Share the Love: Learning how to Raise a Wild Child at the Chicago Botanic Garden {giveaway}

The irony of this post is that I'm going to talk about engaging beyond screens while I'm writing ... on a screen {because that's how you do this writing thing these days, and the world in which we live involves devices and screens}.

Before you think I'm anti-device and anti-screens, let me be real: we have more screens at this house than the one on which I'm writing!

My children use screen devices, and we are not screen-haters or complete screen-avoiders because in reality, you can't live in this day and age without having some access to devices. Screens and devices are embed in our culture. But like many parents who work in the world of technology, we limit screen and device time for ourselves and our kids because we've found that too much of a good thing isn't really a good thing.

I've found my teens are literally surrounded by screens all day long unless we consciously choose to leave devices behind, and my three younger kids vie for screen time often and loudly.

I'm the keeper of the screens/devices, and to be honest, it's a little draining to be in that role, so instead of trying to persuade my kids to give up their electronics or understand the dangers of device overuse, I've decided to try and facilitate a yearning for life beyond devices and screens.

There's an old saying by Antoine de Saint-Exupery that says,"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

So that's exactly what we're trying to do because it's become clear to me that electronic overuse is stealing something from us -- something maybe we don't even realize!

Two years ago my friend Renee wrote quite eloquently about how our lives are a collection of moments and how as we live "we become moment collectors, memory creators and master storytellers of stories that are ours and ours alone." How we engage in our lives and spend our time directly affects how our stories play out in our one beautiful life.

Renee's post resonated with me, as I know it has resonated with many parents, and it came to me at a time in which I could see much of our attention being diverted toward electronics and away from connection with each other and the beautiful things of life, like nature, community and creating.

One of the ways our family has been trying to engage in life beyond screens is through connection time and outdoor time; when we can, we try to roll these two things into one adventure.

Two Mondays ago, on a beautiful sunny day when all of my children had the day off of school and homeschool, we left behind most of the screens (I took mine along to document our day for my quarterly #gardenambassador post, which you are reading right now; thank you!) and headed into the great outdoors at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

It was lovely.

That's an understatement.

Not just the vibrant colors, the rich sounds of spring and the brand new Regenstein Learning Campus but the joy of being together, outside, largely focused on enjoying each other and the blooming beauty of spring and creation was so very life-giving.

Visiting the garden, especially the brand new Learning Campus, was such a wonderful way of engaging in life beyond screens and participating in activities like rolling down grassy green hills, racing siblings obstacle-course style over log stumps and playing tag under the spring-time sun. The kids an I also spent some time sketching the blooming flowers, reading the signs lining the plant-lined paths and laughing with each other as we enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors.

It was just so good for my soul and for theirs that 4/5 of us didn't want to leave the garden; that's a pretty good ratio considering we are a pretty diverse group of individuals!

During our visit, one of the upcoming Garden Talks caught my attention. Scott D. Sampson, who you probably know as the paleontologist from PBS' Dinosaur Train, will be speaking about concepts from his book How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature. While I haven't read this particular book, my interest was definitely piqued by his premise of how a child's experiences in science and nature are critical to a child's development.

Sampson's talk is Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 3 p.m. at Alsdorf Auditorium, Chicago Botanic Garden. The cost is $25/nonmember and $20/member. You can buy tickets here!

Speaking of taking time to connect, Sampson's Garden Talk would make for a perfect friend date or date night! The Garden is giving away two tickets to this Garden Talk and a parking pass. You and a date or friend could enjoy the Garden Talk, stroll the grounds, enjoy the beauty of spring, have a picnic ... the options are endlessly lovely!

Simply enter with Rafflecopter and I'll choose a winner by Monday, May 1!

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Disclosure: I am grateful to be a Chicago Botanic Garden Ambassador! My family loves The CBG, and in exchange for sharing about happenings at the Garden, my family receives a yearly membership. All opinions are my own, of course! 

Share the Love: Wonderland Express at Chicago Botanic Garden {2016}

It's an unusual blend when you think of it -- a garden at the holiday time during a typically cold and snowy Chicago winter -- but it perfectly fits together to make one of the best family holiday experiences in the entire Chicagoland.

If there's one thing that pops up on the Christmas bucket list every year, it's venturing over to the Chicago Botanic Garden to enjoy the Wonderland Express and all the festivities thoughtfully crafted by the garden staff.

The Wonderland Express features an elaborately designed indoor model train running through a beautifully landscaped miniature Chicago.

Little ones love the trains so much! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden 

While my youngest kids are always smitten with following the trains as they chug along the tracks and the "snow" that floats down from the ceiling, my older kids and adults are continually impressed by the design of more than 80 famous Chicago landmarks like the Hancock Building, Navy Pier ferris wheel and, of course, especially this year, Wrigley Field.

Aside from the joy glimmering in my kids' eyes as we engage in this family tradition, the best part of the entire railroad experience for me personally is that railroad garden guru Paul Busse and his team at Applied Imagination construct the buildings of natural materials like gourds, pine cones, bark, acorns, pods, seeds, grains and grasses; the Wonderland Express is a truly an artist or art-lover's wonderland!


My art-loving children are also beginning to marvel at the construction materials in the aftermath of their forming, too. They have often left Wonderland Express inspired by nature in their future creative endeavors, which is a huge bonus for this half-time homeschooling and art-teaching mama.

Aside from checking out the Wonderland Express while at the garden and spending time appreciating the beauty of it, the garden also focuses a great deal of energy on other fun winter activities like ice sculpting artists setting up shop outside of green houses and creating lovely sculptures and providing family drop-in activities. One year, our kids made bird feeders to hang in our trees after we enjoyed the Wonderland Express and sipped hot chocolate at one of the cafes nearby the exhibit.

So would you like to check out the Wonderland Express and spend an afternoon or day exploring the Garden? The Chicago Botanic Garden generously is giving away four Wonderland Express tickets AND a parking pass so one family can experience this family favorite tradition!

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Share the Love: Don't Miss the Chicago Botanic Garden's Brand New Regenstein Learning Center Grand Opening {Giveaway!}

Forget the X-Box. The iPads. The Wii and all the screens and games for which my boys beg.

And bring on the hills -- medium-sized and closely spaced together and perfectly padded, green-grassy hills.

Hills {who knew} are apparently the very thing that've been missing all of my boys' childhoods.

We discovered this secret of the hills when we attended last Friday the preview day for the Chicago Botanic Garden's Regenstein Learning Campus' grand opening, and my kids immediately mad-dashed for the perfectly crafted rolling hills that comprise a good chunk of the new outdoor Nature Play Garden. As we toured the outdoor garden, our boys promptly ran to the top of the biggest one ... and began rolling down without abandon in the soft green grasses.

Likely, though, hills and the greatness of the outdoors in general is what's increasingly missing in a great majority of our kids' lives as they grow up in an ever-increasing electronic world, making the unveiling of the Garden's Regenstein Learning Campus even more exciting and, honestly, necessary.

Nestled to the right of the parking lots when first entering the garden by car, the Regenstein Learning Campus is home to the Grunsfeld Growing Garden, The Kleinman Family Cove and the newly constructed Learning Center and outdoor Nature Play Garden. The grand opening, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday September 10 and 11, 2016, is just around the calendar corner, and if you're looking for something wonderful to fill your weekend, this is it!

During opening weekend of the center, the Garden will offer refreshments and free activities like seed play, soil sandbox, watering activities, yoga, make-you-own smoothies, water play and a walk and talk in the Nature Play Garden with the goal of showcasing just a sampling of the 500 classes offered at the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School.

In addition to the free activities, the Garden also is generously giving away one parking pass so one family here can attend the grand opening of the center for free! See below to enter for the parking pass giveaway.

Here's a little cheat sheet of what to expect when you visit during the grand opening or beyond:

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Nature Play Garden is a sensory-rich outdoor play space thoughtfully and intuitively designed for all ages to enjoy interacting with nature in a hands-on way. Roll down the grassy hills, play in the open grassy areas, splash in the streams of water, climb on the logs and tunnel through the willow tunnel at the Nature Play Garden. It's designed just for that!

The Learning Center is home to learning rooms, the classrooms that house the Garden's preschool and camps, multiple bathrooms, water-bottle filling stations, Chicago-area history and a bee hive! Explore the classrooms, use the bathroom, take a breather and check out the busy bees bustling around their hive in this new building.

The Grunsfeld Growing Garden gives children an up-close view of the growing fruits and as well as the opportunity to help take care for these plants by watering them and tending to them. Often times, family drop-in activities are planned in the growing garden.

The Kleinman Family Cove features 800 feet of shoreline gardens for exploration and observation of flora and fauna as well as stepping stones that visitors can navigate as they explore and enjoy the beautiful waterfront.

And don't forget, mom and dad, to make a long pitstop at the hills; they aren't just refreshing for the kiddos.

Disclosure: My family loves the Chicago Botanic Garden and the great outdoors, so we are thrilled to be Garden Ambassadors, sharing our love the Garden here and across social media! In exchange for writing and sharing, we receive a yearly membership to the Garden so we can continue to explore and learn and grow and share! 


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Share the Love: Chicago Botanic Garden Grapevines & Wines Date Night {Giveaway}

It's one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful of all destinations in all of Chicagoland, so if you've yet to experience date night at Chicago Botanic Garden, I have to tell you -- you must experience it!

The upcoming Grapevines & Wines wine tasting event is a perfect way to experience the beauty of date night at the garden during one of its finest seasons and hours {late spring and sunset}!

Chicago Botanic Garden at Sunset captured via my phone

The following wineries will be attending Grapevines & Wines and offering a unique array of bouquets from around the world:

• Cannonball Wine Company 
• Cass Winery 
• Coopers Hawk 
• Guarachi Family Wines 
• Heritage Wine Cellars 
• Loveblock Purple Wine & Spirits 
• Stone Hill Winery 
• Terlato Wines 
• Villa Graziella Wines 
• Wollersheim

Light fare will also be available for purchase at the event.

Photo Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Because we've so enjoyed the ambiance and beauty of our previous date nights at Chicago Botanic Garden, John and I have been trying to get to a Grapevines & Wines event at the garden for years, and thus far, we've been booked during every tasting so far {kindergarten graduation pulls rank this year again!}

Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

But! You likely don't have kindergarten graduation that night, and if that's the case, this giveaway is for you!

Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting Grapevines & Wines, Thursday, May 26 from 6- 8 p.m., and the Garden is giving away two tickets to the event so someone can experience indulging in some fantastic wines in the garden's idyllic McGinley Pavilion.

Wanna go?

Just leave a comment with your favorite date-night destination in Chicagoland. The winner will be chosen by Thursday, May 19 and contacted by the garden coordinator who will add the winners' names to the list!

Fine Print: All opinions are my own! I am an ambassador for Chicago Botanic Garden because we love love love this regional gem and enjoy spreading the word to others. Winner and guest must be 21 years of age to attend and bring proof of age along to the event. Parking pass is included!

Didn't win or don't want to wait? Purchase tickets for Grapevines & Wine!

Share the Love: Surprised by Hotter!

I've been on a journey toward self love this entire year as I seek to be brave and courageous and love myself well.

Part of that journey has included allowing myself to purchase a few clothing items that fit instead of wearing clothes that didn't or clothing that was stained and ripped or worn through. In doing that, I've stepped outside of my normal style picks and opted for some clothing that is flattering and fun and even fashionable. 

Melissa and Brook, the founders of the Mom Style Files thought it would be fun to further my fashion by dressing me after I received a surprise pair of shoes from our favorite shoe company Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes.

When the Hotter box arrived at my doorstep, I was excited to see what was inside because the surprises that arrived on Melissa and Brook's doorsteps were adorable. 

I secretly hoped Hotter would surprise me with the same pair as Melissa. Because seriously how cute are the jewel ballet flats in coral?

Melissa / Jewel Shoe / Hotter Surprise by brook-easton featuring skinny ankle jeans

Brook's were super cute and retroish, too. 

Brook / Mabel Hotter Shoes / Hotter Surprise by brook-easton featuring cropped jeans

When mine arrived, I was a little ... unsure of how I was going to pull off such stylish and trendy shoes as the Laura shoes. But Brook had me covered. 

Hyacynth / Laura Hotter Shoes / Hotter Surprise by brook-easton featuring nautical jewelry

And I even found that I could make this ultra trendy shoe my own when Melissa and I spent an hour sitting in front of YouTube trying to figure out how to tie the laces. 

We may or may not have summoned her 9 year old to help us ... but we ended up with the beautiful Laura shoes ... only with a twist {or two}! 

Want your own pair of Laura shoes? Right now they are on SUPER sale! Go score a pair while they are still available!

Share the Love: Tips for Visiting #ButterfliesandBlooms at Chicago Botanic Garden

A few weekends ago when it was nice and warm, we took guests visiting from Eastern Europe to the Butterflies and Blooms Exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden. With our guests being new to the Chicago area, we honestly couldn't think of a better place to visit. The beauty of the garden never disappoints, and it makes for the perfect place to have relaxed, easy conversations. 

While we were visiting the exhibit we felt like the butterfly whispers! Every time we turned around, another butterfly landed on a party of our entourage.

Planning to visit Butterflies and Blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden? Keep these tips in mind if you'd like to be a butterfly whisperer, too!

1. Walk slowly. Stand next to flowers. Be calm.
2. Visit on a very warm day. The butterflies are more active when it's warm and sunny.
3. Wear brightly colored shirts if you'd like to be a butterfly landing pad.
4. Don't wear insect repellent!
5. Enjoy!

Note: I am a grateful ambassador for the Chicago Botanic Garden. In exchange for my membership, I write about the garden and help other families navigate the garden through our experiences. What a joy!

Share the Love: Les Miserables at Drury Lane Theatre

Sometimes you need a break.

Even on the days when the kids haven't unraveled an entire roll of toilet paper and decorated the bathroom streamer-style or tattooed the entire first floor with muddy footprints, we mothers need time away from the beautiful mess of motherhood ... preferably to reconnect with our spouse, engage in adult conversation and perhaps even an enjoyable beverage or two.

John and I enjoyed a little mid-week jaunt this past Tuesday to see Les Miserables at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook.

Photos by Brett Beiner 

Though I am still recovering from being out way past my bedtime, I'm also still singing the tunes from this gorgeous, spectacularly casted show. As we drove home, John and I commented on how fortunate we are to have such a great theatre with quality shows so close to our home.

Photos by Brett Beiner 

For those who have never seen Les Mis before, be prepared for a heart-tugging performance that evokes quite a bit of emotion during and long after the performance. My suggestion if this is a date night? Go to dinner first and have light conversation and then attend the show and follow up with comfort dessert because the story line, while hopeful, is quite emotionally charged.

If this is one of your favorite musicals, you'll just love this production -- the cast, the scenery, the orchestra, the costumes, the special effects. The entire show was fantastic. A huge treat, too, is that Ivan Rutherford, who has taken on the role of Jean Valjean more than 2,000 times on Broadway, stars as Valjean in this production. Though, honestly, the whole cast is quite talented and captivating.

We highly recommend this performance of Les Miserable for a well-deserved date night with a deadline -- you've only got until June 8! For tickets, visit the Drury Lane Theatre site.

Share the Love: Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes #Giveaway

I've been working on building a wardrobe comprised of "classics" -- those timeless pieces that live through season and trend and carry on strong for a few years at a time {and through countless body morphings}

One basic I've been missing?

Black shoes.

My former black shoes bit the dust this past spring, and I've been in black shoe limbo ever since.

In contemplating a shoe to review from my favorite shoe company ever, Hotter Comfort Concept, I consulted my personal stylists, Melissa and Brook, from the Mom Style Files. Brook was gentle with me, and gave me a nudge in the right direction, and Melissa flat-out said I had to have a pair of black shoes and a pair of heels.

So I put together those two "suggestions," and I landed on the black Cheshire boot from the fall collection after a brief rendezvous with the Winter Boots, which didn't actually fit my feet but were painlessly and easily exchanged for the new boots.

And I'm so glad I did! When I slipped them onto my feet, they were everything I've come to expect from Hotter -- both comfortable and chic. The perfect combination -- so perfect it's hard to separate one aspect from another.

I love how the heals are high enough to give good lift, but not so high that I feel like I might take a tumble. Also, I'm so glad these boots stretch far up the calf.

Other features worth mentioning?

-I can put these babies on and wear them with no breaking-in period required.
-The material is extremely high quality, made of leather
-The inside of the boots in soft and stylish material.
-The width in the calves is forgiving and flexes easily between wearing thick wool socks and thin leggings.


Would you like to choose a pair of your own Hotter shoes? Hotter is generously giving away a pair of YOUR choice! 

Which one would you pick? 

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Disclosure: I am part of the Hotter blogger community; Hotter sent me these boots to review.

Share the Christmas Love: Tiny Prints and Michelle Pendergrass Photo Session #Giveaway

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, and so it's the perfect time to share some of my favorite things that make the holiday season a little merrier and brighter! This is part one. 

Christmas cards are not a checklist item for me; they are a creative project I look forward to piecing together every year; I love all the aspects of Christmas cards --  picture session leading up to Christmas, the picking of designs, the merging of the two and even mailing them out!

I love this project mostly because it's a family affair in which I can unleash my creativity -- and because my kids think licking and sealing the envelopes in the coolest thing ever. Win!

Honestly, though, I can see how it would be stressful rather than fun if I didn't have a great photographer and a great card design destination like Tiny Prints where I can easily create beautiful cards.

This year I had my project cut out for me because Tiny Prints featured so many gorgeous designs, and I had so many beautiful pictures to choose from after we did a photo session with my super-talented friend Michelle, who captured the very essence and spirit of our family in her beautiful shots!

After picking my favorite captures from our session with Michelle and narrowing down my favorite designs over at Tiny Prints, I finally landed on a lovely multi-fold card unlike any I'd made in the past.

When they arrived, I was just as smitten with the final product as I was with the previews online! I can't wait to send them out!

So how about you? Do you want to take a stroll around Tiny Prints and pick out your favorite card? Tiny Prints is giving away a $50 gift certificate plus free shipping to one reader here! See the Rafflecopter for Tiny Prints below to enter! 
{Tiny Prints fine print for giveaway: Shipping offer applies to non-sample orders shipped to a location within the 48 contiguous United States. There is no minimum purchase required for this promotion. This offer may not be combined with other offers. This offer is not applicable to previously placed orders or toward the purchase of gift certificates, calendars, photo books, and Erin Condren Day Planners. This offer is valid for one transaction only and any funds not used in the transaction will be forfeited. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Offer is only valid on Tiny Prints.}

And are you in the Chicagoland area and still need the perfect Christmas card photo? Michelle Pendergrass is giving away one 15-minute session and one perfect photo for a Christmas card to one reader! The shoot is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, and Michelle will be in touch with the winner about a time that works for everyone. See the second Rafflecopter below for this giveaway!

{Michelle Pendergrass Fine Arts and Photography fine print for giveaway: Winner must be available for pictures on Sunday, December 8. Previously booked sessions will not qualify for this giveaway. Family must be willing to meet in the Grayslake, IL area for their pictures. Pictures will be taken outside. Michelle will gift you with 15 minutes for the photo session and one picture. She will send you the digital file.}
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Holiday Bucket List: A Guide for Experiencing the Beauty of the Holidays as a Family in Chicagoland {part one}

Each year, my family aims to experience and enjoy life together during the holidays, placing less emphasis on the gift aspect and more on togetherness. This is part one of a series detailing some of our favorite Chicagoland destinations during the Christmas season. Be sure to scroll down to the end; one of our favorite places is giving one family a set of tickets!

Chicago Botanic Garden Wonderland Express
If you've been around here for awhile, you've gathered we are Chicago Botanic Garden enthusiasts. {What's not to love?! The great outdoors, plenty of space to explore and enjoy, winter exhibits to help relieve the stir craziness that sets in!}

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

While the Botanic Garden is a hot destination for my kids during the spring, summer and fall, they pretty much ask year round how many days are left until we see the Wonderland Express, the garden's holiday-themed train exhibit that sprawls through the indoor atriums.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

My boys, now 4 and 6, are absolutely enamored by the entire set up of trains chugging around the tracks of the mini Windy City. When they were younger, they spent most of their time chasing the trains as they ventured along the tracks. Now that the boys are older, they want to explore every single landmark building and discuss each of the tiny replicas along the tracks. John and I not only enjoy the family time with the boys while here, but we also enjoy marveling over how each and every piece of the mini city is made of natural materials like leaves, bark and other elements found in the great outdoors.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Wonderland Express is well worth any trek you'd make as well as the cost.

When: November 29, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Time: Open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. with few exceptions
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
More Information: Chicago Botanic Garden

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker

Perhaps you're thinking what I first thought when John and I mulled sharing our love of theatre with the kiddos: no way, no how will my kids sit through a live play!

Last December, when the boys were 5 and 3, we decided to give it a whirl anyway, as the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences specifically aims its shows for, well, young audiences, by making them lively, beautiful and entertaining. And they do it all in one hour!

Our boys, now 6 and 4, have delightfully experienced three productions, and they have really liked each one {says the surprised mom of two really active, light-saber sporting little boys}. We recently attended the opening-day performance of the Nutcracker. I didn't know how it was going to play out because the Nutcracker my husband and I knew centered all around ballet; however, this story was adapted into a wonderful production geared toward young audiences.

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and the Marriott Theatre

The boys enjoyed the music, the story, the animated characters and even the dance! Our youngest kept asking, "Mommy, how do they spin like that!?"in response to some of the ballet dances during the show. While this production of the Nutcracker did feature some splendidly talented dancers, the show wasn't dance-centric. In true Marriott fashion, the production was beautifully choreographed, funny, engaging and featured a wonderfully animated cast that was perfect for small children, older children and adults alike.

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and the Marriott Theatre

When: November 8, 2013 - December 28, 2013
Time: Click Here for showtimes
Where: Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, IL
More Information: Marriott Theatre 

So are you ready to cross a few things off your Holiday Bucket List? How about going to the Wonderland Express this holiday season compliments of the Chicago Botanic Garden?! The lovely people at the Chicago Botanic Garden are giving away a family four pack of tickets for the Wonderland Express as well as a free parking ticket. 

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Stay tuned for part two of the Holiday Bucket List tomorrow. I have another great giveaway planned!

Disclosure: First and foremost, I only work with organizations I really love. I am a Chicago Botanic Garden ambassador who receives a membership in exchange for sharing about the garden on a regular basis. 
The Marriott Theatre invited my family to press day to see the Nutcracker so we could share our experiences with other families. 

Share the Love: The Perfect Jeans #LeeLooks

Jeans shopping has always been kinda like going to the dentist; I know it's not gonna kill me, but often times its uncomfortable and a few times it's been downright painful.

Turns out that doesn't have to be the case.

I went to a Lee Looks party last weekend where the kind people from Lee Jeans showed us the latest styles and helped us find our perfect fits!

Having a stylist there who eyed me up and had me in three rockin' pairs if jeans in about two minutes flat definitely took the pain out of finding the perfect fit -- there was no guess work and no crying in the bathroom and no trying to stuff myself into the wrong cut despite the right size. 

But you don't need a stylist to make jeans shopping less painful thanks to the Lee Style Guide.

Doesn't this seriously need to be a fold up to carry around in your wallet? 

This little handy sheet makes jeans shopping way more fun! 

I have a curvy shape that most closely resembles the pear shape, so it was no surprise that I loved the very first pair the stylist sent me off with.

The boot cut jeans I'm wearing here have a mid rise and a slight flare that the stylist said was making a huge resurgence beginning this fall.

I loved the pretty dark wash and the shape of the pockets because they were flattering to the bum.

While the dark washed boot cut jeans that were equal parts stylish and comfortable were keepers, I was seriously drooling over the beautiful array of colors from the new Lee Premieum Line, which is now available at Macy's. 

When the stylist asked me if I liked color I said totally, but I voiced concern about whether a pear shape could necessarily sport a pair of vibrant skinny jeans. 

Feeling confident from the first success, I decided to be bold and gave them a whirl anyway.

So can a pear shape rock burgundy? 

(Burgandy, by the way, is going to continue to be extremely in style through out the next several seasons.)

We thought yes! {Especially when they are not paired with white socks!} And thinking "yes?" Well, that's a huge part of the battle in the war on finding the perfect jeans. 

I wore my new jeans with the special stretch interlock that helps hold shape while also giving a bit when sitting to a conference this weekend, and I really loved them. They didn't get stretched out nor were they too tight.

Despite never having liked Lee jeans fit in the past, I'm now a convert to the Lee Premium Line. The styles are flattering; the quality is good and the price is so right (under $75!). 

What are your jeans buying secrets? What's the biggest issue you run into with finding that jeans that fit?

Disclosure: The Little Style Files, Peanut Butter in my Hair and Lee invited me to a jeans party and gifted me with two pairs of jeans for attending the party because they are super nice like that. This post is a sponsored post, and I received compensation for the time it took to write and review the jeans. 

Share the Love: Honey Balsamic Harvest Steak Salad {$50 Whole Foods Giveaway}

One of my joys in life is creating meals that my family and our friends delight in when they eat it.

But it doesn't come easy in this house ... at least with the kids it doesn't.

I don't know about your kids, but mine consider things like macaroni and cheese {which has its place in life} the king of all feasts.

And sometimes -- like when I made super delicious apple-cider braised purple cabbage and apple-chicken sausage for dinner -- I hear their protest cries. Loudly.

We parents have a lot going against us when the rest of the free world seems to taut chocolate cookies as the touchdown of all snacks and schools serve low-fat but high-sugar chocolate milk with snacks and lunches.

Now I'm not anti-treat or anti-mac and cheese or anti-chocolate milk, but, darn it, those things sure give vegetables a run for their money when it comes to choosing.

This is why I so appreciate the initiatives made by the Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving childhood nutrition by increasing the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables, both at schools and at home.

The foundation just kicked off its annual fundraiser to support school salad bar and garden grant programs and nutrition education classes for teachers, and in doing so, Whole Foods Deerfield has asked me to help spread the word about the importance of including a hearty heaping of veggies into our families' diets by creating a salad recipe the whole family will enjoy.

Well. Twist my arm.

So John and I set out to make a salad that our whole family, a friend and a friend's whole family would enjoy -- which translates to one baby, four kids and five adults, three of which are gluten-free and one who is dairy-free.

We decided to make two main dishes: a Honey Balsamic Harvest Steak Salad and Mini Tomato Salads {aimed at appealing to the minis}.

Honey Balsamic Harvest Steak Salad Recipe:
{fed five adults and four kids with leftovers}

Steak Marinade:
-Your choice of steak -- we used 1.2 pounds of flank steak
- 6 T of gluten-free soy sauce
- 2 T brown sugar
- 1/2 t dry mustard
- 1/2 t of ginger
- 1/2 t of onion powder

Let steak marinate over night.

Salad Ingredients:
- 1 Green Pepper
- 1 Avocado
- your favorite harvest tomatoes
- 1 pound of cremini mushrooms
- a heaping handful of pecans
- a container of sheep's milk {or cow's milk} feta
- two heads of romaine lettuce {you'll likely use 1.5}

Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/8 of honey

Stir ingredients to blend well.

Grill the steak. While the steak is grilling, sauté mushrooms in butter or coconut oil and add a tablespoon of balsamic to the pan. Chop all of the veggies. Toss veggies, mushrooms, steak, lettuce and dressing together. Top with pecans and feta.

Mini Tomato Salads Recipe 

Ingredients
- about 25 cherry tomatoes
- one to two balls of fresh mozzarella
- handful of basil leaves
- toothpicks

Slice cherry tomatoes in half. Slice mozzarella into bit sizes. Place tomato, basil leaf and mozzarella chunk on each toothpick. Serve with balsamic vinegar and olive oil blend.

Here's how it panned out: 

-The adults raved about both salads.

-Three kiddos gave the Honey Balsamic Harvest Steak Salad a thumbs up. My oldest said, "Well, I'm shocked. This is actually good." {Thanks, kid.}

-One kiddo thought the Mini Tomato Salad was awesome, but they all tried it. Quote: "Wow. I really like those."

So want to make your own salad creation or recreate one of these salads? Whole Foods Market Deerfield is giving away a $50 gift certificate for Whole Foods Market!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: Whole Foods Market Deerfield provided me with a $50 gift card to make these salad creations. 

Share the Love: Alice in Wonderland {Marriott Theater for Young Audiences}

I've mentioned before that I am blessed to have married a Renaissance man, and as a future mother-in-law {very, very, very future} to two young women, I thought it would earn me bonus points if we succeeded in raising Renaissance young men who could not only go hunt their food but also sautee it lightly in garlic-lemon olive oil while reciting their favorite lines from Shakespeare as well as Star Wars.

I kid about the last part, but in all seriousness John and I have been theatre lovers since our high school days, and we love sharing our passions with our boys, so we're extremely fortunate to have the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences nearby our home in here in northern Chicagoland.

A few weekends ago we ventured down to the theatre to view Alice in Wonderland -- this time dressed to the nines at my oldest son's insistence after he heard a friend who attended the last performance ask me why weren't dressed for theatre. {What can I say? Kid's got mad style sense.}

And Alice in Wonderland was wonderful!

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and The Marriott Theatre

The boys very much enjoyed the lively singing and dancing and the heavy audience participation, all of which was executed brilliantly by the actors and actresses in the show.

Unlike Cinderella, which was the last show we saw at the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, this performance really appealed to my boys, ages 3.5 and 5.5 because of the plot's deep roots in silliness rather than whimsical romance.

The Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit were two stand-out characters that our boys exclaimed about long after the proverbial curtain was drawn; I think we've stolen imaginary sugar tarts in play more times than I can count, and we've had a few silly tea parties since the show that have sent them into fits of laughter all over again at the ridiculousness of that silly Hatter.

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and The Marriott Theatre

John and I very much enjoyed the show, too. It was very quick-moving and entertaining for the youngsters as well as the parents! We laughed along at the silliness and "nonsense" of the nonsensical Wonderland so wonderfully brought to life by the cast members and decorated well with fitting, vibrant music, costume and scenery.

Only one thing disappointed my oldest thespian in the making and that was that the story line for the musical differed quite a bit from the movie, which is completely and totally normal for movies turned stage productions; however, if you have an Alice and Wonderland aficionado perhaps prepare him or her for such so he or she can sit back and enjoy the show without wondering what happened to certain scenes.

Overall, Alice in Wonderland is a spectacular performance, and we'd excitedly see it again. The show runs now through May 18, 2013. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting The Marriott Theatre's site.

Disclosure: My family was invited to preview Alice in Wonderland at The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and I agreed that I would like to share a review of the show here on my blog with you, my friends. Hope you enjoy the show as much as we did!

Share the Love: Seventh Generation Baby Wipes

Did I say baby wipes?

Ahem. Pardon me.

I mean *big boy* wipes.

My three and a half year old has been trying to really hard to make it to the bathroom to do all his business, but then things like Star Wars costumes and building forts get in the way literally and figuratively.

And so we're back to training pants again while he vehemently insists that he is *not* a baby {unless he wants to be carried, then he is most definitely a baby, just to be clear.}

Lately, we've been battling over using wipes.

He wants big boy toilet paper. But I'm sorry. Sometimes there's no getting around needing wipes, kiddo, so I lovingly explain such to the kiddo.

Thankfully, when the wipes protesting began, the mailman delivered a giant box of Seventh Generations newly improved baby wipes.

Ahem.

I mean *big boy* wipes.

And luckily the newly improved wipes were so different from the other wipes that I was able to convince Mr. 3 Years Old and Highly Opinionated that these wipes were, indeed, *big boy* wipes.

Simply because they are bigger in size than the old wipes.

I am for real.



So aside from the fact that I'm no longer in a long and saturated battle of the wills over wipes because of the newly improved Seventh Generation wipes, I have to say that I truly appreciate the improvements made.

*They are bigger and one does the job of what two or three of the old ones did
*They are "grippier" because they are textured {hubby says coefficient of friction explains, but I have no idea what that means}
*The smell is virtually non-existent. They seem to not hold any odor; the old ones did have some sort of smell despite being scent-free.
*The snap-down lid is vastly better at keeping the moisture locked into the wipes than the old sticker top

What hasn't changed that I love about Seventh Generation wipes?

*They are still fragrance-free and dye-free
*They are still free of parabens and phthalates
*They are still made with renewable resources
*They are still made in the United States

All of that said, I'm still a fan.

Now, please join me in praying that Mr. 3 Years Old and Highly Opinionated potty learns before his baby sister or brother joins us in September because I plan on using these wipes with the baby, and I don't know how I'll explain that one away!



Want to try the wipes yourself?
Seventh Generation is giving away a box of its newly improved wipes!

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*

Simply share a baby-care {or toddler-care} tip in the comments to be entered. Or maybe, if you feel extra kind, you could share a potty learning tip with me!

If you'd like an extra entry, tweet @SeventhGen with a baby care tip and put a link to your tweet in the comments section.

Entries close Friday, March 8 at midnight. Please be sure to leave your email in your comment!

Disclosure: Seventh Generation sent me a box of baby wipes for review. I am being compensated for the time it takes to write the review, but my opinions are my own and we use Seventh Generation products in my house daily. Entrants for the giveaway should be age 18 or older and live in the United States. Seventh Generation will fulfill the prizes by shipping baby wipes directly to the winner within 4-6 weeks after March 25.