Event Recap: Disney Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Advance Screening

June 16, 2015

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend an advance screening of Disney Pixar’s new animated movie, “Inside Out.”

Hosted by The MOMS, the viewing was held at the Dolby Screening Room located in midtown. Yep, I braved the subway all the way from Brooklyn with two small kids to see the movie. Usually, that wouldn’t be such a big deal, but the fact that one is still in a stroller and it was nearly 90 degrees makes it a feat in my book! Luckily, my little one slept during the entire 35-minute ride into the city. However, that meant that he was wide-awake once we got to the theater.

ava-inside-outAva and her brother (not pictured) were excited for their surprise trip to the movies!

Up and ready for the movie, the three of us settled into the last row and waited for it to start. Since I’d seen a few commercials for the film, I was eager to finally see it on the big screen. The movie tells a clever story of a young girl who is uprooted from her hometown to a new city as she grapples with the various emotions (joy, fear, anger, sadness and disgust) that relocating entails. Her emotions, as well as her parents’ are illustrated with fun-loving characters voiced by popular actors Amy Poehler (Joy), Mindy Kaeling (Disgust) and Bill Hader (Fear). In fact, Hader was on hand at the screening to the delight of the children in attendance. The movie was chock full of funny one-liners and witty remarks. As I expected, it was an outstanding movie that both parents and kids will enjoy.

inside-outDisney Pixar’s “Inside Out” hits theaters nationwide on Friday, June 19th. 

Oh, and despite my daughter needing FOUR bathroom breaks and my son having two meltdowns, it was a great way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Check out the trailer below:

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

Sunglasses: Stylish and Crucial for Sun Protection

June 1, 2015

Sunglasses can be a fun and stylish accessory to wear, but they’re far more important than that.

Like the rest of our bodies, our eyes need protection from the sun—year-round. Harsh ultra-violet (UV) rays can put our peepers at risk, which many people fail to realize. Leaving our eyes exposed can lead to sunburn, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which aren’t recognized as being preventable.

Since many of us adults aren’t aware of the damage that UV rays can do to our eyes, we often fail to protect our little ones too. This oversight can be very detrimental. According to The Vision Council, since children receive 3 times the annual adult dose of UV, not wearing shades sets the stage for serious vision damage later in life.

Ava-Sunnies

I received these cool sunnies from Sum Sunglasses that my daughter LOVES!

I used to think sunglasses on small kids and toddlers were just a cute fashion statement, but I never knew the real importance. Now, I make sure that both of my kids’ eyes are covered when we’re out and about.

So, no matter if it’s sunny, cloudy, rainy or snowy people of all ages should be wearing sunglasses when we’re outside—especially during peak UV times: 8am – 10am and 2pm – 4pm.

Check out these eye-opening tips and facts about UV rays and the significance of wearing sunglasses:

  • *Water reflects up to 100% of UV light
  • *Snow reflects up to 85% of UV light
  • *Dry sand and concrete reflect up to 25% of UV light
  • *Grass reflects up to 3% of UV light
  • *58% of Americans spend the most time outdoors from 2pm – 6pm
  • *3 in 10 Americans don’t protect their eyes in the winter, when UV rays are still present
  • *33.7% of parents of children under 13 said their kids rarely or never wear shades
  • *Children as young as a year old should wear sunglasses
  • *Look for a UVA/UVB sticker or label when purchasing quality sunglasses
*Full disclosure: I was gifted a pair of sunglasses and sun protection package from The Vision Council. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more information regarding eye protection from the sun, click here!

Do you make it a priority to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes? Do you make sure that your children’s eyes are protected too?

Category: Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

GIVEAWAY: Celebrate Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Yogurt’s Sweet 16!

May 12, 2015

With two little finicky eaters in my home, it’s hard to find healthy food and snacks that will satisfy their picky palates. But, when all else fails there’s one thing that’s always a go—yogurt!

My five-year-old daughter has loved Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt since she was two and it’s also my 19-month-old son’s go-to dessert. For years I had been giving the single packets to my daughter straight from the fridge, but just recently discovered that freezing them turns them into a delicious froyo treat.

Packed with  good bacteria aka probiotics to keep digestive systems happy, yogurt is the perfect alternative to sugar-laden ice cream. Unlike other brands, YoBaby is completely organic with whole milk and fruit and isn’t made with any antibiotics, artificial hormones or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  Plus, they’re super convenient and relatively mess-free.

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Stonyfield Organic Yogurt is available at grocery stores nationwide. Check them out in the dairy aisle!

So when I was invited to attend YoBaby’s Sweet 16 celebration brunch at the lovely Bouley Botanical event space in Manhattan last month, I was thrilled! It’s always great to gain more insight and information about a brand or company that my family uses and loves.  Not only did my kids enjoy the yummy yogurt on hand at the event, but I learned about the company’s 16-year history and received great tips on how to get them to eat more than just yogurt!  While it’s a nutritious snack option, their diet definitely needs to be well-balanced with more veggies, grains and protein.

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Me and my son enjoying some yogurt at the Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Sweet 16 celebration in New York City on April 28, 2015.

YoBaby partnered with dietician and mom blogger, Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD of RealMomNutrtion.com to give us moms and editors in attendance feeding ideas to encourage successful eating for babies at different stages.

Check out a few of the tips:

6 months—Purees are the standard first foods for babies but if your little one is interested in self-feeding, experiment with soft, long pieces of finger foods he can easily hold in his hand like wedges of ripe avocado or roasted sweet potatoes.

9 months—Give your baby some yogurt or cooked cereal and a spoon, she can try her hand at self-feeding. Also, introducing whole grains and eggs are a great option at this stage.

12 months—Phase out formula and opt for whole milk for your growing tot. Small finger foods like chickpeas and tofu cubes are fun to eat and nutritious!

24 months—Avoid making separate “kid food” and make meals that your whole family will enjoy. Serving your toddler the same meals as the family will encourage them to try more foods like healthy leafy greens.

Do you have a picky eater in your family? Do your babies/tots/kids enjoy yogurt? If so, I’m giving away a prize pack of YoBaby yogurt to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment below or Tweet me (@browngirlgumbo) telling me how you get your child to eat different foods to maintain a healthy diet. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th. This giveaway is only open to U.S residents. 

Category: Baby, Giveaway, Giveaways, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 10 Comments

CHARM IT! Event Recap & Design-A-Charm Contest

April 21, 2015

If you have a little girl in your life between the ages of 5 and 14, chances are you’re pretty familiar with CHARM IT!

This past Saturday, the novelty jewelry brand in partnership with Crayola hosted a super girly event celebrating their 2015 Design-A-Charm Contest. Held at the uber trendy Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side,  my mini-me and her best gal pal were treated to tasty pastries, including Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and of course candy!

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Throughout the event, those in attendance were given entry forms to create and submit their best drawings using Crayola (crayons, pencils & markers) for a chance to have them turned into actual charms. Having the girls look through the yearbook of whimsical creations, which included everything from a pair of headphones to palm trees  allowed them to use their imaginations.

ava-zoe-charm-it

The contest was a creative activity that my daughter and her BFF really enjoyed, but that wasn’t where the fun ended. After the aspiring charm designs were drawn—the kids got camera-ready with fun props and took cute pics at the photo-booth station.

We had a fantastic time coloring, mingling and especially, indulging in sweets. Now our fingers are crossed in hopes that their designs made the cut.

Charm-It-Instagram

If you’d like for your child to participate in the charming contest, you’re in luck! The contest runs through May 6th so you have to act FAST!

Simply click on the photo below to enter:

charm-it-crayola

Did you collect charms as a little girl? Or do you STILL collect charms from adult jewelers like Pandora, etc?

Category: Health, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 2 Comments

Get Spring & Easter Styles for Less at The Children’s Place

March 27, 2015

If you’re looking for stylish Easter and spring fashions, look no further than The Children’s Place.

This season the store is stocked with plenty of trendy apparel perfect for school, play dates and weekends. I’ve been shopping at the fashionable and affordable store for just about every occasion since my daughter’s birth five years ago. It’s been my go-to for everything from dresses to headbands (she collects them!) and everything in between. So of course when my son was born, I continued to go there for cute and comfy tees, jeans and outfits for him as well.

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My daughter, Ava, wearing one of her favorite dresses from The Children’s Place spring offerings.

Right now I’m completely obsessed with the retailer’s cheery animal motif dresses.  They’re so adorable for little girls—especially for those with pets. They’re playful and whimsical just as kids’ clothing should be.

With Easter rapidly approaching next Sunday, be sure to drop by your local TCP—I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Check out some of these look-at-me styles:

Photo-Real-Skater-Dress-17.47

Photo-Real Skater Dress available here, $17.50

Gingham-Bow-Tie

Gingham Bow Tie available here, $4.20

Oxford-Shirt-11

Oxford Shirt available here, $13

Dotted-Jeggings

Dotted Jeggings available here, $10

Dotted-Flare-Dress-29

Dotted Flared Dress available here, $30

Argyle-Sweater-13

Argyle Sweater available here, $13

Chambray-Vest-

Chambray Vest available here, $9.50

Photo-Real-Donut-Stack

Photo-Real Donut Stack Socks available here, $4.20

Where do you stock up on kids’ clothing? Have you bought your kids Easter outfits?

Category: Fashion, Health, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle | 1 Comment

Crayola Brings Kids’ Creations to Life with Color Alive App

March 4, 2015

Like many adults my age, some of my fondest childhood memories involve drawing in coloring books—my have times changed.

Nowadays kids barely know what a crayon is because they’re so attached to their hand-held gadgets and high-tech devices.

Thanks to Crayola, kids can now combine the classic pastime of coloring with an innovative technological twist. Their new Color Alive coloring books (available in 4 different concepts including: Barbie, Enchanted Forest, Mythical Creations and Skylanders) and app (by DAQRI) is a mind-blowing interactive experience that turns colored creations into incredible animated 4-D drawings!

crayola-color-aliveCrayola Color Alive Coloring Books available here, $5.99 each

During a press preview hosted by The Moms last month, I was able to see first-hand how the app works. First, download the app on either Android or Apple devices. Then, have your child color the pages from one of the books using the crayons that come with the book (you can use regular crayons too). After your little one is done coloring, simply hover and scan the device over the page, touch the 4D button and watch the magic happen!

color-alive-2My son having tons of fun at the Crayola Color Alive event last month in New York City.

Your kids will be amazed to see their drawings come to life. For fun, they can even take selfies with their creations and store them in your device’s photo gallery.

color-alive-creatureMy daughter colored this little creature using the Color Alive app.

I’ve seen a lot of things, but I was super impressed by Color Alive. Plus, the book is under $10 and the app is free! It’s good to know that Crayola is keeping up with the times without compromising the brand’s mission—cultivating imagination!

What’s  your child’s favorite app? 

Category: Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

Get Lifted: 5 Inspirational Books to Help Combat Winter Blues

January 13, 2015

After the holidays, cold and gloomy winters can get even the most optimistic people down. I’ve noticed that my typically upbeat attitude tends to take a slight dip during this time of year.

In fact, according to reports Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—depression caused by seasonal changes, affects over half a million Americans. Far too often we’re beginning to hear about how devastating depression can be for us BGs. That’s why it’s important to keep our mental health in check in any way we can. Whether speaking to a professional therapist or spending time with a close friend, finding an outlet has to be a top priority during those depressing times.

For me, curling up with a good self-help book that inspires, motivates or encourages me helps combat those winter weather blues and boosts my mood.

Check out these five uplifting reads:

100secretshappy “100 Secrets of Happy People” by David  Niven, Ph. D. available here, $14

oprah-book

“What I Know For Sure,” by Oprah Winfrey available here, $19

areallife

“A Real Life: Restoring What Matters; Family, Good Friends and a True Community,” by Ferenc Máté available here, $18

10percenthappier

“10% Happier: How I Tamed The Voice In My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, And Found Self-Help That Actually Works—A True Story “by Dan Harris available here, $19

ledisi

“Essence Presents Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power” by Ledisi available here, $13

**If you are depressed, feeling suicidal or need to talk to someone, please click here or call 1-800-273-8255

What do you do to keep yourself in good spirits? What are some of your favorite inspiring reads?

Category: Featured, Features, Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment