New affordable birthday party option: Sugar Rush at Northpoint Mall

I love a good candy store and it doesn't hurt that this one is at my favorite mall. I drive about 20 miles each way just to go to Northpoint because of their children's play area, the cool Merry Go Round and (if I'm lucky) a bit of shopping in H&M, Macy's or Gap. They even have the area's only American Girl Store too (though that could get you into DEEP trouble). So for all that I am thrilled to hear that I have a new option for having a party there. Move over Build-a-Bear...let's head to Sugar Rush!

Check it out: New affordable birthday party option: Sugar Rush at Northpoint Mall

Using P&G coupons this Sunday can help at-risk youth

I have started using coupons in the last 6 months or so and it really has saved our family hundreds and probably thousands of dollars. I get excited when I get a good deal and coupons are the way to go to get a lot of them. The only thing better then a good deal is when the companies behind the coupons are also giving back to help people in need. This weekend, Procter and Gamble is doing just that. Get your AJC this weekend and use those P&G coupons. (They will donate 2 cents for every coupon redeemed.) Check out more info here: Using P&G coupons this Sunday can help at-risk youth

My visit to the Atlanta Community Food Bank

My three little ones snacked on juice and cookies while learning about helping others.

I had the opportunity today to visit the Atlanta Community Food Bank along with my children.  We were invited to witness the amazing donation by Kimberly-Clark of 200,000 Huggies diapers.  Wow!  Did you know 1 in 3 American mothers struggle to provide diapers for their babies? The Huggies Every Little Bottom Study found these mothers have had to cut back on basics such as food, utilities like heat or electricity, or even child care in order to provide enough diapers. That's why this shipment was so huge.  It will help thousands of moms who just need a few more diapers to get them through the week.

The trucks ended up behind schedule and so we didn't actually get to see such a massive amount of diapers but we still got a great tour of ACFB and were able to learn more about this fantastic organization.  (And I have to say that 3 kids under 5 are not usually welcome at ACFB but today was a special occasion and the entire staff really made my kids feel at home.  They loved the cookies and juice boxes!)

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is a desperately needed agency in Atlanta.  They distributed nearly 34 million pounds of food and grocery products in fiscal Year 2010-11 compared to nearly 8 million more pounds then the prior year.  Almost 59,000 people are now receiving emergency food each week through a network of nonprofit partner agencies served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank.  In addition to the food they give out daily, ACFB also stocks a Kids in Need school supplies mini-store for teachers in low-income schools.  I think that's a great way to support educators and the children who need it most.

ACFB founder and executive director, Bill  Boiling talks to a fellow blogger

Look for barrels like this around the city to drop off food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank

The food in this huge warehouse feeds thousands of people every day

For more information about ACFB or to learn more about how to get involved in local hunger-relief efforts, visit www.ACFB.org.  

 

Mocha Moms rocked Las Vegas

Last week I was in lovely Las Vegas enduring the 100+ degree temperatures (but it's a "dry heat"...yeah right) to hang out at the Mocha Moms Inc national conference.  Mocha Moms Inc is a national non-profit support organization for stay-at-home moms of color (though probably half of all members work for pay in some capacity).  I've been a member for 4 years and it has been a necessity for me...for support, for laughs, for friends, and for a little "mommy" drama that always adds some spark in my days.

Mocha Moms Inc put on a fantastic conference that included two of Time Magazine's most influential women in the world (Amy Chua and Lisa P. Jackson), an advance screening of "The Help" with actress Ocatvia Spencer, and loads of swag.  The food was terrific (which is why my pants aren't fitting) and I learned so much.  I really had a ball!

During the conference I got to rock my "Moms Rock" shirt designed by a fellow Mocha Mom, Lashaun Phillips-Martin who is the CEO and designer for Shootie Girl.  Shootie Girl was founded in January 2010 as a family business among several close cousins.  Their unique tees are attention getters that spark conversation, while focusing on positive messages for women and girls. They use only the highest quality rhinestones and t-shirts, taking extra care in the creative process to ensure customer satisfaction. They have an array of sizes and colors for adults and children alike and a catchy slogan for everyone.


I can't wait to get a Mocha Moms Shootie Girl tee, but until then I'll just rock the one I have!

Announcing: My fabulous BlogHer sponsor is EmpowHER.com!

I am beyond thrilled to announce that the award-winning health media company for women, EmpowHER, is my sponsor for BlogHer 2011 in San Diego next month!  I really feel so lucky to have such a great women-centered company backing me up and working to change the lives of millions and millions of women worldwide. [Will you be at BlogHer 'll?  Keep reading to learn how YOU can be featured on EmpowHER.)


EmpowHER provides visitors access to one of the largest women's health and wellness content libraries on the web.  They also have the largest online community of women discussing their health and wellness issues. One of the coolest things on this site is that EmpowHER promotes a "24 Hour Promise" to its visitors.  Anyone can come to the site, ask any health question and receive a response within 24 hours.  How great is that?!?


While I am in San Diego, I will spend time talking on camera to women who have a health-related story to share.  The best of those stories, along with the bloggers who tell them, will be featured on EmpowHER.com.  If you'll be there and want to be interviewed on camera, leave a message here with your contact information (blog, email, twitter ID) and we'll try to set something up.  I will be running the BlogHer 5K (yikes!) and I hope to connect with other health-minded bloggers.

In addition to the on-camera work I'll be doing for EmpowHER, I also get to attend the amazing (yet non-official) invite-only event EmpowHER will be hosting in San Diego.  They are looking for some influential Mom and health-related bloggers to attend so again, leave a comment here and/or hit me on twitter (@mariarsmith) if you want a chance to come.  I can't release the details just yet but it will be a time to relax, unwind and enjoy the beautiful city of San Diego.


I can't wait to share all that I will learn and do with you!

Monday night is "Under the sea" family night at Chick Fil A Vinings

I LOVE family night at Chick Fil A! The Vinings CFA is my favorite because they have a great playground and especially nice employees. All kids get a free kids meal and free ice cream. It's especially great for families like mine who's kids outnumber adults. Be sure to go early as it gets crowded. Go here for details: Monday night is "Under the sea" family night at Chick Fil A Vinings

And let me know if you'll be there. I'll look out for you!

Free summer camp at Atlantic Station next week

So summer is getting long, right? The kids are getting bored. Moms are getting tired. But buck up...Atlantic Station, the hipster walkable shopping plaza in Midtown, is offering free summer camp activities July 27, 28, and 29. Activities will take place from 10 am to 2 pm. Get more information and see the schedule here: Free summer camp at Atlantic Station next week

It's supposed to be for kids ages 4-10 but I'll be there with all 3 of mine (4, almost 3, 1). Will you?

Winnie the Pooh is a must see

Thanks to my "ranking" on Klout.com, I was invited to an advance screening of the Disney movie, Winnie the Pooh at Atlantic Station's Regal Theater.  My 4 and 2 year olds joined me and I'm so glad they did.

Winnie the Pooh is the PERFECT movie for the younger set.  It is only an hour long and includes a cute cartoon short beforehand.  It really kept my kids attention without all the 3D and super technical features it seems every movie has these days.

It is an old school good movie.  It had a morale.  It was funny.  There were songs to sing along to and characters everyone already knew.  And my kids already love Winnie the Pooh and his friends so it was an easy sell to get them to sit still.  This is one of the best children's movies I've seen in a long time.  It was just so...sweet.  Go see it!

This is what my family will do for free Chick Fil A

Donning homemade cow costumes (Mickey Mouse ears look like cow ears, right?), my 3 little ones helped us get a nice night out at our favorite Chick Fil A in Vinings.  I love discounts and coupons and a free Friday night dinner was not something I was going to pass up.  Plus, the kids had fun and I didn't have to cook.  Winning!

The Gaylord Palms Resort is a great family-friendly destination in Orlando

My family and I stayed at the Gaylord Palms resort in Orlando over Father's Day weekend. It was so nice! We had connecting rooms which is more expensive of course but for a family of 5, it's almost necessary now. We planned to do a lot of things around Orlando as well as visit family there but the truth is we didn't want to leave the resort. It has everything there! We did go to Disney World one day and the kids wanted to go back to the hotel to go to the pool.

We were there for a family trip obviously, but they don't just cater to families. With a South Beach adults-only pool and several 21+ clubs and bars, there is something for the swinging singles (or Moms and Dads pretending to be swinging singles). Room rates start under $200 and you can often find them close to $100 depending on the day of the week and time of the year so it's reasonable for most families. You can compare this hotel to the Ritz-Carlton or the Waldorf-Astoria as far as luxury. It's that nice. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone who finds themselves in Orlando. For more information check out my other post: The Gaylord Palms Resort is a great family-friendly destination in Orlando

Let's do this thing

I'm a blogger, in case you didn't notice.  I have been writing for years but not really focusing or taking it seriously.  But today that stops.  I've seen the light and will move towards it.  My fellow bloggers are doing amazing posts and they treat it like the job it has become for them.  I want that.  And it's not about the money or popularity or anything like that...I just want to write.  And if that means a free trip somewhere then even better.  So this post is just about me telling myself that it's time to step up my game.  You'll see more personalized posts here as well as reposts of the other websites I write for.  But more importantly, you'll see more me.  Won't you follow me to see where this thing will go?

Kids eat free at Ikea 4th of July weekend

Love this deal! All 3 of my kids can eat for free PLUS I can put the older 2 in the supervised childcare area for about an hour and let them play while I shop. Free lunch AND free childcare? I'm there! Kids eat free at Ikea 4th of July weekend