Curious World, the expansive collection of games, videos and eBooks by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), have announced that its interactive ...

Curious World, the expansive collection of games, videos and eBooks by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), have announced that its interactive content is now available on Apple TV.

Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a Curious World subscription. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

The service will be accessible on the newest generation Apple TV device.

“Curious World encourages parents to share in their child’s learning journey,” said CJ Kettler, Chief of Consumer Brands and Strategy, HMH. “With the launch of Curious World on Apple TV, our goal is to expand traditional conventions around ‘story time’ by offering another layer of family engagement.

We recognize that parental involvement is key in early learning, and Apple TV offers another opportunity, beyond mobile devices and tablets, to cultivate a trustworthy, safe learning digital environment that balances screen-time with activities that families can enjoy together offline as well.”

Of course I had to get a first look at how Curious World works when moved from a mobile platform to a home based platform. Here's a few things I learned.

• This partnership extends the availability of Curious World’s multimedia platform, making its ever-growing library of learning content accessible on three screens for one subscription price

• With Apple TV, Curious World has transferred classic children’s books to the television screen, complete with illustrations and audio capabilities like read-along functionality and sound-effects.

• Parents can still use the “parent dashboard,” to track their children’s progress, learn more about a child's interests and see recommendations for extending the learning journey through offline activity.

• Content is simple to explore and organized into kid-friendly categories including Animals, Cooking, Crafts, Space, Wheels, eBooks and Videos. Initially, only the videos and books from the mobile version will be available on Apple TV, with games to come later this year.

• Curious World’s library includes close to 1000 titles, including originally produced games, original video series and books, as well as licensed titles. The app’s content is curated and created by HMH’s internal development team of education experts and award-winning creative partners such as Bix Pix and CloudKid, and also includes licensed programming from leading kids content providers like National Geographic, Storybots, Caspar Babypants, PBS Kids and Young Rembrandts.

• All content within Curious World aligns to eight key learning areas (science, math, language and literacy, health and wellness, creative expression, social emotional, executive function, and family community). The content is designed to give kids a balanced learning experience across these essential learning areas, and provide parents with the confidence that programming will be educational, relevant and fun to their young learners.

Overall I think children (and parents) will enjoy this new extention of the program. It allows families to access the same educational system they love using the app mobility but now on their Apple TV devices.

Curious World is a subscription-based experience ($7.99 per month or $64.99 per year) for kids aged 2yrs to 7yrs. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store with sample content and features.

Using the companion site, parents can learn more about their child’s personal learning journey.

Learn more, visit - www.curiousworld.com

This year Residence Inn by Marriott announced La La Anthony as their 2016 Resident Mom of the Year, and invited me to interview her! For tho...

This year Residence Inn by Marriott announced La La Anthony as their 2016 Resident Mom of the Year, and invited me to interview her! For those that know, La La is mom to son Kiyan and wife to basketball husband Carmelo Anthony.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

But that not all. La la is also a radio and television personality; actress and beauty entrepreneur; along with best-selling author and producer. Talk about a woman with many talents.


During our interview La La Anthony shared why she partnered with Residence Inn by Marriott, how she balances career and motherhood, and how she stays fit so she can wear amazing dresses to places like the Met Gala.

Onica {MommyFactor}: Tell me about your partnership with Residence Inn. What are some things you are excited about?

La La Anthony: I'm excited to really honor and celebrate moms who are amazing and just do it all. I feel like, as a mom myself, sometimes no one tell us "you're doing a great job" as a mom who has to balance everything. So with Residence Inn it's nice to celebrate moms. I'm their Resident Mom 2016, which is an amazing honor because I work really hard at trying to balance everything.

Residence Inn also did an amazing event earlier with the American Red Cross and some of the mom and mom volunteers. To celebrate them, we did makeovers and all this fun stuff, just making women feel confident and beautiful. We had a great lunch where I got to talk to every body. It was really nice.

Onica {MommyFactor}: What feature of Residence Inn, do you personally like?

La La Anthony: I love the idea that there's kitchens in the rooms. As a mom with a kid, a kitchen is so essential, a nice fridge is essential. You don't want to spend all this money ordering room service or go outside. You want to be able to cook and have your everything in your own area.

I know my son is specific with certain things that he likes, so we can bring it with us. That's really one of the main features that I like.

And I just love that the Residence Inn rooms have a more at home feel, opposed to feeling like we're at a hotel. Those are a few of the things that's I really like.

photo credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images for Residence Inn

Onica {MommyFactor}: You spoke about balancing it all. What are some simple ways that you try to keep it all together and balanced?

La La Anthony: It's funny you asked. My husband was just texting me about it today. I think the main thing is just always finding 5 or 10 minutes a day to yourself. To get your thoughts together. I can get overwhelmed sometimes and feel like I can't do it all. So it's nice to take 5 minutes, just take it all in and then plan the day out.

Also I have an amazing support system in my mom and my family that really help me kinda balance it all.


Onica {MommyFactor}: You are very active on social media, sharing bits of your family. Sometimes social media does attack families so how do you set protective boundaries.

La La Anthony: I think that's a personal choice for everyone, what's too much or too little. For me with my son, I wanted him to be a young boy having fun and not worry about Instagram and all this. But at the same time, he's is aware of it. I still post pictures of him every now and then because he's an important part of my life. I still want to show and share with people.

But I don't over flow it with picture of him. I think everyone has to draw the line with what's too much or little for them.


Onica {MommyFactor}: Do you allow your son any kind of social media privileges?

La La Anthony: No. Not at all. My mom raised me with the mindset of everything in due time. There's a time for everything. In this generation, everyone is trying to rush everything. But you wanna let kid be kids and kinda come into that in their own time.


Onica {MommyFactor}: My last question is about the Met Gala. Seriously you rocked that dress. As a mother, as a woman, as a wife, we're all trying to be healthy and stay in shape. How do you make to be healthy and keep fit?


La La Anthony: I really have to wake up early and get to the gym. It's like anything, I have to motivate myself because who wants to get up early and go to the gym? That's the last thing you want to do, you want to sleep and relax.

But it's essential to feeling good and looking good so I try to make time for it. When I start traveling, it gets a little hardier to stay on course. But I challenge myself to really stay on top of it. Finding different ways including treadmill, workout in my room, etc.

Just try to add some type of physical activity to the day.

After our interview La La headed down to The Resident Mom award event. During the event La La accepted her new title, flowers and gifts before mingled with guests.

“La La exemplifies what it means to be Resident Mom of the Year,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn. “She has proven that dedication and hard work can drive success and propel you to reach your goals. La La is a devoted mom and wife who balances her career and family, and yet, still finds time for fun and discovery. This strikes a chord for many moms, and is a perfect fit for Residence Inn, a brand that understands the importance of maximizing time and thriving while on the road.

During the event La La also unveiled her "La La’s Lists", a series of curated grocery delivery lists exclusive to Residence Inn. From signature beverages, including Shirley-La’s Temples, to holiday treats such as peanut butter cup pilgrim hats and fun ideas for children’s birthdays, La La’s Lists provide creative concepts for milestone occasions.

La La will join Residence Inn for a Traveling Mom Twitter party on May 19 at 9:00pm EST to discuss thriving on the road, and tips for celebrating special occasions. Join the conversation using hashtag #RIMom and #TMOM for the chance to win prizes including Residence Inn gift cards, perfect for summer family travel.

Residence Inn makes family travel easier and enables moms to maximize their time with select conveniences and services including: free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi; fitness centers; pools and complimentary grocery delivery service.

Most importantly, spacious suites complete with full kitchens give families the opportunity to spread out and live better during extended stays.

To learn more about Residence Inn, visit - www.residenceinn.com

On Facebook - www.facebook.com/residenceinn
On Twitter - www.twitter.com/residenceinn
On Instagram - www.instagram.com/residenceinn

When I was invited to attend the launch of the Chuck II Kids collect, I learned about the Chuck II features, which includes a Nike Lunarlon ...

When I was invited to attend the launch of the Chuck II Kids collect, I learned about the Chuck II features, which includes a Nike Lunarlon sockliner, super soft micro-suede lining, a padded non-slip tongue, an embroidered All Star patch and monochrome matte eyelets.

Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a product sample for review purpose. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


That sounds like a lot for a kids sneaker right? But as any parent knows, you need something like this when your child spends the day.....

My son is a very active child. So I need to find him footwear that will be comfortable and long lasting, while he zooms around doing all sorts of things.

Which includes:


Climbing everything at the playground.....
Going through obstacle and balances courses.....
Playing street hockey.....
Bouncing on a pogo stick.....
Playing handball.....
And joining other kids in a soccer game......

Did I mention this is ALL in ONE DAY?!

So yes those Chuck II kids sneakers need to be able to hang with my son. And I'm impressed that they did. Before each change of activity I asked my son how his feet felt, did they hurt, was he feeling soreness anywhere, did he need to rest?

Each time he said nah, he was good. Those Chuck II sneakers kept him comfortable and supported so he could be active and happy. Plus they were stylish so he was able to look good while doing everything. LOL

The Chuck II kids sneakers are available for purchase at Converse retail and online stores. They come in Black, White, Blue, Red and Black Monochrome and retails between $40-$60 USD for the low-tops and $45-$65 USD for the hi-tops

To learn more about the Chuck II sneakers, visit - www.converse.com

I recently enjoyed afternoon tea with Bobbie Thomas, (Style Editor for NBC's TODAY show) and Dr. Owen Davis (President of the American S...

I recently enjoyed afternoon tea with Bobbie Thomas, (Style Editor for NBC's TODAY show) and Dr. Owen Davis (President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)) in connection with National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24-29).

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

During out tea time we discuss the topic of infertility, some myths surrounding this issue and how women (and their husbands/partners) can become more informed about their health.

Bobbie shared about the issues surrounding her infertility (body image, relationship stressors, being in the public eye while going through something so personal) and how she felt facing the treatment repeatedly until the success of having her son.

“When my husband and I decided to start a family, I didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be. I planned for so many things in my professional life, but it hadn’t occurred to me to plan for my personal dreams as well,”.

“It’s never too early to start having conversations about fertility and to find a trusted doctor who can provide you with the real facts and help you make the best decisions, whether you’re planning to start a family now, or think you may want to in the future.” Bobbie Thomas said.

While I knew that some women faced infertility, like many of you, I didn't know exactly what caused it or what these woman could do. Some people say having a baby later in life is easy, if you’re healthy and in good shape.Or, that issues with fertility are usually the woman’s fault.



There's SO many old wives tales and misconceptions surrounding fertility.


To help me learn fertility facts, I spoke with Dr. Owen Davis about some myths/misconceptions. Dr. Own stressed that more people should become informed. Ask your doctor questions, speak with other women and couples dealing with fertility concerns and above all gets the facts!

To help those looking for REAL answers to the infertility questions, Ferring Pharmaceuticals has launched Fertility Facts: Know More. Start Asking, campaign (www.myfertilityfacts.com) which features:

• An interactive quiz to test fertility knowledge

•  Information on common fertility myths and the actual facts infographic

• Tips for speaking with doctors about fertility

• Resources to support a friend or loved one facing infertility

• A behind-the-scenes look at what happened when Bobbie invited two women diagnosed with infertility to receive style makeovers and to talk candidly about their experiences

The Fertility Facts campaign was created in collaboration with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and encourages people to learn the important facts about fertility by establishing an open dialogue with a trusted physician on the topic.

If you or someone you know wants to learn more about Fertility, I hope you'll use this resource.