Today we went to celebrate Korean New Year’s Day (Solla) at The Korea Society. All races of children, parents, and grandparents were ...

Today we went to celebrate Korean New Year’s Day (Solla) at The Korea Society.

All races of children, parents, and grandparents were welcome to sample traditional rice cakes (Ttok), practice the New Year's bow (Sebae), and watch a short film screening on the traditional ancestral ceremony Ch'arye, the holding of an ancestor-memorial service on festive days, with food and wine offered in sacrifice to the ancestral tablet.

Read more about our day, which was filled with traditional games and activities.

Every once in a while I'll receive a request to be on a TV show. Usually it's to be part of a segment talking about a topic. I ten...

Every once in a while I'll receive a request to be on a TV show. Usually it's to be part of a segment talking about a topic. I tend to turn them down because the topics usually don't relate to anything current in my life.

But that all changed when I had the chance to be on the Nate Berkus Show for their Retailer Secrets Exposed segment.


It's not often I get to be a just a regular mom having a question answered by an expert. But in the "Retailer Secrets Exposed" Nate and Alexa Von Tobel answered my holiday related question. Yah!

You can't beat that kind of help. So what was my question and what did Nate and Alexa have to say? You can watch the video of the show on the Nate Berkus Show

What was like being on the show? It was pretty awesome. The set is beautiful and very, very bright. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. They interact great with the audience and make us very comfortable. Speaking of comfortable, the audience seats are so lush!

Seeing Nate in real life was great. Yes he's handsome but there's also something very sweet and kind about him. At least from where I was sitting.

While I did get a chance to ask Nate my question I didn't get a chance to stay and speak to him face to face. I know, I know but I'm a mom who needed to dash off and pick up her son from daycare. The same son I went on to show to ask a question for.

Maybe next time I'll get a chance to meet and speak with Nate face to face. For now I'm glad they answered my question on the show!

I was recently invited by Mom Central and Oxy to celebrate the launch of OXY Clinical. Note: I attended a Moms Night Out at STK courte...

I was recently invited by Mom Central and Oxy to celebrate the launch of OXY Clinical.

Note: I attended a Moms Night Out at STK courtesy of Mom Central and Oxy and received product samples and a gift card as a thank you for my participation. All opinions regarding the products are expressly my own experiences


During the event I signed up for a mini makeover and to have professional photograpahs taken of me so I can update my facebook profile. As I'm sure you know having great photos is key for being noticed in any social networking community.



During my prep for the photo shoot I talked with Lynn and her daughter Emily the, OXY Clinical mom/daughter spokesperson, about why they used the OXY Clinical line.

Emily shared that her acne and it's breakout length was an issue that prevented her from being a regular teen. As a mother Lynn explained she wanted to help her daughter find a way to feel confident while doing normal teen things. OXY Clinical gave them the results they needed quickly and without major changes to their lives.

I also spoke with Dr. Erin M. Welch, a board-certified dermatologist. In addition to serving as spokesperson for OXY® Clinical, Dr. Welch serves as a scientific advisor to sunscreen manufacturers and is the author of several scientific papers and medical textbook chapters on dermatologic subjects. So she knows skin care!

Did you know acne most likely occurs between the ages of 12-24? Learning to properly manage and treat acne at the early stages helps prevent long term issues like permanent scarring. For teens that need a way to manage their acne the OXY Clinical skin care line can help.


OXY Clinical has been developed by OXY Acne Solutions and is an over-the-counter acne treatment that offers breakthrough complexion care, providing pharmaceutical-grade medications and continuous-release technology to treat, heal and help prevent acne breakouts – all without a prescription. How great is that!

All OXY Clinical products contain an advanced delivery system technology that helps the product to work continuously over time. The OXY Clinical product line consists of

OXY Clinical Clearing Treatment

• Patented OXYSphere™ micro-encapsulated benzoyl peroxide is released over time to figh acne breakouts between applications.
• Clinically shown to eliminate 99% of acne bacteria in just 8 hours
• No embarrassing white residue

OXY Clinical Advanced Face Wash

• Patented AcneShield advanced salicylic acid technology unclogs pores fast and fights flare-ups
• Unique delivery means 25 times more acne medication stays on the skin while impurities rinse off—to fight acne longer
• Botanical extracts soothe irritation leaving your complexion feeling replenished

OXY Clinical Hydrating Therapy

• Contains salicylic acid to exfoliate, unclog pores and fight blemishes
• Formulated with hyaluronic acid—a premium ingredient that revitalizes skin and helps it retain moisture
• Patented Poly-Pore® Technology absorbs excess oil as it releases salicylic acid while another patented ingredient helps regulate the overproduction of oil

So if you're a parent searching for acne solutions for your family or a teen looking for a new way to manage your acne, then check out the OXY Clinical line of skin care.

The Motherhood partnered with Kleenex for the Battle of the Bug campaign and hosted an information session at the Bronx Zoo to help moms lea...

The Motherhood partnered with Kleenex for the Battle of the Bug campaign and hosted an information session at the Bronx Zoo to help moms learn to how keep children as healthy as possible, since cold and flu bugs live all year round.

Note:I was invited as media to this event by Kleenex and The Motherhood to learn how to battle the bug. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Battle the Bug Video Games

During the event, kids enjoyed playing the different types of bug games. But these weren’t just plain old games. One game taught the kids about germ droplets by “sneezing” on them.

Another game allowed them to “whack” a bad germ trying to get them. These interactive games taught the children bug facts in a way that they’ll remember for a while. The kids also got a chance to take photos with Ah-Choo, Kleenex's "Germ" Bug

Battle the Bug Tips

It’s widely understood that once your child starts interacting with others the chances for them to catch anything from a common cold to something serious like the recent H1N1 Swine Flu...will increase.

So what can moms do?

I had the chance to find out during the Q&A with Jean Grabeel, who’s a member of the National Association of School Nurses and has been a healthcare professional for close to 30 years.

Some highlights of points made

1. Teach the importance of hand washing to everyone within your household. Wash thoroughly, which includes between your fingers, during the course of the day since we’re constantly touching things
2. If your child is school aged, pack a mini hand sanitizer in their book bags. Check to make sure the teacher has sanitizers in the classroom.
3. Make sure your child has a full and balanced diet that included vegetables and lots of plain water to keep their system running smoothly.
4. If your child is sick with a high fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea then it’s best to keep them at home for 24 – 48 until the symptoms disappear
5. Teach your children how to cover their faces and mouth when they sneeze or cough with a tissue like Kleenex’s Anti-Viral tissue. You can even make a game of it by showing them what mommy or daddy does with the tissue.

A separate but just as important point that stayed with me, for when my son starts school “officially”, is make friends with the school nurse.

This is the key person who will be able to help you in the germ battle since you share the main concern, the health of your child. This person is trained and very helpful so start wooing her over to your side of the battle.

After all that info the mom group received a special treat, admission into the Bronx Zoo so we could enjoy the rest of our day with our families.

Learn more, visit - www.kleenex.com

Build-A-Bear's Workshop has a new Peace and Hugs bear, which focuses on a positive theme that helps others and is supported by famous pe...

Build-A-Bear's Workshop has a new Peace and Hugs bear, which focuses on a positive theme that helps others and is supported by famous people like Natalie Cole, David Archuleta (American Idol), Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock) and Jamia Nash.

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

Something to also celebrate is the image of little black girls doing positive things.

When I learned that Jamia Nash, singer of the August Rush movie song "Raise It Up", which was nominated for an Academy Award, had a meet and greet at the 5th Ave Build-A-Bear Workshop location...I knew I should take my niece.

I wanted her to see a little black girl like her in a different role then she was used to.


Soon the room became filled with other mom bloggers and their kids excited for Jamia to arrive. While waiting I had the chance to briefly chat about community and life in Brooklyn with Theresa Kroll (Chief Entertainment Bear), who took time to meet and thank the moms bloggers for visiting today.

Soon Jamia was there ready to answer questions and autograph the music download cards for her R&B version of the song "Lets Talk About Love" which is the Love. Hugs. Peace. movement's signature song. Each artist has created their own special rendition of the song to help spread the message of sharing and love to benefit Save the Children.


When it was my turn I walked up with my niece excited for her to talk to Jamia. Sadly my niece instantly became shy and I ended up asking Jamia questions on her behalf while she autographed our music card.

While Jamia was a professional, I could see the sweet little girl as she told my niece how she started her performing career. Jamia also showed her sense of humor by telling her at 5yrs, she was singing and performing so my niece is old enough to get started on her career. LOL


But the best part was saved for last...the actual making of our own Peace and Hug bear! My niece had a Peace and Love bear.

We were excited as we went thru the process of giving our bear life...a process which of course included the special dance. As I watched my niece kiss, hug, and grin her way to making her bear complete, I hoped that I can continue to help her see black females in positive positions and lifestyles.

After all isn't that what Aunts are for?!

Thanks to Build-A-Bear and MomSelect.