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The weekend before Thanksgiving my oldest daughter and I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the KidzVuz event, FashionTweenstas. KidzVuz is one of ‘A”s favorite websites and mine too! I love it because it is a totally SAFE place for my daughter to hang out and be social with other children her age and she loves it because she gets to post video reviews of books, movies, clothes, apps etc. AND she gets to be social and interact with other kids on the web, something she loves. Seriously, if you have kids between the ages of 7-12 and you have not checked it out, they are really missing something cool and super fun! Rumor has it that there will be an KidzVuz app available in the very near future. ‘A’ has already warned me that she will be stealing my iPhone while we are out to make “videos on the spot”. She can’t wait. Oh, my little drama queen!!

So, when we were invited to get “Our Girl On” at the KidzVuz event both of us were very excited.

YAY KIDZVUZ!

YAY KIDZVUZ!

It was so great to have time with just ‘A’ and I. It seems like so much of our focus lately has been on middle school and tours, that it was nice for the two of us just to just get out on a Sunday and enjoy each other’s company. Without other distractions we were able to catch up and chat on the subway and on the walk over to the event. She is a pretty cool person to hang out with πŸ˜‰ The event was held in a beautiful sun filled space with gorgeous decorations and lots of incredible booths to check out. ‘A’ was immediately drawn toward the Glitter Tattoo NY and spent time picking out her design.

Getting her Glitter Tattoo on!

Getting her Glitter Tattoo on!

While she was getting all glammed up, I toured many of the other tables, getting a lot of ideas for holiday gifts from Fashion Angels, Techlicious and Sparklehearts. The big hit Β for ‘A’ were the many cool items at the iScream table. She especially loved the cupcake pillow and their notebooks/journals. I thought these would be fabulous items for camp goodie bags. Must remember this in July!!

The iScream Table

The iScream Table

Next up, ‘A’ had a blast with Children’s Place designing her own mannequin. Such a fun idea. The girls loved picking out the clothes and best of all, the moms were not in charge of putting the clothes back =)

The beautifully style mannequin!

The beautifully styled mannequin!

'A' posing with one of the One Direction dudes, do NOT ask me which one ;)

‘A’ posing with one of the One Direction dudes, do NOT ask me which one πŸ˜‰

And another one... seriously I don't know their names.

And another one… seriously I don’t know their names.

There was tons of fun to be had, but I was especially grateful for the awesome mom’s lounge. I may have sampled a drink or two and hung out in the wonderfully decorated area (by the very talented Amy Jacobs from Chandelier Events) and had some adult conversation. It was a much needed break from the giggling and excited chatter of all the happy tweens.

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Super easy and pretty table accents, even I could make them!!

Love these party ideas!

Love these party ideas!

The FashionTweensta event was a great afternoon for both the tween and I. She loved all of the girlie activities and I appreciated the opportunity to see some fabulous women and check out some wonderful girl empowering products. Thank you KidzVuz, we really appreciated the opportunity to “get our girl on”. Most of all, we loved some mom and daughter bonding time.

And a PSA from me… get you and your kidz over to Kidzvuz now… what are you waiting for??? Go!

We LOVE KidzVuz!!

We LOVE KidzVuz!!

The last couple of months have definitely had their trying times. And I can’t help but admit that I am looking forward to 2013 for a bit of positive energy and the hope of new beginnings and a fresh outlook. However, this past weekend was American Thanksgiving. Yes, we do celebrate both. Lucky us πŸ˜‰ We had a wonderful relaxing weekend celebrating with cherished family and friends and during that long weekend I had time to reflect on how truly fortunate and thankful I am for all of our blessings. Most of all, the love that surrounds us. My heart is full of warmth from the amazing people I am truly lucky to have in my life. I am so immensely grateful for all of you. xox

Here are a few pics from the weekend and our adventures. I hope you enjoy them. Happy Wednesday!

Going to see the balloons the day before the parade- Spiderman!

Hello Papa Smurf

A walk in Riverside Park

Love NYC in the late fall

Sisters

True personalities shining through!

Getting ready to celebrate

Looking out the window

Pre-turkey Just Dance 4 Party

Chefs Extraordinaire!

The Turkey??! πŸ˜‰

A feast, thankful indeed.

A view from Central Park

The city peeks out behind

Gratitude.

With the celebration of Thanksgiving tomorrow, NYC is being transformed into holiday magic. Lights are being put up, Christmas trees are arriving, parade balloons are being filled, decorations abound and the beautiful store windows are being unveiled. Last week I was able to take a wander down 34th street to capture a glimpse at the beauty of this year’s Macy’s window display. They were still putting on some of the finishing touches but as usual they did not disappoint. Here is a peek of this year’s theme. Enjoy the pics and to my American friends- Happy Thanksgiving! I know that I am feeling extremely grateful this year for my many blessings including my incredible family and friends. Love and happy Turkey to you all =)

Forced To Slow Down

So, I have a new accessory and it looks like this:

Isn’t it a pretty ski boot type thing??! Maybe I should get the girls to decorate it!

After months of dealing with plantar fasciitis (and trying to learn how to spell it correctly!) plus some new added top of the foot pain I decided to go to the doctor to get my left foot checked out again. I was getting tired of running through the pain and well, basically just having a sore foot while standing or walking around. And, I would like to remind you that there is A LOT of walking around in NYC!

On Thursday I went to a wonderful foot/ankle doc who listened to my ailments, promptly sent me to x-rays and then diagnosed me with a stress fracture on my second metatarsal (basically the area on top of my foot located under my second toe), a nasty heel spur and of course, the lingering plantar fasciitis. Fun times!! And now I wear the boot. It will cushion by heel, support the foot and allow it to heal. It is actually rather comfy if a bit awkward. My right foot might get jealous of all the special treatment πŸ˜‰ Next week I am also going back to the Dr. to try a new procedure called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma Injection) that will use my own platelets separated from my own drawn blood and then the platelet rich blood will be injected into the injury site on my heel. Sounds kind of cool, I will let you know how it goes.

The big bummer of course, is that I will not be able to run for the next little while. I am aiming to get back at it in the new year. This is something that really doesn’t make me happy especially since I LOVE this type of weather to run in. I am one of those crazy cold weather runners. I will also miss my running ladies =(

Luckily, the doc told me that I can still spin and swim. Maybe this is a good time to work on triathlon training?! I get a little cranky when I am forced to slow down. Yesterday I pushed it a bit and I was sore… I know that I need to rest but, well, I can’t help it, I come by my stubbornness quite honestly. I really do want to get all these issues with my foot resolved so I will listen and behave… no really, I will. Maybe the plus side of this is that I will be offered a seat on the subway?? Doubtful.

Anyhoo, if you need to find me I will be resting or perhaps working up a sweat on a bike a soul cycle… πŸ˜‰

Have a great weekend! S xo

It is Open School Week at the girls school. Today I was able to visit A’s class and had great fun shaking it up in dance class (too busy to take pics) and survived math class- barely. So much fun to see them at school!! Here are a couple of pics. Have a great day!

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As I heard a neighbor’s alarm go off for the 4th time this morning as he/she hit the snooze button again (!), I started reflecting a bit on city living, specifically apartment living. Β Now that we live in Manhattan and not in the suburban sprawl where you can happily have family arguments with no one to eavesdrop πŸ˜‰ I have decided that there really are 10 simple rules to co-existing happily in tight spaces with complete strangers. I am sure that there are many more and please feel free to add your own. Here are mine. Enjoy!

1. Elevator Rules:

We all live in the same building and yes, we might not know each other’s names or likes and dislikes but we recognize each other’s faces so FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, please nod, say hello or do something else to acknowledge my or another person’s existence when I or someone else enters the elevator. This is not an office building in midtown, it is okay to make eye contact and yes, even comment on the weather. Also, please respect the sign that says do not over crowd the elevator. Again, it is not a fast paced midtown building elevator with fancy schmancy new technology and some of us (me!!!) are terrified of getting stuck in it.

2. Alarm ClockΒ 

I get that you like to sleep in, who doesn’t? But if your initial alarm must go off at the ungodly hour at 5am and it also has the volume level to wake up the entire apartment building on our end, you DO NOT get to hit snooze 4 times… NO you do not. No exceptions. If you need to have an alarm that loud, when it rings, get the F*%K up!!!

3. Wake And Bake

I really don’t care what your recreational drug habits are, blaze away my friend, blaze away. But, when one is living in close quarters please try and vent your substances away from my children’s windows, K? Do I need to say is S-L-O-W-E-R…

4. Be Nice to the Doormen

This drives me crazy. How hard is it to just be nice to people? And these are the guys that open the door for you, make sure you receive all your mail, packages and other special deliveries. They also know everyone that comes to visit you and probably know way more personal information about you than the person you are married to. Um hello, why would’t you be nice to them??!!!

5. No Vacuuming Before 10 am on the Weekends

This seems to be pretty self explanatory. No matter how much of a neat freak you are, it is just NOT cool to be the person vacuuming early on the weekends.

6. Keep Your Dogs On Β A Leash

This also seems like common sense, but alas, it is not. My 100 pound dog does not think that it is cute to be attackedΒ  charged at by your three little dogs, no matter how cute you think it is. Just keep your dogs on a leash, I will keep mine on a leash and all will be fine. Got it?

7. Remember That Your Windows Are Open

I know everyone has been guilty of this… Noise travels especially when the windows are open and there is very little breeze. So my friendly neighbors, keep this in mind when your little one is screaming at 4 am, you are having that throw down fight with your significant other, wild parties or intense um, relations. Maybe THAT is why no one looks at each other in the elevator…

8. Don’t Be An A-Hole When It Comes To Garbage

I don’t care how much of a slob you are in your own apartment but we all share garbage and recycling, so out of respect for everyone just use common decency and be clean. It really is not that hard. Put garbage in a secure bag, recycle what is supposed to be recycled. It is not rocket science, yet…

9. Be Weary of Experimental Food Dishes

I am all for trying out new recipes, just be a little cautious of those that have crazy smelly ingredients that may linger for days. Or at least try out those recipes on breezy window wide open days not in the dead of winter or in the steaming heat of summer.

10. Just Be Nice!

Lastly, it can be tough living in such close quarters with so many different personalities let alone your own family so just practice patience, tolerance and most of all- be nice. It really is a lot easier to crack a smile than throw a grimace. And when you need a break, I suggest the wide open spaces in Central Park for a nice long walk.

Sometimes in NYC, just looking out your window can provide some fabulous people watching, interesting spectacles or like today- daring window installations. Watching anything being hoisted into the air up numerous stories above pedestrians in NYC, is not for the faint of heart. Don’t even ask me about the time I witnessed sheets of glass being raised up at least 50 stories… yowza! Anyhoo… Dopey and I were just minding our own business when both of us became distracted by the giant crane that was lifting window frames up the side of the building. Proof again, that even while hanging out in your apartment, there never really is a dull moment in NYC πŸ˜‰ Enjoy the pics and have a fabulous day!

Dopey checking out the action

The large crane ready to go to work

Moving the frames toward the open window

In they go…

Starting to fold up the crane

Packing up and ready to go- amazing how fast they can do it!

I am proud to say that yesterday I voted in my first ever Presidential Election. Now that I live in the United States, I feel that it is my duty to exercise my right to vote here. Many other countries fight hard for the freedom that we enjoy and that is why it is incredibly foolish to not get out and let your voice be heard at the polling station. So, off I went. I stood in line, marvelling at the positive energy, enthusiasm and patience of my fellow voters. When it was time to cast my ballot I felt a nervous energy and excitement. After I voted, I hung out with my kids, volunteered at the school bake sale for voters (all proceeds to Hurricane Sandy Relief!) and then went home and sat on the couch anxiously awaiting the results. I don’t think I have ever been that nervous for an election, ever. I had also never been as informed about any election as I had for this one. When President Obama was announced as being re-elected I could barely contain my excitement and relief. YES, YES, YES!!!!!! And for all of you Canadian friends who were getting the guest room set up “just in case”- thank you πŸ˜‰ Four more years, it is definitely time to move forward!!!

Ghoulish Fun

I have to admit, I was having very mixed feelings about Halloween this year. Given the devastation that hurricane Sandy has left in NYC and beyond it didn’t really feel right “celebrating” so to speak. We are left relatively unscathed on the Upper West Side but so many of our neighbors downtown and in other areas are not so lucky.

But by yesterday afternoon the kids started getting excited and their enthusiasm was infectious. We decided to get into the spirit of things and Ron decorated our foyer while I helped the girls get ready. Truthfully it was a great escape from a tough week. As we wandered the streets of our small community in the big city there was a sense of gratitude and good will in the air. Eye contact was made, thank you’s and pleasantries were exchanged. New Yorkers showing once again how incredible they/we are. It was much needed for many reasons. The subways are running today, the city is re-building and the city that never sleeps is moving at pace again. Happy Halloween and Happy November!! xox

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We have been apartment bound for a couple of days now and with the wind finally dying down the girls and I decided to take Dopey out for a walk to get some fresh air. It was very different on the Upper West Side today then it was yesterday at the same time. The streets are crowded with people, the sky is brighter and it seems as if people are trying to gain some semblance of normalcy.

We are fortunate to live on a part of the island with higher elevation. At the height of the nasty weather last night the windows shook and the rain fell but we still retained power and did not experience the devastating flooding that happened in lower parts of Manhattan. We are extremely lucky while many areas are not.

It is hard to watch the news reports today, the city that I have come to love so very much has been hit hard. The areas surrounding, in New Jersey, Long Island and elsewhere have suffered incredible damage. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that have been affected.

We are fine. A little inconvenience is nothing to complain about at a time like this. The girls are off school again tomorrow and our biggest worry is how to keep everyone occupied. Again, I am counting our blessings.

The city will rebuild. Right now much of 39th and below is without power and the subways are flooded. Being a relative newcomer to the city I am amazed at how fast emergency response and action plans are implemented. The New York attitude is a feisty one of resilience, compassion and courage. There are so many heart warming stories of people helping others. I feel extremely lucky to call New York my home.

To all our friends and family who have been checking in with us, we cannot thank you enough. When it is dark, stormy and the wind is howling receiving the texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook messages are a great distraction πŸ˜‰ You are the best and we love you all!

I have attached some pics from the ‘hood today. We will continue to keep you posted as we can. Again, thanks.

Signing off with a request to send positive vibes, prayers and love to all those who are struggling after this devastating storm.

Best, Sandra xox

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