Glidden Got the Job Done!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Glidden. All opinions are 100% mine.

After moving into our new apartment earlier this year, there are still so many projects that I still have yet to undertake and it's already the end of September! Between buying new furniture, installing new french doors and finally mounting the TV it's almost as if we've just moved in.

As an Interior Design graduate one of the things that I love most about designing a space is making an impact by one of the easiest solutions: painting! So much can be done just by adding color to a wall or to a room. Of course there are many different paint selections out there like Benjamin Moore and Bear but I must say that the one that I found to be the best so far has been Glidden.

Over the last few months I have spoken with a few moms regarding design for kids rooms and I have written a few blogs on great design tips on how to make a great modern room for boys and girls. Since doing so I have decided to paint my own sons room. I chose to do a few different hues of Glidden's blue and green and not only was I was able to make my selections using their paint samples that are available at Home Depot (I love Home Depot, if I could I'd marry it and be Mrs. Home Depot) but the samples dried much faster than other brands that I've used before.

I have moved and painted more times than Lady Gaga has outfits (yes that many) but this is my first time painting and having my son around. With him running around the house and not having availability to a babysitter I was worried about fumes and also him getting into the room and adding little design of his own into the wet paint.  Because the testers are so small I was not only able to keep it out of his reach but the containers also have a small brush included in the can, so there was no mess after I was done. What mom doesn't love convenience?

Once the room is complete I'll be sure to post the finished project for all to see (unless my boyfriend does it, then I'd have to get a professional to redo the room.)

Visit Glidden today to get inspired for your next projet!

Awesome Vintage Eyeglasses!

So if there is one thing that I have a huge infatuation with is sexy eye-wear. Maybe it's because of the great varieties, the craftsmanship or just the fact that I'm blind and was born wearing glasses. When I was 16 I had to get my first pair and of course they broke out the "The Pair You'll Never Forget" box and sure enough I had the UGLIEST pair of red glasses. They took up half of my face, they were thick rimmed and they were bright ugly red. No wonder people who wear glasses always get made fun of!

From that pair forward I swore I would never buy a pair of red frames again! So after many metal, plastic, square and round frames I was forming a love hate relationship with glasses. It was when I could afford to buy my own glasses (an had great insurance) that I went on a search for stylish and fun frames.

 Not only did I find and purchase an amazing pair of frames- but they were red! And they kicked my first frames butt! Since I've come across some of the most amazing and funky pair of frames in all colors and sizes. Frames so sweet even girls with 20/20 vision buy them.

My love for elaborate and fun frames couldn't be expressed better than by the amazing glasses created by fellow mom Teresa who owns Vintage 50's Eyewear.

A little about woman behind the frames:

Hello my name is Teresa. I live with my husband, two kids and three dogs in a small town in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. I am a firm supporter of animal rights. My passions include animal rescue and collecting and selling vintage and antique eye wear. A trait a picked up from my mother.

I have the 1950s eyeglasses. Time of the poodle skirt and roller skates. The psychedelic 1960s hippie. The disco 70S and the oh so cool retro 80s sunglasses inspired by the hair bands and the blue brothers.

Some of Teresa's glasses are the bling-bling of eye-wear being covered in gems, rhinestones and colorful jewels. Teresa takes the 50's cat-eye frames and introduces them to the new millennium with by adding modern style and finesse putting a new meaning to the "hot library teacher." Getting the right frames can not only be an investment of time but also of money as good frames don't come cheap. If you want to invest in new pair of glasses, why not purchase one that is well made and one of a kind

Visit Teresa's shop Vintage 50's Eyewear here and you can follow her on Twitter here. Once you see her other selections you will wonder who wants to wear contacts when you can have glasses like these?

How to Tour Your City Without Looking Like a Tourist

When I was a kid I remember walking in Manhattan with my parents and brother and looking at how beautiful the buildings were. It was that same night that my mom said something I'll never forget: "Stop looking around like that or people are going to think you're a tourist!". Didn't even make sense to me. First off I was a kid and second I was born and raised in NY, why would people think I'm a tourist just because I'm enjoying the buildings? Ever since I have had a hard time participating in touristy things (thanks a lot mom!) as there is the underlined fear of crossing the thin line of city fun to full blown tourist.

I do have my regrets for letting this affect me. Had I have seen more sites when I still lived in New York I would've been able to enjoy the rooftops of the World Trade before September 11 occurred. Well you live and you learn, right? Now that I live in Chicago I want to appreciate and take advantage of the city it's landmarks, but how can I do so without looking like a damn tourist? Over the years I have devised some very helpful ways to work this out so whether you are visiting a new city or if you want to explore the one you live in, you can do so like a pro.

Do your homework. 

Visit the city website or resource websites like Metromix, Yelp(or the Moms in the City calendar) and see what events will be taking place for you to take advantage of.

Travel in small groups. 

There is no point in taking up the whole sidewalk, train car or bus with a huge group of people.. If you happen to be traveling with a lot of people it would be best if you travel in smaller groups so that you can have a more intimate experience. Try to travel in increments of 4 or 5 and for fun give each group a separate location to explore then share photos at the end of the night.

Don't carry maps!

Not only are they bulky but they are outdated! Depending on your cell phone you can easily access Google Maps and figure out anywhere you need to go at the push of a few buttons. Leave the maps at the gas station.

Visit tourist attractions on weekdays. 

By visiting attractions during the weekday you won't not be overrun by mobs of people and there are usually great deals such as half price off fares during the week.

Visit local staples.

Everyone knows of and has visited famous skyscrapers and restaurants but there are many local venues that are unique and that would be worth checking out. Try visiting local coffee shops, hole in the wall restaurants and independent clothing stores. You are almost guaranteed not to find a duplicate any where else!

Go to bars and hot spots on non-busy days. 

City bars and clubs are always busy on the weekends but generally are a low-key hangout spot on days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays. By visiting a bar on a slow day you can not only almost guarantee that you will get a place to sit but you won't have to scream or yell to have conversations.

Take advantage of free city events. 

One of the best concerts I've ever seen was at the Taste of Chicago and I got to watch Stevie Wonder play for three hours...for free! There are many events that cities host for free such as music concerts,  movies in the park, free days at the museum to street fests. Of course this works well with the first trick of doing your homework to see what events will be taking place on the days that you want to hit the town.

Join Meetup Groups.

Not only can you join groups on Meetup for free but you can get to know moms from any different areas and they all just want to get out of the house and have a good time too. If there is a place that you've always wanted to check out but can't get one of your friends to go with you can list it as an "Idea" on the groups site. There is bound to be a mom or two in the group who will tag along. And if you can't find someone from one group, join another! The best part about it is that you have options and what girl doesn't love variety??

Have fun!

Free Festival Guide

 

One of the best things about Chicago are all the amazing festivals throughout the city during the summer here is a list of some of fests to take advantage of!

JUNE    
15-20:  Free! Fiestas Puertorriquenas
17-Aug. 29:  Free! Chicago SummerDance Festival  18:  Free! Season opener: Movies in the Parks
18-20:  Free! Chicago Peace Fest
18-20:  Festa Pasta Vino
18-20:  New! MidSummer Festival
18-20:  Taste of Randolph Street 18-20:  The Raven
19:  Free! Takin' it to the Streets: Urban International Festival
19-20:  Randolph Street Market Festival   24-26:  Free! Chicago Arabesque
25-July 4:  Free! Taste of Chicago
25-26:  Chicago Pride Fest
25-27:  St. Josaphat Summerfest
26:  Free! Tour de Fat
26-27:  Back Lot Bash
26-27:  Chicago Summerfest 26-27:  Green Music Fest 27:  Free! Chicago Pride Parade  

JULY
2-5:  African-Caribbean International Festival of Life  7:  Bastille Day 5K Run, Walk and Block Party
9-10:  BenFest
9-10:  Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party  9-11:  Boulevard Bash
9-11:  Irish American Heritage Festival
10:  L.A.T.E. Ride 10-11: Chicago Folk and Roots Fest   10-11:  Rock Around the Block  10-11:  New! Roscoe Village Burger Fest
10-11:  Free! Taste of Little Village
10-11:  West Fest 16-18:  Pitchfork Music Festival  16-18:  Free! Windy City Ribfest
17:  Free! Southside Neighborhood Gospel Fest
17-18:  Free! Edgewater Arts Festival
17-18:  Sheffield Garden Walk and Festival 17-18:  New! Streeterville Venetian Fest
17-18:  Taste of River North
18:  Free! Chinatown Summer Fair  23-25:  Free! Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival
24:   Free! The Silver Room's Sound System Block Party   24-25:  Celebrate Clark Street Festival
24-25:  Randolph Street Market Festival  24-25:  Taste of Lincoln Avenue   29-Aug. 1:  Free! Fiesta del Sol
31-Aug. 1: Free! Gold Coast Art Fair
31-Aug. 1:  Lincoln Park Arts and Music Festival
31-Aug. 1:  Summer on Southport   31-Aug. 1:  Wicker Park Fest


Metromix

Moms Love Movies

So this has been a running posting on MITC for many months but it has been such a great resource that I have made it a staple for moms to read! With all the new updates  that will be taking place it will be rotating with other posting and will also be easy to find on the MITC blog if you search for Baby Pictures.

With the spring weather looming just around the corner, it will be the perfect time to grab a mom, the kids and catch a flick!

View this link to see theaters nationwide.