein are solely mine.

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A Night of Style with All Things Chic and Shopafrolic

One of the most important things I've learned as a member of the blogging community is that support is EVERYTHING. When I started blogging, I never imagined that there was an entire blogging world out there filled with talented and creative women.

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of supporting two such talented and creative women as they launched their Web site, All Things Chic. Jo-Lynne and Melissa are the brains and beauty behind All Things Chic, and they also happen to be fellow Philly Social Media Moms (PSMM). I was honored to attend their launch event and show my support of their new endeavor.

Some added bonuses? The event was held at Bloomingdale's in King of Prussia, PA {swoon} and was co-hosted by Shopafrolic co-founders and sisters extraordinaire, Liz Lange and Jane Wagman. HELLO?????

Photo credit: All Things Chic

The evening's hostesses: Liz, Jane, Melissa, and Jo-Lynne.

Everywhere I turned in Bloomingdale's, there were displays of white. White is hot! Pairing it with white, beige, tan, cream, and bone make the color even hotter.

There was mingling, shopping, yummy food and wine! All that while being surrounded by beautiful clothes. It was bliss.

Typical of any blogger event, there is plenty of posing...

Photo credit: All Things Chic

From l. to r. Jo-Lynne, Melissa, Zareen, Whitney, Me, Cristie, and Julie.

And laughing...

From l. to r. Karla, Jessica, Me, Joey, and Sarah.

It was great to talk fashion as opposed to SEO and blog platforms for an evening.

Best wishes to Jo-Lynne and Melissa on the launch of All Things Chic!

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