Chicbusymom & ESSENCE Mommy Meet Up: The Debut

Where do I even begin? Well...a couple of weeks ago I sat down with several department heads at ESSENCE to discuss the possibility of doing a small intimate event that brought mommy bloggers together to discuss topics most important to them. The folks at ESSENCE also wanted to get to know the mommy blogger circle a little better--obviously I could help with that. Faster than you can click send on your email a partnership was built to create the first ever Chicbusymom and ESSENCE Mommy Meet Up.

It was my personal goal to make sure the event made the women feel comfortable and special instantly. First order of business...Cocktails! We got Svedka Vodka to come in and do a hosted bar with fun mommy inspired cocktails like, 'Who's Your Daddy?', 'Me Time', and  'Cuz I Said So' (the latter was the clear fan favorite).  I also ordered these awesome 'mommy' bracelets from Baubles by Meg (she did my chicbusymom bracelet that's currently my Instagram profile pic) for each of them, a delicious light lunch, and a cute gift bag. Next up, filling the room.

We created the invite with the #ESSENCEMoms hashtag and out it went. After one #superfail attempt to get everyone together due of course to busy mommy schedules we successfully gathered 15 (16 if you count me :-) of the top mommy bloggers from the Tri-State and DMV areas (#dustyourshouldersoff) for an afternoon chat.

One by one they descended upon the ESSENCE headquarters with the collective beauty, style, grace and fierceness of the women featured each month in the magazine's pages.  As they greeted me and each other with smiles and hugs it  became apparent that this was going to be a remarkable afternoon of sisterhood, sharing and learning.

It was so nice to meet many of the women I had been talking to on Twitter and Instagram for some time now. We talked about education, balance (or lack there of) and me time, handling mommy guilt, how important it is to have a network of mothers around to talk to, and making sure we don't forget our partners amongst other things. It was an intimate, eye-opening experience that left us all wanting to know when the next Mommy Meet Up would be.

Again, I thank you all for coming out and peeling back the layers. Of course being the social media mavens that we are we set the #ESSENCEMoms hashtag on fire via all our channels. Yesterday alone I got over 100 Instagram friend requests and of bunch of people wanting to know how they could join the conversation. Wow, can you believe it?!

Keep reading for a photo recap of this awesomeness (yep made that up but I do that sometimes). Special shout out to ESSENCE house photographer Michael Rowe for our group shot-thank you!!! It appeared yesterday on the @essencemag Instagram page.

These lovely flowers filled the conference room

Svedka Vodka menus featuring our mommy inspired drinks.

Signage, ESSENCE glasses and Svedka cocktails. 

I can't take credit for this shot, totally grabbed
it from LosingCity's Instagram. 

Gina from MommyPosh, and Scherrie of Thirtymommy
and myself strike a pose. Looks like happiness.

The 'mommy' bracelets become an instant hit. I
grabbed and collage these shots from Instagram.

I love this shot of SmartNSassyMom,
MomsNCharge and myself.

Sheree of SmartNSassyMom, Christine of MomsNCharge
and Tomika of My Mom's Neighborhood.

Name tags with everyone's name, website and Twitter 
handle made it easy for us to tag each other properly 
via social media and connect in the future. 
Of course I spelled Sheree's name wrong (so sorry!!!)

And finally, we closed the day with 
this awesome group shot. Beautiful right?!!!

Again to the fantastic moms, aunts, editors, photographers (@michaelrowephoto) and bar peeps (@ellenybk and @jasonlittrell you win!), I thank you.

#EssenceMoms Mommy Meet Up roll call:

@MommyFactor

@MMNeighborhood

@TheGetFitDiva

@SmartNSassyMom

@NYStateofMom

@OMGhada

@AfropolitanMom

@ThirtyMommy

@Sofamilyonline

@TraceyChambersVI

@IbiZoboi

@BeautyandtheBump

@MommyPosh

@MomsNCharge

@BklynActiveMama

Special thanks to: @Losingcity, @LangevineTres, @DawnieWalton, @Jladygirl, and @Creneh


Smooches,
Chicbusymom

A Special Mommy & Me Birthday Bash

A couple of weeks ago our baby girl turned six. For two months leading up to her big day she began dropping hints about how she wanted a nail salon party. Well damn! If that didn't sound expensive I didn't know what did. With our notoriously large family/friend functions I knew it would be hard to pair down the guestlist and then when I called around to actual nail salons it was coming out to like $21 per person. I mean she was just turning 6 for Pete's sake and by the time I added food, cake, and goodie bags that idea just wasn't working. #aintnobodygottimeforthat

I even began seeding the idea of going bowling because I wasn't sure I would be able to deliver on her wish list until...a friend of ours came into town for a visit and told me about their apartment they had on listed VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). The lightbulb went off!

I asked our friends if I could use their apartment on one of their available dates (they said yes) and then I offered to pay a girl in my department to help me (she offered to do it for free), and then the village (sisters, uncles, godmothers) weighed in with their help. We began with an invite of course for Jade's Magnifi-6 Mommy and Me Mani Bash! We invited her girlfriends to come with their moms and have a fun afternoon of manis, treats and an all around good time.

The Invite courtesy of Uncle Phil and my party planning peeps!

It was a smash hit beginning with fun Instagram moments featuring this Number 6 candle I found at the dollar store. For about a two weeks leading up to the big day the '6' showed up in various locations (the bus, a cab, in Party City and in the photo below) giving my followers a sneak peek. We even created a our own hashtag #JadiePopSix (her name + nod to her love for chewing gum + her age of course).


I'm sure this all looks like a lot in the photos but I promise it was totally manageable and much more affordable than some of these kiddie salon packages you see around. You can totally do it too. I'm so sure of it that in this post I'm launching the Chicbusymom Dailies; tip sheets & guides to help you get through life.  My first one, just for you is below the post.

Here we go, the Magnifi-6 party recap in pictures. Enjoy it, I know we did!

Instagram collage of the '6' with the custom label
Ginger +Liz polish. G&L worked with me to rename one
of their existing shades for her big day. Shout out
to Ginger + Liz

                                                                             

Decor: All Pink Everything, Pom Poms, Snack and Candy Bar
Cupcakes from Tonnie's Minis and personalize Plastic cups with
covers to avoid spills from the little ones.

Magnifi-6 Lemonade of course!      

The gifts: organza bag, the JadiePopSix polish
& thank you card

Collage of side by side Nail Tables, a Few Happy Friends
and Jade and her guests in our Photo Station

Our girls showing off their hands and a sweet gift for the birthday girl.

My older sister, Jade and I in her photo station. We nailed it!

Pink cake courtesy of grandma. Make a wish!

Are you planning a party of your own? Do you feel overwhelmed or need help/ideas? Why reinvent the wheel. Here are some tips. 

The Chicbusymom Dailies: Your cheat sheet for life.

1. Budget - Set an amount and stick to it. Break out the elements within your budget.

2. Delegate - Busy moms need help. Enlist your friends and family to take on smaller tasks to alleviate the added stress.

3. Pick a day/place then start with an invite (pick a theme or a color-this will make it easier to build an idea around). I chose pink her absolute favorite color and that literally drove everything (pink cake, pink nail polish as gifts, pink candles, etc.)

4. Use this theme throughout all your party elements. It will make everything seem cohesive and look bigger than it is. When building candy bars or snack bars more is always better. Put things in jars in varying heights and sizes. It will make for a great visual.

5. Food - Keep it simple. Two food items, drinks, and the cake. Most kids parties have pizza but this party was at the brunch hour so we had chicken and waffles (yep I'm black--no questions here) and salad. We also had pink lemonade- and no I didn't make it. It was Newman's Own. I made it look special by slicing lemons the night before and just putting them in the container.

6. Pick an Activity - This will keep the kids occupied and focussed. We did a photo station. I got some cheap props like feather boas, a top hat, and some tiaras. Things like art projects for younger kids or physical activities work well for older children.

7. Discount shop- The following places are great for party supplies at a discount. Ultimately, its all about the editing. Just because it doesn't cost a lot doesn't mean it has to look that way. 

• Amazing Savings (NY/NJ area) but good Dollar Stores will do the trick too 
• Party City
• jcp.com - They have these new Martha (Stewart) Celebrations section on their website. The parties are color-coded and idiot-proof. You can buy a piece of a party or all of it. Genius!!

Smooches,

Chicbusymom

Instagram & Twitter: @chicbusymom

Spread Love its the Brooklyn Way!

Hey party people, check out the below list FREE of activities put together by the Fulton Area Business Alliance from now through September in the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill areas in Brooklyn. Bring your tots out for all the fun! For more information go to www.faballiance.org. 

 FAB FRIDAYS is 2 series of free community events:  FAB FRIDAYS (4-8pm) and FAB FRIDAYS: KIDS CONCERTS (10-11am).  Performances and activities will take place on Fridays throughout April to September. Please note dates and locations.

FAB FRIDAYS 2013 Kids Concerts and Activities Lineup:

FAB FRIDAY, MAY 10 

PUTNAM TRIANGLE PLAZA  (Fulton and Grand)

4-6pm Kids Activities (Ages 4-12yrs)

Sidewalk chalk art project with Children's Book Author Elisha Cooper-in partnership with Greenlight Bookstore; Art Workshops led by artists from SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists); Urban Croquet courtesy LES BID and designNY; Hula Hooping Fun with Jules Skloot; Games and Arts & Crafts activities with NY Cares Volunteers...

6-8pm Live Concert!

The Ft. Greene Blues Band

A combo of veteran players on the NY blues scene

FAB FRIDAY, KIDS CONCERT, MAY 31

10:00-11:00am (Ages: 12mos-8yrs)

Putnam Triangle Plaza (Fulton and Grand, Clinton Hill)

Rolie Polie Guacamole

Rolie Polie Guacamole is a rocking “kindie” band from Brooklyn, NY that has steadily grown a devoted following of children and adults over the last few years, touring across country, with top picks by Boston.com, Time Out Kids NY, and Time Out Kids Chicago.  Their high energy, interactive kindie rock shows  feature original tunes about natural living, eating healthy, & staying active. The band’s latest album, Houses of the Moly, won a Parent’s Choice Award and a NAPPA Honor’s Award!

FAB FRIDAY, JUNE 21 

CUYLER-GORE PARK (Fulton and Greene)

4-6pm Kids Activities (Ages 4-12yrs)

Art Workshops led by artists from SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists); Sidewalk chalk art project with Children's Book Author Dimitrea Tokunbo-in partnership with Greenlight Bookstore; Games and Arts & Crafts activities with NY Cares Volunteers...

Special time:

3-8pm Live Concert!

5-hour Music Festival as part of MakeMusicNY

In partnership with BAM

Line-up TBA

FAB FRIDAY, KIDS CONCERT, JUNE 28 

10:00-11:00am (Ages:12mos-8yrs)

Putnam Triangle Plaza (Fulton and Grand, Clinton Hill)

Roderick Jackson and Palms Down Percussion Ensemble

If you're looking for the hottest percussion music, look no further! Kids won’t be able to resist dancing to the energetic beats!

FAB FRIDAY, JULY 12 

FOWLER SQ. (Fulton and Lafayette)

4-6pm Kids Activities (Ages 4-12yrs)

The New York City Compost Project in Brooklyn hands-on composting project; Art Workshops led by artists from SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists), FDNY fire safety lesson with fun demonstrations; Games and Arts & Crafts activities with NY Cares Volunteers...

6-8pm Live Concert!

ArinMaya and Djibril Toure and The People's Express

ArinMaya: Singer/songwriter of soul, jazz, gospel, folk, and many more, often to the rhythms of afro- and electrobeat.

Djibril Toure: Quartet performing live Afrobeat, Jazz and Funk

FAB FRIDAY, KIDS CONCERT, JULY 26

10:00-11:00am (Ages:12mos-8yrs)

Putnam Triangle Plaza (Fulton and Grand, Clinton Hill)

Lou Gallo  

Lou Gallo has a long history of performing for children.  Starting out teaching song writing at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in SoHo, then forming The Imagination Workshop Band, he began a 17 year adventure into the world of children’s music. 

FAB FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

PUTNAM TRIANGLE PLAZA (Fulton and Grand)

4-6pm Kids Activities (Ages 4-12yrs)

Urban Glass artist Maria Aroche will demonstrate glass bead making, Sidewalk chalk art project with Children's Book Author Betsy Lewin-in partnership with Greenlight Bookstore, Urban Croquet courtesy LES BID and designNY; Art Workshops led by artists from SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists)

6-8pm Live Concert!

Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love

http://www.facebook.com/bobbitogarciaakakoolboblove

In partnership with BAM

Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love: internationally acclaimed DJ brings music that blends a unique fusion of world, soul, and jazz. 

FAB FRIDAY, KIDS CONCERT, AUGUST 23 

10:00-11:00am (Ages:12mos-8yrs)

Putnam Triangle Plaza (Fulton and Grand, Clinton Hill)

The Good Ms Padgett 

The Good Ms. Padgett is the name given Anna Padgett by her Brooklyn, New York preschool music students.  The Good Ms. Padgett sings songs and stories that are wise, joyful, and never condescending, enjoyed by children and parents alike. 

FAB FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 

PUTNAM TRIANGLE PLAZA (Fulton and Grand)

4-6pm Kids Activities (Ages 4-12yrs)

Art Workshops led by artists from SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists) and Hula Hooping Fun with Jules Skloot

6-8pm Live Concert!

Fifth Nation and DJ Gene Allen

Dedicated to the mission of uplifting Humanity with deep heart soul rock

FAB FRIDAY, KIDS CONCERT, SEPTEMBER 27

10:00-11:00am (Ages:12mos-8yrs)

Putnam Triangle Plaza (Fulton and Grand, Clinton Hill)

The Rozz and Val Show

The Rozz & Val Show is musical duo from Brooklyn made up of longtime collaborators Rozz Nash-Coulon and Andrew Vladeck. Their music incorporates tight harmony singing and high-energy pop, rock, ska, funk, hiphop, punk and folk to make for a sing-along-able, danceable, fun-filled show. Both Rozz and Val have worked in childhood education and music, traveling much of the world with various projects. Last year they decided to draw on their experiences to create a family-oriented project. "The Rozz & Val Show" has already released their first CD and series of music videos.

FAB FRIDAYS are a program of the Fulton Area Business (FAB) Alliance Business Improvement District (BID)

With support from: NYC Department of Small Business Services/AvenueNYC

Neighborhood Partners:  BAM, SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists), Urban Glass, NY Compost Project, GrowNYC, 966 Fulton/Fort Greene Council, Greenlight Bookstore, The UNI Project, FDNY, LES BID, desigNYC, Jules Skloot Hula Hoops, NY Cares, Public Allies, the business and property owners and residents of the FAB Alliance... and more

Vision Partypalooza

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend my workfriend's birthday party. To be exact, the invite read, 'Please join me for a vision board making party and to celebrate our collective dreams and my birthday' or so I saw after the fact. In true 'doing too much too fast fashion' I of course neglected to actually read the invite. I just blocked the date off for my awesomely talented friend/neighbor/co-worker and kept it moving.

The night of her party however, my other workfriend who I was going with asked if I had my magazines together...Ummm, whatchutalkingboutwillis? Girl (nice and drawn out like a true black girlfriend) didn't you read the invite? Its a Vision Party. Ok, I didn't know what that was but I quickly made the kids dinner plates and grabbed the first 2 magazines I saw (a scholastic news magazine and a gossip rag- don't judge).

Once inside, I was greeted by the raucous laughter of beautiful progressive women, the most delicious libations known to man (something called 'Mother's Milk') and a kitchen cranking out dish after dish of yummy vittles. I was literally on a set for Black Girls Woodstock. Mama was feeling all warm and spiritual and I hadn't even visioned or whatever you call it yet. I had literally walked into Vision Partypalooza and was happy to be there.

When it was time to get started all guests were asked to put their magazines on the floor in a pile. There were also boxes filled with glitter, glue sticks, stickers and and other craft materials. We were then introduced to our life coach for the evening, Lisa. Lisa shared with us why we there, what vision was and then had us do a breathing and mental exercise to help get us to our most productive places for our evening project.

By definition, visioning is essentially a chance to visually represent all the things you would like to attract to your life. You cut photos and phrases from magazines or websites, glue them on a poster board (or whatever you'd like) and place it somewhere you can see it on a regular basis so you are reminded of your goals. It's literally genius and can make you feel inspired each time you look at it.

We had a blast that night and I was so glad I'd gone and made my board (see below :-). I have it in my bedroom next to me so I can look at it everyday. I was proud of myself and really appreciated the opportunity to learn and do something for ME. I want to have my own vision parties and I hope you are inspired to have your own too. Enjoy the pics and please share if you have photos or comments about vision experiences you've participated in.

We'd love to hear.

Smooches,

Chicbusymom

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Twitter: @chicbusymom